Charlie The Cavalier

My Stretching and Yoga Routine

This last year I have started some new habits. One of them is stretching after I exercise in the morning. Right now my morning exercise is going for a 20-minute walk or bike ride.

I wanted to show you where I do this routine. Having some props around and an area to complete it every day has really helped me keep this habit. Yes, sometimes I let the kids play with these things and I try to put them back at night so they are there in the morning.

I have used the Peleton App, but you can use Youtube too. I find that there are three levels of stretching based on my mood. There is Restorative Yoga, where you hold each position for about 2 minutes each. This is when I need a pick me up, and it works. The second is stretching, which is like a stretch after a run. Then there is yoga, which I need the most energy for. I am also working on my handstands on days I have more energy.

One thing I did to create the habit is doing this while drinking my morning coffee. It is good to establish habits with already created routines. I would drink my coffee while scrolling social media. I always drink my coffee. So making sure I stretch while I drink my coffee works out for me.

So maybe you can add a little stretching to your morning routine. I started with 5 minutes each day except for Sunday and this morning I did 15.

Notes from the book “On Writing Well- The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction” by William Zinsser.

Notes from the book “On Writing Well- The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction” by William Zinsser.
Notes from Lisa Rusczyk Ed. D. for CZYK Publishing writers

·         Write Simply- Do not use flowery language to get your point across or sound smart. Think about what you are trying to say.
·         Be Yourself- Find your own style. You can write in first person.
·         Don’t use redundant propositions- Example Why face up to a challenge when you can simply face a challenge?
·         Don’t use redundant adjectives – Example: Why describe a personal acquaintance when, by definition, acquaintances are personal?
·         Take out Long Words- Say now instead of currently, at the present time, or even at this juncture.
·         Choose The Right Verb
·         Don’t Use Too Many Adverbs or Adjectives- You don’t need to say she whispered quietly for example. You don’t need to say brown dirt. If you say red dirt, that is fine.
·         The final sentence of a paragraph should be the springboard to the next.
·         Remember You Writing Comes from Living- Tell us your interest and passions. Find the part that resonates with you. We will see your enjoyment in your work.
·         Enjoy the Writing Process: Don’t fuss over each section.

On Writing Well- The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction” by William Zinsser

About Lisa Rusczyk

Author Dr. Lisa Rusczyk is the founder of CZYK Publishing which includes the Greater Than a Tourist travel books, 50 Things to Know books, and Charlie the Cavalier Children's Books. Lisa has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership who happened to start writing her first book 50 Things to Know Before Having a Baby after her little girl was born. Her book sold over 1,000 copies in the first year on Amazon. Today, she has more than 50 books. Lisa and her husband have two daughters, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Charlie, and love to travel. Further, she shares this information with the public via this blog, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, and recently on a local television station. She loves to teach others in a concise way in digital format. Lisa is known for her simple and effective tips.

8 Online Grocery Shopping For Store Pickup Tips

For the past 5 months, I have been only grocery shopping online. The places I have done this have mostly been Sams Club, Walmart, and Weis. But I think these tips can be helpful at other locations. My local locations will shop for you and put it in your trunk for free. This is a touchless service. Each week I go, I think they worked out a few kinks of the process on their side which makes the process very smooth from my side. Last week I even ordered from Sams Club and Walmart for the same pickup time. I wanted in both locations for about 5 minutes each and then I was off. I bought the items I needed in both places and did not go in any stores. Many of these services are free to use. Check with each store first.

1. Order with the Technology That Works Best For You

You can sometimes you an app on your phone or an online interface on your tablet, laptop, or computer. You can do to the app store and download the apps to your phone or use the store website with your computer. Choose the one that works best for you. You don't need a smartphone. When you get to the location you press a button in the app to tell them you are there if you have a smartphone. They ask for your spot number, and sometimes the color of your car. But if you don't have phone with the internet, you can call the number on the sign with the number.

2. Park in the Designated location

Each store has a place for you to park for grocery pick up. When you get there tell them that you are there.

3. Think Ahead

The first time you try online grocery shopping, you may want to think about how you usually walk through the store. Write down each section with a heading, and then the things you need in each section. Then write the items you pick up in each area. This was helpful for my first online shopping order.

4. Reorder Most Used Items

After you completed one trip, you can reorder items you normally order. This is very helpful because each item is only one click away.

5. Keep it Contactless

You can stay in the car the entire time. If you don't have a trunk that pops open from the inside, you can open your trunk before they deliver your groceries to your trunk. Don't get out to help them put the stuff if your car. They will come to your window to verify your names and if you made any changes. You can keep the window open and talk to them that way. One time I did want to make a change. I wrote my name on a piece of paper, and the change I wanted to make. They understood right away.

6. Keep you Trunk Clean

Try to keep your trunk empty so they have room to add your items. One time I went to the store and I still had most of the sandy beach stuff in the car. They put the groceries on top. After that, I cleaned and vacuumed out my trunk for the next order.

7. Order at Many Stores at Once

You can order at many stores if you leave enough room to pick the same pick up hour.

8. Be Thankful

I still smile, wave, and thank the person from the inside of the car with my windows up. I enjoy seeing people as they are helping me through this time of social distancing.

Many stores offer delivery too. You normally need to pay for this. For this option, I would tip when they get to your door. My driver suggested putting it in an envelope and taping it to do the door. We did this for Mother's Day. We had lobster and ice cream cake delivered with a few other treats (chocolate). My husband and I were both happy with an extra treat.

Breastfeeding Journey Reflection

**For breastfeeding week I thought I would share my story.

For those of you who don't know me well I have two girls age 5 and 8. Before I had kids I did not spend any time with babies. I did not even change a diaper before my first child. I also did not spend any time with breastfeeding Moms.

When I had my first child I tried very hard to breastfeed. I read about it and had them teach me at the hospital. When I got home I "gave up" and pumped for about a month and fed her with the bottles that I pumped. I hid in the bedroom when I pumped. The time that it took to pump and clean everything was so much on top of a newborn child. I then switched to bottles which again took some time to clean. This time was exhausting with a new baby figuring out what my new world looked like.

Some women pump, clean, and go to work while having a newborn baby which is amazing.

After having my first child I spend much more time around other Moms. One of my friends even breastfed without a cover around her brother. At the time this felt foreign to me. I saw how there was breastfeeding at church, my favorite coffee shop, and anywhere really.

Then when my second child came along I tried again. I went to a breastfeeding group at our local library (Ross Library, Lock Haven). I had the lactation consultant come in when she was little. I exclusively breastfeed her for one year.

I got through thrush, a tongue-tied child, and blocked milk ducts. I have anxiety in places that have lots of clutter. I was able to breastfeed there. I went to the breastfeeding rooms at Sesame Place, Knoebles, and the Clinton County fair. Some times on road trips to my parent's house I would stop at every other exit on Route 80 and the turnpike to feed her in the car when she was crying. She never wanted a pacifier either. I did not even try a bottle one time. A very special time period between a Mom and Child. I am proud of myself for making it through this time.

I am writing this to tell the future you that breastfeeding is a journey. In each step, you will learn and grow. I have loved reading your stories and hopefully, in sharing mine we can make breastfeeding a comfortable relaxing natural process.

** If you would like to read more about my pregnancy, you can read some of my posts from 8 years ago on my blog. I am sure some of it is still relevant. http://charlie-the-cavalier.blogspot.com/20…/…/37-weeks.html