Yesterday, I failed to note that it was Molly’s FOURTH BIRTHDAY!
Molly is our Great Pyrenees. She came to us when she was an eight week old ball of pure white fur.
She stayed small for about three days before she morphed into an affectionate, energetic fifty pound puppy with nails and fangs like rasor blades.
Before she was a year old, she had developed the independent (stubborn) nature of a working sheep dog. She had eaten half of the cedar trees in our yard, destroyed multiple plant pots, pails, and watering cans. And… she had started shedding hair – so much hair!
Now, easily a hundred pounds she is the heart and soul of our family.
She is Dan’s sidekick, my relentless protector, and the happiest pup on the block when her favourite humans (our grandchildren) stop by.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOLLY! 🎂
That’s it for today! Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞
Day Three of Tony Robbins 2026 Time To Rise seminar covered a subject that was new to me – although apparently far from new in the fields of literature and personal growth.
Despite my unfamiliarity with the concept, I found it quite intriguing how easily I could relate to it. 🤷♀️
The Hero’s Journey
1. Ordinary world – Day to day life as we have come to expect it (for better or worse)
2. Call to adventure – major life change or challenge
3. Refusethe call – denial
4. Meeting mentors/allies – In person, online, in books, possibly one or more animals, guides, supporters, and friendships built from sharing a similar situation
5. Get on the path/cross the point of no return start making progress on the journey until one is fully committed
6. Do battle – the ordeal & transformation – setbacks, break through, plateaus, more setbacks, more break through…
7. Victoryand reward! 💪
Return to ordinary life and wait for the next call to adventure….
Looking back, I can see this pattern replayed multiple times in my life, despite being unaware of it, at the time.
My personal takeaway from this session..
The Hero’s Journey is a practical plan to help us to accept life’s challenges, to make the most of them, and to use them as an opportunity to change, to grow, to strengthen, to evolve.
For me, this session was also a huge reminder to allow my family and loved ones to accept their own calls to adventure. I am not saving them or protecting them, by stepping in and depriving them of their opportunites to be challenged. As Rumi would say (in similar words) I can walk the road with them, but I cannot walk the road for them.
Tomorrow, I will touch on the final or bonus day of the Tony Robbins online seminar that I attended. Then I will set this to rest…
For now I am out to do battle with the ice on our walks. I pushed through and was quite happy with what I accomplished yesterday. Unfortunately, snow and ice melted off of our neighbours walks overnight, ran downhill, and pooled on our front walk – where it refroze. 🤦♀️
That is it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞
Another breakthrough on my Journey to Health & Fitness this morning! 😁
Today I am wearing a pair of yoga pants that I bought a couple of years ago. They are a medium. A medium what I have no idea, but they have always been uncomfortably snug, especially before my hernia repair. Now they fit perfectly and are super comfortable.
They were perfect for doing my aerobics this morning and will be fine for getting out and attacking more of the permafrost on our sidewalks today, and for doing my treadmill time later. 👍
Last night, I spent more time reading ‘The Magic of Believing’ by Claude Bristol. It takes focus – and no doubt a second reading, but I am enjoying it.
On Day 2 of the online Tony Robbins seminar, the Power of Belief was one of the things he emphasized.
There are a few good points that he made:
1) Belief is the absolute certainty about what something means.
2) Beliefs create and beliefs destroy.
3) Your identity belief is who you are.
I have always believed that our beliefs, our attitude, and our emotions create the quality of our lives.
As much as successful, motivational speakers validate my beliefs – they are not the ones who drive them.
The credit for my strong positive beliefs goes to observing and dealing with people who cling to destructive beliefs.
Those people are consistently miserable. Regardless of what they have, it is never enough, never what they want, or someone is trying to take it away from them. They lack appreciation for anything. They are chronic victims – they want justice but they will never forgive. They see only the worst in anything, anyone, or any situation. They refuse to accept responsibility for anything, then whine that they are powerless to change or fix anything. 🤦♀️
Over the course of my employment years, I worked with a lot of such people. They never failed to amaze me.. especially when they complained about how difficult and miserable life was to them.
Beliefs create and beliefs destroy!
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞
It is TEN DAYS until I celebrate the Four Year anniversary of my Health & Fitness Journey.
Over the past few days, I have been taking an online Tony Robbins seminar. One of the main ideas that he was trying to impress on us was to become aware of the stories we tell ourselves.
One of the main stories that I have told myself throughout my life was that I was weak and sickly. Everything and everyone validated that vision I had of myself.
I lived with that vision until I actually was so weak and sickly that I could not go on like that anymore. I knew that I could be somewhat healthier and stronger so I determined to find a way to make it happen.
First off, I determined my core issues – allergies and a collagen deficiency (which for the most part affect my respiratory system).
Through years of trial and error, much support and encouragement from family and friends (especially WordPress friends) I persevered until I got to where I am today.
But I clung to my story that ‘I am weak and sickly, doing everything in my power to deal with my health issues’. And, I was stuck there…
In the past few days, I have come to realize (partly through attending this seminar and partly due to the latest tweak in my personal healthcare routine) that I am NOT destined to be weak and sickly. In fact, I am healing and my strength is increasing.
I know that I have work to do. I will always have to maintain my healthcare routine from my prescription inhalers to my supplements, to my fitness workouts.
But, I also know that as long as I can and do take care of my body, I will be strong and healthy.
This is my new (health) story.
Yesterday, I did my regular workout and my thirty minutes on the treadmill. In the afternoon, I went outside with Molly and cleared the snow off of our front landing and steps and our front walks.
Starting today, our temperature is supposed to be plus 5C (41F) and higher in the days to come.
On top of my regular workouts and treadmill time, I will be out clearing the ice from all of our walks and paths. Since we had days of freezing rain before our recent deepfreeze there is an abundance of ICE to deal with.
With my past four years of healing and increasing strength, and some help from Mother Nature… I’ve got this!
That is it for day. Take care and have a great day! 💞🤗
Since I began my Health and Fitness Journey four years ago, I have focussed on Body, Mind, and Soul – physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Today, I am focussed on all three, not just for myself, but for those around me.
When I got up this morning it felt like -44 ° celcius (-47.6 ° fahrenheit) with the windchill. It wasn’t much better without it! 🥶
That is brutal for anyone who must venture out. We are fortunate that we have the option to stay in our home, snug and warm and comfortable in our retirement. But, I feel for those who have to deal with this weather – as would any normal human being with an ounce of empathy.
But empathy be damned. Our city planners, managers, mayor, councillors, and any and all overpaid city hierarchy who have a voice in such decisions – decided this was a good day to unleash the city graders on our residential streets.
This is our street. The photo does not do the situation justice. The grader operator (under order from those higher up on the chain of command no doubt) passed up and down our street – scraping off the solid pack of ice and snow (which was not causing any issue) and pushed it up against the sidewalks.
It is hard to tell, but this is not a lttle ridge of snow. It is higher and wider than it looks. It is a solid, impenetrable barrier of ice and snow. The city will not be back to clear it away. (This is not a one and done – this is an annual event in recent years.)
Our neighbours who do not have the luxury of offstreet parking, will return from work unable to park in front of their homes. They will park as close as they can, and risk exiting their vehicle in traffic – then struggle to climb over this city built obstacle – carrying tots from daycare, groceries, and whatever else they need, to go about their daily lives.
Delivery drivers will risk life and limb to climb over these icy ridges, as will seniors accessing their vehicles, as will people – especially those with mobility issues, struggling to access public transit.
For most people in our city, life at minus 44 degrees is more than an inconvenience. That our city would do anything as unconcienable, dangerous, and stupid to make things harder is beyond comprehehension.
It is not a matter of finances. Our city has no issue raising taxes, or spending outrageous sums on vanity projects, or paying obscene severance packages to incompetent city managers who should never have been hired in the first place. They have no problem buying electric buses – in Saskatchewan 🤦♀️, questionable artwork, and so much more.
It is beyond stupid and irresponsible. It is a danger to our physical, emotional, andmental wellbeing and that of our friends, neighbours, and family.
Our temperature has climbed a few degrees and the wind has dropped considerably. And the sun is shining! This could be the day for an outting.
I am not talking any grand adventure to Walmart or Vic Square Mall. But, I am planning to bundle up, head outside, and breathe some fresh air. 🌞
Yesterday was another uneventful day as we were still in the deepfreeze. I did my aerobics and treadmill, as well as my regular respiratory care routine.
And I baked some Date Bran Muffins…
They were a nice change from all the rich Christmas baking and decadent chocolates.
I have been letting my crochet project slide for a few evenings now – but I have not abandoned it. I have just been busy enjoying the ability to lean back and relax in my recliner, wrapped in Dan’s big cozy Leaf’s blanket.
Molly prefers to curl up like a giant kidney beangiven the opportunity.
The BIG thing for me is that I CAN lean back and BREATHE without struggling.
I have been on my Health & Wellness Journey for almost four years now, in an effort to get my health back on track.
My daily routine is one that I have created for myself – based on what works for me. It has been a hit and miss effort built on advice from medical professionals, family, and friends, books, articles, and You Tube videos.
It has a long, dull, frustrating, painful, and promising journey… but that I can feel significant improvement to my breathing – that I can comfortably recline and breathe easily is incredible.
Not only am I happy with what I have accomplished healthwise, I am excited about what I can and will do moving forward!
In these words, David Goggins was talking about ultra races – races longer than typical marathons, races from fifty to hundreds of miles long.
“These races aren’t about winning or losing or even finishing. It’s exploring oneself and the human potential that lies within all of us.” – David Goggins
As much as I have zero inclination to take up ultra marathon races, I can relate. For me, LIFEisn’t about winning or losing or living indefinitely. It is about exploring myself and the potential I possess.
But … when I do get a win, I appreciate it, I celebrate it, and sometimes I just lean back for a while and I enjoy it. 😁
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!
I am back! It has been a few days since I last posted. I haven’t been overly busy or out of commission. I have just been plugging along. Not much to see here!
Our winter weather has returned with a vengeance. I did not meet my weekly goal for executing an outting. With ice, snow, frigid temps and winds blowing from 75 to 100 kmh at times – most times – outtings were not on the agenda.
I have been doing my aerobics, treadmill time, sinus and lung clearing… the usual. It is far from from fascinating to write (or read) about. But, it is the dull, persistent, consistent efforts that ultimately pay off – regardless of what one’s goals are.
Yesterday, Dan and I made a pot of chicken noodle soup for supper. That warmed us up. The cheese baking powder biscuits rounded off the meal nicely.
This morning, I had a bath, did my hair, and put on a dress that my niece Brigette sent up before Christmas.
It felt good to dress up for a change! Also, this dress is so warm and comfortable I could live in it. 😁
It was a timely decision, as shortly thereafter granddaughter Genie showed up. She returned some containers from Christmas baking. 👍 We had tea and a nice long chat.
Her Jeep Cherokee is in need of a major differential repair so her and Grandpa bonded over some vehicle talk.
Molly was beside herself, as is usual when her favourite human drops by.
That’s it for today. Tomorrow, I hope to get outside to clear some snow off of our walks and to get some fresh air in the process.
Today it is four weeks since I had my hernia repair done. Incision discomfort has been minor, even in the early days. Now the incision is barely visible much less notable.
My respiratory issues that were aggravated during the procedure are gradually improving. I have been increasingly active – doing my daily aerobic and treadmill workouts (increasing duaration and intensity), getting fresh air, getting adequate sleep. And, as usual.. staying on top of my typical health routines – inhalers, lung clearing, sinus flush, deep breathing, vitamins (B12, D3, Lutein) and collagen supplements.
I am truly fortunate to be retired and have the time I needed for this recovery. I am also truly fortunate to have a caring husband who has been with me and been an active participant in my recovery.
And of course, the best in all of this is that my surgery, long anticipated, is now BEHIND ME! My hernia repair has been done successfully and no doubt permanently, AND I am ready to go out shopping for some real jeans and fitted dress pants. 👖
My ray of sunshine for the day. 🌞
Today, it is one month until I complete the first four years of my Health and Wellness Journey!
I am ready to move forward. Success and setbacks will both be a part of this journey. Chronic lung issues will play a part in how far I will go and how I will get there. But, I move forward with hope, faith, excitement and anticipation. 😉
Things are looking up today! My congestion has improved considerably and I am in a much better frame of mind. The latter triggered by a strange realization that I had this morning.
This may be trivial (and a bit odd) but I love the color of my hair!
My hair has all the body of cat fur, but in the light of day – or the light of our bathroom light fixture, my hair sparkles and shines. Photos don’t do it justice, but the color of my hair makes me happy.
Oddly, since the hair I was used to for several decades was dark brown (and naturally curly).
With daughter Jen..
It is strange how we are led to believe that as we age and change, the changes are never ‘as good as’ or Heaven forbid ‘even better’.
I think a lot of the changes for the better, just go unnoticed…
1) The wisdom and insight that we have gained over the years
2) The peace that comes from knowing that nothing lasts forever – not the worst, not the best
3) The time to appreciate what is truly precious
4) The freedom to take care of ourselves – body, mind, and spirit
Today, my day has been spent taking care of my body. Once again, I am hopeful that my latest setback is behind me and I am back on track with my daily workouts. 🤞
And our home. .. Dan and I continued work on our kitchen project. I can access the rest of the cupboards on my own now – and in my own time. They are not in dire need of clearing out.
That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞
It is twenty-three days since I had my hernia repair repaired. Today I feel GOOD. I am still coughing – and coughing up some mucus, but the upper chest congestion that I have been struggling with since I entered the operating room has finally cleared!
The incision is fine. It has been fine from the beginning – zero signs of infection and just a little swelling the first couple of days. There was a bit of discomfort in those early days but definitely nothing that would warrant the use of OTC painkillers, much less the hydromorphone that I was prescribed. That will go back to the pharmacy for disposal, along with the anti inflammatory. 🤷♀️
It has been a rather frustrating recovery, but only in regards to my respiratory system. Thankfully that appears to be behind me.
Yesterday, my only workout was freelance dancing to some tunes from the 80’s. It felt good to move and the music was great for elevating my mood!
I straightened out a couple of more shelves in my closet and I packed away the Christmas wrapping paper, ribbons, etc. It feels every bit as good to pack everything away, as it did to take it out in the first place. 😁
I spent some time outside yesterday afternoon. I enjoyed the fresh air, cleared the ice and snow off of our front steps and landing, and basked in the Saskatchewan sunshine.
For supper, I made a chef salad with ham, eggs, and cheese on a bed of lettuce and fresh vegetables. That was my forth salad in the first eight days of 2026. I am happy with that!
After supper, I watched 911 and The Pitt on TV before resuming my crochet project.
I now have a ball of yarn to work with 😂
That is it for today. Take care and have a great day! 🤗💞
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 