Easing Out of the Week

 

The back pain has lingered on for so long that I began to be fearful I had something else entirely going on.  Like any other good internet junkie, I finally looked up my symptoms and struck out all of the least likely things (liver infection, kidney stones, gallbladder) and landed right back on what I thought it was initially: Muscle strain).  I stopped being stubborn and went back to taking the occasional pain reliever.  I try not to use it multiple times a day but when it's bad enough, I'll take some just to get the relief, which helps my attitude tremendously.

I have stopped tugging, lifting and trying to ignore that I am injured and honestly that has done far more for bringing relief than most anything.  John has always had this theory that we should "Make like circus folks and walk it out...".  In other words, just go on as you've been doing and it will heal itself.  I decided to follow my former boss's wisdom, (he was an Orthopedic surgeon): "Pain has a purpose.  It reminds us we're injured and we need to stop."  Seems the good doctor's mandate works a bit better.  I'm shocked at how long this has gone on.  Typically, I'm better in a couple of days' time.

I've been beyond frustrated at being able to do so little, but I am having moments of freedom from being uncomfortable or in pain and that encourages me to continue doing more restful activities.  

I played in the closet creating some outfits to wear over the next week or so.  This time of year, it's 'How cool can I stay and look nice?'  But cooler days are coming, and I'll be able to dress a little better in light layers that will look quite lovely together.

I cleaned out my dresser drawer and determined that I HATE everything I've had to wear all summer long.  I promised myself last year to get something new to wear this year, but I'm wearing the same baggy capri pants and basic t-shirts that I loathed last summer.  I know full well that if I don't get rid of them at the end of this summer, therefore forcing me to buy something more suitable, I'll wear them again next year, too!  So, the plan is to start looking around at clearance shelves and stop buying things just because it fits or is cheap.  I want to feel as attractive at home in summer as I feel when I'm going out.

I had landed on a rather neat looking combination of leggings with sweaters for over the winter that worked well with matched tops and bottoms and felt really put together.  I wish to have the same for summer, outfits that look neat and trim and feel nicely put together.  

I've been hearing a lot of hype lately about dressing for your archetype.  I did some research and find that most folks are doing this as a one-time consultation fee. After watching a video or two and reading a half-dozen articles, there seem to be a lot of archetypes.  One site narrowed them down to 12 and they were different than the 10 another site listed.  Another consultant combined archetype with seasonal coloring.  And per another article I read, there are also those who do it by zodiac signs.  In the end, I decided that my 'type' is still bohemian which is apparently a combination of "romantic", "adventure explorer' and/or 'magician'.  I don't mind the 'romantic' but I'm not keen on the 'magician' designation and I don't feel adventure explorer is suitable since I tend to think more hiking, safari, that sort of thing.  Kind of a Ralph Lauren vibe, at least in my mind.

I took time to put up a couple of items on the kitchen walls and am thinking long and hard before I move anything more on them.  

More and more, I find I want to be thoughtful and really love what I have whether it's what I'm wearing or what I'm displaying in my home. 

John took me out for breakfast this morning.  It was good...but the local place we went to is also pricey.  We paid as much for breakfast as we'd pay at Longhorn's for a meal that serves us twice.  Don't get me wrong.  The service was pleasant, the place clean and the food was delicious.  But yeah, it's not something we'd be tempted to do too often just due to price.  

We are trying to put a bit more money into the local economies in our county these days because we do appreciate the small businesses.  I really do want to make more effort to use local services whenever we can.

I had called on Monday to ask about the fiber optic internet we're supposed to have installed.  It had been three weeks since I last called, and the clerk didn't really have any idea when I might see anyone. I'd made up my mind we'd just have to wait until they were ready.  Turns out that they were ready this week.  We're not hooked up yet, but the line has been run from the house down to the box and today it was spliced in and the main box that is outdoors was set up on the siding.  He told us that likely Monday or Tuesday they will be out to run the connections inside the house which is pretty awesome.   Once we're connected, we will realize a big savings on internet which will be a help with the budget.

So, the week went on.  I added to the pantry, but in very slow ways.  I went over my lists this morning and I've done very well filling in gaps.  There are still a few to be filled and a few more things I want to can but I took a break until I could buy more jars.  I got those yesterday, so next week I plan to put up a few things.  I also hope to finish off the last of the outages next week and then I'll work on maintaining what we have stocked.  

All in all, it's been a slow week this week, but it's also been a week of accomplishment, if on a much smaller scale than the previous two weeks.  

I hope you all have a great weekend!

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