Day 16 - on the downhill side

We have reached the mid-point of my Whole30 and still we have mostly smooth sailing.  I am not strictly in sync with the timeline but I did experience the bloat at about the time predicted and it was very unpleasant.  It only lasted a couple of days and that's been the worst of the symptoms.  When I sleep it is deeply, but these past few nights again I've had problems falling asleep.  I go to bed when I am yawning, read for a bit and when I stop and roll over I can't fall asleep.  I tossed and turned and finally got up and read in the living room until about 1 am last night.  I was groggy this morning but I will resist a nap this afternoon so hopefully I won't have such a hard time tonight.

I have been experimenting with some new dinner recipes but also I find that my regular go to things, for example Shrimp Fra Diavolo or pot roast, are very easy to adapt.  The things I miss most are bread and cheese.  Oh I can smell bread in my sleep.  But mostly I'm satisfied.  I have however started thinking about what my first non-W30 meal will be.

Ben took a day off yesterday and rented a log splitter and we dug into the stack of rounds that our neighbors gave us when their tree blew down this spring.  He split and I moved and stacked.  We moved the wood pile and now it's up a little incline, which is brutal when stacking but won't be a problem when it's done.  We got all of the new wood stacked and about half of the old pile when we threw in the towel.  I will get stacking again tomorrow.  Today I have a few things to do, like go to the dentist this afternoon and have her look at a crown that shed a bit of its side on the weekend! Like a piece shale - a slab of it fell off!  I am not happy about this.  Do you know how horrible it is to have a crown removed?  They have to crack it with a hammer!  They have to break it out of your mouth.  Not good.  But we shall see what Dr. Fukuda has to day about it.  I would be thrilled if it could be repaired.

Our trip to Las Vegas and Utah is all set and yesterday I did the AirBnb reservations for Reykjavik and  Paris in November.  Now all I have to do is wait.  And dream about cheese.

Day 6 on Whole30

Well this Whole30 thing has started out very smoothly.  It's not difficult for me because I'm used to cooking and I don't have to prep breakfasts and lunches to take to work.  Also since weight loss is not the primary goal, but a happy by product, there is no measuring or weighing which I appreciate the most.  I haven't had any crazy cravings, I'm sleeping okay but it has been difficult to fall asleep.  Perhaps that is because I've been on steroids for my sinus/ears problem.  That's finished so we'll see how I do tonight.  Would I like to have a martini or a few glasses of wine?  Sure.  But it's not making me crazy.  And sweets aren't really an issue with me and there's always plenty of fruit, especially in summer.  So bottom line - I'm doing okay and feel pretty good, considering.

Considering that I had to go to the urgent care AGAIN last week because my sinuses and ears were STILL congested.  The fact that my  primary care physician is too busy to see me still irks me no end, but whatever.  The doctor at urgent care gave me a course of Prednisone which he said should clear up the inflammation in my sinuses and then my ears should be okay.  However, not the case.  It is wonderful that I can now smell and taste things, but my ears are still plugged and that is making me NUTS.  So I asked for a referral to an ENT doctor, and we'll see how long that takes her to come up with.  I want it taken care of before we fly out in September.

The Seahawks had their first preseason game last night against the Chargers and beat them 48 to 17.  It was a lovely things to behold.

The summer cold that will not end

July 15 I woke up with a sore throat.  During the day I developed a cough.  It was Pierce's 16th birthday and I wanted to go.  Ben was gone to Utah for business and I was bored and lonely.  But I felt awful so I stayed home.  I wanted to be ready for Kate and I to go to Port Townsend on Wednesday.  I was quite froggy but didn't feel that bad Wednesday so off we went for a couple of fun girlie days - lots of shopping and eating and drinking of champagne.  We weren't able to go see John because his nephew decided to come visit on our days.  No matter, we had a blast!

I was tired on the weekend but by Monday I was sick, bad cough and head cold symptoms.  I was sick all week so on the Saturday after two solid weeks, and unable to see my doctor, I went to the urgent care where the diagnosed me with acute bronchitis and send me home with some antibiotics and nose spray for the congestion.  The antibiotics kind of knocked the edge off it, but my sinuses are still plugged, my ears are plugged and therefore I can't smell or taste anything.  Not good.  I got ahold of my doctor who suggested I take Sudafed for 3 or 4 days and see if that takes care of the congestion.  Today is the third day, and oh by the way the beginning of WEEK 4 of this whatever-it-is, and no change in the ears and I'm still coughing.  *sigh*  Tomorrow is my birthday and we're going out to a VERY nice restaurant with an excellent wine list and will I be able to taste anything????  I'm really getting concerned.  I will contact my doctor today at the end of the day if my ears are still plugged, which I am sure they will be, and see what else she can suggest. I think I should have another courser of antibiotics, but what do I know?

I finally made our airplane reservations for our November trip to France.  Our friends are renting a Gite in Amboise so we're going to do our trip a week earlier than originally planned, stop over in Iceland for two days, then go to Amboise for a week, and end in Paris for a week.  It will be great.  And before that, next month, we're going to Las Vegas for two days, then 3 days with Ben's cousins in Utah, just across the Grand Canyon on the  north side.  They've been after us for ages to come and visit so I'm really looking forward to it.

In the meantime, I have been toying with doing the Whole30 because I've been having some digestive issues.  This program is a 30 day period when you cut out all sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, dairy, and MSG, sulfites and carrageenan.  Potatoes are okay and all meat, veggies and fruits.  I am going to miss bread and cheese and wine.  But I can do anything for 30 days and it just happens that the day after my birthday to the day the NFL begins is 30 days.  Is that perfect or what?  Then you add things in gradually.  I think Vodka will be first, then cheese.  We'll see which I miss more after 30 days.  And it happens that a lot of my favorite recipes can easily be made compliant by, for example, leaving out the 1/2 cup of wine in the chicken cacciatore recipe, or using organic canned tomatoes in the shrimp fra diavolo.  I have a vegetable spiralizer, so zoodles will take the place of angel hair pasta.  Well it sounds easy enough.  I'll make my own mayo and salad dressing.  Let's see how I feel about it in a week shall we?

Today after I finish up with my reservations for the September trip I'm going to take out the peas, carrots and nasturtiums from my little raised bed and get it ready for the autumn crop of cabbage, spinach and collards.  It has been crazy hot here and hasn't rained for more than a month.  I've been watering like crazy every day.  But that bed is finished anyway and needs to be prepared.  It's not quite so hot today and despite being all congested I don't feel too bad.  I'll get out there before it gets too hot.

The sun plays peek a boo

We are in for a huge long string of sunny, warm days but this morning we have clouds.  It was like that all weekend, cloudy in the morning and then sunshine in the afternoon.  That makes it hard to get up and get going but since Tink is always anxious to get to the park, at least I have that nagging at me.  I skipped the gym this morning .... these clouds have given me a little dose of the blues.  No big deal.  They'll be gone with the clouds.

My little garden is really going great guns.  The peas are tall snd have again outgrown the trellis addition, but it doesn't seem like it's going to be impact them much.  They are blossoming and soon we will have pods. The lettuce isn't growing as quickly as I had hoped and the nasturtiums are going crazy!  They are just gorgeous and next year I think I'll put them in planters on the porch rail.  That would look great.  In another week or so I'll pull up another carrot and see how they are doing.  Oh, and the bulbs have shot up - the gladiolas are all up and the calla lilies are up and one has bloomed.  So so pretty!

I saw a full grown bear last week.  Full grown, so I think it could be the cub that came up last year.  It did almost the exact same route, up from the ravine, over the deck, but then it went down the driveway and started up the middle of the street.  It is just so strange to see a wild animal like that, so close.

I was helping Ben's sister Susan with a baby blanket, but she just could't get the hang of the pattern, so I suggested crochet.  She wanted me to knit the blanket but I said no.  Supposedly she's good at crocheting so she came over and I helped he get started but it was so painful to watch that I just said I'll do it.  Now here I am with a crochet project!  I've gotten through one skein and half of another.  It does go considerably faster than knitting but still .....  I don't like being obliged to make things because its takes the fun out of it.  I do owe her big time so it's okay.

Ben has lots of travel the summer and during one of his trips this month I'm going up to visit Sundsten with Kate and Andy.  It will be good to see him again.  Tink will not be coming with us this time.  She can't leave that cat alone.

The stressful month

June is the month when I book all of my annual exam appointments, which this year included the dreaded colonoscopy.  The only thing left now is the wellness exam tomorrow morning and then I'm done for another year.  I do get super stressed though  and I can't seem to talk myself out of it.  Plus I had to miss the gym so I didn't have that stress relief.

I started a new knitting project.  I just couldn't get into that stash busting Marled Magic thing.  So now I'm working on a fancy Artyarns project from my Luxe box.  The yarn is gorgeous, of course, but the pattern is so very poorly written.  It's annoying but the finished project will be lovely.

I had a fun time in LA a couple weekends ago.  The weather was lovely and I got to spend alone timer with Ali.  Omar, whose birthday it was, had to work in Mexico and so couldn't celebrate his birthday with us.  We did it up good though with some excellent meals.

My garden is going well and yesterday I planted the lettuce starts.  The peas have outgrown their trellis and I don't know what I'm going to do about that.  I pulled up a carrot to see how they were doing and it was just a root.  So a few more weeks to go there. And there are buds on the nasturtiums.  

I still haven't nailed down the Thanksgiving trip.  I'm just not sure what to do.  I"ll give it another couple of weeks.

Where does the time go??

I can't believe the it's been since April 25 that I've written in my blog.  The deal is though, I don't sit down to my computer every day.  And not even every week.  There's just no reason to.  I play on my iPad so I guess I could post from there but honestly I don't think of it.  I do post regularly on Facebook.  That seems to have taken the place of my blog, except there are a few things I can't post about on Facebook.  I actually consider this pretty good therapy so I think I'll try to post a bit more.

So what's been going on all month?  Well I got over the cold finally, and went back to the gym and did treadmill intervals for a week.   I started back up with the Body Pump, one class, before we went to New Orleans, then I've done two classes so far this week.  I am sore all over but it was glorious to get in there.  And my wrist is absolutely 100% fine.  No soreness.  No twinges.

New Orleans was a huge party from start to finish.  Every night we were out listening to music and drinking and eating.  I even ate oysters, albeit grilled.  They are huge there.  But after a while one gets sick and tired of the food and I had to search out salads and even an Asian restaurant so I could get some fresh, not fried, food.  It was hot and humid but such a nice change from here.  And now it seems that our weather has finally turned around and it is like spring.  My garden is growing and I've got flowers for all of the pots.  It's just that it has been a bit overcast and it did sprinkle yesterday, but it's supposed to clear up this afternoon and be nice for the entire weekend.

I've been knitting off and on, doing another Westknits project called Marled Magic.  I am having doubts about it but it keeps my fingers busy when I need to knit.  I never was much for the stash busting projects.  They always sound good at the start but end up looking messy to my eye.

No more big vacations until the trip to Paris in November.  I've got a long weekend coming up June 8 in LA and we're going to some sort of reunion deal in October with Ben's friends.  I'm happy to putter around here as long as the weather is decent.  Going to the gym three times a week gives my week structure and still I'm never bored, although I got close a few times during those 12 weeks with my wrist.  I'm going to get some seeds for mixed greens and get some lettuce starts going that can plant in front of the peas.  I set up a trellis for them this weekend and they're already climbing.  The carrots are coming up just fine too.  And I saw the tip top of one of those 40 gladioli already.  It's going to beautiful when they all bloom.

So now I'm going to get this table cleaned off - lots of junk to recycle after finally going through my mail.  I paid bills and renewed my car tabs and insurance, made appoints for my annual exams and that leaves stacks of junk.  I'll talk to you sooner.

It caught up with me

Well I finally caught that nasty cold that everyone has been carrying around all winter and spring.  It started with a sore throat last Wednesday and this weekend it morphed into the cough stage.  On Friday we had a rare day of sunshine and I was determined to get out into the garden.  I did quite well considering how I felt.  I got some seeds planted in the raised bed and some bulbs planted.  Planting bulbs, or anything for that matter, is a big chore because of the weed repellant sheeting that must be dug up and cut.  I have 40 gladiola bulbs that must be planted five inches deep.  I couldn't face it Friday and gave it some thought.  I ended up in bed for the most part of the weekend, I was that sick, plus it was raining outside.  I have decided that I will cut out 4 1/2 foot arcs in the bed, cut up the sheeting and then dig a trench and drop those bulbs in.  It's almost nice enough to do it today but I still don't feel so great.  I've got time.  Another couple of weeks anyway before they need to be in.

So yes, spring is still hanging back.  We've had a new record for rainfall here in the Seattle area and everyone is crazy for some sunshine.  We do get little sun breaks but it's just almost torture.  It seems like so long ago that we were in Hawaii.

I get to go back to the gym next week.  So that's something fun to look forward to.  I'm feeling pretty strong in my left arm and it's going to be tough not to over do it.  I suppose one good twinge will keep me under control.  I won't know until I get going how it's going to be - duh.

My Metalouse is nearly complete.  I'm just doing that last few rows of the garter edging and then cast off.  Maybe I'll finish it up today.  And then what?  I have so many project in the wings.  I think I should block a few things too.  I'd like to get a good spring cardigan/shrug pattern.  That's something I can do this afternoon - look for a good pattern.  I've got plenty of yarn.

One reservation down

Well the long weekend in Port Townsend was quite fun.  Good music Friday and Saturday nights and an excellent dinner Sunday night  The weather was a challenge though.  The wind was SO strong that it nearly blew me over in the street.  At one point I was clinging to a building to avoid being blown over.  Poor Tink did not like it at all either.   Luckily it didn't last too long.  But we never had much sun -- a little bit on Monday.

Yesterday wasn't bad but it's back to rain today.  I believe we're going to get some sunshine this weekend and I am definitely going to get those lilacs into the ground.

I had my last appointment with the therapist yesterday and I was not so happy.  I didn't feel like I had made any progress from the last visit and I was right.  I guess it's normal to stall out at some point but it's very frustrating.  I didn't have my clay with me to exercise over the weekend and I had left my cast at home so I wasn't sleeping with it and boy, did that hurt.  So back to sleeping with it for the next couple of weeks and then I can start back at the gym.  Slowly slowly.  Well at least I can knit.

I got my reservations for a long weekend in LA in June for Omar's birthday.  Just three nights but I am looking forward to it.  I have to plan the two weeks in Europe over Thanksgiving but I can't get anything nailed down for this spring or summer.  Hopefully this weekend we can figure out what we're going to do.  I need to plan!

Where is my happy?

Oh I am SO over this weather!  The lack of sunshine is just really getting to me.  I know it's partly because I can't get any endorphins --  but that doesn't make it any easier to take.  It makes me very bad company.  At least the rain stayed away enough on Saturday to get the roses and hydrangea trees pruned and a couple of the planters cleaned out and Ben moved the raised bed down so I'll have at least one little place to plant some vegetables.  Alas the lilacs are still in their pots waiting to be planted.  I am pretty sure where I want to put them but I need to make sure before I dig the holes.  We're going to Port Townsend Friday for a long weekend so maybe Monday we'll get time to put them in the ground.

Knitting soothes the soul a bit.  I worked on the Metalouse yesterday.  I have 12 more rows of the slip stitch pattern.  I sure love knitting with gorgeous yarn.  I don't even care what I make.  I just like the good stuff.  This one is angora and the Noro Shiraito, which is a cashmere blend.  There halo is awesome.  I just wish I had gotten the color of Noro I wanted but I got it from Little Knits and they had run out of the color I originally chose so this one has a bit more brown than I like.

Well ... still looking for my happy.  I think I need to get some vacations nailed down.  Pronto

Right on schedule

I went to see the physical therapist yesterday and I am happy to say I am right on schedule.  I have stopped wearing the cast to bed --  it was just too uncomfortable and I don't need it.  I have graduated to strength training for the hand.  It will be another month until I can list any more than 10 pounds - the bone needs to be completely healed.  Otherwise I am pain free and I can do most anything.  Hooray.

I have been on my own all week and the weather has been just awful.  We have gotten soaked on our morning walks routinely.  I am keen to get out and plant my three new lilacs and prune the roses and other things, but it's just icky and wet and it's going to have to wait for a little sunshine.

Today I am going to do my taxes.  I've got everything in front of me and so away we go.

Working through the chores

It seems that having all the time in the world does not keep one from being a procrastinator.  Yesterday I finally went to have my car serviced - a few months late.  No real reason other than I kept putting it off.  And now I keep doing the same thing with my taxes.  I think because I know it's going to be different this year and I may have to pay, haven finally gotten the divorce settlement and put the money to work.  So .... that needs to be on my list for next week.  Ben will be out of town and I'll just need to dig in and get it done.

But now I am tasked with getting a couple of trips to Europe together.  I already have planned for us to go for two weeks at Thanksgiving but I put the bug in Ben's ear about canal trips in France and he is now quite keen to do it.  Now now now.  Well you know how I feel about traveling to Europe in high season.  Not my favorite thing to do.  I'll do some digging around and see what I can come up with.  It'll have to be quick though.

Knitting seems to be helping with my broken wrist therapy.  I did it until it hurt yesterday and it's on the agenda for today.  I can't wait to be back to 100%.

Spring finally

Not that you can really tell it by the weather.  It is Seattle spring.  Wet and cloudy, but the gardens are coming alive.  I walked around the yard yesterday and see that indeed the roses need pruning and the first sunny day I'm going to take care of that.  I don't see signs of new growth on the hydrangea trees yet, but I will look closer.  I'd like to take care of pruning those as well when I do the roses.  I also found a mangled opossum in that bed.  It looked squished but then I didn't get right up to it.  I don't know what kind of animal would kill it and not eat it ... weird.  Ben took care of it, thank goodness.  It would have started a mighty stink.

So what else?  I am still not allowed to go to the gym.  I can't lift anything heavier than 10 pounds and yes, before you voice that though, I could definitely go to the gym and get on the treadmill or bike but that's not what I want to do.  I can just take a walk in that case.  I want to take my class.  I am doing very well, if I do say so myself, with the exercising of my hand and wrist.  I see improvement every day with strength and flexibility.  Maybe I can get them to let me start up little earlier.  They said mid-April.  I see the PT next week so maybe first of April?

Knitting is coming along fine.  It is sure nice to get back to it.  I'd like to do something other than a shawl next.  Although I did get some lovely yarn from my Luxe Yarnbox .... an Artyarns kit for - of course - another shawl.  Ah well.

I made plans for a long weekend in Port Townsend in early April but I've not started on the New Orleans trip.  I am actually a bit blue these days.  I guess after all of that glorious sunshine and warm weather it's really a bummer to be here in the clouds and rain.  I need to shake it off though.  Ben's going to be gone all next week and I can't be just pouting around the house by myself for a whole week.  That's no good.

Free at last

Monday I saw the doctor, had more X-rays, and was very happy to see that the bone has healed.  Six weeks it took.  Now I can keep the cast off all during the day except when I'm out hiking around or in crowds.  The swelling is still there but I can see my wrist bone now.  That's progress.  In therapy I was given another set of passive exercises, which are painful but tolerable.  Plus which I can knit now and boy have I been taking advantage of that!  I am knitting away on my Metalouse and have just started the slipped stitches part.

Hawaii was just what the doctor ordered.  It was gorgeous and warm and sunny.  And there were so many people from Seattle in Kona.  In every restaurant and bar we heard mention of Seattle. It seems everyone wanted to escape this winter.  Now we're back and it's tolerable but only because the temperatures have risen and it's no longer below freezing.  The rain is still with us but I am seeing signs of spring all over the place and hearing the frogs.  Soon it will be time to prune the roses.  I am rather disappointed that I won't be able to have my Potager garden this year, but we'll have all summer to build it rather than having to rush.  That's nice.

I have lots of errands and it's pouring rain.  Not a good day to be driving around but it can't be helped.  Tink needs food and I've got to go to the recycle. Better get started.

one month out

It is four weeks since I broke my wrist and I had my second visit with PT yesterday.  I am progressing nicely.  The swelling will be with me for a while, but the pain is pretty much gone except when I am exercising the wrist.  I have to keep the splint full time for two more weeks at least, but now I am to take my shower without the splint and also do a series of stretching and bending motions with the fingers and hand, bending the wrist back and around.  It is uncomfortable but it must be done.  I tried knitting and it does not hurt per se, but the placement of my thumb against the hard splint is sufficiently uncomfortable to make it no fun.

The snow has been a big bother.  We had another bout Monday, but it is hone now.  Oh I am so looking forward to Hawaii.  We  leave Saturday for a week in Kona.  It has been a while an we are both very excited.

Typing with one hand is no fun.

Broken wrist

Well the title says is all  I broke my wrist 01/30 and i still have the ER splint on it because the Ortho doc could not make it to clinic last Monday.  I go in today and will get a real cast that will hopefully be much lighter and smaller.  The list of things I cannot do include wearing any pant besides a yoga pant and putting on a bra.  Hawaii is set for March 4 so that is kind of a drag.  Ah well there are much worse things like not being able to knit.  Stay tuned.  Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day

Hidden benefits

Have I mentioned how much I love retirement?  Oh I do.  I really really do.  I have noticed that people are much nicer now that I don't have to deal with them during rush hour or on a crowded bus or at the grocery store when everyone else is shopping.  In the world where there are no places to run to, things are just better and people are happier.

So I wanted to pick up that wood on Thursday but Wednesday night Ben jumped the truck but it wouldn't take a charge.  The battery was dead.  On the way to the dentist Thursday I talked to the wood guy and told him the truck was dead so I couldn't pick up the wood.  Even though he had said the previous Saturday that they would NOT deliver the wood, for some reason he said "Oh, well I'll just deliver it then for an extra $25".  Done!  How awesome!  The guy delivered it and after I had a little lunch I set out to stack it.  How's that for feeling better?  I stacked that entire cord of wood all by  myself and I wasn't even sore the next day.  Very proud of myself.

Saturday was Seahawks Saturday and they beat the Lions, so this Saturday they will be playing Atlanta in Atlanta.  We beat them before, but here in Seattle.  Most of our players are well so with a little luck we should win.

My latest "thing" is a potager garden.  I have been buying books and I think I've got the place for it.  I need to measure the part of the lawn that I want to use for the garden and see if it'll work.  It really is the only place that gets enough sun during growing season.  Because of the rabbits and deer it will have to be enclosed.  It will take a good bit of work, but Ben is up for it.  Still there is much planning to do.

Speaking of planning, one of my chores for today is planning a vacation in Hawaii for March.  I am very much up for that.

A second wave

Can you believe it?!  Just when I was starting to feel better, I got worse!  WAY worse.  Friday I had to get out of bed because the house cleaner was coming, and I had a couple of things I had to do, so thankfully she switched up to the morning.  I got her to do the master suite first and did my couple of errands and collapsed into bed and I was miserable for the entire weekend.  I think I used an entire box of Kleenex myself.  Holy cow.  I am still sniffling but I feel 100% better than I did over the weekend.  Poor Ben.  Not to say he was feeling much better than I was.  We've had a miserable holiday season.  Thankfully there was tons of good football.  The Huskies faced the number 1 team and gave them a good game.  They lost but it was a good fight.  The Seahawks won and they will play the Lions Saturday for the first playoff game.  Football is winding down.  Not good.

Because I'm still congested there is no going to the gym.  I've kept busy.  I found that Tink doesn't care how cold it is - she still wants her park walks.  And is it ever cold!  Below freezing and sunny.  Beautiful.  I found a place to buy a cord of wood but I need to pick it up.  I'll have to do it in two trips because the bed of the truck will only hold half a cord.  I am going to pick up the first load tomorrow after my dentist appointment.  I thought it would be a good idea to get the truck warmed up today and put a towel on the windshield so I could drive it tomorrow.  Unfortunately it won't start so Ben will have to jump it tonight when he gets home.

I need a new knitting project.  I have some WIPs.  Perhaps I should go through them and see if they're worth picking back up.

Mostly what I want to do it plan a vacation.  I know that Emma is wanting to have her 40th birthday in Las Vegas so I need to find out if she has nailed down those plans yet so I can piggy-back on that.  Maybe we can go to Las Vegas for a couple of days and then go to visit Ben's cousin and his wife in their new retirement home in Utah.  They've been bugging us to come visit.  I'd rather plan an exotic vacation though.  A cruise to Cuba?