Tuesday, December 27, 2016

I Have to GAIN Weight! (by Spunky Doodle)

Normally, I do not like going to see Dr. Walker, my vet.  This time though, I was down to just 7 lbs., 2 less than last time, so she said she wants me to eat more and try to gain some weight.  She agreed with mom that she thinks I regurgitate my food because I am SO hungry, I eat it too fast.  (I never had this problem when I was "Chunky Spunky.")

My mom tried slowing my eating too fast down by just giving me bits at a time, but that just made me eat faster because I wanted more quick!  Since mom took the advice of Beth, Abby's friend, who works at the desk who told her to give me more at a time, I haven't thrown up since!

I switched from all dry food to all easy to digest wet food from the vet (EN).  Mom was giving me just 3/4 of a can but found out that wasn't enough because if you take out the wetness, the amount of wet food is actually less than the same amount of dry food.  Wait, it even gets better!

Now that mom has realized I actually just need more food and that I can keep it down if she gives me a bunch all at once instead of in dribbles stretched out, I am getting some new very tasty kind called Sheba that mom bought at Giant Eagle.  So, not only do I get a whole can of the EN but also extra Sheba snacks!  So far I had salmon, whitefish and tuna and savory chicken!  Yum yum!

I have to go back just to get weighed on Saturday to make sure I am not losing anymore.  Sure hope it's not a thyroid problem like my brother Manny has, but I don't think it is.  Now I just have to make sure I do not get too fat again. 
 

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Monday, December 26, 2016

Gerard's New Toy: The Shark

On Christmas morning before going to church, Gerard asked me to take a picture of him with his new toy that he got for his birthday:  The Shark vacuum cleaner.  I was very pleased with myself that I was able to put it together without any help and it worked!


Actually, it works really well!  Our old Dirt Devil was useless, I was so frustrated with it after trying to vacuum the cat litter off the carpet that I decided it was time to get a new vacuum.  We found a great deal at Sears on Black Friday--only paid $107 for the Stark which has super suction and actually cleans the carpet.  I could see a big difference after using this one. It has adjustable suction and two switch positions:  one for tile/wood and one for carpeting.

We are very pleased with this purchase and highly recommend this to anyone looking for a new vacuum cleaner.  We also opened a couple presents before church after the vacuuming was done.

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Friday, December 23, 2016

Cleveland Public Square at Christmas

I really like the Christmas lights and decorations on Cleveland Public Square this year and thought I'd share some of them with you.

The lights on the trees were put up in the summer when the square first opened!  They just weren't lit up until now.  The big Christmas tree is on the far left lit up in gold.

Salvation through Jesus Christ is God's greatest gift to us!

I like the fancy stonework in the path.

The tunnel has lights and greenery on it, the picture doesn't do it justice.  Some trees have colored lights.




Oops, forgot to take the skaters on the ice rink--maybe I'll add that later.  They aren't there this early when these were taken.

Our church is having two identical Christmas Eve candlelight services, one at 4:00 and one at 5:30 then just one service on Sunday, Christmas day at 10:00 a.m.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!


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Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Right Place at the Right Time

Yesterday was such a good day, especially for a Monday when I had to work!  First, my boss surprised me with a very generous monetary gift for my birthday and Christmas along with some homemade peppermint bark.

There were brownies, candy and donuts for anyone who wanted them, so naturally, I wanted them!  I ate very unhealthy but it was very good!

Anyhow, then at lunch, I was reading down in our lobby as usual when in walks Slider, Ketchup, Mustard and Onion with the ACLS trophy the Indians won this year.  I waved to them as they entered KeyBank and shortly after, a lady came out and said anyone could come in and get their picture taken with the trophy for $5.  Normally, I only would have $3 on me but because I got the money from my boss that morning, I had enough so I quickly went in.  I am a big fan of the Indians and thought it would be really cool to be in a shot with all those characters that are at the ballfield during games.

Here is the picture I got:
Indians ACLS trophy taken at KeyBank Dec. 19, 2016
The bus was even on time--it was a very good day!

P.S.  The book I was reading was Seashell Season by Holly Chamberlin.

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Monday, December 19, 2016

A Very Enjoyable Afternoon Watching The Nutcracker

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a ballet performance of the Nutcracker than one of my 6th grade girls from our Sunday School class was in.  It was so much more enjoyable and entertaining than watching the Cleveland Browns lose once again.

The director did an amazing job with incorporating all the various ages and the performers all looked happy and seemed to be having fun.  I've only seen the Nutcracker performed once before and was totally lost not even realizing there was a story involved until I read the back of my program after is was all over.  This performance had a gentleman reading part of the story before the different scenes were performed which I appreciated and gave the dancers a little more time to change.  I was impressed at how fast they changed costumes and how beautiful they were--there was only one I had a problem with!

The dancing was very impressive too, they put their legs into positions I can't even do standing still.  Their flexibility just was amazing to me and they made it look easy and effortless!  Of course, the music is beautiful and the hour and a half performance flew by for me.  I was surprised at how fast the time went!  

The auditorium was almost full and there was so much love and support in that room that is was touching.  Flash photography and videos were banned during the performance, but afterwards, it was cool to see many of the parents rush up front to get pictures of the children who performed.  It was also heartwarming so see so many men in jeans and flannel shirts there supporting their girls.  I actually enjoyed this performance more than the professional one I saw.  The younger girls who played the mice and angels were really funny and made me smile. 

I always thought my worst nightmare would be to have a girl who liked ballet, but after getting to know Susanna, the girl in my class that I went to see perform, I realize it would not have been so bad after all.  She is wonderful!

If you have never seen a ballet, I would recommend you go sometime and expand your horizons.  It is truly a beautiful experience! 

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Friday, December 16, 2016

Another Bus Nightmare: Gotta Look on the Bright Side


Thursday was a horrible bus day for me.  With temperatures at 16 degrees, white out conditions and snow on the ground, I had to wait an hour for my morning bus.  Then once on the bus, it took 20 minutes longer than usual!

As if that wasn't bad enough, coming home was almost as bad!  I had to wait an hour for the bus AGAIN so got home 45 minutes later than usual.

But, I tried to stay positive and look on the bright side.  There is always something to be thankful for in every situation.  In this case, I was thankful for the following:

  • I had a really long, warm, L.L. Bean winter coat on with a hood that provided not only warmth, but a nice fur trim that kept my glasses from getting all wet.
  • I had a warm furry vest on under that coat.
  • I had great warm furry leg warmers to keep my legs warm.
  • I had good boots to keep my feet warm and my toes did not freeze.
  • I had gloves to protect my hands with deep pockets in the coat to keep them warm.
  • I had other people to wait with to talk to which made the wait more enjoyable.
  • I had a loving husband at home who took care of feeding our cats supper on time.
  • I got a lot of reading done on the bus ride.
  • Even though I got to work a half hour late, I did not have to make up the time or use PTO. 

So, I was not in a terrible mood at work or when I got home.  I am very blessed and always look for the good in every situation.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.(I Thessalonians 5:18)
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Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Where Are You?

Dad, we're missing mom!
Yesterday on our early dog walk in the dark around 5:40 a.m., my husband and I sort of lost each other!  We just walk around a couple blocks but it was cold, dark and there were patches of ice in spots.  That's why I was walking with my head down, to avoid these snowy, icy patches and I missed our street on the way back!  Abby and my husband go slower, especially when it is cold, so I was ahead of them by more than I realized.

Apparently, my husband didn't see where I went to even though I wore my white fleece jacket with the bears on it.  He got all the way home without me!  I finally turned around to look for him and of course, by then didn't see him anywhere!  We're both calling out "Where are you?"  He thought I might have fallen somewhere and was worried, but then when I looked for him, I saw the corner houses on our street and realized what happened so backtracked and sure enough, there he was way down our street by our house!  I shouted to him, "I'm coming"!

This was the first day of me being 63.  I thought it was funny!  

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