Well, I finally got the store bought chicks out of the wire kennel and into the chicken yard - but only because yesterday morning leaving to take the boys to school I found a little female Lab. She is really sweet, not very well trained except for crate trained. She must spend most of her time in a kennel. Anyway, yesterday I spent 2 hours going up and down the roads closest to where I found her, knocking on doors and asking if anyone was missing her or knew of someone who might be missing her. No joy.
I made signs and posted them yesterday but didn't get any bites. Last night I printed color signs (the print only goes to 72 font, but I printed them in red) and put them up this morning. I even expanded my sign area. I called my vet and animal control to list her as found, still need to contact a few other vets.
At first I thought it would be cool to keep her - but for the first time in my life I have a single dog that fulfills that companionship void completely. In fact, with Rio it overflows.
This morning I did the pointless act of running the sprinkler on the garden. I am really disappointed the peas aren't coming up - may scatter the remainder of seeds and just see what happens.
I go back to the nutritionist on Monday 5/16. I still don't have my act together as far as what I am eating and when. Aggravating.
Then on 5/17 I take Rio to the specialist. I am more nervous about his surgery than my own.... I just don't see flambouyant Rio being happy with a month's strict rest. My parents did say he could stay inside with them while I am at work, so that helps some.
Well - off to call some vets and hopefully get a nap now that Buford is sleeping soundly. I don't know why 5am has become his magic hour to need to get up and bark until 7. This morning I almost lost my patience.... too tired!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Hamster wheels
Ever run so hard and fast but when you look around you have made zero progress? Hamster wheels.
Work has me on edge constantly - very very unusual.
Buford is doing well - had to take him to the vet today to have a patch of hair shaved because he has a hotspot coming on.
Took Rio to the vet this past Wednesday and they sedated him to check his knee. He has a partially torn ACL in his right knee. Since he is so big (111 lbs) and active (think K9 version of MMA) my vet said his medical recommendation is to take Rio to a specialist. Financially I'd rather keep it at my vet - but realistically the specialist is going to be the best option for a great outcome. I am trying to keep Rio inside with me as much as possible until we go to the consultation with the specialist on 5/17. The surgery will probably be the first week in June, since I will be gone the end of May to B's graduation in Texas.
I am really hoping my parents will let Rio stay inside with them while I am at work - after the surgery he has to have 4-6 weeks of strict rest.
Chicken news - none really. Took the 2 little bought chicks outside today and put them in the big wire kennel. I need to figure out how to start introducing them to the bigger chicks and Pat, because that is probably where they will end up.
Rabbits have been staying outside. I need to put a few more water bottles / jugs in the freezer because it is already starting to get too hot for them. I may end up bringing them in for the summer. Blech
Garden. *sigh* My garden. Not doing much. A few scattered peas here and there, about a dozen or so corn stalks, some radish and tomatoes. Squash only about 3 of 11 have come up, no sign of mustard or green beans (think it was too late to plant beans). Kind of aggravating and makes it very difficult to find the motivation to go out and pull weeds / grass. Especially when my back is still giving me horrible fits of pain.
I think I am going to have to just start cooking and eating at home. I really don't have the money to support groceries and Rio's surgery, but if I plan to make a go at this surgery thing I dang well better get on the ball with eating like the nutritionist tells me to and exercising. I also need to get on a schedule and start writing everything down. It is too easy to skip writing when I am at my mom's. I thought she would help more than she really has as far as menu.... she started out seeming committed to help, but now we have a lot of stuff like hot dogs, breaded steak, etc.
Some of my depression and doubts have come up again. There are areas in my life that I feel keep me from developing the walk with God that I had at one time.... I know I either need to let them go cold turkey or work through them with Jim. Neither one of those options is very appealing at the moment. *sigh*
Work has me on edge constantly - very very unusual.
Buford is doing well - had to take him to the vet today to have a patch of hair shaved because he has a hotspot coming on.
Took Rio to the vet this past Wednesday and they sedated him to check his knee. He has a partially torn ACL in his right knee. Since he is so big (111 lbs) and active (think K9 version of MMA) my vet said his medical recommendation is to take Rio to a specialist. Financially I'd rather keep it at my vet - but realistically the specialist is going to be the best option for a great outcome. I am trying to keep Rio inside with me as much as possible until we go to the consultation with the specialist on 5/17. The surgery will probably be the first week in June, since I will be gone the end of May to B's graduation in Texas.
I am really hoping my parents will let Rio stay inside with them while I am at work - after the surgery he has to have 4-6 weeks of strict rest.
Chicken news - none really. Took the 2 little bought chicks outside today and put them in the big wire kennel. I need to figure out how to start introducing them to the bigger chicks and Pat, because that is probably where they will end up.
Rabbits have been staying outside. I need to put a few more water bottles / jugs in the freezer because it is already starting to get too hot for them. I may end up bringing them in for the summer. Blech
Garden. *sigh* My garden. Not doing much. A few scattered peas here and there, about a dozen or so corn stalks, some radish and tomatoes. Squash only about 3 of 11 have come up, no sign of mustard or green beans (think it was too late to plant beans). Kind of aggravating and makes it very difficult to find the motivation to go out and pull weeds / grass. Especially when my back is still giving me horrible fits of pain.
I think I am going to have to just start cooking and eating at home. I really don't have the money to support groceries and Rio's surgery, but if I plan to make a go at this surgery thing I dang well better get on the ball with eating like the nutritionist tells me to and exercising. I also need to get on a schedule and start writing everything down. It is too easy to skip writing when I am at my mom's. I thought she would help more than she really has as far as menu.... she started out seeming committed to help, but now we have a lot of stuff like hot dogs, breaded steak, etc.
Some of my depression and doubts have come up again. There are areas in my life that I feel keep me from developing the walk with God that I had at one time.... I know I either need to let them go cold turkey or work through them with Jim. Neither one of those options is very appealing at the moment. *sigh*
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Just Checking In
My back is still bothering me, but I had to pull grass out of the garden. I did as much as I could but finally gave up. I ran the sprinkler for about an hour yesterday evening and this morning there was a whole new crop of grass. *sigh*
I decided yesterday was a good day to see if all of the rabbits would get along in the same cage - they got along much better than I anticipated and I discovered Bon Bon is indeed a male! Hopefully his little rendezvous was harmless because I would worry about a baby dwarf having a big rabbits kits.
Today I pulled several onions and dug up some tiny potatoes. I have a little sunflower growing out of the compost pile, along with a few squash plants and a random zuchinni plant. So far my tomato plants are doing ok (except the original 5 that died!) and my one big Early Girl plant has a lot of tomatoes. My peach tree has about 15 hard knot peaches.
I have been spending a lot of time at http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ and enjoying all of the recipes and ideas for WLS meals. I have ordered a stick blender, a mini-chopper and a bento box. I think I'll end up getting some DaVinci flavored syrups since they are evidently good to change up greek yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
I also have been reading on obesityhelp.com , studying the blogs of those who have been through surgery and are now thriving. I read the good and the bad... got scared, excited and afraid of failing. It is going to be a big change trying to work out meals since what my mom makes won't work anymore.
I decided yesterday was a good day to see if all of the rabbits would get along in the same cage - they got along much better than I anticipated and I discovered Bon Bon is indeed a male! Hopefully his little rendezvous was harmless because I would worry about a baby dwarf having a big rabbits kits.
Today I pulled several onions and dug up some tiny potatoes. I have a little sunflower growing out of the compost pile, along with a few squash plants and a random zuchinni plant. So far my tomato plants are doing ok (except the original 5 that died!) and my one big Early Girl plant has a lot of tomatoes. My peach tree has about 15 hard knot peaches.
I have been spending a lot of time at http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ and enjoying all of the recipes and ideas for WLS meals. I have ordered a stick blender, a mini-chopper and a bento box. I think I'll end up getting some DaVinci flavored syrups since they are evidently good to change up greek yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.
I also have been reading on obesityhelp.com , studying the blogs of those who have been through surgery and are now thriving. I read the good and the bad... got scared, excited and afraid of failing. It is going to be a big change trying to work out meals since what my mom makes won't work anymore.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
What's Happening (not much)
I strained the small of my back carrying Buford out a couple of weeks ago when he was "stoned" on his valium. Now, stooping over in the garden, squatting to pick blackberries and even standing while working shoulder level causes me a lot of pain. I suppose the answer is to rest my back but I have too much to do! I still have tomato transplants to get in the ground, 4 bell peppers to put in the ground and I guess I will still try planting okra even though it is probably way too late.
The boys helped me move the new big rabbit cage my dad built and we put it inside Pat the bullied hen's pen. She is keeping company with 8 of the 7wk old chicks - Melvin came and got 3.
I put Bon Bon the black rabbit in the new pen, and keep the dwarfs (Oops blk/wht and Cheeto) in their pen set on top.
My meal planning is a flop. I have absolutely got to get a handle on counting, measuring and journaling. It may mean staying home and doing for myself, but if that is what it takes that is what I will do. I so want to succeed at this.
No real news. I am trying to put money aside for the $250 admin fee for the surgery, as well as some funds for traveling to Texas at the end of May for B's graduation.
The boys helped me move the new big rabbit cage my dad built and we put it inside Pat the bullied hen's pen. She is keeping company with 8 of the 7wk old chicks - Melvin came and got 3.
I put Bon Bon the black rabbit in the new pen, and keep the dwarfs (Oops blk/wht and Cheeto) in their pen set on top.
My meal planning is a flop. I have absolutely got to get a handle on counting, measuring and journaling. It may mean staying home and doing for myself, but if that is what it takes that is what I will do. I so want to succeed at this.
No real news. I am trying to put money aside for the $250 admin fee for the surgery, as well as some funds for traveling to Texas at the end of May for B's graduation.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Working and working out
Each morning I meet my friend at the gym. We have been doing the video from "The Biggest Loser" with Bob Harper. This week we stepped up from the first cardio level to "Strength and Sculpt". Mercy! My shoulders and legs are so tired and sore!
Today I brought the "My Meal Plan" brochure that the nutritionist gave me down for my mom to look at. She is going to be my biggest help, advocate, etc in this, I am really depending on her to help me through. I asked another friend about staying with me the first night after my surgery... I may regret it but everybody says you need someone there, I don't have anyone else.
One of Yankee's chicks got into the big water tub and drowned. :(
I picked black berries yesterday - just a couple of cups worth but they are still growing like crazy. I also picked a big salad bowl full of english peas ... YUM!
I am tired and sore. Still have to tend the horses then I may try to get a nap before work. I know this was a very informative post, but I just want to stay in the habit of coming here!
Today I brought the "My Meal Plan" brochure that the nutritionist gave me down for my mom to look at. She is going to be my biggest help, advocate, etc in this, I am really depending on her to help me through. I asked another friend about staying with me the first night after my surgery... I may regret it but everybody says you need someone there, I don't have anyone else.
One of Yankee's chicks got into the big water tub and drowned. :(
I picked black berries yesterday - just a couple of cups worth but they are still growing like crazy. I also picked a big salad bowl full of english peas ... YUM!
I am tired and sore. Still have to tend the horses then I may try to get a nap before work. I know this was a very informative post, but I just want to stay in the habit of coming here!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Starting over.... again
I hope that now I will be more aware and reliable as far as posting here. I have decided to have the RNY gastric bypass surgery. My insurance requires 6 months of supervised weight loss, and I have done 3. I am working out in the gym some, and out in the yard a lot. I changed to Dr. Jeffrey Friedman at Baptist Hospital's "Bariatic Center of Excellence" and they are great - much friendlier and more informative than the guy at SHH.
A friend had the surgery on 4/12 and is doing well. She said she will take notes (literally) for me so I can know more of what to expect. Some days I still get pretty scared, but I think at this point the surgery is my only hope. The majority of the time I am really excited about being able to get active and involved.
I want to buy normal sized jeans from a normal store, ride horses, bikes and amusement park rides. I want to go to a waterpark and do something besides watch. Watching was fine when that was the only option - I love "my" kids and if they are having fun I am happy.... but to even consider riding for myself gets me so excited! I want to go canoeing, and hiking. I want to do a 5k - even a walking one. Maybe I will even book a flight somewhere, just to fit in the seat.
I will take "before" photos soon, and I will post everything (weight, measurements, photos) when I know for sure I am having the surgery.So far I think I have lost 20lbs dieting /exercise.
Last week I got the results from the required psych eval. Despite all differing opinions from my friends and family I am NOT crazy! Woot! I did rank above average, but still in the normal range, for anxiety and "social isolation" (paranoia). I also ranked above average for creativity and way below average for rash actions / racing thoughts etc. :)
Sorry this is so long, but some "farm" notes:
March 6-7 hatched 11 chicks in an incubator borrowed from my neighbor. They are 6 wks old now and I think I have 2 roos and 9 pullets. No idea for sure though lol. I put them with Pat in her "solitary" pen and they all get along ok so far.
Over the past week or 2 my Jersey Giant hen, Yankee, has hatched 3 chicks and still has a few eggs she is setting on from time to time.
I bought 3 rabbits (yes, I know, 3 rabbits). 1 is a smoky black "floppy" (aka mutt) and the other 2 are dwarfs - a cinnamon and a black/white one. My dad is building a hutch and I will have furry compost makers.
Speaking of compost - my potato baskets may not make the first potato, but there is some black gold working in the straw / poo / compost / leaves I have been putting in there.
Yesterday I pretty much finished up my garden:
2 kinds of cukes in one row
white tip radish
11 yellow squash (crook and straight neck)
3 butternut squash
4 zukes
1/2 row mustard
1/2 row white icicle radish
3 rows Mississippi Silverskin peas
4 rows pinkeye purple hull peas
2 rows "Blue Lake Bush peas"
2 rows Golden Queen corn
1 row of Peaches n Cream corn (scattered the rest - I was tired!!)
I still have a little okra I want to plant, as well as some marigolds and sunflowers. I will be buying landscape timbers to put flower beds in around the trailer. Also want to get my pixie gardenias this year!!
Ok that is long enough for now. I really hope to get my act together and record my weight loss journey here, as well as my gardening adventures!!
A friend had the surgery on 4/12 and is doing well. She said she will take notes (literally) for me so I can know more of what to expect. Some days I still get pretty scared, but I think at this point the surgery is my only hope. The majority of the time I am really excited about being able to get active and involved.
I want to buy normal sized jeans from a normal store, ride horses, bikes and amusement park rides. I want to go to a waterpark and do something besides watch. Watching was fine when that was the only option - I love "my" kids and if they are having fun I am happy.... but to even consider riding for myself gets me so excited! I want to go canoeing, and hiking. I want to do a 5k - even a walking one. Maybe I will even book a flight somewhere, just to fit in the seat.
I will take "before" photos soon, and I will post everything (weight, measurements, photos) when I know for sure I am having the surgery.So far I think I have lost 20lbs dieting /exercise.
Last week I got the results from the required psych eval. Despite all differing opinions from my friends and family I am NOT crazy! Woot! I did rank above average, but still in the normal range, for anxiety and "social isolation" (paranoia). I also ranked above average for creativity and way below average for rash actions / racing thoughts etc. :)
Sorry this is so long, but some "farm" notes:
March 6-7 hatched 11 chicks in an incubator borrowed from my neighbor. They are 6 wks old now and I think I have 2 roos and 9 pullets. No idea for sure though lol. I put them with Pat in her "solitary" pen and they all get along ok so far.
Over the past week or 2 my Jersey Giant hen, Yankee, has hatched 3 chicks and still has a few eggs she is setting on from time to time.
I bought 3 rabbits (yes, I know, 3 rabbits). 1 is a smoky black "floppy" (aka mutt) and the other 2 are dwarfs - a cinnamon and a black/white one. My dad is building a hutch and I will have furry compost makers.
Speaking of compost - my potato baskets may not make the first potato, but there is some black gold working in the straw / poo / compost / leaves I have been putting in there.
Yesterday I pretty much finished up my garden:
2 kinds of cukes in one row
white tip radish
11 yellow squash (crook and straight neck)
3 butternut squash
4 zukes
1/2 row mustard
1/2 row white icicle radish
3 rows Mississippi Silverskin peas
4 rows pinkeye purple hull peas
2 rows "Blue Lake Bush peas"
2 rows Golden Queen corn
1 row of Peaches n Cream corn (scattered the rest - I was tired!!)
I still have a little okra I want to plant, as well as some marigolds and sunflowers. I will be buying landscape timbers to put flower beds in around the trailer. Also want to get my pixie gardenias this year!!
Ok that is long enough for now. I really hope to get my act together and record my weight loss journey here, as well as my gardening adventures!!
Friday, February 4, 2011
And So It Begins
It has been a long month, January. Cold weather, rain, fog, grey skies..... blah
I lost 2 hens - 1 to a hawk as I let them forage in the garden lot, and my favorite Easter Egger - Stink- to the dogs when she flew over the fence.
Another hen, my buff Brahma Pat, is being beat up by the rest so she has her own pen. I put her in the big chickenhouse at night when I come home from work so she won't be too cold. In the mornings, I get up early and she follows me to her pen again.
I took Buford and Rio to have professional photos done in historic downtown Pensacola. They look great from what I can tell of the 'sneak peek' from http://www.allisonshamrellblog.com/ .
In other news, today was my first visit with the "nutritionist" for my 6-month medically supervised weight loss trial. I have to do the 6 months before my insurance will consider paying for weight loss surgery, should I decide to have it done.
It was so humiliating. I know I am fat. I know I eat way too much of very wrong things. I know there are several areas where I AM lazy (just look at my kitchen!). I do not, however, spend all day in front of the TV (the doc said stop doing that, it isn't going to help). I DO drink a lot of water (he just smiled patronizingly and said I should drink more). I was embarassed, indignant and angry. But I am overweight and I need his help, so I guess I need to humble myself and take it.
I talked to the foster coordinator for the organization I am keeping Buddy for - and I am going to accept ownership of him. I will be sending him to a trainer just as soon as those paperwork forms are transferred!! I have bought a big round fence post to 'plant' in the pasture, as well as a big tie ring. My farrier says I need to start tying Buddy out a little bit at a time and then build it up to teach him patience. I'll put it next to my garden so I can watch him as I work.
I planted garden peas, but we have had so much rain I don't know if they washed away. Monday 1/31 I planted 18 little seedling pots of 3 different kinds of tomatoes. We'll see how all of this goes.
Next on the list - onions and potatoes, if it ever stops raining.
I lost 2 hens - 1 to a hawk as I let them forage in the garden lot, and my favorite Easter Egger - Stink- to the dogs when she flew over the fence.
Another hen, my buff Brahma Pat, is being beat up by the rest so she has her own pen. I put her in the big chickenhouse at night when I come home from work so she won't be too cold. In the mornings, I get up early and she follows me to her pen again.
I took Buford and Rio to have professional photos done in historic downtown Pensacola. They look great from what I can tell of the 'sneak peek' from http://www.allisonshamrellblog.com/ .
In other news, today was my first visit with the "nutritionist" for my 6-month medically supervised weight loss trial. I have to do the 6 months before my insurance will consider paying for weight loss surgery, should I decide to have it done.
It was so humiliating. I know I am fat. I know I eat way too much of very wrong things. I know there are several areas where I AM lazy (just look at my kitchen!). I do not, however, spend all day in front of the TV (the doc said stop doing that, it isn't going to help). I DO drink a lot of water (he just smiled patronizingly and said I should drink more). I was embarassed, indignant and angry. But I am overweight and I need his help, so I guess I need to humble myself and take it.
I talked to the foster coordinator for the organization I am keeping Buddy for - and I am going to accept ownership of him. I will be sending him to a trainer just as soon as those paperwork forms are transferred!! I have bought a big round fence post to 'plant' in the pasture, as well as a big tie ring. My farrier says I need to start tying Buddy out a little bit at a time and then build it up to teach him patience. I'll put it next to my garden so I can watch him as I work.
I planted garden peas, but we have had so much rain I don't know if they washed away. Monday 1/31 I planted 18 little seedling pots of 3 different kinds of tomatoes. We'll see how all of this goes.
Next on the list - onions and potatoes, if it ever stops raining.
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