sunshyne276 on Xanga

Wednesday, 09 May 2012

Went for a walk tonight, a kinda short walk, but a little bit is a start. Determined to get back into a more fit and healthy lifestyle. Needing to be more active has been my issue for a long time. Jogged/ran a very short distance, and it's amazing how even a very short run makes me breathe better/feel less congested. My goal is to get down to a healthy weight, have the hernia/muscle problem*(will talk more about that in a second) fixed, and eventually wake up around 5 every (most mornings anyway) morning and go for a jog/run. But, for now, as out of shape as I am now, I am starting out slow.

Anyway, kinda short walk, very short jog, played basketball with Nathan and the dogs a while (lol) and then played with the dogs some more - was out there for over 2 hours. lol Got back to the car at 11:40, left at 9:15 or so. lol Definitely got some good cardio in. :)

The dogs, especially my Saint Bernard mix - Duke, loves to "play basketball". lol He tries to get the ball from me, barking at me.. And once he gets the ball, he plays soccer with it. ha It's cute, going to have to video it one time. :) Then, if you throw the ball to the top of the slide, he will kick it down the slide and slide down after it. Love that dog. lol

The reason my walk was so short... For one, i'm really congested, coughing and tired. I've been sick. And secondly, I have this spot on the outside of my lower leg, a bit above my ankle.. It swells, and hurts REALLY bad sometimes when I walk a while. I first had problems with it when I was 13 and was overweight the first time (had lost the weight in my teens, and it's back). It happened mostly in gym class. I went to my doctor about it, he thought it could be a blood clot...but nothing was done about it, so I assume not? During that time, I had high blood pressure and cholesterol. Now, however, my blood pressure stays at a perfect #, even runs a bit low much of the time. My cholesterol is borderline high, but not "high". But anyway, I wish I knew what caused it.

Oh yeah, said i'd talk more about the hernia thing. I may have mentioned it on here before, not sure. But, i've had an issue with my abdomen sticking out further than it should (I mean, yes, i'm fat, a big tummy makes sense and all....lol....but I look pregnant. *sigh*). Then, I noticed something strange one night, a while back. I was laying on my back, and went to sit up, and seen the big bulge in my mid/upper abdomen, in the center. It scared me, didn't know what it was! It's the same spot where i've had some pain. Went to a couple different doctors, and found out that my abdominal muscles have torn/separated and herniated. The only treatment for it is surgery to re-tighten the ab muscles - basically a tummy tuck. Ouch. I dread it, but then I guess a tummy tuck wouldn't be such a bad idea once I lose most of the weight anyway, so I can deal with it. The muscle separation doesn't really limit me, it just look horrible and causes back pain.

Guess I should go. Need to put away some clothes and take a bath before bed. Doctor's appointment tomorrow.

Tuesday, 08 May 2012

....Rambling on about nonsense.... lol ;)

Rainy days are the best time to sit quietly, listening to the rain and think. I love the sound of rain. The scent in the air after a rain shower. Nothing else like it. :)

This is another one of those days though, I feel like I could get up and run....or at least go for a walk....lol But, when I stand up, I feel exhausted. Hate that feeling!

I guess I have caught another cold? *sigh* I thought it was allergies.. The itchy eyes, nose and ears seemed like allergies, along with the sneezing and stuffy head, swollen throat. But, this isn't just allergies. It's an infection - cold, virus, I don't know? Aggravating. At least I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow. It feels like a head cold, except for being tired and the coughing.

I've used today as my own little spa day of sorts. :) Watched movies while giving myself a mani/pedi, conditioning my nails, as well as my lips and eyelashes - gotta love vaseline! Which reminds me of the time as a kid, I thought I could deep condition my hair with vaseline. What a mess! lol Yeah, but it may not be a good choice for hair conditioner (lol), but it's awesome for the eyelashes, nails, lips, etc.. :) In a little while, I plan to take a hot bubble bath/tea bath, and deep condition my hair, do a facial mask and all that. Thinking about doing highlights, if I feel up to it, may have to wait on that.

I noticed something last night, after tanning. First of all, I have always had freckles on my arms and shoulders, and a few spread out. But, i'm noticing more on my face, chest, and legs now. The strangest thing, though, is this spot on my inner thigh. I have had a patch of freckles there for a long time now.. All in one spot, about the size of the palm of my hand.. Last night, I noticed the freckles are getting really dark.. Do you have any idea how weird that looks?? lol I hope they fade. Anyone else have a spot on their body with a ton of freckles, all in one spot, or is it just me?

I don't mind freckles. I've had friends over the years say how much they would hate to have freckles, and I don't understand it. I mean, when I was a preteen I used to buy skin lightener, and try to erase the ones on my face.... lol But, I never minded them on my shoulders/body. (except for that weird inner thigh patch! lol)

I hate being sick and losing my voice like I am. It sucks. But, I *also* hate being on antibiotics, which is probably what the doctor is going to put me on tomorrow. =/

I've rambled on enough for now, may post more later. :)

Saturday, 05 May 2012

Happy birthday to my Dad

I found myself feeling nostalgic and sad this evening, watching old 1980's Saturday Night Live on Netflix. The family used to watch SNL together in the 80s, bring back fond memories, and at the same time kinda brings me down....realizing 1/2 of the family I grew up really knowing (my Dad and my oldest brother) are gone. =( Anyway, I just want to say happy birthday "DD"! Love you and miss you! I always called my Dad "DD". It was a habit developed early.. lol I couldn't say "Daddy" when I was really little, it sounded like I was saying "DD".. My Mom and brothers started calling him that with me, and it just stuck. lol The only time I ever called him Daddy, was a very tearful goodbye in his final moments.

Anyway, enough of that! I've been meaning to get on here and update this blog. I will post a better update soon. Probably not tonight, thinking tonight is going to be an early night. I need to start getting to bed at a decent time and getting up early again. Why does a normal sleep/wake cycle have to be such a challenge for me? Anyone else have trouble with this?

Hope everyone is going well, talk more soon!!

...PS... Are their fewer font choices on Xanga now, or am I going crazy?? lol I swear there were more before?

Tuesday, 17 April 2012

Headache, nasty people in tanning salons, goodnight lol

Horrible, horrible headache again tonight. :( I'll be going to bed soon. Hoping to wake up earlier, anyway, to get some things done. But, I wish these awful headaches would stop.

I tanned at Ultimate Tan in Cedar Bluff tonight, first time in a few years. It's changed a bit, but it still nice. Still a little more expensive too. lol Oh well, tanning there once in a while isn't so bad. Those beds are NOT for the claustrophobic!!!!! lol I have a slight issue with really small spaces, not too bad - but this bed made me uncomfortable at one point. It's one of those beds that deeply curves in the midde....which makes getting in and out a bit more difficult.. lol And the top/canopy of the bed is heavy, not as easy to open and the tanning beds i'm used to. The bed closes tighter than some other beds (likely being of the curve....you're "in" the bed, not "on" it. So, at one point, I started to feel a bit claustrophobic.....when I had a hard time lifting it for a second. lol

I can't complain too much, though. I didn't burn at all (unlike Ratliff tanning in Richlands. I always seem to burn there.. Though, I like the salon itself, and nice tanning beds.). I mentioned to the lady at the counter, and she said it's because it's a bronzer bed. My (ancient) tanning bed has bronze s twister bulbs, and I like the way it works. The wasps and spiders continue to chase me out of it! I can't bring it inside, because it has a different plug, so I have it set up in my locked shed. I miss the little tanning salon that was open for a short while, it was in the building with a place that sold specialty truck items...I think it was called "Frankie's Customs"? I loved those beds. They were bigger, newer and I always got a nice, even "tan", not a burn.

The one I use most often is one of the tanning beds at the laundromat in Richlands. They are open later, and one of the beds is pretty decent. I only like to use one bed though. They have 4 beds, two different strength levels or whatever. Beds 1 & 4 are stronger. I've been told both beds are the same, and the bulbs were changed at the same time. I laid in bed 4, and came out a little pink (normal for me, not burned, kinda flushed). Next time, I laid in bed 1....and I was burnt! So nope, if I go there, it has to be bed 4. Bed 1 is more creeky sounding, anyway, and a smaller, hotter room.

One of the last times I went to the laundromat tanning though, they didn't have the protective eyewear in the room.. I didn't have mine with me (because they usually have them there).. I refuse to go in a tanning bed without them, my eyes are a lil too important to me to take that chance lol ...Finally, a couple young guys came out of the only room that had a pair, otherwise I would have been getting my money back and going home. lol The lady told me that people keep stealing them.. Why people? lol They are so cheap, you can even buy them at Walmart now. Anyway.. She went on to tell me that they can't even keep trash cans in the rooms, because people "go to the bathroom" in them. Nasty, nasty, nasty. Seriously people, why? I've read about it happening in big cities, on a tanning forum I go to once in a while.. But, here too? What IS it about a tanning salon that tempts certain people to urinate/defecate in the trash can?? Insane. lol

Off here for the night, tired, and my headache is making me nauseous. Good night!

Monday, 16 April 2012

Wolfie went home, Duke's videos, allergy meds, new job, the car I want lol

Beautiful day today! Loving the weather. I just wish I had gotten more done today. Had a list of things to do, and well.. lol
When I did my last blog, I was still sick. I'm better now, other than a lil bit of a sinusy thing going on - allergies, i'm sure. I've been breathing a bit better since getting back on Singulair! I went back to my old doc (from years ago lol), and they have a good medication program to help with the cost of some of my medication. I was able to get back on Singulair (asthma and allergies) and Nexium, two medications I soooo missed having. SO expensive at the pharmacy, just not possible! Also, got on Nasonex for allergies, and it seems to be working a little so far. I had taken Flonase before, and this is almost the same thing I guess. Within just a few days of starting back on Singulair I started to notice a difference in my breathing, and my energy level! Not sure if the energy thing is due to the med or not?
I should have done a weigh in. =/ I'll try to remember to weigh in tomorrow. I always like to weigh myself 1st thing in the a.m.. I am not expecting a loss at this point, maybe even a gain.. I've been craving meat like crazy lately (not at ALL normal for me), so it will probably be a slight gain if anything. I think the meat craving could be from a little bit of anemia, from an issue i've been having. I've also started on iron supplements, and have felt a lot better since!
Wolfie went home yesterday. It was both a sad and a happy moment! I can't remember if I had mentioned him on here or not? But last month, I was driving through Cedar Bluff (VA) on Hwy 460, late at night, and thought I seen a wolf. I'm absolutely wolf obsessed, so I turned around to get a better look. lol As I slowed down to look, he started coming toward me, and I seen a thick red collar, with something hanging from it...looked like tags at first. So, I opened the door, he came up to me, and I got him in the car, and pulled over....to find that he didn't have tags! It was a hook to a chain he had apparently broke. So, I couldn't call his owners as I usually do when I find a dog with tags, and I couldn't put him back out on the highway. So, he went home with me. He's a sweet dog, easy to love!
About a month later, I picked up the Bargain Finder and looked in the lost & found section (I always do, in case I happen to see someone's lost pet). And there it was, the top add.. Missing German Shepherd/Husky, describing him exactly, down to the collar and hook. I was happy to find his home, knowing that he had to miss his people, and his people had to miss him like crazy - as I said, this dog is easy to love! ...but, a little sad.. I do miss him. I miss his howling. lol When I spoke to his owner on the phone, she was so happy she almost started crying, and I did start after I got off the phone with her, emotions were high. lol To see how happy she was to get her baby back almost started the water works all over again! lol She rushed up to me, hugged me and thanked me for bringing him back to her..
Such a sweet woman. She and her husband are raising their two Greatgrandbabies, and she told me how the 2 1/2 year old would often look out the window and ask "Where's Smokey"? She told me the story of how he came into their lives. He was apparently dropped off/abandoned as a puppy, they went door to door, trying to find his owner and noone had ever seen him before. That was 8 years ago....and I was amazed that he is 8! I am usually pretty good at guessing ages of dogs, and I would not have guessed over 2, maybe 3. But, i'm just happy that they have their baby back. :) I told her if she ever needs a dog sitter, or anything at all, to call me. I asked her if she thinks he could be mixed with wolf.. They had found him, and guessed at his breed, so you never know. He didn't bark much, at all. He howled though, and I loved his howl, sounded very "wolfy". lol

The only negative thing he did while he was here, was destroy one of Duke's favorite toys. lol I was pulling weeds in one of the gardens the other day, and Duke kept bringing his Duraball to me to throw. I was throwing the ball for him, and noticed "Wolfie" (real name Smokey lol) watching, and playing by himself with one of the toys I have him. I tossed Dukes ball over to him.. And went to get it from him, to toss again. Since he wasn't used to the property, I wasn't sure if he'd stick around the yard like my dogs do... So, when he was outside, he had to go on a chain. (If I were to have kept him, I planned to have him neutered, and housetrain him - hate perma-chaining dogs) So anyway, I went to get the ball from him, and he didn't want to let go, and playfully took off running!! His chain wrapped around my leg, sending me to the ground landing mostly on my right side, and continued to run, dragging me across the bare, gravely dirt........ =( I just laid there for a few seconds or so, stunned, got up and wandered around for a minute, still kind of out of it. I landed on my right hip and elbow, and bumped my head on the tree behind me. I had a swollen and bruised elbow (still hurts!!), and scrapes/rash on the outside on my leg, and bruising from the chain on the inside of my leg. It sucked!! He kept the ball, and shredded it. But, I wasn't upset with him, it's not like he meant to do it. lol But still, ouch!

I found a car I really want. I'm hoping that it will still be there once I save up for a downpayment - but, not counting on it. =/ I never thought i'd like a Ford Escort, but this one is pretty sporty. It's a charcoal gray 2003 Ford Escort - not super sporty, but it's a pretty cute lil car, and suppose to have excellent gas mileage! I hope it works out. I need to have a car of my "own" again. All the years I have been driving, I always had a car. Up until recently. My old car is still in need of expensive repairs - I would try to get it fixed, instead of getting a car, but it's an older, rear wheel drive sports car - bad in the Winter, and VERY pricey on gas!! I still have dreams of fixing it up, but need something I can drive now, and be be able to afford the gas. lol Hoping to have a car again, soon.

The car I am wanting looks a bit like this one:

This one is a slightly lighter shade of gray, I think..
It's cute, somewhat sporty, I like it. lol
In all honestly, i'd prefer a Firebird or Camaro...
But, gas prices....i'll take CUTE and sorta sporty. lol
Other sorta sporty little cars I like are Eclipses and Sunfires.

Once I have a car again, I can get out when I need to.. For work, appointments, to go swimming and work out. I have a friend in Bristol that is also trying to lose some weight (though, she really doesn't have much she could lose, in my opinion - she's around my goal size! lol But, I understand how she feels, we all have our own ideal size), and once I have a car we could meet up and work out. And, i'd like to start Zumba.. Go swimming at the rec center in abingdon, meet up with my cousin to work out and swim and the YMCA in Tazewell. Not to mention, most of my friends live out of town anyway. They've either moved to Bristol and surrounding areas, or have always lived down that way. lol I don't even get to see my local friends and family nearly as much as I would like to. It's frustrating to be without a car most of the time.

I'm excited about starting a new part time job. :) I will be working for a good friend's family business, secretarial work. I'll be in Christiansburg every other week or so for work. That gets me away from this mold problem every other week, and that's a big plus too! lol And of course, having an income again will be nice. Can save up for the car, then start saving some toward a down payment on a home. After trying to work things out, to get a replacement home, i've concluded it will probably be at least a year from now, unfortunately.

I'm going to try taking Duke with me to Christiansburg, and see if it works out. I honestly think it will. He gets along with other dogs really well. Out of all my pets, he's the only one that is too difficult to leave with anyone. My brother and Mom can't handle him.. While I was in FL, Nathan had him with him at work. Which worked out well, Duke did REALLY well i've been told. But, some of the kids would kick at the pen when he was in it, so he really can't take him with him all the time. Amazingly, Duke even played ball with some of the kids! He's not a bad dog, but he used to be so antisocial with people he didn't know. He's been really coming out of that lately, not acting afraid of people so much anymore. For the first several years, he was so distrusting of anyone other than me, and Nathan. He wouldn't even let my brothers pet him.

As a pup, he was the one the guy didn't like. When we went to pick up his brother (as a gift for my cousin, she had mentioned always wanting a Saint Bernard - and he and his brother are Saint mixes), I seen him cowering against the chainlink fence, with his face buried against it. I thought he was sick, and decided to bring him home and care for him. The guy had some nasty names for the pup, he absolutely hated Duke. Duke ran from him, and he kicked at him, it was so sad. :( Duke was a a difficult puppy, so offish at first. A sensitive and smart little guy, too. I remember one time, right after I brought him home, he was sleeping and rolled off the bed. He wouldn't get on the bed for at least a year or so after that! It was weird. lol I remember the first time he ran into water. He was so scared of water! I would try to put him in a creek, and he'd quickly run out. lol But, I threw a rock, and he ran in after it.. He was several feet into the water before he realized what he had done! lol Now, you can't keep him out of the water, he loves it! He was scared of just about everything at first. lol I could continue rambling on about him, but I won't. Some other time, probably. Love that dog! lol

Enough for now.. Still need to go tan, run to the store and get home to sort clothes and try to put my closet back together - now that the mold (I hope) has been killed (in THAT closet at least!) More sometime later.

Videos of Duke.. :)
He loves water now! lol http://youtu.be/vvrRlEdD2qw
Another one: http://youtu.be/vj1M0EXCc0M These are from a couple years ago.
Duke on the slide at the park: http://youtu.be/O3DzLf2Lm5E lol
3 Years ago: http://youtu.be/QaffpOVji4M
Most recent: http://youtu.be/_biDzz8-a5Y