Scrappy Time "Finally Shared."

I have been very busy lately but still take time for myself with friends and creative time to release my stress.  It is a good thing.  The layouts I am posting here today, I created back in January with the exception of the 2009 Christmas Themed layouts.  I actually created those back in December for display throughout the house.  Our Christmas Season was great!

Oh yeah, if you are still here...

My New Number is 165!

I have some really great photos to share.  I intend on making time to share along with some really great news.  For several of my creative friends that keep emailing me...I hope you got what you were looking for..."finally!"  I have now shared.

165...not too shabby, huh?

Wait for IT...new number!

Are you ready?

Wait for it...

Are you ready to read the number?

Keep scrolling...

I promise...it is pretty big!

Go ahead, guess...

I am pretty "flipping" proud I must say...

Wait for it...

No, this is not a joke.

OH YES!

Oh yes, I am saying it...

194-BABY!

Drum Roll Please...

The Nashville Zoo was great!  

Here is a highlight of our day.

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

I am in a STALL big time!  

Time to shake things up a bit...

A Little Pictoral Review

Today, my family and I are heading down to Vanderbilt for a few of my physician appointments.  However, we are taking a detour to the Nashville Zoo.  I have not been to the zoo since the day I turned 40.  

That is how I spent my 40th Birthday, at the Atlanta Zoo. 

 So, I am excited to see what type of habitats and animals that are just a few miles South of us here in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  You know my camera will be going with me today!

So, what has been happening lately?

Bri waiting to be seen by the doctor.

X-Ray of knee and hip area (left).

Brianna hurt herself and fell wrong last weekend and we ended up in the emergency room.  She bruised her femur and hip.  She was in constant pain for most of the day.  Rest and ibuprofen were what the doctor ordered and of course her Daddy "babied" her all day.  It was quite scary if I say so myself.

All is well now.  She is back to normal.

On Good Friday, we went to see the matinee showing of Titanic in 3-D.

I must say, I do enjoy seeing the movie on big screen.  This is Brianna's favorite movie.  She loves the story line of Jack and Rose.  She has a great curiosity of everything "Titanic."  

Our Easter Eggs

Kaleb and Mom (me) - Easter 2012

 

 

Kaleb joined us for Easter services at church. 

 We then went for brunch at Applebee's.

It was perfect.

On the weight-loss front, I am officially down 82 pounds but seem to be in a stall.  I hope this is the result of muscle gain as my inches are decreasing by the day.  

All of my "new" clothes are already too big.  Speaking of which, I cleaned out my closet and am putting all of my business attire and clothing to sell in a consignment shop.  I have about 7 garments hanging in my big walk in closet.  Crazy, huh?  This was a huge step for me.  I kept hanging onto them in fear of gaining my weight back.  But you know what?  I WILL KEEP IT OFF!  This is my life now.  The gym, eating right, being active, and taking life in fully and drinking lots of water along the way.  

I feel great!

Self-Portrait

 

Another self-portrait.  I am enjoying seeing the "new me."  Too many years I hid from the camera.  Not anymore...I am diving into life and in my books you will see pictures of me as well.  Not just my daily photos of family and activity.  I am now officially "foot printed" into life.

Have a great week.  

I will update you with photos from the Nashville Zoo for sure.

The "change" started last year...

Well, since I quit smoking I gained some massive pounds!  I gained over 50 pounds.  I went on a diet and hired a trainer.  I was on a roll then I was hit from behind in my car while taking my daughter to school and my motivation to keep going dwindled due to injury.  So, I started the education of drastic measures for me.  I went to a seminar at Vanderbilt University about Gastric Bypass.  Long story short, I had surgery on November 1, 2011.  To date, I have lost 50 pounds.  I am off all of my medications and have not taken insulin but just a hand full of times as I am on a sliding scale.  I had my blood work checked 7 weeks out and all of my numbers are normal.  My A1-C was fabulous and so was my Tryglycerides.  For those thinking this was the "easy way?"  Think again.  One must have great mental fortitude to make this lifestyle change and maintain it in the long run.  I have a tool that helps me and reminds me when I eat too fast or the wrong thing.  So far, I have done really well.  I do not like the weeks that I stall and lose nothing but I am learning it is my body adjusting.  I lose in inches and with my weight training I will be adding some muscle tone as well cardio.  So, there...I said it!  It is OUT THERE BABY!  I am very opinionated about this surgery.  I do not think it is for everyone but if you have over 100 pounds to lose such as myself, it is a great tool.  RNY Gastric Bypass is saving my life and adding years to my life on this earth with my family.  I plan on updating here throughout my journey and I hope to relish, brag, state, and shout my goals as I reach them.  So, here is why I am SHOUTING today...my blood work is NORMAL!  That is awesome I tell you.

 I will probably share some recipes as well.
I am learning to love new foods cooked in a new way.
Most importantly, I am HAPPIER with myself!

Tonight is GYM night!