Time Management

So here are all the things I'm trying to fit into my schedule these days: Work (10-11 hours per day), 2nd job (1-2 hours per day), Logan's sports (avg. 2-3 nights per week), church, time with my husband (HA!), enjoying my pool and backyard, and scrapbooking. I'm eliminating the "extra items" from my schedule altogether, like exercise, watching TV, long bubble baths, and my favorite - naps. Anybody want to make me a calendar?

Weight Loss Surgery Debate

I was recently complaining about my weight again and that my diet pills have stopped working. (Adipex prescribed by my real doctor). My husband made the remark that he thinks surgery is about the only option that would work for me now. I've tried diets, pills, plans, exercise (fell off that wagon!), and I always end up back where I started or bigger. I'm not against surgery at all, but I know that our health insurance doesn't cover it so I was not seriously considering it because of the cost involved.
Well, I called last week and made an appointment to attend one of Dr. Steven Boyce's "pre-op seminars" and it's coming up next week. I'm kind of torn because I still don't know how I can afford the surgery. It's approximately $18,000 for lap band surgery (includes hospital fees, etc) and $24,000 for gastric bypass. I'm interested in the lap band surgery because the recovery time is much quicker and I won't have to miss much work. Plus it's easily undone if problems arise. I'm anxious to learn about the lifestyle changes involved after the surgery - I know there are food intake changes, etc. Are they changes I could make myself? I doubt it. I've already had 2 fun-size bags of Peanut M&M's this morning, a pop tart, and now am scarfing down lunch at my desk (chicken quesadilla and fries).
Should I just give up and accept being fat? (or thick, large, voluptuous, whatever term you prefer) I'll be 41 in a couple of months. Am I too old to undergo a procedure purely for "cosmetic reasons?" Actually it's not entirely cosmetic. I'm sure I could breathe better and function better at a lower weight.
Does the fact that surgery seems to be my final option mean I'm a failure at willpower? or motivation? or caring for myself? If I go to the seminar and it seems like a great choice for me, then how can I justify the cost? And more importantly, how can I afford it? Whew... I'm getting tired just thinking about it all.

Back to Blogging

I'm trying to start back to blogging again, so hopefully everyone can keep up with me and not think I'm ignoring them. Work has been busier than ever for the past 3 months because my dear friend (and boss) Sara had her baby, Jake, 2 months early and has been out on maternity leave. She has now returned to work (LUCKY FOR ME!) and maybe I can go back to working 9 hours a day instead of 10-12. We have also hired a new secretary, so that will help me out tremendously.
Brief Updates:
Dad is slowly progressing through his disease. He can no longer drive, which has both angered him and broken his heart, and also made it difficult on the rest of us. He was our errand-runner. He still stays by himself when Mom is at work, but I don't know how much longer that is going to last.
Logan has gotten super-involved in sports during the fall and winter. He played basketball for the first season and now is playing baseball. He loved basketball beyond belief and now is really enjoying baseball as well. He mentioned football this week and I don't know if I'm happy about that or not. He's signed up for 3-4 weeks of basketball camp this summer and may play fall baseball as well. It's fun seeing him try new things and I'm very proud of him - I never had the opportunity to play team sports and I'm making sure he has a chance to try whatever he wants to try.
Artie is fine - he had a brief hospital stay in February for a still-undiagnosed seizure-type passing out episode, but has had no further effects from that.
That's a brief status report. I'll blog more later. The pile of work on my desk is staring at me like an ignored puppy.
:)