Good Saturday morning to you! I don’t know why I sound chipper. It’s been a rough week, but I always feel optimistic in the early hours of the morning. I love the feeling of a new day and a clean slate.
It’s been our first week of summer vacation, and I’ll tell you the truth. It hasn’t been pretty. The kids are bored, the TV has been on way too much, and I’m not getting nearly as much done as I’d like. But the good news is, I’ve been able to spend a few relaxing afternoons at the pool.
My goal is to get up extra early, plow through as much work as I can without getting distracted by the unnecessaries, and then take the afternoon off and spend it with the kids at the pool. In other words, I’m trying to relax and enjoy the summer but it’s not as easy as it sounds. (I don’t do relax well.)
Next week should be a little bit better because at least one child is lined up for summer camp. For my older crew, I’m hoping to schedule some play dates or whatever they call them now. (I’m not allowed to say play dates… I guess they “hang out” when they reach double digits?) Any-WHO. I hope to get some friends lined up because the screens really need a break.
This morning I’m about 60% excited and 40% nervous because today I have my first Stella & Dot Trunk Show. I hope it goes well. I can’t wait to share the brand new engravables that are finally available for order. Have you seen them? They’ll make such awesome gifts. Of course I’ve already ordered one for myself. (To me, from me gifts are the best kind!!) I was hoping mine would be here by now so I could show you but it’s taking a few more days than normal because of the engraving, I guess. SO this is the best I could do.
Right now they’re only available through a consultant or at a trunk show, so if you’re interested, feel free to zap me an email! You can use the CONTACT link in the menu bar at the top of this page.
In other news, I’ve been riding my bike. I took it out once to the trail and then twice on the roads around my house. It’s a catch-22. I want the hills for the workout, but if the hills are too big, then I can barely pedal. I try to go out when it’s not too trafficky, but I did get caught on a hill yesterday with a lane closure and a flagman holding up traffic while I pumped up the hill. No pressure there! I suppose I’l get used to it, right?
Meanwhile, my foot’s a wreck and I know something has to be done. I was hoping that if I ignored it long enough, it would go away (the plantar fasciitis, not the foot) but that’s not happening so now I have to find time to get that injection and hope and pray that it restores my foot to some semblance of normal. It sucks to realize that I’m at the point where it’s not even about running again. I’m just hoping to be able to walk without limping again.
What else can I tell ya? I got my hair cut and colored yesterday. It’s been getting so long, I had him take off an inch or so.
Do you remember when I didn’t have hair? I really thought it would never grow back in. Sometimes I still have to pinch myself to believe that I have hair again. I still have no idea why it got so thin or why it’s grown back in. I’m trying not to worry about it happening again and just be thankful.
Finally, in case you missed it, my cookbook is finally here! Well, almost. The Everything Gluten-Free Breakfast and Brunch Cookbook is NOW available for pre-order at Amazon.com!!!
They tell me that preorders are super important to the success of a new book, so please feel free to share with your friends or anyone you know who might be interested. It’s only $13.31 at Amazon right now. I’m not sure what the final price will be so grab it while you can!
I guess I need to go make myself look like a Stella & Dot consultant. I’m still sitting here in my yoga pants, and I have a party in a couple of hours! I hope you enjoy your weekend!!
14 Responses
Hurry! Your first trunk show. Wishing you the very best with it. My kids are already bored too. Your hair looks awesome! Love these coffee talk old school blogging posts.
Nell
I meant hurray! Stupid Lyme brain.
Jo-Lynne! I loved this post! I love that you’re “real” and down to earth. 🙂 I understand the week you’ve had! I think it happens to us all..especially that first week of summer break. I have such high expectations…we shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves I guess? Anyway— i also love your feet stories (i’m chuckling as I write “feet stories”. Although I have never had PF i do enjoy hearing about your journey. You really are an inspiration. I laughed out loud when I saw your “no hair” post/ I just started following you a couple or so months ago and this is the first I’ve seen of your “no hair.” You’re a doll. 🙂 I’m definitely contacting you about those adorable necklaces!
My kids have been out of school since June 6th and I am so exhausted trying to entertain them and drive them to all their classes and appointments. Getting up early really is the only way to get anyting done.
It gets better when their a little older and can get a summer job. Sorry your foot isn’t better but glad your enjoying the bike! Hope the party was a success and congratulations on your cookbook!
I am just sorry about your foot. My husband is no longer able to run due to sciatic nerve damage and back problems, and I feel his pain over that everyday. He walks for exercise now, but even that is rough on him. I do hope you can find some relief.
I’m really loving your coffee talk posts. Do take the time to re
Ax a little and enjoy those kiddos. Mine are both gone now (one is graduated from college and moved away and one is working out of state for the summer). Enjoy the laughter and noise (even of the tv) while you can! (I never thought I’d be one of those moms who said such things!!)
Love the old school blogging post!!! And so funny on the not calling it a playdate anymore thing… Just recently Nate has been getting very upset with me every time I say that! I have yet to figure out what to call it when he has a friend over….
And we’re still on vacation but I’m getting nervous for home and getting work done too. Getting virtually nothing done now and don’t imagine I will get anything more done once home… Ugh summer
I feel you pain about hills and biking. I’ve been riding for a couple of years and this year I finally learned how to shift properly for the hills. It makes a HUGE difference! Also, if you are riding on the roads, there are two pieces of equipment I would seriously recommend. One is the rear-view mirror that fits on the side of your sunglasses and the other is one of the flashing tail lights–two things I never ride without. I’m enjoying your old school blogging posts. Good luck on your first show!
So exciting your book is on pre-order and your first trunk show is this weekend! Isn’t it funny how your not allowed to use the term playdate anymore? I guess when they are old enough to start making plans on their own the term is banned!
Jill
dousedinpink.blogspot.com
You know I have to say it but these are my favorite posts! With the bike get into the fastest gear you can – and just push it – you can do it! I got out yesterday for a mountain bike ride and boy all I could think of was how out of shape I am in!
Pleeeeease explain the gears to me. I do not understand. Is 3 or 1 the “fast” gear? I still struggle with the right gear and when to change them.
Ok – gears – it is all about the gears and I have no idea which gear is which – I go by feel – but let me explain. First you have 3 big gears and then with those gear you have 7 smaller gears. Going by feel made your peddles, go slow – it takes longer to push them around (does that make sense?) the slower the peddle goes the faster you go. So on a downhill to go faster go slow on peddling. Then flip through your gears and spin the peddles as fast as possible. The faster you spin the peddles the slower you go. So when you are climbing a hill spin those peddles fast.
Biking can give you a killer workout but you have to do hills. I also totally understand when you say biking is not running. =)! Good luck. Let me know if this makes sense or not.
Oh I’m doing hills. It is a workout, it’s just ALL LEG, and really, all quads. It’s not the overall workout running is. And when i try to stand up, my legs about give out after 3 times around. I know I will build up and then probably feel it works other areas more. The one thing I DO like is that I feel it working my core. I am holding my stomach in when I’m pedaling hard.
So yeah, gear 3 is when it is hard to turn so I move it to that when I’m on a level surface. Otherwise the pedals feel too “loose” – does that make sense? And I can only coast.
When I’m going up hill I put it on 2 or 1 for a big hill, and I’m pedaling faster, but it’s not as much resistance. But it’s still hard to keep it going. I am not sure that’s right?
I don’t mess with the 7 smaller gears as much, only when my elevation is changing very slowly. But the area I’m in is very hilly.
See also: https://jolynneshane.com/2014/06/biking-vs-running.html