Spring Update

Hello. I'm way behind on blogging, sorry. My weight loss now is 81 lbs. It has slowed down, but not stopped. We have also been going back to church - at Dante again - and trying to get Logan involved in the youth program there. So far that is going very well!
I recently had my first skin cancer removed, from my back, a basal cell carcinoma. Skin cancer has always been one of my worst fears because I have had such fair skin, so many sunburns, and such a long tanning bed history. Now I can't tan anymore, have to wear sunscreen, and follow up with the dermatologist every six months. It could have been much worse though - thank God it was not melanoma!
I've been thinking a lot lately about priorities and how out of sync they have been. I need to work on that very seriously!

Updates

Down 57 lbs now! Pretty excited about that. Mom came over Saturday and we removed 6 bins of clothes from my closet that are now too big! woo hoo!
Got the new hot tub up and running. It's AWESOME! We've been in it almost every night. It's super Cold getting TO and FROM the hot tub, but feels great once you're in.
We've met with the dog trainer once already and he is returning tomorrow night for Phase 2 - getting Princess on a leash and getting Lucy not to run away from us or run off outside. Good luck with THAT!
Kristi is back to work today after 4 weeks off from surgery. Hope she makes it this time - she returned last week only to be sent back home for another week.
Looking forward to Valentine's Day this weekend. Hope Artie has been creative. :)

Let it Snow??

Well, we're under a Winter Storm Watch for the next 24 hours, supposedly anticipating up to 9" of snow. I'll believe it when I see it. So far not a drop of rain, sleet, or snow has appeared. Schools were closed in anticipation, businesses have closed early today (but not ours, of course) ... and I'm sure all the stores are out of milk & bread. LOL

If it does come a big snow, I'm hoping to scrap a bunch and try out our new hot tub, if it gets filled in time for the weekend.

Monday again already?

Seems like I was just here - Monday morning, blogging ... how time flies, especially the weekends! Last week was such a busy week. The WWE event on Monday night was not over until after 11:00 p.m. and we didn't get in bed until after midnight - WAAAAYY past my bedtime! Somehow I survived work on Tuesday and then fell asleep in the recliner Tues night at 7:30! I'm getting so old, huh? Wednesday night Logan had a homework project and we had to videotape a commercial for a green jacket. Thursday night was therapy and then support group. Friday night the dog trainer was supposed to come at 6:00, but he called to see if he could come later. I was so tired by then, I asked him to reschedule for this week, so he's scheduled now to come Thursday night. I'll just miss therapy this week - I don't want another week of full nights. I know I'm lazy, but these cold, rainy days and nights do not motivate me to go, go, go!
I'm down 52 lbs now. I'm excited about that. The 50-lb. mark is a big deal to me. Only 80 lbs. left to goal. Whew, that seems like a long way right now. Maybe by my birthday ...? I have done a terrible job the last 2-3 weeks with taking my vitamins, so I am hoping to do MUCH better with that, and with getting in my 64 oz. of fluid per day.
Our new hot tub should be installed the end of this week. The electrician came Saturday and wired the new box in, and Artie reinforced the deck. It was so pretty and sunny on Saturday! But then yesterday was rain, rain, rain again. We went to the grocery store and picked up pizza for lunch, then had a lazy TV day the rest of the time.
That's it for now - not a very exciting update.

Monday, Monday

Back to work today after a very fun weekend at the Wilderness Lodge in Sevierville with Artie, Logan, Mom & Hannah. We went up on Friday night and came back yesterday. It's a great place, VERY VERY nice accommodations and a fun water park. The kids loved it, and even the adults (ME too) had fun. We tried out the surf rider, where you can body board or surf on a simulated wave. That was very cool! I even have pictures to prove it. :) Saturday night we met Deann & Brandon at Cracker Barrel and had a nice dinner. They were up from S.C. with Brandon's brother & sister-in-law. It was a very nice time. Between the arcade and the water park, and the cool bunk beds in the room, the kids did not want to leave. Hannah already wants to go back.
This week will be busy for me at work, since Steve & Sara are both gone and I'm "in charge." I take that very seriously and don't want anything to go wrong on my watch! I have to take Logan to the dentist today to get his cracked tooth filled in (again - 3rd time) and I'm so nervous about leaving early - but Jenna says she can handle it. And she's reliable, I'm sure she can.
We are going to our 3rd WWE event tonight with Logan and his friend, Coby. The WWE has been to Knoxville 2 other times within the last year and we've taken him both times. It's fun, but it will be a very late night - especially for a school and work night.

Our new hot tub is being delivered on Saturday. It is such a nice one! I can't believe we lucked up and found a trade-in. Now to just decide where to put it ... and to agree on what else we're doing in the back yard ... pool or no pool? fire pit or no? decisions, decisions

I'm still down 45 lbs., even after our weekend trip (which involved a lot of walking, swimming, and not much sitting!) Hopefully I'll see that amazing 50-lb. mark very soon!

Still Losing

Scales continue to move this week, thankfully. I was getting quite depressed about it. I am now down 46 lbs since November 30th! Woo Hoo!
Looking forward to the Wilderness Resort this weekend. Very tired the last couple of days, don't know what's going on. Very stressful work week, maybe that's it.

Scales Moving Again

Scales finally moved today! Now I'm down 44 lbs! I looked over my food/liquid log with Artie last night and I've been way short on liquids for weeks! And short on protein. We are working together - he is SUCH a huge help!

Bad Mood!

I am in a bad mood today. It's probably because I came in to work this morning and the boss was on the rampage first thing - nothing I did wrong, just general complaints I had to listen to for 1/2 hour. What a way to start the week, huh? Plus I'm mad at the scales. I haven't lost anything in over a week and feel very, VERY discouraged about that.
On a happier note, we did get to leave work early on Thursday and we worked from home on Friday! That was awesome, not having to worry about getting out on the slick roads! I did not leave the house for THREE DAYS! Incredible. So much family time and cuddle time with Artie. We played board games, watched Logan sled down the driveway, had a Nerf gun fight in the house, and watched a lot of TV! It was awesome!!
This coming weekend we are going to Wilderness Lodge in Sevierville. They have an indoor waterpark. We have a nice suite booked with a fireplace and full kitchen. Mom & Hannah are going with us, since Kristi is still recuperating from her knee surgery last week.
Well, maybe the day will get better. It's almost lunch-time, after all...

BRRRRRRR - Cold Weather

This week it has not been above 32 degrees in Knoxville. It has been bone-chilling cold. We are supposed to be getting snow today, but nothing so far. I would love to get to leave work early, or come in late tomorrow, or both! Schools are closing one hour early today - and we haven't even seen the first snowflake yet! lol
Still just at 42 lbs down since surgery. It's been about 5-1/2 weeks now. I'm adjusting well to Phase 3 diet, normal foods. We went to Outback on Tuesday night for Pig's birthday and I shared an order of Alice Springs Chicken with Artie. (well, and with Logan, too, b/c he ate 3 or 4 of my bites). It was soooo good. I seem to be stuck in a rut on the scales, though. It may be time for more Milk of Magnesia. :)
I'm definitely travel-minded lately. I've been planning weekend getaways and summer vacations since before Christmas. I think Mom, Kristi, Pig & Hannah are going to the beach with us this year, so I'm booking somewhere new - the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Resort & Spa. It's brand new and looks absolutely WONderful! Can't book our flights yet because Allegiant doesn't even have their fares up for June yet!
FInished the James Patterson book I Alex Cross in two days. It was awesome, of course. Ready for another one.
Praying for Kristi as she is in surgery right now. Waiting to hear from Pig when she gets into recovery....