echoesofwonder

When I was young, games really didn't have many respawn points. My favorite one being The Lion King on SNES, you had about 3 chances and then you had to restart. I was really really good at the first couple of levels, and then I would die and start over from the beginning. I eventually got to the point where I beat the game basically out of muscle memory for the first several levels and lots of prayers after that. I assume that is pretty much my life up to this point. Starting over, doing the basics, getting by until I reach something new. I always set down the controller and walk away from the game for months, and sometimes years. Now, everything has a respawn point. You don't have to start over from the beginning every time (unless you want to). I don't need to replay all the old levels, unless I really want to. I know this probably doesn't mean anything to anyone else, and you all probably already know this by this point. But, I needed to say it to make it make sense to me. Where am I today? Where have I been? What do I have planned? These are all things that lead me to where I am, and where I am going. Since the last time I posted, I have had a lot of big life changes. At 35, I found out I was having my first child. I had him in July of 2021 and he has been keeping me on my toes ever since. I got gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with him, and then it seemed everything went back to normal after he was born. I gained 80 lbs AFTER I had my son. I switched jobs, I went from on my feet working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week (up to the 39 week mark), and then after I had him, I realized I couldn't keep up that pace and keep my family functioning. I got a job much closer to home, but it is VERY sedentary. I ended up with type 2 diabetes, and subsequently started a journey where I lost 40 of the 80 lbs I gained. So lets break down the bad, so I can get to the good. March 2023 - Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes June 2023 - Doing really well with weight loss and becoming more active July 2023 - found out I was pregnant with my second child September 2023 - Miscarried, and needed surgery to assist with delivering all remnants of pregnancy. October 2023 - broke a tooth December 2023 - Had oral surgery to remove my wisdom teeth plus the broken tooth. Count them, 5 teeth removed. So, as you can probably imagine, I had a tough year mentally and physically. This leads me to today. Respawn Point. Why am I here? What am I going to do about it? I am here because my son needs me. I am here because I need an outlet, and I really need to be somewhere that helps me feel motivated. My plan? Actually respawn instead of starting from the beginning. I already know the first several chapters. I need to level up and be committed to myself. After going over a few of the old articles on the NF website, I realized that I needed to post here to feel like this is actually a respawn point. I can control my diet. I can do that in my sleep. Finding an activity that I like and can commit to is where I struggle. I think my starting point will be the bodyweight workouts on NF, but if anyone has any ideas or tips, I am completely open to them.

I love your spoopy poompkin! Cant wait to see what you accomplish with your arms! 😬

Actually really good! I went a different route. My good friend is a distributor for a company that sells protein shakes. They gave me their discount, which thrifty me loves. In the last couple of days, I felt my stomach growl instead of churn in the morning. Sometimes I need to remind myself, this is a small step for big picture goals. Although I went off the deep end as far as being whole30 compliant, I did find that breaking a cycle to start new habits might be necessary. Also, I hope that just getting away from needing smoothies or shakes in the morning is in my near future. I think I finally have some hope. Im refusing to step on the scale until the end of this challenge again. I think I’ll just build that into my next challenge. So, I have a week left, but the amount of self discovery is huge. I’m purposefully adding suspense until next weeks musings and reflection. 😬 I love this idea. I used to write out my shopping list for the week, and off on the side what meals I had planned. Then I didn’t even have to think about it, I just picked one. Kinda worked out nicely.

Yep! I’m doing well with it. I took Spanish at the collegiate level several years back. I don’t know why I never stuck with it. Maybe I just need immersion for a while, or maybe an old favorite kids shows but in Spanish? Okay, so (you have to say it like the beginning of this AlbinoBlacksheep flash video from the early 2000’s to get the full effect): Okay so: I’ve been working a crazy amount of hours, decided that I needed to adorn my body in bruises from head to toe (literally) in an epic battle with a pallet (I think it was Pallet:1 Echoes:0), and still manage to get out to walk. Win! Reporting back to everyone keeps me accountable, and being the people pleaser I am, I hate to disappoint. This weekend is adventure weekend, and apparently adventure is not going anywhere as previously planned. My nephew is coming to town to stay, and he loves his auntie so much that I can’t say no. Maybe we’ll be able to hit the park and play together? Indiana is in stage 5 of their back on track plan, so we’re opened to 100% with limited restrictions. What a world we live in right now! Another thing I’m dealing with is a small aversion to food. I haven’t talked about it too much, and it’s one of the reasons I’m not totally sold on paying attention to what I weigh at this point, although I’ve been curious, I stopped regularly stepping on the scale. I used to eat out of boredom, or sadness, or to celebrate, etc. Food was an excuse for the underlying issues in my life. So what happened? I had a huge life change in the last year, and moved back home to pick up the pieces. For the first time since the day I graduated high school, I’m living at home. And, for a couple of weeks I’d go for days without eating. I’d feel sick at the thought of food. Then I started eating one meal a day, and then I’d occasionally throw in a second meal. I’ve never been able to eat breakfast, at least not at a regular breakfast time, because that first meal makes me so so sick. I can drink, I just can’t eat, so now I’m going to throw in breakfast in the form of a smoothie. I’m hoping the added nutrition helps with the depletion of energy that I’ve had lately. I’ve been falling asleep hours before I should which really throws off my sleep schedule. So, fine tuning all the little parts of my life hopefully will help with the bigger picture, the next challenge, and the future goals.

Happy belated birthday new friend! I was saving this for you:

So, at work, I’m part of a little club and didn’t even know it. I started noticing it the last week, but today it became apparent. I have a Jeep. I don’t have a wrangler, I have a compass, but the jeeps all keep parking next to me. One of them backed in (the whole parking lot is empty) just to be in jeep row. Yesterday there was a line of 6 of us... Anyway, I haven’t made it to a park this week. I’ve been working overtime, but Saturday is my day to roam. I’ve also taken up learning Spanish again. I can tell you that I want that jacket, and that it’s too expensive. lol Hope you all have a great day!

I resemble this remark. I have about 5 pairs of various sizes of black slacks, and all the sweaters to layer over the shirts... I have a dress I want so bad, that I’m pretty sure I’d walk and extra 600 miles to make it worth the wait. zomg the dinosaurs!

A short update. Today my knee and I are arguing over who wants to be active. A couple of years ago I landed on my right knee, straight down onto it. I haven’t really had any problems since it happened, until yesterday. I had an exceedingly long day at work, again, and cement and standing for 11 hours just takes a toll on the body anyway. I think just strain, because my calves and hips hurt too. My bank account enjoys it, my body not so much. Or maybe since 35 is right around the corner, my body is kicking on a check engine light? So walking doesn’t sound especially fun today, any ideas? I’ll come up with something regardless, but, it’s always nice to have tools for future dilemmas.

Did someone say wine? https://imgur.com/a/0khMi9Y This is the result of my best friend being a sommelier. Annnnnyway, you’re close enough I could deliver Stronkey. lol

Ummmmmm... please no? I’ll be funnier, I promise... just please... spare me from a *virtual kick*. Go, baby, Go! Also, squats are so much cooler spelled with a z. hehehe.

Well you posted LeVar Burton as Geordi, but all I see is But I totally remember the “The more you know” from NBC. I also think you ruined GI Joe for me. lol Well I *was* supposed to take a motorcycle trip somewhere but my riding buddy injured their knee. So now I’m flying solo, and not ready to make that bike trip on my own yet. I could make it a hike trip. I could go to Vegas. Too many options! North Carolina got moved to December, otherwise I’d just extend my weekend away. ******************************************* Okay so, here’s the state of the union address: I hiked 3 of the 12ish miles I will be hiking at the end of this journey. Along the way, I saw frogs sunning themselves (it was a rather cool day) and I wanted to show you all this park. https://imgur.com/a/WQbIGxt When I was a kid I was convinced fairies lived here. The giant mushroom (that I can walk under and I’m 5’7) used to be hidden. The park was nor taken care of when I was a kid and my cousin and I “discovered” it. There’s a picture of a bridge too. Also wasn’t taken care of until they made it part of the Pumpkinvine trail. This was an old railroad bridge, and I used to think hobos lived under it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I also stumbled on a wedding that people were setting up for, and honestly if I were to ever get married again, it might be cool to get married in the fairy park. I felt accomplished, and then I realized I have a hell of a way to go. I could have walked the 12 miles. I made my sister hike 10 with me, and she pooped out at 8. I had to make the trek back to the car by myself. So here’s the deal. She’s 4 years younger than me and visibly looks more fit than I am. Looks can be deceiving though because I push through being uncomfortable, and she doesn’t. Also, because I promised Snarky some fun Star Trek trivia: My grandpa’s cousin was a redshirt in the original Star Trek series. He appeared in 2 episodes: The Man Trap What Are Little Girls Made Of? https://imgur.com/a/igncPAz He also was a body double for William Shatner in What Are Little Girls Made Of?

okay so I make it up as I go every time. I’ll be sure to try to write it down. I tried it at a restaurant one time and was like, I could do that! So I did... I’ve been competitively baking since I was 8, so I kind of just know how wet I want it to be when going in the oven, which makes for terrible instructions. But, for my new friend, I’ll make it happen. Bacon jam recipe too? That’s something you can make ahead because it takes all day in the crock pot. Plus it makes more than you need so you can have bacon jam on everything... or share the rest.

That’s my birthday meal, every year that I can remember. It is the perfect fall meal, And it’s on the books for Friday. I told my stepmom that I make excellent jalapeño cheddar corn muffins, so that’s going with it. I make them with bacon jam and cinnamon honey butter. It touches every part of the pallet perfectly. Not especially diet friendly, but a good treat.

I was looking back over my goals and I realized that I forgot to post the scary intimate starting details. I wrote them down, but, I didn’t share them. https://imgur.com/a/AaJgXfB And now you know! Please tell me someone else reacts this way when hearing that phrase: GI Joeeeeeee! I have the day off today, and I am dressed to go hiking. Yay. Not sure which way I’m going to head today, but I have a few places in mind. My plans changed for my October away, so now I have to think of something else to do. I could head down to Indianapolis, or down to brown county. I used to have it be a goal to hit all the Indiana state parks in a year. When I met some of my NF friends down by Louisville several years ago, we hit up a state park and did a night hike that was supposed to be a full moon hike. The full moon was completely covered and the terrain is soooo different down south. But I didn’t fall. Anyway, I need to plan *something* or I won’t do anything. Any ideas?

Hey, they’re totally on point! I couldn’t pull that off if I had 3 hours! This is my official look while attempting makeup. 😂 Happy vacation!

This has to be the most feel good cartoon series that I never knew existed. I hope your new steroids are working out well. And, just for good measure:

Today I chose to do something that’s mildly stressful for me. I moved out of my house in quite a rush, took just the things I needed and my ex “packed” the rest. He gave me everything that was “mine” but, most of it is stuff that isn’t mine. It’s just crap he didn’t know what to do with. Also, I am the kind of person who puts her groceries on the belt in the order I want them packed. I would also say this is true for how I choose to pack to move. I’ve been through a few boxes. I found jewelry in with spices, and personal items in with my kitchen equipment. Anyway, today I made the decision try to go through this stuff again. What did I do instead? I fell asleep. It was like I was too overwhelmed, and I just fell asleep. So I got up, and then I was like, what the hell are you doing echoes? I did it. I went through stuff and I threw away a ton of crap I had been holding on to for no reason. So now I know what I need to do. Stop thinking about the stuff as a whole, and just compartmentalize it. One box at a time, not all the boxes. I don’t NEED any of it. I have walked 23.5 miles this week so far, I know I was going for 10... so... Yay! I say week one, over all, really good. Pretty fantastic even. Thank you all for celebrating small wins with me! You are 💯 right. Also, I work directly with people every day. I share little pieces of myself, generally telling the super funny stories I have. A collection of bad dates, or like, just dumb stuff I’ve done, because that’s the part of me that I like to project. I love to laugh, I love to make others laugh. But here, you get the unsure parts, the parts where I’m evolving, the things that really matter. You get me.

*Ahem* - The all seeing brown eye? How do I segue out of that? I can’t. So, abrupt topic change here: There is a lake around this area called Lake Tippecanoe, and the locals just call it Lake Tippy. My grandpa had a campsite there and had his pontoon out on the water and we’d all go visit and go fishing on the lake. It’s the first time I remember catching a bluegill and it was the best fish I’ve ever had to this day. I’m pretty sure my grandpa didn’t give me the exact fish I caught... but I didn’t know that then. My cousin, who is a year older than me, and was pretty much my first best friend, asked me if I knew *why* it was called Lake Tippecanoe. I had no idea, and he filled me in. Up near the camp store, they had this shelter with an old boat under it, like an old wooden canoe, pretty battered by this point. I think at one time they used it for canoe picnics where basically you use the canoe as a serving table (but I also didn’t know about those at the time). Michael pointed to the old battered canoe and said, “See that boat? That’s why they call it Lake Tippecanoe. The Native Americans (Miami were prevalent in that area) that lived around here were in the boat and a storm *tipped the canoe* so they drown in the water. Was I scared of the lake before that moment? No. Does it still give me the heebie jeebies to this day? Yes! Am I afraid of Lake Wawasee? No. Lake Waubee? No, although, just a little part of it because there is a visible sunken barge in the water that you can canoe over and kids would tell stories about how that sunk and people died. In all my ramblings, I think the implication is key. Like your 4 eyed fox ink blot. Because I had no prior knowledge, and then at 5 years old, my reasoning skills were based on what limited words I knew, paired with visual evidence (like the battered canoe). But looking back, had I known it wasn’t spelled Tippy Canoe, or that the boat was probably from the 1950’s and not the 1850’s I would have probably been able to disprove my cousins theory. Or maybe not? At what age do we start to believe that? Many of us are taught to believe in things we can’t see from a very young age. The tooth fairy, Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, God, etc. These are all supposed to be *good* things to believe in that we can’t see. Where do the evil things come in? How early? It only makes sense that we believe in these things too, as we’re lead to believe in the good we can’t see.

From Chris Tarly to Stronkey Kong. Love it! Both are pretty epic names, but I love the idea of the transformation. Haha, this is how my brain works all the time. I follow your logic.

I’m on a mission, and if there are camels, then it’s one reason to walk faster right? 😂 see what I did there? hehehe It’s possible I’ll have nightmares. lol

Hey hey hey! I did a thing. So, I just don’t watch much TV because, well, I could come up with a myriad of excuses but I just don’t. I used to use it as a coping mechanism for shitty relationship, and now that I’m out of said shitty relationship I just don’t watch it. Anyway, last night I watched Captain America for the first time. And I’m watching the next tonight. Marvel movies in chronological order is my plan. So I did that, then fell asleep, got up and put my shoes on and headed out the door for adventure. I went to a neat little park. I took some pictures of the reasons why I love this park. https://imgur.com/a/mjlGZ1h 1. There are 2 bridges that water runs over. It’s part of the trail, and as a kid it was always cool to take your shoes off and walk over it. Heck, even as an adult I love it. I didn’t go over it today because it was pretty brisk this morning, and I was hoping the water level was down enough I could keep my shoes on. It wasn’t. 2. The grist mill. This mill is still fully operational, they use huge stone wheels to grind the grain into meal or flour. You can see that it’s powered by water, and the mill sets directly over the river. 3. I’m walking along minding my own business on the narrow trail, probably extra narrow because of this crazy pandemic, but I’m looking down because where I was passing through was mucky and there were a ton of roots that I could have killed myself on. I’m a huge klutz sometimes. So, I know no one else is on the trail, and I hear a noise, a startling one. My eyes darted up and I was touching distance away from a deer. In that same split second, I saw the white tail bouncing away. Friggin amazing. The last pictures are from another park I went to after I got my grocery shopping done. Bonus, I got a box of Lara Bars for 1.49 and some ghost pepper almonds with dried cherries for .50 cents! Okay, so back to the park. It’s got some trails, but they’ve really put work into it since I was a kid. To encourage families to walk, they have these placards along the trail with pages from a storybook on each one. By the time you finish the trail, you also finished a book. Even though I don’t have kids, I still found myself stopping at the placards to see what happened next in the story. Last month they had the “Bad Seed” story, which was a cute little book about how a seed had a terrible life and so he was a bad sunflower seed. Then he decided he didn’t want to be a bad seen anymore. This one was teaching kids how to count with using a funny story. Anyway, I logged like 3 miles today. I’m debating on going again this evening to a third park. I probably will. Or there’s some trails I haven’t been on across the street in years. So, maybe I’ll do that. I like exploring the little town that I grew up in and see how much has changed over the years. Also, a small win. My dad is taking a table to my sisters as her wedding gift, he needed help getting it into the truck, so I helped him lift it, but they have rails in the truck for a 5th wheel hitch and the table needed to go over the rails. I hopped into the back of the truck with ease. I hopped down with ease. My body is changing. My attitude is changing. Everything about me is changing and, although it was a small win, I’ll take it.

Today, I finally feel like I found my groove. Things are getting done, and I feel like I can leave work at an appropriate time today. This challenge is off to a slow start, I haven’t gotten any extra walking in due to the long hours I’m putting into work. It’s frustrating, but I have tomorrow off and plan to log several miles on a hike. But, I am happy, I am well, and adventure begins tomorrow. ☺️

I, too, have driven through Indiana more times than I care to count. 😂 Also, I love having new neighbors! ☺️

Welp, this will forever be stuck in my head. 😂

You guys are cracking me up. Yep, camels in Amish country. I’m from Indiana. I’m not sure if they’re still there. I haven’t walked that part of the trail in years. Amish, meh, I wouldn’t say they’re too much into live nativity stuff around here. The Mennonite and the Church of the Brethren (all historic peace churches, I can go into a ton of depth here but won’t to save you all from the Anabaptist splits that have occurred in history) are much more involved in live nativity around here. My sister said she heard they had them for milk? Also, I was looking out the back window towards the mill race (part of the river). An Amish family up the road owns a cider mill powered by water, and they own the land on the other side of the river as well as the mill race. I saw what I thought to be goats. Using the binoculars my dad left on the table, I realized that they were not goats, but llamas (not skinny camels Chris Tarly). My sister was like, “Are you sure they aren’t alpacas?” Semantics, sister, semantics. I really wouldn’t know the difference lol.