Life's Little Horrors

I have had some horrifying encounters with rodents in my life. (Though of course, in my opinion, every encounter with a rodent is horrifying.) At times, I have been convinced they were out to get me, like the mouse who hurled itself up toward me when I leaned down to put something in a trash can under the sink, and the ones who have run toward me instead of away from me. EEEEK! But even my worst rodent confrontations pale in comparison to my co-worker's story this morning.

While she was standing at the bathroom sink getting ready for work, a mouse scurried across her bare feet! She admitted to screaming and jumping, but her mother told me she leaped ten feet through the air to stand on the couch and shriek!

This time of year, we often remember our first Thanksgiving dinner here in our new house in 1996, when Tyler spotted a mouse running across our kitchen floor during dinner. Boys and brooms and men went crazy, and the mouse hunt came to a loud and satisfactory conclusion!

I am so very thankful that I have seen no signs of rodents around here since my husband returned from his hunting trip a week ago! Oddly enough, it occurs to me he seemed almost as horrified at my picture blog of Zeek wearing clothing as I become when I see a rodent!

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day took on a new meaning for me in 2005. It was the first time someone near and dear to me was serving our country in active combat. I contributed a picture of my nephew, Marine Lance Cpl. Tyler Troyer, for the church slide show honoring veterans, and felt a whole new level of pride and respect for veterans. Less than two weeks later, on November 19, 2005, came the tragic news that Tyler's life had ended.

Last week I went to the mall for a quick fun shopping lunch break, but it changed into a teary and sober contemplation when I ran across this tribute showing "The Faces of the Fallen" right in front of the store where I was shopping when I received the phone call about Tyler's death.

 The names and photos were arranged by month and year, and it didn't take me long to find Tyler.

Looking at all those names and pictures, and thinking of how many loved ones were changed forever through all these losses is very sobering and heartbreaking. I honor the courage displayed and the sacrifices made in the ongoing quest to keep our country free and strong.

In my own little world, I show this honor and respect by tending the little flower garden at the flag memorial in the park behind our house, and more importantly, by praying for his family and other veterans and active military personel. May God comfort them and bless them all in a very special way on this Veteran's Day.

(You can read the memorial plaque here:  "So Much Better!" )

Dogsitting Day 7

She's gone completely crazy. Does she think I'm cold? No one has ever put clothes on me before. "Eeuuw, hold still," she says.  "Eeuuw, I don't touch dog's feet. Eeuuw, don't lick me." If I didn't totally adore her, I'd never let her get by with it.

"That sweater is comfy but kinda blah," she says, "you need to accessorize."

 You really think this color makes my eyes pop?

The Old Guy is not going to like this.

 I'll never be able to look anyone in the eye again.

 Enough already!

You really do think I'm a good dog, huh?

I think I'm getting the hang of this posing thing!

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful!

Why are you doing this? Because people you work with dared you to? They really want you to bring pictures of me tomorrow? You blame peer pressure?

You won't even let me chew on the scarf?

Really, I mean it. I've had it. 

Whew, I'm back in my natural state now. I need a nap. She's pretty excited that the Old Guy is coming home tomorrow. I hope that means she'll go back to ignoring my existence like she used to. This is just plain undignified. I can't wait to see the Old Guy tomorrow! 

A Year Ago Today

One year ago today, I committed to stick with a detailed plan to lose weight and get healthy.  What a difference a year makes! I was carrying more than 50 pounds with me every day that are no longer part of me. I was uncomfortable in my body and felt defeated from my constant self indulgence. When I stepped on the scales that morning and saw 197.8, it cemented my decision to get serious about losing it! I attained my lifetime membership in Weight Watchers on July 31, weighing in at 144, and continue to weigh in at least monthly. 

I was appalled when I got last year's school pictures. (Lifetouch graciously provided a free set of photos!) I put them face down in a drawer! I ran across them after I got this year's and rejoiced at how much better I feel! Those tight size 16 clothes are history, and I still can’t believe it when I slip into a size 4. I feel so energetic! I thank God for the delicious healthy food he put on this earth and for a strong heathy body to enjoy his creation. I am so thankful he has given me the strength to meet my goals and continue being healthy.

I've blogged before about the plan I followed and my weight loss journey (links below). I highly recommend Weight Watchers and regular aerobic and strength training exercise! The support and encouragement of family, friends and fellow losers is also essential,

http://wlenmusings.blogspot..com/2012/04/march-commitment.html

http://wlenmusings.blogspot.com/2012/08/before-and-after.html

Here's to another healthy year enjoying delicious healthy food and moving my body every day!

Dogsitting Day 6

Not exactly a scenic route, but tonight Zeek and I took a three mile run around the loop where we live. With one trip around the neighborhood only putting  4/10 mile on Runkeeper, it's a bit repetitive, but after dark, the sidewalk, lights and proximity make it my safest option.

First I allowed Zeek to drag me down the road just a little way to his special place. He was urgently feeling nature's call, and I soon gave up shouting "heel" while desperately trying to keep the leash wrapped around my arm to keep him next to me. The risk of it ending with me flat on my face being dragged heedlessly down the road was too great. I figured at least I would set a record blistering pace as he towed me behind him while he galloped down the road in a frenzied rush to do his business. When we stopped and I checked my phone, wouldn't you know I hadn't pressed Start on Runkeeper so my fastest time will be forever unknown. I can go ahead and imagine that we were doing like, maybe a 7 minute mile pace. Yeah right.

When we returned, he still wanted to set much faster pace than I could keep up. I knew his master would be quite unhappy if I allowed Zeek to get in the habit of pulling me along. We had to stop and have a serious chat and do some obedience practice. I am the boss of you, dog! And don't you forget it! After that, with some of his energy burned off, he trotted sedately beside me like a good dog should.

"Good grief, I miss the Old Guy. He never makes me run around in circles. There's not a ditch full of water anywhere to relieve the monotony. Besides, I don't think he'd like it if he knew she was out running around in the dark without him lurking around in the driveway making sure she's safely making her rounds. Oh man, I gotta learn to pace myself. I just can't stop panting."

Dogsitting Day 5

I feel like a bad dogsitter today. Work, strength training class, Zumba, my 3rd grade great-nephew Brendan's basketball game (he swished a 3 pointer among his baskets!), and finally home around 8 p.m. Fed Zeek, told him to play with his ball in the back yard for awhile, then came inside to feed myself. Zeek obviously wanted to play and run around but I'm not into hanging around outside for long. Luckily Craig came over this morning before work and took him for a walk so he got a little exercise.

When we came in through the garage he sniffed the rodent corner and immediately lost interest. Yes! The peanut butter is still in the trap!

"I sure wish the Old Guy would come home. I'm tired of this young gal telling me I smell bad. I think I'll lie down now and take a nap that includes little yipping noises."

Dogsitting Day 4

Poor Zeek. Tonight he is not enjoying the pleasure of my company in the house. His hearing seemed to diminish on our run this evening when he ran down into a ditch of water and cavorted in it for as long as he pleased. Wet smelly dogs are not welcome to come roll around on my carpet. Or even to come in my house. Poor Zeek. I guess that's what happens when I brag about how obedient he is.

Today all the boys and a girlfriend came home for dinner and seemed a little concerned when nothing was cooking and I didn't seem to have a plan for what to eat. I told them it depended on what happened in the garage. (Really, I just didn't feel like cooking.) The garage door was open, and they tried to convince me that obviously if there had been anything in there it would have escaped as soon as possible because it would be a nightmare for it to be in there with Zeek. Friendly Zeek, a nightmare? Ha. I assured them that escape opportunities had been available before the peanut butter got cleaned off the trap, and after I set it I closed the door and kept Zeek inside with me until I checked on it. I showed them the corner and the clean trap as well as a new trap to bait since the other one didn't work. I instructed them to close all the doors. move everything out of that corner, and be prepared to destroy any rodents that might dart out.  I adjourned inside the house. Before long they all trooped inside.

They said there was evidence that something had been there. (Or in other words, their crazy old mom hadn't been completely imagining things after all.) A bag of bird seed had been chewed open and a few seeds spilled, but apparently it was not very tasty. The good news, they reported, was that they had Zeek sniff around the corner and follow the trail. He followed the trail all the way outside, so obviously there was no longer any rodent inhabiting the garage.  For a moment I actually believed it. Aren't they sweet boys to make up a story like that to make their mom feel better! I do believe the rodent is gone, because yesterday and today Zeek didn't display as much interest in that corner. But...next time it's pouring buckets of rain outside, will it again lurk under the RV awaiting a chance to dart into the warm shelter of the garage? My carefree days of taking garbage outside in the dark are gone forever! (Oh wait, when this dog sitting is over, I will return to almost never taking the garbage out. Someone completely spoils me and usually takes it out before I even have a chance!)

I took my rodent hunters to Panda Express for lunch, where we sat outside and enjoyed the balmy 74 degree day. Three of us got to sit pretty close to each other, because the chairs were cable locked to the table. I asked an employee if they could unlock them and was informed that only corporate had the key. Good thing we love each other. While eating, I asked if the trap I baited had been set correctly. They informed me that it had not, and all I had done was present free food to the intruder. I couldn't believe it. I tried so hard to follow the diagram. They didn't understand it either, after all it comes with a diagram. Well, the diagram was awfully tiny and kinda fuzzy. Very difficult to decipher. I'm just proud that I didn't pinch my fingers in it while trying to set it. I'd hate to see the damage that could do to a nail!