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Up early this morning to get a "first-thing" start.  

I did a quick clean yesterday and some final wipe downs planned for this morning (bathrooms) before we hit the road.

I think Monti has an ear infection so he has a vet appointment this afternoon.

I walked downtown yesterday with no luck.  So many stores closed on a combination of Monday - Wednesday.  Off season, local businesses and hard to find employees.  It ended up raining on and off too so my walk with Duke wasn't as long or nice as the day before.

My energy wasn't good yesterday.  It's PMS time AND I'm sleeping like crap (neck and hormones).  Man, I'll say it again, this is no joke of a "transition" time.

Then, I got GHOSTED AGAIN.  This time by The Other neighbor who told me twice she'd text me Tuesday afternoon and come over to see the house and have coffee.  I waited and waited.  Nothing.  Late afternoon, a cable truck appeared at her house so I guess that's the reason for no visit.  But, WHY NO TEXT?  I delayed getting comfortable, making dinner, packing up just in case she wanted to pop over (everyone's definition of afternoon is different).  I don't mind when things come up, I just want a text saying so.  A cable repair is important, but certainly no emergency that you can't take 3 seconds to text.

I'm fighting being grumpy.  I haven't felt great for a couple of weeks and now I'm heading down another couple of hormone weeks.  My neck-shoulder-arm is still bothering me without Advil onboard.  It actually hurts a lot to bike in the standing position.  The pain is all positional.

Putting on a happy face, being friendly and then being inconvenienced at a time when that feels heavier than normal.  Guess my crappy energy is attracting crappiness?!?

Regrouping and hoping for some relief soon.  I need a full night's sleep in the biggest way.  I might take a Benadryl tonight to see if that helps.  I know it can mess with REM sleep, but I'm not getting any kind of good sleep anyway.

Homebound with very few plans over the next week.  Dog-sitting the grand-dogs so keeping things low key.  And, our anniversary on the 7th.  #29. 

Catch you back in the ATL.  Later gators.

Massage Glory

I felt so good after a 90 minute massage.  She worked the muscle knot that's pushing on nerves and giving me the shoulder and arm nerve pain.  It's back a bit this morning, but last night was the best I've felt since I aggravated it.

Last day in Asheville.  I was set to pickup the chocolate advent calendar I ordered (closed Monday and Tuesday -- dang) and try a mostly vegan cafe (closed Tuesday and Wednesday).  Guess I'm out of luck for both of those.  I'll still walk downtown and grab an iced matcha tea from a pretty cafe and do a quick checkin at my favorite 2 stores (one vintage, one trendy new).

The neighbor who ghosts me, texted back after I texted that I hadn't heard from her and was going to walk myself.  She had a "busy weekend with the kids" (who are driving teenagers) and feels a cold coming on.  Guess that means you can't text BEFORE the walk time?!?!

While I was walking Duke in the mountains -- such an amazing walk, I ran into the other neighbor biking. The one who's a bit intimidating to me.  She's probably going to stop over this afternoon to see the house, etc.  AND, she asked if we had gotten the email invite for the chili cook-off on Halloween.  We hadn't and I mentioned I texted with this other neighbor before we came and she didn't mention it.  Turns out there's a HUGE argument going on between neighbors.  Hmmmm.  Don't know anything else, but I'm curious.  I hope she gives a little more detail.  Kind of shitty of the ghosting neighbor to not mention anything about the neighborhood event.  DRAMA (!!)

I finished Apples Never Fall (Liane Moriarty).  It was good.  Surprising eating disorder story line at the end so might not be for everyone.  Starting something new today.  Stay tuned.

Hope you have a great Tuesday.  Later gators.

Hello, November

 

Asheville is DECORATED for CHRISTMAS (!!)  Sort of lol.  I brought the little tree up this trip to make sure I had what I needed.  Turns out I need ornament hangers for the mini red balls I got.  The lights are bright and pretty in the window at night.  I bought a piece of plaid fabric to drape around the base so you can't see into the fake pot.  I might grab a few decorations from the other house that I'm not using, but I don't plan to do much.

If we end up spending Christmas here some years, I'll add fresh greens and stockings.  This is enough for this year.

No trick-or-treaters here yesterday.  A few in GA and we answered on the Ring Doorbell (we'll catch you next year).  We didn't want to turn off our lights for the entire time we're gone or put up a note that would stay up until Wednesday.

My next-door neighbor here in Asheville -- have I told you about her??  Super nice, overly talkative but also likes to GHOST like crazy.  I think she's the neighborhood busybody.  Once again we have plans to walk today and she's totally gone silent.  She initiates plans, ignores me when the time comes and then apologizes days later for "getting too busy."  I decided this was the last time.  We are schedule to walk at 10:30 -- let's see if she shows up this time.

I don't know why I don't reach out to the other neighbor who has been so friendly and kind.  I think she intimates me a bit.  Incredible painter, incredible gardener.  Mountain bikes daily.  Skilled hiker.  You name it, she can do it.  So I'm intimidated -- but isn't that just the kind of leveled up person you want to know?  I'm reaching out.  Future me says step it up and take a chance.

Proud of myself for NO CANDY this year, although I had my body weight in red grapes (last for the season now -- getting mushy).  White sugar busts me up in a horrible way and I need some feel-good days after October.

My neck is getting better.  I'll take Advil again today, but I think this'll be the last day.  Who knew gardening was such a risky sport hahaha?!?

I have a 90 minute massage this afternoon.  Oh my god, YES (!!)  I want to love every minute.  Asheville is still mandatory masked and this place has remained masked and vaxed.  I feel much safer doing things in Asheville than in GA.

Hubby took a weekend I planned to come to Asheville to have a golf weekend with his bestie.  I'm glad they're getting together, but the weekend in inconvenient.  This guy's wife gives him grief about boys weekends so he's adding to a business trip.  (His marriage issue now inconveniences me.)  I have to figure out when to come up to get the house ready from my girlfriend weekend in early December.  More on this later, but the reason I mention it is to say this.

I can come up to Asheville BY MYSELF the weekend before they get together.  Time alone in Asheville?!?!  No dogs, just me.  But going to sleep last night I got spooked by the boogie-man.  Dang that book!!  I kid you not.  I KNOW I'll be all freaked out staying alone -- even with the alarm on.  Why?  Why?  Why?  Oh my god, I can't start this.  No more home invasion books or haunted house stories (which I read last night on IG).  Something about being without the dogs feels extra alone (even though they are hardly watch dogs).  

Crap.  Hubby and dogs would come but the point is some quiet time for me.  Maybe I should invite someone up with me?  Hmmmm.  Need to think this through and weather will play a part too.

Okay, enough chat for this morning.  I hear the boys stirring.  Have a great day.  Start of the week, start of the month.  Good day for a reset.  Later gators.

Happy Halloween (!!)

Off to Asheville today.  My neck is still a hot mess -- this might be a problem this week.  By the end of the night, I have a headache and pain down the back of my shoulder and arm.  Not fun.  I plan to do a lot of outdoor walking in Asheville and I'm not sure that's possible.  I'm taking anti-inflammatory and it helps, but I'm taking it round the clock.

Anyway ...

The book I'm reading IS GOOD ... Apples Never Fall (Liane Moriarty).  I haven't read her books in a long time.  Reviews are good so hopefully the story holds up until the ending.

It rained all day yesterday.  I did a little more cooking and we took a drive to look at cars.  Mine is getting older, starting to have some issues and it's time to downsize.  Since new cars are very backordered, we thought we'd start looking now.  Since my neck is funky, I didn't test drive any.  We'll probably do that next weekend when we're dog sitting the grand-dogs.  Need to order at least 6 months ahead.

BTW, our little foster Polly is doing great.  Miss that little gal.  She loved Asheville.

Short and sweet today.  I need to get moving because hubby wants to be settled before the games start.  Looks like lots of reading for me today.

Have a happy Halloween.  Later gators.

Change of Plans

We decided to stay in Asheville until Wednesday, so we're going up tomorrow instead of today -- 5 days is too long.  Weather works better and it give us both some time to get things finished up around here too.  We also like to be there during the week instead of the weekend if we have a choice.

My neck is not doing well -- dang.  It needs to feel better by Massage Monday (!!)  Feels like a pinched nerve type of pain.  Shoots down my shoulder and arm if I move in a certain way.  BTW, I got an email that this spa is raising their prices significantly (honoring prices booked before November though) so my girlfriend and I lucked out for her birthday plans in December too.  Prices are just high enough to give pause to going now.

I finished the SCARY book and it was super good.  Well written story with lots of elements.  He's a good writer.  The book was way less scary after the first bit.

I started another book -- from my girlfriend.  Title TBD since the book is currently in my bedroom with hubby sleeping.  It's good already.  I have a big backlog of reading -- best get moving.  Sometimes if I move too far away from when I bought the book, I lose interest because new choices take the cake.  Rule is ... I buy it, I read it.  But, as always, if it's horrible I can stop.

I bought a couple of small bags of Halloween candy just in case we get trick or treaters in Asheville.  I doubt we do since our neighborhood is in the mountains and there are flatter, easier neighborhoods just down the street.  Milky Way and Thousand Dollar Bars (or is it $10,000 bars??).  I'm sure it will call a little to me, but no way am I going there this year.  Sugar tanks my sleep and I'm still not sleeping well.

Pedicure is a pretty fall red-ish color.  No manicure until I need my cuticles shaped.  It's been freeing to not do gel or powder nails.

I'm not sure about a workout this morning.  My neck isn't happy enough for the yoga workout and my legs need some rest.  It's still raining this morning so a walk is iffy too. 

Speaking of neck, it's hard holding my head up typing so I'll end this here.  Have a great Saturday.  Later gators.

Back to Basics

It starts and ends with food.

I think this month is such a shit-show because I had too many days eating differently.  There weren't many days I went crazy (the CAKE day lol), but there were enough days of so-so eating to put my system off kilter again.

Eating differently was doing more than I gave it credit.

So (somewhat reluctantly), I'm back to prioritizing foods that work for me.  This means PLANT FOCUSED (including plant proteins), lower sugar and lower processed carbs (even GF).  Of course, very limited alcohol too.

I know a lot of this rather sudden sensitivity is related to hormones.  Feeling like crap isn't okay and especially not okay if there's a way to feel better.

I got lazy because it's easier to eat "the old way" -- easier to shop, cook, etc.  It's what I know well.  Doesn't require as much prep and thought.  Super convenient and I can find something to eat anywhere.

But I'm back at it.  Whole Foods trip and I'm stocked up.  I made a 3 bean chili, stir fry and soup to freeze.  Heading to Asheville this week and it'll travel with us.  

Once I'm back to feeling better, I can have meals here and there that are different, but not 3/4 a month's worth.

Lesson heard AGAIN.  

More details to come since I'm focusing on a few foods differently (like adding fermented foods and trying some vegan "dairy" products).  Trying to be curious and make this fun -- that's what's missing lately and I'm bored.  Bored with what I'm eating and bored with the process.  It felt good to have an excuse to take a break.  But look where it got me.  

My neck and traps are doing better this morning.  Still a sore neck on one side, but my traps feel good.  I was able to ride the Peloton yesterday because it wasn't any worse when I rode.  Today is supposed to be arms day, but I'm pushing it out.  Arms uses my neck and back too.  Hopefully, I can get it in tomorrow since I don't have all the equipment in Asheville.

Pedicure today too.  Man, I'm glad to be back to pedicures.  

We're heading to Asheville until Tuesday or Wednesday.  Focusing this trip on having some outdoor fun (weather will be great) and spending time with hubby.  I also have a massage scheduled at the place I went for my birthday.  They're fully masked again so I feel comfortable going.  Can't wait.  

Halloween marks the start of the holidays in my mind.  Let the fun begin.  Things will be different this year and I'm up for it.  More on this too.

Have a good Friday.  Later gators.

I'm Ready for November

Seems like October hates me.

Case in point -- I planted 26 tulip bulbs (good luck little ladies, see you in the spring) and now I can't hold up my head.  Apparently, digging on my knees in rocky soil strained my trapezius muscle.  Hurts to hold up my head.  Hurt to sleep as it kept spasming.  

Seriously, October.  What did I do to you?

I keep adding to my "problem" list.

Peloton ride is in jeopardy this morning.  Not sure if I can muster it.  Good news is I had a hard run yesterday so a rest day isn't horrible.  I'll try a warmup and see how it feels and go from there.

I'm on a mission to clean up my eating squeaky clean for a minute to see if I can get back to feeling myself.  Trip to Whole Foods today for all the interesting things.  This is assuming I can drive.  I wish I had a neck brace.  I was hoping overnight did it some good, but I think today will be worse before it starts to relax again.

Hopefully, the tulips are worth it ;)

That's all from here.  I need to support my head with my hand again.  I feel very old today lol.  Later gators.