OK So I Was Sucked In Too.......

Let me start by saying I am NOT a gambler.  I would not have fun in Vegas.  I would hate losing money.  I am trying to save money for a variety of reasons.  I am even considering cutting back on my pedicures and waxing to save money.  There are bigger things in my future that take priority over my eyebrows or toenails.

But then there was Powerball.........

In just 2 short weeks, I spent more money than I would ever normally spend for a lot of things.  I was into it for .......get ready......$45.  I went in with people from the office 3 different times at $5 a clip.  I bought tickets with Jenn two different times. 10 tickets (and powered up.....whatever that means).  That $45 was my water bill for the month or at current prices gas for my Ford Escape for 2 weeks.

All for a dream........

I know I was not alone........there were a lot of other people playing that normally don't take a chance on winning.

Well guess what.......I won!!!!! Yes, Jenn and I had the Powerball on two games.  We won $8.  We are going to split our winnings.  That leaves me with $4.....

As planned......I am splitting my share with my siblings.  They will each get $1.......I expect in turn they will share their portion with their children.....which means Greg can keep 20 cents but then will give Greg, Anthony, Robert and Samantha 20 cents each......George gets to keep 20 cents and then give George III., Nick, Danny and Marni each 20 cents......Cheryl also gets to keep 20 cents for herself and then will give Jill, Chris, Michael and Wes 20 cents each.......then G III can keep a dime for himself and then will have to give Zoey a dime and Nick gets 7 cents and will then give Elouise 7 cents and Dominic 6 cents (hey he's younger)......Michael keeps a dime and Victoria gets a dime.......Jill will keep a dime and can put her daughters dime in a trust until she is 21.......

I will ask them to each send me a signed notarized statement confirming these transaction have taken place.  If I do not get these documents in a timely manner........I will NOT be sharing any future winnings with them.

Also, I will be issuing each of them 1099's for their portion of the winnings.  They will each have to claim  their portion of my generosity on their tax returns........and don't come looking to me if you owe taxes.......there is no more money to share........

And lastly, one the topic of losing .......I earned another star at Weight Watchers last Sunday for another 5 pound loss.  I am heading towards 80 pounds in all time loss (that's all time .....not just from this go round with WW).

It was a week of winning and losing..........I didn't win the 1.5 billion but did win by losing when it comes to my battle with the scale.......and right now.......that is much more important..........

See you next week........

So How Is 2016 So Far???

Well it is really hard to assess a year based on 3 days.......

But if I had to .......it looks like it is going to be a good year......

I ended 2015 spending time with friends.....still home in my jammies before midnight......which was fine with me.

The Christmas decorations are down and put away.  It is a job I dread even with Jenn's assistance.  I have loved looking at the tree for the last few weeks but once it is time for it to come down....I want it down.  I like when I am on vacation....when it is time to go home....I just want to get on the road.

I have gone to the movies twice so far in 2016......that equals the total number of movies I saw in 2015.  Both movies were very good and very different.  Didn't have to use a Sr. discount since the  movies were cheap on New Year's Day and when you go to the movies at 10 AM it is really cheap.  BUT getting a large bottle of water each and a popcorn to share was.........$16.....really????? Thank goodness we brought our own popcorn topping.

The new Weight Watcher program seems to agree with me.  I have  been down 3 out of 4 weeks including today.  It is always nice to end the holidays weighing less than when the holidays started. One of the topics in today's meeting is what to focus on in 2016....tracking, meal planning and activity were all discussed.  The group agreed it is about small increments and non-scale victories.  Our leader said when one member was asked "how much more weight do you want to lose?" Her response was "5 pounds". It kind of like football....it's all about 10 yards.  I think from now on my response will be "5 pounds" because that is really what is it all about.

What I do have to watch is making sure I eat......how is that for a surprising statement???? For example, yesterday, I had 2 cups of coffee and suddenly got the shakes....bad.  Jenn asked me what I had eaten and I had to reply "nothing",  So she gave me some turkey pepperoni and I had a few slices of low fat cheese.  I did feel better after that and my intention wasn't to not eat.....I just wasn't hungry.  But I do have to be more aware and make sure I do eat......something. I did spend some time last night prepping veggies and fruit for the week.  I think having options ready does make me more successful.

Jenn and I also went to another Paint Nite class this week.....OK Picasso doesn't have to worry about me as far as competition that's for sure.....but it was fun and social and I woke up yesterday morning and my newest piece of artwork was hanging in my bedroom.

See you next week.......

Oh Well There Will Be Another Christmas........

I have tried to be honest in this blog.......

I have shared the good.....and the bad.....without getting ugly (at least I have tried not to). This is another one of those......do I write it or not??? But if I am writing these entries about my life then I can't pretend there are only happy and perfect times.  No one lives in the world of Hallmark Movies (but oh to spend one Christmas in one of those little towns).  No family is a Norman Rockwell painting.

I tried hard to find Christmas spirit and I did find it in small doses but it didn't sustain me enough to get me through the 25th......

I have come to terms the fact that I have had more Christmas's than I will have.......let's be honest here.....I do not have another 60 Christmas Eve's ahead of me.......and the fact that they only happen once every 365 days (or 366 in the case of 2016)......is what makes them so important to me.

Unfortunately, this Christmas was not one I care to remember.  I will just let it go at that and those of you that know me well can read between the lines. Suffice it to say sitting in an empty parking lot trying to figure out what to do next and then taking a ride to nowhere with Jenn and the dog would not have been part of the wonderful Christmas's I have experienced in the past.

I consider myself fortunate to have known the most amazing Christmas Eve's and Christmas Day's growing up.  I felt all of the magic and joy associated with the holidays. So I really shouldn't complain.....too much.....or feel sorry for myself......too much......

I have decided that I will make different choices when it comes to the holidays and it will be determined by what I want to do not based on a guilt trip.  Knowing the fact that I only have a limited numbers of years and holidays left to go (I know I know there could be many more.....it's not like I think is am cashing in my chips next year) I will no longer make my decisions based on ........well you know.

As the end of the year approaches I do look back on the good things about 2015......

-going to NY and seeing family
-going to Missouri and seeing family
-spending time with friends
- having something I had written critiqued by a group of authors
- seeing Barry Manilow
- seeing Wicked....yes again
- having fun at a paint class
- earning my first medal
-spending some time on Thanksgiving with my sister
-and yes being successful at Weight Watchers

I am sure there is more I could list if I sat and gave it some serious thought.

I think that's a pretty awesome list .......don't you agree???

I am looking forward to the New Year....the challenges.....the adventures......the firsts.......the metamorphosis taking place both inside and outside of me.......I plan on spending more time writing and working my Italian (thank you Rosetta Stone) and more time laughing and enjoying life with my family and friends.

Chapter Three is beginning........and I can't wait.......who knows where I will be in a few years.......I am working hard to be ready for whatever the future holds.........

So goodbye to 2015.......

See you next week.......in 2016........

OK The 4 Week Wait Is Over.......Well Kind Of.....I Did Cheat And Peek.....

In theory, my 4 week waiting period to see how I was doing at the scale was over a week or two ago.  And as I admitted.....I cheated and peeked a few weeks back and it was not good......then last week I had to look at my weight in my WW book to figure out my new points.  The WW program went through some changes so I had to see what my daily points were.......once again I was not happy with the number.

But as I have said before I am not quitting!!!! So this week I tried to work the new program.  It was not easy for a number of reasons.......
-my mobile WW app where I track points was not working right
-food items that I knew the point values on like the back of my hand ....had changed......and many had gone up
-it was a stressful week at home
-and on and on

The changes made to the program are really good and make sense.  It used to be that the point values were based on fiber, carbs, protein and fat.  Now they have added saturated fat and sugar into the equation.  That makes sense to me since sugar and saturated fat are bad for you.

On the upside the point value for chicken has gone down......but if you feel like a Dunkin Donut.....you better think again....the value of a glazed donuts almost doubled....yikes!!!!! Even WW snacks have doubled in point value.

And it doesn't help that I am heading into the toughest time of the year.....the next two plus weeks are killers.   But I have been reminded Christmas is really only 2 days and the same with New Year's.  I don't have to be out of control every day.  This week is the office holiday breakfast.  Usually, it is catered by Cracker Barrel......OMG I love Cracker Barrel.  The thought of Hash Brown Casserole.......and Biscuits.....yum!! I am going to try and stick to eggs and a little bacon....or maybe eat before I get to the office. I will have to see and give it some good thought.

Well anyway, I really tried to work the program as best I could and when I got on the scale the loss was the biggest one I have ever had........I am not giving out the number.......I will when the time is right.....but I couldn't believe the number I saw.  I am now at my lowest in many, many years......like over 20 years!!!

The hard part is you get so busy around the holidays....I haven't been to the gym lately but I will be rectifying that the week after Christmas when all the rushing is over.  I am off all that week and am planning to go to the gym each and every day...........well I am at least thinking about it........that is a step in the right direction!!

I am also trying to enjoy the part of the season that doesn't involve food.  Last night, I went to see the lights at Saluda Shoals Park.  Today, I went and watched the Vet's Christmas Ride with it's thousands and thousands of motorcycles.  Next weekend, I am seeing "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen.  I sit and enjoy the lights on my tree and my radio is on the station with 24/7 Christmas music.  This week there is a lunchtime community sing at a local church......I may head over there for a 1/2 hour of singing Christmas Carols.....why not and it's free.

Ok here is something funny and shows you how old habits die hard.........this morning at our meeting my leader, Kay, asked if we wanted to have our regular meeting the Sunday after Christmas.......I did not raise my hand.......I know in my mind I thought well I can live it up some for those two days and then not worry about getting on the scale again until after the New Year but NNNNNNOOOOOO.......my WW pals voted to have a meeting that Sunday.  I admitted to the class I had not voted and was hoping there would be no meeting.......but you can guess where my ass (and the rest of me) will be on 12/27 at 9:00 AM)....yup.....I will be at my meeting.......well at least I was honest enough to admit what I was thinking.

Please send me postive vibes to get through to the beginning of 2016.....I am not really worried about New Years Eve Or New Years Day as I have never been big on that holiday But Christmas Eve and Christmas......those will be my challenges.  But I will take it one day at a time.......one hour at a time.......one minute at a time.....one bite at a time.......that is all I can do and it has worked so far........

See you next week.................

What a crazy 2 weeks......

It's hard to believe I haven't written an entry in 2 weeks.......the time has flown.

I spent one day in Crawfordville, GA traffic court.  Crawfordville, GA population 520.  I had to go to the Magistrate's Office for a hearing with the Magistrate, Court Clerk  and "the officer". I was charged with violating the "move over" law.  By the time we were done, the points were dropped and the ticket lowered from $300 to $200.  The "move over" law required that if you are driving in the right lane and there is a police officer on the right shoulder of the road with someone pulled over you "should" move into the left lane if it is safe.  I determined that it was not safe for me to make the move and for that reason I was given a ticket.  I made 2 trips to Crawfordville in order to plead "not guilty".  I was offered a trial with a jury of my peers but chose to meet with just the Magistrate.  The speed limit is 25 in the town itself.  The court room appears to be in a store front but once inside it looks like the Taj Mahal.  The Crawfordville PD was disbanded and taken over by the county but before that took place the town had collected $2,700,000 in traffic fines in just a few years.   So do you think I stood a chance.......not!! I was offered the opportunity to return a 3rd time and go to Superior Court.....really.....another day off from work and another 230 mile drive round trip?????I just wanted it over........

During the last 2 weeks, took the dog to the vet 4 times for a skin condition (this included two medicated baths at $30 each).  Jenn and I decorated the inside and the outside of the house.  I went for blood work and to the podiatrist.......all in all a very hectic couple of weeks.

Oh and I had a birthday.......it turned out very nice.  Lunch with a good friend, a pedicure and just the kind of day I wanted.

Thanksgiving had it's highs and it's lows.  My sister came to visit and that was great !! Jenn and I went Black Friday shopping Thursday night and Friday morning which is always an event and fun.  Other than that Thanksgiving was a minus 5 on a scale of 1-10. Read between the lines.......

I am trying to set time lines for the changes I need to make.  And I am definitely rethinking what I want to do for Christmas.........

I will figure it out......... 

My goal is to get through the holidays and maybe go down a little on the scale and worst case scenario remain the same.  Not overly ambitious goals but what I think are reasonable.....then like everyone else kick it back into high gear after the New Year.  I will make good choices this month but also don't want to feel deprived.......I have done this before and was successful so this year should not be any different.

I am feeling a bit down right now but focusing on the future and the opportunities I have ahead of me give me a reason to be hopeful.  I have made strides some areas this year and will continue to focus on those along with the news goals and changes.......I know that the down I am feeling will pass as it always does........looking at the lights on my beautiful Christmas tree makes my heart happy and gives my soul peace........

See you next week........

Ok So I Can't Be Trusted.......

My great plan to not know how I am doing on the scale each week........I will admit I peeked today......ugh not what I wanted to see......still down a lot but up a little while I wasn't looking.......so I should be due for a down week next week....hopefully.......but I won't peek......hopefully......

Last week was Jenn's birthday.  We did our traditional make-overs.  They were fun and we were both pleased with the results.This time I actually volunteered to take a picture......not something I normally do!!

We also went to see the movie "Home Alone"(one of Jenn's favorite when she was young) on the  big screen.  I love that some theatre's are bringing back some classic movies to movie theatres.  The original "Miracle on 34th Street" is coming to a theatre in December.  We already have our tickets to see "It's A Wonderful Life" a few days before Christmas.

The funny thing was while watching "Home Alone" there was  a scene when Kevin (the main character) is walking home from church......I started to cry.  You could see homes with families together celebrating the holiday.  I miss doing that with my family.  I guess we just take it for granted when we have those times and miss them when they are gone.

Anyway after the movie, we went to a local restaurant for dinner....Pasta Fresca.....that sounds like trouble doesn't it?? Well I was very pleased.......they had a veggie dish with artichokes, mushrooms, red peppers and tomatoes in a marinara sauce. But this is the great part......instead of being on a bed of cheese tortellini....... I had it on a bed of fresh spinach.  (OK it did cost more to opt for the spinach which always confuses the heck out of me that it costs more to eat healthy) but it was delish and I even brought home some leftovers.

This week's topic was at my WW meeting was  ......Thanksgiving.  We were given points values for what we might put on our dinner plate.  Yes, to white turkey meat (3 points for 3 ounces and I think I may have 2 servings) but no to the skin.......yes to mashed potatoes (3 points for 1/2 cup so I might go for a full cup) no to sweet potato soufflé......yes to canned gravy.....yes I said canned gravy.........yes to green beans (() points) no to green bean casserole.......yes to a tiny bit of stuffing......the total points value.......not too bad.  Now dessert......I love pumpkin pie.......one slice 8 points but skip the crust only 3 points......I will have to think about that but a big no to pecan pie at 14 points.

The hard part is it is my birthday the same week.  I already have plans for breakfast with one friend and lunch with another,  I will have to plan and make good choices.  Breakfast at Cracker Barrel .......fortunately, they have a healthy options menu now so I can get through that......lunch at DePrato's......I will have to really think about that.......I will just adjust my dinner menu so it shouldn't be too bad.........hopefully.......

Speaking of birthdays........I have been really struggling with this one.......yes the first number starts with a "6".....I don't know how it happened......how could all the years have passed so quickly.......I know.... I know....suck it up Donna......you are going to turn 60 on November 24th whether you like it or not........is 60 the new 40 or at least the new 50??????

On the upside, I am entering this decade weighing less than I did when I entered my 50's  or 40's.......and sometime next year (not saying when.......) I will weight less than I did when I turned 30.

Now that is something the CELEBRATE!!!!!!! I have extended my life by making the changes and choices since joining weight watchers. When I think about being 75 pounds less than my all time high....I should celebrate.....just not with food.......

I  think of some in my life who would have given anything to blow out 60 candles on their birthday cake........my Dad.....my niece Maria......and some other family members and  friends come to mind........a coworker reminded me a birthday is to be celebrated not dreaded.......

So for the next 9 ....count 'em.....9 days......I am still in my 50's but the better part is the 75 pounds gone and the hope that when I am blowing out my 61st candle I will weigh what I did in my late 20's.......it may take longer but I will get there.

You may get tired of seeing them but I need to remind myself of where I was just 2 years ago and where I am now.......so here are the pic's........

July 2013

Nov 2015

See you next week........

Ok So My Plan From Last Week Didn't Quite Work Out Like I Planned......

I wrote last week that I didn't want to know how much I gained or lost each week.  I wanted to work on a 4 week average.  It would make each week less stressful.  I went to my meeting this morning and told my leader and the lady that weighs me in my new plan.

Suzanne (the lady behind the scale) asked me if I wanted to know if I was down? I said no.  I gave her my WW card and the book I have with my record.  I got on the scale.  Then she said "I have to tell you".  I said "no".  She said again "I have to tell you!!!!"  I said "NO".  She said "you will really want to know this!!!!"  I started to laugh and said 'OK tell me".  Well, I was down a lot and am very close to 65 pounds.  I said to her while I was laughing "next week I do not want to know!!!"

OK so much for my plan.......what I think I will do is tell Suzanne that I do not want to know if I am up or down unless it is a big loss or I pass another 5 pound increment.......that should work.

I told the other members during our meeting about my plan to only know every 4 weeks where I am at. Most of them nodded their heads and understood my struggle. Then when I told them about how Suzanne and I went back and forth at the scale with Kay (my WW leader) in the middle of it......everyone was laughing.

So much for the best laid plans.......

I did try to switch things up again this week.  I tried a new recipe of chicken I had marinated in chicken broth, pineapple juice and lite soy sauce.   It was great!!

Fortunately, we had a lot of trick or treater's so there isn't a piece of candy to be found anywhere in the house.  I am thrilled that there isn't any calling my name from the pantry.  Plus, we didn't buy any of my favorite which is Almond Joy's.

Well, Halloween is over on to Thanksgiving.......the year has flown.  Hard to believe that in just a few short weeks the tree will go up. I already checked and a small local movie theatre (it only seats 100 people) will be showing  "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen less than a week before Christmas.  I will be purchasing tickets as soon as they are available.  I went last year and really enjoyed it.

I will be looking for small (and inexpensive) things to do from now until January 1st.  I will keep you posted as I find events and activities to attend.  While I focus on continuing to get healthy......

Oh one more thing......I told Jenn when my weight is where it should be......I want to go zip lining.....LOL.....yup....I said it........ zip lining.......for me that would be a real adventure.  No bungee jumping or parachute jumping  in my future but the thought of flying along a line high in the air is a challenge I think I can handle.......oh yes there will be pictures when that event happens and you will all know when it does.......I am also very brave saying this when I have a lot more weight to lose before I take on that challenge.......let's see what happens when the time gets closer....LOL.................

See you next week...........