Work and Dinner Visitors

Yummy Cereal

I could NOT get to sleep last night. I do not know why. here was no caffeine before bed. I also took my progesterone, which usually helps knock me out. I blew through a story and was still awake. I don't know when I dozed off but then had to pee, but never got up, so it woke me every now and again. It was a weird sleep night for sure. I got up this morning around 6:50 and dressed. I made the bed, scooped, fed kitties and did puzzles and then it was time to leave to get to my 8:20 doctor's follow-up appointment. This was the first time I got out at this time and what a mistake! The traffic was something else. This will not happen again. The visit was fine. They took blood to re-test my cholesterol.

New Fave-Canned Mandarins

I cruised home, stopping in at CVS along the route for some needed, and new to me, supplies. The latest fun...TMI alert...all the evacuations have apparently caused me to go into labor, birthing my very first, small grape-sized "roid." In all my 53 years I have not had one, and honestly was in shock when I learned that the runs can cause them. This is most certainly due to the shot and doctor says it should subside once my body gets used to the med. I am NOT a happy camper with this nonsense. I got to the house and ate some cereal (this Aldi brand is really good!) with banana and went up to my office for a bit of work. I went to the chiro for 10AM. I got back in, up to my desk and got busy, and had a first meeting at 12:30. Around 1:30 made a half turkey sandwich with pickle and cold mandarin slices. Don't ask me why but canned mandarins in the fridge sounded SO good, and they sure are. These will be on my constant shopping list, at least for a while. I must be 5 again.

There's a Poblano in There

It was a packed afternoon. I had back to back projects to keep me busy, a call at 3:30 and a call directly after at 4. That one ended around 5 and at 5:15 our ol Colorado neighbors arrived for a nice dinner at our local Mexican joint. I ordered the chicken stuffed poblano pepper and did not know that it would be fried. Thankfully the thick breading peeled right off so I did get just the pepper and chicken. I had the little salad on the plate and that's it. No rice or beans. I had maybe 3 chips. We got all caught up and they were on the road around 7:30. They had been traveling on the east coast since July and were heading home. It's always great to see them. After they left I put on my PJs, washed my face and brushed teeth. I then went up and worked until around 11:30. 

Working Sunday

Adding Duck Eggs

I slept great in my welcome home bed with clean sheets. I got up at 3:30 to pee but drifted right back off. I woke briefly in the 6AM hour but dozed, and got into some dream when I woke drooling, around 7:45. I got up and dressed, realizing that I completely forgot to change my estrogen patch on Friday. This is likely why I had a very brief moment of hot flash early this morning. Thank goodness Monday is new patch day... BUT, it kinda gives me hope that if patches get tight (which I have been reading that there is a shortage of them) I can potentially be ok with one a week instead of two a week. I sipped about a quarter cuppa with Kev and the kitties out back before evacuations. We made bacon, eggs (including a couple of the Duck eggs that my esthetician gave me) and an English muffin for breakfast and then I went up for a very full day of work, basically I traded Friday with Ma to Sunday, and I'm glad I have this option.

Grilled Chicken Bowl

I had a banana and a protein snack bar from Aldi while I worked, not really taking any breaks in order to get things done and caught up. At 5:30 I seasoned some chicken breasts and Kev grilled them up. I heated a can of black beans, some Mexican corn and a packet of cilantro lime rice and we made grilled chicken bowls. I topped mine with a dollop of sour cream, some salsa, avocado and cheddar and it was a perfectly filling, and satisfying dinner. After dishes were done I went back up and worked, watching Everyday Angels on Netflix in the background. The computer was shut down just after 9PM.  

Home Bound

Favorite Breakfast

After good sleep I woke around 6:30 and got up and dressed. I took Lucy dog for an early walk and when I got back to the house I packed up my things and loaded Sterling. I gave him a quick water bath to get off all the pollen and dirt, that was completely coating the car to where you couldn't see out of the windows. While I was outside, Ma was making grits for breakfast. She added cheddar to mine and oh it was yummy. Grits are one of my most favorite things and Ma makes them perfect. Thick, with butter. Sometimes cheese, sometimes not. When I had cleaned the bowl I said my goodbyes to Ma and Aunt Aim and was on the road just after 8:30. I stopped to get gas and then was on the open road. I ate a banana around Birmingham and made one stop to pee at my usual rest area. 

Leftover Hobo and Tots

I rolled into Chattanooga around 2PMish. I stopped for a few groceries before heading up the hill, made it home, unloaded, put groceries away, and unpacked my bags. I nibbled a blueberry cereal bar when I got hungry. Kev rolled in just as I was putting my backpack upstairs, the last thing I had to do and I hit a serious wall. I said "I need to take a nap, like, right now." I grabbed a blanket, laid on the couch and was out in an instant. I think I slept an hour before getting up and watering the outside plants. I don't know how 6PM was on us so quickly but it was 6:15 when I put tots in the oven. Ma sent me home with the two leftover Hobos (burger patty with onion and cut up potato) so I put them in the oven as well to warm. We ate while watching Ted Lasso, me getting a re-watch, and then I cleaned up dishes,  took a shower and got in my PJs. We watched SILO before bed. 

Organizin'

English Muffin Start

Sleep was good until 5:45 when Lucy dog was "huffing" for me to get up and open my door. It's the sound of frustration for sure and you can tell it. It's hilarious. Once I was awake I had to pee so she got to follow me back into the room, and into the bed, curling up at my feet. I dozed until just before 7AM and got dressed, heading out to do the morning Lucy walk. As I got onto the campus a nice girl stopped me to let me know she had seen three large stray digs on the other side of campus, so it changed my route to neighborhood walking instead. I got in just under two miles and got back to Ma's ready for some food around 8. She made us, basically, Egg McMuffins. An English muffin toasted with cheddar melted on, a hard fried egg, and a slice of bacon. She had heated some leftover steak but I ended up not being able to fit my piece in. 

Leftover Turkey Sketti

I decided to take the day off of work to help Ma around the house. We cleared out clutter, organized the kitchen, moved chairs around, put a new cushion on the swing out back, took some stuff to donate, hit up Lowe's for a couple plants, and of course made it to Sonic at Happy Hour for her large Diet Coke with extra ice. We got back to the house and put new plants in their places. I checked email and piddled around the rooms, moving things, tidying things, and her little place looks so cute and cozy. Her friend from back home arrives tomorrow afternoon and I'm excited for their catch-up visit. It will be Girl's Night on steroids! I heated leftover turkey spaghetti for dinner at 6PM. There was no need to cook with food in the fridge. At 6:30 I went to walk with Aunt Aim and the pups. The college was having a welcome back soiree with horses, a camel, a llama, dunking booth and music. The dogs were not into it so we cruised through quickly. As we started the final leg home the nice breeze stopped and it got super still, and HOT. We were all sweating nicely when we made it back in. I cooled down a little, got in my PJs and was ready to wind it on down.

 

Protein Pasta

Noon Half Sammich

I woke at 4AM, got up to pee, and then was wide awake. I blew through my three puzzles, enjoyed some mindless doom scrolling on Instagram, found a few ideas for Kev's ACF costume, and eventually went back to sleep. I got up around 7:15 and dressed, heading out with Lucy for the morning walk. When I got back home I mowed Ma's front yard, getting my sweat on. Once I cooled down, me and Ma filled our water tumblers and hit the road to Starkville, to the good Kroger. We got back to the house around 12:30 and I made half a turkey sandwich using one slice of Dave's Good Seed bread, half a slice of Baby Swiss, and two slices of Boar's Head Maple turkey. A baby dill and some watermelon cubes, in a wee crystal bowl, made for lovely side kicks. 

Turkey Spaghetti

There was some work in the afternoon, although not a lot, which was a good thing. I looked forward to sparse time to just be at Ma's. I finished up a project and sent it off around 5:30 and then got dinner started. I was making turkey spaghetti, since I didn't get enough when I made it at home last week. I sauteed an onion, a bell pepper, lots of mushrooms and a zucchini, added in a pound of ground turkey and seasoned with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, red chili flakes, onion powder and garlic powder. While the sauce simmered me and Ma got her back porch all fixed up. She had it painted and now that it was dry everything needed to be moved back on. When done I took a shower, got in my PJs and then cooked up the Angel Hair protein pasta. Everything has extra protein lately so I had to try. A serving had 10g of protein. It was delicious. We ate while getting Ma caught up on Ted Lasso, and then watched the new third episode. 

Intro to Instant

Breakfast Sandwich

After pretty good sleep I woke before 6 to pee, got back into bed for a while, and then got going around 6:30 or so. I dressed and took Lucy for the morning walk, enjoying my book while walking through the quiet college campus down the street. When I got back to the house I caught up with Kev and did the three puzzles, got lost in Instagram for a while and, around 8:30, made a turkey sandwich for breakfast. I had some of the ho-made quick pickles Ma fixed up last night and they were delicious with the sandwich, adding the little needed crunch instead of potato chips. I am becoming more and more a fan of this switch-a-roo. Ma left at 9AM to meet a friend for a long catch-up breakfast visit and I got to work, having my first call of the day at 10, followed up by another call at 11. 

PM Snack

The afternoon went quickly, as it usually does. Between 2-3PM I needed a bit of something so had a few squares of watermelon, loving the perfect little baby chunks Ma cut them into, followed by a cereal bar. I'm finding that I am ready for a little snack right around mid afternoon. I need to get back to protein snacks though, I do know, but meat or eggs just hasn't been sounding as good. Although, deviled eggs sound decent. And then I remembered ham rollups! I haven't thought about them in years. Sliced ham, cream cheese, canned asparagus. Roll it up and eat or cut into chunks to share. Delicious and easy to make. 

Steak Night

I had a last call at 4PM, that lasted until around 4:45. I did some last work and then closed up shop. We took seasoned steaks over to Aunt Aim's house where she would grill. They had a crap-ton of fresh picked okra that I washed, dried, seasoned with salt and pepper and Aim put them on the grill. They fixed...omg y'all...instant mashed potatoes and I admit I was very judgy and snobby about it. Like, WHY would you go for instant over fresh-made mashed taters??? But then I tried them and ho-ly-smoke. I wouldn't have believed they were instant had I not known. It's the Idahoan brand and honestly...I haven't really eaten instant potatoes so wasn't really sure about them.  But now, look out. These are going to have to be on hand for the arrival of the apocalypse. After a mighty fine meal, me and Aunt Aim took the dogs for their evening walk, getting in around 7:30. I worked on the couch the remainder of the night, ready for bed by 10.

Tuesday Tidings

A Perfect Start

It was closer to 11PM when I turned a story on and closed my eyeballs last night. I woke just before 7, had the morning starter evacuation, got dressed, and headed out for a walk with Lucy dog. It was pleasant out early and I chatted with Kev for a bit on the stroll. We got back to the house with around 1.5 miles logged. Ma made perfect eggs and grits for breakfast  (I wasn't in the mood for the good looking bacon) and, when done and kitchen was clean, I got my work day started. Every hour I'd get up for a stretch break, doing squats and down dogs into planks, or letting Lucy out, just needing to move around. I had a few grapes for a mid afternoon snack, as well as a little taste of a fantastic watermelon that Ma cut up. It was hard to not gobble up more but it makes the evacuations WAY worse so I paced myself. 

Hobos, Home Pickles, Packet Veggies

I cranked on some projects in the afternoon, especially when I learned that my 1:30 meeting was cancelled. Ma started making dinner at 4PM. Tonight was hobo night, the ol campfire packets. She formed burger patties and put them in squares of aluminum foil. The meat was seasoned and topped with a slice of onion and some raw potato. (It's also extra good with some frozen or canned corn added into the packets but we didn't have any.) Add a bit of butter into the pack before closing them up. They cooked in a 375-400 degree oven for about an hour and a half. As they cooked, me and Aunt Aim took the dogs for the evening walk. We ate when we got in, and so, so good. I don't know why I never remember these when I'm at home but I will now. They are always so good, and easy, and fun to make. After I cleaned up dishes I took a shower and got in my PJs to finish the evening on the comfy couch. 

Drive Day

Quick Eats

After good sleep I woke just before 7 and lounged until around 7:30. I got up and did estrogen, got dressed. scooped, fed kitties, made the bed and then ate a bowl of cereal with banana. I watered outside plants, finished tossing my stuff into bags and loading them into Sterling. I hit the road around 8:45AM, headed to Ma's for the week. It was a lovely morning for the drive, listening to my book along the route. I stopped at my usual rest area for a bathroom and stretch break, and got a little hungry around 11:30 (Central time zone, which is 12:30 my time.) I nibbled a Whole Foods 365 brand cereal blueberry bar and had some grapes. I got to Mom's by 12:30 and got my workstation set up on the table. I ran across the street to give Aunt Aim a quick hug and then started an afternoon of busy. I shut it down around 5:45 and, around 6:30ish, Aunt Aim walked the dogs, getting in just after 7PM. Ma had some eggs boiled and deviled them. I made half a turkey sandwich to go with and had a super easy dinner. A shower was had and bed was around 10:30.

Fancy Weekend

Saturday Starts

Saturday Aug 15

Sleep was good. I got up in the usual 7AM hour and got dressed. Had some Cheerios with banana, enjoyed a few evacuation,😂, and left just after Kev did (for another trail cleanup day) and I went for a two mile walk.  I got home, put in some hair color shampoo, did puzzles while it marinated on my head, and then took a shower. This stuff is magic for a quick cover and looks very natural. I do two pumps of blonde and a pump or two of light brown, mix it in my hands and scrub into the hair well. I use a little more than it says to, and I have found I need to leave it on longer, maybe an hour instead of 10 minutes, but it's amazing. I left the house again aaround 1:20 for hair and makeup at a salon downtown. 

Sat Eve

I left feeling like a clown, really not used to having all that stuff on my face, and was actually worried I looked "too much." My hair wasn't what I was hoping for but it would do. Overall I felt like an aging woman, and was having a moment of sadness about it. I sucked it up, got home just after 4PM and realized I hadn't eaten since cereal early in the morning. I nibbled a fig bar to hold me over, put on the press-on nails I've been seeing on Instagram (I did the shortest french mani ones), we got dressed in our Western Glam finest and drove down to the convention center where the event was being held. And it was a lot of fun. People really showed up in the theme, lots of boots and hats and bolo ties and turquoise. The company was great at our table, food was served family style among the tables (bison roast, grilled veggies, salad, skillet potatoes.) I wasn't too hungry so had a small bit of each. There was a live auction, the highest bidded-on thing was a Mexico vacation that went for $30,000. I realize that I love listening to the auctioneer and couldn't get enough of his skeedaddlin tongue. 🙌 We got home at 10ish and I was ready for bed. This whole thing gave me a bit of anxiety. Society functions are out of my comfort zone.

Sunday Morning

Sunday August 16

Happy Birthday to Dad today! 🎉 

I slept like a rock. I got up just after 7, dressed, did morning chores and actually felt like sipping a little coffee out front with Kev before he left for an all day climbing-related class. I tossed sheets in the wash, did puzzles out back with the kitties, admired my latest Conqueror Challenge medal for th quick Frida Khalo walk, which was 55 miles, chatted with Mom and Dad and dang it was just about 11AM when done. I made a turkey sandwich with chips and pickles and took my plate up to the office for island time, sending a mid-month invoice for one of my clients like prefer that, and then got to afternoon work. 

Turkey Spaghetti Night

I turned on a Hallmark movie called Aussie at Heart, which had two actors I enjoy. It was a perfect background to the work I was doing. I got one project sent off around 4:30PM and began another, getting an hour in before it was time to shut things down. I got dinner started, which was spaghetti with ground turkey, onion, zucchini, and mushrooms. Two jars of marinara, one tomato basil, one plain marinara. I added Tuscan seasoning, salt, pepper, Janes Mixed Up Salt, and onion powder. You need a bit more seasoning when using turkey. I cooked up gluten free noodles and we sprinkled on some grated Parmesan. It was really delicious. We ate while watching SILO and then I had a shower and got in my PJs, ready to wind down the day. 

Productivity Kicking In

Breakfast and Lunch

Sleep was mostly good. I woke at 2:30 to find the star lights on in the bedroom, meaning we had a power flash. It must have been such a quick one because I got up to have an evacuation and saw that the oven and microwave clocks were not flashing. It took a bit to get back into a nice sleep but I did, not waking again until around 7:30. I took a shower, did estrogen, scooped in the cat room, made the bed, fed the cats and had a small bowl of cereal. I did puzzles out on the front porch when Kev got home from early gym and sipped his cuppa. I did morning chores and left the house at 9 to get to a 9:30 mani/pedi appointment. I picked up some groceries on the way home, getting in by 11:30. I made a turkey sandwich and ate it with a pickle while checking email and then getting to work.

Dinner

It was a very productive afternoon. I blazed through three projects, getting drafts done for review. I had a 3PM call and a 6:30 call and continued working until around 7:30or so. I heated the remaining Tex Mex meat with quinoa and squash mix for an easy leftover dinner and nibbled some grapes for dessert. I then worked on the couch the rest of the night, going to bed around 11.