We have a Yorkshire trip this fall and an Italian destination wedding in the spring, so I think a trip even to Sarasota might be one too many. Even if it means I miss a fun Ring! Sarasota bell concert. (They really are a hoot) So put me down in the ”regretfully probably not, but ever optimistic” column. (and really hoping to go, as February in Chicago is the best time to not be here.)

One thing we are all very mindful of is to mingle with everyone and bring newbies into the fold. I think that's really important for events like this.

Echoing @jsk, I too can confirm! Tulipmania was my first GTG, and it was a bit like a homecoming because I already felt such a kinship with this forum. I’m looking forward to Sotafest and getting to know everyone better.

I’m hoping DH will join me on this trip—perhaps we can get the DHs together for coffee or lunch. And I'm optimistic about everyone in the "optimistic" column. Come on....you know you want to!

And as always, many thanks to the co-chairs, coco chairs, rococo chairs, and everyone else involved in the planning!

mtn had the good idea to check Philly. I'm about 1/2 way between Newark and Philly (slightly closer to Newark). Direct flight on American in economy (sigh) is a bit over $700. Better. I will keep checking.

Wearing this Tommy Bahama dress for a party tonight on the beach.

Is eld6161 the same person as elledi61 ?

I was reading along and didn't recognize an elledi ... then I thought has my mind been "reading" this name incorrectly all these years? I checked and I have messaged with eld6161 before, so I'm not hallucinating!

wondered the same thing!

@gsciencechick, I had never heard of CVG, but you "made" me go look at their website!

Do you happen to own their Daydream shorts? If you do, I have some questions.

Well, my purge is going in reverse. At the same time, my very dear friend is cleaning out her MIL’s closets at her senior living. Ooh, she has some wonderful things. And some of them are finding their way into my closet, and I have been wearing them happily. Should I get rid of my own as I go? Of course I should. Do I? Of course I don’t. Sigh.

I purged some very nice, dressy pairs of cowboy boots this week … a teen relative by marriage was visiting and they fit her perfectly. She was so excited (so was I). They took up a lot of room in my closet, so it’s nice having that space. And her big smile and twirling around in them made me so glad I didn’t sell them like I’d planned.

My next purge project will be our small utility room. I have a junk drawer in there that I cringe even opening. Ugh. I’m going to clean it and the cabinets in there. I need to order some organizing storage trays today.

This thread being active is helping to keep me motivated*. Thanks, 3katz and everyone. :)

*So is watching Dateline episodes. If they ever filmed my house, I‘d want the voiceover to say it was one of the cleanest, most organized homes they’d ever seen. “All of her hangers match!”

I used Waterworks in our last house - two bathrooms and kitchen. I loved the patiina it created the few years we were there. But if want to start fresh, or don't like, it is easy to restore and start over.

ETA photos:

Shower used daily for three years.

Main bathroom faucets

Kitchen

Rohl has (had?) a living finish I used in house on lake kitchen. I really liked the way it aged. Much slower, at touch spots. The finish worn down to unlacquered brass. Our Emtek bronze door hardware did the same.

gscience, I absolutely love that - it's beautiful!

njmomma, what a brilliant idea!

@gsciencechick - so, so pretty!

Gsciencechick- that is the perfect wrap for your ring! Beautiful.

@Funkyart I’m on zepbound and have no problems getting 100g of protein a day, but I love cottage cheese and Siggis Skyr, both pretty high. I wonder if you’ve tried Only Bean Roasted Edamame? They are so good and a great protein boost. I eat broccoli, cauliflower or Romanesco most days and sprinkle with parmesan or Briggs nutritional yeast for another little protein boost. I also started whirling cottage cheeese in the blender to mix with tuna or chicken instead of mayonnaise. (Oops, I can’t remember if you’re vegetarian?) just a few things that help me each day Oh and sugar free peanut butter powder mixed with greek yogurt to use as a dip for apples. A little maple syrup or honey if you like it sweeeter .

I don't think about risk with greens or other produce at all. Fingers crossed.

I am mindful of protein and fiber intake, but I do not track. I just always try to have some of both with any meal or snack. Somehow these terrific gyrations to ingest as much protein as possible in any form seem unsustainable and unnecessary, but I know it is a very hotly debated topic.

I was thinking about habits, and I have truly created a real exercise habit. Regular sessions with a trainer help, but I have also managed to stack my cardio workouts with grocery shopping. It's a weird feeling for me, I don't feel pressured or guilt or anything, I just exercise, at least every other day but often more.

I have started keeping Mint Choc Barebells in the fridge and they have such lovely texture, like a Milky Way. The mint makes them a tad less sweet.

Thanks for the podcast link, Gscience, and I look forward to listening to it.

Yes, protein on its own doesn't build muscle or prevent its loss, of course. I've complained so many times already that I do not enjoy lifting weights, but I do it. I do old-school training, like push-ups, squats, deadlifts, etc. with a consistent, progressive overload, and cardio on "rest" days. This is the recipe that works for me and has built muscle so to optimize my efforts, I track protein (I also take creatine) and focus on muscle recovery, which I'm finding is more important as I age. It used to take me 48 hours to recover from a heavy strength training session, but, more and more, 72 hours is better. Sleep is also key.

Most of what we see from health "influencers" isn't really all that useful. One person I follow is a PhD nutritionist and debunks a lot of health and longevity trends, calling them "majoring in the minors." Nothing works if you're not doing the basics of exercise, diet and sleep. I was reminded of this tonight when I borrowed my DS's car to run an errand. It sits lower than my vehicle, so a little extra effort was required to lift myself out. That was my squats at work. Just exiting a car!

Every January I put small rubber bands on each hanger and a safety pin in clothes in drawers. Throughout the year when something is worn the pin or rubberband is removed. The next January I take almost everything with a pin or band and donate it. I make exceptions for the few outfits I have for weddings, funerals other formal events as I may just not have had the opportunity to wear it. I dont keep anything that doesnt fit

I had a method for sorting worn/ unworn clothes that worked well, although its now fallen by the wayside.

I put a red plastic hanger in my closet to the right of all my hanging clothes. When I wore and rehung the clothes, they went to the right of the hanger. After a year, anything to the left of the hanger had never been worn and were candidates for the thrift shop.

I need to do that again.

Missed that cute tank Sue— love the cokors, esp for you! I think it also looks great as a vest.

Wrapping up the day of gardening, UPS returns, a trip to Hobby Lobby for my mother (don’t ask), laundry and a chat with our left side neighbor about our shared landscape project to hide the viciously ugly utility boxes (ATT, Comcast, CGEMC and one other) that live on the property line between us. Very casual and cool maxi skirt of loosely woven printed cotton in green roses on a cream background with a cream colored tee (one of those silky supima cotton ones from Garnet Hill).

Early exit this morning for church and brunch. This outfit from WHBM is practically perfect for the air con in our sanctuary—when it’s working the temp is frigid. I usually wear this with nude low heeled buckle shoes (Talbots) but those are smudged with something and need cleaning so I tried the gray ones from a different brand (Ann Mashburn) although almost identical. I was surprised how much the shoes pick up the gray blue in the skirt and they’ll be my choice going forward. No hair or makeup yet! 😳

😳 August already????

FWIW, I've had that happen with cologuard, et al. I got 2 different kits - one from a provider and one through medicare advantage - and I'd no idea who sent them at first - not the same as blood, tho.

As the Reddit comments point out - how on earth can one provide their own blood samples in any reliable way?

Sending in a poop sample is quite different, I think 🤨

And my results were negative for both.

For tracking, I use a free version of Cronometer. It tracks macros, calories and nutrients, including fiber. It's helped me hone in on the best protein sources with lowest fat/calorie content. I eat a lot of berries and vegetables, and for days I work out, popcorn is my preferred carb source, so I'm usually good on fiber. The protein/fat component of the app has been really helpful, though.

As an added note, my walking friend somehow convinced me to walk the Lake Geneva WI trail with her this fall. From what I can tell, it's 21-26 miles. I agreed to this on a whim, and we will see how that whim works out. On the one hand, I need a fresh challenge, and I've always wanted to do the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. This LG walk will give me an inkling whether I could even begin to train for that level of challenge. On the other hand, while I like to walk, I'm not sure walking for hours is the best use of my fitness time.

Sounds good, Feathers! I think there’s a couple people here who have walked the Camino. I think maybe Jojo is one of them?