Five things that made me happy today – 11/30/22

The very least you can do is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance, but live right in it, under its roof. 

Barbara Kingsolver

1. It poured down rain all night long, but at dawn, it was just mostly cloudy. Drizzle and sleet off and on all afternoon, with a high temperature of 41 deg. It’s not supposed to freeze tonight – fingers crossed.

2. I got all of my blogs written this morning – Five Things (in draft), Intentions Review, Advent Word, and 30 Days of Gratitude. I’m finished with 30 Days until next year, and the Intentions are just monthly. WHEW.

3. I had a visit with my new nephrologist this morning. He said I’m doing fine, and we just need to monitor.

4. I fixed Bear Creek Cheddar Potato Soup for lunch today.

5. Big Al and I both got our hair cut this afternoon. It was time. I was pretty shaggy.

How about you? What made you happy today?

Intentions Review for 2022

My Star Word for this year is Solitude. I’m taking it as an affirmation that my introverted tendencies are just fine.

“We are human beings, not human doings:”. I set these intentions for who I want to BE not what I want to DO. As with last year I will hold these intentions loosely, and may add new ones or subtract some of these as the spirit moves me.

NOTE: *indicates intention added in June

1. Traveler
   1. Train Trip to Upstate New York – postponed until at least Spring 2023
   2. Northern Washington with Bill
      1. Because of the weather and traffic, we opted to visit Port Townsend instead of Leavenworth. We got pictures of the sound, the mountains, the shore, etc.
      2. Cost – lunch for two
   3. Whale Watching with Al, Bill and Erika
      1. August 11-13
      2. Cost – I paid for the boat tickets, Bill paid for a larger car, and we each paid for our own food and lodging
   4. BONUS – Portland for Thanksgiving
      • November 23-25
      • Cost – two nights in the Marriott – no cost for food because #2 son picked up the tab
2. Content
   1. Habits to keep
      1. Exercise 1 hour a day 5-6 days a week (see 3-C)
      2. Eat healthy food (see 3-C)
      3. Stick to regular schedule of noon meals – mostly good, but not obsessively so
         1. Sunday – eat out
         2. Monday and Friday – meat, starch, fresh vegetable
         3. Tuesday – feed yourself (sandwich, salad, pre-frozen pasta)
         4. Wednesday – soup of the week, or salad
         5. Thursday – pickup Fast Food
         6. Saturday – finish off leftovers or charcuterie plate during Football season
   2. Habits to change
      1. Focus on how I feel when I’m exercising and eating right and try to ignore the numbers – Check
      2. Really listen to Al instead of thinking I know what he’s going to say – It’s a work in progress
3. Healthy
   1. Both cataracts are done. New glasses are in place and I see fine
   2. I’m double vaccinated and triple boosted against COVID, and so are all my family. I had my flu vaccine today.
   3. *My new Primary Care Physician gave me a new prescription for healthy living
      1. 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily – generally okay
      2. 1 hour or more of physical activity daily – usually
      3. 2 1/2 hrs of aerobic activity a week – check
      4. 2 days of strength building activity a week – I have a regularly scheduled meeting with my personal trainer – two days a week for balance and strength.
      5. 0 soda & sugary drinks – more water – check
   4. *Lose 2 lbs a month before my 80th birthday (will complete the goal I set in 2014).
      1. June 2022 – minus 3 lbs – minus 3 lbs total
      2. July 2022 – minus .8 lbs – minus 3.8 lbs total – I was definitely on track before Al had to go into the hospital (had lost 1.8 lbs). Then, the combination of no time to cook, and having Bill here put me off
      3. August 2022 – plus .8 lbs – minus 3.2 lbs total – The combination of my Birthday trip and hot weather that chased me inside set me back
      4. September 2022 – minus 1.4 lbs – minus 4.6 lbs total. Back to slow, but steady.
      5. October 2022 – minus 1.2 lbs- minus 5.8 lbs total.
      6. November 2022 – plus .8 lbs – minus 5 lbs total – Thanksgiving did a number on my numbers
      7. December 2022 – minus a total of 7.2 lbs total for the year.
   5. I had a heart attack on December 21
      • Two days in the hospital
      • Blockage in the Left Anterior Descending Artery (95%)
      • Blockage cleared, and stent inserted in artery during a Heart Catherization
      • Home on December 23
4. Learner
   1. Great Decisions – first Wednesday of every month
      1. Changing Demographics – Interesting, but nothing earthshaking
      2. Outer Space – interesting perspective from others in the class
      3. Climate Change – I led the discussion and everyone seemed to enjoy the conversation
      4. Putin’s Russia – interesting history, but mostly overcome by events and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
      5. Myanmar and Asean – interesting, I guess, but I’m really not interested in that part of the world (I probably ought to be)
      6. Quad Alliance – Very similar to the discussion of Myanmar and Asean
      7. Industrial Policy – Biden’s policy of economic stimulus has lead to increased job growth
      8. Drug Policy in Latin America – nothing earth shattering.
      9. Biden’s Agenda – Interesting discussion.
   2. MasterClass – I didn’t renew my membership. It felt like I wasn’t using it enough to make it worthwhile.
   3. Read at least 24 books this year
      1. Finish the Inspector Lynley series
      2. In the Presence of the Enemy – Elizabeth George – finished
      3. Deception on his Mind – Elizabeth George – finished
      4. In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner – Elizabeth George – finished
      5. The Sacred Bridge – Anne Hilllerman – finished
      6. A Traitor to Memory – Elizabeth George – finished
      7. A Place of Hiding – Elizabeth George – finished
      8. From Rocket Boys to October Sky – Homer Hickam – finished
      9. With No One as Witness – Elizabeth George – finished
      10. Mother Lode – Gretchen Staebler – finished
      11. What Came Before He Shot Her – Elizabeth George – did not finish
      12. Careless in Red – Elizabeth George – finished
      13. No Plan B – Lee Child – read
      14. This Body of Death – Elizabeth George – still reading
5. Writer
   1. 5 Things that Made Me Happy Today – I’m definitely keeping up with this.
   2. Stories from my Life – abandoned
      1. Publish a story at least twice a week
      2. Okay to use and/or expand other things I’ve written
   3. Memoir (longer form) of our 50th Anniversary Trip – I have finished. Wondering how or when to set it loose in the world.
6. Friend – Remember the only person I can change is me.
   1. Accepting Mindset
      1. Try to give other people the benefit of the doubt
      2. Ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions
   2. Introverted actions to take
      1. Send a kind message to distant friends at least once a month – done
      2. Keep up with friends on Facebook – done
      3. Send an email or text message to people who do nice things for me or for other people – done, but not as many as I should.
      4. Keep up with my sisters – weekly on Zoom – done (my lifeline for sanity)

30 Days of Thankfulness – 11/30/22

For the month of November, I’m going to continue with my habit of posting things I am thankful for. Thankfulness is different from happiness, and I don’t want to conflate the two.

Today, I’m thankful for good health for me and for Big Al – and for all the medical professional who take care of us.

Mountain – #AdventWord2022

Five things that made me happy today – 11/29/22

I do not understand the mystery of grace – only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us 

Anne Lamott

1. It was 31 deg this morning and cloudy. We had been threatened with snow, but there was nothing on the grass or ground, even though the roofs next door were white. I no sooner typed those words than snow began falling steadily and sticking. The melting and rain began around noon, with a high this afternoon of 41 deg.

2. In Bible study we were in Isaiah 11:1-10. Various people talked about being vegan. I don’t think that’s what this passage is about. I think the indigenous people understood that living things and land didn’t “belong” to anyone. It was there to be used and appreciated by everyone.

3. I went over to the Bistro for lunch and had a tunafish salad sandwich, and a cream cheese brownie. I also treated myself to a mocha.

4. No HCR today, but I did get a call from Maintenance saying that the new Insta-Hot is here and will be installed tomorrow morning. I’ll be a happy camper since it’s so much easier than heating water in the microwave every time I want a cup of tea.

5. Greisser Girls Gab this afternoon. It’ll be fun to hear about everybody’s Thanksgiving (and I won’t feel bad about eating ALL THE MEAT at FOGO DE CHÃO, even though the folks who shared one sister’s dinner were T-Totally vegan – not just vegetarian – vegan.)

How about you? What made you happy today?

30 Days of Thankfulness – 11/29/22

For the month of November, I’m going to continue with my habit of posting things I am thankful for. Thankfulness is different from happiness, and I don’t want to conflate the two.

Today was Papa’s birthday. He would have been 111 today. He’s been gone for 13 years now, and I still miss him. I’m so thankful he was my father.

Teach – #AdventWord2022

Five things that made me happy today – 11/28/22

Kindness doesn’t cure everything, but it cures unkindness. 

Karen Maezen Miller

1. It was in the upper 30s and cloudy when I got up today. We had some drizzle occasionally throughout the day, and the temperature never got out of the low 40s.

2. The doctor for my appointment on Wednesday finally put in the order for me to get my blood work done, so I spent almost an hour sitting at the lab waiting for my name to be called. That really set me behind for the day.

3. I got home in time to put another load in the washer before I went over to meet my personal trainer. I didn’t get any cardio done, but I may get a chance before Gazebo Group.

4. I fixed chicken, Brussels sprout, and mashed potatoes for lunch.

5. I got the final load out of the wash, folded, and hung up and I’m leaving shortly to go over to the Wellness Center to do my cardio before Gazebo Group, WHEW!!!

How about you? What made you happy today?

Together – #AdventWord2022

30 Days of Thankfulness – 11/28/22

I’m thankful for Bethany Presbyterian Church – Tacoma, and all the people therein. During the pandemic they kept me connected with the world. We now have a choice of church in person or church on line. We do Bible Study weekly, either on Zoom or in person, either in the evening or in the morning. I appreciate the choices available.