WolfDreamer

When Wolfen awoke, he was transported to a magical world full of various animals and wildlife. He braved the endless sea of people marching, bumping, and rolling their way through the maze of exotic and familiar lifeforms who peered curiously from their guarded habitats. The most challenging task, however, was managing his own tiny giggling younglings as they darted to and fro, seeming to be transformed by the mysterious and magnificent creatures all around them. Amid the hoots and howls of apes, Wolfen found himself also drawn into this powerful place and wished to stay awhile longer. Took my children to the Columbus Zoo: walked just under 8 miles in 6 hours.

Wolfen spotted the ladder and carefully scaled it to the first tier. Once at the top, a slippery gob of wet leaves prevented his grip and threatened his secure footing. After a risky and filthy job of cleaning out this damp mess, he was finally able to reach the first tier and enjoy the view. I cleaned out the gutters above my neighbor's garage...

It's beautiful here, as well. I'm going for a hike and a swim if all goes well this evening. Hope your hike was awesome!

I love cooking, but since I tend to be creative when I cook, I'm not usually permitted to cook for everyone else, just myself. Although, I don't like cooking things that require a bunch of steps. My favorite things to cook are omelets because they're simple, but you can get creative with the ingredients. Frittatas are fun, too. Same idea. And soups. Just throw some things in a pot, heat, and enjoy.

I've said this far too many times during this challenge. That's good news. Hang in there. You will heal, respawn, and ready to kick ass next challenge!

Good to hear and good luck!

That's good to hear! I had a pretty good weekend, as well.

You got this.

Getting behind on posts again because life has been crazy busy. Even now, I don't really have time for my standard formatted post. Instead, I'll give you a bulleted list of the best highlights: Pushups are pretty much a bust; I think I've done 30 in the past three days. Maybe I need to seat an alarm like hourly or something to remind myself. Food selections have been mostly fresh stuff, with the exception of a few "unavoidable" family trips to McDonald's. Breakfast has been cooked at home: bacon and eggs (from my neighbor, of course) topped with salsa. Lunch: mostly soups and some sardines or tuna Still working for my mentor; did some housework for him and used the leaf blower on the front porch. Lots of across-campus walking and smiling/greeting people as I walk. Went with my wife and kids to the Columbus Zoo today and met with my friend Jamie and his wife and kids; he is from Columbus and we met online a few years ago, so we have been meaning to do a zoo trip together. Jamie has two children, a daughter and a son who has autism. His son was a treat to be around and listened to his father very well. Jamie told me later he normally is less patient and doesn't do well with the start-stop that is common for walking through the zoo. I'm averaging about 7 miles/day of walking; today it was almost 8. Prayed for a friend whose son is dying from cancer, as well as our nation and the people suffering in Syria.

Thankee sai.

Week 3, Day 2 (Tuesday) Connect With Environment: Took the dogs outside in the morning; walked across campus; also worked outside at my mentor's cleaning off his garage doors. Barefoot at home and during my walk with the dogs; still wearing skater shoes b/c I haven't cleaned my minimalist shoes yet. Played with Minnie and Sugar; also spent time with my cats (Mittens, Ashes, and Sophia); did some birdwatching (saw and heard a woodpecker this time!) and spotted some squirrels on campus. Five Joulebug challenges completed Connect With Food: Breakfast: omelet with spinach, mushrooms, and cottage cheese Lunch: Italian vegetable soup with farro (see past post for ingredients or just Google it). Dinner: wife made Italian sausage with green peppers and onions, topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese Connect With Body: Deep squatting: 2 minutes in the morning, 2 minutes afternoon, 2 minutes evening Drank about 60 oz of water 12,715 steps today 30/75 pushups/day (same problem, just keep forgetting) Walked across campus; also cleaned my neighbor's garage doors, so some reaching, scrubbing (wax on, wax off), and plenty of elbow-grease (whatever upper-body workout that counts as). Connect With Tribe: Hung out with Gracelynn while my wife took Arabella and Aryanna (16) grocery shopping; later I played with Arabella. Hugs and kisses for everyone before leaving for work/school; also tickle-time and hugs before bed for the little ones, as usual. Foot rub for my wife, but we couldn't snuggle because Arabella wanted her mommy before bed. By the time I turned in, her and my wife were both passed out. Called my mother; she is doing well, as is my stepfather. Connect With Self: Become toruk makto: I don't recall any moments of anger or frustration (other than maybe with our government, which I have no control over, so...) Seek wisdom: almost finished with Legends of the Fall Choose your words: spoke mindfully to my students about some of the sensitive issues addressed in the series and book Thirteen Reasons Why. Be grateful: Netflix, poetry (especially Rudyard Kipling's "If--"), zoo souvenirs. Connect With Eywa (God): Woke up early (4:45am) and greeted the morning with a grateful smile and a spoken "Thank you" Sat alone in the bottom floor of the library. Said some spoken prayers and some unspoken prayers. Smiled and greeted a few people on campus.

Same. It wasn't the worst I've had, but it did suck.

Since my weekend and Monday were mostly uneventful, I won't use my usual format for updates. I'll simply give you a bulleted list of the most interesting things that happened. Worked for a few hours helping my mentor clean his house; swept the front and back porch (forgotten when when last time was I swept a porch), wiped off the wooden steps leading upstairs as well as the ones leading to the basement. Took the little ones (Arabella and Gracelynn) to see Boss Baby Had to get under the house to catch Ashes again (Arabella let him out by accident). Later Sunday afternoon I had a bathroom emergency (coming out of the basement, not the attic if you catch my drift). Then came a second trip and a third and a fourth and on into the late evening. Finally by Sunday night I was vomiting. Three things could have caused my illness: the kale that I ate for breakfast (expired, but not terribly old), the potluck luncheon I attended after church (that one gets my vote), or a virus. I stayed home from work Monday and barely got out of bed; the vomiting and diarrhea had stopped, but I felt achy and weak. I'm all better now, though. I'll post today's (Tuesday) update later.

42.

I know. I was kidding. It's damn near impossible for me to be a slacker with a wife, four daughters, a career and a part time job, and all these NF goals to accomplish.

This is my struggle. Isn't that kind of natural for most of us nerds?

Eh, I forgive you. Everything else seems to be going well.

I have seen it. It was...amusing.

Woo hoo! Well done! I'm really proud of you. Now I'm curious! What quote did you use? And can we just be honest for a moment: has Matthew Broderick done anything great since Ferris Bueller? Maybe Simba, but does that count?

I struggle with this, as well, so you are among good company.

Buena suerte! (I don't speak Spanish. I totally used Google translate).

Big thank you to you both. I'm back at it today, I promise. I will do one short post about my weekend later today. But yesterday (Monday) was uneventful, trust me.

No updates for the weekend or Monday because I was sick and didn't do or eat much of anything. I promise to give you an update for tomorrow. Meanwhile...