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.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
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.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Chickens, Gardens and Old Animals
I gave up thinking about cattle panels and went to Tractor Supply for 2 rolls of 50ft welded vinyl fencing. I put it up on Friday 1/7 by myself, and then turned the chickens into the garden. They loved the oat grass! I threw some scratch in the rest of the lot and they were tilling away at it.
They were really easy to get back to the yard - I just called "Here chicken!!" and they came running like plantation ladies holding up their petticoats. They spent all day Saturday and today playing in the dirt for me.
Ideally, I will still get some cattle panels on payday so that I can confine them to the actual gardening part of the plot, rather than under the cedar trees and in the briars. They are very good about going back to their house to lay their eggs though (10 yesterday, 11 today!).
I am trying to plan out my garden, but I still plan to let Mr. Old Neighbor use some of it if he wants, so I need to find out where he wants to plant. I think I will plant a row of bought tomato plants and , away from them , a row of tomatoes that I grow (hahaha) from seed. If they both make I'll have enough to learn canning and if only one does then I'll at least not be a total loss. If neither make I will cry. :)
I also plan to experiment with the soil for the tomatoes. I have heard a) put a Tbs epsom salt and Tbs lime in each hole as you transplant and also b) put a handful of crushed oyster shell and stir into the soil with each transplant.
Buford, my old Lab, is 14 1/2 years old. He is doing ok for the most part, but his old hips and knees are getting so weak that he just collapses sometimes. If I keep him on a regular schedule of his pain meds he does ok as far as not having a lot of pain, and he eats great. I hate seeing him just waste away. He is pretty much deaf now, and it is hard for me to remember to be patient with him. I do love that old dog.
Skye is 28yrs old and will be 29 on April 14 this year. She has done ok through the winter so far, but I am very concerned about her heaves this summer. Last year she had a lot of trouble even on 2 different meds (pills and liquid). :(
In other exciting news, my knee is been especially painful today. Last night it kept waking me up aching. Today it is taking my breath away with every step. I go see the ortho doc on Friday and it can't get here soon enough.
They were really easy to get back to the yard - I just called "Here chicken!!" and they came running like plantation ladies holding up their petticoats. They spent all day Saturday and today playing in the dirt for me.
Ideally, I will still get some cattle panels on payday so that I can confine them to the actual gardening part of the plot, rather than under the cedar trees and in the briars. They are very good about going back to their house to lay their eggs though (10 yesterday, 11 today!).
I am trying to plan out my garden, but I still plan to let Mr. Old Neighbor use some of it if he wants, so I need to find out where he wants to plant. I think I will plant a row of bought tomato plants and , away from them , a row of tomatoes that I grow (hahaha) from seed. If they both make I'll have enough to learn canning and if only one does then I'll at least not be a total loss. If neither make I will cry. :)
I also plan to experiment with the soil for the tomatoes. I have heard a) put a Tbs epsom salt and Tbs lime in each hole as you transplant and also b) put a handful of crushed oyster shell and stir into the soil with each transplant.
Buford, my old Lab, is 14 1/2 years old. He is doing ok for the most part, but his old hips and knees are getting so weak that he just collapses sometimes. If I keep him on a regular schedule of his pain meds he does ok as far as not having a lot of pain, and he eats great. I hate seeing him just waste away. He is pretty much deaf now, and it is hard for me to remember to be patient with him. I do love that old dog.
Skye is 28yrs old and will be 29 on April 14 this year. She has done ok through the winter so far, but I am very concerned about her heaves this summer. Last year she had a lot of trouble even on 2 different meds (pills and liquid). :(
In other exciting news, my knee is been especially painful today. Last night it kept waking me up aching. Today it is taking my breath away with every step. I go see the ortho doc on Friday and it can't get here soon enough.
Monday, January 3, 2011
As I expected
Just as I expected, the "blog" fell by the wayside for far too long. So some short updates, maybe photos another day.
- On December 11 My friend Kim and I processed 7 of the Cornish x chickens. Wow. We were pathetic! Her boyfriend was supposed to come and "do the deed" but he was called in to work. SO Friend and her son did the hatchet work, then I worked with the little daughter to pluck. We plucked one, Kim and her son plucked 1 and we skinned the rest. We were exhausted and couldn't stand the thought of having 14 to do the next week!
- December 12 - met friends to eat and exchange gifts and I was given a WHEELBARROW!!! Woot!
- December 18 we processed the remaining 14 chickens. We had a much better system in place, basically a small tent city due to the forecasted rain that never came. Kim and her son would dispatch 3 at a time, then after a bleedout time we each skinned and parted one up. We made great time and the chickens all averaged at least 4.5-5lbs dressed.
- December 21 I spent in the orthopedic docs office with my knee. Prescribed anti-inflammatory and 4 sessions of physical therapy, then return in January to see if I need an MRI. Boo
- December 23 I was supposed to have a filling replaced at the dentist. I have never ever had trouble at the dentist , it just doesn't bother me. Well, this time I freaked out. I had even taken a xanax before going in, but I still ended up leaving and rescheduling. *sigh* dork
I go back later this month and hopefully it will be better.
- Christmas Eve my youngest nephew, T12, helped me with 2 truckloads of oak leaves and compost. We unloaded it all over the garden plot and still had enough to start 2 separate small compost piles.
I also went to the late service at church. I love the Christmas Eve service. I love the feeling during and after - even when I am sitting in the parking lot alone.
- Christmas Day was great! Family came over. It was cold and drizzling rain so we played with the Wii, even my mom got in on the action. I was given a pitchfork, pvc fence pipes and some new crocs! The rest was just details. :)
- New Year's Eve found me at Kim's house for homemade pizza (YUM) and board games to welcome in the new year.
So here I am at the 3rd day of 2011. I have so many things running through my mind that I hope to accomplish!
I have started planning my garden and am working on ordering heirloom seeds. I'll buy some started plants as well, to increase my chances of success! I want to buy cattle panels and put up in the garden so my chickens can go in and do some tiller / fertilizer / pesticide work for me.
And I want to learn to make bread, pasta and pies, as well as learning to can veggies instead of just sugary fruit preserves. (providing I actually HAVE veggies to can). I go to "the fat doctor" (nutritionist) on February 4.
I still have Buddy the foster horse and he is still full of trouble (found him in the feed stall 2x in less than 24hrs!).
Buford is doing well, considering he is 14 1/2 yrs old and has some kidney failure.
My layer hens are fun and still laying about 10 eggs per day.
I'll try to do better. No promises.
- On December 11 My friend Kim and I processed 7 of the Cornish x chickens. Wow. We were pathetic! Her boyfriend was supposed to come and "do the deed" but he was called in to work. SO Friend and her son did the hatchet work, then I worked with the little daughter to pluck. We plucked one, Kim and her son plucked 1 and we skinned the rest. We were exhausted and couldn't stand the thought of having 14 to do the next week!
- December 12 - met friends to eat and exchange gifts and I was given a WHEELBARROW!!! Woot!
- December 18 we processed the remaining 14 chickens. We had a much better system in place, basically a small tent city due to the forecasted rain that never came. Kim and her son would dispatch 3 at a time, then after a bleedout time we each skinned and parted one up. We made great time and the chickens all averaged at least 4.5-5lbs dressed.
- December 21 I spent in the orthopedic docs office with my knee. Prescribed anti-inflammatory and 4 sessions of physical therapy, then return in January to see if I need an MRI. Boo
- December 23 I was supposed to have a filling replaced at the dentist. I have never ever had trouble at the dentist , it just doesn't bother me. Well, this time I freaked out. I had even taken a xanax before going in, but I still ended up leaving and rescheduling. *sigh* dork
I go back later this month and hopefully it will be better.
- Christmas Eve my youngest nephew, T12, helped me with 2 truckloads of oak leaves and compost. We unloaded it all over the garden plot and still had enough to start 2 separate small compost piles.
I also went to the late service at church. I love the Christmas Eve service. I love the feeling during and after - even when I am sitting in the parking lot alone.
- Christmas Day was great! Family came over. It was cold and drizzling rain so we played with the Wii, even my mom got in on the action. I was given a pitchfork, pvc fence pipes and some new crocs! The rest was just details. :)
- New Year's Eve found me at Kim's house for homemade pizza (YUM) and board games to welcome in the new year.
So here I am at the 3rd day of 2011. I have so many things running through my mind that I hope to accomplish!
I have started planning my garden and am working on ordering heirloom seeds. I'll buy some started plants as well, to increase my chances of success! I want to buy cattle panels and put up in the garden so my chickens can go in and do some tiller / fertilizer / pesticide work for me.
And I want to learn to make bread, pasta and pies, as well as learning to can veggies instead of just sugary fruit preserves. (providing I actually HAVE veggies to can). I go to "the fat doctor" (nutritionist) on February 4.
I still have Buddy the foster horse and he is still full of trouble (found him in the feed stall 2x in less than 24hrs!).
Buford is doing well, considering he is 14 1/2 yrs old and has some kidney failure.
My layer hens are fun and still laying about 10 eggs per day.
I'll try to do better. No promises.
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