Tuesday, September 9, 2025

No weight while we are in Maine, but eating yesterday was in a good range. The beef tartare at the restaurant was the best I have ever had (pictures later on TT).

The funeral yesterday was tough - the husband spoke about his wife at the Mass and had a really difficult time. I realized that the last 2 times I was at a Mass were for my BIL's and deceased DH's funerals (I am not Catholic but they were). The husband and a few other friends might come stay with my DH this weekend after I leave for Florida. A male bonding/support gathering.

We stopped in Portsmouth NH on the way to Portland ME yesterday afternoon since DH had never been there. We had a drink at a place on the river and poked around a few shops. Nice way to feel more birthday-like. Dinner out was really nice so I think DH ended up having a good day. We took an Uber back and forth from dinner (which was near the waterfront in Portland). Only $12 each way and saves from having to find parking. Good deal! DS says he often takes the $2 bus to the waterfront early in the evening, then an Uber home (the buses stop in early evening).

We will leave here just after 10:30 to stop for lobster rolls at a place called Reds Eats on the way to Bar Harbor. We are going to drive on the scenic route along the coast.

One last piece of exciting news is that my 2 new couches are going to be delivered next week! The old one will be picked up by Habitat on Tuesday and the new ones come Wednesday. Perfect timing!

Have a wondrous Wednesday!

Glad DH had a nice birthday and you had a good dinner!

123.7, after breakfast but without all the compression garb.

Peps, you asked about incisions. They are extensive! My tummy tuck incisions run from just past each hip bone all across the bikini line. I did not have a 360. The thigh lift incisions are even more extensive. I have a vertical incision on each inner thigh that starts just below the knee and runs up to the groin. That incision then branches off into a V with one running up the side of the groin in the crease and the other running up the lower buttock crease. They call it a T incision but to me it seems more like a Y. So far healing is going well and I don't see signs of infection or incisions opening up, though I think the risk of incisions opening up might be a bit later on. Hopefully not, that is my biggest fear!

Need to make a bank run today to cash out a CD for part of our down payment on a new house should we find one. Otherwise, more resting and recouping!

I hate how my thighs and my arms sag but at this point I don't think I would go through more PS at least not on my body.

It is a very major surgery and my PS has told me there are usually complications in healing the thigh wounds. They eventually do heal but it can be long haul. Praying mine won't have complications. I'm doing everything on my end to help prevent it!

CC had difficulties with her thigh PS.

Thanks so much for the description of your incisions! It is very interesting to me because I'm still considering those surgeries. I don't know if I have the thigh lift in me. Tummy tuck for sure! My surgeon said he can do a lot with the tummy tuck and lipo, so that may be the way I go. But, neck and lower lifts first! (Though, honestly, I'm getting a little nervous about the whole thing.)

It's my neck and lower face starting to bother me too - it's been almost 9 years since I had it done.

Good afternoon from Rockport, Ma!

Interesting thoughts about our sleeves. I know for Peps, the sleeve restricted how much he could eat, but did nothing for the food noise issues. Luckily, trizepatide does! For me, the first few years after surgery made eating such a pleasure. I could eat small amounts of very nice food and be satisfied. But the best feeling was enjoying food without guilt. As the years rolled on, cravings came back, but never to my pre surgery level. Regain yes, but I have kept 100+ pounds off for over 13 years. I am not skinny, but I am also no where near my highest weight. A success in my mind.

Peps, your discussions about your father are filled with respect and kindness. His life is limited by his dementia, but you have given him the most expansive life he can have within his needs. I wish all elderly people could have this.

Liz I thought a lot about your saying you don't want to travel anymore where you pack up every day or two to move to a new location. It's hard! It was worth it to me on this trip to see everything we wanted to see, but I am happy to be staying in Rockport for 5 nights before we head to the Finger Lakes.

Paula I am following your recovery story. I still think about getting a panniculectomy if my insurance will cover it, but I'm afraid of complications. I don't see a large window for recovery if I would need it between travel plans. But then I see posts from you and Liz about traveling in 3 1/2 weeks so maybe I could ...

Diane, I agree that those taquitos were false advertising! Enjoy your late summer blooming flowers. Mine will be done pretty much by the end of September, regardless of temp because of the light leaving us each day. Do you have anything that keeps blooming through the mild winters?

How are you doing CC?

Scotland was so beautiful, but the best thing about Scotland is the Scottish people. We had so many wonderful warm, friendly, amusing encounters with the Scots. And traveling by train was so civilized. All of the public transportation we used worked so nicely.

We had some delays with flights, but we made it home without drama. DH was waiting for us, and we brought DD to her apartment, and then headed out for the hour drive to Rockport. Our efficiency AirBnB is so charming. Very tiny, but well equipped for what we need and with a water view from the bed.

Glorious sunny day here. We got up late, and walked to have coffee this morning, and then picked up a few groceries. Diet Coke of course! We will go to my favorite seafood shack (in the rough I believe it's called) for lobster rolls this evening. I wouldn't trade any of the schedule we had in Scotland, but it is kind of like activities become your job. Lots of timetables to meet. and in the case of getting to and from Iona, if you mess up one step, like not getting on the right ferry to coordinate with the next leg, you could have quite the situation. So I am welcoming these lazy unscheduled days in Rockport where we will walk on the beach, poke around in some stores and decide where to have dinner. Once we get to the Finger Lakes, we meet up with friends, and have a big schedule to follow, going hiking and to wineries. :) Our friend provided us with a color coded itinerary including maps and graphics. Absolutely fine with us, she made great choices.

I sometimes wonder if your travel experiences - especially how people relate to you - are because you and DH (and probably your kiddos) project "Minnesota Nice" (for lack of a better descriptor)? I found that it is so easy to talk to people in Minnesota. Like I said, I'm so at home there. My guess is that you are pretty much getting back what you project.

Glad you had such a wonderful time!

I think you are right! DD and Patrick are both like that!