Saturday, January 24, 2026

2 more nights in San Juan. We were off the ship shortly after 8, joked with the guy in passport control and took an Uber to our hotel. At first we had early check-in, but the room they gave us overlooked a busy walking area and had no view other than some trees. We had paid extra to be in this area (club area), so I asked for another room which we got into at 2 (early check-in charge supposedly removed - we shall see). I put a picture of the view on FB. Low view, but still better than no balcony. We also have an included breakfast and a happy hour with substantial appetizers in the late afternoon. Nice place so far. We had a good Italian dinner at a restaurant on resort property last night but it was expensive.

Today we will probably walk around Old San Juan for a while, then back to the resort for me at least. I don't really want to do the forts unless DH does (I saw them back in 1996). Will have to bring an umbrella as there are heavy squalls every 2-3 hours followed by lots of sun (similar to the weather we experienced in BVI). We identified a sports bar near our resort to watch the Patriots game tomorrow afternoon.

I keep imagining that suit that CC bought as a tight body suit one has to wriggle into like a Spanx bodysuit LOL. I can't imagine having the patience to get into it too often if that is the case. I am also imagining the area in Brazil that DD and her DH are staying in and loving that image of the warmth, the cafes, etc.

Have a smiling Saturday.

Up a bit today. 198. The fun first dip of the rollercoaster is over! Dinner was fun, though I ran into a few people I know and chatted with them before the others arrived and when they did, I went to introduce them and completely blanked on one of their names! And she didn't help me out and give it so my brain blockage just hung there in the air uncomfortably. Lord above. My first true embarrassing senior moment.

I ordered a burger without the bun and coleslaw instead of fries. It was good and I was stuffed.

Yesterday I was productive with phone calls too. I started the process to get a new pool cover. Yet another large expense! And called a metal fabricator about my gate that needs replacing. The first is sending out someone to measure, then 6 weeks to make it. And the second is working on a quote. Two partial checkmarks! I also got in touch with a dog trainer because I think Kirby needs some help with reactivity with other dogs. He has zero chill as the kids say. Coming upon a neighbor with a dog on our walk yesterday showed me he's got an issue. The barking and pulling is extreme. I would like him to be calm when meeting other dogs. And I think a trainer with access to other dogs to help with training would be good. And I feel like it would be smart to work on this before a puppy arrives so he doesn't pass on unwanted behaviors.

The other thing I did yesterday was dust off my hand weights and try a short intro workout video. Good lord my arm strength is pathetic. I was using 5 pound weights and it was a video for SENIORS and I still had to stop halfway through. Peps would have hung his head in shame over me. Not sure how I let it get this bad, but it's BAD. At this point, it would be a waste of time to get a trainer. I should just lift soup cans in the pantry and it would be a challenge.

Anyway, I'm going to the grocery store today and walking Kirby. I think whatever rain we were supposed to get has evaporated.

Liz, I think the suit is really stretchy looking at the sample bodies in it on the website. And if it's not, it will count as a workout!

Take care all!

I disagree about the trainer. A GOOD trainer with a strong understanding of fitness for women in their 50s would most likely get you to progress much more quickly. Not sure where you are on menopause track, but it's not unusual for women anywhere along the menopause track from peri to post to lose upper body strength. Women in general, have better lower body strength than men and that's what you should be exploiting. Arms, in my opinion, should be used as helpers for chest and back exercises. I rarely do any arm isolation exercises. I do bicep curls maybe once every two weeks - and that is only for aesthetics, not strength.

I think checking out Katherine Graham at SedonaFit would be a great start for you. She has a strong background working with seniors and is a physical therapist and certified personal trainer. You don't want to get some yahoo youngster as a trainer. The number is 928-699-0580. You can call or text that number.

Greetings all

It is sunny again today and I got up early by my standards. DH is out running errands so I get to binge watch tv news shows while enjoying a rare second cup of coffee. The news is not good - another killing by ICE in Minneapolis. I am glad that DD and her DH are out of the city right now.

Today's plans include a gym visit and cleaning out my laundry basket toss-all area in our room - a never ending pile that I can't seem to get rid of. It must go.

CC I hear you on the arm strength thing (or lack thereof). I also have none. I never have. As a kid I could not do one pull up. Tell us what things you discover. A few years ago I went to Silver Sneakers class at a gym which was a pretty good workout for old ladies and included arm weights but there were never enough of the wimpy weights. I have issues with gripping hand weights or kettle balls or rubber bands or anything like that. I do have some small sand filled weights that are soft and more easily gripped. Personal trainers have always been a bust for me as they are young people who do not get being old. So I hope you find what works for you. Meanwhile gl with the home repairs. It is always something isn't it?

Liz enjoy the resort. The pics look great. Perfect lizarding spot. Find any goodies in town? More Painkillers?

One of my Scrabble friends is a few years older than me. She has had issues with walking and movement. She is now doing pilates and thinks it helps lots. The youngest person in our Scrabble foursome is 71 so all sessions include griping about our aches and pains.

Dinner tonight is at a Mexican restaurant with studio buddy. No doubt there will be leftovers for tomorrow! My favorite recipe is leftovers.

I am enjoying my new Hikes shoes. First new pair of shoes I have had in many years that I have not had to donate to the thrift store.

So I stopped at the credit union yesterday to get a bunch of deposit tickets to use for gallery deposits. I keep them at home as there is often quite a few items to list and a copy must be made. So the credit union told me they were all out of deposit tickets and could I come back in a week. Seriously? No deposit tickets? I will have to go back to my acrylic paint white out ticket. What kind of ban runs out of deposit tickets?

Cheers all.

Diane S

I remember when friends and I moved from talking about college, to getting married, to houses, to kids and around 45 we started talking about our health at almost every get together. No one seems to escape the aches and pains. At least we can commiserate.

Your room view looked nice Liz. Trade off for a table and more space, but lower room seems like a good deal. I was in San Juan just one day after leaving a cruise. We didn't tour the fort, we went to the rain forest instead.

CC wherever you're starting workouts, you'll already be stronger tomorrow, and then again the following day... good on you for getting started. Peps you're the best. After what you said about a trainer, I am now thinking I need to do that when I get home.

Today we slept in very late (10am) and slowly got going. We had lunch at a German restaurant across the street. This area was settled by many German and Italian immigrants, in fact, my host family is exactly that heritage, German and Italian. The restaurant specializes in tartare, but not really our thing. Instead we had a shared plate (all items were designed for 2 people) of Spaetzle, potato salad and cabbage for $25 dollars. There was enough for us to bring back extras.

Next adventure was the Pharmacy. We needed some decongestants, tooth paste, shampoo, and conditioner. We did it, and were even able to ascertain which decongestant was the non drowsy kind. Then some pool time, where I think I got a little color, but no burn.

This evening we're going with my Brazilian cousin and her husband to a bar area next to the port. Porto Alegre is a big working port, but it is not on the ocean, it is on an estuary, which looks like a huge river, famous for incredible sunsets. It looks like a good day for the sunset, as there is bright sunshine with a few fluffy white clouds. Tomorrow we are going to flea market at the biggest park in the city in the historic center. Not sure what the next days hold, but things we want to schedule is the hop on hop off bus and a couples massage at a spa nearby.

200.0 on the dot! Like CC, up just a bit today. Sad to see a 2 in the hundreds' place, but so be it. Had the post diarrhea constipation yesterday and ate more normally, so a slight uptick is reasonable. I will just keep plugging along!

The ear soreness is lessening, but still aggravating as hell! I don't mind the tight neck muscles, but for some reason the tender ear cartilage really bothers me. I have another follow up on the 5th, but was thinking that if on the 28th my ears are still quite sore, I will call and ask to be seen. Cheek and jaw swelling seems to be going down just a little bit each day. I look fairly normal this point, but am still a bit self conscious. We did go out for dinner last night and I was comfortable.

Beautiful sun today. Cool and crisp, but gratefully, light jacket weather. So thankful not to be in the north, midwest or east today!

Sending good vibes to all!

119.8

Another gorgeous day here in SW Florida. Day started out with water aerobics and then DH and I took a road trip to Sarasota. We went to an art fair that we went to 2 years ago. I was looking for a particular artist (but don't the name). We were disappointed that the show seemed much smaller and didn't have the artists we were looking for. I did buy a $15 sandcasted turtle!

We had lunch out at a Mexican restaurant we had enjoyed in the past. The table side guac and chips were very good, my chicken taco was only okay. Like Diane, I enjoyed Mexican leftovers for dinner.

Sounds like both of our world travelers are still having fun! CC is still working on home repairs (I was so hoping you were done for a bit) and Peps is still rocking the scale even if there was a slight blip upward!

I don't think we will ever lose appreciation for lovely weather after so many northern winters.