It's now February 20th, and I'm getting a little closer to my surgery date.  Of course, since I had to put it out to June 18th, the days seem to go by slowly.  But I know that it will eventually come - one thing that keeps on going is the calendar!  Had quite a few ups and downs emotionally this week.  There's quite a bit going on around me here.  Still looking forward to being sleeved and being more healthy.  I hope everyone is well.

Well, my journey has begun.  I am officially scheduled for surgery on 5/23/11 with Dr. Almanza, and I'm going to try to blog as much as I can in order to put feelings into writing, as well as keep myself focused on the goal.  And the goal is . . . to become on the outside the person I am on the inside.  The greatest talent that God gave me was to be an encourager of others, and I enjoy it thoroughly!  This year, I'm going to also work at encouraging myself, so that I stay on track, keep my chin up (so to speak), and prepare for my journey from fat to healthy.  It's funny, but a lot of people don't like to use the word, "fat," but let's face it - - - We are fat!  That's why we're all working on becoming less so.  And because I've known I'm fat for a very long time, I also know that making the decision to rid myself of the fat, I am also taking care of myself by having the GVS.  With this tool, I'm certain that I will be able to finally be who I was meant to be.  When I was young I was so skinny.  I could run and jump, play hide-and-seek, bound up a set of stairs without blinking.  Now, maybe with 100 pounds gone I won't be quite as fast or as agile, but I know I will certainly be able to do much more than I can today. 
Life is hard enough, with all of its ups and downs, twists and turns; Why should I continue to make it even harder by not being able to get out of my own way??  I want to hike up to Oregon's beautiful waterfalls.  I want to walk briskly down the street keeping time with Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."  I even want to learn how to ride a bike again.  I've been afraid to do it for more than 30 years.  I always loved to dance.  In high school I would do the twist, the monkey, the jerk, and who knows what else, for hours at a time - and was never out of breath.  My dream is take ballroom dancing.  I'm probably too short, but I'd still like to try.
Perhaps I will do all of these things a year from now.  It is my prayer and my hope.