Tuesday August 20, 2019

It is a sunny day today and I have a "free" day. I'm thinking about a good walk with Justice, then a little beach time and maybe a lunch out. Tonight we have a clambake at SILs and tomorrow we have two Alzheimer's support activities whi*****lude meals, so no cooking needed for at least the next two days (yeah!).

The bus picking up DH was 15 minutes early this morning so it was a good thing he was ready. He was moving very slow as DS put him to bed late last night so I could go to a show with friends (which was great by the way). DS practically pushed me out the door when the outing was suggested and he took DH out for dinner and put him to bed. It was the third late night for DH and we are going to SIL's for a clambake tonight. It will be interesting to see how DH does.

Two more things moving forward: We have a move day of September 30, with the pre-move evaluation by a nurse the week of September 9. I also received notice that DH is 10th on the list for affordable housing which will drop the monthly fee by 2/3rds when he gets to the top. Though that will take 1-2 years, it means that the cost is sustainable over the long run if necessary. My financial advisor and I were counting on that so it is a relief. In our state the individuals income is the only thing considered once they are over 65 (no assets). We had previously moved all assets except our home into my name, so DH's only income is social security and IRA distributions which we set up specifically to put him into the class for affordable housing. This means I can continue to live without ending up in subsidized housing myself even if DH lives for many more years. There is no way to predict that for him because though the dementia is progressing rapidly he is physically healthy. DH never smoked, was never overweight, and always exercised, so he has no health issues at all (other than a shrinking brain).

So have a totally good Tuesday!

Liz, what tremendous news !! Good for you for being so proactive ! Such a relief !

I did my five hour tour of Vancouver yesterday. There were three other people in the group, all staying in hotels in the city. I am Soo glad I opted for a flat in Kitsilano ! Having my own kitchen and lots of greenspace near water is essential for me ! Eating all meals out no longer works for me. Stanley Park was fabulous and we had lunch at the Teahouse. We were able to see a sea plane land as we got on and off the sprinter in many interesting and unusual spots. Learned a lot for sure. I had 7k under my belt from my early walk, and did get over 10,000 steps again. Today, I meet DD at UBC for lunch and tomorrow I have a 3.5 hour spa treatment (massage, reflexology, facial). Thursday is my 5 hour kayaking/paddle board adventure. Glad I brought my thermal water garb, as 65 degrees is cold, especially for that length of time. Grateful beyond words for my health and 180 degree shift in priorities. Food was formally the primary focus on vacations. I try not to dwell on all of those wasted years and opportunities.

Greetings Dear Ones

159 or even 158.5 depending upon how much my nightly weighs. I am sure it is super heavy LOL. Dinner last night was an entire avocado for me. That was it. Just appealed. DH had shrimp and for some reason I am sick of those. Weird.

Liz glad you have a free day. Being over scheduled is something I so hate - or even being scheduled at all. Good of DS to take over a day and kick you out. Glad your plans are proceeding and hopefully calmly and deliberately for DH. Kind of like an orderly journey.

DianeO you are really rocking Vancouver. Yay you for getting out and moving. I must follow your inspiration. I did so a lot after VSG but the past couple of years I have been a slug. You are a great example of life change. Cool pictures.

Nothing on the agenda here today except maybe scrabble Tuesday and studio time. And maybe a dog walk. I have felt so stiff and decrepit lately that I really need to make myself do that moving around. It's complicated by the fact that all shoes hurt my feet in some way. I would give anything for some comfortable shoes. There is a specialty store in the next town that I need to try. My old fail safe Rebocks don't cut it anymore. First world problems.

Have a terrific Tuesday all. I am drinking a coffee toast to Shel. Diane S

Time for comfortable shoes. It is worth a certain level of investment to have good shoes!

I made an error on the calories for the instant pot egg bites recipe I posted yesterday. The calories per egg bite are 130, not 80. Darn! but, still quite good.

Each egg bite is 130 calories, 1 gram carbohydrate, 11 grams protein, 9 grams fat.

Remembered the scale this morning - 263. I can certainly live with that. 3+ pounds more. That's all I require for now.

I am trying a new approach to morning eating. I have always tried to limit calories in the early part of the day to bank calories for later in the day. It seemed to be the way that my body liked to eat anyway, so it didn't seem like such a big deal. I'm considering that I may have been perpetuating a problem eating behavior. By limiting calories early in the day, was I contributing to binge behavior in the later hours of the day? I am beginning to think that perhaps, yes, I was. I am trying to eat a considerable number more calories between waking and noon. So instead of 200-300 calories, I'm upping to 500-600. I'm curious to see what happens to afternoon hunger and if this behavior change will make a difference with weight management/loss.

Diane O. - GLORIOUS photos of Vancouver. How much longer are you there?

Liz- October 1st seems so far off, but it will be here all too quickly. Stay strong.

Diane S. - Now you have me thinking about buying a house in Delaware NOW and renting it out until I'm ready to retire. Damn you!!!!!

Do it ! Do it !! I'm here until the red eye home in the wee hours of the 25th.

LOL! I will blame you, if I do indeed buy a house in DE!