@Jean in Newcastle - I don't like cutting down trees either- it leaves me feeling sick inside - but sometimes it's necessary. Can you plant a new tree in the area?

@wintermom - It looks great so far. I can't wait to see the finished product.

May was set aside as a Me Month. This is part of my Wellness goals for 2023. I wanted to get a hair cut, have a mammogram, get my annual physical (including blood work), and complete a food analysis. I'm also letting my toe nails breathe this month and removed all nail polish. Oh my, are my toenails discolored. Hair cut & color - done Mammogram - I was told they are now every other year and insurance won't pay for it this year since it's only been 13 months Annual physical - was supposed to be this Friday but my PA had her baby early so it's postponed while they rearrange the schedule with others in the practice Food analysis - done; I did the ZOE program. I completed my two week assessment yesterday. I am glad I participated. I thought I was in the early stages of diabetes and thought my blood sugars were high. It turns out I am the opposite. My high levels are well within range but I dip below range a lot. I spent 22% of the time with low blood sugar events. Wearing the monitor and being able to scan my blood glucose in real time helped me determine that what I thought were minor anxiety attacks were actually low blood glucose events. I am waiting for ZOE to send me my results but I am taking my app data to my annual physical. I have faith that the ZOE information will be good but I am concerned that I am experiencing low blood glucose 22% of the time. I am surprised at what foods cause a spike but also that my spikes do not go over 156. I honestly thought I would have been spiking closer to 200. Foods that caused spikes - veggie straws, Motts gummies, Caribou Coffee Vanilla latte. For me a spike is from 77 (baseline) to 156. What was even more surprising was how quickly the dips occurred. They were immediate and most dips were in the low 60s (a couple went to the upper 50s). These dips were what I thought were panic attacks. The first couple of times I scanned myself after experiencing what I thought was a panic attack and saw the screen turn red with the low numbers, I was shocked. I was also surprised to see that my blood glucose dropped into the 50s (and once into the 40s) while sleeping. The values would remain low for about 4 hours, spike a bit right before waking, and then drop again before eating breakfast. Here are some other notable reactions to foods: Cauliflower crust pizza - only a slight increase (about 10 points; 80s) GF multigrain bread (Aldi) - moderate spike (to 130) Bananas/apples - spikes to the 90s Bai Blueberry/Lily's chocolate - no change; Stevia Hiking caused a drop from 120 (had just eaten something) to 53 within minutes. The hike was moderately difficult (steep hills) and I was having to work at climbing. Tennis also caused an immediate drop. When working with the app and info given to even out blood glucose levels, I went 48 hours without a drop below 70 so I know I can do it. I felt so good. I slept well, had no panic attacks, and my leg pain was reduced. That's when I decided to play tennis and had an almost immediate drop. I stopped playing, scanned, saw the dip into the Red Zone, and immediately ate my emergency apple and drank some water. Within minutes, I felt good enough to resume playing. When the sensor gave me the 24 hour notice and I knew I was going to have to remove it, there was a bit of panic. I want the ability to scan myself and see my numbers. It was affirming to see that (some of) what I am experiencing are physical reactions to food and not my inability to cope with life. No need to comment unless you really want to. This post is mostly a diary. Other than my DH and DD, no one IRL knew what I was doing. There is so much to unpack from this experience. I am eagerly awaiting my reports and test results. I am also curious as to what the PA will say at my annual physical. Other goals: I started a new book and hope to finish it. Reading has been difficult these past 2.5 months. I have challenged myself to walk my dog 5 miles each day. We have done three days in a row and it feels good. Now that I know I am not having panic attacks, I just take an apple as a security blanket for low blood glucose moments.

We did an impromptu trip to Mt Rushmore a few years back (pre-Covid). We took the tents and stayed in campgrounds. We were able to find tent spots every night. Those spots had water but did not always have electricity. We were able to use campground shower facilities every night. KOAs had laundry services if needed. Also pre-COVID, DH and I took our pop-up to Yellowstone. We had to stay in a KOA in Cody and drive to the park. It made for a long day but was worth it. We were able to use the Cody KOA as a homebase and were able to see some neat things but it required driving each day. Which direction or states will you be traveling through? St Louis is quite a bit south from I-80. Unless you're starting from the south and traveling northward, stopping in St Louis will be a big detour. If you are up north, going to see Pipestone National Monument in Minnesota is worth a stop. So is Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As is The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, SD. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West has wonderful museums. The Buffalo Bill Dam is a quick stop. Edited: Wall Drug (Wall, SD) is an interesting place to stop for a few hours. You can't miss it - there are many many road signs along the highway directing you to Wall Drug. It's like nothing you have ever experienced.

Here's something fun for you all~ Part of my business is stringing tennis racquets. When I first heard about the pickleball craze, my immediate thought was "Darn straight, I'll learn how to string pickleball racquets and make a ton of money." Bwahahahahahahahaha Seriously, I thought they would resemble racquetball racquets not pingpong paddles. 😃🤪

I don't play and I am fighting it with every ounce of my being. Tennis rules!! 🎾Just kidding but pickleball has decimated tennis in my area. It is popular with young and older adults and it's growing. Look into your areas city's park and rec programs. Ours is hosting leagues for beginners. There are also many local groups who just go out and play. They set it up through What's App and some other online meet up app.

I haven't seen one IRL but belong to a breed specific FB group and, yes, some of the shared pics of the dogs remind me of my sweet Chase. It's been 14 months since he passed away and I still become emotional (esp when FB memories puts up a pic of him). If I were to see another Terv on the street, I think I would do what you did, ask to pet him and love on the dog then I would go get a chai to soothe my aching heart. Sending hugs to you

I don't give a hoot about him but I am saddened that Camilla became Queen.

If you're like us and keep vehicles until they stop running (and it sounds like you are), I would look forward to what your life might look like 5-8 years from now. When my DS left home, I gave him my Ford Taurus X SUV and bought a used VW Beetle convertible. Six years later and that car is impractical. Whereas I can load it with my tennis gear, I have to put the top down to do so. Lifting the ball machine in and out without scratching the car is problematic esp now that my wrist is suffering from residual weakness due to a break. I cannot take my teaching cart in the VW so have to take multiple smaller ball hoppers. I can take my dog on outings but he fills the backseat; I cannot get another dog because there is no room. I take it hiking but have to pay special attention as it bottoms out on dirt roads and trail head parking lots. Now that I have grandchildren, the car seats don't fit in to allow for other passengers; a rear facing carseat requires the front seat to be all the way forward which means no one can ride in that seat. All of that to say, if you think your lifestyle will involve activities, grandchildren, or whatever, buy the bigger car or van.

I wouldn't have tipped the lawnmower guy. I own my own business and string tennis racquets as a service. I rarely get a tip; even when it's an emergency stringing and I get it back to the player within the hour.

Great timing. I am going to a hair dresser today who just left her long time salon and opened her own business. She has raised her rates; I assume to help defray overhead. Since she is setting her prices and is the only one in her new salon, should I also tip? Her prices have gone up about 15%.

My plan was to go back to reading; my TBR pile is huge. I love reading and thought it would be easy to transition back to it. However, my eyes are so tired I couldn't focus on the pages. I officiated about 20 hours of collegiate tennis Fri - Sun and I think my eyes just gave up.

Met the first financial goal yesterday and began the second financial goal. Totally broke down and watched more Grey's Anatomy so the 30 days of no tv did not have a great start. I did really well with Day 1 of my Health Testing. Samples were taken and mailed. Food testing was completed.

I'm using this as a work in progress May 30 day challenge - no tv/Netflix/Hulu/Paramount + (wellness goal) 14 day food measuring/blood sugar/gut biome testing (wellness goal) Hair cut and color (it's been over a year) Doctor's appts - Annual wellness, mammogram, foot marble (what is this thing?) (wellness goal) Paint kitchen Paint bathroom Reach two financial goals Walk 75+ miles (wellness & activity goals)

It's going to be a beautiful month.🌻🌞🕶️ Look at your calendar, your monthly obligations, your schedule, your finances, your free time, and whatever else you need to consider while setting and working on your goals for this month. We are in beginning month five. How is your progress shaping up? Are you where you hoped to be? What is impeding your progress? What can you do to move forward? Are your goals still relevant? Are you breaking them down into manageable steps? Share your wins and losses.

I did it!!! I made it through April. Today was my last day of the two month tennis marathon of coaching and officiating. I am tired. I'll begin the May thread in a few minutes.

I wish I could be a plant person. It would be a wonderful and healthy way to beautify my yard and house. I am no good with plants. No good at all. Plants come to my house to die. I need to thin hostas, Siberian irises, and a multitude of other perennials that are so overgrown they are no longer thriving but I find it boring and would rather be doing something else. DD found a 6yo Australian Shepherd female being fostered in her town. She is ,tiny (29#) partially deaf from mistreatment, and has glaucoma. She is calm (unlike most Aussies) and gets along well with other dogs. DD thinks this dog would be good for me and my pup, esp because my skills at caring for aging and ill dogs are being honed. There are also some purebred Husky pups and labrador pups at the same facility. They are looking for people to foster two pups at a time. Fostering might be good but I don't know if they will allow a foster who lives so far away from the facility. At least I no longer want to go out and spend a lot of money. Whew, made it through with my financial goals intact. Thanks to all for helping me through this last two days. Now, I might need someone to talk me down from getting a new dog. Although, adopting a dog with genuine need sits a bit better than bringing home a purebred which I am certain will go to a loving home soon. But a 6yo with daily meds, might not be the way to go. I have to find out more about canine glaucoma and decide if a 65# Belgian and a 29# Aussie will fit in the VW. There is no way my Belgian and two lab puppies will work with that car.

I am so sorry. Sending gentle hugs

Less than a week left in the month It's time to begin thinking about May's goals. I am planning on going big in May and will post in the new thread next week. For now, I am continuing to make small steps toward financial goals and beginning to set up what I need to for May.

My response, before seeing the pic was "Hopefuly trying to get out."

First of all, sending you hugs for whatever caused your stress and I hope it is over now. I have all of my backpacking items sitting in the basement. I don't have any trips planned for this year since my dog is eating up most of my discretionary income. He was also supposed to be my hiking/backpacking/camping partner but that hasn't worked out so well. This is the first summer he is up to optimal weight, though, and I have a dream of taking him on trail. He eats canned food for most of his meals and for his meds and that will add a lot of weight to backpacking trips.

Thank you for the replies. I usually eat when stressed - potato chips and chocolate. Since I am trying to become healthier and lose weight, I want to change that habit. I am not a clothes or shoe shopper so it is rare for me to go shopping for myself. My house is one of the things causing stress and I just don't want to deal with it at the moment. Some of that is due to being gone so much the past 7 weeks. and being behind on spring cleaning and yardwork. I would like the puppy, I really would, but the other dog's expenses are so high (multiple hundreds a month for food & medicine) that bringing another dog into the house just isn't feasible. His costs are also a hindrance to buying a new car. The dog takes up anything I would have had for a car payment. Having a chronically ill young dog is a stresors I hadn't counted on two years ago. But I am dealing with it. Some days better than others. Today, my DD needed my assistance so I visited with her and took her and youngest DGD to Target where I bought youngest DGD two pairs of shoes and a child's backpack. I also took them to Noodles & CO and tried the GF Pad Thai. I am wild. Out of control LOL I also looked up used Subarus in my area and, after looking at the sticker prices and monthly payments, felt much better about my VW. -- I wish I was a shopper. Up until March, when I was stressed, after eating the aforementioned chips and chocolate, I would walk, hike, bike, or play tennis. but none of that is working at the moment. I have no umph, no get up and go.

I am stressed. Between a recent weight gain, dealing with a job transition, unexpected bills, and some private matters, I am struggling. I want to spend, spend, spend. There is a puppy - same breed as my current dog - that a breeder I know is accepting applications for. Due to my current dog's medical needs (IBS, special diet, daily meds) I really do not have the financial resources to bring another big dog into the house. But the puppy is so cute and I really would like a second dog. I have a name picked out already. I also want to buy a new-to-me car. I am driving a 13 year old VW beetle convertible and could use a larger car to haul my 65# dog, my hiking gear, his gear, or all of my tennis gear when I teach tennis. I can carry it all but I need to put the top down to load/unload and no one can ride with me. I do not want to be sidetracked from my financial goals for the year. I have worked diligently to budget and make headway. So I bought shoes - shoes for my DD. Shoes for my DGDs. Shoes for me. We needed the shoes so I could justify the expense. But I still want the puppy. and the car.

A representative from subrogation called and they cannot help. Evidently subrogation is only for determining if a third party, like another party's insurance company, is responsible for payment of the bill. She is trying to locate the correct department but fears that since the hospital is out of business it will be a long and difficult process.

The insurance company referred me to their subrogation department, whose computer system is down today.