4 the Birds #84

[Maple]

I may not be posting much but I sure can jump in there and start a new thread. #100 here we come!

Another beautiful day and I plan on getting out in the garden today.........after my errands :( I've finished the first two nights of Hospice training. Last night was very emotional and had us digging deep within ourselves in order to understand where a terminally ill patient would be emotionally, spiritually and physically at various stages of their disease and dying process.

Oops, the nose pad fell off my glasses and Porsha was chewing it.......gotta run and get it fixed. Will I get out in the garden today? Hmmm? It's anyone's guess at the moment.

TaTa graemlins/wave.gif

[Maple]

:rolleyes: Well, here I go again, chatting to myself. So....Maple, how's your day been so far? Good thanks. In fact I'm OP and feeling optomistic about staying on track. Glad to hear it....you go girl! Thanks, I will. ;)

I signed Porsha and I up for Puppy classes commencing May 10th. I liked this one because the classes are only once a week which is more doable for me. It's not like I've never been to dog obedience class before, because I have and know how to train a highly obedient dog. Since Porsha is a shy little gal, I felt the socialization aspect of the classes would be good for her. The class is 1/2 obedience and 1/2 socialization. One of the things they do is play "pass the puppy". You pass your puppy to the next person to handle. From there the pup is passed to the next person until it has gone right around the ring and is returned to you. LOL, I sure hope she doesn't get terrified and pee on someone :eek:

Enough chatting to myself and my invisible friends; I have company coming this afternoon wo I better get prepared.

graemlins/wave.gif

[PattiG]

lol First I complain that you're not posting and then you beat me back here to post again. But then again, you seemed to have a most agreeable chat with yourself! Actually in the past 2 days, I've come to post a couple of times and keep getting called away....like just now. dang!

ok, I'll be back later for either a looooong post or a loooong email. Also, I'll be home tonight, so if your company vamooses early...come to IM.

Catch ya later
Patti

[PattiG]

Pass the puppy? I'd love to play that game. lol I'd keep all the puppies and take them home with me. I've never taken a dog to obedience training, but if all you think Porsha needs is socialization, perhaps all you need to do is put her in more social situations (lol you could have a coming out party for her!). Teddy was very shy as a puppy and the breeder had suggested taking him to places like an airport lobby, outside a mall, a busy park, school playground..etc, where people will frequently stop and pet your dog. It certainly not a professional solution, but it might be helpful as an addition.

How's Charlie doing? Is he healing? Have you had to take him back to the vet for any follow-up?

Well, the month of May is shaping up to be busy busy busy. I'm be in Connecticut May 5-7th for a work-related class...coming home for a day and then flying out to San Diego, California for 3 days (9-11th) to monitor an anti-cellulite study we're conducting with a consulting dermatologist and the company Bath & Body Works. That's going to be a tiring trip between the flight time and the 3-hr time difference. (Hey, I'll be a little closer to you!) And then off to New Orleans on the 27-30th. LOL It's a good thing you'll be tied up with your hospice training and puppy class....I probably won't get to post until June either!

In the weight dept, until two days ago, I had slowed down considerably with my exercise (I was killing myself) and have been kind of lax with being OP again for the past few days. I'm wearing some of my size 6 pants, but not all of them and I still have about 3 lbs to goal(I seemed to have stalled with the weight loss...building muscle maybe?). All in all, this time I feel as if I've toned my body differently with all the exercise. Yesterday I took my bicycle out for a 15 mile ride. My legs feel great (which tells me the treadmill has done it's job) but my neck muscles hurt from leaning down to the handlebars and my lower back (sciatica) is aching today to the point that if I don't take the next few days off, I won't be able to move. Yes, yes, I know....you said not to overdo it. LOL I guess I was thinking of myself as Mighty Mouse at this point! ROTFL...and seeing me in biking shorts? Well that was funny in itself.

Oh, by the way...take a wild guess who is meeting me in New Orleans?

Anyway, as for your inner you rebelling (as you mentioned in your email), could be. Mine always does. I still think that mentally my mind has accepted that my body wants to stay fixed at a certain weight (the weight I always seem to wind up at) and that even when I try soooo hard to lose, I get tired of the battle both emotionally and physically. So I say this, if you are happy about how you're looking and feeling at this point...give yourself a break. As long as you maintain and not gain, maybe it's time we shifted our perspective and not beat ourselves with guilt all the time about getting started again. Honestly, I don't know if I can maintain goal again when I get there. I'll try, but these past 7 weeks has been exhausting.

Well, it's 12:39 my time...you still with company? I thought for sure you'd be online. Hey just because it's Saturday, does that mean you're supposed to have a social life? lol

Have a good night, I'm off to bed. Zzzzzzzzz graemlins/sleep.gif
Patti

[Maple]

graemlins/wave.gif Hello there everybuddy!

I'm stiff too, but not from riding my bike 15 miles. I was gardening all day and my bending over muscles are yelling at me. Time for a nice long soak in the tub. We are having another movie night tonight so I better get the tub ready and plunge on in before I'm being paged that the feature show is about to begin.

graemlins/wave.gif

[Maple]

Just to let you know I've rejoined SBD online and am going to get the job done once and for all! graemlins/bcbsalute.gif

[PattiG]

http://www.millan.net/anims/giffar/giffar2/fanclub.gif

EXCELLENT! You CAN do it. Is it something I said or did something just click in you?

Your garden must be a flourishing with all the time you've been putting into it. Are you planting or maintaining stuff right now? We had our two new trees delivered last week and they look great in the yard. One is a flowering cherry and the other is a Bradford Pear. lol Now if only they'd buy a weeping cherry tree then I'd have my favorite too!

Catch ya later,
Patti

[Maple]

I've been having little "clicks" all along and have been choosing to ignor them. Then I started thinking about some of the summer functions I'd be going to and all of a sudden it became very clear that my goal weight was very important to me.........so, here I go! It's never ceases to amaze me how less important eating so called goodies becomes when you set you mind on an goal that is important to you. Guess you New Orleans trip was your "click" huh?

My gardening duties run the gamut of maintaining, new plantings, changing things about and most important the serenity factor. Once I'm actively engaged in my garden, all else falls away and an enter another space quite different than the "real world". This place allows my imagination to florish and expand; it relaxes my mind and soul and my artist's eye delights in the magnificent natural world our Creator has given us. I become filled with gratitude and am able to take that "feeling" away with me when I have to return the "RW". So you see, gardening is a sacred activity and a most necessary part of my being.

Patti why don't you go out and buy that little tree you love and plant it in an act of serene gratitude for all that you care for. Plant it somewhere you will see it from your bedroom window or a place you go to be alone or meditate. Grow a birdhouse gourd to hang in "your tree"; let it become your very own Serenity Garden. I know you will be glad you did.

[PattiG]

Good Morning!

It WOULD be nice to have the weeping cherry in the yard, but I don't think I'm going to lay out the cash for it at this point especially with vacation coming up. It amazes me how expensive it gets to have the nursery plant it...50-60% of the cost of the tree! (and it would be too much work for my father to plant it). Maybe next year.

BTW, did you catch in one of my previous posts who I was going to see in New Orleans?!

Well, I'm heading out to Connecticut later this afternoon, so I won't be posting again till Friday. It's a nice sunny day out so the hour long ferry ride should be nice. Did I tell you that this class I'm taking tomorrow is being held at the Mohegan Sun Casino/Hotel? LOL Hey, I'll gamble to win money for the tree planting! (not). If the class gets boring I'll head for the slots!

Hey, Porsha starts school on Monday right? Did you get her a little notebook, backpack, and pencil case?! Did she get any new clothes for school?

Ok, have a great day...and hope you're doing well OP. Today will be another great day, I'm sure!

Talk to you soon (June?!) graemlins/wave.gif
Patti

[Maple]

:confused: This is what you said in your previous post: "Oh, by the way...take a wild guess who is meeting me in New Orleans?" So you never did tell me who it was. My guess is Cecilia; am I right?

I was at Hospice training last night and again tonight so I have to get busy making an early dinner. Actually mine is ready, a nice big Chef Salad but my husband is having one of his techie helpers over and I have to prepare something for them before I leave. Chicken Cordons, baked potato and mixed veggies.......quick and easy. The potatoes are already in the oven baking so I had a few spare minutes to post.

You were right about Porsha's puppy class on Monday but she doesn't get to go. The first class is for the "mommies and daddies". LOL Guess we are going to be instructed how to ready our little darling for her first day of school and what supplies she will need. I took her out today to the shopping center and socialized her at Starbuck's then took them both to the trail around the Bog for expose her to the wild ducks and joggers. The first jogger was coming toward us and Porsha stood her ground and barked like mad at her. It shocked us all, including Charlie. Charlie looked at her as if to say "what the h**l are you doing half-pint!" I scolded her for her cheeky attitude so when the next person came by she only did it quietly. I scolded her again and she didn't do it any more. Smart pup huh?

Sounds like DH car pulling in so I better run. graemlins/wave.gif

[PattiG]

Hello,

What a beautiful day here! It's 75 degrees. This is the warmest day yet that we've had this Spring. Unfortunately I'm stuck in the office but I think I'll take lunch outside at least.

I'll be back tonight to post again, but yes, I am going to see Cecilia in New Orleans. She's willing to drive 4 hrs to get there. It'll be wonderful to finally meet her in person after 3 years. Three years!...I can't believe it's been that long since we all started posting at BC. Hey, are you planning anymore cross-country trips past NY again?! When I get to San Diego (either this month or next month) I'll wave to you. You might be able to see me better from there than from the east coast. graemlins/wave.gif

[PattiG]

http://www.artie.com/mothers_day/arg_nest_toon_sm_url.jpg

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY Friends! Enjoy your families today!

Patti

[ May 09, 2004, 09:48 AM: Message edited by: PattiG ]

[PattiG]

Hey Maple...let's get back on the bandwagon here and post. lol "Planting Time" is gaining headway on us on the "BCB's At Home board" and we're losing our slot. Got to keep us on top, baby!

[Maple]

graemlins/wave.gif Hidey Ho! If I keep this up I'll be forgetting how to type. Patti that's really exciting that you'll be meeting up with Cecilia. I can't wait for all the news when you get back. When will you be there again? Hmmm, I wonder if she has been OP on the sly and is eager to show off size? Of course, you will be a svelt size six and flaunting your "stuff" LOL I'm still flaunting the same old, same old. Last week I did really well then along came the weekend, and off I went again to hell in a handbasket.

Porsha is learning her lessons really well. Come, sit, down and "watch me". She loves it! I've been out socializing her more and she is beginning to be less shy. Charlie has decided to join in with the lessons too and is doing all the obedience stuff he learned years ago and chose not to do any more. He is so motivated by treats, he'd stand on his head if he could! LOL

Hospice training tonight and lots of errands to do so I better get a wiggle on and shut down the computer before it lures me in any longer.

TaTA friends graemlins/wave.gif

[Maple]

:rolleyes: I'm keeping up my end, so where are you? Even if we have nothing to say, post a little hello to keep us moving toward #100.

I guess me emails today said all I have to say today, so "Fair the well my lovelies".

P.S. Porsha has her nose on the keyboard and typing has become quite a chore. LOL

[PattiG]

TGIF! It's been a long week. It's margarita time!! Actually it should be a lovely weekend here and tomorrow is my first official BBQ of the season. It should be a beautiful sunny day. I'll be at my cousin's house.

This should be an interesting BBQ though. As I understand it I'll be meeting the "potential" wife of my younger cousin Matthew (he's age 23 going 16) whom he met bumming around Australia for 3 months last summer. He is so irresponsible I don't know how this "kid" plans on getting married, he doesn't even support himself. He dropped out of college after his first year and has never gotten a job (he drives from state to state visiting friends and windsurfing). His parents give him everything. They bought him a new car and suggested he work at their computer business to pay it off. It never happened. He has a pilot's license (God help everyone in the sky) and flies off to Martha's vinyard and other places with his friends at the drop of the hat (yes, they give him the money to rent the plane). For Australia, they gave him a free airfare back and forth, he used their credit card for all expenses, and even bought a used car only to GIVE it away (not sold it) when he left. Cushy life huh? Sounds like Kato Kalin! Actually, I don't blame him...it's his parents who should be shot. Why bother learning to grow up when your parents enable your every whim. I wonder what his girlfriend's parents think of their possibly future SIL?

The chimunks are back again! I don't know where they've been hiding out until now but two of them were back under the bird feeder today. They are so cute!

I didn't know Porsha could type? When you're busy, could she shoot me an email? lol

Ok, I'm off to run an assay. I'll probably be back here tonight. See ya then? If not...have a good Friday night!

[Maple]

When you make the margaritas, make one for me; I'll be right over. Funny how the sound of a margarita and a nice warm sunny day go hand in hand. Hick! oops, excuse me. Guess I'll be settling for tea this afternoon because I have our "whirling germish" granddaughter here and I have to have my wits about me to protect Porsha from her. Also, our 17 yr. old grandson is here to do some yard work and play with his soon-to-be-his old beat up van. Let me tell you, this van is becoming a family heirloom. Our son (the one who passed away) bought it about 12 years ago as an on the job site construction van. It was a beater then which didn't matter and was actually desirable to deter break-ins to get his tools. It was fitted with police type grill work to prevent window smash and dash. After his death, it became his brother's van to be used for the same purpose. Now Chris has bought it and it will officially become his when he pays the last $100 he owes to our son. The only good thing about the van is the engine, tranmission and breaks; the rest is a rust bucket. LOL Chris will get a lot of exerience in fixing it up without a lot of out of pocket investment. You should see him. He looks like he just bought a brand new Mazda RX7! Bless his little heart.

Well it looks like action time again. Alysha is stiring from her nap and Porsha will need a PP walk. After that, it's off the the video store to rent a movie for tonight then to the supermarket to get the movie night goodies the kids want. I think we'll have pizza tonight so I can keep my strength up for what is looking like a very active weekend.

Enjoy your BQ and margaritas. I bet the girl's family will be happy to know that their future son in laws family will be supporting them. LOL What a deal!

Happy weekend everyone :D

[Faye]

Hi Girls
Thought I would drop in and see how you all are doing. We are leaving next week to go to the kids. Our grandson is graduating the 22 from college. The last one yipeeeeeeee.
Had a terrible week last week I lost my sister. We took her to the hospital on Sunday. She had congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and a diabetic too. Thursday they stop everything cause her kidneys was shutting down. She lived till Sunday. She was out of her head most of the time. When they put the mask over her face to help her breath better. She fought it so thinking they were burying her alive. She had strong faith in the Lord, and she was ready to go home. That helps in letting her go.
I been fighting a sore throat and loosing my voice. Hasn’t helped me loose any weight though.
Roxie got over her operation, and her test came back good. Need to keep a check on her for a while.
Then she got another lump on her shoulder. Gave us another scare but that turn out ok too. It was cause from Roxie being allergic to something.
Well better get to bed. Hope you are all doing well. Will pop back in again.
Faye

[PattiG]

Faye,

I'm so sorry to hear about your sister's passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I'm sure it was so very upsetting to see how sick she was before she died, but as you said, she is now comfortable and pain-free and in a very special wonderful place.

Patti

[ May 16, 2004, 10:31 PM: Message edited by: PattiG ]

[PattiG]

http://www.animatedgif.net/animals/otheranimals/fiddlin_coon_e0.gifSo let me tell you about my late night (or rather, early morning) visitor...last night we had a humdinger of a lightening storm. Around 3:30am the rain finally started letting. I was laying in bed and heard my window, which had been open a bit) start creaking. That's the one thing I don't like about casement windows (the ones that open out sideways like a door), every time the wind
catches them they swing open and shut slightly. lol However, this time when I got up to shut it, I realized it wasn't the wind. There was a shadow in the window.....a little raccoon (not a baby baby, but a fairly small young one)...and he had his head inbetween my window and the screen! I tried to shooed him away with my hands (I was only two
inches from him!) but he didn't move. The
poor thing was probably soaked from the rain and
wanted to get inside. He was sooo cute.
Anyway, I finally opened the window a little further in hopes that he'd back away (which he did) and then I quickly shut it so he wouldn't rip the screen. At that point,he started clawing away at the flash paper on the roof under the window. Talk about being single minded! I opened the window again and yelled at him a little louder this time. He finally scampered off. Know what I kept thinking the entire time? If this is the baby....WHERE IS THE MAMA?! lol

Well that's my wildlife story for today. We also has a itty bitty baby bunny in the yard today. Lol Guess more than just the birds have been twitterpating lately!

Patti

[ May 16, 2004, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: PattiG ]

[Maple]

Faye, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister passing away. I remember you telling us that she was quite sick some time ago. She is out of pain and at peace now, but I know you and your family are still in pain over the loss of your loved one. My heart felt sympathy goes out to you all. I'm so happy to hear Roxy is alright. They are still testing Charlie to see why he has a high level of protein in his urine. I think we are getting close to a diagosis though. It's quite possible he has the tick born disease, Ehrlichia. This isn't something he could have got here on the west coast, but most certainly during our trip along the eastern seaboard. Charlie was vaccinated for Lyme Disease before our trip last year but that wouldn't help for Ehrilichia. During the last month of our trip he picked up several ticks, which I removed, but didn't know he was in danger of another disease.
It can be treated with tetracycline so I'm hopeful we will get a diagnosis soon and begin treatment.

Patti what an exciting evening you had! Racoons tapping at your window to call you out to play. We used to have a tame racoon when the kids were in their teens but had to eventually let him go because he started to revert back to his wild ways and became dangerous. It was a happy farewell nonetheless. A female used to come calling for him every evening for about a week until I was able to convince the kids that letting him go was the right thing to do. The "couple" happily went off one night together, returning the following year with their 3 little ones to show is all was well.

It's Puppy Kindergarten tonight so I better get off the computer and change my clothes. I'll be seeing you soon.

[PattiG]

Maple, what do you mean you had a "tame" raccoon?! Did you rescue it as a baby or did you just "adopt" one that used to visit? Did you kids play with it? Weren't you afraid of rabies? Getting bitten or scratched, etc? Did you keep it confined in some area? Are you crazy??? lol

http://www.madstencilist.com/saywhat/motifs/tracks/raccoon_small.gif

P.S. Are you ever planning on coming back to IM?

[ May 18, 2004, 11:12 PM: Message edited by: PattiG ]

[PattiG]

Me again,

Maple (and Faye if you're reading this) here's something new we could try while reaching for our goal. It isn't really something new but rather a variation on what we tried to do for Lent or for our New Year's resolution. Take a look at the Terrific 20's board under "YES/NO Challenge."

In a nutshell, it seems they are trying to change a behavior or food choice by substituting something more healthful for it. This way, it is not us just denying ourselves something but rather a behavior modification. I think we actually do this already but by putting a label on it, maybe we'll be more conscious of the choices we make. I wouldn't go whole hog on this all at once but maybe a trial run to ease us into this. For example, one member gave up (said "NO") to sugar entirely for an entire month and in it's place will say "YES" to hot chocolate or fruit every time she is faced with the craving or offer of something sugary.

I propose we go for 3-7 days for the first go round and perhaps less drastic. For example, most nights, my family has something sweet after dinner (piece of chocolate, ice cream, etc). If I'm not in the right frame of mind, this can derail me in a matter of seconds. Soooo, I propose for the next week to say NO to chocolate and ice cream after dinner and YES to 1 graham cracker or a piece of fresh fruit. No exceptions, these are my choices.

Again, I know we already do this in our heads on a daily basis....but this may be a helpful way to keep up a little more focused. What do you think?

Patti

[PattiG]

Wow, I can't imagine having a raccoon as a house pet. And a large one to boot! That must have been a lot of fun.

As for my New Orleans weight goal, I've lost and kept off 7 lbs. It doesn't sound like much but it was hard enough. No, I won't be able to get those other 3 lbs off in time...lol but I'm legitimately going on the trip. Our bet is off. I gave it my 110% best efforts (of course never figuring in the possibility of days that I might not feel well or were too busy to plan food choices and exercise, or even my "hormonal" days when the wild munchies are all consuming!). All in all? I'm a happy girl. My mother only did this to aggravate and motivate me (lol which obviously worked!). I am firmly into my 6's again and if can at least maintain this weight till after vacation I'll be thrilled. I'm not throwing in the towel though, I still have another week before I leave (May 27th).

As for my NO/YES challenge, beside the after dinner dessert issue, I find I'm often most hungry on the ride home from work. By the time I get home I'm ready to raid the refrigerator cause I can't wait for dinner. So additionally, I'd like to say NO to scrounging before dinner and YES to having a piece of fruit in the car (just in case) for the ride home. I think that will work.

You know what could also work? lol NO! NO! NO! to stomach crunches (I HATE doing them :mad: ) but YES to holding in my stomach when stopping for red lights in the car. That might also be useful!

[ May 19, 2004, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: PattiG ]

[Maple]

:D Hey I like that idea Patti. I think I'll give it a whirl too. But before I get into that, here's the scoop on our pet raccoon. Yes, it was a house pet. I bought it when it was just a wee baby from the pet shop and was told it was 6th generation domesticated stock. What a little charmer it was, and oh, what a mischievious little guy! It was just a little handful when we got him. Actually, he got me! The pet shop owner let me hold him and his little arms went around my neck and I was a gonner. Never did put it back down again. The kids were in 7th Heaven when I picked them up at school that day with little Bandit in my arms;
DH was a bit of a hard nut to crack though. LOL He was initially mad at me and kept saying I had to take him back. I kept telling him just to hold him for a minute (I didn't tell him about the cuddle factor) After a bit he said OK, but just for a minute and I wasn't going to change his mind this time (I've done stuff like this before and that's why my kids love me. LOL Well Bandits little arms went around my husbands neck and he melted into a mushy puddle before our eyes. LOL, Ten points for me and and kids! As he got larger and more difficult to control (He could get into the cookie drawer in 5 seconds flat and be stuffing his face before you could get to the cabinet) my husband converted our son's sun deck into a very large outdoor cage complete with climbing tree and shelter from the weather. He was still allowed indoors but only when someone could have their undivided attention to him at all times. The kids would take him out for walks and even to McDonald's where the staff would feed him burgers and fries. He was the best "chick magnet" they boys ever had. One day our daughter was taking him for a walk along a nearby trail and and dog came flying out after them barking. Bandit was on a leash and instead of letting him go, my daughter tried to protect him. The result was he ran up her and onto her head in fear because he was trapped. Fortunately, the dog backed off but my daughter was bleeding. We realized then he wasn't going to continue to be a good pet and was reverting back to nature. As time went one, only my eldest son could handle him and clean his cage so it was time to let him go. You know the rest of the story. As for disease, he was disease free and very healthy. He was much bigger than wild coons and had the most magnificent bushy tail...........that's what a good diet will do for a raccoon. He was fed, eggs, grapes, nuts veggies etc. and for fun, cookies. You know they like to wash everything before they eat. Well, washing a cookies becomes a magic trick called "where's the cookie gone?" It was hysterical to watch the look of surprise as the cookie would disolve in the water.

Now for the "YES/NO Challenge" That sounds like a good idea. I'm going to try it tomorrow and see what things I can substitute for the things I'm eating that is preventing further weight loss. I'll let you know what I think. If you are doing this Patti, I am assuming you aren't at your "going to New Orleans" weight yet. Where are you with that bet anyhow?

As for IMing, I have from time to time tried to catch you but never seem to connect. I'm out 3 nights a week now and with puppy school homework I'm not even on my computer much anymore. Never mind, once puppy school is finished and my Hospice training is complete I'll have more time again. Of course, July will be busy with my relatives out from Ontario for the month. My only salvation is they have both been on SBD so I souldn't get myself into too much trouble. That is, as long as they are still following the plan in July.

I'm going to take a look at the 20's thread and see if I can glean more information to help me begin my Yes/No plan.

Night night pals!