All Locked Up, Safe and Secure

Stressful day today.  I was leaving for work early this morning - had brought my stuff out to the car and then had to go back in the house to check on my old pup Lily.  Well...I couldn't get in!  The door lock was broken.  We had a ton of rain so I waited a few minutes, thinking maybe it had something to do with being wet.  No.  I was locked out of my house.  OMG.

I had to go to work (Mondays are very busy).  I called a local locksmith and arranged to meet him at my house after work. Of course I freaked out all day at work.  My crazy brain was convinced that the unknown locksmith was going to rob my house before I got home (nothing against locksmiths....it was just my weird brain!) and the alternative, I was then convinced that my front door would suddenly unlock and all my animal babies would escape.  Yes, I was a basket case!!

Finally, I got home and met the locksmith.  It took him more than an hour to even get the door open.  Apparently the latch or something had just disintegrated. I just had the lock installed 4 years ago when I bought my new front door.  Frustrating, but  at any rate I am all locked up safe and sound - and $100+ lighter in the wallet - and am grateful that everything worked out.

On a happy note, Mom and I went to Snow Creek Farm about two months ago (our friend opens her home 3-4 times a year to sell her amazing crafts, art, etc) and she gave us some pussy willow stalks for decoration.  Well my mom had mentioned that when she was young she stuck a pussy willow branch in the ground and watered it religiously and a pussy willow grew.  I wasn't sure, but thought, what the heck.I stuck some in a large Grecian pot and some directly in the garden area.  Well..........................tada.....................I actually have pussy willows growing............take a look.

And I am happy to report that even more are starting to *bloom* in the ground. Who knew, but I am thrilled.

And finally, another picture that makes me happy.  As I sit here at this moment in my big comfy overstuffed chair and ottoman, this is what I see at my feet just beyond my laptop - my sweet heart cat, Freida (ignore my funky foot).

The Cove

I saw the creators of this documentary called The Cove on Oprah on Earth Day and was literally sickened.  It was created by dolphin activist Ric O'Barry,director Louie Psihoyos and co-produced by Fisher Stevens.  I haven't seen the whole movie but just the Oprah Show and the trailer was a shock to my system.  I know I should watch the movie, but it is just so disturbing I am not sure I could physically get through it. 

After watching The Cove, Ric O'Barry says people will be shocked by the slaughter and inspired by the magnificence of these mammals. "It's not about intelligence. It's about consciousness. They are self-aware like humans are self-aware," Ric says. "I don't believe that the fishermen are aware of that." 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KRD8e20fBo

I understand that there are atrocities everywhere, even in my own area, but I think it's important to talk about all of them and to share what we learn.

Check out the trailer and I would love to know if you have seen the documentary. The slaughter begins again in September.

Lolly

EARTH DAY AND A RENEWED COMMITMENT...IT'S A NEW DAY

What better day to renew my commitment to blogging than EARTH DAY. Although I will occasionally share things I make, animal pics (well, probably more than occasionally), and other miscellaneous items on this blog, for right now I am going to devote a lot of time to my vegan life (vegetarian for 15 years, and made the switch to veganism in March 2009) and my switch to all whole foods (starting today) and my main focus right now of NEEDING to lose more than 100 pounds.


People always seem surprised that I am vegan – “how can you be a vegan and have such a weight problem?”. Well, duh folks, if you are eating too much, eating processed a lot, have major portion distortion, don’t exercise, etc……the weight piles on. I have gained and lost and gained and lost so much in my life and really that stops now! I have osteoarthritis in both knees (very painful and I have to use forearm crutches to walk) and I have extremely high blood pressure that is only regulated with a high dosage of medication ($60 a month). CHANGE STARTS TODAY. I need to get healthy for me, for my beloved four-legged children and so that I am here to try to make my mark in this world.


I belong to a weekly weight loss support group, TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) so will have a weigh in every Thursday night. So far this year I have lost about 18 pounds, but that should have been more, since I would lose 4 pounds one week, gain 2 the next and so on. I am all about consistency now. A friend in the group took me aside the other day and said, “What would it take to get you to eat a piece of meat?” I was shocked by the question because this friend knows how passionate I am about my veganism. I immediately said “Never – that will never happen.” She then asked me, then why can’t you apply that same passion and resoluteness to your weight loss journey? Hello, folks, lightbulb *AHA* moment.


So, I am going to share my journey with you and hope that I will have your support. I will also be more than happy to hear any tips, suggestions, guidance you all can give me on this road. I am hoping to post something every day. Change is hard, whether you choose it or not, but I am worth it. OK, I am going to be brave here and insert a few current pictures of myself…most were taken at work over the last few weeks (clearly I don’t have enough to do – lol) so let’s consider these my “before” pictures (no full body shots, though – don’t think they even exist).

Thanks for listening and I look forward to getting to know you all!!






 







(my sweet boy, Marty)

Peace,
Lolly