Puppy Pictures

This is sooooooooo  not related to weight loss but, I wanted to share the puppy pictures.  These are half pug half weenie dog!  They are so tiny they fit in the palm of my hand.  I wonder if they will still be cute when they get a bit older.  Such  a strange combo! 

Six little noisy rat looking puppies.  One did not make it.  But these six are LOUD.  How can something so small make so much noise?  It is one of lifes little mysteries.

How cute is that?  It is sound asleep with its tongue hanging out!

Isn't the momma gorgeous?  She is probably the prettiest pug I have ever seen.  And she is ROTTEN.







Ten Things Thursday

It is Thursday and that means.....................Ten Things Thursday, brought to you courtesy of the lovely, kind and always funny Laura at Beer, Dogs, and Getting Healthier.  I say this all the time but really, if you aren't a follower of Laura's.............well, go over there right now.  You won't be sorry!

1. This weekend is lovingly refereed to Hannahpalooza around my house.  With Halloween and my daughter's 11th birthday on Tuesday, we are having 4 days of partying and non stop fun!  I am a little worried about the candy.  I LOVE chocolate.  I pick through the kids candy every year. If they want to go Trick or Treating they have to pay up in Fun Size Snickers!  This year, as I am so close to Onederland, I don't want to indulge to much! Oh, the dilemma!
2. It is cold here.  Don't laugh.  It is 55 degrees.  In Texas, that is Arctic.  I had to wear a scarf to walk this morning.  The wind was whipping me around!
3. Yesterday, I reconnected with a friend that I have not talked to in about 8 yrs.  She saw my blog and said I look the same as I did before having my 3 kids.  THANK YOU LAP-BAND!!!!  It feels strange because I have kept people out of my life for so long due to the fact I was embarrassed about my weight.  Now, I can't wait to meet her for lunch one day!  What a great feeling.
4. I really want to get to Onederland.  Like, I can't stand it!  I don't have a lot of patience.  I know it will be very soon but, I am ready to be there.
5. Momma dog and all 7 babies are doing great!  Most will have the squashed up pug face.  Right now she is resting with at least 4 puppies attached to her.  My poor baby!  I can't imagine having 7 kids all sucking on you at once! 
6. We have added a new friend to our walks.  I love that she had gastric bypass about 3 years ago and can relate to the emotional part of the weight loss journey.  It helps to know I am not crazy and everything I am going through emotionally is normal.
7. I have to break it to my soon to be 11 year old that she will need booster shots.  Dear God in Heaven........she is all drama.  It should be a really fun talk!!
8. I have very little appetite.  I think it is due to my nervousness about getting to Onederland.  I guess whatever works to get me there!  I will take it!
9. I think since it is a breezy 55 degrees I will make a pot of chili for dinner.  Turkey chili. Ssssshhhhhh!  Don't tell the hubs as he swears he can tell ground turkey from ground beef (really he can't!).
10. If you get a chance, pop over to Laura's  blog and watch that video.  I am still giggling.  People are insane!

That is all...............Have a great Thursday!!!

Versatile Blogger Award

Versatile:  ver-sa-tile [vur-suh-tl] or, especially British, [vur-suh-tahyl]:  capable of, or adapted for, turning easily from one to another various tasks, fields of endeavor, etc.:  a versatile writer.

Word information source:  www.dictionary.com

Here is how the award works:

1.  You thank the person who presented you with the award.

2.  You tell 7 things about yourself.

3.  You award 15 other newly discovered bloggers.

Thank you so much Laura and Vicky for nominating me!!! If you are not already following these ladies on their blogs...........you are missing out! 

Ok. 7 things.

1. I'm the oldest of 4 children.  I guess being the oldest set me up for a lifetime of bossiness.  I have always needed to be in charge.

2.  I married my high school sweetheart.  How cliche right?  But it is true.  But we were on break in college.  Very Ross and Rachel, huh?

3. I used to be early to everything now I am always late.  I like to blame it on my 3 kids.

4. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest.  My junior year in high school I moved to Alabama.  Can you say culture shock?  The only good that came out of it was I met my husband. 

5.  I have 3 girls that were all born right here in Granbury, Texas.  They are true Texans with little twangy voices.

6.  I don't know if I want to admit this but.....................I was a cheerleader in high school.  I can really rock some spirit fingers.

7.  I am with Laura on this one...........I HATE to clean.  Seriously, like why didn't I marry into a rich family with servants.  Oh that is right, I married for love.  Dang!

OK. I'm only going to do 5 blogs because I've got to get working  Laura and Vicky did!  And I really have to go pick up the kids at school.  So here they are:

1. LaniBani

2. Amy

3. Ronnie

4. Elizabeth

5. Andrea

When Reactions Aren't What You'd Expected

Those of us that have lost or are in the process of losing a significant amount of weight have grown accustomed to the reactions we get.  The stares, the "OMG! You look so good!", the question, "What are you doing?"  These are reactions we have come to expect, so when we are faced with someone who shrugs off our success with little recognition.........well, it throws us for a loop.  What makes it worse is when it is someone we are very close to or love.  Sometimes, not saying much is saying a whole lot.  Silence is a word unto itself.

I have come across a lot of this lately.  I got HUGE kudos when I lost around 75 lbs., when I was losing but was still my fluffy self that people are accustomed to.  Now, I get a lot of silence.  I have even gotten ignored.  Ouch.

Why, when I am probably at the best place in my life, do you shun me?  Is it that I have a new found confidence?  That you can no longer push around the fat girl?

Is it because you really want to be successful at a diet?  You want to change your lifestyle?   Because if that is it, I am a great person to walk with, talk with, discuss your goals with, cry with and share your successes with. 

My personality has not changed.  Well, I have gained more confidence.  I think I am stronger now.  But, I am still funny.  I am still nice.  I am the same inside.

So, why does my outside appearance now change our relationship?

Do you feel I don't need you?  Because really, now is when I need you most.  This last part of my journey is going to be hard.  And the maintenance..........well, that is going to be a bitch. 

I need you now more than ever. 

I don't expect gushing congratulations.  I just expect support.  Acknowledgement that I am on the right track.  That you are proud to be my friend, my family, someone worth knowing.  Someone who matters in your life.  Is that too much to ask for?

**By the way, I am losing weight for ME, for my health.  So I can be around for my kids, grand kids and hopefully great grand kids.  I honestly don't need approval from anyone...........but it is nice.  It is nice to know you have people on your side.**

Horned Frogs, Carving Pumpkins and Puppies

This weekend was eventful to say the least.  I am going to do a recap by bullets, as I think that might be quicker.  

• Saturday, the girls and I joined my family for a TCU game.  We stayed until half time because they pretty much stomped the opponent (score was 69 to 0).
• I noticed walking steps is nothing now.  I used to be leery of stadium seating.  I guess when you are built like Humpty Dumpty you are afraid you might fall.  Stairs are no longer an issue.  Huge NSV.
• I saw my sister and her husband for the first time since having the surgery and losing 112 pounds.
• My crazy family decided to carve pumpkins.  My dad, who had watched some DIY special, decided to use a power drill to create polka dots in his pumpkin.  I think it was just an excuse to use the drill.
• My dog gave birth last night to 7 little rat looking puppies.  I will post pictures later.  Right now, momma dog is sound asleep with her squealing brood.
• We went to a hospital employee function last night.  Some people didn't even recognize me.  I love it when people look at me all confused and try to place me but just can't!  I guess I am becoming an attention whore.

I will leave you with tons of pictures from this weekend.  It never ceases to amaze me how I am a camera hog now.

My sister, the girls and me at the TCU game.

Me and my sister.

Me and my oldest daughter.

Go horned frogs!

My crazy dad and his power drill pumpkin.

Polka dot pumpkin.  I don't know why he thinks it is so funny.  My family is CrAzY!

The girls carving pumpkins.

The girls pumpkins.

Georgia's science experiment to see if pumpkin/toothpick boats will float.

My sister, Beth, giving me the judgey face.

Ten Things Thursday

Today is Thursday, which means Ten Things Thursday, the great tradition started by Laura at Beer, Dogs and Getting Healthier.  By the way, if you have not already become a follower of Laura's blog then you really should!  She is hilarious with a capital H.

1.  I have PMS or MS minus the P.  I had a really hard time motivating myself to get moving and walk this morning.  But I did.  I feel much better now!

2.  Vicky and Laura get to meet tonight for dinner.  I am so excited for them.  They are two of my favorite bloggers.  Have fun ladies!

3.  I have an appointment with my surgeon today at 1:00.  Just a check-in.  He actually told me during my last appointment that I could come every 3 months now.  But, that kind of freaks me out.  I like the one month accountability right now. It keeps me on track. 

4.  My oldest daughter has her 5th grade music program tonight.  And let me tell you, she is thrilled (not really!).  5th grade girls sure are moody little things.  I guess it is "dumb" to enjoy music class when you are 10.

5.  As the PTO President of the school, I had to go purchase the juice and cookies for the program.  My mouth was watering over the cookie selection at the store.  Never send a woman with TOM to the cookie section.  But, happily I resisted the urge to eat them, lick them or inhale them.

6.  I think my dog is about to give birth.  She has been following me around everywhere for the last 24 hrs.  The poor thing is huge.  I will post puppy pictures when they are born.  Weenie/Pug mix puppies will be a very interesting combo.

7.  I am tired.  Like really, really tired.  I am fighting the urge to crawl back in bed and take a nap.

8.  A special thanks to Lap Band Gal!, for the shout out yesterday.  She is a huge inspiration to those of us at the beginning of our journeys.

9.  My sister is coming to town this weekend.  It should be fun.  We are going to a TCU football game Saturday even though not a one of us went to TCU.  We are all die hard Auburn fans.  War Eagle, baby!

10.  My size 16's are fitting me very nicely.  Not too big and definitely not too small.  I just can't wait to get down to a size 14.  I have a huge arsenal of 14 jeans taunting me in my closet.  I have been throwing in extra workouts to help the process along.

Well, that is it for today.  Have a great day!

Sometimes, The Truth Stinks

I am not gonna sugar coat this.  Some people may not like what I am about to say.  But, it is the truth.  And as we all know, sometimes, the truth stinks.

In order to be successful with this tool we call a band you have to put in the work.  Really!  You have to eat right and *gasp* exercise.  That's right, you have to use self control.

I have seen a lot of belly aching on forums about how the band is not controlling peoples food intake.  How they aren't losing any weight.  That is should be easier.  If you signed up for easy then you had the wrong surgery.

My surgeon point blank said, "This is JUST a tool.  You will have to do the work.  It does not do the work for you."  Did I really believe him in the beginning?  No!  But, after the initial weight loss and a plateau I quickly realized that I would have to do some major work if I wanted the plateaus to stop.  Therefore, when a plateau happens (and they always do) I have to change things up.  Increase protein, decrease sugar and carbs, exercise a bit more, etc.

People, you have to work with this band!  Why is that so hard?  We did not get fat overnight and we are not going to get skinny overnight either.  It is going to take years of dedication on our part.

Sure, we all slip but you have to do the work 80% of the time (if not more).  No one promised us lollipops, gumdrops and rainbows.  No one told you this would be easy breezy.  So what made you think it would?

Is it hard work?  Hell yes!  Do you have to be dedicated?  Hell yes!  But, will you be able to say YOU did the work?  Yes!  That you are the one that worked the band? Yes. 

You do not have the right to complain about something you are not actively participating in. 

Nuff said.