Friday, August 26, 2011

New Starts...

A couple of years ago I took a picture of me in my Kitchen Lady outfit just for fun. When I gave the pictures to my friends and family I told them now you know why kids are scared of the lunch lady... I thought it was funny...

This year just for fun I took a picture of me in my new package...



Like I have said before, I didn't have brain surgery so in my mind I don't see tons of change but others say there is, I mean I know I am smaller, but I just see my faults like my chicken neck and what my friends call their "Angel Wing" arms...

But A little boy did ask me "Are you the new lunch lady?"

New and Improved!!!

Happy Nine Month Surgiversary!



I like this picture of me! I am also becoming less inhibited about full body shots...

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Happy eight month surgiversary- Freedom


This month we celebrated Independance day and I could not help but celebrate myself...I am growing Independant and learning to no longer worry about the restrictions that my old "package" held.

This Month Freedoms...

I freed myself of all my old clothes. It was a very difficult thing to do, I loved my old clothes, It was hard to give up the outfit I wore to my sons wedding,my cute Christmas shirts I was so excited to find...Stuff like that... BUT!!!I was able to give five bags to the Salvation Army and bless a friend with three more bags...



All I have left is my wedding dress and a few more items... But hey, that's what thrift stores are for, and I have been having TONS of fun exploring those and the clearance racks at stores...

Freedom from worry...We went to an art festival and a stage production called the Pagent of the Masters... When we arrived I was free from worrying about what the evening held in store... I went through the turnstyle without a hitch or embarrasment of squeezing Aunt Edna (the name for my hiney) through... I was also free from worry about where our seats would be (of course they were in the nosebleed section) and my new favorite freedom, not worrying about if I will fit in my seat... We will definitely go again...



Freedom from Dread- Whenever we would go on a day trip I would always have to drive around, scout out what we were doing to make sure there was as little walking as possible... I took Eric to Chinatown and walked all the day, I did not dread a thing. It was a wonderful time..




People ask me what it feels like to have lost over 100lbs... It doesnt feel like anything, I feel like my same normal self... UNTIL I go somewhere or do something then I realize the impact my journey has had on me and all I can say is...



WOO HOO!!!!

Happy Eighth Month Surgi-Versary!!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Wearing of the Crystal Earrings!!!

Last month I posted that I purchased a pair of beautiful crystal earrings from my favorite Brighton store to mark the victory of my losing 100 lbs...



My Eric was so cute and decided to be "The Keeper of the Earrings" to make sure I was not wearing them before they were "Earned" He was right to hide them from me, Come on, they are Brighton, I totally wanted to wear them...

When I had my surgery, I didn't want the numbers of my weight to be my focus so I got rid of my household scale. I weigh in once a week on Mondays at my gym. Last week, I was unable to go to the gym on my normal weigh in date, I knew I was getting really close and I weighed at a girlfriends and I was under 1 lb away... Still not there...

So no earrings...

Got to the gym today and sure enough... It was Earring time!!!!The girls at the gym shared my joy and I could not wait to get home...



The Keeper of the Earrings awarded me with my prize which made the event all the better... I kept looking at myself in the mirror...

Next Stop... Onederland!!!

Graduation NSV's

I remember when my Cameron graduated from High School in 2007,I was in an absolute panic worrying about if I could make the walk in the stadium to watch his ceremony. I mapped out and stratigized the event,we got there early to get a good parking spot and all was well. Secretly, I hated that I was worried, but I got through it and it was fine...


In May, Cameron and his wife Beka graduated from College. We arrived to the ceremony late and had to park downhill in the far corner of the lot, walk about a mile uphill then climb stairs in the stadium...



In June,we were invited to our Nephew Stu's graduation from Mission Viejo High School...
The School is situated in the Mission Viejo hills which are STEEP!! The graduation was HUGE and the parking lots were full so we had to park on the street about a mile from the stadium. It was a long downhill walk...

After the ceremony we took a trek down onto the field to see Stu...




BUT... Then we realized we had to walk back to the car...

Tons of stairs in the stadium and a mile uphill back to where we parked...Yikes!!

I made it!!!! Huffing and puffing but I made it!!! I almost cried with joy...

Last year there was NO WAY I would have been able to make it back to the car...I probably would not have gone... That is indeed a pity, and I would have been sad...

Now at almost 100 lbs lighter, I feel that burden has greatly been lifted... What an amazing Non Scale Victory!!! I got to share in two very special graduations, Climbed Stairs and enjoyed the day... Just as it should be...


Congratulations Cam, Beka, and Stu...It was a greater Honor than you know to be there on your special days...

Saturday, June 18, 2011

The Century Mark

I know I have said I am not focusing on my weight loss numbers, but I have to admit, it is exciting...

I am nearing a Major Ka-Chunk!

The Century Mark! It is so close I can taste it!!!

So I decided to get myself a little Century Gift.




Brighton Crystal Earrings...

When these you see on me...
You will know...
100lbs lighter I be...

This month's victories include...

Purchasing pants of an only imaginable a size, pulling them out of the bag and thinking "no way" and having them fit comfortably...

Having dear, dear girlfriend who loves me however I look say to me "Troy, you are just Shhhhhhp" (sucking motion)

Wearing my vintage skirt to a wedding and feeling lovely in it.

Doctors confirmation that I am right on track and doing well...

When I saw the doctor he asked if I have any questions, I had none, this is just me and I am comfortable with my plan my new way of life...

This is me...



Happy Seventh Month Surgi-Versary!!!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Uncharted Territory

I Am Flipped!!!!

I now confess... Swollen feet were my little secret, hidden well in slip on and closed toes shoes.

Because of the swelling, Straps of any kind just weren't gonna happen and although I tried and tried, the world of sandals and flip flops were a closed door to me.

Immediately after my my surgery, I noticed my feet were no longer swollen, I was amazed! and like alot of my Weight Loss Sugery friends, I could not wait for the day I could wear sandals.

The Day is Here!!!



These were my first Flip Flop Deals, Two for one at Old Navy. The Gold ones I call my Aunt Audrey shoes, my Aunt Audrey always wore cute little jeweled shoes and I loved them. The white ones are just plain cute...(I promise, although I am excited, I don't wear them together)

And Now Ladies and Gentlemen I present... My Strappy Sandals!!!



My Bunco Secret Pal gave me a gift card and I knew exactly what I wanted. They are by Carlos Santana (Guess he is a foot guy) and although I will not win any prettiest ankle awards, they are super comfy and I walked the whole mall in them thrilled by their comfort and proud of the Non-Scale Victory!

I can wear cute summer shoes!!!!

Next Stop... The Kitten Heel...

(Green toe-nails are courtesy of a Nail Polish bet to step out of my neutral color comfort zone. Thanks Bethany!!!)

Happy Sixth Month Surgiversary- A Month of NSV



Is that A Collar Bone????

I can't believe it has been six months since I had the surgery that changed my life. I feel great and my six month check up went really well,My Doctor is very pleased with me but why is it that when I see a picture of myself I can't see how far I have come, I can only dread how far I have to go.

Why am I my own worst enemy?

Well, it's because I didn't have Brain Surgery!!! My negative thoughts and demons that have always been around are still around...

But...

I can totally see the blessings! I Know the Lord is with me on this journey and I know I will prevail. This is NOT the easy road out like many people say. I just have a physical tool to help keep me on track.

I am thankful...

I am also thankful that I am not alone. I have hooked up with support groups that give me daily encouragement and keep me strong.

I know I will prevail...

I want to go all the way...

I am never going back...