Healthy By 60 Do I Snore?

Do I Snore?
I went home for the holidays and since I live alone I have no recollection of snoring. But I was told I did indeed snore, especially after having some drinks. So, my mind goes to:

1. I am going for healthy by 60
2. Do I have sleep apnea?
3. How much do I snore and does it obstruct my sleep patterns?

As the good Googler I am, I looked online for an answer. I have a Fit Bit Charge 2 to track steps and remind me to get up and walk. I track my sleep patterns on this and when looking at the past few days, saw I had many wake ups.

Looking deeper,  found the Snore App. Download on the IPhone and turn on when going to sleep. It gives a percentage to record snore patterns.

EPIC
My snoring at one point in the night was epic.
How do I match up with the remainder of the snorers? (Mine was 52% and 20% is normal. 100% is high).

By upgrading I can add to the app and track trends. Last night I turned it on and laid the phone down and did not check to ensure it was working. No record. I will track patterns for a week and see how the results turn out. 

Decisions
The New Year is upon us and with it comes decisions about the future. I know I need to make a job change. I have a chance to take a great position but it would require me to move. Nature vs nurture I guess.  Fortunately I have some time to mull it over. I like my current living situation and hate to change it. But the job is a great opportunity to make a difference.

Resolutions
Resolutions are always good. Even when we break them. It gives us a chance to reflect.  The end of the year as a time to look back on what was and was not and to look forward to what can be. A chance to start anew.

Journal, write, read, paint, walk, garden. Whatever the choice, take some time to reflect and plan.

Healthy by 60 Something Nice Everyday

Christmas is over. The spirit is still in the air. 

What is on the agenda?

1. Three week hiatus from social media.

2. New Years
3 Catching movies.
4. Exercising daily.

Will the three week hiatus work? Not sure? 

• Too much browsing on Facebook causes depression.
• Too much browsing on social media takes away from productive time.
• Balance between browsing and flow. 

New Year's Resolutions?

1. Have a meaningful work environment.

2. Travel

3. CBO classes and social work program

4. Healthy food

5. Blogging or journal.

6. Talk less and listen more.

7. Meaningful interactions 

8. Model joy.

9. Give back

10. Focus on others over self.

11. Something nice everyday. 

Reflection, refreshment, trust, faith, adventure, courage.  Something nice everyday. Being deliberate. 

Healthy by 60 Holiday Musings

So many holiday musings.

Holidays make me sad. I function from  a gratitude perspective to keep above the sad.

1. I have my teeth
2. I have my mom
3. I have my siblings.
4. I adore my inlaws
5. My niece and nephew are fine.
6. I love my cat.
7. I have friends.
8. I have a good job.
9. I keep growing and learning.
10. I have a roof, funds, and support.
11. I have a spiritual foundation grounded in God's goodness.


Sad
1. Looking back
2. Missing those who have passed on.
3. Missing feeling safe.


Pick up the Pace.
1. Gratitude
2. Facebook can make one feel sad.
3. We reap what we sow.
4. We make a difference when we reach out to do so.
5. There is always someone who needs support.

Food? Well, too much Christmas candy and cookies but watching the food intake. Ordered Jenny  Craig to jump start every other day. And Spirulina which also helps start the day off right.

Christmas is too much worrying about who may not be around next year instead of enjoying now.
Blessings abound if we just relax and accept them.

Memories are good and continue to be made. No need to get caught in stinking thinking as Joyce would call it. Look up. Believe. There is magic to be had!!

Health By 60 Twice Today

Missed two days and believe me I can tell it. It is good to purge our thoughts and feelings daily and start clean the next day. Week end of nothing. Did not get out or do much of anything. Maybe too much rest and staying in PJs but it is nice to have a break.

Well what did I accomplish during my two day me fest?
1. Recharged
2. Watched a lot of Christmas movies, binged watched The Crown, and watched a couple of Al Brooks movies that were totally new to me.
3. Read about the fine line between leadership and depression/anxiety. Examples in the book,
Ted Turner, Lincoln, MLK, Churchill. Interesting that strong leaders who functioned well in crisis possess these traits.
4. Processed Golden Globes.

What I Did not Do
1. Exercise
2. Get out in sunshine.
3. Call my mom
4. Get my nails done.


What I Am Trying to Decide
1. Do I stay or do I go?
2. What is the next step in my career?
3. How can I buy a house and still live in Bay Area?
4. Christmas is changing
5. Sometimes I feel like people take me for granted.

I like being the second in command.
I would like to move up.
I hope I did not cut apart my chances by moving but I had to get out of there.
I need to mend my relationship with a close colleague.

Being Professional
1. Dress it
2. Talk it
3. Walk it
4. Live it

Ordered my Jenny Craig food to get back on track.
Will start grocery shopping again.
Want to move fast and get lots done.

I have a lot to offer but I don't think people can see this in me.

How many times did I say me and I? How much have I done to reach out?

I want a new recliner.

When You are Too Tired to Write. Day Eight

What a week it has been. Not sure I have gotten any closer to being healthy at 60 but I do like that I am reflecting on the days. And putting together a water bottle each morning that contains fruit. A place to begin!!!! More water.

Lots o holiday treats but now the times are winding down. That is good. Peace on Earth good will to me. Not sure if I felt that way today totally, but I do think I showed some strength and reserve.

So time will tell. If I had my druthers, I would posture more and act more professional. But is is hard because that is not me. I am a talking and nice person. But I do think I would be taken more seriously if I had a bit more reserve. And worked on my personal appearance too.

I want to keep going and end with a great career. Time will tell. For now.... I am tired.

Two pieces of toast for breakfast. with cantaloupe and chorizo
A ham sandwich for lunch.
Two cookies.
Burger, onion strings, and beans. Too much GREASE.I feel awful. Remind me not to do this again.

Next week: Make soup!!!

Healthy Before 60 Day Seven Making It A Happy Day

A tired day today. Ready for the holiday and not quite sure of the days I have off for Christmas. And today, I ate: ham, bread, and ham. Then a good supper.Two eggs and some cereal for breakfast.

So I think that was pretty good.

And I just saw a job posting that I am strongly considering. A chance to move on and I would know exactly what to expect. Going to check it out. Only downfall, the commute would be very long. And I really like it here. I hate to leave. I would just have to prime myself.

Not sure how it would all fall out. Tomorrow is the meeting at work. And so funny I wrote about Grandma yesterday. Tessa posted the best picture of her today on FB. So cool..

My heart goes out to the Ventura peeps. The fire and smoke and so much. Ready for a nice, quiet, Christmas week end.

Well, I am gong to go to bed tonight and ask God to talk to me in my dreams.

Healthy Before 60 Day Five: Grandma and Cats.

Well hello. It has been a good day. Today we had a Christmas party. And we had a lot of fun. Still crazy politics going on at work but I am trying to look past them and focus on the positive. Sometimes it is hard. People are strange. I hope it all works out ok. Sometimes I wonder if I come on too strong? But I am real and myself. So that is all that matters.

On my mind today:

• Codependency and work
• Can one be codependent with family?
• Finding a nice guy who likes to go to plays and watch movies, dinner, smart. I think it would be nice to find someone like this. I would be very happy. And I think it would make me a better person. 
• Am I finished with Christmas? Still need: My name, Richard, Chris, and Jared's birthdays; stocking stuffers. Then I am done. Whew! Not bad.
• I want a new black dress.
• I have been accused of being a bully at times.  I am pretty direct, but I would not say I am a bully.  I am pretty collaborative. I think one has it in his head I am a bully because I came down pretty hard last year on a pet employee. I also think the response was one sided due to the people involved. I came down hard because of a lot of inequity. But I guess I need to check my style. I don't mean to bully but I do take responsibility seriously and don''t have a lot of patience with people who do not want to work. And that is usually when I get vigilant. Anyway, as you can tell, this is on my mind. Not because I am afraid, but because I want to work through it and blow it over. I don't like anyone to feel uncomfortable.  If people had done their job right last year, this would not even be an issue. Oh well. Sometimes I think I am functioning in the Twilight Zone. My achilles heel I guess. 
• What else? Roy Moore was defeated. That is good. 
• Christmas is coming. Academy Awards. I miss LA. I miss the world down there, but not the heat. And so sad about the fires. I like the seasons here but I love Hollywood!!!! And KTLA!! And the Academy Awards!!!
• Oh yes? What about the food?
• Well, I drank some protein drink for breakfast.
• Then I had lunch at the party and tried to eat sensibly. Avoided the dessert and had a cookie. Some candy. For dinner, a frozen pizza slice and the rest of the Chinese last night. Not really healthy? But right now my goal is to maintain. 

So what do I know?

I see so much potential in some of our staff and I so enjoy working with them and taking care of them all. I think it is sad that we have to walk on eggshells due to the other side. But i guess there is no true perfection. I just like to motivate and support people to grow.  I would still like the chance to run my own. But i have to get bigger. I have to brace up and take some responsibility for myself. I have let myself go a bit and I need to clean this up. And time will tell. My new man who likes movies and the theatre and my new self who is a superintendent. Not going for low but going for challenge. Maybe that would be better for me. 

What Do I Know For Sure?

1. People do their best to be their best within their framework.

2. We cannot expect what we do not teach.

3. The best lesson is to model.

4.  Principles before personalities is always the best answer.

5. We don't know what we don't know.

6. Karma will always come visit. We need to keep ourselves intact and keep our own backyard clean before we look at another's.

7. There are a lot of good people in the world who like to have fun and focusing on the positive is the best! 

8. Time heals all

9. Honesty is the best policy. Honest but not always brutally honest.

10. Leaders have a responsibility to rise above.

-----------------------------

My Cat Has It Right

1. When I don't get what I want, I just drop a poop and suddenly I have attention. Sometimes you have to make a statement.

2. Sleep is important. Stretching is important. Find someone who will give you lots of attention. 

3. When I am not happy, you will know it by the look in my eye.

4. I am the ultimate ruler of the world.

5. Pat me 20 times and I will relax. Massage is good.

6. I need a balance of food and snacks.

7. Do not rock my world without giving me fair warning. 

_____________________________________________________________

And the list goes on:

What do I want for Christmas?

1. A Keurig

2. A new black dress.

3. That is about it. 

4. Peace on Earth.

5. A new man with interest in movies and theatre.

This is my Grandma. She was a wonderful lady. A hard worker, but so kind and loving and giving. I would love to be just like her. I loved her so much. Her birthday was December 5.  She passed away at the age of 98. She was a farm lady but so much fun and spoiled us all so much. I miss her and try to model myself after her: her kindness, her grace, her giving, her work ethic. She worked hard, five kids, and not a lot.  But fun and so caring. Gardened, farm lady.She even used to preach  Loved her animals. Loved her grandkids. Loved the people she took care of. When she said, "Tracy D" I knew it was time to take notice. Happy Birthday   Grandma!!! 

Healthy Before 60 Day Four

Well, I am keeping up with the journaling. Today was an ok day. I am kind of in a panic mode tonight. Scared about the future. Feel like someone is going to pull the rug out from under me. I think it is partially habit and partially due to no Roots. I am making roots. But I am in a situation where I try but I so feel like a fish out of water.

And I feel like these people who are so very immature and so green think they have the answers to all of the questions. And it is scary because I think they are being heard. Or maybe they want it to seem that way. I just feel like I want to climb up on the table and say,, let's go!!! Let's make some differences. Let's stop spinning and make some inroads.

I want a chance to do this. To move something along again. I think of all of the missed opportunities. And the posturing and the growth. Oh well, it is all relative. But today was ok.

I had protein drink for breakfast and some cookies. Probably about 500 calories.

Lunch: Chili and crackers and two slices of cheese.

Snack: A Tamale

Some candy

and then the craving for Chinese took over. I stopped at a new place and it was certainly not worth the calories. But i ate it anyway. There is nothing better than some good Chinese once in a while. I want to find some friends to have dinner with. Socialize. Exercise with. I miss my old step aerobic friends. We did not know how good we had it back then. It was special.

Dropped the gym and now I have to pay for three months. That sucks. Jazzercise is not even easy anymore. I need to start an exercise regime. I left work today at 4:00 and it was nice. I was home by 5:30. I like that. I am tired of being a workaholic and am not sure if I am appreciated. But I guess I am not there to be appreciated but to work.

It is just a sense of disturbance. It is either me or just fit. I just want a place where I can make a difference and really make some growth with a minor portion of pushback. Not sure that is ready for that. I think he is too invested right now in PSI and the posturing people. Not sure this is building longevity or sustainability. I am losing interest.

And Yon Cassius is waiting to pounce. And that is fine. I would rather go than stay even though I like the people. I am kind of tired of the coffee clache.

Oh well, this has nothing to do with me. I ordered Christmas presents. My mom is really struggling with her memory at times. I wish she could get out more. I think it would be good for her. Wish a job for my brother. For all intents and purposes, life is good. I should not ever complain.

And so we wait. And see what will happen between now and May. That is the guideline. And Roy Moore was defeated. I love it!!!! There is some justice for women!!!!!

Healthy by 60 Day Three

Well, three days in a row. I can say that I did not do too bad today on the food. Now, leaving work early and going home early is a different story. I did not leave work until 7:00. I inherited a staff member this year that is very difficult. She is not good at her job and when corrected, goes kind of bonkers. I made the mistake of trying to direct her and give her feedback. Ho Ho ho. It now is back on me.  Now I have to determine if I need to be honest and let her know what I think or just take the high road and let it all come out in the wash. I am tired of this stuff. So I will play the game. I am not one to take the path of least resistance, but this is a case where I don't see a lot of progress to be made.

So what did I eat today?

Breakfast- protein drink.
Lunch- Chili, shredded wheat, piece of cheese, celery.
Two pieces of candy.
Supper- Frozen slice of pizza, five little pieces of garlic toast with cheese, some dip.
Two buckeye cookies.

Not too bad.
I just heard that Donald Trump drinks 12 diet cokes a day. Time for me to stop. My nemesis saw some defeat today. That was good. Wish I could be so positive and just see the good in people. Not look down on them or gossip. Not be happy when I see people who have been shitty have problems. Wish I could be kinder and nicer. Not sure if I can get there but I will try. God would do me good to help me know how to deal with the work situation and to start drawing my attention when I am a bi t ch.

Life is too short and I dont think it is worth it to go up mountains for people. Probably best to take the high road and not take it too seriously and just get out of it.

Went out for lunch with Sharon. She knows someone who may be in the search at Gustine. My boos was nice today. At least gives me hope. Need to go back in my bubble.

Well, we will see how it goes in a week. How can I give up Diet Cokes? I love them. But I don't want to be like him.

News
Still lots of fire problems. So sad that Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Cecil's house is gone. CJ is really good and KJ will be the downfall. Such immaturity and a lack of real focus on her part. He is great but seems to just buckle where she is concerned. So sad. And that does not make me happy but i am realizing I have bought into a lot of BS.
1. They really don't know what they are doing.
2. They don't really have a reality check on input and engagement.
3. They don't know what they don't know.
4. Loud and obxnoixous is not wisdom.

Healthy Before 60 Day Two

Well. this morning I logged into Facebook forgetting that I was supposed to go exercise. This week end is one that is nice as I am able to get my focus back. The past few weeks have been pretty crazy. It has been nice to be at home and relax and just get caught up.

I am feeling some fear right now. It is work related. My boss has never seemed to connect with me well. Now he has shifted our focus  and involved in this is leadership by a young and aggressive, young person. I am totally in agreement with their plan. I just am worried about where I fit in to this. I have never been too well liked by the team. Probably because I keep to myself and do my work and I don't get involved in the drama. I cannot help it. I am an introvert and that is my style.  I try to stay on the side of politics and keep as strong foundation. What I do has to be done regardless of their plans. Yet, I sense a couple of them would love to use this as a chance to show me up. I also have been in this situation before and it did not turn out so well. Therefore, I am very gun shy.

This is what I do know. They leave early and come in late. They suck up to him to get what they want. There are some indiscretions involved. A lot of unexperienced people are making decisions that are very timely, but not sure that they have the systemic capacity to build and keep them up. My feeling, I am intimidated and fearful with the process. A lack of confidence on my part simply because of past insecurities.

I feel like my biggest goal is to move on but I am scared. And when I have an opportunity, I blow it. So a lot of this craziness is me. I cannot control any changes he will make, but it will devastate me if I have to look for another job.

Karma is a bitch so I am hoping the posturing  at the church will eventually become evident. . They are certainly setting up a manipulative situation. And it is sad. Because it will not work if they don't get people involved. I  can only know that I need a new challenge if he will not allow my to be the expert that I am. I have a grounding and foundation and I know the best processes to what works and what doesn't.

How Can I Make Today Good?
1. Get caught up at home.
2. Buy cat food and get organized.
3. Juice up my Fit bit
4. Finish my Christmas shopping
5. Laundry
6. Focus on faith instead of fear.
7. Get rest.
8. Lots of water.
9. Avoid carbs and sugar.

Know that what happens is the way it is supposed to be. Thinks always work out. The ultimate message is peace on Earth and goodness to others.  Stay on Three. Be grateful. 

What Did I Eat Yesterday?
1. Lots of cornbread- 15 points
2. Chili- 15 points
3.Peanut Butter, Cheese, and crackers.
4. Real Pepsi- I grazed all day.

Plans for Today
1. Do other blog
2. Laundry and dishes.
3. Bank
4. Pet store
5. Grocery Store
6. Lunch

Plans for the Week
1. Cleaners
2. Join Jazzercise AM in Pleaseanton
3. Work Christmas- liaisons, girls, Secret Santa,  Karen, Melinda, Mariam, Gail,
4. Donate Ventura.

God, please level things out.

Healthy Before 60 Day One

Ok. I am going to blog this. A new weight loss and optimal health journey from December 10, 2017 to October 17, 2018. I name it: Healthy Before 60. Most OA programs say, start with the steps, find a sponsor and use the tools.

Right now, every morning I wake and end up on Facebook, AOL, Linked In, and my work email for at least 30 minutes.

Goal One: Blog daily. Use time am time to exercise and blog in the PM.

Goal Two: Track food.

That is it. Those are my two goals. Hopefully tracking food will enable me to stay away from fast food and take out.


Here I am now: Representing my district at an awards assembly. I am in the grey jacket.

265

Sedentary 

No food tracking.
Taking all the time that I use to control things in my job and adding the energy to myself.

Due to too much focus on work and not on myself, I failed to apply for a job today that I probably would have had a good chance at. Rule One: Work only seven hours a day max! 

Books Books Books for November

Reading is not only relaxing, it feeds the mind and the soul. So what are you reading these days?

____________________________________________________________________________

Between what is often an hour long commute and time to relax at home, reading is a big part of entertainment. Taking classes to be a CBO also contributes to my goal as a reader of reading at least one hour each day. 

• Zuckerberg does it.   
• 
• Bezos does it.
• Maxwell does it.

_______________________________________

Reading contributes to growth and self-reflection. Everyone has their own personal reading goals and areas of emphasis. I personally enjoy biographies and really long books as they present a challenge. Learning from the actions and goals of others helps define my own goals and plans.

I wrote my dissertation on leadership, female superintendent leadership in particular, and so reading

about leadership is always a plus for me. Theory and application of leadership theory not only provides impetus for thought, it also provides for validation of personal style and goals to better oneself and grow. 

📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙📙

Books are friends. (Or Kindles). I buy books when I want to learn or retain a connection. I buy Kindle books for                                 entertainment. 

Recently I just finished The House by the Lake.  A bit predictable and a love story that occurs in 1930 Berlin and 2010. Some mystery, some romance, a bit of historical basis. I looked forward to listening to this each evening on my commute home. 

We cannot go through the month of November without thinking of the Kennedy's. I recently finished Mrs. Kennedy and Me, written by Clint Hill, Secret Service detail for Mrs. Kennedy for the three years before and during President Kennedy's assassination.  A great portrayal of the life and times of the Kennedy family and the role of Secret Service. 

And periodically I am reading about school business topics. Recently, I finished a class on Information and Technology Systems in school districts. Here I spent time reading articles, blogs, and You Tube videos about cyber security, technology systems, and E rate. Sometimes the trade rags are good because they challenge the other side of the brain. 

Currently Reading

I also took a class on School Business Officers overview and read a basic book on the overview of the position. 

\

I wrote a paper on George Eliot in college. Taking on a male pseudonym, she wrote a variety of books as a female author. 

I am currently reading, Middlemarch, a story of life in small town in England. The vernacular is challenging and the prose is long, but it is an endeavor of fortitude and the character development is strong. Topics timely for today. 

The Handmaid's Tale recently a Hulu special with Elizabeth Moss. Futuristic portrayal that  exists in a society that exploits women.
This was a quick read. Thought provoking. 

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
The holidays are upon us and with this comes time off, time to read, time to relax. On my list? A Christmas Carol, the unabridged version. 👛📕📕📕📕📳📺

Books are friends.Books never cease to exist.Books provide for thought and creativity. Books challenge the mind. 

And sometimes just time to sit back and read some for fun. This one was just a feel good. Kind of anti climatic, but it kept going. 

Leadership Is Not

Leadership is a skill and an art. It is a process of setting a vision and providing a passion for the work to occur.  It is a process of moral servitude and deliberate decision-making grounded in honesty, transparency, collaboration, and respect. Leadership comes with flow, communication, and strategy grounded in best needs for people. 



Leadership is Not
1. Using a team environment as a bully pulpit to control people.
2. Playing one team member against the other.
3. Throwing fits in public, making threats in a rage, and generally being out of control.
4. Abusing employees verbally, emotionally, or intellectually.
5. Discriminating due to age, race, gender preference, or disability.
6. Constantly creating a chaotic environment in the name of change.
7. Lying, cheating, stacking
8. Attempting to control through taking tasks away from others, excluding employees, canceling or not showing up for meetings, and bullying and harassing others.

Leadership Is
1. Meeting people at their level and training them up.
2. Treating people individually and with worth.
3. Being direct in expectations.
4. Using discernment when making decisions.
5. Balancing good and plenty with tried and true.
6. Confronting negative behaviors privately and with dignity.
7. Allowing creativity to guide people forth.
8. Tapping into talents and respecting people.
9. Setting a vision grounded in the organizational vision.
10. Consistently remaining humble and low key.

There is a responsibility when a leader to be upfront and direct with people. This means that when the negative or coaching messages need to come the message is given with clarity and directness. It means that one does not use a bully pulpit to control or cajole to get one's way. It also means going out on a limb for people and holding them up, not breaking them down.

No one is perfect and everyone makes decisions that are not always in their best interest. That said, the message does not lie in the words or even the actions, but the intent. If the intent is negative and aimed to harm another, the message is not clear.

If one has to constantly remind people that they are a change agent or a leader of change or how effective he or she is, the message is clear,
"YOU ARE NOT AS GOOD AS YOU THINK YOU ARE."

If one has to break down and stomp on another or others without letting process take hold,  karma has a weird way of stepping in and taking over and it is usually not pretty.

If one has to pay outsiders to wave palm leaves or flatter one's ego,  the end result will be an organization going back to where it was before the consultant or change team came in.  Consutlants are business people who tell people what they want to hear to get the funds.

True organizational change comes with ownership and authenticity and people with stick with it ness. Consultants are not the effecters of change, they provide a tool.  Allowing consultants to become embedded in the culture of an organization is scary at best.

One can only watch the current POTUS and see the effects of manipulation, back stabbing, threats and quid pro quo, and employing bullying tactics to leadership. The tenure is not long and the pain caused to others is intense.

Putting naive or ineffective people in the seat of decision-making before they have matured is not only impulsive, but usually destructive.

Step One Revisted

Believed that a power greater than self could restore one to sanity.

Step One tells us that we can surrender. It is ok to let go and let God. That the maneuvering and trifiling and strife will not create consistent change. That we first define God as we know Him or Her to be. We then find our place in the reality and surrender our will. This means letting go and eliminating anxiety and pushing and overthinking and manuevering and instead living in peace.

This means giving God our needs and most of all giving ourselves to His plan for our lives. We turn to the spiritual side to develop a soul and to learn to trust and let it go. Then we learn to be, not do.

I was always stymied at how this step fed into leadership as a spiritual practice. I have heard it said that those who have workaholic tendencies do best to cater to OA as a way to break down workaholic tendencies. That we give to God our need to control and to gain power and let him be the one who brings us to a place of sanity.