Posted in Home Improvement, Inspiration, Reflection

Swedish Death Cleaning? Sure, why not?!

Posted on by Lundie

So, I had some down time between clients at the first of the year, and was able to re-paint our study. To prepare, I pulled all of the things out of the shelves into garbage bags, and dragged everything I could reasonably move into our bedroom and the hallway to make space. After the room was painted, and I put the furniture into a fresh configuration, I moved everything back from the hall and bedroom and piled it on the floor.

Stuff.

That was TWO WEEKS AGO.

Granted, changing clients is nearly as much of a “life change” as changing jobs, so I’m really not giving myself too much of a hard time. I had really planned to tackle the task this weekend, but I just couldn’t want to. And here I sit, feeling the weight of the clutter.

I had saved this video sometime in the past couple of weeks, and tonight I finally watched it. Wow. I already knew the truth about why I was procrastinating, but it was nice to see it confirmed.

I will take my time, but I will get it done. I’m not just doing it for me, I’m doing it for my kid. That changes things.

I’ll share some before and after pics once I’ve tackled this particular mountain.

Cheers.

Posted in The100DayProject

Drawing – Day 001

Posted on by Lundie

And so it begins! I’ll be posting to IG (@LundieP), but may elaborate from time to time here.

Materials

As of now, I’m using a 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ Travelogue Drawing Book. I will probably need a second one before the challenge is over, but will wait to purchase to make sure this year’s project “sticks”.

I’m using a little “Mr. Pen” set in varying point sizes. I haven’t done much drawing with ink before, so I don’t yet have a preference. I am sure it will develop. Eventually, I might move into color. Time will tell.

That’s it for now.

Cheers!

Posted in The100DayProject

The100DayProject – 2021

Posted on by Lundie

The 2021 edition of #The100DayProject starts in just a couple of weeks! I’m still brainstorming ideas for what I’m going to do this year. Stumbled onto this TEDTalk:

Then, feeling inspired, I was trying to decide what to do next when the site started auto-playing the next video. I was about to rage-quit the browser when I read the title of the next video. Quite serendipitous, I think:

So, I have settled on some form of drawing for this next challenge. Time to shop for supplies and get ready!

Cheers!

Posted in Just for Me, My 90, Walk 2020

Day 83 – Day 90 and beyond

Posted on by Lundie

I DID IT!!!

I made it to Day 90 and only Covid-19 had the power to stop me! Not bad! And the truth is, the process of just going for a walk got a lot easier with this kind of repetition.

I am continuing to walk. The curse of the threshold has been broken!

It’s a dog’s life

Cheers!

Posted in Just for Me, My 90, Walk 2020

Day 79-Day 82

Posted on by Lundie

This is my mantra today.

Slow and steady wins the race.

– Aesop

Started back to work this week, so I had to choose work or walk. I didn’t quite have the energy for both. Naps have been my friend. They probably will continue to be for a while, but that’s ok. The reality is, I got sick and I’m recovering. In the past, I’ve struggled with allowing myself to rest while sick. I’m learning that fighting against reality does no one good, so now my energy is going toward active recovery. Choosing to do things that are restorative, like sleep, and hydration, and the miracles of modern medicine. 🙂

To any who have been following along my walking saga, I wish you health and happiness this holiday season. There are a lot of good days ahead.

Cheers.

Posted in Just for Me, My 90

Day 59 – Day 78

Posted on by Lundie

It’s been a rough few weeks. I walked. I got the ‘rona.

Here are the past 19 days in photo summary form:

So, yes, Covid-19 has hit our home. J4 is out of the quarantine range, and I should be able to call “All Clear” by the end of the week. It sucked the life out of us both. I still feel like I got the wind knocked out of me. But the last couple of days have been a bit better.

Initially, I thought I would “pause” my 90 day challenge, but I decided to keep going. Yes, I skipped a few days, but having the ‘rona was a good enough reason to take a break. It wasn’t for lack of desire to go out. Finally got myself outside today and it was lovely. I was exhausted when I was done, but the cold, fresh air was wonderful.

Yes, in one of my workout pics above (Nov 14) I forgot to end the walk tracker, then came inside and made bacon wrapped goats’ cheese stuffed dates. So that was the only pic I had for that day! They were scrummy! 🙂

Yesterday, we put up the Christmas Tree and that also qualified as a workout!

Here are a few other pics from the past couple weeks to enjoy! I particularly loved this chonky squirrel who really wanted me to just move on. He didn’t seem all that thrilled with hefting himself up the tree since he was busy eating!

Thanksgiving, sadly, was just the three of us. J4 made a wonderful meal, and I am grateful we were all together. It was also our 25th wedding anniversary. Go us! Can’t wait for us to get past this year, be healthy, and social again!

Cheers.

Posted in Just for Me, My 90

Day 46-Day 58

Posted on by Lundie

Day 46 (Oct 28) through Day 58 (Today, Nov 9)

The walking is going strong. Over the past almost 2 weeks we hit temps in the 20s and temps in the upper 70s. And tomorrow evening into Wednesday I think we are going to revisit the 20s. Well, Illinois is nothing if not variable when it comes to the weather!

Two Weeks of Walking Pics

Also in there, “Tortellini Crack Soup”, a recipe from my friend BK, blue skies, and a good luck lady bug. Finished off with a shot of Sabian in her usual spot waiting for me to get home.

Cheers.

Posted in Just for Me, My 90

Walk: Day 41-Day 45

Posted on by Lundie

Half way through the 90 day challenge today!!

The walks continue. The time of day varies now, as it keeps getting darker, and the last few days, rainier. Today, snow. None of it is sticking, though, which is good. I’ve never looked so forward to the time change. I do think after this time change we should stop dorking around with the time though. There’s no need to “Spring Ahead” anymore.

Saturday’s walk was the best in a while. Sunny, with brilliant blue skies to contrast the fall colors.

I haven’t spent much time listening to podcasts or books this week. As I get further into my Tonglen practice, I find that my walking is giving me additional opportunities for meditation. As we get closer to the election, my energy is becoming more and more turbulent. My walks help me burn off some of the physical part of the energy, and meditating at the same time stills the mental energy.

One of the good things that has come with the cold weather is a renewed interest in making crock pot meals. Yesterday I made crock pot mushroom wild rice soup and fresh baked bread in my long unused bread machine. There are few smells as good as baking bread.

Cheers.

Posted in Just for Me, My 90

Walk – Days 37-40

Posted on by Lundie

Monday was my first “after work” walk. Morning schedule didn’t work out. Not walking had me anxious all day. Such a perfectionist…that needs some work.

Monday 10/19 – Day 37 of 90

  • Busy day
  • Can’t remember if I listened to anything

Tuesday 10/20 – Day 38 of 90

The daylight is getting away from me in the mornings. Grateful to still be working from home and able to walk later without dealing with commute complications.

Wednesday 10/21 – Day 39 of 90

No tree pics today. A school bus was parked in front of my usual tree pic spot. Maybe they’re gearing up for the “return to learn” plan — except that was postponed yet again yesterday.

The walk was short but good. Can’t remember what I listened to.

Thursday 10/22 – Day 40 of 90

Lunchtime walk today! The rain this morning was prohibitive.

Cheers!

Posted in Just for Me, My 90

Weekend Update

Posted on by Lundie

Saturday

Walk – 35/90

Tonglen – 3/90

Four Limitless Ones

  • May all sentient beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.
  • May they be free from suffering and the root of suffering.
  • May they not be separate from the happiness great happiness devoid of suffering
  • May they dwell in the great equanimity free from passion, aggression, and prejudice.

Current Reading: Tonglen, by Pema Chödrön

Sunday

Walk – 36/90

Tonglen – 4/90

Tonglen, or the practice of sending and taking, reverses this process of hardening and shutting down by cultivating love and compassion. In tonglen practice, instead of running from pain and discomfort, we acknowledge them and own them fully.

Tonglen, by Pema Chödrön, pp. 3-4

Cheers.