Monday, Labor Day, September 6, 2021

Yesterday we celebrated Mike's upcoming birthday with his family. Interesting comment from his daughter about her mother not planning on moving until she buys a retirement place. And she isn't planning on retiring for a few years. Mike's daughter told him to make it clear to the Ex that she needs to find somewhere else to live by May of 2022. Interesting that the kids apparently find it awkward to visit the house with friends as they normally would with their Mom there.

But for now it isn't a big deal as we are in the last month of being on Cape Cod and we are at my home.

We have a cookout this afternoon at a friends home. Should be fun, though I am very tired after an insomnia night. I did get my book finished. I need to eat wisely today as sometimes being overtired also leads to more grazing than usual.

Have a safe and healthy Labor Day!

Good morning! It does seem the situation with Mike's ex could be a bit slippery. I think you will navigate it just fine though. And like you said, not something you need to worry about now, as you are leaving Cape Cod soon.

I had an insomnia night too. Now I have a headache, so I don't know how much I will get accomplished today. I'm glad we have one more workshop day before students. Hopefully I'll sleep better tonight and Tuesday night.

Off to drink more water to see if this headache will abate. And to do laundry, because headache or not, I'm going to need some clean undergarments this week :)

I have the same headache and am hoping water helps too!

Sorry about the sleepless nights, ladies! No fun!

DD, your comment about undergarments made me chuckle. Before my Texas trip last spring I realized I didn't want to be stopping to do laundry for underwear so I ordered enough underwear so I had a daily change for 14 days in a row. LOL! Now it seems I have some that never make it out of the drawer - lol!

Okay, I achieved a personal goal today. I don't know why or exactly how, but I am losing a bit of weight again. I thought yesterday's weight was a bit of a fluke, as I said, and expected a tick up today. Nope. Down almost another 2 pounds. I am now below 260 (259.4). Getting under 260 was a goal I've had for a bit, but I wanted to do it without "dieting". So there you go! I'm feeling pretty happy about meeting this goal. So, I'm down at least 12 (maybe 14) pounds this year without a diet or counting calories or macros. Progress is being made. Ah, what next????

Crates were successfully installed in GOAT. Now I have to really decide about seating. While I like the Euro Recliners they don't really fit the space now. I'm thinking a sleeper sofa or a set of theater wall hugger recliners. I would prefer the wall hugger recliners, I think, but I keep thinking about "What if you have company?" I'm thinking maybe an inflatable mattress for company????? Thoughts?

Not much on the docket today, which is exactly how I planned it! Just puttering and relaxing.

Peps, I can't help but feel that the work you've been doing in therapy has freed or lightened something in your soul that has allowed your body to let go of some of it's weight, both physically and metaphorically.

I would go with the wall hugger recliners. You will be the one using them 90% of the time. On the rare occasion you might have an overnight guest, invest in a good quality air mattress, and that should work fine. Or who knows, your guest might want to sleep in the recliner.

Yeah you on losing without dieting! Proof that a different outlook on eating works!

I would put in what is comfortable for you (recliners). An inflatable mattress should suffice in case you have company, unless you plan to frequently have company?

Another nice day here. We had a great hike and lunch with one of her good friends. I liked her quite a bit. It was actually hot here today (heatwave they are loving after a cold, gray summer).

I was on my own for dinner as she had a Pilates class. It's weird to fend for yourself making dinner in someone else's house. I am not very good at making myself at home in other people's houses. I feel like I'm intruding. So I kept my meal small. The other thing keeping it small was she took a few pictures of me during our hike and they instantly deflated how I felt about myself. I know she had good intentions, but I really hate seeing myself in pictures.

Tomorrow we have a 6 mile walk and dinner at her daughter's house.

Tonight the church around the corner is having bell ringing practice and the doors are open to the sound as it's warm out. What a beautiful sound. Sounds like they are practicing for a wedding...

Why are church bells in foreign countries so enchanting? Hearing them makes me feel like I am really someplace else than my normal, day to day life.

These were so beautiful. Especially knowing there were people pulling all the ropes! There is something so identifiable about British wedding bells - I've heard them in so many movies, but it's fun to hear it in person.

Greetings all

Today is DH birthday. He doesn't want much but asked for a lemon cake so I am making one. Cake mix. Had to dust off the old Kitchen Aid which I have not used in years. Ditto my nice cake pans. I used to bake a lot. Maybe why I got so fat. I was the queen of Christmas cookies. Maybe a few this year...

Cake mix called for some cooking oil. I had a bottle of the stuff that had been sitting for years. It smelled rancid so I melted some butter. Should be better.

We had a nice day yesterday with our "pod" group of holiday friends. One woman is struggling with alzheimers. She kind of had a bad day yesterday - kind of agitated. She kept singing that old song about the witch doctor. Then she wanted to pet and feed the dogs. Host gave her a dog biscuit to feed the dog and she started to put it in her own mouth!! Had to giggle but sad. Of course, at Christmas years ago DH ate a whole package of dog biscuits that looked like sandwich cookies. He has never lived that one down.

Cecily church bells are wonderful. Ever heard a good bell choir? Very fun. Sounds like you are having a good trip.

Hmm Liz, I am sure you know not to sweat about Mike's ex. Sounds like his kids will fix it.

Peps yay for your weight loss. Sometimes if you just don't try so hard it seems things work. Love the GOAT pictures. Fabulous.

Speaking of which the big lime green bus is back. Looks like they are putting solar panels on the top. I think the teenage girl plans on living in the bus.

And yeah, there is Halloween candy at Safeway already. Seriously?

Well time to make homemade chili for DH. One of his favorite things.

Diane S