Monday, May 3, 2021

It's our last week in Florida. Sad, but it is getting very hot around here with temperatures above 90 daily and rising humidity. The summer weather pattern started early this year. Cape Cod will be in the 60's with some rainy days when we get home so that will be an adjustment.

Justice was boarded for the weekend at the same place he went previously. He does well there (I can see him on the cams), but he prefers home of course. He ate like a horse last night and slept like a log. How's that for analogies (or are these similes?)? He is happy sitting in my lap this morning except to chase the mating squirrels who are running around the trees like little nuts (another analogy/simile...).

We leave Thursday morning and drive to Hilton Head for 2 nights. Our 3rd night is in Fredericksburg VA, then we are stopping in Albany NY on Sunday to see Mike's grandson on his 13th birthday. We will be home on Cape Cod mid-day on Monday.

We will do the beach today and tomorrow, then devote Wednesday to packing and getting my place ready for summer shut-down. Busy week!

Have a safe and healthy Monday.

Popping in quickly before I crash. Got to farm a little before 10pm after a busy but good day

Took mum to hair apt- got mine done too. Apt with financial planner then made a quick batch of scones- then off to a friends fathers funeral- it was a lovely service. Went back to their home for afternoon tea- stayed later than I had intended. Home to change n then 3.5 hour drive

I am now in my happy place & the balance of this week with be filled with just the right mix of socialising vs solitude. Need to recharge!

But for now its time to sleep- with no alarms set- wahooooo

Stay safe all

S

Most of the weight from my time away has melted away without any real effort. Simply a matter of getting back into the routine.

I still want/need to consume more fruits and veggies daily. This is a real struggle and much easier when I am not working. Fat, Carbs, and Protein are really my "go to" foods.

I am working on integrating my love of food and eating with a desire to be thinner and healthier. One thing I know about myself is that I LOVE food and eating good food. At one time I tried to deny this about myself, but now I accept it and actually enjoy the truth about it. I get a great deal of pleasure from eating, but I loathe when the addictive side takes control and I eat for dopamine hits or for reasons that don't include fueling my body or eating for true pleasure and enjoyment. Those times when I eat for the "wrong" reasons are the times I'd like to eliminate. Moderation, normalcy is HARD.

My school countdown is serious... 19 more days. Ron was dealt a serious blow last week, even though he is retiring on the 28th. The district is cutting the music program in half at the elementary school level. He stayed on this year to strengthen the program, help with the roll out of a new curriculum and get things in place. It was all for naught. For me, it's a blow because I am such a strong believer in teaching the arts for the sake of teaching the arts. I was one of those kids who lived for art and music as a child. So many of my kiddos over the years have, as well. But of course, coding and media arts must take precedent when one is 5, 6, and 7 years old. Such a travesty.

I agree! It's a loss especially for children who might not have any exposure at home.

Also, very short sighted. Music education for its own sake is reason enough, but there is so much data that music education strengthens other academic skills, including learning to code! And in the short term, the pendulum has swung back now to an emphasis on Social, Emotional Learning. So music education is a double benefit, it builds academic strength and SEL skills.

Exposure to music and art, which many children don't have at home, is so important for their development. I feel like they also give children time to relax/stretch their brains since they are using different areas. I loved math and science but enjoyed my exposure to music at school. I think it helps students be more well-rounded.

Peps, I like your musings about eating for the right reasons. I never enjoyed food so much as I did the 2-4years after surgery. I could eat just the right portion of incredible food, I savored it, but didn't over indulge, didn't gain. I need to think about that head space again, the intersection of this is delicious/amazing and this is enough and I feel satisfied and happy. I think I may be spending to much time at the corner of this is okay and I'm not fully satisfied. Not every meal can or should be an epicurean dream, but even simple meals with just a few good ingredients can often hit that spot. It's the quick, over processed food that leaves me unsatisfied, and searching for something more.

Tonight grilled sirloin and a tossed salad with blue cheese dressing. That should be both good fuel, and pleasurable enough to satisfy.

Well, pray for me, we decided to stay in one of the art deco hotels in South Beach. Clubbing, for sure, not for us. But it seemed a missed opportunity to stay at a generic Holiday Inn when we could experience something more unique and historic. I am preparing myself for what people are describing as a lot of weed and noise. DH says we can enjoy the beach and Art Deco District during the day, and if it's too much, retreat to the relative peace of the little roof top bar at our hotel at night. I actually like being in places like Times Square and The Las Vegas Strip, so I'm hoping it's some of that fun crazy vibe, and not just crazy. Asking for a quiet room (relatively speaking) and definitely bringing ear plugs for sleeping.

It will be VERY interesting to hear how you like it. Those Art Deco hotels are so retro - love the architecture!