Five things that made me happy today – 12/31/22

I find ecstasy in living — the mere sense of living is joy enough. 

Emily Dickinson

1. It was in the mid 40s and cloudy when I got up. The sun was out by late morning, and the temperature was well on its way to the expected high of 48 deg.

2. I got a note from AT&T a couple of days ago about HBO Max being included with my iPhone/iPad/iMax. I’ve been struggling off and on with getting and posting the right password to install it. That’s the one downside to using a fingerprint or face to log into things. It’s a pain to find out what the real password is if you happened to want to install something new. After a long session with #2 son getting it straightened out, I was pleased that it didn’t cause another heart attack for me. I know they are just trying to keep me safe, but I’m not sure what people who are just plain old users do.

3. Finally got my Intentions Review for all of 2022 done. I’m going to have to quit being so obsessive about the formatting.

4. I had another bowl of my Gumbo for lunch today. Really good. Thanks to my #2 son for teaching me how easy (except for all the chopping) it is to make.

5. I don’t know what we’re going to have for dinner tomorrow. Al is talking about another charcuterie board, and I’m thinking about going to Moctezuma’s. I can get plenty of beans and corn stuff there. If all else fails, I’ll open a can of black-eyed peas and make some cornbread to go with them.

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
   • Train Trip to Upstate New York – postponed until at least Spring 2023
   • 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)

7th Day of Christmas – The Gift of Memory

Five things that made me happy today – 12/30/22

It is not the answer that enlightens but the question. 

Eugene Ionesco

1. It was 46 deg with wet streets when I got up. We had sunshine off and on through the morning, but the rain returned around noon, and it looks like it will be here for the duration.

2. I fought the good fight with Express Scripts about one of my new meds. There was no problem, but the communication was lacking. All is well.

3. Al and I spent the rest of the middle of the day watching the Sun Bowl. I was routing for UCLA (just kill me now), and Al was conflicted having grown up just outside Pittsburg. Pitt ended up winning with a field goal as the clock ran out.

4. I fixed pork chops, cinnamon applesauce, boiled Yukon Gold potatoes, and cabbage/apple/onion sauté for lunch. I’m doing my best to behave and eat lots of fruits and veggies.

5. I’m going to settle in and watch another episode of West Wing, I think. Thanks to HLN for running the whole series back to back.

How about you? What made you happy today?

6th Day of Christmas – The Gift of Celebrating

Five things that made me happy today – 12/29/22

Whatever your life brings to you, respond with creation. If you are celebrating, create. If you are grieving, create. Only create. Always create. Constant creative response. This is the engine of resilience. 

Elizabeth Gilbert

1. It was 41 deg with drizzle (what a surprise!) this morning when I got up. The high this afternoon with continuing drizzle off and on was 44 deg.

2. I’m still basking in the glow of the success of Arkansas over Kansas in triple overtime, and the last 6-second win by the Ducks over North Carolina. If I hadn’t already had a heart attack those two games would have given me one.

3. HCR did a wrap-up of misunderstood facts in American History this morning for her History Chat. Nothing earth shattering, but really interesting.

4. We had Whopper’s for lunch today. I met with a cardiologist for a follow-up this afternoon. I still don’t know exactly about my diet, but I’ve been set up with Allenmore Adult Nutrition. He also said I could ask for Cardiac Rehab at Tacoma General instead of trekking over to Puyallup. I also have a follow-up in June with the cardiologist. Otherwise, all is well.

5. After we left the doctor’s appointment I went to Trader Joe’s and picked up my sausages, some oranges/tangerines, and some veggies to be more “heart healthy” with my diet.

How about you? What made you happy today?

5th Day of Christmas – The Gift of Sharing

Five things that made me happy today – 12/28/22

It is our lowliness and our humility, not our strength and our so-called virtues where God does God’s very best work.  

Nadia Bolz-Weber

1. It was 41 deg and windy when I got up. It got up to 46 deg before sundown. We even had a few patches of blue sky this morning. The wind from yesterday seems not to have had any effect on our lives.

2. I decided I really wanted Gumbo for lunch, and I know that once I get it made, I’ll have enough for lots of lunches. And it’s loaded with veggies.

3. I thawed out some chicken that I had in the freezer, and poached it right after breakfast. I started the roue, and got an okay from my son when I thought it was dark enough. While the roue toasted, I chopped the celery, peppers, onion, and garlic. By that time, the chicken was cool enough to shred, and I sliced the Kielbasa.

4. I was pretty tired from standing and chopping, so I sat down and watched a little TV. Then I put everything together, corrected the seasoning with Tony Chacheries, boiled a little rice, and had lunch. It was really good.

5. Now I’m headed for the two football games I’ve be waiting for all day. Kansas plays Arkansas, in the Liberty Bowl, followed by Oregon v North Carolina in the Holiday Bowl. Busy Day…

How about you? What made you happy today?

4th Day of Christmas – The Gift of God’s Presence

Five things that made me happy today – 12/27/22

When life feels too big to handle, go outside. Everything looks smaller when you’re standing under the sky. 

L.R. Knost

1. It was back up to 51 deg this morning when I got up to fix my tea, with lots more rain. It’s drizzled and been cloudy all day. There’s supposed to be gale-force winds overnight. The temperature has gradually dropped to 47 deg.

2. I spent some time this morning reading through my mail that had piled up while I was in bed. I think I got everything that I was interested in read and filed.

3. I planned to eat something “healthy” for lunch – I originally thought cabbage/apple/onion sauté with a little pork chop, but then I decided I was out of time, so I fixed a healthy peanut butter and jam sandwich.

4. HCR was interesting today, particularly because she hasn’t been on in a couple of weeks. She’s been ill, but she’s better now.

5. My New York sister wasn’t able to get on the Greisser Girls Gab this afternoon, but my Arkansas sister and I had a good time with each other finding out about each other’s Christmas presents.

How about you? What made you happy today?