The great crunch has begun! Oh preparations, galore! Pies! (See my prior post.) Mashing my own potatoes! Creating sweet potato croquettes with nuts and spiced jelly! Squashing the butternut squash!
I am very thankful that my family is so understanding. That is my mantra at this time of year. I am blessed to have such a wonderful blended family (both near and far). My older stepson and I created a traditional "Residence Hall Thanksgiving" several years ago, and we're about to hold another one this weekend. Thereafter, my younger stepson, my husband and I will see grandparents galore (next week)!
I've had a bit of a hard time lately since I work out quite a bit, but I still seem to be having trouble reducing/maintaining a healthy weight. The gym involves people, and whereas I have a good time at the gym (my headphones on, working up to a respectable adrenaline high), it is exhausting in more ways than one.
If you have any suggestions as to subtle ways to increase my daily exercise without dropping from exhaustion, please feel free to share your tips and tricks!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Memories and Pie
Some of my fondest memories of family and friends are of baking sweets and meals. Gran Wheelhouse made this amazing pie when I was in my early teens. Today, I made that recipe for dinner. Every bite was laced with memories. I'm certain that my version of her pie doesn't even come close to the heavenly baked goods Gran used to make. The experience, however, was cathartic and well-worth the labor.
This weekend has been, to some extent, about the labor of love involved in baking. One of my oldest friends called late last night with a challenge--to assist in the creation of a cookie recipe based upon the contents of her kitchen. We made up a recipe for chocolate-rum cookies on the spot.
I made a nice recipe of slow-cooked items for Romeyn and a newer (but still wonderful!) friend in town yesterday. I am very grateful that this friend was willing to put up with our need to have a cat-break mid-dinner (we are still administering two doses per day of kitty medicine for Pumpkin-kitty).
Michelle (the dear soul who just passed away) taught me the recipe for apple pie that I make for family and friends. I have all of the ingredients for her fabulous pie recipe. I'm planning to make it for the early Residence-Hall Thanksgiving next weekend for my older stepson, our family, and a group of the students with whom he works. Memories and pie, pie and memories.
This weekend has been, to some extent, about the labor of love involved in baking. One of my oldest friends called late last night with a challenge--to assist in the creation of a cookie recipe based upon the contents of her kitchen. We made up a recipe for chocolate-rum cookies on the spot.
I made a nice recipe of slow-cooked items for Romeyn and a newer (but still wonderful!) friend in town yesterday. I am very grateful that this friend was willing to put up with our need to have a cat-break mid-dinner (we are still administering two doses per day of kitty medicine for Pumpkin-kitty).
Michelle (the dear soul who just passed away) taught me the recipe for apple pie that I make for family and friends. I have all of the ingredients for her fabulous pie recipe. I'm planning to make it for the early Residence-Hall Thanksgiving next weekend for my older stepson, our family, and a group of the students with whom he works. Memories and pie, pie and memories.
Saturday, November 15, 2014
I, I & I (Introverts, Intentions, and Interpretation)
It is very challenging to be both an Introvert and a person who likes to get straight to the point. A disconnect sometimes exists between the intended message (frankly stating something as it was meant to be interpreted) and the interpretation of said message ("But wait, did you mean X?"). When this happens, chaos can ensue.
"The Cow in the Parking Lot" is an excellent book that I recommend for someone dealing with frankness and perceived insult. The authors point out that if we remove the element of perceived intent to harm or demean you (the reader), it is easier to navigate the muddy waters of communication with self-assured aplomb.
When I state something with positive intent but offense is taken nonetheless, my Introvert survival-mode kicks into gear. I backpedal in an attempt to wheel myself quickly out of the conversational quagmire, but not without taking a huge hit to my reserves of Social-Energy. I don't mind the occasional conflict, but I find huge misunderstandings to be particularly exhausting.
My advice is to second-guess the intent to offend when dealing with a dyed-in-the-wool Introvert. Giving offense only takes away from our precious reserves of Social-Energy. The likelihood is that your Introvert is not attempting to open a can of worms or whoop-a**. If you're honest about the offense early-on, your Introvert will catch on pretty quickly.
On that note, I'm about to go grocery shopping and then to the gym. Shields up, Mr. Sulu! Ha, ha.
"The Cow in the Parking Lot" is an excellent book that I recommend for someone dealing with frankness and perceived insult. The authors point out that if we remove the element of perceived intent to harm or demean you (the reader), it is easier to navigate the muddy waters of communication with self-assured aplomb.
When I state something with positive intent but offense is taken nonetheless, my Introvert survival-mode kicks into gear. I backpedal in an attempt to wheel myself quickly out of the conversational quagmire, but not without taking a huge hit to my reserves of Social-Energy. I don't mind the occasional conflict, but I find huge misunderstandings to be particularly exhausting.
My advice is to second-guess the intent to offend when dealing with a dyed-in-the-wool Introvert. Giving offense only takes away from our precious reserves of Social-Energy. The likelihood is that your Introvert is not attempting to open a can of worms or whoop-a**. If you're honest about the offense early-on, your Introvert will catch on pretty quickly.
On that note, I'm about to go grocery shopping and then to the gym. Shields up, Mr. Sulu! Ha, ha.
Friday, November 14, 2014
A Good Reason for Crowding
Pumpkin (the older of my two kitties) got really sick two days ago, and because we live in a sparsely populated area of New York, we couldn't take her to the vet until yesterday. Although the overall reason for her alarming behavior wasn't fatal, it was a good thing we took her to the vet when we did. The kind ladies at Trout Brook were understanding (yet amused) about the similarities between my reaction to the facility and my cat's reaction. The gentle murmuring at my kitty ("Good kitty! It's okay, Pumpkin. I'm here. No one's going to get you...") was as much for my benefit as it was for Pumpkin's. Holy Crowding, Batman!
The reason I identify so strongly with cats is that they are uncompromisingly Introverted. Kitties aren't apologetic or bashful about their fierce independence. The only time they're really clingy is when they want to be with other animals. If left to their own devices, they would hunt down their own breakfasts. They really are the perfect furry little colonists (in any environment).
There has to be a good reason to put up with crowding when you are either a cat or an Introvert. The need to get help (healthcare, vet services, etc) is the perfect reason to do so. Other reasons (at least for me) are as follows:
1. Family gatherings (this includes gatherings with or for friends)
2. Volunteerism
3. Education
4. Organization of (Musical, Spiritual, Art) events
5. Recognition of major life events
The reason I identify so strongly with cats is that they are uncompromisingly Introverted. Kitties aren't apologetic or bashful about their fierce independence. The only time they're really clingy is when they want to be with other animals. If left to their own devices, they would hunt down their own breakfasts. They really are the perfect furry little colonists (in any environment).
There has to be a good reason to put up with crowding when you are either a cat or an Introvert. The need to get help (healthcare, vet services, etc) is the perfect reason to do so. Other reasons (at least for me) are as follows:
1. Family gatherings (this includes gatherings with or for friends)
2. Volunteerism
3. Education
4. Organization of (Musical, Spiritual, Art) events
5. Recognition of major life events
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
To Honor and Respect
A friend and former work-colleague passed away this weekend. In honor of her and her family, I am taking down the immediate-prior post because it generally wasn't kind. It doesn't matter that the unkindness was not directed at her or her family. Simply put, it was a superfluous expression of thoughts that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things. All we have is today, however long our todays last. Rest well, sweet woman.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Walk it Off
This week, I've repeatedly walked to work, and then I've gone to the gym to "walk off" my day. There have been a lot of ups and downs inherent in the events of the past few days, and there will be more to come.
My younger stepson's birthday party went off without a hitch. The few days after that were a bit rocky due to what we'll delicately refer to as "No Amp Tuesday" (see the prior post about Mourning the Class...there was a mix-up about the equipment but I still had a rough time with no attendees on that day). My family got to see a side of me that I really don't like very much. However, since no one is perfect...I'm moving past that. The rest of the week, I kept calm and carried on with a stiff(er) upper lip. DOWN...
On Wednesday, I went to work. I felt about as blase as a person can feel. DOWN...
On Thursday, I learned that my Zumba class would be reinstated for Spring 2015. Look out, world! I'm pretty excited about that. UP...
Last Friday, I went to the eye doctor who informed me that I need to keep an eye out (ha, ha) for "flashes" and/or an increase in floaters due to my extreme myopia. I am to go back to the eye doctor immediately if that occurs. There is some irony...I'm the opposite of myopic when it comes to the figurative use of the term, and yet here we are, with me staring the very real possibility of eventual legal blindness in the face. On a positive note, I spent some quality face-time with a trusted friend that evening while giving out Halloween candy. DOWN/UP...
The weekend was fairly calm, which is exactly what I needed. I cleaned a bit, and took a quick trip to our hardware store with Romeyn for the obligatory "Wait It's Not Christmas Yet!" tree photo. UP...
At the start of this week, I got to see my eldest stepson and congratulate him on his recent presentation at SLU (so proud!!). I also went to dinner with my in-laws to celebrate a few birthdays. Finally, I've spent the past few days giving presentations myself at SUNY Canton and Paul Smith's College, and I had a wonderful Lion's Club meeting. UP, UP, AND AWAY WE GO!
So! It really is no wonder that I've needed a bit of a hike here and there to balance out the roller coaster. I will make an effort to post more frequently now that things are settling down a bit. I'm headed to Rochester to see family and an old friend in a few days, and the drive will do wonders for my equilibrium. Be well, friends...
My younger stepson's birthday party went off without a hitch. The few days after that were a bit rocky due to what we'll delicately refer to as "No Amp Tuesday" (see the prior post about Mourning the Class...there was a mix-up about the equipment but I still had a rough time with no attendees on that day). My family got to see a side of me that I really don't like very much. However, since no one is perfect...I'm moving past that. The rest of the week, I kept calm and carried on with a stiff(er) upper lip. DOWN...
On Wednesday, I went to work. I felt about as blase as a person can feel. DOWN...
On Thursday, I learned that my Zumba class would be reinstated for Spring 2015. Look out, world! I'm pretty excited about that. UP...
Last Friday, I went to the eye doctor who informed me that I need to keep an eye out (ha, ha) for "flashes" and/or an increase in floaters due to my extreme myopia. I am to go back to the eye doctor immediately if that occurs. There is some irony...I'm the opposite of myopic when it comes to the figurative use of the term, and yet here we are, with me staring the very real possibility of eventual legal blindness in the face. On a positive note, I spent some quality face-time with a trusted friend that evening while giving out Halloween candy. DOWN/UP...
The weekend was fairly calm, which is exactly what I needed. I cleaned a bit, and took a quick trip to our hardware store with Romeyn for the obligatory "Wait It's Not Christmas Yet!" tree photo. UP...
 | |
| "Wasn't Halloween...a minute ago??" |
At the start of this week, I got to see my eldest stepson and congratulate him on his recent presentation at SLU (so proud!!). I also went to dinner with my in-laws to celebrate a few birthdays. Finally, I've spent the past few days giving presentations myself at SUNY Canton and Paul Smith's College, and I had a wonderful Lion's Club meeting. UP, UP, AND AWAY WE GO!
So! It really is no wonder that I've needed a bit of a hike here and there to balance out the roller coaster. I will make an effort to post more frequently now that things are settling down a bit. I'm headed to Rochester to see family and an old friend in a few days, and the drive will do wonders for my equilibrium. Be well, friends...
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