Sunday and Monday

Happy Labor Day! 

Birthday Grubbing

Sunday I turned 54. It was a lovely, relaxing day. We woke and sipped leisurely coffee out back. Kev whipped up bacon, eggs and sourdough toast. I made Mom K's famous chocolate pies (yes two since there were two pie crusts in the package) and got them in the fridge. Time flew by. We eventually left the house around 1PM where Kev dropped me and Jenni off for a foot massage. We then wandered in Walmart, since Jenni doesn't have the same kinds of stuff in San Fran that we have (tons of pickled and canned okra for example. 😂) At 5:30 we got dinner going. Burgers on The Chug, tots, pie. My new CPA acquaintance was invited and she arrived at 6:30. We ate outside. I had half a burger, the first time I haven't been able to finish a burger, like, ever. And the pie was amazing.

Evening Stroll

Went to bed around 10:30 last night. Woke at 7 something. I've been very anxious as my ex CPA has started harassing me about not being paid. She has very much been paid and I even sent proof of deposited check, which she ignores. She has now claimed I didn't pay her for 2024 services, which I did, and have proof, but she is not letting up. It is looking like I may see small claims court in my future since I refuse to give her another dime. But anyway...that's going on, creating a hiccup in my leisurely birthday long weekend. I started the day with cereal with banana. Me and Jenni then went to the Farm and Gardens to walk. We then drove around the mountain, stopping at my little gym track to walk a bit more, getting 3.25 miles in before heading home. I made a pot of tomato basil soup for later and nibbled here and there on random things. Two bites of cold spaghetti, a little watermelon. I then made a quick tribute to Dolly, which Jenni had recently learned about, called a "Cuppa Cuppa Cake" from Steel Magnolias. A cup of flour, a cup of sugar, and a can of fruit cocktail, with juice. We opted for a can of peaches instead, and I chopped the peaches into chunks. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. I had a couple bites, and it is delicious, although I think it would be better with a bit of vanilla ice cream. Very peach cobbler-y. We all had a nice nap, around 2:30, I woke at 3:30. At 5:30 we had some dinner. I cut a slice of sourdough in half and Kev toasted it in a little butter on the stove. He and Jenni were having grilled cheeses with tomato soup, where I went on to make a turkey sandwich with mine. Dots pretzel sticks on the side. When the kitchen was cleaned up we headed out to Rock City for the evening. It was SO nice with hardly any people there. We strolled and took pics and just enjoyed a really nice evening. Bed was by 10:30. 

Ready for Sleep

Late Lunch

I was WIDE AWAKE at 2:30 this morning. The wifi extender plugged in the bedroom wall started flashing white and blue and I had to get up and unplug it. It was creepy that it just started doing it in the wee hours, with Kev gone. I just didn't trust it. 😂 I got up to pee, got back into bed and grabbed my phone. I did puzzles and howled at random weirdness on Instagram. It was around 5AM that I dozed back off, not getting up until around 8:45. This has been a very weird week of sporadic sleep and it was catching up. I felt loopy and tired. I dressed, fed kitties, ate a blueberry cereal bar, and hit the road to go get some grocery shopping done early. I made it home and started cleaning. It was 1PM when I ate cereal with banana for lunch. There is nothing better that a partially green nanner in the Aldi cereal. Oh my gosh I have missed cereal for so many years!

Delicious Skettis

I went out and snipped some of the last of the season zinnias, getting them into the fun vase. the rest of the garden has pretty much peetered out, especially with this recent heat wave and no rain. It's almost time to pack it in until next Spring. I left the house at 2:30, getting to the airport at about 3:10. I got into a seat in the terminal when my friend Jenni texted, at 3:13, that she has landed. She had the long flight from San Francisco, via Dallas/Ft. Worth, landing a little early. Directly after her text was a text from Kev that he has also just landed, at 3:17, coming from Houston. Never would I have imagined that two planes, two different airlines, would both be early, and arrive at the same time. Kev made it out maybe 3 minutes before Jenni and we were on our way home. it had actually cooled down a little on the mountain, after a brief shower, so we went out back to sit on the swings and catch up. I made spaghetti for dinner, which was so darn good, and we had watermelon for dessert. Jenni had been up since 2AM so I let her hit the sack around 8:45. I brushed teeth and got into bed as couch, and didn't last long. I was starved for decent sleep and with Kev now home it would happen. I turned on a story and laid my head down around 9:30.

 

There's Hope

Friday Start

It was1-1:30 when I went to bed last night/this morning. I got up around 7:15, did estrogen patch, got dressed, fed kitties, made the bed and went out to water. We are in the beginning of a hot, dry spell and already the grass is showing the distress. I was very glad I finished the mowing yesterday because I had a busy day ahead. I did morning chores, including some laundry, had cereal for breakfast and went up to get started, foregoing island time. 

Lunch and Leftover Dinner

At 11:15 I left to meet my new CPA for lunch at my local Mexican restaurant. We chatted for two hours before I realized the time had flown and I really needed to get back to work. I have a good feeling about her and have hope. I didn't eat all that much due to all the talking so I brought my leftovers home and ate them around 4:45, when I got hungry. Chicken with onions, rice, beans, a tortilla. It was delicious. I then worked solidly until around 9:30PM, watching Nashville in the background. I went downstairs, got in my PJs, brushed teeth and washed face before crawling into bed-as-couch to end the day listening to Chet Baker. 

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.