This past week, well month really has been quite interesting and enlightening.  Seems like the direction I thought I was heading in has taken a different and unexpected turn... One at which I am really happy about.  It's a path I encountered many years ago, but thought I was not brave enough to travel... But the time has come and I am really excited to say that I'm ready for this new journey.  There are only a few friends & family members that may know to what I am speaking of, trust me, soon enough I'll be able to share it with everyone.  The timing just has to be right, as there will be some hurdles along the way.


I'm so thankful to have been able to share this adventure of learning with my Mum.  She is so amazing.  So supportive and yet realistic as well.  Someone I know that will give me her honest opinion and not some sugar coated thoughts. She is someone that I truly look up to and admire, and couldn't imagine without her presence in my life daily. Thank you Mum for always being there for me.

Of course there are others, Mike & Kathi to name two that have been big cheerleaders for me... There are others too and I know when I share my news that most everyone will be excited for me.  Which makes me feel good that I have such a fantastic group of friends and family.  Love you all xx

Easy day

It was so nice just taking it easy today.  For a while there thought I was coming down with the nasty cold bug that is going around... but maybe it's going to officially pass me over again.  I have a little bit of a sore throat and the sniffles now and then, but nothing major.  But just in case, I thought it best if I stayed in my PJ's pretty much all day.  I think it really helped. :o)

And since it's Wednesday my Mum came over like she always does... (did I say how I think she is the BEST...) anyways, often times on Wednesday's I'm working, and this is the night Mike has picked to do the grocery shopping, so Mum will stay with the kids get them in their jammies and or baths as needed, but tonight since I was home,  I had cracked out a puzzle and we got busy with it.  Reanne's comment was, this would take me forever, so I tell her, that these puzzles are not meant to be done in one day, that it's relaxing and soothing.  Well at 11:20pm, we decide we've had enough, our backs and eyes are hurting, and we aren't done with it.  But I love doing puzzles, a little something I picked up from my Mum.

And who doesn't love Pooh & Tigger? Woo hoo hoo hoo, it's almost done.

Welcome 2012

Another year has come and gone... and I don't know where I put it. It must be in a safe place, because seriously it's 2012 already... goodbye to 2011... As I look back over this past year I am trying to think of what I have actually accomplished... and really I'm thinking that nothing spectacular happened this year. Now that's not to say some life altering moments didn't hit me like a brick in the head...

My kids are growing up so dang fast I can barely keep up. Reanne is 12 but going on 18 it seems, Shylynn is 9, Katera just turned 8, and Hayden is now 4 1/2. Like I said, where did the time go??? We went in and had some photos done, and they are just too cute to not put the goofy ones in... Wanted to share them with you. Hope you like them as much as we do.

So onto some other things about somethings...

One of the reasons this year was kind of rough was Mike's sister, a woman that I've known for over 20 years, a woman that was an inspiration, had a heart of gold and was more of a best friend - sister - mother to me, passed away from cancer. As if this wasn't bad enough it was on my Shylynn's birthday. So she has also felt this loss and felt a constant reminder of it, but it will forever keep Sandy close to her heart too, and for that I think it a blessing. With her passing, came our adopting her three cats to join our crazy household and our one old cat. Shortly there after our cat began having seizures and we realized she had lived her full life and it was time. Then we realized how sick one of Sandy's cats was, so we had to say goodbye to Sissy aswell. That still leaves us with Buddy & Baby... and I have a feeling they will be with us for a long time.

There are so many other things that just seemed to "happen" along the way, but now as I sit here I can't think of what or how to fill in those gaps. And I wanted to add a few photos, but I'm on a new laptop with very few photos on it... So that'll have to wait for another day.

As for my weight loss journey... I'm now struggling with the daily routine of the after... remembering to take some simple vitamins, and to get up off my bum and use my elliptical machine... and to drink my protein. I've been feeling "normal" now, with maintaining my weight loss, that those things that are so important for a RNY patient to remain healthy have slipped to the back burner. Time for me to get serious again and believe in myself enough to realize I'm worth it, and my body needs it. Seriously how much time does it take to chew some vitamins, swallow some calcium, shoot myself with b12 shot, .... and add protein powder to my coffee. what's wrong with me? lol. I can so do this.

This is the start of a new year, and as much as I hate to say I'm setting a resolution... I guess in a way I am. What do you want to see yourself accomplish this year? What do you want to look back on and be like ... "wow"... or "That was amazing"... or "what a great year I had because...".... Remember you are worth it. You are loved. So smile and feel it.

One year later...

... Wow it's been so long since I have gotten around to updating this... So here begin my ramblings of the somethings going on in my life...

So a quick update on the weight loss, since that was the whole reason I started this blog... I'm one year out from surgery now. Have lost 130 lbs, and then found a few back, and now just keep going back and forth on those same few. I've gotten into a size medium / size 9 jeans. To sum it up I'm very happy with the way things have been going. Have been told by my hubby not to lose anymore weight. I now weigh less than I did when I first met him, so this is a whole new world for us. Seems strange to sit my kids on my lap and actually have the on my LEGS. lol, and with room to spare. I go in week after next for my appointment with my surgeon, I will admit I've not been very good with taking my vitamins / protein suppliments, so I'm a little worried about how my blood work results will be. But I guess if that's the kick I need to get my bum back in gear then that's what I'll do.

Kids are all doing well. We are getting ready to celebrate Katera's 6th birthday... She'll be getting her ears pierced... and she is soooo excited. The girls are all doing well in school. Hayden has adjusted to being home alone during the day... He still "rocks" on the couch, is talking alot more these days, enjoys "Cars" and "thomas" and "care bears". And we watch them ALOT.

Work is work. Retail world is retail world what can I say. Mike is keeping busy at work. He's actually getting a bit of overtime which will help with the holidays fast approaching.

Anyways, I'll try to post more often... I guess I got a little obsessed with facebook... I'm sure you understand.

7 weeks out..69 lbs gone forevery

I just don't seem to get on here enough. I guess it's a good thing, as to me it means all is going well. I have not had any issues since the surgery. I have lost a total of 69 lbs so far (including 35 pre surgery). At 3 months out I will take my new measurements so I can see the number difference that way too. I feel good, but still have a long way to go. I have gone from a tight 24 to a 16. woo hoo. that to me is amazing. So I know it is showing.... See for yourself... the first photo is from August 08, when I was 293 my starting weight... I was with a group of my girlfriends at a cabin on Camano Island. This is a annual retreat and something we all look forward to every year. I am really looking forward to going again this summer and to be able to really do a before and after. I have so much energy and am sleeping so

much better too. I think the only thing that I've had challenges with is getting all the protein shakes and vitamins in. It's hard but I am renewing and making sure I get them in. I know it effects the weight loss, my energy levels, and my overall health and well being. In the second photo I'm 224... and wearing a size 16.

2 weeks out, and a new hair do

Holy Crap, has it been that long since I posted. OMG. Sorry. So yes I had the surgery and am now 2 weeks post op... All went well and I am doing fabulous health wise. Weight loss is great too. I'm down 15 since surgery and 50 total. YAY me. Had a new hair cut to go along with the new me that is emerging....

before and after photos.... yikes, I was sooo overdo for a hairstyle. lol.

But I love my new hair... Later today I will get to mess with it myself and see if I can style it. Seems pretty simple, but it NEVER looks the same when you do it yourself. lol.

Keep looking, right after Chritsmas I will be posting one month out photos to compare from pre surgery ... that should be interesting :)

I'm ready for Christmas... and Katera's birthday... her party is this Saturday at Grandma's house... She's gonna be 5. wow, where did the time go?

todays ramblings

I am feeling better. The sickness is still going thru our house. First Katera, then Shylynn, then Reanne and of course then it was me. So yesturday I was the one in the bathroom all day. Was too weak / sick to go to work. Lets hope lil Mr Man doesn't get it. Right now he is going and going just like the energizer bunny. He seems to have a shoe fetish... Loves the girls sparkly shoes. What's up with that?

So today was the day for my meds again. Had to give myself a B12 shot and take the presciption vit D. I wasn't so nervous to do the shot this time.

13 days till the surgery..