Yes!!!! Anchorage! 😂🥶😛I asked to get out of the heat from May-Oct!

Nice to be in Alaska through the summer, bisky. We didn't get to spend much time in anchorage, mostly just heading to the airport at the end of our cruise, but I'm sure it will be a great adventure! I hope you have the chance to go to Denali Nat'l Park. If we are back in that area, we'll set aside some time to do that.

Whew, a busy week at work and then all of that social, Mihani. Good for you! If you end up checking for the recipe, please look to see if I sent you the partner recipe. I believe it is a casserole that uses half of the prepared squash. It is one of my faves. I will be doing a kitchen reorganization at some point soonish and will keep an eye out for them too.

Sorry you have to work with buttholes, Nanc. Back when I worked in an office, there was always drama downstairs, and I was very happy to have an office upstairs, escaping the worst of it.

Hi all... had fun last night but went back to bed this morning and probably won't get to the office until 10:00 or so. Oh well. Need to be out by 4:00 to get home and get ready for the fundraiser tonight.

Your plan sounds great, Nanc. I like the atoria wraps but they don't always have them so I got a bunch of ezekiel tortillas last time at the store all stocked in the freezer. Are you still doing the sauna on work days?

May be looking at a house tomorrow. I am not too excited because it is overpriced for the area but beautifully re-done top to bottom so we'll see.

rats. I typed out a comment and did not post it

Carla - I am excited but have several concerns regarding Alaska. Can’t wait to hear how jackfruit stew turns out!

Mihani - a new house? That is very exciting. I hope work does not keep you too busy this week.

Magic - love your new schedule! Hope less exposure to jack@$$&$. Do you have to work longer days? Keep giving them the silent treatment and let them make fools of themselves. How is the coworker who is back on the shots for weight loss? It is a sad gimmick now. So many people believe they “need” that drug now.

I have gotten so questions with my almost 80 lbs down. did I take the drug? I started Feb 2023 with therapist and nutritionist. It is about 17 months to lose 80 lbs. equals out to 4.5 lbs a month. It was more in the beginning but now down to 1-2 lbs a month. I really do want to lose 5 lbs before Xmas. Tomorrow 2 hours of pickle ball, swim 30 min, book club in afternoon then mahjong in evening….maybe mahjong. They tend to eat and drink a lot in the evening games.

Baking 3 sweet potatoes tonight. One for sweet potato smoothie!

Oh I love the Lincoln Lawyer! Also Only Murders in this Building.

Ihave been having problems with anger lately. 3 moves in 3 and a half years has done me in. I am having trouble processing going to Alaska for 6 months. Magic, Glad the bad guys are fading away into background noise and not triggering you.

Both thumbs and wrists are hurting this am….all I can think it is from walking Obi and Buster as they pull a lot. Cleo ( aka Miss Perfect) and Charlie Bear (aka Mr. Grubby Pants) do not pull. Looking forward to swimming as it helps aches and pains. Hope I can hold the pickleball paddle.

I have been getting up with Brooks every morning at 0500 to make us a healthy smoothie to start the day. I think it is helping him to eat less junk. His A1c was up to 5.9 and he is not eating any sweets after dinner. We had sweet potatoes topped with roasted red peppers, black beans and onions last night. 😋😋😋

A good quote I read today: Weight loss is not a race but a journey.

Interesting book club yesterday. Got off subject about food and diet. Someone brought up the Carnivore diet. Never heard of it but sounds like Keto. I had to bite my tongue several times. One thing everyone agree upon was less or no sugar as the sat around eating pumpkin chocolate chip bread and frosted pumpkin muffins and drinking sweetens tea and lemonade. Now I know I sound judgmental and honestly I am but can vent to you ladies.

Y'all are just fine venting here. Better than having confrontations that do no good.

I got treadmill done again yesterday but overslept this morning. I will make sure to get on there first thing tomorrow morning before I leave for the office. I plan a LONG weekend of work. Everything is crazy and I see no hope or light at the end of the tunnel right now.

Mostly eating oats, smoothies, sweet potatoes, steamed veggies, fruit, etc. I am happier and feel better when I keep it simple.

Mihani - good for you taking care of yourself despite the work stress.

Magic, I think you handled it well. Were there any witnesses to his behavior? I would start recording him with my phone. If he tries that again I would simply state you are aware we have security cameras and your inappropriate behavior is being recorded? If you do record him yelling or threatening you simply state your behavior makes me feel unsafe. Or continue with silence. Are you keeping a log documenting time, date and what was said in case he does try to get you fired? He is a bully and thinks he is picking on someone weaker than him but he does not know how strong you are. Trust your feeling that he is trying to get you fired and take counter measures to protect yourself.

I have problems with car salesmen. Brooks lets me do the research and decide on cars. I love looking at cars. Recently we had our car in for service (Brooks handles repairs) I stated I was going to go look for a hybrid I had my eye on. 3 salesmen with name badges were standing around talking…not one in 15 min asked if I needed help. I had even looked at them and made eye contact. I came back to service area, Brooks asked how did it go…I stated no one offered to help. The service man immediately said I will get someone and I said no, they had their chance. I said let’s send Brooks out and see how long it takes….serviceman and I watched… less than 3 minutes… someone from that group approached Brooks and introduced himself…Brooks said Hello, I am Col. Goettle and you have missed your opportunity for a sales by ignoring my wife!😂😂😂 I walked up behind him and gave Brooks a sweet smile. Brooks stated I am the Col. But she is the General. 😹. Brooks can be so sarcastically funny. Overall I don’t think car salesmen are a happy group.

Changing our reaction to the triggers takes practice. We will have some failures but going back over it and reviewing the situation and how we could have handled it differently will help get us there. That is what my therapist says. She says to visualize 3 different reactions….1. Picture myself losing it, yelling and saying inappropriate things with name calling (to my older sisters) making myself look unhinged. 2. Saying nothing, remaining calm, breathing. 3. Smartest response I can think of that sets boundaries. Pick a response and keep visualizing the more positive response. Unfortunately I can’t always think quickly. I just react but the silence is a safe option. I think what you said: we are not having this conversation was brilliant. YOU Set a boundary.

This visualization technique also works with food. Picturing myself stuffing my face with unhealthy food and alcohol, feeling sick and bloated, picturing myself in a swim suit eating healthy fruits and vegetables, picturing myself not eating and feeling deprived, etc….really helps prior to going out…looking at menu and visualizing how my choices will make me feel. I did this Thursday night prior to Friday lunch date. Knew I was ordering salad and grapefruit juice with club soda. I did it despite my friends having 2 mixed drinks plus dessert. I saved 1/2 my drink for dessert. One person who is not a close friend remarked it is Friday and I should let loose. I stated I have worked too hard on my weight loss and health journey to go backwards. I actually visualized that response to peer pressure to over eat and drink. The best food rewards are to nourish our bodies.

Brooks bought me a new pickleball paddle last night! He also made delicious black beans with chipotle peppers in instant pot. Going to have them over a baked sweet potato and make my favorite chipolte sweet potato black bean chili!