Life at a "Swell's" pace

Five Simple Things (November 3)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This dinner.

We had a nice dinner this week at The Old Spaghetti Factory. We love that the building is an old train station. The interior is amazing, too. It was a good night.

2. These coppers.

We found these copper pots this week at an estate sale. We had plans to use them on the bus as we travel, but after looking them over, we aren't sure. They are going to get a good cleaning, but we are on the fence on whether to use them or not...

3. This costume.

Skylar dressed as Dr. Alan Grant from Jurassic Park this year. I helped bring his character to life with a small photoshoot. I even gave his flare a bit of "flame." Skylar loves paleontology and loves dressing up in costumes from 80s and 90s movies. Jeff and I just love it!

4. This achievement.

I finished another degree this term - 𝌭Prelaw/Human Resources𝌭. It's been a hard road to get to, but I am so proud of myself. Honestly, I'm lowkey ecstatic about it. I worked hard for this and this makes number three of my goals, so now it's time to relish in the accomplishment, take a breather, and onto the next goal.

5. These things.

Halloween is one of our favorite holidays, and we love to put on a good show. For several years we used to decorate our house from one corner to the next. Over the years though, we have toned it down and downsized a lot of our things for each holiday. We stick to the basic now, but of course, I can't pass on some Halloween flair for our costumes. These candy corn socks and knife hair clips were part of my costume this year.

One last thing:

Our poor pumpkins are not having the best week. The good thing about these little guys is they will end up in our garden next year to live on. We never throw our pumpkins away. We always sow them back into the pumpkin garden boxes. We have pumpkins growing in there each year from over the coarse of five years. We bury them deep enough so that they will make it through the hard winters here.

Positive affirmations this week:

A few tips to start new routines.

1. Daily 5-5-5-5-30-10 (five pushups, five squats, five lunges, five crunches, 30 second plank, 10 minute walk in place)

2. Work on your posture whenever you find yourself slouching.

3. Work up to drinking a gallon of water a day (128 ounces), or half your weight in ounces a day.

Have a nice weekend.

End of October 2023 (1 Second Every Day)

Five Simple Things (October 27)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These socks.

I'm always cold, and these socks were just what I needed to find this week.

2. This kitty.

Always cuddly.

3. This swag.

Stickers and magnets we found this week at Halloween Town.

4. This progress.

Slow, but steady progress.

5. This game.

Hardy definitely wasn't afraid at summoning the skeletons from his past. ☺

One last thing:

It's been storming all week this week and we decided to spend it constructively and do some painting in the house. We painted another room and fixed some small dings and bangs along the baseboard. As we were painting thunder was clapping in the background. Skylar and I both thought it was a moment to remember.

Positive affirmations this week:

12 things to remember:

1. The past can not be changed.

2. Opinions do not define your reality.

3. Everyone's journey is different.

4. Nearly all things get better with time.

5. Judgements are a confession of character.

6. Overthinking will lead to sadness.

7. Happiness is found within.

8. Positive thoughts create positive things.

9. Smiles are contagious.

10. Kindness is free.

11. You only fail if you quit.

12. What goes around comes around.

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (October 20)

Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These posters.

My dad sent me these this week. They were a nice surprise and it gets us excited even more for our trip coming up in April to see the total solar eclipse in Arkansas.

2. These drinks.

Skylar and I rode the city transit bus to Starbuck's to get drinks for us all. My go-to drink is always a vanilla chai latte, Skylar's is white hot chocolate, and Jeff's is a café mocha.

3. This doggy.

The best boy.

4. These decorations.

From this point forward, my new favorite Halloween decorations are of skeletons doing regular house and yard work. Check out the one on the left head down in the flower garden.

5. This sign.

As the winter weather changes, be sure to stay hydrated. This sign was at Target and I definitely agree with it.

One last thing:

Anxiety comes in different forms. Sometimes it's subtle and creeps up on you and other times it comes in a full on panic attack. This week it hit me hard on the way home. I don't know what triggered it, but it came in the form of hives on my neck and chest. It only lasted about an hour, but writing down any triggers from the day that could have caused it has helped me identify certain things that could be the cause. I keep a journal of these moments, symptoms, and triggers and talk to my therapist about them. It helps to be able to have some control over my mental health issues.

Positive affirmations this week:

Mental health care is an important part of taking care of yourself, no matter who you are. Some tips to help you take care of your mental health:

1. Heat of the sun.🌞

2. Self appreciation.💗

3. Gratitude.📍

4. A cool drink.🧉

5. Warm bath.🛀

6. Self care.💚

7. Airplane mode.🛧

Have a nice weekend.

Camping/Surf Trip in No Rain the Bus (Day 2)

Day two of our camping/surf trip we hit the waves and enjoyed the day. The first day we mostly relaxed and did some beach hiking, but day two we surfed for a few hours before the weather turned on us. Surfing in the rain is not as fun as it may sound. So we packed it up and headed out. It was a good weekend overall and every chance we have to get away to the beach we take it.