Day 183
Random number 83
ditch an excuse
I allowed no excuses for keeping me from meditating, stretching and balance this morning. I’m always late for work so claiming I have no time doesn’t cut it. I’m so glad I did — and I would enjoy it every day if I stopped making excuses.
I didn’t allow myself to make any excuses to not go to lunch with co-workers. It was lovely.
No excuses tonight to avoid a reasonable bedtime!
Once upon a time my uncle worked for a large computer company called Honeywell in the DC area. Honeywell did a lot of government contract work. My uncle had a high security clearance. We don’t know exactly what he did, but he’d fly off to exotic locales like the arctic circle or Turkey for various assignments.
Once he came back from northern northern northern Norway, and the US government let him keep about 16 of the 36-photo roll of photos he took (this was late 1970s). The photos we were allowed to see could’ve been New Hampshire for all we could tell: snowy trees, half a wooden house, a flag pole without the flag visible, and in one, the teenist bit of gray US Navy ship railing.
In 1979, he was on an assignment in Turkey, when the Iranian revolution happened and American hostages were taken at the US embassy. *Suppppposedly*… we learned later there had been discussion of my uncle (as he was “in the area”) going to Iran to recover? destroy? embassy computer(s). But it was deemed too dangerous and he did not go. I have no idea of the validity of this almost-dramatic story.
ANYWAY, as a young person in the late 1970s, like many of us, i was completely sucked into the hostage story. I am forever grateful i do not have a personal connection to it.
Our nation’s relationship with Iran has long been fraught, well before the hostages. And clearly, a long time to come. Sigh.
Day 182
Rando # 301
Give compliments widely and freely.
i tried to do this but I'm rusty. Got some extra compliments out. Complimented Peter and Nora and Sean. Expressed gratitude to Maureen and Max. Wish I’d been more effusive to staff at Cracker Barrel. I’m extending this into Tuesday and Wednesday since I’ll be at the office.
I complimented my co-worker’s blouse. I enthusiastically praised another co-worker’s driving. I complimented another co-worker’s 4th of July nails. I complimented another co-worker for doing her job well. I complimented my chiropractor.
This giving compliments is nice. I want to do more of this.
Day 181
Random number 41
Write out an affirmation 20 times
Took me a few days to get around to this. Affirmed about my health and movement. It is a good meditative practice. Maybe I’ll do more.
But I’ll need a nicer notebook…
I used to be an editor at a country music magazine in the ‘90s. I lived and breathed that stuff. And i somewhat continued to follow the stars’ lives for a few years after.
I would’ve said it was all behind me. But man! did I click hard when I saw a headline about a Brooks/Yearwood divorce.
Turned out to be speculative clickbait. Maybe they are… but nothing’s been filed. Garth is either a cheating creep or he’s a rich guy being targeted. Equally possible. 🤷🏼♀️
I’m just laughing at myself to discover how much I still cared as if I know these people. 😆😆😆🎤🎶🐴
Day 177
Number 288
Make Sean’s life better
Got Sean’s car fixed up. I made his 10-year-old car like new with a wax job and headlight cover cleaner at @minteco. He is impressed. And he picked up an 8-legged hitchhiker who will eat bugs. A good day for his old CRV.
Last November, I researched all sorts of tips of how to clean headlight covers with minimal success. It was very much worth the money to pay someone else to do it.
Day 178
Number 463
Participate in democracy
Participated in car caravan through Palm Beach County with thousands of others. Picked up B&J who participated in actual march to Maralago.
Day 179
Number 464
Movie marathon
Peter’s birthday and Fathers Day: The Other Guys, Time Bandits, and The Accountant 2.
Day 180
Number 465
ice cream
Mint chip and Bear claw
Day 175
Not-So-Random number 151
accept help
Fell on the sidewalk outside Barnes & Noble. Banged up my knee and bounced in my shoulder, and twisted my ankle. I hobbled back to office and Britney immediately grabbed an ice back. Kelly brought me Tylenol. Darline and Karen checked on me and suggested bubble wrap. All the attention was a bit much but I accepted help rather than put on a brave face. Hobbled to car and hobbled to bed and let Sean & Peter take care of me.
my bruised ankle in the morning:
Day 176
Random number 403
Repair Fannie Farmer cookbook
This old book was falling apart. Mended it with packing tape. I feel better about its survival now.
Let’s see if I can do leg lifts — 10 x3 each side — every day for a week.,
Update 6/16: so far… nothing. May need to modify this experiment.
Day 174
Random number 462
order USA flag shirts, get details for protest
Planning on car caravan protest with Sean. Ordered flag shirts for us both and flags to decorate the car. We will be out there celebrating Flag Day! And NO KINGS!
Day 173
Random number 31
catch up
I caught up on sleep and just resting in a dark room this weekend. I caught up with Susan at lunch. I’m staying caught up on my blogging. I caught up some Flamingocon work.
Day 172
Random number 434
Delete duplicate contacts on phone
Delightful. An easy task to do while laying in bed, which I did most of Sunday.
Got rid of some duplicates. But also old stuff from when Ellie and I shared contacts. And I got rid of businesses that we don’t use anymore. And entries that were just a name: Ben. Janet. Dave. With no context! Must do better in future when adding.
I didn’t delete enough to make any difference in my phone, but I’ll feel better that it’s less cluttered.
Today I ended my reign as Queen of Flamingocon… er, I mean President of the Board of Directors of Flamingocon Inc. It’s been a heck of a ride for 10 years. The board/my friends gave me a picture that spells out LEGEND, surrounded by notes of love. I was really touched.
Back in 2015, as a lark, friends and I threw together a 12-hour game day in a church hall. We didn’t know if anyone beyond our friends would show up. But it was a hit. And it grew and word spread and we just kept doing it. And when it was time to grow three years later, we formalized into a 501(c)3 nonprofit and held board meetings and started giving away games and teaching games at libraries and schools, and even more growing the love of non-electronic social interactions and board game love.
The board gaming community is kind, generous, supportive, inclusive, curious, and nerdy in the best possible way. I’m delighted to have had a small role in supporting and growing this community in South Florida. I’ve seen many people make new friends, learn new things, share their passion, and revel in a fun, wholesome, intellectually challenging hobby.
I’m still on the board of directors. I plan to keep coming back to Flamingocons after Sean and I move. I’m so thrilled the friends who made this all happen with me want to continue and to improve it. And heck, I think a realignment and fresh ideas will make Flamingocon stronger. This change is good for all of us.
And I’m working on my next idea of an event that could grow Flamingocon beyond Palm Beach County.
I couldn’t have done any of this without @sean.brodrick and @bgwillett and family, and definitely not without all the great gaming friends and enthusiasts in our area who keep eagerly attending over and over.
In these photos is a selfie today at Flamingocon 29 with the crowded room behind me and another photo is a selfie of me at the very first Flamingocon event with the crowded room behind me. In 2015, I was shocked the event was going off without a hitch. Today, I am content with how well this event and organization has come together.
All my flamingo love to the South Florida board gaming community. 🦩♥️🦩♥️🦩♥️🦩♥️🦩♥️🦩
Day: 171
Random number 450
Chocolate
A little bliss. Had a chocolate dessert at dinner at Imoto, then a few Hersheys nuggets at bedtime. This is no way to lose weight but it was joy-ful!
Posted this a couple days ago on Instagram. Meant to also post here.
A fantastic mellow four-day weekend for me — and yet hardly anything photographable, except these 3 bums in Delray Beach.
Pluses:
Minuses:
Next:
Reward for catching up on the To Do list and keeping the house insanely tidy for two weeks? manicure and eyebrow wax. Yes, they were actually on the To Do list!
Plus, this weekend is my last time “hosting” Flamingocon!
#lifeisgood
Day 170
Random #: 99
take action
I downloaded an app to track my weight. Time to get this weight loss started.
I am going to the gym today — and even better I cancelled the gym to save $ (ends at end of the month). I also cancelled massage envy and got Sean to lower NYT subscription.
Getting my eyebrows waxed this afternoon. No one will notice but me, but I’ll feel better!
We have been taking so much action on the house. And my downtime has been Andor with Sean and Survivor with Peter. Time to take action on self-care.
It’s time. This weight is yet again literally weighing on me.
I am trying out a new app Happy Scale. It just tracks your weight. Averages it out, helps you figure out length of time to goal. But nothing else. Just enter weight.
Im yet again at my heaviest. Everything about my life would be better if I lost 30 lbs. Energy, clothes, confidence, travel, sleep, exercise, heart…
I need to
Day 169
Random number 48
Write list of dream house features
BONUS
Random number: 134
Donate to a cause
Gave $258 to CROS Ministries. We have food earlier this week, and saw the long line of folks waiting to get groceries. I know the group needs money even more than my leftover groceries. Glad to help feed people.
Day 168
Random #: 441
Research libraries near Wesley Chapel/Brandon
The New Tampa Regional Library — and all the libraries in the area. Temple Terrace one has Mahjong and Scrabble. The Bew Tampa one has yoga. Maybe I’ll find activities and make friends, or volunteer to teach board games.
Day 167
Random number 58
take food to food pantry
Finally cleared out two bulging bags of food and a case of baked beans out to a food pantry. Feels good to get stuff out, but was also a humbling remindervofvourvoruvelege as we witnessed a line of people picking up groceries. Peter helped me with this one.
BONUS
Randomization: 189
Bake cookies
Baked up a sheet of cute little tollhouse cookies. I even shared with Sean and Peter.
In:
Out:
UPDATE 6/11/25:
I found myself in the odd situation of … not having anything on my To Do list. I’m hyper-organized. And after weeks of getting the house together to sell, workmen, errands, in addition to my usual full life, I appear to have … caught up? I have more things to do but they require business hours.
I had to think… this is when people read books, right? Or nap. Or watch TV. Or start a new loaf of sourdough. (I often have those on my To Do list so that I won’t forget to do them. See: hyper-organized)
So I napped. And a now baking a loaf while watching unplanned TV.
I’m exaggerating a wee bit. I goof off a lot every day — but usually with awareness that I’ve left off of the To Do list. This time, I really just had nothing needing to do.
Huh.
I like this. I’m gonna do more of this.
Day 166
Random number: 252
Time alone with Sean
Having Peter at home has many benefits for him and us. We’ll get along quite well most of the time. But sometimes parents just want to be *alone.* We thought we’d be empty nesters by now so it’s nice to get a taste of it. Peter went to a friend’s birthday party. Sean and I have spent the time chilling, cuddling, kissing … and getting house ready for a last-minute showing. Whatever works!
Breakfast:
1/2 a banana, two slices homemade sourdough bread with peanut butter, tiny bowl of Froot Loops to finish off the box
Plus an episode of My Life Is Murder, a NZ-based mystery starring Lucy Lawless.
On a rainy morning with nothing scheduled all day.
#lifeisgood
