Living Large in FL!

Here it is!  The beginning and end of my modeling career!

The night I received these pic's, I just laughed and laughed!  Could they be any bigger?   Thankfully, the Mall that this is in is about 100 miles from where I live!

Other than this, our summer is going along just fine.  We spent 5 days in Las Vegas with our family and had a wonderful time.  We also met up with Stephanie from Dreams of High Heels, and her husband who was also out there celebrating their anniversary.  We joined them at the Graceland Chaple to witness their vow renewal ceremony conducted by Elvis, himself!  Lots of fun.

On August 7, we are heading to Long Island for 6 days for my niece Elayna's graduation party.  She is the baby in the family and we can't wait to help her celebrate!

Wow...this is the longest I've every gone without posting!

Seriously, this is a very long time not to update my blog!  Shame on me.  No excuses.

The last time I blogged I was getting ready for my "Modeling Gig" for my surgeons advertising campaign.  I have to say, it was a lot of fun but boy was it exhausting!  I have a new appreciation for models.  It is hard work!  We did the shoot on Vero Beach.  It was me, my husband, the hospital publicist, make-up and hair lady and photographer.  It was about 3 in the afternoon and the beach was pretty full for an afternoon in April.  People were staring, trying to figure out who the heck I was.  It was pretty funny!  I can't tell you how many photo's this chick took but the following is the one I keep seeing on Facebook!    I laugh out loud every time it pops up too!  I am still waiting for the CD with all the pictures.  I'll post more when I get that.

The whole day was a lot of fun and it ended up with Steve and I having dinner at the Disney Vero Beach Resort with me in a wet skirt!  I had changed two times during the shoot and I just didn't have it in me to change again so I sat through dinner worrying if there would be a wet spot when I got up.  Good times!

Doing the photo shoot was a real motivator for me and couldn't have come at a better time.  I had gained 6-7 lbs during my whole SI Joint fiasco and I just couldnt get my head back in the weight loss game.  However, being asked to do this was just what I needed.  I not only lost those lbs but lost 2 more to bring me back to my current weight of 140-142.  This is the weight that I am most comfortable at.  I am still exercising 4-5 times a week and all is well in my weight-world.

Life has been crazy around here.  Steve was in the hospital two weeks ago for a couple of days but he is back to normal now.  Dr thinks it was Diverticulitis or Gastritis and he lost 8 lbs!  I have him drinking  ensure every day in addition to eating to put that weight back on.  If there is anyone who cannot afford to lose weight, it is my husband!  All I kept thinking was Damn!  Last June he was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer (thank God he is fine now!) and now this.  June is not my husbands month for health.  Next year we are going straight from May to July!  That will take care of that.

This Sunday we are flying out to Vegas to meet up with my girls, their guys, my sister and her two children and its all Stephanie's fault.  She had told me she was going to be in Vegas with her husband in July to renew her wedding vows and knowing that Vegas was Steves favorite place on earth, asked if we could make it.  Steve jumped at it when I brought it up and the next thing I know, he had invited the girls to come with us.  My sister than jumped on board with her kids and there ya have it!  

The girls and I are meeting Steph for breakfast on Monday and then we will see her again on Tuesday night for the re-nuptuals as only Vegas knows how to do it!  This will be our second wedding with Elvis as the officient!  After that we are all heading down to Freemont Street for lots of fun!  We have tickets for dinner at the Wynn and than we are seeing Le Reve' which is at Wynn also.  The guys are all going four-wheeling in the desert, God love them!  107 degrees in the desert is not my cup of tea.  I will be shopping with my girls!  Its going to be hot but it will be fun, fun, fun.

We get home from Vegas on July 11 and than we are heading down to Delray Beach for 3 nights to meet up with Steves brother and sister-in-law.  Than, a few weeks later we will be heading to Long Island in August for my niece Elayna's High School graduation party.  I can't wait to see all my Island peeps as I haven't been up there since March!  This is a record for me.  Don't worry though.  Steve will be with me in August and we are only there for 5 days so I will be heading back by myself in September!  So I have a very hectic Summer coming up and right now the fall doesn't look much tamer as we will be going on a Halloween cruise in October.  

You know what the best part about all this is?  Since I've been maintaining my weight these past 2 years, I don't have to fret about what to wear or what will fit.  I am not freaking out about having to wear a bathing suit in front of people either.  I am not skinny by any means but I am comfortable in my skin now.  Not a day goes by that I don't thank God and my husband for believing in me and helping me get to today!

Have a great 4th of July!

Epiphany's just keep on coming!

There is a huge (pun intended) difference between a naturally thin person and a former obese person who is now thin!  How do I know this you ask?  Well I will tell you!   In my opinion, naturally thin people are not as carb sensitive as those of us who are or were once obese.  I watch my family and friends eat and I'm here to tell you, most do not exercise and most eat a fairly balanced diet.  I don't' see them gaining weight when they go a little crazy with carbs.  Evidently, I do.

Not to bore anyone, I won't retell my SI Joint horror story BUT, I will just say that for a period of about 10 weeks, I did not exercise.  But I did eat.  I continued to eat the way I had been eating for the whole time I've been in the maintenance phase.

Basically, my maintenance phase consisted of exercising 3-5 times a week for at least an hour each time and keeping my daily calories to roughly 1200.  My goal weight was 155 and I've been steadily maintaining 142-144 without any problems.  I had gotten down to 136 at one point but that was too hard to sustain.   I did not have to pay attention to carbs and protein while maintaining, I just ate what I wanted....some days were carb heavy but most days were protein heavy.

During the period I could't exercise, although my calorie intake continued to be 1200, I somehow managed to put on a solid 7 lbs!  (my fresh daughter will tell you it was also the period of my new bread machine!  brat!!!) I am now weighing in at 149 which while still below my goal, is still too heavy for me.  I did see 150 one day (yea, I'm a daily weigher!) and I almost fainted!  My clothes are tight and I'm not comfortable.  I've been back to the gym full-on for about 3 weeks but it wasn't until last week that I took a hard look at my almost-daily food journaling.  My carb intake is just too damn high for me to lose weight!

So, last week I went back to basics and Im keeping my carbs under 50 grams and my protein over 60 grams.  This is what I did to lose the weight in the first place.

My protein gram intake has easily been in the 80-100 range and surprisingly, my total calories are coming in under 1000.  I am not beating myself up (today!) I'm just getting my head back in the losing game.  I have said it many times, I may have won the battle but the war continues and when you don't pay attention, this is what happens.

I just recently read somewhere that a regain after losing the weight doesn't make us a 'failure', what it makes us are actually 'successful failures'!  The analogy used the Challenger Shuttle disaster.  That was truly a failure.  However, I'm not sure which Shuttle it was, but one of them was on the platform in the countdown to lift-off phase and at 2 minutes to go, the computer detected a problem and shut everything down.  The Shuttle didn't go up that day, no one was hurt, and it went up another day after whatever the problem was was fixed.

I am sure I am not relaying this exactly like I read it but what it was saying was that sometimes there are no do-overs but other times, we have the ability to fix something and get back on track.  Make sense?

In other news....My surgeons office asked me if I'd consider being a 'model' for some billboard or something like that.  I am still not sure.  My initial reaction was HELL NO!  However, after sleeping on it, I've decided to go for it.  If nothing else, it will help in my motivation to lose these 7 pesky lbs by April 4th!  Actually my goal is to lose 5 lbs by then.   Wish me luck!

Finally!

The last time I was at the gym was on Dec. 8th!  Today, after all this time, I was finally given the ok to return to the gym in a limited capacity!  I am so excited.  I have really been feeling like a slug and eating way, more than I have a right to!  Thankfully, my weight has remained steady, 142-144 during this whole period.  I can really see a difference though in my  body.  It doesn't take long for muscles to forget and I'm here to tell you, mine forgot!  While the scale has remained steady, my body is no longer as toned as it once was.  That ends tomorrow!  Listen up muscles....prepare to start feeling sore!  A good sore though, I hope.

I have learned more than I ever wanted to know about the Sacroiliac Joint and I pray to God that it never gets twisted again!  It will take me a long time to forget the pain from that damn twisted joint!  I will really be taking it slow at the gym for this reason.  The last thing I want to do is have a set-back especially because my doctor said surgery is the next step if it happens again.  I do not want to go there.

My WW adventure continues although I am only doing it half-hearted.  Some days I forget to count my points.  I still love Myfitnesspal best out of all the online calculators!

Tonight my hubby is taking me out to dinner to celebrate my birthday (again) at a really nice Italian restaurant that I've been dying to try.  It will be great knowing that I can have dessert and will be working it off  at the gym in the morning!  Did I mention that it was my 50th birthday?  With the exception of the SI Joint issue, I am starting this new decade off 100% healthier and happier than I started the last one.  Salute!

Guess who is doing W*W?

Seriously.....I am now an online member!  Never thought I'd say that again!  However, I am not doing it to lose weight.  I am still maintaining 10 lbs under my goal weight.  I'm doing it mainly to stay accountable and focused during this period where I cannot exercise.

It's been a real eye-opener and its made me appreciate everything I've done during these past almost three years to get where I am.  For me, as long as I can exercise, I really don't have to scrutinize every morsel that goes past my lips.  Take the exercise away and it gets scary for me!

Thankfully I am feeling a little better every day.  It was determined that I am suffering from Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction!  What a mouthful.  It mimics lower back pain and although my MRI showed herniated disks, surgeon said my disk problem is not the problem.  He has me going to physical therapy, which has given me some relief and I am getting another epidural steroid injection directly into the SI joint.  Hopefully doing these things will get it back in place and I can avoid having surgery.  The surgery basically implants 3 screws between the hip and the SIJoint to fuse it together!  No thank you....I will only do that as a last resort!  Truth be told, I would do the surgery tomorrow if I'd exhausted my other options!  I have a very high tolerance for pain but this has brought me to my knees!

I am really starting to feel like me again.  I was getting so depressed, having to take pain pills to get through the day.  That's so not me!  It has been two days since I've taken a pill and I take that as a big accomplishment.  The pills are really good but they make me so loopy and I absolutely come to a screeching halt when I take them.  Driving isn't an option so I am stuck in the house.  Each day for the past week, I've been taking them later and later into the day.  It's a great feeling to know that I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train!

Happy New Years Eve!

What a month I've had! I started having a back problem on Dec 7 that resulted in finding out I had 3 herniated disks the day before we were going to drive to NY for Christmas. Trip was delayed one day and thanks to really good drugs and a big back seat, I made it to NY in one piece! We got there on Saturday, drove straight through and than did it again the day after Christmas!

No relief at all from back pain, even after getting an epidural steroid injection! Had an appt today with a neurosurgeon and found out the reason I had no relief was because while they are herniated, my problem isn't with my disks! I have sacroiliac joint dysfunction! Yikes! Anyway, I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel and I am hopeful that once I am being treated for this, I will get my life back! Pain sucks!

All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas, pain and all. My girls took care of me! Here we are on New Years Eve, 2012 and I am happy to say goodbye to this year as it wasn't a good one health wise for us. Everything turned out ok but it was a long year. I'm looking forward to a fresh start in 2013 and pray for good health for all my family and friends.

I'm happy to say that this is my 2nd year that I don't have "losing weight" as my resolution! What a great feeling! However, that is not to say that I have won the war. Every day is a battle to maintain! I swear, it is easier to lose weight than to maintain. Seriously. When you are actively losing, you are constantly motivated by the scale, clothes, friends and family. Once you hit goal, a whole new dynamic sets in. I am not complaining....it is just different. Maintenance is hard but so rewarding. Every day I stay below my goal, is a dream come true for me.




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

It's been a while!

2 weeks ago, Steve and I spent a few days in New Orleans with my girls Theresa and Vickie and their hubby's! Had a fantastic time and can't wait to see them again already!

We did all the touristy things and a whole lot more as Theresa and John are practically locals and really showed us the town. Hell, Theresa's husband John even got Steve and I to eat fried alligator bites! Steve had seconds and thirds even! The only down side to the weekend was that Vickie had a horrible cold/cough that got progressively worse. In fact, the morning we all left, only her hubby John came to breakfast! (You owe us some hugs, Vick!)

While there I even got to meet Vicky. She lives right outside NOLA and met us for Beignets at Cafe' Du Monde! Oh, they were good! Of course we had our fair share of hurricanes too!














The week we got back was Thanksgiving week and then I flew to New York the day after to surprise my mama for her 80th birthday. I was only there for the weekend but we had a wonderful time!

Since I've been home this week I am in full time Christmas shopping mode. I'm hoping to start some decoration but work keeps getting in the way!

I am also going to start baking this week as I am planning on giving out a lot of home baked gifts this year. We will see how that goes! Here's to hoping I can keep the cookies out of my mouth.

My weight has been steady, I continue to maintain in the 142-145 range without any trouble. Exercise has been slim these past 3 weeks due to travel but I'm back on track beginning tomorrow so I should be ok.

I will do my best not to let this much time go by before checking back in! Have a great week!

Just a little update!

I am so proud of my daughter Mallory for completing her second 1/2 Marathon this past Sunday.  This is a girl who just started running a year ago and has already completed 2  - 1/2 Marathons.  She said she'd never do another one after running the Disney Princess 1/2 and she said the same thing after running this one.  She is just a sucker for a medal so I suspect she will be running another one, hopefully the Disney Princess as its near me and I can cheer her on!

Isn't she adorable?

I spent a lot of money on those teeth!

Steve and I had a wonderful time in Vegas!  We saw a few shows, Jersey Boys and America's Got Talent.  We also had tickets to see The Australian Pink Floyd but I didn't feel well so Steve went without me.  We had a few really nice dinners and hung around the pool a lot.  He also did a day in the desert thing with a dune buggy.  I had done it with him another time and sat this time out!

I did a little of this:

So I could eat a little of these little pies from the Carnegie Deli!

Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Hotel & Casino

Entertaining myself while waiting for America's Got Talent

Although it was his celebration trip, I ended up getting some bling when we got home to celebrate his winnings. An anniversary eternity wedding band!  OMG, I love that guy!  His idea, not mine but hey, who am I to argue!

We got home on a Monday and than last Friday my mother and niece came for a 4 day visit.  We didn't really do much but we had a very nice visit.  My mother loves Brutus....can you tell?  

GO GIANTS!

This week its back to normal for me...work and gym!  

Safe Travels!

I wish I was packing right now to meet you all in Chicago but life got in the way this year, big time I might add!  Instead I am packing for my trip with Steve to Vegas to celebrate his finishing radiation!  While I am thrilled to be spending time with my husband, I am truly going with a heavy heart because I also wish I could be with everyone in Chicago!

For the newbies, please, please, do not miss a stop at Garretts Popcorn.  Literally around the corner from the hotel!  Always a highlight for me!  Pizzeria Uno and Due' are also must eats and cant forget the chicago hot dog.  Fat or thin, my trips anywhere always revolve around food!  Stay close to Steph and she will lead you to Roys Hawaiian Fusion Restaurant....OMG that was a keeper for me, now I find myself seeking a Roys out when I visit big cities.  Maybe I will be with you in spirit this weekend if we make it to the Roys in Vegas?

Have a safe trip and above all else, relax and have fun!  A better group of women would be hard to find!

Steve has finished his treatments!

WooHoo!  These were the longest 9 weeks for me!  Him too I'm sure!  In 3 months he will go back for another PSA test and we and his doctor don't expect anything less than him being declared CANCER FREE!

After his last treatment, we went to a new Mexican restaurant in our town.  My children, bless their hearts, pointed out that Steve does not like Mexican food and this was his celebration.  Well...while they were technically correct, he told me I could choose because he loves me.  So of course, when I put him on speaker while on the phone with Mallory and asked where he wanted to go, he said "McDonalds"!  Seriously, he hates McDonald's more than he doesn't like Mexican!

Here is a picture of Steve showing how excited he was to be there:

Here is me drinking to his health and waiting for my food!

MMMMM...Chile Rellano!

We really had a nice dinner even if he doesn't like Mexican!  Tonight we are having friends over to continue our celebration.  I made Beef Bourguignon....so good!  I even made a Triple Layer Mocha Brownie and to be honest, I would just assume go directly to dessert!  I'd take a picture but it really just looks like a frosted brownie.  When you cut into it, there is a layer of mocha creme that is to die for!  

This weekend we are heading south to Steve's dads house to celebrate his 90th birthday!  His two brothers and their wives will also be there.  It should be a nice visit as its been 2+ years since both his brothers have seen there father and its been 4 years since we have all been together!  Steve and I visit with everyone, especially his dad but his brothers?  not so much!  Looking forward to it.

Next Wednesday I am heading north to Long Island for a few days.  The main event is my friends surprise 50th (that is really my excuse as you all know my main event is always my girls!) and than I tacked a few days on to visit with family.  I get home on Sunday, 9/23 and than on Friday, 9/28, we are heading west to Vegas  Baby!  If you remember, Steve booked the Vegas trip the day he was diagnosed.  That was back in June and it felt so far away!  

I am really looking forward to this trip because of the reason we are going.  His being diagnosed with Cancer was so scary for ME I can only imagine what went through his mind.  Mind you, it was a very treatable Cancer and he is Mr. Calm, Cool and Collected but still!  In any event, he is always looking ahead and is such a positive person....I wish that would rub off on me!  We have nothing planned...no shows, no dinners, nothing....just going to take it day by day and if we want to see a show, we will.  I actually wanted to see Garth again but he wasn't there the days we are, the nerve! Steve wants to do a dune buggy thing in the dessert....i think I'll just hang at the pool that day!

Unfortunately, Vegas is the same weekend as BOOBs and I am sad that I wont be seeing my girls this year!  I know from past years everyone will have a great time whether its your first visit or third!  You could not have a better bunch of planners, believe me on that!  Have fun and be safe and drink all you want, you don't have to worry about driving as everything is pretty much in walking distance!  

Some pics from my family visit!

So last week my daughters and Son in law came for a visit.  It was a very laid back visit, not our usual running around to Disney and here and there!  I have to say, it was very relaxed and I hope they had as good a time with me as I had with them.

I spent some Mommy & Me time with both girls.  I taught Jordan how to make a few of her favorite dishes so that she could make them for her boyfriend when she got home.  I did some baking before they got here for Mallory who requested Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Oh, Sweet.Baby.Jesus. were they good!  Thank you Jacques Torres!  What a recipe but the chocolate "chips" which were disks cost $20!  Next time I will use good old nestle but Im sure I will regret that!  They were huge, thin and crispy.

The kids went to the beach and hung out by the pool.  We ate out and ate in.  Here are a few pics from the visit:

Mallory & Jordan (just woke up - usually they brush their hair!)

Kevin & Mallory

My human baby & my furbaby

Brutus reclaims his couch!

Jax from Sons of Anarchy
 - totally not related but isn't he adorable?

A rainbow going around the sun -
I've never seen that in my life!

Donuts we made from canned biscuits

Veggie/Pineapple dip

The best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

Sad to say that this week was back to business as usual.  Real Estate is picking up around here so thats a good thing!  I went back to the gym today for the first time in 6 weeks and took it slow.  I feel good and don't think I overdid it.  I suppose I'll know tomorrow morning.

Steve has only 10 more treatments left and we are counting them down!  I am so thankful that he has come through this with very minor side effects, namely just a tiredness that hits him in the early evening.  He definitely had an Angel or two watching over him.  Once he is done, we will get ready to go to Vegas for a few days to celebrate and than he will be tested in 3 months.  We do not expect anything short of a full reversal!  Please keep him in your prayers!

Last but not least, I will be keeping all the people on the Gulf Coast who are in the path of Isaac who has now been classified as a Cat 1 Hurricane, in my thoughts and prayers.  Of all the days to have a Hurricane hit, the 7th anniversary of Katrina has got to be making these fine people have horrible flashbacks to that storm.  Much love and hugs to all of you!

I got a hot date today with my man!

Oh yea, we are going to an afternoon matinee to see a movie about 2 old people rekindling the flame in their marriage....Hope Springs, with Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones (love him!) and Steve Carroll.  OMG but it gets better!  Than, after the movie we are going for Steve's radiation treatment!  We sound like we are two old buggers don't we?  LOL!

Actually, all kidding aside, Steve's radiation treatments are going quite well and the only side effect he is having is that the dreaded 'tiredness' they talk about seems to be hitting him in the evening right after dinner.  He usually needs to take a short power-nap while watching TV at night and he is fine.  He is very lucky as a lot of patients get this tiredness right in the middle of the afternoon.  Hell, I'd never get to a movie if I had to go at night as I cant stay up past 9 pm and I have no excuses!

We are getting ready for a visit from the kidlets!  Our girls and son-in-law are coming down for 5 days next Sunday!  I am very excited about that!  We really have nothing exciting planned as the kids really just want to go to the beach and hang by the pool.  I'm sure we will be going out to dinner most nights but I've already started to get the food requests from from my youngest daughter Jordan...stuffed artichokes?  Really?  Its funny because that was always my Dad's request when he visited me.  Made me smile when she asked me actually.

Steve is actually just about halfway done with his 9 weeks of radiation and he is really looking forward to our trip to Vegas he planned to celebrate the end of his treatment.  I can't believe that is next month already!  We planned this back in June and it really felt very far off.  Where did this summer go?  School is already starting here in Florida next week, I think Thursday?  Crazy....I am used to having scholl start after Labor Day so this is so strange to me!

As far as my weight, I am down a few pounds but I'm sure it will pop back up to my normal weight of 140ish.  I haven't been exercising as much as usual either due to some surgery but I will be getting back into that come September.  That probably has something to do with my weight loss as I am sure I've lost some muscle tone.  I'm just so thankful that I have my Sleeve to help keep my eating in check!

And finally, I am so sad that I will be missing BOOBs 3.0!  I have gone for the first two and they just keep getting better! I really wanted to go and then Steve's diagnosis came in June and he wanted to have a Vegas trip to look forward to and that trip coincides with Chicago.  All I can say to any newbies this year is hang on to your hats!  It will be such a fun, whirlwind weekend and you will have memories to last a lifetime.  The planning committee keeps outdoing themselves...trust me on this!  A more dedicated group of women would be hard to find. For me, I am telling myself, there will always be next year...

Happy Friday!

I woke up today and said "yep, I am going back to the gym today....today is the day!"  So I went, got my little step set up, no risers for me as its my first time back in a month and I had a cortisone shot in my ankle last week.  Talking to a few ladies about this and that and then the owner comes in and says class has to be cancelled as instructor got a flat!  Really? Does anyone but me realize this girl has gotten a flat at least 3 times in the last year getting to an 8 a.m. class or am I the only cynic?

Anyway, I was there so even though I didn't have my earbuds with me, I jumped on the treadmill and actually did a little jogging but mostly fast walking and burned 280 calories in 35 minutes.  I was happy and in hindsight, glad I didn't do an hour step class.  I will try another class tomorrow and see how that goes.

I was reading Amy W.'s post today and decided that my freak-out weight is 145.  My initial goal was 150 (which I hit last August!) and my lowest weight was 137.  My body fluctuates between 137-142, mostily 140-142.  Well, last week I saw 145 on the scale at night!  I am a little crazy with the scale...I am a morning weigher but I will jump on the scale at night before bed to get a peak at what the morning will bring.  I have a sickness, I know.  Anyway, I saw 145.4 and had a major freak out!  Holy my God!  I instantly realized that I was being redic and looked back at the day to see what I had possibly eaten that could cause this.  I honestly couldn't put a finger on it other than I didn't pee a lot that day.  Next morning it was 143 which was again higher than my normal morning weigh in so I just drank a lot of water and had a "yogurt day".  That is when I will have plain greek yogurt for breakfast (with good stuff mixed in like fruit and Stevia flavoring French Vanilla), lunch and a snack and a have a regular dinner.  I easily get all my protein in doing that!  By the next day, I was back in the 141 range again.

That my friends is why "they" say we shouldn't weigh every day!  Well, tough, I have to!

So, I am over my conjunctivitis and my ankle is stabilized for the moment.  However, doctor said to try to pick a time next year where I can be down for about 6 weeks.  He said the cortizone isn't really the long term answer and it was the 4th time I've had one.  We will see about that one!  Steve has started his radiation therapy this week and so far, so good.  One week down and 8 to go!  Please continue to keep him in your prayers.

I am getting ready for a little trip to New York next Thursday to visit my girls.  I cannot wait to see them.  I originally wasn't going to go but Steve insisted.  He is such a great guy and he really loves my girls.  What more could I ask for?  The girls and my son in law Kevin will be coming down to visit us for a week in August so Steve will visit with them then.

What does everyone got going on this Weekend?  I'm working Sunday morning but the rest of the weekend we will probably get on the motorcycle and do our A1A ride along the ocean.  Nothing better!  As long as there is food in it for me, I'm happy to keep him company doing what he loves best!

Here are some pics from our trip last weekend to Ponce Inlet...We had lunch at The North Turn.....NICE!

What are your favorite Apps?

The following are my must have, can't live without apps on my iphone.    With the exception of the usual, facebook, twitter, etc., what are your favorite Apps?

My Fitness Pal - #1 on my list!  Calorie tracker like no other!!!
Keeper - password keeper
Grocery List - name says it all
Words With Friends
Kindle - my Kindle stays home but this allows me to read my books anywhere
Alarmed - reminders and timer
MobileRSS - allows me to read and comment on blogs
Hotel Tonight - great app for when you need a hotel tonight...very discounted rooms
BlogPress - for writing blogs
Fandango - purchase movie tix
Disney World - lets you know wait times for attractions and dining reservations
Mapquest - voice guidance
HomeSnap - take a picture with your phone and it tells you what house is worth.  Very cool!

What are everyones plans this weekend?  Its weird when 4th of July falls on a Wednesday.  The holiday weekend actually becomes two weekends of festivities plus stuff happening at the beach on the 4th!  We have dinner plans tomorrow night with 3 couples that we are looking forward to.  I think Sunday I will be roped into having the same couples at our house for a BBQ.  That's fine....I will be at their homes on Tuesday night, Wednesday and than again next Saturday!  Very busy week indeed!

My eyes are almost all cleared up.  The redness and wateryness is all gone but they still look a little swollen.  My weight was up almost 3 lbs during the week (thankfully it is gone) and doctor said I can attribute that to the steroids I was/am taking.  She said they have a propensity to make you retain water.  I am slowly weaning off them and I've noticed a reduction of the 3 lbs as I slowly withdrew from them.  I was using them 4 x a day.  I than had to go to 3 x day for 3 days, and now I am doing 2 x a day for 2 and than 1 x day for 2 days and than I will be done!  What an ordeal.

Last but not least, we had such a great time at Disney's Hollywood Studio's with Stephanie and Jason last Saturday.  I seriously considered not going because of my eye problem and I am so happy that we went.  The rain held off and we had a very nice time with them!  Steve was able to go on Tower of Terror 3 times so he was one happy man!

I hope everyone has a very safe and fun weekend and upcoming week!

Its alway something!

This week brought something new to my life!  Allergic Conjunctivitis!  WooHoo!!!  Otherwise known as "pink eye".  FML  I felt something funky going on with my eye last Saturday.  Saturday night we went to a Roger Waters (founding member of Pink Floyd) concert and there was a whole lot of pot smoking going on.  I can assure you all that I was the only one who left that concert with pink eyes who was not stoned!

Sunday morning rolls around and I woke up with my right eye swollen shut!  Great.  I actually went to a walk-in clinic because I didn't want to wait until Monday to see the Dr.  He gave me drops and off I went.  By Tuesday there wasn't any improvement so I went to my Opthomologist.  She gave me prednisone in addition to the antibiotic.  Good news is, she said because I am an adult I can be trusted to not going around  infecting people!  Yay for being an adult.  I've worn the two top layers off my hands washing them!  I am so tired of looking like I was in the ring with Muhammad Ali!  The fact of the matter is, Conjunctivitis can be one of three varieties:  Allergy, Viral or Bacterial.  There really isn't a way to tell which one you have so they treat for Allergy and Bacterial...no treatment for Viral...it just has to work its way out.

Anyway, I've been taking it easy this week, working at home for the most part and only going in to my office if it was absolutely necessary.  I just hate having to explain why my face looks like this!  Tomorrow we are heading over to Orlando to meet up with Stephanie and her hubby Jason to spend the day at Hollywood Studio's.  The plan was to then go to Roy's for dinner but I think we will beg out of that and let Steph and Jason enjoy a nice romantic dinner by themselves not having to look at the Elephant Woman!

On a better note, my shoulder is feeling much better with the physical therapy.  So much better that they sprung me loose!  Said no reason to complete the 12 sessions when I knew what to do at home if it acted up again!  Really?  I was shocked.  Maybe they just didn't want to look at my face anymore, I know i don't.

I haven't been to the gym in 10 days!  I miss it the most when I want something to eat when I've already hit my calorie limit for the day and I can't say, "well I exercised today so I can have this".  Now, while I say I can't say that, that doesn't mean that I still don't indulge on occasion.  I have to admit though, I really do miss being active and I'm anxious to start exercising again.  I am waiting for my eyes to clear up though.

My one year anniversary with my sleeve was on Wed., 6/20.  I am so happy that I switched out my band for that when I was having all those band problems.  I hit my weight goal of 150 last August and I am still bouncing between 137 - 142.

Lots of things coming up this summer with my travelling to NY to visit my girls and my girls coming to visit us in August.  Steve is starting his radiation treatments on July 9th and continues to have a great attitude!  It is amazing the number of people in our everyday lives who have first-hand knowledge of prostate cancer; husbands, brothers, fathers who have had it and beat it!  We really consider ourselves lucky that this is the cancer he has!


Have a great weekend!

Break from the gym!

I am a procrastinator when it comes to aches and pains.  Maybe not a procrastinator but more like the attitude, "its nothing and will go away by itself".  That being said, about a year ago (yea, I said year!) I started having a slight pain in my left shoulder.  Some days it was barely there and other days it was a constant nagging pain.  There was no rhyme or reason to it either.  Whether I was exercising or not, it was always there in the background.

Fast forward to April of this year, I happened to be having a regular checkup with my doctor and I told him about this pain.  He referred me to an Orthopedic Doc.  I went in April and had an MRI done.  The diagnosis was Bursitis.  He gave me a shot of Cortisone and a prescription for physical therapy for 3 x week for 4 weeks.  So, I decided, note the absence of an MD after my name, that I didn't need physical therapy because the pain went away immediately with the Cortisone.  Bad decision Jax!  The Cortizone wore off and now I had to go to physical therapy because I can't go back to the doctor unless I do!  Oh, woe is me!

Yesterday I had my first appt. with PT and I'm glad I went.  He explained what exactly Bursitis is and why I need PT to clear it up.  Basically, he said to forget I have a left shoulder for about a week to give the joint a chance to heal as it is very inflamed.  He reminded me of this while I was leaving and asked if I understood.  Of course, I replied, I am not an idiot!  Well, he than pointed out that I had my at least 5 lb. purse hanging off of my left shoulder blade! Oopsie!  Old habits die hard!

I am going back again tomorrow for my 2nd session.  He gave me a few treatments yesterday and a few stretches that I am doing at home.  My shoulder feels better already!  The one down side was he said I need to stay away from all exercise that add strain to the shoulder.  I asked if I could still do spinning and he said no because of the fact that I am holding on the handle bars of the bike and this causes strain on the shoulder.  Not a lot but he wants me to really let it rest for a week.  I took yesterday, today and tomorrow off but I will go to a step class on Saturday and try not to use my arms.  I told my trainer that I would see her in a week.

Getting old just plain sucks!

Do you associate days of the week with events in life?

Well I do and I'm here to tell you that Tuesdays suck!  Yea, really suck!

My dad and brother-in-law were killed on a Tuesday and now my dear, sweet husband, my best friend and my rock, was diagnosed with cancer this past Tuesday.  I've been sorting things out since then and trying to process it but let me tell you, I just can't!  The bright side is, prostate cancer is very curable.   But still.  You hear the 'C' word and all sense of reasoning goes right out the window.

From the moment Steve and I met, he has been taking care of me.  Even when he doesn't know it, he takes care of me.  Seriously. I've never opened myself up to any other human as I have with him and I guess I just take it for granted that he will always be here to take care of me.  Selfish, I know, but this is how I feel.  Anyway, this week has been a real tough one for me.  Him too...but not as much!  Seriously, this man has the best outlook on life.  On Tuesday afternoon, while I am crying into a cup of tea, he is on the computer booking a trip for us to take to Las Vegas for the end of September.  He said it will give him something to look forward to while going through his treatment this summer!

We have been to 3 doctors appointments since Tuesday and that is only the beginning.  Todays appointment was with the Radiation Therapy Oncologist.  He pulled no punches though, as curable as this type of cancer is, he sees men die from it.  The problem with prostate cancer is, depending on a whole host of factors and treatments, there are some very unpleasant side effects that some men are just not willing to deal with.  Because it is a very slow growing cancer, some men opt to take their chances that they will die from something else before that cancer kills them.

Luckily or maybe not so luckily, Steve is young.  This means that 1) he really doesn't have the luxury of waiting the cancer out and 2) because he is young and the cancer was caught very early, he could choose which treatment route to take.  He has chosen radiation therapy that will be 5 days a week for 9 weeks.  The doctor feels that based on the stage of the cancer and this treatment protocol, Steve has a 95% chance of a cure.  As a gambler, he is liking those odds.

Me, I would rather not have to deal with odds on my husbands life expectancy but I know all too well how short life can be.  We are in this together, him and I.  I told him today, notebook in hand in doctors office, I am his self-appointed medical advocate!  He laughed at me but lo and behold, when the doctor was speaking to us, he was encouraging me to write in my notebook!

I posted a John Lennon quote today on Facebook:  "Life is what happens while you are busy making plans."  Is this not the truth or what?  We are in for a rough ride but I know with the help of God, medical science and family and friends, we will beat this thing.  Once again I ask everyone to keep my family, Steve specifically, in your thoughts prayers.

Well, here I am....all alone....

Except for all of you!

I went to my doctor this week for my LAST FORMAL CHECK-UP!  How freaking scary is that?  It has been almost a year since my revision to Sleeve surgery.  He spent over 30 minutes with me....even though he had a waiting room full of patients.  He basically said that I have surpassed his expectations of where he thought I would settle as a final weight and he said that I should listen to my body and give myself a 5 lb window to fluctuate.  I'm ok with that. He had me crying and made me promise that even though I live 120 miles away, I would try to come back at yearly intervals.  He said not only would it give him a chance to admire his work (I love him), but it would also give me some form of accountability.  Really?  I'm thinking I need more than a "oh, a year is coming up and its time to see my doctor!  I better lose this weight I've gained! "

No. First and foremost, I need to be accountable to myself.  Thankfully, I have Steve and my family to help me with that!  Than,  I need to keep blogging and keep up all the friendships I've made around here with woman who have become so special to me.  Everyone is at different points on this thing we call a 'Weight Loss Journey'.  It helps to step back sometimes and retrace our steps with those who are not as far along.  It keeps me grounded, so to speak and helps me as much as I hope I help others.

I know I am not the only one who says "I'm not ever going to gain that weight back" but we all know how easy it is to slide with our weight and that is just a fact of life.  The way I explained it to my doctor is, I feel like after losing all this weight, the slate was wiped clean.  Getting the lapband and than the Sleeve basically gave me a chance for a "do over".  I am now at a weight that I am healthy and comfortable with.  I am in control of what I put into my mouth so I should be strong enough to respect myself enough not to gain it back!  That is my plan. One day at a time.  What an interesting concept, yes?

While I was at his office, he wanted to try out a new machine he has gotten since my last visit, the InBody520.  It measured my weight, lean body mass and body fat mass.  According to this sophisticated piece of modern machinery, I am at a 22 BMI (on a scale of 18.5 - 25 for normal) with a 30.6% of body fat (on a scale of 18.0 - 28 for normal).  This means that I would need to lose an additional 13.4 lbs of fat and gain 2.4 lbs of muscle mass.  At my current weight of 139 lbs, this would bring me to about 128 lbs!  We both looked at each other and agreed....it is what it is.  So much for $15,000+ machines!!!  I am comfortable at this weight and so far, I am able to maintain it without any extreme measures such as exercising 2 hrs a day 7 days a week!  There ain't no way this body is ever going to see a 1-2 before a number on a scale unless I am holding on to a towel bar!!!!!  And we dont want to go there anytime soon...believe you me!

Hello...from?

I can't even keep track of where I am lately! I was in Key West for my hubby's birthday in mid-april and than a week later I was in Palm Springs for a long girls weekend and then what was supposed to be a 4 day trip to New York for the anniversary of the death of my dad and brother-in-law, turned into a 9 day trip! Yikes!

My younger daughter Jordan signed a lease for her first apartment and what kind of momma would I be if I wasn't there to help her move in? Actually, she was moved in just fine when I arrived on may 4th! We spent a few days racing around Long Island purchasing things such as a futon, dinette set, misc. tables and kitchen stuff! As the saying goes "it was the best of times, it Was the worst of times!". I could not wait for Steve to arrive on May 10th! Mallory couldn't wait either as she was the unofficial referee between Jordan and I...a role she hates evidently! I'm told Jordan and I have the same personality and we can both be quite stubborn at times. Who knew? Oh well, no one got hurt and now, two days being home again, I can honestly say I miss my girls!

The really nice part of the trip was that I was able to spend Mothers DAY weekend with my mother and daughters. It has been 4 years since we were all together on that day!

I didn't get any exercise in during my 9 days in NY and as usual there was a lot of eating out. My son-in-law kevin looked forward to all the leftovers i brought him from my many lunches and dinners out. I thank God I have my Sleeve to keep me in check! I so much like cooking myself! Eating out is nice once or twice but after that I'm done. Mallory and Kevin are the only family members who do any home cooking lately so I did have a few very nice dinners while there.

I'm sad to say that my next trip isn't until late August! We are doing a family cruise to Bermuda. I'm so excited! I just don't know if I can wait that long to see the girls again! I just might have to sneak in a few days on LI in early July maybe. We will have to see how busy a season I'm having with my real estate business. I got quite a few referrals while I was away so hopefully, there will be some closings to cover the cost of any "extra travel".

I'm back to my routine with exercising and eating. I'm happy to say that I have been continuing to maintain my weight even with all the traveling. The scale fluctuates between 138-141 it seems. Regardless of what the scale says, the personal training I invested in is really starting to pay off. I can see so much more definition in my arms, shoulders and even stomach! Steve even commented that my arms looked really good!

That made my day!

Back from Key West!

Steve and I went to Key West to celebrate our wedding anniversary and his birthday.  We stayed at the Pier House and had a fantastic time.  Here are some pics from our trip!

On our balcony

Every morning we walked to this bakery and had the best breakfast sandwich!

Isn't my husband handsome?  I love him!

My daughter Mallory was so excited to see her name printed on something.  Steve wanted to steal the sign for her. Can I tell you that we could not find a T=Shirt with Mallory Square on it!  They don't exist!  I did find a hand painted sign from a local artist with it on it though so that should make her happy! 

On our Sunset Cruise

The famous Key West Sunset!

The name of the restaurant was 'Better Than Sex' and all they served in a dark, candle lit atmosphere was desserts that had the names of all things sex!  The drinks on the left was homemade Kalua topped with White Chocolate Mouse Lubrication and it was 'rimmed' with something.  The pie was Kinky Key Lime and it was to die for.  Other names of desserts were The Missionary Crisp, Peanut Butter Perversion, Tongue Bath Truffle,Team Cream, Cookie Nookie and others!  As good as the dessert was, I can assure you IT WASNT!!!!

While we were on vacation in Key West....Brutus spent a few fun-filled days with his  90 year old Grandpa who decided that Brutus should channel Toto and installed a basket on his double bicycle for Brutus to ride in!

Suffice to say that both man and dog had a blast!

The Pier House - Where we stayed...gorgeous!

We parked our car when we got to our resort and we walked everywhere we went.  We ate and we drank and we walked!  Thankfully, I believe all the walking helped to keep my weight in check and I was pleased to come home to a 3 lb loss for the week we were away! 

I have another big weekend coming up as I'm joining a few girlfriends for a fun filled few days out west!  Watch out!