Trip Report: what I did on my Christmas Vacation
12/30/08 174 days post RNY 193.3 -68.6 since surgery
It’s been a couple of weeks. We were out wandering for Christmas vacation.
I packed everything I thought I’d need and then some. I’m still paranoid about not having MY food available when I go places. I packed my vitamins, protein powders, water, Silk Soy Nog, milk, cans of chicken and tuna, Vlassic Polish Dills, protein bars... I must have thought Modesto didn't’t have stores! LOL I packed my scale, yes, I I know many of you weigh once a week but I use the scale as incentive to keep on my plan. If the scale inches up, I do more exercise or eat differently. I usually weigh every day. I packed my Leslie Sansone Walk Away The Pounds DVDs, yep I used them, and I packed my rebounder right after running. There was no way I was going to lose my momentum in running. I packed my laptop so I could log all my exercise, food, water and vitamins. And I packed clothes. Now, I KNEW Clawdy and I were going shopping, but my old mindset was still in 5th gear and I must have been thinking..."what if I don’t find anything that fits?" Thank goodness Clawdy said pack an empty suitcase, we’re going clothes shopping!
12/19/08 Friday
Run 18 min, walk 1 min, run 11 min
First we went to my friend Clawdy’s for 4 days. We got there the 19th, had dinner ( I had a Silk Soy Nog Protein shake) and went shopping. Clawdy was bound and determined to take me to regular people stores for clothes but first I had to exchange one last pair of pants at Catherine’s. I had a 1x and exchanged them for a 0x. I also bought a nice sweater/shirt. That’s it, my last trip to Catherine’s for clothes!
12/20/08 Saturday
Run 19 min, walk 1 min, run 10 min
For breakfast I had another egg nog protein shake and off we went for more shopping.
My mom suggested Fashion Bug and Dress Barn to shop at so we headed to Turlock and looked at those places. I found 1 nice top, there on sale 60% off, and I was shocked to find a 16 was too big. I bought it anyway because I really liked it and they said I could exchange it at any other Fashion Bug for a smaller size. We waled down to Dress Barn and poured through the racks for a couple hours. We tried on a lot but I didn't’t buy anything. We headed for Modesto Fashion Bug to exchange my top, but they didn't’t have it. I kept trying on pants everywhere but nothing fit. Clawdy needed some pants and she’s shorter than I am so we headed for Gottschalk's’s. We stopped in regular clothes and I tried on a bunch of clothes but sleeves were too long, pants were too long and didn't’t fit right so we headed for the petite section for Clad to find the things she needed. I was going in and out exchanging things for her and started finding things I liked and thought..why don’t they have petite in XL? Well they DO! Who knew? And I brought a few in for kicks. They were too BIG! Not that was a heady experience, let me tell you. I was so stunned, excited, high...I can see why folks turn to shopping to replace food. I think I tried on every style they had. I didn't’t know what size corresponded to an X so I grabbed some 14’s and 16’s to try on. I fit into size 14 pants! Clawdy was as excited as I was. We were laughing and carrying on and going in and out so much they turned off the bell that announces when people go in and out of the fitting rooms. LOL The sales person came in and asked if we needed anything. We asked when they closed. She said 11:00 and by the looks of things you’ll be here til then. Almost, we left at 10:30. LoL We had such a good time. Most things came from the 70% off rack and it was a special 20% off everything day AND I opened a charge card account because I got another 15% off. They were practically giving clothes away. We drove home and collapsed in a heap and went to bed.
12/21/08 Sunday
We had breakfast and headed for Modesto, stopping at a jewelry store to look for a ring guard. My rings are falling off and I’m afraid to wear them. They didn't’t have any but pointed me to Walmart where they have plastic sleeves that fit around the ring to keep it from falling off. Next we went to Gottschalk's’s and picked out more clothes to try on. By the time we picked them all out, it was time to leave to the OH lunch, so we put them aside to try on later.
We arrived at Chevy’s and met Laura A +1 (LauraA), Shells (ShellsBells), Jenn +5 delightful kids (NavyWife-Mom-of5), LynnD (LynnD), Julia (Seashelles) & April Stevenson. We had a great time talking, laughing and sharing experiences for a leisurely 2.5 hour lunch. I’I've yet to go through OH posts to find the photos, but we got some good ones and I’d like copies of all of them. ? If you haven’t taken time to connect with folks on the board in this way, please do. It’s a warm, enlightening experience you’ll never forget.
Clawdy and I went back to Gottschalk’s. Just how much time can 2 people spend there? LOL LOTS! Each store has different things so we tried on clothes for another couple of hours, bought a couple more things, had dinner and collapsed in a heap again.
12/22/08 Monday
Run 20 min, walk 1 min, run 9 min
Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds 4 miles
We slept in, had breakfast and took off to have our nails done and have pedicures. A treat I hadn't’t had in more than 10 years. How nice it was to be pampered. Afterwards we had lunch and headed for Kohl’s. I need a new bra that fits and thought I’d give Flexees another try. Well, we were there for 4 hours! I think I tried on 3/4 of the bras there! I did NOT find one that fit and looked good. The ole girls have drooped beyond recognition. LOL I did find some Flexees long legs and high waist that made my sharpei legs look mostly decent so I grabbed them. I also found a top that fit nicely so I didn't’t have massive bulges everywhere when I had the pants ones on. It was quite a sight to see! The one piece only succeeded in making the ole girls look even flatter and that would never do!
We got back early and sat around and talked. We had a great visit, as always.
12/23/08 Tuesday
Run 21 min, walk 1 min, run 8 min
We left early headed for lunch with Sue (tax51501) in San Luis Obis. We picked a Thai place close to her work. We had no traffic, got there 30 minutes early and walked around SLO. They have a great olive oil store with numerous different flavored oils. We met Sue and she was so nice. We talked about many different aspects of our journeys, laughing all the while. Our visit was way to short. She did point me at a nice goldsmith who was able to fit my wedding ring so I could wear it. Everyone else I talked to tried to talk me into having it sized smaller. I don’t want to do that until I’m done losing. Why pay twice and weaken the metal?
OK, I know you’re not going to believe this but then DH and I went to Gottschalk’s. I didn't’t intend to buy anything, really! But they were having another 20% off day and DH found a nice top on the 70% off sale rack so he opened a charge account to get an additional 15% off so I looked at their sales rack. BIG mistake! I found more things I liked. OK, $8 for a pair of nice pants that actually fit is a good deal, but how many do I really need? Then I thought...why not buy smaller sizes? The prices were great so that’s what I did. Summer things I bought in a sizes 10 and 12. What a strange feeling to think I might wear a 10 and so soon!
What a great DH I have!
We met DH’s parents in Pismo Beach around 5pm and then went out for dinner at Marie Callendar’s. I had a cup of chili. We went back and talked for a while then went to bed.
12/24/08 Wednesday
Run 22 min, walk 1 min, run 7 min
Back to Marie Callendar’s for breakfast (protein drink for me) then talked most of the day. I baked a turkey, with stuffing and a green bean casserole AND a 6 carb pumpkin cheesecake. I had 2 oz of turkey, some casserole and 1/12 slice of the cheesecake. My big eating day. My how it’s changed and how much smaller I am for it! I called my folks who celebrate on Christmas eve and talked for them for a while. Then we opened stocking gifts, talked and went to bed.
12/25/08 Thursday, Merry Christmas!
Walk 30 minutes.
We had breakfast in (I had a chocolate eggnog protein drink) and we opened presents. I got a yogurt maker and cheese press! Now I can make my own Fage with no fuss, no muss. Woohooo! We talked to DH’s brother and SIL and had leftover turkey (I made turkey salad using 2 oz turkey chopped, 1 tsp mayo, 1 Tbl FF sour cream and 1 dill pickle spear. A good time was had by all.
12/26/08 Friday
Run 24 min, walk 1 min, run 5 min
Another eggnog protein shake for breakfast.
We found the jeweler Sue told us about and got a couple ring guards and I’m happy they won’t fall off now. We took a nice long walk on the beach (122 steps down) and enjoyed the birds, surfers and 4 guys doing calisthenics. They must be there often because they were definitely in the eye candy category! We stopped in a shoe store on the way back but didn't’t find anything interesting. More visiting and to bed early. We leave in the morning.
12/27/08 Saturday
Run 25 min, walk 1 min, run 4 min
Time to hit the dusty trail. Maybe we’ll have net at the next place. I called Lori to see if she was able to set up a dinner with Jenn and DeAnna. We’re on! I can’t wait to see Jenn again and meet 2 more OH friends. It only took a couple of hours and we decided to stay at the hotel where Lori works since dinner was near there. We checked in, got some lunch, talked with Lori for a while and went to unpack the car while waiting for dinner. Jen came over early and I gave her the protein powders I’d promised to mail her at the San Ramon event as well as a goodie box for her journey. We talked and laughed and generally had a good time. Lori joined us and we talked and laughed some more. We left to meet DeAnna, who is so nice and warm it was a pleasure to meet her, at the restaurant and settled in for pre and post surgery issues. We talked about everything, it seemed. We were there very late and the waitress took a few photos, we took a few photos and talked some more. A good time was had by all.
12/28/08 Sunday
We slept in, packed the car, brought Lori a Stilton Blue Cheese Cheesecake cupcake and a slice of the low carb pumpkin pie (I’ll send recipes next), talked with Lori some more and headed out to meet Jenn at Cost Plus World Market then Vitamin Shoppe for protein powders and protein bars and chewable vitamin D. Then we headed for Safeway to find some Silk soy nog. They had some an we split it up so we both had some. We went to lunch at a good Chinese place near Echo in Del Rey, (I had the hot and sour soup) then off to Sears in Salinas to look at recumbent bikes for me and a Christmas tree for Jenn. DH took Jenn’s daughter for an ice cream while we shopped in Penny’s. Jenn showed me around Bath and Body Works and I found a sent I liked but they were out of the body cream. Maybe next time. I had an acupressure massage that was wonderful and we headed out. Time to hit the dusty trail again too soon. We had a great time shopping and talking and I was sad to leave. We headed for Petaluma and decided to stay there so we could look at recumbent bikes there the next day and get a connector for the ham radio.
12/29/08 Monday
Another day off from running.
We slept in again and headed for Trader Joe’s, Sears, HSC for ham radio connectors, pick up running shoes, Play It Again Sports to look at recumbent bikes again. We found another sports equipment shop on the way to Play It Again Sports called Busy Body. I liked the equipment there but it was more expensive. We had lunch, went to Play It Again Sports and tried the bikes again. My tail bone was sore in 10 minutes. The salesman suggested I buy foam to help. I decided to go back to Busy Body. I tried two bikes there and after an hour my tail bone still didn't’t hurt. We spent more time talking with Jay and trying out other equipment. In the end we ordered a recumbent bike and it’ll be in next Tuesday.
12/30/08
That’s it for Christmas vacation. Today we unpacked, plowed through email, unpacked and mail. Thanks again everyone for the Christmas cards!
If you made it this far, you must love epics or sagas. Lol
It’s been a couple of weeks. We were out wandering for Christmas vacation.
I packed everything I thought I’d need and then some. I’m still paranoid about not having MY food available when I go places. I packed my vitamins, protein powders, water, Silk Soy Nog, milk, cans of chicken and tuna, Vlassic Polish Dills, protein bars... I must have thought Modesto didn't’t have stores! LOL I packed my scale, yes, I I know many of you weigh once a week but I use the scale as incentive to keep on my plan. If the scale inches up, I do more exercise or eat differently. I usually weigh every day. I packed my Leslie Sansone Walk Away The Pounds DVDs, yep I used them, and I packed my rebounder right after running. There was no way I was going to lose my momentum in running. I packed my laptop so I could log all my exercise, food, water and vitamins. And I packed clothes. Now, I KNEW Clawdy and I were going shopping, but my old mindset was still in 5th gear and I must have been thinking..."what if I don’t find anything that fits?" Thank goodness Clawdy said pack an empty suitcase, we’re going clothes shopping!
12/19/08 Friday
Run 18 min, walk 1 min, run 11 min
First we went to my friend Clawdy’s for 4 days. We got there the 19th, had dinner ( I had a Silk Soy Nog Protein shake) and went shopping. Clawdy was bound and determined to take me to regular people stores for clothes but first I had to exchange one last pair of pants at Catherine’s. I had a 1x and exchanged them for a 0x. I also bought a nice sweater/shirt. That’s it, my last trip to Catherine’s for clothes!
12/20/08 Saturday
Run 19 min, walk 1 min, run 10 min
For breakfast I had another egg nog protein shake and off we went for more shopping.
My mom suggested Fashion Bug and Dress Barn to shop at so we headed to Turlock and looked at those places. I found 1 nice top, there on sale 60% off, and I was shocked to find a 16 was too big. I bought it anyway because I really liked it and they said I could exchange it at any other Fashion Bug for a smaller size. We waled down to Dress Barn and poured through the racks for a couple hours. We tried on a lot but I didn't’t buy anything. We headed for Modesto Fashion Bug to exchange my top, but they didn't’t have it. I kept trying on pants everywhere but nothing fit. Clawdy needed some pants and she’s shorter than I am so we headed for Gottschalk's’s. We stopped in regular clothes and I tried on a bunch of clothes but sleeves were too long, pants were too long and didn't’t fit right so we headed for the petite section for Clad to find the things she needed. I was going in and out exchanging things for her and started finding things I liked and thought..why don’t they have petite in XL? Well they DO! Who knew? And I brought a few in for kicks. They were too BIG! Not that was a heady experience, let me tell you. I was so stunned, excited, high...I can see why folks turn to shopping to replace food. I think I tried on every style they had. I didn't’t know what size corresponded to an X so I grabbed some 14’s and 16’s to try on. I fit into size 14 pants! Clawdy was as excited as I was. We were laughing and carrying on and going in and out so much they turned off the bell that announces when people go in and out of the fitting rooms. LOL The sales person came in and asked if we needed anything. We asked when they closed. She said 11:00 and by the looks of things you’ll be here til then. Almost, we left at 10:30. LoL We had such a good time. Most things came from the 70% off rack and it was a special 20% off everything day AND I opened a charge card account because I got another 15% off. They were practically giving clothes away. We drove home and collapsed in a heap and went to bed.
12/21/08 Sunday
We had breakfast and headed for Modesto, stopping at a jewelry store to look for a ring guard. My rings are falling off and I’m afraid to wear them. They didn't’t have any but pointed me to Walmart where they have plastic sleeves that fit around the ring to keep it from falling off. Next we went to Gottschalk's’s and picked out more clothes to try on. By the time we picked them all out, it was time to leave to the OH lunch, so we put them aside to try on later.
We arrived at Chevy’s and met Laura A +1 (LauraA), Shells (ShellsBells), Jenn +5 delightful kids (NavyWife-Mom-of5), LynnD (LynnD), Julia (Seashelles) & April Stevenson. We had a great time talking, laughing and sharing experiences for a leisurely 2.5 hour lunch. I’I've yet to go through OH posts to find the photos, but we got some good ones and I’d like copies of all of them. ? If you haven’t taken time to connect with folks on the board in this way, please do. It’s a warm, enlightening experience you’ll never forget.
Clawdy and I went back to Gottschalk’s. Just how much time can 2 people spend there? LOL LOTS! Each store has different things so we tried on clothes for another couple of hours, bought a couple more things, had dinner and collapsed in a heap again.
12/22/08 Monday
Run 20 min, walk 1 min, run 9 min
Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds 4 miles
We slept in, had breakfast and took off to have our nails done and have pedicures. A treat I hadn't’t had in more than 10 years. How nice it was to be pampered. Afterwards we had lunch and headed for Kohl’s. I need a new bra that fits and thought I’d give Flexees another try. Well, we were there for 4 hours! I think I tried on 3/4 of the bras there! I did NOT find one that fit and looked good. The ole girls have drooped beyond recognition. LOL I did find some Flexees long legs and high waist that made my sharpei legs look mostly decent so I grabbed them. I also found a top that fit nicely so I didn't’t have massive bulges everywhere when I had the pants ones on. It was quite a sight to see! The one piece only succeeded in making the ole girls look even flatter and that would never do!
We got back early and sat around and talked. We had a great visit, as always.
12/23/08 Tuesday
Run 21 min, walk 1 min, run 8 min
We left early headed for lunch with Sue (tax51501) in San Luis Obis. We picked a Thai place close to her work. We had no traffic, got there 30 minutes early and walked around SLO. They have a great olive oil store with numerous different flavored oils. We met Sue and she was so nice. We talked about many different aspects of our journeys, laughing all the while. Our visit was way to short. She did point me at a nice goldsmith who was able to fit my wedding ring so I could wear it. Everyone else I talked to tried to talk me into having it sized smaller. I don’t want to do that until I’m done losing. Why pay twice and weaken the metal?
OK, I know you’re not going to believe this but then DH and I went to Gottschalk’s. I didn't’t intend to buy anything, really! But they were having another 20% off day and DH found a nice top on the 70% off sale rack so he opened a charge account to get an additional 15% off so I looked at their sales rack. BIG mistake! I found more things I liked. OK, $8 for a pair of nice pants that actually fit is a good deal, but how many do I really need? Then I thought...why not buy smaller sizes? The prices were great so that’s what I did. Summer things I bought in a sizes 10 and 12. What a strange feeling to think I might wear a 10 and so soon!
What a great DH I have!
We met DH’s parents in Pismo Beach around 5pm and then went out for dinner at Marie Callendar’s. I had a cup of chili. We went back and talked for a while then went to bed.
12/24/08 Wednesday
Run 22 min, walk 1 min, run 7 min
Back to Marie Callendar’s for breakfast (protein drink for me) then talked most of the day. I baked a turkey, with stuffing and a green bean casserole AND a 6 carb pumpkin cheesecake. I had 2 oz of turkey, some casserole and 1/12 slice of the cheesecake. My big eating day. My how it’s changed and how much smaller I am for it! I called my folks who celebrate on Christmas eve and talked for them for a while. Then we opened stocking gifts, talked and went to bed.
12/25/08 Thursday, Merry Christmas!
Walk 30 minutes.
We had breakfast in (I had a chocolate eggnog protein drink) and we opened presents. I got a yogurt maker and cheese press! Now I can make my own Fage with no fuss, no muss. Woohooo! We talked to DH’s brother and SIL and had leftover turkey (I made turkey salad using 2 oz turkey chopped, 1 tsp mayo, 1 Tbl FF sour cream and 1 dill pickle spear. A good time was had by all.
12/26/08 Friday
Run 24 min, walk 1 min, run 5 min
Another eggnog protein shake for breakfast.
We found the jeweler Sue told us about and got a couple ring guards and I’m happy they won’t fall off now. We took a nice long walk on the beach (122 steps down) and enjoyed the birds, surfers and 4 guys doing calisthenics. They must be there often because they were definitely in the eye candy category! We stopped in a shoe store on the way back but didn't’t find anything interesting. More visiting and to bed early. We leave in the morning.
12/27/08 Saturday
Run 25 min, walk 1 min, run 4 min
Time to hit the dusty trail. Maybe we’ll have net at the next place. I called Lori to see if she was able to set up a dinner with Jenn and DeAnna. We’re on! I can’t wait to see Jenn again and meet 2 more OH friends. It only took a couple of hours and we decided to stay at the hotel where Lori works since dinner was near there. We checked in, got some lunch, talked with Lori for a while and went to unpack the car while waiting for dinner. Jen came over early and I gave her the protein powders I’d promised to mail her at the San Ramon event as well as a goodie box for her journey. We talked and laughed and generally had a good time. Lori joined us and we talked and laughed some more. We left to meet DeAnna, who is so nice and warm it was a pleasure to meet her, at the restaurant and settled in for pre and post surgery issues. We talked about everything, it seemed. We were there very late and the waitress took a few photos, we took a few photos and talked some more. A good time was had by all.
12/28/08 Sunday
We slept in, packed the car, brought Lori a Stilton Blue Cheese Cheesecake cupcake and a slice of the low carb pumpkin pie (I’ll send recipes next), talked with Lori some more and headed out to meet Jenn at Cost Plus World Market then Vitamin Shoppe for protein powders and protein bars and chewable vitamin D. Then we headed for Safeway to find some Silk soy nog. They had some an we split it up so we both had some. We went to lunch at a good Chinese place near Echo in Del Rey, (I had the hot and sour soup) then off to Sears in Salinas to look at recumbent bikes for me and a Christmas tree for Jenn. DH took Jenn’s daughter for an ice cream while we shopped in Penny’s. Jenn showed me around Bath and Body Works and I found a sent I liked but they were out of the body cream. Maybe next time. I had an acupressure massage that was wonderful and we headed out. Time to hit the dusty trail again too soon. We had a great time shopping and talking and I was sad to leave. We headed for Petaluma and decided to stay there so we could look at recumbent bikes there the next day and get a connector for the ham radio.
12/29/08 Monday
Another day off from running.
We slept in again and headed for Trader Joe’s, Sears, HSC for ham radio connectors, pick up running shoes, Play It Again Sports to look at recumbent bikes again. We found another sports equipment shop on the way to Play It Again Sports called Busy Body. I liked the equipment there but it was more expensive. We had lunch, went to Play It Again Sports and tried the bikes again. My tail bone was sore in 10 minutes. The salesman suggested I buy foam to help. I decided to go back to Busy Body. I tried two bikes there and after an hour my tail bone still didn't’t hurt. We spent more time talking with Jay and trying out other equipment. In the end we ordered a recumbent bike and it’ll be in next Tuesday.
12/30/08
That’s it for Christmas vacation. Today we unpacked, plowed through email, unpacked and mail. Thanks again everyone for the Christmas cards!
If you made it this far, you must love epics or sagas. Lol
---jan---
Next time for sure. Who knows maybe one of my road trips will bring me in your direction.
Hahhaha, you are to 
.. I am so glad I got to spend time with you... I was sad to see you go too.. 
I really enjoyed having someone who enjoys shopping to shop with..
Your DH is so good about it, 
but my DH is not the shopping kind.. 
But hey don't forget that I am going to come and see you once I am all better from my surgery, and I am sure we will get to go and do SOME shopping.. 
Hope there are some good sales.. I know how much we LOVE a good sale...
I am so glad that you finally found the bike for you.. How exciting...
I hope you really enjoy it, I have not doubt that it will get plenty of use... 
I am glad you are home safe and sound, and hope you have a very nice New Years..
A toast to you and your DH.. (with blueberry water that is) *wink*
Hugs,
Jenn
.. I am so glad I got to spend time with you... I was sad to see you go too.. I really enjoyed having someone who enjoys shopping to shop with.. Your DH is so good about it, but my DH is not the shopping kind.. But hey don't forget that I am going to come and see you once I am all better from my surgery, and I am sure we will get to go and do SOME shopping.. Hope there are some good sales.. I know how much we LOVE a good sale...
I am so glad that you finally found the bike for you.. How exciting...
I hope you really enjoy it, I have not doubt that it will get plenty of use... I am glad you are home safe and sound, and hope you have a very nice New Years..
A toast to you and your DH.. (with blueberry water that is) *wink*Jenn
I haven't forgotten. Not many sales here though, no stores! LOL We'll have to drive into Santa Rosa for that. They have a Kohl's and, dare I say it, Gottschalk's!
Happy New Years to all of you! I might splurge and have Kaluha SF syrup in my water tonight. LOL
waving to Chloe
Hugs,
---jan---
Happy New Years to all of you! I might splurge and have Kaluha SF syrup in my water tonight. LOL
waving to Chloe
Hugs,
---jan---
---jan---
Jan,
It was a absolute pleasure to spend an afternoon with you!! you are doing TERRIFIC, cant believe how wonderful you have done and your suggestions and encouragents, you need to write a book !! The photos your searching for I posted on my profile(ok I felt the guilt) I love the one of you and April.
Happy New Year-hope too spend alot more of you time with you next year!!
hugs
Lynn
It was a absolute pleasure to spend an afternoon with you!! you are doing TERRIFIC, cant believe how wonderful you have done and your suggestions and encouragents, you need to write a book !! The photos your searching for I posted on my profile(ok I felt the guilt) I love the one of you and April.
Happy New Year-hope too spend alot more of you time with you next year!!
hugs
Lynn
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