09/21/19, Saturday

1. Within Range: yes
2. General Wellbeing: 10 on SS
3. 10,000+ Steps: 12,343
4. Fitness: mowing
5. Self-Care: met my therapist
6. Fun: picked up rings, mowing
7. I learned/relearned: Trust your instincts and simple is better.

I LOVE my engagement ring! I had a treasured river topaz ring with a larger stone in the center (representing me) and .70 stones on either side, representing my two DD. The jeweler created a whole new ring, replacing the center stone with a diamond and resetting the two river topazes on either side. The large stone was recessed into DC's wedding band. (Pictures tomorrow). I wanted a thin band, but I may have to have it widened because the engagement ring slides a bit, up to my knuckle. I am NOT a share the intimate details of your life on FB kind of person, so I'll be using our TT space to share.

I also LOVE my new therapist !! Our initial session was intake and building a foundation for future sessions. We have sooo mu*****ommon (went to the same graduate school, relocated here from Albany, she eloped because simple wedding plans began to get out of hand... on and on). She emphasized that the fact that I contacted her to be proactive BEFORE I was experiencing significant issues was a significant advantage. We both feel I need a booster shot/ realignment, meeting every two weeks for a couple of months, then once a month for a few more should get us to a good place, and we'll decide from there.

Dogs go to the groomer today for baths and nails. Of course, they will be part of tomorrow's festivities ! I got the back yard mowed yesterday, and have to blow/rake and remove the hay furrows today. We have a favorite Amish farm nearby, and pick up our bundled corn stalks and remaining mums Monday, and will finish decorating the front of the house for fall.

After tomorrow, DC will become DH !!

Two days of reading posts and there is so much going on! Diane, I LOVE the rings and am so happy for you. I love your excitement. You are so good at assessing when you need help.

Yesterday was a run-around but good day. I had to take DH back to the PCP because they didn't have the proper vials to do the TB blood test on Thursday, then I had to drop him at daycare. After a quick shower, I had a phone call with an old friend from the late seventies who I had lost track of. For self-care, I took a walk and had lunch on an outside dock on the water with SIL and DS's birthmother. Funny thing - it turns out DS's birthmother knew my old friend (the one I talked to on the phone) because they lived in essentially the same neighborhood growing up. Small world! I barely made it back in time for DH: I followed the bus down the street to our house. Whew!

Today the weather is supposed to be summer like so it may include the beach or some open houses if BIL shows (the one who always cancels last minute). But first I have to run to the store to get a new propane tank for my gas fire pit, which I enjoy reading by in the evening this time of year.

Like Cecily, I am struggling with controlling what I eat at the end of the day and am feeling quite fat. I still can stretch my clothes, but I really don't want to buy more. Thank goodness for VSG or it would likely be much worse as I am still limited in quantity when I eat the right things. One part of my mind says that I can get more control after I deal with DH, but another part is fearful that I might be worse afterwards.

Have a super Saturday!

Oh, no, Liz! You will NOT "be worse" after DH goes to his new home. You will finally have some ******g control of your life.

Really.

Trust me.

I'm serious.

xoxoxoxo

P.S. I say this based NOT on the time I cared for my husband, but the eight years I cared for my mom with Alzheimer's who lived with us eight years. I adored her so much. But jeez was I mess by the end of that experience. Her transition to a nursing home is what finally led me to my therapist and my self-care, including VSG and everything I've done for myself since then.

Thank you Ann. That's what I needed to hear!

Weight: 139.2
Protein: ?
Carbs: ?
Veggies/Fruits: 3
Water: 16 ounces
Sleep: 6 hours
Exercise: Walking (30?), yoga stretching (10?)

First ... Diane, your ring is really lovely. Thanks for that back story on the jewels. And your first therapist meeting sounds like you've found the right one. Liz is so right: You really are proactive about reaching out for resources when you need them.

Also, you and I may be the only women in America who think that mowing is the perfect day-before-the-wedding box to check. LOL!

Whew! Scales are finally back down below 140. That was a weird deal. Oh, well. :)

Yesterday's outing with my friend was a lot of fun. We shopped (I bought a pretty Spanish silver, blue bejeweled bracelet), we lunched very well, we laughed, we drove a lot, we craned our necks at the gorgeous scenery, we had civil discourse about politics (she's right, I'm left), we fantasized about more trips to take (we're both avid travelers), and her Corvette convertible was the perfect steed for our outing.

While we were gone, this neck of the woods got a little rain, with more predicted for the next few days. My morning sunrise walk today involved picking up a LOT of downed wood. Later this morning, when/if the grass dries out enough, I'll mow for a few hours.

I may also run into town to run a few errands. Or I may just stay home for a home spa afternoon and read. Tough life. :)

And thanks to DiamondD, today we have the O'Jay's singing ... "Living for the Weekend" (Ya'll really should check out this song! It's a great OG performance. And as the song continues, it just gets better and better.)

Busy, busy weekend ahead. Dog to groom this morning followed by a 2+ hour drive to Bolinas for a wedding of a former colleague. Wedding is at 4:30. Plan is to be home by 10pm. Fingers crossed. Then tomorrow is getting Ella to the vet for another blood draw (should take her today, but simply no time), running to visit my dog show friends and the tomorrow night getting to meet Shirl and John for dinner! The house has dust bunnies all over the floor. The dining room chairs, table and side board have a layer of dust and it's all just going to stay that way for a few more days. LOL! Procrastination can be quite luxurious when well framed.

My weight is up another F'ing pound today. WTF???? I know I have not gained 3-4 pounds this week, so I am trying to remain calm. ACK!!!!!!

Training front: new milestone. I thought what the hell yesterday and decided to pu**** up a notch on my single leg presses. I started with a warm up of 135 lbs on each leg. Then did 2 sets at 180 lbs. For the final set, I thought WTH, and added another 25 lbs and grunted my way through a full set of 12 reps at 205 lbs for each leg. I pressed OVER 200 POUNDS with a single leg! Color me proud. Did a full leg work out after that - single leg deadlifts with Kettlebells, seated calf raises, leg extensions, and inner thigh work (hip abduction machine). I had Jello Legs by the end. Always a good thing!

Exciting hours ahead...

First, we need significant PIX of dinner tomorrow night.

Second, GREAT workout stats. Jeez, you beast!

Third, I think I know whence your new pounds arrived this week. See "Second" above. ;)

Feeling renewed after doing nothing when I got home yesterday, followed by 8 hours of sleep, the first time in I'm afraid to say, weeks. I'm hoping for better sleep this coming week.

This morning I got up at 8am, went to Tai Chi, came home and read the paper, and drank mugs of chai latte while I stared into space. I tried just focusing on the tea, no reading, no electronics. It was very soothing. Operation tidy up is underway, and the first load is in the washer. I found some bacon in the freezer, and grabbed some eggs on the way home, so lunch is set. I'll write up some menus and hit the grocery store sometime after 4pm. I'm sure somewhere my 20 year old self is appalled and horrified that this is my idea of a well spent Saturday. Ha, priorities change, and I am at peace with that. :)

Wow, DD ... that is a well spent Saturday in my book, too.

To every thing ... there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Indeed!

Ecclesiastes 3, KJV and The Byrds.

Happy Saturday All!

Around here that means college football. Our game is at night so we just have to wait. Meanwhile we await the delivery of a new sectional. The old one has been inspected for lost stuff (once a tv remote was gone for a month) and is now upended and vacuuming done. The new one will look a lot like the old one. I am washing all the old sheet covers - ie dog barriers. Bye bye old sectional where I have parked my butt for nearly 30 years! Welcome new one waiting for me to spill red wine on it.

Boring grown up stuff to do. Took bananas to the homeless outreach project. Lots of people there today. I should have bought more. Then on to pet store for soft dog treats. Tesla didn't want to eat last night until I hand fed her chopped chicken and rice.

Whoo Hooo DianeO, have a great wedding day. Imagine rose petals being thrown through the screen at you. And I do love the ring.

Still making a basket of clothes to give away plus a huge bag that has to be trashed because they are so worn out.

Peps have fun with Shirley and her DH.

Great looking food whoever posted. My own cooking has dropped off the face of the earth.

Liz we are all thinking of you. Ann is right. This will work. And you will get some needed "me" time.

Gallery duty tomorrow. I keep meaning to take a picture of the legendary Fresh Fudge sign now that it says "free tastes". Diane S