Tuesday, March 28, 2006

So, Where Have I Been Lately?

03/28/2006

You may have noticed I haven't been posting as much lately. Nothing bad has happened, it's just been so busy. It seems like today has been the first day I could catch my breath in a very long time.

I've been working a LOT of hours the last few weeks and we're in the final stages of development on a piece of software for one of my clients. Plus, I had the client on site last week which pretty much meant I had two shadows for the entire week.

So, what's new with me?

1. Jacob turns 8 today! I cannot believe he is 8 already! He was so excited about this birthday that, when I woke up this morning, he was already dressed for school and had already eaten breakfast. Tonight we will let him stay up until 9:00 so he can watch TWO episodes of Star Trek! LOL!

2. We have adopted a stray cat. We've had Alley (get it - Alley Cat?) for about a week and she is now in heat! So, I'm a bit sleep deprived as she is constantly howling. Fortunately, we have a spay appointment scheduled for April 7th, so the end is in sight. I now have 4 cats . . . does that make me the "cat lady?"

3. I've completely switched up my ebay business. Well, let me rephrase that . . . my ebay HOBBY. It was just getting so competitive making children's clothing that I decided to go back to what I love - quilting. I think I've found a way to incorporate my love of quilting into accessories. My first item was a bag that went for around $40, so I was pretty pleased. I also changed my business name, so you can imagine all the work that comes with that (business cards, labels, website, yada, yada, yada).

4. I'm thinking of changing jobs. Yep, you heard me. This is a big one for me. I have a 2nd interview with my former employer on April 10th. The position is for a new job they are creating. It's a technical position, which I find I prefer. (I use to do marketing for them.) So, even though I haven't been offered the job yet, I'm already fretting over the decision. I like my current job a lot, but I am tired of being run ragged. And, with the issues we have with Jake from time-to-time, I think it would be better if I were more available as a parent. Of course, changing jobs would mean I'd be taken off the fast track, which is why the decision is so tough. Stay tuned for more info on this.

5. I'm still going through the mid-life crisis thing, although it's starting to feel less like a crisis and more like an awakening. I'm finding that things just don't bother me the way they use to. I still need to resolve some issues with my Dad, but I still don't think I'm quite ready to face them yet. A few months ago I felt like a 9-year old around him. Now I would say I feel more like I'm 15 - angry and defiant rather than hurt and needy. So, I guess that's a good sign that I'm maturing in that relationship. I did have a dream a few days ago that he died before I could resolve our relationship, which really got me down. So, I'm seriously considering just dropping him an email to say hello. I honestly don't think that he feels anything is wrong with our relationship, but I do, so I'd feel really guilty if I missed an opportunity.

6. As you can see from previous posts, the weight loss is progressing nicely. Yes, I would like it to occur faster, but 2.5 lbs a week is AWESOME! I'm struggling with boredom more than anything, which is why I think I've failed in other diets. At least with this one the food is already here staring at me and I hate to waste money. I really am trying to view this as a lifestyle change and start thinking about the days when I will go off of pre-packaged food and start preparing my own, healthy food. But, some days that view is hard to obtain. Practice makes perfect, right?

So, there's a brief update on what I've been up to lately. Pretty boring, eh?

With friendship,

Care'

Sunday, March 26, 2006

Time for Show & Tell

03/26/2006

Okay, I know I've been promising for a while to get some pics posted, but every time I take pics of myself I go into this spiral of depression . . . "I'm not really THAT big, am I?" (Um, yeah, you ARE!)

Well, yesterday I had Vince take some pics and, while I'm still a big girl, I do see a difference. And, these pics only show a 16.5 lb change! I do not have any pics of me at my max weight of 238 or my beginning NS weight of 231.5. For so long I've avoided the camera like a bad date.

So, here they are! I really notice a difference in my face (down to 1 extra chin - LOL) and in my back and behind. I notice a slight difference in the tummy, but that's always been where I carry the bulk of my weight.

Image hosting by Photobucket

So, what do you think? Do you see a difference? Please say yes! LOL!

With friendship,

Care'

Saturday, March 25, 2006

Week #10 Results: Milestone Goal Reached

03/24/2006

Oh my! I am absolutely thrilled this morning! When I weighed in this morning I hit the 206.5 mark. That means I've met my first milestone goal of a 25% total loss! That also means I owe you guys some pics! So, when Vince decides to drag his behind out of bed, we'll get shooting. I am definately noticing a difference, so I hope you will too.

Wow . . . 25 lbs gone. On one hand that sounds like a lot, and I guess it is. On the other hand, it doesn't sound big at all. Here's what I mean . . . by losing only 25 lbs:

1. My energy level is higher
2. I feel healthier
3. I've dropped 2.5 jean sizes
4. My hair, skin and nails are stronger and shinier
5. I feel sexier
6. I feel more confident

Now, isn't that a lot of great stuff for only 25 lbs?

With friendship,

Care'

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Week #9 Results: Back on Track

03/18/2006

I'm happy to report a 2 lb loss this week! That means I've surpassed my mini-goal of 210 and am racing towards 205. I'm so close to being under 200 . . . it almost doesn't seem possible. On one hand I feel like it's taking FOREVER to get there, but then I'm stunned that I've dropped 22.5 lbs in only 9 weeks.

206.5 is my first milestone goal. That will put me at the 25% of weight lost mark. At that point I think I'll be ready to post some before & after pictures.

Jake spent the week and Grandma's & Grandpa's for spring break, so it's been very quiet around here. Vince and I haven't been quite sure what to do with ourselves! We miss him a lot, but we have enjoyed the peace and quiet.

I do have a little victory to share. I decided to go shopping for jeans yesterday. The jeans I have now are really getting embarassing. I broke down and ordered a pair of 16s off of ebay, and those are already getting a little baggy, so you can imagine how the 18s are looking on me. Well, I decided to try on the 14s. Well, you know what, they are a bit tight BUT I could zip and button them AND they didn't have elastic in the sides! WOO HOO! I cannot WAIT until I can wear jeans without elastic again. So, I placed a bid on a pair of 14s on ebay again. By the time they get here I should be able to wear them comfortably. Buying the jeans off of ebay has been really great. I hate to spend a lot of money for jeans that I'll only wear for a few weeks - know what I mean? I think I've had those 16s for 3 weeks now and think I'll only get another 2 more weeks of wear out of them.

Okay, I've rambled enough this morning. It's time to wake up the hubby and start enjoying the weekend. Have a great one!

With friendship,

Care'

Saturday, March 11, 2006

Week #8 Results - Another .50 lb Bites the Dust!

03/11/2006

Well, I have to say I'm not estatic about a .50 lb loss, but I'll take it. The last couple of weeks have been tough on the old diet. Week #7 was an emotional roller coaster with Jake, and it took every ouce of resolve I had to not drown my stress with food. This week has been the opposite - I haven't been eating much at all. We have a lot going on right now at work with tons of code due in a very short period of time, so I've been working extra hours this week. I think I hit 40 hours by Thursday at 8:00 a.m. So, I was doing well with breakfast and lunch, but dinner was being skipped. I only got in a few of the desserts this week too. It seems so strange that eating very few calories (I'm guessing I was eating less than 750) would cause your body to hold on to the weight, but it is so true. I also wasn't performing 100% on the water intake and the exerice went out the window.

So, starting right now, today, this very minute, I'm back on plan 100%. In the last couple of weeks I've missed having that great energy level and the feeling of being able to take on the world. I want it back! LOL!

Here's to a great week!

With friendship,

Care'

Saturday, March 04, 2006

Week #7 Results - 20 lbs Gone!

03/04/2006

Well, it's been another successful week on NS, despite the extra stress I've had to deal with. Yes, it was only a 1.5 lb loss, but I'll gladly take it! I've officially hit the 20 lb lost mark and it feels wonderful. This past week I've received a lot of compliments, so people are definately noticing the difference. I keep catching Vince staring at me! LOL! I guess I'll have to fight him off with a stick when I reach my goal weight.

My big plans for the weekend include sewing, sewing and sewing. I really need to be at work because we are so behind, but I think a relaxing weekend may be better for my health. Have a wonderful weekend!

With friendship,

Care'

Friday, March 03, 2006

Update on DS

03/03/2006

We visited the alternative school on Tuesday. I think it was a good thing. Jacob seemed to respond well to the director and seemed to understand what would happen to him if he continued to misbehave in school. Also, Jacob realized that he did NOT want to go to the alternative school. So, I guess time will tell if he truly wants to behave or not.

In the meantime I decided to take him to his doctor for an ADD/ADHD evaluation. My thinking was that the doctor would say "no, he doesn't have it" so I could get the school to stop treating him like he has a problem. (Sometimes I think they give him too much sympathy, so he gets away with stuff he shouldn't). Well, I was stunned when the doctor came back and said that Jacob needs to be evaluated by a pediatric neurologist. Crap. I figured the worst that would come out of his mouth was "yes, he has ADD / ADHD and we should put him on X and see how he does." Then, DH and I would have to decide if we wanted to do meds or not. Now there's a whole other layer added in that has me feeling very frustrated.

Darn it. I want to EAT.

You know, I just want to do the right thing for my kid, and I'm just not sure what that is right now.

Care'