#5: Perseverance
I came to a realization this week. While Jim was off in Disney World with his family and I got to be queen of the castle, it occurred to me that my eating habits are much different when I am by myself versus when I am with my husband. What I mean to say is, I eat more when he’s around! D’oh!!! So when I was whining about turning thirty and suddenly putting on weight, I think I was delaying my reaction to something that had begun a few months before.
Thankfully, I realized this and now that Jim is back, I am going to be much more aware of it! It feels so good to logically sort things out like, “Why am I putting on weight??!” Those desserts my beloved eats twice a day is not a routine I should have ever picked up, and I’ll have to clamp down the urge when he reaches for post-lunch cookies!
With all that said, I am feeling really good health-wise. I feel strong! Eight weeks in to weight lifting and my body is starting to show it. These things takes time. I am reminded of that in so many ways lately. But I keep showing up, even when I don’t feel like it. Even when I don’t think I have anything to give. And I think that kind of perseverance doesn’t have any immediate reward. It’s like a little seed that is cared for regularly, eventually sprouts, sees slow, steady growth, and eventually bears fruit.
#4: Spring
The light is shining at the end of the tunnel! Spring is on its way! My step-dad informed me today is the last day of meteorological winter. He knows those kinds of things!
I have mixed feelings about living in Minnesota. It’s so beautiful, the people are kind, the culture is cool, and there are so many outdoor activities! But it gets COLD! Cold enough for people to walk out into the middle of a frozen lake and set up a hut! I’ve informed Jim we will be snowbirds in the future when my blog reaches superstardom and he sells his $20M screenplays.
In the spring, summer, and fall, I really love to go for a run, regardless of whether it’s cardio day. I have been tracking the weather meticulously and know my limits for outdoor running. Gotta consider the temps, ice, and slush! (Ugh! Minnesota!) It was mid-30s this week and I got out twice to log in some miles on my shoes. I was in heaven! Look how crystal blue that sky is!
And with spring comes spring cleaning! With Jim out of the house this week, I was able to rearrange all of the books on our bookshelf in CHROMATIC order! Wua-ha-ha! (If he were here he’d be hovering behind me asking why I’m doing that.) I read somewhere that its a good way to make your bookshelf look more organized. Kind of ironic considering I’ve now completely disorganized their Dewy system, but it looks pretty.
I also have a thing for fake boxwoods and pretty tablecloths. I definitely stimulated the economy at Home Goods on Thursday…
#3: Beer Braised Carnitas
When Jim decided to take a trip with his family to Disney, I decided I would take a little stay-cation, work on my blog, and spend some quality time with myself. I had big plans, recipes written, groceries bought. And you know what? I set off the fire alarm and burned about six pans of roasted vegetables on the first day. My stay-cation was off to a charring start.
What ended up nourishing me that day (and several days after) was the pot of beer braised carnitas I had started at the beginning of the day. It humbly and quietly simmered on the back burner while I thrashed about with a vegetable peeler.
A few lessons were learned here. First, simple is best. I can always count on a slow-and-low cooked, one-pot meal. Second, sometimes things don’t work out no matter how hard you try. And you just have to dust off and try again. One of our priests gave a homily recently and shared the quote, “If you fall 1,000 times, get up 1,000 times.” That has stuck with me.
**These lemon blossoms have also been sustaining me for breakfast and I hope you can give them a try!**
#2: Girl Power
I am blessed with some of the best women in my life. They are thoughtful, smart, funny, kind, and a billion other marvelous things. Catching up for fun over FaceTime, or crying because one of us is having a mini-crisis, these girls are always there for laughs, love, and support.
After my fire-alarm veggie tale, one of my girlfriends came over to cheer me up. And then she made me mushroom risotto the next day! Another girlfriend put together a physical therapy routine for me when my ankles started bugging me! And they are all hotlines for advice on topics ranging from bikini wax brands to bold career moves.
It’s also really important to have friends who will be honest with you, even when they know you don’t want to hear it. I’m so grateful I have friends like that because it’s not just about liking each other and getting along well. Gotta have someone to keep you in check!
I am really looking forward to the end of the COVID era so I can meet up with these ladies face-to-face! Three of my roommates from college and I normally go for a trip every other year and we are seriously overdue!!! So far we’ve done Kansas City, San Francisco, and Chicago! Where should we go next??? I’m thinking LONDON.
#1: My Family
I have the best family ever. They are loud, proud, hilarious, stubborn, and full of love and support. I was so longing for Jim’s family while they had a blast in Disney World this week!!! I am grateful Jane and I are so close that I had all of the updates as they occurred! I missed them so much! Especially my Jimbo Jones. This was our first time apart since we got married!
I also have a weekly call with my mom and step-dad every Saturday morning where we just catch up together on our week. I feel so much comfort relying on that weekly kaffeeklatsch. It’s difficult living so far from my mom and dad.
But we have lots of giggles sending each other silly messages and GIFs. My dad is especially notorious for sending bad dad jokes. He, my sister, and I are going to start planning an expedition to Europe once international travel is cleared again! I’m thinking it will strongly resemble a Griswold family vacation! Got any recommendations on where we should go?!
Hope you have a great week (and March!!) that challenges you to be better in every way you want to be. And maybe even in ways you didn’t know you needed to be.