I hoping that Virginia bluebells, Jacob’s ladder, bleeding heart, and astilbe will look good and survive, but I have to see if I can find them all!

Sounds like a success (minus the bodily injury). I did the laundry I’ve been staring at for a week, and got ready to do some garden work today. Going to a plant nursery to see what can live in my awful backyard.

He’s a Staffy, but I’m guessing with a bit of Kelpie thrown in. My 20 year old brother has never had a dog before and was convinced he was a cat person (we have 2 cats). The joy he gets from Buddy has taken him totally by surprise and it is just the loveliest, purest thing to see. Family complete.

I know I save money when I plan menus in advance and do the week’s shopping in one go, but I think that’s a secondary concern right now. Anyway, still probably less than a gym membership I won’t use LOL

Yes! Especially since I spent last year with an obnoxious, gas lighting housemate who is now GONE! I no longer feel banished to my bedroom and unwelcome in shared spaces :) It’s a nice feeling having my own things in the lounge and study again...

<3

I bought a wheely cart thing and have committed to walking to the grocery store. I did it twice this week. Mr. Bells’ BP is too high and his doctor wants him to lose 30(!) pounds, and I could stand to lose 10 or 15 myself. The store is barely 1/4 mile away, but the walk back is all uphill and I have heart problems so…

Thanks! I am really hoping that it works out. It would be great from a lot of perspectives....☺️

Thank you. Her grief is the hardest thing about all of this. Mama “doesn’t have a favorite”, but we all knew it was him. We’re just trying to be there for her.

Thank you!

I became a PhD candidate this week! ABD!

Congrats! My weakness is cheese, too. I quit my long-time job after much stress and abuse and I feel so free.

Congratulations! I know it’s so hard. I lost over thirty pounds in the past two years and about ten has crept back over the winter. I’ve struggled to get back in line in the past two weeks. Don’t beat yourself up for occasionally straying. Warm fresh bread with homemade butter sounds delicious. Good food is one of the…

Wrote a short, medium and long term goal list. Hiked. And worked out. Bought and used a hydrating skin care line. Kept up the job search and kept up the credentials and licensing process. Volunteered for a community building event . Kept the wolves of depression and anxiety at bay.

Urgh I need to do that but I’ve been so sick I just don’t feel bad about the comfort food.

Honestly, just recognizing that my vastly improved overall mental health has equipped me to handle the less than ideal shit SO much better than I used to. I had some unexpected and unpleasant news hit this week, my period was a bit rough and my energy was low, and a couple other little things sort of crept up on me...…

I’m officially more than halfway through my dissertation as of this week. Woo!

That’s amazing! Losing weight is a serious struggle and you are kicking ass! This week I set up interviews to hire another employee which is exciting and scary. Thankfully I have been so busy that idea of having help drowning out the fear.

I had a really good job interview on Wednesday. It would put me up where I want to be money wise. I could pay an extra 50.00 a month on the principle for my mortgage and pay it off in twenty-five years. I could also roll my old 401K into an IRA and contribute to that. Then I could retire at 67 with my pension, my…

I got a DOG! Don’t know if that’s an achievement so much as a long and dearly held wish, but Buddy came home on Thursday. He is the greatest dog in the world and is already doing wonders for my activity levels, mental health and general quality of life. I’m completely in love.