Sunday night

It's been a really good, really busy weekend. Friday, I got word that the insurance company is paying 100%. Sweet!!! I'll have a couple of office co-pays, but otherwise, it is done!

Friday night, my Girl Scout troop had a cookie booth at Sam's Club. Outside. 5-9. It was SO cold!!! But, hey, I was burning calories just staying warm! We sold $400 worth of cookies!

Saturday morning was the Avery ES Carnival. Worked 10-2. It was good. Went fairly quickly. Scott helped and sold cookies on the side. Another 16 boxes. Every little bit helps!!

Then had Alex's Upwards Basketball. His team doesn't do very well, but he has a lot of fun.

Sunday - made it to church at the 11:15 service. Then Lizzie had confirmation class. She did not want to go. But, was okay when she got home. They go on a Fri-Sun retreat next weekend. Should be interesting!! Then spent the afternoon counting Box Tops. sigh. My neighbor's daughter came over to help. Alex did a little bit. Lizzie didn't help at all. Oh, well. Almost $1000 worth of Box Tops!! Have to get them in the mail tomorrow. Feel accomplished, though.

I've done really well on the eating front. Keeping calories below 1000 per day. Baked chicken tonight. Had it with salsa. Yummy!! And very low cal.

Ideal protein intake for moderate activity is 0.7 multiplied by your ideal weight. So, I should be eating about 106 grams of protein a day. That's a lot of protein!!

Back on the upswing

Doing much better today. I spent the majority of yesterday in bed. But, I'm feeling better today and eating well. Lots of protein. Few carbs. Small portions. Lots of water. Well, actually, Crystal Light.

Got the call today to schedule the Vena Cava Filter placement. Will happen on Monday, March 29. I have to be there at 6am. McConnell Heart Hospital. I will make Scott take me over and then have to arrange for a ride home. Scott offered to take a half day, but that's really kind of silly. It would be a lot of sitting and waiting. It feels kind of funny making these arrangements knowing that he'll be at work on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but, really, what difference does it make? I'd rather he be home when I am home that first week.

I'll have to arrange for the kids to get to school that week. And get picked up! At least I have lots of time! Although it will be here before I know it. Yay!!!

Frustrating

So, I was successful last week. Then I blew it. I gained all of the 14 pounds back. sigh. Starting over, again. Now I need to lose the original 14 and the additional 6. In a week. Yeah. Not so much.

But, I got the call today to schedule!! I'm scheduled for surgery on March 30. Woohoo!!! Which is why I've decided to put this all on my blog. I still haven't told my parents. That will be interesting.

I'm so excited I have a date. But I am so depressed that I gained so much in one week! I don't feel good. Imagine that. I'm cold. I'm tired. We are supposed to go to Disney On Ice tonight. Free tickets. I don't even want to go. The seats are uncomfortable. I'm grumpy. Got in a fight with Lizzie. Acted like a brat myself. Can I go back to bed and start over?

Meet with the surgeon again on March 4. Then all day pre-op appt on March 11. Vena cava filter placement 3/29. Roux en Y surgery 3/30. Today: under 1000 calories.

Time for a change

This is my first public admission of my journey. I've found it very heard to talk about it with people. And, it's been a long time coming, so this post is going to be really long!!

I am 43 and weigh 381. I've never been thin but it has just gotten worse as I get older. I've been seeing a therapist for about 8 years. Started as post-partum, but now that my baby boy is 9, I can't blame it on that. I also have a 12 yo girl. I need to do this for them almost as much as I need to do this for myself. I also have an amazingly supportive and loving husband.

I tried to do the bariatric surgery route about 5 years ago and chickened out. In retrospect, it is good that I did. The surgery has changed drastically since then and so have I. I am in such a better place than I was.

So, over the summer, my husband and I help out at Girl Scout camp. I am the creeking instructor. This summer, I couldn't go up the hill without getting out of breath and all I wanted to do was sit down. I arranged the schedule so I only had to go down to the creek once. Not for the girls. For me. I decided that I was done. I had to change things. My health is deteriorating. I have multiply co-morbidities. I was in the hospital multiple times two years ago for an adrenal gland issue. It has left me with humidity intolerance. So, not only can I not lug my body around all that well, but I can barely breathe if I'm doing it while it's hot and humid. Hello! Live in Ohio!!! It's humid in the summer!!

Without even telling my husband, I started talking to my therapist about weight loss surgery and investigating online. Wow! Surgery and the support surrounding it has come a long way in five years.

Two local hospitals have fabulous bariatric programs. I decided that I would attend the orientation session at each one before I chose one. The week before, I talked to my husband about it and asked if he would accompany me. Of course, he said yes. That's who he is. I told no one else except my therapist.

The information session was fabulous. That was September 12, 2009. I sat there amazed at the people who were even bigger than I was. Wow. Then I spotted a familiar person. A very good friend of mine that I used to teach with. We are similar in size. She had told no one except her husband about what she was doing, either. We decided it was fate and that we would both enroll in this program and be there for each other. She is still teaching so she will not have surgery until summer. I hope to do it earlier.

I went for the day long evaluation on September 29. No problems with the psychological evaluation. Had already started seeing my therapist on a weekly basis. Check. Talked with dietician. Check. Evaluated by doctor. Need eval by cardiac doctor. Schedule that. Long day, but got through it.

Had my evaluation by the cardiac doctor. Will have to have filter placed day before surgery. Otherwise cleared for surgery. Check!

11/11/09 Meeting with the dietician was not so good. Didn't do the daily food log. Hate doing that. Well, had one more session scheduled, so supposed to do the food log for that six weeks. 12/23/09 Didn't do it. Gee. It's required by insurance. So, I had to go an additional six weeks before progressing on the scheduling because I hadn't done what I was supposed to do. Grrr...

2/3/10 Made up a food log the week before the appt. It worked. Yes, playing a game. And the doctor caught me on it the next day. I was supposed to have lost 15 pounds since the all-day evaluation. Hadn't. In fact I gained 5. Dietician thought the doctor might start me on the NutriMed diet early and let me lose the weight that way.

2/4/10 Doctor says: gee, you haven't lost any weight. Not sure you are actually committed to this surgery. You need to show me that you are by losing 10 pounds over the next two weeks. WHAT???? CRap!!! Poop or get off the pot. sigh.

Well. It's what I needed. That and my therapist asking if I had already made my decision by not losing weight. I really didn't like that idea. I felt horrible. But, for once, I didn't turn to food. I started paying real attention to what I was eating. Avoided carbs and kept under 1000 calories a day.

2/18/10 I lost 14 pounds!!! Woohoo!!! Doctor was thrilled with my progress. But, can't schedule, yet. Just got to the point where the paperwork can be submitted to insurance! Argggh! I just want to get this on the calendar!!! And, he wants me to lose another 6 pounds in the next two weeks. Okay. Not nearly as big a deal, now!! Of course, if I had lost the 15 pounds in the beginning, I would have my surgery scheduled. Oh, well. What's done is done. Move on.

My ideal surgery date is Tuesday, March 30. My kids' spring break is the week before. I can have the filter placed on Monday. My husband is off starting on Friday. So, I would be in the hospital through Thursday. And have a week and a half of my husband available. My friends have already offered to help with getting the kids to school and other activities. But, now that I've delayed so long getting here, I'm not sure this will work. I have to come up with a second workable date. Meet with the doctor again March 4. Then I will get to schedule the surgery as long as the insurance has come through. I hate waiting on other people!!!

2/19/10 I'm so excited!! I just got the call from the person submitting my paperwork. She asked me to give her a target date so that the insurance would have a date to work with. Not guaranteeing that I would get that date, but a target. I told her my ideal date and she said that was very workable! In fact, she almost just gave them March 31 off the top of her head. Then she thought that maybe I wasn't in that much of a hurry. Heck no!!! I'm in a hurry!!!! To continue changing my life!!!

Type of Bucket List

1. Started your own blog - and here you are!

2. Slept under the stars - many times camping with my parents when I was little.

3. Played in a band - high school band!

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower - yep! Out on Hoover Reservoir.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity - every time I give!

7. Been to Disneyland /world - DisneyWorld as part of our Honeymoon.

8. Climbed a mountain - I don't know about climbing, but rode up some in the Alps.

9. Held a praying mantis - frequently - we seem to be working on the local population here.

10. Sang a solo - didn't sing, but I've played a flute solo as part of a band concert and in church.

11. Bungee jumped - nope and never will.

12. Visited Paris - when I was 12!

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea - does watching a storm roll in on Lake Erie count?

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - scrapbooking?

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning - sadly...

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - too young to remember it.

18. Grown your own vegetables - absolutely! The best Green Peppers!

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - yes. Loved the Louvre.

20. Slept on an overnight train - in Europe. Best way to travel between countries and save on hotels!

21. Had a pillow fight - duh! Still do!

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill - mental health day!

24. Built a snow fort - definitely!

25. Held a lamb - so cute and cuddly!

26. Gone skinny dipping - yep! Long ago!

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse - very cool - watched it with a homemade pinhole camera!

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - frequently.

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise - part of our Honeymoon!

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - too young to remember.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community - Berlin, OH

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - is that possible?

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing - watched the kids climb!

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke - with Avery PTO mom's!

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - too young to remember.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - yes.

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - watch out for the crabs!

46. Been transported in an ambulance - in the middle of a horrible blizzard - March 2008

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - we chose not to go all the way to the top because of poor weather.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - Mexico and the Bahamas

52. Kissed in the rain - as often as possible

53. Played in the mud - sometimes on purpose!

54. Gone to a drive-in theater - fun times!

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business - if direct sales counts...

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - very year!

62. Gone whale watching - multiple times on both coasts!

63. Got flowers for no reason - not often enough

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - frequently

65. Gone sky diving - never!

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - we were close to one. My parents wouldn't let me go because I was 12. My dad went.

67. Bounced a check - once.

68. Flown in a helicopter - couple of times.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - still have my Breyer Horses

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - long ago

71. Eaten Caviar - salty fish eggs. yuck.

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square - was part of the Guinness Book of World Records for largest group tap dancing that year. It was Garfield's birthday.

74. Toured the Everglades - parts of them

75. Been fired from a job - once

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone - my humerus in 6th grade

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle - closest I've been is a moped.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - when i was about 6.

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car - 1994 Saturn SL1

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper - for an Explorer's activity in High school

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House - field trip with my mom's gifted kids

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - fish

88. Had chickenpox - 1st grade, i think

89. Saved someone's life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous - was at Mershon when Martin Scorsese was there. He waved at me.

92. Joined a book club - yep

93. Lost a loved one - sadly

94. Had a baby - two!

95. Seen the Alamo in person - in Texas for a math conference

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone - these days, who doesn't?

99. Been stung by a bee - only once

100. Read an entire book in one day - as often as possible!

An article from facebook

I copied this from facebook. Interesting article about the origins of the pants below the waist.

Sagging is it a "A Way to Display Homosexuality in Prison"?

Share

Tue at 3:16pm

He's coming down the street with a sparkling earring in his ear, pretty white teeth, maybe a doorag under his sports cap, a fresh shirt maybe overlapping a wifebeater or t-shirt, his shoes are bright white and brand new, and his pants look like they're fresh out of a retail store. He's in popular hip hop gear and wears it proudly. Sometimes he may wear his jeans or khakis with a button-down shirt. He may not wear a cap; maybe his hair is freshly tapered with a Caesar haircut or dreadlocks falling on his shoulders. To me, he represents hip hop and the casual wear of someone who wants to express himself by wearing gear he's most comfortable in. I love hip hop and brothas who can wear hip hop gear neatly; this includes everything from Phat Farm to Ecko to Akademiks. But then he turns around and the outfit and style go down the drain. I look down to see this boy/man's pants hanging under or in the middle of his butt. He pulls his pants up repeatedly because they start to drift down as he walks, and he's perfected that slow dip walk so they don't fall down altogether. I can see the designs and name brand of his underwear and sometimes where the elastic on his boxers or boxer briefs are tucked over his shirt. Suddenly he's not so attractive to me and I walk away with a vicious eye roll.

Sagging pants was never meant to be fashionable. Prisoners wear their pants this low because belts are a popular way to commit suicide by hanging oneself, to hang others, or to use as a weapon in fights. Prisoners are also not allowed to have shoestrings for the same reasons. But there is an even more obvious reason why pants are sagging in prison. If the pants are below a man's bottom, it is to introduce to other men that he is homosexual. As Eazy E once said about women in skirts, "For easy access, baby."


Pastor Dianne Robinson, 64, from Jackson, Florida is the founder of Nanas and Papas Raising Grands Organization and she is helping to start a fight against sagging. She feels it's disrespectful and sometimes the underwear isn't clean. So far, I haven't seen any underwear with stains or unclean, but regardless of it being clean or not, it's disgustingly sloppy. A Dallas school trustee contacted the City Council to see if there could be a ban on this trend and in 2004, a Louisiana lawmaker proposed House Bill 1626, also known as the Baggy Pants Bill. Offenders would be fined up to $175 or given community service. The Virginia Senate suggested a $50 fine on people who reveal their underwear. Although I don't think sagging is serious enough for a fine, I think self-respect itself should be the reason why the "fashion trend" is cut out.

I can understand a person wanting to show off their jewelry. Fiancees have been doing it for centuries. I can understand someone wanting to show off their new outfits. Fashion shows take care of that. I can even vibe with showing off fresh new hairdos, shoes, and accessories. But for the life of me, I don't understand why the under part of underwear does not send a sign to saggers everywhere that these garments should be beneath their clothes. At a pool party, it is normal for people to see swim trunks. In the privacy of your own home, feel free to wear or not wear whatever you want. I think loose and baggy pants are attractive, especially on a man who wears it well. I've never been attracted to tight pants with the appearance of a sock in the groin area. That's just corny. But when did wearing baggy pants have to be so exaggerated? Can't they just be loose fitting but still on the waist? How is it attractive for a woman to see some man's pants sagging so far down under his butt that it looks like there's a private party going on around in his knees?

This trend increased when new citizens came out of prison and were so used to wearing their pants this way that they continued on. You know America loves a bad guy; we can see that in movies and music everyday. So, many young boys and men emulated this seemingly hardcore status. But in the process, they degrade the culture of hip hop (because it has become so common with rappers, and even worse, rappers who don't know a thing about prison or are terrified of going back) and themselves. The irony is that some rappers who really did time, such as TI, are dressing more dapper as they get out. Now how is it that the actual prisoners who were used to wearing their clothes this way are now wearing suits but the boys and men who'd never make it out of jail and would cry at the thought of going are so hell bent on representing this crew? Do women a favor, guys. Pull your pants up. Sometimes your outward appearance can represent something positive or tell a lot about you, such as the attractive man I spoke of in the first paragraph, but other times it can represent something that'll turn women away regardless of how attractive you may be. However, it might turn more men to you, specifically the ones that think they can get in your pants easy, literally. If that is your preference, by no means do I have the right to judge. But if it's not, you're sending out the wrong signals to women.

Sagging Pants: Hip Hop Trend or Prison Trend?

My Sources are Both Men and Women Who I personally know who are in the Prison system now or have been in the past. And Jet Magazine.

Win $1,000 at TheCuttlebugSpot.com!

I have just discovered that The Cuttlebug Spot is having a contest - "The Journey to 1,000"! They are trying to reach 1,000 followers by the end of July and need your help. To enter all you have to do is go to their site, sign up as follower and complete a few easy steps and you could win a $1,000 gift certificate to Custom Crops (www.CustomCrops.com)! GO NOW and check it out atwww.TheCuttlebugSpot.com

Snow Storms!

We have been having snow ALL day long. I don't think there has been a break in it at all since at least 9am. We have a couple of inches on the ground and I don't think it is stopping anytime soon. It will be interesting to see if we have school tomorrow.

Lizzie had a rough morning. She needs to admit when she does something wrong and take responsibility for it. She refuses to do so. And so she gets really upset and cries and screams and makes matters worse. I feel like I need to do something to help her, but I'm at a loss for what to do. We get into it at home because of the same thing. I feel like the only way we are going to get through to her is to break her spirit. Which I really don't want to do!!! When she's an adult, this strength will be wonderful. As a child, it is a problem. Sometimes I wonder if I need to try to homeschool her. But, she has to learn to get along in a school setting and with other people. 

I want her to go to the youth program at school. There is a group for 5th graders. She is insistent that everyone will hate her and that she won't have any fun. I told her that she is going no matter what. Even if I had to carry her in over my shoulder. She wouldn't give in. And, I have never given in on something. She has to finish something that she starts. I won't let her quit. Of course, there is only so much that I can do. I can get her there but I can't make her participate.

I'm so tired of it!!! I guess I need to start the search for a therapist for her, again. She needs someone to talk to who can help her acknowledge her emotions and her feelings. I wish she would talk to me, but I know that it helps to talk to someone who has no other connection to you. She needs a Marcy.

Hatchlings

Trying to figure something out. Not working. oh, well!

School's back!

So, the family went back to school Monday. Yay! It's only as loud as I want it to be, now.

I'm back to running errands and getting things done. Took the van in for repairs. 

Friday: water pump, trasmission fluid, solenoid parts, serpentine belt, blah, blah, blah. $824. 

Monday: muffler, oil change, fuel filter. $449. 

Van running well having used the majority of the Christmas gift from in-laws: EXPENSIVE!!!

But I went ahead and ordered myself a Cricut on eBay. Got a good price! And have already spent another $200 on a rolling bag and 5 cartridges!! Now, if I could just get some space in my scrap rooms by selling stuff on eBay and making some money!!!

Miss the kids

I finally started missing the kids last night. I love my time away, but I love my family. I've been keeping busy working and DH wishes I would work on my cleaning quite a bit more. I can't believe it is almost 2009. Wow.

Went to see Milk last night. Good movie but leaves you asking what you do that is truly important. I wonder.

Day after Christmas

Nice quiet home time. Went to Troy yesterday afternoon. Rode back with bil and sil. Slept in until 1pm. Taking my time getting to work. Realy enjoying having time to myself. Scott is due home before too long. He is gaming all day tomorrow. Yay!! I love my family but I love my time alone, too. We still have a week of together time. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to start the rock candy before the kids get back. It'll take about a week to make. So, do I start it now and get a head start or do I wait and let the kids see how it starts. I guess it depends how lazy I am!!  Although I am also thinking about making Oatmeal Butterscotch cookies for Scott. And me. Almost healthy, right?

Christmas Eve.

Things were going pretty well until Lizzie had a melt-down because Alex didn't give her a pencil with an eraser. She was off her meds for a week and it has really caught up with her. Time to push it back in her, big time. Unfortunately, Scott got in on it while it was occurring and got really really mad. Alex was crying because Scott scared him. So, then Scott was mad at himself for getting so mad. And he probably said some things he shouldn't. Well, now he is moping around. Sigh. I was already depressed before. Now I have to try to balance him out. Yay, Christmas! NOT!!!

We went to Christmas Eve service, which I really enjoy. He couldn't sing because his cough is still so bad. Which bummed him out. And he was doing his mopy thing. And it isn't like he will actually talk about what is wrong. He made a comment about screwing Christmas up and I barked at him. He hasn't done anything wrong! Lizzie is the one who needs an attitude adjustment. And, welcome to my world!!! I have to go through this with Lizzie two to three times a day. Every day. Scott is lucky he never has to see it!!! Well, time to get presents under the tree.

Another Friday

Here we are on another Friday. Need to be working. Watching Stargate Atlantis. And updating my blog! =) I got to scrapbook a lot this week. Went to Cord on Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. Of course, I was working on swap stuff. But I finished two of my three swaps. Yay, me! 

I'm almost done with another work project. Everything is due by the 8th and I should actually hit the deadline. What a concept! 

Just finished listening to False Impression by Jeffrey Archer. Currently reading Brisingr (third in Eragon series). Also just finished New Moon which is the second book in the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. Also in the process of Spirit Gate (some fantasy book I picked up at the library that looked good. The problem is that the type is small and close together. So it is actually somewhat difficult to read. I think I need to reserve the Large Print version.) I love to read. But I tend to get a little overambitious when I am at the library. Or I reserve a bunch of stuff and it all comes in at once. I never seem to have enough time to read all that I want to read. There are so many "teen" books that I want to read. I look in Lizzie's area and I want to read so many of them!! I read to escape and have fun. I don't like to read non-fiction. Although I am also listening to The Physics of the Impossible in the van.

I love to watch TV or movies on the computer as I work/play. I thnk I multi-task so often that I don't know what to do with myself if I am not entertaining all of my senses at the same time. Sad. I bet Marcy would have something to say about that!

Cookout

Went up to my parents and had a cookout in the woods. Hot dogs and marshmallows. Yummy. And the kids actually behaved fairly well. I just hate hearing: "we never get to see them! They're the only reason we are up here. If it weren't for them, we would stay in Florida year-round." As if!! The heat drives them here and the cold drives them there. Wah. Anyway. Bad mood. Tired. Going to bed.

Friday

What is it about Fridays? I don't want to do anything but I feel like I have to get all of my "loner" stuff in in one day. sigh. I spent too many hours today reading failblog.com. OMG!! I laughed so hard!!!

Then I started working on scrapbooking stuff, again. Way too much stuff. I have got to get that stuff all put away so that I can actually use my stuff. Not that I really have enough places to put it all. I wish I could sell most of it. Most of the time I just feel too lazy to actually get anything done. 

I'm tired. Go figure. I usually am. 

I have the opportunity to go scrapbook tonight. It seems like it would be pointless. But I can get out and spend time with friends. Or I can stay home with my family. I have so many things to work on. Most of them can't travel well. I really want to get all my finished pages in order. That is a huge task. I have a 20 inch stack of finished pages. To add to 13 overfull albums. The sheer enormity of sorting and ordering the pages by date puts me off.  And, yet, I churn out more pages when I have the chance!! 

Hunh...

I guess that start didn't go well!!

Here we are two years later. I have no idea if I will actually continue this. I'm not sure about sharing my life with the whole world!!!

We had two days of no power thanks to Hurricane Ike and a cold front. The Hurricane of 2008. Hmmm...

The first day of the rest of my blog.

This is the first attempt at a blog. We'll see how it goes.