Eye news!

 Steve had good news at the cornea eye doctor, it all looks healthy and great again after using Steroids to bring the swelling down. We had to wait a long time to see the doctor but it was well worth the wait. Also got to re-visit doing the iris implant and will know more next month when he goes back in for a re-check as they want to wait at least 3 months to make sure the cornea still looks good. The only bummer part is that he will be off work for at least a month with lifting restrictions. 20 pound increasements every week. 

I've been biking every morning and doing my 1 minute plank/bent arm along with lifting 15 pound dumbbells. I can still feel a little soreness in my left shoulder so I'm not lifting as many reps. I did skip walking Zoey the last two days, which I need to get back to doing. 

A few more photos from France that Annie Sent Via Snap chat of her garden. Looks very pretty and look at all her tomatoes! 

I have a very busy, long work day today since I want Wed-Friday off to go some where. So I'm skipping my bike ride. I sure hope we do leave on our mini trip tomorrow. Still not sure where we are going?? Steve just need to put in two sliding glass doors for his parents and drop off an invoice to get paid. So lots to do before we can go some where. I'm wanting to go some where new, like check out Door co Wisc. We will Hipcamp on someone's land, but have yet to book any places to stay. I'm sure it won't be an issue? Or I hope not! Part of the fun is the unknown! Steve wants to go to the North Shore but we plan to go the following week with the kids, so I don't want to go two weeks in a row. The lake is out too because that's not where Steve wants to go. We could work on the beach fixing the other half but that's just not in Steve's plans as of yet! So that will probably happen come September! 

I'm sad that my favorite month of July is almost over. Sunday starts August, 28 days only till Logan is off to college. So many changes coming this fall. I'm not ready! I do need to book him a train ride home for Thanksgiving. It's a 5 hour drive and only a 6 hour train ride so much better then him driving and paying for school parking. Just limits his Time home since the train is at 8am. Doubt we will see him for his birthday unless we go visit him, which might be happening depending on the weather! Its a birthday filled month in Nov and Dec, so we will have to see the cost of things since it's an expensive two months and I'm thinking Steve will be out of work for October resting from eye (iris surgery). 

Keeping up and staying the course.

 I've let walking Zoey slide a bit as I don't always have time in the mornings to walk her. I probably need to schedule this better as she really loves her morning run/walk at the park. 

Saw this cute idea and something I think Steve could easily make for me? 

Doing lots of biking as my lifestyle change in the mornings. I do love getting in exercise right away as I tend not to want to after work. 

I've also been documenting my biking on snapchat to keep me honest and motivated. 

I added in my 1 minute of bent arm planks and weights. 

Making healthy food changes! 

Still having a few beers and need to cut back on the weekends! 

We went boating on the St. Croix yesterday. I actually got to float at the island and enjoy the day too. After we picked up the kids, we went for a boat ride up to Hudson and had a late lunch/early dinner. Good thing everything was happy hour prices! 

Life Style Change!

 I am in need of a lifestyle change and BIG Time!!! I'm going back to making myself do a morning workout of running, walking or biking! I need to do this for me. If I wait to later in the day, after work it's just a lot more difficult to make lifestyle changes. 

A morning bike ride after about an hour of yoga stretches. Right now I'm sticking to my 8 mile loop and just doing speed, keep going and not stopping. Finished in 35 minutes! 

After biking, Took this excited pup to walk at the local park and did the 1 mile loop. I skipped running because I didn't want to mess up my feet as my left heel has been a bit sore lately. Zoey was happy to walk and with all the soccer players, it was a good thing we weren't running! 

I'm going to try these beers to see if I can cut calories with drinking and still find something I like. Seems wine or other drinks are killing my stomach. Just burns with acid. I'm hoping these are less calories and I'll like them. Can't hurt to try it! IPA's have a ton of calories and I have to either 1. Not drink or 2. Cut way back to just 1 drink a week. 

I'm also going to spend more time outdoors. Mostly in the mornings before work after I workout. Plus, evenings or in the afternoon hang out in the back yard hammock! 

I'm not a great painter, but I need to do a little art project per day. Take the rocks and put them out for others to find. 

During the year of Covid, we didn't eat out. We didn't even drink out. We just went to parks, cooked food and brought drinks and cribbage. I think we need to go back to doing more of that instead of eating and drinking out. We spend far too much going out and I think this would be a good lifestyle habit to keep. Not go back to old ways of eating out every weekend Saturday night and Sunday. It can't be our entertainment. It's kind of a hard money conversation. I know how much Steve likes to go out and I do too. This is where we can save and still have a good time going out when the weather is nice. Maybe save those restaurant nights for winter? 

I've also got be more mindful of what I eat. No more making poor food choices. I have to ask is this health? What are the calories? Is this the best food choice? Am I really hungry? 

 

My goal is to lose weight, exercise more, make healthy food choices and do something out of my comfort zone. Like travel, camp by myself. Plus, it's just time to focus on me, my goals and feeling better. also to save some money in the process of not eating out, and using that money to invest in my health. Maybe by purchasing a new fit bit to keep me moving. I'm also limiting internet time. To do this, I'm setting a timer after work to  allow myself 60 minutes of down time.

It's Friday!!

 Look at this little cutie! 

Celina watches Madelyn and Evan most Thursday's and Friday's till 1pm. 

I'm trying to sell or get rid of stuff on Craigslist. This is the new item listed. I'll probably drop the price from $20 to $10 and then free if it doesn't go soon! I thought someone was picking up our outdoor chairs all 6 plus the lawn chair yesterday but they didn't show. I brought them up to the driveway and now they are just sitting there. I'll have to take them to the metal recycling place if they don't go by this weekend. So bummed as I was hoping it would be easy to get them out of here. Well, at least I'm making progress on some of the junk around here. Maybe even earning a little money from selling stuff? 

I didn't make this, but I sure want to. I would just change it to a tent instead of a camper! lol. 

Still trying to plan a new place to try camping. I'm thinking Copper Harbor Wisconsin. I've never been and it's only a 4 hour drive from home. Plenty of hip camps to stay in the area too! Plus, can explore Green Bay while in the area. Defiantly want to camp and not stay in a hotel since it saves money and I'd rather be camping and sleeping with my own pillow/blankets etc.. 

We will be taking the boat out on the St. Croix this weekend, not the jetski as pictured here. I think we've only been out once on the St. Croix this summer? At least the battery is new so hopefully no more boat issues. There is always something, such money pits compared to the jetski. We do nothing to that unlike the boat that has to be winterized and stored, buying a new cover every two years because it gets filthy after a few years from sitting outside all summer. Plus, something is always broken on it every year! Never a dull moment with that boat! 

Thursday

 A customer of mine gave me birch branches from the tree they took down in the front yard. This is perfect for winter front door pots along with pine branches. I'll have to cut them to size but a good gift! 

I had a lazy afternoon, sleeping two hours outside in the back yard hammock. I must say it felt wonderful and so very restful. It stayed cool in the shade of the trees till after my nap, then it started heating up outside. 

Steve's customers Faucet that I'm going to try and sell for $20. Still selling a crusier bike we also received but dropped the price from $60 to $40. Lets hope I get rid of both ASAP. 100% profit with any amount sold. 

I'm still trying to figure out more side hussles. A customer of mine is doing energy healing from their house. This might be something to look into doing myself. Or a realtor? an Itsy store to sell crafts, OR? I need to find something else I enjoy doing, just not sure what that is right now? 

Picture from France

 I've been receiving a few snap chats pictures from Steve's Aunt in France. She is 80, so doing well with this new way of communicating. I love receiving photos since we haven't been there since 1996! 

Sunflowers are every where in the area of France where they live. 

Her brother. It's been hot in France and they don't have AC, so probably a stone building to cool off. 

I"ve got this ice cream spot on my places to go. I don't really need to eat any ice cream but it sure looks good! 

Just relaxing a little in the back yard hammock in the afternoons. We've had a lot of smoke filled skies with all the Canada and out west fires. 

Trying to stay motivated to bike every day. I'm going this afternoon after work. At least that's the plan. 

In the Mix...

 I would go to the library quite a few times a month and than I stopped going probably when the over due book fine got to huge. In a once in a lifetime, the library decided they would drop all fines if you came in to clear your account during a certain time frame. I did that because I owed more than $45 on everyones library account. Yep, I borrowed books under Steve's account and my kids accounts to avoid fines. They don't let you check out books at a certain fee amount. I would pay off my kids fines but when mine got to be a lot $45, nope, just stopped checking out books. 

I was back to the library for the 1st time since way before Covid started last year. A out of control crying kid was the first sound and it kept going the entire visit. I kept wondering why this parent or caregiver wasn't removing themselves from the library! I was tempted to seek out the crying child, just to see what the situation was because I didn't want to be that Judgmental person if there was a good reason for this loud annoying child. Usually I have a lot of sympathy, but this was over the top LOUD. I only found 2 books of which, one was only checked out. I did scan some magazines, where the covers looked interesting on things to do in MN. Not much substance inside, so found nothing of interest, just lots of ads. 

I finally decided to purge some stuff we were keeping under our deck for at least 5 or more years now that we clearly do not use! Two plastic green chairs, 6 outdoor chairs (no longer have the cushions) and a umbrella pole. We have plenty of shade so no need for the stand. Plus, the chairs we have more than enough that don't require cushions. I listed on Craigslist all for free, but not the bike, its listed at $60.  I might need to drop the price as I got zero response. 

At least I'm attempting to get rid of some of our junk around the house. 

These are not my rocks. Its another blog I follow (Clamo). She does beautiful painted rocks. No idea how she does it. I attempted to try and copy her butterflies from memory only to fail big time. I'm just not that skilled and this is an "easy" design of multiple rocks she has painted. I just need better paint pens. 

I've been doing more biking miles. I usually go by myself. Sometimes with Steve. Yesterday I biked my route in reverse to mix it up. It did help make the bike route feel new. I need to expand my bike loops and go else where for variety when I have the time. 

Logan is feeling sick today. Sore throat, fever and aches. So we are off to urgent care at 8am. A girl at his work had strep so we are thinking it could be that? We've all been vaccinated for Covid, so hopefully its not that!

Normal

 I'm back to feeling normal once I get some much needed exercise. I have to force myself out the door to bike or run, but after I FEEL great again. Sweaty, but great!

I got that look from Zoey when I went biking instead of running with her at the park. I felt bad but it was too humid and hot by 8am. 

I mixed it up on my bike route and went in reverse. 

Felt new to go in the opposite direction. Soon to add more miles on to my loop. I just need a few weeks back to riding daily. 

Saturday we headed to down town Hastings for River Front days. No luck as my left foot started to hurt. I truly believe its from my white sandals. So not going to wear those again! No sooner than we arrived, I took a few steps and knew my left foot was hurting again. Some bone gets out of place and triggers my foot to start hurting in multiple places. I spent the next hour doing some pressure points and trying to crack my foot just like the chiropractor does to fix it. Since they are not open till Monday at 7am, I had to work it out by myself. It did the trick and I was good as knew after a few hours. Too late to go back to the fair, so we watched TV. 

I should have gone to the lake and just tented it by myself. It would't be very fun by myself but I would have been outside doing something other than sit indoors. I could have brought the bike, kayak and swam, biked, cooked etc.. read. I need to stop being a chicken doing stuff by myself. I'm in need of trying something new, some new trip to a new destination! Time to get planning! 

Sneeze.. is this a cold?

 I haven't been sick since Feb of 2020. Now I'm sneezing and my nose is either running or stuffy. I doubt its Covid? Hope not! 

What I need to do for me. 

Stay on top of coloring my hair and keeping the grays covered! I tend to let this go for far too long. I really do feel better once my hair is all brown and not shades of grays too. 

More creative projects. I've been painting rocks and wood scraps. Loving the time to just paint and not think too much. I also multitask since I sit outdoors while doing my painting. I need to find places around town to put the rocks for others to find. 

Diet. Lose weight. Yeah, always on my mind but so hard to do. 

Bike, run or workout. I've been really tired lately. I've been needing afternoon naps and sleep at night. Must need the extra rest. Of course going to bed at midnight and waking up by 6am is not enough sleep. I just need more motivation to get out and exercise every day. I have been taking a full caffeine pill and it has helped a bit to wake me up, but not today with my nose feeling stuff, I'm sure a head cold coming on.

Mental state - still feeling blah, but not as bad. I was able to stay focused yesterday morning and cleaned my house and did a bunch of laundry. Felt good to be productive all morning. I even made a fruit tart and went to the store last night. Never did get in a bike ride but I figured it was a trade off for getting so much cleaning done around our house. 

Mowing the lawn is on my todo list today. Plus more painting rocks and maybe a morning nap is in order. 

I've had some reoccurring dreams about moving. Making the wrong choice from leaving our house into another. At least last nights dream the house was amazing! Usually, its a worse house, all run down and small. I wake up wondering what house I'm in and if its true. I do want to downsize but I don't want to feel like it was a mistake. Not sure why I always dream about moving and not being happy with my decision to leave this house? I guess that's telling me, I'm not ready to go anywhere just yet! 

Normal..

 It felt back to normal like old times having dinner with Steve's 80+ year old parents at their house. 

Delicious, beef tenderloin and home made fries. 

Topped it off with this! 

I was pretty tired yesterday afternoon just like Zoey! I ran 1 mile with Zoey, then biked 8 miles and worked for a few hours. I took a much needed afternoon nap and slept all night long! Go figure! 

No working today for me as I am off Thursday/ Friday. I was going to go to the lake with Zoey, just the two of us for 4 days but changed my mind. I have plenty to do around the house at least for today. I still could change my mind. Steve will be working all weekend, so I might be looking for something to do with all my time. 

I have a lot I could get done around the house. I am once again just feeling laZy. I even took a full 200mg of caffeine this morning and its not working! Maybe I need some breakfast? As I do feel hungry this morning. 

Here's what I have on my plate for today!

Mow the grass (Front and back yard)

Bike - 8 miles

Paint - and sit outside

Clean our bathrooms and wash the floor

Pay some bills

and make my fruit tart

Schedule a pedicure for this afternoon with Celina. 

It's already 9:30am and I'm not feeling like doing anything. I kind of want to go back to bed and watch some TV. Yesterday, I was able to get myself out of this funk by running and biking. I sure hope that's the case today. I just need to get started! Not let myself do nothing! Maybe that's why going to the lake sounds soo good. Just to do nothing all day long. Sit outside and just exist.. Sleep in.. and be outdoors. 

A little or a lot of a push out the door!

 I've fallen off a workout cliff. I need to stop over thinking and just go. Plus, healthy eating habits, back to weight loss efforts are needed. Time to make some big changes as this will also help improve my mental health. 

I did attempt to get out of a mental blah... Painting! I sat outside which always makes me feel better and painted some wood scraps. 

I like how this one turned out. The other two, not so much. I'm going to try just using the paint pens to draw something on rocks or domino's (which I saw used on another blog I follow). Wood is a little rough and will need to be painted first before I can draw. I'm not super artistic, but I am trying and it does feel good to created something. 

Not exactly feeling 100% today. I work this morning for two hours and then am off Thursday-Friday. I thought about going to the lake with Zoey, but it's kind of boring being alone up there. I'd be stuck with Zoey not being able to go into stores. I just don't want to be up there without her either. What will I do at home? Good question.. Maybe more painting, mowing the grass, biking, running working on me and my mental health? I do need to make positive changes. But how am I planning on doing that? I do write out a todo list and check off items I accomplish. I think time needs to be added, so I don't dwell on it taking too long. Like doing a little pick up around the house, purging items or selling what we no longer use. A little every day will make a big difference. I've had that mentality, I will do it tomorrow. Later... well, later doesn't really ever happen. 

Here's to finding Positive in daily life:

Painting rocks and I want to do more, which is good. 

I'm going to do some baking, making a fruit tart. I made chicken lettuce wraps for dinner the other night. I usually don't make dinner as I have zero desire to cook. I did have to push myself to go thought the motions and it felt painful, but I did it! Which is a huge accomplishment. 

Bills are paid - which always feels good to get that all out of the way. 

I made a few on line purchases yesterday so I have packages to look forward to receiving. A new solar power for charging the cell phones while at the lake, more bands for the bike rack, and 2 more solar tree lights for our yard or the lake. 

Here's to making myself more accountable! 

Running - 1 mile with Zoey (15 minutes) at the park

Working 9-noon

Mow the lawn (30 minutes) 

Paint (1 hour)

G-shop  30 minutes

Make fruit tart ( 30 minuets to 1 hour)

Biking 40 minutes to be determined - based on rain this afternoon! 

Today I'm going to limit cell usage. This blocks me from doing anything. Time to change habits! 

Rocks

 I've been painting rocks. I'm going to try painting some signs on scraps of wood. Use up stuff we have around the house. Maybe place some rocks etc around the area for others to find. 

This is a rock idea I'm going to try making next. Plus, I took a photo of other ideas to help me on the creative side. 

Word art is kind of going out of style. I'll figure out something to paint for the holidays! 

Sauk and the 4th..