 Hey, Hey! Hope your week is going good! The weather has been very good lately so I've been out exploring! I wanted to learn more about the Acequias (Irrigation ditches) that are in my area. Some of these ditches date back 400 years! The Spanish built these to irritate what is now souther Colorado to central New Mexico. Some have been redone and others look very much like they did when they were first built. I created a short video here if you want to check one out.  In an area where it almost NEVER rains seeing water flowing seems almost unbelievable. Besides all the history associated with the water ditches there are also politics as the state grows and changes. You can google if you want to know more, I don't feel qualified to weight in on it. I have another out of state trip planned in two weeks so I need to get packing..  More later -
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 I do have some fresh Roswell pictures to share, but thats another post.. You know my love for Roswell :o (To look at alien pictures and other fun Roswell stuff click here.) So when I saw a walking challenge come up for Roswell I was hooked! This challenge was 44 miles or 77 KM. I did it in February and really enjoyed the interactive pictures and timelines the Pacer App included in the challenge. I also made of note of a couple of new places to visit! And here is my newest medal:  Pretty cool, right? I'm currently working on the next challenge. It's Casablanca and I should be finished in about a week. It is 67.1 miles and I've walked 35 miles so far. It also comes with a medal.  I have other walking/step counting apps BUT Pacer have been the most motivational. I talk to people every day (all over the world) we congratulate each other on our progress and encourage each other. After dealing with long haul covid I NEEDED this additional support and it really has made a difference. So if you want to get more active and find a community of supportive people I highly recommend this app.
See you on Pacer for the next challenge?  Hey, How are things? I know......It seems like the world continues to get more and more chaotic every single day. I have gone back to walking (well, serious walking...not just to the 'fridge.) And have been having a lot of fun with the Pacer Community. I just finished my second competition and picked up another medal.  Now on to the next challenge.. Finished Barcelona and now on to the next challenge. If you are struggling now why not consider joining one of the online walking communities (you can even use a treadmill) but its nice to interact with people and have some accountably. It's never to late to begin...
Now I need to find my running shoes. Speak soon! 
Or HOW I KEEP FROM GOING CRAZY DURING LOCK DOWN
It’s 2021 and everyone is looking for self-care routines or really anything that will keep us sane. Sometime I to feel like I’m going stir crazy during the continuing lockdown, but daily writing has really helped me. Even if you don’t count yourself as a writer one easy and affordable habit that anyone can try is journaling. When you journal you write only for yourself, no one else is intended to read your thoughts and this allows you the freedom to express what is truly on your mind
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I have always been a writer. Even as a child I used to journal daily events, write stories, note good (and bad) events that happened. Now I do all that plus track my health, fitness routine, and track my money via journals. I also used to create travel journals to document my travel adventures, which now seem to be almost a dream. *Sigh*
It seems like we are never going to be able to take those big trips, but now is the perfect time to plan a dream vacation. Journal what your ultimate dream trip would be and spend some time each day researching it. You might be surprised to see how affordable traveling can be. (Especially if you plan ahead and book for 2022!) Journal the route you want to take, the places you want to visit, food you want to sample and anything else you want to include on this trip
You can also use a journal to make art, draw your day or doodle.
If journaling about future trips doesn’t seem helpful, try writing down a daily goal or journal your problems. You may see a pattern, or that you are actually making more progress than you realize. You may also learn that you are battling a larger problem, causing daily stress. (Such as a bad roommate situation, money issues or relationship problems that are making everything else more stressful than it should be.) This could be the root of your stress or overwhelm. Having more information will help you come up with a better plan or strategy for addressing the problem. 
I recently bought these extra journals to give as gifts.
I love the fact there is a journal for every taste on Amazon. Most as sold by small, independent publishers like these.
No matter what you journal, just taking the time to put your thoughts on paper can help you clear your mind and release some stress.
Why not try journaling today? Speak soon~  (Texas, USA) Hi Travel family! I hope you are well and safe as we end September. I have just returned, (still have to unpack) but wanted to write this while its still fresh in my mind. For my family travel has been almost nonexistent this year, for oblivious reasons, of course, but my work obligations + the need to clean up my mothers estate have pushed me to venture out in to the world again. I was both excited (A TRIP! YESSS!) and also rather hesitant to commit to a 29 day adventure.  (New Mexico, USA) So September was a huge change from the pervious months of staying at home and working via Zoom. These last few weeks I have either been in work meetings, dealing with family issues, driving, or working with clients. But we were able to go for a picnic, a couple of hikes and visit a few of our favorite places while traveling in Texas and New Mexico. Life is defo different with almost empty hotels, less traffic and social distancing in cafes. But even so, I feel very blessed that we were able to do these things and still stay safe. Besides the pandemic there was also an unexpected hurricane, complete with Texas floods, as well as smoke from the Cali fires to content with. Read a bit about the Hurricane here.  But in-between all this we did sneak away for some fun. Let me just quickly share some trip highlights and I will blog about the adventures in greater detail after I tackle the laundry, lol.  We were in Roswell about 4 days... and it's always good fun.   Empty hotels..I must say this is a BIG change.  It was also difficult to find places serving, except fast food. We did a small bit of shopping too.  We were looking for Halloween decoration but instead we seem to be skipping right into Christmas.  Picnic on the creek in Boerne, Texas  Complete with ducks, swans and geese!  An afternoon spent in Palmetto State Park.   And from the lushness of the coastal plains of Texas to the High desert of New Mexico.  And everything in between, lol!  I have sooo many picts to sort through! But in the meantime I hope you have a great evening and enjoy the end of September.
I will be back soon with more of our adventures :D  Another mini used book haul~ Hello ~ So I’m wondering, how do you feel about New Year’s resolutions? My 2017 resolution was to stop spending so much on printed books and working so much. I actually went on a book buying fast for several months in 2017 and cut way, way back in 2018. It was difficult because I so love books, but it is made easier when I think about having to either ship them or store them when we move again. And the working so much? Well, I have taken a bit more time off and am back to daily walks, which help me handle the stress a lot better. Just getting away from my desk and out in nature has made a big difference.  Behold the beautiful New Mexico Mountains!  Bring on the veggies! I also vowed to eat better - which I'm still enjoying. :D
Some resolutions really change your life, others not so much. So for 2019 I am working on buying used books (cheaper and recycling is always a good idea) and also being picky about how many I keep. I'm going to continue eating the clean, veggie rich diet and make more time to travel. I think we may visit Sweden this year as well as some short trips in the US. So how about you? What are your resolutions and are you keeping them?  We can't always run away to the ocean, sadly. Happy Monday! So how are things? I am finishing up a nice weekend off. #WIN I don’t know about you, but lately, I’ve been coming home from work EXHAUSTED! I promised myself I would stop complaining about how tired I was from work on here, but I was asked recently how I relaxed after a stressful day. Honestly, in the past I just sucked it up and keep going. I used to tell myself that this was my life and that I had to keep going, people were depending on me. End of story. But over the past few years, I’ve realized that if I want to continue to kick-ass at work, I need to make my health and well-being a priority. I have to set firm boundaries and build in downtime for myself. I stared by creating a routine to help me relax when I get home. This gives me time to unwind and de-stress and makes the rest of the evening so much better. Talking to other women it's the same. Let's face it, it hard to relax after work when you have so much to do at home or if you run a side business, and especially if you have a family. OMG! The work never ends!  OMG! The laundry never ends! I’d get home and think about the 10,000 different projects I wanted to get started on, plus all the normal day-to-day stuff like gardening and laundry that needed to be tended too and then stay busy until I fell into bed, sometime around 11:45. Relaxing wasn’t something I was totally comfortable with. So if that sounds familiar and you need some help in the relaxing department, I have put together a few easy ways to relax after a long day at work. Change Out of Your Work Clothes Begin the minute you walk through the door. There’s nothing better than getting home from work and changing into a comfy t-shirt and losing the bra! Changing out of my work clothes tells my brain that its time to relax, and that I can enjoy a few hours to myself, without the stress of work weighing on my shoulders. Turn off Your Phone I’m on my phone all day long, and if I’m not on my phone, I’m on my computer. I’m answering e-mails, returning voicemails, processing paperwork, so when I get home, my brain needs a break. I’m legit sick of my phone by the time I get home, so I’ve been making an effort to unplug for a couple of hours. I’ll leave my phone in my bedroom for an hour or two and I’ll go out to the family room to do anything other than check my social media. This has helped my sanity tremendously. #BIGWIN Meditate/Do Yoga After a long day at work, it’s so great to spend a few minutes meditating. I'm actually a meditating expert, (I teach meditation), and because of that I know that anyone can learn this simple form of relaxation. Begin by just sitting on the floor for five minutes, and do nothing other than focusing on your breathing. This is also a great time to give thanks for the day and just be still. But if you’re not a fan of meditating or you’re just not ready for it, do some yoga or at the very least, stretch. Chances are, you’ve been sitting on your butt all day long, and your body needs some stretching. Trust me, you’ll feel SO MUCH BETTER! Another great way to unwind is reading. Grab A Book It's no secret I am a total bookworm! I love to sit in the garden or my reading nook and just relax with a good book. Even if you can only read for half an hour it will help you relax.  Take A Bubble Bath I swear, I think my bath tub is my favorite part of my new house. If it wasn’t for the fact that you get all wrinkly after sitting in the tub for a while, I think I’d stay in there for hours at a time. After a super stressful day at work, there’s nothing like slipping into a hot bubble bath. I use two different kinds of soaking baths- eucalyptus/sea salt and lavender- both are amazing for helping me achieve a few minutes of pure relaxation.  And speaking of scents... Use Essential Oils Right before bed I turn on my diffuser. I keep it filled with essential oil and not only does it relax me, but it helps me fall asleep quickly. I have one in my bedroom, one in the guest room and a large one in the formal living room. Plus I'm thinking of adding one to my office. I love oils THAT MUCH. Light Candles After a long day at work, I love lighting candles. It really sets the tone for the evening and it helps me remember to take it easy. It signals my brain that the rest of the night is for unwinding and a gentler pace.  Herbal Tea
Unwind with a mug of soothing herbal tea. The feel of your favorite mug in your hand and the wonderful aroma of a soothing herbal blend work together to help you relax. There are so many different blends to try, just make sure you get an organic tea that is pesticide free. How do you unwind and relax from a stressful day? I'd love to hear your tips - leave me a comment below and let's discuss. Now I'm off for a long soak with a good book and a warm cuppa! Catch you later-  Used books are often treasures that are out-of-print or rare. Hi, So I am off my "book fast" and currently building my TBR stack. I enjoy spending time browsing online and in person at used bookstore because you never know what you will stumble upon. Some authors might argue that books shouldn’t be sold in this manner since they don’t earn royalties on used books. I understand that, but as is the case with libraries, used book stores are a great place to discover authors and their work and add to your collection. If you are like me, once I find an author I like I usually purchase the entire catalogue.  Ignore the stickers...  Today's treasure were:
Another reason I'm drawn to used books is they offer a sense of their personal history. “To Jim, with love, Margret” makes me wonder about Jim and Margret and about their connection to the book. How did the book find it's way here? How many hands did it pass through? I rarely see a book with lots of highlighting and comments in the margins. Most often they maybe a bit worn from repeated reading, but I actually take that as a positive sign. So other than book shopping it was a normal day of work and usual errands. I plan on taking next weekend off to read and finish the details of my upcoming December trip.  I admit I love travel planning! After much research I have narrowed it down to two lovely guests houses for my next trip. This weekend I plan on booking one as I map out the rest of the adventure. This jaunt has a lot of moving pieces as I have a multiple state expeditions planned and have to schedule in work around sightseeing. I know by December I will be ready for some warm weather, but I'm happy now to pull out the boots and jackets.  Overall I'm enjoying the cooler weather this week. How about you? The fall weather is so nice! I dug out warmer leggings and last years boots earlier in the month and was pleased to see the boots are now a bit big on my legs. #ThankYouYoga While I'm still not where I want to be, the scales has finally started tipping in the right direction. Plus I feel so much better as well. Between yoga, walking more and eating better I feel much more like myself again. Now I'm ready to go adventure! Just as I was ending this entry, the post arrived with MORE BOOKS!  I purchased these online from Thrift Books and they are in excellent condition.  So excited to dive in!  Warm reading "nest" is calling... See you at the airport (or a used book store)~  How are you? It's a chilly 42' this afternoon in overcast New Mexico. (I love it!) And because I have a MEGA amount of traveling coming up I am out walking around trying to do anything but work, lol. So behold the beauty of a chilly afternoon walk...  Its cold, but still nice to be outside.   40 layers of clothes, lol  Layers of socks too! More videos soon, I may even finally post the Iceland videos. Better late, than never.
Catch you later~  Confession Time:
I have been doing yoga off and on since I was a teenager. But sadly the last few years I haven’t practiced more than once or twice a month, if that. :( In August I committed to a daily workout and couldn't be happier. I currently spend about 30 minutes every morning stretching and relaxing in different poses. Yoga makes my body feel good. It feels great on my spine, and I can feel the tension in my back releasing as I perform the different poses. From there it is easy to flow into my morning meditation and writing. #BIGWIN And yes, all this happens before work. Last year I could not have imaged having time enough in the mornings for more than that cup of coffee as I ran out the door! But since I have hired extra help in the office, I have gotten my life back. Thankfully my entire morning has changed for the better. How am I finding extra time for yoga? Waking up earlier (and going to bed earlier) ensures I have time for Yoga in the mornings. I used to stay up late working and then felt like crap the next day. Now I have a set schedule and relaxing night time routine. Not only do I feel better, I'm also calmer and unruffled all day long. The yoga has helped me feel less stressed mentally and my body feels more open and relaxed. This is true even when work gets crazy and I have to work those long hours. I have also noticed when I do morning yoga I'm less likely to eat crap or have another cup of coffee. What is your favorite form of exercise? Does it help you beat stress too? I’d love to hear. Also tune in tomorrow for more of September Blogging Challenge. |
Author Welcome to my (I'm excited to travel again) blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Here I share tips, stories and photos from my adventures and life. This is the place where people can find daily inspiration to travel and motivation to live healthier lives and laugh a bit too! 
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