TELLING A STORY.. did I really????..

The best accountability and tracking tool that works best for me tells this story today... from my empowerment journal A Picture A Day Keeps the Pounds and the Inches at Bay ... it has been working steady and I have taken a picture a day from the time I recovered from my post-op complication approximately 3 months after my surgery date of 2/5/07...

Because I am a major picture AW my accountability tool serves ME a purpose ... of tracking ... of accountability and of every once in a while walking down memory lane .... Oh yes ... I saved some duds taken at and even below my goal weight and every once in a while I will step into those very same duds ... and 4 years 9 months after ... they are still fitting .. fine ... the others I give away to make room for more...

A picture a day ... capturing my wrinkles and dimples and hairdos and hair-don'ts from I wore this to NO I DIDN'T from OH MY! to WHAT WERE YOU THINKING .... I look at some of the pictures and ask myself DID I REALLY wear my hair like that or DID I REALLY PUT THAT ON? LOL..

I have had laughter, fun, headache and heartache since I took my life into my hands and said NO MORE to 5 co-morbidities and aching joints and decreased mobility... I had my RNY on 2/5/07 ... the journey has been exhilarating ... and every day is a new awakening ... it is not always easy ... some days are so much better than others but overall ..I am enjoying it all and not letting go at all ... no matter what the challenges ... I will try my best to keep on track because I don't want to ever go back.... 

A picture a day ... like the scale and the measuring tape and the mindful INTAKE and OUTPUT ... are tools that I embrace ...each and every day.... and my waist don't lie....

In 2008 I had the awesome experience of introducing one of the OH speakers and member ... I stood up there in my denim catsuit ...at  below goal at 19 months (1 year 7 months post RNY)... I had the drains from my panniculectomy I had done a couple weeks prior tucked into my bra...

Today I put on that very same catsuit ... short hair and 4 years 9 months older I was looking for extra wrinkles and my face and saw no new ones ... YAY... I will keep on smiling ... 

In 2010 I put on the same denim catsuit again ... to take a picture trail of me in the very same outfit ... and TODAY ... I decided a few minutes ago to fish the very same outfit that I set aside for this purpose along with others to put it on and make a comparison collage of the past years wearing the very same dud in my MAINTENANCE mode ....

and because I have the tendency to knock my big Bertha and thighs ... silly old fart that I am I always pull up my before to see how far I have came and I immediately tell myself to STFU and keep my eyes on the prize of health and mobility that I have today...

My before and me TODAY ... NOW.... 4 years 9 months post WLS ....

Throughout my journey I have rocked crazy hair, shoes, clothes, earring, pocketbooks you name it ... oh snap ... but I did all that before too... I AM WEIRD LIKE THAT lol...

So today I took a close up of my spiky look ...

Shoot ... I have a b-day coming up and as I am on the way out ...I mean how many good miles do I have left 20-25 years? I am going out with a big BANG .. OLD FART A GO-GO ... I am enjoying my later days and savoring each and every last moment in them ...

I hung around the house today in these house clothes..


I choose to embrace joy and make it happen to me ... after all... there is joy and there is misery in equal measures in this world ... I sure as hell am not letting misery in ... and I am paraphrasing my friend's words..

Now this is a goofy post ... and serves no purpose ... I for one don't mind talking to myself ... or farting around and sharing snippets from my journal ... my guys are back there pigging out on some BBQ ribs ...I don't eat pork plus it makes me sick .. so here I am typing away with my favorite ferret strung around my neck .... Have a happy Sunday everyone!!!


NOW I WILL TAKE MY PAINTBRUSHES AND MY CANVAS AND FINISH UP SOME UNFINISHED PROJECTS... Thanks for allowing me to share another goofy post .... HAVE A HAPPY EVENING ALL!!!! 

You are so inspiring. I love looking at your before and after pics. You getting in the suit case will always be my favorite. Thanks for sharing...

 Thank you soooooooooo much for your support and encouragement ... I think that suitcase one and the one with my son picking me up are my favorites ... totally goofy pictures LOL...

Okay the hair you have today rocks, its cute, young, and hip and really makes you look like a hottie! Must burn those too long syyles they are too overwhelming. You know i say this with the utmost love and respect.

Love ya right back my beautiful sista!!!! I just love rocking the extensions, the clip-ons, the wigs and the weaves ....long, short, red, black, blonde or blue bring it on LOL....  I have not done braids in a long long time since early out from surgery... 

Squeee! I love your ferret! How many do you have? I have 5, they are my babies!

 YAYYYYYYYYYY another ferret lover ... I have 8 and they ARE my babies too ... I love them ... I had to RESIST getting another ... like really really hard resistance ... I have the space and the heart for them but I am sticking to eight because I can't have 9 without 10 LOL.... 

They even have their own blog ... http://furcircus-martitasferrets.blogspot.com/ my son taught mine all kinds of tricks or so he thinks ... I think they already knew what to do LOL....

Oh please do share your ferret stories ... I would soooooooooooo love to hear them, if you don't mind sharing  ... either here or check link on my siggyline.... or do you blog about them?

Hi,

I always love your postings.  You really inspire many people out there. Keep up the good work.

Hugs,
Suzanne

 Thank you my beautiful sista ... YOU do write the most inspirational posts ... I learn something from all of them and I certainly share the links with my friends here and oversease... we all have different types of surgery but walking the same path to a healthier life... I really appreciate YOUR inspiration and always look forward to reading your entries...

To those of us who have had the pleasure of meeting you and getting to know you IRL you are such an inspiration.  Your kindness knows no boundaries. This is the first time since my move out of state a couple weeks ago that I have logged on here and as always your posting has inspired me. Even with all the odds that you and your husband have been challenged with you continue to carry on as beautiful as ever. Give my regards to the family and a big hug to all.