Saturday, August 30, 2025

117.6 - same weight as 2 days ago.

DD did well yesterday. The surgery went smoothly and exactly on schedule. Recovery was a bit longer than expected though and they almost admitted her. She was very, very sleepy and dizzy for a long time, then couldn't use the bathroom. If she had ended up with a catheter they would have kept her overnight. But just before 6 which was the deadline for deciding if she was staying she had bathroom success and they discharged her. She is MUCH happier being home than she would have been in the hospital.

Lots of waiting around and no eating - I binge-watched 6 episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Entertaining, though I'm not sure DH would like it.

I got home at 5:30 with really no Labor Day traffic issues. That was amazing. We went out to dinner with the family and friends (10 of us - the group staying in the house here). In bed at 9, but up this morning not long after 5 when one of the other dogs burst into our room and she and Justice ran around.

Today is likely National Seashore beach time. Cooking at the house here tonight I think (probably burgers and dogs cooked by the kids).

Have a super Saturday!

Weight is strangely up to 203.4. Not sure why, but it doesn't really matter. Just a fluctuation. I had anticipated a drop.

My first two retirement/pension checks came in the mail yesterday. WOWZA!!!!! Now it is really REAL! I also passed a school yesterday while running errands. The kids were at recess. My brain sort of flip flopped and I felt like there was "something wrong with this picture"! I had to remind myself that school was not part of my daily life any longer. Wonder if that will ever happen again?

Listened to book I really enjoyed on the way home. It was called Lessons in Chemistry. I guess it was quite the hit when it was first published. Not being an avid reader like most of you, I was late to that party!

My dad was having a good day yesterday. He had a check up and was fit as a fiddle on the corporeal side of things. Cognitively, well... that's a different story. I was able to get him to give a urine sample to check for UTI, which the nursing staff had not been able to do. I ran it down to the lab. Results were normal. So his agitation and aggression last week was purely situational. I'm okay with that. My brother, not so much. Apparently, the man my dad hit is a real grump-a-lump, so I'm assuming (like the song says...) He had it comin'....

I have a new dog client today. Hoping the dog is decently behaved. We shall see. If he's not, it will be a one and done.

Grizz has completely his morning zoomies and playtime and is draped across my left shoulder as I type sitting in my chair. He melts me. The big dogs are outside enjoying the cool of the morning before it gets hot. It's going to be warm today - in the 90s.

I think I might get a massage today. Seems like the logical thing to do after a long drive across the country, or to celebrate that first retirement check. Either excuse works for me! LOL!

Happy Saturday.

Loved Lessons in Chemistry! And get the massage : )

On the radio the other day they reported that only 17% of adults read for pleasure, though that apparently is a bit of a misinterpretation. Apparently only 17% read daily though only 48% have read a book in the last year for pleasure. Those corrected numbers still amaze me though it probably shouldn't because most of the young people in my children's generation seem to always be on their phones when at rest. It is unusual to see someone sitting and reading compared to when I was young. But it is still one of my favorite pleasures. As long as there are books I will read them. and I definitely enjoyed Lessons in Chemistry.

You are lucky that the place your Dad is in didn't make you take him to a geriatric psychiatric ward to be assessed for meds to calm his aggression. Deceased DH never actually hit anybody but was threatening enough that he had to be restrained and they called 911 which was their policy. That was how he ended up in the hospital and ultimately on hospice for the last couple of weeks of his life. In his case, his brain had completely become unhinged so it was warranted in the end, but at the time it seemed like a bad policy. Many people become agitated and sometimes aggressive with dementia so it seems like a place specifically for memory care should be prepared to handle it. I didn't actually realize that this would happen as I had ruled out a place in Florida which told me that they had a one-strike policy. One case of aggression and the person could never come back. At least DH's let them back if it could be demonstrated that the aggression was handled (generally via medication).

I hope your DD continues to have a non eventful recovery. It's a big surgery, so it can take time to get back to normal.

Yesterday we left DD's apartment for the airport at 3pm. Flight out of Logan left at 6:50. It was a 6 hour flight to Amsterdam, so when we landed there at 7 am their time, it was the middle of the night for us. We caught a connecting flight to Glasgow, and arrived at our hotel around 11 am their time. It is now 5:30 pm Glasgow time, and we're trying to stay awake until 6 or 7.

Tomorrow is the day we start our journey to the Isle of Iona via train, 2 ferries and a taxi. I got an email from the hotel saying they were looking forward to our visit, but they wanted to warn us that bad weather might shut down the ferry to Iona. Hmm, what to do. I emailed the driver, who also lives on Iona if he thought he would still be able to drive us to the island. I haven't heard back yet. DD and I are looking to see if there are hotels with vacancies near the first ferry. We think we will proceed with the train, and when we get to the coast, the driver should know whether they are coming to pick us u*****t. If not, we will stay on the mainland and find a hotel. If they are coming, we will take the first ferry, get picked up, driven across Mull and take the second ferry to Iona. I hope we do indeed get there tomorrow night, but if not, we will be much closer so we can hop over Monday morning.

Today we walked around a bit, had sconces and tea for brunch, and rode the Hop On Hop Off bus, where we both struggled to not fall asleep. Glasgow has a great energy with lots of shops, foodie restaurants and charming old buildings. I'm glad we're coming back at the end of our trip to explore more.

I am both exhausted and wired. I think I'll be able to sleep. We're trying to stay up one more hour. Then lights out!

Hopefully, you're fast asleep by now! Sounds like you're in for a bit of an adventure tomorrow! Hope it all goes well. Can't wait to see pics!

I'm glad you made it and were able to stay awake to see enough of Glasgow to want to come back to it. Hopefully your travels today won't be too difficult. I'm sure you will work it out one way or another.

122.6. Back up a little. I am now 12 days out from my last 1 mg shot. Not hard to get my calories in at all and have surpassed my new level (1600) most days. The other day I think I ate just over 2,000!

Attended an 80th bday party for one of the ladies in my Bible study group. We range in age from early 30?s to 80!

Mid 70?s and sunny today. DS2 will come home tomorrow and we will do a photo shoot with his BFF in one of her cosplay costumes.

Hopefully you are getting sleep DD. Looking forward to seeing some pics of your adventures with your DD.

I hope you got a nice day at the beach Liz!

Peps, I must have missed your post about your Dad hitting someone! Will have to look back and get caught up on that story!

I love that your group has that span of ages. Groups like that with varied experiences in life to share are really special.

Greetings all

Another sunny one. Wish I could bank it for some rainy winter day. I made some eggs and then went to the gym. My lazy self is saying "oh just skip it" but my sensible but boring self is saying JFDI. My new gym motto is "make it count". I also went to the ridiculous CVS for coffee and chewable calcium. The shelves were kind of spotty looking so I wonder about that store. The rite aid is closing down as did the kmart. Not much shopping in this town except for food.

So I spent a little time at the studio and made some new stuff. Pretty light traffic there which is typical on a sunny nice weekend day. Only the die hards are there.

Liz I am so glad your DD's surgery went well. Heal fast and feel better. And glad you did not have bad traffic or other such issues. Enjoy a beach day.

Diamond D we look forward to hearing about Scotland. Hoping that the weather settles down for the ferry ride. May you have numerous great adventures whi*****lude clotted cream.

Yeah Peps I missed that your Dad punched someone. But no doubt he deserved it. Glad he had a good day on your visit.

So at the gym I have often noticed a young woman who works there. She is petit and very industrious about her job which is cleaning and maintenance. She always has fun earrings, a big hair ribbon, silly colorful socks, hair ornaments, pink hair streaks and wearable holiday accessories. I think she has downs syndrome. She is always cheerful and dressed for fun and good at her job. Reminds me that a good attitude about life is an important blessing.

OK Paula, eat more. You need some fortitude.

DH is actually interested in the ninja creami. So Tuesday after scrabble I will make the detour to Costco where they are on sale. And once I have crossed the Costo threshold and flashed my card, there is no telling what I will find...

Diane S.