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TGIF after Christmas! I'm throwing out sweets of all kinds. Back to trying to eat healthy, which is tough in a home with no functioning kitchen--just a refrigerator/freezer and a microwave. I've gained 3 pounds in the last week and want those to go bye-bye fast!

Peps, to answer your question about our wedding ... we knew we wanted to get married before year-end, and I'd told all my sibs and other family members at our recent family gathering in Texas. I really liked the Christmas Eve concept (romantic, sweet, easy to remember, feels special), so we got the license the day before at a county government office. That night (at a Christmas party) we asked my husband's daughter and husband if they'd stand up for us the next day, which they were happy to do.

We hired a judge (Justice of the Peace) to come to our home to marry us. It cost $175. He'd said he'd been through 4 massive remodels in his life, so he didn't mind the mess. DH's daughter took lots of wedding pix, which I appreciated. The judge was an experienced photographer, too (he said he's conducted 20,000 weddings over his lifetime--he was just a few years younger than me).

After the judge left, we four had a bottle of nice champagne. The whole thing, including our time with the witnesses afterward, couldn't have lasted more than an hour and a half. It was exactly what I wanted--nothing expensive or exhausting. I've been married now 3 times--every time by a judge--so big, fancy weddings have never been my thing.

The big reveal was on Facebook, which garnered sweet wishes from friends all over the world. It also accomplished the "Ann's moved to Kentucky," announcement. We're planning a vacation/honeymoon sometime in February when we have to be outside of our home while the floors are being refinished.

As DH said this morning, "Day Four!" He says it like he's keeping track of the deadline by which he can return me and get all his money back. LOL!

Good news on DH!

Happy Birthday CC! I hope you have a lovely day celebrating your arrival into this world! It's a better place because of you.

These sorts of days can be bittersweet with reminders of what once was. Hugs to you Liz. You've had to say goodbye too early too many times.

I get the kids are faraway sadness. DD is here until January 6, then I won't see her until Mid May. DS left yesterday, and the energy in the house felt different this morning. My consolation is they are both in a good season right now, and leading the lives they want. In fact, DS is joining his lovely girlfriend at her family's winter home in Palm Springs for New Year's Eve. (He's arriving on Saturday).

Dinner with the college roomies was wonderful as always. It's one of the safest zones in my life. We can tell each other just about anything and there will be empathy not judgement. Now you might get a tough love piece of advice if needed, but it won't sting. Pretty amazing.

No real plans today. DH and I might go see A Complete Unknown, the new movie about Bob Dylan. If not tonight, we'll see it sometime during break.

My weight is at the top end of my range. Time to pull back from the Christmas treats. It feels totally doable. Also, I need to take my shot. Ummm, I can't remember for sure if it was 10 days ago, or more! Maintaining has become easy, without much thought besides protein. But every so often I need to focus more, and today is that day :)

119.6 - no real damage from Christmas eating. The joys of GLP meds!

Happy Birthday CC! I hope you enjoy your entire day and your dinner out at that favorite restaurant. And that the tourists aren't too annoying. We are quiet on Cape Cod right now, but July and the beginning of August are tough here. Florida is busy January to March, which is part of why I enjoy the fall there so much. My brother's birthday is also today.

I was in a funk yesterday. I think it was a combination of realizing I won't see the kids for quite a few months and missing deceased BIL, DH, and DD. Today we are going to my SIL's home (near my former one) to hang around, exchange presents and go to dinner with her and my other SIL and BIL (who were absent on Christmas Day). It is our next to last full day here.

Have a Festive Friday!

Some great ideas from the others on how your friend can keep from being isolated. Someone else going with him or encouraging things like joining new groups such as Meetup may be necessary though. Like Paula, I took the initiative to reach out but many don't. A high school friend of mine lost her husband 3 years ago and is still wallowing in grief. Unfortunately she has MS and lives in a town rather remote so her contact with friends is generally by phone or social media.