Less stressed, but it was a close thing

Okay, kind of a long story.

We got an email last week saying that our insurance enrollment period had been moved forward 2 months to align with our parent company. My life event doesn't give me the usual 31 days to make a change since it falls within the enrollment window. Adding my son and new husband to my work insurance would cost a lot of money. Right now they both have insurance from the exchange (ACA), but enrollment for that doesn't open until a few days after our work enrollment period closes, so I can't compare the plans and costs. (Not to mention what a mess ACA is thanks to gov't trying to sabotage it). ANYWAY. When I asked if I could have 31 days from my wedding date since it was a life event and was told "no" I got VERY upset. I sent a letter to HR just saying how much their out of the blue change with no notice was hurting my family and potentially our bottom line. The head of HR called and we talked about it. He double checked and confirmed that if we elected not to renew either through ACA that would act as a "qualifying life event" and I could add them when that insurance runs out. Thank goodness. For a while I was really sweating where on earth we were going to come up with over $600 more per month for health insurance!! And I still may have to if the ACA goes belly up, but at least for now, we will have the chance to compare and make a choice.

Anyway, it's been a very stressful week at work and at home. The dog has decided to destroy the house every time she is left alone, and T worked 3 days this week. We've gone through 2 dog doors, but we think steel screws may save the 2nd door.

We were supposed to be going to an event this weekend, but we are just going for the day Saturday. I am too exhausted to do any more than that.

I'm tired.

Today

Today I am feeling stressed and worried about money. I need to work on just accepting things that I cannot change. T is looking for a job, I can't control when he will find a job.

It's just hard.

Road trip!

Okay. Yesterday I went to the gym and did 20 minutes on the elliptical, did 200 kettlebell swings with a 15 lb bell, and walked 5 laps around the building (15 minutes). I tracked what I ate.

Today I got to work 30 minutes early so I can leave at 4:30. I walked 3 laps and knocked out a quick 40 swings so far (not too shabby for 8 AM).

Last night we planned meals through Monday and T is prepping my breakfast (turkey meatballs).

I am happy, and I feel good.

And..... we're back to baby steps

This has been a wonderful, crazy, hectic week. Mom and I are leaving for Georgia as soon as I get home from work tomorrow.

Tonight, T and I will sit down and make a meal plan and a grocery list. He will do the shopping while I am gone. I will come home to a house with groceries, clean laundry, and he will prep any food I request. (Yes, I do know how lucky I am. I lived in opposite world for many years.)

Baby step 1: Be prepared. Have a meal plan and the food to execute. Have something realistic for our schedule. T is working 3 days next week so that means crock pot, casserole type stuff, or quick and easy.

Baby step 2: Use the gym I signed up for. Bag is in the car and I am headed out soon.

Baby step 3: Keep liquid calories out of the house. Enough said.

You eat an elephant one bite at a time.

Crazy week

So, we're not having a honeymoon (obviously). We don't have the money and I don't have the time. We are looking at going to DC next month though.

Our friend from Australia is a former professional chef who loves smoking meats, making his own bacon and sausages, and food tourism. In other words, T's long lost twin! Lol

Monday I had the day off so we went up to Boone and Grandfather Mountain. Yesterday they went to Asheville. Today I am working from home so we went and had bbq in Lexington. I think they've both had a wonderful time. S is flying out tomorrow afternoon.

Mom and I are headed to Georgia this weekend to visit Alma - she is definitely slowing down and her memory gets a little flaky. It's been 3 months so we are definitely due a visit. I used to really look forward to them, but honestly not so much any more. I love her very much and it's hard to see her sad. But I know our visits are very important and I am thankful I am able to help her in some small way.

Mischief managed

We did it!  The day was beautiful. And as a surprise, a friend flew in from Australia!!! Now I am back at work and back to reality.

Yay!

Working a little longer, then headed to the beach. Pictures to follow.

Coming together

The final pieces are coming together. I found my spanx (what????), picked out which shoes to wear until I remove them at the edge of the sand, and got my nails done.  My natural nails are very thin and brittle. Add to that the facts that I have short, chubby fingers (not matter what my weight) as well as shallow, wide nail beds. Overall I don't like the way they look. I'm sure we will want pictures of our rings, and I want to feel pretty. So I went and got gel nails. I have no idea whether I will keep them, but probably not for long.

It's been a super hectic morning, trying to whip up a casserole before work so I had it ready (going to get my hair cut this evening), and getting a few things organized while on breaks (I'm working from home today).

We are going this afternoon to pick up our marriage license. In the midst of the sadness and helplessness, I am trying to focus on being grateful and happy for what I have right now.

Take care.

Intentions thwarted

I went back to Anytime Fitness today. My original intention was to go and check out the weight room. it was full of guys (well 4, but it's small), so I ended up doing 15 minutes on the elliptical (Yosemite) and 5 minutes on the bike (Loire valley).  Why did I feel uncomfortable going and using the weight room? Because I'm overweight? Female? Both?  Oh well, at least I exercised.

T is subbing today - PE at an elementary school.  I suspect he will go to bed by 8 PM.

Take care.

Happy Monday

We spent the weekend reclaiming the house and generally getting a lot of stuff done. The weather was amazing, and I woke up refreshed. Then I turned on the news. The whole planet seems to be destroying itself, or we're destroying each other.

And amidst all of that I'm putting the last minute touches on my wedding planning - a time that should be joyful. And is, but still, it's hard when there is so much bad happening to so many people.

I went to Anytime Fitness at lunch today even though I didn't want to. It's less than a mile from the office.  The equipment is very nice - the cardio machines have individual televisions. Have you ever seen those "scenic walk" videos where it looks like you are running/ biking/ hiking through nature? They have that - I did a virtual hike through Arthur's Peak National Park in New Zealand - it was lovely.

Work is still crazy. I got my jewelry picked out. Hold on to the good stuff.

Take care.

Huh

Rode over at lunch and got a brief tour and a fob good for 7 days at Anytime Fitness. Pros: close to work, small but has what I need, seems pretty quiet at work Cons: $36 a month with a required 12 month contract.  They don't do month to month. :-(  Until T has a job I just dunno.....

Goals

T has a job if he wants it at a new restaurant which sounds very exciting, but the pay is crap. Had a fantastic first round interview for another restaurant (employee owned chain) - pay is double plus benefits. But the schedule would be more challenging.  Still, the wage gap is ridiculous.  So I dunno. Anyway, he has to complete the interview process.

I have set a goal for myself of 200 kettlebell swings per day (I've done 120 so far today) and 30 minutes of cardio - I've walked 21 minutes so far.  I printed out a free 7 day pass for Anytime Fitness and I am going at lunch tomorrow to take a tour.  We'll see.

Monday we had a rotisserie chicken for dinner, last night was salmon burgers, a friend is bringing dinner tonight, and tomorrow I have a Stouffers chicken and rice casserole with steam in bag green beans. We;ll eat out Friday, then this weekend I will magically get our house, food, and wedding stuff all sorted out.

Summer is back

I spoke too soon about fall weather cause it was HOT this past weekend! It was a mighty hot weekend to be camping is all I'm saying.  So, I ran a medieval weekend long event for 300+ people and it turned out well!  So yay that's behind me.

Work blew up last week and is still a mess.  Work at home is cancelled, which is a shame because my house looks like there was a home invasion and they dropped off a bunch of dirty dishes and laundry. We haven't had time to shop so meals are ... creative.

T may have a job - he has an interview with a difference outfit tomorrow.  He might have a job nefore the wedding, which would be awesome!

Still some stuff not finished about the wedding (mostly around food). But overall I'm feeling better than I have in quite a while.

Better

Feeling better today.  Figured out a strategy of dealing with the tenant and her crazy realtor. Made progress on some items.  Carrying my lists with me everywhere both for reference and so I can add to them as I think of stuff.I could use a little more time between me and this weekend but I can get it done.

I love fall and the weather here is beginning to ease up just a bit. Even though I have stress and a lot to do, I am also feeling very positive and hopeful.

We ordered silicone wedding bands from Qalo so we would have something for when we are working in kitchens etc. and didn't want to wear our "nice" bands.  We love them!

Y'all, I am getting married! :-)

Full Up

Today I am full up of stress.  I feel like I have a million things to do for this weekend and am not remembering them all.  My ex tenant's ex realtor is trying to bully me into releasing the house deposit, but I know if I do I will never see a dime of the nearly $4K she owes me in back rent. My work computer is being a PITA.

Once again, I find myself feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. I seriously need a break. 

Accomplished

I hope you had a nice weekend!  Mine was as planned.  Mom came and we got the linen closet done (YES!) and I helped her fill out some pre surgical stuff on the doctor's website.  She is having cataract surgery in a few weeks.

Very busy week this week - I have 3 dr appointments (eye, skin, and dentist) - all routine maintenance, but glad to get those knocked out of the way. And then Friday we are headed down to the site to get ready for the event.  Y'all, in the days leading up to this stuff I always wonder why I volunteer to do this crazy stuff!  But my reward is some down time .. In November! :-O

There is an Anytime Fitness here in the town where I work.  I hate to pay for a second gym membership, but the weird thing is I really LIKE going to the gym.  I think my plan is to take advantage of the good weather and walk outside as much as possible, and then hopefully by the time the weather is lousy T will have a job and I can justify $35 a month for a second gym.

Ok, have a great day!

Happy Friday

Things are going to be slowing down a bit soon and I am looking forward to it. I am running a large, weekend long event next weekend (250 or so people), and then just 2 weekends later is our wedding! And then some peace and quiet! :-)

I am lucky to have found a walking buddy at work, so we generally walk on our lunch hour. Today is gorgeous so I am really looking forward to getting out there.

T has a month long assignment with the school system - it's actually NOT subbing, he's going to be helping them replace their laptops. But hey, work is work, and he's a super techie guy, so it's up his alley. He continues to be mildly depressed about being out of work. We are dealing with it, but it isn't always easy.

He is headed to an event up in Virginia this evening, coming back late tomorrow.  I enjoy being home alone from time to time, he is more of a people person that me. Mom is coming over and we are going to organize my linen closet, have lunch, hang out, etc. Having moral support for decluttering projects is very helpful. Lol. So, some alone time, some working around the house time, some time with him on the sofa watching football. Sounds like a good weekend to me.

Take care!

Still not adjusting

I love, love, love my job. I prefer working in the office.  The commute doesn't bother me.  But the chunk of time it takes out of my day continues to be an obstacle between me & the gym.  Today I am working from home (which I do one day per week).  Getting up & going to the gym, taking a shower, and making a good breakfast (protein shake) all before 8 AM was no problem. Waking up at 5 AM to go? Heading out at 7:15 after I've gotten home & eaten dinner? Neither of those things seem to be happening consistently.

If I go just 3 days per week, I can walk, do videos, do kettlebells the other days.  I am not making exercise a priority, and it shows. Not just in my weight (which is barely budging), but in my energy level. I am so tired of feeling tired!  I have have HAVE to make this a priority!

On the plus side, I keep trying different ways to make it work, I haven't given up making this thing work.

Summer will return tomorrow

Our weather has been really up and down - the last couple of days have been damp and cold, tomorrow will be sunny and 80.

We are better, although still have some sniffles. This weekend we did some stuff around the house, but mostly just relaxed. I can't tell you how glad I am to have the house in Florida sold!

Fall, maybe

We went to the beach for the Labor Day weekend.  Along with the rest of the state.  Besides wanting to go to the beach (always), we wanted to pin down where we would have the wedding and I wanted to do some food prep for the boy. Their schedule has been nuts, so I came down, did some shopping, did some food prep, and we left them with a clean kitchen and clean laundry.  Yes, he is certainly old enough to do it himself, but sometimes lending a hand is more about moral support, and sometimes your kid needs some protein bars and a couple of home cooked meals in the freezer.

I came down with a summer cold yesterday morning, then T came down with it 24 hours later. I'm working at home, he's laying in bed playing on his phone.  It's been cold & rainy. Yesterday he went out and did enough grocery shopping to get us to the weekend. We got home much later than expected Sunday (thanks holiday traffic) and there was literally pretty much no food and nothing but water in the house to drink.

We have not gone to the gym or done any exercise, right now we're just resting up, drinking plenty of fluids, etc.

T has been in a real funk, which I understand, but it's been hard for me as well.

Take care.