kbois

Good luck Chris! Hope all goes well.

While I don't mind being summoned for jury duty, it's always a relief when you call the night before you're supposed to report and hear that if your number is between 269 and 400.... you are excused. I'm #344. Feel sorry for #268 though.

I try not to focus too much on the politics of the world. You're right.... it is tiring. History teaches us lessons, but do we really learn from them? I'm not too hopeful for the world my kids (and any future grandkids) will have to live in.

It depends. Parents tend to make a big deal over birthdays when their kids are young. Some adults go all out for their birthday, others don't. I think most people tend to celebrate less as they get older unless it's a milestone like 50. Most people I know will acknowledge a birthday in some way... text, social media post or even..*gasp*.. a phone call!

Thanks rick!

Happy birthday @Wayne Gray!! Another year older.... another year wiser??🤔 Enjoy your day!

I started Noom in April and 40 of those 50 lbs are the result. It has been a great catalyst and absolutely instrumental in the changes I've made. The program targets not only what food and how much you should be eating, but it addresses the 'why' of bad eating habits and how to change them. It focuses on the psychological reasons for being overweight and gives great tools for changing behavior and coping mechanisms for setbacks and challenges. Like I said before, I still have a looooonnnnggggg way to go, but at the very beginning Noom said to set a goal and a reward for that goal. So 60lbs from now I'll be posting a picture of the tattoo I'm getting. I've never gotten one because I wanted it to mean something. My vision will be a daily reminder to never go back to old habits. Fingers crossed, it should be doable by next spring.

Thanks! I've done the weight loss drug route (phentermine) which only worked short term. (The O's....... well that's another story. My kids cut their MLB teeth at Camden Yards. But hey... somebody's gotta come in last, right? 🤭) I stopped thinking of this as 'dieting'. I've changed my habits. Permanently. Thanks Reader!

So.......... I hit a milestone today. As you know, I started this little journey towards improving my health March 1st. This morning I hit the 50lb loss (22.6kg) mark. I have never reached that number in all of the numerous attempts over the years. I usually gave up around the 25lb point. Last week my trainer asked me what was different this time. I didn't really have an answer, other than "I don't know, something just clicked." I've thought about it since then and honestly I think it's because this time I'm doing this for myself. I'm being completely selfish and putting myself first. When money was more of an issue, I was used to not eating the healthier food so that my husband and son could have that apple, or those carrots or the last banana. Now, I plan meals around what's best for me and they still get the benefit of healthier food. The journey is far from over. It's not easy.... probably the hardest thing I've ever tackled. I still have a ways to go. At least now I know that I can do it..... and I will do it. Everyday is a new challenge. I still have a lot of self-perceptions and body dysmorphia issues to deal with. But I will..... day by day. It's hard to change your inner thoughts to match outer changes. But for today, I'm happy with myself and proud of what I've done so far. (Not even the fact that they can't get the new A/C unit installed until next Tuesday can bring me down!)🙂 I hope everyone has a good day!

Just in case someone needs a hug today......

I bought a pair when I got my chopper thing. Then discovered the chopper came with a pair...🙄😒 Hi molly! Good to hear from you and I'm happy your work drama seems to be resolved. I still have a few issues here, but luckily nothing too major or stressful, more annoying than anything. Still dealing with barely working AC at home. Supposedly someone will be calling me to "update" the situation. I see another phone call in my immediate future. My patience is hanging by an itty-bitty-teeny-tiny little thread. *sigh*

You know how to strike a chord with every poem. You write the truth as you see it and it is a beautiful expression of emotion. Thanks tim.

Our electric is on 'budget billing'. They average 12 months and we normally pay around $250/mo. No gas bill to deal with. But rent is astronomical... $2060 including pet fee. We also have to pay water/sewer and trash which hovers around $100. We don't have cable, just internet and a few streaming channels, so about $150 total for all of it. Adulting kinda sucks sometimes 😏

Well this week has been a total mixed bag of tricks. I think I mentioned that the big pow wow went better than anticipated. The residents are getting a $48/month increase. Could've been a lot worse. The owner had to leave early for some sort of emergency. The national manager stuck around until Thursday. Whenever he's here I end up with a to-do list that makes Santa's naughty/nice lists look like a short grocery list. But...... I got my retractable awnings for the clubhouse approved. They get installed next week. Hopefully my fishing dock will get the go ahead too. (Complete with turtle basking platform) Despite all the extra work, I still enjoy my job. The owner said he was very pleased with how I've done so far. My manager is having surgery in Nov so he's doing year end evaluations early. Starting this current pay period I'm getting a $2/hr raise. He also sent me a $200 gift card for this ah-mazing smokehouse/BBQ place in downtown Sarasota. It's nice to be rewarded for doing a job well. Our AC got fixed today. However it's going to have the same problem. The unit is 24 years old and is low on freon. Yes....the freon that is no longer made, can't get anymore and has made the unit obsolete. I really hope the management company authorizes a new one. I'm dreading our electric bill. This week was brutal. Even with a window unit and portable one the house stayed around 80. I hope everyone has a good weekend. Do something fun.

Yup....our heat index is upper 90s.

Still no A/C. The earliest available time they have is Friday. Had to go get a small window unit for the bedroom. Hopefully they will at least partially reimburse us for it. I sent a request with the receipt. Date night will definitely be anywhere but at home tonight. Maybe dinner out then sunset on the beach..... at least there's always a breeze. Hope everyone else has a good day!

I made it through the day, not unscathed, but at least in one piece and not in need of being bailed out of jail. The most stressful thing on the agenda was the one thing that actually went smoothly. The meeting between the owner and the residents was drama free. The rest of the day..... one thing after another. The saying goes "What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger." Well today I was freaking Hercules. Geesh. Glad it's over. Still going to be a busy week, but hopefully won't be too stressful. Hope everyone has a good week.

People watching can be so much fun! It sounds like you had a wonderful day. I'm happy for you 🙂 Thanks for sharing your perspective. (And I agree.. pajamas are not 'casual wear.' Leave 'em home!) Grocery shopping in high heels... made me snort/laugh. Always cracks me up when I see it in person.

I really do love it when Will chains his inner Brad/Stef/JP with just a tad JJ diva thrown in for good measure. I agree with @rjo. I see Johnny becoming a good friend of Will's, but that 'he's the One' spark just isn't there. Will is still young, he's got a while. Looking forward to the smack down between Patrick and Johnny, should be fun to see JP and Stef's reaction.

Today has been a self care day. Breakfast, then pedicures with my friend. I now have glittery purple toenails. Always makes me feel good when at least the toes look cute...lol. Got home and AC was acting up again. Hubby vacuumed out the water from the pipe thingy. It seems to have worked, but it's still 82 in here 🥵. Got in a pretty decent 45 minutes on the elliptical at the gym. Cool shower and threw on some leggings and a t-shirt, poured out some peanut butter and blackberry whiskey... (it's like liquid peanut butter and jelly) and it's time to relax. Tomorrow is going to be stressful. The owner and national manager are here for the annual courtesy meeting with the HOA where they give all the reasons why the rent is going up. The HOA president is a lawyer and wants to run things like a Fortune 500 company. He's already sent over a letter outlining all the "legal" reasons for not raising the rent. It's still going to happen. Our park is nearly $200 below market. Personally I'm hoping some of the rent increase goes towards 'rising employee costs' and I get a decent raise. 🤔🤣 Anyway... enjoy your evening!

So leaving the gym tonight as I was going to the door, the guy that was a few steps behind me all of a sudden starts running so he can pass me. I'm thinking 'what the heck?' He was suddenly in a rush to get to the door. Yeah.... he was in a hurry so he could get in front of me to hold the door open for me! Common courtesy is still alive and kicking. It's been a stressful week and that made me smile and put me in a much better frame of mind. It's amazing what a little kindness can do. Now it's time to walk the mutts and chill for the rest of the night. Have a good night everyone!

I do that and it works fine. I also use the zip lock bag trick to shred chicken after it's done in the crockpot. Let it cool off, throw 3 or 4 pieces in the bag and use your hands to shred it through the bag. So much easier, less messy and quicker than shredding with a fork. This week has been difficult. Next week I already know will be stressful as the owner of the property will be here. He's a force of nature equivalent to a cat 5 hurricane. Nice guy..... just a lot to deal with. I'll also be dealing with pissed off residents batching because their lot rent is going up. Not looking forward to it. Hopefully you all have a good day.

Take care rick, hope you're over this soon!

This was a day I don't want to ever experience again. Glad it's almost over.

I needed that laugh!