just keep walking, running, jogging....

I am listenng to an audiobook tape about Habits. I enjoy the subject so far, and it is making me reconsider some of my routines. I hope to replace them with healthier alternatives.

The author states that we have to "crave the habit."  If we are to  make this habit stick, the payoff must be deliberate and enjoyable. None of this is new information, but maybe I will hear it this time? I hope so.

The best way for me to improve my health is to consistently exercise, eat well, and lose some weight. To "age well" I need to protect the joints and keep the heart healthy.  I know what to do- I just need to make myself a priority.

Fitbit can be a curse AND a tool. 
I am trying to figure out the perfect way to "crave" the high numbers of steps, badges, etc. with the Fitbit tool that I use to track my movement. I do get excited when I reach my 10,000 steps each day, but the little kid in me needs to figure out a more immediate reward. 

There are three more discs with this booktape. 
I hope to persevere and get to the point where my day does not feel right- without the endorphins and the sweat flowing. The hardest part is getting the cardio started. I can talk myself out of many things.

Dogs love to move.
One of the best parts of a dog's day is when he or she goes for a walk with their owners. It is so exciting for them when we grab the leash by the door. They never hesitate and deliberate. The great outdoors makes them happy and they are ready.  I want that excitement when I lace up my shoes.

it will come to me

Words have great power and can carry so much meaning.
But, there are many times when a person can be at a total loss of them.
Sometimes a person's reaction -with no words at all- can say it all. 

A person can talk till they are blue in the face, but will not be believed if the body language does not match. Honesty in voice, mind, spirit and stance must synchronize and match. Actions have got to match the story.

Dogs are excellent barometers to whether people are telling the truth or not. If your dog does not like someone, listen to that dog! You will not be lead wrong.

My words have been sparse concerning this blog for the past couple of weeks. Life is precious and a couple of my pets have serious health concerns. I am still at a loss with some of what is going on, so I cannot write about it right now. Too close. Too tender.

Does life ever slow down or do we have to stay still when the important parts happen? Centering myself and trying to "keep calm and carry on" is daunting. Emotions churn my stomach and I cannot see more than two hours ahead.

I wish everyone a genuine Monday. 

pharmaceuticals in the canines' lives

At this time in our pets lives we are juggling the medication schedule for six different pills, two eye drops, and one ointment. Three different dogs require the medication, and two of them also require eye and or ear drops. Our two year old English Bulldog named Violet still has to wear the cone to protect her eye, but the good news is that her scratch is healing. She  has adjusted to the protective collar, but she still hates it. My mopey girl thinks this device is forever.  She doesn't understand.

The humans in our household are blessed to only have to take vitamins and supplements. An  occasional pain reliever or allergy pill sometimes, but there is nothing to administer for the humans like there is for the dogs! 

This blog is not about complaining today, it is actually about gratitude. I am thankful for the medical care to help improve our lives. The responsibilties for these "children with fur" is not as overwhelming today as it was yesterday. I had a nights sleep (that was pretty decent) and I am ready to carry on.

It is a good day to get outside and get some sunshine on my head and be thankful for this day in May. 

Happy Wednesday.

will do anything for peanut butter

Peanut butter is a big deal in our house. It is the favorite treat for most of our dogs, and we humans eat it almost daily. My favorite way to eat it is in a smoothie with spinach, protein powder, flax seed, cocoa powder, almond milk, cinnamon, honey and ice. Delicious! It taste like a peanut butter/chocolate shake and is very filling. It looks terrible, but the flavor makes up for it.

My dogs just love the taste of it. Our Violet has to continue medication for her eye scratch and the only way I get her to take a pill is by hiding it in a dime- size glob. She is an expert in finding a hidden pill in meat, cheese, or other snacks. She quickly spits the pill out as she munches on the treat. With the gooey spread, she just swallows without hesitation.

This Monday at our house is a quiet one.The trust and calm that lives inside our dogs is what I strive for in my human life. It is too bad that I do not have it right now. I feel like our family is facing a painful cusp that edges to a (hopefully) stronger path for our future.
This point of transition will require a lot of hard work and a lot of faith for all involved.
I wonder if we are ready?

to ask for help

I am blessed to have the opportunity to create something new in the pet care market. With much guidance from the Women's Business Center, the Small Business Administration, and the Community-Minded Enterprises, I am writing a Business Plan and testing these new ideas. This time in my life is very exciting, but a bit nerve-wracking too.

I really think that the best lesson that I have learned so far is to just "dive in" and try!
My tendencies are to want to continue to fine tune my project forever. In my mind -I will always need to work on it and improve it. I am very critical of my own work and tend to over-analyze everything concerning dogs.

I love when God gives you signs that you are on the right path. 

This new venture started in a classroom and that makes me happy. I finished my college experience last year (when I graduated) and I loved it. School and adult learning agrees with me and makes me happy. Learning can be energizing and I enjoy collaborating with positive people.

Age is not a limitation or barrier. Age can be that enhancement and make a life with value. Experience in many things can gel together to support new ventures. Trust in the integrity of the idea. Surround yourself with people who want to try new things. Listen to their ideas and support their projects too. It is more fun to collaberate than it is to work alone.

Reach out. Enjoy. You are not alone.

Carson's eyes

As most of you know, my English Bulldog named Gus is my constant companion at home. I can count on his presence when I have my first cup of coffee in the morning- through the day, till the house grows quiet and it is time to try and sleep again. I have been his favorite human for all five years of his life, even though my husband picked him out and named him.

With our newest additions of Lil Blackie and his brother named Carson, I have watched as these six month old puppies decide how they "fit in" with our pack.

It is caffeine time again and a not so early morning -which means that Gus is beside me as I write this blog. He enjoys his place at my left foot, resting on the cool, wood floor in the dining room. I enjoy being able to check in with him with a scratch behind his ears or to pet him on his back. Everyone in my household is a creature of their habits, and we appreciate the rhythms of our day.
Carson wants to figure out how he "fits in" each morning.

Dogs enjoy being part of a pack. Most are very social and can have positive experiences if taught from an early age. Our female, Violet is restricted from her daily activities as she recovers from an eye scratch and it is traumatic for her. She loves her "take charge" days and does not understand why she cannot be with everyone else. Her pitiful whimpers at the bedroom door make me wish for a quick recovery. Her pack misses her too.

Gus has decided that it is okay if Carson joins our morning routine and sits at my right foot. He is patient with this wiggly puppy and loves that the pups want to be near him. Gus is the silent, patient uncle that is loving and loyal. They look to him as they figure out how they matter in the pack. 

It is very easy for me to just focus on my work of the day and my efforts to complete it. I can bury my head in my projects and not look up from them. Today I will work hard, but I will look up and I will look down. I will look in the eyes of my loving dogs and be appreciative for the blessing of having them in my life.

green smoothies with flax seeds added

When I was little dessert was a big deal. I am one of the youngest in a large family and money was tight. If my busy Mom had the time to bake we appreciated every home made morsel.

I am the busy Mom today but my immediate family is much smaller. I try to bake for my family but their reaction is different than my siblings in my childhood. The family is kind and appreciative but usually after one piece of homemade dessert, the remainder sits and grows stale. Sugary goodness has become the enemy and tends to be avoided by my adult family members.

Why is there such a difference between my childhood and now? As I watch half a double chocolate cake grow old, I ponder the reason that it lacks our attention.

Are we too busy to make our meals (and dessert) important?  I know that I search for better ways to utilize my time each day to get more work done. My "to do list" is always longer than the time allotted to complete it. I believe that is the norm. Our busyness seem to be multiplying and I question whether it improves our lives. Is more (completion) actually better for life in the big picture?

Faith, Family, Friends, Job searching, Business creation, Classes, and Volunteer work. Toss in some rowdy English Bulldogs and a Bloodhound and I think -- maybe the chocolate cake might help me handle this.  

Maybe it's my age? Am I a grown up because I mix spinach, flax, and protein powder with almond milk, ice and banana for breakfast?

 I hope that we ALL learn to eat dessert first.