Thursday, Can we Talk?

My husband and I talked last night about Net Neutrality.  In February when my 2 years is up, I am going to WM mobile phone plan.  My friend at work has it and pays $40/month unlimited 3G.  We pay $100 a phone now!  We also pay $50 for internet and $100 for cable.  If net neutrality is overturned and internet goes way up, like $100 - we will chose between internet and cable.  My husband has not been able to cut the cord yet, but if internet goes up to what cable costs (and cable has been increasing too), we will choose.  I could tell he is leaning toward cutting cable.  He does not think how we could do without internet.  I think (other than reading and writing blogs) I could wean myself off.  Pay bills through the mail with checks and get off social media.  We could go to the library.  I could use 3G on my phone and spend some time that way, but I think I am also leaning toward cutting cable.  Reading, Amazon Prime, gardening, walking, sitting outside...I think we can manage. 
Well, it is still fairly mild weather for Dec, it was really windy yesterday, but temps in the mid 40's.  I had really quiet Tues and Wed this week, went home early and hung out with DH.  Started watching a new show on TV, Knightfall on History channel.  So far it is pretty good.  Going to meet a friend after work tonight for coffee.  Then tomorrow after my half day, I got to help Granny with her books.  I am going to try and remember to take her some of the cookies I made last Sat morning.  if I don't make efforts to segregate and wrap a bunch of them, DH will eat the majority of them and that is not good for him.  I guess it is a good thing we are not going to RH this weekend, so I can work on distributing some of these!  I told him Sat that I want to go to one of our city's museums Sat and maybe eat at our favorite Thai place, which is about 50 miles on other side of the city.  I don't have much Christmas stuff to do at all.  We don't have children and we already gave his parents their gift (a puppy!).  I usu buy my Granny something to eat, because she is frail and needs nourishment and encouragement eating.  Otherwise, I have toned down my Christmas spending every year and when DH retires next year, we will really cut down.  Have a great
Thursday.  Thanks for reading!
P.S.  I have given 4 more things away (plastic cups to my MA1) and sold 3 more things out of my closet!  Woooo hooooo.  Not big things, not expensive things, but things out!

Tough Tuesday

Well, last night was my last hot yoga with my yoga instructor that I like so much.  She is moving to another location where she will have mostly day classes and possibly be able to work into something  where she can use her nutrition training.  Today I am really sore.  It was such a good class.  I am really going to miss it and miss her.  She is really sweet.  I know my GF (T) who recently had neck sx is sad she was not there to take one last class. 

So, I returned a classic white dress shirt I ordered online today.  I decided that if I ever do need a classic white button down shirt, I will find one but I don't need it now.  DH and I were talking to his brother and my SIL Friday when we met the new puppy and we were all talking about getting to be in our 50's and making career changes.  BIL is selling his beautiful new truck that he loves because he is making a career change and they are even considering downsizing their house.  DH is 63 and he thinks even finding a PT gig when we retire will be challenging.  I thought about it more and decided that I did not want to work 50-60 hours a week PLUS commute 45 min each way while DH sits at home.  He is 13 years older than I am and I don't ever want to look back and have regrets.  Our budget might be slim, but we think we can manage.  So, I feel comfortable and excited to sell me car in the spring.  I do not want to work to pay for a car.  It is crazy the switch DH and I are having as we think about this new possibility.  I am kicking my downsizing wardrobe into high gear now and even more so when winter is over.  So, about March we will be entering super-purge phase, prep'g house for sale and we will list my car.  WOW.

This past week I did some more spot deep cleaning, packed up another load to take to RH 12/22.  Listed 7 suits and a tuxedo DH owns, gave SIL a raised/covered cake plate, may have found a home for my cat (2 people who really want a cat are considering) and donated 2 large boxes of Christmas decorations/ornaments/gift bags/bows.  I also threw away a bunch of used bows and gift bags/confetti stuffing for gift bags that I have collected since late 80's.  I felt ashamed that i have wasted time/space/energy with such useless and stupid stuff.

Feel great.  I have not had dairy (again) for over a week and I think that was what was making me sick again.  Before an "experiment" trying it a little bit, i had not had it for over 2 years.  At least I am more convinced that it really is a problem for me.  Oh, well. I will deal with avoiding it.  I hope you have a great rest of your Tuesday!  It is getting really cold here, but DH took a brisk 4 mile walk with me Sunday and i loved the Vitamin D!

RIP Rusty

My DIL (dear in laws) dachshund, Rusty, has been sick all summer with allergy type symptoms.  He has deteriorated this fall, having anemia and pain/lethargy.  He even had a transfusion.  He died Sat morning.  He was only like 7.  I know how attached to him my FIL in particular was to Rusty.  Sweet dear Rusty, cross the rainbow bridge and be free of pain and run again in the field with Barney and all the other dogs.  You did your job well here on earth.  We love you and we will miss you.

It has been so sweet to see how much my DH and his brothers and sister love and worry for the pain they know this has caused their parents.  So, right away the 3 brothers began telling their father he should get another dog, if not puppy.  FIL did not say no and did not really say yes.  This was while Rusty was still sick and deteriorating.  The kids did not want to be too pushy or rush things, but they were very concerned because of how close FIL was with Rusty.  So, the search began and a pup was found a couple weeks ago.  A picture was texted to SIL and she showed her phone to her parents.  They agreed the pup was cute.  The pup was obtained by DH brother and his wife.  They were not supposed to get him for another week, but once Rusty passed they agreed to let him go a week early.  We went over to meet "Buddy" Friday after work, before they took him to DIL home in nearby state (in same town as our RH).  The report was that Buddy was very much loved and readily accepted and was the perfect antidote for idle hands and idle heart.  He even woke them up the next morning 5am sharp needing outside to potty.  DH can tell by his parents' voices they are pleased with Buddy.  So sweet. 

DH and I have 2 dogs and a cat.  We are trying to find a home for the 11 y/o cat.  Our other cat was elderly and passed this summer and the kitty is lonely.  My female Chihuahua does not like the kitty and barks at her.  The kitty instigates it because she is needy.  it is not an ideal situation.  My male Chihuahua is about 11 years old and has a hear murmur, so we worry about him.  As he was beginning to slow down about 3 years ago, my DH told me we should get another and he was instrumental in making us go look. 

When I walked in, DH really was drawn to the big dogs, be we know that our small male is not crazy about bigger dogs.  He went and looked at each big dog and I really struggled.  I encouraged him to go and look in the small dog room.  We walked in and the door opened right to left.  I was on left side, DH was on my right.  When the door opened up, it partially blocked the pens to our left.  I looked left and DH looked right.  When I saw little C, she nervously approached the cage and quickly licked my hand and then ran back to the back of the pen and was withdrawn and cringing, she was so nervous.  By the time I got DH attention, she was in the corner, refusing to look at us or come over to us.  I told him what she had done and told him I had a feeling about her.  DH was not too impressed.  The staff had us take her outside and we sat around (we brought our boy CO to meet her to be sure they would be compatible).  CI was so nervous, that she just stuck to the staff and would not come to us, even for hot dog bite.  Then I showed her a toy and she was interested, but still would not come to me.  Then I sat down and she crawled into my lap.  That is all it took!  We brought her home and we have had her now for 2.5 years.  She is my delight and so runs our entire household. 

Animals bring so much joy into our life.  I feel they are a gift from God for sure!

2017 Coming to an End Soon

I like the end of the year where we reflect and recall what happen during the year.  I am either trying to avoid getting sick or trying to get sick, I havent decided yet.  So I have tried to slow down a little bit and have had some moments to think. 

The beginning of 2017 had me worrying about one of my long time friends. She had gotten in a heated argument with her male friend and found herself in some trouble.  I helped her through that.  Then my DGM got sick and went into hospital and spent her 98th and my 50th birthday there.  She went to rehab mid March and finally home late April.  Late June I did overtime until October.  July I learned another childhood friend was having some mental instability and has been in the psychiatric hospital twice.  All my classmates turned 50 this year with me, we had a lunch at my house in Aug.  I went to the lake to celebrate my cousins 50th birthday.  I have watched a relative (PA) move and two others have cancer tx (MA2 and cousin S).  Another (BIL) learn he has slow cancer that does not require tx and have seen my SIL and her husband deal with his moms death and hourding for nearly a year.  I have seen a relative have substance abuse issues, another 2 have financial problems, I have seen cousins struggle to care for elderly parents, deal with abuse issues (a revelation revealed to me at a wedding) and I have received 2 baby shower invites (bought for 1 so far).  I have bought about 6 graduation gifts this year, given several monetary donations for animals and natural disaster victims and felt sad with the rest of the country as the hurricaines and wildfires raged this year.  While I happily received 2 wedding invites for next spring, i was sad to learn a relative is divorcing after one year and another relative is struggling with their marriage.  Finally, i have stood by helplessly and watched my dear neighbors while they watch their 49 yo daughter slip away from colon cancer.  At this point, her pain is so bad, I dont know what to pray for, except for God to comfort her and her family.

Current events are crazy, the entire world seems full of anger and hate.  But I have about as good a life now as I have ever had.  I have a wonderful husband, I have a great yoga class I love, a great group of friends and I have a job  and a roof over my head.  I do feel really overwhelmed at times with so much going on around me.  Now more than ever, I am making a daily effort to have daily contact with God.  I have been going back to church regularly and I know I have a God that looks over me.

Monday Start Over

I worked 60 hours last weekend.  I did not get enough of a break this weekend, skipped church to rest and get stuff done at home.  I did feel OK later Sat (just skipped lunch).  Went to dinner and a program with a couple of good girl friends.  DH stayed home.  I could tell he was missing me, texted me sev times when he was off and playing golf with his brother Friday and then I worked all day and did not get home till 9 Sat.  We spent Sun together.  I cooked and cleaned, the house was neglected after Thanksgiving being gone and then working so much last week.  Laundry.

We did get our bikes winterized.  I filled mine with gas and left it in driveway while he cleaned out corner of garage to fit them in enough to be able to bring his car in for winter, so its not iced in the mornings when he goes to work.  I always have mine fit in, on left side.  Plus, my car is an expensive new car, so we try to take really good care of it.  I had planned to sell mine next year if I can't find work in my new state.  The more I think about it, the more I think I will just plan to sell it regardless.  We could use the extra savings.  It is sort of stressful having a nice car, lots of hazards and people seem to just slam their doors into it and it just kills me.  It is starting to own me.

When we rode to get gas, just a couple of miles we saw about 10 bikes.  Everyone enjoying the mild weather before it drops to 20's tonight!  I hurried and did a nice walk yesterday while hubby put the bikes in garage, put gas additive in the tank and put them on trickle chargers.  Today I am SORE and have a head ache!  Stomach is better, but not great. 

I am not optimal for a Monday, but I have decided I am going to hit "restart".  I will decide how this week goes!  And it is going to be great, even if I am a little tired!  I heard a saying this morning that inspired me.  "Life is short, but it's also wide".  After all, I have a great DH, food cooked in the kitchen, toys winterized, hot yoga and super moon tonight (I thought it was yesterday), an overtime paycheck coming, great friends, dogs I love...life is good!  Have a great Monday!

What I did to simpliy this past weekend:  cleaned lower cabinets and cleared out corner of garage (DH did), we got rid of a huge Rubbermaid storage thing w/no lid, I sold a pair of shoes and a purse and I am giving away a vest (maybe).  I also cleaned out a bunch of pottery off the tops of my cabinets and cleaned out basement linen closet and stuff stored in the basement bathroom vanity.  It's not much, but it is something.  I have pretty much gathered the next load to take to RH in 2 weeks. 

Super Moon

Dear TV people of hollywood, please give us more shows as funny as the Carol Burnet show.  Amen.

Planning in seeing the super moon when we walk the dogs at 9.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

Thirsty Thursday

This is from yesterday ..I feel restless today.  Not sure why.  Maybe because I am in limbo on a few things and my ability to control stuff is compromised.  I am still making progress toward the goal post, but I need to be grateful in the moment.  Not just put it out there for a few days around Thanksgiving and then move on full speed to unbridled Christmas.  Although, now that I am really not into Christmas, so that might give reason for my malaise. 

I am back on overtime, but just for a couple of weeks.  Yet, it intrudes into my housekeeping and workout and that affects my anxiety a little.  I have a couple of other projects I have to abandon too, so there is the shuffling and my DG does not get the attention she deserves.  I will just try to focus on the positives, remember it is temporary and think of the extra cash!  I will just have to do a little more after work in the evenings and try to focus my workouts on Sun/Mon night yoga.  When I was working OT this summer, it wasn't so bad because it does not get dark until 9-9:30.  Now that it gets dark at 5:30, I am ready to go home and crawl into bed. 

I haven't sold anything despite listing a lot more since Sunday.  But the real progress is that I have found several more things to list.  It really is like a floodgate, once you tap into that feeling, stuff just becomes so easy to let go of.  Crazy!