The Continuing Saga of CherylB's Weight Loss Journey (part 2)

[TerriMM]

Hi Cheryl,
My Dad emailed me this and I thought it too lovely not to share:

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).



MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

[tay65]

Today is my 1st DD! So far, so good. Working on getting Chlobug potty trained. She does good sitting on her singing potty! LOL It sings when she pees in it! Amazing what they come up with now. She is good to sit for about 15 mins at a time. I think she always pees on the way to the potty! She'll catch on. Right now just trying to "catch" her when she has to go. Trying to time when she goes after drinking. Its been a loooong time since I've done this.
I'm beside myself right now. My cousin, who I grew up next door to, passed away thru the night and NOONE in my family called me. I found out bc my brother told my dd's bf at work. I don't know which to be, mad or sad! I tried to call my parents and noone answered. I imagine they are at a family members house. I am so mad.
Well, I certainly hope ur day is going better than mine. I could eat a whole damn pizza right now!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by TerriMM

Hi Cheryl,
My Dad emailed me this and I thought it too lovely not to share:

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).



MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

RIGHT ON!!!

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE! Thank you for blessing me with that email, Terri. I really appreciate that you took the time to post it here. I love that.

[CherylB]

Oh, Tammy. I'm so sorry that happened. I hear you, honey. It's like they have no idea how much the news would impact you. Like they never realized how much you cared for the person. It hurts. Try not to read anything into it and just mourn your cousin without all that extra "clutter" added in. I'm sorry for your loss, honey. May God give you peace.

If you can get through your first DD with having all those emotions to tackle, you're well on your way to self control and a happy, slimmer body. There is so much freedom in control. I'm hoping to remember that, myself. I'm still out of control, myself. Impulse issues big-time.

Well, it took me 3 hours and 10 minutes to complete the tasks at the farm, but if the girl had not put the coats on the animals in the barn, it would have taken closer to 3.5 hours. She also topped-off the waters for me. Considering those things, it might have taken me 4 hours to do alone. It was so friggin cold. When I got home, the kitchen thermometer said "16.3 degrees." I was wearing a very dorky hat but it was the warmest hat with the most "cheek coverage" that I had. My cheeks are the things that really feel the exposure.

It was pretty miserable, hauling that wheelbarrow over frozen, rutted, hoof-imprinted paddocks and run-ins. I just gave up on the last paddock I was trying to clean. I just flat gave up. I remembered the manager saying that if it was too much work to get out into the paddocks, (due to mud and what-have-you) to not sweat it. So I let myself off the hook.

I did really well, in my humble opinion. I really kind of hate the fact that we have the three minis. Just cleaning their pen and shelter and adding bedding to it takes about 30 minutes to complete. That's a long time, considering they didn't use to be there at all! It chaps my @$$. (My arse needs no additional chapping.) I don't understand why they came and why they stayed and remember the days before they came and can't help but reminisce. I need to let it go and just work with it.

It's an insane amount of work when you're by yourself and there are no volunteers. In winter, they all seem to go into hibernation. Then Spring rolls around (or rather "summer") and they reappear. It's not really cool of them at all. We take notice.

So all the horses and goats are wearing their coats tonight (the heavy winter ones) and everyone is tucked in snugly. All hooves were picked, all tummy's full of hay and yummy grain, all water buckets plugged in to keep from freezing, all lights turned off and electric fences turned on. I'm so glad I got through this freaking cold day!

I'm pooped! Defrosting my "chapped @$$" on a heating pad as I type this. Funny how the cold seems to be so deep that the heating pad isn't reaching it. Eventually it will thaw.

Goodnight, my friends. Sleep tight!

[shelby'snana]

wow Cheryl that really sounds like hard work. Thaw out and relax .......hope you get some rest

[CherylB]

I will. You too, Laura.

[tay65]

I have almost made it through this horrible day. You're so right about them not giving a rats patootie about my feelings. I just want tomorrow to come. I have alot to do. Wash clothes, get Rx filled, buy light bulbs, pay bills over the phone, and call about the internet. Whew! I also saw a wrapped gift from my dh for my Birthday! I think its a kindle!!!! I've been wanting one for a while. Now I can't wait for Friday to get here! LOL
You had alot to do at the farm. At least you had some help. The horsies thank you! Get warm now!

[DebbyL]

Oh Cheryl, So sorry! Sounds like we exchanged weather!
So glad you found a good toque (hat) to wear. Good job!

I think the only way to heat up that deep cold is a hot bath. Just keep adding hot water. I get that way sometimes when we ride the motorcycle in too-cold temps. If you don't get rid of it, it will keep you awake most of the night.

Ah, don't like the mini's? We used to let a mini stay on our property... "Stormy" he was so sweet! Always greeted us just like a dog... stuck his head in the car & would look through the grocery bags. Once when I was outside & turning on the water facet, he came up behind me & stuck his head between my arm & body to see what I was doing. Gave gave me the biggest start! I'm sure he would of come in the house too, if we didn't have stairs. He also thought he was a big stud & greeted all the full-grown horses as such.

Hope you warmed up & have a great evening!

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by tay65

I have almost made it through this horrible day. You're so right about them not giving a rats patootie about my feelings. I just want tomorrow to come. I have alot to do. Wash clothes, get Rx filled, buy light bulbs, pay bills over the phone, and call about the internet. Whew! I also saw a wrapped gift from my dh for my Birthday! I think its a kindle!!!! I've been wanting one for a while. Now I can't wait for Friday to get here! LOL
You had alot to do at the farm. At least you had some help. The horsies thank you! Get warm now!

Birthday? When is it?? Next Friday? Kindles are so nice. I hope that's what it is or you're going to be disappointed now! That'll teach you for snooping around.

You did all those things today? You get some rest, too! I'm totally parked on the heating pad and have been for hours. I even bumped up the thermostat to keep it 68 degrees all night long. I usually let it go down to 65 at night, but not tonight. Brrrr!

Sleep well, cutie. And God bless you.

[CherylB]

Originally Posted by DebbyL

Oh Cheryl, So sorry! Sounds like we exchanged weather!
So glad you found a good toque (hat) to wear. Good job!

I think the only way to heat up that deep cold is a hot bath. Just keep adding hot water. I get that way sometimes when we ride the motorcycle in too-cold temps. If you don't get rid of it, it will keep you awake most of the night.

Ah, don't like the mini's? We used to let a mini stay on our property... "Stormy" he was so sweet! Always greeted us just like a dog... stuck his head in the car & would look through the grocery bags. Once when I was outside & turning on the water facet, he came up behind me & stuck his head between my arm & body to see what I was doing. Gave gave me the biggest start! I'm sure he would of come in the house too, if we didn't have stairs. He also thought he was a big stud & greeted all the full-grown horses as such.

Hope you warmed up & have a great evening!

Well if OUR minis were like that one, I wouldn't mind cleaning up after them. But these are pretty wild. Only time you can get near them is when you put their grain bucket on the ground. It takes ages and multiple people to get their halters on if we need to take them from one area to another. And they almost never get groomed because it would take a full hour and two or three people just do get the whole procedure done. Nope, I don't love them.

We may have swapped weather but somehow this weekend is going back into the 40's. Then we dip back into the 20's next week, right when I go back to work. I won't think about that right now. I'll just relax on this heating pad and be happy for the day being done.

A hot bath is an excellent suggestion. Even a hot shower is often enough to get that bone-chilled feeling out of me. I didn't have to resort to that, though.

I hope we all have a very restful night's sleep. And may God continue to watch over your hubby on his journey back home to you.

[tay65]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Birthday? When is it?? Next Friday? Kindles are so nice. I hope that's what it is or you're going to be disappointed now! That'll teach you for snooping around.

You did all those things today? You get some rest, too! I'm totally parked on the heating pad and have been for hours. I even bumped up the thermostat to keep it 68 degrees all night long. I usually let it go down to 65 at night, but not tonight. Brrrr!

Sleep well, cutie. And God bless you.

Yep, my birthday is the 25th! 48 years old! I like my birthday. We are going to dinner, movies and then I'll hit up hubby to go to the casino! Gonna surprise him with that one! LOL
I really think it is a kindle! He asked me if I wanted a kindle!
Nooooo, I said I was going to do those things tomorrow. My dd took tomorrow off to take Chloe to a birthday party. Tomorrow night she's all mine! My dd and her bf (they are still together) are going to a great restaurant for dinner with friends and she doesn't know what else is planned. I just know her bf asked me if I would keep Chloe for them. He offered to pay me!!!! Geeze! No way would I accept money to watch Chloe! KWIM?
Hope you're warmed up by now. I hate getting so cold. The cold makes my legs hurt like the dickens. I stay in as much as possible now. I keep our heat set at 72*! I don't want chloe to be cold. Sometimes she takes her pants off and runs around in a shirt and her diaper. Idk about her sometimes. LOL
Going to sleep now. Belly is grumbling too! UGH!

[CherylB]

Sounds like a very wonderful birthday you've got coming to you. What movie do you want to see? What do you like to do at the casino? Back in Las Vegas when we lived there, we pretty much stuck with the quarter slots or the quarter poker machines. A few times we played at the Black Jack table but since my husband was blind, it made it tricky. The dealer had to lay his cards face up so I could tell him what he had and what the Dealer had showing.

How strange that dd's bf offered to pay you for baby sitting. Doesn't he realize you do it all the time? I wonder if his thoughts are changing; like maybe he's thinking of marrying your daughter and he's starting to think like the father? Curious.

I am definitely warmed up. It's in the low 40's today! I wish I was working today instead. Monday we'll be back in the deep-freeze. I still don't know how I'm going to make it to that morning orientation. My best bet really is to just stay awake all night and then sleep when I come back home. I need to double-check what time I need to appear on Monday am.

I can't afford to keep the thermostat any higher than 68, plus it seems plenty warm on most days. In fact, when I'm outside working on cleaning up the snow after it storms and I come back inside, it feels stiflingly hot in here. Like I want to open up a window!

Kids love to be naked, don't they? I guess there's really such a narrow window of innocence that she should run around naked for as long as she can. You go, girl!

So you made it through your first DD, even with all those emotions weighing on you!? You should be very proud and feel totally empowered. You did something that I doubt I could have ever done. Enjoy your UD and know that it was worth the wait.

Have a lovely day, ladies. I'm going to hang close to home and try to get some housework done. Things have been neglected on the home-front and I need to keep it ready for impromptu guests. You never know when there will be one! (Hence, "impromptu.")

[DebbyL]

Hi Cheryl,

Glad you warmed up. I sure know what you're saying about coming in from shoveling... guess you could turn the heat down to 60 before you go do it. I feel that way too, after my work-outs... end up stripping down till I cool off.

DH is on his way again. Probably in Nevada by now. I'm working on books. Completed (again) a very complicated on-going account. So I'm very close...

TTYL

[CherylB]

Nice work, Debby. Glad your hubby's on the move again. When does his friend expect to be done and out of Mexico? Going down there for dental work is no small endeavor. Seems like it's costly in other areas. I'm not sure I'd ever do it.

Debby, you say in your details area, "clean-eating- maintenance" but you are mainly LC, right? Do you stretch the boundaries more now that you are at goal? I know you keep the calories pretty low, too. Just curious how you live your maintenance plan.

How do you work around situations where you are at a restaurant or dinner party and find there is next to nothing you can eat? That was always a challenge for me when I did Atkins. Seemed I had to always pack my own special food items for family get-togethers. It was a real drag.

[tay65]

My dd's bf does think as Chloe's father. He has really stepped into the role nicely. He loves her to death! I guess he figured since he planned this nice night out he'd pay me as an incentive! LOL
Chloe went to a birthday party and she is knocked out on my bed! My dd said she played alot. I'm glad she got a few hours to be around kids.
Chloe's dad had the nerve to text us 45 mins before he wanted to be at my house to see chloe. I texted him and told him chloe was at a party. And he should've said someting to my dd earlier in the week. He still wouldn't have seen her today. Oh well.
I did everything on my list today. I picked up some new small rugs for the kitchen and for in front of the front door. Got some DD foods like Lite Progresso soups, yogurt, apples.... I'm prepared now!
Well, hope ya had a good day! It was 52* today, but highs in the 20's rest of the week and snow!!!

[tay65]

Oh! I want to see Django (I think thats what its called) at the movies and at the casino I play penny and nickel slots and a few quarter ones. And I play the big wheel they have! I'm pretty lucky at it. I have a limit and I drink some mudslides! LOL

[CherylB]

I thought nickel and penny slots were a thing of the past. Do the casino's near you still use actual coins or have they gone to slips of paper like they have in CT? I think that takes ALL the fun out of it. I like to hear "ping ping ping ping" in the tray when I press "cash out." What fun is a slip of paper? I can get one of those at any dang ATM machine.

So you think your dd is going to marry this guy? I wonder what they're waiting for. If you know he or she is the one, why wait? Too bad about Chloe's dad not giving you much notice. Little by little he's bound to get a clue. One would hope so, right?

WTG on getting all your stuff done today. Hope Chloe isn't all wide awake all night now that she was out cold this afternoon.

I have some news about my dog Cisco. I was brushing her tail the other day and noticed a bare patch of skin near the base of her tail. It reminded me of Mange but she's never had it, hasn't been scratching or chewing and hasn't been around any dogs that had it. I'm perplexed. Also, last week I noticed a scaly patch of skin on her back, near her shoulder blades. I thought it must have been a tick bite but couldn't imagine how she could have had a tick embedded in such an obvious place without me seeing it. I applied Neosporin and just figured it would go away. It's still there, and now this patch of skin on her tail.

I don't have a CLUE how she could have gotten something like this, if it is mange. I wonder if she got something at the groomers when I had her clipped all the way down and bathed right before Christmas. I'm going to call the groomer tomorrow and see if she's had any mangy dogs there and if she could have gotten it from that one day at her place. If it IS mange, I guess she needs special shampoo and I need to launder every friggin thing in this house. How am I going to do that? The house has wall-to-wall carpeting in all rooms except two.

I'll have to google this and see what the incubation period of mange is. I hope that's not what it is but what else could it be? Oy. She's clearly not itchy at all. She's not acting differently in any way. Eating and drinking as she always does.

Hope you're having a great UD, Tammy. Hugs to everyone out there! Have a nice weekend.

[DebbyL]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Nice work, Debby. Glad your hubby's on the move again. When does his friend expect to be done and out of Mexico? Going down there for dental work is no small endeavor. Seems like it's costly in other areas. I'm not sure I'd ever do it.

Debby, you say in your details area, "clean-eating- maintenance" but you are mainly LC, right? Do you stretch the boundaries more now that you are at goal? I know you keep the calories pretty low, too. Just curious how you live your maintenance plan.

How do you work around situations where you are at a restaurant or dinner party and find there is next to nothing you can eat? That was always a challenge for me when I did Atkins. Seemed I had to always pack my own special food items for family get-togethers. It was a real drag.

Hi Cheryl,
DH is traveling through death valley, Calif. right now. His friend was supposed to leave this morning. I haven't heard from him yet. It will take him a couple days to get out of Mexico.
Dental work is more accessible at border towns. There are some fabulous ones. If you even can do it, I'll give you some addresses & names. Doesn't have to be such an ordeal. Our friend thought he was being smart in going clear down there, but he wasn't.
I'm kind of confused about what I'm doing for maintenance. I lost the wt. doing that body-builders diet, which is lower carbs, but not atkins lower. And then I added the coconut oil, which helped me lose the rest. I only added 1-2 TBS daily though. So now, I've been adding more veggies & braving a fruit now & then. Course I am restricted from dairy, eggs, gluten, & nitrates, so my diet doesn't look any different then it did before. Except that I don't purposely take really low calorie rotation days. Just go lower if my schedule is not under my control & miss my planned meal.
Here's the break-down of my totals from my calorie counter site.

• Yesterday - 1660 Calories today - 1,475
• Yesterday - 185; Carbs today - 157
• Yesterday - 70; Fat today - 60
• Yesterday - 66; Protein today - 64

Eating out, traveling, restaurants... those are the instances that cause me to be lower in calories. If my foods are unavailable I do without. In restaurants I order anything I can get that is similar to my norm... ie: side salad with no dressing, dairy, deli, or goiter-gens. Then if I can get a steak, or hamburger patty, or chicken breast... Chinese stir-fry no seasonings or soy sauce works... fresh chicken. I've gone home hungry a few times... nothing available.
At my family get-togethers I make sure to take food, if its not going to be available. Traveling I buy groceries & fix my own.
You know, its easier now that I can explain its allergies. People don't try to break your diet if they think its going to make you sick.
Hope you had a great day of relaxation!

[CherylB]

I'm not sure what "body builder's diet" you're talking about. Body for Life? I know of another girl who did that plan but I never investigated it. Sounds like you walk the straight and narrow as far as keeping the weight off. I envy those like you who are "grown ups."

I did have a very relaxing day. I hope I can sleep alright tonight because I really overslept today. I will put something very soothing on to lull me to sleep. Did Dr Oz say where those glasses could be purchases that cut down on those certain light rays from the computer at night? It might be worth the investment.

Night, ladies. Off to bed I go. May we all sleep safely and well tonight. Pizza tomorrow afternoon with the fandamily.

[DebbyL]

Uh, no it was the physique transformation. Which used to be online. There's one I found by search, but its not the same, although the last name of the author is the same. Might be his wife. The one I did was a pay by the month program.

I did it because it promised to build up my metabolism. I'd been gaining weight on 900 calories. It worked! So, what I do now is "my version"

Yeah, grown-up, or ADD

[tay65]

Cheryl, We get the slips of paper too. The casino here is pretty new. It was built about 3 yrs ago. At first it was like a big tent! LOL Its super nice. One day I'm going to eat at the fancy schmancy restaurant they have. My husband went to the cigar room they have! I just laughed at him. We use to go every wkend until Chloe came into the picture. I feel bad going somewhere and I don't take her.
She's finally conked out. She went to sleep at 11:30! I hope she isn't all over the bed tonight and I can sleep.
Tasha and Adam aren't rushing into anything. Adam has a good head on his shoulders. Tasha wants another baby. He said when Chloe is 3 she can get pregnant. So I guess that means they'll be getting married next year! Now I am looking forward to that!!! LOL Chloe will still be here everyday anyways.
I can hear the wind blowing outside. I read online its suppose to be 25-35 mph. I notice this year there's been alot of windy days and nights.
I can't wait to open my present! It's sitting in the dining room. Temptation is terrible.
Well, good night. I'm sleepy now.

[CherylB]

I'll have to google that plan, Debby. You got me curious now. If that's ADD, where can I get some?

Tammy, glad Chloe is back to sleep again. Go grab some zz's while you can. As for me, I'm still awake at 0340 and it's another one of those nights. Been reading, listening to movies that I've seen a bunch of times which normally help me to fall asleep. Nothing is doing the trick. I guess I'm just going through one of those bad phases.

So I'll be sleeping pretty close to the time we'll be meeting for pizza later today, then I'll pull an intentional all-nighter so I can get to the farm at 0800 on Monday am. I'll just be drinking me some coffee and playing video games and I'll be better off than if I tried to sleep.

I know I said no more dieting in my siggy, but I'm considering readopting the LC lifestyle once again. If it's for life, it's not "a diet." I've been reading the book and skimming through it most of the last few hours and I guess I haven't truly done it by the book for the last few attempts over the last few years. I just went by what I remembered was allowed and not allowed, but I see that I was having things in week one that weren't allowed. If I do it again, I'll go by the book religiously.

So, I hope I'm the only one of us who's burning the mid-night oil (as oposed to the midnight oil). Sleep well! Sweet dreams. And Chloe, go to your own big-girl bed! You can cuddle with all your toys and enjoy your musical things and stuff that I'm sure you have surrounding your nice, new bed. (Hint hint!)

No wind here yet, but I saw a wind advisory. Soungs great about the pending wedding plans and new baby in the future. I'm happy it's working out so well for the two of them. Keep your mitts off that kindle box!

[DebbyL]

Originally Posted by CherylB

I'll have to google that plan, Debby. You got me curious now. If that's ADD, where can I get some?

I know I said no more dieting in my siggy, but I'm considering readopting the LC lifestyle once again. If it's for life, it's not "a diet." I've been reading the book and skimming through it most of the last few hours and I guess I haven't truly done it by the book for the last few attempts over the last few years. I just went by what I remembered was allowed and not allowed, but I see that I was having things in week one that weren't allowed. If I do it again, I'll go by the book religiously.

Hi Cheryl,
Sorry you were up mid-night. I sent you a link to those glasses, on facebook. I see I probably put the wrong initials for my compulsive behavior. I was looking for OCD... tired.
Hope you have a lovely Sunday.

[CherylB]

Thanks, Deb. I'll go see if I can find that message you sent me. I appreciate it. OCD/ADD; whatever it is, send me some!

Just woke up at 1. Had to take a second Restoril around 2 am and still it took hours to get sleepy. This is not sustainable. I'm making a pot of coffee right now and then at 4:30 it's pizza and salad time with the family down the road from me.

Temps in the low 50's today! (But very windy.) Can't get my head around the weather fluctuations around here. Supposed to be in the teens and 20's tomorrow morning when I drag my fanny to the farm at 0800. I won't even attempt to sleep tonight. I'll keep busy and then just get dressed and go on Monday morning.

Have a lovely Sunday, ladies.

[tay65]

I liked the hint of Chloe sleeping in her bed! She would've if I could sleep in my dd's bed. Its not very comfortable for me.
Too bad you couldn't sleep last night. I think I was knocked out by 1. Chloe slept pretty good. Not as much tossing and turning as last time. She woke up very happy!
Not doing much today. I'm washing Chloe's clothes and not doing anything else.
I go for my epidural steroid injection tomorrow morning so glad its an UD! I won't have to be hungry and sore! LOL
Hope your pizza was yummy!

[CherylB]

I hope your epidural goes well. Enjoy your up day! I will be at the farm at 0800 and it's supposed to be 17 degrees! One good thing about the morning shift is that you're inside the stalls and the barn cleaning up, rather than in the afternoon where you're mainly outside in the elements. I'll focus on those pros and not the cons.

Pizza was good. I spent a large part of the time talking because my brother in law was asking me questions about the job and the facility and how they raise money, etc. It was fun to talk about it but it is hard to eat and talk at the same time. I think I ate three pieces.

A little diva like Chloe probably has a lot of clothes. How many loads did you have to do? How was your dd so far? (Down Day, not dear daughter.) I wish I could do JUDDD. I can't seem to live within its freedom and constraints.

I am going to see if I can find a way to watch some National Geographic programs online. I don't get that channel and there was a program on last night that I really wanted to see. I forget what it was now but I want to go snoop around to see if I can find it online. So, off I go!

Have a nice night. I'm sure I'll be on LCF throughout the night, keeping myself alert and awake for the morning shift.

[tay65]

My DD was a good one. I ended up at 500 calories. Now I better see a lower number on the scale.
Chloe has a lot of clothes, but I wash them often. I see a lg load and it goes in the washer! I do the same with mine because I can't spend all day washing clothes. My dh and dd do their own. Well sometimes he does dd's.
I'll be going to sleep early. I went to the kitchen to make tea and Chloe crawled in my bed and covered up! LOL My dd said she went into my room bc she saw chloe go in and she was quiet and found her in my bed.
We have to take Chloe with us to the dr tomorrow. Wonder how she'll like that ride. It takes 45-50 mins to get there.
Well, I'll talk to ya tomorrow. Good night.

[shipoo]

I have some news about my dog Cisco. I was brushing her tail the other day and noticed a bare patch of skin near the base of her tail. It reminded me of Mange but she's never had it, hasn't been scratching or chewing and hasn't been around any dogs that had it. I'm perplexed. Also, last week I noticed a scaly patch of skin on her back, near her shoulder blades. I thought it must have been a tick bite but couldn't imagine how she could have had a tick embedded in such an obvious place without me seeing it. I applied Neosporin and just figured it would go away. It's still there, and now this patch of skin on her tail.

I don't have a CLUE how she could have gotten something like this, if it is mange. I wonder if she got something at the groomers when I had her clipped all the way down and bathed right before Christmas. I'm going to call the groomer tomorrow and see if she's had any mangy dogs there and if she could have gotten it from that one day at her place. If it IS mange, I guess she needs special shampoo and I need to launder every friggin thing in this house. How am I going to do that? The house has wall-to-wall carpeting in all rooms except two.

I'll have to google this and see what the incubation period of mange is. I hope that's not what it is but what else could it be? Oy. She's clearly not itchy at all. She's not acting differently in any way. Eating and drinking as she always does.


Hi Cheryl, another Cheryl here who has been following you and lurking on your journal... I know you worry about money but just wanted to let you know the same thing happened to my eight year old dog and it was a tooth infection.. We had it pulled and he is now fine, after a week of antibiotics. The infection was going into his blood and affecting his skin so you might want to check her mouth. We had never had our dogs teeth cleaned who knew in my day we never had our dogs teeth cleaned, flip we never had our teeth cleaned.
Just to let you know I have been reading your journal for a couple of years now I love your honesty and your willingness to share your struggles with us.

[shipoo]

sorry the quote thing did not show up on my post, do not know what happened but I usually just lurk!

[CherylB]

A couple of years? I marvel when I hear that there are people who are just reading along, never saying a word. Well, thanks for telling me about your dog's tooth. I will have to look into my dear doggy's mouth and see if I can see anything. I never brush her teeth and the Vet has always remarked on how clean her teeth are. I figured it was due to giving her those thin rawhide chips (we call them "flippities" cause she flips them around when she's feeling frisky.)

So is he a Shih Tzu/Poodle mix? (Guessing that from your name and the Avi.) He's very cute. What other symptoms did he have during the whole infected tooth and bare patches on his skin thing? Did he have a warm nose, change in appetite, loose poopies? I really hope this is not a tooth because this old gal (aka ME) can't afford to go have her tooth pulled.

On to other news, I got an email tonight from the equine manager asking if one of us could fill in for her on February 12th in the morning and also for the noon feeding. It's a Tuesday so it will be rough doing three days in a row, but only one of those will be a morning. I told her I could do it. That will beef up my paycheck some, too. Now I need to pray for warm, happy weather for that week.

Hey Cheryl, thanks for what you said about my journal. I like hearing good reviews! I'm anything but steady and consistent but I keep slugging away.

It's 11:15 pm and I took my bedtime meds but skipped the stuff to make me sleep. That would only be a waste to take it when I have to get up so early. I know all too well how this will play out so I'm just going to stay busy and be there for 0800. It's going to be FRIGID. I hope I'll be able to move underneath all the clothes I'm going to be wearing.

I am going to wear pantihose underneath my pants, thick socks inside my clod-hopper all-weather boots, a thermal shirt, a sweater, a coat, a hat with cheek protection and then a pair of leather gloves. I may or may not put on one of those turtle neck type deals to keep my neck covered. Scarves just get in the way, and I've been told that sometimes the horses will grab one end of it and you can guess the rest. I can see why they'd do that because they are just plum BORED OUT OF THEIR GOURD in the winter.

I hope they can get that indoor arena built within the next few years. Then it won't matter what season we're in or whether it rains or shines. We will have space and protection. That could be a number of years down the road.

I've been on Youtube tonight, watching horse videos and I posted a few of them on Facebook. I'll post them here, too. Some are very cute. One just makes me exhausted! You'll see what I mean.

Adorable Dog (Frenchie!) Plays with NYPD Police Horse on...

Patches the Coolest Horse - YouTube

funny horse plays with jolly ball, cavallo, molto Bene, -...