@MusicCandy @SadMe70 A place to communicate

I thought my Friday was hectic until I read about your night! That is very stressful! All I did was cover a K class for the day because the teacher was out and they did not have enough subs. About an hour into the day came our first lockdown drill of the year, which I did not know was coming, and had not prepared the kids for (the principal just announces over the intercom to "secure the building"). They did really well considering I just suddenly turned out the lights and told them to hide in the corner and not talk! I am supposed to cover the window in the door, and usually teachers have something taped to the back of the door and just move it over, but there was nothing there yet so I had to improvise really quickly. I was certainly tired by the end of the day, keeping up with twenty-five 4 and 5 year olds all day.

I hope you don't get too many nights like that one! Cops and yelling, missed nap, computer problems - things always seem to multiply. I have not been getting much exercise, and my meals were not as good this week. We also went out to dinner Friday and I had 2 drinks that were low in alcohol but very high in calories (like a mudslide that had chocolate syrup and whipped cream on top!).

I have kept up taking an allergy medication for a week now, and I feel much better than last weekend. Not all the way well, but it's tolerable. I am usually tired all the time anyway, so it's just a little more tired added in there. I seem to be just creeping toward menopause but never quite getting there. It's annoying. I'm not sure I want to wish for it to get here faster though, since it will just bring more problems.

My son and DIL felt that the green card interview went well, so that is a big load off my mind! Thank you for your prayers! They should be getting a letter soon saying that a 2-year green card is on the way. The 2-year is because their marriage is so recent. They will have another interview in 2 years and if they are still together, she gets the longer-term green card. Once she gets this first one, she can go back to school, apply for a work permit, and my son can put her on health insurance. They don't have a second car, but now that he is working, I hope they can save up for one.

I totally know what you mean about liking to see all the plants even if you don't use them all. I planted a bunch of herbs a couple of years ago for that exact reason. One that has stayed around is comphrey, which I have never used, but it has a pretty flower and is a pollinator attractor. We have 2 fig trees that are about 10 years old but we only got figs may be 1 or 2 years. I don't protect them well in the winter and they die back, and then grow again but I guess not to the point where they can bear fruit. They are really big and full of leaves right now, so maybe we will get some figs this year.

The poor sleeping from alcohol helps me stay away from it during the week since I get up so early and am so tired already. My alarm goes off at 5:15 but I am often awake at 4 for no good reason. At night I do like tea. I try to first make myself drink water with citrucell, because that makes things go more easily in the mornings (sorry TMI!) and reward myself with the tea. I am not sure why I even drink alcohol on the weekends either. I always really want it but then don't always enjoy it that much. I think I am craving some relaxation in my tense, sore body, from the alcohol buzz, but it doesn't always help.

I am so glad Rachael's caregiver is working out now! Have a good week, and I hope no nights like that crazy one!

Good to hear that your week went better in some ways. I would think the school would give the teachers at least some warning for the little ones to prepare a script as to what to tell them. i imagine they might think it is a game with lights out, hiding and not talking. Otherwise, it could really freak them out. Kudos to you for handling it well.

Yea for the positive green card interview. I hope things continue to go smoothly for that process. I bet she would love getting a job and not being stuck in the house with no purpose. You didn't say what she studied in school but I'm sure she is prepared for her field.

I know exactly what you are talking about with the meals and drinks too. If you are cutting back on the alcohol content, then you might as well at least have something sweet! I remember in my younger days getting really sick and drunk on sweet drinks and I think it carried over to now - singapore slings- creeps up before you know it. My wine nights are the same. That little buz does seem like a fast relax and a treat for enduring the exhaustion of the day. We both know the deal. I haven't improved my weekday meals much either. I also am supposed to increase fiber and sometimes I remember with the psyscillium, sometimes not. I have the repeat colonoscopy in a couple of weeks and I'll see what that result is and go from there.

Thanks for the hint about comfrey. I havent planted that one but I'm working on a dedicated herb garden with all perennials - maybe i'm just too lazy to keep planting new stuff. I will cover it with straw in winter and the fig tree too. I had figs from childhod in my grandmother's backyard and it has to be my total favorite fruit along with fresh peaches- (also from N.C.trees.). This is the first year this tree was planted, last year it was in a bucket and in the garage over winter.

I wish I had the answer to the 4 AM wake up. It happens to me too, but i attribute it to age and working night shift.It is so annoying to be so tired and not be able to just fall back asleep. I did have an OK week and work hasn't been too bad. Labor Day my other daughter, her BF and me and fiance are going on a tube float on the James. Riverside Outfitters does everything as to getting you to and from ect. We could do it on our own except for the pick up and drop off and 2 cars and all that. My birthday is next week and daughter's- week after that so we will have an outing together, which sems to be harder these days with her job and everyone's different scedule. The weather is supposed to be nice , it should be fun.

I hope you get to do something fun too, maybe just relax and do nothing.. till next time.

Hello! I have had a fantastic weekend! We actually had Friday as well as today as holidays. On Friday I went to a nearby state park and collected pawpaws. They have a blog post from last year about them, and it says you can take things in small quantities if they are not endangered. I have been wanting to try those for years and I finally have. They are delicious! I spent 2 hours wandering on a trail, checking out 50 or so trees and not seeing a soul. I had collected just a few when I came upon the mother lode! Dozens of them right on the ground, mostly rotten or full of ants, but I was able to pick up quite a few. I scraped the pulp out of a bunch and froze it, and I have about 20 more that seem ripe today.

On Saturday my older son and I went kayaking in Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock. Same kind of thing you mention about the tubing - the outfitters did everything. It was pricy considering we could have used our own kayaks for free, but sooo much more convenient. My son wanted to do the upper part of the river and come down through rapids but the water was too low, so we did the lower stretch which he has done before. It was cool for me to see all the bridges I have driven over from the water.

Yesterday both sons and their girls hiked in the mountains with me. We did 5 miles from Skyline drive down a trail and back the way we came. It was not a hard one for me but I got great exercise. Unfortunately I have countered all my good exercise this weekend with eating and drinking way too much, including eating a lot of bad stuff. At least I did some good things for my body, spent a lot of time outdoors, and really enjoyed it! Today I'll do all the grocery shopping, laundry type stuff.

My DIL's green card arrived so that awful nightmare is over! She does not have a degree yet, but now she can register for classes again. It is a big load off all our minds.

Our fig trees are looking absolutely fabulous but still no figs. I enjoy looking at the trees anyway, they are so pretty.

I hope you have a fantastic time tubing today! It is wonderful to be outside like that, especially with family. I hope you get to have a birthday outing with your daughter also. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Good morning and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Congrats on reaching retirement age also! I'm sure it is nice to have options now, so you can choose to keep working but know you can stop. My retirement age is 67 and I can't imagine working that much longer.

I'm sorry the kayak trip did not go as planned, but glad you saw some pretty things along the way. You certainly got exercise! I have not exercised since Wednesday, but I plan to go for a walk at one of the state parks today. I might go back to the one with the pawpaws and get a few more. On Wednesday I did get in the pool at the Y for the first time since May. I had hoped to go back as soon as school started again (and the swim teams were finally gone) but they had the pool closed for repairs longer than scheduled, and then I was sick. It was nice to be back! I did eat better this week and not too bad so far this weekend.

Do you play the piano? I always wanted to learn as a kid but never had a piano available. I did play the clarinet. My mom got a piano for free about 10 years ago and took lessons for several years. She had never learned to read music. She got to where she could play some simple songs. I don't know if she ever plays it anymore.

I hope you get to go on your lunch splurge soon! Even though you have to work, I hope you have a lovely birthday day!

Colonoscopy - DONE! What a releif. I was determined to get the prep right this time and it was no fun for 2 days, but now its all over. He found one "flat" polyp, which I didn't know the diference. I have since read that those are harder to find, but potentially more likely to be precancerous.I'm glad I was cleaned out enough for him to find and remove it. Have to go back in 3 months to make sure he got it all. Now I have to nag Fiance to getting one done - he is 64 and never had it yet. No one wants to go through it, but colon cancer is highly treatable if found early. now, if I could figure out how to keep off the 2 pounds i lost doing the prep ! Not likely, its mostly water i'm sure.

I hope you get back to some exercise, and especially the pool since that seems to suit you well. Rachael gets in no matter how cold it is, but I get my workout upstairs and just sit with her. It is so much easier to get everyone's shower there, espeially the" step in" is easier for Rachael. The new caregiver is getting her some walking and exercise, but she doesn't like the pool, - still- it seems to be working out OK with solving the little issues that come up for now. I didn't do much exervise last week either with the prep going on, and I spilled boiling water for tea on my tummy, and that is still healing. I was too tired from work and shouldn't even have been doing that at all. I plan to get back to normal next week. I have off Friday 11 to 7 so I can go to a retreat for the prayer ministry on Saturday - then back to work at 11. I hope your work at school is not too stressful. I had a really bad night last week-end, mostly from one nurse, but it isn't usually like that .

Get some fun walks in whenever you can . I hear its going to stay warm through September YEA!

Hello! I am so glad your colonoscopy is over and that it went well! Glad they got the polyp out too, bummer that you have to go back in 3 months! I understand about people not wanting to go. I have tried to get my sister to go and she refuses. My other sister and I have both had precancerous polyps, and we have colon cancer history on both sides, so she really should go rather than die of something so preventable. I hope you can talk your fiancee into it!

I ate pretty well this week except for extra treats yesterday. I gave in to the mini donuts in the office. I got in most of my exercise this week, including a 4 mile walk on the rail trail yesterday. I'm planning my next state park visit for Columbus Day weekend, probably Sky Meadows northwest of me about 2 hours away. My son and his friend are on their way to WV to do a 21 mile backpacking hike this weekend! Oh to be young.

I did get to the pool too for my second visit there, so that's getting back into my routine now too. It was so cold! I make myself get in, but I do wish they would have it a few degrees warmer. I'm glad Rachael enjoys it despite the cold water! It is certainly a good place to exercise that is gentle on your body. I'm glad things are still going ok with the new caregiver. I'm really happy you have her!

Ouch on the boiling water! I hope that is healing well! Sorry to hear about your tough shift also. I know it is stressful enough with the patients, without a co-worker adding to it. I am glad you have a night off and can go back to the prayer ministry. I know that will be a good experience for you.

I am glad you are still active with your piano playing! For many years I only played my clarinet at Christmas, and now we have not done that the last 2 years so I haven't touched it at all. I do miss it, but I am so busy with everything else, I doubt I'll pull it out anytime soon. I hope you continue and then play even more when you retire!

Hello there! Nothing much new to report on my end. Still eating fairly ok, trying to control the treats and alcohol. I got all my exercise in this week. Really getting frustrated with my shoulder pain which keeps me from doing so much. I walked about 3 miles in the park today.

I am feeling tired and not motivated to go back to work tomorrow, but I know once I am there I will be glad about it. On Thusday I started monitoring a 30-minute class in a lab, second graders. I know nothing about the program they are using but our math lab teacher got them all set up and so far so good. Tomorrow I start doing a new reading comprehension lesson with 5 low third graders. I watched a teacher do this lesson 3 days last week and brought materials home to look at this weekend. I'm kind of excited to start on that. I was unhappy when I initially saw I would be doing more than my usual K and 1st, but now I'm happy about it. I always resist change and yet often it turns out ok. In the mornings I am working with K kids, and the afternoons are my first grade groups. It's my busiest schedule yet, and they took away my planning period which sucks, but I like the new challenges and I feel like I am doing some good.

I hope things are well with you, and you are not wearing yourself out with too many OT shifts!

Hello! I had a nice hike yesterday with my son and DIL at Shenandoah River State Park. We have stayed in Luray along the Shenandoah several times and I love that river. I was dying to grab a kayak and get out there! We got rained on right at the beginning of our hike and turned back toward the car because there was thunder. Got back to the car and the storm had passed, so we turned around and did 2 more miles on another trail. We all enjoyed it but wished we had been able to go farther on the river trail before it rained! It was so pretty! This coming week my goat milker is away so I will not get to swim. I'll go one afternoon to the Y to meet with my trainer so at least I won't miss both my Y trips. I am driving to my mom's on Friday after work, so I'll miss my weekend hike too.

I'm sorry to hear about the changes at work! It is frustrating when the higher-ups make changes and don't think through the actual effects on all the workers. I hope they will find it is not working, and change it back. Good luck!

I like your new wine strategy. I am doing well not drinking during the week, but sometimes overdo it on the weekend. I did that last weekend and spent a night with a sick stomach and felt awful the next day. I knew better and I did it anyway. Yesterday we got home late from the park and I could have just gone to bed, but I wanted to make sure I got my weekly alcohol on the allowed nights, so I stayed up and drank some. So I can relate to the problems you are having sticking to your plan! I hope the melatonin and water combo helps you! It makes sense.

I am glad you got in some more kayak trips! I hope you will get more time on the river before it gets too cold!

Have a great week my friend!

Hello! Just a quick note. I am at my mom's for the weekend for her birthday. Arrived late Friday. Yesterday we went to see the Downton Abbey movie. She has been watching the series and wanted to go. It was fun. We went to dinner last night with my son and DIL, both sisters, and aunt. Today we'll have brunch and I will head home. The week was ok, pretty good food and exercise. I actually lost a couple of pounds! I've had brownies and cake this weekend so may undo all that right away, but so far I have not lost control with the sweets. I had no alcohol all week but then had 3 glasses of wine last night. Really only needed 2, but I was not making the best decisions with the first 2 glasses in me!

I hope your week has gone well!

Hello, Happy birthday to your Mom! It sounds like you all had a nice time celebrating. 3 glasses of wine for the whole week is still not bad. i can't seem to do any elimination so i'm still at a little more than 1 glass per night - sometimes i go back for a "top off". That's what they do in the fine restaurants - right? I had a pretty good week overall. Fiance and i put out the kayaks in Aylett, a little north of the James on the Mattaponi river. It was so calm and peaceful - a whole different experience on the water. It was a narrow atretch with a lot of twists and bends - i didn't want to go back.

Back at work this week-end and finishing up this evening. It had ups and downs but nobody had any adverse events- so that is always a good weekend in my book. I did have a little change in schedule with working this evening and off Thursday night- but working 11 to 7 Wed. night so its still extra. I hae the extra shifts in Oct. and Nov. Then back to normal. i do like our new boss a lot - he is fair and easy to get along with.

I hopw you do keep the 2 pounds off -it just lifts your spirits when that happens. I am within a 2 lb range that isn't budging . I am more concsious of adding the fiber and 8 glasses of sater and that is all i can do right now. Fall is finally here and it nice to see the change in the woods and hikes. I hope you get out some next week. I am going to try to do that too.