The Clothing Cycle

I have this agreement with myself that every time I buy myself new clothes, I find some clothes I don’t wear anymore (whether they don’t fit, fit funny or I just don’t like it anymore) to donate to those who are in need.  Remember: one person’s “trash” is another person’s “treasure.”

After my mini Target shopping trip last week, I did a little rummaging through my dresser drawers and found a few long sleeved shirts I haven’t, nor intend to wear.  I’m grateful that I have clothes to put on my back everyday and that I can replace when needed and generally, when I want to.  I understand that not everyone is that lucky and that’s why I set myself to the standard that when I get new clothes, it’s to replace the old stuff that I no longer wear.

At the end of the day, it also gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

Every Thanksgiving we take time to express our gratitude and thanks for all we have been blessed with in our lives.  But this month, I teamed up with my good friend for the month of November with what we’re calling the #GratefulSeason.  What are you grateful for?

Crawling into bed

I had all intentions of posting yesterday but when my 5am-2pm shift became a 5am-11am after being sent home sick, I spent the remainder of the day in bed.  Moving from my bed usually meant I was about to get sick, needed more water or was going to try food again.  The idea of sitting up long enough to write a post or having my computer sit on my belly while I typed in bed just didn’t sound like a good idea.  I’ll spare you the details but it appears my body is not cut out for strong pain medications.  So far Darvocet and Vicodin make up the list.

I had to call out of work today as my body was still not recovered and at least at 8:30PM, I can say I’ve successfully eaten several crackers, a bowl of cereal and another handful of dry cereal.  Thank goodness!  I’m hoping it stays that way and tomorrow I continue down the road to recovery because I have my pre-surgery doctor’s appointment in the morning and while I can spend the rest of the day relaxing and taking it easy, I don’t want to miss anymore time from work before I’m away for surgery.

Well I’m making this a quick one tonight because while it’s still rather early, I’d like to get back into bed, read and fall asleep.  It is super cheesy of me to be grateful the past two days for my bed?  Since I’ve been under the weather, it’s okay though right?

Ehh, think whatever you want - I'm crawling into bed. G'night.

Raindrops

There’s a place and a time for a little retail therapy and today after work was one of those times.  I was in pretty severe pain but I also didn’t want to go home, sit on my couch and end up falling asleep.  (I was up at 3AM and have to be tomorrow as well, so there are to be no naps so I can sleep tonight).

I’m not one for flavored coffee but I tried a sample of Target’s Pumpkin Spice coffee a couple weeks ago and at least when mixed 50 flavored/50 regular coffee, it was pretty yummy.  I’m guessing it was the aroma that got me while still allowing the strength of the regular.  But I’ve been craving it in my coffee since the sample ran out so I decided heading to Target to at least get coffee would be something.

Well something turned into a few somethings, but they’re rather cute if I do say so myself. :)

Don't worry, I don't plan to wear the sweater with those pants but I think with some dark skinny jeans they'd be adorable!

I’m not one who goes shopping very often (or if I do, I rarely leave with anything) and when I do, lately it’s been something from Target.  I think their clothing options are getting pretty good while still being affordable.  I know I’m not the most fashionable girl but I’m trying to slowly update my wardrobe to be more than my usual jean + t-shirts without breaking the bank and still being comfortable.  I’ve also been really happy with most of the clothes I’ve purchased from Target lately in terms of quality, price and style so don’t even think about hating! (Geez, you'd think Target was sponsoring my life.  They're not. ...Target?!)

Anyway, as I sit here writing this post I have the most beautiful soundtrack in the background - rain hitting the ground, windows, and roof.  I really do love weather changes, especially rain!  And tonight the sound of the rain to relax me, is just what I’m grateful for because as I’ve said numerous times: it’s the little things. 

P.S. Happy 11.11.11.  Did you make a wish at 11:11? 

Fitness Friday

Sat 11/5/11

4.3 miles/45 mins run (53 mins w/ warm-up and cool down)

15 mins abs and stretch

Sun 11/6/11

Rest

Mon 11/7/11

90 mins yoga

Tues 11/8/11

30 mins/3 mile run (45 mins w/ warm-up and cool down)

Wed 11/9/11

90 mins yoga

Thurs 11/10/11

20 min/2 mile run (30 mins w/ warm-up and cool down)

25 mins legs and stretch

Fri 11/11/11

Rest

It’s nice to see the return of yoga in my workouts again isn’t it?  Now to just keep working on that whole yoga/lift/run/cross-train balance thing some more....

Happy Friday!

Sitting outside my door...

I’ll be honest: I was a big cranky girl today.  I woke up, went to the gym and felt great.  I got to work and somehow only a couple hours in and I was losing my grip so fast that I had trouble wheeling myself back in.  A few hugs from friends and another viewing of the Jimmy Kimmel Halloween Candy skit and I had smiles on my face, but for whatever reason it couldn’t bring me back in enough and the cranky mood would return.

I got home from work an hour and a half later than I should and any desire to cook dinner was out the door (thank you popcorn!).  But what was sitting by my door was a box with the brand new shoes I ordered from Finish Line only 2 days ago!  This made me so happy.

I have an early morning tomorrow (3 am wake-up call!) so I pulled out my clothes for tomorrow and sat the shoes by my purse ready for when it’s time to leave.  I’m excited to wear them tomorrow and I hope my feet will be as happy as I hope they’ll be.

Sometimes it’s the little things that can pull us out of even the deepest hole.  And tonight, I couldn’t be more grateful for that.

Aren't these cute? Nike Free - Livestrong!

**After reading my good friend’s blog the other week, she decided that for the month of November, she’s posting something she’s grateful for; something as simple as a picture or quote or possibly something lengthy.  In the month that we come together and share what we’re grateful and thankful for, there seems to be no better way.  And it’s with that that I have decided to join her.  Will you join us? #gratefulseason

A Day Off

Today wasn’t one of those days where the pain was stabbing but rather dull and achy, where it feels like it’s exhausting my whole body, making me light headed and tired.  I wish I knew how to better describe all this pain, but honestly, I can’t.  I wish I could talk about other things and while I know I can, this is still a big part of my life and what’s going on that it’s hard to not talk about it.

In 5 days we prepare.  In 12 days we hope to come out with answers.  That doesn’t seem too long.  In fact that seems fairly manageable and may have just made me feel a bit better. (HA!)

But really, the best part of today was having the day off.  Days off exist because our bodies need that time to relax and refresh.  Today that was needed.

I was able to start my day with a delicious breakfast and followed up with yoga.  It had been awhile since I’d been to one of Gigi’s classes (or had even seen her!) and it felt so good to be in her contagious presence.  My afternoon proceeded with a couple errands, cleaning the kitchen and reading.  It felt good to just sit down on my couch and relax.  I have more things I could have done with my day and would have liked to have done but I don’t care, because this was what was needed.  Time for me and a day off.

Source

**After reading my good friend’s blog the other week, she decided that for the month of November, she’s posting something she’s grateful for; something as simple as a picture or quote or possibly something lengthy.  In the month that we come together and share what we’re grateful and thankful for, there seems to be no better way.  And it’s with that that I have decided to join her.  Will you join us? #gratefulseason

Foodie for a Day

I’m due for a trip to the grocery store.  Not because I actually need more food in this house but because I’m out of bananas.  I eat the same thing for breakfast everyday and I haven’t been able to the past couple days because I’m out of bananas.  This is usually what happens and then I leave the grocery store with $40 worth of food. (I’m working on being better about that).

But since there weren’t even any bananas in the freezer this morning, I had to get creative.  No cereal.  Didn’t really want oats.  Cold yogurt didn’t sound appealing.  

Then I remembered I had some end pieces of bread in the freezer waiting for a french toast meal.  I guess that’s what’s for breakfast.

I don’t really eat eggs (only when baked into something and even then, hardly ever) so I don’t keep them on hand.  I did a quick search for a vegan french toast recipe and found several that called for flour, non-dairy milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar.  Easy enough.

Whisk them all together.  (I used about a cup of soy milk, tsp vanilla, tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and less than a tbsp flour - there was to be no measuring this morning.)

I then let the bread soak in the mixture (defrosted the bread first, of course).

Cook it in a pan coated in vegan butter.

Slathered on some peanut butter, pumpkin butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Mmm Mmm goooooood!

While this was delicious, I’m stopping at the grocery store this afternoon because I already miss my usual breakfast.  All these other options yield too many dishes... ;)