This top has been in my closet for over 3 years. It's a 3X and it actually goes over my hips! Hubby and I are going to a concert this weekend, Lady Antebellum and Tim McGraw in Salt Lake. We are so stoked!! So...would this be appropriate to wear to the concert? Like yes, you are hotter than Jennifer Lopez....or hell no...you will strike fear in the hearts of children and send grown men running away while covering their eyes. Yes, I want total brutal honesty! I am not a good judge of how I look....I have that reverse body dismorphic disorder thing. And hubby is no help...he thinks everything looks great on me. I swear he sees a different person when he looks at me....like living in the movie 'Shallow Hal'. He loves me and tells me all the time how good I look....he calls me his Incredible Shrinking Wife, and I love that he feels that way about me, I really do! But he's not brutally honest...if my ass looks like the titanic in spandex I want someone to tell me that!
So...you be the judge....is this ok...or is this one of those 'just because you can doesn't mean you should' kind of things? Will I see myself in the next 'People of Walmart' mass email??
Please ignore the 7th degree sunburn...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Long Walk and Couch to 5K….my way
The Long Walk and Couch to 5K….my way
Back in high school I read a book by Stephen King called 'The Long Walk'. He wrote it under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. It's a story about a kid that enters a lottery where 100 boys are chosen to walk 'The Long Walk'. The boys are required to walk a pace of at least 4 miles per hour. If they go below 4 miles per hour they get warned, after so many warnings they are shot. The walk never stops, there is never any rest, it goes day and night for over 100 miles until only one person is left walking. The winner of the walk gets what ever he wants for the rest of his life. It was a good book and for some reason it is one of the few that I read in high school that has continually replayed itself in my mind. I still have dreams/nightmares about it at least once a month. Gotta love Stephen King.
I had to tell you that because this book has been on my mind a lot as I have committed myself to walking a 5K in October. I know I can't run it. It's not a matter of mind over matter. My body is just not physically ready for that, especially my knee and my ankles. I had surgery on my knee last year and it's just been the last few weeks that it doesn't hurt to go up and down stairs. I know it will improve as I continue to lose weight. But right now, I just haven't lost enough weight to be at that point. It will happen in time.
So this is my strategy for the 5K. Jen gave me a link to download podcasts for each week of the Couch to 5K program. Thank you Jen!! I am going to modify the C25K program for walking. When the guy gives the cue to run then I am going to walk 4 miles per hour (again….'The Long Walk'), when it's time to walk then I will walk at 3-3.5 miles per hour. I am starting this at the gym on the treadmill so I can get a good feel for what 4 miles an hour feels like before I take it outside. At 4 miles per hour it will take me 45 minutes to finish the 5K, which is, from what I have read, respectable for a first time. I'm good with that. So when the 30 minute podcast is done I keep going to make the full 45 minutes. Yesterday I just listened to my own music and timed myself with the timer on the treadmill. When I get outside I will start the podcast over so I get the timing right. I think I can do this everyday instead of my normal walking routine…where I'm not running I don't think I will need to take a day off in between…does that sound right?
I can do this. I need to do this! I will turn 40 a week before the 5K. My prize for the rest of my life will be knowing that I did it...that at 40 I am in better shape than I was at 20 or 30. And that I will at least have a chance to live longer to be with my family…and that will be the best prize!!
Back in high school I read a book by Stephen King called 'The Long Walk'. He wrote it under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. It's a story about a kid that enters a lottery where 100 boys are chosen to walk 'The Long Walk'. The boys are required to walk a pace of at least 4 miles per hour. If they go below 4 miles per hour they get warned, after so many warnings they are shot. The walk never stops, there is never any rest, it goes day and night for over 100 miles until only one person is left walking. The winner of the walk gets what ever he wants for the rest of his life. It was a good book and for some reason it is one of the few that I read in high school that has continually replayed itself in my mind. I still have dreams/nightmares about it at least once a month. Gotta love Stephen King.
I had to tell you that because this book has been on my mind a lot as I have committed myself to walking a 5K in October. I know I can't run it. It's not a matter of mind over matter. My body is just not physically ready for that, especially my knee and my ankles. I had surgery on my knee last year and it's just been the last few weeks that it doesn't hurt to go up and down stairs. I know it will improve as I continue to lose weight. But right now, I just haven't lost enough weight to be at that point. It will happen in time.
So this is my strategy for the 5K. Jen gave me a link to download podcasts for each week of the Couch to 5K program. Thank you Jen!! I am going to modify the C25K program for walking. When the guy gives the cue to run then I am going to walk 4 miles per hour (again….'The Long Walk'), when it's time to walk then I will walk at 3-3.5 miles per hour. I am starting this at the gym on the treadmill so I can get a good feel for what 4 miles an hour feels like before I take it outside. At 4 miles per hour it will take me 45 minutes to finish the 5K, which is, from what I have read, respectable for a first time. I'm good with that. So when the 30 minute podcast is done I keep going to make the full 45 minutes. Yesterday I just listened to my own music and timed myself with the timer on the treadmill. When I get outside I will start the podcast over so I get the timing right. I think I can do this everyday instead of my normal walking routine…where I'm not running I don't think I will need to take a day off in between…does that sound right?
I can do this. I need to do this! I will turn 40 a week before the 5K. My prize for the rest of my life will be knowing that I did it...that at 40 I am in better shape than I was at 20 or 30. And that I will at least have a chance to live longer to be with my family…and that will be the best prize!!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Official Weigh In Day & Ex-wife Rant
Scales today -- 292.4 -- loss for the week 1.8 pounds. A loss is a loss and it's better than a gain so I'll take it. Considering I only got to the gym once this week and I walked 1.5 miles at 10:00 last night, I don't think I did too bad.
It took me 35 minutes to walk the 1.5 miles. Erika did 2 miles in 29 minutes. So I'm walking less than 3 miles an hours and she's kicking ass at a little over 4 miles an hour. I want to catch up to Erika....she's like my Jillian in the back of my mind...telling me to get my ass in gear and walk it. I want to walk fast like the wind like Erika.
This week has been kind of crazy. Sorry for not posting more. Between My Soldier getting home and trying to get our routine back to normal and his 9 yr old son being here it's been stressful! And honestly, I haven't felt witty and cute and funny. I have felt bitchy and pissy and impatient and ready to scratch someone's eyes out. And since last night I have been practicing the 'don't say anything' part of the 'If you can't say something nice' rule. Anyone that says you can't get PMS after a hysterectomy is a lying bitch! Basically DH cow-towed to his ex-wife AGAIN and I'm pissed and the only thing that would come out of my mouth right now would be venom so I'm keeping it shut. It will last for about 3 days then I'll explode. Mt Vesuvius will erupt for a couple hours. I'll cry. I'll storm out. I'll eat something really bad. He'll say he's sorry and that he'll stand up to her. I'll believe him. Next month it will happen again.
I am SO fucking sick of this!!!
Ok...so now I've started so I'm going to vent. This won't be pretty so feel free to stop reading now.
A little background: My Soldier's son, SS, was diagnosed with epilepsy about 2 months ago. He was having petit mal seizures. They put him on medication and after they increased it he started having grand mal seizures. Since then he has had 4 more grand mals. My Soldier's ex-wife is a very well paid medical professional with a doctorate degree. She is better than everyone else, and is far more intelligent than anyone else and if you don't believe me just ask her, she will look down her pointy nose and explain to you exactly why you are stupid and she is superior. SS and his mother live an hour one-way from where we live. We have always picked up and dropped off, driving both ways.
Since SS has been diagnosed she has used his epilepsy to manipulate my husband's visitation. Last month we were supposed to pick him up on Thursday at 6 pm. Half way to pick him up she calls and says he has to be at the doctor at 8:00 AM for a blood test. We would either have to take him back down in the morning or we could go home and pick him up after his doctor appt. DH decided to pick him up the next day. She knew about the appt for over a week, she could have called before we left. The blood draw could have been done at the hospital where we live. But noooo...things have to be done her way.
Several times we have can canceled family plans for the weekend so that SS could go to golf or karate events that his mother had planned during my husband's visitation time. And of course she tells us these things when we go to pick him up, never before. And of course DH doesn't stand up to her. Ever.
Tuesday night when my husband got home from being gone for 2 wks we were supposed to pick up SS for 4 days. We went to his grandpa's house to pick him up and he tells my husband that he can't take him because SS had a grand mal seizure about 6 hours prior to us getting there. SS was at the door and gave DH a hug. He was fine. Why the hell can't he be with his dad if he's just going to be with his grandpa? And where was his mom? Probably at work....where she spends most of her time. And could have they at least called and let us know that he had the seizure? I guess not. And does my husband stand up to SS's grandpa and tell him NO..it's my visitation time and he's coming with me? Nope! So...we drove all the way back down there again on Wednesday night to pick him up.
Last straw....last night was karate night for my son. And DH and I were planning on working out at the gym together while my son was in karate. I've really missed working out with my husband and both were really looking forward to it. I get home at 5:30. Karate starts at 6:30. So, we get 30 minutes to eat dinner before we have to leave to go back to town for karate. At 5:50 his ex-wife calls. Apparently SS needed a blood test...before 7:00...and it had to be done at the doctor office that was an hour's drive away. I was already trying to eat fast...which isn't good with my band. I heard the conversation, felt the anxiety and yup...stuck!! So..I was stuck and pissed. I said very loudly so she could hear me...This is BULLSHIT, she has had to have known about this since she was at his doctor last week and she just now calls about it. Hell no!! She can come and get him and bring him back tonight. Of course she won't...no reason...she just won't. I went to the gym...DH took SS to get the blood test. (Are you counting...this is now 6 hours driving this week.)
Incidentally...I didn't get to work out. My sister called and my nephew got jumped and was in the hospital. I left the gym and drove like a maniac to the hospital where we wait to be able to see him until 9:30. He will be ok but it was really scary for awhile.
I got home and was still pissed. So I went for a walk. At 10:00 in the dark. I didn't even care. It felt good.
So then today I'm at work, glad it's Friday and looking forward to the weekend. We have tickets to see the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels are an elite military group of fighter pilots that put on air shows. It's incredible and it gives me goose bumps, my son is mezmorized by them....when DH was in the navy he was stationed on an aircraft carrier...so yea, as a family we have been looking forward to this for weeks. Their shows are few and far between so an opportunity to see them is like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Enter the ex-wife. Yea, today we are informed that SS has a karate meet tomorrow, at the same time, in their town. Well too effing bad!! We're not going. I put my foot down. As a family...DH, SS, my son, and me are going to the air show, come hell or high water...I have had it with her trying to manipulate and schedule our time!
So maybe I'm being the bitch but I really don't think so. That woman fries my shit! AARRRRGGGHHH I just want to call her and tell her what my husband refuses to say to her. His visitation time is HIS time!! She needs to stop scheduling appts when we have him or at the very least let us know when she knows...not at the last damn minute!!!
Ok....rant over. Do I feel better? A little. But I still want to call her and lay down the law. Trying to breathe, in through the nose, out through the mouth....10...9...8...7...6......
It took me 35 minutes to walk the 1.5 miles. Erika did 2 miles in 29 minutes. So I'm walking less than 3 miles an hours and she's kicking ass at a little over 4 miles an hour. I want to catch up to Erika....she's like my Jillian in the back of my mind...telling me to get my ass in gear and walk it. I want to walk fast like the wind like Erika.
This week has been kind of crazy. Sorry for not posting more. Between My Soldier getting home and trying to get our routine back to normal and his 9 yr old son being here it's been stressful! And honestly, I haven't felt witty and cute and funny. I have felt bitchy and pissy and impatient and ready to scratch someone's eyes out. And since last night I have been practicing the 'don't say anything' part of the 'If you can't say something nice' rule. Anyone that says you can't get PMS after a hysterectomy is a lying bitch! Basically DH cow-towed to his ex-wife AGAIN and I'm pissed and the only thing that would come out of my mouth right now would be venom so I'm keeping it shut. It will last for about 3 days then I'll explode. Mt Vesuvius will erupt for a couple hours. I'll cry. I'll storm out. I'll eat something really bad. He'll say he's sorry and that he'll stand up to her. I'll believe him. Next month it will happen again.
I am SO fucking sick of this!!!
Ok...so now I've started so I'm going to vent. This won't be pretty so feel free to stop reading now.
A little background: My Soldier's son, SS, was diagnosed with epilepsy about 2 months ago. He was having petit mal seizures. They put him on medication and after they increased it he started having grand mal seizures. Since then he has had 4 more grand mals. My Soldier's ex-wife is a very well paid medical professional with a doctorate degree. She is better than everyone else, and is far more intelligent than anyone else and if you don't believe me just ask her, she will look down her pointy nose and explain to you exactly why you are stupid and she is superior. SS and his mother live an hour one-way from where we live. We have always picked up and dropped off, driving both ways.
Since SS has been diagnosed she has used his epilepsy to manipulate my husband's visitation. Last month we were supposed to pick him up on Thursday at 6 pm. Half way to pick him up she calls and says he has to be at the doctor at 8:00 AM for a blood test. We would either have to take him back down in the morning or we could go home and pick him up after his doctor appt. DH decided to pick him up the next day. She knew about the appt for over a week, she could have called before we left. The blood draw could have been done at the hospital where we live. But noooo...things have to be done her way.
Several times we have can canceled family plans for the weekend so that SS could go to golf or karate events that his mother had planned during my husband's visitation time. And of course she tells us these things when we go to pick him up, never before. And of course DH doesn't stand up to her. Ever.
Tuesday night when my husband got home from being gone for 2 wks we were supposed to pick up SS for 4 days. We went to his grandpa's house to pick him up and he tells my husband that he can't take him because SS had a grand mal seizure about 6 hours prior to us getting there. SS was at the door and gave DH a hug. He was fine. Why the hell can't he be with his dad if he's just going to be with his grandpa? And where was his mom? Probably at work....where she spends most of her time. And could have they at least called and let us know that he had the seizure? I guess not. And does my husband stand up to SS's grandpa and tell him NO..it's my visitation time and he's coming with me? Nope! So...we drove all the way back down there again on Wednesday night to pick him up.
Last straw....last night was karate night for my son. And DH and I were planning on working out at the gym together while my son was in karate. I've really missed working out with my husband and both were really looking forward to it. I get home at 5:30. Karate starts at 6:30. So, we get 30 minutes to eat dinner before we have to leave to go back to town for karate. At 5:50 his ex-wife calls. Apparently SS needed a blood test...before 7:00...and it had to be done at the doctor office that was an hour's drive away. I was already trying to eat fast...which isn't good with my band. I heard the conversation, felt the anxiety and yup...stuck!! So..I was stuck and pissed. I said very loudly so she could hear me...This is BULLSHIT, she has had to have known about this since she was at his doctor last week and she just now calls about it. Hell no!! She can come and get him and bring him back tonight. Of course she won't...no reason...she just won't. I went to the gym...DH took SS to get the blood test. (Are you counting...this is now 6 hours driving this week.)
Incidentally...I didn't get to work out. My sister called and my nephew got jumped and was in the hospital. I left the gym and drove like a maniac to the hospital where we wait to be able to see him until 9:30. He will be ok but it was really scary for awhile.
I got home and was still pissed. So I went for a walk. At 10:00 in the dark. I didn't even care. It felt good.
So then today I'm at work, glad it's Friday and looking forward to the weekend. We have tickets to see the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels are an elite military group of fighter pilots that put on air shows. It's incredible and it gives me goose bumps, my son is mezmorized by them....when DH was in the navy he was stationed on an aircraft carrier...so yea, as a family we have been looking forward to this for weeks. Their shows are few and far between so an opportunity to see them is like a once in a lifetime opportunity. Enter the ex-wife. Yea, today we are informed that SS has a karate meet tomorrow, at the same time, in their town. Well too effing bad!! We're not going. I put my foot down. As a family...DH, SS, my son, and me are going to the air show, come hell or high water...I have had it with her trying to manipulate and schedule our time!
So maybe I'm being the bitch but I really don't think so. That woman fries my shit! AARRRRGGGHHH I just want to call her and tell her what my husband refuses to say to her. His visitation time is HIS time!! She needs to stop scheduling appts when we have him or at the very least let us know when she knows...not at the last damn minute!!!
Ok....rant over. Do I feel better? A little. But I still want to call her and lay down the law. Trying to breathe, in through the nose, out through the mouth....10...9...8...7...6......
Monday, July 19, 2010
Just checking in real quick with a couple things on my mind.
1. The scale did not move from yesterday. I am down 5 pounds from last Monday. Here's hoping it carries through the rest of the week until the official weigh-in on Friday.
2. My Soldier gets home tomorrow. He's been gone for 2 weeks doing his annual Army Reserve training. I haven't talked to him in over 11 days since he broke his phone 3 days into the training. So my lovelies I may be MIA for the next couple days. We have lots of catching up to do :)
I'm off to shower, shave, and put fresh sheets on the bed...my honey is coming home!!
1. The scale did not move from yesterday. I am down 5 pounds from last Monday. Here's hoping it carries through the rest of the week until the official weigh-in on Friday.
2. My Soldier gets home tomorrow. He's been gone for 2 weeks doing his annual Army Reserve training. I haven't talked to him in over 11 days since he broke his phone 3 days into the training. So my lovelies I may be MIA for the next couple days. We have lots of catching up to do :)
I'm off to shower, shave, and put fresh sheets on the bed...my honey is coming home!!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Tooting My Own Horn
Yes, I realize it's noon. And yes, I reluctantly crawled out of bed only an hour ago. And yes, I'm sitting on the couch in my jamies wondering whether I should do some cleaning and go for a walk or watch movies. It's Sunday. Isn't this supposed to be a day of rest anyway?
So when I got out of bed an hour ago I got on the scales....and guess what??? 292.4 That's 5 whole pounds less than what I weighed last Monday (I didn't weigh Sunday because we weren't home). I thought I was still dreaming, but nope, it is what it is. Of course official weigh in day isn't until Friday so here's hoping it will carry through until Friday. AND it's the 1st week that I haven't gained weight over the weekend. Sure, it's only Sunday and that won't really count until tomorrow. But still, I'm so stoked!! Like the gym doesn't seem like such a bad place right now!
And while the subject of weight loss is at hand...I believe I'll pat myself on the back a little more...
I took my measurements this morning. I haven't done this since I had surgery, because I really didn't feel like the difference would be measurable so much. I mean if I had taken my measurements and they only showed an 8th of an inch difference I'd be bummed. So I haven't done it. Until today. So, the verdict is...
Weight: 292.4 - loss of 24.2 lbs since last measurements done
Neck: 14" - 1" loss
Rt. Arm (bat wing): 16.75" - 1.25" loss
Bust w/ bra on: 47" - 2.25" loss
Bra Band w/ bra on: 38.5" - 3" loss
Belly: 43" - 2.5" loss
Waist: 50" - 4" loss (I'm not sure I'm really measuring my waist but this is where the waist of my pants sit so it might be a little lower than my actual waist)
Hips: 61.5" - 3.5" loss
Rt. Thigh: 35" - 2" loss (almost the same as my husband's waist...how sad is it that just one of my thighs are bigger than my husband's waist?)
Rt Calf: 21.25" - .75" loss
So there's my measurements. Not too shabby. I'm really excited about the 4" on my waist and the 3.5" on my hips. I really hate my hips and my huge ass!
Onto more positive things...
Other NSV's lately -
My friend at work told me last week that I need to buy a new bra. She is the only person at work that knows I have a LapBand so I thought she was just saying it to be nice but didn't really take her seriously. But, after taking measurements today I think I could buy a smaller bra. I'm currently wearing a 42DD and thinking I could possibly try a 38 DD. Does that sound right from my measurements?
Another lady at work told me I need new pants...that I looked like I was packing a turd. I think that was a compliment?
I finally broke down and bought a sports bra Thursday. I actually bought a package of 2. They do up in the front. I tried on the ones that don't do up in the front and after 30 minutes of trying to get one on and then off again I'm convinced these things are made for contortionists. I honestly thought I was going to have to call the dressing room lady in to cut me out of it. It was scary!! I had read somewhere that someone said to buy them 2 sizes smaller than you normally wear. I tried on the 40 and the 38...why don't they have cup sizes on these things?? When I put the 40 on and I leaned over and jumped up and down a few time my boobs tried falling through the bad. The 38 was a little better but still not like I thought it should. I wandered off into 36 land wondering the whole time if I've lost my mind. The 36 band felt more secure but the cups were not going to cut it. I felt like Pamela Anderson in a bikini. And I'm pretty sure sports bras are meant to cover more than just the nips. So, I got the 38. And I wore it around the house yesterday. It was weird. I felt like I had one big blob of boob. No lifting, no separating. Just smashed boob blob. And I noticed as the day went on that the band got looser and my boobs were trying to sneak through the band. Not good. I'm washing them today so hopefully the band part will shrink. Lord help me if the cup part shrinks. Oh..yea...so the NSV is that I bought a bra with a number 38 on it. I guess I could have just said that but then you wouldn't get that great story :)
My knee doesn't hurt hardly at all anymore when I walk up stairs. I always just thought it would hurt forever because I had surgery last year.
Last week I wore pants that I haven't been able to wear in years. The tag says they are a 26. But, they aren't Lane Bryant pants. I got them at Walmart. So that felt pretty good that I got to wear pants without a big blue dot in them.
I had a dream last night that I went to a friend's house and that I really had to pee. But I couldn't fit through the bathroom door. Honestly, that was worse than the dreams where I'm being chased. I'm still freaked out by it.
Since it's almost 1:00 now and I've accomplished diddly squat today I guess I better get my butt off the couch and do something productive. Have a great Sunday everybody!
So when I got out of bed an hour ago I got on the scales....and guess what??? 292.4 That's 5 whole pounds less than what I weighed last Monday (I didn't weigh Sunday because we weren't home). I thought I was still dreaming, but nope, it is what it is. Of course official weigh in day isn't until Friday so here's hoping it will carry through until Friday. AND it's the 1st week that I haven't gained weight over the weekend. Sure, it's only Sunday and that won't really count until tomorrow. But still, I'm so stoked!! Like the gym doesn't seem like such a bad place right now!
And while the subject of weight loss is at hand...I believe I'll pat myself on the back a little more...
I took my measurements this morning. I haven't done this since I had surgery, because I really didn't feel like the difference would be measurable so much. I mean if I had taken my measurements and they only showed an 8th of an inch difference I'd be bummed. So I haven't done it. Until today. So, the verdict is...
Weight: 292.4 - loss of 24.2 lbs since last measurements done
Neck: 14" - 1" loss
Rt. Arm (bat wing): 16.75" - 1.25" loss
Bust w/ bra on: 47" - 2.25" loss
Bra Band w/ bra on: 38.5" - 3" loss
Belly: 43" - 2.5" loss
Waist: 50" - 4" loss (I'm not sure I'm really measuring my waist but this is where the waist of my pants sit so it might be a little lower than my actual waist)
Hips: 61.5" - 3.5" loss
Rt. Thigh: 35" - 2" loss (almost the same as my husband's waist...how sad is it that just one of my thighs are bigger than my husband's waist?)
Rt Calf: 21.25" - .75" loss
So there's my measurements. Not too shabby. I'm really excited about the 4" on my waist and the 3.5" on my hips. I really hate my hips and my huge ass!
Onto more positive things...
Other NSV's lately -
My friend at work told me last week that I need to buy a new bra. She is the only person at work that knows I have a LapBand so I thought she was just saying it to be nice but didn't really take her seriously. But, after taking measurements today I think I could buy a smaller bra. I'm currently wearing a 42DD and thinking I could possibly try a 38 DD. Does that sound right from my measurements?
Another lady at work told me I need new pants...that I looked like I was packing a turd. I think that was a compliment?
I finally broke down and bought a sports bra Thursday. I actually bought a package of 2. They do up in the front. I tried on the ones that don't do up in the front and after 30 minutes of trying to get one on and then off again I'm convinced these things are made for contortionists. I honestly thought I was going to have to call the dressing room lady in to cut me out of it. It was scary!! I had read somewhere that someone said to buy them 2 sizes smaller than you normally wear. I tried on the 40 and the 38...why don't they have cup sizes on these things?? When I put the 40 on and I leaned over and jumped up and down a few time my boobs tried falling through the bad. The 38 was a little better but still not like I thought it should. I wandered off into 36 land wondering the whole time if I've lost my mind. The 36 band felt more secure but the cups were not going to cut it. I felt like Pamela Anderson in a bikini. And I'm pretty sure sports bras are meant to cover more than just the nips. So, I got the 38. And I wore it around the house yesterday. It was weird. I felt like I had one big blob of boob. No lifting, no separating. Just smashed boob blob. And I noticed as the day went on that the band got looser and my boobs were trying to sneak through the band. Not good. I'm washing them today so hopefully the band part will shrink. Lord help me if the cup part shrinks. Oh..yea...so the NSV is that I bought a bra with a number 38 on it. I guess I could have just said that but then you wouldn't get that great story :)
My knee doesn't hurt hardly at all anymore when I walk up stairs. I always just thought it would hurt forever because I had surgery last year.
Last week I wore pants that I haven't been able to wear in years. The tag says they are a 26. But, they aren't Lane Bryant pants. I got them at Walmart. So that felt pretty good that I got to wear pants without a big blue dot in them.
I had a dream last night that I went to a friend's house and that I really had to pee. But I couldn't fit through the bathroom door. Honestly, that was worse than the dreams where I'm being chased. I'm still freaked out by it.
Since it's almost 1:00 now and I've accomplished diddly squat today I guess I better get my butt off the couch and do something productive. Have a great Sunday everybody!
Friday, July 16, 2010
BYOC
I missed the last couple BYOC Fridays. I started posts for them but then kids and husband and life got in the way of getting them done. But I am here TODAY...and TODAY I am doing BYOC!
1. Because I’m going hardcore on Monday to lose my last 15 before vacation I’m curious….what’s the oddest diet you have tried? Or which ones have you tried and were any successful?
The oddest diet I ever tried was grapefruit juice and boiled eggs. That's all I ate for 4 days. It was a very long 4 days. It took almost a year before I could even smell a boiled egg again without getting sick. The grapefruit juice gave me really bad cankers. I gained 5 pounds. Yea...BIG FAT FAIL!!
The diet I was most successful on was Weight Watchers and Curves. I lost 45 pounds. And I felt I doing it in a healthy way. Then I hit a plateau, got frustrated and quit. And I gained all the weight back and then some.
The only thing more successful than that was Phen-Fen. Hello!! That shit was golden! 80 pounds fell off me in less than 6 months, I had energy for days...I was scrubbing floors at 3 am. I was invincible on that crack. Then I had to stop because I couldn't find a doctor to give it to me after 6 months. And yes, I have what is considered mild to moderate heart valve damage for it...basically a good heart murmur. And you know what? Up until I got my band, if I could have bought that on the black market I would have. In my hoodie, pulled up to the curb of a corner in the ghetto, looking for my fix. Even knowing the risks I would have done it. Yea, that scares me.
2. Do you prefer baths or showers?
Showers. I just can't get past the idea of sitting there in a pool of water with my sweat and dirt and dead skin surrounding me. And when I stand up it clings to me. I just don't feel clean in a bath...and how the hell do you wash your hair in the tub?? BUT, I have soaked after a good long shower and that was ok, but then I had to shower again. (OCD much?) I also have very low blood pressure...who'd thunk a fat girl would have low blood pressure?? The LBP makes it so that if I sit in hot water I get light headead, nauseated and dizzy. Even if I sit in a hot tub I have to keep getting in and out, but mostly just put my legs in up to my knees.
3. What is your favorite breakfast food?
Scrambled eggs with sausage all cooked together, with hash browns and toast. YUM!
4. What’s your least favorite word?
My least favorite word....right now it's MOOOMMMMMM. Because my 12 year old is bugging me to get off the computer so we can go to the movie.
My 19 year old also says *Whatever* a lot. I have really come to hate that word when he says it.
5. Repeat question…make someone a Superstar for a day! Whose blog or comment spoke to you or stuck with you the most this week and why?
Scarlet's post about your last straw to make you realize you need to lose weight really hit home. (Somebody please help me figure out how to do a link please.) It made me cry and really made me start thinking about what it took to get me here. I think I feel a blog topic coming on. Thank you Scarlet!!
So we are off to see Toy Story 3 and Sorcerer's Apprentice at the drive in. It was either that or Karate Kid and Grown Ups. We have 2 drive -inns in town...don't hate me. We have seen Toy Story 3 and Karate Kid so I guess I'll have to suffer through Toy Story again to see my heart-throb Nicholas Cage. I really don't like cartoons...never have, even as a child...but I will persevere for Nick.
1. Because I’m going hardcore on Monday to lose my last 15 before vacation I’m curious….what’s the oddest diet you have tried? Or which ones have you tried and were any successful?
The oddest diet I ever tried was grapefruit juice and boiled eggs. That's all I ate for 4 days. It was a very long 4 days. It took almost a year before I could even smell a boiled egg again without getting sick. The grapefruit juice gave me really bad cankers. I gained 5 pounds. Yea...BIG FAT FAIL!!
The diet I was most successful on was Weight Watchers and Curves. I lost 45 pounds. And I felt I doing it in a healthy way. Then I hit a plateau, got frustrated and quit. And I gained all the weight back and then some.
The only thing more successful than that was Phen-Fen. Hello!! That shit was golden! 80 pounds fell off me in less than 6 months, I had energy for days...I was scrubbing floors at 3 am. I was invincible on that crack. Then I had to stop because I couldn't find a doctor to give it to me after 6 months. And yes, I have what is considered mild to moderate heart valve damage for it...basically a good heart murmur. And you know what? Up until I got my band, if I could have bought that on the black market I would have. In my hoodie, pulled up to the curb of a corner in the ghetto, looking for my fix. Even knowing the risks I would have done it. Yea, that scares me.
2. Do you prefer baths or showers?
Showers. I just can't get past the idea of sitting there in a pool of water with my sweat and dirt and dead skin surrounding me. And when I stand up it clings to me. I just don't feel clean in a bath...and how the hell do you wash your hair in the tub?? BUT, I have soaked after a good long shower and that was ok, but then I had to shower again. (OCD much?) I also have very low blood pressure...who'd thunk a fat girl would have low blood pressure?? The LBP makes it so that if I sit in hot water I get light headead, nauseated and dizzy. Even if I sit in a hot tub I have to keep getting in and out, but mostly just put my legs in up to my knees.
3. What is your favorite breakfast food?
Scrambled eggs with sausage all cooked together, with hash browns and toast. YUM!
4. What’s your least favorite word?
My least favorite word....right now it's MOOOMMMMMM. Because my 12 year old is bugging me to get off the computer so we can go to the movie.
My 19 year old also says *Whatever* a lot. I have really come to hate that word when he says it.
5. Repeat question…make someone a Superstar for a day! Whose blog or comment spoke to you or stuck with you the most this week and why?
Scarlet's post about your last straw to make you realize you need to lose weight really hit home. (Somebody please help me figure out how to do a link please.) It made me cry and really made me start thinking about what it took to get me here. I think I feel a blog topic coming on. Thank you Scarlet!!
So we are off to see Toy Story 3 and Sorcerer's Apprentice at the drive in. It was either that or Karate Kid and Grown Ups. We have 2 drive -inns in town...don't hate me. We have seen Toy Story 3 and Karate Kid so I guess I'll have to suffer through Toy Story again to see my heart-throb Nicholas Cage. I really don't like cartoons...never have, even as a child...but I will persevere for Nick.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thank you followers!
I just saw that I have 38 followers. I am so flattered!! Thank you so much to everyone that puts up with my whining. I promise I will make a true effort to write some positive posts....I have a few ideas. Please stick with me, I'm new at this. Your support means the world to me and I am really going to try to not lose any of you.
For the next few days I am going to go through my list of followers and for everyone that has a blog, that I can link to, I am going to read their blogs if I am not already following. I can't promise that am going to read everyone's from start to finish, but I promise to at least read from the beginning of this year. It might take me some time so please have patience. I also promise to comment on your last blog that I read so you will be forewarned that I'm going to start stalking you. Just kidding. But I will start following all the ones I am not currently following.
Off to read blogs...my new favorite thing to do at work. Shhhh don't tell my boss.
For the next few days I am going to go through my list of followers and for everyone that has a blog, that I can link to, I am going to read their blogs if I am not already following. I can't promise that am going to read everyone's from start to finish, but I promise to at least read from the beginning of this year. It might take me some time so please have patience. I also promise to comment on your last blog that I read so you will be forewarned that I'm going to start stalking you. Just kidding. But I will start following all the ones I am not currently following.
Off to read blogs...my new favorite thing to do at work. Shhhh don't tell my boss.
I Wish Wednesday
I'm jumping on Draz's 'I Wish Wednesday' bandwagon. I haven't exactly been prim and proper all week, but I'm going to vent here, now. Hold on tight.
1. To my little sister that threw a hissy fit at our brother's house last week while we were cleaning out mom's china cabinet: If there was something specific you wanted you should have spoke up. Don't text me horrible, mean things because I took something you wanted. I was asked what I wanted. I spoke my mind. I asked if there were any objections. You didn't speak. I packed up the china set I wanted. I wish you would realize that storming out of the house, pouting in your car, crying and throwing a pity party does not get you anywhere with me. You should not have sent your kids in the house to do your bidding for you. They do not have your memories, they did not know what you wanted. DO NOT text me to F*ck off and then not speak to me for a week. I wish you could see how sad mom would be when you called her things garbage. I wish you would call me. I wish I had my friend back. I miss you.
2. To my husband: I wish you didn't break your phone 6 days into your 2 week Army training on the other side of the country and no-where near a Verizon store to get it replaced. I wish you would be more careful with things, like not wrecking my car, not wrecking your truck, not breaking your phone and that you would stay away from power tools. You and power tools are a 911 call waiting to happen! I wish that when you got 5 minutes where there was internet access that you would have sent me a sweet email about how much you miss me, not post on Facebook. I wish I could talk to you and tell you good night and that I love you.
3. To the guy with the office across the hall from mine: I wish you wouldn't fart and burp when you walk past my office door. I know it's you, you're the only one in the hall, the sound and smell pretty much gives you away. Go fart in your own office, with the door closed!
4. To my 19 year old son: I'm tired of walking over your underwear on the bathroom floor. I wish you would pick them up the first time I ask. Hell I wish I didn't have to ask. You are an adult. Start taking responsibility for yourself like an adult. I've hung your dirty underwear on the eagle pole in the front yard more than once, you would think that would behoove you to not leave them where I can find them.
5. To the impatient, rude, employee that showed up at my office today: You are given a checkstub with your paycheck for a reason. I wish you would keep track of it, get a filing cabinet, or tuck it away in your underwear drawer for safe keeping. I am not your book-keeper. I am not your mom. If you show up freaking out because you have an appointment in 10 minutes and need 6 months worth of check-stubs right this minute then you will be shit out of luck. I cannot stop processing payroll for the other 300 employees to spend 30 minutes enabling your irresponsibility. Lack of planning on your part does not make an emergency on my part!!
6. To my husband's holier than thou sisters that have never had to wear a size large anything in their lives: I wish you weren't so shallow and that your words didn't cut like knives. I wish you knew how hurtful your words have been. I'm fat, I get that. I've been warned about not sitting on wobbly chairs before. But I have never been so humiliated or embarrassed as when you said it in THAT tone. One of you wrote BITCH on my car window. I don't know who did it. I'd give my right arm to have a fingerprint kit. You know who you are. I hope your menopause is hell. I hope you gain 100 pounds so I can give you all my fat clothes when I'm skinny. I hope your perfect, skinny, marathon-running, under-age daughters get drunk and dance naked in the Dairy Queen parking lot and your pastor drives by and sees them doing it.
Wow! I feel so much better now. Like when you haven't pooped in a long time and then you finally do and you want to get on the scales to see if you weigh less. Yea, that kind of good. Thank you Draz!! Never thought I'd have a reason to look forward to a Wednesday :D
1. To my little sister that threw a hissy fit at our brother's house last week while we were cleaning out mom's china cabinet: If there was something specific you wanted you should have spoke up. Don't text me horrible, mean things because I took something you wanted. I was asked what I wanted. I spoke my mind. I asked if there were any objections. You didn't speak. I packed up the china set I wanted. I wish you would realize that storming out of the house, pouting in your car, crying and throwing a pity party does not get you anywhere with me. You should not have sent your kids in the house to do your bidding for you. They do not have your memories, they did not know what you wanted. DO NOT text me to F*ck off and then not speak to me for a week. I wish you could see how sad mom would be when you called her things garbage. I wish you would call me. I wish I had my friend back. I miss you.
2. To my husband: I wish you didn't break your phone 6 days into your 2 week Army training on the other side of the country and no-where near a Verizon store to get it replaced. I wish you would be more careful with things, like not wrecking my car, not wrecking your truck, not breaking your phone and that you would stay away from power tools. You and power tools are a 911 call waiting to happen! I wish that when you got 5 minutes where there was internet access that you would have sent me a sweet email about how much you miss me, not post on Facebook. I wish I could talk to you and tell you good night and that I love you.
3. To the guy with the office across the hall from mine: I wish you wouldn't fart and burp when you walk past my office door. I know it's you, you're the only one in the hall, the sound and smell pretty much gives you away. Go fart in your own office, with the door closed!
4. To my 19 year old son: I'm tired of walking over your underwear on the bathroom floor. I wish you would pick them up the first time I ask. Hell I wish I didn't have to ask. You are an adult. Start taking responsibility for yourself like an adult. I've hung your dirty underwear on the eagle pole in the front yard more than once, you would think that would behoove you to not leave them where I can find them.
5. To the impatient, rude, employee that showed up at my office today: You are given a checkstub with your paycheck for a reason. I wish you would keep track of it, get a filing cabinet, or tuck it away in your underwear drawer for safe keeping. I am not your book-keeper. I am not your mom. If you show up freaking out because you have an appointment in 10 minutes and need 6 months worth of check-stubs right this minute then you will be shit out of luck. I cannot stop processing payroll for the other 300 employees to spend 30 minutes enabling your irresponsibility. Lack of planning on your part does not make an emergency on my part!!
6. To my husband's holier than thou sisters that have never had to wear a size large anything in their lives: I wish you weren't so shallow and that your words didn't cut like knives. I wish you knew how hurtful your words have been. I'm fat, I get that. I've been warned about not sitting on wobbly chairs before. But I have never been so humiliated or embarrassed as when you said it in THAT tone. One of you wrote BITCH on my car window. I don't know who did it. I'd give my right arm to have a fingerprint kit. You know who you are. I hope your menopause is hell. I hope you gain 100 pounds so I can give you all my fat clothes when I'm skinny. I hope your perfect, skinny, marathon-running, under-age daughters get drunk and dance naked in the Dairy Queen parking lot and your pastor drives by and sees them doing it.
Wow! I feel so much better now. Like when you haven't pooped in a long time and then you finally do and you want to get on the scales to see if you weigh less. Yea, that kind of good. Thank you Draz!! Never thought I'd have a reason to look forward to a Wednesday :D
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The hotel from hell, Giraffes, Wienerschnitzel and The Ex-Husband
So I took the boys to Salt Lake this weekend. It was interesting to say the least..
The drive to Salt Lake: I left work 2 hours early but we finally got on the freeway an hour later than planned. I was meeting my friend and her 4 kids. I had coordinated our meeting point so that would be at the same exit in Utah within 10 minutes of each other. Yea right, it was a nice fantasy. Exit 357 was the magic number, that's where we were supposed to meet. The whole 2 hour freakin long drive to Salt Lake my 19 year old know-it-all son is telling me how I need to speed up, slow down, get in the other lane, and how we're all going to die on the side of the road if I don't let him drive my new car. Yea, he's delusional. So...as The Know-It-All is arguing with me about something that was obviously important at the time but I'll be damned if I can remember what it was now, my 12 year old is in the back seat blabbering something at me and getting louder and louder. As I look up to the rear-view mirror to give him 'the look' for interrupting my winning argument I see it as it goes by in the window.....EXIT 357. Yup, I blew right past it. And the 12 year old says in his best told-you-so smart-aleck tone 'THAT's what I was trying to tell you." Know-It-All called my friend, told her that I'm a dork and had her get back on the freeway and meet us down the road. She will never let me live this down. Great start to the weekend!
Hotel from Hell: We had booked our rooms at the Ramada on Amelia Earhart Drive in Salt Lake. Yup, I'm naming names because trust me, if you ever go to Salt Lake you do NOT want to stay there. I had called the night before we left, talked to the manager. I requested and was ASSured that the room for my friend and me would be either connecting rooms or would be next to each other or across the hall. Fast forward...we finally find the hotel after I swallow my pride and call my ex-husband for directions. The Ex grew up in Salt Lake and is a truck driver...he knows every exit in every town in the country. I tell him which hotel we are trying to get to and he busts up laughing and then reminds me that in fact we had stayed at this hotel 5 years ago and that is was a dive. He told me 'Good Luck' and 'Let me know how that works out for you.' I was optimistic that it might be better, after all it has been 5 years. I was wrong.
We stepped out of our cars and instantly the worst smell hit us. I was thinking a poo-poo plant had moved in next door. It was hot and the stench was suffocating. I didn't think for a minute that it was the hotels fault. Once again, I was wrong.
My friend and I go into the lobby to check in. First, they had our rooms screwed up. Our rooms weren't even in the same wing! On our statements that we had to sign it said very clearly that our rooms were to be next to each other. We are not off to a good start. I threw a hissy fit and finally got our rooms 8 doors down from each other. I explained that I had talked to the manager, it was written on our bills. AND they didn't have any more rooms with a fridge, even though I had paid extra when I reserved my room to make sure we had a fridge. The desk clerk said she couldn't do anything but the manager would be there at 11 PM, which was in an hour. Oh, and by the way the complimentary breakfast has been discontinued, funny how that wasn't updated on the website. There are 8 of us between my friend and I...it would have been nice to know that we would have to plan on buying breakfast. I asked the desk clerk to let her manager know I would be back at 11 and that I was NOT happy.
We pull our cars around to the side of the building to find our rooms. The smell gets worse! We get out of the car and it looks like there is water all over the parking lot. But oh no my friends. It was not water. It was raw sewage. Yup...there was a poo-poo plant...in the freaking parking lot!! My 12-yr old almost stepped in a blob of shit that was on the sidewalk. Seriously! We're doing the tip-toe dance across the parking lot trying to walk on the few dry spots in the parking lot. Once again, I try to give the benefit of the doubt...accidents happen...it's late, let's just get some rest and start a fresh day in the morning.
I open the door for our room. If the shit smell in the parking lot wasn't bad enough, our room smelled like mildew. Oh no...we can't open the window...because the window opens to the parking lot. 30 minutes till the manger gets there and he is SO getting a piece of my mind.
My friend orders a pizza for the kids and me and Know-It-All go down to the lobby to wait for the manager.
11:00 - Manager not there.
11:15 - Manager still not there.
Me to desk clerk: Is the manager here yet?
Desk Clerk: Nope
Me: Is he going to be here tonight?
Desk Clerk: I think so
Me: So is he running late?
Desk Clerk: I guess so
Me: Does your manager require you to be on time for you shift?
Desk Clerk: No answer, just rolls her eyes
Me to Know-It-All - Don't you just love a manager that sets a good example for his employees?
Know-It-All - I'm hungry, can I go back to the room and get some pizza?
Me - No you cannot go get pizza...if the manager doesn't get here then you're going to have to bail me out of jail for ringing a desk clerk's neck.
11:20 - Manager finally shows up. We'll call him Lurch.
Lurch asks me if he can help me. Yup, as a matter of fact you can. You can move me and my friend's rooms next to each other, like you ASSured me would be done when I talked to you last night on the phone. You can put a friggin fridge in my room like I paid for. Then, you can clean up the shit pond in your parking lot so my kid doesn't track shit all over your hotel and I won't have to smell it on his shoes all night long. And you can do something about the mildew in our room. And while you're at it we were counting on your contintental breakfast to feed 6 kids in the morning...so do you have coupons or something for the diner down the street?
Lurch - Umm, ummm, ummm
Me - This is NOT acceptable!!
Lurch - I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do tonight.
Me - EXCUSE ME?!? I don't effing think so! It's been a long day, we're hot and we're tired. We paid for certain things, I called to make sure our needs could be accommodated. YOU told me it wouldn't be a problem. And now that you have my credit card and it's 11:30 at night YOU can't do anything. You have MAJOR health violations. And you're 20 minutes late for work. (At this time people came out of the bar to see what the yelling was all about. I seriously was expecting the police to show up any minute). I was pissed and I wanted shit fixed NOW! I explained to him that my first call in the morning was going to be to the health department and my next call would be to the corporate office. THAT changed his tune! He told me he would pull the hose out of the window in the basement that was pumping the sewage into the parking lot...evidently he didn't want to pay to call Rotor Rooter so he was trying to deal with the 'problem' on his own. He comped both our rooms for the night and promised to move our rooms for the next day. I told him not to bother, we definitely would not be staying 2 nights.
The sinks didn't drain worth a shit, the toilet had to be flushed twice and you had to hold the handle down, and I didn't even dare try the shower. I sponge-bathed in the sink. The air-conditioner was broke. It was a great night!
The next morning the hose was still pumping shit into the parking lot. Gross Gross Gross!!!
We got a great rate at a hotel downtown for Saturday night, and they had a fabulous breakfast buffet and a pool for the kids and a hot tub for the adults. I will never ever ever again be a cheap ass when it comes to hotels. Pinky promise.
Hogle Zoo was great, we saw the baby elephant, she is such a cutie. It was hot and sweaty and I could not believe all the hills at the zoo. I definitely got a work-out! My favorite part of the zoo was the giraffes. I have always loved giraffe print. But this time I saw the giraffe's different than before, more than just their awesome spots. I saw them for the tall, graceful, thin creatures that they are. I was in awe. I want to be like the giraffes..tall, graceful, slender and poised. I bought a stuffed giraffe and a key chain at the gift store for a reminder...be the giraffe!!
Wienerschnitzel. A trip to Utah is not complete without a Kraut Dog from Wienerschnitzel. They have the best dogs!! I blame my mom...she craved Wienerschnitzel Kraut Dogs when she was pregnant with me. I became addicted in the womb. There is no need to fight it. Weinerschnitzel will win. I ate mine without the bun, and I have to say it wasn't really the same, but it was good enough. It's probably a good thing we don't have Wienerschnitzel around here or I'd weigh a lot more than I do. sigh.
The Ex-Husband, The Trucker. When I was talking to him trying to find the Hotel from Hell he mentioned that he would be in town on Sunday and asked if we could hang around long enough for him to see the kids. The kids really hadn't seen him for about a year, mostly because he is always on the road and never home long enough to spend any time with them. So, I reluctantly agreed to meet him at a restaurant since it was on our way home anyway. The Trucker weighed over 400 pounds when we got married, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure a few years ago and the doctor told him to lose weight or he would die. And he's lost probably a little more than 100 pounds. He texted me a couple weeks ago and told me he was in a size 48 pants. Yea, it's weird that he texts me stuff like that. I don't text back. But, I did tell him that I was happy for him that he was able to lose the weight when we were at the restaurant Sunday. So as we were standing by my car and the kids were saying good-bye he asks me..."So can you tell I've lost weight..my stomach's a lot flatter huh?" It was an awkward moment...like he was asking me to check him out or something. I was nice and said "Yea, you've really lost a lot of weight." Now, I have told him that I've had Lap Band surgery. He knows I've lost weight. So when I told him that I could tell he had lost a lot of weight I was kind of expecting a little reciprocation. Yea right...nope, nada. Nothing. He didn't say shit. Nothing about how I had lost weight. Ass hole. Self-absorbed ass face!! I hope he chokes on a Twinkie!!
When we got home I realized I had left my phone charger in Utah. The nice hotel doesn't have it. There is no way I'm calling Hotel from Hell to see if I left it there. I'll eat the 35 bucks to buy a new one. Life lesson learned....when it comes to hotels you get what you pay for.
This morning the scales were up 2 pounds from Friday...damn Kraut Dogs.
All in all it was a really fun weekend. I love my friend and her kids and really miss them all very much!
I really didn't mean to make this as long as it is....I have this problem about not knowing what I'm going to write and then never knowing when to shut up.
Ok...shutting up now. Nite everybody. Sweet dreams!!
The drive to Salt Lake: I left work 2 hours early but we finally got on the freeway an hour later than planned. I was meeting my friend and her 4 kids. I had coordinated our meeting point so that would be at the same exit in Utah within 10 minutes of each other. Yea right, it was a nice fantasy. Exit 357 was the magic number, that's where we were supposed to meet. The whole 2 hour freakin long drive to Salt Lake my 19 year old know-it-all son is telling me how I need to speed up, slow down, get in the other lane, and how we're all going to die on the side of the road if I don't let him drive my new car. Yea, he's delusional. So...as The Know-It-All is arguing with me about something that was obviously important at the time but I'll be damned if I can remember what it was now, my 12 year old is in the back seat blabbering something at me and getting louder and louder. As I look up to the rear-view mirror to give him 'the look' for interrupting my winning argument I see it as it goes by in the window.....EXIT 357. Yup, I blew right past it. And the 12 year old says in his best told-you-so smart-aleck tone 'THAT's what I was trying to tell you." Know-It-All called my friend, told her that I'm a dork and had her get back on the freeway and meet us down the road. She will never let me live this down. Great start to the weekend!
Hotel from Hell: We had booked our rooms at the Ramada on Amelia Earhart Drive in Salt Lake. Yup, I'm naming names because trust me, if you ever go to Salt Lake you do NOT want to stay there. I had called the night before we left, talked to the manager. I requested and was ASSured that the room for my friend and me would be either connecting rooms or would be next to each other or across the hall. Fast forward...we finally find the hotel after I swallow my pride and call my ex-husband for directions. The Ex grew up in Salt Lake and is a truck driver...he knows every exit in every town in the country. I tell him which hotel we are trying to get to and he busts up laughing and then reminds me that in fact we had stayed at this hotel 5 years ago and that is was a dive. He told me 'Good Luck' and 'Let me know how that works out for you.' I was optimistic that it might be better, after all it has been 5 years. I was wrong.
We stepped out of our cars and instantly the worst smell hit us. I was thinking a poo-poo plant had moved in next door. It was hot and the stench was suffocating. I didn't think for a minute that it was the hotels fault. Once again, I was wrong.
My friend and I go into the lobby to check in. First, they had our rooms screwed up. Our rooms weren't even in the same wing! On our statements that we had to sign it said very clearly that our rooms were to be next to each other. We are not off to a good start. I threw a hissy fit and finally got our rooms 8 doors down from each other. I explained that I had talked to the manager, it was written on our bills. AND they didn't have any more rooms with a fridge, even though I had paid extra when I reserved my room to make sure we had a fridge. The desk clerk said she couldn't do anything but the manager would be there at 11 PM, which was in an hour. Oh, and by the way the complimentary breakfast has been discontinued, funny how that wasn't updated on the website. There are 8 of us between my friend and I...it would have been nice to know that we would have to plan on buying breakfast. I asked the desk clerk to let her manager know I would be back at 11 and that I was NOT happy.
We pull our cars around to the side of the building to find our rooms. The smell gets worse! We get out of the car and it looks like there is water all over the parking lot. But oh no my friends. It was not water. It was raw sewage. Yup...there was a poo-poo plant...in the freaking parking lot!! My 12-yr old almost stepped in a blob of shit that was on the sidewalk. Seriously! We're doing the tip-toe dance across the parking lot trying to walk on the few dry spots in the parking lot. Once again, I try to give the benefit of the doubt...accidents happen...it's late, let's just get some rest and start a fresh day in the morning.
I open the door for our room. If the shit smell in the parking lot wasn't bad enough, our room smelled like mildew. Oh no...we can't open the window...because the window opens to the parking lot. 30 minutes till the manger gets there and he is SO getting a piece of my mind.
My friend orders a pizza for the kids and me and Know-It-All go down to the lobby to wait for the manager.
11:00 - Manager not there.
11:15 - Manager still not there.
Me to desk clerk: Is the manager here yet?
Desk Clerk: Nope
Me: Is he going to be here tonight?
Desk Clerk: I think so
Me: So is he running late?
Desk Clerk: I guess so
Me: Does your manager require you to be on time for you shift?
Desk Clerk: No answer, just rolls her eyes
Me to Know-It-All - Don't you just love a manager that sets a good example for his employees?
Know-It-All - I'm hungry, can I go back to the room and get some pizza?
Me - No you cannot go get pizza...if the manager doesn't get here then you're going to have to bail me out of jail for ringing a desk clerk's neck.
11:20 - Manager finally shows up. We'll call him Lurch.
Lurch asks me if he can help me. Yup, as a matter of fact you can. You can move me and my friend's rooms next to each other, like you ASSured me would be done when I talked to you last night on the phone. You can put a friggin fridge in my room like I paid for. Then, you can clean up the shit pond in your parking lot so my kid doesn't track shit all over your hotel and I won't have to smell it on his shoes all night long. And you can do something about the mildew in our room. And while you're at it we were counting on your contintental breakfast to feed 6 kids in the morning...so do you have coupons or something for the diner down the street?
Lurch - Umm, ummm, ummm
Me - This is NOT acceptable!!
Lurch - I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do tonight.
Me - EXCUSE ME?!? I don't effing think so! It's been a long day, we're hot and we're tired. We paid for certain things, I called to make sure our needs could be accommodated. YOU told me it wouldn't be a problem. And now that you have my credit card and it's 11:30 at night YOU can't do anything. You have MAJOR health violations. And you're 20 minutes late for work. (At this time people came out of the bar to see what the yelling was all about. I seriously was expecting the police to show up any minute). I was pissed and I wanted shit fixed NOW! I explained to him that my first call in the morning was going to be to the health department and my next call would be to the corporate office. THAT changed his tune! He told me he would pull the hose out of the window in the basement that was pumping the sewage into the parking lot...evidently he didn't want to pay to call Rotor Rooter so he was trying to deal with the 'problem' on his own. He comped both our rooms for the night and promised to move our rooms for the next day. I told him not to bother, we definitely would not be staying 2 nights.
The sinks didn't drain worth a shit, the toilet had to be flushed twice and you had to hold the handle down, and I didn't even dare try the shower. I sponge-bathed in the sink. The air-conditioner was broke. It was a great night!
The next morning the hose was still pumping shit into the parking lot. Gross Gross Gross!!!
We got a great rate at a hotel downtown for Saturday night, and they had a fabulous breakfast buffet and a pool for the kids and a hot tub for the adults. I will never ever ever again be a cheap ass when it comes to hotels. Pinky promise.
Hogle Zoo was great, we saw the baby elephant, she is such a cutie. It was hot and sweaty and I could not believe all the hills at the zoo. I definitely got a work-out! My favorite part of the zoo was the giraffes. I have always loved giraffe print. But this time I saw the giraffe's different than before, more than just their awesome spots. I saw them for the tall, graceful, thin creatures that they are. I was in awe. I want to be like the giraffes..tall, graceful, slender and poised. I bought a stuffed giraffe and a key chain at the gift store for a reminder...be the giraffe!!
Wienerschnitzel. A trip to Utah is not complete without a Kraut Dog from Wienerschnitzel. They have the best dogs!! I blame my mom...she craved Wienerschnitzel Kraut Dogs when she was pregnant with me. I became addicted in the womb. There is no need to fight it. Weinerschnitzel will win. I ate mine without the bun, and I have to say it wasn't really the same, but it was good enough. It's probably a good thing we don't have Wienerschnitzel around here or I'd weigh a lot more than I do. sigh.
The Ex-Husband, The Trucker. When I was talking to him trying to find the Hotel from Hell he mentioned that he would be in town on Sunday and asked if we could hang around long enough for him to see the kids. The kids really hadn't seen him for about a year, mostly because he is always on the road and never home long enough to spend any time with them. So, I reluctantly agreed to meet him at a restaurant since it was on our way home anyway. The Trucker weighed over 400 pounds when we got married, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure a few years ago and the doctor told him to lose weight or he would die. And he's lost probably a little more than 100 pounds. He texted me a couple weeks ago and told me he was in a size 48 pants. Yea, it's weird that he texts me stuff like that. I don't text back. But, I did tell him that I was happy for him that he was able to lose the weight when we were at the restaurant Sunday. So as we were standing by my car and the kids were saying good-bye he asks me..."So can you tell I've lost weight..my stomach's a lot flatter huh?" It was an awkward moment...like he was asking me to check him out or something. I was nice and said "Yea, you've really lost a lot of weight." Now, I have told him that I've had Lap Band surgery. He knows I've lost weight. So when I told him that I could tell he had lost a lot of weight I was kind of expecting a little reciprocation. Yea right...nope, nada. Nothing. He didn't say shit. Nothing about how I had lost weight. Ass hole. Self-absorbed ass face!! I hope he chokes on a Twinkie!!
When we got home I realized I had left my phone charger in Utah. The nice hotel doesn't have it. There is no way I'm calling Hotel from Hell to see if I left it there. I'll eat the 35 bucks to buy a new one. Life lesson learned....when it comes to hotels you get what you pay for.
This morning the scales were up 2 pounds from Friday...damn Kraut Dogs.
All in all it was a really fun weekend. I love my friend and her kids and really miss them all very much!
I really didn't mean to make this as long as it is....I have this problem about not knowing what I'm going to write and then never knowing when to shut up.
Ok...shutting up now. Nite everybody. Sweet dreams!!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Drazil, Band Groupie and getting out of town
Drazil....Thank you for making me cry today...really...thank you! I needed someone to pull the plug and let me cry. I lost my mom to cancer in 1994, 1 week before she would have been 44. Yes she was young, way too young to die. This week has been hard, today my sisters and I cleaned out her antique china cabinet so my brother could put his GF's china in it. Don't even get me started on the anger I feel about him putting his GF's china in my mom's antique cabinet...did I mention that he's only known her a few months and just shacked up with her last weekend? And the whole ordeal of splitting all the china between the sisters and the crying and selfishness really got to me. Mom would not want us to be like that! I really have to let it go...the china cabinet and the china is not my mom and she is not there and I have to keep telling myself that. Sometimes I feel my mom with me too, especially when I am sewing. Oh shit, now I'm crying again. I tried to burn off my anger and hurt and resentment on the treadmill for a whole hour. The only way I made it an hour was thinking about your post. I haven't been reading your blog for long but you have made a profound difference in my life already. I can't wait to read more!
Band Groupie...You really went above and beyond anything I was hoping for when I sent you an email asking about your spreadsheet. I am in awe!! I read your email and printed it. From what I read it is awesome and exactly what I need. I am going to try to build mine to match yours this weekend (maybe Monday if I don't get time at the motel). I will let you know how it goes and email you if I get stuck.
Tomorrow after work I am taking my boys to Utah to the Hogle Zoo. I haven't been there since K1 was 2, which was 17 years ago. We are so excited!! We are leaving as soon as I get off work. One of my best friends and her 4 kids are going with us too. We have rooms at the same motel with an outside pool so the kids can go swimming. And the best part...the motel has a bar and we can take drinks to the pool. Oh yea baby!! I really need this weekend away. I am missing my husband like crazy and after today at my brothers I just really to get away.
Oh and yesterday I got my 3rd fill. I now have 3.5 cc in my 14 cc band. This morning I saw a new low on the scale...296.6. I almost had a kitten when I saw that! The scales have forgiven my 4th of July gluttony a lot sooner than I had hoped.
I guess that's all for now. I still need to Map Quest the directions to the motel and get packed. I will try to remember to take some pics while we are in Salt Lake and tell you all about it when we get back.
Have a great weekend everyone!!
Band Groupie...You really went above and beyond anything I was hoping for when I sent you an email asking about your spreadsheet. I am in awe!! I read your email and printed it. From what I read it is awesome and exactly what I need. I am going to try to build mine to match yours this weekend (maybe Monday if I don't get time at the motel). I will let you know how it goes and email you if I get stuck.
Tomorrow after work I am taking my boys to Utah to the Hogle Zoo. I haven't been there since K1 was 2, which was 17 years ago. We are so excited!! We are leaving as soon as I get off work. One of my best friends and her 4 kids are going with us too. We have rooms at the same motel with an outside pool so the kids can go swimming. And the best part...the motel has a bar and we can take drinks to the pool. Oh yea baby!! I really need this weekend away. I am missing my husband like crazy and after today at my brothers I just really to get away.
Oh and yesterday I got my 3rd fill. I now have 3.5 cc in my 14 cc band. This morning I saw a new low on the scale...296.6. I almost had a kitten when I saw that! The scales have forgiven my 4th of July gluttony a lot sooner than I had hoped.
I guess that's all for now. I still need to Map Quest the directions to the motel and get packed. I will try to remember to take some pics while we are in Salt Lake and tell you all about it when we get back.
Have a great weekend everyone!!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Weekend of gluttony...
I've been sitting here reading blogs for the past hour...promising myself that at 7:00 I'll go for my walk....ok, I'll just read until 7:30...dang it's 7:38 so now I have to wait until 8:00. Ain't OCD a bitch? So...it's 8:11 so I promise at 8:30 I'll go for a walk, it will be cooler then anyway...yea that's it...it's my story and I'm sticking to it.
So, I have 18 minutes to tell you all about my weekend.
Friday night we went to the drive inn to see Eclipse. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Twilight and can't wait to Eclipse again this week with my sister and again if I can possibly find a good excuse, or not even a good, any excuse will do. At the drive in I ate nachos and an ice cream drumstick. I love drive-inn nachos...the ones that are just chips and the liquidy cheese...soooo yummy!!!
And then Saturday we went to lunch at Famous Dave's...never been there before. I am now addicted to Drunkin' Apples. I had 1/2 salad and chicken strips and a few slices of hubby's apples. It was a pretty lazy day. Our town had their 4th of July activities on Saturday but we boycotted them, cause they didn't want to do the 4th on the 4th. Seriously...they don't change any other holidays so why the 4th of July??? I'll tell you why...because here in Happy Valley stores are all closed up on Sunday and the Chamber of Commerce didn't want businesses to miss out on the revenue. Yea, seriously!! GRRR don't even get me started!!!
****Side note...why is that when I press the Enter key the cursor goes to the beginning of the paragraph instead of moving down 2 lines??*****
Sunday we went about an hour south for their 4th of July celebration. They kept the 4th on the 4th so they got our support this year. We slept late and blew off the parade. We got to the fairgrounds about 3:00 and got a place right up front by the stage where they had live bands playing all day. They had a carnival and vendors selling all kinds of stuff and did I mention about 30 FOOD BOOTHS?? I did pretty good as far as the carny food goes. I didn't drink any alcohol even though my friend that went with us had 3 margaritas. But I did eat Deluxe Super Nachos. I love Nachos...can you tell? I also ate about 10 Nutter Butter cookies. I bought them because I never really liked them...but guess what? When the package is open sitting next to you and you have the munchies they are the best things you've ever had! Yea, I looked at the calories...2 frikkin cookies is 180 calories. I don't even want to do the math! I also ate a snack bag of Sun Chips. And got a nasty sunburn to boot. Pure unadulterated gluttony! The fire works were beautiful and as always I cried when they played the Star-Spangled Banner. The 4th of July is truly my favorite holiday of they year for so many reasons!!
Monday we took the kids to the museum to see the Wolf to Woof exhibit...it was pretty cool...I always learn something fun when we go. We had lunch at a little cafe here in town.
We didn't cook at home for one stinking meal the whole weekend. Bad. Bad. Bad.
Then while we were on the way home from the museum My Soldier tells me how he has to start packing when he gets home....I'm like yea, you have 2 days to do that....but no, he tells me that he had to leave tomorrow (which is today) for his annual 2 weeks of Army Reserve training. He had told me his plane left Wednesday so I was thinking tonight (Tuesday) would be our last night together and I had plans to make it a nice special night for us. But somehow I forgot the part where he had to be at the Drill Hall today and they are leaving out tonight to go to catch the plane that leaves in the morning. (Confused yet?) So, I begged and bribed my oldest son to watch my youngest so we could at least have a nice dinner together. Yes, we ate out AGAIN! It was a nice dinner, chicken and shrimp and the best damn mashed potatoes I've ever had...and Huckleberry Crisp for dessert. We never order dessert but decided since the entire weekend was shot to hell we might as well indulge.
My Soldier came to my work to take me to lunch before he left (ate out AGAIN)...damn he looks good in his uniform!! And I cried most of the day, crying where your snot drips off your nose and your whole body shakes with the sub-subs. I just shut my office door, let my calls go to voice mail and tried to get a few things done, and left an hour early. I know it's only 2 weeks and it's not like a deployment but 2 weeks is a long time when we never spend more than 8 hours apart, except for his 2 week training every year. I miss him so much already!!
So....after the weekend of no exercise, eating out for every stinking meal, Nutter Butters, nachos, mashed potatoes and ice cream......the scales showed a 2 pound gain this morning. Not great, but I really thought it would be more. I always weigh more after the weekend so it's not a huge shock.
Plan of action.....get my ass off this couch and go for a damn walk...NOW!! Work out every day for the rest of the week. Drink my water, 64 oz every day. And no more eating out....I vow to take my lunches to work and cook dinner for the rest of the week.
I have an appt for my 3rd fill tomorrow, so the liquids and mushies for the next few days will help get me back on the wagon.
Ok ok ok no more stalling, I'm really going for that walk now.
So, I have 18 minutes to tell you all about my weekend.
Friday night we went to the drive inn to see Eclipse. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Twilight and can't wait to Eclipse again this week with my sister and again if I can possibly find a good excuse, or not even a good, any excuse will do. At the drive in I ate nachos and an ice cream drumstick. I love drive-inn nachos...the ones that are just chips and the liquidy cheese...soooo yummy!!!
And then Saturday we went to lunch at Famous Dave's...never been there before. I am now addicted to Drunkin' Apples. I had 1/2 salad and chicken strips and a few slices of hubby's apples. It was a pretty lazy day. Our town had their 4th of July activities on Saturday but we boycotted them, cause they didn't want to do the 4th on the 4th. Seriously...they don't change any other holidays so why the 4th of July??? I'll tell you why...because here in Happy Valley stores are all closed up on Sunday and the Chamber of Commerce didn't want businesses to miss out on the revenue. Yea, seriously!! GRRR don't even get me started!!!
****Side note...why is that when I press the Enter key the cursor goes to the beginning of the paragraph instead of moving down 2 lines??*****
Sunday we went about an hour south for their 4th of July celebration. They kept the 4th on the 4th so they got our support this year. We slept late and blew off the parade. We got to the fairgrounds about 3:00 and got a place right up front by the stage where they had live bands playing all day. They had a carnival and vendors selling all kinds of stuff and did I mention about 30 FOOD BOOTHS?? I did pretty good as far as the carny food goes. I didn't drink any alcohol even though my friend that went with us had 3 margaritas. But I did eat Deluxe Super Nachos. I love Nachos...can you tell? I also ate about 10 Nutter Butter cookies. I bought them because I never really liked them...but guess what? When the package is open sitting next to you and you have the munchies they are the best things you've ever had! Yea, I looked at the calories...2 frikkin cookies is 180 calories. I don't even want to do the math! I also ate a snack bag of Sun Chips. And got a nasty sunburn to boot. Pure unadulterated gluttony! The fire works were beautiful and as always I cried when they played the Star-Spangled Banner. The 4th of July is truly my favorite holiday of they year for so many reasons!!
Monday we took the kids to the museum to see the Wolf to Woof exhibit...it was pretty cool...I always learn something fun when we go. We had lunch at a little cafe here in town.
We didn't cook at home for one stinking meal the whole weekend. Bad. Bad. Bad.
Then while we were on the way home from the museum My Soldier tells me how he has to start packing when he gets home....I'm like yea, you have 2 days to do that....but no, he tells me that he had to leave tomorrow (which is today) for his annual 2 weeks of Army Reserve training. He had told me his plane left Wednesday so I was thinking tonight (Tuesday) would be our last night together and I had plans to make it a nice special night for us. But somehow I forgot the part where he had to be at the Drill Hall today and they are leaving out tonight to go to catch the plane that leaves in the morning. (Confused yet?) So, I begged and bribed my oldest son to watch my youngest so we could at least have a nice dinner together. Yes, we ate out AGAIN! It was a nice dinner, chicken and shrimp and the best damn mashed potatoes I've ever had...and Huckleberry Crisp for dessert. We never order dessert but decided since the entire weekend was shot to hell we might as well indulge.
My Soldier came to my work to take me to lunch before he left (ate out AGAIN)...damn he looks good in his uniform!! And I cried most of the day, crying where your snot drips off your nose and your whole body shakes with the sub-subs. I just shut my office door, let my calls go to voice mail and tried to get a few things done, and left an hour early. I know it's only 2 weeks and it's not like a deployment but 2 weeks is a long time when we never spend more than 8 hours apart, except for his 2 week training every year. I miss him so much already!!
So....after the weekend of no exercise, eating out for every stinking meal, Nutter Butters, nachos, mashed potatoes and ice cream......the scales showed a 2 pound gain this morning. Not great, but I really thought it would be more. I always weigh more after the weekend so it's not a huge shock.
Plan of action.....get my ass off this couch and go for a damn walk...NOW!! Work out every day for the rest of the week. Drink my water, 64 oz every day. And no more eating out....I vow to take my lunches to work and cook dinner for the rest of the week.
I have an appt for my 3rd fill tomorrow, so the liquids and mushies for the next few days will help get me back on the wagon.
Ok ok ok no more stalling, I'm really going for that walk now.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Thank you Ice Queen!
Check out the new background....pretty cool huh!! I owe it all to Ice Queen. I heart her :)
Oatmeal Test Day #3.....scales said 297.8 today....oh yes they did!! A new all time low, I don't even remember ever seeing that on the scales in the past 13 years. I have also been at the gym 2 days in a row before this weigh-in so that could have something to do with it too.
I did 45 minutes on the treadmill today....2.5 miles. I was sweating like a pig but it felt really good and the time flew by with my new MP3 player...but I've got to change out the songs, hubby put a lot of country on it and although I really like country music it's not so great for working out. I need AC/DC, Def Leppard, Halestorm, Merideth Brooks, Tina Turner...some good music to get my blood pumping. Feel free to share your favorite work out songs so I can steel your ideas :)
I don't have a lot of time tonight...it's getting late and I still need a shower, get my lunch packed and my gym bag put together for tomorrow. But I wanted to check in and say hi.
Oatmeal Test Day #3.....scales said 297.8 today....oh yes they did!! A new all time low, I don't even remember ever seeing that on the scales in the past 13 years. I have also been at the gym 2 days in a row before this weigh-in so that could have something to do with it too.
I did 45 minutes on the treadmill today....2.5 miles. I was sweating like a pig but it felt really good and the time flew by with my new MP3 player...but I've got to change out the songs, hubby put a lot of country on it and although I really like country music it's not so great for working out. I need AC/DC, Def Leppard, Halestorm, Merideth Brooks, Tina Turner...some good music to get my blood pumping. Feel free to share your favorite work out songs so I can steel your ideas :)
I don't have a lot of time tonight...it's getting late and I still need a shower, get my lunch packed and my gym bag put together for tomorrow. But I wanted to check in and say hi.
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