05/20/2008 09:34
Lot's To Do
Today is my last day of freedom before I have to go back to work tomorrow which means I need to get the rest of my stuff done. I have loads and loads to do and not enough time to do it in. In other news I am down 5.5 pounds!!!!!
Hope everyone has a great Tuesday! Happy losing!
XO, A
05/19/2008 17:58
The 411
We arrived in Galveston Sunday around noon. Waited in a very long line to board but we were able to bypass the second long line thanks to Peter’s non-US citizen status (little did we know this would get us in trouble getting off the ship). When we got aboard we started unpacking and ate lunch. We had 2 days at sea before we got to Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday. Those 2 days were spent napping on our balcony, napping on the bed, napping in the sun and eating. When we arrived in Jamaica Peter and my bff’s dad got off the ship to do some shopping. MG (my bff) and I however laid out most of the day. We weren’t too interested in seeing the sights of Jamaica.
Our next port of call was Grand Cayman. This island by far was our favourite. After our underwater tour we ventured out on our own enjoying the sights and sounds and tastes the island had to offer. We managed to find a corner shop that sold our favourite British sundries like Walker’s Crisps, Ribena, digestives and LOADS of Cadbury chocolate. We made our way back to the ship that afternoon and ate some more.
Friday we were in Cozumel. We had another excursions booked “caverns by jeep and beach combo”. We had to take a ferry into Playa Del Carmen and then we got our “jeep”. Next stop was the caverns where we could swim in the 65 degree mineral springs. Then it was time to take a ride in the jeeps again – next stop the beach. They had a buffet lunch waiting for us with all the Mexican fare. Sadly around 3 it was time to leave for the ship and that was the end of our ports of call.
During the week most of our nights were spent eating, laughing, dancing, drinking and well let’s just say lots and lots of adult time. Peter even managed to win $30 and only put in $3 in the slot machine. The last day of the cruise was spent out in the sun, playing rummy and eating.
I didn’t work out one bit while I was on the ship and I didn’t try to watch what I ate either, and the scales showed it. I had 12.5 pound gain when I weighed this morning. I freaked out a little but, I am back on track today and raring to go. I was worried that this gain would put me back where I was this time last year but it hasn’t. For those that don’t know I had a rough time staying on track from about June 2007 until the New Year. I feel different than I did last summer – more motivated and definitely more at peace with my new living well way of life. It amazes me though, how my body can gain 12.5 pounds in 8 little days. Yet it takes me almost 6 weeks to lose that amount. None the less, I am sure a lot of it is water and I hope to see the scales make their way back down to 207 soon (if you are listening body, this week would be nice). I didn’t go to the gym today like I had planned, some stuff came up that I had to take care of. I should be able to make it there the rest of the week though!
All in all we had a wonderful time. Peter and I really needed this time together away from the everyday hustle and bustle of this thing called life. Thankfully the kids didn’t destroy the house there was only one issue with SB having his GF over when we told him not to and breaking curfew on 2 occasions, but other than that uneventful. Well except for the whole green card expiration thing. Which I will clarify: There are many different ways to immigrate to the U.S. we used the family based immigration. Because of this Peter and the boys were only given a conditional permanent resident card (greencard) that is good for 2 years. The government wants to make sure you stay married and all that before they give you the permanent one (which you have to renew every 10 years). His expires June 23 and you have to file to get the conditions lifting during the 90 days before the greencard expires. Evidently the immigration and custom officers we encountered didn’t know or didn’t understand this vital piece of information and we got “detained” and his passport and greencard confiscated… I was crapping myself to say the least. I just sat in that little room after they took Peter away, bowed my head and prayed and prayed. Thank the good Lord above they let us both go and they returned his passport and greencard back to our sweaty little palms.
We are glad to be home :)
XO, A
05/19/2008 15:05
Some of our week on film...
05/19/2008 09:43
Debarkation in Process...
Hello, hello! We are back. We got in around 4ish (I think) yesterday afternoon. Needless to say we were/are exhausted. We had a wonderful time until we went through customs to get off the ship.Peter and I got taken away during debarkation because his greencard expires in a month. They eventually let us go and gave him back his passport and greencard that they were going to confiscate. We were not happy campers (yes, we were well aware of the expiry date but we have 90 days to file before the expiry date which is in June). However, let's not go down that road because I will have to get on my soapbox about the whole immigration process and the lack of knowledge of the employees that government hires.
So yes, the trip was wonderful but I will have to post pictures later. Lots of laundry and domestic duties to catch up on and of course getting the paperwork in order to file to lift the conditions on his greencard...FUN!!!
XO, A
05/10/2008 09:10
Bon Voyage
All Done! School is officially O-V-E-R! I made a 96 on my final for Geology! I walked away with 2 A's and 2 B's for the semester. I feel as though a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't have any papers or homework looming over my head. Ahhhhh let the vacation begin! Oh wait, it will begin Sunday morning at 7 a.m. when we leave for the cruise. With that said, this will be my last post until I return on May 18.I am leaving with a BAN weight of 207. Let's see if I can't lose some weight while I am away. Don't laugh, it could happen. The last one I went on I lost .08. I guess that's is until I get back.
Happy Losing Everyone!
XO, A
05/07/2008 16:41
Weekend Wrap Up Pictures
05/07/2008 10:55
Weekend Wrap Up... and then some
Just wanted to let everyone know what a great weekend I had with AndreaN. There was great food and great fun. I picked her up around 11:30 from the airport then we went straight for lunch at Cozumel's and then headed to the
hotel. Where we were upgraded to a suit; which was very sweet. After that we headed out to Target, Hallmark and Starbucks. We ended up having about an hour before we had to start getting ready for dinner to enjoy the Texas sun by the pool.
For dinner we went to
Abacus. We started with a house special martini called the big daddy. Best martini I have ever had. I tried wasabi peas for the first time. One word for those -- DELICIOUS. Dinner was spectacular. Our server was great. We had lobster shooters for a starter then sushi and then our entrees. I had salmon. Andrea also played the part of the
sommelier. She found a wine that doesn't make my tongue feel furry. It was a Pinot Noir, and that's all I know. We had a sampling of chocolates for dessert. My taste buds were in overdrive. It was the first time I had been to a restaurant where you needed a reservation to get in. It was a fabulous evening to say the least.
Saturday we started our day in the gym. Had coffee and juices ready and waiting for us back at the room when we finished working out. We got all gussied up and headed out for a fun filled day of shopping. First we went to my house because I had a terrible case of allergies and needed some medicine. Then we went to Cristina's for lunch. After that we went to REI where I purchased a Garmin 304. They had a terrific sale going on and had them marked down to 44% off. I couldn't pass it up. Then off to the mall. After we made a few laps around there, it was time to head back to the hotel. We had reservations at Bob's Steak and Chophouse that night. We had scallops wrapped in bacon for a starter with another wine that didn't make my tongue feel furry. I had the crab cakes. Andrea had steak. For dessert we had a slice of amaretto cheesecake. We were both exhausted and stuffed when we got back from dinner; we headed straight to bed.
Sunday had an early start. We got up around 5:30 at brekkie and headed down to the gym to warm up and stretch. The race started at 7:45. I was a gorgeous day and the weather was perfect. I don't have my time with me but I did it faster than I did my last 5 k. I think by about 3 minutes. After the race we packed up our gear and left to go to Kimquilts for brunch. She had lots of yummy muffins, fruit, mimosas and Bill made omelets and bacon. Sadly it was time to head to the airport :(. At least this time Andrea and I were able to spend some quality time together not just a couple of hours.After I dropped Andrea off at the airport It was time for me to get back to reality. I got caught up on all my stuff I usually do over the weekend.
Monday I had work. Then Peter and I had to go to the computer place to get the parts to fix my pc since it crashed. We were up till almost midnight dealing with that.
Tuesday morning was spent putting the rest of my programs back on my computer. About 11 my and SB went shopping. I got some great deals on dresses from Lane Bryan and Target. Thankfully, Kimquilts let me borrow a gorgeous blue dress she wore to her daughters wedding. So that was one outfit I didn't have to worry about. I found some beautiful silver shoes to match it too. I just need to find some shorts and tops and I will be good to go. I think.
Today I am at work till one. If the weather isn't too bad when I get leave I am going to run by Avenue and see what they have. I got an email coupon for 31% off. Then I will go home. I am going to start sorting out my clothes tonight to make sure what exactly I do have. I also need to study for my geo final tonight. Its tomorrow at 9:30. Depending on what I can sort out tonight I still may need to do a little more shopping Thursday after my final.
I guess that's about it for now.
Oh wait.... today's BAN 208!
05/01/2008 16:08
April Rundown
April's Totals:
April Weight lost: 7 pounds
April Inches Lost: 5.75 inches (2.5 of that was from my hips!)
Total Weight Lost: 69.50
Total inches lost: 38.45
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I am going to continue with my "Living Well" theme for May. Living well is something I need to continue to do for the rest of my life. So I thought to myself lets just keep it going for another month. Also, because it looks like I am going to be on the disabled list for a couple of weeks, I need to focus on living well spiritually and mentally not just physically.I believe God has a way of getting us to slow down we when are headed in a direction that well isn't in his plan for us. Its up to us to listen. Right now God has my full attention! Not that running isn't in God's plan for me but, it has taken up more time than I have given to him. While I am "resting" I will still be going to the gym, just no running, until my legs are healed. Instead that time will be devoted to Him. I was having a really hard time today dealing with personal issues. I kept trying to figure out this or that and letting it get the best of me. Finally I reached the point where I just had to sit down, cry and ask God to help me get through this rough patch. I have a bible verse taped on the bottom of my monitor. As I was sitting in my chair crying I looked over and saw that verse and a calm came over me.
This verse is also on my road i.d.
Isaiah 40:31: but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I am going to look at this rough patch as time of renewal for my mind, body and spirit. I think that's a pretty good way to start out May.
My Onederland goal date has also been moved until June 1st. I'll get there eventually...
Have a great day ya'll!
XO, A
04/30/2008 18:40
You want me to do what?
Would some one please tell me if i have the word SKIVVY written on my forehead.
It would look something like this:
This is what happened to me today at work:
Him is played by the man in the office next to mine
Him: Do you have a letter opener
Me: No
Him: Do you open the mail?
Me: No
Him: Who opens the mail?
Me: The boss does
Him: Could you open these (he lays 9 envelopes on my desk.)
Me: OK
Him: What are you working on?
Me: I am not really sure what you call it ( at this point I didn't even feel like explaining because I am gobsmacked at the fact he just asked me to open 9 envelopes.)
Him: Who gave it to you
Me: So and So
Him: When you get done I need some organizational help with this (holds up a stack of papers)
Me: Ok.
NO HE DIDN'T. I am going to have a word with my boss because to put it in the nicest way possible... that's taking the piss!!!
Then when I walked back by he was just sitting at his desk staring in the the air!
Thankfully he left for lunch and didn't return until after I left for the day. You want to know what I did... I went and put a letter opener on his desk when I left.
Its been one of those days! And to make matters worse it continued to be bad once I got home from getting my haircut by
Taebo.Diva herself! Thank goodness some good came out of the day! My hair looks awesome!
Anyway, that's all I have for now. I need to go do something to put me in a better mood.
04/28/2008 19:45
Dear Legs,
I know I have put a lot of strain on you over the past what, two decades with gaining and losing weight. Not to mention the 18 mile bike rides we went on last summer. However, there is no need to be acting the way you have been for the last 3 months. What in the world is your problem? One minute you are ok, the next minute you have me sick to my stomach in pain. Do you need a break? Is that what it is? I just want to know what is wrong with you. Please I am begging you to quit hurting. Is it shin splints, or perhaps compartment syndrom or maybe even tendonitis? WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? All I ask is that you please just chill out until after Sunday and then I promise I won't run for 2 weeks. Would that be long enough? Maybe you need a massage? Please please please stop hurting. Ok?
Love,
The rest of the body.
****************************************************************************
I bailed out of the gym and class today. I tried to run a little at home and I couldn't even last 20 seconds. My legs were killing me. They have been hurting since Thursday's run. I just don't know what to do. I am not going to run any until Sunday's 5k and hopefully I can run then, otherwise I will be walking it.
On to better things.
#1 Thank you everyone for all your sweet comments on my picture! They made my day!
#2 I only have 4 more days till Andrea gets here
#3 We only have 13 more days til the cruise
#4 I finished ALL my school work today. Not Wednesday but TODAY!!!!! All I have left is to take my geol. final May 8 and that's me done till August!
That's all I have for now. I do have one request thoug. Would you all send me some healing vibes, prayers,something to make my legs better. It's sorta got me down a bit. I just want to run... that's all.
XO, A
