Back to the grind...

Well, the good news is my cold didn't kill me.  It did beat me up some!  I think *fingers crossed* that I am on the up-swing.  I did everything I planned to do this weekend, just maybe not with my normal level of enthusiasm...

I had a nice lunch with my Dad and Claire yesterday.  I am having a lot of fun getting to know them better and I really enjoy our talks.  I also had a nice dinner at Jake and Jenny's with my Mom's side.  Makayla and Nathan are so cute and they are getting so big!  Makayla wanted Nick to stay with her forever and ever!  She loves her Uncle Nick! 

John and Nick got our closet finished and it's PERFECT!!  I will post pictures soon!  I love it and I feel like we have so much more space!  They had fun working together and it turned out really well!

We had a nice thunderstorm last night with lots of lightning and, oddly enough, it made me even more excited for spring!  The sun is shining today and that's very exciting.  We had a gray weekend.

I hope everyone has a great day!!

OMG!! I did it!

Every Sunday morning, Nick and I do our "official" weigh in.  Today I hit my 100 lb mark!!!  I started this journey at 350 lbs on July 26th.  Almost 7 months to the day, I am down 100 lbs!  I lost 30 pre-surgery, which means that I have lost 70 lbs since Nov 17, 10.  3 and a half months and 70 lbs!  Nick also had an awesome week and crossed his 100 lb mark, too!  It feels amazing!!  I am officically more than 1/2 way to my total goal of 160!  90 lbs left!!  Go me!!!!

Bleh...

I am so glad it's Friday!  I am normally very happy when the week gets to this point, but I don't feel very well and I am SUPER happy to see this week end.  Nothing bad about the week, per se.  I have a chest cold and kind of feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest, so I am in a bad mood.  I didn't sleep very well, so I am tired.  I haven't been eating all that well this week.  I have no appitite, but I'm in a "stall" week, so I am just generally feeling "blah" today.
A few fun things are happening, though.  As we speak, DH and DFIL are working on redoing our master closet.  We are adding some shelves and some additional hanging space.  I am really excited about that.  We also go a quote today for some new flooring, so I am excited to get that done, too!  Our hall carpeting is pretty bad and our living room carpet is bad, too.  We are getting laminate wood thru the entryway, kitchen, hallway and dining room.  I can't wait to get rid of the yucky carpet.  White carpet doesn't do well in high traffic areas. 
This weekend we are going to keep working with DFIL on the closet.  Tomorrow night we are going to an ice hockey game.  That should be fun!  Sunday is Sutterfield family dinner with my Mom's side.  My mom normally does this at her house, but Jake and Jenny are hosting this week so everyone can come and see their house!  Good times!  I am also hoping to REST at some point in all of that, too!!  Yay!

Bella and the gym...

Last night we said good bye to Bella.  I am more sad about it than I even thought I would be, but I know it was the right thing to do for her and for us.  We took her over to the family that was most interested in her and it was love at first sight.  She had so much fun checking out the place and her new "mommy" is in LOVE with her.  She had a new pink collar and leash and a rain coat and some new dishes and doggy shampoo.  Fun!!  It felt a little empty in the house without her, but I keep telling myself that she will be happier.

We went back to the gym today!  We got up this morning and I walked on the treadmill.  I did a mile and a half in about a half hour, so it was a bit of a slow start, but it felt great!  I could feel it thru my abs towards the end.  Guess I didn't realize how much I hadn't used those muscles!  I would like to get to the 250 (100 lbs lost) mark this week.  I have 4.6 lbs to go!!  I am trying to do better with protein and have gone back to supplementing.  I got a 30 g shake from Sams from Premier Protein.  It's not great, but 30 g in 11 ounces...  I can get thru it! 

I have stamp club tonight and I am looking forward to catching up with the girls!  I love stamp club!  I haven't done any stamping for a while, so I am looking forward to getting my creative juices flowing!

Fun weekend!

We had a fun weekend!  Friday we went to Jake and Jenny's for dinner and games.  Jenny made a yummy rice, cheese, chicken, brocolli casserole.  Mmmm!  We had a great time and their house looks great! 
Saturday was my Lia Spohia party.  We had a good time.  Trina is an awesome hostess.  Then we went to the mall and had dinner with Matt and Trina.  Always a good time.
Yesterday I had a "selfish" day.  I did some laundry and "finally" shaved my legs!  I didn't do all of my normal Sunday running and it was nice to stay home!
I am a little sad today.  We made the decision last night that it's time for Bella to find a new home.  She really needs to be in a house with kids and people that can spend more time with her.  She ate a hole in our carpet and that was the last straw.  I will miss her, but our life isn't really condusive to what she needs.  We have a family that's really interested in her.  They have a 10 year old and a 2 year old and they would be a lot of fun for her.  We are going to take her over for a play date tonight. 

Beautiful day!

It'a a glorious FRIDAY!  The sun is shining and it's so nice out!  I am so ready for spring this year!  I think I've mentioned this several times before, but I am serious!!
Tonight we are going to my brother, Jake's, new house for dinner and visiting!  I am so excited to see the house and to catch up with them.  Jake works so hard and I am so happy for his family.  It's nice that they live so much closer now, too!
Tomorrow is my Lia Spohia party that I am co-hosting with Trina.  I hope it goes ok.  I have my wish list all ready! 

I'm lovin' it!

It has been a lot of fun to get to try some foods again the last week or 2.  Last night I was able to eat some of Trina's DELICIOUS chicken and noodles.  I ate a full 4 ounces and it went down fine.  I have been able to eat a full banana and I love pickles!  It's so nice to be able to have some of my favorite "tastes" again!  I still approach everything with caution, but thankfully very few things haven't worked out.  It really blows my mind to think that just a few bites of something is enough to satisfy my craving for it.  I've allowed myself to have a spoonful of ice cream a couple of times and, really, that's all I've needed.  Nick and I's favorite thing to do is to sit at a resteraunt we used to frequent and think about the meal would've had vs. the meals we are eating now.  Out food bills have decreased substantially, but we are still eating "fun" stuff!  It's a whole different attitude and perspective.  When we started this process, one of the nutritionists at the weight loss center told us that you get the most enjoyment out of the first bite or two of something and after that, you are just finishing it.  There must be some truth to that.  My taste buds are so sensitive now, so each bite I take is a wonderful explosion of flavor!  And I do find that with just a couple of bites of something, I am good.  I am sure my small pouch has a lot to do with that, but I wonder how that trick would work for a normal belly. 
Ah, well....  things are good and I am thrilled.  Lovin' it!!

Whew!

Oh my goodness!  I had the worst headache I've had in a long time yesterday.  I had the light sensitivity and yucky tummy and my head was throbbing.  Last night my throat started to hurt and I got a cough and I was so afraid I was going to get sick.  There has been an awful flu bug going around.
I got home from work and took a really long, really hot, shower.  I used up all the hot water!  I went to bed praying I would wake up and feel better.  I am happy to report that I feel just fine today!  YAY!  What a relief!  I was really hoping not to get sick after JUST starting to feel better!
On another note, it looks like a beautiful day outside!  The snow is finally starting to melt and it's supposed to be in the 50's!  I know it may get cold again before winter's officially over, but I am certainly glad we are getting a little break! 

Valentine's Day weekend!

I had a great Valentine's Day weekend!  Friday night, we went to Circle Centre Mall with the Matis'.  We played a fun game where we split up into boys and girls teams and had to find a $10 gift in a half hour that our spouse would actually like.  That's tough to do in the mall, so it was a fun challenge!  The boys got Trish and I cute scarves.  The girls, well...  we cheated!  LOL!  I went into a sports store and found a cute St Louis Cardinals garden gnome.  It was $25, but I had to get it.  So I went up to check out and told the guy what we were doing.  He suggested that we ring the item up in two transactions so one was under $10 and I could have a receipt to "prove" it was less than $10 if Nick questioned.  He also let me use his pricing gun to make an $8.99 sticker!  LOL!  The best part is that Nick totally bought it.  I ended up telling him later that night, but Trish and I laughed and laughed.  She did something similar for Jeremy's gift.  So sneaky! 
Saturday I spent the day watching Anne of Green Gables.  I've never seen all 3 of them, so I watched them all back to back!  My butt is still numb!  LOL!
Sunday I had breakfast with my Dad and Claire. Then I met my friend Louanna at the mall. Here are our before and after photos...  She is looking AWESOME!  We had fun catching up.

 I think everyone in Greenwood was out enjoying the weather. It was packed!  We went back to my house and tried on clothes.  We were both able to walk away with jeans we could wear!  Then I went to my Mom's for dinner.  I got to visit, help Chris with his taxes, and dye Ashley's hair. 
Yesterday Nick and I went to the doctors for our 3 month follow ups.  All is well.  They were very glad that I've been eating better (as am I!!) and we don't have to go back for 3 more months.  I've officially lost 69 lbs since Nov 4th.
Then I went and got my nails done.  I don't ever wear nails, but my hands look so ugly this winter I wanted to do something fun.  I went to get some blood work done and then went to the dentist.  Jeremy did a thorough cleaning and I only spit on him a few times.  LOL!  We went to Olive Garden for dinner and it was delicious!  The lasagna was great and went down just fine.  I had a 1/2 a breadstick (Mmmmm) and a little salad, too!  When we got home, I discovered that Nick got me some beautiful red roses and a very nice card.  I also got a beautiful ring and a necklace, too.  I am SO SPOILED! 
It was a fun, busy, productive, and wonderful weekend. 
I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day! 

TGIF!

It's been a long week!  I only worked four days, but they were BUSY!  We sold candy grams for Valentine's Day and they were a big hit!  The fun part is that 2 other gals and I HANDMADE all of them!!  Whew!!  I spent about 10 hours of my work week making them.  They turned out great!  We will deliver them on Monday with a sucker.  We sold about $200 of them and we are donating the proceeds to the American Cancer Society.  It has been a lot of fun to watch everyone have a good time with them.  And what's better than getting paid to craft!!  I was really suprised at how well they sold!  And we get to donate to a great cause.
This weekend is jammed packed full of fun stuff, so I am looking forward to it.  Sunday I am meeting up with my friend Louanna and I am so anxious to see her!!  She's been updating me with photos, but I can't wait to see her in person!
Monday is my follow up with Dr Clark and I get to go to the dentist...  Dun-Dun-Dun.  Luckily it's my Uncle Jeremy and he's not too mean to me. 

On another subject entirely, I am thinking about getting some new glasses.  What do you think of these frames?  be honest...  :-)  I wouldn't get the transitional lenses, so they wouldn't look dark like these.  On a side note, MAN I am pale!!!

Cold!!

My goodness, it's cold outside!!  I am so ready for summer this year!  I had a really great summer last year.  I went to Lake Monroe just about every other weekend and soaked up the sun and sand!  I am so ready to be warm and to be outside.  This winter has been especially tough.  We've had a lot of snow and ice this year.  I normally don't mind the cold, but I've lost a lot of my insulation this year!  I have been super cold.  I don't like ice much, as I am the clumsiest person ever!  I could fall on a dry day, let alone with dangerous ice all over everything! 
Things are going well.  I've been busy at work, which is helping time just fly by.  My boss told me today that I need to get some new jeans!  They really are just about to fall off!  Guess I'll have to go shopping this weekend! 

Back to the grind...

Well, Fine!  I suppose it's time for me to get back to work and some kind of "normalcy".  I am physically feeling ok.  I lost some weight while I was out and I got quite the reaction today.  Just about everyone I saw made a comment about how different I look.  Part of it may be the hair cut, but I am going to pretend it was all my size!  :-)  I am wearing a 3x shirt instead of a 5x, so that may show off my size difference a bit. 
I would like to take a second and really express how blessed I am.  I had a pretty rough week last week and the love and support that was sent my way was amazing.  I have the greatest friends and family anyone could ask for.  I love you guys so much!  Thanks for all the hugs, prayers and well wishes.  You guys make my life so much brighter!
Here is a photo of me today...

Not exactly what I had planned...

It's been a while since I updated and with good reason...  My last post talked about how much fun I was planning on having last week.  My plans were chnaged just a bit... 
We still went to Chicago and it was awesome!  The hotel was neat, Linkin Park was awesome!  We got to see the city in a cab.  It was a great trip!  That's where the fun ended...
I mentioned that Friday I was scheduled for my 3rd (and hopefullly final) EGD.  I went to the doctor's office full of anticipation for all the foods I was finally going to be able to eat.  My proceedure was scheduled for 2 PM and I expected it all to be fairly routine.  They started my IV and took my back to the proceedure room.  I woke up from the drugs and got a big suprise.
During the proceedure, the balloon the doctor was using to dialate my opening popped.  Yes, popped.  I've learned that this hasn't ever happened to this doctor in his over 20,000 proceedures before.  Well, when the balloon popped, it ripped open part of my new pouch.  I woke up to several EMS personnel preparing to taking me in to the ER for emergency surgery.  I was able to see Nick for a second and I could tell whatever happened was serious.  I was still out of it enough that I couldn't fully grasp what was happening. 
They took me to the ER in an ambulance and prepped me for surgery right away.  Before I went back, I was able to see the several visitors that came.  It seemed like there were 20 members of my family and Nick's that were able to get to the ER in a flash.  I am so glad they were there for me and for Nick.  Dr Clark was able to come and do the operation.  I was in surgery for about 45 minutes while Dr Clark did the repair. 
When I woke up again, I was in a room with an NG tube in my nose.  Very uncomfortable.  Dr Clark was able to go in thru my original incisions.  I also had a drainage tube in my stomach.  I was in the hospital for 4 days and got out Tuesday.  I missed the rest of the week at work. 
I feel ok now, but it was very scary.  I've been told that I won't be able to do another EGD, so if another stricture presents, Dr Clark will have to handle it with surgery.  The goal was to dialate me to 15 mm and I was dialated to 13.5 mm before the balloon popped.  I am hoping that's enough that I can eat.  For now, I am back on a liquid diet, then pureed, then I'll try solids in the next couple of weeks.  Fingers crossed!