Seabright's 2016 Battle Log of Awesomeness

[Seabright]

Well, 'Battle Log' is a bit over-the-top for what this is. Mostly I want a way to track my 2016 goals and activity and such as that.

[Seabright]

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALS!

 

Trying something new this time. I read a good article on setting big, sweeping, year-long-type goals, and I'm going to follow that format. You pick ONE goal, and then articulate 3 ways to get there. Then, you pick ONE power word to help you focus. 

 

 

GOAL FOR 2016

 

Get healthy by eating right, doing yoga, and taking time for myself.

 

1. Get healthy by eating right

• Detox through the month of February (no caffeine, sugar, alcohol, white flour or other crap).
• Strict food-combining until I fit into my ultimate goal pants.
• 80% Paleo diet afterwards.

 

2. Get healthy by doing yoga

• Commit to a daily practice, even if it's only 10-minutes worth of stretching.
• Take the free classes that are available when time permits (Sunday class at the local Patagonia store, yoga at work). 
• Participate in any reasonably-priced 1-day workshops that come my way.

 

3. Get healthy by taking time for myself

• Find a few minutes every day: solitary walk, cup of decaf in the early am in the backyard, journaling at lunchtime, stop at the beach on the way home to watch the waves, take the long way home, horseback riding -- these all count. This will make me a nicer person all around, and give me energy for other things.
• If the answer isn't "Hell Yeah!" then it's "Um, no." This will help protect my time and keep me from getting over-extended.
• Think of one thing I'm grateful for every day, and a couple of reasons why I'm grateful for it. 

 

POWER WORD FOR 2016

 

Kindness

 

 

Okay. That's it! Now, I'll also have this plan and that plan for getting this project or that project done, I'm just going to make the above the focus. These goals are a little more, well, you know, groovy than I usually make 'em. You know, since I'm all about tactical planning and strict adherence to schedules, this is pretty foreign. Hey, who doesn't need a little granola from a hand-thrown pottery bowl in their lives?

 

Alright! Let's get crackin'!

[Seabright]

Logging, retroactively.

 

Feb 1

 

Yoga - 30 mins

Food - Detox, day 1, success

Alone time - Ducked into a little room at work to work on my personal goals

 

Gratitude:

I'm grateful for the ability to step away from my desk and work somewhere else now and then. Because it helps me stay balanced, if I get bogged down, it lets me focus on a difficult project, and it makes me feel like a human being.

 

Feb 2

 

Yoga - 30 mins

Food - Detox, day 2, success

Alone time - Ducked into a little room at work to work on my goals some more. Also, taking longish drive to tonight's gig (1 1/2 hours or so).

 

Gratitude:

I'm grateful for my commute. (I know, right? Fact.) Because it gives me some time alone, it gives me a chance to practice singing, it's not too far, and it's awfully pretty, especially when the clouds are drifting across the hill tops as I cross the summit.

[Seabright]

Feb 3

 

Yoga - 20 mins

Food - Detox, day 3, success. Food, well - ate an entire Amy's Kitchen dairy-free vegetarian whole wheat pizza. Could have been worse, I guess. 

Alone time - Spousal unit had a gig, so had the old home place to myself all evening. Played with the kitties and sprawled across the couch reading a magazine. Nice.

 

Gratitude:

 

Tuesday night had a friend visiting from Stockholm and had him sit in with us. So much fun! I am grateful to be able to jam on songs I've never heard before, and to be able to sing harmonies, and to be able to play music with people who know all the words to 'White Freight Liner.'

[Seabright]

Thur, Feb 4

 

Yoga - 25 mins

Food - Detox, day 4, success. 

Alone time - Ducked into a little conference room at work at lunchtime and sent a note to my aunt.

 

Gratitude:

 

The little half-wild kitty that joined our family 3 years ago has grown from a terrified starving little gray wisp of smoke into a happy roly poly plump little kitty. So grateful she came into our lives! She is as soft as a downy cloud, has brought a light into the golden years of our elderly boy cat (he just loves her - they sleep curled up together), and joy is her natural state. 

[Seabright]

Fri Feb 5

 

Yoga - 15 mins

Food - Detox, day 5, success

Alone time - Took a walk down to the beach and stopped at the liquor store to buy a lottery ticket

 

Gratitude:

Grateful that it was almost 70 outside! Gorgeous day!

 

Sat Feb 6

Yoga - 20 mins

Food - Detox, day 6, success

Alone time - Drove out to the ranch and helped round up the cattle!!!

 

Gratitude:

Oh man!! How cool was that!!! Got a call late Friday from friends, asking if I wanted to help bring in some cattle from their 200 acre pasture. Um, yes. Yes, I do. Rode my friend's horse on a BEAUTIFUL day and brought 'em all in. CD was uber prancy from being cooped up during the rain, and he was a bouncy handful of a cow pony. :-) So grateful to know people who have horses, and cattle, and who let me ride their horses while bringing in their cattle, and who taught me how to ride and how to move cattle, and for the incredibly gorgeous day, and for bringing my hat with wind strings. All done without the benefit of caffeine, sugar or alcohol. Crispy, crunchy apple when we got back to the road. Shared the core with my pony pal. Fan-freakin'-tastic.

 

Sun Feb 7

Yoga - 30 mins

Food - Detox still going strong. Had a fish taco at the end of the day, but only one and no chips, beans or rice.

Alone time - This one was tougher. We went on a really long, challenging hike, though, and being as slow as I am, I had lots of time trailing along on my own some. I'm going to say that counts. ;-)

 

Gratitude:

Another beautiful day oh my goodness gracious me. Grateful to a friend who told us of a great place to hike, and to the spousal unit for being up for doing something new. Grateful for all the flights of stairs I've been walking up and down at work over the last couple of weeks, because that trail was steeeeeeeeep. Grateful for the unbelievable views of the valley and the soft, green rolling hills when we got to the top. Grateful that we didn't give up. Grateful that we finished. 75 degree afternoon. In February. Whoa.

[Rookie]

I am so jealous that you got to help bring in cattle! I am in no way a western rider but something about it just seems like so much fun! I think everyone needs more horse time in their lives  

I have to say I love your optimism and that you take the time to appreciate things. Its easy to get stuck in the flow of life and just go through the motions. I should make more of an effort to go to the beach to watch the waves or go on a walk in the forest. It does wonders for my health. Thank you for being an inspiration. 

[Seabright]

Hey, Rookie! Thanks for the kind words! Western riding is awesome - there are cows involved, and the Western saddle provides more handholds than an English one. Har har. Check it out, girlio!

[Seabright]

Feb 8 - Feb 22

 

My goodness gracious me - where did the time go! Here's the summary:

 

Yoga:

Averaging about 20 minutes per day, with a couple of 10 minute days and a couple of 60 minute days. You know what? I do feel better. Sorta awesome, in fact. On track.

 

Food:

Still detoxing, baby! Since Feb 1, had 2 Diet Cokes and 1 chocolate chip cookie, but otherwise, all good. Snapped out of the mind-numbingly-deep-depression phase a while ago (hey, did you know that caffeine is a mood-altering substance that messes with your brain chemistry? Whoa!), had a great night's sleep last night, and things are looking up.

 

Alone time:

Have found a few minutes every day. Turns out, these few minutes are out there, all around me, all the time - I just never really noticed 'em before. Just took those alone minutes completely for granted. Am now cherishing those damn things like there's no tomorrow. Have taken the long way home, the long way to work, went for various little walks, rode my friend's horsie, ate an apple or two in the garden, ducked into a Focus room at work for some writing, played my guitar, the hits keep on coming. 

 

Gratitude:

Holy moly, guacamole! I'll try to remember all the small moments. By my count, I owe my Battle Log 15 of 'em.

1. I love the little white lights that are wrapped around the trees on the main drag through Los Gatos. So pretty, and they really light up the evening as the sun fades away.
2. We had a lovely WARM evening here in Santa Cruz. Warm after 5pm, highly unusual for us. Went to the brewery and sat on the patio (had a glass of water with my yummy salmon salad). 
3. Picked up the little gray kitty while out back, on a warm morning. She wiggled for a minute, and then suddenly realize that being so high up, she could see all around the yard. She was still there 10 minutes later, completely settled in, almost lying down in my arms, little gray head tilted back to bask her neck in the sun. We can't call her the 'wild kitty' any more, she is now the 'shy kitty.'
4. Up before dawn, watched the sun come up from the front porch, while our street was still and quiet.
5. Found a parking place right in front of my building, even though I was getting to work almost a 1/2-hour late. Yes!
6. I'm grateful for Whole Foods brand non-sweetened apple sauce. Chunky!
7. Had a great band practice with the boys the other night. Finally nailed that one high part that's been giving me so much trouble.
8. Eva Cassidy singing 'At Last' came up on shuffle on the way to work. I hit repeat and sang along for the next 15 miles.
9. Took the long way in to work, and was grateful that I finally have the kind of job where no one looks at the clock when I walk in the door.
10. Grateful that my manager sits in another part of the building (see #9).
11. CD, the little cow pony, nickered at me when I walked up to his stall. 
12. My beloved silver-haired daddy of mine loves to talk about the weather. Me, too!
13. The spousal unit and I played a duet gig at the coffee shop where if no one walks out when you start playing, you're having a good night. The place was packed and they listened. A first!
14. Dolly the shy kitty brought in a bird and placed it in her feeding dish before eating it. Because that's where we eat.
15. Grateful to all my little Rebels, for keeping me honest.

Caught up! Will keep up-to-date better from now on. 

 

Walk the straight and narrow, Rebel Pals, and stay strong and true!

[Rookie]

Hey, Rookie! Thanks for the kind words! Western riding is awesome - there are cows involved, and the Western saddle provides more handholds than an English one. Har har. Check it out, girlio!

 

Haha I have done a few trail rides before. The last one went good except getting off the horse. I totally got my bra stuck on the horn and was dangling off this huge Belgian mare with my shirt above my head. That was embarrassing!  

[Seabright]

Rookie! Holy cow, that's hilarious! I mean, embarrassing at the time, no doubt, but pretty hilarious now. ;-)

 

Once I had a successful riding lesson, and felt like a big ol' hot shot coming back to the barn. Swung over, got my boot stuck in the stirrup, landed on my nether regions with my foot still in the stirrup. CD turned around and gave me a funny look, and then he started walking to the tie rail. Hilarity ensued. 

 

Hubris. 

[Rookie]

Haha that is pretty good too! Hopefully there weren't too many spectators for yours. Yah it was totally embarrassing at the time, but I find it very amusing now... Though I am afraid to try riding in a western saddle again  

[Seabright]

Tues Feb 23

 

Yoga - 30 mins

Food - Detox, hanging tough, although today was challenging

Alone time - Took my laptop outside in the afternoon to work in the patio between buildings

 

Gratitude:

Grateful that it was almost 75 outside! Another gorgeous day!

Bonus gratitude - saw a V of white pelicans flying over the road as I drove through the mountains on the way in. How cool is that?

[Seabright]

Wed Feb 24

 

Yoga - 10 mins

Food - Detox, well dang. Caved in to a tiny bit of depression brought on by, well, nothing of import. Had 1/3 cup of regular coffee at around 10:45am. Boo! Otherwise, walked right past the massive pile of sweet rolls on the way to my desk. Yay!

Alone time - 12:45 pm and none so far today. Will update later.

 

Gratitude:

The madrones are blooming along Highway 17! Strong, steady and true, these California natives laugh in the face of drought, and put on a show year after year. I love them because they are tall, because they are rugged, and because they remind me that there is strength and beauty to be had in the face of adversity.

[Seabright]

Thur Mar 24

 

Whoa...an entire month has gone by since my last update. That's...pathetic.

 

Food:

Feb detox completed. All good except for 3 diet cokes and that wee bit o' coffee along the way. Otherwise, no sugar, no caffeine and no alcohol. Yay for me!

 

Yoga-ing:

All good on the yoga front. Have stuck to a min of 10 mins a day, with a few exceptions where I just couldn't get my darn act together. Never went too far, though, and always came back to the mat. 

 

Alone time:

Meh. Was doing great up to the time change. Took my early morning apple outside into the garden to munch and watch the sun come up before launching in to the day. Time changed and it all spiraled out of control. Ack! Will do better from here on out.

 

Gratitude:

Have found that if I don't consciously notice something cool and write it down, a few days will go by and I'll forget to be grateful for stuff. How no bueno is that? Many cool things happening all around me, not the least of which is the delivery of 2 cubic yards of mushroom compost now sitting in the driveway. Roses FTW!!

 

Being away from my battle log has definitely allowed me to slip back in to old habits. Tut tut. I think I need to grab a few minutes to jot down a few lines every morning. Will keep me honest and moving forward. I want to do another detox (since I'm now back to guzzling Diet Cokes and what-not). It's tough to get going, but once you get the hang of it, it is nice to feel sort of free of the garbage. Intimate detail alert: detoxing in Feb slowed my digestion to a freakin' crawl. Next time will drink more water and get more exercise to encourage the ol' peristaltic action, if you know what I mean. 

 

And I think you do.

 

Okie dokie! 

 

BACK ON TRACK!!

 

 

[Seabright]

Fri Mar 25

Yoga:

25 mins

 

Food:

Had a butter cookie shaped like a yellow peep along with my bacon and eggs. It just seemed like the right thing to do, given the time of year. Dinner, on the other hand, was a disaster, and included every single food group plus a few extras. Thinking about another detox, starting tomorrow morning. Let's see how strong I am.

 

Alone time:

Yesterday had tons of time by myself to think and plan and get my head screwed on in the right direction. Ended up tilling the front garden bed with the mantis after work, well into the chilly evening. Compost now settling in.

Gratitude:

The roses came! Nine of the little darlings, all on their own roots. They are just babies, but they have all their fingers and toes and have their mothers' eyes. 

[Seabright]

Sat Mar 26

Yoga:

45 mins. 

 

Food:

Detox now officially started! From now through the end of April, no caffeine, no sugar, no alcohol. Five weeks this time instead of four.  Had 1/4 cup of coffee, though, to help stave off, you know, lower gastrointestinal...issues. Otherwise all good!

 

Alone time:

Gardening. All day. Lovely.

Gratitude:

I planted a rose garden!!!!!!!!

 

Old-fashioned, antique, fluffy, non-teas, not grafted. Tiny little ones on their own roots. Golden Celebration, Molineaux, Zepherine Drouhin, Climbing Gold Badge, Julia Child (buttery yellow har har), Ebb Tide, Pretty Lady Rose. Plus, a bunch of California natives along the side of the house where I don't water.

 

Started at 10:30am, finished up at 7:00pm, back and arms aching, feeling wonderful and happy. All the little babies are now nestled in their tilled little compost-y bed, sleepy, yawning, ready to stretch out their little arms tomorrow and start growing.

[Copper Rabbit]

I'm really enjoying your posts - the super positive outlook you have is fantastic!

 

Following along.. (:

[Seabright]

Sun Mar 27

Yoga:

10 mins. Minimal. Had to get up and fix the spousal unit breakfast before his early morning gig. 

 

Food:

Detox on it's way. Another 1/4 cup of coffee for the reason cited in my last post (argh). No head-ache, and feeling pretty good, otherwise. Had about 3 oz of red wine w/dinner as a bridge-builder after a little spousal-unit-related misunderstanding. Detox aside, sometimes it's just the right thing to do.

 

Alone time:

Lovely time on my hands and knees in the dirt, running bubblers to all the new rose plantings. Sang to myself. You know, quietly.

Gratitude:

Grateful for the ties that bind. When all the words are said, and the original snag is untangled, a toast and an episode of 'Fargo' is all it takes to get things back on track. :-)

 

[Seabright]

Mon Mar 28

Yoga:

45 mins. Strength and balance. Have started treating this as my replacement for body weight workouts.

 

Food:

Another 1/4 cup of coffee. I think this will be my last time. Let's cut the cord and see how I do! Otherwise, no sugar, no alcohol.

 

Alone time:

Snuck in a few minutes with the guitar after work, before launching in to dinnertime mode. 

Gratitude:

Grateful that all the little roses were thoughtfully shipped with one little bud each. I know I should clip the bud to redirect energy to the roots and leaves and such as that, but I do want to see their first baby smiles. 

 

 

[Seabright]

Tue Mar 29

 

Yoga:

15 minutes after work while watching The Voice.

 

Food:

1/4 cup of coffee, after all. Yesterday I had my first little baby headache. I'm thinking I need at least one more day. Walked right on by the chocolate chip muffins and the giganto box of donuts at work. Yay for me! No alcohol or nuthin' neither.

 

Alone time:

Got off the highway at the summit and took the backroad down the mountain. Lovely drive. Pulled over to let a couple of overachievers fly by, and then cruised along slow enough to admire the forget-me-nots and redwood fairy rings.

 

Gratitude:

Hey! Just notice that the reservoir is the fullest it's been in years. Water, baby, water for everyone!

[Seabright]

Wed Mar 30

Yoga:

15 minutes after work while watching a rerun of Voyager.

 

Food:

1/2 cup of coffee. Are we noticing a trend here? Also had a Diet Coke in the pm, after an EXTREMELY stressful meeting. Otherwise, no sugar, no alcohol. 

 

Alone time:

Drove through Los Gatos on the way home and ended up stopping to try on bathing suits. Going on a beach-related vacation soon, and haven't bought a swim suit in many a year. (Rather than sunburn, I actually burst into flame, so I just don't hang out in the sun that way.) Entered the humilitron of the dressing room and, oh, the horror. Gentleman, avert your eyes.

 

Gratitude:

Grateful that my time on the boards has given me more confidence in front of the mirror. ;-)

[Seabright]

Thur Mar 31

Yoga:

45 minutes of the hard stuff.

 

Food:

1/2 cup of coffee. This may be just the way we go for a while. Seems to be working. No sugar, but I did have 1/2 glass of red wine with dinner.

Huh. Some detox.

 

Alone time:

Got off the highway and took the side road home. Saw horses!

 

Gratitude:

Grateful to the spousal unit for making dinner. I just didn't have it in me, and he fired it up while I was sort of standing outside in the backyard, talking to the cats.

[Seabright]

Fri Apr 1

 

Yoga:

Overslept by an hour!! None at all.

 

Food:

1/2 cup of coffee. Diet Coke. Am slowly spiraling out of control! Dinner was a train wreck - a pint of amber at the brewery, followed by a cookie. Couldn't sleep, felt bloated and yucky, not to mention just plain mad at myself.

 

Okay. Shake it off and get back on track!

 

Alone time:

Took my apple out into the yard after work and sat on the wall at the back of the garden. The boy cat jumped up next to me and settled in. Then, oh wonder! The shy kitty came up, chirping, jumped up on the other side of me, then walked around and wedged herself between me and the boy kitty. He started cleaning her face, and pretty soon we were all purring.

 

Gratitude:

See above. Patience and love.

 

 

[Seabright]

Sat Apr 2

 

Yoga:

An hour's worth. Arms are now satisfactorily tired-ish. Feeling good.

 

Food:

1/2 cup of coffee and wine with dinner. Otherwise, all good.

 

Alone time:

Planted a bunch of monkey flowers and cosmos in the early morning. All snuggling in nicely.

 

Gratitude:

Left my phone at work last nice and had to go for it this morning. It never once occurred to me that someone might swipe it off of my desk in the meantime, it was more that I just didn't want to miss a phone call. Grateful to have workmates and a working environment where petty theft is just not a worry.