Can't believe it has been over 2 months...

since I last posted. Summer school has come and gone and we already have 9 student days in for the new school year.

In early July my husband and I had a bit of a mishap on the scooter. I had a sprained wrist, a bruised shoulder, and road rash. He had bruising, road rash, and 5 broken ribs. We did manage to go on vacation to Atlanta to see family there. My uncle had back surgery in July and was having difficulty recovering and ended up having more surgery. He is no longer on pain meds, but all the surgery has taken a toll and recovery has been an uphill climb for both my aunt and uncle. He is doing a bit better, but has a ways to go. On the way home we stopped at Natural Bridge in Virginia. We go past all of these landmarks/historic sites every year and I keep saying that we are going to stop but we never did. Since we left Atlanta earlier than I would have liked since my husband was still have trouble finding a comfortable position for sleeping, I suggested we find someplace to stop and that is the place we decided upon. It was worth the time. We got some, but not as many pictures as I would have liked because I forgot to take the charger and spare battery for the camera.

This Tuesday is the annual picnic for my weight loss support group. Part of the program is Drop Your Drawers. Those who have lost weight come in a before outfit over their new clothing and then reveal their transformation. In a weak moment, I agreed to do this. I had to submit before and after photos. Here are the ones I submitted. The first one was 2 weeks before my first visit with the dietician. I don't remember the date of the second one. The third one was at my daughter's wedding on 5/16/09. The last 2 were taken on 8/30/09. Unfortunately I can't get them in the positions I want them in. Oh well.

A lot has happened since I last wrote

The wedding went quite well. There were a few glitches, but that was to be expected. The weather was good. even though rain was predicted it held off until the reception was over. Our son-in-law learned that he needs to leave a set of car keys home. They had to come home a day early because we couldn't move his car for street sweeping. We are still waiting for the proofs from the photographer. I hope they are online by the end of next week.

We had company from British Columbia for the wedding. While she was here we did some tourist things including Boyd's Bear Country. We also went out to eat almost every evening.

School is over for the summer, at least until summer school begins. I was pleased that I had all my work done and could leave as soon as we were dismissed. I do need to go in to water my plants though.

Becky's was in an accident on June 3. A woman up the street ran a stop sign at the end of the alley. Her car was totalled. I must say that Progressive, in spite of commercials I personally find annoying, gives good service. Their adjuster was here the day after and waited for her to come home to sign the title and he cut her a check at that time. the car was picked up the next day. Becky ended up buying a new car, a Pontiac G3. She is now in debt for 6 years. She had some problems since she had changed her name some places and not others. Keith's car needed over $1300 worht of work and his car was worth only $100. He bought a used car, a Pontiac Grand Am.

This past Monday and Tuesday I attended a 2 day conference for school. They were 2 long days, but I'll be glad come August and there will be 2 days I don't have to work. On Wednesday, someone Ken knows from his message board and her husband came for the day. We took them to Gettysburg and Hershey, even though the weather did not cooperate.

Tonight was support group for gastric bypass. My friend Linda rode with me. It was nice to have company for the ride. They had the body analyzer scale there. I had mine done and was pleased. Kathy did not go because her knee was giving her trouble.

We have had so much rain lately. Even so, we have managed to get some time on the scooter.

Only 2 more days at home...

...then it will be back to work (school). I still tire fairly easily, but I do have a few more days to rest. My principal told me that if it is too much, I can do half days for a few days.

The grocery store manager wants a very specific note. I called the surgeon's office and the nurse will send another note and we'll see what happens. The nurse was not happy about having to do another note. My next appointment is 11/20/08.

The time went so fast. Being in the hospital the extra week really cut into time I had planned to do other things. I did some work on my daughter's wedding jewelry and I did get some things listed/relisted on etsy and I'm working on reviving a couple BNR's that I am on. I also wanted to get some items made for some holiday open houses and I did get a few made. If they don't sell after the open houses are over, I will list them on etsy. I have today and tomorrow to get as much done as I can.

On a happy note, I'll be able to get back on the scooter tomorrow!!

Another step closer!

I had another nutritional appointment in my quest for lapband surgery. Three was a SNAFU in scheduling, but I still will be seeing the surgeon next Friday and hope to have a surgery date! Three will be one more appointment after the surgeon appointment before surgery. at this appointment I learned more about what to expect and about the 8 day fast prior to surgery and the recovery immediately following surgery and why the diet will have to be what it is and why there won't be a fill when the band is inserted. I'm having a problem with billing and need to call Hershey again on Monday to straighten things out. I'm hoping that won't be a problem.

Today was a family reunion at my sister's house today. Most of those there were from my mother's side of the family, but there were a few from dad's side, along with a couple of my my sister's close friends, both of whom I know. As usual, there was way too much food and lots of time spent enjoying each other's company. For today, the diet went out the window. As Scarlett O'Hara said, "Tomorrow is another day."

I hope the weather is nice tomorrow so we can go for a ride. It has been a little cool this week; when we rode the other evening, we wore sweatshirts and I was still a little chilly.

I really ought to go and work on some beading. I have 2 pieces going and really need to get the one finished, especially since I know exactly how I'm going to finish it.

It has been a long time...

...since I was last here. So much has happened. Since I began my weight loss journey I have lost 25 pounds and haven't even had the surgery yet. I am still wearing the same size tops, but I've gone down a pants size! Soon I will need to take a new picture to replace the one that I've posted. Obviously portion sizes are smaller and different choices are being made. I've also been walking on my treadmill since walking outside is so hard on my knee. Today I finished and "passed" the psychological evaluation so I can proceed to the group sessions.

The school year ended on a good note. All paperwork and conferences completed on time and my observation went well. Summer school begins on Tuesday. We are in session Monday through Thursday mornings from 9:00-12:00 during July and I know all the students I am going to have and I have worked with all of the assistants assigned to my class so I am expecting it to go well.

My husband chats with a lady in British Columbia, Canada and she and her husband came east and spent 2 weekends with us. The week in between they took the train to New York City. We had a nice visit. They were quite generous and took us out to eat each day they stayed with us and I even managed to lose weight! They have invited us to visit them so that is something to look forward to in the future.

My husband and I have been spending part of each weekend riding on the scooter. I now feel pretty comfortable on it. Since losing a little weight, it is easier for me to get on. It sits higher than a motorcycle and I am short and what little height I have is in my torso. We are hoping to add a trunk with a seatback, which will have more cargo space and provide a backrest for me, which will make riding more comfortable and I will feel a bit more secure. Now all I can reach to hold on to his my husband's belt.

On Sunday my sister and I are going to a "spa" day. I know I'll be getting a facial, but I'm not sure what other services I'll have to pick from. It should be fun.

Happy New Year!

Not really. I have been sick as all get out for 2 weeks. My sister and I just passed the first anniversary of Mom's death. My father-in-law died last week. Hopefully, things will start looking better in the coming weeks.

On the brighter side, the weather has been unseasonably warm, which has helped to lift my spirits. My husband has the cast off his foot so we went for a ride on the scooter. We were able to take the grandpuppy for a walk without heavy winter outerwear.

I'm hoping to be more active on the etsy street teams that I belong to, etsybead, and BBEST. I just hope my jobs don't take up too much time and energy so I have the time and energy to devote to crafting my jewelry.

Busy Days!

It seems hard to believe that October is almost over. It seems like so much has happened in a very short time. I've been a bit negligent in posting, but things in my life are moving right along. DH and I celebrated our birthdays in the past 2 weeks as did my sister. I went on my first, second, and third scooter ride, however, on the third ride, we laid the bike down. I have a few bruises to show for it. DH, on the other hand, has a broken foot. The boot that he wore on his other foot most of the summer is now on the other foot. The first few days he was in considerable pain, but that has eased quite a bit and he gets around quite well with the boot and/or crutches. Tonight at Wal-Mart he rode one of the motorized carts which surprised me, but I'm glad he did. He goes back to the doctor on Wednesday. I'm not sure what they will be looking for, since it took a CT scan to see the extent of the break.

Last week was not the best at school. It was full moon and it seemed to be adversely affecting many of the students. I was really glad when Friday was over. Hopefully everyone will have had a restful weekend and be refreshed and ready for a new week.

I'm thinking seriously about having an open house for my jewelry to pick up some business that way. I guess I need to get busy creating so I have ample inventory to make a nice show. My sister spent last weekend with members of a message board that she is on. I had made a bracelet for her to use as a contest prize and she got orders for 12 more so I really do need to get busy. I not sure what I want to do about etsy. Do I want to relist items as they expire or just wait until after the open house so I have a lot of items to list, which will keep the shop coming up in the time machine?

Pictures are my biggest problem. Taking clear ones, selecting a background to show of the pieces to their best advantage, good lighting, editing, and organizing them--all of these cause me great difficulty. I have pieces I could list, but I'm not up to dealing with the photography aspects of it, so they are not listed. There is so much more to selling jewelry than making it and saying look what I made.

Back to work

Unfortunately all things must come to an end, and I went back to work today. I must say that I am tired and it wasn't really a very hard day. My knee is still a bit bruised and sore, but it is not too bad. I guess I'll see how tomorrow goes.

I found a thread on the etsy forum about exchanging blog links so I added a number of links to help people browse through etsy shops. Hopefully others will add a link to here and that will bring some traffic to my shop. BTW, I just added a few new pieces and expect to adding a few more in the very near future since I have a few pieces near completion. I also just got Photoshop; I now need to install it. I hope that will improve my pictures.

The big news is that on Saturday my DH passed the test for his motorcycle license. Now I need to get a helmet so I can ride with him. I'm excited about taking my first ride. His birthday was Saturday so he got a really good present.

It got cooler over the past few days so fall is here. I would like fall so much better if it didn't lead to winter. Of course, winter wouldn't be so be if I didn't have to go out in the bad weather

It has been awhile

It seems like life is flying away from me. I need a 3 day weekend every week just to keep up, never mind get ahead. My surgery was on 9/28 and it went well. It seems like I spent all my time since the last post preparing for it. Pre-op testing had to be scheduled and done and I had to have my classroom in order for my sub. I'm going in Monday for inservice, since that will be computer work, but then will be off until the following Monday for sure, although the doctor said it I didn't think I could handle it he would give me more time.

My stitches came out yesterday and I got to see pictures taken during surgery. Thankfully, they were not bloody, but more like x-rays. (I have a weak stomach about such things!) It was explained to me that the inside of my knee was better than expected, however the outside was worse and needed more cleaning out. There was a piece of loose cartilige along with the tears. Arthritis was also found (no surprise there) but if One was to have arthritis in one's knee that would be a "good" place to have it. Have to look for the silver lining in the clouds!

I am getting back into making jewelry to list on etsy. I plan to try to get lots more done next week before I have to go back to work. I went to the bead store today armed with 4 coupons. Yipee!!! I have so many projects in mind. I would like to have a backlog of items to list on a regular basis, so even if I don't have to make things, I can list on a regular basis to keep the shop appearing in the time machine.

Of course, the bonus is 3 weekends off from the deli, but then it is 3 weeks with no pay from the deli. I guess everything has a trade-off.

Other big news is that my husband got a scooter, which is like a motorcycle but has an automatic transmission. There are other differences, but I couldn't tell you what they are. He had been looking and took me along and I talked him into a bigger one. I wanted a more comfortable seat and I liked the color better. Besides, I was thinking that with 2 of us on it, we would need a bit more power. The difference in price wasn't a big as I thought it would be. The first time he rode it, he was a bit intimidated by all the power, but he soon got over that and is glad I talked him into the larger bike. Everybody who sees it says they think it is neat and one neighbor pronounced it cute.

Right now, he is in the middle of motorcycle classes. If he passes the class, he will have his motorcycle license (he has a learner's permit now). Then he will be able to ride after dark and have a passenger. He's already said that before we head out on the road we will have to do parking lot practice, but first I need to get a helmet!