RENEWAL

Hi, Ho - It's Off To the Gym I Go!

2012-02-06T08:27:00.001-05:00

I'm going to admit that I had become a little lazy when it comes to my workouts. It's not that I was skipping them or doing less. It's just that I had stopped rowing and been doing my cardio workouts on the recumbent bike. The reason was I wanted to read while I was working out. So I stopped rowing. BIG MISTAKE!

I realize now that I wasn't getting the workout that I needed. I went back to rowing this week. Unfortunately, I can feel the results when I wake up in the morning. Today is a gym day and it's back to rowing. I've downloaded a couple of podcasts to listen to since I really need something more than music. I think the problem is that with weights I have to pay attention to the numbers. With cardio, it's just about moving and getting the time in. So the podcasts help.

One of the things I really like about the Y is their FitLinxx system. It keeps track of your progress, and you can measure yourself against others. I was really pleased to see that I had made it into the top group of women for 2011 of weights lifted. It's nice seeing your name on a list - even if you are toward the bottom! It's important for me to stay active. There is arthritis in my family. So far I've been able to avoid taking pain pills for the most part except for the occasional strained muscle. This morning I woke up feeling a little achy in my hips and lower back. Luckily once I got out of bed the pain went away. I don't want to become crippled by arthritis. So, hi, ho, hi, ho - it's off to the gym I go!

National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC

2012-01-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

We went to the National Gallery of Art last Wednesday. It involved a LOT of walking. We took the MARC train, arrived at Union Station, had breakfast, then took the METRO. After that we had a long two block walk to the museum. We only did the American section. Then it was off to Chinatown for some lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. Caught the 4:10 MARC train back. It was great. This is just a sampling of the glorious pictures we saw. Can't wait to get back!

New Years Resolutions! What??????

2012-01-15T12:47:00.001-05:00

A little late, right? Where were you in DECEMBER, Larraine, when everybody else was blogging about their New Years Resolutions? December is probably the only month in the year that I seem to live almost totally in the present. I love the lights and colors and music of the season.

I'm going to be very upfront and say that I don't particularly believe in the "reason for the season." Apparently Jesus was born in March - the lambs are cited as the reason.So I tend think of it as a Winter Solstice celebration. Don't be mad, now!

It takes me a while to think things through. I'm not ready to think about what I want to do in January in December. It's halfway to February - so NOW it's time.

I had an interesting comment on my blog Coffee and Chocolate. I made a comment on another blog resulted in a prize. I commented on a photograph called "Surprise" in which I reminisced about a spring horse that we gave to our son, Rob, one year. I still remember the look on his face. Utter and complete surprise!

I won a $50 gift certificate for a site that sells paper goods - most of which did not interest me. However, I did decide on a planner that allows the user to personalize with your own photos. I got it last week. It's a lot of fun. I'm writing down bits and pieces in it. Plus, I can turn to the photo of Rob & Sharon or Bob and I and smile. There is also a photo of a diner sign that I liked a lot, a fall scene from Bombay Hook and a photo of a line of bikes and scooters that I saw at the train station in Alexandria, Va.

This reminded me of one of the things I had stopped doing which is writing. I write for myself. I probably will never get published. When I'm gone, the files will be deleted, along with my photo files, and my computer will be rehabbed and given away or just tossed.

Of course, I also want to learn Italian. I'm back taking Italian lessons for now. We didn't have enough students at the first meeting so I don't know if this session will continue or not. I also invested in Rosetta Stone. It was expensive, but on sale.

I continue to try to "simplify" my life by ruthlessly going through my books. They are in good shape. If I find that a large book is only selling for a penny or so on Amazon, I put it on Paper Back Book Swap which is a great site for swapping books. You DO have to pay for postage, but it's worth because you get a point for every book you swap. It's a great way to get rid of that pile of novels taking up space.

I would like to move, but I question whether that's going to happen this year. In the meantime, I hope to find a part time job because I'm bored being at home. It would be nice if people remembered we're here, but I've just about given up on that. Apparently everyone is "too busy." (A little of my self-pity from my previous post, I'll admit.)

I bought a membership for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. They have two exhibits this year. The cost of the tickets for the exhibits was more than a dual membership. (Now if I can just get their site to accept my membership number, but that's another issue....)

I'm trying to make some sense of my home office. Right now the small desk I was using is piled with stuff. Bob brought my other desk into that room. The futon is temporarily (?!) in the living room. It crowds things, but on the other hand, Hamish likes it a lot. Bob is in the process of rehabbing the back room which had once been my home office and is now filled with a jumble of stuff. There's wallpaper that needs to come down, carpeting that needs to come up....You get the picture.

The litter boxes are finally going where I wanted them all along: in the lower level, under the stairs. We just need to keep Kinsey happy...... The Diva rules! There needs to be enough room so that Spenser can't block the way when Hamish needs to do his processes of elimination. (Honestly, having two male cats is like having two teenagers. I'm just hoping Spenser mellows a little and that Hamish stops chasing Kinsey.)

I just downloaded a book on our Kindle for the Abingdon library reading group. I had stopped going because my Italian lessons were on Monday, but now they are Tuesdays. So now I feel a bit more optimistic. It would still be nice if people occasionally picked up the telephone and called, but......I'll take what I can get. Ciao!

A Happy New Year Wallow In Self Pity

2012-01-02T16:20:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year - and I'm glad it's over. I really HATE New Year's Eve. It seems like everyone has plans or is doing something fun. It wasn't a total washout. We went to see The Girl In The Dragon Tattoo, a terrific and engaging film. It was really well done and very close to the book with a few exceptions. It was a low tech film, dark and moody, like the book. When we got home, I made a spicy scallop and shrimp linguine. We didn't even stay up for the New Year. B-O-R-I-N-G!

I was feeling sorry for myself, although I feel a little better now. This is my Medicare year. In just a few months, I'll be signing up. So, I've decided to put off doing things until then. Talk about depressing. I don't feel old. I look at myself in the mirror and don't see old, but I think other people do. I know I should accept age gracefully, but I don't WANT TO!

A few days, one of my Facebook "friends" was waxing nostalgic about growing up in the 50's and 60's and how much "better" things were. I don't share that view. I LIKE technology. I LIKE having a mobile instead of trying to find a phone booth that actually works and wasn't last used by someone with walking pneumonia. I LIKE using a word processing software program instead of banging away on a typewriter. I LIKE using a digital camera instead of worrying and obsessing about how much film I'm using.

The problem with getting older is that inevitably my body just needs to "rest" more. Today was our gym day. I did 10 minutes of serious rowing, following by my weights, followed by 10 minutes of (mostly) furious pedaling on the recumbent bike. I have to admit that I'm tired. I shouldn't be annoyed but I am. The other day I found myself wondering if anyone would even miss us if they didn't hear from us for a while. I know I'm wallowing but since this is MY blog, I'm going to wallow. I'm just keeping it here for now.

Rowing and Rowing....Happy New Year

2011-12-28T14:31:00.003-05:00

I took a break from rowing for about a week. Went back to it yesterday along with my weights. Weights are up to a little over 22,000 lbs per session. Today I went to the gym just to do cardio. Did 15 minutes on the rower (with the help of some good rock on my IPod Touch), upped the resistance to 7 (from 6 - I move in small increments!) and did 2018 Meters - a personal bist. Whoohoo! We learned recently that Blue Cross - starting in January - may be supplementing our gym membership as long as we go a certain number of times monthly. That's pretty exciting and gives us added incentive to stick to it. Bob and I got our t-shirts on the 23rd: the "Y" offered free t-shirts to anyone who came in at least 12 times during December. This is our second t-shirt. So, I haven't lost all of the weight I would have liked, but I am a lot more fit than I was three years ago. That's a good thing.

Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga - The Lady Is A Tramp

2011-12-20T09:35:00.000-05:00

Jump For Joy

2011-12-19T09:37:00.001-05:00

I've been feeling kind of down for a while: no job, not enough $$$ to do what I really want to do. The one thing outside my family and friends that has kept me from falling into depression has been pursuing my interests, especially photography. In addition, I have been reading a lot - more than I have in the past and more widely.

Yesterday I started Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. I was immediately sucked in. I love it when a book does that.

A few days ago I had my three year meeting with my weight loss surgery team. I have been fretting about not losing as much weight as others have done. I belong to two support groups on Facebook. Most of the members are young, and they look wonderful. I look fine, but I'm still considered morbidly obese although less so.

The exercise specialist at the practice was not there when I had my appointment. She has an issue with the whole BMI thing. I know that I've built up a lot of muscle. When I was having problems with my knee last spring, the doctor made a comment about my legs being "toned."

Last September when I had my yearly physical with my primary doctor, my results were great: perfect blood sugar, the blood pressure of a teenager (as one of the women who worked there said), and even the kind of cholesterol that doesn't stick to your arteries. The doctor was positively enthusiastic, telling me that I had a "low risk of heart disease." So I shouldn't complain. How many people at the age of 64 can say that? Still, all around me I see signs of mortality. I think that's part of it. We lost two extended members of our family in the last two years, both of which suffered sudden and fatal heart attacks. Last year one of my cousins died at the age of 68. He was a smoker all of his life and died of lung cancer.

In addition to the sadness, when you reach your 60's you realize that despite the higher mortality rate today, every day is a gift. I've come to realize this and am working to keep on learning and doing.

One of the things my primary doc said was that I should work out on the treadmill. I recently decided to start rowing. (See one of my recent posts.) Yesterday we went to the gym for cardio only. I did 10 minutes on the rowing machine and 10 minutes on the arc trainer - the one that uses legs only. This morning I feel a tiny bit stiff, but fine.

I specifically requested to see the WLS surgeon during my last appointment. My surgeon is no longer there. He lives all the way on the other side of the Baltimore Beltway and then west. It was just too much for him since he was practicing in both areas. I'll miss him. The new guy is young and seems fine. We had a nice talk. I was wondering if I was a candidate for revision since I wasn't losing weight. He said I should stop snacking. So I'm going to try to do that. He asked if I felt full after eating which I do. He also pointed out that I had lost 60% of my weight which is actually the average. So I guess If I had had the surgery when I was 100lbs less, I would be where I want to be now. The problem is that the surgery wasn't available then. And I will have missed the future "magic pill" that's coming too! Darn!!! ;)

I have a couple of job interviews coming up. There are some new jobs in the newspaper and on Career Builder. I'm enjoying my photography and, of course, it's almost Christmas! I'm going to continue looking forward. The economy is getting better. I took Italian lessons in the fall and am hoping to take some starting next year. Buon Natale e felice anno nuovo! (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)

Renewal: Stalled?

2011-11-13T21:01:00.001-05:00

I have been looking for a job for 6 months now. It's frustrating out there. I need the $$$, plus I'm just not ready to sit home and do nothing. I can't afford to do what I want to do without working at least part time. It's frustrating though.

Today I received two identical emails from two different people who advertised for a "personal assistant." I was suspicious when I answered the ads, but I thought - what 's the worse that can happen. They want my cell phone number. No, no, no, no, no.....I was suspicious of the first one. When I got an identical email with a different na, I knew it was a scam of some kind. I don't know what it is, but I deleted both emails.

One reply to my resume came last week in the form of an email asking me go to the link they sent for a "background check." Now I've worked at places that did background checks. That's not how it works. When I tracked down the company, a real estate company supposedly, I found them on Facebook, of all places, with a Nairobi, Kenya place of business. I said good bye to THAT email also.

I applied for a part time job in a chiropractor's office. I received a reply that the position had been filled, asking me if I wanted them to keep my resume on file in case another position opened. Of course, I replied. I then received an email telling me that she would do so, but also with a link telling me how I can make some extra money at home. She said that SHE did it while watching TV and asked me not to tell her boss about the link. Apparently a lot of people fall for that crap.

Someone I know had their debit card hacked online. I don't use my debit card online EVER. In fact, I've become more and more wary of using it at all except to get cash. Even then the account can be hacked. It's a scary world out there.

It's a tough world if you are a veteran or older apparently. Returning veterans have a 12% unemployment rate. I don't know if anyone has even checked to see what the unemployment rate is for people over 55. 60 Minutes estimated that the real unemployment rate is probably 17%. Politicians wonder why so many are unemployed.

Stupid b***ch, Michelle Bachmann, who is running as for President, said that if you are unemployed, you shouldn't eat until you get employment. I suggest she try to get a job right now: create a new identity and fictitious normal resume and see what happens. I'm betting she might change her tune. Here's the link from the Drudge Report, a site I detest. However all of the other sites were liberal ones so I was trying for "fair and balanced." This includes a video.

Newt Gingrich, another idiot, said nobody should get unemployment unless they sign up for "retraining."

Well Newt (maybe I should send him a copy of this, but he would probably just put me on his fundraising list so he can go out and buy more jewelry for his third or is it fourth wife?), first of all, if you go back to school while unemployed, at today's current system, you won't get a check.

It's obvious that most of our politicians live on another mental planet. They have NO idea what is going on in the real world.

One of the questions they ask is if you went to school or training this week. The assumption is you are not available for any and all employment.

Then there is the question of "training." I trained as a paralegal and again in medical billing and coding. Everybody wants "experience." This is why veterans can't get a job. That's why a lot of people are unemployed. They might have experience on a particular billing system for instance, but that's NOT the billing system that the company uses. Or yes, you went to school as a paralegal, but we want 5 years experience in foreclosures or bankruptcy or whatever....So, you are not experienced. It's a Catch 22.

Even with retraining classes, a person still needs to be trained for their new job. Companies don't want to do that. But why do that when you can just hire someone away from someone else, right? I have applied at my own credit union which has my joint checking and savings. The last time I was in there, the women in the customer service dept looked like they were going to work out on a farm: sweatshirts, jeans, totally unprofessional. Yet, I can't get a job there because I have no experience.

Last year we bought a Toyota Prius. We really love the car. The dealership sold us a deal that included a free detail once a year. (Now it's twice a year.) We went to do it and discovered they had no record of it. The young woman who took our money, never entered it in the computer. We got it fixed, but it took a half an hour.

We've also had problems with other issues like that. I can't get an interview, yet there is so much sloppiness out there. So many companies are trying to wring as much work out of a few rather than hire additional help even if just part time or temporary.

I've worked on the physical me. I even worked on the mental me a bit. I've been trying new things, staying mentally sharp, going to the gym regularly. I've been working on my photography and reading more challenging books. But right now I feel as if everything is stalled. I would like to move, but that's not going anywhere either. So right now my "renewal" feels stalled and a little stale. I'm beginning to think the Peggy Lee song, "Is That All There Is?", that was popular years ago fits me too well. It's a pretty depressing thought.

New Blog - Come On And See Me Some Time!

2011-11-06T09:36:00.002-05:00

Like thousands, maybe even millions, of amateur photographers, I've started a photo blog. One could argue I have too much time on my hands. I'll still be posting here. Just decided I wanted a different outlet for my photos. So stop by and visit me and let me know what you think by clicking here.

Chadds Ford Pumpkin Carve & Brandywine

2011-10-30T23:02:00.002-04:00

Just a few shots from our Friday visit to Chadds Ford, PA for the annual Great Pumpkin Carve. I'm glad we went when we did because the next day was cold, rainy and miserable and the rain turned to snow for a while! My photos on FLICKR

Rowing - Really!

2011-10-26T21:28:00.000-04:00

Look - here I am ROWING! Yeah, right, I wish! No, that's now me. If you think I would let ANYONE take a picture of me while I sweat and pull and listen to the latest "Wait, Wait! Don't Tell Me" podcast, you are sorely mistaken. Actually I started rowing last week on a machine that looks very much like this one. I am using #5 resistance. (It goes to 10) I started at 5 minutes, but made it to 15 minutes and 1742 meters on Tuesday.

Today, I only did ten minutes but I did 1632 meters. The first couple of days, I found myself needing a couple of aspirin for the pain. I hadn't needed a pain killer in a longtime. Now I don't need the aspirin. It's absolutely exhilarating. It's really hard work, but it combines cardio with exercise of muscles in your back and legs. It's an amazing exercise.

It seems like I have more energy since I started rowing. I don't think I'll make the move to water. I can't hold my knees at 90 degrees or hyperextend my knees either per my orthopedic surgeon. However, I can still get a good workout. I increased my resistance from 5 to 6. I'm going to leave it there for a while and see if I can increase the time and distance. For now, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Gently Down The Stream" is taking on a whole new meaning!

And it isn't this idyllic image either!

Try To Stay Optimistic

2011-10-26T11:29:00.001-04:00

I'm trying to stay optimistic, trying to take care of my health. It's not easy. I really need to get back to work, at least part time. I've been emailing resumes like crazy. The experts tell you to "follow up." However, the job postings are very cagey. Even if they DO tell you who they are (which they don't most of the time), they make it impossible to follow up. I've been applying for jobs at our local hospital for over two years now.

The last couple of times I sent an email asking how I was supposed to get any kind of "experience," when nobody will give you any. The economy is crap. I just want to get back to work, at least part time. I have one telephone number. I called it today. I got his voicemail. I'm going to keep on leaving messages until he tells me to kiss off.

I wish I could afford to retire. I can't right now. Life doesn't happen the way we planned. I made some mistakes. I also had a series of pretty bad breaks with some horrible employers. It's one thing to blame yourself. It's another when everyone around you is getting canned. That's not a good working environment. I worked for two different places that had that kind of atmosphere. I'm luckier than most. At least I don't need benefits.

I've done what the experts say: retrain. I've retrained twice yet still can't get a job. Lawyers need paralegals. Hospitals need coders. Yeah, right. If you have "experience," they will take you. Otherwise.....So, I'm wondering if I should rethink my options. I've thought about retail, but I really can't stand all day. My knees just won't take it even after the surgery.

In the meantime, I'm trying to NOT eat. I'm not losing weight. I'm not gaining, but I'm not losing. I belong to a couple of weight loss support groups on Facebook. I see pictures of women who have slimmed down to absolute normal. I haven't been able to get there.

Technically I'm still considered obese although my numbers are really good. At my last checkup, my blood pressure was 122/60. My blood sugar was absolutely normal. Triglycerides were low. My overall cholesterol account is 236, but my good cholesterol is so high that my doc isn't worried about me in that regard. Plus she said that my cholesterol is the kind that doesn't stick to the arteries.

I started rowing at the gym. I'm up to 15 minutes. It's really really hard to stay focused on that 15 minutes. I want to get it up to 30 minutes although I think I'll probably have to split it. I don't see myself rowing on a machine for 30 minutes without being bored, even with my IPod. I still want to lose some more weight, so I'm going to be really careful about what I eat and how often. I've found that when I get busy, even if I initially feel hungry, if I ignore it the grumblings they will go away. I'm having a test of this as I write this!

And I'm trying to stay optimistic:

Learning Italian - Still!

2011-10-25T22:34:00.001-04:00

Wouldn't I LOVE to be here

or here:

instead, I'm here:

Actually, this is one of several really ugly shopping centers not far from my house. You can see why I would rather be in one of the other two locations! Nevertheless, I continue to persevere with my Italian classes. We are now getting into the tricky stuff: verbs and their various forms. It's interesting, but a little mind boggling right now. So I'm not even going to attempt any explanations. I'm glad I'm taking the classes. I'm going to really work on those verbs! Buona notte!

I'm Only A Cockeyed Optimist

2011-10-09T11:50:00.003-04:00

Last night Bob and I saw South Pacific at the Hippodrom in Baltimore.
It as WONDERFUL! The music was glorious. I've always enjoyed musicals in the movies. Live theater engages its' audience directly in a way that a film version never can. Last year we saw West Side Story. I can still remember the opening dance number in my head, can still hear the music.

This is the original South Pacific, not the sanitized version that was made into a movie. There is direct and honest talk about racism and love and what's important. When Nellie decides that love is more important than Emile's prior relationship with a Tonkinese woman, you can't but see echoes in interracial marriage and even gay marriage today. There are a lot of memorable songs. Most people would embrace "Some Enchanted Evening." I love Cockeyed Optimist.

When Nellie belts out "I hear the human race is falling on its face and hasn't very far to go. But ev'ry whippoorwill is sellin' me a bill and tellin' me it just ain't so." I love the optimism.

We are in the middle of difficult times right now. This musical takes place at a time when the Japanese were winning the war in the Pacific, when the Allies needed a break. Americans were frankly worried that they would lose the war and would be taken over by the Axis powers. Nellie's optimism is wonderful to hear. She describes herself as just a "hick." In the end, she embodies the American spirit and even more so, the human spirit, when she decides to embrace love in a strange land and become the mother of two mixed race children.

Optimism is something we need right now. The economy is tough, politics seems to be broken, we seem to be divided more than ever. Personally, I have had a hard time staying optimistic. I want to get back to working - at least part time. I'm bored sitting at home. When I decided to have weight loss surgery, I was taking an optimistic step. I wanted to feel and look better. Having my knee replacement was also an optimistic step. I just KNEW that life could be better if I did this. I woke up this morning hearing Cockeyed Optimist in my head. I"m going to try to keep it there.

The Italian Job

2011-09-27T23:49:00.000-04:00

Image by loungerie via FlickrNo, this isn't a blog about the movie. Nor is it a new job in Italy. (That would be nice though.) Actually it's the name of my newest venture: learning Italian. I grew up in an Italian-American household. I am 3/4 Italian. (My father's mother was an Americano, a name my Italian grandmother called those people who were NOT Italian. Unlucky them!)

My parents both understood Italian. Dad passed away 19 yrs ago. However, Mom is still alive. She understands some but not as much as she did.

She didn't understand why I wanted to learn Italian. I'm not sure myself to be honest. The seed was planted when I saw how well my cousin's wife (who is NOT Italian!) is learning Italian and embracing Italian culture. Then another cousin talked about taking Italian lessons. When I found Italian lessons being taught locally, I jumped at the chance.

The lessons are usually in Baltimore so I was thrilled when they decided to teach Italian at a local Italian restaurant. There is an Italian learning center in Baltimore's little Italy. They teach a lot of different things besides Italian lessons - how to make Italian specialties for example. Wouldn't it be fun to learn how to make fresh mozzarella.

Yes, but right now I just want to learn some Italian. I heard about a group in Philadelphia that meets for dinner and speaks nothing but Italian. Our teacher says she would be up for that. If nothing else I think learning Italian will make my brain work in a different direction which I need right now. So, I learned a few things. When I came home I greeted my cats : "Ciao, Il Ghatti!"

With luck I'll get to Italy again. I didn't spend NEARLY enough time there when we lived in Germany. I'm sorry now that I didn't. It's beautiful! I saw so much art and gorgeous buildings and ate a lot of good food. I want to go back. This time I'll be able to greet a shopkeeper with a happy "Bonjourno!" and, hopefully, a lot more!

Sunflowers

2011-09-03T00:40:00.003-04:00

One of our local farmers has a field bursting with sunflowers. They are becoming a very popular crop, apparently for the seeds. The photography group to which I belong is spreading the word about sunflower fields. There is another one I just heard about. In the meantime, this is a sample of some of the images I capture.

Renewing My WLS Vows

2011-08-21T14:37:00.000-04:00

OK - after nearly 3 years and still needing to lose about 60-70lbs, it's time to renew my WLS vows. Morning breakfast was half a bagel topped with lite cream cheese and generous amounts of nova plus coffee. Before we headed for the gym, I filled a 32 oz container with ice and milk, added protein powder, sweetener and vanilla, added coffee, more protein and more ice. Drank that while I worked out. I am feeling energetic and "renewed." It's time to get the rest of the weight off. I admit that I have been "grazing." Enough, Larraine!

Summer's End

2011-08-14T16:47:00.000-04:00

There's always been something about the end of summer that makes me a little wistful and even sad. It's been a very hot and dry summer until recently. We had some respite from the upper 90's heat and high humidity that was plaguing us for so long - although not as long as Texas. Those people have been hit really hard. I admit to enjoying the fall and its cooler temperatures. It certainly makes it easy to get out and enjoy things when it's not so hot. I sweat a lot anyway, plus I take a fluid pill.

It doesn't help that I have to wear elastic stockings that are not only ugly, but also hot. Still I have become accustomed to them. Most of the time I don't even notice them.

Still, even though I complain it could be worse. My health is good. Now that I've recovered from my most recent knee surgery, I'm back to the gym and walking. I've been working a temp job in a cute little town about 40 minutes from home called Northeast, Md. It's named after the North East River which was named by Capt John Smith of Pocahontas fame. He apparently had NO imagination!

I've been able to get out and take a walk when the weather isn't too hot and humid. It can make a big difference when you are working, to just get out and take a walk. My coworker and I took a walk to a local restaurant and enjoyed a nice lunch sitting outside. The weather was perfect - mid 80's, low humidity.

I took the first of two classes to get the continuing education I need to renew my certification for my Medical Coding through the AAPC. Happily, the certification is good for two years. So I won't have to worry about it for now. If I can't get a job in the next two years, I think I'm going to let it go next time. Right now I'm working in a temp job as an assistant to a real estate agent. I would like it to be permanent, but he is apparently looking for a different fit for the job. In the meantime, I at least am showing on my resume that I want to work and not sit home and collect unemployment as some of the politicians seem to think!

In the meantime, I am exploring some options. I think I will definitely take a photography class this fall, maybe two. I really enjoy getting out and finding new things and documenting those travels. I just wish I could afford to travel more widely.

My weight has stabilized, unfortunately not at where I would like to be. I would love to be 60lbs less, but it seems like I might have to starve to get there. Still, I'm a lot better off than I was this time three years ago. I've lost well over 100lbs, had my knees replaced, am a certified gym rat and can walk without pain. All things considered, I'd rather be in Philadelphia, but that's coming soon I hope!

2011-08-07T19:51:00.004-04:00

I went for a walk today - for about 10 minutes. Even at 77 degrees, 95% humidity gets the sweat up. Back to the gym although I have had to fight the urge not to go. Am working at a temp job right now which is keeping me pretty busy. Still, I'm glad I go to the gym - once I get done my routine!

Happy diminishing returns. | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/31/2011

2011-08-01T20:23:00.000-04:00

Who are these happy people? I never met them. However, they appeared in Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer .
The lady in the center posed with the family before she had her weight loss surgery. I have quoted some of the article here. Click on the link below to read the rest. Small joys are often the best. When one of the family members talks about being able to fit in a booth. The day I was able to scoot comfortably, was one of the best of my life. I know that sounds like an exaggeration. However, it's one of those small things that has made life so much better.

The article also talks about the difference between morbidly obese people and the rest of the population. Some people are like camels - they store calories. I always said - even as a kid - that I could not eat what everyone else could eat. I didn't eat too much. I didn't overindulge in sweets. Other kids ate as much as I did and even more. Yet they were slim. So, weight loss surgery seem to even things out for those of us with that issue.

The medical establishment is slowly beginning to understand the dynamics of weight loss and gain. I welcome your comments after you read the article.

Happy diminishing returns. | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/31/2011

Happy diminishing returns.

After weight loss, family rediscovers small joys

By Michael Vitez

Inquirer Staff Writer

Matt Sullivan never sat in a booth at a restaurant, ever. When you weigh 390 pounds, a booth is a tight, humiliating squeeze.
But now he loves booths. Now he weighs 185. "You've got a table open? No, thanks," he'll tell the hostess. "I want a booth. I'll wait."
Oh, and how about this: He had to learn how to run again. When he went out on a tennis court with his new body, "my muscles just forgot how." He watched his 12-year-old son and imitated him.

Living Your Best Life

2011-07-29T21:53:00.006-04:00

I saw a sign in front of a church up the road from us. I think I might go back and take a picture. It said : Lord let me be the person my dog thinks I am. I don't have a dog. I do have three cats. Cats are creatures who think of their own needs first.

A couple of years ago I saw a French movie that was about love in Paris in three parts. In one of the stories, a French woman living in New York with an American man is flying, with her partner, back to Paris to visit her parents and see her old friends. They bring their cat with them and leave the cat with her parents while they are out and about. Her mother reports that her father does not like the cat. He calls it "eat, sleep, shit."

My cats will, on occasion, meet me at the door. Hamish often greets me with a nose-to-nose although lately it's hard to get him off the bed. "Come to me and I'll show you some love," he seems to say. Although what he really wants are kitty treats.

A dog loves you for you. You can abuse a dog, yet they still come crawling back, convinced that if they just show you enough love, you won't hurt them anymore. They love their people no matter what.They will do anything to keep your love.

So going back to that sign. Your dog thinks you are a really great person, a wonderful person. In the end, we have to love ourselves in order to give love and support to others. There are often a lot of reasons for self hate: thunder thighs, big behind, sagging breasts and more.

When I made the decision to have weight loss surgery, I made a major first step in learning to love myself. I'm still my own worst critic. Recently I had breakfast with someone I hadn't seen in a long time. She hadn't seen me since my weight loss. She exclaimed about how great I looked and how thin my upper body is. I've been focusing on my thunder thighs and too big behind. I realized, looking at myself, through her eyes, that I really had come a long way.

I started a temporary job last week. It feels good to be back to work although I am tired at the end of the day. I didn't go to the gym last night after work. I was just too tired. I didn't want to go tonight either. I did. It was hard to get through all of my weight circuit, but I did. I'm glad I did. Afterwards. we went out to dinner. I ordered two appetizers, split one with Bob and the other was going to be my main course. However, I couldn't finish it.

I'm 64 years old. However, right now I feel pretty good about myself. I'm back to the gym after my knee surgery and am sticking with it. The other day, my cousin's brother-in-law, who was only 66, died of a massive heart attack. He was a great guy. It's scary when someone around your age dies of a massive heart attack. His sister who is married to my cousin is devastated. He was about 16 years old than she and was a substitute for her father who died when she was very young.

My goal is to stay healthy. WLS was the beginning of my journey. Then I had my knee replacement surgery. I had a hiccup along the way with a hysterectomy and a second knee surgery because my kneecap had slipped. I'm back to the gym, staying strong. If you are reading this and thinking about weight loss surgery, contact me on Facebook. Let's talk.

At The Risk Of Sounding Repetitive...

2011-07-15T17:17:00.002-04:00

This morning I woke up, and for the first time in a long time, I didn't hurt all over. I have gone through an entire (regular sized) bottle of aspirin since my surgery. Even though my knee didn't hurt that much, I woke up every morning feeling like my entire body hurt. I hadn't had that happen for a long time. But, after months of forced inactivity, my body started rebelling. Today was my second time back at the gym. I did only the weight machines which took me 45 minutes. I've had to scale them back for now. However, it was great to wake up without pain this morning. So - I'm going to say it again: get active!!!!! If you are considering bariatric surgery, know that it's a great start. But YOU have to finish. I'm still working on finishing.

Back to the Gym- Finally

2011-07-13T16:07:00.002-04:00

Image via WikipediaFinally, finally, FINALLY - The doc gave me clearance to go back to the gym. That was this morning. This afternoon I went back. I had to scale back my weights, but I still lifted over 11,000lbs. I also did 4 minutes on the arc trainer. That was all I could handle after doing the weights, but that's okay. I am feeling pretty good. Enjoying a big cup of tea while I am writing this. I finally feel like my life is back to normal. The doc seems to think that my kneecap should stay in place. I am using a knee brace. That should help. I've promised Bob: no more Zumba!

Physical Therapy Stage II

2011-07-05T21:30:00.000-04:00

Image by Brooklyn Museum via Flickr

My physical therapist has been very cautious. My knee has finally reached its previous flexing ability. It's back to being the way it was before my recent surgery. The next step is strengthening it. I see the doc next week. I'm going to physical therapy one more week unless the doc says otherwise. The gym is calling my name. I want to get back to working on my weights.

We were in Philly July 3 and part of the 4th. We went primarily to take my Mom to visit our son. She hadn't seen his house since he had finished painting and had the roof redone. He has a three story house with a mansard roof. He had the ugly siding removed and his contractor sealed up some leaks that were causing wind driven rain to come into the bathroom. Now he has asbestos tiles that look like cedar shakes in varying shades of green.

He said some of the neighbors have stopped them to say how great it looks. He's put a lot of time into it. It looks great. We're really proud of him. His fiance, Sharon, moved in this past weekend. We really like her. They seem to be good together.

Monday, the 4th, dawn hot and humid, although the humidity DID come down a bit in the afternoon. We went to see Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. It is actually an old row house plus an empty lot next door that is an incredible warren of tiles and bottles and glass and mirrors and found objects including bicycle wheels. It's just one of the coolest places ever. I took nearly 140 pictures. I posted a few on my Facebook
page. I've been tweaking them a bit more. I'm thinking about making some kind of book, but I want to see Bob's pictures first.

There was a lot of walking and steps, but I managed it fine. It felt good to be able to do normal things. I'm wearing a knee brace when I walk. Today, for the first time, I realized that my knee didn't feel weak without the brace. So I've already done a lot of strengthening. Starting tomorrow I'm going to do even more!

A Ride On The Ferris Wheel

2011-06-29T19:32:00.000-04:00

Yesterday evening we took a walk on the boardwalk in Havre de Grace. We're lucky to have such a pretty place close by. With the 4th of July weekend drawing near, the town had their carnival up and running. It wasn't very crowded. After our boardwalk stroll, we went over to see what was going on. I talked Bob into going on the ferris wheel. Hadn't been on one in years. Decidedly less grumpy yesterday evening and today. Even though I had PT today and Joe has started pushing it. (I'm ready for it!), it's okay. I got my ride on the ferris wheel and took a lot of pictures including this one!

RENEWAL

Hi, Ho - It's Off To the Gym I Go!

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Happy diminishing returns. | Philadelphia Inquirer | 07/31/2011

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