Saturday, June 18, 2022

We are back in the "cold". From highs of 88 each day to a high of 70 today and 65 tomorrow. Brrr... Stupid me forgot that it might be colder here and I only have one thing with sleeves to wear for today in the Boston area (we don't go back home until tomorrow as DS has friends visiting).

The trip back was uneventful yesterday. We were met just inside the departures area with the puppies and gear and the process was explained to us. It was essentially the same as when we travel with Justice except that we had health papers which were reviewed a few times and in US Customs we had to go to the back room where they took the puppies out to make sure they looked healthy and to scan their microchips. The puppies were siblings found dumped at the side of the road at a very young age. Just so sad - though the rescue efforts have greatly reduced the number of stray dogs in Aruba there still are quite a few and this is why. The puppies were super sweet but much larger than I expected. Ace was a really heavy load especially when he was anxious in the beginning. They dope them up on something so within about 1/2 hour he got sleepy and slept the rest of the trip only awakening a bit when I held him in the airport for a while. Kiss vomited a couple of times (which I am guessing was her reaction to the stuff they gave them which was in a jar I think was labeled "Relax"). I did have to clean things up a bit but they had given us supplies for that. She was somewhat sleepy but not like Ace. So she had an anxious period on the plane when she was scratching and biting the bag and whining, but then she settled in again to sleep. She is the one I would have kept if I possibly could have. Both had such sweet temperaments but she was a little smaller and her fur color was just beautiful. Their foster parents were already in baggage claim to pick the puppies up when we got there so all went smoothly. I missed them immediately after they left!

Today we are lazy in the morning in Boston. We are at a boutique hotel I have stayed at previously right near Faneuil Hall. Not full of amenities, but clean, comfortable, a good location, and much cheaper than most Boston hotels. We are getting our favorite chowder at the Sail Loft on the waterfront for "brunch", then picking up a rental car to drive to a fundraiser for our friend's son (the one who lost his hand in a motorcycle accident). It has been about 5-6 weeks since the accident and he is still in the hospital. This week he sat up on the edge of the bed for the first time. His parents will be at the fundraiser which will be nice. Tonight we have reservations at an Italian restaurant in the North End (the Italian section of Boston). One of the nice things about this city is how walkable it is.

Time to finish my coffee and start to get my act together. I slept well last night and we are moving slow this morning by plan which is good for making the transition back.

Have a safe and healthy Saturday!

Those pups did look really cute. We have talked about fostering, but I think I would feel like you did. We are just not in a position to have another pet yet.

Sorry to hear it is cold in Boston. We are starting our heat wave. Yesterday was perfect, today will be warmer, tomorrow and Monday, close to 100. I wonder if it will follow us to the east?

Last night when we got home, BFF was back from her dinner out. I casually mentioned Pat's friend had called at last minute etc. Then she told me she was going to dinner at my SIL's house tomorrow. What? If she can go to have dinner with my husband's sister, and not worry about inviting us along, I think I can stop including her in everything we do. I feel liberated. And perhaps SIL can have her stay at her house next winter and take some of the pressure off us. Its just hard having a guest for so long. Little things. Like right now, we're out of toilet paper in the upstairs bathroom. We store the big pack in the downstairs bathroom, and bring it up about 5 rolls at a time. Guess who is in the downstairs bathroom showering. Guess who has to pee and has no toilet paper? It's not her fault, but it's inconvenient.

I have all my clothes that I think I'm taking, sorted into like piles. Now I decide which can stay and which actually go. Choices must be made.

I am thinking about trying Weigh****chers again. Although it didn't really do much for me before, I'm wondering if I used its parameters, but stuck to lower carb choices ( berries not bananas, high protein) if that could work. Liz, I suspect that's what you do? Focus on the free food proteins, since you don't use alk your points? I of course, use all my points to eat as many carbs as possible... So I can follow the plan, but still eat too high carb for my metabolism. Thinking about it. I did eat well yesterday, and was rewarded by dropping some water weight. I was bloated, so that does feel good.

I do find the structure of WW with protein emphasized to work well for me when I have my head into it. Which I also need to work on getting to.

I picked up some protein shakes at Target yesterday (a lot cheaper than my grocery store) thinking I will have one at breakfast each day to kick me off. They've added several flavors since I used to drink them. I'm having a Premier Protein Chocolate and Peanut Butter one. Pretty good!

I sent in my deposit for the house. I know how much it will cost a month, but I forgot how big the outlay is to get in with security and cleaning deposits! Every step is hard as it makes it feel more real. Hard, not in that I don't want to, but more yikes, this is happening. Like jumping off a high diving board. It's going to be fun, but there is hesitation before throwing yourself off.

Has anyone watched Peaky Blinders? I'm late to the party, but it's drawn me in. Just means I can binge the whole thing and not have to wait for more seasons.

TWO rats! And they went in the bait box. RIP.

Have good days everyone!

Change is anxiety producing for everyone I think no matter how welcome it is. My SIL loves Peaky Blinders though I haven't really gotten into it.

I agree, change is exciting, but also brings along some anxiety. I'm only going away for about 5 weeks, but I feel kind of cranked up, like the first days of school. The idea of actually doing what would need to be done to sell my house is overwhelming. I admire that you have done it. The cool thing is you are renting, so easier to move on if this is not your happy place.

Greetings all

I feel like a nap. Bet I look like one too! I took the zillion pounds of cardboard over to the recycle center. Fortunately it was not at all busy and plenty of room for this old chick to waddle around with boxes. I still can't believe how much there was. No wonder our garage was stuffed! That old SUV is hard to drive for me and I hate it but so glad the stuff is gone. Then on to CVS to try to get them to refill the heart med which they told me would be ready two days ago. Dr. has left the area and they have no clue what to do. Think I can get my primary care to do it.

DD I did not realize your trip was such a long one! Must pack carefully indeed!My only advice is don't take anything that is tight just because it looks good. Be comfy. And hope the family stuff works out with your friend.

Peps sorry we won't see you at the dog shows but I understand.

With DH gone I have sort of binged on carbs. Not smart or cool. Just enjoying lazing about and not thinking ahead about dinner. DH comes back tomorrow afternoon. I think I will pick him up and then cruise directly by the natural foods store and tell him to go in and pick up what he wants. Though after that will come the moment of reckoning when he sees what I have done to the garage and his closet! Tee hee I actually can't wait.

Neighbor and her daughter came by to thank me for the $ I gave her for work since I gave her a little extra for girl's graduation.The school had a huge safe and sober party for the grads and local businesses donated tons of stuff. Nice thing,

CC oooh this is getting so real! A place in Sedona!! You might find yourself with lots of company. Now its movers, right? When we last moved I paid extra for movers to pack breakables and build a couple of crates for model ships made by my grandfather. So worth it.

Well its that time. The dogs are getting restless.

Cheers all.

Diane s

Liz, Welcome back to the USA! So glad you were able to transport those wonderful little pups!

DD, a five week vacation/road trip....DELIGHTFUL! Your best friend sounds very "me" centered. Not mean, just too focused on herself. I have a client who is very much the same.

Ceci, LOVE YOU! Totally understand everything you wrote about being heavier. You are my "sister from a different mister" in so many ways! Can't wait to see pics of your temporary digs!

Diane S., Sorry I won't make it up to Ferndale. Best laid plans.... At least I still get to go to Carmel the following weekend.

Shirl, is winter in full swing yet????

Okay, for me.... all is reasonably well. I am staying up a bit too late tending puppies, but enjoying their burgeoning awareness. The little red boy wagged his tail yesterday. Always a joyful first with each litter.

I APPLIED FOR A NEW JOB! I can't believe I did it, but, yes, I did. We shall see if I get an interview, but i'm hoping so. I thought about it all week from the moment I saw it posted. I weighed all the pros and cons and decided that it was worth pursuing. The position is listed as Vocal Music Teacher TK-5 grades. With my theater arts degree and vocal studies and 15 years leading a school chorus, I think I'm a perfect fit for the job. And unlike most elective teachers in elementary school settings I have close to 30 years classroom management under my belt. Fingers crossed.

Weight and eating are stable. I may actually be seeing the beginning of a trend downward.

Love you back!! Fingers and toes crossed you get the job!!

Good luck on the job! It sounds perfect for you.

I didn't know that puppies wagging tails was a development milestone - I guess I assumed they wagged them from birth LOL.