Proud Aunt

First off I would like to thank everyone for the comments yesterday. You guys are great. I have been thinking about what my present to myself will be when I get to 100 down. Any suggestions???


Last night I went to my Nephew Joey's baseball game. He absolutely loves that game. It is a rare occasion that I can make two games in a week, and this week I did. Super exciting. I love that kid more than anything. I am one proud aunt. When he was little we started saying "I love you 10,000 alligators." Still to this day he is almost 13 and he still say it. I begged and begged for Lee and Kathy to have another baby, but they just won’t do it. So Joey is a little spoiled, but hey what Hall isn’t? :) My poor parents only with one grandchild isn’t that just sad (Kathy you should feel just horrible... just kidding.)

A few pics from last night.

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday.

Catch Up from Tuesday

On Tuesday I had my appointment with Dr. C. My previous posts have been my frustration with feeling like I have not lost anything. Well when I weighed in I did lost 6 pounds for the month. That is good just not great. I thought it was gonna be a bad day at the doc's, but he was pleased. He said I am one of his star patients. I am happy with my progress thus far. He gave me a fill, so I am certain that this will get me back on the down slope again hopefully. I am 8 and a 1/2 months out of surgery and 94 pounds down. I am so close to 100 I can almost feel it. :)

I am so excited to share with ya'll that I have purchased my plane tickets for BOOBS trip to Chicago. I am bringing my sister in law Kathy with me. Love her. She has been one of my best supporters and having her on this trip with me makes it a perfect weekend. I have a goal that I would love to make it to onederland by this trip. I can do it!!!

I do have a mega achievement to tell you about. Yesterday was an awful day. I am dealing with something with a friend that is really crappy, but I was really stressed out. It involves my family as well and it just has been bad. Yesterday I reached my breaking point. I was mad, frustrated, sad, pretty much every emotion you can feel. I just wanted to come home catch up on my DVR and just be by myself. Kathy stopped by to tan. She sat down on the chair and I just went to town venting. Till she got up and said I'mmmm gonna go now.. haha.. I reached out to my other good friend Brooke. Then I had enough. The achievement is normally the old Gail would have found anything and everything to eat and I DID NOT DO IT. Not only can I not eat like I used to with the band, but I didn’t even try ice-cream, my favorite slider. I told Kathy I just wanna eat a whole pizza. The urge was there, but I didn’t act on it. This is AMAZING for me. Wow.. I can’t even believe it. I am so proud of myself. Really. This is huge. I went to bed early. Hey you gotta do what you gotta do right.

I hope everyone has a great day.

BYOC Questions

I am going to play along with Drazil and answer the BYOC (bring your own craziness) questions.
It’s Bring Your Own Craziness day where we answer 5 questions we may not normally address in our blog as a way to get to know each other a bit better. Enjoy! Happy Answering!

1. Name a career you would NOT want to do and tell why.
I would not want to be an embalmer at the funeral home. That whole process just creeps me out. When I start thinking about the process in which those people that work for the funeral home have to go through to embalm the body wow.... Not something I can do at all!! I have seen my share of dead bodies my dad is has been with the Sheriffs office my whole life and I used to ride a lot, so looking at them don’t bother me I just don’t want to deal with them. Ha-ha.

I am not a fan of funerals, heck who is. Ever since my grandmother died in 1993 I do not sit through funerals at all. I will go to the viewing and see the family of the passed love one usually the day or night before the funeral, but if I do go to the funeral I will not go in and sit through the service. I just can't.

2. What’s the best present you ever received for your birthday?
My birthdays are always great. My Dad is totally the best man ever and never ever lets me down. So every year is amazing still at 29.

3. What do you hide behind?
Drazil's answer to this question was awesome. So take time and go read it.


I think for me personally. I hide behind people. I have in the past tried so hard to make people like me. I wanted to be liked by everyone. I always put myself last and wanted to do whatever it took to make people happy and me to fit in. This journey however, is causing me to find out more and more everyday that people don’t really matter as much as I gave them power over my life. I want to be happy in my own life. That means I have to love myself, and put me first. I don’t think it means changing the person I am. I will always be that sweet caring Gail everyone that knows me already, but I am not allowing people to determine what I want anymore. I am moving forward making decisions of my own.
Hope that makes sense.

4. Where were you born?
Born in Jacksonville, Fl raised in a small town right out side of it called Callahan

5. Copied as Drazil wrote it.... A little twist on this one..usually we ask – what blog spoke to you the most, stuck with you, had the most effect on you this week? This week I’m adding to that which comment may have affected you greatly? Sometimes a blog can lead to amazing comments and they deserve their own claim to fame here in this question.
I haven’t been not really been into the blog world, but I am trying to get there. When I first started this journey I know I have wrote this before, but I will share my story on how I found this blog.... I got sick at work on May 17 of 2009. I got transported to the hospital because I could not breathe. After a bunch of tests I was sent home, and referred to my primary Dr. I seen him he had me go through a bunch more tests. My dr told me that I had to lose weight. He said I think you need to have lap band surgery and I went crazy saying I am not having surgery ever.. It was a bad day he really upset me, but today he is on the top of my list for helping me by pushing me to get where I am today. I have not seen him since. I left that office so upset. I never wanted to go back, but I have an appt set exactly to the date of one year when we had that bad day and I will be over 100 plus pounds down. I can’t wait to see him and tell him how thankful I am to him. Anyway back to my point after I left that office that day.. It took a day or so, but I started to think about what he said. I worked nights then so I had a lot of time on my hands. I began to research on my own what lap band really was. Gotta love Google. ha.. I came across blogspot the first one was Amy. I went back and started to day one of her blog and read it all in one night. She inspired me. She is amazing as you all know. We had so much in common, and I just thought right then if she can do it so can I. So I then took it to my parents and talked to them. They were very supportive. Knowing that I have dealt with my weight since I was young. I reached out to two people at my work that had the surgery, and decided to go with the place they had it done. I made an appointment for a small group seminar took my mom, and that was all she wrote. I found out that my insurance did not cover the surgery, so I had to be a self pay. It made the process much faster. On July 16th I found out my surgery date would be August 11th 2009. I realized that through blogspot there was like a community if you will of lap band patients. To encourage and help each other. I found it absolutely amazing. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but knew I needed help. I emailed Amy and asked her to help me and she has been awesome. I am trying to get more involved now. I am super excited to meet everyone in Chicago.


As for the comments part of that question. There has not been just one that stands out. I love them all and thankful to each of you that do comment. So theres a little tid bit of who I am..

So there are the answers to the questions... Happy Friday to everyone!!!!

Thanks to you all...

This past weekend/beginning of the week I went with my parents to Asheville, NC. My Uncle Jerry my dad’s brother got pretty sick, and had to be admitted to the VA hospital there. It was a good trip. When we got there we noticed that he was doing a lot better than the week before which is great news. We was able to take him out for a couple of hours so that was good. He has always been one of my favorite family members. He is blind and after this weekend spending time with him I have come to realize that maybe he can see better than me. He has been through a lot of schools, and got lots of help, but just watching him was amazing. I have never paid that much attention before, but this trip was really eye opening for me. I found myself trying to help when it wasn’t even needed. I am still just in amazement how he can use his other senses. He could go around the whole hospital leading the way giving us a tour without seeing anything. I mean up and down elevators, outside, everything. Totally amazing! I just love him so much. My Aunt Jean his wife was also there. At dinner one night with them they had me laughing so much. There connection and love for each other is absolutely amazing. My parents and I got to spend sometime together. We did a trolley tour of downtown Asheville. It was fun. I always cherish any time spent with them.


As far as I go… I go to the Dr. on Tuesday hopefully the scale has finally moved more. Ya’ll know my frustration with that lately.

Tonight is Zumba and I am super excited about that.  I’ll be sure to let everyone know how that goes. Ha.

Road Trip

I had a busy day yesterday. Started off with a 10am wedding on the beach for one of my best guyfriends, Jeremy. It was so beautiful. Sarina is now wife looked absouletly stunning. I will post a pic up it looks like I was in the wedding cause I matched without even knowing yellow was the color. Ill just say I was his best girl instead of best man!
After the wedding I met my parents we went to a surprise 50th birthday party for one of our close family friends. Then, we hit the road headed toward Ashville, Nc. My dads brother, Uncle Jerry, is not doing well. He is in the VA hospital there. So we wanted to come visit with him and my Aunt Jean. Please keep my family in your prayers.
Since we got a late start we decided to stop for the night in Columbia, Sc. Now we are on the road again. I am loving my netbook and at&t air card. Blogging on the road... AWESOME!

I am loving the new followers from BOOBS. I am trying to catch up and read everyones blogs. I can't wait to go to Chicago and meet you all.

Have an awesome Sunday!
xoxo

Road Block

Frustrated, Yes! I am very grateful to be as successful as I have been thus far; however, we are only human to feel frustrated and discouraged right? The scale as not moved in over two weeks now. I am sticking to things like I should. Still seeing Deb my trainer and eating the right stuff, but it won’t move.. This scares me the most cause there are so many people watching. I do not want to be a failure. I know, I know I can hear the sigh in some of your voices. I am not doing this for everyone else, but just knowing that there are so many that are encouraging me and standing by me that pushes me to stick with this. I am making this whole process not a diet. I am changing my life. Changing the way I think, eat, act, and live.


I am growing as a person. Changing not only on the outside, but on the inside as well. For the first time in my life I am actually doing what Gail wants to do. I have lived so long trying to make everyone like me. I wanted to fit in every circle. It took losing a significant amount of weight to start living for me not everyone around me. I am still always going to be the nice person that wants to help everyone that part I know will never change, but I do find myself being more vocal about my thoughts and feelings. I find myself putting my needs and wants first which is coming very strange to me. My attitude lately has been this is what I want if you don’t like it then oh well... :)

My close friends are such an encouragement and challenge for me. I in the past have wanted people just to tell me what to do cause I was scared to know what the outcome would be if I stood on my own. I had an issue come up yesterday work related a very close friend gave me their opinion on what I should do, but he said I will not make your decision for you. Even though I kind of begged him. He forces me to think for myself. That is why he is one of my favorite people. This comes at the perfect time in my life cause I am not scared to do what Gail wants to do. (I love talking about myself in third person haha.) I went to bed with a heavy heart and my mind full, but for once I will make my decision and know it is what I want. That makes me feel like I am actually living my life now. Not just being a people pleaser as always or allowing everyone to live my life for me. I am thankful and blessed to have people like this in my life. You know who you are and I love you for it!

The best thing for me to do is keep going. Fighting this fight with my head held high. Just sometimes its ok to be a little discouraged I suppose. I am trying really hard. I see the Dr. on the 27th. So maybe a fill is what I need. We are praying for movement on the scale people!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday!

xoxo

My First 5K!

Yesterday I completed my first 5K! I think it is awesome that Amy and I both did 5K's at the same time in the same state just hours apart.

Cops and Kids 5K Walk/Run at Fort Clinch State Park, Amelia Island, FL.

The event was for a program that the Nassau County Sheriffs Office has for children in need. They call it "Cops and Kids." They use the proceeds for children to shop for Christmas with a deputy. This was the first ever 5K walk/run that they have done. It was a great turn out. My Dad is a Chief there, and has been there over 30 years, and my sister in law, Kathy, has been there a while as well. I pretty much should just say I have grown up there as well as worked in the dispatch center for four years a while back. The people are like family some of them, so it was good to see them and reunite after an almost 100 pound loss in 8 months, amen!! :)

It was a fun time. I went into it saying I really want to finish in an hour. When I crossed the line it was 48 min. I was like WHAT!! Yay, super excited. I have been working out, but not doing as much cardio as I should, so I wasn’t sure how the results would be. For my first time I am very pleased.

My brother Lee, sister in law Kathy, and nephew Joey was also there. It was fun to do the family thing. I realized I didn’t take any pics, so we did some parking lot ones.

I was standing with some of my friends there during the awards ceremony. They did some raffle drawings giving away prizes. I said, "I wanna win, I never win." Then I hear 220, which was my number yay! I said, "That’s me." as I waved my hands in the air. I won a gift basket of car cleaning stuff from Paul Clark Ford, as well as a years worth of free oil changes. Super exciting!!

It was a great day. I can't wait to do it again, and just continue to improve.

p.s. today is 8 months since I have been banded. Man time is a flying!!!

Help From my Bandster Friends Please....

Today I had my Dr. appointment. It went really well. I am still on track. The dr. is very pleased with my progress. He had nothing bad to say all good. Except for the fact that he is greedy he says he wants to see more. On April 11th it will be 8 months out for me I have lost 10-12 lbs per month. I need a fire back. You know the one everyone has in the first few months. I know I am doing good, but I want to see more to. When I look at how far I have come, the stuff I can do now, and how I feel.... its amazing, but still would like to see the scale move better. I am in no way upset. I am very proud. If that makes any sense at all? Any of you ever felt that way through your journey?

I have started going to the gym more. I already see Deb my personal trainer twice a week still since I had surgery, but I started going more to my local gym.

7 months and 7 days out progress.....

My friend Brooke does awesome work. She made this for me. My birthday was on the 18th. So the picture on the right was 7 months and 7 days after surgery. Here is an update of how far I have come. I am super happy and excited about the next 7 months to come.

My Birthday Week!

I would like to let everyone know that this week is my birthday week!

I have been at work for 6 days in a row and I have tomorrow to go before I finally get a day off. Been a busy bee, but things are going good. I have a lot of new opportunities going on at work which I am very excited about. Yesterday and today I was given birthday presents and last night my aunt Nita was in town. She made me my favorite cake she makes and everyone sang to me. My birthday is not till Thursday, but with all these festivies going on I have declared my official birthday week long celebration.

Lap band life is going well. I am seven months out. Still dropping down I am right about 85 right last time I was there. I have not weighed lately sometimes the scale at home is discouraging, so I go to the dr once a month. I have decided to only weigh then. I have slowed down a little with the weight loss. I have not changed much of anything. I still watch my carbs like crazy like I am supposed to and I am still working out with my trainer twice a week, and going to the gym at least two other times a week. Not sure what the problem is there. Its not dropping as fast as it was, but I am not getting discouraged because I am so happy at this point with my success. People are noticing and that makes me want all this even more. I love my life right now. It feels great to be doing good a something. I hope everyone is having a great week and I will post pics up from the birthday soon, but for now these are some recent pics.

xoxo

Me and My friend Melaine

 

My mom and me. We went to the park. I walked three miles around the track, and then took a break and we swang on the swings together. It was a great moment. I have not done that with her in over 20 something years. What a great moment. Love love her...

Smaller Feet

Getting ready for work this morning I realized that my feet are getting smaller. I put on three pairs of dress shoes that were to big... I guess it makes sense right? Im getting smaller so my feet do to???????

6 Months

Six months ago today I was banded. Man this has been one amazing journey. I am doing great. Moving along well right at 80lbs down... Loving life a little more everyday. So many little victories along the way. I try to think about how life would have been without it, but I am so thankful that I went ahead and had the band. I still work out with my personal trainer Deb, two days a week, and I attend small group of 3-4 counseling with Kristie, and support groups. Without all of that I would not be where I am today. I am doing this for a whole lifestyle change. I need the whole package to get me through. I have the best family and friends that give me the best support I can ever imagine. I can see how the small groups have been helping me. The first group I hardly talked now I talk all the time. haha. I am not good at boasting myself, but here lately I have gotten to the point where everyone notices my loss, and it feels so good. I did this.... I feel great. I am so happy. I hope everyone of you are doing well.

A Wonderful Weekend

Hey guys!!!
I know it has been FOREVER since I have blogged. Life was so crazy during the holidays. I am back now.... I just spent the weekend with my family in Kansas City, Mo. It was a great trip. My cousin Lori went with me. We visited my Aunt Nita and Uncle Ter. Which is my cousin Lori's parents so that was a fun time. Added bonus my cousin Jason just got out of the Army and he was home so that was the best part being able to hang out with him. He is my favorite. sshhh.. dont tell the other cousins. haha...
The best part about this blog that I need to share with everyone when I sat in my seat on the airplane for the first time in over ten years I DID NOT have to ask for a seat belt extender... YAY.. can you say teary eyed!!!! I was so excited. I think I text everyone in my circle and posted on facebook. I am still grining from ear to ear as I type this... Such an awesome feeling.
I will post more pics soon. I hope everyone is doing well. I am glad I am back to the blog. Now I gotta catch up on everyones post.
Happy Monday!!!!

Christmas Time Is Here

I am sitting here at working waiting for the time to pass, so I decided to post a small little blog. Things are going great. This past weekend I had two Christmas parties to attend. I just love this time of year.
The band is going good. I am really tight. I think I have found my spot that everyone talks about trying to find the right amount of restriction.
Work is going good. After being on night shift for the past year I finally am getting days on Jan 6th. I am so stoked about that.
I still can't believe that this week is Christmas. Our family gets together on Christmas eve at my Brother's house. Can't wait for that. Then next Thursday for New Years Eve my friend Kenzie and I are headed to New Orleans!!! We got Florida Gator tickets for the bowl game they are playing there on New Years Day. You know I am a huge Gator fan so I can't wait.
I hope everyone is having an awesome week and has a great holiday.
Merry Christmas!!!
Here are some pics from the Christmas Parties.

<---Me and my snowman

Brooke, me, Kenzie and Jon

Family shot that is my Sister in Law Kathy and My Brother Lee

My best buddy Josh

New Pics

Just thought it was time to add some new pictures. We put up our little tree at work, and then the other is just me. Someone told me it was time to give up on those pants that I am wearing in the first pictures. They are a little to big. The one of me in the jeans is my new pair of jeans two sizes down yay!!!

Have a great Sunday Funday!!

4 Months Post Surgery

Hey Ladies,

I know it's been a while since I have blogged. Gotta start making more time for this, but life happens. So I will just have to catch up a little bit. I will share some random things going on or that have happened...





Today is 4 months since I have been banded. Yesterday while I was working out with my trainer Deb, I had her weigh me and I am 62 pounds down. Never in a million years did I think I would be this far. It is so amazing. I had an appointment while my dr last week. He is very pleased with my progress. The support groups, my personal trainer, and the small group sessions I am involved in are going great. They are helping me so much with this journey. I just had my 4th fill last Friday and I think I am right where I need to be. It is pretty tight.

I am now two sizes down almost three. Started in 28 jeans now I am 24 almost 22. I can buy xxl shirts in old navy.. love that.

I have been working night shift for the past year. Our schedules are changing on Jan 2nd and I got day shift I am super excited about that.

For those of you who dont know. I am a huge Florida Gator fan and yes we did lose the SEC championship, but when or lose I am still a fan. I love going to the games and its just my team you know. Well one of my best friends Mackenzie and I are going to New Orleans for the Allstate Sugar Bowl game Fl vs. Cincinnati for New Years. I am super excited about that. We have spent new years eve out together for the last couple of years and now we are making it a trip. It is going to be awesome. I can not wait.

I go a lot. That is one thing I do. I like to travel, and I am blessed with a job that is shift work that allows me to do that very well. My friends and I pack up and go all the time. It is great, but in Jan I am going to Kansas City to visit my Aunt Nita and Uncle Terry. I am so excited about this trip. I am hoping for snow. Since I have never been in snow. I went snow skiing twice with the church it didn't snow either time. I went to New York in Jan and froze my butt off, but it snowed on the plane when we was leaving the airport. Just once I would love to be standing outside and the snow falling on me. Enough that I can play in to. I don't ever want to live in it, but would love to vaca in it. :) This trip is huge for me cause I am hoping to not have to ask the flight attendant for the seat belt extender. It is so embarrassing to have to do that, so I am hoping that I have made it past that. Keep your fingers crossed.

I went to my Dads work on Tuesday. He is the Chief of Investigations at the Sheriffs Dept. I used to work there as a 911 dispatcher. He has been there my whole life, so I know everyone there practically. My sister in law works there as well. I went around and visited with everyone. It was so awesome when they notice my progress. That is nothing but motivation for me.

Well I think I have rambled enough for today. I will post some pics soon. I broke my laptop charger. I ordered a new one just waiting for it to come in. All my pics are on there so just waiting on that. I hope everyone has a good day and an awesome weekend. I have to work all weekend. boo!!

I did it 4 months today!!!!!

A Wonderful Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Yesterday I had lunch with my parents, Lee my brother, Kathy my sister in law, Joey my nephew and Kathy's mom. It was a nice time with my family. I love them so much. I am so thankful for the family I have. After lunch me and Joey took the golf cart out for a ride that was fun. Then I took a nap, so I could work last night. Here is a picture of me and my parents and me and my nephew Joey.







This morning at 6am when I got off I met my friend Jon and we went shopping. We met with my friend Brooke and her Mom for breakfast then headed to the town center. After a few hours there I headed home and took a nap. Then I woke up and went back out in the crowd before I had to be a work. I love this day. What a wonderful shopping day. I am gonna be so tired tonight at work though.. dreading this 12 hours.

I hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for each of my online buddies. :)

Answers for Linda O

I am gonna follow Catherine & Amy's and post my answers to Linda O's questions she asked. I am still fairly new to being banded. December 4th will be 4 months for me. Everyday I am still learning this whole process.

1. ANY REGRETS? Are you happy with your decision and would you do it again?
I have no regrets. I wish I would have done it sooner.

2. ARE YOU SORRY, YOU DIDN'T GIVE TRADITIONAL DIETING ONE MORE TRY?
Not at all. I have tried before, but gave up. Now the band helps when I wanna take that extra bite you just can't.

3. WHAT IS THE WORST THING ABOUT HAVING THE BAND?
Not being able to have bread and not drinking with meals has been my hardest. I have finally mastered the not drinking part and I have not had bread since two weeks before my surgery. I also love what Catherine wrote. So I ditto her response.

4. WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT HAVING THE BAND?
For me it is the results thus far. I am so excited about how well I am doing. I am sure as I get further along my answers will change.

5. On a scale of 1 to 10 HOW HARD WAS/IS IT PSYCHOLOGICALLY TO GET OVER THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T EAT THE SAME WAY ANYMORE?
I think it is about a 2-3. I had my mind made up and I know that I want this soo bad and when we want something we get it right.. So you just do it. I know I can't have bread so I dont eat it. It like conversations me and myself have together. It sounds odd I know, but I am getting to know myself more and more.

6. HAS BEING BANDED MADE YOUR PERSONALITY CHANGE? For the better or worse?
Not changed, but for me I have never been complimented a lot so this is a big change for me. I am loving that people that dont know I am banded notice I am losing weight. It is making me more confident.

7. Are you still able to party a little? (I am a wine drinker...can't imagine giving it up completely) and are you a party pooper now cause you can't party as much?
I still hangout with my friends. I am no party pooper here. I am usually the ring leader so that wouldnt go over well. haha.. I do have wine it is the best choice. Beer is a total no no for me. Which is a good thing. My Dr. has us do low carb so my new favorite is sugar free jello shots. No carbs in vodka. ha..

8. HOW MUCH HAPPIER ARE YOU WITH YOUR BODY? I am wondering what I will look like 50-80 lbs thinner. I am 47 and will have a "lose skin" issue.
I have a long way to go still. 50lbs lighter though at this point I am already noticing changes in my body, but I am not sure how the skin will be when I get to my goal. I do work out to try to not have a lot of the loose skin.

9. HAVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS CHANGED? Spouses? Family? Friends? Strangers?
No my relationships are still the same. I have the best family and friends support system in the world.


10. DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE SAME PERSON OR COMPLETELY DIFFERENT NOW THAT YOU HAVE LOST WEIGHT?
I feel the same. I am going to remember this and come back and do this again when I lose 100lbs, then when I get to goal weight to see the changes.

11. What do you wish someone would have told you pre-op?
It will be ok. You can still eat pretty much anything you already do. Your not giving up everything. I went into this thinking I was giving up a lot of foods, but the truth is you dont have to. Its about quanity.

Thanks Linda for posting some great questions. I hope this helps.

Question for my fellow banders

I was catching up on some blogs that I follow today. Everyone has their struggles up and down. It is kind of scary. Being three months out I am still new to this whole process, so I am still learning day by day. I think by reading peoples blogs that you never stop learning. I also sit in my centers support group twice a month and realize more now that ever before that all we have inside us is a tool. We will only succeed if we use our tool to the best of our ability. I try to stay positive and I am really happy with my weight loss thus far, but to be quite honest I am scared of failure. I am getting to the point where people are noticing my weight loss and that gives me the biggest high, but what if I don't make it. What if I fail at this like all the other diets I have tried in the past. Does anyone ever have these feelings??? I have always said that all the other times didn't work cause my heart wasn't in it and now I know that I want it now more than ever and my heart is in it. Even my Dad tells people she is gonna do it all the way this time. I have done so well about being good and really trying to do well, but I guess I am only human to second guess myself and worry. ?????
Today has just been one of those days. Could use some love from my banding friends. :)
On a positive note. I did donate blood today. I did however, drive all the way to the town center about 35-40 min away to stand in line to realize that I forgot my Id and I drove all the way back home to get it and tried that again. That was the very beginning to my wretched day!

A BIG DAY!!!

So I have BIG news.... Most of you know that I made a goal for myself when I had surgery that I wanted to be down 50 pounds by Christmas. Well people.. it's not even Thanksgiving and I DID IT!! As you can tell I am super excited. All of this self admiration is different for me. Praising myself and all, but I am so happy today.
I never imagined that I would lose it so fast. It is amazing. Hard work, but when you make up your mind and want something so bad it will happen. YAY ME!!!!!

It's Been 10 Years

Last night was my 10 year HS Reunion. I can not believe how fast time flies. I had a great time. I was debating going for a while, but I am totally glad I went. It was great to see everyone. One of my closests friends from school was there, Faith, I havent seen her in a while and it was like we never missed a beat. I love her. I understand life happens, but it is sad when friends lose touch. It was an amazing night. I am so glad I went. I thought I would share a few pics.

As Requested

Ok so everyone wants to see more pictures so here I am. I tried to find some good ones. I hope these will do.
Feb-09

March-09






















The gray and pink shirt was on a cruise 2 months after surgery. The blue shirt was 40lbs down and the most recent 47lbs down is the one of me at the Gator game.

Passing the Time

I am sitting at work. Waiting on the next hour to go by. I was looking at so many blogs tonight and a few of them had this question thing on, so I stole it and decided to fill it out.

Also, today is 3 months since surgery and I am 47 pounds down. I had originally set my goal for 50 gone by Christmas. I think I will make that. I am super excited about how well I am doing.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

A
- Age: 28
- Annoyance:
- Animal: My outside cat Sassy
- Actor: Matthew McConaughey

B
- Birthday/Birthplace: March 18th, Jacksonville, Fl
- Body Part on opposite sex: Eyes
- Been in Love: I thought I was now not so sure.
- Believe in yourself?: Yes
- Believe in God: Yes


C
- Car: A White Fusion. That I love.
- Candy: Reeses Cups
- Colour: Green
- Cried in school: Yes
- Chocolate/Vanilla: Vanilla, Cake Batter from Cold Stone to be exact. Thanks to BK
- Chinese/Mexican: Mexican
- Cake or pie: Red velvet cake

D
- Day or Night: Night
- Do the splits?: umm..no

E
- Eggs: Scrambled eggs with cheese
- Eyes: Blue, but sometimes they look greenish

F
- First crush: haha…
- First thoughts waking up: What will today bring.
- Food: before the band-PIZZA! Now: Soup. or chicken and green beans

G
- Greatest Fear: Spiders
- Goals: To find out what life is really like being a smaller girl without letting it change the person I am.
- Get along with your parents?: Absolutely. I am very close to both of them
- Good luck charm: don't really have a good luck charm.

H
- Hair Colour: Blonde highlights
- Height: 5'8
- Happy: Yes!
- Holiday: Christmas
- Health freak?: not so much, but I am trying to be better
- Hate: the unknown


I
- Ice Cream: Cold Stole Cakebatter with Reeses Cup.
- Instrument: Clarinet in school

J
- Jewelry: Silver. Also I am coming into a new love for fun necklaces and bracelets
- Job: Airport Operations/Police Dispatcher at Jacksonville Airport


K
- Kids: Someday
- Kickboxing or karate: Kickboxing 
- Keep a journal? I write a blog...

L
- Longest Car Ride: Many church trips in the bus and van for LONG hours at a time
- Love: Will come one day.
- Laughed so hard you cried: One of my favorite things
- Love at first sight: They say it can happen.



M
- Milk flavour: Vanilla
- Movie: I have way too many favorites.
- Mooned anyone?: Never.
- Marriage: Someday..
- Motion sickness? Nope
- McD’s or BK: McD's it used to be a must with my girls on Saturday mornings.

N
- Number of Siblings: 1, 14 years older than me though.. yeah, yeah I was a surprise, but such a blessing too.
- Number of Piercings: none
- Number: 7

O
- One wish: to be wanted by someone

P
- Place you’d like to live: on the beach
- Perfect Pizza: pepperoni and mushrooms
- Pepsi/Coke: Diet Dr. Pepper but I haven’t had one since before surgery.

Q
- Questionaires: Pass the time


R
- Reason to cry: Oh pretty much anything. Pretty much all movies and some tv shows. Sad I know.
- Reality T.V.: The Biggest Loser, The Hills, American Idol,
- Roll your tongue in a circle? Yep


S
- Song: This years love by David Gray
- Shoe size: 10/11
- Salad Dressing: ranch
- Skipped school: yes, but Mike told on us when he got caught. ha
- Smoking: heck no I hate it
- Sing well?: In my car is where I perform hahaha..
- Strawberries/Blueberries: Strawberries

T
- Time for bed: I work nights so it is usually 630am. If I am off I usually hit the bed after midnight.
- Thunderstorms: hate them.
- TV: Love my DVR

U
- Unpredictable: life! Amen!!

V
- Vegetable you hate: Asparagus
- Vegetable you love: green beans
- Vacation spot: a cruise, NYC, the mountains, the beach, anywhere really

W
- Weakness: hmmm… I’ll think on that some more .
- When you grow up: a mom
- Which one of your friends acts the most like you: none I am the only GAIL

X
-X-Rays: had a few. I always mess up my ankles

Y
-Year it is now: 2009
-Yellow: makes me think of a school bus


Z
- Zoo: I love the monkeys and giraffes
- Zodiac sign: Pisces