12/31/09 New Year's Resolutions

I've never been a big 'New Year Resolutions' person.

Most years I don't set any, although I have often started or recommitted to a diet in many a January. After a Fall of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas and all the food/treats those holiday's bring, January always seemed to be a good month for dieting. New Year's is always I time I seem to reflect on the good and bad events of the past year. No doubt that this will certainly be a year I'll always remember as a very good one. My only resolution last year was to finally put myself at the top of the list and do whatever it took to start getting healthy again.

- I improved my Osteoarthritis and arm mobility with Physical Therapy
- I got my Incontinence (failed sling & hysterectomy) under control…thank you Vesicare
- My DD graduated from college, moved home, and got her first, then second 'real' job
- DS1 graduated from HS and moved to/started college
- DH and I celebrated our 50th birthdays and our 27th Anniversary
- We had an 80th surprise birthday party for my Dad
- We vacationed at Seabrook Isl. w/the in-laws, and DH and I vacationed in Sedona and at the Grand Canyon (my first visit)
- I got my LB and lost 74 pounds this year (plus 2 whoo in 2008)

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I've got a few personal and family ones I'm setting as well, but I'll leave it at that…

Anyone have some resolutions they want to share?

Happy New Year all!

12/29/09 The Hardest Thing I've Ever Done For Myself

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12/28/09 Seventy-five

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The golden retriever weighs 75#


This baby panda weighs 75#



This leather chair weighs 75#


This sea kayak weighs 75#


This portable table saw weighs 75#


Here's 75# of pumpkins


...and here's a 75# tuna

12/27/09 What A Gift!!!

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12/23/09 Happy Holidays!!!

Just want to wish Happy Holidays to all my Lap Band friends!!! I’ve been crazy busy, as I’m sure you have.

The snowstorm Saturday kept Mom & Dad at home an extra day so they didn’t arrive until Sunday (so glad DH and DS1 made it home very late Friday night). Mom and Dad left yesterday and I miss them already. We had a wonderful visit…

Dad especially, must have talked to me about my WL at least 10 times during the visit…it’s funny, since I saw them a lot this Fall and it’s not like I’ve lost more than 10 or so pounds since I last saw them, but he said he can really see a change.

Dad was in a great mood as he has a new CPAP machine (I think he called it a bi-PAP?) and so he’s been sleeping better and it shows. He’s temporarily using a cane because he’s developed a heel spur, but for an 80 year old, he’s doing alright. Mom loves spoiling the grandchildren (all 12 of them) and the kids love it. I loved making the Christmas cookies with her and the kids. Mom and I stayed up late talking and laughing each night…it was such a relaxing visit.

Today DH and I finished the errands and wrapping while all the kids were gone (and I finished making the rest of the cookies); DD had work, DS1 went to meet his new GF’s parents and see her (also a PSU student), and DS2 had school. So tomorrow starts all our traditions and I can’t wait.

I'm sorry I can’t send you each a personal note, but know that I’m thinking of you all this holiday season and hope that you’re feeling my love as well as the love of all your family and friends…love is the best gift of all. I've been so blessed this year and am so thankful for your friendship. Happy Holidays!!! -BG

12/16/09 Heartburn Relief?

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12/14/09 Christmas Cards

Well, Mom seems to have forgiven me for not coming out there over Christmas. She didn't realize that DS1 has Finals through this Friday night...get this; his last final ends at 8:45pm...YES, I said PM!!! FRIDAY NIGHT!!! What are these Professors, crazy? Anyway, DS1 call us three times last night seeing if we would pick him up on Friday (we were going on Saturday morning). According to him, he'll be ‘the last student on campus’…so DH is going to get him Friday.
　
Mom & Dad are coming Sat. for two nights now, and I can’t wait! Back to wrapping…

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*In response to Comments:

Kathy- Yep, I'm not thrilled about DH/DS1 driving 4 hours starting off after 9pm. It's mostly back roads (Happy Valley is in the middle of nowhere).

12/11/09 Friday Facts

- I lost THREE pounds this week (don't ask me how)! One more pound until my ¾ Goal! Remind me of this happiness when I'm whining about a gain next week...and (judging from my pattern getting to my last ten pound head)...the next 10 weeks after that.

　
- I woke up to another bad UTI this morning…WTHeck! Yes, I took the right Cranberry (pain) pills this time, and I left a message for the doc, whom I just visited for my physical Wed., that I need an Rx. Please say a prayer that they don't make me drive the 40 min. to their office, or it will be time for my 'almost a diaper' pads again.


- Scratch that…they called and I had to go in (no more phone in Rx's)…there's 2 hours I'll never get back…if I didn't love our PCP so much I'd get one closer (guess it's a good thing I went as she thinks I have an antibiotic resistant UTI…and she thinks it's a continuation from the last one…testing underway). I keep telling them they need an office up North as I alone can keep them in business (you know it's bad when the Receptionist greeted me with a 'You're back again!').


　

- DH was sick at home from work yesterday…no, you don't understand…he hasn't taken off work in, I believe, 10 years (broken leg then). He managed to drag himself to work this morning for a meeting, (they can't live without him) but I'm guessing he'll be back soon (must…type…faster…). It has been confirmed that he's never allowed to retire (men are no fun when they're sick…I love my DH).
　

- School had a two hour delay this morning due to the wind chill factor temperature…How dare they invade on my time…I hate getting that automated phone call...better go make the most of my last few moments alone...I'm guessing I'll be spending most of it in the bathroom (stupid UTI).


Have a great weekend all!

12/10/09 What a Difference a Year+ Makes

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12/8/09 Deck the Halls...

We got our live tree for the foyer (I think it's 12' this year), as usual, the weekend after Thanksgiving. The boys got all my outside decorations up that weekend as well (Attached Pic 1- Front porch/door). I made the lighted garland, decorations and the Williamsburg arch over the door. Everything is now on the tree (Attached Pic 2- This year's tree), and all the decorations are finally up around the house, except my kids displays which they will do (Christmas dollhouse, train set, and monorail). Lest I repeat myself, If you want, you can read more about my Christmas obsession at last years blogs:
12/4/08 Fa la-la-la-la...
The tree/ornaments:
12/29/08 It looks like someone threw up ornaments on our tree!

Oh, and if you're wondering why my mantle has a nativity with a pink light in it that makes it look more like a brothel than a crèche (Attached Pic 3), then you must read my last year's blog with my very favorite family Christmas read: 12/17/08 I Believe in Santa!
In this pic you can also see 2 of the 3 cradles my kids made on the hearth...read: 12/6/08 Traditions...What's in Your Shoes?

I love setting the Dining Room table for Christmas (Attached Pic 4 & 5- Dining Room). I made the decorations and fruit cone on the table. My MIL gave her pieces of Lenox Holiday Christmas china that someone had given her and that got me started on setting up service for the holidays. I didn't select a china when we got married as our everyday setting was expensive, so it's fun for me to set out this china once a year.

So get going folks and Deck the Halls!!

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*In response to Comments:

-LOL...4 yr. degree in Art Education and I'm burning myself with a glue gun LOL (nothing you all couldn't do...well, minus the burns. See those three straight vases on the Dining room buffet/left...drop in some ornaments...no burns!), but thanks! And Michelle, as a former art Teacher I LOVE snowflakes!!! When my three were little my house was loaded with those and kiddie vinyl clings on the windows that they rearranged daily!

Kay- I'll try to take more pics tomorrow of my tiny kitchen tree (it limits you to 5 attachments).

-Yep DB, just one of my many collections...I have some candles in some of them and turn ornaments upside down in some for the holidays...they sparkle with the candles burning. Hope you had a great holiday! -BG

12/4/09 Happy Pills

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12/3/09 The Monster Rears Its Ugly Head

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12/1/09 Head Over Heels

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