My week testing Covid +

I started with a scratchy throat last Sunday. I ran 2 plus miles, pruned and trimmed trees and bushes, enjoyed my day outside and started to experience chills around 8 that same night. By Monday morning, I had a splitting headache, chills on-and-off, fever, my teeth hurt and my lower back felt like a cinch had been pulled tight around it. I drank lemon water all day, napped once, actually ate and fell asleep early. Two hours later, I was drenched, changed my pajamas, slept 6 hours and woke up drenched again but an amazing thing had changed: no more headache and three pounds lighter. I felt great mental relief and bizarrely good energy return. I spent several hours outside everyday soaking up the Sun’s healing power, took short walks when the coast was free and clear of people, and continued eating small meals and drinking lemon water.

Since then, I have been motivated to clean and clear…I have gone thru old paperwork and burned, shredded, thrown away and recycled years of paperwork that has been taking up space and energy in my home. It’s not like the difference can be seen but man, can it be felt!! So much lighter around here!

I took a home test Friday evening fully expecting to test negative but no, it quickly went straight to positive. I planned to isolate for another 5 days anyway but I admit it took me off guard and disappointed me to still test positive.

I’m lucky to live in a warm climate with sunshiny weather. To have great friends who have called, touched base and dropped off groceries. To, so far, moved through this world-changing virus at home and remain stable. I am extremely grateful.

I am not vaccinated. I chose to go to a dear friend’s wedding last week and believe that is where I contacted Covid. I had a beautiful time and still, I know how fortunate I am that I am not sicker. I still wash my hands , wear a mask when I am out shopping, still social distance and test regularly. I’m a firm believer in testing to minimize the spread of Covid. I have felt the isolation and disdain of many, including family members, standing in this belief and was depressed for a while, questioning myself, our government, wondering if I would die for my beliefs? It’s been lonely and also a game changer as it has taught me to trust and love myself.

How are you holding up? What has been your covid experience? Write back, call a friend, connect to this world, to your belief’s, to your strengths and your inner Soul. Know you are loved and keep being you.

Always,

Anne

Thoreau at the Take 5 Oil Change

Hi Friends, I got the oil changed in my car today. It took about an hour of my day. I can put this kind of thing off for a LONG TIME!!! How about you? I stayed in my car the entire time. I read some Thoreau. Ironic, right? I chatted with the young apprentice and the older, experienced mechanic doing the majority of the work. I asked all of my questions. I asked a favor: please take the cover off the spare tire on the back. It has been one of those things I could not do myself and then would forget to ask about. Just like that, something that has been troubling me but always seemed minor, is now a non-issue. Air was added to that backdoor tire as well and can now actually be used as the spare if needed. And I feel lighter and like something grand just happened! And, I feel very grateful and…..safer.

Even that annoying icon that glows on your dash to get repair: GONE!!!

“Never put off until tomorrow, what you can do today.” Benjamin Franklin. Complete truth! Just Do It!!

Also, if you have the extra cash, tip these guys. You probably already do but I’m kind of surprised that it never occurred to me to tip this kind of service until today. They hustle in a dirty and hot environment and even clean your windshield!! Plus, it felt so good to see their faces light up to be acknowledged and appreciated!!

As always, stay safe, hug your loved ones and find joy in the little things. Love, Annie

SUP, Trader Joe’s & Friendship….a best day.

Yesterday, was just one of those perfect days of flow. Everything felt easy and light. The paddle board was loaded in my FJ an hour earlier than I had planned. A second cup of coffee was poured and enjoyed while watering my flower and vegetable gardens as the birds sang and butterflies bounced up, over and around flowers and the spray of water from the hose. A small lunch cooler filled quickly with fresh pineapple strips and cold seltzers and still, plenty of time to meet Kim for our SUP adventure on the back waters.

The first paddle board stop was a no-go…no parking available. The second paddle board stop was the same. The third stop, was, as they say, the charm. Parked, unloaded and on the water in under ten minutes. And noteworthy here is the part where neither one of us was upset by the initial “stoppers”. Could have easily frustrated us or brought our vibe down, but nope, they didn’t seem to have a chance and bounced right off.

And the good vibe…. just stayed with us. There was no one best part to our paddle….the water was the perfect refreshing temperature; the sun cast cool shadows while also putting on that fabulous sparkle show it does on water; the current was steady the entire paddle; the conversation flowed and the silence was honored equally.

We even looked cuter than usual in our pictures–ha!! We all know that’s a big deal!! No “bad” pics. Where did this magic come from?!!

We commented on the magical atmosphere and feeling all day. We kept smiling. We did chores at our respective homes, even felt tired, but kept choosing to take the actions needed to accomplish our goals. Sometimes, I forget how satisfying it is to get chores done, but not this day. I felt pleased and could have ended my day happily at that point. But, we had toyed with an idea of doing even more: why not keep this good thing going? So, we made that happen too! Kim agreed to drive and we met back up around 4, risked getting into heavy traffic, and drove an hour just to go to a Trader Joe’s and a super cool bookstore, Writer’s Block. This bookstore is charming and friendly and has unique puzzles and wonderful, beautiful books everywhere!!! I’m definitely going back and look forward to our next visit!

But Trader Joe’s was our main focus on this particular adventure and we came prepared with coolers and ice. We were greeted outside by singing employees—kid you not–and sang along to Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature”. We then walked every single aisle together once, then took our solo tours and met back up to compare items before checking out. Instead of gas money, I picked up two bottles of her favorite Garlic/Sriracha BBQ sauce cuz that’s what friends do AND because that sauce is AWESOME!! And then we got it all packed in coolers BEFORE the storm hit. Literally, drops were falling and then slowed down and waited for us to load the car, the coolers with goodies, return the carts to the return and get seat belted in and back on the main road before turning on the spigot! Even the drive home should have been stressful with the rain and heavy traffic and a sign warning of an accident ahead. But the rain stayed light, the accident never appeared, and we got back home in banner time. We even joked we still had time to head to our favorite brewery!! But alas, we went our separate ways and then called each other once home and gushed over our Trader Joe items one last time.

Such a simple day. One lived well. One filled with gratitude and friendship and appreciation and peace. And plans and goals and purpose and FUN. And, one that was sweetly topped off with a scoop of Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter Ice Cream. So….worth….the one hour drive there and back!! This little adventure will surely be repeated over and over again. And that magical vibe…ah, that will be allowed, desired and created as well. It’s just too good of a feeling not to experience as much as possible. Why live any other way?

To All: Hugs and love and simple days filled with the so-called little things that feed our souls. And one or two really good friends. They are a must. Until next time,

Annie

When magic happens:

Beautiful Luna

I’ve just returned from a magical adventure in New Castle, Colorado. The kind of experience where you know you have been changed from the inside out…..and it feels a tad scary but also freeing? created just for you? better than anything you could have imagined or chosen for yourself? It makes you curious and interested in life again—-alive and alert one moment, relaxed and soaking in beautiful energy the next. Connected is probably the correct word to describe the “place”. Connected to your true, calm, happy self while connecting with others and staying present to what’s happening each moment. Holy Smokes!! It’s like being a child again….

“Just imagine becoming the way you used to be as a very young child, before you understood the meaning of any word, before opinions took over your mind. The real you is loving, joyful, and free. The real you is just like a flower, just like the wind, just like the ocean, just like the sun.”~~~~~~~Don Miguel Ruiz

I wish you all a magical adventure. A place you can return to over and over again where you feel safe and happy and loved. Remember, “the real you is loving, joyful, and free.”

Always~~Annie

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