Tuesday February 16, 2021

Tuesday? It is so hard to keep track when retired at times. Still no weight, but my clothing definitely says around 10 pounds up. At some point I will get brave and face up to it.

Mike and I had a good visit with his friends last night. Lots of laughs and agreement to get together periodically. The wife's cousin was a clerk magistrate near where I used to live and knew DH (a lawyer). He had good things to say about his memories of DH (no surprise). Such a small world.

Tonight we visit with my friends, one of whom is DH's longest term friend who hasn't met Mike yet. I'm not concerned - it will go well.

Other than that, I am walking this morning with my friends if it isn't raining too hard, then pool or beach if it is dry (paperwork otherwise).

Have a safe and healthy Tuesday!

Negative 12 this morning. That's the actual temp. Coldest since 1899

I'm having a lot of trouble keeping up with time too. Between stay at home mom life and snowed in cabin fever, husband here too! It's frigidly cold. And more snow due. We did get the girls out for literally 5 minutes. I don't know how you up north do it. I'll bet this is very cold even for you! I am ready ready for the break of warmth. I expect this will be the last really cold blast. But you never know here.

BIL gifted me an apple watch and I just got it set up. I'm moving from a fitbit blaze and honestly a bit disappointed. The main thing I use the interface for is steps/calorie burn! I need to research this more today. DH also assembled the weight stand and ordered an apple tv so maybe we can get that set up to use an app or something today. (can you tell I don't know how that works?)

Oh, I made cheeseburger soup for lunch yesterday. The only thing I changed was to use 90% ground beef instead of turkey. I still only used 1/2lb. It uses cauliflower to make it creamier and diced potatoes for the actual taste. Which I liked because I feel like typically it's all or nothing.

It's mardi gras! Different for so many reasons. I went to mardi gras on Bourbon Street about 5-6 years ago. It feels like a different world! Oil companies rented out the balconies and hosted parties up there. So we actually got to stand above bourbon street and pass out beads!! Not to mention how absolutely NO social distancing there was on Bourbon Street or at the parades. Or how I had no babies to worry about and could stay up late partying and get up early for a jazz brunch. This year looks very different. Now that I think of it I may try to put together some kind of healthy jambalaya. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

You're right Bonnie, I did not take my little kids out when it was subzero, except to push their blanket covered stroller into the mall etc. We were always on the hunt for indoor play spaces. My favorite was the Minnesota Zoo. They have an awesome indoor tropics section. If I could make it across the godforsaken, wind blown parking lot, then we had a nice indoor setting with flowers and flamingos and tropical fish. They would run and run. Good times. An occasional get away to a hotel with an indoor water park was also a sanity saver. I called it, Florida under glass. Now, these even these options aren't available to stay at home Moms. Hang in there, I know it's tough!!!

My BIL in San Antonio is without power, and his indoor temp is 55. Danger zone!!! Pipes can start freezing. Not something he typically has to worry about. DH told him to turn all the faucets to a slow drip.

It will get up to 10degrees here tomorrow. There might need to be a parade or something. Oh wait, pandemic, I guess the celebration will have to be virtual.

There is too much candy and sweets in this house. I keep nibbling, but I'm not even enjoying it. I'll remind myself of that next time I reach for some: it's not even tasting good anymore.

One week to Florida!

Let the good times roll for sure !! 7" inches topped with ice here. Picked up some things at the grocery store yesterday. Made a yummy spaghetti squash lasagna yesterday (layered home made ground beef sauce, 5 blend Italian cheese, and ricotta). Really filling and warming. I haven't walked 10,000+ steps in forever, so I will slowly build it back up. The house we are renting is on the 12th green of the club, and there are endless places to walk. We've decided to leave our own paddle boards home. Hauling pump, life preservers, paddles etc., is too much junk to keep track of and remember to repack. We'll rent a kayak or boat if need be. Our escape is starting to feel real as the stacks of items to pack and bring grow ! Stay warm and healthy !

Anticipation is part of the trip, and good for the soul. Wise decision to lighten the packing load.

Back in my youth, I got to go to Carnival in Brazil when I was living there as an exchange student. I didn't go to Rio, instead I was invited to some friends house in a mountain town. It was awesome! 4 nights in a row, we got dressed up, left the house, went to a club, and danced all night, went home, and slept all day, and did it again. I was actually kind of glad when it was over, because I was getting tired!

First day of my work week.

Reading about the weather so many of you are experiencing is reminding me why my area of CA is so damned expensive! It is about Location, location, location! It's currently in the mid 50s and mostly grey skied. For us, this is "chilly" weather. Could be why my little 1400 sq. foot CA mid century ranch house has a Zestimate of $780K (which is just stupid!!!!).

Another b'day came and went. It was pretty lackluster - Covid and all that.... I spent a few hours with Lucky on the grooming table making him more handsome for the upcoming Nationals. Yes, it's work, but that is what I wanted to do yesterday, so I enjoyed it. Dinner was with Ron, Auntie Kathryn, and BFF... our little bubble. We got take out from a nice Italian restaurant close by. I indulged with a NY steak with a side of fettuccine Alfredo. I have lots of food left over!!! B'day pie was a disappointment, but that's what happens when choices are limited due to Covid and it being a holiday weekend.

Food, therapy, etc... still in flux on all that. Not feeling negative, but not feeling enthusiastic either. Just sort of blah about it all. Perhaps that is a good thing. You know, sort of a work, work, work process while forging ahead followed by a mental vacation from it all. No backsliding, but a little breather along the way???? This idea works for me, so I'm going to own it - at least for today. LOL.

Two more days of job flexibility, then back to the salt mines. I will miss this aspect of my remote teaching life. Remote teaching and the Covid experience have brought to light just how ready I am to retire. Four.more.years. They will fly by, I'm sure.

Me too. 4 more years. I'm hoping being back with students one day will energize me. I also wonder how many teachers and students also pick online learning as their permanent setting. A couple of teachers I work with are, in my opinion, better online than in person.

Weight 190.2

Ferg's new sleeping pattern includes a 3am potty and drink he wants the lights on for. I love him, but he's killing me as it's really hard for me to get back to sleep. Last night I was awake from 3 to 6 only to have the alarm go off at 6:30 for his pills. I snoozed a bit after, but had to get up at a reasonable hour for a blood draw appointment.

While I was waiting for my turn at the lab, there was a woman who came in in a snit because they didn't have her 8:40 appointment on the books (it's 9:45 at this point, so I guess 8:40 to her means show up whenever the hell you want). Anyway, it's a long desk the office people are sitting behind with three large plexiglass shields with about 8" of open space between them so they can pass paperwork through. This woman shoves her face between/though the shield openings over and over to talk to the gal behind the desk. I just shook my head. People make me nuts sometimes. I notice people doing that all the time, talking around the plexiglass. At every store. If you haven't noticed it yet, now you will be driven as crazy by it as I am. You're welcome!

Today I'm headed to lunch with my friend. We got shutdown a few weeks before my birthday so this is my rescheduled birthday lunch. I'm looking forward to it.

Otherwise I have to get to that paperwork. I didn't realize it needs to be notarized, so I need to check with my bank to see if they are open to do that.

Also a walk tonight is a must. I'm out of the habit which just perpetuates not doing it.

Stay warm, friends!

I am familiar with that sleep pattern in older dogs. Keira is still sporadic in her need, but more often than not needs to be let out between 3 and 4 am. Luckily, I am able to get back to sleep fairly easily. Sorry you don't have that same ease.