Pre-Fill Update

Back from our trip-Austin/Houston/Waco, home. The good-herds of deer, some of which ate from my hand, a whole pride of feral kittens who I adopted and fed well while I was there, a train ride with my parents, seeing other relatives.  Made good food choices for the most part. The bad-Full wall of mirrors in the dining room AND surrounded by mirrors bathroom jacquizzi.  I am not ready for that much ME yet.  Since I don't spend a lot of time in front of mirrors in general, it was a bit of a shock and I had nothing really to compare it to.  But I was there and the mirrors were there, so I looked and decided that my face looked a bit smaller and I was pleased with how my scars are healing. I'll be back Friday with some real stats. Fingers crossed everyone!

Just remember - we get to pick and choose which mirrors we like!  Also, when you do look in the mirror - make yourself look for the changes!  They are there!  And don't be critical of yourself - we must be positive! Did you take before pictures?  You should always carry one with you so you remember what you did look like. Life is too short to take seriously - have fun with your new life - sounds like you already are with your venturing out with your folks! My only wish...you should have taken me with you.  I've got some family in/near Waco that I could have said 'howdy' to. Tonja

I woke up twice this  morning with a very strong conviction that I should stay home today.  I'm not a spooky traveler but I really feel that Iwill am needed here, so I cancelled my flight and I'll figure out what it all means.   My gut is telling me it has nothing to do with 9/11 but more to do with something I am supposed to do/handle here.

I say to always pay attention to your gut feelings!  I'm a major spontaneous person - but - when the gut says otherwise - I pay attention! You are in my prayers for a wonderful day! Tonja

It all worked out-I was able to get some things taken care of here, including verifying that my heater is working.  I hated to leave it untried with cold weather coming in and a houseful of reptiles.  I'd be heartbroken if something were to happen that I could have prevented. And, on my way back from Houston I will pick up Bitty, a small 11 year old chihuahua who has just lost her "mom".  She's having trouble bonding with anyone, and I'm hoping that she'll like my Mom or me.  If she's just anti social, she's welcome to live out her remainng days here in peace, or she's more than welcome to any available lap.  Little old lady dogs are hard to place because they are typically spoiled beyond belief, and one that old and tiny would have trouble fitting in to many households.  But I have my own tiny old lady dog, as well as a tiny YOUNG dog spoiled by an old lady (my Mom) and a couple of random misfits who I just adore.   The whole truth is that I was probably more distraught about the old dog than any 9/11 fears or immediate worry about my parents.  So now Bitty will have a forever home, the snakes and lizards will not freeze and I'll still get my fill and finally know what I weigh.  Alls well that ends well.

You sound like me..weeks before cold weather and I am checking out everything in advance....

Well a night at 50 could be fatal for a tropical snake.  70 is about as low as they can go without encountering some problems and I just wouldn't feel right going off until I was certain the heater would kick on-and and off.  In Dallas I left the heater on in a new duplex and didn't return for several hours.  It never went off, and poor Elvis was in bad shape-snakes can't thermoregulate by panting-they are whatever the ambient temperature is.  Elvis made it-and is still with me to this day, but I'd hate for it to happen again.