I'm going to Universal, Baby!

First I want to thank you for all your wonderful comments and support on my last post.  Reading them definitely helped me with my depression over the anniversary of my Mom's death.  I can't say I'm back 100%, but am definitely feeling better.  Especially given the mini-vacation we are taking next week. 
Hubby and I have been talking about taking our daughters to Universal Orlando for some time, but were not sure when we were going to fit it in.  We don't like going in the Summer when it is hot as hell and the lines are long and we can't take them next school year because they will already be missing 5 days for the cruise we are taking in January.  (I know, we have a tough life). 

My wonderful husband suggested that we go in April (I think he knew I needed a pick-me-up) and after evaluating our schedule and the travel prices, it turned out that April 8th thru the 11th worked the best.  So, we've booked it.   I am so excited because this is the first time the girls have gone and will be the first time we all see the Harry Potter area.  In addition, As Read indicated in her last blog, weather here is sucking and it's definitely not helping my mood.  I am sure the weather will be nicer in Orlando and am hoping the we can bring some warmth back with us. 

On the band front, I have an appointment with my surgeon on April 6th.  I had planned on asking for a fill, but since I'll be getting on a plane two days later, I'm now not so sure.  I did get a fill last year before I went on the BOOBs Chicago trip and didn't have any problems, but I have a lot more fluid in my band now and don't want to take the chance of screwing up my vacation.  (In case you are not following me, some people say they feel tighter after traveling by plane)  Plus, I'm not 100% sure that I need a fill.  I'm not losing as fast as I would like and I can eat more than 1 cup of food, but am not super hungry in between.  I think I'm going to make another appointment next month and possibly get one then.  I really want to lose some more significant weight before my bandiversary in July. 

Sorry I haven't been commenting as much as usual, but I have been trying to keep up on my reading.

P.S.

I want to give a big thanks to Read for sending me oregon chai tea to try.  I thought she was going to send me this little sample and instead she sent me a brand new big box.  And I love it.  Mix it with skim milk and it's a great drink that keeps me full.  Perfect for breakfast. 

I love you Mom!

Today is the 5th anniversary of my mother's death. I did a post (link here) last year where you can see the kind of woman she was.  I miss her every day. 

Yesterday meeting up with so many BOOBS in NYC really helped with the depression I always feel this time of year. 

Don't really feel like blogging, but just wanted to say hi and hope you all have a good week. 

PG-13 Version of BYOC

Okay, so Drazil threw us a twist today with both an R and PG version of the Bring Your Own Crazy questions. 

I really have no problem with answering the R rated version, but honestly most of my answers depend on my mood. 

Favorite position:  Depends on mood.  If I'm feeling like I want to take control, I like being on top.  If I'm feeling a little naughty, from behind turns me on and yes a little spanking isn't unheard of.  But I think in general - and at the risk of sounding really boring - him on top is my favorite because I like watching how good he is feeling. 

Orgasms:  I'm pretty sure it was 14.  It was back in the day before kids when my husband and I could spend all day in bed. 

Faking it:  I've never done it.

1. If you were a salad, what kind of dressing would you want on you?

Balsamic Vinaigrette


2. What is your quirkiest habit and how long have you had it?

I leave the bathroom light on when my husband is out of town.  For some reason the dark freaks me out more when he's not home.  I'm not sure that is considered a habit...


3. If I looked in your fridge, what’s the first thing I’d see?

Gallon of Decaf Iced Tea and a variety of Chobani greek yogurt. 


4. Who or what inspires you and why?

It's really hard to top Drazil's answer.  I find inspiration in a lot of things.  All of you inspire me.  My friends and family inspire me.  My children inspire me.  Single parents inspire me.  People that survive catastrophe inspire me.  Those who overcome adversity inspire me.


5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in blogland and in real life.

Hubby has been out of town and I've had an especially difficult period - very crampy and a rather heavy flow, which really isn't normal for me.  I take type of birth control pill where I only get my period once every 3 months, which is nice because once a month is way too much.  Actually I think once every 3 months is too much, but it is what it is. 

I decided to start weighing myself once a week for the Spring Challenge instead of every day.  Despite being lonely and crampy, I did manage to do well with eating and did exercise a few times.  I'm pretty sure I'll have a loss.  It also didn't hurt that I was probably retaining water when I did my initial weigh in. 

Does the worldwide disasters freak anybody else out?  Is it terrible of me that I don't even want to watch the footage.  It's just so scary.  I also hate this prediction about the end of the world in 2012.  It's not that I really believe it, but either did that guy in the movie 2012. 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

My husband fought an alligator...

or maybe it's a crocodile.  I don't really know how to tell the difference.  Maybe you can.  I think he's losing.

So these are the kind of shenanigans that my husband is partaking in during bike week in Daytona.  What a goof.  I really miss him and was more than jealous when he told me that it was 85 degrees there today!  He better bring back some of that warmth with him. 

On the homefront, my daughter tried out for her middle school volleyball team and found out today she didn't make it.  I picked her up from the tryouts and, to her credit, she didn't start crying until she got in the car.  I felt so bad for her, but I told her how proud I was that she tried.   It was nice that the coach let the girls who didn't make it down fairly easy - she told them that she hadn't made her 7th grade team, but went on to make her 8th grade team and her high school team.  My daughter has never done anything with volleyball besides in her normal gym class, so I am going to look for some volleyball summer camps to improve her skills.  I wish hubby had been here to give her a hug.  He did call, but of course it's not the same.  However, it could have been worse.  I'll take rejection over stitches (see Read's post here) any day. 

I had mentioned that I was putting off scheduling an appointment with my surgeon because I hadn't lost weight.  Well I have one scheduled, but couldn't get it until April 6th.  I'm not really that concerned about it.  Even though I'm not in a green zone, I do feel some restriction.  I'm hoping exercise will help move the scale.  Angie, Read, Linda and I have all made personal goals as to where we want to be by the time we go to New York for the BOOBS brunch on March 20th.  Here's hoping I finally get out of the 240s. 

Happy hump day.  :)

Oh to be a biker babe again.

Today is the first day of the Spring Challenge and I am hopeful that it will help motivate me to FINALLY get out of the 240s.  I've been exercising more and being mindful with my eating, but the scale does not budge.  I am trying to focus more on working out, drinking water, protein intake and healthy eating rather than the numbers on the scale, but it is hard.  I have a lot of size 18 jeans that I am really wanting to get in to.  I did fit into a  pair of size 18 Tommy Hilfiger jeans that Camille sent me and I was over the moon.  However, they are the exception.

I have to make an appointment with my bariatric surgeon.  After my fill by fluoro on February 3, my surgeon said he wanted me to make an appointment in a month to check in.  Well, I haven't made the appointment because I haven't lost any weight and am really embarrassed.  At this point, I don't know that I can even ask for another fill.  I'm not even sure I need one.   I'm really confused as to why the scale isn't moving.  I think I am going to have to suck it up and journal so I can show my surgeon what I am eating and how much I am working out and see what his thoughts are about my lack of weight loss. 

My husband is leaving for bike week in Daytona tomorrow, which makes me a little nervous.   (Above picture is from last year's trip to Laconia).  I know he's careful, but you never know about other drivers, as we saw in the tragic death of Jacquie's father and brother-in-law.  But I know you can't live your life in fear and I would never ask him to stay home.  He deserves some fun and hope he has a good time.  I just ask that he calls and texts a few times a day so we can stay in touch. 

I've never ridden on the back of my husband's bike.  At first it was because he was new to riding a motorcycle so I wanted him to get more experience.   Now, 3 years later, I have to admit to myself that I haven't gotten on because, in addition to still being a little scared, I am also self conscious because of my weight.  In my 20s (when I was much thinner and less fearful) I would ride on the back of my boyfriend's bike.  I was much thinner then and while I felt like a sexy, hot biker babe, I never felt safe.   Again, it wasn't because he was a bad driver, but I didn't enjoy that feeling of not having anything around to protect me.  I'm hoping to at least try riding with my husband when the weather gets warmer here (probably in 2 or 3 months).  It would be great if I liked it because it would be something my hubby and I could do together.

It is a very rainy Sunday here, which kind of sucks.  Between my hubby going out of town and my PMSing, it's not one of my better days.

Hope you all have a great week and good luck to my fellow challenge participants.  GAME ON!