Loving… false fall. Last week, we had a brief period of fall-like temps with highs in the mid-70s, which felt amazing. The cooler weather hasn’t stuck around (highs are back to the mid-80s, womp), but we are enjoying some cooler mornings with temps in the upper 60s. I’ll take it! It’s nice to get a break from the relentless heat and humidity and it makes me very excited for the next few months.
Loathing… losing my fitness. My gym attendance during the last few weeks hasn’t been great for obvious reasons, and when I went to HIIT last Wednesday, I felt like I was going to die. Or, more accurately, I felt like I did when I started taking these HIIT classes. I told my trainer at the end of the class that I felt like I had lost all of my fitness in the last three weeks. To which he replied, “Well, you’ll get it back!” And that was a good reminder. Did I feel weak and exhausted during HIIT last week? Yes. But will I keep going to class so I can regain the fitness I feel I’ve lost? Also yes. It’s okay if it feels hard right now. It’s okay if I need to take more breaks. It’s okay if I finish a HIIT class and feel like I could have pushed myself harder than I did. All in due time.
Reading… two books. On audio, I’m listening to Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano, which is the fourth book in the series. This is my first time listening on audio and the narrator isn’t great, but I’m getting through it. I’m also reading The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce. I read and loved her previous novel, You with a View, earlier this year and this one is hitting the spot, too.
Watching… Love is Blind, season 7. This show is so messy and I love it. I love the ridiculous people they cast, I love watching the one couple that is no-drama and makes it to the altar with no problem, I love all the juicy gossip that comes out about the cast mid-season. This season, we have a deadbeat dad who ghosted his children to be on the show! It’s wild, you guys. WILD.
Listening to… Empire City: The Untold Origin Story of the NYPD. This podcast series is fascinating. I’m learning so much! It brings together historians and NYC natives to tell the story of policing and the NYPD in particular, starting with its formation and showing how its racist beginnings still reverberate today.
Anticipating… a cruise in December! Eeks. I’m so excited about this. Originally, my mom, my stepdad, and I were going to go to Asheville during the last week of December but, of course, those plans had to be cancelled due to the horrific flooding from Helene. Asheville is going to be dealing with the aftermath for a long time. Still, my mom and I wanted to do something because life has been a LOT lately and we haven’t taken a cruise vacation in at least two years. (This will be my 12th cruise.) We found a quick five-day cruise out of Miami that leaves December 2nd, so we booked it! I’m so excited to get away and enjoy cruise life for a week.
Thinking about… NaBloPoMo. I considered skipping NaBloPoMo this year because it’s a lot of work between writing posts and keeping up with other people’s posts (and I know it gets overwhelming for those of you not participating but following along!). And I still might change my mind, but right now, I’m leaning towards doing NaBloPoMo again. This will be my fourth year doing the challenge and even though I get nervous about keeping up with everything in the days leading up to it, I always have a good time. I already have my schedule all planned out so if I have the ideas, I might as well put them into action, right?
Buying… a new Kia Soul. I went car shopping on Friday. I first went to a Toyota dealership where I test-drove a Rav-4 and loved it. It was so much fun to drive, but unfortunately, once we got back to run the numbers, it was very clear that a new Rav-4 would not be in my budget. I only have $4,000 to put down as my down payment and no car to trade in, so once I learned that my payments would be in the $600 range, it was time to jump ship and head on over to Kia. (I didn’t even consider test-driving anything else, as the other cars were around the same price as the Rav-4 so I knew I would be SOL.) I test-drove another Kia Soul and gah, it felt like coming home. I miss driving my zippy little Soul! So, I put a deposit down on a 2025 Kia Soul that should arrive in the next few days. And here’s the kicker: my car payment is going to be less than it was with Gladys! And maybe I can trade up for the Rav-4 in a few years—with a car to trade in, my payments might be more in my price range. Or maybe I’m just a Soul girl through and through.
Grateful… for normalcy. I am so happy to be back in my normal routine. Working from my desk at home with my three screens. Cuddling the girls before bed. Nights on the couch watching stupid reality TV and coloring. Cooking for myself again. Even cleaning feels exciting (okay, not exciting but I like that I have the bandwidth and time for it again). Getting back into my blogging groove. I missed normal life—and I know I’m one of the lucky ones who gets to enjoy normalcy again when my friends are still living in rental homes and will be there for many, many months while they wait for their actual homes to be restored.
What are you currently anticipating and watching?
What your trainer said! The fitness will come back, and sooner than you think it will. Taking time off is as much a part of fitness as going to workouts is – we all have “life happens” stuff like being sick or hurricanes.
I don’t have the bandwidth for NaBloPo, but selfishly I’m looking forward to everyone else’s posts.
The cruise, a new car, and normal life!!!! Yes, yes, and yes!!!!
That makes me feel better that you’re looking forward to all of the blog posts! I always feel a little bad about stuffing everyone’s feeds with all our posts, haha.
It’s crazy how quickly fitness can be lost but I can feel it slowly coming back. Just gotta stay consistent!
YAY for a cruise and also returning to normal. AND OF COURSE A NEW CAR!!!!
Things are finally looking up!
Yes the fitness will come back! I am glad the trainer was encouraging. It is sad how fast we can lose a level of fitness, but you can and will get back to where you were!
I am glad you’ll get your car soon! Being without a car would be so hard! I know others are dealing with even more challenging circumstances but still. No car would be a disaster for our family!
I’m anticipating Halloween! The boys are so excited for this holiday. I’m definitely in the peak years for kid holiday enjoyment. They’ve been so excited about their costumes and we have some Halloween-related events this weekend like a fall party at our church’s pumpkin patch on Saturday and a fall festival at Paul’s school on Sunday. Plus we need to carve our pumpkin at some point. I travel (again) Mon-Wed so we need to get it done before I leave on that trip.
I’m watching the latest season of the Great British Bake Off but am a week behind and with Phil, I’m watching the last season of Only Murders in the Building. We just finished Receivers on Netflix – if you haven’t watched that, you totally should!!
I would have definitely gotten a rental if I needed it, but I’m glad I didn’t have to get one because I would have been OOP for some of the expense.
I’ll add Receivers to my list!
I’m so glad things are getting back to normal! It must be delightful to have a “normal” week with work and fitness classes and cuddles with the girls.
The great thing is that your fitness level will come back FASTER this time around because now your body knows what’s going on!
That’s a great point that I didn’t consider. Things felt easier this week than they did last week so I think I’ll be back to my old self sooner than I think! Thanks for the pep talk. <3
Yay! I’m glad you’re doing NaBloPoMo. I know it’s a lot of work, but it really is fun. And, I think that’s how we met? I feel like I found most of the bloggers in our group through NaBloPoMo.
Yay for a new Kia Soul! And, yay for a cruise! I have NEVER been on a cruise, which I know is crazy. I just read about everyone else’s, and live vicariously
Yes, I think we met through NaBloPoMo, you’re right! It has been such a great way to find our bigger blogging community. <3
Cruising is not for everyone! It's a fun way to travel for me, though, especially being within driving distance to so many cruise ports! (I also looked up to see if the Dolphins were playing at home the Sunday before I leave since we'll be in Miami on 12/1 but they play on Thanksgiving. So I'll get to enjoy a Dolphins loss on my birthday, ugh.)
I feel you on the fitness. I’ve been really good about doing my yoga every day, and I take a 45 – 60 minute walk most days, but I’ve really slacked off on my weights. I got serious about it today and BOY did I feel it. Just 5 and 10 lbs weights at home, but I was puffing. We’ll get it back in no time!
It’s amazing how quickly we lose our fitness! But I love that you go for an hour-long walk most days – that’s great!
Your photos of your cats are stunning. They are perfect models, you’re a good photographer. I’m smiling here.
Interesting about the RAV-4. I’ve not priced them, just know I like how they look which might not be the best criterion for choosing a vehicle.
I’ve never been on a cruise, so will enjoy yours from afar.
That’s such a sweet compliment. Thank you! They are great little subjects. 🙂
I would love to buy a Rav-4 in the future… maybe when I have a car to trade in so I can bring the price down a bit!
So glad things are normalizing and congrats on getting a new car.
We are also in the midst of car shopping as our lease will run out next year. I hate it.
We started watching THE ARK yesterday and it’s an interesting show so far.
Ooo, I might have to add Ex Vows to my TBR! I loved You with a View!
I am excited about your cruise. It will be here so soon!
I forgot about NaBloPoMo. Crazy that November starts FRIDAY. Eek!
I’m so glad things are back to normal for you too. And look at you, getting right back to working out! It’s amazing our bodies lose fitness that fast but it’s also amazing how fast they regain it! (Said from someone who’s gone through it). You got this!