Sunday, January 20

Good morning! Tired momma reporting. We stayed up until midnight playing spades with friends. And I'm paying for it! It's not that I don't like staying up and having fun...it's just I know there's always my "alarm clock" at 6am.

Last night was really fun. It's so nice to just enjoy people and conversation and a little friendly competition without all of that negative drama. It was very cold yesterday, though the snow never really showed. So I made bouef bourgignon in the instant pot with salad and mashed potatoes. It was all eaten up, so it must've been good!

I'm so unimpressed with service recently. DH took his car in to have tire fixed last week and when he drove it home, it was clear it wasn't fixed. but we didn't really have time to take it back in. So round 2 this weekend. They wait until the very last minutes before close to call him, we pick it up, and tire is already at 15lbs: they didn't even check!!! Secondly, the cable company is placing new line (apparently) and (apparently) cut not only our internet that they supply, but also another company's cable service. So we've been without cable and internet. I know, #firstworldprobs. But when DH called Friday night to reconcile the situation, the person on the phone said they haven't closed that transaction (the cutting of the lines one??) so she couldn't fix it yet...even though he was still out. She also said we couldn't schedule a fix until later and recommended my DH spend more of his time (you know how it is being on the phone with these companies!!) to fix it. Finally he convinced her to schedule something for yesterday so he wouldn't have to wait longer. The serviceman came yesterday and sure enough, they'd cut their line, but "can't work on other company's." Reeeallly?!! So you can break it but not fix it? Another service call for today. It just irritates me. I need to not sweat the small stuff. But as dumb as it is, the weekend is that one time we do catch up on recorded shows, etc.!!

No weight today. It's been CLIMBING and worrying me. DH says "it's just a season. He's right. But at the same time, how do I ever know if this is the turning point for me--the difference between going back and not? Do you guys know what I mean? I have a scale from my mom from Christmas that measures body fat % and water, etc. I really want to open it, but wonder if it will be negative for me right now.

I will say I do think I need to up my physical activity. I see that I've lost all the tone in my arms. But more worrisome than that, DH and I had ONE DANCE at the gala on Friday night and both of our hips hurt. Ridiculous!

Today is planned to be much more chill. I need that. Maybe even a nap!

Gala picture

Weight 123.2, calories about 1300, including a late night granola snack. DH jolted me wide awake just as I had fallen asleep by rummaging on his nightstand. He was messing around with the very expensive clock for dementia patients which I bought him last year and he can't understand this year. SO...I was up until 12:30 or so. But I did sleep until 7:30 am (late for me).

BB, don't forget that you are pregnant and the little nugget is growing like a weed now! Your body needs to support her and I may be mistaken but I think the ligaments or whatever holds the hips together loosen in pregnancy in preparation for birth. Regardless, both of you look wonderful in this picture. You are glowingly beautiful!

The snow really didn't materialize in Massachusetts either though there is freezing rain where my daughter lives (just rain on Cape Cod for my son). We apparently had rain early this morning and our temps will be in the mid sixties today. We did go to Boca Grande yesterday but only stayed about 2.5 hours as it was super windy and there was a bit of red tide in the air because of the wind. Tonight we are going to a show at the lodge at 7. Hopefully DH does okay with the later evening.

Diane, I sure hope you can get DH home in good shape. Ann's suggestion of a walker temporarily makes great sense if DH is willing.

Have a stupendous Sunday!

Red tide IN the air? I guess I thought that was stuff suspended in the water- you mean the wind picks up the water with the substance in it and sends all airborne? Mother Nature just having a bit-o-fun with her mini-red-paintballs.

Yes, it is actually noticeable in the air before getting to levels that kill fi**** gives a bronchitis type feeling and makes you cough. Generally the feeling recedes once leaving the beach, but people with lung issues need to keep away.

137.0

BB, I love the "it's just a season" attitude. So wise (good job, DH)! I see that as meaning that you are just in a life space for a period of time. What is going on with your body is appropriate for the experience, and does not reflect a turning point (boy, that thought- an irrevocable return to permanent weight gain is a fear I share).

I did go there (the weight gain) thinking that I had returned to fat hell and I had turned back- but it, too, turned out to be "just for a season". The season passed- I stayed there way too long, but like Dorothy and her ruby slippers, I always had the magical tool to take me home- the power to choose to walk out of there.

Your picture makes me smile (and sigh)--totally beautiful. Enjoy this "season "!

Weight: 136.6
Macros: Calories - 2,256, Carbs - 194, Fats - 76, Protein - 123, Fiber - 28
Sleep hours: 6
Vegetable/Fruit Servings: 6
Water glasses: 3
Exercise: 8,000 steps
Meditation: Yes

First, Bonnie ... you are GORGEOUS in that photograph. I just wish you could see how "seasonally appropriate" you look. Truly, you're a beauty in pregnancy!

And now I have to disappoint you all ... last night I did NOT go to Rocky Horror Picture Show. I have no idea what made me think I could stay up until after two in the morning.

This morning the scales went back up two pounds. I realize it could be due to some water retention from my maiden gym visit on Friday. Or it could also be due to how many carbs I ate yesterday. ;)

Hoo, boy! This weekend lifestyle is a challenge. Even when meals are mostly fish and lots of veggies, they're always accompanied by wine and "just a little something sweet." And that can make a 400-500 calorie difference in what I would have otherwise eaten at home by myself.

Yesterday was beautifully sunny. Then last night the temperature dropped, and wind and clouds moved in. Yes, I know today's low is 37, not minus 7, but I'm paying for 70 degrees and I want it now. :)

Yesterday was also a lot of fun: A lovely morning walk in the park, an afternoon party with wine, cakes, cheese and a thousand other delicious things at French School (where two men, 74 and 21 years old, gave me their phone numbers ... LOL!), shopping at my fave NOLA consignment boutique (I found an amaaaazing dress by Dries Van Noten), then dinner with friends and a pitched battle of Upwords - my first time to play that game, which I loved. :)

This afternoon is a large football fest at some other friends' home. I'm taking a big platter of sliced green/red/yellow/orange bell peppers. And I won't be drinking. Really. I mean it. I'm serious.

Next week's calendar includes dinner parties on Monday and Wednesday nights, which gives me only two days to walk the straight and narrow before next weekend rolls around.

Today's theme: No Wine / No Whine

Diane S - hope shrinking nerd is doing better today. Glad he stayed in the hospital overnight again. Smart move.

BB - when is Nugget v 2.0 due? If she's due in the next couple of months, I don't see how you can be worried about your weight. You look great!

Miss 150 - glad you survived your first days back at school.

Ann - how was Rocky Horror last night? Hope you had a blast!

Booooo! I have a real honest to God cold. Booooo!!!!! I had such plans to get some things done around here yesterday, but after grooming a dog and having a very late lunch with friends I was zapped. That's when the full on cold to hold. I took much too long of a nap and then could not fall asleep for love nor money last night. It was close to 1:00 am the last time I looked at the clock. So, scratchy throat, mild stuffy nose, bronchial congestion and a little bit of a cough. Joy, joy! Must get Dayquil! A little extra B12 won't hurt either.

To top it off, I don't have Pink Eye. That's wonderful, right? Yes, indeed. However, I have something called Blepharitis. A chronic, treatable, but non curable infection of the eyelid. Lovely.... I don't understand the whole non curable part, but it is what it is. For several years the optometrist has told me I have a lot of bacteria at the base of my eyelashes and to wash vigorously. I have done that every day since he told me. Guess that just wasn't enough. Now it's erythromycin ointment in my eyes twice per day, hot compresses, and washing my eyes with baby shampoo using a wash cloth or Q tip. Tried the Qtip but it was too ticklish!

Read an article about weight loss. It reinforced everything we all know already (80-90% of weight loss is about food intake, exercise plays little to no part in actual weight loss). What it did stress that was of interest to me was the mental aspect of losing weight. The visualization, the mindset that sees you through the hard times, the realistic expectations.... Those are the things with which I struggle so terribly. I'm going to read some more and see what I can glean from the reading.

Taking Auntie Kathryn out for her b'day tonight. She turns 55 today. We have been friends for 51 years! Amazing, huh? (Well, almost 51 because her family moved in in September of 1969...) Hope I can stay upright and chipper. Maybe I'll have to nap today!

Devon ... so sorry about the eye thing. Boy, can I relate!

Sorry about the eye, but glad it's not pink eye.

I agree about weightloss being more diet. But I also really liked the physical and mental strength I felt from working out. Felt like a level beyond "just weightloss"

Noodle is due at the very end of May. I'm 21 weeks only but look like I did when I was 32w with Becca!

So sorry to hear you have a cold and eye infection Peps - heal fast