Happy 2011!

Happy New Year, one and all!
I'm glad that a new year is upon us...  there is a freshness..  the flubs of 2010 can be a distant memory and the slate is wiped clean.    I love clean slates!
I made an appointment with my GI doc for this Friday. At that point, he'll speak to a surgeon, and then I'll have an appointment with the surgeon... then get my surgery scheduled.   I'm looking forward to it.   Yeah, that sounds messed up, but when you've been suffering this long, and knowing that after a week or two of recovery, all will be well in the world.... it's worth it!!!  I am hoping that I can get in for surgery the week of the 17th.   It's hard telling dealing with surgeon schedules but that's what I'm hoping for!    I'm nervous about my diet post op.   I have a feeling it will be the same as the gastric bypass post op diet - liquids and then pureed foods for several weeks.   Yeah, I'll lose weight.  But I don't want to lose more than 10 lbs.   I have a feeling that will be inevitable.  Let's just hope that I don't end up looking too frail... That would suck! I've never in my life been worried about losing too much weight.. ha!
Hope you all had a safe and happy holiday season and have the best 2011 imaginable!!!

xoxo
Laurie :-)

Positivity and Reflecting Back

Here we are, at the end of 2010.   Overall, it's been a great year.   I've had some really low points too, mostly health related with this stupid ulcer that came back AGAIN.   
I am not one for resolutions, but I do want to try to make 2011 a POSITIVE year.   I think it will help my overall health to try to be a glass half full kind of person.  I usually am, but I've lost some of that somewhere along the way, and I definitely want to get that back. 
I also want to stop obsessing.  About everything.   I can't control everything, and I need to make myself understand that.   I'm 3 years out from surgery and have maintained my weight within 5-10 pounds for 2 years.  That's pretty damn good!   I am not exactly where I want to be, but I am so close.  I need to stop revolving my life around losing those last 5-10 pounds and focus on living and just being happy.   Food does not should not control me.  It shouldn't consume my thoughts like it does now. 
Here's to 2010!

• I got to go to Disney World and Universal Studios with my boyfriend.  We had our first real vacation together and I got to meet his sister's family, who I adore!
• I still have a job, when so many others are struggling.
• Two of my best friends in the world are pregnant.   
• I started my new Scentsy business to earn extra money, and am doing quite well with it!
• I was able to send my mom to New York to visit family.
• I got my mom's garage completely cleaned out (with some help of course!)
• John got me an iPad for Christmas!!!  Wahoo!
• I got my pasta roller attachments for my KitchenAid from my mom for Christmas. :)
• I got in touch with my half brother and his family.   I hadn't seen them or heard from them since 2003.  I love Facebook for this reason!

I'm looking forward to 2011.  I know I'll be having surgery for my ulcer, but I'm thinking of it in a positive way.   No more suffering with this damn thing after that!   AND, I'll get some time off of work! HA!

Happy New Year to all of you!  I hope 2011 is the best year ever.
xoxo
Laurie :)

Crush

Dexter

I'm a little late on this (just 5 years), but over the past few weeks, I've developed an addiction to the show Dexter!    The first 2 seasons were on Netflix through our PS3, and I watched those two seasons over the course of a week...  then I rented season 3 and 4 at Blockbuster.. I hadn't set foot in a Blockbuster since the late 90's! LOL    And then I got to Season 5, which just finished a few weeks ago on Showtime... so, what did I have to do?   I'm now a Showtime subscriber! LOL   
I heard that the Big C is a really good show as well, so I'll probably start watching that one while I have Showtime!
I got Showtime yesterday morning, and I'm already on Episode 6 of the most recent season.. I don't know what I'll do with myself once I'm done... maybe get off my ass and start working out again?  Hmm...
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Mine was very nice! My awesome boyfriend got me an iPad for Christmas! I was totally shocked...   wahoo!   Did you all get some awesome loot as well?
Happy New Year!!

xoxo,
Laurie

Christmas Spirit

I'm not much in the Christmas spirit this year, and it sucks!  I think it's partially due to the fact that I've had a cold or the flu or something since the day after Thanksgiving, and I can't seem to kick my cough... and the other part is that I've done most of my Christmas shopping online this year.   It's not very conducive to adding to my holly jolliness!!
I stayed up till 1 am last night wrapping almost all of the gifts that I've purchased so far, and I'm almost done with everyone on my list!   That did help a little.. it'd help even more if I didn't wrap like a 12 year old boy! Ha!
There is a picture of our tree - John was sweet enough to put it up and decorate it for us since I was under the weather!  :) He did a good job decorating it!
Also, here is a picture of us from the day after Thanksgiving... my sister took the pic.  A few hours later, I was down for the count with the flu or whatever it is! lol

Reverb 10 Prompt: Wisdom

Prompt: Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

This one is easy for me - my wisest decision this year was becoming a consultant for Scentsy. I've made my quest for debt freedom well known on this blog, and this has helped me a lot.   In my first 2 weeks, I earned enough money to pay my electric and cable bill ($250!).   In the month after that, I earned over $350.   It's helped with my Christmas shopping (by using Scentsy products as a gift, and by the extra money I've earned), and I have FUN doing it.  I've been looking for a new "hobby", and I have found it, so it's got a lot of benefits.

On other aspects of life, I'm trucking along.  Work is work..   I start my time off next Friday, so that will give me a much needed break.   I've set some goals for myself over that time - meal planning, getting organized, getting on a workout schedule, etc.    Ever since I got my ulcer, I haven't been back to the gym, and my eating has been lax.  I gained back the weight that I lost when I wasn't able to eat anything, and I need to get back on track.  Weight Watchers has the new PointsPlus, and I know it's a great program, but it hasn't hit me yet, and I am not in the good habit of tracking lately... Ugh!!

I'm not sure why I have so many different fonts going on here, and it's not letting me change it! LOL


I hope you all are doing great.. I'm trying to get back into my bloggy ways as well...    Here's to new forming new (renewed), healthy habits!!


:-)

xoxo,
Laurie

Reverb 10 Project

I'm a little behind on jumping on this bus, but it looks like a lot of fun, and since I'm not feeling very inspired lately, this will give me stuff to write about.. Ha!  
On Reverb10.com, there are daily prompts, and then you write about whatever the prompt is.  Today's prompt is: 
December 9 – Party Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

John and I have lots of social gatherings at our home.  It's so hard to pick favorites because it's usually the same group of dear friends.    I'd guess that the Halloween parties are my favorite, as everyone is a little out of their normal element and I get to see my friends' creativity in action!    This year, I was Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and John was Border Patrol.. ha!  We've never done the matching costume thing, although I do think that's cute... Just saying it's cute would be a huge negatory for John though! :-)
I'll put up a few pictures later on from this year's Halloween party.  I'm at work and don't have them here, unfortunately!

I actually TRIED to keep the food simple this year, with several dips, chips, etc, but it never stays that way.  John doesn't feel like it's a party if he doesn't light up the grill... So, we ended up having steaks and fajitas too... and lots of beer for the boys, jello shots for the girls, etc. 

Thankful

Hello to all!
It's that time of the year that we reflect on everything we have to be thankful for.  It's so easy to get caught up with life and lose sight of what really matters!    
I am thankful for so many things - my health, my loved ones, my job (even though that's debatable at times), having so many virtual friends that I feel like I know personally, and the list goes on.
Thank YOU all for taking time out of your days for reading this little blog of mine.  
I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving. :)
xoxo

Oops!

So sorry for not checking in lately..   Life has gotten in my way of blogging.. How dare!?  I really haven't been a model citizen lately.  I missed one Weight Watchers meeting (my first meeting missed), and I haven't been back since.  I do have good intentions, but when the morning comes, I am literally dragging myself out of bed.  That makes me get to work around 9 am, which means I have to stay until 5:30... which means that my meeting is already taking place by then.  I'm not making excuses for myself. I have no excuse.   But I'm also in one of those moods where I just don't care about counting points or watching what I eat. I'm not gorging by any means.  I'm just not scrutinizing every bite I am putting in my mouth.   I probably just needed a break, and I'm not going to beat myself up for it.
My launch party for my new Scentsy business was a success! I made my goal sales wise, and in my first 2 weeks, I made enough extra money to pay both the cable and the electricity bill!   And in the first 2 weeks of November, I have surpassed what I did in October, so my November electricity and cable will certainly be taken care of again! Wahoo! :)
Anyway, I just wanted to check in.  I will hopefully be out of my funky mood soon!    I'm sure a few extra days off next week will be a dramatic help! :)
Hope all is well with everyone.  I am working on catching up on blogs... just missing a day or two puts me totally behind!!

xoxo!

Thursday 13: Random Thoughts

Wow, it's been quite some time since I did a Thursday 13.   I have missed them but being sick had zapped my blogging energy (and any other energy for that matter!).
This week's edition will just be random thoughts going through my head...

1. I've had a Xanax prescription for anxiety for about 6 months and had not taken a single pill.   Last night I took one and it was the first night that I can remember where I slept through the night..   NICE!
2. I am getting excited for the next Harry Potter movie to come out. 
3. John and I may be going to Orlando again in December to attend his sister's graduation from college.  I hope it works out! I'd love to go again.
4. I have a garage sale on Saturday and I have done little to prep for it.   I can't wait for it to be over with!
5. I'm both nervous and excited for my Scentsy Launch Party this weekend!
6. I got my 10 lb star yesterday at Weight Watchers.   I lost 2.4 lbs last week, totaling 12.2 since I joined!
7. I was excited to find out that my scale and the scale at WW match perfectly! Wahoo!!
8. A nap sounds amazing right now.   I'm so tired...   I slept great last night, but the past several weeks of waking up multiple times has taken it's toll on me.
9. I've started my Christmas shopping.  I've got a long way to go, but I'm making definite progress.
10. I found out this week that I'm no longer upside down on my car.  Now to decide if I should sell it and get something that's not going to be $500 a month!  It's very painful!
11. I have been caffeine free for a week.    I'm enjoying Tazo Passion Tea and Tazo Organic Apple Red tea as my drink of choice.
12. Does anyone know of a site where I can find out how much an autograph is worth?    Back in my heavy metal days (about 20 years ago, ha!)  I met Pantera and got the group's autograph.. I know one of the musicians was murdered a few years back, and I want to sell it to someone who would appreciate the picture more since I don't care for heavy metal at all anymore.
13. This week has been never ending. I'm ready for the weekend even though it will be one of my busiest weekends in ages! 

Hope you all have a Happy Thursday and an even happier upcoming weekend!
To participate, head over to Thursday 13.

Doctor Appointment Update, Etc.

Good morning, everyone!   I had my doctor's appointment on Monday afternoon as my follow up to my upper GI.  My doctor told me that I have one month for the ulcer to heal on it's own, and if it doesn't, then surgery is my only other option.    I would likely use Dr. Davis, as my bariatric surgeon has retired, and several of the others in the hospital are not on my insurance plan.  Dr. Davis (whether the father or the son) was on the show Big Medicine.  I'm not sure which one I'll get if I have to go through with the surgery (but I have a feeling it's inevitable, given this is the 3rd time I've had a bad ulcer).    I also made note to tell the doctor that I didn't appreciate him calling my ulcer a marginal ulcer, as it certainly feels more than marginal to me.   He proceeded to tell me that marginal is the LOCATION, not the degree of the ulcer... I felt like a dork, but at least now I know! ha!


I am starting to feel better and better every day, and am eating all solid foods.  I do feel discomfort after eating most meals, but it is not intense anymore and doesn't last nearly as long, unless I overeat.   Overeating is easy, as my stomach shrunk quite a bit from my liquid diet, and I feel like I have my tiny little pouch again. Also, I think that my body is changing how it reacts to certain foods.  Some foods prior to the ulcer were super easy to eat, and now it's all changed.   I'm basically learning how to eat again!  AH!!!

On my new business note, I am having my launch party this weekend.   If you're local, I'd love for you to stop by and check out my products.   If you're not local (Houston, TX), please check out my website and see what we have to offer.   Any orders received for my Launch Party will earn an entry for a raffle prize!   My website is:
http://LaurieSawyer.scentsy.us        I'd greatly appreciate you helping me get my new business off to a quick start! :)     If you have any questions about the products, just drop me an email and I'm more than happy to help!
Happy Wednesday to you all!!!     Life is finally starting to improve, and I'm glad my mood is getting better!   Being sick for almost a month really takes it out of you!!

Excited!

Happy Monday to you all!  
I'm super excited, as I have just signed up to be a Scentsy consultant.   We sell gorgeous candle warmers and the scents to go with them.   The scents are wickless, so they are safe, and there are tons of scents to choose from!
I hope you'll check out my site - and I would LOVE for you to host an online party so you can earn some free goodies as well!  You start earning half price items and free product at only $150 in sales.   Wahoo!
Please check out my site!  Laurie's Scentsy Page   

On another note - I go back to the doctor today regarding my ulcer.   I believe we'll be discussing the options available to me and when/if I should proceed to have surgery. 
Fun stuff, I tell ya!  I will post an update tomorrow.
Have a great day! :)

Three Years

Today is my 3 year anniversary of my RNY!     Just 3 years ago at this time, I was recovering from the most dramatic surgery and most live changing event of my life.   3 years ago, I weighed 312 lbs.    I couldn't go up one flight of stairs without feeling like the wind was knocked out of me.  I couldn't cross my legs.   I couldn't fit in an airplane seat, ride on a roller coaster, fit comfortably in a booth, and patio furniture was out of the question. 
A lot has changed in 3 years.  
Thank you all for being a very important part of my journey to becoming who I am today.  It's been 3 years of self discovery that will keep continuing.

xoxo!

I'm sick and tired...

... of feeling sick and tired!
I'm still not feeling 100%.. it's now been 3 weeks since I've been able to work out, and my body is feeling it.   UGH!     I never thought I'd say that I miss working out and getting exercise, but I do.  I really miss my Zumba classes.   
I am able to hold food down now, but it's touch and go on how my body reacts to it.  Sometimes I can eat with absolutely no pain during the digestion process... Other times, I want to curl up into fetal position and just cry.    I had a bad episode this weekend, and it ruined the day for me.  Today has been pretty good so far, so I think I may count my blessings and have a very light dinner.  
Although I'm not considering it a bright note, because I know with fair certainty that I will likely gain some weight back, I am down to 154.8 lbs.    My lifetime goal with WW is 155, so if I stay down over the next two days, I'll hit lifetime.   My lowest weight ever post op/adult life, etc. is 154 point something, so it's definitely a bittersweet feeling.    My ultimate goal is 149.8 just so I can get out of the 150s for the first time in my adult or even adolescent life, but I'd rather do things the right way...  Gahh!!!
I am feeling truly disconnected with everyone.  Work has been trying to kill me, as well as my ulcer.   I marked everything as read in my google reader and am starting fresh today.   I know there is no way I can catch up on over 1000 posts.  

I miss you all very much, and hope life starts to feel normal again soon!!
xoxoxox

Update on Ulcer, Etc.

Hi all, I'm so sorry for not posting any updates in awhile... Life has been busy, and I'm still feeling cruddy!
I went to the doctor last Wednesday, and had my endoscopy done last Friday.   The little bugger is still there and it is still inflamed, so time and patience is all I've got for it to heal..  well, time at least.. I ran out of patience with this awhile back.
During my doctor's appointment, he told me that I will likely need surgery to get rid of this thing permanently.  There are three options for me: 1) To get my RNY reversed completely, going back to my old "plumbing", 2) to switch to another WLS, such as duodenal switch or gastric sleeve, or 3) to have that part of my intestine removed.      
My choice would be #3, if that is an option once it is discussed with the surgeon.   I don't want to go to duodenal switch because I think that would make me lose a lot more weight, and I am basically at goal, of not very close to it.   The gastric sleeve or reversal are other options, but #3 is my ideal choice.  It seems like the least invasive, and the best one for me.    I will know more once I get my 2 week follow up with my GI doctor.
I am definitely improving, but I still have bouts where I can not tolerate any foods, and end up throwing up or just being in major pain for 2-3 hours.  
Anyway, I will update again when I know more, and I hope to begin blogging more soon.  This is my hellacious week at work, so life has been super busy! :(

Ulcer is Back! :-(

Sorry for the lack of posting lately...   I've been feeling like poo.  My ulcer has returned for a 3rd time.   I am only on liquids for a few days while I'm taking my medicines to try to get rid of it.  Eating food is just too painful when it passes the ulcer...  Excruciating almost!

On the upside of that, I've lost 6.5 pounds.     Yes, I know once I start eating normal foods again that the number will increase, but I need to focus on something happy, right? LOL

This is a short and sweet little post.. just wanted to keep y'all updated!
I hope to start the Thursday 13s again next week! I miss doing them!

Falling Apart!

I'm highly, HIGHLY frustrated lately.   First of all, my back is killing me.  I think I injured it in Zumba... no fault to Zumba, but I went on an evening where I was feeling kind of sick (killer headache, exhausted, etc)..  I am one of those all or nothing people (working on it, but still a little overzealous) so I figured I'd force myself to go anyway.  Well, all of the jumping and bouncing and quick direction changes really messed me up.   I can't sneeze without going into back spasms! :(   

Anyway, enough of the bitching..    I am improved over yesterday, so IF I am feeling better tomorrow, I will resume workouts.   

Wednesday was my WW meeting.   I chose to use my No Weigh In pass.   My psyche can't handle anything but a decent loss this week, especially with me mourning my workouts.  I DID go to the meeting though.   And I'm glad I did.    The topic was about taking it slow...  slow and steady wins the race.    Well, I needed to hear that this week.   Just like with going to church... sometimes you just feel like the message of the day was made especially for you! :-)

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.    I will be taking it easy... maybe. :)

Happy Hump Day!

I apologize for being a slacker in the blog department lately.   My life has been consumed with work, working out, and Weight Watchers.   I'm trying to find the balance between eating according to my surgery guidelines and keeping within my WW points.   It's quite challenging.   I am finding that I allow myself to eat a little more lax when on WW.    A Fiber One bar can be 1 point, and it's a good snack in general.  But for me post op, a few cheese squares is a better option.   I'm terrible at using things that are pre-weighed, measured, etc. because I'm a freak when it comes to making sure I have my points calculated properly.      It's all my internal neuroses rearing their ugly heads!

I need to keep the following things in mind constantly:

• Regardless of how much I lose on WW, I have been VERY successful losing weight.  I have lost 145 pounds in the past 3 years (My 3 year is coming up on October 15).   
• I need to stop being so hard on myself.  
• The weight is going to come off slow.   Very slow.   And it will go up and down from week to week.  That doesn't mean I'm a failure.  It means I'm normal.
• As long as I focus on being healthy (exercise, eating right), the weight will eventually decide it is going to come off.  Or it won't.   Either way, I am doing everything right within reason.  I am good 95% of the time.    And the 5%?  I deserve a break, damn it!

I am my own worst enemy.  I analyze EVERYTHING, and trust me, I annoy the hell out of myself..  LOL     I just need to keep it up, and focus on the positive!

Thursday 13: Things I love about Autumn

Yes, I know it's still officially summer, especially in Texas.  But Autumn and Spring are my two favorite seasons.  I look forward to this time of year from June - September!

Thirteen Things I LOVE about Autumn

1. Drastically reduced yard work!
2. Milder weather.
3. Ability to spend hours outside without risk of heatstroke.
4. Fall Festivals!
5. The holiday season approaching... I'm a sucker for everything from Halloween to Christmas to New Years!
6. My spirit rejuvenates!  The summer heat really sucks the life out of me.
7. Sweaters!   Dressing in layers! Back to my favorite wardrobe!
8. Pumpkin Spice and Gingerbread Lattes...   Mmmmmm...
9. Hockey Season!   This year I REALLY want to go to an NHL game in Dallas.   I will make it happen, and it's on my Day Zero Project list!   SCORE!
10. Extra time off of work. Wahoo!!!
11. Improved mood of others around me.    Yes, people get happier when it's not 100 degrees outside! YAY!  That in turn improves MY mood!
12. Shopping.   I LOVE SHOPPING.  And I love shopping for others even more.   Yep, it's getting to be that time of the year!  YAY!
13. Lower electricity bills.  AMEN!

If you'd like to join in the fun, just stop off at Thursday 13 and add yourself to the list!  
xoxo!

Whew... What a week!

Sorry for the lack of blogging, but my week was a week from hell at work.  I'm covering for my friend at work while she's on maternity leave, and in addition to my regular whacked out hours during month end, it made for a crazy week!  I even missed my Thursday 13 that I love doing so much!

Last week I went to the gym 5 out of 7 days and earned 33 activity points... It made a difference in my weigh in - I lost 2 pounds at Wednesdays' weigh in!  Wahoo!!      Since Wednesday, however, I have only made it to the gym once, this morning.   I know I can catch up a bit over the weekend with my workouts, but work had me exhausted during the week!     Today, I went to a different gym because I'm taking care of my friend's dogs, so I thought I'd try a gym in between our homes...   I got there at 9 and changed, and it just so happened a ZUMBA class was starting in a few minutes.  Taking a Zumba class is on my Day Zero Project list, so I got something knocked out today.  I absolutely loved it.  I am completely uncoordinated, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to going again next week!

Last night, I blew my points, but I am not going to sweat it.   John and I went out for pizza.... and it was delicious... and I needed to get out with my man.    We have both been so busy and it was nice for someone else to make dinner for us and we could just sit and talk!   

We don't have too much planned for the holiday weekend, and for that I'm grateful.  It'll be nice just to just hang out, work out, and be merry!  Wahoo!
I hope you all have a fantastic long weekend!