Blog dump

Here is what I've been up to for the past month or so:

Aaron got me into Game of Thrones.  It's so good, but difficult to watch, at times.  I tried to read the books, but they're a little more intricate than books I like, a la J R R Tolkien.

I flew out to Virginia for a week, for my sister's graduation.  Really, just to hang out and have family time, since the graduation was only a day.  I got to spend a lot of time with my mom and my sister.  And also my dad.  It was weird, because it was like being a real family again.  We hadn't all been together since my wedding, 8 years ago.  It was fun to just sit around and talk.  My parents were discussing me going back to school to finish my degree.  My dad has tentatively offered to pay for an online school.  But I need to look into it.  And I need to talk to SJSU and see if my credits are still worth anything.

I also did something kind of crazy for my impending 30th birthday; I got my nose pierced.  I was thinking about getting a tattoo, but I wasn't ready to take the plunge.  I like it, it's really cute.  It hurt, quite a bit, but it was so quick; my eyes welled up, but that was it.  Rebecca was supposed to go with me, and maybe get a cartilage piercing.  But I knew she'd chicken out, so I went without her.

I've been eating like crazy.  I'm a couple days "late".  Late has to be in quotes, since my cycle doesn't have a set length.  I tested a couple days ago, and it was negative.  It's really frustrating. But I guess we've only really been trying for six months, I just expected it would happen quickly.  Anyway, I think I'm just PMSing. But I really need to start moving more and eating less.  I'm still just so tired all the time, it's hard to exercise, or do much of anything, really.  I miss Adderall a lot.  I have an appointment with my shrink in a couple weeks, so we can evaluate how I'm doing.

I had my dentist appointment.  I need one filling.  No big deal.

We finally got smartphones!  Aaron, my dad and I all had olde tyme phones.  I didn't think it would be a big deal, but I've been having a lot of fun with it.

Last Saturday Aaron and I saw Star Trek.  This is worth mentioning because we rarely go to the movies, because I don't like movies, and I get really agoraphobic in movie theaters   But the movie was so good!  I liked it even better than the first one.

When the cat's away...

Aaron's gone over night for... Scoutaree?  Camporee?  Camporama?  Some sort of overnight with the troops in is district come and do games and such.  So I've had all day to myself, I planned to do all sorts of things, but didn't do as much as I'd hoped.
I slept in til 10, which was nice.  I don't get to sleep in much.  I made some oatmeal and watched Project Runway.
Then I got the great idea to try a new recipe.  I saw a recipe online for a pizza crust made with cauliflower.  I knew if I didn't do a test run, Aaron would never try it.
Here's what  I did, I took pictures, because that's what's you do.

Start with a cauliflower and chop into florets.

Use the food processor to rice the florets

Here is the riced cauliflower

Cook cauliflower for 8 minutes

Next was the hard part, squeezing out the excess water.  This is hard because that water is f-ing hot!  I didn't get all the water which caused issues later.

The next step is to mix in 1/2 cup of mozzarella, an egg, a teaspoon of herbs.

Mix, mix, mix

Pat into a disc.  Here's the other part I messed up.  I made my disc regular pizza thickness, but it really needed to be very thin.

Next you par bake it for 15 minutes.

Add toppings.  I made a magharitta pizza.  The original recipe was for bbq chicken which might have been better.  As the bolder flavour would have covered up the cauliflower flavour a little.

All done!

It fell apart.  

The flavour was ok, I think if I made the adjustments I noted above it would be better.  The taste was a little weird, the crispier edges were very good.  I'll likely try it again.

I also did some laundry, washed and line dried the bed linens.  I went to the store.  I was looking for 3 things: cow milk, cereal and sprinkle cheese.  We have plenty of soy milk, but Aaron won't drink that.  I got a lot of other stuff, of course.  Took the doggies for a walk.  Took a nap.  Exercised, showered, ate dinner.  Aaron called me from the camp office.  That was nice and unexpected.  

My diet was been going well.  I've lost a couple pounds already, I think that's mostly due to cutting out sugar.  I did have diet soda yesterday, but none before or since.  Tomorrow will be more difficult.  It's french toast day, and we're going to two birthday things tomorrow.  I guess we'll see how it goes. 

Weighty Issue

I knew I was gaining weight.  My usual weight is 142.  Today I bit the bullet and weighed myself, after avoiding the scale for weeks.  157.  I can hardly believe it.  It's been 10 years since I weighed this much.  My highest was 163.

I think there are a few factors at work here.  The first was getting off of Adderall.  One of the main side effects of Adderall is weight loss.  The second factor is depression.  It's been pulling me down a lot lately.  To the point where I don't want to do anything.  After work I sit on the couch and watch a lot of tv, or play on my tablet.  The third factor is a combination of the first two: fatigue.  I'm so tired all the time.  I just want to sleep.  I think it's probably a vicious cycle.  I'm tired, and depressed so I don't exercise.  Not exercising makes me gain weight, which makes me more tired, depressed and fat.

My clothes are all tight, some flat out don't fit anymore.  My underwear and bras are tight.  My rings are snug.  Even my sweatpants are tighter.  My mother in law patted my belly last week because she thought (and hoped) I was pregnant.

Here's the plan:
This first week(starting tomorrow) is detox.  No sugars, no diet soda, and as few processed foods as possible.  I'll be eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, tofu, eggs, salad and oatmeal.  This is going to be hard, I'm super addicted to candy and diet coke.  That's why I think it's essential to cut them out for at least the first week.  I'll also be counting calories
I'm going to start moving a lot.  I ordered something from tv.  I've never done that before, but I got Hip Hop Abs.  Not because I want great abs (well, I do, but it's not a priority), but it actually looks like fun; something reminiscent of Zumba.  That will be 6 days a week.  I'm going to try to do some two-a-days too.  Probably jogging, hiking, stationary bike, and yoga.

My goal is to be at least 10 lbs lighter by the time I got see my family in a month.  My longer term goal is to be 20-30 lbs lighter by labour day.  I'll be weighing in every Wednesday, including tomorrow, just to get in the habit.  I'll maybe post a new picture in 2 or 3 weeks.

Random Bits

• I love reality tv.  Junk tv.  I just love it.  Especially competition shows.  
• I listen to a lot of different kinds of radio.  NPR, pop, rock, adult contemporary, oldies, Mexican pop, Chinese pop, classical, etc.  Oh and musicals.  I for got those.
• I enjoy physical labour. I really loved shoveling snow when we lived in Utah.  I like yard work, and housework.  I feel very accomplished when it's done.
• Fiona is my little baby.  She loves to snuggle.
• I have a serious diet coke addiction.
• I've had anxiety issues since I was 6.
• My little sister is my best friend (aside from Aaron).
• Now that hair is shoulder length, I'm thinking about chopping it all off again.  But I really want to donate it this time, so I'll keep growing it.
• The only celebrity I've ever met is Mayim Bialik.
• I often don't feel like a grown up because I'm short.  

At this time

I opened my Discover Card bill and found I owed $0 this month.  I love when that happens!  We never carry credit card debt.  I think we've done it once it all of our married life, and then it was for only a month.  In terms of debt, we have $3700 left on my car to pay off, and all of Aaron's school loan.  As for the car, I'm making double (or triple) payments; I'm going to have it paid off before the year is through.  The student loan is hefty.  And we're hoping Aaron can stay in a non-profit or government job for the next 9 years so he qualifies for loan forgiveness.  But we're only making small payments on that, since they're income based, and it's going on my income from last year.
We're actually doing really well financially.  So I'm putting quite a bit into our two savings accounts (one for actual savings, one large unexpected bills eg: vet).  Right now, while our expenses are still low, we're going to save save $ave.
My dad bought a new Prius today, a red one.  He has two cars (well, three right now): a 92 Dodge Caravan, and a 99 Toyota Corolla.  He selling the van this weekend.  Then he wants to replace the Corolla with a new Corolla in a year or so.
We got a new cat on Tuesday.  We named him Julius.  He's a three year old grey and white tabby.  He's still afraid of Fiona, but he's getting a little braver each day.  And he a big snuggle cat, which is nice.
I've made a new weight loss plan.  These are the rules for the next month:

1. Track all calories every day.  (I was doing this but not being very strict about it)
2. Maximum of 24 oz of diet soda a day.  (I am really addicted to diet coke, so setting a two can limit is a good start).
3. No sweets except on Sundays and special occasions.  (I'm also really addicted to sugar.  So this has been tough, but I know it's healthier to do without it)
4. If not running errands, walk or jog on lunch break.  (I'm lucky enough that I can eat lunch at my desk, then use my lunch hour as I please.  Sometimes I need to buy groceries, but most days I'm free.  And since I work alone most of the time, I can come back to work all sweaty and red-faced).
5. Ride the bike 4-5 times a week, aiming for 45-60 minutes at a time.  (I have my bike on a trainer, in the living room.  I can watch tv and petal away.)
6. Weigh in Sunday morning.

I'm hovering around 150, I think I'm currently 148 or 149.  I'm going to get back to 140.  Then I'll see what to do from there.  I would like to sign up for a 10k or half marathon.  But I think I might be healthy enough to get pregnant in the next few months.  I don't want to sign up and pay for something I might not be able to do.

All About Diamond Jim

In December 2011, I was looking at the Best Friends website.  I came across Diamond Jim.  He had been in the shelter since 2005.  They estimated he was born in 2000, he had FIV, only three teeth and he was looking for his forever home.
Somehow, I convinced Aaron that our home needed to be his home.

Best Friends flew him out from Utah.  He had a long day: a drive from Kanab to Las Vegas, Vegas to LA, LA to San Jose.  Poor guy was stuck in his crate for 10+ hours.  He cried this whole way home because he wanted out.

When we got home and let him out, he was very aggravated.  He was so tiny and skinny.  But he was strong.  He batted at us a couple times, with a powerful swipe. 

And he had to go see our vet the next day.  He was not happy to get back in the crate.  

 At first he didn't play well with the others.  Moss (who usually dislikes other cats) thought Diamond Jim was the bees knees.  He was happy to have a buddy, Diamond Jim was not.  He hissed, puffed and swiped.
The dogs were worse.  Zelda loves cats, generally they don't love her.  Fiona loves to play with Moss (they chase each other, play fight, and sometimes groom).  Diamond Jim didn't realize Fiona likes to play, and she had a scratched nose off and on.

He started out as a loner with the other fur-kids, but he loved Aaron and me from the start.  He was such a love.  He loved nuzzling, and was the perfect lap cat.
He had a habit of lasering in on our hands and headbutting us until we'd pet him.  He'd do it when we were sleeping.  Or come by and nap around our heads.  He was a love.

 Since he was small, he loved getting into small spaces the others couldn't fit.
He was also sneaky and quiet.  There were many times he got kicked or almost stepped on in the dark because he was always swirling around our feet.










He had a lot of nicknames.  This was all me, I love nicknames.  Jimmy-Jimmy, Jimmy-James, Old Baby, Slim Jim, Skinny.

He and Mossy did become buddies. They would play fight.  I think in the beginning it was real fighting.  Towards the end it was just posturing.

Jimmy-Jimmy liked Moss a little too much sometimes.  He may have been gay, and humped Moss' hip on a few occasions.  Moss didn't mind.

 He loved laying in the sun.  He often would sneak into the backyard, and try to munch on grass.  He would explore: in the garage, in the sink, in the closet, under a blanket.  Always curious, even in his old age.

 He loved people food.  He was always sneaking stuff off our plates.  He loved pretty much all food, but he wasn't too keen on cat food.
He was pushy about it.  He would repeatedly jump on the table to get our food.
One time Aaron had beef stroganoff and he, quick as lightning, took a swipe at the bowl and took off with a big chunk of beef.  A few minutes later he came back to try it again.

 He would often "sing".  He didn't whine, or meow much.  But when he found himself alone he would sing (like cats do when they sit on a fence).  At first, we thought he was distressed.  We'd find him, and he'd give us this look that said "what do you want?"

Diamond Jim, despite having him for only a little over a year, was our most expensive guy.  He had quite a few health issues over our time together.  Mostly tummy issues, he was often barfy.  So he lost weight over time.

I hope he was happy here.  We loved having him.  We did the best we could. And what we wanted was for him to have a home, and not spend his whole life in a shelter.  We gave him a family and a real home.  He gave us snuggles, smiles, and fun memories.  We will miss him.

A little whine, this and that

Aaron's been gone on a work trip for a couple days.  This will be a test, as later this year he'll be gone for a week, and then two months, and then possibly another 10 days.  It's kind of hard being on my own.  Mostly, just because of the animals.  I do a lot of the housework anyway, because his hours can be long, but taking care of four animals on my own is hard.  Especially on days like this...
I noticed that Diamond Jim (the oldest and smallest animal) wasn't eating much.  This isn't super unusual, he's tiny; small framed, and 7.5 lbs soaking wet.  But he didn't want things he usually goes crazy for: cream, wet food, cheese etc.  And he was a little dehydrated.  Aaron said to take him to the vet.  --In our division of labour, I put Aaron in charge of all things pet (buying food, vet visits, shots, etc).  One reason is that these duties are sporadic, so he can do them around his work schedule.  But the main reason is that I can't handle vet visits.  I can't keep it together when things go wrong.--  But today I put on my big girl pants and took Jimmy-Jimmy to the vet.  The normal vet doesn't work Tuesday or Wednesday (which is good because he used to be the only vet there, he worked 10+ hour days 7 days a week).  Diamond Jim barfed on the way there (just bile, since he's not eating).  And he cried and cried.  He hates being in the crate, and he hates riding in the car.  First we weighed him, he's down to 5 lbs.  That is a huge weight loss, since he was so tiny to start with.  He was very dehydrated.  Two of his teeth will likely need to be extracted in the near future (he only has 4, so he'll be down to two).  They did a blood and urine draw, gave him sub-q fluids, an antibiotic shot, and sent him home with Rx food, and more antibiotics.  $427 later we were on our way.  They'll call tomorrow with results and what we'll do next.
On the way home he started crying again.  I did too.  I felt awful, like a bad cat-mommy.  Could I take care of a baby, when I can't keep a cat from wasting away?  Plus he felt so bad, and there was nothing I could do for him.
When we got home I put him in the spare bedroom, and gave him some of his new food, which he ate about half of, and close him in.  (Otherwise, the other cat, or dogs, would eat his food and push him around).

At work today my HVAC finally got fixed.  My thermostat did nothing.  So when I'd get in, it would be 52 in the office.  The heater wouldn't come on til Mr Nextdoor came in.  Then, just when it would get to a comfortable temperature, the AC would come on, and get down to 63 or so.  Now my thermostat works, and I set the timer so it won't be freezing when I get in.  Yay!

Work has been busy.  Lots of calls to make, which slows down everything else I need to do.  Plus we're having a billing meeting with the owner tomorrow (not a big deal, just a lot of planning).  Then from that meeting I need to get a lot of stuff ready for the staff meeting on Thursday.  Medicare has a couple things they're instituting, that will likely lead to smaller reimbursements, and lots more work for everyone.  Sometimes I wonder if Medicare is worth the hassle.  If I have the choice, when I'm old (assuming Medicare still exists), I'm going to pay more for a good Medicare replacement plan, because Medicare is awful, and hard for both providers and patients to work with.  I could go on and on.