Zone Bar Giveaway

Since I was the chick who begged for free stuff for the BOOBS gift bags, I'm on lot's of PR mailing list now. I just got this about a FB promotion that Zone Bar is doing every Thursday afternoon. Could be some free samples for someone.

Check out www.facebook.com/zoneperfect <http://www.facebook.com/zoneperfect> every Thursday at 3 p.m. EST starting Sept. 30 and running through Nov. 1 for a month of "Cookie Doughlicious Surprises" including free samples of this delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional cookie dough, plus other creative surprises

I Forgot I Had Good News

So I know I've mentioned before that the motivating factor that pushed me to getting the band was being diagnosed with diabetes in the summer of 2008. At 37, it was really an early death sentence and a stupid selfish thing I had done to myself that would affect my whole family. Yes, it does run in my family (so does obesity), but getting my weight close to 300 pounds certainly played a greater part in the diagnosis than heredity.

On Monday morning I had an appointment with my PCP physician to get the results of my latest A1c test (which measures your blood sugar levels for the last 3 months) - it was 6.0 which is normal! My Dr. was extremely happy and said it really proved how much weight is playing the diabetes epidemic. She would like me to do 2 more A1c tests with below 6 levels and then we would say I'm in remission. There was no guarantee that losing weight would "cure" my diabetes, but the fact it did is huge icing on the cake to all the other wonderful benefits that the weight loss has brought about.

I really hope that there is someone out there reading this who is thinking about WLS and it can help them make a decision. Granted it isn't for everyone, but I was on the fence about it for a long time and it has literary saved my life (the effects of diabetes on your whole body are devastating). I know we make a big deal about the sizes we wear and how great we look (and we do - I just saw 50 beautiful women going through this process), but the positive effects we are having on our health really need celebrating too. Think about the extra time every pound you lose is adding to your life - an extra kiss from your child, an extra hug from a loved one, an extra sunset you get to watch. Enjoy them all...

Chicago Blues

I've been home from Chicago since Saturday night around 10:30pm (yes, I'm the one who left early), but I'm still processing it all. It was overwhelming, amazing, fun, exhausting and about a million other adjectives I won't list now.

 

I want to thank every woman who attended for making it a wonderful trip. I don't know if I've ever been to an event where I could look around a room and know I could go sit down and talk with any group and feel comfortable and accepted. I truly felt like I walked out with friends for life.

 

I have a lot of wishes about the weekend; I wish I could have stayed the whole time, I wish I took more pictures, I wish I could have talked to everyone more, I wish I could have said goodbye to everyone, but I have no regrets.

 

Just tell me where to show up for BOOB's 2.0.

I Did It!!!

I met my Chicago goal and I'm officially 100 pounds down!!!!!
What a way to start a vacation!

Chicago Bullet Points

• I still have tons to do before I go – I'll be up late tonight
• Several of my peeps mentioned they are criers. Yea me too – I tear up at everything anymore, so I'm packing tissues and waterproof mascara. Just don't be afraid if I'm crying when I see you.
• I am really, really, really pale – please avert your eyes if I go in the pool. I had plans of self tanning but I've run out of time.
• I'm getting that "I'm nervous that no one will hang out with me feeling"  - I'll be OK after a drink
• I am packing way too many clothes for 3 days.
• My goal weight for the trip was 179 – I was 182.1 this morning. I have my TOM so anything is possible. If I hit it tomorrow it would be awesome b/c it's also 100 down since surgery. I'd definitely have something to celebrate.
• I'm so excited - can you believe we are doing this?
• I'll miss everyone who can't come. Rest assured that we will raise many toasts to you all.
• Didn't hear from Oprah - her loss
  

BOOB's Questionaire

Hi all the boobie girls!  Someone much more organized than I am thought it would be fun to know more about you, and she enlisted me to think of some crazy questions…so…this is sort of a Gillyified version of Drazil’s BYOC.  Knock yourselves out.

1)       You’re trapped on a desert island and you can bring only 3 of your favourite foods along.  What do you bring?

 My homemade chocolate chip cookies, Doritos, coffee

2)      If you could meet any 3 people, living or dead, who would they be and why?

      Bono- I love him 

      Queen Elizabeth I - because I'm a history geek and I would want to try on her corsets and wigs

      Jackie Kennedy - Because she could tell some stories and I would want to try on her clothes

      

3)       What is your stripper name?  (take the name of your first pet and the name of the street you grew up on)

        Lassie Farriss (I like it)

4)       How old were you when you lost your virginity?  Alternative question if you don’t want to answer this:  What is your LEAST favourite part of your bod since losing weight?  Your MOST favourite since losing weight? 19

       Hate my neck - so wrinkly, Love my cheekbones

5)       Do you believe in ghosts or evil spirits?  Would you be willing to spend a night alone in a house that is supposedly haunted? Yes and Yes

6)       What is your natural hair colour?  If you dye it something completely different from what your momma gave ya, how come? Dark brown - I color it to cover the grey, but have never changed the color

7)       Boxers or briefs?  Alternatively…bikinis or granny panties?

       Boxers - Hiphuggers

8)      If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be and why? (Trilogies do not count as one movie, cheaterpantses!)

      The Sound of Music - it has music, nuns & Nazi's. What else do you need?

9)       What is your guilty pleasure (feel free to go straight to the gutter with this one if the spirit moves you!)

         Trashy Gossip magazines - I need to buy some for the plane.

10)   How many pounds gone forever are you celebrating?
        
        111 - Since Highest in 2008
          98 - Since Surgery

BYOC

Last week we asked your favorite thing about being an adult. This week the question is: what is one thing you miss about being a child?
I miss having unlimited possibilities (or at least thinking I did). As a girl I could dream about a lot of things with a huge amount of hope that they would happen. Now at 38, I know my life and dreams are limited by reality. I can still dream, but I know I will never be princess or famous actress.

 

When you make a serious life decision – do you use your head or your heart?
I think I use my head and make all the obligatory pro/con lists, but half the time I know my mind is made up based on my heart. I'm a big trust your gut person.

In relation to blogs….are you a never commenter, a sometimes commenter, an almost always commenter or a direct emailer kinda person?
I try to comment as much as I can, but the more blogs I follow the harder it is. I can't comment at work so I read everything in Google reader and don't always have time to go back at home in the evenings.

I have directly emailed people, but only if I feel really comfortable with them. My greatest fear is that I would email someone and they would be like – who the hell is this and why is she contacting me? Self esteem issues anyone?

If life was a flavor – would it be savory, sweet or sour?
I think it's complex like a curry. Layers of spicy and sweet.

Repeat question. Summarize your week in life or in blogland.
Life is slightly crazy this week. I have a huge to do list for next week because not only am I going to Chicago, Sunday is Cate's birthday so I need to have everything done for that before I go.

Blogland is full of excitement right now – people shopping and planning for the big trip. And showing off their jewelry – man there are some women with rocks out there.

Thousand Word Thursday

What a great topic - I have lots of great jewelry (some real, some not) so it was tough to decide, but today this is what I picked as most special.

My Tiffany Pearls

I feel very grown up and sexy when I wear pearls. Rick gave me these for my 31st birthday and I love them.

My engagement ring

Of course this a special piece of jewelry for most people because it's a symbol of commitment. I just had mine sized down to a 5!! I need to get my band sized too - I can't wear it now.

Funky Earrings

These are so pretty and colorful (you can't really see that in the picture). I don't wear them that much, but when I do I get tons of compliments.

What Sucks

You know what I think sucks sometimes? That people (MEN) are so attentive when you're cute, considered "normal" and squeeze your butt into a pair of size 12 jeans. I'm not saying that I'm above judging people by their appearance, but really?? These are people that have worked with me for almost 5 years. Do they really think I don't notice that they used to not acknowledge me, but now they're all wanting to be my bff?
 
I know it happens, but it gets depressing when you really think about it...

Sorry to be Debbie Downer - I'll do an upbeat BYOC later.

Time Flies

Holy shit guys -  I was just updating my calendar for work realized next week is our last full week before Chicago!! I have stuff to do...(like lose 4 pounds)