Hershel

 On Wednesday I had to say good-bye to my dear sweet Hershel.

Hershel was a stray neighborhood cat that followed me home on a dog walk one day about 8 years ago.  He never left.  We were never truly able to find who he belonged to though someone mentioned that they thought his owners had moved and left him behind.  Hershel ran the neighborhood, hunted the wildlife and made pit stops at our house.  He was much loved.

This past year Hershel began to lose weight; half his body weight to be exact despite lots of eating.  Though this was probably due to thyroid issues or diabetes; when you run the neighborhood making pit stops, there's no easy way to medicate.

I was concerned he'd wander off one day and we'd never find him.

So this past Wednesday I took him the vet and said good-bye.

We will meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.

Long Month

 It's been a long month.....

Yesterday we had to have our sweet Lucy put down.  Lucy had throat/thyroid cancer and was slowly declining but really declined the past week.  We had hoped she'd make it to Labor Day or at least the end of the year; but it was not to be.  The situation wasn't without some drama though; we got to the vet's, hopped out of the car, and the back hatch wouldn't open to get Lucy.....hubby had locked the keys in the car!!  We had to wait 40 minutes for a locksmith!!  Only my Lucy......

Lucy was such a good dog and loved everyone - she never met someone she didn't like.  It broke my heart to lose my baby girl.  We do still have Dexter and realized that it has been a long time since we've only had one dog.  We'll get another at some point, but right now we need to grieve.

Needless to say....I haven't done much in the weight loss department.  I did go back to Weight Watchers this past week and am finally getting myself back on track.  It's still hard; but I'm moving forward.

A Few Losses

 But the week didn't start good.  This week I had to say good-bye to my dear sweet Cooper.

Cooper was 13 years old and age wasn't well for him.  It was time to go but I stayed with him to the bitter end.  I loved this cat.

We've been looking to adopt another dog.  We found one and applied for it at our local shelter.  When days went by with no word; we stopped in and I explained that I had put in an application on Ginger but had not heard anything.  Without even asking my name they informed me that they were behind on applications and I wouldn't hear anything until the following week.  I asked to get Ginger out and the happily allowed it.  Hubby and I spent almost an hour with her, playing fetch, taking photos, bonding...  A few hours later she would be gone from the website - adopted, to someone else.  I wish they had told me there were other applications, that I would of understood; but allowing me to bond with a dog that you already had approved to someone else?  REALLY!!

So the week was about loss.

But I'm trying to not let it get me down.  There will be other dogs; Cooper is in a much better place.

And Finally An Update!

Yep....I've been gone for a while.  These times have been so crazy, haven't they?

I started back on track yesterday.  Doing well so far, but it is only day 2.  I decided I needed to get lunch under control.  One of the reasons I have such a hard time with lunch is that my co-workers mostly eat out which makes their lunches look so much better than mine, lol!  So I try to come up with ways to recreate take out meals so I don't miss out.

Today I declared sub day (the rest of the week most likely).  When subs are ordered I always favor ham & cheese (I just don't like deli turkey meat).  One of the things that makes a sub a sub is the roll!  So light bread or hamburger/hotdog roll will not do.  I either use the club rolls or I buy hoagie rolls/steak rolls.  Depending on brand and size...the club rolls run about 4 sp and the larger ones run 5-6 sp.  When I buy the larger I cut them in half giving me a 3 sp roll.  Yes, you heard that right...I cut it in half and yes that makes a rather small sandwich; yet it turns out to be just enough!  I add 3 oz of ham and a slice of swiss cheese.  Buy the thin slices, they're only 1 sp a slice and it's the real thing.  Obviously you can use reduced fat or fat free varieties as well.  I top with 1/2 a tablespoon of light mayo.

I planned on having cucumber slices on the side but forgot to buy them at the store, so I dug into the guinea pig stash of baby carrots and had them instead.  I added two dill pickle slices as well.  With a sandwich, I do need something snacky.  I bought a bag of Utz Reduced Fat Potato Chips - 20 chips is one serving for 4 sp; I only counted out for 1/2 a serving for 2 sp.  I then added an orange to finish up. 

I ended up with this:

And it was very good - 8 sp total!

Happy Valentine's Day......NOT!!

I missed a post for Valentine's Day.  While most of us who are on a weight loss journey were worrying over a romantic Valentine dinner that may throw them off course......

I was having my dog of 14 years put down.

Yes, in my house it wasn't a Happy Valetine's Day.

Toby was such a good dog but the past year his age started to catch up with him plus he had questionable lumps and masses and the starts of dementia.  This week he took a turn for the worst and though I had been preparing myself for this for a year...you're never truly prepared. 

I loved this dog so very much.  He was the first dog we got together and it broke my heart to let him go.  But I know I needed too...he wasn't living a quality life and as much as I would of liked that he just would curl up and go to sleep and pass....it wasn't to be.  I had to make the decision, I had to let him go.

It hurts.  I imagine it will for a while.

So, I've just been eating whatever....no desire to plan or keep track.  I know tomorrow starts a new week, I'll get it under control.  But for now, I just need a break.