My days are mostly routine as I'm a creature of habit. Hmmmm…let me start that again. Pets, of course, create routines (I miss your Rowland ❤️) but so do life changes. I had a much different routine when working while being a parent, working when I was an empty nester, and now that I'm retired…and all the pets that were in my life during those times. Gotta say, I like the retired life routines a lot! I keep a coffee station in my closet so I don't even have to go to the kitchen to make my morning coffee and I can lounge in bed with my cup and ipad. I could never do that before!
I also keep a five-year diary. I'm on the second year of my second one, so the seventh year. The first year using one is boring, but as the years pile up I really like seeing what I was doing exactly one, two, three plus years before. It's also been useful in winning arguments. For example, John will swear that we were doing something on a certain day of a past year and I have the entries to prove him wrong. Enjoy your diary - that looks like a really nice one! I'll have to wait nearly four years to get it. 😄 I have the Tamara Shopsin one. https://theiceplant.cc/product/5-year-diary/
That looks like a great diary too! I loved her book Stupid Arbitrary Goal. I have a pretty large blank page opposite the day's entries, and it's taken a while to figure out what to do with it. I decided to start putting a sticker on that page every day to use up and enjoy the growing collection of stickers that I have. I've also do some travel journaling and I have one of those tiny photo printers so I add a photo now and then. It's starting to look good!
We're headed your direction the first week of March and would love to stop by and visit - I'll send a message with details!
I decided not to make a blanket, it would be so big! Last year I started a cross stitch heat map, and it's quite a project. I'm only a third finished, but will keep plugging away at it. I enjoy my yearly tracking charts, it's interesting to compare now that I've got so many years completed.
I really appreciated the delineation of the terms “habit” and “routine!” Very freeing! Also, I love the tie-in to your life with Rowland. I wish I got a chance to meet him in person! As a dog person myself, I love dog-centered stories.
I haven’t watched a live cam in years, but at some point recently, my vet’s office was streaming a bald eagle nest somewhere and I was mesmerized. It would be dangerous for me to investigate current live streams. I’m really good at avoiding what I need to do — I don’t need more arrows in that quiver.
As for routines, Anne’s post made me very aware that I need to create a few. I managed to lose almost 40 lbs in 2024, but to get where I need to be, I need to be more organized about maintaining food and exercise journals. So boring, but it takes more organization and awareness to make it happen.
A few of my favorites here.
https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams
Yes! I have the otters bookmarked on my YouTube playlist. Lots of good ones there.
I'm really loving your collages!
My days are mostly routine as I'm a creature of habit. Hmmmm…let me start that again. Pets, of course, create routines (I miss your Rowland ❤️) but so do life changes. I had a much different routine when working while being a parent, working when I was an empty nester, and now that I'm retired…and all the pets that were in my life during those times. Gotta say, I like the retired life routines a lot! I keep a coffee station in my closet so I don't even have to go to the kitchen to make my morning coffee and I can lounge in bed with my cup and ipad. I could never do that before!
I also keep a five-year diary. I'm on the second year of my second one, so the seventh year. The first year using one is boring, but as the years pile up I really like seeing what I was doing exactly one, two, three plus years before. It's also been useful in winning arguments. For example, John will swear that we were doing something on a certain day of a past year and I have the entries to prove him wrong. Enjoy your diary - that looks like a really nice one! I'll have to wait nearly four years to get it. 😄 I have the Tamara Shopsin one. https://theiceplant.cc/product/5-year-diary/
That looks like a great diary too! I loved her book Stupid Arbitrary Goal. I have a pretty large blank page opposite the day's entries, and it's taken a while to figure out what to do with it. I decided to start putting a sticker on that page every day to use up and enjoy the growing collection of stickers that I have. I've also do some travel journaling and I have one of those tiny photo printers so I add a photo now and then. It's starting to look good!
We're headed your direction the first week of March and would love to stop by and visit - I'll send a message with details!
Ooooh! Yes!
Such a good idea to separate routine from habit. Our brains work so weird! And I love your temperature trackers!
It's a really helpful distinction for me! Routines are made to be adjusted as needs and interests change.
I keep meaning to started a temperature log so that I can make a blanket or quilt based on the data…
I decided not to make a blanket, it would be so big! Last year I started a cross stitch heat map, and it's quite a project. I'm only a third finished, but will keep plugging away at it. I enjoy my yearly tracking charts, it's interesting to compare now that I've got so many years completed.
The Woodland Trust cam--especially the Loch Arkaig osprey one--great stuff. https://www.youtube.com/@woodlandtrust
Non-animal: https://www.youtube.com/@AuroraBorealisLive
This is a good Aurora cam too! https://www.youtube.com/@KolforsenAurora
I really appreciated the delineation of the terms “habit” and “routine!” Very freeing! Also, I love the tie-in to your life with Rowland. I wish I got a chance to meet him in person! As a dog person myself, I love dog-centered stories.
I haven’t watched a live cam in years, but at some point recently, my vet’s office was streaming a bald eagle nest somewhere and I was mesmerized. It would be dangerous for me to investigate current live streams. I’m really good at avoiding what I need to do — I don’t need more arrows in that quiver.
As for routines, Anne’s post made me very aware that I need to create a few. I managed to lose almost 40 lbs in 2024, but to get where I need to be, I need to be more organized about maintaining food and exercise journals. So boring, but it takes more organization and awareness to make it happen.
Thanks Jaq! I think I know what animal cam account you're talking about on Threads (yes I'm there). Is it this one? https://www.threads.net/@dannyboy_wildlife
I'm trying not to lose my mind, but it's not easy.