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Time Off

I took some time off from the blog to rest, recharge, level up to 45, and prepare for PurpleStride. Now that PurpleStride is over, I’m back to my regularly scheduled program. Or at least a somewhat regular program. Who even knows what regular is anymore, because I certainly don’t.

There’s so much to update, but I won’t do it all in one post. You may remember from my last post that I had been fighting with BCBS for Dexcom 7 approval. Finally, an escalation specialist reached out to me after I went nuclear on X. She was an absolute gem. She escalated my concerns regarding the ridiculousness of needing prior auth on a CGN for a type 1 diabetic. In the end, BCBS completely waived the prior authorization process for him.

Meanwhile, the Mayor’s team headed to Tampa for the state tournament. While I had a fabulous time in Tampa (thank you, Alex and moonshine), the team’s performance was less than stellar. It was a bit frustrating to lose to a team that had a player who hadn’t played the required number of games with the team. Only to find out, of course, that the rule didn’t apply to kids who played for Alliance. Naturally, this rule, specific to alliance players, isn’t documented anywhere. Also, to be clear, while it was frustrating, it’s not the reason our team lost. I’m just glad I’m down with youth hockey in Florida.

So it’s goodbye to youth hockey and on to Juniors. The Mayor will be playing for the Junior Cats this upcoming season. This is a new team that is local to us. He’s not looking to move away at this time, given the relatively recent type 1 diagnosis. I’m not a huge fan of junior hockey, but it’s a great way to spend a gap year. The Mayor’s plans for after high school were completely upended by his type 1 diabetes diagnosis last fall. Consequently, playing Juniors will give him a year to figure it out. Needless to say, I’ll be keeping my hockey mom rituals for another season.

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 Henry V, The Astonishing Triumphs of England’s Greatest Warrior King, by Dan Jones
  • Get out of debt: in progress
  • Financial independence: in progress

Have you ever been camping?

I have never been camping, and tent life is not for me. I envision coming back to my tent and seeing a big bear rummaging through it. Moreover, I like things like beds, running water, and air conditioning. Thanks to my thyroid and perimenopause, I’m barely sleeping right now. The last place you’d catch me is trying to sleep in the discomfort of a tent. As for glamping, I’m here for it.

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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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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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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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Four Nations

The Four Nations face-off started last night with Canada taking on Sweden in Montreal. It was apparent from the beginning that this was going to be great hockey. I have to say I absolutely love the concept. The Canadians scored early with Nate McKinnon scoring a power play goal assisted by Crosby and McDavid. It was a high-caliber hockey game. I cannot wait to watch Team USA take on Barkov and Team Finland tonight.

I hope no injuries come out of this tournament because this concept is far superior to the All-Star game. I’m sure the fan engagement numbers will prove to the NHL that this is the way to go. In fact, I can’t remember a time when the All-Star game was entertaining. The Mayor attended the All-Star game in 2023 at Amerant Arena. This is a kid who lives and breathes hockey and was bored out of his gourd by the All-Star game. In fact, the highlight of his All-Star Weekend was volunteering for the dress rehearsal and skating at Amerant Bank arena. Enjoy the Four Nations Face-Off!

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

What were your parents doing at your age?

My parents were busy raising my brothers and me. My older brother and I would have been in high school already, while my garrulous little brother would have been in middle school. We definitely gave my folks a run for their money.

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Hump Day

It’s hump day! Today has been good so far. This morning I did a spin class as soon as I woke up. It’s a great way to get me fired up for the day. I’m not sure I ride as hard in the morning as I would in the evening, but getting the work in is still important. I will say drinking Nuun right after brushing my teeth does make my mouth pucker. I fell asleep on the couch after walking the dogs post-spin. Apparently, I needed an early morning nap.

For the first time this week, the phones have been good to me. I needed a solid production day, so I’m pleased. Also had a PPC meeting this morning, which is always great. I love my crew. I put together a more formal document to keep our business straight. It’s nothing fancy, but it will help us become more efficient. Hopefully, the phones will be kind to me for the rest of the day.

Last week I finished Kayla Itsine’s Beginner HIIT workout on the Sweat App. It’s eight weeks of workouts that gradually build in intensity and difficulty. This week I started week one of Kayla Itsine’s HIIT program (OG BBG workout.). It’s so tough, but it’s so good. The combination of strength and plyometrics is exactly what my body needs. Truly, it complements the cardio and yoga work I was already doing. Happy Hump Day!

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 you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

Where does one even start with this one? I think we have a lot of ridiculous laws on the books. However, the one law I would change or create would be to institute term limits for Congress. Happy Hump Day!

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End of an Era

It was the end of an era yesterday as the Mayor played his last league game of his youth hockey career. This time it’s for real as he’s aging out of youth hockey. There’s no division after u-18. If he wants to keep playing hockey, it would be Junior hockey. If you know me, you know my opinion on Junior hockey, so I’ll spare you the sermon.

The boys won their last league game handily. They played significantly better this weekend than they did the prior two weekends. Moreover, they were moving the puck well. If they’re going to win states, and they can, they’ll need to move the puck and play skilled, structured hockey. I quite enjoyed myself during the game courtesy of the sour watermelon moonshine that I picked up Saturday. Anyway, the moonshine made the end of an era easier to accept.

After the game ended, we headed to the Brass Monkey for some good food and slow service. It’s a dive bar near the rink that serves amazing food. The team took up their whole dining room and the lunch took the entire afternoon. I enjoyed a hearty bowl of their clam chowder, which is good. By the time we left, I was way too full to eat dinner during the game. I still made the focaccia bread and will have the roast the hubby made for dinner tonight.

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

You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

The first thing I’d do is tell my immediate family – the hubby and kids. After that, I’d call my parents and tell them the good news. Once they know, I’d tell everyone I know including the postman.

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Check In

We’re finishing the first full week of February, so I thought I’d check in with my New Year’s resolutions. As I thought about them during my workout, I thought about how resolutions can quickly become meaningless. For me, this year’s resolutions were about committing to making myself and my life better. I do, however, miss those afternoon lattes.

My strength work today was brutal, so I had to give myself pep talks to get through it. I had to remind myself that the hard I’m doing is to make me better. Learning to persevere through the hard, brutal stuff like burpees with pushups, helps us persevere in other areas of life. I also felt immensely proud and satisfied when I finished the workout, giving it my best. In my formative years, I remember my parents being committed (they still are) to their daily walk. Seeing their commitment to their fitness and wellbeing has stuck with me.

2024 was rough, but 2025 is all about becoming a juggernaut. And by juggernaut, I mean the best version of myself. The schedule change has helped. I love getting up working out and then starting work. By the time my lunch hour is done, I’ve completed my workouts for the day. Once I’ve finished working for the day, I’ve completed all the items on my to-do list except for reading. I read every night, so that’s an easy checkmark on my to-do list.

Do you need a break? From what?

I absolutely need a break from 2025. In fact, I’m quite confident that I’m not alone in this feeling. The world is a scary place right now and life is tough. I think we’d all like to take a collective deep breath before rejoining 2025.

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Wednesday

Well, it’s Wednesday. We’re halfway through the week. The work week had been going well, but today has been an absolute train wreck. Such is life in sales. Tomorrow is a new and better day. I just have to survive the last thirty minutes of my day. My schedule is changing tomorrow. Instead of starting at 8:00, I’ll start at 9:00. This should ensure I’m busy all day.

After I’m going to take a spin class. Starting this week, they reduced our schedule to eight hours a day, so I’ve increased my workouts to two a day during the week. I did my strength workout over lunch and will do my spin class afterward. The extra hour of work wasn’t doing me a lot of good anyway. The extra daily workout, however, will put me closer to achieving my goals.

Once spin class is done, I’m going to bake the sourdough loaves that are currently proving on the counter. I had started the loaves Monday night but had to start over yesterday as I left the dough out overnight. The dough was way overproved and wouldn’t have been edible in any iteration. Tomorrow I’m going to share the sandwich loaf recipe that I’ve been using. It’s easy and tastes great. I think it’s the perfect loaf for a new baker to bake. Anyway, I’m off to finish my fabulous Wednesday.

Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.

My ideal day starts with some hot Dunkin’ coffee and a walk with my dogs. After the walk, I’ll sip my coffee while watching the Great British Bake Off. I really enjoy spending my time with my dogs and my family. As long as I’m with them, I’m happy. My perfect day ends with me cuddling with Anakin while I read my book.