An Update
Hi, all,
Well, since my unexpected loss on June 6th, I've experienced expected gains. I think I've gained anywhere between 8-10 pounds in 27 days. Most people might think, "OMG! That's a lot of weight in a short amount of time!" My response would be, "Yes.... yes, it is." And that's all I can say.
It all started with a trip to visit family in early June and has just gone downhill from there. I started going to my Master Reading Teacher classes on June 20th (classes that will allow me to become a Reading Specialist in my school district - it's not a Master's degree, but rather an alternative certification to a Master's with a specialization in reading)........ and my 10-year-old daughter was bitten in the face by a Doberman Pinscher on that same day after I had returned home from class. Needless to say, it's been really easy to fall back into those stress-eating habits.
I have to say that my daughter, K., was very lucky, as were we all. The Doberman is a dog that we've "known" for 9 years. Both my son and daughter have previously pet the dog and played with him. Even so, as I sent my daughter out to check the mail and saw the neighbor walking his dog, I told her, "Leave the Doberman alone today... just go get the mail and come right back." I just had a slightly uneasy feeling and, for a millisecond, even thought about keeping her in the house until the Doberman was on his way back home. But, I didn't because I decided that I was just being paranoid.
So, K. happily went to check the mail and while I was opening up a yogurt for my almost 2-year-old, I heard someone pitifully crying, "Mooommyyy, Mooommyy...." I looked around behind me and thought, "No, that's not E...." Then, I realized that it was coming from the other side of the front door and I was sure that K. had fallen down in the street and skinned her knee (she's accident-prone, like her mom.) 
But, what I saw when I opened the door left me speechless and shocked. She had, of course, ignored my instructions and greeted the neighbor and his dog. While petting the dog, he apparently became irritated or uneasy and lunged at her face....with his mouth open. It was very evident where one upper canine hit between her eyebrows and sliced open her forehead (about 1.5"), a lower canine sliced open her lower lip, and there was even a perfectly shaped incisor cut on her nose, right between her eyes. Clearly, he wasn't intending to attack her, per se, because if he had.... he would have ripped off her nose! So, I think it was a "snap" gone awry.
She's going to have scars, but her facial structures are intact and I'm extreeemely grateful for that. Also, while she has had a couple of nightmares since then, I don't think she's going to have a lasting fear of dogs. But, she may be less inclined to deal with "big" dogs....and, frankly, at this point I'm "ok" with that.
Now, whatever your feelings towards 'big' dogs may be, please don't leave anti-Doberman/Rottweiler/Pit Bull comments. I don't condemn an entire breed based on the temperment or improper training of one. There are many people who've had wonderful experiences with these breeds, including me. That said, I haven't absolved the owner of responsibility, either. I will be submitting the medical bills to their insurance company.
*sigh*
Aside from all that, my classes are going wonderfully. On August 2nd, I'll take the certification exam. Yippee!
I go to JC tomorrow...and I think I'll just get on the scale backwards or close my eyes. I don't care to know how the stress has translated into more.. extrapounds. (LOL)