Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

I need my phone fix

This weekend has slightly been a Murphy’s Law weekend.  It was nice, but not what I thought it would be, which is okay.  Then Monday rolled around and it was like, please just get it over with.

I went to work, went to the hospital, then came home and said I’d run just three miles but went for five.  Then I read (a long overdue task) Gretchen Rubin’s Better Than Before in the tub.  It was relaxing and soothed my muscles.  It seemed like the day was going to end on a high note.

It didn’t.

What happens when you drop your phone in water and you're forced to be without it for 24 hours.

After I managed not to drop my phone in an entire tub of water, I went to the kitchen for a drink of water.  I reached across the sink with my phone in my hand, completely forgetting it was there.  It slipped and went for a quick dip in a shallow pan of water I had sitting in the sink.

Never in my 10 years of owning a cell phone has this ever happened.  Like, ever.

I could see a few screens overlapping (like I could see Instagram faintly in the background of the home screen). The buttons seemed to be working but the touchscreen wasn’t.  And then it started to get faint lines in it.

Shiiiiiiit.

At this point, I was semi-panicking.  But I’ve seen enough pins on Pinterest to know that you should put your phone in a bag of rice (not enriched!) to dry it out.  So into a bag of rice it went.

Then I pulled out my laptop and went a little crazy searching for “Will my life ever be the same now that I am the kind of person who drops my phone in water?!”

What I have learned (aside from “be careful around water” and “I have at least three tampons in every purse I own but absolutely no silica packets”) is this:

The universe has crazy ways of telling you to chill out.  Maybe it was telling me to unplug.  Maybe it was telling me to get off the phone.  Maybe it was telling me to focus on myself and not be so readily available for everyone.

Maybe it was me just being stupid.  Maybe I need to learn more patience (as if I’m not learning it enough at work).

Maybe it was telling me to stop saying, “If only I had done X, then Y wouldn’t have happened.”  If only I had done the dishes, then I wouldn’t have a pan and water in the sink.

Or maybe, just maybe, the universe isn’t telling me anything.  Maybe it just happened.  And that’s a lesson in and of itself.

This was a crazy-cruel detox, though.  Even though I can do everything I do on the computer (including using iMessage and Google Hangouts to communicate), I’m so used to having my phone around me.

If I need to fill in a spare minute while waiting for a file to download, I’m on Instagram.  I habitually tap the home button to see if anyone texted me while I was looking away.  Gee, I wonder what’s happening on Twitter?  Let me look.

As I’m writing this, I’ve gone 24 hours without it and I hate not being able to text Jonathan like normal.  Using Google Hangouts is great because I can still hear from him, but I feel so immature, like I’m on AIM messaging my crush.  Ugh.

And what if I want to call my mom and not be chained to the landline with the cord.  I don’t even know if I have long distance calling.

I don’t even know if a run counts if I don’t log it with RunKepper.

And how many steps did I take yesterday?  I can’t tell without syncing my UP!

First world problems.  I know.  I’m going crazy and need a fix.  I hope it’s dry soon.  I don’t want to rush it but, guys, I need a hit.

Have you ever gone through a digital detox?  What happened?

What no one tells you about running

Running sucks. #SeriouslyThough

I could probably stop there.  I started to write this in my head in the middle of a run on Tuesday and that’s how I was feeling.

#BlogPostsAlwaysComeToMeWhenIDontHavePaper

What no one tells you about running. #training #marathon #running

In case you missed all my bitching about hospitals and moving, it’s been a little tricky to find time to train for the marathon (that’s just the Pittsburgh Marathon Half, I’m not going crazy here).  I’m getting off my ass and doing it, though. #Finally

Now, I’m not a physical therapist, nurse, pro athlete, coach, or licensed to give advice, so don’t take this as be-all end-all medical knowledge.  It’s just what I know.  And this will be my 5th total half marathon, so I kinda know what I’m talking about in terms of myself and my body.

What I know about running is that it’s hard.  No one tells you how hard it is to get up and get moving.  An object a rest, #amirite?  There are some days when I just feel like I had the best workout ever and there are some days when it’s struggle city and I just want to turn around and go home. #ButSeriously #CanIJustGoHomeNow

Despite the suckiness and the burning shins and the sore lungs, ya just do it.

I think the biggest thing that no one tells you about running is that it really makes you listen to your body.  When it isn’t feeling it, honor what it’s saying.  Hit your mile goal for the day, but be gentle on yourself. #DoWhatYouCanWithWhatYouHave

I used to get so upset if I couldn’t stand running more than three miles when I was trying to train.  Now I just go with it.  On Sunday, I ran for an hour and I hit six miles.  It felt great.  Tuesday during my lunch break, I only did three. #YeahIKnowONLYThree #sarcasm

Instead of beating myself up about only running three miles, I made a deal with myself.  I ran to the next stop sign and I said I could walk if I wanted to.  I didn’t feel like I needed it, so I ran to the next stop sign.  And repeat.

Running is also a very mentally challenging sport.  Running 13.3 miles is a physical challenge for sure, but you have to believe you can do it.  The phrase “mind over matter” is so incredibly true.  I can’t emphasize it enough.  You have to be really assured that you can do it, even if you’re doubting it.  #DontLetYourselfSmellYourOwnFear

And you’re with yourself for 13.3 miles.  That’s a little longer than two hours.  If you’re telling yourself, “OMG I’M GOING TO DIE,” chances are, you aren’t doing very well.  Don’t listen to those crazy voices in your head! #LifeAdvice

When I started running, I wish I would have known that it was okay to have off days (#AsLongAsYouGetOutsideYoureAhead) and that it’s really hard to do when your mind isn’t working with your body.

Another thing no one tells you about running is that you’ll probably lose a toe nail or two and you really need to have a bee-line to a restroom when you’re done.   But more on that later.

Are you a runner? What’s something no one told you that you wish you knew?

#Hashtaghumpday @ Life with Lolo

Easter Hangover

Happy Monday, Gardeners!  I didn’t want to NOT write something, but I also have nothing to write – it happens.  I’m the first to admit it.

This weekend after spending a great time in Columbus (where #AngelicaAteColumbus hardcore), lunch with family, and running to prepare for the Pittsburgh Marathon (just the half, thanks), I didn’t get a post written for today.

If you’re missing a dose of my Monday beauty advice, check out my #LipStockChallenge on Instagram and Twitter – I’m rotating through my stash of lip products, one per day until I run out.  Follow the fun and join in if you want to share your #lotd (lip of the day).

How was your weekend?

Sunday Lately, 14

I have a confession.  By this time (doing 11 weeks straight of Sunday Lately posts), I should be able to figure out the pattern of the prompt for the week.  Not true.  I still have to go to someone’s blog, scroll to last Sunday’s post, and copy the upcoming prompt.

Next time the “Forgetting” prompt rolls around, I’m writing “The prompt pattern each week.”  Because, I mean, it’s true.

What have you been up to lately? This is week 14 of Sunday Lately link up with Katy, Meghan, and Nicole!

Updating

My house.  Betcha thought I was going to say “this blog,” didn’tcha!?  Yeah, I haven’t forgotten about that. I just need a spare damn minute.

So, I’m still trying to move my things out of my father’s house, pack up some extraneous things for him, and clean out what I can.  The problem is, I don’t know the next step.  I know my plan, but not anyone else’s.  So I can do my own thing, but eventually I get sucked back in to what the rest if the family wants me to do.  I’m so bad at saying no, guys.

Reminding

Myself that it’s okay to say no.  I even wrote about why it’s good!  I’m also loving this list of things that Emily Cassel shared about her March life lessons (biggest takeaway: your brain is a muscle, it’s okay to give it a break!)

Needing

A spare damn minute!

Wearing

As I mentioned last Monday, I’m doing the #LipStockChallenge.  My friend, Marissa, gave me the idea to wear a different lipstick every day for a certain period of time.  I started doing this on Wednesday (it was no April Fool’s joke) and I’m going to try going until I run out if I can.

Join me if you’d like!  I’m tracking the hashtag on Instagram and Twitter!

Being

Relaxed after a night outside of Pittsburgh with Jonathan and his sister and brother-in-law.  We went to Columbus to eat a huge grilled cheese sandwich from Melt.  Oh, and to see a hockey game.

Bunny light bulb redo

Last year, I shared two projects for making decorations with light bulbs.  I had penguins and Grinches for Christmas and bunnies for Easter.  I’d love to make ducks, but I’m still trying to figure out the logistics of that.

If I do, y’all will be the first to know.

Super easy Easter craft making bunnies from old light bulbs! #upcycle #reuse #easter

Side note: I’m from Pittsburgh, I fully understand that my kind is supposed to say “yinz.”  I just can’t, so you get “y’all.”

Light bulb bunnies are a ridiculously easy craft and (I have no way to verify this as I don’t have children of my own) fun for kids!  Just keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t drop a poor light bulb bunny.

Super easy Easter craft making bunnies from old light bulbs! #upcycle #reuse #easter

What I love about this project is that the materials are so easy to find.

  • Old light bulbs (I don’t even bother to take the guts out, so no sharp pieces)
  • Red, white, and black paint
  • A Sharpie
  • Card stock or heavy paper
  • Cotton balls
  • Brushes, toilet paper rolls (to prop up drying bulbs), and a plate for paint mixing
  • Hot glue gun or other adhesive stuff

I’m guessing you have about 100% of these items in your house right now.

Super easy Easter craft making bunnies from old light bulbs! #upcycle #reuse #easter

Super easy Easter craft making bunnies from old light bulbs! #upcycle #reuse #easterSuper easy Easter craft making bunnies from old light bulbs! #upcycle #reuse #easterSuper easy Easter craft making bunnies from old light bulbs! #upcycle #reuse #easter

Are you ready to make your own?  Click here to see how I did it!

I’m off to boil some eggs for dying.  Pro tip: save the water!  Plants love the calcium that comes out of the shells!

What are your favorite Easter crafts?

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