See Ya 2023

2023 wasn't really good or bad. It just was. And now it's almost over. I'm okay with that! 

Let's see, the Spring included WASC and not much else. We were granted a good report though so I guess the stress was worth it. 

Oh, and my trip to Houston! That consisted of meeting Twitter friends, feeding Giraffes, and baseball. Good times! 

Summer involved Alaska! And house projects. And walks with Slugger. 

Fall was a blur of wishing I worked from home. There was a girls weekend with Karie in there too. And starting to run again.  

Goals accomplished:

Fed Giraffes! Bought almost all the property; went to Alaska and Houston

Goals not accomplished:

running 50k - well, I hardly ran at all! but I do think I'm healed

memorizing Bible verses - honestly forgot about this goal and didn't try at all

fence - can't do that until I finish buying the land

New goals for 2024:

write a devotional (been a goal in my head for years); finish the 50 states (trip is basically planned); lose 40 pounds (no really, this WILL happen); retaining wall (figured out the block, though not where to get them, will hire someone to dig the ditch only, I think)

2024 will be about me. About me making me who I want to be. Doing the things that matter to me. Perhaps that will mean a new job. That will definitely mean eating right and exercising consistently. And continuing to grow closer to God. Time with friends. Hockey. Baseball. Slugger. 

I got this :)

Break Week 2

 Christmas! I decided months ago to not do gifts. For monetary purposes is what I told everyone. There was also the desire to not put effort into buying/creating gifts that are not appreciated. The more I think about last year, the more upset I get. It's not about being appreciated but well, at least a thank you would be nice. 

Anyway, Slugger got a new baby (new cow) and some treats. And Boo got treats. Dad came over for lasagna. It was quite yummy. We watched Bones Christmases and A Christmas Story. Then he left and I watched Christmas Vacation. Low-key but nice day. 

Decorations went back to the shed the next day. Wednesday was a run and dinner at Himalayan with D and L. That was nice of course. They gave me a Moose cookbook which was nice of them. 

Thursday I finally got the new tattoo. A week late, but that's okay. It's there now and healing okay. I am oddly unemotional and indifferent. Which tells me that I am really just moving through life and not at all happy, overall. But I know that now and will work on fixing it in 2024 - see next post. 

Slugger and I went to AV to run errands on Friday. He had two walks, a ham bone and a pup cup so I think it was a good outing in his eyes! I went to Costco, Walmart, Target and got shrimp fried rice :) So I'd say it was a good day too. 

Yesterday was Dad's 81st bday. He came over for enchiladas. I made up the "recipe" and they were actually very good. And easy :) They'll be in the rotation, I think. Not all that healthy for Dad though. 

Today I'll tackle goals, and new budget and such. While listening to an audiobook to get in book #50 of my goal of 50. At least it's pretty good. Then I'll head to a NYE party. Yes! For real! It helps that I am supposed to wear pink :) I am, of course, wearing a LOT of pink :)

Christmas Break Week 1

 It's been a good week. A lot of nothing but yet some productivity too. Nothing crossed off the list yet, except an oil change, but I've started the bigger projects - backsplash and baby blanket. I crossed some stuff off cuz it was supposed to snow but it didn't so maybe I'll get to the new lot too.

Ran a lot of errands. DTH on Monday to get the oil change, see the gyro, and get my brows waxed. 

Tuesday, Dad and Slugger and I drove to Palm Springs for lunch at Billy Reeds. So yummy! Before lunch, we had a walk at Ruth Hardy Park. So many memories. After lunch, we drove over to the wash where the PS50 was held way back when. Hasn't changed much. A few new condos but the actual path was the same. 

(There were more pics but Blogger is being weird and I gave up)

Wednesdays run was excellent until my knee started hurting about halfway. Stopped after a few minutes. Then the other knee hurt the rest of the day. Of course. Thursday involved a visit to the chiropractor and a dental cleaning. I ran again on Saturday and the knee isn't great but it's survivable. Doesn't hurt while I run, so that's good! Chiro thinks maybe a Bakers cyst. That sounds like too much trouble. I think my knee cap is off track again. Should probably go see Shiatsu Tom. We'll see. I'm stretching a lot, etc. 

Now I"m baking bread that will be garlic bread and later i'll make a pumpkin pie. Doesn't really go with lasagna but I don't care :)

Here's to week 2! Still without snow!!

Sick again?!

 I don't really feel sick, per se. But I have a cough which makes it hard to breathe at times. I went for a run today anyway. Didn't cough the whole time but the uphills were more difficult that usual. The legs and everything else felt good so yay! I really want to start building some miles but I feel like everything just keeps getting in the way. This week we're supposed to get our first real storm. So I have to figure out how to get miles in, not on trails. Probably. Oh well. 

Getting a new tattoo on Thursday. Sadly not Astros related. But much desired. The methodist cross and flame. It means so much to me. About time it was on my body. Especially since it might be a relic soon. 

It's Christmas Break, btw. Three weeks to get stuff done, and sit around a lot. Yay! 

Stupid Cyclist on PCT

Tried to ruin my run. But I think it might've actually spurred me on a little. Gave me some adrenaline. He didn't do anything to me, just laughed when I told him he wasn't allowed to be there. In my teacheriest voice, I repeated myself. :)  They have the WHOLE rest of the mountain!! Makes me so mad. Oh well. Still had a fabulous, pain free run!!

PLUS I've had a bunch of energy all day and have done a whole bunch of chores. Well, several anyway. I still have quite a list. Not necessarily all to be done this weekend. I kinda keep thinking I'm already on break. Oops. 4. more. days. (with kids)

Temecula Nov 2023

 (sidenote: my titles need help)

Although Karie and I enjoyed a fabulous girls weekend in September, I hadn't seen the boys since July 4th so I decided it was time to go to Temecula. I still missed Salim but 2 of 3 ain't bad! We had no real plans except to hang out and for me to go to school with K on Tuesday. 

When I got there, B was still working but I was able to catch up with T and K a bit. I love a good low-key visit. I was also fending off a headache. They helped with some ibuprofen. I was also finishing off a Dr P from a late lunch on the way. Speaking of on the way, I was supposed to run some errands like getting my brows waxed but decided to just get to their house. My brows are unruly but who cares!

Anyway, once B finished his work day, we headed out to wine country to the winery where thy have a membership. I drank water while B&K had their monthly free wine. T had come too and he had an orange drink thing. Beautiful setting and great conversation. 

We then went to a local Mexican restaurant. Yummy nachos for me. And a blue agave margarita. YUM! Went home and watched some TV. And then I slept really well. Last time I was there, I didn't sleep at all so this was a big deal!

Tuesday dawned and K and I went off to her class. She just started this semester teaching GED classes. She will also eventually teach ESL and Citizenship. Her class was small (holiday week always is!) but mighty. They actually cared about learning and even knowing why things are true and such. It was amazing. And Karie is a natural teacher!

We then had lunch at Chilis. We learned that they do a monthly margarita flavor for $6. Wildberry was the current flavor and it was SO good!! (and not tiny just cuz it was $6)

Shopping was next. There is a delightful thrift store in town that is kind of higher end. I found two sweaters and Christmas pajama pants. I even had a "reward" so basically one sweater was free! Off to Trader Joes from there. It was packed of course but lots and lots of workers too and I got way too many seasonal cookies! 

Speaking of cookies, we stopped at the Cookie Co on the way home and got each of us a cookie. So big and so yummy! Mine was pumpkin crumble or something. We enjoyed our cookies over some more conversation and then I went home.

Ha. Traffic was terrible on the way out of Temecula and almost 4 hours later, after a stop at Staters in Yucaipa, plus going out of the way to get dinner cuz I forgot (cookie was huge and held me over!), I was finally home with Slugger!

Consistency is key

 As always and in anything, consistency is key. I need to be more consistent in many things:

-journaling

-God/prayer time

-blogging

-running

-exercising

-vitamins

But I get in a funk and all bets are off. This has been a lengthy funk. Not yet out of it but at least I'm starting to feel like I want to be. I guess. I know it's a cycle. I stop being consistent and thus get in a funk. To get out of the funk, I need to be more consistent about the items above. But the fink causes me to not wanna. 

So yeah.

hmph

Well, I'm better. Still extra snot hanging around. Heart broken though. Should be my boys not the stupid Rangers in the World Series. Oh well. It was one of those years and really we were lucky to get as far as we did. Still my boys!

Dad came for dinner tonight. Stir fry. It was pretty good and he went home with two tubs of leftovers. I spent the evening and still not done changing my credit card number with everyone who uses it for auto pay - spectrum and such. I purchased from what, in the end, was a questionable online company many months ago and they keep trying to charge me an annual fee or such. I thought I'd gotten it taken care of with the company but apparently not cuz there was just another charge. So I just canceled the card. It's a pain. But the nice thing is that Capital One has already issued a new "virtual card" so I know the new number before I get the actual card next week. Lesson - no online shopping from random companies that advertise on Instagram!

Ran a couple times during the week. Had my first heel pain. I *think* it has to do with having been on my feet all day at school first. Tried stretching throughout the day on Wednesday and the run was better than Monday's but not painfree. We'll see how I feel tomorrow when the run is the first thing I do. 

Very much looking forward to sleeping late tomorrow. Luckily it's cooling off so I don't have to run as early to not die of heat!

Night!

Almost OK

Healthwise, almost OK. Baseball? Doing well!! 

Had a decent day at school. I finally don't feel like trash. Throat is okay unless I talk a lot or have to raise my voice too much. Which I didn't too very much. Still very little energy though. Oh well, two whole days to sleep :) Though I'm hoping to go for a run tomorrow. Or at least exercise. And give Slugger a good walk!

Back and forth, aggravating baseball. Benches cleared. Altuve hits a go-ahead HR top of the 9th. Pressley had a 2 inning "save"/win. It was amazing! Lead the series 3-2 and going home. Gotsta win one at home... People need to stop comparing it to 2019 WS. Please no. 

Gonna finish my book toboight. I've had to restrict myself to one chapter each night the last couple nights cuz of early alarms. Not tonight! But really, I don't have but about 40-50 pages left. Kinda sad to be saying goodbye to these characters and worlds. Guess that's what makes a good book!

Goodnight Blog!

Less Sick

I might even say better. Made it through the whole day at school. I think even a few students learned how to solve a quadratic equation with imaginary numbers. 

Although the throat is better, unfortunately the yuck has moved into the medal area. I sneeze a lot, which makes the throat hurt again. And scares the dog. He was just lying with me on the couch and I sneezed. Now he's on the floor. Which I guess is an improvement cuz he used to go outside. For a dog who is so protective, you'd think he'd get closer, trying to make me better. I think he doesn't understand why I'm making such violent noises and movement. My sneezes are generally not gentle!

Anyway, students were generally respectful of my need to speak low and not much. I think they were glad to have me back after they were supposed to learn on their own for three days. Which is exactly why I went to school today. Well, that and I've already used half my sick days! And it hasn't snowed yet!! But I'm gonna man up this winter and go to work even when the roads are gross. If I wreck the truck, can I sue them for making us go to school?

Know what I miss? Running. I had JUST started again!! Ugh. Hopefully Saturday I'll feel well enough to venture out. 

Back to watching baseball. We're winning :)

Sick

 I say this all the time but I really should write more. Not that I have a lot to write about or that anyone reads this. But still. It'd be good for me. 

I'm sitting here watching my Astros play in the ALCS again. For the 7th year in a row. Honestly, I didn't know if we'd get this far. But here we are. Playing against the Rangers. I really don't like them. 

I've been home sick all week. Last week was Fall Break and ended with the Kodiak Ultramarathons. I'm blaming lack of sleep and being outside in 28* at the start of the 100 mile and the 100k. It's been a while since I've really been sick, other than Covid last Christmas. And boy was I sick! A horrid sore throat and just a general need to sleep. I happened to have a doctor's appointment today but would have taken today too. So 3 days off sick - that's a LOT for me! I finally feel better after a long day (not really but felt like it) down the hill where it was 95+*!! I sweated the sick out :) I am still not good but I'll go back to work tomorrow. Only have to get through 2 days, right?!

On another note, I am reading a great trilogy by Nora Roberts. Dragon something. I'm almost done with book 3. I haven't hardly done anything but read, even before I was sick. Like all day for days! It feels good. It's been a long time. I'm not even sure the books are any good, but they're exactly what I needed right now. I've been in a slump. Haven't found anything that caught my attention. Or that I liked. Until this. Already thinking about what to read next cuz it needs to be something very different! Like a non-fiction. I think this one will stick with me for a bit. 

Okay, the boys are still winning. I need to continue getting ready for bed. Cuz I should be IN bed already. Hopefully I'll sleep well. 

Snowpocalypse 2023

 We survived the storm of the century! The first ever "blizzard"!! We spent 5 days at home (1 sick day, 2 snow days, plus weekend) and had several short walks and did some shoveling. Mostly we laid around :)

Here are pics in chronological order more or less:

                Wednesday        

                        Thursday

                            Friday

                                Saturday

                        Sunday (storm over!!)

BUT MORE TO COME THIS WEEK!!!!! I. HATE. WINTER!!!!!