Merry Christmas Eve ... Eve

Alati's stolen sign :)

Christmas Eve is our family's gathering tradition. That way hubby and I get to hang out all day in our p.j.'s  and do whatever we want to do or not do, and it frees up the girls to go spend Christmas Day with the husband's family with no guilt or juggling. 

We also sneak in a very early Christmas Breakfast with just our kids. Every year they come to the house before the sun is up, still in their p.j.'s for breakfast and Santa   It's the very best part of Christmas! My Son in Law does all the cooking while we play with the grandsons. Don't know what it will be like when my daughter decides she wants to start doing the early mornings at her house.  I'm sure that day is coming the boys are getting older.  I guess I will know how my mom felt.  

Since about thanksgiving I have been struggling with the holiday fears of binge eating. It and gift giving has consumed most of my time, energy and holiday spirit.  Last year, we agreed (after I badgered) that if you were gifting to an adult it had to be home-made.  Well, that would have have been awesome if I would have started at the beginning of the year ... instead of sometime in November.  

I have had quite a few emotional ups and downs worrying about what do I do if I eat... What if mom makes ... What if there's this or that ? What if I eat dessert, will I gain everything back? What do I do if they bring See's candy? Fudge?  Instead of enjoying the season, which is my absolute favorite time of year, I have been obsessing about my weight and food! Not normal planning ... but obsessing!  

I love my embroidery machine!!!

Well as of this moment I'm done ...DONE!  

For the last 11 months I have had plenty of chances to eat off plan, sometimes I even planned to "cheat" but when the time came, it was pretty easy to choose the REAL food ... instead of the garbage!  I LIKE the REAL food better than the processed garbage food ... So as of this moment ... I'm going to stop fretting and enjoy!  I'm going to trust that I can and will make the right choices and if I don't ... Oh well, I am not going to let 1 meal de-rail me ... besides I threw all my big clothes away!!! LMAO

I'm going to enjoy the next 48 hours of this wonderful season with out worries about food! As of this moment ... its about spending quality time with my family! 

Now that my food issues have been put to rest ... Can I get a volunteer to come iron & wrap all these napkins? ... I'm tired!

Merry Christmas !

I think I see toes

21 days until my one year mark.

January 10th ... you know I couldn't tell you what I was doing 2 weeks ago ... but I can tell you in detail about that day, January 10th, 2014 and the following 3 weeks.  It took me 3 weeks before I believed I would be able to actually live without eating bread, pasta or pizza! 

Every morning hubby and I would sit on the back porch with our morning coffee & smoke (yea yea I know.. anyway- stop judging ... one issue at a time lol) we had lots and lots of conversations about what we should do next ... expecting to fail ... like every other diet attempt.  But at about day 20 our conversations changed to what we were looking forward to the most.  How much we wanted to loose.  What did we think it would be like.  What would we do?

In the beginning we talked a lot about when we can eat such-n-such again ... and how we know we will have to be careful not to gain it all back.  Now our conversations are more like:

"Oh my god I didn't have to get a seat belt extender"

"Honey, have you noticed that the car feels bigger?"

"Go ahead and park there ... I don't mind walking"

"Ya want to go pick up the grandkids and go ... " 

"Damn it you bought another shirt?"  <-- me to hubby

"I need another bag for the donation clothes"

21 more days ...  I have a long way to go ... but who would have thought I would still be at it ... 21 more days!

Begin weight    278.8
Today's weight 214.4

I have a list

You would think I would know better! 

Friday night I skipped dinner ... completely lost track of time.  Hubby was enjoying a boys night out.  I got wrapped up with the embroidery machine ... BTW ... I love my machine!  Any way about 11:30  hubby got home ... with a couple of bags of Late July Corn Chips. 

I was just going upstairs to turn in when I spotted the chips ... With out thinking it through I opened the pretty blue bag and next thing you know I  did a nose dive ... seconds later ... seconds I tell you ... that bag was completely empty!   Not a crumb ... Nada!

Hubby walked back in the room ... did a double take ... and kinda smirked ... "I guess those go on the not allowed in the house list!" 

Now three days later ... I am unhappy to report I am still up 2.5 pounds.  I know better ... I know there are foods that I can not touch ... foods that I can not control... foods that control me.  There is no such thing as moderation... no such thing as just a bite. Someday maybe but I have not learned how to take a bite and be satisfied ... at this point I don't know if I ever will ... so Late July ... you are out of here! 

Survived the Storm

Well if you have had the TV on all all this week I'm sure that you heard that we were expecting the Storm of the Year ... I watched on the news were people in our area were actually boarding up windows, piling sandbags, cutting trees ... nerves have been on edge ...  Schools closed ... for us,we had jobs cancel ... But I'm happy to announce that we survived! 

Saw this and had to share!

While it is a cute picture, I don't want to minimize the extent of damage that some people are having to deal with ... However in my immediate area we did have a few trees re-decorate a few homes and lots of street flooding ... prayers and positive thoughts for those that are having to deal with the aftermath ...  For me ... nothing but a few leaks here and there (rentals)... and fortunately have the roofer on speed dial. 


On the plus side ... I weighed this morning for the Holiday Scale Accountability Club and I'm thrilled to announce that yesterday's handling of that box of See's Candy did not have a lasting effect... I kinda expected a slight to moderate gain from just handling the box... Figured if I had actually opened it ... I would have had a 20 pound gain!  So today's weight is exactly the same as last week ... 216.2.  I'm content with that.  I'm in this for the long haul.  This is for life ... so for now I'm happy!

Re-Gift that puppy

Okay so this morning I walk in to work  ... what do I find on my desk?  

Surprise

Christmas has Arrived!

No card ... No Note ... 

Thank you !!!  But um-mm no thank you???

 

Well everyone on the west coast pretty much knows what is in the box right?  

50 billion carbs! Oh ... did you know there is one piece in that box that is better than SEX?

 Yes I said that! Oh it is just so true! 

But... there is also a one way ticket to putting those 63 pounds back on!

 

Eleven Months!!!!  Yes, Eleven Months!!!  Nothing is going to make me open that box!  

NOPE ... NOT GONNA HAPPEN ... NO WAY ... NO HOW ... NOT TODAY

Time to learn & apply the act of Re-Gifting!  HA!  Re-Gifting with conditions! I will give you this box full of deliriously delicious box of Carbs... on the condition that it does not get opened within 50 yards of me or left where I can see it!

Accountable 2

On October 17, 2014 I said I would post my weight here in this blog every Friday ... I have posted my weight every week at The Sunny Coconut but I have not faithfully posted here.  I challenged myself to not only not gain any weight over the holiday season but a personal goal to loose 10 pounds ...

Beginning  challenge weight: 225.2 pounds

7th Week weigh in: 216.2 pounds

That's 9 pounds!

So today I'm ....

Now here's the confession ... I have not done any exercise ... no cardio ... no walking ... no weight resistance ... no squats, no pull ups, no planks and I haven't even rode the stationary bike ... nothing ... I have been a real couch potato for the last 3 weeks ... this is not acceptable ... I was so proud of myself for getting up and moving ... for the first time in my life I was excited to move but lately I have reverted back ... every excuse in the book has been used.

I know that exercise is just as important as the food I put in my body ... So ... additional goal

So here is my mileage today .... 

My goal is to post at least a 150 mile increase by January 2.  


(Do you know how many times in the last 10 minutes that number has changed?)  So I'm hitting publish before I can change it again!

9lbs.

9 pounds

NINE POUNDS

Dinner

Chopped up steak and leftover roasted vegetables from thanksgiving 

Cauliflower broccoli asparagus onions bell pepper carrots zucchini yellow squash and mushrooms... Did I leave anything out?

Dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow. 

Spaghetti Squash Boats

Okay decided I would share a recipe ... this is a recipe that I have had to give to every member of my family at least once.  It has always been a hit at family gatherings ... even with my Son-in-Law! 

 Baked Spaghetti Squash Boats

 Super Easy … Super Delish!

First … find someone that is really really strong, hand them a very sharp knife and then enjoy watching them struggle to cut that sucker in half… length wise. 

Scoop out the seeds and discard. 

lightly oil the squash… I use coconut spray … salt and pepper… then lay it face down on a cookie sheet and bake @ 350 degrees for about an hour …  until soft not squishy

In the meantime … prepare your very favorite spaghetti meat sauce.  

I use the homemade spaghetti sauce that I made with dad’s homegrown tomatoes.  It is a blend of zucchini, carrots, onions, peppers and mushrooms all blended so no one sees that it’s packed with veggies. So use any sauce that you personally like … preferably one that is low in added sugar - good luck finding one that doesn't have it.

Meat Sauce

In large skillet

½  pound of Italian breakfast sausage – jimmy deans crumbled & browned

½  pound of ground hamburger – crumbled & browned

1 lg. onion -diced

1 lg. bell peppers - diced

1qt  Spaghetti sauce

·         Simmer over low heat

 

When Spaghetti Squash is soft … remove from oven … flip over… Now the fun … take a fork and drag through the Squash to make the spaghetti … go all the way to the rind … without piercing.  Occasionally I remove some of the squash so I have a deep enough well to start the layering on of the good stuff

Simply smother with the meat sauce and top with shredded cheese!  Put back in oven and bake until cheese is all melted … and starting to brown. 

You can bake the squash the day before … however you will need to increase your cooking time once assembled.   These keep in the fridge for days and microwave wonderfully!  

The craft day that wasn't

So last Saturday was Kids Craft Day ...

80,000 Perler Beads

10 pounds Citric Acid, Baking Soda, Dead Sea Salt, Essential Oils, Food Coloring

Cherrios & Fruit Loops & Yarn

Felt Ginger Bread Men with lots of little teeny weeny bits and pieces

2 dozen pillow cases

2 NO-Shows ... 1 8year old with a bad case of the whines ... 18month old and a 3 year old ... What do you get?

The biggest mess possible ... and no crafts!  We did however get to pull a purple bead out of the 3 year old's nose! 

But hey they loved the Octopus Hot Dogs . And it only took 2 hours to vacuum all the cheerios up.

Projects completed:  -0-

On the brighter side I was right on target with my eating ... Breakfast was a green coffee smoothie, Lunch (for me) was 5 almonds and a string cheese (all I had time for) and dinner was a scoop of  roasted veggies and a slice of turkey breast ... just before falling into bed!

25 days Really?

The tree isn't unpacked ... The house isn't decorated ...  I have 0 gifts made.

Talk about Stress!        

Last year, once the gifts were distributed and the mess was cleaned up,  my daughters and I were talking and I came up with the brilliant idea that Christmas 2014 needed to be different.  So we agreed with the novel idea that all gifts to an adult must be hand-home made.  Hey we had 12 months! So I made the call to the family and convinced everyone that this would be fun and badgered until everyone agreed.

So last January I set the sewing machine and the embroidery machine out on the dining room table ...

And that is where they have sat ... and sat!

You know the first 10 months it was easy to ignore them ... but lately I have been avoiding that room which is pretty hard to do.

You know every single time I look at the dining table and see those 2 machines ...  I find myself in the pantry looking for something sweet ...  Luckily the only thing sweet in there is a very old jar of maraschino cherries that I just have not thrown away ... I hate maraschino cherries ... BUT I keep picking up that jar.  If I can just make it past the next 25 days with out opening that jar ... 

Note to me:   Keep your big mouth shut!

Tis the day before Thanksgiving and the kitchen is clean!

I'm sure that today is the last day I can say that until next year!

Tomorrow officially starts the chaos at our house ... when the Turkey is put away, the Christmas madness starts ... the Christmas boxes are already downstairs ready to be unpacked.  I absolutely LOVE Christmas decorations!  I love the all the little bits of glitter ... the tinsel ... bows ... bright colors ... we definitely go a bit over the top.  The lights are already up outside ... and we will finally plug them in tomorrow.  HOA be damned!

We are having Thanksgiving at my mom & dad's house just around the corner. We have tweaked the menu to make it plan friendlier ... We have added a few things and deleted a few ...

Its still going to be a lot of food, too much food actually but I am hoping that everyone enjoys the new additions and doesn't mind the missing favorites ... and maybe just maybe we can cut back on the "won't touches" next year. 

What I'm really excited about is ... This weekend... big plans ... We are having a Christmas Craft day!  We will have 5 little ones at the house making Christmas Presents, Place-mats, Baskets/Bowls, Bath-Bombs, and a bunch of other goodies.   Ages 18mo-7year.  Pray for us! We have 90,000 Perler beads ready!  See why I know my kitchen will not be clean again?

Last year I opened my mouth and said we really should have a home-made Christmas ... I begged and badgered everyone in to agreeing that "IF" you are going to exchange a gift with an adult it has to be hand/home-made.  Cool right?  12 months later?  Not so cool!  I have 1 gift made ... Almost. 

Hubby is making Checker Boards for the guys, I was making re-useable machine washable shopping bags ... but that bored me to tears... so I'm on the hunt for a new idea... 

REMIND SELF ... KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!!

Well I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving ... hug your family tight ... make lots of memories and remember that a moment on your lips and forever on your hips!!!! 

                                                                                                                                    

Why our Tradition needs to change

 For the last week I have been searching blogs and Pinterest to find alternatives to our normal Traditional menu ... My hubby and I are the only ones that are on a Low Carb -High Fat - no Sugar - No Grains -Real Food program ... however since hubby & I cook a good portion of the meal ... I would like to create a new traditional menu that we can feel good about sharing and one that will satisfy everyone's need to indulge or if I'm honest over-indulge. And I don't want anyone to leave feeling cheated of their holiday.
 
Our Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner

We usually have dinner at my mom's house, because mom doesn't decorate for Christmas much anymore ... so ... we have Thanksgiving at her house and Christmas at mine.... Mom & Dad actually live just around the corner (18 houses away) ... so my hubby and I do most of the cooking at home while he is watching the Lions loose ... Oh I mean play ... Dinner usually starts about 2 o/clock when hubby gets done crying about the Lions Game... (you know what the "L" really stands for right?)

So we cook:
Hubby's Beer Can Turkey ... 2 at least ... The  Best Bread Stuffing Ever ... Mashed Potatoes & scratch Gravy ... Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots ... Fresh baked bread
Cranberry sauce from scratch. Then my daughter brings the Green Bean Casserole and my SIL brings Candied Yams and then my mom makes  Granny's Cornbread Stuffing Pickled Sweet Carrots and provides olives, pickles, nuts, crackers etc. AND depending on who mom loves the most at that moment LOL we will either have my favorite Eggplant casserole or my brother's favorite Corn Chowder and if we have both been attentive and sweet ... both!

Then once you have had your fill ... and I mean your fill of this ... while my daughters and I are washing dishes, they break out the deserts if  they haven't already snitched a plate full ... Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pie, Humming Bird Cake, , Brownies, Buck-eyes, Banana Pudding, Apple Pie ... cookies ... fruit cake ... SEE's Candy (minus my favorite- it never makes it to the table)  then what ever my sister-in-law brings.  honestly this doesn't cover the list of sweets! 

Now I did mention that we start eating about 2 o/clock ... that's because we need time to be able to re-graze through everything one more time before we start dividing up the left-overs ... Now I haven't admitted to you that for every pecan pie that I take over to mom's I've made one for just hubby and I and left at home.  I don't have pictures to show you of the massive amounts of food that I take to mom's or the tons of food that I have stuffed in the back of the fridge just in-case I don't get enough left overs to bring home.

Is there any wonder why I weighed 278lbs last year?  Actually I think I gained a couple of pounds just writing about it!!!

I know I am not at a place in my eating that I can say its okay ... one day ... one meal ... it will be Okay!  Just last Sunday ... Hubby and I decided that we would buy some gluten free ... "healthy-fied" tortilla chips & salsa to eat while we watch the game ... the bag was 8 servings ... I ate the bag!  THE ENTIRE BAG!  And remember that I told you I have a talking scale?   Well that B#!@*$ called me out on it this morning ... 4 ... yes 4 pounds!!!!  222.2 lbs. 

Not really depressed-just really down... but working it out ... Have you read anything about Lipo-Light?  There is a Wellness Lounge here in town that are promoting it ... and I'm seriously thinking about it... what do you think?  I have an appointment to check it out.  

I gave up but didn't give in.

January 10, 2014 I gave up! 

I gave up all grains ... wheat ... rice ... and corn. 

I gave up added sugar ... soda's ... and grilled cheese.

I gave up mashed potatoes, french fries & pasta.

I gave up grilled cheese, macaroni & cheese.

I gave up chile beans, lasagna, & enchiladas.


I may have gave up ... but I will not give in!








 

Random thoughts of thanks

I am thankful that my brother shared a diet book with me.

Before

I am thankful that my husband loves me enough to let me turn our world upside down. I am thankful that my husband is willing to try anything once. 

I'm thankful for the bloggers that share their journeys so openly and honestly.  Reading about your struggles and triumphs remind me that I'm not alone in this. 

I am thankful that I have found a few really knowledgeable and inspirational bloggers that I can follow and learn from.

I am thankful that I no longer weigh 278lbs.


I am thankful that I have 2 awesome daughters that don't get tired of listening to the numbers I'm down or up and that they are supportive and eager to help me improve my health, body and wardrobe!

I am thankful that I can touch my toes! Yes I'm finding my feet again... boy do they need a pedicure!

I am thankful that my husband & I both have jobs so I can spend our money on frivolous items like his & her total gyms, stationary bikes, fitbits, new running shoes, fancy supportive socks, digital food scale, talking scales, Vita-mix blenders ... and clothes!!! And again I'm thankful that my husband loves me enough to try anything once!

Midway

I'm thankful every night that my husband helps chop all those veggies!  

I am thankful that I am getting stronger all the time.  My grandsons are getting bigger and bigger and when they reach up and say hugs Ganny ... I am thankful that I can swoop them up ... both of them at times ... and give them that hug!  (which usually means Ganny I'm tired ... carry me).

 I'm thankful that I could fit in a pair of size 16 jeans.  First time in 37 years!

I'm thankful! 

I'm thankful!

Life is getting better and better!

I did not eat the cake!

Sunday was my grandson's third birthday party.  My daughter threw a smashing party, complete with barbecue and all the works. 

I was very tempted by all the goodies but I stayed on program had a hamburger patty tomatoes and green salad.  After the cake was cut I stepped outside to get away from the temptation. 

I wonder if there's any calories in sweet kisses from your Grandsons? 

I've watched two of the recorded shows I was telling you I was saving to watch while riding the stationary bike

I've done my midweek weigh in and it's not promising but maybe by upping my exercise I will have something to crow about on Friday other than a sore bum

Dinner tonight will be steak asparagus and cottage cheese

End of Week 1

Well I weighed in this morning at 224.8 ... not the stunning number I saw earlier in the week ... but its down a tad.

Last week I promised myself I would get 3 good walks in ... that didn't exactly pan out.  I don't guess you need to hear all of my excuses.  Even to me they were pretty lame, and believe me I can get creative!  But I did get two good workouts done on the Total Gym.  I've modified my routine to accommodate my shoulder.  And that seems to be working. 


 I got the stationary bike all dusted off and finished up both of the workouts with 15 minutes on it. 



So this week ... I am going to increase my riding that bike ... I have 3-1 hour shows recorded and I'm going to save them to watch while on that bike that is so dusted,  clean and shinny.  You know I have had that bike since March, and it only has 102 miles logged on it.  Now that is a shame ... so my goal is to get those peddles moving and bring that number up to a respectful number before hubby sees that I haven't used it like I promised I would.  This is the third stationary bike that I have bought. At least this one folds up and can be moved out of the way.  Now I do have to say ... not once have I used it as a coat hanger!!! 
 
Also this week I am going to try to up my planks from 2 1-minute holds to 4 1-minute holds ... you know those damn things will kill a person ... but there is something so satisfying in actually doing it!
(sorry no picture of my plank)

My eating has been spot on ... no cravings ... no hunger ... no miss-steps.  Don't know why the scale wasn't cooperating with me today.  I would like to blame it on the cold meds but I know that's just wishful thinking. 

Until next time!!! 

Who am I to talk?

I'm at that point in my weight loss, that its noticeable.   I'm asked a lot ... "what are you doing?  What program are you using?"  I love the fact that the weight loss is noticeable.  I love the compliments, especially the sincere ones ... but I'm beginning to really dread the questions... I almost want to say ... "here read this and figure it out for yourself".

But then I open my mouth and  I tell them you know it took me 56 years to finally figure it out. The FDA and The Diet Food Industry have fed us with a bunch of lies, whether intentional or not they are lies!!!  Un-Truths!  Misguided?  Intentional?  Yes ... I climb my soap box ... then I share that I don't count calories, I don't count carbs, I don't measure my food, I still eat as much as I want, I do not use portion control, I'm still a volume eater...I am NEVER EVER hungry! I eat Lots of food, I can eat out ... even fast food!

You know you have them .. you can see the excitement ... but then when I tell them I don't eat anything made from or with WHEAT, CORN, RICE or SUGAR ... "Oh low carb... you know that light that was just in their eyes? its gone.  "oh I couldn't do that"

I get so frustrated ...as soon as those words are out of my mouth ... they stop listening.  I guess they were hoping for a magic pill or something.

I get a lot of "What's left?  Lettuce and bacon?" and my favorite "oh it's expensive to eat that way".  Then the snide remarks ... "Oh, you know Dr. Atkins died"  I have to tell myself to not take it personally ... they just don't get it ... and they won't until they do.  I didn't. 

I have to remind myself ... who do I think I am???  Just because this is working for me doesn't mean it will work for everyone ... does it?  That's right I'm special!   I am special because I get it!

Okay ... Rant over ... I feel better ... well until next time!  

 

 

 

 

Accountability

I've joined my first blog challenge with Gwen from The Sunny Coconut's

 2014 Holiday Scale Accountability Club

 

So what does this mean? That I'm going to hold my self accountable and not gain any weight during the holiday season, that's from now until Jan 2, 2015! The actual plan is to loose at least 10 pounds before January 1st.

Every Friday, I will post my weight ... up or down here ... for the world to see. (this includes my family ... so girls,  if you catch me forgetting or intentionally ignoring it ... call me on it!)

Today's weight: 225.2lbs. 

 

 

On Track

Friday ... and its been a good week.

Food has been right on track... no slips ... nothing to regret ... scale didn't growl at me this morning like it was last week ... I'm feeling good.  Surprisingly I upped the fat in my meals and I have noticed that I'm satisfied sooner and eating less. Weird but hey I will continue doing it as long as it works.

Got my flu shot Wednesday and now my arm is stiff and swollen, it was my excuse to skip the workout last night ... hubby decided to use my arm as his excuse too ... which just means he will work us twice as hard tonight.

I have a few challenges coming up ... Tomorrow I'm have lunch with my childhood friend... typically that would mean sitting for a couple of hours enjoying a leisure lunch and dessert. 

I have an over abundance of clothes that I need to donate ... piles all over the house ... 20 years worth.  Its not like I'm attached to any of it, I just have a fear that what if?  What if I don't keep it off?  What if I yo-yo back up to my starting weight or heaven forbid higher?

One part of me says that if I keep the "fat pants" I would not have to acknowledge the weight gain that I could just comfortably slip right back in ... and another part says that if I do start gaining that I will have to spend all that money all over again.  So do I donate?  Do I store them?

Either way I have to take my house back this week! 

I'm going to beat this!

It's noon and I'm determined I'm going to kick butt and get out of this funk!

My groceries were delivered yesterday ... yes I know I would burn more calories if I shopped in person but I love Safeway.com.  

I have all the veggies washed, chopped and prepped for the week ... I have the meat chopped seasoned and divided ready to go.

Everything is ready for the smoothies!

This morning I have already been for a 2 mile walk with the grand-kids and #2 daughter (that is by birth not preference)  I actually ran - jogged about 1/2 mile today ... Me who would not participate in any sport or P.E. class ... ran ... and the only one chasing me was a 3 year old! 

Our route takes us through a park ... that we always stop and let the boys play ... well this granny discovered something really cool today ... I fit in the slide!   Yep ... wish I had a picture of that to post for you ... now that is an accomplishment!

So I'm shaking off the blues and I'm going to make this week count! 

I'm going to be 100% on plan eating ... 

I'm going to work out on the total gym 3 times ...

I'm going to take 2 more walks maybe a little jogging ... 

I am not going to let myself get dragged down by the numbers on the scale!

I'm going to have a good week!  

I'm going to be positive!

You watch me!

And it's only noon!!!

not a good day

Today is a struggle ... I'm hot ... cranky ... bloated ... and tired!  Left work at noon before I said or did something that I would regret next week.  Can't shake this pissy mean mood.

I'm still eating clean ... but something is different ... My scale says I'm up ... and I can feel every pound... had to dig around in my give away pile to find something that fits ... 

I'm not a nap person by nature ... but damn I could sleep a week .

need a pepper upper!!!!

So Many Blogging Moments

September was an awesome month ... lots of  ups and downs and ups again!

You know it was hubby's birthday on the 2nd.

Then my mom's birthday ... her 81st! on the 13th.             

We celebrated the day with a NOT SO Surprise Tea Party.  We played dress up . Wore really fancy  hats,  lots of jewelry, scarves and even feathers!  We had Lots and Lots of food ... temptations everywhere ... Scones ... 4 different Tea Sandwiches, cake, cupcakes, cookies, candies ... sweets sweets and more sweets... sugar & wheat everywhere ... SURPRISE I did not eat a bite!   Secret: I weighed when I got up and was down  227.2 ... oh my, so not a single bite of that food looked appealing... not a single bite! It was the best day ever! I know Mom figured something was up when I had her make her famous chicken salad a few days before, but when my dad found out that my "favorite" Cousin "GC" was here from Kentucky, he put his foot down and said I could not hog her for two whole days before the party, so we had to tell her about the party ... but we withheld the guest list... and wow was she thrilled as each person arrived!   Best day ever!!!!  Did I say that already? 

Look at my  grand sons!!!   My daughter set them up with their own tea service!!! They were so cute!  I wish there were pictures of the little one drinking from the tea pot while the water was coming out the spout down his back but we were laughing too hard to stop and take pictures.

   Best day EVER! 

 And to top it off 5 awesome days hanging with GC!!!  

 Now fast forward to the 23rd and its MY Birthday.                Weight: 225.2 (down)

Hubby and I decided that we were going to take the Grandson's out to dinner ... just the 4 of us!  Oh my ... that did not turn out to be the sweet memory we were hoping for!  Worse service ever!!! I mean BAD!  The idiotic server put a scalding hot platter down in front of the 16 month old and said don't touch its hot ... the jerk was using potholders and he assumed the baby would listen?  O.M.G.  I grabbed that plate in the nick of time and burnt myself!  WORSE SERVICE EVER! 

The next night my oldest daughter and her hubby took us out to dinner at a local steak house... and they surprised me with 2 bottles of my favorite wine they found while they were on vacation in Michigan.  Score!!!  Now if I can just convince my Sister in Law to fly out and share it with me!!!  Next morning weight:  224.6  (down)

Birthdays over ... house is back to normal ... I'm feeling good ... I'm loving the new number on the scale ...  But ...

Friday September  26th ... hubby goes out for poker night ... and I make myself a nice dinner, then sit down to watch the season premier of Grey's Anatomy since hubby isn't home.  Then it hits ... hunger!!  I'm Seriously hungry ...and the grazing begins ... a handful of almonds here ... a couple slices of turkey there... couple of pieces of cheese & lets throw in a pickle or two ... couple of olives ... Damn I'm hungry !!! 

FOUR DAYS AND I'M STILL HUNGRY .  I CAN'T SHAKE THIS ... DAMN IT ... SERIOUSLY I'M HUNGRY... I HAVEN'T STOPPED GRAZING...

I know ... I need RETAIL THERAPY!  So send out a S.O.S and my oldest daughter comes to the rescue ... when she asks where ... I say anywhere but Lane Bryant!   She took me to J.C. Penny's ... I have not shopped at Penny's since I was a girl!  I think the last time I fit something at Penny's I was a girl scout no I was  a brownie!

We shopped until even her feet hurt! I had so much fun trying on clothes  ... I mean a ton of clothes ...  I had a ball!

So now its the first ... and I'M STILL HUNGRY

Well shit  today's number is the one that gets logged ... Weight: 228.8 (up)   

 Well here's the stats:

1/10/14 - 278.8
2/1/14 - 268.4

3/1/14 - 265.6

4/1/14 - 261.4

5/1/14 - 251.2

6/1/14 - 247.0

7/1/14  -244.6

8/1/14 - 237.2

9/1/14 - 232.2
10/1/14 - 228.2 -50lbs