Working with what you've got

It's funny how you sometimes solve one problem, and replace it with a new one. 

My old new friends

I seem to have landed myself in just that predicament lately.  I've written a lot here about Miss Yaya's sleep issues, and it seems like we have finally... finally... figured them out.  She's getting between 10 and 12 hours a night, is taking the occasion nap during the day, and seems much happier and healthier now that she is sleeping a normal amount.  Her teachers have reported an improvement in behavior and attitude, and I know that I have a much easier time dealing with her these days.  Plus, because she is getting enough sleep, I am also getting enough sleep and a bit more 'mama' time at night, and I feel leaps and bounds better than I have for a while - more patient, healthier, and definitely more sane. 

The problem this opened up for me is that, in order to get her the sleeping and keep her sleeping, I have had to keep to a very strict schedule.  Basically, we come home in the evenings after work, I make dinner, we eat, she takes a bath, we read stories, and she goes to bed.  That's it.  That's all.  So in the evenings, when I used to go to the gym two or three times a week after dinner....well, that is just not in the cards right now. 

I don't consider exercise to be optional.  It's necessary to me, and I've found that my body does best when I get plenty of it.  Working out keeps me healthy, it keeps me sane, and it is an important part of keeping some genetic risk factors at bay.  Plus, I enjoy it. It's fun for me. But having my schedule disrupted by finally getting Riley on one frustrated me for a few weeks, and I sorta lost my motivation because everything wasn't going how I thought it should. 

It was annoying.
It was lame.
It was frustrating.
And yes, I got sorta whiny about the whole situation.

Then,  I talked to Hannah about it (she is my go-to exercise/healthy lifestyle cheerleader/coach), and she reminded me of what I already knew (but effectively squashed down in my "poor me, I don't get to go to the gym" lame-ness).

You don't whine. 
You don't quit.
You adapt. 
You adapt and survive. 
Then you adapt and thrive. 

So, I'm adapting.  I'm trying to work in a couple of lunchtime runs during the week, and I try to get to work as early as possible so I can leave in time to hit the gym a couple of days during the week.  I can always get a good workout in on Saturdays, and if nothing else, there is my trusty equipment waiting at home for me. 

My medicine ball, my kettle bell, my dumbbells...we are getting reacquainted again.  I started doing push ups and squats and ab work while Riley is taking a bath (just like I used to when she was little).  I have annoyed my neighbors (I'm sure) by jumping rope late at night on my driveway with the window open so I can hear Riley if she wakes up. I've even done the dreaded Jillian Michael's "Shred" a couple of times (She is a phenomena i just don't quite get).

Nope, it's not my preference.  Yep, it feels sorta disjointed and random.  Sure, I wish it were different, and I'm on the lookout for new ways to fit this into my life.  But for now, it is what it is.  I'm adapting.  I'm working with what I've got.

That's all you can do, right?

Coming Home

Yes, Disneyland was fun, fun, fun! (photos from that coming soon)

Still, the small amount of time we spent on the beach,

the waves,
the sand,
the water,
the discoveries,
the games,
the shells,
the pure sense of openness and freedom I always find by the sea...

This was my favorite hour of an amazing weekend.

 

October 12of12 - the lazy edition

Ok, lazy might not be fair... time-crunched, perhaps?  I have totally spaced the 12fo12 the last 2 months, so I wanted to get todays done and up before we leave town for a little getaway.   So, with no time to put these into a grid, here are today's 12of12. 

My cutie little girl, ready for school.

bare feet, ragged jeans, and painted toe nails.  She's my kid. 

checking her makeup on the way to school. Yes, I make her wipe it off before we get there. 

driving Miss Riley.

checking herself in at the door.

Riley and Kasja.  She looooves Kasja.

My one job for the trip - buy SeaWorld tickets.  Done!

I worked on a paper all morning.

I met my friend  for lunch.  Indian food -yummmo!

Self portrait in my 'keep calm' poster.

Packing for our trip.

It wouldn't be a 12of12 without a SP of the girl and me.  She surprised me by laying one on me.  This one cracks me up.

Just for Today...

--treat every person you meet with respect and kindness.  Even if they don't deserve it.  Especially if they don't deserve it.

--tell the voice in your head, the one that criticizes everything and reminds you of your shortcomings, to shut the hell up.  Do this over and over, until the voice shuts the hell up. 

--take a deep breath.  Then another.  Then another.  Repeat every time you think of it.

--kiss your kids.  Hug your friend.  Smile at a stranger.  Look the store clerk in the eyes. Open the door for someone.  Reach out.  Connect.

--log off Facebook and open a real book.  Sink into the story.  Savor the words.

--name what you are grateful for.  Out loud.  Right now. 

--listen to your body and give it what it really wants.  No matter if that's an hour of yoga,  a long nap, or a chocolate milkshake. Give it what it really wants.

--state your opinion. Stand your ground.  Make no apologies for either.

Little things like this add up, and they make a difference.  To you and to those around you.

Pick one of these, or make up your own.

Just one.

Try it out.  Just for today.

Let me know how it goes.

Sunday evening randomness

*My camera cord is broken.  I think.  Just yesterday I made the comment that I had never had any problems with any of my camera equipment.  Never say never, huh?
*I spent my Riley-free weekend catching up on errands and house stuff and getting some much neeeded rest.  It was low-key and lovely.
*My workout mojo has been a little bit off lately.  I need to train for an event-that kind of deadline always keeps me on my toes. I'll have to see what's out there- it's not really a great time of year for that. 
*I'm not sure I love the new blogger format.  It's a not as intuitive as it could be.
*I walked by the Apple store yesterday and people had left flowers outside in memory of Steve Jobs.  It made me a little bit teary.  If you haven't seen his 2005 Stanford Commencement address, I suggest you take a few minutes and do so.  You won't regret it.  You can link to it here.
*Riley and I leave for our Southern California trip this week.  I'm really looking forward to having some downtime with her, watching her discover Disneyland and seeing my sister, my brother in law, the twinners and the baby bump. :)

*If you like to exercise with music, check out www.rockmyrun.com. for great workout playlists.  and the best part - free! I downloaded a couple and they are fun and different from what I usually listen to!
*I've been sewing a lot lately.  I'm working on some christmas gifts right now, so I can't really share what I've been up to here, but it's been a lot of fun and a lot of work.  I really dig that combination.
*I wore my hair up today and now I have a hair headache.  I hate those.
*I've never read any of Anne Lamott's work (I know, right?) but I picked up some of her books at the library over the weekend.  Wow.  Just...wow.
*Riley is now sleeping so much better and I swear, she's a different kid.  It's amazing how important sleep is - to her sanity and to mine.
*I am going to bed early so I can get an early start on tomorrow.  I love Mondays.  New beginnings make me happy.



 

Today

Today was a silent alarm 
and a late start that resulted
from the betrayal of technology
and the absence of morning sun. 

Today was her backseat cries.
She wanted something different
for breakfast - a meal that was
eaten almost an hour before.

Today was a mile long list
and a deadline that changed
once.  Then twice. And then
ended up where it began.

Today was a change of dinner
plans.  The pasta ignored, and
soup made from autumn's bounty,
honored with salad and bread.

Today was a bath and story
and the pleadings for another drink.
She stalls by asking for the irrelevant
"So...what did you eat for lunch?"

Today was the dinner dishes, packing
lunches and bags for tomorrow's rush.
A few minutes to restore order and then
a few minutes to restore peace.


Today was a mimic of hundreds before
and a preview of thousands to come.  And
yet in it's ordinary everydayness, I find a
sense of myself, a sense of home.

Grateful

-autumn sunshine
-head clearing walks
-new beginnings
-coconut lotion 
-starting from where I am
-hope
-wise counsel
-new water glasses
-cool evenings
-loving my job
-preschool teachers
-saying no
-early bedtimes
-homemade pizza
-answered prayers
-library books
-raspberries and peaches
-jeans and flip-flops
-anticipation
-long distance phone calls
-getting enough rest
-cheerful mornings