I'm sorry Babette to lose your kitten like that. It is difficult to lose a beloved pet. I miss my dog, tiny, terribly even after three years. Thinking about him forms a lump in my throat. I remember him like he's still here. After your pain goes away and it will, you'll treasure those memories. He'll remain vivid in your heart forever.
Yesterday evening my son came over and he and my husband and I buried The Kitten in our side yard. Over his grave I planted a forsythia that Matthew (my son) gave me for Mother's Day. I think I'll call it "The Kitten Bush." Next spring it will be a mass of bright yellow, and will bring us joy, just as The Kitten did.
Katrina, thanks for that big hug. I felt it all the way through. You're such a sweetie!
Eydie, I loved the story about Remus "pushing up daisies." You're right about feeling all of it. There doesn't seem to be any other way. I don't feel inclined to try to avoid this pain. Food definitely isn't going to do it - I might feel inclined that way if I hadn't completed so much of this challenge. I did briefly think yesterday that i might find it comforting to eat watching TV on the couch, but didn't consider it seriously. I even went so far as to talk myself into cooking an extra vegetable for dinner just to meet my commitment.
Crone, he was indeed a special and beloved cat, just a beautiful spirit wrapped up in a hugely furry cat body. He was only 7 years old. I found myself thinking about you and Old Dog yesterday. Aren't you most likely to outlive her though? Loved the kitty in the tiger lilies -- seems most appropriate somehow.
Wildfire, I do know that The Kitten knew how much he was loved. I call our cats "furbabies" too. I can tell that Buddy just got very lucky. We have an orange guy too, Dickens. He and The Kitten were best buds, wrestling on the carpet (I'm glad that I vaccuumed before I knew it was the last time I'd be vaccuuming The Kitten's fur from the carpet), grooming each other, taking naps curled up together in a chair.
Malia, sorry for your loss, too. Pets are such a big part of our lives, and bring us such joy. I guess grief is the price we pay for loving these mortal creatures so much.
Thanks again, all of you. You guys are the best!
A little business: I am on Day 10. Haven't been getting as much exercise as I committed to, but have been sick, which I guess I've decided is a good enough reason. Went for a walk with DH around the harbour this morning, and did yoga.
Good morning all. Babette, so so sorry about Kitten. I love cats but my DD is scared to death of them due to an incident with a hyper kitten when she was young, consequently I haven't had cat in years, just big dogs that chew and dig and slobber. Not that I don't feel some affection for the hound, it's just not the same thing when you want to cuddle, you know?
Thanks all for the warm welcome. Like I said in my first post I've been yo-yoing for some time, gaining a little bit more with each 'yo'. I began to feel scared, like I wasn't going to be able to pull myself out this time, and end up right back where I started in 1998, at 203 lbs. But, thanks largely to this Block plan, I feel much more positive this time around, stronger. I can't thank you all enough for that.
Its always hard to lose a pet. They really become members of the family.
At least we know, the time they've spent was with people who cherished them.
We lost a beloved beagle almost a year ago. We now have two to keep each other company while we're at work. We'll never forget the first one but we are enjoying the 2nd and 3rd.
It's a real reminder about enjoying every minute because we just don't know what will come next. Its one thing to put off buying a pair of jeans until you're in the next size, but as for the important things-- we need to enjoy them now.
We tried something new tonight- Black Bean salad.
1/2 cup cold black beans seasoned to taste with, garlic,onions a tiny bit of olive oil, water chestnuts, peppers, chives and balsamic vinegar. Not quite 2 pts and I FEEL FULL.
We have two threads on the block now ... it is confusing me. I'm not terribly smart! Which should I post on? Decisions, decisions ... I'll post on both!
I'm holding well at 2060 calories and 80 minutes of exercise ... an a.m. walk of 40 minutes and walking with my new poles for 80 minutes this evening. I love those things, reduces pain but actually they increase the health benefit and burn more calories.
Kaylets, you are so lucky to be able to eat beans. I like them but they make me quite ill. They are really healthy, too, for those who can digest them.
Earlier I posted a reply about summer to Wildfire, but it was actually Katrina who asked what everyone liked about the season. Sorry, but my answers the same!!! The good thing about summer in Arizona is fall!
Now I'll hop to the other thread, then to bed. Good-night all!
Its been a great weekend-- Lots of yardsaling and then Subway for 6" Chicken Teriakyi (you have to try it if you havent yet!) and then spent the afternoon digging thru the fleamarket with a girlfriend I havent seen in a couple months.
My DH and I went out about 9:30 to garden but only put two climbing hydrangeas in the ground before we realized we'd have to wait till tonight for the rest. TOOOO HOT !!
As for plants still in pots, as soon as I think we're caught up, we find something else to bring home!! Stopped at a yardsale today, they were selling a Yellow tomato- bought two and we will see.
Crone, on a thread somewhere you mentioned adding your own flavoring to water -- If I understood, it wasnt lemon or lime-- I bought cherry extract but it sure takes a lot to taste anything. What are you using??
I'm climbing steps this afternoon, -- I'm doing laundry in the basement!! I try to get up every commercial and do something--!!
If you remember, Lisa Beamer is the wife of Todd Beamer who said 'Let's
Roll!' and helped take down the plane that was heading for Washington D. C.
She said it's the little things that she misses most about Todd, such as
hearing the garage door open as he came home, and her children running to
meet him. She's now the Mom of a beautiful little girl, Mary.
Lisa recalled this story on Good Morning America:
I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband
died suddenly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared
some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon
>sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was
nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat
down there. With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and
said, Class is
over, I would like to share with all of you, a thought that is unrelated to
class, but which I feel is very important.
Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of
ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end.
It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is the powers way of telling
us that we must make the most out of every single day.
Her eyes, beginning to water, she went on, So I would like you all to
make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way
home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something
you see, it could be a scent, perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of
someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the
leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as
it falls gently to the ground.
Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound
trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little things we
are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We
must make it important to notice them, for at anytime...it can all be taken
away.
The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out
of the room silently. That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way
home from school than I had that whole semester.
Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an
impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things
that sometimes we all overlook.
Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today.
Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home
tonight to get a double dip ice cream cone. For as we get older, it is
not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments
that take our breath away."
I posted this on my other thread, but it kind of follows along the previous train of thought...
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer.)
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet as
stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous."
More "I'm sorrys."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it ...and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as we only get one shot at this and then it's gone.
I hope you all have a blessed day.
Powerful stuff...we never do know when the end will arrive...don't wait til you're "thin enough" or "happy enough" or whatever enough to enjoy each and every moment of each and every day.
Aaarrghh. Got into a pissy argument with DH at dinner tonight. Felt like I was asserting myself, but I probably wasn't doing so in a very productive way. Not that he's a saint 'Cause he ain't. But if we're going to live together, treating each other nicely is kind of Job 1. Well. Maybe I won't ostentatiously take my pillows and book off to the spare room and make hims suffer.
Got to seriously consider what i would be thinking about if I were dying. Would I stay in this marriage or would I say the **** with it and get out?
Oh, God. I really don't think I'm going to quit this one. So I'd better do what I can to make it work.
I'm not handling the concept of TWO Blockette threads very well. How'd we do that? Anyway, my NEW plan started today and it's posted on the other thread and right now I'm posting away here in an attempt not to break down and kill my good Day One!!!
Babette: Sorry you are having problems with DH. Hopefully, you'll find the answer you seek.
Katrina: I love Erma Bombeck. Thanks for posting that. It's true we don't know what the next moment will bring or how long we will live, but I guess I believe that what is important about Bombeck's life is not so much that it is over but that it happened in the first place. She made lots of people happy with her humor and that was worth doing.
Kaylets: Thank you, too, for posting about Lisa Beamer's story. Her husband and all the people on that plane, IMO, were heroes and just underscored for me that life is precious and important and worth doing well.
A horrible fire is raging in the high country here and I, for one, am very grateful that all my friends up there have made it out in plenty of time. One of the towns that's been evacuated now has a very special meaning in my life, but as long as everyone survives, that's the main thing. If only it would rain, but it's not in the cards.
Kaylets: I did mean lemon or lime (mostly lime because it's my favorite flavor), with a half packet of Splenda. But there's also an iced tea flavoring you can buy in mango and raspberry. It has zero calories and is good in ice water (at least I think so!!!). You can buy it in the tea section; it's made by Lipton. Also, just a tiny bit of Crystal Light and a zap of lemon, lime or orange juice (oj has calories, though, so you can't use a lot of it).
I've also gone back to drinking Diet V8 Splash ... at 10 calories per 8 oz. it's got some carrot juice and flavors and helps in hydration and has potassium. I don't count the calories because I NEED the electrolytes in this heat.
I'm not sure if I mentioned Propel Fitness Water, but it's good, too. Also there's a fruit-flavored water in small bottles in convenience stores that is good for hydration and has some flavor.
Hmmm. As for extracts, yes, I do use them. I've even been known to put vanilla extract in water with Splenda, so I'd think cherry would be good, but perhaps we have different concepts in mind when we say "flavor."
P.S. Don't forget extracts are alcohol and have calories!!! Something to keep in mind!
I've been on here way too long. I still have a story to write before tomorrow morning, so ...
Well I had a huge post typed out and Kail came and hit the mouse and wiped it ALL out...so I will post again later....but I would like to join in your challenge
Sorry your post got wiped out by your little one's hands! I've had the connection cut off after typing a long post or my hard drive freeze, so I know how that goes!
There are actually two active threads going on this challenge and I just typed a long post on the other one to say that I'M ON DAY THREE!!! Whee! If I make it to four, it'll be a record for me since I started the challenge.
Got to run ... shopping!!! No dulce de leche though!!! That monkey's off my back, thank goodness!
I'm going to start a new thread -- it was never the intent to have 2 going at the same time, but people just kept the other one going. STOP!Come on over to the new thread -- It's safe...and SEXY! (paraphrasing from Barry White on Hollywood Squares on the Simpson's)
Day 9...
Have a great day, blockettes!
FRIDAY
Yo!
