28 of 100 ... A Great Day!

I should stop changing the font ... it's a pain to keep changing it back when it changes to this ... so we'll go with the ol' Times Roman for a bit. I wonder if there's someplace where I can change the default?  Hmm... will check another time.

Today was a good day ... I pushed myself a bit more and am feeling ok.  I haven't started the edema medication (nor a few others) but that will be my priority for tomorrow.  It will be interesting to see how much this costs ... WITH coverage! 

Day's Report:

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water: 5
- Hours of sleep: 7h, 56m / awake 13x, restless 18x
- Meds: yes
- FoodRecord: yes
FitBit Notes:
- 4045 steps, 1.74mi ... better than yesterday, but not at the 5000 steps, not even 1/2.
 
Goal Advancement for today:   
E: Got some storage work done! 
H: Went out for lunch and chose for nutrition! 
R: Had lunch with VG.  And she offered to go with me to my storage - I accepted her offer and it was a productive time!
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1. Today, I'm grateful for VG's help.  It kept me focused and helped motivate me to keep going.  We got a good dent done! If I can keep this up, I might be able to get it cleaned by the end of the month!
2. Today, I'm grateful for getting my 5th charm for my bracelet.  In this series, I'll be getting one for each goal area.  I have one for Health (got it for the end of the first 100), and now I got Love for Relationships.  I think I'm going to get a Pandora bracelet for my niece ... it will be a great thing to be able to send her charms! 
3.  Today, I'm grateful for a good day ... I felt energetic, I felt motivated and focused.  Been a while since I've felt this good! Let's hope it stays around! 
4.  Today, I'm grateful for a nice, hot shower at the end of the day! 
5.  Today, I'm grateful for one more day to sleep in! It's the last long weekend of the summer and one more glorious day off tomorrow! I'll make my plan before bed ... and work my plan tomorrow!

27 of 100 ... Win Some, Lose Some

A mixed day, for sure! But ended well, so all's good.  I was introduced to a motivational speaker today - Eric Thomas, the Hip Hop Preacher. I've listened to one of his speeches and ... I gotta say, if you're healthy, what he says makes sense.  I don't take him word-for-word, but in there is some good stuff. And ... oddly, kind of answered my question from yesterday! 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6gur86KJ_k - if you want to see the first video I watched.  
DAY'S REPORT:

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water: 4
- Hours of sleep: forgot to put any timer on. 
- Meds: yes, today I did!
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 1278 steps (wow! eye-opener there, for sure!!) I was on my feet all day, and yet that's the number of steps I took!
 
Goal Advancement for today:   
I won't count it but I did clean my apartment and return it to the general state it is usually at.  I will be able to do something else tomorrow.  That was the plan. 
PD: I did spend some time planning.  I don't want to get lost in this, but without it I also have no direction.  Things are not set in a habit or pattern yet, so I need to be deliberate, and it starts with planning.  I do believe - failing to plan is planning to fail.    
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  Today, I'm grateful to have been able to get together with AH, a former student.  To listen to her story was a blessing! what a difficult road she is on, and yet, she seems to be in a good space ... not without her own potholes along the way! 
2.  Today, I'm grateful that I got the household things done that I did.  I am thinking of making Thursday 'general house-cleaning' day ... a friend of mine did and that freed her weekends to do other things. 
3.  Today, I'm grateful for getting things together for tomorrow - if I live it as planned, it will be productive and purposeful and I will feel like I've accomplished a few somethings towards my goals by the end of the day!  I've got a plan!
4.  Today, I'm grateful that my headache was only a headache.  I woke with a horrible pounding, but it wasn't "the worst headache I've ever had".  I took some Tylanol and over time, it did dissipate.  A change in perspective! With my swollen ankles (which could be from the clots), I didn't want my headache to be from the same source ... so, in perspective, I'm grateful that it was only a headache! 
5.  Today, I'm grateful for all the little wake-up calls I've had in the last while - nudges about my health, about my exercise, about my nutrition, about my lack of direction, about my lack of life.  In a way, I still don't know where I want to go, but what I do know is that I have 5 goals to work on, to achieve by November 11.  That, there, is a direction! Get off my fat ass and move towards it!
6.  I have to add that I'm very grateful that RA checked in on me today.  Living alone, sometimes you forget that your life is connected to other people, because so much time is spent alone.  Especially in your home.  If something were to happen to me, I have thought that it would take a while for someone to find out, to discover me.  But, today, I realized maybe it wouldn't be as long as I sometimes think.  It's wonderful when people realize that things are a bit different for single people, and when others check in ... just to make sure all is ok ... it really is a blessing.  I didn't answer at first - I was sleeping, the phone was turned down and my ringers were softer.  When I did get up, it was to find some Tylanol and rest a bit more.  Somehow, it took a bit to actually check my phone - and there were a bunch of messages, missed calls, etc. from her!  I feel so bad that I put her through that! ... but, without a doubt, I'm so very grateful to have someone checking in on me like that.  

26 of 100 ... Last Friday of Summer 2014!

I didn't get around to writing this entry because the day went completely south on me.  Nothing happened the way I planned it, but on the positive hand, nothing bad really came from it either.  More a confirmation of a few things ... a relief that it's nothing bad and a push in the direction to get healthy sooner rather than later!

Day's Report

Habits:
- Clean Sink: no
- Cups of Water:e
- Hours of sleep: 7h 49m (Fitbit); 6x awake = 8m, 10x restless = 27m
- Meds: no (eeek!!)
- FoodRecord: yes
FitBit Notes:
- 6500 steps (of 10,000) - 2.8 km - 10 active min.
 
Goal Advancement for today:   
Other than work and hospital, no time for anything else.  I am playing with an app called "Goals Wizard" and every day they ask various questions.  I'm finding that a lot of my answers, almost regardless of what the the question is, ... a lot of my answers is "no time".  If that is the case, how do I turn that around?  I am finding I have more energy if I have a good night's sleep, less of a chance at getting sleepy, but my iron is still very low.  In fact, it's the lowest it's been ... and again, no obvious reason.  Any suggestions for any of this?      
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.)
 

Gratitude:
1. I'm grateful that my swollen ankles are because of edema.  Yes, there is likely more to this than a simple answer, but I know a few things to do that could make a difference.
2.  I'm grateful today that there are people in my life that care enough about me to "force" me to go to the hospital; in whatever way they do it, I'm grateful!
3.  I'm grateful today that I took the time to take a book and journal with me to the hospital.  There was no cell reception there so I had a few "somethings" that occupied my mind and helped the time go!
4.  I'm grateful today that I got home by midnight. I know there's something to be said about getting things checked sooner rather than later, but there's also something to be said for going on a weekend night, so that when it gets late (because it will!), then you don't have to worry about work the next day. (However forgetting what is important when you come home - like your meds or your bed, is not good!) 
5. I'm grateful today that my INR was in the safe range (2.3) ... I  hope I will be typing the same thing this coming Tuesday!!    
 

25 of 100 ... Ready for the Weekend!

But there's still one more day after today ... it was really nice to come home to a very hot shower!  I'd have taken a bath, but I'm not sure if I can yet.  I know I couldn't take a hot bath after the clots were diagnosed, but it's been almost 3 months.  Hopefully a hot shower will be ok! 'Cause it's so fantastic!! 

Day's Report:

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water:4
- Hours of sleep: 5h 59m (Fitbit); 3x awake, 19x restless.
- Meds: yes
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 6729 steps (of 10,000) - 2.90 km
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
P: I went for a bit of a walk at lunch time.  I didn't go as far as I wanted but it was cold and my ankle was starting to swell again, so at least I did a bit?
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful today for at least getting out for a bit of a walk.  It was colder today and I didn't bring a jacket and I didn't wear the right shoes.  Had I, it would have been perfect for a longer walk! 
2.  I'm grateful today to be able to get home and put my feet up.  My right ankle has swollen quite large and I just hope that it goes down during the night.  But to get home and rest ... wonderful! 
3.  And even more than that, I'm sooo grateful that there was fantastic hot water for a blissful shower!  Nothing like a hot shower to make the world right again! 
4.  Today, I'm grateful for my life.  I'm frustrated with a lot of things in my life right now, but the bottom line is that I am grateful for what I have.  It's a good place to start.  And, I feel I'm intelligent enough and determined enough to make the last part of my life the best yet. 
5.  Today, I'm grateful for the excitement I feel at the dawn of a new season.  I feel like another chance is presented to make changes and see what differences I can see at the end of that season!  So far, this year as been difficult, to say the least.  But, throughout, there have always been moments that have gifted me with reminders that even in difficult times, there are still things to be grateful for.  It sounds trite and cheap - everyone talks about the "silver lining".  I guess this exercise of mine has made the experience real for me. In a way that theory does not.  The perfect meld - theory and experience.  Especially when the experience supports the theory! 

24 of 100 ... Pushed myself, just a bit ...

It's been a bit since I pushed myself physically, and tonight I had to.  Tomorrow, a new hot water heater is being put in and it will be going in a space in the basement.  I have a bit of storage there, so I had to clean it completely out.  Completely.  So, one thing at a time, one step at a time ... and I did it!  And I felt ok after!! A bit winded, sure, but other than that, ok.  This means ... all that's holding me back from storage cleaning .. is my thinking! Yippee!

Report for the Day:

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water:3
- Hours of sleep: 6h 10m (Fitbit); 5x awake, 15x restless.
- Meds: yes
- FoodRecord: yes
FitBit Notes:
- 5976 steps (of 10,000) - 2.57 km
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
Cleaning out the storage for the hot water heater isn't part of it, but it had to be done and it took all evening.   
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful I got the storage cleaned out with no adverse effects on myself.
2.  I'm grateful that I'm getting the hang of my Fitbit! I think this is really going to help me!
3.  I'm grateful for daily contact with my friend RA.  Some days, it seems that is the only socializing I do!
4.  I'm grateful today for the note I got from KH.  It really cheered me - it's nice when you pass on something that you think might help and it does!
5.  I'm grateful that I'm feeling ok.  No strange pains, no feeling off, no wondering if I should make another hospital visit.  So, I feel like it's ok to start slowly pushing myself and really zoning in on getting healthy! One step at a time. :-)

23 of 100 ... Nailing Details Down

This was one of those days where the day went, I got things done but in the scope of things, I don't feel like I progressed.  It was nice to see that my steps were up (via Fitbit), but something's stagnating.  A bit of time to assessment and I think I will be able to identify the problem as well as plan and move forward with a solution.

Day's Results:

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water:4
- Hours of sleep: 6h 10m (Woke 5 times, according to Fitbit)
- Meds: yes
- FoodRecord: yes ... but missed some.
FitBit Notes:
- 7392 steps (of 10,000) - 3.18 km
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
 Not really ... yes, there were things, but not purposeful and to goal. 
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful today that I have a good hairdresser.  I still really miss the one I had years ago, but the one I have now is good and I feel comfortable in her chair. She did my roots today ... can you believe, that alone is $80+??? Man, it's expensive to keep your hair done!
2.  I'm grateful today for my job.  Things are starting to shift, and there's a lot of gossip going on, but so far, I'm safe.  And if I'm not, I'll take care of that when the time comes!
3.  I'm grateful today for my Americano - if I leave work early enough, I'll stop at Starbucks for an Americano.  A great treat to start the day!  Wakes me up, gives me a shot of energy and let the day begin!
4.  I'm grateful today that I got in more steps than yesterday!  I know there will come a point where I plateau before hitting 10,000 and when that time comes, I think I know how I'll deal with it!  How to push the number up even more!
5.  I'm grateful today that one of the buyers at work asked me to do his Close-Out Binder.  This will be my first chance to work through the process on my own!  AND ... figure out the solution to the problems I'm inevitably going to have!! I'm definitely ready to get going on this!

22 of 100 ... Playing with the Fitbit!

Like a Fitbit friend said today, this is like a little non-condescending, non-ridiculing nudge that without guilt, encourages you to better what it tells you that you did.  A neat thing!  I've heard that it isn't 100% accurate, but I think that it's close enough to give me information, expect me to input honestly, and encourage me to better my yesterday.

Day's Results:

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water:4
- Hours of sleep: 7h 40m (but didn't fall asleep until around midnight)
- Meds: yes
- Reading: not yet
- FoodRecord: yes.  I was honest, but I need to be more accurate.  Every little thing that goes into my mouth!!
FitBit Notes:
- 5598 steps (of 10,000) - 2.41 km - 3 active minutes.
- I'm given 1537 cal to consume, I was over. I burned 2273 cal.
 
Goal Advancement for today: PD - I spoke to a headhunter today about a possible position.  Tough part is when they ask about income! If nothing else, this will be experience and I did dust off my resume, finally! 
H - I am making use of the FitBit and will continue to use it to encourage myself to meet or beat the stats of the day before!
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1/ Today, I'm grateful to run into a former student at the dermatologist! I taught AH years ago in Chinook Learning Services and we made arrangements to get together for coffee this weekend. 
2/ Today, I'm grateful that I didn't have to get the cancer spot cut out but will try a topical cream instead.  I didn't purchase it but will tomorrow (cost might be interesting!). 
3/ Today, I'm grateful for the chance to "interview" ... it wasn't really an interview, but it was nice to be noticed, to be complimented, and a mutual agreement to continue the path to the position.  It got me updating my resume and it got me to look at my LinkedIn again.  
4/ Today, I'm grateful for a good day.  I think today was the first day that I felt "normal" - no pain, no odd things, just the me that needs to get in shape.  That's a good feeling! 
5/ Today, I'm grateful for having medical coverage.  I don't know what the cancer cream will be, but I'm sure it won't be cheap like the warfarin! This nudges me to put the effort into making use of my coverage, to calculate what I've used and to use up what I have still available.  

21 of 100 ... Adding a New Habit!

Today is Day 21 of my second 100 Day Challenge.  I said I was going to add a new habit every 3 weeks. I already was working on: Clean Sink, Cups of Water, Hours of sleep, Meds, and Reading.  Some are more consistent, some are still finding their niche in my day.  So ... I think a good habit would be to record my food, everything that goes into my mouth.  I can use my Fitbit to record this and it will become part of the process.  It will be interesting to see tomorrow how many steps I take tomorrow! 

Day's Report


Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water:2
- Hours of sleep: 6h 29m (according to my fitbit)
- Meds: yes
- Reading: yes
- FoodRecord: no - just decided to add it right now. I was thinking of 2-3 and this is the one I picked.
 
Goal Advancement for today:
R: Met VG for lunch.  It was nice to catch up with her, as I haven't seen her since before the Aug long weekend.  I think it will be a while before I see her again, if I'm going to dedicate my non-work time to my storage.  
PA: I updated my resume and sent it to a person that contacted me through LinkedIn.  Could be interesting! 
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PA: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1/ I'm grateful today for the opportunity to update my resume! It will be good for higher level admin, etc.  
2/ I'm grateful today that The Outlander series starts! (I'm watching it and PVRing it as I type.)  A fantastic fluff read for women, but far better than the 50 Shades obsession!! 
3/ I'm grateful today to have been able to get together with VG.  I think that will be the end of my socializing until my storage is clean.  Maybe I can use that as my self-pressure to get it done. 
4/ I'm grateful today that the Outlander was shown earlier than I thought so I could sort of see it before going to bed.  I'll watch it in more detail tomorrow.  Truly, my guilty pleasure!
5/ I'm grateful today for the power of creativity.  I watch this show, I know her story .... oh, I long to create my own story! One thing at a time ... starting with the storage.  All shall come after ... but my creative mind is churning, seeking its own creative story to tell.

20 of 100 ... To Dream, perchance to Sleep

Saturday was supposed to be full of activity ... and I could not rouse myself from slumber. Yes, when I did finally wake, I was very well rested. But, was it necessary?  Am not going to stress over it - it's done.  Move on. 

Day's Report: 

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water:4
- Hours of sleep: more than 12
- Meds: yes
- Reading: no
 
Goal Advancement for today:
R: I went to KA's birthday party, late, but I did go.  I also reached out to VG and made lunch arrangements and spoke to JS for about 3 hours.  
H: slept a lot 
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PA: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1/ I'm grateful for being able to sleep, sad when nothing's that pressing, but good when I can use it for this. 
2/ I'm grateful today for the invite to KA's birthday party and to RA for the prodding to get off my duff and go!
3/ I'm grateful today for feeling better.  I've struggled with going to the hospital, wondering if the pain I was feeling justified a hospital visit or not, but today was actually good and had very little pain. So, I've chose not to go ... for right now. 
4/ I'm grateful for the 3+ hr conversation with JS.  He is coming to terms with the end of his career, that he can never do again what he once did, where he found his identity, his passion, his love.  Part of me is concerned - this is one of the happenings that contributes to suicide.  The loss of passion, loss of identity, utter change that is beyond control, isolation and loss of connection.  I read this and when I did, I saw my life in these traits.  I know I will not go to the end of that path, but JS has a history of depression, greater than mine and my family. 
5/ I'm grateful for my Fitbit ... it's going to be fun assessing my level of health and then seeing ways to improve upon it!