Tag - You're It

The rules:
1. Respond and re-work: Answer these questions on your blog. Replace one question you dislike with one of your own invention, and add another question of your own.
2. Tag some friends to play along!


1. What's your favorite article of clothing? I love a big heavy thick sweatshirt with a hood at a baseball game.
2. Who was the last person you hugged? My husband this morning before I went to work.
3. What's your favorite dinner? Steak and a sweet potato
4. What's the last thing you bought? A birthday card for Zachary
5. How's your head feeling right now? Surprisingly - pretty good!
6. What's your favorite weather? Calm and cold
7. What is your least favorite season? spring
8. What's in your purse? What's not in my purse. :) Credit cards, pens, lipstick, hand sanitizer
Not billfold, hairspray, towel
9. Say something to the person who tagged you.
10. What is your favorite dessert? ice cream with chocolate and peanuts
11. What did you want to become as a child? radio commentator
12. What do you want to be now? a change agent
13. What is your favorite song? What a Wonderful World
14. What is your favorite country/state? Michigan
15. If you could go anywhere in the world in the next hour, where would you go? Hawaii
16. What are my most challenging goals right now? Time for exercise
17. What is your five-year plan? retire and become more crafty
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? baseball
19. What show would you be a cast member of? Grey's Anatomy
20. What is your most prized possession? my family
21. Name a favorite childhood memory. summers on the farm
22. What is your favorite book of the Bible? Phillipians
23. What is your favorite quote? Be the change you want to see in the world.
24. What is your favorite book? Elm Creek series

I tag Nola, Caroline, and Helen.

Is This Me?

Vince has been listening to me fret and sputter about the amount of work I have and how hopeless I feel sometimes trying to be a "change agent". I had a nasty attitude and couldn't seem to chase away the anxiety I was feeling. This week seemed woefully tiring. Although I feel like I am chasing my tail, I think this picture portrays the sincere feeling I have. I am overwhelmed! I really believe if I could, I would climb a limb in a sunny spot and let the world spin by. I would not even watch. I would lazily daydream and let someone else get it ALL done. Meantime, there are less than 100 days until Christmas.

Hello again

Oh my, I just realized it has been over two weeks since I have written anything on my blog. I have been thinking about it and I have been reading my bloggin' buddies work but I have not taken the time to write for myself. I happen to be watching over the 3 D angels this evening and have a few minutes of quiet so that I can blog.
I had a wonderful time in Michigan with my friend, Marilyn. Cathy was a most gracious hostess and it was so nice to spend time on the Lake Michigan on Labor Day. The sun was warm and I don't think I have ever been on the big lake when it was more calm. Curt is a great captain and we had a most relaxing cruise out of Muskegon Harbor south to Grand Haven and finally to the river marina. Marilyn and I also took Brach (Cathy's chocolate lab) to the beach to exercise and that was fun as well.
My nephew's wedding was so beautiful and we had a great time dancing at the reception. I feel so much more able to participate now that I have dropped the pounds. I had a new dress and felt pretty "spiffy" in it.
On Tuesday, we took a day to travel to a winery near Saugatuck and then spent the afternoon strolling the streets of Douglas and Saugatuck. It has been years since I visited these places. So much art, color, texture, and visual beauty. I really miss the western shores of Lake Michigan.
Monday it was back to reality and this week the work has come tumbling down. Many miles on the road and loads of thinking on my feet.
Oldest D had his first "real" football game last night. I guess this is an indication that he is growing up. He plays tight end and guard. It will be fun to watch him scrimmage at the university half time on Saturday.
I have started my exercise routine again now that I am back from vacation and fall is upon us. I need to kick it in gear and start working on this body again. Life is good and I will add pictures to this when I get home later tonight.

Number One Son

This is a picture of my number one son, since he is my only son, and his youngest, D3. My son was born 37 years ago today. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. He was born in the early morning. By calculation, he was three weeks late but he only weighed a little over 7 pounds so he was probably right on time. I was teaching and the school year started two days later. I went back to teaching four days later as I had not applied for medical leave and mine was the only income as my husband had left the Air Force and returned to college. My little guy became my life as I would teach all day and usually spend the evenings alone with him until he went to bed. He was the first grandchild for both my parents and R's parents. He was the only grandson my parents had and he was very special to them. I do believe they were special to him also.
He has spent his 37 years living in Michigan, Texas, California, and South Dakota. He is usually a pretty serious guy but I do know he likes to have fun. He met his wonderful wife learning to dance in college. They can jitterbug with the best of them (he flipped her even in her wedding dress). He loves to hunt and golf. He built the home his family lives in and works hard. On his birthday, I pray he will always love his wife and children as much as I love him. I wish him many more years to watch his wonderful three sons grow and become the kind of men of whom he can be proud. I am proud of him. I also wish for him patience, health, and God's richest blessings. Happy Birthday son!

One Year Today

It is almost midnight and I must write a blog entry today. It was one year ago today that I was banded and yes, I do believe it was the first day of the rest of my life. I went to see Dr. Glatt yesterday and again he told me how proud he was of my success. I am half way there in my opinion but it does feel good to impress one's surgeon. He decided not to give me a fill because of my problem with some foods (chicken and bread) and the fact I have lost it more often than he would like. I have to trust his experience. He did say that because I am doing so well, I didn't need to see him again for six months unless I have a problem. I am stalled right now but the exercise routine has started again that I am fully recovered from surgery and interestingly, I have maintained and lost a little of the weight by eating right.
Guess what movie I just came home from seeing? Julia and Julia Coincidental I went to see a movie about the love of food and blogging. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend. Meryl Streep at her best, again. I do love Amy Adams also!
So as I start my second year after banding, I must set a goal or two. First, I want to continue to use exercise as a means for losing weight but also for relieving the stress of work. My goal is to exercise four or more times a week for the next six months. With fall and winter coming on that means I must see exercise as a priority and allow time for it! My second goal is to eat right, chew thoroughly, take the 30 minutes necessary to eat a meal, and lose 20 pounds by February 14th, 2010.
The clock just struck midnight and I must end this day and get some rest. Bon Appetite!

What a difference almost a year makes

The picture on the left was taken one year ago today (August 19) about a week before my lapband surgery. The picture on the right was taken a week ago. Words cannot express my emotion. I have a long way to go but I do have to celebrate the difference.

If it is possible . . .

I had my surgery four weeks ago yesterday and I went back to my doctor yesterday with what I thought was an infection in my right side incision. Felt hot, oozing, and just really sore! Sure enough, I am back on an antibiotic to get things under control. Ironic that the right side was not the side that had caused the problem but was, instead, the side I opted to do for cosmetic reasons. I wanted to match!
Diane did take my blood to check the white count. All levels were good which helps me know I am eating right. She did tell me I needed to get some rest. Now we all know that stress lowers ones ability to heal and I know how much stress I have going on. Exercise helps me release that but I am not feeling up to it right now. So, things aren't adding up to feeling very good.
The weather has finally warmed up to normal August temperatures and the humidity hit today. Eight of us traveled to the Strawbale Winery for the Third Annual Quilts and Vines. Doctor said I could go if I sat and relaxed more than walking around. I have to admit, I really didn't feel like doing a whole lot of walking around. There were over 400 quilts hanging on the grapevines and it is just a beautiful setting. We had a great time, but I am whipped tonight. Don't even have the energy to go upstairs and quilt.
Enough complaining for my part. Vince has been busy in his workshop. We had old cedar boards from a downed fence shoved under the deck. I showed him a picture of an Adirondack chair and he designed his own plan and has been building us some chairs. They are beautiful and are so comfortable. He is so talented and really is a craftsman. He will stain the chairs and I will take a picture to show. Now if we could just conquer the mosquitoes.