Wow, the boys did great. It took 2 1/2 hours to go two miles, but no meltdowns from my almost three year-old. The weather was beautiful, the view was beautiful and the elevation gain was only 300 feet. Perfect.
We have a tent and the sleeping bags now. Next step, plan the outing before it gets too cold! This weekend?
Weight seems to be going up rather than down! Well stopping breastfeeding and starting graduate school has really kicked my butt in the weight department. My photo hardly seems fair as that is me at my goal weight not my current weight.
No immediate solutions in mind for this problem. I’m working on a plan!
I’ve been reading about men’s issues and it’s given me insight into the pressures that men face in living up to societal norms of masculinity. The result more patience, less self-focus, more partnership and loving actions.
Went for an hour walk with LaLa this evening and took the boys to Black Hill in Morro Bay this afternoon. It was a great walk with the kids. Last time I took them, the littlest one was just 2 1/2 and I recall it being a chore and not too fun getting him to the top of the hill. This time, he’s almost three, it was a piece of cake for him and big brother. His this a taste of the future when we can go on walks that challenge me physically a bit more? Hurray!
A couple weeks ago I got home from decluttering my parents house. 30+ years of packrat behavior. I could see how their things were weighing them down and really negatively impacted their lives. Yet it was so painful for them to let even the little things (like an 1/8 bottle of molasses) go. When I returned to my home the first thing I did was a sweep and deep clean. I got rid of all things that I had felt too guilty to throw away.
I feel lighter yet there is still more I’d like to do. This is just one aspect of living simply, but fewer things make a simpler life.
We had a seed planting party with some friends.
We planted watermelon, white pumpkin, tomatoes, beans, peas, sunflowers, carrots in little biodegradable pots that we can transplant when they start to grow shoots.
Now I’m just trying to get my partner to build the raised beds before the seeds grow to big!
Hey, got new strings today so I’m excited to see how they sound. I’m considering taking lessons at the guitar shop. It seems like I can’t move past basic chords and strum, strum, strum…
I need guidance!
Took the dog for a walk on my own. Multi-tasked by listening to an interview that I must transcribe and analyze.
Beautiful day!
I’ve been told that new strings make a huge difference. So that’s on my weekend list. I’ve been slacking, but yearning to play, because the quarter is really started to kick in.
There was a pile of bulbs outside the house from our landscape project in the fall, neglected and exposed. But last week I noticed that there were shoots coming out of them. So Wednesday, my 4-yo and I planted them.
Ha! There’s a micro-step. I don’t even know what they are!
Walked with my little ones (2 & 4) to Hazards in Montana de Oro State Park yesterday. It wasn’t physically demanding, but the beauty of the ocean and the eucalyptus groves is a peaceful retreat from graduate school and other stressors!
We are walking a lot. Despite last week’s rain we headed out each time there was a break in the clouds.
I’d like to do longer hikes, but my boys will get there someday.
I haven’t had time to pick it up for awhile because life is too busy. But after a long, rough day, I picked it up and I could literally feel all of the anxiety and frustration melt away.
I mean just strum, sing, strum sing. I know nothing complex. Just a few chords. My right hand skills are nil, but that tangible reward will keep me at it.
I love my class! The teacher is great, but the challenge has been finding the energy with my other three graduate classes. The pace is nice and slow so even though I have virtually no time to study, I’m able to keep up.
Just need to hang in there for the next 5 weeks!
Took the boys out to the bay. I am lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Gorgeous weather, views of the mountains, bay, birds, etc.
Still trying to play everyday, even if only for five minutes. I think picking it up is the hardest step. Once it’s in my hands, I’m pretty good at staying with it for awhile.
Right now I’m focusing on strumming and rhythm because I know quite a few chords and this is the area that is currently holding me back.
I’ve also found a friend who plays and is interested in practicing/teaching.
Went for a hike with my boys (2 $ 4) and it was great. Up a small hill and down. It was about 2.5 miles and I had to carry my little one down. I was so happy until I found dozens of tics on the dog. Aiya!
One week down. We also went to the beach for an hour and today we’ll go for a shorter walk. We just need to keep the rhythm.
My teacher is fabulous and the class is so fun. She is more concerned with “communication” than perfect grammar. So she says don’t worry about mistakes, just do it! That is exactly what I tried to tell my students when I taught in Japan. Maybe there is hope for me after all.
With my grad school schedule, I hope I can keep it up.
