Back on Track and well over 50

[feminista]

Good Sunday morning: The conference went very well--Gail Dines author of Pornland was the keynoter--very provocative speaker...food at conference, not so --but myth in academia food at conferences doesnt count but actually for the most part the food is very good ny chedder & apples are there to replace CAKE (this time 4 layers of sweet goodness), lots of veggies, salads, and yesterday's lunch featured squas sooup (YUM!).
Taking a 36 hour R&R with friends from Saratoga and going to shore--will go to casinos tonight.
Then home and the end of the semester slog (just receieved e-mail that final grades are due on 12/22 not 12/26 as usual--so that will be a lost week of grading... plus, have to finish book. Will be MUCH more mindful of food ....
Someone drank the last of the milk, but left empty gal container in fridge...so having lt cream w/coffee...
Gotta pack...
ciao

[Chris55]

A few days at the shore sounds heavenly. It was gorgeous here today - blue sky, cool, sunny and cheerful. DH painted the front dormers while I planted some bulbs and raked up a bag of leaves. One bag a day and I should be done by Christmas! I spent much of the weekend working on food prep, laundry, and vacuuming. The spiders seem to have taken over my house - too many exposed beams for their playground!

I started today with coffee and about 40 min. of my yoga stretch dvd. It felt wonderful and indulgent. Then I went for a walk - about a mile mostly uphill. So at least I got my exercise done and food was better today other than some mashed potatoes with my chicken paprika (and gravy!), but for the most part ate pretty well. I have soup to take for lunch this week, dinner planned for tomorrow, extra brown rice and mashed potatoes cooked for the guys, leftover broccoli for a crustless quiche later in the week. I'm also packing some good instant coffee for the afternoon slump at work - nobody wants to split a pot with me late in the day - and some dark chocolate. Maybe that will keep me out of the donuts/cake/candy. I also have a rally at 3pm tomorrow so I'm hoping that distracts me. By the time I get back to my office, check my e-mail, and do some paperwork, it will be time to go home!

The semester is flying. DS is doing well at NP - running an A in his dratted evolution class thanks to the prof allowing him extra time for his essay. Hopefully he'll get to the tutoring center this week for some time management help or testing to see if he qualifies as needing extra time on assignments. This comes from being a meticulous perfectionist. He's loving the material, and his writing is getting faster, but not fast enough for timed tests yet. We'll be visiting him for his birthday in a few weeks - taking him out for sushi and wherever else he'd like to go.

Enjoy the shore and don't lose too much in the casino!

[feminista]

Had a grand time--the weather was sunny and in the mid 60s, walked along the beach, saw a show, played in the casinos, ate, had a massage(!), laughed and just relaxed with LK & friends...cant believe that its the end of October already...heard somethng about wet snow on Thursday! Guess we will have to drag out the heavy curtains and re-arrange the living room for winter this weekend.
The job sounds like it fits you to a tee...envious of 40 minutes to do yoga dvd in the a.m. I am lucky if I get 20 minutes of exercise in...glad the DS is doing very well--there should be time management 1 credit classes he can sign up for...
LK was supposed to go to Florida to do a taping, but that gig got cancelled. So,she has credit on JetBlue (after they deducted some $$$).

Well, going to read a paper or ten

[Chris55]

My week has been busy and I'm exhausted! I only exercised twice this week; most days I needed to be out the door by 7. Food has been disastrous - I've been hitting the candy basket, eating bread, but keeping meals decent for the most part. I send DS a Halloween care package with homemade cookies as well as junk candy (even a Pez!), and ate a few cookies myself.

Snow is supposed to arrive here Saturday. We certainly are not ready - junk in the barn that needs to go somewhere so we can get the cars inside, storm windows not all up yet, yikes! We have our chores cut out for us tomorrow. At least I still have my collection of emergency supplies ready from Irene - batteries, lantern, camp stove, radio, etc. We're supposed to have wet snow and high winds, meaning power outages. I know you must cringe just thinking about that again. My deep freeze is pretty full, but it's mostly chicken and soup!

I will try and get my food back to normal again this week. At least I only have two more presentations scheduled, then just wrapping up accounts, picking up pledge forms, and working on spread sheets, thank-you's, and our finale party. I can't believe this will all be over in two weeks. It's been a whirlwind and a blast. Finishing and going off to do something else is going to be a letdown for all of us. I'm still looking for something permanent, as is everyone else I've been working with. I have many connections with bank managers, but not really sure I'm ready to cave in on my principles and goals to take a job as a bank teller just to pay the bills. For now I think I'll stick with my seasonal LLBean commitment and see what else comes along. The five of us doing my UWay job went to an "after hours" cocktail party at one of the banks on Wednesday. It was fun being at something like that with friends, did a bit of networking, a bit of eating.

[feminista]

Hi--we got it a bit--lost power for the night, but on the other side of the river--worse...and my sister outside of Springfield just got er power back today, and lost trees & shrubs--had to go to a warming station, for food and to re-charge phone...
I had a few days of french bread and brie, but now back to better eating...but exercise is a no go--I dropped LX's computer tower on my toe trying to get feather bed out of the cedar closet, so that be broke--I iced it immediately so at least I can put on flat shoes (but not socks)...arghhhh, or more appropriately: ouch! And, of course, I keep stubbing my toe, or having someone step on it...
Can not believe that its November!!! this semester has flown by...I have a lot of work to look forward to (not).
ciao

[Chris55]

Sounds like you need to wear a pair of hiking boots to protect your poor toe! That's what was recommended when my son broke his years ago.

My job at United Way is winding down, very sad. But I've brought in over $150,000 in pledges, so it's very satisfying. Other areas aren't doing as well. The poor girl trying to raise money at our non-profits and municipal offices is having a hard time because most of the people earn a pittance and are worried about their jobs. Meanwhile, I'm still sending out resumes even though I start my factory job at LL Bean soon. That was almost a disaster - somehow the interviewer clicked the wrong line and put me in a job with heavy lifting even though he told me I'd be monogramming. For a few hours yesterday I thought I wouldn't have a job, but it's straightened out now. PHew! A few extra dollars until the end of the year will be very very helpful!

Eating and exercise are both bad. We're having a staff pizza party today, the candy has been piled high, and I've spent evenings either Skyping with DS or working on my resume so no time for exercise. Just keeping the coffee flowing!

[feminista]

Ohhh Hiking boots, great idea...but today, barefoot as I grade & write
Sounds like you were very successfull at UW! and, glad your job at LLBean was saved...
Its good that it has been cold in a.m. because then I dont mind oatmeal...which does keep me pretty focused and fueled...

[Chris55]

Crystal clear and gorgeous here this weekend, but BRRRRR! I am not ready for this chill. Spent yesterday dealing with food - a grocery haul, my first "winter" CSA share pickup, then cooking rice, pulled pork, stuffed red peppers (FINALLY on sale!) for later in the week. After all that fussing in the kitchen, just reheated rice, grilled a bit of beef (DH's favorite), and made a nice salad with my CSA greenhouse greens. Trying to figure out what to do with a giant head of chicory. Have been googling, but many recipes are actually for endive. This is a huge head of light green slightly bitter greens, so I've decided that it will probably need braising.

May be going out for the day today - would love to spend some time in Portland, but it's a bit nippy out there. Gearing up for next weekend's birthday/anniv trip to NP. Found an inexpensive hotel near Newburgh that got good reviews, so we're staying there instead of with relatives. Hoping the weather is decent.

[Chris55]

Just got back from New Paltz last night. Had a great birthday/anniversary trip, lots of time with DS. He's thriving there - getting straight A's, luckily had a light load of work this weekend for the first time in a while (last weekend he was buried in his room!). He and DH rode the bike trail while I hung out a bit on Hugenot Street. Eating was over the top ridiculous all weekend, though! We found an amazing little Italian restaurant in Gardiner called Lombardi's. They were rolling out the homemade pasta when we walked in the door. Fantastic food from the salad to fresh baked bread, lasagna, tiramisu. I am detoxing this week!

I go to a quick orientation session at LLBean today, start work full tilt on Wednesday 7am. So I need to grocery shop and plan for breakfasts on the run and healthy snacks for all of my work breaks - two breaks plus lunch and the only place to go is the cafeteria. Hoping I can use the small exercise room during my lunch break instead of eating!

[feminista]

mmmm fresh pasta, we'll have to try Lombardis....
Glad your wekend went well, including the weather! LK's mom passed late last week (Id say suddenly, tho she was 93+ and in a nursing home), LK and LX drove out to Iowa leaving Thursday morning, but not in time to say good bye...LK had a great visit tho' back in September--taking Rosie to the casino, playing lots of cribbage, taking Rosie to visit her oldest friend, who has alzheimers and is in another nursing home, and to visit family...Rosie was truly the matriarch of the family---4 grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and Evan, her great great grandson...she was full of unconditional love.
Yesterday, I went to friends' wedding--on their 28th anniversary they married it was quite touching, and enjoyable (many weddings--str8 or gay are grueling to sit through, IMHO).
My toe is still keeping me from wearing anything but flats--and thank goodness pain is not an indication of ow healthy one is! Though I have started to exercsie a bit--doing the 1 mile walk 2x a day...as long as I keep myright foot flat (do not push off from my toes) I am ok...
Next week we will have two thanksgivings--one with Peter & Peter & teeir families, and then another over the weekend with LK cooking the bird and trimmings for friends...more butter dies for her turkey....
Well, back to writing (just finished 2 sets of papers)

ciao

[Chris55]

Sounds like Rosie had a good long life, but it's always sad to see someone you love withering away. Too bad you couldn't go with them.

I'm back on Phase 1 today and doing OK, except for a bit of an acid tummy - probably a reaction to too many veggies! I never got to the grocer's today, just a quick run through the food section of Target to get Lactaid and a few other things. But dinner was yummy - roast pork, potatoes for the guys, steamed brussels sprouts with olive oil, and roasted zucchini, grape tomatoes, and red peppers. Yummy and colorful. I made a ricotta concoction with agave syrup for dessert and now I'm satisfied.

Tomorrow I need to do a bigger grocery haul and then maybe a trip to the LLBean employee store before I start working full time and get too busy. Would have gone today, but they were only open while I was in my orientation class. At least I get a few weeks of not having to get dressed up. Jeans, layered t-shirts, and comfy shoes will be my wardrobe. No more ironing for a while.

I do have a few applications out and am working on my Linkedin profile. Hoping for an interview at one of the state univ satellite campuses. One of the board members of United Way is on the search committee, so I'm hoping that helps. It would be wonderful to have something permanent.

[Chris55]

I made it through my detox program! I feel much better now, even though I caved in on Friday and made pasta for dinner. I'm not snacking constantly, which is a huge improvement.

I'm gearing up for Thanksgiving cooking and working crazy hours. I'm going to start work at 6:30 beginning some time this week, so have to figure out breakfast. Last week I had a crustless quiche that I nuked and swallowed at 5:45am. Now I'm thinking about either eating in the car or getting there 10 min early and eating before punching the clock. I may try doing some kind of oatmeal breakfast cookie and a latte for the car tomorrow morning and see how that goes. My problem is that grains in the morning usually just set me off eating all day, so I need to try and pump up the protein in it with nuts or some milk powder. I'd do a smoothie but I really want something warm in the cold mornings - can't even think about a cold shake!

Exercise hasn't happened yet. Today's goal is to clean - may be my last chance to do a thorough house cleaning before Christmas, so I guess I'll put on comfy clothes and get that done.

Hope you have a wonderful turkey day with your loved ones. DH is driving down to get the kiddo from NP on Tuesday, and I'm off Thursday and Friday, so it will be a fun time! Enjoy!

[feminista]

Good Morning Chris: I hope you had a great T-day...we went up to my old house, where Peter& Peter fixed a feast. Lx worked a double, and then hit Toys R us on the way home, arghhhh. LK is making a turkey tomorrow for us, and our poker group...I'll make roasted root veggies. And then come Monday morning: SoBe it!
How about doing my old standby for breakfast: frittatta, you can eat it warm or cold for breakfast for breakfast on the go.
Well, I have to write my butt off this weekend...
Enjoy, having the youngest son home...
ciao

[Chris55]

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I've been off most of the week since we had a snow day on Wed, closed Thurs and Fri. I was supposed to be out the door at 5:30am to work this morning, but my alarm didn't go off. For some reason, I opened my eyes and the clock said 5:11 , so I flew out of bed and got dressed. Luckily I had showered and packed lunch last night and the car was in the garage/barn so I didn't have to scrape it (we got 5" of snow on Wed). Made it to work on time to find I was the only one in my department to arrive that early, but went to work on the pile of work from the snow day. I did pack one of the oatmeal squares I made last week for the car trip- they have pbutter powder and soy flour, so some added protein. At my 9am break, I had two hardboiled eggs and lots of coffee. The fritatta or crustless quiche worked when I actually had time to eat at home - they're a bit too mushy to eat in the car as finger food. If I got to work early, I could nuke something and eat it there, but the likelihood of getting there earlier than 6:30 is pretty slim.

Have been eating pie and leftovers, not much hope of that changing until at least Monday. I really need to get to Sam's Club and get a case of V8, but no time to do that! Not sure what my schedule will be this week - if I get a day off I'll do a Sam's run.

Having DS home from NP has been fun. He's done really well in his classes, is registered for classes I think he'll like for spring. Still no sign of having a roommate - he seems to be enjoying his "solitude". He's got a good sense of humor, so he's been regaling us with stories and satirical comments - he's been saving them up for weeks!!

[feminista]

Hi Chris (et al):
Isn't it great when the kids become humans again--with their own lives that they want to share! Sounds like youngest ds is hitting his stride.
I have had awful computer problems home & at school...very frustrating.
Now is the last big push of the semester--full of grading, tomorow night I get 15 thesis in to turn around within a week for final revisions...
Yesterday the weather was wet but very warm--still in the 60s when I was driving home at 7! Which meant all of the classrooms were over heated! arghhhhh. Sunny but cooler today.
Just boiled up 1/2 dozen eggs...for some go to protein.

New York Magazine had an interesting article on the 20-somethings : nymag.com/news/features/my-generation-2011-10/ One of my good friends' eldest son is living in Bushwick, working as a busboy in Manahttan 4 days a week so that he can be creative the other three day--he is happy, though marginal...LX and her friends are all working/going to school and living at home...even up here while the rents are not the $1800 Luke pays in Bushwick --he has 2 roommates & its across from a chicken slaughter house--the average 2 bedroom apt is $800-900 plus utilities... I am not sure they will be able to more out for a while!

One of my former students decided not to go to law school just before the semester began because he could not see incurring more debt with limited job prospects...he is teaching math now.

And, the authorities are cracking down ard on the Occupy Wall St. movement...it must be hitting a nerve!