Home from NY!

We had a wonderful Christmas with my family on Long Island.  No snow and the temps were mild!  Yay!  Santa was very good to me this year too!  He left me a gorgeous pair of diamond earrings and took 1 lb with him up the chimney!  It just doesn't get better than that!

For those of you who follow my daughter Mallory's blog, I.Run.For.Cookies, you know that she adopted litte Diesel recently.  Well, let me tell you, I love him!  He is adorable and I can't wait for his uncle Brutus to meet him!  Here is a picture of me with my new Grand-Furbaby Diesel.  Please note I am sick again :(, felt lousy with no make-up on but don't worry, I'm wearing my new bling for the plane ride home!

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my sister.  It was nice being all together.  Mallory had us over for dinner at her new house that is conveniently located on the other side of my BFF Mo's house where we stayed!  Very nice decorating Mal!  It was nice seeing her and Kevin really settling in to married life in a nice new place.  We also had dinner with them the last night we were there with Kevin's parents.  Very nice.  We also got to spend some one-on-one time with Jordan and her boyfriend Kyle by going out to lunch with them.  I feel like we got to know him a little better so thats a plus!  She is my baby-girl after all!

I have to say that this whole year has really been full of a lot that we are all grateful for.  Mallory and Kevin were married in March, actually on my sister and Jimmy's wedding anniversary and my niece Elayna had a spectacular Sweet 16 party in November.  The bottom line is, we are still a family and if anything, the bond we all share is even stronger.  We feel the absence of my dad and Jimmy all the time but we are really starting to feel their presence still here with us.  That is a blessing.

Secret Santa is Secret No More

Thank you Stacey!  I love my new Cuddle Duds...I will be getting use out of them in New York for sure! Brutus will be putting those Jingle Bells to use as his just recently bit the dust after 4 years.  He rings them when he wants to go out and he has been lost these past few days not having something to ring!  Thank you again!  This truly was a great gift, including the Sleeve friendly mini-wine glass and exercise machine.  I will be using that also in NY as I'm not going to the gym!

Have a Merry Christmas Santa!

Seriously? Next Sunday?

Wow...Christmas really snuck up on me this year!  Thankfully, I am finished with shopping and now I just have to wrap the few gifts that I will be taking on the plane on Wednesday.  I've shipped some gifts directly to my sisters house for my daughter Jordan whose birthday is also on Wednesday so at least they will be waiting for me to wrap while I am there.

I had to go out and buy a new winter jacket for me to wear while in NY as my old one is really just too big.  Thankfully I hit a nice sale at Macy's and had a 25% off coupon!  Yea!  The jacket was originally $199 and had been marked down quite a few times to $89 and I got it for $66 or something.  Very plain, Michael Kors.  Perfect!  

We went to a few Christmas parties, one last Saturday and than one last night.  The following are a few pictures from those parties.  Please excuse me for wearing the same tank top as I just fell in love with it and had to get my monies worth.  I was the only one who knew it was the same as there were different people at each party!  Also, the second picture shows my new haircut.  Its much shorter than what it was and I love it!

Actually, let me clarify last nights 'party'.   We never actually made it to the party but we did make it to the hospital!  The plan was to go to our friends house to meet up than we were going to a restaurant for an early dinner and then we'd be stopping by a party at our friends Golf Club.  Well, we made it to their house and the restaurant but never made it to the party.  

As many of my friends know, I am not much of a drinker.  Steve always says "one drink, I can feel it; two drinks anyone can".  Well, at their house I had a glass of very good tasting Champagne.  I was also drinking it on a tummy that hadn't eaten anything but a hard boiled egg at 10 that morning!  Ok, so it went right to my head.  We proceeded to the restaurant where it was Happy Hour and I ordered a Merlot which came in a carafe as it was  2 for 1 drinks.  I was obligated to drink most of it, right?  Next thing I know, I was munching on some Chipotle' Grilled Shrimp.  Delish!  Next thing I knew, my feet were itching like crazy and my shoes were suddenly too tight.  Yep....you guessed.  I was having an allergic reaction to the combo of the shrimp and the RED wine!  This happened to me about 15 years ago and I've never mixed red wine with any type of seafood.  My doctor told me some people are allergic to the combo of some enzyme in the seafood and the red wine.   I've had seafood numerous times since and red wine but never together.  Oops!

Anyway, we went to the hospital and after waiting about 45 minutes and not being seen I wanted to leave and just go to CVS for some Benedryl.  Luckily, the reaction was not as bad as the first time.  I actually had trouble breathing and had to have a shot of Adrenylin that time.  This time it really was mostly my feet and my hands had started to tingle.  Steve and my friends agreed to take me to CVS but I promised them that if I felt it was getting worse we'd go back to the hospital.  I took two giant swigs of liquid Benedryl, we dropped our friends off at their home and went home.  I was in bed by 7:30 and slept until 7 a.m. today!

Do I know how to party or what?

My weight has been holding steady at 142, some days dipping to 141 and occasionally to 143 but it always settles at 142.  I am very happy to be maintaining, especially during the holiday season.  

This will probably be the last time I post before Christmas.  We will be spending the holiday with our family on Long Island and are leaving bright and early this Wednesday.  I wish you all a wonderful Holiday and will check back in as soon as I can!

Drs Appointment today - Edited with Pics!!!

I had an appointment with my surgeon today and I was so scared he was going to say he didn't need to see me again! Well, he wants me back in 6 months instead! I'm so happy. I love going there. The best part was that I weighed 143 lbs wearing jeans no less! He is so happy with my progress. In a gazillion years, I never would have thought that I would be at this weight or feel this great. It's taken me 21 months, slow losers take heed, the weight comes off! My body wanted to hang on to every ounce I've lost, believe me!

Unfortunately, the trip to my doctor usually takes 1.5 hrs to get there but this morning it took 4 hrs. Major accident shut down all lanes on i95. I am sure there were fatalities. I kept thinking about the families of those involved in the accident and kept thinking about my life on may 11, 2010. Getting that call. I will never forget the pain. Lucky for me, it was my husband on the other end of the phone giving me the horrific news. I cannot imagine being told by a stranger that your father and brother in law were killed. I will certainly keep these unknown people in my prayers.

Speaking of family, we are heading up to Long Island next Wednesday and will be there until 12/27. I cannot wait! I am also excited about coming up again in January and going to the boob brunch on the 21st! Both of my gorgeous daughters will be coming with me too. They are very excited to meet some of my blogland friends.

My work Christmas party is tonite and I am bringing baked ziti. problem is, it's 2:40 pm and we have to be there by 5 and it's not made! I'm not even home yet from drs. Sauce is made so as soon as I walk in the door, I gotta get a big pot of water on to boil to make the pasta. Once that is done, throwing it all together should be easy. I should have enough time to bake it, change and make it there on time. I made these adorable homemade marshmello s'mores last night ( i will post a picture later) to bring as I did not bake any cookies this year. Hmmmm....wonder if there is any correlation between that and seeing 141 on my scale this morning? Thought to ponder.

Wish me luck with my Ziti marathon....should be home in a few minutes.

Ziti was in the oven at 3:45...will be out at 4:30 and packed up for a road trip!

Is the Universe telling us something?

In September, when Steve went to Las Vegas with his friend, he came home sick.  In October, I came home from Chicago with Pneumonia.  Well, we got home from Vegas on Friday and guess what?  Steve is sick.  Again.  Poor guy woke up with a fever and chills.  It was so painful for me to have to keep pushing him so that we made our plane and than our connection.    Thankfully, he is feeling a little better now.

I do want to note that we also had a trip to New York in November and neither one of us got sick.  Hmmmm....maybe we are just meant to go there?  Something to think about.

While we were there we had a really good time.  It was a very laid back trip for us.  The reason for the trip was so Steve could do this car-thing in the dessert.  He was scheduled to do it in September but rain washed those plans away!  The day he went to do it, I did some retail therapy at the Fashion Mall which is right across the street from the Wynn where we were staying.  I got a few things.  Not much though because I didn't want to carry it home.

Our first night there we ate at the hotel at their ode to New York-style deli, Zu Zu Crackers.  I ordered the 1/2 sandwich and soup.  It was a cream of tomato and it was delish.  I only had a few spoonfuls and gave the rest to Steve.  My sandwich choice was a Rueben.    I had 1 bite of the full sandwich, grilled rye bread and everything in all its glory and than just picked at the meat.  Steve ate the rest.  Truly, he should weigh 400 lbs by now!  The next night we went to Maggiano's where he had Chicken Parm and I just ordered the grilled chicken and roasted pepper flatbread appetizer.  I had a little piece of that and a bite of his chicken plus a forkful or two of salad.  We also ordered a dessert sampler.  NY Cheesecake, Tiramisu, Apple Crosada, Creme Brule' and chocolate mouse cake.  We ate the Apple Crosada with vanilla ice cream at the restaurant and took the rest back to the Wynn because I had no room in my tummy!  I am not proud to say that I tasted every single one!  Our last night there we ate at Mario Batali's restaurant, Otto Pizzeria.  We ordered one individual pizza to share, they are huge!  and a salad.  I ate one piece of pizza and Steve ate the rest.

                                                                      

Dessert anyone?

At the Venetians Winter Wonderland

There was nothing that I wanted to eat that I couldn't.  What a change from the last time I was in LV when I still had my band.  Back in those days, I could always count on being too tight because of flying. I used to get so frustrated because I couldn't eat!   I am so thankful that I do not have to worry about that anymore.  My restriction never changes.  It is always just there.  I am also delighted that I managed to lose a pound while there too!  I guess its true what they say:  What you eat in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas.  Oh? Thats not what they say?  Who knew?

Except for the fact that my honey came home sick, we really had a great time!

I'm glad that's over!

Don't get me wrong, i love Turkey Day but i am happy to be done with Thanksgiving! It was great seeing family and friends but it never ceases to amaze me how easy the old habits sneak back! At my weekly weigh-in this morning, I saw a number on the scale that I have not seen in a while....149! I was away for a few days, away from my comfort zone and while I did not eat big portions of anything, I just plain ate crap!

I am in sugar detox mode beginning today. I started the day with a protein shake And will have a yogurt or tuna for lunch. Dinner will be a small portion of eggplant parm and dessert will be coffee and probably another protein shake. I have been so off my protein lately and I really feel It. no more! Back to basics for me. Although my goal weight is 150, I really would like to get down to 140 and I know that I can and I know how to do it. No more eating like shit. I feel so much better already.

I hope everyone had a great holiday and is enjoying the weekend.

Thanksgiving blues & a little of this and that

Wow...I can't believe that the holidays are here already!  Steve and I will be doing a lot of driving this Thanksgiving as we are driving to his Dads house on Wednesday afternoon...200+ miles, than Thanksgiving morning we will all be heading to Peggy's, my Dads companion, who lives on the west coast of FL, 200+ miles...after dinner we will head back to Steve's Dads house, 200+ miles than on Friday morning back home...200+ miles.  I'm tired already!

When we moved to FL in 2008, Thanksgiving was the first holiday that I had to deal with not being with my girls and family in NY.  However, having my Dad here made it a lot easier.  I treasure the 2 Thanksgivings that we spent with him here in FL.  Going to Peggy's last year was so hard...knowing that he wouldn't be there and being surrounded by her family.    Don't get me wrong, I love them all but my Dad was such a huge presence that his not being there was felt so strongly.  Peggy had a candle burning the whole day to acknowledge my Dad's absence.

This past Friday was 18 months since my Dad and brother-in-law Jimmy were tragically killed.  For some reason, this milestone has affected so many of us in the family more so than others.  My nephew, who is usually so stoic, posted something on Facebook today that just made me cry.  It was so unlike him to share his feelings in such a public venue that it hit me like a ton of bricks:  we both lost our fathers on the same day.  The difference is, he was 18 and I was 47.  We share such a bond and yet I was blessed with having my dad for so many more years than he and his sister did.  Its just not fair.

Please, don't ever text and drive.  My family and I are living proof of the results of that deadly combination.

Anyway, back to Thanksgiving.  Like I said, I love Peggy and her whole family and I am Thankful that we will all be together.  I will still miss my girls but at least I will be spending Christmas with them in New York!  The following weekend, my sister is flying here and I will pick her up at the airport and drive back to Peggys to spend the day/night with her.  It will be nice for the 3 of us to get to spend some time together and I am really looking forward to having my sister here almost to myself for the weekend!  So what if I'm driving all over the state of FL again!  Family is what it's all about!

Oh, and speaking of Thanksgiving and family, my mama's birthday falls on Thanksgiving this year!  She was actually born on Thanksgiving too and that is how she received her nickname, Bunny.  My uncle said she looked like a turkey and my grandmother said "she does not, she looks like a little Bunny!"  79 years later, she still looks like a Bunny!  I better be getting her b-day card in the mail tomorrow!

Mama and most of her girls!

I finally feel like I am back in the gym groove!  I started slowly last week and am pushing through it this week.  I am so sore but it really feels great.  Scale is holding steady at 144 which is 6 lbs under my goal.  I am very Thankful for that!

The ease of gaining weight back has been a hot topic these past few days and boy, I am here to tell you, it truly is a constant battle....I cry to Steve some days that I just want to be "normal".  I hate weighing myself every single day and thinking about what I am going to be eating all the time.  I am constantly counting calories, carbs, protein, etc.  It will be like this for the rest of my life.   Please don't get me wrong....I wouldn't trade this for the world.  I'm just whining.  My band and now my sleeve have truly given me my life back.  I'll deal with all this any day if it means never having to be obese again!

I have one more dr visit on Monday and I am sure he will be giving me the all-clear!  What an ordeal!  I will be so happy to put that all behind me.

Another great weekend!

On Saturday we went to the Hal@@ifax Food & Wine Festival with our really great friends!  We had such a great time with them as we always do drinking wine and tasting food from many of the local restaurants.  The portions were the perfect size for me but the guys were complaining about them.  My favorite booth was dessert.  I sampled rum cake and all sorts of cupcakes.  My favorite was a Bacon and French toast cupcake.  Delish!  It had a maple flavor and the icing had a little piece of bacon on it.  Sounds weird but man did it taste great!

Sunday started off with Steve joining me on a listing appointment.  He is such a help to me.  While I was going over the contract with my customer, Steve was taking pictures of the home.  What a great team we are!  When we were done, we went out for brunch.  The rest of the day was just a lazy day as I am sick again!  This time its a head cold...it hasn't gone to my chest so I'm hoping its different from last time.  I spent the afternoon taking a nap and watching TV.

For dinner, I had planned to make spaghetti and meatballs but Steve couldn't wait to dive into the balls and we ended up just having them without the spaghetti!  Fine for me....too many carbs anyway!

Here is a pic of Brutus since he's gotten his scalping, ummm, I mean haircut!  He is not loving his new short doo especially since its gotten colder here in Florida!

First day back at the gym!

Hooray!  It exhausted me but I felt great!  I'm beyond happy that in the 6 weeks I didn't work out I didn't gain any weight.  In fact, I lost a few lbs but they just may come back now that I am exercising again.  I think maybe I lost some muscle mass.  Is that possible?  Anyway, I am back but I am taking it slow this week.

We got back from NY on Sunday night.  My niece Elayna's Sweet 16 party was everything and more.  There is only one thing that would have made the night better....having her dad and my dad there.  Life goes on.  I told my sister that I am so proud of her.  While I know she will never "get there", she has come so far since May 11, 2010.   Yes, she still has plenty of "moments" but she truly should be proud of herself.  I know Jimmy would be.

I saw many people at the party who I haven't seen since losing my weight.  At one point, I am dancing with a friend of my sister and she just kept going on and on and on about "how skinny" I am and asking me how I lost the weight.  I finally told her I had lapband surgery, didn't bother telling her about VSG as she was so drunk I don't think she even knew about lapband.  It was hysterical, she's going on and on and all of a sudden, I see the ice cream sundae bar open and I said "Ro, I have to go get myself a sundae!"  As I'm walking away, I think to myself that if she was in her right mind she might be thinking something like "once a fattie, always a fattie!  It really was funny.

Here are some pics from the party:

The Birthday Princess...Elayna

My beautiful girls, Jordan and Mallory

The cousins

Jordan and her Mama

My handsome nephew Eric

My sister and Elayna

Hasta La Vista Pneumonia!

Its, going, going, hopefully will be gone by next chest x-ray!  Doctor called and said it is definitely getting smaller.  I am very thankful for that.  WooHoo!

Can you tell I am feeling better?  I am even baking a Marble Chocolate Chip Pound Cake to celebrate!  Ok, I was baking that regardless but now I have an excuse!

My trip to NY is next Thursday and NOTHING is keeping me away from my girls, Mallory, Jordan AND Elayna the birthday girl!  It will be a quick trip as we will be home on Sunday :( but at least I get to see family....I haven't seen them since our abbreviated vacation on the Outer Banks in August....Thank you Irene!  We will be going up for a week for Christmas so we have that to look forward to also!  Well, at least I will be looking forward to that....Steve?  Not so much.  He would much rather have Christmas in FL or at least celebrate it in NY after the Winter.  Oh well.

I am finally loving iCloud...part of the new Apple upgrade. I take a picture on my iphone and it automatically appears on my Mac and my iPad without having to upload.  (See following pic of my model)  I was pulling my hair out until I realized there is a separate folder in iphoto for them but once I got past that, I was a happy girl!

Snaggletooth Brutus - Too cute!

 (and you need a haircut Bruster!)

Lordy, Lordy look whose 140!

Ok I lied, I am actually 144 but that didn't rhyme.  I am not sure what is going on in the weight loss department as I have been maintaining at 147 for the longest time.  I am not eating good (too many carbs, not enough protein) and no exercise at all in a month.  Makes no sense but it is what it is, right!

I am really starting to feel better even though current xray is still showing pneumonia.  I have another xray scheduled for Wed I think.  Today was my first day out in the world again and it felt great but I am very tired.  Steve and I went to the Daytona Beach Home Show and spent about 1 hour walking around....stopped at Dunkin Donuts for a coffee and donut (we shared both) and now I am in for the day.

I was so excited to put on a light sweater AND wear a light jacket today....Fall has finally arrived in Florida...Yay!

Still have pneumonia!

Unfreakingbelievable!  I went for my second chest xray and the doc said there is a slight improvement from last week so at least there is that.  I have to have a 3rd xray next Wed. before he gives me the 'all=clear' to venture out in public.   While I am not contagious, my immune system is so compromised  that I could get very sick if I were to catch something else!  Great.  I asked him about my plans to fly on November 3rd and basically he said I should wear a mask because a plane is the worst place for avoiding other peoples germs.  I guess I can believe that as I think that is where I got sick to begin with!

He was actually not a fan of my travelling but I explained that it was for my nieces Sweet 16 party and unless I was hospitalized or really sick, I had to go.  He told me that if I go and get the slightest indication of anything, sore throat, fever, whatever, I had to go to doctor or ER.  Honestly, although I am still coughing a lot, I do feel better.  If I am not feeling well at the time of the trip, I will not go but otherwise, I will go and take all his advice seriously.

On the weight loss front, I am still holding steady at 147.  What amazes me is, its been 3+ weeks since I've been to gym!  The fact that I am continuing to maintain my weight while not exercising AND not particularly eating great is blowing my mind!  I wonder if I'd been exercising and eating right, would I have lost weight?  Hopefully I will find out once I feel better to start exercising.

In the meantime, I am so damn tired!

Pneumonia!

Since flying home from Chicago last Monday I've had a sore throat, fever and then the coughing that feels like a lung is coming up.  My husband, who is normally so loving and comforting, seemed to be acting very strange!  By Thursday of last week, I was thinking I had a sinus infection or something and told him I was going to the doctor.  He kept telling me "its just a cold" or repeatedly asking me "how are you feeling" like every 10 minutes!  I kept thinking it was a trick question and he was asking me over and over again because he wanted to hear me say I was better.  It than dawned on me that I have NEVER been sick since we have been together.  Maybe a little cold here and there but to actually go to a doctor and stay in bed?  No.  This was a first for him.  Me too now that I think about it.  Anyway, I think it scared him a little to see me sick and he was 'willing' me to get better.  Does that make sense?

I went to the doctor on Friday and he thought I had bronchitis.  He gave me meds and I thought I'd start to feel better over the weekend.  Not so much.  I was having fevers of 101 and 102 all weekend.  Steve continued to refer to my illness as "just a cold" and saying it will take time.  I called the Dr on Monday and he set me up for a chest x-ray on Tuesday.  Dr. called me last night, told me it was pneumonia and called in a much stronger antibiotic to my pharmacy and told me to come see him this morning.  

When I told Steve last night I have pneumonia in my left lung it was like he hit a wall.  He immediately went online and started to ask me a gazillion questions "is it viral or bacterial?"  "how can he prescribe meds if he doesn't know", etc.  He took me to the dr this morning and asked the dr a gazillion questions.  Basically, if my fever spikes to 101 again, its been at 100 point something since Monday, I have to be admitted to the hospital.  In addition, I have another chest x-ray scheduled for Monday and if there is no change or if its worse, I will have to go into the hospital for IV meds.

Steve is back to being his caring, loving and comforting self with me.  I think it scares him that I am sick but now that we have a plan of action, he can deal with it.  The worst part of getting sick right now is that 1) Biketoberfest (a mini-bike week) starts tomorrow, the weather is gorgeous and we had a lot of plans and 2) we were going to Vegas on Monday for 4 days.  Well, neither are happening for me.  He cancelled the Vegas trip but will be doing some of the bike week festivities that we had planned.  No sense having him stay home and watching me sleep.

I pray that I kick this thing quick because I have a trip planned to Long Island on Nov. 3 for my nieces Sweet 16 that I have to be at!  So, that being said, I will be a good girl and do whatever the dr wants me to do.

I feel like a couch slug though.  I get up in the morning, go to the couch and with the exception of taking showers and eating, I live on the couch.  No one can say I am not resting.  Nothing else to do.  I've been watching Food Network and Cooking Channel and I've had no desire to cook what I am watching.  Yea, I am sick!  I did make a pot of chicken soup 2 days ago but thats it for my culinary exploits.  With the exception of my yogurt in the morning, I am living on the soup.  

So far I'm not feeling the healing powers of chicken soup but I'm not giving up!

  

Bronchitis and picture comparison

If I told anyone I was feeling better.....I lied!  Went to the Dr yesterday and thankfully I am now on drugs.  Unfortunately, they have not kicked in yet so this will be short.

I found a picture from last year when I wore the same dress I wore this year except for the color and size.
Last year it was a black size 14 and this year was a red size 8.  I weighed 185 lbs last year and this year I weigh 147.  I saw Macy's also had the dress in grey but I promise I will move on next year....I just couldn't help myself one more time!

Back to bed I go!  

Chicago Pics!

Whew.....I am finally feeling better!  So, without further ado, here are some of my pics from the outrageous weekend!

Jessica & Stephanie

Me and my Roomies....Vickie and Theresa

Theresa & Miss Vickie,  aka "the Hotties"

 These two really made the weekend special for me....I cannot wait to see them again!

Karin & Stephanie M

Brandi, Steph and I were all banded/VSG'd by Dr. D!  WooHoo!

Steph, me and the gorgeous Nicole

Jessica & Angie

Awww...me and my daaawwda by another motha, Joey...Love her!

Me and Jenny

"The Bean"

Oh, and last but not least....after 5 days in Chicago and 2.5 days in Disney.....my weight was the exact same as it was when I left for Chicago last Thursday!!!!!!!!!!

I'm home but real sick!

I just wanted to do a quick post to say thank you to all the planners...you all rock!  Thank you!

I had the absolutely best time in Chicago and re-connected with a lot of you and made new friends.  I had a blast with my roomies, Vickie and Theresa and really got to know them a lot better!

Theresa left on Sunday and Vickie and I left on Monday.  I then went straight to Disney with Steve and friends of ours from NY.  By Monday night I started feeling really rotten.  Sore throat, and all around achy-ness.  Tuesday was a blah day, same symptoms.  I woke up at about 3 a.m. this morning with my teeth chattering and shaking all over.  I am quite sure I had a fever.  I am now home on my couch doing absolutely nothing!

I plan on doing a photo post as soon as I am up to it!  I miss you all!

Two more days!

At this time on Thursday morning, Steve will be driving me to the airport!  I am really excited about our weekend!  I just wish I was meeting up with Steph at the airport though, like last year :(  Oh well, I will have to wait a few more hours and I will be meeting up with Read and Linda at the airport on the other side!

I haven't started to pack yet but I think I have it figured out.  Suitcase is coming out today!  My dress is going to wrinkle and I am assuming that the hotel has some sort of dry cleaning service so I can have them iron it for me.  I'd do it myself but there are pleats involved!   I also have to remember to pack a separate bag for when I get home on Monday because we are heading straight to Disney for two nights with friends.

I am also excited that the weather is going to be on the cool/cold side.  We have not seen anything close to cold, or even cool, here in Florida.  I'm listening to the news now and its going to be 90 again today!  I am so over summer!

On the work front, I wrote a contract yesterday so lets hope that one, the bank accepts it and two, everything else can wait until next week when I get home!  I'd rather not have to worry about being on the phone all day on Friday negotiating or setting up inspections!  I know I probably just jinxed myself too.  The good thing is that Steve will be home and he is also a licensed agent so he can  handle most things that come up in my absence...he just would rather not have to!

On the weight front, I am still holding steady at 147-148...I am so happy that maintaining these last two months has really been easy.  I pray that will be the story for a very long time to come! I am still exercising 4-5 times on a good week and 3 on a bad one.  I know that for me, this is the key to losing the weight and now in maintaining it.  I plan on packing my exercise clothes and getting to the gym 2 times in Chicago and that will give me 4 visits this week.

I have to say that shopping for clothes has really become a pleasurable experience! I used to dread going clothes shopping and would get so discouraged about how I looked, assuming that I even found something that fit!  Now, the only frustrating part is not finding something that I absolutely love!  I am firmly into size 8's for jeans/pants (except for Levi's...size 10 there.  Damn Levi's!) and small/med shirts. My shoe size has even gone from a 7.5 to a 7 which baffles me because I've always had small feet but whatever.  I did buy a pair of boots in a 7.5 because I would be wearing heavier socks.

I was planning on going to the gym today but I'm fighting some thing in my throat/head and just don't feel up to it this morning.  I'm praying whatever it is, is gone or better by tomorrow.  I don't want to deal with flying with any congestion.  I will make sure I have plenty of decongestant meds though.  I ruptured my two ear drums on a plane once when I was sick....pain was worse than labor.

See you all soon!

Picture test

Brutus and his girlfriend Zena


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I'm still here!

I've just not been HERE!  We spent Monday and Tuesday of this week with Steve's Dad in Boynton Beach and I got to meet up with Stephanie Martin for  about an hour on Monday night!  

Here is Brutus wearing his baseball hat at Grandpa's.  Actually, he looks more like Little Bo Peep!

Monday started out with a visit to my doctor who is in Sebastian FL which is 100 miles south of my house and from there we continue for another 100+ miles to my FIL's house.  My doctor is so proud of my progress and I felt so good walking out of his office.  Its funny though, walking in I wasn't feeling too good because my scale went up a lb to 148!  Ridiculous, I know but I wanted so much to keep going down, not up!  The good news is, I am back to 147 today so I guess I am truly holding on in maintenance!

Of course with the upcoming trip to Chicago, my real estate business is getting very active.....want to be busy?  just plan a trip!  It happens every time!  I am not complaining, I am not complaining, I am not complaining.  Next Thursday, I will be seeing you all and I cannot wait!  I am so excited about it!

I am staying in Chicago until Monday and from Orlando airport, Steve and I are heading over to Disney for 2 nights with our friends who will be down from New York.  I will be getting home on Wednesday and than I have another trip on November 2-6 which will be in New York for my nieces Sweet 16.  It will definitely be a busy couple of months for us as we will also be going to NY for a week at Christmas AND Steve is trying to fit in a 3 night visit to Vegas between now and than!  Yikes!

Anyway, this weekend I will start to think about what to pack for Chicago.  Its so hard going into new seasons because I don't have anything that fits with the exception of a few sweaters from last year.  I have to buy a pair of black jeans (sorry Mallory, they are a staple in my closet!) and possibly another pair of black trousers.  Off to Macys I will go!  I got the sale flyers for Macy's and even Kohls has a pair of boots that have caught my eye....I will be going to both tomorrow in between showing some properties!

Have a great day!

Weigh Day

Goal = 150
today = 147

So far, so good!

Happy Friday everyone!

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Workout Wednesday! Let's get physical!

Even Brutus is

"getting physical!"

I know, I am a very sick girl dressing up my boy.  But hey, he let's me.  I was watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills last night (I know, another sickness of mine) and the husband of one of the wives made a comment to another wife that "getting therapy was a sign of weakness"  to which she said "coming from a grown man who dresses his dog in Beverly Hills!"  I guess I'd fit right in with those Housewives, huh?  NOT!  I guess if therapy is a sign of weakness, I am very weak BUT I have a very stylish pupster!  Wait to you see him for Halloween!

Chicago is coming and I am getting so excited to see everyone!  It doesn't feel like a year has passed by but it has.  I cannot wait to reconnect with a lot of you ladies and make new connections.  We have such a diverse group and everyone brings something different to the table.  Bottom line is we all have "weight issues" as our common bond and everything else just grows from there!  

Have a great day....I am off to get my nails done and than off to work I go....hi ho, hi ho!

Weigh-in Day and a new/old dress

(actually, I weigh everyday but Fridays are special!)

Goal = 150

Todays weight = 147

I did eat a brownie today for lunch so I will probably be up 5 lbs tomorrow!  I chose to go dress shopping for Chicago instead of my usual lunch and that was the result.

I shouldn't be blogging this but it is an NSV so I have to....the dress I bought today is the same dress that I wore last year except for the color and size. I am a creature of habit...I loved the dress last year and loved it even more this year.   Last years dress was a black size 14.  This years dress is red size 8!!!!!!!  Holy macaroni! (or lack of macaroni is more like it!).  I tried it on for Steve and all he kept saying was "you are so skinny" and "you really look hot".  Oh boy....it really isn't easy for me to accept compliments even from him.  I kept pointing out the fact that the dress will look better with Spanx on and he didn't want to hear it!  He said "what do you need them for, looks great just like this."  I love that guy but I am still buying the Spanx!

BOOBs 2011 Fun Facts

Title: BOOBs 2011 Fun Facts!

1. How did you pick your blog name?  This was a no-brainer for me.  I am the most impatient person I know and I "Can't Wait" for anything!  My first Blog title therefore, was "Can't wait to lose it with the Band"....since my revision to VSG, I dropped the "with the Band" part!
2. When did you start blogging?  I started blogging after finding Catherines blog.  I was quite the stalker for a while.....I was reading Catherine and found Amy than Sarah and the rest is blogging history.
3. Theme of blog (weight loss, family, circus clowns, sci-fi, erotica, fly fishing, doll collecting, star wars, etc) My theme if you will, is mainly weightloss with a whole lot of family, every day thrown in.  
4. Did you go to BOOBs 2010?  I sure did and I had the best time!  I was so apprehensive about it as it was way out of my comfort zone...you know, flying half-way across the country to hang out with 50 strangers I met on the internet!  Actually, by the time of the trip, it was only 40 something strangers as I had met up with Stephanie (my great roomie by the way) Sarah, Amy, Maria, Grace and a few others at different times in Florida.
5. When were you banded?  I was banded in Mexico on March 24, 2010...great experience by the way.  Unfortunately, I had such a hard time with my band.  I would finally get restriction and BAM, my body would swell and the band would clamp down.  This started a cycle of fill/unfills.  I was unfilled more than I was filled actually.  Somehow, I still managed to lose 50 lbs with my band.  On June 20, I had my band removed and I had revision surgery to Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy...VSG.  This was the way to go for me.  I was able to finally reach my goal of 150 and I am currently at 146!
6. How much have you lost?  With the band and VSG I have lost a total of 67 lbs.  However, prior to my band, I had lost 21 lbs so in total, I have lost 88 lbs!!!!!  That blows my mind.
7. What are you most looking forward to at BOOBs?  I can't wait to reunite with all the wonderful women I met last year and I cannot wait to meet new friends.
8. What/who do you hope to find/see/accomplish at BOOBs 2011?  I just want to go with an open mind and have a great time with a lot of great women!
9. Children? Pets?  I have two beautiful daughters, Mallory (she has recently started her own blog and I hope to have her join us for BOOBs 3.0!) and Jordan.  As for pets, I have my little Shi-Poo pupster, Brutus but please don't ever mention that he is a pet...he thinks he is human!
10. Who is your roomie?  I am rooming with Theresa and Vickie.  I am so looking forward to hanging with my girls!
11. What day do you arrive?  I am arriving at 10 am on Thursday and I will be meeting up with Stephanie, Dawnya and Read at he airport...how cool is that?
12. What airport/flight/time?  Midway
13. What events are you signed up for?  I am doing the walking tour at this time and will be getting in some shopping, EATING, and whatever else pops up!
14. Hobbies?  I have become a gym-rat over the past 12 months so I guess this counts as a hobby as it is something that I truly enjoy.  I am an avid Kindle reader.  I love shopping and spending time with my husband on his motorcycle and mostly, traveling.
15. Career?  In my former life, I was a Senior Vice President in Human Resources at a bank that I worked for 23 years.  Upon moving to FL, I became a Realtor and I love the flexibility it gives me for all my traveling.
16. Single? Married? In a relationship?  I am married to Steve, who also happens to be the love of my life.  To have found someone who not only fell in love with me, but who loves my daughters as if they were his own, was hitting the jackpot in my book!  We have been together for 5 years and married for almost 4.  
17. Your birthday month?  January
18. What do you want other BOOBs to know about you?  I have a very different outlook on life since May 11, 2010, the day my dad and brother-in-law were killed on their motorcycles.  Every single day I am reminded how lucky I am to have my husband with me. (he was with my dad and BIL but was thankfully unhurt)  I have learned the hard way that life is truly too short and you just never know what each day is going to bring.  That being said, I try to live life to the fullest.  I try to see the good/positive instead of the bad/negative in each experience.  Its not always easy, believe me.  

Irene chased us home early :(

Oh well, we had a great 5 days vacationing on the ocean in Duck, NC with family so I am not going to complain!  I spent a lot of time on the beach and felt good in my bathing suits for the first time in forever!  I came home 1/2 lb lighter than when I left...how cool is that?  We had an earthquake while there and Irene was approaching.  What else should you expect when there are 10 Italians under one roof?

Here are a few pics from the vacay:

My daughter Mallory, the actress, she hadn't even started to cut the onion and she was "crying"!

My baby boy Brutus and Steve

Brutus loved getting all wet and sandy!

My youngest daughter Jordan in a loving moment with Brutus...very rare!

My gorgeous nephew Eric and SIL Kevin

Mallory and Kevin

Eric & I

Steve & I

Currituck Sound at Sunset

Kevin and I

My girls!

The gang!

Jordan was braver than mama...I went shopping!

My mama and me!

My baby sister Sue, mama and me

My niece Elayna and her BFF Cathryn