Random thoughts

I bought an Ikea desk chair. It is red. It is made from something that resembles wood, but really isn't. It is hard. It swivels, rotates, and adjusts to height. It has wheels. I added a pad for the seat to make it more comfortable. It isn't comfortable at all. But, it looks neat!
I sit in this chair for hours while I work/goof off, at the computer.
I pay bills on the computer.
I have contact with many people on the computer.
I listen to music on the computer.
I watch and learn on the computer.
I sit on a hard chair in front of the computer.

I wonder why we can't lose weight at the computer?

So, what do I do next?
I am working on my yard.
My son came over two weekends in a row and he is supposed to come over today. So far, he isn't here, so I am sitting at my computer.
We have bushes to pull from in front of the house. There are left over stumps that need to be taken out. Last night, I dug around them and managed to pull a few out, but they were loose already and only needed a bit of help. The bigger ones are much deeper and need some type of mechanical assistance to come out of the ground.
I also raked out an area that we did last week. The roots made it very tough to do anything in rhythm. The rake would get stuck and come around sideways and the roots would grab on and not let go. So, I did a lot of bending and pulling by hand. My back feels it now.

I am going to play my guitar this weekend. I have to make a list of songs I did when I first started playing as a single or in a duo. I was 19 at the time and had been playing rock and roll, funk, and also worked in an 8 piece horn band (think Chicago, Blood, Sweat, and Tears). I had played weddings before that from about the age of 13 or so (I started at age 11), but really only started playing onstage by myself when I was 19.
I did lounge music, but it was aimed towards what is called smooth jazz today. Something a little more sophisticated than blues, and too syrupy to be rock.

• This masquerade
• The tracks of my tears
• Goin out of my head
• Summertime
• Blackbird and other Beatles songs (Rubber Soul)

Get the idea?
I also liked funny songs. I did some to break up things when people were paying attention to me and not just using me as background.

• It's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way
• Crying in your pretzels
• Saturday night in Toledo Ohio, is like being nowhere at all

There were songs written by Martin Mull that made me question my sanity, and I sometimes threw them in too.
I had lots of fun even if no one else did.
Now, I need to add newer songs that I can sing and not sound like I'm a 56 year old trying to be a kid again.
No rap or Hip hop for me!

My son just called to say he was delayed, so I think I'll take a short walk. The weather is almost livable, although it's a bit wet out there. I am wearing shorts today because my jeans are still too stiff. They haven't broken in yet.

Ups, and Downs

Life does it's best to throw chaos at us, and sometimes, it wins.
But, not this time.
The weight loss has stalled, but I am getting so much done, that it doesn't matter. I need a break anyway, because this is the longest I have ever gone with weight loss. Usually by this time, I am gaining it all back.
So far, I am staying the same.

• My shorts are now too big for me, but I can live with them for a little while longer.

• I still have tightie whities that are just under my armpits when I put them on, but I keep them clean and still wear them.
• I have two new pair of jeans that actually fit me, and I'm happy with them.
• I have a beautiful goose down coat that is way too big. I could probably use it as a parachute.
  
• I have no winter coats at all that fit, so I will have to break down and buy a new one. I need something so I can ride my Helix without it blowing up and floating me away.
• I have no dress shirts, just double knit that are too big, but I can live with them for awhile longer. I very rarely go out anyway.

I am working with a counselor who is amazing. In three sessions, things have become so much clearer.
You see, at this point in my life, I should be thinking about retirement, and slowing down.....or at least that's what I was raised to believe.
It's very tough for me to think about a major change or a dozen changes. I can't just up and do things, can I?
I guess it's my mind that's causing me the problems, and the counselor is helping me understand what I must do in a very clear manner.
I was probably not ready to listen to anyone about these things until now. I must be a late bloomer!

Wow, what an interesting new world! There are possibilities.

The problem I have now, is to figure out how to make the change without losing everything I have now, or almost everything.
There are two other major life changing things going on in my life.

1. The remortgaging of the house. This is already 75% of the way finished. We have the credit established. We can make the payments. It will clear up all our debt, allowing us to breath a little easier.But, this is a major change. We are taking on a 30 years mortgage when we should be retiring debt free. We did have the mortgage paid off about 10 years ago, but things happened.
2. The other major change is something I won't discuss here. It is not related to my health or Bariatrics. It may affect everything else, however.

Life happens.

So, as a result in my new-found adjustments to change, I will be selling some music equipment in order to buy new smaller equipment that better suits what I plan to do. It will also get me used to the idea that things are just that, things. I don't need to have them in order to live. This is a new idea for me as I said before.

• I just bought a new Honda Lawn Mower. It is self propelled, and will last me as long as I live here in this home. I have cleaned up the old Toro (a real gem), and have it up for sale on Craiglist. Buy it from me, so I can offset some of the cost of the new mower, please!

• I did research on what equipment I need to play and sing again. I have been considering just buying the stuff, and worrying about selling the other stuff later, but I don't think I need to do that. Here is what I have to sell:

This is a custom made Weber 6A20HP amplifier. It has about 35 watts RMS and
2/10" Alnico speakers. I helped to build it, but most of the work was finished by a friend who is an amp tech. He has built and helped design amplifiers for Weber for quite a few years. For those poor folks who have no idea what you are looking at, it's a guitar amplifier. You plug a guitar into it to make the guitar louder. There are also adjustments to change the sound of the guitar to make it more pleasing to the ear. Oh does it sound sweet!

I made it purple for personal reasons, instead of the typical Black with gray grill cloth. There are other modifications that will make some other guitarist very happy. I will be proud to pass this on, even though I would really like to keep it.

Life is good, and it goes on....

Busy week.

I had other plans, but they were interrupted by the things around me. It ain't my fault! LOL
We had our 1st annual "Drop your pants" weight loss support meeting Thursday evening. I went very well.
Dr Brader showed up and ran the show after we all made fool of ourselves.
I didn't take any pictures because I was too wrapped up in other things. I don't think anyone else did either.
For my Blogger friends:
The Bariatric clinic now has a Facebook presence. Get over there and become a fan please. And please spread the word. This is a great way for those of us who have been through the surgery can offer help to those that are waiting or looking into it.
So, today, I spent a very nice afternoon in a tent helping people sign up for a door prize after going through the Bariatric clinic. They had their open house.
They served food, had dance lessons, answered questions, taught people about healthy eating, and so much more.
I would estimate the crowd at about 400 overall. The folks poured in and kept coming all day.
I got to eat some peanuts, two small "kabobs", with two bottles of water in between. I am full.
I got a neat blue T shirt, and an "ask me how" button for my efforts. Well worth it.
Tomorrow is the support group steering committee meeting. My evenings are full this week.
I did get out yesterday and managed to investigate a new PA system for my soon to be part time job of playing my guitar and singing again.
It is a small system that only weight 35 pounds complete and packs into a wheeled bag for moving and storage. It still has plenty of power and sounds very good, at least in the store. I have read many more good reviews than bad ones. I will have to sell some of my present equipment in order to pay for it, but that's OK.
I am moving forward. That's what I want to do.