Prom 2012

Natalea went to the Faribault prom with her date Collin McFarlane (who is a senior).  They met at a church youth group so I was ok with them going together.  The story goes that he didn't have a date, and Natalea stepped up and volunteered to be his date.  She's only a sophomore, so it was a good practice for her for next year.  She had fun, but they kinda ditched each other at Valentino's and kinda paired up with another couple.  Such is the teenage life.  He went home after the prom and she went to the post-prom party with some friends and spent the night at Lexi's afterwards.  Thanks Lexi for letting her stay so we wouldn't have to go get her at 5am.  Appreciate that! :)  Natalea's dress only cost $20 and her shoes were $29.95.  Best investment I ever made.  Now to save up monies for next year when I have both going to WEM's prom.  Looking forward to it. :)

Erik took Briana Adank to WEM prom this year.  She told him he would have to be creative in how he asked her.  He came home and asked his sisters (of all people) for some ideas.  They came up with blow up a balloon, write PROM? on it with a box for yes and a box for no.  So that's what he did.  He put it in her locker and she attached a post-it note with a check mark on it and put it on the "Yes" box.  I have to take credit for the creativity of my children.  They come by it natural from both of my grandma's who were quite crafty.  They all had a great time at the Vintage Ballroom above Bernie's Grill in Faribault and then partied at the post-prom until 6am.  Erik's tuxedo was $98.  Sweet, simple, and he picked out the black shirt and wore his rebel flag suspenders under his vest.  Yes my kids clean up nicely when they want too.  I am super duper proud to have such great kids, even with all their flaws and backtalk, they are mine and I love them all!!!!!. :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Since the last posting about my surgery, I have managed to buy 2 pairs of jeans.  That actually fit.  Size 16 and they are starting to get a little loose.  I can wear a medium t-shirt/sweatshirt and a large shorts. 

I have managed to lose 56 pounds since surgery and 8 inches off my hips, 6 inches off my waist, 8 inches off my chest, 4 inches off of each thigh, and 2 inches off of each arm.  Amazing.  And I feel great.  Other than not being able to finish a whole meal, it's been a pleasant ride.  I just have to get used to the idea that I don't have to finish it all and I CAN throw it away afterward (unless it's enough for leftovers).

Thank you to all my family and friends who have been so supportive over the last year!

Love,
TT

Today

Today is the 3 month mark. Today I weigh 200 pounds.  (Yesterday at the Dr.'s office I weighed 199!)
Today my measurements are as follows:

Hip:  47 (down 2 from last month)
Waist:  36 (down 2 from last month)
Bust:  38 (Chest is 35) (down 2 and down 1 from last month)
Thighs:  R-28 L-29 (both down 2)
Arms:  R-16 L-15 (left is down 1, right remains the same)

Now to put this all into perspective.  The last time I weighed 200 pounds was in 1988.  I had just graduated high school and was about to embark on a wild rollercoaster of an education and friendships at the Model College of Hair Design.  For then it was my dream to be the hair stylist for Days of Our Lives...just so I could work with that hunk Tony Dimerra.  I should have went for it, but fear of failing stopped me. 

Today, I try not let fear get in my way of my dreams.  If I want something I go get it, even if there is a price to pay.  Life is too short to not take that chance on your dreams.  One day, all my dreams WILL come true.  Only I can make that happen.  This I know.

Today, I am proud of my accomplishments and failures.  I know you are probably sick of me posting about my weight loss journey, and that's okay, but I do it so I have a journal to scrapbook one day.  It's part of my history.

So with that, Happy Friday y'all!!
Love,
TT

P.S.  GOOD LUCK TO MY NIECE MEGAN MARLAR AND THE FARIBAULT EMERALDS DANCELINE THIS WEEKEND AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT!!!  SHINE ON LADIES!!!

2 Months Post Op

This post is a bit late for the 2 month mark.  But here is a photo from January 19, 2012 in my bathing suit.  I should have taken a photo of me in my suit the day before surgery, but I didn't.  I do have one from the doctor's office from back in December 2010 with my sweats on, but you can't really tell just how big I was because they are so baggy.

 

I took my measurements on January 18, 2012 and at that time I weighed 215 pounds. (I weigh 207 today!)  They are as follows:

Hips:  49 inches

Waist:  38 inches

Bust:  40 inches (36 inch chest)

Thighs:  R-30 L-31

Arms:  R-16 L-16

All I can say is....Victoria's Secret here I come! :)  And I feel good. Physically and otherwise.  I do plan on joining the gym here in the next couple weeks to tone up and get some muscle.  I want to avoid the saggy skin syndrome most often associated with bariatric surgery.  If I want to look good, I have to work hard.  Lots of that going on these days too! 

I switched houses within the MSOCS organization so now I work in Faribault with my bestie Cheryl Benzick.  So excited for her to come back to work full time and actually work together. 

And in order for me to advance in my career and become a Supervisor, I have to have a Bachelor's degree.  So back to school I go!  I was partly inspired by a good friend of mine, Ricky Webb, who is attending Rasmussen College in Eagan and I followed him there.  I will be taking my classes all online however and they will start a mock class tomorrow with real classes starting next Monday. 

So go me.

I just can't give up and have to keep on trying and work hard!

Until next month,

Love,

TT