It's 5:00 a.m. and I'm so ready to take Nancy to the vet office. I've slept with her on the floor since the operation to ensure that she not tear her stitches while trying to climb up on my bed. After stitch removal it's limited exercise (she's really raring to go) for a week, then I'm trusting that everything holds. As I've already noted, it looks like she has a clean bill of health; the operation to remove the mass cell tumor was successful, because of its early stage.
I really had a struggle this past week with eating while watching the football games. Yesterday I ate fairly moderately with plenty of vegetables. I was ready to throw in the towel on this weight loss program, but I have to be honest and acknowledge that I haven't given it my best shot. I have to accept the fact that I am an emotional eater, but if I sincerely try to change my eating habits I can overcome such gluttony.
Last night was the first night of my Horticulture 110 (Basic Gardening) class. I should be able to remember the instructor's name since her name is Megan. I also noted as class room attendance was taken that there was a Dylan and Collin in the program too. It will be interesting with field trips to various locations throughout the North County, one which will be to Petco Baseball Park. There will be opportunities to volunteer at the campus plant shop. I felt very comfortable in the class.
Various challenges for the day and throughout the year: 1) Incorporate at least a half an hour a day towards gardening of the chopping, squatting, pulling, digging, etc... type of activity. 2) Avoid the big chair in the living room and the remote control. 3) Walk slowly 20 minutes a day concentrating on breathing. 4) Keep a journal of what I eat, the time and how much. BTW I've found an excellent website for such record keeping: mycaloriecounter@newsletters.everydayhealth.com
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Am I Over The Hump?
I've decided to stay with the Medifast program (translation: do it exactly as prescribed). I set up an 10:00 a.m. appointment with the counselor.
Two more days and Nancy will have her stitches removed. After the last restitching event I decided that she go nowhere. She's a stay-at-home kind of girl, home schooled for at least another week. She is so cooperative in everything we do to her..... putting on the plastic collar, opening her mouth to insert a pill, banging into hallway corners, no exercise, etc...
I finally figured out how to get pills down Nancy's throat; I dip the pill in honey and place it in the back of her mouth. I cleared this with our vetenary specialists since I was concerned about the sugar, but apparently it's such a small amount that it's not a problem.
Next Tuesday will be my first horticulture class. I'm really looking forward to getting some ideas and learning about the basics. I've put off thinning out the lettuce sprouts, I have to do that today. Here's the funny thing about all of this "things to do" talk. Realistically the thinning process will take no more than five minutes yet when I write about it one would think that I have quite a looming task ahead. I am a procrastinator and I am not proud of that fact, however, in today's parlance: "It is what it is."
Two more days and Nancy will have her stitches removed. After the last restitching event I decided that she go nowhere. She's a stay-at-home kind of girl, home schooled for at least another week. She is so cooperative in everything we do to her..... putting on the plastic collar, opening her mouth to insert a pill, banging into hallway corners, no exercise, etc...
I finally figured out how to get pills down Nancy's throat; I dip the pill in honey and place it in the back of her mouth. I cleared this with our vetenary specialists since I was concerned about the sugar, but apparently it's such a small amount that it's not a problem.
Next Tuesday will be my first horticulture class. I'm really looking forward to getting some ideas and learning about the basics. I've put off thinning out the lettuce sprouts, I have to do that today. Here's the funny thing about all of this "things to do" talk. Realistically the thinning process will take no more than five minutes yet when I write about it one would think that I have quite a looming task ahead. I am a procrastinator and I am not proud of that fact, however, in today's parlance: "It is what it is."
Monday, January 17, 2011
A little this and a little that 315 lbs.
Saturday morning I took Nancy to the vet for removal of her drain valves. While there the doctor informed me that the test results came back from CSU indicating no more cancer. We were lucky to have found it at an early stage. I pet her all the time and never felt that particular nub. As I remember the vet found it, because I had requested that she look at another area on her abdomen. There was something resembling a tiny black hair which felt like a stitch. The vet pinched at it like I would have pinched a blackhead and this weird worm yuk emerged with pus dangling from it. It turned out that was benign, but the other small nub located where the thigh bone meets the abdomen was not.
We've gone to great lengths to keep an eye on Nancy to see that she not lick her stitches or make any sudden movements. Last week, as most of you know, she was able to get around her collar and lick her stitches to the point surgery was necessary to reattach the cut away area again. I have even thrown down a sleeping bag on the living room floor to sleep with her at night. If I don't do that she will climb up on my bed and that would risk reopening the stitches. She also has a larger collar to wear so she bangs all around on the corners of the house hallways.
Tonight I didn't sleep too well and noticed a high pitched barking coming from some house below us. This continued for at least six hours. At 4:00 a.m. I finally got up determined to walk down to find out which house it came from. As I put my sandals on, cinched the belt on my jeans and reached for my jacket the night became quieter than Christmas in Bethlehem............go figure......so here I am updating my blog.
I had a great weekend watching the NFL playoffs. Amazingly I have two tickets from betting last May on the Super Bowl winners: the Bears and the Jets. Wouldn't that be wild if the Jets and the Bears make it to the final game? Definitely a win-win situation.
I heard a TV conversation between Suzanne Sommers and Dr. Andrew Weil about the detoxifying effects of milk thistle so I figured I'll try it. I have no way of knowing if it works or not, but I figure it can't hurt and since these two concur it must be worth something. I've also begun to cook quinoa and use it as mixer as if it were rice.... very nice texture and taste, I recommend it.
I haven't stuck to the Medifast program and this bothers me. It's my responsibility to follow the schedule, but it just hasn't happened. I'm considering dropping out of the program and get some of the money back. The concept isn't that hard to understand and I just hate going in once a week knowing that I am not following the program properly......... I'll think about it some more.
My worms seem to be thriving and my garden is so so. I'll be sky high if ever I see nasturtiums blooming from the hillside; I've also planted some at the end of the garden.
It's 5:30 a.m. and it is still a Christmas quiet. I think I'll walk below to stir up the dog.
We've gone to great lengths to keep an eye on Nancy to see that she not lick her stitches or make any sudden movements. Last week, as most of you know, she was able to get around her collar and lick her stitches to the point surgery was necessary to reattach the cut away area again. I have even thrown down a sleeping bag on the living room floor to sleep with her at night. If I don't do that she will climb up on my bed and that would risk reopening the stitches. She also has a larger collar to wear so she bangs all around on the corners of the house hallways.
Tonight I didn't sleep too well and noticed a high pitched barking coming from some house below us. This continued for at least six hours. At 4:00 a.m. I finally got up determined to walk down to find out which house it came from. As I put my sandals on, cinched the belt on my jeans and reached for my jacket the night became quieter than Christmas in Bethlehem............go figure......so here I am updating my blog.
I had a great weekend watching the NFL playoffs. Amazingly I have two tickets from betting last May on the Super Bowl winners: the Bears and the Jets. Wouldn't that be wild if the Jets and the Bears make it to the final game? Definitely a win-win situation.
I heard a TV conversation between Suzanne Sommers and Dr. Andrew Weil about the detoxifying effects of milk thistle so I figured I'll try it. I have no way of knowing if it works or not, but I figure it can't hurt and since these two concur it must be worth something. I've also begun to cook quinoa and use it as mixer as if it were rice.... very nice texture and taste, I recommend it.
I haven't stuck to the Medifast program and this bothers me. It's my responsibility to follow the schedule, but it just hasn't happened. I'm considering dropping out of the program and get some of the money back. The concept isn't that hard to understand and I just hate going in once a week knowing that I am not following the program properly......... I'll think about it some more.
My worms seem to be thriving and my garden is so so. I'll be sky high if ever I see nasturtiums blooming from the hillside; I've also planted some at the end of the garden.
It's 5:30 a.m. and it is still a Christmas quiet. I think I'll walk below to stir up the dog.
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Ooze from Nancy 313.4 lbs
Nancy is recovering well from surgery, however, this morning she started to bleed from the stitched area. I dropped everything and raced to the vet, and thankfully, was told what I had hoped for; the blood was essentially a pocket of fluid which had built up and was the pressure was normalizing. She should be totally healed in 3 weeks. The final results from the pathologist will be another week.
Watching the New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Sea Hawks. Surprisingly close score at half time, I expected the Saints to dominate.
I am switching channels between the game and Tucson coverage of the assassination attempt on the U.S. Congresswoman's life. It will be interesting to find out if the assassin was a loner. I wonder what news programs he watched?
Watching the New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Sea Hawks. Surprisingly close score at half time, I expected the Saints to dominate.
I am switching channels between the game and Tucson coverage of the assassination attempt on the U.S. Congresswoman's life. It will be interesting to find out if the assassin was a loner. I wonder what news programs he watched?
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Tuesday with Nancy 316.0 lbs
I took Nancy into the vet for surgery. That was six hours ago and she is now being prepped before the operation. As I understand, it will not be too complicated since the mass cell discovered did not spread to any other area of her body. She knew something was up and resisted being led into the back room this morning, but then I took the leash and she went with me into the buffer room where I turned her over to the vet assistant. I called just a few moments ago and she seemed "good to go" on into the operating room.
On the way home Joy asked me pick up a green pepper and sour dough, but by the time I left the market I had $18 worth of groceries and a live cilantro plant for the garden. When I got home I broiled about a 2 or 3 ounce cut of tuna dipped in a mixture of dijon mustard, olive oil and a mixture of my dog deterrence formula. I cut a large slice of yellow onion and broiled that alongside the tuna. After about 10 minutes I brought it out and placed it on a plate with sliced avocado, tomato and an assortment of winter veggies ........... Wow, I astound myself with these off the cuff concoctions; Very delicious and so easy to prepare.
I'm feeling pretty comfortable with the Medifast diet. Now that I've forgone the beer and wine I am pretty much in control of hunger pangs.
A chimney sweep man came out and spruced up the fireplace (gas) ..... he added a top guard, some fake ash and a few other things. Now we have a gas fire for the first time since we've been here. All of the past rainy days have left the area when it really would have been cozy.
Stanford beat Virginia Tech last night; Ohio State takes on Arkansas tonight. There's no telling where Jim Harbaugh will end up. Some sources say he'll stay where he is at Stanford.
Both of us miss Nancy. She is such an adorable and friendly sort. She's got just enough impishness in her to not allow her sainthood status. This morning she's out front with me and all of a sudden ...... ZOOM, she's off and running down to the commons area and I can see her ever so slightly glance my way to check out my reaction. When I got the car instead of the bicycle to retrieve her she knew her time was limited on the loose, though never can I get mad at her.
On the way home Joy asked me pick up a green pepper and sour dough, but by the time I left the market I had $18 worth of groceries and a live cilantro plant for the garden. When I got home I broiled about a 2 or 3 ounce cut of tuna dipped in a mixture of dijon mustard, olive oil and a mixture of my dog deterrence formula. I cut a large slice of yellow onion and broiled that alongside the tuna. After about 10 minutes I brought it out and placed it on a plate with sliced avocado, tomato and an assortment of winter veggies ........... Wow, I astound myself with these off the cuff concoctions; Very delicious and so easy to prepare.
I'm feeling pretty comfortable with the Medifast diet. Now that I've forgone the beer and wine I am pretty much in control of hunger pangs.
A chimney sweep man came out and spruced up the fireplace (gas) ..... he added a top guard, some fake ash and a few other things. Now we have a gas fire for the first time since we've been here. All of the past rainy days have left the area when it really would have been cozy.
Stanford beat Virginia Tech last night; Ohio State takes on Arkansas tonight. There's no telling where Jim Harbaugh will end up. Some sources say he'll stay where he is at Stanford.
Both of us miss Nancy. She is such an adorable and friendly sort. She's got just enough impishness in her to not allow her sainthood status. This morning she's out front with me and all of a sudden ...... ZOOM, she's off and running down to the commons area and I can see her ever so slightly glance my way to check out my reaction. When I got the car instead of the bicycle to retrieve her she knew her time was limited on the loose, though never can I get mad at her.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Second day of 2011 318.4
January 1, 2011 allowed me to watch a pretty decent football game ...... The Rose Bowl where TCU beat favored Wisconsin by two 21 to 19. I'm really looking forward to January 3rd when Stanford faces Virginia Tech ..... I see Stanford cleaning their clock. I have a five dollar futures bet which pays 20 to 1 if Oregon beats Auburn.
After an on again off again start with Medifast, I restarted the program with vigor. It's not that it's hard, it's just that my habits aren't the easiest to break, however, I did try something unique yesterday as a reminder to stick to the program. I took a two pound hand weight (dumb bell) and put it in my pants pocket the entire length of the day. Folks two pounds in a pants pocket lets you know that you are carrying around two extra pounds, that's for sure. As I type this I can feel the pulling from the weight of the dumb bell in my left front pants pocket. To put this in perspective, if I were to multiply that two pounds times 50 I'd come up with one hundred pounds; one hundred pounds less would have me weighing in around 220 lbs which is still forty pounds over an ideal weight of 180 lbs. Yet with just that two pounds in my pocket it now makes me more aware of being overweight than when I do a daily morning weigh-in.
I read somewhere that the best way to keep dogs and cats from spraying flower beds is to mix cayenne pepper, black pepper and crushed red pepper in equal amounts and broadcast the mixture on the ground. Yesterday I did this and this morning I found not one shred of evidence ( wood chips all over the driveway ) of a furry friend helping to fertilize the flowers. As an added bonus I added a half a tea spoon of the mixture to my morning breakfast of Maryland Crab Soup and spiced it up perfectly.
I purchased a worm composting system. I probably have two thousand worms in a 2'X 2'X4" tray with an assortment of materials designed to hold moisture and provide feed. I did put a few out in my garden, but not too many until I figure out how to heat up the area where I placed them. They're free to roam, but I'm not sure of their movement patterns. I think what I am going to do is place some opaque plastic over the insert area to make it warmer and thereby break down the compost faster as well as create a friendlier environment.
This morning I got in some meditation and a self induced pep talk to clean up the house ..... we'll see how peppy that talk was.
After an on again off again start with Medifast, I restarted the program with vigor. It's not that it's hard, it's just that my habits aren't the easiest to break, however, I did try something unique yesterday as a reminder to stick to the program. I took a two pound hand weight (dumb bell) and put it in my pants pocket the entire length of the day. Folks two pounds in a pants pocket lets you know that you are carrying around two extra pounds, that's for sure. As I type this I can feel the pulling from the weight of the dumb bell in my left front pants pocket. To put this in perspective, if I were to multiply that two pounds times 50 I'd come up with one hundred pounds; one hundred pounds less would have me weighing in around 220 lbs which is still forty pounds over an ideal weight of 180 lbs. Yet with just that two pounds in my pocket it now makes me more aware of being overweight than when I do a daily morning weigh-in.
I read somewhere that the best way to keep dogs and cats from spraying flower beds is to mix cayenne pepper, black pepper and crushed red pepper in equal amounts and broadcast the mixture on the ground. Yesterday I did this and this morning I found not one shred of evidence ( wood chips all over the driveway ) of a furry friend helping to fertilize the flowers. As an added bonus I added a half a tea spoon of the mixture to my morning breakfast of Maryland Crab Soup and spiced it up perfectly.
I purchased a worm composting system. I probably have two thousand worms in a 2'X 2'X4" tray with an assortment of materials designed to hold moisture and provide feed. I did put a few out in my garden, but not too many until I figure out how to heat up the area where I placed them. They're free to roam, but I'm not sure of their movement patterns. I think what I am going to do is place some opaque plastic over the insert area to make it warmer and thereby break down the compost faster as well as create a friendlier environment.
This morning I got in some meditation and a self induced pep talk to clean up the house ..... we'll see how peppy that talk was.
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