[Sovalis]

8 hours ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

 

Gosh I'm so glad you don't work for that guy anymore.

Me too. 

 

7 hours ago, Mistr said:

^^^^^^^^^^^This

 

I am so glad you are working in a better place.

 

Good to know about the flax seed. I just picked up a bag of it to try increasing my fiber intake. I think it will go into granola bars first. We are rapidly moving out of smoothie season, but I might get a couple more this week and can try it. Muffins are starting to sound good too.

I really like my ground flax in yogurt with fruit and hemp hearts, that's my go to. But it's not the same with cottage cheese, dries out the texture too much. Granola bars is a great idea, so are muffins! 

 

7 hours ago, Everstorm said:

Oh, that sounds intriguing!

I'll let you know how it goes. It's called "Letters from the Front" and was designed by a friend of mine. 

 

6 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I disapprove of the manner in which Ken interacts (or doesn't) with you.

I'm glad you have my back, Tank. 

 

5 hours ago, Kishi said:

 

Yeah, flax is not fun. Flaxseed itself might be OK, but TBF I think I've lost my taste for it, if I ever had any at all.

Totally fair. 

 

4 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

I've mixed flax in with muffins, and it's  pretty good. Not a bunch, just like 1/4 cup to replace the flour.

Good advice. 

 

1 hour ago, Darciana said:

I can put a small bit of ground flax in my smoothies or overnight oats (depending on the type, such as my banana bread oats) without issue, but they're tricky tricky tricky.

 

I'm glad you are no longer working for Ken. That interaction is simply bleh in a very not good way.

 

Do you have a recipe for your beef and barley soup? I have excess barley and I've used it in a vegetable soup, but you've intrigued me!

Banana bread oats sounds like a recipe I need, please!

Thanks. I'm glad too. 

One recipe coming up! 

 

 

This time around I added celery and used all chicken stock (mine was Campbell's brand and had white wine in it) as it's what I had on hand. I also bumped the barley to 1/3 cup because I really love it and like a thicker soup. The original recipe is *very* delicious, my current batch is just about as fabulous, just slightly less beefy. Recipe is from America's Test Kitchen, from their book "Slowcooker Revolution". 

 

❤️

[Everstorm]

Loving all the recipe exchanges this challenge!

[Silmarilliane]

19 hours ago, Sovalis said:

He absolutely gave no indication that he recognized me. So there was that. Weird. 

 

Omg, that is SO weird. Again, glad you're out of there...

 

19 hours ago, Sovalis said:

PSA: don't put ground flax in cottage cheese, it's just unpleasant. I thought I'd bump up my fibre in my breakfast like I do with yogurt, but it's not the same. I got through it, but there will not be a repeat performance. 

 

I have done similar with my morning coffee and porridge - I fugured I'd skip having two things to wash up. Would not recommend  

[Darciana]

13 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Banana bread oats sounds like a recipe I need, please!

❤️

Absolutely! Here you go: Banana Bread Overnight Oats

 

Thank you for your recipe! It sounds delightful and I may up the barley, too. I typically like my beefy soups to be thicker/chunkier, bordering on a stew. Anything with chicken can be more watery/soupy. I'm weird like that. I'm all about the crockpot/slow cooker, though I don't use it near as much anymore. Cooler months is when it really puts in the work, though, as I'll simmer soups all day in it.

[RES]

Just going to echo the "glad you're out of your former place of employment" vibes  

[Sovalis]

On 9/26/2023 at 6:20 PM, Everstorm said:

Loving all the recipe exchanges this challenge!

Me too, it's been great!  

 

On 9/27/2023 at 5:10 AM, Silmarilliane said:

Omg, that is SO weird. Again, glad you're out of there...

 

I have done similar with my morning coffee and porridge - I fugured I'd skip having two things to wash up. Would not recommend  

Right? 

Lol - fair enough!  

 

On 9/27/2023 at 7:29 AM, Darciana said:

Absolutely! Here you go: Banana Bread Overnight Oats

 

Thank you for your recipe! It sounds delightful and I may up the barley, too. I typically like my beefy soups to be thicker/chunkier, bordering on a stew. Anything with chicken can be more watery/soupy. I'm weird like that. I'm all about the crockpot/slow cooker, though I don't use it near as much anymore. Cooler months is when it really puts in the work, though, as I'll simmer soups all day in it.

Thank you! I am excited to try them. 

I like thick soups in general as they feel more substantial when scooping with a spoon. I am not sure what that says about me. *lol*  I haven't used my slowcooker in ages, but it was so nice to have the whole house smell like soup the other day that I probably will make more of an effort!

 

On 9/27/2023 at 6:23 PM, RES said:

Just going to echo the "glad you're out of your former place of employment" vibes  

Thanks, RES. ❤️ 

 

 

Hi Friends, 

 

Oh my goodness, I just can't get this scheduling sorted out for the forums and my game prep. I am really hopeful that I am going to be easing back into real life mode the longer I work at Jack's; things are already improving, but I am still not full of energy and concentration after work, preferring to sit in silence and rest my feet. But only two baths this week instead of five, so I am making progress even if it doesn't feel that way. 

 

I did my inBody scan on Wednesday and it showed I was 7.4 lbs down since the last scan, which was August 3rd. I am quite confident that the majority of that loss took place in the last four weeks which is when my movement started increasing with the change of jobs. ~Four pounds of it was fat, two were muscle, and the rest was water. I am concerned about the muscle loss, as I had honestly expected muscle gain with the lifting and carrying I am doing. But as I said in my Battle Log, I think part of it is due to not eating lunch so not getting adequate protein. I need to get that figured out. I also have been kinda sorta feeling like doing arm workouts this week. I have talked myself out of it twice, but the desire is there, so hopefully I will stop sabotaging  myself and just do the thing. I think it is very interesting that this loss must be due to movement as I am not restricting my food at all right now. I am making responsible choices, but I am not actively avoiding carbs (even wheat), not eating an abundance of plants (although I wish I were), just being very average about my intake. That leads me to conclude that the active minutes is where I am experiencing the difference that is leading to the weight loss. That and a calorie deficit that is probably too big due to the no lunch situation... But I haven't lost even with significant calorie deficits before, so that circles me back to the movement part of this picture. 

 

Dave is home ~9pm on Sunday and I want to get the house straightened up before he gets here. It's not terrible, but there are a few things that need doing in order for me to feel like I am where I want to be. I should be getting paid today (by cheque, how quaint) so that means I can buy groceries this weekend and do some meal planning for next week. I need to work out the lunch situation. I can buy a sandwich at Jack's with my employee discount for ~$3.00. I usually make ~$5.00 in tips in a day, so I could easily convert the tips into lunch and not have to bring something from home. Or I can bring stuff from home and find the time to meal prep, etc. I think buying the sandwich is honestly worth it to me to not have to do the work of preparing the lunches, but I am not quite decided on that yet. Convenience is a great argument, though...

 

I have game tonight and a solo tomorrow and I am not ready for either. I feel more confident about game tonight and my ability to improvise something, but the solo I wish I were more prepared for. I have a little bit of time this morning after this (~40 minutes) that I can use to continue growing the little seed ideas I planted last week, and I have ~2-3 hours tomorrow morning that I can use to prep the solo as we start playing at 10 am. Gerren might be bringing his oldest son as well to observe so I am trying to figure out what I can do that gives something to look at on the table instead of just theatre of the mind and also avoiding anything that isn't really PG-13 and higher. I have the setting worked out for the solo, but not the actual storyline so there's some stress there. But I'll figure it out or I will cancel. It's going to be fine. *crosses fingers*

 

Alright, I am going to run and see about some prep. I love you all and I am so grateful for your care and support. Thanks for being here and bearing with me as I struggle to get this schedule sorted out. ❤️ 

 

 

[Darciana]

I'm simply glad to see you posting whenever you can so I know you're still here with us, even if it's in heart and mind only.

 

 I do hope the solo and game night gets sorted for all areas of concern.

[Everstorm]

23 minutes ago, Sovalis said:

I think buying the sandwich is honestly worth it to me to not have to do the work of preparing the lunches, but I am not quite decided on that yet. Convenience is a great argument, though...

I would tend to agree with you, but how would having wheat daily affect you?

[Harriet]

1 hour ago, Sovalis said:

 

I did my inBody scan on Wednesday and it showed I was 7.4 lbs down since the last scan, which was August 3rd. I am quite confident that the majority of that loss took place in the last four weeks which is when my movement started increasing with the change of jobs. ~Four pounds of it was fat, two were muscle, and the rest was water. I am concerned about the muscle loss, as I had honestly expected muscle gain with the lifting and carrying I am doing. But as I said in my Battle Log, I think part of it is due to not eating lunch so not getting adequate protein. I need to get that figured out. I also have been kinda sorta feeling like doing arm workouts this week. I have talked myself out of it twice, but the desire is there, so hopefully I will stop sabotaging  myself and just do the thing.

 

Isn't losing some proportion of muscle as you lose weight inevitable? Surely the question is only what proportion. And might some of it be unneeded proteins in, I dunno, the skin or something? Do the people who do the scans tell you what to expect or set any goals for that?

 

1 hour ago, Sovalis said:

 

I think it is very interesting that this loss must be due to movement as I am not restricting my food at all right now. I am making responsible choices, but I am not actively avoiding carbs (even wheat), not eating an abundance of plants (although I wish I were), just being very average about my intake. That leads me to conclude that the active minutes is where I am experiencing the difference that is leading to the weight loss. That and a calorie deficit that is probably too big due to the no lunch situation... But I haven't lost even with significant calorie deficits before, so that circles me back to the movement part of this picture. 

 

Neato! That sounds more humane than restricting calories. To my hungry caterpillar self anyway. 

[Silmarilliane]

From what I've read, I agree with Harriet - you'll lose muscle as well as fat at a caloric deficit though there are ways you can improve the 'balance' (eg by lifting). I don't think it's possible to lose exclusively fat (though if you work out how, let us know yeah )

[Salinger]

Hey Sov, how are things? Sorry ive been awol. Love you xx

[Harriet]

I hope you had a restful, feet-restoring weekend!

[Darciana]

Hi Sov, checking in on you. I hope all is going swimmingly in your realm ❤️

[Kishi]

FWIW, I've always said that challenges are "doing" things rather than "posting" things. If you can't make time for here because you've got stuff to do, that's honestly fine and probably as it should be. Means you're kicking ass and taking names, or alternately that you're busy surviving bad times and need that energy for yourself, and that too is fine. (not the bad times part but the part where you're taking care of yourself).

 

So don't worry about making time for us. It'll come back when it does. We'll be here when you're ready.

[Rhovaniel]

On 9/26/2023 at 4:44 PM, Sovalis said:

Turns out I didn't need to go into the shop as Ken came in to Jack's to get a coffee and I was the only one on the bar so I served him. He absolutely gave no indication that he recognized me. So there was that. Weird. 

This man sounds like an emotionally immature twat waffle and I am glad you no longer work for him. 

 

On 9/27/2023 at 1:11 AM, Sovalis said:

This time around I added celery and used all chicken stock (mine was Campbell's brand and had white wine in it) as it's what I had on hand. I also bumped the barley to 1/3 cup because I really love it and like a thicker soup. The original recipe is *very* delicious, my current batch is just about as fabulous, just slightly less beefy. Recipe is from America's Test Kitchen, from their book "Slowcooker Revolution". 

I shall absolutely be making this!! I also love barley, so I might bump up the barley content also. I shall have to see how the UK measuring conversions hold up. 

 

On 9/29/2023 at 4:15 PM, Sovalis said:

Alright, I am going to run and see about some prep. I love you all and I am so grateful for your care and support. Thanks for being here and bearing with me as I struggle to get this schedule sorted out. ❤️ 

Hope the prep was successful  

 

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

4 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

emotionally immature twat waffle

The clinical term is "Rectal Personality Disorder"

[Sovalis]

On 9/29/2023 at 9:36 AM, Darciana said:

I'm simply glad to see you posting whenever you can so I know you're still here with us, even if it's in heart and mind only.

 

 I do hope the solo and game night gets sorted for all areas of concern.

Oh definitely heart and mind! But it would be great if I could get a schedule worked out, too! 😅

 

Games got worked out. In an unexpected way, but it was good. 

 

On 9/29/2023 at 9:39 AM, Everstorm said:

I would tend to agree with you, but how would having wheat daily affect you?

I don't know. The side effect of the job being very physical is that my hands and feet are low key sore/fatigued all the time anyway from the work, so adding the wheat is barely noticeable at this point? 

 

On 9/29/2023 at 10:39 AM, Harriet said:

Isn't losing some proportion of muscle as you lose weight inevitable? Surely the question is only what proportion. And might some of it be unneeded proteins in, I dunno, the skin or something? Do the people who do the scans tell you what to expect or set any goals for that?

Unfortunately the people who run the scans aren't very versed in the science, they just run the equipment. I know losing some is reasonable. I just don't want to lose more muscle than I have to. 

 

On 9/29/2023 at 10:39 AM, Harriet said:

Neato! That sounds more humane than restricting calories. To my hungry caterpillar self anyway. 

I love your hungry caterpillar self. 💜

 

On 10/2/2023 at 9:18 AM, Silmarilliane said:

From what I've read, I agree with Harriet - you'll lose muscle as well as fat at a caloric deficit though there are ways you can improve the 'balance' (eg by lifting). I don't think it's possible to lose exclusively fat (though if you work out how, let us know yeah )

Yeah, I'm not looking to never lose muscle. Just to minimize those losses. If I luck into something I'll keep you posted. 😉

 

On 10/2/2023 at 11:15 AM, Salinger said:

Hey Sov, how are things? Sorry ive been awol. Love you xx

Hi Sal!! Things are good, just busy. I hope your show went well!! Sending love!!!!! 💜

 

21 hours ago, Harriet said:

I hope you had a restful, feet-restoring weekend!

Thank you, Harriet! 

 

13 hours ago, Darciana said:

Hi Sov, checking in on you. I hope all is going swimmingly in your realm ❤️

Hi Dearheart! I appreciate the check in. I'm doing well, just can't seem to hit my stride with a schedule. 💜

 

6 hours ago, Kishi said:

FWIW, I've always said that challenges are "doing" things rather than "posting" things. If you can't make time for here because you've got stuff to do, that's honestly fine and probably as it should be. Means you're kicking ass and taking names, or alternately that you're busy surviving bad times and need that energy for yourself, and that too is fine. (not the bad times part but the part where you're taking care of yourself).

 

So don't worry about making time for us. It'll come back when it does. We'll be here when you're ready.

Thanks, Kishi. That's great advice. 

 

5 hours ago, Rhovaniel said:

This man sounds like an emotionally immature twat waffle and I am glad you no longer work for him. 

 

I shall absolutely be making this!! I also love barley, so I might bump up the barley content also. I shall have to see how the UK measuring conversions hold up. 

 

Hope the prep was successful  

You made me laugh, Rho. Thank you. 💙

Let me know what you think of the soup if you make it! 

 

1 hour ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

The clinical term is "Rectal Personality Disorder"

Yes. This. 

 

 

Hi Friends! 

 

Whew, what a blur the last few days have been! Game on Friday went completely sideways and ended up folding in the solo session after all which was unplanned but worked out pretty well. Three huge reveals, only one of which was planned. When Nicole discovered that Zerellion was Athreos' captor she gave me a look of pure shock and then left the table and went upstairs to take a minute. Super grateful that Seb and Bryon were both out of the room when that happened because knowing that will change how they're going to play their characters. Zany fun!!

 

Saturday was full of housework and baking (Lavender London Fog cookies and the dough for chocolate chip hazelnut flour cookies). Sunday was full of more housework and baking. Then I ran D&D for the Sunday crew and that went pretty well. They ended up drinking with a group of Drow who were tapping trees with maple syrup spigots and doing shots of tree sap syrup that resulted in mild, pleasant inebriation. They discovered an Earth Elemental is bound to that location and have agreed to free it. This game is now on hiatus until the next time Dave travels. 

 

Then at 10 pm I got to pick Dave up from base. I met the new chaplain in the parking lot while I was waiting. He seems very nice and easy to talk to, and is another gamer. It was the first time I'd ever seen a chaplain meet a late evening returning troop movement and that raised my estimation of him a notch. I can't imagine it's an easy thing to be a spiritual advisor to soldiers. I hope I get to know him and have some interesting conversations. 

 

Dave and I caught up for about an hour and then he passed right out, which made sense because it was almost 7 am his time. It's probably going to take a week for him to get turned around again. He has a chesty cold/cough and nasal congestion so his snoring has been off the charts. We did okay the first night, but last night I moved to the spare room at 12:40 am because I just couldn't sleep. Reintegration of sleep is the hardest part of coming back together. I sleep like a baby with he's gone because there is no noise. 😅 But we will get it sorted. 

 

Monday I worked 11-5 and it was good. Then I woke Dave up and we had pizza and watched Ted Lasso. I sure adore that show. Then back to bed for both of us. 

 

Today, tomorrow, and Thursday I work 12-5. They're giving me that extra hour at home in the morning because that's when he is awake and I appreciate it so much. This morning we went and got groceries and ran errands together and it was really lovely. The seat of my jeans blew out on me in spectacular fashion which I've never had happen before. And those were my good jeans! The inner thigh has blown out on my other pair, so I currently don't have pants with pockets. Boo erns. Going to have to find a way into a city to go pants shopping. 

 

I have been told that my supervisor and my boss think that I'm ready to have a key and start locking up on my own soon. That is a little terrifying, but I don't think they're wrong. I can do it, my perfectionism just makes me anxious. It was supposed to be tonight for the first time, but one of the students who comes in after school to help close didn't show up today for some unknown reason, so Karen (my supervisor) and I closed together which was good. I'm selfishly glad it wasn't today for the first time because I've been tired and anxious all day today and that's not the confidence I want to bring with me to my first solo-lead close. 

 

I felt like I was finding my schedule last week, but now with Dave home everything shifts again and I feel a bit like a spinning top. It's going to be fine, it's just going to take time. I'm working on eating three meals a day and drinking water after my shift. The movement is taking care of itself for right now with work and I'm okay with that being my baseline. I need to try on the outfit I want to wear to a wedding this weekend. I'm at my current lowest weight in quite a while so hopefully things fit well and look nice. Fingers crossed!!

 

Okay, I've rambled plenty long. Going to go catch up on some threads and then head to bed. 

 

I hope you are met where you are by an unanticipated ally who has your back. Thanks for being here. 💜

[Silmarilliane]

7 hours ago, Sovalis said:

The inner thigh has blown out on my other pair

 

I get this a lot - I've started cutting the bottom off the trousers, cutting the crotch out and filling the gap. Only with really good patterned trousers that I love though

Why don't They just make trousers that have thicker material between the thighs?

[Snarkyfishguts]

Oooh keys to the store!! You can definitely handle it.  I do get the perfectionist anxiety!

 

pants are jerks!!

 

I’m glad you are adjusting to Dave time so we’ll and am glad you were scheduled so you can have more time with him 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

1 hour ago, Silmarilliane said:

Why don't They just make trousers that have thicker material between the thighs?

So we all buy more clothes.

[Darciana]

10 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Saturday was full of housework and baking (Lavender London Fog cookies and the dough for chocolate chip hazelnut flour cookies).

Wait wait wait wait. I just learned about London Fog drinks in April. Now you're telling me not only is there London Fog cookies, but there's lavender? Are there drinks with Lavender, too?!

I must beg you to share the recipe with us.

10 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Then at 10 pm I got to pick Dave up from base. I met the new chaplain in the parking lot while I was waiting. He seems very nice and easy to talk to, and is another gamer. It was the first time I'd ever seen a chaplain meet a late evening returning troop movement and that raised my estimation of him a notch. I can't imagine it's an easy thing to be a spiritual advisor to soldiers. I hope I get to know him and have some interesting conversations. 

I'm glad Dave is back safely.

I also hope you can get to know the Chaplain. That is such a difficult position and he seems very likeable being there for a late evening return. Having been in the Army, I always found it very comforting to have a chaplain nearby, even if I never really spoke with them other than greetings and pleasantries. The good ones have such a calming aura about them that cannot be easily replicated and I'm so grateful for those beautiful souls.

 

17 hours ago, Kishi said:

FWIW, I've always said that challenges are "doing" things rather than "posting" things. If you can't make time for here because you've got stuff to do, that's honestly fine and probably as it should be. Means you're kicking ass and taking names, or alternately that you're busy surviving bad times and need that energy for yourself, and that too is fine. (not the bad times part but the part where you're taking care of yourself).

 

So don't worry about making time for us. It'll come back when it does. We'll be here when you're ready.

I also want to second this - as long as you're doing the things and keeping yourself alive and healthy, I'm content. I'll still check in on you, though, because that's just what I do

 

[Sovalis]

3 hours ago, Silmarilliane said:

I get this a lot - I've started cutting the bottom off the trousers, cutting the crotch out and filling the gap. Only with really good patterned trousers that I love though

Why don't They just make trousers that have thicker material between the thighs?

I don't think I could do that because I'm weird about asymmetrical seams in my clothing. But it is the most sensible option. I also wish pants were more durable!

 

3 hours ago, Snarkyfishguts said:

Oooh keys to the store!! You can definitely handle it.  I do get the perfectionist anxiety!

 

pants are jerks!!

 

I’m glad you are adjusting to Dave time so we’ll and am glad you were scheduled so you can have more time with him 

Thanks, Snarky! 

 

2 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

So we all buy more clothes.

Truth. 

 

1 hour ago, Darciana said:

Wait wait wait wait. I just learned about London Fog drinks in April. Now you're telling me not only is there London Fog cookies, but there's lavender? Are there drinks with Lavender, too?!

I must beg you to share the recipe with us.

Yup! A traditional London Fog drink can be served with Lavender simple syrup in addition to/instead of the French Vanilla simple syrup. Cookies can be found here: Delicious Lavender London Fog Cookies .

 

1 hour ago, Darciana said:

I'm glad Dave is back safely.

I also hope you can get to know the Chaplain. That is such a difficult position and he seems very likeable being there for a late evening return. Having been in the Army, I always found it very comforting to have a chaplain nearby, even if I never really spoke with them other than greetings and pleasantries. The good ones have such a calming aura about them that cannot be easily replicated and I'm so grateful for those beautiful souls.

💜

 

1 hour ago, Darciana said:

I also want to second this - as long as you're doing the things and keeping yourself alive and healthy, I'm content. I'll still check in on you, though, because that's just what I do

I appreciate you checking on me. 💙

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I approve of all this positive talk about chaplains 

[Darciana]

3 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I approve of all this positive talk about chaplains 

You're one of the winners, too. I love that you give off such good calming and happy vibes even over the internet

[Sovalis]

Hi All! 

 

An update from my chilly car as I wait on Dave and Jocelyn to harvest and pluck our Thanksgiving turkey! Yes, Canadian Thanksgiving is Monday, and I will make a quick weekend trip to British Columbia for a wedding and then come back to Alberta, see a friend who just lost her Dad, and then come home to make turkey for my local friend group. Going to be a busy few days!

 

I tried on my wedding outfit this morning and it looks pretty great. I also weighed in at 280.0 on my scale today which was a super neat surprise. I'll take it! 

 

Going to try not to eat too much junk or over indulge at the wedding's cash bar on Saturday. I'm not really a big drinker normally, but I do drink more/more quickly when I'm nervous and at the moment the only person I know at this wedding is the bride. I won't get out of hand, I know that. 

 

Hmmm, not sure what else to say, so I'll sign off. Might take a few days to do things, or might spend all my airport waiting time lurking in the forums. We will see. 😉

 

I hope you all have a little stretch of time that feels totally rejuvenating. Thanks for being here. 💙