Christmas Plays Rock!

Christmas Plays are just plain awesome.  It was Kindergarten thru 3rd grade.  I loved it.  I cried, I laughed..I laughed until I cried.  They were all just so cute and so innocent up there on stage.  Johnny, it was apparent couldn't stand still..he was swaying and singing.  Before we went he came up to me and said "Mommy, you got me my first tie..I can't wait to wear it"  That made me smile...I forgot my sd card at home so no pics today...I am sorry because he did look super cute!
Today is my last day at the office for rest of the year.  I am super excited about that.
I have lots planned during my time off..ORGANIZATION.  I like to start the year with a clean office and clean garage..so I must organize during the next week and half.
I may not post much..because I like to stay off the computer during this time.  So I hope you all have a great Holiday!

Weigh In Wednesday..such a disappointment

Last Week 189
This Week 196
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Total +7lbs

Total crap balls is all I have to say.  I hated to even post it but it is what it is.  I have been bad.  With 1cc gone I can eat pretty much anything and with my dad here there was lots of food, going out, cookie exchanges, lunches etc..all situated around food.  Tis the Christmas spirit.  Holy shit balls I need to regroup and get back in the game.

I quit posting in myfitnesspal...should have been my first clue.

I quit going to the gym...should have been my second clue.

I need to get back to doing what I do that works.  So today I am back and plan on working it!  I did schedule my fill to start to get me back to what I was. But can't get in until January 8th..so its just going to take more me but I plan on doing the steps.

Family Christmas Photo

I got my Christmas cards ordered...the pic sucked..we kind of look like deer in headlights..but oh well..if you only knew how long it took just to get that photo..seriously I felt like I was with ADD dad and ADD kid and ADD father....geez

I finally got my back two tires replaced..yikes! they were original tires on my camry and it has 60000 miles on it..I must say these tires lasted me the longest!

I am going to pick up hubbys gift today ..can't say what..in case he reads this..he is quite clever on finding out.

Johnny has a Christmas recital at school on Thursday so I picked him up a dress shirt and tie..so cute..I will post pics but I bet they will be adorable.  Then he informs me he has a school party on Friday and he gets to wear pj's all day and he wants teenage mutant ninja pj's....really..I got them but they are under the tree.  His other pj's are really not going out in public pretty...I can't believe I am going to go buy him a pair of pj's just for friday...but yes I am...hey..he is an only child and yes I spoil. :)

Oh and I got Johnnys school photo..seriously he must has spilled something on his shirt because the pic shows a wet shirt...really...what am I to do with that?

Christmas photos and AZ girls get together!

So sad...had to drop my dad off at the airport this morning.  It was sad to see him go, I so enjoyed having him here and the time flew by.

We finally got around taking our Xmas pictures but I still need to make cards out of them and I left the pic on my other computer so I can't upload it and show you..will tomorrow..but Johnny and I did some fun ones.

We also got together and had our going away lunch for MandaPanda...it was so sad to see her go.  We had a ball talking and giggling as usual..we were there a couple hours and time flew by!
Here is our group photo

Its Elizabeth(Inside v. Outside), Jen(watch you looking at skinny), me, adorkbl, MandaPanda

I must admit I was amazed how well Adorkbl has progressed(I mean all the girls looked great!) but adorkbl looked fabulous and had ran a race prior to our lunch..I didn't get a chance to tell her how awesome she looks but she really does.

On another note, I did get some Christmas shopping done...still have a lot to go but I am getting there...yes I will be one of those shoppers this weekend!

Tis the Season for socializing!

I had a blast at the cookie exchange party..so many pretty ladies and great food.  I forgot how much fun it was to socialize(sadly I don't do it enough).

Yesterday was crazy with the golf cart getting it painted but we are almost there.  If Johnny hadn't touched it(and gotten it all over his uniform, we would be done) but dad is going to sand it out and repaint where it was touched.

Nice beautiful rainstorm with thunder and lightening last night...everything smells so clean...Love the rain!

I got paid today so let the Xmas shopping begin!  I haven't started yet..but I am ready for some power shopping..with only 1 present under the tree..its time to remedy that!

We are headed out to eat tonight, which we do not do very often but wanted to thank my dad for painting the golf cart and he doesn't take money so this was about all I am able to do.  Looking forward to going out as a family!  We are going to the Deer Valley Airport because I think Johnny and my dad will love all the airplanes and its the type of food my dad likes..nothing fancy!  In fact I think its fish fry friday...I will be taking in the salad bar!

Saturday we have swim lessons and Xmas party at church and then Sunday we have a birthday party and lunch with my AZ band girls..so all in all a great weekend.  Hope you all enjoy yours.

TTT

Thanks to Laura Belle...I may just post today

1.  I have a cookie exchange tonight at Jen's What you looking at skinny..and I am jacked to hang out.  I think Elizabeth from Inside v. Outside is coming too...yeah!!!

2.  I need to make some cookies..thinking about haystacks..because I love them so much and only eat them around the holidays

3.  They have decided to change my career from Biztalk to become the SQL Server DBA...I must admit..I am looking forward to it, but it means a lot of self study and hard work ahead....still doing our scrum sessions at work and my first sprint..is some DBA work starting first of the year.

4.  Xmas cards...where has the time gone..I keep hoping to get some family photo together but it just doesn't seem to happen... I will try again tonight.

5.  We stripped the golf cart and sanded and washed it last night..today my dad is painting it .... black!  I can't wait.  I still need to recover the seats marroon but I at least have the material..just need to do it

6.  I just love having my dad here...and I love the joy it brings johnny

7.  I can't believe my heat is running and my A/C is not..for at least 2 days...could it by AZ winter now....shhhhh

8.  Elf on the shelf is as much a blast for me as it is for Johnny..I highly encourage any parent to do it.

9.  Not sure if we are going to make it up north to cut our tree down...the golf cart is taking precedence and technically we already have 1 tree.

10.  Maintaining my weight..haven't lost or gained after unfill...hope that continues!

My pleasure zone

Weigh In Wednesday
Last Week 193
This Week 189
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Total loss 4lbs


Holy crap...I am out of the 190's  that is crazy good feeling.  I went in yesterday to get an unfill and he took 1 cc out...I may be back in the 190's next week.  I am going to try hard but ... you know.
I just did not like how tight I was and how my band "Diva" was acting up on me.....yes I am calling my band Diva because she is so temperamental.

We had our Xmas party yesterday and it was great...except people commented on my food..or lack of food on my plate and why I wasn't trying every dish---it was an Italian buffet...everything pasta.  So I had salad and the tomato mozzarella-basil and a small piece of cake(which I didn't finish).  I still do not handle noodles to well and didn't want to try in front of everyone.   They all commented on my weight and how skinny I was, which did make me feel good...just wished they would have kept there trap shut about what I was eating.  I noticed the skinny girl friend of mine piled her plate full and then only ate 1/4 of it (she says she does this so they don't say anything about what she eats)  Why do we have to play such games.

I also liked some of the bloggers blogs on what have we replaced food with to make us happy.  I must say I think I am happier now than I ever was fluffy.  I will say I enjoy cooking now.  I love making something healthy and tasty for my family..it gives me great pleasure to feed them good homemade unprocessed food.  I would love to eliminate the processed food in our diet and it challenges me to do so.  I also enjoy music more...less tv (because tv triggers eating for me..I will watch tv and want to nibble on something) so now I listen to more music, read more, exercise a LOT more, take walks with my kid and dog.

I am coming up on the anniversary of my blog here on December 16 and can't believe I have blogging for a year.  That seems crazy because I too find much comfort in blogging and getting out my feelings and frustrations...such a great release, and the fact that I have met some awesome bloggers is total plus!

I am super duper excited to meet up with the AZ banders for MandaPandas going away this Sunday.  I am going to miss her terribly because she is so fun at the lunches..she is a hoot and keeps me in stitches--plus she is so real and calls it like she sees it..love that about her.  The other girls are crazy nice and we always gab for hours.  It should be fun and I will be sure to post a pic on Monday

Look like a different person..quote from Papa!

Well I picked up my dad from the airport yesterday..it was so good to see him.  Its hard living so far away from relatives you like and not seeing them but once a year...wish I was rich and could fly whenever I wanted...sigh......He was amazed how different I looked...said I looked like someone else..a lot younger....I was very appreciative!

Johnny was so excited to see him, we went to pick him up and Johnny ran and leapt into his arms..yikes..thought he might fall over :)

Then we came home and I made empanadas for the family..I just had salad.

I woke up last night with terrible reflux.  Now I mentioned I was feeling tight and then sometimes good and then othertimes not good..well I have had the reflux at night more times than I care to so I am calling today for a slight unfill.  Not sure what it is from but I don't care, I am tired of babying the band and want it a little looser..plus the way I have been dropping weight is crazy so I don't see why I can't take a little fluid out.  Even though I have had this thing for almost a year..I still don't get why I can be loose and wide open some weeks..days and others slammed shut.  Well hopefully I can get in today because I don't want to experience another night like last night.
I will keep you posted.

Cucumber Infused Water...to die for !

Well the movie night went off pretty well.  The kids all seemed to have fun. It was a little chaotic but then again it was not the best movie so the kids got a  little ansy which is what I expected.  My flavored candy canes were a HIT!  And I did not keep track of how much popcorn we went thru but there were about 75 people.
I was so tight leading up to that night that I was on liquids. Then magically I opened up during the movie and ate popcorn and drank a ton of water.  So glad the stress is over.

Saturday I baked 7dozen snickerdoodles to take to  cookie exchange party which was so much fun.  I decided I need to get a water infuser.  The ladies house I went to had two.  One she put cucumber and mint and another an assortment of fruit.  I loved it, must have drank the whole pitcher myself.

So this morning I am drinking water with cucumber slices in it.  I only had a couple cookies and some dip..I skipped the alcohol and majority of the finger foods.  I have noticed the weight is flying off me.  I am not eating as much as I used to at all, in fact its a struggle to get in more than 800 calories.  I had a slight unfill scheduled for Tuesday(I scheduled it last week) but I think I will cancel because I am eating now just not so much.  I know I am in the 180's so weigh in Wednesday should be pretty cool.  I am second guessing my 150 goal weight and thinking it should be less for my height 5'4" almost thinking 135 should be closer to my goal but I will wait and see what I look like.  I can really tell in my clothes and such because my 14's are baggy and the 12's are fitting pretty sweet.  I guess I should have gotten a 10 jeans.  I am thinking of scheduling a physical in January to see how far I have come.  I did my last physical in January before my surgery in February..can't believe it will be a year in February.  I am on track to 100lbs and am totally jacked to weigh less than hubby.

Santa Baby....

Its Friday...yeah!!!
I am so ready for this week to be over.
We got notice that we are having a Christmas lunch..in a conference room and we are suppose to bring a $20 gift (WTF) seriously.  Last year our xmas party was at a bowling alley open bar and we got to leave after lunch.  This year we get a break and have to buy a gift...so not looking forward to it.

Took Johnny to see Santa.  It was cute.  When we were leaving Johnny said "Santa said I had been good this year......guess he didn't hear about my school issue on Monday" .... me...trying not to smile

 He also told me he tested Santa by checking out his beard and then asked him where the reindeer where...I guess Santa passed the test because he left him his list.(and he covets his list...has been adding stuff to it all month..)

Have a great Weekend Ladies!

Smoking Jacket....

So I am sitting here in my jacket at work..cold.  And I realize I stink..or I should say my jacket stinks..it smells like smoke.  Now, I don't smoke but my hubby does and I have caught him wearing my jackets partly because he doesn't have that many and he likes mine.  It never really used to be an issue because I couldn't fit in the jackets he liked to wear...I had gotten to fat to wear them.  Well, not anymore.  Now I can wear them and I love to wear them.  One is a leather jacket and another is my columbia jacket with a zip out fleece liner.  I am wearing the fleece liner right now.  Normally the smoke thing doesn't really bother me but holy cow it does when I am wearing this.  I had to lay down the law the other night and tell him to quit wearing my jacket and go buy his own.  He got offended.  I told him it was the cigarette smoke he left on the jacket that grossed me out.  I now need to wash this thing.  It feels like I am wearing an ash tray.  I asked him what type of jacket he would like because when I was at savers I saw a cool wool gap jacket..he said no on the wool..says its not soft.  So I said how about a fleece...nope he said he doesn't like them..but you wear mine...I know but I don't want one....really?  He has a columbia jacket don't know why he doesn't wear it, he had a leather jacket and lost it...I know a grown man losing  a jacket.  I am kind of stuck on what jacket to get him.  I hate getting another leather one but I have a feeling that is what he wants.  Men!  sometimes I think they are picky about there clothes than we are!

Weigh in Wednesday

Last Week 197
This Week 193
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Total loss 4lbs

What the What....I feel awesome seeing that number!  The 180's are almost here.  It felt like I stayed at 200 FOREVER and then I am sliding thru the 190's crazy how my body holds on and then just dumps.

I didn't mention what I got with my winning money.....I went to Savers and got 5 pair of pants(mainly jeans) and 2 sweaters an 3 shirts and 1 jacket(for $68).  LOVE them.  I got a pair of Charlotte Russe jeans that are just cute.  Never thought I would be able to wear that style.  Got a couple Abercrombie sweaters a red and gray one...that looks like I should be able to wear this next week because the temperatures are finally dropping down to normal which is about 68 high and 40's low.  The pants are pretty much 14's and 12's I still have a hard time believing I am wearing 12's and have a hard time buying them.  My hubby said I should buy a pair of 10's as new goal pants but that just seems cra cra to me.

I retired my ring..its in the safe until I get to goal and resize it..boy I miss it...Its weird when you wear a ring everyday and then don't....like naked.  But I have read many a blog of a person losing their wedding ring as they are losing weight...even though its insured I don't want to lose it.

And the results of the dentist ... no cavities...great teeth.  It turns out I had not been in for 1 1/2 years--yikes!  good thing I brush very diligently.

My dad comes in Monday to visit and I am looking forward to seeing him..its been a year and he is excited to see the weight loss.

I so want to be at home right now.  Work has slowed down..we always get pretty slow around the holidays because so many people are out that I just wish I wasn't working.  I would rather bake and shop.(who wouldn't right?)

I found my Xmas spirit!

Wow what a busy few days.  We had a busy weekend decorating our church and having them give us an extra 9ft xmas tree they had..which was great because we needed one and this was just what I wanted!

So it really helped get me in the mood for Xmas.  Then I picked up my bountiful basket and got persimmons..I have never used them but made this great persimmon bread that turned out awesome...hubby and Johnny ate it all up..I just had a nibble.(wait till you see the sugar)

Original recipe makes 6 - 6x3 inch loaves

• 1 cup persimmon pulp
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2/3 cup water
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease three 6x3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the persimmon pulp and baking soda. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken the pulp.
3. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Blend until smooth. Mix in persimmon pulp and water alternately with flour. Fold in nuts. Divide batter into the prepared pans, filling each pan 2/3 full.
4. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

It was actually quite easy to make.  On Monday I served up 200 bags of popcorn at my sons school and attached these cool movie tickets my hubby made to get people excited for movie night friday that I am in charge of.  It took me 4 hours to pop and distribute with the help of another mom.  Then the principle had to come get me because Johnny got in trouble...BIG TROUBLE he threw a rock at another kid..which hit the kid in the head and he was bleeding..they are not sure if the kid needs stitches.  They kept Johnny in the office all afternoon until I was done then I took him home and I didn't let him do the after school activity of Jump Bunch(which he loves) instead made him stay in his room all night and write an
"I am sorry" card and draw the kid a picture.  I was devastated.. I couldn't believe my boy did that.  I was angry because I couldn't believe my kid did that.  I swear he just doesn't think of his consequences sometimes...he just reacts.  He was visibly upset by the whole thing all day...he cried so many times I lost count.  I am hoping this shocked him enough to never happen again.

On the band side, I am super tight.  I think because I am so stressed over movie night and making sure it goes well... On the weightloss I am doing stellar...I should pull an awesome number tomorrow.

Then I got a call from my mom that her other dog died(she had one dog die last month) she got them both at the same time so she was kind of expecting it but still sad to say the lease.  They were both labs 12 years old and the last to go was so grey and had a hard time walking, her quality of life just wasn't there anymore.  Mom is down to 1 dog Eddie and I hope she doesn't get a bunch more.  Its a lot of work watching the dogs when she goes out of town.

I really want to get Johnny an Elf on the shelf and I think we will go get one this weekend.  I keep thinking about them but forget when the time is right with Johnny.  Plus we need to get our Xmas cards done so we may go see Santa tonight or go to the park to shoot some pics...tootles!