First, I can't believe I'm the one starting the thread this week. WOOT WOOT

Super long - grab a cup of coffee or tea

Happy 2025 Ladies. So sorry for being MIA. I signed off work at noon on 12/20/2024 and did my best to stay offline until I returned on Monday, January 6, 2025. I did jump on twice in between, thinking it would be a quick handle of something and then pop on the board, but I ended working no less than 3 hours both times, so I just stayed off and out of my office. I did want to get online to check in and also we got a new Cricut machine and I wanted to explore more, which we all know is easier on the laptop than the phone or iPad, but nope. After getting caught for so long, I just stayed off.

We had a wonderful Christmas with my kids and Rhea here. The other grandkids were with us Christmas Eve for luminaries and fun. Enjoyed them the entire time they were here. Everyone left by the morning after Christmas, so hubby I had some time to recharge. The day after Christmas we cleaned and moved food so that when my friend came to clean the house, I would be done making a mess (moving lasagna, manicotti and beef stew for freezer etc and just general regrouping of the holiday foods that still remained). The kids did take quite a bit of food with them (lasagna, manicotti, beef stew and honey baked ham and sides). Hubby I still had enough leftovers. Friday - I crashed HARD. Hubby putzed around, but I was down for the day. Our new bed did arrive on Jan 2. So between Christmas and NYE I reorganized my closet and the bedroom to fit this massive bed (from a queen to a king). Removed and boxed my smaller sized clothes and grouped my closet into appropriate sizing to make my life a bit more bearable. Finished the deep clean on our room as we prepared for the new beds. I love the new bed. Quite comfy. Hubby is working his way on finding his sweet spot. We have the flippable mattress where one side is firm and the other plusher. I think his is on the firm side, so I’m going to have him flip it this weekend. I think he needs softer, but he does raise the feet to sleep and hasn’t been as sore waking up. So YAY!!!! We did so much in home reorganization that we did not make it to storage to attack mil’s paperwork, nor her room. Maybe after we take down Christmas, I’ll bring a box home to work on. We won’t be able to go to Disneyland until February, so I can use some of the weekend time starting that process. Gosh I don’t want to put away Christmas yet. I do love the way my house turned out, it’s everywhere and I just love it.

Healthwise. Saw the podiatrist NYE and not much more he can do with the nail. It’s not quite as bothersome as it was but the next option is to remove the entire nail and pray I don’t grow anything bizarre back. He’s amazed at how tenacious my nails are and that the other is growing a toothpick nail. Pray that this one doesn’t and maybe it’s still just the final healing process.

Hubby and I didn’t do anything for NYE, but we were both a bit run down and we continue to battle something. Slight cough and congestion. My sister told me about a tea mixture from Costco, Honey Citron & Ginger tea. It’s in a jar and looks like marmalade. I bought it and they’re large jars. Hubby likes the taste so he’s consuming it. I prefer to add a ginger tea bag or a mint tea bag with it. In just a week, we’re making a dent in it (54oz – massive). Just in case you’re looking for something different. It does have slivers of orange, lemon rinds and super thin slivers of ginger at the bottom when you’re done. We haven’t been around anyone since Christmas until this past Monday, but we’re still feeling it.

Ok. So I did weigh in this morning… 250.6. I was cresting 255 a few weeks ago and as I mentioned before I am meeting with my doctor in a couple of weeks. He had recommended the Ozempic/trizepitide options before, but I feel that’s going to adjust me like the Optavia did and possibly in even worse ways so I’m focused on getting back in line with normal food. My metabolism is so messed up. So, we are making better and smarter choices. I won’t deny that I’ll still enjoy my chocolate pieces, but just being more mindful of all meal selections as well. The chef was here on Monday and we had salmon, chicken salad and steak (hubby has his meatloaf), but we also have baked sweet potatoes, broccoli and zucchini. I feel like we’re doing better overall since we hired her.

Sarah – first I want to apologize that I did not see that you had lost your step niece. I’m not sure how I missed it but please know my heart goes out to you and your family. Were you feeling well enough to do your treatment on Monday and get that started? I hope you were feeling well enough to go. I know this has been a stressful situation just to get an appointment. Good news on Teddy’s test results. And yes, fur babies can get expensive. A friend of mine has their cat on special food they pic up from the vet and she said it’s crazy expensive. But fur babies are part of the family and important to keep them healthy. I hope you had a great trip with your sister and BIL. Your potluck night sounded like you had a good time. And agree, be home before the crazies start driving home.

Sheesh – can’t wait to hear about your Cancun trip and how much fun you all had. I love to hear the things you guys do as a group. It helps to know I’m not the only one who loves family time.

Kelly I’m hoping Ellie is recovering well and into physical therapy and that you guys had an amazing Christmas, Boxing Day and New Years . I checked on your temps a couple of times and bbbrrrrr.. We are now 40’s at night and 60’s in the daytime and I’m in sweatshirt, sweatpants/leggings and fluffy socks most of the day as I sit at the computer to work. When I start moving around, I switch to the tech shirt, but we keep the house at 68 (66 when hubby leaves – I like it colder) and then bump it back up when I head upstairs for the night.