Household Changes

I have reached the halfway point of my pregnancy and now the reality of the situation is settling in. With that reality is the ever increasing anxiety about our house, its organization and if it will be big enough for 3 adult sized people and a baby. We have finally, after much consideration, figured out the sleeping / bedroom arrangements for our bundle of joy. I am excited to have that settled and an actual place to call a nursery. We have decided on the best course of action for the rest of the house and we have begun working towards clearing out all of our 'must do' list.

But before this decision was made there was quite a bit of talk about moving to a newer house. You see we do not love our current house. Yes it is a nice size, manageable for both cleaning and upkeep. Our biggest issue is its layout (its a horrible bi-level) and the back yard, or lack of a back yard. So we began the search for newer houses in our little town. We looked at quite a few, some with huge walkout basements and the price point was crazy, especially considering we live in a small town. Even the more modest of homes were way above my comfort level.

All this made me think - why is our little 1200 square foot house not good enough? Will the extra space that a bigger, newer house provide be worth the extra expense of that house? I do not wish to be house poor again. Would I love a new house, sure I would. Do I want the extra expense, responsibility and frustration of owning a new house again? No I do not.

More importantly, in my ever increasing desire for minimalism, is getting a bigger fancier house in line with my newish way of thinking. I don't want to spend my spare time cleaning, doing maintenance and caring for a larger house. I want to spend it with my family, doing things, enjoying our new bundle of joy and our teenager. I want to be able to go to the park on a whim after work and have money for adventures.

The result of this rambling is that we are staying where we are. We will fix the house up, add extra features  and be happy with what we have. It is a lot more than some and the house is  a good little house.

Baby News

My family has had some exciting news in the last 4 months. We are pregnant. For a long time we weren't going to have additional children but we changed our mind around our anniversary in October. It seemed like a good thing to do. Now, almost at the half way point, I think we may have overshot the 'good'. The pregnancy is going well. I have been very lucky. I didn't get sick, was mostly just tired and lazy. But it has changed everything for me. From diet to household stress, everything has been amplified. To top it off there have been so many people just talking to me about the baby all the time.

I am starting to reach the point where I like being pregnant. Mostly because I no longer look fat, I look like I might be pregnant. Some of my previous issues have settled and some have been replaced with others and that is ok. I keep trying to remember I am building a baby and to take it easy. However, that is easier said than done when you put on your underwear and rip a hole in them during the day because your arse has expanded beyond the confines of the Large underwear.

My biggest issues have been as follows:

• I crave carbs right now in a way that I have never craved them before. Sure I was an apple fritter and candy junky but I limited that pretty well. I could overcome the mental cravings and just ate pretty closely to the weight watchers diet. Over the last year that has slipped a bit, but for the most part it was more veggies, salads and meats over pasta, cakes and candy. But this has changed. I need bread, cereal, bagels and french fries with gravy more than I need water. There are days (like yesterday) where it was all I could do to get through the day in order to have my fries. I know this is ok but darn if it isn't the hardest mental thing to over come - letting myself have what I want.
• Water - Pre-pregnancy I loved water. I could easily drink 200 oz of it a day. I preferred it cold but I could knock back a water bottle in record time. Now I struggle to get 100 oz of freezing cold water in a day. This is getting better but it is still such a radical shift.
• Veggies - Pre-pregnancy I loved peppers, celery, cauliflower. I loved almost all veggies cooked or raw. I had them with every meal, including breakfast. And I had a LOT of them. Now, I am lucky if I get 5 servings of fruit and veggies a day. 

Pregnancy should be enjoyed. I know it is a glorious thing that I am so lucky to get to experience. So far I have been really healthy and there seems to be no issues. My stress level is low, especially considering that there is a countdown to get a lot of stuff accomplished. I am trying not to complain too much about the small things. I notice changes but the only person I really tell is my husband and I try not to even think about the negatives because I am so lucky.

Home Organization and Minimalist Wishes

Spring is here and so begins the spring cleaning. It has been three years since we did a good spring cleaning, basically since I moved into this house. We are in desperate need of a good clean and in my opinion, a good purge.

Yesterday we began with the daughters room. We purged her closet of all of the leftover toys, clothing and stuffed animals from her childhood. Stuff she no longer wanted. It took 5 bags to goodwill, 3 bags to the garbage, and we still have stuff to purge. Her room is still full of stuff, but teenager stuff rather than child's stuff.

All of this 'stuff' we removed does make me question our materialism. It makes me wonder if we need all the stuff we buy. Sure some of it is convenient but is it stuff we enjoy owning or is it just stuff we buy to fill a void?  I have a room full of scrapbooking / card making stuff that I have collected for years and I feel guilty every time I look at it. I don't want it anymore but have no idea what to do with the thousand of dollars of stuff that is there. It takes up precious real estate in our home, a room that could be better put to use. Everywhere I look at our house I see the same issues. Books by the dozen on bookshelves never read, outdoor activity supplies for small children, hundreds of dvd's for movies never watched. How does one collect so much stuff? And more importantly - what does one do with all that stuff once it is no longer needed?

So I will begin the slow and painful process of spring cleaning with the occasional purging. I will try and get the house down to stuff we use and really enjoy, take pleasure in owning. We will keep the best of the stuff we own, get rid of those things that aren't used regularly, organize the home and generally overhaul it all.

Or I will get lazy like last year and leave it be.

Discovering Personal Style

What is your personal style? This is a question I spend a bit of time thinking about actually. I favor the British sweater-shirt-pant combo which can be switched up to the sweater-shirt-skirt or sweater-dress combos. But I realized recently that this exact combo is favored by my 85 year old grandmother and a very stylish 65 year old aunt. This made me realize that my day to day uniform is aging me. Or is it the way I am putting it together that is aging me. It is one thing to like the combo as I can make it funky but I don't. My closet consists of stuff that I don't even think my grandmother would find stylish because they are too plain, not enough sparkles and too boring.

The thing is I love clothing. Not high end fashions, but everyday clothing. I love looking at magazines, I love looking online. I am addicted to Pintrest. I love browsing stores and yet I rarely try anything new. In fact I have only purchased 2 articles of clothing this year. A new pair of workout pants and a pair of skinny grey jeans. Both purchased this week. 

I am putting together a capsule wardrobe out of what I have for the spring. Specifically April through June. I haven't decided how many items I am going to go down to because I am not certain what to weed out. Recently I was given a bunch of clothing from my sister. They were all in very good condition and quality and I am trying to put everything together with stuff I already own. During this process I realized, even the stuff I already own doesn't go together that well. It is all over the place in color and in style. It follows my uniform, however it is all from when I worked in an office everyday. Not out of a home. The clothes don't fit who I am now, at this point in my life. I haven't purchased new clothing for spring and summer in a number of years so this explains it. However I really want to make the capsule wardrobe work for me. I want to have the freedom from my clothing that people doing Project 333 rave about. I want to know everything I own looks good on me, fits my personality and flows well together. I don't want to wear my fall back color (black) everyday. I want to feel comfortable at work sitting all the time in air conditioning. I want to feel put together. 

Without the help of a personal shopper and mounds of money and a complete overhaul of everything I own, how am I going to get out of my rut? 

Grandparents

I had the best Grandparents a girl could wish for. I was loved by them, shaped by them and nurtured by them. They were arty, liberal and open minded. They believed in family, friends and a good time. The showered me with kisses. My Nana would rub my ears for hours because I loved it. For me my grandparents were my safe place, the place I felt so secure.

My Grandpa was my favorite person in the world up until the day he died. My Nana ran a very close second He could make a sandwich fit for a king, and often would late at night. He would drive anywhere to get you, take you for donut runs before bed. He was fond of slippers and PJ's at Walmart before it became the norm. There was always an apple pie in the house ready to be shared. They didn't have much but they had love.

As I drove home from dinner tonight I heard on the radio a multitude of songs from my childhood, everyone of them eliciting a memory of my grandparents. The Dirty Dancing theme song - memories of the album my Grandpa bought for me. The Bee Gee's - reminders of doing dishes after Wednesday night dinners. Phil Collins, K.D. Lang - it was like the DJ was playing the soundtrack to my childhood.

My husband and I are trying to have a baby. My worst kept secret ever. But my children won't have those grandparents. Not specifically my grandparents but they won't have grandparents even close. There will be no special days with Grandpa, no baking day's with Nana, no special regular weekday dinners with them. They won't know half of their grandparents and depending on how long the stork takes to deliver, the grandparent numbers could dwindle further. This is my heartbreaking realization and is further broken by the knowledge that the only people I want to talk to about this are gone.

And to top it off  all I want is an apple pie with ice cream.

2 years and unfortunate counting

It has been two years since my mom passed away. 2 years in the wee morning hours tomorrow. I was granted that one extra day to believe all was normal in my world so the real anniversary in my mind is not until Monday. That is the anniversary of everything changing.

Year Two was much harder than Year One. I have spent quite a few days trying to understand why and I think it is because everything found a new normal. There was no Uncle C to take care of, no wedding to plan, no new job to prepare for, no school and everyone stopped tippy-toeing around us. Life resumed. The holidays were year two of them, the second time we had celebrated without mom so in theory they were easier.

I found myself needing to talk to my mom more this year. Life decisions have been made and they require a mom to discuss with, to understand the worry without explanation. I miss her voice, her smell, her cooking and her support. I wish we had made better amends before she died, not just the small step we took. I wish I knew if she was proud of me despite what she felt are my flaws. Wish she could have seen me at my wedding, happy in my life, the home I have built. I wish she could be here to teach me to sew, to teach my daughter the same.

My biggest wish is that there was somewhere to go tomorrow to visit. Somewhere to take flowers, sit and have a chat and just be at peace with. Somehow I don't think taking flowers to my stepdads home office is the same.

I wish - a list that could go on forever.

February Resolutions - Abandoned

February was a totally horrible month for resolutions. The February resolutions were good ones - be present, laugh more and do chores with love. I knew they would all make my life better. And they did. However I was horrible at tracking them, horrible at writing my thoughts on them and then the next thing I knew it was March and I realized - no blog on February progress. We are a week into March and no update on March's resolutions.

I am not certain where this will lead - but resolutions have been abandoned.

Wake Up Calls

You know that feeling when you feel fantastic. For me it means my back doesn't hurt (knock on wood), my face is clearing up, I have had some good visits with friends, I don't feel 'fat' and I am generally happy with my life. I find when this feeling goes on for too long, a week and then two, I stop doing the things that made me feel fantastic. I stop exercising, stop being strict on my skin care regime, start eating worse and then I find myself not feeling so great. And the cycle starts again. But for the most part, with the exception of my back, these are superficial issues. Is it the end of the world if my hair isn't great? Will the world come to a crashing halt if my face breaks out? All of the answers are no, I just feel self conscious for a bit and move on. 

Last week a huge wake up call came. One of my  friends is sick, not dying sick but still sick. She has been sick for a while but now there is finally a correct diagnosis. And its scary. Scary for her because she has to deal with these issues, what it could mean for her and her future. Scary for me because she is not here with me, where my family could shelter and help her, where it is easy to give her hugs and see that it will be alright. 

This friend listens to her body and fights for it. That is how she ended up with the correct diagnosis, because she fought until someone finally got it correct. This friend does all the things I say I will do, but never do. She researches, see' s specialists, she gets bi-weekly massages,  see's a naturalpath, she knows what works for her body and what doesn't. While she doesn't always follow what she knows is best, at least she knows. She has a healthy appreciation for the superficial. She is after all a her. However for the past year her focus has been on being HEALTHY. Not skinny, or pretty for others but healthy for her.  I admire that about her. I am adding this to the list because for years I have admired a lot of things about her.  

I have been sick for the last year as well. Not like her, but I have an issue that I complain a lot about but really have done very little to try and correct. I am waiting for the specialist to diagnose. What I should be doing is paying attention to my body and taking a cue from my friend - pay attention to my body and fight for it.

I believe that how you look on the outside has a direct impact on how you feel on the inside. That a new hairstyle, lipstick or piece of clothing can change your outlook. What I need to start remembering is that how you feel on the inside, physically and psychologically, can have a huge impact on your life as a whole. Best to take care of yourself while things are still able to be corrected. 

Hair

I have a love hate relationship with my hair. I love that it is strong, grows quickly and I loved the color growing up. I hate that it grows quickly and is losing its color - grey is invading my head.

This dichotomy of issues leads me to my hair issues - short or long, color at home or at the salon. And these issues play over and over for me. I can never just settle on one.

I love short hair. Chin length bobs are what I have had for most of my entire adult life. I grow my hair out, cut it to a pixie, grow it to a bob, rinse and repeat. Sometimes I keep the various stages for a few months, sometimes for years. The exception being the long hair. I can never manage that for more than 6 months. I shed at an alarming rate and longer hair ends up everywhere. So right now I am really working on growing my hair out. I just want to see what it is like to have longer hair. But I fear it looks like a ponytail, day in and day out.  It looks like mounds of hair blowing down the hallways of my house like tumbleweeds, straightening irons, longer showers and tons of time spent doing hair.

As for the at home color or the salon color - I dyed my hair at home for years. I was quite good at it and it doesn't bother me to do it. It is much cheaper and because my hair grows so fast it is much easier to maintain. However since the grey started invading my head I have had difficulty covering the grey and that lead me to the salon. But I have an ongoing issue - to stay at the salon with the $100 dye jobs or do at home, just more often. As it is I often go 2-3 months without dyeying my hair and the roots get quite bad towards my appointment time. This could be fixed at home with dye jobs every 6 weeks, but how does one master just the root touch up at home.

So the thought cycle continues. On one hand I am grateful that this is currently my biggest worry. On the other hand I think it is ridiculous that this is my biggest worry. But neither of these thoughts solves my set of hair problems. Short hair? Long hair? Dye at home? Dye at salon?

And if I decide to dye at home - how do I break up with my hairdresser that I love dearly?

Rinse and repeat the thought cycle.

February Resolutions

February's Resolution is to Love Your Family. I have thought a lot about how I was going to do this above what we already do. We are a family of hugs and kisses, family time, individual time, talking, and I love you's on the phone. Then my husband told me about research that said that a staggeringly low amount of spouses say 'I Love You' to each other every day and the same low amount kiss hello or goodbye. And it got me thinking - we do all of that but is there a way to do more than that. So this month I am going to focus on the following things:

Be present when my child or husband is talking to me

I am horrible at listening but not paying attention to when people talk to me. In the morning my daughter often has to say things twice before they will stick in my head because I am putting my lunch together, getting coffee or packing my bag. The same goes when my husband gets home. Usually I am so caught up in my book, game or TV show that I half ignore what he has to say.

So my goal is to stop the distractions when they talk to me.  To truly hear how their day was, the answers to their questions and to connect with them.

Laugh More

I am not that funny, I can be grumpy or miss the joke but I am trying to laugh more and be in an environment that allows for jokes and laughing.

Do 'chores' with LOVE rather than resentment

I waited a long time to have a family and along came the perfect family for me. And lately I have been finding myself resenting certain 'chores' I do for them. Not every time I do them, but often enough that a pattern is emerging. And I have to remember - if doing dishes 5/7 days a week, doing laundry,  and making 14 meals is the worst part of my life then I have it pretty sweet. I should shut up, smile and make the most of it before my attitude causes me to lose it.

I am also going to really work on my Happy Home Habits. They sort of got lost in the overwhelming life change that was Paleo for January. They are great habits to have and I really want to use this year and accomplish something rather than have the year pass me by.

January Review

Paleo Update

I have been finding it easier to stick with the diet, especially since I took the time to bake for myself towards the end of week 3. I have allowed myself special meals that are off plan in some way and it has made the entire process so much easier.

I love certain aspects of the Paleo lifestyle - the emphasis on veggies and proteins over breads, pastas and rice being my favorite. I miss popcorn on movie nights but my longing for latte's has gone away. I like honey over any other type of sweetener in my coffee, although I only allow myself one coffee with honey a day. I miss bread occasionally, but may look at ways to make a plan muffin so I can have sugar free jam as a treat with nut butter.

I think we will be sticking with it for the foreseeable future. I lost 10 lbs in January for the challenge and I have been able to keep off 8. My husband lost a whopping 18 lbs in January, but he has further to go than me.

The one 'shocker' about Paleo is how expensive it is. I suppose this makes sense because you aren't eating any 'filler' so you need more protein and veggies to feel full. But the change in our grocery bill has been staggering. In January we jumped from $800 to $1200 but we decreased our eating out by the same value.  (Mainly due to our decrease in coffee stops with extra's). My goal for next month is to bring this in. Try and figure out a way to make it cheaper for our family. I am sure there is a way.

Exercise Update

I haven't managed anything other than Zumba and the occasional stretching. It feels good, like I am ramping up but I am disappointed that I haven't added anything else. In the spring I am going to take a core yoga class and my goal is to get on my Bosu ball in February. Better late than never right?

Proud Mom Moments

Last week my husband had to travel for work and was gone for the entire week. During this time my daughter had her first set of high school finals. She hasn't been doing that well this semester, the adjustment to high school has been great for her. And I can remember how difficult it was for me at that age so my heart goes out to her. Never the less expectations can't be compromised. And she needed to pull her grades up by 20% in some cases. In the lead up to exam week she did manage to do that. She pulled her math and science marks up, all by retaking tests she had previously done poorly on. This was my Proud Mom Moment #1.

Proud Mom Moment#2 came when we had our meeting with her guidance counselor. I had booked the appointment because I wanted to know what we, as her parents, could do to help her with school. And to get a feel as to how other kids her age are doing. And it was a fantastic meeting. Daughter had done some research on possible certificate programs at NAIT and Grant MacEwan that she could take, she did some research into her dream job and what it would take to get there. Then we went into this meeting, we discussed possible hindrances to achievement for next semester, mainly her schedule, and how they could be solved, by changing her time table. And she took the lead. Asking for options that would benefit her future, not necessarily the ones she wanted. All for the thinking ahead to where she wanted to be.

I want her to have a childhood and fun teenage years. But I don't want her to get out of high school and then not have options because we didn't plan. This is something I have been pushing for quite some time, well frankly since day one. And to see that she is getting it, wants to get there, well that is just a wonderful feeling.

Proud Mom Moment #3 came at the end of the week where we had dinner out and the loveliest night I have had in quite a while. Dinner out (Paleo-ish), DYI pedicures and then back to back movies. It was fun, there was lots of good conversation and some quality time.

All in all - last week was the best week.

Multiples in Families

I love TV shows about multiples. Multiple children, multiple wives, large families.  I am fascinated with them.

It started with Jon and Kate Plus 8. Although I wasn't a fan of the parents the idea of that many kids just gets my attention all the time. Then I discovered Big Love. The idea of that many families joined together just peaked my interest. Then came watching Sister Wives, Quints by Surprise, and The Dargers.

TLC has recently started showing re-runs of Quints by Surprise and I forgot how much I liked that show / family. They appear to be (key there) a family that has not fallen apart due to all the stress of multiples. They seem to make sacrifices to better their family. And dang, the kids are just so cute.

And I LOVE the Darger family and their outlook. I am intrigued by their faith, lifestyle and the way they do it.

But as I look at my little family I wonder - how insane would it be to have multiples of anything? Do I like watching it because it's on TV and far away from my reality? Or do I like watching it because I wish it was my reality?

January Update - Week 3

If week 2 was horrible then week 3 was a right off. I fell off the Paleo wagon twice and I am so disappointed in myself.

Paleo Update

I cheated with a muffin and a hot chocolate on Friday of week 3. I decided on Thursday that I would be ok if the cheat happened and I went for it. Once that happened, I felt horrible. Not about the hot chocolate but about the muffin.

The truth is I know what my triggers are and I know how I can avoid having them set off. I did it once before with Weight Watchers. I have a sweet tooth. When I am trying to cut sugar and carbs I am unable mentally and sometimes physically to do it all at once. If I have treats that are allowed then I can eat them, have them with me and that helps. Eventually it gets to a point that I don't even want them anymore. However in my attempt to prove that I have the same willpower as my husband I haven't made myself anything and that is leading to my downfall. I am not him, I don't have the same triggers as him and I need to find what works for me.

Another huge thing is that I finished off that bag of raisins that were here at work. I am glad they are gone. Disgusted I ate them all since Christmas.

I was tempted to keep it a secret and not tell anyone about my food issues but then I realized - lying about food / or hiding the truth about food is not a path that leads to anywhere positive. And it is OK to stumble. I can pick myself back up and that I am only accountable to myself.

The benefits of Paleo still allude me. Digestive issues are still kicking, energy has plummeted but the crankiness is starting to go away.

Exercise Update

All I managed to do this week was Zumba and the occasional stretching. I am not sure what the issue is. Mental block I think and hopefully it will go away.

Week 4 - back on the wagon, get ready for additional resolutions for February and more organization to the Paleo eating. 

Friendship

Lately I have been really wrapped up in my own thing. My husband and I have made some fairly important  life decisions, our teenager has become a teenager and the weather has me down. Well actually a lot of things have me down / worried / stressed and it has caused me to be a bad friend.

I am fortunate enough to have 4 very close friends. Close in a way that they just 'get you' and at all times. And I recognize how fortunate that is. These friends have been with me through thick and thin, supported me when my mom died, are always there to pick me up, have a great time and make me smile.

And I have let them down. Each of them has been going through something this year and because I have been so wrapped up in my own brain I have not been there for them. To really listen, get excited or be a shoulder to cry on.

So how does one make it up to good friends for being a shit friend?

Emotional Overload

For the last two weeks I have felt I am on emotional overload. Everything and everyone seems to be setting me off. I cry, I argue, I actually threw a tantrum like a 2 year old the other day. And I have no idea what to do about it. I know it is a 'change to my diet' thing but I cannot keep going like this.

It is making me a horrible friend, wife, sister and mother. All I can hope is that it goes away soon.

January 2014 - Week 2

Week two was horrible. The meal planning went sideways because of our schedule and the cravings have done me in.

Paleo Update

I should never have said Paleo was getting easy. It actually got worse. I can't stand the smell of coconut oil anymore and two days in a row I woke up to it. I have been eating raisins as if they are candy, almost going through an entire bag on my own.

We still cook lots at home, although the variety is getting a bit strained. We need to pick up the variety and take time to try new things.

The stomach ache went away after I drank lots of tea and water  but all of the other 'benefits' of being on Paleo still allude me. It would appear that my digestive issue is back in full force.

Energy - plummeted. Although I still don't get tired during the day, I don't feel I could run a marathon like I could in week one. And boy am I cranky. Very very cranky. 

Exercise Update

Zumba class is still amazing. I love Monday and Wednesday nights. I actually look forward to it all day.

Yoga sequence / stretching is going alright. I am enjoying the benefits of it but I realize that I need a structured class for a little while. So that is what I will be looking for in the next two weeks.

Hopefully week three improves. 

January's 2014

January's Monthly Theme is  - Boost Energy!

I realize it is very cliche to say that you are going to start a diet in January. Most people fall off the diet wagon midway through the month and start again the following year. But my Energy Boost has to do with health for my body and strength for what lies ahead. I don't think that I will be able to be doing any outdoor adventures in June if I continue to have back issues. So with that in mind the two area's of focus for this month are eating and exercise.

Paleo 

My husband and I are doing Paleo for the month of January. We started on the first and are committed to seeing January out. We have begun cooking together, shopping more together, planning meals together. So while Paleo is beginning to take its mental tole, I like what it is doing for us as a couple so far.

Exercise
I have enrolled in Zumba on Monday's and Wednesday's. I love the class and feel it is a good set of nights out. My goal is to also do my yoga sequence every morning.  It takes 20 minutes and I really notice a difference when I do it. I am going to stick with it.

I guess we will see how the month unfolds.

January 2014 - Week 1 Update

Week one has been difficult and very easy. They have been easy because there is a meal plan and we are following it. Plus I haven't been that hungry, so I don't want to eat outside of what I have planned. It has been very difficult because the cravings are killing me. I dream about a Venti Non-Fat Latte from Starbucks. 

Paleo Update

After the initial 2 days it got really easy to follow the Paleo diet. My husband found a natural sugar that I can eat. The coffee is becoming bearable (just) and I cooked myself some chocolate as a treat. The chocolate helped a lot. Just knowing it is there and that I can have a piece is enough. We went to a birthday party and I was able to say no to the yummy looking cupcakes and the cheese platter. I love that people put veggies out at birthday parties - it helped a lot during the 2 hours.

We have been cooking a lot at home, because we have to. Trying new recipes and new foods. I have discovered a love for homemade balsamic vinaigrette and mixed greens. I could eat these two things most days and be perfectly happy.

The downside is that I have had a stomach ache since late Sunday night. It comes and goes, but it is still there most days. I am just trying to drink as much water and peppermint tea as possible and move along. Hopefully this is not a permanent thing.

Energy - I have so much more of it. Sunday I slept for 3 hours and was wide awake at 3 in the morning. I got up, and was productive for a bit and then went to sleep around 4:15. I wasn't that tired on Monday and was full of energy for Zumba. The energy levels continued for the rest of the week. The only negative is that I am still taking a long time to get up in the morning. I suppose this just takes a different type of commitment.

Exercise Update

Zumba class has become amazing. New songs, new routines, music with a beat that I prefer. Tons of energy and tons of smiles. It really is the perfect exercise for me.

Yoga sequence - 20 minutes in the morning and my back feels fantastic! I am switching it up, adding a bit harder of a sequence and will continue. I am thinking about going to a yoga class after work one day a week. I feel bad though because it will take me away from my family during those evenings and I am already doing two nights out. I may just have to stick with the yoga at home.

I hope week 2 continues in the same manner as week one. Without the stomach ache though. 

 

Monthly Resolutions

I have decided to do my own happiness project / 6 months of resolutions. This will take me right into the summer, and June's resolution will put me right where I want to be for a summer of fun. I need the motivation to put the things for "Catrin" in order. Because I want change and only I can make it happen. Every month, as with Gretchen Rubin's Happiness Project, there will be a theme.

Monthly Resolution Themes

January - Boost Energy
February - Love Your Family
March - Cultivate Your Mind
April - Get The House in Order
May - Friendship's
June - Outdoor Adventures

While I work on each month's resolutions I am also going to try and be mindful of Happy Home Habits that will help me achieve happiness for my OCD-like tendencies.

Happy Home Habits

1. Practice tidying up every night before bed.
2. Use what we have  - Get rid of what we don't need.
3. Sleep 7 hours every night.
4. Act more energetic.
5. Take time for projects
6. Decorate our home so people know who lives here.
7. Be mindful of my minimalist tendencies - accept some, overcome others.
8. No more complaining about small things.
9. Be positive whenever possible.
10. Smile whenever possible.

I am sure I will add to my Happy Home Habits but for now these are the things I really need to work on. I am going to try and not put too much pressure on myself to be perfect with these things, but I am going to try and stick with new habits for at least 30 days. See if that helps my year reach its much needed goals.