Oh So Quiet

Sometimes work is very quiet. 

Today is one of those days. I spent the bulk of the day sitting, waiting for a bunch of things from our sysadmin. He'll probably send them over later tonight, if I know him. I think he's a night owl. I am too. I have about 7 or 8 little bits of this project that I don't want to send out all at once, in case 3 of the 8 clients maybe have difficulty at the same time with this step. So I am parsing things out. 

I sent one out, and haven't heard back. Which is somehow good? But I don't want to move to the next one until I have the details in my hands from the sysadmin, and, feel comfortable knowing client 1 was successful so I can maybe do clients 2 and 3 on the same day. 

But it's quiet. 

Not a lot of helpdesk tickets today, and only one meeting. No one was blowing up our messaging system to ask me big questions. A lot of people are out, I think. 

I set up the dishwasher and turned it on around 2:30. There was a big pot in there, and the water spraying up into the pot was rhythmic and soothing. It had kind of a song. I felt slightly hypnotized in a way. So that was a good way to spend like a whole hour. Almost like a mindfulness/meditation session. 

Doug had a meeting at 4, and I could hear him and his colleagues talking - he doesn't wear headphones so I can hear a lot of voices. Not what they're saying. That busted me out of my reverie, and I let the dog out. It stopped raining, and I knew she wanted to go out because the mail truck was parked across the street. She loves our mailman - his name is Dave, and he loves her. 

What I maybe should have done was some cleaning, or work the puzzle. But I just. felt so relaxed today and wanted to just hit refresh on the helpdesk to load it again and see if there were any more replies or responses. 

Doug ended up taking her for a walk when I didn't think he actually would, once his meeting was over. Combined with the fact it was raining a little, I didn't think Princess Pittie would want to go. But. She did! 

I got dinner started and walked inside while the chicken was browning. Perfect use of that time. 

I poured a mug of wine (yes. a MUG, I put ice in the wine because I'm classy like that, ya bastid). and just walked around singing to myself. 

Geoff got home from work right when everything was done and ready. 

Sometimes it just feels blissful to have that kind of a day. Just, relaxed. 

Literally cannot believe tomorrow is October. 

No photo, but digits. 

digits

exercise: 11/12 hours. somehow missed 11am by probably a couple steps, guess i wasn't paying attention. 18 min. indoor walk. 5600+steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 165
4:30pm: 174  
10:15pm: 164  

food:
coffee/water
11am: metformin
12:30pm: 3 slices of 647 italian bread done up french toast style (w/ about a tablespoon of syrup) 
3:15pm: 10 pepperoni slices sandwiched w/chive and onion cream cheese; green olives
6:30pm: chicken parm, no pasta
7pm: metformin+jardiance
8pm: bag of popcorn
8:30pm: pbj sammitch on 647 multigrain (I guess i was hungry tonight)
white wine + diet ginger ale

It's All Hilarious

Got up at a decent time this morning when I heard Doug talking and Toffee barking. Our neighbors and Toffee's best girl friend Meg were out for a walk, and they were just in their absolute joy. 

It has done nothing but rain and be gross for days and days. It could be worse, it could be Chimney Rock NC. Asheville. We don't have any devastation, so I'm happy for that. But I would really like to sit out on the patio, and that probably won't be possible until after Wednesday from how it looks. 

After a some more of working around the house, I chatted with Linda a bit. Doug went to read and take a nap.

Then, I had a hot date at 1:30, I went to lunch with Sara, Hen, and Hen's friend Ella. We had a really good time, and I said "I think I'll go to the gym," when we were getting ready to go. 

Ella congratulated me for my choice (hilarious), and told me I should reward myself if I go. And if I don't go, I can't have that reward. 

We then had a very entertaining discussion about what my reward should be. Ella asked me well, what would I want to give myself or do on a Sunday afternoon. 

"Nap?" I asked. They all agreed I'd deserve that. 

I did not take a nap. 

I did go to the gym, and did a half hour on the treadmill. Hardly anyone was in there which was fun. I think it has been maybe 6 weeks since I've been. Need to up my game and revisit. Here's my big dumb head that needs a haircut as proof!

 I need to make a perfect playlist of songs that work well for walking at a good pace. 2.5 mph is a good pace. I feel comfortable there. 

Spotify's Guster mix I ended up skipping a lot of songs. Ramona is too slow. Red Oyster Cult rocks. 

Then I remembered I had a date to play DnD with Matt et al., so I skipped the circuit room. Sadly, I would have loved doing it because no one was in there! I headed home while chatting with C and getting gas.When I got home, Geoff had returned from taking Toffee for a walk. It was finally dry enough for the princess pittie pants to go out. She really hated the past couple of days. Poor thing.

DnD was also hilarious, and it is always the funniest and fastest 2 hours of a day when we get to play. One of the players was missing, and it's always better if she's there. So I missed her. But we still got shit done, and our campaign is going great. I think. 

While I was playing Geoff made chili, and Doug took Toffee for another walk. Toffee Two Walks. Her new name. They weren't gone long but I felt like Doug maybe has been feeling rather blah lately and I'm glad he went out for a stroll. 

Football evening and life is good. Rather a decent day, ended with dog snuggles.

Digits below. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 29 minute walk on the treadmill at the gym (yay me). 7500+ steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

10am: 174
n/a - forgot a reading in the afternoon
10:15pm: 179  

food:
coffee/water
noon: metformin
2pm: southwest egg rolls, slice of bar pizza w/pepperoni, buffalo chicken strips, some french fries
6:30pm: chili w/ beef and beans, a couple fritos and shredded cheese on the bottom. Metformin+jardiance
white wine + diet gingerale

Safe Councel

Doug and I goofed off a lot this morning, and we both were puttering around tidying some things up. It got to be 3pm all of a sudden and Doug went and took a nap with the dog. I continued to putter and dust, and tidy. And I also did steps. A couple things downstairs, a bunch of things in the living room, the kitchen counter. 

I repotted some pothos from Doug's mom that I've had in a jar getting rooted, and it was about time on that. Doug took Toffee for a walk, and I vacuumed the living room. Yay for me.

There was a small pile of pictures and documents that Doug's mom sent home with him. I went through those and put things into storage boxes and labeled them. 

There was a book marked "Safe Counsel" and inside it promised to put a searchlight on health and the science of eugenics. With a smiling tone of voice, it has whole chapters on chastity, and childbirth, how to be a good wife and mother, how men should live and present their manhood, behave in public. 

The artwork is pretty cool, but also, kind of... wow. What a weird thing to have, and now have in my house. 

I'm not a fan of this, so it'll go in the box in storage and not featured up on the shelves in the living room. 

Still, the artwork is really cool. 

Anyway, huh. Digits below.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours.  28min. walking inside and vacuuming. 8k steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

10am: 177
5pm: 140 
10:30pm: 193  

food:
coffee/water
1pm: metformin; tuna on 647 multigrain toast
6pm: pierogis (not very tasty) and glazed ham; metformin+jardiance
7pm: 4 chips ahoy chocolate chip cookies
white wine

Back on My Bullshit

Before I went up north, I'd ordered a puzzle. 

We have not done one in quite a while, and the puzzle table became the plants table over the summer. I figured with fall and winter coming, it was time. 

So I ordered a little puzzley puzzle for us, and it arrived while I was away. 

I got it out of the box and pondered it a bit this morning.

Today was a busy work day, and so I didn't really have a chance to really dig into it. I didn't even get a good walk in at any point. It was pouring and Toffee didn't even want to go out, so how could I. ha. 

We need a trip to the market, and I didn't send Geoff out on errands. He took yesterday off so he could go to a concert in Baltimore. I did my best not to be anxious with him driving home. It was pouring out, and I always think the worst. I always roll my eyes when my mom says she worries when we travel, but he's young. And ... Maryland. He got home around 12:30, and I could go to sleep without fretting. 

He also took today off so that he didn't have to get up for work and stuff. He actually went and got a haircut, first one in two years. Wish I'd taken before and after pictures. He kind of was looking like the Geico Caveman a little only not with that face. 

Doug whipped up a stew of sorts, I was so happy for him to do that while I finished working. He's the king of anything in the cabinets and the fridge is fair game and it comes out alright. 

The weekend is supposed to be broiling hot, sunny, and rather tropical (gee, I wonder why? Helene?) so I'm not sure what fun we have in mind. 

Digits below, naturally. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. no exercise; 4k by bedtime (so few steps today!)

blood glucose:

9:30am: 167
4pm: 148 
10pm: 156  

food:
coffee/water
10am: english muffin w/pb
11am: Metformin
4pm: entenmann's chocolate donut, a bunch of roast beef
6pm: sausage & chicken stew a la Doug
6:15pm: metformin+jardiance
white wine
8:30pm: bag of cub scout popcorn

What happens in life, when life is not fun

Today was a little bit of a wild day. A colleague reached out to everyone on our cross-divisional team to let us know he'd been diagnosed with Guillain-Barré, spent several days in the hospital, and is now home but not ... better. 

Better will be a ways off. 

Another good friend let me know they have separated from their spouse, living in the same house, parenting the kids, but it is not going smoothly. 

I have another friend who is going through some massive life shit. She and I chatted for a little bit today. "I literally can't tell another person about how I'm feeling right now," they said. "I can't talk to my parents, my sister, my boss. I think I need to take time off soon. I wish it was still summer, my kids and I could just use some of my vacation time and go someplace and just have a little fun. None of life is fun right now. What happens in life, when life is not fun?"

Basically I let her know that I have no idea what happens in life when life is not fun, but I'm there for her if she doesn't have anyone to talk to. I asked if she's seeing a therapist, or have some sort of professional help (yes she is, and  so thankful for it). I encouraged her to journal, write down one good thing that happened today. Just one. It can be a sentence, a word, but just try to find a one good thing. Just to keep going. Also told them to listen to Guster. 

Ha. 

If they can muster up the energy, one good thing. Just go and maybe do a kindness for herself. A little walk. A nap. An extra shower. A hot bath. A cookie. Just one thing.

And some of you reading this are in the middle of your own things. And I see you. Love you. Pray for you. Here for you. All that. 

It isn't all awful news, but news that makes me feel a certain way. I have other friends who just found out they'll be grandparents soon. That makes me smile, but it also makes me a little sad because I have always felt like I'd be a super awesome grandma, and that doesn't seem to be in the cards for all the honest reasons. 

I look forward to their new family member soon and watching that bean grow up. Oh and one of Geoff's classmates and his girlfriend just announced they are expecting. I guess I can't be surprised, because he's 28 already. How did the kids get to be 28? Huh. 

So it's been kind of a weird day. Overall, just weird. Peopley weird. 

I had kind of a manic stretch today. I could not find my fitbit charger. Mind you, I have two. But I could not put my hands on either one. I know I packed one and took it with me because I successfully charged the fitbit last week at C's house. It needed a boost, and it let me know, so I said "oh okay, it's gotta be in my.... suitcase? Carry on? Purse? Where the hell did I put it? 

[chaos ensued]
[swearing happened]

Eventually I found it. It had fallen out of my carry on bag and onto the rug in my room that is the same color. But I hate not being able to find something when I literally know, I just had it. I had it the other day. Gah. 

My brain. 

Anyway, I took a picture but I'm saving it for tomorrow. Ha. Digits below.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 23 minute indoor walk. 7k+steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

8am: 164
5pm: 187 
11:30pm: 169  

food:
coffee/water
12:15pm: english muffin w/pb; metformin
1:45pm: entenmann's chocolate donut (damn you, Geoff!) Some yogurt w/blueberries but the yogurt was weird so I didn't finish it.
4:30pm: pepperoni, cheddar, green olives, just like yesterday
6:30pm: Metformin+Jardiance
white wine

A Non-Entry

Sorry for the nothingness. I intended to start an entry and we watched a Steve McQueen movie and I got about 2/3 of the way through it when I realized I'd already seen it. Good job, brain. Way to remember that. 

And then Bob's Burgers, which is always a joy. 

It poured down rain today. Toffee refused to go out. Absolutely refused. I just dragged her out because you don't go 24 hours without peeing. I'm sorry kid. Your bladder is smaller than mine, so ... go pee.

Tomorrow night Geoff is going to a concert in Baltimore and I am nervous. I always get nervous, even though he does just fine. Send me good vibes to chill and be calm, and him good vibes to have a great time and really enjoy himself, and get home safe. Thanks.

So this entry is just for the digits.  

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. no exercise specifically and 5300+steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 187
4pm: 136 
10pm: 142  

food:
coffee/water
10:30am: egg mcmuffin w/ 4 strips of bacon and american cheese
11:30am: metformin
4pm: some pepperoni, green olives, cheddar cheese
6pm: 2 chicken thigh burritos w/guac, shredded cheddar, peppers & onions, sour cream
6:30pm: metformin+jardiance
white wine

Home Home Again

Today's travel day was as perfect as could be. 

I woke up, had a super crappy "frittata" from the lobby starbucks, and chatted with C about her sweet Hoover dog who had surgery yesterday. 

I went upstairs with expensive coffee (not sure I'll stay here again, even though the hotel is super nice but. Meh on the no free coffee no free brekkie situation) and answered emails and checked out some things for work without being at work. 

It was suddenly 11am, shoot, and I thought about the treadmill but check out was noon. So I got showered, packed, organized, out the door, and over to Linda's to hang out for a little bit with her and the dogs. 

She took me to the airport, got there in plenty of time which is nice. MacArthur airport is super close to her house and has non-stop flights to Baltimore so it is perfect. I love it. In the door, bag checked, through security and sitting at the Blue Point brewing bar within 10 minutes. No lie. 

After she dropped me off, I missed her already. I missed C, I missed Jess and Molly. I missed New England. I missed everything.

I thought about doing a half hour of steps but it was nicer to just sit, and talk to the really nice beer tender about their Oktoberfest. It was time to go line up to board. 

From MacArthur to Baltimore it is literally up and down in less than an hour.  It is the best way to go from NY to home. Hell yeah. 

Doug was late picking me up but again, he had Toffee with him and that was hella cute. and traffic was hellish but we were approaching home right around the time Geoff got out of work. We offered to get him, because it was pouring rain. 

Family reunited. 

Geoff whipped up dinner, which was so sweet. He got the makings for just some tortellini with sauce and some fajitas. I'll make the fajitas tomorrow for us. 

This was a lot of fun, this trip. But I was very happy to sit on the couch, have Toffee snuggle up to me, and be comfy. So wonderful to be back with all the fun I've had over the past few days. 

Digits, below. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. no exercise specifically; 7700+ by bedtime

blood glucose:

9:30am: 181
5:30pm: 136 
10pm: 238 * 

food:
coffee/water
10am: a couple bites of a sorry excuse for an egg white frittata, arugula+cherry tomato salad, 3 strips of bacon
1:30pm: 2 pints of beer at the Blue Point brewing in the airport
6pm: bowl of tortellini w/sauce
7:30pm: metformin+jardiance
4 beers 
10pm: protein shake

Three States Rush

(should have titled it 4 states rush, because it was Mass, RI, CT, NY)
We were up at a decent hour this morning. I was able to actually eat hotel breakfast, and they had the makings for an egg mcmuffin, so I did that instead of my beloved waffle. Which I so desperately wanted. 

And my love for hotel waffles is something I posted on Facebook about in the past. Which makes me laugh. Yinz, I love me a hot fresh waffle. 

Linda was working, so Ginger and I went over to the shopping plaza. She really needed to replace her suitcase. Delta's baggage handling system absolutely mangled one of the wheels, making it un-rollable. So I convinced her - let's go over there, get you a new ride. 

Target had the case that fit the bill, so we got it hooked up. Then, we went to the Cupcake Charlie's when they opened right at 11am. Perfect timing. We got mom 2 Lemon Drop donuts and got an assortment of 6 for us. I'm a sucker for Carrot Cake so I couldn't pass it up. These Hostess style cupcakes were just too good. 

We then stopped at the Paper Store. For those who know me well, I'm not a kitschy cute girly girl kind of person, but sometimes I like an upgrade. 

For years I had used a CVS brand makeup/pill carrier that we got a long time ago with our CVS points or whatever - a gift from them. A bunch of things and that was one. It suited me well. Toothbrush, toothpaste, good space for the blood test kit, and some other small things like hair scrunchies and barrettes. But I need something to put the pills and liquids in. 

I'd seen a cute carrier in the window of the store a year or so ago and figured I should get it, but passed. 

Yeah, ziplock bags are fine! They are FINE! You don't need some cute ass Vera Bradley carrier. 

Yes you do. 

We went in, and I commented to Ginger that all the old biddies were there shopping at the Paper Store... and we are old biddies too. 

Found what I wanted, and we were back at the hotel before 11:30.

Mind you, I wanted for us to really be on the road at 11am to head to NY to get Ginger to the airport, with our stop to say hi and bye to Shirley. 

We're already a half hour late. No matter. No worries. Ginger repacked her busted suitcase into her nice super new case, we loaded up the car, went to see Shirley. An hour later (and cupcakes and coffee. Very nice) we were leaving to head to the highway. Ginger wanted to check out what a dispensary was like. They don't have them in Florida but soon they'll be voting on a ballot initiative in November for legalizing marijuana. 

Ginger uses, and she very much would like to see, legal dispensaries in Florida so her son can buy safe weed - not laced with fentanyl or any other additives. 

We stopped in at the Trade Roots dispensary literally right behind where mom lives, and went into the shop. They have a glass wall where you can see all the weed growing, the staff is super friendly. Ginger was thrilled and excited at the concept of actual retail marijuana and gummy accessibility. She didn't buy anything because she did not want to be somehow busted bringing it into Florida where only medicinal marijuana is legal. 

And your humble narrator also didn't buy anything because I don't know jack shit about this stuff. I don't smoke it, in fact, I really hate the way it smells when people smoke it. Sorry, weed fans. 

I have no desire for a THC pen or any vaping products. I'm gummy curious - but don't know what to buy at all. 

I kind of need a shepherd through the process. And today wasn't that day to be honest. I wanted to get us on the road. Linda asked me to drive to start so I got us down to Fairfield County CT, and we swapped, because I'm not at all familiar with the LaGuardia Airport area. 

Why did we drop Ginger at LGA? Well, she was coming up to see Linda and Family but didn't count on this Guster show on Saturday. When we learned about it - heck yes, they were in, and we got together. She looked into changing her flight but that didn't work out. I was coming down here to fly out of Islip, so yeah - let's all go to NY! 

We made pretty decent time, got to LGA by 5:50, which was pretty fast. Left the girl off and even though we were cutting it kind of close for her departure, she flew through security and got to the gate in record time. Whew! 

But then it took us over 2 hours to get onto Long Island to Linda's area. We connected with Ronnie for dinner at the Old City Public House, where the wings were the most perfect I've had in years. It was a fun time. 

 Linda was wiped out. I had booked a hotel near the airport, not too too far from their house, in case she wanted to come stay with me one more night and swim. She gave me the keys to her car and she went home with Ronnie, I came here, and I'm decompressing from all the fun, the noise, the chaos, the love, and the everything of the last week. Whew. 

Oh they have a hot tub here too. Damn. I may have to get up early and hit that. 

digits below this awesome whale at the LI welcome center. 

digits

exercise: 9/12 hours. Missed 3, 5, 6pm due to driving/riding. That's okay. I did a 34 minute walk at the hotel gym treadmill, finished the day with 10,600+ steps thanks to that effort.

blood glucose:

8am: 165
xpm: n/a 
11:30pm: 128

food:
coffee/water
8:30am: egg mcmuffin, egg pattie and sausage patty on toasted english w/slice of american cheese
11am: metformin
noon: carrot cake cupcake at Shirley's
approx 3pm: a couple handfuls of Pop Corners 
approx 8pm: 2 beers, 10 of the most perfect buffalo wings ever; metformin+jardiance
10pm: glass of pinot grigio w/diet ginger ale

Dogs and Guster

Saturday: 
Molly and Jess stayed at the cabin with us on Friday night. We stayed up late, drank a lot of wine, patted and cuddled dogs and eventually I folded into bed with the Frenchie and they took care of cleaning up and going to bed themselves. 

At about 6am, Ginny woke me, I think she heard someone upstairs get up to use the bathroom and thought hey. Time for me too! I had stayed up so late and didn't want to get out of bed, but she was ready to launch herself off the mattress so... save the dog and go outside. 

Cool, damp, fall, New England. I stood out on the step while she did her thing and listened to drops hit leaves and smelled the woods. We came back in, I tried to get back in bed but she wasn't having it. She went upstairs and woke other people. Made the rounds. C came downstairs and we started our coffee time. 

I knew this was going to be a long day and thought hard about getting to the hotel early to get a nap. Nap never happened. But the kids and I went out to lunch, and then returned the loaner car back to C's office for a quick hug goodbye. 

We got to the hotel around 4:30, checked in, and I got ready for the show. Jess and Molly dropped me off at 6 at the dinner spot for the meetup. About 20 fans were assembled, and we had drinks and nosh and fun. 

My friend Dave took Jess' ticket when they decided they weren't feeling like being in a crowded enclosed space. I'm very happy he came with. His first Guster show, and they didn't disappoint with an amazing set list! 

After the show the person who coordinated most of the gathering and the fact that Guster was even at this location set up a meet & greet. We got a few minutes with Adam Gardner,  quick selfie time, more hellos and hi howareyas with the other fans. And it was time we headed back to the hotel. Jess and Molly were still there just chatting and visiting. We also chatted and visited more. Linda passed out and we took our chatting and visiting down to the lobby to continue. 

Kids left at about 1, Ginger and I sat and caught up until almost 2. 

No nap but power day. Here are some pictures from Saturday. 

Sunday:
We slept in a bit, and packed ourselves up to go. Ginger wanted to visit Salem, MA. As a former area resident, I thought. Wow. That is the last place I wanted to go, but, I obliged. We got down there, and roads were closed and I couldn't just drive her through the middle of the city down Washington Street or something just to see the chaos. So we managed to get ourselves pointed back to Beverly. I reached out to my friend Amy, who lives on the opposite side of Salem to see if we could have lunch. Could she get around Salem easily enough to get to us. 

She was game, and we met up at the Anchor Pub. I'd actually never been there, even though they've been there 28 years or so. Lunch and company were both great. 

Amy suggested we try the MBTA parking garage if we wanted to go try Salem again. 5 bucks for 24 hour parking. 

Success. We parked, and headed into town. 

Salem is a giant tourist trap. It gets bigger, crazier, more chaotic every year. I used to work there at two different locations, long before the concept of work from home was invented. It was not fun. But people enjoy it, like people enjoy Niagara Falls. There are a lot of different flavors of tourist temptations, and Ginger had a good time shopping and window shopping. We walked up and down East India Mall, and then down to the Lobster Shanty, a great little dive bar of excellence on Artists' Row. We weren't super hungry after having a big lunch but we needed a rest and snack. 

On our way back to the parking garage and to head down to mom's. We got down here around 7:30, a littler later than we'd thought but to be honest, being able to have that opportunity to get into Salem and make Ginger's day was a big score for us. Yay! 

Sunday digits

exercise: 11/12 hours. lost 6pm due to traffic; 8500+ by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 175
xpm: n/a no afternoon opportunity 
9:45pm: 208*
11:15pm: 150

food:
coffee/water
9am: 2 sausage patties w/ scrambled egg and shredded cheddar
11:45am: Metformin
1pm-ish: chicken cutlet sandwich, cup of clam chowder, coleslaw 
4:30pm: some french onion dip and potato chips
9:45pm: Metformin+jardiance
9:45pm: 2 cheese sticks & snack container of roasted almonds (see blood sugar reading above).

Saturday digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. No measurable exercise but yes rockshow movement. 10k+ steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

8am: 160
5pm: 189 
xpm: n/a didn't measure before bed

food:
coffee/water
noon: metformin
1:30pm: pear & goat cheese salad w/chicken on top
6:30pm: metformin+jardiance; 5 pork dumplings w/hoisin sauce, 1 beer
11:30pm: burger from wendy's & some fries
1am: 2 small titos+diet tonic

Rainy Day Sleep In

C had an appointment this morning and took the dogs with her. I woke up to see her off and slipped back into bed. 

I don't get a lot of quiet solitude, and this morning it was raining hard so sleeping in the first floor guest room surrounded by the giant windows and trees, listening to the rain, it was just feeling like the right thing to do. I slipped between the sheets and went back to sleep. I woke up organically without an alarm at about 8:30, thought about just rolling over and snoozing some more but there was a day to seize. 

My former co-worker lives a town or so away so I'd reached out to him to see if he was around. He was. We visited for over an hour, and had a great talk about his new position at the place I used to work at with him, and how everything you'd hope would be different is often just the same. He was always my greatest advocate there. I treasure our friendship. 

And his dog is just so stupid cute. 

Then, a college friend lives in Dover, and last year I'd posted some pictures of paperweights that Doug's mom was giving away. So I volunteered to give them away. She liked them and I said "they are yours!" I've been holding on to them ever since.  Today was the day to meet and connect, and C came with even realizing that this person would maybe know her, maybe not, and felt weird, but we had tea and little cookies and a lovely chat.

After delivering paperweights, we were hungry. But knowing it was on the late side for lunch, and Jess was going to be connecting with me, we didn't want to eat a big meal. Off to Seacoast Soups! I had a big bowl of soup and a roll, and it was delicious. I'm now suffering because I'd like more soup. 

Their bathroom has the best wallpaper. 

I dropped C off at her office to do some more work and have discussions, came back to the cabin and the porch. And happiness. And quiet. It's almost fall. It is starting to do its magical thing.

digits

exercise: 9/12 hours. 22min walk; 77k by bedtime

blood glucose:

8:45am: 164
xpm: x n/a
10:45pm: 187

food:
coffee/water
didn't record food well today

A big full day

Last night I slept with Ginny dog, who didn't wake me up to want to go out at like 7am which is usually when she does. Carrie came in at about 8:45 and got her to take her out because she was way overdue for outies. I thought about taking a picture of the light and the trees through her 2 ears at 6am when I got up to pee, but I just let the moment be.

We all got up before 9 there, had coffee, chilled on the porch. The only thing on the agenda today was that C had to take her English Bulldog to the vet today for a 3pm appointment, but we had a whole full 4 hours ahead of us to do things. We ran errands, first was breakfast in Exeter at the Big Bean cafe. I really like Exeter, it's a little crowded, hard to get around the rotary in town which isn't a rotary proper. Lunch was alright - her quesadilla was really rather greasy and we didn't understand why or how it would come out that way. My omelet was good, but the hashbrowns were burned. And that's okay, we don't have to eat those, and the burnedness helps not want them. 

Then, we paid one of her employees, went by some rental properties she owns to look at the progress on them. Went to the shop for a few minutes, and then Walmart because my reading glasses were busted and we needed milk for coffee. Then to the vet! Hoo has a weird toenail thing and an eye infection so he was getting all checked out. He is having surgery Monday on the toe, and we gave him eyedrops and cheese with meds. He is such a good bean. I love him. 

We headed back to the shop where I picked up my loaner car for the day tomorrow, and C stayed at the shop to chat with some staff. I got back here and literally passed out. So tired! Leaving the house is exhausting! 

I took a 90 minute nap, or so it seems, and when I woke up close to 7pm, C and her cousin were on the porch drinking wine and chatting. We decided to go to dinner at a chinese restaurant and it was pretty good. Probably too much sugar in the dish I had, and I should have taken the metformin+jardiance before leaving to eat. 

We were super close to 9k steps and decided to walk in the woods with the dog and flashlights but we only built up a couple hundred extra steps.

C went to bed early, and I sat to write this entry. And then I did steps to 10k just walking around the first floor. It was early enough, why not. 

All told, a great fun day. Here's me with dogs. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 34 minute walk to the end of the road and back. 10l+ steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 160
6pm: 146
xpm:  x took the reading shortly after the metformin+jardiance and it was jarring so leaving this one blank. 

food:
coffee/water
noon: metformin, 3 egg omelet w/ shaved steak, goat cheese, peppers, rosemary, cheddar cheese. A few hashbrowns
7pm: chinese food, peking ravioli & general tso's chicken
9pm: Metformin+jardiance
white wine

Come pick me up, I've landed

Title today comes from a very powerful Ben Folds song called Landed. After his divorce, well, this song speaks a lot. I think of it when I land at an airport. Yeah. Even if it isn't exactly the same

I had a busy day, and Doug got me to the airport in plenty of time. I had some food and got on the plane, and C was there to meet me.

There is nothing better than having your best friend being inside the airport waiting for you. 

Anyway. Long day today and I'm full of joy and happiness. Where did I pack my toothbrush?

Digits below my best friend Ginny, my favorite gargoyle, who is very happy I am ready to sleep with her. 

digits

exercise: 11/12 hours. Missed 6pm due to be on the airplane. 91+ by bedtime

blood glucose:

8am: 203 (?)
5pm: 171
11:15pm:  217

food:
coffee/water
11:45am: pbj on 647 bread; metformin
4:30pm: 2 beers and buffalo fingers at Firkins at BWI
on the airplane: one beer, a couple pretzel snacks
8pm: chicken asiago over broccoli instead of pasta; white wine
9:30pm: metformin+jardiance
white wine at c's 

Alarms Set

I fly Southwest a lot. As you know, when you fly Southwest you have to check into your flight 24 hours in advance. I've often forgotten to do so, or, forgot my password so I can't get on the App to do it. And I'm fighting with the technology right before it is time to do the thing. 

Once, Doug was driving me to the airport. TO THE AIRPORT and I was traveling for work, and couldn't check into the flight the day before. The fact that I was traveling alone didn't bother me, I was pretty okay with sitting in the last row by the bathroom, just get me on the plane. 

I was trying to check in with some random number on my email confirmation, not my flight confirmation. I ended up calling customer service on the phone, just to make sure I wasn't dropped from the flight for lack of checking in. 

I didn't know there was a Boarding Group D until that day.

I've gotten good at it over the last couple years. I set an alarm a minute before check in time, I try to make sure I log in earlier during the day, so I don't have to remember anything at the time of check-in. I do a print-screen of my boarding pass, in case there's something wrong with the App or trying to get internet coverage at the airport (ie: Denver. Hi I see you). 

This gets me excited and anxious. Ready to go. Ready. Let's Go!!!! LFG!

Noticed that I still had not unpacked from August, I got the suitcase out and threw it on the bed. Oh. There's my yellow blouse I like to wear to client meetings. Ha. I wondered where you were. Not sure if I'll check this bag and bring my backpackI don't need to do laundry but why not do laundry. 

Watching the weather forecast, a big storm is to the south of us and is expected to roll in here tonight and make a mess of tomorrow. I'm a bit worried about it, since leaving Providence RI in August storms resulted in my flight being canceled until the next day. 

Anyway. Super excited to go tomorrow afternoon. Getting through tomorrow's workday though that's the fun part! 

Didn't take a picture today but. Here's the digits. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 18 min. indoor walk. 6600+ steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 177
5pm: 171
10:30pm:  157

food:
coffee/water
10:30: 2 left over grilled sausages w/a little sauce and cheese
noon: metformin
12:30pm: apple w/pb
6pm: large piece of chicken parm; metformin+jardiance
8pm: last of the candied nuts

Two More Sleeps

Looking forward to heading to NH and MA this week, got a lot done at work, really focused on a slide deck for a presentation we're doing on Wednesday. 

I had a half hour meeting with a client that I love, which turned into an hour because we just talked about great things and ideas about how we wish things were better in certain parts of our jobs. He's so sweet. And I love chatting with him. 

Anyway. 

Doug took Toffee for a walk while I cooked dinner and I walked inside the house. I should have gone with, but I didn't feel comfortable leaving a gas stove on boiling a big ass pot of chili. Still, managed to squeeze in some movement. Not as much as I'd hoped, I should have pushed a few more minutes.

Tomorrow is busy for me, and I have to fold laundry and pack!

Off to bed. Last night I had heartburn and horrible dreams so here's hoping for a better rest! 

No picture. Just digits.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. Indoor walk, 16 min. 6k by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 165
5pm: 130
10pm:  188

food:
coffee/water
11:30am: english muffin w/roast beef and whipped cream cheese
noon: metformin
1:30pm: chicken salad left over
5:30pm: big bowl of chili w/ cheddar cheese, sour cream, fritos
6:30pm: jardiance+metformin
red wine+seltzer

Hot Autumn

After yesterday's super long walk I kind of was in the mood for us to do something, but I forgot. It's football season. Doug slept in, and took a nap. And I took a 20 minute walk that my fitbit measured as 19. Guess the first minute wasn't fast enough for it to register. 

I set up a marinade for the salmon he bought the other day, and waited for him to wake up. He took Toffee for a good half hour walk while I futzed about. 

My sister and I started the morning with a patio chat. Nice enough outside and breezy, no real heat just yet. Not until... I went for my walk. We rearranged our hotel plans for next weekend so we'll head down to mom's on Sunday instead of a second day in the Beverly/Salem area. 

Better to go see mom than to hang out in the old home country. I've got a few people to say hello to while we are on the north shore, so I hope to fit folks in on one of the days. Maybe. 

Today was warmer than I wanted it to be, especially on my walk. I came back instead of doing a further loop because it was just a little too warm. But I'm glad I went. 

Seeing signs of fall starting to crop up around here, even though it was 85 degrees. 

Alright. More tomorrow. Off to bed!

Digits below.

digits

exercise: 11/12 hours. Missed 2pm because I was goofing off on my phone and misjudged the time to get up and walk. 19 minute walk (outside while Doug & Toffee were napping), 6500+ steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 181
4pm: 165
xpm: 168

food:
coffee/water
11:30am: metformin; tuna melt on 647 white bread w/muenster cheese
12:30pm: the rest of the tuna salad
6pm: large piece of grilled salmon and about 6 pierogis 
red wine

The stars that shall be bright when we are dust

I took the title of today's entry from a poem, one line of it has been made famous by Peter Jackson's documentary in the title, They Shall Not Grow Old. The poem itself is called "For the Fallen," and I picked a different line for today.

Doug had wanted to head into DC to see the dedication of the World War I Memorial. Last night was the illumination night, and all weekend there were festivities celebrating this dedication. The memorial has been open since 2021, and before that there was a memorial there and it was called Pershing Park. As Mister History over there follows a lot of things, well, he was game to getting to go and see this.

We headed into the city around 4 which was perfect timing for getting down there. It was hot today, around 85 degrees, not nearly as horrible as it has been all summer, so today was lovely.

They had a wonderful band playing and displays of WWI memorabilia. We met a woman who is involved with a WWI restoration project of a building her grandfather worked on which is now being reassembled at the 29th Division Museum in Virginia. 

The sculpture is impressive. It is titled "A Soldier's Journey" and follows the story of a soldier who leaves home, goes through the horrors of battle, and actually returns to his family. 

When I saw this, I thought for sure that wasn't the father at the end but another soldier handing her his helmet. But reading about it on multiple websites, it turns out that's indeed him, returning home to her. 

I have to admit, thinking about her receiving her dead father's helmet kind of floored me. Reading what the story is here, with a happy ending as it were, well. That.

The anchors of the sculpture for me are the beginning where his daughter hands him his helmet at the far left, and at the end, the far right, he hands it back to her when he returns home. 

And everything in between is amazing. 

If you get to DC, of all the memorials, go see this one. 

There were folks dressed in reenactment garb from soldiers to nurses to dogs. I got a group shot of everyone but the professional photographer's strap was dangling down at the far left. I cropped it but I am not good on my phone with editing things out. 

As we were getting ready to go, I heard a young man with a French accent talking to a much older man in military garb. The younger man said "World War I is so often forgotten and overshadowed. This is a special place." And the older man nodded, he said "I have to admit, I know so little about World War I. Thank you for bringing me here today." 

That was very touching to me. 

They play Taps every night at 5pm there. Today they played Last Post and followed it with Taps. It was very beautiful. 

There are a ton of great websites, this one features an amazing drone flight around the memorial - go watch it! 

We walked around the Sherman statue, thinking that we'd go over and walk over around the White House but the roads are all blocked off, and it looked complicated. 

We were hungry. 

So we walked away and over to Capitol City Brewing. I remembered Linda and I ate there in 2019 in between 2 nights of Guster, and I was laughing thinking about that weekend's adventure with her. 

We crushed it with the walking today and I actually felt pretty awesome even when we got home. We were sitting in the restaurant and I asked Doug if he wanted to walk the 10 blocks to .... 

No. No he did not. 

What a day. Here are some pictures. Enjoy. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 2 good solid walks. First was 22 minutes (Metro station to WWI memorial and all around it). Second was 29 minutes (WWI Memorial walk around, and walk to restaurant). 11k steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

10am: 187
3:45pm: 150
10:15pm: 165

food:
coffee/water
11:30am: English Muffin w/pb and a touch of cherry preserves; metformin
3pm: handful of pepperoni
6pm: chicken piccata w/couscous, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, 2 beers; metformin+jardiance
8:30pm: ramekin chicken salad; a couple beers

Before she knew what beds are

Last night was rough. I didn't sleep well or much. It is kind of my own fault in some ways. Several days ago I ran out of Zzzzquil, so falling asleep is a challenge. 

Note to self, go to the store and get some. 

Doug also started listening to an interesting podcast called The Constant, which I recommend. His usual pattern is he plays one episode and falls asleep, and the sleep timer is set to turn off the podcast at the end of the episode. Most of the episodes are 10 or so minutes long, which is never enough, so now he sets the timer for an hour. And that sometimes puts us in the middle of an episode, and he's asleep. I get sad when I don't hear the end, and I don't want to play it on his phone lest he not know where things were left off (truth be told, he just replays whatever episode he last remembered hearing before falling asleep). 

I go in the guest room and pick up where it left off. 

I know it is bad form to confess this, but I skip the ads at the beginning of the episode. The volume of the ads is always twice that of the episode itself, which is infuriating. Thanks, Spotify, you jerks. 

Then, I'm awake, skipping ads at the beginning to get to the content. Sometimes there is a longer form episode, but it is too interesting to just fall asleep. So I listen to the whole thing. Sometimes I do fall asleep but wake up WHEN THE ADS START FUCKING SCREAMING AT ME AGAIN. Like that. 

Last night, I also had some wild muscle spasms in my feet. 

And the dog. I have got to figure out how to teach her to sleep at the foot of the bed, instead of up behind my head and shoulders. She also spreads. She melts. She's like caramel instead of toffee. She big. 60 pounds she big. She likes her half in the middle, and actually on my side. I got up to pee at one point and she was just horizontal across the bed, the entire bed. Moving her is a challenge. I imagine this is what it must be like moving a giant sea lion. I get her to sit up, then she won't move, then I'm trying to nudge, lift, cajole, and she is not participating. At all. 

I do love my dog. I love this monster. I will pat her and lay my arm across her like I'm sleeping with my partner or something - because she's that big and that high up in my bed. I listen to her snores, and sometimes the softness of them makes me fall asleep. 

Last night I took this, I have a nightlight in the bedroom and it was on, and just enough light to get a shot of her here. I ponder her nose, and think that the markings she has there are actually scars. 

Part of me wonders what her life was like before she was rescued. Before she found out what beds are. Before she knew what safe felt like. I think this is why she sleeps all up on top of our faces. Not only that but from what I understand that is a Staffie/Pit behavior anyway. 

Did she huddle with other dogs, hiding for comfort from the weather? Was there a bridge where they'd cram themselves into the space, bodies touching to be warm? Did someone feed the strays or was it all just dumpster and trash can surfing? What about the heat? DC is so hot. Where did they find water? Where are the other dogs she may have known? What happened to them? 

I run my fingers over her nose, just touching those marks. Saying little blessings, mantras of peace and love, safety and security. While begging her to move her ass just a little bit over to the other side of the damn bed.

digits below. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. no walk today. 6100+ steps today

blood glucose:

8:15am: 171
5pm: 178
10:30pm: 155

food:
coffee/water
11am: Entenmann's chocolate donut (damn you Geoff)
noon: English muffin w/pb
1pm: Metformin
6:30pm: pot roast a la Geoffrey w/ some chinese white rice thrown in (unavoidable)
7pm: metformin+jardiance
8pm: cheez-its
no wine/etc

Just tappin' into you to kiki

Oh boy did yesterday just get away from me. I realized at 10 I hadn't come in here to update the digits, and realized that I didn't start an entry. 

I usually begin my entries in the morning, get some stuff written down in the form of basic thoughts, finish up by bedtime. Sometimes that is all abandoned by the end of the day if something else strikes me, and I start over around 8pm. 

Yesterday though. Voof what happened. 

Today one of my colleagues messaged me, and I asked her what was up. She said "nothing, just tappin' into you to kiki" which cracked me up. I guess kiki is "hang out and chat" according to the internet. 

I'm hip to all the slang.

We had a good hang out and chat for about a half hour. Doug left to go to a doctor's appointment, and I told her I was going to use the time to vacuum while he was not in my space. She laughed and said since her husband's company ordered everyone back to the office if they were within 50 miles of one of their workspaces (they are) she's never had a cleaner house. 

"And, he gets home around 8, so I have everything clean, dinner is made, I get a nap. It's great. " Not to mention she's in Denver and works East Coast hours, so our 6pm is her 4pm. I do love her. She's sometimes not at work by 8:30 our time but I always cut her some slack, because I know she's working after 4pm her time. There's no time keeping here. But I do wish at 4pm most days, I could just close the laptop and be done. 

By the way, I never did vacuum but I did bring laundry downstairs and clean the dining table. So that's something, right?

Doug got home from the doctor's and I had just finished, gotten back to work. I took a solid half hour to just walk around the house moving things from one room to another, which sometimes is cleaning, other times is just making a mess for me to clean up in another room.  

 Geoff has tomorrow off, and he's been readying up a recipe to make for days. He needs three more things, and he has not gone to the right supermarket to get those things (dude, Go To GIANT and get the last three things! Capers are not a challenge!) 

So Doug, even though he was super tired, went to Aldi to get makings for French Bread Pizza. I had a piece and now feel like I am going to pass out. So many carbs. lol. 

Anyway, here's a picture. I sat outside today and worked. Until my neighbor's landscapers came. Jerks. There's an open chair there for ya, if you wanna come by.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 30min inside walk, started with just bringing laundry downstairs and then progressed... 8k+ steps

blood glucose:

8am: 160
5pm: 183
10:45pm: 177

food:
coffee/water
10:30am: ramekin of mac & cheese w/bacon
11:30am: Metformin
12:30pm: 2 slices of multi grain bread w/pb & a spot of pomegranate preserves
5pm: Protein shake
6:45pm: Metformin+jardiance; slice of french bread pizza w/ pepperoni, fresh mushrooms, peppers, onions. 
8pm: ice cream sandwich
White wine

Forgot to do an entry

Just digits today, friends! and they are below. 

Promising better tomorrow. 

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 17 minute toffee walk solo while Doug was shopping. 7k by bedtime

blood glucose:

8:30am: 155
4:45pm: 141
10:30pm: 160

food:
coffee/water
11am: brekkie burrito. 2 eggs, 3 strips of bacon, mushrooms & spinach sauteed, shredded cheddar, salsa
noon: metformin
2:30pm: apple w/pb
6pm: 2 chicken cluck pucks w/ 2 slices of American cheese, a couple french fries.
7pm: metformin+jardiance
no wine or anything. too tired to create something

You robots are sounding more human every day

This morning, still not feeling 100% well, I thought about sleeping in but it is Trash Truck Rodeo on our street. We have several trucks that all show up around the same time, and because the side streets are very narrow, they spend a lot of time driving up and backing down, and turning around, and pivoting. 

What the city should do is on Trash day - you have to park all the cars on one side of the street so these dudes can do their job. Straight up - no beeping. 

So I messaged the team that I was on a slow roll to the day. My manager also isn't feeling well so he also said he was a bit funked up and laying low. We canceled our team check in, and another meeting I had this afternoon was bumped to tomorrow. Bliss. 

I got stuff done but just didn't interact with anyone. Oh I did have a side chat with a client because they wanted to share some scoop with me, spill that hot tea!

Before lunch, I decided I should revisit this problem logging into Hulu/ESPN/MyDisney/Whatever because I was that pissed off last night that I wanted to rev my own engine up again. 

I don't understand how the website for this particular product set has absolutely no link to a help/support center anywhere. Nothing. Nada. Zip. 

With a less angry mind and eyes, I decided to google that shit without typing "how the fuck do I get tech support for the goddamn disney platform, motherfuckers?" 

Chances are that would have yielded results. But I asked nicely. All the help center links pointed to Disney+ which I do not have a subscription to, but I figured I'd try. Nothing helpful in the help center documentation, so I went to the contact page. I didn't want the virtual assistant because I was virtually positive it would tell me it couldn't help me because I was asking about a different product/service. 

Begin A Chat with a service representative. Okay. I'll try that and it is probably also a Bot but one designed to read questions a little better. I was emailing, but the entire time my brain is doing Jennifer Coolidge in the Discover commercials. 

The question was asked. The problem presented. The agent looked me up, initiated the email for the password reset. I asked them to stay in the chat while I logged in. 

The place where I'd been getting hung up here was the verification code step. "Hi, we need to verify your email." Goddamn. You just sent me the password reset, isn't that verification enough, system?  "We are sending a verification code to your email address." Which you just emailed me at. Okay.

 And then we waited. I told the person this is not good, this is exactly where the wheels came off last night. I apologized for making her wait. Even if she is/was a robot. I'm sorry. 

The email verification code finally arrived after a few minutes when they and I were ready to give up. "You see how this is frustrating to a user, who just wants to watch Monday Night Football, right?" I asked the support agent. They agreed...I entered it, and the website didn't like it "Seems there's something wrong here... Request a new code?"

The person on the other end initiated another reset. We waited. Now I'm uncomfortable because this is taking so long. Oh! Here's the email and this time - the code works. What the hell. 

As Geoff says when I help him with things "Are you a wizard?" No. Sometimes the uncooperative tech cooperates and we win. 

I asked if I was talking to an AI bot or a human. They assured me that they are "super real."

Thank goodness for Super Real Laura N. 

None of this needs to be so complicated, and now I know why people I know, love, value, and trust don't participate in any of this nonsense with technology. But. For now. I know my password, I checked my billing information while on the site so my brand new credit card is on the platform and all set. And now we can watch some damn football. 

Anyway. 

I took it easy all day and then around 4pm a lot of stuff bubbled up. Meg came over to play (with her human) and we had a wonderful time. I came back in and worked and worked after taking it easy all day. 

I feel like I get so much done after 6pm. 

Here's the only decent picture I got of Toffee and Meg. Digits below.

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. no walk today unfortunately; 6k steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

9am: 165
4:30pm: 151
11:30pm: 140

food:
coffee/water
11am: bowl of left over chinese food, mostly curry chicken & veggies, some beef with broccoli.
11:30am: Metformin. Bowl of chicken salad, no nuts or fruit available
through the afternoon - candied mixed nuts 
6pm: 3 grilled sausages w/sauteed veggies; Metformin+jardiance
White wine w/flavored seltzer
10:45pm: sliced turkey (needed some protein)

Irritation

I spent a good part of today being mad at work things, and people, and finally made some headway with a big problem. I ended up with a pounding headache and a case of I don't give a shit, so I stopped working at 4. I told my team I didn't feel well, and I just walked away from the day a little early. 

Everyone on my team does this, I never do. I power through and keep working, but today I'm already over everything and done with it all. 

One of my big issues in life is passwords, and two factor authentication. 

Every day I have to deal with people who can't log into our systems. I also have to 2fa and log in, and then if I don't work often enough (like, if I'm in a meeting, I get kicked out of the products and have to log back in. 

And at home with our things, it's no fun either. Tonight, Doug was trying to log into watch Monday night football, and the account is on my Hulu and .... ugh, myDisney. ESPN is part of that package. God.

I don't remember my password, so I had to request a password reset. The email never came, I requested it again, it didn't come. and finally came but it was after 15 minutes, which, well. It expired. We ended up just going to bed.

He's mad, I'm mad, and I hate everything. Goddamn we just want to watch football. I shouldn't have to jump through these flaming red hoops just to access this stupid platform. 

So I'm cranky. And that's the entry. 

Digits below

digits

exercise: 12/12 hours. 21 minutes indoor walk; 6200+steps by bedtime

blood glucose:

8:30am: 154
4pm: 187
10:30pm: 187

food:
coffee/water
12:30pm: metformin; 2 slices of multigrain bread w/peanut butter
a lot of candied nuts through the day
6pm: grilled chicken thigh w/mozzarella cheese, some tortellini ; metformin+jardiance
red wine