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!