... but then what?

Things seems to shift when you reach a ... certain age.  I sometimes think back to my childhood and wonder what was my viewpoint about my mom when she was 58?  I would have been about 36.  She seemed busy, vital, and never changing.  Is that how my kids see me?  It always makes me wonder.



Today is Saturday, and because it's not even 60 degrees, and there's a breeze, I'm not feeling up to being out and about.  So I've been binge-watching some Netflix.  And maybe this weekend is a big indicator that my life is about to change in a big way, because I'm really enjoying Jerry Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.  A very low-key show with great old cars, and conversation that spills in every direction without a script.  There isn't a lot of fancy background music, nor is there any canned laughter.  And I enjoy the ... tranquility and simpleness of the whole show.


A very similar show is David Letterman's "My Next Guest".  I watched him interview George Clooney.  There was no irritating band or canned music.  There was a live audience and a bit of laughter and applause, but none of the typical glitz that television wants to dazzle us with.  Instead, it was just David and George talking, asking each other questions.  It was quite enjoyable!  His second show's guest was Barack Obama.  He's a very good speaker and I enjoyed listening to him as most of it wasn't with a political agenda in mind.  (I'm not much into the whole politics deal at all!)

With all this in mind, I can feel a shift happening.  I'm ready to actually think about retiring, even counting the days!  Wow ..... hello beach, I hear you calling my name!  With luck and good self-care, I will reach that date!

... but then what?
Yikes!

Holy Buckets!

Ohhh.  Emmmm.  Geeeee.  What a crazy two weeks this has been!

I went home for a visit with Mom, everything there is well.  We celebrated her 80th Birthday at her fav restaurant, Black Angus.  While the meal was delish, my siblings like to eat late dinners, we were finally served at 8pm.  Which, of course, meant that there wasn't much sleep for me that night!  Always nice getting away for a bit :)

But once I got back to work, holy buckets! (As my favorite Aunt used to say!)  Management gave one of our two receivers a two-week vacation, starting the Monday I got back.  As the team leader, when one person is off, I get to fill in and help.  After being gone for 4 days, my own work was backed up as well!  Then on Wednesday, my second receiver called off work.  His dog died, and his wife went berserk (depression, refusing to take her meds, talking to inanimate objects)  .....  he attempted to come in on Thursday but was so worried about his wife, his work suffered, so he left. 

Which left just me to do all of it.  Alone.  Friday.  Saturday.  Monday.  and Tuesday.   By the end of Tuesday, I was busy giving "the stink eye" to anyone who crossed my path!  I tried to tell myself not to grouse out loud, but after so many days .... I couldn't keep it to myself any longer.  And my own job has been getting further and further behind!  I had today to catch up, but I have this funny premonition on the back of my neck that my guy's gonna be calling in as soon as my other receiver returns from vacation.  *whew* 

I've been so tired, I come home and have supper, walk the dog if I am up to it, and then crawl into bed.  And it's nearly a literal crawl by the end of a long working day.  Looking on the bright side, my average step count is up over 15k every day!  lol 

The down side to all of this, because I can't "leave my post" at the receiving doors, it's been impossible for me to take my Plexus Slim and to drink all the water recommended. 
I can't wait to get started again tomorrow! 

Day 5

Thursday was a pretty good day.  I wanted to jot a few notes about how my eating habits have changed.  I am a lifelong diet conscious person, and have been a member of SparkPeople for 8 years now.  I log what I eat almost every day.  I don't skimp or cheat, or forget to log something.  If I eat an entire Tombstone Pizza on a lazy Sunday, then that's what I log.  If I can't be honest with myself, who can I be honest with, right?  Besides, lie as much as I want about my food intake -- but the scale won't lie for me! 

So here's the trend(s) I'm noticing:   

• I've reduced my calorie intake by 200-400 per day.   
• Carbs have gone from 204 to 89 per day.  
• My fat intake is a bit higher, (I think it's the cheese!)
• My protein went from 77 to 97.  

Significant changes, in my book.  But the best part is that where after lunch when a person usually gets that "3pm crash" and goes reaching for the sugary carbs or snacks, I don't feel the need!  I've also gone from 4-6 cans of Diet Coke a day to 1 per day.  And boy, do I look forward to that Diet Coke with my dinner!  I don't need a second can, I don't need a can to jumpstart my mornings at work.  Another weird side benefit is the occasional ringing in my ears (I've heard it relates to your caffeine intake). 
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Thurday, Jan 25 daily log:

Thursday, Feb 1 daily log:

It's amazing what changes take place when you start taking care of your health.  We all hear the noncommittal phrases of doing the right thing when it comes to our eating, but we all fall prey to the easy, the grab and go snacks, that seem to fuel our society.  I'm a numbers kind of person, and when the numbers don't lie......  I haven't made drastic changes, just a few little changes to start.  And so far, it's working out well.  Thanks, Plexus Slim ... I'll be starting my day tomorrow with my new favorite #pinkdrink !