A Little of Everything

Running:

For the first time in a while, there were a few running buddies around this morning, unfortunately none of them ran with me:( We ran Mundy Park and I am proud to say I didn’t get lost this time and I did it in 29:58 which I think is good for me! Mundy Park in Coquitlam is a great place for a summer Sunday morning run. First it is well forested so it’s often several degrees cooler on the trails than in the parking lot. Secondly, it is dog off leash time until 10am so I get my dog fix as I run. This morning I had to stop at the bottom of cardiac hill because I was being herded. 😂 The trails in Mundy are wide and well groomed so it is appropriate for strollers etc, just beware the entire park is a hill. I have ran the Perimeter trail both ways and it is within seconds and meters of each other. You just can’t win!

I also got a workout I need on this hot day, though I was sweating bullets. I started over in my book of workouts with workout #1 and it was still a challenge! I keep waiting for the day when they become easier! I am really motivated right now though because I’m hoping working out will build muscle which will make running the crunch easier and faster!

My walk tonight was the same old Inlet trail. It was very pretty tonight, but I really need to investigate some more walks I can do on my own!

Eating:

I thought I’d be able to say I hadn’t had a treat today, but nope I had a frappe after my run this morning, a very large one because it was free. I should never have a drink as a treat as it just doesn’t seem to register with my stomach like food does:(

Otherwise, today is Sunday which is my food prep day and I decided to stick to the schedule. My fruit salad, tuna salad, egg salad and veggie sticks are all prepared. I liked how this week I cut down on plastic bags by putting my veggie sticks in a larger container and then putting the hummus in a silicone muffin cup in the same container. I hope it works well! I’m also hoping that having all my food prepared will help with the transition back to work this week, though as I type this I realize I should get my dinners ready too.

Knitting:

I fairhfully did another pattern repeat on the afghan for my parents. I’m loving how it looks, but I must really love them to knit an Afghan in thirty degree weather!!! I so wish I had more time so I could work on a small project right now!

Otherwise, all I did today was spend three hours making up the supervision schedule, ugh:(!!!!

Its off to sleep with me now as tomorrow is the last day I don’t have to set an alarm! We’ll see if I manage to sleep in at all.

Have fun!

AJ

Thinking

Wow! I seem to be thinking a lot today!  Don’t worry, it doesn’t happen often. As I told my friend Michelle today, I’m more a surface girl, 😂

Running:

No running buddies were available today so after waiting the requisite five minutes I set out along the street as I don’t like running the Coquitlam River trail by myself. It ended up being a great run (not as fast as I wanted) as it was mainly downhill on the way back. I also got some entertainment by looking at all the different types of gates I passed. I’ve learned that an open gate really is so much more inviting than a closed one! I’ll have to remember this as What a great metaphor for attitude towards life in general. I’d forgotten how nice it is to run somewhere different and see something different!

Running in this area reminded me of two goals I’ve had for a while. First, I really want to run all of Shaughnessy Street in Port Coquitlam. I’m really not sure why, but its been on my bucket list for a while. I think the first step may be to drive the street and see how long it actually is so I can determine if it’s a short term or long term goal.

The other running goal I was reminded of today is to run from my house in Port Moody to the Hyde Creek rec Centre and back. I have done this once, several years ago during a half marathon training session and I would like to do it again. I love being able to say I ran through three cities! It is definitely a long term goal right now as if I remember correctly, it’s about 11km each way. I’m just not there yet.

I got a walk in ( to the ice cream store and back 🤣, not sure t counts but it will have to do. I also got a workout done- Legs on Fire. Short , but my legs definitely felt it!

Blogging:

So far, I’ve treated this blog just as a diary for myself so I can keep track of what’s important and it forces me to think about my day, attach importance to the little things, and focus on the positive. I have to admit that the ding of another view or like does give me a smile however. I was talking with a friend who shares her blog posts on social media so that more people will look. I don’t think I’m quite to the point where I want my general friend population to know I blog, but this conversation did make me realize that The blog is getting me to interact with more people and new people which I think is really important for me. In the past I have been on dating sites and I’ve always really liked texting with my “matches”, but maybe this blog will serve that purpose for my psyche, that human connection,  without the emotional roller coaster that goes quite dating (can you tell I haven’t quite gotten past my last relationship??😜)

Reading the other blogs is just as important I think. Today after reading “Fear” by LifeofaCanadianGirl, I decided to do something I normally wouldn’t have. I was having a good conversation with a guy last night and had not gotten around to asking him a question so I messaged him on Facebook. I don’t want to date him (he’s a smoker 😞), and he may never see it, but at least I asked! A definite step in the right direction as one day before I’m 100 I would like to be less shy!

Reading:

Well I did something I never do, I gave up on a book! My accomplishment-seeking mentality never lets me do this, but I had to either give up on the book or start banging my head against the wall in frustration (and I actually like my neighbours so really there was no competition). The book was Penelope: A Madcap Regency Romance by Anya Wylde. I love a humorous book, but this one just went too far. When the heroine leaped over the sofa, fell across the room and grasped the hunting rifle off the wall, all while having a sprained ankle,  because he modiste turned out to be a man, I just couldn’t take it anymore! If you’re looking for a book that is just one ludicrous episode after another, this is the book you should read. If, like me, you were just looking for a humorous historical romance, I suggest passing!

Eating:

Well I hate to have to admit this, but I went back to Matteo’s Gelato for the second day in a row 😞 At least, I’m not the one who suggested it this time. My friend Michelle suggested it and I just couldn’t turn her down as it’s super hot here today, and I was desperate to hear where things stood between her and her fella!  Today, I was much better and had four fruit flavours ( that must count for at least a serving of fruit, right 🤣). I had blueberry, pink grapefruit, lemon and raspberry. They were all dairy free and gluten free and were amazing! I promise, I’ll try not to go there tomorrow!

Crafting/ Knitting:

I spent some time this afternoon with my friend K covering plain pencils with cool, gorgeous Japanese paper. They will be presents for my students and though they are not perfect, they’re pretty cool! If any of them notice the few wrinkles, I’ll be able to turn it into a life lesson on not having to be perfect and just trying your best!

Knitting wise, I finished all the parts for my sweater, laid it out in the floor to start seeing the parts together and noticed that one sleeve’s raglan decrease section was a different colour:( I thought about leaving it, maybe no one would notice, but I would know and there’s no sense making something you’re not willing to wear! So I ripped it out… I’ve managed to get it knitted again and have started seeing it together. Will I ever be done this sweater???

Well, I’m back to it!

Have fun!

AJ

A Little Change in Plans

Today has definitely not gone according to plan!

Running:

I had a run this morning at Crystal Falls with my running buddy. It was great to have company and be out on this gorgeous trail. Crystal Falls is a forest trail that leads out to a small waterfall. It is obviously uphill going out as you are following the Coquitlam River. The trail has recently been widened and cleared so it is quite accessible, though there are still streams you have to make your way across. The  log barriers that the mountain bikers use now have trails you can take around them. This trail was a great choice for today as it was several degrees cooler (a nice break from the super hot day).  Of course on this hot day when I wouldn’t mind a refreshing foot bath, I managed to stay completely dry, but on a cold, winter day I always seem to manage to end up in the water🙄.

Unfortunately this run was my only exercise for the day:( An epic fail😫

Eating:

I was supposed to be making a batch of apple chai scones today but a friend called me up and suggested lunch before the craziness of school starts up again. We met at the John B Pub on Austin avenue in Coquitlam. The waitress was super knowledgeable about allergies and made sensible and clear suggestions of what I could order. I ended up with the celiac stir fry with scallops and prawns. It was absolutely delicious and looked just as lovely with big pieces of veggies and seafood.

My indulgences didn’t end with the lunch however as my nephew and I hit Matteo’s Gelato in Port Coquitlam tonight. This is my absolute favourite ice cream store in the area because out of fifty flavours of Gelato, 38 are gluten free and 18 are dairy free. There are so many options that I feel overwhelmed!  I also love how you can have as many flavours as you want in each size. Today I tried five different flavours- coconut, chocolate peanut butter, salted caramel, chocolate covered cherry, and mango. I would have a very difficult time choosing a favourite as they were all amazing!

Events:

My friend and I checked out IKEA for back to school items. I went in looking for nothing but came out with magazine holders, an aloe Vera plant and some kitchen scrubbers. At least at IKEA when you go crazy, it’s still cheap:)

I’ve done a little bit of knitting but still have half a sleeve to complete. I am babysitting my nephew tonight so ended up in the pool with him and am now watching the Mayweather/ McGregor fight with my brother’s company. Definitely not what I planned to do tonight! Lol I can’t even knit because they smoke! As well, this cutie keeps getting on my lap and chasing the needles. 😂

Oh well, I suppose it’s days like these that make life interesting!

Have fun!

AJ