Sunday, February 18, 2018

Weight 116.2, calories 1239. We went out to dinner last night and I had some wine, but the calories were more in line with where they should be rather than broaching 2000. I much prefer having my weight bouncing around here than up at the top of my range!

In exactly 2 months we return home. I?m going to have to have some strategies on keeping DH and me busy at home, because it will be very different than having so much going on right down the end of our street.

Today we are going to a grandmother shower (gifts are children's books). Should be fun! This week BIL arrives on Wednesday and I have to get the car registered in Florida. That will seem weird.

Thanks for the compliment on the avatar, Paula. I had my hair cut and highlighted so thought I should change it. It is lighter than usual, but I think the stylist did a better job than my one at home. But sticker shock! 25% more than at home, which was much higher than when I lived in central Massachusetts. It was worth it (you can't hide bad hair).

Have a supportive Sunday!

Supah Sunday!

I signed up for the earliest work out I could just in case it snowed so that I could both work out and take my daughter to work. There is no snow. This, despite my neighbor Jim forecasting "big snow" because the murder of crows flew to school earlier than usual.

(We have crows. They all seem to roost at the local University of WA campus. During the day, they terrorize my husband by attacking his manicured lawn. It can be quite a sight when they bunch together to head for their nighttime roost)

There was an article in the NYT's about yoga pants. I won't link but basically it was saying that woman should just (for heavens sakes!) wear sweat pants and feel ok about it. Well, of course that is true. But, still, I enjoy knowing that I CAN wear yoga pants every time I pull them on.

Liz, I don't post MFP calories because eventually that publicity would play on my dysfunctional brain. But, I do find it interesting my daily calories don't vary all that mu*****ontrast to yours. Not good, nor bad. Just different. On a rare day that I find myself in 3 digits, I do feel somehow smug and pleased with myself rather than neutral. No surprise there, I suppose, after a lifetime of trying to do exactly that.

Ann, thinking of you everyday. Hugs! Hugs! Hugs! Also, I don't know what to do with a plantain here on US soil. There was a Ghanian dish...foofoo???? that I had once in Africa. But, curious what you are doing with them.

Another topic in my crowded brain. DD is saying that she is going on my Redwood trip. I suspect that she will say that right up to the morning of, and then won't go because she isn't feeling well and "I don't think I should go if I am not feeling my best" or some such teenage nonsense. (She does that sort of thing all the time.)

I don't want someone on a road trip with me that doesn't want to be there and honestly I am so flexible in my plans that losing a plus-one doesn't bother me. But it does hurts my feelings when she changes her mind. The one or two times I have mentioned my disappointment pushed her into a dramatic outburst. So, I tell everyone "that is ok" but there is a part of me that is really saddened by that.

Whew. Time to go sweat it out.

Hug your skinny, Shel

Morning! I'm finally starting to feel human again, after a nasty cold. I was feeling somewhat better yesterday and even went to see Peter Rabbit with DH and DD, but by last night I was zoned out. I think today I'll just lay low.

Liz, I love your new avatar, and your hair looks great! What about checking with local Alzheimer's group on what's available nearby? They may have some suggestions. You are very resourceful, and I know you'll come up with some ideas.

Shel, I read the article you posted about self-care and it was spot on! I hear you on the disappointment with your DD. At that age, they are so wrapped up in themselves, and Mom/Dad have always been there for them, that I think they don't look at us as humans with feelings. I've been quite stung by my older DD many times, and just had to act as if all was ok, to keep the peace. I just hope that some day they'll get it. My older DD has shown signs of that off and on, so there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Weight is down a whopping 0.2 lbs. since my physical. I know it's a combination of eating for comfort while sick, and far less movement. I kept the carbs low, but I know I ate too many calories. I think on Friday, which was the worst of it, I didn't even take 2000 steps. Trying to be kind to myself, but the old beat myself up tapes are in the background, ready to pounce. I keep trying to remember what Devon said in a recent post "what will happen if I just don't eat that?", though the pull of "but I want it" is counteracting it - they're neck and neck at this point.

Have a great Sunday! Hugs, Mary

Glad that you are beginning to feel better. I am prone to eating for comfort when sick, too. DH, in contrast, doesn't eat when sick. I'm always a bit envious of that!

Good morning ! We had enough snow to shovel, but I am obsessive about wanting the driveway clear. I do enjoy the exercise ! I'm sure Devon can explain the whole nature v. nurture predisposition to undesired behaviors thing, but a ***** with aggressive/protection issues has no business being breed. As I understand it, that unwanted trait is becoming more and more common in spaniel terrier mixes, and dogs with those known traits are allowed to breed, which just strengthens the potential and severity of the problem. Apparently, upon further investigation, this puppy's lineage was rich in aggression/protection tendencies. They are passed along genetically and through poor parenting, where mama reinforces this behavior in pups. It is so critical that the disposition of several generations be considered before buying a puppy. The inability to do that with rescues is why I would never rescue certain breeds or an unknown mix.

Dinner out was fabulous ! We shared some pickled calamari and capers then I had salmon and brussel sprouts, bring home enough for two more meals. Neither of us could consider dessert. We discussed plans to start building raised garden beds, always a sure sign that winter will end !

Keep fighting the good fight !

Oh, got it, then, about the no-business-breeding thing. I used to work with a woman that had nationally ranked obedience Rottweilers. She said her dogs were of show quality, too. She wasn't a breeder. When selecting a new puppy, her priorities were temperament, temperament and then temperament in the parents/lineage.

She is a pharmacist. When working solo in an independent store (so little to no other staff) she would bring a Rottie with her and have him laying in the back. When a sketchy person came up to the counter, she would point out the dog, give a signal, and the dog would wave to the sketchy person. She said one wave immediately cleared the atmosphere.

So, let me put something out there:

Desinger Dogs (all the doodles and the yorkie mixes, etc...) are all nothing but MUTTS! Albeit, expensive as hell mutts! END. OF. SUBJECT.

If I offend anyone with that comment, I can't offer an apology. It is the truth. Those are cross bred mixes, lovingly referred to as mutts in the world of purebred dogs. Even Labradoodles have no genotype that is consistent! Now that that's out of the way, think about this: What self respecting breeder of purebred dogs is going to muck up his or her breeding program by intentionally crossbreeding or let one of their well bred dogs be bred to a dog of another breed? Answer: There aren't any!!!!!!

That means that the breeders of most of these dogs start with dogs of questionable backgrounds, questionable pedigrees, questionable temperaments and physical soundness, and possible predisposition to genetic and autoimmune diseases. The breeders of these dogs may not start out intentionally breeding for profit, but those who continue to cross breed and sell the pups generally make some good cha-ching!

Temperament testing, CHIC tests and clearances go out the window while the market, demanding of designer dog breeds, continues to grow and flourish. A good example is my dental hygienist. She has a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. The two dogs bred, which resulted in a litter of 4 pups. She put the pups on Craig's List and sold them that way.

Some people believe that since Cross Bred dogs are genetically diverse, the get of the breeding will also be genetically stronger. People often refer to this as "hybrid vigor". Nothing could be farther from the truth. Here is a quick down and dirty list of Morkie health issues/concerns:

• Eye, ear, and oral issues
• Collapsed trachea - when the rings of the trachea are weakened and collapse in on itself
• Reverse sneezing - air is pulled rapidly into the nose
• Hypoglycemia - low blood sugar
• Portosystemic shunt - a liver problem where there is an abnormal connection between the portal vein (or one of its branches) and another vein.
• Patella Luxation - slipped knee joint

So you can see, the "hybrid vigor" theory loses strength with this evidence.

Anecdotally, I have noted the difference between my brother's Labradoodle and my Jackson. My brother's dog, Toby is not quite 11. Jackson is almost 13. Toby suffers from anxiety, is on Carprofen daily, as well as, pain medication daily to help him deal with degenerating spinal disease. His body structure is that of a heavy working lab supported by Poodle lets. He has a mixed coat, yellow eyes and is the color of a Weimaraner. For many years he was uncomfortable around men. He has known me since he was a pup, but didn't stop barking and retreating from me until he was about 7 years old. We are now good pals, but it took many years for him to trust me. To top it all off, he was sold to my brother with a toe that had broken, didn't heal and needed to be amputated.

My Jackson is a 13 year old Airedale. His parents were screened for cardiac health, had their hip structures tested and cleared by one of the top veterinary schools in the USA. Jackson has hips that are better than 80% of the dogs in the data base that have been tested. He has no arthritis and at 13 (well, he is a few weeks away from his 13th b'day) is still active and playful. He does have a minor heart murmur, but health wise that's it. He is a healthy pup. When I got Jackson, he had been fully vaccinated, was well socialized, had already been screened for hip health, and had gone through puppy kindergarten. I paid $1,200 for Jackson. Toby, on the other hand, had never been outside of his breeder's yard or house. He was behind on vaccinations and had a toe that needed to be amputated. My brother paid $2.500 for Toby.

So, does it surprise me that the spaniel terrier mix had issues? Not so much. I'm hoping that this little pup was not an intentional breeding, but a breeding of happenstance. There is never a guarantee on how puppies will turn out, but those of us who have been doing this for years and years do all we can to hedge our bets so we produce physically and mentally sound puppies.

Greetings Accomplished People

Funny thing to think of accomplishments on a slothful Sunday but reading through todays posts made me think of how accomplished we all are and not just in the world of weight. However, in the weight world I have accomplished nothing except not gaining. 144.5. I really do better when out and about for the day rather than weekend stay home days.

Yep Liz, your new pic is great. And a grandma shower with books sounds great. In my paper disposal (which resembles an archeological dig) I found a couple of hand made puzzles that I bought a while back. They will get shipped to my grand nephew age 2. I also found the stickers for my car which I had neglected to attach. Several bags of paper went to the recycle.

Well Shel, I hope your DD comes with you on the redwood adventure but teens are teens. It will be her loss as there is so much cool stuff here. Check out the university in addition to nature stuff. Tell me your dates and plans so we can meet up. Love the rottie story. (auto correct wants to put in hottie).

Ann, thinking of you and what you have ahead of you this week. Wishing you peace.

Momsy glad you are feeling better. Being sick sucks. All our medical friends will tell you to take it easy.

Shel, your neighborhood sounds like a Hitch**** movie. Crows everywhere. We have a lot of them too but also seagulls who hang out at McDonalds looking for french fries. And there is this one place with an egret aviary that is cool to look at. I will show you.

Yep Diane O is right about not breeding dogs with bad temperament. In the world of purebred dogs, temperament is important as is absence of hereditary health issues. Cranky dogs should not reproduce. Oh were that true for people!!

Hmm, plantains. I see them at the store but I also have no clue what to do with them. Time for a google search.

Well today I will continue the archeological dig on my desk and see what is discovered. But first I must go discover more coffee. Hmm, I wonder who first figured out it was good to drink. Another google search.

Diane S

I am so looking forward to the trip and Redwoods clearing my internal atmosphere, so to speak.

Here's what I know about dates which isn't much: leave Seattle no earlier than March 19th and have to be back on or before the 29th. Plans will tighten up as I figure out what hikes to do, where. I figure there will be a couple of opportunities for Arcata, first as I head south and then come back north. You are going to be sick of me.

I picked up stuff from AAA yesterday including a brochure on Humboldt county (whi*****luded a picture of a fake CA Sasquatch) so now I am particularly excited.

Speaking of people who need their atmosphere scrubbed, I showed the brochure to DD who didn't demonstrate enough awe for me as she noted "we studied these in 4th grade! I know all about the Redwoods!" Well, an expert in my own house.

For a while, I was thinking of bringing Buster if DD comes (fun for all) but dogs aren't allowed on the Redwood trails so that will be a no-go.

I am not sure how far south I will go. I told DD that I will for sure go to San Francisco for a couple of days if she comes. If she doesn't, I'm not so sure. How nice are the Muir Redwoods? I don't mind crowds or that park's need for reservations. But, don't want to get there and then be overly underwhelmed. There is a lot to do, everywhere, so maybe I don't NEED the Muir Redwoods if it means I am going to miss out on something else.

I plan a beach hike, too, on the....the.....lost coast??? I'm learning the names of things. Half the fun is exploring the possibilities.

Hey Shel, sounds like your plans are underway. As I feared, the wedding we are attending in Long Beach is going to fall in the middle of your trip. We are going March 22-27. So I hope we can overlap at some point.

I have not been to the Muir woods in a very long time but I would not bother driving all the way to SF for that. Its a 5-6 hour drive. Plenty of redwoods up here and for sure fewer people. There are never crowds here. So do other stuff in SF like Alcatraz or Golden Gate Park.

I highly recommend Fern Canyon and the hikes there. Prairie Creek State Park. But it might be early in the season to get in there. Its a winding gravel road that crosses a couple of creeks and if its too wet its closed. Elk herd there. Also Milton Drury Scenic Highway. This stuff is north of me 20 miles or so. But around here there are beaches with long areas to walk. Also Trinidad Head which is a hike up a big peninsula that sticks out into the ocean and has a working light house on top. Trinidad is where one of my art galleries is and its a lovely little fishing village. Full of nutty people.

Further south is Avenue of the Giants. Lots of hikes through redwoods there plus campy little tourist places. Also College Cove/Elk Head. An easy and beautiful hike but a mountain lion attacked a man there a few years back.

One thing to think about is security. Some of these trail heads are not very populated and you might be the only car there. I once had my car broken into at a beach. I had nothing of value in there except an old trac phone. I think creepy people hang out in the woods and watch. So keep all valuables on you and don't be seen locking them in the trunk.

Maybe in my excavating I will find the missing hike book.

More later.

Diane S