I'M BACK!!!

Hey there People!!!

It has been quite awhile since I have posted anything, but I have a few minutes right now, so here I go. Work has been busy, school has been busy, and I have no life. I will be so glad when I get my Master's Degree! The good thing is that I will see my baby girl in 11 days! I can't wait! We are taking her to see Dr. Whittle on the 17th. Hopefully we will be able to schedule her surgery for Christmas break. We'll see.

I have now lost 23.6 pounds. I am pretty pleased. Once I lose 7 more, I will have met my 10% goal. That will be exciting. I have posted my most recent photo. Hope you can see a difference. I have gotten back into 3 pair of pants I had outgrown. That's what keeps me going!

I will post more when I have some more time.

Later

Progress

I went to WW this week and have lost another pound. That makes 19 now!! If I hit my 20 pound mark next week, I will post a new pic. However, I will make sure not to stand sideways. Otherwise you won't be able to see me! hahahahaha

Today is my middle kid's (John) 22nd birthday. We are going to Peoria this evening and are taking him to Olive Garden. WW will be put on the back burner this evening! I'm having pasta and breadsticks!

Just want to mention another website. I recently bought batteries for Rae's digital camera, but they were the wrong size. I emailed the company and received a very quick response. After several emails back and forth, we determined that they did not carry the battery I needed, and would issue me a refund, which has already been done (THANKS PEGGY!). They were even nice enough to give me back my shipping! I will definately do business with them in the future! Check them out! They are at http://stores.ebay.com/n2-This-n-That

WOW! What a Week!

Well, the first week of school has come and gone and things went pretty well. I only have 5 students so far, so it's been fairly quiet. On the other hand, things on the homefront have been somewhat hectic. I got a call from Rae's roommate on Wednesday afternoon saying that she had been taken to the Health Clinic for severe stomach pains. She was going to get Rae's purse for her and by the time she got back they had taken her to the emergency room at Mercy Hospital. After several phone calls, I was able to speak with someone at the emergency room, who put Rae on the phone. Well, SEVERAL hours later, Rae called us very scared and upset. She had been waiting 5 hours by this time, and didn't know when she would get in to see a doctor. We called the ER on the other phone and were finally able to speak with a nurse. At that point, we decided to drive up to Chicago to be with Rae. I did get in touch with one of Rae's friends who was able to go over to the ER and be with her. We got up there around 10:30 pm. By that time, she had seen the doc, had bloodwork, and xrays. A little later she had an ultrasound, which determined that she had gallstones! There was no infection, so she was able to leave (with a prescription for Vicodin) with us. She was informed that she would need to have her gallbladder removed. We took off for home around 2:45 am and got home around 6:30 a.m. I took the day off, but Doug went to work. Rae has done well since then, but she is on a "no spicey, fatty, or fried foods" diet. She has an appointment with a surgeon in October (on her break) so we can get a second opinion. I don't want her to have unnecessary surgery, but if it needs to come out, it will!

I weighed in on Tuesday and lost 4.4 pounds! I was very happy to get off the 2.6 I had gained the previous week, plus 1.8 more! I have now lost 18 pounds. As soon as I hit the 2o pound mark, I will post a new picture.

I had my 48th birthday this past week (Friday). It was a very nice day. My wonderful staff had a potluck for me, and also gave me some nice gifts. Doug took me to Sully's for dinner and we were joined by Laith, John, and Meredith (John's girlfriend). We had a great visit. It's so much fun being around the kids now that they are adults! They have wicked senses of humor!

Well, that's enough rattling on about my week. We have a short work week coming up, which is always nice.

TTFN

Baby Girl in the Big City

Well, it's been a week without my little girl, and I miss her like crazy! I talk to her everyday, and we visit on the webcam frequently. I am slowly realizing that I had nothing to worry about. In the past week she has gone downtown twice (using the El and city bus), learned to salsa dance, went on a cruise on the Chicago River, and got a job on campus with the Audio-Visual department. She and her roommate seem to get along very well and are hanging out in their free time. She started her classes on Thursday, so "freetime" is not going to happen very often.

John and his friend, Meredith, are relaxing in Puerto Vallarta for a few days before they start back to school. I'm sure they are having a blast! John got good news. He has been asked to stay on with the company he has been doing his internship with this summer. They also offered him a job after he graduates. I'm so happy for him!

Donna and I are going to Rushville to see how Mom is doing. Can't stay long. I still have a ton of things to do before the students come on Monday. They only have a half day on Monday, then early out the rest of the week. I have 5 to start, but there will be more later! There always is!

Laith has job interview on Tuesday.....keep your fingers crossed!!!

TTFN

Awesome Website

I have discovered an awesome place to buy unique gifts. There is a store on the web where you can order necklaces made from Scrabble tiles. They can put just about anything you want on the front of it. We just ordered one for each of our staff members at work and they are so cool! Price-wise, you can't beat them! So check out www.homestudio.etsy.com and start shopping!
Later folks,
Barb

Way Behind!!

Okay WLL, I am back. You can quit yelling at me now. I haven't been on here for quite sometime, and a lot has been going on. First, we celebrated our 25 th anniversary by having a big family dinner at Club 41 (yummy). The kids bought us dinner and also gave us $50 gift certificate to Cherry Street. I did NOT go to Weight Watchers on my anniversary (the 13th).

On the 15th, we went with some close friendsto the State Fair in Springfield to see Brooks and Dunn and ZZ Top. It was a great concert and we had a great time. I did, however, eat too much! We went to a place called Charlie Parker's to have breakfast. I had seen its profile on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network. It was a really neat restaurant.

Saturday the 16th was our last day to have Rae at home. She and I went shopping for the last of items she needed to buy. The whole family went to Taco Hideout for supper, then went back home to eat popcorn and watch her movie of choice.........she chose "Slingblade." Good choice!

We got up early Sunday morning and had pancakes (Doug's specialty) and then packed everything up and left for Chicago. We got to the campus at 11:30 and had her unloaded in record time. We spent the day helping her unpack and setting things up. The college had free lunch and dinner for everyone, so we didn't leave until 6:00 p.m. I cried when I left her, but not for long. It was hard to leave her there, but knowing she is where she wants to be makes it worth it. She is having a great time! She has gone shopping, learned salsa dancing, took a cruise on the Chicago River, and is planning a trip to Navy Pier with her roommate. What a girl!! She starts class tomorrow..............

I started back to work on Tuesday. I have Thursday off, but back on Friday for teacher's institute. The kids come until 10:30 on Monday, then we have early dismissal the rest of the week. I need to get back into the swing of things, then I will be fine. It's so hard to go back after being off all summer!

John (middle kid) called and said that he and his girlfriend are leaving forPuerto Vallarta, Mexico on Friday. They will be gone for 5 days. I wish I was going with them!

I went to WW today to face the scales. I knew I would show a gain after all the eating I have done lately, but if I face the scales, it becomes a reality. I gained 2.6 pounds!!!!! I now have to work to get it off, along with a bunch more! I hope I can stick to my plan while at work. I filled the fridge in the classroom with all kinds of healthy choices. Hope it works!

The pictures are from our anniversary celebration and Rae's Move-In Day.

Weigh-In Time

I am behind a couple of days, but better late than never. I weighed in Wednesday and lost 2.2 lbs. That's 16.2 total. Next couple of weeks are going to be rough on my eating habits. This Sunday the kids are taking us to dinner for a family celebration of Doug's and my 25th anniversary. The whole family will be there from both sides. It should be fun. Then later next week we have to go to Jacksonville to be with Mom while she has her surgery. Next Friday we are going to Springfield to a concert, then Sunday the 17th we take Rae to college. YIKES!!! On top of all that, I go back to work on the 19th! YUCK! Oh well, if I have trouble, I will just have to get back on track when my life calms down.

COOL WEBSITE

A friend of mine found this cool website. If you are interested in finding something unique for someone, this website is for you. Check it out!!!
www.etsy.com

Mamma Mia

Rae and I went to get our nails done today. While there, we decided to get our eyebrows waxed (I guess there are supposed to be TWO..........who knew????).
Donna and I took the girls (Lorah and Rae) to see Mamma Mia today. Rae and I had already been to see it once before, but we both loved it enough to see it again. I love the music in it! Can't wait for the DVD.

I am enjoying spending this quality time with my "baby" before she goes off to Chicago. I will miss her terribly!!

Later

Food, Folks, and Fun

Had a great day today! Went down past Springfield to a family reunion at my Uncle George and Aunt Gwen's house. They have been hosting this for the past 4 or 5 years (usually the first Sunday in August) and I look forward to it every year. It seemed as though the only time we saw each other was at someone's funeral, so my Aunt decided to do something about it!! My mom's family is very large. There are 21 first cousins and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. And to think it all started with TWO people!!

I did really well with my eating today. I took 3 dishes that were Weight Watcher friendly and also took a Boca burger to cook on the grill and a 1 point bun. Donna brought one low point salad (Deviled Lettuce...yummm) and a low-fat Jello cake. This way I was able to eat "like I was at a reunion" and still stay in my points! I was full AND I had about 10 points left for the day. NOW THAT'S SATISFACTION!

Me, Rae, Lorah, and Donna are going to go see Mamma Mia on Monday. Rae and I have already been once. WE LOVED IT! If you like ABBA, then you should check it out.

Well, it's been a long day and I am off to bed. Keep on posting your comments! Also, if anyone is looking for some type of Weight Watcher friendly recipe, leave me a posting and I will see if I can hlep you out.

Later

18 Days of Freedom!

Today is the last day of July, which means going back to work is just around the corner! I NEED A TIME MACHINE! There is still so much I want to do this summer. Today I went down to Rushville with my Boobala (Terrah) and her munchkins. We went to the Korn Top plant to pick up some pork BBQ for her class reunion. I took my folks out for lunch, which was fun. I have the greatest parents in the world, and anytime I spend with them is enjoyable. My dad is full of shit!

Doug and I got an invite to our 30th class reunion. I am anxious to go. It's always nice to see everyone. Hope there is a good turnout. It's during Smiles' Day (Homecoming) weekend. I haven't been down during Smiles Day in YEARS. I doubt I take the day off for the parade on Friday, but we will go to the get together on Saturday.

I need to get some housework/laundry done tomorrow. Hope I get something accomplished. It's so darn hot! I don't feel like doing anything until it cools off in the evening........but then Doug is home and we end up hanging out on the deck and chit-chatting. We are SUCH old fogies!!!

Later.............

July 30: Weigh-In Day

Went to WW this morning..............LOST 1.2 lbs. Total of 14 since 6/25. Not too bad!!!! Since I put a pic up yesterday, I am not going to today. Tomorrow we are running down to Rushville to see family and go to lunch. Guess I will have to "be good" at lunch.
More later.

Summer is going way too fast!

Just got off the phone with my WLL, Margie. It's always fun B.S. ing with her. My day was not very productive. I had plans to do all kinds of things, but then I looked out the window and decided to go swim instead. I decided to justify it by vaccuming and skimming. LOL

I am watching the Primetime Live special on Randy Pausch (I have my tissues close by). You can't listen to that man without becoming inspired in one way or another. I have decided that I am a Tigger, not an Eeyore! (If you don't know what I'm talking about, Google his "Last Lecture" speech and listen to the entire thing.)

I am trying to get excited about the fact that my little girl is going off to college this fall. Oh, I'm excited FOR her, but the thought of dropping her off in downtown Chicago is a bit scary for me. She's not the least bit worried about it. Realistically, I know she will be fine and will enjoy the experience.

John is going off to Chicago for the weekend. He is a groomsman in his friend, Miles', wedding. I'm not sure if I want to know how much fun he's going to have!

Laith is still job hunting. I would love for his to find something soon. I know it's getting frustrating for him, but I have faith that something will happen before long. On a selfish note......I want our garage space back! As soon as he gets his own place, he will take all that crap with him! Then I won't have to scrape my windows in the winter!

Tomorrow is "weigh-in" day. I hope I did okay. I will post my results (good or bad) on my blog. I really hope it rains tomorrow so I can get some housework done! I go back to work in 19 days! EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWW

34 Days!

I had this picture taken today. I really don't see a big difference in how I look, but I know there is a weight difference! I have been doing Weight Watchers for 34 days. At my last meeting (July 23), I had lost 12.8 pounds. Hopefully, there will be a loss on the scales this week. I would love to lose 2 or 3 pounds a week, but I know that's not going to happen. The way I look at it, any loss is better than a gain.

After 10 days of WW

This picture was taken at Donna's surprise 50th birthday party. All snacks were Weight Watcher friendly, and no one knew any difference.

I Can't Believe I am Admitting This!

I have decided to use this blob site as a way to keep track of my weight loss (I hate the word "diet") progress. The "before" pictures were taken the first part of June on our 25th anniversary trip to Mexico. I can't believe I let myself go that bad! It's hard to believe I was once 128 pounds thinner. Oh well, I can't dwell on it! I just need to do something about it. So on June 25, I went back to Weight Watchers. I about died when I got on the scales. 302 pounds!!!!! The only good thing I can say about it is that at least I didn't get back to the weight I was the last time (306 pounds)! HAHA

I have always liked following the Weight Watchers plan. I have so many yummy recipes that I created over the years. I also get recipes from http://www.dwlz.com/ and http://www.aimeesadventures.com/

They are great websites! My next blog will show the new and improved me. More ranting to follow later!

Opening Day

Well folks, here it is..........my first blog. Alright Margie (my precious little WLL), you have inspired me! I think I will use this to post my dieting progress...........maybe knowing that everyone will know how I'm doing will keep me focused. I will probably also talk about my job, grad classes, family and friends. But right now, I am going to go shuck some corn for dinner! I SHALL RETURN!!!!