Week 38 "Conserve Energy"

Conserve Energy:  " Think of creative ways to conserve energy on all levels.  Many utility companies offer free audits.  Conserve electrical energy by not overusing appliances or leaving things running when you don't need them.  Conserve gas by not jumping in the car every time you have a whim for a single items from the grocery store.  Conserve your friends' energy by not calling to recount every day's mundane minutiae (gory details, however, are OK ).  Conserve your own energy by not overreacting to all of life's bumps and blips and not taking them too personally."

I have been remiss in updating this blog the past few weeks for reasons that are not worth sharing.  However, I did conserve energy yesterday by lighting candles for warmth and light. But this morning, I left on several lights.  It's really a habit, this trying to conserve energy thing...

Week 37--"Meet the People"

Meet the People:  "Call your City Council and go to the next meeting.  And if you don't care for city politics, how about a neighborhood group or professional organization that interests you?  Find a group that you can relate to, contribute to, and benefit from.  Get comfortable with some group somewhere, because it is often through the strength of a group that changes are made and community is built."

I'm thinking that because I don't like politics (though I recognize their necessity) that I will go to that new church I've been thinking about for weeks...and I plan to go to a fair this week with a friend who needs company.  I volunteered at the art museum yesterday for the arts fair and that was fun! 

Week 36--"Car Rest"--Monday Evening

Happy Labor Day!  This week's task:  "Car Rest:  Designate a day each week to leave your car at home.  Try hopping public transportation or hitching a ride with friends to give yourself, your car, and the environment a break.  Allow yourself to move to your destination in a slightly slower fashion, and think of all the reading, exercising, or catching up with a friend you can do instead of sitting along in traffic."

Well, this week it cannot be Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday...perhaps Friday or Saturday?  Oooo...this will be interesting.

Week 35--"In Person"--Tuesday Morning

This week's card reads, "In Person:  Surprise a client, a friend, an associated, or your partner by using the old-fashioned method of communication:  Show up in person and hand-deliver a message.  Yes, of course your time is extremely valuable, but every once in a while show your face; give your e-mail, voice mail, fax machine, cellular phone, and your express mail carrier a rest."

I already have a plan to surprise some former colleagues tomorrow for lunch, or at least a brief "Hello" if they are not free for some grub.  When was the last time you wrote a letter by hand?  Or, better yet, when was the last time you stopped by a friend's house to make a call and took some cookies or wine?  I have a new neighbor, a Southern transplant, and she has been so kind as to call me in the last month a couple times and ask if I'd like to come over and chat.  I'm not used to that, but it's a nice feeling.  She called just last evening to let me know I could bring over the dogs to run in their yard this week if it fits the schedule. Looks as though I will be making a house call today or tomorrow.  Simple acts of kindness can often make such a difference...isn't that what this year is about?

Week 34--"Massage Me, Massage You"--Tuesday Morning

So I did get a massage yesterday for my birthday.  It wasn't as relaxing as I imagined, probably because my body was so tight the therapist cautioned that she didn't want to overdue working out the gristly knots and cause me pain.  It was, at times, relaxing, but also painful--but the good pain--the pain you have to endure to get to the long-lasting relief.  It probably would have helped if it hadn't been a year since my last massage.  Once over I decided to join the monthly program to receive one massage a month at a discounted rate.  Time to take care of my body.  I will say I was impressed with the cleanliness and peaceful air of the massage therapy spa.  It's also very close, very close indeed--in case I need an emergency massage!

It's never a good sign (as a woman) when your husband compares your latest fashion purchase  to a "dream catcher."  Luckily I didn't purchase a skirt or a crocheted top; I wanted to try out a cute headband (one that I thought was tasteful, but apparently not) with a 1920's vibe.  It was a slim satin-covered headband with a few chestnut-colored feathers positioned just so it cupped your head when you wore it.  The look I was shooting for was one of ambiguity.  It wasn't supposed to look like a dream catcher on my head. 

With my short hair and lots of layers on top, I was able to make it look as though, instead of sitting on my head, the decorations were "intertwined" with my hair.  However, the dream catcher analogy combined with the beginnings of a headache convinced me to return said hair accessory and abandon the idea.  It really was a classy accessory...just not something one would wear daily.  Bummer.  What really sealed the deal, however, is when I turned around, (a look of seeking approval in my eyes) wearing my coquettish headband and Ronnie smiles then begins to sing the theme song from Disney's Pocahontas, "I look once more, just around the river bend..."  'Nuff said. 

Week 34--"Massage Me, Massage You"--Monday Morning

Today is my birthday; I don't feel any different this year than last, with perhaps the feeling that my body is slowly deteriorating at a cellular level--you know: crow's feet, achy joints, and puffy morning eyes.  But I'm not upset about it; it's the cycle of life. I bet this sounds rather depressing but it's not intended that way, it's merely a verbal reflection of the feelings of the moment--transitory and fleeting...

I'm going to like this week's task:  Massage Me, Massage You:  "Learn how to give and receive a massage.  Adult education programs often teach massage classes, or check out bulletin boards at holistic health-oriented stores and centers.  Knowing how to give a good massage is a real gift, and receiving one is pretty close to achieving a state of nirvana.  It's amazing how healing a little touch can be."

I own a massage table; I use it sometimes for private clients when I'm personal training.  It's useful for both massaging sore muscles but good for stretching post workout.  With my educational background in exercise science, I would say I'm pretty good at massage--however, I would like to learn the "official" massage strokes for the different types of massage--Swedish, Deep tissue, etc. 

I checked out a few massage technique books at the store, and most of that is what I already do.  I bet the best education is hands on--no pun intended.  There's a massage school downtown, and I checked into it as a way to enhance my professional credentials but it is more expensive than anticipated and its probably not a good idea for me to be a full-time massage therapist having had four surgeries on my right arm.  I would need massage after work!

I will say that knowing how to give good massages makes you the most sought after person at a family gathering.  Suddenly everyone wants a shoulder massage after dinner so they can relax because "no one else is good at it."  That makes me feel good.  I think I will treat myself to a massage today for my birthday...I bet I haven't had one in over a year!

Week 33--"Stray Animals"--Saturday Evening

We don't have stray animals in our neighborhood, or so at least to my knowledge.  It's not a problem we've ever had, really.  And so because of that, I did not take a stray to have it spayed or neutered.  However, I did take our newest whippet to be neutered not too long ago.

Speaking of our newest whippet, here he is eating one of his favorite treats: apples!