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.