philosopher

Bye bye to Bs and a part of our lives…

I have decided to become a better me (and not a middle aged elephant like my husband so kindly called me). So I have opened a new account under the nickname Alpslover (because this summer I have been a blogger for a local radio station, and it was fun, having a bigger audience).So please, if you like, you can follow me there (well, here, in buddyslim)

The intention this year, which coincides with my f… birthday is to choose, at least in the Western Alps,  only new places . Alpe Devero, I had read about it on various sites and magazines; I wanted to go there since January, with snowshoes, but in  Goglio the street had seemed too icy even for my four snow tires. And after going through two tunnels  with a nice gravel bottom before you get to the Alpe parking (you pay three euros a day, and they are right) I was happy with the ride around the villages of Goglio I did this’ winter. That was a beautiful day, this, on balance, not so much.
First, there were too many people. Not that it’s wrong, for years I have been walking alone in the middle of nowhere,   on routes in theory very popular as the  Mont Blanc Tour and sometimes I had the impression of being the lone survivor of a nuclear catastrophe, but unfortunately not having children leaves me , toward noisy kids, oscillating between two opposite attitudes or yearning or definetely annoyed. On Thursday  it was annoyed. Moreover, weather  on the plain was very low, with a hint of an impending storm (heat) and then there wasn’t,  but however, it ruined part of the day because I haven’t ventured to make a  too long hike. From the parking lot I took the track down,  to tranquil Crampiolo and from there to the dam, and I coasted for a while ‘the reservoir. You could not even set it a  trip, but knowing that down the heat was scorching, it was great.  Back  at the village the puppets of various ages were climbing on the bus and I remembered when I was the age of educators - escorts - scout and did the same thing … how could I ( Mah … maybe I’d better not to be too good a girl). I found the car surrounded by a bunch of sheep. Alpe Devero, I’ll have to give a second chance.

For the record, I live in the hottest town in Italy (no, it is not Palermo - and this interesting  piece of information hit all the most important national newspapers yesterday). Somehow, yesterday managed to log 2 miles walking and today  a good 2 hours of errands ( both walking and biking, and lifting weights - I had to buy a new steamer, because mine decided to die after fifteen years in a spectacular way (think “stufato” with gravy all over the kitchen). For me it is a good investment because italian cooking has some  recipes who call for slow long cooking (even 3 or 4 hour, and if you work it is simply impossible). I cook everything there except pasta: one of my favorites is ossobuco with potatoes and pies. In a steamer it stays moist without a lot of fats. Now, I need a shower, dinner is ready and we have a great night out this evening (if my husband manages to stay awake…)

I’m running outof space, what are you doing about that you guys?

Summer is here, and I spent most of the past month trying to get rid of a boring bronchitis (funny enough, i don’t smoke, never have; my smoking husband never ever coughs). Weight is steady: doctor is happy; me not very. I bloat from being almost my older self in the morning to a size more in the evening. Since we are going out a lot, finding the right outfit is no easy task (keeping my husband awake through the movie or play either. ) He also bloats, but it is water. I’m trying to push myself harder: yesterday I did 50’ minutes of body toning with weights and a weighted ball, and today I was happily sore, so I did yoga. I should do yoga more often, but I end off doing something else, hoping to  go back in shape faster.
But hey we are talking menopause, here. It is not so easy for us ordinary people: celebrities have only this to do…

My husband has finally realized that I’m bigger (bigger than ever). It doesn’t bother him. It does bother me. I’m always tired and sluggish. i’m afraid that my thyroid is calling off duty. Ouf.I’ve been on a detox diet and on alternate days I feel well.
So can someone tell me why should have to go to my class reunion? I have lost contact with most of my schoolmates at the very last high school day, and I am glad I have. The remaining others have become true friends, if they were not it yet. So…on June 5th I’d better go to the mountains.

I have to admit, I was  a bit anxious when I stepped into our local hospital this morning. It was just a check, and I had also specific reasons to leave behind my usual doctor (in private practice) : with a diagnosis from the NHS I can have all of my healthcare for free (visits, medicines, the whole lot). Not too bad. I had to take a day off at work, since you know when you get in, but not when you are out. The doctor who saw me wanted to read all my tests, sonograms, scans and then told me, matter of factly, no fuss about it, that my hypothiroidism was there to stay, and not to get any better. On the contrary, my nodule was absolutely benign, which is always good news. He gave me all the necessary forms to bring back to the Administration. Two days ago I went to the Local Health Administration in my day off work, just to be told that my exemption was due to expire in 2012 (the doctor had assured me that it was once and for all), and no, this is law. These are the joys of NHS (I have logged the date on ical, hping that my MacBook is still alive in two years…)

Today it’s springtime, and it’s pouring rain… So I put on a DVD  I have just bought, Tracie Long Fitness, Staying Power, and I broke up a sweat, and what a sweat! It’s been a long time since I ever could find a whole hour for me, that was not a hike or a walk. And after today, with my muscles happily sore ( and I used  only two to four pounds dumbells, because i didn’t know what to expect from this workout) I know I need to re- introduce strength training into my routine, at least three times a week. If I can’t be that svelte in this stressful time, at least I can be powerful (and toned)

Why do my teeth fall?
Why  Am I not getting younger?
Why can’t I go to the mountains?
Why can not I finish the job I have  to do before going to the mountains?
Why can not I lose weight ? Why do I feel old and gray (and my little hairy thing, however, is young and quick? - My cat, I mean)

Ok, today while I was having dinner with husband, I felt a sting in one tooth (not  one of the two i’m actually taking care of - or at least my new dentist is) and suddenly I felt that something was going horribly wrong. So instead of going back to work I dropped at my dentist’s door. He is a nice man, and talked about meditation and yoga while being busy with my poor old tooth -r.i.p. Now I’m here that can barely talk due to anaesthetics, and can’t imagine the final bill (up to now it was 1500€, which is not peanuts, let’s add another 500? Probably more, since it is not clear what kind of care I will need next) If yesterday I was depressed, today I’m more…