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No Surprise

No surprise here, but I’m exhausted. These past couple of months, I have been unable to fall asleep. Honestly, it takes half a century to fall asleep. Once I’m asleep I’m good, it’s just getting there that’s hard. Thankfully, I have bloodwork in a few weeks to determine if my thyroid is the culprit. After all, it usually is!

While it’s no surprise I’m tired, it will come as no surprise that prior authorization approval is still pending for the Mayor’s Dexcom. When he was in the hospital in October, Cigna called and told us they would approve a CGM and insulin pump immediately for him. Cigna doesn’t have the best reputation, but they did the right thing. It is taking weeks for BCBS to approve the Dexcom 7. It’s unacceptable to me that BCBS would delay the medical equipment necessary to keep his blood sugar stable.

Perhaps I’ll sleep better when I’m not worrying about where his next Dexcom is coming from. I’m going to try calling again this evening. The doctor’s office reached out to BCBS yesterday. It’s so infuriating that I even have to fight this battle. At this point, I’m going to have to take it to the socials to get it approved. They already have confirmation of his type 1 diabetes and have paid for his insulin pump. This is just absolute insanity.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading She Wolves by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?

If I could be someone else for a day, I’d want to be my Grandma T. I’d love to walk a day in her shoes with her memories and her experiences. The not-so-serious answer would be that I’d love to be Victoria Beckham for a day, so I can hang out with her husband David.

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Struggle

The struggle is real. From parenting to sleeping, rinsing, and repeating the struggle is real. We’ve been on the struggle bus the last few months with the Mayor. He’s 18 and newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, which makes parenting a little bit spicy. Honestly, he doesn’t like us asking about his blood sugar or anything else. Why is raising teenagers/adult children so difficult?

He got a car in December which is amazing, but since he’s gotten the car he’s changed. Since he has his car, he no longer helps around the house or with the dogs. Clearly, he was only helping so he could have the use of our vehicle Asking for any kind of assistance results in a major attitude. Honestly, parenting littles is tough, but nobody prepares you for the difficulty of parenting adult children. Anyway, I know we’re not the only parents on the struggle bus.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading She Wolves by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.

I once decided to build myself a bookshelf. It went well until I put the shelves on backward. My hubby ended up rebuilding it for me.

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Reese’s

So we go through Reese’s cup in this house like they’re going out of style. They’re the Mayor’s go-to emergency snack to bring his sugar up. They’re ideal because they have ample carbs and some protein. Originally we stored them in the fridge, but it was way too easy access for the hubby and I. It was also cool enough outside to stash them in his diabetes storage drawers.

We quickly learned the best way to replenish the stash was to hit up the post-holiday sales. Nothing beats Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups at half price. Also, the holiday ones tend to be more fresh. We already killed the Valentine’s Day peanut butter cups. In fact, the Mayor was yelling at the hubby and me for eating the cups out of his stash. Mind you he’s never been without an emergency stash and we’re paying for the cups. The only other person who wouldn’t be happy with my coffee and peanut butter cup diet would be my doctor.

Jake’s wife Melly makes these amazing peanut butter balls, which I should learn to make. They’re truly little masterpieces of chocolate and peanut butter. It would probably save us some money at Target as we’d no longer buy all the bags of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. The Mayor also has a stash of Powerade and Gatorade, which helps keep his sugar moderated during the day. It’s quick too since it’s liquid. After several months of living with type 1, we’re starting to settle into the new normal. It’s just our new normal can be a bit shifty and tenuous at times.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading She Wolves by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

I wouldn’t permanently ban a word, but would ban the overuse of words. For example, folks throw out words like communist, fascist, and socialist for every person they disagree with politically. These words have heavy meanings and heavy implications, so to overuse them to the point they lose their meaning is dangerous.

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Fabulous

I had a fabulous weekend with the family. It was, however, a bit short. Oh, and there was the fact the Mayor’s Dexcom died and so did the replacement. We had to go bare Saturday night. It was a nightmare. I don’t think I slept at all. The Dexcom gives us security. We know if his sugar is off, the Dexcom will alert us. With no Dexcom to alert us, we were back to waking up in the middle of the night to make sure he was okay.

Our change of insurance precipitated the issue with his Dexcom. While my weekend was fabulous, I think we all know health insurance in the US is far from fabulous. BCBS will not approve the Dexcom prescription without prior authorization, despite the fact that he has an insulin pump with a noted type 1 diagnosis on file. It makes me wonder if they’d rather have us manage his condition at the hospital. Surely that can’t be the more cost-effective way to manage type 1.

We ended up paying cash for one Dexcom 7 sensor to tide us over until the authorization comes through. Unfortunately, our Walgreens didn’t have any on hand. Fortunately, Sean, the pharmacy tech assisting us, called around and found us one nearby immediately. While I’m usually quite tepid in my praise for Walgreens Pharmacy, yesterday they went above and beyond for us. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief once the Mayor was back on his Dexcom 7.

In between the continuous glucose monitor drama, the Hubby and I took the puppies for walks on Saturday and Sunday. The weather was perfect for it and the dogs were thrilled to go on an adventure. Saturday is an active rest day for me, so a nice leisurely walk with the dogs was on brand. Hopefully, it’s a habit we can maintain as the spring continues. It’s great for the dogs and it’s great for us.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading She Wolves by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

What is the biggest challenge you will face in the next six months?

In the next six months, our youngest will be graduating high school and concluding his youth hockey career. It’s odd to think about hanging up the hockey mom life after twenty-plus years of mayhem. Anyway, it will be a big adjustment for both me and my hubby.

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About Last Night

About last night, it wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, but what a game! The Four Nations was the best All-Star iteration of any league that I’ve ever seen. The caliber of competition and the athletes’ passion was second to none. Honestly, it makes the other leagues look terrible. The NHL players make far less than their NBA or NFL equivalents yet they show up and give 150% no matter what. They play through incredible injuries with a commitment to their teams and fans that is unmatched. They’re absolute beasts!

Watching the game last night was a thing of beauty. Every line that came out was stacked to the gills with talent. Seeing Sidney Crosby and McDavid on the ice together was a gift. Moreover, I loved seeing the Tkachuk brothers on the same line. I would love to Brady in a Cats uniform. Boldy and Faber had a great tournament as well. The future is bright for Team USA. We’re all counting down to the Winter Olympics in Italy next year. So thank you to the players who participated in the Four Nations Faceoff for putting on a master class of what professional sports should look like,

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading She Wolves by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

What is your favorite drink?

My favorite drink is coffee. When I’m home, I must start my day with my large, hot Dunkin. It’s my comfort food/drink. I can give up pretty much everything in the name of fitness or nutrition, but I will never give up my Dunkin.

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Tonight

Tonight is the night!!! Team USA and Canada will face off in the championship game of the Four Nations Faceoff. Saturday’s game between the two teams was one of the best hockey games I’ve ever seen—and I’ve seen a few in my day. I’m not sure this game will start with three fights like Saturday’s game, but it’s going to be a slugfest. Again, I have to give the NHL their flowers for putting together this incredible tournament. The competition has been insane.

The only problem with tonight’s game is that it starts at 8:00 p.m., which in ESPN/NHL speak means 8:30 p.m. If there’s any hope of me staying up for the whole game, I may have to take a disco nap. Tomorrow morning is going to be rough. If tonight’s game is as amazing as Saturday’s, it’s not going to be easy to fall asleep afterwards. I’ll be keyed up, and I already have trouble sleeping.

I started taking magnesium glycinate for my muscles in August and it’s helped my sleep immensely. Unfortunately, for the last couple of months I keep waking up at night. My mind, apparently, doesn’t want to shut off. Unfortunately, this is normal in your forties. It’s bad enough I can’t make it through a day without seeing a perimenopause reel on Insta that I identify with, but living with the symptoms is the injury to insult I don’t need in my life. Here’s to a day where great sleep isn’t a distant memory!

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading She Wolves by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Who are your favorite people to be around?

I love being around my family. I especially love having all my kids home and my folks. They’re the best people and I miss them.

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Say it Ain’t So

Say it ain’t so! My muscles are getting achy and my nose is getting stuffy. Does cold and flu season know I’ve got no time for this nonsense? I substituted my morning electrolytes (Nuun) with Emergen-C after spin. I did manage to complete both workouts, but it was hard. As a rule, I’ll work out as long as my symptoms are from the neck up. Once it hits the chest or stomach, it’s time to rest. Anyway, say it ain’t so.

Outside of the impending doom of incoming illness, I’ve spent my day recruiting participants and team captains for PurpleStride. I’m so excited that I’ll be able to attend the event this year, so I will be actively building a team while stewarding the other captains. Honestly, it’s extremely important to me that this event is successful as it’s a way for me to honor Debbie’s legacy, Today’s efforts have already born fruit, which is super exciting!!!

One thing I am so excited about is the Puppy Yoga place that opened in Delray. I don’t normally love the merchant ads on Instagram, but I was thrilled to see this one. The Mayor and I are going to take a puppy yoga class on my birthday, which I’m pumped for. I think my friend Alex is also going to join us, which will make it extra fun. The Hubby might even attend, if only to block the mayor and me from bringing a new puppy home.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading She Wolves by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Are there any activities or hobbies you’ve outgrown or lost interest in over time?

I used to play the piano quite a bit, but I haven’t done so since I got married. I miss playing marimba and piano, but there’s not enough time in the day.

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Blah

Blah is how I’m feeling about today. At least, my work is a bit blah. The phones, once again, have not been kind. I will never understand why everyone thinks they are entitled to get everything free. I don’t understand where this sense of entitlement comes from. Whose legacy is that gonna be? One thing I’m sure of is that a Team USA victory last night would have made today less blah.

Anyway, enough complaining about silly people. I do love my job and the flexibility it brings. Working remotely makes it a million times easier to live a balanced life. While I do sometimes miss listening to music in my car, I don’t miss my hour commute in the morning and hour commute in the evening. Honestly, working from home makes sticking to my fitness and baking goals achievable.

By the way, when did our news media hit rock bottom? Where I live there are a lot of things going on all the time. Yesterday was not a slow news day. To preface my statements, the President also lives in my county and this is our second term with him. Our local news channel ran a story about a guy seeing fighter jets (F-16s) flying over our area and he couldn’t figure out why. Nor could the reporter, who even called the Air Force for a comment. One, the Air Force doesn’t tell you what they’re doing. Two is that this is his second term in office, people here should know the drill. Part of keeping the President secure is fighter jets in our air space.

Honestly, I read that news report and it made me wish I couldn’t read. Coincidentally, the fighters were up over our skies again this morning. I could hear the distinctive roar of the fighter jet from my yoga mat. It reminded me of visiting Jake in Utah and hearing the fighter jets. Personally, I love seeing them in the skies. They’re wicked cool to watch. Also, they remind me of my airman. Now if the fighters were screaming over us, I may be a bit nervous.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. Last night, I finished reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor. Tonight, I’m starting She Wolves by Helen Castor. I read Alison Weir’s analysis of the queens from the Conqueror to the Tudors, so I’m curious to read Castor’s take on a few of the more infamous queens.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Share one of the best gifts you’ve ever received.

My family is the best gift I’ve gotten.

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Epic

To say the Team USA and Team Canada game was epic on Saturday night would be an understatement. It was the best hockey game I have watched in a very long time. The sheer level of talent on the ice at any given time was mind-blowing. I mean Team Canada’s roster features to generational talents in Crosby and McDavid. It doesn’t get better than that.

The start to the game was as epic as the game. The Tkachuk bots threw done and JT Miller joined the party. Three fights in nine seconds to start the game was incredible to watch. Obviously, the players in both teams were there to compete. There easily non of this bull shit All Star game nonsense where folks don’t try. This game, the first in nine years, as a big deal for the players. It was an emotional opportunity to represent their country.

Whoever came up with the Four Nations FaceOff idea at the NHL should be given a raise. I don’t like Gary Bettman, but I must give him his flowers for this concept. Okay, maybe I won’t send him a floral arrangement, but you get my drift. The compete level in every game of this tournament has been at the highest level. Honestly, the hockey has been so good, that I’ll be sad when it’s over.

This afternoon Team Canada handled Finland. Finland dug themselves into a hole during the first period and they couldn’t get out of it. They made a really aggressive push at the end, but Team Canada came away with a 5-3 win. I was hoping Finland would at least take them into overtime. Finland had to be riding high after defeating Sweden in overtime on Saturday afternoon. That game was also epic.

Tonight Team USA takes on Team Sweden, which will be another great game. Otter will be in the net giving Hellebuyck a well-deserved night off. Hellebucyk has been a difference-maker for Team USA this tournament. Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk are out of the lineup today as well. Not sure what’s up with McAvoy, but Tkachuk sustained a lower-body injury Saturday night. Hopefully, Chucky is fine and they’re resting him out of an abundance of caution.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Write about your approach to budgeting.

I have a monthly budget that I use as a guide for the household expenses. Unfortunately, I’m the only one that uses or tries to adhere to it.

Siri, play Freebird

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Happy Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day from me to you. I’m not the biggest fan of this Hallmark holiday. Heck, I kind of forgot it existed until a guy at work started posting love songs in the team chat. I may post a breakup song in the chat just to mess with him. Plus, not everyone feels love on Valentine’s Day.

My Valentine’s gift to myself was watching the Bash Brothers, aka the Tkachuk brothers, playing for Team USA last night. The squad looked great! I loved that Matt Boldy and Brock Faber connected for the go ahead go. The Wild boys looked great. Team USA turned on the gas in the third, but I thought the Panther players on both teams crushed it.

Tomorrow Team Finland and Team Sweden have the matinee game, which will be amazing. There is no love lost between these two countries, so it will be an entertaining and passionate game. Team USA and Team Canada take the ice at 8:00 pm, which means I’ll be up past my bed time again. That should be another great game. So no red roses for me this Valentine’s Day, I’m happy to enjoy some great hockey with my sweethearts.

2025 Goal Tracker:

  • Run a 5K: in training
  • Complete Kayla Itsines program: in progress
  • No afternoon Starbucks (except for travel/vacations): I made it into February and haven’t buckled!
  • Top performer at work: on it!
  • Travel: working on it
  • Eat to lower inflammation: in progress
  • Read daily: in progress. I’m reading  The Eagle and The Hart by Helen Castor.
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

If there were a biography about you, what would the title be?

The title of my very interesting biography would be All Aboard The Hot Mess Express. I think the title says it all.