Sunday, April 20, 2025 - Easter

Happy Easter! Honestly, I'm not big on the whole religious aspect of Easter (as is Ron), but I do enjoy the familial get together. It used to be a family brunch hosted by my mom, but now we hang with Ron's siblings.

204.5 this morning. My shot really kicked in yesterday. I had low appetite all day long. That, coupled with productive bathroom time, resulted in a nice scale drop.

I took at posted the progress pics on TT because I was feeling "fat" at the end of the week. It helps me to see photos sometimes. I think the photos for me help me see myself away from the mirror and serve as a reality check. I don't know, but there is something about a photo that can push through the body dysmorphia.

Liz, that chef/owner sounds like a real Prima Donna, which in his restaurant world, he probably is! Sad that he blamed the customer. The chef's behavior would be enough to keep me from ever spending money at that restaurant again. I think I would go so far as to write a letter. I might even social media diss the dude! Hopefully, someone recorded it his outburst and posted it somewhere!

Ann, how about just scattering the fertilizer by hand like we used to do? (Well, I STILL DO!) I had a spreader, but after using it, I thought I did a better job scattering it by hand. I had more control of where the fertilizer actually landed by hand. Not sure if you like the chemical fertilizers over natural, but to me there is nothing better than fish emulsion or chicken manure. Can't use a spreader for those two anyway!

For the first time in many years, I feel ready to hit the warm weather with a "summer body". I put on a pair of shorts and a polo shirt and a pair of canvas loafers took a look in the mirror and was pleased by my reflection. I like when that happens. It's more often these days.

YIKES! I have a dog show friend who lost a TON of weight on a crash diet. I did not know her before she lost weight. This morning I was sent video of her evaluating puppies. I'm guessing she has gained back about 80 pounds. I did not recognize her at first. She went so far as to rep the diet product she lost the weight with, became a certified counselor for the company and made reels and videos about her success and her clients' successes. I know the mind **** she must be going through having put herself out there like that and then gaining so much weight back. My heart goes out to her.

Diamond D, are you having sudden feelings of "WOW! I'm really going to be retired?" I am. It's a happily alarming feeling. I don't quite know how to describe it. But, YAY!!!!

Toodles!

I think I might align with Ron about Easter and Church. There are some hymns I just love that are only sung on Easter. When I don't go, like this year, I miss that. I miss the happy energy of Easter Mass, and the kids in their cute dress up clothes, and the beaming grandparents showing off their visiting grandkids. I am comfortable with whatever religion people choose for themselves, or none at all, no judgement from me. Mass does bring me moments of peace, and like working out, I'm usually never sorry I made time for it afterwards. Although there were some times when the kids were little that we would be so aggravated by trying to wrangle them that DH said we have more to pray about than when we went in :)

When I think about retirement, I feel positively giddy! Like I'm floating. Like I'm falling in love. My tentative plans for ordinary days at home: get up at 8, slow start with a latte, probably tucked back in bed watching local news for a bit, followed by reading the paper and breakfast, then, by 10am, workout, then home, showered and ready for what else is happening.

You really do look incredible in your FB pics. Just tell that body dysmorphia to go away!

Retirement when you and your partner are both healthy is definitely amazing. Like having a long vacation that doesn't end.

126.3.

Long day traveling to my brothers house for Easter. Heading back home now in the pouring rain. No fun driving in inclement weather! I'm just a passenger but still!

Nice visit with everyone and good meal. I had just a little of most of the things and still got over full. Lemonade pie brought home to eat later!

Liz, that restaurant owner is crazy, Even if the guest did break the vase and it sounds like he didn't, it would have been an accident. I agree with Peps, a letter is in order!

No Easter bunny baskets or candy for us either. Malted Robin eggs and black and spice jelly beans are my weakness along with the peanut butter eggs!

I love black jelly beans. No one else in my family does, so they pick them out, and give them to me. We drove home in the rain too, but I think our trip was shorter than yours. My parents are about 1.5 hours away.

I love black jelly beans too! But hate black licorice...

Yeah, 3 hours one way

Such a long drive but nice that you spent the day with family. Lemonade pie? Never heard of it.

Really easy recipe. Frozen lemonade concentrate, cool whip and sweetened condensed milk. Mix together and put in graham cracker pie crust. Light and refreshing dessert!

What a strange response from the owner! I would think the first thing you'd want to know was did anyone get hurt, not yelling at people!

We are back home after bringing dinner to my parents. DH is so good with them. When they start going down the roads that lead to crying, or fighting, and litigating old hurts, he deftly redirects them in a way that makes them feel heard. It's pretty masterful. I can de-escalate situations at work, but some of my parent's stuff is too close to the bone, and the most I can manage when it starts going off the rails is to get up and leave the room to go make tea, or start the dishes etc. Depriving them of their audience does help, but DH's method is more compassionate.

Having a 3 day weekend was great, but now it's time to get another week started.