hmmmm.....

Let me see...
Yesterday didn't go quite as expected.
Thank goodness I don't eat sweets because I would have been all over them.

My friend John was all set for surgery - checked in, anti-embolism stockings all set... they put him under and then he aspirated and had to be brought back out - no neck surgery... now I get to be stressed out some more.  Not that I care.... (but I do)... too much to go into here... let's just say it was a little bit stressful.... I ran a bit at the gym last night to get those exercised induced endorphins kicking in.  It worked...  for the time being... today I am feeling rather calm.

Today is Halloween! I have lunch plans with my friend Matt and then I'm going to work out this evening... tomorrow I'm going out for dinner with camp friends so I'm adjusting my ww monthly weigh in. I'm going tomorrow morning instead. I've been doing really well... stress will do wonders to curb my appetite.

I've been listening to the new Arcade Fire album a lot... I really dig it... you should all check it out...

I'm just rambling right now...  that's okay.

I woke up this morning with a tight lower back. I think my hip is out of whack and it's a little hard to move around.  I may hit up a yoga class tonight... I haven't been for a while... maybe I will check the schedule.  Sounds like a good idea and I can loosen up and sweat off a few pounds of water weight.

All the considerations...

Okay - that's it people... happy Halloween!

Hello Wednesday!

I didn't sleep well last night. I only woke up once a little bit warm...

I did have a few strange dreams about playing life sized board games and having to let down a female admirer easy... somehow the dream ended with me accidentally taking the stopper out of an inflatable exercise ball and having it fly around the room... if anyone wants to interpret that go ahead... I kept waking up though... I can't decided why - either I was hurting (my lower back hurts a bit) or I've just got a lot on my mind... 

The office should be a bit on the quiet side today... people are going to be out and hopefully I can get some busy work done...

I've been thinking about really getting my act together when it comes to applying for teaching positions/art related things... last year around this time Dad wasn't doing so well and my whole master plan fell apart.. but that's okay - I wouldn't change anything for the world...

I have a few things I need to do - migrate images over to my new web hosting site, clean out my studio, start prepping for the Vermont Studio Center next summer (did I tell you I'm going back and am planning on driving across the country to get there?)... A lot to do, I think I need to start making lists of things I need to do.

Tomorrow is Halloween.  In years past I've gone as a bitter middle-aged woman... I have no excuse this year to be that... it's nice.

I doubt if I will dress up.  I think I may just work out after work and go to bed early... I am going to be weighing in on Friday morning for weight watchers so that I can go eat pizza Friday night with some of my camp friends.

I know I've said it before but I really love and am thankful for my camp friends.  They are always there for me. In some recent dealings with other friends I find that they always don't have that safety net - or at least they don't think they do... it's nice to know that I have a group of people who will always be there for me... it gives me a lot of security and comfort.

Gosh, now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I think I will finish my coffee and then get ready for the day! xoxoxo people!

Arcade Fire and Restraint

Yeah, I know it's a weird title for a blog post...

Today the latest Arcade Fire is being released... I pre ordered it so I downloaded it last night and have been listening to it pretty much non stop... my new favorite song is this one called Afterlife...

I went to see Arcade Fire when they released their last album (The Suburbs)... that was back in 2010... that was when my life actually started changing I think. I went to the concert with my friend Tia and her boyfriend (now husband)... it was at dinner before the concert she told me that she was moving... flash forward three years later - I am living in her old apartment, almost have a social life, and am fairly happy... okay, very happy.

I've been listening to parts of the album (Reflektor) since I downloaded it last night.. I even listened to it in bed this morning on my ipad... I like it.  It's helping distract me from being a hovering girl...

My friend John is having surgery tomorrow and he's a bit anxious... I am trying to lay low and not be too intrusive. That's the only problem with "hanging out" with someone... you can't really do a lot without looking like you want something more...

I am really very happy with the way things are and don't want to change anything... it will be better once I get to Thursday.

I will just keep distracting myself with other things and be here if I am needed.

That is all I can do.

This morning I have to pick up a cake for a Birthday celebration at work... I suppose I could get off the sofa a bit early so I don't run out of time on my way to work.

I think my cold is clearing up (did I tell you I had one?)... I feel pretty good...

I guess that's it this morning.

My Weekend...

I had more to report about my weekend yesterday but I thought a post about hot flashes and night sweats deserved it's own post.

Of course now I can't remember what I wanted to say but I will try to piece it together for you.

The weekend went pretty well... it was busy though.  My friend John came down from Bellingham on Friday and we went out for Pho.  If you know anything about me, you know that I don't usually venture into anything food-wise outside wedge salads and meat/chicken/etc... I have to admit that it was pretty good... I may have to get it more often.  The place we went is right down the street so it's not far. I picked up a to-go menu so I can order it sometime.

Saturday was busy too... I went to ww and then went to the gym to run on the treadmill for a while. As I was getting my water bottle filled up I was paged to the front desk. It turned out the the person who normally teaches the body sculpt and cycle class had a flat tire and they needed me to teach. What the heck! being paid to work out - it works for me.  That was an unexpected work out and money maker. The only complaint I had was that I didn't have my cycle shoes or playlists so I sort of had to wing it. I don't think anyone minded.

Later on Saturday my momma had a big brother clothing party which was pretty fun... I got a few more things and I think I have found my holiday party outfit. After the party we ended up going to dinner with my sister, niece and momma at the Wedgewood broiler... it was good.  I made it home a little before 7:30 and vegged out on the sofa.. (that was just Saturday)...

Yesterday I taught my normal class and then went to coffee with friends from my class.  I walked around my neighborhood and did some errands... I bought more flowers at the farmers market and took photos along the way... I also got some remedies for the night sweats (Estroven be mine!)...

 

I just uploaded these photos from my mobile app but it wiped out the last part of my post... that's okay - it wasn't that important. It was mostly about what's going on this week.  Okay that's it!

Later people!

Mixed Feelings.

I am continuing to be woken up by night sweats.

Hello Perimenopause.

I knew it was coming... I have mixed feelings about it. The jury is still out how I feel about the whole thing. 

I have never had a burning desire to have children of my own, but with the beginning of "the end of my reproductive lifecycle" I have a little bit of sadness... not a lot, but a tad. I am really happy with my life right now and I don't think having children would add to that happiness...

It's one of those instances of questioning whether or not ones life would be better if you had done something...  I always imagined that I would have kids but it never panned out. I am not heartbroken that I will never have any of my own... I think I am more upset about the fact that I will be the end of the line for this string of the Towner name...  I don't know if that makes sense... maybe I'm just rambling.

Let's get back to those night sweats... they aren't too bad (just yet), but I don't like being woken up in the middle of the night.  I have always been a big fan of sleep and I don't like waking up being all sweaty. I'm not sweaty like I am when I teach (that's a sight you probably don't want to see), but it's an annoyance.

I am going to hit up the natural remedies store down the street today and see if I can find something to help before it gets too out of hand.

I guess I'm going to have to change the subtitle on the blog from "almost middle-aged woman" to "middle-aged woman"

Headache be gone!

Happily my headache has gone for the most part... I finally realized last night that I was feeling better. I know I've had these before but you never realize how much they take out of me until they are gone.  My chiropractor worked on some trigger points in my neck and released my upper back...

The high point yesterday was realizing that my headache was going away... the low point was getting into work yesterday and finding out that our phones had been turned off for non-payment. Well... if the phone company had gotten our address right on the invoices we would have gotten them and we would have paid them... they didn't even call to double check that we got the invoices... goodness... I had to have a big old cup of tension tamer tea... luckily I was able to make a payment over the phone and it was turned back on.

I need a new life. Okay, not a new life - just some tweaking... I'm fairly pleased with the way things are going so I won't complain.

Today I am working and tonight's festivities will include laundry and cleaning... fun times... I should probably go. I hit the snooze button this morning so I got a late start.

I am a slacker...

Here I am. I'm going on day nine of my headache. I'm going back to the chiropractor this morning to see if that will help. If it doesn't I'm going to the M.D....  I get to sit around until 8:00 or so before I have to get ready.. I would have slept in, but of course I couldn't.

Things are going along as usual... work, teach, eat, sleep... at some point this week I need to do laundry or I'm not going to have anything to wear when I teach on Sunday - I have just enough stuff to get me by until then.

Today I get to go to the Dahlia Lounge for lunch... and I don't have to pay. That's kind of exciting. I always like a free lunch.

I don't have much to complain about other than my headache - I have a touch of a cold... it hasn't gotten that bad... I just wish it would go away.  I have plans Friday and I don't want to be blowing my nose every 10 minutes. That is not attractive...

Oh, I think I may be starting to experience hot flashes... hello perimenopause!

What I know this morning...

I don't know much, but I know I love you...

oops - I'm quoting song lyrics from the 80's...

I still have my headache - it's not as bad but it's still there... I've made another appointment with the chiropractor because my neck is really tense... I am pretty positive I don't have some other sickness (I hope).

Yesterday I spent most of the day in the car driving to and from Yakima.  It was a nice trip - I attended a luncheon for the Washington Library Media Association - they announced that they have named a book award after my father...

 

 

I am glad I went. It was nice to see that my dad meant a lot to other librarians..

It was also nice to get out in the car (my Dad's car)... I haven't driven over the pass (Snoqualmie) in at least 20 years.  There's so much on the other side of the state that I don't usually get to see... perhaps I should make it a habit to get out a little more often.

I listened to a collection of cassette tapes that I had stowed in the car's arm rest/cubby... it was kind of fun.

I left at 8:30 in the morning and got home a little after 3:30... then I went to my momma's house for dinner... a long day, but it was good.

Today I am going to teach and try to clean up a bit around my place. It's not too messy around here but it needs a little touch up.  The Seahawks don't play today so I won't be encumbered by having to watch a game. This afternoon I am going to my sister's place to help put together some furniture for my niece.

I know I haven't talked about my good mood recently - I still am in it although my headache has left me a little depleted... it's hard to be happy go lucky with your head pounding.

That's it today - I'm thinking about heading to the gym early to run a bit.  The past few days I haven't been as active as I normally am and I feel it.

It's time for a smoothie and workout.

Head ouch, but it's Friday

I am still feeling sub-par but I will make it.  I woke up at a quarter to five a little bit sweaty so I just decided to get up. I figure I can catch up on tv show's I've missed when I crash on the sofa in the evening...

Last night I got home to find a subpoena in my mailbox.  Woo hoo! I get to be a witness in a trial. It's from the car accident that I was involved in back in February.

It's only a minor inconvenience and I will get paid 10 bucks for my time. There's a part of me that hopes that it won't go to trial so I don't have to spend my day in court but that's okay - it would be a good experience I suppose.

I am kind of looking forward to driving across the pass tomorrow... not looking forward to doing it all by myself but that's okay.  It will be an adventure...

Sunday I am going to help put together furniture for my niece... I'm good after assembling furniture after my forays to Ikea this summer.

I don't have much to report other than that.... It's been a pretty uneventful week... busy at work and the usual at home... I guess that's it for today...

I think I'm here...

Jenerator does not feel so good... I've have a headache for the past few days. I thought is was my neck, but I went to the chiropractor yesterday and although that helped, it's not great.  I still have a dull ache in my head.  Perhaps I am sick? I am rarely sick so I'm never quite sure when I am... (I take that back - if I'm really sick I know I'm sick but otherwise meh...).

Here is my report for the morning... other than the headache I've got nothing...

Well, it's Wednesday - humpday. Yeah, that's about it.

Sunday Update!

What do I know?
It's been a busy week.

 

I went to Homecoming on Friday Night - it wasn't quite the same as I remember but it was fun nonetheless. 

As a former cheerleader - nothing is the same (for the most part)... they don't do jumps after the cheers... it's very low key... I'm thinking maybe it has something to do with Liability Insurance...

After the game (we only stayed for a quarter) we went out to dinner at the Elliot Bay Brewery on Lake City Way - it's been there over a year but this is the first time I've been there... it was a bit shocking seeing that place so crowded in what I consider to be quiet Lake City. I ate too much and only gained four pounds this week when I weighed in at WW yesterday.

Yesterday I was asked if I could sub the core class at the gym.  You might be thinking to yourself "I didn't know you taught core classes Jen?" and to that I say YOU ARE CORRECT! I don't teach them, but I did yesterday. I think I did alright because I am really sore today.

In addition to all that excitement at the gym I went out to dinner with a former camper of mine.  We were supposed to go out tonight but she got mixed up on dates.  Luckily it was a restaurant close by and I was able to get my act together and get there quickly.

Today I have the usual Sunday drill - teaching, coffee, laundry, football, cleaning and then dinner with my friend Bonnie. It should be a full day...

Next week is going to be busy too... Next weekend I am going to Yakima for the day on Saturday to attend a luncheon where they will announce a book award named after my father for the Washington State Library Media Association. That should be fun. There are other things going on but I can't go into them now...

I think that's all I have for you now. This seems like a pretty good update if you ask me.

Have a great Sunday! Go Hawks!

Sleep is good...

I am feeling pretty good this morning...  well - I do have a bit of a headache but I think I will survive.

People around the office have been sick and I think I am trying to ward off something... I have the sneezes but they haven't progressed like they usually do.. I've been pounding the Airborne so I think it's being kept at bay.

Not a lot planned for today - there is work and then second Thursday Capitol Hill Arts Walk.  Depending on how the day pans out I may hit up some openings there... I have friends who are doing things... I should make a plan to do it.

As I sit here I'm having a hard time believing that it's already October 10th... seems like it was just January... time does fly. 

Tomorrow night I am going to go to my High School Homecoming football game - I would wear my cheerleading uniform but I think it's going to be cold... and they changed the fight song a few years back so I wouldn't know what to do... oh well. I guess I will just sit there and cheer on the team.  They (Nathan Hale) are playing Sealth.  There are three of my campers (all siblings) that go to Sealth - one of them a cheerleader, one a football player.... one in the band.  Hopefully they will all be there and I can see them in their element.  It should be fun-ish.  My friend Sarah and I are going - and then we are going to have adult beverages...

It shouldn't be anything too wild...

I'm thinking I may put some chili fixings in the crock pot before I leave... sounds yummy... then when I get home I'll have dinner!

goodness - I love it when things come together...

Have a terrific day!

Hello.

Yes, I know this is a Wednesday evening post.

Hump day is almost over. I woke up this morning and I had no internet connection... I think I am having trouble with my modem and/or apple airport... I seem to have to reset it all the time (okay at least four times in the past few weeks...)... it's getting old.

I also got three blisters on my feet by wearing new boots...

and... that's it - but it seems like more than enough for a Wednesday...

Two days in a row?

Yes - two days in a row...

Posts on two consecutive days... it must be the end of the world as we know it.

It's Monday again and I am going to greet it with a slight smile.  I am not really ever jazzed about working but I do it.  We migrated our server over the weekend so I am just crossing my fingers hoping that there is no fallout when I get in. I don't think I can handle any computer drama. I am not equipped to handle that.

The only really exciting things going on this week are my High School homecoming game which I am going to attend and lunch with a few of my old coworkers.

No news is good news I think... I shall now go finish my coffee...

Fall has arrived... I am cold.

Summer was great - warm for the most part - not a lot of rain...

Fall has arrived bringing a chill to the air and coldness to my feet.  I am adapting...

Let me rephrase that... I am TRYING to adapt.

I don't have much to report...

Friday night I went to the performance of 50 Heartbreaks and I'm still in Love with YOUkraine... here's a link to a review   it was really good.  I even sat behind MR. CLUNKY! I don't think he realized it was me- maybe he doesn't even know what I look like, but it was thrilling trying to avoid him.  Well, to get back to the show it was a combination of song, dance, narative... history.  It's hard to explain... what means the most to me is that one of my campers does so well...

she is not the only one who is doing great things.. there are many others... Let's face it, I am pretty long in the tooth when it comes to the likelihood of popping out kids so I figure that my campers ARE my kids.  It's nice to think of them as my legacy... it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Okay - here's an update.  I weighed in at goal yesterday, got my armpits waxed, went for a walk.

Today I teach, watch football, and do laundry.

I will probably also go and buy flowers because I am a girl and I am in a good mood.

If you haven't figured it out - good mood being brought on by spending time with a very nice person... with no labels, and no crazy expectations.  It's nice.

It's good to be happy.

I don't know what to say...

Here I am.

I've been a bit lacking lately when it comes to posting. That's okay though (it's okay for me - it might not be so for you though)...  I seem to be finding other things to do in the morning besides watching the news, drinking coffee and posting about my exciting life.

In general, things are going really well for me lately and I'm really happy.  I don't feel the need to complain about things as much as I used to.  I think the beginning of the year was really rough with my Dad dying and the remodeling of the office and all the change that went on... I finally feel as though things are settling down and evening out.  I have been spending time with friends who make me happy and don't bring me down with their negative energy (not that I have that many of them - but a few...).

Things are good. I am good. Puppies are good.

sleeping machine!

I have gotten more sleep in the past four days than I have in a long time... I can't decide whether I'm just tired or I'm fighting off a bug of some sort... people have been sick around the office (colds/tummy ailments) and I hope I'm not getting something... I don't have time.

This week will bring First Thursday art openings, a dance/singing performance at the Annex Theater (which my friend Jenna Bean Veatch is putting it on), and waxing...   There's other things too but these are fairly important...

Today I am having lunch with my sister... we haven't hung out for a while... it will be fun.  I have already told her that I can't order french fries... I need to weight in at Weight Watchers this week at goal... I've been doing so well I don't want to have to pay.  The giving up of the sweets at the beginning of the year has resulted in an 11 pound weight loss... I will take that. I'm not as squishy as I was before which is good... I'm a big ball of muscle.

Life is still good... I am happy and things are going well...

Spread the joy people.