Amy's New Start : Comments Welcome!

[eyor44]

Hello Amy. Glad to hear your 4th went well and you enjoyed the visit with your sis. That is always a good thing.

Great job on losing the extra you brought home from Disney. So many people complain that the food isn't good and is over priced, but I don't think so. I mean a lot is overpriced, but I didn't have anything bad there.

Sorry about the car and roof damage. I hope you can get them fixed soon. Will insurance help? or is it considered an act of God? They use that copout so much.

Thanks for the info on OKW. I am really looking forward to it. That is the one I have always wanted to stay at the most. Not sure why. The pictures just really appeal to me.

Looking forward to that recipe and glad that your DS got home safe.

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Amy - you have me even more worried about traveling to WDW with DB & family now!!! sounds just like them!!!

Hope Lisa is doing ok - so hard for everyone

you are so lucky to be able to WDW twice a year

sorry its such a quicky - at work & the kids have just come into class!!

 

[DisDee]

Hey Amy! Thanks again for checking in on me!

I'm glad someone noticed your lime green ribbon while at WDW. I've only had that happen to me once also. We were in the monorail line and struck up a conversation with a young couple. Our DH's commented about how crazy we were and how they never thought anyone would notice the ribbons. Well, we proved them wrong. We Dissers are a friendly bunch!

I completely understand how you feel about traveling with family or friends. You really have to be clones of one another to make it a trip that is wonderful for everyone. We've learned our lesson the hard way over the years. We either travel for just a few days with couples we know enjoy all the same things we do, or opt for a larger group where everyone can go their separate ways and meet up for meals or whatever. We've been doing more solo traveling lately, and that is blissful for us!

I'm sending thoughts and prayers out to your friend Lisa. I somehow feel a connection these days with other cancer patients knowing the fear and pain that they are dealing with. I pray that her treatment works.

Have a wonderful day!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Good morning ladies. I got up at 5:30 when its nice and cool and quiet. Now that the kids are home all day getting up before they do is crucial for my sanity! I am meeting my friend at the track in an hour, its going to be 95 today and I want to walk early. We have been so cool and rainy, frankly 95 sounds good. And given there's no humidty its a heck of a lot better than the 95 degree days we had in WDW for two weeks!

I got up today realzing that in the past six months since I started my new year's resolutions, I have just not made the progress I should have. Sure I lost 18 pounds (we'll see how much of that stayed off) and I worked out very regularly. Joined the rec center. Did Weight Watchers. But I still feel like my food issues are really no better. Clearly the manner in which I ate for two weeks in WDW proves that when the opportunity arrises, I'll binge and overeat like always. And even on good days, I still worry about food too much and know that just below the surface my food problem is right there. So I need to really work on the food component. Think before I eat, make sure I journal regularly which includes posting my food and keep up with preplanning. Didn't plan yesterday and ended up eating pizza for dinner. So that kind of thing needs to stop.

I now know that what got me off on the weekend was my sister. She's in financial ruin, she needs to declare bankruptcy and I have to decide how much I want to help with those bankruptcy legal bills. The only thing at this point I'll give her money for. I really talked with her, she got very honest with me and on one hand it was nice to have a real conversation with her when I know she's being truthful and seeing me as a sister and friend and not somebody she needs to knock down to feel better about herself. On the other hand, its like "great, how much is this going to cost me" and of course worrying that if she loses her house, she'll be here with us (God help me) and just worrying that even if we get this settled, she could be in the same spot, etc., etc. I got really stressed and really depressed. It would be so nice if other people in my family would maybe jump on the bandwagon and help me out with this. It would be even nicer if my sister would just get her act together once and for all! I don't see either of those things happening sad to say.

I am going to WW on Friday. I don't want to step on that scale but I am making myself go. WW is such a "been there done that" sort of thing for me but its the most affordable way for me to have some sort of outside support systems/accountablity and I do think that leader is the best leader I have had in the 20 years of doing this program off and on. Yep, the first time I joined WW was in 1989. Of course I had only 10 pounds to lose in those days!

So starting tomorrow I will be posting the previous days' food. I should have joined July's exercise challenge but honestly, when I do that, it gets overload for me. I need to concentrate on the food and hopefully I'll be back on track with exericse without too much trouble. I have worked out three times in 10 days, not enough but something.

Tracey: Right now I am not the best person to talk to about family trips to WDW! When dh and I first got home we were both so angry and hurt about the way that trip went with his family we could barely talk about it. Now its like, "lesson learned". My best advice is to plan things like meals together but also to work it out between you and Gary that if it starts to go bad, you do your own thing.

Denise: Thanks for thinking of Lisa. You know firsthand how scary that disease is. I'll keep you posted. Too funny about your seeing a disboarder, we are a friendly bunch! I so agree about taking trips with others. I love dh's family (they are my family now too of course) but in essence, they have a hard time letting real life go. To me the whole point of a Disney vacation is to escape. So when they persist talking about politics (we differ a lot on that subject lol) and other serious issues and nit pick every detail it sort of got old. And then when you add the cold and knee injury and the fact neither one of them have the stamina for a Disney vacation, it got impossible for them to have any fun whatsoever.

Lisa: OKW is one of my favorites. I love the tropical feel. I hope you do too. Planning on pm'ing you with that recipe later today! I read your pre trip report yesterday, can't wait to read the rest and see your pictures!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I got up and walked early again which really gets the day off to a good start. And it was so cool and pleasant. Its sort of nasty when that alarm goes off so early but worth it. I did 50 minutes today, and one hour yesterday. I was going to aquasize today as well, but ds has an ortho appointment and I wouldn't get done in time. I plan to start back up with aquasize two times a week, next week. I miss it and its been almost two months I think since I went.

Took the kids to the pool yesterday, we finally had a hot, sunny, no rain day. It was so nice. During adult swim I would go in with my noodle and do some exercises and chat with my friend. Of course about 100 kids would be sitting on the edge of the pool staring at us and the clock waiting to jump back in. I did eat some junk yesterday but did much better. And kept track of my food.

Tomorrow is WW day. Not too excited for that. I feel really bloated right now and am just sure the scale will have me up a bunch. If I can just still be at 10 pounds, I'll take it. We'll see, food yesterday could have been much better and well, the weekend and vacation still linger.

Food for Wednesday:
Breakfast: Slim Fast Shake
Snack: Breadstick with marinara sauce (left over from night before )
Lunch: Turkey sandwich on lite bread, with one slice 2% cheese, 1 cup cherries and two oreos.
Snack: Cheetos, probably about one serving's worth and pringles, also about one serving's worth. My friend brought chips to the pool. Need to resist those nextime.
Snack #3: Mini Luna bar. Wanted ice cream, had that instead
Dinner: Salad made with 4 oz. of 96% lean ground beef, 1/2 cup pinto beans, 3 cups lettuce, 1/4 cup 2% cheese, tomatoes and 1TB lowfat ranch.
Snack #4: Lowfat ice cream bar

I really snacked myself to death yesterday. I was hungry all day and when my friend arrived with two bags of chips I fell off the wagon. But I did get my fruits and veggies in as well as all my water and walked. So I am happy.

Today is "just say no to bad snacks"!

 

[eyor44]

Way to go on getting up and walking first thing.

Here's a little to help you resist the bad snacks. I don't think so many snacks are necessarily bad as long as they are in moderation. Which you seemed to do. Keeps the metabolism going. It's hard to get back on the wagon after vacation. Been there! You're doing great.

PS - you have marinera sauce left over the next day??????? That is the first thing to go in my house. I still have a bag of bread sticks sitting on the counter from Monday night cause we ran out of sauce. Could be a good thing I guess.

Have a great day Amy!

 

[toystoryduo]

Amy,

I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your sister. I'm glad that you were able to have a real one on one conversation with her about what is going on. I'll be praying for you both!

I hear ya on the weight loss journey. Keep on keeping on, Amy! You CAN do it!

Have a great evening!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well, I am very frustrated! I got all the way over to WW and realized I had not brought the print out of my new monthly pass (you buy online and print it out which of course I forgot to take with me). So I said fine, I'll just put this week on my debit card. Well guess what, my debit card is in my pool bag. I never took it out after Wednesday I guess. So I had to come home and I guess I'll go tomorrow. Although its my anniversary so I may not. Oh well, at least I resigned up. But I must say, I was not happy with myself for being so disoganized.

Today I am doing laundry more than anyhting. We are having friends over for tomorrow night since its our anniversary. I can't belive I've been married 17 years.

I am too lazy to post yesterday's food. I did very well. We'll see if I go to WW tomorrow, my favorite leader does have a meeting in the morning so I could go over.

 

[toystoryduo]

Happy Anniversary to you and Dan! I hope you have a wonderful time with your friends tomorrow evening!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Tracy, I can't belive we have been married this long!

I am not going to WW today, we have too much to do around the yard and we are supposed to get yet another rain storm tonight. We had over an inch on rain last night, this is so strange for Colorado.

I'll just have to go on Friday, at least I got my membership back up again.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well, we had a very busy weekend. Yesterday was our anniversary as you know, and Dan and I spent the day working around the house and yard and getting ready for our little get together. The house and yard look great so it was worth the effort! Then I had wayyyy too many cocktails last night, it was fun at the time, but man I had a miserable night. Serves me right. I woke up feeling like crap, had to clean up and have been pretty much on the couch all day. I just ate some McDonald's but mostly have been drinking water. We may see a movie later, we thought about the pool but its supposed to rain and frankly, I am too beat to haul all our stuff to the pool and then sit in the bright sun! A movie with a big bottle of water in the ac sounds better.

I told Dan that in three years for our 20th, I want to wake up on a beach. Any beach. We haven't had a true beach vacation since we took my mom to Marco Island for her 70th in 2004. Even though its three years away, I may start researching where a nice place to go would be. We'd have the kids with us so maybe someplace with a condo type setting where we'd have some room to spread around. I keep hearing DVC is building something in Hawaii, now that would be nice! Not happening most likely but I can always dream right?

 

[pearlieq]

Happy anniversary! I'm so glad you guys had a fun time, even if you did maybe have a bit too much fun. Hope you feel better soon. You're totally right that a/c and a big bottle of water are just the ticket.

Your salad from the other night sounds so good. I am so going to be having one of those soon!

I'm sorry to hear about the situation with your sister. That really is a tough one. I hope this is a wake-up call for her and she can get herself together. It's good of you to be there for her, but it really does drain, in more ways than one!

I'm so proud of all the weight you've lost, because I know how hard you fought for each of those pounds! Food issues are really, really hard to deal with and I think you've made a lot of progress. You deserve credit for all you have accomplished!

I hope the rest of your Sunday is great!

 

[traceycooper]

Belated happy wedding anniversary Amy - hope you got a medal
I can recommend the Maldives in the Indian Ocean for a fab beach, relaxing, romantic get away
Thanks for the great advice on travelling with DB - its looking like it will be needed

 

[toystoryduo]

Morning Amy,

Are you feeling better today? It sounds like you and Dan had a nice anniversary. Good for you for telling Dan that you'd like an anniversary on the beach in 3 years! Hawaii sounds good!

I hope you have a great day today!

 

[eyor44]

Congratulations and Happy "late" Anniversary! When you said you wanted to be on a beach for your 20th, I immediately thought of the place we go to every once in a while, but no kids allowed. It is a great bed and breakfast in Gulfshores, AL a bit out of town. Very quiet, wonderful rooms, with these huge plush beds that you just kind of sink into. When you open the windows or walk out on the deck you can see and hear the ocean (gulf). The breakfasts are wonderful and did I mention? no kids

Hope you are having a good day today. What movie did you go see?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi gals.

Lets see, no movie on Sunday, we were all just beat so we watched some tv at home and went to bed early. We decided to wait and see Harry Potter this next weekend. Not my favorite series but it should be good. The kids of course love Harry Potter!

I am really discouraged about food and my weight. According to my scale, I put on about another five pounds. I just cannot belive that I may have gained back ten or more of total pounds lost. It may take me two months to get that off. I am stressed to the limits right now with my sister and that's not helping. I also had too much junk in my house left from the 4th and my anniverary get together. Which has been thrown out.

I spent a total of six hours on the phone today. I have a good friend, known her since elementary school, who is losing her house and going through bankruptcy. She has an ex husband to end all ex husband's and she needed to talk. I listened, she's so great, she's funny and through all of this has never lost her sense of humor and optimisim. But it just hurts to see her going through this.

As soon as I finished with her call, I called my sister (who had rang in three times while I was on the phone with my friend). She did declare today (Chapter 7) but I had to listen to her gripe, she chewed me out a few times and she spent the whole two and half hours bouncing from one subject of complaint to another. And she was wanting money, I didn't give it to her. Dan was really peeved I had gone back on my word to give her more money by saying I might help her with these legal fees. I don't blame him. He brought up that since she isn't paying her bills, she should have the money and the lawyer will work with her. All true. I finally get off the phone, I hadn't eaten lunch, I was stressed so he took me out to dinner. Right during dinner, my cell rang. Its my nephew. Apparently my sister cleaned out his checking account and now he's broke, his car payment is due and she won't pay him back. I know partly she is doing this because she knows full well, I'll give him the money to make that payment so in essence, she found a way for me to give her money. I told him to come down Friday, I'll go with him to the bank and get it taken care of. And I told him that my only condition is that he NEVER give his mom money again, change his PIN on his ATM and that from here on out, if he gives her money, he's on his own when she doesn't pay him back. So there goes my dinner out. I was on the phone the whole time while dh and dd sat there eating and upset.

So I am feeling very drained, very upset and now very broke. I haven't done that great on food this week to top it off.

I did workout very hard yesterday and tomorrow I am walking at the track at 6:00 before I take the kids to some waterpark some friends invited us to go to.

I am just in a bad, sad mood. I hope this gives my sister the fresh start and I am proud she took the step. But I think it really stinks to take money from your kid and not pay him back.

I am off to bed. I read Pearlie's journal but will have to catch up with everyone else tomorrow. Sorry to rant, I will probably dream about psycho ex husband's, foreclosed houses and bankruptcy all night!

 

[toystoryduo]

Oh Amy,

Sweetie, I'm sorry for all that you are going through right now. I hope that today is a much better day for you! I'll be praying for you, WISH sis.

 

[eyor44]

I am off to bed. I read Pearlie's journal but will have to catch up with everyone else tomorrow. Sorry to rant, I will probably dream about psycho ex husband's, foreclosed houses and bankruptcy all night!

Girl, no apologies necessary. That is what we are here for. You just rant away. You had some kind of tough day and I really hope today is much better for you. Hope the water park was fun and you had good weather.

I completely understand about people taking money and not paying back and all. I have a brother just like that. He thinks nothing of it and feels no remorse when he is caught. I have three brothers, we were all raised the same, and he is the only one who turned out this way.
I think I have finally convinced my mother to not give him her debit card any more as he takes more than she says and she doesn't find out until her statement comes in. She has had to change her pin three times because of him using it on line. Okay, 'nough there.
Have a great day! and you hang in there girl.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thanks Lisa and Tracy. You ladies are true friends indeed!

I was clearly upset at the time I wrote that last post. Since then, I have come to a better understanding of what irks me the most about this situation. I want to have a relationship based on love with my family, not money. Lately, I feel like all my sister and nephew talk about with me is money. They're broke, they are unlucky, life sucks, blah, blah, blah. I know all that. Times are hard. But they both have jobs and they both have each other and if they would just focus on that instead of expecting me to bail them out constantly, well good things might just happen.

I just can't allow myself to get involved in all of this anymore. I called my nephew today. I told him flat out, "I said I would give you the money, and I will. But I need you to know that this is a huge deal for me. I'll have to put off things I need to do, namely get my car fixed since I will be tight on money. So in the future, if you spend too much, whether is in the form of giving your mom money or spending too much on other things, I won't be able to give you money". He seemed to understand. And frankly, I have to be realistic and acknowledge that at 25 he should be working full time (he only has part time hours right now due to the economy) and if that means getting another part time job flipping burgers, so be it. I also said that people in his income bracket shouldn't smoke, shouldn't have a motorcycle and a car and that if he has money for Marlboro's and his bike, he has money to burn. I think that made him mad but you know what, TOUGH POOP!!!!!

So I said my piece. My sister is apparently mad at me for not paying for her attorney and told nephew "you can't trust Aunt Amy" so I'll say my piece with her when she decides to talk to me again. Which will be October at the latest since that's her birthday. Cakes and presents always take priority over untrustworthy female dog sisters who won't pony up the funds you think they should!

I had a great day yesterday. Ii woke up determined to just move on and stop worrying about them and focus on getting myself back on track. So I got up early and walked, then took my kids and ds' friend way up to my friend's area to a waterpark. We had fun, it was a nice day. Came home, cleaned the house and then went to my volunteer training at church. Then I got up today and aquasized for the first time in two months. I really missed it and it was so good to get back!

Tomorrow is Weight Watchers, I am not looking forward to it but I have to go. My weight is just like this deal with me being upset about all this money I have given to family. I did this to myself. That scale wouldn't' be up if I had just reeled it back in with food as soon as I got home from WDW. I have been home for almost three weeks and the weight I took off should be long gone. Not still hangning on. So I just have to do this. Starting overagain is better than not starting over again.

I'll post my weight tomorrow. Now I need to focus less on me and get caught up with all of you!

 

[toystoryduo]

Amy,

I'm so sorry for what you are going through with your sister and your nephew. I'll be praying for you and for the situation. I hope they get to a point very soon where they can start working things out on their own.

Sending some for weigh in at WW today.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Amy!