! sorry this is late. We're a small but mighty group of friends who are sharing the downs of depression but also celebrating our Ups! Please feel free to join in anytime!

Flower - I'm so sorry that this self isolation has left you with deeper depression The "spigot" is being opened a little bit more each week but then that can give one distress when you see people not wearing masks or practicing social distance. Like being crowded at the grocery store. Oh boy I can relate to the angst of having pants that fit so gloriously loosely and now are too tight to attempt. I guess if we were able to focus and lose the weight previously, we can do it again? I'm trying.

regarding planting - oh boy now i can go to my "Ups" part Flowers everywhere we started the following from seeds couple months back - zinnias, petunias, cukes, moss roses, pansies, nasturtiums, squash, pumpkins. And I always buy some 6 packs of petunias and alyssium for something to look at while the little ones are growing. We planted 2 rows of corn, not for eating but for the stalks in the fall. Bought our tomato plants, 6 cherry tomatoes and only 4 of big type ones. It always makes me so happy to see some pansies that self-seeded from last year, emerge from the ground. And my perennials such as 3 kinds of mint, the shasta daisies, black eyed susans. I have been spending all this time off now mostly outdoors, there's the chores of mowing, weed whacking, then my elective efforts of tackling encroaching brush and tree saplings. Then just puttering around. I love it so much My lawn has never looked so good, and never will again til I retire

Doctor's appt this afternoon, to check my lungs. I've been on a twice-a-day steroid inhaler for almost 3 weeks. Have only had to use the other emergency inhaler once or twice. Have not wheezed or sounded like an accordian either! I will check back to let you know what she says.

my diet 'plan' - eliminating sugar and flour. It is so hard for me not to have a slice of toast with pb in the evening, seems that even if I have a great dinner of chicken and a ton of veggies, I feel empty 2 hours later. I just have to live with that feeling. I am 10 lbs more than I was at this time last year, and would be even happier being 15 pounds less. for that 'wiggle' room.

But I am very happy and thankful to be relatively fit even though I've got pounds to lose. I can exercise, do all the outside work and not be sore.

OK enough about me Thank you for the opportunity for me to 'talk to someone!

Flower - I apologize that its been over a week and i haven't responded to your post! very sorry.

Doctor's visit went well, my lungs are perfectly clear for the first time in ages I can breathe as deeply as I want and no weird sounds or rattling/vibration. I am still on the Advair inhaler for another month or so and Zyrtec tablet every day. I still get very stuffed up but I guess I can liv with that.

I will try to post pics of flowers I will have to use my Kindle for that. Boy was it HOT ! but blessedly cooler once we got a little rain on Wed. (but we need a long gentle soaking rain) and a beautiful day yesterday and today too I think.

I heard from my chef boss last Friday, he said he heard we are NOT opening at all I just can't accept that!! and I'm NOT happy that he had to find out from the caretaker, the Board of Directors was supposed to let him know. But he phoned me as soon as he heard. Isnt't that crappy?? He is the Chef, and I am the senior employee with 19 years there!! and they couldn't let us know? something is wrong there. Anyway I am hoping that maybe if the spigot is opened more, it will change. What I need to do is learn to enjoy the time off!! and not worry about stuff . I will need to find a winter job, I do not want the day care job, I did not like that at all.

I completely fell off the diet wagon and I probably have gained even more. It was too hot to exercise and I was busy getting the house and yard ready for our family visiting on Father's Day, then we ate party food and had party food left over...excuses excuses. Just did a Pahla Bee workout and will try to get back ON the wagon.

How are you doing Pat?? I hope good!! Yes the outbreak in Winooski was not good to hear. how long is this going to go on??? a rhetorical question I know.

I have only been out on bike a few times, to go to town for errands. My husband is back to work, he works nights so sleeps once he gets home (after 7:00 am. til about 2:00 pm) and he is always in some sort of knee or hip pain so we haven't ridden together since...ages. I know I could go out on my own, it just isn't as fun for me by myself. But maybe I should make myself do so.

and hello to anyone else reading!

Hope this works