Saturday, June 13th, 2015. The weekend cometh and is Here.
on 6/13/15 5:55 am
Good morning and thank you for the warm welcome!
Thinking of Vicki and Butch and the path that they are travelling. Connie, Eileen and all of you I truly hope that your day is painfree and full of contentment.
Am down 1 pound but that pound has come and gone and come and gone for the last 1 month. Walking for 1 - 1 1/2 hours a day and our community if full of hills but I think I need to lower the calories and get serious.
Enjoy!
A happy Saturday to all my girlfriends!
Goodness gracious, it is sure good to be home. My work schedule has been very difficult and intense, and by the time I got home last night it was all I could do to just hold my head up and eyes open until 10pm. But I made sure to spend time with my love, my husband... I treasure every moment with him, and Vickie's situation is a reminder to savor our love and our time together. I found myself holding Ron very close all night last night.
Vickie, sweetie, you are amazing. No one knows how difficult this walk must be for you. Actually, Mary knows... but I don't. I can draw comparisons to losing so many I've loved, but not my husband. You're exhausted, Butch is too. There is no way we can know the Lord's timing so be as present in the moment as you can be, as you will savor these memories for the rest of your life. We're with you in spirit. Sending prayers up for Butch, you, and your girls.
Mary, I am sad to hear Jim is still struggling. I hope and pray he did go to the hospital so he can get more comfortable. I hope you are also taking care of Mary - you need to remember that!
Judy, I know you're struggling too, and please know that you are also in my prayers. Try to ignore all those terrible tenants and focus on rest and de-stressing. I'm worried about you!
Connie, we all worry about you because you are so very dear and special, to each and every one of us. I do so pray you would find some relief and some improvement in these recent flares. I am not familiar with them, as you are, but they sound especially severe. Are they worse than usual? Just wondering... trying to not worry about you. *HUGS*
Apple, good for you! Shoot for pound #2. I'm no authority but you know what works - return to protein first, cut down on the starchy carbs, and log your food. You can do it girlfriend!
Carla, have a safe trip home. Your Vinnie is just a sweetie pie! She is sure going to miss you when you head home... what a special time you've had!
Kathy, wowie you're a bundle of energy. A pool party for 13 year olds sounds... loud!! LOL But the young ones keep us young, or so I believe. I am sure everyone had a good time and I only hope you guys survived!!
Maui Karen, your place sounds HEAVENLY! Just lovely. I can picture myself there sharing coffee with you. Move over on that lanai, girl... I am coming over!
Trish, glad you got your laptop working! typing on the phone is the worst. This is why I have been posting so little during the week. But I am going to take my iPad (which is a little better) so I can keep up with y'all, at least at night or first thing in the morning.
Eileen, you don't need that extra work!!! I am no expert but I think the fatigue is at least partially due to the fallout from your assault. It could of course be your fibro too. Either way, continue to be good to yourself and get the extra rest you need.
Jeannie, how long are you away doing AP Scoring? You do work so hard, but that's a good cause you're working for :-)
Ok, as for me... I hope you guys won't mind if I brag on myself just a bit. I hit 50 pounds lost so I splurged and treated myself to new exercise pants (stretchy "compression" shorts / capris). Even though I exercise at home - still too self-conscious to waddle into a gym - my exercise pants were literally falling down and I was holding them up with a bit of rope. So I bought two new pairs and to my shock, they are not one but two sizes smaller. The original pants were too small for me when I started this journey. As for regular clothes, I've lost three or even four sizes in some cases; I'm wearing a 16W in most things right now, and my starting clothes were 24W and up. I've only lost 50 pounds. "Only!" Ha! This amount of weight loss is like a dream - someone pinch me!! But seriously, I know many of you have lost two and three times that much. And I'd think that 50 pounds would be more like one or maybe two sizes. So I think I've lost a ton more inches this month - maybe it's the exercise. I take and log those measurements once a month so I am looking forward to seeing those in a few more weeks. While doing one of my exercise DVD's this week, the leader said something about counting your blessings... and while I did that I actually started to sob, while exercising. This is what happened... Just 10 weeks ago, when I had surgery, I couldn't do anything other than my stationary bike. I couldn't walk more than a few yards without stopping, due to the pain in my knees. I couldn't wear anything except sneakers on my feet when I performed with my band - and had to often sit down during our performances. I dreamed about being able to get up and exercise. And 10 weeks later, there I was, working out for 45 minutes straight. So when the DVD leader said to count your blessings, I did... I remembered what it was like to lie there in pain and dream about getting up and being active... and I am, already active. So I cried like a baby - but finished the workout! :-)
I have a long way to go yet. I'm not even halfway to goal. But I am grateful to God, to my surgical team, my family, and of course this special family right here! I'm on my way. Here are a few more NSV's this week: 1) My wedding rings fell off my hand (don't worry I picked them back up!). 2) My fitbit band got too big, even on the smallest holes, so I had to buy a new one. 3) I walked three -- THREE -- miles in one shot. 4) I sat down on a teeny tiny chair and it didn't break - it didn't even creak. 5) My eyeglasses won't stay on my head anymore. I've lost weight off my head????? I had a fat head too??? LOL LOL LOL
So anyway... today I'm buying one of those ring sizer things so I don't lose my wedding rings. I'm planning to have my rings re-set in my new ring size (whatever that will be) when I get to my maintenance weight. What did you ladies do with your rings as you lost weight?
I wear contacts most of the time but do need glasses that will stay on my head. I am going to ask a local optical shop to try to bend them so they will stay up, but if that doesn't work, I am going to order a new pair from the same website I have used before, 39dollarglasses.com. With my prescription they will cost more like $100 but I do need them - won't wait until next year for that one!!
OK enough of this. Thanks for letting me share my excitement!
We have a lot going on at our house today so let me return to getting all this done. Love and blessings to all.
Christine
________
137 pounds lost - from a 24/26W to a size 8/10!
I told you it would be a WILD RIDE!!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! 
Christine,
I will post more later, but just had to take a quick minute to CONGRATULATE you! We here know how hard you worked pre-op & now you are just keeping the ball rolling!
It's funny when ppl talk about going down sizes...I continue to wear my stretch capris & oversize tops & really have no idea yet if I am down a size yet. Like you, I don't measure too often...1x/mo...& I only weigh at drs. appts.
So hearing all your NSV's like about the workout clothes, wedding rings & glasses are SO cool! And the chair. Until you mentioned the glasses I never thought about losing weight IN MY HEAD, but my $store readers won't stay on anymore! I thought I stretched them from pushing them back on my head, but ALL of them are sliding off when I bend forward. I also noticed I no longer need the sofa pillow propped behind my back when I sit down on the sofa. My ass has shrunk (you could have used IT as a chair!) so the cushion fit in the small of my back.
I get so excited reading about the NSV's. (You guys know I'm weird anyhow!) But I think they are more important than the number on the scale.
You DESERVE a big hug & handshake for coming this far! Wish I could be there to give you one in person. Remember since you are closest to me in terms of the WLS I aim to follow your example! AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT ONE!
I am SO happy for you.
I'll get back on later. Gotta get Jazz rolling for a few days at her mom's!
Kathy
Congratulations! !!!!
I know how good it feels to realize your clothes got fat. Mine was when i fit into a size 3 X jeans down from a 6~8 X sweatpants! ! Now theyf all off me. Now i am right between 2x and 1x. (Loss at appt last week 122 lbs since surgery ~loss before surgery 27 total loss So, total of 149) there is more AwHa wonderful momemtz to come. Enjoy each moment.
Francine.
Morning OFF family...
Sorry that I have been missing so much. Its just that I have been busy and also some what depressed. Not to mention pissed at some tenants here also!!!!!!! Gosh I could kill a few!!!!! Telling the NEW ones about the parking is like talking to a brick wall!!!!!!! Then one also had yes had a dog and then changes to a cat. WTH?! She didn't know her dog would be so restricted here. HUH???? Keeping it tied up on a rope/chain so it doesn't go out to the walkway to "trip" people walking by is to restricted? Well excuse me!! Cleaning up after it...OMG you have an animal you clean up after it!!!!!!!! Same woman and her visitors parking in tenants parking not visitors...taking up tenants parking that is on oxygen and also has a walker!!!!! WTH IS WRONG WITH YOU?????????????????????? I went off last night BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!! I am so tired of people NOT doing as told!!!!!!! She saw her neighbor struggling with her walker and her groceries having to park way down the line...did she make her company move or help this woman? NO!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!! I went out to do that and voiced my feeling LOUD AND CLEAR!!!!!! Oh they came out AFTER we were done!!!!!! Then tenant I helped sounded off to them herself!!!!!!!! GOOD!!!!!!! I have a few others giving me problems left and right last few weeks and its building up. I am ready to pounce on them also!!!!!! Been talking to my boss about it and we are BOTH ready!!!!! 
Haven't heard any news on my sister. I tried to call her last night but the hospital she is at has stupid hours to call!! So I will call her today.
My Dr's office called me yesterday and said this other Dr would see me. They are setting up the appointment and will get back to me. YIPPEE! 
My opinion is the biopsy came back NOTHING WRONG WHY DO MORE?????????? I have had abnormal reading's ALL my life. SIGHS.
Weather here has been hot and humid. Talk is more rain/storms everyday for a week. GREAT.
My Thoughts & Prayers are with you ALL!!!
HUGSSSSSSSSSSS
Good Morning Ladies!!
First, I haven't had a chance to welcome Apple and Maui Karen, so a big welcome now... this is a great place to be. 
Special prayers to Vickie and Butch - Vickie, the picture you posted is wonderful; Butch looks happy to have his girls around him. 
Christine - You deserve to brag A LOT--you are doing wonderfully. And aren't those NSVs great?!? I've been shopping in thrift stores, because sizes drop so rapidly. I'll have to check out that eyeglass website - I got a chain for my glasses because they keep falling off if I bend over, and I don't want to invest in a "good" pair of new glasses (no-line transitional, bendable frame****il I reach goal. I got my current glasses right before surgery and I bought the cheapest ones I could because I knew they'd be slipping and sliding.
Kathy - You're weird? I didn't notice that. 
Did Jazz have her pool party yet? I can just imagine the work involved in setting that up -- she's lucky to have you. And I continue to be envious about the pool.
Judy -- You're so lucky to have such a great job - being the "Office Girl" is a challenge!! (LOL) Bless you, you haven't slugged anyone yet!! Prayers for your sister - I know you are dealing with a lot these days between family and work. Be sure to come here and vent, rant, rave, whatever!
Connie and Eileen, I hope you ladies feel better soon. Life has enough battles, and it's hard when you're not feeling up to snuff.
Not much happening here. Jim now is saying Monday he'll call the Liver Center and see about going in to get "tapped" - he wants to avoid having to go to the Emergency Room ordeal, but the problem is he hasn't seen his new doctor yet, so that may be an issue. I've told him he should go anyway, and when he's in this time, talk to the doctors about follow-ups.
I'm going outside to work on my lawn mower. I started mowing the back yard yesterday and everything was going well. Then I had to add gas, and while I was at it I added oil. My lawn mower wouldn't start after that. So I came in and did some reading, and learned I might have over-filled the oil -- I wen out and drained some, but still no luck. So I put it away for the night, and now I'll go back out and see if I can get it going. I should have left well enough alone -- when will I ever learn??
Prayers and good wishes to all.
Mary
HW: 380 SW: 324 GW: 175
I love 39dollarglasses. You will just need to have some frame measurements in addition to your glasses prescription. The website walks you through it. the quality is great. My glasses are no line bifocals, high impact lenses, and cost $129 total. Frames, lenses, everything. And the frames are cute, to boot.
I started using this website when I had an embarrassing moment at the optical shop attached to my eye doctor's practice. I had my prescription and was picking out frames. After measuring my temples and head, the person helping me told me they did not stock anything for a person my size. So they had me looking in the men's section, no luck. They said, "You're bigger than even the men who we fit at this shop. We cannot help you." I'm not kidding. So I had them tell me what sort of freak show size of frame I would need, and I went online to 39dollarglasses (where they had several) and never looked back. Every time I go back in there for my eye check ups - I have borderline glaucoma so I am in there every 6 months - they ask me if I want to look at glasses. Ha. No thanks. Besides which, these glasses are a much better price!
Maybe I should go back in when I'm thin and show them all the glasses I've purchased elsewhere and have a "Pretty Woman" moment.
"Don't you work on commission here?
Well you made a big mistake with me. Huge."
________
137 pounds lost - from a 24/26W to a size 8/10!
