Five things that made me happy today – 10/31/22

Do not fear silence, make peace with silence, for it is in the quiet moments that you will hear a message just for you. 

Nicky Morris

1. It was 51 deg at dawn this morning with rain. It was cloudy with a high of 52 deg this afternoon.

2. I managed to get my Intentions Review for October finished before breakfast.

3. I got two loads of clothes washed and one dried before I scurried down to Safeway to get my flu shot. I also picked up a couple of potatoes for lunch. I finished hanging up all the clean clothes right after lunch.

4. I hurried over to the Wellness Center, did a short stint on the NuStep, and met my personal trainer for my session with him.

5. We had bratwurst, cabbage-apple-onion sauté, and boiled potatoes for dinner. Quick and easy with the leftover veggies.

BONUS: We were treated to a Halloween Happy Hour, compliments of the staff. We had meat pies, hot out of the oven, and decorated cookies, with wine and soda.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Intentions Review for October 2022

My Star Word for this year is Solitude. I’m taking it as an affirmation that my introverted tendencies are just fine.

“We are human beings, not human doings:”. I set these intentions for who I want to BE not what I want to DO. As with last year I will hold these intentions loosely, and may add new ones or subtract some of these as the spirit moves me.

NOTE: *indicates intention added in June

1. Traveler
   1. Train Trip to Upstate New York – postponed until at least Spring 2023
      1. Summer of 2022
      2. Cost
      3. Start saving now
   2. Northern Washington with Bill
      1. Because of the weather and traffic, we opted to visit Port Townsend instead of Leavenworth. We got pictures of the sound, the mountains, the shore, etc.
      2. Cost – lunch for two
   3. Whale Watching with Al
      1. August 11-13
      2. Cost – I paid for the boat tickets, Bill paid for a larger car, and we each paid for our own food and lodging
2. Content
   1. Habits to keep
      1. Exercise 1 hour a day 5-6 days a week (see 3-C)
      2. Eat healthy food (see 3-C)
      3. Stick to regular schedule of noon meals – mostly good, but not obsessively so
         1. Sunday – eat out
         2. Monday and Friday – meat, starch, fresh vegetable
         3. Tuesday – feed yourself (sandwich, salad, pre-frozen pasta)
         4. Wednesday – soup of the week, or salad
         5. Thursday – pickup Fast Food
         6. Saturday – finish off leftovers or charcuterie plate during Football season
   2. Habits to change
      1. Focus on how I feel when I’m exercising and eating right and try to ignore the numbers – Check
      2. Really listen to Al instead of thinking I know what he’s going to say – It’s a work in progress
3. Healthy
   1. Both cataracts are done. New glasses are in place and I see fine
   2. I’m double vaccinated and triple boosted against COVID, and so are all my family. I had my flu vaccine today.
   3. *My new Primary Care Physician gave me a new prescription for healthy living
      1. 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily – generally okay
      2. 1 hour or more of physical activity daily – usually
      3. 2 1/2 hrs of aerobic activity a week – check
      4. 2 days of strength building activity a week – I have a regularly scheduled meeting with my personal trainer – two days a week for balance and strength.
      5. 0 soda & sugary drinks – more water – check
   4. *Lose 2 lbs a month before my 80th birthday (will complete the goal I set in 2014).
      1. June 2022 – minus 3 lbs – minus 3 lbs total
      2. July 2022 – minus .8 lbs – minus 3.8 lbs total – I was definitely on track before Al had to go into the hospital (had lost 1.8 lbs). Then, the combination of no time to cook, and having Bill here put me off
      3. August 2022 – plus .8 lbs – minus 3.2 lbs total – The combination of my Birthday trip and hot weather that chased me inside set me back
      4. September 2022 – minus 1.4 lbs – minus 4.6 lbs total. Back to slow, but steady.
      5. October 2022 – minus 1.2 lbs- minus 5.8 lbs total.
4. Learner
   1. Great Decisions – first Wednesday of every month
      1. Changing Demographics – Interesting, but nothing earthshaking
      2. Outer Space – interesting perspective from others in the class
      3. Climate Change – I led the discussion and everyone seemed to enjoy the conversation
      4. Putin’s Russia – interesting history, but mostly overcome by events and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
      5. Myanmar and Asean – interesting, I guess, but I’m really not interested in that part of the world (I probably ought to be)
      6. Quad Alliance – Very similar to the discussion of Myanmar and Asean
      7. Industrial Policy – Biden’s policy of economic stimulus has lead to increased job growth
      8. Drug Policy in Latin America – nothing earth shattering.
      9. Biden’s Agenda
   2. MasterClass – I didn’t renew my membership. It felt like I wasn’t using it enough to make it worthwhile.
   3. Read at least 24 books this year
      1. Finish the Inspector Lynley series
      2. In the Presence of the Enemy – Elizabeth George – finished
      3. Deception on his Mind – Elizabeth George – finished
      4. In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner – Elizabeth George – finished
      5. The Sacred Bridge – Anne Hilllerman – finished
      6. A Traitor to Memory – Elizabeth George – finished
      7. A Place of Hiding – Elizabeth George – finished
      8. From Rocket Boys to October Sky – Homer Hickam – finished
      9. With No One as Witness – Elizabeth George – finished
      10. Mother Lode – Gretchen Staebler – finished
      11. What Came Before He Shot Her – Elizabeth George – did not finish
      12. Careless in Red – Elizabeth George – finished
      13. No Plan B – Lee Child – reading
5. Writer
   1. 5 Things that Made Me Happy Today – I’m definitely keeping up with this.
   2. Stories from my Life – abandoned
      1. Publish a story at least twice a week
      2. Okay to use and/or expand other things I’ve written
   3. Memoir (longer form) of our 50th Anniversary Trip – I have finished. Wondering how or when to set it loose in the world.
6. Friend – Remember the only person I can change is me.
   1. Accepting Mindset
      1. Try to give other people the benefit of the doubt
      2. Ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions
   2. Introverted actions to take
      1. Send a kind message to distant friends at least once a month – done
      2. Keep up with friends on Facebook – done
      3. Send an email or text message to people who do nice things for me or for other people – done, but not as many as I should.
      4. Keep up with my sisters – weekly on Zoom – done (my lifeline for sanity)

Five things that made me happy today – 10/30/22

Many of us have been running all our lives. Practice stopping. 

Thich Nhat Hanh

1. 50 degs when I got up. Weatherbug said it was drizzling, but I didn’t see any sign of it. It’s more like misting than drizzling, and I think we’ve reached the high for today – 55 deg.

2. While I was reading my email this morning, the doe and the twins (yearlings) wandered down the hill, grazing on fallen leaves. Suddenly I saw this streak and realized it was the doe running up the hill, followed closely by twin #1. In a few second, twin #2 ran into the yard, and then stopped and looked around, like “Where did Mama go?” Then Twin #2 took off like it was being chased by the hounds of hell, followed closely by Bucky in all his glory. I guess he was gathering the family.

3. Good sermon this morning, still in Habakkuk. The prophet challenges God saying that there’s terrible stuff going on, and God isn’t doing anything about it. Why? he says. God answers, I know, and I will take of everything, just wait. Throughout the whole book there’s no answer, just wait, and it will all be okay in the end. It feels like today. There is no answer, just trust in God.

4. We went to Boathouse 19 for lunch. We both had Steakhouse Burgers. I had clam chowder with mine and Al had French fries with his. Very tasty, and filling.

5. The Cowboys v Bears game was on TV. I was pleased to see da’ Boys win. We finished eating before the Seahawks game started (thank goodness). I’m afraid we would have been shoved out of the fans’ way if we had stayed. Seahawks fans are rabid fans.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 10/29/22

Gratefulness is a setting of the heart, one that I can choose like a wavelength on the radio. 

Susan Mazrolle

1. Mid-40s and cloudy when I got up. The sun came out sporadically and the temperature topped out at 57 deg.

2. Over to the Wellness Center to get my steps for the day shortly after breakfast. Mission accomplished.

3. The Ducks played at 12:30 They had a bit of a slow start, but they did well. Ducks – 42 to California – 24.

4. Al and I finished off our soups – gumbo for me and chicken noodle for Al – between the Ducks and the USC v Arizona game.

5. Stanford plays UCLA in the evening game. I may not make it all the was through the game, but I’ll be dreaming about it after I go to bed.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 10/28/22

We often talk of saving the planet, but the truth is that we must do these things to save ourselves.

David Attenborough

1. Cool and raining when I got up this morning – 50 deg. again. It cleared off about mid morning, and the sun was out off and on all day. The temperature rose to 56 deg.

2. I met with my personal trainer this morning (an hour earlier than usual). Then I stayed to use the NuStep and get my cardio for the day.

3. We had ham, baked sweet potato, and cabbage-apple-onion sauté for lunch today. I used one of the new apples my daughter-in-law brought the last time she was here. It’s green on the outside, but the inside is pink! It’s named a Pink Pearl.

4. The tree outside my window has finally decided to start to begin to commence to turn color for the fall. It’s still more pink than orange, but it’s a beginning.

5. My life is going to get busy next week, so I’m going to veg out this afternoon.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 10/27/22

People who love literature have at least part of their minds immune from indoctrination. If you read, you can learn to think for yourself. 

Doris Lessing 

1. 50 when I got up with clouds. Sunrise isn’t until 7:46, and sunset is at 6:00. We have officially entered the “Big Dark”. The temperature hit 59 deg this afternoon before nighttime storms started.

2. I got a survey from my high school wanting to know if I wanted to have a 60th Class Reunion. Talk about feeling OLD!

3. I managed to get some reading time in this morning, and finished my current Inspector Lynley. That meant I was able to start the new Jack Reacher that I had pre-ordered last summer. I’m about five chapters into it, and it’s much better than the last one, so far.

4. McDonald’s for lunch. Quarter Pounder Deluxe for me and a Big Mac with fries for Al.

5. Al had his Senior University class about Fascism, so I waited to go to the Wellness Center while he was there. Finished off my steps for the day.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 10/26/22

Every positive thought we pass between us makes room for more light.

John Lewis

1. It was 43 deg. and partly cloudy when I got up. High of 54 this afternoon, with increasing clouds. The rain is supposed to return this evening.

2. I got a major update on my iMac this morning. I’m not sure of all the new “features” yet, but it will be fun exploring them.

3. Bertolli Chicken Parmigiana with Penne Pasta for lunch today. It’s another in the new line of frozen skillet meals that Al found at the Commissary. Not going to buy that again.

4. We went and dropped our ballots in the box after lunch. I LOVE voting in Washington. We could have popped them in the mail, but Al’s hoping there is going to be some jerk who is “watching”, so he can take his picture and turn the jerk in for attempted intimidation.

5. I started off this day with nothing on the calendar, and dreaming of spending time reading. When I have time on my hands, my life just dribbles away. Why do I do that?

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 10/25/22

While you might be doubting yourself, someone else is admiring your strength. 

Kristen Butler

1. 47 deg when I got up. It briefly got into the low 50s before noon, but the rain returned and the temperature stayed around 50 all day

2. Bible study on Zoom this morning. We looked at two short passages from Habakkuk. I don’t know that I had ever read anything in that book, before. Our takeaway was “our time is not God’s time,” and “God always fulfills God’s promises.”

3. Housekeeper came today, and we have clean sheets on the beds, scrubbed bathrooms and kitchen, and all the floors are swept, mopped, and vacuumed. What more could I ask for?

4. I made a quick trip to Safeway to get milk and “hopefully” to get a flu shot. I found out I needed to have an appointment, so I got the milk and came home and made that appointment for next Monday. Then, I went over to the Bistro and ate lunch there (to get out of the housekeeper’s way). Tunafish salad on wheat and piece of cinnamon coffee cake.

5. HCR’s current politics talk today was about a lot of topics because there’s no one big thing in the news right now. The thing she emphasized was that NOBODY (not the pundits, not the pollsters, for sure not the candidates) knows what’s going to happen in the election.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 10/24/22

The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it. 

Richard Bock

1. Mid-40s this morning and rain when I got up. It’s 56 deg. now, and that’s going to be the high for the day.

2. There was a buck in the yard yesterday. I think he was a young one because he looked like he couldn’t figure out what that weight on his head was. He certainly didn’t look very happy.

3. Worked out with my personal trainer today. He says I’m doing well, and the leg that had me using a cane last week is fine.

4. Pork tenderloin, and Knorr Noodles Parmesan for lunch. I had black-eyed peas and Al had beets.

5. The laundry still isn’t finished drying, and Gazebo Group is going to be on Zoom instead of in person, but I get to go to Greisser Girls Gab in a few minutes.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Five things that made me happy today – 10/23/22

A moment of self-compassion can change your entire day. A string of such moments can change the course of your life. 

Christopher K. Germer

1. 42 deg. when I woke up this morning and cloudy. The sun came out about mid-day, and the afternoon temperature topped out in the mid-50s.

2. Good church service. The scripture was the passage we read on Tuesday from Joel. The preacher told about a trip to Colorado where he had seen the detritus from a forest fire. But there were small sprouts and trees coming up among the ashes. “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” – Genesis 8:22.

3. We went to Tokyo One for lunch today. I had Chicken Yakisoba, and Al had Shrimp Tempura. I always like it when Al gets tempura because I get his mushroom and his broccoli.

4. While we were eating, Al got a call from the Commissary saying that my red grapefruit (that we ordered a couple of months ago) had come in, so we went on down there. We had already planned a trip to the commissary on Wednesday, so we got most of what we needed. I can live without going back later this week.

5. I had planned to go to a Zoom celebration of my friend Gretchen’s book. I was sorry to miss it, but she taped the meeting so I’ll be able to see it later this week.

How about you? What made you happy today?