Tag: family

dare to be different

The Chair

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I saw a chair that caught my eye one day when window shopping. I didn’t need the chair, but I felt drawn to the chair.

I sat in the cool-looking horseshoe like chair and it was comfy. I then sat in the more square chair next to see if it was as comfortable. Nope! Not my lucky day because the chair I was drawn to was more expensive. I didn’t need the chair. However, I walked around the store and came back to the chair more than once. I was really drawn to that particular chair. Maybe it was the comfort. Maybe it was just the only one like it in the whole store. Maybe it was my creative side of my brain telling me it would be perfect for me!

I tried to find every reason why not to get the chair. I sent a photo of the chair to friend for consultation. I talked to myself about the whys or why nots of acquiring such a chair. I could buy it, but the rational me was evaluating if I needed the chair. I did not specifically need this chair. However, I was feeling compelled to buy it. I did walk away. I was so proud of myself for not splurging in the moment. 

However, I have a news flash. I returned a few weeks later. The chair was still there. I was still drawn to it. I sat in the cool chair again and it was still comfy. I contemplated again. I took the plunge and spent the money.

Long story short. I have the chair!

The window chair.

The chair by the window.

The chair with a view.

The view of the chair.

My little white chair.

My cool horseshoe-like chair.

This is now one of my most favorite spots to visit. A thinking perch. A book nook. A resting place to feel the warmth of the sun flowing through the windows. All of this because the chair spoke to me. And I listened. 

Who knew a chair could talk?

Who knew I needed this chair, but didn’t want to spend the money on the chair?

Some days it’s a chair. Some days its a car. Some days it’s an outfit. Listen. The feeling that goes with the item calling your name needs you! My soul was satisfied by this little chair. Oh the adventures I will go on in the chair.

Now did you ever think you could adventure in a chair? Well I can! Just like I can listen to a chair. 

celebrations, dare to be different

31 Days: The 2025 Edition

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Oh the beautiful life we are given and the blank slate we have to write our story as we live each day. For this reason and many more I am continuing my tradition of my list of 31. The list that summarizes a glimpse of my month or 31 days each year. It’s fun to see what makes the list, but it’s just as fun to review the lists of years past.

It’s a great way for me to see that I am constantly evolving and also for others to take a peek and see if they are stuck in a way or maybe want to feel enlightened to try x, y or z. I’m always moving forward but I’m always looking back to remember how far I’ve come. 

1-I put a property under contract.

2-I closed on said property.

3-I planned a relocation.

4-i planned a trip.

5-I booked a massage.

6-I ate brunch with friends.

7-I made some new friends.

8-I read a new book.

9-I did some writing.

10-I did some strategic planning.

11-I made some donations.

12-I had many hard conversations.

13-I dealt with plenty of adversity personally and professionally.

14-I played tennis in the frigid cold.

15-I was a Good Samaritan in an ice storm.

16-I played in snow not once but twice.

17-I spent time with my mom being silly.

18-I spoiled my dogs.

19-I got a BIG ASS calendar for 2025.

20-I spent a lot of money.

21-I watched Trump take his presidency.

22-I went to North Carolina.

23-I was assigned Lori as my tennis alter ego.

24-I dealt with a leaky windshield for the first time ever in a car.

25-I sold two motorcycles.

26-I ate some good home cooked meals.

27-I initiated several new projects.

28-I learned how to connect a stove to a smart house.

29-I worked hard to bring home the bacon.

30-I played equally hard outside the workplace.

31- I started the countdown to retire.

This year I didn’t really elaborate on any of the 31 items. Not really sure why I kept it simple, but I just did. When I reflect on my state of mind this month I’m summing it up as happy. 

I’m a at peace with so many things in life. I’m finally settled into the role of empty nester. It has been a process to get fully untethered, but it was worth the wait I suppose.

The blue skies.

The less travelled road.

The quiet car rides to new destinations.

The allure of chasing the new in life.

The freeing feeling of letting go of things.

The warmth of a good cup of coffee and

the ambiance that it’s entangled with.

Just a few notes for me to recall down the road. Nothing fancy, but a blissful state of mind. Off I go into the sunset somewhere day dreaming of what’s near but also what’s far. Just a day in my life to share.

50 States Half Marathon, adventure, fitness and nutrition

Halloween Half Marathon

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I wrote a post a while back about my cross-country adventure to Disneyland. I loved exploring those parks and wish I had a few more days there. But, it was time to run my September race, the inaugural Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon.

Unlike several of my friends, I am not really a Halloween person. I did this race because it fit my schedule, I would get a special “Coast to Coast” medal for completing long races at each U.S. Disney in the same calendar year, and because it seemed like fun.

I learned that Disneyland races are different than the Disney World races in Florida for many reasons. The main ones draw from the fact that Disneyland is SO much smaller. In Disney World, you can run a whole marathon and never leave Disney property. For Disneyland, the Half Marathon was more off-property than on.

The walk to the start line was a breeze. No fireworks at the start though, since we were outside of park property and Anaheim has a noise ordinance. It didn’t take us long to run through both Disneyland and California Adventure. I LOVED being able to run through the little (comparatively speaking) castle. They had a lot more “at a distance” photo opportunities with characters, which was fine since Disney is more aggressive with pulling people off the course if they don’t keep pace. I knew I wouldn’t get my challenge medal if I didn’t finish, so I was not going to get swept.

I did stop at a character or two and many of the other photo opps along the way. Inside the parks it is fun and scenic.

Once we hit mile 5, we were outside the parks and it was all Anaheim roads. This mostly felt like other large races, just with lots of runners in costumes. Some fans came out to support and held signs. Local groups helped at water stops. A fun highlight was running through the Angels stadium and having our names announced over the PA system.

One memorable thing was this race happened to be during an exceptionally awful heat wave. We were warned repeatedly about hydration, electrolytes, and so on. This can be hard to do when you’re in the parks! The days leading up were filled with speculation of whether or not the race would be canceled or shortened due to heat. It was a long way to go for that to happen, so I was glad to finish all the miles and finish safely. I will say I was unbelievably hot by the time I crossed the finish and did not stop for the after party. I got my medals and slowly walked all the way back to the hotel and laid in the air conditioning before taking a cold shower and flying home. The race went under black flag conditions shortly after I finished. It was rough. But, I finished safely and managed to make it to the airport and back home.

This was a long trip for a weekend. I would probably do a Disneyland race again but only if it fell on a school break!

awareness

The Morning Chill

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Rise and shine it’s morning time.

The morning jingle may say rise and shine and but my body and mind say otherwise. There is a slight chill In the air. A crisp feeling it seems. All the covers seem so comforting. Each dog is curled up in their cozy sleep position. My surroundings scream warmth yet the air just above is just chilled air. Less inviting air in comparison. The irony of life.

It’s December. The mornings hit a little different these days. The house is quieter. The chill in the air seems to hover just a bit longer than even a year ago. Maybe the chill resonates with life and aging. Today is the weekend which allows some flexibility. As I rest under covers I decided to jot down a few notes about the experience.

Some days it’s a one foot in one foot out kind of morning. Today is full coverage. Every toe must be covered. A snuggle up day. I may even have an extra layer whether it be for warmth or straight snuggle power. A little dog paw in the distance is ever so blissful. It’s almost as though I’m watching a child rest as an infant but nowadays and a four-legged child to observe.

How life runs so fast then slows to a turtle’s pace. Sometimes this feeling appears on the weekends while other times it could just be a chilly winter weekday. A candle burning or coffee brewing would add to the ambience yet I have no desire to fetch either as the chill in the air says oh dear you just stay here.

Yes dear. I will stay right here.

Do you ever have a morning chill like this and choose to just soak it up? I do believe I consider morning chills as a self-care moment.  Little book to read. A note to take. Just a little solo reflection time in a warm and comforting setting.

The sun is beginning to glisten on the windows. The heat is running leaving a simple flowing sound of heated air pouring out of the vents. A dog sigh may slip in here and there and to me that’s their version of of the morning the chill. Their peaceful time of zen with their person. A deep sigh is a sign of a full heart to me.

The regular morning creatures are adding to the morning soundtrack. A slight crackling for the deer grazing just outside the window. A dog barking in the faint distance for a neighbor miles away. The ticking of the room clock. It’s no Trans-Siberian Orchestra but it is my little musical piece for today.

I’m saying yes dear, I’ll stay here in my room but my tummy is now adding a grumbling sound to indicate hunger. Now it’s time for my deep sigh as I head off into the day light of today.

#TinkRuns2024

My Recovery from 26.2

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Well my recovery started at the finish line when I chugged my chocolate milk. Gone in two seconds!

Then there was walk to the car. The pitiful everything is tight stroll. The shower where you find out all the chafing spots that sting or burn like crazy. These effects will undoubtedly linger for days in the annoying spots you didn’t think to protect.

Then time to eat like a pig. Real food. Real fast. More food. Just a short time later. Hydrate. Relax. Savor the memories. Check the photo reel to relive the experience. So therapeutic. A little massaging or rolling of sore spots. 

Tylenol and Advil. A little more chocolate milk. Light stretching. Then the 4/5 hour car ride home. Not ideal to sit but I did get out midway to stretch and used a small roller ball on my legs while I drove.

I did acquire a massive blister on the ball of my right foot and a small blister under my right toe which may or may not make me sacrifice a nail. Time will tell. The blister on the bottom of the foot is a nuisance but should be out of the way before you know it.

Sleep. Solid sleep overnight. Monday had arrived. A recovery night sleep in my own bed has very much helped my recovery overall. Moving pretty well today. Just nourishing and babying my body the next few days. A little shake out ride on the bike erg to keep the body moving today but to keep me off my feet. A little light bench press to engage the upper body. Compression leg sleeves time each day as well to help with inflammation and circulation.

Solid sleep rolling to Tuesday. Making sure I eat and or drink a good amount of protein today to help with recovery. More stretching. Wednesday has arrived. Back to tennis on the courts. Legs are feeling pretty good. Foot is maybe 85% recovered from blistering. Life goes on post marathon.

I rotated rest and light workouts every other day for the first week after the marathon. I focused on sleep and nutrition including protein and veggies. All worked out and I’d say I’ve been more sore from a CrossFit workout than a marathon.

Thanks for following along on my race journey. I hope a tidbit I shared may help you in your first marathon quest especially if you try it after age 50. Patience. Grace. Determination. That’s really all it takes to live through a marathon.

Recovery my way consisted of rest, relaxation, reflection and smart eating choices. I kept it simple. I resumed my normal routine the following week. My blister even healed!

The end of the marathon series. Now on to a new challenge for the mind, body and spirit.