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.
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!
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.
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!
Angie World 