52...no not my age

52 is the big number! I had a doctor's appointment today and she says that I have lost 52 lbs since October 2008 - and that she was very pleased/surprised since it was through lapband. She said that in her experience most people on lapband only lose about 30 lbs - that made me feel very good! I still have a ways to go to get down to where I will be comfortable - but I hear slow and steady wins the race!

I am tired

I am tired! This is an exciting time in terms of a go-live for two of the hospitals that I support but it means long hours - will be working 10+ hrs straight for 12 days. Tempers flare when people are tired and I am not an exception to this rule. I am also inclined to be punch-happy - but without the punch! :(

Last Sunday, my pastor shared two definitions that have stayed with me...

Mercy - feeling compassion towards another
Grace - acting on that mercy.

I am praying for grace over these days!

Hurding cats

Yup - hurding cats. It's an art form in my home. We have three cats that range from 12 to 27 lbs. I'm sure that these feline friends will be subject of numerous posts but hurding them is today's topic. It's time to go to the vet. You know- the annual vaccines (rabies and distemper). I'm sure I was an oblivious child but I sure don't remember us taking our cats to the vet. Our dog, Sam - yes but not the cats. Now of course, we have the annual pilgramage to Dr Julie's office. (Not that we are only able to get away with 1 time per year for visits - but that is a different posting.) I used to schedule the cat visits on different days - that way I only have to catch one cat. But time is precious and today's visit is for all three. Yikes!

The art form aspect of hurding cats includes cat psychology. We have to bring the carriers out at least one day ahead of time to allow them to get used to their presence. These are SMART cats - well at least Suki is the smart one. If I brought the carrier out today- she would hide. There have been a few appointments canceled due to non-cooperation. So today - Suki is the first I will grab. I can usually get the cats into the carrier without assistance but Sandy thinks I am rough. So she will help. I think the next one will be Izzie - she isn't liking the carrier these days so she may try to hide. Then Opie - well - he isn't the brightest bulb but he sure is the heaviest one! :) We had to get top-loading carriers to accommodate him! (It's difficult to squeeze a 27 lb cat into the front door of a carrier.) We usually can use a light pointer to get him to come close enough to wrangle.

Well the appointment is at Noon - so we will start the process at 11am - wish me luck!

Why elusive?

Elusive - out of reach - or maybe just beyond the finger tips. These are some of my thoughts, dreams, etc. I hope to grasp them through this blog.