The New Water Cooler
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There is rain in the forecast for today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Angela, I hope you got rain!
We have had our share of sun showers this week. Flowers in pots are looking good again.
Yesterday we went to a winery for dinner and their 25% off pizza. They had live music and we had wine and wine slushies. Tonight we are treating Rory and Hannah to a steak house that we have been wanting to try for a couple of years.
Russ and I ordered our new entry door handles/hardware. The new doors should be installed in the next 3 weeks. That will be a biggie off our list. I have bookmarked several outdoor sconce lights that I like. It's a shame that the previous owners let everything on this house get into disrepair.
My gardens are weird this season. I find plants growing that I didn't plant this year but had previous years. Those tomato slugs have made their way onto the garden tomatoes too so I cut off the branches with them on it and threw them over the fence. I found some weird plant growing with the strawberries and cut that out too. I have serano peppers that I didn't plant this year so I will harvest those when ready.
Well off to water the flowers if they need it. Happy Wednesday!
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wooo! The three days were gnarly. But we’re through it. Tomorrow we are going to go to Costco and hope a Thursday isn’t too crazy. Working on a list.
Hope you got rain AngFamily time with R and H!
Bring on the shopping
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We took Rory and Hannah out to a steak and seafood house last night. We had been wanting to try it for a couple of years. I ordered parmesan crusted white fish because I have been trying to find a restaurant up here that still prepares it well. Not!! Russ and Rory did not care for their rib eye or sirloin. Hannah's scallops were over cooked. We will not go back. Disappointed but now we will take it off our list.
Enjoy Costco and get some good shopping done.
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It rained!!!!!!!! I got wet and it was wonderful Only it wasn't enough. We need more of it. Lots more.
My anxiety has been going crazy. I haven't been on Facebook since noon on Saturday. I'm going nuts. Today has been better. I will have to see how the evening goes now that I am home. I crave to be on my computer and want to get on Facebook. Last night my Pastor preached on anxiety and going to God asking for his help through it all. I had to go up to him and ask him if he was living in my head this week. Such perfect timing for a message just when I needed to hear it!
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I'm glad you got some rain. Hopefully that will trigger more…
Rory and Hannah left early this morning. It was a very fast week. They didn't have the best of weather. Cool temps, some rain… Hannah and I did a 15 mile bike ride yesterday on the trail near our house. She rented an ebike in town and loved it. They went off on their own a lot for hikes and shopping. We did go to two wineries to listen to music and try their wine. Family dinner was chaotic and my grand niece and nephew were wound up. Very loud and my nephew (age 2) flipped a small pedestal end table that was my Mom's and broke one of the legs. Hopefully Russ can glue it and it holds.
Today is sunny and 60's. Since I woke up at 5:15am to say good-bye I stayed up. It's 10am and I've washed towels, wiped the outside of the stove and fridge, vacuumed, mopped up Hugo's drool, and put my own clothes in the wash. Tomorrow I will wash bedding, vacuum downstairs in the bunk room, and feed my starter to make something sourdough this week.
Happy Labor Day weekend!
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The trails re-opened in my area yesterday so I went for a trail run today. It’s takes me 3km to get there. I ended up running 10km this morning. I checked and the last time I ran that distance was May 21, 2024. I felt surprisingly good. The river I go by (and over) is so low. We need more rain!!
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Happy extra day off tomorrow. Angela do you have to work?
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Happy extra day off tomorrow. Angela do you have to work?
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Nope. It's a three day weekend. My only plan for tomorrow right now is to sleep in and run
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My days off have gone so fast. Mostly pretty good. Just shopping and errands and working in the house. But nice to get some done. I have let my shower go way too long with tackling the soap scum. That was a mistake. I scrubbed and scrubbed yesterday. I went and got some more stuff today. I have read that people like that 'pink stuff' cleaner. And I wanted some scrubber with a handle to get a little leverage. I probably won't get at it again today. But I am promising myself, again soon. Cleaned more stuff out of my closet.
I have more food prep to do today. Some chicken to make into a casserole. Veggies to get prepped. A sweet treat for me? :>)
Ang, I wish I could send you some rain. We have been getting rain for days. We really need a break. Overall we might still be considered drought, but it's too much for one pass. And it's dreary having pouring rain when you want to be out enjoying days off. :<(
I hate when you get so excited to eat somewhere and it's not good. It's just such a disappointment. Sometimes that's why I keep going to the same few places. We went somewhere different in Omaha on Friday (somewhere I had been many, many years ago when I lived there) and I was uncertain that I hadn't just built it up in my mind. But it was good food and enjoyable. It's called Brother Sebastian's. The inside is made to look like a monastery. Very dark, a room like a library, a room with wine barrels, the wait staff in monk's robes. Food like an old-time steak house.
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It was a beautiful day here for the picnic at my cousin Polly's beach house. I wish I had taken my swim suit but I decided sitting on the deck was going to be fine. I missed out!
Family drama going on here between my oldest sister Lynn and cousin Polly. Lynn is mad at Polly and won't speak to her, answer her calls, etc. Real passive aggressive behavior. She did send a heated text to Polly to tell her she would not be attending the picnic today and said some other unnecessary things she should talk out in person with Polly. We had a nice day without her and the party went well.
I think Russ and I will kayak tomorrow instead of me going to aquafit class. There won't be many more warm enough days and warm lake water to do it so we will while we can. I'm hoping when my friend Kristin arrives next week we can still kayak.
I hope you both enjoyed your weekend.
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Cold today. High of 59 degrees so the season is really winding down. I'm beginning to wear long pants, sweatshirts and jackets.
My brother arrives today and will stay at Becky's. We are having a family dinner tomorrow night at her house. I will be picking up a homemade pie at the Ugly Tomato Farm Stand. They are our favorites. We never did get to kayak this week. It was too windy on Tuesday and I had a haircut and doctor appt yesterday. I did meet my friend Mary for lunch afterwards. Yesterday was rainy all day.
I'm off to Aquafit in a bit. Russ and I checked out the athletic center at the Indian reservation a few minutes away. Anyone can work out there and they have a really nice facility. Russ is going to join and since we are seniors, for an additional $15 per month, I can be a member. It has an indoor walking track, lots of free weights, weight machines, ellipticals, treadmills, rowing machines, stationary bikes, etc. For those not so nice weather days or days Aquafit does not happen, I can go there and get a workout in. The Ys exercise studio is big but always so crowded so I don't go up there except for yoga class. This way I can get on a machine and be only 5 minutes from home if it is a snowy day.
Happy Thursday!
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Oh, that's really neat about being able to join that athletic center. And so close. Bonus.
This week was rough. It often feels like being punished for gone a few days. It's something I tried to explain for my 'new' bosses (not that they're new anymore). But getting called at home, knowing 90 percent of stuff is waiting and not getting done and just the weight of all that is heavy. Sigh. I don't expect everything done, and I like being busy. But… anyway. The weeks over.
Looking forward to a volleyball game in a couple of hours. Just a 'non-con' 'easy' team. But they still have to show up and take care of the plays.
I need to try making some more lentils this weekend for meal prep. I think from the internet that me putting the tomatoes in right away is why I couldn't get them beans tender.
Happy Friday
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We had dinner at my sister Becky's last night since my brother Brad is here. She made a veggie pesto linguini, salad and crusty bread. We had the apple pie we picked up at the farm stand with vanilla icecream. Today I went out for lunch with my sisters and brother and then we drove to the different beaches on Lake MI and to a cherry products store. I ate too many samples of chocolate covered cherries.
Blustery, cool day with some rain. Tomorrow I will make the guest room bed and clean the bathroom so I'm ready for Kristin's arrival on Tuesday. I hope to volunteer on Monday since I haven't been to Power Book Bags in 3 weeks. Busy month…
A hummingbird was still here this morning but I'm not sure if they still are here this evening. Sad to see them go for the season.
Marla, what do you make with lentils? I'm not a lentil fan.
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I think the recipe was originally something called 'madras' lentils - with a bunch of the Indian type seasonings with garam masala. I did not enjoy those flavors. I think it has a lot of cloves in it? Anyway I made it again with the lentils, broth, tomatoes, onion, tamarind and then using seasonings of just garlic, salt, pepper, cumin. I did continue to add the coconut milk, it doesn't have a ton of flavor but seems to give it a nice finish. I think they end up being almost like a refried bean. I am trying to get more fiber and the lentils hit fiber and vegetable and pretty low calorie.
The weather has been really nice the last couple of days. Almost a bit brisk in the mornings. Aaaahhh.
I hope you are enjoying your siblings visit.
Meh, Sunday…
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Ah the sound of rain. Isn't a beautiful sound? 🌧️🌧️🌧️🌧️
Tuesday night I start my piano lessons up again. I only had it for a couple months before summer, so I am looking forward to a full year of lessons. I just need to start disciplining myself better to get my practice times in every day!
Yesterday as my church's yearly baseball game and BBQ. I skipped the game and only did the BBQ. I had people question me why I wasn't at the game. I told them I was watching a better one. I was watching my Blue Jays (that game got rained delayed and then the lost). The BBQ was yummy.
Friday night our the kids program at my church re-started. We had invited the kids from VBS to come and spend their points. Most of them came! Last year we averaged around 10 kids a night. We had 25 on Friday night! This coming Friday will be interesting to see how many of them keep coming. This morning in church Pastor said that if that man kids keep coming we would need more workers. I was sitting way in the back, but still vigorously nodded in my head in agreement!
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Marla, even though I don't like lentils, the spice combo sounds good. I'm glad you are enjoying cooler temps.
Angela, rain, Yay!!!!! I hope you have a wet Fall. Do you get a lot of snow? Good luck on your piano lessons.
My brother is driving to Detroit to catch a plane to WA tomorrow. It was nice to see him. He is doing well but needs back surgery for compressed vertebrae and discs. He will see a neurologist on Wednesday and I hope he gets his surgery scheduled sooner than later.
My friend Kristin arrives from Mpls. tomorrow at noon. She will stay until Saturday. It will be good hiking, rock hunting on the beach and biking weather. Russ has our Vegan meals planned for dinner since she eats Vegan. Healthy week!
I visited Sarah in the nursing home today. I took her out in the sunshine in the courtyard to get her out of her room. She mentioned wanting out of there a few times. She really wants to go home but doesn't understand how disabled she is. I feel for her…
My hummers are still here. There are at least 3 of them out by the bushes and feeder being aggressive to guard the food. It is suppose to be low 70's this week so maybe they will stay through next weekend. Hope so…
Happy Week!
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Ugh. My blood pressure has been getting high at work recently. I can just tell based on how I feel it's high, and when I get home it's high. After a bit at home and taking my afternoon metoprolol it comes back down, but I have to say this is worrying me. Plus I am pre-worrying about that calcium score test I have Friday and labs next week, primary care annual visit after that and then annual cardiologist appointment. My bp has been great for months and months. And I am now just stuck in this loop of getting agitated at work and knowing it's up and then stressing because it's up and being unable to get out of that dread cycle that is perpetuating it. Kind of like how I have turned into a 'white coat' with having higher readings at the offices. But now I'm worrrying/pre-worrying about having to discuss this with the docs and, ugh. I think I am going to try taking my afternoon metoprol at work around lunchtime and see if that helps. I also have finally bought myself a cheap pair of ear buds (first pair) to try listening to these 'peaceful' tracks, 8D audio, things I have found that may help kick my brain out of dread cycling. I really wanted to show 'healthier' than last year. Stupid stress.
Hump day at least.
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You are probably right, Marla. Dreading your doctor appts and all that is going on at work increases anxiety or worry and your body is responding. Ear buds with soothing music/sound or calming affirmations may be a good strategy.
My friend Kristin flew home today. Before I sat down after I got home, I vacuumed the beach sand out of my car, cleaned the guest bathroom, vacuumed, changed fruit fly traps, etc… Now I feel I can relax and recoup. We had a great weather week and did most activities outside. No shopping which was great for both of us. We hiked to a scenic lookout, went to the beach and walked several times, rode ebikes 22 miles on the scenic trail in the National Park, kayaked, painted lots of rocks, found lots of cool rocks on the beach and ate pretty healthy. Russ cooked our vegetarian/vegan dinners and they were very good. He told me he may never cook again after this week. I always tell him he does not have to cook any meals, ever. He likes to cook too much to stop.
My sisters and I are going to see the Downton Abby final chapter tomorrow eve.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
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Sounds like you got lots of great visiting and activity, and Russ got lots of cooking activity. Sounds like a pizza night is in order!
It's been hot again this week and weekend. Hopefully it moves off. I enjoyed that week we had 70's and want that back.
I haven't watched any of the Downton. Enjoyable?
I don't know if I 'made' myself sick with worry or picked up a bug. After I knuckled through my calcium test (not painful of anything, just my dumb brain making everything worse) and then I calmed down I thought I would enjoy a nice weekend. Nope. A headache arrived Friday night and I was so sick yesterday. Even threw up a couple of times. Migraine, stress, virus?? Whatever. It was a poor excuse for a nice weekend. I didn't get any food prep done. So that is a 'stress' starting my full week off knowing I won't have good food ready when I am ready to eat. And I never make good choices when I'm hungry and have to just 'make do.' Wednesday is labs and I really wanted my eating to be on pointe before that, but well. Feh.
Siiigggghhhhh
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The let down of stress in your body after your "worry" week may have caused you to feel poorly, Marla. I hope you feel better now. I'm also glad you have a week off!
The movie was ok. I did watch the Downton Abby series and saw the first two movies afterward. The movies are not as good as the series was. If you like drama and watching another way of life of the British aristocracy, you would like the series. The rules, superiority and stiffness of that culture is amazing and makes a person glad they were born a regular person. The clothing/wardrobe they wear is really amazing as the series progresses from WWI to the late 1920's. The movies move through the crash of the 30's.
I have my doctor appt at the sleep clinic today for compliance and data of using my cpap.
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I am a shining star for use of my cpap. The NP was very pleased with my results and use. However, based on some things I reported with my machine, it is time to order a new nose cushion. I did so yesterday but it won't arrive for several business days. I only used the cpap last night for 4 hours because the nose cushion collapses (stretched out) and it feels suffocating. I am so tired today. I don't know my fatigue is due to low usage of machine or if I'm beat from last week or what. I haven't been to see Sarah this week or volunteered at Power Book Bags in a month. I need to get my routine back but have been busy with projects or am too tired.
I received a text last week from my friend Dianne in MN. She has been to visit me in MI twice with several friends. We worked together for almost 30 years and she owns the cabin where we would all go for girl's weekend. We were also in book club together. She was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer, a rare and aggressive type. It is a shock to all of us. She exercises every day, eats a farm market of veggies daily, is full of energy and a person that surrounds herself with friends and family. She will start chemo next week. In addition, my high school friend Carrie is battling a re-occurance of her Ovarian Cancer. The doctors told her every time it comes back after remission, it will be more aggressive and spread quickly. She had a major surgery in June to scrape the cancer off her organs and now is going to start chemo again when she gets home from a trip to Spain.
Marla, I hope you are enjoying your week. (vacation this week?)
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I am struggling again. I need to get up and run and do the other things I love and just can't. My body is a giant ache going all across my shoulders and down my back and spreading from there.
I had to block Facebook again. I also blocked YouTube. I am starting to think I should just delete Facebook, but it's my only way to know what is happening in friends and family I don't see. Then again, do I really need to? They can reach out to me via email if they really wanted to reach out to me. Or even old fashioned snail mail letter!
I think I need to work harder at meal planning so I eat better and balanced meals. I know what to do, I just need to get off my lazy-you-no-what and do it!
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Angela, I've ached a lot for many years and the docs told me to keep moving. I didn't always do that and I regret that I didn't follow through. Even though it can be hard tovget motivated to get out and walk or run, do it. Eventually you will feel more energized and less sore overall.
Unplugging from social media may also be a good th So much unnecessary and useless info on FB and Instagram. We should all make an effort to be in touch with people with a phone call, email or snail letter. More connections with phone and snail mail. Make a friend or family member feel good and smile…
I went to the Y this morning for aquafit. I was lazy and did not give it 100% but it felt good to move in the water. I will go to studio yoga on Saturday. That will feel good even though I'm starting over. Russ and I did errands in Traverse City this afternoon, went out for hamburgers and now we are home.
Tomorrow I have a pedicure and will visit Sarah. I haven't made time yet this week.
Happy Friday!
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showing up is a huge part of it!
I’m sorry your friends have both received such terrible health news.
I worded that last post weird and I was trying to say because I was sick I didn’t get my food in order for me week. Unfortunately, I was not off work. ☹️
Labs were Wednesday and I looked online at the numbers. Sigh. Looks like the ldl is a bit high again but I tried two statins last year and I am not interested in a pill that makes me hurt all over (even more than I already do). I’m not sure what doc will say but I think I am going to just say no to anything else for awhile. I am working on more fiber (which could help) and the calcium scoring was good so I think my heart is good. I’ll verify with the cardiologist but yeah.
Healthy healing waves
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Marla, do you stay pretty hydrated each day? I read somewhere that dehydration or not drinking enough of the good fluids can cause blood pressure to elevate. Just a thought… I've lost track of my weeks. You were off a couple of weeks ago weren't you? It feels like two weeks since Kristin left but it has only been a week.
My pedicure felt great and my toes look very nice. I visited Sarah after her lunch time. She is looking rough. She mentioned several times about wanting to go home but they won't let her. I mentioned rock hunting on the beach with Kristin last week. She wanted me to take her to the beach and proceeded to take off one shoe and attempt to get her compression socks off so her feet could get wet. She told me she wouldn't need the wheel chair, that she could walk but don't tell John (husband). Not true, but what she believes or prefers to believe. Makes me so sad… I had to tell her I didn't have time to take her to the beach because I needed to start on cleaning up my garden beds. Not true but I can't transport or lift her so it is not going to happen.
It is making me sick that the murder of Charlie Kirk is being used as a political tool to elevate MAGA and divide us even more. I didn't like anything the guy said but also hadn't heard of him until he was killed. This country is messed up right now.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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The YMCA wasn't very busy when I went around noon. Yoga class had a sub and I was nervous because she is an intense instructor for all the classes she teaches. It was actually a really good class and I feel I stretched muscles that hadn't been engaged and stretched in awhile.
Low key weekend…
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I hadn't heard of that guy CK either. I am absolutely appalled by people putting him on this weird pedestal. Creating pictures of him walking with Jesus. I don't believe he should have been killed, but then I don't believe anyone should be killed. There was a literal school shooting killing kids the same day and not one of these people cared about those babies or teachers. People acting like it was the 'liberals' fault. Uh, it was a white, right, guy. I am just sick. I just can't with people who supposedly align with me. I cannot align with people who hoist up white supremacists. Who praise white Christian Nationalism. Who scream about the second amendment, but cheer when the first amendment is obliterated (uh, Jimmy Kimmel fired for some lame comment about Maga, it wasn't even bad) - and even if it was where are the right wingers about 'we can say what we want'. They have turned military against our own people, limited speech, decimated education etc, etc. Huh, where have we seen this happen before…. terrifying, infuriating, what the absolute… I want to post my feelings, but there are reports of databases going up to track detractors for 'punishment' and doxing.
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We never could have imagined that we live in crazy times. Our new reality…
I just got done zooming with some retirees I hadn't talked to in awhile. Now I need food and then off to Power Books for the first time since early August.
I will catch up later…
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