Day 5

I don't know why but today was one of my harder days. Maybe because I was back to work and did not have any time to get any fresh air. There were many times today I thought I would go outside and do what I call "reflection" but knew I could not because I would want to smoke. I figured out that many times I smoke just so I can get away from things and find time to think. I'm going to have to come up with a new method - just not sure what it will be. I'm tired and grouchy but I keep telling myself there will be benefits even though I don't feel them today. Brent and Brad, I keep thinking that this is going to make you guys proud of me so I am going to stick it out no matter what.

I need to just HANG IN THERE. I can't wait to tell my boys when I can say I have gone one full month. If I can make it 6 days, I can make it the rest of my life, right?

Kicking the habit.

Well, today I have been smoke free for 4 days. That probably does not sound much to most people but believe me after smoking for 40 years it is a real struggle. I have wanted to quit for a long time just always gave up after day one. I am hoping to surprise Brent when I go see him at Christmas. He has been after me for years to quit. He and his wife, Celice, have started a heavy workout and are trying to get in shape in 12 weeks before they go to New York. I've tried to encourage him but then I sid to myself that I needed to do the same thing. I have been walking for 2 miles a day every day this summer and about a month ago started lifting weights again. Then I thought, if I really wanted to get healthy, the first thing I needed to do was quit smoking. I stopped on August 26th, my Mothers birthday. That will be an easy day for me to remember. I need to try to get to bed soon, I have not been sleeping well at all since I quit and I have a very long day in front of my tomorrow.

Willie loves playing in the snow. I'll have to admit that I am not looking forward to walking him this winter though. It will be cold and wet. But I won't trade him either so I guess I better get a warm coat and some boots.

Willie's first day at home

I got Willie March of 2008. I had wanted a dog for a long time but kept making excuses. My main one was that I work too much and would not be home in time to let the dog out. Then I thought what a better way to help with my work/life balance. So I started looking on the rescue website. I found a lot of dogs that I thought would be great pets - Willie was not one of them. So finally I went down to the adoption center with my list of dogs that I wanted to see. I was looking for a medium size dog because I live in a condo and do not have a yard for him to run in. Here were all of these dogs, probably about 60 of them barking away and went I walked past Willie's kennel he bowed his head and lifted his paw and never even barked. Every time I would walk past his kennel he would do the same thing. Finally I asked if I could take him out for a little walk. The person helping me told me that Willie was from Kentucky and they had saved him from being put down. They said that he had been abused and also had a fear of some of the other dogs. Well, Willie and I went for our little walk and when I put him back, he started to whine a little - put his head down again and raised his paw. I just did not have the heart to leave him. So I asked them if I could run to the store to get all of the stuff I would need and would be back in an hour to pick him up. I had not intended on getting a dog that day, just thought I would start the looking process.

I named him Willie because his name was Wilcox and that just did not sound right. Willie is part beagle with a very loud beagle bark. They had guessed his age to be between 3 and 4 even though he does have grey around on his chin. When we got home, he was a little timid and barked everytime he heard someone outside. It did not take him long though to figure out he wanted to stay. He is a great little buddy!

Understand I live in Michigan and some times we still get a lot of snow in March. The first week, I got Willie, we had 15 inches of snow and it got really cold. I thought on my, what have I done. I can't just let him out to go the bathroom, we have to walk awhile and then awhile more. Willie sure does know how to hold the bladder. Look at the picture below and you will see him in the snow that first week.

Willie

Here is Willie with his friend Lilly. Lilly will run lickety split round and round in circles and Willie does his best to keep up with her.

Willie in Sandestin

So here is a picture of Willie chilling down in Sandestin last May. After being in the small apartment while in Lake City, he sure was glad to get out and be able to lay on the grass for a while and watch the squirrels and ducks.

I thought I would give this a try.

Well, I have really enjoyed reading Brent and Celice's blog so I thought I would also create one. I'll have to get some pictures together to post. Today has been pretty much a lazy day. Ran some errands, took a couple of things back to the store, did some wash and cleaned house. Willie, my dog and I just got back from a short walk. He is not real happy with me right now because he likes to walk for a minimun of 40 minutes but it started raining so it was a quick jot around the pond. Of course, the minute he heard thunder just a bit ago he is trying to crawl under my foot. Why is it that most dogs are afraid of the sound of thunder? I can remember our dog Kringle I had when the kids were growing up. She was petrified of thunder. Willie is not as bad but he stays very close to me when it is raining out.