Maranda Russell's Blog, page 3

Day 1

In an effort to motivate, hold myself accountable, and blog more consistently, I’m going to start journaling/blogging every day about my struggles, failures, and triumphs with trying to become healthier while dealing with chronic pain/chronic illness (eating better, exercising, being more social, finding things that make my soul happy). I know some days I might not succeed and I will be honest about my feelings, experiences, and worries along the way. I hope you will follow along!

For today, my first day, it has been pretty good. Went with my husband to a Freethought luncheon at Bob Evans and had some interesting conversations with some pretty smart guys. Ate grilled chicken and french fries and 50/50 sweet/unsweet tea (grilled chicken a good choice, um, fries, maybe not). Working on cutting down on sugars, so stepping down gradually with the combo sweet/unsweet tea. Dinner was tuna, grapes, and crackers. And a couple s’mores afterwards.

After lunch, husband and I went for a walk around a local lake, probably 15 minutes, maybe a little more. I’m aiming for 20 minutes of exercise every day, but if I get at least 10, that’s a start. Ordered an electric bike that I’m very excited to try out! Should be here sometime next week. Also, my new heat/massage jacket arrived today, so tried it out. I think I like the massage even better than the heat. Saving up to try out an infrared heating pad!

Little bits of writing turned into memes

Six word story – home invasion

Funny Weird Dream

I had a dream that I was in the bath tub when a big, fuzzy black spider jumps into the bath with me. I decide to get rid of it by draining the water, making sure the spider goes down the drain.

I think the spider is dead and gone and get out of the bath, but then I hear a female voice singing “We Shall Overcome” from what sounds like a long distance away. I follow the sound to the drain and watch as the spider slowly climbs up and out of the drain, still singing about overcoming.

Short personal health update

The past week or so has been rough. Twice I’ve gotten super sick while out on short trips and had to lay down in the backseat and pray I didn’t throw up till we got home. When getting out of the car I was so dizzy I almost collapsed against the car. Chronic vestibular migraines are no joke. Feeling pretty low but hanging in there. I wish the depression and isolation didn’t set in during flare ups like this…honestly that can almost be as bad as the illness itself.

I’m Now an Usborne children’s books consultant!

A few of Usborne’s books! These are all in my personal library!

Hi everybody! I wanted to write a short post to let you all know I’ve started being a consultant for Usborne Books & More children’s books. I don’t know if you are familiar with Usborne, but they have a great selection of quality, award-winning books for kids, from baby and picture books up to young adult reads.

My personal favorites are their art, history, and science books. They also have holiday books, classics, religious books, graphic novels, fiction, coloring/activity books, and more! I hope you will check out their books and if you shop or place orders, please use my current referral link. Thanks!

Asexual Book Club April Pick!

For April, our Facebook group Asexual Book Club decided to read “Loveless” by Alice Oseman. Apparently, this book must be pretty popular since I had to buy a copy to ensure I would get one in time as my public library has a bunch of hold requests placed on the title. The book is about a girl’s journey to discovering her asexual/aromantic identity in college and is a good read about the love and acceptance that can be found in platonic friendship. If you are interested, please join the group!

Death & sparkles

Want to check out a cool, funny, cute kids graphic novel? Check out Death & Sparkles by Rob Justus! Death himself teams up with the last Unicorn on earth (who is also a huge social media star) and things get as crazy as you would imagine! Multiple trips to the unicorn afterlife, reptilian aliens who want to save the world from climate change, turtle hoarding, video games, rainbow unicorn vomit, eating bugs, and LOTS of cupcakes make this a ridiculous but fun read.

Video – Trying to get healthy…I’m impatient

Poetry – Money and greed

Money and greeda want or a need? Days spent chasing dollarsrobs life of vibrant colors.Nights alone, awash in possessionsimprisons the brain with lonely obsessions.A lifetime building physical wealthtakes a toll on mental health.