Memorial Day, Monday May 29, 2023

How can it be Memorial Day already? Thank you to our soldiers who died protecting us. We had friends in our long-term hometown who lost their son in Afghanistan a few years after we lost our eldest DD. The wake was different in that there were a lot of military and political people present to pay their respects. But to his parents, his wife, his children, and his siblings the grief of losing him at such a young age was as difficult as if he had been in any sudden-death situation.

Our friend did arrive yesterday and left promptly this morning once we were up. We had a good day visiting some of his favorite haunts but ate and drank too much of course. This really has to stop as I felt very fat the last few days. I am reaching the point where I am getting disgusted with myself. But apparently not enough as we are going to a BBQ at the Beach Club today.

DD made a good point yesterday that I act like a "Can Do" person. I have always been that way and hate admitting if something is difficult. So obviously my kids don't necessarily know that I could use some help sometimes. My own worst enemy... Of course DH is just like me. His kids think he can do anything and he doesn't want them to know that it might be changing a bit. I guess we need to learn how to ask them more often.

Time to take a walk before it gets too hot. Have a marvelous Memorial Day!

We ALL seem like very "CAN DO" people ! The key is being aware and asking for help. Still cloudy here, but the rain and wind have stopped. Making Diane's onion dish for BBQ today. Can't wait to try it ! I ordered a tide clock to enhance my instant awareness of the tide cycle. The oyster beds make it imperative that I am out in the two hours before to two hours after HIGH tide range. A significant scrape on my ORU from a razor sharp bed could be serious. I carry Gorilla tape in my ditty bag, but still....

Enjoy this memorable day as we honor those who preserved our freedom.

There is a phone app I used all the time in CA called Tides Near Me. Made it easy to check when they were and how high and low they were.

Scale is the same again. I must remind myself it's better than gaining. Maybe I'll be like Paula and lose 3 pounds in a day sometime soon. Ha!

Another beautiful day here. The landscapers are adding the last of the 15 trees I am having put in. You'd think that many trees (all 8') would make a bigger impact, but my lot just swallows them up.

I watched the Bridgerton Queen Charlotte series. Bittersweet with mad King George. Kept me entertained though.

It's so nice out, maybe a walk is in order. Take care everyone!

I am mid way through watching Bridgerton Queen Charlotte too - Its not bad :)

My brother arrived home on Saturday night and promptly took over all things "Dad". I am a little peeved because when brother visited Dad, my dad ended up crying. My father does not cry, so I am afraid that not only did the dementia play a part in what my brother referred to as a crying episode, but my gut tells me that my brother was too blunt with my dad about the condition of my dad's leg and the long range prognosis. I don't see the point of being so bluntly honest when it upsets my dad. I think that we should remain optimistic and encouraging and telling him that in time he will be ambulatory and self reliant. My message has been, at 93 it takes a long time to heal, but you will heal.

Can Do people.... Hmmmm..... Yes, I am guilty of being a Can Do person, even at the expense of my own time and sense of peace. I believe that is one of the reasons that my self care took the form of eating (along with drinking, smoking, recreational drugs as a very young man, etc...). Eating can be quite soothing. Like wine, booze, sweets, drugs, eating can be a form of self medication. Like uppers, I think food requires more and more over time to get the same effect.

Liz, I'm with you in a way. I feel super fat some days, then others not so much. Still not enough to make me do anything about it. But then again, I realize that I am slowly but surely chipping away at the eating disorder! That in itself is a good thing.

Off to do more dog show stuff.... Blitz is having a hard time this weekend. I think he's tired and may be fighting off a respiratory something. He has been coughing a bit.

I'm with you. Blunt truth about health status at 93 is not what's required. Hope is a powerful drug.

DH used to keep trying to make sure his Mom knew the "truth" when she first started slipping. After a while he (and his siblings) realized that it was just hurting her emotionally if it was a sad or disturbing truth so they learned to be more kind and go along with her. When MIL used to ask where my DD was we would say that she was "with friends". Which was true in a way...

Good Morning Lovely Tribe,

I promised myself that I would get in early and post today. Life is its usual hectic self and Im struggling with staff injuries and illness. Our staff today literally comprises of my director (who is on his way to a job) and me. I drove one employee home yesterday vomiting. Another 2 have injured themselves at their sporting events in the past few days - awaiting scans and dr reports. My director is scheduled for wisdom teeth removal next Monday so Im not sure if I will be the last one standing - UGGGGGGGG

On a more positive note, I have mentally owned my gain and I am currently researching Keto. Awaiting DH's Drs apt on Friday as I want him to get clearance before we start. We both need to be committed to improving our health.

DH has been battling a virus since Saturday night. Went down whilst we were at the farm. I drove home and he was in bed by 5pm. He is slowly getting better. I still have a residual cough from the lurgy I picked up several weeks ago. Hello Winter.........Not my favourite season.

Yesterday would have been my sisters 52nd birthday, I met my mum at the cemetry. She has been gone 16 years but it still hurts. I often wonder what sort of mum she would have made and how her life would have panned out.

Liz- So glad you and Mike are settling into your gorgeous new home. Its beautiful. Im with you re feeling fat - the head battle is real atm. Im still eating a lot of wrong things and snacking when I shouldnt

Cec - You are going great guns with all the improvements at your place. Loved the wildflower shots - so pretty.

DD- Both you and DH did a wonderful job at your parents house. That is a huge amount of work. I hope you didnt pull up too sore

Peps - I am in agreement re your brother being so harsh with your Dad. I dont think it achieves anything apart from bringing more anxiety and angst into an already stressful and painful situation. I think your approach is far kinder. Hope Blitz feels better soon - he is your wonder boy :) So pleased to see you both doing so well

Diane S - Hope you are well and enjoying the change in weather

Diane O - Loving seeing your posts on TT.

Well I had best go and get some more work done. Im holed up in the office with the heater on. Did I say I dont like winter - grrrr

Take care all

S

Best things about keto are no cravings and less joint aches and pains! If you put cake in front of me I would struggle, but I'm not sitting around plotting how to get cake every minute, which is how my brain operates when hooked on sugar.