Friday Favorites: Highs and Lows

Hi friends, and Happy September!

It’s crazy to think that fall is almost here and we are, in fact, wrapping up one heck of a year that 2020 has brought us.

While I normally check in with Friday Favorites this time of the week, I felt like sharing another round of Highs and Lows today instead. We are closing on Week 25 of quarantine, so just let that sink in a bit. Whoa.

Times are strange, and they have been for a bit. That said, things aren’t all that bad here in NYC, and there is a glimmer of hope for gyms reopening soon, as some have done so with high restrictions in place as of today!

So. How are things around you? I’ve talked to different friends all over the country and everything varies so much. The things that are open, closed, restricted, and unruled are very different, even from county to county. It’s all pretty wild when you think about it.

It’s been a busy week over here filled with highs and lows, so let’s catch up over a cup of coffee (or your beverage of choice) and discuss.

Here’s a peek into what has been going on around here!

(I’ve missed chatting with you.)

HIGHS AND LOWS: QUARANTINE WEEK 25

High: Scott is going down to LA/TX to help with hurricane disaster relief, and I’m very proud of him.

One of the biggest things we have taken away from this season of the unknown is to truly lean on our faith in God’s plan for us. We’ve had our share of struggles over the years (is this something newer readers would like me to talk about soon?), and we have been praying for the right opportunities to pop up at the right times, and to be able to serve where we are needed the most until that happens. Well, that has allowed me to become Skyler’s main caretaker every day while running my businesses online, and it has enabled Scott to volunteer his time in a big way.

Over the past four months, he has been serving with an organization in the city to pack and distribute food to food pantries all over NYC. He also volunteers with our church on their Food Pantry ministry on Fridays. He’s been gone for four full days a week doing this for four months now!

He’ll be flying out tomorrow morning doing the work that nobody really wants to do with hurricane relief. He’ll be slumming it without electricity, running water, or a place to really stay, so I admire his heart to put himself out there and hopefully help change lives with this trip.

Low: he’ll be gone for eight days, and being solo can be challenging right now.

I’m very proud of my husband, but we will miss him immensely. Skyler tends to act out more when Scott isn’t around (please tell me I’m not alone in this), so it’s always an interesting time for us when he travels.

I’m the type of person who enjoys alone time every once in a while, so it normally doesn’t bother me, but flying solo without any outside help from family or little things that I can normally lean on like gym daycare really does make a difference. Here’s hoping that Sky gets back to enjoying sleep and being on a schedule again while we’re together!

High: we found the best surprise on a long walk around the neighborhood this week.

I might have mentioned that Skyler and I shot something fun a few months ago (I honestly can’t remember), and I was shocked to see that the Brooklyn Botanic Garden used our photos for a ton of online ads as well on signage across the city!

Scott saw this banner pop up on our walk the other day, and it made me smile so big. Skyler thought it was amazing to see himself “on television” as he called it, and he remembered taking the pictures. It was so cool.

High: I finally got in to see a dermatologist, after years and years of pushing it to the side.

Let me start this one by saying that I highly recommend seeing a skin specialist and getting your annual check-up. Do not follow my example of lowering it on the priority list, because it is just as important as anything else that you need to do!

Unfortunately, I had not been to the dermatologist since we moved out of Florida (eight years? — wow), so it had been a long time coming. I was able to get an all-over wellness check and treatment for several suspicious brown spots on my chest, back, and arms that appeared towards the end of my pregnancy with Skyler.

Low: I had to get a biopsy, and the results came back inconclusive … with a surprise medical bill.

Having a biopsy sample taken isn’t exactly fun, but the worst part was the ten days following while you have to wait for the results. And then the cost that comes in the mail after that (thousands, in case you were wondering what that comes to without insurance). It’s all just unpleasant and is why it took me so long to just go in already. *sigh*

High: at least they didn’t find cancer? So that’s a huge blessing.

My dermatologist was able to rule out a few things on her list, the biggest being a form of cancer. Phew! But, she still isn’t positive about what it is without having to do another biopsy. (We are both trying to avoid this as much as possible.)

Let’s pray that her instinct is correct and that the six-week treatment of oral and topical medications will treat whatever is happening on my skin. (It’s pretty intense and comes with a lot of rules on what you can and can’t do while taking them.) Again, the treatment isn’t fun, but I sure am thankful that the outcome could have been a lot different!

High: I also went in to get my eyes checked, after a (whoops) three-year hiatus since my last exam.

It feels good to get back to the basics and make my needs a priority again. Our own needs tend to get pushed to the wayside during parenthood, am I right? Anyways, the eye doctor was next on my list, and it was good to hear that all is clear in that department. Well, mostly.

Low: My prescription has significantly changed, and, apparently, the two designer frames I have will not suffice for replacement lenses.

I mean, isn’t this the typical reason that people avoid going to see doctors? Those of us who don’t have amazing insurance that covers dental and vision procedures feel me on this one. It’s always nerve-wrecking, because your answer is usually in the form of an expense waiting for you on the other side. New frames and new lenses? It’s not the biggest deal in the world, but it is annoying and unfortunate timing.

High: I made a workout plan and (mostly) stuck with it this week!

I shared this one on Instagram on Monday, and I am happy to report that I have stuck to it as much as I can. (Read below for more on that.)

It felt really good to go into the week knowing what I wanted to do for my workouts before I just decided to put one on that day, and I will be planning them like this again until further notice.

And, just to throw this out there, this season of quarantine totally threw a wrench in my training plans. As a personal trainer, I fully believe in having a curated workout plan and templates as weeks progress in order to hit goals. With the gyms closed, however, I’ve been turning to at-home workouts and online streaming resources, and it’s been a bit of a free-for-all.

(Check out my fitness tips to stay motivated during this time!)

I’m really looking forward to returning to the gym hopefully sooner than later, and in the mean time, will be adding more structure to my weeks ahead.

Low: I bruised my right pinkie toe pretty bad on Monday.

I actually broke the same toe a few years back by catching it on the foot peg of our couch. What are the odds that I basically did the same thing, but this time caught it on the door into our bathroom. I mean, your guess is as good as mine as to how that actually happened … I even surprise myself sometimes. Anyways, it hurt pretty bad for a few days, which shifted my workouts around. But, I’m still ending the week feeling good and the toe is on the mend!

High: I unplugged more than normal this week, and I think I really needed the mental reset.

If you’ve read this post in its entirety to here, then you already know that it’s been an emotional roller coaster this week. Life never ceases to surprise us with curveballs, that’s for sure.

Sometimes the best way I digest everything and move on with a positive mindset is to get off of my schedule, unplug, and reset to come back when I’m fully ready. And that day was today.

Low: the feeling that always comes with taking a break, right? You feel a little guilty about it and come back with more things on your to-do list.

This one is self explanatory, but I did feel a need to include it. I feel very behind right now in all the things, but doesn’t everyone? Do yourself a favor, my friend, and breathe. We are all doing the best that we can.

High: I’m in a very new-for-me spot right now. I wouldn’t say I’m struggling, but it’s not like we have it all figured out, either. And I’m finally okay with it.

Scott and I spoke about this in an interview while sharing our story over the weekend, and we feel like we’ve been training for this season of uncertainty during COVID together for the last ten years. It’s been a rough ride since we got married in 2011, but we’ve always stayed afloat and thrive onto the next adventure as they come up.

I have a lot more to say on this one … so stay tuned.

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And with that, I’m going to wrap things up and try to get some things done before an afternoon team call.

Just in case you didn’t already know, I really do appreciate each and every one of you who read these posts, subscribe, try my workouts, share your comments, support my Beautycounter business, and more. It’s time like these that make me extra grateful for a sense of normalcy, and coming here to chat with you all in a relaxed format like this makes my day.

Thank you for sticking with me through the craziness, and I hope you have a great holiday weekend. Stay safe out there!