Just Do It

This week has felt much more mentally stable than last week's episodes of panic and anxiety. I decided that, since I now have super comfy athletic shoes, that I may try jogging. Tonight proved to be the perfect night to make the attempt as Melody was acting a fool and going crazy. I'm pretty sure this dog charges like a battery in this cold weather. I started to think about jogging, but started to actually jog before I had a chance to convince myself to wait until next time, and you know what? I didn't die. I actually kind of enjoyed it. I didn't do much. But I did it. I alternated walking and jogging. In total I only managed about a third of a mile, but it's a start. 

I have also been participating in a squat challenge for the month of February so if you see #loveyourbutt anywhere that's simply stating that I did my squats that day, sometimes more.  I've been fighting a headache for two days. Today it was accompanied by some nausea that progressed throughout the day. I ended up doing my squats at work, dress pants and all, just in case I ended up with a full blown migraine and couldn't complete them tonight. After work I found proper medication and some gel cooling pads for the back of my neck. They worked wonderfully and I felt like a million bucks by time I got home, hence the jogging. 

I made steel cut oats for breakfast. I added much more water than it called fo so they would be super porridge-y. I added a little vanilla, brown sugar, and coconut milk for extra satiety. It tasted like marshmallows! I totally wasn't expecting that, but I certainly didn't complain.  I grew tired of rolled oats a long time ago so I'm excited to find a way to make steel cut oats to my liking so I can cook a large batch at the start of the week along with boiling some eggs for grab and go breakfasts. Baby steps, yes?

It Takes Two to Tango

Unless you're my cat. Then it takes one. We are still battling Tango's allergy problems.  I plan to take him to the vet when our tax returns come in to make sure it isn't something new. It's been about seven years since he's been. Perhaps they have a treatment that doesn't risk heart failure now? I doubt it. Veterinary medicine and research doesn't seem to advance as quickly as human research. My best friend gave us a Thunder Shirt. It certainly keeps him from tearing himself apart, but I'm afraid to take it off. He gets obsessive about cleaning and reopens it. Every time. It sucks. Here's a photo of where we came from. It was worse...as in, he had a what appeared to be gaping hole in his side. It's mostly better now, but not 100%. 

Melody is a total fluff ball now that winter is here. 

Melody during the summer, heading into autumn:

Melody now:

I had to loosen her collar because of all the fluff! Love it. In regards to this winter, it's been really mild compared to last year. I hope it stays that way. I am *not* feeling the drawn out snow this year!

I finally bought good athletic shoes and layers so I've been able to walk in the cold. Oh, and a head collar for Melody's pulling. What used to be a chore is now something I look forward to doing. It's great!