The Story of Parker, part 1

So to take a break from the weight-loss talk, I'd like to share the newest addition to our household.

On January 3, winter had set in in our neck of the woods, I was driving home and passed a bank sign, showing me that it was 25 degrees outside, and a quick check of the local news radio said it would get down to 17 degrees before the nights end. It was cold.  I parked my car, dreading to have to open the door and get to our home without freezing to death.  Finally I did exit the car, and noticed something furry just across from me on the sidewalk.

For most people in residential neighborhoods, stray cats are a common occurence.  Most of the times approaching these domesticated - to - feral cats, results in the same, you give them attention and they run away and hide. But this furball was different...

As I normally do with our 7 year old spoiled cat, I made the kissing noise to try and get his attention. Instead of running away, he started bounding over to get a better look at me.  At first he came close, but not close enough to pet, probably sizing me up.  As soon as I would approach, he'd back off, but never really running away.  Freezing, I decided to head inside, took off my gloves, pulled out my cell, and texted my wife about the cute kitty in the parking lot; she suggested that I try and bring him some food.  I hadn't thought of this, so i grabbed an old kitty bowl, got some dry food and headed out the door.

To young people, siblings, were at the community mailbox, and there was the little cat hanging around them, one of them actually able to pet him.  I asked if he was theirs, but the answer was no.  One the kids was actually sitting on the curb, and I did the same.  I must not seemed as "big" as before and he came right up to me.

Most cats will be able to find a warm place to sleep when it gets cold enough.  I was worried about this cat, because he seemed young, and was friendly enough that I was concerned that he might belong to someone and not be "equipped" to take care of himself on a night like this.  I made the decision to pick him up, not really knowing how he'd react, I got him by the scruff of the neck, and like a young cat, he went limp, and curled up his back feet, absolutely no agression of any kind. I brought him in close, and he was purring / shivering.

I called my wife again, looking for numbers to shelters and such. It seemed that all of the non-profit / no kill groups were closed or not taking calls.  We heard from my parents, who offered to take him if we couldn't find a place.  Meanwhile, when I had gone inside the first time, I had taken off my gloves.  Unfortunately, the gloves were still off, and I found that my hands were as cold as the little kitty I was holding.  I did the next logical thing and opened my jacket and stuffed the kitty in.  A final call to my wife, and she told me to just bring him inside and put him inside the main floor bathroom. Having lost almost all feeling in my fingers, I was in no position to argue.

Next.....Part 2

Happy February!

  Besides the fact that we are having 60 degree days, followed by 27 degree days, it feels like winter is on its way out.  The fireplace has been getting used, but not nearly as much as hoped, and not always at appropriate times.  Is it too much to ask to be snowed in again?

The weight is being stubborn, however, it is creeping away.  For some reason progress halts on the weekends, I think it has to do with the fact that the structure of the day is usually off. I'll wake up at 10, and not have my first meal until 12, then we might get lunch, which most times turns into a late dinner.  During the week, I'm on the standard 3 meals ( snacking when i have time or can remember ).

Current weight is sitting at 295.5, which is about 5 pounds for February.  While I would be much happier losing faster, I believe I am falling into the healthy guideline for weight loss, at about 2 pounds per week.  Besides the crater in my stomach, I'm really still not feeling the difference.

Today makes it 48 pounds.  I was watching an info-mercial the other day for some weight loss breakthrough, and they always show the super-cute girls with their ugly fat before picture.  While half the time I'm convinced that they use different people for these photos, what gets to me is the amount they lose.  When someone loses 40 or even 50 pounds, they are a new person, flat tummy, somehow you smile brighter, and your hair gets done nice... and boobs stick out more, and for most people, that much weight is life changing.  Well, for me that life changing weight, is probably about another 100 pounds. It makes it difficult to be happy about my almost 50 pounds, not to feel different, or look different to myself in the mirror.  At the moment my biggest fear is going to the doctor for my physical, and having him tell me that I need to change my diet.  I don't want to stop low carb eating, because I know what carb eating does to me, but I also want to be healthy.

If not February, March will be the month I start to integrate exercise again. While I think its a waste of a gym membership, I'm going to start off slowly and either just use the treadmill, or swim.  Every bit of me wants to pump iron, but I know that will get in the way.  I completely understand that its okay to build muscle weight at the expense of the scale, I'm just not ready.

Next............The Story of Parker