LOW my ass!

For the past week, I've been on LOW.  Lack of work.  Corporateamerica forced me to take an unpaid week off.... so the precious shareholders get their quarterly dividend.  Just not in love with that idea.  Particularly since part of the building did not have to submit.  Does this mean that I, we, are less valuable than the other part?  I've been turning that over and over in my mind, and I don't have an answer.  
It may be because the week has been just a weird portion of time, like the time-space continuum shifted and no one told me.  The parents visited last Sunday, a planned visit.   What was not planned was Bandit's illness.  Coming home on Saturday the 9th, after a semi enjoyable afternoon with friends, we found Bandit vomiting, and covered in feces.  He had lost control of his bowels, panicked (at least that's what it looked like from the smears on the floor) and more or less left a trail of turds to the door.  It didn't get better.  A call to his vet...... went totally unanswered.  They still haven't called back.  Fuckers.  My vet stepped in, and on Monday we decided that it was simply time for Bandit to join Dakota at the Bridge.  He went peacefully.  I think they do when they are in pain or are suffering.   But, while waiting to get him to the vets, Mom and Dad and I went to... Charlestown.  The trip had been planned, and I can't complain about the results, but sitting at the penny slots, mindlessly spinning and spinning.... not really knowing if I was winning or losing or whatever, just trying to be everything to everyone.

Particularly hard for B, as she and Bandit had been together for over 13 years.  Follow that up with eye surgery on Tuesday for B, and it's no wonder that she experienced some pain and problems afterwards.  Wednesday was for rest, but a long planned trip to the campground was on the schedule for Thursday.  A few days up there was what I guess we needed, as I came home 8 pounds lighter, and we were all in a better mood.  And here it is Sunday, one week from the start of LOW, back to Corporateamerica tomorrow.  Pffft.  It's hard to muster up enthusiasm.

So, one good thing did come out of that Wednesday rest day.  Mom was back up, yeah, I know, twice in one week!, on a quick overnight while she was traveling.  Dinner was at a local 'landmark', The Cozy Inn.  The food was, well, OK.  Nothing spectacular.  But we spent some time in the 'Camp David' museum.  Trout Run is for sale, or was for sale.  The VP 'residence' in the Catoctin Mountains.  That got me thinking..... suppose, just suppose, that it was purchased and turned in to a retreat for women?  And that the women who bought it lost their 'jane of all trades', who more or less left in the darkness of night.  And that the main character knows these women and just comes up to get away from her mom...... and ends up........yeah, there may be a setting there.  One that's familiar to me, but will let me stretch some, and let me include some of my own loves in the story line.   Damn, its a start!!

Low carb and tolerating it!

Several years ago, I think the Food Network featured a show called Low Carb and Lovin' It!  I also think the guy who hosted it was recently charged with some sort of a serious crime. It's because he wasn't eating enough carbs.   Your honor, the defense rests.
Last fall, when my PA called to let my know my blood sugar levels were resting just below a diabetes diagnosis, she suggested I go on a low carb diet.  So I did.  I have spent I don't know how many meals chowing down like Wilma Flintstone.... steak, burgers, chicken, turkey.  Probably not enough fish and seafood.  Veggies.  Limited fruit.  High fiber stuff.   Special K High Protein... well, not the best cereal I've had, but not the worst.   Carb Balance tortillas.   Fiberful english muffins.  Peanut butter.  
So the blood sugar level has improved.
My waste line has improved.  The scale moves further to the left every day.
But I miss cookies.... any cookies.  Crappy Dollar Store cookies.  Fig Newtons.  Cameos.  Homemade sugar cookies.   Gingersnaps.  I'm mourning your loss.
And I miss scones.  Hot tea and scones, the civilized way to start the evening repast.  Screw booze, give me a tender scone!
So now I'm experimenting.  Looking for low carb cookie and scone recipes, and giving them a try.    Not necessarily sugar free, although that would be probably the best way to go.    I want to come home, heat the water, warm the scone, load it with clotted cream or lime curd and sit on my deck and enjoy a few quiet moments.
Damn blood sugar.

Ignoring and Ignorance

I've been ignoring you. I'm sorry Blogger, I really am. I'd explain, but I'm not sure you would care. Suffice it to say that sometimes life gets in the way. Maybe that's not life or not living getting in the way.

Besides, Facebook is a lot of fun..... but it tends to be mind numbing sometimes.

So much since last October..... I have a lot to share.

The biggest change is this little lady:

I'd say my heart finally healed, that I was over Dakota, but that's not the case. I was looking for another Husky! And fate led me to Betty. She's a three year old Lhasa mix - although who or what she's mixed with is probably never going to be solved. No, she's not a Husky. But she hates hot weather, loves spending time with people, and has a stubborn streak the size of the state of Alaska. She's not a Husky, but maybe, just maybe, she's what I needed.

And I love her!

So, I'm back to pondering all things wordy. And thinking about writing again. It feels good.