10/3/2019 Thursday

Weight: 138.4
Sleep: 7 hours
Exercise: Sunrise walk (30 minutes), easy yoga stretches (15 minutes), gardening (80 minutes)

Checking in while I'm in France: Since I typically suck at staying in touch while traveling, I expect I'll REALLY suck at it while I'm in France. One of my goals on this trip is to experience what immersing myself in French life for several months might be like--not permanently, but to continue my French studies at a language school in Paris or a smaller town near there. Turns out that L'Alliance Francaise, the language school where I studied in New Orleans, has beaucoup campuses all over France. So I expect to spend days wandering around imagining that I live there.

Eating intuitively. I think this may be the first time since WLS that I've trusted myself to eat what I'm hungry for. I'm still cooking my heart out and giving considerable thought to what and how much and where and how to eat. But my thought processes are more about "Is it nutritious and delicious?" "Will it satisfy me?" "How does this taste?" and "How could I make this dish taste even better?" instead of "What are the exact macronutrients in this ounce of blue cheese or four ounces of sautéed chicken breast or cup of roasted Brussels sprouts?" I know that by the time I head to France I'll have had only a week of eating this way, so I'll find out how well this new approach "sticks" in the land of wine and cheese. And to my surprise, the scales are again going down. OK, enough of that.

Many thanks to DianeO, Cecily and others for the leaf blower information and links. Diane, you looked so perfect and proud with your machine--thank you! Y'all sure make it sound tempting. I'll talk to my weed lady today and see if she thinks it would be worth buying one this week, given that I'll be gone the next three weeks. Part of me thinks I should just wait for late-fall winds to blow my leaves all over the county.

Liz, I'm thinking of you, girl. Such big changes.

And because once we were young, and magic and dreams were real ... "The Sounds of Silence" from the Central Park concert, 1981

1. Within Range: yes
2. General Wellbeing: 8.5 on SS
3. 10,000+ Steps: 8145
4. Fitness: walking
5. Self-Care: Tai Ji practice
6. Fun: Figuring out my cable TV remote after Atlas stepped on it, pushing an unknown button.
7. I learned/relearned: I love doing anything outside when it is sunny.

Ann, just a tad bit of guilt...NO SHAME. I'm sure your lawn lady will concur that a leaf blower is absolutely necessary ! Besides.... It's FUN !!! Love your France plan !! Heart and head integration wins every time !

SIL arrives today for a four day visit. She's a serious drinker, had gastric bypass 8ish years ago and eats and drinks with reckless abandon. Off to draft letter to hometown bank who is insisting that I drive four hours to change my name in person. Have a great day !!

Gotcha. :)

And I'm sure my yard lady will say, "Of course we need one now!"

Good luck with the SIL. Sometimes negative models are both entertaining and educational.

Could it be time for a "new hometown" bank?

France!!! What a wonderful trip that will be!

Today would have been my oldest daughter Elise's 47th Birthday. It's a tough week all around. But DH continues to do well. I just spoke to the wellness director there and she said he did fine after I left yesterday too. So I think I'll go for a bit before dinner maybe, but eat with my son and sister in law at DS' restaurant tonight ($6 burger night).

Tomorrow yoga! I need to get a shingles vaccine too, then I think I'll be up to date on some overdue health stuff.

This was soooo the right time, and you prepared Paul beautifully ! This won't necessarily be a linear process, but his increasing detachment from reality is making the transition smoother for him.

You are doing so good! So proud of you!

I understand there is a newer Shingles vaccine (Shingrix) that is much more effective than the old one (Zostavax), but it8s hard to get. It's 90% effective vs. 25%. My dad and his wife have been on the waiting list at Walgreens for several months!

Yes it is the new one I want. There are some waiting lists here but some pharmacies in the area say they don't need a list.

Greetings Great Ones

Another lovely fall day here in LaLa land. Final day of a string of gallery days so it will be nice to be done with that.

Intuitive eating is such an attractive concept. I like to think I am doing that. But in truth its more about easy eating - ie- minimal prep. A pot pie from the health food store or a skinny pizza. I am so getting to hate cooking.

Liz I am so grateful your transition for DH seems to be going well. Its so wonderful you found a great place. Thinking of you extra on Elise's birthday.

DianeO, in you picture with the leaf blower you remind me of a super hero with some kind of super sonic weapon!! I imagine you wielding the blower like a samurai sword! And I think I have the same t shirt as you.

Cecily your remarks on the shots make me think of Shel. And reminds me I need those shots too.

Ann I so envy your trip to France. I would love to go but hate the idea of the overseas flight. Wish I could be beamed to France. I bet you don't gain any weight as being in France means walking walking walking.

Peps, thinking of you and hope you win big.

Noodle glad you checked in. Repeat often please.

And to new members out there, please introduce yourselves. All are welcome here.

Diane S

I know she would have educated all of us!!