My aspirational list

 This morning I was tired of the endless to do list that I have been making for decades. I also have been failing to complete them most days which I find quite discouraging.  So today it became my aspirational list. These are the things that I aspire to do during the day. If I don’t get everything done oh well, no harm done. I did manage to complete 80% of my aspirational list today which made me feel pretty good. My dad always said it’s not what you say, but how you say it that matters.  Words do make a difference. Now I just have to get rid of all the list that say to do, and convince people to make aspirational lists instead. 

I was very busy for most of the day. I can’t remember a day recently that I did six full loads of laundry since the end of 2019.  Now to be truthful, two of them were hand wash. But that’s still six loads of laundry. Except for the clothes drying on the clothesline everything is put away too. I haven’t done that in a long time.

I even found time to knit and spin today.  I also managed to get in 10 minutes of Zenning by partly cleaning out a drawer and filling a trash can halfway.  Plus get over 6000 steps just by cleaning house today. So all in all it was a busy day and I’m really tired. I haven’t done this much work since at least the beginning of February so I’d say I’m well on the road to recovery.

TTFN

Baby Steps

 I have been given the medical clearance to start exercising again.  I am going very very slowly.  It’s been 6 1/2 months of just resting.  Being a couch potato is not good for me.  I am doing repetitions of 5 or 10 depending on the core exercises that I am doing.  I can really feel it.  My goal is not to exercise until I can’t move, but to stop when I can feel it in my muscles.  Right now that takes all of 5 minutes. 

I have resumed outdoor walking.  The very first walk I had to stop and catch my breath.  Tonight on the same walk I did not have to stop to catch my breath.  That is progress. Remember the baby steps I was talking about. I don’t think I will increase my distance this week.  I will just try and build up my strength.  

The good news is that I tried my balance exercises today and that is one area that I have not lost ground in.  I can also do those daily.  

I am not sure if I should do chair yoga or Wii Fit yoga. I think building flexibility is a must.  

I might scan the internet to see if there are any programs already set up for reconditioning.  I think I am on the right track regardless of what I find on the internet.  

A Roller Coaster Kinda of Day

 I was having a fantastic day until I was not. I got so angry at a sibling for being unwise and unwilling to help himself.  I got so mad I was literally shaking.  There are 2 ways to deal with this. I was proud of myself for making a healthy stress eating option. The first is eating until I feel better, but after 2 bowls of fruit it as time to go to the next phase.  The next phase is  more stress cleaning. I managed to clean an entire 2 food square area down to the bare wood.  Some things went to their proper places. Some things got tossed.  Some things landed in the Bookman’s trade bag.  By the time I was finished I put on over 3,500 steps around the house.  I used up all my spoons for the day and then some.  I still had dinner to cook. 

We were both so tired and stressed that we skipped the chicken dinner that was planned. We had even gone to Trader Joe’s for more kohlrabi before things went south. We then went to our new plan B. A vegetable omelette with fruit for dessert.  On the plus side I managed to flip the 12 inch omelette without having it break apart.  So for 2024 I am flipping omelettes at a flipping average of 500.  Meaning that we have had 4 vegetable omelets and I flipped 2 without them failing into a scrambled eggs mess. 

I was planning to spin some yarn after dinner, but was too tired. I then thought about some knitting.  Again my hands were too tired.  I then resorted to some retail therapy by ordering for delivery a few things we needed for the house.  On low energy days home delivery is a great option for me.  

I should mention that kohlrabi is a turnip which  can be shredded to and cooked to make a great pasta substitute.  I will put the recipe in another blog post.  

5.04 Miles

 I walked 12,063 steps or 5.04 miles. 130 minutes was in my fat burn zone.  That was on top of a very bad nights sleep last night. No caffeine was consumed today.

One Old Pueblo Knitting Guild meeting where we learned the magic loop knitting trick. I am still not a huge fan, but it works well for a lot of knitters   So watch a YouTube tutorial and give it a try. Then decide for yourself   

Then lunch with John. 

The off to a new to me club called the Pomegranate Guild.  I don’t do stitchery with floss. So I worked on a pounder charity scarf. 

Then a walk around Tucson mall, because it is still to hot for me to walk outside except just after sunrise and right before sunset. 

I was too tired to eat dinner so I had mixed vegetables, goat milk yogurt with raspberries and lots of water.  

I am hoping for a good nights sleep.  

TTFN

It’s Warmer Than Last Summer

 I am finding that the longer the summer temperatures stay in the really do you really want to go outside zone I am doing things differently.  Like laundry.  Tonight before bed I set up the first load of the day for tomorrow.  If I get up for any reason after 3am, I will start the load and put it in the dryer 1st thing when I wake up.  That way there is a possibility of getting a second load of laundry done.  Towels and sheets can’t be done on the same day either.  They both take too long to dry.  I do this to do my part in keeping the stress off the power grid. No laundry after 100F.  Which is hitting really early this year.  

I will do a couple of laps around Target before I start my shopping to gentry to get enough steps for the day in.  Same with the craft store. I am starting to get bored, but it is too hot to go out to eat even with misters. 

I am playing too many games on my iPad and not doing enough knitting, spinning or weaving.   I am doing more 5 minute Zenning  periods during the day.  I am enjoying watching the smaller lizards use our front porch as a cool down zone.  The benefit of this is that they eat the smaller bugs.  They have even gotten all the little spiders and egg pods around the front door.  To read as one less chore for us.  Also one fast food meal for the baby lizards.  

More Progress

 I did something that I have never done before.  I typed up most of a new pattern before I have finished knitting the sample. I have to admit that has a lot to do with my recent hand surgeries and the slow healing process.  There are still a few tweaks to do. The sample to finish.  A bit more editing.  It will definitely take me longer to finish the knitting.  Then it’s picture time.  I am thinking some time in April with any luck.  Then there are 3 more patterns in the pipeline.  Just maybe I am getting my mojo back. 

I also have hit my walking goal 10 days in a row of a minimum of 5,500 steps.  I think my current decluttering efforts have a lot to do with the high numbers. I also tend to get a lot of steps cleaning house.  Also it is easier to walk with hand pain than knee pain.  

This and That

 I have started pre spring cleaning.  The more weight I lose, the more energy I have.  Except when pain wakes me up at night.  So I am trying to do tons of small little things that seem to be adding up to bigger things.  I am also trying to walk more. Today I got over 7,000 steps. 

It was interesting shopping at Target today. They are remodeling the whole store. Moving everything around.  They have extra staff on hand to help.  I can compare it to a home remodel except it is super sized.  Almost everything is going to be in different places, even the freezer and cold Food sections.  It looks like they are adding more energy efficient freezer and chiller cases.

My hand was even feeling well enough to knit a few rows on the doodle shawl.  I am taking baby steps with my hand.  

12,074

 I did 12,074 steps today. Which is 5.05 miles. John had to walk further to get less steps.  That is the penalty for being taller and having longer legs.  

Yesterday and Today

 Yesterday we drove to the Eastside of Tucson and went to Aqua Caliente Park. Before the water levels dropped in Tucson it was a natural hot spring.  It is a nice area to walk around.  It was too cold to brin a picnic lunch.  Here are a couple of photos that John took.  

Today we did the Walk for Sjogren’s.  Since it was a virtual walk, we walked on our street until I was tired.  If you would still like to make a contribution to The Sjogren’s Foundation there is a link on my Facebook page.  

This afternoon I did laundry and napped.  This current flare up is exhausting.  John is better at taking pictures than I am at modeling.  

Shopping and COVID19

 Now that the numbers are lower in Pima County.  I am venturing out to the supermarket very early to do a quick shopping trip. I mask up and hope for the best.  For the most part people are respectful of my need for space.  It is still weird to see people older than me not masking up.  The snowbirds seem to be the worst.  When they should be the very people who should be wearing masks.  I just make the assumption that they do not have the vaccine either and give them A wide berth. I have also noticed that these same people seem to be the ones that ignore the no pets allowed only service animals.  Also very few people use masks in the bakery area. When I get back to the car I use hand sanitizer before I get into the car.  After I get the groceries away I am worn out.  I can literally do nothing for a few hours because I worry about space around me. Who is spreading the virus. It is all very trying.  It may sound really weird but I long for the pre COVID19 days when people would just turn their backs to me because they did not know what to say after Eric died.  At least shopping was leisurely and relaxing back then.  

I am also wondering how low the COVID19 numbers need to go before we can resume outdoor dinning for lunch   Dinner is out of the question because the science has shown that the numbers go up as the day goes on. Then when will it be possible to meet up with friends.  Maybe even go to an event with people outside first. Then inside  I am hoping that Omnicron is the last major variant. 

Another thing I noticed is that I had a very bad sinus headache for most of the day.  It was very windy. However when the wind died down the headache went away and I had energy again. I am going to have to ask the doctor about that one.  I have know for years when the barometric pressure went crazy I would always get a headache.  I wonder if the wind thing is related.  

Absolutely no knitting was done today.  It was to windy to walk outside.  Remember the days when the weather was to bad to walk outside and we went to the mall to walk and then have a quick bite? We are still not there yet.  I did get 45 minutes on my Cubii2 though.  

A Rare Good Day

 Any day is a great day where I get 9 hours of sleep the night before.  This lead to a fantastic day of exercise.  I was feeling good after the first mile so I said what the heck.  I started the second mile knowing that if I ran out of steam John was just a phone call away.  I got a little dicey near the end.  I sat on a neighbor’s fence until I caught my breath.  I then finished my walk.  My first 2 mile walk in a long time. I did come home exhausted. Took off my sunglasses. Grabbed a mug of ice water and hit the couch.  I did not move for 2 hours.  After dinner I got a 45 minute workout on my Cubii2.  I am feeling pretty good. 

I am hoping that I have more good days than bad days. I just need a few less days of brain fog   A few more less days of tired hands .  

Out of Sync

 I am a little bit out of sync with my mind being in one place in time and space and my hands being stuck somewhere else.  Which lead to my whole body being outa sync all day.   So not much got done today.  I did manage to make it around the block for a walk, but had no energy to do Cubii2 after dinner.  I did notice that there were 2 very large parties on the next street over on my walk.  With over 1,000 new cases a day of COVID19 in Pima County right now, I am pretty sure that this is not the best idea in the world.  

I did manage to get a few rows knit after lunch today, but that was all for my hands.   Also when I can’t hold the knitting needles I have tended to do jigsaw puzzles.  I got 6 finished today.  The most amazing thing is that no puzzle pieces were left on the floor thanks to my amazing puzzle app.  

When we were talking to the kids today I explained  to the kids and John that my iPad Air (1st edition) was showing up with unusual colors in a lot of apps.  They said that the touch screen was dying.  They also said the next version would not be out until March.  I really hope my iPad lasts until then.  So I will do a backup this week just so I don’t lose anything.  Technology we can’t live with it or with out it.  

Faster

I had a very bad night last night   My joints were stiff and my normally soft bed felt like I was lying on cement. I am not sure why my body perceives the bed as being hard when I am sore.  I am sure if I Google it the will be a perfectly acceptable answer. I just don’t want to know know.  I doubt it will make any difference.   Just like I don’t want to know why some flare ups last a week and other are a few months long. 

 Today I managed to shave 3 minutes off my walking time around the block. A 19 minute mile.  I don’t expect progress like this everyday. I really wanted to take a nap but walked instead. Then I came home and took a nap.  I also got 32 minutes on the elliptical after dinner.  I have not gained any weight since November but I feel more puffy.  I need to work on that.  

I also managed to make a small dent in the current skein of yarn on the baby blanket. I think because it has a little more weight to it, it is not curling up.  The knitting is going faster.  

One Small Step

 Today was the first time I was able to walk around the block since I got that weird 24 hour bug in November.  I did the mile in a record setting 22 minutes.  Not bad for a first try in a long while.  Followed by 42 minutes on the Cubii2 after dinner.  I don’t know if it was the long walk or the Sjogren’s flare up but my joints and tendons are very stiff   I hope they are better soon   

In knitting news I have made progress on the baby blanket.  It is looking good.  

My adventures in on line shopping went very weird. They delivered all but the carrots. I thought they were out until I got a message from the store that I needed to pick up my carrots.  So strange.  

My Ramblings

 I finally felt well enough to get some work done around the house today.  I did 3 loads of hand wash and 1 regular load.  I also caught up on a little bit of folding.  I found an hour to block the new pattern.  Found an hour to work on a present.  Spent a couple of hours sleeping after a walk. It felt good. I have not walked this far in a while. It still leaves me a bit winded.  Maybe we will have an answer soon. Placed an on line order and got most of it put away   

I did not catch up on paper work including typing the new pattern.  Well there is always tomorrow.  But for now I will call it a day. 

Planning for 2022

 As 2021 comes to a close and we’re getting ready to enter the zillion th year of COVID19 and all of its variants I am beginning to wonder if it would be better for me to leave Facebook and cut down on my other social media.  Instead spend my time reading, walking outside and crafting.  After all if the science is to be believed the Spanish Influenza of 1918  took 3 years to settle down.  I know people traveled a lot less back in 1918. I hope all the traveling people are doing now does not  prolong the current pandemic. 

I have literally no place to go. No travel plans. I have lots of projects, lots of craft supplies, lots of books and  most of all lots of time.   What I don’t want is an email box that is overflowing with junk mail.  Spending time on social media  tends to add to that.  I deleted over 1000 emails today and did not make a dent.  I have to think on this.  I will keep my blog though.  

How is this Sunday Night?

 I woke up feeling great.  

Which lead to a lot of chores getting done. 

Which lead to over 10,000 steps. 

Which lead to a total fat burn workout on my Cubii2.  That was 30 minutes.

Which lead to 2 out of 5 knitting work in progress projects getting finished tonight.  

All in all a good day.  

Now for another goodnights sleep.

Which will lead to another almost pain free busy day tomorrow.  

10,000 Plus Steps.

 For the 3 rd time this month I got more than 10,000 steps.  With very few exceptions I have done 2 - 30 minute workouts on my Cubiio2 every day.  Plus additional walking. 

I did not post during the first have of the holidays because I was having a hard time.  I found out that I am part of the group that will need a third COVID19 vaccine because of health issues with one of the forms of arthritis that I have.  I am not able to gather in large groups and need to wear my mask in public. That lead to some very down days.  

Knitting is still iffy.  I still have to talk to the doctor, but want to get the 3rd vaccine first.  My hand is doing better with rest but still troublesome.  

And life goes on. Que Serra Serra..What will be will be.  

10,000 Plus Steps Today

 Today I accomplished something that I have not done since way before my surgery in December.  Between walking and using the Cubii2 I recorded over 10,000 steps today.  I am too tired tonight to explain the math formula. Tomorrow I will include it.  

I also knit for the first time in weeks today.  To be honest though I ripped out most of the back because I found a big boo boo. Then I managed to knit back an inch.  I did not push it.  I also knit very slowly. The funny thing is that when I knit slowly I am prone to make more mistakes.  Go figure.  My hands don’t feel to bad. Only a smidgen of uncomfortable.  I will know more in the morning. 

Unintended Cleaning

 I was so tired that all I wanted to do was take a nap.  Instead I organized my tea cups and tea.  I wonder if I could really justify a couple of me Pawley tea cup in the 30 ounce size? This is just a thought.  I gave the plants some of the expired tea. Plants that are not native to the Sonoran Desert need a boost of caffeine a couple times a year,  I am sure that there are other things that they like in the tea too.  By the way coffee works just as well if you don’t drink tea.  I was left with 2 bags of recycling, 2 bags of trash, 1 1/2 shelfs of newly freed space, no tea cups on the counter, tins for an art project and a lot of happy plants. 

On the me side I got 3,000 steps while cleaning. If I thought I was tired before I started, we’ll after I finished I was just to tired to move.  I still feel it hours later.  I hope tomorrow is a good body day, I could really use one about now.