Simple Pleasures: Spare Time, Updates.

Spare time is something you don't take for granted once you lose it. I was blessed with a cancelled class and a few extra hours to accomplish my ever-growing to-do list. I can't begin to describe to you what joy I just took in mopping my floor.

Who would have ever thought I'd actually take pleasure in cleaning my house? As gruddy and imperfect as this old Fort is, I feel a certain sense of pride and accomplishment when I get it all tidy and clean. Any good Witch will tell you it's more about the metaphysical clean than it is the actual dirt and grime, and it's true. Nothing clears my energy, my spirit, my mind, like a neat, tidy and clean house. It leaves me wide open to focusing on my studies. Clean my house for better grades? Yeah, something like that.

While waiting for the floor to dry I'm spending a few precious minutes catching up here (I miss you all!) and spending a little quality sitting time with my kitties. I really need to be reading though. I should do my next 4 chapters for Psychology and Public Speaking so that I'm free to enjoy my weekend without the worry of homework come Monday. I'll get to that... when the house is done.

I did want to update you on what's been happening in the Wilderness World, and all it's glorious chaos.

School & Work
These are going well enough, as you can imagine, in spite of the feeling I'm drowning.

The Fort Disaster Project
Since I'm going to be here for a few more years, I figured I might as well make this a place worth living. While on expedition around the property in search of wood to burn, Brian and I found some magnificent treasures. From these treasures we're creating a series of upgrades to the property. The only real expense will be our labor, and some seeds.

Step One: Fire Pit. It took all day, but we turned a patch of char into a very respectable fire pit, and had some fun in the process. Step Two will be installing new seating around the pit. From there we will be building a large Co-Op style garden.

What do you do when you don't have a wheelbarrow?
Strap a garbage can to Brian.

Beginning the Fire Pit

Laying in the stones...

Epic Fire Pit!

Cahlan, wearing avocado chocolate pudding pie.

Obviously it was a pretty fun day! And we did christen the fire pit with the first fire of the year, in MARCH!

Diet & Exercise
With classes and work, I am at home (at best) 3 nights a week. With going to the gym in the morning, I eat practically no meals, nor shower, at home anymore. This last week has been exceptionally unusual. I've not gone to the gym, slept in every morning, and fasted until dinner time every day this week.

Warrior Diet style eating actually feels pretty darn good this time around, and I'm down about 3 pounds (mostly water I'm sure.) At the very least, I'm un-puffy. I have a feeling it's not going to last long with all the partying about to happen this weekend. Last time I didn't do so great, but I'm eating a great number more carbs this time around too. I'm guessing that makes most of the difference.

Once I return to my exercise regimen, I will be including more running and I'm wondering what sort of detriment I might (or might not) suffer from working out early in the morning and fasting until dinner. I suppose the only way to know is to try it. For now though sleep is taking priority over exercise. At worst I will have to eat some eggs and drink some milk for breakfast. Oh the horrors!

Food
That's really why you're here, I know. What about the food!? Well, I did have some fun food things happen this last week or so.

More balls! When I stopped at the butcher last weekend he stepped out of his office door, telling me he was just thinking about me. He just butchered a lamb and had some oysters he was about to toss in the freezer. Do I have good timing or what!? It was a nice change having them fresh rather than frozen. Nothing fancy this time around and no great recipes to share. I simply enjoyed the simplicity of the meal. I did, however, find an interesting blog post that suggests this high-protein offal might be good way to fight cellulite. No joke!

I also made a most delicious chocolate pudding pie (with homemade whipped cream) out of my avocado chocolate pudding. Since I epically failed to photograph this, I will simply have to make another one. Oh dear. What a shame.

Jello shots (so not Primal) for Charlie's (and mine,
and Chelse's) birthday bash. We girls are
totally commandeering his party. ;)

Other Stuff
Spring break seems SO far away. Three weeks I believe. In the meantime I'm taking a weekend to screw off and celebrate my (and my spirit-twin, Chelse's) birthday. It's going to be a huge fun-packed weekend full of tattoos, piercings, food, parties, booze, and a yoga trance rave. Don't know what that is? Neither do I, but it sure sounds fun!

I will update as soon as I can next week with all the details.