Hit the Ground Running

I think the hardest part of a holiday ending is that there’s no easing back into life, you have to get moving immediately:(. Yesterday I got home and immediately dealt with the mail, got groceries and started on the laundry. Ugh, quite a change from quietly knitting on the couch!

Today turned out to be another busy day. I had decided that this would be the one day I would go in to set up my classroom. There will be tons of things to do in the coming weeks, but there’s not much I can do until I know who is in my class. Today I got the desks put out, my library put back together and the coatroom emptied. It took just over three hours and while I need to tidy and label my library and deal with the centers, I decided to save those items for another day.

I came home for lunch and actually made the time to cook a veggie and shrimp curry. It was wonderful! At the same time I cooked up brown rice, quinoa and red lentils to have in my fridge for the week.

My SIL had introduced me to the app “Daily Dozen” and I liked how it concentrates on doing things that are beneficial to the body. There are things I definitely won’t be doing, but if it gets me to drink more water and eat more veggies, it can’t be a bad thing. Hopefully it will help me deal with the vacation weight gain!

After a lovely two hour nap, I met up with Dennis for a run at the river. It was a tough go, but my pace actually turned out not to be too bad. This was despite the curry talking back to me. It drives me nuts that eating unhealthy makes running easier and eating healthy always makes runs painful:(

It was just good to get out and start on September’s mileage. I am still running to a destination so I will hopefully have that for you tomorrow!

This evening I have been knitting on my Halloween cowl and watching knitting podcasts. One podcast I wanted to highlight is the “A Stitch in Time Podcast”. This is a new to me podcast though she has been recording for 4.5 years. I really like how she does a variety of crafts and stays on top of her projects. I would definitely recommend checking her out:)

Well I need to go start on my new bedtime routine. September always feels more like a new year to me than January so I am trying to put some new good habits in place.

Have fun!

AJ

Update

The last couple of days have been quiet and lovely. We went back into the city to pick up more material for my mom and I managed to get some lining material for my next project too and some fusible fleece.

I have run each day and I think I might be getting better at hills🤣. Saturday I set out for the same route that was 9km last time I was here but it turned out to be just 7.7 this time. Is this place loosing road or did I take a wrong turn??

I have spent a lot of time knitting and have finished a pair of socks for my mom.

These are plain vanilla socks with a German short row heel in Sugar Bush Blaze in the Baked Plum colourway. I tried to do some yarn management so that they would match, but didn’t quite get it right. It’s close enough though.

I have also gotten a hat made for my dad or at least I think I have. He needs to try it on again so I can see if I have knit it long enough. I have to say he wears his toques weird. It appears Charles Bronson is his fashion inspiration.🤣

Last night we had a lovely dinner with my aunt, uncle and cousin. Their place is right on the water so it is always a pleasure to visit on their deck. Of course there was more food than I normally eat in a week. I feel like I’ve gained ten pounds and will have to give up eating when I get home. I could probably go without eating for a good week after this time!

We are about to head out for an adventure so I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Have fun!

AJ

Oops

I usually write so that my mom knows how my day went, but with her knowing as I’m with her, I’ve forgotten to write.

It’s been a good holiday so far. I spent a day and night with my brother, sister in law, niece and nephew. I laugh that I come to visit the whole family, but end up spending all my time with my sister in law. It was fun even though the Chinese food place was closed Mondays:(. We spent the time picking blackberries instead. It was pretty cool because we were at my brother’s golf course so we used the lift to get to the high berries. So fun to be able to reach all the good berries!

My SIL and I got out for a run on Tuesday morning. She is recovering from an ankle injury so we took it easy and did 4.8km in walk/running.

I checked my oil and headed up island. I stopped at the Origin Gluten Free Bakery. The guy said I came on the worst day as they were short staffed so they didn’t have much product. I still enjoyed a very moist lemon poppyseed muffin.

I moved on to finding a yarn store I had missed the last time I was on the island. I was in the wrong side of the road so took it as a sign I should grab oil from the gas station I turned around in. I hung out for about forty five minutes waiting for this yarn store to open, only to see absolutely no indication of it. I called the number twice and then gave up. I finally got a response to an email in the evening saying the store is permanently closed. I really wish they had updated their website!!!!

I made my way up the island, but got to two towns away from my parents when my truck started making a very loud, weird noise:(. It had nothing to do with my engine, but was horrible!

I spent the day with my parents catching up.

Wednesday we went into the city for my mom’s appointment (after I did a run, workout and yoga). We had lunch afterwards, and visited two sewing stores and a yarn store. I found fabric for two project bags, but saw so much other fabric I wanted! I also found some yarn for socks for my mom and a toque for my dad.

We tried to go to Costco, but realized neither of us had our debit cards with us🤣 I finished my socks and balled up the new yarn.

This morning I did a quick run around the local field and then went for a walk along the rail trail with my mom. it’s nice to have my mom feeling like taking walks:)

I have spent the day sewing and got one of my tank tops made. I made the binding for the arm holes about an inch too long so the arm holes are a little looser than I want, but I’ll fix the next one.

I also finished knitting a hat for my niece. She had chosen the yarn last time I visited and then chose the patternthis time. I love how it turned out.

This is the Martine Hat out of Color Story Yarn in Orchid. The picture was taken in the dark so doesn’t do justice to the colours.

The best part is that I have enough yarn left to make socks for myself.

I’ve also started a beanie for my dad.

Well there you have it- the start of my holiday.

Have fun!

AJ

Pretty Productive

Nothing like a timeline to help you get things done!

I started the day with a run with Dennis. Sarah had asked us to switch the run to Sunday this week as she was away camping, but then she didn’t show up. I got a text an hour later saying she forgot to set her alarm. I know it shouldn’t bug me, but it does because when I say I’m going to be somewhere, I’ll be there! The bright side is that I got to do a ten kilometer run which was nice:)

I had time when I got to the park this morning to check the water and oil in my car and realized, getting oil was a priority so that’s the first thing I did after tea! I also stopped in on the way home at my brothers place as they had brought me back some peaches and wine.

I am leaving to visit family tomorrow so that got my butt in gear. I got my garbage and recycling taken out, my kitchen floor swept, the laundry put away, and my bags packed before I had a lovely nap.

Knitting wise I wanted to finish the sleeve of my Everyday Tee as that’s all I had left and didn’t want it lingering on needles while I was away. I did manage to get the sweater done and while it didn’t look great, it thankfully looks better on!

I think it will be a very handy sweater for work. This is the Everyday Tee pattern by Twin Stitches Designs. I did it in Fortuna by Classic Elite Yarns in the colourway Gypsy. This yarn was odd. It is marked DK, but it seems to have almost a thick/thin texture. It has taken me a lot of projects to finally find something it worked for. I am happy with how it looks and don’t even mind that I didn’t alternate skeins.

I have finished the night with some stretching for my hamstrings and plantar fasciitis as I felt both on my run this morning. It’s amazing what you can find on YouTube!

Well I’ve showered and I think I’m as ready as I can be for a very early wake up tomorrow.

Have fun!

AJ

Don’t know where the week has gone

I’m not sure where the week has gone. I think I spent most of it watching knitting podcasts while throwing a ball for an anxious, sad puppy. We survived and I am back home.

Today was very quiet. I slept late and still got a run in as it was cool. It seems as though our Fall weather has arrived. It’s been gray and cool all day here. My run was an easy 3km and it felt good. I spent the second half really trying to concentrate on pushing off my toes. I’m going to need to do some reading on how to engage my butt while running.

I came home and immediately did my workout too. It was a thirty minute push workout from Nourish Move Love and I can tell you that I’m going to feel it tomorrow. That’s a good thing in my mind.

I have to admit that other than doing laundry I have done nothing else today. I have been reading a series of books by Lea Coll called All I Want. It’s a good series and I’ve been enjoying them even if they are just fluff. I always seem to get sucked into the series that revolve around a friend group- they seem so fun. I would recommend the series even though I spend some of the book yelling at the main female character 🤣

Well I’m on the last book so I’m going back to it.

Have fun!

AJ

Trivia Tuesday

I have been meaning to write a post about my very busy weekend, but I’ve been falling asleep instead. Just know it was super busy!

Today I started the day with a run with Dennis. We did a different route which started with a walk up the big hill beside my house. I found my legs were super tired and my butt was sore from my butt and back workout yesterday. My Garmin still says I got a PR for my 5km time which is cool. I think I could still go faster.

I quickly showered and headed over to the medical clinic as I had to go for another test. I was so annoyed as I was there early and yet they still took me late:(

I am taking care of my brother’s dog and so have been trying to build in time between each outing to go home to see him. He hates when his people are away so he always looks so sad. Banks actually refused to go for a walk this morning because he wouldn’t go out of sight of the house.

After lunch I picked up my friend Liane and we hit Costco. It felt like a bit of a waste because I didn’t want to be buying any fresh food as I will be going back to visiting my parents. I found a few things including a pair of shorts which will hopefully fit.

After Costco I laid down and had a little nap and then spent a lot of time throwing the ball for Banks.

It was then time to head for trivia. I really didn’t know anything tonight. I think the only question I knew was:

Which country’s women’s soccer team just won the Olympic gold medal?

Canada

I did leave early so I could get home to walk the dog.

Well Banks and I have been out for a walk and are now heading to bed.

Have fun!

AJ

Resting Up

It was another hot day here today and I have three things happening tomorrow so I decided to lay around today.

I started the day with my minimum run and then immediately did my ab workout and yoga that was called for in the Nourish Move Love workout plan so that I would get them done!

Other than that I have done a little knitting. I had finished a sock but it was slightly long so I pulled it out and am almost done it again. I also got about two inches of body knitted on my current sweater.

I have spent the rest of the day reading. They have all just been fun books so nothing really to report.

Oh I also ordered some mail product. I am hoping that it will help strengthen my nails which are so incredibly weak, but I guess we shall see when it all arrives.

I’m going to bed now as I have a early run in the morning.

Have fun!

AJ

Crazy Busy Wednesday

Sorry for no post yesterday. It was a busy day and I got home late and went straight to bed.

I started the day with a run with Sarah and Kula. Those 4km go a whole lot faster with company!

I also immediately got my workout done which was a twelve minute upper body workout by NourishMoveLove. I’m always amazed that it’s bicep curls that I have the worst time with!

I then had to hustle to get to my friend Liane’s house. She drove and we hit the trail for a lovely 18km bike ride. It’s always enjoyable with Liane as she has a sunny,positive attitude and likes to just enjoy the ride. Most of the time it was only us in the trail, but we hit the mill and the trucks had a traffic jam. It provided a few minutes of entertainment watching g them sort themselves out.

We had a lovely lunch at the new Pur and Simple. This reminds me of Cora’s. It was nice and bright and fresh inside. My Mexican skillet was very yummy! The only downfall I could see was that their teapot was tony! It didn’t even hold enough water to fill up the mug!

We had a quick look in a new store across the street, but I think you had to be six foot and weigh a hundred pounds to buy anything in there!

It was another quick shower and change for me as I was picked up at 3pm by my friend Em. She had won tickets to an advance screening of Free Guy. We started with a happy hour at the Kind Cafe. It was awesome food. I got to have flatbread and spinach dip and a vegan ceviche and corn chips.

I wish every place offered options like this.

I didn’t know anything about the movie, but it turned out to be great! I also got a sock foot knitted:)

Well that was my crazy busy day.

Have fun!

AJ

TriviaTuesday

It was a busy day!

I started the day with a run with Dennis. We went around a very hilly local park but I had a pretty good pace. The best part was the cute guy behind us for the first little bit.

I went directly from tea to a bike ride with my friend Em. It was a lovely day out on the dykes. It was just a leisurely ride, but lovely!

I came home from my bike ride and had a nice nap.

I actually spent most of the day reading a book. It was Real Kind of Love by Sara Rider. I really enjoyed this book and it’s been a while since I’ve read a book in one sitting. It is light and fluffy and a great summer read. I may just get the second in the series.

This afternoon I got my workout done- another NourishMoveLove. It was the 15 Minute Total Body Strength that I think I’m going to feel tomorrow!

Amazingly, for the first time since February, trivia was on. We still aren’t allowed to move from our table, but it was nice to have some normal.

From the first round:

Who has played the grumpy guy in The Odd Couple?

Walter Matthau,Jack Klugmann, Matthew Perry

Name the number one brand in Canada of Ket Chu up, Mustard and Relish.

Heinz, French’s, Bics

Finish this phrase:

Sticky——-

Fingers

What does HVAC stand for?

Heating, ventilation, Air a conditioning

What two states other than Washington border BC?

Idaho, Montana

Name the three tenors:

Pavarotti, Carreras, Felliciano

What does HMCS stand for?

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship

In the music round I only knew the country songs:

Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean

Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off- Joe Nichols

In Kahoot I was pushing the buttons with my back to the screen so I don’t even know the questions that were asked.

In the fourth round:

Put these shows in order of when they came on the air:

Cheers, Seinfeld, Friends

What does TNA in wrestling stand for?

Total Non Stop Action

Well I have to go home to bed cause I have a busy day tomorrow.

Have fun!

AJ

Tired

It was another nicely balanced day, but I can barely keep my eyes open.

I got up and did my usual 3.12km run, but today I really concentrated on pushing off with my toes. I don’t think I’ve been doing that so I guess I’d better practice.

I also got my workout for the day done before 8am. It was another NourishMoveLove workout and this time I got to use my new kettlebell. We shall see if I regret this workout tomorrow. It was legs and core focused and I have to try to keep up with Dennis tomorrow! I did some rolling and yoga stretching this evening to hopefully help with this.

I met up with Brenda for lunch today as she is leaving early Wednesday for her father’s and doesn’t know how long she will be gone for. We had a walk first since the restaurant didn’t open until noon and then had a lovely pasta lunch. I always get the seafood marinara as I love seafood!

I spent the afternoon, well except for my nap time, knitting on my everyday tee and on a pair of DK socks. DK socks seem to be all the rage right now. I find it really funny because my grandma always made us DK weight socks- I guess she was way ahead of her time. I was on the foot but pulled it all out because it looked enormous. I’ll have another go at it.

Well I can barely keep my eyes open so I’m going to sleep now.

Have fun!

AJ