This week’s photo challenge is new – something new for me in 2015 (to see how other photographers interpret it, click here).

What better for this than a picture taken New Year’s Day?  One of the first of the year.  I didn’t have much time for it – just seconds later, they were running over to see if I had a treat to share with them, like this:

Oh the joys of photographing pets!

As I settle into unemployment and looking for a new job, I’m developing new routines.  I haven’t written about routines for a while (see my last post here).  What I like about routines is the structure it gives to a day and how the many small decisions that are needed don’t have to take up much  mental space.  At the same time, routines need adjustment to keep them useful.  So along with job searching, what else is new in my routine?

Yoga Each Morning – I’ve never done real well with doing some yoga or stretching each day.  Since something is better than nothing, I’m instead doing ten minutes of yoga each morning before I get dressed.  One of the things I learned from Peggy Cappy’s DVD, “Yoga for the Rest of Us” was how to do a sun salutation without getting all the way down on the floor.  So I do some shoulder work, stretch my torso and back, then do two sun salutations.  If I have time, I do more leg work or get down on the floor.  If I don’t, that’s good enough.  Incidentally, her DVD is excellent for anyone with mobility issues or who is new to yoga and can’t keep up with a class.  It’s a good workout and not as easy as it sounds.

Long Lingering Breakfasts – My favorite boy toy and I have always enjoyed going out for breakfast before I go to work.  The last few years, we’ve gone nearly every morning due to my long hours.  The nice thing about breakfast is we’re both fresh and in a good mood.  We get a lot done during breakfast, discussing all kinds of topics in addition to just visiting.  Now that I don’t have to hurry off to work, those breakfasts have gone from 30 minutes to between 60 and 90 minutes.  It’s been fun and we’re enjoying just spending time together.

Walking The Dogs – The dogs are getting a lot less sleep these days!  They’re hovering continuously to make sure I don’t leave the house without them.  I walk the beagle and Vizsla separately (the miniature pinscher does not get walked – he’s too afraid and doesn’t like it).  I have to sneak them out one at a time, which is challenging.  Some days I take the Vizsla to the local park and if I can, leave him off-leash to run.  The beagle can’t walk very far due to his back, so when I get home, he goes for a small stroll around the neighborhood.

Afternoon Nap – This is so nice!  It doesn’t have to be long to refresh me for the evening.  I just enjoy snoozing in the easy chair for a short while before supper and am much more alert after supper.

My days are full!  By the time I make my phone calls, take care of E-mails and fill out whatever paperwork is due now, I’m not having much time left for my photography or to even read.  I think this will start to settle down, but we’ll see.  In the meantime, these new things in my life are enjoyable.  I will miss them when I go back to work.

Here’s the original photo and another one where I was still trying to get everyone to pay attention to me:

 

 

Dogs Life Lessons beagle daily routines dog walking dogs going out for breakfast job search miniature pinscher nap napping Peggy Cappy routines Topaz Effects Topaz Impressions Topaz Labs Vizsla walking yoga Yoga For The Rest of Us