I am so sick of rain

We have had so much rain and dreary weather I could scream. It is June and I want warmer weather and sunshine. I have lots of new summer clothes I want to wear. I admit it does feel strange seeing my sister wear clothes that I wore last summer, although she did have some of the same items in a larger size. Of course her goal is to have all new clothes next summer. Since I am pretty much where I think I will end up, she won't be getting too much more from me.

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.

Need to get with the program

It seems like I have forgotton about my poor blog. I'll try to get here and post more frequently. My daughter's bridal shower was last Saturday at her future mother-in-law's home. I finished one bracelet and one necklace for the girls to try on before making all of them. It seems that I will need one more strand of small lavendar pearls and possible more ivory pearls to complete everything. I'm still working on my daughter's jewelry. I'd like to make mine as well and I still have a little to do to finish the veil. Her first fitting is next Thursday so I guess I need to get with the program in that department as well. My sister doesn' know it yet, but I am going to ask her to do the place cards when I get all the response cards back.

Weight loss has slowed down quite a bit, but I am getting there. In four more pounds, I will no longer be overweight!!!

With everything that has been going on I have really let my shop on etsy slip. Of course, with the general state of the economy, I'm not sure how well I'd be doing anyway.

Mother of the bride dresses.

Keep in mind the dresses are a bit tight because I bought 10's, figuring I'd be down at least 10 pounds by May 16. The first one is for the wedding. and cost $27.50. Ken is not the best picture taker, but there is some beading on the hem of the sleeve. The neckline is draped and the back drapes lower than the front. The second one is for the rehearsal dinner and was a real bargain at $15.00. The last one is because I thought I looked good in the dress. This was the expensive one at $60.00. I guess that was because it was an Evan Picone. BTW, that is my ankle bracelet part way up my leg. I guess I need to take it apart and shorten it. I must say that shopping for a dress to wear was depressing at first. There was nothing in the mall. I went to a local bridal shop and told her I didn't want anything extravagant and she showed me a black dress. A black dress for the mother of the bride??? She said he dress was simple, but elegant. It cost $630! I wasn't planning to spend over $200 and she said she had nothing. I went to a small bridal shop in town and they did have some samples. The one I like best was $215 (they said they'd "work" with me, bit it would need alterations. The only thing I might need to do is hem the underlayer of the top (it is a 2 piece dress) since it wants to peek out. I'm hoping that 10 pounds will take care of that. Even if it doesn't, I can do that myself.

Here is a pic of my highest weight

This was taken 2 weeks before I started the program. my sister took pictures the day before my surgery, but they are still on her camera. By then I'd lost about 25 pounds, but I was still unhealthy.

I am so HAPPY!!

The first picture is from August of 07 and not my highest weight. The second picture is from June of 08 and not my highest weight.

The thirs picture is from October of 08 about 3 weeks after surgery. The last picture is from the first week of Nov. of 08 and is the most recent I have available now. Currently I am about 15 pounds less than when that picture was taken.

Now, why I am so happy. Although they are a tiny bit snug, but I am sitting here and breathing in a pair of size 8 jeans! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd get into a size 8, and I still have 22 pounds to go until I am no longer overweight. I decided that size 14 held up with a belt will no longer cut it.

A visit to the surgeon

Weight loss has started again! The doctor was pleased with my weight loss and how I looked! When I lose 6 more pounds I will no longer be obese, just overweight. Yes, it is a big deal.

I have been busy working to fill orders as a result of my Open House. I've finished 7 pieces and have one more to go (as of now). I hope to get another order or two or sell some things on etsy.

I started back at the deli on Saturday. My 10 year anniversary occurred while I was off. There was a small pin for me commemorating the anniversary. Because I am taking off this coming weekend I'm working tomorrow night and possibly Wednesday night.

In school, the students are in only two days this week. There is an inservice day on Wednesday. We've been told to dress to be outside all day and to lock cell phones and other valuables in our cars, but to have ID with us. A bit of a mystery, don't you think?

I'm Bummed

Weight loss has come to a standstill. I'm told this is normal, but that doesn't make me like it any better. I guess I need to get back to walking on the treadmill again.

My sales on etsy aren't doing well either. I did do 2 Open Houses and did almost $300 worth of sales, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I guess I'll just have to try some different designs to try to appeal to a larger audience.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is almost here so Christmas won't be far behind. I'm finding it hard to get into the spirit of things. The thought of Christmas shopping just overwhelms me right now. Hopefully I'll feel differently in a few days.

A very eventful week!

I had an appointment with the surgeon on Friday and I have a date for surgery. Tentatively it is October 1. I'll have 3 appointments prior to surgery. Fortunately 2 will be the same day so I only have to make that drive on 2 days. I'm very excited and can hardly wait! My sister goes on September 5 to see the same surgeon that I saw, so we are both getting closer. I talked with my cousin's ex-wife because she had bypass 5 1/2 years ago. Some things have changed since she had hers done, but she had lots of good information to share.

Today my sister and I went to Boyd's Bear Country because it was Baskets and Bears Weekend. Longaberger Baskets come with factory store merchandise and we both spent a bundle, but I did get some very pretty Christmas lunch plates, decorated with a poinsettia. I will use them as a presentation for Christmas cookies. We both signed on as consultants to get better prices. We are now checking to see how we can get the maximum for as little time spent as possible since we are both very busy.

I am this week's Spotlight Interview on esyBEAD's blog. Read all about it at http://etsybead.wordpress.com/2008/08/24/member-spotlight-purrfectlydivine/ I am thrilled!

One step closer!

I had the group psychololgical session and my next appointment, a 30 minute appointment with a nutritionist is scheduled for next month. I'm really getting excited about that.

Wedding planning is moving on. I'm trying to get some things done before school starts. i meet with the coordinator at the reception site tomorrow and Next week we meet with the woman who is doing the floral arrangements. When school starts, I'll have some paperwork coming up right away, so I won't have time to devote to wedding planning. I hope we have most things decided so the wedding can be put on the back burner for a while.

Summer school ends a week from Thursday and then we leave for vacation!

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.

my journey has begun

On Tuesday my sister and I went to Penn state Hershey Medical Center for our first appointment in our bariatric surgery journey. We had an orientation, a visit with a dietician, a visit with a nurse, and a visit to the lab to have bloodwork done. I say journey because it is a 6 month long process before you even get to surgery. We each have been given a meal plan to follow starting now and we have to lose 5% of our body weight in those 6 months. Each month we have homework to do and if we don't do it our journey will be delayed. We have psychological evals scheduled in June. My sister has to have an exercise eval and I need to have a sleep study done.