Left To My Own Devices

In the last month I have acquired a new kindle fire, a new iPhone 6 and a new Samsung tablet.  I now have no idea how I will take and/or store photos, listen to music, or even read a book.  I think I will knit.

Marking Time

Some thoughts from my Beth Moore bible study on time.
We see time going. We are losing time.  Running out of time.  We have our clocks set on timer. Counting down.
God sees time coming. Time fulfilled.  The clock set on stop watch.  Counting up.
Today I celebrated my 57th birthday.  One year closer to what I will eventually be.

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Two Weeks In

I have found that having a plan is a good thing.  It gives me a place to start.  There is no crime in changing a plan.

So what would I do in 2016 if I could do anything I wanted?

I would lose 40 lbs.
I would run a half marathon-- with a friend or two.
I would dance at a wedding --  without embarrassing myself
I would knit a baby blanket -- and wrap it around a new grandbaby
I would weed out and organize my recipes -- and be more purposeful about cooking and eating
I would hire a digital maid to organize 35 years worth of photographs
I would memorize my Discover card number
I would clean up my craft/sewing room -- and keep it clean
I would have several skin spots checked/removed
I would plan and install a garden in the backyard of the house next door

Unquenchable optimism.  Or totally unrealistic expectations?

The SLD and Unquenchable Optimism

The SLD recognizes the running shoes after years of not seeing them.   The SLD begs to go along on the walk/run.  The SLD has no idea she is old.  The SLD performs wonderfully.  She is good company.  She runs at my pace.  She is excited to go.  She is the ultimate encourager.  She does not roll her eyes when I say I am going to run a half marathon this year.  She does not remind me I am 30 years (!) older than my training buddy.  She does not understand the meaning of obese.  I love that dog.  I jotted the words unquenchable optimism on a church bulletin a couple of weeks back.  Why not?  (Don't roll your eyes or answer that.)

Registration

So I completed one week of my couch to half training program.  Which was way more couch than half.  But I went ahead and registered for the Yellowstone Half marathon in June. Because I am never going to get any younger.  And I have a co-worker friend who agreed to do this with me.  And because I live relatively close to Yellowstone.  And it is the 100th year anniversary of the National Park System.
Today was a rest day.  I nailed it.

Fit Bit Zip Fat Zap

I got the grownup equivalent of a tamagotchi for Christmas.  Remember the digital pet that attached to a keychain from the 1990's?  It has been reinvented as a fitness motivator.  Still little and egg shaped. Still simple graphics.  But now instead of trying to extend the digital pet's life, the digital pet is trying to extend my life.  It monitors my steps, calculates my calories burned and the distance I've traveled.  As a bonus it tells me the time.  And it makes faces at me.  The 'stick out my tongue face' is it's default.  It makes this face whenever it feels I am not active enough.  Who is it to judge?  It also makes a smiley face, and if I make it really happy by moving A LOT it makes a big grinning happy face.  It also makes various faces that I do not understand.  One where its eyes are like this:  ^^    I think it is asking me if I am asleep.  Also one with eyes like this:  xx     I think it thinks I am dead.    It also made itself into a lump with eyes.  Like a potato.  It has only done this once, because I am committed to keeping my fit bit zip happy.  And avoiding being called a couch potato by a digital pet. My iphone does not have an operating system capable of running the fitbit app, and I had a hard time loading it on my computer.  I trust the giver of the gift was motivated by love, but truthfully it managed to make me feel old, stupid, and fat all at once.  But I have made peace with the little critter.  I have signed up for a Cize class, a weight loss challenge at work, and I downloaded a training plan for a half marathon.  I will be 4 pounds lighter by my birthday next week.  Did I mention fiestaware would make a good gift? Just sayin.

It Is Finished

Today I finished the  gallery wall above our bed.  It was the one thing I purposed to do in 2015.  I did not take any pictures.
Tonight we had kielbasa and sauerkraut for supper, because I finally felt like the new year could begin.  Seems like getting Christmas put away may be the goal for 2016.
I'm still working on it...