Picky, Picky, picky!!!

I am a very picky eater and usually have the same menu every week.
HERE IT IS!!!

Sun-Taco night
Mon-Pasta
Tues-Pork chops or Chicken w/ starch and veggie
Wed-(for the kids & hubby-Chicken patties and Tater tots) Tuna or egg salad for me...
Thurs-anything with Hamburg (meatloaf or manwiches)
Friday-(for kids & hubby Fast Food Friday), me Whatever is quick and easy (but not junk).
Saturday-whatever is there...LOL I never cook on Saturday!


I do switch it up time to time...but my kids love routine and know that every Sun night is Taco Night! Plus my step-daughter Natasha is with us and my mom will come up for Taco Night! My kids tell me all the time "Mummy your tacos are the best". It never fails, every Sun night, I hear them tell me that! Even when I have burnt the shells...LOL.
Ok back to subject...

At my Weight Watcher's meeting Saturday morning we talked about Substituions. Swaping things for something healthier. I am signed up for Hungry Girls morning emails and read them all the time. Even her new show!!!! I love it!!

Well, I am a picky picky eater and tonight I made spagetti squash as a replacement for pasta. You know what, it really wasn't all that bad! I really enjoyed it with my red sauce. I was super proud of myself for trying something new!

OH I have great news!!!! We found the COOKIE FORM! What a relief!!! I was so devastated and now I am so relieved! I tell you one thing, I will NOT be cookie mom EVER EVER EVER AGAIN! LOL! Seriously!

Another thing!!! I was extremely active today! At work and home! I was on bathroom duty at work. (Toileting and changing everyone)! Then did my sit ups, cooked dinner, and finally just sat down! Its been such a long, busy day!

Speaking of work, in the midst of me shopping and being super excited about my 50 lb weight loss, I lost another friend of mine! Another Angel to watch over me, I know she is so much better off! What kind of life is it to lay in a wheelchair all day long, can't speak or move! (For those who don't know, I work as a Case Manager for adults with developmental disabilities)! RIP Beanie, I will miss u!

So, I went searching everywhere for boots! Guess what.....NO BOOTS! I couldn't find anything I liked! Nothing "JUMPED" out at me! So, I suppose I will wait until I find the perfect pair!

Have I told you guys I am addicted to blogging! Seriously, I check it daily to see comments and check to see whats new with everyone! I might not comment for everyone but I do read them! "Hi, my name is Mandy and I am addicted to BLOGGING"!

ALrighty, well I guess I will head off to bed! Get my rest so I am ready to SHOVEL MORE FREAKIN SNOW!!!

Good night!

~Mandy

~50~

I first want to say "Thank you" to my new followers! I am interested to read up on your blogs and get to know you all~
But really my main reason for blogging tonight! I did it! I really did it! I reached 50 lbs today~ I have lost a total of 50.8! Even though I am still feeling crappy! I am flying high with this number! So I must say, I spent $50 today on myself. I bought 2 pairs of jeans and a few shirts. I am down 2 pants sizes (24 down to 20) and shirts (26/28 down to 18/20)!
One of my biggest goals was to buy a pair of skinny jeans and boots. Well, I bought my first pair of skinny jeans! They will take some getting used to; but they actually look rather good (at least my husband says they do). LOL! I had my mom take a pic with my new clothes on! The shirt is a tad tight (not what I am used to), but I didn't want to buy it too big, since it won't be long til that no longer fits!
Please don't lie! Be honest! How does it look?

I really hate photos...I don't think they do any justice! LOL. My hair was a mess and I am not feeling good! So I am going to head out tomorrow to buy some boots to go with the skinny jeans. Seriously, I may not be all that skinny to be wearing these "SKINNY" jeans; but honestly I am at a weight I am actually feeling comfortable in my "own skin"!!!!
Here is a few before pics! This is me a few years ago! At my heaviest 280's and doing the yo-yo thing! 1st up Me and my husband (do u see how thin he is)?? 2nd up me and my baby boy Joshua! Last but not least, me, my husband, my daughter and the judge that finalized the adoption (my husband adopted my daughter)!

More to follow, when I did up more old photos of me! I am just extremely happy to reach that 50 lb goal!

I want to begin this BYOC and take care of my part of the nomination; but not much time tonight, so I will do that hopefully tomorrow! I think its great to get to know people that way! So thank you to Amber for nominating me!

I am so happy to have met new people who are going through as me!

Good Night All!

~Mandy

Bla, bla, blahhhhh

I am sick! I have a horrible head and chest cold. I am taking my sudafed and anti-histamines and it feels like they are not working! I have not had a cold in a long time. I have body aches and pains. I have the chills but no fever. Ugghh, one thing after another.

And yet it snowed again! I am really sick of looking at all this white, dirty, fluffy, icy, cold stuff! There is so much snow, we really have no where else to put it! I swear my house is freezing because the snow is half way up the siding! My heating bill will be high this month, thats for sure.

I have lived in Massachusettes all my life and I don't mind the snow! But really now, I think its just too much! One week after another there is a storm!

Ever have those days where "ALL" day you thought it was a different day? Today, all day, I thought it was Wednesday! It's really Thursday! I didn't realize it was Thursday until 3pm...when the day was half over.

I feel like I have failed as the cookie mom! I lost one of the cookie order forms. The little girl is going to be devastated! I feel so bad I want to cry! I called the Troop Leader (my new friend Jen) last night to explain what happend. I love her, she really knows how to tell people to "relax, its alright, we will find it"!! Then proceeded to tell me "your a volunteer and not getting paid for this. You have a full time job that is demanding, you have 3 kids, your a wife and you have a life outside of Girl Scouts, Shit Happens, so RELAX". So I finally relaxed. But I still feel horrible and I feel like a complete failure!

My week has been hell...Not sure what the scale will bring to me Saturday! Yesterday, I was hungry...quite often than usual. I don't even want to call the Dr.'s office back...So I will give it more time! I still get the gurgles every now and then...but overall doing better!

Well until Saturday, weigh in....wish me luck! I am just over 2 lbs shy of my 50 lb goal.

~Mandy

~Feeling deflated~

Today I called the Dr's office to see if they could help me with the gurgling I have going on! They told me to come in as soon as I could get there! So more time off of work and more gas guzzling (my Dr's office is about 30-45 mins away).
When I got to the weight center I met with the Nurse and explained the discomfort I am feeling, the difficulty eating, and the noises I am making! Do you know the Nurse told me that not everyone needs a fill (adjustment) their first 6 week visit! I thought to myself "I told the Dr. I was doing good and had restriction, but he gave me a fill (adjustment) anyways"! GRRR....so, she took it all out! The 3 cc's that he put in...she was able to get it all out! The pain and discomfort from the needle this time was a bit more pronounced because the needle was in for a longer period of time. The nurse pulled the needle out and didn't hold the port (it felt like the port was going to pop out of my skin)!!! Oh the joys of this band!
I don't have any regrets, I just wish the Dr. would have listened to me when I explain "I KNOW MY BODY"!!!! Oh the bright side according to their scale I am the same weight as Saturday; with Jeans, 2 Shirts and my shoes!!! I guess I am down another few pounds...! Can't wait til next Saturday!

Well, thought I would keep you updated on my journey and this is definately and Update!
Have a great week!

~Mandy

P.S...I had a difficult time at the Baby Shower yesterday (with all the food around), but I was able to just have 2 small meatballs and a slice ham and cheese rolled up! No desserts (except strawberries)!!! A great NSV (non scale victory)!!!!

What to write???

Well Good Morning,

How is everyone? Do you like my pic? I thought I was looking good (which isn't too often) and snapped a photo! Anyways, I am doing alright! Down a few more pounds! Feeling good, except I still have some gurgling. So this week I am calling the dr's office to see if they can take a little fluid out! I think they rushed my 3 cc's.

So I must tell you, I have been exercising; well a few days this week anyways! I did some sit ups on the exercise ball and about 5-7 minutes on my treadmil. It may not be alot but my treadmil is an uphill killer! With the asthma I get out of breath easilly! So as days go on, I will increase my time! I am also doing cardio on the wii fit, I love the hula hoops and jogging!

I have been super busy too with Girl Scouts since I am the cookie mom this year! Who would have known it is so time consuming! Yesterday we sat outside Wal-mart in the freezing cold, jumping up and down waving signs for people to buy our cookies! We did really good and sold 165 boxes out of 300!

I have a friend! Its my daughter Hannah's friends mom, also the Girl Scout Troop Leader (Jen, a.k.a Jenna * my nickname for her)! Our girls have been in school together since kindergarten and we finally met last year, but did not get close until recent! I find it extremely easy to talk to her, about anything! We can not make a phone call to one another without it lasting for more than 1/2 hour! I found out yesterday her parents have the same name as mine (really how bizarre is that). Mind you, my new friend is about 10 years older than me, but her kids are the same ages as mine! So we have made plans for Memorial Day Weekend to go camping! None of my friends enjoy the outdoor of camping, so its nice to find another family who does!

Well, today I have my cousin's baby shower to go to! Granted its right downstairs, but I wish I was sick! I really don't want to go! I am just in one of those moods that I don't want to be around a bunch of people! Ever have those days? Today is mine!!! Oh well, I guess I can go and put a smile on face and be "happy"!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

~Mandy

Maybe a Tad too TIGHT!!!

Since my "fill" on Thursday I am doing ok, but things are definately different! I can't eat a full 4 oz's. About 4 bites and chew chew chew, I am full! No Problem, I don't want to eat like I used to anyways! My problem is the fact I have this weird gurggling sound after I eat or drink anything! Like it is sitting in the back of my throat and just bubbling away! I am thinking the fill made me just a bit too tight! I can get things down, without throwing it up...but it just stinks to have that feeling! A few people say that it will get better and will eventually subside! This is what I am hoping! I don't want to have to call the Dr. and take more time off work to get an "UnFill"!!!

Since I have the day off, I should start trying to get in a work out! Maybe on the exercise ball, I can do some ab work!

Well, thanks for listening! Hoping for a non gurggling throat next time I write!!

~Mandy

Weekly Weigh In and more..

Oh, I am a bit unfocused at the moment since the Steelers are finally in the lead again against the Ravens. Oh man what a stressful game!

Hello again, its Saturday; weigh in day! I am down 2.4 this week for a total of 45.2! Wow, I am still speechless about my weight! I am finally getting somewhere!! Its just amazing to me...but I guess its time for me to really step up the exercise this week. I guess the rest of the weight won't just melt off, although I wish it would be that easy!
So this week I am planning on getting onto the Wii Fit and doing some of those exercises along with some walking on the treadmill. I would rather a bike or eliptical; but treadmill will do. I have an exercise ball, bit not sure how to use it yet! I sit on it, bounce on it, but want to learn to do ab work outs. (Most of what I need to lose is in my tummy). I have that one roll I desperately want to get rid of! Anyone have any exercises they enjoy, or Wii games for exercise that you can recommend?
I notice that when I dont really take my time eating I can only eat a few bites and I am done. Well tonight I made Alfredo, with whole wheat linguini and only had a spoon full, cut it up and it was about 3 ozs. I was able to eat it all! It took me about 40 mins to eat, but I ate! I ate every pick and licked the bowl..LOL! I have not had any pasta in well over 6 months. I wont have it often, but my family was craving it badly and missed my alfredo! I finally gave in. Oh and this is the first time I introduced pasta to my band! So far so good!

~~~~~~~~YEAH!!! Steelers WON!!! WOO HOOO!!! GOOOO STEELERS!!!!~~~~~~~~

So Sorry RAVEN FANS!!! NOT

This Thursday is the Surgical Discussion Group that a few friends and I are going to go to! I haven't been since before surgery! I am a bit excited to see my friend Erica who had the bypass a week after me, she said she is down 33lbs since surgery!
I notice that I am long over due for some alone time; maybe a date night with my husband! Since we seem to have Natasha over more often we no longer have a sitter to watch all 3 kids, and we seem to have all 3 kids all weekend long! I just miss a little quality time with him! I also haven't much time for my friends either! I need a sitter! LOL.

Well, I think this is all I have for now! I am just more focused on the football at moment! So I will write again soon!

My goal for this week......EXERCISE!!!!!

~Mandy

A new pillow

There are a few blogs that I have fallen in love with over the past few weeks. They provide inspiration, patterns and some great visual intrigue. Sara over at Tangled Happy posts great things she is finding and crocheting, I really love her style and the things she showcases are always drool worthy.  Because of her blog I wandered over to Yarning and and just had to make a pillow kind of like this blanket but with simple granny squares.

This is what I have made so far.

See the piece they are laying on, that was the pillow I was trying to make when I last posted.  I made it far too big (twice) and when I was done I found it made a nice cover for the big plastic tote I use as a work station. My cat likes it as a bed.

Here it is alone,

So, if you crochet or want to look at some amazing yarn crafts check out those two blogs and let me know what u think.

On a side note, I had Mc Donald's today for the first time in two weeks, and it made me so sick. I had to lay down and nap to feel anywhere near normal. I am a fast food junkie and two weeks was a long time for me to go with out having any. Here's hoping I can go longer this time.

Until we speak again,

First Fill!!

Today I had a doctor appointment at 1:45pm. Great, miss more time at work!!! Well, today was my appointment to see if I needed my "FIRST FILL".

I figured since I was not sure what was going to happen at the Dr's I would just stick to liquids today. So Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast for Breakfast...Strawberry Carnation Instant Breakfast for Lunch..and some water in between.

When I arrived and checked in, the girl handed me a questionaire to fill out. What I eat, how I feel and how often I am hungry. Short, simple and sweet!

Well got into the room, they weighed me. I am the same weight as last Saturday...(but on Saturday mornings I weigh in before I eat or drink), So that means I have lost again this week!!
Ok let me get back on subject here....

Dr asked me a series of questions, how often I eat, how much do I eat, how much restriction do I feel...ect, ect... Well Dr to me he was going to fill 'er up with 3 cc's..they usually start people off at 5 cc's, but since I am feelin good restriction already and losing steadily, they will only put 3 cc's in. So I lay back and push out my belly so he can find the port! Wow, he is good...found it on the first try! Horray, not too many holes! LOL.

So as he pushes the fluid in, he takes it back out (to make sure its going in the band). If it didn't come back out, then he was not in the right spot! So the fluid goes in, I could feel it! As silly as it sounds, I really felt it squeezing tighter around my stomach. WOW WHAT A FEELING!

Dr has me sit up, take a few sips of water, make sure everything goes down ok and away I go!
Oh back to liquids for a day and back to soft foods another day, then back to my healthy diet!
So I now have 3 cc's in my 11 cc band! Here is to more weight loss!!!

Until the weekend with a weigh in update!!!

~Mandy

I will survive!!!

I survived my first full week back to work, it sure was a struggle, but I DID IT! Horray for me! I won't get into full details about my work, but honestly, since we are down a Case Manager I have hardly had time to leave my desk...not even to pee! I have so much paperwork to do I am kind of overloaded! Not to complain, I would rather be busy because the time flies by, but I am completely wiped out by the time I get home!

So I am happy to say my body is finally getting used to this forgien object that is inside me! I seem to finally be able to eat! Not feel so blahh...and I have been introducing new foods; fruits and veggies, breads and pastas. I think I am just so afraid to eat alot or anything to doughy incase I get sick or it gets stuck! I did try to eat a pear, but it was just one of those foods I can't tolerate. At least for now, I was in alot of pain after I ate it! The gas pains were terrible..I thought I was having a heart attack. Although, I was fine with the strawberries, spinich, squash and banana.

I am supposed to go for my first fill on Thursday the 13th, but I honestly don't think I need one. I am averaging a loss about 3 1/2 to 4 lbs a week, which is great and I am finally getting comfortable and adjusting well with my band. I don't want to have even more restriction and then not be able to eat! I have lost a total of 42.8! My pants are getting too loose, my shirts are falling off my shoulders, and my boobs are hanging low cause my bras are too big! I had to buy new undies because mine were sagging a little too much!

I am having a few of my daughters friends over tonight! It seems as though I always have the girls at my house! I don't mind, Hannah slept over a friends house last night, so I figured they could sleep over here.

I have taken on the role of being "COOKIE MOM" this year for Hannah and Natasha's girl scout troop. It seems like such a job and alot of work go with it! But I think once I do it and figure it out, I will be alright!

Well thats all for now! Until next time...

~Mandy

Relax. . .

I have been at my job for over nine years, and with that debtication comes VACATION TIME, and lots of it. I take a week off almost every three months. Everytime I do take time off people say, "Where are you going?" and I always answer the same thing, "My bed." When I take time off, I use that time to relax, un wind and be away from the normal grind of life. This week I am enjoying my time off doing things I might put off other wise. Like ironing the wrinkly fabric I want to use for a pillow I have been planning, baking delicous deserts, playing video games, learning new things and starting new projects.

Tidy Mom did a guest post over at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen and she shared a recipe for Gooey Butter Cake. I followed the recipe to the letter and it came out so very good. I think I'll take it out five minutes early next time just to adjust for my oven, the cake was a little more well done than I would like, but still awesome none the less.

Lucy over at Attic24 is so awesome with designing and sharing her wonderful crochet patterns. This week I began making a rippled pillow, like this one.

Happy New Year!!!

I have been addicted to the blog feed on my phone. I follow some great blogs and they all have had something to say about the New Year; they have been so different, they are hopeful, sad, excited, and skeptical. Someone announced her pregnancy, another woman mourned on the last day the last year her son had lived. One woman relished in the comfy consistency of her life, while another one celebrated enormous, life altering changes. And so I have been thinking of how my year has progressed.

Each year since 2007, I have set a goal for the year. I don't always start my goal on the first of January but once I get going on it, I accomplish it. I have an aversion to Resolutions, people always go into it with great aspirations and end up disappointing themselves and others. So, I don't do it. I also try not to tell everyone what my goals are until I am in the midst of accomplishing them.  I take that back, if it required money, sometimes I will tell M.

In 2007, I quit smoking. I didn't set this as a goal, I had always said I would quit when I was ready. Well, at 10:50 pm July 3, 2007 M. and I smoked our last cigarettes. In 2008, I lost 30 lbs. (which I have since gained back) and I quit drinking soda (I need to do that again). In 2009, I read 125 books, the goal was 100. Because of that goal, I also was the owner of a semi-successful book blog with over 500 followers. 

In 2010, somethings that I am proud of but were not necessarily goals are, I have fallen in love with my husband, again. We had, had a difficult few years and the negativity of our life was tearing me apart. But in the past few months I have grown to appreciate and cherish what makes him, him. Also, I have become closer with my father and step mother. This was a goal. I was feeling disconnected with my family and being an only child I needed to rebuild my relationships with them. I, now, go there every Saturday morning and spend a few hours with them. I also started a garden which was a goal. I have always admired people who could keep a plants alive and I wanted to be able to do it myself. I was so proud of that little garden and so happy puttering around the yard with my hands in the dirt.

In 2011, I hope to accomplish a few things.

 1. I would like to lose that 30lbs again (but who wouldn't).

2. I want to learn how to run properly and I want to do it often. So, that I can run in the Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving. 

3. I want to teach Charlie proper potty training so he will pee and poop outside. Silly dog is gun shy and wont poop while your looking.

4. I want to learn to take pretty pictures with my phone.

So that I can 5. blog about my goals and crafty accomplishments in style.

Later Alligator, 

Into the New Year of 2011

Another week, month and year gone! Good-bye 2010 and Hello 2011! I must say in 2010 I made some of the most biggest and most incredible decisions of my life! 2010 was a very successful year for me, I quit smoking and had weight loss surgery!

This past week was my first week back to work! Thank God it was only 3 days, well actually I 2 days for me. Monday was a snow day, So I worked Tuesday and Wednesday! Thursday I had called out because I was so constipated I had to take 3 dosed of Mirolax to help get things moving! Would rather be at home for that! But it was rough! I was exhausted! Getting back into routine, thank goodness the kids are on school vacation and I didn't have to worry about Lunches and Homework and all the extras.

I went to Weight Watchers to weigh in. Down another 3.8 this week! I am so happy with the weight loss results! I am at the weight I was almost 6 years ago when I had my son!

I will be skinny in 2011. That is my goal for this year! To work out and get fit!
Focus on those that matter most to me! Spend more quality time with my family, not just hubby and kids; but extended family! And hopefully Friends!

I just want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! To some new friends I have made and old friends I love! To my immediate family and extended family! I hope you make the best out of the New Year and it brings you happiness!

Until Next Time!!!