Puppy Love

Good afternoon, everyone (actually, I fully intended to start this post with "Good Morning", since I was going to write this while I was having my breakfast when I got here to work this morning, but that just didn't happen today, so it's a late lunch & some blogging...)--this time, it's just a love note to my sweet, beautiful, adorable & precious little puppy, Mazzie, whose birthday/anniversary my wife & I are celebrating today; amazingly, it's 2 years today we brought her home from North Shore Animal League--like anything else my wife & I do, there's a story there: on a very rainy & nasty weather day, September 28th, 2009, just under 2 months after we moved into our apartment (and, it should be noted, when our future-landlord showed us the apartment, he mentioned he not only had 2 dogs of his own & that it was a very dog-friendly neighborhood, but, after asking us if we liked dogs & my wife saying how she just lost a Pomeranian & had one before that & other dogs as well, if we wanted to, we could get a small dog & let it do its business in the backyard that joins our 1st floor apt. & his upstairs); well, that's all my wife had to hear, so on that September day, we ventured out to North Shore & after seeing all kinds of dogs, all shapes & sizes, etc. as you would there, an older staff worker brought around a scraggly, kind of sickly-looking Pomeranian named "Dolly" who was missing some hair, had no teeth, had a cataract in her left eye & as we also found it, had a benign tumor near her rear end but was so cute & wanting of love; being a puppy-mill dog, the cataract was from banging her head against the cage, the loss of her teeth was from neglect, etc., etc--one look & my wife was in love; she held her awhile then gave her to me--I looked in her eyes & said "I'm screwed, aren't I??" LOL--we wanted her right then & there & started the process; however, only being in our new apt. 2 months gave us no stable or credible residence info yet in their eyes; also, we needed a notarized reference letter from the landlord @ the very least--of course, we couldn't get him on the phone & ended leaving North Shore dejected & feeling as dreary as the weather (I don't envy the security guard who is like the "Angel of Death", killing people's hopes when they're turned down or denied a pet for whatever reason--when he called my wife's name, my heart sank)--luckily, after a rough nite between us, we re-grouped, focused & had an in as a notary would be @ the christening party we were attending the next day (a friend of ours); we got the landlord to hand-write a letter of reference for us; suffice it to say, we returned to North Shore Monday night (in almost WORSE weather!!) & successfully got our girl & took her home (but not before we almost physically tried keeping other people away from her in her oversized cage there--not really, but nearly so!!)--she never fails to warm & melt our hearts & brighten our worst days & nites; she's our life & we are so lucky to have her--good message here, folks: always adopt, never buy a pet; save a puppy or kitty's life & feel good about what you're doing for another of God's creatures---OK, lunch is done & now back to work--till next time, ciao for now :)

Hello, Yeah It's Been Awhile, Not Much, How 'Bout You?

So, as this post's title suggests (the opening line to the 70's song "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight"), my promise to myself to keep up more consistently with writing these things has totally fallen by the wayside--it's been almost a week since my last post & since it is now late Sunday evening & I'm not much longer for this night, I'll keep it short & sweet & come back to this tomorrow--I've fallen behind on everything from my favorite TV shows (amazingly, still have the finales to 6 of my shows from LAST season to watch & while I've watched a few of my season prmieres so far, I've DVR'ed the rest), newspapers, magazines, several blogs of other folks that I read--don't know how I let myself get to that point, but here I am; it's like a small plaque or a sign or something that my mom used to have: "The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!!" (I think turning 50 this past April slowed me down in that sense even further LOL)--oh well, just have to use a new day to start fresh--again, as I said in a previous post awhile back, maybe one of my best friends is right; all his kidding & ribbing aside, maybe I'm not a blogger at all--who knows if he IS right, but that's a discussion for another day--for now, though, I say Good Nite all :)

Let's Review (Again)...

So, here I am, coming towards the end of one of my last Mondays off (but for a good reason: with a new Office Manager in place @ my job the last few weeks--almost 3--I've been offered back the day that we all had involuntarily taken from us for budgetary reasons a little after the beginning of the year--the full-timers, that is--only 2 real semi-fulltime left @ this point); anyway, it was a HELLUVA weekend which, as I recounted in my Sunday nite closing post on FB, started well enough with the wife & I doing that "Veranda" thing at the House of DeRosa Friday Nite; Saturday morning was breakfast & errands after my wife had a quick blood test to take @ the dr's, then later picked up my mom & aunt to go to my niece/god-daughter's 8th b'day party (Eight? When did THAT happen??!!??); after a very nice, but chilly (cold!!) afternoon, we left around 8:15PM--she started having trouble breathing in the back of the car & long story short (plus 2 cops, an EMT & one ambulance ride later), we ended up taking her to the hospital with a bad breathing attack of her COPD & some other stuff--amazing how a good day can, as the saying goes "turn on a dime" & end up all topsy-turvy--she's home as of a little while, but we had a scary nite with her when it happened because it seemed she was going into shock even after the cops administered oxygen (she does the nebulizer in the morning & @ nite before bed, & is supposed to use an inhaler in-between--she had one with her, but forgot she had it & nobody thought to look in her purse; they & the EMT cop/techncian were terrific &, thanks to an inside connection of my sister's, Mom got taken right into the ER @ the hospital (Nassau University Medical Ctr), had multiple nurses, dr's, etc. working on her, taking tests, etc.--I was nervous because of how she couldn't stop shaking @ my sister's & was so nervous but only could muster painful dry-heaves several times before actually throwing up a little (the oxygen made her more nauseous after awhile--a real "Catch-22" because she needed it to breathe, but it was killing her stomach, etc.--has a sensitive stomach to begin with)--they were concerned she might have pneumonia (a touch of it was detected in the right lung) & that she might have a clot in the lung as well--yes to the pneumonia, no to the clot)--she was put on steroids & anti-biotics & will continue that @ home, plus follow-up w/ her pulmonary dr--this is the way with having an older parent or parents: you worry constantly about their health, their states of mind, etc.--the wife took my aunt home when all this happened, then came home to tend to the pup, who was going to be alone many more hours, so a quick visit & taking her out to do her business was needed--we didn't leave there till well after midnite (only less than 4 hours all-around, but she was about to get a room & told us to leave @ that point)--we saw her there yesterday, but of course, that nite & yesterday, she worries about everything else but herself to a point (like my aunt in the nursing home--what can you do for her or how can you visit her if you're in the hospital & can do nothing about it & have to worry about yourself??)--then yesterday was just breakfast @ home before we went, then back to the Veranda for a "wind-down"session to blow off steam & relax thanks again, to the DeRosas, our bestest friends :) Today, my wife, even more than me, was exhausted (even woke up late, unusual for her, but understandable)--and in-between all that, my nutritionist & I couldn't co-ordinate a time for me to come in for a weigh-in, measurements, etc.--trying for tomorrow after work, or else Saturday morning--still contiuing to walk, ride the bike, exercise, watch the diet, keep the journal, etc. (no slacking off just because I'm not seeing her--again, have to stick with the program as best as I can, especially in the face of any other life-crises, etc.--can't use any of that as excuses to eat the wrong stuff & not continue the regimen)--now, to watch some returning shows of ours & head to bed--until next time, dear people :)

I'm Just Sitting Here Watching The Wheels Go Round & Round...

As Al Bundy said many a-time to his wife, Peg: "Okay, OKAY, just a quick one, so I can go to bed & get some sleep!!!"; I see I've not been on here since Monday (DAMN!! I swore to myself I'd be more consistent writing these things), so the last few days in a capsule: mostly busy at work (we're still "breaking in" our new office manager who at the very least, comes with lots of experience doing medical billing & insurance work from her time @ the former Booth Memorial hospital); a whole lotta stuff for her to still learn & absorb, but we're all helping her as best we can--nice girl, quick to learn & very professional (the times they are a-changing)--been averaging around a mile a day (or nite, actually) so far on the bike since I started riding more as of this past Sunday (again, when I finally bought a pump for the tires); my body will still need more time to adjust to the extra physicality & strain, especially on my arms & legs, but well worth it--actually had to put on a heavy, wool-lined sweatjacket to go out there tonite (not just chilly, but COLD, I tell ya!!)--still getting myself used to the multiple smaller meals & snacks as well, still exercising, looking for at least a little progress every week, not some mondo results each time (slow & steady wins the race, as they say)--and now, since I am totally EXHAUSTED, I bid you all a fond adieu (or is that a fondue?? Hmmm...)--Good nite, kids :)

Weighing My Options....

Just a quick update today, my friends: after all my stressing about my 2nd weigh-in (this morning instead of this past Saturday because the wife & I had dr. appts & the nutritionist & I couldn't co-ordinate before she left  for the day @2PM), I ended up losing a pound, plus a half-inch off my thighs & I dropped .5% of body-fat; not bad in the space of 9 days since my 1st official weigh-in last week--to review, since I started this journey last October (November, officially, as far as the exercise, change of diet, etc.), at my best I had dropped 30lbs in the 1st 6 months or so; since then, I've done the basic "plateau" thing after a couple more pounds dropped & a flirtation with the same 180-182 weight; not complaining, mind you, but as my wife would tell you, I've become too obsessed with weighing myself (we bought a scale awhile back, but to keep the peace, I had to tuck it away in my bedroom closet; my decision) & I get weighed occasionally @ my doctor's office, but the mrs. is right: I should only get weighed by the nutritionist every week & leave it at that (I weigh myself on my mother's scale in-between whenever I'm there as well)--bottom-line, I made a small amount of progress, & actually, the nutritionist says that especially in the beginning, a half-pound to a pound lost each week is good & as long as you chip away @ the body-fat, so to speak, on a consistent basis, you'll be successful there as well--learning to refine my diet even more & keeping my food journal religiously; she was happier with more of my meal & snack choices & combos, still giving me lots of notes, suggestions & reminders--I'm still on the right track & intend to stay there; I stumble here & there & end up not happy with certain choices or certain eating days, but it will all even out--this is still the most I've done healthwise, all-around, probably in my entire life (even finally bought myself a bicycle pump yesterday, so I can pick up riding the bike on a more regular basis); in fact, about to take a quick ride to end the nite & probably total-up over 2 miles just since I got it, so, on that note, Good Nite :)

May You Always Remember And Never Forget...

Friends, one & all: I begin this post on the most solemn of days for us as New Yorkers, those in Pennsylvania & Washington DC & all over the world, with kind of a humorous touch; the title of today's offering is a line that was frequently spoken by the character of Duane Schneider, the handyman-dujour of the apartment building where the main characters lived on the mid-70's to mid-80's sitcom "One Day at a Time" whenever he was about to regale one or more of the other characters with his brand of "wisdom" & advice on any & all topics; it is more than appropriate as the title of today's post---as I started my good nite post on Facebook with last nite regarding today: "I have nothing profound to say that hasn't already been said..." and that holds true as I write this as well--I can remember that I was supposed to be going down to that area of the city for an interview; unbeknownst to me, my mother already had the first reports coming through on Channel 7 because she was watching her daily dose of Regis Philbin & his morning show--I was upstairs about to come down & have some breakfast when I got a call from an on/off girlfriend at the time asking me to turn on the TV & watch what was unfolding...several of my close friends were down there that day (one I didn't know at the time, the wife of one of my best friends) & one of my closest & dearest friends is EMS & was there & not heard from for well over 24 hours or more (I text him today as I do every year just to tell him I was thinking about him & telling him to be safe)--I remember trying to call the company I was going to for the interview & of course, the phone just rang & rang (probably more downed lines than no one being there)--like everyone else you'd ask, I can't believe it's been 10 years; & just to re-iterate also from last nite's sign-off FB post, as sad & solemn as this day is, we don't need an "anniversary" to remember all those lost in all the locations where these atrocities occurred, or to continue to pray for all the families of all the victims, or to be thankful for & bless the ones who survived--they are all in our hearts every day & especially as New Yorkers, if we are in the city or anywhere near it, we think of, if not actually see where the Towers used to stand, we remember their majestic beauty, we are sad & angry & a host of different emotions for their not being there--it's a given that none of us will ever forget; we shouldn't forget, we should remember what was done & we should get down on our knees & thank whatever God we each pray to that we are still here to talk about that day, for better or worse--it's a shame that we feel we have to be on our guards every day & worry about the next threat (like the other day) or the possibility of the next attack; it's a shame that we look at those who remind us of the perpertrators of that day & do our own form of "profiling" aside from what is done in that vein, legally or not (a constant debate, for sure)--anyway, before I completely live up to this blog's title again, let's all light a candle, proudly display the American flag & pray for peace & the absence of the kind of religious fanaticism & revenge on any scale that caused this to be an anniversary of any kind--I wish you all peace; be safe & be strong, my dear friends & loved ones--Good Nite :)

No wonder they call it "London Fog" (because that's what I'm in most of the time--my clouded & feeble mind, not the raincoat!!)

Good morning, one & all: So, the problem with blogging here @ work, as I tried to do again the other day during lunch, is that if you get distracted, you don't finish (me? DISTRACTED?? Imagine...?)--even during lunch, like most jobs, the phones still ring constantly & no matter how many people may be in that day or not, everybody's always doing something; so, I never got much past the opening paragraph, didn't bother reviewing or saving what I wrote & (full disclosure here), don't actually remember where my mind was taking my thoughts that day (again: IMAGINE?? LOL)--anyway, here's a little catch-up post: on Monday, as she said she would, my nutritionist e-mailed me a customized program laying out all I need to know to get this endeavor more fine-tuned & running; a more detailed breakdown of what my intake should be as far as carbs/fats/diary/meats/veggies/snacks, etc. throughout a normal day of eating--also, how many a calories a day I should be taking in & focusing on, reminders of what I should eat more or less of overall, etc.--so last nite, the wife & I did some grocery shopping & I got pretty much all the stuff outlined in the packet she sent; like most folks who do these kinds of diets (formalized like Atkins/South Beach, etc. or with a nutritionist or combination of both), I have to already get used to eating multiple smaller meals & snacks throughout the day--now don't get me wrong, eating has never been a problem for me, & as most people will tell you, big portions have always been how I roll & portion control never my big forte (although I was getting better even before I embarked on this new road last October/November)--but since I am serious about this whole thing (& am also trying to increase my walking--did a total of 3 & a 1/2 miles total yesterday, adding up all I did before & between my 2 buses, between the 2nd bus & work, after work in-between the transportation, then before I actually got home, did a good mile & a 1/2 of that to finish up; I do have to do more of the biking consistently (haven't filled the tires lately--not a good excuse I know, but all the rain hasn't helped my desire to do that either) & I exercise @ least 2x a day (mostly morning & evening, but I add some during the day: power-walking in place, knee & leg-lifts, stretches, etc)--but it's all good, & will continue to get better (this way, you all can continue to be thrilled & entertained by a ever-healthier me for years to come!! Okay, don't all clap & be excited at once!!  LOL)--until next time, folks :)

Weekend Update (Good Night & Have a Pleasant Tomorrow!!)

So, just a wrap-up of the last coupla days: Friday nite, the wife & I & another friend just hung out with our compadres, The DeRosas, for a kind of "Veranda Lite" compared to the big end-of-summer BBQ blowout they threw yesterday; just enjoyed the beautiful nite, ordered some Chinese food (I was good, just tasted a crab rangoon & a coupla pieces of General Tso's chicken, but had tofu with veggies & brown rice for my main course)--did have a few beers, but nothing crazy--then Saturday morning was the "Big Event" that I chronicled my thoughts & apprehensions about the other day (my 1st weigh-in with the nutritionist & our subsequent meeting/Q & A)--had a lite breakfast before I walked over--went OK, but I think I was disappointed with my results on the scale--I've been hovering just above & around 180-182 for quite awhile (& again, not too shabby of course, roughly 35 lbs in 9 months or so, but no real progress there the last few months)--on her scale, I was 185--on mine, I'm 182 (on my mom's scale, I'm exactly 180!!)--anyway, we had a good one-on-one meeting (to re-cap: the big meeting/weigh-in/group discussion got tabled when most of the folks cancelled--start of the holiday weekend a big factor, I'm sure)--she measured my body fat (26%--which she called "fair" according to a chart she showed me) & we discussed again my long-term goals (I'd like to get down to 170, but 175 would be a good end-point), adding strength-training to what is mostly cardio I do (all the walking, some biking, the exercisies, etc), further changes we'll make to the diet itself, keeping up with the food journal--afterwards, the wife & I did some shopping & errands (got some added walking in that way & did my own errand with some more walking--maybe a mile for the day)--now, back to the big BBQ yesterday: we got there around 3:30pm & brought among other things, a veggie platter with veggie dip; I started mostly on that & some healthy chips & wheat crackers that were served; also, I brought a pack of pre-made turkey burgers for myself & anyone else who might want one (I had one of those plain, with no cheese/condiments/bun) & focused on the mixed green salad & a few others (pasta & veggies, some sauteed string beans & an awesome ken-wah concoction a friend made)--full disclosure, I had a chunk or 2 of smoked kielbasa, a forkful of pulled pork & later on towards the end of the nite, a regular burger with a slice of cheese plus a few small sugar-free desserts (a brownie & a pie)--I will say I had some lite beers, but again not crazy (moderation is the key, as they say)--this was all spread out over 7 hours or so (probably the closest I've come to the multiple "little meals" througout a day--the nutritionist said I should be doing more of that, in the sense of balancing my meals, snacks, etc. in any given day--I've been pretty much doing that, but always room for improvement)--I do understand that a changed or continually-evolving diet plus continued & increased exercise will give me my best results--she told me I'd be surprised how many people don't grasp the basics of that as well as they should--I certainly don't want to exericse just to enjoy whatever foods I want, but I have basically cut out fried foods, excessive salt, no sugar (though she'd like me to use more of a refined or natural/brown/sugar or the like), more whole wheat products, more grains, etc.--the bottom line is, I want to make sure I get the most out of this 12-week program, the weekly weigh-ins that started with yesterday's, change/re-fine/re-do what I need to, whatever it takes--the irony aside, as a good friend mine always says: "I'm not here for a haircut!!" (well, DUHHHHH!! LOL)--now in the words of Dennis Miller (to end on a "Saturday Night Live" note the way I started with this post's title), "I---am---OUTTA HERE!!" :)

The Weighing Is The Hardest Part...

So, just a quick post whilst I finish my lunch: one of my previous posts dealt with a particularly busy food weekend (multiple bbq's; more heavy & less healthy stuff, etc.)--I bring this up because yesterday afternoon, we had a farewell lunch for our office manager (& my good friend of the last 6 years) & I had already started the day with my usual 3/4 to a mile walking combined from leaving home, before/between & after the buses to work; then after a lite breakfast here (had a little something & coffee & bottled water @ home 1st), I had 2 big plates of salad & dressing, some pasta w/ ala vodka sauce, 1 & a half pieces of chicken (in a francaise sauce) then last nite, the wife & I ordered Chinese for the 1st time in quite awhile (stayed pretty healthy: tofu & veggies, brown rice, steamed veggie dumplings & a treat of a coupla small fried wontons); I had done some extra walking between buses on the home due to the lunch & exercised a few times before work & at home, then after the 2nd bus, did a mile & half alone (just under 3 miles for the day); this all brings me to point out that this Saturday (was originally Friday) is the meeting & weigh-in with the new nutritionist (been keeping the food journal steadily & for every meal & snack as per her instructions & taking her advice & suggestions as to how to change things here & there for the better); guess I'm a little nervous about the weigh-in; I've been holding steady, floating around 180 all this time (down 35 lbs since I first started all this last October/November), but still feel more times than not, that I'm at the bottom of a very tall & wide wall to scale & get over (hence, the phrase "hitting the wall"); I shouldn't worry so much, I guess; I know I'm doing good (more & more people notice & compliment my results all the time); also, it's not like I don't weigh myself (we have a scale in the bedroom, I get weighed in doctors' offices, etc.)--I think because it's the 1st time I'm doing such a regimented program of controlled/changed eating & notating my results, etc., it's stressing me out (ME?? STRESSED OUT?? Imagine that--LOL)...anyway, back to work; as always, I'll keep you all "posted"-- ciao 4 now :)