Parkersburg Penningtons

Emotion Commotion

2011-04-22T11:22:00.003-04:00

What a crazy emotional few months I've had. Around valentines day, I had a positive pregnancy test, so I went on a super high. I've been off BC since 12/07 this was a long awaited ordeal for me. I immediately called everyone close to me to share the good news. A few weeks later at my first appointment, they see a gestational sack and a yolk sack, but no fetal pole. So, I know by 5 weeks there's a possibility of this not being a viable pregnancy. I had great hope and Faith in my Heavenly Father, that surely this wouldn't happen to me after all this time. 3 weeks later, the same thing. It was pretty evident to the Dr that the pregnancy wasn't viable, and since my hCg levels kept going up, he recommended a d&c. I however, (not sure if it was stubbornness or what) wanted to wait and miscarry on my own. I didn't want or need the Dr in my uterus "rooting around" and sucking stuff out..... I waited for almost 4 more long weeks knowing nothing was in there growing, but having to feel still all the pregnancy symptoms. I was getting to the point where I was unable to eat hardly anything. It was like I was bloated and making my lapband irritated. So I scheduled the d&c. I really thought that I was prepared for this small procedure.

On Saturday April 2nd, I arrived early in the morning and was home early afternoon. The Dr said he didn't have to take out much tissue (I assumed because nothing ever really formed, and it was just the sack) so he didn't think I'd have much bleeding or complications. Well, I didn't. By Sunday evening all was well. UNTIL, the severe cramping started. Every time I'd cramp, I cried....not tears from the physical pain, but the emotional pain. All I could think about every time the cramping started again, was that there was nothing in there. I left the hospital with 3 scrips. 800 mg motrin, a few percocets and xanax. I've never taken xanax before, but I am grateful he gave it to me, it really helped, and I can see how people get addicted to it...lol.

The very next Sunday, when I was finally feeling pretty good and as normal as can be expected, it was a beautiful day and I spent a lot of time outside, doing a little cleaning up on the carport. I don't know if I over-did it or what, but I bled, and bled and bled....and bled. Gushed actually and some quarter sized clots (sorry if that was TMI) to the point I almost called the ER to see if I needed to come in, but when I laid down, it almost stopped. So the next day, I call the DR, they wanted me to come in and have my uterus checked to make sure all was well. I was again having some pretty bad cramping. The good news was my uterus was small, he said that was good, and maybe I just had a delayed reaction with the bleeding. He gave me a shot of Toradol and a script for it. It's in a different pain management category, I am pretty sure it's non-narcotic, it has to be taken every 6 hours for 5 days...not one of those as needed meds. By Wednesday I felt like I was 98%.

For those who know what I do for a living, know I'm self-employed. I only planned on being off work a few days, it turned into 2 weeks. The client I am working for was so kind, to provide me with work I could do from home the 2nd week off. The first week, I was so doped up on meds, there was no way possible to do any kind of work and I hadn't planned on it, but when the 2nd week rolled around and I felt the need to be at home, they were so great to me. They also sent me an Edible Arrangement the Monday after the surgery. Of coarse, I started crying immediately...seriously, my eyes started tearing up when I was signing for it. I knew that it'd be hard, but WOW....having all the hormones, then they come crashing down, I was a wreck! I've NEVER felt like I did that first week before in my life. I got so low and had some depression, I've battled depression for most of my life, but I had it all under control, well now I'm battling it a bit again and I DON'T like it. I hate the feeling, that I'm just blah and moseying along. I'm not sure why I am sharing all this, but I am. Maybe I need to for my own healing.

I went last night to my acupressure guy, he practices a lot of Chinese Medicine. He balanced 2 of my chakras that were not right. http://www.spirit-self.com/2009/03/the-seven-chakras/
My 2nd and 7th were not balanced. The 2nd has to do with my sex organs and lower back (I knew it would be bad) but my 7th has to do with Spirituality, but I guess it also deals with other stuff too. The link gives a brief description for anyone whose interested in or saying to yourself, "What in the world is she talking about?"

On a positive note, I just weighed myself this morning and to date, I've lost 92 lbs. I feel so great, but I still hold a lot of weight in my belly area. I haven't went down a lot of pant sizes, but I have gone down. I put on a pair of blue jeans I wore on the first date I had with my husband the first time we dated, back in 1999. If I remember right, I'm only about 10 lbs away from my graduating weight. I've always been on the chunky, bigger side and I know that I wore a much smaller size then. So I still feel bigger now. Even though at most, I'm on 20 lbs bigger or so. I can't remember exactly what I weighed, but I know that from about 9th grade on, I was anywhere from 180 to 220. I weighed in this morning at 227!!

Up-Date

2011-01-17T09:57:00.002-05:00

I have been so busy with a new job, that I haven't been exercising, which has slowed my weight loss, but I am still losing. As a matter of fact this morning, I weighed in at the 80 lb loss mark. I need to get a balance and more excited and diligent about my exercising. I just set up my new wii fit, maybe I can get some in that way. But I am now back to doing title searches and so I stand, bend and pull heavy books all day long. Therefore, I don't have the desire to go exercise after that.....I know, it's just an excuse and I need to work thru that. I am still eating all the sugar too, I am weak...I really need to get on my program and quit thinking that just because I'm still losing, that I can eat whatever I want. The loss is slowing a lot, so now I have to work the program, or it'll quit or even reverse all together.

Softball, Sauder and a weigh-in

2010-09-01T09:57:00.008-04:00

So, we moved across the river to Parkersburg, WV. I am only 5 minutes from work and the rent is $120 cheaper a month. We are still in boxes for the most part, but settling in nicely. I spent into the wee hours Friday putting together a TV stand. We previously have hung our flat screen on the wall (this drove me nuts....because you could see the wires hanging down) So I bought one of those pressed board Sauder pieces. You know the ones...they are HEAVY and a pain in the butt to put together, especially by yourself. So I get it all put together and the noticed the last piece, a decortive one was missing...UGH. Well no big deal, I got on the website and one is being delivered today actually. But that's not where the fun starts. I went to "scoot" the piece into place....and the whole stinkin' side fell off.....BIGGER UGH! I was so cranky by this point (almost 2 hours into the build) and it was just after 1 am, so, I quit for the night. The next day my friend was coming over. I had her bring me a regular sized screw driver. I only had a 'lil shorty and that's what made it impossible to get the locking thingy majiggs locked. Now, it's all in place, the TV is hooked up and it looks great in my living room.

A few weeks ago a guy and girl I work with put together a co-ed softball team. We've had a few practices (I left the last one asking myself...."self, who are you kidding...you don't know what you're doing and are not in shape to do this" But, I have stuck it out. We had our first game Monday. I did score a run and didn't even bat. The rules are...if they walk a guy, the next girl to bat gets a walk as well. But....I got an injury. I pulled my left groin somewhere between 2nd and 3rd base. It is STILL killing me. I went to water aerobics last night and it felt good for the most part, but I did twinge it 2 good times. I sat in the hot tub afterwards. But this morning it's really really sore. I am hoping that it's just because it's morning and it's not limbered up yet. I would've rather taken a ball the the shin area (like I did in practice) than to have this. We play on Monday and Friday's. We found that out on Monday when we got to the ball field. We all signed up under the pretence of Monday games only. I just hope that my groin is well by Friday.

I weighed myself this morning, and I have lost 58 lbs now! I am glad to finally be seeing it come off...it's been a long road. I think after my next fill in October, I'll be set for a while. This last one put me up to 5.75 cc's and it worked quite well for a lot longer. But, I can now eat breakfast a lot earlier and I notice it takes more to make me full. I try to stick within my 1 cup portion though. But I am quite happy.

Till next time.....

Reaching a milestone

2010-08-10T10:33:00.002-04:00

I weighed myself on saturday and had reached the 50 pounds lost mark (just barely, but I was there and that's what matters...lol)

I am a habitual weigher, so I've been trying not to be. But I couldn't help but get on the scale this morning. 2 more lbs lost. so I have lost a total of 52 lbs now.

The weird thing is, I just started noticing a few weeks ago that I was actually loosing and changing.

I hope that it continues to come off. I quit cheating so I think that's what the slow process was. I had the mentality that as long as I was loosing some, then it was okay to cheat....well....it wasn't coming off nearly as quick as it could/should have been.

It's been a while.....

2010-08-03T14:20:00.002-04:00

so I thought I'd give a little update. I just went to get another half cc fill in my band yesterday. I lost 6 more lbs since I was there 6 weeks ago. So I am averaging a pound a week. I really want it to be 2 pounds a week, so I decided once and for all, that I am going to be more strict on myself. I want this weight off so bad. In my mind, on the days I do water aerobics I can treat myself to something sweet....well...I am defeating the purpose of my band and of my excercising. BUT...I am ADICTED to sugar! I just ordered a couple of books on Amazon to read and hopefully they will help me cure this craving I have for it. I also stopped by Borders on my lunch break and got 2 books on cooking for weightloss surgery.

Master of....

2010-04-19T16:53:00.003-04:00

With this award I am suppose to list 6 things I am a Master at then, pass it on to 6 people.

1. I am a Master at hitting the snooze button numerous times EVERY morning.
2. Starting a diet, only to give up the very same day.
3. Wanting to start a sewing/quilting project and keep putting it off.
4. Living above my means.
5. Wanting things NOW....I am the Master of INSTANT GRATIFICATION
6. Loving my husband and family more than I knew was possible. My love grows (almost) every day!

I pass this on to...
Whoever reads my blog on a regular basis (cause I don't think it's 6)

setting goals....

2010-03-09T10:39:00.003-05:00

I saw a cute pair of boots on a friends blog, they were black and white toile rain boots. Super cute!!! I found them, but they are not longer available on Amazon. I wasn't going to buy them, just window shopping, but I came across these beauties. I might treat myself once I reach a milestone in my weight loss journey.

First fill went well, if you call.....

2010-03-05T14:37:00.000-05:00

almost passing out and puking well....lol it really wasn't that bad. I was already sick and not feeling well when I went in to have it done. I laid down and he numbed the area with a little baby needle. Then he pulled out the BIG needle. I don't get bothered by needles at all, in fact I always watch them take my blood and what not. I started to get really hot. He was having a little trouble finding it, since he's not the surgeon who placed the lap band in me. When he finally got it, he pulled out what was in it, to see how much I already had. It was 2cc's I was under the impression it didn't have any fill in it at all. So he added 3 more. I sat up and was handed a cup of water from the nurse to drink, this is to make sure that it's not too tight and that I am able to get stuff down. Well before I could drink any, I had to hand the nurse back the cup, because my ears were clogging up (worse than from my cold) and everything started getting farther and farther away. So I stripped off my hoodie and laid back down for a bit. When I got my wits about me, I sat up and starting taking sips of the water. I got the hick-ups and almost vomited it up. The band was too tight. He had me lay back down and by this time, my wonderful husband came over and was gently stroking my head and hair. Then when I asked the nurse for the cup, he said..."well it's time for me to go back to the other side of the room" lol I didn't think he had a weak stomach. Wonder what childbirth does to him....if he thinks he gets out of that, he's got another thing coming. But back to the doctors office. This time he was able to find the port right away and took out 1cc and I had instant relief. So as of Tuesday I have 4cc's of saline in my band. I weighed Wednesday morning and again this morning, and I lost 3 lbs. I am so excited and can't wait until the results are such that they are noticeable.

Country roads, take me home........

2010-02-09T15:22:00.002-05:00

to the place, I belong......WV (well close enough)

In early January I lost my uncle Tom. It made a few things very clear to me. 1. my dad is 70 and he won't be around forever. 2. I longed to be back "home" more than ever. 3. I missed my family. So, I made a few calls and sent a few resumes and February 1st I started a new job in Parkersburg, WV. We currently are still Buckeyes, but hope to buy a piece of property in WV out, way out in the boonies somewhere.

I had to get a new surgeon to follow-up my care for my band. I will see him March 2nd, for my first fill. I am super excited. I think I've gained back the 18 lbs I lost. I know that I have been eating bad stuff, but.....in my mind, it's because after March, I will never be able to eat some of these things again. So I have probably went a little overboard. I know I should probably still be dieting, but again, I will not be able to have ice cream for dinner in the future if I wish to. I will have to eat as much protien as possible, so to get enough nutrition.

I don't much miss Pennsylvania, but, now I can't be the Pennsylania Penningtons much longer. Until I think of a new catchy name, this will remain so.

Back to work

2009-12-28T10:09:00.002-05:00

and sick.....I tried to stay home a few more days from work, but they needed me to come in. I had the procedure last Tuesday 12-22. It was way more painful than I had anticipated. on the second and third day I wanted to curl up in a ball and die. But since curling up was not an option I could only lay flat and not move a muscle or it would hurt to the high heavens. It felt like I had done a million sit ups or been kicked in the stomach by a team of horses. They only give you the good drugs the first day at the hospital (not the morning after, when you really need them) I know 3 others who had this done, and they did not have the complications I did. No gas and no nausea. I have both....still to this day. 12-28. I had to come to work and now I am sick as a dog, I think that I am so hungry it's making me sick. and I have the gas pains on top of it all. Which is a pain in my shoulder and around my lungs. I am supposed to walk as much as possible, so I have been getting up every hour here at work and walking around the office. More to come later.

APPROVED!!!!!

2009-12-04T15:41:00.002-05:00

I just got a call from the secretary over at the surgeon's office. She said I was approved. It seems that they were missing a page from the fax and didn't think I had an entire 6 months under the surgeons care. I am so happy. I was very upset yesterday. All I wanted to do was buy a pack of cigarettes, but I did not. I am so glad that I was able to stear clear of the temptation of doing so. I can already find myself being "that" former smoker. If you smoke then you know what I'm talking about. The one who tells you how easy it is to quit and to just do it and they hate the smell (well honestly I have hated the smell all along) but now I can actually smell it.

Insurance troubles..................

2009-12-01T15:20:00.002-05:00

The surgeon's receptionist called me and told me that when they sent in for approval the insurance company sent back and was questioning my excercise and probably why I wasn't doing a whole lot more. I am having my chiropractor send a letter to them about the core strength training I am doing and that the broken back I sufford from 3 years ago has me limited in what I can do at the time. He is also going to state how the bariatric procedure will be beneficial to me.

Tomorrow I still go in for pre-op testing. I have to take a "sample" with me and I am having an endescope done. I guess he is going to put me under light sedation and go take a look at my stomach. I have been googling on how to get "the sample".

I am 1 month SMOKE FREE and loving it. I even survived Thanksgiving weekend with my extended family of smokers and was still just fine. I did use that Chantix a little in the beginning but had to stop because it was making my stomach hurt. Then when I went off of it, it sent my body in a whirl wind of emotions. I was ready to divorce my husband. I was hateful, I broke out into sweats, then I was freezing....it's not a very nice drug at all. It has even caused some people to commit suicide. But....it really does help you quit smoking. It's a catch 22 if you ask me. I normally don't get any side effects from prescription drugs, I think I got them all from Chantix. If you know anyone thinking about taking it, incourage them to really research it first.

Going on.....

2009-11-13T12:53:00.006-05:00

2 weeks! Saturday at 9:30 pm is my mark. I am actually doing it. I am doing great too. I still want a cigarette not nearly as bad but the point is I don't have to have one. I hope it continues to be easy. I am using chantix, but I am only taking .5 mg as opposed to the 2 mg (1 two x's a day) when I tried this before it made me nauseous. I wondered if that was the feeling I would have when I was pregnant. If it is, then you can count me out. I was so sick for a whole week, all day and all night long. Except for about 20 minutes right after I ate something. It was a mix between hunger and nausea, weird weird weird sensation. I have read a lot about the chantix and it can cause ulcers and stuff like that. So I hope not to have to take it much longer.

She's Crafty

2009-11-05T10:56:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago a friend of mine at work had a baby shower. I had misplaced my camera and forgot that these photos were on my cell phone. I made my very first diaper cake. I think it turned out great. What do you think?

Mark Twain once said.....

2009-11-02T14:09:00.003-05:00

"Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times."

That statement just about says it all. This might be the hardest thing I've done. Well....okay it's not nearly as painful as when I had a broken back, but the physical withdraws are enough to make a person a little crazy. I have been smoke free for about 41 hours now. Yesterday was so much easier than today. I was fine all day until the evening and I almost caved in. Luckily my husband was supportive enough to not give me a cigarette. He reminded me why I am quitting (because I have to if I want my surgery) But today.....holy cow....I have anxiety, my chest is hurting, my neck is so stiff (I think these 2 are both anxiety related) but my head is also sweating and my ears are sort of clogged up. I am a total basket case. I know that tomorrow will be even worse. I don't want to cave, I want to quit, I just need these withdraws to go away. I don't have much will-power, I think that's the biggest problem. I want to ask you guys to please pray for me to be strong and that they side effects will lessen and leave QUICKLY!!! I will keep you posted.

Nice things in life

2009-09-15T12:44:00.002-04:00

Steph tagged me, so in no paticular order I will name some.

1. Losing weight
2. Visiting Family
3. Shopping with a girlfriend
4. Quilting
5. The smell of rain
6. The smell of Fall
7. Having Freedom (which is slowly being taken away)
8. Having a job
9. A Loving Husband
10. Good Health

I lost

2009-09-15T12:39:00.002-04:00

the5 lbs I gained from eating more food like the nutritionlist recomended. Now if it will continue to come off up until the surgery.

I wish I had more exciting stuff to blog. I guess I am pretty boring. I promise to get better at this and be more exciting (I hope)

lil ole update

2009-07-27T12:52:00.002-04:00

Nothing too new to report. I had my standard visit with the surgeon last week. I have gained 6 lbs.....by following the nutritionlists diet of eating more. Needless to say, I'm done with that. I knew that I felt even fatter. I was more achey and what not, just from an extra 5 or 6 lbs. I can't imagine how good it will feel to get most of this extra weight off.

Scott is out of town working. He's been in Orangeburg, SC since right after Memorial Day. I have seen him twice. Once I went down for a few days, then they got to come home for a few days over the 4th of July. This time it's killing me. Last time I had people visiting all the time. Started out with all 3 girls being here (2 daughters and a grand baby) I was pleasantly surprised that they still wanted to come over and stay even though their dad wasn't going to be here. Tres came and flew with me to Myrtle Beach, where I then drove over to visit Scott for a few days, then back to Myrtle to vacation with all my cousins.

I had a really low day last Friday where I was really missing my husband, my family and my friends. I do not like being over here in PA at all anymore now. I have no girlfriends. It's driving me insane. All I do is go to work and go home. The grocery...etc etc. I have not been shopping or to the fabric store/craft store, because I owe Uncle Sam quite a few dollars. Which I am soooo close to having it all saved up. If I complain about this next year, then kick my butt in gear...I need to learn to save save save. Savings on top of taxes too.....Man, then I'll never have any money to spend. I guess I better just use up my current fabric stash instead of buying all the new patterns...lol

I did get all the quilting on Dana's quilt done. Now, just have to do the binding. Well and fix a part. In the beginning I accidentally sewed the backing to itself (I was going to fold it around for the binding, but not I can't) I am going to have to cut it out ever so gently.

Till next time my blogging buddies!

Not eating enough..........who'd have thought?

2009-06-26T11:04:00.004-04:00

I guess I forgot to write about the nutritionlist visit. I had to take in a food diary of 1 week. I did....and she told me I was not consuming enough calories. I thought she was crazy. But alas, she is the professional. She also wants me to be checked for PCOS (polysistic ovarian syndrom) she stated it could be the reason I have trouble loosing weight and I don't ovulate...etc etc. I already knew everything else she told me, like eating organic and natural things. Take vitamins. I know it all. I practice a lot of it. But I have that crazy sweet tooth. I could get all my extra calories from sweets really easily LOL

The surgeon today told me not to get tested for PCOS, it would just be a waste. If I did have it, they wouldn't do anything for it, because the cure for it is weight loss. He said that if I still do not become fertile then, other testing will be done. But he did say that most women who were not able to have children, after the surgery are. That's a good thing, since we have officially decided that we want a family. Our goal is that after my truck is paid off we will begin. Which falls right into the timeline of waiting 1 year after being banded to get pregnant.

2nd Visit to surgeon

2009-06-26T10:55:00.002-04:00

Today I just went to my second visit with the lap-band surgeon. I am on the fast track so to speak. I have completed the phsych eval and the nutritionlist counceling. Now all that is left are my 5 visits (once a month, or every 4 weeks) and then in November I have to have an endescope to look into my stomach to make sure that it is "normal", a EKG and a stool sample (not looking forward to that one) but I guess it has to be done, so what are my choices.

I asked today about pregnancy after the band. He said that it is safe and actually will help with a healthier pregnancy. He did call the rep while I was sitting there to see if they will empty the band when it's time for me to deliver. When you undergo a surgery after the band they empty it for safety reasons. So, if I have to have a C-section they will probably just empty it close to my delivery date. Then fill it once the baby is born.

I am very excited about the surgery, which I have rescheduled from Dec 14th to the 22nd. I chose the week of Christmas, because my mom is already scheduled off work, and I will actually miss less work this way. I can work Monday, have surgery Tuesday and be off the rest of the week. They say it's so easy that I should be back to work Monday. If not, I am sure that it will be okay to take off time then anyways.

They didn't keep me

2009-05-29T09:00:00.002-04:00

I had my psych evaluation yesterday, late afternoon. I passed with flying colors, and I didn't even keep quiet...lol He was most concerned that I take an antidepressant and have for several years and my doctor has never made me go to a psychiatrist. But he made me take some mood test (which was rediculass btw) and I of coarse passed that with flying colors. Maybe he just doens't have faith in depression meds. Maybe he thinks depression can be cured by spilling your guts to a stranger, maybe he doens't know that it's considered very hereditary, regardless of what he thinks, I am quite happy and well with my meds. Now the next step is the nutrition councelor, which is next wednesday. I think I have to meet with her 3 times. One more thing, I started my chantix (the stop smoking pill) last week, I am now on the third day of not smoking. Well....supposed to be not smoking. I have lit up 3 or 4 cigs in those 3 days (only in the car) that's my trigger. I didn't smoke the whole things. And yesterday I only took a few puffs. So wish me luck.

Some of you know that hubby is out of town working in SC. I am taking the week of June 15th off to go and see him and also spend some time with all my cousins in Myrtle Beach. I started tanning Wednesday night to prepair my white self for the beach. I have tried tanning before, with no color change, no tan, no nothing. So I was quite scheptical going in. But I found the mother of all tanning salons. It's called Hollywood Tan. I have went twice at 4 minutes in the HT60 booth and already notice a color change. I just found out last night that hubby who was supposed to only be there 4-5 weeks has to stay the duration of the job, which is more like 2-3 months.....needless to say, I am NOT happy about this. I am going to miss him way too much. He tried to make it not so bad (when I was crying about it) saying that it'll make us closer or some crap like that. I know that I can do it. Honestly I am worried about him. We are both recovering drinkers and last time he had to work out of town, he was drinking. He doesn't hold his alcohol very well, he doesn't know when to stop. He got wasted and didn't know where he was. The next day he was so disappointed in himself he left the job and basically quit. When he went in to talk to his boss, he told him that he's an alcoholic and working out of town was too tempting for him. They let him keep his job. This was over a year ago. The boss' had a meeting about whether or not to allow him to go, because of the last time. So I guess they are trusting him as much as I am. He says he's strong enough now. I just know that it's awefully tempting, and why put yourself in that situation. He's doing it because it's a lot more money and he was laid off for 5 weeks and I need to get my taxes paid. But still, they would get paid anyways. Okay sorry for going on and on about that.

I have a question for those of you who are parents.....how do you punish a child (11) for lying. It's habitual and about everything. My mom used to put a bar of soap in my mouth. Is that considered child abuse in today's society? Because that's what I want to do to her.......

So the journey begins......

2009-05-20T15:24:00.003-04:00

I had my first appointment with the bariatric surgeon last Thursday. My insurance requires 7 visits or 6 full months of seeing him before they will approve the surgery. So it is tentatively set for Decemember 14th. Talk about a long time to wait. This will teach me some patience. I am a instant gratification kinda gal. I have to go through a series of things also before. Next week I meet with a psychiatrist for a psych evaluation (I better just stay quiet, or they might lock me up) then the following week I meet with a nutrition counselor. I believe I will have to meet with her 3 times. I attended a bariatric support group meeting last night. There were several pre and post op folks there. But all the post op's had the by-pass, I have questions for post op lap-banders. I do know 2 people personally that have been banded. I still have that concern about the port and what about after weight comes off....is it visible? Dr says "no" and one of my friends had it a year and half ago, she says no (but she states she still has some chunk there) Then there is the whole thing about hair loss....from lack of nutrients...I know what you're thinking. I must be an idiot for even considering this, but until you've walked in my shoes, judge not, that ye be not judged. I have been the "fat girl" my entire life. And it's to the point now, where I am self conscience about it again. I was when I was younger, but then I got really comfortable in my own skin. Now since my accident and I've gotten so big, I have gotten uneasy once again. I have tried diets.....I just gain it and then some back. So now I am at the turning point. I need to seek medical help for my obesity. I long for the day that I will be able to enjoy the outdoors like I once did, go hiking and canoeing and I might even ride on the back of that motorcycle. Hubby is supportive of the band, but not the complete by-pass, he says it is too evasive. He also reminds me that he did not marry a "skinny girl", but he understands that this is for my health and for me.

I thought about creating a brand new blog to follow my new journey, but since I don't have much to blog about, I think I'll just do it on here. In case anyone cares.....lol

I Caved.....

2009-04-30T14:54:00.002-04:00

I went out (without hubby knowing) and got him the motorcycle he's been wanting for ummm let me see FOREVER! I was so againsts a bike, but for selfish reasons. I talked to the salesman and it's really not a big bike at all, it's a starter. It's a Ninja 500EX, Red....and I must say, he looks pretty sexy on it. I tried to get it delivered that same night to suprise him, but that didn't work. So I went to Wal-Mart and got him a toy one. I wrapped up the key in red tissue paper and put it in the bottom of the red gift bag. Then I took the remaining red paper and put it around the toy and made it look all pretty. I got him a card and so on. I sat it in his bathroom on the sink. When he got home from work I was fixing dinner and he asked if he could squeeze in and use the sink, I said...what's wrong with yours? He went into his bathroom (pounting a bit I wouldnt' let him use the kitchen sink...lol) He states, Oh, now I see why that sink wasn't good enough. So he washes up and brings his gift out to the Living Room. He opens the card, and is confused when he reads the part that I wrote that said, Please don't make me regret this....He takes out the toy and thinks that he finally got his bike (the toy) I told him, there is more...he gets to the paper wrapped key and can't get it out. You'd think he knew, he finally get's it and looks at it and looks at me...I told him it will be delivered tomorrow...He is speachless and keeps asking me if I'm serious. It was so wonderful to be able to suprise him with that gift. It was quite affordable and one of the stipulations is that he can not complain about my shopping anymore. LOL and I can look into getting LapBand Surgery. So it's sort-a win win for me.

Craigs List

2009-04-14T09:33:00.003-04:00

I wanted to tell you guys about my weird craigslist.com experience. First off let me tell you that I love craigslist. It is easier to navigate than ebay and I enjoy looking at what's free and what other people want. I always look at the want ads incase I have something that they want I can get rid of. But yesterday I was browsing for a tent. This weekend is suppose to be so nice, it makes me want to camp. I found a brand new in the box Eddie Bauer Sequoia 7 person tent (retail $180) for $99 cash, not negotiable. Okay I thought, if it's really new and all the parts are there, that's a really good deal. So I sent an email reply to see if it was still available. I left my cell for the seller to contact me, since it was near the end of the day. He called yesterday evening. He did infact still have the tent and was pretty flixible that evening for meeting him. He asked that I meet him in the old Circuit City parking lot in NJ, just across the PA line. So it only took me half hour or so to get there. So Scott and I head out. We call seller to tell him we've arrived, and he shows up a few minutes later. He lives close to this spot he tells me previously. We looked at the tent, decided to purchase it, exchanged tent for money, and were carrying on a conversation about his internet business and what else he sells, etc., when in Mid-Sentence he says....Okay Thanks, I gotta go. As we get back into our car, I noticed that a Police car was traveling thru the parking lot (it was a strip-mall) So he saw that police car and bolted....That really made us wonder if the tent we just purchased was HOT. We we actually teasing about it on the way over, I told Scott I was going to ask him if it was a Chinese knock-off, like those designer hand bags you can buy really cheap. Scott said he was going to call the guy and ask him if it was stolen and tell him that we just got pulled over and the police were tearing apart our trunk, he said the guy would probably just hang up on him. I told him that he probably had just been in trouble in that town before, for conducting business in the parking lot of a store. Any thoughts?

New Chapter In Our Lives = STRESS

2009-03-24T10:38:00.002-04:00

So, I am going to be a mom. To a 10 year old little girl. My hubby's daughter is coming to live with us for a while. Under any "normal" circumstances this would be a little stressful, right? Well......my circumstances can never seem to be normal. Daughter has been home schooled her entire life, if you even could call it that. She is super far behind. She barely reads, can not tell time, doesn't spell, or write well, not even the alphabet. Hubby has not been the best father, he was refused visitation for several years, because of multiple reasons. His drinking, broken promises, mom was mad she lost him.....but regardless, he has been making an attempt now for the past year to be a part of her life. We had discussed taking her to court for custody, because of the education thing for the most part. But, had decided against it, for the fact that we didn't want her to resent us for taking her away from mom. The first day of her last visit over here in February she had asked hubby if she could live with him. Maybe we should have pushed to get more out of her, as to why she wanted to, what was going on. Because Sunday evening mom calls and tells hubby she is done dealing with her and at her whits end. Daughter asked again on the phone if she could come live with dad, of coarse he said yes. Mom wanted to know when dad could come and pick her up. We had decided we would meet this coming weekend half way. Well...so then our stress starts. What are we doing to do with her, during the day? She doesn't have school records. How will we afford to send her to daycare...etc. etc. So I made a call to the School to get some info. Of coarse the first step is to have her enrolled. She tells me where to go and what I'll need. Immunization records and Birth Certificate. So I tell hubby he needs to ask for the immunization records. Mom says she doesn't have any. Now, I don't know if that means she doesn't have a copy of the records or she has never been immunized. Stress level up a notch. Where do we begin now? I text messaged hubby to request mom put something in writing and they get it notarized giving dad temporary custody. I didn't want mom doing something off the wall, like charging dad with kidnapping (yes, I do believe she's that vindictive and unstable to be quite honest) Mom, tried to pull this business of a month with dad a month back with her. He told her that would not work. That it will take at least that long just for everyone to get adjusted. I am very confident right now that once we get her tested and in a stable environment and learning institution that she will catch up in no time. So I don't want mom to just be able to say, okay I had my break, send her back now. We know that for many reasons she would be better if she were with us. Especially for an education. I don't understand how someone could be okay with not educating their child. That is the childs future you are messing with. But, of coarse this woman still lives with her own mom. So, I can't say that I am that suprised, but I am.

So, what do we do now? What if mom never gives us any records? What if we get her immunized and she has already been, will it hurt her? Please if you have ANY ideas, questions, comments, or prayers....please send them my way. I am going to need them.

Holy Wind Storm Batman

2009-02-13T09:42:00.004-05:00

So today's Friday the 13th....da da dummmmm. I am not superstitious at all. But I get a kick out of people who are.

Yesterday we had a crazy wind storm with gust near 60. So of coarse Scott was home from work.....evidentally they don't let you work on roofs when it's that windy. LOL The power went our around 9 am, at 3:30 when I was leaving work it was still out. So he suggested McDonald's for dinner. When I got home we enjoyed our delicious fast food by candle light. We lounged on the couches under blankets reading for a while, and then I kicked his but at some candle lit YAZEE! We played the whole score card, which is 5 games. I won 3, we tied 1 and he won 1 game....he went as far as to say I'd found "how to cheat at Yazee" online. hee hee hee, what a sore loser (not really) just teasing me. I was on a roll. He kept saying he was taking me to Vegas. After the game was over we did a little snuggling on the couch, keeping warm and chatting. He said that he didn't know how they did it back in the "old days" without electricity. We are spoiled. But I pointed out to him, that they didn't need that BIG electric picture box on the wall to entertain themselves. They were usually out working the fields (or whatever) until dark, then they came in, to dinner. Children did their chores and school work, the family sat down to read the Bible, then everyone went to bed, which I imagine to be fairly early in the winter, since it gets darker earlier. Because they all get up early to start over again.

Then when the lights came on, I was disappointed a little. I was really enjoying our snuggles and talks. Now, granted I love me some TV, but....I can also live without it. I would probably be a lot more prodoctive without it. I was going to scower the showers by candle light...but.....I didn't want to use the water up, incase it didn't come back on. We have a well.....so without Electricity, there's no pump to pump it....lol boy, this country life sure is rough...LOL And silly me, I am new to the North East, so I assume that since we have this oil heat, that there would be heat...boy was I wrong, how quickly the house cooled down. I was reminded how thankful I am to have a roof over my head, running water, heat and the all mighty electricity. It is funny how we take these things for granted. And the habit, of still walking into a dark room and flipping the switch (I did this once last night).

On a more exciting note, My mom and Scott's 10 yr old daughter are coming for a visit and will be here Wednesday late afternoon, and will be here for almost an entire week. I will have other visitors that weekend. My cousin and his wife from Parkersburg, WV are coming up Friday evening thru Sunday afternoon and bringing the 3 kids. We are going to see Monster Jam...."Bird" the 5 year old loves Great Digger as he refers to him. So for 2 nights, there will be 9 people at my house. I should have some fun pictures and stories about that.

Happy Friday the 13th to all, and have a Sweet Valentine's Day!!

A new tag game....

2009-01-28T10:41:00.003-05:00

This one looks pretty fun and different.

1. Choose a folder where you store you pictures.

2. Select the 4th picture in that folder.

3. Explain that picture.

4. Tag 4 People.

5. No Cheating (cropping, editing, etc.)

So, here it is.......

This is a picture of my cousin's 2 kids. This is Briah's second day of 2nd grade. And Brody's first day of Kindergarten. They are the sweetest, not to mention cutest kids I know. And I love them to pieces. They are super sweet.

I tag....

1. Steph

2. Nancy T.

3. Alisa

4. Nancy A.

Now....go!

What does a "stay at home mom" do all day?

2009-01-13T12:38:00.002-05:00

Watch this....it's funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8zMbYjy6Sk

This is a MUST see. I hope that you enjoy it. I know I did, and I'm not even a mom.

Here you go Steph

2009-01-09T08:20:00.002-05:00

1. Post rules on your blog
2. Answer the 6 "8" items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged

8 Fav TV Shows:
1. Days of our Lives
2. Two and half men
3. Reba
4. Dirty Jobs
5. Myth Busters
6. So You Think You Can Dance
7. Bizarre Foods w/ Andrew Zimmern
8. House

8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Woke Up
2. Showered
3. Brushed Teeth
4. Took Laptop to Geek Squad (the motherboard is bad....)
5. Bought a new computer
6. Kissed my husband
7. Worked
8. Blew my nose

8 Things I look forwad to:
1. Finacial Freedom
2. Every new day with Scott
3. Learning to play my guitar
4. Loosing weight
5. Seeing Family
6. River fun in the Summer
7. Getting to know Scotts girls better
8. Growing old and being able to retire with Scott

8 Fav Restaurants:
1. Texas Roadhouse
2. Panera
3. Cold Stone Creamery (does this one count?)
4. Chinese
5. Bob Evans
6. I Hop
7. Wendy's
8. Smitty's (it's a super cheep hotdog/hamburger joint in WV)

8 Things on my WISHLIST! (ONLY 8?....LOL)
1. Guitar Hero: World Tour
2. Yellow Mustang GE Convertible
3. Toyota FJ Cruiser
4. 4 Wheeler
5. Organized Sewing/Craft Room
6. That I was average size
7. Sell my Ohio House
8. More Money in the Bank

8 People to Tag:
1. Nancy
2. Steph
3. Rachel
that's all I have.....lol, I'm sad....sad.....sad.....

New Hair

2008-12-08T14:36:00.002-05:00

Ok, I decided that I wanted a new doo, since it had been over a year. My hair was very very long, it was down to my low low back, top of hips, where the butox and the back meet...I think you get the picture. So on November 21, I decided to go. I took along this picture. I wanted it trimmed and a little blonde and littler red highlights, on a darker brown than my original.

Needless to say, it didn't turn out like that AT ALL!!!!!! First of all instead of dying my whole head brown, then go in with blonde and red, she did the whole front (from my part down to my ear) brown and blonde foils. I have had my hair dyed a lot, and they always go from the crown back, and then down the sides, so everytime, I pulled my hair back in a barret or anything, I looked like Mortisha from the adams family, or Elvira......and the ends had no depth and looked exactly like a witched wig from halloween. I was so disappointed. It cost me so much money, and I paid for it, I should've went back and got a refund (is what everyone is telling me) but you know me, I didn't. I chalked it up as experience, and where not to go back to. lol here is a little glimpse of what it looked like, fresh out of the salon.

So, I lived unhappily with it for 1 whole week. When i was in WV for turkeyday my good friend Amy fixed it and "trimmed" SHE HACKED IT for me. It curls nicely now and i even have a long angle around my face. I have grown to love the new length. I actually have a style now. And it only cost me $20. Thanks AMY, you are the best. Here is the new hair. The length is now like upper back, above my bra strap (just barely) but.....a good 10 - 12 inches disappeared in a weeks time.........NOT what i was going for at all....but I guess it will grow back someday.

Tag....Your it!

2008-11-21T09:12:00.002-05:00

Ok Steph, since you tagged me, I will play. Even thought not long ago, I did this with only 6 random things....

So here are my 7 random things you may, or may not know about me

1. I take my tea with cream and sugar

2. I can't help but to pick my scabs

3. I bought a guitar (and Esteban kit from HSN.com) because I am determined to learn guitar, but have yet to tune it and put in a CD

4. I am terrible at first person video games, because I can not work all those buttons and am usually looking up in the sky or down at the ground the whole time.

5. I eat as much organically as I can get. I have yet to purchase very much organic meat (it's very expensive)

6. My nose is always stuffy or runny. I don't think I smell things as well as everyone else because of this. I don't like it at all. I have several prescriptions for this (non of which work the way I feel they should)

7. I use a neti pot (this goes along with number 6, and my stuffy nose)

I am not going to tag anyone, because only Steph and Rach are they only ones that have my blog on theirs I think.

Alicia's Visit

2008-11-11T10:09:00.005-05:00

My girlfriend Alicia brought the train over from Toledo, Ohio to Philadelphia. I picked her up Wednesday. The train station was beautiful. We spent a few hours in Philly, we went to Whole Foods (my new favorite grocery store) then grabbed a bit to eat, before we went to the New Kids On The Block concert.

Thursday we went to Newark, NJ for So You Think You Can Dance, the top 12 dancers from this last season are on tour. If you like the show and they are in a city near you, I suggest going....We had a great time. It was amazing. We had front row, and we were both smiles from ear to ear the entire time.

Friday we went back to NJ, to Jersey City, and caught the ferry to Ellis Island. We walked the whole tour and had the headphones to tell us all about it. At the end is where you go to the History Center to look up your family name, to see if any of your relatives came thru that port. I had only 6 Brandjes, my great Granddad came over when he was 20. But the History center was closed. We found out that you can look it up on the internet at www.ellisislandrecords.org We missed the ferry that went around the Statue of Liberty and had to take the last one off the island. I was disappointed, because we only go to see her going into town, and all the views we saw of her were of her backside. But we got to see Manhattan all lit up and it was a site to see.

This is a picture of "the pose off" at the end of their new song Click, Click, Click they all strike a pose and see who wins that night. Donnie won, he's in the middle

This is when they came out to the back of the floor for 3 songs. This picture also shows just a glimps of all the 30 somthings girls who were screaming and acting like crazed teenie boppers. There was a girl in our section who was unbelievable. She was shaking and crying.....we were laughing to say the least. We tried to get a picture of her, but it didn't work.

The Winner Joshua (in blue) and Twitch

Courtney and Joshua doing one of their routines

Gev and Chelsie

New England Mini-Vaca

2008-11-10T14:13:00.012-05:00

We went on a mini vacation a long weekend in October. To see the leaves changing and, well...just to do it. Below are some pictures of our trip. We started off in Maine then went to Vermont

We saw Steven Kings house

A HUGE statue of Paul Bunyon

Ate lobster on the Wharf

Now we are in Vermont...........there

we saw some bug art. This picture is made only with beatles and butterfly and/or moth wings. It was really neat to see. I can't imagine having that kind of patience. It said it took the guy something like 4 years to complete.

Propain tank art. Hank Hill would've been in Propain heaven

Some big creepy giant puppets. That is a real sewing machine, to give you an idea of the size of them. The place was called Bread and Puppet museum. It was just an old barn on the side of the road, no body worked there all the time, and you turned the lights on and off yourself.

Drove under a barn

And sat on a Vermon COWch

Some other things we got to see on this trip but not pictured, included seeing the worlds tallest filling cabinet, visited Ben and Jerry's factory (peace love and ice cream), saw a round church, a land locked ship, several covered bridges, Lake Champlain and the monument to their lake monster Champ, and lots of pretty orange, red and changing leaves.

Whoa ooa ooa ooa oooo....Hanging Tough

2008-11-05T09:05:00.004-05:00

Going back to my teenie bopper days tonight. My friend Alicia is on the train right now, coming over from Bowling Green, Ohio to see me and we are going to go to Philly to night for NKOTB....yea baby....tomorrow....its

Needless to say, we are STOKED!

Joann Fabrics Coupon

2008-11-04T10:49:00.010-05:00

I added a coupon for 15% off the TOTAL purchase, not just one item, and not just an item not on sale...but an actual GREAT coupon. Also, you can use it as many times you want Friday thru Sunday. I know I will be using it. I need flanel for a rag quilt and a zipper for Scott's carhart coverall's. I don't remember the last time I saw one of these coupons for Joann's. I hope that you can use it too and enjoy it as well. Well I do not know how to add a copy of the coupon, so try clicking this link

http://www.joann-mail.com/J091103MOB/coupons_only.html?r=3176_186149&i=J091103MOB012&bc1=560831429373942900154

catch up

2008-10-31T08:39:00.003-04:00

Last weekend Scott and I took a trip up to New England. We started out in Maine, had some lobster on the wharf, then made our way to Vermont for some delicious maple syrup. I need to get the pics off the camera. It was a great trip. The leaves were beautiful and Vermont is just a gorgeous state, with big mountains all around.

So.....Stephanie, I promise to update. I just have a problem with my computer. When I want to attach a picture to something, it doesn't work. It needs to go to Geek Squad or something soon. But here's a pictures of what our little boy would look like, according to makemebabies.com

Looking Back

2008-10-08T15:36:00.006-04:00

I would have looked awesome in 1962 that's for sure

I have a picture of my mom that this looks a lot like

I always did wonder what I'd look like with a fro...now i know

This one I look like my cousin Tracy a LOT

The BIG Day

2008-10-08T14:57:00.002-04:00

For those who know me, I am just a touch weird to say the least. I have always had a dream of being married at the "Drive-Thru Chapel of Love" in Las Vegas, by who else, but an Elvis impersonator. Well as I have gotten older I found that I have no desire what so ever to go to Vegas. So I found the next best thing. When Scott and I were on vacation last year in Pigeon Forge, TN I saw the Wedding Bell Chapel......it had a drive-thru. So I mentioned to him that when/if we got married one day I wanted to come down to that drive-thru. So Feb. 23, 2008 we did it. We planned for oh, I don't know a whole week maybe, it was supposed to be Eloping, but me and my non-secret keeping self, had to tell my mom. So her and Dave drove down too, despite the snow storms we were having all over at that time. They had to drive down thru Ohio and were making very slow time due to the inclement weather. We drove down from Allentown, PA and got to my planned stopping point of Roanoke, VA without too bad of weather. Mom and Dave had booked a hotel, and we got a rustic, private cabin. Scott decided for them, that it was dumb to get a hotel when we had the cabin with an extra bedroom, so they stayed with us...it made it a lot more fun to have my mommy there helping get ready. She curled my hair and went with me on the hunt for my Daisy's. You know the hippy in me was coming out even on wedding day. I wore one of my favorite black base with purple and blue hues of tie dye dresses with a cute purple sweater to "jazz" it up a bit. and flowers in my hair. So here are the pics.

6 randome things you might not know about me

2008-10-01T14:50:00.000-04:00

1. I own a union suit (one piece long johns) It is Camo.
2. I would be happy living in the mountains, raising a garden, killing my meat and only going to town like once a month for other items.
3. I want to have food storage, but with moving all the time, I have been hesitant.
4. I am not a good speller.
5. I wish I had handwriting like Marsha Allen or Jenny Perry.

Oh, according to Kristen's you are supposed to do this too and tag me to tell me that you did it. I still don't know much about this thing yet.

Please Help

2008-09-08T12:58:00.000-04:00

How do I.......

Seach for people I know
Get different layouts other than what's on the list (I've seen cuter ones on others)
I'm sure I have other questions, but now I can't remember them.