Unrecognizable!

My kids are gone for the weekend, so Aaron and I went out with a friend last night. There's this neighborhood bar we frequent - it's like a home away from home for us. We've been going for about 7 years together, and each of us went there before we met. We know the owners, all the bartenders, and are considered "regulars" even though we don't go as often these days (maybe once a month), sometimes just to stop in and say "hi". Last night, I went up to the bar to order a pitcher for the boys and a beer for me (I was good - only had 2 all night) and Doug, one of the bartenders who has worked there for years, was working. He took my order, I handed him the money and said "How's it going?" and he came off kind of cool to me. I knew instantly that he didn't know who I was... I didn't say anything, but then saw him look over my shoulder at Aaron and then look back at me. He said "Oh my G-d! I didn't even recognize you!" I just smiled and said "I know... but I won't hold it against you." He kind of stammered and said "How much have you.... You've lost a lot of weight, haven't you?" and I said "Yep!" I've probably only seen him once since my surgery, and that was earlier out. Most of the bartenders know I had the surgery, but I'm not sure if he knows, he typically works weekend nights and we don't go too often on the weekends anymore. It was such a great feeling though! I was beaming as I carried the pitcher back and my husband asked me what was so funny. "Doug didn't recognize me!" and my husband just kind of looked at me like I was nuts... Had a great weekend here - King's Island with my son on Friday, races on Saturday and met some friends later in Indy, took the motorcycles out all day yesterday and then hung out with friends last night. Livvie comes home later today and Holden will be home tomorrow after school. To top it off, the weather is beatiful! Hope you guys had a great weekend too! Becky

I love WOW moments like that. I miss King's Island. Used to go there all the time as a kid when I lived in Ohio. Glad you're having a great weekend. Mine has been going pretty well. Picked up a couple of stray dogs that I'm trying to find homes for. No one has responded to the ads I placed last week. The big black lab has no prospects, although I think my parents are gonna take the old schnauzer. I really hope I don't have to take them to the pound. Anyone want a nice black lab? Julie

OT - Julie - What's the lab's temperment like? I have a male lab already who gets along well with others, as well as a pug. You should also try your local lab rescue....they'll take him. Avoid the pound...please. Gina

I tried the lab rescue already. They use foster homes that usually have multiple dogs, and this guy doesn't do well with other dogs at all. Great with people, but he is very protective of his food and attention, so they said they couldn't take him for that reason, and because he's a male black lab (which apparently there are many of). They said if he was female, chocolate, or yellow, he'd have a better chance of being adopted. Poo. I've tried everything I can think of. He's in the paper, he's on fliers, he's on every website I can find. I've given reports to the local humane society and animal protection in case they have "lost" reports matching his description. I've appealed to friends, families, co-workers and THEIR friends and families. I'm not finding any luck even finding him a TEMPORARY home. I just don't know what to do. Julie

Would love to take the lab off your hands...however I think from AZ to VA is quite a long ways....I have a chocolate lab that I love to death...and have been thinkin about getting another.

Becky, Sounds like you did have a good weekend! How terrific to have someone not even recognize you! Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day! ~Wanda

Yeah... that's pretty funny isn't it. I work in a large office building and at a meeting the other day, someone who I worked with a few years ago re-introduced themself to me. After I shook their hand and told them my name, I could see the look of disbelief wash over their face.... awesome! I feel like I'm wearing a halloween costume and am in a new skin. I've been buying "cool" clothes and indulging in the tiny things I never could before. I' just went through my closet and gave five bags of fat clothes to GoodWill.... that felt so good! I have never in my life tossed clothing because it was too big.... always because it was too small.

That's so awesome, Andy! And you look so great! Too bad I'm married...