Busy Saturday, Sad Sunday, & Generally Scary Weekend

Yesterday, we celebrated my brother's 62nd birthday (this still shocks me, that he's a "senior"). The family roasted a pig (Cuban thing), rice and beans, boiled yuca with mojo sauce, had home-made tamales. My sister made a low-fat chicken pie (in memory of our mother, who used to make it on special occasions). I took two diet desserts--sugar-free and lowfat.I took my own low-cal drinks, and made a Sangria without sugar (used Splenda and diet ginger ale along with fresh citrus fruit and added blueberry and acai juices). Lots of heart-healthy stuff in a good Sangria made "lighter" and "smarter."

Today,Sunday the 17th, is the 10th anniversary of my father's death. He died in my house, here, in the bedroom that became his hospice room. (He and mom had came to live with us after he was released from the hospital.)

So, a happy day. A sad day.

And a scary weekend overall, watching news of Tropical Storm Fay, threatening to come our way. Not just ours, but through two places where I have family--Cuba, Florida. We went to Target last night after the party to get some extra water and batteries (we always have plenty on hand, cause, well, it's summer in a hurricane-prone zone.) I had a tremendous hot flash and a sudden lower back pain (cramps-related, no doubt). I thought I was gonna pass out.

This is my first period in four months, one of the joys of perimenopause: the not-knowing when company is coming down below. I slept SIXTEEN HOURS.

While I feel rested, I also feel "off." I wasn't up to cooking, especially since I have loads of pre-storm chores to do (laundry, cleaning, etc);so hubby got us Thai food (I had brown rice, a small salad with ginger dressing, a side of basil/chili sauce mixed veggies, and satay chicken). I made some fresh lemonade without sugar and had two lovely plums.

I probably should have rescheduled tomorrow's Pilates class--storm might be ugly here, who knows?--but it's on for now. I hope my Aunt Flo goes easy on me Monday. :)

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