It moved..... just slightly but a move is a move

I am reluctant to post this but a move is a move all the same. Even though it was only a slight one it put me over the 29 mark!  29.2 to be exact.  Hopefully this means that I am out of my 3 week plateau.  It's funny that some of my fellow bloggers have been in the same situation, could it be the changing of the weather??? 

So why did I pick the picture above???  To show support for the Phillies tonight!  Growing up in South Jersey I somehow missed the Yankee boat and was put on the train to Philly.  I remember as a kid going to see Pete Rose play at the Vet on my birthday and hanging his poster in our gameroom to remember the experience! (hmmm what ever happened to that poster?? Don't think it made the move to Texas).  I loved the Phanatic as a kid and still get excited when he's on TV.  I even stood in line for over an hour and a half to make a build-a-phanatic at their new stadium a few years back. 

Good luck to Gen and Ter who both have dates with Fhil today!!!!!

GO PHILLIES......

NSV's

My first NSV was actually yesterday.  We made plans to go to Zeigfest long before my surgery.  Zeigfest is a music festival put on by a beer company and sponsored by Budweiser. It was super weather outside for such an event and a group of us were going.  I looked on the website for the band lineup and noticed the disclosure that several food and beverage vendors will be accepting cash only, no problem there -- but the thing that caught my eye was the several food and beverage vendors.  Good, there will be a selection of beer and wine and maybe a margarita stand --- wrong!  We got there and it was beer only :(   How could this be??? Don't they know the whole world does not drink beer, or at least anymore????  I ended up drinking 2 bud light limes (gosh I still love that stuff) out of a cup, after letting the bubbles settle.  Gone are the days were I would have left the festival drunk and hungover the next day.  I think I could have drank more beer yesterday if I wanted to but I had no desire, I just enjoyed the day, the company and the music. 

Now for the big NSV --- I turned off the Texans game for 18.02 minutes to workout.  That's right, football took second to working out this morning.  I am determined to follow the 30 day schedule on the Active and today was not a rest day.  Had I put it off any longer it would have been and I think that trainer sensed it.  He put it to me today and I really think he is an azz man.  As crazy  as it sounds, when I did the workout with the girl trainer I never had to do so many squats and leg excersises as I do with this guy.  Doesn't he know that is not my problem area???? Hasn't he seen I have no azz to begin with????  It was fun though and when I turned the game back on the Texans scored --- twice.  We may just have a team afterall this year!!!! 

It's only a video game.......

So that's what I thought when I started using the Wii Active again, but boy was I wrong!  How can a video game make you walk like you have a bad sunburn after two workouts?????  I finally got my clearance to start regular workouts again and I was looking so forward to reconnecting with my Wii.  I got my tennis shoes on, my workout clothes on and I was ready to do it.  I even changed my trainer this time from the girl to the guy.  I swear he is alot harder.  I never felt the muscles I am feeling with the girl trainer.  Did you know you have a big muscle from your butt all the way down your leg????  I didn't until I take each step today or even sit in a chair.  Oh and forget getting in my car.........  I feel like an old crippled lady.  Hmmmm sounds like another reason to go look at that Jeep, NOT.  Well, maybe -- but I love Theo.  He was my dream car. 

I had a sucess story this week and it had nothing to do with the scale (who is my enemy right now).  About two years ago I bought this really cute winter coat in Colorado, I wasn't even thinking about it until I read Gen's blog and saw her victory.  I remember last year I couldn't get it buttoned so I never wore it.  Well I dug in my closet and found the coat and tried it on......... it buttons!!!!!!  Victory............  Now if I can only get the scale to cooperate.  How can you not loose an ounce when you have nothing but liquids for 3 days.???????

meeting with Fhil.....

Met Fhil after work yesterday and boy am I feeling it today!  Finally, some restriction.  I was beginning to think my band was defective or something because I felt nothing.  The dr. wanted to put just .5cc's in since I am still shedding the weight but I begged for 1cc.  This makes my grand total 5.5cc's.  He asked if I could eat a whole chicken breast and I told him I probably could eat the whole chicken if I tried so I got my wish.  Hopefully this will get me over the hump I am on, fighting with these same two pounds that keep showing their ugly head. I hear this is a common problem for alot of people, getting stuck from time to time.   I also got released for all excercise now!!!! Wii Active here I come, we are going to have a good time tonight.  I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. It seems like these 3 days of liquids following Fhil are getting harder and harder, I can't wait for the mashed taters I can have on Saturday.  Yummie........ 

Spidey Toes!

The pedicure yesterday was close to perfect!  We went to this great little place by my house that has a "menu" for all the types of pedicures they offer.  I went for the basic "tiki" package since all I really wanted was my toes done.  Little did I know!  As I was sitting in the massage chair getting my feet worked on  when I noticed the lady across from me had her legs wrapped in towels and one of the girls was massaging her neck, arms and shoulders.  It looked great, from a distance, but since I despise being touched by a stranger I wanted no part of it.  My girl started massaging my legs which I was expecting so no problem, then she wrapped them in hot towels, mmmmm that felt good.  Then she came up by my shoulders and I totally stiffened up!!! What....... I was getting the basic package, the only extra I expected was a glass of tea!!  I didn't want to hurt my moms feeling or the girl doing the massage so I sucked it up and just dealt with the pain.  Yes, the pain -- the sole reason I hate being touched.  I tried to remember the breathing techinques I learned when I had children, breathe and wiggle the toes.  Hmmmm, didn't work so well. Not only was this poor girl touching me, she was trying to do a deep tissue massage!!!  OUCH  every time she ran her thumbs into my neck it felt like she was just tearing my flesh -- stop the tourture, I wanna get off.  (That will answer anyone's who questions why I only get hot rock massages - they don't touch you!).  When she finished my wonderful massage she did my toes.  I picked this great orange color for the holiday and as a peace offering (I think she saw the horrified look on my face) she put spidey webs on my big toes!!!!!  I love it, all the excitement of my spider webs made the pain go away.  As for mom, well -- when we got in the car she was telling me about her disappointment in her girl,  when she did the massage she barely touched her.  What -- why didn't I get her!!!  Overall we had a fun time and I can still feel it this morning.  My neck feels bruised but my toes are cute, guess that's all that counts......... 

first real outing with the friends!

Another fabulous weekend weather wise........  couldn't ask for anything better!!!  With that brought my first real outing out with the friends.  I started the day off selling my mom's Scottish Shortbread at the local farmer's market.  We has record sales and not one sample went in my mouth!!!!!  To celebrate she is treating me to a pedicure today so I have to make this post fast :) 

Our local and beloved micro-brewery is moving into their new bigger, more sophisticated building in two weeks so that meant we had to make the pilgrimage across town yesterday to say goodbye to the old.  Even though I cannot drink bubbles anymore I wanted to go say adios.  The place was packed!!!! Guess everyone had the same idea.  I went to walk to the main bar to see if they had my favorite Christmas beer while the entire place was waiting in line for that first beer and was able to secure us a table, major bonus points for not drinking bubbles!  After the line shrunk a little I decided I would take my sample glass (I didn't even take a full size profession visitor glass) to the bar to see if I could have a little Christmas.  My counselor said if its draft and you let it sit a while, then you can usually drink one.  Well, I am proud to say that didn't work.  In the 2hours we sat there, I had about 3 sips and just couldn't do it.  I was fine with that, it just meant that I got to be "sober Sally" as my daughter calls it! We did have a great spread of food at the brewery.  Since we forgot the fork, I rolled my ceasar salad up in some turkey and cheese.  One thing I haven't missed is bread, I don't think I really liked it to begin with.  After the brewery closed we made our way to Hooters for more beer and wings and to watch some college football.  My meal consisted of 5 boneless wings and water, but I still had a great time and I'm not waking up with a huge headache this morning like I'm sure some of them are......... 

Happy weekend to everyone!!!!  Hope it was a fun one........

movement......

No this is not me, but I thought the picture goes along with the theme!!

Finally, the scale Gods have been nice to me!!!  I am going to tighten down this week and hope to make my short term goal -- only 3lbs away :)

emergency post --- just my luck

Scenario ----  pouring azz rain, gas light is on, wearing oversized comfy sweats taking the wonderful daughter to cheer

So here I go, venturing out in the rain AGAIN getting soaked running to the car b/c the garage door broke and I have to park outside (strike one!).  Wonderful teen daughter inserts comment "Thats why we have hoodies now!" as opposed to 30 minutes ago when we came home from getting soaked at the grocery store so I look like a drowned rat anyways..........  Now I get in the car where the gas light starts blinking so there is no putting off the gas station till the morning as planned, gotta go in the rain.  As I am pumping the gas I feel there are eyes staring me down and I look around.  Crap, a skeleton just fell out of the closet!  Why me, why now, why when I am soaked and in my neighborhood. You know the one, the one you always have to look your best to see!  Not that he hasn't seen me at my worst (oh and there were many nights of that!) but it's been years since visual contact.  I know it has been over 3 since we talked b/c I had just gotten Theo (yes I name my cars) and he hasn't seen it.  But even then we just talked on the phone.  This was my best guy friend for the crazy years of life!!!! We helped each other with all our problems, we could talk about nothing for hours or watch history movies without feeling like we had to entertain each other or just drink margaritas without worrying about hating each other in the morning.  It was great!  Then I had to suddenly move all the way across town one day (long story) and decided to get married out of the blue 6 months later.  We've bumped into each other over the last eight years but so much had changed.  (Wow and now that I think about it, last time I had just literally left the gym so I guess today was a step up)  Well needless to say, I didn't talk to him tonight.  How could I looking like this???  I have been working so hard on losing weight and he has to see me in an oversized sweatshirt, I was mortified.  Why couldn't it be a day where I was dressed up, with the confidence to go say hi??? I have always envisioned looking him up when things are better, to say "Hey, guess what I've been through." He hasn't seen me since I gained the weight or since I got sick. I dont think he would have cared about the weight, but I do. I just acted like I didn't see him, stopped pumping the gas, got in my car and sped away.  As for the cheer practice that started all this..... got to the fields to find out it was cancelled!   Just my luck...............

This is Halloween........

This weekend has been lots of fun!  Even though my lower body feels like I have been working out for hours I didn't let that stop me.  The weather here has been perfect this weekend so I did alot of outdoor activities, my favorite being helping my youngest daughter decorate for Halloween.  I haven't really felt much like decorating these last two years and I guess it has shown.  Last year KT got so frustrated and decided she was taking over the decorating duties this year.  She decided our front yard had to become a huge cemetary so after Halloween last year she got bunches of new stuff on clearance, including a 12ft tall crypt keeper!  We got all the decorations down on Friday and started going through them, eager to get started.  Unfortunately some things came up Saturday for her but she was here bright and early Sunday so we decided to get started, at 9:00am!!!! Whoa, that's early.  We spent nearly all day doing the yard, running to the store and having alot of fun.  We hardly took a break.  Here are some pictures of her creation:

I loved Halloween when I was a kid so this was so exciting for me!  Even though alot of our neighbors do not celebrate Halloween, I hope they are enjoying her creativity!!!

Now for the food stories!  I decided this weekend I have become a food diva.  Even though I can only eat 4-6oz a meal, I prefer a really good meals. I have been looking so forward to trying the "Ramen Revolution" from Pei Wei and decided Saturday to go.  I knew I could not eat the ramen noodles that came with it, but the meat sure sounded good, and I could taste a few of the noodles.  Besides it was free so how could I go wrong???  I thought my only choice was beef and was shocked when the girl offered shimp or chicken so I went for the shrimp, seemed like the better choice.  When I got the meal there were about 8 shrimp on it and there was really no taste, no spicy tang that they promised.  What a disappointment, but wait - it made me happy I was not tempted to eat the spagetti they were trying to pass off as ramen noodles.  I still ate the 8 shrimp though, they were ok.  Can't remember dinner that night so I guess it was nothing impressive.  So now Sunday -- while doing the decorating, KT decided she wanted to go to Burger King.  Since I was starving I agreed.  I loved Burger King burgers before surgery so why not have one without a bun???? Ewwwww, it was not as good as I remembered!  I was thankful when I could only eat 3/4 of the patty before I was full.  Boy was I looking forward to dinner -- turkey mignon with dried cherry sauce and squash casserole (recipe from black eye pea,  modified).  Mmmmmmmmmm yum, much better.  It's crazy how someone who didn't make anything more than mac & cheese or hot dogs is now making dried cherry sauce........  and the best part??? I am happy eating just enough to fill me up.

Shrink with me clothes.....

I finally finished my shopping!!! Monday I went to NY&Co @ the Galleria armed with a coupon, boy they know how to get you into the store.  I found a style of pants that I absolutely love -- buy one get one 50% off.  Hmmmm -- 45.00 for two pairs.  Should I spend that much???  How long will they actually fit??? Well my coupon was for 30.00 off of 75.00 so guess what....... I could shop more and still pay the same amout, now it was well worth it!   I got the most comfortable jacket for the office that is actually made out of sweatshirt material.  Comfy clothing and 45.00 now divided by three pieces of clothes = 15.00/item -- now thats worth it, winter wardrobe is almost complete.

Yesterday I pulled out a pair of those new black pants and one of the new black shirts.  I paired it with a leopard scarf and leopard heals ready to show off my new finds.  I had KT take pictures since it was my two month anniversary and I thought I was looking good until I looked at the camera.  How, after giving 26lbs back to whereever they came from, do I still look like Staypuff the Marshmellow Man????  In my eyes the pictures yesterday looked just like the pictures from July, I was crushed :(   When I got to work things changed altogether.  Many people that don't know about the surgery (as well as some that do) commented on how slim I look and how amazing that outfit looked on me.  I even got an e-mail this morning from someone who wasn't sure it was ok to comment in public.  She's soooo silly!  Well, I thought maybe I had one of those "skinny mirrors" I keep hearing about deceiving me at home but now I know......... the camera really does add 10lbs (or I have the fat lense on!)

Success

Well not alot going on here today!  I successfully was able to get out of the house between rainstorms and get to the mall.  New York & Co. in this mall is small so I didn't find anything there, gotta go to the Galleria after work maybe, but I did go into a cheezy type of trendy clothes store and guess what --- I was able to wear their clothes.  I couldn't believe it, its been years since I have even step foot into that type of store unless I am shopping for my kids.  I purchased four shirts, three I could wear to work/out after work and one that I could wear out on a Saturday night.  Now I have to get over to Charming Charlies to accessorize these new finds............. 

On the food front, my mom brought over some chopped beef brisket from the craft show the day before so I went to the store and got a sweet potato to eat it with.  Living in Texas the best food on earth is a chopped beef baked potato with all the toppings at Joe's BBQ.  YUMMMM   Well, my creation wasn't anywhere near as yummie as the one at Joe's (nor a quarter of the size) but it was really good.  The sweet potato added the right touch where I didn't miss all that butter, sour cream, chive, bacon ............   whoa, flashback -- get back on track here. I still can't get over how much less I eat.  Even though I think I am eating over 4oz a meal I can't even imagine what that original pototo weighed.  I have found my first food I cannot tolerate -- smoked pork loin.  I have tried it twice in the last month and, even though it is easily chewable it really makes me ill!!!  I will not be trying it again............  

wardrobe malfunction......

Wow, what a jump!!!!  I am shocked myself.  This journey has been an amazing experience for me, it has changed my whole outlook on alot of things.  Yesterday was opening weekend of this crazy thing I call "The Holiday Seasons shortbread selling campaign."  My mom decided a few years back to sell her amazing shortbread and last year we tried doing some craftshows with pretty good success.  Our first one was yesterday and though I haven't talked to her since I left, I think it went pretty good.  We almost sold out of a few of the flavors, I was getting a little nervous there for a bit.  I noticed myself being a little more open than last year with the customers, more sure of myself.  When they came up to the table, I jumped up and gave the sales pitch -- it was pretty fun.  The last thing in my life I would call myself is a salesperson, I really hate selling stuff.  I talked and mingled thoughout the show and really enjoyed my day.   I also noticed my choice in items at the show changed.  I was really looking forward to going to the little food person that sells all those great dip mixes, I make them for parties and my friends really love them.  This year I walked over to that booth and decided I had no interest in buying anything there.  I was more interested in the clothing!  I picked out this really cute t-shirt that I eyed most of the morning.  When I went after lunch to purchase it the lady selling it told me I could go try it on, it was one of those stretchy form fitting t-shirts and I wasn't quite sure how it would do.  I went into the bathroom and every woman in there complimented me on how nice the shirt looked but I just couldn't do it, I am just not comfortable with the form fitted look yet.  But I was really excited inside because, I could fit in it.  I could actually go to a crafts show and buy a piece of clothing!!!!!!!!! 

I was invited out to several different places last night. I was really disappointed to find out I have no really cute night-wear left everything thing I had was sizes too big!  I had nothing my size that was trendy and fun to wear to the places I wanted to go so I pulled out an old stand-by shirt and went to my friends birthday party at a club by the lake.  She kept telling me how amazing I looked and how proud she was of me.  I love this girl!!!!! Happy Birthday Kat.  Between the loss of confidence in my wardrobe and the rain that flattened my hair leaving her party I just decided to come home after that.  I am on a mission to go shopping today so I never have to feel that way again but this rain just won't let up!  I got a gift card to Charming Charlies for my birthday so I've decided that if I can buy something at a craft show, then why not try to buy one of those cute outfits they have there..............

Oh yeah, and I have made a new short term goal ---- 31.  I can't wait until I can post that picture.

Whew.........

Went to the neurologist yesterday and was hoping I would check out with flying colors, should have turned around when I walked through the door!!!  It all started Tuesday when I called to confirm my apppointment, thinking I was beating Issiac to the punch, but really because the time in the Blackberry didn't look right.  The receptionist told me it was at 2:30pm, good so far!  When I  arrived at the office and checked in the girl at the front desk couldn't find my record, she looked in her computer and said my appointment was for October 30!!!!!!!!!!!!  Now, how could this be happening twice, first the endo and now the neuro. I proved the endos office was wrong but I dont get those cute cards from the neuro.   Am I really losing it that bad?? I thought I was doing sooo much better.  I looked at the calendar and noticed Oct 30th is a Friday and there is noooooo way in the world I would shedule an appt for late on a Friday, so in my mind I am correct.  Since I am on the VIP list in the neuro's office, she was more than happy to see me.

Now imagine this, your appt time is incorrect and your main complaint on how you feel is time related; do you think she believed me now?? Of course she did, she's the only one that's believed this whole journey.  I love my neuro, she is a petite thing and we just laugh the whole appointment.  I think I am going crazy at times and she confirmed yesterday it isn't old-timers.  Whew, skated past that one!  She is very concerned about my sleep again though.  Even though she was estatic over how I looked, she said my eyes were still very very tired.  She thinks this is the reason that I am having a short circuit again :(  My main problem is time related and she noticed this in our conversation, at least it's not all in my head!!  I also had to repeat three words to her, no problem.  Then about five minutes later she asked me those three words........ ha, took me a few seconds to find them again but I did.  Yeah me, I was rocking.  Then the final test -- spell world, W-O-R-L-D, great made it!  Now spell world backwards ---- huh???  Am I drunk or something??? I can't spell backwards.  I have enough problems spelling forwards and you want me to spell backwards??  So I gave it a try and after writing it in my hand 3 times, I GOT IT!  Well, we decided I cannot get my CPAP adjusted because of the constant weight loss and that I have to stabilize that first so in three months I have to go back and get re-evaluated.  I may even be able to get off of it!! In the meantime I have to work on getting plenty of sleep and resting up.  I can't believe this, I am the energizer bunny now and I have to watch it.....  I am overdoing it??  Does that suprise anyone? Shouldn't, I am making up for alot of lost time.  But in keeping with the doctors order, I am taking tomorrow off .....................................  Oh yeah, when I was leaving the same girl as last time made my appointment for December.  We agreed on a day and I even showed her my Blackberry to make sure I was right.  Guess what -- she scheduled it wrong on her computer!!!  Now, you tell me..... was I wrong????

My goal for this weekend is to make these last two ounces go away so I can put up a big 25 picture.  I have been walking in the evening so that should help.  You see the craziest things when walking through your neighborhood in the evening.  Last night there was the cutest little bunny eating up someones front lawn.  He was white with big floppy grey ears, obviously someones pet got loose.  Then there was this crazy airplane flying over Fwood.  It was making these weird shapes in the sky and since my biggest fear involves planes, well I got a little concerned.  I lost sight of it but when I got home it sounded this plane landed somewhere on my street, panic attack.......   I kept looking and looking trying to see what the heck was making this loud grinding metal noice.  I have to bust out laughing when my little older lady neighbor came out of her back yard carrying a leaf blower twice the size of her.  It could have sucked her up!!

Have a great weekend and see you Monday