Keeping Active

If I don't have an agenda or get actively involved in something first thing in the morning, I 'lose' a day.

Whether my agenda involves working, running errands, writing, cleaning the house or even a planned day of R & R ... the key is to have an agenda.

I was ready, willing and able to put in a full days work yesterday. But there was no work to be had.

My typing 'boss' called me, but only to help him through some trouble he was having with his email program. Two quick phone calls and my work there was done.

I called my bookkeeping 'boss' and asked if there was any work I could pick up. She told me that she would try and get some ready for me at lunch time. She sounded busy and frazzled. She didn't call back so obviously they were having a very busy day at the shop and she didn't have time to round up some work.

Thank goodness my project for yesterday was to seek out and enrol for some dance-fitness type of classes. At least I had a mission that was worthy of a few hours of research and decision making.

I found a F.I.T. (Fundamental, Intensive, Training) class that runs Tuesday nights ... and I went.

We were a group of 'five'. I had to be the oldest. I haven't exercised diligently for at least a year. I made a half hearted attempt, as I was preparing for the dance competition in February but I was more afraid of ruining my shoulder than I was of how my ballgown would fit. So I didn't last.

And I kept up!! We did some 'circuit training' - two minutes at each station (weights, skipping rope, a bell weight exercise, push ups, etc). And by the last two stations, I was so weary that I wasn't able to give it my all. But I didn't stop. I kept moving.

My body was physically exhausted. I cannot remember a time when my body felt so weary. My mind? It gets a good work out and I'm used to feeling mentally depleted. But not my body.

Tonight, I am going to register for a 'Belly Fit' class on Saturdays. This afternoon, I shall sign up for a Zumba class (on Monday), I am intrigued about a 'Cuban Salsa Rueda de Casino' class (on Friday). Then there is my regularly scheduled ballroom dancing class on Thursday and the possibility of becoming involved in another ballroom group on Wednesday (click on the blue 'links' to see how fun exercise can be!).

As we were parting ways from our Tuesday night F.I.T. class last night, one of my classmates was wishing that the class was more often than once a week. I told her of the options that I'm looking into ... because I too, believe that keeping moving is key.

Finding a fun way to exercise, making it a social and uplifting evening out, adding music and dance can only enhance my desire to get moving again.

It feels like my work days are out of my control. But at least I'm taking back my evenings. I am in control of something. If I can get my body working half as much as my brain, I could be in good shape before long ...

Energy Levels = Zero

Does expending energy = acquiring more energy? Does sitting idle = zero energy levels? Do I sit here and write about it ... or should I actively seek out some energizing activities?

I finally noticed how slow and sluggish I have become while I was dancing with a young, vital and highly energetic young man last Thursday. I felt old for the first time of my life. I used to have energy. Where did it go??

My days used to be fully committed. I woke up early to exercise because there was no other time of the day to work it in. I used to have hair that didn't require an extra half hour to tame into something that didn't take on a 'mad scientist' appearance.

At one time, by 6:30 a.m. I had either exercised or finished delivering papers; had a quick shower; eaten breakfast ... and often, I had soup/lunch entree or some type of baking all ready to start whipping up before my daycare charges started arriving.

I was frustrated those days because I was tied to the house. My days were ruled by other people's schedules. I took that excess energy and spent it on the house. I cleaned, I was organized and I puttered. A little bit every day. Little did I know at the time, I was slowly moving mountains.

My daycare days often didn't end until 6:00 p.m. The last half hour of that day felt endless. I had things to do, places to go and even if I didn't, I had my own agenda within our home. I didn't stop at 6 o'clock.

Now? I am usually still in bed at 6:30 a.m. Showers in the morning? They ruin my day. Because spending an hour fussing with my hair/makeup/overall appearance takes too much time and energy. If I don't shower at night, it doesn't bode well for the way the next day unfolds.

Once again, I am tied to my responsibilities. I don't stray too far from home when there is work to be done. The challenge is to squeeze my work into the hours between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. It usually doesn't work out that way.

My evenings? When I am not working or dancing ... I am sleeping. I can easily fall asleep at 6:30 p.m.; nap all evening; sleep all night; and I'm still tired at 6:30 the next morning. Why??

I am considering enrolling for some dance/fitness classes in the evening. Zumba, Belly Fit, a F.I.T. (Fundamental Intensive Training) class have piqued my interest.

What would this do for my sanity levels when I need to work evenings to make up for hours lost during the day? Would it inspire me to get up earlier to ensure that didn't happen? But the big question ... would this energize or deplete me??

I'm not sure of the answers to these thought provoking questions. But the time has come to do something. I'm tired of being tired all of the time.

Baking 101

When I babysat, I baked. I baked a lot. I was quick, efficient and it wasn't unusual to have my home smelling like a bakery before 8 a.m.

Since my full time day care 'career' ended just over a year ago, baking has gone by the wayside. Sometime last year, I pulled out my dusty baking gear to make gingersnaps. The oil that I used had gone bad. The aroma of gingersnaps cooking was more like the smell of rancid oil permeating through the air. The cookies were edible ... but not great.

I believe that I tried honing my baking skills once more, at Christmas. I have no memory of the cookies being good or not. They aren't cookies I enjoy, so I don't eat them. This usually doesn't bode well for the success of whatever it is I'm baking - if I don't have my own taste buds set for the end result, beware. But ... there were no complaints. Mind you, no one complained about the gingersnaps either.

A week and a half ago, I thought that I should bake some Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. So I took out some frozen mashed bananas to let them thaw 'overnight'.

I have moved that container of bananas around the fridge more times than I can count. Each time, thinking "I must make those muffins!" Each time I closed the fridge door, I immediately forgot that thought.

I completely and totally frittered yesterday away. By the end of the day, I was disgusted with myself, the lack of energy, drive and ambition. I used to accomplish so much with a day. Now? If I'm not getting paid to do something, I don't do it. That mentality is a definite down side to working from home.

So I thought that I would get up this morning and act like I used to act in my full fledged daycare/ambitious days. If I acted energetic, I would feel energized. Right?

Not so much.

I feel like I've been wading through molasses this morning. I've gone through my morning routines and more. And I decided to make those muffins.

My question when I baked my rancid oil gingersnaps was: Does oil go bad?? My question this morning was: Do frozen, then thawed-for-a-week-and-a-half bananas go bad?? My answer (after going through the ugly process of mixing, baking and cleaning up) to both questions is: Yes!!!

My only-daycare-charge has arrived. His mom immediately commented that the house smelled like baking. She then asked what I made. When I told her 'banana muffins', her reply? "Oh ... it doesn't smell like bananas. It does smell like baking though."

And I still have one more muffin tray to wash (because yes, I made a double batch). I was better off being lazy.

Trust me. If I'm asked to bring 'baking' to any type of pot luck affair, know that you are lucky if you see me walking in with something packaged straight from a bakery. Because heaven only knows how long flour lasts. Is three years excessive???

The next thing you know, I'll find out that eggs have an expiry date ...

Going With the Flow

The last few days have not gone according to plan - an unexpected day off, followed by a day where I expected to work and only put in a fraction of the hours I had intended on logging.

I haven't been fighting the natural flow of events. Instead, I have just been going along for the ride and enjoying the scenery along the way.

I have talked to more people in the past few days, than I have in the past month. I have had the chance to send out long overdue emails. I've taken time for my family ... and time for myself.

Going with the flow, enjoying the days that unfold, taking opportunities to reach out, daring to dream and planning a few small adventures breathe life into my soul.

Taking time for the little things revives me. It is more energizing, than a good night's sleep.

An Accidental Saturday

The phone rang at 8:00 a.m. yesterday morning and it seemed to set the tone for the day. My one and only daycare charge would not be coming before or after school.

By 8:10 a.m., I received a call telling me that there wasn't bookkeeping work available to work on for the day. When I didn't receive a call from my typing job by 9:00 a.m., I officially declared it 'Saturday' in my mind. An unexpected day off.

One day was okay. Because I knew work was forthcoming the next day. By 2:00 yesterday afternoon, I received a call from my typing job and I will be working there this afternoon. When there is no fear of lack of work, it is okay to have an unexpected day off.

I called my sisters and fine tuned some plans that we had been making via email. I received another phone call which changed my Sunday plans. I made plans for a 'sibling gathering' next month; checked into information for a family reunion next year; checked into flights, cruises and I even talked to a cruise specialist for my Alaskan Cruise Dream (then made arrangements to get together with my friend who will be accompanying me, so we can talk about booking something very soon!). Then ... I sent off an email to a new group of friends in hopes of reigniting interest in our 'Friday Night Out With the Girls'.

It was a day of dreaming, planning, communicating and spreading a little bit of excitement back into my world.

It was an 'Accidental Saturday' which I thoroughly enjoyed ... one day early.

You Know It's Time to Get a Life When ...

I was getting dressed for a rainy, chilly day today. I glanced over at my holey sock collection and reminisced about the end of the sock season this past spring. I recalled how pleased I was that the bare foot season of summer was upon us, because my socks were (literally) springing holes at every turn.

Then ... I had this flutter of excitement within, when I remembered having some spare new socks in my extra sock stockpile. Woo-hoo!! Happy dance! I love the way new socks feel. So 'complete' in their unholeyness. Soft and fresh. Ahhh ... if it's gotta be a sock day, let it be a new sock day!

I pulled out an untouched collection of three shades of blue socks. The light blue immediately got tossed into the pile of brand new light blue socks (they just don't match anything). Which left a medium blue and a darker blue (not navy). Which to wear? Which to wear??

I pulled out my jeans and tried to color match my socks to the shade of faded denim. Neither was perfect. It was then, that I caught myself. All of this?? Over a pair of socks!?!?

I uttered out loud, "Get a life!!', picked the medium blue pair (which incidentally are perfect for the day) and so the day began.

If the Dress Fits ...

Yesterday, my dance instructor called to ask if I will be participating in the annual dance showcase this year. This has always been the highlight of my dance year. The preparations, the fun, the costumes, the comraderie, enjoying seeing all of our dance group in one day and the culmination of a year well spent.

As the showcase date is fast approaching this year, the first thing that comes to mind is the cost.

I've been pinching pennies all summer and I think I have a handle on my spending once again. The actual cost of the showcase isn't unreasonable. It's all the extra ''stuff'' where I find myself spending money. Hair, nails, jewelry, attire for the evening ... you name it, I can spend money on it, at this event. Showcase has become synonymous with excessive spending in my mind. But it doesn't have to be that way.

Then there is the actual dancing. The long and short of it is, is that I'm not prepared. My feet have a vague idea where they need to go and what they need to do. My arms and hands are slowly catching on. But the technique - that stuff that no one consciously notices ... but makes a huge difference as to how the dance feels and moves? I haven't been practising or working at this. I deserve to look as 'unpolished' (and that's putting it mildly) as I do.

Okay. I could scrimp on the spending this year. Spend no more than it costs to participate. I could practise. I read somewhere that practise doesn't (necessarily) make perfect ... but a person can get perfect at practising. I can do that.

That leaves ... the dress. If the dress fits, I'll do it.

The problem? I tried on the dress last night. I always wanted a dress that stretched. This ball gown stretches. And it ain't purdy.

Do I have time to ''unstretch'' the gown in the next six weeks? We'll see. Because I've made up my mind. I'm going to do this whether the dress fits or not!