20 Days of Chill Challenge

Do you all plan?

For years and years, I used to get a daily planner. I thought it would be good to have and to utilize. But each year, I’d start and then it would fade.

I even tried to have it just for blogging.

Alas, I just never could stick with it. I bought bigger planners and smaller planners. I got thin ones and thick ones. There were ones that were way more in-depth and then the simplest ones.

Nothing worked.

So I’m trying it again — just a bit differently this time. Now, I’m going digital. While there are some good aspects of this, there are some not-so-good parts, too.

The planner I am using is one I purchased via Etsy for Goodnotes, which is something I have on my iPad for note taking etc. It’s a very good app and I love using it for many things, including with my Apple Pencil.

But the one problem I am seeing is .. it’s on my iPad. I don’t have it with me 24/7, so if I don’t have it … how do I use the planner? As far as I can tell, even if I have it on my phone, this won’t be accessible there at the same time.

Therefore, I’m doing this in a few different ways.

The planner on the iPad is going to be an overall thing. I’m going to eventually use it to keep track of things as I go along, be it food or exercise, or even simple things like gaming and geocaching.

What I try and do is make it a little more creative, using things like digital stickers or items or colors. I tend to look at this 4-5 days per week and see what I have planned etc.

I mix this with my Google Calendar, which is something I can access all the time on my phone or computer or wherever. This will help me do a bit of each when it comes to planning.

How about you?

Are you a planner? If so, do you still use old-school planners? Digital? Things like Google? Something else? Share below in the comments and maybe I can learn some new ideas to try and help me get better!

There are other hobbies I have that I don’t always focus on (blogging, for example, which I need to become more routine) but they are still there and I enjoy.

How about you? What kind of hobbies or games do you participate in?

*****

This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

The thing in life is one must have things for enjoyment or to occupy their minds.

If not, there’s no telling what could happen!

I’ve always been one to have lots of hobbies. They have differed over the years, but some tent to stay constant. Take photography, for example. It’s something I’ve been doing for many years and I continue to enjoy it, as well as the evolution of it. I started in film and now am fully digital and have watched the evolution of cameras to what they are now.

In recent years, though, I tend to like things that get me outside. Not that all “unplug” you from the world, but getting outside will at least keep you “down to earth” a bit more.

Geocaching has been one hobby/game that has been good for me. For one, it gets you outside and moving. It’s also allowed me to meet friends I never would have had without the game. For those who don’t know, geocaching is a worldwide “treasure” hunt where people hide things, post the coordinates, and then you go find it. When you find it, you sign the log, sometimes “trade trinkets” and then log it on the website. Some people take it way more seriously than others and you find people from all walks of life who play.

Speaking of games …

In recent years, I’ve also gotten into board gaming. Not the old types that many might think (Monopoly, Life etc.), rather a more modern type. It’s a massive hobby with conventions and the such. I have a group I try to play in when I can (they meet weekly) and I *try* to go to one convention a year, which is a weekend full of gaming. The games can range from heavy thinking games, to lighter fun games. There are party games and serious games. There are many solo games (which is how I often play) all the way to ones where you could have 100 people. It all depends on the game.

Board gaming can be a highly relaxing hobby. But, like every other hobby you might have, you’ll meet people of all walks of life who will either take each game as life and death to win at all costs, or people who like to play the games. I feel I’m more of the latter. Yes, I like winning a game like anybody else. But it’s not the end of the world if I don’t. I just enjoy the aspect of gaming. There are styles and types of games I prefer over others, but it’s rare for me to really loathe a game I play (and the ones I don’t like… I tend to shy away from).

But you will see many people, especially at conventions and at bigger groups. The ones who are uber competitive always make me chuckle as it almost becomes “win at all cost.” I’ve witnessed people cheating (which never shocks me in anything anymore) because they just can’t stand losing. Or those who can’t stand a game who make the experience miserable. This can become more prevalent, especially, when you are among strangers and don’t know the personalities of everybody at the table.

For me, it (well 95 percent of the time) is an enjoyable experience. Solo gaming (and I’ve blogged a bit about that in the past) is more interesting because you are playing against yourself or against an automated person. In my eyes, it’s a peaceful experience and I can enjoy the aspects of the game without worrying about the social interaction.

There are other hobbies I have that I don’t always focus on (blogging, for example, which I need to become more routine) but they are still there and I enjoy.

How about you? What kind of hobbies or games do you participate in?

*****

This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

I’ve never been much for coffee.

In fact, I bet I’ve never had the total equivalent of a full glass of coffee. Kinda crazy if you think about it as I used to work in newspapers. There aren’t many newspaper folk who aren’t coffee drinkers (though I knew a few).

Maybe it’s the smell.

Or the taste.

Or even something else — but I’m not a fan of any of it.

My hot drink of choice always used to be hot chocolate. But, being I try and watch sugar intake and such, I don’t have it too often. I do have a sugar free version or two for my Keurig, but it’s not the same.

Then there’s tea.

This is my usual hot drink of choice. That being said, I usually don’t stray too far from the norm. I like the teas I have for Keurig — a couple of Lipton brand ones, Sleepytime and one or two others. I’ve tried others I didn’t like so much, so I stick to what I know.

And then came my annual trek to New York City this past Christmas season. It was after Christmas, so some places had sales and three of us wandered into a tea store. I had never really been into loose-leaf tea before and I was peeking around. I tried a few that were decent and then was starting to look at teabags.

But …

There was this sale table. There were infusers, and gift boxes and all of those glorious type things. I took the plunge and I am glad I did.

Loose-leaf tea has quickly become my go-to drink, especially on a cold winter night (such as when I get back from a walk!)

I have some fruity flavors that have been wonderful. I also recently placed an order for some other flavors that I am excited to try. I’ve found that I can put a little sweetener (such as Sweet and Low) in and it enhances the flavor of the tea.

I don’t have it down to a science yet. I haven’t found the right time for the diffuser I have and don’t like to let it go too long, considering it could cool down. But overall, I’m quite happy with things and look forward to many more teas in the future.

How about you? What is your hot drink on a cold winter night?

*****

This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

OK, time to fess up.

When you were in school, how many of you used your milk money for … milk? And if not, what did you use it for?

I know there were times I may have bought a few packs of baseball cards …

*****

This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Tropical islands.

Warm destinations.

Sun and blue water.

Beaches and sunglasses.

That’s what many people think when it comes to winter vacations. That’s why people plan trips to so many warm destinations when snow flies in other areas.

And I would normally agree. But for some reason, I have this fascination with Barrow, Alaska. I am not sure I’d like to be there in the middle of the winter as I once thought would be cool.

But there’s still something about it.

Look at the upcoming forecast (tonight is Monday night):

 

Tonight

Flurries. Areas of freezing fog after 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around -22. Wind chill values as low as -40. North wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday

Flurries. Areas of freezing fog before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near -15. North wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night

Flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -24. Wind chill values as low as -45. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday

Flurries. Partly sunny, with a high near -15. Wind chill values as low as -40. North wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -16. North wind around 10 mph.

Thursday

Flurries before 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near -16.

Thursday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -18.

Friday

A slight chance of snow before 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near -10.

Friday Night

A slight chance of snow after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -18.

Saturday

A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near -10.

Saturday Night

A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around -18.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near -10.

Sunday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around -18.

Monday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near -10.

 

I mean… not too bad, right?

OK, maybe the Bahamas might be better…

*****

This post is part of the 2019 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the link if you’d like to see others or join in. You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants! 

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!