Five things friday

For lack of focused effort on a single topic, and without much other reason to write, I will try to string together five points of interest on this Friday afternoon...

1. Book
I am currently reading Johann Hari's book 'Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression - and the Unexpected Solutions.' I am reading it on Kindle, which is not my favorite of means, and I'm really trying to like the subject matter. So far it seems he is trying to prove the whole chemical imbalance need for anti-depressants as a myth. I certainly buy into a lot of what he is saying. However, I can't say that I am far enough into the book to be totally convinced yet. We will see. It is at least interesting.

2. Board
I have been formally asked to serve on the board at our church. Actually, Jane and I both have. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Plus the aspect of being involved in a Lutheran church (ELCA) is fairly foreign to me. I am used to some seriously low-church stuff, so that doesn't help. At the same time, though, it's one of the few things I've actually been ASKED to do lately. I guess I can't be too choosy anymore. So I've been reading through the 40-some page constitution and amendments and various other words and such...

3. Being mad
I seem to be on a roll of being mad at myself this week. First I was mad because I got mad at myself for being upset at church. I had finally agreed to sort of pitch in on some more "up front" sort of things... and while it seemed welcome at first... it seems to be going the way it's always gone, when nothing results from it. I understand, and so I'm mad at myself for being mad about it.

I'm also mad at myself for being mad about how the stupid towels are folded at work. I know, right? Towels! Me and another employee feel they should be folded one way, but the boss likes them folded another way. EXCEPT HE WON'T JUST COME OUT AND SAY IT!!! I think it's stupid to fold them the other way, but even worse that he is so passive aggressive about it. But, in the end, I hate that it upsets me so. It shouldn't. They are towels, for crying out loud!

And... then there's my own passive-aggressive behavior. I read a couple of articles about it this week - because I know I struggle with it. I was quite convicted, but I can't seem to find any help for how to NOT be passive aggressive. So, I end up doing the most passive-aggressive thing I can... get mad at myself. Ugh.

4. Balls
On the bright side (ha!)... I did order us some wool dryer balls for the laundry. I just used them for the first time. I really like how they soften the clothes and speed drying time. They don't do so well with static cling though. Even if we can just cut down to one dryer sheet (plus balls), instead of the two or three I usually use, it will help. I simply haven't been happy with how the dryer sheets have been working to soften the laundry lately. So far the balls seem to have helped.

5. Beginning training
Lastly (I can't believe I actually thought of five things!), I began training for our next half marathon this week. We are running the Indi Mini again this year in early May. I actually decided to take last week off entirely because my left foot was bothering me. Plus, oddly enough, the training program I am using actually allows me to CUT BACK on my normal weekly running routine. I had lately been doing 5+ miles per day, 3 or 4 days a week. The training only asks for 3 miles per day 3 days a week, and then an increasingly longer run on a 4th day (plus one day of random cardio). That's somewhat helpful because, honestly, I've been a little discouraged in my running. My left foot hurts, my left knee gives a twinge every now and then, and I just haven't been "feeling it" lately. I think probably mostly because I've been drinking too much (and I've been feeling THAT). So, maybe by taking a step back, I can actually move forward a little. Hopefully.


Well, there ya go. Five things. What more can I say...