Thursday, January 5, 2023

Yesterday was a beautiful day here unlike California - we chatted with a man on the elevator who was glad to be here vs. San Diego. We took a 5 mile walk eating breakfast at the Ritz halfway through. We checked out some inexpensive hotels for DD (we found a couple in good locations and talked to people staying there who said they were clean and safe). Next up was sleeping on the beach in front of the hotel, capped off by dinner outside at a happening restaurant along the intracoastal (Mike's DS recommended it).

Today we are meeting friends for breakfast and then will head home to pick up Justice. Though I was kicking myself a week ago about scheduling this so close to Christmas travels it has really been a nice "vacation".

As to the weight-loss drugs: Wegovy which was prescribed by my physician is the only true weight loss drug in the new classes (without stimulants) but no Medicare part D plans cover it. They would rather cover the resulting issues from obesity. The diabetic drugs work well but as CC said there are supply problems so my physician won't prescribe them right now. He isn't opposed to using them off-label, but his whole organization has banned prescriptions for that purpose so that more is available for diabetic patients. So we are probably going to try Topomax and see how that works.

Remember how I had the sinus infection? Well that is essentially gone though I still have some drainage in the mornings but it appears that I did something to my ribs from the coughing. They have been bugging me for the last 10 days or so, but last night I rolled over in bed in some way which caused extreme pain. I suspect I may have a small crack? If it doesn't resolve eventually or I have problems breathing I guess I will look into it though if that is what it is they can't do anything. Sneezing and blowing my nose this morning was a bit painful but it seems to be getting less so as I sit upright.

Time to get another cup of coffee. Have a terrific Thursday!

Even expensive Wegovy is a diabetic drug that's been relabeled (semaglutide). So using that for weight loss is cutting into supplies for diabetics...

That's a lot of coughing to crack a rib! My mom did that with pneumonia when I was a kid.

We seem to have a little sun this morning! Today I am meeting with my landlords to give back the keys and get my deposit back (yay!). They came into town a few days ago and texted me "Oh my gosh!!! Did you even live here??? Thank you so much for leaving the house so clean and tidy!" So glad for the cleaning help from my folks!

Ugh, just got reminded I have a mammogram tomorrow. No fun.

It is proving as hard to get focused on my weight with my folks here as it is when I'm in MI. Maybe I will focus on just cutting out snacks for now.

Off to start the day. Be well!

Interesting about Wegovy being a rebranded diabetic drug. BTW, the cheapest one can get it through GoodRX is about $1300 a month!

Mammograms aren't fun but necessary. Luckily I had mine back home before the rib issue or I don't think I would be able to tolerate it.

Greetings all

It's a calm moment in the California meteorological **** show. Some people nearby still don't have power. Lots of trees are down and roads blocked. Redwoods are shallow rooted trees and fall over easily though our broken tree was an alder and there are big pines that are down. I hear chain saws in the distance. Nearly everyone around here owns a chain saw which I used to think was odd but now I get it. Highway exits get a tree down and some neighbor just comes along and saws it. Again I am so glad that back tree was removed quickly. The art gallery does not appear to have power and I was going to take stuff up there but I won't. No need to go to that little town that is likely a mess.

So other than the power outage yesterday we are unscathed by this atmospheric river but it ain't over. Supposed to rain all week but it's not right now. But around here you can drive 2 miles and have completely different weather.

Liz glad you enjoyed your trip. Sounds nice. You guys are rocking retirement. But you totally could crack a rib coughing! But I guess there is no treatment other than just be careful. No fun.

DD I feel your snow pain! Actually there is that special cozy feeling that only being snowed in gives. I think it's a primal gratitude for being safe and warm. But digging out is always around the corner. Love the pictures.

We have started watching 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone. It is also toxic masculinity beyond belief but it's like a car wreck - cant stop watching. CC I am going to try to get DH to watch the Recruit as it sounds interesting. And there is a season 10 of Doc Martin which is fun but all the characters look old!

We had steak last night which was good. I am a convert to grass fed beef - never thought this Nebraska girl would say that. Dogs enjoyed their bites.

So this one road here that goes through a hill was widened recently. There is a sort of retaining wall made of 2 inch wire mesh with loads of smooth stones behind it. Someone put a sign on it that says "Pet Rock Prison". Its hilarious. I will try to get a picture if I can stop on the road there.

Not much else. Gonna check on the studio and maybe forage for a pot pie. Diane S

We're watching Jack Ryan on Amazon Prime with John Krasinski. He's so cute. But woo, the bad guys are BAD... lots of eye covering on my part.

Mike watched it last night but I couldn't get into it.

California is really getting pounded!!! Despite heaps and heaps of heavy wet snow, we haven't lost power or any big trees. Lots of spin outs and fender benders, no accidents with fatalities in the metro area last night.

Back to school today. Really kind of amazing they opened the roads. The snow banks are crazy high. It's still very pretty outside. And usually after a huge storm the temps tumble, but this time it's staying in the 20s which is waaaay better than zubzero. So, I'm filing this one under, it could have been worse.