Who knew?!?! They are even pointy! Ha! I can resume wearing cute shoes. And, I once again have something to shop for that doesn't make me cringe for fear of rejection. :-)
Offical weight loss at today's appointment was 3.5 pounds for the week, for a total of 12.5 pounds!!!!! It finally feels real. This doctor is my hero.
Sorry for the drive-by post, but I'm off to the dentist with Diva!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Stitching Update April 22
Thought you might like to see what three wise men actually look like since I know it's an image from fantasy. :-D Click to biggify and see whole image.
I'm about a third of the way finished with this and still enjoying the stitch! I'm finished with it for this month though. I stitched a bit on Hanging Gardens the other night, but no real progress to show. So, that will be a pic for another post.
Today, my friend W came over to play (I don't use real names without permission in the blog). W assisted in the very important task of selecting fabric for the design I am stitching for the Chatelaine Exchange. I think we did a good job! No photo as it is a surprise exchange.
W is my hero right now. I may be a clueless wonder. I had no idea you could switch a dryer door to hinge on the other side! W "fixed" my dryer and completely changed my life. It may make me completely pitiful to confess that I almost want to do a load of laundry right now, just to have my dryer open on the correct side. It's really the little things that make me happy.
Oh, and yes, I did have a doctor's appointment yesterday. After two weeks on the liquid diet, I have lost a total of 9.5 pounds. My home scale shows 9.8, but I am not quibbling over three tenths of a pound! I am so thrilled with my progress. The doc did explain that my weight loss will slow some as I lose weight because as you lose weight it takes fewer calories to maintain the new, lower weight. I can handle that. At least the scale is finally going in the right direction! I've gone from clothes that were a tad snug to clothes that are a bit loose. Another 3-5 pounds should see me back in my "skinny" clothes. At least, that's what I'm hoping. Thanks everyone who has been cheering me on. I really appreciate the support!
I'm about a third of the way finished with this and still enjoying the stitch! I'm finished with it for this month though. I stitched a bit on Hanging Gardens the other night, but no real progress to show. So, that will be a pic for another post.
Today, my friend W came over to play (I don't use real names without permission in the blog). W assisted in the very important task of selecting fabric for the design I am stitching for the Chatelaine Exchange. I think we did a good job! No photo as it is a surprise exchange.
W is my hero right now. I may be a clueless wonder. I had no idea you could switch a dryer door to hinge on the other side! W "fixed" my dryer and completely changed my life. It may make me completely pitiful to confess that I almost want to do a load of laundry right now, just to have my dryer open on the correct side. It's really the little things that make me happy.
Oh, and yes, I did have a doctor's appointment yesterday. After two weeks on the liquid diet, I have lost a total of 9.5 pounds. My home scale shows 9.8, but I am not quibbling over three tenths of a pound! I am so thrilled with my progress. The doc did explain that my weight loss will slow some as I lose weight because as you lose weight it takes fewer calories to maintain the new, lower weight. I can handle that. At least the scale is finally going in the right direction! I've gone from clothes that were a tad snug to clothes that are a bit loose. Another 3-5 pounds should see me back in my "skinny" clothes. At least, that's what I'm hoping. Thanks everyone who has been cheering me on. I really appreciate the support!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Yikes! It's Been a While!
And I've had more adventures than I care for thankyouverymuch. Went to Atlanta for Diva's volleyball tournament. It was freaknik weekend. Lots of interesting individuals and happenings (let's leave it at that). Raced home early Sunday morning to attend Perfectionist Child's Confirmation, leaving Diva in the capable hands of Busy Mom (Diva still had volleyball obligations). Flat tire in Chattanooga. Of the complete tire blow-out flavor. Thank GOD for the AAA Roadside Assistance people. While I am capable of changing a tire, I happened to be dressed in a silk skirt and heels. Not so much equipped for the job. Parachuted in for Confirmation just in the nick of time. Survived MIL meeting Mom's "gentleman friend". While it did make the family news broadcast, I haven't heard about it on the local six o'clock news - yet. And, I am pretty sure the in depth "interview" is coming on Friday when I have to spend several hours captive with MIL. Oh, and somewhere in there, I helped a good friend with a hair disaster (at least I hope I did).
Saturday was also the one year anniversary of Dad's passing. I miss him. I felt guilty that I wasn't home to go to the cemetery with Mom. The day wasn't as difficult for me as I thought it would be. Mostly because it was filled with volleyball "stuff". Not so much time to think. And, Sunday was weird to see my Mom at a family occasion with another man. But you know, this *friend* of Mom's has to be a special guy if he can sit next to her at a family occasion and listen to her tell me about visiting the cemetery the day before. Or is that just totally messed up?
I spent Monday with my much-loved cousin who was Perfectionist Child's Confirmation Sponsor and made the trip from Florida. Monday also was an unnecessary trip for Perfectionist Child's dress fitting that wasn't. They hadn't even started on the alterations and, of course, they didn't call me to cancel the appointment. Joy. Now they are having to expedite the process - at their expense and my insistence. More joy. Tuesday's project was new tire purchase/installation at Sam's. Let's not mention how much that set me back, OK. I've managed not to cry about it.
Today is a lost day for reasons I'll not go into except to say we may have survived the Great Plumbing Disaster just so we can face the HVAC from Hades. I really do love my house, but some days I contemplate arson at least momentarily.
Stitching?!?! You want a stitching picture? I'm supposed to stitch to relieve stress, right? HA! There has been some stitching. Some. I've managed about 20 hours on NSTR this month. But I'm not up for photos right now. This month just has not been conducive to stitching progress. I have looked at stuff to stitch for the Chatelaine Exchange. But, I need to make a final decision and pull stuff for it. That's on the agenda for tomorrow. Maybe I'll post a NSTR pic, too.
Enough rambling for today.
Saturday was also the one year anniversary of Dad's passing. I miss him. I felt guilty that I wasn't home to go to the cemetery with Mom. The day wasn't as difficult for me as I thought it would be. Mostly because it was filled with volleyball "stuff". Not so much time to think. And, Sunday was weird to see my Mom at a family occasion with another man. But you know, this *friend* of Mom's has to be a special guy if he can sit next to her at a family occasion and listen to her tell me about visiting the cemetery the day before. Or is that just totally messed up?
I spent Monday with my much-loved cousin who was Perfectionist Child's Confirmation Sponsor and made the trip from Florida. Monday also was an unnecessary trip for Perfectionist Child's dress fitting that wasn't. They hadn't even started on the alterations and, of course, they didn't call me to cancel the appointment. Joy. Now they are having to expedite the process - at their expense and my insistence. More joy. Tuesday's project was new tire purchase/installation at Sam's. Let's not mention how much that set me back, OK. I've managed not to cry about it.
Today is a lost day for reasons I'll not go into except to say we may have survived the Great Plumbing Disaster just so we can face the HVAC from Hades. I really do love my house, but some days I contemplate arson at least momentarily.
Stitching?!?! You want a stitching picture? I'm supposed to stitch to relieve stress, right? HA! There has been some stitching. Some. I've managed about 20 hours on NSTR this month. But I'm not up for photos right now. This month just has not been conducive to stitching progress. I have looked at stuff to stitch for the Chatelaine Exchange. But, I need to make a final decision and pull stuff for it. That's on the agenda for tomorrow. Maybe I'll post a NSTR pic, too.
Enough rambling for today.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Procrastination and Diet Adventures
I'm experiencing motivational difficulties today. It's almost lunchtime, and I've successfully avoided my to-do list in its entirety. But, I'm running out of procrastination ideas, so you get a meaningless blog post! Don't you feel lucky?
If I were a better blogger, you'd get an updated photo of NSTR, which is looking wonderful, if I do say so myself. Another day or two of typical stitching time, and I will have the second major page completed! The chart is organized so that four of the eight pages have about 75% of the stitching, while the other four pages contain border and some stray stars in the sky. So finishing this page will put me at more than a third complete! I will post a pic when I finish this rotation. Promise.
If I were a more creative blogger, you'd get some lovely spring pictures from my yard. However, that would mean I have to dig out the camera and go outdoors. We have an air quality warning today for excessive pollen. It's such a wonderful thing to live in the Great Basin in the South during allergy season (not). So, in the interest of not wanting to inhale more than my fair share of the pollen in the air, I will remain indoors until I must provide Perfectionist Child with chauffeur services this afternoon.
I'm still nursing battle wounds from the latest round of teenage hormones in my house. Some days I wonder why I bother speaking to Diva. There is nothing that could come out of my mouth that would result in a happy outcome no matter how hard I try. Last night's explosion stared with, "Goodnight. I love you." Kid you not. Thankfully, Perfectionist Child is not similarly full of hormones - today. Tomorrow who knows. It's kinda like spinning the roulette wheel - you never know which personality you will get at any given moment. Times two.
In further randomness and trivia, I started a new weight loss program four days ago. For those who haven't heard the very boring and whiney story of the last four years, allow me to summarize: Yours truly has been on virtually every "healthy" eating plan known to mankind and exercises quite faithfully, yet cannot lose weight. Rather, the reverse seems to occur. I swear I absorb calories from the air. Been to a bajillion doctors/medical professionals all of whom know less about metabolism/weight loss/etc. than do I. So, after really not doing anything special the past few months (but continuing to exercise faithfully and trying to eat relatively healthy meals), I decided to begin researching the less-than-healthy weight loss alternatives.
After lots of research, I found an OB/GYN locally who has recently started a women's wellness component to her practice. After meeting with her, we decided I would commit to a six-week liquid diet plan. The plan consists of four specially-formulated shakes and a protein bar each day, plus 32 oz of water. I still get to drink my coffee with my low fat creamer, and I can drink diet drinks as long as they are not carbonated. I did have to give up my wine with dinner (and, well, any other time the teenage hormones might drive me to drink). Let me say that this doc seems to understand a great many things about women's health that no one else I have seen in the last four years has even come close to, which is why I decided to give it a shot.
I've lost almost six pounds in four days. I know that a good bit of that is water weight. But, I'm seeing a number on the scale that I haven't seen in almost a year (before I started on the beta blockers). That has me pretty motivated and excited at the moment. The idea, should it come to fruition, is to lose about 25 pounds, maintain that for six to nine months, and then resume the liquid diet to lose the approximately 20 additional pounds I need to lose (for a total weight loss of 45-ish pounds). The number of pounds is my estimation. This doctor is much more concerned with body fat percentage versus pounds, so that's the number she's concentrating on. Oh, and she *hates* BMI as an indicator of pretty much anything. Love her.
I expect the weight loss to slow down after I hit about the 10 day mark. Supposedly to to three pounds per week is considered more normal at that point. Still, that's more movement downward than my scale has seen in a long time. We shall see what happens!
If I were a better blogger, you'd get an updated photo of NSTR, which is looking wonderful, if I do say so myself. Another day or two of typical stitching time, and I will have the second major page completed! The chart is organized so that four of the eight pages have about 75% of the stitching, while the other four pages contain border and some stray stars in the sky. So finishing this page will put me at more than a third complete! I will post a pic when I finish this rotation. Promise.
If I were a more creative blogger, you'd get some lovely spring pictures from my yard. However, that would mean I have to dig out the camera and go outdoors. We have an air quality warning today for excessive pollen. It's such a wonderful thing to live in the Great Basin in the South during allergy season (not). So, in the interest of not wanting to inhale more than my fair share of the pollen in the air, I will remain indoors until I must provide Perfectionist Child with chauffeur services this afternoon.
I'm still nursing battle wounds from the latest round of teenage hormones in my house. Some days I wonder why I bother speaking to Diva. There is nothing that could come out of my mouth that would result in a happy outcome no matter how hard I try. Last night's explosion stared with, "Goodnight. I love you." Kid you not. Thankfully, Perfectionist Child is not similarly full of hormones - today. Tomorrow who knows. It's kinda like spinning the roulette wheel - you never know which personality you will get at any given moment. Times two.
In further randomness and trivia, I started a new weight loss program four days ago. For those who haven't heard the very boring and whiney story of the last four years, allow me to summarize: Yours truly has been on virtually every "healthy" eating plan known to mankind and exercises quite faithfully, yet cannot lose weight. Rather, the reverse seems to occur. I swear I absorb calories from the air. Been to a bajillion doctors/medical professionals all of whom know less about metabolism/weight loss/etc. than do I. So, after really not doing anything special the past few months (but continuing to exercise faithfully and trying to eat relatively healthy meals), I decided to begin researching the less-than-healthy weight loss alternatives.
After lots of research, I found an OB/GYN locally who has recently started a women's wellness component to her practice. After meeting with her, we decided I would commit to a six-week liquid diet plan. The plan consists of four specially-formulated shakes and a protein bar each day, plus 32 oz of water. I still get to drink my coffee with my low fat creamer, and I can drink diet drinks as long as they are not carbonated. I did have to give up my wine with dinner (and, well, any other time the teenage hormones might drive me to drink). Let me say that this doc seems to understand a great many things about women's health that no one else I have seen in the last four years has even come close to, which is why I decided to give it a shot.
I've lost almost six pounds in four days. I know that a good bit of that is water weight. But, I'm seeing a number on the scale that I haven't seen in almost a year (before I started on the beta blockers). That has me pretty motivated and excited at the moment. The idea, should it come to fruition, is to lose about 25 pounds, maintain that for six to nine months, and then resume the liquid diet to lose the approximately 20 additional pounds I need to lose (for a total weight loss of 45-ish pounds). The number of pounds is my estimation. This doctor is much more concerned with body fat percentage versus pounds, so that's the number she's concentrating on. Oh, and she *hates* BMI as an indicator of pretty much anything. Love her.
I expect the weight loss to slow down after I hit about the 10 day mark. Supposedly to to three pounds per week is considered more normal at that point. Still, that's more movement downward than my scale has seen in a long time. We shall see what happens!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
What I'd Rant About if I Had the Time
POLITICAL STUPIDITY.
Sorry, I realize that was redundant. But, in brief, let me tell you what has my knickers in a twist at the moment. Health care reform and stupid federal income tax tricks. Between the two, my 2013 federal tax burden will be about 25% more than it was in 2009 assuming our gross income stays constant (thus take home pay will be substantially reduced). My oldest child starts college in 2012. My youngest begins college in 2014. We are not eligible for any need-based financial aid. According to Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party, we are in the income bracket that can afford to pay higher taxes which will pay for the health care programs and economic stimulus crap.
But let me point out just a few things. If you take away my income deemed "disposable" here are just a few things I will have to eliminate from my household spending to still have the funds I need to send my kids to college: the lawn care guy, the cleaning lady, eating out, travel, entertainment, hobby spending, etc. In short, I will spend less money in the elements of the economy which employ lower income workers. These unskilled folks will then need additional government support just to survive.
I understand the Democratic Party and Mr. Obama feel they can allocate my money better than can I. But, really, wouldn't our country be a better place if these people were actually EMPLOYED versus remaining on the various government programs? Hm, they would have jobs, and I would have the money to educate my children (so they would then be SKILLED workers rather than part of the unskilled masses).
Obviously, such logic is foreign in politics.
Allow me to add one more rant: If you want to reform health care, should you not start with cost control and fraud? I'm just sayin'.
Sorry, I realize that was redundant. But, in brief, let me tell you what has my knickers in a twist at the moment. Health care reform and stupid federal income tax tricks. Between the two, my 2013 federal tax burden will be about 25% more than it was in 2009 assuming our gross income stays constant (thus take home pay will be substantially reduced). My oldest child starts college in 2012. My youngest begins college in 2014. We are not eligible for any need-based financial aid. According to Mr. Obama and the Democratic Party, we are in the income bracket that can afford to pay higher taxes which will pay for the health care programs and economic stimulus crap.
But let me point out just a few things. If you take away my income deemed "disposable" here are just a few things I will have to eliminate from my household spending to still have the funds I need to send my kids to college: the lawn care guy, the cleaning lady, eating out, travel, entertainment, hobby spending, etc. In short, I will spend less money in the elements of the economy which employ lower income workers. These unskilled folks will then need additional government support just to survive.
I understand the Democratic Party and Mr. Obama feel they can allocate my money better than can I. But, really, wouldn't our country be a better place if these people were actually EMPLOYED versus remaining on the various government programs? Hm, they would have jobs, and I would have the money to educate my children (so they would then be SKILLED workers rather than part of the unskilled masses).
Obviously, such logic is foreign in politics.
Allow me to add one more rant: If you want to reform health care, should you not start with cost control and fraud? I'm just sayin'.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monthly Goal Stuff - April Edition
Most of March was dedicated to Diva's volleyball tournaments and shopping with Perfectionist Child. Many lost hours. Little stitching. Crabby me. Not sure April gets better as I just returned from yet another out-of-town volleyball weekend followed by an eight-hour shopping excursion with Perfectionist Child. Let's see how I fared:
Stitching Goals for March
1. Stitch 10 hours on NSTR (bit of a cheat goal as I already have almost 6 hours done). Yep. Actually put in around 15 hours, I think.
2. Stitch 20 hours on Hanging Gardens. Yes, just barely. Making quite excellent progress.
3. Visit LNS to buy more floss for NSTR without buying more than $25 in additional stash (quit with the manic laughter, people). Not quite sure how to address this. I did get the floss. And, that's all I'm sayin'. lol.
4. Lace Vintage Stitches to foam core (really, I am going to do it this time). Sadly, no. Didn't even think about it.
5. Create guidelines for smalls exchange on the Chatelaine message board. YES!!!!! I did this! See here.
Non-stitching Goals for March
1. Take Perfectionist Child clothes shopping with the express purpose of buying a dress for Confirmation. Avoid shooting her, if possible. Any clothing purchased after dress acquisition achieves bonus points. Shopping accomplished and she's still living. Let's just say that I've already experienced purgatory.
2. Dig out the black pit my office has become. This is becoming mission critical. Some progress, but then more accumulation of "stuff". I get points for trying.
3. Exercise at least 16 days this month. The Great Plumbing Disaster in my home sucked away two days of exercise, so I only made it 14 days.
4. Do the financial statements/tax forms for my business (can you say procrastination? Um, yeah.) Not only did I do them, but I even mailed them with the appropriate checks. Have also done the draft version of the personal return. Just need to review it.
Not such a great effort, I think. Some things beyond my control, but still. Oh, I am giving myself a bonus point for scheduling a dental appointment for April. That was on my Jan. and Feb. goals and was never accomplished until March.
April is another busy month with two out-of-town volleyball tournaments (just got home from Atlanta) and Perfectionist Child's Confirmation, not to mention the continuing saga of the Great Plumbing Disaster and the Unknown Ailment of Diva's car (which, of course, becomes my problem when I have to provide transportation in lieu of her self-sufficiency.). So, let's see what's possible:
Stitching Goals for April:
1. Stitch 15 hours on NSTR.
2. Stitch 15 hours on Hanging Gardens.
3. Plan, kit, and start project for the Chatelaine Exchange.
4. Join the Chatelaine Designs Peacock Garden group before the end of the raffle period on April 15th.
Non-stitching Goals for April:
1. Organize office (yes, again).
2. Exercise at least 16 days.
3. Work through household "to-do" list backlog so that May starts with a clean slate.
I really don't think anything more is possible.
DH asked me this morning what I wanted for Mother's Day other than to do nothing. He has no idea how much I wish I could do nothing. But, no, Mother's Day will be spent catering to his mother and my mother. In the 16 years that I have been a mother, only once did I get to do what I wanted to do that day. At the time, my mother lived 2,000 miles away, and my MIL was out-of-town. I've asked to celebrate my mother's day on an alternate date, but somehow, it never seems to happen. I won't be holding my breath this year, either.
Stitching Goals for March
1. Stitch 10 hours on NSTR (bit of a cheat goal as I already have almost 6 hours done). Yep. Actually put in around 15 hours, I think.
2. Stitch 20 hours on Hanging Gardens. Yes, just barely. Making quite excellent progress.
3. Visit LNS to buy more floss for NSTR without buying more than $25 in additional stash (quit with the manic laughter, people). Not quite sure how to address this. I did get the floss. And, that's all I'm sayin'. lol.
4. Lace Vintage Stitches to foam core (really, I am going to do it this time). Sadly, no. Didn't even think about it.
5. Create guidelines for smalls exchange on the Chatelaine message board. YES!!!!! I did this! See here.
Non-stitching Goals for March
1. Take Perfectionist Child clothes shopping with the express purpose of buying a dress for Confirmation. Avoid shooting her, if possible. Any clothing purchased after dress acquisition achieves bonus points. Shopping accomplished and she's still living. Let's just say that I've already experienced purgatory.
2. Dig out the black pit my office has become. This is becoming mission critical. Some progress, but then more accumulation of "stuff". I get points for trying.
3. Exercise at least 16 days this month. The Great Plumbing Disaster in my home sucked away two days of exercise, so I only made it 14 days.
4. Do the financial statements/tax forms for my business (can you say procrastination? Um, yeah.) Not only did I do them, but I even mailed them with the appropriate checks. Have also done the draft version of the personal return. Just need to review it.
Not such a great effort, I think. Some things beyond my control, but still. Oh, I am giving myself a bonus point for scheduling a dental appointment for April. That was on my Jan. and Feb. goals and was never accomplished until March.
April is another busy month with two out-of-town volleyball tournaments (just got home from Atlanta) and Perfectionist Child's Confirmation, not to mention the continuing saga of the Great Plumbing Disaster and the Unknown Ailment of Diva's car (which, of course, becomes my problem when I have to provide transportation in lieu of her self-sufficiency.). So, let's see what's possible:
Stitching Goals for April:
1. Stitch 15 hours on NSTR.
2. Stitch 15 hours on Hanging Gardens.
3. Plan, kit, and start project for the Chatelaine Exchange.
4. Join the Chatelaine Designs Peacock Garden group before the end of the raffle period on April 15th.
Non-stitching Goals for April:
1. Organize office (yes, again).
2. Exercise at least 16 days.
3. Work through household "to-do" list backlog so that May starts with a clean slate.
I really don't think anything more is possible.
DH asked me this morning what I wanted for Mother's Day other than to do nothing. He has no idea how much I wish I could do nothing. But, no, Mother's Day will be spent catering to his mother and my mother. In the 16 years that I have been a mother, only once did I get to do what I wanted to do that day. At the time, my mother lived 2,000 miles away, and my MIL was out-of-town. I've asked to celebrate my mother's day on an alternate date, but somehow, it never seems to happen. I won't be holding my breath this year, either.
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