With 12 minutes left until the clock strikes noon, I think I can still call this a Sunday morning coffee chat! I’ve actually been up since 5:50a when a certain little person decided it was time to get up but I’m just sitting down at my computer for the first time today. Finn is down for a nap, I just finished a bunch of food prep and laundry is going.
It’s been over six months since I wrote a “coffee chat” style of post and today felt like a good day for one. They’re always well-received and I enjoy writing them.
So here goes!
If we were having coffee this morning, I’d share that I’m starting my 300-hour yoga teacher training journey next weekend!
Completing a 300-hour yoga teacher training program is something that has been on my goal list for well over five years but there have been three main challenges:
- Creating the space for the very time-intensive commitment in my already jam-packed life.
- Finding a program that excites and interests me.
- Fitting it into my budget.
Well, I got the push I needed to finally make it happen thanks to some significant changes that Yoga Alliance announced recently as they work to move towards more rigorous standards and more consistent quality with Registered Yoga Schools.
Beginning in 2022, any instructor who leads a 200-hour yoga teacher training program will be required to have their 500-hour certification. As most of you know, I lead 200-hour YTTs a a big part of my work so this is something that greatly impacts me. Yoga Alliance is also implementing a new “common core curriculum” for 200-hour teacher training programs, and I have already been working hard to bring my curriculum up to new standards in anticipation of having to re-certify the schools that I work for.
Overall, these are SUPER POSITIVE changes. I’m thrilled about them! It’s just a logistical and financial challenge for me to make this all happen but I’m going to figure it out!
I’m excited to share that I will be completing my 300-hour YTT at Asheville Yoga Center. Although it would be ideal to do a training in Charlotte, there just wasn’t one that met my needs given my schedule with Finn along with what I was interested in learning.
The AMAZING thing about the AYC 300-hour program is that it’s module-based and I can design my own 300-hour program based on my interests and schedule. PERFECT! Over the course of the next year I will travel to Asheville 11 times for trainings that range from 3-5 days. I have already mapped out my curriculum and I just know that it’s going to be an incredible experience.
I’ll share more as I progress through the training but my first module is next weekend and it’s Healing with Yoga and the Breathing Body with Leslie Kaminoff. He’s one of the top yoga anatomy teachers in the world and I teach from his book Yoga Anatomy in my 200-hour YTT. I cannot wait to study with Leslie in person!
If we were having coffee, I’d share that today is Zoey’s 5th birthday!
Can you even believe it!? HOW!?
It seems like just yesterday that this little bundle of fluff joined our family. From day one, Zoey could not have been more opposite than Sullie but she’s been a perfect addition. I will forever say that Zoey added years onto Sullie’s life. She was eight when I got Zoey and they spent almost five years together playing and keeping each other company.
These two were the best of friends and walked together, played together and relaxed together until the very end. I miss Sullie so much every single day but I am lucky to have so many fond memories of her when I look at Zoey. <3
These days, Zoey has a new BFF. Finn is OBSESSED with her. I’m 99% sure he likes Zoey more than he likes me, haha!
We’ll celebrate Zoey later today with some doggy cake and a new bone or ball!
If we were having coffee, I’d share that I cut the cable cord (and did I ever have to work for it).
My cable and internet bill had gotten a little out of control and I was frustrated that what I paid for cable didn’t even get me ESPN so I could watch my Georgia Bulldogs! I decided to switch to Hulu Live. It was super easy and I was done setting everything up in 5 minutes. AT&T on the other hand, made me work for it when it came to negotiating my bill. It was so hard to actually get connected to someone that could help me and then it was quite a negotiating process to get to a reasonable rate for internet. In the end, I ended up with an $80 cheaper bill and 2x faster internet. Winning!
Next up is tackling my mobile phone bill. It has also gotten a little out of control. Wish me luck. 🙂
If we were having coffee, I would share that last week was hard but that Finn is finally feeling better.
I can confidently say that this past week was the hardest since Finn was a newborn. On top of teething molars, he also came down with a virus that gave him a high fever, body aches and a sore throat. He was so, so miserable.
There were several very cranky days where absolutely nothing would make him happy and very sleepless nights where he woke constantly and needed comfort and closeness. There was one point where Finn would only sleep on top of me with piano lullabies playing in the background to soothe him. That was a long night.
I’m happy to report that Finn has finally turned the corner and is feeling much better this weekend.
If were were having coffee, I’d also want to clarify what I said about medicine! When I said, “I hate to give Finn Motrin,” I wasn’t clear in the context. I am 100% team medicine when it’s clear that Finn needs it but I don’t like to give it unnecessarily. So while I have no problem giving him Tylenol if he’s struggling after shots, I don’t want to give it to him preventatively “just in case he does.” We’ve had some vaccination days where he seems unaffected and some where the Tylenol is no question. I also don’t like to give Tylenol for a fever if it’s low (like under 101) and Finn seems otherwise happy and himself.
In the instance of last week, it was clear that Finn needed pain relief, especially once the virus and fever was layered in with the teething. I gave him Tylenol and Advil and there was even one 24-hour period where I alternated the two because he was so miserable.
I am sorry if I misspoke or made anyone feel like medicine is a “bad” choice. It wasn’t my intention.
YOUR TURN!
I’d love to hear what you’re excited about right now! What do you have going on in life…personal, family, career?
I’d love to hear any tips you have for budgeting, especially around negotiating things like cable and phone bills.
What would you share if we were having coffee? (wouldn’t it be cool if we really could!?)