Thursday, February 25, 2016

Currently: February

Whew, just like that it's the last week of February!  Here's what I'm currently up to these days!

Reading:  It Starts with Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig. It explains the science behind the Whole30 program, which I'll be starting in late March.

Loving: watching the bulb garden that Phil got me for Valentine's Day grow! It amazes me how fast it grows. Check out how much it grew in the first week! This is one of the coolest gifts I've ever received!

My bulb garden on Valentine's Day..

One week later, I already had one bloom!
Thinking:  about where Phil and I will go for our next trip. I think we'll be going to San Francisco as he's never been there and I'm always happy to visit that city since there's so much to do and see. Kyria has graciously offered to host us so we'll likely spend a couple of days with her and then a couple of days either in San Francisco or possibly another area close by?  We have lots of options. I'd like this trip to include time in the city with time spent outdoors running or hiking on the trails in the area, and Phil definitely wants to go to a Giants game.  We just need to narrow down a time when Phil, Kyria, and I are all available and then I'll start to pick Kyria's mind for itinerary ideas. She has such a wealth of knowledge about the area!

Frustrated: with how my body has been feeling lately. The random aches and pains that I've had in my left hip, knee and foot have made me take a step back in frequency and intensity of workouts. I just want to feel like my normal self again. My appointment with the physical therapist and chiropractor went well yesterday, though, and I'm cleared to bike, use the elliptical, and go to yoga so at least I can stay active. They are going to work on loosening the muscles in my hip region, which are incredibly tight, and then we'll work on building strength in my hips. They said I should see a difference in 2-3 weeks so hopefully that is the case. I'm not giving up on running the marathon in June but I'm placing a low probability on me being able to run it.

Feeling: really good about the amount of stuff I'm getting rid of this month thanks to my February purge. I went through my books last week and decided to only keep the books I really and truly loved as well as the unread books that I am still excited to read. After going through the 6 bookcases in my condo, I have 272 books to donate! Crazy, right? I should have done this like 3 moves ago but better late than never I suppose!  It will make my next move much, much easier.

250 of the 272 books I will donate to goodwill!
Anticipating:  Nora's visit in March! The weather is so unpredictable at that time of year so I am trying to come up with ideas of things to do indoors in case the weather isn't great. Besides doing some fun local things, I'll also make sure we have downtime to relax and chat!

Watching: Gilmore Girls on nights when I'm on my own and have downtime, and Curb Your Enthusiasm on nights that I am with Phil. Phil is basically a young version of Larry David as they have very similar senses of humor. I didn't think I'd like the show but it's actually pretty funny and I love hearing Phil laugh as much as he does when we watch it.

Sad: that a good friend lost her mom to cancer last week, just 11 months after losing her dad. I can't imagine losing both parents before age 30. It just breaks my heart and makes me wish I could take some of her pain away. I'm also really sad that I'll miss the funeral next week as I will be traveling for work, but Phil keeps reminding me that she'll need more support in the days, weeks, and months after the funeral. 

Working: on gathering recipes in preparation for Whole30. As I mentioned in my reading update, I decided to give Whole30 a try and will start the day after Easter. Amber is doing it too, so it will be great to have another friend doing it with me! If you don't know what Whole30 is, you can read about it here. If you are interested in doing it, you should join Amber and me!

Grateful: that we were able to spend the weekend at my parents' lake home last weekend. We had the best time up there. My mom made us so much delicious food (including the best homemade GF bread and chocolate chip cookies I've ever had!!), we played lots of cards (they loved Hand and Foot!), and we fit in a little ice fishing and caught one walleye which we had with dinner on Saturday night. I am so thankful that my parents live driving distance away!

Listening: to Ben Folds' newest album so I can familiarize myself with his newest songs in preparation for attending his concert with the Minnesota Orchestra on March 5th! I get to go with one of my closest friends and it happens to be her birthday that day! I'm excited that I get to help her celebrate by attending what is sure to be an amazing concert!

Wishing: for an early spring and no more super cold temperatures in our forecast! Spring can be a volatile time in Minnesota but I'm hoping it's a mild, warm spring. The weather has been warmer lately and it drastically impacts my mood!

What are you anticipating, loving, and wishing for these days?

16 comments:

Caroline said...

WOW! That's so many books! haha the only books I keep around are the Harry Potter series :) I'm anticipating the weekend, I need some rest and relaxation and I'm looking forward to my (shorter) long run :)

Jeanie said...

What a wonderful update! Three cheers on the book purge -- that's a tough one, or would be for me. I'm behind schedule this year and now have to either pick shorter books or revamp my goals (or cut my other activities!).

Glad you are doing the PT and all -- it sounds as though you are in good hands, even though I'm sure it's disappointing to be altering your routine. I've been doing mostly IT and hip stuff in PT too (for my knee but I guess it all starts up there).

I'm so sorry about your friends recent losses, Lisa. It's incredibly tough.

Marlys said...

I am so happy to hear that they can do something to resolve your hip, knee and foot issues in that short of time! Color me happy!

I should get rid of books, too, as I know we aren't going to read them again, and they take up lots of space! I have a lot of kids books, too, so should let the grandkids pick out some and get rid of the rest of them.

It was great having you visit last weekend and hope we can do it again soon!

Nora said...

Anticipating trivia night this Saturday- we are going with our good friends + my dad + family friends, so it should be a good time. I have a good track record of sitting/being part of a winning team so hopefully that is the case this Saturday!

Wishing for better sleep. I hurt my lower back/hips again this week and while I'm going to the chiro + PT as well (twins, we are), sleeping has been a bit uncomfortable. Hoping it gets better after tomorrow's appointment.

Loving my husband. Corny, I know, but it's true.

Stephany said...

I'm in awe that you have 272 books to give away! (Side note: got your book in the mail today - YAY!)

One of these days I want to try Whole30, but it just seems a little too intense for me. At least right now. Maybe in the future!

I'm currently anticipating leaving on my cruise in one week, wishing for a few problems to just... resolve themselves on their own (this is a super adult way to handle things, I know), and loving the beautiful weather we've been having (Florida in February is the beeeeest).

Linda said...

272 books!! Crazy. My closet so needs to be tidied up still. I think I already left a comment about my closet on one of your recent blog posts.

I didn't use up all my money saved for my parents retirement trip when I took them to Vegas last year. My friend is letting me stay in her spare bedroom in Miami so I booked a trip to Miami in April! I'm anticipating a surprise one day visit to Houston for my parents to take them shopping for bathing suits! Haa! I just want them to have the option to step into the water if they want to.

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

So glad your February purge is going well! Awesome to get rid of so much stuff! Also, I love Phil's Valentines Day present, such a good idea!
I'm impressed you and Amber are doing the Whole 30. So many things on that list I'm not giving up ever haha, wine being one of them ;)

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

That Whole30 seems intense! I cannot find anything on there that you CAN eat!! I will be interested to hear you give a breakdown of how the program actually works, as I just skimmed the website and I am probably not understanding it. All that I know is that I eat A LOT of beans and not that much meat, so it would be hard for me. I need to learn more!

You really got rid of a lot of books! I went through mine and got rid of about 10, which is not really enough, but I have a really hard time parting with ones that I "might" read again. I need to work on that for sure. Also, many of them have just come from being in storage for the last 10+ years, so they are like seeing old friends again!! I haven't even had time to visit yet!

Carolina John said...

The bulb garden is a great gift! So cool.

Leigh said...

That's crazy how fast those plants grew! I'm impressed. Fun that you and Phil are going to San Fran and staying with Kyria! That will be a great time :)

Jenny said...

love your bulb garden, that is such a cool gift. You're doing really well with your purge too, that's a lot books that will be finding new homes.

I'm anticipating a very hilly 8k in 3 weeks, loving the mini cocottes I just bought, and wishing for a lotto win haha.

Amber said...

So fun you guys are planning a trip to SF! I would love to take Eric there. That is definitely one city I could visit over and over and over again. It's so beautiful there and SO MUCH to do!

Looking forward to doing Whole 30 with you!! I tried to get the book from the library but couldn't so I'm going to get it on audible I think.

Anonymous said...

That bulb garden is adorable.
Anticipating: Giving my notice at my awful job
Loving: My amazing husband. I know that goes without saying, but I still like saying it!
Wishing: I think you know what I'm wishing for...

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

Anticipating - Our trip to Traverse City at the end of the month.

Wishing - Answers. Too many questions right now.

Loving - Podcasts. Or else I'd be bored stiff at work.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

That is so sad about your friend :-( I can't even imagine how terribly difficult that would be.

San Fransisco sounds wonderful! I've been, but Christopher hasn't, so we have to get there one day too.

Anticipating - a week of good eating later this month in NOLA
Loving - that winter skipped us this year; we're planning on BBQing this weekend!
Wishing for - my house alarm to stop randomly going off, even though we've the alarm company out to fix it twice. It's very "alarming" to say the least ;-)

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