Learning to Take the Time

We're well into January and I've yet to blog about my goals for the year, which is very unlike me.  I love this time of year, fresh with so much potential, but I'm having a hard time moving on from 2016.  I just keep reflecting on that year, the good and the bad.  My phrase, "take the time", was very helpful in keeping me focused on the important.  Turns out that most good things in our life require time and effort, like developing habits and talents and nourishing relationships.  Of course, I think we all know that, but don't always want to invest the time necessary.  I know I don't.  I want a healthy body, but would rather sit in my favorite chair and read a book than get up and get those 10,000 steps in.  I want a picture perfect garden, but would rather do almost anything other than weed.  I want to be accomplished at knitting and quilting, but it's hard for me to step away from other things and devote time to improving in those areas.   I want to do the things that are easy, and those things aren't easy for me.  I want to be a good wife, mother and friend, but that takes work and time.

These are all the things I was thinking about when I chose my phrase last January.  I knew I needed to be reminded often to be  intentional in "taking time" to do the things that are really important to me.   Often, as in every day.  Here's how I did it.

In my planner, on each daily page, I wrote "take the time" in a place where I would see it and remember it.  Sometimes I would choose an activity that I wanted to take the time to do that day and write it in.  On other days, I would wait until the end of the day and look over my activities to see if I had taken the time to do something important.  Looks like I had to remind myself to take the time to plant fall bulbs, because I love spring flowers.  I don't necessarily love to plant bulbs in the fall though, because I'm tired.  I'm tired of gardening, period.  But... I want flowers in the spring.

I often think of something nice that I want to do for someone, but too often it is just a thought.  Reminding myself to "take the time" to mail a gift to someone, moved me to action.

Taking the time to make memories is one of my favorites.  That should be easy, right?  But I often feel pulled to get the work done, rather than stopping to just go have fun and make memories.  After all, the work will be here when I return.

Taking the time to hike has been a gift I give myself as often as possible.  The benefits are huge.  I've made wonderful new friends, strengthened my body and being in nature nourishes my spirit like nothing else.  But, every Friday, I have to decide if I'm going to take the time to do it, or if something else is going to be more important that day.

One of the best habits that I've established this past year is my morning routine.  Taking the time to drink water, pray, read, study scripture, spend time with my husband and eat a healthy breakfast gets my day off to the best start possible.   I don't even want to miss one thing, because I can tell a difference when I do.

I took the time to devote one afternoon a week, for months, to learning how to quilt from a wonderful teacher and friend.  I completed two projects- a table runner for myself and a baby quilt for my granddaughter.  I would have never done that on my own. Had I not taken the time to leave my house and go get some good lessons, those things would still just be dreams.

I took the time to practice hand lettering and doodles in my journal.  I have absolutely no natural talent in this area, but with practice, I do well enough to make myself happy.

I remind myself that it's worth it to take the time to make food from scratch.  It tastes better, is healthier and less expensive and feels rewarding to know that I can do it.  I can make hamburger buns and granola and yogurt and artisan bread and pizza and...  It just takes time.

Looking back through my journals, I can see the following things that I took the time to do:

*write thank you notes

*learn more about mental health

*take a girls weekend to Charleston

*knit a hat

*attend BYU Women's Conference

*plan menus

*read the Book of Mormon

*go on a family vacation

*walk the dogs

* visit with neighbors

*try out some new restaurants

*attend the temple

*write letters to missionaries

*volunteer at Patriot Camp

*teach primary children

*grow vegetables

*blog

*attend an Easter sunrise service

*bullet journal

*take an online course

*make breakfast smoothies

*send birthday cards

*love on my family

*keep a gratitude journal

*make pasta

*take pictures and make photo books

* visited with friends

*daily yoga practice

* read lots of books

*walk on the beach

* trot in a 5K

*cook with friends

*walk in the woods

*climb mountains

*picnic by the river

*listen when I wasn't interested

*serve when I was tired

*made new friends

*learned new things,

almost every day

There are lots of things that I didn't take the time to do, that I wish I had.  Most of those have to do with spending more time with the people I love.  This year I will try harder to do that.  My phrase for 2017 is "invite and inspire".  I want to be open to accept invitations that will bring me joy and opportunities for growth.  I want to surround myself with things and people that inspire me to be my best self.  I want to invite others to make memories along side me.  I want to love better and bless more.

I think I'm ready.

The Many Faces of Margeaux

Having just spent the last three days with my grand baby, you know  baby pictures would be the next thing to show up on the blog. She's six months old and a total delight.  Truly, even when her parents are out on a date and she cries every waking moment, she is a delight.  Because after the crying comes the snuggling.  And I love the snuggling!  There are however no unhappy images here, because it's hard to take pictures and try to soothe a crying baby at the same time.  With this girl, it's all about those blue eyes...

I miss her already...

* Take the Time goal #9 - Spend lots of time with my grand baby.

Take the Time

Do you like to think of a "word" for the new year?  A word that helps keep you focused on your hopes, desires and plans for the next twelve months?   I've done this for a while now and enjoy the exercise.  My words thus far  have been Grow, Grace, Family,(this one rated two posts.) and Listen.  I've tried to come up with a word for 2016, and I've had a few possibilities, but they didn't feel just right to me.  The best I can do is come up with three words that keep rolling around in my head.  So, this year I have a phrase, and it is,
  

Take the Time.

As I get older, I think more and more about time, and the responsibility to use it wisely.  Seems it can be a friend or foe, depending on the day and my circumstances. This is the double nickel year for me.  Yep, I'll be turning fifty-five, and though I don't get bent out of shape about my age, it is a reality check that time is moving on and my days are numbered.  I want to use the time allotted to me in the very best way I can, without regret.

Five years ago, when I turned fifty, I did this crazy experiment of setting fifty goals of things I wanted to achieve in that monumental year,  and I started a blog to track my progress. That was super scary, as I knew so little about technology.  It was a good challenge though.  I taught myself the blogging basics and humbly put it out there, unsure what would happen as a result.  It's a little

embarrassing now to go back and read some of that stuff, but it's my life and I'm glad I took the time to write about it.  That's the main reason I continue to blog.  It's one of the most interesting ways I know to journal the ins and outs of daily life.  My year of fifty turned out to be one of the best years of my life, because I was intentional with my time, always thinking about those goals and how I could achieve them.  I made new friends and amazing memories along the way, and a number of the things I tried have stuck and become a regular part of my life (like photography, blogging and yoga). 

This past week I've devoted time to thinking about goals for the new year.  Unlike some people I know, goals is not a dirty word to me.  In fact, I thrive on them.  I sat down and did a quick brain dump and very quickly came up with a long list of things I'd like to accomplish, like more than fifty-five!  But I'm holding it to that number, because it correlates with my age, and I think that's fun. I seriously doubt I will get them all done, and that's ok. This kind of thing doesn't make me feel pressured in the least, it simply

motivates me. 

Now, back to my phrase for the year - take the time. I'm going to try my best to "take the time" to grow in all areas of my life.  Too often I catch myself saying, "I don't have time...(fill in the blank)" and that's not true.  At this season in life, I'm blessed with time.  I have the same twenty-four hours a day that everyone else has and the luxury of filling that time as I see fit, or as directed by God, because above all I seek to do His will. It's a priority thing, and sometimes that can be difficult to figure out.  Having this phrase, take the time, helps me to think about my choices and decide what I want or need to be doing on any given day.  What is most important?  Just this past week, I have redirected myself on a couple of occasions, when I thought that I was too busy to something.  I really did have the time, I was just choosing to do something else instead.  A wise woman taught me that we can not do all the things that our hearts desire.  Not even all the good things.  As disciples of Christ, we trust that the Lord will guide our days and bend our hearts to comply with His will.  When we do the necessary things that bring us closer to Him, He will bless us with time to do many of the other things that we would like to do.  Just plain old fun things, that bring us joy, because He delights in blessing us. 

(Photo Credit:Rebecca Wray.  She not only makes beautiful babies, she takes good pictures too.) 

The List 

(Oh, how I love a good list!)

1- Keep up with my gratitude journal.

( I started this way back here and continue to find value in the discipline.)

2- Start the day with scripture and prayer.

( The best part of the day!)

3-Attend BYU Women's Conference

(Look out Sagers. Here I come.)

4-Read the Book of Mormon.

(again)

5- Use a Bullet Journal.

(I'm loving this new way to plan/journal.)

6- Work on hand lettering.

(To make #5 look better.)

7-Read fifty-five books.

( I have taken a drastic move and banned myself from purchasing any 

new books this year.  I am going to read from the huge stacks of unread

 books sitting around here, or from the library.  I will however continue to 

use my Audible account and accept gifts. :)

8- Learn to knit mittens.

(I've got dishcloths, hats and scarves down pat.  I've

knitted one pair of socks, although I have no idea

how I did it.  This year, I'm moving on to mittens. 

Maybe eventually, I'll go back to socks.)

9- Spend lots of time with my grandbaby!

(This one's going to be so hard.  NOT!)

10- Plan and execute a family beach vacation.

(I may be the only family member who shows up, but it's going to be fun!)

11- Grow a new variety of dahlia.

( I waited too late to dig up the dahlia I planted last year, 

so I'm starting from scratch. So sad.)

12-Master making my own sauerkraut.

(The last two attempts have not been successful.)

13-No scrolling on screens after Mark gets home. Put the phone away!

(This one's going to be hard.  It will require much discipline)

14-Blog three times a week.

(Or when I have something worth saying.)

15- Backpack on the AT with Dillon and Jantzen.

(I so hope this happens.  I'm wanting to hike the Georgia section.)

16-Participate in as many Friday hikes as possible.

(Oh, how I love my Hiking Club!)

17- Eat less meat.

(Because I know it's better for me.)

18- Continue my yoga practice.

( One of the best things I can do for myself.)

19- Reinstate weekly date nights.

(Mornings or afternoons. We did so well with this for a while...) 

20- Make pasta once a month. 

(Dusting off the pasta machine)

21- Learn to make gingerale.

( I heard a podcast about this and I'm intrigued.)

22- Take a math class.

(Yuck.  But I really need to do this.)

23- Start teaching a series of cooking classes.

( So nervous about this one.  The fear of failure is real.  Would anyone come?)

24- Create a quilted project.

(Notice I didn't say a quilt.  I'm starting small.)

25- Organize photos.

(How many years have I been working on this one?)

26- Make a book from my Year of Fifty blog.

(Because I need to preserve all the work that went into this.)

27- More visits with extended family.

( Putting it on the calendar is the only way it happens.)

28- Float the French Broad in a  canoe.

( With my husband.  See #19)

29- Take an interesting road trip.  

(Go somewhere I've not been before.)

30- Find a way to volunteer in the community.

(Something that makes my heart really happy. I've got some ideas.)

31-Walk the dogs and visit with neighbors.

(Two for one.)

32- Make homemade dog biscuits. 

(They're worth it and I have a cool bone shaped cookie cutter.)

33- Make menus each week. Work on eliminating food waste.

(Food waste makes me crazy.)

34- Find a green smoothie recipe that I like.

(It can't taste like grass.)

35- Learn more about aromatherapy.

( I want to know what to do with those essential oils.)

36-Walk, sit and read on a beach.

(Maybe fly a kite too.)

37-Work on end of life plans.

(How depressing.)

38- Take lots of pictures. Lots.

(Learn more about light and food photography.)

39- Attend at least four cultural events.

(Plays, the symphony, art exhibits, etc.)

40- Learn to make soap- the old fashioned way.

( Lye. Yikes!  But I'm ready to move on from the pour and mold soap.)

41- Learn to identify birds by their calls.

(I don't know why.  I just think it would be neat.)

42- Renew an old friendship.

(I have a few people in mind here.)

43-Go geocaching.

( This sounds so fun!)

44- Write letters to missionaries.

( I have the incentive to be better at this, because one of 

my dearest friends is leaving soon on a mission.)

45-Attend the temple monthly.

(Another thing that only happens for me when it's a 

regular planned event.  Always time well spent.)

46-Learn to make pretty pie crusts.

( I would dare say I have the best pie crust recipe around, 

but my pies aren't pretty.  I want to make pretty pies.)

47-Participate in a money saving challenge.

( For my travel fund.)

48- Look people in the eye when I'm talking with them.

(Just a little personal defect that I'm aware of, and wanting to do better.)

49- Bone up on some technology skills.

(Learn how to use Evernote.  And try to figure out the Cloud. 

 What the heck?  I just don't get the Cloud.)

 50-Start a cookbook project.  Blog it.

( Pulling cookbooks off the shelf and trying new recipes 

on a regular basis.  I got three great ones for Christmas!)

51-Get new chickens and try again.

(Maybe...  I want to do this.  I miss having chickens.  I don't miss the work.)

52- Grow lots of wonderful vegetables in my garden.

(I need rabbits to stay away from my beets

and peaches not to get brown rot.)

53-Learn to make cheese.

( I really, really want to do this.)

54- Clean out storage areas.

( I really, really, don't want to do this,  

but I will be so happy when it's done.)

55-Try out a new restaurant each month. 

(Oh boy! I just love goals.)

Ready. Set. Go!

Thoughts from a Nonrunner on Running a 5K

"...let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Hebrews 12:1

I'm not an athlete.  Never have been.  In fact, I still have bad memories of high school gym class when we had to do the Presidential physical fitness test.  Oh man, I hated that.  Especially the pull-ups.  Is it strange that I can still remember being the only one in my class that couldn't pull herself up to the bar?  That was thirty-five years ago for pete's sake and it's still etched in my memory.  Traumatized by gym class...

A year ago I started having an unusual desire to run a 5K.  Unusual because, well, I don't run.   But I thought it would be a great achievement if I could, just once.  So I added it to my bucket list and started training.  I put a Couch to 5K app on my phone and followed it faithfully for a few weeks.  I remember how I could hardly run for three minutes when I started.  I know.  That's sad.  Three days a week I was at the mercy of that lady on my phone telling me to walk, then run, then walk.  I was starting to feel pretty good, until about the sixth week, when she told me I had to run for twenty minutes with no walking.  What?  Ok, she was no longer my friend and I deleted her from my phone!  

I knew that if the training was too hard, that I would give up.  I was willing to push myself, but I wasn't willing to kill myself!  I decided that I would take as long as needed to get ready for my first race.  Slow and steady was my motto, although I had no idea that would take almost a year.  I ran at a park with a half mile loop and each week added a little more distance.  1 lap and a lamppost.  1 lap, a lamppost and to the gazebo. 2 laps.  And so it went...

When it became unbearably cold, I resorted to running on my treadmill.  Some days it took everything I had to make myself step onto that machine. I don't enjoy running on a treadmill.  Is there anything more boring than running on a treadmill?

In February, I took a leap of faith and signed up for my first race.     I posted this on my Facebook page...

"Well, I'm committed now. Who wants to join me?"

Woodfin's Read wRite & Run 5k

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2015 Venue: Woodfin's Read wRite & Run 5k Location: Asheville, NC

ACTIVE.COM

I had two friends who said they would run with me.  That made me feel a little better, because this was pushing me way out of my comfort zone.  We never trained together, but I knew it would be encouraging to have someone with me on race day.

About halfway to my goal, I became sick and had to take a few weeks off.  It was surprising to me how quickly I lost momentum and stamina from missing a few workouts.  The setback was discouraging.  I struggled with intermittent pain in my knees, ankles and heel.  I think my body was trying to tell me I should have started this running thing about twenty years earlier.  I began to worry that I wasn't going to be able to run my first race as planned.  Looking back, I realize I was in what I call the messy middle, that place when you've been working really hard on achieving a goal and you're tired.  I just wanted to give up and started thinking of all kinds of valid reasons to do so.  I was injured.  I was too old to start running.  I had other things I could be doing with my time.  It was a silly goal anyway.  Who did I think I was?  Certainly not a runner. 

 I had to dig deep to stick with it.  I listened to running podcasts.  Bought pretty new workout clothes.  I changed up my running routes. As I think back on it, I think it would have helped to have had a running buddy, someone to help me through that time.

About a month from race date, my friend asked if I had good running socks.   She thought this might help my heel problems.  Running socks?  I had no idea I was supposed to be wearing special socks.   I went into the first sporting goods store that I'd been in since my kids played soccer (a long time ago) and discovered a display of all kinds of socks.  Oh, my gosh.  I can't believe I had been running all this time without them.  I still had to cut back on my workouts so as not to do more harm to my feet, but I kept at it a couple of times a week and tried to add a little more running time each day.  The first time I ran three miles without stopping I was so excited I did a happy dance.  I didn't even care who was watching.  This old girl had met her goal!

I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful race day.  I was happy to see these friendly faces as I was more than a little nervous. Melanie had been sick for a week and I know she didn't feel like running, but she showed up and she ran.  That meant a lot to me.  This was a big day and I was happy to have these ladies share in making this memory with me.  

I didn't know ahead of time what the route would be like, and it's probably a good thing I didn't, because I would have backed out for sure.  So many awful hills.  I hate hills. I hated those hills.  I wanted to say bad words every time I came to one!  Emily and Melanie both said this was a hard 5K, and they should know as they've run a few.  I can't tell you how relieved I was when I crossed the finish line.  My sweet husband was there taking pictures and cheering me on, as well as Emily and Melanie, because of course, they finished before me.

Here's the picture that says it all.  See how Emily and Melanie have nice smiles on their faces.  That's because they are real runners.  Did I mention that they've both completed half marathons?  Real runners like to run.  Notice the grimace on my face.  That's a "thank you God for letting me finish this race" look.  That's a "I don't really like to run" look, BUT, I DID IT!  

This is the "I can mark this one off the bucket list" smile. 

As I think back on this past year, I realize I learned some important lessons.

* I can do hard things.  Now, in all fairness to myself, I'm not really a couch sitting, sedentary person.  I'm an active person.  But running a 5K challenged me physically in new ways.  It was hard, really hard, but I stuck with it and proved to myself that I can do hard things. I am not a quitter. 

* The discipline required to achieve this goal spilled over into other areas of my life.   Whenever I finished running I felt strong and empowered, ready to take on anything.

*Half the battle is just showing up, dressed and ready to go.   Sometimes the greatest victory was just getting out the door in the morning.  

*Slow and steady really does win the race.  It took me three times as long as most people to train for a 5K.  We all have to work at our own pace and that's ok.  Comparison.  It's real and it's damaging.  Melanie and Emily both told me to run the race looking straight ahead.  They said, "Don't look at the pregnant women, or men pushing strollers, or people older than you that pass you by.  Just focus on yourself."  Good advice.

*Celebrate every victory.  I never focused on time when I ran. What I did focus on, was how much longer I could run today, than I could yesterday, or a month ago, or a year ago.  That always made me feel better about myself.  Progress, however small, brings me joy.

*Pushing myself out of my comfort zone is scary, but that's how I grow.   I'm a bit of a perfectionist and am nervous about trying new things, because rarely am I good at something new.  It takes work and practice and the risk of failure.  I don't want to fail, so staying in my comfort zone is safe.  This is why I have to push myself into unknown territory, but I'm always glad when I do.

* It's important to have people who believe in you and are willing to support you in your goals, no matter how crazy they may seem.  Doing something hard is always easier when people you love are encouraging you along.  My husband was my biggest fan.  He wasn't just proud of me on race day, but every time I worked out, he praised my efforts.  My running friends kept telling me I could do it and I believed them.

* Even though I can run (slowly), I'm not a runner in the true sense of the word.  I kept waiting for that runner's high that you hear about to materialize and it just didn't.  Most of the time I did feel good after I ran, but I didn't enjoy the process.  I realized on race day, that the most fun I had that morning, was after I had said goodbye to my friends, downed my second bottle of water and had returned to the finish line.  Clapping and cheering for those who were just completing their race, I was in my element.  That made me so happy!  I think rather than being a runner, I'm supposed to be a clapper.  I am an awesome clapper.

Will I ever run another 5K?  I'm not sure.  It could be like having a baby... maybe in time you forget how hard it is and have the desire to do it all over again.  But right now, this baby is only a month old and the memory is fresh.  I've been walking a lot, taking yoga classes and focusing on restorative exercise.  I feel content.

You - My Favorite New App

There are so many things I love about my smart phone.  I check the weather, log my steps, take pictures, listen to books and podcasts, practice Italian, look at the constellations, listen to music, set alarms, read scripture, text messages, check emails and Facebook, oh and sometimes, I call people too.  And to think I resisted getting that phone in the first place.  I didn't need a smart phone, I kept telling myself.  Well, now I admit I would have a hard time getting along without it. 

One of the things I'm really enjoying lately is an App called YOU by Jamie Oliver.  Do you know who he is?  I used to love watching his cooking shows on PBS.  His recipes were simple, fresh and prepared in his lovely English cottage kitchen or outside in his garden.  His chef's attire was always a flannel shirt, jeans and a beanie.  He seemed like a regular, down to earth guy, with a great accent.  I liked that.  

Each day this app gives you a simple micro-action challenge.  I'm a big fan of making positive changes with baby steps.  Little steps can add up to big changes in the long run.  This is the way I approach most things in my life.   Exercising, reading new books, learning new skills, cleaning my house, losing weight, planning meals, gardening, etc.  Each day is a compilation of small actions that I hope will yield good fruit.  The app proclaims to help you live a happier and more fulfilled life, in a couple of minutes a day. That's a pretty big promise, but I've been doing this for a month now, and it's making me happier!  It's like Instagram (which is quickly becoming my favorite social media platform) with a purpose.  Let me show you some of the things I've been doing with this app on different days this past month.

   I took this picture of eggs that my friend gave me.

Something I'm really looking forward to is my trip to Italy.

I made some freezer meals for loved ones.

My motivation to move each day is clearly so I can eat more of the  things I love.

I accept that I have too many books waiting to be read.  This is just one stash.  I'm not normally into excess, except when it comes to books.  Here, I'm excessive.    

I cherish the memory of sitting in my grandmother's living room and having her teach  me how to make cathedral window quilt squares.

Today's action was trying to do something with your non-dominant hand, to engage your brain in a new way.  I decided to write out my to-do list with my left hand.  

Not only do I enjoy the daily challenges for myself, but it's fun to "follow" others and be a part of an international community of people who are all trying to improve themselves in some way.  This is a picture from Jamie's kitchen when he was cleaning up one thing.  And here's one from his challenge to explore the neighborhood with his family.  So cute.

I love seeing the world through the eyes of people living in other countries.   This photo was taken by a lady in Mexico.  Her tactic for killing the "Monday Blues" was to notice the beauty around her.

I've been picking up some great quotes too. 

This community is so positive and I love the encouragement that it's members share with one another.  On the day that I posted my Italy picture, I had a comment from a lady who lives in northern Italy sharing some insider tips on the things I might  like to see while I was in her country.  On the Kill "Monday Blues" day, I posted a picture and comment about my morning run and received some nice feedback.

 And this lady made me feel  much better about my chocolate treat.

If this kind of thing floats your boat, you should check it out.  And if you do, be sure and look me up so we can encourage each other.  I'm totally into it.