March celebrations
“Celebrate life, for it is the ultimate gift we have been given.”
~Joel Osteen
I chose CELEBRATE as my 2026 Word of the Year (WOTY). One way I’m putting that word into practice is to take note of the many things I have to celebrate…large and small…during the month and sharing the highlights with you on the final Tuesday of each month.
March celebrations
This month, I decided to use my camera as my guide for what to share on the blog, so here are some of the celebrations that I photographed in March in the order they appear in my photo library.
St. Patrick’s Day nails
I so enjoyed these simple spring/St. Patrick’s Day nails. Getting my nails done is one of life’s small pleasures and a regular part of my self-care routine.
Finishing this intriguing jigsaw puzzle
One of my retirement pastimes is putting together jigsaw puzzles. This one was particularly fun, and I really enjoyed the final product…well as final as something can be that you then take apart!
Progress on my Camino training
I’m five weeks into my Camino training, and I’m surprised at how quickly my body is acclimating to the longer distances and the unseasonably warm weather we are experiencing, so I’m celebrating my healthy body and all of the beautiful trails around me. Here’s a short video of one of my recent walks/hikes.
Completing the 2026 Orangetheory Transformation Challenge
Each year I participate in Orangetheory Fitness’s Transformation Challenge, and each year I accomplish something new. This year, I did lose some body fat, but my biggest achievement was PR’ing my half-mile treadmill (speed walking) and doing it without holding on. The treadmill and I have not always been friends. For some reason, I just haven’t felt comfortable on it…so going for eight minutes at my top speed without touching the handles is a big deal. (If you’re curious about the Transformation Challenge, I’ve posted about it here, here, and here.)
Us speed walkers go for half a mile.
New Constantly Varied Gear (CVG) leggings
If you are going to go on long walks and workout in the gym, why not do it in style? This month I was thrilled to receive my new CVG leggings and shorts. I love the whimsical names almost as much as I the beautiful prints. If you want to know more about why I love CVG, I did a full review here.
My French lavender is blooming
Some of you may recall my struggle with keeping lavender bushes alive. I decided to give it one last try with two new bushes I planted last spring…not only did they survive, they are growing and blooming!
Time with our great granddaughter
Perhaps the thing I celebrate most every month are the people in my life. This month we had a delightful visit with one of our daughters, our granddaughter-in-law, and our great granddaughter.
Your turn
- What are you celebrating this month?
- Do you have a green thumb?
- The treadmill: love it or hate it?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Your St. Patrick’s Day nails were adorable! Yay for blooming lavender plants. I do not have a green thumb but I do keep trying.
Thanks, Joanne. Like you, I don’t have a particularly green thumb, but I’m doing my best. I think that’s why it’s so rewarding when something works.
Loved the new leggings and shorts, loved that gorgeous great-grandbaby, and loved how fit and happy you look – winning all the way for March! x
Thank you Leanne! It was a pretty great month.
Those shorts are just so cool, and I do love the name! I’m celebrating finishing and presenting my mini retreat. I feel such lightness, knowing that’s done for another year. I used to have a green thumb. I don’t know what happened to it though I’m beginning to think, somehow, my son stole it! I don’t like treadmills. I did have a Nordic Track which wasn’t like the normal ones. This one had ski poles, and I wore that thing out. I couldn’t watch tv when I was using it, but I could read! I’m weird, I know! Loved seeing the photo of your great-granddaughter!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thanks, Marsha. Those shorts are one of my favorites. Congratulations on another successful mini retreat. Your comment about your son stealing your green thumb made me laugh. That’s interesting that you were able to read, but not to watch TV, while doing your Nordic Track. Hmmm…
Loved all the pictures. Ivy is adorable!! Your March seemed near perfect.
Nice job on your training for the Camino. I’m afraid I haven’t been as diligent as you. Hopefully I can keep up!
Thanks Cindy! Ivy is a cutie for sure. I have no worries about you keeping up. Slow and steady is all we need.
Your St. Patty’s nails are so cute. Just perfect. I am so hard on my nails and never have manicures out any more for that reason. But you have inspired me to at least try a little polish on them for Easter tomorrow.
So proud of your physical accomplishments. The Orange Theory and all of the prep work for the Camino. Enjoy seeing your photos from your walks/hikes. Your area reminds me very much of El Paso.
That great grandbaby is a doll. Spending time with family is at the top of my preferred celebrations, even when we aren’t do much more together than taking a walk or sitting in the hot tub.
Love the colorful, fun leggings and shorts. I am not familiar with that brand. My daughter buys a lot of Fabletics but they are beyond my budget. It is much easier to go work out when you have something cute to wear!!
Thank you for all the kind words, Leslie. I hope you are enjoying your Easter Sunday…with a little nail polish! I’ve never been to El Paso, but I do believe we have very similar weather and plant life. I do love the desert. And, yes, the cuter the workout clothes the better the odds of working out for me!