That Never Gets Old

I love WOW moments since surgery.  But I've been pretty steady with my weight for a while now, so they don't come as often as they used to.  I used to have them several times a week when the weight was just melting away.  And I'm OK with not having as many of them - this is the new life I am settling into.  And to be honest - many times I didn't know how to handle them and they made me uncomfortable. 

But today I had a WOW moment in a very unexpected place and I have to tell you - that never gets old.  :)  I went to a dear friends house for her sons birthday party.  I knew everyone there, but one lady I hadn't seen in a while.  Apparently, when I walked in - she didn't recognize me.  When my friend told her who I was she exclaimed "NO WAY!"  She didn't recognize me at all.  And a little while later she came over to me and was like "I don't know what it is - whether it's the blonde hair or what - but you just look fantastic!"  HEHEHEHEHE.  THANKS!  I kinda needed that shot in the arm.  Later she was asking me when I went blonde and she said "I bet your husband loves that!  It must be like being with a different woman!"  My husband's reaction ...  Yeah ... it kinda is!  Truly - that never gets old.  :)

Friendship

This was too funny not to post.  I have stopped forwarding email - instead I post the really good stuff here on my blog.  Because as the title says - It's all about me!  :)

Friendship ~ None of that Sissy Stuff



Are you tired of those sissy friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality?

Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship

You will see no cute little smiley faces on this ~ Just the stone cold truth of our great friendship.

1. When you are sad ~ I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

2. When you are blue ~ I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile ~ I will know you are thinking of something that I would probably want to be involved in.

4. When you are scared ~ I will rag on you about it every chance I get until you're NOT.

5. When you are worried ~ I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

6. When you are confused ~ I will try to use only little words.

7. When you are sick ~ Stay away from me until you are well again.. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall ~ I will laugh at you, but I'll help you up.

9. This is my oath .... I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask ~ because you are my friend.

Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

Thanks, Cindy!  :)

More Blessings

So, my co-worker, Cindy, just came over to my desk to give me grief over not keeping up with my "blessings" posts.  Thank you, Cindy!  Here's today's blessings ...

1. I started running again - got 5 miles in on Saturday.  It was hot and I was slow, but it feels good to get back to my running.
2. I have one fantastic mother.  I am fortunate to have her living in my yard.  :)
3. I got to see Wicked this past weekend.  PHENOMENAL.  And that feeds my next blessing ...
4. My friends.  There are many fantastic songs in Wicked - but one in particular moved me to tears.  It's called "For Good".  Here are some of the lyrics ...

(Glinda) I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

(Glinda) Because I knew you

(Both) I have been changed for good

I have so many friends that I could point to in this moment.  Friends that encouraged me - friends who are there to listen to me - friends who have challenged me to do and be better.  Because I knew you I have been changed for good.

Inspire!

Another thing that I have heard a bit of lately is "You are such an inspiration!" Again - the compliments sometimes make me uncomfortable and I am working at taking them more graciously and in stride. So I got to thinking about that word - INSPIRE. This is what the dictionary says it means?

1. to affect, guide, or arounse by divine influence
2. to fill with enlivening or exalting emotion
3. to stimulate to action; motivate
4. to draw forth; elicit or arouse
5. To be the cause or source of; bring about
6. To breathe life into
7. to stimulate energies, ideals, or reverence

And so in thinking about this word and about all that has happened in my life this past year - I started thinking about those who inspire me. I found this quote below and it summed up a lot of my thoughts perfectly:

There are so many people in my life who inspire me. It feels great to be told that you are an inspiration - so I wanted to spread the love. Here is a list of people who inspire me!

• Daren - you have had an exceptionally rough year and you continually show me your committment to me and to your family by doing whatever needs to be done - even if it is hard or painful. You have gone above and beyond.
• My parents - collectively and individually. They have truly taught me by example that I can do hard things.
• My kids - their amazement and wonder at the world around them allows me to see things through the eyes of a child - all new and sparkly. :)
• My sister - again with I can do hard things - seems to be a theme in our family. :)
• Shari - you have been through a lot on this WLS journey - you are a wealth of wisdom and information. You pass it on like no one else can.
• Nikki M. - for teaching me to rock what I got and love my body - extra skin and all - after all - it's the only one I got!
• Pam T. - working your way up to a 10 mile race! Your blog and seasoned advice are always timely and accurate.
• Krystal - yes, you are a GREAT mom!
• April - you can make anything fun!
• Rachel - for doin' it "the hard way" - pushing through and keeping the end in sight.
• Jen M. - for cheering me on in my running - pushing me to further distances - encouraging me up those hills!
• Rebecca - following your dream and going back to school - and for being my "walk the walk" friend.
• Amy S. - your thoughtfulness and insightfulness are great!
• Marsha - what would I do if I didn't have you for a neighbor?
• Dani - your first race! Don't worry - those haters don't read my blog. :)
• Becky - you are a good friend who sticks closer than a "sister" - even during the hard times.
• Liz - I love your "homesteading"
• Linda H. - you are so good at what you do
• Aunt Maggie and Audrey - taking the road less traveled - but if you can do it - I can do it!

• Tonya N. - your passion for a cause that is not only so important but near and dear to your heart is totally inspiring.
• Amy J. - you just totally make me laugh with your stories about your dog!
• Dana S. - going back to school and becoming a lawyer - you rock!
• Tracy E. - IRON GIRL!
• Kelsey - leaving yourself open to God's plan for your life.
• Aunt Stacy - showing me that living with a difficult man can be done. :)
• Debbie H. - going back to school while working full time.
• Marcy - living a life of service in a foreign country.
• Kellie F. - being so great at what you do and your love for the kids in your class.
• Terry and Gynell - being right where God has called you.
• Laura E. - pursuing your dream and going back to school.
• Leah G. - you inspire me with your blog - not to mention your friendship. :)
• RickPete - your introspection into the changes happening in your life are thoughtful and provoking.
  
  
  

So thank you to all who inspire me in so many different ways. You have all stimulated me to action in ways I couldn't even imagine. Thank you for allowing me to bask in the glow of your inspiration. :)

Percentages

So as I posted a couple of days ago - I am at a stall. It's very frustrating and messes with my mind in new and irritating ways. Right now no matter what I do I just play with the same 2 pounds. I run, I drink, I count, I eat less, I eat more, you get the picture.

But today on one of the support boards that I live on these days (shout out to all my OH Peeps! Holla!) someone asked a question that intrigued me. She asked us what percentage of your excess body weight have you lost? Well, at first I started having flashbacks to Jr. High Math class with Mr. Verkaik and my head started to pound. But once I took a deep breath and though through exactly what I was trying to calculate I decided to go ahead and figure it out.

So I want to loose about 130 pounds total. Of that 130 pounds I have lost 75 pounds so far. That means have lost 58% of my excess body weight! In just over 4 months! That's craziness!

Looking at the numbers that way gives me a whole new outlook on the situation that I'm in at the moment.

Another friend gave me encouragement this week on focusing on the long term changes that I am making for myself and that those are the most important things I can do for myself. Changing my eating habits, my exercise habits, my relationship with food in general. Those things aren't easy and I knew in my head they wouldn't be easy. But now as the rubber meets the road and I actually have to do it - it's just not always fun. But it is always good.

So here's a picture of me today in some of my new clothes that are regular sized. Yeah me!

SNOW DAY!

We got snow today in North Carolina! This is a very big deal in North Carolina because the slightest bit of snow brings the whole world to a screaching halt. They don't have enough plows and snow trucks to keep up with the roads. They basically only do the highways and a few major roads. Having lived a majority of my life in either Massachusetts or Michigan - it's such a welcome reprieve to have snow be such a special occassion. I have always liked snow, but when it's not special and you have to be out in it no matter what - that's not fun. Down here in the south - snow is a special occassion - everyone is home bound and it's fun to be home bound when everyone else has to be home bound, too. It's a rare day to have an excuse to just stay home and enjoy being lazy.

Here are some pics of us enjoying the snow.

Can I taste the snow mom?

I love to sled!

This is known as a red-neck sled - neighbor used linoleum he just pulled up from his kitchen for a make-shift sled.

And the red-neck sled came from this red-neck neighbor. HEHEHEHEHE! Luvya Gary!

Sledding in the hood!

I think it looks so pretty! This is the view out my front door.

Out the back door - looking at the trampoline.

This is the dog's first exposure to snow. They weren't so sure at first, but quickly became enthralled with playing in the white fluffy stuff.

This was at 9:00am. It's still snowing at almost 2:00.

The latest bet in the hood is that there will be no school tomorrow either because we still won't be able to get anywhere. Yeah! So exciting!