Little Red Corgi

My, what cute feet you have:

All the better to frap with and steal into the kitchen when I think you might be doing something food related.


My, what a cute nose you have:

All the better to poke you with... and find food.


My, what a cute mouth you have:

All the better to give kisses... and eat, let's not forget about that.

Crummy days to Corgi days

You know those days for something that you had been waiting a very long time is almost within your reach and then it's snatched away at the last minute?

That was my day on Thursday.

After dealing with a minor but embarrassing ailment for the better part of 12 years, I was finally going to start the process to remove it.  However, I recently developed a second ailment that prevented the clinic from starting on the first ailment.  Suffice it to say, I left work early, drove an hour to see the clinic for 5 minutes only for them to tell me that they couldn't start the procedure.  I then drove an hour back home.  I was not a happy Candy and now the first procedure needs to be rescheduled for later in the year.

I grumbled on the way home and tried to see the silver light in all of this because, while it's very annoying, it's not the end of the world and healthwise, I'm fine.

When I arrived home, I took Gimli for a walk and I checked the mailbox to see this waiting for me.

Box from Marks & Spencer

My corgi Jubilee 2012 items had arrived!

Gimli: why this has no food in it? Can't you see I'm hungry?

Gimli: I am evil corgi, give me that piece of bacon!

Note, they don't actually say "Jubilee 2012", but they were in the Jubilee 2012 collection on the website.  I don't really care, they have the Union Jack and corgis on it, I'm happy!

This tin is labeled a "cookie/biscuit tin", but I'm using it to hoard store my chocolate.


Suddenly, my day became much better.  That corgi bowl is mine and to be used only by me.  I am the crazy corgi lady after all :)

Wordless Wednesday - Take me to your leader

I love you Gimli, but...

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how Gimli had become very clingy.

Well, he's still clingy.  Today, he spent the entire day behind my chair in our office.  If I went to the washroom, he followed me.  If I went downstairs, he followed me and then followed me back upstairs.  He even went downstairs to bark at something and I thought, "Yes, he's going to stay there."  Nope, he bounded upstairs and lay down under the desk this time.

Gimli has always been a very independent puppy and adult.  He was happy knowing where you were, but he'd find his own place to be, often across the room or even on a different floor altogether.  When he first came home, it was all I could do to get him to snuggle with me on the couch.  He'd have none of it.  I'd get 2 minutes max and then he'd squirm away to see what Mike was doing or to attack a toy or even to stretch out on the rug.

Now, he's a different dog and I have no idea what's causing it.  I know dogs will gravitate to women if they are expecting, I'm not. He has also been known to gravitate to me if he's scared- ie when we lost power and the smoke alarm beep scared him or when it was very windy and the noise of the wind scared him.

Could it be he's finally become adult Gimli, whatever that means and he's settling down?  Or does he finally see me as someone cool to hang around because I have a large box of dog cookies on my desk?

Maybe he's going through a phase and one day he'll wake up and it will be, 'So long sucker, I'm gonna hang out downstairs now!'

Are any of your dogs like this?

Musings on weight loss

Observations about weight loss

• I dislike exercising.  I really do. It's a mental struggle every day I exercise.  Sometimes I win and hit the TreadClimber, other times I don't and reach for the ice cream.
• As much as I like Pinterest, seeing all the Photoshopped "buff" women does get you down from time to time.
• Watching comedy programs while trying to breathe on the TreadClimber is not advised. Trust me.
• Don't pay attention to the size on the top/skirt/pant etc.  I believe the stores have different sizes to mess with our minds. If it fits, wear it with pride.
• It's always better to exercise with someone.  Like a friend or spouse who can motivate you. Or in my case, a corgi that walks under you when you're trying to hold a plank for more than 5 seconds or a corgi who lies next to your head and proceeds to make you laugh when you are trying to do sit-ups.

Gimli butt!

This week, Laurie over at The Daily Corgi is doing a visual representation of corgi butts aka she's displaying a bunch of corgi butts.

Gimli was on day one, check it out!

Corgipants Party - Day 1

Glum Gimli

Gimli has been a little "off" all week.  Today, he just lay around and was very glum and mopey.

I think it all started on Monday afternoon.  The power went off for about an hour and that caused certain appliances to beep a few times to announce that they had lost power.  Gimli has a fear of loud beeping.  The entire time the power was out, he was next to me or under the desk or shivering in the corner.  It get's so bad that he refuses treats.  I do my best to ignore him, but it seems it's a losing battle.

Today, he looked like this:

Tomorrow he's off to the groomers for a bath and trim because he has to look nice for his portrait sitting on Saturday.  Well, it's for the three of us actually.  I picked up a Groupon last year for a portrait session for a family and one dog.

I'm sure he'll be fine and will be pestering each employee for a cookie and charming them all, corgi style.

How Gimli hit his head on the door frame

Gimli and I came back from the walk today and a certain corgi had to be taken to the tub for a wash.  Not a foot or belly wash, but a bum wash.

I'll spare the details, but suffice it to say, I wrapped his bottom end in a towel, kinda like a diaper so I could take him upstairs.

I picked him up like a baby so that he was on his back, his head on my left.  I thought I had enough room to make it through the door, but then I hear the "conk".

I looked at him and he gave me the most sorrowful look.  Corgi owners, you know the look.

I couldn't stop laughing and actually contemplated taking a picture of his face so I could post it here.  Yes, I have my priorities straight :)

Gimli is back to normal, running around, lying on his back and wriggling, arguing with toys and being cute.

Happy Easter!

Love, joy, and peace can be yours because of the grace of Jesus Christ. Happy Easter. Rejoice in the Lord.


This year for Lent, I gave up chocolate and I'm proud to say that I did not waver even though I was tempted and strained and wanted to pull my hair out.  It was less about the actual chocolate and more about proving to myself that I do have willpower and I do have the strength to resist those things that I feel are bad/negative for me.

At this time of rebirth and the beginnings of Spring, I want to use this accomplishment as a reminder to minimize the negatives and focus on the good things in life.

Like this:

P.S. I've already eaten a chocolate Kit Kat.

Squirrel!

If you've ever seen the Disney/Pixar movie, "Up", you'll know there's this very cute Golden Retriever - Dug, who joins Carl and Russell in their adventures.  Without giving too much away to those who haven't seen the movie, (what are you waiting for, it's a great movie, go see it!), Dug embodies the typical Retriever and is obsessed with squirrels.

See this clip:

On Friday, Gimli and were returning from our walk when he was distracted by a neighbor and his toddler son.  The man was putting his child into the car seat and Gimli continued to walk but was looking at them.

All of a sudden, a squirrel darted across the street in front of us and Gimli switched to the squirrel for a few seconds, and then back to me when the squirrel disappeared.  All the while, never missing a beat on the walk as though the squirrel never existed.

Wordless Wednesday - I wasn't doin' nuthin

Nothing like fresh bedsheets

I was making the bed the other day when Gimli appears and half jumps up on the bed as if he's waiting for his invitation.

I obliged, because how can you deny that cute face, and he gave me a quick smile before getting comfy.

You'll notice he's in the middle of the bed...

These two are like putty in my paws

Yawn

Am tired

It's 10 am and I've cried twice thus far today.  Yessir, it's going to be one of those days.  It's Tuesday and I'm in my home office, but my brain's not quite working.

I saw this post today, The Breaking Point, and it's set my mind on fire. Maybe because those words could be mine, I don't know. Those stages of grief, I'm probably at depression.

Denial was 4 years ago, Anger soon after, Bargaining off and on since. Now, I can't be bothered to bargain - it doesn't work and I'm not going to keep asking and begging when the change won't come. I've been down that road before and somehow it always gets turned around that it's my fault, when it's not.

Am tired of hearing, "I didn't know..."

Am tired of being taken for granted.

Am tired of the choices others make that make me feel like nothing.

Operation schrumpfen Check-in #9

I haven't been able to update lately mainly because I've just gotten back to exercising.  Grr, it's so easy to stop working out especially if you're sick or have weeks where you are run ragged all over the place doing this, that and the other.

Measurements as of April 4th:

Weight: 131 lbs

Circumference under ribs: 28

Circumference at belly button: 31.5

Circumference at hips: 34.5

Circumference of thigh: 21

Compared to measurements as of January 9th:

Weight: 133

Circumference under bust: 29 - adjusted to measure under the ribcage, not at the ribcage.

Circumference at belly button: 34

Circumference at hips: 37

Circumference of thigh: 23

I'm pleased to report though that I'm now able to fit into 2 more pairs of jeans!  YAY!  I didn't think I'd be able to wear them this quickly, but I tried them on over the weekend and they fit.  I feel like that lady on the Progresso soup commercial!

My list of pants to wear is now down to 4.  I'm getting there, just slowly. :)

Gimli and the plum pit part 2

Little fat Gimli
Sat like a corgi
Eating his stolen plum
He ate the pit
Candy threw a fit
And said, "What a wicked boy you've become." **

** Modelled after the Nursery Rhyme, "Little Jack Horner"

That should have been the tagline for yesterday's post, but my mind was not working on account of Mr. Greedy Pants.

I watched him all afternoon and evening and he exhibited no ill effects.  He ate, pooped and played like normal so I started to relax a little, but I knew I couldn't rest til I saw that pit come back out!

I had planned for him to sleep in our room last night just so if he ran into trouble we'd hear him, but Gimli didn't want to.  He made a beeline for his crate as usual, so we left him there.

This morning, I went to let him out and saw the pit in the crate.  He must have thrown it up last night and thank God he had the sense not to eat it again!  I've never been so happy for him to throw up!

He's back to his old self again, barking, frapping and being all around cute.  Me? my blood pressure is only just back to normal levels.

Gimli ate a plum pit

Today, Lord Gimli ate half of a plum and the pit.  I was eating it and sharing pieces of the flesh with him when it dropped out of my hand and onto the floor.  He snatched it up right away and before I could ply him with something else, it was gone into his belly.

I freaked out and didn't know if I should induce vomiting or wait him out.  I spoke to the vet's office who said to watch him over the course of the afternoon, as if he became lethargic etc that it would be cause to bring him in.  They also said to watch his poops tonight and over the course of tomorrow to ensure it comes out or if he throws it up.

I've been watching him over the course of the afternoon and he's been fine.  He's been following me all over and barking as usual at everything.  He's also been eating snacks like normal.  This evening with his dinner I am going to give him some pumpkin to help.

Here's hoping the pit makes an appearance soon, I don't like it when my bear is like this.

Things to do for 2012 - March update

March was an annoying month. I was sick again and was just plain blah and out of it for most of the month. Am hoping that Spring helps to get me out of the doldrums.

So, what have I done this month?

1. Take a trip to Germany - going in July!
2. Learn German - started my Rosetta Stone classes. I am now on Unit 2, with about 6 more units that I want to complete before we go to Germany. I really fell off of the classes this month. I'm going to start this up again in earnest.
3. Attempt a conversation, while speaking only German, with someone in Germany.
4. Continue to read, 10 books to start - I've finished 8 books so far.  I will surpass my goal of 10 books and so I'll increase it once I've hit 10. I didn't read as much as I'd like in March, I'll have to pick this up again for April.
5. Maintain the blog with regular posts - Trying. I find if I can schedule certain posts, then it makes things much easier to manage. I fell off on this one too, argh.
6. Deal with the symptoms of stopping the medication. Note, it’s nothing life threatening or anything like that, so don't worry :).
7. Continue to brush Gimli and keep up his teeth brushing - regular brushing, yes. Teeth brushing, needs work.
8. Continue to photograph Gimli and all of his antics. - Working on it.
9. Come up with a proper backup system for all my pictures.
10. Incorporate more fruits & veggies to our diet. - Trying, I'm finding this is going to take multiple trips to the supermarket each week to replenish our fruit supply.
11. Lose 10 lbs. - I have lost 3 lbs so far and gained more muscle. I don't know if I will end up losing 10 lbs mainly because I've been at the same weight for a while, but I'm now able to fit into pants that I stopped wearing in October. (SCORE!) I am switching focus to toning my arms, back and muffin top and decreasing work on the Treadclimber to 3 days a week. I'm continuing to work out, I haven't done much on the muffin top side of things though, so I need to step that up.
12. Evaluate and decide if I need to lose an additional 5 lbs. - We will see, I'm not married to that figure on the scale and because muscle is heavier than fat, so long as I can get back to wearing my clothes, I'm good.
13. Maintain my exercise regimen - so far, so good.
14. Paint our house - We have finally picked out our downstairs colors and are looking for a painter. We painted our bathroom a few weeks ago. I don't have any after pictures yet because I'm waiting to get and our mirrors framed, then it will be complete.
15. Frame and put up our pictures. -This will happen once we have painted.
16. Go to The Arboretum at least once a month - weather permitting - this did not happen in January, February due to the strange weather. Gimli and I went to the Arboretum this past weekend for the Dog Jog. We discovered a new trail, so we'll be back once the weather warms up to walk that trail again.
17. Discover local restaurants/bistros etc in my city or in the surrounding areas.
18. Go to Winterlicious or Summerlicious. - looking like it's going to be Summerlicious.
19. Make a snow animal of some kind - Tried the other day, but then Gimli destroyed it. It's now Spring, so it's looking like it will have to be done next winter.
20. Get a massage(s) at the spa. - I have a Groupon for a hot stones massage session, but I have to remember to make an appointment!
21. Take more pictures of Mike and me.
22. Return to the Church. Something is missing in my life and that might be it.
23. Enjoy our backyard.
24. Decide on the color scheme, proper design for the blog.  I've been indecisive and I just want something that's me and something where I won't want to change it in another few months - Changed the color scheme and I really like that picture of Gimli. I think this is it!
25. Surprise someone. - Surprised Mike with his Valentine's Day present, read about it here: Guest Post by Mike.
26. Make a pie.
27. Reach out to the Rescue organization to see if there are any corgis, with a spot on its head, that need a good home with a corgi obsessed woman - E-mail sent, but nothing yet.  Would have been nice to receive some sort of response saying, "I got your email, no corgis yet", sort of thing.
New 27. Reach out to Gimli's breeder to put ourselves on the list for corgi #2. - She responded and we are on the list. She wants to breed one of Gimli's cousins later this year. I am very hopeful for the Fall!
28. Get some professional pictures done of Mike, Gimli and I. - I have a Groupon for this too, so I'll have to make an appointment!
29. On that note, Boudoir Photography! - I have a Groupon for this too!
30. Plant some flowers in the front and back yards to bring in some color. - We have come up with a plan for the yard and we're waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more before we start with the plantings. Mainly grass seed and then some pots for flowers and stuff.
31. Zombie walk.
32. The B&B in Niagara Falls, this one is also for you Mike. - This is not happening. Am very sad and disappointed and quite frankly, pissed off, that we lost this free(!!) opportunity.
33. Photography course.
34. Kick Mike in the butt when he starts to waver on certain things.
35. Move off of "Medium" on the drums in Rock Band and to "Hard".
36. Start cooking more Trinidad type food.
37. Spend less time on the computer in my non-working hours.  I'd rather fall asleep with a book in my hand than be sleepy sitting at the computer and unable/unwilling to leave it. -I'm getting better at this, but not as fast as I'd like.
38. Go to bed earlier.
39. Do the Dog Jog again with Gimli - It was this past weekend, check it out here: 2nd Annual Dog Jog.
40. Work on Gimli's recall at the Dog Park.- I'm going to get one of those long leashes and start working with Gimli in the park in our neighborhood and then try him at the Dog Park.
41. Take Gimli to the play class at Bold Canine - looking like Spring/Summer
42. Work on Gimli's possessiveness.
43. Work on Gimli's listening skills when guests arrive. - We've started putting him in his crate and then letting him out when guests arrive. We find he's much more subdued and he quiets down much faster.
44. Take Gimli for a herding instinct test?
45. Complete the Minas Tirith 3D puzzle - thinking of starting this in April.
46. A Mini Cooper?
47. Head back to Las Vegas - going in September
48. Go to Disneyland and California Adventure -going in September

5 things... - March

5 things going on in our house at the moment....

1. Gimli has been very clingy of late. Without reading too much into it, I'll just be glad he's enamored with me.

2. Spring has sprung, but it's been really cold of late.  Mother Nature needs to make up her mind!

3. We are not going away on vacation til July. Because of this, I'm slowly losing my mind. It would be nice to go away for Easter, but that's unlikely.

4. 2 more weeks til I can eat chocolate again. I like how it's proven to me that I can have willpower, but would kill for a Ferrero Rocher or Snickers or M & Ms or Twix or Cadbury Mini Eggs or a Wunderbar...ok I need to stop this now...

5. There are 3 women on our street currently pregnant. I'm convinced there's something in the water so I'm switching to Bacardi coolers.

2nd Annual Dog Jog

This past Saturday was the 2nd annual Dog Jog to benefit the local University's Pet Trust.  In a nutshell, because it's a teaching vet University, it helps provide funding for specialized machines and so on to help spread the research to keep our furry little friends healthier.  The University has a special place in my heart because when Gimli was a puppy, we were referred there in an attempt to figure out Gimli's strange illness.  We never did receive a diagnosis, mainly because he stopped exhibiting symptoms and he has been fine ever since, but I was glad we had the University to turn to just in case.

Their goal was $2,000 and they were able to raise $7,000. Not to shabby huh?

Gimli and I participated in the Dog Jog last year, you can read about it here: First Annual Dog Jog.

This year, following our training we took last summer, I was a bit more relaxed with Gimli.  I was sure our bond had become stronger and I was excited to see how much he had changed in terms of dealing with other dogs.  This time around, Gimli was the only corgi in attendance.

Unlike last year, which was below freezing with snow on the ground, with our mild winter the weather was a bit better.  It was still cold and windy, but there was a "high" chance of rain.  Initially, Mike was going to come with us and hang out at the starting area while we did the walk, but because he was just getting over the cold and the rain was threatening, he only stayed with us for a little while.

I thought I was being smart and decided to start the walk with the intermediate group so that we'd fall back and it would be just Gimli and I walking in our little bubble.  Gimli had other ideas.  Right as the walk started, he went off to the side to poo.  The time it took me to clean it up and start moving again, we were at the back of the group.  I swear he does this on purpose!

Being at the back wasn't so bad initially.  We were walking behind a Sheltie and it helped Gimli to focus on me and keep moving forward.  He didn't try to get ahead to the Sheltie, which was a great help to me.  We continued on for a while, until the Sheltie had to poo.  This enabled us to move past them, but then we were stuck behind other people, which was starting to irk me.

See, I have a stride and when we get into our stride, we can maintain it for a while.  However, when we are stuck behind people who are a little slower than we are, my stride slows down and I become frustrated that I've lost my pace.  The nature of the trails were such that it was difficult to overtake any of the participants.  We risked going into mud or a creek or down small embankments and back up again.  I preferred a straightaway to make our move, but none came.

We arrived at a checkpoint and had some water.  Gimli had to meet the vet students manning the station, cheeky little corgi.  But we were off again and this time we were a little ahead of the group.  This went well, until the people behind us with a miniature Schnauzer kept allowing the dog to move up to Gimli to sniff his butt.  Each time the dog came up, Gimli would turn around and throw me off. I finally had to step aside, correct him and restart the walk... at.the.back.

Originally, I had planned to do 5k with Gimli.  The bulk of the path required us to walk the trail twice to account for 4k and then the walk back to the start was the remaining portion. However, part way through the walk, I started to feel a few raindrops.  Couple that with a muddy-in-some-spots path and I decided not to do the path again.  I'm a little disappointed that we didn't do the full circuit, but now that I've done the path, it's something Gimli and I will do again later on in the year once the ground solidifies a bit.

We returned to the starting area and had some water and orange slices and cookies.  Well, Gimli did, I didn't.  At one point, we walked through a gauntlet of larger dogs and Gimli didn't pull me to them, he didn't act out.  I told him to "Follow me" and off we went.  The other dogs sniffing at Gimli and he ignored them. We were a team and I loved every minute of it.  It proved to me that we could do it.  I knew it was possible, but there was that stupid fear in my head always making me second guess our bond.  Now I have to remember to push that fear away and keep moving forward.

I'm ready to go, when do we go???

This Beagle was so excited to see another dog, she kept baying. Gimli couldn't understand why she kept baying and proceeded to "talk back" to her.

The large group of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. One of these days I'd like to take Gimli to a corgi meetup.

Gimli thinks he can be a working dog, doesn't he know he's a herding dog?

Here we are after the event. Notice my new favorite shirt, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi skeleton, along with my favorite corgi. Please excuse the lack of makeup and crazy corgi lady hair. It was windy...

How to be clueless

Yesterday, Gimli and participated in the 2nd annual Dog Jog held by the local University.  There's a separate post coming on it, so I won't go into detail here.

After the actual jogging/walking, Gimli and I were milling around just taking a rest and meeting new friends.

At one point, this lady with a Beagle came over and we got to know each other, well, the Beagle was off sniffing at something and Gimli was more interested in the lady, but you get my drift.  Both Gimli and the Beagle are leashed.  At the same time, this other lady with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever came over to us.

Let me set the scene, the Beagle is about 3 feet away from it's handler sniffing at a tree.  Gimli is about 3 feet away from me, getting to know the Beagle's handler.  The Duck Tolling Retriever's handler proceeds to strike up a conversation with the beagle's handler about Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

*record scratch*

Clearly she did not see the bright red leash attached to Gimli that led back to my hand.  She only clued in when the Beagle's handler gave her a, "W.T.F. would I know about Corgis, I have a Beagle!" look.

Then when Gimli wiggled over to me, did she turn to me and ask if Gimli was a Corgi.

Some people, I swear, how do they make it through the day.

Mirror Mirror

Oh, hello, haven't seen you around here before

A kiss you say? well, ok, but don't tell Candy, she can be jealous

Thankful

Last Tuesday was Mike's birthday.  It was also Spring break for the elementary and high school students in Ontario.  We went out to dinner to a restaurant packed with little bags of disease children. We went out to Dairy Queen after for a couple small Blizzards, which were still too big, and then we came home.

A couple hours later, I had a chill.  Mike looked at me like I was a weirdo, not different than usual.  The next morning, my throat was sore, I was achy and hot and cold running chills.

I ended up taking a sick day on Friday to rest and it helped a little.  Now I'm left with a hacking cough that threatens to erupt at any time.  This makes talking on the phone a little tough, thank God for the mute button!

I was upset that I was sick for the third time this year.  Last year by this time, I was sick once. I decided instead of grumbling about it and complaining, I've been thankful that my sicknesses have been the stomach flu and a couple of colds.  There are people in this world that are fighting and struggling with devastating illnesses and so I have no right to complain.

Over the past few days, Gimli has been great.  It seems they know when you're not at your best and suspend that corgi bossiness til you're better. Typical corgi, right?

Tomorrow,  I'm heading to the doctor for a reason unrelated to this cold.  Here's hoping she can give me some answers.

ps, if you get the hot and cold running chills comment, then you are awesome.

Sir Hiss strikes back!

Remember when I had that great idea to find a stuffed animal snake for Gimli because I thought he'd have fun pulling a snake around the house, (which he does by the way), and so I went all the way to the Zoo and sweated my ass off and got a tan because of that stupid sunscreen that didn't do anything and sat in neverending traffic to find a red boa constrictor snake for Gimli, then brought it home and squealed in delight when Gimli started playing with it and dragging it around and sleeping with it and then I had the idea to put it into the laundry basket so it looks like this:

But in the dark it actually looks like:

and it succeeded in scaring the living daylights out of me.

Yeah, that was a good idea wasn't it?

dammit and now I'm going to have nightmares of a real snake coming to get me.

Old man corgi

Gimli has some old man eye brows going on...

How many months til the Fall?

Back in October, I wrote about our dilemma on adding a second corgi to our family, you can read it here: Two Corgis or Not Two Corgis, that is the Question.

Even though Gimli's breeder had a litter at that time, it wasn't the right time and it didn't feel right.

However, the months went by and I kept having the corgi dream.  I kept seeing a second corgi ever so often and it wasn't the one with a spot on it's head.  No, the dog became a red and white and in another dream it had a tail.  Clearly a European Pemmie.

Mike and I discussed it, long and hard and we decided we'd try the corgi rescue in Ontario first.  I e-mailed the owner, but she never responded.  Not even a note to say that she had received my email, nothing.

Over this past weekend, I emailed Gimli's breeder to say we were ready for a second one.  I already knew she had a litter back in October and so we were okay to wait for a while.  She's planning a litter later in the year and if all goes well, we'll have a little corgi puff coming to live with us in the Fall!

I've been excited and silly all day over the news and the pup isn't even conceived yet!  I keep asking Gimli if he wants a brother or a sister and he just looks at me with his big brown eyes.

I know from now to the Fall, we have our work cut out for us to get Gimli into better shape - behavior wise.  I've slacked off of late and so I've allowed his bad habits to come to the fore.  I'd like him to help train the new pup on good habits, not bad ones.

For now, we wait and watch for pet store sales on crates, collars, leashes and bowls. Oh and toys, I have a soft spot for buying toys for Gimli, can you imagine what it will be like with two???

Gimli's Boat Safari

 See my jeep? I had a little trouble getting it started this morning, but I don't know how those gorillas got it to turn over... oh well.**

 Oh, but I guess he'll get that point in the end.

Gimli better watch out, that crocodile is Ginger. Ginger snaps.

 It's ok to stare, by the way... they've got their trunks on...

 

**I hope you've enjoyed the snippets of the corny jokes from the original ride.

Operation schrumpfen Check-in #8

Here are this week's numbers.  Am not happy about them, but there's not much I can do at this point.

Weight: 131 lbs

Circumference under ribs:28.5

Circumference at belly button:32

Circumference at hips:36

Circumference of thigh: 21

Over the weekend though, I did fit into a pair of pants that I have not been able to wear since October.  So, I think it evens out in the end.

I am starting to see a very faint light at the end of the tunnel and I'm on my way toward my target, which is to fit into about 6 pairs of pants/jeans.

It's March!

It's March and you know what that means?

It's Gimli's month on the Corgi Butts Corgis with Blogs Calendar!

Last year, on a whim, I entered Gimli into this contest.  I had a feeling we'd make the voting list, but I was a little unsure as there are so many lovely corgis out there.  Gimli's adoring fans voted for him and he was assigned the month of March.

Can I tell you, I've been waiting months to have Gimli up on the wall!

 How can you resist that smile?

Also, today is St.David's day.  If you don't know, St. David is the patron Saint of Wales, where the best dogs come from.  In honor of this day and because I have a corgi, here's a picture of the daffodils that Gimli and I saw when we visited the Arboretum.

I don't think there are any daffodils out just yet, but I've decided I want to plant daffodils in our yard this year.  It's something different and I'm sure they will look right at home among our lawn gnomes and a certain Welshman.

Things to do for 2012 - February update

It's the end of February already, crazy stuff.  Tomorrow is March and that means Spring is coming!  I don't  mind the cold temps, but man, I could do without the snow/slush and ice.

So, what have I done this month?

1. Take a trip to Germany - going in July!
2. Learn German - started my Rosetta Stone classes. I am now on Unit 2, with about 6 more units that I want to complete before we go to Germany.
3. Attempt a conversation, while speaking only German, with someone in Germany.
4. Continue to read, 10 books to start - I've finished 8 books so far.  I will surpass my goal of 10 books and so I'll increase it once I've hit 10.
5. Maintain the blog with regular posts - Trying. I find if I can schedule certain posts, then it makes things much easier to manage.
6. Deal with the symptoms of stopping the medication. Note, it’s nothing life threatening or anything like that, so don't worry :).
7. Continue to brush Gimli and keep up his teeth brushing - regular brushing, yes. Teeth brushing, needs work.
8. Continue to photograph Gimli and all of his antics. - Working on it.
9. Come up with a proper backup system for all my pictures.
10. Incorporate more fruits & veggies to our diet.
11. Lose 10 lbs. - I have lost 3 lbs so far and gained more muscle. I don't know if I will end up losing 10 lbs mainly because I've been at the same weight for a while, but I'm now able to fit into pants that I stopped wearing in October. (SCORE!) I am switching focus to toning my arms, back and muffin top and decreasing work on the Treadclimber to 3 days a week.
12. Evaluate and decide if I need to lose an additional 5 lbs. - We will see, I'm not married to that figure on the scale and because muscle is heavier than fat, so long as I can get back to wearing my clothes, I'm good.
13. Maintain my exercise regimen - so far, so good.
14. Paint our house - We have finally picked out our downstairs colors and are looking for a painter. Mike and I are going to paint our bathroom this weekend, so excited!
15. Frame and put up our pictures. -This will happen once we have painted.
16. Go to The Arboretum at least once a month - weather permitting - this did not happen in January, February due to the strange weather. It's been mild but very slushy and with a fluffy corgi, that translates to mucky bellies. Hoping for March!
17. Discover local restaurants/bistros etc in my city or in the surrounding areas.
18. Go to Winterlicious or Summerlicious. - looking like it's going to be Summerlicious.
19. Make a snow animal of some kind - Tried the other day, but then Gimli destroyed it. Will post on this soon.
20. Get a massage(s) at the spa. - I have a Groupon for a hot stones massage session, but I have to remember to make an appointment!
21. Take more pictures of Mike and me.
22. Return to the Church. Something is missing in my life and that might be it.
23. Enjoy our backyard.
24. Decide on the color scheme, proper design for the blog.  I've been indecisive and I just want something that's me and something where I won't want to change it in another few months - thinking of going to just plain white background and clean lines, we'll see though.
25. Surprise someone. - Surprised Mike with his Valentine's Day present, read about it here
26. Make a pie.
27. Reach out to the Rescue organization to see if there are any corgis, with a spot on its head, that need a good home with a corgi obsessed woman - E-mail sent, but nothing yet.  Would have been nice to receive some sort of response saying, "I got your email, no corgis yet", sort of thing.
New 27. Reach out to Gimli's breeder to put ourselves on the list for corgi #2.
28. Get some professional pictures done of Mike, Gimli and I. - I have a Groupon for this too, so I'll have to make an appointment!
29. On that note, Boudoir Photography!
30. Plant some flowers in the front and back yards to bring in some color.
31. Zombie walk.
32. The B&B in Niagara Falls, this one is also for you Mike, still waiting :P.
33. Photography course.
34. Kick Mike in the butt when he starts to waver on certain things.
35. Move off of "Medium" on the drums in Rock Band and to "Hard".
36. Start cooking more Trinidad type food.
37. Spend less time on the computer in my non-working hours.  I'd rather fall asleep with a book in my hand than be sleepy sitting at the computer and unable/unwilling to leave it. -I'm getting better at this, but not as fast as I'd like.
38. Go to bed earlier.
39. Do the Dog Jog again with Gimli - signed up!
40. Work on Gimli's recall at the Dog Park.
41.  Take Gimli to the play class at Bold Canine - looking like Spring/Summer
42. Work on Gimli's possessiveness.
43. Work on Gimli's listening skills when guests arrive.
44. Take Gimli for a herding instinct test?
45. Complete the Minas Tirith 3D puzzle - thinking of starting this in March
46. A Mini Cooper?
47. Head back to Las Vegas - going in September
48. Go to Disneyland and California Adventure -going in September

Wordless Wednesday - Shake your booty

Can't wait for Spring!

Even though this winter has been quite mild in Southern Ontario, I'm really looking forward to the Spring/Summer.

Can't wait to sit out on the patio

Go exploring

Play fetch

Sit back and let Mike take Gimli for a walk for a change

What are you looking forward to?

Operation schrumpfen Check-in #7

So now we come to the end of another month.

I'm definitely seeing changes. My legs are stronger, they don't hurt when I run up and down the stairs multiple times or when I use them to help me close the Lazy Boy recliner. My spare tire is almost gone and my waist-to-hips are not as lumpy as before.

I'm starting to like the way I look in sweaters and tops again. My muffin top is slowly shrinking and it feels great! I'm less self conscious about it and I know in just a few months it will be mostly gone. I'm really looking forward to purchasing a new bikini.

Let's compare some numbers shall we?

Measurements as of February 27th:
Weight: 131 lbs

Circumference under ribs: 28.5

Circumference at belly button: 31.5

Circumference at hips: 34

Circumference of thigh: 21.6


Measurements as of February 6th:

Weight: 132

Circumference under ribs: 29

Circumference at belly button: 32

Circumference at hips: 35

Circumference of thigh: 22


Measurements as of January 9th:

Weight: 133

Circumference under bust: 29 - adjusted to measure under the ribcage, not at the ribcage.

Circumference at belly button: 34

Circumference at hips: 37

Circumference of thigh: 23

Goals for March:
- Maintain 30 minutes on the  TreadClimber at least 3 times a week.
- Develop a toning regimen for my arms, back and stomach.  This I will also do 3 times a week.

Yo Ho Yo Ho a Pirate's Life for a corgi?

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for a corgi
We frap, we pilfer, we filch and sack.
Eat up me 'earties, yo ho.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Eat up me 'earties, yo ho.

(second verse of the song).

I don't know about you, but I really feel of all the dogs, a corgi is the best choice for a pirate.

- They all seem to like adventuring and exploring
- They will fight, if prodded
- They make the most pirate-y sounding noises
- They have a 'what's in it for me' and 'me first' attitude
- They will rob you blind, mostly of food, and then quickly cover up the evidence

 

Snow frap!

take a rest

and then...

Guest Post by Mike

Hi everyone.... this is Candy’s husband Mike.

You may remember me from such great posts as:

·         5 things going on in our house at the moment
·         This is what happens when you live with 2 boys
·         Participate in a 5k – Done
·         Because I'm an awesome wife!

Just to name a few, well here I am doing a guest post. I don’t do much in the social media side of things, apart from FB and even in that I don’t post as much as Candy does. With a dog like Gimli one can never run out of great things to post about. Mind you I just got on Twitter OI_Mike13 in case you want to follow me.

The reason for this post is to express my undying love for my wife. She is truly the single greatest thing that has ever happened to me was meeting her and ultimately marrying her. We share so many things in common, and at times it really is scary just how we think so much alike, and yet we are very different people personality wise.

She is the headstrong, no nonsense, give me all the facts type of person (Sagittarius). Where I am, more the free thinker, throw chance to the wind and see where life takes you (Pieces). As you can see, there are great situations where we would butt heads on many occasions, but we have found one way or another to find a common balance in our life’s conflicts.

I have never seen a woman who cares so much about me, my health and welfare that she threatens me with pain and suffering if I don’t do something about a problem. Talk about tough love J

I can honestly say; that without her I would be a bit lost in life, and would never have experienced so many crazy adventures with her as we have over the past 10+ years. To think we have just started on those adventures and we have so many more planned, that every day I tell her that I love her.

This all leads me up to one thing that she did over Valentine’s Day, mind you it was a little late, but who’s really counting LOL I’m a man, and it really is about her isn’t it. Needless to say, she did something that truly wasn’t expected and came out of right field (Because I like to be different and not have it come out of Left)

She made up a deck of playing cards and on each of them she proceeded to write down 52 reasons on why she loves me. (See Pics)

All I can say was that I was taken back that she did this for me, and just how unexpected it truly was.

I don’t think I can put it in words just how that made me feel, and how much it really touched me.

So I won’t try to go on and on trying to, but just say that it really touched me, and I Love her so much.

Candy, Thank You!

Love Mike.

5 things going on in our house at the moment

1. I've given up chocolate for Lent - meaning M&Ms, chocolate bars, Ferrero Rocher, that sort of thing.  God give me strength and Lord Gimli send me some too!

2. On the weekend, Gimli went outside with his Wubba, you know, my favorite toy because it doesn't squeak anymore, and he left it outside.  He knows the word Wubba and when we ask him about it, he runs to the sliding glass door and looks outside.  However, when he goes outside to use the bathroom, he runs past it and doesn't bring it inside.  It's official, he's as lazy as I am.

3. I'm starting to see strange things and dream that my house is haunted.  It's official, cabin fever has probably set in.

4. As part of Mike's surgery, this claw like stretcher was put over his eyelids to keep them open and out of the path of the laser.  As a result, he has these creepy reddish spots on his eyes and he keeps grossing me out by showing them to me.

5. If a wall in our house is not painted soon, I'm going to lose my mind.  Sort of like that Simpsons Treehouse of Horror episode where they spoof The Shining and Homer goes insane.  I've started rambling to myself, "White walls, no paint, make Candy something something".  I totally feel like that lady in The Yellow Wallpaper...

Monk Gimli

I, um, yeah, I have no words for this...