It’s the final week of The F.I.G. Collective! I am a bit sad to see this gratitude challenge come to an end because it was such a good practice of sitting down at the end of every day and reflecting on the moments of goodness and light in an otherwise dark time. A very special thanks to Elisabeth for hosting, and I hope we do it again soon!
Saturday, February 22
Today started off on a high note: I went to the gym and had a really great workout. I climbed 150 stairs on the stair climber in 5-and-a-half minutes and didn’t feel like I was dying afterward. And then I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the bike while streaming a show on my phone.
And then things got drastically worse. As I was pulling out of my parking space in the very busy parking lot, I misjudged the space and clipped the rear bumper of the car next to me. Ugh, I felt like such an idiot! Ruby got a little scratched up but I didn’t see too much damage on the other car. Still, I left a note on the driver’s windshield and now I’m dealing with that headache.
Anyway, I felt like shit for most of the day but in the evening, I got together with my mom, my brother, and my younger nephew for game night. It was a great night! We had pizza, played a few games, and enjoyed cake and ice cream to celebrate my nephew’s birthday (which was the day before – he turned 10!).
Sunday, February 23
I had a lovely day with my mom! We went to yoga class, out for brunch, and then to Trader Joe’s. I wanted to get some freezer/easy meals to have on hand for those nights when I don’t feel like cooking or didn’t meal plan correctly. This way, I won’t have to resort to UberEats! I don’t go to Trader Joe’s too often (the parking lot sucks and it’s always so busy) but I love stocking up on some fave items every now and then!
Monday, February 24
My day started in the sweetest way: I found out that one of my writers had to start paternity leave a week early! His wife had their baby over the weekend and he sent me the cutest photo of the little nugget. (My writer is a huge baseball fan and somehow got the baby’s first footprint on a baseball!)
Other good parts of today: a delicious meal (thanks, Birchie, for the inspo!), starting an audiobook that I was immediately drawn into, changing out my Valentine’s decorations for St. Patrick’s Day (I only have a few things, but it adds a fun touch to my home), and a 30-minute power nap on the couch.
Tuesday, February 25
I had a lovely evening! My plan was to go to the library to hang out with two of my friends and their kids. On my way there, one of the friends texted that her kiddo was complaining of a headache and could I stop somewhere and pick up Children’s Tylenol? Otherwise, she’d need to battle Walgreens with two kids (one of which wasn’t feeling well). I was more than happy to oblige, and this reminded me how good it is to ask for help because it makes the other person feel so good to deliver it! I felt like a superhero!
Our library date was wonderful. We hung out in the children’s section and I did a scavenger hunt with the big kiddo and then we played a few Bluey-branded games, which was fun! The kids were good sports and nobody got their feelings hurt (not even when we ended one of the games early because the children’s area was closing). Oh! And the big kiddo gave me a Valentine she made for me, which made my heart fully explode.
Wednesday, February 26
I had a really great HIIT workout tonight! My mom couldn’t make it and I’m always sad when my favorite workout buddy isn’t there, but I got through it on my own okay! I joked with my trainer a lot and felt like I was able to power through some of the circuits more than I usually can. Those warm-ups are working!
Also, tonight was the premiere of Survivor 48! I love this show so much, and I’m so glad it’s back.
Thursday, February 27
A lot of little moments of figgy happiness today: A meeting getting canceled, freshly laundered sheets, Eloise being super cuddly and barely leaving my side, lots of Lila snuggles in the morning while I was waking up, making a simple but delicious dinner, really nice weather, and a very dramatic episode of The Traitors.
Friday, February 28
The last FIG (at least for now?)! I met up with my brother to drop off my younger nephew’s birthday present and we had a nice little chit-chat. He was mostly venting about some of the stuff he’s going through with his kids, but I was happy to be a listening ear for him!
Another really great moment today was when I laid down on the couch with my books, put on an ASMR room on YouTube on my TV, and set a timer for an hour. I was able to zoom through 110 pages in that time, which made me feel very accomplished after not reading much this week.
Tell me a little moment of joy from your day today!
So much FIG this week! First of all, if it helps you are not the only one among us who has dented a fender. That’s what insurance is for. Nom on the beef and potatoes meal – I’m planning to make that tomorrow night for Sunday dinner. You were doing God’s work when you stopped by Walgreen’s for tylenol – and I think you know that is not a phrase that I use often. I love it when someone asks me to do a small task that is easy for me and a lifesaver for them.
I just got up, so my FIG is that it’s snowing and Doggo is here for it. She had a blast when we went outside, and now she’s curled up by the back door with a chew toy and she’s watching the snow.
My stair climb is tomorrow! On the way home I’ll be stopping by TJ’s to load up on a bunch of goodies. Their frozen meal selection was pretty lean the last time that I went, so I’m hoping that they have some new stuff in stock.
Thanks for saying all that about the silly mistake! I felt so dumb, especially because I have a friggin backup camera so I should have seen how close I was! But alas, it happens and now I will be doubly careful when backing out of parking spaces!
I hope you were able to get some good options at TJ’s!
That valentine was so sweet!! So nice of you to run an errand for your friend! Bringing 2 kids in a store is the worst!!
I can sadly relate to the car incident. I did something similar a month after we bought our Rav 4 except it did quite a bit of damage so we were without the car for weeks.
It was so nice to be able to do something so small that was SO helpful for a friend!
Ugh, cars. It’s so annoying when stuff like that happens!
Parking lots are SO terrifying. Gah. I know a fender-bender is only a matter of time and it stresses me out.
Wow – is it actually THAT many seasons of Survivor? I think I watched 2 or 3. I can’t believe it’s still going strong!
It’s crazy – they are gearing up for season 50 very soon!
I never watched Survivor until after COVID so I’ve been going back to older seasons here and there. It’s wild how long ago it started and how much different people acted!
I feel like there is a stat about accidents and parking lots, as in they are one of the top accidents. Which is good if it is true, as then you are barely moving, but I am sorry that it happened to you! I once had a guy back into me when backing out of the parking lot and it was a pain to have to go through the insurance process for something so trivial. But, it sounds like your workout game has been on point! I need to step mine up, but I am not feeling well this week and so I have been trying to recover before starting anything huge.
Yes, when I think about it, I’m glad it was something like this and not something that led to me hurting someone else! It was a tiny scratch and the person wasn’t even in their vehicle when it happened. I take solace in that!
Aww, what a cute Valentine from Olive!
Sounds like you had a really good week, Stephany!
The Valentine melted my heart! It was so sweet!
Your list of the week in your life is really sweet, and gratitude is a great thing. I do write out my gratitude in my journal sometimes. Happy March!
It’s such a good practice to sit down and think about what we are grateful for. I needed this more than I knew!
Well, I certainly hope the person whose car you hit is nice about it- unlike our experience, where my husband put a TINY scratch in someone’s Porsche (of course) in the parking lot of Trader Joe’s. The woman was a complete and utter asshole about it- she seriously acted like he took an axe to her car and smashed it to smithereens.
Other than that- sounds like a nice week of Figs! Great job on those workouts, and I love the valentine from Olive.
Oh damn! That sucks that the person was so horrible about a scratch like that. This person has been very chill! I was worried about it, but it’s been an okay process so far!
Ugh, parking lots can be so terrible! I always worry about backing out of a parking space. Otherwise, some very lovely FIGS! I love the kitty picture!
I hate backing out of parking spaces! I’m always so worried I’m going to do something stupid… like I did! Argh. Live and learn.
Excellent, juicy figs.
That kitty’s look is everything. I LOVE kitty snuggles!!!
Oh, and I am excited for St. Patrick’s day but haven’t bought any decor *yet*- soon I hope!
You should definitely have some St. Patrick’s Day decor since you love the holiday so much!
I am so proud of your workouts! You go girl! And I’d feel bad about the car clipping too, but…. It happens! And you left a note. Plus, like, that car is PRETTY new to you, so who even KNOWS where its corners are!!!!
Such a good reminder on how asking for help gives someone else an opportunity to to feel really good <3
Thank you! It feels good to have a solid workout routine after struggling for sooo long.
It feels good to be needed and to come through for someone else!
Olive! Yoga! HIIT! A seemingly reasonable “other driver” who’s not being an absolute jerk in response to a small scratch! I haaaate parking lots for this reason, and have started driving like a 99 year old. I drive a Prius. It’s not exactly a big car, LOL.
It’s been fun reading about everyone’s FIGS. I unfortunately started and dropped the ball 3 days in. It was just so so busy but it would have been a great exercise.