Winter TV...

I'm such a TV junkie... but in my defense, I do try to have some knitting in my hands when I'm watching TV, so I don't feel like a total couch potato.. LOL!

Here's my week line up:

Monday... I do have a dual DVR, but I'm still going to have some conflict. I might have to let one show go
FOX: House - starts Jan 19
TNT: The Closer - starts Jan 26
NBC: Chuck, Heros, Meduim - starts Feb 2

Thursday...
ABC: Ugly Betty & Grey's Anatomy - starts Jan 8
FOX: Bones - starts Jan 15
FOX: Hell's Kitchen - starts Jan 29
** Note: I have a secret crush on Gordan Ramsay and Hugh Laurie... what is it with me and English men!

Sunday..
ABC: Desperate Housewives - starts Jan 4
HBO: Big Love - starts Jan 18

I'm kinda proud of myself. I watch much less TV than I have in the past. One of my goals for 2009 is less TV and more action up off the couch... LOL...

So, what TV shows are you addicted to?

Reflecting...

The first day of the New Year is Thursday, which got me to thinking... did I have any goals for 2008? Did I write them down? Did I actually get them done? So, I looked BACK and found that I did an average job and that my set goals in 2008 were mostly long-term goals...
1. schedule all necessary medical exams and test - DONE
2. lose the weight this year to be a healthier me - as of today, I've lost 87lbs in 2008 (a little over half-way to my goal weight :)
3. do more for me while still doing for others - now this I need to work more on...
4. be on time - getting better at this (work and deadlines I set for myself)
5. don't waste time - I still need to work on this more. I'll have to put this on my list again. I'm sure this will be on my list until the end of days... LOL!
I would like to be a more energized, complete, and healthier me. - This goal, I will definitely have to carry-over into 2009 as well.

I've read a lot of talk about choosing a Word for the year... I've been thinking about it, not sure if this will help me obtain my goals.. Does it help?

I've been worried...

And.. I'm not one to worry. My dh went to Denver last Monday for work and decided he wanted to layover in Seattle on his way back to visit with family and friends. Little did he know when he made the arrangements that the weather had other plans!

First on Friday, his flight was delayed leaving Denver to Seattle and wasn't even sure if he'd make it. Then when he got to Seattle, they were having the worst storm ever. Which being an Alaskan he didn't care to much about.. LOL! Just more snow, So.. no big deal. Except it was a huge deal there. So Sunday rolls around, he gets to the airport, gets through security, and gets to his gates, waits and then finds out that his flight and all flights had been canceled leaving Seattle. Poor guy, just wants to get home! So, next he waits almost 5 hours in line to rebook his flight, which was for today. However, he decided to go back to the airport (fortunately he found a hotel with a shuttle to stay at for the night) Monday morning and check to see if he could get a flight that day... and he did!!!! Yay!!

I was so so worried because I heard that they were expecting 2-3 more inches of snow, which could stop flights again. Thankfully he was in the air and on his way home when they started canceling flights again. I thought if he doesn't make that flight he might not get to spend Christmas at home. I'm so glad he made it home!

Moral of story... it really doesn't do you any good to worry. All worry does is created migraines and ulcers. And whatever you are worrying about... usually does what it wants to do anyway and is most likely beyond your control... so why worry? Action is better than worry in my book any day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday... and if you are snowed in enjoy that family time. It's precious.

Merry Christmas!!!

I got a new haircut today. I haven't had my hair this short since the time I asked my mom to give me a "Page Boy" cut. That was a disaster... but I actually like it this time. My hair has been falling out like mad.. so I decided since it is going to fall out.. I should help it along. My ends were looking crazy straggelly and tired looking.

Did some what I'd like to call final shopping today, but unfortunately, I do have a few more to pick up.... Why unfortunate? Well.. it's the smells people! I was shopping in the men's department at Penney's and some guy walked by with the strongest cologne I'd ever experienced and made my sinuses flare... So I just had to leave. The walk out, kinda cleared them up I went to Barnes & Nobles from there.

It was a good day. It is just unbelievable how tired I get with all the walking and no places to sit. That's their strategy. No place to sit, so we must shop more... wears a person out. Hopefully, when I start at the gym next week, I will begin to gather more strength. That's the goal.

I miss my Mother. I called her and said she absolutely had to move to Alaska... It's called "layering!"

Oh, btw, I've been getting a kick out of Picnik .

What to do now?

I'm so happy that my Mother was able to come up here to spend recovery time with me. She made everything so much easier and better. I wish she could have stayed until Christmas, however, I'm very thankful for the three weeks she did get to stay. I took this picture of her out at Turnagain Arm from the Seward Hwy. She had never seen so much snow before and just had the most fun getting out, taking photos and enjoying the sunshine. We took advantage of that sunshine too! No Christmas shopping for us! Not while there's sunshine. One can shop in the dark... LOL...

We took lots of pictures while she was here and here are a few of her favorites:

Mother got a huge kick out of getting the 3 inches of snow off my truck that day, but bless her, she made a bigger mess than what was originally there :) I had to take over and just get it done. That was the day of my last doc appointment. I did finally get the ports taken out. It was done this past Friday. Oh, you just don't know.... I'm so happy to have that foreign thing out of my chest. The doc asked me if I wanted to see it! Can you believe that... I cringed and said, No Thank You.

My Mother was very fascinated by the hoar frost and how it stuck to the trees and most everything in sight. It really is a beautiful thing to see and makes you feel like you are in a Winter Wonderland. It is it's most loveliest when your headlights hit it and it glitters like diamonds.
And if you make the trip to Alaska, you absolutely have to have a great picture of McKinley/Denali. The drive up the Parks Hwy was so much fun. There was loads of sunshine Sunday. No sittin' around the house for us. It is a long drive from Eagle River though. I do advise that if you ever do come this way, the best place to take a picture of McKinley is either from Mile Post 135ish.. there's a pull out there.. or from the Princess Lodge in Talkeetna.

I just dropped Mother off at the airport and she's headed back to MS. She did do me one last huge favor... she took some Christmas presents in a carry on for me and now I don't have to go to the Post Office! Major score. She's the best!

Here's my version of the candy cane cozy that I posted about last post. I'm kinda proud of myself. I've actually crossed something off my list. I think these are going to be darling hanging from the Christmas tree!

Tomorrow I have a doc appointment and I hope she takes these ports out of my chest. I hope she thinks I'm well enough to take them out. I'm kinda worried. I feel better, but honestly, I haven't been doing much around here. Mother is the best!

I've been working on these today.

You have to go over to . I think these candy cane cozy are a clever and genius original idea. (This isn't the only brilliant idea, go check it out!) I'm going to send them out as a surprise to someone who sent me the link. I've got 9 knitted, but planning on 12, because candy canes come in a box of 12. Would you be pleasantly surprised if you got some of these?

Yesterday and today were pretty much very lazy days. Saturday, dh & I took Mom for a drive to get out of the house. I'm going stir crazy! and we ended up at the movies. We saw AUSTRALIA ! OMG, if you haven't seen that movie, GO! If I was being consulted, It would get huge Oscars!!

And today... I didn't even get out of my jammies, but I did get some knitting done :)

And this week... I plan to tackle the ever frightening "everything" room and get some sewing done. I desperately need to get some things checked off my list and with my Mother here to help, maybe I can.
And as I like to post pictures of the change in the seasons, this is what it looks like around here lately. I will never get tired of this view. I could take a thousands pictures and probably have.

Stay warm everyone :)

As you all know, Nothing Ever goes as planned! At least for me. So, if there are any lucky ones out there, I don't mind you sharing, but please be gentle :)

I've again been in the hospital. Hopefully this is the last time. I'm out, been out for a week, seem to being much better than ever before and actually much better than after the original recovery period. I've lost time, memories.. I've worried people, all because of this stupid stupid thing I did to myself. I know I can't beat myself up to bad (my mother-in-law will not allow it). Some still think it is a very positive thing, and I am beginning to see a little light at the end of the tunnel, but it isn't all sunshine and roses yet.

I received a huge surprise! My husbands family arranged for my mother to come up and stay with me during my medical leave of absence. That was huge! It is a long way from Mississippi to Alaska. So she is taking very good care of me and I'm doing better a bit every day. I haven't puked once and that is progress. I'm eating and drinking, again.. progress. And! crafting. I've been teaching my mother how to knit a wash cloth.

Wash cloth pattern (my version)
cast on 4 with US size 8 needle, Peaches n Cream cotton yarn, usually you get it at Wal-Mart.
increase: *K2, yo, k to end* do what's between the * until you have 55 stitches on your needles
decrease: *K1, K2tog, yo, K2tog, k to end* do this until you have 4 stitches left and bind off.
Hope I didn't leave anything out, but if I did let me know, I'd be happy to answer questions.

I really don't have any recent pictures, but I'll try and get some out there.

I hope everyone had a very lovely Thanksgiving! I'm looking forward to Christmas crafting ideas, decorations and more. I know it's out there. Now If my meds would kick in, I could get some sleep.

Yay for America!

This is only the 2nd time in my voting life that I have voted for someone that actually won! I'm so excited that President Elect is Obama! I'm excited to see what changes are in store for us and how he implements that change. It is a good day to be an American! :)

Go Vote!!!! I'm not one to share my political views, but I do strongly believe in exercising your right to vote... So, Please.. Go Vote!!! and if you don't vote, I don't want to hear any complaints.. ;)

I'm back to work today. I hope I don't have anymore episodes of wretching/heaving.. and that I don't have to go back in to have any more procedures. I want to done with all that.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day!

Shopping ... Hospital...

I started throwing up at work on Friday. Poor guys, I really scared them. But after that episode, I drove myself home and really started to feel a little better.

On Saturday, when I awoke, I felt horrible, but dh wanted me to get out of the house with him so I reluctantly agreed. We went to Nordstrom's. I needed a new bra... and I've went down from a FF to a DDD and lost 2 inches around my strap. Why do the girls have to leave me? I wish the gut were going as fast as the boobs! But hey, at least I'm losing the weight. I weighed 252 this am.

When we got home that afternoon, I was feeling very nauseated and I started throwing up. Not a good sign. We called the surgeon and she said go to the ER. So, another weekend admitted to the hospital. I had a narrowing of the stoma again and they had to dilate the opening.

I was released yesterday. Thankfully, the IV that they had put in on Saturday lasted until Tuesday morning. That's the first time an IV has ever lasted that long in me without infiltrating. Last time I had an IV for everyday that I was there and sometimes it took up to 3 tries and one day I had to have it replaced twice.

So, I'm at home today. Fixin' to try some chicken broth. Hopefully, it works. I'm a little apprehensive about this whole thing. I know no one likes to be sick, but I'm such a baby about it. I just want to go on... living.. but not in fear.

Just stuff...

Winter has nestled in for a long nap. I love that first snow. I still get excited watching it fall and cover everything in its path. I think it is amazing. But after that first fall, it can get tiresome. I know some people are already counting the days until that Hawaii vacation. Not me, I used up all my vacation and sick time already.













Here's my little attempt at some fall decoration. I didn't want to be to much of a humbug. I did these while I was home recovering. It gave me a little pleasure to cheer up things. Even if it is just me and dh here. I got this basket at a yard sale last summer filled with oil lamps and oil for $2. Score! I just love this basket. I think I'm going to put a Christmas arrangement in it in December.

Talk about Transformations and other stuff.... beware

The first picture is of me back in April. I'm not sure how much I weighed at the time, but it was probably close to my highest of 315 pounds. I would have never kept this picture before because it is a horrible picture, but back in April I knew I would one day have the surgery.

This is me now today at 256 pounds. Laying around relaxing, no makeup, just hanging. I can't say that I feel very different, but my clothes are showing it. The pink blouse I had on today was loose even with a shirt on under it. It felt good not to have to tug at my clothes. However! I'm losing my boobs! Wouldn't that be the first thing to go! I had to have a new bra the other day and I've went down through the mid and cup size. I think next payday I will have to buy another bra, because it just isn't holding me up right any longer. The girls need some support! .. :) The other thing is my shoes! My feet are shrinking and I never really had "fat" feet. I've always had a very standard 8.5 foot. Not anymore. Who knew there is fat on the foot?? I already had to give up one shoe collection before (when I moved to Alaska.. I got rid of so many sandals, didn't want to move them all) .. and now if my feet continue, I'll have to donate more shoes. Not that I don't like to donate, but I love my shoes y'all! I'll have to share some of my favs one day! :) One last thing about this whole transformation thing... my Aunt Flo ain't right! She's been a real bad ass. Yikes! nuff said!

As for crafting... I haven't given it up, just slowed pace. Here are some things I'm working on...

This sweater, I'm making as a gift for someone living in Mississippi who requested a blue sweater. I thought that since the winters are mild there this would be perfect with the "holes" in it. I also LOVE Rowan patterns! Here's a link to look inside my book: Rowan Studio Issue 6

This Lucy Bag will eventually be a felted piece, but for now it is still on the needles. I made one before but it is a little smallish and I really wanted a larger one. I love the small one, matter of fact, it is one of my favorite things ;)
I'm using some left over yarn from a sweater I completed for myself last year and some brown wool. I just love these colors and keep picking them over and over again.

This next bag is also going to be a felted piece. I have finished knitting it but I really want to wait and do the Lucy Bag at the same time as the Market Bag. I am definitely going to use my Market Bag for that very purpose. I believe that plastic bags are a waste and horrible for the environment, so this is my little bit to help save Mother Earth. I love her so dearly!





So other crafting on my to do list:
* Socks, I have a pair on circular needles now and a pair waiting.
* Scrapbooking. I've got a heritage album for my mother and some scrapping for myself. I'm thinking about starting a transformation album, just for myself.
* Sewing.. I've got a bench cushion and some throw pillows to finish before Thanksgiving. I've also got to start on my Christmas stuff for the girls (aprons and knitted wash cloths and maybe some other goodies).
* Photography.. I need to take the time to take some real nice pictures and devote some time to more learning about editing. I've got CS3, I need to learn more.

To Come: Pictures of some little fall decor and what's been going on... Enjoy!

Feel like a Pin Cushion!!!

But at least pin cushions don't bruise!..

Thursday night (9th) I started throwing up really bad and had this pain in my chest.. so I waited it out and finally came to the conclusion that maybe I had just ate something wrong, but I felt so horrible the next morning, I didn't go to work. Friday went by without an incident and I thought I was in the clear but I still felt very strange and weird. Saturday, I decided to go the the new Target with my mother-in-law and hubby and do some other shopping (I really needed a new vacuum, long story!) but.. by the end of just visiting Target and BB&B I was throwing up violently and said I couldn't take anymore and needed to just go home. When we got home, I couldn't quit throwing up, nothing was coming up, it was dry heaves, foamies & phlegm. I decided I just couldn't take it anymore, so dh called doc and described my symptoms and off to the ER we go. I was admitted Saturday night and on Sunday, I had an upper GI. OMG!!! That is the nastiest junk I've ever had to drink and yes, that does include the glucose junk you have to drink for insulin test. YUCK!!! The test revealed that my hole from new stomach into small intestine had closed and the doc dilated it, opening it up. I started to feel better and was released. Monday, I started to feel like crap again, but no need to go to doc, but Tuesday night I had to go to ER AGAIN! Same symptoms, same horrible feelings except this time with nausea. I was treated with nausea medication and IV and sent home. Wednesday, my PCP called and said that she wanted me to come back to the hospital and get some more testing done. *** OK, side note... I had been telling these docs all along that I had a PCP that worked with that hospital and that she should be contacted with any questions and she would be glad to help. Did any of them think to consult with the one person that has been treating me for years??? NO! However, it just so happened that on Wednesday I had a scheduled appointment with the Surgeon for a follow-up and she contacted my PCP with what was going on and they put their heads together and that's how I got re-admitted. ****
I feel way better! The test showed that I had inflammation and that was causing all the rucus! and what a commotion it was!! I had two other test in there involving more icky chalky junk and I would absolutely hate to repeat the test! I was so happy to be released today and I hope I don't have anymore trouble resulting from this surgery.

I have been asked, "Do you regret it?" Well... truthfully, after what I've just been through, had I known, really really known, No, I don't think I would have had the surgery. I don't like pain, I don't like to be sick. However, I've been told many many times that it does get better. All I have to say is .... WE SHALL SEE!!!

and to all you wonderful people sending good thoughts my way... I sincerely appreciate it :)

Back to Work...

Monday was my first day back to work and so far, all is well. No complaints really. I had lots of work waiting for me and I'm still wading through it. Having all that work does take your mind off of all the other things you worry about. I'm a bit tired this morning. I tossed all night, ugh! horrible. I wish I could have slept and made today a half day, but that's not really an option for me. I want to get my hours in and I want to do good this first week back. I was really surprised with all the "glad to have you back" statements. It was the best "welcome back" at work I've ever received. Now, I should get back to work and continue to wade through these piles...

Dinners...

I said to myself... well, if I can't go to work, I should at least put a decent dinner on the table... even if I am "recovering." I get enjoyment from the pleasure it brings my sweet dh. . and he is a darling, so he deserves my best, at least.

I thought I would start taking pictures, just in case I decided to scrapbook about it later .. or even write my recipes down.. ha.. ha.. (I find that funny). I rarely, if ever use a recipe! I just know what flavors he likes, and I combine them in a way I think would taste good.

The first picture is stir fry veggies tossed in angel hair pasta with pan fried cube steak. I cooked the steak at the same time I stir fried the veggies (same pan). The pasta is tomato & basil made with jerusalem artichoke flour. The veggies are green peppers, red peppers, onions, broccoli and zucchini cooked in olive oil seasoned with roasted garlic, celery salt and creole seasonings. The cube steak is seasoned with ground white pepper and creole seasonings. A little soy sauce on the veggies is good. Some times instead of doing the pasta, I cook white rice to serve and sometimes I add different veggies, just depends on what's in the frig.. But dh did say he liked this way the best so far :)

The second picture is stir fry fresh green beans with shrimp. The green beans are cooked in olive oil seasoned with fresh garlic, onions, salt, black pepper and basil. The shrimp were added in just before the green beans were finished.

As you can tell my dh is a fan of stir fry and hey! why not... it is pretty fast way of cooking. I usually don't cook the green beans with any meat, but since we had some shrimp, I thought I would try it. Hal liked it :) .. and I was actually able to eat a few bites and was able to keep it down! Yay!

I'm shrinking...

I was so excited this morning... I just had to share.

I haven't worn my wedding ring in months because it became way to tight to wear and I was afraid if I continued to wear it, the ring would have to be cut off.

But Today! I thought I would try it on and IT FITS! It isn't tight and it slipped right on!

I think this is my very first "wow" moment :)

At home...

Me today.

I don't feel much like getting out, but I'm feeling better. I think I will try getting out tomorrow. I am making the dh some good dinners though.

Sunday night was Halibut baked with creole seasonings, onions & capers; served with mahogany rice and steamed broccoli.
Monday night was brussel sprouts cooked in chicken stock, seasoned with salt and seared chicken/apple sausage links.
Tonight.. Boneless pork chops baked w/paprika on top of onions (the onions carmelize, very yummy) and baked sweet potato (maybe.. I might switch to green salad).


I'm enjoying the cooking. And dh seems to really be enjoying having dinner every night. I guess I will try to keep this up as long as I'm not working. But when I go back to work, he will probably have to do for himself more ... Who knows.. :)


I took the pictures of the flowers at San Diego Zoo.

Out of surgery...

I don't really remember much from the actual surgery day. I guess that is normal. According to the doctor the surgery went well, but according to me... I think I got ran over by a Mac Truck and then the drug me back to recovery! Tonight is our last night here in San Diego and besides the surgery part, we've really enjoyed our stay. I had the best nurses ever! got to see the beaches, walk the beach, shop and go to the zoo. Very good. But I was slowed down by the pain here and there and I did over do it once or twice.

I have lost 20lbs since surgery! I'm like ... where did it all go? My granny was so cute.. she said, "Sug, is that safe! You'd better take care of yourself." I love her for that :)

Hal says he can see that I've lost it, but seriously, I don't really see it. I wonder if I ever will. I believe that I'm a pretty realistic person, so hopefully, I will regain my normal sense of perspective. 

I'm on to soft foods now, refried beans, yogurt, cottage cheese, humus, etc... and I like it. Funny thing is, I really don't have an appetite yet.  

Thanks for all the well wishes. I appreciate them. Soon, I'll be back with pictures, scrapbooking, knitting, sewing, etc... I really want my old life back. Here lately all I've thought about was the surgery, meeting my pre-op goals, etc... 

I'm looking forward to going Home! I don't think there is any prettier place than Alaska in fall with the yellows, lime green, reds, purples.. it is simply magestic! 

Pre-op...

Well let's back up a little.. I had a huge scare on Monday at at the airport. Hal's mom dropped us off at departures and we went in and I gave him his boarding pass and he immediately took out his Drivers License and I thought.. good idea, I should get mine out.. and I started to look for it.. then I couldn't find it.. then I started to freak out.. I didn't know if they would let me on the flight, if I didn't have my license.. I started crying and I was in full panic mode. So Hal, called his dad and asked him to go through my truck (I didn't know where else it could have been!) and he couldn't find it anywhere.. So I decided to go up and speak with Customer Service (it was getting close to flight time and I was getting even more excited) and I explained to her that I couldn't find my license anywhere and I didn't have any other State or Government issued ID with my picture on it.... Thankfully I had my SSN card, voter's registration, Sam's Club & Costco cards with pictures on them along with a host of other credit cards and stuff with my name all over it.... and she said since we were first class and MVP it wouldn't be too big of an issue... I definitely believe luck was on my side! Thank God Alaska Airlines is so understanding.. 

However... our flight leaving Anchorage was an hour late getting into Anchorage, which made us miss our connecting flight in Seattle which they could not get us in first class on that flight... but we did get Exit Row and we will be credited for the downgrade in class... So, we were late getting into San Diego last night... 

Thankfully, today was much better.. the only thing is, we should have allowed ourselves more time to get to the clinic. Lesson learned. But my being a couple minutes late really didn't matter much... I went from appointment to appointment without to much stress and with little to no waiting. I brought my sock knitting along with me. I've learned that if I'm tired of waiting, just bring out my knitting and I usually get helped right away... LOL! 

Pre-Op was a success. Everything looked great, Chest X-ray, vaginal ultrasound, ultrasound to look at my liver, EKG, pulse, heart, lungs, I basically a very (abnormal) healthy obese woman. I'm lucky to be so healthy I know. And I feel that by having this surgery I'm actually using preventative measures to insure that I don't develop genetically inherited disease caused by obesity. 

Which leads us to tomorrow... I have to be at the hospital at 5:15am and my surgery is at 7:17am Pacific time. I've drunk the Magnesium Citrate and now have the icky shits so, I must discontinue this entry ............   

PS! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WELL WISHES!!!! I APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM :)

Getting ready...

So the bags are packed and everything is almost ready to go, except the toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.. always have to wait 'til the last minute to pack those items.

It is less than 12 hours before our flight leaves. I hope I can get some sleep, but I seriously doubt it. I'm taking the laptop, so hopefully I can update as I go along... who knows.. I'm a bit nervous and anxious.. Would love for this to be over already.

The packing and getting ready drives me nuts as it is.. I would love to say something brilliant at this moment.. but I've got nada.. Cya soon! :)

Trying to keep my mind off of it...

My sweet bought me an early birthday present! My very own (first) iPod. Now I'm "with it." Do people still say that? LOL!

So... I was up all night ripping from my CD stack and Downloading from iTunes. So, cool! Did you know they have FREE stuff! How cool is that! and audio books! I've been wanting some audio books for the long commutes in the winter.

I think one of the driving decisions was that he didn't want to share his iPod with me while I was in the hospital or recovering for that matter.. ha.. ha.. So he just bought me one... guess you know where some of our "energy rebate" went to.

I've already told him that I will be putting the majority of my Energy Rebate in savings, along with my PFD! The only portion of it that I will spend will be to get the due maintenance check on the Ridgeline.

Now, as I write this, I'm listening to a shuffle of all songs.. Santana and John Mayer are playing.. Awesome!

In other news... I will be in the air all day on Labor Day. No holiday here.. and flying makes me incredibly anxious, but hey! at least we get to go First Class this time :)

Now tell me.... What's going on with you? How will you be spending your weekend? upcoming holiday? and .... What are some "must haves" on your iPod?

GOT SURGERY DATE!!!

SEPTEMBER 3RD!!!

RNY Surgery APPROVED!!!

I heard from the insurance company today and my weight-loss surgery has been approved! I'm doing a little happy dance over here. This is about way more than losing weight for me, it is about being healthier and eventually hopefully having a child. It is my last option for getting pregnant. So, we will see. Of course, I will follow the doctors orders and wait until the appropriate time to start trying... but that is my ultimate goal.

I don't have a surgery date yet, but it could be as soon as next week (which I'm hoping for!).

Now, I must get my to-do list completed!!!

Just for the Halibut !

They say that Homer, Alaska is a quaint little drinking town with a Fishing Problem....

It is a very interesting town with unique shops, great places to eat and a mixture of people from all over the world.

The DH & I took a Halibut charter on Saturday. I had a wonderful time and got some sun (believe it or not!) but poor Hal.. hurled from the side 3 times! He gets so sick with the swells... at least he caught his limit!



The fish you see me holding here on the gaf hook is the last one he caught. Some good eating there!
















The two Halibut that I'm holding up are the two chicken I caught :)

We don't care too much about catching the big ones. We feel that the smaller ones are the best eating. And, I've heard (from the crew) that the huge ones are the breeders and if you killed them all off... well, we wouldn't have any more Halibut.

I hope everyone is having a "swell" summer!

Stalls...

Thanks for all the nice comments about my weight loss decision. I appreciate everyone's kindness!

I've kinda been in a lull.. 1st of all, I thought the paperwork had been sent to the insurance company for approval, but it had not.
It was a case of "I thought we discussed this?" uh.. no...
So, I had to get a physical to complete all the requirements and just today that was sent over and hopefully the packet will be on its way to the insurance company. They say it takes about 3 weeks to hear anything... I will call them in about 2 weeks. You have to take care of yourself because no one else is going to do it... and you know what? I don't really expect anyone to do that for me.

I've got tons I could be doing... but I haven't had the desire to do anything. My current list of things to do is long...
~ finish knitting Lucy Bag and felt (need more yarn)
~ finish knitting Market Bag and felt (need more yarn)
~ send out care package
~ sew window seat covers and window seat pillows for sis-in-law
~ finish sewing little dresses
~ finish sewing apron
~ I still haven't cleaned the scrap/sew/computer/everything room!

I have kept the lawn mowed, clean weeds out of the flowers, pot a few more plants, read the 6th book in the Women's Murder Club series, and books 1 & 2 of the Maximum Ride series, of course cook, clean, work, etc...

I have been enjoying Project Runway Season 5 and The Closer and HGTV's Design Star!

I'm looking forward to Bravo's Top Design ... and then of course all my Fall Programming. I'm such a TV junkie...

And today we finally get some sunshine! Hopefully it will last until I get home from work this evening and I can get some pictures.

Decision.. and now the wait...

I have decided to have the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. I have picked Julie Ellner, MD of Alvarado Hospital Surgical Weight Loss Program in San Diego, CA. I'm quite anxious about it all and have been on Obesity Help looking at all the stories for support, help, other complications, success stories, etc...

I've been thinking about this for a very long time and just recently finished a 6 month diet & exercise program, pyscological exam and other test and I feel I'm a good candidate and would have success. I've also submited all the paperwork to submit to the insurance company and am now waiting to hear back. I hope the surgery will be approved.

I know it will be a hard road, but I believe the ends will justify the means. I've been so consumed with this decision that I spend a lot of time reading others stories and taking in all the information that I can. I really want this to work for me. And when I take care of me, I will be taking care of my family too, so this is not just for me, but for us. If anyone would like to keep up with my story, here's the link to my weight-loss profile: http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/ak_lisa/

In other news.. I hope to clean up my disaster area/spare room.. so I will feel like crafting again. I really haven't felt like it lately.

cosymakes and lifeLOVEpaper had this little questionnaire over on their blog.. and I haven't ever done a flickr mosaic ... so I thought I would give it a try. Here are the questions and the concept of the game:

The concept:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

The Questions:

1. What is your first name? Lisa
2. What is your favorite food? Seafood
3. What high school did you go to? Vancleave High.. Go Bulldogs!
4. What is your favorite color? Red
5. Who is your celebrity crush? Jon Bon Jovi
6. Favorite drink? Coca-Cola Classic!
7. Dream vacation? Maui
8. Favorite dessert? Molten Chocolate Cake
9. What you want to be when you grow up? A Mother
10. What do you love most in life? My husband
11. One Word to describe you? Open-Minded
12. Your flickr name? ak_lisa

* The picture of dh didn't come up in the search. I cheated with that one.


1. Breaking News: The Mona Lisa mystery finally resolved, 2. Paella a la Valenciana, 3. whatcha lookin at?, 4. JJ's Boulangerie Strawberry Tarts, 5. Photo_Jon-Bon-Jovi_304RGB, 6. Always Coca-Cola, 7. Big Beach (Makena), Maui Hawaii, 8. Everyone's Favorite!, 9. To Be A Mother, 10. Hal & Purrcules, 11. KEEP AN OPEN MIND CAPTAIN, 12. Reflection

As Promised Wedding Pictures

This was the Kiss that Sealed the "Contract"

Callie picked out her own dress. She asked me what color would I prefer..
and I said ... "I like Red"
It ended up being very patriotic.. Red, White and Blue.
My husband was very proud to serve and is now a proud veteran.

Ok, so this is the Honor Guard and I had no idea they were going
to smack my rear with their sword!

My reaction... and see Hal is grinning.. He thought it was funny!

My Dress... When I tried it on, I knew it was the one.
I made the veil.

And this is me with my Mother.
I was so happy that she could be there for our wedding!

Wedding Story...

Every wedding starts with a proposal and I think mine was different than most. Hal had left Keesler AFB and had went back to his home station in California... I was working in McRae's shoe store at the Edgewater Mall in Biloxi, MS at the time and was at work on the anniversary of our first date, December 1st. When I got to work there was this beautiful bouquet of red roses.. and of course I was curious, I kept asking everyone... "who are the flowers for?" Either they avoided me acting to busy to answer or I just didn't get an answer and I was trying not to be too nosey. Finally, I asked again and my co-worker said ... "well, if you want to know that bad, why don't you read the card!" And I was like really, isn't that private? So I took the card and it was for me! The card said, "When you've got a minute, call me." It was from my sweetie! I couldn't believe it. So, I call him right away and he said all those mushy things like Happy Anniversary, I love you, then he said... Do you think your Mom would be able to come to California on the 13th of Jan? and I was like... why? and then he said, "Will you marry me?" I was a bit shocked! See we had planned to move in together for a little while before marriage. I was going to move to CA, get a job, go to college, get my degree, then we'd get married if we wanted to.. That was the plan. Well, obviously I said yes! But after I said yes... I was like why Jan 13th? He said it was the first date that popped into his head. We changed it to Jan 12th (a Saturday vs a Sunday).

Now the other unusual thing about this wedding was.. I didn't plan any of it. Hal planned the whole thing from CA. He got the Honor Guard, the chapel at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA, the reception hall at a very nice Marriott, the hotel in San Fran for our wedding night and he made reservations for our guest to stay at a base turned into a hotel and housing. I told him what my fav flowers were, he picked them out, I told him what my fav cake flavors were, he ordered it, he got an organ player for the music and also a wedding coordinator (required by the base) to help with decorating the chapel and the clean up afterwards. He did it all. All I did was show up with a dress! And to me, it was the perfect wedding! We had 22 guest. They were all family, including my mom and one sister (my bridesmaid who was in the AF at the time too). It was all very sweet. Except the part where the guardsman smacked my butt with a sword and said, "Welcome to the United States Air Force ma'am!" We hadn't rehearsed that part and I didn't know it was coming. Even then I will stick with my original opinion... It was perfect!

I would normally add pictures, but as I'm at work and forgot to bring them with me... I will post some pics when I get home tonight. I look forward to crashing on your wedding :)

RAK Winner

12:30am and the winner is....



Congrats Angie! I've got some of my favorite things to send to you :)

And Thank You Everyone for all your lovely comments!!!!

Randomness...

I am fond of reading blogs with random things. It makes me feel that we are all the same really even though we obviously have our differences. So here's some randomness from me today.

I had a horrible migraine yesterday that kept me home from work and disabled all day.
My mother-in-law stopped by unexpectedly and I was in my pj's. I find it funny (she always looks perfect!) It was a good visit. She's such a nice person.

It isn't a very good summer yet. I'd say we've had about 3 good days. I need more sunshine for my flowers and little garden because it is really looking pitiful now. Some of the leaves on the plants have changed to red which looks like fall to me....

Stopped by McD's this morning and got an egg mcmuffin and I was asked to take a survey while waiting.. interesting.. I don't mind surverys.. Just not a morning person here. Need caffeine!

Next month I will have to cut back on the caffeine and eventually rid it from my diet.. Yikes!!

Have you read Real Siimple magazine? It is a real jem. I really enjoy it.

Well, I guess that is enough of the randomness for right now.. Hopefully, I will have some pictures of a few finished projects for you to see by the end of the weekend. :)

Have a great weekend Everyone!

Happy Blog Birthday to Me...

You know it is hard to believe that I've been blogging for a year already. I've met some very wonderful people along the way and have been very inspired. I started out thinking that I would use this blog to talk alot about scrapbooking, but I haven't really... it has taken shape all by itself. I truly enjoy the interaction with others. And.. receiving a comment to me is the absolute best ever!

So... if you would like a chance to win a present (and isn't birthdays about the presents?)... Please leave a comment between now and next Tuesday and on the following Wednesday (after I get home from work) I will draw a name!

Sew...

I've been looking at this book for a while. I can't remember where I first saw this book, but I have been inspired by sweet little aprons for a long time. You have to check out this apron swap! Flickr: A Feathered Nest Apron Swap . Ok, so I know most of you are probably already aware of these goings on... but not me, until very recently and it was too late for me to participate. However, I have been inspired to make an apron for myself (and maybe one lucky person) ... and do you see that fabric? I picked it up today. What do you think? I think it will be fresh and cute... anyways... stay tuned!

Do you know what tomorrow is? It is my Blog Birthday! And, I have never celebrated anything on a blog before, so.. yikes! I'm a little nervous about throwing a blog bash, and I am in no way prepared to throw a bash.. so instead look for some crazy activity here. I'm gonna blog everyday for one week and celebrate.

Ps. I'll be giving away my very first ever RAK :) and I think since the FIRST swap I ever participated in was a swap of "My Favorite Things" ... well... you figure it out!

daylight

According to Weather Underground Length Of Visible Light: 24h 00m. How about that? and I believe it.. I think that's why I'm still up! It says the sun rises at 4:20 AM AKDT and the sun sets at 11:40 PM AKDT, but honestly.. I could cut grass right now and not cut my foot off! But.. I might would wake the neighbors.

There are lots of things inspiring me right now and I feel pulled in so many directions!
1. I have two knitting WIP; two socks at a time on circulars and a felted market bag.. neither even close to completion.
2. I have 3 outfits yet to cut out and sew for our darling neice.
3. I have been commission to make a window seat cushion. (Guess that should be at the top of my list!)
4. All the wonderful tutorials.. like at lynda.com and over at NAPP!! I could watch and participate 24/7 ..
5. I truly need to SCRAP! My poor mother's pictures are waiting on me... and I just can't get enough of the gallery over at SIStv ! Loads of wonderful layouts and inspiration for scrapping :)

And that's just the fun stuff!!!

I also need to:
1. Get my carpets cleaned.
2. Mow the lawn. I think that's going to be a weekly thing.. but actually, I really enjoy it :)
3. Organize the everything room.. *sigh* It really is a everything room.. guest bed, 2 computers, 2 desk areas, filing cabinet, piano, scraping area/sewing area... I've crammed quite a bit in here... and it drives me NUTS! Why do I do this to myself???
4. I need to strip the paint off the front walkway, stain and seal it.
5. Transplant a few perennials.

Ok.. so that's a big enough list for now :) I will leave you with some edits I've worked on.

Ps. Guess who is having a blogiversary this week??? I think I feel the need for my very first RAK ;)

55mm pic & edit

This is the original.. I'm still learning about editing photos in Photoshop. I think it is an on going process. If you click on the pictures, you will see a bigger difference. Looking at them here, I really don't see much of a difference.

I was going for a subtle difference. Don't know that I've achieved the effect I necessarily wanted, but I do kinda like the result. I still may play around with it more.

I do like the picture, though. What do you think?

Have you ever been to a Drive-In?

This was my first time going to a Drive-In. And you want to know what was funny about it? I went to see Indiana Jones.. why is that so funny? I was in Indiana to see a Drive-IN..

What a treat! You gotta get there early to get the first row and if you bring kids they had a volley ball net set up in an extra-extra large sand box. Don't think I've ever seen a sand box so big! They also had a small putting green for some minature golf. Other kids brought football and tossed it around. Fun! Fun!

The party we were with brought their own drinks, snacks, lawn chairs, blankets.. you name it. They had van that had seats that open to the back.. Way fun! and if you wanted to sit in your car to hear the show (which we did).. You can tune in to a local FM station and you have it there in your car.

One tip! If you are going to watch from your vehicle.. clean the windsheild before the show starts!

So that's about it with the trip to Indiana... other stuff we did? We went downtown and shopped at the Mall. I went to a photography store. Hal went to cigar stores. I went to Lane Bryant's, Hobby Lobby, World Plus, fabric stores... and that's about it. It was good times.

Now it is time to stay home and enjoy the Alaskan summer! Fishing, gardening, scrapping, grilling, hiking, walking, Saturday markets, etc....

Stay tuned! :)