Ok, so I was in Chicago this week for work.  It was one of those days where I woke up and went outside to have coffee on the street corner before going into the office for our team building meetings.  As I am walking back in, this little baby bird falls from the sky and lands at my feet.  Poor thing, I couldn't do anything for it.  I go inside and start thinking that this isn't a good omen to have a bird drop dead at your feet. 

I get to the office and sitting outside of our conference room is one of our key executives --- he is kind of my nemesis.  He doesn't like me at all.  We start our meeting and he gives us the updates to all the changes in our company -- we have bought 4 other companies in 6 months.  This meeting was to bring together all of the folks from those companies to integrate the teams and build teamwork.  We were to give individual presentations to our peers and have an interactive discussion.  Well, once this executive found out we were giving presentations, he makes the statement that he will stay for my presentation.   I was a wreck.  He writes copious notes during my presentation, asks questions, and then gets up to leave right as I am done.  There went the team building aspect as he completely unnerved me and some of the other team members.  Totally negated the whole point for the meeting. 

Later on I had to take a car service out to the suburbs for a meeting the next day that I had with a client.  (This particular client is notoriously difficult and can be extremely hard to please.  I had created a new product for them and this was the meeting to present this product.  Very high profile and I was nervous as hell.)  So, I am standing outside of our office waiting for the car when a big black stretch limo drives up.  The driver jumps out of the car and says "Are you Kelly?"  He's kind of cute with that shaved head, big bodyguard kind of look.  I get into the car and start to relax.  After about 1/2 hour this guy starts talking to me about everything.  By the time we get to my hotel, he has told me that I am "smokin" hot and that he gets off work at 10!  I didn't know what to say!  I was like, "I'm married" and his response was that he didn't mind that.  I laughed so hard!  I thanked him for the offer but was going to have to decline. 

I go check into my hotel and found out that I was the Marriott Rewards member of the day -- I was upgraded to a suite on the concierge floor, free drinks, free breakfast, and even a hotel robe that I can now fit into!  It was a roller coaster of a day -- from the dead bird to being treated like a queen.  Amazing.....

It didn't stop there either.  The next day I do my presentation and I nail it!  (With God's help)  I prayed so hard to God that I could do this presentation and let it be smooth --- He came through for me.  The client bought the product on the spot.  Our Account Exec sent an email to my nemesis telling him how great the meeting went! 

So, I get to the airport and we start boarding the plane. Here's what's too funny,  when I was 17 I used a British accent to get into this club. I met this guy who loved my "accent" - I went on a date with him and a week later he sent me flowers telling me "welcome to America" --  I get on the plane in Chicago and 23 years later this guy sits down next to me and starts a conversation. Never knowing who I really was.....How crazy is that? I love how life works...

Keep losing out there!  God bless you all!  k

Wow - 100 lbs gone!  I cannot believe it.  I am only 20 lbs away from goal.  So much has changed and yet, much has not.  It's weird, wonderful, and crazy.  There are  many things I have allowed myself to do now that I weigh less.  I take my kid's swimming every weekend, I put on a bathing suit and went to the beach in FL without feeling embarrassed, I went to Portland OR and walked all around the city without stopping or being winded, I can sit outside on a summer day without sweating buckets, I get chilly in air conditioning, and I am going to my first concert in 10 years on Friday!  I am getting more comfortable in my new body.  I read back on my older blogs and realized that it isn't as big of deal as it was --- Eating is not an issue -- still haven't tried a lot of new stuff and only once in a blue moon do I get "head" hunger. 

Exercise is still out there to be worked on -- I went the shrinkage yesterday --- I gave him permission to read my blog --- Hi Shrinkage!  He called me to tell me that we will make that a part of our next discussion but I needed to work on exercising in the meantime.  Sigh....I will work on it......

I am turning 40 on Saturday --- I am not sure what to think about turning 40.  I was so excited about turning 30 but 40 is a bit different.  I am trying to sort out all my head issues and figure out what are issues b/c of the weight loss and what are issues b/c I am turning 40 -- what's real and what's not.  I am beginning to understand the meaning of mid-life crisis.  Thank goodness for therapy.  Very introspective these days when it comes to my spirituality.  God is my strength and I am really thinking and praying about what I am suppose to be doing in my life.  Some days it's a cluster and other days it seems very clear. 

Status Update:  I had my surgery on 12/15/2010 and I am nine months out.  I weigh 159 lbs.  My clothing size is a 12 and can wear medium tops.  Energy level is high.  Still losing some hair -- which sucks eggs.  Eating mostly protein -- eggs for breakfast, protein shake for lunch, and fish for dinner on most days.  I drink only water and coffee.  My goal over the next three months is to reach 140 lbs/24 BMI and be on a good workout schedule. 

Hope you all are doing well out there!  God bless you and keep losing.  Take care, k