Introducing Blue Belle......

On November 4, 2012 I was in a car accident and my car was totaled.  I was okay, but was faced with the daunting task of replacing my car.  I have only had my license since July of 2005 and my first car was a gift from my parents.  My car was a 2001 Dodge Stratus with only 60,000.

I really struggled with spending that much money on something that just was not important to me.  A car has always been a way to get me to one place or another.  I don't LOVE driving and really miss living in a city where public transportation is easy and accessible. 

I narrowed down my options and decided I was either going to buy a Honda Accord or Honda CRV.  Thankfully my parents were able to go with me and help me remember to ask questions I would not have thought to ask.  I finally settled on the CRV EX Moutain Air Blue.

So here is my FIRST new car....

New Mexico Balloon Fiesta 2012

I have always wanted to attend the Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico.  Well........this year I was fortunate enough that I conference I wanted to attend happened to occur in NM during the balloon fiesta! 

I got to experience it with Tara and her mom.  Unfortunately, the morning mass ascension did not occur (which wa a big bummer!), but the evening glow went off without a hitch.  One minute you looked at the field and no balloons were inflatted and if you blinked, you missed balloons rising!  It was definitely overwhelming and I wish I had eyes on all sides of my head so I could see everything happening.  I would definitely go back!

20 Ballparks Down and 14 to go!

I visited my last California baseball park on July 5, 2012.  I had heard good things about Petco Park and I was not disappointed.  It is a beautiful place and of course the gorgeous San Diego weather doesn't hurt!

I am hoping to make it to Cinncinatti in September for ballpark #21.

14 months later......

I mentioned in an earlier post that I would share before and after pictures.  I intentionally begin trying to lose weight in February 2012.  Since then, I have lost 40 lbs.  I find that when I look in the mirror, I don't see the difference.  I am also struggling with clothes sizes.....in my mind I am still 40 lbs heavier....this is a problem because all of my pants fall down as I walk and I don't remember the last time I had to unbutton my pants to use the restroom!

Here is a pic of last May in Sedona, AZ with my friend Jeff next to a pic of me on July 6, 2012 with my friend BJ at the San Diego Zoo.  Can you see a difference?



Sedona May 2011

San Diego July 2012

Sadie Mae turns 12!

My puppy girl turned 12 years old this weekend. 

I can't believe that I have had her since April 2001.  I had always said I was going to get a dog as soon as I could.  I was working for San Francisco State University and I moved from on campus housing to Treasure Island.  In March 2001, I survived an assault from a good friend (clearly not such a good friend) and my BFF recognized that I was slipping into depression.  I just couldn't get out of bed each day.  He knew I wanted a puppy....so during my sister's visit, we went to San Francisco Animal Control and there was Ms. Sadie....(of course they had named her Princess).  She was the calm, reserved and sweet.  She had us fooled!  As soon as she recovered from being fixed, she was no longer calm and reserved....she ate my friends palm piolet, chewed a chair, ate her collar, ripped apart her puppy bed......yet she was a handful!  But we loved her anyway! 

She is still filled with energy and gets into lots of trouble.  If I have ANYTHING in the kitchen sink, she finds a way to take it out and destroy it.  She has eaten a blender, lots of wooden spoons and I have no idea how she hasn't been rushed to the vet for any sort of blockage!

I love her and she gave me that reason I needed to get out of bed every day......she is my fur baby and is one spoiled pooch!



California here I come...........(okay just for a short trip)

On Thursday, July 5th, I am headed to California to combine a work trip with a personal trip.  I tell people, I am bi-coastal! My heart lives in California as well as Massachusetts!

Not only is this my first trip to CA since February 2009, it is the first time I will be in CA without a visit to San Francisco, since I moved in July 2005!  I am struggling with that a bit, but trying to focus on seeing some old friends from HHS and hopefully some friends that have relocated from SF to Southern California!

I will be visiting my 20th baseball park (Petco Park).  It is the last ballpark in California for me to visit.  I am also going to the San Diego Wild Animal Park (which I have wanted to go to for a VERY long time).  My pal BJ and I are flying from BWI to San Diego on the 5th.  He and I always go to zoos together.....even in New Orleans when it was crazy hot and I was in extremem pain.

Then we head to Anaheim for our annual conference.  I will be presenting at a national conference for the first time.  I will also be having lunch with a childhood friend who I haven't seen since high school!

I will probably make a trip to Disneyland seeing I have never been........

Anyone who lives out in the Orange County/Anaheim area.......let me know if you want to get together.  I will be in San Diego for 1 night, but if you are around and want to grab dinner....let me know.

Back on Track

I am happy to report, I am back on track.  I have lost 5 lbs (in 7 days) since my post about falling off the wagon!  I have had "cheat" meals, but nothing like my birthday weekend.  I was nervous about Nutrisystem, because I know you have to be careful when you stop eating the food, but I am comfortable because I know I will know how to eat when I decide to get off of the plan.  I am scheduled to get month 2 at the end of the month and decided to add some of the frozen entries.

I find it is easier to stay on track if I allow myself a little craving every once and awhile. 

On Friday, I went to dinner with a friend and I knew I wasn't going to be following Nutrisystem, so I got to the mall early and walked all 3 levels. 

I have also noticed that the foods I once LOVED to eat, are now being rejected by my body.  If I have something greasy or starchy....I end up feeling ill for a few days.  My goal is to be down another 20 lbs by August 1st (7 weeks from now).  That would put my total weight loss at 53 lbs!

The new set of YMCA classes begins on Monday and I am signed up for two "land" classes and 1 aquatics class.  Now that the weather is nicer, I am more motivated to get outside and walk with Sadie (my puppy girl).  The property I manager is 15 hilly acres so it gives me lots of space to walk inclines and increase my heart rate during a walk....thankfully Sadie likes to walk quickly so she doesn't slow me down.

I love that the clothes I haven't been able to wear in over 4 years are fitting again, but it is going to be time to buy some new clothes shortly.  I am putting a dollar in a jar for each time I exercise.  The goal is to reach $100 so I can buy a new outfit.

Fell off the wagon!

Soo........I believe that my birthday is something to celebrate!  I like to spoil myself and surround myself with those I love......

Unfortunately, this year I sabotaged myself!  I didn't fall of the wagon, I was being dragged behind the wagon, holding on for my life!  I was doing so well on Nutrisystem and had lost 6 lbs in 9 days.  My gluttony began Thursday night and didn't stop until last night.  I didn't make any good food choices.

I did learn that bread is my ENEMY!  I feel disgusting!  I am not disappointed in myself because I knew what I was doing....but my body is revolting!  I feel like there is a gluey substance just sitting in my stomach...

So I woke up this morning with a new resolve......walked for 30 mins before I came to work, walked to work and plan to walk 4 buildings this afternoon.  I will follow it up with a 30 min walk with Sadie after work and then some arm cycling.......(I love my bike pedals and am getting definition in my arms).

I have had some ups and downs since last May, but didn't start trying to change my lifestyle and eating habits until February.  I am proud of the progress I have made and look forward to continuing the journey!

NutriSystem

Okay....before you judge....I KNOW I have the knowledge and tools to lose the weight without a pre-packaged plan.  I have been frustrated lately that my weight number isn't going down.  I know I am losing inches.....and I SHOULD be happy with that (and I am to an extent), but I want the weight to come down.

I decided to try NutriSystem because it is risk free.  At the end of the program, if I am not satisfied, I can call and get a complete refund.  I am hoping the program will kick up the weight loss.

I started today and am STARVING..........that just means I need to pack more non-starchy veggies for during the day because I can eat as many as those as I want.  I also need to drink more water because that keeps me full.

We shall see.......

Body Changes

It is has been almost a year since I posted.  Life threw me a curve ball in September and I was rushed into emergency surgery on September 9th.  I am one lucky girl and although, I may never regain all of the feeling in my saddle area, I am thankful every day to be walking and that I regained most of my functions.

My mother was a saint through my healing process!  She had to help me with things she hasn't had to help with since I was a small child.  My dog took on roll of protector and whenever I moved she would get my mom and make sure she came in to check on me.  She loves my dad, but wouldn't let anyone in my room unless my mom was there too.  It was very cute.  I also learned quickly who my true friends were and the people who were willing to put aside their fears and step up to the plate and send me positive vibes, joke about the ridiculous events occuring and let me cry when I needed to.  They all made the situation about me and I didn't have to worry about reassuring them I would be okay.

My surgeon was amazing and the day he discharged me, I was a little sad.

Through this journey I recognized I had been lying to myself about my size.  I always knew I was big, but didn't realize how big I got.  Nobody ever said anything to me and those of you who struggle with weight understand that sometimes when you look in the mirror, you don't see your true reflection staring back at you.

I made the decision to change my lifestyle.  It is a struggle everyday to make the right choices and I don't always do it, but I TRY and forgive myself when I slip.

I started using myfitnesspal.com to track my progress.  I exercise daily even if it is just for 30 mins and I joined the YMCA.

I have lost 30 of the MANY pounds I need to lose.  My goal is to be at 235 by the time I am 41 so I can zipline over the treetops in Costa Rica..........

I have been vocal about my journey because it keeps me honest.  I have now added a weight loss ticker to my blog so you all can follow me on my journey as well.  Slow and steady wins the race (or so I keep trying to remind myself)!

I plan to post a picture of me from last may next to a picture of me now in the same outfit so you can see the difference.  I didn't notice it at first, but the 30lbs definitely shows and I feel better everyday!