Thanks for getting things started today. I turned 76 this year and have been doing taxes for about four months every year since 2017. I enjoyed the work, the people, and the extra income. It was remote and Intuit has wonderful management and really treat people well.

I am at the point of starting another season but struggled all summer with whether or not I really wante to do it this year. Yesterday I sat down and thought things through and decided it is time to completely retire. I feel this is the right move for me. I still love the work, the people, and the challenge, but my body just seems to need more rest and less stress now.

It is a bit daunting but I feel very relaxed about it and slept really well last night. I have enough to keep myself busy partly because everything seems to take longer to do.

I relate to not needing any more animals. I lost a 19 year old cat last summer and made the decision not to replace her. But last month I saw a cat on Facebook and just wanted to help it. I ended up adopting him and he was the right decision for me. I did get the robot litterbox and and that is a game changer. Gizmo stays with me all day. If I leave the house he sits by the door with a toy waiting for me to come home.

He is about two and was abandoned and living in the woods. A lady saw him one day and snapped a picture. He is so pretty and I fell in love with the look in his eyes. I told her I would get a trap, food, and pay her for her time if she would try to catch him. I was not sure if I was going to be able to keep him but said if not, I would find him a home. It turned out that he have no front claws and was covered in scratches from being attacked by other animals when trying to survive on his own. He was chipped but I could not find the numbero online.

I really don't want to know why he was out there alone. My guess is that someone died and the family got rid of him. Either that or some other sad situation because a declawed cat should never go outside. He is very affectionate and playful. He carries his toys around and takes them to bed at night. I thought I was too old for this but love his companionship and have made arrangements for him in case he outlives me. He loves people and runs to anyone who comes to the door for pets and play.

QOTD: I live in a condo now and the lawn people do the leaves. But I miss those days of raking and cleaning up the yard. Lowes had leaf bags that said "What did you do this weekend? I loved piling up them up for pickup. One year our leaf pickup was scheduled to start the day after trick or treat. The kids tore up a lot of those bagged leaves and the city learned to get them picked up before trick of treat night.

Exercise all of my life has been the water. Swimming or water aerobics of just getting in the pool in the winter and walking. I am usually at the pool in the summer as long as the weather is dry and warm. Our weight loss surgery program included a water aerobics class twice a week at the Jewish Community Center. It was a great place to meet with other weight loss surgery people. They have a steam room and that used to feel so great during the first winter after surgery when I could never get warm.

I got a recument bike during COVID with iFit. I still use that. We have a great pool just about a mile from my house with a water aerobics program. One of the instructors is 90 years old and gets around like a teenager. Water aerobics is such perfect exercise for everyone and especially for seniors.

I got to an exercise class at my senior center. We have people in their 90's who still come and are in pretty good shape. We do a lot of light weights, stretching and balacing exercises. It gets us out of the house, with other people, and staying active.

Three of my sisters are here from North Carolina and we are going to lunch today. It is so good to see them.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

That mailman picture should go viral. So many bad stories about dogs and mailmen. Those two are sweethearts. You and your mom look great and your food pictures look so professional.

Marilyn got those bulbs that we got from the mall into the ground. She covered them in chicken wire so that the squirrels, chipmunks, etc. wouldn?t get at them.

Good mornin y'all.

It seems Ms.Tange has roundworm so we get to treat all the cats. Our vet recommended a product from tractor supply. We can't afford a vet trip for all 3 cats so we're off to get that soon. It's upsetting but we caught it early I think.

Last week was just a clusterf&u%. Had some issues with my insulin prescription. A great pharmacist finally came up with what we could do to fix it all. After 6 trips and 10+ phone calls. LOL. Other pharmacy issues too. The other stuff is not worth mentioning. I did get my lyrica upped so hopefully that'll help with the intense nerve pain I've been having. My shoulder is not improving with PT at all. But I am doing it and the homework. I have to get an X-ray tomorrow. You'd think they would've ordered that already. My usual NP quit so that may be part of it all.

QOTD: I loved Zumba when I could do it. I also love my recumbent stationary bike. I still ride it a few times a week.

B: hard boiled eggs, turkey sausage, cheese and coffee. Also 5 onion cracker things

L: ????

D: probably a salad with chicken.

S: cheese stick and baked Cheetos

here are three of the Christmas gifts I have made so far. They all saw one I made and went nuts over it. Really loving them too. I'll be making a copper or bronze one after the holidays.

I had a nice long weekend, and it was going great until Saturday night when I tripped over one of Meisha's balls she had outside and landed on my left knee hard. I pulled something, but alas life goes on. She did lick my knee as if to say sorry. It's a good thing she's so dam cute. LOL.

My mom and I went to the Equine Affaire in Springfield, MA on Friday. We haven't been since before Covid. It was a day full of horses. We had a lot of fun but was a bit disappointed that some of the vendors we used to see there were a no show. My mom fell in love with two horses, and I had to remind her that at 80 years old she didn't need any more animals.

QOTD: What has been your go to exercise since WLS? Mine has always been walking either outside or on the treadmill. If I had the option to do some water exercises, I would totally jump on it, but besides a YMCA there are no****er options around me so I will continue to walk.

B: 2 hardboiled eggs with mustard and a coffee

L: Sliced turkey breast with bok choy and mushrooms on the side

D: Chicken burger with salad

S: Venison jerky (something I got at the EA)

Have a great day everyone.