Tuesday, 11/19/2019

Weight: 140.6
Veggies/Fruits: 8
Macronutrients: 1,347 cals, 118 carbs, 24 fats, 146 proteins, 20 fiber
Sleep: 5'34" (says the Fitbit, which is not enough sleep for me)
Exercise: 7,525 steps, 36 active minutes, 5" stretching

I had a very busy day yesterday with lots of errands and chores. I also bought a new phone, one of the biggest stressors for old people like me who then have to learn how they work.

Today I'll drive to the city to see my therapist for our last session of the year. I'll be addressing my winter 2020 goals, i.e., (1) winter eating (intentional eating, clean eating, what am I really hungry for, which foods I want to focus on that effectively assuage hunger and calm cravings, not using food to comfort myself, i.e., the usual issues), (2) winter exercise (which I need to ramp up, since I won't be working outside in the cold), (3) winter writing goals (after Christmas I'll have more time to write and want to produce something tangible before spring), and (4) ongoing bereavement issues (I don't see an end, just ongoing changes).

Yesterday I finally saw my chiropractor for an ongoing hip/knee issue that started on the plane to Europe. It's been hurting almost constantly since then. I thought it was sciatica, but turns out it's a different nerve (the name of which I forget). So now, like others of us here, I have been ordered to do exercises 3-4 times a day targeting the involved muscles/nerves. I so wish I could just take a pill to deal with the pain, which is what I used to do with ibuprofen and naproxen, but post-op I can't do that anymore. And the last thing I want is a stomach ulcer, because that would mean ... no caffeine!

Y'all are puting forth some loving thoughts about Shel. I think of her almost daily. The little plushy buffalo she sent my husband when he was sick and the stuffed pony he gave me the first Christmas after we were married are snuggled up together on a chair in my bedroom. On my document listing all y'all, I've listed Shel as "on vacation."

More on the Antarctica front: This morning on youtube I found a nicely edited video of my expedition ship that shows just how much I will NOT be suffering while traveling to and around The Other Down Under. If you've got eight minutes, check it out.

163.6

Probably a pretty accurate weight. I guess a good enough starting point.

I'm feeling a bit like I'm treading water in all aspects of life :( There are so many things I want to do--organize my office, weed out my closet/decide on any new purchases, put way/organize seasonal decorations in the attic so it's not such a cluster every time I pull them out/put them away, and of course, lose more weight and everything that accompanies it (eat more fruits/veg, drink more water, etc.) But instead I feel like my day is just a constant stream of menial tasks. It's amazing how much time just taking care of two little humans can take.

Not to mention they've both been sick. It's made sleeping a lot more difficult for Charlotte. She's now waking up 2x a night but more importantly having trouble going right back to sleep (coughing). I can see how not sleeping well makes people fat!

I just want to be a better version of myself and every day I feel like it gets put off for some small time basic need. I guess #motherhood.

But we did have a nice weekend away. Hubby and I met my BIL and SIL in Nashville for the weekend to celebrate Hubs birthday. It was really different from what I expected and a lot of fun!! People of a wide swath of age ranges were all enjoying live music together. The only bad thing is...why isn't Oklahoma City this way?!! I mean we export all that talent?!! What a missed opportunity!

It also reminded me how important traveling and getting away with just Rich is for my soul. I know not everyone does this with small children. Maybe they cannot. Or maybe they don't make it a priority. And yes, maybe I'm extremely fortunate. But I'm not going to argue that my friends who never get away for a couples weekend are healthier. Or at least I wouldn't be as healthy in my own relationship if I didn't put date nights and quality time as a priority. To each his own.

I'm so glad to see all of you traveling and making plans.

I'm bracing myself for the first holiday without grandmommy. Already there is some drama with one cousin not wanting to be with everyone else.

Maybe I'll try to track on MFP today. What a novel idea.

Do your couple getaways for sure! I remember one time we went away overnight, and some good friends took care of our kids. When we went to pick them up, I hugged my son, I think he was 4, and said I missed you. He responded, oh, I kinda forgot about you. LOL. Lesson I learned, he liked a getaway too :)

I've been soaking in the post-vacation downtime while remembering the feeling of needing a vacation after my vacation when I was working. Got my hair colored yesterday (ah, priorities) and then a trip to the dermatologist where she declared I didn't need a second lasering of the overgrown blood vessel that used to be on the bridge of my nose. She even took an after picture and asked if I would sign a release to use the before/after in her lectures to other doctors on what lasers can do. So my schnoz is going to be famous. And yay for doctor's appointments where I don't owe anything!

This morning I go to the hematologist for the follow up from my genetic testing and then a trip to the therapist. I love how task-focused your therapy appointments sound, Ann. Mine end up wandering to things I don't feel are important enough to talk about where I bore myself silly. I'd rather not restart (haven't been since May), but when something does come up, it's nice to have a forum I suppose.

Better dash.

It was fun looking at your travel pictures, but it's also nice to have you back posting regularly again. :)

Aw, thanks!

Is it piriformis syndrome? I've had problems in the past which I thought was sciatica but it was that.

Thirteen friends and I visited another friend nearby for lunch today. Our friend moved recently from our park into a house near her son. Gorgeous place with a nice layout opening out to a huge lanai and pool area. They have tons of privacy and a view of the water feature in their park. More house than I would want (and more $ than I would spend), but it is a great place for she and her 95 year old husband.

The villa is fully clean! We were supposed to have friends stay here from yesterday until Friday (the husband is the sand sculptor), but he is in the hospital in Sarasota recovering from an infection caused by lymphodema. Hopefully he gets out soon but at least it motivated us to get the cleaning done.

Have a timely Tuesday!

I had piriformis syndrome several years ago, truly a pain in the a$&.

Late afternoon laugh!