11/16/2020, Monday

Still very windy, damp and cool here. BC DD is doing well and has completed several grants to hire graduate assistants. NYC DD is Covid weary. As numbers surge yet again, the senselessness of entitled people astounds and perplexes her. She likes hearing about the lengths this group goes to, to protect loved ones. Ceci, I hear you about distractions exercising IN the house. BB, love the kitchen table ! It looks perfect ! Shirl, the photo of Ashton and the cake... what a loveypie! Glad to hear you didn't fly away with the dog pen ! Peps, have fun getting GOAT ready for dog show weekend. Our last couple of times out, I premade and froze several meals I could just heat up. Diane, good luck with the PPP paperwork. Liz, hoping that DD's exposure will be inconsequential.

Weight down. Today is my weekly official tally. I was down 2.2 for the week (some making up for last week's pathetic showing) and 20.2(!!) overall. So happy to pass the 20 pound mark. I still have a good ways to go, but milestones of any sort feel good.

Today I have a checkup with the hematologist and head therapy. After several days in the low 60s last week, it's going to be 84 today. No furnace necessary!

I should probably stop at the grocery store some time today. Anyway, it's a lowkey week with few prearranged plans, which is probably good considering we are likely to regress into our tightest restrictions category - the last holdout for the big counties in Southern Ca. I was encouraged to see now Moderna says their vaccine is even more effective than the Pfizer one and between the two, they have enough to vaccinate all of the US. Now to see if people will take it. I have no qualms if it means I can help get society (and my life) back to normal.

Off to shower. One nice thing - I think I was near my highest Covid weight the last time I saw this doctor, so while he probably won't notice, at least I feel so much better having lost weight between appointments rather than gaining.

Update: I wasn't near my Covid weight high last time I saw my hematologist, but I was down 8 pounds from my last visit and he was super excited that I had. He's a fast talker, so I didn't get a chance to share I had actually lost a good deal more.

So sorry that NYC DD is back on the thick of things again. Cecily, great job on the weight loss.

I ate all the things yesterday as I was depressed, but I did spend some good time with friends yesterday afternoon. I missed being at the brunch for DH's birthday that my DS did back on Cape Cod for immediate family (sans DD due to quarantine). Result was 129.6 this morning. YIKES!

Back on planned eating today. I am very frustrated about a package that USPS says they delivered Friday but never arrived. I need to get on the phone and make noise about it to figure out what happened. I hate having to do that stuff.

Stay safe and healthy!

Weight 156ish

Cecily-nice job!

Diane O.-Sorry to hear about your DD. That would be really tough. Even doctors and nurses who treat sick people all the time didn't necessarily "sign up" to expose THEMSELVES! They are, naturally, in the position to treat sick people and work tirelessly, but this virus comes at an added expense. I hope the vaccine is good and gets here soon.

Liz-I'm so sorry for the grief you had on Paul's first birthday in heaven. Maybe it is necessary. But not easy.

Terrible news again today. Mine and my parents secretary died unexpectedly. Heart attack. She was 56. I'm more stunned than anything right now. This is the 3rd person I know closely to die in their 40s or 50s this year. I feel ill. It simultaneously makes me want to protect against things like this virus, and at the same time DO the things. This also leaves my parents needing someone. It has crossed my mind that I could maybe serve as attorney who also does secretarial work (secret: most do now, especially in small firms) and go back with my parents. They want to work another 4-5 years and if I played it right that might be enough time for me to hone in on what I really want to do. And perhaps allow me to take fewer hours/less pay so that I can still do things with/for the girls. I don't know if that's even a possibility. I don't know how much time they would want or need. And part time childcare is always a challenge to coordinate while full time childcare is expensive x2.

Thank you for the sweet comments on my table. For some reason it became sore thumb to me. I think because I've cleaning it up numerous times a day (from two little kids!) and the old one was just crap. But when I began searching to match my cookbook hutch, all the new tables were quite expensive. I was so happy to find this one used for a STEAL

Trying to make my menu plans for the week. Might make old cooking light butternut squash and bacon pasta for dinner. It's really tasty. But I never do well with heavier carb-to-protein ratios. We'll see

I thought maybe the hutch as new as well. Amazing how well they go together!

I think your idea about going to work with your parents could be an excellent solution to your need for some time using your brain more and their needs in the office and over time. Especially if you can have flexible hours with the girls right now.

Good Morning All

Finally got power back on overnight. I had the mains switched off as I had been running the generator till I went to bed and didnt realise. Pulled it out of the garage and set it all up - started it - and my neighbour text to tell me the power came back on at 1am. OOPS..... We had a good laugh

Weight down a tiny bit - 177.32

Im heading over to DSS tonight. Hes doing a second job after he finishes at 4.30pm so I will bring dinner and do some housework till hes finished. Not sure if his partner will be back from her mums with the boys. Will call past DSD house and collect the boxes we loaned them to move while I have DH Ute

My Eldest DS comes home tommorrow night - Im super excited as I have missed him lots. He did lockdown over at his Dads. Have stripped his bedding and will remake it once dry so he has a nice fresh bed to come home too. He finishes exams tommorrow so will make him a nice celebration dinner :)

DD- Sorry to hear your NYC DD is so exhausted - I cant imagine how frustrated she must be seeing it all when she is putting her own health and well being at risk by caring for them all...

Cec - You are amazing. Over 20 lbs :) Go you x

Liz - Been thinking of you lots. I hope that today is a little easier

BB - Im so sorry to hear about your parents secretary passing so young.

Peps - When is the dog show weekend. It will be nice for you to get away for a bit yet have your own space in Goat to isolate a little

Hello to all that follow - I had best go and get a second cup of tea and do some more work

Take care all

S