Where Have I Been?!

I guess you could say I reached a goal, and just got comfortable and well - had nothing truly to write about. I wasn't trying recipes, or doing anything all that exciting so I sort of stopped writing.

I also recognized that I had dived into some transferred addiction habits - I was shopping way too much, once I had replaced most of my clothes - I really had no "excuse" to buy more and more jeans . . . yet I was. If it wasn't that, then it was make-up. I mean, how could I need more??? Well, Urban Decay would come out with a new gloss, palette, anything! I needed it . . .

I bought these items one late night after too much wine!

Since I was recognizing this and knew I had to stop - I started reading again! Now I have a new addiction - reading trashy/romance on my Kindle :)

Christmas 2012

I also had really hard time with my hair not really returning. I decided to get long extensions. You can't really tell in the picture above but this is a few days after getting them. I now have had them for over a year & love them.

More to come.

Giving Thanks . . .

My facebook "Thankful for" posts over this past month . . . what are you thankful for?

#1. A cozy bed & morning cuddles with Reese.

#2. Skinny Peppermint Mochas 

 #3: Thankful for my wonderful job & co-workers. Seriously.

#4. Today I am thankful for knee high socks & scarves.

#5. I am thankful for Saturdays.

#6. Family Showing of Puss in Boots.

#7. Thankful for my wonderful friends. I love you all so much. Seriously.

#8. Today I am thankful for my iPhone. Something so trivial has made my life so much easier.

#9. Today I am thankful for my awesome Teaching Team: Karina & Maria are THE best.

#10. I am thankful for being able to find a new wool CK coat at Costco (which is awesome btw).

#11. Today (& always) I am thankful for my longest & dearest best friends. The ones I still talk to nightly, the ones that make me the laugh the hardest & the ones that are always there: Corinn & Christina. I love you both to the moon & back.

#12. Thankful for my awesome parents. Mom, Dad & Maureen are the best!

#13. I am thankful for the wonderful friends I have made through San Bruno Mothers Club.

#14. I am thankful for Mondays. (don't get mad, I usually work a late 1/2 day so I love the extra time with Reese)

#15. Today I am thankful for a bin full of train tracks. Kept my group so occupied this last hour that the bickering halted.

#16. After a long work day . . . I am thankful to take my bra off.

#17. Today - as I was tired and fighting a small cold, I am thankful for my health. I am reminded that everyone has it - that some are fighting things that I may never know, that are painful, that are deadly. So - today, I am thankful for being well.

#18. I am thankful for jammie days with my Reeseykins.

#20. Is thankful for sleep.

#22. Today I am so thankful for the awesome little girl in my life. Reese truly is my Holiday blessing.

I seemed to miss a few days, so here are my replacements. 

#23. I am thankful for the wonderful team at Kaiser for my wonderful care in the Baractric Program, and for my RNY. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Just Think About It.

A Small NSV

Today, I realized a very small Non-Scale Victory.

Back-story: When we first finished the remodel on our kitchen, I struggled to find a dinning room table. I wanted real wood, but something simple and clean lined. I searched and searched - and oddly found a table at Ikea. The table is simple, but the chairs were just not what I loved. We picked a different chair and was so happy with the simple black straps on the seat. When we had out first dinner (Thanksgiving or Christmas) I was so sad to find that the chairs hurt my outer thighs. I blamed the chairs . . . they have this portion where the front legs attach that comes up like less than 1/2 an inch from the seat straps. It has to be a design flaw, not my fat!

Today, I was sitting at the dinning room table (yes, in the chair) on the computer, with my legs crossed, talking to Danny. Over jumps Reese, and sits with me in the chair.

I didn't make a big deal about it, but my heart sort of pinged.

There I was, in the uncomfortable chair, with my legs crossed, with my 3.10 year old.

Great NSV!

Regrets? No Way . . .

Recently, a long-time friend sent me a text telling me she was looking into WLS and wondering if I had any regrets. I immediately sent her a text back telling her "Not a single one." Are there challenges? Sure . . . but not one that I might never met withOUT WLS so no regrets. Ever.

Here is a list of my "challenges" or annoyances:

• The Hair.
• I KNEW it would fall out. I knew it going in. I was prepared for it. I did not expect MY hair to literally break-off (yes, I did bleach part & might have played a part) and it seems like MY hair is not recovering from it. 9 months later (since it fell out) it is like my hair has not grown . . . 
• Thankfully, I have in good extensions but sad I will most likely have them for another year!
• The Coldness.
• This I had not read about. I am cold, all the time. Period.
• I wore an entire outfit under my outfit to take R trick or treating, funny yes. It was like 55 degrees! I am thankful it doesn't snow around here. 
• The Flab.
• Yes, yes. I knew there would be skin. Yes, yes I can have plastic surgery. Yes, yes it is ugly. It even flaps, and makes noise! My arms make fart noises . . .
• The Vitamins.
• There is a shit load. I seem to be running out like every 15 days . . . but, I do take them. So that is NOT a challenge I face.
•  The Two-Bite Full & Bottomless Pit Wee Tummy.
• Some days, I am never hungry. 
• Some days, I am starving and full after literally - 2 bites.
• Some days, I eat all day. 

So - that is just me! I am sure I have more but the truth is there is much JOY in having WLS. No regrets . . . ever.

Happy Birthday to my Wee Tummy

Today marks a a HUGE step in my journey . . . it has been exactly 1 year since surgery.

Hard to believe at this time last year, I was in recovery, in pain thinking that each day will get so much better and if I *just* get through the night, I can rest in my own bed (I am a "I want to go home" kinda girl, lol) and heal. 

When I did the closet clean out a few weekends ago, I stumbled upon the flower box. I figured it held scarves or a pair of shoes . . . but was surprised when I opened it. There sat THE jeans. A pair of Target Merona capris that I bought because literally nothing fit, and everything I owned hurt. They are a size 22.

On top are my current jeans, a pair of Page jeans in a "30" or about an 8.

I took the picture and with a few tears, folded back up the jeans and tucked them back in the box. I will keep them forever. I will never donate them. They need to stay in my closet . . . not as a fall back (as I have a feared) but as a reminder of where I have been and never want to be again.

Skinny Peppermint Mocha?

I was just over mass reading at The World According to Eggface and came across her post about the possibility that Starbucks would be testing a Holiday SKINNY Peppermint Mocha! (Skinny = Sugar Free at Bux)

I am so excited, please tell me if you have one come Thanksgiving time when they roll out the holiday drinks. I want one, like now.

EDIT: I noticed after the fact that the blog on Starbucks site was posted last year. I sure hope that means it was tested and coming!  

EDIT 11/1/2011: I received an email today that the holiday drinks are back and YES - there is a "Skinny" Peppermint Mocha. Here is a link to the Nutritional Value.

EDIT 11/5/2011: I have had it 3 times. I love it . . . BUT, if getting a Grande I advise asking for less "pumps" like 2 each since there are two sugar free syrups. The coffee flavor is not there but it is a super yummy treat. 

Jo Koy!

Christina & I went to see Jo Koy at Cobb's in SF last Sunday. It was down right hilarious. She really wanted to wait in line to meet him, and normally I would have sat it out or just met him and not taken a picture . . . but I was excited to meet him & take a picture!

Being Crafty!

I have following and reading my friend Shara's blog called Little Gray Table and feeling inspired but not enough to actually do something. She has a great talent with furniture, something I do NOT have. At all. But, I have been wanting to do more?

I had heard about Pinterest thru FB so when I saw people sharing quotes and crafts, I hoped on the bandwagon . . . more time wasting on my computer!

Many people had "pinned" the same picture over & over of how to make your own Hipster Scarf. Ok, 1 - I have no idea what a hipster is. Am I one? Because I am awesome. 2 - I love fall and last year LOVED my purple scarf given to me b a student so I knew I would like other variety this Fall. With cleaning out my closet I had discovered 3 Tees that I LOVED because they are so soft - I put them aside and decided I was going to do this!

Here is MY step by step of the process:

 1. Pick out your Tees. I chose these 3 due to their softness. And the colors of navy & grey.

 2. I started with this navy very old Old Navy Tee. (Note: It has too much on the front, so next time I would use something with less or just one color). Lay flat on a table to help to cut somewhat straight.

 3. Cut off the hem and set aside. 

 4. START! Cut strips about 1-1 1/2 ”  horizontal strips is what the directions said but it appears I went about 2 ". Mine are a wee bit too big but doesn't make a huge difference in the end. 

 

 5. Keep cutting until you get to the armpit of the Tee. 

Note: I switched scissors to a newer pair for sharpness and ease. 

 6. Grab 2-3 strips in both hands, and gently stretch them out. The strips will naturally curl into themselves. 

 7. The Directions over at method.com didn't really say what to do with the hem you "put aside" so I used it to tie my strips together. The seams of the shirt show and have white stitching to I used it to cover that.

8. My end result!

Not as fancy as the other ones or the ones it appears you can buy for $30+ but it was first attempt! I am thinking some ribbons, maybe even clips/bows to add to them. Don't be surprised if you get one for the Holidays. 

 The picture doesn't really show the details :-| I took about 10 but they all look black. Oh well, you get the idea!

Cleaning Out the Closet, Again.

 We have a huge mold issue here in wet San Bruno, so when I pulled out a pair of boots and they have fresh green spots I knew it was time to clean out . . . and say good-bye to more clothes. Plus, this thing was a mess! The long robe & grey sweater to the left are not only too big but have been hanging there for like a year! No idea why I didn't donate them? A girl at work had expressed wanting some clothes so I did 3 bags: donate, to sell at work & to consign at Ameila's Antics. It wasn't as big of a project as I thought it would be . . . I got myself a yummy drink (RAIN zero calorie) & put a bit trashy Bravo Tv on.

Oddly, I still have some plus-size items in there, XL that I was holding onto and even large items that are just took big due to my shortness (and lack of boobies). I also had about 5 pair of shoes (flats) that were just not me anymore . . . and a bit too big.  I also cleaned out my T-shirt & tank top drawers (but didn't take pictures).

 Here is the finished product . . . 2 hours later. Shoes in boxes so they don't mold :( Purses in bins on the top shelf (as they were before) are now organized and labeled (Coach, small bags, large bags, etc).

The other side of my room! Donations, items to sell, hangers all over the floor, Snow White costume (to do what with, I have no idea) and in the yellow Forver 21 bag is pants to hem (story of my life!).

The weird part, or the truth is . . . I hold onto the clothes out of fear. I am scared that one day I will be back there, and have nothing to wear. I need to let that go. I needed to say good-bye to ANYTHING in XL, it is weighing me down.

Welcome October . . .

Ok, I know I said before that May was my favorite month but I *think* I might have to say it ties with my other favorite month - OCTOBER! Fall is upon us, and while here in the Bay Area we really did not have much of a summer . . . I am sure hoping that Mother Nature doesn't wake from a nap and give us a heat wave. I am looking forward to boots, sweaters, warm lattes and pumpkin patches.

Now if Starbucks would JUST come out with a Sugar Free Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Do you love Fall . . . tell me why?

Yummy Breakfast

Many of you know, I drink a protein shake most mornings but once in-awhile on the weekends I want to have something more breakfasty. I was reading a follow WLSers blog and she posted about Guilt-Free Sausage! Fast forward, I am wandering Target's grocery area (How much do you LOVE that Target now has a FULL grocery store? Because I really do) and happened upon a bag of Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Crumbles.

I tried them first with a salad and they just did not go . . . they have spices and are really yummy but not for a salad. But, I am a super lazy cooker and Danny does all that for me :)

So when the weekend came, he whipped me up a yummy cheese, sausage and egg scramble! It doesn't look very fancy but it was YUMMY!!

Note: He still cooks me too much food, after almost a year . . . and other times he makes me an itty bitty amount of food & I go hunting for seconds.

Serving size:  2/3 cup
Calories: 80
Fat: 4
Protein: 11g
Price: $4 - $6 depending on the store

So Close . . .

Here I am last night dressed up for an event at work, it was suppose to rain so I decided to wear tights and boots . . . funny thing is I can remember being in a space when I had to use pliers and Danny to zip those boots! Anyhoo, I made sure to have Danny take my picture - I felt so small. Honestly, small in this dress I bought at Picasso's Closet in Burlingame (my new favorite store). 

This morning I weight-in (for our Life Insurance guy). I haven't been doing it regularly because I really thought I was done. I honestly felt FINE with that weight but really wanted to get to MY personal goal of 100 lost, it was just something I always wanted.

Total weight loss: 99

Total since surgery: 81

Loss since last Weight-In: 3

Oddly, when I went through my blog I discovered I haven't update a weight-in since July 16th! Wow. That is a LONG stall. A very long stall . . .

I am very excited about being at 99 pounds lost! It feel fan-freakin-tab-u-las.

Rings

Recently I started a class at the San Mateo Co of Education on Social Emotional Learning. They had us to a "warm-up activity" where we were to tell a story behind something we had on us (or in our pocket) and why it was important to us. As they went around the room, people spoke about jewelry, special shoes, water bottles . . . and I was thinking, looking at myself and then it dawned on me. My Jenny ring.

Tried my wedding rings on my middle finger just for the heck of it . . . I don't wear them, I was just visiting them. I miss them. They are even too big on the middle finger!

Back story (or what I told the class): When I was 18, and just graduated from High School my Mom took me to Hawaii as a present. It was a wonderful trip, my friend (at the time, no idea where she is now) came and we had fun (very innocent) in the sun. All over the Main Land are these jewelry stands that sell gold bracelets and rings that are stamped with a design which then you could have your traditional or Hawaiian name stamped on in black. I wanted one so bad - so my Mom finally gave in and we ordered one. When we went to pick it up, I was so excited to wear it as a thumb ring (it was 1996) but it didn't fit. And didn't fit any of my fingers . . .

I have had the ring stored in various jewelry boxes throughout the years, moved it from my childhood home to my first apartment with Danny and eventually into our home. But, it never fit.

When my wedding rings literally dropped off (tear) due to my weight loss, I felt weird not wearing a ring. I was overjoyed when the Jenny Ring finally fit. FINALLY. 15 years later . . .

I continue to wear the Jenny Ring. I think I will for years to come. It serves as a reminder of where I came from and where I have ended up.

Wishes truly do come true.

BEING CALLED SKINNY . . .

Cracks me up . . . and often, I am unsure what to say to I respond "Shut Up" with a giggle.