Le mieux blog dans le monde!

Today I couldn't stand it and while Baby and daddy were sleeping this morning, I went on a walk and even jogged here and there.

Boy did it feel good! It always feel good to work up a sweat, to get the heart rate up, and feel the euphoria of doing something strenuous. I didn't appreciate this feeling back when I was regularly working out because I had been in the habit of exercising for several years. Today I truly appreciated it.

And I realized I was jogging for myself. Not for the people who I passed, not so I could say I'm running, not so I could look skinny (although this is partially why it has been a concern for me and another source of guilt; need to lose those pregnancy pounds). When I realized how good it feels, I decided this was something to do just for me.

Then I thought about yoga and how wonderful that feels. I began community ed yoga a year after I got married and continued for about nine months. Then the night of the class changed to a night I work so I stopped doing it altogether. But the feelings that come from yoga and meditating are hard to replicate and I remember them and ache to have those feelings again. There is a release and clarity that comes with focusing on one's self in the manner that yoga and meditation offer. Yoga is about strengthening an individual's mind and body.

Here are some tasks that I can do that focus on myself in varying amounts of time. Many are ones that I used to enjoy but have let fall to the wayside. (Seriously my life consists of work, family, and reading--but reading so I don't have be alone with myself--sad, huh?) Some are activities I've recently come to enjoy. They may take anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on what is feasible for the day. My goal is to do at least one of these activities every day.  I cannot do anything else while I'm focusing on these tasks. 

* Walking (sans iPod)
* Yoga
* Running (sans iPod)
* Journaling
* Cooking a yummy meal/new recipe
* Listening to music (I used to do this all the time; just sit, listen, and enjoy)
* Write
* Doodle
* Draw
* Meditate
* Watch a favorite television program or movie without doing something else at the same time

Please comment on what you like to do just for yourself.

Anyone I've ever lived with (gave a ride home, worked with, shared a hotel room with, etc) can and will tell you how messy I am. I don't dabble in organized messes--you know the kind where other people think the room is cluttered but you actually know where everything is. No sir! I am beyond organization--it doesn't describe me one bit. I tend to put belongings on every available surface and then forget where I put them (keys, bills, stapler, Muse concert tickets, glasses, greeting cards, etc). My car, house, and drawer at work are all messy. [See spare room photo to the left.]

This isn't something I am proud of. In fact, I find it terribly embarrassing and have been known to ignore the doorbell due to a messy front room. It is also embarrassing to have to clean out the front passenger seat just to give someone a ride in my car. While dating, my husband announced he had a gift for me prior to taking a road trip to visit my family using my car. I was not amused when it was Febreze because, "Your car smells weird--like fast food," he explained.

With a baby on the way I feel it is time to get my house and life in order. Rusty probably senses this as well because he actually agreed to help me rather than tell me, "It's your mess so deal with it." I checked out a book on organization from the library and read to him parts that explained my psyche. He immediately stopped what he was doing and started googling closet storage and storage supplies and we came up with a game plan. I need to go through my junk and purge. Then we'll survey what is left and purchase storage mechanisms that fit our needs, rather than going out and purchasing random storage bins, etc and then finding they don't really work with our needs.



I started purging last night. I consolidated our office supplies and crafts--getting rid of reams of scrap booking paper, card making material, beads, and other craft paraphernalia for projects I thought could be fun (like the scrap booking and card making--yeah fun for a day or two!). Our spare room is even messier than before but it is step one in cleaning house. I'm happy to report I found my digital camera--in a really odd place in the bedroom closet--so I can easily post pics of my progress. Hopefully this will serve as added incentive to make good on this goal. I have until the end of March when I hope to have purchased baby furniture and supplies for the room.


Wish me luck!

Last year I didn't make one New Year resolution. Part of it was feeling bogged down with wedding plans. Unfortunatley, I need direction so my general perception of life in 2008 was I was in limbo.

I exercised until June and then it petered off with no physical exertion from July until now. My goal to eat less fast food failed when in November I said, "Who cares!" when work became more stressful. I pretty much stopped doing anything to better myself, which had been a regular theme for my life for several years.

So this year my plan is to write down some goals in a fairly public place so I will remember to look at (Le mieux blog dans le monde!) and feel motivated to accomplish what I spew, thus living a more fulfilling 2009. The list will be on the the sidebar.

Here's to a new year and the opportunity to start with a new slate.