Five Simple Things (August 14)

 Hello.

The weather has not been good this week either. Windy, and dry. It's weird to see the wind blowing and no rain, or any type of chill along with it. The trees have been getting a beating and it's supposed to rain a bit this coming week. We could sure use it. The wildfire in eastern Oregon has been contained, so that's good news. Oregon has been getting drier and drier as the years go on. When I first moved here, March 2004, it was always rainy and cold in the winter. Sometimes we got snow, but mostly large amounts of rain. Then in the summer it was hot, but not this dry hot. Only the last several years do I remember the grass being crunchy when you walk on it. It's just getting warner here; one reason I am a firm believer in global warming. Oregon should be proof that global warming does affect us on a large scale. The United States is now at over 5 million Coronavirus cases. In that short of time and that many lives, it's unbelievable. Just wear a mask and distance yourself from others when out. Here are five things this week.

1. This Sunset.

I've said it before, Oregon has some of the best sunsets I've ever seen. 

2. This Videocall. 

Coming back from the hospital this week, Skylar started a videocall with me to make sure I was okay. I had a panic attack and thought the pains were more intense than normal, and it scared me. I went in to get monitored to make sure it wasn't my heart causing it. I haven't been given the all clear with my surgery, so I panicked myself even more. But, everything checked out and again it was a panic attack cause by my anxiety. But, it was nice to see Skylar and Eleven and go home again.

3. This Selfie.

Trying to get better about this. It's hard.

4. This Moment.

I don't know what this is from, or even who took it, but the moment just makes me happy. Just the shear moment of being in the rain and enjoying the moment. May seem a bit hippie-ish, but nature does have a way of making us feel better.

5. This Rose.

Portland is known as the Rose City and even down south of Portland we get some of the best roses. I can't stand the smell of a rose, but I do love how pretty they are.

Positive affirmations this week: "What is one thing you strongly believe as a parent?"

Your greatest contribution to the world may not be something you do, but who you raise.

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (August 7)

 Hello.

We've had some crazy wind this last week. A bit of rain, but mostly windy days. I woke up a few mornings in a row to the neighbor's trashcans rolling down the street. The rain yesterday was hitting the windows sideways. We always get some strange weather here lately. Mostly around June we get thunderstorms, so having this now is just bizarre. There's a wildfire that sparked from a fallen powerlines in eastern Oregon (Neals Hill Fire). As much wind as we've been getting here, it is worrisome. We've also have nine more deaths with the Coronavirus pandemic putting our state number now at 348 deaths. We aren't one of the higher number states, but it's still sad. Worldwide numbers are almost five million. That's unbelievable. Here are five things this week.

1. This Sky.

Wasn't kidding about the skies here lately. Storming, yet at time there's no rain, just thunder and lightning. I think the sky is beautiful, but with the lightning happening, it's causing me to have a bit more anxiety. Jeff is keeping us informed about anything that's immediate danger to us, at least.

2. This Kitty.

One thing we learned about Eleven over the past several years is that she is afraid, or startles easily by thunder. I don't think she knows what it is, so it puts her on edge. Every time there's a thunder sound, so stops, gets all tense, and looks around. We try to comfort her as much as we can, but we can only do so much. And, the thunder lately and the wind, as been loud. So loud it's even startled us a few times.

3. These Miles.

Logged more miles in this week. I can feel that I'm getting stronger every time I take a step out of the door. I am looking forward to when I can walk more, or run more, without feeling so tired afterwards. My surgeon said this is normal and should fade away with more time. 

4. This Balloon.

 

  

Oh, how I love creepy things. When we were traveling along some back roads here outside the city, this balloon was traveling down the road. I loved how creepy it was and just had to stop and take some pictures and video of it. 

5. This Sign.

Ridiculous. Even in jest, this is just wrong. Ace Hardware needs to do better.

We did get a chance to watch the SpaceX Dragon Endeavor return to earth and splash down in the ocean on Sunday (August 2), so that was really cool to be able to watch it live.

Positive affirmations this week: "What are some quotes that hit you hard and make you think?"

Oh, there's several:

1. "If you absence doesn't affect them, your presence never mattered."

2. "Once you start using your phone on silent mode, there is no going back."

3. "Stop waiting for everything to be perfect to be happy."

4. "If they do it often it's not a mistake; it's just their behavior." 

5. "You can be optimistic and realistic."

Have a nice weekend.

End of July 2020 (1 Second Every Day)

 

Cooling off in the Santiam River

There's a small foot trail at the back side of a park here named Waterloo and we always called it out secret trail. But, recently we've noticed a lot more people have discovered the trail, as well, and are leaving trash and other debris around the area. We decided to cool off in the river and pick up a lot of that trash and make the area a bit more environmentally friendly. It's upsetting that people come into a natural area, destroy it, and leave as if the world owes them something. It makes me angry to think how many times that's happened and we, or anyone else, wasn't able to pick it up in time and it ended up in the water ways. Leave no trace is a phrase we fully embrace when we are in the outdoors. I wish other would abide by that, too. On a positive note, we were finally able to get out, clean up nature, and enjoy a dip in the Santiam River. It was a nice day. There was still a bit chilly, but overall, it was nice to be able to kick back and relax for all the stress from the last few months.

Skylar even helped out some river floaters that got stuck on the rocks. When they floated past us they yelled, "thanks a million! Cheers!" And, raised their beer cans. ha!

Five Simple Things (July 31)

 Hello.

I was able to get out of the house again this week, and got my stitches removed from my surgery, finally. It hurt a lot more than I expected it to, because of one of the stitches growing into my incisions, so that was super uncomfortable and it bled a lot. My surgeon said everything is healing well, just slowly, so still take it easy. I can't push, pull, or lift anything heavier than five pounds, and I can't shower facing the water, but can actually shower if I am gentle with everything. I was able to go to the grocery store, too, with Jeff and Skylar. It's crazy seeing how many people wearing masks. I've spent most of this year in the bed, in a room with white curtains, and barely getting out of the house. So, it's weird seeing people like that. The world looks odd. I made a list of things that we can do during this time. And, you are more than welcome to save and print thing out for your own family, as well. Here are five things this week.

2020 Coronavirus Procedures:

1. Once every 10 days for supplies (if needed)

2. Plan meals for the week ahead of time

3. Make a supplies and grocery list each week as foods are eaten

4. Practice social distancing at stores

5. Stick to the list only and avoid impulse buys

6. Go to the store early in the morning, or late at night (less people)

7. Stock up on canned goods while shopping and add them to the stock

8. Use delivery when we can

9. Wear masks and gloves when out in public places (stores, gas stations, etc.)

10. Wash every items with warm, soapy water and rinse in cold water before bringing inside. (sprays work, too)

11. Stock up on water containers while out shopping. (we get five gallon containers filled at a local co-op, so we stock up when they are empty)

12. Have a staging area when you bring things into your home. (we use the garage here, but it could be a hallway, a closet, an entryway, back porch, etc.)

13. Wipe down your cart and basket at the grocery stores even if they've been sanitized by the store

14. Use hand sanitizer when entering the store, or building, and always use it when leaving. And it wouldn't hurt to sanitize your car steering wheel, handles, keys, door frames you may have touched, and seats once a week, too

15. Once home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least two minutes. Take your clothing off, and shower, if you can. Place your clothing, masks, and anything else you wore into the washing machine asap

Some of these are a bit drastic, but given our current situation with recovering from a major surgery, we've done all of these, and I was able to help out this week for some of it. Here's hoping things get a bit better before the end of summer comes. Here are five things this week. 

1. This Necklace.

This necklace has been a lifesaver for me lately. Leaving the house and seeing everything right now has given me a lot of anxiety and panic issues. This necklace is by Komuso and helped me focus on my breathing over what's actually going on in my mind and heart. It helps me by focusing on my breath and trying to calm my heartrate when anxiety gets too high for me. It's happened a lot more since my surgery and especially leaving the house lately. It's a great necklace and looks like a whistle, but when exhaling through it doesn't make a whistle tone. It is just you exhaling through a small opening and exhaling slowly helps with calming your mind. The more I use it the more it helps a lot. This was a Mother's Day gift from Skylar and Jeff and the one I have is sterling silver, but it comes in other metals and also other chain lengths and materials. 

-How to breathe better with the Shift Necklace:

Can you spare 2 minutes?

Do something for 30 days, and you’ll likely have a new habit. But 30 days is a long time.

What about just 2 minutes a day?

If you can carve out 2…

surely you can carve out 15?

The 3-6-5 coherent breathing technique comes with so many benefits, it’s hard to list them all in an email.

Most importantly, it increases energy and focus.

Biggest surprise as we learned about this technique: it better connects the two sides of your brain.

3 times a day

6 breaths per minute (5 sec inhale, 5 sec exhale)

5 minutes

15 minutes total.

2. This Soup.

I gave an attempt at potato soup this week and it was actually pretty easy to make. It was a spur of the moment cooking thing and we ate on it for three days. I'll post the recipe I created at a later time. I want to make it at least one more time before sharing it.

3. This Box.

Amazon has impressed me lately and their shipping boxes having cutouts on them impresses me even more. I love this concept and even left feedback to Amazon on Twitter about it. Skylar and cut them out and placed them on the homeschool classroom desk. 

4. This Purchase.

Like I stated in previous posts, I've been trying to control my panic attacks with more CBD and THC products. This brand is one of my favorites, so far. beaucoup offers low dose THC products that are helpful in panic-inducing situations. I'd much rather be taking a plant into my body than the anxiety medications. The long term affects of those medications are worrisome. I still use the anxiety medication when situations get too much to handle, but these edibles have been helping a great deal.

5. This Sunset.

I will say, before moving to Oregon I never paid much attention to the sunsets, or even sun rises. I think moving here, along the edge of the west coast, gave me a new appreciation for the sunsets, for sure. The are some of the pretties I've ever seen. On our drive home this week, it really was a nice view all the way home. 

Positive affirmations this week: "What are some basic guidelines to keep you focused on yourself."

I don't really have any guidelines as I do six things I keep reminding myself every day. Those six things are:

• Eat Plants. 
• Study Hard.
• Spend Smart.
• Workout.
• Don't Compare.
• Be Happy.

I realize not every day is going to be as easy, but the main focus on life if just basic things. With having anxiety issues and PTSD, some days are harder than others. But, the overall goal is still the same, so reminding myself on the six basic things I need to do, it helps get me back on track after a bad mental health day.

Have a nice weekend.

Burn to Learn (Jeff)

This past weekend (July 25) Jeff participated in a Burn to Learn with the fire department. We were able to sit and watch how the fire department handles ground and grass fires and how they are able to promptly put them out with equipment and other means. It was interesting to watch how they combat the fire from all angles and are able to quickly tackle it before it spreads.

Backfire flares being shot into the dry grass to simulate a grass fire.

I couldn't decide on these pictures. I just love how Skylar is looking up at Jeff. He admires his dad and I see it in little moments like this and it just makes my heart beam.

Poor grasshoppers were trying to get away as the grass was lit on fire. I felt sorry for them, but unfortunately for them, it saves lives learning how to contain fires, even the lives of little critters like them.