Oh my, this last week has been something of a roller coaster ride. As mentioned in previous posts, I am nearing my due date. Well, this last week I have begun experiencing braxton hicks contractions (practice contractions, not the real thing) which are quite strong and feel like real contractions to me, a first time mother. On top of this, each night I've been lucky to get four hours of sleep. Not exactly the restorative sleep a normal person needs, nevermind a pregnant woman.
Well, my doctors decided to have me try taking Unisom. This morning is the first morning I didn't feel zombie-like upon waking. I can function and think properly! It's such a wonderful feeling.
Now I just need to work on progressing with this pregnancy. It's been nice and all, but it's time for my son to make his appearance in the world and to allow mommy to have a day without back pain!
On a side note, now that I am on leave from work due to my severe lack of sleep and back problems, I've decided to start listening to and blogging my responses/thoughts to Oraia Sphinx's podcast The Scrying Bowl. I'm sure she'll get me thinking about things that have never crossed my mind before, but until recently I haven't had the time to give to listening and actually think/meditate on my feelings about the questions she poses. Here's to a thought-provoking month, at the very least.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Inspiration for my spiritual journal...
When viewing the numerous blogs I follow, I noticed Aradia over at Aradia's Cauldron had created her own spiritual journal. This included wonderful pages with prompts for each week, which can be found here. I could only dream of having as much creativity as Aradia does! Her crafts are wonderful! She's provided the template for the pages for others to use and I have printed a few pages worth to add into my ritual book/journal. I'll be posting images at a later time.
Just having these pages makes me want to really delve back into my spirituality head-on, but experience has taught me if I do that I'll burn out in a matter of days and I don't want that. I want to make a gradual transition into a more spiritual life. Considering I am wanting to change my level of physical activity and other not-so-wonderful habits at the same time, I really need to be careful about how much I try to take on at once. Either way, these changes will be made. It's just a matter of how long before they're all fully integrated into my life.
Just having these pages makes me want to really delve back into my spirituality head-on, but experience has taught me if I do that I'll burn out in a matter of days and I don't want that. I want to make a gradual transition into a more spiritual life. Considering I am wanting to change my level of physical activity and other not-so-wonderful habits at the same time, I really need to be careful about how much I try to take on at once. Either way, these changes will be made. It's just a matter of how long before they're all fully integrated into my life.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Fitness Update: Pedometer Day 1
So, I wore my pedometer all day today. The only time period that wont be accounted for will be my prep for bed. I also did not go for my walk this morning because I had an impromptu trip to the train station to drop off Seph, my boyfriend. So, all that taken into account, I walked 3,418 steps today! That equates to 1.402 miles and 224.3 calories burned! Considering I work in a sit down environment, that's a lot of movement. I'm feeling really good about potentially making it to 10k steps a day! Of course, I don't intend on over-exerting myself until after the baby is born, but still if I can walk that much in a day 25 days away from my due date I have a strong feeling I'll be able to do so much more once I have my body back!
On a side note, I think I found the only yogurt with chunks I'll ever be able to stomach. It's a new brand of yogurt I've seen on the grocery store shelves and thought the packaging was pretty. (Yes, I'm attracted to shiny things.) I never purchased one because they were always more expensive than the usual Yoplait ones I would buy. Then they went on sale! I picked up a few different flavors which included blueberry pomegranate and Pina Colada. That's right. Pina Colada flavored yogurt! It does have smalls bits of pineapple and I think some coconut, but it's pretty darn good in my book. I may have to find a way to splurge and buy more! I could get used to this as my evening snack after dinner.
On a side note, I think I found the only yogurt with chunks I'll ever be able to stomach. It's a new brand of yogurt I've seen on the grocery store shelves and thought the packaging was pretty. (Yes, I'm attracted to shiny things.) I never purchased one because they were always more expensive than the usual Yoplait ones I would buy. Then they went on sale! I picked up a few different flavors which included blueberry pomegranate and Pina Colada. That's right. Pina Colada flavored yogurt! It does have smalls bits of pineapple and I think some coconut, but it's pretty darn good in my book. I may have to find a way to splurge and buy more! I could get used to this as my evening snack after dinner.
Home-based business ideas?
Well, I know I want to start doing some sort of business from my home. The question is: what can I do from home that I'm good enough at to make a business out of? Also, what is there a need for in my area?
On my street alone, there are two day cares. Is there a need for another in my area? I don't think so.
I have an interest in herbalism. Do I think I am experienced enough to make my own products? Nowhere close!
The prior owners of our house had a hair salon in the room downstairs. I don't go near peoples' hair as I am not a hair dresser in the slightest.
So what can I, as a future mom and pagan, contribute to my local area? What can I potentially make some form of income off of? I'm not a very crafty person; those talents are reserved for my mother and sister.
Any ideas of something I can look at, please leave a comment! I'm struggling to come up with my own ideas at the moment!
On my street alone, there are two day cares. Is there a need for another in my area? I don't think so.
I have an interest in herbalism. Do I think I am experienced enough to make my own products? Nowhere close!
The prior owners of our house had a hair salon in the room downstairs. I don't go near peoples' hair as I am not a hair dresser in the slightest.
So what can I, as a future mom and pagan, contribute to my local area? What can I potentially make some form of income off of? I'm not a very crafty person; those talents are reserved for my mother and sister.
Any ideas of something I can look at, please leave a comment! I'm struggling to come up with my own ideas at the moment!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
I wish dogs came with mute buttons.
Well, my Sunday has crumbled into a steaming heap of boredom. Meditating is not really in the picture since our three year old beagle/lab mix is barking her head off because she can't go out and play with daddy and his friend, who are currently shooting hoops in our driveway. As much as I love our mongrel, she can drive me up a wall with her continuous barking and need to be involved in everything. I really do wish dogs came with mute buttons.
To add to my wonderful afternoon, I burnt water. Yes, you read that right. I burnt water. I was wondering what was causing the sudden smokey appearance of my computer area when one of our cats knocked they're food dish onto the floor, which attracted both the dog's attention and my own. When I went to try and retrieve the bowl from the dogs mouth, I discovered the water burning on the stove. Apparently, I forgot to turn off the burner. At least the food wasn't burnt. That's a plus.
To add to my wonderful afternoon, I burnt water. Yes, you read that right. I burnt water. I was wondering what was causing the sudden smokey appearance of my computer area when one of our cats knocked they're food dish onto the floor, which attracted both the dog's attention and my own. When I went to try and retrieve the bowl from the dogs mouth, I discovered the water burning on the stove. Apparently, I forgot to turn off the burner. At least the food wasn't burnt. That's a plus.
Cloudy Sunday...
Today has been yet another cloudy, rainy day in New England. Not that I'm complaining. The clouds and rain are a nice break from the oppressive heat we would otherwise be suffering through. Summer has never been my time of year, even more so now that I'm 8 months pregnant. I'm a spring/fall girl.
I've recently discovered a few podcasts about getting fit and living a more balanced life. I'm hoping by listening to these shows, I'll find the motivation I need to get healthy for my sake as well as my unborn child's. I don't want my child to have to live with one parent like I did. Not that it was a tough childhood, it's just that you lack something in your life that people with two parents have. You lack that balance and the ability to see what a mother/father dynamic is supposed to look like.
I purchased a pedometer yesterday. I only wore the thing for roughly two hours of housework today and have already accumulated 453 steps. I took it off for the time being because it was bothering me, but I do intend on using it starting tomorrow to log how many steps I take in a day. I want to work up to the 10,000 goal that so many people tote as being healthy and beneficial for weight loss. We'll see...
Spiritually, I feel stunted again. I feel like I've fallen off the wagon and am struggling to get back on. I want to have a daily practice of some sort: meditation or something of the like. I just seem to never have the time. Now I know someone will come back with "if it's important you'll find the time", but it's very hard to find time when you're exhausted from carrying 50 additional pounds day in and day out, trying to keep up with housework, and are emotionally drained from the stresses piled on at work. I really cannot wait for maternity leave when one of the three biggest issues I have right now will be removed.
Until then, I'll focus on trying to get my physical activity in as much as possible.
I've recently discovered a few podcasts about getting fit and living a more balanced life. I'm hoping by listening to these shows, I'll find the motivation I need to get healthy for my sake as well as my unborn child's. I don't want my child to have to live with one parent like I did. Not that it was a tough childhood, it's just that you lack something in your life that people with two parents have. You lack that balance and the ability to see what a mother/father dynamic is supposed to look like.
I purchased a pedometer yesterday. I only wore the thing for roughly two hours of housework today and have already accumulated 453 steps. I took it off for the time being because it was bothering me, but I do intend on using it starting tomorrow to log how many steps I take in a day. I want to work up to the 10,000 goal that so many people tote as being healthy and beneficial for weight loss. We'll see...
Spiritually, I feel stunted again. I feel like I've fallen off the wagon and am struggling to get back on. I want to have a daily practice of some sort: meditation or something of the like. I just seem to never have the time. Now I know someone will come back with "if it's important you'll find the time", but it's very hard to find time when you're exhausted from carrying 50 additional pounds day in and day out, trying to keep up with housework, and are emotionally drained from the stresses piled on at work. I really cannot wait for maternity leave when one of the three biggest issues I have right now will be removed.
Until then, I'll focus on trying to get my physical activity in as much as possible.
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