A memorable Memorial Day Weekend!

Hi folks! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I sure did. It's so nice to have a long weekend every once in a while. This one was very relaxing and lots of fun. The Hubs and I went to see "Hangover 2" on Friday (OMG, seriously raunchy, but oh so funny!) and then to dinner with our dear friends T&R. Then we spent most of the weekend with T&R by their pool, enjoying the sun, beautiful scenery (they have an amazing home and yard, which happens to be where we got married!) wonderful company, food and cocktails. Summer has officially begun, and with that is the summer visitation schedule, so my boys are with their day for one week at a time. It's always hard to adjust. But, my step-daughter was with us, so she and I did some shopping and we had a really nice weekend. Here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure. I hope you all had as nice a break as I did.

My honey the grill master, grilling lolly pop lamb chops with a red wine, rosemary, balsamic vinegar and honey reduction sauce...absolutely delicious! We also had chicken, spinach and asiago sausage, grilled asparagus and an interesting cornbread salad, yum!

Me & T, not a great pic, but you can see the beautiful scenery behind us


Me and my step-daughter Em.

T&R, love them!

A look at the chef from the table.

N and me, with the hubs looking on!

Again, I hope you all have a wonderful day and enjoy the short week at work, I know I will!

Big Hugs!

T

Okay...now I'm getting mad!

Enough already with the not being able to comment! I've written tons of life changing comments only to be unable to post them. Then this morning in an attempt to see if I could comment I wrote another great comment, didn't happen, then I go to Read's blog and comment LOL! only, because I was tired of writing a book only to see it disappear, that one posted! I don't get it. Anyway, I'm reading you....hopefully blogger will get it's act together soon, so I can show you some comment love. I hope all is well with you guys. I had my biopsy yesterday so I should have results by Tuesday. I'll let you know when I know. Thanks for all the wonderful comments you left me on my son's graduation, you guys are the best.





Have a great day, I can taste the weekend, I can't wait!





Big Hugs,


T

My Graduate

My son graduated from the 8th grade last night. It was a lovely ceremony and I'm so proud of him! I can't believe we'll have three in high school now! Wow, time flies. I thought I'd share a few pics of the evening. I hope you all have a great day today!

Oh, and by the way....I can't comment on any one's blog either, so just know that I'm reading and wanting to comment but blogger won't let me. Booo on Blogger!

Here's my youngest with his diploma, he's headed to High School!

like and angel, right?



with our Pastor




Me with my boys, I'm so proud!

Me, the boys and my handsome Hubby!

Enough of the serious stuff, this is more like it! My crazy boy!

A little bit of movement on the scale!

So glad to see a new number on the scale this morning. I'll take it! 5.5 pounds to a weight that starts with a one. I'll probably faint when that happens. Slowest loser or not, I'm glad it's going down. I'll let you know how the graduation goes. You guys are the best!

Big Hugs!
T

Tomorrow my baby graduates from the 8th grade!

Man o man! It wasn't this hard when my oldest son did it and my step daughter did it, I guess because it was new territory. But this time, it means that I will have no one left in middle school. They will all be in high school. And, since the other 2 will be Juniors in the fall, I'm well aware of how quickly high school flies! I'm a little verclempt.

I'm wearing the above dress for the graduation, and guess what, it's a plain ol Large! I still really don't see a big change in the way I look, but I can tell you that 60 pounds ago, it would have taken 12 angry men to get me into a size Large anything! It's nice not to have a few X's in front of the L. I'll post pics of the festivities tomorrow. Hope you had a great weekend, I did. Take care now.

Big Hugs!

T

B-12 injection

I got a B-12 injection today and a prescription for B-12 vitamins to take twice a day. I had my annual blood work done early in the week and they called me yesterday to say my B-12 was deficient. So, I'm anxious to see if I feel any different. I don't think I have been any more tired than usual. But, one thing I read on the web was that one symptom of B-12 deficiency is a red sore tongue. Oddly enough, last week my tongue was very red and sore, coincidence? I don't know. While I was out today going to the Doctor, I stopped a Ross and bought 3 dresses and 2 shirts for $60.00. I love a bargain! And, they were all size 16! I tried on several 14's that fit too, but I didn't like them as well. I was feeling pretty good about myself and decide to do the old tried and true "snap a pic in the dressing room with my phone" move that so many of you do. I didn't have my glasses on, so when I got in the car, I pulled out the phone to look at the pictures, amazingly, I did not look as good in the photo as I thought I did, in fact I look really pretty frumpy and if I hadn't been behind schedule, I would have gone back in the store to return the items. I will likely do that tomorrow. So, lesson learned...bring glasses in the dressing room and trust a photo before the mirror.

I'm going to leave work a little early today to go to the movie with my sister and sister-in-law, we're going to see Bridesmaids. I'm excited about that.

Last night the hubs and I went to the football scrimmage and then out for dinner and drinks at a great Italian place, with some great friends. It was a wonderful night. The hubs can barely walk today and is going back again tonight to crossfit. Think happy thoughts for him!

Big Hugs!
T

This is me...

Yep, I'm Krabby! I don't want to be and I don't mean to be, but I am what I am, and today...I'm crabby! I know that hormones are playing a big part in my overall crabbiness. I don't really understand how I can feel fine one day and the next day feel like the world is crashing down around me. I don't like it. I like to feel good and positive. I like to feel happy, I have a lot to feel happy about. But, today... I feel lonely, no matter how many people are around me and I feel misunderstood. I need to get past it. How do you get past the "Crabby," anyone?

Have a great day, it's Wednesday and the Spring football game at school.
Big Hugs,
T

Quick Post

Hey Guys! I hope all is well with you. I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a few days, I've been so busy lately. Work is busy, life is busy. School is wrapping up for my kids, my baby is graduating from the 8th grade, we got a car for my step daughter, my son has the Spring football scrimmage tomorrow. All that and over the weekend we had the most kick butt party we've had in a while. Things are good, busy like I said but good.

And, I think I told you guys about my new business, I'm now a R & F(I'm not going to spell it out, because I don't want people searching for that to find my blog) consultant. You can check out my website: here, check out the age o meter to see what you'll look like in 30 years, oooo that's scary.

I went to my endocrinologist last week, I have nodules in my thyroid, and apparently they have grown, so I have to have a biopsy next week. I'm not looking forward to it, and frankly, it all makes me a little nervous, as my mother died from thyroid cancer. I'm well aware of the fact that even if it is cancer, it's a breeze to treat, but I still get nervous, I can't help myself. I've also got an appointment with my surgeon about that scar tissue in my abdominal area. It just bothers me and it appears to be growing. So, that's all my strange medical stuff. I hope all of you are okay, I promise to blog about something interesting soon.
Take care, big hugs!
T

I was lost without you!

I hated that I couldn't get on Blogger and check in with you guys. I'm surprised by how that made me feel. I felt definitely disconnected for the day and 1/2 that I couldn't get on. That just wasn't any fun. I have grown to depend on my blog friends for support, information and camaraderie. You guys are important to me. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Glad I can check in now.
Big Hugs!
T

Extra, extra....

READ all about it! That's right folks....don't be too jealous, but the hubs(I'm linking in an attempt to spur him on to blog more) and I met the fabulous Read in New Orleans this weekend. We had a blast! She is just as smart, funny and fabulous in person as she is on her blog! And I immediately felt like I've known her forever! I can't wait to spend more time with her in Chicago!

This is early on at The Cat's Meow, still looking fresh!

Read & John...hey, how about a giant gin and tonic, or a hurricane the size of my head?

Wooo hooo... Me like Hurricanes and Read! Let's sing!

After a couple of the previously mentioned drinks, let's all get in the picture!

It was really fun, we enjoyed some adult beverages and sang karaoke, which is nothing new for me, but is obviously something quite new for Read. She has a great voice and should sing more frequently. I on the other hand don't have a great voice, but sing loud, with great enthusiasm, which, when paired with adult beverages makes it all okay! She was with some friends but made time for us, which was sooo nice of her. So, we were able to spend time together Saturday afternoon, and evening and have breakfast Sunday morning. I'm so glad she and her friends came for Jazz Fest, and I'm so glad John and I went for the day to see her. Enjoy the pics, and like I said....don't be too jealous, book now for Chicago.

Have a great Monday!

Big Hugs!

T

Happy Mother's Day!

On Facebook, people have been posting pictures of their Mothers in honor of Mother's Day this Sunday, so I posted this picture of my Mom (the head shot). I'm always a little overwhelmed with emotion at Mother's Day. I miss my mom, she's been dead for 34 years and my Daddy died on Mother's day, 33 years ago next Friday. My mom died when I was young so I never got to have a really mature conversation with her, because...I was a girl. I mourn things like that sometimes more than others. I am close to the age my mother was when she died. When she was my age, she was gravely ill, I wonder what she felt like? I wonder if she felt as young as I do? I wonder if she felt ready for what was coming for her? I wonder how scared she was knowing that she was leaving her children behind? My children are both past the age that I was when I lost my parents. I'm so glad that I'm healthy and that my children don't have my health to concern them. My mom was a beautiful woman, she was funny and smart. Although things were rough when I was a kid, I know that I am the woman I am today because of my experiences. I think being without my Mom has made me a better mom in some ways. I love being a mother, it is one of my greatest joys in life. So, happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful women who are Moms. If you still have your Mom, give her a hug.

My Mom in her early 20's

Mom in her 20's and looking stylish, this was in 1945 or 46

And, this is me, I was 5 years old. This was about a year before my Mom got sick. when I see that picture, I see a happy little girl without a care in the world! I loved that dress it was maroon velvet with a starched white cotton collar. I remember being good for the picture and getting M & M's after (so began a long relationship with chocolate!)

I hope you all have a great Thursday and a Happy Mother's Day weekend.

Big Hugs!

T

I feel a change

Today I'm having one of those days. It's a good day and I'm happy, but I feel change in the air, it's brewing and it makes me feel a bit uneasy.

Here's what's happening:

• My baby is graduating from the 8th grade in just a couple of weeks. That means we will have 3 in high school in the fall, 2 juniors and one freshman.




• My step daughter will start driving next month! She turns 16! It's time to get a car for her too!




• I'm starting a new business venture, something like I've never done before. I'm excited, I feel passionate about the products I'll be selling and I think it's a really great opportunity for me, but a little out of my comfort zone.




• As far as my weigth loss goes, I feel like I am on the cusp, I literally am on the cusp, the cusp of the 100's I'm close to onederland and it's invigorating and scary all at once. It makes me feel like it's time to kick it up a notch. I feel like my body is trying to tell me something, like....excuse me, how about a little exercise today?




• I feel pretty good about my progress, I feel pretty good about things in general. Next month rehearsals begin for the Variety Show I'm in each summer. I would really like to lose 10 pounds before the show, in late July. I don't know if that's feasible, since I'm a slow loser, but I really would like for that to happen. (send vibes now please!)




• I don't know how else to put it, just that I feel uneasy, maybe a little anxious, a little excited all rolled up in one.

Things are changing....

Big Hugs,

T

How long do you wait?

When you are stuck and feel the pressure brewing, and it's stuck, but not to the point that it's coming up on it's own. When you're stuck like that, how long do you wait until you go make it come up? I'm just curious. Yesterday at lunch I had a taco, I was super hungry and I ate too fast. I got stuck, I felt terrible and I kept waiting for it to go down, seriously I waited and hour and a half before I finally went to the bathroom and out it popped. I just don't think that it was going to go down. What's the longest time you've waited on a stuck and had it pass? Inquiring minds want to know.

I know, I'm just gross today.

Hugs,
T

My thoughts on blending in.

Now that I that I am between 30 and 40 pounds overweight (I give myself a 10 pound range, because I'm not sure what weight I need to be yet), rather than 100 pounds over weight, I tend to blend in much better. For the last 25 years or so, I have been painfully aware that I'm generally the biggest thing in a room, bar the furnishings. I have always done my best to stand out, with my personality and sense of humor, as it was obvious I was standing out because of my size so I felt a bit of an obligation to bring that full circle. I've told you before that my husband has always hated when I make fun of myself about my size. He always says..."self
deprecators are losers!" Just like that. Although, I still struggle with feeling really secure at this size, when I look around the room lately, I'm often not the biggest one anymore. It feels good to be pretty average and it feels good to blend in.

I had a nice weekend and spent some much needed time with my girlfriends. Although, I really do miss the hubs when he is away, that makes it so much nicer when he returns. A little NSV to share, I went shopping to get a new top on Friday and I tried on nothing but Larges and they all fit me!

I hope you all have a great week.
Big Hugs,
T