I woke up late this morning, and when I got up, I saw a text from Gary saying he had gone into work eight hours early. He’s so sweet. Before he left, he made my protein drink, vacuumed the living room because it’s dog-shedding season for Clem, and loaded the dishwasher. 👏🏼

The sink was full too because I made the kids clean their rooms last night, so I was planning to tackle it this morning. Gosh, I love that sweet man.

My back was bothering me a little before bed last night, but it feels better now. Not perfect but better. I can really feel it when I turn or arch my back.Thank goodness it’s better though. I always get a little stressed when I feel pain because it scares me that it could be coming back or that the GLP-1 isn’t working as well anymore. The thought of ever having that kind of chronic pain again honestly scares me.

I don’t really know what I did, but it seems like every time I spend a lot of time in the pool, I start having random pains. That’s how all of this started in the first place.

I don’t think it’s the exercises because all I do is put light weights around my ankles and kick. It’s just to help tone and slim my thighs. It’s not heavy weight or anything strenuous.

I’m starting to wonder if it’s the pool steps. They’re pretty far apart, and I have really short legs. Maybe there’s something about the position I’m getting into while climbing in and out that pulls on my sciatic nerve.

Normally, a person would turn around and go down a pool ladder backward, but I don’t because I usually have a drink and all kinds of things in my hands. I go down facing forward and end up arching my back. I know that sounds like such a simple thing, but sometimes that’s all it takes to make your sciatic nerve start acting up.

I’ve gone through everything I’ve done a million times in my head, and that’s the only thing I can think of that might be contributing. Next time, I’m going to pay close attention to how I’m getting in and out of the pool.

The good news is that I’m still completely pain-medication free. I haven’t taken an Advil or any other medication for my back in six months. I’m still eating clean, staying active, and doing all the things I know I’m supposed to be doing. I just need to keep strengthening my core, be more mindful of how I move, and hope this continues to resolve itself with time.

One little ache doesn’t mean I’m going backward, but after living with chronic pain for so long, it’s hard not to let my mind go there.

I’m also going to try to let myself enjoy this week because next week we’ll be doing our back-to-school shopping. I still haven’t decided whether I want to order all the school supplies online or just go out and tackle it.

Last year, I found a lot of good stuff at Sam’s, especially Clorox wipes, packs of folders, Kleenex, pencils, and things like that.

The kids are both in middle school now, and neither one of them is taking art this year, so there really shouldn’t be that much to find. Gage already has a good calculator. They mostly need new headphones and a lot of composition books.

It shouldn’t be too hard. I also have a lot of school supplies here that I need to donate to the elementary school because the kids won’t need them anymore. We have packs of crayons, glue sticks, markers, pencils, and all kinds of things. Norah also has plenty of art sets and art kits, so she definitely doesn’t need any more of that stuff.

I save a lot of money by buying things in bulk, but I don’t like being a pack rat either. If I have something sitting around that someone else can use, I have no problem giving it away.

Well, that’s my Monday so far. I’m mostly just thinking about the next few weeks, trying to get my thoughts organized, and reminding myself to enjoy this week before everything gets busy again.

Happy Monday, everybody. 🤍