Rise above the rats

Today was my first day back on track going to the gym at 6:30. I got up at 5:30, had coffee, got dressed, drover over to the lodge gym, used a bunch of resistance machines then used the NuStep machine for 40 minutes for my cardio. My heart needs it. I’m supposed to be doing aggressive cardio for 40 minutes most days. Lately I’ve just been walking the dog for 20-40 minutes. My plan is to go to the gym every day when they open and knock out my workout and get it done. I’ve got some family / life issues eating away at my brain and exercise and patience are the answer. This too shall pass. Rise up. Take the high road. Be the better person. No response is the best response. 

Train in the distance

I’m slightly chilly even with the throw blanket on me and the dog on my lap. It’s 5:06am and I woke up on the couch a little while ago feeling congested and struggling to breathe. I had a few days of feeling better once the Covid test was negative but then I felt like I was starting to come down with a cold a few days ago. After I woke up I went to the bathroom, took my levothyroxin and used my nebulizer to help my breathing. Now I’m awake. This same thing happened yesterday too. It’s silent in the house and I can hear a train in the distance and it’s sounds moving on the track. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard that before from this house. 

Tuesday some of the neighbors are having a “ say farewell” lunch to me and Mike at a nearby restaurant because we are stepping down as neighborhood representatives. The recognition would have taken place at the big neighborhood picnic on August 31 but Mike and I had Covid. We had to ask the 2 incoming reps and others to step up and run the picnic. So now they want a make up farewell event. I don’t want to go but we are going to be polite. I had been a rep for four years and Mike for one, although he’s been helping with neighborhood stuff for four years too. I just got burned out and sick of it. Some of the neighbors are rude and act entitled. That offends me a lot and I just got sick of dealing with it. I’ll go to the farewell lunch to be nice.

Thursday I have a colonoscopy scheduled so Wednesday is prep day. I have to read the instructions carefully so I don’t screw anything up and have to repeat it. Yuck. I’ll be really glad when that’s over!

I have a lot of yard work to do. There are tons of dead flowers that are done blooming for the season and overgrew their places so I have a bunch of stuff to rip out. Too many perennials have spread and are choking out my roses. I’m going to try to get it done today and tomorrow if I’m up to it. I also have a lot of housework and grocery shopping to do so I’d but get going pretty early today. Mike is still sleeping. 

Fall is here

It’s early morning, chilly and a bit overcast. The high today is supposed to be in the 60s. 

Mike and I are just getting over Covid. I guess we caught it on the cruise or plane. A whole bunch of people in our 55+ community have it now. My kids had it last week too. It’s obviously spreading fast and easy. We will get our new Covid vaccine booster on the 25th. Too bad it wasn’t available before the cruise!

I took a pretty long walk with Bitzi yesterday then Mike and I drove up to Lake Geneva for a couple hours and had a good time. It’s only about a 40- minute drive. We got a bunch of fresh vegetables and fruits at a produce stand.

Next Monday and Tuesday I’m going to see my kids and sisters.

2:57 am

So I woke up over an hour ago thinking about stuff and couldn’t go back to sleep so I just got up. I fell asleep on the living room couch before 9 so I got several hours of sleep. I’ll try to sleep on the plane later. It’s a 4 hour 40 minute flight so I can zonk out then if needed. There has been an issue between me and a couple in- laws for the last week that has been very hurtful and disturbing. Mike has been upset over it all week too. I only went to the wedding yesterday for him. I did not want to see some people. You just put on your best fake smile and get through it. Suck it up Buttercup. The good thing is that now I see their true colors. When people show you how they really are believe them. Don’t make up excuses and sweep it under the rug. Karma prevails in the end. 

August weather

It’s a little after noon on a Monday. The weather is warm and hazy. I took Bitzi for a nice walk, worked out, tweaked my suitcase that I packed yesterday and did a bit more pre- cruise prep. We’re flying out Sunday and boarding the ship Monday. I’ve checked the weather forecast for all the ports in hopes of packing well and only just what I really need. We’re going on a 7- night Alaskan cruise and only doing carry on luggage and not checking bags at the airport. This is the first time trying this but in general I honestly do tend to take way too much stuff. I have a new nice carry on bag, a nice Swiss gear backpack for under the seat and my big hippy purse bag. That will be enough. I’m always fascinated by the foliage and wildlife on trips. I also love people watching. I’m so excited!

Gearing up

I’m drinking my one coffee. I just got up and opened all the blinds in the front room, kitchen and living room. I’m going to drive down to Fulton County this morning and stay a few days. I’m going to spend time with family. I need it. It’s supposed to be hot and humid with scattered thunderstorms the next few days. I hope I don’t get caught in any bad weather while driving. 

I felt like crying a couple times yesterday. Sometimes things get to me. I know I overthink things and am too sensitive but hey, I am what I am. 

7:18 a.m. Monday

Good morning universe. I’m having coffee with my little dog Bitzi curled up on my lap. I have a little bit of a cold or something. It rained and stormed hard again last night. I slept pretty well and it was the second night of taking NyQuil so I could sleep and not be up coughing and draining all night. 

I need to go out and buy some more walkway stepping stones today.We bought some before we left for Gatlinburg and the landscapers placed them in front of the house below the living room window like I wanted. Now I need to add some more pathway  stones to make a path in to my flower beds in the front,  on the side and in back. It takes so long to get things just right. I think it will look very charming once I’m done. I love the “cottage garden” look. 

Mike has his physical with our family doctor in Bartlett this morning. We’ve been going to him for many years. I’m anxious to hear the results of his bloodwork. He hasn’t been able to access it online. I’m thinking his A1C is going to be bad. We shall see. He always insists on going with me to my doctor’s appointments. I’ll ask him when he gets up if he wants to go alone. Sometimes you want your privacy. 

I’m tidying up the house then taking Bitzi for a walk. 

Morning bird song

It’s already a bit too warm this morning. I have the back patio screen door open and am listening to the gorgeous sounds of morning birds. I’m still struggling with my cold or whatever it is but now Mike is sick too. At least I can tell I’m at the end of mine and I feel like doing things again. Mike is still in bed sleeping. When we got off the cruise ship last Saturday morning and got on the bus to take us to the airport there was a man a couple rows ahead of us coughing his guts out ( a shocking, scary, awful cough). At the airport in our boarding area I could hear him too and he ended up several rows ahead of us on the plane. I’ve been suspecting I caught whatever he had because a few days after that I got sick and now it seems Mike has it too. It’s always something.

I ordered two planter boxes with trellises from Amazon. I put them together Friday. They’re not as big or sturdy as I’d hoped but I’ve got them now. I have to get some more potting soil and vining flower plants to put in them. I also finally got around to planting all my seedlings I started weeks ago and planted all my flower seeds. Now it’s a matter of keeping them watered. I bought a small lilac bush and planted it in the side yard near the hydrangea I planted last year. The mock orange bush I planted in front a few years ago looks like it’s finally starting to take off and get big and bud up to bloom this year. I’m just dreading the pending onslaught of the cicadas. I hate bugs anyway. Ick!