Bodacious Boomer

About 5 weeks ago, I thought that I had killed Bad Michele. Bad Michele isn’t really bad in the sense that she hurts other people or puppies, nothing like that. Bad Michele just makes bad choices. Decades ago, she made bad choices about young men or doing things that were risky. One day, eons ago before Doug made the scene, Bad Michele and Billy AKA Wanda Lamont were at his family’s steel business.  She sat on a steel I-beam while Wanda manned the crane, swinging Bad Michele from side-to-side like on a giant swing 20′ up in the air. I probably wouldn’t do that these days. However Bad Michele was fearless and none too bright. These days, I won’t even go to the corner without my seatbelt on. Now if I skip a day of flossing I’m walking on the wild side. Somehow I find that sad.

After being married almost thirty years though my days of making bad choices about men are long gone. (Unless you count marrying someone who hands out compliments about as often as finding hen’s teeth a bad choice). All things considered I chose well where Doug is concerned. I know he loves me, even if he doesn’t spout sonnets about me everyday. He works hard and is unselfish, so I don’t really have too many complaints in that department. Sometimes though I wish my life was more like what you see on the front of the Harlequin romance novels; my long hair blowing in the wind, my stud-muffin husband with a full head of hair tearing at my bodice to get to my perky breasts while telling me how gorgeous I am. Well I’ve got the long hair and a husband. I guess two out of six will have to do.

When Mom was admitted to the hospital last month I stopped going to the gym. The hospital was about 45 minutes away.  Between all the travel time, the stress and everything else I just couldn’t do it. Then when she went to the LTAC (long-term acute care) hospital, I quit cooking at home and even attempting to eat healthy. I can’t even remember the last time  I’d gone to a Burger King prior to that day. It’d been a long time. The next week though was just a blur. During that time, Bad Michele showed again like the relative that nobody likes but always manages to show up at just before the holidays. So for the last 2 weeks or so Bad Michele has been here making horrid food choices and I’ve been too tired to care.

I have to admit that initially eating whatever Bad Michele chose was fun. Beef enchiladas are just so good. And the pot roast she made at Evelyn’s was rich and decadent. What’s wrong with eating half a box of Wheat Thins by yourself? I know I’m a grown up and I should be able to eat just 1 warm chocolate chip cookie and leave the rest alone. (Perhaps in a perfect world I could). In my world though, 1 becomes 2, 2 becomes 6. Since last night now I’ve been edging back towards more healthy eating without letting Bad Michele know. (Believe me, she doesn’t want to leave). We’re having a family to-do for Amanda’s birthday at Evelyn’s this weekend. The next day though Bad Michele has just got to go! I’ve got to get back to the healthy bandwagon before I’m too ginormous to climb aboard. Today’s trivia answer-10%.

For those that know me or have been reading the blog for awhile might remember a really sad entry on July 14th. I went to the vet with Evelyn when she had to have her Australian Cattle Dog, Swirley put down. It was a really awful time, but one that almost all of us that have pets have to face from time to time. It’s been almost two months now and I have much happier news. Once again there are a set of puppy dog paws clicking around on Evelyn’s Pergo floor.

A volunteer from Texas Cattle Dog Rescue brought Annie to her new home last Sunday. Annie and 507 other dogs were rescued from a puppy mill that was closed down. According to the vet, Annie had two litters of puppies a year for the last five years. Annie could use a boob lift. Something I an relate to. (Perhaps I can find a BOGO for us). She had been living in a plastic 55 gal. drum that had a hole cut in the side of it. (She couldn’t even completely stretch out her legs while she was in the drum). There was a 3′ rope attached so she could get out to potty but couldn’t run away. She had mange and had to have 80 stitches when she was rescued. I think people who run puppy mills should just be shot- no trial, no nothing.

Evelyn kept Annie to herself the whole first day, just wanting time alone to bond with her. Annie was friendly but not playful. She didn’t know how to play- She’d never been allowed to play. Yesterday, we all went over to Evelyn’s for dinner- but I went mainly to meet Annie. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d never really been around a dog that had come from such horrific circumstances.  When I entered the house Annie came to greet me. I called her Annie and Sweet Pea. She came to the couch with me and lifted her paw so I could rub her tummy.

After dinner, Evelyn got down on the floor with her to try to teach her to play. Within 10 minutes Annie was racing around the room. She ran over the top of all of everybody on the couch to get back to her mom more quickly.  Annie and Evelyn played hard for at least 10 minutes. Then Annie laid down near Evelyn’s feet and zonked out. (I think I saw a smile on Annie’s face while she slept). She’s going to be just fine, better than fine actually. She’s a very lucky girl dog now. If you’re going to get a new pet, please think about a rescue. They are great; I have 6 now, and they’re always grateful for a second chance at life. Today’s trivia answer: 3,000

Here are two great links to help animals, and it doesn’t cost you a thing. All you have to do is click on them each day and food is provided to an animal in a shelter. You can click to help cats too. http://www.freekibble.com and http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com