heidi Ice: Heidi’s Yuletide 2016 Challenge

[Heidi]

Ice

Heidi’s Yuletide 2016 Challenge

The Big Why

Attention to small things gives us real results in large things.
This is my Why, and the Tao is my Way.

Objectives: What I Want

1. A peaceful mind. I value balance in all things, but especially in my heart and mind. Peace of mind vanquishes all.

2. A healthy body.

3. Happy family time.

4. A clean and orderly home.

Activities: What I’m Willing to do

1. Attitude Awareness and Adjustment:

   1. Read the Tao daily, preferably with my partner, sharing our thoughts on the passage of the day.

   2. Go to work with a positive attitude, grateful wherever and whenever possible

   3. Sauna meditation daily

2. Take care of the body that I have been given:

   1. Physical workout once a week

   2. Maintain a restful and restorative sleep schedule
      8+ hours, with a gentle buffer for falling asleep and waking up

   3. Make time for activities that help

      1. Walking

      2. Acupuncture

      3. Therapy

      4. Yoga Therapy

3. Play with Vivian

4. Uphold the house system in place with love and care

   1. Clothing set out each week

   2. Dinner prepared and dishes washed with love and mindfulness.

 

Challenge Item	TOTAL	Week 0 11/28 - 12/4	Week 1 12/5 - 12/11	Week 2 12/12- 12/18	Week 3 12/19 - 12/25	Week 4 12/26 - 1/1/2017
Go to work with a good attitude	16/19	M T W R F 5/5	M 1/5	T W T F 4/5	M T W 3/0	W R F 3/4
Meditation	/35	M T W R F S 6/7		U   1/7
Meetings / Contacts	/35	M T/3+ W/3+		SU
Physical Workout / Swimming	/35	S
Set out clothing	4/5	1/1		U	MT	U
Dinner & Dishes	/35	M T W R F S U
Sleep 8+	/35	M T W R S U	M T W R S U	M T W R S U	M T
Walking	/35					M
Playtime with Vivian	12/12	R 1/1	RFSU 4/4	RU 2/2	MTWRFSU 7/7	-
Acupuncture	1/5	- 0/1	- 0/1	- 0/1	- 0/1	T
Katrina	4/4	T 1/1	R 1/1	R 1/1	T 1/1	canceled by katrina
Erin	1/1			n/a	W 1/1

 

[DarK_RaideR]

Following!

[Heidi]

Insight:

While I was writing up the challenge, I noticed that I have come a long way in the four (!!) years that I have been with NF.

I have balance and a beautiful, supportive routine that allows me to be flexible and responsive to my life and the normal bumps along the Way. 
In addition, I have cultivated balance within, which has allowed me to be responsive and flexible to the large, chaotic, and at times cataclysmic bumps along the Way.

I could not ask for more, not ever.

I am truly blessed.

Life is good.

[LittleTurtle]

52 minutes ago, Heidi said:

Objectives: What I Want

1. A peaceful mind. I value balance in all things, but especially in my heart and mind. Peace of mind vanquishes all.

I'm learning to value the balance in things as well!  I shall learn much from you this go around!  

[Heidi]

Just now, LittleTurtle said:

I'm learning to value the balance in things as well!  I shall learn much from you this go around!  

<3u2,LT.

[NeverThatBored]

Following along again! 

[Heidi]

@DarK_RaideR and 

@LittleTurtle and 

@NeverThatBored

What a great crew to have with me!

Looking forward to insight and inspiration from you all!

[LittleTurtle]

5 hours ago, Heidi said:

 

Challenge Item	TOTAL	Week 0 11/28 - 12/4	Week 1 12/5 - 12/11	Week 2 12/12- 12/18	Week 3 12/19 - 12/25	Week 4 12/26 - 1/1/2017
Go to work with a good attitude	/19	M
Sauna Meditation	/35
Meetings	/35
Physical Workout	/35
Set out clothing	/5
Dinner & Dishes	/35
Sleep 8+	/35
Walking	/35
Playtime with Vivian	/12
Acupuncture	/4
Katrina	/3
Erin	/1

 

Another amazing chart!  God, I love this so much!  Just when I think I want to bag the chart idea, you've gone and inspired me again!  

[Heidi]

Just now, LittleTurtle said:

Just when I think I want to bag the chart idea, you've gone and inspired me again!  

Behold, the power of the group.

And yes, I just had to simplify the whole thing.

Because in simplicity is balance.

[Heidi]

 

 

14

Celebrating mystery

 

Look at it: nothing to see.

Call it colorless.

Listen to it: nothing to hear.

Call it soundless.

Reach for it: nothing to hold.

Call it intangible.

 

Triply undifferentiated,

it merges into oneness,

not bright above,

not dark below.

 

Never, oh! never

can it be named.

It reverts, it returns

to unbeing.

Call it the form of the unformed,

the image of no image.

 

Call it unthinkable thought.

Face it: not face.

Follow it: no end.

 

Holding fast to the old Way,

we can live in the present.

Mindful of the ancient beginnings,

we hold the thread of the Tao.

 

[Aerisand]

Following  

Balance is one thing I've known for a while that I need, and it seems as if life or priorities don't come in pairs but in odd numbers. One day it'll be easier! 

Love the chart and the pretty colors.

 

[Laghail]

Following and I agree with Aerisand.

[DarK_RaideR]

13 hours ago, Heidi said:

Looking forward to insight and inspiration from you all!

All I can think about every time I read your challenge title is

Spoiler

 

ICE, ICE, HEIDI!

 

Not sure that counts as really inspiring though...

 

 

[Heidi]

5 hours ago, DarK_RaideR said:

All I can think about every time I read your challenge title is

  Hide contents

 

ICE, ICE, HEIDI!

 

Not sure that counts as really inspiring though...

 

 

@DarK_RaideR, you said you wouldn't tell anyone about my ThugPast!

 

☯

[Heidi]

I did indeed make it to the sauna for meditation, and to the hot tub for some relaxation of my poor tense muscles yesterday after leaving the office. This continues to be a wonderfully restorative portion of my day, and less and less optional, especially when I spend time out of my cave home and at an office desk. Bonus: I bumped into a meeting-fellow in the co-op while we were there tending to a couple items on the To-Do list. She and I talked and it was good, it felt like the meeting-before-the-meeting, which often is the best part, and I'm counting it as a contact for the week, though it served more to remind me of how important contact is. 

 

Confession / Insight: The attitudes of others around technology often presents great opportunities for me to learn more about patience and humility.

These experiences also give me the opportunity to examine boundaries, mine and others', and to see when overstepping them would interfere with someone else's education.

Quiet reflection in meditation and through conversation with like-minded companions continues to help me sort through these opportunities, and to find my way with a bit of grace that I otherwise would not have.

Balance continues to be key, and my attitude and mindfulness unlock the balance.

 

This morning I scrambled a couple eggs while the tea steeped, and then enjoyed them at my desk with some smoked salmon. Life is good.

[Heidi]

Yesterday was filled with all things supportive and restorative. I had therapy with Katrina in the afternoon, then we went to the gym for hot tub and sauna time, went home to put the local vegetables for the week away and went to a meeting in the neighborhood. When we got back, I made 4 calls, including calling my sponsor, while we set up for dinner and cards by a fire. We played, and talked, and were generally simply together for the rest of the evening, and then went to bed, where I slept peacefully and woke naturally.

 

Also, when I was talking with the CEO yesterday about Business Intelligence opportunities, we ended up talking about teenagers, parenting, and unconditional love. In the wake of that, I have prayed for guidance as I go forward, and I this morning I am inclined to resurrect the newsletter idea, scaled down to family-size instead of for the whole neighborhood or city. I'm enjoying the possibilities, at the very least, even if it doesn't lead to anything.

 

Monday evening I paid a bunch of bills; things are far more on track than ever before, and it feels really good. Tomorrow I get to finally file my 2015 taxes, now that the IRS has gotten me a copy of my tax transcripts (my contacting employer was unable to get me the login for my w2 information, which was beyond irksome, but now I know how to go about getting income information for any year, ever).

 

Breakfast this morning was yogurt with blueberries and a cup of coffee. Also, I remembered to bring my markers, so I can draw little pictures of the weather and other events throughout the day. Life is good.

[Heidi]

Holy cow. I just had a TheUniverseLoveMe moment: I thought the gift card from my employer was for $10, which, while small, makes perfect sense since I started a month ago and I was actually happy to be included at all. I looked again: it's $100. Wow. What a great company. I can now get the boys' Christmas gifts in time for wrapping.

[LittleTurtle]

I may have said this before, but when I read through your posts, I always feel much calmer.  Your words have a soothing way about them. 

[DarK_RaideR]

6 minutes ago, LittleTurtle said:

I may have said this before, but when I read through your posts, I always feel much calmer.  Your words have a soothing way about them. 

Same here

[Heidi]

42 minutes ago, LittleTurtle said:

I may have said this before, but when I read through your posts, I always feel much calmer.  Your words have a soothing way about them. 

 

35 minutes ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Same here

Thank you both.

Hearing that actually makes me feel calmer and soothed.

What a great community we have.

[Heidi]

 

[Heidi]

Yesterday was calm once again -- the hot tub and sauna after work go a long way to keep me centered and whole.

I made three calls and talked with my sponsor (not just left a message!) while getting dinner together. Speaking of which, have I mentioned lately how much I adore herbed fish and rice? It's delicious, inexpensive, quick and hassle free to make, good for me and best of all heartwarming. Recipe below.

The deteriorating situation with my sons continues to weigh on me, especially at this time of year. I have come to realize that the only thing I can do is continue to love them and be there for them. It's difficult and liberating at the same time. I have started a weekly newsletter to mail to them, with recipes, news updates, cool stuff and notes on free stuff. They will read it or not, as they choose.

[Teenagers. I swear to god. But no one seems to understand my point of view quite as well as they do. It's infuriating and likely evidence that I am old and irrelevant. ]

[Heidi]

 

Herbed Fish This simple fare couldn’t be easier. Put it in the oven after a long day out, and enjoy it with minimal clean up. Advance assembly of the fish package makes it even easier, as would advance cooking of the rice. Bonus: It’s inexpensive and healthy as the dickens.

Ingredients per person Dry Rice, about ½ cup Vegetable or chicken broth or water, 1 cup 3-4 filets fish, fresh or thawed Fresh or ground herbs Olive oil or melted butter Thinly sliced vegetables, such as zucchini or tomato Parsley and lemon to garnish, if desired Salt and pepper to taste Equipment Parchment paper Rice Steamer

Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put rice and broth in steamer and begin cooking. Place fillets of whiting, cod, or any other basic fish on a piece of parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter. Dust with fresh or ground herbs, salt and pepper. Dill, rosemary or thyme are particularly delicious. Top with  thinly sliced vegetables. Gather corners of parchment paper and twist to close. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Open paper and serve with rice.

 

If you want to make this Whole30, use the olive oil option and substitute broccoli and cauliflower for the rice, or a sweet potato or steamed squash. For the squash, I like to wrap one in foil and put it in the crock pot before I leave for work and then it's amazingly tender and ready when I come home (talk about your comfort food!!) -- this method works with carrots, sweet potatoes, even turnips and parsnips and pumpkin! Enjoy.

[Heidi]

Yesterday was less calm, predictably, since it was a day of appointments and fetching Vivian and the swim lesson that follows. The errand yesterday was taxation -- I'm happy to report that I am now, once again, a member of the tax-filing, law-abiding citizenry. Not so much with the tax-paying, because I never make enough to be that, but whatever funds are coming back to me will be here in a month or so. This is always a nice thing to receive.

 

While Vivian changed into her swim suit, I noticed that there were marks on her back again, this time much more dramatic than in the previous two weeks, and there were shadows of the bruises noted from last week. The whole thing was upsetting, but that's not something that I really wanted to share in the locker room with Vivian, so I stayed "normal," focused on the suit and her lesson, and talked with my partner about it while we were in the hot tub while Vivian swam.

 

We took pictures and made notes, of course, because that's the only thing that there is to do. It's unnerving actually.

 

Dinner and cards after swim lessons was fun. Vivian continues to be a delight.

Life is good.

[DarK_RaideR]

Not sure how you managed to keep it together with Vivian. I'd lose my cool if I were you. Scary stuff.