Thursday Thirst

So I am on day 4 of no sugar.  Think no added sugar, not zero sugar.  I still have 2 pieces of fruit a day.  Like in my smoothies, or an apple.  But I have it all, the fiber and all.  Any doubts at all as to how bad processed food is for us...just check out this article.  I could not believe it.  It is crazy.
https://www.eatthis.com/unhealthiest-foods-2018/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=msn-feed

There is a salad in this list that has 1000 calories!  WOW.  And if we think that advertisements do not mislead us, we are naïve.  Many of the things in the list might be things we try to be more healthy than what we really want (fruit smoothies, protein bar, Lean Cuisine, salad).  I would rather just try to eat whole food, so I know what is in the food and it is cheaper anyway.  Then, if I really want to try the candy bar, I have the candy bar...but not this month.  I am trying to go one month with no sugary treats, to see if it makes me feel better.  My tummy has been hurting a little more lately.

I think it is a combination of not getting the level of rest and sleep I was getting before I went back to work.  After all, I am driving an extra 10 hours a week alone.  Not to mention the 40 hours I am working and the stress of it.  I will be glad when Sept gets here.

I was looking at my FB timeline and a memory popped up that yesterday exactly one year ago was the last day in our City House.  We stayed 3 months in a noise, disgusting hotel, then retired.  We travel quite a bit, did lots of projects around the house...I read a devotional earlier in the week that said when we feel feelings, just be in it.  I learned that years ago for some things I went through as a young adult (normal life stuff, relationships, heartaches, job issues, disappointments) but when it came to a more gradual, should-have-been-all-positive aspect about retiring, I jumped the gun and had to jump into action.  I won't be fooled next time. 

After this gig, I plan to take off the rest of fall and all winter and look at things in the late winter/spring.  Maybe get a part time job or volunteer, or both. 

I think DH is doing his own adjusting too.  Finding himself busier with me gone, of course, but he has been checking in with his sister, helping at her store and yesterday met his brother halfway between city and retirement town and they played golf. 

Anyway, have a great day - it is Thursday.  Weekend, then short week next week! 

2nd Complete Day with No Sugar

I had my last helping of sugar Sunday when I bought DH apple fritters for his birthday.  But I felt so bad last week (had sugar almost everyday) after having cut the cord for over 2 weeks...that I have to do something.  So, I decided to start all over.

Yesterday I felt sluggish and sleepy.  Just blah.  Today is similar, but not nearly as sleepy.  And my tummy seems better.  After one week of sugar after being off, I felt very bloaty and puffy.  Made a HUGE difference.  So, now I am waiting for the reversal.  I feel it a little, but look forward to getting past 1 week point because I think by this weekend I will really feel the benefits.

Hope you have a nice Tuesday!

My Baby's (DH) Birthday

I don't really have a baby.  My dogs.  In this case, I mean my baby birthday is my DH.  Today he turns 65.  I think it is a milestone bday for him.  He is sort of thinking it is a big number.  But he seems to be doing ok with my working during the week.  His back is really bothering him a lot.  I think he needs to try some different things, like stretching exercises and holistic approach, but I cannot make him want to do this.  So, he complains.  We have worked a lot on the house/yard.  Maybe it will ease off.  I hope.  I told him when I stop working again, we are doing daily yoga in the morning. 

We had a nice weekend.  We watched the John Wick 1 and 2 movies Friday at home (rented off Amazon Prime).  Then Sat I got up, walked the dog (should have made DH go with me).  My dog was worn out!  It was humid Sat.  Still seasonably cool (and so much rain!), but when it does start to heat up, it is humid! 

Then we drove to busy side of the county and saw John Wick 3.  Then we had lunch out.  It was nice.  My friend met us.  I hadn't seen her in a while!  I gave her and her sister (vegetarian and my sometimes dog sitter) bunch of lettuce, chard and kale from my garden.  I picked it after I walked the dog.  They will enjoy it! 

Then we drove home and got our convertibles and went to our little town 'cruise night'.  It was a hoot.  We decided to join a local mustang group to meet people and I think we will enjoy that a lot.  DH got a kick out of talking to some of them there at cruise night and then joining the group on FB.  We wanted to get the bikes out too, but the new battery we just bought in April is not a good battery.  We were disappointed, DH going to take it back and exchange it this week.

I offered to stay Monday and take the day off, make it up Tues - Friday.  He told me he would rather I get to come home early on Friday.  So, Sunday we slept in.  I had coffee in bed (raining tons!).  Then I went to store and bought him some things for the week, put a nice pork roast in crock pot with some veggies for him and baked him a cake.  I made enough for a smaller cake to take my aunt and uncle.  They all said it was good.  I also indulged in an apple fritter I got DH from our favorite little bakery.  It was sooooo good.  So, I just had a smoothie for dinner, after the gym. 

I ate too much junk last week, so I am doubling down this week.  No sugar for the week.  Wish me luck.  Have a great day.

Smoothies

After work I usu go to the gym or yoga.  Then I go home and have a quick smoothie.  This accomplishes a few things.  Taking the deciding out of dinner makes it quick and easy, yet nutritious.  Also, I can just stash my fruit and protein powder out of the way in cabinet and freezer so I don't get in my aunt and uncle's way.  They are awesome, but I just want to be non invasive as possible.  I am not easily tempted to eat junk.

The biggest benefit though, is due to my tummy issues, having a clean smoothie with some fruit, non dairy milk (almond, coconut, rice) and some vegan protein and it is easy on my tummy.  I am guilty of both helping my aunt and uncle eat more nutritious smoothies, I have also given them some goodies from my local bakery near my retirement home.  But, the smoothies are a winner with them and that is what my uncle asks for almost every night.  He loves some frozen strawberries and some frozen bananas just blended - he likes it like ice cream and it is better for him.

Today I am turning in a large project I did for my freelance work.  I am glad to have it over with and eager to see how it is received.  Today is the day I remind DH to change out the hummingbird feeder nectar.  I saw on the internet that when the weather gets above 85, it needs to be changed every couple of days.  It is amazing how they seem to know when we put fresh nectar out. 

Happy (hummingbird?) hump day!

One More Week Till Summer

Well, we had a lovely weekend.  I got home around 2pm and got my stuff unpacked and got partially packed for the return today.  Not as many loads of laundry this weekend, but still had several.  We just ate leftovers, didn't go anywhere Friday. 

The weather was pretty Friday.  Woke up Sat to go to couple car shows, were going to drive the convertible we are selling...but it was pouring rain.  So, we just drove my truck.  But we enjoyed couple cars shows.  After the 1st, we did a really pretty walk around a lake, then we had lunch.  Found a GREAT taco place.  Then the 2nd show was an exotic show where the people drove them down an airstrip and the local police department clocked their speed with radar.  It was fun.  Got warm Sat afternoon. 

We took my in laws out to dinner Sat night.  Then we just chilled at home and watched tv.  Sunday I went to the gymn.  I joined gymn in the city so I could easily and safely walk after work up here (and stay out of my aunt and uncle's house some, after work).  The chain has a location 8 miles from retirement home, so I went there Sunday morning.  It was nice.  Will be nice to walk all summer whenever I want to, not worry about the heat.  Then I had my nails done and home to relax and read the afternoon with DH.  Then we grilled burgers and picked a BUNCH of lettuce and kale.

I brought enough lettuce for salad for lunch every day and left DH a bunch.  The kale, I washed up and filled an entire drawer in my fridge.  I am taking a bunch to my friend and her vegetarian sister this next weekend.  I am going to have kale salad all next week. 

We also picked a bunch of green beans and a few radishes.  The radish greens I kept, washed and put in a bag in freezer.  I will cook bunch of veggie scraps down and make vegetable broth.  Was nice to have Sunday night to relax with DH, I stayed down south till Monday morning because I had a dentist appointment.  Now I should be finished till next cleaning in Nov.  I drove up to work and got here around 1:30pm.

Is still pretty cool seasonally, with all the rain we are still getting.  Down home at retirement home, we have not turned on our AC yet!  I was a bit hot this weekend, I will probably have to insist on it next weekend.  I just cannot sleep when it gets into the mid 80's.

Hope you are having a nice Monday.

Cousin D response

Cousin D responded saying we should plan a girls' weekend and said she was currently job searching.  I told her that I would call her tomorrow.  She pointed out that Cousin's Day is July 24 so we are shooting for that weekend.  We have to do something cheap because she and I are both broke right now.

I am very surprised she is job searching.  This does not bode well for her plan to retire and have a wedding venue.  I suppose I will get filled in tomorrow.

My budget buster this summer is 1)  going to Arizona, and renting a car.  2)  starting back to work had some start up costs, such as food for work location, since I live here Sun - Thurs.  Parking and gym membership/yoga classes.  Also trying to figure it out, because I am not really sure where we went wrong, but clearly we are doing some emotional/feel good spending and we must get that rabbit back in its cage.  It looks like even with me working (I am saving 2/3 of my weekly pay to contrib to savings/Roth) it is going to take my month of July to get back to the black.

At least I am feeling like my weight loss is coming along.  I did not work out last night, left early to see my Granny (but postponed because she is a little puny and wanted me to come next week instead).  So since I left work early, I got myself and my friend T a smoothie and we met and had coffee talk.  Then on way home I bought my uncle (asked my aunt first) some rootbeer and we splurged on 3 shows together with some good ole fashioned cheese curls.  I stayed up too late (10pm - I know, so crazy) and today I was tired.  So, after work today, yoga and 1 tv show and to bed early.

DH is excited I am coming home tomorrow and so am I.  I am also excited that he was at Sam's today and I won't have to go.  So, we are going to celebrate with a little kayak ride this weekend. 

Happy Thursday, Friday is coming!

Dear Cousin D

Remember last year when I was visiting your awesome venue and saw the picture of B riding with his father (and maybe grandfather too?).  Can't remember how many were riding in the photo, but it seemed to be 2 or 3 and it looked like it was in a parade.  It was hanging in the barber-style men's dressing room.  Anyway, I mentioned it to Bob and said I had a similar photo. 

Well, I have been going through some photos recently, looking for photos of my highschool friends (we have 3 school chums who are all suffering from advanced stage cancer - so horrible).  And I came across this photo of me riding my pony in a parade along with my dad and my grandfather.  I wanted to show it to B.

I sure do miss you and look forward to coming to visit.  It may be sooner rather than later, but I am really trying to stick this work thing out for at least a couple of months.  I am adjusting fine and enjoy staying with B and H a lot.  They are just so sweet and welcoming and tell me each day how much the enjoy it.  I try to cook for them or bring them baked goods every once in a while.  It really has been a treat, and not too bad for DH and I either (we have LOTS to talk about there - one day, I hope, on the phone or in person - just us). 

However, my job is not what I thought it was going to be, so I am not liking it very much this time around.  I am at the same place, but they have me doing something else, that I don't feel especially qualified for, or particularly good at.  Will I stick it out and learn to improve at this new aspect?  Hmmmmm, time will tell.  But I was really counting on what I could make in 3 to 4 months, so I am taking it week by week.

Hope you are having a nice summer so far.  Love you. 

Tuesday, no News Day

No news is good news regarding my 3 classmates who have cancer.  We hope that is good.  They are all just in a holding pattern, probably valuing each and every moment they get to be alive and spend time with their family. 

One of our classmates, we are doing online fundraiser.  She evidently lost her job and has to travel approx. 35-40 miles to get her cancer treatment.  I guess she is very ill and wasting away.  She is too proud to tell anyone what is going on, so we are going to do a drive among our class and friends to get her some gas cards, food cards and Walmart cards so she can buy herself some essentials. 

My friend who always has lots of ideas thinks we should do a Cancer Sucks 5K back in our hometown.  I think it is a great idea.  There are a couple other people from my hometown in different classes who also have cancer.  It is crazy.  Both my folks died from cancer, but they did not grow up here and their cancer was caused by smoking. 

Anyway, just a regular old Tuesday - and that is a good thing.  I need to be grateful for my every day too.  Gratitude is a muscle that I have learned to use and grow and for that I am grateful.  A regular old Tuesday for me might be the last day one of my friends has. 

Feeling this Monday

Ugggghhh, so tired.  This is my 3rd week not being home all the time, my first full week M - F. 

I got home good time Friday, if I leave the city before or after rush hour, it take about 3.5 hours.  If it is rush hour I can add at least 3-0 min.  I got home 6 or so Friday.  First thing I do is sort my laundry and get that started.  I don't dry my good clothes, I hang dry everything.  Helps prevent wrinkling and helps them last longer.  I had not done laundry from my AZ trip the week prior, so I had like 6 loads to do.  Including bedding and towels.  DH had not stripped the bed, so I did.  I enjoyed seeing him and having nice time with my dogs. 

We stayed in Friday and Sat went to grocery store as I wanted to prepare and cook some fresh veggies and grill some chicken/steaks.  Friday we just had soup, which was good because it was still cloudy/rainy.  I did not go to yoga near my house, I miss my yoga friends - have not seen them since early May before I sprained my ankle.  I will plan on keeping my city yoga schedule thought - Tues and Thurs.  I really want to loose about 10 pounds I put on in the last year. 

Sunday I finished laundry, piddled in the yard.  We picked/washed some fresh veggies/lettuce.  I packed some of it and grilled chicken for my lunch at work.  I left about 3:30 and got home 6:45.  My aunt/uncle went to one of the grandkids baseball games, so I unpacked and went to gymn for an hour.  Got home and had hard time getting to sleep, slept not so well. 

I have an interesting case working on at work.  It involves a police sergeant so I ran couple of things by my DH and he gave me some great ideas.  He has law enforcement background and criminal defense.  I have insurance/civil defense background, so sometimes it is fun to talk shop.

We also had some good dialog involving some of the things surrounding my return to work and some issues between us that need to be worked out.  We are both willing to do this work, so that is the first step.  The case I am working on was a good segue.  I am currently taking a break for lunch.

Have a wonderful Monday - pretty and sunny here.  I really think summer has arrived.  I hope.  No more rain.  We got 3 more inches last week in the country.  I do love the days lasting until around 9pm. 

Thursday Throwback

Yesterday late, my friend's son posted a wonderful picture of his mom looking at him after his high school team won an important basketball game.  The look on her face is pure love and joy.  He is telling people that if they want to share stories about his mom, he will pass them on to her.  I have loved reading the posts.  So many people love her.  Funny photos.  Great memories.  We all need to share these things with our friends and loved ones every day.

Have a great Thursday. 

Cancer Sucks

My friend from high school, L (one of my friends from high school with cancer, I have 3) is now on hospice with her liver failing.  Her son posted a video of him playing his guitar and singing to her this weekend.  In his post, he asks for the many family and friends to give him, his mom and dad time to process this and be together.  That the amount of messages, calls, emails, posts...has been considerable, but becomes stressful when they cannot possibly respond to them all.  So he asks for us to send prayers and do a random act of kindness for another person and think of his mom. 

Looks like from her son she did a great job at raising him.  :(

Back Home, then Work

Well, we got back home to my state Monday at 9:30am.  We left Arizona at 1:30pm.  My counsin's wedding was beautiful.  It was great to be able to spend time with family and friends of hers I knew and to meet distant relatives I had not met yet.  I met couple more of her friends from Colorado.  They were so nice, and a lot of fun.  Cousin and her groom seem really happy and in love.  I hope for her to have a wonderful marriage and feel unity with this man and security and grounded. 

We left Wed morning at 11am, got out there early Thurs morning.  We went through the upper east side of Arizona and got to see some elk and deer.  We saw some breath taking landscape.  We had all afternoon Thurs and Friday to help the bride and get some fun in the sun.  We had good food, got some good rest and thoroughly enjoyed it all.

My cousin rode with me.  She drove a bit of the time.  I was pretty nervous riding with her, but she was very helpful (can see better at night than I can).  For reasons I won't go into...but anyway.  We got back and she went on home to the city (she slept approx. 7 hours in the car).  I went home and sleep all afternoon, woke up and ate dinner with DH.  Then back to bed early last night.  I got up and drove to the city for work this morning early.

I really miss DH and our dogs.  Dogs were clinging to me.  DH misses me a lot.  This is going to be a long summer.  At least I had a yummy salad for lunch, made with lettuce out of our garden.  Have a great Tuesday evening!