Such is a statement which brings raised eyebrows and inquisitive frowns. I don't even know if "I watch what I eat" compensates for me not exercising.

However, I do enjoy walking. I could walk for hours and not get tired.

But I realized today, more so compared to previous days, how much I've actually been "working out" around the house.

Today is almost like any other day of my life. 

I woke up at 10:30 in the morning (I wanted to sleep in) because a neighbor was at the gate to deliver food I ordered from Ilocos. I had managed to lock the dogs out of my bedroom before I slept at 5:15 in the morning (yes, I finally slept in my bedroom again, after weeks of sleeping on the couch or the living room floor) but when I returned in the house to try and get more sleep, the little creatures followed me in and next thing you know I am surrounded by four tiny warm bodies. It's cute and Instagram-worthy, but when I went in for a cuddle with Chicken, she decided it would be the perfect time to vomit. So there was a wee bit of vomit on the edge of my bed and a few drops splattered on my hand. I swear I wanted to ignore it and just continue to sleep, but that would have been more disgusting than the matter already at hand, so I got up to wash my hands only to find out the other dogs have made an even greater mess in the living room (yes within a matter of minutes).

Utter disbelief each day, I swear. I have no idea how these tiny things find objects around the house and manage to create a hurricane (okay slight exaggeration) in the house on a daily basis. But such is my life.

So I washed my hands and stared at the mess and debated in my head, whether to return to bed or start cleaning up. Of course I chose the latter; I almost always do.

But since I had chosen to do housework, I thought it would just be appropriate to eat first. So off to the kitchen I went to cook...but remembered that I had to feed the dogs first. Fed the dogs; check! So I finally FINALLY got started on cooking my lunch. I decided to cook the dogs' food as well because I would probably forget if I procrastinate and whilst cooking my longanisa from Ilocos, I decided to load water in the washing machine because I apparently have a basket-full of clothes that needed to be washed. Lunch cooked; check! Laundry loaded; check! But before I could actually sit down to eat, I had to wash veggies and peel and slice them (I ate my longanisa with cucumber, carrot sticks, and picked radish today). So yay, I finally had a hearty lunch...and enough energy to tackle the mess in the house.

(I honestly got up and cursed myself and asked the air, "Why is it so hard to maintain a clean house?!" I mean, seriously.)

But wait, there's more. Before actually getting around to tidying up the living room, I had to wash all the dishes in the sink and clean the dining room table....and check on the dog food which I almost overcooked. And oh yeah, go back to my laundry load, which I nearly forgot about. So: ate lunch; check! Cooked dog food; check! Washed dishes and cleaned the sink; check!

I wanted a cup of coffee but I always make it a point to wash the floors first before sitting down to have coffee, but when I went outside to check on my laundry, I ended up sweeping around the yard because, of course, the dogs have managed to make a mess outside as well. (Surprise, surprise.) Sonja thought it would be fun to dig into the giant bag with plastic and glass containers and empty cans for the mangangalakal so she got into that bag and brought out the contents all over the garage. So I then had to deal with the bottles and cans under my car. Could I finally return inside the house to wash the floors? Why, yes.

So I entered the house yet again and BAM! Even more mess after having fed the dogs. WHY, LORD, WHY! Hahaha! But I dealt with it. I cleaned and I washed and I swept and I threw out chewed objects. So I stepped out of the house to wash and throw trash....and when I returned in the house a tiny dog or two decided it would be fun to poop and pee. So of course I had to clean that up immediately for the smell not to stick around longer than it should. 

I thought it would be nice to finally have coffee and some time to catch up on my reading when I remembered that I had laundry to continue doing, so of course I had to go outside again. (I guess I should be glad that watering the plants aren't required  these days due to the rain, but on such days, I need to carry buckets of water near the plants to water them. On such days, I am able to do some legit weightlifting.) 

So finally. The house was tidy enough (for me, at least) and I was able to sit down for a cup of coffee with a book. I looked at the time and was quite surprised to see that it was already four o'clock in the afternoon. Where has my time gone? In an hour I would have to log onto my work accounts because my shift would start and I haven't even had a bath yet. But I managed to drink my coffee and do a bit of reading. (And proceeded to wash more dishes afterwards.) 

I do not exercise, but I imagine hours of moving to and fro around and outside the house meets the daily requirement of "movements" of one's body. 

THIS IS NOT A RANT POST.

In fact, contrary to one's initial reaction upon seeing "surprise messes", I have actually learned the art of enlarging my eyes in disbelief and looking at the tiny creatures with four legs and just laugh. I kid you not, I just laugh and/or smile and say, "Buti nalang cute kayo!" And they would run to me and give me hugs and lick my face (and sometimes I would get distracted and play with them for a few minutes in-between my cleaning time). 

I mean, I love it. I know that my #1 love language is acts of service, so maybe it has something to do with that. Plus I actually like it when my body is actively moving. I suppose it does me more good than bad, so why not just keep at it, right? 

Also, preparations. Taking care of the dogs feel like having to look after toddlers, so when God finally allows me to bear my own child (or children because TWINS, PLEASE!) I'm not going to be grossed out with all the vomit and poop and pee. (Not that I am easily grossed out in the first place. I am usually able to manage things others find "disgusting".) Plus, I won't be stressed out and be of ill-temper when the kids (haha HUWEW) make a mess here and there because I imagine that it what life will be like with children around. Plus a husband to take care of. ❤ 

It's an exciting thing to think about, but I'm sure the imagery in my head will be nothing like the reality set before me. It will be better, and more difficult. But hey, at least I'm (physically and mentally) ready! (Or well, still in the works. Haha!) 

I'm just grateful. Life will never be like how it is today. I end this entry as I stare at the tiny creatures, all fast asleep in the own spots (one on the couch, one on the coffee table, on on a pillow on the floor, another on a dining room chair; Sonja and Sophie are both outside the house, so I'm unsure what they're up to, probably making a mess! haha!) with a smile (and face mask!!) across my face. Life is good, even though I've got another load of laundry to do and a closet that needs to be organized. (Which I'll have to do after my real office work. Thank God talaga for allowing me the luxury to work from home.)