I just discovered this meme and annual event yesterday! (I love this graphic!)
This is the brain-child of Trish of Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity!
I particularly appreciate the bit of history she provides to the establishment of this event!
It is a rather unique idea and after reading several other bloggers' posts decided I would give it a go this year, too. Although I am a bit tardy, it's okay, right?!? :)
My Thursday, March 24, 2016
5:23AM Although my alarm is set for 5:30AM, I awake and wonder what time it is. It feels
close to awakening time, but I'm not sure. Usually, I do my best NOT to look at my
phone/alarm, since I have found that can sometimes get my mind working and it
can be a task to turn it off once again and resume sleeping! (I read this tip
about 20 years ago and it made sense to me. Once I started noticing, I discovered
it did sometimes happen to me! Hence, it is one of the hints I suggest to those
friends who may complain about not being able to sleep soundly.)
However, I probably should greatly qualify this statement since my husband may
read this and comment...the truth is...I rarely have ANY trouble sleeping! Rarely!
Even if awakened, I am able to go right back to sleep immediately 99.9% of the
time! My comment to him periodically is..."Remember, awaken me only for a
natural disaster, 'cause I'll probably not be aware..." I do sleep like a log. And,
typically once I'm in bed and the light is out, it is at most only a matter of a
few minutes before I'm snoring away. :) And, yes, especially as I get older
(approaching 60!) I appreciate this ability more and more!
(approaching 60!) I appreciate this ability more and more!
5:30AM And as it should my alarm on my phone begins to bring me out of my deep sleep
over the course of 20 minutes. Yes, you read that right, 20 minutes! As easy as it
is for me to fall asleep, it is in turn at least that difficult for me to wake up in the
morning!! :) (As both my grandmother and mother could confirm from my youth!)
I had been looking at "Zen" alarm clocks throughout the years. These use sounds
that gradually bring your mind out of a deep sleep rather than shocking it to
I had been looking at "Zen" alarm clocks throughout the years. These use sounds
that gradually bring your mind out of a deep sleep rather than shocking it to
wakefulness with loud noises. (Which honestly rarely worked for me!) They were
priced at $150 and up--beyond what I was willing or, let's face it, able, to spend for
an alarm clock. With my first smart phone purchase I searched through available
I was more than happy to pay the small price of $3.99 to try it. (I see the price is
currently $1.99-- a bargain! ;)) And...I love it! Not only does this gently persuade
me to full wakefulness, it also ensures I am not ANGRY about having to get up!
That was definitely a new experience for me! A very pleasant change, I might add!
I keep snoozing off and on...until...
5:48AM Okay, alarm off, phone and charging cable in hand and glasses on. I'm ready to
exit the bedroom and start my morning routine. (I try to be quiet so as not to wake
my husband!) Per the usual, I am escorted out by my beautiful 18-year-old feline
housemate, Smokie! (I wonder if she believes I am unable to make my way out on
my own! :) Though I love having her 'attend' to me first thing!) I change clothes,
felines with whom we share our abode. While my tea steeps I complete five
minutes' practice of "five animals." This is a Chi Kung exercise. In the past I would
complete a short form of Taichi, then Chi Kung forms, then a hand-held weights
workout for a total of 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes of physical exertion. I
minutes' practice of "five animals." This is a Chi Kung exercise. In the past I would
complete a short form of Taichi, then Chi Kung forms, then a hand-held weights
workout for a total of 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes of physical exertion. I
have not done much of this in my mornings since I began caring for my mother
about 4 years ago. And, trust me, I can tell. Having dealt with osteo-arthritis from
the age of 18, I can attest to the benefits of working the body's chi and getting the
blood pumping with weights. I am at the beginning stages of renewing my efforts in
this area of my life. As my new D.O./Primary Care Provider said, "It only takes 5
minutes per day of exercise to make a positive change in your fitness level." So
true! So rather than think of the 60 minutes or more for me to complete the whole
workout, I am simply starting with 5 minutes, and so far it is working! As I feel
better I will keep adding to it. Note: I have my husband to thank for Taichi and Chi
Kung, as he teaches both (along with Sword Form). Just one of the many many
benefits of having this man in my life!
blood pumping with weights. I am at the beginning stages of renewing my efforts in
this area of my life. As my new D.O./Primary Care Provider said, "It only takes 5
minutes per day of exercise to make a positive change in your fitness level." So
true! So rather than think of the 60 minutes or more for me to complete the whole
workout, I am simply starting with 5 minutes, and so far it is working! As I feel
better I will keep adding to it. Note: I have my husband to thank for Taichi and Chi
Kung, as he teaches both (along with Sword Form). Just one of the many many
benefits of having this man in my life!
6:05AM All settled in "my chair" with earbuds in, Holosync meditation playing on my
phone/in my ears, two kitties in my lap, one on the back of my chair, and one on
the arm! I play several games on my phone, then read The Cay by
Theodore Taylor. (Part of my Re-Readathon project hosted by Bex of
Theodore Taylor. (Part of my Re-Readathon project hosted by Bex of
An Armchair by the Sea!) Meditation lasts 60 minutes, so... (NOTE: I also have
my husband to thank for the Holosync recommendation. I discover it helps me
immensely with remaining calm and more focused throughout the day.)
my husband to thank for the Holosync recommendation. I discover it helps me
immensely with remaining calm and more focused throughout the day.)
7:15AM I force myself out of the chair to complete the morning routine and head out to the
office. :) (I find it tough to put the book down...but that is typical for me!) I feed the
fur-babies their first of two 'wet food' feedings for the day, also refilling their bowls
of dry food and water. As they eat (I have one I must watch because she will chase
others away from their bowls sometimes...), I consume my Isagenix meal-
replacement shake, and check the weather on my phone so I can know how to
dress for the temperature, etc. (BTW, I have used Isagenix about 7 years now and
attribute it with keeping me off the anti-inflammatory medications!) I dress, comb
my hair (quit wearing make-up about 10 years ago), brush my teeth, get my
cooler packed, kiss my husband, and head out the door at... (NOTE: I always have
a soft-side cooler with me during the workday because I haul my own super-
filtered water to drink! Yes, I am THAT picky! I usually drink 1-1 1/2 liters of water
during the workday, some of that with green tea. I also haul all our drinking and
cooking water into the house! I admitted I am picky!)
fur-babies their first of two 'wet food' feedings for the day, also refilling their bowls
of dry food and water. As they eat (I have one I must watch because she will chase
others away from their bowls sometimes...), I consume my Isagenix meal-
replacement shake, and check the weather on my phone so I can know how to
dress for the temperature, etc. (BTW, I have used Isagenix about 7 years now and
attribute it with keeping me off the anti-inflammatory medications!) I dress, comb
my hair (quit wearing make-up about 10 years ago), brush my teeth, get my
cooler packed, kiss my husband, and head out the door at... (NOTE: I always have
a soft-side cooler with me during the workday because I haul my own super-
filtered water to drink! Yes, I am THAT picky! I usually drink 1-1 1/2 liters of water
during the workday, some of that with green tea. I also haul all our drinking and
cooking water into the house! I admitted I am picky!)
7:45AM My commute is roughly 45 minutes and I usually use this time to (1) check my
phone for traffic jams as I near the city, (2) listen to NPR on the radio or use my
phone to listen to NPR podcasts, Ted Talks, etc.
8:35AM I clock in at work. Today is a busy day at work as I have much to do to finalize
preparations for tomorrow. :) Our students will be here for a day-long finale to their
current clinical rotation. Since I am the administrative assistant who coordinates all
the details (scheduling, paperwork, certification, etc.) for the rotations, I must be
organized and ready! :) I field emails, organize files, complete forms, etc.
10:05AM Time for a cup of green tea and a snack! Plus a bathroom break!
10:20AM Back at it. Finalizing, posting, and emailing Information Sheets, printing and
organizing materials for upcoming Accreditation review, entering evaluation data
and scheduling information into our electronic tracking system students use while
on clinical rotations. Dealing with students' questions, email messages, etc.
12:58AM Hungry, but not too. Another cup of green tea and some crackers and cheese and
homemade cream of asparagus soup! Yay! Short break.
1:12PM More of the same work tasks from this morning. (Never done... Job security I
guess! :)) More emphasis on pulling reports from the electronic system this
afternoon and planning tasks for the student worker to complete next week. (Next
week will be quite a break. Only two faculty in, me, and our student worker during
her scheduled hours. It is Spring Break so no students to interrupt me! It should be
very productive!)
2:30PM Yipes! Meeting with the Clinical Coordinator to update the rotation schedule for the
next 5 months!
3:30PM Return to office and take break to get more tea and eat some cottage cheese! :)
3:50PM Back at it! I feel as if the electronic files are NEVER fully organized, especially my
email folders! But that doesn't prevent me from persevering!
5:40PM Time for a restroom break and some more tea. I have about an hour to complete
all my tasks.
5:50PM Finishing the final list and emailing students.
7:00PM Done! On my way home. I could stop at the library to pickup a book I had on hold,
but I really just want to get home, especially since my husband is teaching this
evening and I want to feed the 'feline herd'!
7:45PM The fur-babies greet me at the door. They're ready for that second wet food
feeding of the day! I feed them, refill their dry food and water, and eat some yogurt.
Then...I have dessert! Ice cream! It is one of our absolute favorite foods! (I fully
admit that one of the advantages of an "empty nest" once my three children were
out on their own, is that I can eat whatever I want to eat whenever I want to eat it!)
I unload the cooler, change, and settle into my chair to read and blog.
8:30PM I finish the children's book I am reading for Bex's Re-Readathon--The Cay by
Theodore Taylor, and begin re-reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell for my
book club meeting this Saturday. This is an awesome book and I'm looking forward
to immersing myself in it tomorrow evening so I'll be ready for book club on
Saturday afternoon. (I read this at the end of 2014, so must refresh my
memory to enable discussion...since I'm old!) I also catch up on games on my
phone and complete my blog post/review of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, which
is an absolutely amazing book that I believe everyone should read! :)
10:20PM My husband is home and we talk for a bit. I change and get ready for bed.
10:55PM I am in bed, set my alarm, and snuggle in.
(A couple of felines come in to check on me!)
10:20AM Back at it. Finalizing, posting, and emailing Information Sheets, printing and
organizing materials for upcoming Accreditation review, entering evaluation data
and scheduling information into our electronic tracking system students use while
on clinical rotations. Dealing with students' questions, email messages, etc.
12:58AM Hungry, but not too. Another cup of green tea and some crackers and cheese and
homemade cream of asparagus soup! Yay! Short break.
1:12PM More of the same work tasks from this morning. (Never done... Job security I
guess! :)) More emphasis on pulling reports from the electronic system this
afternoon and planning tasks for the student worker to complete next week. (Next
week will be quite a break. Only two faculty in, me, and our student worker during
her scheduled hours. It is Spring Break so no students to interrupt me! It should be
very productive!)
2:30PM Yipes! Meeting with the Clinical Coordinator to update the rotation schedule for the
next 5 months!
3:30PM Return to office and take break to get more tea and eat some cottage cheese! :)
3:50PM Back at it! I feel as if the electronic files are NEVER fully organized, especially my
email folders! But that doesn't prevent me from persevering!
5:40PM Time for a restroom break and some more tea. I have about an hour to complete
all my tasks.
5:50PM Finishing the final list and emailing students.
7:00PM Done! On my way home. I could stop at the library to pickup a book I had on hold,
but I really just want to get home, especially since my husband is teaching this
evening and I want to feed the 'feline herd'!
7:45PM The fur-babies greet me at the door. They're ready for that second wet food
feeding of the day! I feed them, refill their dry food and water, and eat some yogurt.
Then...I have dessert! Ice cream! It is one of our absolute favorite foods! (I fully
admit that one of the advantages of an "empty nest" once my three children were
out on their own, is that I can eat whatever I want to eat whenever I want to eat it!)
I unload the cooler, change, and settle into my chair to read and blog.
8:30PM I finish the children's book I am reading for Bex's Re-Readathon--The Cay by
Theodore Taylor, and begin re-reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell for my
book club meeting this Saturday. This is an awesome book and I'm looking forward
to immersing myself in it tomorrow evening so I'll be ready for book club on
Saturday afternoon. (I read this at the end of 2014, so must refresh my
memory to enable discussion...since I'm old!) I also catch up on games on my
phone and complete my blog post/review of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, which
is an absolutely amazing book that I believe everyone should read! :)
10:20PM My husband is home and we talk for a bit. I change and get ready for bed.
10:55PM I am in bed, set my alarm, and snuggle in.
(A couple of felines come in to check on me!)
Not so interesting, but it's rather fun to write it all down, isn't it?
Although our days seem mundane, really, we do accomplish a lot, don't we?
Now I'm anxious to read others' posts!
