June 3, 2025

Today was another wonderfully good day for me. It happened to be my daughter’s birthday, which made everything feel extra special. There’s something magical about feeling well on days that matter most.

Morning Rituals and Birthday Prep

I got up and enjoyed my usual morning routine of reading while drinking my coffee. There’s something so grounding about starting the day quietly before the activities begin.

Then I dove into making my daughter’s birthday cake. One of those mom moments that feels important, no matter how your body is feeling. I’ve been making this cake for years, and we don’t have it often. So when we do, it’s a special occasion. I get a box of devil’s food cake mix and then add in a can of cherry pie filling. It’s so good!

Being able to bake for someone you love when you’re feeling good is such a gift. The kitchen felt like a place of celebration rather than a source of exhaustion.

Day of Strength Training

I managed to squeeze in time for my strength training workout, and overall it went really well! I’m discovering that these beginner videos for people over 50 are perfectly calibrated for my needs and limitations.

I did have trouble with the squats because my knees and hips aren’t quite ready for that movement yet. Everything else felt manageable and even empowering. It’s okay to modify or skip exercises that don’t work for your body. That’s the beauty of working out at home with videos.

Birthday Celebration Simplicity

My daughter and I had pizza for lunch and spent time binge-watching Netflix together. Sometimes the best celebrations are the simple ones. Good food, quality time, and zero pressure to be anywhere or do anything elaborate.

Having the energy to enjoy relaxed time together without feeling guilty about not being productive felt like its own kind of birthday gift.

Small Victories Add Up

I even managed to take the trash cans out to the curb for tomorrow’s pickup, and it’s been quite a while since I’ve been able to handle that task. It might seem small, but when you’re managing chronic conditions, completing routine household tasks without exhaustion feels like a real achievement.

These little signs of increased capability are so encouraging.

Weather Appreciation and Reality

I’m absolutely loving all this beautiful weather we’ve been having! The sunshine and warmth seem to be contributing significantly to these good days. Unfortunately, we have storms coming our way again from Thursday through Saturday, so I’m planning to enjoy these nice days while I can.

Weather awareness becomes such an important part of chronic illness management. Appreciating the good weather days while preparing mentally and physically for the challenging ones.

Building on Success

Two days into this new exercise routine and I’m already seeing real benefits. More energy, less pain, and the ability to accomplish daily tasks that have been difficult lately. Even with the squat modification needed, I feel proud of what my body accomplished today.

Tomorrow brings Yoga Wednesday. Another gentle practice to look forward to. Here’s to riding this wave of good days and building strength one workout at a time! 💜

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Sometimes the best birthday gift you can give someone you love is showing up fully present because you feel good enough to be there completely.

The dogs are snoring. I’m signing off. See you tomorrow. 💜