Sunday, April 15, 2018

Weight - 133.8
Macronutrients - I have NO idea!
Sleep (goal 8 hours) - 6.5
Vegetables/Fruits (goal 8) - 2
Exercise - None

I'm still catching up on everyone's posts over the last week. I've been on FB a little and seen some posts from some of you there. But I look forward to snuggling up and reading the last few days' threads.

This last week and a half has been a blur! My trip to NOLA (with about 1200 miles of driving to and from) was a wonderful visit with my long-time best friends. But it was hugely caloric and terribly alcoholic. I got home Friday afternoon. Then yesterday's lovely (and final) memorial service for my husband here in our little town was incredibly sweet.

Needless to say, I am very tired, physically and emotionally. That's due in great part to too much alcohol, not nearly enough water, and way too little sleep. That's easy to remedy over for the next four days. No alcohol. Lots of water. And going to bed early; I'll use sleep aids if necessary.

The healthy part of my NOLA trip is that I walked 10,000 - 20,000 steps every day, thanks to walking daily in Audubon Park. I loved my time in "Uptown" around Tulane where my friends live who hosted me.

This coming week will be another whirlwind of preparing for my upcoming cruise to NYC, Canada, and Ireland. I also have to do everything necessary to leave home for three weeks -- organize some workers who'll start spring cleaning the property, a housesitter, pre-pay bills, etc.

Right now I am so looking forward to being on that ship and having zero responsibilities other than daily walking and yoga, sleeping 8-9 hours every night, and eating clean, slow food. It's a very small ship (fewer than 500 passengers will be on this voyage) with lots of opportunities to get to know folks, and I'll enjoy that. Since this is my eighth voyage on this small line, I'll be surprised if I don't already know some of the passengers.

But this will also be my first cruise alone as a widow. I'm not "borrowing trouble" (as some of you would say) by worrying about any downside, but will continue to Be Here Now and feel my feelings.

In every port we'll be in (except NYC) I've scheduled hiking excursions. In NYC I'll spend hours in Central Park, a place where I've always loved to walk and walk and walk.

Today I'm going to finish unpacking and do some light house cleaning-- a real rest day. I probably won't see a single soul today, which sounds good after being extremely social of late.

And in closing, because as Liz said we talk about everything here, my grieving continues. Joy and gratitude roll in, too. All of those feelings wear me out. Sometimes, it feels like I need a huge muscle relaxant, since my body stays tensed much of the time. Which makes me decide that today I need to give myself some time doing yoga stretching and restorative poses. :)

Today's theme: Accept, don't resist.

Liz, I so understand your unwillingness to lead every parade in your life. I'm with Paula -- a heart to heart with your SIL about your feelings about wanting others to share the responsibility burdens in your life might make her step u*****t. In which case, you can consider other options.

One thing to remember is that there are ALWAYS other options than the single option we've chosen up to now.

Another glorious day is begun ! I have a load of laundry finishing up... eliminating some sand and salt. DD, DH and I are the heading out to Torrey Pines State Park for some hiking and awesome views. 20,133+ steps yesterday...expect more of the same today. Paula, so sorry to hear about the snow! The make-up session did look like a blast ! Liz...Count me in on recommending you delegate some decisions to SIL. Don't let new monkeys on your back. Shel..glad you had a Reiki experience. Alternative healing supplements traditional medicine well! Yes, I could easily get crazy counting steps. Trying to focus on feeling fit and flexible. Ann, welcome home ! The next phase of your adventure sounds amazing too !

Torrey Pines is gorgeous. Enjoy!

Did not weigh today!

Liz-I am sorry to hear you have all the burden. I don't only dislike making the plans, but when I do, I like to have him to tell me that it's the right thing.

Shel-lentil soup sounds amazing! I need a good ham and bean soup soon.

Ann-Glad to hear your trip was fun and excited for your upcoming cruise.

DH and I have had a good weekend. We went to an art fundraiser on Friday night while my parents watched Nugget. As tired parents, we gave up the ghost early! But Nugget slept nearly 7 hours all at once! Yesterday we went to a dinner party while DSD watched Becca. It was probably the most successful dinner party I've been to. The host was a former boss of DH and several other industry people. The wine was flowing all night and we began with assortment of cheese, fruit, crackers, and shrimp ****tail. Then we sat down and had Caesar salad, followed by chicken and sausage gumbo, then red beans and rice, then shrimp grits, broccoli au gratin, and macque choux. I rarely feel awkward or "forced" to eat any more, but with these lovely hosts serving us, I felt obligated to eat.

The conversation was wonderful and flowed easily. Two of the guests were musicians, a pianist and a guitarist, so they began to serenade us. My husband played a game of chess. And the evening was capped off with dessert of both bread pudding and cobbler.

We all need evenings like that.

Becca slept 7 hours! Yeah! You are on your way to feeling human most of the time (just assuming you don't sometimes as I didn't in those very early days).

Weight 166.6

Liz, that must be so frustrating. It's the downside of being a capable leader. People assume you lead because you want to or because you enjoy it, when in actual fact it would be a huge gift if someone else captained the ship for a while. In that vein, I agree with Paula's advice to talk to her. She may think by not having an opinion she's making it so you get to do what you want to do and not realizing how difficult she's making it for you.

So lovely to see you back, Ann! I'm so glad you had a nice time in NOLA. I've never been, but I'd like to someday.

Later today I have a beach walk scheduled with my friend. And I would like to eat less today (so munchy yesterday) with less salt...

Have a lovely Sunday, all!

An we could get another 12 inches!

Oh wow. Fun in December. Cruel in mid-April.

Unbelievable!