Sam Squared

    Old picture, but trying to be more meal intentional.   I'm going using Wednesday again to check in, at least on first four. Lose five pounds. I at least lost the addition weight the little Memphis get away added, but have not lost any additional. I looked over past doctor visits and in September 2024, I was at the lowest weight I have been in two decades. That's my target by fall again, so keeping these mini monthly goals alive is important. Then, I'll try for an even healthier weight.  Walk 10 miles per week. Fair. Some days the grand pup got 4 walks, shorter and other days 2-3, but longer.  Strength and weight resistance exercise two hours per week. Fail...must get better at this.  Ensure I have at least six fruit and veg servings per day with at least three being vegetables.  Lacking as well and too many carbs.  Resume 16-8 intermittent fasting, meals/ snacks only between 12-8, but aiming for nothing past 7:00. The 8:00 gives me flexib...

      My life seems small after the horrific murders and attempted murders in my state. In my work, I had contact periodically with our elected part-time legislative members and had the pleasure of meeting Representative Hortman. She and her husband were also parents, siblings, friends, as are Senator Hoffman and his wife who miraculously survived, just regular people trying to do right for their community.  The world is unbearably wounded and don't know how it can recover with the amount of hatred.       I got through Fathers Day. Having no father, my kids no father or grandfathers, and now even my youngest and I with no Godfather (my brother), it's just a day. It's also sad with the leadup to these kind of holidays pushing gift ideas in ads and morning news shows and special features on programs. Maybe someday if my son or I get son-in-laws with children, I'll feel the fun again for it as a holiday. It was always such a fun day in the past when ...

      It's just another sad day in the world, America, my state. Evil seems to be winning. 

                       I copy the previous week, delete the old and updated as I go along the week as a way even when busy and not in a blogging mindset I'm accountable to myself.  Here's my recap of Friday, June 6 to Thursday, June 12. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs Other than (see below) the unplanned purchases, I spent minimally this week.  I haven't had the first gas tank fill of June yet, but will tomorrow, and I have a goal to not use more than two tank fulls. My friend got my hard seltzer at Trivia but then I picked up two house made root beers, so spent $10 on entertainment. I made sure to cancel the boat insurance (see below) effective June 6th. I'm not sure what the credit will be, but it will help as insurance is due next month on the car my daughter drives. Tabs for my car are due by end of month.  I used of remnants of jam and two frozen bananas for one batch of mini quick breads on Sunday m...

           No oodles and oodles of pantry and freezer here, but ample. I'll do a moderate shop on Friday, but I'm really trying to stretch out groceries for the month and start getting more in the shop to replenish and loss leader mode rather than a regular weekly shop. To do that, I'm going to start coming up with a master list of main meals with what's in my house as of today.       Some days it's just me for supper because of sons schedule and if there's some thing he can heat up, I'm likely to just make myself a piece of toast with peanut butter. Sometimes the girls are here which leans towards more plant based foods. This is just a supper list as lunches are usually leftovers or a basic sandwich or salad. Breakfast, if eaten is oatmeal, toast, quick bread/ muffins and maybe an egg here and there, fruit and of course coffee. Pork loin chops, mashed potatoes and gravy ( tonight), mixed veg BBQ Pork loin with Mac and cheese , green beans Pu...

           May was not a healthy month. I did not lose weight, both as I did not make great eating choices and not nearly the amount of exercise I need. Last week was horrendous in terms of calories consumed- multiple alcoholic drinks plus calorie laden food means excess calories regardless of how much walking we did. With the rest of June,  I must be more intentional now that summer is here. Still trying for a accountability, I'm going to use Wednesday again to check in, at least on first four. Lose five pounds. My get away was not good for any weight loss so I'm starting behind here. I do not want to go to my August one year check on my knee and weight more than pre-surgery.  Walk 10 miles per week. This both helps me burn calories but it's good for my mental health. Per my June goals, I want at least a good walk a week in a new area. Strength and weight resistance exercise two hours per week. Ensure I have at least six fruit and veg servings pe...

      Schools now out in our town and for all my family with kids. I hope to get summer ball schedules as that's a nice  break to go watch a game on a perfect summer night. I have at least another  grad party to attend, but it's not until July. This week, I'm focused on home. My house really has been in neglect with me being gone and before that being outside more than in. I'm having family bookclub/cards Saturday after we do our Adopt a Park cleaning, so that gives me motivation.       Yesterday was just a tidying day with dusting and vacuuming, nearly daily needs with pets and open windows. I got the back yard mowed after it dried out some from the overnight showers. Today is kitchen focused. I'm purging my storage container area, if it doesn't have a matching lid, it's gone. I'll also clean the coffee and toaster areas, and minimally get the bakers rack looking pristine. Windows and floor will get a better job than the usual. There's rain ...

       There's a bit more I could write about on the trip, but trying not to put you to sleep. Also, m y android is getting outdated and pictures not the best so many are on my sister's phone and she'll share with me, but here's a few I had. My  older sister and I had to keep reminding ourselves that while we were vacationing, little sister was working. We had to make sure not to be bad influences and keep her up all hours. No problem there as I turn into a pumpkin by 10:00. As you read Friday, we ate well; we drank well too.      Sunday, arriving about noon and given an early check-in, was a day to check out the scene of downtown Memphis, Beale Street, live music, and many beverages. As the weather wasn't much different than home, we were quite comfortable. Dinner was at Hueys, a Memphis staple with many locations. We had beverages and conversation poolside back at the hotel before calling it a day.       Monday got off to a s...

                     I copy the previous week, delete the old and updated as I go along the week as a way even when busy and not in a blogging mindset I'm accountable to myself.  Here's my recap of Friday, May 30 to Thursday, June 5. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs I bought a box of crunchy oats and honey granola bars to toss in my back pack for the trip. These are great for taking that hungry edge off when out and about, avoiding over priced snacks. Of course I had my water bottle to fill as well. Actually never used them as breakfast was so substantial but came in handy for the 12:00 flight home. Having my Delta AmEx means no checked bag fee on first bag. I technically had a carry-on size plus my backpack, but as my sister has to check hers, there was no time saving by carrying on and it's nice not having to wheel a case along in the airport. Both were full flights anyway.  Spent Intentionally I budgeted a certai...

            I'm already five days into June, once again typing this while sitting in an airport waiting to board for the trip home. It was a good few days. Drafting goals for May seemed to give me a bit of focus so let's see if it works for June.  Financial : Shave $75 off budget grocery/ HH target of $575. I say target not budget because I feel like I have less control on costs, but control on what I buy. Reduce gas to not more than two fill ups. More walking, more consolidation of trips.  Sell boat. The boat shed is still storing for me as we didn't even want the hastle of bringing to the lake. Family : Do one fun activity with each or kids collectively.  Go to lake to visit MIL at least one time. We had a not quite falling out, but I spoke up about something that was bothering me a great deal and she took offense. She was still a bit cold towards me Memorial Day Sunday, but "thawed" as we discussed possible plants for the memorial gar...

    Back in March I wrote up my needs and wants   list, then in April, updated where I was with things. It's been a while and the life that was in theory is now the present so am taking a look again.  Spending money for Memphis in June.*-Done by taking two full and 1 half sub job in April and May Spending money for the UK November .* In one of Belinda's posts she did a recap of her garage sales. I have a possible idea to hold a garage sale by summers end, but likely I'll just donate. Possible though.  Repayment of property tax rebate overage -Done Replace side mirror on my small SUV -Done Black dirt to  fill dog holes  and low dips, grass seed, and fertilizer for back yard  Black dirt/ garden soil for raised beds, Vegetable seeds and starters   Replace my queen and the full mattress my son uses- moved these two up and will take care of this spring  summer 5 c chest freezer ( the size I got my daughter is perfect). This was back at t...

      I think these aren't actually intentional flowers  at my daughter's but are pretty. I'm betting someone knows them.       May was a hard month beginning with the care then loss of my brother. Then in a blink, it seemed Memorial Day Weekend was up on us. Now, I'm sitting at the airport waiting to board a flight to Memphis for five days, well three full and two half, days with my sisters. I thought I'd do an accountability check for myself and you as my witnesses, as to if I actually accomplished anything intended in May. Financial: Stay on top of getting HSA reimbursement for May insurance premium.   While I sent the first reimbursement request in, nothing has been paid out yet.  Follow-up to understand an additional post retirement benefit fee/ deposit and how I utilize this. It was related to the medical flex account but my understanding was that was done when I left employment. No answers yet and can't seem to get to the right pe...