It’s been a while since I’ve given a random update on what’s going on in my life. Thank goodness there is more to living than weighing. So, today’s post contains a little of this and a little of that; in other words, some Information Stew.
1. Today is the day, folks. My first yoga class begins in a few hours. I am beyond nervous, and I know how silly that sounds. If any of you happen to be daydreaming in a random thought pattern today around 12:00 EST, do me a favor and send some good vibes my way, will you? Full update later this week.
2. This isn’t really news, per-se, but I had to give an update on our 4 month anniversary with Emmie. First, tell me – could these dogs look any happier?
Emmie is doing beautifully since joining our family. For a dog who never saw the outside of a cage in her four years of life, she has made up for it in the last four months. She still runs into people (and other dogs) when at the dog park, but we are wondering if it’s possible that dogs who didn’t grow up seeing more than a few inches in front of them have a difficult time with depth perception. She doesn’t realize that she should stop until it’s too late. (If anyone out there is a vet and has a theory for this, I’d love to know what your thoughts are.) She’s improving, though. And old-man Brulee is finally warming up to Emmie; he’s finally accepted that she isn’t going anywhere. lol
3. In other news…a few weeks ago I found an ant in the house. Then, several ants. After some careful inspection, it appeared that we had carpenter ants invading the front part of our house, setting up home around the chimney. Shortly thereafter, I noticed water in our basement; a crack in a major pipe was the culprit. Ah, the beauty of home ownership.
The good news in all of this was that since we were going to have repair work done anyway, we decided that we should also set into motion our plan of remodeling our bathroom, which means I will finally have my bathtub! Yay!! For those of you who are new to this blog, you’ll probably consider yourself lucky to have missed this post, where I discussed in great detail my longing for a tub to call my very own. We’ve never had a working one in the 7 years we’ve lived in our home. Also, who designs a bathroom with NO storage space? But no more! No more shoe rack full of beauty supplies hanging on the back of my bathroom door, because I’m also getting a new vanity and cabinet – Double Yay!!
Needless to say, we’ve had roofers, bricklayers, fumigators, contractors, plumbers and construction workers coming and going for almost two weeks, working on both the outside and the inside of our home. Here’s a sample of what we’re living with at the moment:
4. And finally, as you know, I’ve gained 7 pounds since beginning this latest round of anti-anxiety medication. I decided to deal with this issue by taking my scale and hiding it in the basement. I haven’t weighed myself since the day I shared my gain with you on this post. I am using my clothes to gauge how I’m feeling. Shorts are still uncomfortable to wear, so I don’t think the weight has budged any. I haven’t gained any more though either, so I’m trying to look at the bright side. Still feeling confident that I will shed what I need to, when I need to. Until then, I’m forging ahead with my plan to continue working on my mental health by reducing anxiety and stress from my life. And really, the meds MUST be working. I’m not flipping out from having my house torn apart!
Have a great Wednesday, everyone. I’ll be back here tomorrow with a full yoga experience for you – the good, the bad, and the bendy.
Ellen
I’m impressed that you are not stressed about the house stuff! I’d be crazy over that. Can’t wait to hear about yoga:)
You know Karen, I’m pretty amazed, too. When we had our kitchen cabinets redone earlier this year I was a basket case. I think because I want this tub SO much, I’m just more focused on the ‘after’ and how great it’s going to be.
Hurray for getting your bathtub. So funny how we all want different things… I would like to have my bathtub ripped out and have only a walk in shower!
Helen, one of our construction guys just told me of a shower he installed. I immediately thought of you: big enough to be a large closet, multiple shower heads from every angle, surround sound IN the shower with ipod control, and when you put your music on – the water pulses to the beat. Is that crazy, or what? Heck, I’d give up my bathtub for something like that!!
I will send you thoughts at noon! I also have a noon class today! For me this is a very special class as I have not been in a class since my foot surgery in February. My PT gave me a thumbs up for this cardio/muscle class today! I am beyond excited to get back in the gym! So I will for sure be thinking of you as I walk through the doors of my gym hoping you are loving your class!!!
I can’t wait to see the outcome of your bathroom!
I think it was so very wise to “hide” the scale and use your shorts! You sound like you are in a good place with your decisions!
Jill, I thought of you today, too! I hope your class went well with zero foot pain. It must feel great to finally have the OK to begin living again like you used to.
Just thinking about you and hoping you loved your class! Oh- and has the weather cooled down yet? Can you guess why I am asking???
I know they are happy dogs because they are smiling!
Grinning ear to ear most of the time (except for the days when it’s super hot….then you can find them sitting 2 inches away, breathing on me!)
LOL…I think I need some of your meds because I’m stressing out about YOUR house being torn apart! My husband’s always said that if we were ever to do any remodeling in our house, I would need to be shipped off to a hotel for the sake of our marriage.
Love the very happy picture of your puppies! They look so happy that you are their mama!
Sending you virtual hugs, courage and happy yoga thoughts! Looking forward to the recap!
Jenn, it really is a disaster. There is a thin layer of dust all over everything in the house. I vacuum every night when the workers leave but it’s back the next day.
My husband feels the same way yours does – I’m usually crazy when my house isn’t in order. I think my eagerness for a tub is so overwhelming, I’m willing to put up with just about anything! lol
…and thanks for your kind support regarding my yoga class. Your comment helped get me in the door today
I was writing my yoga challenge update post this morning (goes live tomorrow) and thinking about you! If I could be there, I so totally would – but I know this is also probably something that will be positive for you to do on your own!
I am obsessed with my daily bath. Yes, I am an adult who takes a bath every day instead of a shower. It started, officially, when I was too sick to stand up in the shower, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Good luck today! I’m thinking of you!
You really do know me pretty well, Laura. I think it really was a positive experience having done it all by myself. These are the kinds of things I never do on my own. It kind of made it that much sweeter that I did it, you know? Still, I’d love to see you doing it with me
Looking forward to your post tomorrow!
Well, you’re done with your yoga class by now…. I am so hoping you loved it. I think it will really help with your fitness and making your shorts fit better.
I can’t wait to hear.
And I know the construction isn’t fun, but the new spaces will be!
Your dogs are so sweet! We’re starting to look for the right dog for us. My 4 year old and 46 year old are really ready.
My post is ready to be published first thing tomorrow, Teresa. Thank you for your kind thoughts. One thing I didn’t expect was to be sore afterward, but I am (in a good way!).
Good luck in finding the new addition to your family. The right pup will probably choose you
Look forward to hearing how you like yoga!! And HUGE AWWWWW for the dogs! So glad Emme has adapted well (not surprising, she’s lucky you found her!!!). Yay for the bathroom and yay for not feeling too stressed about it. Life is good!!!! Take care, namaste!
I’ll give Emme a big scratch behind the ear from ‘Aunt Roz’! lol
…and when the bathroom is done, I’ll try not to post more than 10 different photos of it – seeing that I’ll be so proud and all
Sometimes it can be a tough balance with what we want to focus on most but I think focusing on your anxiety is definitely a positive! *HUG*
You are SO right about this. I am having a lot of hope that it helps. Thanks, Cara
The dogs look so smiley! How are they together around the house?
I remember your bathtub post from agesssss ago, I dont think there’s anyone in the world who wants a bathtub more than you lol. Not long now!
They do pretty well around the house. Brulee ignores Emmie for the most part. She will try to play with him and he just stares at her, then looks at me as if to say, ‘Dogs. They’re so silly. Let’s go have a coffee.’
My tub is calling me, Tim. You’re right – not long now!!!
Don’t worry about Emmie’s depth perception; it’s probably more a matter of her proprioception (fancy word for her own body awareness). Since she spent so much time cooped up, she’s still getting the hang of controlling her own movements.
They both look like typical very sweet & happy Goldens; I know you are a proud mommy!
Val, when I wrote that line about there being any vets out there, I put your name in parenthesis but then erased it because I didn’t want to put you on the spot. Thank you for reading my mind though, and answering my question
That makes more sense than my idea, and it sounds like she’ll grow out of it. Actually, it’s funny to watch – until she charges straight for me and then clips my knee. The other day she ran right over a puppy at the dog park, too. That part wasn’t so funny.
Oh I remember the sweet old days of dust and men who wear dirty shoes into my home. Yeah, your meds are working.
I am so excited to see the finished product. Time to splurge on crazy nice bath salts, little cubbies and baskets for your makeup drawer and some lovely thick snuggly towels.
Your puppies Do look happy. I love slack jawed smilers. Emmie was caged for four years? I am gonna have to go hunt down posts on her. Terrible. Terrible.
So looking forward to your yoga post. I hope there are some nice folks there to enjoy it with and an excellent instructor! .
For seven years I’ve wanted to buy pretty bath salts or bubble bath in those cool glass containers; I’ve even made bath salts for Christmas, only to give them all away
Oh boy….cry me a river, right? Well, anyway, won’t be long now!
Can’t wait to hear about the yoga class! And I’m so impressed that you put the scale in the closet — I’m considering doing the same with mine. I have more to share on this topic (scale) and will have to e-mail soon.
I am doing this whole mind/body connection thing wholeheartedly, Michele. If I feel bad about what the scale is telling me then I’m defeating the whole purpose, if that makes sense. It is working for me, too. I feel no desire to know what I weigh right now.
I had both bathrooms remodeled at the same time, and while it was worth it in the end, I almost went nutso during. (Still haven’t faced the kitchen redo.
)
Hope you enjoyed your yoga class!
Aren’t you getting the kitchen done sometime this year, Cammy? Either I read it or I imagined it. Please tell me that the workers didn’t take both toilets out at the same time, at least! lol
Yoga update tomorrow!!
Wow! You have so much going on right now, but a huge bonus to the latest meds you’re on because they’re obviously doing a great job. Let’s just see how they did leading up to and going through your first yoga workout.
Can’t wait to hear about that. Love the pic of Emmie and Brulee! They are both so beautiful/handsome. 
I didn’t read any of the comments, it might be you already talked about these points.
If I gained 7 lbs, my waist band would be tight too. Because I have insulin ‘issue’ and therefore every extra goes to my middle. Actually 2 lbs and I can feel it. That is why I have my 2 lb up leeway. If I hit 2 lbs, I am back in weight loss mode immediately.
But if I remember right, you gain/loose all over/equally.
So your waist band comment made me wonder if this (all over/equal girl) has changed for you.
I also wondered if WHAT you eat has either changed or if it needs to change. Like you are hungrier and instead of upping veggies, you upped cereal or bread or something. for me – even upping fruit makes me gain. I have to really watch my fruit.
so yes, I realise chemical change in body (meds) might be doing it. But it might be habits/what you are eating too. And that you can deal/address/change.
Many maintenance people have gone through this over the years.
An example would be another blogger who had to really watch fat intake for her intial (big pounds) weight loss. It was not healthy fats at the beginning of her process, it was fatty foods.
Then as she lost the last of her pounds (final bits of weight loss, other end of the scale) she had to really watch carbs (waist band).
So what she was left with was having to keep healthy fats, protein and carbs proportional/really in line, within her total calories.
This is true for most people, but not something that is readily aparent for many (at the beginning of their journey).
It happened to be pointed out to me at the beginning (carbs, healthy fats, protein within total calories and also really watching sodium and artificial ingredients).
Yay for new bathrooms! And those two dogs are just adorable.
I love reading the goings on in your life…the dogs are adorable and the remodel sounds amazing!! Although I don’t take a bath often I love being able to when the idea hits me (especially ice baths after a really long run).
I agree with you on hiding the scale. The priority right now is your mental clarity and I think it’s a great way to kinda test yourself regarding the weight issue. Overall health has to be first and if you can tolerate a few extra pounds here and there (with the knowledge that you CAN lose them down the road, if you even want to) it really shows how much you have grown emotionally. It’s so much easier to focus on (or obsess) about our weight rather than the real issues some of us have.
I’m late…
But I wanted to say that I am SO glad Emmie is doing so well
I also wanted to say, as a non-weigher, that I am coming to know myself and my body a lot better. It’s taken me quite a while but I can now feel differences that may or may not have shown up on the scale…I like that.