Thursday, 10/25/2018

Weight: 134.4
Macros: Cals - 1,640, Carbs - 194, Fats - 60, Protein - 94, Fiber - 39
Sleep hours: 7
Vegetable/Fruit Servings: 6
Exercise: Aquarobics class, walked
Meditation: Yes

Busy, busy, busy here! The new border plantings are a great improvement. There's a little clean-up to be done, but all the new plants are in the ground.

This morning it's raining here and will rain more today/tonight, which is good for the new plants, eh?

Last night after book club (Eleanor Ogilvie Is Fine) I dropped in to the local pub and had a beer. Actually, I shared one beer with the bartender, whom I've known for years and learned last night is besotted with Prague and spends time there every year. People have the most interesting passions, don't they!

BTW, I talked my book club into reading The Boys in the Boat for next month's selection, so my homework is done. :)

This morning I have yoga class and a few errands, but mostly I'll be doing industrial-quality packing for my trip (starting tomorrow) Down South, eventually to New Orleans. It's going to be a jam-packed next ten days. Six days from now I head back home (with hopefully one night in my own bed) before driving north another five hours to attend my stepson's memorial service.

This morning it's interesting to notice how tired my body already feels, even after plenty of sleep, in mere anticipation of driving nearly 2,000 miles over the next ten days and being around so many people for such intense interactions (NOLA Halloween parties, a homebound, ill sister, and a funeral for a troubled soul). I think my apparent physical tension is mentally induced. It's ridiculous to be tired before I've driven a single mile. But it's good to realize that, eh? In any event, I wouldn't mind if our yoga teacher were to focus overmuch this morning on restoration poses.

Today's theme: Breathe!

134.4

Breathe- yes, breathe

Today I wake to broken peace- emotions all over the place. Off to school for the calming benefits and restoration found in a set schedule--Substitutes everywhere !(teachers and former teachers know exactly what that means). Quick prayer: God, restore some order out of my chaos. His response, "Let it be."

Practicing finding peace in the middle of internal chaos manifest in chaos.

Breathe.

Sounds like a lot of driving to me. After commuting 1-2 hours each way to work for years, I have to admit that long drives just don't appeal. But New Orleans should be fun!

I have decided that DH is okay traveling with the following caveats:

• Stay in the same place every night (or very few places).
• Have only one activity a day plus a short walk at most.
• Need to allow for a fairly late morning wake-up, nap-time in the afternoon, bedtime by 9 at the latest (with nap, earlier if no nap)
• Breakfast at the lodging location
• Pick meals for him as much as possible
• Provide snacks when he gets cranky
• Don't have too many traveling changes in a day. All of our flights for this trip had one-stop with a change midway because I wanted to book it all with miles. DH was very confused and cranky by the end of the second flight.
• Travel with at least one other person if possible to avoid loneliness, have someone to talk to, and to hang out with during nap time and after DH's early bedtime

SO... I think I'm going to look into a cruise from Florida in the spring where we can drive to the ship. I'd like a cruise whi*****ludes Key West as that has been on my bucket list. Hopefully my SIL's or friend's would be willing to go with us.

Yesterday we did a short hike starting in Chautauqua park, then ate at the Dining Hall for lunch. Very quaint and I had elk chili! I have tons of pictures - Boulder is so beautiful. Today I think we are going to another outdoor area to do an easy hike, then head back to Denver for mid to late afternoon arrival. Somehow I have lost two pairs of non-prescription reading glasses on this trip, so we have to stop somewhere to buy some new ones. I'm using the little ones from my pocketbook right now. How did I manage to do that?

Pictures from yesterday's hike (of course they don't do it justice):

Liz, those pix are truly gorgeous. I know what Boulder is like and love it there, too. Lots of people who went to university there got "trapped" (happily so) for the rest of their lives because they couldn't bear to leave the heaven they found there. Enjoy!

And I love your analysis of travel with DH for the next phase of your travels. Sounds like an excellent plan to me. :)

I graduated from CU Boulder. Beautiful place. A lot of unwashed hippies, though!

Holy Cannoli Guacamole! Weight 251! Need I say more? That part of life seems to be going well. Hmmm... Had to go to the supermarket last night to get dishwasher pods ("we" are eco friendly here - well, honestly, it's Ron... so I have to go to particular places that carry the eco friendly pods). There was so much out to tempt me! I felt inundated by Halloween themed cookies and cakes and pies and CANDY! I had to talk myself through and past the impulse to grab SOMETHING - ANYTHING... even though I really DIDN'T want any of it. The addict brain at work. I instead bought some Halo Top as an alternative that would not send me down the path of chaos. I enjoyed my 1/2-2/3 cup serving at the end of the night and was happy with my choice. Perfect eating? Hell no! Tremendously improve? Hell YES! LOL!

Ron has reached the cranky stage. I do not see him as depressed. I believe there is a lot of avoidance going on instead. I nagged him to walk yesterday, as you know. Later (after I posted) he brought it up and the issue is more complex for him than it would be for me. The first is that the catheter is still mildly uncomfortable. I get that. The second is he is concerned about being seen by neighbors. That I don't understand as easily, but I'm rolling with it. So last night I went out and bought him long light weight exercise pants and some really nice Everlast sweats that he can put on to go out in and hide all of his "equipment". I'm going to get him to walk today, if it kills me!

Got school pics back. Since I tend to post them every year, I will post this one, too. It was taken at my very highest weight since VSG. This is what I weighed when I first went to see my surgeon (though not my highest ever. My highest was about 18 pounds more.) Interestingly, I'm not nearly as "fat" in appearance at this weight as I was prior to VSG and dedicated working out. I will see if I can find a pre VSG school pic to illustrate. I also realized yesterday that my OH name and real name are rather gender neutral and possible clarification is in order. LOL!

Ann - such travel plans! I'm impressed by how much travel you do. It is more than I think I could handle at this juncture in my life, but it does sound so tempting. I do not mind driving at all, so that aspect doesn't dissuade me one bit! I hope you have a glorious time in NOLA. I imagine that Halloween would be pretty great in NOLA.

Liz - what a great break down of travel needs for DH. Wish I could take time to cruise the Keys with you. My brother just booked a cruise of the Keys for December 1-9. I was a bit jealous, to be honest. I have wanted to go to the keys since my 20s. You know, there is a whole culture to experience in Key West. Maybe DS & his BF would accompany you? They might really like Key West!

Thrilling Thursdays to all!

Dear Ms. / Mr. Peps ... you are ROCKING this new program you've created for yourself! And you continue to sound like you're managing your household extremely well, given the recent changes its members are undergoing. Yes, "cranky" sounds about right.

Also, that photo of you is absolutely precious. You're so lucky to have such a beautiful, welcoming smile. Personally, I think a happy face is the most attractive feature of any human being. Fortunately, that's a feature we can actually control at will!

You're a great looking guy, Devon!

Thank you, Cecily!

Handsome man Devon! You are doing so well on your new program.

I did think about DS and BF possibly cruising with us. I'm definitely going to ask.