01/08/2021, Friday

I have no words. I had a deep sense of dread I couldn't shake and my instincts were on point. I feel like I can't fully inhale until the transition occurs and the new cabinet is in place. I have deep gratitude for the true leaders who held their ground and demonstrated integrity. DC is a borderline rabid Trump supporter the ideologic difference between us have been accentuated. We have been able to discuss the issues respectfully. I prefer experiencing multiple points of view and believe a small circle of same minded individuals is unhealthy and can be dangerous. I am encouraged and hopeful at our tribe's response and can't imagine not having all of you in my life.

The sun should be out for the first time in weeks and I am looking forward to a walk outside.

I just pray that civility returns to our country soon. We should be able to have differing viewpoints and be able to discuss them respectfully. I think that's what has made our country great historically.

And I am amazed that social studies has been back burnered in our schools. It wasn't my favorite subject, but so important to understand our country.

I am at Mikes's. He has gone to a lot of effort to make me comfortable here. We did discuss going back to spending less than 100% of our time together and he was on the same page. He agreed that zooming from dating to acting like a long married couple was not good especially this early in our relationship. We had a great "date" yesterday and have a good plan for today.

Have a safe, healthy and civil day!

Dating is light, enjoyable and indeterminate - no agenda - just dwelling in the pleasant pleasure of each other's company. Sounds good to me!

That sounds so nice that you're both on the same page, and enjoying each other's company.

155

I'm feeling more normal as far as weight today. That is after last night's late night run-in with walker's shortbread cookies. It's odd to me the things that make me ding. Crackers, wheat thins, and apparently bland cookies are unsafe. However I can keep much richer candies around?? Best I can imagine is that I feel like I'm eating something when it's stronger (like dark chocolate or a mini bag of chips) but wheat thins can be mindlessly eaten. And they do have wheat in the title so they're healthy, right?

I'm still so unsure what I'm supposed to be doing as far as quarantining? I tested negative 2 days ago and I have zero symptoms. I'm tired but I'm always tired with 2 toddlers. My kids have no symptoms but I'm keepin them home from school. I guess the safest thing is to stay home...but it's not easy or fun :(

I did put in a grocery order for tomorrow. Which forced me to meal plan. I think I've decided that right now my best approach is to almost "reverse diet" out of the holidays. I definitely need to put some things off limits--I've eaten all the wheat thins, haha, I have some "poppables" chips coming that I plan to portion size out, and I think I'll send the shortbread to my dad. Otherwise, I'm trying to not "overcorrect" and make things worse. I have to pay particular attention to "drive by" as Peps called it. Not to mention with R feeling sick, I want to cook some more soothing foods at least over the next few days.

Friday: takeout

Saturday: Instant pot beef burgundy over egg noodles, haricots vert

Sunday: chicken and tortellini soup with garlic bread

Monday: Leftover beef burgundy with no noodles this time, salad

Tuesday: Crockpot fiesta chicken with beans and corn, salad bowls

Wednesday: sheetpan dinner: chicken and broccolini with spicy peanut sauce. Maybe side of baked sweet potato

Thursday: mahi mahi with orange beurre blanc, rice, or quinoa or some kind of carb and whatever vegetable I have left (salad, haricot vert or broccolini?)

I'm also going to try to meal prep fruit and veggies for breakfasts and snacks and so I can at least attempt to get the girls to try them. I also may meal prep some breakfast cups, overnight oats. Not really sure. I'm never that hungry in the morning and I definitely don't have time to do that with getting the girls up. And if I eat breakfast, I do feel hungrier throughout the day. However, it's more of an even ride if you know what I mean.

BB, your dinners always look and sound so delicious! Makes me feel really sheepish about eating microwaved soup out of a Pyrex measuring cup at the kitchen sink...

Lucky family! Mine has eaten leftover tacos 2 days in a row, and I didn't even fancy them up with avocado slices or Mexican rice.

I just got an instant pot/ air fryer. So far we've used the airport to reheat some tator tots from a take out order. (Yeah, we're fancy). Am I remembering you made risotto in your instant pot? I've only made risotto old school style, it's kind of putzy.

Prepping fruits, vegetables and breakfast foods is such a good idea- like making the decision to eat healthy ahead of the meal-less likely to give in to temptations.

165.4

It takes proper humility to communicate and share with each other on a level playing field. Vulnerability and integrity are necessary when discussing such a volatile topic. I applaud and enjoin your efforts. I wish that our country as a whole would understand that respecting another's POV does not require agreement or compliance.

I think a lack of respect is a key factor in this terrible situation we find ourselves in.

Words like 'respect', liberty, 'loyalty', and 'communication' have been and are constantly tossed around like rice at a wedding, The right understanding and functional application of such words is totally lacking. The result is confusion, hurt and anger.

Those same ill defined words are then invoked in an attempt to coerce others into agreeing and behaving how 'we' (who are right) want 'them' (who are wrong) do what we want them to do/think. We, then, become angry and justified in taking it into our own hands to prove by any means to Make them understand/comply with our wishes. WE, then have made ourselves the law of the land-the boss of others and are, judge jury and executioner. This on its face is not respect but in fact is DIS-respect because it is putting self worth above the worth of others.

True respect, IMO, is regarding one's self no more or less entitled to the same liberties afforded anyone else and being therefore personally responsible to not violate nor claim more said privilege than others.

We live in what is termed a Republican Democracy- that is to say a country that works under the system of majority rule with RESPECT and CONSIDERATION of the minority honoring the worth and liberties of all UNDER the Constitution of the United States.

When any so-called citizen, group, or (God forbid) public servant regards their sense of law and order to be higher than that established by the Constitution, they are Disrespecting the document upon which our country was founded- putting self interest above the highest letter of the law.

Rant over. I too am encouraged by this group in great part because your thoughts, opinions, wisdom and just day to day sharing inspire me to think deeper and more clearly about issues that really matter.

To all... . And so now, sun also shining here in SEK Swann, DH and I are off for walkies!

You are a consistent model of respectful communication. Hope you enjoyed your walk in the sun.