4 the Birds #80

[Maple]

Look at that number ladies....only 20 more threads to go! We're still dragging each one out longer than 20 posts so let's try to start a new thread after 20 posts. OK?

Day 2 and all is well and I even went for a walk :D with my favorite side kick, Charlie. Tomorrow he sees the specialist at the animal hospital........I'd appreciate a little doggy prayer for his good health.

Jane where the heck are you? What's up? I hope everything is alright. I know you are probably busy enjoying the great outdoors but stop by for a little update from time to time won't you?

[PattiG]

:eek: Faye, I think you just gave Maple a heart attack by not continuing on with the 4 The Birds numbering. ROTFL...Maple, I KNEW you would start a new post. It really is amazing to think at post #100 we will have written on average 2500 times. Gee, who'd have thought we had that much to say? In my case it's all pretty much nonsense! lol

Faye, why do you think your walking tape is not 2 miles? Do you have a set route that you can test it with or are you somehow doing this indoors? In any case, keep up the good work. I figure it this way, even if all this exercise does nothing to get our excess weight off..it's healthier for us to keep our muscles moving and in shape.

Maple...my doggy prayers are going out to you from NY. And, when they come from across the country like this, they build up steam on the way and build up a lot of momentum (sort of like a snowball) so by the time they reach Charlie (or should I say Heaven) they are full strength and echo into every corner. Yes, I'm sure they'll be answered and he'll be ok.

Speaking of animals and such, Maple, let me know if any birds make a home in your gourd houses. I was thinking of growing them (I think they are easy to grow) and/or buying a couple. All the articles I've seen said the birds love them but I don't know anyone who actually has them. Another question...when a duck is getting ready to lay eggs or is nesting, is she visibly plumper? I ask this because every year when we have our duck couples hanging out in the yard someone always remarks that the female looks fatter. LOL I keep thinking...it's not as if she's going to be giving birth to a litter of ducklings.

Hellooooooo Jane, where have you disappeared to? Is all well?

Maple, I'm glad to hear you're having good OP days the past few days. Just take it 1m1h1d at a time. (Spoken by someone that had a food crisis last night. I was hoping you'd hop onto IM to help keep my fingers out of the refrig, but to no avail. I faltered. But today I'm a trying to be good again).

Have a good day all and PLEASE will someone send some warmth & sunshine in my direction!
Patti

[Maple]

http://images.google.ca/images?q=tbn:sWy-CMig5tQJ:gladstone.uoregon.edu/~eolson1/Images/Sunshine.jpg Here's your sunshine....Sunshine!

Now for the fat duck item: Hmm, I don't think so. Ducks lay eggs like chickens; one, maybe two a day until they have their clutch in place which can be up to 15 eggs per nest. I know this because we used to have domestic ducks in our pond along with some exotic Mandarin Ducks who nested before the mink out of the lake got them all.
http://www.feathersite.com//Poultry/NDG/Ducks/Mand/MandDrSwim.JPEG I was hoping to snag enough mink to make a mink door mat so I could wipe my feet on the murdering beasts, but I only managed three pelts before the carnage was over.

I'll look for you on IM tonight again. 8 mine; 11 yours.

[ March 10, 2004, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: Maple ]

[Maple]

Me again. This time with an awesome recipe.

Here's a tasty alternative to Eggs Benedict:

4 Portobello mushrooms, about 4" in diameter
12 spears asparagus, trimmed to 5" lengths
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh-ground peppr
4 eggs
1 Tbsp white vinegar
8 oz smoked salmon, thinly sliced
4 sprigs fresh dill

NOTE: You can use thinly sliced lean ham, smoked turkey or Canadian bacon instead of the smoked salmon.

1. Clean mushrooms and break off stems cleanly. (Use stems in soups or omelets) With a small spoon, scrape away the gills of the mushrooms. Brush mushroom caps all over with olive oil and sprinkle hollowed-out side with salt and pepper. Brush asparagus spears with oil. Place asparagus and mushrooms on a baking sheet and roast in preheated 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.

2. In the meantime, poach eggs by bringing water in a non-stick skillet to a boil. Add vinegar. Break eggs into a small bowl, one at a time, and gently slip into boing water. Simmer eggs 3 to 4 minutes until whites are firm but yolks are still runny. Gently lift eggs out of water and drain on paper towels. Trim off any shite that is loose around th edges. (These can be made ahead and reheatd in a skillet of simmering water for one minute.)

3. Place salmon (or whatever meat you chose) in the bottoms of mushrooms caps, so that the bottoms are completely covered. Arrange asparagus spears on top. Place an egg on the asparagus and salmon (meat) in each mushroom cap. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and decorate with a sprig of dill.

Makes 4 servings
3 points each if you use 1 ounce lean meat or 2 ounces salmon.


Enjoy!

[Faye]

I hope you didn't have a heart attack Maple but I didn't even know what happen :rolleyes: I must hit new topic instead of reply.
I did my walking tape again today hooray for me. Patty you really walk in place with this tape. You do some arms and leg movement with it too. It is about 30 to 35 minutes work out.
I read where you exercise in the afternoon or 3 hours before going to bed it help you sleep good. I sure hope that is true. I did that tape after supper tonight.
I got Charley in my prayers too Maple hope you get good news on his test.
Ok going to go to bed. Catch you all later.
Faye

[Maple]

Thanks for the Charlie prayers friends. The Vet called this afternoon to set up an appointment first thing Monday morning to begin the tests. First a urine cortisol/creatinine ratio test (urine sample via catheterization) and a low dose dexamthasone stimulation test (blood sample taken) then some dexamethasone is injected. Follow-up blood samples are taken 4 hours and 8 hours later. A normal dog's body will perceive the presence of dexamethasone and suppress cortisol output throughout the test. Cushingoid dogs will not suppress blood cortisol in response to the dexamethasone injection, because their feedback mechanisms are not working properly. This test does not differentiate between forms of Cushing's disease (adrenal vs. pituitary) although it may be suggestive. Dogs who suppress at 4 hours and rebound at 8 hours usually have pituitary tumors. As diagnosis consists of several "waves" of blood tests; the second "wave" will be to locate the source of the problem. If he has Cushing's disease, we are hoping it will be the pituitary one because those tumors are almost always benign. The Adrenal type isn't so great. It's 50-50 whether the tumor will be malignant. Once a firm diagnosis is made then starts another "wave" of testing to monitor his response to treatment. It sounds like this will be a long and bumpy road for awhile but we're up to it. I'll keep you posted as I get results.

[Faye]

Hi Girls
It has been a real gloomy day here raining and misting all day long. Hate days like this but I did get my big ironing done. I had one huge basket of ironing wow. So something good came out of it.
Oh Maple I am so sorry to hear what Charley is going through. It made me sad to read it. I swear don't you get so attach to your dog just like your child? I do to Roxie it is terrible how attach we are to that dog. I am still praying that the test will come out good for him.
Where is everyone not too many posting. Jane and Patty what are you guys up to?
Rex put in a bunch of shelves in the garage yesterday. Oh it is so nice to be able to have a place to put all my stuff up. We don't have any storage at all. So this will make it nicer. I would never buy another house again without a basement. We didn't think that we really needed one when we move hear. You need a place to store your junk, and without one you are up a creek. Course I doubt if I ever will buy another house at my age.
Ok just wanted to check in.
Catch you all later have a good weekend.
Faye

[Maple]

Looks like it will be another beautiful sunny Spring day here. DH is taking our coach to Oregon to get some repairs done and will be away for a couple of days so I'm planning some "Me Time". WooHoo! BTW, he was the winner of the Buisnessman of the Year Award! Today will be a salad day to make up for the pizza day yesterday. I think my big decission today will be, should I get dressed before noon or not. LOL

[Maple]

Update on this morning's post. Today was not a salad day after all graemlins/ugh.gif I'm here to keep me out of harms way in a kitchen without a second pair of eyes. Drat! I really thought today was going to be a good day and I blew it. Moving on........

I was just invited to join my ex-daughter-in-law and my grandaughter next Friday to a meeting with the faculty advisor at the school of business at the University of Victoria, lunch and a shopping trip for my grandaughter's grad dress. I'm thrilled that they wanted me to join them. Natasha will be attending university in town next year so it will be wonderful to have here living in the same city as us after so many years living elsewhere. (She was never all that far away, but not close enough to see as often as our other in-town grandchildren) She is the daughter of our son who passed away 10 years ago, so is very special to us.

I didn't tell you, Charlie had his 10th birthday on March 12th. He celebrated with a special sausage and a few extra dog cookies. You should have seen what he got for his first birthday........an ice cream cake shaped like a dog bone! Really!!! I guess we don't spoil him huh? LOL Another year we had his dog cousins over for BQ'd weiners while the humans had hamburgers.........never got into having a full blown doggy party like some I've seen advertised. Now THAT is going over the top!

http://images.google.ca/images?q=tbn:IRj0qZSQgGUJ:www.smilingdog.net/images/Party%2520planner%2520front.jpg http://images.google.ca/images?q=tbn:Mp2KfKMVjqwJ:www.positivelypets.com/images/homepage/petbirthdayparties.jpg

[ March 14, 2004, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: Maple ]

[Faye]

Hi girls:
Well I sure had a terrible day. We went out for lunch and boy did I blow it. Been doing it the rest of the day. Tomorrow I hope I will be back on program
I weigh and gain and there I thought I was doing so well. Been doing my 2-mile tape every day too. I think that is what set me off. So disgusted with myself. Well today a new day will be back on track.
Oh did I ever see a fancy coach a couple of weeks ago. These relatives of my b-i-l just got it and came up from St. Louis to show him. It has a washer and dryer, convection oven, 3 TV, and a basement, furnace and air condition. Blow my mind. Big devil hate to have to drive it in a big city with a lot of traffic. Really neat but truthfully I wouldn't want it. Then they bought a car to pull behind it. I would be a nervous wreck driving that.
Oh hear is a neat game to play. See how smart you girls are. Me I did lousey on it.
http://www.madblast.com/funflash/swf/map_test.swf

[Maple]

Faye, that coach sounds like ours and we pull a jeep behind it too. LOL I'm with you, I'd hate to have to drive it; DH takes care of that and says it's easy to drive too. Not for my timid heart for sure. I love the convenience of having a "home on wheels" when we travel; it's really comfortable to have all the modern conveniences instead of living out of a suitcase and depending on resturant food all the time.

Charlie has just had round two of three in his first wave of testing. I have to take him back at 5:00 p.m. for the final test today. After his first test at 9:00 a.m. this morning I took him for a nice walk around Rithett's Bog which is a bird sanctuary nearby. About 3/4 the way around, we met up with a very aggressive "at large" rottweiller. What a time I had. It just wouldn't leave us alone and Charlie was getting nervous and began to growl which made the rottweiller more determined. I had to scoop Charlie up in my arms and kick the dog a couple of times before it backed off. Not only was I scared, I was MAD. A passerby said the dog belonged to a gardener that was working around the corner so I found the guy and told him what his dog was doing. He didn't believe a word I said, saying "she's not an aggressive dog at all". I reminded him that the city by-law clearly states that all dogs must be on a leash at all times when off your own property. I noted the name of the gardening service and when I got home reported him to the Animal Control officer at the police station. So I think I've had my excitement for the day.

Back to the Bog. You should hear the birds in there. It's abuzz with a symphony of song. I noted a red winged blackbird there that was out of it's range.......it was the tri-coloured blackbird with the red and yellow stripes on it's wing. Our area usually only has the one with the red stripe. This species of blackbird sound much like a meadow lark...........a beautiful song they sing. There are hundreds of ducks nesting there too so I will have to take my young grandaughter there sometime this week to feed the ducks some grain. Next time I must remember to take my binoculars too so I can have a really good look around at all the birds. Maybe I'll see something new.

Well it's about time for a cup of tea so I'll be off for now. Keep smiling graemlins/wave.gif

[ March 15, 2004, 04:16 PM: Message edited by: Maple ]

[Faye]

Good evening girls well I had quite a binge Sunday. We went out for lunch and boy I blew it big time and just kept doing that the rest of the day.
This morning though I went back to doing weight watchers. We are starting up our family group of weight watchers again. We will meet every Friday and have a weight watcher lunch and meeting. My niece and hubby and nephew and wife and I will get together for our meetings. Another niece might too not for sure yet on her. We will start a week from Friday with our lunches. This Friday is another one of our computer classes at Vatterott College.
Daughter and hubby got home safe and sound from their trip to Paris. Sure was happy to hear she was home safe and sound. She was on my mind 24/7 ever since she left. Glad they got to go and had a good time. Sound like she was really wore out.
Been raining and misting all day today. Hate gloomy days like this.
Gosh yes I would have been scare to those kind of dogs or noted to be dangerous. Glad every thing turn out ok and you or Charley didn't get hurt. Got my fingers cross for good news on Charley.
Rex isn't feeling good this evening real sick of his stomach and chilling. Sure hope he feels better tomorrow. He took some Peptoe-Bismo and went to bed.
Well off to bed for me. Didn't do my exercise today to late now but got to do it tomorrow for sure. I got me another walking tape this one is for 3 miles and you use 2# weights with it. Haven't played it yet will check it out tomorrow.
Have a good day tomorrow
Faye

[Faye]

http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetMBPhoto&ImageID=nEAAAAE8FpyUIhAbW1Hvd*AgAtAW*XrD2eksMYb2Ua ujg*wgDjH7odw

Found this cute picture thought I would see if I remember what to do lol. Some time I forget.
This is my second day on WW again. So far so good.
Hope everyone is having a good day. Let us know about Charley Maple.
Faye

[Maple]

Faye you remembered how to post a picture. Good for you! The only way I could remember in the beginning was to post one every day until I got it programed into my memory bank. LOL Gee, I hope Rex is feeling better tomorrow. Sounds like the start of a flu. Did you both get flu shots this year? I got one this year for the first time and am glad I did with all the flu that went around this winter. They say we're not out of the woods yet either.

Charlie seems really worn out today from all he went through yesterday. The vet said we might have some results by Thursday but one of the tests takes a bit longer than the rest so it might not be until next week. I'm praying he'll be OK and it will be something manageable. He's such a sweet little dog, I just can't imagine life without him. I will let you know as soon as I know anything more. BTW, thanks for thinking about him.

I was doing some interior design consultation work today. Something I've not been doing for quite some time. I don't plan on getting back into it in a big way again but it was nice to get back at it all the same. I only intend on doing work for our own company so I'm in no danger of being drawn back into anything full time. I've decided to get more involved with volunteer work this year too, so I'm going to be out and about more than usual. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not, but I'm going to give it a whirl and see how it goes.

Looks like the end of this day for me girls. I'm off to bed for an early night. Catch you all later; er, is that lighter?

graemlins/wave.gif

[PattiG]

Hi Ladies,

http://gameznet.com.au/business/animated/ratrace.gif Just have a moment to chat this morning, I'm inbetween tasks. Seems like I've been away for eons.

But I'm here to say that I have been OP TO THE LETTER!!! and treadmilled for 55 minutes for the past 2 days. My mission will NOT fail! A promised 10 lb loss...for it's "New Orleans or bust!" Here is my countdown: 46 days till May 1st. I'm inspired, enthusiastic, determined, pig-headed and egotistical enough to make good on this deal. lol

Faye, sounds like you're on a roll with your exercise tape as well. Excellent. Keep it going. BTW, I love the dog icon you posted last. That's adorable!

Maple, sounds as if you've got a full plan to keeping busy. Sounds good but don't forget to schedule in your birds and gardening this summer. They still need you too!

Snow! Can you believe it? We had about 4" yesterday and we're supposed to have another round of it this weekend. Bleccch! I'm sick of this weather. Don't anyone dare tell me about their crocuses and daffodils. :mad: Ours don't know if they are coming or going.

Patti

[ March 17, 2004, 09:41 AM: Message edited by: PattiG ]

[Maple]

Wowzers Patti, 10#'s in 6 weeks is it? Guess you'll be 2 inches shorter by then with all the treadmilling you'll be doing. I'd love to do the same but I know myself well enough to know too much pressure isn't a good thing for me. I will make a 10# goal myself though, but for June 15th; that's the day before our grandaughter's Graduation dinner and dance we'll be going to. Also it will be my 60th birthday on the 29th of June and I definately want to be at goal by then. I refuse to turn the dreaded 6-oh wearing anything more than a size 6! This birthday I intend on turning heads and having people say "how does she keep so fit?" LOL

Charlie's blood tests came back and it doesn't look like he has Cushings Disease after all. Sometimes these tests are inconclusive in the early stages though so I'm not totally discounting it. For now, this is good news. We still have to figure out why he's spilling protein into his urine, so I'm not sure where it will go from here. The vet is waiting for the urine test results still so that might be more helpful. Please keep praying for the little guy.

I really need to get back to walking daily again but somehow always find something better to do. Maybe now the weather is nicer I'll get motivated. I know Charlie will love it if we go "walkies" every day. Since he has 5 acres to run about on it's never really been necessary to take him out for walks but now he's more of a couch potato, daily walks would be good for him too. That's it! Walk for Charlie's health and I'll get a bonus too....firmer thighs and butt and a boost in my metabolism to help burn more calories.

graemlins/wave.gif See you later

[ March 17, 2004, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: Maple ]

[Faye]

Hey good to see you Patti missed you.
Maple let's not go any farther but take this as permanent good news for Charley. So happy to hear it. Those other test will tell you more good news too.
Patti sounds like you’re on firer girl you will get that weight off if you keep that up. We are in back of you cheering you on.
Maple if you want to get in that size 6 your going to have to put on blinders when you’re a social butterfly and those wonderful goodies are being serve.
I never been a social butterfly but still never wore a size 6 darn it. Wonder what my problem is?? I eat too much!! oh yes.
I had a real good day today. This is my 3rd day on WW and staying on my points. Been eating around 20 to 21 points I can eat between 20 to 25 points.
Monday and Tuesday didn’t do my exercise but I did today. My foot was acting up at the end of last week so I thought maybe I better hold off. Then again maybe I was using that as an excuse and grab on to it. When it comes to exercise some time I do that. I really do like the walking tape though so I wouldn’t think I did that.
Maple your designing job sounds great. I would like that kind of work. Did you use to work I don’t know if I ever heard you mention if you work or not. I miss working then I think you dummy you should be thankful your not working lol.
Sound like your still having winter where you’re at Patti. Iowa got 18 inches of snow glad I don’t live there. Though we really do need the moisture.
Jane where are you girl. Haven’t seen you posting come back and join us. We are all going to get slim come and join in with us.
Have a good day tomorrow.
Faye

[Faye]

http://groups.msn.com/isapi/fetch.dll?action=MyPhotos_GetPubPhoto&PhotoID=nJQAAACkLcqHgfdePOnc6D4Z181CFYKGtvuguQ7jRV 05G3Q*iRoM82bssXoYEpRkG*FIoy6gpGtM

[Maple]

A belated Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all.

"May you be in Heaven an hour before the devil knows you're gone!" (an old Irish saying)

Faye I haven't worked outside the home full time since I my children were born because we both felt it was important to have someone there for them at all times. Later on, as the children needed me less, I began doing design work for our construction company, so I was generally always free to work on my time schedule. I've done plan design, interior design, landscape design, various office duties while staff was on vacation of off sick and even done some real estate sales for our own projects. So you see, the grass never grew under these busy feet of mine. Due to my son's death 10 years ago, I got out of the "loop" and spent my time with much grief work and healing. I'm stronger now and ready to give back on a volunteer level to all the wonderful services I've either used or been involved with through my aging and then passing of my parents. I will concentrate on giving time to the Eldercare (care of the aged) Foundation, the Hospitals Foundation and Hospice. These organizations do wonderful work and raise funds to make these first class operations what they are today.

[Maple]

Patti I see your name, are you posting right now?

[PattiG]

I wasn't posting at that time I was just reading, but now it's about 11:15 now and I guess I've missed you again. Hmmmm, we seem to be out of sync today.

Maple what kind of volunteer work are you thinking of doing with the hospital and Eldercare? Visiting with patients? Patient services? Fund raising? I think that would be very rewarding work. Someday I would like to get involved with pediatric oncology care, but at this point I don't seem to have the time. lol Faye, the next time you get the urge or a guilty feeling about not working full time on a regular schedule...bop yourself on the head! I'd give my eye teeth to be retired and perhaps volunteering or working 1-2 days/week. Let's see, what would it take....I'd need to either win the lottery or marry rich....ROTFL and at this point neither option is likely to happen!

Faye, what is the name of your walking tape? What kind of music is on there? I'm always looking for new things to listen to on the treadmill. I thought that listening to an audio-book would be a good method of getting through some of the books I don't have time for, but I seem to get bored with the walking after a short time and need a music rhythm to keep me focused.

On the birding front...very busy day at the feeders. All kinds of woodpeckers, a bizillion doves, an occasional tutfted titmouse and chickadee, but the most spectacular sight today was 8 bluejays at the feeder at the same time! They were beautiful! I don't think I've ever seen that many perched in the same tree at the same time. With another 4-6" of snow on the way tonight, I guess they were all getting their fill while they could.

Snow..ROTFL...did someone say that Saturday is the first day of Spring? The calender must be pulling my leg! Yes Faye, you better believe I'm happy not to live in Iowa, but at the moment, NY is looking a little dreary as well.

Catch ya later ladies, I'm off to bed.
Patti graemlins/sleep.gif