Holiday Questions

I received these from a friend and figured it would be something to share here so here it is:

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? hot chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Neither, mom and dad wrap the presents. Santa is way too busy with other details!

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Definitely multi-colored

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope

5. When do you put your decorations up? Sometime before Christmas, but generally not until about 2 weeks before. Really depends on my mood.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Christmas sugar cookies decorated with icing and sprinkles and baubles

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Going to my maternal grandmother's home for dinner and gift opening and hanging out all day long.

8. Do you send Christmas cards out? Every year

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We did as children and my children did but we don't anymore.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights, ornaments, sometimes icicles

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? It's okay when it's new. Hate old dirty snow.

12. Can you ice skate? No.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? A book of Grimm's fairy tales when I was about eight years old.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Pumpkin pie

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to my grandmother's

17. What tops your tree? A simple cloth angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? The Little Drummer Boy

20. Candy Canes or Chocolate Covered Cherries? Candy canes

21. Favorite Christmas movie: It's a Wonderful Life

22. Favorite Candle you burn during the holidays? Don't burn candles

23. Favorite Gift to receive at Christmas? Anything that shows the person knows what I like and they took the time to shop for it; simple things.

Sharing

Many have asked over the months for an updated photo of my granddaughter. On Thanksgiving Day we managed to get a fairly good one of the two of us so here it is. She will be two in Februray. She is talking up a storm and learning how to get adult's attention. She is very inquisitive and loves exploring new things.

Friday Ramblings

So I guess today is called "Black Friday" because of the shopping. Today marks the first official shopping day for Christmas. I absolutely hate the way Christmas has been built up in the world of commerce. Ah well ...

Had a positively fabulous day yesterday. I got to eat Thanksgiving dinner twice. I visited with my oldest daughter and her boyfriend and baby for a while. I ate lunch at my younger sister's home. She was so sweet and prepared things so I could eat them. Started out with whole grain fat free crackers and a little bit of a cheese ball she made using fat free cream cheese. Had some veggies with a little low fat ranch dip. Moved on to a bit of turkey, one spoon of stuffing and a little gravy drizzled over the top, two spoons of green bean casserole, a spoon of turkey and noodles, and a dinner roll. It was quite yummy! Then we visited for a while.

A bit later, we went to my older sister's house and ate again. There I had a little bit of turkey, half a spoon of mashed potatoes with a little gravy, four crackers with cheese, and a small piece of homemade cheesecake. It was also very good! We then enjoyed a nice visit with her and her daughters. (Her son is in the Air Force stationed in North Carolina and didn't make it home this year.) We had a good time and later went to the hotel we spent the night at.

There we watched Grey's Anatomy (gosh I love that show!) and ER (which I watch more out of habit than because it's good anymore). Went to bed way too early for me to be able to sleep in so I was up at 6 and ready to go. Everyone else is still sleeping so I figured I'd take advantage and use the time to hop online and post to my blog.

I'd really like to update here. I'd like a new skin but get so freaked out about losing what I already here. I'm not all that tech skilled. I know one can make a back-up of a blog but I don't know how. I worry that updating and changing things will lose all I've ever posted here. I've considered starting a new blog with the new year, but I want all this info to use later on, you know, in case I do ever get around to writing a book about my long journey back to myself via losing weight.

I'm also considering returning to Nutrisystem for a month or two, to get me back in the groove again. I know there are some new foods out there and I really want to get back on track. I've been trying to do it myself with little success so maybe now's the time to start again. I'll definitely be posting about it here should I make that my final decision.

I hope each who reads here had an enjoyable holiday, shared with family, friends, and loved ones. May you continue to feel blessed and wind up the year a few pounds lighter than you started. The new year is rapidly approaching and this one will be gone. Are you proud of what you've accomplished?

Changes

So I went back to work on Thursday last week. I am no longer supervisor in one home but a floating supervisor subject to work in one of two homes on any given day. I will mostly work in the home I've been in but they let another gal be the 'real' supervisor. I cannot seem to get a straight explanation as to the why in this.

Had to go get Mandi and bring her home with us. Staying where she was just wasn't going to work while her boyfriend is at Marine boot camp and later for basic training. At least here, I know she's safe and has food. She'll get to all her OB appointments and take care of herself. She'll probably be here until the baby is born sometime in April. Her boyfriend will be out of basic training about that same time.

Inherited her kitty with her. She is eight months old but very small for her age. Poor baby doesn't know it yet, but she's going to be de-clawed as we can't risk Tim being scratched and getting an infection. And yes, I know Mandi cannot touch the kitty litter box.

I'm struggling to get back on track and stay there. I don't really understand why that is. I want to get this weight off. I've done great so far and I know I can do it again. I just don't know what is going on inside my head right now.

I'll be spending Thanksgiving with family. It means driving south again but we're going to stay overnight this time. Already have the reservation so we're good to go. I'm off work on Thurs, Fri, and Sat this week. In case I don't make it back before then, enjoy your Thanksgiving. Remember it's not about the food but about spending quality time with those you love!

Back to work

So I go back to work tonight. We'll see how it goes. I'm going back as an evening shift supervisor but they want to change me from regular to floating. That means I may have to work in any of the four homes instead of just in one. I'm not very thrilled with the idea so we'll see.

Went down to take Mandi to her first OB appointment. Seems the baby is due April 28 right now. The heartbeat was strong and fast; could be an indication of it being a girl. We may find out for certain on Monday as that's when her ultrasound will be done. She's about four months right now.

Nothing else to say today. Getting caught up on laundry and trying to psych myself up for going back to work.

The trip to Alaska

Gosh but we had the best time in Alaska! It was cold, but not so cold that we couldn't tolerate it. Tim even liked it enough to say he thinks he could live there! This coming from someone who loved living in Florida because it wasn't cold there.



Teresa picked us up from the airport on Thursday night. We were so tired. She was so sweet. She had been to the store and got us bottled water, nuts, cheese sticks, fruit, crackers, bagels, etc. It was so thoughtful of her to have gone to all that trouble. What a sweetheart!

On our first day there, we did a lot of sightseeing in Anchorage. Let me tell you, I never realized that Alaska was so mountainous! I loved seeing them all around us. We went to an arts and craft fair. I didn't buy anything but did a LOT of walking. Things there were pretty expensive.

Saturday we drove over to Griftwood and went to a wildlife animal preserve. We saw elk, moose, muskox, deer, bears, and bald eagles. It was neat to see the animals in the wild, though they were behind fences. I probably would have had more photos but my camera acted up. The batteries didn't like the cold weather at all!

The drive over was gorgeous! Water all along the coast. Mountains everywhere. At one point, the clouds were touching the water. It was amazing! I got a few breathtaking photos of the scenery.

We went to Teresa's for dinner. She made pork and watercress with a yummy salad and brown rice along with cracked wheat rolls. It was scrumptious! We talked and talked. Gals, she's definitely a talker. We had SO much fun and it was like we've known each other forever.

On Sunday we went out to breakfast with Teresa and her daughter. I tried Teresa's reindeer sausage. It was a little like eating kilbasa but had that tang I associate with wild game. It wasn't bad, but I don't know that I'd ever order it.

Then off to the airport. Sad to have to say good-bye but it isn't good-bye because Tim and I are both determined to go back. Flight was delayed about thirty minutes. Was rudely advised they wanted to make sure for the safety of passengers around me and my own safety, we would have a row of seats to ourselves. They did this on the way up, but it was handled on the plane and done in a sweet way.

We took off and almost immediately hit turbulence. It was just awful. I hate flying in the first place and then to be on the worst rollercoaster ride of my life was horrible. Every time I fell asleep (flight left AK at 10:30 PM and arrived back in IL at 6:30 AM) the plane would start to shake and pitch and bounce. It was pretty awful. By the time we arrived in Chicago I was pretty sick and just wanted to get home.

Called the taxi driver who dropped us off when we left on Thursday and couldn't understand a darn word he said. Why is it that taxi cab drivers don't have to speak good English? Tim calls him back and ends up he isn't coming! ARGH We walk the entire length of O'Hare to the taxi stand (following signs) only to find out we had walked half of it without needing to and now needed to walk back. I was fighting down nausea and was now in pain from walking on the concrete floors.

Get in a cab and the driver has no clue where our hometown is. He also spoke limited English! I knew we were in trouble when he hands me a book with all the suburbs in it and asks me to point to the one we need to go to. *sigh* All I wanted to do was get home and it looked like I was never going to get there. Finally, we are on our way. Ended up having to help him find our house but we made it and walked in about 8:30 AM. To bed we went and slept til 1:30 PM.

It's nice to be home. We had a FANTASTIC time and hope to go back in the summer. There is a lot more we can do outside in the summer. Summer there, temps are only in the 60s. Wow, that would be bliss!

Back to work on Thursday. I get to rest today and tomorrow. I need it!

Three Weeks Post Op

Tomorrow will be three weeks since surgery. My leg has healed wonderfully well. The surgeon was quite pleased with what he say today. His nurse removed the remaining staples. (The doctor had to take an emergency phone call during my appointment.) I get to continue washing it every day (will help with the peeling skin) and put some Bacitracin (the doctor gave me some) on the incision. Nothing else to be put on it at this time. No lotions or creams as it could still get infected and I don't want or need that to happen. Only one small area still draining a little. He said that fluid does not contain anything that even remotely resembles infection so no need to be concerned. The amount is so miniscule. I will continue to bandage there until the bandage comes off completely clean after 24 hours. I am released to return to work on Thursday next week, exactly four weeks from my surgery date.

On another note, I'm going on a trip for the next few days. I'm going to Alaska to meet a very dear friend. Tim and I leave tomorrow (Thursday) evening and will be back home early on Monday morning (coming back on a "red-eye" flight). I am so excited about this trip. I have three books to read on the planes and a new digital camera so I'll post some photos when I return. I doubt I'll post here in my blog while I'm gone. I'm not taking my laptop with me. If I get time, I may post from Teresa's house, but don't count on it.

Nothing to say

I honestly don't have anything much to say. We sold our trailer and will finalize and get the money tomorrow. Going to pay some bills and probably bank the rest for emergencies. It will at least make life a little easier to know we have it to fall back on.

Leg is continuing to heal well. The skin around the incision is peeling and looks ugly but I've been assured it's normal. Whatever! I'll be glad when I can finally put some lotion on it to get rid of the dry skin.

Now, without further ado, here's just a dumb little blogthing I came across and in the spirit of fall, well ... here it is!

You Are Changing Leaves

Pretty, but soon dead.

What Part of Fall Are You?

New Photo

This is a photo Tim took of me today. You might notice that the 'sidekick' is gone. I also noticed, when comparing this photo to one taken back in April, that I have lost weight in my tummy over the last six months. Just goes to prove that I was right. I said all along the weight I was gaining (or lack of weight loss) was because of the tumor growing. Now that it's gone, I know I can get back on track and continue my weight loss journey. Gosh it feels good to look at that photo and see two defined legs and not one leg lapped over the other!

Two Weeks Post Op

I had a visit with my surgeon this morning. He surgeon said that the pathology showed the tumor was benign and it just grew. No way of knowing what caused it and hopefully, it will not return. It was pretty solid and he said he got it all. I'm pretty angry that the first doctor was so incompetent and told me losing weight and exercise would help. Tim asked him way back then, over a year ago, about removal via surgery and he hemmed and hawed and said maybe someday I'd want to go that route. I'm still considering a lawsuit but we'll see. I mean, an entire year of that thing growing on my leg, worrying about if it could be cancer, hoping it would start to go away, doing all I could to rid myself of extra water weight, etc.

Tim took new photos today after my doctor appointment. The surgeon removed some of the staples today and said hopefully the rest will come out next week. Some of them hurt like the dickens! Most of them were a little pinch and then nothing. The incision is very tender in a few spots. Near the bend of the knee, one spot is draining. I thought it was bleeding, but he explained it is extra fluids still leaking out and nothing to really worry about. It's normal, he said. I asked about anti-biotics and told him I'm out but he said I was on them for so long he'd like to keep me off of them if possible. He was quite happy with how the incision looks and is healing. Have to continue to shower and clean it daily and keep dressings on it. It's okay that I'm no longer wrapping it since the bandages wouldn't stay where they were supposed to. Matter of fact, he said Tim did an excellent job bandaging my this morning. Yea for Tim! I go back again next Wednesday. I'm still off work until that visit and then we'll see.

The amazing thing is when we got home and I decided to put on pants. It's getting pretty chilly here in Illinios and wearing a dress all the time isn't my style. Not that I didn't look cute as a button in my dresses (thanks to Mary, one of my Sparkfriends) and my bobby socks with gym shoes! *giggling* I put on my usualy black slacks and oh my gosh! I am literally swimming in them. The waist pulls the pants all the way up to my boobs and then some. The legs are big enough that I could probably fit both of my legs into one leg of the pants. I'm thinking this may be the very last time I wear these pants but I'm going to be holding onto them as my before pants when I get to my goal. Simply amazing!

I may put on a pair of the 4X pants I have and a 4X top and have Tim take a new photo tomorrow. After all, I need a new 'before' photo now that I'm ready to start again after a six month lull. Soon as I have one, I'll post it.