Bye Bye July

Turkey Sammich TIme

I woke at 6AM-ish to pee and went back to sleep until 7:30. Kev left at 6 something to go meet a buddy for some outside, climbing at dawn nearby. I tell you what, if there was dance that early I'd get up. I long for a fun group of women to dance with. Doing an activity you love makes it SO easy to keep it moving. I did estrogen, got dressed, scooped, made the bed, fed the cats and made the coffee before doing morning chores. Kev got home and we sipped out back and then moved out front to bird watch and puzzle. We had two more truck loads of gravel delivered and then I got the shopping bags and headed down the hill for some groceries. I made it home at 11 on the dot and made a turkey sandwich with baby dills and a handful of Kettle chips for lunch. I ate while enjoying island time and then got to work.

Quick Spaghetti

I have three presentations I'm working on through next Wednesday, which kept me busy until I called it quits around 5:30. I made a quick spaghetti for dinner. I washed and chopped a carton of mushrooms and two small bell peppers, got them sauteing and added in the leftover protein bowl ground beef to heat. I added Italian seasoning and onion powder and dumped in a jar of marinara, letting it simmer for 15 minutes. I dumped in some shiritake angel hair and let it heat in the sauce before eating. So so good with a little Parm sprinkled on. I finished my half a bowl pretty quickly and then went out to finish the mowing. Today efforts brought 4 walking miles for a step total for the day at 12,872. I had a few cherries as I wound down on the couch, doing a smidge of work, and bed was by 11 on this lovely Friday evening. Tomorrow will be work and rainy.

Thursday Balance

Woodpecker, Walk Snack, Lunch Snack

I woke around 3:45 this morning, got up at 4 to pee and was pretty awake. My brain kicked on and started worrying about the dang audit, which my accountant is lagging on question answering, driving my organized, no procrastination, professional, need-to-be-in-control, Virgo self, crazy. I was awake when Kev's alarm went off at 5 and then eventually went back to sleep once he was gone, getting up at 7:22. I did all of the morning things, really enjoying being outside this morning. There was very low humidity and it was actually cool. I rocked, watched birds and did puzzles. I'm now only sipping about a quarter of a small cuppa, not really into the coffee as much as I love that routine. When done puzzling I put on shoes and went to the garden trails to walk. I munched on a yummy blueberry fig bar I picked up at Whole Foods and it was fun to enjoy something different. I got in a couple miles before heading home for island time and work. Lunch was a snack pack of pork bites around 1:30PM.

Leftover Dinner Bowl

I had a call at 1 and a call at 2 and was busy until closing shop at 6. I went down to the kitchen where I was very ready for real food. I made a leftover protein bowl with last night's ground beef, the remainder of the roasted sweet potatoes, a little Irish cheddar, a small avocado, the Greek yogurt jalapeno sauce, and a drizzle of hot honey. We both decided that these mix bowls need to remain. Just have some mix and match items for no-stress meals. A good-for-you carb (sweet potato) will likely be a constant, a protein, likely beef over chicken but sometimes a switch, green beans, corn or cabbage mixes in well. Always avocado. Always a yogurt sauce or a dollop of cottage cheese for a bump of extra protein. I was comfortably full when done by 6:30. I got changed and went out around 7PM to begin mowing. I got the back and down the side done (5.5 miles walking) and will do the front, the way front, and the lane tomorrow. I went in at 8:30 for a shower and jammies and called in a day by 10. Today's step total was 18,700. It was a nice day of walk, work and outside time.

Time Really Flies

Wed Lunch

Good sleep. I woke around 7:15 and got going. After getting dressed, scooping, making the bed, feeding kitties, and making coffee, I went out to clip a few okras, got a plant moved to a new location (that likely won't make it), and watered outside plants and flowers. We then sipped out back while I worked on puzzles. After coffee I headed down to Whole Foods to return a couple Amazon dresses and did a little shopping while there. I got home just after 11, made a turkey sandwich with pickles and cherries, and had some island time while I ate. I just love the Jake's thin sliced whole grain seed bread. The slices are small, the perfect size for a sandwich. Love on the Spectrum got turned on after island, and would remain playing throughout the afternoon as I worked. 

Beef and Veggie Bowl and a Walk

I juggled a few projects and finished the season of the show as it played in the background. I went downstairs at 5:30 and helped get dinner started. I peeled and got sweet potato roasting and made a yogurt/jalapeno sauce that would go on top of the protein bowls. Kev broened some beef and cut corn off the cobs that were leftover from the weekend. We also added on avocado and a drizzle of hot honey. We ate while re-playing SILO and when dishes were done we ran the compost to the drop and them went to the track to walk. When done we went into the gym so I could cancel my membership and the little guy at the front says...."ummm it looks like your membership is already expired. I was all "oh! great! So did it expire in May or June?", to which he replied..."umm it looks like it expired LAST OCTOBER." 😂 And I seriously thought it was this coming fall. This was an epic memory fail and proof that boy, time is really moving at warp speed. It just doesn't seem like that long ago that I was at the gym. Bed was by 10:30.

Movie Night

8AM Yogurt

t was 11:30 when I turned on a story and went to sleep. And sleep was good, although I did wake two or three times, not getting up but just waking and drifting back off. I got up just after 7, took a shower and got dressed, even fixing my hair. It was audit day and I was nervous as all heck. This has been a hard state to start a little small business in and it's been a doozie. Everything about it. I sipped half a small cuppa out on the front porch with Kev, watching birds and doing puzzles. I scooped out about a quarter cup of 0% Greek yogurt with a heaping teaspoon of strawberry jam, and a sprinkle of Keto granola, for breakfast and went up for island time before getting to work. And then all the dresses arrived to try. There was three from Amazon. One fringe sleeveless and two A-line cocktail dresses of different sizes to test. And then the two main fringe dresses came, of different sizes to test. The main one is out. I look like a complete balloon. The A-line is out, too large and bulky overall. The most inexpensive fringy one from Amazon just may be the winner. 

4PM Dinner and The Odyssey

The afternoon whizzed by. A call, work, stress about audit that started at noon. It was 4PM before I blinked and I got changed and ate a late turkey sandwich before we headed out to see the IMAX version of The Odyssey. We purchased tickets a couple weeks ago and looked forward to the special version. I was wound up though and ready to get lost in a good story. And that we did. We arrived at the theater about 45 minutes before it began. There was already a long line waiting. We found decent seats and then I ran to the restroom in prep for sitting the entire three hours. As we got into it I thought "oh man this is slow." But then it got going and did not stop. I didn't know much about the story going in and boy was it jam-packed with adventure. I'd definitely say that this is one film you should try to see in IMAX, if you can get a ticket. I purchased our tickets a couple weeks ago and every single seat was full, and I think I saw a few folks standing on the outer ailes as well. We got home around 9 and I was ready for jammies and bed by 10.

Weeding and Work

Mon Mern

After nice sleep, I got up at 5 to pee when Kev was up getting ready for early gym. I went back into a deep sleep and dreamed but can't remember what it was about. I remembered when I first woke, just after 7, and thought to myself, I know I can't forget that. But alas I did. I opened email to find the big news of the day....I completed the Appalachian Trail challenge. 2,077 miles. I then got up and did the estrogen patch, got dressed, made the bed, scooped in the cat room, fed kitties, got coffee brewing and did morning chores, with laundry before it was sipping time out front. Kev re-filled the new apartment feeder so all the birds would have their rooms filled. After puzzles, I ate a banana and then went outside, turned my book on. and got to work weeding one area of the way front. I re-mulched when done and then re-did a big pot out on the back deck that was looking shabby. I eventually got too hot so went in for a turkey sandwich and then up to my office for island time. 

Meat and Veggies

I got all registered for my next walk, which was a bundle of three artists, each having their own medals. The first is Frida Khalo. I had a call in the early afternoon to discuss a small project. As I was on the call an email came in that will suddenly overload me with work. I have a call about it all tomorrow afternoon. I had a status call at 4PM and got to work on the small project the remainder of the afternoon. At 5:45 I went downstairs to get green beans cooking. Kev put burgers on The Chug and I boiled fresh corn. There was appetizer okra and we ate while watching a new John Oliver. After dishes were done, I did my first dose increase of the med (now at .5 from .25) and we both went back to work. I did some on the couch and then had to get back up to my large office monitor, cranking until 10:45. I was very ready for bed by 11.  

A Good Day for Turtles

Sunday Morning

I was asleep before 9:30 last night and slept until 3:30 when I got up to pee. I went right back to sleep until 7:30 and was ready to start the day. I dressed and made the bed and went out back for coffee with Kev and the kitties. I did puzzles and, when done, I put on socks and shoes and headed out to the gardens. On the way out, on the fresh new gravel, I spotted two turtles walking across it, one following the other. I stopped the car, grabbed my phone and got to to snap a pic when all of a sudden, we had sexy turtle time happening, like, in an instant. That second turtle hopped on and I didn't know turtles could move fast. Shoooooot. Yes they can! 😂 I snapped, and then gave them some privacy, continuing on to my place where I got in a four mile walk while listening to a new book: The Things We Never Say. I was back at the house by 10:15 and went out front to do some weeding around the baby Japanese Maple. Kev did a good weed-eat first and then I went in and dug up the grass that had grown in. Boy those roots do mess around. I went in just after 11 to make a turkey sandwich, which I enjoyed with pickled beets. We made a run to ACE for some mulch and I continued weeding/de-grassing when we returned. When done I raced in from the sun and knew I was done for the day. We shared some perfectly thirst-quenching watermelon. 

Afternoon Snack and Pizza Night

After a good shower, around 2PM, I watered plants, had some island time and then and settled on the couch. Kev said that pizza sounded good and so, just before 6PM, we got up and made one. Fathead dough, sauce, ground beef, pepperoni, mushroom, black olive and bell pepper. We watched The Dink on Apple TV for the movie portion of the evening and shared dark chocolate for dessert. Bed was around 10PM.

Kitchen Skink

Rib Sticking Breakfast

I turned on a story at 11 something and it didn't take long to fall asleep.  I woke at 7:15, snuggled with fur baby Ted and was up at 7:30. Kev got the boys fed and made coffee while I got dressed and made the bed. We sipped out front and I did puzzles. We went in and I cooked up eggs, cheese grits and toast. When done with the yummy breakfast we got changed and headed outside. Kev went to his day of rock work and I grabbed the weed-eater and got after the crazy right side of the house. I swear if we didn't stay on top of the maintenance, Tennessee wilderness would eat the house right up. It began to rain but I kept on until it was done. I have to say, to get the best arm workout, use a weed-eater for a period of time. My arms always go to jelly and it's honestly a little hard to do things afterward. Could be that it's not ergonomically correct for me, because I do have to hold it weirdly, which in turn uses all the muscles to the max. 

Walk Sights and Sausage Dinner

I sipped water on the front porch and chatted with Ma as the rain came down. Kev continued rocking on out there and I was enthralled with the feasting at the bird building. All the birds were there with chipmunks below.  I eventually went in and got to some Saturday cleaning. I vacuumed and then cleaned the bathrooms before plopping on the couch with my wittle wobbly arms for a moment. After a few minutes I got back up, put on shoes and headed down the mountain to pick up my med and then some groceries. When I got home, I rolled into a mostly completed, fresh gravel lane. I put groceries away and Kev cut up the watermelon, getting it into the fridge to cool. We made a ride to the mountain nursery where Kev ordered two more trucks full of gravel, went to dump the compost at it's drop off spot and then stopped in at the gardens where I walked 2.3 miles. We got back to the house and I took a shower, got in my jammies and then started dinner. I peeled and cubed sweet potatoes and cooked up a cabbage. We saw Ted stroll into the kitchen with something in his mouth. We saw a tail and Kev made him drop it. it was a blue-tailed skink (lizard) that had somehow gotten inside. I think this little guy hung out on the back deck and Ted would see him and try to get him. No clue if Ted brought him in or he just got in but Kev saved him, we think, and put him back outside. He then went on to grill some sausage links and some fresh shishito peppers that a friend of Kev's gave us. It was a fine meal. Watermelon for dessert. We watched two episodes of The Bear and then went out to the lower back deck. Kev in the hammock, me in the pod swing. I started listening to a new book called The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout. I've been waiting for this one for a while now so look forward to it as I finish the Appalachian Trail challenge this week. I was ready to jump into bed by 9:15 I was so tired tonight. 

Friday Rocks

Corn and Crows, Brunch, Gravel Pile

I woke when I heard Kev stirring, getting ready for early gym. I vaguely remember him leaving but went into a heavy sleep, getting into a weird dream where I was a checker at Aldi and some items wouldn't scan. It was a little stressful! 😂 I woke around 7:15 and lounged until around 7:30 before getting Friday going. We sipped cuppas out front after I filled feeders and clipped okra and fresh zinnias in the garden.As we were sipping the gravel arrived for the lane. Two truck fulls were dumped in one of the parking pads and another onto the lane. And it's not enough. Kev's thinking we need another couple trucks full. He has his work cut out for him this weekend....a man and his shovel.😳 After puzzles I did morning chores and had island time. At 10:30 I made a turkey sandwich, with Kettle chips, and today something different, pickled beets. I LOVE pickled beets and picked up some on the last store visit. I don't eat them enough.

Protein Shake Dinner

I did some art in the afternoon while starting the new season, season 4, of Love on the Spectrum. I just love this sweet show. It's full of all the emotions. At 3:30 I went out to test the grass for wetness. I then changed and pulled Scootie out of the garage to get the mower ready. I put the batteries in, turned on some music and got going. After 7.5 miles I was done. I blew the clippings off the driveway and cleaned the bird bath and then began pulling weeds. I hit a wall just after 7PM and made a b-line to the shower. I got in my jammies, dried my hair and made a protein shake for dinner. A scoop of protein powder, a big scoop of 0% Greek yogurt for extra protein, a teaspoon of peanut butter, frozen strawberries/banana mix and blueberries, chocolate Stevia and water. We watched an Ultimate Mountain Athlete challenge until bed around 10:30.

Emotional Watch Day

Rainy Leftover Lunch

After nice sleep I got up at 5 to pee and back into bed, asleep until 7:20 or so. I lounged until 8 and then got the day going. It was raining and coffee sounded so cozy. I got dressed and made the bed while Kev made the coffee and fed the boys. We started to sip in the reading room but I went out front and the rockers weren't wet so out we went, watching the bounty of birds at "the building."  After puzzles were done, around 9, we went in and Kev got to work. I did morning chores and had island time, determined to enjoy the last of the free time I've been having, with new projects coming in next week. At 10AM, I heated leftover chicken casserole and took it out onto the covered back deck with fur babies. We all lounged on the couch, listening to the rain. The bug man came round the corner, to spray under the deck, and the kitties made a b-line to the back door, crying to be let in for hiding. Poor dudes! 

Turkey and Tots

I sent an estimate to a client and then put on socks and shoes, set up my computer and started walking the three miles on the Trek pad. I finally finished the last couple of episodes of The Big C, bawling at the finalness of it all. The writing really touched me...how a person at end of life saw things. The kindnesses of humanity, the heart-wrenchingness. I moved on to finishing the last couple episodes of Little House on the Prairie. I teared up in that one for the Indians losing their land and the family leaving the town. next up I ran across a movie I had forgotten about, but wanted to see. It's called HERE, with Tom Hanks and it would only be on Netflix until July 29th. I teared up at this one as well so boy it was a day of emotion. I baked some tots and had them with a turkey sandwich for dinner. We then split an ice cream sandwich. It was 9PM when I got into my jammies and brushed teeth to cruise into night. Mom sent a great dress choice for the Western glam formal in August so I put that dress on my clone to try on and then contacted the shop to assist with ship date and sizing. This will be the fourth dress I have to try. The more the merrier. 👍

Prune Chic

Bird Building and the Usual

I woke around 7:15 this morning after a good night's sleep. I fed kitties, scooped in the cat room, got dressed, and made the bed. Kev made coffee and we sipped out front where the birds have gotten used to the new feeder. The building was fully occupied! I finished my puzzles, went up for island time and left to get to my 10AM chiro appointment. After a seriously awesome "crack" I got home by 10:30, ready for my usual turkey sandwich. Still with the thin-sliced Jake's bread, mayo, yellow mustard, three slices of honey maple turkey, and a slice of baby Swiss. Kettle chips on the side. I ate while watching a Hallmark Christmas in July movie called O Little Christmas Market.

The Dress, The Boys, The Dinner

When that one was over I started another called Snowbound for the Holidays. I watched while searching, and ordering, a couple backup dresses, in case the main dress doesn't make it on time for the gala mid Aug. I think it's coming from China. In my search I ran across what I thought was a prune, on the Nordstrom website. It sent me down a rabbit hole of hilarity. I put "the prune" on my AI clone model. It is somethin'. And note that this is on sale in case you are looking for that something special and comfortable. 😂 I then set the movie up on my drafting table and watched while I walked on the wee treadmill. I got in just over three miles, not quite finishing the movie, and went downstairs to cool off on the couch. I eventually went outside and enjoyed a nice breeze. I went in at 4:30 and got some veggies in the oven to roast. Two fresh picked squash and a garden zucchini, onion and eggplant from one of Kev's friends. This veggie mix would go with the chicken breast I cooked up on Sunday and I mixed it with some of the jalapeno yogurt sauce I made for last week's protein bowl. It was ok but I think I prefer beef. Or maybe marinated chicken for a Mexican taste would be better. I browsed dresses the remainder of the evening. Sigh.