Things have changed around here.  I have been doing a 100 Day Challenge on several things: life, burpees, double-unders.  The burpees and double-unders, for obvious reasons, are ticking along and doing their jobs.  Double-unders are definitely becoming easier to accomplish, even when winded in the middle of a WOD.  The burpees are helping my push-ups more than anything else.  Today is day twenty, and I can say that I cannot afford to miss any days from not on because that would basically suck!

Now, the big one.  The 100 Days of Life.  Here things are being shaken up and turned upside-down!  I am seeing such a benefit from centring my awareness.  Being present in my own life has made that life so much richer. I have discoved that I have a very passive-aggressive approach to living.  This is not something I am very proud of.  It is not that I thing I was neglecting my life and responsibilities, but I was probably not facing them to the degree they needed or deserved.  Becoming aware of my actions and my focus has caused me to make better decisions.  I find myself on the computer less.  My home is cleaner.  Even the dog gets more of the attention he needs.  I am reading books instead of watching T.V.  Though I am being more discerning about the material I read.  I am finding pleasure in knitting and cooking again.  So much so that Doug and I are going to be doing a paleo diet for the next two weeks to get our performance back on track.

The one area of my life that seems to be the most affected is my relationship with my son.  Now that my daughter is at school five days a week, Con and I are getting huge chunks of time together.  I am getting to know the little man in my life.  It is at times exhausting, but being able to have time to have him curl up besides me on the couch to nap is so worth it.  Previously I would probably have spent some time trying to do something on-line or around the house.  Now I can appreciate the fact that my baby is fast outgrowing this stage of cuddles and kisses.  I’ll put off laundry gladly to steal some time with him.

This shot was taken a year ago, so don’t think he still has a paci, but it’s one of my favorites of him.

Yesterday went pretty well. I got the kids off to school and spent quite a bit of the day reading up on dog training.  We had another incident with Indy, where he ran out of the house.  This time was markedly different from the others because I remained calmer.  He just needs more playtime and he DEFINITELY needs some training!  I really want to do this on my own.  Given the kind of dog he is, I think this is how he will do best.  I also feel it will strengthen the bond between us.  I am using Victoria Stilwell’s It’s Me or the Dog.  Now I just need to find a treat he will actually respond to.

Play, play, play

I have also been working on making creative dinners and eating balanced meals.  Yesterday I make some   tasty meatballs for dinner.  I think the quality of the food you eat is just as important as what you put in your mouth.  Whenever possible I buy organic meat, fruits and vegetables.  We also eat lots of different nuts and nut butters (almond butter: yum!)  I am taking the time to plan a garden for next year.  I want to grow my own food.

On the child from, KC is potty trained.  One day.  Thank you Ms. Heather!  That was all it took.  Now I just need to keep enforcing it at home through the weekend.

D and I also worked out last night together.  It is so late to do the WOD, but it went well.  He definitely pushes me.  I finished up by doing my second day of burpees and double-unders.

Forcing myself to think about the moment and what I am spending my time doing is giving me a more even keel to navigate with.  There were a few things yesterday that would normally have made me angry, wasting my energy and ruining my day.  I just took a deep breath and kept it in perspective.  Much better than throwing tantrums.