Jubilant January 2025
magic71755
Posts: 4,032 Member
Alrighty folks, a fresh start! 
I, for one, am so very happy to see 2024 in the rear view mirror. $20,000 of unexpected expenses! But I am back on track...just six months behind my goal of paying off our home.
Goal for January is no spending on anything except whatever Lulu needs and groceries and household needs and gas of course.
Simple enough...cut back on unnecessary spending, focus on paying off the house. My one and only goal this year.
Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy 2025!
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Up and having coffee...gym has holiday hours so I will leave at about 5:50. Working regular hours today...kinda wish I would have taken the day off.
coffee
bean burrito
veg soup
raw veggies after work...some yogurt dip thing, or bitchin sauce.
tea and pumpkin bread
Hope everyone has a good start to the year! M, your job is to get better. That's you need to work on today.
Later.
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Happy New Year! Feeling better little by little.
Nanc, that's a bummer the infrared sauna wasn't as good as you anticipated. Hope it's an easy day at work for you.
Carla, another bummer about your sous vide. Your NYE plan sounds perfect.
I went to bed at 5:30 last night, got up for a while after midnight and puttered around the house a bit, then back to bed for a few more hours. Made the black-eyed peas, cabbage, potatoes over red rice and had a bowl this morning. Very tasty. Also made cornbread and used a new recipe. It's just okay. I'm fussy about cornbread and haven't found the perfect one yet.
Going back to bed for a while now.
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Happy New Year!
I do love a fresh start! I want to improve my health in 2025. I also have some fun goals...I am going to do 12 months of knit hats and pick patterns where I learn something new each time. I'm also going to do 12 months of art yarns. Starting this month, I subscribed to a fiber/spinning club. Each month I get fiber and add-ins, dye, or related items to complete a yarn. It comes with a 'recipe' and video for the yarn they do or I can do my own thing. I have a feeling there will be some odd ones and normally I am particular about the things I use so it will be an adventure. If they turn out kinda wacky I can always use them to tie gifts.
Your black eyed peas meal sounds great, Mihani. Is there a tradition associated with having black eyed peas on New Years day?
Too bad about the infrared not being what you hoped, Nanc. Do you notice a difference in your sleep after using it? Google says infrared saunas normally operate between 110F and 140F which is lower than normal saunas but should feel warm because it penetrates deeper.
I couldn't get my sous vide machine working again but when I went to return it, I couldn't find the original packaging. So, I ordered another one of the same model and once I open that I will return the first one in the new one's packaging. I only used it 3 times before it broke so I don't feel bad about returning it. I really hope the next one holds up because it is so great for dyeing yarn.
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Carla, traditional NY meal includes black-eyed peas which are supposed to bring prosperity and symbolize coins or wealth. Greens for good fortune for the coming year. (Also pork but we obviously wouldn't be doing that!) I know a lot of people have sauerkraut.
Your spinning club sounds like fun and a good way to stay inspired. Good thinking on ordering a new machine for the packaging.
I slept another few hours. Plan for the rest of the evening and night is to keep eating small portions of food, going back to bed, reading, sleeping. And lots and lots of water.
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That is one nasty flu, Mihani! Hope you are feeling better today. Interesting info about the black-eyed peas. Most traditions involve totally unhealthy food, so greens 'n beans are a nice change.
Here's the yarn I dyed before the machine died! Resuming dyeing on Sunday. In the meantime I'm weaving a scarf.
The colors are off, but you get the idea with the color variation. Next up will be dyeing some solids to have on hand.
Have a good one!0 -
Looks pretty, Carla! Do you still have a lot of yarn left from when you were spinning before?
I left work around 3:15 and going to eat a bite and head to bed again. I am definitely better but still just worn out between being sick and working a bazillion hours.
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The yarn is beautiful...and M, happy you are getting better, although slowly with work and all.
today
coffee
burrito
veg soup
apple and pb
lights out...very tired.
night.0 -
up early...having coffee...slept really well...not sure if it is the new sauna, but will try again today...made lots of new friends yesterday...and the gal at the desk is going to find out more about the benefits...the red light is only up above on the ceiling and under the seats...it's very weird. I will take a pic next time I am alone.
today
coffee
bean burrito ...much better with ezekiel tortilla
my veg soup with 14 grams vegan parm from TJs
apple and PB
teastay warm everyone...later.
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There's no danger of me running out of yarn or fiber. Let's just leave it at that, Mihani LOL
Any chance you can take a few days off to recover now that the end of year rush is over?
The weaving continues. I'm trying something new. I won't know how it worked until after it is off the loom and washed. Hope to have it all done by the end of the weekend.
speaking of, Happy Friday!
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Interesting Nanc... it looks very spiffy! I hope that is what helped you sleep better and will continue to help.
Carla, I kind of figured there might be a stockpile of yarn. LOL
I got out at 4:00 today, made a quick Fresh Thyme run because I wanted ezekiel english muffins. Grabbed some lettuce and zucchini while I was at it.
Still eating my way through the huge batch of cabbage and potatoes and black-eyed peas. I'll see how much I can get through the next couple days but some is going to end up being tossed. I would freeze it but I'm not sure how good it would be and my freezer is stuffed full at the moment anyway. I have been buying a lot of frozen veggies at the wholesale club store and they take up a lot of room.
I am still not feeling anywhere close to 100%. Was running a fever again earlier today. I have to go in tomorrow at least for a while because we have clients scheduled, but then I'm coming home and not going anywhere on Sunday. This morning they were talking 5 to 10 inches of snow here Sunday to Monday, but prediction is now 3 to 6... they never really know and it's annoying how they like to report every snowflake as the end of the world. I will just wait to see what happens between Sunday and Monday. If it's really bad we won't go in and I can work from home, as long as I have power. Fingers crossed because power outages seriously suck.
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Somehow I wasn't expecting the sauna to have a red cast to it. It looks very nice. How was your sleep after going again?
We haven't had any snow so far this year. Usually when the forecast is dire and there is a bunch of hoopla, nothing happens. Then, when the weather is barely a blip on the radar, we get chaos. Apparently the weather is hard to predict in our area because of the mountains & ocean blah blah small changes in the atmospheric pressure can totally alter the weather.
I am down a few pounds, finally! A long way to go but I am happy to be going in the right direction. I still have some gallbladder pain but overall it is feeling better and isn't as reactive to fats.
Tonight's dinner is ratatouille with polenta. We've had it from Plantage a few time and it is really good.0 -
Congrats, Carla! And glad to hear you are feeling better.
Home from the office, heating up leftovers, going to take a nap. Finally feeling a bit more like myself today. Hardly coughing at all and the pressure in my sinuses is much better. I have been up since 4 am though, because I went to bed so early and then I felt good enough when I woke up that I didn't want to go back to bed.
I don't think I'm going to do much the rest of the day. I brought a bunch of work home to keep me occupied tomorrow, and I'll do a little cooking and laundry when I need breaks.
I'm back to simplify, simplify, simplify. Batch cooking rice, quinoa or other grains, frozen veggies, canned beans, for easy to throw together bowl meals or salads. Cutting out the junky stuff and calorie bombs like blue corn chips, lara bars, etc. I really want to take off this last 20 pounds this year. I'm so tired of bouncing up and down the same 5 to 8 pounds.
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Stayed up too late finishing a book so I slept in until 8 am. Second load of laundry going and several more to go. Bedding, towels, etc. day. I just started the instant pot with a Starch Blaster... idea from Well Your World and is kind of like my greens and beans concoctions I used to make all the time, but easier. I used red lentils, green lentils, soy curls, red and black rice, frozen onions and peppers, frozen kale, chopped mushrooms, lots of garlic and spices and some nooch. We'll see how it turns out but I like the idea.
Should be up at my desk by noon. Want to get a lot done today. Also going to hit the treadmill at some point today. I haven't got in treadmill time since I got sick because I was a bit woozy.
After letting the instant pot collect dust for several years because of my fear of it, I have used it several times over the past week and think I'm (mostly) over my anxiety about it. I don't really get why people use it for some things... like oatmeal. By the time it would come to pressure and cook you could have had it done in a saucepan, had breakfast, and got on with your day. I guess maybe if you were doing a batch prep it could make sense, but I don't like leftover oats much. They get gummy.
Current forecast is 4 to 8 inches of snow starting around noon today. Wheeee... keep your fingers crossed no power outages.
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Fingers crossed that you keep your power, Mihani!
I finished my scarf last night. It is nice but not my favorite or anything. I like the pattern I tried and it is nice and soft. A fall or spring kind of scarf, with some warmth but not super warm if it is a very cold day. I have to trim the fringe and weave in a few ends and take pics.
My replacement sous vide machine arrived yesterday so I will be out in the dye studio finishing the dye process on the yarns that are halfway done.
Today we'll have the ratatouille I mentioned yesterday. Last night we had the stir fry, heavy on the broccoli with tofu, on rice. Yum.0 -
Good luck with your yarn adventures today, Carla. You reminded me I have tofu in the fridge need to make some in the air fryer this week.
My first attempt at the starch blaster turned out great. Well, not initially. I used way too much liquid so it was very brothy and thin, but I added a couple handfuls of whole wheat pasta that soaked up a lot of the extra liquid and it looked much better. It is very tasty and I will have no problem eating it a couple times a day for a few days. So easy to throw together too. I can see doing this a couple times a week and not having to fuss so much with planning and cooking. Just need to get some more experience with the instant pot to know how much liquid to add for various things. I think having the starch blaster, salads, and maybe oats now and then for breakfast, should get me back on track and the scale moving.
I got so wrapped up in cooking and laundry that I still haven't started on work. I am going up to take a nap right now, and then I'll work until bedtime.
No snow yet.
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Lots of snow... about 4" and another 2 to 4" expected today. My guess is we'll be staying home today but waiting to hear from the boss. That would be fine with me as I have a ton of work that I didn't get to yesterday anyway so if I don't have to drive in this mess that makes me happy. I'm sure we'll be going in late if nothing else, so I'm going to enjoy a second cup of tea and an ezekiel english muffin then head up to my desk.
B - ezekiel english muffin with tahini
L - starch blaster over lettuce with chopped tomato
D - same as lunch
S - apple and/or orange
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Up, Finishing up getting things ready for my organizer...have a list for her...think I need her one additional day.
Sounds like both of you are doing better...is the starch blaster from WYW-Dillion, Mihani?
the sauna is not that red...haven't been for several days...they failed to turn it on again...takes awhile to heat up...I do have that extra time in the morning before work...beyond frustrated.
other than the stupid sauna situation, life is great...excited about my organizer today...helping me get things in order to make my day easier, mainly on work days so that I only need to spend mornings on Sunday cleaning and doing laundry. The rest of the time devoted to Lulu and me and living the good life.
coffee
bean burrito
tofu scramble with loads of spinach
baked potato and salad
toast and teaHAGDE!
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Am working from home. It's nice to get things done with no interruptions. Snow continues to fall, but it should be done and the roads cleared by morning.
Nanc, yes the starch blaster is a Well Your World thing. I would like to see more of what they do, but I have no patience for youtube videos in general. I don't mind theirs much because they are fun and not annoying, but I still don't want to watch them. I may try watching some on the treadmill. Maybe you should start calling the gym before you leave and tell them to be sure the sauna is on.
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Spoke to management yesterday and got the scoop on the sauna...it is infrared...it was just changed two weeks ago and still working out bugs, but the managers NOW have access to the controls on the their phones...so it should be all good going forward.
I do like it better as far as relaxing goes...you have to suffer through the hot temp dry sauna and you do get a good sweat going ... but u have to be prepared with lots of water and it is hard. Infrared I do not sweat nearly the same...not at all.
The benefits of the new infrared sauna: https://www.betterbrainandbody.com/post/the-top-10-benefits-of-infrared-saunas
Ours is the Mid Range...management took me into her office and showed me the paperwork ...very pleased that someone finally listened to me and took the time to address my concerns.
TODAY IS MY SECOND TO THE LAST DENTAL APPOINTMENT FOR MY NEW TOOTH! Thank God!Just measuring today...with all their latest equipment...so no pain, discomfort nor stress.
Today
coffee
tofu scramble
bean burrito
baked potato and salad
ninja cremini...using Orgain Protein Drink Mix
also, veggie platter with hummusLater.
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How was your day with your organizer, Nanc?
How did your snow day go, Mihani? Were the roads all clear this morning?
I am hoping we don't get snow this year. Usually we are on right on the cusp of freezing, so the snow is very wet and sloppy. Then it gets colder overnight and that freezes, and then more sloppy snow comes along and wet snow on top of hard packed ice is not good at all. It is treacherous for driving and walking both.
I'm still snacking after dinner. I have to cut that out! Evening is always the most difficult for me. I'm going to try having decaf chai tea tonight instead of food.
I think tonight we'll be having Vietnamese Salad w/ tofu & peanut dressing. It is one of my faves.
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Super day with my organizer...she is coming back end of FEB. We are going to re organize the kitchen. It needs major help! Also my closet. And a little time in my office.
She will come back next January. Money 💰 money well spent!
My goal is no more than 4 hours Sunday morning, cleaning and laundry. Then the rest of the weekend is Lulu and me time.
So an organized home will lend itself to just that...the FOUR HOUR LIMIT. Both of us need PLAY TIME! Especially now, weather is wonderful outside.
Love anything Vietnamese...enjoy your dinner!0 -
Carla, yep roads were mostly cleared. The ones back in my subdivision get a quick plow but not salted or anything so it's slick getting in and out of here but once I'm on the main roads it's fine.
Nanc, glad you had a good time with your organizer and have a plan for getting your weekends back.
I have been eating up the starch blaster the past few days. Probably enough for tomorrow and maybe Thursday, then I'll throw together another one. It's very filling and keeps me from hitting up the snack cabinet at work.
Today was good...
B - ezekiel english muffin with a smidge of tahini and an orange
L - starch blaster, an apple
D - big ol' salad (just lettuce, steamer bag of broccoli and cauliflower, coconut aminos, nooch and no salt seasoning)
S - lara bar
I need to use up the lara bars and not buy more, but at least I'm keeping them to one every day or two.0 -
Today
Matzoh brei with just egg
Homemade almond milk and cereal
Steamed spinach
Bean burrito
Not sure!
HAGDE
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Long couple days at work. Ate the rest of my starch blaster for lunch so I'm trying one of the WYW soups that I ordered tonight. Too late to eat anything heavy and I am not that hungry. The soup is okay. I would doctor it up if it wasn't so late. I ordered the sampler so I will remember to keep notes on what I think of each so I don't reorder ones that I am not crazy about, and I'm not looking at these as regular meals just for days like this when I don't have time/energy to think when I get home.
I'd like to make another starch blaster but don't have it in me tonight. I may be working from home Friday morning and if so I'll do that then. I have some of the Forks Over Knives entrees in the freezer if I need something tomorrow, and I also have potatoes that can be done in the air fryer in 20 minutes.
Going to finish this cup of soup and head to bed.0 -
Got out of the office a little earlier than I have been of late, ran to the store and have a starch blaster going now. This is really helping me stay on track having something good and filling to eat whenever I get hungry rather than foraging for the crackers and blue corn chips that I usually start wanting.
Oh, and I've managed to hit the treadmill the past 3 days. I skipped it for a couple weeks between busy at the office and being sick, but feels good to be back in the habit.
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today
coffee
broc, cabbage, rice
refried bean tacos
steamed spinach
cereal and ALMOND COW almond milk...ALMOND COW WAS A BDAY GIFT FROM MY NIECE
one piece matzoh with oat butter
night all.0 -
Coffee ☕️
Matzoh brei
Bean. 🫘 burrito
Cereal
Steamed spinach
Tea ☕️ and toast
HAGDE!
🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸0 -
We're going out for breakfast this morning with Joe's dad & step mom before they go on a trip. I forget what the first leg of their trip is, but the second half is a cruise in the Bahamas.
After that I'm going to continue with yarn dyeing and working on another scarf I have on the loom. Total opposite of what I just did. It is all in one color and very delicate. I'm not sure what will happen once it is off the loom but at least it is just a scarf so not too much time or materials invested if things go sideways.
Burnt orange yarns are finally done. They required multiple dye baths and extra acid to get the color to stop bleeding.
oops running late for breakfast. gotta run. happy friday!!!0 -
Mornin' all,
I slept a loooong time. I was exhausted. It was a long week and yesterday I left the office early to help my brother with something and generally I've just been stressed out. And we got another couple inches of snow to boot. I am going to run down to the office this morning just for a little bit, need to gas up the car, and I think I'll take a trip out to the wholesale club for potatoes, frozen veggies, rice, etc.
Nanc, the gift you sent arrived. Thank you so much! That was sweet and the quips are funny.
Carla, hope you had a nice breakfast out. Can't wait to see pics of your latest creations.
I guess I better get a move on here. I am hoping it will be a good day for running errands and there won't be much in the way of traffic and crowds with the snow.
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