Aunt_DeeDee
October 15, 2007
Hi everybody,
I'm Wendy, a 49yo native and current resident of Zebulon, NC. I've been "chubby" since I was a little girl and I remember my mama getting very frustrated trying to find "chubby" size clothes for me as I grew up. My grandma sewed some things for me, but shopping was always a dreaded event.
I thinned out a tad in high school, but then those freshman 15 (and then some) started piling on at college. An old friend of mine and I lived together in Raleigh for a spell and we lived only blocks away from the old Krispy Kreme on Peace Street. Many nights, as we sat in our PJs watching TV (at late thirty), we'd look at each other and never even speak a word... we'd get up, get in the car... stop at the 7-11 next door and get a 1/2 gallon of milk, and then go get a dozen donuts (we knew when that "HOT DONUTS NOW" sign was on). Before we got back to the house a few blocks away, we'd have consumed that dozen donuts AND 1/2 gallon of milk. Now his metabolism was (and still is) ridiculous and he could eat all the donuts that came off that conveyor belt and never gain an ounce. Don't 'cha despise those people?!? Man did the lbs. start piling on then! That was back in the early 80's.
On St. Patty's Day of 2005, I QUIT SMOKING! After 26 years and 2 packs a day, I had a miracle shot in my a** and I haven't wanted a cig since I walked out of that place. BUT, in the 2 1/2 years since, I have put on about 80 lbs! They must GO. When I weighed in at the docs office, I shuttered at the 300 I saw on that little digital thingy. Since then, as I've been cleansing my liver for surgery, I've lost about 12 pounds, so that's 12 I won't have to lose AFTER surgery! I'd like to get down to about 170-180.
I've never married (the lucky man just hasn't found me yet) and have no children, but have one nephew who is EVERYTHING to me... his name is Wyatt and he was 3 on 9/26/07. He calls me DEE DEE, so that's why I'm Aunt Dee Dee. I have one wondermous sister (Tiana) who is 10 years younger than me, and a greattt BIL, Matt! My daddy is 74, and my sweet mama passed away in June of 2002 with Ovarian Cancer. Until her DX in June of 2000, she had never been sick and she left WAY too soon at the young age of 63. I miss her terribly, especially now going through the surgery. I have my "other mother" Eloise. She was one of mama's best friends and I adopted her as my surrogate mama. She's there for me and went with me to my first appt. to meet Dr. MacDonald. I have some wondermous family and friends.
After attending several universities of higher learning (Atlantic Christian College & Louisburg College), in 1982, (on the 6 year plan)I managed to graduate (on Dean's List!) with a B.S. in Home Economics Education from the great East Carolina University (GO PIRATES). That takes some doing, considering all the "diversions" one is tempted with as a student in Greenville. Right after that, I attended bartending school.
I was the Dietary Coordinator at East WakeMed, so I'm VERY familiar with all sorts of special diets, like PUREED foods. LOL (Before and during this time, I owned a gift basket business for 6 years, and then operated my own catering company/wedding and event planning bizz on a part time basis for 22 years.) I left WakeMed in 1998 and became a Personal Chef (www.AngelInYourKitchen.com) when few folks knew there was such a thing. I still chef for a few clients and families and love it. I also do dinner parties, murder mystery dinner parties and other foodie things. In 2000, I co-founded the Personal Chefs Network, a professional organization that teaches folks how to become personal chefs and offers a home for networking (much like our "home" here at OH). My business partner bought my half of the company in December of 2005 and since then, I've been working on the next thing I want to be when I grow up.
Early in 2006, I expanded my culinary coaching with www.WendysHomeEconomics.com. I teach cooking classes, and do all sorts of culinary stuff. I have written one cookbook and edited a few others. For several years, I wrote a syndicated newspaper column, "Kiss The Cook." I was fortunate to be featured in Southern Living Magazine a few years ago too. I maintain membership in the International Association of Culinary Professionals and the Southern Foodways Alliance that preserves southern food history and culture. As you can see, my world has revolved around FOOD!
Early in 2007, after having 2 of the same dreams in one week, I decided I will be an Outdoor Kitchen Designer. I have since added Outdoor Bath/Shower and Outdoor Room designing. I am also offering services as an Exterior Decorator, and I particularly enjoy turning boring porches into wondermous Outdoor Living Rooms! My new logo is being designed and my temp web page www.LivingInsideOut.net is up. My business name is Living... Inside OUT! Once my new logo design is completed, we'll start working on my new web page. I'm a member of the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association and also, the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
I'm ready to get my surgery behind me and launch my new company. It's going to keep me very busy and I look forward to all the NEW ENERGY I will have once I lose lots of blubber!!!
This is my story, for now. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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