2014 Resolutions

Well, it is a new year and a whole new decade for me.  I always think the start of a new year is a good time to reflect on some new goals.  If I had to pick a word for the year, it would be INVEST.  I'm not talking financially; I want to invest in myself.  My happiness, well-being, and future.   

In no particular order, here is what I have decided to focus on in 2014 (and beyond).

Stretch More – My body is tight.  Clarification, my muscles are tight.  I really need to stretch more and hop on the foam roller more frequently. 

Hello flexible Penelope, nice to meet you. 

Dog Training – I want to teach my dogs new tricks.  I’m going to have a goal of 6 new things to teach them in 2014; in addition to practicing and perfecting the old things.

     

Be in the Moment – I need to be present in the moment that I am in – not in the past, not in the future, not in a Facebook post, not thinking about my To Do list, etc... – I want to be planted fully in the moments I experience.

Eat more fruit, veggies, and fish – I try and try, but I need to try harder.  Maybe being in a more tropical environment would help with this?  Hey, a girl can dream can’t she?   Maybe eating more fruits, veggies, and fish will make me feel like I'm somewhere tropical.  I’ll go with that (for now).

                                         

                                         

Invest in my Relationships – I always strive to be a good friend, daughter, sister, wife, worker, cousin, granddaughter, niece, etc.   But I really want to invest the time and really focus in on the relationships that are important to me.  And maybe let some of the one relationships that aren’t so important fade away.   Which is super hard for me to say but there are some relationships that drain my energy and just aren’t worth it; especially the ones where I feel like I put in way more effort than what I am getting back.  Life is just too short for that.

Accessorize Better and More Often – This one is inspired by my 94-year old grandmother - she is the best accessorized woman I’ve ever met.   She always looks cute and well put together.   I get a little lazy working from home and tend to wear leisure wear too often.   I need to make an effort to wear my cute clothes and accessories and get out a little more (coffee shops and lunch dates).  

Make a new recipe every week - That is 52 new recipes.  My friend Michelle encourages her friends to do a 52-recipe challenge every year and I usually start out okay and then I get lazy.   Sometimes I’m just lazy about posting and other times I’m just lazy about trying something new.   This one should not be difficult for me as I love to try new recipes – I just need to make it priority. 

Dance More – I love dancing and I love letting loose with my friends.  I really need to shake my groove thing more often.   Hmmm… Maybe I should even give Zumba another try?  Maybe.

Write More – I love to write.  It is a great creative outlet for me.   I need to update my blogs more and maybe start on one of the three books I have swirling in my head.  Now’s the time!  After turning 40 in December, I realized that I really am not getting any younger and I really do need to utilize the time I have wisely.  Seriously, what am I waiting for?  

Travel More – I feel like I used to travel all the time and I need to get back to that.  I want to travel with purpose, such as strengthening relationships and creating memories.   And to escape the Minnesota winter.  I just booked a trip to Austin, TX so I'm off to a good start.

Stop Procrastinating – I don’t know how I became a procrastinator.  I think it is partially because I get distracted by, and interested in, so many things that I have trouble prioritizing.  However, I don’t seem to have any trouble prioritizing all of the fun things first.   My Dad recently told me that my Grandpa Frohardt had a saying of “why do it today, when you can put it off until tomorrow.”  I’m guessing I have a little bit of that in my genes so it isn’t entirely my fault.  And I do work well under pressure and deadlines.  But still, why not just do it now and not have to worry about it later.  Right? Right?

Study Buddhism – I’ve been intrigued by the Buddhist practice for years.   And there is a Zen Center less than a mile from my house.  It is time to learn more about it and dip my toes into the water of enlightenment. 

That is probably plenty for now, although I’m sure I could go on and on…..

I declare that this is the decade of Penelope at her best!     

Cheers!

PS – I couldn’t find any documented resolutions from last year but I found mine for 2012 and it turns out they are very similar.   I guess if anything I am consistent and know what I want to/need to improve on.   My 2012 resolutions: http://livelearnanddrinkwine.blogspot.com/2012_01_01_archive.html

The Front Fell Off

Well I'm kind of having one of the days, okay weeks, where everything is a mess.  I was sitting here thinking to myself that things are definitely off kilter and not running smoothly; kind of like the front fell off.   Which is the title of a You Tube video I saw a couple years ago that cracked me up.  So I thought I would share it here.   If you are having one of those days where it feels like the front fell off, I hope this video will make you smile.

Fearless Females

I may have mentioned that I am in the process of cleaning out things; boxes, drawers, files, etc…

Well, I just came across an article that I ripped out of Cosmo in March 2011.  Cosmopolitan?  I haven’t read Cosmo in ages so I’m thinking it was a magazine that someone left on the plane or at the doctor’s office that I must’ve picked up or something.   Even more surprising is that I found an article interesting enough to rip out and highlight; yep – I actually highlighted a few sentences!

As I reread it to see what caught my eye in the first place I realized it was the author’s self-confidence and a good reminder to women to not be so hard on ourselves.  

This is what I highlighted:

People have different tastes.  But everyone is drawn to confidence, if it’s real.

I have never thought. What is wrong with me? I always think, What is wrong with you?

I’m not a traffic-stopping model or the smartest person in the room.  The more you get to know me, the prettier I become.  In my stand-up comedy act, I have a joke: “I know what I look like.  You’d bang me, but you wouldn’t blog about it.” 

My real beauty lies in my humor, my strength; the kind of sister, daughter, and friend I am.  But more than anything, it lies in my ability to truly not give a shit what anyone things of me because I know what I think. 

I still stand in front of the mirror sometimes with doubts.  But even on my worst day, when I’m feeling awful, I smile and say, “You’re doing the best you can.  Good job, bitch!”

How refreshing.  Seriously.  I found it to be a good reminder to just do the best you can and embrace that and be confident in it.   What you think is really the most important thing.  If you are happy then that is what counts and it counts for a lot.  Accept your faults and highlight your strengths.   Strive to be the best friend, daughter, wife, sister, person, you can be.  

Cheers!

FYI - The article was titled “How to be Ballsy – in Any Situation.”  Written by stand-up comic Amy Schumer.  

GREAT ADVICE

If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

  

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back in the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout; run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
 

Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
 
Good reminders.  Cheers to my two best friends, who keep me smiling and playful!

First Impressions

Disclaimer:  I'll have to warn you that I am cleaning up two old computers; which can be interesting to say the least. I have come across miscellaneous things that I have written over the years and thought this would be a good place to put them.  I started a lot of different articles and then never pitched them anywhere (bad girl).   I will be posting them here for your reading enjoyment.  

First Impressions

As they say, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.”   I’m not exactly sure who "they" are?  I actually think that saying came from a deodorant commercial.   Nonetheless, it is, for the most part, true.  When someone meets you for the first time they are judging you based on all kinds of factors, such as:

Dress.  Are you a good or a bad dresser?    Do you dress conservatively, trendy, or sloppy?

Eye contact.  Do you meet their gaze or look away?

Hygiene.   Are you clean?   Do you have bad breath?   Did you wash and comb your hair?

Manners.   Are you rude or polite?  

Behavior.  Are you drunk?   Do you swear like a truck driver?  Are you loud and obnoxious?  Do you act like a know-it all?  Are you evasive?  

Posture.  Do you stand up straight or do you slouch?

Intelligence.   Can you carry on a conversation well?  Do you have good grammar?

Body language.   Do your movements and gestures express how you feel?

People can decide whether or not they like you within five minutes of meeting you.  They are watching and if they don’t like what they see, that impression is bound to last.   That’s why it’s very important to make sure you figure out how you want people to perceive you, and act accordingly.  Let people see your benefits; the more you have to offer the more friends you’ll have and the more your company will be in demand.

Tips on how to make a good first impression:

Learn to see yourself as others see you.  Don’t assume that others see you as you see yourself.  You may think that you’re the cats meow but you have to prove that to others.

Know your audience.   You obviously want to make a different impression on the different types of people you encounter.   For example, you want to make a different impression during a job interview than you want to make on a first date.   What may impress a potential employer will probably not impress your date and vice versa.

Handshake and greeting.  Initiate the handshake and make it firm.   Introduce yourself and repeat their name by saying “Nice to meet you Tom.”  

Smile.   Smiling makes you appear warm and friendly.  Smile often.

Talk clearly.   Don't mumble.  

Make eye contact.   Making eye contact makes you appear confident; avoiding eye contact makes you appear shy and insecure.

Stand up straight.  Good and bad posture can bee seen across the room.   Standing up straight shows confidence and slouching is makes you seem insecure and uncomfortable. 

Be enthusiastic.  Studies show that enthusiastic people are better liked, more trusted, thought to be more capable and capture the attention of their audiences more effectively.

Ask questions.  It shows that you are interested in getting to know someone.

Listen.  I mean, really listen.  Asking questions is only part of the equation; people want to feel heard.  

Make comments and participate.  Share your point of view with others and engage in conversation.

Offer compliments.  People love when you notice positive things about them.

Be sincere.  Sincerity is transparent, if you aren’t sincere people will see through it.

Disclose information about yourself.  Be open with your opinions and let people get a sense of who you are. On the flip side, don't force your opinions on people.  Make sure it flows with the conversation, and if your opinion is radical or could cause tension it might be a good idea to keep it to yourself.     

If you keep these tips in mind your bound to make a good impression on everyone you encounter.   

Good luck!

My Dad!

What can I say, I am sentimental and tend to hold onto things for a very long time.   My husband gives me a hard time for being somewhat of a “pack rat.”    I’m trying to get better about letting go of some things and have started going through boxes to pitch things.   Well, this summer I was going through some college papers.  It was fund to read them and see what frame of mind I was in back then and how much my writing has evolved (i.e. improved).    In my college freshman writing binder, I came across a poem that I wrote for a class assignment.  I wrote it about my Dad.    I’m glad that I found it and that it didn’t get thrown away.    The timing of finding was perfect as his 60^th birthday was in Aug. and I read it outloud at his birthday celebration.   And now I’m sharing it with you. 

This is from my first semester, freshman year in college (1992).   It was typed on a word processor and printed on that paper the was serrated with the holes on the side that you had to tear off (remember that, when paper didn’t come in individual sheets and it was a continuous roll?).  Crazy!

MY DAD!

I wish I could be like my Dad,

he is such a great lad.

He’s successful in every way,

and knows exactly how to brighten my day.

I was the first daughter born,

in the state of corn.

I inherited his traits,

which helps me get dates.

I’ve put him through a lot of stress,

and tried to teach him how to dress.

His sense of humor is kind of strange,

yet he always comes through when I need pocket change.

When I need to talk,

he’s always there to offer a walk.

He’s a great cook with all recipes,

my hungry stomach he does please.  

He can handle any situation,

even in this time of inflation.

His views should not be ignored,

he is a man who deserves to be adored. 

He has taught me a heck of a lot,

ever since I was a little tot.

My Dad makes me so proud,

I want to scream it outloud.

He is looked up to,

and always follows through.

He always understands where I’m coming from,

and never tries to make me feel dumb.

He means the world to me,

I hope this is something he can clearly see.

I want to thank my Dad for everything he’s done,

to me, he is definitely number one!

My Dad and Me in 1992

Cheers!

Triathlon #3

I just did my third triathlon this past weekend.   I’m thinking that completing three gives me the right to call myself a triathlete.   

I almost didn’t compete this year.   I started having pain on the top of my foot in early June and then sprained my right ankle in late June.   Add that to the extreme heat and my training was pretty much non-existent.    I swam about five times all summer, I biked three times outside on my bike, and I ran intermittently but never more than 2 miles.   I did hit spin class at least weekly as that didn’t really bother my ankle.   I finally went to an orthopedic guy when my ankle wasn’t improving at the quick pace I expected.   He said I had a cyst growing in a joint on top of my foot that will probably have to be surgically removed at some point but gave me a cortisone shot to get me through the tri (yes, he gave the green light to do the tri; I was half expecting him to tell me it wasn’t a good idea as I could do further damage) and he set me up with physical therapy for my ankle.    Mind you this was all 10 days before the tri.    That’s the background story.

I went into this with a goal to just finish.  Between my aches and pains and lack of training I didn’t want to push it.   I went into it telling myself to take it easy since I didn’t have much training under my belt and my ankle was still bothering me.   I honestly thought it would take me 2-3 hours to finish.    But when Tom asked me what time he should be there, I was torn.  There was always the chance that adrenaline would pull me through.      Anyway……..

The morning of the race was cold!   63 degrees with a high for the day of 66, with the threat of rain all morning.   Mind you this is way better than the 100 degree heat of the summer so it was a good thing.   I woke up at 5:15 a.m. to eat, stretch, tape my ankle, and mainly to try to get myself awake.  I am not a morning person so it is a challenge to get my mind and body working independently (let alone together as a team) before 8 a.m.    I loaded up my gear and arrived at Lake Nokomis at 6:45 a.m.   

All my gear set out and ready to go

For the race you have to arrive early to set up your things, get your chip, and get marked – they put your number everywhere; both hands, both arms, both legs and they put your age and wave on your calves.   They close the transition area at 7:30 and you can’t return again until after the swim to collect your bike.     There is a mandatory meeting on the beach at 7:45 and then you wait……    

The wait was cold.  Given that you have to check your bag and everything by 7:30 it was chilly waiting around in just my tri suit.   I should’ve brought a towel I didn’t care about to just wrap myself in on the beach before the swim and then just leave on the beach.    The race officially started at 8:00 a.m. with the “elite” (i.e. very serious women) hitting the water.   It continued in waves every 3 minutes by age.   I was in wave number 7; hitting the water at 8:18 a.m.   And the race was on…..

SWIM

My swim went okay.  No one tried to swim over me this year, so that was good.   It starts out really crowded though so it takes some time to get in a groove and carve out your own space.    My ankle bothered me a bit but otherwise the swim went pretty well.  Until the end!   I made the mistake of standing up too soon (rather than swimming as far as I could before standing).   I stood and tried to sprint out of the water.   It was like I was anchored down.  Running in rough water on sand is a complete killer.    My quads were burning, my calves cramped, and my heart rate went so high it was very difficult to regain a steady breathing pattern.    Lesson learned.   As you might know by now, I do tend to learn my lessons the hard way.   And I usually have to learn them three times for them to sink in.   But I do learn – eventually…….

 

Transition 1 – this was okay.  I was huffing and puffing and dealing with a major calf cramp but managed to wipe my feet and get my shoes on.    I put my shirt on that had my number on it and it ripped off.  It is hard putting on a shirt while you are dripping wet and it got stuck so when I roughly pulled it down the number got stuck and ripped off.   That set me back a bit as I had to repin it.   When I went to mount my bike, I realized my shoe lace was not tied.   Another minor set back as I had to pull to the side, set my bike down and get my shoe lace tied so it didn’t get caught in my gears.    

BIKE

I had a rough start on the bike.  My legs were burning from the stupid sprint way to early out of the water and I could not catch my breath.   I was wheezing like I had asthma or something.   That lasted for a good half hour and definitely slowed me down.   On top of that I forgot to take off my 5 lb. bike lock and that was weighing me down.    I also had the wrong water bottle.  I was dying of thirst and had a screw cap water bottle.  Try to unscrew that while biking and then taking a sip without spilling.   I will definitely have to change that next year.   I also need to bring Chap Stick; my lips were sore and feeling really chapped, which is more of a distraction than you may think.   It started raining about 20 minutes into the bike.  It was just a mild sprinkle that continued on and off throughout the rest of the race, it didn’t really affect me too much.  I was glad it was a light rain and didn’t amount to much more.   The bike was maybe my toughest leg of the race because I couldn’t get my breathing down and it is hard to bike with your legs burning.     

Transition 2 – I forgot to mention that my right foot fell completely asleep on the bike.  It was kind of scary actually.  I had to take my shoe off and rub it to get feeling back in it before I could run.    I set my bike back on the rack, changed from my helmet to a baseball cap, rubbed my toes and then headed out on my jog.

RUN

My foot was still tingling and my left hip was hurting (from putting to much weight on my left side to baby my right ankle).   So I got off to a slow start on the jog/run too.    I kept telling myself not to push it and hurt myself.    I walked a couple of times and otherwise I tried to keep a slow, steady pace.    That said, I couldn’t help but to sprint across the finish line!    In hindsight, the run goes pretty fast and I think I could have pushed it a little more.

Finish – it felt good to finish and even better to know that it wasn’t 10:18 yet.   This meant I finished in less than two hours.   I was happy about that.   I was also happy to see Tom and Rocky at the finish line even though I finished earlier than expected.   I got my medal, caught my breath for a bit and then sat down and had some snacks.   It was a good ending.     

Trying to catch my breathe after crossing the finish line

Spotting my Fans

My cheerleader and Running Trainer

Stretching and Chilling after the Race

Proud of my Metal

Results:

Swim (500 yards) - 11:07

Transition 1 – 4:17

Bike (15.5 miles) – 59:52

Transition 2 – 2:31

Run (3.1 miles) – 31:48

Last Year (2011) Results:

Swim (500 yards) - 11:37

Transition 1 – 4:16

Bike (15.5 miles) – 54:34

Transition 2 – 2:55

Run (3.1 miles) – 30:40

I beat my swim by 30 seconds, added five minutes to my bike (no surprise there), and added 1 minute/8 seconds to my run.   I can’t believe it only took me five minutes longer to complete than last year.    I think the adrenaline and inspiration of all the other ladies helped move me along.  

Next year I will beat 1 hour, 44 minutes.   

Cheers!

Penelope, The Triathlete