One day at a time....

I'm taking my eating and exercise one day at a time. I have been successful for three days in a row!!!

I'm weighing and measuring everything I eat. If I get the 2 am munchies at work I'm turning to ice chips - they work wonders!!!

Exercise - I've been doing a little. I know I should do more but every little bit helps. I am running up and down 2 flights of steps of work at least twice during my shifts. I'm also doing 100 leg lifts, 10 floor push ups, 10 wall push ups, 50 sit ups and 100 obliques before I get into bed every day.

I can do this - one day at a time!!! If I have a bad day I will pick myself up and move on!!

I do love myself more than I love the food!

Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

I am getting ready for an audition on February 27th. I am auditioning for the Marching Ravens, a marching band for the Baltimore Ravens football team. I have been told that this audition is just a technicality and if I can make the flute play, read music and move I pretty much am a member. I have also been congratulated by members of the band for being one of their newest members. Ok, but I still have to get ready for the audition. I have to chose music and practice.

I didn't know what to play for my audition. I've been thinking about it and trying different pieces for about a month now. I wanted something that would show them that I could play but something that I wouldn't make mistakes on with the nerves going. So, after much ado about nothing, I have made my decision.

I have decided on 3 pieces. I decided to be patriotic on 2 of the pieces. After all, as a marching band at football games we will be playing patriotic pieces. The patriotic pieces are "America the Beautiful" and "The Star Spangled Banner". My third piece is an excerpt from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons: Spring. I have also been practicing scales since they are going to want to hear some scales also. I just need to brush up the scales and the 3 pieces. I also have to study the fingerings on the very high notes that flutes have been known to play.

All in all I feel ready. I feel that if the audition was today I would be okay. I just hope that I can keep the nerves at bay!!!

Facing the truth...

Ok - I did it!! I faced the scale today!! It wasn't good but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I decided then and there not to wait until Monday to get back on track but to do it today!

So - I'm filled my backpack with all the healthy things I can eat during my 12 hour shift. Once the food is gone I'm done eating. I have a plan for my 2 am munchies. I'm going to go to the ice machine and get ice chips and crunch on ice chips! It serves a double purpose - I take care of the munching need and I get more water in!

Tomorrow morning when I get off of work I will exercise. I will do toning and some cardio.

I knew I had to face the truth and I did! I feel so much better now that I have faced the truth. I am going to take this one day at a time so I don't overwhelm myself.

I have 30 1/2 pounds to lose and I know I can do it!! One day at a time.....

Disgusted.....

Ok - I'm disgusted with myself. I've gained about 25 pounds!!!

I know what to do and how to do it. I don't understand why I can't get myself to do it. It's almost as if I'm sabotaging myself continously.

I know that if I eat right and exercise I feel better physically and mentally. I know that if I eat right and exercise I could pull this weight off with no problem. Why can't I get myself to do it???

I want to look good and feel good. I know that weight does not equate to whether or not you deserve love. I do love myself but I keep abusing myself.

I call it addiction. I am addicted to food and my addiction is out of control. I want to get back into control. I don't understand why I don't.

I need to save myself from myself yet again. No one can do this but me. I need love and support to do it though. I get plenty of love and support from the people I surround myself with so there's really no reason for me not to do this.

I will take it one step at a time. I promised a friend of mine that I would go to the gym today. I will try to keep my promise to my friend.

The Fab Four

This blog post is dedicated to the Fab Four! No - I'm not talking about The Beatles. I'm talking about four of the most amazing women that I know.

These women mean the world to me. They are there for me no matter what kind of day I've had, what kind of mood I'm in or whatever the victory or trouble of the day is.

I met these women through Richard's Clubhouse. No - get your mind out of the gutter - it's not what you're thinking!!! LOL It's a website run by Richard Simmons. It provides motivation, education and friendship. It's where I met my best friends in the world!!!

Between the four of us we have lost around 600 pounds! We have helped each other through the struggles and the triumphs of weight loss. I don't know if I could do it without them.

We have all areas of the United States covered - I think! California, Florida, Illinois and Maryland! We are very far apart but our hearts are very close!

We are all individuals with very different personalities but we are so alike!! California is an amazing jewelry artist and writer. Florida is a die-hard Beatles fan and loves yoga. Illinois is quite the adventurer. Her adventures take her all over the world! And last but not least is me - Maryland. I'm a band geek and also a medical professional.

We try (and have so far been successful) to get together for a few days once a year. I can't wait to see what this year's adventure will be! We have so much fun together!! I laugh so hard that I cry!!!

My life would be empty and dull without these amazing women in it! They are all so beautiful! I love them all!!

So - LLTFF!!!!!! (Long Live The Fab Four)!!!

Baby it's cold outside.....

BBBBrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! It is cooooollllddd out tonight!!

I was watching the news this evening and they said that the temperature was 17 degrees and that's without the wind chill!!! I pulled a blanket up over myself just sitting there in front of the TV.

It's so cold that when Oliver needs to go out he runs out and does his business before I can even blink an eye!!!

I don't like cold weather. I'm more a spring or fall type of gal. I'd rather run out of the house with a light sweater on and be comfortable.

Tomorrow will be a little warmer. I think they said 27 degrees!! Watch out! Heat wave!! LOL

Let them eat cake!!!

Marie Antoinette was one very smart woman. She knew the important things in life. She could have made them all eat their veggies or something more nutritious but she chose cake! WOW - a woman after my own heart.

Yesterday we celebrated life! We celebrated the birth of my grandson, Zachary!! He was born one year ago!!! It's hard to believe that it's already been a year!! He's soo cute!!

His mommy had suggested that we all get him spring/summer clothes for his birthday. Well, everyone took that suggestion to heart and I'm here to tell ya' Zachary will be the best dressed boy on the tot lot this spring and summer!!! He will be getting the little girls left and right! With a batting of his big blues eyes, a flash of that cute smile and his dapper fashions - watch out girls!!!

Once dinner had been eaten, the presents had been opened and Happy Birthday had been sung the big moment came. Time for CAKE!!!! Zachy had his own little cake for his birthday. It was a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. His big sister, Allie, had decorated it especially for her "baby brother". So, the cake was put in front of him and he wasted no time devouring it!! Of course he thought the best part of the cake was the frosting. I guess he learned that little trick from his Mom-mom! LOL

After he devoured his cake we gave him a bath and let him enjoy his "sugar high". It was a wonderful time had by all!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Zachy!!! Mom-mom loves you!!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!

Seventy-one years ago today a baby girl entered this world at around 1:30 am. She was the the fourth child of the family. She was the second girl, born just 11 months after her sister. Because she and her sister were less than a year apart they were considered "Irish Twins".

She was my best friend. She was my mother. I talked to her on the phone every day. She always had a funny story to tell, a kind ear to listen. Anything I needed - she was there.

She lived her life to it's fullest. She always saw the positive in everything and everyone. She would put herself aside to make those around her comfortable and happy.

Her life ended way to soon. She was only 52 years old when she was taken from me. You know what they say, only the good die young and that saying is so very true with her.

So I sit here writing this with tears in my eyes. I'll have a good cry and then get on with my day. You see, she wouldn't want me to be sad and crying. She would want me to be happy and living my life to it's fullest.

So today I'll celebrate life. Today we will be celebrating my grandson's first birthday. I can't think of a more fitting way to remember mom today - by celebrating life not mourning death.

She lives in my heart and in my soul. Her spirit lives within me. She will be with me forever! I love her and miss her and always will!

Happy Birthday, Mom!! I love you!!!

Chicken Stew on a Cold Snowy Day

Today was a cold and snowy day in Baltimore. It was the perfect day to break out the crock pot and make a pot of chicken stew. Here's what I did.

Last night around 10:30 I took 1 1/2 chickens out of the freezer and put them in the crock pot. I put a can of diced tomatoes, 6 halved potatoes, a small bag of carrots cut in thirds, 1 cup of water and a half of a cup of cooking wine on top of it. I put the lid on the crock pot and put it on low setting. This morning the chicken was real tender. I took the chicken, potatoes and carrots out of the crock pot. I cut the potatoes in small chunks, cut the carrots in small chunks and took the bones out of the chicken and returned it all to the crock pot. I then added 1 can of peas, 1 can of corn and a can of green beans. I cooked it on low all day. It turned out real yummy!!!

I just noticed that Oliver was blogging today. I can't leave him alone for a minute without him getting into mischief!!!!! He's so cute - isn't he? I love him sooo much!!!

This is Oliver!!!

Hello!! This is Oliver. Mom left the computer on and in the chair and left the room. Silly Silly Mom!! She doesn't know yet that I know how to type and will send emails, or in this case blog, any chance I get.

Mom adopted me a couple of months ago. I have to admit that I have it real good here. I have them trained real well!! HEHEHEHE!!! Mom thinks that she owns me but I know different. I own HER!!

Uh-oh! Here comes Mom!! I'd better go!!

I'll blog again soon!!

Love - Oliver

Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!!!

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome my dear friend, V., to the wonderful world of blogging!!! I can't wait to look at her updates, along with my other dear friends, every day!!!

Have a great time with it V.!!!

Perfect Harmony.....

I've been feverishly practicing for my audition for the Marching Ravens on February 27th. I've been practicing short little pieces, scales, trills and fingerings. Oliver likes to lay next to me when I practice.

Today Oliver did something new. He started "singing" when I was playing. He didn't do it with every piece I played though. It seems he only likes certain pieces and when he does "sing" he "sings" in perfect harmony with whatever notes I'm playing.

Kaela heard him today and thought it was hysterical. Of course when Bob came along to hear Oliver "sing" he wouldn't sing. I guess he got stage fright when his daddy was around. LOL

I'm doing well with practicing. I have a little over a month left to practice so I think I'll be more than ready. I just hope that my nerves don't get in my way!

My son, Oliver Wendel

I had wanted a little dog since I got married 4 1/2 years ago. I always knew that when a got a dog I would adopt one. So two months ago I found the dog that I adopted. His name is Oliver Wendel and he is a 7 pound, tan and white, chihuahua. What I didn't know before I adopted Oliver is how dogs can steal your heart. I had heard other dog owners talk about how they loved their dogs and often thought it was a bit odd how much love they had for them and how much they treated them like children. Well - now I personally know. Oliver has my heart wrapped around his little, tan paw!

He is so cute and has such a great personality! He is definitely an only dog. He loves to cuddle and is the eptiome of lap dog. He will sit in my lap wanting nothing but love for hours on end.

The love that a dog gives you in unlike any love that a human can give. He will love me unconditionally, no matter what I've done, what kind of day I've had or what kind of mood I'm in.

He can keep me laughing for hours also. When he starts playing the antics keep on coming!! He is sooo funny!

I didn't believe that dogs could talk or smile! Believe me - they can! Oliver will look at me and with his "yips" tell me exactly what he wants or what he isn't happy with. He will also smile when I'm cuddling him or playing with him.

I am guilty of spoiling him rotten but he so deserves it! I do love my Oliver!!

The Weight Loss Hype

It's everywhere! Especially this time of year! New Year's Day has passed and everyone is trying to keep their New Year's resolution to lose weight. The problem with this is that in this world of everyone wanting things "right now" they want to lose their weight "right now".

Everytime I get on the internet I'm faced with yet another article on the latest, up to datest, best way to lose weight. They are always the same - do this and eat this and lose 10 pounds fast!!! What they fail to mention is that most of that 10 pounds that you lose fast is water weight and if you don't change your way of eating for life and exercise you are going to gain it back.

I was one of those people who wanted to lose weight the fast and easy way. I thought that all I had to do was have gastric bypass and the weight would melt off and stay off forever. Well - I had it half right. They weight did melt off. I didn't, however, learn that I had to change my way of eating and had to exercise to keep it off. I ended up gaining 40 pounds back. Fortunately it was only 40 pounds and not the whole 190 pounds I had lost before I learned that even after gastric bypass I had to eat right and exercise.

My message is this. There is NO easy and fast way to lose weight. You HAVE to eat right and exercise. There's no magic pill, no magic potion, no magic surgery - you have to work it!! I know how hard this is. I've gained back 20 pounds and have to re-lose it. I struggle with eating and exercise every day of my life.

So - please take my advice and stay away from the fad diets!! I know how tempting they can be. I've tried quite a few myself only to be discouraged when the weight came back. They don't help you lose weight forever and they can be harmful to your health!!

By popular demand......

Ok, ok - so by popular demand here's a pic of the "new hair". It doesn't look as good (to me) as it did when my daughter did it but I'm sure with practice it will look better.

An EnLIGHTening Experience.....

My husband and I work odd shifts. I work 12 hour nights and he works from 4 am to 12:30pm. Our sleep schedules are odd also. We are both very respectful of each other's sleep time. So, Wednesday morning I fell asleep at 5:00am. At 6:30am my husband walked into the bedroom and asked me where my car registration was. I was in between sleep and being awake and thought I was dreaming. So, again, my husband asked where my care registration was and told me that both his truck and my car had been struck by a light pole! I shot straight up in bed and said "WHAT?". So I ran downstairs only to find that there was, in fact, a light pole laying across my car and resting on his truck. That's what I get for parking right behind my husband! LOL

You see, on our street we have parallel parking on both sides of the street. Our street is a two-way, very heavily traveled, street. There are metal light poles up and down the street. The light poles are very old and the neighbors have always said that we were all just waiting for one of them to go down. Well - it happened! Right on top of both of our vehicles!!

My husband called our insurance company to make a claim. They couldn't believe what they had just been told! They had never heard of anything like this happening!! They found it quite amusing! I'm so glad that they found the amusement in all of this!! LOL

The police came and made a report. The light pole was still working and was presenting quite a public safety hazard. The cop, in all of his infinite wisdom, took the report, gave my husband the case number and then left just leaving this public safety hazard! I couldn't believe it! I called the police back and told them what had occurred and demanded that they send the officer back. Within minutes not only was the officer back but his supervisor was there as well. I told him I couldn't believe that they had just left such a hazard. They informed me that all they were obligated to do was to put up scene tape - BGE (the electric company) was on their way. So I told the cop to go ahead and do it but be prepared to be electrocuted! LOL The other debacle that the cops had was they didn't know if the city owned the light pole or if BGE owned it. If the city owned it then the Department of Public Works had to come out and fix it. If BGE owned it then BGE had to come and fix it. They finally figured out, after much debate, that BGE owned it. BGE was there in minutes and finally lifted the light pole off of our vehicles.

Tomorrow we will take our vehicles for estimates. Then we have to set up appointments with body shope to have them fixed. Hopefully this won't take too long and won't be too stressing!

I guess, after all is said and done, I'm just thankful that there was only property damage and that no one was hurt. This really could have turned out tragically but, thankfully, it didn't.

Here is a picture of the vehicles with the light pole on top of them:

Hair today, gone tomorrow!!!

My oldest daughter is a hair stylist. She's very good at it. For years, though, when she would cut my hair she would only do what she called the "mom cut". She didn't want to do anything new with my hair. When I was in LA for my birthday in June I did what I thought was the unthinkable, at a dear friend's suggestion, and got my hair done in a LA salon. I loved it! The stylist who did my hair worked with my curls instead of against them. I had it done again when I was in LA in October.

Well - my hair had gotten real shaggy looking and the color had gotten too brash. So when I was at my daughter's house on Sunday I asked if I could come by her salon and have her do my hair. Originally I was just thinking a trim. My daughter, on the other hand, was thinking cut and color. New cut and New color!!!

So today I ventured off to the salon for my daughter to work her magic. I sat in her chair and she said "Okay Mom. What are we doing with it? I have some ideas that I think are funky and would look real good.". So I found myself saying okay. My feelings on hair both mine and both of my daughters is that it grows back and bad color can be fixed. So - I told her to do whatever "funky" thing she had in mind. So - she worked her magic. I love the color. It's called "Celtic Copper" (gee - fitting since I'm very Irish - LOL!) and she put in some blonde highlights. The highlights are real subtle and make the copper a little lighter. The cut is cute too. It's shorter than I've had it in a while but I love it. She said, after her cut, that she got rid of my "Beverly Hills Mullet" - lol. She did a great job and it's very stylish and trendy! It can be blown out or scrunched so I have options with it. It feels good!

While I was sitting in my daughter's chair at the salon she started introducing me to her coworkers and the owners of the salon. She introduced me as her mother and everyone thought that we were lying! They thought for sure that I was her sister not her mother. I literally had to get my driver's license out to prove how old I was and that I was her mother and not her sister! I was shocked! I was thinking that they were only being nice or were blind! LOL It was a great feeling though. I feel so young now!!! They were amazed at how similar our voices were and then when we both laughed at the same time they couldn't believe it - we have the same laugh!! She truly is my daughter!!! She is beautiful, talented and I love her so!!

SO - hair today, gone tomorrow!!! LOL

Marching bands, flutes - things from my past - so I thought!!

I played flute through middle and high school. I was first chair in high school. For those of you who don't know what that means it means that I was good. I also marched in my high school marching band. I loved marching band! So that was my past. So I thought....

Recently I was looking on the Baltimore Ravens website when I came across a link for the Marching Ravens. I decided to look into the link because I have always loved marching bands. Much to my surprise the Marching Ravens are recruiting. So, just for giggles, I shot off an email to the director of the Marching Ravens. I didn't really expect to hear back. Boy - was I wrong!!

I got an email response within 2 hours of emailing him. He wanted me to call him ASAP. He didn't care what time of the day or night it was he wanted to hear from me. So I called him.

I talked to him at great length about the marching band and told him that I hadn't picked up my flute since high school so I didn't know if I would be of any use to him. Awww contrare!!! He was extremely interested and I now have an audition with the Marching Ravens on February 27th!!!!

Well that lead to my next problem. I no longer had a flute. Well, he says, that's no problem either. It just so happens that one of the other directors owns a music shop and set me up with a great deal on a flute.

So now I'm feverishly getting ready for my audition. WHAT???? AM I CRAZY???? Well that's up for debate but we'll see what happens! The guy who sold me my flute listened to me play as I was choosing a flute and said that he doesn't see any reason why the director won't love me. I hope he's right!! The nerves are really setting in here.

I told my youngest daughter what I was doing and she thinks it's cool! Yeah - her mom - the band geek!! LOL

Four Things......

Ok Laura - here ya' go! Here are my answers to your Four Things Post!

Four things that you may or may not have know about me in no particular order. Directions are at the end.

Four jobs I've had in my life (other than my current one):

1 - Customer Service Rep
2 - Dispatcher
3 - Nail Technician
4 - Marketing Manager

Four Movies I've watched more than once:

1 - Wizard of Oz
2 - My Best Friends Wedding
3 - Lion King
4 - Jungle Book

Four Places that I've lived:

1 - Laurel, MD
2 - Elkridge, MD
3 - Columbia, MD
4 - Baltimore, MD

Four TV shows that I watch:

1 - South Park
2 - Jon & Kate plus 8
3 - ER
4 - Dancing with the Stars

Four places I have been:

1 - LA (YEAH!!)
2 - Nebraska
3 - Florida
4 - West Virginia

Four people I email with some regularity:

1 - Laura
2 - Vennie
3 - Claudia
4 - Bruce

Four of my favorite foods:

1 - Ice cream
2 - Chocolate chip cookies
3 - Rice Pudding
4 - Mangos

Dishes that friends/family make that I love:

1 - My mother-in-law's potato salad
2 - Laura's oatmeal
3 - Laura's egg veggie pita
4 - Vickie's almond pastries

Four places I'd rather be right now:

1 - LA
2 - Home (I'm at work)
3 - With my grandkids
4 - on a cruise

Four friends I think will respond:

1 - Claudia
2 - Laura
3 - Vennie
4 - Ang

Four things I look forward to this year:

1 - Getting to goal weight (again!)
2 - Learning new things
3 - Going to LA
4 - Getting together with the Fab Four!

DIRECTIONS:

Now, according to Laura's blog, we're supposed to forward this on to some people that we know, substituting our own answers in for the senders. Include the sender in your e-mail. I would propose that you can either copy this post into an e-mail and forward it on, or copy it into your own blog and answer it there. Your choice.

Have Fun!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Yes - I know - it's been a while since I blogged. I figured I'd start the year off with a blog post.

Happy New Year to everyone! I'm not usually one to believe in making New Year's resolutions. I have a friend who didn't believe in them either but last year she made a list of goals - resolutions - for 2007. She kept them in the front of her dayplanner and would check them off as she did them. She said that it made her feel accomplished and she had fun trying to accomplish them. So this year I've decided to do the same. I've made my list and it's written in the front of my dayplanner. I will mark them off as I do them. I am also posting them here.

So - here's the list!

Beth's 2008 Resolutions!

1 - I will get back to and stay at 160 pounds!

2 - I will go to the gym at least 4 times a month.

3 - I will take a class in any subject.

4 - I will go to LA at least once this year.

5 - I will go to the National Aquarium and see the new Australia exhibit.

6 - I will go on a date at least twice this year with my husband, Bob.

7 - I will devote one day a month for my daughter, Kaela.

8 - I will eat at least one healthy meal a day no matter what kind of day I'm having.

9 - I will email the Fab Four at least once a week.

10 - I will call the FABS at least once a month.



So, there ya' have it!! My goals for 2008!!

I hope you all have a wonderful 2008!!