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Here is a brief rundown of the few days that I spent in Vegas. I arrived early though at two am Vegas time. It says 11 pm. Rosemary tells me that Toni is not able to pick me up. I find a cab and spend $40 to get to the Palace Station. I check in and get a room on the fifth floor. Rosemary and Toni and I go to the Cafe where I have some shrimp for dinner. It was $1.99.
Rosemary and I wait for Connie and Alfred while Toni goes to get some sleep. They will sleep in the second bed in my room rather than hang in the parking lot or casino!
We get very little sleep. Alfred does sleep. He drove over 20 hours from TX. I had been up more than 30 hours by the time I sleep. It was just four hours sleep as Connie had gone out to breakfast and did not have the card key to get back in the room.
Alfred and I did not even know she was gone. I dress quickly and get down for breakfast where I do not see Andrea or Beth. Sally does know their room number. I go up intending to connect to do the hike in the mountains. I learn that Andrea had a migraine. We are going to the Strip to meet up with Beth and Kaitlin. If we waited we could get the shuttle. No, we are hiking along the highway to get to where Beth and Kaitlin will be waiting for us. We ate at I Burgers where I had an eggplant burger and salad.
I was able to check out my videos on YT. My channel is AwesomeForever. I am also on Sparkpeople.
It was a long day. We finally arrive back at about 5. I think, I will wind down and get up later to shower change and meet people. My legs and feet start cramping from all our walking and standing. I made the notation that it was like no other mall...if you want to sit you need to sit at a slot machine! Nice marketing idea. It meant that my body reacted with frequent attacks of cramps. I had aspercreme and quinine. It hurt. I had just put my body to rest when it first started. It went on for more than forty-five minutes.
I kept thinking that I would get up and meet someone. I would call. Yet, it was the lack of significant sleep for the last four days that finally ended up being the straw that broke the camel's back. I fell asleep. I stayed asleep. It was peaceful.
Next morning, I found people whom I knew from YT and others. I recorded that there were six of us in one booth. It would not have happened when we were all over three hundred or more pounds.
I went shopping in the little shop at the hotel. I looked at my watch. It was just minutes before the shuttle would leave. Why not take a ride and see more of the Strip. I was thinking that I would come back at two to help with the set up of the M & G. One more seat the driver said. I went in to the rear where the seat was.
My friends from the day before were actually on the bus waiting for Michelle who does a blog. It seemed they were thinking she should sit there. Two decided to get off to wait with her for the next shuttle which lead to a man getting on. He sat down next to me. Shelly came back and we all sat in the back with some on laps of others. There were seven in the back. Six of us and the man. Can you believe it?
We spent another day going along the Strip. We ate lunch together at Ocean Grille. I ate some grilled tilapia and had some seared tuna from Shelly's appetizer.
 It was a long day. We arrived back at 5 again. It was time to register. Then go up and change for the Friday evening event. We were to have food. It was just two pieces of cheese and one blackberry for me. I sat with Jerry. He told me that Deborah was resting as her back was bothering her. I went up to get a drink and heard that Taunia and Rob were getting married. I was in a good place to take a video with my new iphone4 so I stayed and did.
YT will not let the sound of come out but I have pictures and video of the wedding. I am so happy for them. What a surprise.
Next day, I met so many new to me people. Some of the people that I recognized and started talking to were people that I knew via YT. I went to two of the round table discussions. One was on our body image post surgery the other was on walkingbuddies.
I also saw some of the seminar talks. I missed some of Rosemary's because of Saturday mornings appointment with Dr Timothy Katzen. I went to him to see what if anything could be done about the excess skin and breast lift. I left thinking that it was overwhelming! I was in tears. He said that he could do the tt and breast lift all in one surgery. I would not have to try to think which would be the priority.
He was young and professional. Here I was standing naked in front of a doctor. He even took photos for the insurance company.
One other surgery could be scheduled for my back fat and turkey neck. The neck makes me look older and would be something that I would have to pay for. The other three are covered, Dr Katzen said.
Saturday lunch with some people that I have grown fond of over the years. It was simple but some of it was not to my liking.
I had purchased a few dresses and was glad to flaunt the new look. It was fun Saturday evening. We danced after the program. Taunia had a burlesque show. I took more pictures. I love my new phone. I uploaded in minutes to YT or facebook. We had a live feed. Some said that Linda Rocked. Sunday I went up to the roof to dance the song that M'bake had made me practice. I learned some of it. We had it video'd by Beth and BTV. The live feed was too far away to really see it.
Some thanked me for the videos as they thought there were too many problems with the live feed. I spent the day with Jerry and Deborah. I took a cab to the airport and walked and walked. I was free of  luggage. I knew that I would be sitting far to long. I had to go from Nevada to California then overnight to Massachusetts. I drank lots of water to keep hydrated. In Long Beach, I bought a hooded sweatshirt that my grandson can wear. It was mighty cold in California! I was glad to have it in Boston as well.
Next year, I hope to do the zipline, the hike that I missed and maybe the jump from the Stratosphere!
Why don't you consider going to the meet and greet. It is scheduled for the weekend in May 18 to 20.
Do you want to know if I gambled? I did twice on penny machines. I put ten dollars in one machine a little at a time. I won but lost in the end. Vicki won. She did real well. I think she took home some of it. Deborah, Jerry and I played this time I went all out and put twenty dollars in. They won. So, if you are thinking of going look me up next year and sit next to me...you will win. I will be happy.
Linda

Wednesday, I learned that my dear aunt had died.

She was a rock for all who knew her. My aunt cared for many people in their last days while continuing to be a kindergarten teacher at a Christian school. They would see her smiling and encouraging face or hear her in the case of her blind mother in law getting them up for breakfast and their morning rituals before the home health aide arrived. She had to wake up three hours before work in order to get everyone all set.

In her younger years, she raised three children. She found that she could also run a business in her spare time while being a teacher. My grandparents would enjoy going down and making ceramic lamps at Patty's business. They were so proud of her. When my mom developed cancer Patty went down to FL to help her move upstairs above the shop. It was a nice two bedroom apartment. Patty did not like my mom's boyfriend who often drank too much. She never could tolerate the drinking.

In her latter years, Patty took to quilting. She made me a quilt that is all ready for that wonderful big machine to quilt together. I was so happy to see it. My sister will finish it off for Patty and me.
While slowly, dying she was finishing up projects that she had done for many years. It was finishing with crochet the edges of fleece blankets that are given out in hospitals for the newborns that need extra care.

Patty needed a cap for her head as the treatments she received caused her hair to fall out. This last time she had the hair all cut off and it came in white. I am sure that if she was meant to recover, she would have crocheted caps for others. This is the kind of woman she was.

Patty showed my sister and I her cancer and her head without a cap. I helped her by cutting her toe nails. Her chest was too sore to bend down over her knees to cut them. I also showed kindness to her by getting her dogs nails trimmed.

While we visited with Patty in February, we were able to help out and do her laundry. I love that she had two places to wash clothes. It turned out that the dryer worked in the building down below and the washer spun better in her home. The costs of repairs was out of the question.

These kind of little tasks that needed to be done were getting harder and harder for her to do. She had a cough that we thought was because she was talking more to us during our visit than usual. Yet, it was diagnosed and treated with a Zpack. I am not sure of the requirements. It turned out that she had bronchitis. Her strength was waning. She took all day to pack for a trip to her son's home. We were to drop her off. I gave her a hug but not too tight because of the cancer on her chest. It was painful to say good bye. I knew that I would never see her again. I did get to talk with her one more time. I sent her a nice bathrobe for her to sit with her company.

Patty ended up in the hospital in her son's town. She was in a coughing fit more than likely scared her. She was so dehydrated that they had a hard time getting a line in for the IV. Her blood pressure was extremely low.

We were the last ones to see Patty shop or go out to eat. From this hospitalization in Feb. Patty did not spend any more time in her own home. She ended up going into the hospital two more times. Once for pneumonia because her cancer in her throat caused her to get liquid in her lungs. They gave her a feeding tube for her last weeks.

Patty was to continue her chemo and radiation. She was not able to speak above a whisper nor had the strength to get dressed the last week. Her daughter cared for her with her sons visiting. Her grandson let Sherri know why she wanted the room so cold. Her effort to breathe made her feel so warm.

Now, I know why I felt so cold in her home and my aunt was sitting in shortsleeves. My RNY makes me feel colder now. My sister and my aunt were talking about their quilting projects and I was thinking I needed a quilt to cover me. I was sitting in  my fleece jacket!

I am so lucky to have someone who was my friend as well as my aunt. She would speak to me when I needed someone to talk to. I knew that she did not share what I said.

Rest In Peace, Patty, you gave us all precious memories.

Yes, last week, it was three years since I had the gastric bypass.
What a difference it has made in my life.
I have met a lot of people who have had surgery or are still struggling in the midst of trying to get surgery.
I spent a great deal of time thinking about whether this was what I wanted to do. I had a sibling and a cousin who had the surgery years before I did.
I knew it was possible to lose the weight. I had done it several times on my own or with a program.
I wanted to lose and not regain weight.
I wanted to get rid of all those clothes that made me look like I was wearing a tent!
I wanted to get into an airplane and not have to ask for a seatbelt extender.
Yes, I wanted to travel and not be noticed for my size. Maybe because I was old, white haired or an American, but not for the huge area that I covered when I showed up.
I did not want people to feel they had to watch out for me. That I might bump them because my hips were out there.
I did not want the stares the innuendos the out right verbal abuse that I was getting because I was over three hundred pounds...and
I wanted to live long and be healthy. I travel now!
What are your goals with your weight loss surgery?
Some say to fit in a roller coaster seat...you will not find me there as my neck cannot take this stress of the ride.
Some say they want to see their children grow up and to really play with them.

Let me know your goals.
Linda

Planning is the key to eating and staying on task this holiday. I am known to buy ingredients and hope all falls into place. My shrimp ring will satisfy my appetite prior to the turkey being ready. If I eat carrot sticks and celery I will start off right with some good veggies.

My latest endeavor has been to increase my raw foods with a greens smoothie in the mornings. Let me tell you these take time to drink. You actually have to chew a little as there are bits and pieces of the kale, spinach, carrots, celery, cucumber, lemon, fruit and collard greens that do not blend well. It has been a good time. I mean, I thought that I had to always have salad dressing on these products! In fact, they are so tasty that hiding their flavor with some ketchup/mayonaise blend with pickles is not my thing these days. Yes, I loved that dressing!! Or Fannie's Italian Dressing is another one of my favorites.

Not to be preachy but this has worked wonders in all aspects of my diet.

I love being able to lose weight and know that I am eating healthy. Not starving myself for the figure!
Have you seen all these cleanse diets? Now, what are they having us do? Just do not take toxins in!

I have a ceviche marinating for my grandsons and I to eat tomorrow for supper. My husband said he was not even going to touch it. He did help me by squeezing the juice out of all the limes. I am not able to squeeze them. Perhaps and electric juicer?

I have another product to try with my plain 0%  Fage Greek Yogurt. It is Baker Joseph's Peanut Butter in dry form. Just the peanut butter and not all the fat content. It is sitting on my shelf in the spice cabinet as I am not too sure that I like peanut butter in my yogurt.

Next blog post, I may let you know how this goes.

bye for now

Well, everyday is a new beginning. I am saying starting over because I must. I spend too much time on the computer. I know that I need to find a place to stay for our trips to Europe. I need to get to the treadmill and I need to try the elliptical.
What say you? Do you find yourself going to helpful websites and sitting far too long?
Or do you get up and walk away only to wonder if you missed something say on facebook.
Luckily, I will be away from the computer most of the time I am in Europe. If you see me online say what are you doing sitting down again?

I get to make this trip to Europe as an extension of the itinerary of a group trip to Wales and England. I get to make this trip because I am not working. I get to make this trip because I have a friend who wants to go with me. I get to make this trip because I have lost 193 pounds and will be more able to travel with her. I get to make this trip because I deserve to do it.

Live, love and extend yourself. Be faithful to who you are.

Remember to start over if you need to.

Love to all,
Linda

I am in Savannah GA for the meet and greet today. We are in the Holiday Inn Express on I-95.

It is a great to get to see some people that I have met on You tube, OH, and Facebook in person.

Now, wouldn't you want to do that? We will have lots to share whether we had the RNY , VSG, Band, DS or are still waiting for surgery.

We will have a speaker talk about the Weight Loss Foundation of America which is just starting up. It is going to make sure no one who needs surgery will be denied for costs!  Let's get this started for all who need it.

My friend of over twenty five years retired and moved to Maine. Just recently, I was sitting in the church pew next to his wife carrying on a conversation. Following the memorial service for a very dear friend, I stood next to him in the hall talking away about Sandy.
Out of the blue, he asked me: Who are you?
He was talking to me and did not recognize the new me!

Tell me folks, has that been happening to you?

It happens quite a lot when people say to me, from a distance I did not recognize you or from behind...

I recently started to lose weight again. I was down to 147.2.

Life has been good.

My husband is walking better.

In two weeks, he hopes to go back to work.

He needs the interaction that work entails. He needs to speak to others and help people.

It has been nine weeks since his knee was repaired.

He still must stretch out in the rear seat of the car. He tried to sit in the front but cannot bend his knee enough.

My grandson, M'bake walked with him down to our dumpster to take trash. It is something that took a lot of effort for Bobby. He used his one crutch to keep his balance and walk correctly.

On Wednesday and Friday for the next six weeks, he will have PT at a center. We had been promised that he would be able to go evenings but find that others have taken those appointment times. Two of the appointments we have are for 7 am.

UP and At 'Em!

Then, return home, and I will head into work late but using the FMLA be able to take time off to help him out.

My husband had his operation one month ago today. He is walking with a brace and a walker. His walk is more deliberate and slow in pace.
I feel so bad for him and all that he has to go through.
I am not much good at being a nurse. I do help him a lot.
Now, I just encourage him to get out and walk.
Like now...would you like to walk now.
He has women who come in and put him through PT and OT paces.
It has been one month, I know it will be several more months before he will walk without an aid.

My husband took me to a chick flick on Sunday.

Yes, it was a great movie.

I loved the date we were on.

It was early.

Later, I had the day planned out. Mall walking...

Intervening in my dreams for a good day with my husband...was a misstep. He fell down three stairs on the way out of the theater where we saw the movie. It was still dark in the theater.

Why this happened I do not know.

Now, several days later...I can say it was life altering. He had to have his right knee tendon repaired. It will take him weeks where he will have rehab to learn to walk correctly. Physical therapy is hard. It is tough when you feel disabled to get to the point where you feel comfortable again.

I need to be there for him as he progresses through this stage of life. It is a set back but Bobby can recover. He has done something like this before. He had stents put in his heart years ago. He went to Cardio Rehab. He did excellent.

Pray for us as we struggle together to make this work.

Bobby needs your prayers to feel less frustrated with the state of his life.

I am wondering if you have heard this word lately.
 
Did you?

I did from two different people.

Gee, it was terrific to be told that I looked....you guessed it....fantastic. One was my postmaster. He is a friendly sort but mostly we just say hello.

My friend told me that when I was sort of complaining that I am maintaining. Yes, it was a round about way of complaining.  I need to count my blessings. I should not bemoan that I have not lost weight this month.

I have lost inches. My chest is now 32 inches below my bra strap. Hey, I was so much bigger! Inches are good to lose!


I ramble often...and feel like I might now. So, here are random thoughts.

I know that food addiction and food obsession is never far from my universe. I miss food. I miss summer foods. I know that I cannot have hot dogs. Why do I miss eating a hot dog. I would not eat one. Who wants to be sick? I wonder why I just cannot get on with life and forget hot dogs.

I eat out far too often. I never get what I want nor eat all. I pay far too much for the little that I eat.

I cooked sloppy joe mix for my husband, daughter and granddaughter. It smelled so good cooking. I wanted some. Yet, I do not eat hamburg without that stuck feeling. Next day, I reheated some for my lunch. Here is how I felt. Yucky and it tasted rubbery. I did not have the steamed flavors rising as I stirred it. Smells were at a minimum and therefore my desire for it sunk. It was not for me.

Have you tried the 5 day pouch test? If not just google it.

I like the recipes but find the conclusion that some foods are sliders and not to be eaten hard to fathom. I mean, cottage cheese and yogurt.

Linda