Tony's Journey: Volume Three

Today marks one week since Tony's gastric sleeve bypass surgery last Monday, February 21st. You can catch up on his story by going back here. Thanks to all who prayed for an uneventful surgery and for continuing to support him as he is back home now and as he says it, is preparing for his new life.





February 20, 2011

Well, son, in the morning is your big day, I wish you the best of luck on this journey and will be praying for you, I know everything will go just fine...love you, MOM

February 21, 2011

Well the time has finally come. Surgery Day. I weighed in this morning at 368 so that is 17 pounds lost in 10 days on their crazy diet before surgery. I had a rough time sleeping. Pretty much worried about this day all night. All my family called me last night and wished me well so that made me feel better. I won’t be on here (Facebook) for a few days but Judy will let everyone know how I am doing. I give her a hard time, but I gotta say she is a good woman who has been beside me and is willing to take care of me. So I gotta love her for that. LOL. Yesterday I really, really pondered over whether or not this surgery was for me. Well, I made my final decision and said, yes, it is for me. My goal weight for me is 200-210. We will see how it goes. They say if all goes well and I exercise I should lose 160 pounds within 1 to 1 ½ years. Well if I don’t kick the bucket on the operating table this morning I’ll be talking to you all on Thursday. Sorry, Mom. Have to have some sense of humor in there. LOL. C-YA ALL and thanks to everyone that is thinking about me.

TONY

February 22, 2011

Well it's 4 in the morning, they keep waking me up every 2 hours to check my vitals and my rose bud drain (it is the tube that is running out of my body cavity). Today is a big day I get to have blue ice all day so they can see if I have any leakage in my new stomach. If that all goes well then alot of things get unhooked from me. whoo hoo

This has been quit the experience for me, I know we all have had big things happen in our life. This is one of the biggest for me. I got to see my little buddy (Lily) yesterday and that really cheered me up it; just sucked cause I could not hold her. But at least she smiled at me, and that made my day. Well the morphine drip is kicking in time to sign out. A BIG THANKS FOR ALL THE WELL WIHES AND PRAYERS FROM EVERYONE.

And a really BIG THANK YOU TO JUDY for staying with me a taking care of me.

Well got to go for my first walk, everything is going great. Hope to go home tomorrow

February 24, 2011

Well I am finally home. This is my first full day of my new life. I have to say one thing that is weird, is it takes me a good half hour to drink 8 oz. of fluids. I haven't got sick or anything like that, but I notice when I rush the drinking my stomach really starts making noises. Everything is feeling pretty good EXCEPT my 6 incisions, they really hurt. The biggest one (where they pulled my stomach through) really hurts. It makes it painful to move around. Judy has to give me a blood thinner injection in my stomach for 10 days straight. I think she just likes to stab me with the needle. LOL

I am still on liquids only, for the next 14 days, I get 3-8oz protein shakes they have 35 grams of protein each, and 3- 8oz protein drink mixes, they have 10 grams of protein each. That is all I get for the next 14 days. Oh and I can ...have sugar free popsicles, but they have no value at all. They are just there for my mind games on when I think I am hungry. I am not really hungry at all, once the soreness goes away I think everything will be fine. I am up walking every hour for 3-5 minutes, and I am doing my breathing treatment every 2 hours so I don't get fluid in my lungs. Sleeping is really hard for me, because I like to sleep on my left side and that is where the big incision is at. So I can't sleep on it. I weighed in at 365 this morning. It was funny when I came home from the hospital I had gained 2 pounds from all the fluids they pumped in me. I beat by Sunday I am in the 350 pound range. I’ll just have to see.

February 25, 2011

I am doing pretty good, still sore. But that will soon pass. I am down to 362 this morning. Funny thing is I am not hungry, but I make sure I eat when I am suppose too. And Lily is coming out today to see me. I will enjoy seeing her that is for sure.

February 26, 2011

Well today my main incision has stopped draining. So Nurse Judy said I need to let it air out today and see how it does. 16 days ago I weighed 385; this morning I weighed in at 359. That is 26 pounds in 16 days. The funny thing is I don't feel hungry at all. I have to remind myself to have my protein drinks. I am going to try and walk a little more today. Hope everyone has a good day.

February 28, 2011

I am now down to 356. That is 29 pounds in 18 days. My problem that I am having besides the soreness of the incisions. Is that I am not hungry. I am supposed to have 3 shakes a day and 3 protein drinks a day and I am getting only 2 shakes and... 1 protein drinks a day. I forget that I have to eat. I have signal to the brain anymore that I am hungry. And it is really weird. I sit and watch the food channel and I just think I bet that will be good. But it doesn't make me hungry. I have my first check up with the doctor on Wednesday the 2nd. Everything is going good, I am just bored here at the house by myself and I can't get out and really do the things I am use to doing. I will go back to work on the 14th of March if the doctor ok's it. That is really all there is to update, I seem to lose a 1 or 2 a day. I figured by Saturday the 5th I'll probably be in the 340's.

Sweet Sunshine

Today I've made two trips to Walmart, two passes through a drive-thru, one run to Lowes, and another to Starbucks. I've planted two flats of pansies, experimented with a backpack leaf blower, and raked piles and piles of pine straw. I've had sand in my eye, sand in my hair, and sand in my shoes.

It's been a pretty darn good day.

Normally I complain when I do all that running. I complain that I have too much to do and I complain about gas prices. Not today, though. I have a hamper full of laundry, dishes in the sink, and no idea what I'm going to make for supper.

I couldn't be happier.

Last night my husband asked me to go for a walk. I told him I needed to clean the kitchen. Really, he said. Clean the kitchen? What did we have kids for?

Good point. So we went for that walk, he told me a joke in the funniest accent, and I laughed so hard I barely made it up the hill. Sooo much better than dishes. I have vowed to spend more time sitting in his lap and less time worrying about the kitchen.

The birds are singing, my swing is swinging, and I'm in the middle of a really good book. The only thing that would make this day more perfect would be if my mom and dad were coming over for supper.

Of course, then I would have to leave this swing and clean and make a plan.

But don't you know I would do all that smiling, too?

Henry The Eighth I Am!

For King Henry the Eighth,

if all the Patterns and Pictures of a merciless Prince

 were lost in the world, they might all again be

painted to the life, out of the story of this King.

 Sir Walter Raleigh

Forgive me while I go all academic here. I've been working on a pretty in-depth powerpoint project of the Tudor Monarchs of England this week and today has been devoted to the six wives of Henry VIII.

Good grief.

I remember learning in a history class many, many years ago this rhyme to remember the sequence of events that befell his many wives:

Divorced, beheaded, died;

Divorced, beheaded, survived.

Don't you know the wife at the end was the lucky one? She about got busted, too, due to some evidence that had surfaced that would have clearly shown her differences in opinion (from Henry's) regarding religion. Somebody in her court caught wind that the axe (no pun intended) was about to fall and she was able to sweet talk (my opinion only) Henry into believing that she only questioned him so she could learn from him. Quick thinking. Lucky for her he died before she could mess anything else up.

And then there's his first wife. She was married to his brother and future King of England, Arthur, for only six months before he died. Since she was young enough to remarry (lucky her!) and because she was the daughter of the King and Queen of Spain, the powers that be decided it would be good for her to marry Henry, and when his dad died (you keeping up here?) they were both crowned King and Queen of England during the same coronation ceremony.

Oh, to be a queen.

Of course, as history tells it, Catherine had a little problem in not producing a (living) male heir (and we all know it's the woman's fault, right?). Around this time another pretty young thing had caught Henry's eye so he did what any self-serving, egotistical man would do... he sought a divorce. Catherine had her title of Queen stripped from her and spent the remainder of her life in not-so-fancy castles probably wishing she could have lived her life as a peasant girl baking bread for the village blacksmith.

Wonder what she thought when she heard the axe had literally fallen on that pretty young thing's head?

Okay. I'll stop with that. It's not that I'm bored (although you might be). Trust me, I could go on and on for quite a while. History truly is better than fiction. No... I have to go because it's time to pick up my own little scholars from school. I hope they enjoyed their academic day as much as I did.

(Yeah, I can hear their snickering in the background, too).

Things That Make Me Smile

Waking up to thankfully discover it was only a dream.

Having kids that really want to go to school and wake up on their own.

Borrowing my son's truck for the day and having him tell me "good luck" and "be careful."

Logging on to facebook to discover a former student from long ago thanking me for teaching her the three most important ways of dealing with stress: chocolate, coffee, and the Bible.

Knowing that the day has just begun.

Plug Your Ears

While coming out of our county courthouse today, the youngest and I caught the tail end of a one-sided conversation of a lady on her cell phone. Her words were laced with the f-word among other character-building vocab choices and as we walked away, I pulled my girl in close. I'm sorry you had to hear that. I wish I could shelter you from the world.

Mom, she sighed, I'm twelve. Just be glad you're not in my school.

Boy, talk about something that makes me sad. For a long time, we did shelter those kids from the world. We kept them in small classes in small schools for as long as we could. We kept the tv off most of the time, kept the radio on one family friendly station, and kept them away from anyone with a foul mouth.

I'm not sure when things began to change. Somewhere along the way, we bought a Nintendo with a few video games. Then we added a computer and had the internet hooked up. An x-box appeared later with even more video games. Gameboys, i-pods, dsi's. Laptops.

Bigger schools.
School buses.
Adults outside a courthouse.

Everywhere you turn you're faced with things you'd rather not see or hear. Even as I write this, our television is tuned into Andy Griffith and four out of five people are completely captivated by Opie's latest escapade. It's one of the few shows we can watch without our finger on the remote in case we have to change the channel quick. Yes, our kids are big and yes, they've heard it all before (and I would imagine have even uttered a few choice words of their own), but I'd rather them not hear it in their own home.

I'm a big believer in maintaining that safe haven. We may not do everything right. We argue. We get on each other's nerves. A lot. But I hope, I pray, that when they are out there in a loud and sometimes ugly world, they think of home. And not necessarily the home with the i-pods and dsi's and an overload of information with the click of a mouse; but a home that, when at least compared to the world, is quiet. Respectful. Not so angry.

Twelve years old and she thinks she's heard it all.

Yeah. That makes me sad, too.

Why Hug When You Can Just Shake Hands?

Yesterday morning while sitting in church, a lady came up to me and asked me my name. Normal enough. Next she asked me if we had been coming there long. Still kind of normal. Finally she wanted to know the exact number of times we had been there. Getting kinda weird.

Then she hugged me.
As in pull-you-in-close, arms-wrapped-around-the-neck type of hug.
Definitely at that awkward stage.

Have I mentioned I'm not a huggy kind of person?

Yep, I've had well over twenty-four hours to think about this and well... I'm still thinking about it. I have therefore determined that in my world, there are three kinds of hugs (hey, I always said I think too much).

1. The Honey, I'm Home Hug: These are the hugs my husband gives me when he comes home from work. I'm typically in the kitchen or sometimes I'll meet him out on the front porch. Hugs like these make me feel warm and fuzzy and give me peace.
2. The Goodbye Hug: These hugs always make me cry and I have a hard time letting go. One of these hugs was shared with my grandma on a September morning the day we moved. Now they are all reserved for my mom and dad and happen twice a year.
3. The Awkward  Stranger Hug: These kinds are generally found inside a church during the welcome song or at family reunions with people you have honestly never met. I am not a fan of these and always feel like my personal space has been violated.

Maybe that's the problem right there. I like my personal space.

And I know this is gonna sound corny, but well... have I mentioned that I'm a little obsessed with dictionaries? Particularly old dictionaries. I like to know what words meant before we added ain't to the English language according to the modern day Webster.

So here is the definition of hug from my 1892 Webster's High School Dictionary: To embrace closely; to hold fast; to keep close to.

I know, I know. I'm putting too much time into this. It's just after that moment in church yesterday, I was left thinking what's wrong with me? Are other people comfortable giving and/or receiving hugs from people they don't know? That woman certainly was. Does she have more of Jesus than I do?

(Understand I'm just rambling here because I really don't think that Jesus part. He loves me whether I'm a huggy person or not).

To me, a hug is personal. I want to at least share a cup of coffee with you before I wrap my arms around your neck and even then, well, let's just say that better have been one good cup of coffee. If I'm perfectly honest, I prefer a good old-fashioned handshake.

I just gotta figure out a way to tell that lady this before she comes after me next Sunday.

I Think The Mirror Told A Lie

I'm thinking of alot of things tonight.
Things I didn't get done today.
The things I did.

My boy's first dance.

It's crazy how fast time goes by.
Sometimes I think, I'm such a mom.
And then I think, What else would I be?

My husband took me out for dinner the other night. He asked me if my life was turning out the way I planned. I told him all I ever wanted was a husband and a house full of kids. A curious thought occurred to me, though. All those times I saw myself with a house full of kids, I was always young and they were little. I never really looked ahead to when I would be not-so-young and they would be taller than me. I wonder if we can ever look ahead and see what reality will look like in the mirror. Do you get that? All I know is I looked at a picture of myself that was taken today with my boy. Really looked. And I thought, Who is that woman?

I sure didn't recognize her. The face looked a little fuller than I remembered. The eyes a little more tired. And we won't even get started on the lower half.

Yep. Time's a funny thing.
We change. We grow.

We take pictures of kids going to a dance.

Tony's Journey: Volume Two

Today continues Tony's journey to the gastric sleeve bypass surgery this coming Monday, February 21st. If you missed the beginning, go ahead and backtrack here to catch up.

And yes, I wouldn't be me if I didn't sift through old pictures to see what I might find. That's just part of the fun.

And why is it that practically all moms take pictures of their kids asleep? I know I've got mine own to share, but I would face a possible rebellion if I posted them now (gotta wait till they pass these fragile teenage years).

Anyway, back to Tony and his words from this past week:

February 11, 2011

Well, this is what 1.4 oz of cheese, 2.6 oz of roast beef, and 1 oz of raw carrots look like. This is pretty much what I get to eat for the next 7 days. Man this is a far cry from the monster porterhouse steaks I am use to.

 I practiced tonight on chewing my food 30 times before I swallowed it. If you think HMMMMM that is no big deal. I challenge you to try it. And this is with every bite. But the hardest thing I have to learn to stop doing is. When I drink I can't gulp, I have to sip. If I gulp it will create air in my stomach which will cause gas. And Gas is a bad thing for the new stomach. So I have a lot of practicing to do on chewing and drinking. Oh and one more thing, I can't drink 30 minutes before eat and I have to wait 30 minutes to drink after I eat.  I have to pretty much give up sugar, if I don't and I try and eat something sweet, they say I will have what is called "DUMPING SYNDROME". Now I'll let ya all think about that for a minute, and if you can't figure it out I will tell you, but I'm sure you all will get the idea.

February 13, 2011

Well the not eating very much food is starting to take its toll on me. I think most of it is mental, but my BIG belly keeps making noise and saying "hey what did I ever do to deserve this" Oh before I forget on the morning of the 11th I had said I weighed in at 385.0. Well this morning, the 13^th, I weighed in at 377.8

I have to be honest, this is becoming harder than what I thought it was going to be. I keep telling myself that if I can make it to the surgery I will be able to do it. Like I told my mom today, once I have my surgery it is a done deal and I won't be able to eat as much as I want to anyways

Sis,  my will power was tested today. I went to Gore, OK.  By myself, it was a 3 hour drive one way. I did good until I stopped for gas at Love's and the sweet smell of Godfathers pizza hit my nose as I opened the door. I just wanted to stand there and smell the pizza's all day. But I got me 2 bottles of water and headed out the door. I left the windows rolled up, because the pizza smell was in my shirt. After I got off that pizza smelling High, I was good to go. LOL

February 15, 2011

Well as my 5th day starts off on this 10 day diet before the big day, I got on the scales and it said "get off your breaking my back" LOL. No really it said 375.0 so that is a total of 10 pounds in 5 days. Last night was the hardest night I had, as far as staying honest with myself and not cheating. But yet somehow I pulled through it. I go see the doctor tomorrow for the final consultation. More to come as always.

I want to thank Blue Bell for making sugar free popsicles that is the only way I got through last night. LOL. I felt like I ate half a box. You know when your starving I think a dog (poo) would taste good. But I haven't got that desperate, just can't get past the smell. LOL  Sometimes I crack myself up, as I know I am probably the only one that see's any humor in that. I have eatin' a lot of things, dogs, cats, rats, camels, horse, and other stuff the third world countries wouldn't tell me what it was. But no (poo) for me. LOL

(Note from Angela: Okay, this was not the curse word for poo that you might be thinking of, it’s the poo that rhymes with word or bird. I’ve got some standards, and my daughter will never let me live it down if I use Uncle Tony’s word).

You all have a good day. Mine is going pretty good.

February 16, 2011

Well today didn't start off too good, I think I am getting dehydrated. I noticed yesterday everything was getting blurry on me and my urine is really brown and my legs are really cramping up. So I get out my book that the doctors gave me, and see where it said it was a sign of dehydration. So I stayed home today to try and get some fluids in me. I have to see the doc today so I reckon we will talk about this.

Oh and on the weight loss note, I am now down to 373. That is 12 pounds in 6 days and I am following their rules to the tee. Well, except for the drinking 64 oz of water a day.

I have drunk 3 big big glasses of water so far this morning.  Yep I am feeling better, I went to the doctor today for my final meeting before the big day. They answered all the question I had, so I am kind of worried, but not so much. I doubt that makes any sense but it is still going to happen on the 21st.

While I sat in the waiting room there was 10 women ranging from mid 30's to mostly 50's and 60's  and they all have had their surgeries. One lady was in her 60's she was 10 days fresh from her surgery. I asked her if she regretted it and she said no, I need to get healthy because my days are numbered. I told her I thought that was a good way to look at it. But 3 others were talking about how to beat the system and still eat. Now mind you all 3 of these lady would dress out at least 350 pounds plus. They were all 2 years into their new life. All had lost 100 plus pounds, BUT put back on everything plus more. They were there to get ready to have the surgery redone to make their pouch back to the size it was suppose to be before they stretched it out. NOW WHY WOULD YOU GO THROUGH THIS JUST TO TRY AND BEAT IT AND THEN WANT TO GO THROUGH IT AGAIN. This is why I am doing what I am doing. I am going BIG OR TAKING A DIRT NAP. It is my way of saying "HEY I DON'T WANT TO BEAT THE SYSTEM". There is a lot more to be said about this but I will stop because I could go on and on.

Let me clear up the going big or taking a dirt nap. With the Sleeve they take your stomach out and pretty much throw it in the trash. (And yes that is the doctor’s words) it is non reversible. The y that everyone has can be reversed. So if I... don't follow the rules I will blow out what is left of my stomach and it won't be pretty. They said my stomach will be the diameter of a dime and hopefully in 4-5 years it will be the diameter of a quarter. And that is pretty much its limit.

Ok I'll shut up now. LOL

(Note from Angela: I asked Tony what he meant by the “y”).

Sis, the Ruin Y is where they cut your intestines into, and route one end to your upper part of your stomach, they make a pouch that is your new stomach. Your old stomach is still there, just no food passes through it anymore. Look it up you will see what I mean. You can actually see all the surgeries on you tube. They are pretty interesting.

A normal person stomach holds 4 cups of food NORMALLY unless it is really stretched out like mine. LOL. The diameter of a dime it will hold 1/2 cup food, and hopefully grow to the size of a quarter then it will hold a cup of food.

February 18, 2011

Well,  today I have started my 3 day liquid diet part. Only things I can have is my protein shakes, protein drink mix. And some broth. No food at all. I was 373 this morning. I am interested to see what this 3 days of liquid is going to do to my weight. Today I find out what time my surgery is on. Don't really have much to add, everything has been pretty much the same all week. Though it will be hard not eating anything for a while.



And so that has been his week. You all keep in prayer through this weekend, and then especially on Monday. We'll see what the next week brings.

Can You Touch Your Toes?

Flexibility

Extent to which a person can cope with change.

I am sitting outside a middle school waiting on the youngest. I’ve got a carline in front of me that extends further than what my eye can see and a marquee sign staring at my face. Every so often the school changes what they call their “character word” and gives all passersby a lesson on what we should expect in ourselves and other people, I suppose. All week long I’ve been staring at this word. Flexibility. And all week long I’ve been thinking unkind thoughts to myself.

Well, maybe not unkind thoughts, but definitely thoughts that make me go ewwww. Flexibility is good, I know, but it sure can hurt sometimes. In the physical sense, I’m not flexible at all. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to touch my toes without bending my knees. Ever. No matter the weight, no matter the age, that is just one thing I’ve never been able to do. I can’t even remember the last time I tried it. I must have given up on that a long time ago.

Flexibility of the mind, ahhhh… now that’s a whole other state of affairs, isn’t it? How flexible are we when it comes to things we don’t like? Do we easily shift to accommodate the needs of others, or do we stand unmoving no matter what? Are there times when flexibility is necessary and other times when making a stand is what's needed?

Oh, the thoughts I think while waiting in a carline. I forgot my nook at home or else I would be deep into George Orwell’s 1984 right now.  As it is, I’m watching other moms in minivans park illegally trying to cut into the carline and then get mad and rev up their four-cylinder motors when the parking police tell them to move. (Granted, I don’t know for sure that parking police exist, but someone ahead of me is playing the role well).

And to think all this is taking place right next to the flexibility sign.

I have a good friend that I use to teach with. She would always say she was fat and then go on to explain:  f = flexible;  a = adaptable;  t = teachable.  I think of her advice often. When you think about it, it’s a pretty positive way to approach life. It reminds us that we all have something to learn; we’re never quite as good as we like to convince ourselves that we are. I know that’s been my lesson the last year or so. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  I thought I had everything figured out. Thank goodness the Lord loved me enough to show me I didn’t have a clue. He teaches me every day on what it means to be flexible. Some days I like it, some days I don’t, and some days I completely miss the boat.

I may not ever be flexible enough to touch my toes, but I intend to be flexible enough to finish this race and finish it well. Even if the mom in the minivan behind me is honking at me to move up a whole five feet. These carlines can be pretty intense.

Maybe next month’s character word will be patience.

The Cat's At The Top Of The List

The cat won't stop staring at me.
He has followed me around everywhere today.
I'm starting to think I'm his best friend.

The husband thinks I can do no wrong.
He absolutely, positively loved his supper tonight..
I even remembered to patch up his work pants.

The kids were glad to see me.
They love it when I greet them with carbonated joy.
I don't mind buying their affection every now and then.

And so was my day. Kinda funny (and potentially sad) when you read it that way. I'm wondering if it says too much about me that I put the cat first. Seeing that he is currently perched by my feet, lets me pet him most of the time, and never talks back... well, I think it's all in the right order. After all, he is the one I spend my days with. Me and the cat. We're like best buds.

As for supper, I successfully duplicated my husband's favorite restaurant meal. Oh, the rave reviews I received! Yep, he knows how to work me. A little pat on the back goes a long way around here. And the patching of the pants? Pretty remarkable considering I don't sew. That gene skipped me and went straight to my daughter. In fact, I think he did ask her to mend those pants. Oh well. Give me a store-bought patch, dust off the iron, and I can make it work, too.

And hey, is there any town that doesn't have a Sonic with half-price drinks at happy hour? That's right. I've got it figured out. Occasionally pick your kids up from school with a cherry dr. pepper or a strawberry slush ready to go. It'll put the most thankful of smiles on even the grumpiest teenager's face. Not that my kids are ever grumpy. Or moody. Nope. Not my kids. They are the next thing to perfection (you can hear the sarcasm, right?).

Don't worry. I'm not delusional. I'm just fine.
I've got my sleeping cat, my happy husband, and my satisfied kids.

At least until the sun comes up tomorrow.

Virtual Distractions

This virtual world is a funny thing. Things get said that make you wonder if the same words would be spoken face to face. People share details and forget their mothers are reading the same thing their BFF is... same thing with party pictures of the night before and that general rule of too much information.

 

Why am I sharing this? I don't know, but it's my virtual world. I guess I can.

 

I like Facebook. I really do. It keeps me in touch with my mom and dad and brother almost a thousand miles away. Yes, we use the phone, too, but sometimes (okay, all the time) it's fun to kick back in my recliner and chat with my mom online or make comments back and forth with my brother and nieces and cousins and long lost friends from my early days.

 

And I am pretty picky about my online friends. The ones that disappear or just never make their presence known, the ones the cuss and share locker room style jokes, the ones that are just plain rude and bossy; well, I tend to sort through them from time to time. I wonder if I'm the only one who does this. I look at my list of friends and think about all the pictures I share of my kids. I like to know who's looking at them.

 

Then again, there is this blog. I post pictures on here and sometimes (okay, all the time) intimate details about what goes on in my mind. Unlike Facebook, there really is very little control regarding who has access to my life... at least the part I intentionally share. I know that in addition to the United States, I have regular visitors from Poland and Malaysia, Russia and Germany, and as of today, the Netherlands. The countries that pop up always make me laugh to myself. I wonder about the people who are reading about my grandma and my brother and my pink bike.

 

Maybe they find the same distraction I find in other blogs. I've got favorites in Missouri and Connecticut, California and New Mexico, and of all places, the Middle East. All women. All different walks of life. All very entertaining and surprisingly refreshing. All reminders that we basically share the same joys, the same sorrows; the same sunshine and the same rain. I like that. It makes me feel less alone and more a part of something bigger.

 

I guess I've just been spending some time reflecting about why I started this series of writings. Like most people, I think, I just wanted to be heard. By whom? Well, I have no idea. I tend to leave things like that to the Lord. It has yet to ever work out the way I think I should. So today I was thinking about three particular entries I made last year. And it was good to remember.

 

• Remembering the beginning.
• Remembering to laugh.
• Remembering it's okay to just sit and think.

 

And yes, most of my reflecting and laughing and thinking takes place on my front porch swing. And when the sun goes down? Well, that's when I've got my feet up in the recliner (typically with the cat sprawled out over them), a cup of coffee at my side, and my laptop open waiting for my mom to leave her virtual farm and come knocking on my virtual door. It's my little slice of the virtual world.

My Valentine Bike

I'm typically not one to get too excited over Valentine's Day. My husband and I have never really done anything special for it; after all, we're usually still paying for Christmas during this time and our anniversary is just a month away. So Valentine's Day usually comes and goes with a few hastily bought cards and a modest-size box of chocolates.

This year was a pleasant surprise and completely unexpected. Sometime last year, a certain bike caught my eye at our local Walmart. A bike that we didn't have the money for and was certainly not needed. It's not like we ride bikes a lot, but on occasion we head to the beach with a bike rack or just pick a path somewhere close to the house.

As it happened, my husband had the day off. After mysteriously disappearing for an hour or so with the boys yesterday, I was called into the living room last night. My girl said, I bet he got you that pink bike. I shrugged her off saying, That pink bike is long forgotten; besides, you know we don't really get each other stuff. So I can honestly say I was completely caught off guard.

This morning after dropping the kids off at school, we loaded up the bikes and went for a ride. I couldn't stop smiling when he told me to take it for a test drive and checked to see if the seat was all right. He couldn't stop smiling when he said the only thing missing was streamers. I have a feeling that by the time we do make it the beach, I will definitely have pink and white streamers.

The morning was beautiful and the company was even better. We took every bench we saw along the way as an opportunity to sit and talk and think. We looked on the bright side of the place in which we now live instead of looking sadly at all we left behind. We said hello to people young and old we passed along the way and wondered what the future would bring.

He laughed when I took pictures while trying to pedal, but was quick to point out this perfect shot along the way. We sat very still for a while here. It's amazing what all you can see and hear of the world when you take the time to shut the world out (if that makes any sense). It's amazing how quickly you can forget when times are bad how special the person is sitting next you.

I'm so thankful he thought I was worth the time to remind to me that life really is what we make of it. It doesn't always have to revolve around what's-for-dinner and homework and chauffeuring kids around. Sometimes it just needs to revolve around the two people that started it all. Two people and one pink bike. We just might have started a new tradition.

Don't Bring Me Down

I'm sitting here thinking about the assignments I am currently working on. I spent all of last week making and perfecting a powerpoint presentation regarding the English peasantry during the Middle Ages and let me tell you, it was perfect. I stayed faithful to the task, didn't go off track too many times, and had it all done by Friday. Along with that, I had two other papers (one I have yet to start) and as I was getting ready this evening to submit the powerpoint and a separate essay, I noticed what the project was worth.

Four points.

I thought, you have got to be kidding me. I worked hard on that. Heck, I can write a 2,000-word paper in a couple of hours and still walk away with an A (I'm not bragging here, so stay with me). That powerpoint was a pain in the backside to me. I kept losing stuff and moving things to places that I could not find. Keep in mind that it was my children who first introduced me to the concept of powerpoints. They are the ones I go to for help. I was proud that I had completed this one all on my own and yes, I did make everyone look at it whether they cared or not.

Big whoop, right?

That did bring me down a notch, though. I had to pause a moment to blog my thoughts. Afterall, are the points important or just the fact that I finished it, and finished it well. I can hear myself talking to my kids. Be proud of your work. If you did your best, who cares what it was worth. Blah, blah, blah. I sure better get those full four points.

Oh, but what a great day this has been. I am sorry to say my latest Facebook post was one of those that I usually roll my eyes at: Today has been a day that makes your heart smile. I am usually not that sappy. I'm the one who waits for it all to fall apart.

But today? Coffee. Cini-minis. Church. Lunch. Mall. Coffee. Front Porch Swing. In that order. And the fact that I even dared to include the mall testifies to the fact that it was indeed a very good day.

Even if the words four points threatened to bring it all crashing to the ground. There are worse things in life. Like an F. Now that would be sad.

I'll take those four points and be proud and happy and fulfilled and celebrate with another cup of coffee. There's not enough points in the world right now to bring me down from today. We'll hang on to it as long as we can.

Tony's Journey: Volume One

I've been giving this entry some thought for quite a little while now and for once, it has nothing to do about me, my kids or husband, my unemployment status or my financial woes. It does, however, having everything to do with someone that I happen to think a lot about.

Yes, I realized that for something that has nothing to do with me, maybe my picture should not be included. But you know, I've got a mom who will love stuff like this.

Allow me to introduce you to my brother. I have another photo identical to the one above with the exception of the fact he is holding bunny ears up behind my head, bridal veil and all. I've got that one safely tucked away in my wedding album.

I've talked about him before and that same bunny ear picture. You can read here all about him becoming a new grandpa. He's been through quite a lot in his life and has got one remarkable testimony, in my opinion. One day I might try to talk him into sharing that. For now, though, I asked him for permission to share the current journey that he's about to embark on. He readily agreed, but I gotta warn you ~ he doesn't mince words. He says exactly what he thinks and doesn't hold anything back. That's one of the things that makes him... well, him.

Through Facebook, he has been sharing bits and pieces of a surgery he has been preparing for since last year, I believe. I thought it would be interesting to sort of document everything on here as well. I really think this is a story others will find to be informative; maybe there are those out there who are thinking about having the same kind of procedure done. He thinks that same way. In fact, he said that's why he has been sharing on Facebook and why he is so thorough in his details (and another disclaimer here, these accounts can be pretty detailed; he is my brother after all).

Anyway, I am not sure how often I will update via this blog. If he keeps me supplied with enough material, it could very well be a weekly thing. There is no plan here, just an opportunity to talk about someone I happen to love very much and am very proud of. And by the way, his name is Tony.

Here's a recent picture of him with his new grandbaby. He likes to call her his little buddy.

And here is a mini-journal of sorts about what is going on in his life (copied with his approval, although the grammar teacher in me cannot avoid correcting mechanical errors... Sorry! I've been without a red pen for far too long. The words, though, are definitely his).

January 25, 2011

Well, today is my 44th Birthday, And everyone that has called or text me, are SHOCKED that I am at work. I haven't worked on my birthday since 1991 and I was in the desert during the gulf war. In fact that night we were being bombed by Saddam. Oh what a fun birthday that was. For the record, I am getting ready to have my weight loss surgery so I didn't want to miss too much work. I am dedicated like that. LOL

Well, I got back from the Doctor, and the countdown is on. My Surgery date will be the 21st of Feb. My last really good meal is going to be on the 9th of Feb. And TRUST me it won't be a TV dinner. Oh, for those that don't know I am going to have Gastric Sleeve Bypass, they are going to remove 80% of my stomach. Hope they let me keep it in a Pickle Jar on the shelf. LOL

February 11, 2011

Well, the countdown is on for this really, really fat guy to have the “let’s make you skinny” surgery. I had a busy day today, EKG, blood work, X-rays, and the class on learning how to shrink up your organs so they can cut 80% of your stomach out.

For the next 7 days, my eating habits are going to really get hammered on. I get a protein shake in the morning, a protein bar for a snack, 4 oz. of meat, chicken, fish I get to pick one, and I get 1 oz. of stupid veggies. then I get another... protein bar for afternoon snack, the for supper it will be the 4 oz of meat, fish, chicken and 1 oz. of veggies. on my 8,9,10 day I will be on a liquid diet of 3 protein shakes and 3 protein drinks. That is it, nothing else. On my 11th day I go under the knife. From Sunday (20th) to Tuesday morning (22nd) I will have NOTHING to drink or eat. Tuesday morning I get 1, yes, I said one piece of ice every 30 minutes. This goes on all day. The ice has a blue dye in it. This way they can see if my new stomach is leaking. There is more to the story but I'll stop now. THIS SHOULD BE FUN

Today is the official start of my 10 day diet before my surgery on the 21st. I weighed in at a tip-toeing 385.0. It was 4:30 a.m. I was wearing just my drawers with about 4 inch of crack showing. I want you to feel like you was right there at the weigh in. LOL For breakfast was 7oz of 1% milk mixed with strawberry flavored protein mix (made by Chike).

So now you can see where this is going. If you're interested, look for the entries with this same title. If you're not, well, just move on to another cup of coffee and cozy up with this one about my two grandmas. If you have any questions and/or encouragement about the surgery (and notice I said questions and/or encouragement... this is not the time for opinions or doomsday predictions), ask away in the comment section. I happen to know my brother visits my blog often and has made a few comments of his own from time to time. He said he would answer any questions he doesn't cover in his Facebook updates.

And with that, my dad is calling me.

And a girl's got to go when her dad is calling.