Forward - Always Forward

Whew! What a whirlwind month!! As I sit down to clean up the notes I put in the draft version of this blog throughout the month to turn it into an actual piece of content (this post), I keep coming back to "auto-pilot mode". And that's not a bad thing! We can't have amazing surprises and events and things happening every day, and we certainly don't want bad surprises, events, and things happening every day either. Sometimes auto-mode is OK! Especially when the priority is just moving forward, not backward.

It's the little things that can make the auto-pilot times feel more special and memorable. Like the second nest of baby Carolina Wrens that hatched in our mailbox (we've removed the prop that has allowed them to make a nest two times this spring - as much as we've enjoyed our brief neighbors, we also appreciate dry mail!). I also started supporting one of my mom's students that sells chicken eggs! Love that I can get fresh, local eggs and support a high school student in need who is saving for college. Of course, not too long after I started doing that, some dogs got into the coop and killed most of her chickens, so that is on hiatus until the new chicks she got are old enough to lay eggs.

Probably the most "exciting" thing this month for Chris was being a counselor for a swim camp for 2 weeks. Very busy and a great learning experience for him, especially since he was still dealing with his aching tooth rot and having to concentrate on school work as well. But he was able to manage all of it - he definitely had some big naps on the weekends though! He also "celebrated" 19 years as a Type 1 Diabetic on the 9th - we went for FroYo that weekend since he was at camp.

My biggest excitement was ordering, receiving, and starting to utilize an at-home fitness system called Tempo Move. I've mentioned how I really miss being as active, especially in terms of weightlifting, as I used to be, and I'd been researching similar equipment

including Peloton equipment (bike and their strength training guide). However, after a check-in appointment with my doctor mid-month, I decided to up the timeline I had to purchase a piece of equipment because my weight has dropped to 120 lbs, which at nearly 5' 10" is not ideal. So instead of looking at the bike-style fitness equipment, I switched my search to just strength equipment and I was very pleased with the size, price, and features of Tempo's products. I would love to have the big Studio package equipment, we just don't have the space for that in our little townhome, but I love that Chris is already interested in that for when we do buy a house!

While we've only had it for a few weeks, I'm really enjoying it - even though I definitely overdid my first few workouts! After being INCREDIBLY sore, I looked at the programs to help me really rebuild my strength and not overdo it like I have a tendency to do and did right away! I chose a Range of Motion program which, while it is a beginners program, is great to see in there as range of motion was always something I was working on when I was doing CrossFit and Olympic Lifting - I may be tall and lean, but my muscles and body like to be tight for whatever reason, so I need ALL the stretching. It's a 3-week program, so I'm interested to see how I feel at the end of it! There are also yoga, pilates, stretching, and even prenatal programs - all sorts of fun stuff!! I'm really excited to have started this!

I did take a little time for myself and spent a few hours down at St. George Island, soaking up the sun, enjoying the sand between my toes, and just listening to the wind battle with the sound of the waves crashing upon the sand. July is pretty much our monsoon season, so definitely needed that time before we get rained out.

Of course, I couldn't wrap up a blog about June 2022 without discussing the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the US Supreme Court...*sigh* In regards to political happenings in this country, it's been anything but auto-pilot. It's been a...shitstorm. I told one of my colleagues recently that in terms of what's been happening in our country, I feel like I'm working back in the news - it's constant whiplash of breaking news that is just incredibly frustrating. As upset as I am about these things, I'm really trying to focus my energy on controlling what I can control and not letting these things derail my progress. Now don't get me wrong - I am speaking out, I've found friends who are willing to go with me to local protests, and I'm researching for the local primary here, but given my history and background with news and headlines, putting my energy into being mad about something I cannot change on my own is not helpful for me mentally, physically, or emotionally. There are those who can handle that and do a good job at it - I will let them do that, and I will support as best as I can.

Looking forward to finishing up classes and having some downtime! Happy for a great June and looking forward to July!