Sunday, December 22, 2024

It is 10 degrees outside but I am still at the hotel. Justice stayed at the house where we will pick him up in an hour or so. Hopefully he did his business outside there - he won't do it on snow so has to get under the deck to go.

Nice day yesterday with DH's family including some fun games. My family never had games but it really makes it very interactive. Very thoughtful presents too - one of DH's daughters gave me a golf outfit. We were there from 1 pm-9 pm. Long day. I ate a lot of stuff I wouldn't usually have but I tried to have more of the guacamole and less of the truly junky stuff. Dinner was from the local BBQ place so I ate pulled pork and mashed potatoes. Mixed bag of eating on a holiday. Today hopefully I get to eat normal, though I will have to drink the protein supplement I usually have as a drink rather than in my coffee since I didn't bring it. Oh and I did eat 1/2 a donut yesterday - that was plenty.

This afternoon I need to make cookies for a couple of events on Christmas Eve and Christmas. We get to sleep at the house tonight but will be packing tomorrow for 3 nights in hotels. I don't love being the vagabond but DH's house is too far from where our events are located over the days around Christmas.

Have a Snowflake Sunday!

Your eating doesn't sound too bad, and it's not an everyday thing. Staying in a hotel is a big change from all your previous Christmases. You have really navigated so much change these last few years with such grace and positivity. Even good/happy change can be stressful, but here you are making it look easy.

Peps I've been thinking about the functional nature of exercise and how I need to add something, like squats that makes large groups of muscles work together while training balance. Nothing I do really addresses balance. I just want to say, I don't really want to. I like sitting a lot I guess, because even when I'm exercising, I'm seated! But it's true, my core is spaghetti. I need to think about this.

We made it to Costco at around 6pm, (closed at 7pm) and it wasn't too bad. The other big thing, I went bin shopping again, and tried on sweaters. They'd been binned for awhile, when last winter I tried them on and thought, no. I decided they could hang out one more year, but if they didn't fit this year, time to go. A few did go because they still didn't look right, or I just didn't want them anymore, but I'm keeping 5. That's a lot of sweaters I really like back in rotation :)

DDs plane was a bit delayed. We're leaving to pick her up soon. There's a new bakery very close to home called Kiev Bakery. An immigrant couple opened it this fall. They have drop dead gorgeous cakes, pastries, and savory tarts. And really good coffee! If they had a cafe, I'd be there all the time, but there is no seating. We're going to stop on the way home and pick up something for breakfast. Then I imagine daughter will need a nap. DH will watch the Vikings, and I'll read the paper. Later I'll make a list of what I need for the Holiday dinners, take inventory of what we currently have on hand, and go buy the rest. So some tasks and some relaxing. A good day.

DD is home! I know you are happy about that! And congratulations on 5 "new" sweaters. I pulled some stuff out to bring back to Florida including 3 cardigans. It gets cool at times in January and February and I was darned if I was going to buy a sweater if I already had one.

In addition to squats, I would recommend yoga! Super helpful for balance!

I'd like to double-ditto Paula's yoga recommendation. I'm such a fan and will forever be grateful for the wonderful yoga teacher I had for years in Missouri. Being on my yoga mat (whether prone, standing, or kneeling) is truly is one of my happy places! Now, if I can just find it somewhere in this house right now! ;)

And yes, I'm alive. More later.

Greetings all

Oops, missed yesterday. Not exactly a whirlwind of activity. Studio buddy came over for football but the games were not good. Later we watched an odd movie about a time machine that could go back in time and kill someone. Aphoria or something like that. It was better than I expected. No explosions.

So I am making my christmas to do list which is not much. Our widowed friend has decided to go ahead and host Christmas in honor of his deceased wife, as they have always done for years and years. She loved entertaining and always had a beautiful table and they have as many as 8 Christmas trees at a time; each with different themes. There is a dog tree, a foreign travel one and others, So it's going to be sort of weird - Christmas without the centerpiece person. We will just have to play it by ear and go with it. Kind of a combined party and wake. But at least it's settled. I will bring waldorf salad.

Paula glad your DH will get the test results. Sounds like he needs a new hot break drink for work. I suggest chai or mint green tea. Caffeine really can get to some of us. Wishing good results.

Agreed, Liz that eating does not sound so bad. Totally cool especially on holidays. Being in a hotel sounds good. At the end of the day you can exit the chaos instead of 24/7. But then Christmas chaos with kids is pretty fun.

DD sweaters. One never has too many especially in the midwest. Makes me wonder what became of my favorite christmas one. Hoping all your family arrives with no travel issues and all is good. And yeah let's all think about leg and core strength. And maybe do more than think. I saw an older lady with a personal trainer at the gym. She was doing a balance exercise of standing (next to wall) with one foot directly in front of the other - heel to toe- and just balancing. Looked like a good idea. Also stand on one foot. Gym eavesdropping is my new hobby.

Peps I agree that BMI should not be that important. After all, it's an extremely simplistic shorthand that is questionable for any given individual. Let's all pretend it does not exist. Body fat percentage seems more meaningful. Ditto pants size.

Not much else. I might have to go to the dreaded Safeway because no place else has those little plastic storage containers that are needed to put home made treats in. I have not made chicken live pate in several years but it's a beloved treat for the widowed friend. For him I will brave the Safeway.

Diane S

I hope you and your friends can find peace and even some joy at your widowed friend's Christmas party. It will be good for him to have the people around him!

I am sure the Christmas party will be emotional at times, but I think it is a wonderful way to honor and remember your friend.

I agree, gathering for Christmas is a poignant way to honor your dear friend who has passed and the dear friend who must go on without her.

Diane S, I echo others' comments about your widower friend's holiday plan to honor his mate's memory. I worry for anyone who loses their mate, but maybe more for men. It sounds like he has a lot of courage to do it this way, and I admire him for it.