Movin' it with Michelle
Running, Recipes, and Real life adventures!
Happy New Year!!!
I’ve slacked writing this year. I’m on my work lap top for 8-9 hours a day, so the last thing I want to do is get on my personal one at night. But I’d really like to get back to writing, so I’m declaring it here to make it official.
We made it through 2020, and I’ve got a lot of good take aways from this year. We were able to work from home for the most part, which helped my daughter who’s eLearning. I’ve paid off my student loans, allowing us the capability to pay for our oldest daughters classes in college, we’ve had a lot of trips to the beach and lots of family time. What was the best parts of your 2020?
Happy New Year!!!
Michelle
It’s time.
I’ve struggled my entire life with self esteem, with feeling good enough, and with feeling like I matter in other people’s lives.
This stems from so many things. Most of which I won’t discuss. I’ve found my blog has been miss interrupted so many times by so many people. But this time it’s about me. No one else.
I’ve ALLOWED this to happen. Let me say that again. I’VE ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN.
And it’s not been easy. Even harder to admit. No matter how hard I try, the demons are always there.
And I’m tired of it.
Tired of never feeling like I’m enough.
Keep Moving forward. My mantra of nearly a decade, now. So that’s the new plan. To embrace this mantra. Write more. Cook more. Run more. Do the things that bring me joy-and stop obsessing over things I can control.
Call it a comeback? Maybe!! I sure hope so.
Cheers!
Michelle
Mad love to you all.
Cheers! Thanks for the memories.
Michelle
Celebrating acts of kindness
I haven’t been writing much this year. You know, the whole Covid-19 thing, and the incessant spew of all things hate has really started to affect my mental health. I haven’t had much to say…so I’ve decided to start celebrating every act of kindness that I notice. Here is my first one, written last night and posted on my Facebook page.
Good evening, everyone! Anyone else feel like social media is filled with hate and anger? Anyone else tired of focusing on all things negative???
Meeeee too….
So tonight I share this real life adventure, if you will. Today we spent a few lovely hours at the beach and decided to grab an early dinner when we got rained out. We had a lovely meal, and headed out to my Jeep to head home.
We saw an elderly lady struggling with her walker and navigating holding her umbrella. My husband kindly said, “I should go help her!” He got out of the Jeep and walked over to her to offer a hand. She graciously accepted his help and they had a lovely conversation as he walked her into the restaurant. He didn’t rush her, and he took the time to listen to her stories. My heart was exploding and I am so happy I captured this photo.
Kindness is all around us. We need to focus on all these little moments because they truly matter the most.
Be well my friends. Life is a gift. Let’s celebrate it each and every day. 🙏🏻❤️
Cheers!
Michelle
Emotions
I think the last couple of years I’ve been holding back emotions. Tonight my daughter helped me break through. Miss y’all. Sorry for my absence.
Chicken chili
Chicken chili
One package of chicken thighs cut into cubes
1 packet low sodium taco seasoning
Cumin, red pepper flakes, dried cilantro & oregano
1 can diced tomatoes
2 can of beans-lightly rinsed
2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
1 red pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
2 cloves minced garlic
1 box of low sodium chicken stock
Season chicken with the taco season packet and set aside. Sauté the veggies in a stock/soup pot until soft, adding the cumin, dried spices and salt and pepper to taste. Add in the chicken, beans, and diced tomatoes and bring to a boil for about 10-15 minutes. Taste for seasoning and let simmer for another 15 minutes. Garnish with green onions, and enjoy!
Cheers! Enjoy!!!
Who knew what little I really need…
What little I truly NEED to get by…the last 10 weeks or so have been hard, but they’ve also given me a new sense of appreciation for my life. During the first 8 weeks, we truly played by the rules. No friends. No going out. No driveway “social distance” parties. Nada. We stayed home. My husband was the only one to go to the store, and other than us both having to go in to work a few times (we’re both teleworking now), home was where we stayed put.
Obviously we had to get creative with how we’d attack the upcoming weeks of “just us.”
We bought an above ground pool and spent the weekends in the sun.
We did several puzzles, despite my husband’s lack of excitement.
We played games, Monopoly being a favorite of ours.
We re-did our budget and have been dutifully paying off debt. The interest rate grace period was such a blessing for my student loans, which should be DONE in just a month or two.
We started walking after work almost daily, as its just too hot to run.
We binge watched several shows on Netflix, my favorite being “Schitt’s Creek.”
Sure, vacations were canceled, trips postponed, missed out on graduations (my Niece graduated COLLEGE!! So proud), my daughter’s 8th grade trips/ceremony were canceled, and have I mentioned my hair and nails look HORRIBLE…but that’s ok…LOL
I truly feel we are closer as a family. Bless my 13 year old for taking all of this like a champ. It’s been extremely hard for her not to see her friends and miss out on so much.
They’ve lifted stay at home orders here in Florida a couple of weeks ago. We did go to our local beach a couple of times (not touristy spots, very spread out and monitored by the Sherriff’s office), and we brought our large canopy tent and stayed far enough away from everyone. I will admit, leaving my neighborhood for the first time in WEEKS felt awesome. The beach is something I NEED. It truly takes away all of my stress and makes my soul happy.
Moving forward, we plan to continue social distancing but we’ll slowly entertain the idea of hanging out with friends.
So these are my take away thoughts from the last couple of months. How are you handling this “new normal” as they say? Anyone else really HATE wearing masks out in public? I know I sure miss seeing people smile. 😦
Cheers,
Michell
One year.
I’ve been through some very difficult times in my 47 years. But this day, one year ago today, will forever be one of the worst days of my life. May my sweet Sammy be resting in peace. Life is short my friends. Don’t waste a second. Tell those that you love-exactly how you feel. You never know when it will be too late. 💔🐾
Absence.
So sorry I’ve been absent. Life has been crazy and as a healthcare worker there is no quarantine option. I pray that you are all safe and sound.
Cheers,
Michelle
Living my best life.
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