Just a few more days...

Till I'm off to Texas! I'm working Mon-Thur, leaving at 1:00 Thurs for DFW to perform an audit on Friday in Haltom City. Can't wait! Justin is leaving a day ahead of me and Mac will spend Christmas eve with Scott and Megan and then fly out to DFW on Christmas day. Merry Christmas to meeeeeee

Today I'm down 119 pounds, and feeling great. It's gotten cold here over the weekend, and we didn't leave the house much. I finished up my 3 finals, we worked in the garage and watched football. We've already started receiving some cards...from Mac's mom, brother (Martin), my Uncle Jerry, Dad sent us a crate of Florida citrus and Martin sent some Bourbon Balls, so we've been racking it in!

Sadly, the Cowboys lost today...and the goodie for Mac it looks like the Deadskins might actually pull one out and win against the Giants.

Back to work tomorrow, Mac is off until January 7! Darn those government workers!!

Flat Brandon and I will be leaving Thursday, I'll add my next post that night. If you haven't seen his sight lately, check it out. There's a video clip of our "Christmas Vacation" neighbors down the street. http://www.flatbrandonsjourney.blogspot.com/

Christmas Party

My latest update on weight loss is 117 pounds lost, only 23 pounds away from my goal. =)


My division had a big Holiday Party last night (Saturday) at the Point Plaza Suites Hotel in Newport News. The room was great, large and in a half circle with tables spread out, then in the center of the room you stepped down onto a large dance floor area with tables around the edge. The band was just beyond the dance floor and they were rockin. The decorations were gorgeous, and shockingly Jeri, Ashley and I were very well behaved. (unlike someone else, which I won't name) Jeri and the committee members that helped did a great job on the whole event, it turned out beautiful! Justin worked the coat check area for us and he looked very nice in black slacks, red shirt and red and black striped tie. I was told he was very professional and courteous, so that was nice.



So here's a few pics from the party...some of them could be a little much, so if your faint of heart, turn back now. LOL


From left to right, Joey, Ashley, me, Rhonda, Arnold, and Debbie in her non-church dress




I was the only one modestly covered! HA




Front row: Arnold, Christian, Valerie (the person not named I mentioned before), Ashley, Rhonda, me, and Rhonda's boyfriend David. You can clean these folks up, but you really shouldn't take them out.


Santa just said something rather naughty...something about not needing Viagra tonight?


This is my favorite picture of Jeri! This girl only weighs 95 pounds, but she looks like she has a butt in this picture. (trust me, she doesn't)


Ok, the one picture I do something crazy, and Justin smiles?! Justin, me and Christian (my other son...or so it feels like)


Arnold and Dayna...I didn't see any mistletoe, but...


Unnecessary close up!


Arnold with his door prize, Jeri's front view...Ms. DreamGirl, me...what's up with that face?, Christian


Sorry, this is a little dark, but Joey, Santa and Mac


Mac and I dancing the night away...very Fred and Ginger


Joey kissing Ashley, how many of these do I have? (several)




Oh yes, the one that was not named for behavior reasons, Valerie and her third drink, and Christian.




If only I had a picture of her being forced into a car to keep her from driving home! It was like someone trying to pull a mule who has its feet dug into the ground and not budging. Just glad it wasn't me!!

At least she had fun and doesn't she look happy! I love a happy drunk =)

7 Months Post-Op

Here I am...7 months post-op, I've lost 112 pounds and over 51 inches overall. Depending on who makes it, my 12s are a bit baggy, most 10s fit, and I've managed to squeeze into some 8s!

It's freezing out here, 39 degrees! I have a ton of homework from my 3 online classes and I have a group study meeting tomorrow with my project management class...so it's crazy busy here for me.

Mac is chillin on the couch reading his paper and watching Borat. Life is good. =)

I want to welcome my new readers, June Wilson and her husband. (June works with me at Northrop Grumman) Hi yall! =)

Talk to ya later! And go Cowboys!!! Woohooooooooooo

Catching up

I took 3 mid terms yesterday, and I had my project management class tonight, so this will be short. Just wanted to give an update, I'm down 110 pounds and I bought some jeans that are a size 8...and they are tight, but they fit. =)

I wanted to add a couple of pics from this past week...


This tree is one of my favorites on our walk to CW. The yellow is brilliant...love it.


Here's another one, golden and orange.


And this is the chocolate cake I made for Justin's B-day.





Justin said it was good...too much sugar for me. =(



This is a pic I took of my friend Ashley, in class tonight...don't you love her 1980's side pony?

So that's about it tonight, tune in later!

xoxo =)

Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!



We went for our 4 mile walk today, it was gorgeous! It was in the upper 70's and so beautiful, the trees have turned all different colors, red, orange, yellow, and green. Mac made a fabulous spread today, turkey, dressing, green beans, yams, cranberry relish, rolls, and sweet potato/pecan pie. Yum yummmmmm!!



Scott and Justin ate with us, Megan and Aaron didn't make it in time because they had dinner at his parents...so they watched the end of the Cowboys super kick butt game with us. wooohooooooo go Cowboys!! Megan and Scott have to work tomorrow so they headed back tonight.



And of course Flat Brandon had to get in on the act!



I got Aaron and Megan to sit at their settings even though they didn't eat with us


Everyone is full and we're just relaxing.



Tomorrow we're going to a movie and I have mid terms this week to finish up. Oh, and I'm down 110 pounds! Just about 30 more to go. =)

I want to wish a big Happy Birthday to all my peeps...to Aunt Donna (Nov 7th), Jamie (11th), my mom (yesterday), Honkie (today), and Justin (tomorrow)!

xoxo

Wild week!

Last Saturday I left for Los Angeles to audit a couple of suppliers Mon-Fri...Mac was already in CA, he met me in LA and we drove over to Wayfarer's Chapel (where we're getting married) and then drove around the area. It was perfect weather and we had a great time.

This was inside the chapel...here's their site if you want to see more pics: http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/

This was just outside the main door...a little bright! But beautiful.

Here's a cute place we found while walking around. Curl up & dye...cute

Here's a famous landmark in Hollywood, Pink's Hot Dogs. They have a great website where you can see pics of famous people that have eaten there. Here's the website: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/index.htm

Mac had their original chili cheese dog and I had a turkey chili cheese dog...Yummy!

While driving through Hollywood, we saw the writers picketing and Mac honked in support and yelled "Power to the people" as we drove by! Dear lord...

This was in the lounge at the Portofino Hotel...check out the monkey on the menu.

We took a drive to San Diego and walked through the Del Coronado, then we had lunch at Old Town.

This was our dinner at a Mexican food place on Hermosa Beach...Ole!

Here we are just before sunset on Hermosa Beach

Another gorgeous sunset on the beach

We also went to the Rose Bowl Flea Market. It was great! Saw lots of cool things...

We have more pics that we took that include Flat Brandon...so if you want to check it out click on his link: http://www.flatbrandonsjourney.blogspot.com/

It's Tuesday

Time flies! I've been so busy, all day Sunday I did homework and finals. Last night I had a class at ODU and tonight I've been doing homework for school and work!

Mac left for California today, so he's having dinner tonight with his family. Hey everyone in CA!! =)

I'm down 108 as of today, and feeling great. I've got to get myself to bed now, I'm worn out!

Talk to you all soon.

6 Month Check Up

Today I drove up to Richmond for my 6 month ck up appointment with my surgeon, he was very happy with my progress. The nutritionist said I am the new superstar patient. =) Apparently a lot of people that have this surgery don't take it as seriously as I have. Mac is always saying he can't believe how much will power I have and how hard I've worked.

So I'm officially down 106 pounds, and since June 1st I've lost over 44 inches.

Mac took these for me, I can see some little orbs floating around...cool!

I'm off to finish up some spreadsheets for work. Lots to do this weekend, I've 2 finals to take. Took 1 last night. My final grade for that class is an A, so I'm happy.

I'll update again on Sunday. Have a great weekend!

Busy, Busy

Really not motivated to stay indoors and get my homework done. We had a beautiful day yesterday...73 degrees, sunshine, just perfect. We did our walk, plus a little extra, so that was nice.

The rain started last Thursday and finally ended late Friday, and we needed it terribly! My plants are all happy campers, and if it would dry out out there, we could sit on the deck and enjoy it.

This morning I'm at 105.5 lost. I can't wait to go to my check up with my surgeon. (which is Nov 1st)

We were supposed to take Megan her mattresses this weekend, but they wouldn't fit in my explorer. We're making arrangements to rent a cargo van to haul it up there next weekend.

I'm really excited that we get to go to Texas during the Christmas break! I talked to Brandon's teacher and told her that we will bring Flat B back with us during the break and she said that would be fine. We should have a great blog filled up for him by then!

Talk to you soon!

Is it Friday yet?

I'm so ready for the weekend. This week has been busy! Mac is out of town till tomorrow night, I've just been working and trying to do homework, but not feeling all that motivated this week for some reason.

It's been raining off and on today, which is great, we need the rain! I heard on the news that we're in as bad a shape as California with the drought conditions.

I'm down 104 pounds, and I actually bought some pants and a skirt tonight that are a size 10! Shocking! I bought a pair of jeans too, size 12...some things just run different. But I was thrilled. Mac asked me when was the last time I wore a size 10 and I said never. I don't think I was ever lower than a 12...not since before high school.

This weekend we're taking Flat Brandon up to Fredricksburg to drop off Megan's mattresses and have dinner with her. I'm sure she'll love meeting him! =)

Adventure with Flat Brandon

Several days ago we received a large envelope in the mail, with a life size drawing of my nephew Brandon. He lives in Euless, Texas and his class just read a book called Flat Stanley. Stanley woke up one morning and found himself to be flat, so he slid under doors and mailed himself to someone. Brandon's 2nd grade class made their own versions of Flat Stanley and mailed them to people they knew and asked them to take their Flat boy or girl around their town and take pictures with them and when we're done send them back with a few souviners.

So I decided to make him his own blog too! If you want to keep up with what Flat Brandon is up to, come visit at: http://www.flatbrandonsjourney.blogspot.com/

Between Flat Brandon, studying, mid-terms, walking, and of course squeezing in a couple of movies and 2 football games, it's been a busy weekend! Mac made one of my favorite things today, chicken and dumplings. Those dumplings are so big and fluffy...made from bisquick. The best! The soup itself has this flavor that is very comforting. Delicious.

Scott came down Saturday, he just got a job up in Richmond. He had some things to do around here, but had friends coming to visit, so he went back to school later Saturday night. We watched Day Night Day Night, which is about the last two nights of this woman's life because she is going to be a suidice bomber. That was a weird one. Very Kimball. Then we watched Don't Say A Word, good movie with Michael Douglas...suspense. We tried to watch the movie about Beatrix Potter, the lady who wrote Peter Rabbit stories, but Mac just couldn't take it. It was slow and a little hokie! We watched the Redskins win today...and of course the Cowboys won too! So life is good at our house.

I'm down 102 now, and you would not believe the pile of clothes I washed this weekend that don't fit. I'm taking them to a consignment shop to see if I can get anything for them. (so I can buy clothes that do fit!)

That's all for now, just busy, busy. Hoping to plan a trip to Texas during our Christmas break this year. I'll leave you with a couple of pics of us with Flat Brandon from today.

Mid Terms!

I'm up late about to start studying for my mid terms. (to be completed by Sunday at midnight) I have 3 tests this week, plus all of our regular assignments...so I have a lot to do! I'm on week 3 of these 5 week classes, so the good news is it's half way over, the bad news is, when those are done I have 3 more! Oh well, I gotta get this done!

This morning I had a cyst removed from my left elbow, nothing major, but my surgeon wanted to put a stitch in it so he had me go to the hospital and do it out-patient. I had this really funny nurse, loved her. (Lori) She was a riot. There was only one other guy in the room across from me, and Lori and I kept laughing really loud. She was funny. Everyone was so nice, and my surgeon is great. My other nurse didn't want me to leave because my blood pressure was too low. LOW? Not sure how that happens, I gotta do some internet research on what causes that. So after the waiting room lady informed me that she really enjoyed chatting with Mac, (we both had captive audiences today) he drove me home. He left for work and watched Montel and then went to bed for a while to rest, (Wed. he has Sylvia Brown, I love to watch her) then I got up and Mac was cooking dinner. It was really good, pork chops covered with a delicious thin layer of golden crust, broccoli, and mashed potatoes. Good stuff! =) I made a sugar free chocolate mousse that we had later and it was good. (for sugar free!) Hit the spot.

We watched a documentary tonight called Crazy Love about this couple who dated back in the 50's, then she found out he was married, he told her he would get a divorce but didn't. She dumped him, met someone else and got engaged. He couldn't stand it, he was obsessed so he had some big bruts throw acid in her eyes, blinding her in one eye and partially in the other. Engagement was broken off and the ex went to jail. Here's the good part. He gets out of prison and they get married! This was in the 70's. In the late 90's he got in trouble again, this time for threatening his new young mistress...said he would blind her like he did his wife! DEAR LORD. He go off and they lived happily ever after. Bizarre! I do remember when this was in people magazine years ago. But wow! It was really interesting.

So I just finished taking several personality/management style test online. Then I completed my weekly discussions for my Organizational Behavior class.

Still at 101.5, planning on walking tomorrow and then back to studying. I also have a little work to do for my boss. I picked up my fav sugar free ice cream (Eddy's, vanilla with choc and little peanut butter cups), a couple of frozen dinners and of course Mac's leftovers. So I'll be home the next two days resting and getting my work done.

Have a great week! Check back again Sunday for an update.

Sunday night update

Well here we are...the Redskins and the Cowboys both lost today. =( So we're not happy campers, although we're not as broken up as I thought we would be. Oh well, on to the next game.


We went to a local art show yesterday, had some wine and walked around this cute little area called Port Warwick. Then we walked around another small shopping area called City Center and had lunch at one of my favorite places the Red Star Tavern http://www.redstartavern.net/newportnews/homeNN.html


Mac had me pose like I was evaluating a piece of art...this is one I really liked.


And here's Mac pretending not to pose so I can get a pic of the giant roster painting in the background. (Mom check out that rooster! It's a big 'en!)



Posing in front of a sculpture on our way out of the art show...beautiful sunny day!



Here we are sitting in front of the Red Star Tavern deciding what to order. (me with one of Mac's samples of beer he tasted)


Today's weigh in is at 101.5 pounds lost. Still climbing. Today we just hung around and watched football. We did manage to work in our 4 mile walk between Mac's political shows, two football games and my homework! It was a beautiful weekend, the weather was perfect for being outdoors. We really enjoyed it.

So that was our weekend. Scott and Justin were here, Megan was working. Mac made several yummy dinners. Tonight blackened mahi and we made fish tacos. Back to work tomorrow. Now I'm off to sleep in my new cushy bed. =)