@MusicCandy @SadMe70 A place to communicate

Well, you have had a busy week- aren't they all these days? My week was also a lot like the week before, except I was up late most nights so that meant I had a small glass of wine most nights- but still not as much as before. Still stressed about the sisters coming. One called me today and balked at a part of it that I already planned, including details that coordinated with the other sister and my Mom, and I finally persuaded her that it would "be alright".. UGH! I told fiance that he should be glad he doesn;t have 3 sisters. ( He has one brother and he is mostly estranged) But I do think it will all work out. Mother's Day Sunday and we are going to a boat landing picnic area - no restaurant and no clean up.

Today, Fiance and I hiked around the river pipeline and over the bridge to Belle Island with the old power plant. We were out almost 2 hours before my work. Then tonight I saw where a branch fell and killed a young man- near the Pump House trail - we have been over there too - that is just freaky. I imagine there will be lots of folks playing around the river this week-end and probably a river rescue or 2 - the river is above 5 ft. It is beautiful and the rocks are warm, but the rapids can be deceiving.

My coworker also has goats on her farm and had 2 goat mamma/babies sets in 2 weeks. The first one went fine and last night the other one delivered 2 of 3 kids and the other was stillborn, but she had to "go in and get it" since it didn't deliver on its own. Said she never had to do that before and she didn't really know exactly what she was doing. She was exhausted this afternoon and I let her go early. She has homes for the first 3 already. But the mama is doing OK today - they must be soooo cute.

As for me, I watched some beekeeping tasks yesterday and that was interesting. I am curioius and have never seen hives or anything in person before. The main guy, who has multiple hives and seems to know everything - and 2 other younger guys went to a area with a bunch of boxes and found "queen cells", ut them out and set them in another tray to start a new colony, I guess they call it. The boxes were in an industrial park near McGuire Hospital, just across a cemetary - you would never know it was there. I ordered some "how to" DVD's to learn more, and there are clubs around too. Just what I need,, A N O T H E R H O B B Y! It just looks fun,so far.

I hope you have a nice Mother's Day and don't over do it. I am just trying to maintain, and like you - wish it was easier. Get you some cute pants for the hike and don't worry about it. School will be over for you and that will be a nice break. Check with you later.

Hello! My week started off very badly but has improved. One of my 7 week old baby goats, the boy I had a home for, laid around all day Saturday looking like he felt bad. Sunday morning he was dead. Other than stillborns, I have never had one die. It was a shock and I was devastated. I also had a huge fight with my husband, with lots of screaming and yelling on both sides. I was supposed to go to my friend's Maypole party, but instead spent the rest of the day in bed crying. It's the closest I've come to a depression relapse in a very long time. The rest of the week was much better, though I am still very sad about the baby goat.

Tomorrow was our rescheduled Old Rag hike, so that's cancelled again. I have a cute little airbnb place rented for tonight to have a quiet night ALONE, so my son and his friend decided to pick a hike that would be safer in the rain and we are still going! We're going to try White Oak Canyon. My son's friend has done it and thinks we will be ok in the rain if we are careful. There is nothing like the Old Rag rock scramble at White Oak.

I am sorry your sister balked at the plans you have spent so much time on! How frustrating! I hope that your persuasion will keep her on board. I hope that Mother's Day went smoothly. I like your picnic idea!

I think beekeeping is fascinating too. We thought about getting bees a few years ago, but we have so much else to do with chickens, goats, etc. I'm glad now that we didn't since my husband's physical capabilities keep getting worse and I would be the one doing all the work. Have you gotten your DVDs? If I didn't have all the other animals, I would think about that. There is a club here too.

Think of me tomorrow, walking for hours without the sense to come in out of the rain!

MIA for a week - badme.. I was in a bad mood over the details of the family visit. Now, they are coming tomorrow and I've about got everything done that I can do and I worked in as many "special requests" as possible. Its just 3 days ya'll. I'm excited but more nervous. A lot depends on the weather. I planned outdoor dining and going to the VA War Memorial on Monday but if it storms that will be out and I'll have to come up with something else. I hate it when I can't plan everything exactly. I am going to try to stay calm expecially around mt Mom since I easily lose my cool with her quips and comments. The Lord be with me!

I hope you had a nice hike. SOO much rain, my planned hike won't be as much fun anyway since there isn't the pretty scenery rocks across the river. My meals have been pretty haphazard, though at least exercise has been OK. Have you been able to do what you want with your therapy and exercise? I know it is challenging for you, but just do what you can. I'll update you next week , finishing out my work week-end tonight. My 65 b-day coming up and I am starting to really look forward to not working- as least not 48 hours a week! Peace .

Hello! I will be thinking of you this weekend and hoping it will go as smoothly as possible! I know you have put a lot of planning into it, so I hope everyone is nice, especially if you have to change things on the fly because of the weather. Maybe having your sisters around will keep your mom busy enough that she can't make too many comments directly at you! I always preferred being around my mother-in-law with other people rather than just my family - strength in numbers! I hope the rain doesn't spoil too many of your plans, and that you can get in all those special requests and keep everybody happy, including you!!

We did have a nice hike. The rain did change our plans around a couple of times too. We had decided that the Old Rag rock scramble would clearly be too dangerous, so we were going to do a hike near there called White Oak Canyon. Turned out the road to that trail had high water and was closed. We ended up at Old Rag anyway, and hiked up to the peak on the side away from the rock scramble and back down the same way. We were walking in water much of the time, either crossing streams that had popped up as stuff came down the mountain, or mini waterfalls coming straight down the trail. Luckily my boots are waterproof. My son and his friend carried their full camping packs to start getting used to it, so we used their little stoves to boil water at the summit and sat there drinking a cup of tea! That was lovely.

The last week of school included cake on Tues for K celebration, cake on Wed for 6th celebration (leftovers in staff kitchen), 3 people gave me candy as gifts. I have been stuffing my face all week and on Friday I weighed more than I have since I lost a bunch of weight about 5 years ago. I've gained 10 pounds just since Dec. So, now that I am away from all that, I am really going to try and lose some of it. I told my son to stop bringing crap home, or at least hide it in his room so I don't know about it. I've had good meals for 2 days now, plus I've been active outside starting to get the garden ready. I drank both nights, but I think I might try to keep on with the only drinking Fri-Sat. Not sure if that will work or not, but I know I would sleep better.

I have been doing more PT than before, though not really enough. It did help me get through the hike without my knee being really sore (plus ice and ibuprofen on that day). My summer exercise will still include my trainer once a week, and hopefully yoga if I can make my lazy self go. I will probably do the MFR class some weeks. I never swim in summer because of all the swim teams hogging up all the lanes, and making it loud and crazy. I will be more active while I'm getting the garden ready, and then I hope to do a combination of exercise videos and hiking. If I can control my eating and alcohol, I might actually lose weight!

Happy upcoming birthday! Will you fully retire or do something part time? If you go part time, would it be your same job? I just turned 48 this month. I have 19 years until my full retirement age!

I really hope this weekend goes well and you have fun! You deserve it! I'm thinking about you!!

Always happy to hear you got your hike. It must have been different with all the water. Our trails are mostly mud, so we didn't even try it. But- most everything went better than I expected. We did go to the War Memorial on Monday, and sisters/neice hung out at my house and yard some of the time. The trees around my place makes it pleasant, even when it is hot and humid. My darling neice from N. M. lives "off the grid" up a hign desert mountain small town. She had a lot to share about her close-to-the-earth lifestyle, I'm envious in a lot of ways. She made a delicious fruit pie with no measuring- it was amazing and sweet to watch her and her Mom together. I had not seen her in 9 years.

The meals went fine, restaurant and take out was all good. I didn't think about healthy eating especially, but I didn't overdo it with the wine. My Mom was just herself- insulting everybody about most everything, and she didn't seem to realize it. My neice was crying at one point. We sisters are used to it, but it is so annoying. She treats waitresses and strangers like she is an angel. We decided the next sister get together will be Without Her. Its just not worth it. I know you understand with your Mother in law experience. I'm focusing on the happy moments we shared.

As for the end-of-school treats, you just have to get through it. I don't blame you for at least trying to keep the family to stop bringing "crap!" I'm going to try to buckle down too now that the family visit is over. We will do it together. At work tonight and thru the week-end. If my health holds up I'm sure I'll work until at least 67 That's 2 and a quarter more years. Rachael's sister should be done with school, settled in a house they are trying to buy now, and probably married to her sweetheart - that will be a relief. Whew - for the future.

I am glad to hear that at least parts of your visit went well! You have reminded me again of my mother-in-law, with regard to how she treated certain family members vs. how she acted with others (like church friends or ladies at her retirement community). Many people thought she was an angel too.

I have been doing pretty well with food for the last 2 weeks. I have definitely had some treats, but pretty much under control. Maybe a little too much alcohol but not bad. My meals have mostly been very good, and although I haven't had much gym time, I've been pretty active.

We sold our last 3 baby goats this week, so I am getting lots of milk now. I made a couple of simple cheeses and some yogurt this week. Over the weekend I hope to make some more involved ones. This week I also tried 2 cheeses that I have been aging since last summer. One was a disaster, but the other was fantastic (a parmesan). I guess 50/50 is ok!

Tonight we are helping my son and his wife move out of their separate apartments into a shared one. I am still struggling to accept this marriage. I know I have not been very warm and welcoming to her. My son told us that she views my husband as family now, but me as a stranger. I thought maybe we would spend some time together this summer while I am off because she only works Thurs-Sun, but she does not like to stay here because it is very cluttered/messy and honestly not super clean. Plus I know I did not give off friendly vibes when she was here last time. I look at her and see all the tons of money that has been spent, and distractions from his education. I need to get over it and not turn into my own mother-in-law, but he was on such a good track and now I don't know, so I worry. We are going to dinner after we move them, and I will try really hard to be nice!!

I hope you are recovered from your family visit! I'm glad you got to see everyone!

Oh Lord, I had to smile when you said you don't want to turn into your own mother-in-law.. I don't think there is that much similarity. Your M-in law( like my mother) is a control freak and critical of others. I interpret you as just a bit more introverted and emotionally removed and that can seem cold and uncaring, and not friendly. I know because I'm Just Like That too! I can relate to your house situation also, bc when my sisters came they definitely noticed the "projects" i.e. junk covered with tarps in my backyard. I was more worried about it the last time they came- this time I didn't let it bother me. There really are projects that I know will be completed by fiance-- someday. But the more important thing is the love and care he shows for me and the funny and sweet times we find time to share. He just better not get fat or ugly . That was my criteria for us dating and it has held up so far..

I'm glad you got at least one good cheese out of your batch.Sounds like you have more to keep you busy. I made some apple strawberry jam last week which turned out to be more saucy than jamy, but it is still good. I have paid absolutely no attention to my meals the past week. Working 2 extra shifts both weeks and I try to get outside in between, so I just havent focused on that goal at all. The trouble with the no plan and sometimes just snacking all day/night is the lack of nutrients that I get when I do plan. I know better, and when this work lets up, I Will do better.

Work is not bad so far, its always helpful for me to have a few slow shifts. Enjoy your week-end and if it is rainy, you get to stay inside and make yogurt and cheese- mmm.

Hello there, I had a long paragraph typed in about some daughter-in-law drama going on but I lost it and don't have it in me to retype right now. Anyway, last weekend was stressful and sad. I even had some depression settling in on me Sunday, the worst in a very long time, but managed to pull out of it. When I sink in too far, I don't even care about getting out, so luckily it did not come to that.

Aside from that, I have been doing ok. Eating pretty well, some exercise but not enough. I am drinking more than during school, but not out of control. I have been making cheese, which means eventually I will be eating lots of cheese! For Father's Day, we had dinner last night with my son and his wife (not enjoyable) and are meeting our other son for dinner tonight (should be good!). My second Father's Day without my own dad is easier than the first one.

How are things with you? Are you all recovered from the big visit weekend? How is your eating, alcohol, and exercise going? Are you doing anything for Father's Day with your fiancee? (Is he a dad? I can't remember if you said.) I hope you are well!

This week has been less painful, basically because we have not really had contact with the wife. I sent her a nice text message one day and she sent a nice reply and that's been it. The depression did not get its claws deep into me this time, so I have been ok as far as that. It was only bad that one day. I have been keeping super busy and managed another hike this week too.

One thing keeping me busy is the goats. I am drowning in goat's milk! I am getting close to 2 gallons a day from 2 milkings a day. I would need to make cheese at least every other day to keep up with all that milk but I have been doing too many other things, so I have an entire fridge in my basement filled with jars of milk. I will make some today but that will only use up 2 gallons. I have at least 6 in the fridge right now and haven't done the morning milking yet. We mucked out the pen on Monday but the continued rain has it all gross again.

I have yet to put out my irrigation system for my garden, so the rain is good from that perspective. I like to plant the garden, but I don't really like to take care of it after that! I planted blueberries in one area of the yard last year and then it got completely overgrown with weeds. I need to put down landscape paper in that area, but that is still on the to-do list.

I have not been doing much cooking either. The days are flying by and I feel like I'm not getting much done. I was eating pretty well anyway, but last night I ate cheese and crackers for dinner. It was some cheese I made and I was just going to taste it but it was pretty good so I kept eating. About an hour later my stomach really hurt. Serves me right I guess. I try to keep up with the high fiber to keep my stomach happy but sometimes I just like to binge on something tasty!

I have things I wanted to do inside the house this summer too, that I never get to during the school year, but I haven't even started any of those things.

I'm sorry to hear that there was even more bad stuff with your Mom. It makes me so sad when loved ones hurt us. I did not grow up that way, but have experienced a lot more of it in my adult life. Some of my mom's siblings turned on her when an inheritance came their way, my husband's mother was a horrible person, now I worry about my son. Why can't we all just get along??

I think I will go do a short exercise video before I eat breakfast. I need to work off some of the cheese from last night!

Hello friend! I have had a so-so week. I did go hiking 4 times! Two of them were long (5 miles) and two short ones. On Tuesday I was slipping a bit into depression again and I wanted to just lie in bed, but I made myself go on a hike and the woods and sunshine helped a lot. Then I had yoga later that day and by the evening I was ok again.

I actually cooked once this week. A friend went tuna fishing on Monday and gave me two tuna steaks on Tuesday. I grew up hating fish and have only been exploring some fish dishes for the last few years, so I've never had a tuna steak. We cooked it on our cast iron "grill" pan (with ridges so stuff gets the grill marks) and had it with mango salsa, and it was delicious!! Now I need to find a grocery store that sells tuna steaks! I think maybe Wegman's does.

Aside from the hiking, I have done my yoga class and twice I did short, 20 min, workout videos. But have I lost even one pound? No I have not! Grrrr!!

I don't think I told you, but I got 2 female baby geese. I've never had geese before. We got a large breed (Emden) that is also docile. Sometimes geese are helpful deterrents to predators that are after chickens. These two babies are very friendly, much more than any chicken chicks I ever had. They are still in a brooder box in the house, but are quickly outgrowing it, at just under 3 weeks old. I take them outside a little bit each day and they follow me around. It's so cute! I think they are going to be mad when I leave them outside in the pen eventually! That has to happen in the next few weeks so they are acclimated before I go on vacation 7/22.

How are things with you? I hope you are having a calm and happy week !