Friday - Charlene's Step

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,I'm really blue today - my dog hasn't been quite herself for the last week or two - she was never a big eater, but she has been eating even less and her energy level just isn't right she also barfed twice this week - once on Monday and once last night. She is an older dog - probably approaching or at 11 - she is a rescue, so not sure when her b-day is - but we have had her for almost 9 1/2 years and she was at least a year old when we got her- last fall she had major surgery to have her spleen removed (benign tumors). So, I'm really worried that there is something seriously wrong with her - I have a vet appointment this morning - my fingers are crossed that it is nothing serious - I just have this worry because of what happened to her in the fall and we honestly can afford another surgery that is several thousand

dollars in cost...... Also, TOM arrived like 5 or 6 days early - the joy of perimenopause - and it is all crampy and my somach is upset.... Sorry to whine.....Anyway, b/c of the vet appointment I cancelled my walk w/ my friend (I'm also sad about her - both of our DDs go to the same school, not in the same grade though, and it has been so nice for us both to be there - but next year she is pulling her daughter out and sending her to public school.....which makes me sad - it also makes me second guess my decisions to keep my DD in this private school when I could send her to public and save some $$ for college.....but my DD is kind of odd -in a good way - and really I'm odd and so is DH - and I don't want her to face bullies and cliques and the pressure to be "popular" or "conform" - for good or bad, those things worry me and

affect my decision more than academics........) Well - anyway, sorry, I keep rambling today - I ended up doing one of Charlene Prickett's set workouts - With Every Step, I think it is called. There are 2 30 min step routines - each routine teachs 4 combos and takes them from the top periodically throughout and several times at the end. Charlene's daughter Xanna is one of the background exercisers. The choreography is easy to follow but fun - sort of like Ford's Step by Step and Kari 's Go. Very enjoyable and sweaty workout. Charlene includes a very thorough stretch for the lower body at the end - long stretches for hamstring, hip flexors, quads and calf muscles - everything worked in step. I am amazed that Charlene and her crew step w/ 3 risers - oh my - I use one riser to spare my knees.If I have the opportunity later I may try to do some restorative yoga.I will hopefully be back later w/ some good news on my

dog..Take care!Donna -