Wednesday, January 24

I looked at the Reddit comments, at first with my hands over my eyes in case they were brutal. (Redditors aren't known to be kind, right?). I was happy to see so many super positive comments about both before and after. And a surprising number of comments focused on possibility of photoshopped based on one of your legs. That was simply funny.

I was PO'd by the "good for you" semi-targets from my weight loss team. My surgeon didn't give a specific goal and was never anything but thrilled with me but others disapproved. I can see why they don't want peeps who don't "make it" to the typical healthy BMIs but why discouraged those who can.

Yes the peg leg comments definitely lightened the mood for me. And were pretty clever.

I agree with you that overall I was shocked that there were so many positive comments.

and maybe I should let well enough alone. But I guess I'm not really sure how my lower weight made me "better." Ugh this is where I think I will get too thought-y to put energy into it today. I guess it comes from the root that I don't think being overweight made me "bad." If anything, it simply made me a sick person in need of medical help. Which is what I got.

But I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here.

Yeah, at my 6 month appointment my doc had told me that I'd probably stop losing weight. He thought I'd be lucky to make it into the 100s at all. Like you, I see where they're coming from. I don't think the BMI chart is super accurate in its assessment. And 200 would've been much healthier for me than 277. But I don't like the implication like I didn't deserve better or something. Bizarre.

Hey Hobbit (my precious) your post made me think we all had a P-touch labeler and put our former weights on our forehead. Next time someone brings up your "transformation" you can say "thanks, I can see YOU have not changed at all". ok, not nice. I could right snotty retorts for a living but can't come up with them until later. DS

I love it, I love it, I love it! "I can see you have not changed at all." And the up-front "Thanks" makes it polite.

Love it!

Greetings Special Ones

145.5 today. Not bad after a couple of days of crap grazing. I did get a Trader Joe's chicken salad while traveling but otherwise did not go on a TJ shopping binge.

Ann you are brilliant. Seeking help from an "experienced" widow. Pie indeed. So glad you can find joy in the visit from niece. Tonic for the soul.

Shel get well. Everyone needs a pj day. My best friend used to call them "nammie days". Today is one of those days for me though I will probably go check out the kiln goodies I missed Monday.

Paula I get the "thats the ticket" thing so I am indeed old. Oatmeal cookies are worthy IF they are homemade and fresh like yours.

Cecily, so sorry for the Dad travel nightmare. I was wondering why he didn't do Scottsdale but your post makes perfect sense. You go where you have to to get care. Hope it can get straightened out. I think air travel these days is like checking into a mental hospital - you don't know what they are going to do to you or when they are going to let you out.

Great pictures Liz. Sounds like you are getting the full Florida experience. Go for it.

I've been cruising travel ads lately looking at exotic trips. DH and I need to take one as we have not been able to travel much. Any ideas all? I am interested in easy no hassle stuff which rules out a lot of exotic things. Greek islands cruise is my dream vacation. Maybe thats the ticket....

I bet Devon went to big dog shows this past weekend. Do tell.

Take care my precious ones. I will likely chime in later as I can't do much now but net surf. Diane S

I can heartily recommend Greece. I dunno about cruises because I'm afraid I'd feel seasick/claustrophobic on one, but DH and I went to Athens and Santorini after I took the bar exam (plus rome and Amalfi coast) and it was the trip of a a lifetime. We both want to go back to Greece as soon as possible. Some of our friends are pretty skittish about it because of the area (actually some of our friends won't go anywhere overseas!!!!) but we even went during their big banking crisis and it was fine. I loved it because athens had a little hint of exotic or middle-eastern flair unlike our other trips. I could go on and on about Athens. I get the idea that you either love it or hate it. But being able to see the Acropolis from pretty much anywhere. Ahhhh and the Theater of Dionysus and essentially the birth of democracy. Literally...brought tears to my eyes (but some would say I'm a weirdo).

And then Santorini. Very much more affluent and touristy, but at the same time very rugged and untouched like something out of a myth. They have so many different type beaches on this one island! Great food and shopping! Wine! sunsets!

If you love food and wine and art and history...Greece gets a thumbs way up from me.

(I can't speak to the cruise, but I'm sure it would be convenient insofar as they'd take you from one island to another. One thing I would encourage is try to find a cruise that would enable you to see a sunset on Oia, Santorini, known as the prettiest sunsets in the world. And if you don't believe me, a picture is worth a thousand words...)

Well, now we all have to go there!

Cruising is da bomb! But NOT on the mega-liners where everything from your dinner time and table and getting off- and back on- times are regulated like a German train schedule. I couldn't bear something like that.

We've always done the smaller, more luxe lines. Silversea is our choice. The small ships also permit you to get to know people over a period of time. I'm also a big fan of all-inclusive pricing, which means everything is included -- drinks, tips, restos, entertainment, etc.

Another thought is that cruises that hit a different port every day are pretty exhausting, at least for me. I like cruises with plenty of sea days so you can actually relax on board -- read, sun, dine, be entertained, visit with people you've met and want to enjoy more. And just stare at the horizon if you wish (a wonderful thing to do).

A great site that lets you slice and dice and parse all the cruise lines and ships and itineraries in the world is at www.vacationstogo.com. It's run by a large Texas travel agency, which I've never booked through. But I surely do appreciate the global resource that their web site offers.

I'll have to look that up. Since I've never been on a cruise I know I need to before I pass judgment. I'm thinking a short one for starters.

Although the ones I'm reeeallly interested in are

ALAKSAN CRUISE!!!!!!! Defo want to do this.

A cruise might be the only way to convince DH to go to places like Turkey and Morocco.

But for right now I'm thinking my most likely future cruise will be baby friendly. Not that we won't travel when we have a baby, but I think there are some baby/toddler friendly cruises and I think my stepkids would really enjoy a big family one.

Have you done a river cruise? That really piques my interest too.

I'm with you on All-inclusive. There's nothing worse than going somewhere and having paid all that money, only to stress about...money. But in (most places in) Europe I'd probably be hopping off to eat the local cuisine anyway :)

Hey BB, Alaska cruise is so excellent. We went on a giant ship and it was fun. And while I easily get motion sick, I did not do so on this or Bahamas. Most cruise ships don't rock that much and I did not have issues. I have friends that have done lots of river cruises and they love them. I want to do one through France. Kid friendly ones might be the Disney cruises. DS