NEW 10 minutes/30 Day Commitment starts May 5th

[Joy Cox]

Just came in from front porch watching the storm come our way. Thought it would come from the North which is VA. Instead it is coming from SW of us that is Knoxville direction. It is reported to be doing damage in VA and KY area with dime-size hail in some areas.

TGIF, and I'm retired!!!!  Closing down computer and 'heeling' in for the storm as all my three cats have come in the cat door. Is it true cats can sense danger? Often, mine have alerted me to situations I needed to be aware of.....BOOM!!!!!

[Bo9lives]

I will join you all in 10 minutes or more each day outside - most especially today, because the weather finally got warm and balmy here in Oregon  

I was on this forum briefly a few years ago and finally made it back.  Am 73 yrs old and received a diagnosis of sjogren's quite a few years ago - didn't get much help but still struggled on trying to find answers.  My modus operandi was to try to find a balance in everything - health, attitude, moderate exercise if possible and eating nutritious foods and uising herbs - mostly in cooking.

OK so, to cut a long story short, I had open heart surgery last year and am doing better now.  The cardiologists don't seem to think there is any connection with sjogren's - I shall pass on trying to analyze the pros and cons of that.

I wish everyone well, and if possible, a little sunshine can help the vitamin D load this time of year in the northern hemisphere.  I know that can be hard on some people.

Love and care to all of you.

honey9lives

[Bo9lives]

Sorry I forgot my name already - should have signed it Bo9lives

[Bucky]

Day 11

Happy Saturday to everyone.     Today is Day 11 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

To date, we have 41 members joining in this little adventure.  Welcome to our newest member, Bo9lives - glad you have returned to the forum after an absence and have also joined in our little 30 day adventure.   

Today, I spent my time outside walking from garage sale to garage sale.     There was a town-wide sale the next town over.  So, I would find several sales together - park, and walk to them all before returning to the car to move it.  I did this for over three hours, so I guess I can "bank" my time outside - which means, I'm done with this 30 day adventure!     Just kidding . . . .

Several sales were on the outskirts of town - when I was as those sales, I could hear this owl just hooting away.  I don't know if it was a baby owl or not, but it was a continuous hoot.  To me, it sounded like it was saying "mommy, I'm hungry - where's my breakfast?"   

I'm still debating on going out and working in the yard . . . ugh, I just don't want to.  Unfortunately, if I don't do it - it won't get done.   

Have a good Saturday.  I'll "see" you tomorrow.   

Bucky

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face . . . you must do the thing you think you cannot do."              Eleanor Roosevelt

[Joy Cox]

Watered the flowers as it only sprinkled rain here last night. Fed the birds and put cat food out for cats to eat while we're gone to Duke Med. Ctr. in NC for a few days. Checkup of eyes after 1-yr; their drier now          , then followup with rheumy and endo from previous parathyroid surgery and tumor removal.... and, lots of bloodwork.

Promise, to spend time outside as the Sarah P. Duke Gardens are beautiful and love to go there in late afternoon after day in medical center, and just gather my thoughts for the next day.

[Bucky]

Day 12

Good morning . . . happy Sunday to everyone.     Today is Day 12 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

This morning, I ate my bowl of oatmeal outside on the back step.  There is a slight breeze this morning and I could see the steam from my oatmeal.  Yum, I love oatmeal . . . I have it for breakfast almost every morning.     This morning the birds were singing as usual and I could hear a squirrel chattering away.  I could also hear a dog barking way in the distance.  I'm fortunate that when I step outside here that the air isn't full of smog, etc. that it might have if I lived in the city.  Just the good 'ole country air.   

Today is a brand new day . . . I hope you enjoy it and it would even be better if it was a painfree day for you.

See you tomorrow.

Bucky

"Wealth isn't always measured in dollar signs.  We each have time, talent and creativity, all of which can be powerful forces for positive change.  Share your blessings in whatever form they come and to whatever level you have been blessed."     Jon M. Huntsman

[genko_b]

Today was another beautiful day here, and I got to enjoy the fruits of working in the backyard for several days, just sitting on the deck and relaxing. It is supposed to rain most of this week, and then I'll tackle the front yard, which has gotten a bit out of hand while I was working out back. Oh well.

Genko

[harlin]

No sunshine for me today. Rain rain rain

[Bucky]

Day 13

Happy Monday everyone!    Today is Day 13 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 30 minutes each day.

So much for my plans to work outside today - it's raining and is suppose to be rainy all day.    This morning I spent my time on the front porch.  It's chilly out this morning and I could see my breath.  In the realm of weather and Sjogren's - rainy days are the hardest for me.  They make my body ache.  It also makes me want to come inside and crawl back into bed . . . but, I won't . . . I've got to keep moving along.  

I hope everyone has a good day today.  Keep up the good work with your daily 10 minutes outside.

Bucky

"Within each of us is a hidden store of energy.  Energy we can release to compete in the marathon of life.
 Within each of us is a hidden store of courage.  Courage to give us the strength to face any challenge.
 Within each of us is a hidden store of determination.  Determination to keep us in the race when all seems lost."
                                                         Roger Dawson

[meow]

Sunny here, upper 80s, everything blooming ))
I spent an hour outside with my grandson. We put a bunch of plastic dinosaurs up in the oak tree, and when he noticed them, he got this puzzled look, pointed to them and asked, "Kitties?"

[Bucky]

Day 14

Good morning . . . happy Tuesday everyone!     Today is Day 14 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

This morning after walking with my son to the bus, I just wandered around the yard listening to the serenade of all the birds.  I should take the binoculars outside with me as I don't know what the birds look like (because of all the leaves) that are singing so sweetly.  Miss Spooky (our cat) loves the extra attention she gets when I'm outside (she's an outdoor cat).  If she would just quit weaving in and out of my legs . . . . grrrrrrrr, one of these days she's going to trip me!   

As I have mentioned before, I love the time I get to spend with our son.  In the mornings, it's just him and me.  I "let" him sleep in the morning since it doesn't take much time for him to get ready for school.  He's just like me . . . he can get up from sleep and go right to the breakfast table (some people can't . . like my hubby).  Throw some school clothes on, brush his teeth, grab his bookbag and he's good to go.  On the mornings he "remembers" he has some papers for me to sign, or needs money in his lunch account, etc., things can get hurried and rushed (thankfully, there aren't too many mornings like this because I usually ASK him about his school work the night before).  I am not a hurry, hurry, hurry person . . . . it's just too stressful.  I plan ahead (as best I can) and allow extra time to do what needs to be done.  I also don't want our son to fall into that "hurry, hurry, hurry . . . go, go, go" mindset.  This morning as we were waiting for the bus we were talking and laughing.  He has enough stress at school with finals this week, etc. - I certainly don't want to add to it by starting his day off in a grumpy, frazzled, hurried mood.   I think many times OUR mood rubs off on other people . . . and sometimes, NOT in a good way.     Many mornings if we're sitting in the car waiting for the bus and listening to the radio, I'll be singing and acting silly . . he just rolls his eyes  and laughs.   I always make it a point to tell him to have a good day as he gets on the bus - he tells me the same.     We both start our day out feeling good.

Do you know when you read an article or hear something and you agree with it, you sit there and nod your head in agreement?  The other day I had read in a book, "Few would disagree that, in today's world, life is complex, busy, and at times, stressful.  However, depending on how you choose to start your day, you can greatly reduce your feelings of stress . . . almost regardless of what your circumstances may be."  I thought about how the mood we start our day off with, usually stays with us for the rest of the day.  What about our kids, our spouse, siblings, etc.?  Do we start out the day grumbling, yelling, rushing, grumpy, barking orders,etc.?   What kind of impression do we leave with our loved ones to start their day off? . . . I'm too busy for you, you're lazy, you're a loser, you're a bother, hurry up . . rush, rush, rush.     OR . . . can we start off the day with a hug, a smile, a laugh, a compliment and a happy time together.  I'm sure everyone would agree the second choice is more relaxing and peaceful.  It can be done . . . if the kids have their school work, clothes ready the night before, get to bed at a decent time so they have a restful night of sleep.  If need be, get them up earlier in the morning so they can get things done without rushing and creating a stressful morning for them and you.

It's sad to say, but some times, we treat strangers better than we do our own family - the people we are suppose to love.  Life is too short - we need to make the most of each day - take every opportunity to make our stressful lives as peaceful and calm as we can.  We can break the cycle that society tells us is the norm, this hectic "charge and go " beginning.  Once you're in that frenetic mind frame, it's very difficult to get out of it.  Think about it . . . . .

I hope everyone has a good day today.  The sun just popped out from behind the clouds . . . yay, I like sunnier days versus the cloudy, rainy ones.   

meow - how old is your grandson?  Bet he looks in the trees now for "kitties" . . . 

Bucky

"The only thing worse than an opportunity you don't deserve is blowing an opportunity."           Michael J. Fox, actor

[Bucky]

Day 15

Happy Wednesday everyone!     Today is Day 15 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.  We're at the half-way point today!!!     We have 15 more days left of our little adventure.

To date we have 41 members who are participating in this venture.  Same number we had at this time in our fall adventure.

This morning I spent two hours outside  working on trimming some of the bushes.  Now, I've got two big piles of clippings that need to be hauled off to the woods - I think I'll leave that job for the boys!     While outside I could hear the birds singing, two geese honking as they flew by, a rooster crowing, target practice in the distance, township trucks running up and down our street (wonder what they're doing?).  Miss Spooky had to come to see what I was doing.  There is a BIG rock in the flower bed and she perched herself up there and was in my face as I'm trying to trim . . . she just wanted my attention and to point out she hadn't been fed yet this morning.   

The weather is suppose to be nice the next several days.  Yay!     I would think they will be getting out in our field soon to plant soybeans.  It's still a little wet in spots, but they can work around those areas.

Have a great day!!   

Bucky

"Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died."                Erma Bombeck

[meow]

My grandson just turned 3. He's the spitting image of his dad at that age.

[Bucky]

Day 16

Good morning - happy Thursday everyone!     Today is Day 16 of our 30 day commitment to being outside for at least 10 minutes each day.

IF you are just now reading this thread for the first time, please do join us on our little adventure - the more, the merrier.   

Oh my, this morning had a rough start to it.  My alarm didn't go off! When I woke up, it was 8:20 a.m. - my son had missed the bus that comes at 7:30 a.m. and school which started at 8:15 a.m.     So, it's been a mad scramble this morning to get up, dressed, call the school to tell them he's coming, have him grab some breakfast and head out the door to drive to school.     Wasn't it me that posted earlier this week about a "peaceful" start to the day?     Oops . . some times the crazies hit . . we just have to laugh and move on.

By the time I finally made it outside this morning all I wanted to do is just stand on the back step and listen to the birds singing.  They didn't disappoint.     I could also hear the buzz of neighbors mowing their yards.  We mowed ours last night and it was pretty long from days of rain.  Thankfully, the township mower is out making the rounds today too to mow the grass along the sides of the road.  We have a field next to our house and the grass was really tall there.  When they did road improvements last year they sloped the sides of the road and put in gravel - now, it's too hard to mow up there with our own lawn tractor, so we just let it grow.  Thank you township for taking care of it for us today.     Now we don't have to get a goat!   

Between working out in the yard in the morning and mowing in the afternoon yesterday my head is stuffy and eyes itchy this morning from all the pollen, etc.   That is probably my biggest reason for staying indoors most of the time and not getting outside.  My allergies really act up when I've been outside for any amount of time.  That's why I like to do my time outside first thing in the morning - it seems to be easier for me without all the pollen, etc. kicking in high gear like it does as the day wears on.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!   

Have a good day . . . . see you tomorrow.   

Bucky

"I have seen what a laugh can do.  It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful."          Bob Hope

[Linda196]

Hi to all my fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

I haven't been posting daily, but I have been getting out, and my yard is reaping the rewards! Amazing what a few minutes (usually less than half an hour) can accomplish! Beds are weed free and re-mulched, I separated and shared some perennials, and even transplanted some indigenous plants from around the yard to the beds! Of course, in years gone by this would have been a morning's work, but now I'm taking my time and enjoying the labour of love, not just doing the chores!

Of course in years gone by, the garden was more for the neighbours anyway, since I was always at work!