Loveable_Bouncer

Ironically this an Australian recipe, lol. But especially as I'm running out of sugar and carrots are sweet. And realizing this recipe is 100% all brownie batter except now flour/trade in beans/veggies. Can try it a bit (did I eat the leftovers that didn't fit in my muffin tin with spoon... maybe). --- FYI Missy has shown me she now knows how to open kitchen cupboards... Darnit. She and Sunshine ended up going into the "cleaning" closest last night as I found bottles on the floor. Luckily doesn't look like she found anything good to lick... but finally bought a pack of childproof locks... Because she also knows one of the cupboards holds some food in plastic bags.... One day I will get her puzzles and an amazing cat highway for that brain of hers... (On another note this did help with some of the baby fever that has been simmering up). I earned a 4th hour of reward from finishing hours, I ended up having to cash in all 4 hours for the reward of $10. Just enough to buy the cheapest (available) walmart mouse. Now to be disciplined with my work and goals to enjoy some Minecraft... *drools at the aniticpation* Downside I hit a wall with cleaning the apartment, I"m very much in the "you can finish it up quick if it wasn't for the mental barriers." Taking a big breath and accepting my fate... as I also have some meetings tonight. Fudge. Also realized when seeing a contractor when coming home from errands, that I have a turnover this week. (Totally forgot even though its in my binder). So I have a busy week ahead. Upside I will get a chunk of my hours and rest next weekend (as the next turnovers are not until end of April... then the season ramps up into moving season).

Not 100% sure, I almost wonder if it ended up being "people pay more if they have a beutiful park" (aka law of gentrification). I know in MN a lot of ponds/lakes I've learned it is actually water management here (every large city I live in was built on swamp/lake land back before all the build up of the 1800). By finding side effects of "making it prettier" that later turn into "oh, water tends to be less polluted when we allow nature to be nature....". I was a bit overwhelmed by my answer lol.... From my understanding the last 20 years of studying have shown us "oh, we like this because it is REALLY good for us". Kind of like the whole quality of life when you bond with animals thing >.> Glad the self-care is kicking in to help get your week started off great!

It worked beautifully! I ended up enjoying supper from a friend in my car and remembered before turning on the car. Whoot! 100% realized how fast my brain has been going. - Yesterday we hit about 80 degrees. With a workday, I decided it had to be a shorts day (which was perfect as I had to clean a hot space). So freshly shaved legs, and another NSV: They fit! And with quite extra loosen up. Wowza... my belt felt so long while wearing them yesterday. Maybe tried slipping in some game time this morning, found out I don't have a functioning mouse. Will be rolling for a new computer mouse lol Hit Meditation Friday and Saturday Sleep.... I did two bad nights 2 in a row Breakfast on point Got the hours one way or another! Didn't complete what I wanted yesterday, but I can wrap things up today if i get focused. Made these muffins this morning to try a new recipe for "breakfast". Quite a big of effort compared to the other recipes, but I will be going through all my carrots to use them up and emulsify in this high fiber sugar high. Realized during the recipe that it doesn't match my goals due to the sugar... so to try another one this week after I use up all my carrots (they are going bad and need to get used up... plus chocolate cravings).

This was a meme I saw going through, lol For us MN's *crosses fingers for the 2040s* Wow, glad you had an amazing experience! That definitely sounds like a once in a lifetime experience. I had a friend who was flying back to Seattle during it, and they said a small elderly group had helped compose the event so everyone could see it. So maybe a couple of ideas in the next couple decades lol

To confirm another reason why (as this sounds amazing), I went to a mental health talk at work yesterday. And the speaker I swear shared a good 10 mins why people should walk by water, looking at a body of water helps slow down the brain/most effective at lowering stress (walking in nature does help of course too). Hope for more amazing walks, and glad there is some sun in the storms you have been dealing with.

Even in stress though you found an answer! More than one time I've found myself to give up fully, but you re seeing them and finding solutions. Also jealous of your ability to find FIGS, I love them. I could eat them ALL the time. But... they are nearly impossible to find here (and expensive). They are the number 1 food that always gives me a hug when I get my hands on them. I'm someone with zero patience when facing the conflict you are facing... to help leave some of the stress from your body. Just ignore if it doesn't fit for you. A few things that I've been told to do constantly to help surrender the stress to something more powerful than me that I've learned are like little spells from a higher power: Ask For Help from Source, Serenity Prayer , Feel my Breath - If

Reward tracked post Reward Key Added up for after 4/11/2024 (starting Thursday April 4th) Breakfast: 7/7! 1 hour rewarded Bedtime: 4/4 1 hour rewarded after Monday, Currently tracking: 3 our of 4! Working: 23.5/40.25 (missed .25 at other job, so going to try to make it up…. 16.75 hours needed >.> Meditation: (Started Saturday April 6th) 4/4 1 hr rewarded Tuesday, 0/4 currently Rewards: 3 hours rewarded! For 1 week not bad. Bummer I won't have time this weekend. But if I stay focused, I will be cashing out one way or another next weekend!

2 hours didn't happen last night, and honestly I can deal for 1 night. I realized I was dizzy and delirious and still ended up taking me 2 hours to settle into rest... The cats made sure I was up at 9 pm to feed them (as I was 100% confused, but they lead me... Sunshine bummed about playtime 2 meals in a row - made up for it before breakfast). Bummer this morning I ended up getting to work late due to my anxiety not kicking in about being late. It wanted to kick in, but realized one "point" why? Meditation was missed 2 mornings in a row... thinking of adding a back up time being "after work in car". Just 5 mins will help daily. Going to trial that this afternoon. Breakfast is good... and easy. Sleep has a LOT of awareness. Even on my "hype focused" phone night on Tuesday I was in bed before 9! Going to wrack up the points later... just looking at what needs to be done in the next week. I most likely won't be able to cash out until next weekend.

Found out the apartment I'm cleaning doesn't move in until Monday...Meaning, I can get some sleep tonight. Fuck yeah (I accidently gave myself the wrong end date so now I'm on time!) Now to write the plan so I'm aware why I need to work tonight (because the bed is calling...) 2 hours tonight and tomorrow (I can pick and choose what I get done- I cannot work more than 12.5 hours on Saturday, my stamina is too low for this consistently) Saturday 12.5 hours. I have so much to work to do in several places that I can give myself some "flexibility" the next 2 nights on where I want to go/ how to get it done... And I can breathe.

20 Hours left of day job. 16.5 hours needed for side job. 1 apartment needing to be cleaned in 23 hours (the true ick hidden in the freezer is done). Last night I had a bonus meeting with my mentor. After making a Finally a delicious in dungeon food post: So last night when I was fighting off the pile of dishes (don't realize how behind you are until realize it will take 2 loads of the dishwasher to complete everything...) I had chicken meat and veggies and cheese but nothing really for carbs (except lots of berries). I was stumped on how to make a good meal. I open the Stone Soup app and looked up "chicken recipes" https://thestonesoup.com/blog/2019/06/10/cheesy-chicken/ This one popped up. I of course didn't have zucchini, but realized I had almost every "alternate" vegetables suggestion. Going bad needed to cook: Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes Added to get the 800 g goal: 1 onion, can't remember if .5 a of yellow bell pepper or 1.5 (ended up being more veggies than I thought). I used up a bin of parmesan on it also (found out it was going bad and needed to get used up NOW). I also used 8 oz can of plain tomato sauce that I had over tomato paste... I poured it on before realizing I needed to "mix it" with the seasoning. Just sprinkled Smoked Paprika and Chili powder all on the top. Followed suit with a hit of salt, and it came out PERFECT. 1st before oven and 2nd Done I realized a while after that I accidently doubled the chicken since the recipe called for "2 fillets" and I think I put 4 from the whole container... Oops, but I had thought "this feels like a lot of meat" when I devoured a third of it... probably was craving the needed protein. Hard part cleaning the kitchen to cook and cleaning while it cooked ended up taking nearly 2 hours. To eat up the meal before a zoom appointment I didn't get to cleaning the apartment until 8 pm. Be upfront I'm running on barely 2.5 hours of sleep (it was GOOD sleep). I'm very much "last minute cleaning"... as I wrap my head around this learning curve. Yesterday I hit the goals (except the still counted detour of my sleep). Current Breakfast menu: -Eggs/cheese with a side of cooked veggies or stir fried in, with a banana and coffee (Most time/savory) -Green Smoothie w/ 2 cheesy eggs (semi-fast, hits the warm/cold flavor comfort). -Yogurt Bowl (greek yogurt, uncooked oats, banana or berries, some peanut butter, and honey). 3 recipes down... which is pretty good. I posted this on another thread but this has been my new go to lunch: https://thestonesoup.com/magic-chickpea-salad/ It's a quick no cook meal that I can make under 5 mins (when the right Tupperware is clean... I found out this morning).

How was the eclipse? We had clouds and rain... so 2nd time of me not seeing it (2017 was the exact same weather lol).

Just getting caught up... A no cook "bean" recipe I've been taking for lunches: https://thestonesoup.com/magic-chickpea-salad/ I put a half of a lemon and baby spinach... (found parmesan is cheap/on sale to really kick up the flavor with salt and pepper). Also... wow on your patience. Wowzah. But definitely vote library My small town library in my hometown said nothing about me bringing my laptop and playing video games with my earphones. They let me stay all day (I even had snacks at times lol... looking back I might have been a favorite for most of them lol/ they knew I was not in a great situation at home). Hopefully your current library has a good "vibe". Also for sleeping, have you thought about buying earplugs? I'm personally sound sensitive and found them sanctuary.... Might be worth buying the cheapest pack for sleep noise in the pharmacy aisle.

When you realize you ended up setting up a 70 hour work week... I'm personally not impressed with my own time management or energy management. Ended up on my phone for 3 hours after an 8 hour extra work day... I needed to work quite a bit more. Chose to sleep last night and work late tonight. Holding off caffeine until after my 10 hour shift. No Games reward until I get my work goal. I'm barely hitting the 20 hour mark, that I hope to shoot out of the water in the next 4 days. Eating breakfast - 100% (will do math later) Going to Bed on Time - Sunday mehh, stayed up really late as I got lost in my own self-sabotage vortex (literally feels like I'm in a dirt tornado.... 100% of the time it is due to emotions bubbling up that I didn't want to face). But win due to no 2 in a row, and working on it. Meditation - Been on a roll, 100%. Noticing how fast my thoughts are running through that any help to slow them down just a little. As I especially feel the anxiety try to hold on. Also I started to do a small massage and stretches in the morning to help loosen the plantar fasciitis pain I've been feeling. I don't 100% known if it is PF but the stretches/massage help with the intense pain I feel that is based in the heal or arch. The video I watched explain a lot of times the pain comes from tight muscles in the legs (and me knowing also the hips). I'm starting somewhere with a regime, that one day I will move up to the hips. ( I know I need Physical Therapy, but traveling to a PT but figure I try to get a stretching program in place before trying to add anything else).

Saturday 3/4 Bedtime - It was basically midnight when I got into bed. Was in bed before the hour.... 2/7 Breakfast - Relaxing morning and really the smoothie is hitting the spot while I make eggs and my iced coffee drink (need to find the recipe I found). 11/20 hours for the week. So need to start on the 29 today.... Both social stuff was PERFECT. The long drive to the retreat and back was the most relaxing as it ever has been (the time to leave and come back almost matches my day job's work schedule). Even got out of my bubble by talking to more people I haven't chatted with before (and really connected with my friends). Look forward to zoom meetings over the summer. Korean BBQ and hot pot was good though 100% overwhelming... I need to come up with a better "basic" plan for myself next time. But had a good time with my friends... We ended up being 730 to 11 and we had to drag ourselves out due to a friend having health issues. They might stop by my place today due to items (and meeting the cats). After the retreat I am adding one more goal. 5 mins of meditation. Just a little bit everyday. I've been working on being present in everyday life but need to work on a daily practice. I have a plan to do it after I feed the cats in the morning (and wake up early on my regular work days). 1/4 ... like bedtime. 1 hour reward and no skipping 2 in a row! Also... while I have a long list of things to do today. I hyperfocused on my taxes this morning. Had them done but the "to pay" amount had me take a pause. Figured out some paper work this last week. Reduced the payback due to paying off loans.... bam. 1 week ahead done (I used to have to make this a 2 challenge goal, and now know what to do next year to get it done faster).

9 hours of pain, where at one point I just started giving appreciation to how much my thumb does for me. Now I know it is all sensitive and stuff (and where ALL the nerves go). But it just a little sore on Thursday (and for a good day I kept trying to rub off the bruise because it looks like nail polish or a thick layer of ick). Thank you for the reminder, I also realizing *keep it simple*. Lower prep throw together foods the better. Yes! I think I learned some good cooking skills from her over the years (like the perfect soft-boiled egg or some tips on cooking chicken). Definitely works for me when I have more energy... but meal planning for the week it hasn't worked... Maybe one day I will figure out what I'm doing wrong. Yes all the wins!

Soooo looking through things, I found out I paid enough off my student loans that halved what I owe! Whoot! As my 2024 plan is to continue giving small payments and starting a retirement account (and working on getting 10% of my income if possible). I should be good for next year! I also found out there was another form for my state for Renters that I haven't done before. I've been very intimidated by taxes due to mishap of self-contractor in my late teens. So being able to not only get my taxes done a week before, but figuring out more forms and trying things on my own is a HUGE level up. Hope it went well and you received clarity/understanding on what needs to happen. ---- A few things. I'm going to now receive a consistent 20 hours a week (almost 2 extra paychecks equivalent a month now). If you haven't read my challenge, I am able to hit a quota that will reduce some of my fixed expenses (rent will have a little deduction, and water/sewer/trash will be covered my employer). Just intime for the bump on rent in July (lovely renewal). Goal for April: I have the budgeting now, but can start making adjustments and putting ALL my fixed expenses and starting embracing my fixed expenses/sinking funds. Hoping I can see what I can put aside to some furniture goals (like a nice bedframe...).

2/4 for getting into bed. Left my friend earlier than they liked (9 pm lol), but I noticed issues with my direction tracking and reaction while driving. Was in bed approximately 10. Big win as I wanted to sit on my phone for an hour to "decompress" while the cats wanted bedtime routine. Remembering I want a point! Got me going. Breakfast: https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/280738/spinach-peanut-butter-banana-smoothie/ (change kefir to milk or half yogurt/water). This is a spot on green smoothie that fills me up with a couple eggs. Big win on getting my green vegetables right away! 1/7 Didn't work extra hours.

Check-in... as my computer is dying. But yay reached my morning goals. Will reply back to comments probably Sunday! Thursday Going to bed before 9/1 hour when I get home - 1/4 late night as I had work to catch up on, 10 mins ended up being a coworker needing a vent. Realized doing rounds on the buildings each night will up my steps significantly. Breakfast - N/A bought breakfast at work Hours/20... I don't know where I'm at right now... but I worked about 3 hours last night after my 10 hour shift. Tonight and tomorrow I have social stuff! My friend that moved across country last year is coming into town this week. I'm super happy I can help them by picking them up at the airport tonight, and help run an errand. Tomorrow I have a retreat (been going to one every 2 months since November), was told this was the last one due to MN's tend to not want to do indoor things when the weather is nice/planting season for my mentor. So yay people, and then I run home after to have dinner with a group of my friends with the friend in town (they are a bit of kingpin with getting a group of us together). So super excited, but I know I won't hit the 20 hours this week due to injury/time management last Sunday and Tuesday/and being busy. But I can gain them back next week (as I have some deep cleaning around the buildings to work on too).

I am dealing with something similar right now, but honestly any mourning and healing is damn hard it takes everything to not get lost in an escape! You are taking care of yourself which is profound! Glad you are finding ways to make it work as you wade through it.

I honestly LOVE when things happen.... Glad you have the beautiful mount you have been wanting for a long time! (And a very pretty name to go with it!)

Thank you, and I find it funny how I still fit in them even when I ate up some fast food this week.

Yup, yup. Cutting meat isn't the mentally easiest right now... but I have done exactly that (and will enjoy doing it especially in the hotter months). --- To put it bluntly my mana has dropped. I had a good few days last week on getting into bed on time. By Friday... it went out the window. Blah. Been working on this habit for years and it is just tough. While at the same time I have now achieved benefits from my side job. If I maintain an average of 20 hours a week, my water/trash bill gets dropped and I will drop 15% on my rent. Huzzah! (It's all going toward my student debt....) Aka I'm getting the gold, and the best living discount for the quality of life I have right now. Hence why I need to keep my mana up.... (I literally no know one in my life that can maintain a healthy lifestyle and work 60 hours a week So this right now is a goal to maintain the 20 a week (40 biweekly). I have some habits I need to figure out with flex hours. Top it off, soon as I got the above reward I ended up smashing my thumb in a patio door (incredible pain for nearly 12 hours...). Didn't break anything and it ended up being due to a faulty of the door (I had my hand on the handle... but there is no gap for your thumb). I had to call off hours that day (confirmed with urgent care my hand is okay, just painfully located bruise). And took off yesterday (regained mana as I slept a whole day away...). Due to the injury, putting together basic food... was REALLY hard. A long with the desire of comfort food. (Have to remember to keep money in my *break glass for comfort food* budget category). I'm overwhelmed with my tight food budget, and realized "what happens if I plan the worst case scenario, and work my way back?". (Basically food budget more money, and enjoy when I can buy less... and enjoy buying meat and frozen pizzas for a bit). --- So edit of goals: Bedtime before 9 pm (or 1 hour after getting home from work/social time) Goal to hit goals 4 times; no 2 in a row. I can play any video games for 1 hour Work an extra 20 hours a week (or 40 for 2 weeks) Goal 20 hours in a week (or 40 within 2 weeks), I will earn 1 hour of video games per 20 hours Meal plan/eat from home breakfast that fits my anti-inflammation goal. Goal is to come up with 4-6 recipes to rotate (and the budget with them). Inventory a new recipe every week (yay or nay, put in binder if a win w/ price breakdown). Reward - 1 hours of gaming for eating breakfast all week, and at least 1 feed back for the week. I will track by checking in every morning after being ready in the morning.

Interesting, I love also the difference on herbing it up. I personally have just sprayed it down well with olive oil and the chicken breast is coming out good when I do a bake. True, true. Mental/spiritual are also the same for me. This is life lol... and all the adjustments that come with it. True true, I honestly enjoy chicken thighs but it has been encouraged I stick to the leaner cuts for my meat protein...

Thank you! It REALLY is! Okay, but its funny how in I've been studying this hard for 6 years and there is still times my brain goes "ohhh that's how it works!". ---- 3 days in a row with 8 hours of sleep... and I woke up feeling even more exhausted. Aka, I'm finally feeling how tired I am. But got work done last night, need to get more done... but getting my butt toward bed after 8 to be in it by 9 has been working for the better. Yesterday morning I made Ugly chicken and cabbage before work, think I ended up running late between that and eggs but lesson learned. Found out if I don't chop the cabbage into tiny pieces but go for slices, it turns out like noodle shapes! Doesn't replace noodles but a VERY different needed texture to know. ---- I was reading @Sovalis's challenge. the talk about wheat flour effecting joint pain. IDK if I have joint pain, but I 100% have inflammation in all my joints (especially as I try to move more). From my feet, knees and hips to even my back and ribs. My brain brought up last night... what would be a passive way to lose some of the pain I'm losing until I could do more? Brought it up to my naturopath a few years ago when I was seeing her and she confirmed it was definitely inflammation I was feeling. From her and others in my life I have been suggested to avoid eating: refined sugar, white flour and seed oil. Before I would be changing my diet for losing weight (tight serving sizes). Or other rules. I already avoid buying ingredients, but as I work on how to cook in the dungeon. I can the recipes that will help me not only survive the dungeon but get stronger/feel better.

Did my taxes today... found out I'm doing so successful in life that my home state is having me pay money. It luckily is not huge, but definitely has me thinking of doing some research to change my W-4s so I don't have to worry about owing next year (rather not see it, than having to plan ahead).