If we were meeting up for a hot beverage today, I’d have a lot of things to tell you. None of them have to do with running. Some of them have to do with animals. Some of them might still involve the treadmill.
Pull up a chair and mug with Coco and Deborah and me for the ultimate coffee tea date, where I tell you about the strange things Lola and Alexa do.
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I would tell you that last week one evening we were getting food ready for the dogs for Thanksgiving Day: we were dropping them off at the pet sitter for the day, actually decided to leave them overnight so the day could be a *tiny* bit more relaxed for us — too many people in my parent’s small apartment for the dogs.
As I was doing yoga before bed, I heard one of the dogs in their crates. Just circling. And circling. And circling. Being downstairs I wasn’t sure who it was, but by the circling, I should’ve known it was Lola (maybe you saw my video of her searching for a spot to pee on FB?).
Apparently she thought she was getting a second dinner — poor girl! Birthday’s over, we’re working on 15 now, Lola.
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you that your privacy and Alexa are definitely a concern. OTOH, I’m #teamalexa. Still love her. She does do some odd things, though. Like the time she gave a very convincing meow out of the blue. I seriously was looking around to see if a cat had somehow gotten into the house!
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you I declutter when the spirit moves me, and it’s moving me right now. Going through clothes, getting them bagged up to donate. Not because I don’t like them or they don’t fit, but because I’m trying to declutter our living space. In fact, we’re also rearranging and trying to declutter our family/fitness room, which is where I teach yoga.
Since I have someone coming into my home on a weekly basis (and hope for more!), I need to make it a more inviting space. It’s coming along nicely, but not there yet, so no photos.
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I’d tell you I started a 40 Day Kundalini Kriya. A Kriya is a set of yoga poses. I’m definitely not an expert on Kundalini, so you might want to google it if interested or read the blog post here for a good, in depth explanation, but basically it’s trying to awaken the energy that is supposedly stored at the base of your spine and help you reach your full potential. The Kriya I chose was for disease immunity (figured I could use that at this time of year).
The entire Kriya, with the warm up exercises, takes about 30-40 minutes. I enjoy it, but 40 days straight? Let’s just say it’s been a challenge. Supposedly if you skip a day, you’re supposed to go back to day one and do them all over again for 40 days . . . I suppose it’s the Yogic form of a running streak.
If we were enjoying tea/coffee . . .
I did my Soul Stroll (check out Soul Strolls for free here) on the treadmill because, you know, 2 feet of snow outside. I wore my Vibrams, which I hadn’t worn in a while. With injiji toe socks, because sometimes they irritate my heels.
Then I had some pain on the side of my foot. I swear it developed a callous overnight, and I’ve never had a callous there before. I eventually figured out it was probably the Vibrams — most likely due to the socks I wore with them — that were the problem. I’ve never had problems from them before. Every day is an adventure when it comes to fitness.
Do you ever do an exercise streak that’s not running?
Do you enjoy rearranging furniture in your home?
What was the best bargain you found so far?
I am also linking up with the Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness from Fairytales & Fitness.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I really need to declutter my closet.
Nope. Never streaked. I doubt ever will.
Our furniture has stayed put for 20 years.
I almost bought Alexa for the hubby but decided to go with wireless headphones instead. Got a good deal on Amazon.
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Well, we’ve only lived in this house for 10 years. We don’t buy new furniture often, but I’m always thinking, and after a while, I will think up better ways (sometimes) to arrange rooms. The yoga/fitness room is coming together nicely but it’s a work in progress.
WIreless headphones are an awesome gift. One I considered gifted myself, but there were other things I actually needed first. Well, a few things I wanted, but mostly needs.
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I want to hear more about your yoga challenge. I am not familiar with Kundali (yet) Hey if you like your Alexa go with it! Thanks for linking up have a nice weekend
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Oh I’m thinking about writing a post about my yoga kriya when I finished. I’m just a bit more than halfway through right now, though.
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Your Kundalini Kriya streak sounds impressive. It’s not easy to squeeze extra 30-40 minutes out of a day every single day for 40 days. Or maybe you do some of it instead of other forms of yoga? That would help to fit it in.
The only streak I successfully do is the 10’000 steps a day thing. Of course, on the days that I run that is easy to fulfill!
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Most days it’s the only yoga I do, but not always.
I shoot for 10,000 steps, but some days I do fall short — definitely more challenging on days I don’t run! Right now I try to walk around the house a couple of minutes most hours. Kind of drives everyone nuts. 🙂
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Your 40 Day Kundalini Kriya sounds cool! I once did a 40 day yoga challenge and I really liked it. It involved dietary restrictions too, including a fruit fast. It was poor planning on my part, though to do it when I did. I ran the Cleveland half marathon at about the 35th day. I wasn’t focused on running at all and I suffered in that race.
So weird about the “Meow” from Alexa!
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No dietary restrictions involved. I could definitely see how a fruit fast would not work well for a race – at least they’re carbs!
The meow was bizarre (very convincing ) and just out of the blue. Perhaps she felt I was missing Gizmo? I had Mr. Judy as my witness that it happened!
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I’ve never done a streak, running or non-running activity. I tried to do a 30-day core workout but that only lasted about 2 weeks. That reminds me I really need to do more core work! And get rid of some old clothes in our house!
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I’m usually not much of a streaker, either. For a lot of exercise I really don’t think it’s a great idea. Repetitive stress injuries, and all that. I think I’ll be glad when it’s done and I can get more variety from my yoga . . .
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I’ve started to keep Alexa unplugged unless I want her. She’s weird. No streaks here except for maybe a plank or pushup one. My sister rearranges her furniture constantly. Currently she has no sofa because everything “had to go.” We’ve gotten all new furniture, but we haven’t changed the way it’s configured in the 19 years we live here. Wonder what that says about us?
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Unfortunately our furniture was bought to fit our house in Austin. Doesn’t quite work as well in this house. I fall somewhere in the middle — definitely not constantly, but after living with something for a while I’ll get ideas on a better arrangement.
We don’t often buy furniture. We’ve been married 34 years & these are our second vouches. My recliner we’ve had a good 25 years, probably more. Probably getting to the end of its life. Still love my bedroom furniture & have absolutely no plans to ever change that!
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I guess I don’t ‘get’ Alexa. What does it do? Why have it? I do think Google spies on me–I’ll be talking about something and voila, it appears on my phone or computer.
I haven’t streaked anything. Too much pressure. I follow a workout schedule, that’s as regimented as I get.
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Alexa and I no longer see eye to eye, lol. First she didn’t recognize my voice and then when she did, she didn’t do what I asked, so I haven’t used her in months.
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That’s really weird! She does weird things at times, and sometimes her response to our requests make us laugh, but mostly she does do what we want her to do.
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I don’t do any kind of exercise streak. I’m not even good at remembering to take my medicine every day. :-0 Scooby’s been snuggly too. I hadn’t thought of the cold but it makes sense. I declutter from time to time but can’t think when we’ve rearranged furniture. When I was a kid I used to redo my room all the time.
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I am usually not a streaker. And sometimes I’m really questioning why I did this . . . but I’m halfway through I might as well finish up!
It does make it kind of difficult to get in other kinds of yoga.
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The rules for the yoga “streak” sound daunting with starting all over if you miss a day. I’ve never done any sort of streak – not even running. Perhaps in my younger days, but now my body need all the rest it can get.
I can’t believe how much snow you got. I love snow, but…
Have a great weekend, Judy!
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Well you can do whatever you want, of course. But I’m committed. Or should be committed. 🙂
They predicted a cold, snowy winter & it looks like they could be right. And it’s not even Winter yet! It keeps snowing just a little bit — enough to be annoying.
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I used to do monthly challenges regularly…doing certain minutes of planking, or XX burpees, etc. I’m not sure how I got away form them…well, I still do some challenges, but they’re not as regimented.
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I am actually not a huge fan of repetition, as you know. I’m not quite sure why I started this, but I’m kinda determined to finish.
One of the side benefits is strengthening your back, and even though I don’t have a bad back, we could all use some of that!
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Ahhh, Bandit is so adorable! <3!!
Alexa is funny, but sounds like she can also be kinda scary (I read an article some time ago where she was just laughing maniacally and turning off people's lights ._.).
I'm trying to declutter right now too–there's just too much stuff everywhere! Best of luck to the both of us!!
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Bandit says thank you. I think he knows that. 🙂
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How bizarre that Alexa meowed?! I do like using mine for news updates & a weather report first thing in the morning and to play music in the kitchen while I’m cooking, but I don’t use her for much else.
That yoga streak does sound very challenging, especially the part about starting over if you miss a day. I’ve done a run/walk streak before, but I am generally not a fan because I don’t like that feeling of “I have to” – I look forward to hearing how it goes!
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Today I ended up not doing my yoga first thing like I usually do — but I’m determined to get it done at some point.
I use Alexa for timers all the time when I’m cooking/baking. The meowing was quite weird — and convincing.
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I’ve declutter my closet earlier this year but I couldn’t quite commit to getting rid of anything so I packed it all in a suit case. If in several months I dont miss it, then I know it’s okay to let it go…haha. just a theory I use!
That is cool that you teach yoga in your home! I would love to do a yoga class with you! -M
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I have gotten rid of books, books, and yet more books. Clothes. And just generally going through things that have needing going through for literally years — I have a bit of a lull in the family responsibilities so I’m taking advantage of that.
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I keep trying to move furniture, but my options are limited given outlets. I’m definitely team declutter
Didn’t think through a rowing session after a manicure. Definitely growing a new callus
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LOL about rowing after a manicure. Haven’t done my nails in forever, I’m constantly washing dishes, pots & pans . . . it just comes off quickly.
The overnight callous was just the weirdest thing. But at least that’s all it was.
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I’ve done a plank challenge before. No other streaks. They make me feel like a quitter because I can’t do anything EVERY day because of my work schedule.
I do need to do more yoga though.
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I am still hoping to get up a yoga video this week, but make no promises! It’s kind of a steep learning curve for me. Hoping to video it today, but we’ll see.
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