I did have a reaction to the booster, but it wasn’t as bad as with the second shot, thankfully. Still ran a fever for roughly 24 hours which kept me on the couch all last Sunday. Couldn’t even walk Bandit — and therefore Bandit refused to walk with Mr. Judy. He often refuses to walk with Mr. Judy when I first leave, but then when he realizes I’m not coming back quickly, he’s happy to walk with him: must patrol the neighborhood.
If you celebrate, I hope that you had a very Merry Christmas!

I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and sharing how even a little movement can make a big difference in how we feel.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga (40 min), Dogwalk, PB Walking with Weights (25 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga (40 min), 3 mile hike at Falling Waters Preserve
- Wednesday: Yoga (30 min), PB Walking with Weights (25 min), Walk
- Thursday: Yoga (40 minutes), PB Cardio Walk (35 min), Walk
- Friday: Yoga (40 min), PB Walking with Weights (25 min), 1.62 mile hike at Montgomery Place
- Saturday: Yoga (60 min), PB Cardio Toning Walk (35 min)
- Sunday: Yoga (60 min), 5 miles easy, a dogwalk after lunch, maybe weights & Yoga later
Running Mileage: 5 (-6)
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
Running Update

Tuesday Intention (hike): Self Care
When I’m at my mom’s, even with a live in aide, it’s beck and call time. The apartment is very warm. There are clocks chiming, oxygen machine going, and I sleep on a couch. So yup, I need a little time in nature before and after these visits.

Friday Intention (hike): self care
I had planned to stay through Saturday, originally, but the forecast was for freezing rain on Saturday and I would be back for a few days next week. So I left Friday, stopped at Montgomery Place and explored the trail to the lake. After our light snow it was a tiny bit slippery, but I just went very slowly and had a walking pole too.
Then I decided to walk out to get a closer view of the mansion. Turns out there’s beautiful views of the Hudson and the Catskills from behind the mansion! There’s a trail that takes you closer to the water’s edge, apparently, but I needed to get home and again — a bit slippery. Another time maybe. Like Spring, LOL!

Sunday Intention: maintain some semblance of a base
Ironically I had brought my running stuff with me to my moms (although I did forget the water bottles that fit in my pockets), but I ended up not running. Either bad weather or too busy helping the temporary aide and my mom.
Don’t let the bright blue sky fool you — although a “warmer” day, there was a lot of wind that made it harder to run and certainly made it feel colder. Plus I ended up back in my neighborhood. But five miles done.

Favorites of the week
A temporary aide was found! There was a tiny bit of drama where the regular aide thought her replacement wasn’t going to come, but I had faith and she did. The good news is she’s extremely attentive to my mom. The bad news is she’s just there for two weeks. My mom always seems to like the temporary aides better (and so far both have had the odd coincidence of sharing the same name), but I don’t know if they could keep up that level of attention for months on end. I know I couldn’t, not 24/7!
So very grateful that it didn’t all fall to me.
Oh, I also took my mom to the audiologist while I was there. She was complaining she really couldn’t hear even with her hearing aids. Now she’s complaining that everything is too loud because she can actually hear.
Finally, of course, this week’s hikes. I do treasure my time out in nature.
ICYMI: I have a short Vlog with tips to keep you healthier this Winter. Most are based in the science of Ayurveda. I’ll also explain a bit about the energetics of Winter according to Ayurveda. While most of us are happily making our way through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, there are many people who struggle at this time of year. I created a short, guided meditation for you — or pass it on to a friend that’s struggling.
10 Winter Tips Vlog click here * Guided Light into Darkness Meditation click here
Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday I’m wrapping up 2021 and Friday I’m getting a few things off my chest at the Runfessional — take a break from the holiday bustle and join us here.
My MIL is the same. Complains that she can’t hear and then complains that things are too loud. Getting old is no picnic.
We were warm today due to the sunshine but so icy in spots. Didn’t really feel the wind till the end. Maybe we went out earlier (started at 8am).Stayed upright which is always a goal.
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I was out much later (especially since I ended up turning around & coming back home). At least I had sun!
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Not they much sun but felt very warm at times. I have to get out early so I have time get all the other stuff done.
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Hey, I had a Plan B kind of week! “Always have a plan B” is my motto.
Glad things worked out with your mom and the aide situation (for now.) Yes, that would be a very, very hard job. Glad you only had to do it temporarily, and that you were able to be out in nature to recharge. Those photos are beautiful!
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Winter is definitely coming, but I always have Olana to stop at. The trails aren’t plowed but the road is so I can always get some walking in there. 😊
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I remember how challenging it was to find long term aides for my grandmother a few years ago. It takes a special kind of person to be good at that job and we were so appreciative when we found them. Getting outside and giving yourself a break is definitely needed and glad you got to go on some nice hikes. Have a great week ahead
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Oh yes, I told the replacement aide a couple of times how much we appreciated her being there. I don’t know how they do that! After just four days, even with her help, I was soooooooo ready to be home!
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I’m glad that your booster shot reaction was short lived.
So happy that the temporary aide came through and I hope that your mom will like the permanent aide once he or she is selected.
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The regular aide will be back after New Year’s. Unfortunately my mom likes her replacement so much better.
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I do not envy you dealing with your mom and her aides. So so tough not to mention draining. Glad you were able to get outside for some decompression time. I fear my mom’s health is headed in that same direction. Sigh.
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Draining, yes — spot on. Physically & emotionally.
I definitely hope you’re wrong about your mom, Marcia. I know you went through the wringer with your Dad, too.
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I’m glad you found an aide. that is a tough role for your to play, so glad it was only temporary. Time in nature definitely helps with stressful situations like that! Sending you strength!
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Thanks, Jessie! I definitely need my time outdoors on as much as possible!
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Glad to hear the booster wasn’t so bad for you. I had a pretty rough 36 hours with mine back in August, with fever and body aches, but I still had to go to work. Ugh. I found out this week that because of RA, I will need a 4th dose in February. yay me
I’m glad to hear your mom got a nice attentive aide. That just shouldn’t fall to you!!
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I could never work with a fever. I guess never say never, but I can’t eat with one, & with a history of fainting (only twice but two times too many!) . . .Mine didn’t last as long as yours thankfully but it was no picnic.
I was so grateful an aide was found, because I knew my sister couldn’t help. She works retail so it’s her busiest time of year!
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It’s great that you’ve figured out that some time in nature helps you prepare for and decompress from time with your Mom. i’m glad she had an attentive aide even if she still needed your help.
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It just seems unfortunate the really attentive ones are always short term. I’ve liked them all, although they’ve all been really different, but my mom hasn’t. She needs the help though.
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I know how yucky those Covid boosters are! (Well, the first two shots weren’t a picnic either) So glad you found a great aide for your mother. I cannot imagine how stressful that would be, undertaking a search of that magnitude. I would definitely need some serious decompression time, via nature, as well.
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We use an agency so they do the searching & in these days — you pretty much take whoever is available. I am grateful people are available! It’s not a job I would ever want to do.
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Glad you weren’t too bad with your booster and that you got a temporary aide for your mum. I’m also glad you got time in nature around your trip to see her though that looks super-slippery!
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It wasn’t super slippery, just a bit here & there. To us that isn’t much snow. 😊
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It’s nice you have some beautiful areas to spend in nature before and after time with your mom. I’m sure it’s very stressful plus not sleeping in your own bed is always hard. My booster was rough! I didn’t move from my bed or the couch for about 32 hours. Glad yours wasn’t so bad.
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Several people said hydrating really well helped. I almost always hydrate well but I made an extra effort — plus I didn’t push myself to get right back to running, although given the circumstances it would’ve been hard even if I’d wanted to.
I was thankful the ickiness was basically only a day — although my arm hurt for almost a week!
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My arm was super sore for several days too!
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Yay on a temporary aide. Glad your symptoms were relatively mild and you’re on the mend.
I think festive fun was the only requirement to be part of the collage, glad you sent in a photo
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Well, I wasn’t dressed for Christmas but still grateful to Kim for including me.
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Glad you didn’t feel too bad with your booster. I think I will do it in early January.
That your mum got an attentive aide is a very good news.
Bandit is a brat! He knows very well how to manage his humans!
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Bandit knows how to manage my husband. He listens better to me. Although he wasn’t particularly happy to walk with me this morning because it was cold but we made it through our “full loop”, which isn’t all that long, LOL!
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Glad the plan B worked out and that you had help with your Mom. Merry Christmas!
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Merry Christmas, Michelle! I was extremely grateful to have help. We waffled for months about whether or not she really needed a live in aide but it became very clear in the last couple of months she did. She’s weaker & sometimes gets very confused, too.
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I’m glad your reaction to the booster wasn’t as bad, though still no picnic I’m sure.
Good news that the temporary aide came through and that your mom likes her. I can only imagine how stressful managing the whole aide process must be. It’s good to see you taking “nature breaks” when you can – your own self-care through all of this is important.
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I was glad the booster reaction wasn’t too bad too! We work with an agency. So far they’ve always come through.
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It’s great to hear that your mom’s temporary aide is working out so well and that the work didn’t fall on you.
Sorry to hear that you had a reaction to your booster, but happy that it only lasted 24 hours or so. I got my pneumonia vaccination yesterday and my arm hurt more after it than my last two Covid shots. It’s so weird how everyone reacts so differently.
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It IS so weird how everyone reacts so differently. I shudder to think about it hurting more! Actually that, for me, isn’t really the bad part. Fevers just completely lay me out & I know that I can’t push right away even though the reaction is relatively short lived (thank goodness!).
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I’m so sorry the booster hit you so hard. i was super pissed that I was down and out with it, too.
I’m also very glad your mom’s aide is working out. I’m sure that relieves some stress for you.
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The booster wasn’t fun, but not terrible either. Not like the second vaccine.
I think the aide relieved my mom, too — she really didn’t want me to have to help her with things like dressing and showering.
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