And then I stopped by Target on the way home so that was a super long day and I would like to never leave the house again.

my gym seems to think only retired people take them because they are scheduled during my work day!

Same, Laura. Most of the group classes are during the work day at my gym, it’s aggravating. The one I went to was on Saturday, but I’m not willing to schedule my Saturdays regularly.

I have a lot of acquaintances here in Michigan, but none of the kind of friends you can talk with about politics, serious personal problems, favorite desserts, which of Harry Styles or Rege Jean Page You’d jump first, morality, and favorite Playwright, all in the space of 20 minutes. I miss that.

Those are important topics!

Rege Jean Page. Just sayin’. Not least because I feel like if I jumped on Harry Styles I might break him.

That's wonderful, Scrappy. I miss friend visits a lot.

while realizing he may be living with her for the rest of her life

We really thought this was the case with #1 son, but finally at 30 he seems to be capable of taking care of himself. Not quite up to the level I had anticipated in his youth, but self-sufficient doing Door Dash and paying his bills is awesome. He still has mental health struggles, but seems more self-aware of his issues.

actually had enough fun doing the class that I didn't mind the whole rinse off and put on dry clothes in the locker room afterwards. (I find it annoying usually; I don't know what I think my alternatives are...

Most times I just put on a coverup over my wet suit and drove home sitting on a towel, but this might be more a Florida thing.

I hope your mom's house sale goes through soon, askye. It is a very tense and fraught process.

Rege Jean Page. Just sayin’.

I'm confident this is the appropriate choice.

Most times I just put on a coverup over my wet suit and drove home sitting on a towel, but this might be more a Florida thing.

It might be, but I may do that tomorrow anyway!

Part of it is, I was wearing a swim tee and swim shorts, so it's A LOT of wet. But tomorrow I'm just doing regular bathing suit.

I'm not self conscious about much physical anymore, but my arms are way out of proportion (as happens when you were very heavy and your skin is no longer elastic), so sleeveless still isn't a comfortable look for me. But for this class, I think I'm fine.

I'm actually considering the arm surgery.

My SIL is trying to encourage me to do this with all the excess skin since I lost weight. But but but, big chicken and don't want to. Also, I am at an age where being a shriveled old lady is becoming more acceptable. Getting to the gym every day is helping the legs more than the arms, but I'll keep working at it. It took a long time to get in this shape so I am not looking for overnight improvement. Sleeveless is absolutely not a comfortable look for me, but for most of the year when I am in Florida it is a comfort requirement!

Also, Kansans, well done with the massive turnout. Y'all give me hope.

The surgery is definitely something I'm coming to slowly. When I first got out of the hospital, I was firmly in the "No elective surgery ever!" camp, understandably. That was a lot of hospital time under my belt.

But, aside from pure vanity, it is also irritating that many tops that fit in every other dimension, don't pass the upper arm test. I'm not even shooting for sleeveless most of the time, just... not sausage casing, which is super uncomfortable.

And, like, I don't care about my super flabby thighs the way my arms bug me. Well, and there's also no fit problem with my legs. And I'm over.myself enough to be fine with Bermuda shorts and knee-length stuff as needed - it looks fine.

My SIL is trying to encourage me to do this with all the excess skin since I lost weight.

I... would NOT appreciate someone else telling me to get reconstructive surgery, however! That's pretty nervy of your SiL!

Yes, in other-focused writing, way to fucking go, Kansas.