Never Give Up, Never Surrender

[Maegaranthelas]

So glad your dinner hosting went well

 

[TopNotch]

Well done on a successful dinner.

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Congrats on your successful dinner party @Lady Celerity !

 

[Lady Celerity]

Awww thanks @Maegaranthelas @TopNotch @Laura Rainbow Dragon ! It must seem silly to most, but to me dinner party = panic. One more to go...

Last night's caroling was so much fun. It was raining so hard that my song lyrics literally fell apart. But it was worth it to see the smiles we received.

23 Dec workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 6
Iron Core Challenge day 22

Pixie is being sassy today!

 

[MadamMeow]

Love how Pixie is perfectly posed.

 

[CODawn]

 

[TopNotch]

to me dinner party = panic

Why have them then?

 

[Anek]

What a lovely kitty!!

 

[Lady Celerity]

Why have them then?

I have dinner parties because it's something my elderly mom enjoys and which she has difficulty doing as she's grown older. There will come a time when the parties will end; I'd like to give her that gift while I can.

 

[Lady Celerity]

Winding down over here and ready to enjoy the next few days.

24 Dec workout:
PT exercises
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 7
Iron Core Challenge day 23


T'was the day before Christmas and all through my home
All the creatures were stirring and getting things done.
The presents were wrapped and the gingerbread made
My exercise finished and all the bills paid.

I paused for a moment while drinking my tea
Feeling thankful for Darebee's warm community
So from my heart to yours I pray you'll receive
Joy, peace and hope on this Christmas Eve.

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

I have dinner parties because it's something my elderly mom enjoys and which she has difficulty doing as she's grown older. There will come a time when the parties will end; I'd like to give her that gift while I can.

I don't know if this will be helpful at all, but I personally LOVE hosting dinner parties. It has become a primary social activity for me.

A few weeks back friends of mine from out of town wrote me to say they were going to be attending a concert in my neighbourhood, and they usually go out for food first, did I want to join them?

I immediately wrote back, "Would you like to come here for the food?" and was so happy when they agreed! I would much, much rather host my friends in my home where we can all relax, take up as much space as we need, take off our outdoor footwear, have someplace clean and dry to hang our coats that's not hanging off the backs of our chairs, trailing in the mud and spilled food on the floor (or possibly falling off the chair into it), have easy access to a clean bathroom with no line-up, be as loud or as quiet as we want to be without disturbing anyone else or having to shout to be heard over top of them, get up and dance if we feel like it, choose our own music (or have none at all), turn the lights out so we can appreciate the flames when we decide to torch the pudding, etc. than go out to eat in some restaurant!

Honestly, I think the key to not being stressed about hosting dinner parties is simply to choose not to be stressed. It's your friends who are coming over to visit you, because they like you and want to spend time with you--not some nose-in-the-clouds food critic who's going to give you a bad review and trash your business if everything isn't perfect.

At my last dinner party, when the first guest arrived, I handed him a Rubbermaid tote and said, "Please fish a tablecloth and some napkins out of here, and choose whichever place mats you like to set the table."

While he was setting the table, he discovered that it's legs were loose. "This table doesn't seem too stable," he told me.

"The legs are probably loose," I said. "Here is a toolkit."

My friend complimented me on how neat and orderly everything was in my toolkit. Then he tightened the legs on the table while I finished preparing the food.

When everyone else arrived, we discussed who should sit in the chairs which I have reinforced and who would be left to brave the non-reinforced chairs that quite possibly might fall apart and deposit their user unceremoniously onto the floor.

And then everyone had a wonderful time.

A dinner party is simply sharing good company with food. If you have food, and people show up, the dinner party is a success! Why be stressed about that?

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Merry Christmas!

 

[TopNotch]

Happy Christmas.

 

[MadamMeow]

Merry Christmas, love that poem!

 

[Lady Celerity]

Just popping in to log....

25 Dec workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 8
Iron Core Challenge day 24

Back to shenanigans

 

[Mamatigerj]

I hope you had a Blessed Christmas, @Lady Celerity!

 

[Lady Celerity]

It is raining hard. Still. I feel a bit like a mushroom from all the sogginess and lack of light but at least it's not 115F! And I don't have to water the yard.

28 Dec workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+, round #3, day 9
Iron Core day 25

Have a lovely day bees!

 

[Lady Celerity]

It's still 2024 on my side of the planet. Traditionally it's the time when one takes stock of the last year and resolves to make changes for the new year to come. There is a lot of uncertainty in my life right now as I'm waiting for some medical test results. I'm trying to stay in the present and do what I can until I know more but, truthfully, I haven't been feeling well. Not horrible, just not well.

So here's the plan for now:
-cut out coffee, switch to match green tea, and maybe eliminate caffeine all together. We'll see.
-be consistent with reaching my daily water intake. It's more difficult in winter, but I can do it.
-keep moving towards a pescatarian diet with an emphasis on lots of vegs. I've made great strides over the last year and enjoy this way of eating.
-cut out sugar and sugary treats and replace them with fruit or healthier alternatives. Darebeets has been my friend with this. Thanks @neilarey !
-continue with the SOMA 40+ program and adding incremental weights and reps where needed. The weight bearing part of this program has helped a lot and I like the variety.
-do one thing each day that brings me joy such as a short hike, bird watching, drawing, taking a long bath.
-practice gratitude by writing one thing each day that I am grateful for. There are so many!!
-plan some things to look forward to. In February I will be traveling to Iceland which has been on my bucket list for a long time. Super excited!
So that's the gist of it. For now.

I've been hiking over the last few days and breaking in a new pair of boots for the Iceland trip and so haven't been logging. I've really missed being outdoors with all the rain we've had. Time to test all my waterproof gear.

Pressing on today!
31 Dec workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 10
Iron Core Challenge day 26
Wishing all you lovely bees and very happy and healthy New Year!!

 

[Maegaranthelas]

Happy New Year, lovely! I hope the answers come quick and are easy to deal with
Your plan sounds amazing

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Praying for you, that the test results show something that’s doable to treat. (I know too well how it feels when results come back negative and you know there’s something wrong)

Sounds like you have a good plan in place until you find out.

 

[Anek]

Happy new year!!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

I'm so excited for you for your upcoming trip! I hope you will be able to get medical things sorted and be in great health by then to enjoy Iceland to the fullest!

 

[Mamatigerj]

Happy New Year to you, @Lady Celerity!
Healing thoughts and prayers that the test results will be helpful.

-keep moving towards a pescatarian diet with an emphasis on lots of vegs. I've made great strides over the last year and enjoy this way of eating.

I am trying to do this as well.

Your trip to Iceland sounds wonderful!

 

[CODawn]

I hope your test results turn out the way you want to.

 

[Lady Celerity]

Thanks @CODawn @Mamatigerj @Laura Rainbow Dragon @Anek @FlowersandPetals @Maegaranthelas. You're the best!

Last night was fun as I joined a bunch of friends and we played lots of different games (look up Uzzle it nearly fried my brain!) and, of course, ate. I brought Medjool dates stuffed with natural peanut butter and sprinkled with cacao nibs and sea salt. They were not a hit (who can compete with cookies, chips and crap?) but it's okay because I got to bring some home for me. I actually stayed up until way past midnight for once and was able to sleep in today. #winning

Today I've been puttering, cleaning out drawers and putting off organizing my 2024 files. It's cold and rainy outside so this suits me fine.

1 Jan 2025 workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ day 11
Iron Core Challenge day 27

Pixie is snoring on her cat hammock , my daughter is playing video games, and I'm thankful for my family.
Enjoy your day bees. I'm going to make a cup of dandelion tea now.

 

[TopNotch]

I'm going to make a cup of dandelion tea now.

I used to make dandelion jelly to sweeten my dandelion tea. Lots of work, picking off all those little petals, but yummy.

 

[Lady Celerity]

I used to make dandelion jelly to sweeten my dandelion tea. Lots of work, picking off all those little petals, but yummy.

In the summertime I pick dandelion leaves for salad. Tasty!

 

[Lady Celerity]

I saw my boss while I was out shopping today. Neither one of us wants to go back to work on Monday! It's been so nice to have time off to be a human being vs a human doing. I've made great strides in completing some long-put-off tasks and I've also been able to rest. Very thankful for this breather.

2 Jan 2025 workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 12
Iron Core Challenge day 28

Did anyone else have black-eyed peas for supper on New Year's Day? Or is that just a southern USA thing? Our family has always eaten them on New Year's. I made black-eyed peas with spinach + onion + gochujang sauce on rice. Very tasty!

 

[Lady Celerity]

I was awakened out of a sound sleep by my daughter late last night. Apparently someone was prowling around one of our outbuildings with a flashlight. By the time we went to check it out they were gone. I live in the sticks and anyone up here messing around private property is up to no good. Nothing was taken (there is no value in anything stored out there) and I've alerted our neighbors. Hopefully they won't return.

Despite my interrupted sleep last night I was full of energy today. Got lots done. The Christmas tree has been un-decorated and stored away until next year. I've also pulled last year's files and boxed those up and shredded a few very old and unnecessary papers. Still doing some random organizing in spurts which makes it manageable. When I was pregnant this urge to purge and organize was called 'nesting'. Now it's 'there's way to much stuff everywhere and it's driving me nuts'. At one point in my life I moved 9 times in two years, including an international move with an infant, and now having too much stuff stresses me out. I am grateful that I have many things that can give away to benefit others.

3 Jan workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 13
Iron Core Challenge day 29

Time for some homemade pizza on a cornmeal crust. Have a nice evening!

 

[Tranquil_warrior]

I was awakened out of a sound sleep by my daughter late last night. Apparently someone was prowling around one of our outbuildings with a flashlight. By the time we went to check it out they were gone. I live in the sticks and anyone up here messing around private property is up to no good. Nothing was taken (there is no value in anything stored out there) and I've alerted our neighbors. Hopefully they won't return.

Despite my interrupted sleep last night I was full of energy today. Got lots done. The Christmas tree has been un-decorated and stored away until next year. I've also pulled last year's files and boxed those up and shredded a few very old and unnecessary papers. Still doing some random organizing in spurts which makes it manageable. When I was pregnant this urge to purge and organize was called 'nesting'. Now it's 'there's way to much stuff everywhere and it's driving me nuts'. At one point in my life I moved 9 times in two years, including an international move with an infant, and now having too much stuff stresses me out. I am grateful that I have many things that can give away to benefit others.

3 Jan workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 13
Iron Core Challenge day 29

Time for some homemade pizza on a cornmeal crust. Have a nice evening!

I am glad you had energy despite the sleep quality.

Whoever was prowling around better not come back or else imma beat em up They mess with a bee they mess with the hive

 

[Lady Celerity]

Aww...thanks @Tranquil_warrior ! And don't worry, I have protection if needed.

Another busy day; my time off is rapidly coming to a close! Will I get everything done? No. But it's okay. I've done plenty and rested too.

4 Jan workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 14
Iron Core Challenge day 30

Time to look for another ab program. Leftovers for dinner. And football!! Have a nice evening.

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Congratulations on completing the Iron Core Challenge!

 

[Syrius]

Congratulations on Iron Core Challenge!!

 

[CODawn]

Congratulations!

 

[Mamatigerj]

Happy Badge Day!

 

[Tranquil_warrior]

Congrats on finishing the Iron Core challenge. I am glad you are taking it easy on yourself! Make sure you keep finding time for kindness in your busy days.

 

[Fremen]

Congrats

 

[TopNotch]

Congrats on the Challenge!

 

[MadamMeow]

Congrats for Iron Core!

 

[Anek]

Congrats on the challenge!!

 

[FlowersandPetals]

Congrats on finishing Iron Core and I hope that weirdo doesn’t return to your property!

 

[Lady Celerity]

@Laura Rainbow Dragon @Syrius @CODawn @Mamatigerj @Tranquil_warrior @Fremen @TopNotch @MadamMeow @Anek @FlowersandPetals

Yesterday it stopped raining so I went for a hike. There's still a lot of water draining off the hills and it's nice to listen to. I saw quite a bit of coyote scat on the trail. Looks like they've been eating squirrels. My new hiking boots are feeling better as well.

Today it was back to work. Despite feeling trepidation about what awaited me the day wasn't bad at all. I envisioned my desk buried under paperwork but it was manageable-- until the internet went out. Oh well, there's always stuff to do but I really needed to finish some things which required internet. Hopefully by tomorrow it will be working again.


6 Jan workout:
PT exercises -15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 15
Yoga Abs Challenge day 1. Not sure if I want to commit to this one. I may try a few different challenges before I choose.

So I finally made Darebeets banana bread muffins Where have these been all my life???? So good!!

 

[Lady Celerity]

What the heck was with today?? It's not even a full moon! Yesterday was so chill at work and today was a total train wreck. I only got one thing done today that's part of my actual job. The rest was all triage and putting out fires. The internet was back up though and that's the only reason I got the one thing done; that plus a deadline. I have a headache.....

7 Jan workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 16
Better Core Challenge day 1 Not sure about this one since I couldn't figure out how to do the first exercise!

Noodles for dinner. As Scarlett O'Hara said,

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Better Core Challenge day 1 Not sure about this one since I couldn't figure out how to do the first exercise!

I think you're meant to pulse the lifted arm and leg up and down while holding pointer.

 

[MadamMeow]

What the heck was with today??

Mercury has been in retrograde and will continue to be I think until mid-February.

Blah.

 

[Lady Celerity]

Yesterday I took a rest day. I was just exhausted physically, mentally, everything. I couldn't seem to get warm but didn't have a fever. So I plonked myself on the couch with a blanket, a cup of tea and a microwaveable neck warmer and binge-watched Deadliest Catch. The work these guys do makes mine seem like a vacation. It was a good reminder that even on the worst day at my job, it could be much, much worse.

Today I feel better. Still no medical test results; the test facility is really backed up so it may be another week. Trying not to obsess about it and (mostly) succeeding.

9 Jan workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 17
Yoga Abs Challenge day 2 I'll go back to the Better Core Challenge now that I know how to do the Balance Swings. Thanks @neilarey !

Quinoa chili for supper tonight, I think. Or popcorn.

 

[Lady Celerity]

Really busy hectic day at work, but that's pretty much normal. At least it's Friday!! And I completed an audit project that I've been working on for over two months. Yay!

10 Jan workout:
PT exercises - 15min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 18
Better Core Challenge day 1

Have a restful evening bees!

 

[Laura Rainbow Dragon]

Congrats for completing the project!

 

[Lady Celerity]

@Laura Rainbow Dragon thanks! The audit isn't until March but the pre-audit requirements included 2,000 questions + uploading documents. So yeah, I'm glad that part is done.

Ah sweet Saturday! Slept in and when I got up it was still 29F / -2C outside. Brrrrr! I had lots of energy today (maybe from the Kona coffee), did chores and completed some tasks for my upcoming trip, like ordering a new waterproof daypack and YakTrax for walking on glaciers. Getting very excited!!

11 Jan workout:
PT exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 19 Split lunges w/shoulder presses felt hard today after all the scrubbing I did beforehand!
Better Core Challenge

Enjoy your evening bees.

 

[Lady Celerity]

Yesterday the weather was cold but sunny so I went for a hike. I picked some wild rosehips for tea. My new boots are feeling good.








Today was a decent day for a Monday. Hopefully it will set the tone for the rest of the week.

13 Jan workout:
PT Exercises - 15 min
SOMA 40+ round #3, day 20
Better Core Challenge day 3

Have a wonderful evening bees.