Agility Handling class

Tonight is our first night back in class after doing nothing agility related all summer.  We had a course tonight.  There were a couple things I would like to work on.  From the weaves, we did a front cross and another front cross for two jumps, to the teeter.  It could also be a switch from the second jump to the teeter instead, but the front crosses are better for flow in the situation and I'd like to work on it.  Teka "forgot" how to jump the broad jump--it was a jump, U-turn to the broad jump, and she ran right next to it.  When I got her further out, her running momentum helped her take it.  I forgot that Cassi was hesitating at tunnels in the spring; she was doing that again, so I'd like to get the tunnel out and work on some distance exercises as well as some close-up angle work.

Since I haven't seen this group since May, it was interesting that I got comments about the weight I've lost.  It happened at a meeting I had in the afternoon too, and most of the people who commented there have seen me in the past month or two.  I guess some clothes that fit and almost 20 pounds disappearing can make a difference!

Get 'er done

I took the morning off work to run errands that are piling up.  I got my blood taken for my thyroid test, took my medicine right afterward, and then headed to Target.  Mostly I needed personal care and cleaning products, and they are increasing their inventory of brands I like or am interested in trying.  I was there about an hour so when I left, I was able to eat breakfast--a Larabar and a green iced tea from Starbucks.

Then I headed to Kohl's with my 30% coupon.  On my list: a pair of black pants, a pair of brown pants, a belt, stainless steel cookware set I saw in their ad, perfume, a purse, and boots.  I found the pants and got a few tops, including one that I almost didn't pick up but makes me look so thin.  I found a reversible belt so I don't have to get two.  I found a bag I liked for work but not a purse.  Well, I found a purse style similar to the one I have now but I didn't like the colors.  The only other purse I found attractive was too expensive.  I forgot about the perfume...

I found the stainless steel cookware next.  It's a little bit of an investment, but I understand from my research that I should minimize my use of nonstick cookware since it gets scratched and leaches toxicity.  The funny thing is that the set I bought came with a free pan that was nonstick.

I have been looking for boots for years.  And years.  Apparently I have huge calves or something.  So I was not excited about looking at boots, but I saw a pair that I liked.  As usual, my calves felt like they were being strangled.  Then I saw another pair that I liked more, and the sign said something about calf extender. I bought boots today!  Whoo-hoo.  I won't be able to wear them right away (in this heat) but they are super-cute.  And they were on sale and then discounted 30%!

Catered

We saw the grand slam!

There was a catered lunch today.  Pulled pork and pulled chicken and all the normal sides.  One of the awesome admins thought about me and went to Bertha's Cafe to get me a salad.  I realized later that it had pesto which probably has parmesan cheese, but otherwise it was fine.  It's just funky weird to be catered to at a catered event.  And to have to answer all the questions.  I am pretty sure that a few people just think I'm "dieting."  And I love the ones who want to do what I'm doing--so they can lose weight--but they are eating so SAD.  Instead, they just decide, and say, that they could never do what I'm doing.  I don't think I'm special, but maybe I am more unique than I realize if people really can't make changes to their lives to feel better.  Or maybe they just don't feel bad enough yet.

Breakdown Lane

A book about a family falling apart did not sound promising, but I heard that it was worth a read.  And the lead character had MS.  I got the audio-book from the library right before I drove to San Diego.  I thought it was well-written (well-read) as it kept me engaged and listening, and ready for the next disc.  There were uncomfortable moments, when I thought she was not very likable.  But aren't we all unlikable sometimes?  I know I am!

I was able to relate to some things more than others, but that's the way it is with MS.  We all find a different path through our illness.  I guess that is true for life in general too.  Anyone who reads this book will relate to parts of the story.  Hopefully not Leo's life though....

Losing my damn mind

When I filled out the MS survey this week, the risk survey, I thought I would take less risk for physical disabilities than mental disabilities.  I would take more risk to avoid cognitive issues that are possible with MS.  I think I have some short-term memory lapses but when Dr. M asks if I have any issues, I can never remember any examples.  Funny, huh?

On my recent trip, I received a bag that included a little book with all of the schedule information.  At the end of the first day, I saw the guy next to me pick up the book and walk away.  I was a little annoyed that he took my schedule, so I went to get another.  Soon after, I realized that I had put my schedule book in the front pocket of the bag.  So I had two--I'd had a complete lapse of memory.

I recently posted that my friend brought me a snack.  Well, I'm really enjoying my snack but she did not bring it; I think I bought it while at Costco last time.

Today, we had friends over to watch football and play games, including our new Cornhole game.  We got some hot Italian sausages so my husband asked for the grilling tongs.  I found them in the cabinet in the garage where I put some kitchen things I didn't need when we moved in.  Unfortunately, to get to the cabinet, I had to move some stuff that had been placed in front.  (Because everyone puts large items in front of cabinet doors, right?!)  Worse, I realized that it was a bunch of stuff that was supposed to be in the house.  I was looking for the hanging luggage bag for my recent trip and couldn't find it--and there it was, in the garage, not with the rest of the luggage.  I kind of lost my mind then.  It's hard enough to remember where things are without them being in places I wouldn't put them.  It's possible that someone told me it was there or I saw it but I didn't put it there.  Fortunately, my friends were here to help me laugh about it.  I know there will be many more of these "can't find it cause it's not where I put it" moments.  As annoying as they are, I'm terrified of the other moments, the total lapse of memory moments.

Go, Dbacks!

My friend invited me to a baseball game.  My husband was not too pleased since some other friends thought we had plans.  (But they never firmed the plans, so they didn't get on the calendar, and we all know that I won't remember!)  So he went with them and I went out with my girl.  I picked her up at her house and we went to Beckett's Table.  It hasn't been open long but it's near my work and I've heard great things about the food; only it's not open for lunch.  We split the chopped vegetable salad and I had the half chicken with succotash.  It was all amazing.  The salad was one of the best non-lettuce salads I've ever had.

I'm not a big baseball fan but it was a great game and we had very good seats.  The Diamondbacks clinched it--National League West.  My night was so much better than my husband's.  :)

Eating well

I can eat breakfast, a real breakfast!  I found gluten-free oats, so I can have oatmeal, which I made this morning with my instant hot water, adding dried cranberries, almond slices, shredded coconut, and after it got thick, a little hemp milk.  Not bad.  I don't think the coconut added anything to it.  I am excited to have "cereal" for breakfast, and I can play with the add-ins so it's not too boring.  I can't wait to try to duplicate the coconut, peanut butter, chocolate, oatmeal I had at Ground Control.  I'm getting hungry...

I got a last minute invitation to go get lunch, so we went to Revo and the gals copied me by having the chicken fajita rice bowl, two of us with brown rice and the other with the creamy white rice (not me--dairy).  I add lots of salsa and it's yummy.  And it's two meals.

I made chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner.  I used a little of the potato water as well as some hemp milk to get the mashed potatoes creamy.  I'm still missing the butter (which technically I can have but am supposed to try to limit) for the flavor, but not bad.

Throughout the day, I had a plum, some pickled asparagus, as well as some pistachios.  Now that I look at my day, I don't think that was enough veggies.  Although there was lots of bell peppers and salsa at lunch.