June 9, 2023

Month: January 2015

and in the real world

And in the Real World Season 2015 Episode 1 with Kelley

I was absolutely horrible about these posts last year. So we’ll see how it goes this year. I’m actually going to link my Fit Readers posts to this page as well so at least if I’m bad about life updates on random topics, since fitness is related to my non-book life, they will feed to this page as well.

Life as an animal rescue foster home…

Clipped from my Christmas letter. Clockwise from top left… Amun and I, Jasper and Ace, Aker and Amun, George, Sheba, Cleo, Nala. This was before I had Ralph and Sapphire.

Those of you who saw any of my “And in the Real World” posts last year may remember I got involved in animal rescue. I took a break for a while after my foster failure Cleo who I adopted in February 2014, since I was in an apartment with limited space. After I bought my house last summer, I was able to start fostering again.

My first foster was George, a 12-year-old full blood Maine Coon who had been dumped by his family, along with his canine friend about the same age, when the family decided to get a puppy! Shortly hereafter, George was hit by a car (we believe anyhow, based on his injuries that the vet said were consistent with a run in with a car). He came to stay with me for his recovery from surgery where he had half one of of his hips removed. After a surprisingly speedy recovery and three months with me, George went to his new forever home in December, where his new mom fell in love at first sight. What a wonderful ending to such a sad beginning.

In November, I took in two kittens from a local shelter who were rescued with literally two hours to spare. I got them at 4:00 and they were due to be euthanized at 6:00. While both of these kids were adorable and sweet (most of the time), I had to return them to their rescue this week. Ace, the male, was picking major fights with my cats and other fosters, and being a bully. I suspect this was because even at about 8 months of age, he was a tiny little thing and that was the only way he had to feel strong. I couldn’t risk the safety of the other kids here so sadly I had to give him up. I had a horrible experience with that rescue group when I told them I had to do this, as if it wasn’t hard enough already to give up a cat who had come to believe he was home and who in spite of his fighting, I loved dearly. This was absolutely devastating to me and it still upsets me every time I think about the fact I had to give him up. Nala, the female, was a feral cat who after three months with me, still flinched every time I tried to touch her, unless I gave her a lot of time sitting and waiting for her to come to me. She also would not come out of her little safe area of two rooms. She was a total sweetheart on the days she would allow me to get close, a total chatterbox who never stopped purring. I think though, with as many other kids as I have here, it’s just too much activity for her and I can’t commit the time she needs to overcome that. So she went to a new foster home Jan 25. I was heartbroken over both of these cases, which in turn taught me a valuable lesson. I’m not going to be able to help every cat I take in, no matter how hard I try. Some are going to come to me so damaged by what their life was like before, or with underlying issues that I’m just not going to be able handle.

Those are two opposite experiences of my recent rescue life. I have also had three other fosters since I started again in August 2014. Jasper came to live with me the day George got adopted and he’s still here, and remarkably recovered just in the past 24 hours since I gave up Ace. Poor Jasper took the brunt of Ace’s bullying and he was the real reason I knew I couldn’t keep Ace. I couldn’t risk the lasting impact it could have on another. Seeing him almost back to normal mere hours after Ace left convinced me I made the right choice.

Then there was Ralph, a gorgeous long haired flame point boy who was the first foster I took in specifically because I was already in love with him. He came to live with me just a few days before Christmas. He was only here for a month before he found his forever home. He flew home to California just this past week. Now I have Sapphire, a beautiful blue, with me, who came home the day Ralph left to get ready to meet his new family. She’s a gorgeous little spitfire, who does not know the meaning of “calm” except when she’s asleep. I’m supposed to get at least one more some time this week as well.

I have found a new passion as an animal rescue advocate and foster/volunteer so don’t be surprised to see future And in the Real World posts about my life with the cats I am trying to save.

fit readers

#FitReaders Weekly Check In Week 4 – January 25 – Kelley

I missed last week obviously, but I didn’t want to miss another week without a check-in. I have completed the first four weeks in the year long challenge to better health hosted by The Geeky Blogger and That’s What I’m Talking About.

Goal refresher:

1. Be ready to run my first half marathon in April. I did change the plan I am using to one that is 4 days of running and one of cross training, with two rest days.

2. Lose at least 45 lbs over the year.

I had my first 10K in several years on January 17. I finished the race in about 4 minute UNDER my goal which was great! I also only walked maybe about 5 minutes total of the entire race. That officially ended my Couch to 10K program.

The final week of my 10K program and the first week of my half marathon training were the same week but it all worked out. I’ve still only been managing 3 running days with my schedule, but I did get my cross training day in and hit the total number of miles expected for week 1. Week 2 was off to a great start until a few days ago when I injured myself. I strained the tendon in my left knee, which brought by training to a screeching halt for at least a week. I have another 10K on February 1 which I may end up walking. After I finish the race, I’ll decide if I need another full week off like the doctor suggested or if I feel like I can start training again without risk of further injury.

There likely won’t be an update next week since I can’t exercise, but I’ll plan to post after my upcoming race!

Keep up with Debbie and I here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques all year long as we both work towards a happier healthier lifestyle.

fit readers

#FitReaders Weekly Check In Week 2 – January 11 – Kelley

I can’t guarantee I’ll remember to post every week but we’ll see if I manage it even every couple weeks at least. When I do remember to post, it will be on Sundays most likely, since my workout week runs Sunday to Saturday. I have completed my first week in the year long challenge to better health hosted by The Geeky Blogger and That’s What I’m Talking About. I kept my goals pretty generic to make them more doable for me.

My biggest goal is to be ready to run my first half marathon in April. That involves building endurance and cardio 6 days/week. Running 3 days and 3 days cross training. So it’ll keep me busy through April for sure. By then I will have hopefully relearned good habits to carry me through the year. I’d also like to lose a good 45 lbs to be back at my ideal weight.

This first week I didn’t manage my 6 days, but I did get in 3. Ran 4.5 miles Sunday and Wednesday and did a 5K Saturday with some friends. Next week I have my first 10K in about 4-5 years and I’m hoping to run the entire thing. That will be the official end of my Couch to 10K program and the start of my Half Marathon training.

Keep up with Debbie and I here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques all year long as we both work towards a happier healthier lifestyle.

fit readers

#FitReaders: Weekly Check-in Jan 8 2015- Debbie

I’m not sure how good I’ll be at doing weekly check ins but giving this a try! For this past week ending Jan 8, I’ve managed to exercise at least once every other day.  I absolutely hate exercising and have realized that it is just something I’ll never enjoy but it was far easier to do it with a good audio book going! I’ve never read DUNE before and the audible version is so good that a couple days it was my sole motivation to get myself up and exercising!

Food-wise, I managed to pack my meal for work 3 out of the 5 days so that definitely meant healthier eating choices.  I’m gradually working on detoxing my  body and getting myself back onto a good health program so I’ve also been drinking at least some of my suero viv daily.

I can tell a difference in how I’m feeling and that’s the most positive thing of all!

fit readers

#FitReaders Commitment to Health 2015 – Debbie

Okay, last year I really let things slide and starting eating unhealthy again and I can feel it with my health. It’s a new year and time to get back into eating healthy and exercising. I’ve already gotten started back with my Pilates and yoga so hopefully having a regular check in will keep me at least somewhat accountable. This challenge is hosted by Felicia, AKA The Geeky Blogger with a co-host at That’s What I’m Talking About and the program is expanding to include any and all kinds of fitness, instead of focusing on walking like last year (which I did NOT do, unfortunately).  I am not good at regular updates but will try to check in and at least seeing this will hopefully make me more accountable this year!  So… here I go, exercising, eating healthy, and of course reading this new year!

fit readers

#FitReaders Commitment to Health 2015 – Kelley

I am absolutely horrible about being consistent with regular posts and I always fail miserably at updates. But, I’m trying again. My good friend Felicia, AKA The Geeky Blogger is again hosting a year-long fitness challenge at her website. This year she added a co-host at That’s What I’m Talking About and the program is expanding to include any and all kinds of fitness, instead of focusing on walking like last year. Since I am training to do my first ever half marathon in April, this year-long challenge will hopefully keep me accountable. Follow along with me right here at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques and see how I do.