PennyM.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

Hello Everyone,

I'm so sorry for falling off the blog wagon...I know it's been several months and several pounds since my last entry...but it seems now that I've lost a lot of weight I always on the go... and it didn't help that I haven't been able to log into the OH account from home...so here I am at work, taking a few minutes to update my page...

Well, since October's entry lots has changed in my life besides my weight...I've been to Germany, what an experience that was...I would recommend the trip to anyone...it was amazing and beautiful and of course I reached my desired goal before I stepped foot on the plane November 8, I had offically lost 100lbs.  It made the trip that much sweeter, I was able to walk, walk and walk somemore and I never had to say "go without me"...most of them were saying "hey, wait up!"...What a grand feeling that was.  

October also brought another wonderful turning point in my life...his name is Mike...he and I have been best friends for almost 20 years...Most of the people who will read this already know the whole story, but for those of you who don't...Mike was my best friend Cindy's husband...and I was Mike's best friend Doug's, wife...the four had been best friends since the early 90's...when Douglas passed in March of 2004, I couldn't have survived without my two best friends...they both took care of me during my loss...then this past summer Cindy lost her couragous battle with cancer and then it was just the two of us to help each other cope with another loss...  It was always Cindy's wish that when she was gone, Mike and I would find a special relationship and take care of one another...and in late October we began to see exactly what she meant.  We have formed a special bond that  has developed into a wonderful relationship.  We enjoy spending time together and going places...I am truly thankful for Michael being in my life...and the support he gives me.  

Christmas was a bittersweet time...going through those first holidays without your loveone is hard, so much of my focus was on getting Michael through the rough days...but on December 18th we were able to celebrate the birth of Davis Avery Larkin...Mike's newest grandson...born to his daughter Kayla.  Davis was definately the star of our holiday season.  I survived the holidays without gaining any weight...I even stayed at the 105 mark all through December...I think I'm starting to platuea again...but that's to be expected...I can't wait for spring to get here...my first spring as the new me...I think I might even enjoy planting some flowers this year...but just because I've lost a bunch of weight doesn't mean I've become a green thumb...but hopefully Michael will help me with that.  My sweet little 6'3" Puerto Rican.....oh, that's another funny story for another time...

Well, I think I'm into the new year now...January was a busy one...Michael sold his home in Anderson, so New Year's day we spent looking for him an apartment...then on January 19th we moved him HC...I was thrilled to have him so close...the the following weekend we went to Gatlinburg for my birthday...what a great time we had...we walked all over Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg...and the weather was grand...never got tired once...it's amazing what loosing a 110 lbs will do for you...  I would recommend this surgery to anyone who truly desires to loose weight, but only if you have the desire...if you aren't mentally prepared, don't even think about it.  If you live for food, then this isn't the plan for you.  I still fight the demons every day...but to keep from going crazy I allow my self the occassional treat, but know that it can't be a ongoing thing.  I've come to far to go back now...besides...skinny feels better than fat tastes....

It's now February and I have lost 116lbs...I went to the high school last night to play Longaberger Bingo and of course I seen several people who hadn't seen me since last years game, so needless to say they didn't recognize me...it's fun, but sometimes it makes me feel like I'm not me anymore...but I'm still me, I just look different.  Oh, well you take the looking good with the looking great and enjoy the ride.  

I have to take a moment to thank my family, Mom, Dad, Sissy, Ethan, and Michael...all my friends...I would list all of you but that would take me a long time and if I forgot one of you I would be crushed...so if you know you are my friend, then put your name here _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _...and consider yourself loved...

I will try to do better with updates, but when the weather breaks, I'm sure I won't be sitting at the computer much...

Until next time America,
Penny
380/264

Hello Friends, Family and Fellow WLS Friends,

I know it's been several weeks since my last post...things have been very hectic with the start of school, the changes we made, learning new menus, hiring new staff, working a second job...Thank heavens I've lost 100lbs or I don't know how I would have survived the transition.

I am doing great.  I haven't had any unusual problems or complications which is a huge blessing from God.  I have had the usual and customary issues of eating to fast, eating something that didn't agree, but even those have been few and far between.  A few things I know I can't eat are steak, ham and my sister's goulash (although it is fabulous) those things don't go well for me.  The one staple in my diet though is Mexican...I live on it everyday...rarely do I change because I know it works for me and I can get lots of protein that way.  Protein still continues to be an issue...I am doing much better but I could do even better.   

I've cleaned out the closet already...most of my old clothes no longer fit so I have moved them to the garage for a rummage sale...It's a great feeling when you can go to Wal-mart and Target to shop and not have to spend $50 on a pair of jeans...I've dropped 5 jeans sizes already and on the the verge of 6...    I inherited several of Cindy's shirts when Mike cleaned out her clothes last month...I never in my wildest dreams thought I could fit into her clothes so soon.  She would be thrilled at my progress, I just wish she were here to share in the joy.  I know she and Doug are cheering me on from heaven.   

I am thrilled that I have reached my second set goal...to have 100# off by the time we depart for Germany on November 8th...I beat the goal by three weeks, so maybe I can even squeeze off another 5# as a bonus...we'll see.

Look for new updated pictures soon.  

Thanks for all the love and support that you all have shown me...
Penny

Well Friends,

Today I begin my 26th year at Taylor University...can you believe it...  It's been a great experience and I really do love it.  There are days when you hate your job, but who doesn't.  I love the kids and that's the best part.  They keep me young.  I don't feel like I've been there for 26 years.  

Well, I seem to be stuck at the 85lb mark...I'm trying not to let it bother me, but I'm sure once I get through the busy part of preparing for another school year, I will get back in the grove and the loss will begin again.  I've not been diligent on my excercise for the past few weeks.  I've been so busy at work that it seem like I'm just working, coming home to sleep and starting the day again.  The nights have been short as you can tell by the time of this post...5:20am.  

I only have 71 days until we leave for Germany and I would really like to have at least another 25# off.  I don't think that is unrealistic, but it's going to take more dedication on my part to make it happen.  My eating is doing great, I've eaten basically what I want, only in very small portions.  I seem to be on a taco salad kick...it's my favorite thing to eat.  On a not so good note, potato chips don't seem to bother me...so occassionally I will force myself to eat potato chips...LOL.  I haven't had to throw up for a good while, I think my problem was I am still eating to fast...that is a hard habit to break.  Of course I miss my Coke...but one day Susan and I were making care packages that had IBC Rootbeers in them.  I wanted a drink of soda so bad, so I told Susan I was going to open a soda and take a drink...I only have one thing to say....YUCK!  It was so sickening sweet, but at least I know now that I can't do soda.  Ice water has become my drink of choice...I've even gotten to the point where I will ask a waiter to make my ice water TO-GO, since I can't drink it with my meal.  Another thing I have learned that surprises me, they said we shouldn't drink with a straw...I haven't had a bit of trouble.  I don't do it on a regular basis, but when I'm driving, it's easier to drink with a straw and chance spilling it down the front of you.  

I had a neat thing happen yesterday at work, one of the returning students came to the door and ask for Penny, of course I said yes.  She got this strange look on her face and said, "Your Penny"...I said yes...she said did you do something to your hair, you look different.  Of course I was thrilled, then I told her, yes I changed my hair, but that I also lost 85 lbs.  She said, I knew something was different about you...and she congratulated me on my success...what a great way to start the new year.  I also had a phone message from a mother who wanted to speak to me about her son who had a medical condition that she wanted to discuss with me...so when I returned her call I was thrilled to learn that the medical condition she was referring to was that her son had had WLS on July 27th (she did not know I had the surgery too)...We talked at great length about how I could help him with his eating and that she was thankful that God knew where to direct her for information...isn't God just amazing? 

Well, I should close for now, maybe I can go back to bed for a few more minutes of shut eye...

Until next time America,
Penny
380/295

Hi Family and Friends,

Sorry it's been so long between posts...it's been a very sad and busy time of year for me.  As I noted in my last blog my best friend Cindy died on July 28, 2007.  Her funeral was on Tuesday, July 31st.  She had a beautiful service. Her best friend from high school, Sheryl Hendrickson, gave early memories of Cindy and I gave a eulogy on my memories of the past 17 years of our wonderful friendship.  I wanted to keep a promise I had made to her and to help me cope with my grief.  I thought I was doing great, but then on Monday, August 6th I got the shock of my life when I got an e-card from her that she had created back on March 12th, and set it to be delivered on that August day.  That's when I realized that my best friend, my confindant and my boss was gone...and I would never get the opportunity to thank her for such a special card.  She knew she wasn't going to be around much longer and she wanted me to know that she loved me and was proud of me for my weight loss...I'm sad that she will never get to see the finished product and that we won't be able to go shopping for new clothes.  But while we grieve here, I know she is pain free and spending her time with my Douglas and probably bossing him around now...

Now on a positive note...I meet with my nutritionist on Monday for my 3 month check up...I'm doing great.  I am down 85lbs.(57 since surgery)  My blood sugar is 95 and my A1C is now 5.2, down from 8.7 (goal was less than 6.0)  I have lost 24.6% of my excess body weight and my BMI is 
50.6, thats down 13.6 points...  My second goal was to be down 100lbs before I left for Germany on November 8th...I'm certain I am going to make that goal...and then some.  

Okay now on a financial note...I'm going to be broke...Wal-mart is having giant sales and now that I can buy clothes at Wal-Mart I've been finding bargains galore...and my friend Mary is finding all kinds of bargains at Goodwill, Garage Sales and Thift stores...today I wore and outfit that cost $1.25...not bad...      I'm going to have to have a garage sale to get rid of alot of my "fatter clothes"...they are looking like sacks on me...so I can't wear lot of it, I will need to use the money to keep up with my wal-mart fashions...LOL.  Oh well, at least I will look good.  

Please take care, and if I could ask a favor of all my friends and family, please keep Cindy's husband MIke in your prayers.  He could use all the extra faith and prayer he can get.  He's missing her terribly...

Until next time America,
Penny 
380/295

Well, my first goal was to be under 300lbs. by my 25th High School Reunion...yesterday was the reunion and I only missed it by 1 lb.  I jumped on the scales before I got dressed last night and it read 300.4...so I have offically lost 80lbs.  Not bad for a girl who couldn't loose 10 lbs in 15 years on her own.  We had a wonderful time, it was great to see how people change in five years...we may be 25 years older, but we still act like the 18 year olds we were in 1982.  

The only bump in the reunion was that my best friend passed away at 2am on the morning of the reunion...Cindy's long faught battle with cancer was finally over.  It was a hard day, but I know in my heart she would have wanted me to attend the reunion Karen and I had worked so hard to put together...Cindy was the coordinator for her class so she knew the work that goes into it.  You will be missed my friend, but I know you and Douglas are watching over us...but I would really like to know whose going to be bossing who around up there...remember he has three and half year experience on you.  LOL

Thanks to all the classmates who came to the picnic and the dance, it makes are the hard work worth the effort when we see you having a great time.  To those who never attend, you don't know what your missing.  To those who have a chip on there shoulder about certain people in high school, life is to short, and grudges get you no where and surely we've grown up by now...but I guess in some cases that will never happen.  That is sad.  Again, Thank to everyone who came, thanks to Karen, Dean and Delilah for all the hard work.  I hope to see you all in 2012...or as Dave Martin said, "do you have to say 2012, why not just see you five years..."

Have a great week everyone,
Penny

Hello Friends,

Sorry it's been so long between posts...seems like when you think things are going great, and all is looking up, something or someone pulls the rug right out from under you...

Since my last post LOTS has happened...my best friend was in the hospital, I went on vacation, had a WONDERFUL TIME!, went back to work and all most lost my job, I was told my best friend was going to die any day, I started a new part-time job, while trying to keep my old one...but the amazing part of all this turmoil...I have lost 70 lbs and haven't turned to food for comfort...can you believe it...less than four months and I've dropped four pants sizes, two shirt sizes, my old jeans that I just got into are now starting to look baggy on me, my new bras are too big for me now and I think I'm going to have to break down and buy new undies...this might cost more than I thought.  Oh well, Deb, you ready to shop like in the old days?  

Thank you to everyone whose been so supportive, my family, my friends, my co-workers, you are the best.  

Please continue to keep Cindy and Mike and the entire family in your prayers as they try to make Cindy as comfortable as possible...

I love you all,
Penny

Okay, I know it's been a while and I'm sorry.  I've been really busy the past week.  I did however reach a mini milestone this past weekend.  I was getting ready to go out to the Relay for Life and I was looking through the closet for something to put on and I found three pair of jeans that had been in the closet for over seven years, maybe 10, that I hadn't worn.  I thought, oh pull them out and see if you can squeeze into them yet....

Drum roll please................................all three fit and two the three were 4 sizes smaller than my largest pair of jeans...can you believe it.   I was on the phone with Christie at the time and man was I doing a happy dance.  So, hence the title of this post, I have three new pair of jeans that didn't cost me a thing, well at least this time...I'm sure they won't be fitting much longer, I can already pull them down without unbuttoning them...it's amazing how much 63lbs will make.  Only eighteen until I reach my first offical goal, under 300lbs by my 25th class reunion on July 28th. 

I also want to ask everyone to please pray for Cindy, she was admitted to the hospital last night in horrible pain that she couldn't get control of.  She had been sick for the past 4 or 5 days and it just got to the point she couldn't handle the pain anymore.  Mary and I ran to Anderson last evening to check on her and she was resting comfortably when we arrived, she even ate some food, something she hadn't done in days.  
Mike also needs your prayers, he is trying very hard to stay strong and upbeat, but knowing exactly how he feels, it's not easy, but you don't want your spouse to see you weak.  I thank God everyday, that he put Mike and Cindy in Doug and I's life.  I think Mike got to see first hand how and what it takes to take care of a spouse that is ill.  He's been amazing, he's come along way in the 17 years we've been friends.  I'm so proud of his strength and dedication to Cindy.  

Have a wonderful July 4th and I will catch you on the other side.  I'm headed out on vacation from the 6th thru the 10th...so no posts until next week.  

Penny

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick update...no I didn't go shopping...but it sure seems like it....

Everyday at work people say did you buy a new outfit, is that a new shirt, oh that's cute, new pants...well no, just wearing some of the clothes I out grew over the years...so I guess you could say...I have a whole new wardrobe...

Still feeling great, doing better on the protein crap, but it still sucks.  Still have no desire to eat...basically have to eat when everyone else does just to keep myself on track.  Yesterday our boss took us on a field trip in Indy to eat at a place call Paradice Bakery & Cafe', it was very good, well at least the six bites of veggie soup I had were good...but Nate made a great observation.  They felt bad that they were all eating and tasting one anothers food, and I couldn't...but Nate said, "now she eats with her eyes!"  Which I thought was a great analogy.  Everything looks and smells wonderful, but the desire to eat it, just isn't there.  Sometimes I think, man I'd just love to take a bite of Kelly's giant 2" thick Cream Cheese Brownie, but knowing the consequences of that tiny little bite is enough to decline the offer to taste just a little bit.  Besides loosing 55 lbs is a reward no brownie could ever replace.  Thanks for the trip to Indy Jerry, it was fun.  

Well, I should get to work now...only one more day until my bestest friend in the world gets to come and spend the weekend with me...we;re going to have so much fun...we're going to do each others hair, make paper dolls, go to Alco, go to the Pickle, stay up late and talk about boys...yeah...I can't wait.  

Love to all,
Penny

Howdy Friends and Family,

Sorry it's been so long since my last post.  I've been very busy with catering graduations, I've been on the road for work and this week is Heritage Days in our town...Of course the hottest days of the summer so far...oh well, good for the soda & ice cream business.

I'm feeling good, but struggling with eating right.  I have no appetite, so I have to still force myself to eat...and the protein thing just isn't working for me..I do good for a few days, then I would rather barf than put that horrible stuff in my mouth.  Today, was the first day I really felt myself getting weak.  It was hot, we were setting tents and loading coolers for the festival, and I got really over heated and shaky and didn't feel well...so I had to take a break and go home to cool down, get some fluids and get my strength back.  I'm praying that keep up the success I've had so far...this morning I logged 51lbs gone...so that means I'm a quarter of the way to my goal...of course Doc's goal is a little less than mine, but for now I will stick with my goal.  I can't wrap my brain around 145#....seems like I would look anorexic...but I guess only time will tell. 

Although I can see a little bit of change, alot of people tell me the can really tell a difference.  Uptown tonight several people commented on how good I looked and they could really tell I was doing well.  My wonderful sister even says I walk and carry myself different...alot more confindence as she puts it...thanks sis...I can always count on you to keep me uplifted.  

I have lots of people putting dibs in on my old wardrobe...can you imagine...me not wearing my fat clothes...I said before...look out department stores...a clothes whore is soon to be unleashed. LOL  Just kidding...no new clothes for now, I have a sewing machine and lots of thread, and I know how the make a dart.  Okay, I just lied, I bought two new shirts while I was in Michigan on Monday night...but they were still big ones...Mom even said, "why did you buy that size, it's to big?".  My silly and justifiing answer....I loved the color, yellow and green...and besides they both were only $27 bucks...   My girls at work think I should hold an auction on my clothes...see who bids the highest...look out eBay...I could be givin' you a run for your money...

Well, I need to close for now...Keep the prayers coming, I appreciate all your kind words and support.  I don't know how I could do it without all of you and your unending love and support.  THANK YOU ALL!

Until next time, 
Millie

Howdy family, friends and neighbors,

I know it's been a few days since my last update...but I've been very busy traveling, work, traveling for work and catering graduation parties...thank heavens I'm a little lighter and now an I move a little better...but the girl still gets tired...

I just returned from an open house at the Bariatric Center in Muncie, IN.  It was their one year anniversary since opening last spring...there were a lot of WLS patients their showing off their new bodys and those of us who just started the process...It was great to get to visit with the old pro's and they gave us greenies a few tips.  They even held a slide show of some of the patients and they don't even look like the same people...it's truly amazing.

We had a guest speaker who spoke on the topic of wellness and well being.  He was great...he said if we just focused on one thing the said we could live a much more fullfilled life...what's the one thing you ask..."don't always think you have to be right".  Be open minded and let others share their views, if your always right, then that makes everyone else wrong...and that can't be very productive.  If you surround yourself with postitive and uplifting people, then you will stay positive and it will radiate from you like the sun.  If you always seem negative and down, then thats the type of people you attrack, so now you all have negitive attitudes...so just sit back relax and enjoy life...it's to short you know...to short to spend it thinking about all the bad in your life, start focusing on the good...your family, your friends, your co-workers...

It was really a great experience and I thank God everyday that I made the decision to have this surgery.  I have lost over 48# as of this morning...I am starting to see it in my clothes...and I know it when I walk, I don't get winded hardly at all.  

On a happy note, when I started this endeavor at Muncie, Blue Cross Blue Sheild said they would not pre approve me for the surgery.  Stating that if I meet all the critria for the surgery I wouldn't need prior approval.  So we proceeded ahead, praying that all the paper work would be correct and complete....today I got the bill from the hospital...$34,100.00, of which BCBS paid $33,400.00.  My part, $386.79.  I give all the glory to God, I left it in his hands, I prayed about it and I didn't worry about it and today, he answered my prayers.  I think all together by the time all the bills are in I will have spent about $1200 out of my pocket...a small price to pay for such a great reward. 

Well, enought blabbing for today...take care all I love you all, until next time friends...
Millie