Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Thank you Diane C and Devon for the bagel recipe and hints on leavening. I will try it when I get home!

Speaking of which, this is our last day in Florida. It has been so hot in the late afternoon that we can't sit on the lanai, so I don't mind leaving the extreme heat. Though I wish I was going back to 80 vs 60. And I will miss the constant sun here at this time of year as it will still be somewhat rainy up north.

This morning I will walk and have coffee with my friends, but the rest of the day is a work day. The first load of laundry is in and I have mostly separated out the clothing to pack but there is a lot to do. I have a closing/packing list that I use every year to make sure I don't forget to do anything. The main efforts are packing and putting the outdoor furniture in the garage which is a bit more challenging than usual because there are two cars stored this year vs. one car and a golf cart. But I think there is enough room.

I don't know if I will post before I leave tomorrow morning or from Hilton Head later in the day, but I will talk to you then! Have a safe and healthy Wednesday!

Greetings All

I need to do lots of driving around today. Take stuff to gallery, pick up payroll, go to bed bath and beyond for new sheets, take checkbook data to accountant. Good thing I like my car.

DD sorry you don't feel well. Yep, get a covid test even though I bet you don't have it. Remember days when you had a cold and were just expected to go to work anyway? Not any more. Get well and feel better.

Still puppy central here. Little Bat Girl has been fussing and I think she is hungry. We arranged a private nursing session on the couch for just her and mommy. That worked well. Tesla leaves the pups longer and longer and little Batty is just not getting enough. Sleeping now. House cleaner is here to DH is taking Tesla out for a walk because she is scared of the vacuum cleaner.

Have a safe trip Liz.

And Diane M hope you are blissfully lounging by the lake.

Peps, I ordered a case of the puppy mousse. Yummy!

OMG, I think a puppy just barked!

Later

Diane S

Weight 185.8. A good eating day yesterday and a 2 mile walk.

I'm not operating at equilibrium like I like. My moods and feelings are wobbling wildly. Day before yesterday I couldn't have felt lower, yesterday was just fine. It's not like depression where you are down and stay down. Maybe it's more frustration and overwhelm? And when I don't do the things that make me feel frustrated and overwhelmed (binging, no exercise), I feel just fine. Now to figure out how to stay in the "Good Place" with my actions...

This morning I had a hematologist appt where they did my annual labs. 10 vials so they use a butterfly needle and they didn't get the stick right the first time, so it ran dry after a vial and they had to restick me. My arm is going to be a nice shade of purple! And I forgot they needed a urine sample and I have both a very shy bladder and went before I left the house (and couldn't have coffee). So that took 20 minutes of hanging out in the bathroom... The good part was he was thrilled that I'd lost 16 pounds from my last appointment 6 months ago. Side note, Interesting from a doctor's point of view, he volunteered he thought a lot of the Covid precautions right now here are much more political than medical. I happen to agree.

No other plans today. I started on my garage and gave up too quickly yesterday.

Hope you all have nice days!

I am personally very impressed that you even STARTED on your garage. I just continue to merely LOOK at mine in disgust!

Liz, have a safe start to your journey tomorrow. I hear you on the weather upon your return. Over the last decade here in Minnesota, spring has become wetter and cooler, and fall has become warmer, on average. Read it in the paper today :) What I've noticed about fall is the weather is all over the place, snow accumulation in October, a stretch of 70s in November.I guess the average of that could be warmer over all. Hope it warms up quickly once you're home.

Diane, I've never had a litter of puppies in my house. It never occurred to me how exciting to hear them bark for the first time. Less exciting when they're all barking lustily?

Cecily, I can see your doctor's point. There have been so many responses by state and local governments, not all of them can be right, not all of them can be wrong. I've by and large been happy with Minnesota's response, because every time restrictions change there's a group angry that we're opening too fast, and a group angry the we're not going fast enough. If both edges of the spectrum are unhappy, I figure our government is not playing hard for any particular base. But some decisions still do seem nonsensical and even contradictory. Big news here, we are planning on having our State Fair this fall! Something everyone should be able to get behind.

I did go and get a test today. I'm betting it will be negative. Until I have the results though, I can't go back to in person teaching. I guess it makes sense to be cautious with children/teens in the mix, but I can see where it makes people want to lie. Where my husband works, retail environment, they do not care. Positive test, if you feel okay, come to work. If you don't feel okay, they probably still want you there. I suspect there are sick workers all over the place, since many people in those types of jobs don't have much, if any, sick leave.

So another day at home, I'm still a little sick, but feeling much better. Maybe I'll get my test results tomorrow, by Friday for sure. Just in case, I think I'm going to sneak into the school this evening and get my computer and some other files etc in case I need to stay home the next two days.

Though Cape Cod restaurants talked about precautions a lot of them weren't really following them last summer. They would pressure workers to come in who had been exposed even though they hadn't received the results of their Covid test. And though some restaurants would close for a few days when one worker tested positive, others wouldn't. Of course the general public didn't know this but DS heard about it from friends.

Oh, boy! I had to eat a high protein breakfast this morning. I have been a little carb heavy lately, and I could sure feel the ramp up of my appetite and cravings. I am almost "jonesing" for something carby and sweet! LOL! The craving is definitely there. Always an indication that all is not right with my food life and chemical balance.

I can tell my body wants protein, too. I was compelled to go to the freezer and get MEAT out to thaw for dinner after eating a late protein heavy breakfast. So, Butcher Box sirloin steaks will be grilled for dinner. YUM! I'll make a nice salad, too.

I am noticing some end of the year school stress beginning to come on and take hold. Very normal for this time of year. I am determined to get through it without relying on stress eating. Working on a plan to help me thwart the compulsion, should it arise.

I succumbed to chocolate yesterday, which is probably why I am focused on the end of year stress eating syndrome. The Teacher Appreciation gift my room parent delivered included a delightful box of Italian chocolates. Let's just say that half the box is gone to the tune of 700 calories!!!!! While I feel no shame, nor even anger about this, I don't want a repeat anytime soon. I also don't feel "good" today because of the change such eating caused in my body chemistry. I am considering it a gift that I am aware enough to notice the "off" feeling such an indulgence reaped.

Much is swirling about in my head today about life, health, fitness, food, work, etc.... I am being only minimally productive today as is the case when my head is full of too many thoughts that don't want to come together to form a solid idea or plan. I literally have had visions of eating chicken and broccoli floating through my head. That is never, EVER a good sign. It is an indication of wishful thinking. Uh oh! We'll see where this is heading.

It is during periods like this that I get frustrated by the length of this process for me.

And even though I say all this, I feel like overall I'm in a really good place.

I feel you on carbs begetting carbs! They ratchet up the cravings to an unbelievable level.

Good Morning All,

Im loving being up at the farm. Woke to the magpies singing this morning. My starts have been minus an alarm, its so wonderful to know I can sleep in till my body is ready to wake rather than work to a schedule. Bliss!

I did a lot of weeding yesterday in our only garden bed, 4 wheelbarrow loads to the compost and Im about half way through. Cut back some of the bushes as they have grown lots. I will do another trim once winter hits. Plan to mulch it next time Im up to keep the weeds down. I planted out some pot plants and just pottered then went into town to get a new battery for the tractor and a couple of other things. Cuppa with our niece to drop off nephews birthday gift and home to just potter again. Today my SIL is coming to pick me up at 10am and we are having a girls day shopping and lunch. It will be wonderful :)

Im looking forward to starting my new job. My boss emailed me to say hes looking forward to Tuesday and to not bring any lunch as he will be taking me out to lunch with the rest of the team so I can spend time getting to know them. It cemented that I have made the right choice. Life is good

Liz - Good luck with all the tidy up and packing away as you prepare to head back to Cape Cod. I hope both you and Mike will be greeted and welcomed. Im so happy for you

Diane S - Loving reading about the puppies. And I would be watching them 24/7 if I could. There is something about tiny babies that is just magical - no matter what they are

Peps - Thinking of you as you get down to the business end of the school year. So sorry to read about the music program changes - thats heartbreaking

Diane O - Hope you and DC are spending your days paddling and relaxing on deck chairs with Sadie & Atlas. You would both need it after all the work you have done over the past few months. Well done

Cec - Well done on getting back into walking. And your Dr should be happy with you ! You have done an awesome job of loosing those COVID kilos. Im proud of you

DD - Sorry to hear you are unwell and hope you feel better soon. We have been in similar situations and as we head into Winter many people are saying our flu season will be worse due to being in lockdown last year. I tend to agree and must organise my flu shot once Im settled into my new job. My mums had hers thankfully

Well I had best go and get some chores done before my SIL comes to get me. The 2 working dogs are not going to be happy when posted into their crate for the day but I cant trust them to be up here when Im not here - the hunting drive in them is strong.

Take care and have a nice evening all

S

Glad you can revel in your farm life for a few days. Hope your girls day was fun and maybe you even found a treasure or two while shopping.