30 July 2021

life in small chunks

Have the house to myself tonight. For the first time since February.

My original plan was to grab a friend and get a glass of wine at this cute little wine bar in Richmond that has music.

But I had a terrible headache all day, and while I was in the shower the power went out. I tried not to think creepy thoughts, but how can you not think about killers coming to get you when you're home alone and the power goes out during your shower?? A big storm blew through so Pumpkin and I sat on the back porch watching it for about an hour until the power came back on.

By then I was tired and headachey and hungry and I never actually called a friend to go out so I ate leftovers and made brownies and drank some wine and watched Friends.

You know, it's basically what I used to do back when I lived by myself. And what I'd probably be doing if FG was home except we'd be watching netflix instead of Friends.

We got in this rut where we don't go out or do anything and I'm trying to mix it up a bit. Like see a movie on a Tuesday, or start working out twice a week, or have date nights on Fridays. I miss traveling for work. I miss doing things. I'm very, very over sitting around the house.

Other small updates:

We decided to postpone getting a gym membership, because if we're going to start having to wear masks again, we won't be going to the gym. Still doing daily pushups, though. I'm back up to 15 at a time.

I decided the porch should have a pool house vibe. I chose a color scheme of turquoise and yellow, painted a few things, and it currently holds pool toys, towels, sunscreen, etc. It looks really cute, especially considering that we started with a dark, smelly gross room, and now it is clean and has a purpose so I'm happy about that. We got a blow-up pool for the backyard and although it's a temporary solution, I'm digging it. It's very nice to sit in and have a cocktail at the end of the day or after getting hot and sweaty doing yardwork.

The garden is so sad right now. Hardly anything is making it through this heat. Also I don't think zucchini like to be in pots. Learning some lessons here.

We went to visit Missy and Zach last weekend. Man, I miss her. There were several times where I almost said, "Let's have coffee next week" or, "Next time we go to the beach you should join us" before I remembered they live 4 hours away. 

FG's dad will be visiting for a week. He has some health issues and needs assistance with things like taking showers and walking and taking insulin. I won't be helping with the showers but I will have to wear pants around the house. Fortunately he's not a cranky old man and is pleasant to be around. He doesn't say much because he requires oxygen and gets winded easily, but when he does talk he's pretty funny and agreeable. I'm actually looking forward to getting to know him a little better.

I FINALLY figured out the perfect pancake temperature on the stovetop. Cooking on electric after being spoiled by a gas stovetop has been a challenge, and this has been a major hurdle. I think I can finally live in this house now.

You know how I bitch a lot about how the worst part of living with a dude is the pee dribbles on the toilet rim? Well, I went to go clean the toilet the other day and it was... clean. Come to find out, he has been wiping off the rim of the toilet every single time he pees. Can you believe that? Can you?

23 July 2021

belly rescind and eyes and... marriage

The day after I posted about how great my belly has been, I've had a bunch of days of random flares. Sigh.

~

I went to the eye doctor and after looking at my eyes, she was like, "They're hella dry." And yes, after Lasik, they're a little dry, but I've been dealing with it.

She gave me some drops that have oil in them (and they are NICE), some allergy drops, some hippie omega 3 pills, and instructions to lay with a warm compress on my eyes for 15 minutes each day so they'll loosen up some glands or something. She made me promise to follow her instructions because I guess chronic dry eyes are not a good thing... and you only get 1 set so you gotta take care of them.

~

Y'all. Luke. Getting married. I knew it would happen quickly once he met the right person because that's the way he is. I'm so happy for him. 

If we're being honest, I struggled for a while with my opinions about marriage. You know... after mine fell apart while I desperately held on. I remember the first wedding I went to after I knew mine was doomed. I cried during the vows, but not for the right reasons. Because I know that feeling. The feeling of pledging the rest of your life with someone and how awesome it feels and how much you really, truly believe those vows. ...And then life happens. And for me life was kind of a bitch.

But after healing from that trauma, I still cry at weddings, but now for the right reasons. I've decided that marriage is still wonderful. At the end of the day, I choose to remember the advice that a friend gave me a long time ago, "If there is any chance that you will be happy, go for it."

The thing is, no one knows what's going to happen. Sometimes marriages last for a lifetime, sometimes they're a shitshow, and sometimes they're something in-between. And there's no way to predict which one it will be. And I'm always happy to celebrate my friends and family going for it. So cheers to Luke and Faith!

13 July 2021

state of the belly

Tonight I had a cupcake and it didn't hurt my stomach. This is significant.

I think after many, many years of struggling and feelin so sick, I finally have a handle on things. Well, most days. Some days the belly hurts and I can't figure out why, but bellies are weird sometimes. But being able to eat a cupcake and not pay for it afterwards is huge in my book.

The official list of foods I avoid to achieve belly harmony is:
gluten (duh)
dairy
oats, bacon, peppers & tomatoes (I like them but they do NOT like me back)

A few other foods that seem to help:
kombucha, specifically flavors containing ginger
sauerkraut- a forkful with breakfast seems to make things happy
prunes, 2 with my coffee every morning
these herbal supplements, with coffee every morning just to get a good start, and sometimes as needed if the belly is cranky
raw carrots. It's weird, but if I can't stomach anything else, carrots will sit well.

Adding almond milk to my coffee every morning has made a huge difference (dude apparently coffee is brutal on my stomach), and overall things are so much better. 

I'm so happy I've been able to identify and eliminate the foods that have been making me feel so crappy, and add in foods that make me feel better.