My Girls

I don't usually post pictures of my girls on the Web. I'm just not sure who's lurking out there. But this photo is just too cute. If you didn't know any better, you'd think they were angels.

Today I am Thankful

I am thankful for:
1. being alive
2. two beautiful dogs
3. good friends, old and new
4. a home
5. family, and
6. a job (just having a job in this economy).

That's my top six.

I Don't Work Error Free

A friend of mine said, "I don't work error free." And I add to that, "neither does anyone else."

I'm eager to get back to my routine. I love my pups more than anything, but I need something beyond four legs and a tail. The pups never disagree with me. They go along with anything I say. Thank goodness I have a friend who often says to me, "You know better than that." The gym awaits me.

When I watch the Biggest Loser, it is often disappointing to me. Not because of how tough the trainers are. Or how tough the diets are. I expect those things. It's the petty game playing. I couldn't live a bunch of people I would prefer to b@#*h slap than talk to. But people love a train wreck. I guess that's why the show is popular.

Next week, December 1, I'm getting serious again. I feel more ready now than I have in a while. I think I just truly needed a break. My body feels more healed. I'm still struggling with sinus things, but I'll be doing that for the rest of the winter. And I need the exercise. So do the dogs. Once I get going, they will, too.

Ok. I hear my dogs getting a little wild in the living room. So I'll be going for now. TTFN.

My Life is Waiting

OK. My latest resolution is to start all over again on December 1. The puppy is becoming acclimated to a schedule. I should be able to get back to my routine. Hell, I needed this break anyway--at least that's what I'm telling myself. I also have this week off from work--which is much needed. I haven't had a full week off since last year at this time. I hoping this is what I need anyway. Actually, I need some kind of motivation beyond what I currently have. Ugh.

I Am Everyday People

I don't know why, but this song has been stuck in my head for the last 24 hours--at least. I'll try to post again later. I'm planning on going to the gym sometime today. Enjoy.

Wasted Days and Wasted Nights--the Edited Version

I'm not sure where to start. This week has been a dilly to say the very least. If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that my job is a source of much stress for me. Well, this week it lived up that and more. And the week ended with a real bang.

I am supposed to be the editor of a magazine. I say supposed to be because I have no real power--none. I spend time working out production schedules that really don't mean anything to anybody. In other words, a deadline means nothing. The magazine is always late. Always. I work at WVU. I have no power. I cannot emphasize that enough. Anyway, my time could be better spent writing grants to bring in new projects or other money. The time I spend writing a production schedule is simply wasted time. And my feeling lately is that the time I spend working on the magazine is wasted time as well. I'm sick of it. This week was no exception. I could go into great detail, but I'll refrain because I would have to name names, and there's no way to protect the innocent because there aren't any. The people I work with have no respect for me, and I have learned to hate my job.

I left work yesterday and had to stop at the supermarket to pick up a prescription. While I was inside, I wanted to buy a package of pumpkin cookies and eat all of them in the car. I didn't but the temptation was certainly there.

Last night I dreamed that I was staying in an apartment building where someone else who lived there wanted to kill me. Once again, I had a very detailed dream. The first time I realized someone wanted me dead, I noticed that after I had been out someone had tried to break into my apartment. I had covered my front door with this super strength stainless steel. That kept the intruder from totally breaking down the door. I did, however, notice that the would-be intruder used a lot of force to try to break in, leaving behind many dents, pry marks, and other assorted intruder evidence.

The dream was really much more detailed than I'll continue to describe. But it would take too much space. Later the determined assassin attempted to gain entry through a door that had been left unlocked. This door also was a very heavy steel door with at least two heavy duty power lock bolts that, when securely shut, would prevent any attacker from gaining entry. I had to hold the door with feet to keep him from walking right in and killing me. I eventually got the door closed, and the power locks engaged. Next he tried to gain entry at the front door again. But this time, a workman at the apartment building had drilled a hole through the front of the door that went straight into my apartment. Anyone could put a gun through it and kill me. I had to escape.

The next part of the dream involved elevators and my fear of getting on one and the being stuck on it with my assassin. But I managed to get other people to escort me.

Anyway I ended up outside. But now my assassin had put off a mustard bomb (chlorine) that was quickly filling the building. I held a rag over face to avoid breathing in the gas, but it was causing my eyes to water. I ran to the exit, but felt I couldn't leave the others behind and instructed people to exit through the doorway to safety. The gas was overcoming me, but I managed to escape. There was a little more to it, but those are the main highlights.

The main theme was that someone was tyring to kill me and was willing to go to any length to accomplish that goal. Also, in the dream I continue to try to save other people, even though they appear oblivious to the wolf at the door. I think it's my job and the people I work with.

How do I get God to answer my prayers? How do I get Him to help me find the motivation to either: (a)insist upon the job I want at my current job or (b) find something else that will be a good job in this economy that won't suddenly disappear in a short while leaving me in a lurch? Or how do I get Him to let me win the lottery? (Wouldn't that be nice?)

I cannot go on like this. Please God. Help me. I have no power, and I have absolutely no control.

How much has Caleb grown?

Still Sick

I dropped Chance off at the vet this morning to have his teeth cleaned. I hate leaving him there. He has gained six pounds. I don't know how with all the exercise he gets. I guess I'm feeding him more than I think. I can't believe he's gained that much in such a short time. I guess we all need to watch what we're eating.

I was tagged to write seven weird things about myself. I haven't come up with the list yet. I will later.

I'm still sick. And it sucks big time. When will I get better?

It's A Dog's Life

I came into work late today because I did not feel well this morning. My sinuses are killing me. (Why do people always various things are "killing them"? Imagine what that would look like if it were true.) I spilled a diet coke down the front of my shirt, now it looks like my right boob is leaking. I did not go to the gym today nor did I walk the dogs. It's raining and my head hurts.

Top Ten things I've learned since I got the new puppy:

1. It takes longer to house break a puppy than I would like.
2. No matter what you have in your hand, they think it's food.
3. Yes, dogs can be jealous of each other.
4. One dog will pretty much eat anything if it thinks the other dog is going to eat it—including broccoli.
5. Anything is a chew toy—my slippers, used tissues, unpaid bills. . . .
6. Life is better with dogs than without them.
7. They get excited—ecstatic—about going for a walk
8. Life is exciting for dogs—even the little things like a fallen leaf, a wooly worm, a pat on the head.
9. For dogs, nothing is better than a good nap.
10. And I have no doubt that dogs have the ability to feel love.

Maybe I should be more like my dogs.

Somewhere

I walked about 35 minutes with my boys during lunch. I wish I could get as excited as they do about going for a walk. Dog walking is keeping me active. I haven't been to the gym since Monday.

I still don't have a lot to say. I was thinking about Al's wedding ring. I lost it about this time of year three years ago. I wish it would turn up someplace. I keep thinking that it's here somewhere.

Walkin' the Dogs

I walked for about 35 minutes with my boys during lunch today. The best invention ever is the no-pull harness.

I'm really short on anything to say today.

Updated Baby Pictures

These are updated baby pictures. Check out the ears. Caleb eyes are two different colors. That's why the second photo looks a little odd. But he's beautiful. I now know his father was a full-bred white husky and his mother was a husky mix. Caleb was born on August 3, 2008, at about 7 to 7:05 a.m. He is the runt. But that only makes me love him even more. How could anyone resist that precious face?

20 Good Years

Finally, I made it back to the gym. I got in 45 minutes of cardio—20 minutes on the elliptical and 25 minutes on the treadmill. Ten of the treadmill minutes were walking backward. I read somewhere that walking backward is not only good for because it uses a different set of muscles, but it actually burns more calories. Let's hope that's true.

Yesterday's calories were about 900. I just don't feel like eating. Too bad it's not showing up on the scale.

I still feel a little icky, and I'd really like to get well once and for all.

Mostly I laid around over the weekend because I ended up with vertigo. I took some Mucinex and my ears started draining. That is the weirdest feeling. But it's taking away the vertigo. Vertigo is the worst feeling for me. If I died and were doomed to Hell for my bad deeds, my punishment would probably be suffering through all eternity with vertigo.

I want to learn how to play the piano. A friend of mine is helping me. I figure I've probably only got 20 good years, so I should make of the best of them. I'll let you know how that goes.

Lightening, Devils, and Yard Sales

I ordered Prevention's Flat Belly Diet. This will make the fourth different diet, err way of eating, that I've tried this year. I'm hope something works soon.

I just woke up from one of the most bizarre dreams I've ever had in my life--yeah I know. I say that every time I have a bizarre dream. And dreams are bizarre things. There's so much detail in my mind right now that I can't really narrow it down. But there was a storm and my house had severe leaks. A water heater in the basement had a surge protector on it, and it was a good thing since lightening was hitting house and ground around the house. A devil lived in the room with the water heater. I hated going in there. So I didn't.

Then I discovered many, many other rooms in the house. Most of them were under ground. Some contained children's clothes laid out as thought there were going to be some kind of yard sale. But I didn't and decided to donate everything to Christian Help. But there were other long hallways that lead to rooms that were partially outside--or lead to outside.

Some painters were just finishing a very unique paint job. I asked them how much they would charge to paint the main rooms of my house, and to my surprise they said only $200 but they couldn't do it until the end of January. I disappointedly said OK but but was happy they could give me such a deal considering the fine work they did. And they said they could have it done in only two days.

OK. The weirdest part was this guy who said he was a minister, but he was trying to arrange an affair with me. At first I was offended but then I thought about it. I never did agree to it. But I did think about it. He was supposed to be married to someone I knew, and he told me his name, and several other people repeated his name, but now I can't remember what it was.

The dogs were also involved and Caleb was playing inside the house's ventilation system. I was trying to get him out. Also, I was trying to make my bed.

And the details go on and on. So I'll try to figure this one out.

I am going back to the gym on Monday. I am not quitting.

Gotta Get Back to It

I'm still doing OK with the eating—but it's the exercise that I'm not getting. For one thing, I'm still sick and the thought of going to gym right now is more than I can bear. But I have to get back to it or I will undo all I've done. I haven't walked the boys in a while either. In fact Halloween was the last day I got any exercise. I got a lot of exercise that day, but I don't think it stores up.

Caleb is growing fast. I think he's going to be a big dog. He's rotten, too. But I love him.

I don't have a lot to talk about today. I need to rejoin life so I'll have something to say.

Celebration

I am excited and happy today. This is an historical event not just for the U.S. but for the world. Changes come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. I can't think of what I want to say. But this song came to mind yesterday. Enjoy.

Global view of US

Polls Crowded

Yesterday's calorie total was about 1500. But I did not exercise. Today's calories are OK so far. I walked to the polls--but that was only about a 10-minute walk each way. The polls were extremely crowded. I was surprised because I live in a rural neighborhood. But it's all good.

OK. I'm not going to post much today. I'm still under the weather.

Very short post

I have a cold so I don't have much to say today. I feel like hell.

I didn't have a lot of problems overeating yesterday because I didn't feel like eating. However, I don't feel like exercising either. So, I'm going to sleep today.

Tomorrow is election day. May the best man win. Vote Obama.