Halloween Photos

Just sharing a couple of photos taken today. More to come later this week when I get home and back to having real Internet again. :)

We have had a good trip so far. Wondering how I'm doing on eating and how my scale is going to react when I get home. Been eating lots more bread this week than normal, I usually don't eat much bread at all. I've had a small Dutch Bros. coffee each day too. SHAME ON ME. There so good, and the small coffee has not bothered me at all. I can't keep the coffee habit, but it's been fun while I'm on vacation. Eating out is kind of hard at times. I've had several salads this week and not a lot of junk food. We can cook at our condo so we have done that a couple of times, but still have ate out a lot. I've had some junk food in small bites and done really well on how much I put in my mouth or what is going in. Eating out a lot can kick you off track, I know it has me. But I've been pretty good compared to past vacations, it's just different foods this week. I still brought my blender for my protein drinks and other healthy snacks. My son bought one bag of snickers and I've had ZERO of them!!!!!! Pretty good for Halloween.

It's been a bit of both these past few days. Well soon see what my scale says...

Almost Halloween

BOO
Happy Halloween

I'm stuck in dial up land for Internet. Big difference when your used to dsl. You just sit here and wait and wait and then wait some more for your page to come up, if it comes up. I had a heck of a time leaving Amber a WAY TO GO comment on getting to 150 pounds and her new photo. WAY TO GO AMBER http://amber-weightloss.blogspot.com/ . I finally got to leave her a comment but even that took forever. So I can't post any photos or videos of our trip so far. But were having fun. Just been taking it easy the past few days. Watching movies, shopping, going out to eat, swimming, bowling, just plain doing what we want to do. Were going to Reno, NV tomorrow for Halloween. It's not to far from here so were taking a short cut for one day and coming back.

Till later ...

Saturday's weigh in

Today was my weigh in day. Not the only day I weighed in of course. LOL But I did only step on it 2 times this week, and that's pretty good for me. Some of my litter mates are only weighing in once a month. How do they do that????????????????????? Only 2 of them, but I wish I could do that somehow.

This morning my weight was at 196.4. That's 94.6 since my surgery. That puts me 27.4 pounds away from my goal of being 169. WoW, crazy wow. Much easier to handle than thinking about having to lose 130 pounds like in the beginning. I'm ok with the above numbers. I do find myself wishing for more sometimes, but inside I'm so happy with how I'm feeling and that's what's really the most important. I've had very little trouble with my WLS and am thankful for that.

Off to vacation tomorrow. YIPPEE
I'll post some photos and share my family photos with you all this week I'm sure.

PEACE OUT

shopping

I went shopping today. I really have not done that for months. Didn't buy a lot but I did get a new pair of jeans with flair legs (i love them, size 16). I also got 3 new shirts and best of all I got new underwear and a new bra. Woo-Hoo! Exciting stuff, huh. I had fun shopping. I tried everything on as I'm not sure what fits anymore by just looking at it. But I'm so excited to have some clothes that fit me, even if it's just a few things! :) But that was dangerously fun! he he

I broke down on Wednesday morning and went to Wal mart to look for a new magic bullet blender or parts. Can't find parts anywhere, except without paying a $fortune$ and the sucker already cost 60 bucks 8 months ago. So rather than fret it and pay way to much for a new chopping blade for it, for now I got a different small blender for $20. Working good as the magic bullet and I'm glad to have a blender back for my protein drinks.

Check this out. We made the local paper here in our town. By us, I mean D & S Greenhouses. I'm so excited. Check it out. We are the featured farmer of the week for the farmers market. http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2007/10/24/business/business03.txt it's my hubby at the farmers market and it talks about our business. I'm so proud of him!

ALMOST VACATION TIME. I'm off from work with my days off, so my vacation doesn't really start till Monday. Were leaving Sunday in the car to go over the mountains and through the woods here in Oregon.

My bullet took a dump...

I just love my magic bullet blender I bought 8 months ago. But this morning my cross blade got chewed up and it won't spin and blend anymore with out chipping off the plastic. I can use the straight blade, so I know I need a new cross blade for it. Now what am I going to do???? Since I don't drink coffee anymore I use it every morning when I wake up. I blend ice, fiber, chocolate protein powder and soy milk for my wake up drink in the mornings.

I'm going to have magic bullet withdrawals....I went to e bay looking for cross blades for sale only. I guess I will purchase a new cross blade for it so I don't have withdrawals. I love my protein iced drinks I make from time to time. Besides the chocolate soy drink, I love to also make one with OJ. Ice, fiber, orange low fat yogurt, and OJ. Mmm That way I'm getting the yogurt my tummy needs for a healthy tummy. Otherwise all is good. My scale said 198.4 this morning. We are leaving for vacation next Sunday. Going to our timeshare in Oregon. Can't wait. We love going to this one cause it's quiet, country setting, nice pool/spa, jet tub in the master bathroom. It won't be one of go, go, go vacations which is nice. We swim 2 times a day, watch movies, go for drives, and just plain hang out and veg. SOUNDS GREAT TO ME!

Saturday

Not much new to speak of for today. If I was to write about what I wanted here all you would here of is about my new cat-dog Rufus. So I will spare you but believe me he is wonderful.

I am so thrilled to be below 200 and into the 100's for the first time in my life. I was 199.6 this morning. I'm sure all never get used to typing or writing that one hundred number. I went shopping yesterday and got a pair of 505 Levis in size 14 so I could have something new to look forward to getting into. Didn't try them on, I liked them, so I bought them, knowing they would not fit for awhile. I got home and thought I'd see if they fit my hips or where I was at on how they fit. I got them zipped, but they don't fit good, too tight. But I got them zipped. I can't wait for those to fit. I'd say 15-20 they'll fit good enough to wear. :)

Here is a picture of my son Jon and myself that we took today. Got these cool new Scream Team shirts from the bone shop the other day, they set us up pretty good. Were styling...
http://www.screamteam.com/















PEACE OUT...

at freaking last

At last I am below 200. Does 199.8 count????

HECK YES!

WOO-HOO

Happy, happy, joy, joy!

Rufus my new Cat-Dog...

Well since my cat died months ago I've been nagging for a new cat. Well anyway we got a call that someone need to find a home for this little doggie named Rufus. "Heck yes" I said, I'll take him! So I have a new cat-dog and he is wonderful, and I love him already.

WHAT BIG EARS YOU HAVE RUFUS. LOL

sad susy...

Just one of mornings.... jeez I wrote this blog once and it didn't workout and I lost it before saving.

I woke up this morning and the scale said 202.2. Grr back up, what's that all about? I started crying. Why am I crying? It hurt my feels really bad. At least for me, that's when the negative talk starts. "This is it, I won't lose anymore", and all the other things we tell ourselves at times. It's not good for me to think those thoughts. I really feel like this surgery has assisted me so much, but I am also working hard to make this happen for myself. I have a hard time seeing what I've accomplished and can't see the future on days like today. So I decided to blog about my thoughts and feelings this morning. I feel sad, let down, mad and I know I need to put all that energy into the positive and not dwell. Some days are easier than others. I'm going to try to wipe away the tears this morning and I'm getting my ass off the couch and going swimming. That's the only way to make this happen for myself. But Susy scale is not moving and it's trying to drive me crazy. I knew this would happen as I've read many others story's, but it made me cry this morning and that feels silly at times too. This is why I keep say having WLS is not the easy way out. A wonderful tool, but easy NO.

crazy head...

I've had a great week this week. I worked, went swimming 2x on my days off from work. My step mom and aunt came down to visit me for my belated birthday. They spent the day and night with us. Us girls went out for lunch and got to spend 5 hours or so just talking and visiting. We picked up Jonathan after school, got the food and the wine and headed to a ocean front room on the beach. It was a nice visit with good company. They spoiled me with lunch, presents, compliments and love. I got a new pair of pants from my aunt that I so very much need right now. A new very cool frying pan that I wanted from my step mom. My mom and aunt come over every year to visit me for my birthday. I am so happy they do that each year for me as I don't have a lot of family living anymore and I know they always think of me in that special way. :) I love them for that!

I lost 2.2 pounds this week. That puts me @ 200.4 (darn scale). This last 7+pounds is taking forever for me. Jeez. My body just won't let me in the 100's. CRAZY Guess I'm dieing to see 199 or less, so it feels like it's dddrrraaagggging. My brother warned me the other day when talking to him that he remembers things slowing down now that sometime has passed. And to "stay off that scale he tells me". Oh boy, another challenge. I have to learn to stay off that scale, but I'm not to good at listening to that voice. I'm back to stepping on that scale every morning. I think about it all the time. I want it so badly, maybe to much. I still wish the Dr. could of bypassed my head and the things we tell our self's. When you hit these plautus or slow weight loss times is when you find yourself wanting to give up in my past. So you still have those negative thoughts even after surgery. That's what I mean by wishing the Dr could of bypassed my head. Remove that negative bone.... :) LOL

I've decided after thinking on it that I would start telling some of my customers at work that I have just cut my eating down by 70% and I'm exercising. I will still be very willing to share with some, but this may allow me not to have to go into my story with EVERYONE I meet and chat with. Well see how that goes. I just run into a lot of people in my job because I work in customer service and they think they know me.

So that's my week... As you can read I still have to find and learn patients some days. I want to be able to look at a picture and feel good about what I'm seeing. I'm looking better but I'm still fat. I won't give up like in years past and I will keep moving to make this happen for ME!!!

just thinking

Yesterday was the first day I really felt sick of telling my story to strangers. So far these past few months I've been open to share my story of why I'm losing weight. The first words out of peoples mouth is "what are you doing to lose weight"? Yesterday at my job I must of had 6 people say something to me about me losing weight. If it's 6 customers this week it will be 10 people asking me next week. I don't mind sharing with people don't get me wrong. There are some folks very interested and caring and they want to know the facts. I'm struggling with sharing my story with every tom, dick, or harry that comes into my store as a customer. I feel like if I don't share I'm lying somehow. I've been at my job 3+ years and live in a small town. You can't help notice my butt is getting smaller, so they talk. One lady I was talking to yesterday had a family member thinking about WLS years ago and got turned down for surgery. She had the nerve to say she thought her family member was taking the easy way out as she stumbled over her words while talking to me. Grr I stood up and said "it's not the easy way out, it's a tool". Almost like I get no credit for my hard work of eating healthy and exercising. That made me sad. I'm working so hard to make this happen for myself. The surgery is making it easier but I'm still working my ass off for myself. So I was thinking last night, do I want to change maybe what I say to every tom, dick, or harry when talking small talk to my customers? I'm just not sure what to say anymore. I'm spending my whole day @ work talking about me and my weight. Guess this is all part of changing. I'm still the same inside but the outsides are changing. Well I'm looking for advice guys. Does anyone work in customer service or felt the way I am right now? Having struggles with sharing or anything? HELP :(

201.0 this morning. (so close) :) That makes me smile!

So slow...

OK I'm at 201.6. Jeez... Inching along here, slowly but surly. I guess the turtle did win the race huh... LOL I'm waiting to wake up one morning and be in ONEderland, but nope - not today. Damn. I had Monday off for some strange reason, so I did go to the pool. I even stayed at the shallow end a bit longer and jogged the pool and did push up's just for some extra cardio. Guess it's time for a change in cardio a bit. Next week I think I'll give my old aerobics class a try again. Might kick my ass, but I need to give her dance aerobics class a try again.

I have family coming down this week to visit me for my birthday. This week worked out for all of us. I can't wait. I got a room at our timeshare for $70 bucks with a 3 bedroom/kitchen and that jet tub again. It's right on the ocean with the waves crashing on the rocks. My house isn't very big so were staying by the ocean for a treat. We fix fresh oysters and lots of wine and good company with my aunt and mom. Sounds fun and I can't wait to see them.

Anyway, just needed to nag a bit this morning. I'm too close, I will not give up. I know I just have to change it up some. But I want this more than anything and I'm not going to let myself down. The Dr. gave me a tool and I will not disappoint myself. Just need a little push guys. :)

For Dawn: She asked me on my blog why my Dr has told us (MGB patients) not to have coffee anymore. I know Dr are different but Dr. Rutledge tells us that the acids in coffee are not good for your small pouch. So it's not the caffeine I'm to stay away from, it's the acids in coffee that are not good for your pouch. Ulcers are a big concern with having WLS, so things like smoking, coffee, soda and others things are not recommended by him. He gives us the facts and the rules and it's your job to follow them. Take care of your new pouch for your future. I can have green tea, but I have yet to find a hot green tea I like so far. Lipton has a great iced green tea, but it's still not coffee. So I'm just following my Dr.'s orders. Strange how some Dr. don't have the same recommendations huh??? But ya, it's about the acids in coffee and your pouch Dawn.

Scream Team

HALLOWEEN TIME

BOO

No really, this is my brother and wife's business in L.A. And a way cool video.

Want to be scary for Halloween-check this out. They can help the monster inside you get out for Halloween. :)
www.screamteam.com

I'm 40, how did that happen?

Well... I'm still losing some weight, just slower than I would like, but it's coming off. This morning I'm at 202.4. So this weeks loss is 1.8 pounds for me. That's OK. I know I'm working hard at it. I did go swimming this week 2 times on my days off from work. I am eating healthy and making good food choices. I am healthier now than I have been in years and years and I feel great. I have so much more energy. I even have a little bounce in my step now. How am I going to feel in another 30 pounds??? Amazing, I can't wait. My sister in law saw me last week as I was getting my haircut. She was kind sarcastic a couple of times to me. One of the things she said to me was "I don't need to lose anymore weight". "ARE YOU CRAZY" I was thinking. I deserve to be at a healthily weight and be healthily for the remainder of my life and not suffer from the problems obesity is going to cause me. People are also calling me skinny a lot. I guess they just mean I'm skinny compared to before and that's how I'm looking at it. But I'm not skinny yet, but working on it. Guess the moral to my story is sometimes people try to bring you down, maybe cause there not happy with them self's. I'm not sure. Anybody else ever had this happen to them??? For the most part people are kind and interested and have good things to say.

I got my new tattoo yesterday for my 40th birthday gift from Derrel. I just love it! It is very colorful and amazing. The artist did a wonderful job. I know tattoo's are not for everyone, but this one has a lot of meaning to me for a lot of different reasons. I don't have a close up of the tat yet as we could not get a bright enough picture last night in the house. So I will take one today outside.

I also had my first cup of coffee in 7+ months yesterday. Oh man was it soo soo soo so good. I'm telling you the one thing that drives me crazy is not having coffee anymore. I think about it all the time. We went by Starbucks yesterday and I gave in. I had a small sugar free hazelnut coffee. Mmm I won't go back to having coffee in my life each day as I know my surgeon has said it's a no no. So once in awhile I will for a treat to myself. Now the trick is when I pass Starbucks today not to pull in. :) It was a very good treat.

2.5 pounds to go till ONEderland. And 33 more pounds till I get to my goal I set for myself. I'm ready to step it up a notch and make this happen for myself.

Oregon Ocean, Derrel and Me...

One minute long. Just a short video of Derrel I on the Oregon Ocean. Aww