Feeling Good Friday-4 Day Weekend Edition

My Friday off and Monday a holiday. I'm breaking the weekend into three segments. Today will be focused on the mundane housework, laundry, meal planning and prep for the weekend, and baking. Early tomorrow through Sunday night DD2 and I are heading to the lake place to continue putting it to rights so the family can enjoy the rest of summer. I'll probably indulge in a glass of wine or two and a cold beer perhaps. DH went up yesterday to take care of a few things and check on some poured cement. He stayed over but has to work today, Saturday, and Monday so no extra time for him, but will come up Saturday night again. Monday, memorial day, I'll spend a bit of time in the morning in memorial. No doubt I'll still have some remaining housework and laundry from the weekend, but I like to take at least half of the Monday holidays for self down time, with no list. 

This week was pretty successful on the weight part, blah, but not terrible on mental well being, and poor on physical exercise. I had a boost this morning through a Caring Bridge update. Here's a few highlights of the week.

1. My friend A posted her own Caring Bridge update. To remind you, my friend A found out she had a cancerous brain tumor after traveling in late March on college tour trips with her daughter. After a successful surgery to remove it, she is now halfway through radiation, finding some improved strength to take short unassisted walks. She is fighting a head ache all the time, but feels her walks outdoors are helping. Her spirit of fight motivates me.  
2. I went ahead and threw my hat into the ring for another position, a sizable promotion, at the organization that a few weeks back hired my friend for the job which we had both applied. I don't feel positive or negative about my chances, but when I got the "rejection" call, this position was specifically mentioned as being posted soon and that she hoped I might consider applying. 
3. On my own job, I was added to a leadership team that if the work is clear and sustaining, will add a lot personal fulfillment to me in my job. Of course, unlike the other, no pay increase, no benefit increase, but with the climate in the office right now, this is a good thing.
4. The weather was Minnesota chaos this week as well, finally getting nominally nicer yesterday. Poor pup hasn't even wanted to be outside unless with DD2, bundled up to try and do her homework on the porch or deck. My walking has suffered. But, a new week and I will be sure to burn a lot of calories working this weekend. I'm hoping to reengage a former walking buddy next week.
5. And finally, on the scales, I was rewarded for my planned eating and avoiding junk with another 2 pound weight loss. Total four weeks loss is 9 pounds, and still on track to my original 20 pound loss goal by July 28th. Dare I push a new goal, 25 pound loss? Best not to get ahead of myself as there is a lot of challenging events ahead to derail me.

 Congrats to my cyber buddies on losing and maintaining their weight loss goals. Let's all remember though, no matter where we are in the process, we are lovely at the size we are now. I keep telling myself that as the move to bare skin clothing is imminent. Enjoy your weekend. 

Me and pup, two summers ago, 4th of July.

 

Comforts

DD made us some spaghetti last night. Nothing more than Barilla pasta and Ragu sauce, but at the end of a long choreography weekend for her, and a day filled with headaches and discomfort for me, it hit the spot. Comfort food. She also made me a cup of the Fortnum and Mason's tea I've been rationing since April when DD1's friend brought me us some from London. The Brit's really do make a lovely tea. I napped off an on through the day, not able to get a descent night sleep the last few nights being woken up several times. Pup kept me company, stretching out next to me, letting me feel his warmth. Pets just seem to know when extra comfort is needed, don't they. 

I'm attempting to get my stuff together long enough to get to work for a series of meetings, leading up to "the meeting" where my team gets final approval to move our plan forward, scheduled to launch December 1. I've got a comfort and care package to go with me which includes a heating pad for my lower back, which has been greatly impacted by my lack of physical mobility and a stick on heating pad for my bad knee, missing the ibuprofen I take to manage the muscle swelling. I have a container of pretzel twists and one of peanut butter plus a couple hot chocolate packets. A little protein pick-me up with a hug in a cup should help keep my energy up. Comforts.