Randomness

Due to my lack of ability to compose a deep thought right now, or in the last few days for that matter, I give you...randomness.

• Today felt as if I live in a tundra. I don't. I live in northern Indiana. Something is wrong with this picture.
• Having your nose hairs freeze on a quick walk into a building is whacked.
• I've successful gone to the gym for 12 days in a row including twice on Monday. It feels great to get back in the everyday habit.
• The gym has some new machines I love. The squat and glute machines have me walking like an aching old woman. But that just makes me want to use them even more.
• Some big changes with a family member - more details later
• A few weeks ago I decided to get a down comforter. Long story short, I got a great deal on one and on a micro-suede duvet cover. After I had that I figured I deserved some comfy sheets too (I already had a new down-alternative pillow that I love and take everywhere with me!) Thanks to Christmas returns and gift cards, my bed is one of my favorite places. Only downfall is that I don't want to get out of it in the morning!
• Okay, a second note on my down comforter - I used to sleep with a sheet, blanket, comforter and electric blanket (with the occasional throw on top) - yes, I know, that sounds like a lot. It was. I could barely move, but that was the only way I was warm! Now all I have is a sheet and my comforter. Life is good. Plus I can move now.
• The new treadmills at the gym has an amazing feature - you plug your ipod and headphones into the machine, and you can watch your videos on a hdtv attached to the treadmill. I love doing cardio now! Although my wallet may not like it. My new tv show of choice is Dexter. One episode and I'm addicted. I can't wait to hit the gym in the morning!
• I wasn't feeling good last night. I fell asleep at 645. So I was walking like an old person and sleeping like an old person. Sad I know.

Need a laugh?

I think this must be one of the funniest news clips I have seen!

How I Feel Today...

What I experience every Thursday night...

Odd?

Does anyone else ever get the urge to eat cereal out of a tupperware bowl?

After the gym cereal sounded really good. Cereal in regular bowl didn't sound appealing - just in tupperware.

I have no idea why.

Strange things

While waiting for my pancakes to bubble this morning I found my mind wandering. There are a lot of things that just seem normal to me, but in reality may actually be kind of strange. I know you are probably curious right now so I won't hold you in suspense. I present to you, quirky things about Jeanna:

• I never eat the last bite of crust on a piece of toast or sandwich. I have no problems eating the crust any other time, but once you get to the end it's almost all crust. In school I always had little pieces of sandwichs left.
• I always try the batter or dough of things I'm cooking. And it always perplexes me when the batter may be gross, but the cooked product is good and vice versa. The pancakes I made this morning were amazing in both stages.
• I love books, love to read books, own many books, but most of which I haven't read or finished. Yet I always buy more books. I get easily distracted by new books.
• I always cry at the end of Apollo 13. Always. And I've seen it 20+ times. Doesn't matter how hard I try not to.
• I have two favorite types of pizza that no one ever lets me order when they ask what I want. Green pepper and black olive - yum! - or just pineapple. Last night I made my own mini-pizzas and it was great to have exactly what I wanted on them.

Downtime

I am a fairly busy person. And I like it that way. I love being around people. I love having things to do. I love being random.

But I've found that I also need some downtime.

Before the holidays I had a groove that was working pretty well for me. I switched my workouts to the morning, which left free time after my work day, and at least two evenings a week I tried to just "be" - no plans, no schedule, no "have to's"

Last week was an insanely crazy week at work. This week was an emotionally draining week. And I knew what I desperately needed more than anything - downtime. Quiet time. Me time. So I made an executive decision - to stay home on a Friday night. All by myself; eating what I wanted, watching what I wanted, doing whatever I wanted.

It was glorious.

It was what I needed.

How often do we get caught up in the pace of life that we forget how to slow down and just "be"? Why has society made time alone such a taboo thing for anyone under 60? Does anyone else find themselves struggling to take a sabbath? Sometimes I find myself forgetting that commandment or convincing myself that it somehow isn't that important.

Then I have a night like tonight, and I just know. I know why I feel so much better after relaxing - because that's how God made me. That's how I'm wired. It's just one more step in keeping myself in alignment with God.