a Day in the Life of a Rental Store owner.

Morning all my lovely ladies. Insanity continues in my world. But I am happy...well happy enough!

I have worked out every morning since Monday. That means 3 days now. Have I lost a lb? Nope. I even was up this morning. I am guessing the fried pickles I ate for dinner probably increased my sodium by triple for the day. So maybe tomorrow!

I, in real life, say a nasty word when I get on the scale. I just want to be below 200. Not 200.5 not 200.9 not 201.2.  199. Please and thank you in advance. I am eating under 1200 calories a day except on random days but never above 1500 and sometimes much less the 1200.

I will call for a fill if the scale doesn't move soon.

Battle of the Bands

Heck. Watching my husband play drums live is freaking amazing. It is a turn on and I love it. No matter what kind of music he plays he is amazing. I am also not the biased wife. It is true and now a big group of people believe me!

The bar. Well let me just tell you that North Georgia has a reputation of being a little rough depending on where you are. This bar, where we have never been before, was just that. A little rough. We walked in and saw a toothless girl wearing a white mini skirt and red panties. Our pose consisted of about 12 people plus my mom and dad. Yep. I took my mom and dad to a very rough place. It was entertaining. My mom says it was a lesson in sociology and although she had a lot of fun she will never  go back to that bar! Ha.

By the end of the night we saw 4 fights, one direct head butt from a 400lb man, 3 pole dancers, and some strange man in a clean seersucker suit that looked like he was hopped up on coke.

Oh the things I do for my husband. I will go to lots of places..I am not scared. But this place took the cake.

 These guys literally played together on Wednesday and Friday night then performed on Saturday together for the first time and they were bloody brilliant. You would have never guessed they were new to each other.  They were by far...millions of miles far, the most talented band there. They did not win. The band that won were out of key, could not sing, and were also very drunk. They just happened to play last and apparently had a following at that bar. But because Chris' band was roped into playing (the owner begged because they didn't have enough bands) they payed nothing to enter. So it was a win win for all.

I have pictures. But to protect the innocents I won't show any of the very interesting people we saw.

Chris was watching a fight taking place over one of the pole dancers. It was not a strip joint.

this was a lie.

The only kit allowed to be taken from the studio.

My girlfriends. We were by far the classiest girls there!

What a night.

Draz's BYOC ~ Fridays. It is friday right?

It's FRIDAY so that means it's BYOC - Bring Your Own Crazy!  We answer a couple of questions in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break!  Copy and paste and answer in your own blogs if you'd like!!  ENJOY!!

1.  What’s your favorite room in your house?



I really like my porch. It is decorated very well in my opinion and has the worlds best view of the mountains.

2.  Picture question (or describe if you don't have a camera).  Show us a pic of your current favorite earrings!

I am loving these Stella & Dot earrings right now! Not just because I sell the line either! They are cute and light and perfect for summer outfits!

3.  What’s your dress code at work? If you stay at home and went back to work outside the home, what dress code would you prefer?

I work for myself so I can wear anything I want! Shorts, Tees, what ever I want. Honestly since I have been losing weight I have been dressing up more. Still shorts and skirts..occasionally a dress! But I also load equipment so it isn't always doable to dress up!

4.  Summarize your week in real life and in blog land.

Life is good and busy! I am having a bit of a time out on motivation but I am not so unhappy!

Blog world I feel a little behind in. I seem to be so busy at work that I read blogs and don't get a chance to reply!
Still excited about Chicago!

Something, something, something!

Welp. I've not got much to talk about. Here goes.

Yesterday was my anniversary. Pretty uneventful. I made crab legs, a salad, and we split a NY Strip. I ate about 2 oz of steak, maybe 2 ozs of crab but I doubt it, and the carrots, almonds and feta out of my salad. I gave my Fish the rest of my steak. My dog seems to be eating very well since I've been banded.

I bought myself an present for my anniversary. I've been lusting over this damn thing since last year. Wait...you won't be as excited as I am about it but here it is :

Yah yah. I know. It is a trash can. But an awesome one. See we have a tiny kitchen which I am growing to like. Anyway, our trash can will not fit inside a cabinet nor do i want to give up the space. We are big time recyclers in my house hold. This should read my husband is a big time recyclers and I follow suit. BUT this means there are always cans, plastic fruit containers, etc piled up on my counters. It drives me absolutely batty. I have nearly no room and we choose to line it with trash!??

So as you can see it has a separate bin for recycling. It really is a lot bigger then it looks in the picture and I am really happy with the quality. It has a 10 year warranty, finger print proof, and 500 5 star reviews. Yes I am the only freak excited about a trash can!

Chris' dad (who you might have gathered from previous posts lives in England) had a bit of a medical scare this week. It makes us and especially Chris feel very far away. He was rushed to the hospital with chest pains unable to speak. At the moment everything seems to be fine and it wasn't a heart attack. But he's got some more testing to do. We're on call but I think everything will be okay.

My sisters party that I hosted for her was wonderful. Not sure I have any pictures but my Skinny Girls treated me well. Food was fantastic and the company was even better!

My husband plays this weekend at a Battle of the Bands. The guys got together on a whim and were asked to play. All of the guys are fantastic musicians and I really think they have a chance to win. The bar is in question. I won't make any assumptions yet because I have never been there. But I've heard it is a little rough. Get this. I am taking my mom and dad with me. My dad is cool. I mean they both are. But My dad went to case the joint out and said that my mom wouldn't step one toe into the place if it wasn't for Chris playing. She says she likes seedy bars! Ha. We have a at least 10 people so far coming with us so there is safety in numbers.

*edit because I am thinking about it. I am really excited to see my husband play this weekend! I find it really sexy to watch him play live. He is really good but it just is one more then to remind me why I fell in love with him. Sometimes I need to be reminded
I am flippin teetering on 200.6- 201.2. This plateau is driving me a little insane. But my motivation has taken a back seat at the moment. I am really not eating much. But I am also not exercising. So I do blame this mostly on myself. I did manage to get two days of working out in. We have company here and they stay up later then I am used to. So waking up and working out is a little hard for me at 5:30 in the morn. Next week I swear. I really feel like I could have used a bit of a fill but I do have to remember that this is a tool (the band that is) and I have to use other then as well to make this weight loss work.

So that is it. We'll see how the weekend goes!

No one would like me much today...shame really because I'm having a party.

Does it say something that I can recognize the fact that I am in a majorly bad mood.

Two entire days of going to bed mad and waking up irritated. I can't help it. But maybe it can!?

I am sad this morning for my friend Lisa. She has been doing everything for over a year to work towards Gastric Banding surgery and was just denied yesterday. It isn't the end of the road. There is still some fight left but she is feeling low and I don't blame her. She could use some love and encouragement.

Also my new friend Jen who does the best blog redesigns had a bad start to her week too. She posted a vlog earlier and I was just able to view it today. Just makes me sad how bad medical professionals can be.

I know they all can't be good days folks. Generally mine are, but I am telling you how sad I am that these ladies are hurting. 

So that brings me down to me: I had an appointment with my Doc..whom I love..love. I felt for sure he'd give me a fill. But no. I have lost 8 lbs since my last visit which was in April. So no fill. I just wanted a bump. But he is probably right. However I have been between 200-203 for weeks now. Killing me. BUT it really is my own fault. I haven't exercised one tiny bit, I haven't restricted my food choices, AND I went on vacation (I didn't gain there either yayser). Bottom line is I need to check myself before a wreck myself.

Re motivation time gals. Monday. I am working out....Tuesday night advanced yoga, Wednesday gym..Thursday umm we'll see. I am logging all food. Protein in the A.M. No potato chips. I will get below 200 darn it.

No one would like me much today...shame really because I'm having a party.

I am hosting a party this afternoon for about 40 people. Might even be 50.
And I am mean. I am not stressed about the party. I am just mean. About everything.

My sister graduated with her RN last month and we are having a camping party and BBQ tonight! We smoked something like 6 boston butts and I've got my famous jalapeno and cilantro coleslaw to make, baked beans to prepare, tables to set, or tent to set up, and I must be nice to all our guests at the same time. It will be a task that is for sure.

I bought skinny girl margaritas so it will either be that or something quite stronger once I get situated. We have smores, a bonfire, and several musicians coming, plus it is practically a full moon,  (maybe that is why I am mean?) so the evening will be a lot of fun. But I need to get over being mean.

Serenity Now. (Seinfeld anyone)

BYOC....Bring Your Own Crazy ♫

It’s time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy! We answer some questions in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blog brains a break. Copy and paste to your own blog and ENJOY!

1. Do you make your bed every day? Tell us about or show us a picture of your bed comforter?

Yes. Psycho bench in me has the bed made everyday.  I just like it. I like coming home to my bed made. It makes me happy. So my saint of a husband makes it. It has been 4 years of deep training to have made this a success. But a success it has been! We use duvet covers over our feather comforter. I have two or three and I get them from I~k~e~a~. For the cost of ONE set from lets say M A C Ys  I can get two or three from I~k~e~a and they seem to last a long time and I don't get bored of them. These are not my two current ones but they are the ones I was just looking at on Wednesday! Draz was reading my comforter mind I suppose! I like to get a funky one and then more of a floral one or a plain one for my ever changing moods!

 

2. Johnny Cash or Elvis? Thin crust pizza or deep dish? Coke or Pepsi? Beer or wine or neither?

• Johnny Cash hands down. I am a JC kinda gal!

• I love pizza. Pizza doesn't love me right now. Unless it is ultra thin.

• Coke. But I really don't like soda.

• Neither…Beer, wine, vodka... I like it all. But I don't drink to much beer because it makes me feel to full!

3. Who’s your fave lately? Funniest? Most inspiring? Can you link them for me??

Humm... I find inspiration from every one of my people. Let me get back to you...

 

4. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.

Real life I am in a horrible MOOOOOOOOOD. I can't help it. I went to bed pissed off. I woke up pissed off. Why -o- why do we have to go through such horrible times just to shed the lining of our uterus. Everything is making me mad and I am not doing a good job at talking myself down from mini tantrums. I'd send myself home if I didn't HAVE to be here. If I get mean enough maybe my husband will make me go home.  Hummm? That might be the way to go. I am so damn close to being below 200. I got to 199.6 yesterday for one scale attempt and then this morning I am 203. Why can't I just be below 200 and stay there.

 

Blog life: I am so thrilled with the response and comments on my last post about being my 6 month anni. You all make me smile. Jen re-did my blog and I love it. It makes me smile everyday. I am so beyond excited for Chicago and Boobs. I am nervous but really excited! Bummed because I am missing one of my favorite bands that will be near by while I am away. They are from Sweden and don't come often so I can't lie. I am bummed!

6 month Bandiversary! Go me.

Today I have been banded for 6 months. I had surgery at 7 pm at night in the middle of a snow and ice storm in a town 1.5 hours away. I stayed in a hotel the first night with my husband. I was uncomfortable, nauseous, and dizzy.

The next few days I did have gas pain, I wasn't hungry in the least, and I had great help from my husband, sister, mom, and friends.

If you ask me today I can barely remember the uncomfortable-ness after surgery.


I started my process in October of last year. I was told that it would take 4-6 months before I would have surgery (if all went well). I jumped on the band wagon. Did everything I was asked to do as quick as I could and had surgery 2.5 months later! My insurance company paid for most things.

You all know the reason I wanted surgery. We all have similar stories. Mine is not all that different from yours. Would I do anything differently? Not in your life! I am happy and I feel great!

I am a slow loser. There have been no 5 lb loss weeks for me. Except right after surgery. 2.5 was probably the biggest loss that I had in a week.  1-2 lbs was about the average. I occasionally felt upset about that. I won't lie. But I can tell you right now I would never have kept that off with a regular diet.

I have had no gains. A lb here or there due to water weight and salt..or hormones. But nothing permanent. I do PB fairly often. I truly need to learn patience and it is always my fault when I do.

I feel like I have been a success. I started this process at 249 and today I weigh 200.8 to 201.6 (that was stepping on the scale 20 times this am)

Do I think this surgery is a cure-all. No. But you know what? It is working for me and I hope that it keeps working!

I exercise most weeks 3-5 times a week. Yoga is my big thing. But I do core training, elliptical, zumba, and various other classes! (although is past week I did nothing) I count calories for the most part. Only to keep me in check. I try everything...there are somethings I avoid but not much! For example I will not eat a big honkin cheese burger...as much as I want one. I just can't handle that big of a bite. I can eat about 5 fries and then call it a day! I am average on my water consumption. Some days I am great! I need to be better on my vitamin taking. My b vitamins are low.

My blood sugar which was high and I was taking Metformin for (right before surgery) is well into the normal range. I REPEAT! NORMAL. That is a fantastic thing.

Without further adieu:



Summer 2010 before surgery




Gak, Sept. 2010. I am the one in flattering strips! With my college buddies!



My husbands fav. cake. The only one I make. Oct. 2010. 2 months before surgery



Sept. 2010 Green Blob and baby Andrew




October 2010. NYC




Dec. 10th, 2010 3 days before surgery!



Dec. 10th 2010...again three days before lap band!

June 2011. 5 months and 3 weeks after surgery

5 months and 3 weeks after surgery

Last week! June 2011 6 months after the band




I'd like to lose about 40 more lbs. That gets me to 160. Then we shall think about it. I am considering trying for a baby soon...so things may change a bit there. I am extremely lucky to have a very supportive husband, family, and friends. I still drink my martinis on occasion. I still very occasionally eat some pizza...I am still living. Just happier and thinner. I can see it. I know I've said that I couldn't see "it" but that picture of me in the brown outfit from last Saturday helps me to see it. 

Every last one of you...regardless of you being a regular or not to my blog...have helped me a long the way. You will continue to do so. Thank you. From the bottom of my shrinking gut. Thank you.

DO YOU GUYS SEE IT? Beautiful!

What do you think?

Well I love it. LOVE IT. I feel so happy to have won a blog re-design because I wanted it! I did not think I would win and I did and this, my friends is how it turned out!

Flippin amazin....

Thank you so much Jen. I must say that I enjoyed getting to know you so much along the way and I can't wait to meet you. You are simply wonderful! Even if you can't eat in the dark! *wink*

Go, right now, and give her a shot to re-design your space! It'll make you feel so special! Jen @ Just Foolin Blog Designs

  

And of course I can not forget Leslie!

She's the gal that nominated me! She got a little re-design too! You both are awesome!!

~

Monday is my 6 month bandiversary. I will post my pictures then and work on my goals...talk about how the last 6 months have been. Especially for you all thinking of the band life or are just getting started..it should be a good post! Without posting to much before then I can say that I am really happy. I have my days but I never regret getting banded. I hope to continue to not have issues.



Chris bought me this outfit at the beach. Eddie Bauer. lg shirt. 16sz skirt. 8.5 size shoe. I think I look good! He says he'll keep me.



Yesterday for what ever reason was a really tough day for me mood wise. I think it was mostly hormonal but I could have cried at the drop of a hat. I felt overwhelmed and like I could not put one more thing on my plate (not literally of course because I was hungry all day)! But yet I continue to say yes. This weekend Chris and I are planning nothing! We will work on the house and I will clean out the freezer that defrosted and re-froze while we were on vacation (DOUBLE GRRR) I think I must have the post vacation blues! But I look cute! (I think I can see it now)

An Award and ten things about me!

Rules of the Award
       *Thank the person who gave you this award, and link back to them in your post.
*Tell us 10 things about yourself.
*Nominate your bloggers.
*Contact these bloggers, and let them know they received this award.

I must thank sweet Lisa for giving me this award!! I owe you a martini friend. Well probably close to 20 by now. We shouldn't do that all in one night, me thinks.

And now I must come up with 10 things about myself:

1. Like MandaPanda...I love brussel sprouts. Love them. My favorite way to eat them right now is to slice them up and saute them in olive oil and drizzle a little balsamic vinegar at the end. Next would be roasted with garlic and Parmesan cheese...yum.

2. I met my husband online. We were introduced by mutual friends we both knew in a musicians forum. We started talking about music and a band and continued talking for a couple of years until we met, then 2 years later we were married. We dated by flying back and forth from Charlotte to the UK. We will be married 4 years on June 23rd. When we first got engaged I was timid to tell people that we met online because people were so negative about it. Now I love to tell the story and everyone is so interested in how we met.

3. I never remember my anniversary. I have to ask Chris. In fact he isn't here to ask at the moment but I am pretty sure it is the 23rd of June. Horrible I know. I just don't remember dates. I remember June..

4. I have the best dog in the world. I am serious. We bring her to work every day with us. She is a Catahoula Leopard Dog...bred to be a wild hog hunter..but she is just a hiker dog to us. Although she has defended us from wild boar (which are scarier then bear). She is a mix between spanish war dog brought over by Desoto and bred with Native American dogs..one of the oldest American dogs. She is smarter then most humans..no lie. Daily we are asked how much we will sell her for.. and my husband says he has three loves: His truck, his dog, and his wife..and we won't say in which order! Her name is Junaluska and we call her Juna. Junaluska  was a leader of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians around 1813 who reside in and around western NC. Which is where we live. She goes by JunaFish (like tunafish)

Juna and Chris she looks tiny but she is a midsize dog.

5. I really love to cook and entertain. But I find myself not that interested in cooking nowadays simply because of eating less.

6. I sometimes feel like a take on to much in life, but no one can complain I am lazy.

7. I hate table cloths. I hate them and I say it daily. We rent them in our party rental department with our business. I can deal with everything else. Glasses, silverware, tables, chairs...BUT table cloths are such a pain in my butt. I really think if I wasn't a push over I'd stop renting them all together! Hate is such a strong word to use on such a ridiculous item but I can truly say that is my feeling.

8. I am insanely busy right now and haven't worked out this week at all. During the fall, winter, and early spring and can come and go from work. But we are in our busy season and work from 7-5 daily and I just can't bring myself to work out after 10 hours of work. I can do before work but it still is hard for me to get to work by 7 if I do. I might put my member ship on hold for a couple of months. I also might regret it.

9. I work with all men. I can be the biggest B****. But I am very protective over my boys. I make them lunch nearly every day and bad can not be said in my presence about any of them.

10. I love blogging. I am happy to see that I have kept up with it. I am thrilled with the support and the confidence you people give me. So thank you!

I give this award out to some newbies...or newbies to my blog:

Becky at Prudence Rising

Dianne at This Time I Mean It

Melissa at My Journey to Band Land

Tanya at Tanya's Lap Band Journey

I am back! I missed you all. THANK YOU LESLIE AND JEN



This is how crowded the beach was!

 Hello everyone! I've missed you and I am so far behind. It overwhelms me so I am going to start from today and read forward..instead of try and catch up.



Evening walk on the beach with a mudslide!

 I had such a good time on vacation. I repeat...SUCH a good time! I am sad to return. We went to our family beach house in Delaware. A cottage with no TV and no (easy) Internet connection and it was

FAB-U-LOUS!

I read 4.5 books. One was half in french and 650 pages long. Yes I will brag about it. Reading is a true love and I often forget about it in the hustle and bustle of my daily life. I get online or watch a show. But I truly love to read..thanks to my mom.

on our way to happy hour!

I went to the beach every morning with a bloody mary as promised, Snyder's Onion and Honey Mustard pretzel bits (my new addiction) and a tiny little sandwich and water. My husband the same but with no mary and a huge sandwich. We stayed until about 3 and then it was off to happy hour at our favorite bar! Half off oysters on the half shell, Jumbo blue crabs, and $2 vodka and club sodas! HEAVEN.

I ate everything I wanted. Had a few stuck episodes in restaurants which I've never had before. But we went out nearly every day so my odds were higher.

I am thrilled to say that I didn't feel slighted in the least at being on vacation and not being able to "eat" like I would have before. You know what I mean by "eat" right? I mean gorge until you can't move. Then have ice cream. I tasted everything. Even better..I prepared my mind of some weight gain and I had NONE. I am still between 201-202. I am dying to get below 200 but with a vacation and no weight gain I think I will be happy and content! So yay. Yay me.

Day one my pedicure was destroyed but the sand. Wanted to show you!

Girls...and the occasional guy. I still don't see it. I look at pictures and balk. I can't see barely anything. I know it is insane. I didn't want to be that silly about this but  I CAN NOT SEE IT. I am in anywhere from a 14w to a 18. I was in 20-24 size months ago. I have lost nearly 50lbs...and I just can't see it.

I like this even though you can't see me. Which is why I like it, me thinks!

~

I came home and what did I see? And email saying that I won the blog re-design by Jen at Just Foolin Blog Designs and I was nominated by Leslie! Because I won she also go a design too!! Thank you both. I am so excited. I really really really wanted it and I didn't think I'd even come close to winning. So thank you all who voted for me.