First Ever Tan at Home

Tuesday Morning

I got into bed last night and was winding down when, at precisely 10:12PM, it hit. I ran to the bathroom and proceed with a major evacuation. I then read that eating a lot of watermelon does not help this matter. And we had quite a large amount of it after dinner. I had another in the wee hours and then again when I got up just after 7. The good news is that it's likely NOT Alpha Gal. It is now pointing to the med. This really began when I increased my dose to 5mg from 2.5mg. It's crazy what havoc that small amount more is causing. Next Monday I will go back to a 2.5mg dose to see what happens. This amount of evacuation activity is not sustainable. I got dressed and decided to go do an early walk. I grabbed a pack of fig bars and nibbled, and listened to my book, on my 3 mile trek at the Farm and Gardens up the road. I got home and rinsed off, no soap, because at 10AM, the spray tan lady arrived with her fancy pop-up tent and airbrush, and magically gave me some color, filling in a good bit of my terrible farmer tan. With the gala coming this weekend I thought, why not?! It was very fast and I was at my desk working by 10:30. I heated some Progresso chicken noodle soup for lunch, half a can, and had half a banana, sharing the other half with Kev.

Leftovers and a Sweet Tater

The afternoon was productive. I had a couple calls and learned a LOT of work coming, all at once as I suspected it would. I had to wear loose clothing and had to not let skin touch skin all day as my tan set for at least 7-8 hours. She recommended I shower around 6-7PM, so I landed on 6:30. When clean and in my PJs I heated the leftover half chicken breast and some squash/zucchini mix and then added on a wee baked sweet potato. I tossed a few into the oven at 5:30 so it was nice and fresh with a little pat of butter melted on. I ended up having a slice of that crazy good jalapeno cheddar sourdough for "dessert" and watched an episode of Best Medicine. I then turned on The Forsytes, a PBS Masterpiece series that I'm fresh into. I skipped the watermelon tonight. Instead, I had a single Dove dark chocolate. The rest of the evening was spent doing some work on the couch. Bed was by 10.

Test Day 1

Brekkie and Lunch

Evacuations woke me just after 11PM last night. Another around 5:15AM this morning. Another When I got up at 7:45. I did estrogen, got dressed, made the bed and knew that I would be avoiding any mammal products as a test, starting with no coffee, because...heavy cream. I didn't feel like tea so am going cold turkey. I felt sluggish immediately and grabbed a banana and blueberry fig bar for breakfast, which I ate while doing puzzles in the reading room. I had two more evacuations in the morning and that should have removed all of yesterday. I went up for island time and then got to work. I was ready for some lunch just after 11. Nothing but a turkey sandwich on that jalapeno sourdough would do. I took two slices out of the loaf, spread on a bar bit of mayo and laid on four thin slices of turkey, skipping the cheese today. With it I had some of my ho-made quick pickles (rice vinegar, water, onion powder, Green Goddess seasoning, and Splenda) with the pickling cucumbers from the garden. I ate out back listening to my book and omg that bread. It didn't even need toasting.

Chicken/Quinoa Bowl Dinner

I had a quick call at noon and turned on a Hallmark movie, Absolutely Devoted to You. It was about a boy band reuniting and was cute. I had a call at 4, learning about some projects coming down the pipe for next week. Things are about to pick up. I shut things down around 5:30 and went down to the kitchen to get dinner started. I got quinoa on the stove, as well as a zucchini/yellow squash/onion mix, sauteed in a bit of olive oil. I filleted a chicken breast and seasoned it with salt, onion powder, fresh lemon juice, and Green Goddess seasoning, the true wonder of the spice rack now. It's so versatile and tastes great on everything. While Kev was grilling it up, I whipped up a little bit of lemon vinaigrette with avocado oil, rice vinegar, fresh lemon juice, pink packet, onion powder, Green Goddess, salt, and pepper. I grabbed a bowl and added in quinoa, the squash mix, sliced one of the fillets and then added on half an avocado and a few of my quick pickles for crunch. It was so yummy and filling. We watched SILO and had watermelon for dessert. Now we wait to see what happens. Bed was by 10.

A Drive

Sunday Egg Bites

I didn't end up going to bed until around 11:30 or so last night. The only thing that got me off the couch was Ted coming in and proceeding to hock the world's biggest hairball (or could have been an alien) onto the rug just beneath where I was sitting. It drug out into three separate pukes, which meant me busting a move to clean it all up. Poor dude. That had to have been uncomfortable. I then crawled into bed, turned on a story, and was out. And slept well. I got up around 7:30 this morning to pee, no evacuation! and got dressed.  I fed kitties. Kev made coffee. We sat out back with the boys listening to the fountain and the birds. When puzzles were done we went in and Kev heated us egg bites and made toast to go with. I cut my two egg bites and put the majority on the toast and it was yum. These are so easy to make I really don't know why I get lazy and not make them to just have around for good protein snacks. 

Lunch Protein Shake

After breakfast we got in the car and went down the mountain to get Kev's hairs clipped, then to Walmart where we got three more bottles of the 30% vinegar. When we got home I watered plants and Kev mixed up the vinegar weed killing mixture with salt and Dawn and went out to the lane. At 1PM I made a protein shake and took it out back to my egg swing to sip and listen to my book. Kev and Remi were enjoying a Sunday nap on the couch and I didn't want to interrupt the cuteness. There was an evacuation after the shake and I don't know why. There was no dairy in it and really no fat. 

Sunday Drive and Dinner

Around 3:30 we decided to get out of the house for a little drive to the other side of the mountain, into Dunlap. There's a farm stand/store that we've passed a few times and never stopped in. Today that changed. We trucked out and drove through the remaining bit of the World's Longest Garage Sale, which was this weekend. There was still a good many folks lined up and down the road. The farm stand is fantastic. We picked up a Sugar Baby watermelon, peaches. Kev got a couple gorgeous tomatoes and a loaf of homemade Amish jalapeno cheddar sourdough (yes there are Amish here). And, at check out, we (me mainly) got curious at their homemade fruit hand pies. I had to have a taste of a peach one, making Kev finish it. It was good but wasn't as to-die-for as we were expecting. But the BREAD y'all. Y'all. The loaf got opened in the car and we knew we were in trouble. When it's that good on its own means it will be lights out in a grilled cheese or plain with butter. Kev is looking forward to a BLT with it and the fresh maters. In the car, I mentioned the after-shake evacuation confusion and Kev says... "What if it's Alpha Gal?," which I honestly had not even considered. I did have a couple tick instances this year, and it takes a while to show itself, but it does present as an allergy to mammal products...beef, dairy, pork. I use a beef protein powder. Now I'm wondering. I have to get some follow up blood tests done soon so I contacted my doctor to see if she would add the Alpha Gal test onto the order. Dinner was burgers, on The Chug, and green beans. We left to go for a walk when the dishes were cleaned up and it began to rain. We dumped the compost and went back home where I walked 1.2 miles on the Trek Pad, listening to my book. I took a shower, got in PJs and chilled on the couch until bed by 10:30.

 

Perfect Timing

Jammy Eggs on Toast

I had a first evacuation at 5:45 this morning and then got back to sleep. A second evacuation happened just after 7AM and I then got dressed. We made the bed and Kev made coffee. I made him a turkey sandwich to put into his little cooler and we sipped out front for a bit. I had a third evacuation after a few sips, not even finishing half of what I poured. Kev left for his day of trail work and climbing in Alabama and I went back into the bathroom for a fourth evacuation. I could have just walked into a colonoscopy at this point. What the hail. After this fourth one though there was no more for the day. I went out to clip fresh flowers, got them in the vase, and then boiled two eggs and put them on a slice of toast for breakfast, to get something in my stomach.  Saturday cleaning commenced, the bathrooms being first on the list of course, with all the havoc wreaked lately. I then vacuumed and changed to go mow.  

Yes, Another Turkey Sandwich

It took four hours to mow today, with all the rain it took two passes per row, bringing my outdoor walk to 9 miles, and a total step count for the day of almost 24,000. I also finished my cute book and moved on to the next one in the series, by some fluke there was no wait on Libby! Lucky day. And let tell you about some amazing timing. After that four-hour mow, in mostly hot sun, sweating my tail off, I blew off the grass clippings, cleaned out the bird feeder and rolled the mower into it's storage spot in the garage. I closed the garage door and went to go shower and dang if a big storm cranked up, like out of nowhere. Maybe 5 minutes after finishing the yard work. That was crazy! For dinner I baked some tots and made a turkey sandwich, which is kinda all I'm wanting to eat these days. I finished Love on the Spectrum-Australia and started the first episode on a Fox series called Best Medicine. Kev rolled in around 8:45 and bed was by 10.

Easing Into the Weekend

Sluggish Start

Well, the antifungal med was NOT the sole cause of the "evacuations." I am sad to say that it's likely the tirzepitide but I will live with it. The antifungal did make it much worse so there's that. So I woke around 1AM and had an evacuation. Then again at 5AM, then again when I got up around 7:30. A triple crown event. I did the estrogen, dressed, scooped, made the bed, fed the cats and got coffee brewing. I swear it's Groundhog Day every single day. I went to dump the recycle into the bin outside and spotted a neat slug cruisin' along over some rocks. I admired him for a bit and then went on to water the outdoor plants. I heated two egg bites, gobbled them down, put on my socks and shoes, and went to the Gardens to get three miles in, while listening to my book. I stopped in at the main house on the property to drop off a set of bird note cards that I'm donating to the auction that the Farm and Gardens is having later this month. After my walk, enjoying what I call "The Dr Seuss Forest" portion of the trail best, I went back to the main house to catch up with the Director, who I really like. 

Dr Seuss Forest, Lunch, Dinner

It was around 11:30 by the time I made it home. I was in the mood for a protein shake lunch so that was that. I poured a cup of cold water into the blender and added a pink packet, chocolate Stevia, a scoop of chocolate protein powder, a teaspoon of peanut butter and some frozen strawberries and banana chunks. I sipped at my desk having island time and soon it was time to leave for my afternoon massage. When done I did the grocery shopping, stopping in at the usual two stores and then heading up the mountain. It sprinkled on the car along the way and as dark as the sky was, I was for sure there would be much more than there was. After groceries were put up Kev sliced the watermelon I picked up and...it wasn't good. Almost the entire thing went into the compost bucket, minus the few bits that were decent, which we gobbled up on the spot. 😩 I heated a leftover stuffed bell pepper for dinner at 5:45 and around 6:30 we made a quick run to dump the compost. I took a shower when we got home, getting into PJs and settling on the couch. I ended up a little hungry around 8PM. I nibbled a Babybel cheese, a PaleoValley beef stick and four almond flour crackers. Me and Kev then shared dark chocolate and I wish I would have skipped it. I was already full enough. We watched the Big Chicken documentary on Netflix to wind the day down.

Walk, Talk, Work

Post Walk Lunch

Sleep was good. A couple Aleve kept the hip pains away and I slept until 7:30ish this morning. I didn't linger because I needed to be dressed, make the bed and feed the kitties before the Kev made it home from early gym around 8. He walked in, and we both walked out, headed over to Town Hall for election day. We were in and out within 15 or so minutes and were ready for post-civic duty cuppas. Kev made the coffee and we sipped out on the front porch. it was a bit foggy but I filled the feeders and we had a nice view of the birding buffet. After I finished my three puzzles I put my shoes on and went to the local Farm and Gardens to walk and listen to my book. I got three miles in and headed home, just in time to set up my computer for a meeting at 11. I had a nice, healthy, light sweat glow. 😂 Just after the call I made a turkey sandwich for lunch, eating at my desk and watching Love on the Spectrum-Australia.

Leftover Dinner

The afternoon brought a nice balance of work and some nothingness, and some stretching time on the floor. A rain popped up around 3:30 or 4PM. I took a shower and got into early PJs to finish the work day, which ended around 5:30. I went down to both get dinner started and make a batch of egg bites to have on hand for breakfasts or quick protein snacks. I cooked up a half cup of rice (with corn) to add on to our leftover dinner, last night's Parm chicken and green beans. We watched an episode of Widow's Bay and zoned out the rest of the evening. Ending the evening with Dad K in our thoughts as he undergoes some tests.

 

Champion Status

Picklers, Breakfast Snack, Lunch

My right hip started aching last night and I tossed all night. Back and forth and even on my back it ached. My first suspect is going to be wheat. Seems like when I try to re-introduce it I get hip pain. Every time. But I'm not ready to cut it out just yet. I woke just before 7, had an evacuation 😫 and got back into bed to check mail. I got up at 7:30, dressed and got the day rolling. I scooped, made the bed, fed the kitties and made coffee. I went out to clip okra, a squash and a few large pickling cucumbers. Kev got in from early gym and we sipped cuppas out back doing puzzles, followed by island time and nibbling a blueberry fig bar. I went for a 10:30 chiro appointment, it's x-ray time so we can compare from a couple years ago on what the progress has been and where we need to focus. I am 14 pounds down from the number on the scale. I'm having a hard time believing it as it's mostly in my face and not noticing a change in my clothes yet, but YAY progress! She popped my hip before I left, which made it immediately feel better. I got home around 12:15 and made a turkey sandwich with Kettle chips, continuing Love on the Spectrum-Australia.

Medal and Parm Thighs

I worked on a little art piece and, after sitting, my hip began aching again. Dang it. I took stretch breaks from the chair, on the foam roller and just on the floor, which helped. I went downstairs for the evening after doing a 1.5 mile walk on the wee treadmill. Still loving it and it will get way more use come winter. My Appalachian Trail medal came in the mail today and boy was that thing hard-earned. 2,077 miles and over a year to complete. I feel like a champion. It had a real badge tucked into the back and it brought back fun memories of Girl Scouts. On the couch I listened to my book while doing a few word search puzzles before starting dinner around 5:15. It would be Parm thighs and green beans tonight and one of the neighbors sent over a ziploc full of green beans from their garden, which I happily added to the mess I already had cooking. I was very ready for dinner and had two thighs along with a nice helping of beans as we excitedly watched the new season premiere of Ted Lasso. I even teared up I'm so glad it's back on. We need more shows like it.  

Planning Begins

The Usual

After good sleep I woke closer to 8 and had to make a run to the bathroom. I was hoping for otherwise but so be it. I got dressed and made the bed before fixing my wee cuppa and heading out front for sipping and puzzling. I only drank about a quarter cup and there was another evacuation before I made a run (no pun intended! 😂) to the post office and then went to the small track to walk. I got in 1.3 miles before the rain starting coming down heavier so I cruised on back to the car, and home. I made a turkey sandwich with pickles and ate while enjoying island time. I started watching Love on the Spectrum-Australia and got so freaking sleepy I had to go directly to bed for a nap. I was deep in a weird dream where I was at Dad's house back in Louisiana. They had painted their car a teal color and it had a floral pattern all over it. They had redone the inside of their home with white tile flooring and beachy, light pastel colors. Before I could ask about it I saw a tornado forming outside the kitchen window. I began yelling for everyone (Dad, Billie and my niece Sarah, who happened to be on their couch for some reason) to get into the inner bathroom and I was going in, about to step into the tub when I woke up. It was around 3:30. 

Stuffed Peppers

I did a short indoor walk on my little treadmill to close my exercise ring on my watch. I listened to my book and went downstairs around 4:30. I did word search and then some work on the couch and around 5:30, got up to get dinner started. Tonight was stuffed bell peppers. I browned a pound of ground beef and added in the leftover half of spaghetti squash. It wasn't enough to fill the six peppers so I also added in all of the leftover turkey helper from last night. I melted in Queso Blanco Velveeta and filled the peppers. I added a little water into the bakin dish and covered with foil, and then into a 375 degree oven for an hour. I then uncovered for 20 more minutes until brown on top and yum. We watched an episode of Widow's Bay while we ate and the remainder of the evening was spent starting the planning for our Sept Colorado trip., with a front-loaded side trip to Albuquerque to pick up an art piece. It will be here in a blink! 

An Oldie but Very Goodie

Walk and Brunch Sandwich

Sleep was good last night. I woke briefly to say goodbye to Kev when he left for early gym at 5:30. He was taking our young neighbor boy to the gym today which I love. I woke just after 7 and lounged until around 7:30 before I scooted out of bed to the bathroom. Evacuation one. I did estrogen, dressed, made the bed, fed kitties, got coffee brewing and did morning chores. Kev got in and we sipped out front while I did puzzles. I got in a quarter of my small cuppa and walked with Kev to retrieve the recycle bin. I then put on socks and shoes to go to the gardens for a three mile walk. When I got home, around 10AM, I made a turkey sandwich which I enjoyed with watermelon while having island time.

Return of Turkey Helper

I got to work in the afternoon. I had a call at 3:30 and took a break at 4:30 to get a spaghetti squash in the oven to bake for an hour. I chopped up a small onion and sauteed it in some olive oil along with three zucchini, a lone yellow squash from the garden, and a pound of ground turkey. I seasoned the mix with salt, black and cayenne peppers, onion powder and Green Goddess blend. When the spaghetti squash was done I took a fork and raked out the "noodles", adding half to the mix. The other half went into the fridge for another meal. Lis recently mentioned this, an oldie but goodie I had forgotten about from years ago. And it was delicious and now revitalized into rotation. We watched SILO and I had cherries for dessert after taking the med for the week. The good news? No evacuations. Bed was by 10.

 

Evacuations

Breakfast and Lunch

Lower stomach cramps woke me at least six times in the night, but I didn't need to get out of bed thank goodness. I call them "poo pains" and it's like I used to have all the time back in the day when I had IBS. I did read that the antifungal I'm taking (for my fungi toes that won't go away) is likely the culprit. The most popular complaint is...gastrointestinal issues. I am on the last bottle, month three, and have decided to stop taking them. The issue could also be my tirzepitide at .5, so we'll see. I did have to get up around 7:30AM to run to the bathroom and got back into bed until 8. I sipped a little coffee while doing puzzles on the front porch with Kev and the birds and then fixed myself some plain Greek yogurt with a teaspoon of strawberry jam and a wee bit of granola. It ran right through. I started my cleaning day by putting sheets in the wash, cleaned bathrooms, and vacuumed. I heated a bit of leftover spaghetti at 11, which actually stuck around! 

Burger and Tot Night

The late morning to mid afternoon I spent helping Kev clean out the garage. It's so sad that I enjoy these mundane cleaning/organizing tasks, plus doing it together makes it fun. When done we made a run down the mountain to Home Depot for a few things and then stopped into CVS for my progesterone. When we got back to the house it was about time to start dinner. Tonight was grilled burgers and baked tots, and I was hungry. We ate out back on a gorgeous evening, 75 degrees y'all. The kitchen was cleaned up and, right on time, like fifteen minutes after eating, I'm pretty sure lunch and dinner evacuated. Sorry for all the TMI but I'm logging the details in case I need them. I was then lightened up to walk with Kev down the lane to take the recycle bin to the main road. I thought a second round was coming but it subsided enough that I wanted to go for a walk around 8PM. We got in just over a mile at the small track by the gym, went to drop compost and then home for a shower, PJs and bed round 10.