Saturday, August 10, 2024

We are looking out at the port of Portland Maine from our hotel room. The weather yesterday was periodic drizzle and it is somewhat foggy now but is supposed to clear in the next couple of hours. We are staying in the heart of Portland - such a cool, cool city. Like a condensed version of other New England ports. We can see the outside venue where we had a drink and listened to music last night from our room. There was a boat that went out from there last night with music and dancing. I am so excited that DS gets to have this city as his home. He can drive here (or Uber) in 10 minutes, but his apartment is in a beautiful residential area with trees all around. His back windows (he is in an end apartment so has quite a few) look out into the trees. Really a lovely view and the apartment is quite nice. Not huge but roomy enough with 2 bedrooms so he has a room for his office since he will be working 100% remote. I am almost a little jealous because I never had the opportunity to live anywhere other than the suburbs when I was young. I love where I live now but how cool to have access to so much at his age!

We ate dinner at a restaurant 5 minutes walk from the apartment and I had half a dish of lobster raviolis which were the most amazing ever. Usually they have ricotta with a little lobster mixed in. These were solid lobster on the inside of homemade pasta pillows. DS has the other half along with part of his dish for leftovers tonight. DH loves chicken parm but had stopped ordering it because so many places have been using chicken patties instead of real chicken cutlets. He got it here because of reviews and absolutely loved it.

Anyway, so far everything about the move has gone smoothly. Still crossing fingers because the sleep sofa still needs to be brought upstairs this morning and the truck returned. But that's it! Last night DS had his internet, 2 TVs, a recliner, and a fully made bed to relax with. Pretty good on a first night after a long move.

I was thinking about brothers after reading about Diane's brother visiting again. I was somewhat estranged from mine for a while but have been relatively close in recent times. We went to visit him in 2022 to see his home and meet my great nephew. I am sad but not totally surprised that he is having heart issues and cannot attend my DD's wedding. Our father, uncle and grandfather all died of heart attacks before they turned 50. My brother has made it to 65 somehow though he is overweight, doesn't exercise, and smokes constantly. Apparently it has caught up with him which is scary.

It is starting to look sunny out. Time to get ready for the day. Have a stupendous Saturday!

Cool and very windy again today. The feels like temp is 50 with the wind. My cousin arrives mid-afternoon so I need to finish getting the house ready, make the bed, tidy... It's all clean though. I also need to go to the grocery store.

Liz, so glad DS's move is working out so well!

My folks texted early this morning and said they'd made bacon and eggs and my bacon was waiting in the oven. I passed on it. Just didn't feel hungry for it. Honestly , getting dressed and going across the driveway to get it felt like a lot of work. Haha. Surprised myself!

I should get moving and get in the shower. Take care all!

What?!!! No bacon? I.am.shook.

Very unlike me, I figured I should take advantage!

Portland sounds wonderful. I hope your DS finds much joy and adventure. Does he have any connections, or is it a complete start from scratch move?

I loved, loved, living in Minneapolis proper when I was in my 20s. I never lived in anything but sad sorts of apartments students could rent, but I didn't care. I filled them with plants and friends and explored everything the city could offer a poor college kid. What a time. I moved to the suburbs when I got married. DH and I talk about moving back to Minneapolis or St.Paul now that the kids are grown up, but with our house paid for, and no HOA fees etc, it makes sense to stay here for now. Maybe one day we will decide all the stairs are too much and get a condo.

My 10 minute dalliance with fillers ended quickly with thoughts of it migrating, trout lips and actual prolonged pain! I will continue trying to age gracefully with my saggy jowls. Maybe a facelift someday.

Yesterday some friends called at the last minute to see if we would like to go to the Irish Fair that evening. We were planning on going today, but plans were easy to change. The food is not great, and the shops are full of nonsense (DHs favorite kind,) but the music is outstanding. They have several big stages, and a couple of small ones. I consider more of a musical festival with an Irish flavor.

So that leaves today with no specific plans yet. I need to finish a book I started that my Dad loaned me, so I can return it to him tomorrow. I still haven't started The Women. That's next.

Still very cool here. Last night I wore long pants, a cammi, t shirt, summer weight sweater, and added a hoodie around 9:30pm. With the sun, it is a beautiful day for the end of September. I would prefer a beautiful August day. Might happen next week.

Sounds like a typical Irish Fair!!!

DS actually has quite a few friends in the area which was part of why he decided on Portland (and why he was somewhat familiar with it). Two young couples with babies live nearby plus a couple of single people, one a college friend, and one from a restaurant on Cape Cod *****located there a year or so ago.

How awesome!

Liz, so great the move went smoothly and your adult kiddo is well situated! Sorry to read about your brother.

Diamond D., a bit of envy re: the paid off house. As for fillers, etc... I believe surgery is the answer for most. I have done botox, now daxify, on my 11's between the eyebrows. I will continue with that until I retire, but then will have to decide I want to spend $190 every three months. And I dabbled with lip filler because of my very, very thin lips. It was not worth it. Filler is very expensive and, IMO, produces minimal results. IF I finish losing the weight that I hope to lose, I am seriously considering a mini lift, or lower face lift, like Liz did. I don't mind eye wrinkles, laugh lines, etc... It's just the jowls that really bother me - especially when wearing a button up shirt and tie. BLECH! Oh, how superficial, but I own it. It's how I'm wired.

Weight basically same as yesterday (up .2). I got my fill of fruit, but also had a bit of a hungry day, which felt odd since I took my shot on Thursday night.

Had a decent session with nutritional therapist yesterday. She reminded me that it's time to put in thought to how I will eat during the school year. UGH... I truly have senior-itis to put it in school terms. I'm rather unmotivated to start this year and strangely apathetic to the issues that are arising, as they do at every start of the school year.

Just looked at the time. Gotta run and do a client dog....

The paid off house is a monument to shabby chic. Or early American poverty. But it's ours, and we have been happy here.

I'm experiencing senoritis too. While I don't give a %&$# about some of the asinine policies/paperwork (what are they going to do? Fire me? Write me up?), I hope I can find the energy to do right by the kids.

You will get back your motivation once in the classroom.