Thursday August 24

Weight - 138 pounds
Cals / macros - ?
Veggies/Fruits - None
Sleep - 7 hours
Exercise - None

She's baaaaack! Vancouver was just wonderful, wonderful! I walked almost every day in Stanley Park 5, 6, 7 miles. The weather was perfect. They even had an eclipse for us. ;) BTW, I did yoga on the hotel pool deck during the eclipse -- I really recommend doing that during the next eclipse; it was pretty freakin' blissful, to tell the truth.

Once again, Shel and I had such a good time together. It was like seeing a college roommate 20 years later. Such an easy transition from keystrokes to walking and talking and eating and talking and sitting and talking. Lots of talking.

My weight is obviously up, and yes, I enjoyed the Gold Floor cuisine. But that's also after a two-day travel experience home. Long story I won't bore you with, but at DFW Tuesday night we missed our connecting flight home and wound up spending the night in Texas. Got home yesterday afternoon.

While we were gone it rained a lot, and the grass definitely grew. We can hear the baby wrens peeping in the big sycamore tree out front. Yoga class this morning was wonderful. And I've already been to Walmart and Aldi's. Retirement continues. :)

BTW, yesterday after several of those "I can't believe DirecTV service can possibly be this bad!" telephone calls we fired DirecTV and are now television-less. We'll probably go with DISH, but at least we'll be new customers for a while and no longer paying the most money for the least service and using the oldest equipment.

So happy we went to Vancouver, and so happy we're home again.

P.S. Liz, I hope you get everything you possibly can as a severance package! It'll be here before you know it. :)

I'm glad you had a good trip! Welcome home!

Weight steady at my 2 pound over comfort level. Funny how 2 pounds can actually make a difference - even at this high weight.

As you all know (or should by now) getting to bed early is not a strong suit. I am going to have to figure out something, though and quickly! I think yesterday was just a bit overwhelming due to being back at school. I am going to sit down with Ron tonight and see if we can't iron out a morning schedule. With 17 puppies, 12 of which are active rascals - the Airedales, I'm getting the bulk of the work in the morning. Feeding all the big dogs, the Airedale pups, and cleaning the two large pens, etc... Will see if he can't do a little more to help me out. Though, his schedule is brand new for him and I need to afford him the courtesy to adjust.

Liz, fingers crossed! I am just starting to look ahead 8-10 years and making plans for my retirement. It's a lovely carrot dangling in my future.

Joey, just going to blunt - It's his own damn fault. You can lead a horse to water, but... One of the best philosophies I have adopted over the past 8-9 months is this: Not my monkey. Not my zoo! Basically, it means to me that people have their own problems and they are not mine or my responsibility. Everybody has their own **** END.OF.SUBJECT! I am choosing to wipe my own butt and do my very best to keep my OWN underwear streak free. You do so much for your adult children it is absolutely commendable. However, you have to take time for yourself and step away from the disfunction when it gets to be too much. Hugs!!!!!

Puppies have officially entered the very messy, we are poop machines stage. This is about when I start looking forward to them going to their new forever homes! LOL!

I bet this poopy messy time is a real pain. Good thing they are adorable!

I had a private talk with my older brother and said basically the same thing, only you said it more picturesquely. I have taken several steps back for my own sanity. My doctor told me I have to do three things, (1) contact my therapist for an appointment. Check. (2) put myself first. Trying, baby steps. (3) I don't remember the third thing, which cracks me up, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

I have stopped crying and made a lot of positive changes around my house -- throwing stuff OUT! So happy, such joy in putting crap to the curb. I have curbed the night snacks, mostly because there are none in my house, but trust me I could always find something even if it was cereal that I didn't even want. So, I have a loop in my head of consequences, schmonsequences ... Silly, but it is helping me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx2exbhMHQU

Also, having worked on a lot of matrimonial matters, many times I understood the one party's anger that the other wasn't helping, but hiring help could have saved a lot of the relationships. Maybe if Ron is unable or unwilling to help with the morning work, you could hire someone to help, on his dime of course.

Greetings all

Back from our quick trip to LA. No idea on weight but I did eat a lot. Sometimes very little all day and then a huge family dinner at the food pusher's house. Reminds me of rather unpleasant holidays of yesteryear - People getting stressed out about having everything just so and crabbing at everyone to make food that no one really wants or cares about and just trying to keep peace. The later day's dinners were better - leftovers of which there are copious amounts.

Trip down was hell as our flight was delayed and we only made connection because it was late too. Bag got sent late and it arrived at 3:30 AM at hotel. I said I wanted it no matter when it got in.

Saw niece off to college at Occidental. Beautiful place. Did some beach time and visited new houses of both nephews. One is a real fixer upper but will be great when done.

LA driving is truly hell. DH drove a lot and its terrifying. Glad we escaped with our lives.

Our little great nieces are adorable and we spent time playing leggos. Got plants for sil for her new place. Spent a lot of time cleaning kitchen messes.

Liz hope your severance deal works out. Ditto for your new puppy schedule Devon. Our old girl Liza is still with us but the decision time is near. She didn't eat much today and she is usually a pig

Had a great house sitter who said she slept with the two younger dogs like a sandwich with each dog being half a bun. Now Tesla is spoiled.

Oh well, good to be home. Take care all. Diane S

A doggie sandwich: I love that image! Our old beagle would have loved that when she was young (now she just wants to be wherever she is comfortable, usually her own bed). Oh wait! Is that me or Duchess!?!?