Challenge: September 27th: Thursday's Child

[maxlharris]

Yes, it's a David Bowie reference. From the depressive "...hours" album, about an art student who didn't become David Bowie, and would go on to turn 50 and wonder what he did with his time. Fun. But, well, Songs about Thursday are few and far, so we have to dig a little.

Yesterday: Took the day off from work. Not on a whim. But rather because the men were coming to destroy my bedroom in hope of eradicating the buggies, and I had to kick around until noon to move the cats to the guest apartment, along with the rest of our stuff.

I dropped wife off at work, went to starbucks and blockbuster, came home, and they were there. Everything from our bedroom was in every room but our bedroom. Plastic sheeting over everything. Cats were nowhere to be found. Workman gave a vague wave as to where they were.

I am frantic. I think they've gotten out. I cannot find them. I'm on the verge of calling wife, picking her back up from work, to canvas the neighborhood and find our cats. I do not want to do this as wife is developing a terrible cold or flu or something. I am about to lose it. I get down on hands and knees and crawl around. Meanwhile, they are breaking floor, breaking concrete, and excavating in the bedroom. It is the sound of the apocalypse, at least as far as the cats know.

Finally, on hands and knees, I find the older one. He's wedged in a corner behind my wife's computer. He is alive. I can see him breathing. But he's non-responsive. He gets like this when things are loud and unusual. Still, no sign of the kitten. She's in the big one's crate, WAY in the back, where you couldn't see her from any level but right on the floor. I cannot describe the sense of relief.

That was from 8:40-9:30. Yes, it took me nearly an hour to find both cats. Guest apartment wouldn't be ready until Noon. The poor cats had to listen to the apocalypse for probably 3 hours. Then, they had to smell the broken sewer line that was providing the scum that our bugs need to breed. I dunno if you've ever smelled a broken sewer line. Or even up close. But in an enclosed space, like an apartment, it is flooring. I was sitting, working on my computer, and I nearly passed out. I could not breathe without filtering through my shirt. My cats. I dunno. I hope they can still smell.

At 12, I get the keys to the apartment. I go pick up wife from work. She's the only one that can get the old cat into his crate. He goes pretty quietly. We move them to the temp apartment. The little one gets out of her crate and explores. The old one sits in his crate until maybe 10PM that night.

I will not sugar coat this. I ate garbage. If this is love, I should go back to being single. And maybe become a hermit. I am not sad about this. My heart is racing just remembering the terror of my wife's second love (behind me) wandering the streets of our neighborhood, when he's never been more than two feet outside in his life. I don't even want to revisit the feeling of thinking Little Martha, my kitten, was out there. Kids are not for me. I couldn't deal. And man, did I eat crap.

Today is a day to get my crap back together. Hold things like a normal person for a day despite having minimal sleep last night (hotel unfamiliar bed syndrome + wife's hacking and snorting + residual stress). I can do this. I really can.

I worked out this morning. It's an attempt at normalcy. We'll be normal again. The pour concrete yesterday afternoon. Now, just install some tiles and put the stuff back where they found it, roughly. That might fall to us.

There is no moral to this story. Just why I wasn't here. I could go on and on about my feelings of despair on the bug situation, but I don't want to go there.

Rock on. It's about all I can do today.

[Karole]

(((Max and wife and cats)))) You all had a heck of a day. Hopefully things will get back to normal for you all starting right now.

I can understand the terror you felt when the cats were missing !! Happened to me one day with my Yorkie when he was only a few months old. I didn't know if he had gotten outdoors or what. Finally found him asleep on my shoes in my closet (door shut) Whew. Instant relief.

And I really hope this uproar you have been through with the bugs is finally and completely over.

Just finished my morning walk. I don't have any plans for the rest of my day except boring stuff like house work. Maybe something will surprise me. Well, actually I do have a plan and that is to stay on plan all day.

See every one later.

[Ammy]

Max...that's tough stuff...My cat doesn't go outside either and the idea of him being out there...UGH!! I hear you!

My meals are planned, but my day is loose today. I'm nervous as I'm having TERRIBLE thoughts of 'swimming' in carbage...eating myself to oblivion...am I the only one that has these thoughts??

[Dharmalisa]

Max - what a BUMMER! Hang in there (no choice on that, I guess).

I let my kitty out one early evening, only to hear a fox not two minutes later. If you've never heard one, they sound like a child screaming and being strangled at the same time. VERY eerie. I panicked and dashed out to find him, and he kinda trotted back in the house very unconcerned. Weird, cause he truly is a real scaredy-cat most of the time. Startles very easily. We have coyotes and foxes behind our house cause there's a nice field full of mice and rabbits there. We even saw a coyote eating a black bird - can't figure out how he caught it!? Our own little feline has brought us presents of snakes, mice, baby bunnies :(, and birds. We finally had him de-clawed to save the bunnies AND our furniture.

I know I'm not really in the challenge, but this is where the only action is here, I think. I was just OK yesterday.....1600 calories, 42 ECC so higher than I shoulda been. Had a massive caffeine withdrawal headache yesterday; hopefully it's not coming back today! I have my trainer workout today and am soooooo dreading it cause she killed me Tuesday and I just wanna curl up in a ball until the soreness goes away. Yogurt with whey protein and blueberries for BK, tuna salad for lunch, not sure about dinner tonight. Maybe bacon and eggs.

Does anyone else get depressed about all the stuff that BAD for us?? I mean, NO food is really safe. It's just incredibly discouraging. The more I research the worse I feel.

[Ottawa]

'Hope all goes well with your cats Max and the disruption you are going through is over soon.

"Does anyone else get depressed about all the stuff that BAD for us?? I mean, NO food is really safe. It's just incredibly discouraging. The more I research the worse I feel."
I try to stay with whole foods as much as possible with the exception of Whey Protein and Sucralose. I still need some things to taste sweet.

Another pound down and abs are tight this morning after yesterday's strength class.

Today ... a couple of Caff-Libs with a little cream and tonight will be leftovers.

[Feelix]

Wow - I was gone for a week - and it sounds like it's really been a week!

I am sorry to hear about your struggles Max- HUGS.

I had 20 days of plan and I stepped foot on the airplane and lost all sense of my new way of thinking. I had 20 days of a new habit - that I threw away. I ate the airplane snacks cause I was afraid of how long it would be to the next meal. I didn't drink my water. It all snowballed back into the old habits. I have literally been home 15 minutes but had to come clean with my friends (and support). I missed you guys!

So here's to starting over again!

[maxlharris]

S'okay Feelix. 20 straight is good. Take some pride in that and maybe take a few minutes to figure how you can do the airplane and trip and keep your streak alive. Welcome back in. And here's to getting back on the horse for another 20 straight.

[gitfiddle]

Yup, Sarah, stand up, brush yourself off and move forward. Don't set yourself up by thinking anything in nature is perfect. Life is a journey. I'm glad you're back among us! :)

Max, your story reminded me of my new kitten who found a hole in the cupboard wall under the kitchen sink (how she ever got the door open, I don't know). I came home from work and looked for her for a half hour, which is a lot in a small upstairs apartment. I got a call from the downstairs family asking if I had a kitten. They had heard her crying in the wall and found her behind their heat register, absolutely covered in dust and soot, shaking like a leaf! She got her first bath that day.

You're right, having human children is worse at times. You take the good with the bad, though, just like marriage. Bad times make the good times really pop. :cool:

I have two friends who are having serious health problems and I'm praying for them. I hate it when there's nothing I can do except wait.

Started back with the breakfast shakes, since I don't seem to take one later in the day and that's how I get some of my supps. Had beef and cream cheese rollups for lunch. Looks like a good day unfolding. Hope it's the same with all of you.

[hawk]

Max, You really had ME terrified for your cats!
I was so relieved when you said you found them. I can hardly believe how they have to tear your apartment up. That is incredible to have to go through for you and your wife...let alone the cats. What a wonderful husband you are to care so much for her cat and your kitten.You may want to get a company in that cleans out the duct work and clean out all the dust from the concrete. Or insist the apartment owner does. Yes..and kids are worse stress. They can leave the house on their own and you never know Where they'll end up at times. Cat's are good.

Eating crap after that?? Sheesh, that's the least of your worries after a day like that. I would have escaped into a glass of shiraz.(it only takes me one)

I can relate...

I walked outside one day several years ago when we lived out in the country to find my horse missing. Horses can really cover some ground when they want to. The toll road was to the north of us. US HWY 421 to the east of us and HWY 6 to the south. I was terrified I'd find her hit by a semi. I had a hunch and took my lead ropes and grain for a lure and drove around . I found her standing at a fence line about 5 miles away conversing with another horse.She would not let me catch her. Finially the home owner came out and opened the gate so she could get in with the other horse. After that we exchanged phone numbers. It's good we did because she kicked down the fence and even the electric fence around the top and visited three more times. I got a call at 6 am.."Your HOrse is here again...I let her in the gate>"

I can't imagine having sewer smell IN the house. That is dangerous to breathe. The gases that are in it are not good. You must have had a horrible day. How long will it take to repair?

Today I ate sirloin and eggs. I had alot of coffee and I am helping G'man with the porch roof. This thing is alot larger than I imagined. we are adding a 26x12 foot roof and porch addition. But it will be cool.

[Anniesnan]

((Max))

((Carol and your friends))

I'm having another good day, so far.
Still feel that area between my shoulder blades and have my headache AGAIN.

Got another ton of things done at work - it's amazing sometimes:D

Had hot dogs for lunch - first time in September, not bad...

One of my neighbors is making some kind of squash soup for us - a Chinese recipe. I have to pick it up later.

Survivor night tonight:D

[hawk]

Carol...you are a good friend...

[maxlharris]

Thanks all. It's been a tough couple of days/weeks with the bugs and all.

Yesterday, they had dug everything up, killed the larvae I guess, filled in the hole and poured new concrete. I'm guessing that takes overnight or so before it sets. Then they have to lay some wood over that. We have these really poorly thought out wood squares floor (one version of our lease stipulates that we have to have rugs that cover 80% of the wood, because regular use seems to damage this type of floor... they are ubiquitous in NoVA, and that's probably why finding a wood floor apartment was harder than getting the government to change), so I'm guessing that's some panels that you buy at home despot or something, and you probably glue them to the concrete with some industrial adhesive. I'm guessing because I'm about as useful to home repair as _____ on a _____ (choose your own euphemism... I like the one about mammaries on a bull, but its open to your imagination). I'd guess that'd need time to set or something, so we'll be back home tomorrow. If it's good, I think I'll call in sick, again.

[Ottawa]

Today I am a bit over on the carbs so it will be a NO.

Total: 1430
Fat: 70
Carbs: 57 - 12 = 45
Fiber: 12
Protein: 145

I'll bypass the exercise tonight and get it tomorrow.

[gitfiddle]

Me tool I was hit with a severe case of sweet-seeking and I stopped, but not before I consumed more than my allowance of about ten ecc. :mad: I'm okay now, but I'm disgusted.

No exercise today--rest day.

[hawk]

RANDY!! get on the stick !!:eek::suspicious:

I have my husband home all week.He has been playing build a porch. HE is the most disciplined person I know with lo carb. I have no chance to even THINK about eating too many. I would feel too undisciplined. Yes for today.

I have been outside walking around slowly most of the day and picking up wood scraps from the porch project. It looks like we are adding on half a house. It is alot more work than we anticipated. G'man refused to allow me to help except to clean up smaller pieces that he cuts off and throws off the roof.. Makes ME feel like MAX:cool:....as useful as a bull with chesticles.;)

But I am walking with out a limp. :DThings are looking up. I have a much more posative outlook. Alot to be thankful for. Usually I don't have alot to say for the medicle field except for the EADEs. THe docs have been doing ok.

I'd call in sick Max . You need to take some relax time to be able to get your stuff back in order. Or just relax. There is three parts to us . Mental physical and spiritual. You can't separate them. Pamper yourself.Pet your kitties.

[hawk]

:pCAROL>>do I need to come UP there..don't make me come up there!!:evil::peeved::peeved::peeved:

You all...Now how am I supposed to stay on the straight and narrow with my best challengers running amuck???

[Anniesnan]

my tail is flagging, or lagging, but I'm still on plan.

we walked and walked and both felt like we had run a marathon - think it's the weather.

[Karole]

Hey, gang we'll see you back up and running tomorrow, ok??

I have a yes please. Got 2 walks in today, one this morning and one just before supper. for a total of 48 min. It really was a nice day and I should get outside more than I do.

Protein 139 ecc 27

[gitfiddle]

:pCAROL>>do I need to come UP there..don't make me come up there!!:evil::peeved::peeved::peeved:

:eek::eek: No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! Don't beat me!

Okay, okay, I can't spit out the extra carbs at this point, but I can move. I'll see how the knees feel about the step. :suspicious:

Agnes, you GO girl! I'll bet your warm weather has got some humidity with it, right? That will take away your get-up-and-go, for sure.

Karole, glad you had a nice day!

[Ottawa]

You all...Now how am I supposed to stay on the straight and narrow with my best challengers running amuck???

I did a workout tonight (stretches/weights/body resistance) to hopefully amend the slip.:o
I know that exercise alone won't make you lose weight, but it should have burned up enough to help compensate and I didn't eat afterwards.

"the more rats run ... the more rats eat; weights remain unchanged." but Lean Body Mass improves, raising metabolism.

[Anniesnan]

I stayed a YES for Thursday:D.

I am sooooooooo dragging this morning, though. My had feels like soeone pumped it full of some viscous liquid and it's sloshing around in my skull, centering itself in my sinus cavities, behind my eyeballs and the base of my neck. I'm thinking it might be allergies ... I just wish it would go AWAY!

[Ammy]

NO for me...and I think that just blew my month!!!
Darn it...
no cd for me....22/29

[gitfiddle]

Popping in to say that I really did exercise last night, so Hawk can forget about smiting me.

[Karole]

Whew, Carol, that was a close one !!

[hawk]

HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now I am on the bike......gotta keep up with you all again.

[gitfiddle]

Well if you're on the bike there's no stopping you, kid. You are mean on that machine! Seems to work, too! I'm happy for you.

Karole, you're right! I gotta watch what I say in front of her... :paranoid: