Skittles and M&Ms

Skittles and M&Ms have been my mid-morning and afternoon snacks for the past two days. And my lunch today. I actually had a pretty good lunch at first - this crab and shrimp louie salad from Trader Joe's - but my upper right molar is KILLING me - and eating the salad felt impossible. Something happened to the tooth - not sure what. I crunched pretty hard on a tortilla chip over the weekend, which resulted in a really intense pain, and now I pretty much can't have any contact of any kind with that bad tooth. It's hard even to talk - you'd be amazed at how many words force your top teeth and bottom teeth to touch. Salad is particularly difficult to eat because it's so...thin. Like when I'm chewing salad, there's very little padding between my upper teeth and bottom teeth. However, Skittles and M&Ms are much thicker and chewier, which make chewing much less painful. It's ironic, because a diet of Skittles and M&Ms probably causes more tooth pain in general than prevent.

I came home and thought Pig had blood all over her right front paw. It looked like blood - all caught between her toes and under her nails. I spent a lot of time petting and consoling and examining - I couldn't figure out where the cut was. Max came home and told me that she took a tumble during their walk today - I immediately assumed that's how she got her bloody foot. She must have cut herself! And then he said it wasn't her blood - and I immediately assumed that she stepped in a pool of someone else's blood! And then I immediately assumed we both got contaminated with the HIV! Turns out, she stepped in some rotten fruit - what kind, I don't know - maybe a pomegranate? Well I guess she was trying to eat it, and then tripped over it or something, and ended up with a stained red paw. Poor Pig. But at least she's ok.

Back to Blogging...

Over the weekend, I set up a website for our wedding. It's pretty cool and has these neat tools like "Request Reception Music" where people can enter songs they want to dance to at our wedding. I kind of doubt anyone will use it but I think it's fun anyway. I also added a wedding blog. I figured it'd be nice to keep track of the wedding planning experience and the run up to The Big Day (just 278 days to go!) It was real nice to just - I don't know - write about stuff that was on my mind. Of course, I have to keep it more wedding specific, which then made me miss this particular long abandoned blog where I really was free to talk about anything. Or more like nothing. So, maybe I'll start writing here again too.

In setting up the website, I had to look for a lot of pics of Max and me. Now, the two of us have been together an almost retarded amount of time. Nine years in February. Looking over the pics, a few observations can be made:

1.) I look better with long hair.
2.) I look better when I'm about 10 lbs thinner.
3.) Neither of us look good making the stupid open-mouth "Max" face.

Unfortunately, neither #1 nor #2 can really be fixed immediately. But, #3 can. Right now, I am NOT making the stupid open-mouth "Max" face.

I Really, Really, Really Like It

My mom has a pair of [ractically new, barely worn tap shoes of mine from when I "really really really wanted" to take tap dancing lessons in middle school with my friend Emily. I took a free initial class, came back and told her I "really really really liked" tap class, convinced her to pay $60 for a pair of shoes even though she pointed out the shoes and classes were expensive and was I really really sure I like the class? (oh yes, I really really really love tap class! was my reply). Two lessons later I came back and told her I "really, really, really didn't like the class" and could I please quit?

Anyway, I bring this up because I found a Cardio Tap class that I really (really, really) want to take. The classes aren't that expensive - about $70 together for 10 classes - but the hitch is that I need to buy tap shoes for the class.

I told my mom that if I ended up not like the class, I'd send her my new shoes so she can keep them along with the ones I got twenty years ago.

Normal Work Days Suck

Today was my first normal full day of work in weeks. Even though I worked last week on New Year's Eve and the day after New Year's Day, we got out at 3 so I got quite accustomed to working less. Man, it draaaaaged today.

It's now officially illegal to text while driving so I was finally forced to get a blue tooth thing. It creeps me out - when I tested it out by calling Max, it sounded like he was in brain. I felt oddly violated. Wonder if that's what brain washing is like?

Went to the gym tonight to take a step class. I got there early so I ran a very slow and painful mile on the treadmill - man I'm out of shape! I have no idea how I was ever able to do a 10k...

Lisa and I are going to take a free hula hooping class on Saturday. I can't remember the last time I hula hooped, and I certainly could never hula hoop for more than a few seconds so Saturday's class should be um, interesting.

Pig is much better again today. She can get up and down the stairs with no problem. She's still a little wobbly and has a slight head tilt but I'm glad she's doing so well! Yay!

2009 Resolutions

I've haven't really been thinking about my resolutions for this year since Pig's health condition has been first and foremost on my mind but now that I think she should make a full recovery, I figure I can take some time to give some thought to my resolutions for 2009.

First off because I've COMPLETELY forgotten about them I had to look up my resolutions for 2008 to see how I did last year. They were:

1) Get my wisdom teeth removed. My dentist has been bugging me about this for years and I'm finally going to take care of it this year.

2) Lose the muffin top! (don't laugh - I know I say this every year - or every week - but this is something I want to have happen)

3) Step out of my comfort zone and try new things. I am a total creature of habit and I want to challenge myself to do new things. Even little things like today - taking the bus - that's a great accomplishment for me. I know it sounds silly but I normally would never think of taking the bus. And I did it!

So. Hmm. I still have my wisdom teeth, so I didn't keep #1. Guess that goes on my list again this year.

I have a muffin top again, although I briefly lost it (or almost lost it) during early 2008 when I was working with a trainer a lot. Back on my list.

I can't say I've really stepped out of my comfort zone and tried new things...voluntarily. I mean, I've overcome a lot of different challenges and things I wasn't used to at work this year, but none of that was voluntary. I didn't try surfing, as Max did (although really, everyone who knows me advised against it and was thoroughly certain I wouldn't enjoy it). I haven't made any new friends, except ones from work, and that doesn't really count b/c we're not friends outside of the office. I haven't taken up any new hobbies or sports. I cut my hair really short, but then again, I've done that before, so that's hardly stepping out of my comfort zone. Hmph. Have been a bit of a loser in that sense this year. OH - well - I did do those 5K and 10ks! That was something different and new.

Okay, so I guess 2008 was yet another year of broken resolutions. Oh well.

So, for 2009, I resolve to:

1) Get my wisdom teeth removed. Especially now that I have a great dental plan.

2) Lose the muffin top! I just feel like this is a losing battle but if I stop the fight, I'll be 400 lbs and will wear sweats for the rest of my life. Seriously. Did I mention that over the holidays, when I couldn't decide between a coney dog and an Arby's roast beef sandwich for dinner that I just decided to have both? AND the curly fries that came with the Arby's roast beef sandwich combo, b/c a combo is such a better deal that just buying the sandwich alone? And that when I was having lunch at Olga's with Yana, who I haven't seen in ten years, I felt it necessary to order an orange creme cooler, a large UNLIMITED REFILLS olga's salad with Olga's pita snackers, AND an olga's chicken fajita???

3) Step out of my comfort zone and try new things. 2008 was a bit lonely for me with all my best gal pals leaving the state to follow their men. I like the regular guys I hang with, but I really need to make more female friends, so I think it'd be good to look into some book clubs, knitting clubs, or just generally anything where I might be able to meet some more wimmin' folk.

4.) Floss or use listerine daily. Yep, this one is back on the list. I am just soo soo bad about taking care of my teeth, and I've basically ignored my various dentists' pleas to please floss and now it's occurred to me that really - ignoring health advice for 20 years could be a bad idea.

5.) Save $$$$ - Recession = not blowing money on stupid things like that stupid Peticure thing I saw on TV that doesn't work but I've waited to long to return it so I'm out $60, excessive bar tabs, $20 lunch salads from the Whole Food Salad Bar (how on earth do I manage to make a 3 lb salad anyway?), and clothes that will fit when I lose 10 lbs and grow two inches in the chest and 3 in the ass.

5.) Be a better person aka the Miscelleneous Category. For me, and I think for everyone, you have a good sense of where you need self improvement - whether it's something as small as learning to be more patient, more on time (god I'm bad at that), and remember birthdays... there are all these little things that I just wish I were better at, so I'm just going to clump them in this Miscellaneous Category and resolve to just be more aware of things I could do better...it's sort of cheating but they're my resolutions so I can do what I want. :)

So, that's that. I think I'm going to try to post monthly on my progress so I can see whether I'm sticking to them!!

Weekend Recap

First one of the year...

Pig is much better today. Her eyes have calmed down and she isn't really falling over unless she's trying to poop, which is understandable - that requires more balance! She's still not eating her regular dog food for breakfast. Maybe she is more nauseous in the morning? However, she did leap up when the automatic feeder went off for dinner, so I think she is well on her way to a full recovery. She still has a slight head tilt, which makes her look adorably quizzical. We're just so thankful it did turn out to be old dog vestibular syndrome, and not something worse.

I really didn't do much this weekend except stay home with Pig. Since I was home I decided to tidy up the apartment so I've basically reorganized every closet and drawer in the apartment. I can't believe how messy we've gotten over the years! And how much garbage we threw out! I still have one last closet to do, but I got tired of being so tidy so I figure that one can wait until next weekend. Max and I have an ongoing competition on who can lose the greatest body fat percentage each week (loser has to do all the chores - cleaning bathroom, cleaning kitchen, laundry, garbage and more). I've actually lost every single week since we started this back in December EXCEPT for this past week. We both gained weight over the holidays, but he gained more so he has to clean - whoo hoo!!!

Apart from tidying the apartment, I really haven't done much this weekend. I finished the third book in the Twilight series. I seriously am not a huge fan of the series, but somehow I feel compelled to just finish it. I totally find all the characters annoying and just so...stupid and naive. I guess there really isn't an inner 13 year old girl in me anymore. Just on the outside - for the love of god, how is it possible to get wrinkles AND zits??? I am friggin' 30 - shouldn't this acne phase have passed by now???

What else? I did do a little exercising. Our annual girls Vegas trip is only about a month away and there's no way I can cram myself into a little Forever 21 halter top at this moment so I'm going to have be very very good for the next 30 days or so. Yesterday I did a work out with these resistance bands my brother got me for Xmas. Most of it went well, except I messed up this one leg workout and ended up shooting myself in the ass with a large rubberband. Ouch. Today I went "hiking" at Runyon Canyon. I use "hiking" in quotation marks because it's not really hiking - I mean there is a hill, but it's not like you have to carry backpack and a can of beans to go. It was packed today, but no celebrities. I've seen Drew Barrymore, Jack Gyllenhaal, and Sarah Jessica Parker (or a really really skinny blond stripper) there before.

So now it's Sunday night. I'm watching the 21 Sinful Spots in Vegas on Travel Channel right now...sad to say I haven't been to any!!

Latest Pig News

Well, I think Pig is definitely (hopefully) on her way to a full recovery. This morning, she was able to make it down some stairs and her head tilt seemed a little less pronounced. Her eyes were better this morning, but seem to be flickering a bit more tonight, which is consistent with what we've noticed is in the past few days - she seems to do better in the morning and during the day. At least there's been some improvement. Walking her is still a slow and cautious process for all three of us (she gets escorted by both Max and me), but she can make it up the stairs fairly well now. So, I'm hoping this all means that it was just an ear infection and not a brain tumor thus causing her disorientation and symptoms.

Thanks again for the well wishes and kind thoughts!! Hopefully this is a short episode and I can go back to blogging about her poop, my endless attempts to reduce the muffin top, and other drivel.

Pig Update

Pig didn't seem much better this morning and absolutely did not want to be dragged and carried out at 6 a.m. (the dirty looks she gave us!), but she did finally drink water from her water bowl, which I took to be good sign. When I got home from work, she was able to walk to me without falling over, and seemed much more energetic so I'm hoping she is on her way to recovery. Up until this evening, she's only had an appetite for cookies and people food but tonight I was able to hand feed her some regular dog food and ultimately get her to follow a little trail of dog food bits to her bowl. And then she ate all her dog food from her bowl, so I think that's really good. I guess dogs that get this old dog syndrome refuse food and water initially because they're nauseous and may not have the motor skills to be able drink/eat out of bowl. So, I'm thinking it's good that she can now. I can't tell you how strange it was to see a dog bowl full of food for over 24 hours just sitting out on the kitchen floor. And to hold up dog food to her mouth but have her turn her head away. It was so weird. Her eyes are still flickering - the vet said that usually the first signs of improvement are with the eyes, so I'm hoping those settle down soon. Hopefully I'll have even better news to report tomorrow.