09/12/2020, Tuesday

DD, you are a genius ! ".. make sure not to trouble others too much, that you have been too quick to dismiss those wants? " This resonated deeply with me too !! I often think enforcing my own boundaries (more of a need than a want) creates hardship and inconvenience for others. Letting needs slide into the wants list is definitely what I do. I often minimize my needs. I have a lot to process, watching DC up on the cherry picker ! Thanks Ceci and DD !!!!

I love that we have group therapy here.

Weight 122.6. Back in range but by less than 1/2 pound.

So you are getting tired of this but Mike and I had another great day yesterday. We spent several hours walking and sitting on the beach on the National Seashore side (with sweatshirts on and towels as blankets). We took a long walk and saw a bunch of seals cavorting in the waves, then viewed the sunset from the bay side after dinner. So beautiful and pretty romantic. Here is one of the seals in case you didn't see it on FB:

Today I am having lunch on the harbor with my support group friends. It has been a while since we caught up. Tomorrow is lunch with my Falmouth based girlfriends. We are all touching base before some of us go south. At this point I am planning to leave on Columbus Day and drive south with Mike. I could change my mind, but right now that is the plan.

Have a safe, health and social day! BTW, AARP says socializing is critical to a strong immune system (along with other things like eating and sleeping well).

I LOVE hearing about you and Mike. Never will tire of it...nope, not possible !!

I agree, no such thing as too many happy stories about Mike, and cute pictures of everyone's dogs. That's the content I'm here for. :)

Diane and DD... Right? That hit me square between the eyes. I am one who doesn't want to make waves, bother others, draw attention, ask for anything. So I wait patiently in the corner and am unseen.

The scale moved again downward. Gentle progress! And not ascetic eating.

So my dad thinks moving is a great idea, as does my therapist, and closest friends. So I'm not crazy to consider it. Why I feel like I need approval/permission is another matter. I'm halfway through my life (if not more)! Why not take a leap?

Fergie had a great birthday. Lots of treats and rubs, a walk, and tons of well-wishes from his admirers. I posted his birthday pic on the golden retriever DCM (his heart disease) page and he got 1500 likes! Such a pretty boy.

The air quality here is still unhealthy. I'm so ready for this smoke to blow someplace else.

liz, you two look very happy. Not sick of your updates at all.

If you can believe it, your smoke has made it to upstate NY, in the form of haze.

My Dad said it was in Michigan and I read it had traveled over the North Atlantic and was impacting sunsets in the UK.

Yes, smoke here too!

I can't speak for anyone else, but my 50s have been about the best decade. A lot of streams converged, including WLS, but it's when I began to really embrace the philosophy, if not now, when? When you hit 50, you know there is still plenty of time to do the things you've dreamed of, but you also know you time and good health are not unlimited. Cause I love quotes, " 40 is the old age of youth, 50 is the youth of old age". I do hope you revisit some of those deferred dreams. Your time is starting, go for it.

Diane, you are clearly a caretaker. I think for many of us keeping our boundaries healthy is a real struggle. And Covid just makes it worse. You can't go away by yourself for a little time to decompress and reflect. You can't visit your daughters, which, I imagine in the past, was a lovely break from day to day life. But as much as it sucks to have to keep defending your boundaries so your needs get met, the alternatives of constantly acquiescing will be very, very, NOT good. For everyone.