Day 175: Letting Go

"There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn't the end of the world, it's the beginning of a new life."

This quote pretty much describes how I have to look at what is happening in my office. Most of these amazing employees don't want to leave their job or their hometown but it's happening and they have no choice but to accept it and move forward with their lives as best they can. I want to believe it's not the end of the world, but a new beginning for them. As happened in my own life, perhaps this change is going to put some of them on the path they need to be on ... one they will find they are happy with. Some are jumping right into new jobs on Monday July 1. Some are taking the summer off to breathe and decide what is next. Others are moving right into retirement. Some are headed south with their families to continue working for the company. More hugs and tears were shared today and I imagine tomorrow will be very, very difficult. What can you say other than good luck and best wishes ? It's hard because I've known most of these people for 20+ years. I've said this before - I've watched some get married, have children and then become grandparents. We've laughed together, we've cried together and we've had so many good times. So it's hard to say goodbye, knowing I won't see most of them again. I've connected with a few on social media and I'm looking forward to seeing where the next chapter takes them. I feel like they're family, so the sense of loss is real and my heart breaks for them. Today was a day I couldn't think about myself and I'm sure tomorrow will be no different.

Breakfast was a 2.1 ounce cinnamon roll with Kahlua coffee. Second cup was caramel vanilla cream. Morning snack was a 155 calorie chocolate shake with peanut butter powder. Lunch was a 4 ounce 230 calorie meatball parmesan melt with raw carrots. Afternoon snack was 1/2 cup cottage cheese (80 calories) and a snack cup of mandarin oranges (80 calories). This left me 475 calories for dinner and an evening snack. Dinner was a 7.5 ounce 230 calorie chicken marsala. I added some riced cauliflower to it. Cauliflower is so bland I have to add it to something in order to eat it. Evening snack was a 3.5 ounce 130 calorie ice cream sandwich. Total calories for the day are 1085 and I got all 64 ounces of water in.

Tonight's workout was a bit easier than last night. I feel like I might have eaten a "lighter" dinner and I think that has an impact. I was also thinking about tomorrow so the time passed pretty quickly. I cranked up the fan so I wasn't quite so warm tonight either. Even so, my exercise gear was not exactly dry when I got done so I was sweating up a storm ! I'd call this another successful day because my calories are where I want them to be, I drank all the water and I exercised. I can't ask much else of myself. 

I have to share this, so bear with me. My cats are so funny ! I started giving them a treat each night when I was done with my workout, so now little miss Abby comes and meows at me as soon as she hears the treadmill stop. She trots back and forth between the spare bedroom and the laundry room, meowing until she gets her treat. I guess she's afraid I'll forget ! Minnie, she could care less about the treats - she wants to be petted, so while Abby eats her treats Minnie gets her "me time" with me. They're pretty smart too. I don't give them the run of the house when I'm in bed or not home, so they go in the laundry room when I go to bed. They've figured out the routine .... so when I turn off the tv they both run for the laundry room. I don't have to chase them anymore. Pretty smart girls ! I guess that's about as close to a "proud mama" as I'll ever get !

Weather today was pretty much a repeat of yesterday. Sun and clouds and temps in the mid 80's. Blues Fest has rolled into town so I hope the weather holds out for people who enjoy that. This has been an incredibly stressful week so I'm glad vacation is just about here. By July 8th I hope to be ready for whatever is coming next. For now I'll settle for a warm shower and my amazingly comfortable bed. One thing I've learned in the last year is how important it is to have a comfortable bed. It has made such a difference in the way I sleep and feel !