Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Volunteering at the tennis tournament was fun yesterday and we got in more steps than usual walking back and forth to the clubhouse twice in addition to 2 long Justice walks. My knees were screaming at the end of the day. Time to open the pocketbook to buy better walking sneakers. Those things are expensive!

The chili was as good and filling as expected last night. Always a good jumpstart to cleaner eating. The beans do have a rather obvious effect on one's digestive system though (especially for DH)...

Justice has been barking a lot lately now that there are more people and dogs around our building. I don't mind when we are walking and he feels nervous/threatened by a dog he perceives as a problem especially as it doesn't happen often. But he gets startled here a lot when he hears people going in and out of their condos or deliveries being made. Has anyone ever used a bark collar? Would that be overkill on a small dog? I did see that there are collars that can be set with an audible or vibrating correction vs a shock. Thoughts on using one?

Time to take DH to golf. Have a whatever Wednesday!

Kirby has a citronella bark collar. It gives a beep warning, then sprays a citronella mist if he continues. He really only had to wear it a day for him to improve to the point where we could tolerate what barking he does. It stopped his barking in puppy school and the incessant barking when he was younger. Mostly he barks when he wants out of his crate (acceptable if he has to potty) or if he's mad about being in his playpen (he stops after a while). I guess I figure there is telling me something barking and barking that is super annoying. I don't mind the telling me something barking. But the other it did a great job of stopping. I would share the one we got, but i don't think it was adjustable enough for different pitches of barking.

5am wake up call again. Argh! The sun is trying to come out today, but I think there is a chance for more rain tomorrow. I've had the pool cover open to catch the rain. I forget how pretty it is without the cover! I guess it helps with evaporation in this dry climate. They weren't a thing in CA.

Kirby is getting his rabies shot today. I'm also going to ask about a different pill for his second worming treatment.

We're going for Chinese tonight. Wednesdays are eating out night.

Not much else going on here!

Is it safe to ignore him like a baby when they need to shift their schedule (and don't have anything wrong)? Or do you think he will have an accident?

The problem is he has to poop in the morning! So I don't want to ignore that. Then he's up and won't resettle. So he whips himself up in his crate and there is no sleeping through the barking and crying. Or I leave him out of the crate and he wants to chew on the rug or cry for me to pay attention to him, trying to get on the bed, etc. If he could poop more at night or more during the day maybe it wouldn't be such an emergency at 5am... I do ignore his being upset to be in his playpen (usually it's because he's painfully biting people in play).

Greetings all

A mostly dry day here but no sun. At least there is little wind.

DH still has his toothache. Dentist referred him to endontist whose office has yet to return calls. Hurry up and wait. Inadequate health care here.

So I am going to make some lentil soup tonight. A variation on Liz's theme. Canned broth and lentils and some veggies. Hope it will please DH who is cranky because he does not feel well.

We have a bark collar for Tesla. We only use it when she goes outside. If the weather is nice she will stay out in the yard barking for hours. So this collar gives a warning tone first and if barking does not stop, a shock. It works well. Not sure I would use it in the house though. It's only because she goes to the fence and barks at the neighbor dogs who bark back. Poppy does not bark much. No clue why. You can also buy a gadget that emits a high pitched tone when dogs bark. Our neighbor had one and it worked well for her as her dogs make horrid noise.. Ultrasonic bark control. Might be better for Justice inside.

Went to the gallery today to take new stuff. Also spent some time at the studio. I actually decided to clean up stuff there. Too much for one day so I started with cleaning off my desk and the top drawer. I have tons of little tools and stamps and the drawer also had lots of clay crumbs in it. Got rid of those which was time consuming since I had to pick all the paper clips out. But I got the desk top picked up and wiped down. I need to go through these tools and paint brushes as I don't use most of them. They can go to the main studio.

Board meeting tomorrow and I can't find the financials. Oh well.

CC how often does Kirby eat? Timing of meals may affect timing of poop.

New shoes arrived! Hope to try them on the treadmill this evening. Yes I am still doing that. Not much else in the way of healthy habits.

Time to feed dogs. And look for financials.

Diane

He eats at 6:30am, noon, and 4:30. 1 cup each time.

Liz, bark collars come in all sizes and strengths. This one looks like a great starting point. Uses vibrations only. small dog bark collar

CC, will send you a text about adjusting potty schedules. It's pretty easy - most of the time.

Today is day 3 of no sugar. Day 1 was pretty easy, but I did have moments of cravings. Yesterday was easier. Today, Day 3 which is usually the hardest day for me when I lower carbs or sugar, has been tougher. I have not caved, nor will I, but whew! I woke up mentally HUNGRY, so breakfast was rather a lot for me - 2 hard boiled eggs, a Fairlife Protein drink, and a small breakfast burrito. Oddly, I didn't even feel full after. Lunch hunger seemed normal, but then this afternoon I absolutely had to eat. I made myself some greek yogurt with blueberries. It's taken away the hunger, but I have that feeling of "eat more... Feed me, Seymour!" LOL

I do not expect to lose much weight until I also reduce overall carbs, but I am determined to make manageable steps that set me up for success, not failure. Lowering carbs will come in the coming weeks. Eliminating sugar is monumental enough at this point.

Down to two pups and will have them now until April. They are both very sweet puppies. We started last night acclimating them into the household. Buster and Molly are very good at being older siblings (which they actually are.... same parents, different litters), but are a little too rough with their play still.

Liz, CC, how fun that you get to meet up and break bread! Hope you have a great time. Did we ever come to an agreement on a group meet up? Would be fun!

While it is a wet Wednesday here, I hope the rest of you have sun, no matter the temperature. Sun is good. Sun is my friend. I'm more of a rain, rain go away type of guy!

I think someone should throw a suggestion for a group meet out on TT - Maybe CC and I can discuss possibilities next week?

A Whatever Wednesday would be a good description for today!

I come to the end of the day, so, so tired. Some of it is the Wegovy. When I take the shot at this highest dose, I am very fatigued for a day or two. It starts waning as the week goes on. I have been spacing the shots out every 9 days instead of 7 (which is within the usage guidelines, you can go 2 days earlier or 2 days past your last shot), just to give myself some breathing room. Yesterday I met with the PA at my WLS clinic. She said she can now write my prescription for one step down, the 1.7, rather than the 2.4. I asked about maintenance once I am done trying to lose weight. She said I would qualify, because I've lost more than 5% of my starting body weight. So then I asked, how does it work? Do you keep stepping down until you stop losing weight? The answer is no, you continue on 1.7 or 2.4 forever. So I guess the line between weight loss and maintenance is kind of fuzzy. I'll finish my month of 2.4, and then go back to 1.7. If I continue to lose weight, which I would anticipate, well I have a good amount I could still afford to lose. I am in no danger of getting too thin. I guess it will work like WLS, one day you adjust, restriction eases a bit, and you stop losing. And also, one day I will be on Medicare, and my maintenance doses will be over, unless something changes in the next 2.5 years!

DH is going to Boston on Friday to visit our daughter. I have a few plans for the weekend, just enough to get me out of the house, and still have large chunks of unstructured time.