1. Working out at the gym in a class with real, live people!
DANG. I can’t believe I’m only realizing this now after how many years roaming the earth, but working out at the gym with friends in a class is much more fun and SO MUCH SWEATIER than working out alone in your bedroom in front of a screen. OMG!
I know we all had to do what we had to do when the world hit the pause button (and hopefully we don’t all have to hit the pause button again soon), so I’ve been working out at home, and I only recently felt comfortable enough going back to the gym here in our area.
The HIIT class I used to take is now held outdoors, and I just recently started going back again twice a week.
Wow! — I feel like a completely different person. Exercising with a group is so completely different than exercising alone. There are other people there to push you to keep up with them! It’s not as boring as standing alone in my bedroom and kicking and punching into the air. LOL.
I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed being able to celebrate my body by pushing it to the limits. I’m not a serious athlete or anything, but I’m so happy to have that one thing back in my life, which, truth be told, I took for granted during pre-Covid times. It’s been glorious!
The simple act of going to the gym to exercise with friends and sweat together… I’m am so grateful for it.
2. Watermelon, finally
Finally, after what has seemed like eons, I’ve finally gotten a couple of good watermelons lately.
We’ve been getting some pretty unappetizing watermelons so far this season — mushy, tasteless and downright disgusting watermelons — but they’ve been getting better lately!
Fun fact: watermelon season runs from July through August in California, which is probably why every watermelon I’ve bought lately hasn’t been completely terrible. I’m talking yellow spots, hella webbing, and a dark, dull green color. Mmm… Ooh, and so heavy!
Room temperature watermelon? WHAT IS THAT NONSENSE? In our house, the only way to eat watermelon is cold, so I precut a bunch into slices and keep them in the fridge.
3. Tomatoes from my friend’s garden
Speaking of the bounty of summer fruit, oh-em-gee, my friend Marisol gave me a whole mess of tomatoes from her garden, and I’ve been tomato-ing it up all week long for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Why do I even bother eating tomatoes the rest of the year? Summer tomatoes are where it’s at, man.
4. Applying makeup on most days, and being cool with simple looks
Makeup can be a blast, or it can be a chore, right? The best thing for me right now is to just wear whatever I feel like and be cool with simple looks. One shadow (or maybe two) on the lid, eyeliner, and then whatever else ends up on my face. I’m happy wearing a little bit. Note to self: not everything has to be complicated!
5. Taking Connor to swim class
Connor started taking swimming lessons! She’ll be going every day for the next month. Last week was her first week, and I’ve found many things to love about the whole situation.
First of all, she has such a good time in the water! After her first class, she said that she had so much fun and couldn’t wait to go back the next day. Then she informed me that she was going to be a swimmer and a ballerina, and perhaps even a swimming ballerina. LOL! Seeing her enjoy herself so much really makes me happy.
Second, is it just me, or is it nice to hear the sounds of kids having fun in a pool? It sounds like summer.
Best of all, I’ve had some really good conversations with moms and caregivers there. The actual swimming lessons are 30 minutes long, so it’s long enough to get a nice chat in with somebody, and that’s just been super enjoyable for me. It’s a reminder of how much I’ve missed interacting with people… Last week I was talking to someone, and we were standing about an arm’s length away from each other and were both like, “Can you imagine doing this last year? It would’ve seemed wild!”
What have you been loving lately?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Jane says
Things I’ve been loving lately:
1. I agree that eating good watermelon this summer is a joyous treat. The local farmers market near us has had the best, also the Jersey summer corn has been outstanding.
2. While I haven’t joined a gym, I have been enjoying early morning walks, either alone or with my husband.
3. Swimming laps at the town pool, when I can get a lane, which is doable if you have some patience.
4. Summer skin, including makeup. I’ve also been keeping it minimal. I decided that I am on a “no-buy” until the end of the summer, beginning of Fall. I will use up whatever I have and then see where we go from there. I hope that my skincare lasts until then.
5. Watching my 20 year old son with his girlfriend! He has become quite the “gentleman”. I guess I have done good with him so far.
By the way, teaching your child to swim is one of the most important things you can do.
Be well.
Karen says
I haven’t had farm fresh corn in ages and now I’m craving it! YUM!
It’s so lovely to hear your son is such a gentleman with her girl. You did SO WELL, mama! Please give me any tips; I’ll take them!
Jennifer R Osborn says
So glad Connor is taking swim. I think that gives kids a real boost of confidence not to mention it’s a life saving skill to have.
So weird to have normal life resuming. I’m sitting in salon while I write this getting a pedi and no one is wearing a mask or social distancing 🙀
Karen says
Isn’t it crazy? I don’t know how much longer it’ll stay that way where I live, though. I chatted with a few folks at the gym and people were already talking about how it’s only matter of time before things start going back again. Sigh! I’m not ready!
Anne says
Yay to watermelons. I love them, but don’t even bother buying them for most of the year, but right now they are perfection.
Karen says
So good! I just had a slice, yum!
Chelsea says
Man I had a really good watermelon earlier in the season, but they’ve been so disappointing! I just got a promo email from Fresh Thyme about Black Diamond watermelons and I’m intrigued.
Michigan cherries were in season and I basically ate them over the sink in the strainer I cleaned them in because it was so good. I’ve also been loving my aerial hoop classes. I’m very bruised bit it is so fun and really brightens me up to see my circus friends. I’m also loving nectarines!
Miki says
Haha oh my gosh, I just got a really good watermelon too! After a couple duds. I didn’t realize that’s why, because they weren’t quite in season yet. Ironically I was actually eating it whilst reading this post! 😁👍
I thought I’d really adjusted to staying indoors more. I was getting used to it and wasn’t as negatively affected by it (I love to go out). I thought maybe this was my new reality. But now that we’re out of lockdown and everything’s opened up, and we don’t even have to wear masks anymore, I’m back at it haha – being out and about every day LOL. And Covid has made me realize that I need to connect with friends more. I mean, really connect. Not just see them every once in a while when the feeling strikes. I’m a bit introverted and this has taught me to be a bit more communicative. 😏 Hopefully …
Karina L says
Hi Karen! Have you tried the Trader Joes Watermelon Overnight Face Mask?