Sat July 6

Weight 118.8 (yuck), calories 1401. I had the insides of a phenomenal lobster roll, a few fries and some white wine while sitting on an outside deck on the harbor. All calories were worth it.

Last night was good in light of DH's rough day. He didn't get up until 11 am, having gone to bed at 7:30 pm the night before. He cried for his first 1/2 hour up because he said he couldn't talk. He had tried to talk with a friend on the phone and couldn't get enough words out. He was better after a quiet day during thunderstorm activity. We picked DSD up from the island ferry and went to the previously mentioned restaurant. Then we came back home and chatted again (with a little more white wine). I think his day ended up much better than it started.

Not sure what today will be. The thunderstorms did clear the air a lot. It is 60 degrees here at 7:30 am with a slight breeze and low humidity so it could be a kayak day or a beach day or a walk day...

Have a super restful Saturday (sounds like several of you need that)!

My heart goes out to DH. It must be absolutely terrifying KNOWING that he can't get the words out. I have wondered at times if it is not more pleasant for the Alzheimer's patient once the awareness of what is happening has vanished. I don't know, of course, but it does cross my mind. I really do empathize with both of you. Alzheimer's is a lose lose in any relationship. Hugs!

Funny you should say that. I think it is true. Hard on the caretaker but easier on the person afflicted once they are past knowing what is going on.

Ditto your last line right back at you. Sounds like a kayak moment is in order. I think having that paddle in your hands and the ability to have things "go where you will them- you to go" would be a pleasant experience for a change. What you can, do-

147.8

And a great morning to all! Love getting on and finding all the wonders that everyone is experiencing. Cecily, I am so glad your air came back on. Heat and humidity together are miserable. I think if I was with you last night, I would have been down on the floor with the dog!

Puppies, puppies, puppies.....My one experience with puppies is this- We had a lab/shepherd, Zero, who's first (and last) litter produced a whopping 11 puppies. When they were about 3-4 weeks old, she carried them one by one approximately 1/2 mile west down one road then south down another, and deposited them neatly in the grassy ditch by the road. A farmer working his field watched her do this (took her all morning and into the afternoon), and, noting the direction, late in the day,after he was finished in the field, he found the only place around (us) to ask if we had such a dog with new pups. We went down to the barn, and, yep--there she was, chilling alone, sans pups, a martini in one paw, cigarette in the other, as if the whole pup experience were just a bad dream. We went down, gathered the fluff balls up and returned them to Zero, who, pretending nothing was amiss, accepted them and all was well. We figured she may have just been overwhelmed - who knows? If the farmer had not seen or looked for us, I do believe her intention was to have "dumped " them. We certainly would never have found them.

Tomorrow is cookie day at church, so off to play in the kitchen. Thinking of you, specially, Paula- let that paperwork set a day and breath peace. Wonder what marvelous sights Ann is experiencing?

Scales say no change. Clothes lied. Eating is good except for a run on bacon tomato sandwiches. Bread was thin, bacon was thin and the tomatoes were great. Worth it but I have been watching a channel on the benefits of fasting. Do not know if i can do it. But i am getting closer to giving it a go. I will still maintain my coffee intake.

Devon, Puppies arrival, Yea! It is a good thing you are taking Aug off from grooming because I think those pups are going to keep you busy. Must have been in your plan.

Carbon, Sometimes the revolving door is a good thing. Sigh of peace when everything is calm again.

Cecily, Glad your air came back on. It is actually cool 70s here today. Very unusual for July. I can see driving around just for the AC.

Diane O, canoeing sound fun. I tipped a kayak getting out of it pre WLS. I was wearing an inflatable life jacket. Let?s just say if it had been on video it would have gone viral. Stay safe.

Diane S, You are in the best area to save old growth trees. I do not want to see them cut but I can not help but looking at them as a massive furniture projects.

Liz, hope the outings works out for today.

Shel, have you ever thought of going into a hiking guide service? You go to some pretty cool spots. I looked up 10 essential pack items for hiking. I do not know how to stop with ten.

More later, David

Greetings My Fin Furry Friends

Fur is the word today. 6 plus new fur babies on the planet. Just love those little newborn puppy ears - they are like little leather tabs. So cute. Hope they are all born by now and everyone is resting. Glad to see them all visiting the Dairy Queen.

148 today. Having a lousy cold makes for weight loss. I don't recommend it. Off early to the dog show. DH came along. Today I had to show Tesla myself as her breeders had too much to do. She did pretty well (for Peps, she reserved to a 4 point major but the winner's ***** looked like a coonhound puppy handled by a 10 year old). For others, Reserve means first runner up. Not bad in a large entry and considering Tesla has ZERO self control. But she was very happy all day and thought the whole show was for her.

More adventures at the Hotel Carbon! Guests are fun but tiring. You must live in a beautiful summer spot that everyone wants to visit. Enjoy and don't stress.

Liz, so sorry that you have to witness the decline of your DH. Hard on both of you. My mother went through that with the Parkinsens disease as well as the physical loss of motion. Not much advice. My mother liked to put together jig saw puzzles and we got kids level ones later on. Also she liked the adult coloring books but she was wheel chair bound.

Dave good to hear from you. I see those pictures of Lola and Adalyn on FB and just melt. So adorable. And hey, you don't have to chop down redwoods to make furniture. There are lots of old barns and structures around here built of old growth redwood and lots of people reclaim that wood when an old structure comes down. One artist at our gallery has a whole barn full.

Yep Shel needs to start a hiking guide service for women. "Former Fat Chicks Adventures".Hey, whats the name of your eco fiction book? Now I wanna read it since I know the source.

Cecily so glad you have AC back. 110 degrees in a compression garment? I would have sat in the car too. Or laid in an empty bathtub. People at dog shows spray mist on their dog's bellies to cool them down.

Well after all this early morning activity I need a nap. Coffeed out for once. Diane S

Went to bed at 5, got up at 7:30 to feed Ferg and take my pills and went back to sleep until 10:30. Then napped in the cool a/c from 3-4.

I did run out to Target and Nordstrom this afternoon. Wooo it's humid and hot today! And the poor folks at Nordy's - their air had been out yesterday and was limping today. The salespeople were saying they were just sweating all day. At least I didn't have to work in my house and be nice to people! I picked up some smaller compression workout pants and some new undies that aren't supposed to give me panty lines in my smaller compression pants. I also got some Spanxs. I want to ditch the serious compression gear in MI. The workout pants mean one pair of pants and the Spanxs might widen my wardrobe choices.

Ferg keeps wanting to go for walks. I let him out to potty, but walking is rough in these temps, not to mention crossing the asphalt street seems cruel on those paws. We'll go out when the sun goes down.

Ordering dinner in as I didn't get to the store and my fridge is full of spoiled food. The advice is less than 4 hours of no electricity or no more than 2 hours over 40 degrees in there. I didn't open it at all while the power was out, but it was 9.5 hours and it was 46 in there when it came back on. Gotta empty it.

So excited for the puppies!! Their coloring makes them look like little Dobermans or Rottweilers. MissBonnie, your description of your mama dog cracked me up.

I have survived! Mama dog and I rested for several hours this afternoon. I probably got an almost 4 hour nap session in! Yay me! She retained 3 placentas, but one has definitely passed. Gave her an oxytocin injection to help her pass the remaining two, but I think her uterus is just plain done. Hopefully, they will pass on their own.

Placenta retention in dogs is a problematic issue. Some experts insist that the ***** has to pass the placentas to avoid infection. Others hold that it is normal to retain a few placentas, that they will break down naturally in the uterus and be expelled over the first few weeks postpartum. Either way, I prefer to have them all out and accounted. They may be life giving while in utero, but once not needed, they are vile, icky things that need to be flushed! TMI - they rot pretty quickly inside a dog that has a normal temperature of 100-101 degrees. The smell is quite something.

Of course, my morning ablutions consisted of nothing more than flossing and brushing my teeth. I have no idea what weight is today. Yesterday weight was stable. In the throes of labor and delivery (14 hours of delivery time...) I did not make great eating choices. Ron bought Pepperidge Farm Milanos to keep us sustained throughout the night. Since they were there, I ate them. I don't know. Maybe 6 between midnight and noon. Maybe 8. Lord only knows.

Ron leaves for Denver tomorrow for a few days. A family event from which I have now excused myself. I would much rather have the puppies than go to a prestigious lawyer association event to which I have no connection. (Ron's baby half sister is getting installed as the Prez of the association. The job is very prestigious and even comes with a stipend to rent a home in DC for the duration of her term. For many years the association OWNED a townhouse in DC for the prez. But they realized it was actually cheaper to pay the stipend instead, not have maintenance and property taxes, etc... Damn - must be nice, but I still don't think I'd want the gig!) I am looking forward to a few days of solitude. Just dogs, puppies, and me!

So, once recuperation is complete in the sleep department, I want to really focus in now on not just eating well and maintaining the sugar free lifestyle, but I want to begin to focus on losing some pounds.

Soldier on...