Day 15: End of Week 2

 

Here we go ! It's a new year. Time to get back on track with diet and exercise. The goal is 100 pounds by 12-31-25. Can I do it ? Well, I won't know unless I try. My original Day 15 blog can be found here. My original Day 15 was upsetting as I started the day thinking I lost no weight and then heard of a horrible tragedy in a colleague's family. That gave me some perspective on what I thought were my "problems". Turns out I did lose 3 pounds during week 2, so I ended the day on a better note.

I was awake just after 8 today and got up only because I had to pee ! After a cup of coffee and my breakfast I decided to get dressed and go to the post office. I wanted to walk because it's a nice day (temp over 30 !) and because I need the exercise ! I thought about driving and going to Walmart, but a quick look out to the driveway nixed that idea. A roof avalanche left a ton of snow to be shoveled. I figured I'd address it later or wait for Doug to plow. I left the house about 10:30 and was back home by 10:48, which isn't bad ! I ended up walking mostly on the shoulder of the road as the sidewalks are snow covered and treacherous. I don't need another fall ! I had a bunch of benefits emails and some from DOL about my unemployment claim. One was time sensitive and long past when I should have mailed it back, so I might have screwed myself on the unemployment amount. I marked the document as received 1-18 and will mail it back next time I go out. Their preliminary amount of unemployment was $504 a week in a doc sent previously and I'd be very happy with that ! I was only expected a couple hundred bucks ! I got my property tax bill and to my surprise it was slightly less than last year. Only about $7, but I'll take it ! My financials seem to be falling into place and I feel a lot better about staying unemployed/retired. I was able to retrieve my W2 and updated my tax filing. My refund appears to be almost $9500 ! That will pay for my medical and dental benefits for the entire year and then some ! Between that, unemployment and my savings I should be able to (hopefully) get through the next 2 years. I only get unemployment for 26 weeks and you do get taxed on that, but 504 x 26 = 13,104, which isn't bad ! Take off 15% for taxes and you still have 11,138.40. I should also get a prorated "bonus" in March. I don't expect that to be much but something is better than nothing ! Next years tax refund will be tiny and there will be no unemployment benefits, so I have to remember that when I am tempted to spend money. The less I spend, the longer I can wait to collect Social Security and my pension. The goal is to make it to 65 and then start collecting both. I don't want to touch my IRA unless I have no choice.

Breakfast was a 180 calorie cinnamon roll. I got a yogurt out but never ate it and I didn't have a morning snack. Lunch was a 220 calorie pepperoni pizza melt. I had tapioca around 3 so we'll call that my morning & afternoon snacks ! It was SO good !

We are under yet another winter storm watch from 1 pm Monday through 7 am Wednesday. I think I need to get out and buy some dry cat food today since tomorrow is expected to be much colder and I won't want to go out. To that end, I went out and shoveled outside the garage and side doors. The snow was HEAVY .. so I'm glad Doug came this morning ! I widened the top of the driveway to make it easier to get the car out. The B&B neighbors were out shoveling snow off their roof. I'm going to guess it was leaking, as they are pretty lazy and wouldn't do that unless it was necessary. The neighbor on the other side has someone shoveling hers too. I'm going to guess it's the ex-husband. I am SO glad we opted to put a metal roof on, even though the occasional avalanche into the driveway is a pain in the butt ! The B&B neighbor took a break and is back out as of 3 pm .. which means I'm not going anywhere just yet. I had intended to go to the store at 3 but I don't need anyone watching me try to get the car out without getting stuck. I did better last time I went out because I paid attention to the back up camera and didn't cut the wheel too soon. I still had to pull forward and back up again, but it was a better attempt !

Minnie hasn't been herself today. She didn't get off the couch when I brought her breakfast and I'm not sure if she ate any of it. She was still in her spot when I came back from the post office but later did get down for a stretch, trip to the litter box and a drink. She demanded and eagerly ate her "lunch" around 2 pm and climbed on my lap for some biscuit making and a short cuddle. She is now back on her pillow snoozing. She is sometimes fussy with the food selections and seems to be fine otherwise. I'll just continue to keep an eye on her !