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Oh, sorry for DC1. It requires so much courage to put yourself out there. Hurts for Mama Bear too, knowing their cub is hurting and there's not a lot you can do to take the pain away. Here's hoping they bounce back, and continue to have the courage to seek happiness.

123.6. Staying within about a 1 lb. range.

We are currently traveling to the La Crosse area. Today we will visit my Mom and then we have dinner reservations at a Supper Club in the downtown area.

DC1 got a date cancellation and a text saying I don't think we are going to work out just as they were planning on asking this person if they wanted to date exclusively. Of course they are quite disappointed. I'm hoping it doesn't cause a downward spiral.

Thanks for sharing your lives, like Ann, hearing from you all is a highlight of my day!

These family gatherings can be bittersweet, no doubt. Your DSD is also probably missing her Dad and uncle, and is lucky to have you there. How wonderful your DH embraces your in laws. This is the story of my much loved Aunt that I just visited. She is the widow of my Dad's only brother. She and my Mom were best friends, dating, and then marrying brothers. Her 2nd husband also welcomed us, and is part of the family. He and my Dad are good friends, and I call him Uncle, even though he came into my life as an adult.

I get the shut in hotel thing. Do you think part of our desire for balconies, windows and outdoor space is from growing up in a cold climate? Sunshine and beautiful weather is not a given, and when I'm traveling in a warm/hot climate, I'm frustrated when I can't be out in it. BFF had lived in Mexico since she was 22. She does not have any outdoor dining or sitting area set up despite having a small yard. But she walks 5 miles everyday, and can eat on a patio at a restaurant anytime she wants, so she sees it differently than I do. DD's new apartment is on the first floor. She has a covered porch in the back, that steps down into an actual backyard with a patio. I assume the yard is shared with the other apartments, but my guess is they use it less, since they would have to come down the steps in the front, then walk around to the back. They have covered porches too, so less incentive to make the trek unless they want to grill.

Thanks Ocean Diane, as we get further into travel planning, I may tap you for some ideas. We are making Ithaca our base, and have 2 days planned that include a hike in the morning, and then wineries in the afternoon. One day we are going to make the 2 hour drive to Cooperstown to go to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Our friend is a baseball fanatic, so this is a bucket list item for him. I'm sure I'll find some interesting exhibits, but when I'm all done, I'll take my book to a coffee shop and let him and the others get their fill.

Peps Lake Elmo is definitely close enough for a visit! So we have the western side of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis) and the eastern side (St.Paul). Lake Elmo is the edge of the eastern side. I know where it is, but I've never been there specifically. I rarely go east of St. Paul itself. So not only will I get to see you, I'll be a tourist in my own state.

I've been up since 8:30am, putzing around. I decided not to work out this morning because I'm sore. I'll go tomorrow. DH is working in the morning, and we don't have any 4th of July plans. Back in the day, we would take the kids to parades and fireworks, and for the 5 years DS was in the marching band, we would go to whatever town he was marching in. We went to A LOT of parades those years.

Yesterday's early dinner was very nice, on a shady patio next to the Mississippi, with a view of the Minneapolis skyline. It's close to the U of M, and DH and I went on lots of dates in the area, including this very restaurant. It's kind of a mind trip to sit there with friends who were also dating in the same timeframe, and reflect on our early 20s. I'm not sure what I thought my life would be back then, but I was sure it would include DH. At these moments, I can't believe I'm in my mid 60s! I'm not sure if my 20 something self would be able to understand that 60 something can be awesome. I'm filled with gratitude to still be here on this planet, soaking it all in.

Absolutely get it done now! Things like that move too easily down the priority list if you delay them.

Yes, yes to painting those spaces. Double the work to try and paint once items are already there. I shared a similar though with DD. She has a sizeable storage space in the basement of her new apartment. (The landlord taped off quadrants on the floor and labeled them so every apt has a dedicated space, love it!). I told her to order shelves now, so she can set them up as she's moving. Otherwise it's just going to be a pile of boxes and other things and she'll have a much harder time getting it on shelves later.