Another Hot August Day

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

It's hot out. . . . no way to get around it, yesterday was the hottest day so far this summer, and today looks like a copy of it. Knowing how hot it was yesterday, and realizing that it was just too hot to go out for a walk, even if I waited until almost dark -- I knew if I wanted to get any exercise by "walking" I'd have to bite the bullet and get up early!

6:05 a.m. Temperature a lovely 71F - walked the 1.1-mile loop at a nice brisk pace -- it still took about 25 minutes though, due to all the potty stops! But it was worth getting up early.

I really ate healthy yesterday and even though I missed a day of walking, my body still lost 0.2 pounds, probably because I tried to move around fairly often during the day inside the house. Moving from activity to activity, cleaning, and watching what I ate all paid off. I LOST INSTEAD OF GAINED! And although we reached a high of 96 here yesterday, it's still better than the 115 they were suffering in Glendale! Whew! Is it fall yet?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CATLADY52 8/25/2011 6:03PM

Good for you. I got all my watering done early today. The plants are just starting to put out some fruits, it has been so hot here. Report Inappropriate Comment

VITCHY-VICKI 8/25/2011 7:04AM

I Love summer just not the humidity hard on one who has Asthma but won't complain for I hate winter - spring and fall are great - Glad you had a loss and bet Amber loved your walk Keep up the good work Vicki Report Inappropriate Comment

NORAHNICK 8/24/2011 5:19PM

I hate the heat!!!! But on losing some weight! Report Inappropriate Comment

Give Thanks for the Little Things

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

One of the things I'm thankful for is living in a state that has such beautiful scenery!

But, really, when you get right down to it, many of us have things to be thankful for that we don't even think about. I'll bet you could sit down right now and think of 10 things to write down. So instead of complaining, each night before you go to bed, think of 10 things that enriched your life today. Here is my 10 for today!

1. Having a meal out with friends and not gaining any weight because of it.

2. Having a dog that loves me even if it was too hot out to take her for a walk.

3. Going to the dentist! First of all I'm happy I can afford to have my teeth cleaned, and secondly, happy that I still have my own teeth (at 72).

4. Thankful I have a nice car to drive, money to spend shopping, and am healthy enough to enjoy doing both.

5. Although the temps are in the triple digits, I'm thankful I have A/C and it is in good working order.

6. Happy that I have only 10 more pounds to lose.

7. Thankful there is a site like Spark People where I can meet other people with the same goals, and I have so many friends on here.

8. Thankful to be retired and having enough money to live comfortably.

9. Thankful that I've found renters for both of my homes.

10. Thankful for my friends and family! (some of those friends are YOU!)

It's hard not to smile when you're writing all this good stuff.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KAYWEB555 8/21/2011 11:50AM

AMEN & AMen thanks Father & Thanks for Sharing your joys ! Report Inappropriate Comment

CATLADY52 8/16/2011 9:06PM

Having friends is very important. Next to having good health. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHARJOPAUL 8/16/2011 4:14PM

What a wonderful list! Report Inappropriate Comment

OLDERDANDRT 8/16/2011 3:21PM

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LIS193 8/16/2011 11:38AM

So many blessing :) I love your attitude! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRISTAROSE 8/16/2011 8:36AM

I need to do this and will start my list today! I forget sometimes how lucky I am and need to appreciate what I have more.... Thanks for the reminder and for being my spark friend! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARPET44 8/16/2011 7:34AM

A positive outlook is the key to good health! Report Inappropriate Comment

VITCHY-VICKI 8/16/2011 7:18AM

Blog I will have to do one some time and Thanks for being my friend here on Sparks Vicki Report Inappropriate Comment

DOROTHYBERO 8/16/2011 5:59AM

Isn't it wonderful to be greatful for what we have! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZZLEESCH 8/16/2011 1:49AM

Wow, it's great that we all have so much to be thankful for. Instead of worry about things we can't control we should focus on the good things in life. Thanks for the reminder! Report Inappropriate Comment

THEWINNER33 8/16/2011 1:02AM

So true. For years I wrote down 5 things to be grateful for daily. That is what led me to this positivity that I now enjoy.I am thankful to enjoy life by focusing on the positive things, I will be 72 next month. Hugs Marcia Report Inappropriate Comment

When You Have a Sedentary Spouse!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

I'd like to have my husband urging me to go out for a walk with him -- or go to the gym with him. Not gonna happen!

Oh, occasionally he does go for one of my short walks with me, but he does have legitimate reasons to cut them short or not go each time. His feet hurt. His back hurts. And do you know how hard it is to lose weight if you can't exercise along with watching what you eat. And he does watch what he eats -- he looks at each and every mouthful before he pops it into his mouth.

So what do you do with a guy like that? I've tried. I've told all the benefits you get by living a healthy lifestyle. And when we returned from our trip to Peru, which was basically 30 days of hiking -- he had lost 12 pounds and felt great. It didn't last though, the computer is too big of a lure, and the American food -- well, let's just say he is a big fan of fast food establishments!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NORAHNICK 8/15/2011 1:19PM

What does he say when you ask him why he doesn't want to be fit and healthy? Report Inappropriate Comment

VITCHY-VICKI 8/14/2011 8:04AM

Eve sorry to hear that my hubby will go walking with me when I ask him and sometimes he asked me to go on a walk and now with Gerti we do a lot more walking together - so not sure what to tell you but maybe say if you walk with me we can get to know each other a little better for you are newly married - do what you can Good Luck kido Vicki Report Inappropriate Comment

CATLADY52 8/13/2011 6:00PM

It can be very hard for you. Grin and bear it may be the only answer. Report Inappropriate Comment

KKLENNERT809 8/13/2011 12:51PM

I don't have an answer for you, my husband is anything but sedentary. He can't sit still and sometimes that isn't good either. He doesn't exercise per say, but he will go on walks with me if I ask him. We do like to hike with the dogs. He just always stays busy. So I guess I'm lucky. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOAGIE22 8/13/2011 12:46PM

GIT ER DONE!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Too Hot for my Dog!

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Today DH and I were sitting on the back porch in the shade. We saw our dog looking through the patio doors at us, so I called her to come and join us. She looked for a minute, then ran through the house to the door containing her doggy door, ran down the steps -- over to our bigger porch, and went to each of us getting a few pats and scratches.

Then she sat down for a minute, looked around and retraced her steps back into the house. We saw her climb under the table and curl up in air conditioned comfort! Why be hot when you can be cool?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SUGARSMOM2 8/11/2011 7:44PM

smart baby Report Inappropriate Comment

SHARJOPAUL 8/11/2011 8:50AM

LOL /sounds like the dog has good sense. Report Inappropriate Comment

NORAHNICK 8/10/2011 6:57PM

Smart doggie! Are his ears really pink inside or is that just the picture? Too cute! Report Inappropriate Comment

LIS193 8/10/2011 5:47PM

My gran used to say - if you want to be comfortable follow the cat :) I guess animals know best! Report Inappropriate Comment

SASSYBLONDE69 8/10/2011 1:48PM

And then there's Artos, likes to lie in the middle of the lawn (where there's no shade at all), on his back, sunning his tummy. I think he's been spending too much of his time with the cats! Report Inappropriate Comment

OLDERDANDRT 8/10/2011 1:18PM

Dogs are sometimes very, very wise!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARPET44 8/10/2011 11:22AM

My dogs will go out to do their business and then right back in to sit on the cool tile floor in front of the fan! Report Inappropriate Comment

PSMITH3841 8/10/2011 10:42AM

Zoey's not a big fan of the heat either, and prefers to stay in the air conditioning, but even spell the word W-A-L-K and she's running for her leash! Report Inappropriate Comment

IMEOWASWELL 8/10/2011 10:23AM

Spoilt Pooch LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

VITCHY-VICKI 8/10/2011 6:30AM

That is so funny smart Dog Gerti likes to sit in the sun don't know why but that is a dogs life Vicki Report Inappropriate Comment

USFBULL 8/9/2011 10:20PM

smart dog Report Inappropriate Comment

STILLFLYIN 8/9/2011 9:45PM

You have a very smart dog! Report Inappropriate Comment

Tribute to a Dog

Sunday, August 07, 2011

I was reading over some past posts in my team "I Love Dogs" and came across this poem. Of course I'm a dog lover, and I think of all the good it does me to have a great dog like Amber. So in honor of all our wonderful dogs today -- here's something for them!

TRIBUTE TO A DOG
Senator George Vest, 1870

The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog.

A man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side.

He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince.

When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the Heavens. ~

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KAYWEB555 8/9/2011 9:21PM

Thanks for sharing. Don't we all love our Dogs! Peace and happiness to all our furbabies, and extra walk, ear rub, and treat tomorrow ! Report Inappropriate Comment

BLUESKY104 8/9/2011 8:01PM

What a wonderful tribute. Though I know this is true only in the English language I still think it is no coincidence that Dog is God spelled backward I love all my dogs and all the dogs I care for here and there for others Report Inappropriate Comment

LIS193 8/9/2011 11:40AM

Beautiful poem! I miss my dog, she died 3 years and 3 days ago :( Report Inappropriate Comment

VITCHY-VICKI 8/9/2011 6:05AM

The poem was great and now that we have our Grand dog Gerti she has been sticking by me like glue so here is to all the pet owners out there Take care of our pets love them no matter what they do Vicki Report Inappropriate Comment

OLDERDANDRT 8/7/2011 2:16PM

It does my heart good that so many good people love and respect their canine companions ( as well as feline and all the others we choose to share our lives with)! I love my little Bruno and he is a wonderful member of the family that is irreplaceable! WOOF!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JBIEHL57 8/7/2011 12:51PM

Thank you from a fellow dog lover! I have a 10 year old cocker/poodle mix named Frodo that sticks by me through all my weight loss frustrations :-) Report Inappropriate Comment