1. Daily Stoic
I saved a little snip in Google Keep (my Second Brain… 😉 ) the other day from the Daily Stoic newsletter. It was titled “It’s Cheap To Be Dead”.
The gist was that some people take penny pinching, frugality, “investing for the future” and “saving for retirement” to the extreme. And for what? We can’t take it with us when we go.
The snip I saved was: “The Roman poet Juvenal joked that while Alexander was living, the whole world could not contain him, but in death, a coffin was sufficient.”
It’s very cheap to be dead.
True statement!
2. Morning workout… brief “hiatus”?
I haven’t exercised in the early morning a single time this week. I KNOW. But, I have a good reason. My parents have been in town all week, so I’ve had “backup” (from my mom) to hang out with Charlie during the day. Therefore, I have taken advantage of her Dog-Grandma abilities and have snuck away to the gym midday a couple times this week.
Never fear, I am still committed to this goal and WILL resume next week, come hell or high water. I’m still rocking my schedule overall, though I ended up taking an unplanned rest day on Wednesday. But that’s ok. I just shifted the days and will workout today (Friday) instead. On Week 3 of new strength program and still loving it.
3. Charlie is cute.
I was texting with Ivan the other day about something and then sent him these pics with the caption, “Meanwhile, Charlie is having a busy day.”
Oh, puppy life seems to be the good life.
4. My nutrition is…. lacking.
I do not really have any nutrition goals for 2024, or at least I didn’t. But I’m starting to think I should maybe reconsider this.
My nutrition has been BAD. I don’t know what my deal is! It’s like ever since we got home from Mexico I just have been in this, “Ehhhh, whatever” mindset. Not that I am ever particularly strict with my nutrition, but it’s been especially random and very minimal in the basics like fruits and veggies and protein.
When I think of my current nutritional state, I think of this face:
I’ve been lifting and working out SOLIDLY so far this year, but I am definitely not eating to support my workouts or…. health.
Pizza out with my parents was good last night though. 😅
5. My bathroom shower tile is almost done!
Not sharing photos yet since there’s no grout in and the old wall color (doesn’t match anymore!!) is still there, etc. But I’m loving it!! My Dad is the best, most careful and detail-oriented handyman you’ll ever find. #luckygirl
It’s going to look so good when it’s all done I think!!
And have I mentioned I’ll be really, really happy to have 3 bathrooms again?! Haha. Not that I don’t love sharing my bathroom with 2 teenaged boys…. lol.
Daily Gratitude:
I am grateful for Friday. This week has been a good one but has felt a little wonky with parents here, a couple appointments, etc. too. I need to regroup a little this weekend!
GRATEFUL KAE 
It will be so nice to have your bathroom done! You are lucky that your Dad is handy! My Dad is also handy and he has done a lot of work on my house in the past, but he is starting to slow down a little and I was so surprised when he started hiring a local kid (I say kid but he is in his mid/late 20s) to help him with some of the projects around his house. However, in the past, I was the “local kid” and have helped him do many the project, including roofing (which is not that bad really) and plumbing (which I hate)! However, he has passed only a fraction of his knowledge to me (or I have only retained a fraction). Do you (or the kids) help your Dad with the projects at your house?
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No, unfortunately we really do not help him. In large part because he does not want help! I do sort of wish the boys were somehow able to learn from him, but he is very particular and often sort of “figures things out as he goes” in certain aspects, so it just doesn’t really always lend itself to have novice helpers…
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Charlie is SO cute.
Also, please send your Dad to Nova Scotia next. I have lots of projects for him – haha.
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Hahaha!! I’d definitely share him if I could. 🙂
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No, no, I want your dad! Florida is much nicer than Nova Scotia this time of year : )
You had a great reason for shifting your workouts around this week, and you still got it all done. You can go back to mornings next week. And, ugh. My nutrition has a lacking as well. I definitely had an “anything goes” attitude through the holidays and during our Tampa trip (Taco Bell???) and it’s hard to get back to normal. Now I’m determined to reign it in, but I don’t feel like cooking. Last night my daughter and husband were gone for dinner and I ate… a bowl of chickpeas. I mean, it’s better than Taco Bell but still probably lacking a few important nutrients. Well, February is the new January! (I’m trying to get the phrase to catch on.) We’ll get back on track.
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I know, it’s like I’m just in this weird mode where I’m not even eating actual meals half the time… I’ll just sort of “graze” on random things which could be anything from a handful of nuts to a cheese stick, OR a couple Oreos, microwave popcorn, or potato chips… and/or some occasional leftovers (decent nutritional value) mixed in and maybe a rogue banana or apple… but just kind of all very random and not really balanced at ALL- and pretty heavy on some junky stuff too.
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Oooh I want that pizza!!!! That’s my perfect diet.
I work out in the morning 99% of the time but if my schedule changes, then I work out whenever. Example when my family is away there’s no reason for me to workout at dark o’clock.
The “it’s cheap to be dead” philosophy is exactly what is driving me to quit my job next year. I’ll be 50 and I while I *could* spend the next 10-15 years sitting behind a desk why would I? I don’t enjoy my job and we should have enough money. Based on family history I should be good physical and mental health at the normal retirement age, it not as great as I am now.
Confirmed! Charlie is cute!
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Right- I’m all about the morning workouts right now when needed, but I also don’t necessarily WANT to workout in the morning if I don’t “have” to, either… so if I have the option to do it later without messing up the rest of my day, then that’s nice, too!
It’s very exciting about your job! If you can swing it, why not?!
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It is totally cheap to be dead… Just ordered two new duvet covers since our were all pilling to no end. Charlie is incredible!! My dad (lives in Russia :() is also a very careful and accurate handyman that takes FOREVER to finish a project. LOL Gotta love him!
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Hahaha, yes, note that I said my dad is excellent, NOT fast. LOL. He is also pretty slow, and he admits it, but I’m not complaining. 🙂
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It is cheap to be dead, but I am kind of terrified of outliving my money to be honest. My grandma is almost 101 and there are several centurions on my mom’s side of the family so there is a good chance I could live to 100. Honestly I don’t think I aspire to, though… like 90 seems like a good age to reach and then go quietly in the night… I try to thread the needle of being frugal but not overly restrictive with spending. But when ran our analyses w/ the financial advisor, we had him assume we both live to 95. The likelihood of that is pretty low but I wanted to be sure we’d never risk running out of money (I don’t trust that social security will be around at that time…).
I’m glad your mom has been around to watch Charlie so you can fit in workouts at other times of the day! And it’s wonderful to have a handy dad. My dad can do anything related to heating and electrical. But Phil has a very handy cousin who has done a ton of projects around our house. Phil always helps him so he can learn a thing or two in the process but we are grateful to have an expert to call (and we of course pay him!).
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Well, yes, you’re right- I think this means within reason. You definitely don’t want to outlive your money!! I think this was more geared toward people who literally just save and save and save in excess, for no real reason. Or who already have a ton/ PLENTY of money and are still overly frugal in sort of a negative and unnecessary way.
I remember you mentioning Phil’s cousin in the past- didn’t he help build your deck?? That’s SO nice!!!
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Yes his cousin built a new deck for us in the summer of 2020! He’s done so many projects around the house! We would have spent so much more money if not for him!
And yes there is a balance to be struck between saving the right amount but not being overly frugal since you can’t take it with you!!
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I’d totally shift my workout around to hang out with family who visits, that’s a legitimate reason. Diet thing… will it help if you spend 1-2 hrs on the weekend to meal prep? just roast vegetables and protein for easy meals? Another trick: if you stock your fridge with fresh fruits and veggies, you may want to use them up before they go wasted. At least in our household that’s a big incentive to eat up all the veggies. Have fruit cut is also helpful to consume more. when I don’t have anything prepared, I’m ravenous and I eat everything on sight, good or bad. Actually with the mileage increase, I’ve noticed ravenous appetite in the evening, so this Weekend I’m planning to prep some nourishing snacks to have in the afternoon so I don’t stuff myself with other things.
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I can’t wait to see the finished bathroom. So nice you have your parents there and that your dad is such a great handyman and your mom a dedicated dog-grandma 🙂 I love the photos of Charlie… puppy life seem good indeed!
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