Late Start

Morning and Late Lunch

Sleep was less than optimal last night. It was midnight before I got to sleep and then I woke at 4AM, wide awake. Art 6:10 I drifted back off, not waking next until almost 9. I think the whole CPA thing has me in a tizzy of anxiety. I was slow moving getting up. I dressed, fed kitties, did a small load of laundry, nibbled a blueberry bar and had a few sips of coffee while doing puzzles. I went up for island time and then work but dang I was so distracted today it was really hard to get things done. Instead, I canceled my business credit card and will have a new one sent, since my CPA had my card details since she paid taxes with it. At 1:30 I heated leftover chicken with rice and green beans and listened to my book while eating. 

Post Mow Dinner

The afternoon was spent juggling projects and watching Nashville in the background. Almost done with season one and not sure I'll get through it all before it leaves Netflix.  I've read that the show jumps the shark in the later seasons so I may lose interest. I had a one call today but otherwise it was head down once I got the lead out. Just after 5PM I took a break and went out to mow, finishing my book along the 7 miles I got in. It was nice to get the entire yard done in three hours. I did some watering and then gathered the trash, dragging the heavy bin down the lane to the main street. When I got back int he house it was around 8:30 and I was ready for a little food. I heated a Beef Merlot Atkins meal in the microwave and finished off the mandarins, so nice and cool from the fridge. I cleaned up my dishes and then took a shower, getting into my PJs. I put another small load of clothes in the wash, trying a second Mozi Wash scent, the first was amazing this morning. I got into bed-as-couch and did some work the remainder of the evening.

Into the Unknown

Eggs on English Muffin

I slept well even though I got up at 2AM to pee. I must have almost been sleep walking across the house to the bathroom (as our toilet still has not been delivered) because I don't remember much about getting up. I woke next at 7 something and lounged for a little while before getting a move on. I dressed, fed kitties and made two eggs with a toasted English muffin and then went out to do some watering, since we haven't had rain in a few days. I made a little coffee when done and sipped while doing puzzles. It was then time to head on up for the work day. There was island time first. I finished the Hallmark movie I started yesterday as I worked on a client presentation, moving back into Nashville when done. I never thought I'd like this show but I tried it after  learning of Hayden's passing. And now I'm kinda hooked. And I just learned that it will be leaving Netflix soon so I gotta do some Mama-level pro binging to make sure I get it all in.

Leftover Dinner Bowl

Right at noon I fired my CPA, leaving a lot of unknowns, but it had to be done. I was so worked up that I did 30 planks into down-dogs to get some of the stress energy out. I then got so consumed in the presentation that I didn't get up as often, or get a walk in today. I had the weekly Wednesday 5PM client call that ended a little later today, around 6:15. I did some follow up work to get done and then heated leftover ground beef, squash and green beans. When the few dishes were cleaned up I went out to do some weed trimming in the back. The string was a bit too short so I got done with the main area and called it a day. I took a shower, put on my jammies and crawled into bed-as-couch until sleep time, around 10. I found this wonderful Celtic music to play in the background. 

Zombiefied

New Diva and Breakfast

Oh man. By the time I finished up at my desk, got downstairs, washed face, brushed teeth, got in PJs, and scooped litter, my brain was wide awake. I made the mistake of doing a "quick" scroll on Instagram to wind down, which turned into an hour. I turned a story on at 2:35AM and it took forever to get to sleep. I'd guess it was between 3-3:30 when it finally happened. And then I woke just before 8 this morning, feeling like I had a hangover. I got out of bed at 8:01, fed the kitties and got back into bed until before 9. I got dressed and had cereal with banana for breakfast, listening to my book while I ate. I did puzzles and slowly made my way up to my desk to begin the work day. 

Grown Up Dinner

I skipped island time since I wanted to get ahead on a few tasks. I put some music on and got to it. by 12:30 I was in a good spot, and really wanted a nap, but had other things to do. I did doze off on a stretch break. I went outside for a moment to get some fresh air, sat on the couch and dozed off pretty quickly. I woke about an hour later and went back to my desk. 😂 I stayed solidly busy the rest of the day. I turned on a Hallmark movie in the background, Much About Love, getting half way through before pausing until tomorrow. It was 5:30 when I started some dinner. I cooked a half cup of rice and mixed in some frozen peas. I heated some of the squash I cooked  over the weekend, and I pan cooked a couple chicken breasts I had seasoned with Green Goddess and fresh lemon juice. It felt like a nicely balanced, grown up meal, and was very satisfying. I have a chicken breast ans rice leftover for another day this week. After dinner I got work to a good stopping point, put on my socks and shoes and drove over to the little track to walk and get some fresh air. I got home, took a quick rinse off, got in my PJs, brushed my teeth and got into bed-as-couch, ready to catch up on sleep tonight. My brain felt like a zombie today and I do not approve. Sleep is mandatory.

Long Work Day

Remi and the Eats

After nice sleep I woke two minutes before my alarm was to go off, at exactly 6:58. I got up and moving. Did estrogen, dressed, scooped, made the bed, fed the kitties, ate some cereal with banana, did puzzles int he reading room and then left to get to my hormone doctor for a check in visit. I told her that I'd like to remain on the low micro dose of the tirzepatide for some time, so my next visit will be in six months. We are on auto-pilot for now. I went to Costco to exchange some air filters, stopped in at Aldi for cereal and bananas and made it home by 10:30. 

I had island time and got to work. It would be a long afternoon into evening. Around 2PM I made a protein shake but didn't finish it. I started watching the Nashville series and got hooked. It played in the background as I cranked through some projects. At 6:30 I put tots in the oven and walked on the trek pad upstairs. I got a mile in and ate them with a turkey sandwich, listening to my book. I ate too many. I probably had double the tots seen in that photo. They kinda just fell out of the bag and I am weak. 😂 After dinner I continued working, and then doing invoices, heading down to bed by 1:30. It's officially September. 

Slow Sunday

Sunday Morning

Sleep was good once I fell asleep. Must have been around 11. I woke just after 5, when Kev's alarm went off, getting up by 15 after. I dressed and put sheets in the wash and we headed out, me taking Kev to the airport for his visit home for the week. I was back home at 6:40, put sheets in the dryer and made a small cuppa. I did puzzles in the reading room chair and then boiled up two eggs, eating them on a toasted and buttered sourdough English muffin. When dishes were cleaned up I put on my shoes and went for a three-mile walk at the Farm and Gardens. It was a perfectly cloudy morning and the temp was pleasant. It wasn't too crowded like it was yesterday, everyone at church I guess. I made it home and decided to get some some squash and green beans on the stove for later. As they cooked I turned on a new Netflix show called My Brilliant Career, and I'm in love with the main character. This reminds me of something like an older Anne of Green Gables. Around 1PM I made two quick ham roll-ups with cream cheese and canned asparagus. 

Detergent Samples and Dinner

I was in episode three when I opened a carton of some Aldi protein chewy snack bars and had one, chocolate peanut butter. I continued on with the show. I had a delivery of some septic safe, good smelling detergents I found while doing a search online. I'm trying a sample pack of Mozi Wash's nine scents. It will be fun to find a favorite or two. At 6:30 I cooked up some ground beef and heated the remainder of the mashed potatoes, and some of the green beans I made earlier today. it was a nice mash up bowl once I mixed it all together. I had cold canned mandarins for dessert and finished the series. I then started a movie called Redeeming Love. I think I may have seen this a few years ago but can't remember. I turned it off at 10:30 and will finish up tomorrow.

 

Last Weekend in August

Saturday Sights

I slept ok until 2ish this morning when the Kev got up to go check on the chickens in the smoker. Lights had to be turned on so I got up and trekked through the house to go pee, got back into bed and then couldn't sleep. I got on my phone around 3:30 and Kev got back into bed in the 4Am hour. I dozed off eventually and then his alarm went off at 6. It then went off another 3 or 4 times when he got up to deal with all the pork shoulders. They had been in the smoker since noon yesterday. Today was his end of days party, and he's known for the BBQ now, after doing it for the last few years. I got up just after 8 and had just dressed when a couple folks arrived to ride to the last volunteer trail day with Kev. I did not know they were coming this morning so it took me off guard as I was just waking. I did the pleasantries and they left. I took a wee bit of coffee out front and had a couple sips when it was evacuation time. I then ate cereal with banana and headed over to walk the garden trails. I got 1.6 miles in and dang it got packed with folks and dogs, meaning I cut it short. It's hard to pass that many, especially when families of 6 are stretched across entire trail. 

Saturday Afternoon/Eve

I cruised down the mountain to Walmart for a few things, getting back home and doing some weeding in the way front. Kev and three friends got in from trail day around 12:30, all took showers. We all chatted while Kev pulled the four pork shoulders and took the mushrooms and tofu off the smoker, then they were on the road to their party. It was 2PM when I got hungry. I made a turkey foldover with a slice of bread, a little mayo and yellow mustard, and one slice of turkey. I sat out back and finished my puzzles, also had some dried mango before settling on the couch around 3PM for a nap. When I got up a nice rain popped over and I sat out on the front porch to enjoy it. Kev got home and joined me and around 7PM I heated the leftover burger patty and made my first ever instant mashed potatoes to go with it. They are so good! 😂 I took a shower and got in my PJs around 8:30 and we watched SILO before bed. I can't believe summer is entering it's last hoorah, as the coming week proves with the highest temps on the mountain yet. 

Friday Nothins

After decent sleep I woke at 7:45 and needed to get a move on. I had an 8:30 walk date with a friend at our local farm and gardens so wasn't in a huge rush. I dressed, fed kitties, made the bed and fixed a small crock of cereal with half a banana before enjoying a few sips of coffee on the front porch with Kev, getting in an evacuation and running out the door. We got in a 2.79 mile walk before heading home. My friend is having some back issues so we didn't want to push it too much. I got home and did morning chores, including vacuuming. I am waiting for a few things to drop in work-wise but looked like Friday was shaping up to be a free day! I had island time and a lot of nothing. I sipped an Atkins shake for lunch, along with a beef stick. A nice rain popped up and I sat outside watching it. Kev grilled a couple burgers for dinner, to go with leftover green beans and Brussels that needed to be gone. Grapes for dessert and we watched this week's Ted Lasso. I showered at 9PM, got in my PJs and was ready for bed around 9:45. 

Easy Thursday

Breakfast/Lunch

After a good night on the new pillow I woke this morning around 7:20. I got up to pee and then got dressed, scooped, fed the boys and made the bed. I went out to fill the bird feeder as Kev was driving up. He washed the feeders recently and I know the birds were so happy! I sipped a quarter cup of coffee out on the front porch, doing puzzles, and then went in to have a bowl of cereal with banana. It was 9AM when I changed into last night's mowing clothes and went out to finish the yard. I mowed down the lane, the main front yard and the "way front", what used to be known as the weed garden. I got in 5 walking miles, again, because a lot of it needed two passes being so thick. This was an 11.5 mile total mow, which is a lot. It's why I try to be diligent about getting it done once a week. After a nice shower and island time, I made a half turkey sandwich right around 12:30. One slice of bread, a little mayo and yellow mustard and one and a half slices of turkey. No cheese. Pickle on the side.

Indian Yum

I finished my lunch at 12:40, hurrying downstairs to clean my dishes up, brush my teeth and get on over to the dentist office for my cleaning. My typical hygienist has been on maternity leave so I got in with another woman I didn't know. She was ok but it's funny how you feel more comfortable with your regular person. This woman talked more and pulled my lips farther out than I'm used to and I'm sure it made for a funny face. I got an excellent teeth and gums report from the dentist, and my teeth were gleaming when I left. I didn't have much work the rest of the afternoon. Everything is in review and I'm waiting for feedback. I did have a call that will kick off a couple presentations next week but then I unplugged and took to the couch for a short while, until Kev finished his work day, which was 5PM, and we headed down the hill for dinner and Costco date night. We went to our favorite Indian joint where I had chicken tikka masala and a piece of naan. I also enjoy some sips of the mango lassie, which is like a smoothie of sorts. Oh man it's SO delicious and goes well with the spiciness of the meal. My plate looked a bit different being on "the shot" but I thoroughly enjoyed what I was able to eat and had "the polisher" sitting across to clean things up. We did Costco, which is great to walk after dinner, getting home around 8:30. We took trash out to the lane and I got into PJs, ending the day on the couch for a bit with kitties, getting into bed around 9:30.

Mowing in the Dark

Lunch Catch Up

I slept well, I think. With our toilet out of commission I think I don't get up to pee when I should, because I know I have to trek across the house. 😂 Not that it's far, but that walk wakes me up more and takes me longer to get back to sleep. The new toilet arrives on Friday so some time next week it will be installed. I did get up at 4:45 to make the walk but was able to doze back off, getting up for the day around 7:30. I dressed, scooped, made the bed and fed the kitties. I then went out to water since we haven't had rain in a week. When done, I decided to go down the mountain for a few groceries, stopping to fill up Scootie on the way back home. I also stopped in at ACE for bird seed and at the chiro to pick up my new pillow that they measured me for. I put groceries away and soon left again to meet a friend for lunch at the local Mexican restaurant. It's been a year since we've caught up so we were there for a couple hours. I had the lunch special with a crunchy taco and a chicken enchilada, getting home, ready to work, at 1:30.

Wednesday Evening

I got to it, skipping island time today. I a few things to juggle and had a client call, the weekly one, at 5PM. Meanwhile, the Kev cooked up green beans downstairs and when I got off the call, a few minutes after 6PM, he heated leftover last night burgers, melted cheese on and I ate a quick dinner. I then changed, put on insect repellent and went out to start the mowing. It was around 6:45 so I knew I wouldn't finish but did get the back done, as well as the side yard. the grass is very thick so I got in 6.5 miles because I had to do two passes for a good bit of it. The mower was wheeled into the garage, with headlight on, at 8:45 and I went in for a shower. I got Gilbert tended to and looked forward to PJs and winding down. Bed was by 10:30. 

Brussels are Back

Tuesday Eats

Sleep was pretty good. I remember waking a few times, briefly. I got up at 6:45 this morning to pee and crawled back into bed when Gilbert reminded me that he was there. (Gilbert is the new name that I've given to my "new addition." 😂) I didn't want to get up at all, and I didn't until 7:45. I then got dressed and sipped water out front with Kev while he drank coffee and I did puzzles. Man it was cool and felt like the first taste of fall. I almost needed a light layer. We eventually went in and I had a bowl of cereal with banana before doing a little of my morning chores, including going out to snip okra and cleaning up the garden beds a little. When done I went up to my office to continue a project, with island time first. I had a call at 10 and then went for a facial at 11:30. I made it home with my clean face and fixed half a turkey sandwich with a baby dill, and the lone wee strawberry from the garden. I followed up with grapes as I worked. 

I worked solidly the rest of the day, shutting things down around 5:30. I cleaned Brussels sprouts and made up burger patties for Kev to put on the gas grill. He also grilled the okra and boiled a couple ears of corn. We ate while watching John Oliver and I worked on the couch until begin very ready for bed by 10:15.