Happy Tomatoes

How can finding tomatoes make me so happy?

Hormones, hyper-fixation on something?? I don't know, but it doesn't feel "normal." Nothing else has changed. 50-50 of good and not good, and, yet, I'm totally happy again.

Contemplation for another day. For now, me and lots of tomatoes have a full day ahead. 

The massage was fantastic and my body feels really good. The "wind" died down and no threat of a slip -- thank the lord. I booked another appointment for next month. She said, wow your neck is a mess, but your legs are really strong. Implying, my upper body is weak, which I know since I've barely lifted this past year. 

The neck issue might be a hidden blessing because it's changing my approach fitness (more balanced) and daily activities (form, posture). I'm excited to try pilates as a way to get stronger again. I hope this new path will take my fitness into a stage that will age well. First, I have to heal my neck.

P.S. My closed-eye balance is slowly improving too and my ankles don't hurt from doing it anymore. I have some significant weak areas that I didn't notice. 

I went to bed VERY early last night. I was suddenly super sleepy around 6 o'clock (probably massage related) and I decided not to fight it. 8 hours of great sleep. Up extra early because I had such good sleep. Could also be why my mood feels better. 

I got new running shoes -- another attempt to get things back in form. I'm going to take them for a short, easy run this morning to test them out. They feel different than my last pair with a higher profile. Lordy, I hope I don't trip because they're higher. Always a frustration with running and hiking shoes -- old style isn't available for long. I wonder if I should order a second pair when I find ones that work well.

Waiting on a furniture delivery today. The scheduling email came with the time range BLANK. Good lord. Had to call them AGAIN. Props to Pottery Barn though, they have issues, but the customer service line is easy and you immediately talk to a person. Fingers crossed on the actual delivery. 

Kitchen time today prepping for tomorrow. We're back to a simple-ish evening, but I'm gone most of the day tomorrow so working on it today. Five of us total and that's a good number. Hopefully, no last minute cancelations -- always a possibility with this group.

Have a good day. Feels like a Friday to me. Have to keep it straight. Later gators.

Tomatoes Doing Me Dirty

Prepare for a mood, sponsored by hormones and tomatoes. 

I followed up with the tomato order I sent last week. The stand was stocked on Monday with tomatoes (per notification on social media), but I had already ordered them for Wednesday. Now there aren't any available for Wednesday. "Nothing is ripe." Okay, but I guess you weren't going to tell me?? It's a 40 minute drive to get there. They take orders. I would've gone on Monday and taken those. 

Now I'm on the hunt for good slicing tomatoes since these are the star of my supper menu for Friday. 

It's a wrench in my plans because I don't have the time to drive all over, looking, etc. They need to be ripe enough too. It's like looking for avocados at the last minute -- you can get burned by only green ones available and not enough time to ripen. 

If I can't find what I'm looking for today, I have to pivot the menu for Friday and that's a bunch of work on short order. 

Hubby was right -- simple, easy backfired. I'm trying to be unbothered. This is about gathering ladies together for a fun night of chatting, music, friendship. It's not about a tomato. 

I wish I was this person. 

I try to be this person. 

I'm clearly not.

Little annoyances are popping up all over the place this week too. 

Energy matching energy. 

I'm waiting to hear about the furniture delivery tomorrow. I was supposed to get the time window on Monday, but didn't. I called and "it's coming, you'll have the window by Thursday morning at the latest." Isn't that a little late to know?? So everything is on hold for Thursday. 

All my complaining and today is just about finding tomatoes AND a massage. How is this a horrible day?? Of course, it really isn't, but you know the tomato drama, now let me tell you about the massage saga.

The massage ... she's local, recommended by my hairdresser's chiropractor. I made the first available appointment weeks ago because of the neck pain. I'm looking for a local massage option so I don't always need to go to Asheville. The fact that this is who a chiropractor uses feels like a solid recommendation and worth the drive. 

Here's the catch (warned you it was a mood). My neck isn't ready for a massage (per PT) so I need to exclude neck and upper back. This is the best part and the reason I booked an appointment. She's a one woman show who rents space, gets a babysitter for young children. Can't cancel. I guess it'll be an opportunity to see if she's an option going forward, but the timing isn't good. 

And, in TMI news, my stomach is upset from too much fiber yesterday and I'm a smelly, noisy, wind tunnel this morning. Lord, I hope this ends before the massage -- for both our sakes. It's so bad, I actually dreamt about it. You know when you have a full bladder and you dream about it until it wakes you up ... that was this hah. Can you imagine if I relax and let one rip during the massage?!!? Heaven help me. 

On that lovely image, I'll say goodbye. 

Have a good day. 

Maybe I'll be happily stocked with tomatoes and gas-free by the time I'm back tomorrow.

Later gators. 

Wiggle Room

I was firmly in problem-solving mode yesterday and got a number of worrisome things off my plate.

Spoiler alert -- it all worked out. 

But the same thing happened last night.

Woke up in a panic about EVERYTHING.

This MUST be hormones. Oura ring has been noting my overnight BP is not dropping as usual and that indicates "stress more than usual." Yep, for no reason too. 

Tackling today like I tackled yesterday. There are a number of things that I can't seem to get off my plate. People and businesses not responding. Do better, folks. And, also, not an actual big deal, but my mind is adding it up to a problem -- both are true. 

I'm trying to keep Friday's easy summer supper EASY, but, of course, it's not. At this moment I'm regretting my little idea (hubby guessed I would). But, in the name of an easy gathering, I'm standing strong in SIMPLE. Fingers crossed it all goes well. 

I NEED the tomatoes!!!!!! (One of the businesses not responding.) 

In other news, a very nice pharmacist helped me get my hormone patch (different kind). While I waited, I shopped at CVS. Hello, new body wash, new nail polish for my toes, new nail tools. Sometimes I forget shopping at a store can be fun.

Next shopping experience is for the canning items. I think a Walmart trip is in order. Not sure I can fit it in this week, but I'm going to try. I'd like to get ahead on my list a bit. I think that's where some of the anxiety is coming from -- down to the wire on things with no wiggle room. Wiggle room is the thing that relaxes me the most when I have a lot on my plate. 

On that note, I need to get moving. Have a good day. Later gators.

Hello, Monday and Worry

Hello, Monday. 

I enjoy a Monday.

I especially enjoy a solo Monday. 

That said, I'm in a bit of an anxiety mood. Woke up several times last night in panic about EVERYTHING and essentially, NOTHING. That feeling is lingering this morning, although it's starting to dissipate as I calm myself down.

Hormones?? Maybe. Probably. Hopefully. 

I have a couple of fussy (and I mean very, very small, not a big deal) things that are lingering on my to-do list. I feel stupid saying them, but they are giving me all the anxiety feels.

1. Returning a pricey hiking bag to REI because I took off the tags and have no receipt. It should be fine -- I'm a member and that looks like it's in policy, but I'm worried about it.

2. No response from the farm on the tomatoes I ordered for this week. My entire summer supper is tomato based and if I can't get tomatoes from them, where do I can farm fresh ones?? Do I need to change (and complicate) the menu for Friday?

3. The hormone patch is out of stock everywhere and I can't seem to figure it out. I have to go to the pharmacy in-person today because the automated system is shit. I still don't know if I'll get an answer. I've been working on this for 2 weeks now.

4. Peach jam canning is a bigger endeavor than I realized -- lots of supplies. Not a big deal, but something to add to my increasingly full schedule. 

Then a pile-up of things-to-do that suddenly feel like a lot. 

Also, every night add worry about the possible hiking trip next year. There are two HUGE hurdles before it's even a possibility and yet I worry all the time about whether I can travel un-pampered. Ridiculous, honestly I see it too.

Got a new pillow for neck support and it helped -- so that brought on the "how can I travel without it and hike all week" mind drama. 

I'm going to work on a few of these today and hopefully that'll ease the worry. 

How's the summer of unbothered an ease going, you ask?!?! Hah!

Yesterday was such a good day. Fun brunch with the kids. 

Chatted with the DILs and now we're going to Hamilton in September. I'm so excited. Also, WORRY because I purchased from a resale dealer. Everything should be fine and looks legit (big name dealer), but scams are so smart these days. So I unlocked a worry about the tickets for the next month. Geez. Three tickets were a lot of money. 

Planning an outdoor run today because they're paving my running route soon. Signs up, but no date, but I'm expecting it to start this week. I'm worried about running under all the trees since we're in spider season. See -- EVERYTHING about NOTHING. I want to go today and go at first light incase the paving starts. On a Monday, early, means no foot traffic to clear the webs for me. EEEEEEKKKKK!!!

Are you sick of hearing my thoughts today? Me too. 

Maybe after a productive day of problem solving, I can relax. 

Have a good Monday and start to the week. 

Do better than I'm doing! Later gators.

Decent Choices

Good decisions. Well done, me.

I'm glad I decided to not just HOPE for something that I have total control over hah!

I did the things.

Farmer's Market with Duke.

Gardened for a couple of hours.

Peloton ride. 

Then so many itty bitty chores that went by the wayside this week. Small -- like restocking my vitamins small, but they add up. I have a bit bigger things to do this week (and some pesky things), but I'm happy with the progress. 

From the garden yesterday. Butterflies everywhere. 

My neighbor and I exchanged goods again -- cucumbers and basil for chicken eggs. I enjoy this neighborly exchange. 

While I was gardening several people walked by and commented on the garden, the inclusion sign, and the rock snake. (The other rock snake at the park has been destroyed again, why??) Love neighbors with kindness. Also, glad I put the rock snake my friends painted on my property. 

This area feels like a community, a neighborhood and we're very lucky to be here.

I found a temporary place for the painting. It's not "hang" worthy, but I need to keep it around. My friend is proud of the paintings and will absolutely want to see mine again when she comes over. I enjoyed the class, but the painting is just okay -- I'd changed some things up if I painted it again.

Martha Beck talks about that with her paintings (she's a true artist). She'll paint the painting multiple times to get it right. She can't see the problem until it's on the canvas and then it's too late to correct, so she does it again.

The oddness of the picture
fits the oddness of the placement hah!

I watched the first episode of the new Ted Lasso. It's okay, not great. I hope it'll find its form as the season continues. 

Brunch with the family late morning. Long walk with Duke first. Then NOTHING again. The week starts off slowly and builds. Sort of a balance, but it won't feel like it as the week goes on. I need to use the quiet time for FS me.

I have no plans this afternoon and, once again, need to stave off the Snacking Sofa Slug desire. I won't begrudge myself TV time, but SSS is different. I know the difference -- as much as my mind likes to act all innocent when it's convincing me otherwise. Man, I wish the weather was cooler. Afternoons are indoor time right now and that's a bummer. The SSS is that much more noisy hah!

That's an issue for later though. I have a fun morning and early afternoon ahead. 

Hope you're having a good weekend. Later gators.

Cartoon Painting

Oh my gosh -- I was up until 11:30 last night. 

I feel jet lagged.

Or hungover. 

I'm going to be fighting the good fight today. It'll be VERY tempting to do nothing all afternoon and watch TV and SNACK. 

Hubby leaves in a couple of hours. I'm walking Duke and stopping at the Farmer's Market for tomatoes and peaches. Garden cleanup when I get home. Maybe (maybe not) a Peloton ride?!?! I slept in a little this morning so missed that window to workout before outside things. 

I'm too foggy to figure out a plan yet, but I really hope to report back tomorrow that I made a different choice. Maybe that choice will include a bonafide nap. Maybe a balance workout and meditation instead of a cardio workout (still no lifting per PT).

Anyway, the painting class was a lot of fun. I wouldn't call it Picasso, more a cartoon version with exaggerated everything (so my practice didn't help lol). The class painted together while watching the instructor paint too. Very well organized and attentive staff. You didn't need to practice since they walked you through the process step-by-step. The class was almost 3 hours long. Only critique -- the brushes were worn and hard to get detail work with clean lines. Maybe I had a bad batch.

What I'm SUPER happy about is this weekend is VERY open and MOSTLY solo. A few things this morning. Brunch with the family tomorrow and otherwise NOTHING. I need time to regroup and organize. It was a rushed week and my little home world feels like a mess. My mind feels like a jumble too. I have time to iron out all the things. 

My closet dressers are set for delivery next week. Yea to a closet reorg!!!!! It's probably a few day event because of my neck -- can't overdue the leaning over, looking down. Praise be -- I CANNOT wait to have it all setup. I want to think through and plan a general layout over the weekend.

My bed is calling me back in the worst way. Funny enough, I wasn't tired during the class, but it's hitting this morning. I'm such an old lady (and always have been). Today's plan SHOULD include an early night. That's the fear of a nap -- will it start me on a cycle of late nights?? Can I function well without one?? Don't want to zombie through the day.

And the irony, I'm too tired to figure it out lol. 

Hope you have a good one. Hope I make good choices. Lots of "hope" happening. See you tomorrow for the lowdown. Later gators. 

Mushrooms and Spiders

The area behind my neck -- where I have a hump is so sore to the touch. It's strange. No issue when I move my head, but feels like a massive bruise. PT said this should help the hump go away. I'll take this as a sign it's working. I'm religiously doing the exercise. 

The hike was fine on my neck, but I had to cut it short because of thunderstorms. I loaded the waist bag and hated the way it felt -- just asking for a lower back problem. I switched to a full hiking backpack with a waist and chest strap. That worked well. End of an era with my old blue pack. I'll return the other bag. 

Hiked with my mushroom friend. 

Mushrooms out in force AND the spiders are back for the season. Holy hell. It was awful. We looked like a couple of nuts the way we had to maneuver around them (I almost fell backwards on my bum). 

Once more people hit the trails, it was better. Early bird gets the webs this time of year. Webs are huge, spiders are moderate, but will grow massive as the season continues -- size of the palm of a hand. The spiders aren't particularly scary YET, but their webs are so dang thick like sticky strings. AWFUL!!! (and invasive). They can rebuild an entire web in 30 minutes. 

This is also the friend who invited me to pick, make, can peach jam with her mom using an old family recipe. We have the dates set for 2 weeks from now. Again, can't tell you how excited I am about it. I love, love, love this invitation! It'll take up most of the week, and I gladly held the calendar open.

Sign waving was fantastic again. Standing Thursday evening permit to gather. Supporting our neighbors who desperately need the support. The waves, horns, smiles -- it's the very LEAST we can do. It feels good to be in community. 

I have a fun evening with a friend at a Picasso Portrait class tonight. She belongs to a study on mental health and the arts. Every month she gets 2 free tickets to a choice an art event. She asked me to go this time. It's in the city (dang, traffic), but we'll go early and get dinner. I'm really looking forward to it, but not to the late evening. Brushing off my big girl panties and going out on a Friday night lol. Plus driving in traffic with storms -- not great for my neck, but I'm not missing this opportunity or asking her to drive. 

Full morning to get ready for my regular Friday coffee meeting. Hope you have a good one. Ready yourself for my art reveal tomorrow hahahaha!! Later gators.