Monday March 1, 2021

I am back in my unraked place in Florida. The realization that my park is gradually reducing services instead of raising HOAs has made me think hard. When I came here, we just put in a work order to have the leaves cleaned off the roof and gutters. They automatically raked. Now we are expected to do that or pay someone else. What comes next? Putting off re-roofing, painting, and other exterior repair? Also, being 10 minutes from the beach at Mikes (and as I am on Cape Cod) makes such a huge difference for me. Here it is a 35-40 minute drive. And the restaurants, etc. that I like are pretty spread out here with the close-by ones not so desirable. So maybe regardless of what happens with Mike it is time to think of moving to another area in Florida. Food for thought though I am obviously not going to rush into anything at this point. Time enough in the fall.

My inflatable kayak arrived yesterday! I am just waiting for the PFDs to arrive so we can take it for a spin. Hopefully they arrive this week because I leave for Massachusetts in 6 days. I decided to bring Justice with me because DS (whose birthday I am going home for) expressed sadness that he wasn't coming with me. The good news is that the airline cut the charge for pets in half now that they don't have to deal with "emotional support" animals.

Off to walk, then drive 45 minutes to a beautiful beach. I think we will eat a late lunch at the marina there as our big meal then have a light dinner.

Have a safe and healthy Monday!

188. Monday weigh in day and I reached my pre-Covid weight! Down 1.8 this week and 34.2 overall. 4 pounds to go to a normal BMI, 13 pounds to the top of my range, 23 to the bottom. I walked yesterday.

I made a rookie sleeve mistake with volume yesterday and ended up with those slimy foamies and throwing up 3 times. I think that's only the second time that's happened and the other was about a year ago. I had my normal lunch, but roasted some broccoli and carrots and thought I could fit those too. I could not. Awful. Eating a giant bag of goldfish crackers wouldn't even register on the foamies meter, but veggies and a turkey sandwich was too much. Life can be unfair.

The winds have died down, but it's still really dry. I have therapy this afternoon and a walk. Have I mentioned that I was feeling dizzy and nauseous on my walks? I would have to sit down on a bench and was a little worried there was something wrong with me or my heart. I figured it out! I realized that it only happens when I walk by myself listening to audiobooks or music... wearing my AirPod Pros (the noise canceling kind). I googled AirPod Pros and dizziness and I am not alone! I guess to get the noise canceling, the seal is pretty tight and it messes with the pressure in your inner ear. Apparently if you get motion sickness easily (me), you are more likely to get dizzy and nauseous moving around wearing AirPod Pros. Mystery solved. Last night it started happening again, so I took them off and in a couple of minutes I was fine.

Hope you all have a good day!

Wow - amazing what earphones can cause! Good for you on your weight. I need to get my act together.

That rocks !!

Good Morning All

Last day at the farm which makes me sad. I love it up here so much but need to get back to City house as well.

DSD and her partner left around 10am yesterday - we worked till 3pm then went over to SIL to water her gardens and check her remaining cow who is not ready to calf for a couple of weeks by the look of her. Came back to farm and did some more cleaning up around here. Had BIL, Nephew and his partner for tea. Was lovely to see them.

Had a snake incident yesterday. DH went to hang out the sheets from the caravan bed and found a 4ft Brown tangled in the bird netting - we think he had been there overnight - which means he was only meters from where DSD and her partner went in and out of the caravan. Its sorted now but seeing more snakes this year. We have a lot of mice at the hay shed so they will be coming up for an easy feed.

Today is just work and will weed spray in our breaks as it was too windy yesterday - then pack up and head home

Cec - CONGRATULATIONS on making it to your pre Covid weight - well done - so proud of you

Liz - Lots of things to think about indeed

Hello to all that follow - I had best keep working

Stay safe

S

I think being back in the classroom with an "in person" group of kids has made Zoom School in the afternoons even more laborious. While the morning flies by, the afternoons drag on unmercifully! This phenomenon seems to be affecting teachers throughout my school. LOL! I think we all have Zoom fatigue!

I did a lot of trimming of dogs over the weekend. As weather approaches the cusp of California spring time, families here are relaxing about Covid restrictions. Many more of my students are "wandering". Me? I'm still staying fairly cooped up. I figure even with one dose in my arm, better safe than sorry. I feel like I'm in the home stretch, so no use in tempting fate. My big excursion this weekend was going to the RV and securing the crates to the floor with bolts so they don't need to be tethered down. (Those crates still gun my motor! LOL)

Weight is pretty steady. I have normal 2 pound up and down I seem to be managing. It's a pound higher than it was, so that little excursion into depression and compulsive eating did indeed leave a mark. Oh, well... It is what it is and I'm actually okay with that. I needed to go through that to move forward.

Here's a recent Ah ha!: A part of me wants to be on a diet. AS IN, if I'm not on a diet I feel like I'm not doing what I should be doing to manage my weight. It's a strange realization, but it sure makes sense. If I'm not dieting, then I am not doing something about my weight, etc.... and that's simply not okay! Talk about a fat brain! So, I'm working on it's okay to NOT be on a diet, but that doesn't mean I need 3 desserts in one day (which I can do without any problem, if the truth be known.) What a tangled up mess this food life of mine is!

Liz - I hear you on the HOA reducing services. No Bueno!!!!!

Diane O - I couldn't rent my house out either. Maybe if I had a vacation house I could rent that, but not my primary residence!

Ceci -

Shirl - So glad you had a wonderful time with John's daughter. Sounds like her mum did a number on her keeping her away from her dad. That's just awful. I hate hearing stuff like that. I always say you at least need to fake it for the kids and if you're gonna smack talk the other parent remember you are smack talking have of the child's DNA and inner person. That kind of talk is damaging.

BB- wow! What a nice drop in weight. Lucky you!

DD - Loved all your pics of FL. Hope your first day back at school is a good one!

Happy Monday to all!

My fat brain sounds like twinsies with your fat brain!

PS - love your GOAT crates...

I heard something on the news today about Zoom being much more exhausting than face to face. It probably came from this: https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-zoom-fatigu e-solutions/

Couldnt agree more ! I have never ever bad mouthed her to either of my step children. Ive sat and listened as they have vented but always told them they only have one mum and one dad and its important to keep trying and always act with kindness. They know they can rely on me as their stepmum to be there no matter what and that I love them very much. Its taken time to build a strong relationship but I cherish my time with them, their partners and our grandbabies

OMG! Just realized that my L litter (Blitz and Lulu's litter) turned a year old today. That means it is also 1 year since I felt my first symptoms of that horrific illness that we are now pretty sure was Covid19! I find it hard to grasp that it was a year ago. What is now bothering me is that I still have issues breathing when exercising that haven't totally resolved. Hmmm.... I wonder if I should mention that to my doc again? But better a little short of breath doing cardio than dead!!!!!