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Fingers crossed.

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It’s official. Tom and I have started yet again. Hopefully for the last time.

I’m tired of feeling like shit after gaining back almost everything I lost back in 2015-2016.

I’m beyond tired of being tired and having everything hurt and never having any energy to do anything.

I’m tired of hating myself in every picture.

I’m tired of getting winded walking up a flight of stairs.

I’m tired of buying clothes when I literally have an entirely new wardrobe in my closet. (And I hate staring at a closet full of clothes I can’t wear.)

So even though I absolutely love food and sugar (and margaritas!) and I have zero energy for exercise…and even walking makes everything hurt…I have got to do this. Got to.

I’ve figured out some reasons why it was easier the last time… One, I was younger.  But two, and most importantly, we didn’t really see friends that often for meals. Huh? Why would that matter? Well, it was easier to just have our little meals and use our timers and everything. When we did have a party or dinner with friends, it was one night of debauchery. 

These days? We usually eat dinner with our best friends anywhere from 2-5 nights a week. Sometimes with apps and always with drinks. SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC. And we go out for dinner probably 2x a month. Is it any wonder I’ve gained it all back?

I’m not sure how I’m going to do this going forward because I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to do all the right things all the time… But I have to try. One day at a time.

Fingers crossed.

Agate Day 4

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Lunch prep!
They all pottied!
Tom’s project—fixing and refinishing the gliding bench! Which I found out was a wedding present!
Annual mini golf outing while Anna and I shopped!

ESRAY PARK OUTING — The kids love coming here—climbing the rocks, playing in the water, finding creatures…

We didn’t match them up for an exact redo but we’re just happy they’re all in it and smiling!
After our dinner out!

Friday Fave: Thimbleberry margaritas

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This is something I only get one week a year — and ONLY if we pass through Calumet while Carmelita’s is open!

Thimbleberry Margaritas

The thimbleberry is a berry unique to certain areas of the US — and the upper peninsula is one of them. And they’ve gone and turned it into a delicious drink! (They also make jam but give me the margarita!)

If you’re ever in the area, please stop by and try one! We even get two pitchers to go to enjoy throughout the week since it’s an hour round trip to get them!

Seriously, Lansing?

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We decided to stay the night in Lansing on the way home so we wouldn’t have to drive the full 6 hours at night…plus we’d get a chance to stop and visit with Beth and Jim and shop at our favorite Horrocks in the morning.

And then we noticed this when we were heading to dinner. Ughhhh. It wasn’t like that when we left Reese… So in the half hour we were in the hotel room, this happened in the hotel parking lot.

AND THEN! I realized that someone stole my unicorn magnet, too! Like, seriously?!

The Len Christmas in July is over!

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It’s now just a gathering with food (lots of food!) and catching up…and euchre!

Plus we get the chance to get the kids together for comparison pics!! (They were all really good sports about it, too!)

Nick (18) and Owen (14) have been going back-and-forth over the years, but Owen is taller now (he was taller than everyone except Tom!).
2013—Katie (1) • Owen (4) • Aubrey (almost 5) • Grace (almost 7) • Nick (almost 9)
The three close birthdays!

Friday Fave: mom’s back yard

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This is the back yard I grew up with — mostly. Some trees and stumps have been removed over the years and there’s more green now…but it’s the place of family picnics, birthday parties, campfires, s’mores, reading, croquet, sun bathing, the tree swing, kiddie pools, leaf forts…and tons of photos.