61 of 100 ... What Was I Thinking??!!?

I can't believe the mistake I made yesterday.  I sent out a draft of a report that needed a check to the person who was to check it.  BUT I sent him the wrong report TWICE!!! I did the right report, but I attached the wrong one ... TWO times!! That threw a huge wrench into my day today (I didn't find out until today)  and something I will be recovering tomorrow.  Gah!! Sometimes ... Sometimes I feel like Einstein.  For, as smart as he was, when his cat had kittens, he cut holes in his door equal to the amount of all the cats to use to go in and out.  My mistake wasn't like that ... but my mistake was enough for me to ask myself, "What was I thinking?" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdPwTokKAI8

So, all my grand plans for more Pomodoros ended up in the garbage.  On the bright side, at least, I'm not Anthony Weiner! (listen to the song via link above and you'll understand!)

Day's results

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water: 2
- Hours of sleep: 8.5ish
- Meds: yes
- Reading: no
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 4882 steps
 
Goal Advancement for today:   R: I took time in the evening to spend with CP.  Yes, I could have been using this time for other things, but spending time with people is also important.  We met for dinner and just talked. 
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful today for CP in my life.  We are similar enough that we get along well, even though she is on the science side of things and I'm on the arts side.  
2.  I'm grateful today that my headache went away.  It was almost going to really affect my day but it slipped into history around noon.  
3.  I'm grateful that there are still 2 days to the weekend ... time to make good on what I want to accomplish!  
4.  I'm grateful today to have a better idea of how to plan my day to accomplish things.  I tend to make a list of what needs to be done and then take a stab at accomplishing things.  Instead, I still make my list, but now I am thinking in bite-sizes, Pomodoro sizes.  Tomorrow should be interesting because I'm going to continue my effort in honing this theory.  Granted, a good chunk will be taken up at work, which already has it's list ready for me. 
5.  I'm grateful today for a nice warm cup of tea in my pretty fall mug.  A perfect way to end the day!

60 of 100 ... Happy Birthday to Me!

Yup, October 2 is 'my' day.  And the day shaped up to be a good one.  Last year, I'm so glad I did something out of the ordinary and "ran away" ... this year was quiet in comparison but I did spend time with people I care about and throughout the day, people in my life (through texting, calling or FB) expressed their wishes for me.  I feel that last year, at this time, I was so optimistic for the coming year!  And look how the year turned out?  There were good moments in it, but sure a lot of struggle!  I really hope this year has less struggle and more goal achievement!  Oddly, I find myself optimistic again ... maybe this trait is returning to me?

Day's Results

Habits:
- Clean Sink: no
- Cups of Water: 4
- Hours of sleep: 6h 39 min
- Meds: yes
- Reading: no
- FoodRecord:
FitBit Notes:
- 7390 steps (3.10 mi)
 
Goal Advancement for today:    Nothing to note for the day ... other than, my steps are up again?
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful that I didn't have to spend the evening alone.
2.  I'm grateful that KA took time from her schedule to spend the evening with me AND that she won tickets to see the Temptations!! A fun concert, for sure! 
3.  I'm grateful for all the people who contacted me over the day to wish me birthday wishes:  people over FB, people in person, people via texting, people on the phone.  The day was so crazy that I didn't have time to respond properly, so I will still have to find that time, but I am very grateful for these people in my life! When I complain to myself about the absence of people, I need to remember today - my life is empty because of me, not because there is no one in my life.
4.  I'm grateful today that I am still above ground, still walking on my own two feet, and still have hope to be able to change the bad to good.  I hope and pray that the goodness in my 51st year will make up for the crappyness in my 50th year! 
5.  I'm grateful to be me! Warts and all!   
6.  Going to add one more - I'm grateful for the encouragement that KA gave me today.  In a way, it was a kick in the ass; in another way, it was a lot of good advice from her perspective.  She knows me in a way that not a lot of people do, and I'm really glad she shared that perspective with me.  She knows my passions because she sees them ... and I'm grateful she reminds me of them and helps to steer me in those directions. It was a good talk and I'm grateful for it. 

59 of 100 ... Begin The Month of Fire

October is one of my favourite months.  Not only because it's my birthday month, but also I love the last wild explosion of colour that Nature goes through as the nights dip in temperature and the trees give forth one last hurrah.  People are starting to complain but there is something bittersweet, something close to the heart about this season for me. My one sadness is that I am enjoying it alone.


Day's Results

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water:4
- Hours of sleep: 7h 30 min
- Meds: yes 
- Reading: no
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 4014 steps (1.73 mi)
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
Nothing to note. ... unless you count the letter I wrote to TB.  I finally got around to responding to her.  It was good for me, not only to encourage her but also to remember what I loved so much about teaching.
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful today that I had the opportunity to give the "Toolbox Talk" for the day.  Every week, I listen to other people reading from copies from the internet and it drives me batty that this is what they are doing.  At first, I was going to do a series of drama activities, for the purpose of demonstrating how important communication is and that its not only the words we say that we can use for communication as well as a short lesson on leadership.  However, in the end, I chose to share with them about my PE adventures, starting 6 years ago and culminating with today. So many are talking about preparing for winter that I felt it timely to also mention the need to get up and move around when you are traveling great distances, and to watch for things out of the norm.  I think I made an impact.
2.  I'm grateful that I'm feeling a fire light within me over this stupid competition.  Not only am I completely engaged with how this activity could be improved to actually meet their objective, but I'm also having the courage to speak forth on the matter!  Not sure it will go to my benefit or to offer my neck for chopping! 
3.  I'm grateful for birthday plans that come out of the blue!  Up until today, I was going to be spending my evening alone.  I figured I'd go to a movie ... I love movies and I haven't been to one in a while.  But, out of the blue, I get a text from KA ... so, now I get to go to dinner and a movie with someone!  My movie buddy!!
4.  I'm grateful that I took the the to write to TB tonight.  I should have done it last weekend, but I took the time tonight.  I got to bed much later than I wanted but it felt good ... and it reminded me what I love so much about teaching.  Which is also what I miss so terribly.  
5.  I'm grateful for my bed:  the flannel sheets, the feather blanket (that my mom made) and all the pillows.  When I get to sleep, I do love the warmth and rest that comes from my bed. 

58 of 100 ... I Gave In

A while ago, I had a dilemma: My rent was going up.  Now, I don't make a lot and things are pretty much paycheque to paycheque (yes, there is a bit of frivolous spending in there, but there was also a bit of savings as well).  So, my rent increased about the same amount as a storage unit I have.  This storage unit has all sorts of stuff from my history as well as my parents.  (My brother doubts I'll ever clean it out and suggests I should just relocate the whole thing to the dump!!) I decided when I found out my rent was increasing (in April or May) that I would clean out the storage over summer, thus releasing that money for my rent increase.  

Well, as you know, my summer decided to have plans of its own.  I have begun to clean the storage, but it is far from done.  So, I 'gave in' ... I stopped my savings so there was money to spend on rent.  I really hope this doesn't last for long, because I like having that little savings increasing! This is a short-term solution.  For now, it will have to do.  

You see, according to Gail Vaz Oxlade, you are supposed to spend up to 35% of your income on housing.  At this point, I am spending exactly 34.8% (not including insurance) on my housing. I guess, technically, I should be able to manage it.  Yikes! 

So, today, after work, I wrote out two cheques for my storage.  This will be my solution for two more months.  Let's see what I can change by the end of November.

Day's Results

Habits:
- Clean Sink: Soaking now ... will wash before bed
- Cups of Water: 3-4
- Hours of sleep: 6h 48m (5x awake, 14x restless)
- Meds: yes 
- Reading: no
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 4787 steps (2.06 mi)
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
Nothing to note.
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  Today, I'm grateful for a solution - not the best, but a solution - for my rentals.  Sometimes it's good to start "at the bottom" (or in a distasteful place) because there is motivation to get out of where you are. And if you start at the bottom, there's no where to go but up!
2.  Today, I'm grateful that in spite of that, I was able to get myself a little birthday present.  
3.  Today, I'm grateful for my hairdresser.  It seems that come the new year, I'll be inviting a new hairdresser into my life ... so I'm grateful for Candace and all she has done for me. 
4.  Today, I'm grateful for feeling an inner strength growing in me - I'm feeling a confidence and control growing that is something new.  I'm not sure I've ever felt like this before.  I realize my situation and I'm determined to figure out a solution.  I know an answer is out there somewhere!
5.  Today, I'm grateful for the work I did on the weekend ... it is so nice to come into an apartment and see the beginning of where I want to take it!  I've even managed to make my bed every morning!  If I were to clean the foyer, bedroom and living room now, I bet it would take one Pomodoro, if that!  :-)

57 of 100 ... Monday, Monday so good to me

Well, not really ... Monday was one of those days that I hit the floor in the morning, and didn't seem to stop until my head hit the pillow.  Man, what an insane day that was!  And I got NOTHING done of the me-to-do-list that I had created from my productive weekend! 

Day's Results

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water: 3
- Hours of sleep: 7h 47min (I was in bed by 9 PM! .. not asleep until about 10:30)
- Meds: yes 
- Reading: no
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 4805 steps (2.07mi) How can I be so exhausted and not have broken 5000 steps??
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
Nothing to note.
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful that I survived the day.  On days like this, sometimes I feel too tired to even close my eyes but the day is a blur.  I don't like days like this, but they happen. 
2.  I'm grateful today that NL is still here - I don't know how I'm going to manage with all I have to do when she leaves!  but for today, I got done what was needed and that was good. 
3.  I'm grateful today that I made myself something to eat - it wasn't great, not overly nutritious, but I stopped at the grocery store and I did make something.  The down-side is that I ate around 8:00 ... not good practice at all! 
4.  I'm grateful today that I thought to throw out my nutrition question on a corporate website called Yammer.  There's a section there about health and nutrition, and people talk about all sorts of things.  I thought I'd throw out the question about healthy eating, weight loss and warfarin.  It will be interesting to see what people say! I figure with the number of people that are on that board, maybe someone can offer some advice that would work. 
5.  I'm grateful today to crawl into my bed at 9:00  No, I didn't fall asleep (stomach problems) but at least I was in bed! Maybe next time I'll actually be able to fall asleep!!

56 of 100 ... 4 Pomodoros are my Limit!

Ok ... I'm not sure exactly what this shows, but first: it takes 2 Pomodoros each to clean my bedroom well and my living room well.  And, after 4 Pomodoros, I'm pretty much done.  So, you can figure out what that means from that.  Not sure if it has to do with me externally, or me internally, but I was wiped by the time 3:00 came around and I was only 1/2 done my apartment.

Day's Report

Habits:
- Clean Sink: yes
- Cups of Water: 4
- Hours of sleep: 8ish
- Meds:  yes
- Reading: no
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 4339 steps (1.87 mi)
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
E: The cleaning and reducing would be part of cleaning my environment.  What a sense of not only accomplishment but also peace when this is done!
H: It's good to see where your limits are. I think this is in part from my struggling health over the last summer.  It's good to know that right now this is the limit because then I can see how things change as I get more healthy.
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1. I'm grateful that I got to see my limit in working.  I don't think I've 'worked' like that since before July. 
2.  I'm grateful to feel that peace that comes from sitting in a truly clean space.  Or going to bed and knowing that everything in that room is where it's supposed to be!
3.  I'm grateful that VG contacted me today to get together.  It was nice to get caught up with her and share with her my success. 
4.  I'm grateful that I could come home and sit and do nothing ... because I had done something already!
5.  I'm grateful to know that, at the most, 4 Pomodoros are the length of time to clean 2 rooms.  Now,  to Pomodoro-Plan the rest of the cleaning!

55 of 100 ... It Took 3 Pomodoros

What's a Pomodoro, you ask?  A tomato.  More importantly, it's a tomato timer.  You see, I've been on a personal quest for the last bit on how to break past a lack of energy, an absence of motivation.  It's not procrastination - I do just fine setting my goals and creating my to-do lists.  I just stop when it comes time to take it to the action phase.  Both RA and I have been suffering from this affliction and today I wanted to try to break out of this funk.  In my reading, I came across a system called The Pomodoro Technique.  In it's most basic form, it says to set a timer for 25 min, work without interruption and with complete focus for that time (not even a bathroom break!), and to break for 5 min.  Then do it again - 25 min work with 5 min break.  Once you've done this 4 times (4 - 25min focused work sessions) or 4 Pomodoros, then you take a 20 min break. 

After talking with RA last night, we were going to set out to test this theory today.  Sadly, she was struck with a raging migraine and was unable to participate.  I set my mind to it and decided to give it a try anyway.  For my two goals, I chose my foyer (full of boxes and a horrible mess) to clean and prepare to go to recycling.  I discovered it took 3 Pomodoros to complete the job.  Man, do I have a great looking foyer now!  (I wonder how long I can keep it looking like that?)  And all the recycling has also been delivered and out of the way.

Day's Report

Habits:
- Clean Sink: no
- Cups of Water: 4
- Hours of sleep: 8ish (fell asleep on sofa, woke at 3 and re-located to bed)
- Meds: no (bad me!)
- Reading: no
- FoodRecord: no
FitBit Notes:
- 4240 steps (1.83 mi)

Interesting that there is a string of 'no's, yet I feel so good about what I accomplished today! I wonder what that's about? 
 
Goal Advancement for today:  
E: In my cleaning of the foyer boxes, some were from storage - I threw out university graduation cards and university course notes.  When I think of it, it bothers me but I also know it was a good step in the right direction. I did keep the card from Aunt Lydia and a birthday card from my brother. 
(E-Environment, H:Health, F:Financial, PD: Prof/Personal Development, R: Relationships.) 
 
Gratitude:
1.  I'm grateful that I did test out this theory and it proved successful in a lot of ways.
2.  I'm grateful that RA took the time to heal and not push into the pain to do her goals.  Not that she could have with a migraine, but I'm glad she didn't.
3.  I'm grateful that I have a fantastic looking foyer now!  There are still things there that need to be returned to their owners, but overall, I'm quite pleased with myself.
4.  I'm grateful that I not only cleaned the foyer but also got rid of a bunch of things to the 2nd hand store.  That was part of my goal and I didn't wimp out on the last bit!  I saw it through to the end!! (interesting to note this!!)
5.  I'm grateful to be feeling good about the day's accomplishment.  There might be something in this Pomodoro thing after all!