Then life got in the way. No excuses, just what happened. Does that mean that 2009 was a year of failure? No it does not. Had I learned nothing through the experience; then yes it would have been a massive failure. (No I am not going to delve into all the "events" of the year)

However I did not quit, and I did learn.
I am walking, without knee surgery. That in itself is a major victory. A story of determination. Frankly; I’m kinda amazed that I am walking. Even able to workout again....click link for more...

2. Happy Holidays: 2009 Holiday Newsletter Written December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas and all that! Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, and so on for those of you that celebrate different Holidays and beliefs. Am I totally pc or what? Actually it’s “or what”. Am I going to explain what I mean by that just now? Ahhhh… let’s see. NO. So on to the “Christmas” letter…

Seems inconceivable to me that today is December 24th, 2009. The December is amazing to me, then it’s already the 24th, and 2009! How did that happen. I was just 5 yrs old yesterday…..

By the way, I’ll be 50 in February 2010.

There is a saying, “May you live in interesting times”. I know there is more to it than ...click link for more...

3. Health Care Savings Could Start in the Cafeteria: Written December 12, 2009
You put the best fuel you can in your car... so it will run. The same goes for your body. The better the fuel...the better your body's performance. A friend, posted this article from the New York Post on facebook.

Something to think about...

Life is a journey, how well you take care of your body will determine how well it functions on your journey....click on link for more...

4. Wow, I'm actually free: Written November 18, 2009
Wrote this post sitting in Sheri’s Restaurant. The first time in years that I’d written into a notebook rather than directly to my computer… I started writing a bit after 6 am… when I stopped it was after 11 am. To say it’s rather long would be the understatement of the year…click link for more...

5. Hateful Rantings of an Abusive Woman: Susan Dennis
Unfortunately, Yes some women are abusers too.

Yesterday we, as in my husband, David and I received a bit of the worst behavior from a person I had not spoken with, nor had contact with since the last spate of nasty letters. Last time it was in email form right about the same time of year. Actually in her previous attack she waited until after Thanksgiving to start her tirade. This tirade took place in 2005; while I was recovering from prolonged life threatening illness and the resulting major surgery. Frankly it caught me totally off guard, and I made the mistake of trying to have a reasonable conversation with her.

Major mistake; it is impossible to have a reasonable conversation with a person that is totally unreasonable. Previously as in this time there were no conversations leading up to her irrational attack. Just the attack; and the resulting emotional turmoil.

This time, as in last time, she requested that I keep her tirade a secret. Foolishly last time I did not publish her behavior. In keeping her secret I inadvertently enabled her to repeat her behavior without fear of exposure. I foolishly thought by simply having no contact with this person I could avoid her abusive behavior. I was wrong....click link for more... including copies of her letters...

6. I do not believe I would have been so gracious
The video clip is from the Passion of the Christ. I haven't worn a cross since I watched it. I don't know that I ever will again.

Considering what He could have done, and what He chose to do instead; I am amazed. I am thankful for His sacrifice. Yet, it was a very good thing that it was not me. Perhaps that is why I am still here in this life; rather than home.

Considering what He could have done, and what He did instead. I am amazed, and very thankful. I do not believe I would have been so gracious...click link for more...and for the video of course...

7. A woman's view on healthcare/insurance reform
The video is from First Lady Michelle Obama, the following post is my writing. Full of my opinions and such.

Over the past 10 years health care has become a predominant issue in our lives. Now all in all we have good insurance. If there is such a thing. Even with the insurance it was a major financial struggle to not declare bankruptcy.

This year has brought the inconsistencies from state to state to the forefront of my mind. After my mom's house burned down. I looked at having her placed on our...clck link for more...

8. Epiphany!
(This post is related to the 30 day project from the Ed Severance Blog: Rewire the Damaged Hardware post)

30 Days to change the way I think: to rewire the damaged hardware.

Hmmmm. What would be the foremost, the optimum thing to change. To truly create the life I want to live. God has given me the ability to create the life I know I want to be living!

Ok, so what am I working on? The list seems insurmountable. Goes on and on adinfanitum. Bits of this and bits of that, list after list. Truth be told all of it fits under a couple of points. One word is the major player. So what is it? It is: F-E-A-R. That’s it fear. Such a small little word, only four small letters to have such a huge impact on so many people’s lives. Yes I know I’m not alone in this.

Ok, so the list of fears could go on and on. Big fears, little fears, erotic fears, infinitesimal fears, probably a few psychotic fears.

So what is the heading, or umbrella that all these fears are running around under? What is it?! It’s not fear of failure. Failure is a very safe place to hide. It’s not fear of fat. A fat suit is another safe place to hide. Fear of discovery. The fear that you may see who I really am. Nah, I’ve pretty much put that out there. Amazingly enough I actually like myself. Fat a** and all.

Ok so what is it. What has been tripping me up for so ...click link for more...

9. Whoo Hoo! Lost a total of 5 pounds this week.
Whoo Hoo! Lost a total of 5 pounds this week. Journaling what I eat and doing the ranch workout. Rockin it baby. Been logging into Beachbody and the online gym all week too! Whoo Hoo! I did measure, unfortunately I did not have any change in the measurements that I did. That will come. I didn’t do hip hop abs or any other dvd workout this past week. I will be adding some back in this week; in addition to slogging about in the snow…lol… I overloaded and crashed a couple of weeks ago. So am being a bit more conservative.

Frankly I do not have the time to crash. So a consistent build is for me rather than a total overload. I’ve been watching the Biggest Loser. It would be great to be able to put hours into the gym. However I am not living on the Biggest Loser Ranch. I am living on Robbins Run Ranch, so a big part of my day is taking care of business here. Frankly I am pretty excited about a 5 pound loss. Whoo Hoo! Kind of giddy actually at the prospect of meeting my 50 pound weight loss goal for the year. It’s really happening! I am really doing it! One day, one step, one pound at a time...click link for more...

10. I"m Coming Out: Good By Fat Suit!
Beautiful day on the high plains of Wyoming. Got my workout in this morning. Day 4 of my 90 Day Fitness Blast. Today’s workout was Hip Hop Abs: Fat burning cardio. I used the weighted gloves today for the first time.

After I wrapped up Hip Hop Abs. I decided to review 10 minute trainer. I picked the lower body workout. Wow, it is seriously a workout in 10 minutes. Rather than just reviewing it; I did it. Feels great to actually be able to do it. I feel good, mentally and physically. Oh yeah there is a shoulder ache, big surprise there, NOT.

Mainly I feel good about me. Oh and yes Min Min and I did walk the hill. She is puffing worse than I was at the end of my workouts. Keeping it at just one trip up the hill for this week. Next week...click link for more...

11. Day One of my 90 day Fitness Blast
Ok, today is day one of 90. Hip Hop abs is a 90 day workout plan. So I’m rockin it for 90 days. Did measurements and weights yesterday morning. I’ll do the start pics for this set when David gets home from the rail.
Start Weight: 282
Neck: 15.5
Above Bust: 40.5
Bust: 47.5...click link for more...

12. Ok I did it, I got back on the scale
Ok, I did it. I got back on the scale after going haywire since mom’s house burned down in April.

It’s been quite the year. April –Mom’s house burned down. Our family home of over 100 years. No insurance. I’m not going to make any comments on the insurance issue. Other than to say I was very unhappy about that.

May-Aunt Marty passed on. She was my favorite aunt. Still is for that matter. She lived into her 90’s. Long life for a ...cllick link for more...

13. I’m Up, I’m Up, I’m Up. Woof baby.
Interesting night last night. Waited up for David to come in from work. Never really know when he will make it in, just the nature of the job. He finally ambled in around midnight. I still had supper on the stove for him, fortunately it was something that cooks for hours and hours to meld the flavors.

Nothing majorly dramatic, it was a pot of ham and mixed bean and veggies. If I say so myself, it turned out pretty well. He ate a bit and we spent some time together visiting, and watching tv, before he went to bed. Late night on the food channel lol, fantastic cakes.

I love seeing what they create, then it was the Dean boys traveling Tennessee. Yes there is some seriously good food in that ...click link for more...

14. Thoughts on the President's School Address...
I’ve heard so much nonsense flying around about the President’s remarks to America’s Schoolchildren. People keeping their kids home from school, schools refusing to air the address. How sad is that?! Rather than listening and actually hearing what the President of the United States has to say, they are censoring their children, trying to keep them in ignorance. That is truly a sad thing.

I decided I wanted to read what he actually said, and later when the video is posted on the Whitehouse website I will watch it. My thoughts on the President’s remarks. He was right on target. Wouldn’t matter who said it, the remarks themselves were ...click link for more...

15. Morning's Stroll
This morning Min Min and I walked up the hill in front of our house. Well to be more accurate I carried Min Min up the hill, and we both walked down.

When I reached the top of the hill, I stopped and just looked around for a bit. The early morning fog was still in evidence. Giving the rolling hills and craggy bluffs a look of misty illusion. Not so thick that you couldn’t see through it, but a light mist or fog, as you will.

There was a morning concert as well. The crickets were singing, or rather fiddling their legs. The neighbor’s bull was...click link for more...

16. When I was a Kid I Was Terrified of the Year 2000
Today is the 21st of August, in the year 2009. Wow, when I was a kid I was terrified of the year 2000. The year I turned 40. I remember the day it hit me. I had been counting down the years until I was out of school. Grade school, junior high, then highschool, were the years in my countdown. I hadn’t conceived of college at that point. All those years seemed like an eternity. Not the word that came into my mind at the time. At that time it was FOREVER. 40 years old, that was so old, it was really scary to me at the time.

When I remember these thoughts; the vision and smells of walking along the dirt road that led to the family home I grew up in comes to mind. Dappled sun streaming down through 100 plus ...click link for more...

17. His Life is Done Under this Sun
Uncle Clarence is no longer trapped in a deteriorating body. He has officially vacated its crumbling façade. My hope is that he is happy and free since his passage. Although truth be told, I think he and his younger brother Gene, who crossed over sometime before. Are playing about doing a bit of visiting. Perhaps it’s my imagination, but I keep catching the...click link for more...

18. It's Summer and I am Alive!
Wow, It’s actually July 14th 2009. How amazing is that. Some will say it’s not amazing at all. Others will nod their heads in agreement, deciding in that moment that it is truly amazing. While they are wondering what is so amazing about it. We are alive, that is amazing...click link for more...

19. The Sun Is Shining
A bit late on my morning workout. I actually slept after working in the kennels all day. I scrubbed out all the water and play buckets, over 40 and groomed 3 poms, mucked out the whelping house, took care of the fowl, and my sweet puppies. It feels like the Karate Kid workout...lol. Paint the fence, wax the car; and so on. Here we go again. Coffee, breakfast and...click link for more...

20. For All the Women in Your Life: An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer
SIGNS OF OVARIAN CANCER (even in the absence of Ovaries, and no matter what age you are)

THIS IS A MUST TO READ TO THE END

An Eye Opener on Ovarian Cancer

I hope you all take the time to read this and pass it on to all you can. Send this to the women in your life that you care about.

A few years ago, Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer. Her symptoms were inconclusive, and she was treated for everything under the sun until it was too late. This blood test finally identified her illness but alas, too late. She wrote a book to heighten awareness. Gene Wilder is her widower.

KATHY'S STORY: this is the story of Kathy West

As all of you know, I have Primary Peritoneal Cancer. This cancer has only recently been identified as its OWN type of cancer, but it is essentially Ovarian Cancer. ...click link for more...

21. Mists of Lore: News of the Past 2 Months
Listen all to the tales of yore
Lived we have in the mists of lore

Shadowy forms just out of sight
Fighting doubt in the misty light

Silvery wings, dragon’s breath
Lute’s that sing, tales of death

Unicorns, Centaurs, Cerberus too
Dancing under the aged Yew

Circles round and round did flow
What say you, to Stonehenge go

What truths are hidden in the fairy’s tale
What tales do the banshees’ of the highlands wail

Hear ye now and doubt no more
Lived we have in the mists of lore

author: Mary E. Robbins

A friend on facebook posted about fairies, gnomes, lore as a result this came pouring out of my soul.

I apologize for being absent, I haven’t been posting much on my blogs since March 25th. It has been a challenging couple of months. On March 25th, I damaged my left knee. I am still not walking well. However with some effort I can get up off the loveseat.

Last Friday I had an MRI on my knee. This coming Friday I should get the results. Then hopefully get some input on rehabbing my knee.

Frankly It amazes me that I damaged it at all. Considering my lifestyle of the past. I’ve ridden broncs, back packed for miles and miles over rough terrain, ran over rough terrain, wiped out on bicycles while clipped in, and so on and so on. March 25th, I hyperextended my left knee falling off a 6 ft snowdrift. How pathetic is that.

Of course when I was doing all those other activities I wasn’t 150 pounds overweight. As in fat fat fat. Both the doc and my ...click link for more...

22. Morning Glories, May Snow Showers, Messed Up Knee
Morning glories are one of my favorite flowers, morning glories, 4 o’clocks, bearded iris, peonies, holly hocks, baby’s breath, wild roses, blue flax, bachelor buttons, and lavender.

There are tiny purple flowers popping up all over the place. I am sure someone would call them a weed. But they are beautiful enmass just the same.

It’s cool and wet out this morning, looks like more rain for today. Fortunately it’s not a downpour, so the ground can actually absorb it; rather than having flash floods cut into the hillsides once again.

The meadowlarks and robbins have been singing. Spring is ...click link for more...

23. Personal Conflict Resolution: Day 52 of 90 Day Action Plan
I think I will start today’s entry off with a quote.

“Believe in yourself…
You will be
A shining star.” -Rui Huang Washington Ballet

I found this quote in a dance magazine. I’ve been looking at it all week as my resolution falters. Last night my resolution faltered big time. No binging, just sad and tired, and a lot of pain in my leg. No binging is a good thing, major progress there. I could do without the overwhelming sadness though. Sadness with the tinge of anger, boiling rage if the truth is to be told. With a HUGE dose of frustration.

What am I depressed and angry about? Why am I writing it out? I am writing it out to work my way through it. Who knows perhaps it will help someone else work their way though whatever is going wonky in their lives as well. That would be a good thing.

I am depressed and angry that:

(1) I blew my friggin knee out climbing over a ...click link for more...

24. The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Women April 16th, 2009
Wow, I’m in total overwhelm and shock. I’ve been absent from blog posting, message boards, and updating my websites.

My journals think I have disappeared into never never land. The only places I’ve stuck my nose into much over the past several weeks is Team Beachbody, and Facebook.

Where do I start? ...click link for more...

25. Broke Through the Plateau April 2nd 2009
I got on the scale this morning. I broke through the plateau. Whoo Hoo. I weighed in at 283 lbs this morning. That is a 5 pound loss. For a total of 16 pounds down. 299 – 16 = 134 lbs to go to lose 150 lbs. I lost an additional 1.5 inches off my body measurements for a total of 12.75 inches lost so far this year.

I know I should be excited, however I did want to be farther along than this. However it is great that it’s coming off. That 4 week plateau was a bear. Big time mind twister, which of course made it even more difficult.

Injuring my leg and becoming ill didn’t help my fitness level any. I am really exhausted just taking care of the kennels at this point. Seems like a never ending task. This bloody blizzard really threw a ...click link for more...

26. March 25th 2009, day 17 of 90
Day 17 in my 90 Day Action Plan.

My plan for this 90 day action plan hasn’t gone exactly the way I had envisioned it. No surprise there I suppose.

I am probably 1/3 of the way through the tax work that is a must do. Little frustrated there, wanted to be completely done with it by now. But am making progress.

On the fitness front. Yes I am making progress. Bumpy road but progress. The biggest bump in the road is the pain in my left leg. Working in the blizzard, climbing through snow drifts, yes falling off the top of them, etc. Did a number on it yesterday. Yes I’ve been bathing in liniment. Yes it is helping.

All the Hairballs (poms) are inside. Not so much...click link for more...

27. My Butt Fit in the Salon Chair!
Beauty Salon chairs, movie theatre seats, airplane seats, office chairs with arms, bucket seats in some cars, all were a; what do I say.

An absolute embarrassment, misery; truthfully the words that come to mind are considerably stronger! It was one of those, take a look at the chair, estimate whether my fat rear would fit in it, then ease myself down into the chair one butt cheek at a...click link for more...

28. Plans and Poetry: March 14 2009
Cheyenne, my senior border collie, drove me out of bed at 4:00 a.m. this morning. What can I say, she is an old lady and had to go potty. Truth be told I was none too happy about it at the time.

It turned out to be a good thing though. Now I am up for the day, getting an early start on a very full day.

Written Much Later in the Day: Today was a full workout day. Day 6 of 90 day action plan. I am happy to say I am current with my planned workouts. 12 workouts in 6 days. I am tired though, should be better in a couple of weeks. Need to get myself on a consistent sleep pattern. Workouts are good, eating pattern has been inconsistent. Be better tomorrow. No sense in crying over spilt milk. Just pick up from here and ...click link for more...

29. Heart Tells The Story: March 13 2009
I noticed something this morning while I was working out on my elliptical. This particular machine has a heart monitor and I decided to see just what my heart rate was while I was dripping in sweat. I noticed It was around 120 bpm.

Then I thought about the heart monitors sounding the alarms incessantly, a while back when I was in the hospital. They went off non stop because my resting heart rate was over 135 bpm.

Put’s a smile on my face. My heartrate while working out on the elliptical was 120 this morning quite the comparison. Even though I have a long way to go to my healthiest size and weight, there is definitely progress being made. Whoo Hoo! Feels good to have a stronger healthier heart! ...click link for more...

30. Weigh in Day: Resulting 90 Day Action Plan
Day 4 of 90 day action plan. Last week March 5th I weighed myself and found I had gained 2 pounds. This week I stayed the same, didn’t lose didn’t gain. I looked back over the past 2 months and reviewed my eating patterns and activity levels.

I was not happy with what I saw. I was working out about half the days. On days that I workout my eating patterns are healthy. On the days I missed my workouts, my eating patterns were not healthy.

I also noticed that my state of mind is much better when I work out. It would seem there is a direct correlation between working out and a happier healthier me.

When I look at the total amount of fat I have to lose, it can be ...click link for more...

31. Pigeon Toilet
I feel a bit better. Knee is still grinding. Still congested, not as bad though.

I need to increase my activity level. Even though I am exhausted. At this point I think it is feeding on itself. The longer I am inactive, the more exhausted I become. So its grit it out and move.

I know that being inactive has a negative effect on my state of mind. Frankly this past week I have been inactive physically and mentally for the most part. I did read an excellent book, 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life by Don Piper. But that was devoured in a couple of days. The rest has been thinking about what was in the book and sleeping. It’s been think, a little, eat, and sleep. On auto repeat all week. Truthfully my attitude has been in the dumper as well as my activity level.

The two seem to be tied together. Translated, when I keep myself active, physically, and mentally I am a much happier person. When I am inactive I turn into an exhausted (and not in a...click link for more...

32. Whine Gag Choke Snot...
I haven’t written anything for about a week. Not in my journals, message boards, facebook, blogs, articles, nada nothing.

Some kind of bug knocked me for a good one. I am breathing better today. In actuality all I’ve done all week is take basic care of the dogs and sleep. Well, take care of the dogs, gripe, snot, drink throat tea, choke, and sleep.

No my attitude is not the best on the planet today. I am a bit ...click on link for more...

33. Yes I did get on the scale: 25 Secrets of Very Fit People
Today is my weigh in day. Yes I did get on the scale, and yes I lost some more poundage. Last week I was a bummed unit on weigh in day. I had stressed out and gone to binge city and bounced up 6 pounds to 294. This week I lost that bounce plus 2 pounds .

Frankly I think most of the bounce was water retention. The good news is that even though I had a major malfunction. My body’s metabolism is revved up enough so that I burned off the calories. This week I weigh 286 that’s 13 pounds down leaving 137 to go for the 150 pound fat reduction. Whoo Hoo! My body mass index has dropped from 47 to 44.8 whoo hoo!

This past week has not all been “Whoo Hoo” part of it was a...click link for more...

34. Body Transformation Page: 10 Tips to Avoid Bingeing
Whoo Hoo! Happy day today. Yesterday was my weigh in day and I was not a happy camper. ( See Life is a Journey blog.: I woke up pissed off post) I’d had some bad bingy days and bounced up 6 pounds to 294 lbs. I felt like a giant puff ball. This morning I got on the scale, yes I know I said I was staying off it. At any rate, the 6 pounds are gone, so they weren’t actually fat pounds to begin with, just water retention. So in actuality I stayed the same weight from last week to this. Back down to 288 lbs.

Usually I wouldn’t be too thrilled about that, but like I said I triggered and went bingy. Munch Munch Munch, eat the frig bingy. Am I advocating eating everything in site? You know that I am not! What I am actually excited about is that my metabolism has picked up enough that it burned off the binge calories.

So with healthy eating, and working out the fat should be rolling off.

I Started from the beginning on Hip Hop Abs yesterday. The past couple of months I haven’t gotten the full schedule in. January, I worked out 12 times/days; not all Hip Hop Abs; part of that was elliptical and walking the hills....click link for more...

35. I woke up Pissed off
I was freaking because this is my weigh in day; and I had a very bad week. Days of uncontrollable eating, hiding, not working out. Over all my anxiety levels were off the charts and I was raving mad-angry all week. Ok I got on the scale: I thought I had gained weight but I had no idea that I had put on 6 pounds in one week. Good grief. I lost 5 pounds last week and gained 6 this week.

Ok so what am I going to do about it. How do I accomplish my weight loss goals...click link for more...

36. Good Morning One and All
This has been quite the week, My birthday was on Feb. 5th which was also my weigh in day. I had stayed the same for 2nd week, and then lo and behold I bounced up 3 pounds. Grrr. Ok that happens, especially when you are building muscle. I knew I didn’t eat enough calories to make that happen with fat gain. (good reason to keep a food journal) I was a bit frustrated, but went on with my day. I am trying to stay away from the tape measure until I’ve lost 20 pounds. That would put my weight at 279lbs. I did weigh today-dropped the bounce plus one or a 4 pound loss. That puts me at 288lbs.

Back to the 5th, I popped onto my computer, wrote a couple of blog posts. One on Living in peace within yourself, no matter what is going on around you. This was on my Life is a journey blog, the other was on helping children deal with the death of a pet, this was on my Arfing News blog. .

I mentioned the blog posts because of the events that followed on my 49th birthday. Whoo, hoo… made it 49 years. Feb. 5th.

This is where it starts to get hairy. Later that day the railroad ...click link for more...

37. Increase Your Profit and Effectiveness
Increase Your Profit and Effectiveness With the Most Powerful Suite of Marketing Tools Ever Created On The Internet!

Veretekk's Marketing Control Center is a fully integrated suite of cutting edge, state of the art, marketing tools for insuring your online success. This is top of the line marketing automation that is easy to use, easy to afford, and easy to implement. Veretekk also provides live support and training experts 24 hours a day 6 days per week so you are not left alone! Veretekk leads the industry in marketing automation and has been providing instant productivity and control for thousands of savvy marketers since 1998.

Veretekk is the only company that builds all of this technology on it's own, debt free, million dollar server farm.

What does that mean for you? Speed and dependability! Since 1997 Veretekk servers have delivered 99.99% of the time. ...click link for more...

38. The Time is Now
By committing yourself to one “Power Hour” a day of focused development, you will be well on your way to achieving your business goals—and specifically, to more than tripling the income you can earn by retailing alone!

The secret is building a team!

As Confucius said, “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Beachbody designed to help you break down your journey to success into simple daily activities that can help build your team and give you the structure and focus to achieve your goals...click link for more...

39. News and Notes: Sheryl Crow Loves P90X
Whoo Hoo. Another celebrity has discovered the power of the "X." From David Akers, kicker for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, to Jason Scheff, one of our very own Coaches and lead singer of Chicago, to rocker Sheryl Crow, this program is hotter than ever. Scroll down to read the latest scoop, or watch the interview caught on the red carpet at this year's Grammys. Could it be P90X's popularity is growing throughout the high-profile sports and entertainment industries? All we can say to that is, Bring It!

Sheryl told her that she used to be a big runner, but now that she has a little one (her son, Wyatt, is not quite two years old), she just can't find the time. Instead, she's raving about the P90X workout system. You might be familiar with P90X -- ...click link for more... pics and videos as well...

40. Dealing With Pet Loss
I was visiting with a friend of mine yesterday and she told me that one of her furry friends had died. This particular dog was her friend, companion, and protector. They were very close and she will miss him for a very long time.

For many of us our pets are family members. It is difficult when they die and leave us behind. Since our life spans are usually much longer than theirs (longer than most pets-there are birds in the various parrot families that live longer than we do, turtles as well) they usually pass on before we do. As difficult as it is for us as adults it can be even more so for children.

As often happens when something is on my mind, an email with related info popped into view. The following article Children and Pet Loss by Allen and Linda Anderson came zipping into my email inbox in my Beliefnet Daily Inspiration email.

Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals: Finding Comfort after Losing Your Pet a wonderful book by Allen and Linda Anderson.

Children and Pet Loss By Allen and Linda Anderson...click link for more...

41. Happy Birthday to Me!
I saw the first blush of dawn on the eastern horizon this morning. This day I celebrate living 49 years. Give thanks for the years of life I have been blessed with and face the oncoming with joyous expectation.

Yes I actually do mean that. Major change from last year around this time. I was in a black hole of depression on a suicidal slide into pain racked oblivion.

So what made the change from then to now? It’s not so much the time that passed as it is a major change in mindset. There are still crisis’s, both minor and major that come rolling into my life to be dealt with.

Case in point:...click link for more...

42. Attitude is Everything
I was in the message board at Team Beachbody and one of my friends had offered a big hug, and had commented on attitude.
Thanks KS (name removed initials instead) The big hug is very welcome. I agree with you, attitude is everything. Be great to have someone to work this through with. (this being the weight loss and lifestyle changes) That is actually a positive rather than the sly darts in the negative. Mostly the sly darts are because they aren't taking care of business themselves, so it makes them uncomfortable when ...click link for more...

43. Whomp Here it is! Diet Fat loss, body composition, lifestyle change...
This is me, working through what is actually happening in my journey to a fit healthy body. Perhaps my musings will help you along your way as well.
Here I am on my weigh in day for this week. I know for a fact that I haven’t been overeating. Well one day I spiked my calories up to around 2500. One day out of 7. The 2500 is an estimate and on the high side. My calorie consumption has actually been more on the low side.
This is the part that throws so many people off their fitness plans. Notice I didn’t say diet plan. Improving overall health and fitness involves more than starving yourself thin. That is just as unhealthy as being obese. It entails muscle degeneration, heart attacks, weakness, overall health deterioration.
So what am I on about? ...click link for more... plus a nifty video...

44. Ten Pounds Down, 140 to Go
Turn Weight loss into Profit: Learn How to Become a Beachbody Coach I’m getting pretty excited about Team Beachbody. As far as getting in shape, I couldn’t ask for more. Excellent workouts, fitness tips, diet information, nutrition products, message board support, excellent across the board. They even have a program that deals with type II diabetes. No I am not diabetic, but someone I love very much is. On the business side, wow! Excellent product line, excellent product support, top notch business support, excellent pay plan. Hit’s the high points on everything I was looking for. Lord knows I’ve been looking and looking. Frankly I was seriously surprised to find this opportunity....click link for more...

45. New Year: from fat body to beach body
I live on a ranch in south eastern Wyoming; about 200 miles northeast of Denver Co. it’s been pretty nice for a few weeks, then the weather turned cold again. It’s 7 degrees. Could be colder, thankfully it is not below zero right now. Frankly I had enough of that last year. So did my animals. The warm then cold is tough on them, they all have shelter but it’s still cold. My attitude is a bit cruddy today. I have a real case of spring fever this year. So want it to warm back up and stay warm for a while. Before it gets hot. 299 is the heaviest I’ve ever been. Time to get this stopped before it’s 399. I noticed I’ve been hiding in my fat. Took me quite a while to admit that to myself. I’ve spent the past several years dealing with illness-west nile virus, surgery that destroyed my abs and pelvic floor. The surgery was in September 2005. there’s been 3 surgeries over the past 10 years or so. The last one was a doozie...click on link for pictures, and the rest of the story...

46. Death: What a Wonderful Way to Explain it.
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to
Leave the examination room and said,
'Doctor, I am afraid to die.
Tell me what lies on the other side.'
Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.'
'You don't know? You're, a Christian man,
and don't know what's on the other side?'
The doctor was holding the handle of the door;
On the other side came a sound of scratching and whining,...click link for more...

47. The Greatest Year Of My Life!
I’ve done it! I’ve come up with my new year’s resolutions! Or rather my new year’s resolution. I’ve put a bit of thought into it this year. Usually it’s the long list of things to accomplish, prioritized and all. But you know, those are actually goals, not resolutions.
I thought about this past year; in all it’s graphic detail. Then I ...click link for more...

48. Happy Christmas: Attitude is Everything
Pop called yesterday. If all goes well he will be coming to visit this coming spring or summer. He usually comes down in June or so. He liked his Christmas present. We sent him some cigars and pipe tobacco. I really enjoyed chatting with him. Sure is different than chatting with the relatives I grew up around. Usually come away from those conversations feeling like crap.

It was nice to just visit and enjoy each other’s company. ..click link for more...

49. Ten Ways to Transform Toxic Thoughts
I was sorting my mountains of email, scanning as quickly as I could and being a spaz with the delete button because there simply is not enough time to read it all; Or even scan it all for that matter.

As I was in my sorting frenzy this quote jumped out at me.

Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention. (Greg Anderson)

It struck me as to how very true that is.

The truth be told we make ourselves ...click link for more...

50. The Sun Is Shining and All is Well with the World
Wow what a thought. It is a delightful thought. I do miss the ignorant bliss of childhood at times.

All is well with the world. Hmmm, interesting concept. Does that mean all is as it should be? All is well with my household at this very moment in time. Tomorrow be damned. We live today.

Does it mean that all is as it is? Some are happy, some are sad. Some are prospering- in whatever definition they may have for prospering. Others are in abject poverty and desolation-whatever definition they may have for abject poverty and desolation.

Since the beginning of life on this planet, some have been sated while others are hungry. Some are the predator some are the prey. This started way before man ever set foot on this planet. Frankly it will more than likely be going on long after we are but a footnote in the history of this place.

I watched the movie, Charlie Wilson’s War the other day. I’d seen it in the movie listings as I scanned through the channels. It just kept jumping out at me. As I was staring uselessly at the TV on one of my insomniac nights. So I watched it.

It is an interesting movie. An excellent comment on leaving things half done. It is also a comment on how our political system works. Fickle beast that it is. Of course it is a fickle beast, it’s made up of humans.

If you haven’t seen Charlie Wilson’s War, it is well worth watching.

My cup of coffee is gone and I must run. Full day today.

Life is a journey, each moment a lifetime in itself.
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs.
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians.
307.788.0202.
Click Link for More

51. Brrrr Baby It's Cold Outside
Looks like winter has finally gotten here. I am so glad we got those dogs placed. I was thinking about that as I was out taking care of my happy hairballs that are here now. I was packing straw into their houses for them to dig down into and play in.

By the time I was finished strawing the houses and feeding and watering everyone I was physically done for. I stopped and just looked at the whole section of empty houses. Smaller houses that it was very difficult to keep enough bedding in to keep them warm and smiled because no one is going to be cold in those this year.

It’s a pleasure to watch the dogs bouncing around and digging in the bale of straw that was put in each of their houses. It was layered in on top of what I had already put in there. Everyone has a 4 by 7 foot house. Plenty of room for bedding and playing when it is wet outside. As well as space for their food.

It’s great to see them warm and happy.

On to happiness; this is the first time in 5 years that I’ve put up a Christmas tree. Granted it is a tiny one, but it has been a pleasure to watch its fiber optic beauty at night. It’s not some kind of protest that kept me from putting up a tree. It had been my health and total exhaustion. Over all things are getting better. I still didn’t get my Christmas cards sent. I like to send cards out to family, friends, and clients. May get a few sent, the rest will have to go to the blogs for Christmas notes and updates at to what’s happening at Robbins Run Ranch, our little home on the high plains.

Yes things are better in our happy home. David seems to be feeling better. I am feeling better. The dogs are doing better.

Much of it is a change in mindset. We made some tough decisions this past year and followed through on them. Much to the dismay of some of our relatives and friends.

In truth some of the decisions we had to make exposed who were actually our friends and who were not. That was an eye opening experience.

Some of it was heartbreaking. Felt a tremendous loss. I learned something though; you can’t lose something that you never really had in the first place.

I learned a couple of other tidbits this past year as well. Not making a choice is making a choice. We have free will, since we do have free will we have responsibility for our lives, all of the choices that we make. This has been a belief of mine for some time; however it really came to the front through the difficult choices this past year.

This sounds a bit trite; however it is so true. You can not help someone that refuses to take responsibility for them selves. You and not help someone that refuses to help them selves. You can try, but all you are doing is enabling a self-destructive behavior. Not to mention putting yourself in a position to be siphoned dry. Siphoned dry physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. Saying no these people can be emotionally crushing.

I am not saying that everyone that has difficulty is refusing to help them selves. I am saying pay attention. Some are making an effort. As much as they can and other’s are leaches. Waiting to suck you dry. It can be a challenge to tell the difference, especially when there are emotional ties involved. Be the ties friend or family or just caring what happens to other people.

Another tidbit I learned this past year. Allow yourself to feel your emotions. I have in the past kept a tight reign on my emotions. Trying to keep going through whatever came up. I am not saying to not keep functioning. I am saying accept and validate your feelings. Whether it is with a therapist, blog, private journal, and boxing bag. Whatever. Allow yourself to experience your emotions.

There are consequences if you do not. Been there, done that, you won’t like it. It goes in phases, from emotions hitting. Which you do not know what to do with because you shut them off behind a dam as soon as they come up. To no feelings at all. To an overwhelming flood of rage, grief, ups, downs, all spinning out of control. Like a river that has burst a dam tearing up all in its path of total destruction.

As strange or painful as it may be; it is much better to work through emotions as they occur. Rather than trying to survive them when they build to a point of tsunami and explode onto the scene.

That’s all for now

Life is a journey, each day is filled with adventure
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians
307.788.0202

52. Beautiful sunny morning.
I did something this morning that I haven’t done in ages. I worked a crossword puzzle. Usually I suck so badly at those, but I did pretty well on this one. It was in the Enquirer; yes that is one of my guilty pleasures; puzzles and the gossip rags. I love looking at the clothes people wear. Cup of coffee and the crossword, or Sudoku and I am a happy camper.

Visited with mom this morning. Her eyes seem to be getting better so we are not going to the eye appointment this afternoon. Running into town 2 days in a row is just too much at this point. That reminds me I’d better call and cancel that appt.

I got on the elliptical for 1 km this morning and did a minute on the red ex. Geez that sounds pathetic. The additional exercise is loosening up the crud in my lungs. It’s pretty challenging trying to breathe with that stuff moving. In the long run it will be a good thing. Be wonderful to be able to breathe down to...click on link for more...

53. Wow, the last month of 2008.
Whoo Hoo, I will not be sad to see this year go. Although I have quite a bit to get done before the 31st. I have box after box, after tub of receipts and papers sorted. One more, large tub to sort out by the year. Then its sort the individual years, get the bank statements and check registers and sort some more. I so want this finished up on my part by the end of 2008. Then I’ll turn it all over to the accountants and they can take it from there. Good riddance.

The past 5 years have been extremely difficult over all. However we made it through alive. Although there were quite a few times that was questionable. For both myself and my husband.

I did manage to learn something this year, through all the chaos in my life. I have always been one to dwell on the past. What I could have done differently, how many mistakes I made because things weren’t absolutely perfect. Or when I lose so many pounds, or do this or that then my life will be thus and so...click link for more...

54. Windy Day on the High Plains
The Wind is blowing like a psycho again today. In the middle of the night last night it was wonderful outside. The wind had died down the stars were so bright it looked like you could reach up and touch them.

I went out to shut up the door to the fowl house. The ducks, guineas and chickens had all went to bed. We shut the door at night to keep the predators from eating them. I seriously need to rebuild that door. At this point I am shutting the door and bracing a chain link gate across the bottom of it.

The mastiffs were after something last night when I had them out in the yard. When I smelled it’s pungent aroma I was very glad for the fence to keep them off it. There was a skunk fairly close. I would say close enough that the mastiff’s fence attack frightened it into spraying. Fortunately it was far enough away from the fence that it missed my dogs.

I take the handheld spotlight out with me when ...click link for more...

55. Good Morning Everyone, Happy Saturday: November 29th, 2008
It’s a gray cool morning here in Wild Wonderful Wyoming. Around 30 degrees Fahrenheit, with a brisk breeze that is blowing of some ice and snow somewhere. The wind has a cold bite to it this morning. All in all it has been a glorious November weather wise.

In my last post I went on about the positive effects of a couple of prescription drugs I was taking. Oops, I spoke too soon. The night I wrote that post my body reacted strongly to the drugs. As in barely able to breathe, throat swelled up, right side so stiff and sore I could barely move my right arm or turn my head.

I double checked the side effects list and quit taking them. Didn’t sleep for a few days, nonstop pain and headache. I have slept the past two nights however and that nasty migraine is gone. I am not taking any more of that type of drug, period. That’s the ...click link for more...

56. Through the fire, and out the other side, from iron to steel.
Click on link for full graphic version....

I was out and about yesterday evening in the wonderful dark taking care of my dogs. It was a perfect night. Crisp clear skies with the beauty of the night shining through. Breathtaking view of the stars and moon. Calm, no wind, cool but not cold. Simply wonderful. To the north there was a cloud bank slipping up. That is a good thing since it keeps the night temperatures from dropping too significantly.

I love the night. Obviously. Another bright note. I wear a headlight on my cap so I can see into the dog houses to check feed levels... What else that wonderful little headlight does is attract fleas. I stopped at each pen twice, loving on my dogs, scratching their ears, patting their backs, filling their feed pans, cleaning out their waters; and playing with them. Now I realize it is a bit cooler out so fleas aren’t as active. However, I didn’t see a single flea. Not jumping up on my face and hat, or in their ears, underbellies, or armpits. Rah Rah Rah happy dance happy dance.

We just may have defeated the little monsters in this war. Yes it has been a war; complete with toxic materials and casualties. I have started adding bug off garlic from Springtime Inc to my happy hairballs feed, along with their vitamins, and DE. This should render them without insect pests. From what I’ve read about the DE it is an excellent natural de-wormer too. That is a good thing. I will wait a bit then collect some stool samples and have them tested.

(important side note: if you decide to use DE do your research and use the right kind or you will seriously make your animals ill)

The Garlic will make them taste nasty to fleas, flies, ticks, mosquitoes. Along with the Cedar cide we will have a clean pest free kennel. Yay! Yes of course I will still have to clean up feces and such. Get a grip; nothing does that for you, but you. Pooper Scoopers of the world unite…lol.

I’ve put the DE in my farm cat’s food too. They are already looking better. I will be including the garlic and vitamins as well. I want my mobile mousetraps to be parasite free and healthy.

The fowl –as in chickens’ ducks etc will be getting DE as well. I really do not like using toxic wormers and dusters on my critters. Since this works it is a healthy alternative.

They already dust themselves in the ashes from the burn pile. So far I haven’t seen any mites on them or their houses. I detest those nasty little bugs. When I was a kid our chicken house was full of mites I remember seeing them moving like a wave on the chicken roosts. Of course it was my job to go in there and gather the eggs.

I was a little kid so it didn’t occur to me what was happening to the poor birds that slept in there.

Something else happened as I was out working last night. Yes this is more emotional gore. From rage to realization. My own 9-11 moment shall we say.

The twin towers in my life (figuratively) had already come crashing down, along with my belief system regarding my immediate family, childhood, and life in general. Excluding my husband.

He would be one of the heroic firefighters in this scenario. He has hung in there through my total flame out and melt down. My all engulfing flaming rage over a total betrayal destroying my view of what was real and what was not from my life as a baby through now.

What was true? What was a lie? Was anything from my childhood true. Were the circumstances of my father leaving true. Was it true that he shut me in a car twice and tried to kill me as a baby, or was that a lie as well? Did my dad leave because he didn’t want us? Didn’t want me. Did I destroy their marriage? Supposedly things were good before she got pregnant with me and fell apart after I was born. Did I destroy their marriage? Or was it something altogether different.

You know they say children are cruel. Yes they are its true. But adults, or rather parents, are crueler to their own children than anyone else could ever be.

Did my mother’s lies rob me of my child hood relationship with my father? How much of my childhood was lies? Was anything real? Did she ever love me or was I just a weapon to get at my dad? A tool to bring in income so she didn’t have to finish her education and actually work.

Yes I know she had physical problems. I have the same nasty disease in my body. Mainly my legs.

I could, and have made all kinds of excuses for her. Bottom line she is who she is. What she believes is what she believes. I used to think I knew who she was and what she believed. Big surprise; I have no bloody idea.

After all the killing rage, gnashing of teeth (my teeth) stomping screaming, crying, self torture, abject agony, hell incarnate; I finally came to a realization. “PING IN THE HEAD”

Wow, light bulb flashed on in my mind. It was actually a ping in the head moment. What have I been doing? Nothing like years of self torture to absolutely no avail. So much bloody pain.

However there was a moment of epiphany. So I guess all this hell on earth has come to some positive result.

So what is my great revelation? Absolutely nothing has changed. Just like the mess on 9-11. Absolutely nothing had changed. Yes some people had died; a couple of buildings had come down to a grand mess. It stirred up some patriotic feelings, mass flag flying, stirred up some prejudice.

But all in all, everything was the same. Didn’t change the prejudice that was obviously already there. Didn’t change the hatred/and or greed that was behind the twin towers going down; or the other planes going down. All of that crap was still there.

It did change how security reacts in airports and such. I didn’t change the motives behind all the mess. That was all the same.

The only thing that really changed was our awareness of what was there all along. Now it’s up to us how we let it affect us. Because bottom line, there is absolutely nothing we can do to change the other people’s believes, code of ethics, or lack thereof.

Now we are aware. What is Simply is.

So where do we go from here. We as a nation can choose to live in fear and manipulation; or we can choose to breathe free and live our lives recognizing their manipulation for what it is. The Petty attempt to steal the joy of life from us; as a whole and as individuals.

A scripture just came to mind: All things work together for good for those that love God. Romans 8:28

I never thought this mess would ever come to any good, but it has. I am free.

(side note: don’t get tied up in where the word comes from: God is called by many names in many cultures. None of us know his true name. Which frankly is more than likely a good thing)

Life is a journey, peace be with you and in you
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
Robbins Run Ranch
307.788.0202


57. Its a Sunny Day after The storm, More than one kind of storm
I have no idea who took this photo, but it is just perfect! Kudos to you!...click on the link to see it, it will bring a smile to your face and a chuckle to your lips...

It’s a sunny day after the storm. More than one kind of storm. I was going to say, more than one kind of storm I’m afraid. But you know what I am not afraid anymore. Kind of sad but not afraid any more.

I tried to talk to my mother once again. I failed miserably. Let me rephrase, I failed to get the response I so dearly wanted. What I wanted was a straight answer. Something she seems incapable of giving. Earlier this year she had said that she never wanted to speak to me again if I placed the dogs in rescue. Then she called me up again and threatened to put a restraining order on me. The question I had asked her is “do you want to continue to have a relationship with me?” I did get this roundabout answer that I was her daughter so what did I think....click on link for more... and for that great photo...

58. Brrrrr, the wind is blowing: November 6th, 2008
Brrrrr, the wind is blowing and we have a skiff of blown across the ground. Makes me very glad that I worked from sunup to sundown on the kennels on the 4th.

I had already strawed the big doghouses the 4 by 7 ones, but I went around and sprayed a fine mist into them and sprayed down the pens.

One more step to getting rid of those nasty little invaders. Started the dogs on Diatomaceous Earth and garlic too. I will be grinding their vitamins into their feed as well. If you do this make sure you do the research and get the right kind of DE and learn how much to give as well. Remember what you do is up to you. You are responsible.

By the way; yes I did drag my tired butt out to vote. So all the bluster that pissed me off so much did have a positive effect. I did get out and vote. So I guess I should say Thank you for the bluster, although I resented it at the time.

Life is a journey, one day one step at a time
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
Robbins Run Ranch


59. Political Ramblings and Such
Wow what a bellowing ass. I just listened to a person go on and on about the elections. Fear mongering. I sincerely doubt he thought he was doing that, but that is what it sounded like to me.

Here is my suggestion. Vote your conscience.

I would say the meeting I was in was a total waste of time. Except for the fact that I became so annoyed that I actually am going to vote. Which way am I voting? OK, I’ll tell you. I am voting my conscience.

Frankly I’ve heard so much crap about the candidates that I really did not want to vote at all. I was hoping that the ...click link for more...

60. Game over do you want another game? Yes? No?
Wow, what a summer and autumn. Happily there is still some autumn left. Part of me is happy about that; part of me is screaming because I don’t have more done. Another part just shuts down and stares. Although I will admit that I am in a much better place than I have been in a while.

Even though I feel like I’ve spewed all over everywhere, as in a gigantic emotional vomit dripping off my blogs; writing and posting has been a benefit in working through all the emotional, physical, financial mess my life has been. Time to pull out the bloody weeds and move on.

Yes there will more than likely be more emotional rollercoaster rides, but I am stronger than I was. Did I hurt some people in my volcanic emotional eruption? Yes I did. Was it deliberate? That question draws a huge blank in my mind. So maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. Frankly it’s more complicated than that....click link for more...

61. It's 1:43 a.m. on October 30 2008
All hallows eve. Halloween has been one of my favorite holidays my whole life. Maybe I’ll dress up as something and go people watching. I love to see all the different costumes. The kids trick or treating is one of the major things I miss from living in town. I loved watching them. Giving the parents cider and the kids candy.

Mom used to decorate the south wall of our living room in the house on the hill. I loved that house. My childhood home. No paint on the outside walls, but love inside. Halloween, Christmas, the first day of school; those were special days. Making scrapbooks with Cambell kids and vegetables, number flash cards, a toy cow that mooed, a tiny piano. Playhouse downstairs. Johnny Quest on Saturdays. That program scared me so much I felt like monsters ...click link for more...

62. Brrr it is actually snowing a bit: October 12th 2008
Cold drizzling rain last night on and off most of the night.

I did manage to get most of the meals done for David’s road lunches. Changed a couple out as I was working on the menus. Didn’t finish up last night till around 2:00 a.m. The meals turned out pretty good overall.

I am supposed to be in Torrington at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. Frankly I really do not feel like getting in there that early. Mornings can be a bit of a bugger for me since this last mess with my back. It amazes me just how fast I get tired. No not tired, exhausted. Both physically and emotionally.

Truthfully I think the major issue is emotional feeding into the physical.

I feel like I am stuck in neutral. Just idling, not fully functional. Barely functional in fact. If it does snow much I won’t be taking that van to the garage in the morning. The roads are already wet, wet ice and snow and I am not trying to get up the hill to the highway.

Supposed to have 6 cords of firewood coming in this week. The coal guy called and said he had a bit of a difficult ...click link for more...

63. Brrrrrr...October 11th, 2008
Cold rain now, just a miserable drizzle. It is supposed to change into freezing rain then snow. Possibly 1 to 5 inches of snow. Just brr. Frankly I hope we don’t get the snow this time around.

This coming week is supposed to be warmer. In the 60’s. I need to spray the dog runs down again and rake up the mess. Then put bedding in the houses and front of the dog runs.

David had a low blood sugar episode early this morning. I am glad I was here to catch it. I gave him a short can of coke. That usually brings his sugar up; that cold sweat thing means he is pretty far into it. I am glad he woke up. I worry that he just won’t wake up sometime. I’ll sure miss him if that happens.

We postponed the next wave of dogs to go to the staging area. That gives me a bit more time to work through who is going and who is not. I have reduced my kennel down quite a bit. Much more and I am going to lose my various blood lines. Working on the rest of the rescues that came in here. Move more of those out to their new homes. Nice dry warm homes. Rather than cold drizzle. Yes they have dog houses, but it can still be pretty cold when the initial weather changes come on.

David is out of lunches for work so it’s time to cook up some menus so he can take meals with him for the trip to the mines and back. I am not thinking very clearly but I need to figure something out...click link for more...

64. Good morning old friend: October 7th, 2008
Beautiful autumn morning today. I seriously need to get out the door and work in the kennels. Feed, water, clean, and so on. I am so thankful that I found Cedarcide. That stuff really works on those nasty fleas.

Strictly on contact though. I was going to say that it would have been better if the fleas had never been introduced to our happy hairball home. But then that is obvious.

I did my best, with what I had. At least now I know where to get a non toxic product to kill fleas mosquitoes and a many more nasty insects. This information will come in handy in the future, because you know we will encounter these little monsters again.

25 more dogs went into the first stage of placement this past weekend. My prayer is that each and every one of them gets a loving lifetime home. Never again will I allow myself to be so overloaded that I fall short on individual attention for dogs that I am responsible for. Be they my dogs or rescues. Who am I saying this too? More myself than anyone else.

On the one hand this whole situation has been absolutely horrific; on the other hand it has been an example of how rescue people and breeders can work together for the good of the dog.

People certainly cover the entire spectrum, from the worst of the worst to the best of the best; and everything in between. Doesn’t matter whether they are strictly rescue, work both in rescue and breeding, or strictly breeding. Some are excellent and some are horrific. Then there are the gossip mongers. Wow, ...click link for more...

65. So you think it can't happen to you: October 5th, 2008
That could never happen to me; I am a responsible person. I have a plan. I am experienced; I know what I’m doing. I have a plan; a vision in fact. All familiar phrases; seemingly true. OMG, this year has been an eye opener.

For the love of the dog.
Mary E. Robbins.
Robbins Run Ranch

66. Enough Already
Head’s up folks, this is an extremely long one. Some of it’s not pretty, it is what came pouring out, and pouring out, and pouring out. Pick and choose, read it, don’t read it, it’s up to you. What is it actually-it’s a bit of life. The good the bad and the ugly.

3:24 a.m. on the first day of October 2008. You guessed it I am not sleeping again. I’ve been working and thinking. Looking back over some recent blog posts. The past couple of months have seriously been like a soap opera. Good grief. The only things missing are sex and murder....click link for more...

67. Decisions made: Emotional Storm, Broken Heart
August… one month closer to autumn. My favorite season. I hope autumn lasts for months this year.

I am finally getting into position to place some of the dogs. Frankly having this many here has taken a serious toll; both on my business and myself. I mistakenly thought that I would have support in taking care of them. I was seriously in error on that point. Actually it was more wishful thinking than reality, if history is any indicator. Such has been the case my entire life with the persons in question.

Emotional storm aside, I made the necessary decisions on my own once again. Of course, I am the evil hag for doing so, yet once again.

Regardless of the machinations going on action has to be taken. Here goes. I believe I have made the best decision for; the dogs, and my immediate family; as well as my business.

Thankfully I now have others helping to place these wonderful little creatures. It’s not the dog’s fault that their previous owner refuses to make a ...click link for more...

68. Old Fashioned Yellow Roses
I snapped these two photos on June 7th, 2008. I love these old fashioned yellow roses. They are so beautiful and hardy. These tough babies survived having a skid loader run over them. I am so glad they made it. I was not happy with the fellow that ran over them however. Frankly I don't think he gave much of a care what I thought. Oh well, these wonderful roses survived anyway. They are actually in one of my Kennel exercise yards, in one of the outer surround exercise yards. Just at the corner of a small yard that is inside the outer yard. There is that confusing enough...lol....click link for photos and more...

69. Asparagus and Flash Flood Waterfall
I managed to get a few photos of the asparagus coming up in our field, on May 21st 2008. This was the first year since we made this ranch our home in 2003 that I was able to pick asparagus. We had a lovely dinner of steak and aspargus, and I froze several packages for later. It was wonderful to actually be able to pick some. The past 4 years illness made it too much for my body to handle. It was wonderful to actually be able to do it....click link for photos of asparagus field and flash flood waterfall...

70. Pomeranian Puppies at Play on a Beautiful April Day.
Beautiful Day, beautiful young Pomeranians. This series of photos was taken on April 8th, 2008. Enjoy. ... Click Link For Photos...

71. Quack Quack Quack.
Baby Duck Photos. The photos in this post start Top to bottom. March 24th 2008 to March 31st 2008. Baby Rhoen ducklings. Happily living in my 55 gallon fish aquarium. I guess you could say it is a multipurpose aquarium...lol... enjoy...click Link for More...

72. Jack Russell Story
A wealthy old Gentleman decides to go on a hunting safari in Africa, taking his faithful, elderly Jack Russell Terrier named Killer along for the company. One day the old Jack Russell starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost. Wandering about he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the intention of having lunch. The old Jack Russell thinks, "Oh, oh! I'm in deep doo-doo now!" Noticing some bones on the ground close by he immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the...click link for more...

73. The Day Before the Big Boom de Boom Celebration
Wow tomorrow is the big firecracker day. Boom Boom de BOOM! I think I’m actually going to go and watch a display tomorrow night. Not sure where yet. It will be the first time in 5 years that I’ve actually gone to see one. When we still lived in town I never missed it. All I had to do was walk out the door and I had a pretty good view…lol. I have a view of several towns fireworks from out here but they are all too distant to really enjoy them. Much better for the dogs though. Tends to scare them sensless when it goes on and on. I used to put everyone ...click link for more...

74. The Day After
Good Morning… Had a decent day yesterday. After I attacked everything in sight. Yes I came out of the closet (the scale is sitting in a walk in closet) an evil b*tch from hell. Pissed off to the extreme over the weight bounce. (Yes I know better-I was still pissed) After I got over my super troll mode the day went pretty well. Met with a friend I hadn’t gotten together with for ...click link for more...

75. Boop Boop De Doop!
Wow… I got on the scale this morning. I won’t be winning any New Vision contest this week. Woof, I blew up to 292 lbs. Gee how did that happen? Actually I know how that happened. I ate too much and didn’t get enough exercise. So what am I going to do about it? First off I like myself. I am a beautiful woman. My husband Loves me. Tells me everyday how beautiful I am. I don’t need to be skinny to be beautiful. Wow what a brain twister that has been. He thinks my belly is wonderful. Tee Hee. What a change in perspective, I used to run distance and weigh between 135 and 145 pounds. Here’s the kicker I thought I was both: fat and ugly. When I see pictures of myself at a that stage in my life I see a beautiful young woman now. It’s really sad how much we torture ourselves thinking we are less than others or worthless. Each of us is a valuable creation. Each of us has our ...click link for more...

76. Happily on the Body Transformation
have had some positive results. First off I stopped weighing every day. That was driving me a bit batty. (more than usual) Actually I stopped weighing weekly as well. I am weighing and measuring monthly. First day of the month. I got on the scale and whipped out the tape measure this morning. On the pounds issue: I actually gained a pound. So I am at 287lbs. However; on the inches issue: I actually lost 5.5 inches overall for the month. Whoo Whoo. The first of April I started a 30 repetition workout chart. 30 times at hip hop abs, 30 oxycise level 1, 30 walks around the loop, 30 times on the elliptical at 5km (with increasing resistance) 30 times on the red exerciser (10 minutes each with increasing resistance)...click link for more...

77. Ouchy Whining, April 12th, 2008
Ouch, I hurt. Did chores today. Dumped all the waters and rinsed them out and refilled them. Fed around 125 pounds of feed. Went into town with David for fuel and fowl feed. My arms hurt. I didn’t make the ...click link for more...

78. Munch Munch Munch, written April 11th, 2008
Grazed a good bit of the day. Not an all out binge. Grazing, couldn’t seem to find what I was looking for. Then it dawned on me. I needed hydration. I started drinking more water and the urge to graze eased off. You’d think I’d ...click link for more...

79. Wow, Talk about Sore: written April 10th 2008
Woof baby; I was sore when I got up this morning. I hit my workout pretty hard yesterday, for my level. I thought I had drunk enough liquid, but I was wrong. Yeow-ouch, muscle spasms in my back and legs. Made for a rough night. Yes I am drinking more water today. Made sure my calcium intake was up too. New Vision International has Citrus Flavor Essential Calcium that works well for me. Usually I put a scoop in about a liter of water and it will ease off the knotted up muscles. Watch the electrolytes when you are working out or changing ...click link for more...

80. Happy Pomeranian Puppies at Play
These adorable Pomeranian Puppies were out in the play yards yesterday having a great time. These are raw photos, as in unedited. I guess you could say these are raw pomeranians too...lol. As in ungroomed. This is what the happy hairballs look like at play in their natural state. These photos are of a...click link for more...

81. Arf, I am a stiff sore puppy this morning
Ok I’m a sore stiff sore puppy this morning after working out yesterday. Not as sore as I am stiff though. I’m going to get on the elliptical and loosen up. It’s a gray overcast outside. The weather channel on my desk top is threatening another winter storm. Ugh. I know the moisture will be great for the pastures. Yes here comes the BUT, I love days like we had yesterday. Calm for the most part. A little breezy, warm (not hot) sunshine. A delight of spring. Cold wet and blowing is not my cup of tea. Best get over that little attitude…lol. I did get oxycise done yesterday. Whoo Hoo… made it through the red exerciser, elliptical, and walked the ridge route. Didn’t make hip hop abs. Made some headway on my office, snapped a few puppy photos...click link for more...

82. Beautiful Early Morning Walk with a Special Treat
Wow mornings like this are the reason I moved out here. I took Min Min and Cheyenne for our walk. Instead of doing the loop around the driveway we went up the ridge behind the house, out into the pasture and came back in around the greenhouse. It’s actually a longer walk. I could take Cheyenne off lead out there safely. Maybe I’m a bit over protective but I do not want to walk along the road with her off lead. You never know when some rancher/farmer is going to come by with their dogs in the back of the truck. Most stay in the truck but I just don’t want to risk it. Not to Cheyenne or Min Min. Cheyenne is around 15 years old now. Min Min is my baby. She turned 5 this year. Our farm cats are actually bigger than she is. I keep her close to me when we are walking. I carried her the last bit this morning. She had pooped out. Actually my legs were feeling a bit like noodles too. When I walked up over the north ridge I saw that the Prairie dogs had spread over at least 5 acres. I hate to do it but I’m going to ...click link for more...

83. Beautiful Spring Snow and Sunshine
It was a beautiful spring day here today. Started out with a solid gray cloud cover, and then snowed. March is getting its last word in, or rather last snow. It was warm enough that the snow melted before the end of the day. While I was out feeding and watering the dogs it was actually snowing with the sun shining. I had to laugh. I am so glad its spring. Winter has seemed to stretch on forever this year. How winter can stretch on forever and I can still be behind on paperwork is beyond me. One day one thing at a time. I think I’m going to put in a bit of garden this year. That is the plan anyway. We bought 15 baby Rouen ducklings just before Easter. It’s been quite the thing to watch them grow. They are...click link for more...

84. Body Transformation: The Slight Edge
I Feel better this morning. No more nauseous stomach and cramping intestines. I didn’t get on the scale this morning. I’ve decided to not get on it every day. My quest is not only to lose weight. Losing weight is actually a side effect of my quest. Sounds a bit surprising even to me. I looked at New Vision’s contest banner again. Frankly they have the right idea. It’s a “Body Transformation Contest”. Get it? Body Transformation? In my mind that says overall health. Being physically fit, healthy in mind body and spirit. (Of course their contest guidelines are posted on the New Vision Website) My aim is to become truly healthy. To become truly healthy is an ongoing process. Losing excess fat is a side effect of becoming healthy. Transforming your body is a side effect of becoming truly healthy. Building a strong flexible body is a side effect of becoming truly healthy. Transforming your body is not a one time big thing. It is a series of small things daily over time. It is a ...click link for more...

85. Walked the Loop
Good morning on this cloudy spring day. Walked the driveway loop with min min and Cheyenne again this morning. Stomach still funky, but manageable. Not running to the toilet every five minutes. Just feeling gaggy. Feels good to have walked that loop each day. I can really see a difference in ...click link for more...

86. Before Dawn's Early Light
Good Morning. Up before the sunrise today. David was called to work for 5:30 a.m. That means the phone was ringing at 4:00. My life is going much better than it was. As you can see I’ve been noticeably absent from my blogs; except for a couple of posts, since January 8th. Noticeably absent from most of my life for over a month, almost 2 months. Before that it was hit and miss, with major crashes in between...click link for more...

87. Buggered it: VS Decide, Commit, Succeed
Well I did it. I truly buggered it yesterday. I opened up my Hip Hop Abs cd’s (yesterday morning) with the intent of checking each of them to make sure all the cd’s worked. Well I did a lot more than just look at them. I know better but I did it anyway. I did the big OD. That’s right I over did it and as a result I had a very painful (not very productive) exhausted day yesterday. Knocked me out. This morning is a raw hamburger day, as in I feel like a piece of live raw hamburger. No not like eating it. I feel like I’ve been run through a grinder. Hello lactic acid buildup. Ugh! I took a couple of ibuprofen last night and crashed. Thanks to the ibuprofen , the pain dulled and I actually got some sleep. I didn’t even get up to stoke (reload) our wood stove. As a result it was a bit frosty in here when I got up this morning. What’s the point, other than...click link for more...

88. News and Notes: Goals & $50,000.00 Weight Challenge
Happy New Year and all that Jazz! Ok the prime holiday season is over. It's been a bit over a month since I've sent out a News and Notes. December was a good month, all in all. I took some time to work on some kennel paperwork that was demanding my attention. Before you ask no I didn't get it all done. I am still working on it. The plan is to work on it in a structured fashion. My intent was to talk about working on goals. What it takes to accomplish the goals, or resolutions if you want to call them that. I am going to touch on that a bit. I have four questions for you. That if you follow through and answer them will help to define them and focus your attention. What is your Dream: specific Things, does it excite you? What is your Plan to achieve your dream: short term 90 days? What is your commitment? How much time? How much money? What are you going to do tomorrow? What are you going to do today? I've started on my 90 day blitz to reach my dream. I'm officially on day number 2. What's a 90 day blitz? There will be more on that later, no not in this note, next week or on my blogs. Curious? You should be. What changed my intent? This is simply too good to not tell you about. Especially after the weight gain most folks had over the holiday season. Oh come on, you know what all that food does to your body. Hello fat rolls. New Vision launched a Weight loss/ Body Change Competition on Jan 3rd. 2008. Yes another one. This one has better prize money than the first one did; although the first one was pretty good. The last one had a $15,000.00 first prize. Which I piddled around and didn’t get entered for. This one has a (big pause-drum roll please) are you ready for this? A $50,000.00 first prize. Check out my Fitness Fest Blog for ...click link for more...

89. Crabby/Excited: Weight Loss Challenge: $50,000 First Prize
Ok it’s 8:30 in the morning and I haven’t been in my bed yet. I did get a bit of a nap on the loveseat. I’m a bit tired and crabby. The picture about sums my attitude up this morning. I do believe I need a nap. On the bright side I did drop another pound. Whoo Hoo! No I’m not being sarcastic. I’m actually pretty pleased about that. New vision launched a weight loss/ body change competition on Jan 3rd. 2008. Yes another one. This one has better prize money than the first one did; although the first one was pretty good. The last one had a $15,000.00 first prize. Which I piddled around and didn’t get entered for. This one has a (big pause-drum roll please) are you ready for this? A $50,000.00 first prize. Check out my Fitness Fest Blog for all the details....click link or more...

90. New Vision Does it Again: Weight Loss challenge: $50,000 first prize!
Wow, Ok where do I start? I’ve been struggling with my weight. Gotten very heavy in fact. This past summer I hit 299 pounds and it was a wake up call. I was actually losing some weight Up until Thanksgiving then I went binge nuts and gained part of it back. I had lost down to 278 pounds, and then gained back up to 287 pounds. We all know the yo yo bit in weight is not good for a person, ok. Anyway I was working on goals, and looking around for an outside motivator for me. A bit of support and inspiration. Well on January 3rd I popped into a conference call for New Vision. There was President BK Boreyko announcing the ...click link for more...

91. Thursday Morning: Up Before the Butt Crack of Dawn...
Thursday morning… I’d say bright and early … but the only thing bright here right now are the embers in the wood stove. The stars are even hidden behind an early morning cloud cover… the moon is barely peeking through… It’s supposed to warm up today. I hope they are right. It’s still 4 degrees Fahrenheit here according to the weather channel on my computer. Happily my thermometer says it’s closer to 20 in this hollow. Much warmer than yesterday at this time. My back feels better, Thank God! Literally! I used my ...click link for more...

92. Bright Cold Wyo Morning, Fitness Goals Jan 2 2008
Good Morning… Yes it is a good morning. It’s bright sunny and cold, and absolutely beautiful outside. It was 2 below zero Fahrenheit when the dogs chased me out of bed this morning at 5:00. My back seems better, still pain radiating down my legs and arms and a bit dizzy; but not as bad as yesterday pinched nerves can be a...click link for more...

93. Beginning of 2008: Attitude of Gratitude
Today started out with a lot of back pain and a good attitude. The back pain has receded and the attitude has fallen into the toilet. I called mom to wish her a happy new year and was dipped in a toxic vat of negativity, bitching, blame, more bitching and complaining. Truthfully at this point I feel like crawling under my desk and dissolving into tears. David thinks she does this on purpose. Frankly I have no idea. Ok what can I do about her attitude? Absolutely nothing; the only person that can do anything about her attitude is her. However, I can do something about how I allow it to effect me. I may not be able to do anything about how the wind blows, but I can do something about the set of my sails. So, hmmm… “Isn’t that interesting”...click link for more...

94. Snowy Morning on the High Plains
Merry Christmas… It’s 5:38 am Christmas day on the High Plains of Wyoming. The wind is blowing and it is snowing a wet sticky snow. I’m going to see if I can capture some of the beauty with my camera after the sun peeks over the horizon. I woke up about 45 minutes ago. Ran the house dogs outside to do their business and stood in the door and soaked up the beauty of a small elm tree flocked with fresh snow. click link for more & photos

95. Is it Too Good to be True?
For most people, getting high-quality targeted visitors to their site is probably one of the "hardest" things to do ... Unfortunately it's also the most important. The reason it's difficult for most small businesses and online marketers is ... click link for more...

96. News and Notes: An Interesting Week
We had an incident this past week. A person filed a complaint with the BBB. In truth I was distressed to see the complaint. Then I read it. I actually called the person who filed the complaint to see if I could address any of his concerns. No, I didn’t call to sell him anything. I called to see if I could address any of his concerns, answer any questions he may have. Perhaps help him in is business...click link for more...

97. Lost 3.5 Inches
Good morning: I got on the scale today. Weight is up to 282lbs.However I lost 3.5 inches since I measured the last time. I gained 2 pounds and lost 3.5 inches. Weight fluctuations can be a brain twister. I set some inch loss goals. 4 inches off my hips and 4 inches off my waist by Christmas 2008. How am I going to accomplish this challenge: oxycise, red exciser, elliptical. Whoo Whoo Whoo… get this train a running… Whoo Whoo Whoo … get this train a running...click link for more...

98. Thanks for Your Friendship
We are going full on into the Holiday Season. Of course everything is in a rush, no matter what your religious beliefs are. So much of this season has turned into rush rush buy buy buy. Here in the United States the next big holiday on the calendar is Thanksgiving. I had this full on gluttony rant bouncing around in my head, but I think I'll take another tack. Thanksgiving, beautiful dinner, eat till you puke and eat again, ugh. Makes me think of the Roman empire not to long before it fell. OK I know I said I wasn't doing a gluttony rant, I didn't it was ... shall we say a brief comment. Truly what is Thanksgiving actually about. When it first started; it was about being thankful for having enough food to eat through the winter. Because someone helped you. Someone who owed you nothing, reached out a hand and helped you. It was actually about their survival through the winter. There is much I am thankful for. I am thankful for my health. I know we hear people say that all the time. If you have your health you have everything. Up until recently I had no idea what that actually meant. I found out what it means. No the meaning didn't just pop into my head. I still wouldn't have any real idea what it meant if i hadn't lost my health...click link for more...

99. Eat to Live or Live to Eat, The Choice is Yours!
Ok it's true, when you are getting in condition; Changing your body composition, building muscle, losing fat, getting healthy, sometimes your actual weight increases. No that's not an excuse to go binge, stuff your face or whatever. Muscle weighs more than fat does. Fat takes up 5 times the...click link for more...

100. News and Notes: Bright Autumn Morning
Beautiful morning to ya all... yes I know it's not morning in all your neighborhoods. However it is morning here on the high Wyoming Plains. There is still a slight haze but not much. Amazingly the smokey haze from the California fires reached even to here... over the Rocky Mountains! My thoughts and prayers go out for those folks living in the fire ravaged regions. We had a few days of strong wind that dispersed the haze. Yesterday and today are just light breezes and bright sunshine. Makes for a wonderful crisp morning...click link for more...

101. Claim Your Free Upgrade ....
This list owner has gone mad and he is offering you the chance to win a free upgrade in his flagship program. Paul Kinder has built lists of over 30,000 people in just ten months online and ...click link for more...

102. Email from a friend that brought a smile to my face
The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, he was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let him know. Old Age, I decided, is a gift...click link for more...

103. Superfood Get Started for Only $19.95 and get a Check!
Get yourself aligned with a rock solid 12 year old Business, I mean a GIANT that has paid out more then $500,000,000 in commissions,and has made over 1 BILLION in sales over the internet, there are only a handful of Companies,that can say that on the net. We are also the only system that will mail you a Business Pack loaded with powerful info plus a free 32oz bottle of Forte ...click link for more...

104. News and Notes: Early Autumn Morning..
This morning started before the crack of dawn. 4:00 a.m. and my body clock went off. Up and at it. (coffee anyone?) Wow, can you believe it?! It’s already the end of October. Happy Halloween. I hope this wonderful Autumn season is going great for you… (or spring season for those of you in the southern hemisphere) Autumn is my favorite season. After the first couple of frosts the bugs are pretty much gone. Well not altogether but it’s nice out in the evenings without any of the little buggers biting me. Life on the high plains has been crazy busy as usual, with a few twists added in. We just had an influx of over 40 rescue dogs. No they are not available for adoption at this point. We are still cleaning the poor little dogs up. Nasty case of fleas there. We are winning that battle though. Good by fleas. Sorry I haven’t kept up with the newsletters. Between taking care of my kennels, working with the rescues, getting the Pomeranians ready for winter. (Want to come haul straw anyone…lol…) I’ve been running pretty short of time, not to mention energy. We have some absolutely beautiful pom puppies too… wow… they are simply a pleasure to look at. Been working on some remodeling on our main site too. I soooo need to take some puppy photos. Yes I'm working on it. My kennel workout is working on the weight loss front. I’ve lost another 3 pounds! Yay! That makes 21 pounds down so far. I have been making use ...click link for more...

105. Whoo Hoo... I lost 3 lbs... that makes 21 lbs down!
I am a happy camper! Yes it's true... losing another 3 pounds puts a smile on my face...lol... 21 pounds lost so far. Yeah ok, I’m excited. I hadn’t been on the scale in a bit and I was concerned that I had gained. Happily I did not. The process of...click link for more...

106. Whoo... Hoo....I lost inches!
Whoo… Hoo… I am thrilled! No I haven’t gotten on the scale. I was pretty discouraged after dipping dogs in permethrin dip; I swelled up like a puffer fish. I felt like I had gained a bunch of fat and was pretty bummed. Of course it was just a reaction to the permethrin. That stuff is effective but sure does a number on me. Ugh! (seepost below for details-working on rescue dogs) Anyway this morning I was looking for...click link for more...

107. Dog rescue ...Clean up project
Wow… what a month. You know I think it has been about a month since I’ve been posting regularly. Why did I disappear. Actually I didn’t really, I’ve been here all along. Just psycho busy. I’ve been the primary in a dog rescue and clean-up project that still isn’t finished. Thankfully we did have a few volunteers helping out but the brunt of it fell into my lap. Simply because folks had no idea just how big of a job it was. So far we’ve ...click link for more...

108. A System That Keeps on Selling...
In the mid-1980's one of Honda's best ad campaigns was, "Honda: The car that sells itself" In fact, one reason it was so successful is because it was so true. And the same can be said of Leisure Audio Books (LAB). http://6204.leisureaudiosales.com/ LAB offers its customers the kind of quality, selection, price and service that will keep them coming back again and again...click link for more...

109. Morning Folks... lost another pound
Whoo hoo... another pound has fallen off my butt! I actually had another word in mind, I think you all know what that was. Along with that pound 1 1/2 inches came of my...click link for more...

110. News and Notes: Exciting Times on the High Plains
Good Morning, afternoon, evening, whichever it may be in your corner of the world. Lots of fun stuff happening at our Home on the Range. The happy hairballs are doing great. Beautiful Puppies out playing in the yards. It is such a pleasure to watch them jump run and tumble with each other...lol... I am determined! I will be taking photos over the next week and updating my main site. RobbinsRunRanch: Living the Dream. I've been working on some pretty nifty projects for that site. Some raffles, and drawings and other fun things. Not done yet but in the works. My training program is going well, dropped some more weight, and some more inches. I have to admit that always makes me smile. I had a little bobble, as in a bounce in weight. However, I've lost that and some more besides. Yay! I've been recording my progress and such on my Fitness Fest Blog. All are welcome. I am looking for some walking partners. Being in the same location is not a requirement. We can communicate over yahoo messenger, phone, or the blogs. My yahoo messenger id is robbinsrun, when you request to be added to my contact list give me a bit of an introduction so I have a clue what's it's about. Another exciting note. Leisure audio books is really popping. To say I'm pleased with the results of this business would be a major understatement. You know, We all love our favorite authors... but WHO has time to read a book anymore? That's why it's such a great time to sign up as a Leisure Audio Books affiliate! http://6204.leisureaudiosales.com Leisure Audio Books (LAB) is answering the growing demand for quality...click link for more...

111. Brain Twister
Wow… Even though I had to decided to not let it bother me. It did.That weight bounce did a number on my attitude. Truthfully it frustrated and pissed me off. But you know it was a HELLO … pay attention to what you are doing. Part of it was due to fluid retention from working out. However, most of it was from an ice cream binge. Ok there it is the...click link for more...

112. News and Notes: Start of the Busiest Season
Hi all, So Who's ready for football season? Whoo Hoo! Or whatever your favorite Autumn sport may be. All the kids are heading back to school, friday night football games, marching bands and so on. In the northern hemisphere, Autumn is on it's way. It actually feels like an autumn morning here today. At present it's 61 degrees. Major change from the 110 to 115 we've been having in our little hollow on the high plains. In truth Autumn is my favorite season. Crisp mornings, warm days, wood smoke in the air. Just a whiff, we're not talking about forest fires here. I'm in the process of getting my kennel ready for winter. So it's crazy busy as usual. Beautiful Pomeranians, but then you know I would think so...lol... Autumn is the prime business season for both the kennels and online marketing. I am already seeing a rapid increase in business. I do have a couple of tasty tibits for you this week. Enjoy... have a wonderful week. Here is the first tasty tibit: ...click link for more...

113. Who Do You Work For? Who Are You?
I have one main question for you. Who are you working for? Are you working for the various mlm or affiliate programs you are selling, or are you working for yourself? Who are you? Why should I buy from you? I am not saying to not use splash pages or banners. I use them both. Of course I do. Another burning question. Where is your ...click link for more...

114. Beautiful Morning... feel like crud...
So much of getting anything done is mindset. Today mine is pretty funky. Need to change my focus so I can function effectively. Put together my priority list and just start working through it. First thing on my list for today is to shift my state of mind, so I'm going to listen to a bit of the ...click link for more...

115. It's a Rant
Good Morning all you Work At Home Titans… It’s a bit of a rant for me today. I was happily doing a bit of marketing this morning… (Putting off massive photo editing and basic Ranch chores.) When I came across this advert. We are in pre launch now… then it goes on to say: Miss Money Pooch made over $3000.00 in 8 hours. You can too… slight paraphrase...click link for more...

116. Are You Tired of Working Hard to Make Someone Else Rich?
Don't you suppose it's about time you started working for your own financial independence. How would you like to make that happen with out a bank draining investment? Curious? You should be...click link for more...

117. Pre-launch and new launch foo-for-all
On a business note. I see pre-launch and brand new launch this that and the other thing all over the place. Some of these may be great, some may be total crap. Keep in mind that if they are actually new launches or pre-launches. They really do not have a track record. The figures they are throwing around don’t mean much of anything. Yes I’ve gotten caught up in the frenzy before. Before you add something to your business portfolio ask yourself if ...click link for more...

118. News and Notes: Tasty Tibits
Wow, August 15th, 2007 already. Kids are either getting ready to go back to school or already are. This year has really flown by so far.Crazy busy, worked on a kennel run yesterday. Makes for a great workout. Lift that post driver and slam it down, whoo hoo. On the weight loss front, the fat is falling off. Using that post driver is quite the workout, not to mention carrying around welded wire cattle panels as well. It's the ranch work exercise program; effective and productive at the same time. lol. The Poms are doing great, we really have some adorable little hairballs. But of course I would think that. One of the tasty tibits in the subject line is a an excellent business opportunity with no start up costs. That's right I said no start up costs, and an excellent product line. Well worth your time to check it out. Leisure audio books. The second tasty tibit I have for you is a Traffic exchange that is fun and effective... click link for more...

119. Boing ... Bounce
Boing… Yep that’s right my weight bounced. Actually it’s not surprising. No I didn’t go on an eating frenzy. What I did do was build a kennel run, and I am sore. Once the soreness eases off and some of the swelling goes down the weight will drop back off. My hands are even puffy from using the post driver. In the long run this will result in a firmer more muscular streamlined body. Right now, it’s in the development stage. Truthfully I’m pretty happy that...click link for more...

120. Featured Link of the Week
The Featured Link of the Week: Is Link Scout. Check it out it can increase your linking dramatically. As well as promote your sites in adverts etc. The Only System Where You Can Advertise ALL Your Websites, Affiliate Programs and Control all the Ads on 1,000's of other Websites With One URL!...click llink for more...

121. Shake it... Quake it... Wiggle that Butt!
Just a thought or two… I was having my morning coffee and listening to the Today show and Kool and the Gang came on. A little a.m. concert… under a tent in the rain no less…lol. At any rate I was thinking about working out. And here came celebration and get down on it. Lo and behold a lightbulb went off in my mind… So working out can be a drudge. Oh come on you know why you put it off. Dread it, sit on your butt. Ok fun solution time. Pick some...click link for more...

122. Honest, Ethical, Legitimate, and Profitable
This is a GENUINE Income Opportunity. No Large outlay. PLEASE NOTE:This is not a get rich quick scheme that other websites falsely promise you, this is a 100% Genuine Business Opportunity that will, with a little hard work and determination, have the potential to change your life!! Leisure Audio Books is already making its members four, five and six figure monthly incomes that will continue to come to them month after month, year after year. There are absolutely no hidden costs, ...click link for more...

123. Happy Day on the High Plains
Whoo Hoo…. I lost another 4 pounds. I’m down to 283. I am truly enjoying watching this fat fall off my body. He He … it’s true… it’s true… I no longer live to eat. I eat to live. That sounds so simple. The ironic thing is that it is simple. A simple change in...click link for more...

124. News and Notes: Increase your site traffic and enjoy a good listen.
Hi all, Summer is racing on at warp speed at our little home on the range; and as usual I've been crazy busy. Happily it's only 98 degrees here at present. That's a break from the 110 and 115 degree temps we've been having. Woof. More like Pant Woof. Enough about searing heat. I have a couple of tasty tibits for you this week...click link for more...

125. What you feed your pet does matter!
Today I'm rambling on about dog food. For the Health of your Pet it is very important that they have good nutrition! Do you actually know what you are feeding your precious pet? Read the ingredients listed on your dog food bag or can. OK, you've read them. Do you know what they mean? Most people have no idea what that ...click link for more...

126. RobbinsRunRanch: Living the Dream banners audio books and business
Just a quick note... I'm crazy busy. With my Pomeranians, and Leisure Audio Books. Exciting times on our little ranch out here in Wild Wonderful Wyoming. I made a really cool new banner for my main site. I think I'm going to put it out there as a splash page as well... or possibly the entry page. I love it... so I just have to share it....lol... Of course it would be larger as a splash page. But it looks pretty good even this small. It has Veretekk as my Featured Marketing system; and Leisure Audio Books as my featured business. Of course, my Pomeranians are the Main Event. What else would it be...lol... I love the picture of Min Min in the middle of it. She is such a beautiful girl. She had been out playing in the yard, of course her neck ruff was a mess....lol... she came over and stretched out on her tummy and I took her photo.. beautiful beautiful girl... click link to see more...

127. Sunburned Nose and Toasted Toes
It's been 100 or above for weeks. Truthfully I feel cooked. Well done... ugh... on an up note I got on the scale this morning. Didn't want to. My husband talked me into it, I was feeling like jabba the hutt before the remake... on one of his bloated days. Then what do my surprised eyes see...click link for more...

128. Pre-launch and new launch foo-for-all
On a business note. I see pre-launch and brand new launch this that and the other thing all over the place. Some of these may be great, some may be total crap. Keep in mind that if they are actually new launches or pre-launches. They really do not have a track record. The figures they are throwing around don’t mean much of anything. Yes I’ve gotten caught up in the frenzy before. Before you add something to your business portfolio ask yourself ...click link for more...

129. Still grooming... in the middle of a hair storm... lol...
I am still grooming Poms as fast as I can. Hair flying everywhere. I started doing something I said I would never do. I started doing summer cuts on the hairballs. Makes me laugh when I look at them prancing around in their summer cuts. They look so happy it just makes me giggle. I want to get some photos of their new hairdos taken and posted. These dogs are just too funny. Their undercoats are so heavy that they are walking around in the equivalent of a heavy down filled coat in 100 degree temps. Happily some are...click link for more...

130. Snap Crackle Pop Boom
For all of you living in the USA… Happy 4th of July. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers, things that go boom in the night sky. Barbeques at the beach, lake, park, etc. It’s a huge party day. I may go to a fireworks display this evening. Although if I climb the hill behind my house and kennels I can see fireworks going off in the night sky for miles and miles. Truthfully I do like a closer look, but it is a phenomenal view from that hill. It can be a little willy going up there ...click link for more...

131. Head shakin mini rant
Good morning … or afternoon … etc… depending on what part of the planet you live on. May all be well with you today. It tis the last day of June on my Little Ranch here in Southeastern Wyoming. On this bright summer morn I have to say I am a bit perplexed. Actually it’s one of those moments when you just shake your head in… click link for more...

132. News and Notes: Whoo Hoo... Summer's Swinging
Summer is in full swing at our little home on the range. Hair is flying everywhere. Whoooo… it’s a hair flurry! In truth I’m ...click link for more...

133. Featured Traffic Builder of the Week: Leadsomatic
Leads = Traffic = Customers = Sales = $$$$$$$$$. New Automated Spam Free Lead Generating System. This is a wonderful tool that I use on a regular basis. ...click link for more...

134. Hairballs…Heat…Drugs…Baby Birds…
Wow the great hair off campaign is in full swing. After so many years you would think that I would no longer be amazed at how much coat these little hairballs (alias Pomeranians) put on in the winter. WoW… this past winter had weeks of below or near zero weather and they dressed for it. Good thing, it was...click link for more...

135. Something to Think about
I sat down at my computer at the later stages of another long day and decided to check my email while I was shredding paper for puppy bedding. I open up one from my friend Tammy B and this was inside. click link for more...

136. Featured Traffic Exchange of the week: Traffic Swarm
I can personally vouch for TrafficSwarm. It was the first traffic exchange I joined, and I've seen wonderful traffic to my sites. I have been very happywith the results from this exchange. ...click link for more...

137. I am Finally Free!
Well Just do a happy gator dance! I’m free…. Free free free free free free free. A major weight just lifted off my shoulders. I feel like I just lost 250 lbs in an instant. This mess has been crushing me for as long as I can remember. ...click link for more...

138. turn a frown upside down
Yesterday I was having a totally raunchy afternoon. ... one of those terrible, no good, horrible, very bad days. I was working my way thorough the emotional garbage pile asking myself how can I turn this around, and how can I keep this from happening again… that’s all the detail I’m going into on my horrendous afternoon… Then I opened up the following in my email and it gave me a smile... perhaps it will give you one as well... click link for more...

139. News and Notes...Happy Father's Day!
Father’s Day! Seems amazing that it is already Father’s Day 2007! This year is really zooming by. Geez. Yesterday was a somewhat productive day. I’ve been trying to find reference to ...click link for more

140. Dog Food... What are you actually feeding your precious pet
Today I'm rambling on about dog food. For the Health of your Pet it is very important that they have good nutrition! Do you actually know what you are feeding your precious pet? Read the ingredients listed on your dog food bag or can. OK, you've read them. Do you know what they mean? ...click link for more...

141. Make Sure Your Pet's food is Safe
There Has been a Major Recall on Deadly Contaminated Cat and Dog Food. Many major Brands are Effected. Recalled Cat Product Information: Recalled Dog Product Information: Don't Risk Killing Your Pet... Find out if your Pet's food is safe. Crazy Busy Days… One of my girls had puppies, I of course need to take photos and post them along with updated photos of the whole crew. The Poms are absolutely beautiful. This winter has been a harsh one with...click link for more...

142. A Realistic Business Opportunity...
Start Making Money Right Now for FREE! Are You Tired of Working Hard to Make Someone Else Rich? FREE: Join 1000's of real people worldwide who are building their own "Income for Life"...click link for more...

143. Up Early Full Day Ahead...
Wow… June 9th already. 2007 is flying by. Frankly I would like to put it on hold for a while. Kind of stay in late spring. Before the summer heat. Savor it a bit. Dogs woke me up before dawn this morning. I’m pretty keyed into their barking and the different tones. Wakes me up almost immediately. I’m babysitting a friend’s kennel right now as well as my own. So I’ve been on extra alert. She had a family emergency to tend to . I”ve started the great spring hair off program. Lol…click link for more

144. Didn't Bounce...Yay!
I weighed in yesterday. 292 lbs. didn’t bounce. That’s a good thing. I need to look for good things today. I’m tired and achy from moving pallets and cement blocks yesterday. OUCH! On the up side continuing to move them will work off the fat and build my strength. This is a good thing. ...click link for more...

145. Good Morning To Ya!
I'm feeling much better. Was feeling and looking pretty scary cruddy. Face swelled up...eyes all red like pissed off stoplights.. click link for more...

146. Tired Achy Crabby... Need some Coffee NOW
Ok who punched me in the stomach... ugh... that's what my insides feel like this morning... I crashed last night ...click link for more

147. Bit the bullet and got on the scale
Ok I got on the scale this morning… it said 297 lbs. went for a walk with hubby and Min Min yesterday evening after supper. We used to do that quite a bit when we lived in town. It was a nice stroll. Although the mosquitoes are coming out. They weren’t after me so much, but they sure went after David. Well I hadn’t planned on a 2 pound gain this week. Frankly I could have done without that. The question is how I lose fat in a healthy manner. What can I do right this week… this day… this minute in my quest for a healthy body. Heat gald is a bit miserable. Any input as to how to heal that up would be greatly appreciated. click link for more...

148. Free Advertising Blog
Hi... have some nifty free stuff for you. As you know some of the best ways to get traffic to your site is through the search engines. And as you know search engines love blogs. If you know how to use blogs you can easily get more traffic to your website...click link for more...

149. News and Notes: What is Your Focus?
Yes I am still ranting. What about? Branding. What's that you say. No... not sticking a hot iron on your backside. I'm talking about branding yourself on the internet. If I put your name into a search engine what would come up. Would it be you? ...click link for more...

150. Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians
Absolutely Beautiful Healthy Happy Hairballs... otherwise known as Pomeranians are my Passion. As a dog breeder I have specialized in Pomeranians; and have over 30 years experience. Our Poms are AKC registered, vaccinated, and microchipped. I have Standard, parti, & exotic coat colors available. Absolutely wonderful dogs... but of course I would think so...lol... We support our Pomeranians and Lifestyle with internet based marketing, search engine optimization, and coaching. We work with a variety of affiliates, projects, programs, and clientele; and would be happy to help you in your work at home efforts. cllick link for more...

151. News and Notes... Up Before Dawn...
Ok so my computer is puttzing around… actually it’s just taking a while for my Freeffa Site from Veretekk to load because of the number of leads in there. I was up before dawn stuck it’s rosy nose over the horizion. Tongue in cheek sarcastic this morning as well… in truth my attitude is more like up before the butt crack of dawn this morning. Awwwww…. First sip of hot black strong coffee…click link for more

152. Traffic Exchange Blog launched: Featuring Traffic Splash This Week
Traffic Splash is Fun and Effective. Why am I promoting Traffic Splash Truthfully... it's because I like it. It's actually fun to use, and a HUGE PLUS!... it's Easy To Use. I work with quite a few different traffic exchanges, as well as other traffic generation systems, not all are easy to use. Many have a huge learning curve. Traffic splash is simple... effective... free to get into. Click Link for more...