Borrowing Mom's Laptop for a second....We've been working furiously (cleaning out the garage that was stuffed, marking stuff for the garage sale, and clearing the excess stuff out of the garage). Glad I came. Oh, and rain predicted on Saturday...no worries, the charity truck will come on Monday.
Out to dinner for my Birthday tonight (thanks for all the birthday notes)...so we'll get a much needed (for all) break tonight!
Hope you're all having a great week! -BG
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
4/24/10 Don't Have Any Wild Parties...
...while I'm gone (I've got the police circling in case you all get out of line and invite the boys over for a kegger). And no planning any more get togethers until I'm here to vote on the dates/boo-hoo (and more importantly, do the spreadsheets tee-hee)!
A small wrench in my plans this week...Today's our 28th Anniversary and we had plans for a nice dinner out (don't tell my folks please). Instead I'm doing laundry and packing my bags tonight.
More family drama and I'm back to my parent's home in Ohio for the third time for the week (don't remind DH, but I'll be missing my birthday and his this week...can't be helped). They're panicking about getting done for the garage sale next Friday (no progress with that at all since I left and there's lots more to come out of the house...not that we won't give everything left to charity, but there's seriously a truckload now and we need to get rid of as much as possible) and the house goes on the market the following Friday. I've reviewed what's left to be done and it ain't going to happen without a lot of help, which they don't have lined up. I've got my tarps and canopy in the car for the garage sale and DH's out picking up colored dots I can tag everything with for the sale. I'm just hoping I can wrestle up some of the local kids to help move all the stuff out of the basement and move the furniture back in place as the three of us can't lift much (I inherited my bad back from Mom). Oh, and I found out that Mom fell in the yard and broke her tailbone (apparently she's sitting on a phone book...the woman is a nurse, and she read the phonebook remedy online LOL)!
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
I'll try to check in this week...I'm taking the laptop and I'm hoping I can find some wireless to tap into (not that I don't trust you children or anything LOL!). Happy weekend all! If you're in Columbus, stop by the garage sale next weekend and I'll load your car up with goodies!
A small wrench in my plans this week...Today's our 28th Anniversary and we had plans for a nice dinner out (don't tell my folks please). Instead I'm doing laundry and packing my bags tonight.
More family drama and I'm back to my parent's home in Ohio for the third time for the week (don't remind DH, but I'll be missing my birthday and his this week...can't be helped). They're panicking about getting done for the garage sale next Friday (no progress with that at all since I left and there's lots more to come out of the house...not that we won't give everything left to charity, but there's seriously a truckload now and we need to get rid of as much as possible) and the house goes on the market the following Friday. I've reviewed what's left to be done and it ain't going to happen without a lot of help, which they don't have lined up. I've got my tarps and canopy in the car for the garage sale and DH's out picking up colored dots I can tag everything with for the sale. I'm just hoping I can wrestle up some of the local kids to help move all the stuff out of the basement and move the furniture back in place as the three of us can't lift much (I inherited my bad back from Mom). Oh, and I found out that Mom fell in the yard and broke her tailbone (apparently she's sitting on a phone book...the woman is a nurse, and she read the phonebook remedy online LOL)!
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
I'll try to check in this week...I'm taking the laptop and I'm hoping I can find some wireless to tap into (not that I don't trust you children or anything LOL!). Happy weekend all! If you're in Columbus, stop by the garage sale next weekend and I'll load your car up with goodies!
Friday, April 23, 2010
4/23/10 Thank You Note
To: Our LB Bandiversary Party Attendees
From: Fluffy and Phil (LB & Port)
Phil here...Thank you for attending our Bandiversary Party! Fluff and I have had a great first year together! I'll apologize now for arriving at the party kicking and screaming (so embarrassing). I need to tell you that four times this year Fluffy told me she was taking me out and we were 'going to do some shots' (always a good time with Fluff as she gets tight and I get lucky)...and I got really angry when she got all puffed up laughing at me each time when I ended up at the hospital stabbed instead. So sorry for the embarrassing arrival...and thanks (more than you know) for the Jell-O shots at the party. BTW in case you haven't seen her lately, Fluffy has been putting on weight all year (but don't tell her I was the one who told you)...it's OK, I like her curves (although I think there's some silicone or saline involved in some of those curves, if you get my drift). I hear there was a rumor going around at the party that Fluffy is thinking about replacing me in her life and I'm flipping out...totally deflated...I hope there will be a year-two Bandiversary party...
Hey GF's (Fluffy here). Thanks so much...the party was a blast and thanks for all the diamonds, jewels, and rocker clothing (I'll be wearing them when we go on tour this summer). Phil is an idiot...does he not know I can read?...and how many times are you going to fall for the 'Doing Shots' routine Phil?! Did you girls SEE Phil at the party...no, I mean after he stopped blubbering like a school girl and realized we really WERE at a party and WERE 'going to do shots'...was he 'happy to see you' wild girls or what (talk about ME 'puffing up this year' Phil!). I HAVE been thinking about replacing you Phil, but then I got a little tight with all the Jell-O shots at the party and slipped up, and well...you rock my band Phil (size, sometimes matters...no low-profile for me...and we have a great connection). See you next year all!
From: Fluffy and Phil (LB & Port)
Phil here...Thank you for attending our Bandiversary Party! Fluff and I have had a great first year together! I'll apologize now for arriving at the party kicking and screaming (so embarrassing). I need to tell you that four times this year Fluffy told me she was taking me out and we were 'going to do some shots' (always a good time with Fluff as she gets tight and I get lucky)...and I got really angry when she got all puffed up laughing at me each time when I ended up at the hospital stabbed instead. So sorry for the embarrassing arrival...and thanks (more than you know) for the Jell-O shots at the party. BTW in case you haven't seen her lately, Fluffy has been putting on weight all year (but don't tell her I was the one who told you)...it's OK, I like her curves (although I think there's some silicone or saline involved in some of those curves, if you get my drift). I hear there was a rumor going around at the party that Fluffy is thinking about replacing me in her life and I'm flipping out...totally deflated...I hope there will be a year-two Bandiversary party...
Hey GF's (Fluffy here). Thanks so much...the party was a blast and thanks for all the diamonds, jewels, and rocker clothing (I'll be wearing them when we go on tour this summer). Phil is an idiot...does he not know I can read?...and how many times are you going to fall for the 'Doing Shots' routine Phil?! Did you girls SEE Phil at the party...no, I mean after he stopped blubbering like a school girl and realized we really WERE at a party and WERE 'going to do shots'...was he 'happy to see you' wild girls or what (talk about ME 'puffing up this year' Phil!). I HAVE been thinking about replacing you Phil, but then I got a little tight with all the Jell-O shots at the party and slipped up, and well...you rock my band Phil (size, sometimes matters...no low-profile for me...and we have a great connection). See you next year all!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
4/22/10 Happy Bandiversary!
Let's get this party started!
My very first vlog....your gift for my Bandiversary Party! I wanted to reflect on the year. Sorry about the lighting...and OMG remind me not to sit between two windows again...my hair looks white and the downward light makes me look like I'm 100...I need a serious BDD intervention!
Hope this works!
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
My very first vlog....your gift for my Bandiversary Party! I wanted to reflect on the year. Sorry about the lighting...and OMG remind me not to sit between two windows again...my hair looks white and the downward light makes me look like I'm 100...I need a serious BDD intervention!
Hope this works!
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
4/21/10 152
Dag, I keep coming here and starting a short blog and then it expands (Who me? babble on and on? yes, you're all sick of my lengthy blogs anyway!) into a whole chapter...old habits LOL, and I miss your feedback! Anyway, the Cliff Notes: 152 lbs. this morning...great weight (stop punching me in the port and read on), and sadness...another link in my headband done.
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
Stay tuned...my Bandiversary is...
...TOMORROW!!!
Big party to plan!
P.S. bring gifts ;-) (I have a gift registery with LBT)
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
Stay tuned...my Bandiversary is...
...TOMORROW!!!
Big party to plan!
P.S. bring gifts ;-) (I have a gift registery with LBT)
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
4/20/10 New Sig!
Thank you GF (who shall remain anonymous) for the beautiful new signature (Check out my new LB/BG signature box at the bottom...and it's pink :-)!
Monday, April 19, 2010
4/19/10 Book Input; Your 'Moment'
I'm home and finally starting to work on the book in earnest. As I've said, yes, it will primarily be my journey and my viewpoint, but I plan to try very hard to represent all Lap Banders in this book and I want readers to at least know about all the choices/viewpoints along the way (you know how many choices you've had to make and how much bigger this journey is than any of us ever thought it would be). It's certainly going to make the 'tale' harder for me to write, but I can't imagine doing it any other way as sharing all the choices and those things our Surgeon's don't know/didn't teach us is the whole point.
I'll periodically post questions (no, not for every little thing, just for items I need input on) as well as the information I'm already planning to include (some is my experience, but it also includes all the things I've seen/learned from others in my years learning about the LB), so you won't have to repeat answers I'm already planning to include. I'll let you know if I need detail, but hopefully I'll mostly be looking for brief answers (like the ones below). I can't promise to include everything, but I do promise not to quote anyone (if you ever feel more comfortable answering in private you can send me an email). As you know, there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers on any of our journeys! I'll thank you now for sharing!
OK, let's start with an easy one/example that I've already written and see how this works (or if I suck at explanations). Here's the question and all the possible brief answers/categories I came up with...if you feel your answer doesn't fit into one of these answers/categories, let me know (I don't need the whole story this time, just if you have a new category/answer).
Thanks again all!
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO (TRIGGERED) THE 'MOMENT' WHERE YOU FIRST DECIDED TO EVEN CONSIDER WLS (Even if you'd thought about it for years, there had to be a 'moment' in considering where you moved from 'thinking' to 'doing')?
- Doctor's input or obesity related health issues (including physical limitations)
- Weight/number on the scale, or size/clothing
- Embarrassing weight moment
- Seeing yourself; mirror, photo, video
- Someone else suggested it
- Learned of someones success with WLS
I'll periodically post questions (no, not for every little thing, just for items I need input on) as well as the information I'm already planning to include (some is my experience, but it also includes all the things I've seen/learned from others in my years learning about the LB), so you won't have to repeat answers I'm already planning to include. I'll let you know if I need detail, but hopefully I'll mostly be looking for brief answers (like the ones below). I can't promise to include everything, but I do promise not to quote anyone (if you ever feel more comfortable answering in private you can send me an email). As you know, there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers on any of our journeys! I'll thank you now for sharing!
OK, let's start with an easy one/example that I've already written and see how this works (or if I suck at explanations). Here's the question and all the possible brief answers/categories I came up with...if you feel your answer doesn't fit into one of these answers/categories, let me know (I don't need the whole story this time, just if you have a new category/answer).
Thanks again all!
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO (TRIGGERED) THE 'MOMENT' WHERE YOU FIRST DECIDED TO EVEN CONSIDER WLS (Even if you'd thought about it for years, there had to be a 'moment' in considering where you moved from 'thinking' to 'doing')?
- Doctor's input or obesity related health issues (including physical limitations)
- Weight/number on the scale, or size/clothing
- Embarrassing weight moment
- Seeing yourself; mirror, photo, video
- Someone else suggested it
- Learned of someones success with WLS
Sunday, April 18, 2010
4/18/10 Who ARE you people?!!
HOLY MOTHER OF LAP BANDS! The one week in my blogging life where I had NO access to the Internet and all HELL breaks loose!
As you know I was away being slave labor for my parents (yes, I owe them...and my kids owe me; trust me, I'm keeping tabs...29 hours of hard labor for the first child alone should get me a floor when I need one). Here I was kneeling for a week and straining muscles I never knew I had to get up and down off the floor a gazillion times (no, I could never have done this last year as my middle Sis pointed out...and I'm counting these as squats BTW...and can I just say again I have so many bruises it looks like someone hit me repeatedly with a baseball bat), and no, I didn't even ask for some music to work by (it would have been 1950-60's elevator 'muzack' anyway) because I had big things to think through in my solitude of working for a whole week! There I was ruining what was left of my fingernails and deep in thought contemplating chapters for the book...and now I was also suddenly tasked with which tropical beach location I could plan a Band getaway to, since all my blogger friends were suggesting a mini-vaca...How could I get all these non-OCD-spontaneous wild LBers enticed to meet me somewhere fun (the Midwest in Fall, where I live, would NEVER do for these gals)...and while I was offline deep in thought over these life shattering issues and solving worldof Blogger problems.......and my blogging world blew up LOL!
All this time you led me to believe that I was the ONLY 'almost' OCD planner out here with anal tendencies and compulsions to create spreadsheets out the gazoo with detailed lists of possible activities/phone numbers/addresses/maps even a full 6 months before our family vacations. All this time you sat back and poked fun of my 'planning crazy', my labels on my refrigerator shelves and my pantry shelvesoops, did I just say this out loud?. You laughed at my comparisons of the three LB seminars I attended, my 'Questions to Ask the Surgeon', my research into my port-site location and my port-hole belly pic. Do you even remember what happened when I posted my 'Overnight Hospital Packing List' for surgery on LBT?!! I was chided so much I was afraid to post again for a week!!! Did anyone ever chime in to say they had a longer list?...emmmh...no. I was ALONE with my almost-OCD planning...and now...my blog world has turned upside down!
I came home and turned on my computer this morning to check my week's worth of emails...WHAT ARE ALL THESE EMAILS ABOUT 'BOOBS'? Haven't I told them repeatedly that I've lost my boobs (I'm still looking for them and there's a reward if you find them BTW)? WHAT'S THIS? These wild, spontaneous, laugh at my planning, LB girls have planned a weekend getaway?!! In a week?!!! How long was I really gone (I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone)?!! They've picked a city (Midwest in the Fall...Really LOL?! I was thinking it would take Mickey Mouse or at least a warm beach J and the promise of Cabana Boys with umbrella drinks!), AND a date?!! They've got a logo (too cute Joey)...they've got activities (Is a '5k' the name of a new cocktail?)...and some of them already have flights booked?!! Seriously, did I just wake up from a year long food-coma? How long have I been gone?!
You pick the ONE week I'm offline to go all OCD on me?!! I missed all the suggesting, voting, the list making, the new blog creating, the research and planning...even SPREADSHEETS?...I MISSED my DREAM week in 'almost' OCD-land?!! *Hangs head and sniffles*
WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!! ...and what have you done with my wild, spontaneous, non-'almost' OCD blogging friends?!!! You're all officially out of the 'almost' OCD/planner closet now! I'm SO not alone anymore.
Now excuse me while I go off to find out more about 'BOOBs'.
As you know I was away being slave labor for my parents (yes, I owe them...and my kids owe me; trust me, I'm keeping tabs...29 hours of hard labor for the first child alone should get me a floor when I need one). Here I was kneeling for a week and straining muscles I never knew I had to get up and down off the floor a gazillion times (no, I could never have done this last year as my middle Sis pointed out...and I'm counting these as squats BTW...and can I just say again I have so many bruises it looks like someone hit me repeatedly with a baseball bat), and no, I didn't even ask for some music to work by (it would have been 1950-60's elevator 'muzack' anyway) because I had big things to think through in my solitude of working for a whole week! There I was ruining what was left of my fingernails and deep in thought contemplating chapters for the book...and now I was also suddenly tasked with which tropical beach location I could plan a Band getaway to, since all my blogger friends were suggesting a mini-vaca...How could I get all these non-OCD-spontaneous wild LBers enticed to meet me somewhere fun (the Midwest in Fall, where I live, would NEVER do for these gals)...and while I was offline deep in thought over these life shattering issues and solving world
All this time you led me to believe that I was the ONLY 'almost' OCD planner out here with anal tendencies and compulsions to create spreadsheets out the gazoo with detailed lists of possible activities/phone numbers/addresses/maps even a full 6 months before our family vacations. All this time you sat back and poked fun of my 'planning crazy', my labels on my refrigerator shelves and my pantry shelves
I came home and turned on my computer this morning to check my week's worth of emails...WHAT ARE ALL THESE EMAILS ABOUT 'BOOBS'? Haven't I told them repeatedly that I've lost my boobs (I'm still looking for them and there's a reward if you find them BTW)? WHAT'S THIS? These wild, spontaneous, laugh at my planning, LB girls have planned a weekend getaway?!! In a week?!!! How long was I really gone (I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone)?!! They've picked a city (Midwest in the Fall...Really LOL?! I was thinking it would take Mickey Mouse or at least a warm beach J and the promise of Cabana Boys with umbrella drinks!), AND a date?!! They've got a logo (too cute Joey)...they've got activities (Is a '5k' the name of a new cocktail?)...and some of them already have flights booked?!! Seriously, did I just wake up from a year long food-coma? How long have I been gone?!
You pick the ONE week I'm offline to go all OCD on me?!! I missed all the suggesting, voting, the list making, the new blog creating, the research and planning...even SPREADSHEETS?...I MISSED my DREAM week in 'almost' OCD-land?!! *Hangs head and sniffles*
WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!! ...and what have you done with my wild, spontaneous, non-'almost' OCD blogging friends?!!! You're all officially out of the 'almost' OCD/planner closet now! I'm SO not alone anymore.
Now excuse me while I go off to find out more about 'BOOBs'.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
4/17/10 I'm Back!
Off the grid for a week and I've missed you all terribly, my blog buddies!
I'm exhausted, physically and emotionally, but wanted to send a quick note to let you know I'm home safe and sound (well, not so mentally sound, but you already know that)! I spent the week working hard on the parents home getting it ready for putting it up for sale. I learned some new skills...putting in the laminate floor in the foyer took two days and three of my siblings playing Twister for awhile...and lots of Catholic school girl cursing...let's just say 'snap together' is a little harder than the description implies...especially when you have to snap the short ends AND the long ends in at 45 degree angles...it can't be done...trust me. I had my Dad playing 'Mother May I' taking 2 steps forward or back to stand on the part I had done while I was cursing the laminate into submission. I wish I could have put in tile (it would have gone much faster), but the linoleum bricks under it we wanted to cover up, couldn't be removed.
I also put a vinyl floor into their bathroom and dressing room...another new skill...finished that one around 10pm the other night.
Well, I got all the flooring done, the quarter round trim nailed back down, and new threshold plates in, along with patching the cement in the garage and some other odd jobs. I taught myself how to use a pneumatic nailer (air gun), circular saw, and a jigsaw. No fingers are missing, but I've got lots of bruises to show for it. If I ever need a new profession, I've got mad skills in flooring now LOL! The good news is the house is in great shape now and hopefully will sell fast!
I drove back here with my parents on Friday evening and two of my sister's drove out today for DS2's Confirmation (think Bar Mitzvah, but for Catholics) and party this afternoon. My family returned to Ohio this evening. It's been a long and productive week! More soon! ((hugs all!))
I'm exhausted, physically and emotionally, but wanted to send a quick note to let you know I'm home safe and sound (well, not so mentally sound, but you already know that)! I spent the week working hard on the parents home getting it ready for putting it up for sale. I learned some new skills...putting in the laminate floor in the foyer took two days and three of my siblings playing Twister for awhile...and lots of Catholic school girl cursing...let's just say 'snap together' is a little harder than the description implies...especially when you have to snap the short ends AND the long ends in at 45 degree angles...it can't be done...trust me. I had my Dad playing 'Mother May I' taking 2 steps forward or back to stand on the part I had done while I was cursing the laminate into submission. I wish I could have put in tile (it would have gone much faster), but the linoleum bricks under it we wanted to cover up, couldn't be removed.
I also put a vinyl floor into their bathroom and dressing room...another new skill...finished that one around 10pm the other night.
Well, I got all the flooring done, the quarter round trim nailed back down, and new threshold plates in, along with patching the cement in the garage and some other odd jobs. I taught myself how to use a pneumatic nailer (air gun), circular saw, and a jigsaw. No fingers are missing, but I've got lots of bruises to show for it. If I ever need a new profession, I've got mad skills in flooring now LOL! The good news is the house is in great shape now and hopefully will sell fast!
I drove back here with my parents on Friday evening and two of my sister's drove out today for DS2's Confirmation (think Bar Mitzvah, but for Catholics) and party this afternoon. My family returned to Ohio this evening. It's been a long and productive week! More soon! ((hugs all!))
Saturday, April 10, 2010
4/10/10 Feel the LB Love!
Wow, what can I say, but thank you all so much for your wonderful words of support and encouragement! I've been tearing up every time I come back to read them. I'm going to print them all out and tack them up where I can see them every time this new journey gets frustrating.
I'm so happy you can also see the need for this and I can only hope that I can represent all our LB journeys well. I'll certainly be asking for your help as I go along and you're all welcome to come pick up your book at the end (published or not...I do have a printer LOL). Sorry I live in Pittsburgh and not somewhere more tropical with a beach for you to visit!
Please, please, please, leave me comments or drop me an email whenever you need some support, help, want to chat, or just want to make sure I read something (I'll try to keep reading as much as I can).
I'm off tomorrow to Ohio to work at the parent's home again so I'll probably be off the grid all week. I'm laying flooring in three rooms, and buffing up all their old hardwood floors so wish me luck LOL! As emotionally hard as this is, the home no longer looks like my childhood home, so I'm looking forward to this process being over and having them settled in their beautiful new retirement place.
Talk to you when I'm back. ((hugs)) All! Love, BG
I'm so happy you can also see the need for this and I can only hope that I can represent all our LB journeys well. I'll certainly be asking for your help as I go along and you're all welcome to come pick up your book at the end (published or not...I do have a printer LOL). Sorry I live in Pittsburgh and not somewhere more tropical with a beach for you to visit!
Please, please, please, leave me comments or drop me an email whenever you need some support, help, want to chat, or just want to make sure I read something (I'll try to keep reading as much as I can).
I'm off tomorrow to Ohio to work at the parent's home again so I'll probably be off the grid all week. I'm laying flooring in three rooms, and buffing up all their old hardwood floors so wish me luck LOL! As emotionally hard as this is, the home no longer looks like my childhood home, so I'm looking forward to this process being over and having them settled in their beautiful new retirement place.
Talk to you when I'm back. ((hugs)) All! Love, BG
Friday, April 9, 2010
4/9/10 **PLEASE READ**
I'll apologize now for the book length of this post. I'm sure I could have broken this down into about five posts, but I thought it was best to say everything together...It's the hardest post I've written yet. I'll thank you in advance for reading it…thank you.
I seriously didn't even know what a blog was until I stumbled upon a section of them on LBT as I was beginning my LB research. I think blogging is kind of like our LB journeys...we all have to figure out what we need and what works best for us and do it. I started my blog the same way I started my LB journey...I had to learn to put me at the top of the list for once. I selfishly (allowed myself to take the time) started a 'journal' (blog) for me where I could document my journey and research things I was interested in along the way. Journaling is something I've tried to do at several other points in my life (yeah, my whole family had gratitude journals one year), it always ended as fast as it started, but it intrigued me. I looked at the blogs on LBT and it seemed like a 'safe' and tiny place where only a few people even commented on blogs, so I really expected to just be writing for me. I can't tell you how surprised I was when people started to comment and how much I appreciated all the things I learned from other LBers helping me. It soon became such a wonderful and unexpected support system for me and when I got Banded, I tried hard to pay-it-forward and be there for others. There are a group of us that are/were long-term bloggers there, but mainly there are/were lots of soon-to-be or newly banded bloggers needing help and support. The comment I loved to get was that 'whenever I need help, I know I can count on you to answer'. I was so thrilled by my LB results even at that point and all the support that I'd gotten...I felt like I had been saved and helped in so many ways that would impact my life forever.
I've tried to be honest about my happy, but not so perfect life and my not so perfect LB journey. I write whatever I'm feeling that day and I try to write with the same voice I'd be speaking to myself with (yes, some days I talk like a crazy person, and I have lots of days where I just want to laugh, but that's me too). I think the biggest compliment people can pay me in my blogging is for them to say that I've said something they've been feeling, they've learned something that will help them, and that they feel like they know me...because you know what? They do.
As I came to my Blogiversary last Fall I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I wanted to continue paying it forward, but several other Blogger's on LBT had been encouraging me for awhile to move to Blogger (and so did others on other WL sites I visit now and then) and they told me that I'd be able to reach more people looking into the LB (Kathi was my main Blogger promoter, thanks GF). I was a little nervous about it as I knew that others were following me on LBT (even though there weren't 'followers' I could see by page hits that I had over 70,000 page hits in a year). Let me stop and say here, that I'm just stating facts…anything that might sound like a 'brag' is SO not me (most know that I'm a super humble person), but you never know how things come across when you write. Anyway, as the Holiday's drew near I looked into it more and decided that it was a good idea and I'd move the blog after the New Year.
I made another big decision with my blog move. I decided I'd move my blog without any of the funny pics I loved to use that made me laugh. I decided I'd focus more on my LB journey and less on my day to day life and the silliness that is me (no, not taking that completely out, but there was a point to all this seriousness I'm getting to, so hang with me here).
I know this is the scariest blog I've ever written (oooo spooky). I'm not a woman who generally gets scared about what I do (OK, you know I am scared of the dark still, but I have no control over the Boogie Man...yet). I've given presentations in front of hundreds of people and never batted an eyelash. I think I've shared that in the past, I've sometimes had trouble pushing the 'publish' button when I've gotten a little deep here, but I've learned over time to trust that the people who love me may not always have the same viewpoint, but they'll respect my honesty and that I've shared mine...and more times than not, more people than I'd ever imagine feel the same way and were grateful that someone articulated it. Let me say that again...I've learned to trust my readers...that's important...I don't feel scared anymore publishing any post...except now I'm nervous again...just a little.
I'm wondering if those that have been following me for a long time have seen at least a little change in me since my move over to 'Blogger'. Maybe it's just me, you know how we tend to magnify things when we know we're hiding something (yes, I have been). You see I know that there has been a change, because I know there's been one.
You see, I decided with the move that either my blog would peter out or I'd be trying to do something more to pay-it-forward. Let me go back and tell you that from the very first weeks of my blog I had people sending me private messages telling me how much they enjoyed it, or felt the same way and soon I was getting lots of messages telling me that I needed to write a book (again, I'm just stating the facts). I was flattered, but laughed it off saying I'm no writer, but thanks for the support. Here's the thing, even a year later I was regularly getting Private Messages, emails or Comments with people telling me they'd read my whole blog start to finish and that I needed to write a book (many during their recovery and let me just say...reading my year of blogs is a big feat...I'm sure it's longer than any book...you know I can't describe unpacking the gauze in my belly button without five paragraphs LOL...it totally amazed me how many people did this).
I started to think that maybe there was a need for more information out there from a Bander's perspective. I've looked at the LB books and all of them are written by Drs.; there's one that's written by a LBer and her Drs. but a lot of it is also from a medical perspective. I think you'd all agree with me that this LB journey has been so much huger than any of us originally thought it would be...I've gotten so much more from others going through their journeys than any LB Dr. will ever know (unless they have one). I think there's so much more that can be shared that would help newbies just starting out than what our Docs tell us. The fact that I had so many people reading my whole blog tells me that there's a need for this information out there.
When I moved the blog the end of January I made a deal with myself...I'd get rid of my funny pics (I thought that was the only reason people followed me) and if people were still interested and if I was still getting comments and emails about writing a book, then I'd try it...yes, you heard that right. To make sure I didn't chicken-out, the week I moved the blog, I told my DH what I was planning...he was very surprised, but he'd support anything I do. More shocking to me than rapidly reaching those 100 first followers (and the horror of the before pics) was that the very first week on Blogger I got comments again about writing the book...the very same day I got an email from one of my LBT friends, Diane about writing a book...it was like I was getting signs...I told her the above and that I was going to try it...something about saying it committed me to the process. I told a few other friends who had contacted me (one was Lena, my LBT supporter and a published author, thanks GF) who supported the book idea as well. I spent my extra time January researching book writing, and making several outlines and then writing a few portions.
Here's the thing...by February I had so many Followers that I was finding it impossible to read/comment on others blogs and write the book. I decided that I was new to Blogger and that I needed to show the same support to others that I'd done on LBT so people could get to know me and so that I could give the support that was the reason I moved here. By March I could hardly keep up with all the blogs (on LBT there a lots of bloggers, but most of them are more like 'posts', short questions), here there are so many wonderful articulate bloggers and I wanted to read and support them all.
I've gotten three months into this blog move and now I've want to keep the promise that I made. I hope by now that you know me and that you know I don't want to stop supporting you, but I need to devote more time to this. I hope you won't desert me if I can't be giving you the support you need all the time. I'm not going to disappear, and I plan to keep blogging…I'm hoping to ask for your help with portions of the book (like TOM and post-band TOM changes…hysterectomy here). I want your opinions because I so value them. I don't want to represent just my opinions, but all the ways that others approach their band journey as well...as you know there are lots of choices we have to make along the way and no one way is the right way...just knowing all the choices would have helped me a lot.
So here's where I am now...I hope that I still have your support and for those of you that don't know me well yet, I hope you'll believe me when I tell you what my friend Diane told me last night when I was freaking out over what my new Blogger friends might think...that I'm doing this for all the right reasons. I really feel so blessed to have my LB and especially to have all the support and knowledge I've gained along the way. I really want to try and pay-it-forward to as many LBers as I can and that's the reason I'm trying this. After a little research I can tell you it's going to be a very long process (maybe a year), that 99% of book ideas submitted never get published (but I'll give it my best shot), if you want to make money being an author is not the way to do it. You know it would be a very limited audience of we LBers, and again, I'd just be thrilled to ever get this published.
I'll need your help and support more than ever along this new path I'm taking. I know by the time this is finished most of you will be at maintenance and won't need this information, but I hope you feel like I do that this LB journey has been such a learning experience that for the newbies just starting a book that they'll be able to relate and turn to might just make their journey a little easier. Thanks as always for listening. Here goes that 'publish' button...
I seriously didn't even know what a blog was until I stumbled upon a section of them on LBT as I was beginning my LB research. I think blogging is kind of like our LB journeys...we all have to figure out what we need and what works best for us and do it. I started my blog the same way I started my LB journey...I had to learn to put me at the top of the list for once. I selfishly (allowed myself to take the time) started a 'journal' (blog) for me where I could document my journey and research things I was interested in along the way. Journaling is something I've tried to do at several other points in my life (yeah, my whole family had gratitude journals one year), it always ended as fast as it started, but it intrigued me. I looked at the blogs on LBT and it seemed like a 'safe' and tiny place where only a few people even commented on blogs, so I really expected to just be writing for me. I can't tell you how surprised I was when people started to comment and how much I appreciated all the things I learned from other LBers helping me. It soon became such a wonderful and unexpected support system for me and when I got Banded, I tried hard to pay-it-forward and be there for others. There are a group of us that are/were long-term bloggers there, but mainly there are/were lots of soon-to-be or newly banded bloggers needing help and support. The comment I loved to get was that 'whenever I need help, I know I can count on you to answer'. I was so thrilled by my LB results even at that point and all the support that I'd gotten...I felt like I had been saved and helped in so many ways that would impact my life forever.
I've tried to be honest about my happy, but not so perfect life and my not so perfect LB journey. I write whatever I'm feeling that day and I try to write with the same voice I'd be speaking to myself with (yes, some days I talk like a crazy person, and I have lots of days where I just want to laugh, but that's me too). I think the biggest compliment people can pay me in my blogging is for them to say that I've said something they've been feeling, they've learned something that will help them, and that they feel like they know me...because you know what? They do.
As I came to my Blogiversary last Fall I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I wanted to continue paying it forward, but several other Blogger's on LBT had been encouraging me for awhile to move to Blogger (and so did others on other WL sites I visit now and then) and they told me that I'd be able to reach more people looking into the LB (Kathi was my main Blogger promoter, thanks GF). I was a little nervous about it as I knew that others were following me on LBT (even though there weren't 'followers' I could see by page hits that I had over 70,000 page hits in a year). Let me stop and say here, that I'm just stating facts…anything that might sound like a 'brag' is SO not me (most know that I'm a super humble person), but you never know how things come across when you write. Anyway, as the Holiday's drew near I looked into it more and decided that it was a good idea and I'd move the blog after the New Year.
I made another big decision with my blog move. I decided I'd move my blog without any of the funny pics I loved to use that made me laugh. I decided I'd focus more on my LB journey and less on my day to day life and the silliness that is me (no, not taking that completely out, but there was a point to all this seriousness I'm getting to, so hang with me here).
I know this is the scariest blog I've ever written (oooo spooky). I'm not a woman who generally gets scared about what I do (OK, you know I am scared of the dark still, but I have no control over the Boogie Man...yet). I've given presentations in front of hundreds of people and never batted an eyelash. I think I've shared that in the past, I've sometimes had trouble pushing the 'publish' button when I've gotten a little deep here, but I've learned over time to trust that the people who love me may not always have the same viewpoint, but they'll respect my honesty and that I've shared mine...and more times than not, more people than I'd ever imagine feel the same way and were grateful that someone articulated it. Let me say that again...I've learned to trust my readers...that's important...I don't feel scared anymore publishing any post...except now I'm nervous again...just a little.
I'm wondering if those that have been following me for a long time have seen at least a little change in me since my move over to 'Blogger'. Maybe it's just me, you know how we tend to magnify things when we know we're hiding something (yes, I have been). You see I know that there has been a change, because I know there's been one.
You see, I decided with the move that either my blog would peter out or I'd be trying to do something more to pay-it-forward. Let me go back and tell you that from the very first weeks of my blog I had people sending me private messages telling me how much they enjoyed it, or felt the same way and soon I was getting lots of messages telling me that I needed to write a book (again, I'm just stating the facts). I was flattered, but laughed it off saying I'm no writer, but thanks for the support. Here's the thing, even a year later I was regularly getting Private Messages, emails or Comments with people telling me they'd read my whole blog start to finish and that I needed to write a book (many during their recovery and let me just say...reading my year of blogs is a big feat...I'm sure it's longer than any book...you know I can't describe unpacking the gauze in my belly button without five paragraphs LOL...it totally amazed me how many people did this).
I started to think that maybe there was a need for more information out there from a Bander's perspective. I've looked at the LB books and all of them are written by Drs.; there's one that's written by a LBer and her Drs. but a lot of it is also from a medical perspective. I think you'd all agree with me that this LB journey has been so much huger than any of us originally thought it would be...I've gotten so much more from others going through their journeys than any LB Dr. will ever know (unless they have one). I think there's so much more that can be shared that would help newbies just starting out than what our Docs tell us. The fact that I had so many people reading my whole blog tells me that there's a need for this information out there.
When I moved the blog the end of January I made a deal with myself...I'd get rid of my funny pics (I thought that was the only reason people followed me) and if people were still interested and if I was still getting comments and emails about writing a book, then I'd try it...yes, you heard that right. To make sure I didn't chicken-out, the week I moved the blog, I told my DH what I was planning...he was very surprised, but he'd support anything I do. More shocking to me than rapidly reaching those 100 first followers (and the horror of the before pics) was that the very first week on Blogger I got comments again about writing the book...the very same day I got an email from one of my LBT friends, Diane about writing a book...it was like I was getting signs...I told her the above and that I was going to try it...something about saying it committed me to the process. I told a few other friends who had contacted me (one was Lena, my LBT supporter and a published author, thanks GF) who supported the book idea as well. I spent my extra time January researching book writing, and making several outlines and then writing a few portions.
Here's the thing...by February I had so many Followers that I was finding it impossible to read/comment on others blogs and write the book. I decided that I was new to Blogger and that I needed to show the same support to others that I'd done on LBT so people could get to know me and so that I could give the support that was the reason I moved here. By March I could hardly keep up with all the blogs (on LBT there a lots of bloggers, but most of them are more like 'posts', short questions), here there are so many wonderful articulate bloggers and I wanted to read and support them all.
I've gotten three months into this blog move and now I've want to keep the promise that I made. I hope by now that you know me and that you know I don't want to stop supporting you, but I need to devote more time to this. I hope you won't desert me if I can't be giving you the support you need all the time. I'm not going to disappear, and I plan to keep blogging…I'm hoping to ask for your help with portions of the book (like TOM and post-band TOM changes…hysterectomy here). I want your opinions because I so value them. I don't want to represent just my opinions, but all the ways that others approach their band journey as well...as you know there are lots of choices we have to make along the way and no one way is the right way...just knowing all the choices would have helped me a lot.
So here's where I am now...I hope that I still have your support and for those of you that don't know me well yet, I hope you'll believe me when I tell you what my friend Diane told me last night when I was freaking out over what my new Blogger friends might think...that I'm doing this for all the right reasons. I really feel so blessed to have my LB and especially to have all the support and knowledge I've gained along the way. I really want to try and pay-it-forward to as many LBers as I can and that's the reason I'm trying this. After a little research I can tell you it's going to be a very long process (maybe a year), that 99% of book ideas submitted never get published (but I'll give it my best shot), if you want to make money being an author is not the way to do it. You know it would be a very limited audience of we LBers, and again, I'd just be thrilled to ever get this published.
I'll need your help and support more than ever along this new path I'm taking. I know by the time this is finished most of you will be at maintenance and won't need this information, but I hope you feel like I do that this LB journey has been such a learning experience that for the newbies just starting a book that they'll be able to relate and turn to might just make their journey a little easier. Thanks as always for listening. Here goes that 'publish' button...
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
4/7/10 The Black Hole
OK, after grossing you all out (sorry about the Sunkist Amy, really I am...I know how much you enjoy them) and freaking out about what everyone said about their gauze experiences, I decided to 'take matters into my own hands' (6 words that get every Dr. grimacing...I'm a Dr's. worst nightmare). I got out my surgical tools and with a shout of 'I'm comin' in!' and after an hour of yanking and cutting (the gauze, not me...*sigh* I should have married a Dr.) I finally got all the gauze that isn't permanently attached, detached...with only a few drops of blood. The steri strips are still there...as well as a few other (as Camille said) 'gnarly' things that trust me, no one wants to see (your eyes would fall out and then we'd just have chasms everywhere). I have decided to rename this body part the 'Black Hole'...'Belly Button' just isn't fitting anymore. The chasm is deep and wide...it ain't pretty. Let me show you...
Oh, there's that last Easter egg we couldn't find!
No I am not laying down for this pic...I'm standing upright...and the egg does not stick out past the hole at all...and trust me, the egg is NOT in as far as it can go at all...It's a Black Hole, that's why! If I put it all the way in I may never get it out again! (Dr's worst nightmare, remember)...well that and it's too sore for me to push it in. In fact, let me show you that it doesn't stick out.
Ain't nothing cute about this swollen belly Draz. I'm going to need a mighty big diamond to fill this hole (thank you Lori for the suggestion...diamond is the gemstone for April birthdays after all)...I think I'll give the egg to DH to take to the jeweler for sizing...naw, the smartazz knows I'm the Holiday Queen (although Judi is giving me a run for my money) and will just go buy some more 'holiday decorations' for every holiday to decorate my Black Hole.
*sigh* I DO have all the weirdest things happen to me!
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
**Update**
As if this day couldn't get any better than getting the gauze out of the black hole...my GF dropped in and look what she brought me (just guess which one is for the kids...I'm still deciding too). She was in Virginia when I had my GB surgery and I think I mentioned hers just came out and I was doing sleepovers with her kids...whe was in the hospital all week for hers (see, things can always be worse!). Oh and she brought me a whole bag of her too big pants to boot YAY!
Oh, there's that last Easter egg we couldn't find!
No I am not laying down for this pic...I'm standing upright...and the egg does not stick out past the hole at all...and trust me, the egg is NOT in as far as it can go at all...It's a Black Hole, that's why! If I put it all the way in I may never get it out again! (Dr's worst nightmare, remember)...well that and it's too sore for me to push it in. In fact, let me show you that it doesn't stick out.
Ain't nothing cute about this swollen belly Draz. I'm going to need a mighty big diamond to fill this hole (thank you Lori for the suggestion...diamond is the gemstone for April birthdays after all)...I think I'll give the egg to DH to take to the jeweler for sizing...naw, the smartazz knows I'm the Holiday Queen (although Judi is giving me a run for my money) and will just go buy some more 'holiday decorations' for every holiday to decorate my Black Hole.
*sigh* I DO have all the weirdest things happen to me!
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book
**Update**
As if this day couldn't get any better than getting the gauze out of the black hole...my GF dropped in and look what she brought me (just guess which one is for the kids...I'm still deciding too). She was in Virginia when I had my GB surgery and I think I mentioned hers just came out and I was doing sleepovers with her kids...whe was in the hospital all week for hers (see, things can always be worse!). Oh and she brought me a whole bag of her too big pants to boot YAY!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
4/4/10 In My Easter Bonnet...
Put on your Easter bonnet, fancy dress, stiletto's, and gloves, because it's time for another award dinner...
The Rules for this award:
1. When you have received this award you must thank the person that awarded you the award in a new post.
Thank you Ms. Drazil at http://justmedrazil.blogspot.com/ you always make my day brighter and I'm so glad we found each other at the beginning of our 'Blogger' endeavors. I love that we are a lot alike (she's a perfectionist organizer that color codes like I do...I'd call her a little bit OCD like I am, but I've already called the girl and 'all around whore' and she's also sensitive) and that you're brave enough to show your whole self and get deep at times even though we're both all kinds of crazy most of the time. Your the best example of what I've learned from my skinny GF's (yes you are skinny sweetie), it doesn't matter how much you want to lose or how you're doing it, it's the same tough battle. Love you!
Thank you Ms. Sally at http://myspats.blogspot.com/ (I'm hoping this is the right award Sally, so sorry Blogger ate your blog...hate it when that happens!). She always has some positive support to give with a smile and she's a great mum and I love that she's following her passion in a new career! We both love crafty stuff and I love that she and I have the same weakness for wine and chocolate (no, neither one of us over-indulge you lushes!)...not just ANY chocolate, OH NO, good chocolate...it's like a fine wine...we have discriminating taste...and wine and chocolate when mixed together... well, we're doomed...good luck on Easter Sally...we'll need it! Love you!
2. Name 10 things that make you happy.
1. My DH who is right now vacuuming my kitchen floor, even though I've been a grump all week. He loves me despite myself and he still makes me laugh.
2. My 3 kids who will always be my babies. I still check in on them sleeping when they're here...they're my angels and I'm so proud of each of them.
3. My scale...most days.
4. My renewed health and being able to move more easily.
5. Food...I love it more than ever and I've gotten snobbier about wanting really good food. Chocolate, raspberries, wine.
6. Gardening; it's my meditation
7. Dancing like the world is watching.
8. Doing anything creative...it feeds my soul.
9. Traveling to new places, meeting new people, and learning new things.
10.My friends; my girlfriends including all of you...Who would know I would find so many strong, smart, and wonderful women (and men) who enriched my life every day on what I thought was the scary internet LOL.
3. Pass this award on to 10 bloggers & inform them.
I'll remind you that the thing I love most about these awards is finding out about new bloggers to follow; so I'll nominate those I haven't yet, so you can check them out!
1. Lori at http://ldswims-journeytoembrace.blogspot.com/
My heart is always with the newbies starting out as I remember the fear and frustrations and that's how I met Lori. Everyone send her some good 'approval vibes' as she's done everything asked of her, and more for over 6 months now, and she now sits waiting for that elusive stamp of approval...get yee over there and give some LB love!
2. Amanda at http://amandakiska.blogspot.com/
I always love to see what Amanda has to say. She's always learning something new and her love for her family comes across in every blog. I have mucho empathy for anyone who's going through bandster hell...first fill...a whole bagel sandwich...nuff said...she's going to do great.
3. Athena at http://athenasmelting.blogspot.com/
I'm glad she's back from her vaca and I hope this award takes her mind off the weigh in on Monday...duh, duh, duhhhhh...hey a little gain on a vaca is part of life and this new lifestyle we're all leading...don't sweat it girl!
4. Manda at http://candylandtobandland.blogspot.com/
Her little girls are beautiful and she's one of those mom's who doesn't just watch the easter egg Rice Krispy treat commercials...she lives it...and eats it...just a few...now that's a lifestyle! I admire anyone who can cook with style.
5. Vanessa at http://dinnerland.blogspot.com/
Vanessa was one of my first supporters on Blogger and I always love reading her blog. Her food philosophy is a lot like mine and I really enjoy watching her figure it all out and share it with us. She's a great mom and I love that she takes the fam to Dunkin Donuts every weekend and understands the importance of family rituals...I grew up going to Krispy Kreme every Sunday morning after mass and we have 'pancake day' at our house now on Sundays. You're making memories girl.
6. Lena at http://fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com/
Lena is a low carb bander and has many great recipes on her site...her soup recipes saved me just post-op. She was one of my first commenter's/followers (actually leader would be a bettter word) on LBT and is always a great supporter.
7. Carmen at http://mywittyblogtitle.blogspot.com/
I love that she's as curious about everything as I am ('can I feel the fill going to my band', etc.). She's smart and will never be invited to my house for Trivial Pursuit...one know-it-all is quite enough for me to deal with.
8. Jen http://andjustwhowereyouexpecting.blogspot.com/
She's running...in public...nuff said. Oh, and hold onto your seats...she'll be at ONEDERLAND any day now!! We're cheering you on Jen!
9. Jen http://www.jenisgonnaloseit.com/
We've both got three kids about the same ages. She's been going through some painful varicose vein surgery and is about to get the second leg done...my Mom and one sis suffer the pain with the same so I feel for her. Rest up Jen and feel better soon!
10. Dee http://kajungumbo.blogspot.com/
She's been through some tough times with losing a home to Katrina and trying to rebuild and yet she's positive and finds time for others. She's going on a well deserved vacation to Hawaii soon and already met her WL goal for that. Besides, we're the same age!
Happy Easter All!
The Rules for this award:
1. When you have received this award you must thank the person that awarded you the award in a new post.
Thank you Ms. Drazil at http://justmedrazil.blogspot.com/ you always make my day brighter and I'm so glad we found each other at the beginning of our 'Blogger' endeavors. I love that we are a lot alike (she's a perfectionist organizer that color codes like I do...I'd call her a little bit OCD like I am, but I've already called the girl and 'all around whore' and she's also sensitive) and that you're brave enough to show your whole self and get deep at times even though we're both all kinds of crazy most of the time. Your the best example of what I've learned from my skinny GF's (yes you are skinny sweetie), it doesn't matter how much you want to lose or how you're doing it, it's the same tough battle. Love you!
Thank you Ms. Sally at http://myspats.blogspot.com/ (I'm hoping this is the right award Sally, so sorry Blogger ate your blog...hate it when that happens!). She always has some positive support to give with a smile and she's a great mum and I love that she's following her passion in a new career! We both love crafty stuff and I love that she and I have the same weakness for wine and chocolate (no, neither one of us over-indulge you lushes!)...not just ANY chocolate, OH NO, good chocolate...it's like a fine wine...we have discriminating taste...and wine and chocolate when mixed together... well, we're doomed...good luck on Easter Sally...we'll need it! Love you!
2. Name 10 things that make you happy.
1. My DH who is right now vacuuming my kitchen floor, even though I've been a grump all week. He loves me despite myself and he still makes me laugh.
2. My 3 kids who will always be my babies. I still check in on them sleeping when they're here...they're my angels and I'm so proud of each of them.
3. My scale...most days.
4. My renewed health and being able to move more easily.
5. Food...I love it more than ever and I've gotten snobbier about wanting really good food. Chocolate, raspberries, wine.
6. Gardening; it's my meditation
7. Dancing like the world is watching.
8. Doing anything creative...it feeds my soul.
9. Traveling to new places, meeting new people, and learning new things.
10.My friends; my girlfriends including all of you...Who would know I would find so many strong, smart, and wonderful women (and men) who enriched my life every day on what I thought was the scary internet LOL.
3. Pass this award on to 10 bloggers & inform them.
I'll remind you that the thing I love most about these awards is finding out about new bloggers to follow; so I'll nominate those I haven't yet, so you can check them out!
1. Lori at http://ldswims-journeytoembrace.blogspot.com/
My heart is always with the newbies starting out as I remember the fear and frustrations and that's how I met Lori. Everyone send her some good 'approval vibes' as she's done everything asked of her, and more for over 6 months now, and she now sits waiting for that elusive stamp of approval...get yee over there and give some LB love!
2. Amanda at http://amandakiska.blogspot.com/
I always love to see what Amanda has to say. She's always learning something new and her love for her family comes across in every blog. I have mucho empathy for anyone who's going through bandster hell...first fill...a whole bagel sandwich...nuff said...she's going to do great.
3. Athena at http://athenasmelting.blogspot.com/
I'm glad she's back from her vaca and I hope this award takes her mind off the weigh in on Monday...duh, duh, duhhhhh...hey a little gain on a vaca is part of life and this new lifestyle we're all leading...don't sweat it girl!
4. Manda at http://candylandtobandland.blogspot.com/
Her little girls are beautiful and she's one of those mom's who doesn't just watch the easter egg Rice Krispy treat commercials...she lives it...and eats it...just a few...now that's a lifestyle! I admire anyone who can cook with style.
5. Vanessa at http://dinnerland.blogspot.com/
Vanessa was one of my first supporters on Blogger and I always love reading her blog. Her food philosophy is a lot like mine and I really enjoy watching her figure it all out and share it with us. She's a great mom and I love that she takes the fam to Dunkin Donuts every weekend and understands the importance of family rituals...I grew up going to Krispy Kreme every Sunday morning after mass and we have 'pancake day' at our house now on Sundays. You're making memories girl.
6. Lena at http://fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com/
Lena is a low carb bander and has many great recipes on her site...her soup recipes saved me just post-op. She was one of my first commenter's/followers (actually leader would be a bettter word) on LBT and is always a great supporter.
7. Carmen at http://mywittyblogtitle.blogspot.com/
I love that she's as curious about everything as I am ('can I feel the fill going to my band', etc.). She's smart and will never be invited to my house for Trivial Pursuit...one know-it-all is quite enough for me to deal with.
8. Jen http://andjustwhowereyouexpecting.blogspot.com/
She's running...in public...nuff said. Oh, and hold onto your seats...she'll be at ONEDERLAND any day now!! We're cheering you on Jen!
9. Jen http://www.jenisgonnaloseit.com/
We've both got three kids about the same ages. She's been going through some painful varicose vein surgery and is about to get the second leg done...my Mom and one sis suffer the pain with the same so I feel for her. Rest up Jen and feel better soon!
10. Dee http://kajungumbo.blogspot.com/
She's been through some tough times with losing a home to Katrina and trying to rebuild and yet she's positive and finds time for others. She's going on a well deserved vacation to Hawaii soon and already met her WL goal for that. Besides, we're the same age!
Happy Easter All!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
4/3/10 Easter Crazy
I've turned the corner...that or the good drugs are really doing their job...and either way, it doesn't matter...I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!!! Vicodin kicks Endocet's butt!!! I woke up at 3am and made my way downstairs to quickly munch some pretzels before I took another pill ('take with a small meal', pretzels count right?). I fell back asleep on the couch and DH was up around 7am to move me upstairs with another pill and I slept until 10am!!! I'm a new woman...no, I'm my old self!
Thank you everyone who put up with my incessant whining this week. It'snot funny that I whine way more here than I do to my family (well, except DH this week...by the fourth day it's safe to say he knew exactly how I was feeling LOL). I'd also have to say that you usually get the best of me as well. I am an optimist, so by the time I'm blogging about something I've had the time to mull it over and find the silver lining or the funny side of it...it's just how my mind works...there's always a laugh or a silver lining in every situation. So you get both the best and the worst of me...you get me (that reminds me, I need to do that post on 'blogging'...later).
I came back down to Easter decorations placed around the house. My DH is the sweetest. I'm the 'Holiday Queen' (seriously, you can all be my Princesses and we can ride on the holiday float together, but no one has more holiday decorations than I do...it's a serious affliction). I have bins of decorations for every holiday (6 big metal shelving units full in the basement). I was whining yesterday that I didn't decorate for Easter this year yet...or last year, as it was just before my surgery and I knew I wouldn't feel up to taking things down before DD's graduation party. DH got out some of my favorite Easter things to brighten my day (I most love the things the kids made). Here are the bunnies I made with them one year that decorate our mantle:
Thank you everyone who put up with my incessant whining this week. It's
I came back down to Easter decorations placed around the house. My DH is the sweetest. I'm the 'Holiday Queen' (seriously, you can all be my Princesses and we can ride on the holiday float together, but no one has more holiday decorations than I do...it's a serious affliction). I have bins of decorations for every holiday (6 big metal shelving units full in the basement). I was whining yesterday that I didn't decorate for Easter this year yet...or last year, as it was just before my surgery and I knew I wouldn't feel up to taking things down before DD's graduation party. DH got out some of my favorite Easter things to brighten my day (I most love the things the kids made). Here are the bunnies I made with them one year that decorate our mantle:
Just in case you missed it, take another look, this is the one that cracks us up. DS2 (now 14) was 2 when we did the bunnies (he's got mad artistic skills now, and not bad for a 2 year old then). The kids crack up over it every year and call it the 'scary crazed Easter Bunny' ...do NOT look directly into its eyes (I take no responsibility for your Easter Bunny nightmares tonight...you know you're getting 'crazy' when you read my blog). DH said this morning 'When the police come to us after they pull you out of the bell tower with the gun and ask us if there were any signs we missed, I'm pulling out the bunny.' We're awful parents...we laugh at our kids a lot...I'm sure I'm scarring them for life...I gave up hope of not doing that long ago...don't you remember all the things your parents did wrong? Yes I still blame my parents for everything...thus there's no hope my kids won't blame me...better to just give up now and have fun scarring them for life.
DH is so NOT a sentimental holiday nut like I am. My sisters and I have a pact that if I die they'll put up holiday decorations for my kids and I'll do the same...we used to have different 'sister packs' about things our DH's would never do, like cutting our kids fingernails when they were little, now that the kids are older we have the 'holiday pact', so getting out some Easter decorations was such a nice gesture for DH...I love that man.
Get this, he also already stuffed 80 plastic eggs for each kid for the egg hunt tomorrow (my Chocoholic radar is at an all time high right now, so I was glad I didn't have to do it...does Vicodin give you the munchies?). Yeah, it doesn't matter how old they get, there will always be hidden baskets (I remember my Mom setting my oldest sister's basket on fire when she hid it in the oven one year and then forgot about it preheating the oven for breakfast) and an egg hunt for Easter (I remember the year my folks hid the eggs out in the yard and then it snowed while we were at church). We have more eggs the older they've gotten (same amount of total candy). If 80 each sounds like overkill, trust me, as older children 80 eggs takes up the same amount of time as 18 eggs when they were little (and yes, we try to hide them in harder places, but d@mn our kids are smart).
I'm thinking I NEED a chocolate binge this weekend...no REALLY...I NEED it. TMI; I'm getting nervous because I haven't seen any 'movement' in over a week now. I stupidly took a laxative on Tuesday (I did this after my LB surgery with NO problems) forgetting what happened last time I did that (luckily...nothing)...then I've been taking stool softeners every day since...nothing...nadda. Now I know that the general anesthetic as well as the pain pills can back things up, but it's been a week and I'm getting a little scared...OK a LOT scared. I'm thinking a chocolate binge might just be the ticket to get things moving again! Do you think DH will notice if there are only 18 eggs for each kid when we do the hunt tomorrow? I'm open to other suggestions, but right now, until I hear a better idea (couldn't be one), I'm going with the chocolate binge...now where did DH hide the stuffed eggs?
P.S. If you missed my bunnies/peeps blog from yesterday on LBT, take a peek HERE...it's your virtual Easter card...hope the pics give you a smile!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
4/1/10 Stiletto Award
I'm pumped up on some good drugs now, and I'm trying to catch up. I've received an award and need to pass on the love (To heck with the award, I just want those shoes! Ehemm...sorry, it's the drugs).
You Have Received The Stiletto Award!!
What is a Stiletto Award???
There are thousands of blogs, and there are hundreds of awards. The Stiletto Award is a little different than most!
First, to understand, let us understand the Stiletto… some words that describe it…
Classy – Strong -Exotic – Demure – Extreme – Ultra – Sexy - Bold – Funky
“Walking in extremely high heels is not something that the average woman (or man) will need to do in their everyday life. However, there are times when this skill may be required.”
AND… what is a “blogger”? According to Dictionary.com the official definition is:
Blogger: One who writes entries in, adds material to, or maintains a weblog
However, I think there is a LOT more to it than that. My definition of a blogger…
Blogger: A strong, confident woman who has a full life. Because of the nature of her existence, she seeks connection and companionship with others who understand and wish to support her. She gains strength and courage from the experiences of these woman and shares her story in return. Through the “blog world” she develops relationships with women she would otherwise never meet and builds a community of cherished friends with whom she shares her life, experiences, challenges, failures, triumphs, goals, family and so much more! She IS Classy, Strong, Exotic, Demure, Extreme, Ultra, Sexy, Bold and Funky!
“To walk gracefully in high heels, take short steps, as opposed to long strides, and come down in a heel-toe, heel-toe motion.”
Hence, the Stiletto Award…For Excellence in Blogging!
I want to salute the women who balance life, family & relationships with style & class! Those women who share their experiences with us…who encourage us, inspire us, teach us, make us laugh and basically keep us going! You know who they are! While you read this blog, your family is looking at you wondering what the heck you are laughing about so hard…or why the tissue is necessary for internet browsing. It’s the one that the kids are excited about cuz a new post means a new craft project or family outing. The one that inspires you to be a better mom, friend, person in general. The one that reminds you that we are all “in this life together” and you’re not the only one going through the hard stuff. The one that you secretly wish your blog was like…
“It is good to get into the habit of doing the warm-up and cool-down exercises every time you wear them.”
If you’ve received this award, someone out there thinks you deserve it! Be proud! Display the badge with honor! You earned it…after all it means that you brought something special to at least one other person, and really, isn’t that what life’s all about????
“Under no circumstances drive a car with your heels on. Not only do you have less control over the car, but it will damage your shoes – and they aren’t cheap at this height. Keep spare shoes in the car for driving, or have someone drive you.”
THE RULES!
This blog is meant to be shared, to be given out, to be bestowed upon any and ALL women who exemplify what the stiletto represents. If you’ve received this award, here’s what you do:
1. Display your Stiletto Badge of Honor on your sidebar! Wear it with pride… (grab the badge here)
“Heels this high are not meant for clubbing or walking long distances in. They are mainly used for getting from the living room to the bedroom, from the car to the restaurant, or for a short stroll along the catwalk.”
2. BRAG ABOUT IT! -write a post about your award. Include the link to this page so everyone will understand what it’s all about! http://bit.ly/thestilettoaward
3. SAY THANKS! - include a link to the friend who nominated you for the award.
These two ladies always make my day brighter; if you're not following them, you need to:
Thank you Lori at http://ldswims-journeytoembrace.blogspot.com/
Thank you Drazil at http://justmedrazil.blogspot.com/
4. SHARE THE LOVE! -nominate 5-10 blogs that you feel deserve the award. Include links to them in your post -and- leave them a comment to let them know they are nominated.
The best part about these awards is finding new bloggers from others to follow/read. 'My rules' are to list different people for each award so that everyone gets some exposure and new followers (and yes, you know I'm anal enough to keep track LOL). So go check these ladies out, they're great women!:
Kristen: http://catchytitlehere-elise.blogspot.com/
Bonnie: http://wishingandhopingandprayingforaband.blogspot.com/
Jenny: http://www.embracinganewpath.blogspot.com/
Bandita Seniorita: http://mybandita.blogspot.com/
Kristen: http://redmokr.blogspot.com/
Kinzie: http://kinziesday.blogspot.com/
Roo: http://abrandnewroo.blogspot.com/
Jennifer: http://lifeasiknowitsc.blogspot.com/
Chele: http://bandedmommy.blogspot.com/
Nicole: http://betterbanded.blogspot.com/
5. DO WHAT YOU DO! -keep at it. Keep inspiring and encouraging and sharing your life! We love it and we thank you!!!
4/1/10 Up 19 Pounds...and Now I Know Why!!!
I'm now up 19 pounds from where I was pre-op gallbladder. This blows! I started with about a 5 pound gain and it just kept going up each day. Neither the laxative or the stool softeners (thanks Lori, great suggestion) have had any effect yet, so I thought that would explain it...NOT.
Yesterday I started getting some different problems...vomiting in the morning, cravings for creamy soups, tender breasts...could it be?
WE'RE PREGNANT!!!
If you're still reading, you must be blonde...like me...
Happy April Fools Day all!
P.S. Darlin1 was just banded on 3/15 and has started a blog for support...please give her some LB love, here:
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