Wonder women, welcome! Coming to you from frosty Lexington, Kentucky for Wellness Weekend 03.2020. Mom has been hospitalized with a stomach bug, rhino virus, and pneumonia from aspirating her vomit. As I type this quite late Sunday afternoon, she been in the hospital for 4 days. My brother and sister and I will have to begin moving mom tomorrow from her current independent living apartment into a nursing care room on the same premises. Hoping to get her situated and be home by next Saturday, which is her 93rd birthday. Want to celebrate HER before I leave.
On the blog today, I am updating progress on my wellness goals and talking about springing forward. More on that in a bit. First, let’s see how I’ve done in an effort toward becoming more well? Well-er? Ahh, I know, improving my wellness. That’s the ticket. Like last year, I am aiming for all 5s by the year’s end.
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Here’s where we are today.
PHYSICAL HEALTH – 3.0 (down .5)
- Stretch and work out 4x a week , Weight Watchers to maintain weight – excuses, excuses but haven’t done well on it. Went to Arizona one weekend, PC got sick right afterward. I am down about 3 pounds but we have avoided the gym with all the virus scares. Have played pickleball every week since I discovered it.
- Get 7200 steps and 3 floors a day – actually doing well at this. If I am not doing much else, I am walking!! Even around the hospital in Lexington.
- Walk in nature for 30 minutes a day, 5x a week – back to walking more often. Look forward to those few distraction-free moments in the sun. We enjoyed hiking at White Tanks while we were in Phoenix a few weeks ago.
NUTRITIONAL HEALTH – 4.0 (holding steady)
- Cook meals at home 4x a week – yes, and continuing to cook on occasion for Lauren and family. Restaurants and bars are closing here in Kentucky as of 5 pm today. So will be cooking and eating at Kevin’s house for now.
- Eat 1 fruit and 1 veggie every day (sad, I know) – yes, trying to do better on this.
- Indulge in alcohol and sweets on weekends – yes, with the exception of some overindulgence on M&Ms late in February.
SPIRITUAL HEALTH – 3.5 (holding steady)
- Develop a morning routine M-F – finished my Proverbs31 Ministries Bible study, now using a devotional my BFF Sharon gave me, Present over Perfect.
- Enjoy quiet time M-F (devotional, writing, reading, moment of silence and prayer) – yes. Have been hitting snooze every morning, using that 10 minutes to remember my blessings and say my prayers.
- Use aroma therapy during my morning routine – yuppers, Using a diffuser when I do Bible study in the loft. But have bee too cold some mornings to do my devotion anywhere but under the covers. You can see my diffuser glowing just above and behind my laptop screen.
MENTAL HEALTH – 3.5 (down .5)
- Get dressed every day (not active wear), wear a dress or skirt to church – have done pretty well at this. Missed church last Sunday and the Sunday before. Now with coronavirus, church is going to be closed, at least for awhile. Wore this Loft look around Valentine’s Day. Loft skirt, cardi and blouse.
- Weekly artistic activity; word games, journal – playing word games, journaling, and scrapbooking with my sister. Even brought some scrapbooking supplies up to Kentucky in hopes of getting a page or done while here.
- Read 3 books a month in order to meet my Goodreads goal (are we friends on Goodreads yet?) – have a new goal of visiting the public library once a month. The last trip, I picked up some Texas Library Association Bluebonnet Award nominated picture books so I should easily meet my 3 book a month wellness goal. Jut finished Handcrafted by Clint Harp and almost finished with A Million Dreams by Dani Atkins and The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy. My online book club is reading The German Girl by Armando Lucas Correa. And have begun The Vertical Marriage: The One Secret That Will Change Your Marriage by Dave Wilson, Ann Wilson, et al.
RELATIONSHIP HEALTH – 3.5 (holding steady)
- Unplug at 8:30 pm, implement evening routine – have just gotten better at this. Hope to have a great report for you in this area next month. Here at my Kentucky I’ve had very limited Internet. Last night I was climbing the stairs for bed before 9:30 pm.
- Date night with PC 2x a month (bucket list activities) – yes, while we were in Arizona, we attended 3 baseball games, hiked, ate dinner out 3 nights. Since we’ve been home…CORONAVIRUS slowed us down from getting out much. And PC got sick with a sinus infection.
- Me time, develop friendships, take a class or do something for myself – you know about pickleball but I have also registered for 2 5K races (one was just canceled, though; thank you Covid 19), and signed up for a mosaic class hosted by a gal who also plays pickleball. Will be making a mosaic cross and hopefully, finding help with the large mosaic I started right after I retired.
PREVENTATIVE HEALTH MAINTENANCE -4.0 (holding steady)
- Improved skin care, routine facials – was looking into a 6-Minute Cryo Facial Rejuvenation: “cold air blast” using our cold air localized device. Ideal to improve skin complexion, reduce blemishes and increase skin elasticity, $35.00. [source]
- Weekly dry brushing – continuing several times a week.
- Regular manicures – yes, have had 4 manis in the new year. But have taken a break now as my nails are thin and stressed from the gel polish.
FINANCIAL HEALTH – 3.5 (down .5)
- Continue saving each month – opened a teensy baby money market account, and have made a monthly deposits.
- Save for birthdays and Christmas – saving a little each month.
- Keep spending under control – have slowed down on clothing purchases, cleaned out my closet, to make room for pieces I may add from the Get Your Pretty On spring capsule wardrobe. Registration has just opened but the outfit formulas are already being released. You may use my affiliate link to register and join me for the fun of trying new trends and giving your spring wardrobe a breath of fresh air.
Overall, I am feeling frustrated that my progress has stalled. Need to get back under my lifetime goal weight. And need to avoid having lazy weeks that have us skipping the gym. We all need to be able to get back to normal life.
Spring Foward
So, that brings us to the optional theme of today’s #WW2020…SPRING FORWARD! But to be honest, I don’t have a thin for this. I am glad to have more daylight at the end of the day. I am hopeful that light will help carry us above this pandemic and back to health. Without wishing my life away, I wish I could spring forward to that time.
We learned today that when my mom is released from the hospital and taken to rehab, we won’t be able to see her. So she will be in this new facility and unable to have visitors. She doesn’t know yet that she won’t be returning to her home. I am afraid that will break her heart further. But we don’t know what else to do. Mom is no longer capable of caring for herself, even with the help of her part-time care givers.
Heartbreaking.
Your Turn
How are you progressing on the wellness goals you’ve set for the year? What’s been your best success or biggest obstacle? Link up your Wellness Weekend post below or leave me a comment letting me know. And please show some love to the others linked up below.
Afraid I will not be able to do much blog reading or writing until I have returned home. The Internet is spotty and my heart just isn’t into it right now. Thank you for visiting today. Stay well, my friends. Stay well.
Hugs and kisses,
Well the virus surely slows us down in going out for dinner, shopping, going to events. It will be boring scary weeks. In the meanwhile I will be working out at home and cleaning a lot! Stay healthy my friend!
I am cleaning a lot, too. Our houses are going to sparkle by the time this virus clears out of here. Stay well, my friend.
Aw, I am sorry to hear that your mother is struggling. I hope she handles this newest transition OK; I know it was so tough when my grandmother had to give up her home and move into a nursing home. We held off as long as we possibly could but as much as she did not love the idea it was the best place for her at the time.
Thank you, Joanne. Hope that we can get mom out of rehab, even though she isn’t as strong as we would like, and get her into the new apartment with
all of the things that make it feel like home. She has fallen 3 times in rehab. Can’t imagine it could be much worse in her personal care apartment.
So hard to make these final decisions for our loved ones, isn’t it?
You must be even more worried about your mom at this point. I hope all is as well as can be.
Oh, Dara, growing old isn’t for the faint of heart! Thank you.
I’m glad you can be there for your Mom and that she is recovering. It will be difficult for her to move although I imagine the staff has experience in helping people adjust to the change. Hugs.
Thank you, Juhli. This whole thing with Mom has gone on for 11 years, since her first suicide attempt. She has never been the same since. And now, since the stroke, she is more confused than ever. My brother went over to see her today and Mom was so depressed. Breaks my heart. I wish we had brought her here to El Paso 10 years ago.
I’m so glad that your mom is recovering, Leslie.
Big hugs to you both!
Thank you, Donna. I can feel your warm hug all the way over here tonight.
I am glad you have been able to spend some time with your mum before she moves to her new home and cannot have visitors.
The last few days of news about the virus is just incredible, so much closing down and restrictions on what you can and cannot do. Supermarkets are empty of long life goods. Latest advice is not to go to the pub or restaurants so we do kind of need a good supply of fresh food!
Keep safe x
Well, we are into our second day of shelter in place. Paul says the traffic is as heavy as ever, which I don’t understand since we are all supposed to be staying at home!! He will begin working from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I guess the U.S. has taken the lead in the number of Covid-19 around the world. We are up to 25 here. Hoping that will be as high as we go.
Mom is really confused about why she can’t leave her room. It is just hard to explain and she just isn’t able to think like she could before the stroke. I am sorry your MIL has passed but I am relieved for you all that she isn’t having to struggle through this.
You take care of your momma, Leslie. We’ll all be here when you get back. I’ll keep her in my prayers. I am worried about my dad, he has that stent replacement surgery for his kidneys (he has it every 4 months) on Monday and with all this corona virus going around and him being 77 it scares me!! I’ve been doing REALLY good with my workouts and diet lately, which I’m surprised I haven’t caved with all of the stress around me lately. I’m limiting myself to 1 Starbucks drink and 1 cheat meal/sweet treat a week and I feel great! I’ve cut back on meat (getting other protein and some meat) and getting healthy fats and been eating lots of fruits and veggies. I just hope I can find healthy stuff to eat when I go to the grocery store this week, I’m worried about that. I love your 30 minutes outside 5 days a week goal. I need to do that with the kids now that they may not even be returning to school this year. Sigh.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you, darling Carrie, for your friendship and prayers. Mom seems better in rehab. Thank goodness. You are certainly looking toned and beautiful with the workouts you have been doing. How in the world is your tummy so trim and muscular after having babies!! You are an inspiration.
Hope your dad did okay with his stent replacement surgery. I know you worry so about him. Hospitals are not where any of us want to be these days.
Keep those babies busy! Stay safe. XO
Leslie, I’m glad you can be there for your Mom. Take care of yourself, too, especially during this stressful time. Thank you for linking up with me on this Wellness Weekend. I greatly appreciate it. #WW2020
Thank you, Natalie. Home now. Sheltering in place and enjoying a few days of peace. XO
Lifting you and yours, especially your mama, in prayer! I don’t envy you that difficult decision! I’m sure the current no-visit policy just makes that choice even more painful. Hopefully she will come to the realization of her new normal slowly and gently.
I’m trying to stay positive about the #springforward, but I miss the morning light for going out to exercise. I love the longer afternoons, but prefer my extra time in the AM.
I meant to ask. Are you grading yourself on a 4 or 5 point scale? And I don’t think you’ve been lazy! Just busy and prioritizing other things over exercise. And now your’re rebooting!
Stay safe and in good health! XO (Virtual hugs and kisses aren’t germy!) YAY!
Thank you, dear Liz, for your prayers.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have daylight earlier in the morning as well as later in the evening? The best of both worlds! It is getting daylight here
about 6:45. So when the alarm goes off at 6:20, it still looks (and often feels) like midnight!! But I do enjoy having more daylight when PC gets home from
work.
I need to get back to some kind of exercise regimen but haven’t had the heart this week. Hopefully, next week will be brighter and I will feel more inspired.
Oh I’m so sorry to hear about your mum, it must be so hard for her and it will be sad you won’t be able to visit here – there are so many ways life is changing with this new virus 🙁
Hope that your week is going okay with everything happening right now!
Thank you, Mica. We are hanging in over here. Hope you all are doing the same in Australia. Thank you for the sweet thoughts for my mom.
you boomers are shutting down the entire economy because you’re afraid of a flu. Seriously, can you boomers kill yourselves? You are the most selfish generation to ever exist. You don’t give a shit about climate change, why should we young people give a shit if you get sick and die of some virus? I HOPE the virus gets much stronger and kills you all.
Hello, Amanda,
Not sure how you can blame ‘boomers’ for shutting down the economy over a ‘flu’. Certainly by now, you realize how serious this virus is. The U.S. has surpassed
all other countries with the number of Covid-19 cases. So, I believe this is more than a silly little flu.
On the other hand, you state that ‘boomers’ are the most selfish generation. And suggest that we kill ourselves or that perhaps this little flu kill us. If it is as insignificant as you suggest, I am not sure how you think the flu will kill us.
Hi Leslie you have so much on your plate at the moment especially with your Mum not being well. I think you deserve to be kind to yourself and not so hard on yourself. I love that you have different goals for different areas of your health and wellness and despite the current situation you are making small steps to achieve them. I love doing my workouts at home especially yoga. I follow Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube and have been practising most days in the late afternoon. I find it helps me sleep better. Take care and thanks to you and Natalie for hosting #wellnessweekend. xx
Thank you, Sue, for your supportive note. I have been pretty lazy or zombie-like since I got home from my Mum’s. Need to settle into this new normal of
sheltering in place, and figure out some kind of exercise routine. Will check out your yoga gal. I could use something natural to help me sleep better.
Hi Leslie, I feel for you with everything going and your mother being so ill.It’s hard to feel motivated at the moment with the world the way it is, everyone is anxious and I understand why your heart isn’t into blogging, I’m much the same. But I’m trying to implement a daily timetable for myself to follow so the days can be a bit more structured. I’m doing a yoga workout free on line, and will make sure I get outside into our autumn sunshine while I can. Take care of yourself my friend xx
I sure like the idea of a daily routine/timetable. Going to try that for myself. Otherwise I will wander listlessly all day. Need to take advantage of our beautiful spring temps, too. It will soon be too warm to enjoy being out for any length of time. Thank you for your sweet supportive comment.
I am very sorry to hear about the challenging times for your Mom and the stress you are under when someone you love is not well. You are an inspiration, Leslie with all of your diverse activities. You remind me how I may be running out of my oils for my diffuser. Difficult to shop right now. You look very pretty in red, Leslie. I was given a hard copy of “The German Girl” a couple of years ago. I have not read it yet. Possibly, let me know what you think when you finish it. Keep up your wellness goals. You are amazing!
Sadly, I have been disappointed by The German Girl. In fact, for now, I have stopped reading it. Can’t get to the library to return it because of the shelter in place policy, and the library isn’t open anyway, but don’t think I will finish it. You might feel differently. But none of the gals in my virtual book club cared much for it.
Thank you for the sweet compliment. I don’t wear red much and might need to change that.
Thanks for getting back to me on the book. Too many good books and I respect your opinion. Take care and we will stay connected.
My pleasure. That was what I decided about The German Girl. I have it checked out until April so might pick it up again, but not very likely.