Skating

 #1 - I had my third ice skating lesson tonight.  I probably took some sort of lesson when I was a little kid.  If my mom were alive she'd remember.  I know she enjoyed ice skating.  But as an adult tonight was my third actual "class" and I did my first crossover.  Last week we did the foundation for crossovers, which I didn't even know what they were but my lay man's definition is "real skating".  I caught on quick!  Backwards crossovers however, I think that is going to take a while.

#2 - We also tried "hockey stops" tonight.  I have always thought hockey stops are a bit sexy. The grace and power combined I guess.

#3 - When I walked out of skating I unexpectedly splashed in a puddle, I was wearing rain boots. I laughed.

#4 - I opened my pantry.  I thought, "This is wealth."

#5 - A meditative song -

Follow

from Into the Night by Robinson & Rohe

Little Things

 #1 - I have a post election cold.  I woke up Wed morning with a sore throat (despite going to bed Tuesday early without looking at any media).  Friday night I went to hear some music and then had guests so I did not get to bed early.  Last night I was asleep by 9pm and slept til after 6 which I really needed.  I remind myself, "This is wealth."

#2 - This morning I moved my desk back into my "office/guest room" after finishing painting and am typing from there right now.  I look forward to my bedroom being just a resting space again, though really having the desk in there worked fine too.

#3 - And I have 1 piece of furniture I want to move back that is difficult to move by myself, but instead of trying (which I have done in the past even though it's not a good idea), I have a friend visiting this weekend, so she can help me move it tonight.

#4 - I used to have 2 paring knives. A couple years ago 1 disappeared, and now so has the second.  I'm assuming the 2nd will reappear, but regardless, I've been thinking about getting another one for a while now.  I have a Target gift card from work so I just looked online and picked that and something else.  However I was still $10 short of free shipping (both items I picked where not available for pick up).  I didn't want to make up something to buy, but I thought a while and found something I usually get at the co-op to add to my order.  It came out $.05 over my remaining gift card amount with three delivery dates.  "So wasteful," I thought, until I realized I could get $1 off my order by combining delivery dates. Of course, my preference anyway!

#5 - My wrists were really bothering me a couple weeks ago.  However I started doing the exercises again that a PT recommended a few years back for this issue, and it is really helping! I am so grateful to have the resources to know what to do in this situation, before the problem grows.

Done Painting for Now

#1 - I'm done painting (for now at least).

original color

1st paint job

now

 

#2 - I'm also done door knocking for this election cycle. I did the last one I plan to do today. 

After I had some time to support a friend in a tough time and do the simple acts of listening and helping her prep dinner.

  #3 - I got my Covid and flu shot yesterday and feel tired and a bit warm today. I'm grateful I picked a weekend to do this when I didn't have much going on, so tonight I can just rest. Actually a perfect night for a long Latte ASMR video. She's got a new one, "Autumn Night Pampering".

 #4 - I was asked if I wanted both shots in the same arm.  I asked for advice and it was a matter of if you wanted both arms a bit sore.  I chose 1 arm, and it hurts.  I couldn't roll over onto that side last night, so I was glad I had 1 side I could roll over on. I think I'll space my shots out next time.

#5 -Usually by this time I'm out of leftovers for the week.  But today I still had homemade meals to eat both for lunch and dinner.  (Quinoa and veggie pita pockets for lunch and a vegetable stew for dinner.)

 

"Bohemian Trumpsody" - Marsh Family adaptation of "Bohemian Rhapsody" by...

I Had a Feeling that it Was You

 #1 - Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come

Just the title of that book makes me smile (about an introvert), which I picked up at the library today.

#2 - I started taping the bathroom.  The 2nd room in my place I'm going to paint for the 2nd time.  I consulted my friend Jill about the color last week and it's going to be a dark brown, a color in my pallet.  I just hope it doesn't make the space feel too dark.  Jill says it will work.

#3 - There gets to be a lot of trash strewn about by the dumpsters here because squirrels (and at night raccoons) take food out and with it comes the plastic etc it was in.  (See aforementioned post last April).  Today someone from the management company was cleaning it up.  It looks so much better!

#4 -  I wrote a thank you note to the Community Manager at the management company that I appreciated the above and her response is a little weird to me.  I live in a complex with close to 300 units!

"He mentioned someone was thanking him, I had a feeling that it was you."

#5 - I do home visits with families trying to reduce the education gap at an early age.  Every other visit I bring out a book or toy to "learn thru play".  Today was a medical kit which was a doctor jacket with pockets for various instruments. The family I visited today got really into it.  All the older siblings lined up to get checked and even Grandma and Dad came in for a consultation (though dad left as the line was too long I guess). I'm not supposed to be leading the visits, but rather supporting the parents and following the child's lead.  Today this was easy as I sat back and watched everyone engage.

It's a 2 year program, and I've heard people and families can really bond over that time. I haven't really experienced that, in part because the first year I started mid-program year, and in part, because we all connect with certain people more than others.

Anyway, today's family is one that has really made a way into my heart.

Lemons to Lemonade

 When I moved into my place I painted all the rooms.  Since most of them were more colorful or deep, I did a neutral clay color for my spare bedroom/office. However it is boring, and I have thought I would like something happier. Yellow in some manner.  However I have a yellow kitchen/dining area and didn't want 2 yellow rooms.  Plus I couldn't figure out anything else that really worked with my furniture.  However when I came back from being gone this summer I was reinvigorated to want something happy. So with the help of a friend I decided to try a gold.

I only painted one wall "lamplighter" and instead of feeling happy, it felt intense and stressful.  Maybe I'll like it if I do the whole room?  I already painted this room the clay color though, and if I don't like it, I don't want to paint it a 3rd time.  The next day I bought a warmer neutral color that I have in my hallway.  As soon as I started covering the yellow I felt a sigh of relief.

Still I had this almost full gallon of paint, in a color I liked, just not in that room.  Is there somewhere I can donate it?  It's such a waste.

A day or so later I thought of one of the garages I'd seen in the complex that had painted a wall.  That might be perfect!  But would I get it done before it gets cold?  (I figured I needed to act fast also before losing my momentum.)

Before

After

And now something I thought was a complete mistake on my part, is transformed into something that I otherwise would never have taken the initiative to do.

I don't like making mistakes, so this is a good thing for me to remember.

Also my niece and nephew helped me paint this wall today.  It was the perfect painting job for kids. My nephew did a jumping and painting dance and I wasn't worried about it getting on the carpeting.

The kids had today off from school, so I took the afternoon to spend with them.  We went on a short mountain biking course, thanks to my friend letting us borrow a bike. My nephew decided it was too difficult right away. I suggested my niece go ahead and he and I could walk.  However my nephew suggested he could run it.  And he did!  He ran the 2 miles. And even had fun doing the curves.

When we brought the bike back to my friend's house we went inside and my nephew started playing with her 12 year old.  My niece sat at the table where I spoke with my friend.  "You're getting older," I said and rubbed her back.  After a while though the 12 year old motioned for her to join them in their play. And she did. And she had a great time.

She's almost done being a kid

but not quite.

Permission to Post

 From Gratitude #2 yesterday

"Have you ever been a to a marathon? I’ve been to one. I ran it. And I had people show up to cheer me on and encourage me. 

 

I’m the runner in yellow. Look at my face and my obvious emotions. My friends were going crazy to encourage me onward. I responded and was filled with positive energy and renewed strength. I see them, I receive their encouragement, I give a happy wave, and continue onward with a huge smile on my face, stronger, believing in myself, encouraged.

 

Your people don’t have to run an actual marathon. Maybe your friends marathon involves changing diapers or washing dishes or pushing papers or calculating payroll or just getting out of bed each day… marathon work can come in many forms."

 

Brooke

 

Show up for your people. Cheer your people on. It matters.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭11