Just because…things start to get quiet around here about now; we’ll be taking summer breaks, and/or not spending as much time reading blogs (and comments always go down!!) so I want to catch up a bit. How are you?
- What are you doing this summer?
- How’s work? Any big changes on the horizon?
- What’s something you really look forward to in the next couple of months?
- Any challenges you’re working your way through right now?
- How are you feeling? In general, specifically, whatever…
Me…
This summer:
We don’t have any significant plans for summer yet, no big family vacation like we did last year. My step-son will be here all summer and we’ll go to the Atlanta-area to visit family after July 4th, and probably up to Kentucky to visit extended family during that time. So, low-key, easy stuff. I’d LOVE to go to the beach later in the summer though, now that I have two swimsuits LOL
Work:
Work for me is going well. I’m still trying to figure out how to juggle Grechen’s Closet & Slowre, honestly, and it’s slow going, but I push through. It’s hard & busy, and so fulfilling/rewarding right now, but I also have moments when I just have to stop and ignore everything for a bit (which is what I did this weekend) to catch my breath and then re-start.
Looking forward to:
Seeing family. I’ll be going to Orlando for my father’s birthday around Memorial Day and then as I mentioned above, to the Atlanta-area in July.
Challenges:
First, I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge really, but I’m thinking a lot about me: Who I am, and what I really want for my life. Not that I haven’t done that before, but for some reason now I feel MORE empowered to do so. I don’t know why exactly (actually, I think it was hearing Jill Soloway’s talk with Terry Gross and watching I Love Dick.. – please don’t read too much into that LOL). Also, in studying stoicism, I’ve begun to pay much more attention to my goals, and the principles that guide me through my day. It’s very tough for me though, because I’ve never done that before; I’m more a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type girl and I’m ALL ABOUT instant gratification (You know this if you read through my Minimal Closet posts and have been with me for a while) – long term goals be damned. Anyway, lately I’ve been measuring everything I buy or do along a continuum of how close it gets me towards my goal. And what is my goal? At its most general, it’s complete financial freedom – having enough money, savings, etc., to be able to live how and where we want. And travel. Everywhere.
Also, I am always thinking about my parents and trying to spend as much time with them as possible, which is hard, being so far away. I do sometimes feel a wave of nausea or dread when I think about either of them not being “here,” and I am trying to work my way through preparing for that over time.
I am getting so much better at letting go of things I can’t control (which is pretty much everything), by repeating my “list” to myself of things I CAN control, but I still want to fix things for people I love. And I do find myself getting anxious and having mild panic attacks when I think about their suffering. I feel like I have too much empathy sometimes…
How I’m Feeling:
I’m feeling very good, physically, mentally, spiritually, for the most part… But I’ve actually been thinking a little bit lately about liposuction – or doing something to get rid of the excess fat on my thighs. Even saying that out loud is really hard, but there it is. As you may or may not know, I’ve gained and lost weight most of my life until recently, so my body is not quite as toned as it would have been had I not yo-yo dieted forever, and I have quite a lot of excess skin/flab on my inner thighs that’s not going away. I cringe at the thought of ever doing any sort of elective surgery, or something so invasive just for vanity, but I’m slowly beginning to entertain the thought. Not for any time soon, but maybe? Someday? Has anyone done it, or considered it, or known anyone who did?
5 things: (Not a good day to ask…I’m Debbie Downer.)
1.We’re not really doing anything this summer. Bill’s brother and his wife are coming out to spend a week in June, but staying at a resort and not our house, so I don’t have to get everything spic-n-span! And our older kids won’t be here this summer (They’re at that age where friends are getting married every weekend!). That kind of sucks. Our middle girl is still a PCV in Colombia and I miss her like crazy! At least our youngest is home from college and waitressing at a restaurant. She’s a joy!
2.Work…complicated. I quit my current job, but found a new job quite serendipitously. I’m doing some social media/retail sales. And getting paid more!
3.I don’t know what I look forward to…I guess, walking to the beach and drinking rose. And getting my bedroom in order with the new stuff I treated myself with (linen sheets, coverlet, throw, new lamps and nightstands, and a huge photograph on canvas hanging above our bed taken by our youngest.) And finishing my closet project and making some $$$.
4.Challenges? Too numerous and private to list here. Weight loss. Healing Achilles’ tendon.
5.I’m feeling more hopeful, but it’s up & down. I look forward to a potential break on Lake George with my hubby after Labor Day.
You’ve got admirable goals and quite a full summer planned, really. As for the lipo on your upper-outer thigh area, you’ve worked SO hard, for SO long, that if it makes you feel better in a dress or tight pants, SCREW what anyone else thinks and GO FOR IT, girl!!! 🙂
1. There’s a two week trip to England planned with my husband’s family. I will be joining them for the second week. It will either be great or challenging (more likely a combination of the two).
2. Lots of changes in leadership at work. I’ve been waiting on a promotion/reclassification since January. I’m told things are moving now. If they don’t I’ll start looking again.
3. My new ES top I ordered from the WW collection? 🙂
4 & 5. My feelings are challenging. I feel stuck at work but don’t know what kind of change to make. The new leadership is an unknown which is stressful. We’re spending a lot of money on some home repairs right now but we have the money to spend so I’m grateful for that. My son is not happy about all the time he’ll spend at summer camps this summer but I don’t have an alternative for him. He’s staying with my parents for two weeks, his other grandmother for a week, and in England for two weeks. All that said, summer is my favorite season. I’m trying to stay positive and healthy and embrace fun wherever I find it.
i guess i should have said “challenges you feel comfortable sharing here” 😉 – i don’t expect everyone to share everything. i just know that when i do, i am always so grateful to hear that others are going through the same thing, or similar, so i feel a lot less alone.
your new work situation sounds interesting, and yay for more money!! you’re so lucky to live in a community with such great retail also, – and i meant to send you, but you probably already know that organic by john patrick is opening a shop, or a pop-up on narragansett (i have no idea where that is, but i think it’s close to you? or am i way off?? LOL)
family trips are always great AND challenging haha! that’s family for you though…so amazing, but frustrating at the same time LOL – that said, it sounds wonderful! i love family trips, challenges and all!
i hope work gets sorted out for you soon, i’m sure it’s frustrating. but yay for new ES !!
No, no…don’t feel it necessary to clarify. I only stated that part about private stuff because there’s just a LOT of stuff I’m working through besides the stuff I’m talking about. But, I’ll get there. 🙂
So, do you mean Narragansett, RI? Or Amagansett, NY? RI is close, but I’d have to get there by ferry. Amagansett is only 10 miles up the road! Where did you read it? There are a TON of pop-up luxury shops opening in Amagansett this summer, including The LINE, and Botanica Bazaar which was started by model Leilani Bishop (She makes lovely fragrances!).
oh see how clueless i am!! i think it was amagansett now LOL
i think i got an email newsletter about it?
UGH. i need to come up and visit!!!!
1. We’re replanting a lot of our yard/garden this year because of storm damage to a lot of our plants, so much of my free time this summer will be spent tending to that. Things at my job don’t tend to slow down much though, and I don’t take significant time off in the warm months (summer’s not my favorite season and we don’t have kids, so there are no school schedules to plan around), but we do take the occasional long weekend, mostly for trips to music festivals and the like. There’s one coming up next month 🙂
2. Work is in a constant state of upheaval (reorganizations and leadership shifts, usually accompanied by layoffs and job changes, but sometimes less-seismic). I have been training myself to go with the flow more and not get anxious or frustrated. I’m stuck there, mostly for financial reasons, so I need keep pushing to try to make the best of it.
3. Looking forward to a few things, including my nephew’s college graduation. I’m thrilled for the kid and what he’s accomplished and proud of the amazing job my sister and her husband have done in raising him and his younger brother. We’ll plan also to visit him up in Boston, where he is finishing up a research project while applying to med schools. Maybe take him on a road trip to a couple of breweries.
4. Biggest challenge for the moment is trying to get more – and if not more then better-quality – sleep. On top of long work hours and a monster commute, leavibg little time to rest, I struggle with anxiety-related insomnia. I’m looking into cognitive behavioral therapy to see if that might help.
5. Ok, it’s Debbie Downer time. Weary (see reasons above). And sad – two of our three cats are getting toward the end of their lives and we’ve been trying to keep them comfortable and happy while managing their illnesses as best as we can. Saying goodbye never gets easy, as I’m sure everyone who has loved an animal knows. Trying to stay upbeat and enjoy the good times.
Apologies for stupid typo – should have been LEAVING.
Also, while I don’t know anyone who has done lipo, I say why not? At least maybe think about researching plastic surgeons and going for a consult? I wouldn’t rule it or some other cosmetic procedures out for myself. I’m thinking about looking into laser for some old acne scarring and fillers for a crease above my nose. While I’ve had it forever, it seems to become more and more a focal point of my face as I age and everything starts drooping, making me look tired and grouchy all the time. When in reality I’m only tired and grouchy MOST of the time! 😉
1. We are taking all four kids to Florida for 12 days. It’s a first with our blended family, as my eldest stepson has never come on vacation with us, though his youngest brother has.
2. Work kind of stinks. I love my job and I love my employer, but I have a co-worker who is toxic, and it’s impossible to tell when she will start an argument for no reason and when she will behave like a normal person. I hate having to avoid a colleague, but that’s pretty much the only recourse I have right now.
3. I’m looking forward to taking a class later this month on how to sew with a sewing machine. I’ve been working on an Alabama Chanin piece by hand, and discovered I actually enjoy sewing, so this will be another way I can be more mindful about my clothing.
4. Fortunately, most of my challenges are at work, and I can leave them behind when I’m out of the office. Recent events at work have made me decide that I really don’t want to work more than 40 hours a week, so I’m going to cut back on my hours and enjoy more work/life balance. (That said, I’m bringing my computer to Florida when we go this summer. . . can’t leave my internal customers hanging.)
5. I’m feeling tired. April was a super difficult month, and May is just busy with kid stuff. I’m trying to think about why I feel the way I do about all this stuff, and see if there are ways that I can push through it all. A lot of what’s on my mind are things I can’t control, so it’s all about managing how I react and respond, and taking care of myself when things are hard.
Come anytime! You’d be in shopper’s paradise!!! TONS of independent boutiques, pop-ups, and great designer shops (including James Perse and Eileen Fisher!)
1. This summer my bf Tom and I will visit Martha’s Vineyard for the 4th of July. His brother and wife have a house there and they’ve invited us. We’ve been dating for 11 months and I’ve only met one of his 4 brothers b/c they all live out of state so i’m excited to meet more of his family. I’m also turning 50yo this summer which is very exciting to me! 🙂
2. I’m a pharmacist and have been practicing for 24 years (at my current job for 22yrs). Today I met w/our new service chief (i work in a clinic) and finally feel like some positive changes are coming. At least he was attentive to what the staff had to say (unlike past bosses), so I’m optimistic. I have a big teaching component to my job and I love that part a lot. We have 4th year pharmacy students and pharmacy residents and that’s always fun!
3. Looking forward to…the possibility of owning my own pet sitting/dog walking business! Tom and I are talking to the gal who owns the franchise we’re currently using for my dogs b/c she’s moving and wants to sell her business. It’s an exciting prospect.
oh, and Grechen, I bought a Groupon for 5 Pure Barre classes! i haven’t started them yet but plan to soon (b/c they expire in June!)
4. Challenges: Trying to not worry about the future so much and trying to stay present. I’ve always been a “worrier”, and I’ve had anxiety and depression so I really need to stay on top of triggers that might take me back “there”. That just means dealing w/life stressors in a healthy way and not putting too much on my plate and also not feeling overwhelmed.
Another challenge…i really need to stop buying so much STUFF. I have enough and i don’t need anything new but this is an ongoing challenge and i haven’t been very successful so far this year.
Feeling: I feel pretty good. I feel healthy both physically and mentally. I feel so lucky to be in a relationship w/someone who really gets me and who loves my dogs as much as I do. I do feel a bit over-worked and would love to take a day off during the week just to run errands and nap 🙂
1. What are you doing this summer?
Maternity leave, a quick trip to the lake, turning 39, trying to decide how to decorate our master bedroom (we’ve been here two years and I’m stumped).
2. How’s work? Any big changes on the horizon?
On hold until midsummer (due to aforementioned maternity leave); office is moving from seven miles away to 1.5–very excited to start walking and biking to work when I can!!
3. What’s something you really look forward to in the next couple of months?
Getting my baby girl’s schedule established, and sleeping for more than three hours at a time; getting back into “MY” real clothes (vs maternity/transition).
4. Any challenges you’re working your way through right now?
Budget’s out of whack and needs work (personql, rather than household), I’m buying a lot of secondhand and while I love that from a budget/ethics/sustainability standpoint, it feels maximal and a little mindless. I’ve been pregnant or nursing for 30 of the last 33 months, so I’m trying to recognize this as a limited stage and be kind to myself. This budget and body weirdness, too, shall pass.
Beyond that? Parenting three kids under age two!!
5. How are you feeling? In general, specifically, whatever…
Tired, sometimes overwhelmed, happy. Also tired. Did I mention tired?
(1) I am settling into a new home and job this summer. One trip planned for work. I plan to spend some time in the ocean and the condo pool.
(2) I just began a new job at a museum that I’m excited about.
(3) I’m looking forward to finishing our home. I merged households with my BF and we’re still working on modifying the space for the two of us (some new furniture, purging, adding storage). I also start a photography class tomorrow.
(4) My new job is challenging and I’m quite out of shape/overweight. I need to establish healthy daily routines for diet, exercise and sleep.
(5) Excited but anxious. Hopeful and positive.
1. I’ve been and will continue to be busy! Hence my absence from commenting on your posts (sorry!) This Friday we’re moving into our new condo! It’s been exciting but stressful since we both hate packing and the chaos that ensues. Also, on the 27th I’m leaving for a 10 day trip with my mom, her longtime boyfriend, and my youngest sister. We’re spending 3 days in Ireland and then flying to Italy for a road trip to hit some cities in Italy. I’m excited at the prospect of seeing new places, but I’m anxious that dealing with family for an extended road trip will be challenging since my mom’s boyfriend is basically a real life Sheldon from Big Bang Theory. Sometime in late summer we’ll probably fly out to San Diego, where my boyfriend’s from, to visit his family.
2. Work has me feeling a whole lot of “meh” lately. I no longer find it challenging in a fun way and there haven’t been any opportunities for growth since leadership can never agree on priorities. My boss’s boss doesn’t understand what we do and is never around, so we rarely have any support from her to move things forward. I’ve thought of looking for something else, but the flexibility and work/life balance here really cannot be beat, so I don’t know if I want to give that up. I’ve also thought of changing careers to something that’s more creative and fulfilling. I’m currently in knowledge management (background and Master’s in library science).
3. Settling into our new condo and decorating it to our tastes and possibly planning/budgeting for a bathroom reno. I’m also trying to either save for or look into financing options to purchase a Peloton bike. I’ve done a lot of research on Peloton bikes and think that one would be a worthwhile investment since I don’t like going to gyms and running outside bores me.
4. Work is my #1 challenge right now, for the reasons listed under #2. I don’t really want to stay in a typical 9 -5 office job anymore, but am risk averse and afraid of trying something else. Also, financial concerns play a big role in my job search since we just bought a new condo and we’re both still paying off student loans. My second challenge would be getting into better shape. I do some light resistance training 2-3 times a week, but it’s not enough and I’ve let about 15 pounds creep on over the course of 5 years. I don’t like how I feel in my clothes and the excess weight makes me feel sluggish. I want to feel strong and healthy, more than anything, which would involve eating healthier home cooked meals rather than eating out and moving more.
5. I’m feeling OK, overall. I usually suffer from anxiety-induced insomnia, but I’ve tried to disconnect myself from the anxiety by reminding myself that I only have control over so much. My relationship with Kyle and my relationship with my family are happy and healthy, and I have good friends. These days, I just wish I didn’t feel so stuck in my job!
so sorry about your cats 🙁 loosing a pet is one of the hardest things to go through i think. i was shocked at how it hit me when ozzie died, and i am making plans to have dagny live forever as we speak …. i couldn’t bear it again. although I know i must.
oh! sewing! it’s so weird to say this, but when i was in high school i used to do a lot of needle work, and quite a bit of quilting. – my mother didn’t let us sit down if we didn’t have something in our hands to do, so if i wanted to watch tv, or whatever, i had to be doing something. and i loved it. i don’t do that anymore, although i’d like to, i just don’t have a good place to sit and do it, or the time. and i’m trying to let myself relax a bit too, and not HAVE To be doing something all the time!
But, i would love to have a sewing machine and learn how to make some things for myself, and/or repair and hem things. my mother always did that for us, and she made me some outfits too, when i was in middle school, so i appreciate the work that goes into it, and also the satisfaction. Good luck with that, and let us know how it goes!
oh! let me know how pure barre goes when you start!! and yay for owning a pet sitting business!! i would love to do that – but who am i kidding. a nursing facility/retirement community was just built near us and i thought about volunteering to go over and walk people’s dogs for them periodically, but haven’t got around to it yet.
i’m with you on your buying too much stuff challenge – i just can’t seem to get a real handle on it. i am still so much better than i was, but not as good at is as i could be.
my husband wants a peloton so bad, and we’ll probably get one, but we need to move first LOL – we just don’t have the space
he actually mentioned putting it in the living room. to which i put my foot down.
ugh. sorry about work being so frustrating. i certainly understand the financial constraints and being afraid of a career change, but i can say that there is nothing nothing nothing better than doing work you love and that is fulfilling for you; i hope you will find that somehow. i wish that for everyone 🙂
oh!! new job at a museum. sounds so cool 🙂
girl. you definitely need to be kinder to yourself!!! you have done so much…
What an interesting thing about your mom and no idle hands!
oh, it haunts me actually…and she is still that way: she will not sit down unless she’s doing something. and when i do sit to watch tv or something, i still feel guilty for not having needlework or whatever to do! i do appreciate the idea though, and i do like to be “doing” things, but sometimes i just want to SIT STILL lol
What are you doing this summer?
Nothing very exciting, and it’s a bit weird not to have a trip to look forward to. We have lots of projects on our house that need to get worked on, and probably lots of playdates and pool time.
How’s work? Any big changes on the horizon?
I’ve had to pull back from work recently because my 3yo’s preschool situation wasn’t working out and I wanted to spend more time with him anyway. It’s hard to feel like I’m not keeping up with the competition or whatever, but I’m grateful I have the chance to.
What’s something you really look forward to in the next couple of months?
Hmm, as I mentioned, nothing big, but summer is my favorite season, so just summer in general. Oh! And I’m turning 40 in July and my husband’s planning a big party.
Any challenges you’re working your way through right now?
This challenge related to not working as much and worrying about falling behind in general. But also, having creative ideas and not much time to work on them because I’m on childcare duty all of the time. I’m not someone who can work through naptimes, after bedtime etc, cause that’s time I need to myself to recharge. So there’s guilt about that too.
How are you feeling? In general, specifically, whatever…
For the most part, really great! Inspired by you (and because they have childcare), I’ve been going to barre 2x/week, and I’d love to go more. Also trying to be healthier in general. Mostly though, life is good.
PS i think you should do whatever you want to do with your body.
Three under two… can’t even imagine!
And I thought my daughter was busy with three under 4!!!
I can only imagine. It’s so hard to let go of those things parents ingrain in you. For me it was that it’s bad to rest (similar to yours) and you have to clear your plate (bad for obvious reasons!)
What are you doing this summer?
Working! I’ve got some major work projects that have “aggressive implementation dates” of Sept 1, so yeah. I also want to buy a new house with some land, so we’ll be working on cleaning out our existing house and getting it ready.
How’s work? Any big changes on the horizon?
Work is wonderful since I started a new job a few months ago. Same organization, different department. I love my new team and the work I’m doing is challenging and rewarding.
What’s something you really look forward to in the next couple of months?
Getting some more tattoos. I have big plans for my arms! 🙂
Any challenges you’re working your way through right now?
Paying off some debt before trying to get a new home loan, and actually saving money for that. I have a bad habit of buying clothes and random shit online when I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed. I realized the other day that I actually feel really uneasy and anxious if I DON”T have something coming for me in the mail! I have been buying things just because I like the feeling of knowing a package is coming. I feel so silly for saying that and for having it be an issue. So I’m trying to stop buying so much STUFF. One of the things I’m doing is whenever I get the urge, I go and put whatever amount of money I might have spent into my savings account. This doesn’t always work but it helps a little!
And this challenge is a little silly but – I’m growing out an undercut It’s awkward and annoying. I’m trying to resist getting my hair cut again but it’s hard!!!
How are you feeling? In general, specifically, whatever…
Tired! I have a toddler who is a night owl, and my husband just changed to day shift so I’ve been getting up at 5am. Big change for all of us, and Baby Girl does not want to go to bed at 8pm like I would prefer, but party until 10 or so. Which was fine when my husband was on nights, but not now! So we’re just trying to get used to the change.
Also Texas summer is coming, and while I’m looking forward to wearing summery clothes (so I can show off tattoos…let’s be honest), I am not looking forward to the heat and the humidity.
Summer: Really looking forward to this summer, we lived in Phoenix for the last 8 years and the summers were NEVER something to look forward to (100 days over 100 degrees with two months being over 110 really gets to you). We are going to Atlanta to visit friends for a day this weekend and then up to Greenville to visit with my in laws (LOVE Atlanta!). A week in Alaska for some fly fishing and deep sea fishing. Hanging out in our new home, planting and “ordering” the outside spaces, friends over and lots of good food!
Work: I am a bit nervous here – I consult and just finished up with a client in Dallas and moving onto a new client in St Louis. Their first implementation is the start of June so I will really hit the ground running. I haven’t spent time in St Louis since college but my goal is to explore more of it then I did Dallas (moving while in Dallas meant my weeks there were recovering from the weekends getting the house ready to market, packing, finding a new home in a new city, and my husband moved a full 6 months before I officially did – needless to say, I was tired!)
Looking forward: New home, new city, settling in, unpacking everything and getting the house really set up. I am looking forward to Alaska, and the fall as my family will spend a week with us, and friends of mine will come for a long weekend while my husband is on a hunting trip. We also usually spend a few days in Hilton Head with my grandparents and parents in December and we had to miss the 2016 trip as our household goods were being delivered that weekend (sorry family – I really wanted my bed and house set up after having it all packed for about 3 months!) – so we will go this year and I love and miss Hilton Head. We also didn’t see family as much as we normally do so making up for that. On a purely vanity note – I had a facialist in Phoneix I love, and she started doing mircoblading (she is a GENIUS) and also LED facials. I managed to schedule both with her on a day I have to go back to Phoenix to deal with some other things so my blonde almost non existent eyebrows will get some ompf to them and my skin will get some TLC. It may seem excessive but I looked into having it done in Albuquerque but no one has the skill or artistic ability this woman has!
Challenges: I am healthy to a certain aspect but the last two years have taken a toll on me physically – I need to get back to yoga (it was the first thing to go when life became busier than normal) and as we are in the mountains, walking (or rather hiking) with the husband and puppies – it does all of us good! I just need to do it – I am intrigued by Pure Barre but as out of shape as I am I feel I may not be able to walk out of a class! Sitting for hours for work really hurts!
Feeling: Excited about what is now, I love our home, love the area. My husband’s job (why we moved) requires more entertaining than we did in Phoenix so there is a certain fear to that, but we have had a few work related gatherings at our house so far and they went well so I think I am getting the hang of that! I am almost unpacked (please don’t judge there – I honestly looked at some boxes and the thought of another one to unpacked overwhelmed me so I shoved them into a cabinet or a closet) and getting things organized which is a great thing as I found I have three cans of Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray as I couldn’t find them when I needed them so ordered another, and then misplaced that one so ordered another. My vanity is now set up and I can find everything I need! I just need to do that with the pantry as well (I have more paper towels than I need due to the same reasons!). Now that I can see and find things I have a great urge to purse!
Wow – these were great questions! Thanks for asking!
You know what they say. . . idle hands are playground for the devil. If you find yourself thinking, Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me, well, yes, that’s from the song, but it’s a common saying with multiple variations. I find I prefer the one from the song because it makes it more fun.
Been out of circulation for awhile so this is a late comment. I did want to indicate that if you have both loose skin and flab at your thighs, as you suggested, lipo won’t help. You would need to have the skin tucked too, which would leave a scar that you may or may not prefer to size issues. As always, consult your doctor as to your particular situation, but since you requested input, I wanted you to know in advance that this may possibly be an issue. Good luck with your decision!
thank you kathryn! i’m not thinking about it anymore…i’ll be okay living with my body as-is, whatever it “is” 🙂
🙂 You make me happy.