Aiming for the GHGs (Official)

[pepper]

Howdy!

I finished all the continuing ed I plan to do this weekend, and I just need to do the 4 hour ethics course to be finished for the year. The classes I finished were each 24 hours worth of credits, so a 4 hour class feels easy peasy.

Now I’m sitting here wondering what to do with myself today. I need to go get Mom’s b-day present, but that won’t take long. Meal planning and grocery shopping need to happen, too. And a stop at the garden to see if anything needs picking or pulling.

I’m getting excited about my upcoming woodworking adventures. That will be something fun that I can do inside. The last two summers have been miserable because my fun-and-rejuvenating activities usually require being outside. Last summer I was too bored, too lonely, and too absolutely miserable.

If you are surfing the internet today, go to Insta and look for intrinsic.woodworks.  This guy is in my beginners woodworking FB group. He makes THE most beautiful wooden boxes. They are simply amazing, and he’s only been woodworking for less than 2 years.

Have a great day!

[sherrydorlando2]

Good Morning Ladies:
Another massive storm yesterday. Since everyone in the hood is getting new roofs I am almost afraid to go make a close inspection upstairs.....Hot, lazy Sunday here. Tomorrow I am taking a pasta making class. should be fun.
Have a great day!

[V]

Morning.

This weekend was largely lazy. I tried getting out yesterday to finish up that damnable eave and had to quit after climbing the ladder just a couple of times. I intend fully to get out there today and blast through it. At least I got a few of the touch up spots done before I had to throw in the towel.

YF & CSO are still gone, so I haven't done much on running training. They should all be back in the coming week.

Still no word on YMV's job app or the deck bid. I have a plan to go see Royalty 7/6. That will allow me to finish up house and outbuilding stuff and hopefully have the deck done.

[newmoose]

Good morning from Portland, Oregon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so glad to be here. Clothes are unpacked and in the drawers. One bed for 5 straight nights. A suite that is big enough that we can be in separate rooms, if we want.

Dinner last night was incredible. The food was fantastic, but the best part is everyone that DS2 works with talks about what a wonderful person he is--not just chef, but person. That makes me so proud as a parent.

The view from the restaurant is phenomenal. They have the 30th floor of the tallest building in Portland and it was a beautiful night.

We did have a scare yesterday. WF went over to check on stuff at our house and couldn't find our indoor cat Mia. She looked everywhere and Mia was nowhere to be found. We were sure she had snuck out and didn't know what to do. It was frightening to think of our baby being lost outside. I texted the person checking on the pets and she knew that Mia was in the house, so she went over and checked on her after she got off work. Mia met her at the door like nothing was wrong! What a relief!!!

Today DH, DS1, all the dogs, and I will head west to Tillamook and Cannon Beach. We will eat fried cheese curds, ice cream, and seafood. It will be a cool and cloudy day and I will take every bit of it. DS1 is disappointed that it won't be sunny, but this is the best day for us to do this jaunt. DS2 doesn't want to go to the coast and he has to work today.

I am going to relax with another cup of coffee and finally get dressed.

I hope you all have a great day!

[pepper]

Howdy!

Yesterday was such a nice, relaxing day. Since I got my continuing ed done on Saturday, i didn’t have a thought in my pretty little head all day long. 🤓 I ran a bunch of errands, and the garden was supposed to be my last stop. I was so tired of being in the heat that I thought, “Oh, screw it,” and drove on past it. I did stop at Lowe’s and got some wood to practice making little boxes with.

I’m working from home this morning, then my afternoon is wide open if Mom wants to go get lunch (doubtful) or birthday pedicures (doubtful, but less so). Or I’ll take a nap. Or both. I’m really burned out on work and need a break.

Have a great day!

[gadgetgirlil]

Greetings!

I took advantage of the cooler temps early in the day yesterday and got on a roll cleaning the drivetrains of my bikes. I was originally just going to do 2 of the 3 but the temperatures were still tolerable after I finished bike #2 so just pushed on and got the heavy bike cleaned up too. The heavy bike takes so much abuse since I primarily use it in crappy riding conditions like winter. Felt good to get that project done but it was way too warm when I finished up. I still have grime under my fingernails. Oh well, it isn't like I'm the manicure type.

I made some headway with my tech issues with downloading maps for my new GPS. The smaller download worked just fine using my Windows laptop. Started up the big download and it was still crawling along at 4:30pm yesterday. I just left it running over at the rental place and will check on it this morning. Map updates only happen every few years. Since this GPS was manufactured several years ago, the maps were out of date (2020).

Then I got some exercise and worked on figuring out my Visa bill from my trip. I got charged tax by both Expedia and the hotel for the place in St. Paul. I need to call the hotel again and get a detailed receipt before I figure out what my next steps are. I had an issue last year with one hotel but that was because Expedia didn't charge the city tax. I don't think that is the case based on looking up what hotel taxes are for Minnesota and St. Paul.

Wrapped up the day with the kitties. Loretta showed herself out of kitchen and Allie stayed in the cat tower and didn't chase her. This is 2 days in a row that happened. Yes, more than 2.5 years into this and we are at maybe day 7 of how to introduce your cats?

More errands today and I will work on planning out hiking routes for my upcoming trip in Ohio, specifically the Hocking Hills area. I'm treating my hiking clothing with Permethrin now as ticks are abundant in the Midwest.

Have a great day!

[gadgetgirlil]

pepper Happy Butterfat Day!!!! Good thing FB tells me these things!

So you share your birthday with your mom? I'm so confused. Happy Birthday to both of you!

[V]

Morning.

Right after work I did get out to paint. After moving the ladder 3 times, I figured I had gotten far enough. I only got about 10' done, so only about 1/3 of the last bit. The problem with this spot is that it is high enough to use the taller stepladder, but the terrain is rough and there are rose brambles underfoot. That makes placing the ladder tricky and potentially a bit painful. The first time when I painted the wall behind there, I stepped off the ladder and caught the cut tip of a cane on the back of my calf - so not the treacherous thorns, but the plant itself. Asshole rose.

I thought I might go to yoga after a nap when I was done, but the rest of the group had other plans. That was ok too. We spent the evening watching movies and MG opened his shirts. I cannot yet tell if he likes them. He will have to wear them twice before I will know if they were acceptable. Because he's that way/// No one knows if he like something or not, because he's equally enthusiastic about everything.

MamaV goes for a hernia operation today. Essentially outpatient with a 4 hour hold afterward to ensure that there is nothing wrong. Big Sis is here today to stay with her and Dad. They don't need her here, but she is a worrier about surgeries. She's 64 today, so retired and her girls are on their own (college and living life). Coming down is not an imposition and eases her mind.

Speaking of, YMV is 22 already? How?? And that means it's MamaPep's, Pep's Bday, and Sal's DH, too! So many today. We are planning to take YMV to Manhattan to get a wardrobe rehash: shoes, pants that stay up, work-type shirts (ever hopeful!), and MG wants to pay for a haircut. I don't know that the haircut is going to be as short as MG would like. YMV has seriously thinning hair on top, so he likes the part that will grow long. Sadly, it would look sooo much better and more proportionate if it were shorter. We'll try getting him to the college kid place and see if they can talk him into a more flattering style that cleans him up. That's actually not been the deal breaker on applications. He's always well-groomed and tidy when applying. But knowing what he looks like when he's in those places regularly can't help. Yanno?

Have a great day!

[Cyn]

Hi,
Hot here.
Enjoyed the neighbors' AC, kittehs, and Netflix for several hours yesterday.
Got 3 loads of laundry done early early, including a load of towels that were covered in Sweetie fur from one of The Underbed drawers. One of them was still holding her body shape from when she'd lie in there, it was hard to let that one go.

I'm going to start phasing back in reporting on my GHGs, loosely.
I'm also going to start with giving myself a monthly challenge again, most likely doing the alliterative titles 😉.
I stopped doing many of these things because I was feeling overwhelmed with multiple layers of accountability. But going to the opposite end with no accountability whatsoever clearly has not been working.

I'm continuing my baby steps forward.

Work in progress.
Balance, mindfulness, intentional movement, management of food opportunities, positive thought work.

I'm going to do a Jump On It July Challenge, and I'm aiming to find one new healthy recipe to try. Everyone is more than welcome to join me!

HAPPY BUTTAHFAT TO PEP AND MAMMA PEP! 🎉

[sherrydorlando2]

Good Morning Ladies:
Been up and about. Went to Aldi's, fed DD's dogs. I went to the pasta class early and it was fun. Have a brochure full of recipes and types to try. This afternoon will be some red hat stuff.

[Cyn]

Sunday, 6/16
GHGs: no dairy
Liquids: yes
Activity: Ponds circuit
Tracking: 25 day streak

[newmoose]

Good morning!

Happy Birthday, Pepper!!!

We went to Tillamook and the coast yesterday. I have been wanting ice cream and got my fill of it yesterday! They also have the best fried cheese curds at Tillamook. I generally don't care for stuff like that, but, YUM!

We took the dogs down to the shore at Cannon Beach and my girls loved it. I think Tobin would have run and played there until she dropped. She even had me running for fun! It wasn't terribly far, but it was so joyful to watch the dogs in the ocean. DS1 took them running further down the beach, too. Tobin wanted to eat every shell and rock she could find!

Seafood was what we had last night for dinner. I was still pretty full from my ice cream lunch, so I ended up bringing most of my Dungeness Crab Louie salad home. DH and I shared a bowl of delicious clam chowder, too.

pepper, at DS2's restaurant we had apps of grilled shrimp cocktail, and a tuna stack. We shared entrees of the tomahawk steak and the Mediterranean chicken (my favorite) with sides of mashed potatoes, green beans, and asparagus. It was the perfect amount for the four of us. You can read the description of the dishes here: www.portlandcitygrill.com/menus/#dinner-menu-rpcg

Today will be lowkey, as DS2 didn't get home from work until 2:00 and then couldn't get to sleep until about 6:00. We will do fun stuff like laundry and breakfast with DS1 until about 1:00, when DS2 gets up. I think we may try to go to the Rose Garden with the dogs and then do some other stuff this evening. Tomorrow will be going to Mount Hood, and Wednesday night we are going to the baseball game with the dogs.

www.portland.gov/parks/washington-park-international-rose-test-garden

I hope you all have a great day!

[pepper]

Howdy!

I intended to work half a day yesterday but I kept getting copied on emails from my boss telling people, “Today is Pep’s birthday so she’s taking the day off. We’ll get back with you later in the week.” I’m pretty sure he is the most considerate boss I’ve ever had in my whole entire life.

Also, I am 62. That sounds so much older than 61. 😢

I’m off tomorrow and it’s supposed to be cool and rainy. I hope my Amazon order with wood working toys arrives early in the day. I get points on my credit card for Amazon purchases, so I used some of them to get myself some free birthday giftage.

Mom wasn’t feeling well yesterday so we didn’t get out. I went to the garden and picked a bunch of peppers. If it’s cool this weekend I’m going to clear out some things that aren’t producing any longer and get ready for fall stuff.

Have a great day!

[gadgetgirlil]

Greetings!

The map download that I started Sunday failed overnight thanks to Windows deciding to reboot to install updates. But I got it going again and when I got back from the fitness center it had successfully completed!!!! I also updated the maps on my older unit successfully. I will take both of them with me to Colorado so that my cousin can have my older unit to use.

I called the hotel to ask for a detailed invoice explaining that both Expedia and they had charged me room tax. The man who answered the phone was much more helpful than the woman I talked to Sunday. He said that was an error since my room was prepaid and that he would get the refund issued. I thanked him and jotted down his name so that if the refund doesn't appear in a week I can call again.

I started laying out possible routes for the second part of my Ohio hiking adventure. Wowza, I am so spoiled by the way that the Ice Age Trail Alliance does their maps. The little maps I got are a combination of map and guidebook. Hard to follow if you aren't familiar with the state. But I've plotted out 3 larger hikes and then downloaded maps for Hocking Hills so that I can hike some non-NCT trails to see all the water and rock formations.

Today it is back to campus. Tomorrow a friend and I will tackle some hilly trails nearby, yes in the early morning heat. Then I'll get a shower and go out to lunch with my dissertation advisor who I had randomly encountered on a bike ride last month.

I absolutely feel like I am practicing for retirement this summer and I'm liking it!

Have a great day!

[Cyn]

Yest
GHGs:Y
Liquids:Y
Activity:N
Tracking:26 day streak, left points on the table

Sodamnhot. First time in years I had to put the AC on at night. It's a really really old one, and though it's fairly quiet and works ok, I'm sure it's not energy efficient as I wasn't aware of it ever cycling off. It has dials that turn, not a digital read-out. I think I'm going to ask the landlord for a new one, considering I've been a good tenant in the bldg since 2018, w the agency since 2005, and that they banged me for $150/month more rent this year.
I got a call yesterday to see if I could come in today for my neuropsych assessment exams, so I'm heading down there this morning instead of next week. It's an unfamiliar neighborhood off an unfamiliar L line, but I should be ok getting there in plenty of time for my 9am appt. I was unable to resist doing some googling, so I've freaked myself out a little. Sigh. I also started looking at lists of animals that start with different letters, because my sister was joking around about that. I just need to relax, it isn't a test to pass, and getting an honest assessment is the best thing. I hate that I get so much more anxious about stuff like this now.
I'm bringing electrolyte water and sliced apples, since I'll be there from 9 until around 1:30.
Have a great day, everyone!

[V]

Morning.

MamaV did well with surgery and was home in the afternoon. Dad was a mess waiting. Sis and Dad were at the coffeeshop after I got off work, so I stopped and chatted idly with them to pass the time. By the time they checked back with the hospital, she was out of surgery and just waking up. Apparently, the anesthesiologist was visiting from Lincoln as our regular guy was on vacation this week. There was another operation scheduled ahead of Mom's and that patient was slow to wake. So that's why Dad was so upset. Sis and I chatting was what he needed to keep him occupied. They stopped by the house to observe the painting progress before heading to the hospital.

MG, YMV, and I went to Manhattan, and I got him several new shirts, fun socks, and a pair of jeans. Then to Academy sports where MG got him new shoes. Then to Green Tea Sushi for his birthday dinner. I had some whacked-out dreams early this morning, so I probably need to steer clear of there in the future.

With all of that, I did not work on the house. Why is it that the last little bit of any project takes 10x longer than the project as a whole?? Provided that the wind calms down today, I will finish it up this afternoon.

All in all, a good day.

[sherrydorlando2]

Good Morning Ladies:
Went to let DD's dogs out and feed them. Missed getting my garbage out. Going to lunch at a Thai place with 2 friends. Cooler and windy today. We had a very long walk. Not losing an ounce day after day after day. Pfft.

[Cyn]

Yest:
GHGs: yes
Liquids: yes
Activity: minimal, walking to/from L
Tracking: 27 day streak

Yesterday's testing was difficult and exhausting. No AC in the testing room didn't help. I was not thrilled about drawing blanks on several occasions when asked to come up with random words that start w specific letters.
I did not expect to have an actual interview w a Dr about my feelings, moods, emotional state, though in retrospect it makes sense. I'm not used to/comfortable talking about a lot of that stuff w others, I cried. I'll get a phone follow up w results and recommendations on July 9th.

Have we come to the conclusion that hot weather makes us retain weight sometimes? I seem to recall that.
Erik has the day off, so I think we're going on a field trip to Aldi together (we love talking Aldi products) and also to a local pizza joint that does a great lunch special. I'm hoping it's not too hot to walk, there's one nice street w loads of trees we can take.
I didn't need the A/C last night, thankfully, but will still ask about getting a new one today.
Heading out shortly for an early walkabout before the ghastly.

[gadgetgirlil]

Happy Humpday!

In anticipation of the big Colorado adventure, my recent audiobooks have involved hiking themes. The first was "A Walk in the Woods", about a man's journey on the Appalachia Trail. He didn't finish the whole trail but I could certainly relate to some of the challenges he encountered along the way. My local Ice Age Trail seems much more pleasant in comparison. He had also attempted a portion of the trail in Maine but had to give up. That triggered something I remembered from several years ago about the woman in her 60s who stepped off the trail in Maine, got disorientated and lost in the very thick woods. She didn't carry an emergency locator even though she bought one as it was too heavy. Her body was found over 2 years later in spite of so many search efforts. "When you find my body" is the title. In hindsight it was an avoidable tragedy and is also the reason that I gladly pay the monthly fee for my Garmin InReach that I use on my outdoor activities when not in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Based on this most recent book, I decided I should learn how to use a real compass. I always carry paper maps but after my experience down in the Lusk Creek Wilderness in December of getting turned around in the woods, I have decided to have yet another backup. So I signed up for a class through REI in July to learn how to use a compass. I also signed up for an Intro to Kayaking class as that is something my cousin and I plan to do when staying in Dillon.

It is already too warm this morning in the upper 70s. Sigh. And the cicadas are still as noisy as ever in my neighborhood.

Have a great day!

[pepper]

Howdy!

Yesterday was a wasted day. I feel like I got absolutely nothing done. I was tired, a little depressed, and just didn’t care. I hate days like that coming from out of nowhere, especially during such a busy time. I’m feeling better today.

I’m going to sit with my nose against the window waiting for the Amazon man today because he’s bringing the saw and other toys I need to start working on my little box. Just watch — he’ll get here around bed time.

We’re supposed to get flooding rains today because of the tropical storm brewing in the Gulf of Mexico. If the Amazon man gets here soon, I’m ok with staying in the house all day.

I think I might get the cobwebs off the bicycle I haven't ridden in years and give it away. I need that little corner of the garage, and I only use it for hanging my wet yoga towels on.

Have a great day!

[V]

Morning.

Yesterday was unexpected overtime. And I realized exactly WHY I don't volunteer to work overtime when the person I'm used to working with is not in the seat on the other side of the radio for me. I was so mad that I was still in a bad mood this morning.

MamaV is ok after her surgery, but not great. There is a lot of pain with an abdominal incision and she's not handling it as well as she thinks she should. dad is hovering like a new parent and that's just upsetting her more that he fusses over her ("She's not eating enough. She's not drinking water. She should be..."). Meanwhile Sis & SIL were blowing up my phone all day while I was stuck at work. When they found out that I couldn't get there right on the dot of 2 after work, SIL started talking about needing to come down here herself. I headed her off and sent MG to check on them both as no one was answering the phone - which sent them even more into a tizzy. Dad had been busy with a Pony Express thing that was poorly executed and delivering Meals on Wheels. Mom had been ignoring the phone because she was tired and hurting. There were 5 missed calls as both SIL & Sis kept trying to check on her. And I was Losing. My. Damn. Mind. at work and unable to check on her for myself. When MG did check on them, he seemed worried and that made MY anxiety worse. It was a perfect storm mentally for me.

Meanwhile with the weather front that came through, there were severe storm warnings out for the entire area. And the air pressure must have been messing with everyone as I have seen several people who are just as discombobulated as I am. More rain possible today, so no painting. Again. And the internet/phone service was having trouble this morning.

I need a nap and an umbrella drink. Someone take care of that for me. TIA!

[Cyn]

🍹⛱️🙂

[sherrydorlando2]

Good Morning Ladies:
Surprise Surprise....it is raining. Yesterday was windy and cloudy so much cooler. Had lunch with friends at a Thai place. Enough left for today. Fried rice with shrimp. Today is scaling Mt. Laundry. A nap is not unthinkable.

[Cyn]

I just had a wee nap for everybody!

[newmoose]

Good morning!

I also went back to sleep this morning. I needed it badly!

Yesterday was amazing. We went to Mount Hood and stood in the snow! There were people skiing and snow boarding on the side of the mountain. It was an absolutely perfect day outside. After that adventure we ate seafood and went to the casino. I was making money, but then kept playing. I did not lose all of my money, however and probably got 3 hours of entertainment for around $50 in games, plus a couple of drinks. Not bad at all.

Today is car buying day for DS2. I wish we could have gotten this started before we got here and then it would be quick and easy. Instead, we will spend most of our day doing that. It is our last day here and I hate that it will be done this way. Hopefully we will get to walk the rose garden and go get cherries on Sauvie Island today, but it may not happen.

Tomorrow we head east toward home. I am sad to leave my kids, but I am ready to be home.

I hope you all have a great day!