SUSTAINABILITY -- ONE YEAR LATER

If you read THIS post and THIS one, then you know that a year ago my husband and I enjoyed a 2-week vacation at a very beautiful all-inclusive resort in Mexico.  It was two weeks of pure pampered bliss, and one of the best vacations we had ever taken.

It was also, quite simply, a vacation that changed my life.  How so?  Let me explain:

Once we arrived, my husband was busy right away exploring the resort, the pools, the beach, the restaurants, the activities... on the other hand, I was exhausted and all I wanted to do was sleep. And honestly, that is mostly what I did the first few days.

When I woke up on the morning of our 4th day there, it took me a few minutes to recognize the wonderful feeling of being rested! It was actually a rather shocking revelation, and definitely made me think, "If it takes me THREE DAYS to get rested up from just LIVING, then something needs to change!"

So I re-examined my life and my priorities, and decided then and there that when I got home, I would implement changes to hopefully prevent that kind of bone-crushing exhaustion from ever "taking over" again.

And that's what I did.

In ways large and small, I took practical steps to make my daily life more *sustainable*.  Of course there were certain obligations and responsibilties that didn't change (my job, my home, my husband!) and we could all use more hours in a day, but I was surprised by all the things that I could shift or rearrange. And by the difference these changes would make.

At the top of my list was, clearly, the goal to get more sleep.  That is hard for me, but I made it my #1 priority change.  I am now in bed typically 8 - 9 hours before I need to get up.  That difference alone  has been staggering! Of course that means better evening planning, so that I have everything done that needs done well ahead of bedtime.

Another strategy was our evening dinner.  Meals and good food are important to us, but we began doing a lot of our cooking on the weekends, instead of cooking every evening.  These weekend menus are fun to plan, very versatile, and great for mixing and matching all week long, for EASY, delicious weeknight dinners.

I tried to become more aware of not wasting time... keeping better lists of groceries and errands and combining trips so that more could be accomplished in less time, etc.

I continue to monitor myself... paying attention to my comfort level and my limitations.  I realize that adjustments and "tweaks" will probably be ongoing.  My mantra remains "sustainability", and not ever allowing that deep rut of exhaustion to take over.

What have I gained?  More time with my husband, my family, my friends. More time to read, play with my pets, relax. More long baths, more long walks, more time to think and play and enjoy the things that matter most.

What tips or strategies do you have for keeping your lifestyle sustainable?

NATIONAL CAT DAY

Today, October 29, is National Cat Day.  It's a day to recognize and honor the wonderful and wacky feline members of our world.

Some fun CAT FACTS:

1.  In North America, cats have become more popular as pets than dogs.  Nearly 73 million cats are kept as household pets vs. 63 million dogs.
2.  A cat can jump up to 5 times its height per jump.
3.  Outdoor cats have a lifespan averaging only 3-5 years; indoor cats can live to 16, or more!
4.  Cats are the mammals with the largest eyes.
5.  Cats have 24 more bones than humans.
6.  Cat's pregnancies last about 9 weeks.  Most litters have 4-6 kittens.
7.  Each side of a cat's face has 12 whiskers.  Cats use their whiskers to measure openings, indicate mood, and for general navigation.
8.  A fingerprint is to a human what a nose is to a cat.
9.  Want to call a hairball by its scientific name? Next time, say the word "bezoar"! (As in, "Why yes, there's another BEZOAR on my bed!")
10.  Cats sleep on the average of 16-18 hours a day.  Of their time awake, approximately 1/3 of it is spent grooming themselves.

(Cat Facts from DID YOU KNOW...)





Here are a few ways to celebrate National Cat Day:
(Reprinted in part from Baxterboo.)  

1. ADOPT A CAT. Do you have room in your home for a homeless kitty? Visit Petfinder.com to find available cats for adoption near you. If you can't adopt, encourage others to do so or sponsor one at a shelter. Consider fostering cats as an alternative to help several cats and kittens.

2. TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAT. If you are a cat guardian, guard them well with updated vaccines, quality food and yearly check ups. Also, if you haven't spayed or neutered the cats under your care (either house cats or feral) please do so to keep more cats from contributing to shelter populations.

3. PLAY WITH YOUR CAT. Cat behaviorists suggest playing with your cat at least 15 minutes a day for mental and physical exercise. This keeps cats in shape and emotionally well balanced. It can reverse problem behaviors! This is particularly important for indoor cats and cats that used to be outdoor cats. Cats need to experience the daily "hunt" to feel all catty inside. This includes stalking, catching and "killing" a cat toy. This technique is best created with fishing pole type toys. Well-exercised cats are less likely to exhibit behaviors that get them sent to shelters.

4. DONATE TO YOUR FAVORITE SHELTER. Cats and cat shelters have it rough. Because of severe cat overpopulation, nearly 7 out of 10 cats in shelters are euthanized. Consider getting involved by volunteering your time and money at your local shelter where your resources can really make a difference.

My husband and I are happy and honored to share our lives with our two wonderful cats, Boo and Bentley. We love them so much! They make us laugh and smile every day. They also keep us humble. It's pretty hard to start thinking TOO MUCH of yourself when you live with cats!

Boo Radley

Bentley Edmund Spencer

Do you have a special cat (or two...) in YOUR life?

WEEK NIGHT WONDER - Jalapeño Popper Quiche

Just look at this glorious bowl of mixed hot peppers, fresh from the garden!  Oh, yum!  The POTENTIAL!

I love hot peppers... and making jalapeño poppers is one of my favorite snacks.

But it was a Thursday evening and we needed DINNER, and this recipe, "Jalapeño Popper Quiche",  from Closet Cooking began dancing in my head!  If you have seen my recipe for Reuben Casserole or Pepperoni Pizza Soup, then you know how I love to take favorite, familiar flavors, shake them up and turn them into something unusual.  THIS recipe, using all the ingredients of jalapeño poppers was right up my jalapeño-lovin' alley!

AAAAND... it was QUICK.  It was EASY.  It was DELICIOUS!  Because of all that, it earned a well-deserved post as a "Week Night Wonder"!

JALAPEÑO POPPER QUICHE

A cheesy quiche with all of the flavors of jalapeño poppers including cheddar cheese, cream cheese, jalapeños plus a crispy crust!

Servings: makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell, lightly pre-baked
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 2 jalapenos, diced (seed them if you prefer less heat)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cream
• [I added 1/2 of an onion diced small and 2 cloves of garlic minced]
• 5 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 jalapeno, sliced
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated [I used more]

Directions

1. Spread the cream cheese over the bottom of the pie crust and sprinkle on the diced jalapenos.
2. Heat the milk and cream [and onion and garlic] over medium heat until just before it boils, about 5 minutes and pour it into a large bowl.
3. Pour the eggs into the heated cream while stirring constantly.
4. Mix in the paprika and salt.
5. Pour the mixture into the pie plate and bake in a preheated 350F oven for 30 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, arrange the jalapeno slices on top, sprinkle with cheese and bake until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown, about 15 minutes

If you can take THE HEAT (LOL!), I totally recommend this recipe!
It's a definite *YUM!*

Do you have a week night wonder that YOU love?

PART 3: BRINGING BRODY HOME

He's heeeeeere!  And we are so happy with him, we are just bustin' buttons!

If you read HERE and HERE, you know that we made plans to add a Yorkie Pup from Deb Sillers of AmazingYorkies to our family.  We could have had him shipped but neither my husband or I could stand the thoughts of it!  So I made plans to fly from Pittsburgh to Kansas City, MO (and back!) on 8/13/13 to pick him up myself.

Since we live two hours from the Piitsburgh airport, and since I had to be at the airport by 6:00 am, my husband and I went the night before and stayed at the Hyatt.  I got up early the next morning and hopped on the 5:45 shuttle to the airport.  Hubby spent the day toolin' around Pittsburgh, with plans to be at the airport that night at 8:00 pm -- when I got back WITH BRODY!

I flew PIT to Dallas/Fort Worth, and Dallas/Fort Worth to MCI (Kansas City, MO):

I was a little nervous.  I had 4 flights that day, without any extra time to spare.  One delay could have thrown off everything!  But guess what?!  Every flight went WITHOUT A HITCH and I arrived at Kansas City right on time.   I was texting Deb and my husband furiously!

I walked off that plane and Deb was waiting for me, with the most precious puppy I have ever laid eyes on!  I did almost cry!

Once I had Brody in my hot little hands, I wasn't quite as worried about flight delays, etc. By that point, at least Deb could get back to her regularly scheduled life (LOL!) and of course, I HAD BRODY!  I updated my husband:

Brody was a champ.  His day had started early, too... Deb had bathed him that morning and they had a two hour drive to the airport, too.  Then he waited in the airport with Deb and her two friends till some crazeee woman (me!) scooped him up and smothered him with hugs and kisses!!!

My longest layover (2.5 hours) was in Kansas City (the BEST time for the longest layover -- I'm tellin' you, it was ALL PERFECT!) so it gave me a chance to start getting to know Brody.  His sweet personality was already shining through.  He was everything Deb had promised, and more!

In Kansas City, I even had time to get a quick lunch. Which was good, 'cause by then I was staaaaaarving!

Brody didn't eat or drink, though -- and the poor baby did throw up three times.  But he never complained; he was an ANGEL the whole time.  I was falling more in love by the MINUTE!


So now with my precious cargo in tow, I boarded my last two flights.  Kansas City to Chicago O'Hare and Chicago O'Hare back to PIT.

Brody was SOOO good!  With his carrier stowed safely under the seat, at my feet, and under my watchful eye EVERY SECOND, he slept quietly on both flights.  Not a PEEP out of that precious boy THE WHOLE TIME!

We arrived back at PIT at 8 pm -- right on schedule -- and Daddy was waiting for us there.   He was so happy to finally meet Brody!

We had a two hour drive home, and Brody slept most of the way.  I texted Deb to let her know we were almost home.  I was starting to get concerned that Brody hadn't eaten A THING since Deb fed him breakfast that morning.  Deb suggested that I scramble him an egg with cheese when we got home.  So that's what we did... and he ate almost the whole thing!

Introductions with Boo and Bentley went very well, as I was sure they would.   Bentley was especially curious!

I took the next week off work to spend time with Brody and help him get settled in.  He has been nothing but a JOY and a DELIGHT.  He is sweet, mellow, loving, and just a little feisty!  We are so happy with him!

I took him to the vet and he got a perfect check-up.  He weighs 3.6 pounds, and Deb expects he will probably be about 6 pounds full-grown.   But believe me, there are 100 pounds of personality in that little body!

And, OH -- he's such a SNUGGLER!  He likes napping with me.  And you KNOW I love THAT!

I'm telling you... I couldn't be happier with this little guy.   Stay tuned for LOTS more pictures and updates!

PART 2: GETTING READY FOR BRODY

If you read my last post, then you know that my husband and I recently chose a Yorkie pup to add to our family.  I hope our darling Raggies, Boo and Bentley, agree that it's a good idea, LOL!  I've tried to tell 'em, but those scalawags just don't seem to be listenin'... !

Boo

Bentley (aka "Squeak")

Two lazeeeee Raggies...

Funny story: My husband and I had been gone a few hours this morning and when we came home, both kitties were sitting side-by-side in the kitchen, looking very serious and expectant.  Husband says (in his best "kitty voice"): "So, is today the day, Mom? Huh? Huh? We hear ya' talkin'!"  I craaaaaaacked up!

So I'm pretty rusty in the Dog Care Dept.  We haven't had a dog in YEARS... not since Sasha, the German Shepherd/beagle mix rescue that grew up with our kids. I also had NOTHING for a new pup.  (What does a new pup need?!  Well... LOTS of stuff!  Food, treats, chewies, toys, a carrier, dishes, harness, leash, collar, tags, a puppy play pen... you get the idea!)

Here's SOME of the stuff I've gotten... still waiting on a few boxes yet from Amazon and PetSmart!

And they better come soon because he is coming home Tuesday!

"How is he getting home?" you ask. Well, I am flying to MO to get him, of course!  ;o)

YES, YES, I know he could have been shipped.  His breeder has done that before and she had every confidence that he'd be fine.  My daughter had every confidence that he'd be fine.  But let me tell you, if you are EVER thinking of having a pet shipped, DO NOT google, "pets flying in cargo." Even my husband said, "We can't let him fly alone in cargo!  He's so leeeetle!"

So I got busy and found a flight from PIT to MCI (Kansas City, MO) and back in one day that worked for his breeder and wasn't too terribly, dreadfully awful (I leave PIT at 7:25 am and return to same at 8:00 pm)! Keep your fingers, toes and eyes crossed for NO DELAYS or problems, though... I don't have a minute anywhere to spare!

So that's the story! Little Brody comes home on Tuesday, 8/13/13, hand-carried and riding in the airplane cabin with me.  I am soooo happy and excited.   Lots of pics will follow... I promise!  STAY TUNED!

*Only 3 MORE SLEEPS!!!*

PART ONE: FINDING BRODY

Brody

If you have been following this blog at all lately (or read THIS post) you know that I've had PUPPY FEVER for awhile now!

It didn't help matters when my dear daughter got her wonderful standard poodle puppy, Jack.  It just sent me into puppy fever overdrive!

Compounded by the dang fractured foot (see posts HERE and HERE), which meant a LOT of time feeling sorry for myself and sitting on my butt cruising the internet... where I discovered all sorts of neat things.  A forum for poodle lovers... a forum for Yorkie lovers... and oh, breeders, breeders everywhere.   Now if you read THIS POST awhile ago, you know that I'm not a total newbie to Breeder-World, although my past experiences have only been with cats.

Well, I learned right away, it's similar in the doggie world.  And frankly, again, it is shark-infested waters!  There are backyard breeders, puppy mills, and puppy brokers everywhere.  And believe me when I tell you that there are FAR MORE bad (or mediocre) breeders out there than excellent ones.   GOOD breeding is VERY hard work, with very little financial pay-off.  Sadly, most people are far more interested in making money at the animals' expense than working selflessly to BETTER their breed.  But don't get me started!

So... first I (finally!) chose my breed -- deciding on a Yorkie.  Like poodles, they don't shed and they don't (typically) have that doggie odor.  Also like poodles, you can "fussy-groom" them OR just keep them clipped short (which is what I plan to do.)  Yorkies simply don't need the "space" that standard poodles need; and their size makes them easier to take places and travel with.  Plus they simply *can't* counter-surf, LOL!  Yorkies are smart, sassy, sweet, loving little dogs who don't seem to know they are small!

Next I narrowed down my search to several breeders who met my exceedingly high expectations and standards.  Most excellent breeders have waiting lists, so it's not uncommon to have to wait for one of their pups.  But I got lucky when Deb Sillers of Amazing Yorkies (in Fairfax, MO) had just what I was looking for *when* I was looking.  (My criteria: a healthy, well-bred, well socialized pup, no preference of gender, not a "teeny-tiny", affectionate, confident, laid back; not nervous or high-strung.)  Deb said that she had a pup that met all my criteria (in fact, she was saving him for the show ring)... but she must have liked me (LOL!) because she offered him to me.  I was ECSTATIC!

Deb has been amazing -- so friendly, helpful and knowledgable.  It has been a pleasure to get to know her.  We have been in touch OFTEN (I hope I haven't been a PEST... gulp!)  She has sent me photos, a video, frequent reports and updates.  No question went unanswered.

My husband and I have named him Brody and he is almost 5 months old.  Deb has had him vet-checked, neutered, micro-chipped, and all vaccinations.   He's ready for us, and we are ready for him; he comes home on Tuesday!   *Happy dance!*    STAY TUNED FOR PART 2!!!

Brody 

Walking Again!

Well, I saw the ortho doc this week and got his OK to start walking! YESSSSS!  I get to DITCH the crutches, AND the scooter (buh bye, Sassy!), and ambulate again on my own two feet (albeit with a little difficulty and a slight limp.)  But ahhhhh, it's still wonderful!

For those of you who might've missed THIS post, I broke my foot 8 weeks ago (rushing down the basement stairs, missed the last step, went down hard, heard a SNAP.  That's never good!)

It's been a LOOONG two (non-weight bearing) months, let me tell you. Limitations I would have never dreamed of... the entire last two months have been exhausting and yes, even somewhat depressing. So yeah, I did a little happy dance at the doctor's office... I feel like I got my life back!

The footy is still a little *tender* and not completely healed, so the doc said to "take it easy" and "no recreational walking" for at least another month.  I'm OK with that.  Just being able to be back on my own two feet is nothing less than heavenly!  Believe me, I will never take MOBILITY for granted again!


Photo credit: HERE

FOREVER CAT

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Thank goodness it's FRIDAY!  It has been a long week for me.  I hope your week went well and that your weekend is slooooow and wonderful!

It looks to be glorious weekend here... in fact, the whole next 7 days look picture perfect!  Justlookit THIS weather report:

I plan to spend my weekend laying low and taking it easy.  I haven't wanted to be a sad sack or complain (LOL!) but I guess I'm gonna confess... I BROKE MY FOOT!  Yup... on May 31... rushing down my basement steps... missed the last step... my flip-flop rolled and took my right foot with it.  Down I went (HARD!) and husband (nearby) heard the bone snap.

Went to the ER where they iced and x-rayed the poor swollen hurty foot and then pronounced it duly fractured.  A 5th metatarsal fracture, thank you very much.  Put a temporary cast on it and gave me a pair of crutches.

A few days later the ortho doc took off the nasty cast (THANK GOODNESS, that thing was heavy, primitive and barbaric) and gave me a hard-soled "post surgical" boot to wear, and strict instructions to STAY OFF THE FOOT!

You're jealous aren't you?  You want one, too, don't you?! Yeah, I admit, that shoe is a LOOKER.  (Too bad you have to bust your foot to get one, huh?!)

OK, I'm klutzy.  I admit it.  If I weren't klutzy I probably wouldn't have fallen down the steps and be in this mess.  So picture me tottering around on crutches.  It was not a pretty sight.  In fact, I couldn't do it. I really tried. But there was just no way!  I was on my way to breaking my neck!

ENTER (drumroll, please)... Sassy the KNEE SCOOTER!  Oh yeah, I'm a'rockin' and a'rollin' now!

A "knee scooter" you ask?  YES, a knee scooter!  For ankle and foot injuries, babeeee!  And guess what, my insurance is even paying for the rental.  (I had to buy the snappy bag... it's a "mobility bag" for walkers and wheelchairs, but it fits!)  Look out, I am scootin' in style NOW, LOL!

Me at work!

So a 5th metatarsal fracture can be a pesky and typically very slow healing fracture.  It's been six weeks today and I'm still non-weight bearing. I'm starting to get depressed. I feel like I am missing my whole summer.

Let me tell you, life gets very difficult when you can't walk!

The simplest things become mammoth.  Driving?  Nope. Laundry? Nope. Vacuuming?  Nope.  Cooking?  Nope.  Shopping?  Really???!   Hahaha!   Forget gardening, home projects, exercising, evening walks. I can barely shower, get dressed, go to the bathroom... NOTHING is easy.   Everything is a production.  It's grueling and I am so exhausted at the end of the day, I practically FALL into bed.

But all things considered... it could've been worse, and I'm grateful it wasn't.  And me and Sassy, we are a team and I'm doing OK.

But lemme tell you again, this is NO FUN at all.  So BE CAREFUL ON THOSE STEPS --THEY'RE TREACHEROUS!