Thursday, February 3, 2022

Another sunny but cooler day in Arizona. The high was about 57 yesterday and will be about 60 today with the lows in the 30's. It is supposed to warm up by the end of the weekend to the low 70's. It was fine for us as we had a low key day exploring the area a bit. Today the plan is to do some of the same and also take a bit of a hike this afternoon. I felt kind of fuzzy from jet lag yesterday but feel a bit more like myself this afternoon. We had dinner at a high-end Mexican restaurant last night called the Mission. Really great guacamole and tacos. I didn't eat a ton and didn't eat the tortillas, though I did eat chips and had wine. So like most of the time during our travels I am not eating enough to gain weight, but I am not losing weight. Interestingly Mike has stated that he wants to lose the 20 pounds he has gained since we met before we get married. I think we might be targeting something perhaps in April on a Florida beach, maybe with a friend presiding. I suggested the beach and he suggested having a friend do it. We shall see. Regardless I would like to dress like it really is a wedding.

Nothing much else to report. DD, I hope your system is back to normal today. It doesn't take much for some of us to disrupt our delicate digestion systems.

Have a safe and healthy Thursday!

Liz, I was in Arizona yesterday too! I drove from Fredericksburg to Phoenix ahead of the ice storm on Tuesday, then drove around Paradise Valley to see my friend's new house (gorgeous area, gorgeous house, VERY fancy). Then up to Prescott for a look around and onto Sedona for lunch with friends from Michigan who overwinter there. Then I drove home to CA and got in about 9. Not bad. I will say AZ has an unhealthy obsession with catching speeders. There seem to be police camped every 5 miles on the freeway, and intersection cameras all over to catch speeders and light runners. I'm not a big speeder, but my knee-jerk reaction is guilt so I end up getting spooked and braking hard and that's a hazard too!

I got on the scale this morning and whoa Nelly! I have WORK to do. It's not a surprise really as my clothes don't feel as good and I've been eating like a crazy person for weeks what with roadtrips, stress eating, no exercise, etc. Time to stop and reverse course.

Today I get a much needed color job on my hair and need to get some vegetables at the grocery store to start my crappy food detox. I had oatmeal with frozen raspberries and some walnuts this morning. Better than an egg McMuffin and Diet Coke...

In desperate need of a car wash today. I did laundry when I got home last night because all my stuff smelled like stale suitcase. A sign you've been on the road too long... So cleaning tasks are the order of the day!

You sure did a lot of driving over the last week or so. Sounds like you visited some good places.

Wow CC, you covered a lot of ground! Any areas you visited give off the I could live here vibe?

Liz, doesn't seem like its very hot anywhere right now, but 60 and 70s do sound enticing. I bet your day in Massachusetts was a bit of a shock, weather wise.

I am still a cauldron of very loud, Wookie noises. Very glad I am not in a classroom, but not sure how to make this stop! If it continues, I guess I'll have to fast tomorrow, because I need to be back at school. I'm taking 2 personal days February 22 and 23. I feel like I've been gone too much!

Spring break is the last week in March. Everything flying out of Minnesota is priced sky high. (Pun intended). We put together a few days in Orlando (beach $ was prohibitive), so I'll have another vacation in the sun one month after the February one.

Lost 5 pounds for the colonoscopy prep, am up 2 now, and I feel rehydrated. Maybe I can keep the other 3 off, and add some more lost pounds to those. And we joined Planet Fitness. Hoping to start tomorrow with some cardio (I can feel a shortness of breath since pneumonia) but what I really want to do is focus on strength training.

I had good vibes from Sedona again. Such a beautiful place. And Tennessee was gorgeous and made me feel happy, but the downside is I don't know anyone there. At least I'd have my close friend 2 hours away in AZ and several other friends in the Phoenix area as well as Sedona during the winter. Texas dropped lower on my list, it felt so far away!

Went to the first meeting of a local newcomers group for women. Such wonderful ladies. I have found my tribe!

That's great that there is an easy way to meet potential new friends there.

My daughter did something like this when she moved to Boston, she joined several book clubs, and there she met the people who have become her close friends in Boston. So glad these opportunities exist for newcomers. I think all of us want to make connections, but sometimes the logistics of meeting new people is challenging.

Greetings all

Day 4 and its getting pretty intense in there. Lots of noise and such. I was out today for a bit (ok to use bathroom at gym) and to go to studio. I did some glazing and chatted with the usual suspects who hang there. Ecept for masks and slightly smaller classes things are pretty normal there and the parking lot is full. Nice feeling since its sort of a happy place hang out.

I got a deli casserole last night of tortellini, veggies and marinara last night. It is quite good. I won't try to argue that its healthy but its about 50% vegetables compared to to the tortellini so thats not so bad. Half a turkey sandwich for lunch today. I also did some shopping at CVS for shampoo, bottled tea, gevalier coffee and such. K mart closed and we don't really have a general merchandise store here anymore.

Tomorrow is our 27 wedding anniversary. Since the work crew will be here all day I am suggesting to hubby that we go out to dinner tomorrow. Should not be a problem getting in anywhere this time of year.

Yay CC. you made it! Glad you were able to fit some fun stuff in on the way home. Arizona is so interesting and varied. Road trips are not good for healthy eating.

DD get better soon! Maybe you need some probiotics. Yogurt or keffir or some stuff. Wookie noises! Thats what my tummy did for years after vsg.

The rocking chair project is delayed somewhat due to the presence of the workers. Maybe this weekend we can get the chair delivered. Its not that far but we don't want to go after dark.

I am half-assedly doing my pt exercises for the ankle tendonitis. Must do better. It occurs to me that the reason I am sort of gimping around like an old lady is that I have gained weight in the past few years and my muscle tone has not caught up (had none in the first place). So if I want to stop looking like a hobbling old lady I'd better get some weight off. Carring a 10 pound bag of something really shows me the difference.

Ocean Diane how wonderful that you found a newcomer's group and a tribe. 20 years ago we moved halfway across the country and I joined a garden club as well as the art studio. I have lifelong friends from those events. You and Saidie are gonna do well.

Thats all here. DS is beside himself with glee because the electric car battery recall is being handled Monday. He so loves that car!!

Diane S

Happy Anniversary, I hope you have just the sort of celebration you want tomorrow. And sounds like DH is already getting his present: new battery for his car!