Friday Friday Friday! BYOC!

BYOC - Bring Your Own Crazy!

It’s Friiiiidddaayyy! That means it’s time for BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy! A little ditty you can participate in on Fridays to get to know your fellow blogger better and to give your blogging brain a break. Copy and paste to your own blog and ENJOY!!

1. Do you have a favorite traditional “birthday meal”? If yes – what is it and what is the meaning behind it?

While I don't have a traditional meal, I celebrate the hell out of my existence during the month of September. My mom and I also share the same birthday so I get in family time, friend time, girls night out and usually a great weekend from my boyfriend thrown in for more fun.  Typically many cocktails and good food are involved but never a traditional meal that I have to have. 2. If you’ve lost weight, has your style changed since you lost weight? Or what's your dream purchase when you do lose weight/hit goal?

I am still pre-band. My dream purchase is a fantastic bathing suit finally feeling saucy and sassy in it!! I am tired of living in Florida and having a boat and feeling like someone needs to "Free Lisa".

3. Pick one question of the following two to answer: Who is your favorite Muppet and why? Or who is your favorite Smurf and why?
I am going to run with the Muppets.  My dog sorta looks like a Muppet to me actually.  My favorite was always "The Swedish Chef". Do-Do-Do-Do-Do I always enjoyed cooking and as a kid I really loved watching him throw things all around the kitchen. I was also a major Miss Piggy fan. I had the most amazing puppet doll of her with long blonde hair, purple formalwear dress and long satin gloves. She was quite lovely.

4. When you buy a lotion or after bath spray or body spray or candle (not perfume) – what’s the “flavor” you always find yourself loving the most?Hmm -  all different actually.

Bath and Home Sprays - Always tropical something or other. Or I also like a clean cotton smell.

Body Spray - I love Moonlit Path. I don't wear a lot of body sprays as I am definitely a parfum snob.

Candles - I love love love Archipelago candles. My fave is a very masculine scent called Havana. It includes a blend of Bergamot, Tobacco Leaf and Ylang Ylang

5. Repeat question. Summarize your week in real life and in blogland.

Wow - what a fantastic first week to have my first BYOC!  Well let's see...  it started with my final weigh in. Then I received my approval for my band in less than 2 flipping hours.  Then I had an amazing girls night out with my mom and nana (dinner, wine and a movie night).
Then it ended with me picking up my 2 week supply of Opti-Fast, paying off my surgery, shopping for my Pre & Post Op items and walking around on CLOUD 9 that it's now officially REAL!!!  I would say this is a pretty monumental week :) 


Oh - and here is a pic of my muppets hehe

Big Freaking News!

Well I received a call from the bariatric specialist this morning. She said she received the paperwork from my PCP and was writing up the chart to send to my insurance. I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield Independence if anyone is interested.  She said I would hopefully hear within 30 days.

So then off I went. I went and had lunch with someone I had not met previously. During Christmas I told my brothers girlfriend about my efforts to get the band. She mentioned her sister in law had it a year ago and had lost a ton of weight.  We called her on Christmas morning and she was so helpful and encouraging and said she would like to meet me eventually. 

Today was the day! I met her in front on the YMCA where she works out with a trainer on Tuesdays.  I pulled up and there were 3 thin ladies sitting out there so I had no idea who she was. Yep - she was one of the thin ones!  She looks fabulous. 

Off we went. We walked around a farmers market in a neat city called Gulfport. Once a month they also have a clothing swap. You bring 5 pieces of clothes and you pick out 5 pieces. This has nothing to do with bariatric surgery, it actually helps out the CASA shelter (abused women).

She said this has been a great tool for her while she flies thru sizes.

Then off we went to lunch. I was able to sit with a bandster and watch how they eat, see the portion and bite sizes, see if anything was off or different or screamed, "I HAD WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY".  Nope...  normal. 

I felt like I have known her for years and we instantly clicked.  Talk about inspiration. She showed me her before picture at approx 329 and it wasn't the same person in front of me. She lost over 140 pounds but she also looks like she lost 20 yrs.

So after we departed, I was driving and saw my surgeons office calling again. This time it was another person on the line. I figured she was calling to tell me I missed some paperwork or I need something else.

Nope.

I had to pull the car over.

She said I was submitted at 1:00 pm EST and she was calling with an APPROVAL at 3:30 PM EST.  No way - is this real??  An approval that quick?? 

I started crying in my car because all of a sudden it was real and it was happening!!! I then called my mom, Zack and some friends. I am still in shock as I write this.

I have a surgery date of February 3rd, a Friday.  I will come into the office and pick up my Optifast this Monday and start it next Friday.

This is it people... This is it.

*BIG SMILES*

Mmm Mmm Good!

Move over Campbell's, this girl is the new soup nazi in town.

I have a confession. I have always been a major foodie. I have no qualms buying rediculous kitchen items or ingredients. I love to cook and love being creative in the kitchen except in one area.. soups.

I have been cooking since I was 10 years old. I mean full on cooking. My dad left us when I was young and my mom owned a hair salon. She worked a lot and I learned how to cook and clean and run a household by the time I was 10.  Except up until 2 weeks ago, I had never cooked a pot of soup. I was rediculously intimidated by them and frankly wasn't a major soup person.

My first soup two weeks ago was a homemade Split Pea soup with ham and a drizzle of black truffle oil. It was amazing. I put several mini servings in the freezer in my new BPA-free freezerware hoping they would come in handy soon for post surgery.

Today, I went in and made an incredible Italian wedding soup with tons of spinach, escarole and carrots. Oh my... it was lovely and healthy. I made tiny turkey meatballs and also cooked the best chicken spinach sausage to give it a bit more flavor and protein.  It turned out to be a MASSIVE pot of soup. Enough that I have two massive freezer containers. One I'm keeping for myself and one I am giving to my mom to share with the family. I want her to be proud lol.

All this soup and the weather was back up to 80 degrees today. I had to turn the AC on to cook and eat it.

So anyway - no longer am I intimidated by cooking soups and I am prepping some really tasty post band mushy phase foods. (if my surgery date will hurry up and get here!)

The next soups on the agenda are: 

Poblano Chili Corn Chowder
Shrimp and Scallop Posole with fresh Cilantro

My bowl of goodness from tonight:

Last but not least - Hopefully my surgeons bariatric specialist will call me tomorrow. I left her a vm today. She is the hardest freaking person to get ahold of. Guaranteed if you call her, you will get vm and it will take at least a day to get a call back.  I have the patience of a gnat when it comes to this journey.   I am REALLY hoping she will tell me I am on my way to BCBS Independence.  Crossing my fingers, toes, legs and eyes.

Tag, You're It!

The Rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ Blah blah blah, you legiti­mately have to tag 11 peeps!

11 Random things about myself. 

1)  I can't answer anything with a single explanation I just figured out from below.  Either I am super interesting, sybil or super indecisive.  Yes - definitely super interesting.

2) I have been to over 250 concerts. I am a music fiend.

3) A few months ago I entered two recipes into a contest. Both won and will be featured in a Heritage cookbook woo hoo.

4) I have a massive, and I mean massive shoe addiction. I almost can't go shopping without bringing home a pair. I think since I hated my dress size, shoes were always there for me.

5) I grew up in a hair salon. My mom was a single mom for many yrs and owned a few salons. I was the shampoo girl, nail tech, check out clerk, accountant and supply orderer for MANY yrs. Apparently child labor laws didn't exist back then haha.

6) I looked 21 when I was only 12 yrs old. I could order drinks at 12 yrs old almost at ANY restaurant and was never carded.  It was a very strange.

7) When I was 17, my mom and I were in a horrific accident. An oil tanker ran a red light and slammed into my side and almost killed us. They had to use the jaws of life to get me out. I didn't break one bone but the only reason I am alive is from NOT wearing a seat belt.

8) I have never missed any episode of Real Housewives - All cities.  It's a very secret and guilty pleasure. I will only watch them late at night when Zack goes to bed because I am embarrassed.

9) I am obsessed with poodles.  I am the fur-mom to two pups (one poodle and one pekingese)

10) I saw the Grateful Dead 64 times.

11) I have 3 girlfriends since elementary school still in my life and 3 from junior high/high school. I feel very thankful for these long relationships.

jennxaz-talesfromanarizonalapbander tagged me and below are my answers to her questions.

1. Paperback, nook, kindle or other?

• I love a great paperback but I am also a nerd and love gadgets. I have a Nook. I also have an Ipad with a full library on there.

2. Favorite place to vacation?

• Isla Roatan, Honduras for the Islands & Sicily, Italy for a big one.

3. Mommy or daddy's girl?

• Definitely Mom. She is my best friend & my biggest cheerleader.

4. Tomboy or girlie girl?

• Definitely a girly girl but envious of tomboys who are super athletic.

5. Did you play sports in school? explain -

• Not a lot but I did play soccer and was on a the golf team. Golf team was a joke.

6. PC or MAC?

• PC for work laptop but definitely a MAC fan and big Apple product girl.

7. Favorite band or singer of all time? oh gawd. This is tough. I am a massive audiophile. I could list out so many from each genre.   Since I can't name one.. I will list some of my faves:  Coldplay, Grateful Dead, The Clash, Bob Marley & The Wailers (old stuff), Esperanza Spalding, Radiohead, Miles Davis... 

8. Favorite movie of all time?

• The Godfather

9. When you go to Vegas...slots or tables?

• Both. Blackjack and Wheel of Fortune slots

10. Beer or wine or none?

• Wine (cocktails actually but wine between those)

11. Favorite reason to blog?

• Meeting new people with similar stories around the world.

My 11 questions for those tagged:

1) Do you have any pets?
2) If you could have dinner with any person dead or alive, who would it be?
3) Do you prefer the country, city or beach if you had to choose a place to live?
4) What is your #1 vice?
5) Do you love your career? If you don't have one, are you satisfied?
6) Do you have any artistic abilities?
7) If you were cooking to wow someone, what would you cook? What is your best dish?
8) What is your favorite sport to watch and to play?
9) Are you a morning person or a night owl?
10) Do you have a doppledanger? (Is there a celebrity/famous person you resemble the most)?
11) When you get to mini goals, how do you reward yourself or how will you?

I now need to tag others. I don't have that many people following me so I will tag the ones who I don't think have been tagged yet.

http://happilyafterlapband.blogspot.com/

http://purplepetticoat.blogspot.com/

http://robinwinegirl.blogspot.com/

http://diaryofafatwhitewoman.blogspot.com/

http://whatyoulookinatskinny.blogspot.com/

My Fitness Enemy er Pal

Egad. What an eye opener. Talk about lackadaisical. I decided to join MFP today after reading about it on bandsuperstars - Lapbandgirl bio on her successes.  Talk about inspiration.  I figured it would get me into good habits now. I used to write down ever BLT (Bite, Lick & Taste) on Weight Watchers but then it fell to the waste(waist)side.

Time to get myself in check.  

I listed myself as wanting to lose two pounds a week with little exercise as I am not doing a lot yet.  I am almost halfway thru my calories if I want to actually be accountable so healthy(ier) eating at dinner.

Do any of you use MFP?  Any tips or tricks?  Or do you recommend something else? 

On another note, my boyfriend went to his Dr on Friday. He said his Dr went from a size 58 waist to a size 36. He is having two high protein replacement shakes with a lot of vitamins and a sensible dinner.  Zack decided to try it. He freaked out when he weighed himself and was at almost 250. When I met him, he was at 190, a hardcore mountain biker and had a very sexy six pack. Now he is carrying a pony keg. I blame myself for a lot of it. He adores my cooking and I have spoiled him for 6 and a half years.  He also moved to Florida which isn't the best mountain biking scene (go figure?!) and bought a boat. Lifestyle for Lifestyle I guess.  Except boat and drinking beer isn't the best form exercise.

He decided to get the shakes and try it. He is on day 2 so it will be interesting to see how he does. He also mentioned to his Dr that I am in the process of getting the band. Apparently Mr. Dr doesn't like the band and tried to have him dis persuade me from it. He said he prefers people to do everything possible before having the band.  So to me, he now sounds like a kook.

Don't you think I have???? 

Boobs

The reason I started blogging was after discovering this secret world of blogging banding sisters. I discovered this amazing group of women in a group called Boobs.  Talk about inspiring me and really helping me solidifying that I am READY to take on this journey.

So I secretly cyber-stalked many of their blogs for MONTHS. One after another and I still keep discovering more each day.  It's like a secret society of acronyms of boobs, byoc and more.

One day I hope to infiltrate this group and be invited into their secret banding world.  In the meantime, I am trying so hard to get my insurance requirements met.

Tomorrow is the LAST supervised weigh in and I am excited that my paperwork will be submitted. I am not leaving the office until my letter of surgery necessity and recommendation are faxed to my surgeon. I was told ahead of time they would do it while I was there.

Oh ladies, please oh please oh please send me your good vibes for a quick and easy-peasy approval!!

And if anyone needs another boob, I am so your girl. ;)

Baby its cold outside...

Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful time like I did. We had a great time. We planned an "End of the world - Mayan theme" complete with multiple fire pits, tiki god heads, Spanish inspired cuisine, and palm trees and foliage everywhere. It is always great motivation for us when we have a party to get our house in spic and span shape and our yard super pretty.


Everyone seemed to have had a really great time. We went to sleep about 4am and had a friend stay over. On NY day, the weather was stunning. A warm and sunny 77 degrees. We started our day with mimosas (we had/have a ton of leftover champers), breakfast casserole, blueberry crepes and fresh berry fruit salad outside on the dock and decided to take a boat ride. It was a perfect way to start the new year.


Fast forward to today: The weather has turned and for Florida, it's extreme tonight. We are in the 30's tonight and having a hard freeze. Today we went out and covered all of our smaller palms, mango tree, papaya tree and ginger plants with sheets so they won't freeze and die. Two years ago we took a major hit and our backyard went from beautiful and lush to dry, brittle and burnt from the frost. We have worked hard on our little oasis back there so didn't want to deal with that again.


In lapband news, I'm one day away from heading to my PCP for my LAST weigh in. I can then get submitted to my insurance. I am so hoping they approve it quickly!!! I need some positive vibes sent my way!! :)


I'm trying to get rid of the high caloric foods in my pantry and fridge and am starting the purge. In years past, I would eat them before dieting versus throwing them away. I mean god forbid I throw food away! Bye bye holiday cookies and candy.


Not that I'm ready for a liquid diet but mentally I am wrapping my brain around change in advance.


I will report back after my last Dr visit.


Until next time - Stay warm out there! I can't complain - it will be back in the 70's by the weekend. I have only a couple days to get my new vintage leopard faux fur 40's inspired jacket worn! I need to use this weather wisely!!!