Out of the wood work, or from under a rock or ???

Good Morning Friends! It's been some time since I was here last.  Things have been CRAZY for me this past almost month.  I shared in January about my son and his girlfriend expecting a baby.  At the time we were told she was pregnant, they had only known each other about 6-8 weeks.  It was a SHOCK to say the least.  On Feb. 27th, Mark came home from work and said that they would get married on the 29th if we could get an appointment for a civil ceremony, and put together a wedding and reception.  Well, with less than 48 hours notice, we had a custom tailored suit, wedding cake, reception for 35, appointment at the library, marriage license, etc.  Elaina's family got her a pretty dress and we were ready for a wedding.  My daughters were able to cover their work shifts, and my oldest daughter took the photos.  It turned out wonderful -- not exactly as we had all hoped and thought for the years our son was growing up, but everyone was really blessed.  There is more to the story, but all of that really cannot be told here.  I was just amazed at how God put everything together for us.  So, our son is now married, and moved out, at the same time, my parents moved into a new home, and crazy things have been going on with our girls as well.  I feel like I've been treading water for the past 3 weeks! Over this time, I have also consulted with plastic surgeons, who are wanting me to get more opinions based on the amount of work they see I need vs what my insurance will cover.  Today, I am back to the original plastic surgeon who now has me approved for a breast lift and reduction of the excess skin involving the breasts.  Tomorrow, I will see someone for a full tummy tuck since Kaiser will usually only cover a pannus removal.  I am hopeful they will cover the tummy tuck completely.  If they won't I can pay the difference and still have it done.  I also need a butt and thigh lift, but those will have to be on my own.  Kaiser usually says that your BMI must be under 30, but because I"m able to show my body fat percentage is below 30, and more like 23 - 27% on average, they will do my plastics with a higher BMI. I'm still exercising a****er aerobics and teaching at least 3 days per week.  I will be off from the 24th - 4/8 due to an endometrial ablation.  I had one done about 18 months ago, but I am beginning to bleed heavier again, along with very close together periods. Some of that could be the recent very stressful period we've had, but I think there is more too the issue than just the stress.  I am still working on my water fitness certification, which is a 30 hour class with 5 hours of teaching in the pool and learning new techniques.  I finish that class this coming Saturday.  It is very intense, with lots of anatomy, and the physics principals of working out in the water.  We have to know and understand how the dynamics of movement are different than on the ground and how our body will behave differently in the water.  Also, some people are not used to being in the water and have a harder time breathing and expanding their lungs against the surface pressure of the water when their lungs/chest is under water.  There are certain movements that have been found to be dangerous in the water that we wouldn't even think about.  Exercising in the water with arm motions above the head can lead to a dangerous elevation in blood pressure -- WHO KNEW??  Also rolling your head backwards, so that your neck is stretched and eyes looking  straight up can raise blood pressure very high and can cause a mini stroke in those susceptible when done in the water!  So I'm learning lots abou****er safety. Over the past 2 days, I've had 3 HUGE WOW moments.   1.  We went on a short weekend getaway cruise off of the pacific coast.  We were on a Royal Caribbean Ship, which meant they had a ROCK WALL.  For years, I've watched my husband and daughter do this, but this time I CLIMBED THE ROCK WALL!  The hardest part had to do with the arthritis in my hand and not always being able to get a good grip.  I was so proud of myself!  It  was fun and exciting and I'm so glad to not be on the sidelines anymore. 2.  On the same cruise, and over the past month, I've had SEVERAL occaisions to get dressed up.  I now own 3 dresses -- I had NONE.  I also have 4 pair of VERY HIGH HEELS.  I was able to wear dresses and heels each night of the cruise, climb the stairs up and down for dinner, shows, etc. and not miss a beat.  I haven't been able to wear heels in years, and now the 3 - 4 inch ones are NO PROBLEM.  I think I like dressing up, and I thought I hated it!  It was nice to feel pretty and dressed up for my husband, and not go back to the room to put on jeans and a baggy polo shirt because my clothes were too tight!  I had total strangers this weekend on the cuise comment on my cute little figure -- WHO ME???  Also, I was able to go and enjoy the weekend and NOT GO UP IN WEIGHT! 3.  As of this morning, I am BELOW 190!  I finally managed to hit 189.6.  YAY!  I am still  hoping to get below a 30 BMI before my plastics, because I want to not be categorized at OBESE.  I've done SO much not to be OBESE, and I know that my lifestyle is far from it, but just the sound of the word is offensive to me.  I want to be out of that category!  I'm trying to get to 185, which is the limit of where my surgeon says is the lower limit before plastics for me.  One plastic surgeon indicated that I have about 20 - 25 lbs of excess skin that could be removed.  That is hard to imagine! Anyway,  just wanted to update and let you all know that I'm still alive and kicking, but it's been a rough and stressful month.  

Wow busy lady!  Nice to see you back, and good luck with your fitness certification.  WTG on that rock wall!  That's amazing!!!! All the best, Jenn

Thanks Jenn!  The rock wall was pretty cool!  My daughter wants me to go with her to a climbing gym and climb with her.  We'll see!

Wow, no one we haven't heard from you!  Sounds like you've had some ups and downs, but have managed to hold everything together just find - congrats on that!  Good to see you back on the boards -  Kellie

DANG GIRL! YOU SHOULD BE WEARING ROLLER SKATES TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THAT YOU HAVE GOING ON LOL..... AND CONGRATS ON THE BABY AND NEW DAUGHTER IN LAW! I WISH YOU LUCK ON THE PLASTICS JOURNEY... BOY CAN THAT BE OVERWHELMING.... I AM STILL WANTING THE GIRLS PUT BACK IN THERE CARSEAT HERE TO.. LOL I AM GONNA START THAT JOURNEY LATER ON THIS YEAR BUT RIGHT NOW TO MUCH GOING ON HOUSE REDOING WISE.... SO KEEP US UPDATED ON THE OUTCOME OF THE DATES OF SURGERY.... HUGS MARGE

Wow, can you say busy? Call to hear all is well with you, even if you are busy!

Jennie, my head is spinning!  You have been a busy bee! Kudos to your son for stepping up to the plate and taking on responsibilities.  Congratulations to both of them and may they have a calm and loving married life. I'm trying to figure out how my lazy aquacise teacher got certified, I can't see her doing all that work.  She does the same lazy routine every class.  Happily, the rec center is offering a more rigorous class (beginning the first Tuesday in April), so we've decided to start attending it instead.  Also, the teacher I really like will begin teaching an 8 AM class at a neighboring rec center in May.  I do like aquacise, it can really provide a good workout! Thanks for the update on the plastics, I may hammer Kaiser Colorado with that info (re: % body fat), although I wonder if I meet that criteria?  I still have really fat thighs.  I was hoping to win the big Powerball so I could treat all my pals here to PS surgery in Brazil, all expenses paid.  Alas, I didn't even have one number. Glad you're back, I've been thinking about you. Kix

My goodness....you sure have a lot going on in your life!!   Congrats on a new daughter-in-law and impending grandchild.  BIG CONGRATS on your WL success.  Hope everything turns out well and with minimal discomfort with your PS.  Now take time to EXHALE!  LOL   HUGS  Jeanine