I have been pretty self-absorbed lately. And I felt I was entitled to focus on me since I had spent so much of my life focusing on others. I am still working on me and will continue to.......
Yes, obesity can lead to all kinds of health issues. I am trying to avoid those now and hope I haven't waited too long to get it right.
This week I am thinking about others battles.....ones for which they did not volunteer, had no choice in taking on.....call it fate, call it lousy luck, call it sad, unfortunate and the cards they were dealt.
Almost all of these people faced or are facing their enemy head on.........
Cancer- is there an uglier word in the world???? It took my Dad way too young, my Mom when she still had so much more to give ( not to do), a cousin and couple of dear friends who fought until they could fight no more. Gone too young. I have two sister-in-laws and a dear friend who stared cancer down and won their battles. They are survivors and warriors. They took all that cancer could throw at them and fought back through chemo, sickness, hair loss and all the aches and pains that were part of the war. I watched a dear friend lose her son to that horrible, dreadful and relentless disease. I live with someone who medically has had a positive outcome from two bouts of cancer but is a victim none the less. The anger and fear mixed together have changed him into a person I hardly know anymore.
Cystic Fibrosis- another disease I hate. It took my niece from us at a time when she should have been spreading her wings in flight. Maria battled until she could fight no more. I never look at Cheese Fries in a package near to pretzels in a super market or a kids lemonade stand without thinking of Maria.
Now add MG to the list- Myasthenia Gravis- a disease that is so hard to diagnose.....just ask my niece, Jill, who went though a few years of going from doctor to doctor trying to find an answer. It is a disease that can go into remission but is never cured. Muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing and at times issues with speech. Jill is one tough cookie. She works in a demanding job and is on the move constantly when I am sure she would just like to stay in bed some days. She has had to endure weeks in the hospital getting infusions but with Tim by her side......they make it an adventure instead of looking at it as unfair and wrong. I see much of my Dad in Jill.......not one to complain, not one to give up and most definitely gives MG a run for it's money every single day.
And finally for my list of hates today, Alzheimer's Disease........my sister-in-law has been diagnosed with this horrible, unforgiving disease. I can't imagine a point in my life when I will no longer feel emotions or recognize my family and friends. It is a slow progression that is as difficult for the person with the disease as it is for those around them. There are no cures right now but there are clinical trials going on and we can all hope and pray that one of these trials will lead to a cure. Family and friends of my sister-in-law are raising money to be used toward research not just for Marge but for all the Marge's we know.
Part of me feels guilty for thinking so much about myself and not thinking about what others face every day. I guess that is normal in life.....if we carried all these burdens everyday who would want to face each day???
One thing I am sure of is that each person I referenced above got out of bed and appreciated each day......and those still with us continue to be grateful for sunrises and sunsets. They are our teachers, the people we should look up to, the people who know how to fight and know how to live. They are our hero's......
So while I fight my own battle to get healthy, I absolutely recognize that their road is much harder than mine. So what if I am up a little at the scale......is the world going to stop spinning???
I will say I was down at the scale this morning and I went to the movie's alone for the first time in my life yesterday. Big steps for me but compared to footprints left by Dad, Mom, Eric, Evie, Maureen, Gina, Lauren and Maria or the paths walked Kathy, Patty, Terry, Jill and Marge..... my progress is not really important in the scheme of things....is it??
I may think I was brave walking into a movie theatre alone for the first time........my accomplishment is small in comparison to what they all did or continue to do......but maybe it is their example that helps me each day, each hour, each minute to make right choices and to not give up and for that I will be eternally grateful.......
See you next week......
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Stress and the Roller Coaster
We all have stress in our lives......some more than others......some create it and for some it just happens. There is stress at work and stress at home. Experts will tell you stress and lack of sleep can have an impact on weight loss.
Or it's another plateau.....ugh!!! Down a pound .....up a pound......down .2....up .2......
Since my trip to NY, I have gone up and down the same few pounds......it is so frustrating. I was a smidgen a way from 60 pounds gone and now I am a smidgen and a half away from 60 pounds.
I do try to figure out what the problem is.....I try to rationalize......plateau's do happen and they can last for months (this has been confirmed by many of my WW buddies and leader).
I know I don't get enough sleep and I am a very restless sleeper too which means it is not a restful sleep. I feel like I barely close my eyes and it's time to get up. Oh you lucky retired people.......I envy you all so much......
Now let's talk stress.......my job is stressful......but then again whose isn't.......especially at month end. 95% of the time I love my job even with the stress. Several times a week I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about something I need to get done or something I forgot to do or planning out my next days work.....you all know the drill. Then there is stress at home......not going into detail there.
So what can I do????
I have committed to TRY yes TRY to go to sleep earlier at night. I have committed to try and take one issue at a time at work and not let not let it overwhelm me. I have committed to try and avoid stress at home as much as absolutely possible.
So my plan for this week is to plan......
I have a plan for my days at work as far as what I MUST get accomplished.......I know that plans get monkey wrenches thrown into them but at least I have a starting point.
I have planned my meals for the week. I have cooked or prepared most of my veggies and proteins. I am going to try and not eat the same things over and over....maybe give my body a little shake-up.
I am going to try to unwind when I am done with work for the day. Who is it that said when you are at the end of your life you will not regret spending more time at the office but you will regret not doing more things that made you happy. Even if it means watching TV shows where I do not have to think or read a book that burns no brain cells or play silly games on my IPAD, do some writing for the 2 books I am working on or spend some time practicing my Italian with Rosetta Stone......that is what I need to do.
Bed time.....get a MINIMUM of 6-7 hours of sleep.....but shoot for 8 hours.I used to fall asleep with the TV on......no more......I have started to go to sleep in a totally dark room and that seems to help. I do wake usually to hit the bathroom at least once a night a few nights a week. I know some of it has to do with how much water I drink each day (but I have to tell you I did crave a diet Pepsi this week and fought off the urge) and some of it is due to.......yes getting older.
Maybe this will help the roller coaster ride to end or break the plateau........I know it will happen!!! I have to remind myself to be patient. I look at where I am now as compared to just 10 months ago and I can see the progress.........I just have to get my body to adjust so more of this fat can fade away.
I hope next week to have a loss but you know what.....if I don't that's OK I know it will happen......I may be behind on where I was hoping to be as far as my weight loss goals but I will get there and I sure as hell am not going back the other way!!!!
You have just read a passage that shows you how my brain works......pretty scary huh......LOL.
OK let's see how the week goes with my "shake it up Donna plan".
See you next week........
Or it's another plateau.....ugh!!! Down a pound .....up a pound......down .2....up .2......
Since my trip to NY, I have gone up and down the same few pounds......it is so frustrating. I was a smidgen a way from 60 pounds gone and now I am a smidgen and a half away from 60 pounds.
I do try to figure out what the problem is.....I try to rationalize......plateau's do happen and they can last for months (this has been confirmed by many of my WW buddies and leader).
I know I don't get enough sleep and I am a very restless sleeper too which means it is not a restful sleep. I feel like I barely close my eyes and it's time to get up. Oh you lucky retired people.......I envy you all so much......
Now let's talk stress.......my job is stressful......but then again whose isn't.......especially at month end. 95% of the time I love my job even with the stress. Several times a week I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about something I need to get done or something I forgot to do or planning out my next days work.....you all know the drill. Then there is stress at home......not going into detail there.
So what can I do????
I have committed to TRY yes TRY to go to sleep earlier at night. I have committed to try and take one issue at a time at work and not let not let it overwhelm me. I have committed to try and avoid stress at home as much as absolutely possible.
So my plan for this week is to plan......
I have a plan for my days at work as far as what I MUST get accomplished.......I know that plans get monkey wrenches thrown into them but at least I have a starting point.
I have planned my meals for the week. I have cooked or prepared most of my veggies and proteins. I am going to try and not eat the same things over and over....maybe give my body a little shake-up.
I am going to try to unwind when I am done with work for the day. Who is it that said when you are at the end of your life you will not regret spending more time at the office but you will regret not doing more things that made you happy. Even if it means watching TV shows where I do not have to think or read a book that burns no brain cells or play silly games on my IPAD, do some writing for the 2 books I am working on or spend some time practicing my Italian with Rosetta Stone......that is what I need to do.
Bed time.....get a MINIMUM of 6-7 hours of sleep.....but shoot for 8 hours.I used to fall asleep with the TV on......no more......I have started to go to sleep in a totally dark room and that seems to help. I do wake usually to hit the bathroom at least once a night a few nights a week. I know some of it has to do with how much water I drink each day (but I have to tell you I did crave a diet Pepsi this week and fought off the urge) and some of it is due to.......yes getting older.
Maybe this will help the roller coaster ride to end or break the plateau........I know it will happen!!! I have to remind myself to be patient. I look at where I am now as compared to just 10 months ago and I can see the progress.........I just have to get my body to adjust so more of this fat can fade away.
I hope next week to have a loss but you know what.....if I don't that's OK I know it will happen......I may be behind on where I was hoping to be as far as my weight loss goals but I will get there and I sure as hell am not going back the other way!!!!
You have just read a passage that shows you how my brain works......pretty scary huh......LOL.
OK let's see how the week goes with my "shake it up Donna plan".
See you next week........
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
What I Want When It's My Time To Go......
A friend of mine asked me how I came up with the topics for my blog entries. I said sometimes I know all week what I am going to write about and sometimes I sit down at the computer and think what now? Or sometimes I get into a conversation and that leads to that weeks entry.
A conversation is what lead to this entry.....about my final wishes.......
No, I am not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. I am hoping that my healthier lifestyle will add many, many more years to my life. But let's all face the fact that at some point it is going to happen......
I was visiting with friends last weekend and somehow we got on the discussion of funerals and what we would like and not like. You can tell this was not a young swinging crowd by the topic of conversation.
When I said what I wanted it was pointed out to me that what I wanted to take place might be too vague....
so let me be more specific so there are no misunderstandings......
1. Take me to Leevy's. This is a black funeral home and I found out that cremations are less expensive there than at your standard funeral home. I am not sure why they cost less but I don't really care. Why should Jenn have to lay out extra money to turn me into dust??
2. Make sure I am dressed comfortably including flip flops. I want to arrive comfy where ever I am going next.
3, Yes, Cheryl you can throw cheese in with me the last time you see me so I can go out as a grilled cheese.
4. I do not want a formal funeral service. I would prefer a gathering with an open mike. I expect laughter and lots of Donna stories. I expect tears......of laughter. Someone will have to be the timer to make sure some people don't go on too long. Maybe it can be like America's Got Talent and there can be X's and then the person speaking would get the boot.
5. NO WEARING BLACK!!!! I want people comfy and not somber.....bright colors preferred.
6. If Fr.Tim Liejewski is able to make it, I wouldn't mind him saying a few words and I would like the 23 Psalm read but that is where the seriousness ends.
7. I want the cheese poem read......in case you need to know it is in a book in the basket by the fire place. When I move I will make sure to reveal its new location.
8. Short of tiki torches this had better be a fun event. I am not sure where the gathering should be held but I will think about it and let the appropriate people know.
9. Of course there will be food.......and lots of CHEESE. Hey, we all know I am a cheese-a-holic!!! And since I can't devour it like I used to at least at my last party there should be lots of it.
10. Music- OK I call the shots here- the music will be from my IPOD. Then you can all see how confused I really am.....from disco to the 60's to the rat pack to folk to Broadway Show tunes. My brother can do karaoke to some of our favorite songs.
11. Photo's of me.....OK if they are not photo shopped then they must be of me looking good. I do not want it to look like a before and after picture for a weight loss plan.
12.. If there is a funeral procession from the funeral home to the party/gathering.......Jenn Boswell and Mark Sgromolo must at some point pull into the funeral procession and throw on their lights and then take a turn onto another street. (They can then rejoin the party). The reason for this......OK I will admit I horrified Mark when I told him if there is a funeral procession and I am stuck in traffic I just throw in my headlights, look sad and get in line. Then I leave the procession when I get to my destination.....LOL. I am not being disrespectful......I make the sign of the cross and say a prayer.
13. OK my ashes.....what should be done with them?? I have my Mom's ashes in a wind chime outside my house. I love having them there although some days she makes quite a lot of noise. But should Jenn have to worry about my ashes and Nannie's ashes too? She doesn't need a deck of dead people ashes ringing in the wind does she?? I have always wanted to go to Italy, Alaska and back to Hawaii. Hopefully, I will get there in my lifetime but if I don't......Jenn is to use some of the insurance money and take the trip I have always dreamed of with a friend or family member (it is up to her who goes with her so suck up to make the possible travel list) . They will go to each of those places all expenses paid and leave some of my ashes there. I would also like some ashes left at the beach. I originally thought of asking each of my siblings and friends to take some of my ashes to a place they thought I might like but it was brought to my attention that not everyone might think of this as a special event or honor and may view it as a chore or forget to take me somewhere and I would get put in a closet on a shelf. So I will have to come up with a list of specific people and locations.
Well those are some of the high points of my fond farewell. As I think of things I will add them to this list but at least I have provided you all with the bullet points to go by.
I think it sound like a great send off......too bad I won't be there.....but the first person who lets out a sob of sadness.....I will come back and haunt you ass through all eternity!!!
See you next week.....
PS I was down at the scale this week.
A conversation is what lead to this entry.....about my final wishes.......
No, I am not planning on going anywhere anytime soon. I am hoping that my healthier lifestyle will add many, many more years to my life. But let's all face the fact that at some point it is going to happen......
I was visiting with friends last weekend and somehow we got on the discussion of funerals and what we would like and not like. You can tell this was not a young swinging crowd by the topic of conversation.
When I said what I wanted it was pointed out to me that what I wanted to take place might be too vague....
so let me be more specific so there are no misunderstandings......
1. Take me to Leevy's. This is a black funeral home and I found out that cremations are less expensive there than at your standard funeral home. I am not sure why they cost less but I don't really care. Why should Jenn have to lay out extra money to turn me into dust??
2. Make sure I am dressed comfortably including flip flops. I want to arrive comfy where ever I am going next.
3, Yes, Cheryl you can throw cheese in with me the last time you see me so I can go out as a grilled cheese.
4. I do not want a formal funeral service. I would prefer a gathering with an open mike. I expect laughter and lots of Donna stories. I expect tears......of laughter. Someone will have to be the timer to make sure some people don't go on too long. Maybe it can be like America's Got Talent and there can be X's and then the person speaking would get the boot.
5. NO WEARING BLACK!!!! I want people comfy and not somber.....bright colors preferred.
6. If Fr.Tim Liejewski is able to make it, I wouldn't mind him saying a few words and I would like the 23 Psalm read but that is where the seriousness ends.
7. I want the cheese poem read......in case you need to know it is in a book in the basket by the fire place. When I move I will make sure to reveal its new location.
8. Short of tiki torches this had better be a fun event. I am not sure where the gathering should be held but I will think about it and let the appropriate people know.
9. Of course there will be food.......and lots of CHEESE. Hey, we all know I am a cheese-a-holic!!! And since I can't devour it like I used to at least at my last party there should be lots of it.
10. Music- OK I call the shots here- the music will be from my IPOD. Then you can all see how confused I really am.....from disco to the 60's to the rat pack to folk to Broadway Show tunes. My brother can do karaoke to some of our favorite songs.
11. Photo's of me.....OK if they are not photo shopped then they must be of me looking good. I do not want it to look like a before and after picture for a weight loss plan.
12.. If there is a funeral procession from the funeral home to the party/gathering.......Jenn Boswell and Mark Sgromolo must at some point pull into the funeral procession and throw on their lights and then take a turn onto another street. (They can then rejoin the party). The reason for this......OK I will admit I horrified Mark when I told him if there is a funeral procession and I am stuck in traffic I just throw in my headlights, look sad and get in line. Then I leave the procession when I get to my destination.....LOL. I am not being disrespectful......I make the sign of the cross and say a prayer.
13. OK my ashes.....what should be done with them?? I have my Mom's ashes in a wind chime outside my house. I love having them there although some days she makes quite a lot of noise. But should Jenn have to worry about my ashes and Nannie's ashes too? She doesn't need a deck of dead people ashes ringing in the wind does she?? I have always wanted to go to Italy, Alaska and back to Hawaii. Hopefully, I will get there in my lifetime but if I don't......Jenn is to use some of the insurance money and take the trip I have always dreamed of with a friend or family member (it is up to her who goes with her so suck up to make the possible travel list) . They will go to each of those places all expenses paid and leave some of my ashes there. I would also like some ashes left at the beach. I originally thought of asking each of my siblings and friends to take some of my ashes to a place they thought I might like but it was brought to my attention that not everyone might think of this as a special event or honor and may view it as a chore or forget to take me somewhere and I would get put in a closet on a shelf. So I will have to come up with a list of specific people and locations.
Well those are some of the high points of my fond farewell. As I think of things I will add them to this list but at least I have provided you all with the bullet points to go by.
I think it sound like a great send off......too bad I won't be there.....but the first person who lets out a sob of sadness.....I will come back and haunt you ass through all eternity!!!
See you next week.....
PS I was down at the scale this week.
What Heaven would look like to me.......
Monday, July 27, 2015
I Am Back........
No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth.........no, I didn't give up writing my blog........no, I haven't forgotten about all of you......
In the last 4 weeks, I have been in 15 or 16 states and traveled 4,000 miles.......yes 4,000 miles ....hours in the car.....about 70 ........tolls......LOL only on my New York trip.......pretty expensive.......we stayed in one pretty ugly motel out of sheer desperation and exhaustion. It was the only place I even stayed where I had to sleep with a shirt over my head for fear of bugs in the room. Oh and have you ever gone into a hotel bathroom and found toilet paper in the toilet and the floor was wet (God knows what from)......so as you can see this was a luxury accommodation.
Anyway, we had a great time in NY.We were able to spend time with my brother, Greg and his family. His son, Anthony, graduated from high school.
Two weeks later, we were off to Missouri for a family gathering. 950 miles and 18-19 hours in the car each way.
Between both trips and some other side trips, I tried to stay on plan but did indulge in some treats, There is no way I could leave NY without breakfast at The Ridge Diner, eating pizza, a bagel, stop at Rockland Bakery for Linzer Tarts and black and white cookies, some Drakes Coffee Cakes and Devil Dogs. I made some ham rolls, hot dogs in sauce and chocolate chip cookies for the visit to my brother. In Missouri, I did indulge in real, wonderful and delectable treats from a bakery in Wisconsin (thank you Aaron and Bre), there were more ham rolls, tortellini salad, hot tortellini and on and on......
After the NY trip, I was up a few pounds. A week after my return from Missouri, I was down at the scales. I found I can have the treats......occasionally......but now know I can get back on plan and not linger in the world of goodies. Weight Watchers wants you to live your life and learn that you can have a treat or treats. I was very aware of what I ate and I tracked it all even when I exceeded my daily points.
Now that I am back at home, the fridge is filled with veggies and fruits again. Back to my focus of losing!!
A cousin shared a group picture of those of us who gathered from my Ohana. I saw in the picture what others have told me.......time to go shopping Donna.
Saturday, Jenn and I went shopping and shop we did!! Everything was on sale. And as I said on FB, I cried at the register. I was overwhelmed at what I could wear that was sizes smaller than what I used to wear. I remember walking into stores and not being able to find anything that fit. Now it was a matter of what size I was going to fit in.
I also cried because of the final total of what I had spent.....Jenn knowing this added up what it would have cost me if I had paid full price for everything to make me feel better.
Then when I got home, I ordered a bathing suit that was on sale. I also ordered 3 pairs of pants for work and with the Retail Me Not app.....I saved about 50% and half the shipping fee.
I am set with clothes until I lose another 60 pounds.
Sunday was clean out the closet day. By the time I was done, I had 5 bags of old big clothes that I took to Goodwill and those were to good clothes.....some I just pitched. My closet look organized and I can actually find things easily....thank you Jenn for organizing it for me!!
So new clothes, down at the scale, pitched old clothes....not so bad!!
Here is the pile of clothes that went to Goodwill:
And here is what my closet looks like now:
Notice the variety of colors........it was suggested I give up some of the black I wore on a regular basis.....
Well it is good to be home......not sure for how long or where I might be off to next.......I will just have to wait and see......
See you next week !!
In the last 4 weeks, I have been in 15 or 16 states and traveled 4,000 miles.......yes 4,000 miles ....hours in the car.....about 70 ........tolls......LOL only on my New York trip.......pretty expensive.......we stayed in one pretty ugly motel out of sheer desperation and exhaustion. It was the only place I even stayed where I had to sleep with a shirt over my head for fear of bugs in the room. Oh and have you ever gone into a hotel bathroom and found toilet paper in the toilet and the floor was wet (God knows what from)......so as you can see this was a luxury accommodation.
Anyway, we had a great time in NY.We were able to spend time with my brother, Greg and his family. His son, Anthony, graduated from high school.
Two weeks later, we were off to Missouri for a family gathering. 950 miles and 18-19 hours in the car each way.
Between both trips and some other side trips, I tried to stay on plan but did indulge in some treats, There is no way I could leave NY without breakfast at The Ridge Diner, eating pizza, a bagel, stop at Rockland Bakery for Linzer Tarts and black and white cookies, some Drakes Coffee Cakes and Devil Dogs. I made some ham rolls, hot dogs in sauce and chocolate chip cookies for the visit to my brother. In Missouri, I did indulge in real, wonderful and delectable treats from a bakery in Wisconsin (thank you Aaron and Bre), there were more ham rolls, tortellini salad, hot tortellini and on and on......
After the NY trip, I was up a few pounds. A week after my return from Missouri, I was down at the scales. I found I can have the treats......occasionally......but now know I can get back on plan and not linger in the world of goodies. Weight Watchers wants you to live your life and learn that you can have a treat or treats. I was very aware of what I ate and I tracked it all even when I exceeded my daily points.
Now that I am back at home, the fridge is filled with veggies and fruits again. Back to my focus of losing!!
A cousin shared a group picture of those of us who gathered from my Ohana. I saw in the picture what others have told me.......time to go shopping Donna.
Saturday, Jenn and I went shopping and shop we did!! Everything was on sale. And as I said on FB, I cried at the register. I was overwhelmed at what I could wear that was sizes smaller than what I used to wear. I remember walking into stores and not being able to find anything that fit. Now it was a matter of what size I was going to fit in.
I also cried because of the final total of what I had spent.....Jenn knowing this added up what it would have cost me if I had paid full price for everything to make me feel better.
Then when I got home, I ordered a bathing suit that was on sale. I also ordered 3 pairs of pants for work and with the Retail Me Not app.....I saved about 50% and half the shipping fee.
I am set with clothes until I lose another 60 pounds.
Sunday was clean out the closet day. By the time I was done, I had 5 bags of old big clothes that I took to Goodwill and those were to good clothes.....some I just pitched. My closet look organized and I can actually find things easily....thank you Jenn for organizing it for me!!
So new clothes, down at the scale, pitched old clothes....not so bad!!
Here is the pile of clothes that went to Goodwill:
And here is what my closet looks like now:
Notice the variety of colors........it was suggested I give up some of the black I wore on a regular basis.....
Well it is good to be home......not sure for how long or where I might be off to next.......I will just have to wait and see......
See you next week !!
Monday, June 29, 2015
You can go home again.......
Sorry Thomas Wolfe.....you were wrong......you said 'You Can't Go Home Again"....you can go home as long as you understand that everything changes.....and you can go home and visit but you need to be prepared for the changes.
OK first let me back up a little....sorry I missed last week.....I was away visiting friends for a few days. Then it was a few days of working and off to NY.
Jenn and I headed for NY on Wednesday. It is always a long drive but the anticipation on seeing family and friends makes the trip worth it. We arrived in my hometown, Pearl River, NY around midnight (OK yes The Bronx is where I spend the first 14 years of my life but Pearl River is where I grew up).
Anyway, we stopped by Shoprite and were able to see my brother, Greg. I hadn't seen him in over 3 years. I have called him Bud since he was young, He was my little Buddy I took with me or dragged with me a lot. We are still in discussion as to whether or not I wanted to see Willy Wonka 6 times or he did.....I think it might have been a compromise......
We checked in at the PR Hilton (thank you Tim!!!!) and crashed.
In the movie, "City Slickers", they talk about their best and worst day. They were not allowed to include the things like the day their kids were born.
Well, Thursday was one of my best days.....
Jenn told me the Hilton had an indoor pool so we made time for a workout every day. Then an old friend stopped by to see us and from there it was crazy. We had breakfast at a real honest to goodness diner!! Shopping in town for local t shirts, purchasing enough Reinzi clam sauce to keep us well stocked for the next 2 years, a visit with one of Jenn's elementary school teachers, we went to visit Mom and Dad at Rockland cemetery and went by the family home to see what the story was for the graduation ceremony. Before we knew it, we were at PRHS watching the last of the Raboni's walk at graduation. I was the first in the 1970's and now my nephew, Anthony was the last......5 decades of Raboni's had walked that walk. Then back to the Hilton, to meet my friend, Jayne for a drink. It took 5 minutes to catch up and then an hour of just pure chatting. Next stop,dinner with the family at the Nanuet Restaurant where they have some of the best pizza in the world!!!! Whew......what a day!!!!!
Friday was not quite as crazy.....workout, a bagel for breakfast and off to my brother's house. The weather was to die for.......70's ....after the heat in SC it was great. Just spending a day catching up with him and his family and the extended family was such a treat.
Saturday was the party and it was a lot of fun. Friends and family gathering to celebrate.
Then before it knew it it was midnight and I was setting the alarm to get up at 4:30 for the journey home. We pulled out of my brother's driveway at 5:01AM. Except a a long wait for coffee at a rest stop and some heavy traffic below Richmond VA the trip was not too bad and we were home by 6:15 and that included time to pick up the dog from the vet/kennel.
To get back to my original statement, it was great to go someplace that you know like the back of your hand. It was also hard to be there and not have Mom along for the ride. It was difficult to see the "For Sale" sign in front of my parents house. I couldn't get myself to go inside to say good by. But I believe that a home (which is different from a house) has a soul. The spirits of my Mom and Dad are still there. I can still feel the memories of weddings, graduations, birthdays and of course holidays at 33 Haven Terrace. It was the place my older brother left to join the Marine's, it was the home my youngest brother would eventually own and his own sons would call their home, my sister and I left there as brides, my daughter was christened in the living room right next to my Dad's hospital bed during his final days. And yes, my Dad died in that home. Life had come full circle in that special place. We all grew up and moved away......one by one. And some day soon there will be another family building memories in that home.
Some notes to the new owners......I hope you have the joy and happiness we all had living there for the past 45 years. I hope you do not have the sorrows we shared there too. Oh and one more thing.....if you ever remove the shed and dig underneath it......no were no some crazy sick family.....what you will find in plastic bags of various sizes (up to big trash bags) are the toys and remains of some beloved family pets......
See you next week......
OH PS....I was down a lot at the scale last week and went to get weighed in this morning and was up. Well, I am blaming it on sodium. In the fried rice I ate, in the bacon pizza I ate, in the salt bagel I ate......see the recurring theme here....I ate and sodium. I have to say I didn't eat as much as I would have in the past but I also did not focus on fruits and veggies like I have been..... but I am back on track....I had brussels sprouts for dinner last night and already downed some grapes.....here's hoping the gain should dissappear next week...... I did work out everyday and that is not something I would NOT have done before. Also, my sister-in-law commented like one of my friends last week that I need to go t shirt shopping. She said she saw me keep pulling the v-neck of my shirt together since it has gotten too big.....not a bad thing!!!!
OK first let me back up a little....sorry I missed last week.....I was away visiting friends for a few days. Then it was a few days of working and off to NY.
Jenn and I headed for NY on Wednesday. It is always a long drive but the anticipation on seeing family and friends makes the trip worth it. We arrived in my hometown, Pearl River, NY around midnight (OK yes The Bronx is where I spend the first 14 years of my life but Pearl River is where I grew up).
Anyway, we stopped by Shoprite and were able to see my brother, Greg. I hadn't seen him in over 3 years. I have called him Bud since he was young, He was my little Buddy I took with me or dragged with me a lot. We are still in discussion as to whether or not I wanted to see Willy Wonka 6 times or he did.....I think it might have been a compromise......
We checked in at the PR Hilton (thank you Tim!!!!) and crashed.
In the movie, "City Slickers", they talk about their best and worst day. They were not allowed to include the things like the day their kids were born.
Well, Thursday was one of my best days.....
Jenn told me the Hilton had an indoor pool so we made time for a workout every day. Then an old friend stopped by to see us and from there it was crazy. We had breakfast at a real honest to goodness diner!! Shopping in town for local t shirts, purchasing enough Reinzi clam sauce to keep us well stocked for the next 2 years, a visit with one of Jenn's elementary school teachers, we went to visit Mom and Dad at Rockland cemetery and went by the family home to see what the story was for the graduation ceremony. Before we knew it, we were at PRHS watching the last of the Raboni's walk at graduation. I was the first in the 1970's and now my nephew, Anthony was the last......5 decades of Raboni's had walked that walk. Then back to the Hilton, to meet my friend, Jayne for a drink. It took 5 minutes to catch up and then an hour of just pure chatting. Next stop,dinner with the family at the Nanuet Restaurant where they have some of the best pizza in the world!!!! Whew......what a day!!!!!
Friday was not quite as crazy.....workout, a bagel for breakfast and off to my brother's house. The weather was to die for.......70's ....after the heat in SC it was great. Just spending a day catching up with him and his family and the extended family was such a treat.
Saturday was the party and it was a lot of fun. Friends and family gathering to celebrate.
Then before it knew it it was midnight and I was setting the alarm to get up at 4:30 for the journey home. We pulled out of my brother's driveway at 5:01AM. Except a a long wait for coffee at a rest stop and some heavy traffic below Richmond VA the trip was not too bad and we were home by 6:15 and that included time to pick up the dog from the vet/kennel.
To get back to my original statement, it was great to go someplace that you know like the back of your hand. It was also hard to be there and not have Mom along for the ride. It was difficult to see the "For Sale" sign in front of my parents house. I couldn't get myself to go inside to say good by. But I believe that a home (which is different from a house) has a soul. The spirits of my Mom and Dad are still there. I can still feel the memories of weddings, graduations, birthdays and of course holidays at 33 Haven Terrace. It was the place my older brother left to join the Marine's, it was the home my youngest brother would eventually own and his own sons would call their home, my sister and I left there as brides, my daughter was christened in the living room right next to my Dad's hospital bed during his final days. And yes, my Dad died in that home. Life had come full circle in that special place. We all grew up and moved away......one by one. And some day soon there will be another family building memories in that home.
Some notes to the new owners......I hope you have the joy and happiness we all had living there for the past 45 years. I hope you do not have the sorrows we shared there too. Oh and one more thing.....if you ever remove the shed and dig underneath it......no were no some crazy sick family.....what you will find in plastic bags of various sizes (up to big trash bags) are the toys and remains of some beloved family pets......
See you next week......
OH PS....I was down a lot at the scale last week and went to get weighed in this morning and was up. Well, I am blaming it on sodium. In the fried rice I ate, in the bacon pizza I ate, in the salt bagel I ate......see the recurring theme here....I ate and sodium. I have to say I didn't eat as much as I would have in the past but I also did not focus on fruits and veggies like I have been..... but I am back on track....I had brussels sprouts for dinner last night and already downed some grapes.....here's hoping the gain should dissappear next week...... I did work out everyday and that is not something I would NOT have done before. Also, my sister-in-law commented like one of my friends last week that I need to go t shirt shopping. She said she saw me keep pulling the v-neck of my shirt together since it has gotten too big.....not a bad thing!!!!
Sunday, June 14, 2015
I Am Not A Quitter......
OK so the scale did not say what I wanted it to today. I hate the scale!!!!! I looked back over my week and tried to figure out what I might have done wrong.......
I ate the way I was supposed to......I went to the gym......I pooped regularly (oh get over it....yes pooping is important and you don't want to go into a weigh in with any excess baggage so to speak).......
Was it the bamboo shoots, snow peas and water chestnuts with soy sauce on Friday??
Was it the fact I didn't drink all of my water?
Can you really eat too many brussels sprouts?
Can you eat too many veggies?
Is it the carrots that I have added to my veggie list?
Did I not move enough this week?
Did I not give myself enough variety?
Did I give myself too much variety?
Do you see how confusing and mind boggling this process can be??????
I stayed for my meeting.......I didn't cry.......I just gave it a lot of thought. I have reset my goals some.......now I hope to hit 75 pounds gone by my birthday. If I hit it before that great but I am trying not to put too much pressure on myself. Pressure and stress can be my enemies. What a great birthday gift to myself to be 75 pounds down (and I always remind myself to add on a extra 10 pounds to whatever I lose since my all time high -at least recorded from one of my previous WW memberships was 10 pounds more then when I started this time).
I came home and cooked all my veggies. I cut up my all my salad ingredients so they can be ready at a a moments notice. I made some WW muffins. I am in good shape for the week.
I don't think moving the bar further out is a bad thing. I am trying to be realistic. The one thing I am sure of is this time I am not giving up!!!!!! My health has improved and I am way more mobile than I have been in years Yes, I still have achy knees and hips......I am still not ready for long walks or 5K's but I am up and down and all around in stores, my kitchen and the gym. Silly as it sounds I don't dread walking to the ladies room 4-5 times a day.....that's what happens when you drink that much water!!
So what am I worried about......I am going to NY for my nephews graduation soon.....yes, I am going to the land of real pizza, fabulous bagels and the amazing Rockland Bakery where the fresh rolls and Lintzer Tarts are to die for.......the WW philosophy is that you can eat these things.....in moderation......a few ladies at my meeting had some good suggestions such as have one treat a day, use my extra weekly points and be prepared with foods I can eat that will keep my points in control and me on track. This will take more planning than I have done since I started WW last fall but I am sure I can do it. If I could get through the holidays and continue to lose surely I can get through a few days in NY..........I hope.......OK hell yes I can!!!!
That elusive 60 pounds is still out there but close enough to touch. I am seeing the progress and making strides. I cannot be defeated.....not this time......but can it be just a tiny bit easier.......please.......
It has been a life long battle but one I will win.......I am sure of that.....no matter how long it takes......I am not a quitter............
See you next week........
I ate the way I was supposed to......I went to the gym......I pooped regularly (oh get over it....yes pooping is important and you don't want to go into a weigh in with any excess baggage so to speak).......
Was it the bamboo shoots, snow peas and water chestnuts with soy sauce on Friday??
Was it the fact I didn't drink all of my water?
Can you really eat too many brussels sprouts?
Can you eat too many veggies?
Is it the carrots that I have added to my veggie list?
Did I not move enough this week?
Did I not give myself enough variety?
Did I give myself too much variety?
Do you see how confusing and mind boggling this process can be??????
I stayed for my meeting.......I didn't cry.......I just gave it a lot of thought. I have reset my goals some.......now I hope to hit 75 pounds gone by my birthday. If I hit it before that great but I am trying not to put too much pressure on myself. Pressure and stress can be my enemies. What a great birthday gift to myself to be 75 pounds down (and I always remind myself to add on a extra 10 pounds to whatever I lose since my all time high -at least recorded from one of my previous WW memberships was 10 pounds more then when I started this time).
I came home and cooked all my veggies. I cut up my all my salad ingredients so they can be ready at a a moments notice. I made some WW muffins. I am in good shape for the week.
I don't think moving the bar further out is a bad thing. I am trying to be realistic. The one thing I am sure of is this time I am not giving up!!!!!! My health has improved and I am way more mobile than I have been in years Yes, I still have achy knees and hips......I am still not ready for long walks or 5K's but I am up and down and all around in stores, my kitchen and the gym. Silly as it sounds I don't dread walking to the ladies room 4-5 times a day.....that's what happens when you drink that much water!!
So what am I worried about......I am going to NY for my nephews graduation soon.....yes, I am going to the land of real pizza, fabulous bagels and the amazing Rockland Bakery where the fresh rolls and Lintzer Tarts are to die for.......the WW philosophy is that you can eat these things.....in moderation......a few ladies at my meeting had some good suggestions such as have one treat a day, use my extra weekly points and be prepared with foods I can eat that will keep my points in control and me on track. This will take more planning than I have done since I started WW last fall but I am sure I can do it. If I could get through the holidays and continue to lose surely I can get through a few days in NY..........I hope.......OK hell yes I can!!!!
That elusive 60 pounds is still out there but close enough to touch. I am seeing the progress and making strides. I cannot be defeated.....not this time......but can it be just a tiny bit easier.......please.......
It has been a life long battle but one I will win.......I am sure of that.....no matter how long it takes......I am not a quitter............
See you next week........
Sunday, June 7, 2015
Barry & Me.......and some other stuff.......
OK the event was 40 years in the making.........
I will start by admitting yes it's true but I am a FANILOW!!! LOL
A few months ago a friend asked me, "if you could see anyone in concert who would it be?" I asked, "dead or alive?" My girlfriend started to laugh and said "alive you ass!!" And I said Barry Manilow. Well lo and behold after checking the concert schedule Barry was going to be in Charlotte on June 6th.
Last night, I went to see Barry with Jenn and my sister, Cheryl. Jenn was a good sport and went with us although she was probably among the youngest people at the show. It seemed funny to be sitting in an audience of so many people around my age.
The show was great!! With the exception of two songs, I knew every one he sang. I had been playing
his songs on my IPOD on the way to Charlotte and there is one song I told Jenn I liked but he probably wouldn't sing. It is called "All The Time". It is a song about wanting to fit in but not fitting in ......kind of the way I have felt and then realizing that there are others that feel that way too. Well, he sang it and it was great.
All I kept thinking as I danced in the aisle was "I feel alive!!!"
A year ago, yes there were some good moments but I felt like just a shell of myself. Last night, was just another time since I started this journey where I couldn't stop smiling and laughing and clapping and dancing.
When I went to my WW meeting today, I was down again at the scale. But the fun part was my WW friends asking about the show and during our meeting I told the group the "I feel alive" story and I waved my glow stick from the concert which made everyone laugh.
While we were walking into the concert, I had to stop. Jenn and Cheryl asked if I was OK. I told the yes but I had to stop to pull my jeans up (notice a recurring them here about pants falling down , see one of my previous entries). I was able to sit in my seat at the concert very nicely (something most of you never think about right?). And for a few hours I listened to songs I love and some brought back some great memories.
Well enough about Barry and me.....
The other good things about the week were......
My two counterparts from work and I got into one of the most hysterical text conversations I have ever been in.........last night my sister, Jenn and an old friend (boy) got into a facebook conversation that had Cheryl and I in tears laughing. After a few minutes of craziness.....my sister said "OMG will anyone from you job see this??" LOL I told her not to worry it was fine. ( I can see you all now going to my FB page to try and find the conversation....LOL). Don't worry my two work com padres.....our text conversation will not be shared.......no, it was not work related it was just total insanity!!!
Someone in the office stopped by to tell me she had noticed I was losing weight but the funny part was what she said. "I notice you are wearing sandals not Crocs." Funny the little things people notice......
While I am still healing physically from the years of wear and tear I have allowed my body to go through and still healing emotionally from they way I have thought of myself or allowed other the verbally abuse me........I know I have said it before......the old Donna is so coming back so watch out world and as my confidence returns, my sense of humor takes on new heights and the my dreams become realities......
I do love the beginning of Chapter 3 of my life.......who knew?? I didn't really think it would ever get better and now barely 8 1/2 months into the transformation and I feel surprised.........amazed........blessed.........happy...,,..grateful..............ALIVE..........but I haven't gotten this far without my support group........family and friends........my Sunday morning WW buddies who have so enriched and added to my life.......and of course there is always Jenn......encouraging me........monitoring me......and reminding me of how far I have come.........and I always need to remember she is the person who will be picking out my nursing home.
So here's to another new event for my books of lists........finally seeing Barry.
Here are two short clips from last night.....one is a corny song but says how I feel about all of you and the other is from the end of the show and is how I am feeling on the inside (hint ...wait for the streamers.....)
See you next week......
I will start by admitting yes it's true but I am a FANILOW!!! LOL
A few months ago a friend asked me, "if you could see anyone in concert who would it be?" I asked, "dead or alive?" My girlfriend started to laugh and said "alive you ass!!" And I said Barry Manilow. Well lo and behold after checking the concert schedule Barry was going to be in Charlotte on June 6th.
Last night, I went to see Barry with Jenn and my sister, Cheryl. Jenn was a good sport and went with us although she was probably among the youngest people at the show. It seemed funny to be sitting in an audience of so many people around my age.
The show was great!! With the exception of two songs, I knew every one he sang. I had been playing
his songs on my IPOD on the way to Charlotte and there is one song I told Jenn I liked but he probably wouldn't sing. It is called "All The Time". It is a song about wanting to fit in but not fitting in ......kind of the way I have felt and then realizing that there are others that feel that way too. Well, he sang it and it was great.
All I kept thinking as I danced in the aisle was "I feel alive!!!"
A year ago, yes there were some good moments but I felt like just a shell of myself. Last night, was just another time since I started this journey where I couldn't stop smiling and laughing and clapping and dancing.
When I went to my WW meeting today, I was down again at the scale. But the fun part was my WW friends asking about the show and during our meeting I told the group the "I feel alive" story and I waved my glow stick from the concert which made everyone laugh.
While we were walking into the concert, I had to stop. Jenn and Cheryl asked if I was OK. I told the yes but I had to stop to pull my jeans up (notice a recurring them here about pants falling down , see one of my previous entries). I was able to sit in my seat at the concert very nicely (something most of you never think about right?). And for a few hours I listened to songs I love and some brought back some great memories.
Well enough about Barry and me.....
The other good things about the week were......
My two counterparts from work and I got into one of the most hysterical text conversations I have ever been in.........last night my sister, Jenn and an old friend (boy) got into a facebook conversation that had Cheryl and I in tears laughing. After a few minutes of craziness.....my sister said "OMG will anyone from you job see this??" LOL I told her not to worry it was fine. ( I can see you all now going to my FB page to try and find the conversation....LOL). Don't worry my two work com padres.....our text conversation will not be shared.......no, it was not work related it was just total insanity!!!
Someone in the office stopped by to tell me she had noticed I was losing weight but the funny part was what she said. "I notice you are wearing sandals not Crocs." Funny the little things people notice......
While I am still healing physically from the years of wear and tear I have allowed my body to go through and still healing emotionally from they way I have thought of myself or allowed other the verbally abuse me........I know I have said it before......the old Donna is so coming back so watch out world and as my confidence returns, my sense of humor takes on new heights and the my dreams become realities......
I do love the beginning of Chapter 3 of my life.......who knew?? I didn't really think it would ever get better and now barely 8 1/2 months into the transformation and I feel surprised.........amazed........blessed.........happy...,,..grateful..............ALIVE..........but I haven't gotten this far without my support group........family and friends........my Sunday morning WW buddies who have so enriched and added to my life.......and of course there is always Jenn......encouraging me........monitoring me......and reminding me of how far I have come.........and I always need to remember she is the person who will be picking out my nursing home.
So here's to another new event for my books of lists........finally seeing Barry.
Here are two short clips from last night.....one is a corny song but says how I feel about all of you and the other is from the end of the show and is how I am feeling on the inside (hint ...wait for the streamers.....)
See you next week......
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