October 25 - Nov 1

GaGasheesh

LW: 133.8
TW: 133.2

Well, I feel that is on track for the rate I reduce weight, so I'll take it.

Kelly, it's great to read your post. Your life is in full raising a family mode, and now you have your wonderful cabin to add to the mix of it all. I know what that's like, and it's a challenge, but so much fun. Lots of great memory making! I wish I could see your kids play hockey . . they seem very accomplished. I hope you can find some time for yourself.

Lois, it's so difficult to stay focused when there's so much that takes our attention and time. I'm glad you ordered more of your plan, and I hope you hang in there for some attention to yourself and your health. We still haven't tried pickle-ball as we've been busy with our life stuff, but I'll let you know how it is.

Sarah, hopefully all your house stuff is taken care of now. I think our stuff is finished with carpets being cleaned, and now we're getting ready for the holidays earlier with the new grandbaby on the horizon. Are you staying around home for the holidays? Other than our short trip to Oregon to see our granddaughter in a play in November, we'll be sticking around.

Yikes, my computer is going to restart . . gotta go.

Lastchancelj

LW 218.4
TW 218.5

Kelly - super great to see your post and updates. We're thinking of you and rooting for you guys. I remember what it's like running the kids everywhere...fortunately we didn't have snow to contend with but getting the kids to soccer, tball, basketball and then finally settling in at TKD. We were fortunate that once they got involved in TKD they could ride their bikes or walk to their practice and such (that was such a relief). Keep enjoying them and the time you spend watching and being there for them...it's special not only to you, but t them to know that you're involved.

Sheesh - great job on your reduction!!! If you enjoy tennis or racquetball, I think you'll enjoy pickleball. I used to be a racquet sport kinda gal.

Other than Disney for Thanksgiving, we've got a mellow holiday season as well. We are hosting Christmas Eve luminaries/beef stew, but that's all. My DIL's grandma is aging and we all agreed they should go to her home for Christmas this year. Hubby and I will join the other grandkids at my SIL's family for Christmas morning (Cameron & Kelsie's). I may make a lasagna to take over, or just to have here at home. Hubby talked about going to San Diego to see Auntie between Christmas/New Year but they are leaving to go to the Philippines around that time and I think it will be too chaotic. I'd rather just stay home and enjoy our quieter time here. We seem to have been on the go for the past few months. It will be nice to relax at home or get stuff done around here.

Well, the new Christmas village blanket/base should be here today (note - don't go to a craft store the weekend before Halloween and expect to be in/out with material cuts... HA!) The village base below the tree is 3 yards of white fleece something. Well ours is almost 20 years old and is really showing its age and every year I forget to buy a new one. I went to JoAnns this past Saturday and the wait for the material cut was over an hour! So I ordered a cut white fleece from Amazon. Hoping it works. If not, I'll go to JoAnns again in the morning next week AFTER Halloween.

We're now 29 days from Disney and our weather is finally cooling to the low-mid 80's. I went out for a 1.5mile walk last night and it actually felt "cool" at 82. So I'll go again this evening. I slept with the windows upstairs open (temps dropped to mid 60's overnight and house was 75 when I got up) and I slept well, but late. At least too late to walk this morning. I always feel extra heated after my walks and prefer to shower and I didn't have that kind of time. So I'll go when I log off work tonight. It was nice last night.

I think I shared that my left foot/leg are still swollen and I bought more new shoes in the wide size! I now have some shoes to rotate the wear. I packed up my med width shoes and I'll take them to storage when we take Christmas decorations. Hopefully the swelling will go down in the next few months, otherwise I'll end up donating my shoes to a homeless shelter. I don't buy inexpensive sneakers - Hoka, Brooks and Saucony are my go-tos. Two new Brooks and another new Hoka. I might get yet another Hoka as I can really feel the lack of support compared to my new ones - they've been the only ones I've worn since my accident.

SarahMaxx

LW: 129.4
TW: 128.8

Sorry to be so late. Lot's going on here and hubby is out of town again. I'm holding my own still, which I’m satisfied with, but it has been a bit of struggle. I realized on Monday afternoon when I sat down to log food that I had not done so since Saturday at lunch. And after that amount of time, I struggled to remember everything I had eaten and the exact amounts. I have to do better. The Washington Post has been running a series of articles about why life expectancy has been decreasing in the U.S. in recent years, which has also gotten to me to thinking about what I eat. And with that, I can do better, too. For example, on Sunday night we had ham steaks, baked sweet potatoes, and roasted brussels sprouts. Sounds good until you add the butter and brown sugar I put on the potato and the balsamic glaze on the brussels sprouts. I could have easily cut down on all of it or maybe even skipped some of it. But I was tired and had that "want to comfort myself" feeling.

Thursday through Sunday, I dog-sat for my neighbors. They have an aging Jack Russell/Chihuahua that needs to be walked about 5 times a day. And of course, he must be fed and given medication, and I also opened and closed up their house each day. Hubby was at his friend's farm for two of those days and was either busy with work or battling neck pain on the other two, so except for two of those 20 walks, it was me and the doggy. And because the neighbors' schedule is different from ours, I needed to be up, dressed, and out the door for walk #1 each day about an hour earlier than I usually get up. So, by Sunday night (when that brown sugar and balsamic appeared on scene), I felt like I had covered everything while the neighbors vacationed and hubby hunted, and I was a little into a "What about me?” mode. And when I'm in that mood, my ratty little brain says, "You deserve to put some brown sugar on that potato!"

The week also brought some good things, though. I had dinner with a good friend that I don’t get to see very often last Wednesday night and the weather has been nice enough this week for me to get outside. For the past few days, and though the weekend, we are having unseasonably warm weather. That’s very fortunate because the heat pump is still not fixed. The technicians stayed here all day last Friday and finally concluded that the part the manufacturer sent to them was bad. So, they had to send it back and wait for another. They are due back this Friday, and I’m sure I will end up paying for all the time that they spent tinkering with the bad part, plus the time they’ll spend tomorrow. And I spent $400 at the vets on Monday, too! But enough kvetching about money. I should be thankful I can pay these bills.

Kelly, I was so happy to see that you had checked in. You have a lot on your plate, but I do hope you make some time for yourself, too. And I hope you guys made it safely in the snow to the cabin. I bet it’s really pretty up at the lake when it snows.

And Lois, don’t be too hard on yourself and just don’t get the eff-its. Things will be easier once your foot is fully healed. And it's great that you are walking as far as you are. Just think--you'll be walking outside when the rest of us freezing our behinds off.

Sheesh, I’m so happy to hear that your daughter is doing better. That was scary, I know. And congrats on that half pound. A half-pound in a week is really good for us shorties. And there are pickle ball classes going on in the gym at the clubhouse where my classes are held and sometimes I watch for a few minutes. It’s very popular here, too. So much so that there are wars between the pickle ball players and the tennis players since they vie for the same courts. I mentioned it a few times to hubby, but once again, he thinks that would mess with his neck. Darn that neck!

Well, I’ve practically written a novel now, so I’ll just stick in my 7-day stats and call it a day.

Steps = 12,177
Kcals burned = 1,840

GaGasheesh

Just jumping on for a minute to say happy and safe Halloween to you ladies! And stay away from the candy, lol!

Sarah, the balsamic glaze for the brussel sprouts sounds delish. . Please post the recipe as I might make it for Thanksgiving.

I had my trainer today, and have been getting cardio workouts almost every day. On Wed we’ll see if my eating has been good enough for a reduction.

SarahMaxx

Sheesh, we bought an air fryer and decided to try this recipe that is especially for one: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020126-air-fryer-brussels-sprouts-with-garlic-balsamic-and-soy

Hubby often uses New York Times recipes and most are good. I think there may be learning curve with this appliance as the brussels sprouts were a little dark. Hubby thinks it may be because he preheated it and he said that next time he is not going to preheat the fryer. I think you could also do these in the regular oven.

That said, do any of you use an air fryer? We got an instant pot and don't use it much, so had resisted the air fryer, but hubby kept seeing recipes and decided he NEEDED one. LOL We have so many pots, pans, and skillets that we have the cabinets full, some on pegboard in the basement stairwell, and some on pegboard in the laundry room. I call him "Mr. More Is Better."

Lastchancelj

Happy Halloween Ladies...

Sheesh - your comment made me chuckle. Hubby and I were going to run to Costco on Friday to pick up candy for Tuesday and then he found out that they are closing the TKD school on Tuesday, so we are going to head to Rhea's and trick or treat with her. No candy needed. I texted my son and he said he had enough and we certainly do not need Costco size bag. So currently - there is no candy in our home. That being said, once Rhea is done trick or treating, Daddy and Grandpa have to scour her collection and remove anything with nuts or peanut butter - so I'm sure Grandpa will score a few from her.

Sarah - I do have an air fryer as well. I like to cook my fish, but I do preheat it and I also cook it for 2-3 minutes less than any recipe or instructions call out...maybe it is the preheating that overcooks it... never thought about that. There is a learning curve. But if I cook mahi mahi or tilapia - is 7-9 mins...not 10-13 or it's quite crispy. I also have the instant pot and i do love that. I'll make the zuppa toscana or the pasta faggioli soups from Olive Garden - so yummy. Also ribs are delish in there... oh and sweet potatoes. just rinse, put them in for i think it's 10 mins and yum! I actually used it quite a bit. Since I can't have any pasta or sauces on this meal plan, I haven't used it too much.

Psst - don't tell hubby about the immersion circulator or "sous vide cooking" - now that I LOVE!!! season steaks with salt pepper, place in zip lock bag and a couple of hours in the water bath - take them out, dry them off and toss them on the grill to char them up. Taste like med rare, but not quite as bloody. So so tender. If you like tri tip - again, salt pepper, onion and garlic powder. I toss that in for 12 hours (overnight). Cool it down and when I'm ready to serve it, butter or mayo the outside, toss on the grill to char it (can't recall the term) and so so tender and delish. That way of cooking you can actually get away from some of the fats (you don't have to use the butter or mayo on the meat, I like it very charry. I bought a big rubbermaid type container with a lid that has a hole for the circulator and make two at a time. Toss one in the freezer so when I need one, I take it out a day or so ahead of time to defrost and then grill it up. Takes a few minutes not hours..... not to add to your hubby's gadgets.... sorry.

Well I did Trunk or Treat with Rhea Friday night. She went down one side of each lane and was done. She was more focused on finding her best friend...so she was yelling "Julia" before saying trick or treat at any station. She didn't collect too much, but she had a great time. We found Julia and Julia's mom said that Julia was doing the same thing calling for Rhea. What was super cute was that their costumes were from the same show Miraculous Ladybug. Julia was Ladybug and Rhea was Rena Rouge. Too freaking adorable. We ended the night ordering a pizza and a tummy ache for me. But it did taste yummy...haha. Last night hubby wanted Panda Express...again, tasted great but tummy troubles.

I think I mentioned that when I was cleaning a week or so ago, I kicked the chair and it split my right big toe nail...literall cracked 1/2 through the bedding and halfway to the base. So hubby has been gorilla gluing it to keep it as attached as we can. Disney is 24 days away. I did go to the podiatrist today. He said it looks good and to keep doing the gorilla glue and then puta bandaid over the toe when I go for my walks to keep the friction off of the nail. He also said I could gel or have acrylic applied, but also cautioned that that could cause more irritation when they sand etc. So for now, I'm staying with the gorilla glue option and bandaids. It doesn't hurt anymore...as long as I keep it glued down.

Well my DIL's elderly gma also had a fractured hip and was flown down here from the reservation up north to have a partial hip replacement. *Chinle is about 6 hours north of us). Fortunately it was just the ball and not the hip base. Rhea tried to visit her at the hospital and she told me "Grammy - they wouldn't let me see Great Grandma - I don't like hospitals!" She and her dad came by to spend some time doing something fun while her mom and other grandma could visit with great grandma. So that called for a visit to Grammy! Great Gma is 79 and I believe will be transferred to a rehab center for a few weeks to recover and PT. I was thankful that the surgery was a success and she pulled through well. She's not been aging well and has had other issues so we were all a bit nervous for her.

Life is crazy. Wednesday I have to be in Scottsdale so I may not be able to jump on until Thursday. Stay away from the candy and keep moving. I'm going to put the bandaid on my toe and go for my walk at 5.

Lastchancelj

Could be disturbing to read - dog attack. Feel free to skip if you wish.

Well, I did not get my walk in last night. As I was chatting with my sister on the phone and getting ready, about 5:11p there was a commotion outside. I heard a baby crying and someone yelling to "let go!" I ran out and a neighbor who walks his two dogs twice a day (probably poodles, small white fluffs of fur) as he passed our house, our neighbor's dog was able to escape their house and attacked one of the fluffs. a neighbor across the street came to assist as did a neighbor a few doors down (while holding his 1yo in his arms) pulling the tail of the aggressing dog. I ran out and took the baby away from the commotion. They did free the dog, and they took him to the animal hospital. Last update was it was holding on late last night - but not sure he's gonna make it. The police were called and we were interviewed - though none of us saw the initial attack. I called my sister back and she asked me if my ring cameras captured anything - again, because none of us actually saw the dog attack. Well, I checked the driveway camera and you can see parts of the attack, so I went and shared it with the officers. Called my sister back again...and she asked me about the front door view... well damn. That showed the dog, or heard him scratching and attacking his front door before bolting across their yard and the doorbell did capture the attack. It was brutal. By that time the officers have already left, but they do have my name and number and I did download all of the videos in case they need it. I hate to think to euthanize a dog, but I keep envisioning if that happened when Rhea is riding her bike with us.... how injured could she be. or the neighbor's one and three year old who he takes out a couple of times a day as well. It took a while for me to unwind and get to sleep.