Hey - guess who's back!!

Howdy - yeah, it's me! Back from sunny San Diego. Love love love that place. But it may be because that is where my family is and was where I was born and raised! Anyway, so here I am. I had another good flight in that I could do the seat belt, put down the tray, walk the aisles, cross my legs, oh, and the seat belt leftover was the whole length of my arm. Yes, of course I measured!! And the gentleman next to me just smiled as I let out a yelp when it measured that much. In March it only went to my elbow Yupper, I measured then too!! So I have to catch up with everyone and see what's going on. I've missed you all. Funny how I've become sort of addicted to you all. Gosh, just think of what was happening with us this time last year.. I was about three weeks from surgery, some of your were oh so close. I haven't yet, but I'm going to go back and read my journal and see what my thoughts were. I had very good reaction and comments from my family and friends when they saw me. But the best was my sweet mom *****ally has never said much about my weight loss when she has seen me which has just been once in person and then pictures. This time when I walked in the door she just looked at me and said 'oh Donna,' and put her hand up to her mouth and started to cry. It was pretty awesome. One of my daughters did take me shopping and put me in a dressing room and brought me things to try on! She said 'Mom, you're out of 1X'. So I got some tops that I probably wouldn't have even tried on -- size L and some XL. I don't know, I still feel a little self conscious in them. So that's my trip! I hope I didn't bore you. Now, on to reading about what's going on with you all!! love you! donna

Welcome back glad you enjoyed your trip. I'll send you an e-mail to catch you up on me. your daughter would have a field day with me , I'm still occasionally wearing my 5x shorts now and then on a "fat" day , they tie at the waist. Shel

Hi Shel - I emailed you back. I hope you're feeling better. I think of you alot. love donna

HI Donna, Welcome home. Glad you had a great trip. And the best part sounds as if it was when your mom saw you. that is so sweet. I know last year at this time I was having a last meal and last everything. I really thought I was never going to be able to eat again. Stupid now. But who knew? Well, glad you're home safely and glad you had a great time. Koukla

Hi Koukla, you know we have the same 'birthday' don't you!! I've been thinking so much about this time last year. I had no idea what was really in store for me. I guess I never let myself dream that big. I would do this all again in a New York minute!! love donna

Welcome back to the board! Been busy at work, of course...can't ever seem to catch up! Glad to see your smiling face on both boards today! Pam

Hi Pam, I always feel like a slug when I hear people like you and so many others on this board talk about their work. I just play almost all the time! But both my daughters this trip told me that they were so thankful that I was finally having a fun life since I have worked so hard all my life. That was nice to hear. Although I don't think I worked that hard - but I did have my moments!!! love donna

Donna, Ok so I am kind of a softy, if you ask my husband he would say a reall big softy, but anyway when you told us about your mom I cried. That must have been such a good feeling. ANd you must have been so proud of yourself. I am glad that you had a good trip, and it's the little thing like seatbelts that keep us going. Glad you are back. Christine

Hi Christine, yeah that thing with my mom's reaction was really a surprise. She is definitely not a touchy feeling emotional woman, and actually I have been a wee bit disappointed in her reaction to some of the pictures I've sent (like 'well l can't see your bottom half just your face' and 'your face looks the same') so I wasn't expecting anything. But this was true emotion and it caught me off guard. And she didn't say anything other than 'oh donna' -- not you look good, you look thin, nothing. And the seatbelt - that was silly I know. And I wanted to ask the flight attendants if they had made the seat belts bigger due to the number of obese passengers, but I was afraid she would say yes and that would burst my bubble!! Missed your Christine! love donna

Hey welcome back. Missed seeing you on the board. Glad to see your out of the 1x size's it took my DH to move me along. I know what you mean about flying, I flew a lot two summers ago. Was working in DC- from boston. Had to fly every Monday and Friday. Now that I fit comfortable I don't fly ever. Maybe heading to Arizona in December for a conference. We will see. Nice to hear about your mom, at this stage most of the people I see know about my weight loss. To see someone react this way is inspirational at this point. It reminds us of what we are still working on. Glad your back, I was away Thur-Sunday I too need to catch up.... donna