I discovered a new television show, on TLC, it is a 4 part series where they have followed four different people from 2004 to 2011 who started out at over 600 pounds and had the gastric bypass. First up was Henry, he lives in Houston, TX and was close to 700 pounds. This is a man who could not walk without the use of a walker, he lost te ability to work due to not being able to get around. They interviewed his mother who said she blamed herself because she allowed him to eat anything and everything when he was growing up. Henry made the decision to have the surgery and make the lifestyle changes. This man realized he was going to have to change, that it was not an easy fix, he would still have to do the work. And work he did, he joined a gym, his first goal to walk without aid, he did it! I have to tell you, I was proud of him, he was working hard. He lost enough that he qualified for skin removal surgery. After the surgery his sister is taking him home and says I have to get Momma a sandwich and stops at McDonald’s. When they get home it shows everyone chowing down on these huge burgers, fries, sodas and shakes. Does Henry falter? No, he does not! He says to the camera this is hard, and gets up and goes to his bedroom and shuts the door. He is determined not to go backwards. By the end of the show, Henry has lost almost 500 pounds, he is down to 275, it ends with footage of his wedding. 53 years old and married for the first time.
I love this man, his determination and plain old-fashioned stick to it attitude was amazing, even when faced with temptation Henry kept going. We could all take a lesson from Henry, set a goal and stick to it, not just with weight, but with anything we want to do. What I took from the program is that anything is possible once you set your mind to it. Even when faced with what seems like an insurmountable goal, like losing 500 pounds, if you do it one step at a time you will get there.
Yesterday I had so many good things happen, my car was fixed, I got to have a small coffee treat with the Irishman, I got to see Jeffrey and Tessa and Alex came home from Mexico. So many things to be grateful for, I believe if we are grateful for even the small things in life the bigger ones are that much sweeter. I am going to end this post with one thing I am grateful for:
I am grateful for the many people in my life that never give up on me.
Dawn’s in Trouble, Must Be Tuesday
I did something I have not done in a while last night, I cooked, yes, me, cooked, not in the microwave, but in the oven. I had an urge, I saw a recipe and wanted to try it, so I did, and it was yummy. Bonus, I did not set the fire alarm off, major accomplishment. I will be taking some for lunch today.
I will be taking my lunch as I will not have a car today, the Irishman has to take me to work as my car is in the shop and Alex is coming home today and well, his car is my spare. So excited Alex is coming home, hated him being in Mexico. So, today is going to be a good day.
Our new shift bid selections have come out and I have turned mine in, I really hope I get my number 1 choice, keep your fingers crossed. All the people who currently have the shift I want are lower in seniority than me, so unless there is an unsettling balance I should get it. I will tell you all what it is after they announce the new schedule Which will be March 23rd.
I am saddened by the lack of cold and snow this year, no one will ever know the disappointment that I feel. I feel abandoned by snow, ok, if I am honest, I feel like I am being punished. I can’t figure out for what, but I feel this is a punishment. Or, maybe God needed all the snow in heaven this year for Chewie’s enjoyment. I thing I have figured it out! Some state needed to sacrifice their snow, Chewie I gladly give you my snow this year! I hope you have enjoyed it my friend, you deserve it.
This weekend I went on a mini shopping spree on Ruelala and Zappos, so I am spent out, no more shopping for me for a while, although I do need new spring and summer tops. Hmmmm, could be a shopping trip is in my future! Till tomorrow my friends, I hope your day brings peace, love, happiness and if you can’t have that, chocolate!
Weekend Update
What a weekend, first on Friday I get a call from Tessa’s mother asking me if I would like to have Tess on Saturday. As she left a voicemail, I tried calling back, got vm, however not set up, sent a text saying of course. All day Saturday I was on a cleaning jag, the whole bedroom got the treatment, along with my closet; I now have two huge black trash bags and one box ready for goodwill.
Tessa arrives and we decide to take dinner to her daddy, so we go to Wendy’s and take dinner to Jeffrey. After playing for a long while and breaking bread, the two of us head back to the apartment. Tessa tells me in the car, “Gigi, I don’t like sleeping with you because you snore” and she begins to snort, and I said, well then I guess you get to sleep by yourself from now on. She then says “No, I’m not doing that, I’m just telling you.” And she continues to make snoring noises. I don’t even know where she gets this as I don’t sleep when she spends the night because she takes up the whole bed and is a kicker! Humph.
The next day was shopping with Elizabeth, we were on the hunt for my new favorite jeans, Kut from the Kloth, we went to the Dillard’s in Fairview and were told they did not carry them. However they did make the call to two other stores for us to find where the jeans were carried. So off to Willowbend we go. They do have the jeans and I ended up with two new pairs. What I love about shopping with Elizabeth Anne so much is first off, we go to Starbucks and second, I understand that I am comedy relief for her. As I am in the dressing room, trying the jeans she wants me to, I hit my head on the dressing room door, I can hear her chortling on the other side.
Next was lunch with the Irishman, we tried a new place in Plano, The Irish Ice House, it was pretty good, he said the Guinness was not good. Too cold, however the fish and chips were decent, the portion was just right, and the batter not to thick and it was tasty. We noticed they have a breakfast menu, they have the Irish sausage on there, we are totally going back for Sunday breakfast in a couple of weeks.
Then it was taking my car to Jeffrey, he is going back to work tomorrow, the incision looks good, many thanks to all of you who prayed for him and his surgery. My car is not behaving, so he is driving it to work today to see what is going on with it. Freddy was there and we got a good visit in, then home for the Oscars! I will write my thoughts on that in a separate post, just say, best speech, Christopher Plummer, best reaction, Octavia Spencer, so genuine, the both of them.
The best news saved for last I have, Alex is coming home tomorrow! So excited and happy to see my youngest, I do believe this is the longest he has been gone and I have missed him terribly. I hope everyone has a great Monday!
Wardrobe Malfunctions
yesterday was filled with wardrobe mishaps, first off, my jeans, I bought new Genetic Denim Jeans, so cool, well they are inordinately long. I knew I needed to take them to the tailor to have them hemmed, however I thought I have shoes high enough to wear with these jeans. Turns out I did not choose those shoes, and didn’t have time to change, was in a major time crunch as I was stopping by Wanda’s house on my way to work. Also forgot my belt, very import accessory with this type of jean Next I chose the wrong foundation garment to wear with the shirt I chose, no time to change. The shirt, the shirt I chose to wear is now too big in the middle. I know, right! Well, I felt like Monica in that episode everyone keeps thinking she is pregnant and she says “I’m burning this shirt”. I will not be wearing this shirt again. I grab my sweater and I am out the door. When I arrive at work I discover that I did not grab the 3/4 length sleeve Gap sweater, instead I have grabbed the long-sleeved American Eagle sweater.
I got off at 3 thank goodness it was plenty of time to go home and change into something fabulous for the 1759 extravaganza.
I go home and change into what has become my favorite pair of jeans cute top and ankle boots. I looked fabulous. Unfortunately for me the two people I was hoping would come did not. Oh well, still a good time was had. I hope today goes much better. Working out again today with my friend Kay. I hope I don’t sweat again.
Bad Weather Blues
Amy, Amy, Amy, I don’t know whether to thank you or throw my empty pocketbook at you! Love the Zappos website, found the perfect pair of silver shoes, so cute, so princesslike without being childish, perfect for a 10-year-old girl. Thank you!
In other news the gym was hot and crowded yesterday evening, they need to turn the air conditioning on, it was crazy and I actually broke into a sweat. And yes, I know how that sounds, one is supposed to sweat while working out, however I hate to sweat. Almost as much as I hate to work out, it is a vicious cycle.
Speaking of heat, this is February, did someone forget to tell mother nature? I had to turn the air on last night! Yes, the air conditioning! I turned it off after an hour or so, but still, I am not supposed to have to do that in February! I am supposed to be building fires and sipping hot cocoa, with tiny marshmallows and wearing sweaters and boots. I am not happy.
Tonight is the Irishman’s 1759 club meeting, it is their anniversary, he asked if I would come with him to this one, so of course I said yes. I am taking off a couple of hours so we can spend a little time together before going. It should be fun, it is a fun group of people, very friendly (could be due to all of Guinness being consumed) a lot of laughter and good times. Never a dull moment. I am looking forward to it. And no, I do not consume the Guinness, it looks and smells disgusting, I am the DD when we go to these things.
So I am off to start my day, watching the episode of Angel where Cordelia finds the perfect apartment and acquires Phantom Denis, I hope you all have a great day!
Let the Good Times Roll
My son is doing well, which is good, heard from Alex, he is about ready to come home, which makes me one happy mom. I got to see Elizabeth this past weekend and spend time with Jeffrey and Tessa, that makes me incredibly happy.
Ok, so, here is my new problem, I bought the girls fancy dresses, I got them new socks, and Carolion got new shoes, Lauren did not. Not because we didn’t look, because it was pouring rain and the first place we had, well all the dress shoes were too wide for her feet. I need suggestions for places to look for youth size shoes that are not wide, she has a narrow foot. I want to get her some nice dress shoes, to go with her new dress and fancy socks. So any help would be appreciated.
The dress is navy, so a lighter color shoe is what I am thinking, ecru, maybe, I don’t know.
So now that everyone has survived Mardi Gras, how are you doing the day after? What are you giving up? I need to know these things.
I am in a quandary, Nocona is lonely, she is getting into the trash more than when Chewie was with us. She is really not good with other dogs at first, one has to be there to facilitate the meeting and getting to know you phase. I took her to Jeffrey’s on Friday so she could play with Russ (Jeffrey’s dog) and play they did. When I told her it was time to leave, she really didn’t want to go. It may be time for her to go to the farm for a visit, not forever mind you, just for a visit. I would miss her terribly if she were to go live there, I still miss Arthur and Mickey.
Here is my quandary, I don’t want another dog, I could not go through that again, and I didn’t have Chewie that long. I don’t know what I am going to do when Nocona goes, I cannot even begin to imagine.
So, I guess it is not a quandary after all, take Nocona for visits with other pups to satisfy her need for play. Play with her myself, and let her know I love her.
Demons for a Tuesday
Well it is another day, and another opportunity for everyone to do the right thing in their lives. Whatever that may be, to whomever you are.
So today is Fat Tuesday, Mardi gras, what I want to know is what all of my Catholic friends are going to give up for Lent. That is looming ever closer for you, being Baptist; we don’t give up anything, mainly because we have already given up everything. No drinking, no dancing, no gambling and if you are FreeWill Baptist, no movies. So nothing is left to give up, and I have given up so much with the whole not eating thing there is nothing left for me to give up.
I did it, I took my acrylic overlay off of my nails, they look incredibly disgusting now, can’t wait for them to grow out. I may go get the overlays again in the future, but for now I am done with them.
I have decided I am addicted to expensive denim, it just fits so much better and the quality of the denim is amazing. Thank you Elizabeth Anne for introducing me to this delightful product, you have no idea the monster you just created!
I am deciding what I want to do for lunch, I walked out the door without my usual yogurt, I have no fruit and I am starving already. I think it is a mindset, I have no food here, therefore I am hungry for it, if I had food I would not be hungry. So, I will be going to the gym today after work, yes, I am going to torture myself with working out. I hate it so much, but you all know this, the endorphins never, ever kick in for me. I will always hate it, however, I have to be skinny, it is an obsession with me and no I don’t care about health, I don’t understand why people don’t get that. Why the feel the need to lecture me, I don’t care, I just want to look good. I am a product of my avid television watching, from the 1970’s forward, I want to look like the women in the magazines, I don’t want to be flabby, real women, real women are the ones who care about what they look like. I was told from a young age that I was pretty; my grandmother told my grandfather that he was filling my head with nonsense when he taught me to read at the age of 4. She said that girl is pretty, she doesn’t need to be smart, she can get a husband. So, with the mindset that looks is all that matters in life I shall continue my quest to keep mine. That is my opinion, and I don’t care who knows it. Let the criticism begin. I did not have birthday cake; I had no chocolates for Valentines Day, mainly because no one got me any, cake or chocolates. See even the people in my life are trying to tell me I am fat and ugly, and they don’t care about my health either, just want me to be skinny.
On that note, I will sign off and get ready to face my demons, and trust me there are plenty.
Busy Weekend
This weekend has been very busy and full, it started on Friday, packed up the griddle, bacon and off to Jeffreys. Tessa was waiting for her Gigi to arrive, and arrive I did, carrying all kinds of goodies with me. First it was pancakes and bacon, for which Jeffrey did come to the table for. He seems to be doing very well with the surgery, he said he is in pain, but it is surgery pain, so hopefully that means that the back pain is lessened.
Tess and I painted and played, then it was time to pick up the Irishman’s girls from school. Off we went, with a quick detour to Target, where Tessa decided that she needed a new dress for a fashion show. So, I got her a new pink fluffy creation, and new dresses for Lauren and Carolion so they could all be fancy.
We went to pick them up, and Tessa was so excited, she loves those girls so much. They played and played, then I took them back to my place so they could have a slumber party.
The next day was back to Jeffreys with all three girls in tow, Elizabeth Anne joined us, where she proceeded to clean her brother’s house. At least the downstairs, Jeffrey will not be able to vacuum for a few weeks, or bend or twist. It was very nice of Elizabeth to do that for him. He now has a clean kitchen and living room.
More shopping at Target, however it was pouring rain, so I didn’t get to go to all the places I wanted to. I didn’t want to keep the girls out in it, the Irishman’s girls are sickly. One was already coughing and sneezing, so, no rain shopping for them.
I am thinking of getting rid of the acrylic overlays on my nails, I find that I hate going in every two to three weeks and put it off and put it off until they are about to grow all the way out anyway. I mean I like having them, they are pretty and make my nails look nice, I have really weird nails, two of them curve in and this straightens them out, so I don’t know what to do. I guess I’ll figure it out.
Today is definitely shopping day, I need to go to Costco, and I need to have some alone time, and I need to go back and check on Jeffrey. I think that will be first, I also need to drop off Tessas car seat.
Another busy day, I better get started, off to the shower I go, then let the fun begin. Will let you all know what I decide on the nails. Very conflicted.
Surgery News and Other Stuff
Well, it’s Friday folks, I am about to head out to Jeffrey’s to take care of him and Tessa! So excited to be able to help. After all that is the part of mothering one misses the most when they grow up. You lose that feeling of helpfulness, well, today, I get to have that feeling again. I wish it were not due to Jeffrey having surgery though, oh well, what is one to do.
The doctor said that the surgery was a great success and he should have a lot less pain, he was able to take all of the bulge off. I am very happy.
The best part of yesterday was that two nurses thought I was not old enough to be Jeffrey’s mother. Wow, the birthday month presents just keep coming! What a great way for God to make up for the no snow debacle. So happy now!
Ok, must go get dressed and load up the car, am taking the griddle (thank you Gladys and Don for that, still love it!) and other things to take to Jeffrey’s.
See you all in the funny paper!
Jeans Shopping
Well it is the day after Valentines day, and well, nothing exciting to report, the Irishman was sick, like fever, chills, throwing up sick. Hard to fake that to get out of, well another day dedicated to me. I did get a present, but no chocolates, no flowers, no card, but understandable as he was sick and it started Saturday.
Tomorrow is the day for Jeffrey’s back surgery, any and all prayers are gratefully accepted. It’s his second one, I pray this one takes away the pain and he can live a normal, pain-free life.
Well, nothing exciting going on, not a lot to report, I wish I could wear the jeans that Elizabeth Anne bought me every day. I love them!
Ok, now I can tell you about the ones I tried on that were just, well, bad, bad, bad. They are called Not Your Daughters Jeans, Elizabeth told me to try them on. First off, they are not denim material, and I think they are all spandex. I put a pair on, the waist was so high, and they made my butt look HUGE, I am not exaggerating. I was like, what the heck, when did Kim Kardashian walk in the dressing room. It was shocking, I don’t know why anyone buys those jeans. Sorry, not jeans, pants, Elizabeth and I just stared at the horrible thing that had become my behind in horror. I immediately got those off and put on the ones that we would decide was the best pair out of about a thousand. So, the moral of the story is if you want to have your behind look like it has its own zip code go buy those pants. If not, run away from them!
Angie World 