Hunger pains

It's amazing what losing 6 pounds did for my happiness  It's been a sacrifice but not a struggle. Once I made up my mind, I was unwaivering. That made me feel strong. It was much easier than quitting smoking, but it did require always making the right decision. I eat a lot of big salads. With a protein in it. I have it for lunch every day and sometimes dinner too because it's easy and when I make a salad I make multiples. I roast vegetables for the week on Sundays, so I have roasted cauliflower, broccoli and green beans on hand. I make a delicious omelet every day with butter and cheese and roasted mushrooms and onions. I snack on turkey and cheese roll-ups, cheese sticks, almonds, etc... I cook a few night a week and it's usually chicken. Every night I have a Quest protein bar for dessert. 20 grams of protein! I do eat out but don't eat carbs or sugar.

I'm celebrating my loss tonight. Gregg and I are going out to dinner and I plan to eat everything in sight!

a little late...

I knew I was behind on posting, but how could so much time pass so quickly? Ugh! Time goes by way too fast! I went to Florida last week and pretty much stayed offline. I just didn't want to not be present. I loved being in Key West! I've done a bunch of traveling in Florida the past few years and really love to visit. Especially in the winter. It's paradise! KW reminds me of other southern cities. It was like New Orleans in that it caters to tourists who like to drink and there are a lot of open-air restaurants and bars and wrought iron balconies. Aspects of the architecture were similar to NO and to Beaufort. I expected to see Spanish moss but apparently it's not hot enough or humid. It was so clean and had more palm trees than I've ever seen. Gregg and I had fun! We always do. I especially loved kayaking in the clear blue water. And drinking on the sunset cocktail cruise. And eating ginger coconut chip cookies at the French bakery.

I really shouldn't have started this right before bed. No energy or inspiration. I shall return!

Sunday musings

Sitting in Starbucks, happy me. It's a gloomy rainy day but I don't care. Gregg is at my house doing hours of doctor work. I'm so thankful that I have a job that I completely finish at the end of the day. He spends an enormous amount of time continuing his work after hours. It actually works very well for our relationship. I need a lot of alone time. He's thankful that I'm not upset about how much time he spends doing work. I went to the gym and swam. Yay! I'm aiming to revamp my family room and I've been buying curtains from Marshall's and HomeGoods, so that was one of my stops today: to collect more. I have a zillion paint samples at home. Decisions, decisions. One more stop after this to the grocery store and then I'll go home. And put on my sweats. I never use my Crock-Pot, but I have something cooking in it now. Chicken thighs, taco seasoning and salsa. I'm not expecting delicious, but that's OK. You're supposed to shred it when it's done, for tacos, but I'm strictly low carb these days so I'll have it plain with a salad and veggies. 

Ramble done, fueled by my friend espresso.

I should take a walk

I should've known better than to go to the gym on a holiday. I think I've established that I don't like to exercise. I'm trying to firm up my body and stay in kayaking form during the winter so I'm making myself swim. Once I'm in the water and on lap 6 I actually begin to enjoy it. I got to the gym at around 1:00. I don't usually look in at the pool to see how many people are swimming, but today I did and there were 5 people swimming in 4 lanes. When I got to the locker room there were 2 women in suits ready to hit the pool. I walked over to the pool and there was an additional person waiting. So here I am in a very crowded Starbucks where everyone else is, not swimming. The good news is that 1. I cleaned my house before I left 2. I'm drinking my favorite drink and writing this

                     
I'd like to be here right now

I'll be going to Florida in February and in March. I'm so happy to have that to look forward to.

A part of my story

It's been so long since I've uploaded a picture to my blog. It wasn't easy to do on my iPad but I did it!
                                                 

This is my makeup table and chair. Both have a history and are very dear to me. I bought the Singer sewing table from Goodwill at least 35 years ago. It was in perfect condition. The sewing machine that's hidden inside is beautiful. I've always used this as my makeup table. The chair is the only remaining piece from a table with six 'regular' chairs that date back to  at least the early 1960's. It was our family table. At some point early in my brother's marriage, he took the set. I kept this 'ice cream parlor' type of chair for myself. I've always used it at my makeup table. I've also always used a lighted makeup mirror. Those, of course, have been replaced over the years. I plan to keep this little station of mine forever.

The jitters

I'm feeling more and more uneasy with each approaching day leading up to Trump's inauguration.  An underlying anxiety is always there. I can't believe that this president-elect who I consider to be a horrible, horrible man is going to be our next president. I can't believe that our nation would ever, ever consider electing this despectable human being. I believe the majority of the country is alarmed. Nothing horrible has ever happened in my life, except for my mother's stroke. Is the time approaching? I believe that our way of life is about to change for the worse. One of my biggest fears is that the United States will be involved in a terrible war. I feel very emotional, and I feel like the clock is ticking. How did this happen? I live in a state that is vastly Democrat. I have no problem with the fact that a Republican won the election. But this caricature of a human being is going to be the next President?

There was a time I wouldn't have written that. I would have cared too much what others thought. Not on this subject. Not this time.

Is it possible to segue to another subject? During the week I thought of all kinds of things to write about. I wish I'd gone with the flow then, and put it 'on paper'. Alas, this gloomy post will have to do for now.

PS... I did have a good day off. I had my car serviced in the morning. I went to the mall to run a few errands. The weather was incredible... in the 70's! I popped over to my Mom's to sit outside for a while. I went to the gym and swam. After the grocery store I came home, made dinner, prepared a bunch of salads for the next few days and here I am writing while my laundry is in the dryer. 

Week One

Oh my! Do I even remember how to blog? It doesn't matter. I'm going to pretend that I've never done it before. Only those who knew me as a regular blogger will know.

I received a 5-year journal before Christmas. There are only a few lines available for each day and I just couldn't wait till January 1 to start writing. With that limited amount of space, what I write has to be 'just right.' No erasing allowed. Most important, it has to be interesting enough to look back on. That's a tall order for a little book. Here, I can write whatever I want. I'm going to try to be like Jamie and write once a week. I spend/waste so much time on social media; surly I have time for this. A big thank you to Josie for writing and prompting me to check out her blog. My blogging friends mean the world to me.

Today was a day off. I spent most of the morning jittery from strong coffee. And cold! I spent hours looking for a vacation rental in N Myrtle beach for a trip with my sisters this summer. Coordinating our availability with my work schedule and cost restraints made it really difficult and its not solved yet. After all that, my GA sister and I spoke on the phone and she's going to get in touch with a friend who has a place in Hilton Head. We stayed there 2 years ago. There was a lot I loved about it, but I really missed being oceanfront. I know...small problem in the scheme of things. I just love a beach and palm trees.

My boyfriend Gregg thinks I'm so athletic. I'm not. I hate to work out. I'm amazed that I kayak. And proud. He's very, very athletic. He goes to the gym at least 3 times a week and exercises at home. He says he needs it for stress-reduction and he likes being strong. He runs, lifts weights, kayaks, etc. He's in great physical shape. My shape is soft but he loves me the way I am. Still... it's hard having a boyfriend with all those muscles and motivation. It really is true about age...if you don't fight what the body wants to do, it's all downhill. I wish I didn't have to do anything. Sometime before Christmas I went to the gym and swam 6 times in 2 weeks. I was on a roll. Then came lots of doctor appointments for my mom and then the holidays. Today I went to the gym and swam. I was almost ready to give up after 2 laps. By 6 laps I was getting into a rhythm. I completed 18 laps. It felt so good afterwards! I'm motivated, but will it last? I did say I don't like to exercise. I really just want a better body, truth be told.

OK...I've started.

Last night before bed I looked in the mirror and realized my upper lip is disappearing. I've also  just noticed how wrinkly my neck is. Why do our bodies change with age? Thinking positively, at least all the signs of aging aren't arriving at the same time.

I bought a new iPad on Friday! I'd had my old one forever, as in maybe 5 years? It got to the point where it constantly disappointed me. It was used up. I'm excited to own a new one. I've spent a lot of money lately on home projects so it was a big decision to spend additional money on anything. I had to give myself permission, which is hard for me to do.

I biked 20 miles yesterday with my friend Laurie in 20mph winds with additional mighty gusts. It was crazy and hard and my bottom is very sore from the seat. I'm glad I did it.

I'm feeling kind of down today, for some reason. I need to get dressed in the right clothes and take a walk. I'm going to do that right now. The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day.

Does anyone use Flipboard? It's one of my favorite apps on my iPad. My home screen features Cover Stories, People, Oprah, Wired, Engadget and...Ladeda. For two years I've seen the picture of my cousin Brian and me, sitting on a couch. I've given a little thought to writing, but knew I probably wouldn't keep up with it. In a way I'm sorry I ever stopped. I did write for myself, really, and for many years it was a journal of my life. It's a wonderful thing to have and to look back on. Many things have changed since I've written, yet much remains the same. Life is good! I have my same great job. I just celebrated 29 years at Mason and Friends. I'll stay there till I can retire. I'm thinking 7 or 8 more years? My daughter is 22 and has mostly lived on her own since she was 18.She's doing great. I have a wonderful boyfriend who I met kayaking. I'm living my best life now.

So this is my start. Maybe if I take it slow, I can be steady.

Ladeda!

Thankful

I used to start most of my summer posts saying I was sitting on my porch. Funny how the porch changed to the deck. It started because Sparky could be out here with me. I guess it still is, but it's really a lovely view. It means I don't get to see my front garden as much. Both are great places. 

I'll admit here that the first thing I do when I wake up is look at my phone. Twenty-something years ago I would have smoked a cigarette as soon as I woke up. And right before I turned out the light for bed. And if I woke up in the middle of the night. So I'm still an addict, but in a much better way. This leads me to this video I saw this morning. I think everyone should see it. http://qpolitical.com/ice-bucket-challenge-end-like-rest-gotta-see/ I hope the link works. Using blogger on my iPad is much different than on my laptop, which I never use. Except to change my Facebook cover or profile picture. I have a Zagg keyboard case for my iPad and with it I hardly have a use for my laptop.

I recently came back from a 3 day trip to Stone Harbor, NJ where I joined my cousins on their vacation. This was my 5th year of doing this. I love Stone Harbor but most importantly, I love being with my cousins. There's just a special bond between cousins. Brian and I grew up being best-friends cousins. His wife Maureen and I feel like blood cousins. I wish I could have stayed there longer.

It's been a great summer, and I have fun things planned thru the fall. I'm signed up for kayaking trips with my groups twice a week. I'm going kayaking for 3 days next month at Jane's Island on the Eastern Shore. That's cabin camping. I'm going kayaking in Williamsburg on the James River in October. Tent camping. I have bike trips and concerts and other fun things on my calendar. I am so thankful for my ability to adapt and find new ways to be happy. 

Smiling

I have about 20 minutes before I leave for work. It's not often that I have time to just sit on my deck and relax. Often I run errands before work. It's nice to take the time to be still. My sister Ilene arrived from GA last night. She's here to spend a lot of time with my parents. The best part is that we get to spend a lot of time together. When my parents lived at home she stayed at their house. Now when she comes she stays with me for a week. We're happy about that. 

I've been busy having fun. I've gone out kayaking with my main group, The Chesapeake Kayak Adventure Club (CKA) almost every Wednesday after work. This past Wednesday there were 30 of us. We stopped midway to share food and fun. I'm getting to know a lot of my fellow kayakers. I'm making new friends. I have a big paddle coming up on Sunday on the Eastern Shore. I can't wait!  

                          

                              

Last night I went to an outdoor event in Annapolis to hear music. There were 10 of us amongst about a hundred people on lawn chairs. The venue was on the watefront. 

So...there's always something fun for me to do. I'm soaking up every moment of the summer that I can.

For Betty

What a difference a month makes. I read over my last post. I was on the road to being happy again. I really did go through a depression for a while. There was nothing I could do but wait for time to pass. I kept really busy with all kinds of activities and that really helped. Swimming especially...I'd get in the pool and glide through the water and all of a sudden, I'd have a smile on my face and think...life is good. I also fell in love with kayaking and decided to buy a kayak of my own. Here's a picture of my daughter modeling it on my lawn.

I feel so empowered owning a kayak. It's been an investment. I bought my kayak with tip money, so it was a gift from my clients :-) I bought an inexpensive kayak carrier for my car and returned it for a very expensive one that is perfect and that I can load and unload all by myself (I have the bruises to prove it). I returned my inexpensive paddle and life jacket for much better and more expensive ones. I'm now going to return them for much better and more expensive ones. I've learned a lot about equipment since I started kayaking (paddling). I belong to a few Meetup groups that I paddle with. I'm having so much fun! The week before last I went out 4 times in 6 days. I was sore! Each time was with over 20 very fun and friendly like-minded people. 

Joining meetup groups (meetup.com) is a wonderful way to get out and do things that interest you with people who are looking for the same thing: comraderie and friendship with people who share your interests. Last night I went to Union Jack's in Annapolis for a night of dancing. I didn't know if I would know anyone in this group. I joined the group last year and went on a 23 mile bike ride with them. It turns out I knew 2 people that I met the last time I went kayaking, and was introduced to scores of friendly people. On Thursday night I met with 7 people from one of my groups and watched a fantastic Navy band play on the city dock in Annapolis. I have different events planned with different groups into September. No moss is growing under this rolling stone. 

I spent the first week in July in Hyannis on Cape Cod with my friend Berrnie and her husband. This was my 4th time going to The Cape in 5 years. I love it there. Every day we'd go somewhere, whether it was having breakfast overlooking the harbor in Hyannis or walking the Main Street of Chatham. Every afternoon I'd walk the beaches by myself. I listened to the wonderful book, The Art of Racing in the Rain. It was a great vacation.

                                                         Nantucket Blue

                              

I also took a day trip to visit my Aunt Carolee and cousin Donna in RI and CN. I hadn't seen Donna in 35 years!! It was an afternoon of laughter and catching up. Visiting them will become part of my Cape visits in the future.

Four days after flying home Emily and I flew to Chattanooga, TN for my nephew Andrew's weddinng to Mary Scott. Such love! We all stayed in the same hotel, which was so nice. I'm very close to my sister's 4 sons and daughters. I've always visited Georgia and I've seen them all grow up. Emily is very close to her cousins. This was the 4th wedding I've attended in their family. It was a whirlwind 3 days that I wouldn't have missed for the world. 

                              

I'm sitting on my deck with Sparky, enjoying the breeze and the sounds of my chimes. I'm scheduled to kayak at 3:30 today but the weather forecast is calling for storms. Fingers crossed that that the storm will pass us by.

Thankful for the sun and water and everything else

I really have a great life and I'm so thankful. My family is mostly nearby and close. My parents are alive and living in a place where they're happy and well-taken care of. My daughter is 20 and doing well. I'm healthy and active and fit. I was down, but I'm back up thanks to my good friends and sunny disposition. I don't know why I'm a naturally happy person, but I am and always have been.

I switched my day off so for the 4th time this spring I've been off work from Saturday afternoon to Wednesday morning. The weather has been great every long weekend so far. So lucky! Last week I had my regular schedule and worked on Tuesday and it rained all day. Not this time!

I went out with my co-worker Debbie on Saturday night. This is only the second time in all the years we've worked together that we've socialized. We went to Annapolis. Had sushi at my favorite place. We went to 3 different bars/restaurants for live music. We liked the last place best. It was a great night out. 

My sister Lisa, nephew Ryan and I went to lunch at The Annapolitan for Father's Day.

Afterward my sister came back with me and we spent the day at my community pool. I swam a mile. It takes about 50 minutes. I can't believe I have the stamina and patience to swim that long. I'm still sore from it. I occasionally have shoulder problems and I pushed myself and my shoulder hurts a little again. I won't be swimming the rest of the week so I'll rest it.

I met my friend Kit yesterday morning (Monday) for a day at Sandy Point State Park. I hadn't been there in a decade! It's about 30 minutes from my house on the Chesapeake Bay. It has concessions, a bathhouse, etc. It was so nice! I was told it gets very, very crowded on weekends. The weather was in the 80's and it was breezy. We stayed for 8 hours!!

The Bay Bridge

We went out to dinner afterward and ate outside. You know how much I love being outside.

This morning I was at my friend Nancy's at 9:30. We kayaked over to a floating dock in another cove. We tied up and jumped in the river. Well, I jumped. We swam and hung out and talked and finally got back in our kayaks and moved on. I left her house and....went back to Sandy Point State Park. It's only a few miles from her house and only $4 to get in, so why not? It felt like day 2 of a beach vacation.

It was SO hot today. Close to 100 degrees. There was a breeze. I stayed under my umbrella when I wasn't in the water. I only stayed for a few hours. I needed my pool. That was my next stop.

It's Tuesday night now. My laundry is done and lunch made for tomorrow. I'm ready to go back to work. It's been a great long weekend/vacation. I'm back to my regular schedule till the middle of July. I love being off on Thursdays too.

Time on my hands

I have a break at work and thought I'd take advantage of the time to do some writing. Before I get back into the habit of not writing.

It's been a much better week because I've been able to resume my activities! I swam a mile last Sunday in the outdoor community pool. Cold, but just fine. I broke the swim into 3 parts. My version of taking it easy. On Monday I walked 4 miles, then visited my mom. We had a great day together. We went to the mall and had lunch, then she had a manicure and pedicure. She was so happy!

I pass my friend Nancy's house on my way home from my parent's. She and her husband live on a bluff overlooking the Severn River. I saw her car and called her to see if she wanted to sit outside. She asked if I wanted to kayak instead. I always want to kayak! We paddled for at least 5 miles and it was such a gorgeous day. It was so enjoyable. On my way home I found myself singing. I thought to myself, I'm happy! My emotions have been such a rollercoaster since my breakup. I've been pretty down, waiting for the up that I know is coming. It's still not everyday, but I'll get there.

I've walked 4+ miles a few times this week, plus more in the evenings. Sparky loves it. I listen to my audio book. It's a good thing. I swam a mile on Thursday in my indoor pool. Thank goodness for that pool. It saved my sanity over the long cold winter. 

Being back to being active has been wonderful. I have too much time on my hands. What a problem!

I went on a date on Wednesday night with a guy I met online. We had a great time helped along by a few beers. We met the next day for a late lunch without alcohol. It was a big no :-)

I'm not sure what I'm doing this weekend. I'm sure mowing, swimming and biking will be part of it. I will go to the Father's Day lunch at the assisted living. I'll fill the weekend somehow. I always do. 

Thoughts from my deck

In the past, I'd write, "I'm sitting on my porch, overlooking my garden, watching for my hummingbirds." Nowadays I'm more likely to be sitting on my deck. I wonder what changed? They're both great places to hang out. I love my house and garden.

I have such a hard time sitting still! I'll write and then drink my coffee, then do something. Dusting and vacuuming  are on my mind. I should water my garden first, though. I will. Then I have to think about what to do today. That revolves around my bronchitis.

What a pain that has been! I've been following everyone's advice and taking it easy. That meant not kayaking last weekend. Not swimming. Not biking with Kit yesterday. Cancelling a hiking trip today. My happy is being busy. So, it's been a little depressing but...it's only temporary. I went to my primary care doctor on Wednesday and she prescribed 2 inhalers. I haven't needed the 'recovery' one. I've used the steroid one for two days and I really see an improvement. All along it hasn't been the cough. In fact, I'm not coughing at all anymore. Hardly. It's been the shortness of breath. That's what's improved. So, my thoughts for today are taking a long bike ride and then going to the pool. I know I shouldn't do the ride, but I want to. So, we'll see.

*I took a break and watered my garden and planted a pot of flowers and decided to be smart and not do a bike trip. I will do some vacuuming, but not all at once. I'll sit on my lounge chair and listen to my audiobook. I'll go to the pool later. I will concentrate on getting better! I have a bike trip scheduled next weekend with a Meetup group in Kent Island including brunch. My goal will be to be perfectly healthy by then. Healthier and happier.

Sparky watching me watering, wishing he was on the other side of the door.

Catching up, slowly

This is the third week in a row of switching days off from Thursday to Tuesday. Each weekend has felt like a vacation, since I'm off on Sunday and Monday too. I'm sitting on my deck and here's a typical view:

Sparky loves being on the deck. He's quiet here. It's a view we both love. I'll buy flowers for the pots today to improve it.

I got very sick after doing all the kayaking,etc that I did the weekend before while sick. I went to work last Wednesday and spiked a fever that night. Awful! I went to the doctor's Thursday and found out I have bronchitis. I took Thursday and Friday off to rest. My friend Kit visited and so did my sister. They both brought me food! I had to cancel a kayak trip on Sunday, and yoga yesterday. I have a cough...annoying but not bad. Mostly I get easily winded. I'm not much for relaxing, until this was forced on me. It's been quite enjoyable!

I was invited to hang out on my neighbor's boat on Saturday night. It's in a marina about 20 minutes from home. We sat outside and relaxed. It was beautiful. Peaceful. I love that my state has so much water!

Saturday afternoon I strolled West St. in Annapolis with my sister for the First Sunday Arts something or other. The day was beautiful! That night I went to my friend's Nancy and Doug's house. That's who I kayaked and boated with the weekend before. I sat on their dock for a while. Their neighborhood of about 60 houses was having a get-together. Dinner was at one person's house, then dessert at my friend's. I was invited for that. It was great. Everyone had name tags on, including my own hand-made one. Everyone was very friendly. I felt like a co-host! Nancy and Doug have been great friends to me and I love their company.

Sparky...

I walked 3 miles yesterday morning and it felt fine. I did things around the house. Went grocery shopping. I got to my community pool around 2:00. Another gorgeous day! I swam 4 laps and was winded! So disappointing! I guess it takes a while to get over this sickness! I was forced to drink iced coffee and read a magazine. Oh, what a life! I stayed for hours. I cooked dinner for a change, ate on the deck, and stayed outside till dark. Life is good. Sometimes I get down, but then I get back up.

Today I must visit my parents. It's been too long! I stayed away because I was sick. I also have to go to Marshall's to find new clothes. I don't have one pair of capris that fit. I've lost weight and everything is too big! What a problem to have...

Time to walk and then shower. I'll still have lots of time to relax today later on. So thankful!

My long wonderful weekend

I don't want to move, but sitting on my deck listening to the birds and seeing everything lush and green sure makes me want to live somewhere warm all year long. Of course, I can't move. And I can't change winter. So I have to appreciate the good seasons with everything I've got. I did that this weekend, despite having a bad cold. I wasn't going to let it interfere with my plans. 

I drove 70 miles along the eastern shore to Chestertown, MD on Sunday morning for a kayaking trip with a Meetup group. There were 21 or 27 kayaks. It was a perfect weather day. I knew 2 people who were going. A lot of people knew each other. I rented a kayak there, but the majority of people brought their own. We paddled to Cacaway Island, an uninhabited island, for a picnic lunch. Everyone brought a dish to share. A lot of people got in the water; the temperature was perfect. I wasn't one of them. Some people drank a lot! Not me. We stayed on the island for over an hour, then paddled our way back. I loved the solitude of the paddle, the birds, the water, the marshes, etc. It was fine that I was alone. Except everything reminded me of my breakup. But I won't let that stop me from loving being on the water.

My home is the blue dot on the left. My destination the little red dot on the right.

Cacaway Island

Picnic lunch

Me!

Check out those arms. I love how toned they look. If only the rest of me looked that way!! We paddled over 8 miles. I had a nice drive back and decided to stop at Rams Head for dinner in Annapolis. A Copperhead Ale and fish tacos hit the spot. I did a brisk walk around town afterward.

I couldn't believe how sick I felt and that I could still do all the things I did. I had plans for the next day, but was doubtful I'd be able to keep them. I was to meet my friend Nancy and her husband at their home on the Severn River for either a ride in their motorboat or kayaking. I took lots of meds and slept till 9:30! I got ready real quick and was at their house by 11. I could barely talk and had a throat lozenge in my mouth at all times. First we went out on their boat. It was its maiden voyage of the season and they wanted to see how it rode. We were out for about an hour. The boat traffic on the bay was a little scary. They determined they needed the barnacles removed and the bottom of the boat scraped. We had a snack at their house then got on the kayaks. I was having a really hard time. My kayak only wanted to go right. They were giving me instructions, but it didn't help. I felt so foolish. How could I have done so well the day before? Finally we found a cove to beach the kayaks at and I traded with Nancy. Her's has a rudder. From then on, it was smooth going. We stopped on the shore of the waterfront house Kit and I invited ourselves to on Tuesday. Matt came out to say hi. Then we paddled back. 3.5 miles.

Relaxing boat ride

View from their house

I had an invite to go to my brother's afterward but for once I was smart enough to stop. Because of how sick I was. I did come home and mow one side of my lawn. I had to...it was an eyesore. Then I got on my hammock and listened to my audiobook for a long time. Then I laid on my lounge chair on my deck listening till dark. I had ice cream for dessert. It was a wonderful evening.

One place Sparky doesn't bark from

Today I'm supposed to bike with my friend Kit along the B&A Trail in Annapolis. I'll probably do it despite the sickness. It's another wonderful day! I think I'm going to enjoy having Tuesdays off.

Barky

If Sparky didn't bark whenever he wanted for extended periods of time, I'd like him a lot. He needs a few weeks away with a trainer. Grrr. His favorite place to bark is in front of a living room window. Right now I have him tied up to the coffee table in the family room. He's not happy. But he's not barking. As much. Had he been my dog, I would have taken him to obedience school as a puppy. He didn't live here then. Note: I unleashed him from the coffee table. He immmediately ran to the living room window and started barking. He wouldn't follow any of my commands to go in his crate. If Sparky didn't bark all the time, I'd like him a lot. It's a good thing he's cute and likes to walk. When his buddy Caylib used to visit, he was mostly well-behaved. I don't plan on getting him a companion.

Work was a bear today. I had to do corrective color on one of my clients. Squeeze her in. I highlighted her hair yesterday. I use the same 4 colors every time. This time one of the colors turned out primary color red. Luckily there weren't that many streaks of that color. When we saw the color we knew it was red. I told her it would fade (it will) and that she could tell others she decided to get some pops of color. Right :-)? Today she texted asking if I could squeeze her in to fix it. I did. It was a multi-step, very-stressful correction. I got very good advice from one of my co-workers, and her formula fixed it. It was wonderful to get off of work and head to Starbucks. I got an Americano with an extra shot to go. I needed it!

My brother, his girlfriend and I went to Union Market. They loved it. Yay! We split food from a couple of places, had a beer and dessert.

I need to get ready for bed. My kayak trip is in the morning!

Still sniffling

Not much to write about tonight but thought I'd make an attempt since this really is my diary. Of sorts. The day started with a 2 mile walk with Sparky and my audiobook. I'm not really loving the series. Yesterday I said I would finish it to follow-through. Life is short and there's so many books out there that I might change my mind. It's one thing to finish a book that you're not crazy about and another to read a series. 

I had been watching Breaking Bad with Peter, but that's over, so I might watch the next episode by myself tonight. Prior to starting the show, I'd seen one episode, the next to the last one, with my friend Happyone and her husband. I didn't see how anyone could watch it! Little did I know how good it was and how hooked I would get. 

It was a busy day at work and I sneezed and sniffled through the day. How can your nose be clogged and drip at the same time? I hope I feel better tomorrow. After work I'm going to DC with my brother and his girlfriend to Union Market. If you feel inclined, Google unionmarketdc.com. It's a very cool place. My Georgia sister Ilene read about it a few years ago in Southern Living. I've been there 4 times. She hasn't.

I just got back from a short walk with the dog. One good thing about having a dog and not a fence is that you have to walk. I'm sure there are other good things about having this dog too. If he didn't bark so much I'm sure I'd list them.

Sick

You know when you know that a cold is imminent? It started last night with a feeling in my throat. Tonight, it's full-blown. What an inconvenient time of year to be sick! I'm going on a kayaking trip this Sunday and I need to feel well. Enough. I know I will. The kayak rental is $55 and it's not refundable. And it's going to be so much fun. 

I had to drive my daughter to work this morning because her car was towed to a repair shop last night. Why? Because I helped her 'find' the dipstick for the engine oil except I picked the one for the transmission fluid. It was the first dipstick I saw and I didn't look any further. We didn't realize our (my) mistake until I saw the oil pooling on my driveway. She moved her car to the street so I could clean up. Then we looked at the engine and saw the big old cap for the oil and the oil dipstick. We quickly looked at the owners manual and realized where we poured the oil. My daughter and I posted about it on Facebook and took the advice we got: have the car towed and the transmission flushed. $200 later, plus an oil change, and the car is good. It was a costly mistake. I was glad to hear from the mechanic that it happens. I guess it's been a long time since I've had to check my oil? I'll never repeat that mistake!

I went to my second yoga class last night. It was harder than the first, but probably because I was sore from Monday's class. I still loved it and really like the instructor. I installed Pocket Yoga on my iPad about a year ago...I think I might finally use it to supplement the classes. One of my clients told me about the app and at the time I had good intentions but no follow-through.

I've really stepped up my walking. It's great that it gets dark late so I can walk twice a day. I've been listening to a science fiction series on Audible on my iPhone while I walk (I listen to it other times too). It's not a genre I normally listen to, and there's 5 books in this series. I'm on book 2. I think I'll listen to them all just to explore a world I know nothing about, and just because I'd like to follow-through.

I'm feeling pretty miserable so I think I'll lay this body down. Later!