Friendiversary & Peloton & More

Twelve years ago today, I met Chet Lee and Sarah Elizabeth for the very first time!!  What a gift they have been in my life...

 

Here's a Friendiversary slideshow with a cutesy Bruno Mars song I just discovered!

 

  

This was a well-timed FB post for me.  I didn't repost it because I don't believe that any person is "toxic" at the most basic level - we're all created by God and loved by Him.  But I believe in toxic combinations -- there are people who are unhealthy for me... and it's an unhealthy part of me that resonates with them.  So this was a good reminder that it's not my job to fix anyone else, but to become the healthiest possible version of myself.  And that's a completely different mindset from trying to fix or save a dysfunctional relationship!

Another good post that I saved to my phone.  I'm tired of people telling me they thought about calling me or reaching out, and I don't want to be that way with others.  When you think something kind, say it!  When you want to reach out, do it!!

This pic was to document the craziness of Laura's office right now. lol  This was at the end of a 2-week period where we didn't have any hearings, but she's having to write minutes and continue the hearings and find new dates and field calls from the attorneys... and her desk and the post-its on her computer screen are out of control!  I took this on my way out to go home as she had just warmed up her dinner and was going to be there for several more hours.  Rough times... I hope things smooth out more and more in the coming months where she will not be feeling so much stress!

Peloton continues to be a wonderful way for me to destress and find joy and strength!  Christmas yoga is my favorite - they have actual holiday-themed classes where they rename all the poses, like reindeer instead of cat-cow, Christmas tree pose, snow angel, treetop angel, melting snowman chair pose, etc.  Makes me happy!

Another lovely way to destress through the pandemic has been food... hence, me not losing much weight despite working out 70 minutes a day 6 days a week for the past couple months now! lol  I made chili and fudge this week... yum!  This = a tasty cheesy chicken spaghetti dish by Sarah (a Magnolia recipe from Joanna Gains).  I tried eggnog for the first time that night - meh, but glad I tried it - the Braums version where I was fairly confident it wouldn't contain raw eggs.  Sarah and Steve and I caught up on life over cheesy pasta and garlic bread, then drank our Braums shakes while watching the first Harry Potter movie! ❤

My main project during work for the past couple weeks has been writing my 36 letters to 36 people who have shaped and impacted my life.  That was a 2020 goal, and the plan was to write 3 per month.  Instead, I wrote them all in mid-December as Christmas letters... but I DID IT before this crazy year ended, and I'm pretty proud of that!!  ❤

My right-side view from the bike every morning - this wall will always make me happy!  It's the TV and mirror and Christmas decor in front of me, and windows into my snow-covered backyard to the left. =)

This = my "Big-Ass Grilled Cheese" and tater-tots from The Mule at lunch with Elizabeth last weekend!!

It snowed on Sunday.  It's been lovely to look at from the cozy comfort of the indoors. lol  Also, still loving my Write the Word journals - I'm using the MinimaList app that lets you create a daily to-do list and cross things off and set a timer on certain items, and these journals have been my go-to for the daily 15 minute quiet time.

Lovely untouched snowy backyard!

Mom and Dad's snowy golf-course and pool view!  I still think it'd be super fun sometime to turn up the pool heater and get in there on a snow day... I know I would instantly regret that when I was getting out, but still... look how lovely, and think of the cute pictures we could get! lol

So it's been quite the crazy week for the women in my family... not sure if I've already written about this, but Babah broke her sacrum a few months back.  She went to the hospital then was transferred to The Timbers nursing home in Edmond for rehab.  They took verrrry poor care of her and didn't get her up or move her around, so she digressed physically and mentally. Which we were unaware of for a while because no one is allowed to visit, and of course, they also didn't help her charge her cellphone or make calls to family and friends.  Virginia and JoBug went to pick her up on a week when Mom was quarantining because of possible COVID exposure from her dentist.  Babah stayed with Virginia for a few weeks, but she was becoming increasingly confused and exhausted, and we thought it might be dementia and wondered if she was just ready to go home now that Grandad is no longer with her.  Mom and JoBug went to see her at Virginia's on Saturday.  Then Sunday morning, she was in a really bad state and they couldn't get her up, so Virginia thought it might be a stroke, and they called an ambulance to come and take her to Mercy Hospital.  They quickly discovered that she had sepsis, a scary blood infection that causes delirium, mental confusion, and extreme fatigue.  They also ran a COVID test, and she tested positive!!  (And Mom and JB had seen her the day before).  So Blake told them to quarantine and then get tested on Wednesday or Thursday of this week.  Mom was tested yesterday and we don't have the results back yet.  Babah is still struggling with some confusion but seems to be improving a bit now that she's on medication for the sepsis - and she' not having any major COVID symptoms so far.  Anyway, what a freaking hot mess!  Not sure what this means for Christmas Eve plans, but we'll take it one day at a time.

An encouraging verse... this is talking about Jerusalem, but technically, that's the people of God, so I think it's okay to personalize it.  I love the imagery of God being a protective wall of fire around me and the glory inside me.

Christine did a 45-minute Pentatonix ride... super fun!!

I do think my workplace and the big tree and fountain are pretty lovely, especially after a snowy weekend!

Kendall's movie buff ride was a lot of silliness, but I loved this part... she did the Love Actually poster board thing during a cool down section as Silent Night played, and I was a fan!

I did my 200th ride on Tuesday this week... Cody's Festive Fantasy XOXO ride!  He is hilarious and such a gem! lol 

Hands down, the best decision I made in 2020 was buying the bike just before the pandemic hit and getting serious about Peloton.  The workouts with Cody, Robin, and a host of other coaches have been life-changing and fun and empowering!!

Part of my Write the Word journal for yesterday... this made me check my heart and think about my motives.  When it's been a while and I find myself wanting to see a friend, it's usually more about my own joy than wanting to strengthen them spiritually and encourage them in their faith!  But I love that idea, and I want to do a better job of prioritizing the spiritual health of my friends and family members, especially the smaller core group that I pray for every day!!

 Here's the Miss K after her volleyball game on Friday the 11th... she got 3 great serves over in a row!!  ❤

That's all for now! =)