What a Productive Day!

Whew, for all my whining earlier in the afternoon yesterday, the last 36 hours saw much get accomplished. I knew it'd all get done, but I just didn't expect to feel so rejuvenated with the process. And as much as I know that only one glass of wine should be drank per day for maximum health benefits, I swear the three glasses I consumed throughout last evening just may have had something to do with it all.

You don't want to know that I was up until 2am this morning, but I'm telling you anyway and it actually allowed me to feel somewhat organized before calling it a night. I finished my Yoga X workout yesterday with much toxin releasing sweat and a few woozy moments, but the overall workout was what finally gave me the kick of energy I needed for the evening. Hub and I made our grocery store run mid-evening to stock up on the week's groceries and then fixed ourselves some sustenance to see us through an evening of studying and grading. Between late dinner and 2am, I made it through the rest of the online assignments (plus the ones that were already turned in for this week), spent 35 minutes responding to emails for my other job that had piled up over the weekend, and then quickly graded the assignments from my two in-person courses.

This morning I woke up feeling great, brewed myself a lovely cup of espresso with my newly found and purchased coconut creamer (which might be it's own blog post), and got started on the most amazingly productive day. Between 10am and leaving at 3pm for my late afternoon meeting, I graded a few late assignments, inputted grades, fixed and printed one of two exams for this week, looked over my lecture notes for tomorrow, emailed my class, and checked my work schedule for the rest of the week. Our entire bedding got washed and sheets & towels replaced, the spare room got picked up, the bathroom cleaned, the dishwasher emptied, the dogs loved on, the house vacuumed, the recycling taken out, and my 70 minute P90X work-out completed. Showered, dressed, snack grabbed, checked in with one of my vets, and out to my 2 hr meeting I went, where I also checked in with my boss and gave a five minute on-the-fly presentation. After the meeting, I chatted with my boss for another 45 minutes and copied my two exams for this week. On the way home, I gassed up the car and purchased stamps to mail our rent check to the landlords (who gave permission for the housemate btw). Once home, I gathered and took out the garbage for its pick-up tomorrow, did another load of laundry, folded the earlier loads, readied my bag and snacks for tomorrow, ground enough coffee to last the week, fed the dogs, took care of the chickens, loved on the cats, and made dinner. As I finished enjoying my dinner, hub came home from a late evening studying for his mid-terms and we chatted for a bit while he prepped his lunches & snacks for tomorrow.

And now somehow it's 10:30pm and we're ready to call it a day, but I'm so thankful for a Monday full of so much accomplishment. Definitely sets the tone for what will be a busier than normal (and desired) work week! Contemplating getting up at 5:30am to complete tomorrow's last work-out of Week 5, but I don't know I'm exactly that crazy yet. :)

Hope you all have had a happy and productive Monday! (And speaking of productive, how the heck did I manage so many posts in January?!)

Mow-Power

Last week when we were at the family beach house, I got a little bit antsy...

cause the dogs were getting lost in the patch of grass outside the back door ie in some sections it was up to my hip and I didn't want it to fall on my father to have to drive the three hours up to the beach house just to mow the grass. Dad's pretty much the primary caretaker of the place and while it's great that he's so willing and has been able to do so much of it, we're all pretty much capable these days. ;) (Sadly a year round resident down the road used to so kindly mow the neighborhood lawns when she did her own, but she suffered a heart attack earlier this year and passed....)

Since that day the grass was wet and rain showers were intermittent, I waited for a shower break and then went into the garage to see what the lawn cutting options were. I had a choice between an ol' electric mower (with the rain---no thank you!) or the ol' blade lawn mower (you should have seen the weed eater--it's like an ol' sickle). So I got to work using the ol' mower which happens to have a fairly dull blade at the moment---I'm pretty sure this is the original mower dad used as a kid to mow lawns! :)

Needless to say it took multiple short pushes, lots of arm muscle, and a decent amount of laughter to get one tiny section cut, but in the end it got done. The tallest pieces had just been flattened over by the mower, so I actually cut them with a pair of scissors.

Looks pretty decent, eh? ;) But the whole thing got me to thinking about how much we take simple things in life for granted....and how sometimes our health suffers because of it. Mowing with the old mower was a lot of fun, but it definitely took a lot more physical and mental work on this particular day. I started thinking about back when Dad was a kid and how so much more of the normal tasks actually took human power and muscle...and how much lower US obesity and mental disorder rates were. I started thinking about how good it felt to accomplish something basic via my own skills and wondered whether the increase in mental illness and disorder potentially has anything to do with how much of life has been broken down and sold into "ease." I could be reading too much into all this and while I don't agree with everything from the 40s-50s, a more self-sufficient life definitely seemed to have its perks for our population....and has the added bonus of being a more sustainable option for our futures.

And one final picture to leave you with....my lil' helper who laid in the truck bed the entire time just patiently letting me go about my business....although I think really she was hoping we would be going somewhere soon. ;)

We're about to spend an entire day out in the yard, getting it ready and finalized for a BBQ we're having with friends tomorrow. The sun is out today and I'm actually looking forward to pulling weeds, mowing the lawn, and a host of other outdoor activities.

Hope you all have a beautiful, sunny, outdoor, and physically based Friday wherever you are too!

Productivity & Sunshine

As I type, hub is busy at the stove preparing chai and harassing me to come up with a protein packed snack option for the hike we're about to go on. It's been a beautiful two days, even if today is overcast. At this point, a few days without rain are heavenly! We spent the afternoon yesterday out in the yard finally---still MUCH to do but we removed 6 bushes, shaped 4, laid down mulch, pulled a lot of weeds, and cleaned up the entryway. The yard has been neglected for several years so there is a lot to get accomplished, but already what we did yesterday makes a big difference.

Still hoping to get to the following in the coming weeks:

---Rebuild the raised beds using cinder blocks and wider construction
---Take out 5 bushes in front, move 4 others, trim 2
---Streamline flower beds (ie plant like flowers w/ like)
---Till front entryway and a strip of side yard for gardening

---Mow front yard; seed/fertilize back yard

---Purchase starts, seeds, etc; Make trellis for peas/beans; Purchase blue berry bush?
---Hanging basket; Bird feeders
---Plant juniper bushes along back fence (although might be next season)

---Remulch

(All the bushes we ripped out in a pile, our rhubarb flourishing along the fence, and the raised beds that are a great height but starting to fall apart.)

By cutting back one bush in the back corner, we opened up the perfect spot for a lil chicken coop to be built alongside the shed....although we'll still have to look into that option and clear it with the landlords.

It feels like a whirlwind of a week with a few longer days at the office and two long days coming up next week. I am loving my job, but every job has it's transitions and I'm putting in extra time each week. Sometimes a part-time job can be a full-time mental occupation at times. ;) Hub had an old high school friend in town on Monday who he hadn't seen in five years, so we spent part of the day with her and with several other high school alumni. I got together on Thursday evening with two of my favorite PDX gals, catching up on work, love, and life from the last two years---incredibly great and rewarding to be back with the two of them. It's always so rewarding to have friendships where so much time can pass without talking but it feels like it always did when you finally meet up again. This week hub also built the entryway table, cleaned up the garage, and replaced the toilet in his bathroom with a new, better functioning one---very impressed with all his handyman skills!

(Still needs staining, but we're having a debate over whether it should be cut down by 2-3 inches or left alone! ;))

Our trip home was amazing---too much to do in too little time, but so rewarding all the same. The long weekend was full of great eats at our favorite dives, a stroll on the beautiful Oregon beach, beers and laughter with some of our closest friends and family, helping out with the high school pageant, and comfortable ease in my parents house. Sometimes there's nothing quite like going home again.

It's been a relaxing but full weekend so far--the type you look forward to all week. Still much to get done in the days ahead, but much to enjoy too! Hope y'all are having a wonderful weekend :)

Cleaning the Way to Free and Easy

Last night was a fabulous evening....and it all was because of cleaning. I know, what a way for a 28 year old to want to spend an evening, but I have to say the only way I don't clean the house on Friday evening and/or Saturday morning is if the hub begs me otherwise or we already have other scheduled plans. To me a clean house just sets the relaxing tone for the rest of the weekend and the ready status for the coming week. When I come home on a Friday and whip through the house organizing, dusting, clearing the junk away from the week before, and spic spanning most everything in sight then the rest of the weekend just feels free and easy. When there's no more cleaning to do, then I'm free to enjoy the restful nature and spontaneity of moments of two days ahead....and I'm still prepared for the work week to come.

Now if you're a germ-a-phob then you probably wouldn't be super thrilled at my approach to cleaning. I'm much more into the appearance of my home and leaving the house looking spic and span. I've learned how to easily get it done in about two hours but I don't focus on killing every bacteria and germ. I believe in the ol' adage that God made dirt so dirt can't hurt--I just don't want to see it!. So we spray the counters and wipe them down, I dust the shelves and chairs, we vacuum up canister after canister of dog hair, we scrub the toilet and the bathtub surfaces, and we throw the clothes and towels through the wash. If hub's work clothes are particularly grungy from the field then we'll use a bit hotter water, if we've had guests I always change the sheets, and every other week we use a bit harsher of chemicals to scrub mineral build up off the tub.....but for the most part we try to use "green" and easy cleaning methods. We don't stress out about 100% germ free nor about deep cleaning most anything.

Nightly I wipe down kitchen counters, pick up around the house, water outdoor plants, and we wash larger dishes by hand. Twice a week we pick up the yard from the animals and clean out the litter box (they use it about once a week right now since they're outside 50%). About once a week we dust, launder clothes and kitchen/bath towels, vacuum, organize, take inventory of the fridge, clean the bathroom, run the dishwasher, and take out the recycling and trash. Every other week I wash our sheets and sweep the patios. About once a month I wash the rest of the blankets on our bed and used as throws, vacuum out the car, wash the dogs (if we haven't taken them somewhere to swim). Once a season the hub mops the kitchen floor (a job I loathe, it gets vacuumed weekly), we clean up the garage, I wipe down the baseboards, and we vacuum the corners and under things.

So while I'm sure we wouldn't win any "most clean" prize, it never fails to look and be comfortable and presentable regardless of unannounced visitors. I quite enjoy the mad dash of the Friday evening cleaning spree as it makes great closure for the last week and leaves us prepared for the week to come. Free and easy for two days of enjoyment just focusing on each other, the dogs, and fun.

Enjoying Today

Today was one of those productive days, but before I get into it I really want to say thank you for the responses to last night's gardening post!  I responded in the comments section, but will plan on doing the hanging baskets, probably some long planters w/ herbs, and some pots--all of which can be moved dependent on the sun too.  I'm not sure where I could find a barrel around here honestly, but I do love that idea (the only nearby stores are Wal-Mart and Lowe's--but maybe Lowe's would have one?!)....if anything cause I'd love to do potatoes.  I spent 2-3 hours this afternoon pulling the greenery out of the bed, but have about 6 feet still to go (it was pretty chilly in the shade!).  Will try to plant some (shade tolerant) wildflower seed I got yesterday and probably some corn in that bed.

All of today felt like a fulfilling project, so I'm looking forward to doing a little blogging now, taking my evening shower, and then starting on magazine stack #2 before kenneling the girls and heading to bed.  This morning I checked in with my neighbor gal to see if she wanted to accompany me on errands to our nearby town.  There were several things I've been meaning to do in the last few weeks but had yet to cross off the list....so today was the day.  Dropped plastic bags for recycling, got dog bones, recycled two broken cell phones to AT&T, returned a library book, picked out a couple accessories, got a basketful of groceries, scheduled my referral appointment, and then helped the neighbor gal find sandpaper, paint, and hardware for a dresser she's refinishing.  I then spent the afteroon on a run, playing with the dogs in an empty field, walking Roxi, starting dinner in the crock pot, and then weeding the flower bed.  Pretty productive day!

The nice thing is that since I started blogging regularly again and maybe as I'm acclimating more to being here, I feel that I'm really enjoying the little moments again.  It's definitely a nice feeling to regain.  Noticing the birds outside, the smiles on my dogs faces, the dirt on my hands, and remembering to smile, to feel, to enjoy.  It's a good place to be...let's hope I can hang onto these moments.....

Photo Project Day 6: Edible

EDIBLE

Two things that now get used most frequently in our kitchen: the bread maker and the slow cooker.  This last week alone we made a loaf of white/wheat bread and wheat pizza doughs in the bread maker.  The slow cooker concocted butternut squash soup, Italian soup, French lentil soup, and BBQ pork roast--all in the last week too.  We've fallen in love....

Potential New Routine

Whew!--This week is ending in a whirlwind.  To be completely honest though, I've been loving it!  I started the new on-call position on Monday and have spent the week adjusting to the new routine.  Somehow we're managing both the car sharing and the dog responsibilities well--mainly thanks to our (commuter) friend down the road and the fact that our work sites share a parking lot on post.  The training for the new job is going great and two open positions were posted today (3 of 5 employees are moving w/in 1.5 months) with my chances of receiving one of the two being fairly high.  So if all goes well, I hopefully will have consistent employment within the month!!  Definitely exciting---especially since I've been applying for this job since the end of last April! 

The position itself has just enough routine and flexibility that it should work out well.  There is a mix of small group training, larger group presentations, and one-on-one counseling appointments which keeps it interesting.  I'm really looking forward to having a job that will benefit soldiers transitioning out of the service and its nice to be working in an area that will add to my resume.  The computer system seems easy to use and my new coworkers are wonderful (although only 2 would be left if I do get hired).   The environment is very fun, open, and welcoming.  This morning they even had a welcome breakfast for me.....and took my dietary choices into consideration!  In further discussions, I've learned that my coworkers are also liberal, Christian, and military spouses.....so it's nice to feel a bit more normal in my skin around this place.  (Although I haven't decided when/whether to discuss recycling as an option for offices on post and the negative health effects of reheating left overs in plastic... :-)).

Beyond working the 40 hours this week, I've also continued the new running and eating habits.  We only get half an hour for lunch which pretty much necessitates bringing lunch from home--which is what I always do anyway so it works out well!  I've been able to maintain more balanced meals throughout the day---usually with my smoothie for breakfast, carbs for lunch, and veggies for dinner----although it's put a damper on the husband and I fixing a true dinner together so I need to swap the carb and veggie times.  Even with the running and the improved nutrition, I don't know that I feel myself getting in much better shape just yet!! 

In addition to work and health considerations, we managed to bake bread and pizza dough, take care of the animals, talk about our budget concerns for the upcoming year (mainly focused on where we would like to be by the time we return to Oregon in about a year), and do some light household chores in the last week.  This evening we even got in a walk for the dogs and I was able to get the main household chores done (bathroom, laundry, dusting, etc).  Tomorrow we're off to run some errands in a nearby town, get my hair-cut (I finally booked with a soldier's wife after trying to get in for two months), and then head out to dinner with friends.  Although life is busier this week, after six months of decreased activity it feels great to be more productive.  Part of the potential upcoming transition is going to be the need to focus on maintaining peace and simplicity of self even in the midst of more.  Thus I think it timely to include as a closing thought the following anonymous quote posted in my supervisor's office, "PEACE: It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

May each of you have a rewarding weekend!  Here's to keeping my fingers crossed and prayers lifted about the upcoming job....and as always this week continued thoughts and prayers are directed toward the nation of Haiti......

Accepting Routine

One thing that recently dawned on me was the fact that for the 8 days prior to yesterday, I only left the neighborhood one time to do a grocery run with the neighbor down the street who doesn't really enjoy doing things alone. Since my husband has been training and he actually only gets 50 minutes for lunch (with the construction happening in our neighborhood, it takes a good 20-25 minutes one way for him to get home) he hasn't been coming home for lunch and he's also had full use of our vehicle. Usually by the time he comes home in the evenings, we just want to enjoy his down time together rather than out running errands. In the 8 days though, I'd definitely gotten out of the house--taking the dog on a daily walk and interacting with our friends down the way, but it surprised me to realize that just so many days had gone by without actually exiting our little neighborhood area. However, I also didn't feel that I had missed out in anyway and if anything, I have been feeling quite content with life as of late.

Although I do a great job of wasting some time everyday, I've also really begun to embrace the down time I do have currently and have begun to invest more time and energy back into reading about many of the things that matter so much to me. Somehow, someway I've really begun to look again at all that I do have rather than feel that much of anything is missing. Overall, it's been a great place to be at emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as of late.

So how have I been spending my days? Why by being quite domestic of course! Each morning usually begins with my husband coming in to greet me still in bed as he's returning from PT (physical training). Soon after he lets the dog out of her kennel and, after she's been let out to potty, she's usually bounding back to the bedroom to spread her own morning greetings. After making the bed, throwing on some sweats, and picking up whatever clothing articles my husband has discarded on the floor, I turn the coffee pot on, wash my face and fix my short hair rooster tail, and then go around taking care of the animals (ie feed them, clean out the kitty litter, and pick up after the dog outside). Generally by this time, I send my husband off, scrounge around for some breakfast, attempt to keep the dog from playing a little too zealously with the cat, and then settle down with my coffee to get my morning internet fix (check 2 email accounts, facebook, pour over the 4 primary job board pages, scan the headlines, and recently catch up on/write blogs). Sometimes some of this internet stuff pours over into the afternoon and there's usually at least a couple times more a day when I'm checking up on the emails and facebook too.....I think I've become slightly addicted. Somewhere in the middle of the morning usually, I get dressed, put my make-up on, and fix my hair so it at least appears in control.

The rest of the afternoons are usually spent in one or more ways: walking and playing outside with the dog, doing laundry and/or vacuuming the house (both happen 2-3x a week by necessity), visiting with the gal friend down the road, taking care of whatever other household need may be present, completing job applications that are available, sometimes watching a decent Netflix movie, and lately finally catching up on reading all my list-servs, magazines, and books. Evenings are spent hanging out with my husband (making and eating dinner together, talking, watching a show, just playing with the animals, or sometimes hanging out with the couple down the way), although now that football has started I'm doing even more reading in the evenings too. ;-)

Before bed, I take a shower and make the household rounds (wiping down the counters and putting any baked goods away from the bugs that may decide to want them, picking up whatever might have been spread around the house during the day, readying the coffee for the next morning, and getting the animals settled and in their appropriate sleeping spots).

While it might not be much to some, at this point I'm quite content with how my days are unfolding. I'll be happy when a job arrives, but I also enjoy the down moments I've been having. Time to rejuvenate, reconnect, and think---something that until now I may not have fully embraced. So often it's the simplicities of life that we so frequently overlook and so frequently take for granted.

So here are some of the little things I've enjoyed in the last few days:

--getting to eat lunch with my husband yesterday

--the morning wake up from my hub and dog

--moments in the evening when we're both reading in bed, the cat purring in between us, and the dog happily flopping on the bedroom floor

--noticing the butterflies flapping in the breeze

--watching the cat chase flies

--rain showers to remind me of home and the sun that breaks through the clouds too

--helping the neighbors down the way decide on a furniture lay out in their place and their willingness to loan us a futon while my brother and his wife visit this next week

Maybe not much but still significant to me. May each of you have a significant day in your own special way....

Ever So Slightly...

I'm feeling back into the movement. Several thoughts dawned on me today, such as, "Wow! These moving boxes I'm packing have been reused and reused and reused through how many different moves now?" which left me feeling like I've been doing more of "my part" than I've maybe realized.

Today was also a productive day. I finished almost all of my packing this morning and did three loads of wash. Then I spent the day accomplishing a lot of the last minute things I had on my list. I took care of my last duty for my boss, I printed out and mailed in another component for the new job I'm applying for, I picked up the written prescription I have so I can fill it after moving, I got my hair trimmed, I enjoyed a late spicy lunch and spent some final quality time with a gal pal of mine, and I stopped at a store and picked up some breakfast goods for my final days and a few items that aren't as readily available in the south.

As things are dying down, my mood is constantly improving. Just another demonstration that streamlining one's life can be helpful, and something I need to keep in mind for future reference. In going through my stack of accumulated magazines, I've discovered that the magazine I've been receiving as a gift, Body & Soul, is a real gem. It also has gotten me back to thinking on a more simple and healthy mindedness path.

In a search of Louisiana the other day, I did discover a fairly organic farm with u-pick produce not too far from where we will be located, so things are looking up on that level as well!

In the last few days I've been doing some thinking of everything that has happened this year. It's pretty amazing of all that has been accomplished and enjoyed, but it feels that so much of it has gone so fast! However I also realize that I have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to....and much I should give. I'm sure these final few days before hitting the road will be a blur and I'm thinking Friday may be more emotional than I have anticipated, but I'm hopeful to maintain this positive, simplistic, and healthy outlook throughout the rest of this transition period.

And luckily internet is already set-up down south in the house, so hopefully I'll get into the habit right away of posting more frequently! Best to everyone!

Confessions and Positives

Oh how I've thought about writing on the blog the last few weeks. However I've mainly been pondering what to write. It's not that I haven't thought about "green" topics or social justice issues, but I think really I've just been living in a few weeks of self-absorption. Sort of makes me feel like I need confessional to repent all the ways I've been avoiding thinking about the larger picture. Yet in this period of new love, in this period of just trying to get out of school, in this period of getting ready to move and all the changes, I've just been trying to put my head down and get through it all. However isn't that we all do? Isn't that what makes us forget those little moments of random beauty and unusual kindness to strangers? Isn't that what makes us forget the joys that are present in everyday life and putting relationship with others first?

So I think I've been struggling to write (maybe even for months now) because I don't know just how authentically I feel that I am living. I'm still me yes, but I sort of feel inhibited to live how I'd like to be living. And ever so slightly I've gotten sucked back into society, which means I drive more than I'd like to lately, I've been buying new clothes for my move south, I'm looking into purchasing new furniture for my husband and myself, I've been eating out more again with my friends as I prepare to leave them, I've started drinking pop and eating more sugar to give me "energy," I'm less present in my relationships with others, I haven't been cleaning with my baking soda and vinegar, I'm not planting anything for this summer, and I really haven't been doing much home cooking either.

Although if there's one thing I've taken away from reading fellow blogs and the supportive comments of everyone, it's that I shouldn't beat myself up too much. Simplicity is an ever changing process and individuals must meet it where they currently are, so I suppose "where I am" has changed over the last couple of years. I recognize that my head, heart, and other actions are still more into these movements than the majority of the rest of the population, but at times it's just disheartening to not be where I would like to be.

On some positive notes, my internship is plugging along well and it's nice to be contributing something in a way that I know will create positive change. I've really been enjoying the vibrant greens, flowering trees, and scattered flowers of spring! Spring just sort of lets us know that change is happening and the height of summer is on its way! I've been excited to hear the variety of guest speakers in my minority health course talking about the different health and cultural experiences they've had and the way cultural competency has been changing in a positive light over the last twenty years. We finally submitted the article for publishing that we've been working on for my job. Plans are coming together for the June move and I was able to find a farmer's market in a town about an hour away (so at least I know that sustainability is creeping in). I will be flying down to visit my husband and complete some paperwork (including getting health insurance!) the end of this month---it'll be nice to actually see where I will be living also. And I've been trying to soak up as many experiences as possible with my friends and family before I head south, as I know I won't see them much over the next couple of years. So although I'm not exactly where I'd like to be, I guess I just need to realize that at this point I need to be okay with that and just look forward to the next chapter that is coming along.

I hope each of you had a blessed Easter and that you have a great week ahead!

Winter Break Happenings

It never fails to amaze me at how much more relaxing life is down here. I could have the same things to do in both the city and on the coast, and I would automatically be less stressed taking care of them due to being on the coast. I haven't decided if it's due to just a general slowness about small town life, the protective factor of physically being back in my parent's house, or maybe a mixture of both or something else. But whatever it is....it's always a nice feeling.

My computer has been reformatted. (Warning: Be careful using jump drives in numerous computers as there is a nasty virus transmitted through them!) We erased everything off the hard drive and used the restore CD to get the basics back that I needed. Yesterday, Dad and I up and downloaded a few more programs that I generally use, erased programs that I don't need that came with the restore CD, and transferred over a bunch of the pictures and documents. Today I just transferred the rest of the files back over to my computer via the external hard drive and then re-saved everything to the external hard drive so that everything is up to date. The two best things are that I don't think I lost anything with this computer issue and that my computer is running a million times smoother than it ever has. Sometimes everything in life can use a good cleaning out in order to truly get back to just the necessities.

Yesterday I was able to finish shopping for the two kids I selected from the Giving Tree per request of two of my nephews for their Christmas presents. I was able to get a game for both kids and warm jackets as well. Now it's focusing on what to do donation wise for the rest of the kids and for my parents, although I have some things in mind.

Since being home, I've also been able to be more active which has been great. Mom and Dad have been using the Wii Fit for a while now, and although I have mixed feelings about using a video game for exercise, it really does create a work out and get people moving. The last 3 days I've been 3 days I've been back I've been able to do at least 45 minutes a day on the Wii Fit and two of the days have walked 2 miles a day also. I think I have months of pent up physical activity that is ready to burst out. I'm still walking everyday to the MAX and from the MAX to campus in Portland, but obviously it's not enough. So it's been a great feeling to get more movement back into my life.

It's nice to slowly be making it down my goal list and spending good quality time with my parents. The weather this week has been crazy throughout the state, with snow in the valley and very cold temperatures for Oregon in almost all locations. No snow yet on the coast, but more snow is predicted for the valley tomorrow and again on Sunday. If you are not acquainted with Western Oregon, then you must know that even a few inches of snow is enough to send most towns into a tailspin. Schools and businesses shut down for the day, as the roads tend to become treacherous with lots of ice as the snow melts and refreezes. There have been numerous accidents throughout the state, as people on this side of Oregon tend to not know how to drive in these conditions. But in some ways, a few extra days off during this season are good for most. A few more days to enjoy the beauty that surrounds them, a few more days to enjoy the tasty treats and family togetherness. However it does create a mess.....

Off to deliver the Christmas packages, to go for a walk, and to make some homemade soup for dinner. I hope that each of you is having a beautiful and productive day!

Whew..(and some CEH resources)

So after 4 weekends in a row of being away from my house and feeling like I've been on the go during the weeks as well....I finally had a day to "catch up" today. Thus I did those great things that make me feel like my life is a bit more orderly. I vacuumed the house, swept the floors, cleaned the bathroom and kitchen, did two loads of laundry including the sheets, prepared a cabbage salad I can take to work with me this week, paid a couple bills, wrote some Thanksgiving cards, aired out my room, generally got organized, and now I'm in the process of cleaning up my email inboxes.

I have three email addresses but two of them I have linked together so I only have to worry about checking two. One email I primarily use for personal contacts and some class stuff, as it was started when I was having problems with professors receiving emails from my old account. So the old account has turned into list-serv central. I receive newsletters from my church, from three environmental organizations, from Mother Earth News, from a social work research institution, from a public health organization, and from a local charity. Then I have two list-servs and a Bible verse that are delivered daily, and multiple emails everyday from my MPH program. Needless to say, its very easy for me to get behind on the "news from the field." So here are some great resources for all of you! :-)


A REPORT CARD BY WOMEN’S VOICES FOR THE EARTH which looks at the chemicals that are in common cleaning products.

Another new book I need to check out: Poisoned Profits which argues that many of the negative health and behavioral outcomes we are seeing in children are related to the toxins we all are exposed to...which the newest research is demonstrating an even stronger connection to this theory.

And another push for breastfeeding as breastfeeding has now been linked to decreasing child behavioral problems. (Although, scientifically I do have some questions about definitively stating that just breastfeeding is the reason for this...there are many other factors that could also be related to this outcome.)

If you haven't noticed, a lot of the research that I focus on pertains to childhood outcomes associated with exposures to everyday chemicals. While I would argue that these chemicals also can be associated with negative outcomes in adults (such as the fact that 1 in 3 people will develop cancer in their lifetime), it seems to me that when we talk about children we are more able to get people to listen. Thus a lot of what I am interested in and some of the best ways to get legislation passed, is by focusing on how our lifestyle is damaging our kids.

While my original intention with this blog was to be much more educational than personal, I've struggled with writing meaningful blogs full of what I'd like to transmit while I've been in school. The irony is that I have more research available to me, but it's harder for me write posts about it while I have so many different health subjects rattling around through my brain. So hopefully in six more months, I might be able write a bit more educational of posts....until then I'll probably just continue to direct any readers to where they can glean some of the information.

Hope everyone is having a great day!