The Biggest Loser: Canine Edition

No, it's not a version of the NBC show, The Biggest Loser.

It's a contest Maisy's in at her veterinary clinic, to see which dog can lose the most weight.

Even though she needs to shed about 5 pounds, she's actually the least overweight dog in the group!

After watching this video, though, I don't know how.

Ok, so...I was at Maisy's veternary clinic a few weeks ago picking up her heart worm pills (by the way, this dog LOVES her heart worm pills...they are like candy to her!) & I saw a stack of fliers on the counter.

They were for a weight loss seminar where onwers could get some tips on how to help their dogs lose weight. A drug representative for Pfizer was also going to be there to pitch a weight loss drug.

I know Maisy's a tad overweight, but I also know I'm not giong to put her on a drug. I still signed up, though, so that I could get some other ideas on how to help her slim down a bit.

So, this past Saturday, I attended the weight loss seminar.

Me, along with 5 other dog owners.

It was almost like therapy.

Because we all admitted that we are the reason our dogs are overweight. I mean, I let Maisy eat Fruit Loops, powdered donuts & cheese. I also let her drink chocolate milk.

Not all the time, but more than I should.

One woman told the group that she feeds her dog pizza. Pizza!

Part of the presentation was about low-calorie treats, including green beans & raw carrots.

Well.

Guess who HATES green beans & raw carrots?

Maisy.

We've tried EVERYTHING to get her to eat green beans & carrots. I sat at the table & ate some, hoping she'd beg for some, which she did. But, when I gave her a bean, she carried it to the living room, dropped it on the floor & came back to the table.

So, at that point in the presentation, I asked what other low-calorie treats I could try.

The doctor said rice cakes & canned pumpkin.

The next part of the presentation was the weight loss drug. I listened to what the guy had to say, but I'm not convinced that we need to put Maisy on it.

Towards the end of the seminar, as we started talking more & more about our dogs, the doctor suggested a contest for us & our dogs...a Biggest Loser type contest.

This Saturday, we're supposed to come back to the clinic, with our dogs, to weigh them & take "before" pictures.

We'll go back for "weigh-in's" every 2 months, for 6 months.

At the end of the 6 months, we'll all gather back as a group for a final weigh-in & "after" pictures.

The dog that's lost the most weight, gets some sort of prize from the clinic. Our group suggested a free round of annual vaccinations.

And, the best part is the dogs don't have to be the medicine to compete.

So, wish Maisy luck. Because we're gonna need it!

P.S. Guess who LOVES rice cakes & canned pumpkin?

Double The Fun.

Guess who has a double ear infection?

Me.

Guess who else has a double ear infection?

My sister-in-law, who lives about 3 hours away from me.

We must have passed germs around this past weekend, when she, my brother-in-law & 2 of my niece's were in town & we all stayed at my mom-in-law's house.

The girls weren't feeling well & my SIL was complaining of a sore throat. Thinking back, I wasn't feeling 100%...but, I just chalked it up to being tired.

But, when I woke up Tuesday with a sore throat & a stuffy nose, I knew whatever I'd been trying to fight off, had caught up with me.

It was nothing a little Afrin & some Ibuprofen couldn't cure, though.

Or, so I thought.

By Wednesday, I could feel the fluid in my ears, but it never occurred to me that it could be an ear infection.

Just to be safe, I made a doctor's appointment for today.

I went in thinking he was just going to tell me I had a cold & I just had to ride it out.

But, I came out with a double ear infection, a prescription for antibiotics, 2 nose spray samples & because of my co-pay, $10 dollars poorer.

And, I'm starting to think that I bragged too much about not feeling bad, because now?

Well, not so much.

Too bad we don't live closer, Wendy, because we could call in sick & you could come over & we could watch movies & eat junk food all day long. No laundry, no house cleaning, no kids & no husbands.

And, if we just happened to do some on-line shopping & buy ourselves a present, it's okay because WE'RE SIIIIIIICKKKKKK.

You Decide, 2008.

President?

What President?

The big vote this year has nothing to do with electing a new leader for our country.

No, Internet.

This year's Big Vote has to with Matt's new haircut.

It's no secret (he'll even admit it)...his hair is thinning, especially on top. I wouldn't go as far as to say he's self-conscious about it, but I think it's something he wishes wasn't happening.

He keeps telling me he wants to shave it all off, but he's afraid he'll have some weird bump or dent in his head that would show up if he didn't have any hair there.

So, you can imagine my surprise today, when we went to the mall to get his haircut & he told the lady to use a "one" on the clippers (I think a "one" is the shortest you can go without shaving it all off).

He made NO MENTION of this to me in the car, nor did he mention this while we were eating lunch in the food court.

It was only when his name was called that he quickly tells me,
"I'mgoingtohavehercutmyhairwithaone."

What?

Yep.

And, really, it's not like he needed my permission or anything because he doesn't. It's his hair & if he wants it short, that's totally fine with me. I mean he doesn't tell me how to do my hair.

However, that doesn't mean I have to like it, right?

I'll admit, when I saw him for the first time after the lady cut it, I thought to myself, "Uh-oh. What did you do?", but after looking at it for the past 5 hours, it's starting to grow on me.

We both think that when it grows out just a little bit, it'll look really good.

But, what do we know, right?

That's why we (ok, I) decided to ask you for your opinion.

The Great Hair Debate of 2008:

BEFORE:

And, AFTER:

Okay.

Your 4 choices are:

1. Before

2. After

3. In-Between

4. Undecided

Just leave your vote/opinion in the comment section.

And, just to make your life a little brighter, here's a picture of Maisy.

Her only request is that you send Fruit Loops, cheese, powdered donuts & chocolate milk.

(Oh, remind me to post about her weight loss class).

Walking Her Home.

As Matt's Great uncle, Boyd & his wife, Norma, were walking across the street into church for Bible study last Wednesday, they were hit by a car...and, they both died.

You can read the story & watch a special tribute to them, by clicking here.

Sure, when I found out about what happened, I felt sad.

Sad for their children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren, who lost their parents & grandparents without getting a chance to say goodbye.

Of course I met Boyd & Norma, but I probably only saw them a handful of times in the almost 10 years that Matt & I have been together. So, I really didn't know them that well.

But, now?

Now, I feel like I know them very well.

And, I realize that while we should mourn their deaths, we should also celebrate their lives.

Because, friends, they lived a very good, happy, fulfilled life.

A life that included 60 years of marriage, children, grandchildren, a love of traveling around in their camper, a love of the outdoors, plenty of friends & family & an unwavering faith in God.

A man speaking at the funeral yesterday said Norma was only 16 years old when she married Boyd (who was 20 years old)...but, that really fell in love with him when she was 12.

What an everlasting love!

That same man also said Boyd & Norma were inseparable. They did everything together.

It was when we spoke those words, that I realized there was no other way for them to go Home, but to go together.

Their son, Mike, said he was sure he (Boyd) was leading her (Norma) arm in arm when they left and passed into eternity. That's the way they'd want to go.

Another family member said he (Boyd) was walking his wife home. He just didn't know it.

What a powerful example of love & faith...not just for each other, but also for God.

And, if they had to leave this Earth, I find comfort in knowing they walked home together.

Hand in hand.

Because, really, I don't think they would have wanted it any other way.

Winter Wonders.

It's here, it's here, it's here!

My Winter Wonders package from my SECRET swap buddy, Laura, arrived today.

I was NOT expecting to get it so soon...seeing as how our deadline to mail them was the 12th.

When I saw the box on my doorstep, I thought to myself, "What did Matt order NOW?".

It wasn't until I brought it into the house, did I see it was for ME!

So, what was inside, you ask?

Let's take a look.

The box...decorated with cute stickers!

W =

Why don'tcha sit back, have a drink & look through your goodies?

I =

I (Laura) absolutely adore these candies...they are from Australia & the best licorice you can buy. (The other candy is homemade dipped pretzels, courtesy of Laura's mom).

N =

No gift box would be complete without a little something for Maisy. With love, from Arnold. (Laura's bull dog)

P.S. Maisy has a message for Arnold, later in this post!

T =

Time to get your toes done...(These are good to shove in your purse & go get a pedicure).

E =

Everyone loves a yummy smelling house!

R =

Reorganize a little bit. One is to organize coupons & gift cards to restaurants & stores. The other is to organize cards for family & friends.

(Laura even included some cards to get me started on my collection!)

***********************

Dear Arnold, I totally LOVE all my treats that you sent me! My mom couldn't get the package open fast enough. I think I ate 6 or 7 before my mom put them my treat drawer for later! Thanks for thinking of me! Love, Maisy

P.S. My mom says to please excuse her PJ's & ponytail. She wasn't prepared for pictures!

Um, I think these reindeer ears were actually for THE DOG!

Here's a picture of all my goodies!

And, here's Maisy standing by the box, hoping we'd leave her alone, so she could sniff out her treats!

And, I saved the best for last! Maisy wearing her new reindeer ears! She can't wait til next Christmas to be able to wear them again....as well as hang her PERSONALIZED bone ornament!

**********

Dear Laura,

Thanks so much for all my Winter Wonders goodies! I love that you included everything from the Diet Coke, to the organizers & flip flops...all things that I love. I can't wait to dig into the pretzels & try the licorice (I'll let you know what I think!). I love candles & I can't wait to start smelling this one throughout my house. And, how thoughtful of you (and Arnold) to think of Maisy & send her some pet perfect gifts! She's on the back of the couch right now, in a treat-induced coma! I appreciate all the thought you put into my box of goodies. Finding the box on my doorstep was a (much-needed) wonderful surprise. I have enjoyed getting to know these last few months & I look forward to a continued friendship. I hope your 1st swap was a good one & that you participate again! Thank you, thank you, thank you (a million times) for everything!

That's MY Husband.

My house is dirty.

So, as soon as I got home from work tonight, I started cleaning.

When Matt got home, I was in our bathroom, scrubbing the shower.

After dinner, I cleaned the kitchen.

Then, I dusted.

I also stopped what I was doing several times, to tackle the mounds of dirty clothes that are stacked up in the laundry room.

Finally, I get the vacuum out of the hall closet & started unwrapping the cord to plug it in.

My wonderful, yet-maybe-not-so-brilliant husband comes out of the computer room, sees me unwrapping the cord OF THE VACUUM & asks: "What are you doing?".

Nothing.

Just felt like unwrapping the cord of the vacuum.

Hello? Is he serious?

Home.

That's the only word I know to describe how I feel when I'm with Matt.

And, when I'm not with Matt?

My whole world is off-balance.

Something's missing.

A part of me isn't with me.

I don't mean when we're apart for 1 hour or even for 1 day, but when we're apart overnight, for several nights.

He's been in New Hampshire for the past 4 days for work, following GOP Presidential Candidate, Mike Huckabee around (Huck was Governor in Arkansas for 10 years).

Traveling's a part of his job....just sitting here, I can think of at least 2 dozen trips that he's been on in the last 2 years. Some were just overnight...some were for a whole week.

It took me a while, but I have learned to accept that...it doesn't mean I like it, though.

Because I don't.

When he's on a trip, I dread coming home from work because I know he won't be there.

It's a feeling of total & complete loneliness.

The house feels empty.

Don't get me wrong: It IS nice to have time by myself to scrapbook, read, watch TV or sit around & do nothing.

But, going to bed without him is when I fall apart.

Because even though we don't always go to bed at the same time, just knowing he's here makes me feel safe.

Comfortable.

Like a home should feel.

When I said goodbye to him at the airport on Sunday, I had to stop myself from tearing up. I'm a big girl, I told myself. It's only for 3 nights. But, then I started feeling sorry for myself.

Why couldn't another photographer go? Why is Matt always the one to go out of town? It's just not fair!

Later that day, though, I watched our 5pm newscast & I saw some video of troops with the 39th Brigade hugging & kissing their wives or husbands & children because they're leaving for war.

They could be gone for at least a year.

ONE YEAR.

And, here I was worrying about being without Matt for 3 nights.

3 NIGHTS.

Watching that story helped give me some perspective.

I'm complaining about 3 nights, when those husbands & wives will be without their spouses for 365 nights.

Knowing that, though, doesn't make me any less lonely, or sad.

But, it does make me realize how lucky I am that he's only gone for a few days at a time.

And, as I stood at the bottom of the escalator inside the airport tonight, my heart skipped a beat & I got butterflies in my stomach, when I saw Matt for the 1st time since Sunday.

I smiled.

Because I knew I was finally home again.

Look at the Label BEFORE You Buy.

Want a good laugh?

Listen to this story.

Matt & I were off work the whole week of Christmas, so needless to say, I went shopping A LOT!

On one of my shopping trips, I went into Old Navy to see if I could find any new pants. While browsing, I found a really cute top. It was a brown, long-sleeved tunic type shirt.

After finding a few pairs of pants, I headed back to the dressing room.

I tried on all the pants & found 1 pair I really liked, but would need to be hemmed. Then, I tried on the brown shirt & it looked really cute, except I noticed the sides needed to be taken in.

Knowing I was going to have to take the pants to get hemmed, I decided I'd take the shirt, too.

I paid for my stuff & left. All the way home I was so excited about my new shirt. I have a HORRIBLE time finding winter tops that I like, so even finding just one new one was a total score.

The next day, I took my new pants, new shirt & 2 other pairs of pants to the cleaners to get them altered. When the lady told me it would be 7 days before they were ready, I almost cried.

You mean I have to wait a WHOLE WEEK before I can wear my new shirt?

So, ok, I hand over my stuff & leave.

During my lunch break on Friday, I went to the alterations place & picked up my pants & shirt.

As soon as I got home from work, I went into my bathroom & tried everything on. All the pants fit great. I was very happy to get to add them to my winter (albeit, small) wardrobe.

I try on the shirt & frown.

Something's wrong.

Why is the front of the shirt so much longer than the back?

And, why is it all poofy in the front?

I know the seamstress took in the sides, because the shirt feels snugger, so what's the deal?

I take off the shirt & look at the label.

And right there above the XS & Old Navy trademark is the word MATERNITY.

MATERNITY.

I bought a freaking MATERNITY shirt!

Can you believe that?

I swear, though, the shirt was NOT hanging in the maternity section at the store. Nor was it on a mannequin with a belly bump. It was hanging in one of the front sections with more shirts of its kind, plus button down shirts & sweaters.

Seriously.

And, when I tried it on in the dressing room, I knew it looked a little big in the front, but I thought that by taking in the sides, it would fit properly.

Whatever.

So, now, I have my 1st maternity shirt. Which I'll probably never wear, because when I do get pregnant & get big enough to wear it, it'll be too small because I had the sides taken in!

Hopefully I can take it back to the cleaners & have them "let out" the sides!

When Matt got home, I showed him the label & he laughed.

And, laughed & laughed & laughed.

All night.

But, that's okay, because after I moped about it for a while, I realized it WAS pretty funny.

And, I learned a valuable lesson: Always check the label before buying!

Does This Offend You, Too?

Maybe it's just me.

But, you know those automatic air freshener things that are nailed to the walls of most public bathrooms?

Well.

I know they're on a timer & everything.

But.

Does it ever offend you when you walk into a bathroom & the air freshener thing goes off?

I mean, you haven't even walked into a stall yet & already it sprayed air freshener.

Like I said.

Maybe it's just me.

But, it kind of offends me.

You?