2008 Chicago Auto Show

So I had another weekend off, and decided to go with Danny to the auto show. Now I'm not a big crowd person, as the family knows, so what was I thinking? Let's just say I gritted my teeth and plowed through. Before we left the house I made Danny promise we would not spend all day in the Toyota section so he could to talk to everyone and their brother about the Prius. As we all know Danny is a little obsessed with that car. He agreed, but with a dimple-ridden grin from ear to ear which usually means he's lying. So we get to the auto show and wind up having to walk about a mile from our car to the entrance because I am stubborn and say, "I don't need to take the free shuttle they offer." Once inside we have to walk, gosh knows how far, to the coat check. So I grab a seat while Danny foes and drops off our coats. He comes back what seems like almost fifteen minutes later saying he had to go all the way to the other end of the main hall and down two levels. Did I mention I was already tired and we haven't even bought our tickets yet? I am so out of shape, but being the stubborn person I am I trudged on. Now the auto show is split into an east and west side and lucky for me the side we went to first did not have the Toyota section in it. Yipee!! So I had a few hours of walking before losing Danny to Prius land. Now that Danny has a newer car it was my day to dream about what I may want as my next vehicle. I was looking more towards a pickup truck

or a Sport Utility Vehicle,

but I have to admit a few little sports cars caught my eye.

Let's just say there is definitely something for everyone represented at the auto show. The vehicles range from something that looks like a glorified golf cart

to a Bently that costs more than I paid for my house at a whopping $340,000!

For a car? Are they serious? What does the paint have diamond dust in it? Is it bulletproof? Does it drive itself? You just have to put in the destination and the auto pilot inflates (like in the "Airplane" movie) and it takes you where you want to go? Maybe you don't even have to program in your destination, the car can read your mind. For $340,000 it better do something amazing or else I can't imagine why anyone would spend that much on a car unless it is for no other reason besides "they can, so they do". Ahh, to have that much money and be let loose in the auto show. How many other cars could I buy for the price of one Bently? Lisa, wake up, this is reality. You can't afford any cars right now, we are just looking for possible future purchases. We did actually find one vehicle that would come in handy for taking all our neices and nephews out at one time, although we would need drop down steps to get into the thing.

Can anyone say family road trip?

So we wander around and take pictures of various SUV's and pickup truck as well as concept cars and others that just catch my eye. We finnaly make it over to the other side and the first thing we see is the Toyota section. Danny's face lights up, his eyes glass over and he starts to drool as he body is magnetically pulled to the Prius on display. I know I have now lost him. He tries to feign interest in what I want to see, but I know if I lose him while walking around, I just have to make my way back to the Powder Blue Prius, and there he will be standing. He had told me before, if it was up to him, he would spend the entire day at the Prius section answering peoples questions, because he knows all when it comes to his latest obsession. Well he didnt' get to stand there all day, but he did mention that he set at least one person straight on something they were wrong about. I'm sure it was done in his usual "I hate to disagree, but. . . ." style.

So some four hours or so later we take a shuttle (I won't repeat my morning mistake) back to the car and bring our sore muscles home with a few ideas of what I might want to own next. We may be tires and sore but all in all it was a fun time had by all.

Another Day Another Party

With a large extended family, there are many occasions for us to celebrate and, because of my ever-changing work schedule, I am happy when I get to attend these events. This time it was Eli's first birthday party at his Nana and Papa's house. Now the first thing you need to know about Eli's Nana, better known as Aunt Trish, to most of the rest of us (well Danny, his siblings, and all their significant others) is that Aunt Trish likes her house cold. It must be because she is so warm blooded because she has such a big heart. Knowing this I wore a T-Shirt under a sweatshirt thinking that would be enough. WRONG. Now the fact that I was freezing could have been because I was tired, who knows. I immediately sat on a couch and wrapped up in a blanket. Maybe when more people get here I'll get warmer.

So as I mentioned before we were all together for Eli's first birthday party. Danny and I had just started our diets again so we didn't want to eat anything. We managed to suffer through with me eating only some pretzels and fruit and both of us staying away from the meatball sandwiches as well as the cake and ice cream. Now after cake a one year old is usually a mess of cake and frosting mush from head to toe. Not our Eli, just some messy hands (who uses a fork to eat cake) and a little frosting cake mush on his face. Next it was time for presents, "What could be so exciting about presents for a one year old?", you ask. Let me tell you. I have never seen such vibrant colors and so many flashing lights with bells and whistles in my life. Why don't they make flashy things like that for adults? Oh yea, they do. Ours are just a lot more expensive. . . . Cars, boats, motorcycles, computers, Xbox 360s, and Wiis. Ah to be a kid again and to be impressed and excited by just flashing lights.

Here We Go Again

As some of you may know, in January of 2005 Danny and I embarked on a 2 year journey that took us through many changes both emotionally and physically. It was at that time we started Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating plan. For two whole years (with occasional time off for good behavior) we stayed strictly to this program. First the 2000 Calorie meals for about the first 6 months and the remaining year and a half the 1200 Calorie meal plan. Danny reached his goal weight and I lost 100 pounds. In 2007 we decided to take a break because we realized we weren't doing a very good job of staying on the diet so we thought we would try to eat healthy on our own. That lasted for a while but then that too stopped. Danny found himself gaining most of his weight back and I gained about 15 pounds back. Neither one of us are very happy. So needless to say, we know what works. For probably the next 2 years (with time off again for good behavior) we are going to be on the Seattle Sutton plan once again. This time I will fight to reach my dream goal weight of 145 lbs, which the doctor actually thinks is a little under-weight for me but I have never been under-weight in my life so I want to see what it feels like if only for a little while. Of course, nothing that will be detrimental to my health. For just once in my life I want someone to say to me, "Gee, you look a little thin. Maybe you should gain a few pounds." Now that would be a totally new experience. I have no doubt Danny will reach his goal weight again. I just wish I could lose it as fast as he does. I wonder what it will be like to actually have my clothes be smaller than his for a change, and what will it be like to shop at regular stores and not plus-sized stores anymore.

So for those of you who know me personally I want to say "I'm sorry" up-front for how crabby I may possibly be for the next five weeks while my system gets used to this food all over again. Who wants to go shopping when my clothes get too big again?

Before:

355 lbs. September 2004



300 lbs. October 2005


Now:

262 lbs December 2007
228 lbs December 2007 (Danny)

After:

????

A "Blue" New Year

I (being the spoiled only child that I am) was treated to an amazing birthday this year. Danny made reservations at Benihana for dinner. The food was amazing, hopefully that will be my birthday dinner for years to come. Next we headed downtown to see Blue Man Group. We had front row seats. It was an unbelievable show that unfortunately really can't be described in words that would do it justice. The main show finished 15 minutes before midnight and the staff passed out champagne and noise-makers to the whole audience. At midnight the performers came back on the stage and played "Auld Lang Syne" on their unique instruments and shot confetti into the audience while streamers fell from the ceiling. We weren't allowed to take pictures during the show, but I did get a cool shirt that I can show you. Wow what a great birthday. I also got a nice dinner at Gram's house that Danny's mom made and the kids were there to help me blow out my candles.