"Hey, how are you?"
Unless you haven't been leaving your house, this is a question you probably ask and answer at least a couple times a day, and maybe don't give much thought to.
Today, though, I *am* thinking about it. How am I?
I haven't been posting much recently. I took a break to reevaluate my purpose in running the foundation's social media. And frankly, once I broke my commitment to posting one thing every day, it has been SUPER hard to decide to get back to that standard.
In the meantime, I am doing some other good things with my time. I'm still teaching a few classes a week at Greenville Indoor Rowing and have set myself a lifetime-meters goal of 10 million by the end of the year. I am having a blast volunteering weekly at ReCraft Greenville. I'm spending time at our mountain cabin when I can.
And after five years of empty-nesting, I cleared out both kids' bedrooms at home in Greenville in preparation for grown-up guest-room-style updates. Removing everything from those rooms necessitated a lot of decisions of the "keep, give away, throw away" variety. I took an entire carload to ReCraft, and donated boxes to the QWC resource closet, a couple of thrift stores, and a bag of gently used gear and uniforms to Master Kim's World Class Tae Kwon Do.
I attempted to take a box of books to the Friends of Greenville County Library used book sale location, which last I knew (years ago) accepted donations on Thursdays. But no one was there, so I kept the books in my car and brought them up to the mountains with me to donate to the Macon County N.C. Friends of the Library bookstore in Franklin. I hadn't been there before and thought it would be a fun excursion.
It was! They were grateful for my donation — our set of Disney Fairy books was going immediately out to the children's section, the volunteer said — and I found a couple of things I wanted, too! Less than $5 bought me a jigsaw puzzle of vintage glass Christmas ornaments, a logic puzzle book, and from the grief section, When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi (for 50 cents!). I'm already halfway through it (and have assembled my puzzle as well).
While I was in Franklin, I stopped by several other places on the same road that looked intriguing:
Here is everything I thrifted on Friday (other than the second pair of shorts, which I am wearing).
Repeats Upscale Consignment, where I bought two pairs of shorts (it was hot up here last week and I realized I needed more)
3H Thrift Shop, where for $8 I picked up a black silk beaded jacket, whenever (if ever) I have somewhere fancy to go again (maybe I'll take out the shoulder pads), and
Whistle Stop Depot, a sprawling antiques mall where I found four pressed-glass dishes in a pattern matching one my mom had when I was growing up (Federal Glass Petal Clear) for whenever we entertain again. Oh and a Super Mario Lego item too.
All of it together was under $70, and all of it fits in the one box I carried the book donation in. So I think I came out very well, and it was an enjoyable, relaxing afternoon.
How am I? I'm doing things that help me feel productive and healthy. I'm taking time for activities I enjoy, including those that are quiet and relaxing. I have plans for the future I'm excited about. I think I'm managing as well as can be expected! How are you?