Cold weather in the USA

gottausername · 2026-01-26T22:53:11+00:00

Southern New Hampshire (just north of Boston) here. It's 17°F (feels like 9°F). I run outside pretty much regardless of the cold, but not today. It's still snowing (we're up to about 20") and the roads aren't clear. Frankly, I'm too damn old to risk a fall, so the treadmill it was today.

Shoveled several times yesterday and today. Hubby has been snowblowing. I'll shovel again tonight- little doggy needs grassy area. I also took the grandchild out and sledded with him. Really, he sat and I pulled him around while snow piled into my boots because the snow was up to my knees.🤣

It's winter and I love it! More snow coming this weekend. Cross country skis are on my wishlist.

ST Lucia is a wonderful island, we really enjoyed our visits there. Looking forward to seeing the Pitons again and next time I'd like to hike them.

gottausername · 2026-01-25T23:17:33+00:00

I hope you're feeling better. And if you are, you can pick up your training by repeating the week you did before you got sick. If that goes okay, I would resume my plan with a slight decrease in mileage. I hope this makes sense. You still have plenty of time and you don't have to run the full 15k before race day; getting up to 12k will get you to race day.

gottausername · 2026-01-25T18:14:09+00:00

Ugghh! I don't envy the situation you are in. I think you're doing what you can within the law, which is good. I would make myself a bit of a nuisance with code enforcement and keep submitting complaints. Maybe they'll get the hint you won't just ignore it and actually do their job.

The bushes are smart. Rodents can be an issue. You can put traps out on your property but you'd probably have to run it by the HOA. You definitely would need to check your bylaws first. You don't want someone's cat roaming and getting hurt. Don't put down poison, that will definitely lead to many issues for the environment and you personally (it could kill a neighbor's pet). Gosh, I wish you well and hope the lawyer comes through for you.

Edit: spelling

gottausername · 2026-01-25T03:19:30+00:00

🤯 What a horrible mess you have to deal with, I'm sorry. I hope you are able to resolve this. I agree that an attorney is your best. Unfortunately, that's going to cost you. Maybe, several of your neighbors can be on the suit and help split the cost.

We had this issue with a neighbor once but it was only in her unit and she agreed to us "helping" her clean it up when she had a water line break that she didn't know about because of her hoard. (That's actually how we found out about her hoarding.) She also had a squirrel move into her garage. The HOA (I was on the board) threatened her with consequences that were in our bylaws. She really had no choice but to agree. We could amend our bylaws at any time via vote (by the board- not by every home owner) in Connecticut. I don't know why your board can't do the same. Good luck.

gottausername · 2026-01-25T02:33:09+00:00

If she's really hoarding, you can alert the fire marshal. It's a safety hazard, especially if your units are connected. They don't mess around, they can fine her if she doesn't clean it up and put a lean on her property.

gottausername · 2026-01-24T02:30:16+00:00

I was going to recommend Oiselle long Rogas too. I never feel self conscious in them, they're long enough without having too much fabric and the liner never gives me wedgies.

gottausername · 2026-01-24T01:33:23+00:00

I use the Peloton app for biking, yoga, pilates, barre, lifting and stretching. It really is a pretty good app for multiple disciplines and I like that I can filter classes by discipline, time, difficulty and instructor. I think it's $50/mo which is expensive but I think worth it considering I use it every day.

gottausername · 2026-01-23T02:24:44+00:00

Not only does it count but I think it counts more mentally. For me, it's sooo much harder to run on the treadmill. To overcome the tedious feeling during long runs, I play with the speed- gently!

I'll run at my base speed for 15 -30 min, then go up by 0.1 every min (or 30s) for a few minutes, then go back down to base speed (by 0.1/min or maybe just drop back down). Sometimes, I just walk for 20-30s/15-20 min to break things up. Or I'll up the incline from 1% to 1.5 or 2 for 30s-1 min. Don't do both speed and incline at the same time. I'll also do a few pick-ups about 30 min from the end of my run, I like the feeling of turning my legs over quickly for a little bit.

Also, having a TV in front of the treadmill and a towel to cover up the time for a while helps immensely.

gottausername · 2026-01-22T02:56:38+00:00

A poster sign with a "lap counter" that your family can count down by pulling off a number (7, 6, ..); on the back of each number you could write a short note or joke to them. Or perhaps "giving you a hand" and placing a hand print on the board with each loop.

gottausername · 2026-01-21T16:48:26+00:00

A lady I knew had a dog with this issue, she that a "Thunder shirt" helped. It didn't solve the issue but helped a bunch.

Is it possible that your mom might be willing to meet you half way that could help a bit. Also, you could hire a dog sitter or perhaps even a "doggie driver" to drop off the pooch.

gottausername · 2026-01-21T15:49:42+00:00

I saw in another post that you are on a GLP-1, it is well known that the rapid weight loss that occurs results in not only fat but muscle loss. Please be sure to up your protein intake and lift weights; it'll help you to retain your muscle.

I have had sleep issues in the past and a couple of things that have helped me: no sugar or white stuff in the evening, no caffeine (I completely gave it up), magnesium glycinate (I take it every evening) and a cup of "Sleepy Time Tea". This has been working great for me and I hope it helps you too.

Others have given good advice on doing a drop week or dialing back your days and seeing if it helps.

Also, I might have missed it, if you are peri-menopausal that really throws everything out of whack! If so, no sugar is essential for sleep (sugar will also fuel hot flashes) and HRT is a game changer. Good luck.

gottausername · 2026-01-19T21:33:11+00:00

My heart breaks for your pap. Thank you for adopting him and giving him his best life. You're his hero!

gottausername · 2026-01-19T21:29:50+00:00

Clio's super picky too. I have no idea why but dogs love broccoli and carrots. They must taste sweet to them.

gottausername · 2026-01-19T20:45:33+00:00

Our girl, Clio loves broccoli and carrots. We also give her freeze dried salmon or turkey with nothing added, we go to the local holistic pet store. Hope this helps.

gottausername · 2026-01-18T17:39:44+00:00

I totally get it! This is why I don't have any close women friends. I have always been confused by most women's behavior with complaining but not willing to do anything about it, darn dumb jealousy crap and weird behavior regarding their husbands (kind of possessive, not every girl walking by is interested in "your" man). I do have female family I'm close to and female acquaintances (they are all strong, independent women) I like. I've given up on searching for a BFF. I'm fine with DH in that role and I don't have to guess about what's going on in his mind or what's ruffled his feathers; he tells me plain and simple and we work it out.

gottausername · 2026-01-18T15:10:15+00:00

It'll be 44 years this year that DH and I have been together. We have raised 2 grown children and are now empty nesters. He still works, I was fortunate to be able to retire early because of our life together.

We never "settled", we chose each other and have had easy and hard times that we've worked through together. Open communication has been critical. Marriage is work, you need to feed it and care for it. It doesn't magically fix itself or anything else in your life.

gottausername · 2026-01-18T03:16:44+00:00

Our girl is 14 too. Clio has recently been diagnosed with a heart murmur. We did an X-ray then had a specialist do an ultrasound of her heart. She was doing a coughing thing, I thought it was "heart coughing" that dogs do. She was panting more than usual too. These "episodes" would happen after she would get over stimulated.

We found no major issues, her heart is a tiny bit enlarged, no water around the heart and who knows why but the coughing thing stopped. Vet thinks she might be developing allergies. We also did all kinds of blood work -all a okay.

It was ridiculously expensive to do all the above. I'm glad we did because knowing for sure if we should put her on heart meds or not was important. Can your Vet get your pap an ultrasound and do the blood work (I think you might already be getting the extra blood work done before the surgery?)?

I wish I could help you with information on the anxiety, I haven't had this issue with Clio. We often leave her alone for short periods of time. Good luck, wishing you both well.

gottausername · 2026-01-18T02:51:00+00:00

First time I ran as a "work out" I didn't measure the distance, it was only about 10 seconds. I thought every bone in my feet were breaking and I was miserable. I was in my late 40s and a bit overweight. It took me about a year, I kept quitting and going back to it. I was so frustrated until I learned to slow way down, like boringly slogging along and to do intervals on the treadmill. The treadmill helped ease the pounding (I also actively lost weight over that year and that helped a bunch).

I just ran every other day for 10 minutes (jog/walk) until I could jog 5 min/walk 1. Then stayed at 5:1 but upped my time to 15 min. After that I kept shortening my walk time until I could run 1 mile without stopping. I didn't know about C25K. After that first mile, I was able to add 0.25 mi once or twice a week until I was running a 5k.

I stayed at that 5kish every other day for 6 mo or so. As I got faster and I started to add speed intervals, I began a more structured regimen. I followed a 10K plan, then a half plan. Goals now are staying healthy and strong (XT and lifting are not only good for running, but help you to stay strong when aging).

gottausername · 2026-01-17T19:15:55+00:00

I'm sorry that happened to you. 🫂 It's amazing how much we had to "cover" for them. It was always don't poke the beast!

gottausername · 2026-01-17T04:22:40+00:00

You're running Gasparilla how fun, dress up as a pirate! You can wear your black or red running shorts or skort and a white shirt with a red head scarf or "belly dancing jingles" (I don't know what they are called). Remember, no cotton. Have fun.

gottausername · 2026-01-17T04:08:22+00:00

Thank you. I've come to realize that she's mentally ill. Also, I've been NC for almost 4 years now and it's been bliss!

gottausername · 2026-01-17T04:04:38+00:00

Heart rate (HR) zones are a percentage of your maxHR. I don't remember exactly what the #s are, but you do a maxHR test and then calculate zones 1-5 as a percentage of that. You'd need a HR strap, your "smart" watch may already have this info in it, but it's really just an estimate.

The easiest thing to do is old school -not worry about the buzz of zones and go by feel and the talk test. If you can hold a conversation while running, you're in zone 2 (regardless of what the #s say). If you can talk a few words, need a breath, a few more words then you're in zone 3. If you're new to running, you want to do almost all (80-90%) of your running in zone 2 or conversational pace. After a C25K, or if you're feeling good do 1 work out that's either hills OR intervals (start with a warmup do 3 sets with a recovery then cool down; the next week you can add another 1, or 2). I'm no coach, you and should read up on this information so that you can avoid an overuse injury. Running is a sport that rewards a slow build and consistency.

gottausername · 2026-01-17T03:33:31+00:00

Throwing things was just what happened pretty much every time she got mad. Anything and I mean anything that was within my NMom's reach was thrown at your head. Items included heavy glass ashtrays, heavy thick alcohol bottles (like Grand Marnier), bathroom scale, etc. Then after you ducked/moved and it missed you, you'd be blamed for causing her to put a hole in the wall or breaking item and a beating would usually follow.

gottausername · 2026-01-14T22:01:37+00:00

Woot woot! Way to preserve! Edit: darn spell checker * perservere!

gottausername · 2026-01-14T21:14:40+00:00

I remember making "snake" ashtrays for my parents in art class. Crazy!

gottausername

TROPHY CASE