Thursday thoughts....

So tomorrow morning we are off to Tennessee for a weekend visit with my 2 beautiful grandchildren, Maddie who is almost 3 and Drew who is 4 months! That is my birthday present from the hubby. My birthday is Monday (almost a Halloween spook) and when he asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I said a long weekend with my grandkids! Anyway, this morning I decided to go by McDonalds and get a gift card for my granddaughter. She and my son have a Saturday morning ritual of going to Mickey D's for a biscuit and orange juice (their bonding time together)! Before I had surgery, Mickey D's was my morning fix...I leave for work at 5:15 a.m. and since I have an hour drive into Boston each week day I would always go by there and get at least 2, sometimes 3 egg mcmuffins and a large diet coke (can't believe I am confessing to this!). Anyway, the early morning young kid on the drive through window and I got to be big buddies - he was from TX and the first time I ordered he thought my accent was from TX and we had that discussion. So we got to be big early AM buddies....who else goes to Mickey D's at 5:15 in the morning on a regular basis! So I haven't been to my old hangout since surgery. This morning when I ordered the gift card through the drive in- he recognized my accent (hard not to recognize that southern drawl in New Hampshire!) and he immediately said..."where have you been"? When I pulled up - he did a double take...said he would have never recognized me without the voice! He thought I had moved or something because I wasn't coming through in the mornings! He is such a nice kid and was so complimentary about my weight loss...guess it was evident through the car window! So that MADE my day! He said he had missed me and asked if I wanted anything besides the gift card and I THANKED him anyway...I absolutely had no interest in an egg mcmuffin - which surprised me! So that was a little fun for this early morning! Since I had such a fun airplane trip to Houston a few weeks ago, I have none of the former butterflies about flying and fitting in a seat - and I am actually looking forward to it! Tomorrow night in Tennessee we are going to the high school football game - my son is the varsity football coach. Several years ago someone who obviously didn't recognize my huge body was so nice to give me an XL sweatshirt that says "Nashville Christian Eagles"(with the eagle symbol) and underneath it says "Coaches Mom". It was a nice gift at the time, but unfortunately there was no way my 4X body was fitting into an XL sweatshirt! BUT.....lo and behold....I pulled it out last night and by golly it fits! I plan on wearing it proudly to the game tomorrow night...the first time I could ever get into it! It is also the first time I have returned to a game since my "rebirth" in March, so I expect I will get some double takes and I don't mind looking forward to that! So much for an old woman's rambling! Have a wonderful weekend everybody! I love this time of year, Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Isn't it great to be alive, feeling good, losing weight (if only the 1 pound) and loving life? Barbara

Good morning Barb, Wow, those are both wonderful stories. I actually have tears in my eyes. Not much more I can say than that other than WooHoo!! Great wow moments. Good for you. Enjoy your weekend, sounds like a lot of fun!!!

morning Barb I bet that was a great feeling this morning at McDonald's!! Congrats on another "wow" moment Enjoy the grand babies this weekend and happy birthday!!

Hey My skinny sis!!!!! I hope you have a wonderful time!!! You are goning to need that sweat shirt Mom says it is cold there already. I so wish I could go with you. I have to wait until Christmas to go to TN, and let me tell ya kicking self in rear for having sent photos of my wight loss...any way....I am so excited over your McD's exprience this morning.... I can see you glowing all the way over here in TX. Love ya have a safe trip! Mimi

Hey my sister from another mother! We will be back in TN after Christmas - leaving here on the 26th and arriving the 27th (driving so we can take the pugs) and coming back on the 1st. Maybe if you are there during that time, we can meet up someplace between Nashville and Waverly????

OH cool!!!! I'll be there the 22nd until the 1st as well. Absolutely we can meet somewhere. I am driving as well and taking my labrador...my 4 kids, my brother, hubby and 2 hamsters LOL Mimi

Morning Barb, HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!! Those are great stories... your looking so great, Im sure you will have more to tell! Darlene 338/203/170

Happy, Happy birthday my friend! What a wonderful way to celebrate! Such a great idea. I'm glad you renewed your relationship with the "drive-thru guy" long enough for him to be amazed and astounded at your beauty! I hope you wear that sweatshirt with intense pride. Pride for your son and especially pride in all that you have accomplished. Have a wonderful time in Tennessee. I'm so jealous! Pete and I are thinking of trying to relocate to TN in the next couple of years. We'll see if that works out. Enjoy your trip and your birthday! Hugs, Stephanie

Hi Barbara, You Mickey D's story brought tears to my eyes. That's so cool. And you get to wear that special shirt! Cool again. I am sure you will have (are having) a wonderful time. Yes, it is great to be alive and loving life. Thanks for sharing your stories. You made my day. Hugs, Robin