Okay. I went for my check up. I stepped on the scales and almost got vertigo watching the digital readout soar upwards. My doctor blurted out in a very indignant tone, “Are you OK with this?”.
I love my doctor. She’s a wonderful person with whom to talk about things. I guess at some point we crossed the sharing boundary. I had gotten used to talking about life, family and current events and hearing, “Keep doing what you’re doing because you’re in good shape,” during my appointments. You know. Polite small chat. I did not get the memo that if I gained a few pounds (meaning 10 or 15 pounds) that I would be in danger of a good old medicinal beat down.
She proceeded to issue my free pass to the clue bus without hesitation. Increased weight added to a more sedentary lifestyle equals increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and on into what eventually became Charlie Brown’s teacher, “Blah, Blah, Blah…blah blah blah blah…blah…blah…blah… The words kept coming, “Now, you have a choice. Get a handle on this yourself or I can put you on a diet, new medication and refer you to a gym. Do you get what I’m saying?”.
Just as when my mom or dad used to shame me with words of reason, I had just as soon go outside, pick out a switch, bend over and prepare for the impact than to get a stern talking to. I’ve been served!
For me, the key to increasing my activity and decreasing my food intake is to find a way to make it interesting. Luckily, Tybee Island has lots of wonderful trails for walking and adventure and the beauty of our pristine island is intoxicating. For a list of exciting walking and biking trails go to Explore Tybee. I’ve come to love watching the wading birds feed and herons are my favorites, so I always hit the Heron Hiking Trail.
Now, when I need extra motivation I also love to stroll along the back river and take in the lovely flora that populates the yards of our vintage cottage homes. One favorite on my walks is the yard at Blue Heron Cottage. It’s one of those cottages that’s just right and the lush lawn and confederate jasmine always ups my heart rate!
So, there you have it. My plan to get a pat on my head for getting my weight back down instead of a one-two knock out punch from my doctor. Just in case, I might even work in a little bobbing and weaving on my walks. Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Gotta do the work to see the results.
It’s about being the best Cottage Cheese I can be so I can keep tossing up curds and doing it my whey!
We are so excited! Our Mermaid Cottages headquarters, Mermaid Manor, was featured in the July-August 2011 issue of Savannah Magazine!
Mermaid Manor on Tybee Island, photo credit to Richard Leo Johnson
Mermaid Manor is near and dear to our hearts here at Mermaid Cottages. The circa 1920s cottage is an island haven, full of cozy touches and coastal treasures, and it’s story is such an inspiring one! Allison Hersh, with Savannah Magazine, did a wonderful job on the piece…if you have ever wondered how Mermaid Manor came to life, or for that matter, how Mermaid Cottages Vacation Rentals was born, you simply must check out the article!
Interiors of Mermaid Manor, photo credit to Richard Leo Johnson
This is just the latest honor for Mermaid Manor. This cottage was featured in the 2008 Tybee Island Tour of Homes! Mermaid Manor has been featured in Quilt Magazine, and you can more about the home in the book Coast: 50 of the Most Beautiful Beach Homes on America’s East Coast! Just look for The Island Idyll on page 114! Mermaid Manor is definitely a jewel, and we are so proud to call it part of the Mermaid Cottages family. To see all of Mermaid Cottages media features, please browse our Mermaids in the Media page!
Interiors of Mermaid Manor, photo credit to Richard Leo Johnson
Dreaming of owning your own Tybee Island escape yet? Well, you are in luck! Mermaid manor is available for purchase, so you could make this cottage your very own island paradise! For more information, please email your inquires to diane@mermaidcottages.com or call 912.313.0784.
I don’t get fireworks. Does anyone understand why humans seem to love loud noises they make for no good reason, but when we bark at something REALLY important (like that squirrel in the back yard) they tell us to be quiet? Annoying!!
Believe it or not there are a couple of things on Tybee Island that annoy me.
The first is running out of Beach Bum Biscuits. Fortunately, this can easily be remedied by a trip to Seaside Sisters. Disaster averted!! (Here’s a tip: You may want to send someone other than your mommy as mine never can hurry at this store.)
Secondly, Fleas and Mosquitoes. Tybee has them! Of course, you should be protected by your flea, tick and heartworm medications. The trick is to be sure your human is protected, too! You really don’t want them scratching all night and keeping you awake. My mommy and daddy like to use those clip on things because I like to lick.
Finally…and this one is a little more complicated…THERE ARE CATS ON TYBEE! I actually like cats OK, but Tybee has a lot of them and they tend to be very friendly! You will want to try and avoid them, but it won’t be easy. Start by keeping an eye out for yards with cat flags and statues. This is often a good clue that a few live there. When passing a yard like this move to the other side of the street and announce you have decided to take up jogging. I must warn you this won’t always work as some cats are persistent and your human may decide to even pet them! If this happens you’re caught. I have had the nightmarish experience of having three come up to me and actually rub themselves under my chin. If you have an experience like this what happens next is the most important part to remember. You must act extremely miserable ( hint: it won’t be hard). Now, your human should say how unbelievably good and brave you’ve been and give you a triple Beach Bum Biscuit reward (maybe those cats aren’t so bad after all!).
"Horace & Scruffy" photo by Barb O, Mermaid Emeritus
Until next time, keep those tails up and those noses down!
Wet kisses!
Maddie
PSSST….WOOF Alert! Maddie will be back for another Tybee visit in August! If you’re a member of the Pup-arazzi or just want to join Maddie’s Tybee Wag Pack let us know and we’ll give you tips on how to meet her. Who knows…you might even be featured in a future Pets and the City blog. Get ready to meet a real, live Tybee Pawty Girl! Peace Out, Bark Boys!
Just because the holiday has passed us by doesn’t mean the fun on Tybee has too! This weekend is the 2011 Tybee Arts Association’s July Art Show and Sale! The theme of this event is Tybee Vacations, and it is going to be fabulous!
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The show will be held at the Tybee Arts Center, located at 7 Cedarwood Avenue, in the Old Fort Screven Firehouse. There will be original work as well as prints on display, not to mention paintings, photography, glass work, sculpture, fiber art, and jewelry. Everything will be available for purchase, so come prepared to get your shopping on! Artists will also be on hand doing demonstrations during the show – there will be something for everyone!
Don’t miss the fun…come out to Tybee Island and get your fill of fabulous art! The July Show and Sale is going on July 9th and 10th so make plans to be there! The hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, July 9th and 12 p.m. noon until 6 p.m. Sunday, July 10th. Check out The Tybee Arts Association website as well as their official Facebook page for more information on this and other up coming events. We hope to see you there!
