Weight Loss, Comment Answers

First: we did not get the brake work done that was estimated at $1700.  They said the brakes were OK, a bit glazed from being overheated, but if we wanted the squeak to go away they could redo the front brakes.  They have done other work for us, and although it was good work, they have seemed over priced. The squeaking did seem less when the brakes were cooler as we drove her home. It doesn't sound much different from a lot of trucks I have heard.
If we felt the brakes were any danger were would not hesitate to have the work done right away.


We will get a second opinion from Alfateers and a Freightliner service center as part of our fall annual services.


Second, my weight loss: the dietary changes I started this spring were always meant to be permanent, not just to lose some weight.  It always takes some effort and some time to make such changes to the norm.  I was a bit concerned about sliding back into old habits because we were on "vacation," but I did pretty well.  I did have one hamburger on the drive home, but after Hwy 1, I needed comfort!  Craig also grilled burgers once on the Weber, but I tried to keep mine smaller. 


Wine?  Yes I did have some, but again, less often and less in amount.  


Sandwiches?  Only on healthy whole wheat bread, only one per lunch, and only on long hike days.


We have been home for more than a week now and my morning weigh-in has stabilized once again.  I'm showing a four pound weight loss since the end of June. That is now a total of 34 pounds since January! I'm still ten over the top number in the charts for a woman my age and height, but I can live with that!  


I'm not counting anything or keeping a food journal for now.  I do weigh myself every morning, and if I see an increase I try to be a little bit careful with my choices. My primary goal is to keep it off and not fall back into old habits of overeating fats, sugar, and complex carbohydrates. There are so many good alternatives.  


An additional benefit, be it from weight loss, increased exercise, or eliminating many foods, is that my joints are much better.  I have cut back on my arthritis medication to every other day, and may try doing without it completely. 


Have a good day everyone.  

Another Monday

As I write this, a door man is installing a new door in the tandem garage.  I'm going to wait until next week to paint the exterior wall, big interior wall and the door, because I want to be sure I have enough paint for the painters to do the exterior area above the dining room windows.  They were supposed to do it the Saturday before we left, but it was too windy that day.  We have rescheduled it for this upcoming Saturday. I have two full gallons of the pink exterior color, and I think between the two jobs I might need more. Better it be my job that runs out.


The Alfa has been sitting over at the repair shop for a week.  We wanted the brakes checked, and since we weren't going anywhere were OK with the wait.  (Well I was OK with it, Craig was anxious to get the coach back because there are some things he wants still in it.)


They say the brakes are OK.  There has always been a squeak, but it is louder now. But according to the mechanic, they are not bad. The squeak is caused by having been overheated.  I'm sure our drive down Hwy 1 contribued.  A front brake job would run about $1700.  As long as it is not a safety issue we will wait for a while.  


Craig would like to take it somewhere else because he feels this shop overcharges for everything.


So, as soon as the door man is finished, we are off to bring our Alfa home.  (Update note: it was too late on Monday to go get her, so I guess it will happen on Tuesday.)


You may have notice an absence of pictures lately.  Two reasons.  First there is nothing notable to photograph, and second, my little camera has died.  I'm going to take it into a camera shop and have it looked at, but if it can't be fixed I'll get a new one.  What I want is small.  Craig can carry around his big heavy camera.  My pictures are just to help "tell the story".