7-13-2019, Saturday

Weight: 137.8
Macros: Calories - 1,320, Carbs - 126, Fats - 38, Protein - 95, Fiber - 28
Sleep: 8 hours
Veggie/Fruit Servings: 7
Water glasses: 3
Exercise: Mowed and gardened 5.5 hours, which was worth 953 calories!

Yesterday I mowed my patootie off! The woman who's helping me out with gardening chores is amazing--she's in her 40s and works as a "cafeteria lady" at the local middle school during the school year. She's also one of the hardest workers I've ever seen, and I feel lucky to have her help.

My eye is on Tropical Storm Barry as it approaches New Orleans. I'm worried about my friends down there. This certainly isn't their first rodeo (they're life-long New Orleanians), but flooding and a long-term power outage would be a HUGE pain in the ass for everyone. Then Barry will crawl up the Greater Mississippi valley and on Monday and Tuesday hit us here with more rain, which we do NOT need. It seems that my long-term future is mowing my patootie off.

This weekend I'll be doing more mowing, weed-pulling, housework. Not exciting, but it's exactly what I need to be doing.

Today I'm having lunch with a book club friend whose husband died five nights ago (cancer). Next week I'm having lunch with a second friend here whose husband died a month ago. This is a tough season.

And a week from today--thanks to Shel's encouragement--I will be driving to Iowa City for my first University of Iowa Summer Writing Workshop. I am so excited about that. Shel, I've got to ask: Where do your parents live? Do you think they would welcome a visit from me someday? (Not everyone likes that kind of thing, which is why I ask.)

Today's theme: Do what needs to be done.

I thought about you Ann when I saw the reports about New Orleans. And I feel for your tough season. Your friends will benefit from your support.

Today I am going to a one year old's birthday party and a high school graduation open house. I'm going to let up some, and eat over my 1,200 goal. Looking forward to the graduation party very much. It's for the son of my husband's cousin. We haven't seen his other cousins for awhile (sadly there is only one aunt left), it will be good to reconnect at something other than a funeral. Sometimes it takes my breath away that I have know these people for 35+ years, the party host was a high school kid trying to sneak beer at our wedding reception. Now he's 50 years old!

Quote: When you arise in the morning think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. ~ Marcus Aurelius, emperor/philosopher

While I am not in Carmel by the Sea proper, I am in the Carmel Valley. It's cool and foggy. I am wearing a fleece sweater/jacket thing. (okay, still wearing shorts. After all, it's July!)

I have already renamed Large Marge. It came to me yesterday after having set her all up and seeing that this weekend is indeed an adventure and learning experience which has piqued my curiosity. So, please let me introduce you to GOAT. Say what you will, but I think it is perfect. All I need I have some nuts and bolts to work out when it comes to learning how to use Goat to her full potential. I am still unclear on how the generator needs to be set up, so I will check that out today when I have time. Luckily, I did anticipate this and brought a portable generator with me. I did get the water heater fired up, the rig leveled and a nice yard set up for the girls.

I purposely did not bring a lot of crap food with me - except a small bag of butter cookies, which were eaten while sitting horrible traffic yesterday. But I'm sure it was a good 800 - 1000 extra calories. Well, at least they're gone... What's left is just healthy, healthy, healthy stuffs! Yogurt, grilled chicken breast, salad makings, fruit and oatmeal. Hoping to have dinner out with friends, but we will see. If not, I have soups, too.

We are currently entertaining an Irish Terrier male. Dottie is in love!

Some pics of my adventure....

Oh, Devon! You already look like an RV pro to me. And I completely endorse the renaming of GOAT. I have a feeling that GOAT is going to become very popular name in the coming months.

Congratulations on your shakeout cruise. It is truly beautiful.

Great setup!

Looks amazing. Love the doggies :)

The RV looks nice. It will really be nice traveling with the pups. A male with 2 females I bet he is in love too.

Last night we went to an outdoor show of storytelling. When it began to pour, the entire audience went onstage for the rest of the show. Fun though we did get a bit wet getting back to the car.

I guess I was lucky that BIL carried through on his promise to help while I was in Aruba. He has reverted back to usual saying he is coming each weekend then cancelling. I haven't seen him since I got back on 6/21. He had promised to come yesterday and take DH to visit friends today and stay with him tomorrow so I could go to dinner with SIL and her DIL. He cancelled yesterday, then today, then just sent this message: "Regret to say that I probably won't be down tomorrow at all. I think I have polio." Polio? Really?!?

DS is arguing with me about Memory Care preparations. He says he will quit his job to take care of DH. Arghhh... The place I put a deposit at is 1.5 miles away. We can pick up DH anytime to bring him home for dinner or take him somewhere. Or we can eat with him or go to an activity there anytime. DH is a bump on a log at hone and his incontinence is becoming very difficult to manage. I really don't need DS fighting me.

But for today we are at the pond around the corner - the ocean beaches are full. I guess we will have to go early tomorrow.

Have a satisfying Saturday!

DS will come around. He just needs more time and actual experience to understand what's coming. I say DS should care for DH for two weeks all by himself. That'll expand his experience. :)

The trouble with caregiving for Alzheimer's is that caregivers tend to believe they can control / stave off / ameliorate Alzheimer's progress. They / we can't. And I speak with great confidence, having had 12.5 years of considerable experience in this arena.

You are doing all the right things, Liz.

Perhaps you should ask him do some respite care on his days off. It might help him better understand the depth of his father's needs.