spoyld's Blogs

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...

2010-03-18T09:30:00Z

a beautiful day in the neighborhood...would you be mine? could you be mine? won't you be my neighbor?

Isn't Mr. Rogers just wonderful? A little strange to say the least, but he could always put a smile on your face...whether enjoying his peaceful qualities or just plain laughing at him and his ways. (by the way, Mr. Rogers has NOTHING to do with my blog below :o)

Well, my Daddy arrived to us yesterday around 12:30pm. He got 'promoted' at his cancer check and no longer needs a chest xray or ultrasound of his kidney every 6 months...HOORAY!

He will still be up to Memorial Sloan Kettering twice a year, but now the focus remains on his bladder which will still require a cystoscopy and lab work, but only annually for the other tests associated with his kidneys.

Such great news, first visit EVER that we didn't have to sit and wait and worry. He still has the cyst on his kidney, but that remains unchanged in size and structure, so no need to worry at this time, PHEWWWW.

So, out to dinner we went, Spain Restaurant in Cranston, RI. The Paella was magnificent and so was their raisin pumpernickle bread. I ate too much of both, and am paying the price as it is 3:54 am and I woke up at 3:00 am with the bathroom being my companion for the past hour :o(

Well worth it! I won't be visiting the scale for probably a week or two as a result of my choices last night and the upcoming weekend, but I know that I will be back in the swing of things on Monday and will continue on until the next hurdle arrives.

Today we pick up my Daddy at 9am from the hotel and he will stay with us until we can't stay awake any longer and back to the hotel we will take him. (we live in a 1 bedroom condo so we have nowhere to put him up)

Tomorrow he leaves to visit my sister in MA, but we will be heading there on Saturday to celebrate her and my birthdays (her's late...mine early) while my Daddy is visiting.

So, I won't be online (unless another stomach ache arises at 3:00 am) probably until Tuesday. Keep me posted on all your progress everyone. Messages and comments on my page are always great to log onto when I've been away and can't follow blogland.

Good day to all!!!

Suzanne

P.S. I moved the posting time of this blog ahead so that all of my NS friends will see it during my 'usual' posting time so you can see this fabulous update on my Daddy.

P.P.S. Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes to our family while awaiting his results!

Hooray for me...another NSV...

2010-03-16T09:32:00Z

Short and sweet this time. I went to class last night and still am forced to face those stupid student desks, as this college course is held in a highschool classroom, so the desk and chair are one piece like when we were 7 years old. And, I can attest to the fact that they still only fit a 7 year old...what were they thinking???

Ok, that was the short...here is the sweet...

Here's the thing, when I attended my first class, I could hardly fit in the desk. No exaggeration...I was the only one who had to S Q U E E Z E, quite painfully I might add, into this stupid desk/chair contraption and was probably blue as a Smurf from not being able to inhale and exhale due to lack of room.

Last night was week 7 of class and my belly no longer touches the desk!!!

Can I just say...that was the most awesome feeling in the entire universe!!!

Tomorrow will be another NSV as my Daddy is up from Florida. He will have his cancer test results from his 6 month check when he arrives to us in the afternoon, but he will also see me down another 20 lbs from when we last saw eachother.

I am hoping for happiness from both significant events tomorrow. Cross your fingers please!

Have a great day.

Suzanne

What would I do without you???

2010-03-15T08:28:00Z

Even if your screen name is NOT Tobewankanobe, this is surely a neat enough story I think it might be worth your time to take a look.

It was here, on NS blogs, where I read about something that made me do something I have NEVER done before in my entire 38 years of life.

If you are amused enough to keep up with my blogs then you might remember my jean 'try-on-athon' I had two weeks ago. I went to 7 stores and put on 35 different pairs of jeans. Not one pair was even close to looking 'good' on me.

I suffered from (well, not me personally, the extra material on all these jeans)

Baggy Leg Syndrome

Crotch Sag Disorder

Hip Bulge Outbreak

and

Saggy Butt Disease

So, what did I do? I got frustrated and gave up. Figured I have to wait another 10 lbs or so before I would find something that might fit properly. (by the way, I am built like my Daddy, no butt, no hips, no boobs...kind of sucks considering I'm a girl, but I did manage a gorgeous pair of muscular legs which never lost their luster)

I hopped on line after the weekend and read Tobe's blog about her 501s that she got at the consignment shop. Hmmm, what a great idea. Maybe I can find jeans at a consignment shop, but, wait a minute, I've never even been to one. I know of them, but do I really want to go the used clothes route? I have always donated tons of clothes, but never ever have I actually benefited from used clothes other than a tax deduction.

Well, Saturday, during the torrential downpours and hurricane force winds, I picked up my mom and we ran to a highly recommended consignment shop in the beautiful tourist town of Mystic, CT. We went in, perused their racks, noticed that they had nothing sized over a 16 and headed for the mens department in hopes to find something, anything that was better fitting.

7 pairs of jeans later and NOTHING, nope, NOT ONE THING. I turn around and **BAM** there is a white pair of jeans, size 3 Chicos, with tags still on which meant they were brand NEW just hanging there all alone. I held them up and said, "What the hell do I have to lose, they are really nice looking and they have really skinny legs which is exactly what I need."

So, I run into the dressing room one more time, ripped off my jeans out of anticipation and excitement and much to my surprise, they fit...PERFECTLY! (and my mom didn't hesitate to share her like for them :o)

Ok, they want $30 for these, that's kind of expensive for a consignment shop, isn't it? I mean, they are NEW, but are they worth that? Hmmm, now what?

I leave the jeans at the shop, drive three towns over and go to Chicos to ask them about their sizing. What IS a size 3? The sales lady responds with a giggle, "A size 3 is a size 16."

Wait, did she just say a size 16? Not an 18 or an 18W or a 16 extra-extra wide? A regular, ladies, not womens, size 16? Well, yes siree, a regular, in the ladies department normal 'ultra slim' size 16.

No $hit was all I could think. Ok, sniffing around like a drug seeking dog, show me all the jeans available in a size 3. Wait, a SALE??? $69 jeans for just $29.99??? Grab ALL of them, get me into a dressing room and get out of my way!!!

So, as success would have it, I came home with 3 pair of blue jeans, 1 pair of black jeans, 1 pair of brown jeans all for an additional 20% off their already sale price and then ran back (swam back is probably more literal considering the downpours we had) to the consignment shop and bought the lonely pair of white jeans since spring is coming.

Dear Tobe:

Thank you, thank you, thank you! If it weren't for your 501s success, I would have never gone to a consignment shop and I wouldn't have seen those size 3 Chicos and I would have NEVER stopped in Chicos on my own as I hear they are wicked expensive and for skinny people. (even though my mom had recommended I give Chicos a try and I told her NO WAY)

But, let me tell you, these jeans are smokin' hot on me. They form fit my legs, my little butt, my non-existant hips and I actually look, for the first time in 16 years, like I am a regular size lady instead of a plus size BLOB.

Can I tell you that this forms a whole new level of love in my life. To you and to Chicos and to the possibilities of consignment shopping.

Again, and never overstated...THANK YOU!!!

Suzanne

P.S. I will post pics of these sexy jeans (with me in them) after this week. My daddy is visiting and we will be celebrating my birthday when he is up, so there will be lots of pics to be had.

P.P.S. Thanks Mo' for all your dedicated time to my ultimate, yet never-ending, jeans search. If it weren't for your support, and your re-hanging skills in the fitting room, I wouldn't have survived and would still be having my 'jeans hang low' !

Are you kidding me? One whole year and now IT begins?

2010-03-12T01:41:00Z

Ok, here we go, this is a lifelong journey, I am a year into it and now I am confused and shocked to say the least. If you are wondering what I mean then come along and read on...

It started on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 of all days, which is so incredibly ironic, as that was my one year anniversary on Nutrisystem. I ate my breakfast at 7am as I have done each day for the past year. Same breakfast EVERY single day, which I love!

Then I ate my fruit which I take from my afternoon snack to get me through until lunchtime. Shortly thereafter, around 11am, I cook my protein and veggies from my lunch and enjoy. That is usually followed by my actual NS lunch within the hour.

Ok, here is where things get strange...

Noon came along and I wasn't the least bit hungry, then 12:30 I looked at the clock and thought "man, I better cook my lunch or I will not have enough time to take my fiber and eat my afternoon protein".

Next thing I knew...it was 1:30pm and I still hadn't had lunch and I still was NOT hungry at all.

I chalked it up to the day...just busier than normal and probably didn't have my mind focused on what it normally is focused on ... FOOD.

Well, it happened again on Wednesday AND Thursday and now it's Friday and I am in the race of a lifetime to find the time and desire to eat all I am required to on this plan.

Now, if this happened within months of my beginning NS I probably would've celebrated almost 100 lbs lost over this last year, but NO, it had to take a year for a 'normal' appetite to finally kick in.

So, here I am, not complaining one bit as I am thrilled with my accomplishment thus far, but just wishing that this miraculous thing called a well-controlled appetite had kicked in a long time ago.

Just remember, when you start to doubt yourself and feel you are late bloomer in life with anything or everything...remember this blog...one day, when the time is right, all the good will fall into place :o)

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

SING ALONG...to...99 bottles of beer on the wall

2010-03-10T08:40:00Z

1,460 packages of food in the pantry

1,460 packages of food

take one down

DON'T pass it around (there's not enough to share :o)

1,459 packages of food in the pantry

That is what was going through my mind last night as I opened my dessert which celebrated my...

ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

on NutriSystem.

To think, 365 days of pre-packaged foods and much to my surprise, I live to tell about it (no, I did not stay 100% for the whole year, but enough to know that my success thus far is solely contributed to my commitment to their product).

So, if there is anyone doubting the enjoyment, ease of use and ultimate success on this plan, check out my page, see how far I've come and hop on this band wagon as we take it for a spin down...

Loss Lane

Health Highway

Sexy Street

Ripped Road

or whatever other road you have in mind.

It's a really FUN ride and I have 54 lbs that I've purged from my hood and trunk to prove it :o)

Suzanne

Short and Sweet...

2010-03-09T03:54:00Z

This is a monumental day for me...I am celebrating my one year anniversary with NutriSystem. I have lost 54 lbs. and am excited to continue this journey through my last 50 lbs.

I am not bored, tired, fed up or overwhelmed by the program and each box that arrives still gives me that birthday present feeling :o)

Cheers to a great year...03/09/09-03/09/10 and hoping for another successful one.

Thank you NS and thank you to all my friends for all your support, guidance, help, cheers and most of all...today...PILLOWS.

Complete mental and physical exhaustion

2010-03-09T11:35:00Z

I am just completely all-around pooped. I am anxious about my Daddy's visit (6 month cancer check), overexerted with school, drained from home improvements and depleted from lack of good sleep.

Just writing that makes me want to put my head down on my desk and not wake up for at least 3 or 4 months :o(

My weight has been going in the right direction, however, very slowly. I have had great NSVs along the way lately, which is a high point, but I am too tired to even smile at them today.

I told my DH that no matter what his plans are this weekend, I will NOT eat off plan, not for one teeny tiny second, as I will be off next Wed-Sat with my Daddy up.

I will not make my mini goal on the 17th as I had hoped for, I am fine with that (disappointed a little, but I knew my goal was way out of reach).

This course I am taking will only get more stressful, strenuous and difficult as we head toward the 'obtain documentation from past employers, colleagues and/or others in your profession'. It will require me to miss work (at least a day or two) to head to the other side of the state and practically beg my past employers (hopefully they remember me) for their 'spare' time and cooperation in making a strong effort to write necessary documentation to support my petitions for 13 courses.

I know that the courses I will have to physically take will not amount to even 1/100th of workload or stress that comes with this one. I don't regret taking it one bit, but man is it an emotional workout, mentally challenging and it just drains every ounce of oomph right out of me.

So, onward with my NS journey, 100% without fail until next week. Onward with the home improvements right up until my Daddy arrives next Wednesday and then again right after he leaves. Then my focus will be solely, 100% on school.

Anyone have a pillow???

Both women and men might appreciate this one...

2010-03-08T09:20:00Z

I had a HUGE NSV this weekend...went to Kohl's just for fun to see if I fit in 'regular' bras vs. plus size bras which you need to get from the specialty shops and...

I also suffered through trying on 35 different pairs of jeans in 6 different stores, none of which fit properly...but surely qualifies for my daily workout...hehehe

But, can I have a...

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

I went from a 42 B plus size bra to a 40 C regular, normal, in the skinny section bra :o)

What is so significant is, I started in a 44 C with an extender of 2 inches just 54 lbs. and 1 year (less two days) ago and now, I'm in a 40 C ...

ANOTHER DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

a SEXY FRONT CLOSE bra

which means no way to increase the breathing room...YIPPEE!!!

So, whenever you begin to doubt your 'numbers', look for the other victories, because there are so many of them you might just miss one.

Suzanne

Need to take a raincheck

2010-03-04T07:58:00Z

Ever have one of those mornings where nothing goes right? Then, ever have one where even though nothing goes right you still remain calm, cool and okay with the unraveling events? Ever feel that when you have one of those mornings, that maybe your wandering mind before bed the night before might have caused this? Well, that's what is going through my mind right now.

I was in bed last night, thinking about the next few hectic weeks ahead. Tomorrow I have to spackle and paint my house to repair damage to the walls during our window replacememt. My DH has a 4 month follow-up with the neurologist for his headaches next week. My Daddy comes up for his cancer check and a quick visit with us the 17th-21st. We are due to have a couple new appliances installed the last week in March. My DSS is signed up for a baseball camp next weekend at the Coast Guard Academy which I will have to take him to and I've never been on the base before, so a little unnerving for me.

Just so much coming up it is overwhelming. And, worst of all, I was tallying in my head last night how many headaches my DH has had in the last 4 months since that will be the first question asked when he sees the neurologist. Only 4, but they were 4 KILLER headaches.

Then, 5am today, the alarm goes off, and I hear no movement from my DH. He doesn't budge after the alarm is turned off. Nope, doesn't even roll over, but surely isn't getting out of bed to get ready for work either. 5 minutes goes by which is totally unusual, then 10, then he is finally standing up by my side of the bed just holding his head and can barely speak his head hurts so incredibly bad.

I tell him to call out of work and I'll get him medicine and an icepack and he tells me he has too much to do at work (they are mandating a 7 day workweek right now due to Navy deadlines) and I took my stance and told him he is NOT going no matter what. I walked him out of the bedroom to his phone and made him call out while I stood there to witness it.

You think that my quantifying his headaches caused this morning's one? Probably not, but I am surely blaming myself as I see him in so much pain. Worst off all, there is NOTHING I can do to make him better.

So, on with my day, off to work, will just sit there all day wondering how he is feeling and if he will be ok until I get home.

Hey...Leslie...my 3 mile belly walk will have to take a raincheck. Too much noise for my DH in this one bedroom condo of ours. Hopefully I will burn enough calories doing repairs tomorrow to make up for it, but my DH is much more important than any pounds you can make me burn!

Back to the daily grind...

2010-03-03T09:39:00Z

The windows are done, the door is finished, the temperature in the house finally reflects the thermostat setting (insert HALLELUJAH here) and we can finally sit in our normal clothing and pack away the parkas and fleece blankets we've been smothered in while inside the confines of our own home.

Now the hard part begins...

I have so much work to do for school. This class is beginning to kick butt as we near the halfway point. It actually will warrant my taking some time off from work to head to the other side of the state and practically beg past employers to write documetation letters on my behalf. They will have only two weeks from my request to have them done and mailed back to the college, so I am going before my request letters go out so they are ready and waiting and hopefully prepared to take on the daunting, time consuming task.

I am both physically and mentally drained from the last two days of standing in my kitchen while the remodel was done, then heading to school for a 4 hour class and going to my bowling league last night for 3 hours.

I really should've taken today off I guess, but back to the daily grind.

I did do one thing for myself though, I sent my new avi to my cell phone so I can continue to look in awe at it. I am still flabbergasted at the difference, especially knowing how much further I have to go. It is so amazing (and disappointing) to me that we can so easily distort our perception of ourselves. So, might seem conceited, but I choose to think it is well warranted and quite therapeutic to oogle over my before/after (midway) pic.

Enjoy your Tuesday! . . . oops . . . Wednesday (per Bonnie :o)

Suzanne