In search of my body...not the one I ate!

[DisneyWorld Delight]

My real wake-up call for the last go'round of weight loss, was shopping for WDW clothing for my Jan '07 trip and realizing that no way was I actually a 16 anymore. I walked into Lane Bryant, looked around, left, went back to my car, and cried. When we got back from the trip, I basically said I am NOT going to be this person anymore.

Every individual needs to get to this point themselves. And it is HARD. It is so much easier to go with the flow, and use the food or alcohol to make us feel better, and if one chip or candy bar makes us feel better, then MAN, the whole bag will be that much better... and each time it takes more to feel better... I so, so understand.

Honey, whenever you are ready, we will be there for you. And we will be there for you even if you are never ready. This isn't just for weight loss and motivation, this is also for friendship and unconditional support.

I have tried before (in the post-D years) to lose weight, and gotten down to the 180-190 point, but gone right back up. I really think that it is you all (and the Peep thread too) that have been the difference for me. I am also in a much better place with my job, and I have the offline support as well that I have not had in many years.

Speaking of which... I am going to Charlotte on Sunday night/Monday for a work meeting. For some of you, that may ring a bell...

Kat, thanks!!!

Charlotte, interesting. Gonna need a tripreporttuesday.

HOLY CRAP! How do you feel about this? Nervous? Excited? Confused?

As for the rest of your post...so ture and I totally agree. I have tried many many times in the last several years. And I have had some successes...getting half way there, feeling somewhat comfortable, and then gaining it back. Round and round. But having a support group this time...man, what a difference!

As Kat said, the time just has to be right. I can't tell you what "flipped the switch" for me this time. (I suppose if I knew that, I would be a ga-jillionaire.) I just know that I feel like I wasted my 30s...not being in pictures with my kids when they were babies and toddlers because I hated how I looked. Not wanting to get dressed up and go out. Turning down really important career opportunities because it meant having to be on camera. All because of what? Wanting to eat stuff that was bad for me anyway? I am done with that...with feeling that way, with looking that way...and with letting it affect my behaviors.

I know some of us here are struggling with getting started and some are struggling to keep going. That is OK. We are here for whatever you need us for...friendship, support, encouragement, motivation, someone to biatch to and dump on...whatever. At some point, something will click for you....and then...watch the F out! Cause you will be on FIRE!

Thanks

Thank heavens you're here for "whatever" cause I'm having so much fun!

A little part of me died when I read that

I did not know this about Maine. I will not be visiting anytime soon...

Ditto and Ditto

YES! This is it exactly! I hate the "ballet moms." Meaning the perfect moms who seem to be able to do all of this kid stuff with grace and ease, all while being thin and sugary sweet. (I know that SG Liz is in this boat as well.) They are thin, dressed perfectly, have the most immaculate houses, expensive SUVs, have freshly baked whatever for the playdate...and on and on. And then there is me...no make-up, wearing fleece, jeans, and crocs--dropping f-bombs left and right. I swear to God I think some of them have mild heart attacks the first time they hear it.

Nothing like a Matha-freakin'-Stewart Wannabe to make me feel inadequate.

I was just not born with the baking-sewing-cleaning-decorating-scrapbooking-cutesy crafty gene. And yes, it better all be on one gene because if it isn't then I am missing half of my DNA!

I have the baking-sewing-cleaning-decorating...gene. I don't have the time.

I don't have the pretty, put together gene.

And I want an expensive SUV, I just don't want the payment, or the gas bill

I feel your pain. While I try to do the crafty thing from time to time, I am not Martha Stewart and am thrilled that I never will be. Who wants to live with that kind of pressure... Besides, Martha always looks like she has some sort of bug up her butt.... How fun can that be....

Aside from always feeling like the chub in the room, I get the added fun of inevtitably being under dressed when meeting people after work. Whether it is meeting friends or going to a meeting, I always feel like a schlub... My personal horror is going to a committee meeting after work for the volunteer work only to walk in and find myself totally underdressed in comparison to the other ladies who are there.... The ladies who lunch crowd is perfectly coiffed, dressed and have all of their materials neatly laid out in front of them with coordinating Vera Bradley accessories and then there is me. I walk in with muddy shoes, hard hat hair, sweaty brow and am lucky if I have my materials in a file as opposed to having them all in a pile with a binder clip. On a good day, I may even have a shot at putting on lipstick before I walk in the door, but it is not likely. I have serious issues with the fact that I don't look feminine at all when I am dressed for work. I walk around the NYS Capitol all day and have people looking down on me because of the way I dress and because of my size.... If they only knew what I am capable of despite my appearance they would be shocked....

I say we take 'em on.... I'm sure we can all run circles around them...

I have my big dinner tonight with the cool shoes.... I'll even find a work photo so you can see the transformation...

Talk to you later,
Paula

Truly Goof. You live in a mans world.

When I lose weight, I'd like to dress better. Quit wearing jeans and MM sweatshirts everyday. A dress or skirt and pretty shoes. Ahhh, the dream.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Okay, this is my take on the perfectly put-together types... I guess some part of me is envious, well, at least of the put together part. But most of me is really almost proud to be an individual. I have learned to embrace the parts of me that make me ME. I am not a SAHM mom type. I am a geek, I love hockey but hate sports in general, I don't like or want kids, I swear profusely, I only wash my hair twice a week, I don't have the perfect husband, body, hair, life, wardrobe or job. I cook haphazardly, crafts/sewing? what's that, baking is something I have heard about but have never tried, I only wear black shoes (with one exception my husband made me buy), I don't carry a purse, and I only get my hair cut twice a year. I am so not a typical "girl", that I think that most "ballet moms" would shudder at the very thought of my existence!!

But, I still consider myself successful, and honestly, *** anyone who cares.

You should be proud to be an individual. I'm not one to follow the crowd either. But, with me, the problem is, I'm pretty competitive. So, I pay attention to what's going on.

For me, those things, such as baking or crafts, is my creative outlet. I just don't have time.

I would LOVE to be a sahm, as long as I had a full time nanny, so I could do whatever I wanted.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

So many posts, so little time... ...hopefully I'll hit upon most of what I want to say here...

GOATS- yes, she had her babies. Thankfully she waited until noon, and I didn't have to work that day, so I was home. Twins, boy & girl, which brings us up to....24 babies, I think....no more until mid-May. <phew>

BODY IMAGE - mine sucks too. Don't know why. Never was thin, but not really, truly fat either. Fleshy. BUT...I've become painfully aware of what my self-loathing was beginning to do to my children. I have 3 kids, who are all fabulous. DS15 is thin as a rail, all muscle, no fat (like his daddy, the freaks ) DS17 and DD12 are built like me. Solid. A couple of months ago, DS15 called me anorexic. So, ok - have you MET me? I am so NOT anorexic! His answer - you are just like one. You look in the mirror and all you see is fat. You look at food and all you see are calories - then you won't eat it. The little sh*t had a good point...

I worry about what I'm teaching my kids in terms of what women *should* be like, and I most certainly don't want my DD following in my pattern of poor body image. So, i've really been attempting to not use the "f" word, but stress choices that are based on HEALTH. Good food, exercise, moderation in all things...It's challenging for me, but I'm trying...


WONDER WOMAN MOMS - Ok - I used to hate them too, but now I just feel bad for some of them! I mean really - what kind of LIFE do they have??? Nothing but cooking, cleaning, <bleh> that's SO not for me! I decided long ago that my obituary would NOT read "she didn't do much, but boy was her house clean"! I'd rather be cluttered, crazed and having a ball with the stuff that I do, than sitting around like June Cleaver polishing my silver.

I've got a million things to do before we leave in the morning (5:30am....the "bus" is leaving! )....so what to do now? DD and I are going for PEDICURES! I mean really - we MUST take time to pamper ourselves now and then, right? And a week at Disney in sandles? Yeah, a pedicure is just what the Dr. ordered!

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

DD and I are going for PEDICURES! I mean really - we MUST take time to pamper ourselves now and then, right? And a week at Disney in sandles? Yeah, a pedicure is just what the Dr. ordered!

Agreed. Have so much fun!!! We'll be thinking about you.

MamabearJodi - where you been lately? Hiding?

 

[HockeyKat]

HOLY CRAP! How do you feel about this? Nervous? Excited? Confused?

As for the rest of your post...so ture and I totally agree. I have tried many many times in the last several years. And I have had some successes...getting half way there, feeling somewhat comfortable, and then gaining it back. Round and round. But having a support group this time...man, what a difference!

As Kat said, the time just has to be right. I can't tell you what "flipped the switch" for me this time. (I suppose if I knew that, I would be a ga-jillionaire.) I just know that I feel like I wasted my 30s...not being in pictures with my kids when they were babies and toddlers because I hated how I looked. Not wanting to get dressed up and go out. Turning down really important career opportunities because it meant having to be on camera. All because of what? Wanting to eat stuff that was bad for me anyway? I am done with that...with feeling that way, with looking that way...and with letting it affect my behaviors.

I know some of us here are struggling with getting started and some are struggling to keep going. That is OK. We are here for whatever you need us for...friendship, support, encouragement, motivation, someone to biatch to and dump on...whatever. At some point, something will click for you....and then...watch the F out! Cause you will be on FIRE!

Somehow I missed this point... I am nervous as crap. Excited too, I guess, but mostly nervous.

As to the rest of the post, completely agree.

So many posts, so little time... ...hopefully I'll hit upon most of what I want to say here...

GOATS- yes, she had her babies. Thankfully she waited until noon, and I didn't have to work that day, so I was home. Twins, boy & girl, which brings us up to....24 babies, I think....no more until mid-May. <phew>

BODY IMAGE - mine sucks too. Don't know why. Never was thin, but not really, truly fat either. Fleshy. BUT...I've become painfully aware of what my self-loathing was beginning to do to my children. I have 3 kids, who are all fabulous. DS15 is thin as a rail, all muscle, no fat (like his daddy, the freaks ) DS17 and DD12 are built like me. Solid. A couple of months ago, DS15 called me anorexic. So, ok - have you MET me? I am so NOT anorexic! His answer - you are just like one. You look in the mirror and all you see is fat. You look at food and all you see are calories - then you won't eat it. The little sh*t had a good point...

I worry about what I'm teaching my kids in terms of what women *should* be like, and I most certainly don't want my DD following in my pattern of poor body image. So, i've really been attempting to not use the "f" word, but stress choices that are based on HEALTH. Good food, exercise, moderation in all things...It's challenging for me, but I'm trying...


WONDER WOMAN MOMS - Ok - I used to hate them too, but now I just feel bad for some of them! I mean really - what kind of LIFE do they have??? Nothing but cooking, cleaning, <bleh> that's SO not for me! I decided long ago that my obituary would NOT read "she didn't do much, but boy was her house clean"! I'd rather be cluttered, crazed and having a ball with the stuff that I do, than sitting around like June Cleaver polishing my silver.

I've got a million things to do before we leave in the morning (5:30am....the "bus" is leaving! )....so what to do now? DD and I are going for PEDICURES! I mean really - we MUST take time to pamper ourselves now and then, right? And a week at Disney in sandles? Yeah, a pedicure is just what the Dr. ordered!

I wish I could get that through to Mr Kat... that his obituary doesn't need to read, I performed a 50 point cleaning ritual once a week...

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Get moms' names and phone numbers so that you can set up playdates over the summer and that way Em has some friends on the first day of school. And believe it or not, Em will definitely remember this...she will likely talk about it all summer (not like every day, but she'll be somewhere and see a toy that reminds her of one she saw at the school and say "that's like at my school!" They should have a sneak-a-peak in August as well to get everyone ready to come to school. Have fun!

Ok, so I "manned up" and did my run! I felt like Nancy this morning...just talking to myself the whole time..."maybe I can stop now...I know it is early, but at least I have done SOMETHING." and then "Shut up and keep running. Don't be such a wimp!" And on and on until I finished the run.

Glad you did your run! I knew you would!

And, this is excellent advice. I didn't read it until later, of course, so I did my usual Liz thing. Arrived just in the nick of time. Pulled my wet hair into a ponytail. Chatted as little as possible...have I mentioned that I hate to make new friends? Well, I do today. And maybe always. I have sort of an aversion to Mommy friends. Maybe it's because I so fiercely want to retain my pre-Emily self and I still have those girlfriends (Miss Jealous, Jackie, etc) so what do I need school chums for?

I did talk to three...I complimented one Uber Mom's Lily Pultizer flats (they were adorable and so obviously Lily Pultizer). She was nice, but who isn't when you tell them they have cute shoes? The second is 45, has one child who is turning four, and lost her husband a year ago. And yes, she told me all this in the span of five minutes. She was so clearly not doing well. I really felt for her. She's having a hard time letting her boy go to preschool, but at the same time defending her position to keep him home this last year. The third is my friend Kim, my mommy friend, whose son is going to school with Emily. See? I don't have to make friends, I have Kim. The whole Mom friend thing just freaks me out. More on this later!

Thanks!!! And you summed it up so well. The weight just creeps up... you think, one more hershey's kiss, beer, whatever, won't hurt me since I am already doing badly... and in the end, at least for me, I wound up at 220 lbs. My real wake-up call for the last go'round of weight loss, was shopping for WDW clothing for my Jan '07 trip and realizing that no way was I actually a 16 anymore. I walked into Lane Bryant, looked around, left, went back to my car, and cried. When we got back from the trip, I basically said I am NOT going to be this person anymore.

Every individual needs to get to this point themselves. And it is HARD. It is so much easier to go with the flow, and use the food or alcohol to make us feel better, and if one chip or candy bar makes us feel better, then MAN, the whole bag will be that much better... and each time it takes more to feel better... I so, so understand.

Honey, whenever you are ready, we will be there for you. And we will be there for you even if you are never ready. This isn't just for weight loss and motivation, this is also for friendship and unconditional support.

I have tried before (in the post-D years) to lose weight, and gotten down to the 180-190 point, but gone right back up. I really think that it is you all (and the Peep thread too) that have been the difference for me. I am also in a much better place with my job, and I have the offline support as well that I have not had in many years.

Speaking of which... I am going to Charlotte on Sunday night/Monday for a work meeting. For some of you, that may ring a bell...

YES YES YES to the first part. The second part - sorry Adium died last night Kat. We'll talk tonight? I am nervous for you! But I think it will be...good? Is that the right word? Eh, we'll chat.

HOLY CRAP! How do you feel about this? Nervous? Excited? Confused?

As for the rest of your post...so ture and I totally agree. I have tried many many times in the last several years. And I have had some successes...getting half way there, feeling somewhat comfortable, and then gaining it back. Round and round. But having a support group this time...man, what a difference!

As Kat said, the time just has to be right. I can't tell you what "flipped the switch" for me this time. (I suppose if I knew that, I would be a ga-jillionaire.) I just know that I feel like I wasted my 30s...not being in pictures with my kids when they were babies and toddlers because I hated how I looked. Not wanting to get dressed up and go out. Turning down really important career opportunities because it meant having to be on camera. All because of what? Wanting to eat stuff that was bad for me anyway? I am done with that...with feeling that way, with looking that way...and with letting it affect my behaviors.

I know some of us here are struggling with getting started and some are struggling to keep going. That is OK. We are here for whatever you need us for...friendship, support, encouragement, motivation, someone to biatch to and dump on...whatever. At some point, something will click for you....and then...watch the F out! Cause you will be on FIRE!

YES YES YES to this, too!

Contrary to what she believes, she could kick lots of our a$$es. Lord knows she would leave me in the dust.

I know, she SO could!

Man that sounds good and I am not even a drinker.

It was delicious!

A little part of me died when I read that

That was hilarious!

1-5..death by meeting..YIKES! I hope it ends up being worth it.



Lucky dog!! I can't wait to hear all about your trip. Soak up some of that sunshine for me. My lily white limbs glow in the dark.



I knew you would get er' done! Just for the record, regardless of how you see yourself, we all think you are gorgous. You live in the land of the freakishly thin. I did not know this about Maine. I will not be visiting anytime soon... Seriously, I know what it is like to have a completely distorted body image and it is such a struggle to get out of your own head. I never believed what anyone told me and now when I look at the the pictures I have to admit that they were right. You are a knock-out and I hope that one day you will see what we see.

I had no idea Maine was this thin! Rethinking summer plans!

We had DS3's orientation for preschool in July and he started in September. He really did remember it and would make reference to his "school" often. I hope she loves it! I think the playdate idea ia a really good one. I am not one for setting-up playdates just because I feel so odd approaching other moms to ask for phone numbers. Most of them are wealthy SAHM's (good for them) and are super domesticated and very put together and I am, well, not.

Back to work...no meetings today so I am thankful for that small luxury.

I feel weird doing it, too. I'm just not "let's be friends because we have kids"! But, I am all "let's be BFFs and have matching bracelets and get pedicures and go on vacation together"! to the women I connect with. I mean, obviously I can make friends, right? And I LIKE people, the people i like. Oh, you didn't all realize we were getting matching bracelets? Well, just you wait! (You too, Dan)

YES! This is it exactly! I hate the "ballet moms." Meaning the perfect moms who seem to be able to do all of this kid stuff with grace and ease, all while being thin and sugary sweet. (I know that SG Liz is in this boat as well.) They are thin, dressed perfectly, have the most immaculate houses, expensive SUVs, have freshly baked whatever for the playdate...and on and on. And then there is me...no make-up, wearing fleece, jeans, and crocs--dropping f-bombs left and right. I swear to God I think some of them have mild heart attacks the first time they hear it.

Nothing like a Matha-freakin'-Stewart Wannabe to make me feel inadequate.

I was just not born with the baking-sewing-cleaning-decorating-scrapbooking-cutesy crafty gene. And yes, it better all be on one gene because if it isn't then I am missing half of my DNA!

I think my favorite part of this is "dropping F-bombs left and right.

Yeah. Here are the other moms today:

Cropped black pants/or pressed pants/or nice jeans all cuffed.
Cute tshirt without rock concert printing on it (I have a lot of rock and roll t's)
Adorable tailored jacket that coordinates with cute sandal heels or adorable flats and purse which coordinates but not matches.

Here is Liz:

Jeans. I only have one pair and they are not "nice" jeans.
Sneaker like flats - I love these and actually they are the perfect Mom shoes. They look cute and work on the playground and off. So there, perfect moms!
Spent twenty minutes looking for tshirt that didn't have 1. Disney 2. A rock band 3. Something else I wear to a rock concert or bar
Hastily thrown on tank layered with only layering piece that doesn't look like a 19 yr old nanny.
Tailored jacket thrown on over it all, hoping it looks like that's my style
Vera Bradley bag.

Yes, I need some new clothes, like some that don't make me look like the nanny. But, also, my style is not cute. I like the jackets and I like to layer, but it's obvious this closet-clean out has left me with only Disney or bands I like!

I feel your pain. While I try to do the crafty thing from time to time, I am not Martha Stewart and am thrilled that I never will be. Who wants to live with that kind of pressure... Besides, Martha always looks like she has some sort of bug up her butt.... How fun can that be....

Aside from always feeling like the chub in the room, I get the added fun of inevtitably being under dressed when meeting people after work. Whether it is meeting friends or going to a meeting, I always feel like a schlub... My personal horror is going to a committee meeting after work for the volunteer work only to walk in and find myself totally underdressed in comparison to the other ladies who are there.... The ladies who lunch crowd is perfectly coiffed, dressed and have all of their materials neatly laid out in front of them with coordinating Vera Bradley accessories and then there is me. I walk in with muddy shoes, hard hat hair, sweaty brow and am lucky if I have my materials in a file as opposed to having them all in a pile with a binder clip. On a good day, I may even have a shot at putting on lipstick before I walk in the door, but it is not likely. I have serious issues with the fact that I don't look feminine at all when I am dressed for work. I walk around the NYS Capitol all day and have people looking down on me because of the way I dress and because of my size.... If they only knew what I am capable of despite my appearance they would be shocked....

I say we take 'em on.... I'm sure we can all run circles around them...

I have my big dinner tonight with the cool shoes.... I'll even find a work photo so you can see the transformation...

Talk to you later,
Paula

YES we want to see a photo!!!!!

I feel the same way. Schlubby unless it's my element. I have going out with the girls clothes, and going to see a band clothes, but not normal, meeting for drinks clothes. Nothing in between anymore. All my old work clothes are gone, too, since I rarely see clients face to face. But I do love my Vera Bradley. I have a bunch of her bags. Can you forgive me?

Okay, on the fashion thing, here are the shoes I love and wear:

http://www.payless.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?&TLC=Womens&Size=&SLC=WomensAthletics&BLC=WomensAthleticsPerformance&ItemCode=56693&DescriptiveColor=&Width=&Type=Adult&VTLC=&cm_id=colordropmenu

But mine are in beige with very light pink trim.

And this is the purse I am coveting right now. Erika and Kim, it's a vegan purse! No animals were harmed! How cool is that?

http://www.mattandnat.com/product/zoom/363


Today was fine on the surface, but I am just very low on patience. As my friend says, I have the patience of a dead gnat today. It's rough. It's not my kid or anyone else, it's me. And that's the roughest part.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Ok, so I "manned up" and did my run! I felt like Nancy this morning...just talking to myself the whole time..."maybe I can stop now...I know it is early, but at least I have done SOMETHING." and then "Shut up and keep running. Don't be such a wimp!" And on and on until I finished the run.

(where is the devil smiley when you need him!!! )...so...I got into your head, did I???? Kinda scary... ...

Good job on the run

 

[HockeyKat]

Liz, I would likely be exactly the same kind of mom that you are, if the person at the bc factory fell asleep that day (which is something I live in fear of).

I have trouble making friends but I think my standards (and lack of ability to stomach BS) that is really hindering me. I am also scatter-brained and lazy. And work is kicking my butt most of the time anyhow, and then I have to fit in Mr Kat time, and of course lazing on the chaise lounge w/ laptop time... and hot tub time...

Cute flats? Tailored jackets? Huh? My non-work attire is either shorts and a t-shirt or jeans and a Carolina Hurricanes grey hoodie. I have been known to go grocery shopping (at non-trendy Super Walmart) in my gym clothes straight from the gym without showering. Yes, I am nasty.

I do dress for work but that is required. And I do wear heeled shoes to work, but again, required (plus it makes me all tall and bada$$). I think we might be able to get away with flats but the dress code here is pretty strict.

 

[SeptemberGirl]

Liz, I would likely be exactly the same kind of mom that you are, if the person at the bc factory fell asleep that day (which is something I live in fear of).

I have trouble making friends but I think my standards (and lack of ability to stomach BS) that is really hindering me. I am also scatter-brained and lazy. And work is kicking my butt most of the time anyhow, and then I have to fit in Mr Kat time, and of course lazing on the chaise lounge w/ laptop time... and hot tub time...

Cute flats? Tailored jackets? Huh? My non-work attire is either shorts and a t-shirt or jeans and a Carolina Hurricanes grey hoodie. I have been known to go grocery shopping (at non-trendy Super Walmart) in my gym clothes straight from the gym without showering. Yes, I am nasty.

I do dress for work but that is required. And I do wear heeled shoes to work, but again, required (plus it makes me all tall and bada$$). I think we might be able to get away with flats but the dress code here is pretty strict.

OMG, YES! The inability to tolerate BS! And, the thing is, I have friends. I have girlfriends. Yes, it's nice to meet other moms, and I know I should really be friendly - Erika, your points are very well taken. I should do that! But honestly? I just feel like I have about all I can handle right now. My mom has cancer. My husband works a demanding job. I am making major life changes. Like, could some just sort it out for me? I have too many Big Things going on. I'm full up. I need friendships that make it easier, not more work. And to get to those moms, it's work.

Oy vey, I am having a day! It's ALL coming out!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I have been known to go grocery shopping (at non-trendy Super Walmart) in my gym clothes straight from the gym without showering. Yes, I am nasty.

I do that more often than I care to admit! My theory is, if I look nasty & smell *ripe* people will stay the he** out of my way!

 

[whgrn]

So, I've been trying like crazy to read and get all caught up here, before I posted. I was thinking there were like 100 or so pages. OK, I could manage, eventually. But now I see that there are 184?!?! NO WAY am I gonna get caught up anytime soon.

So, here I am, following Dawn over from the BL4 thread. From everything I've read so far, y'all are awesome!!

Just some background on me: single mom, divorced 8 years, 2 kids (DD 12.5, DS11). DD is in special ed--Verrrrrrrrrrrry slow. DS has ADHD, ODD, and some emotional issues. We call him the terrorist (hey, it fits...) I had gastric bypass 7 years ago and lost 250#, then found 50 of those all over again in the past few years. So I decided to get the A$$ in gear and lose those 50, plus the last 26 that I never got around to losing. So, here I am, I've lost 40 of those 50, and have just 36 to go to get to my goal.

If you want lots of detail, you can read my blog--the link is in my siggie. In the meantime, I really am looking forward to getting to know you all!!

 

[BrcsDisneyPrncs]

Oh my goodness it has been a rollercoaster few days... We weren't able to get out to Minnesota, but Bruce's grandpa's funeral went really well, over 600 people showed up for the calling hours, over 400 for the actual service. I'm glad its over however and Bruce and I can return to our routine, makes things easier... I do however think i probably gained this week, which really bums me out, but hey, it's been super stressful, i'll just kick it into high gear for the coming week.

I've been reading through the last few pages of posts and it was like i wrote them. I never wear make up, my hair is ALWAYS in a pony tail, i only wear flats (in my defense, i'm already .5 inches taller than Bruce, so i think i started using that as an excuse to wear comfy flat shoes). I work in an office full of 23-35 year old women for the most part, and I definately feel like the chub, there is maybe 1 other person that is larger than a size 5, drives me crazy, and I always feel self-concious. I'm dreading buying clothes for the honeymoon, i hate clothes shopping, so i just don't do it, unless i literally NEED something, and i kick and scream the whole way. I always feel like people are looking at me going "what does THAT fatty think she is going to buy in HERE?" I need to change my attitude.

On the plus side, i had my first dress fitting for the wedding on sunday, and they actually had to take it in 2 inches on each side, cost a pretty penny, but i was excited!! When i bought the dress and brought it home in August it fit snugly!!!!

Well.. off to read the rest of the posts that i've missed in the whirlwind of the past several days...

 

[whgrn]

Cute flats? Tailored jackets? Huh? My non-work attire is either shorts and a t-shirt or jeans and a Carolina Hurricanes grey hoodie. I have been known to go grocery shopping (at non-trendy Super Walmart) in my gym clothes straight from the gym without showering. Yes, I am nasty.

I do dress for work but that is required. And I do wear heeled shoes to work, but again, required (plus it makes me all tall and bada$$). I think we might be able to get away with flats but the dress code here is pretty strict.

OMG you just described ME! I almost always hit the grocery store on the way home from the gym! Now, to be fair, I'm not a sweater. I barely glisten, even after a good workout. But still, jogging suit, hair in a ponytail, slightly in disarray. That's me! And makeup? Um, what's that? Oh sure, I'll put on lipstick now and then for a "special occasion", but I don't even OWN anything else! And I'm all about comfort in shoes and clothes. Today I had an IEP meeting for DD, so I "dressed up"--a pair of pants like Dockers, and a stripedblouse, with some Sperry Topsiders mules. That's fancy enough for me, thanks.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I am in online conferences all night, but I am here and reading....

 

[3DisneyKids]

And, this is excellent advice. I didn't read it until later, of course, so I did my usual Liz thing. Arrived just in the nick of time. Pulled my wet hair into a ponytail. Chatted as little as possible...have I mentioned that I hate to make new friends? Well, I do today. And maybe always. I have sort of an aversion to Mommy friends. Maybe it's because I so fiercely want to retain my pre-Emily self and I still have those girlfriends (Miss Jealous, Jackie, etc) so what do I need school chums for?

I definitely understnad your point. You do have lot of Big Life Issues going on right now, and making new mom friends can be a lot of work and/or stress. So ok, just F-'em for now.

I did talk to three...I complimented one Uber Mom's Lily Pultizer flats (they were adorable and so obviously Lily Pultizer).

Ummm...obvious to you maybe. I have never heard of Lily Pulitzer so I would know one of her shoes if DWD threw it at me. Can we still be friends???


I feel weird doing it, too. I'm just not "let's be friends because we have kids"! But, I am all "let's be BFFs and have matching bracelets and get pedicures and go on vacation together"! to the women I connect with. I mean, obviously I can make friends, right? And I LIKE people, the people i like. Oh, you didn't all realize we were getting matching bracelets? Well, just you wait! (You too, Dan)

Ok, I'm in for matching stuff! Just not tiaras! Let's not go there again!

Vera Bradley bag.

I am assuming she is related to Lily whats-her-name cause I've never heard of her either!


I feel the same way. Schlubby unless it's my element. I have going out with the girls clothes, and going to see a band clothes, but not normal, meeting for drinks clothes. Nothing in between anymore. All my old work clothes are gone, too, since I rarely see clients face to face. But I do love my Vera Bradley. I have a bunch of her bags. Can you forgive me?

Oh yeah. Queen Schlub here. I so totally get that.


Okay, on the fashion thing, here are the shoes I love and wear:

http://www.payless.com/Catalog/ProductDetail.aspx?&TLC=Womens&Size=&SLC=WomensAthletics&BLC=WomensAthleticsPerformance&ItemCode=56693&DescriptiveColor=&Width=&Type=Adult&VTLC=&cm_id=colordropmenu

Now these I would definitely wear! I mean, they are sporty! Hell, half of my wardrobe is Champion...since I am in workout gear all day long.
Today was fine on the surface, but I am just very low on patience. As my friend says, I have the patience of a dead gnat today. It's rough. It's not my kid or anyone else, it's me. And that's the roughest part.

You'll get through it.

Cute flats? Tailored jackets? Huh? My non-work attire is either shorts and a t-shirt or jeans and a Carolina Hurricanes grey hoodie. I have been known to go grocery shopping (at non-trendy Super Walmart) in my gym clothes straight from the gym without showering. Yes, I am nasty.

Ditto! But I don't even have to dress for work since I work from home. So I am in schlub-gear at all times. And yes, I go places straight from the gym all the time!

So, I've been trying like crazy to read and get all caught up here, before I posted. I was thinking there were like 100 or so pages. OK, I could manage, eventually. But now I see that there are 184?!?! NO WAY am I gonna get caught up anytime soon.

So, here I am, following Dawn over from the BL4 thread. From everything I've read so far, y'all are awesome!!

Just some background on me: single mom, divorced 8 years, 2 kids (DD 12.5, DS11). DD is in special ed--Verrrrrrrrrrrry slow. DS has ADHD, ODD, and some emotional issues. We call him the terrorist (hey, it fits...) I had gastric bypass 7 years ago and lost 250#, then found 50 of those all over again in the past few years. So I decided to get the A$$ in gear and lose those 50, plus the last 26 that I never got around to losing. So, here I am, I've lost 40 of those 50, and have just 36 to go to get to my goal.

If you want lots of detail, you can read my blog--the link is in my siggie. In the meantime, I really am looking forward to getting to know you all!!

WOW WOW WOW! Welcome Wendy! A new member to our little group! ANd holy sh*t---did you just say that you lost 250 pounds?!?!?!? Wow...day one and you already earned your goddess crown!

Oh my goodness it has been a rollercoaster few days...

Glad everything went as well as it could. And great news about the dress! Here's to a couple of more inches gone in time for the big day!

 

[HockeyKat]

I do that more often than I care to admit! My theory is, if I look nasty & smell *ripe* people will stay the he** out of my way!

HAHA! I never thought of that, but I like it!

So, I've been trying like crazy to read and get all caught up here, before I posted. I was thinking there were like 100 or so pages. OK, I could manage, eventually. But now I see that there are 184?!?! NO WAY am I gonna get caught up anytime soon.

So, here I am, following Dawn over from the BL4 thread. From everything I've read so far, y'all are awesome!!

Just some background on me: single mom, divorced 8 years, 2 kids (DD 12.5, DS11). DD is in special ed--Verrrrrrrrrrrry slow. DS has ADHD, ODD, and some emotional issues. We call him the terrorist (hey, it fits...) I had gastric bypass 7 years ago and lost 250#, then found 50 of those all over again in the past few years. So I decided to get the A$$ in gear and lose those 50, plus the last 26 that I never got around to losing. So, here I am, I've lost 40 of those 50, and have just 36 to go to get to my goal.

If you want lots of detail, you can read my blog--the link is in my siggie. In the meantime, I really am looking forward to getting to know you all!!

Welcome! 250#!! Awesome!! After that, 36 will be nothing!

OMG you just described ME! I almost always hit the grocery store on the way home from the gym! Now, to be fair, I'm not a sweater. I barely glisten, even after a good workout. But still, jogging suit, hair in a ponytail, slightly in disarray. That's me! And makeup? Um, what's that? Oh sure, I'll put on lipstick now and then for a "special occasion", but I don't even OWN anything else! And I'm all about comfort in shoes and clothes. Today I had an IEP meeting for DD, so I "dressed up"--a pair of pants like Dockers, and a stripedblouse, with some Sperry Topsiders mules. That's fancy enough for me, thanks.

Hehe. I am *definitely* a sweater. And I just don't care. Jogging suit? I work out in the oldest t-shirts I can find (like, usually with holes), and men's $5 gym shorts from wal-mart (w/ $5 bike shorts under them). SOOO trendy.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

You guys are Killing me with your laze fair dress codes. Now I schlub around with the best of em. But not cause I want to. I'm fat. I don't have any other choice. It's a big Disney sweatshirt or a sweatshirt with kitties chasing butterflies. Take your pick.

I want to be the classy, well dressed woman who gets on the elevator at the Beach Club and has to use her key to the world to get to the concierge level. With her Italian leather loafers, sea foam blue capri pants (ideally size 6) and white, crisp Brooks Brothers button down shirt.

Do you guys like to shop? I LOVE LOVE LOVE SHOPPING. My favorite thing. I'm guessing no.

I wish I could get that through to Mr Kat... that his obituary doesn't need to read, I performed a 50 point cleaning ritual once a week...

Is this on a spreadsheet?

I feel weird doing it, too. I'm just not "let's be friends because we have kids"! But, I am all "let's be BFFs and have matching bracelets and get pedicures and go on vacation together"! to the women I connect with. I mean, obviously I can make friends, right? And I LIKE people, the people i like. Oh, you didn't all realize we were getting matching bracelets? Well, just you wait! (You too, Dan)

HI LAR IOUS!!!



I think my favorite part of this is "dropping F-bombs left and right.

Yeah. Good stuff.

But I do love my Vera Bradley. I have a bunch of her bags. Can you forgive me? .

I DO. I love that newer Raspberry Burst Pattern. I don't have any VB, but I think I'm gonna have to get one. Maybe in a carryon.

So, I've been trying like crazy to read and get all caught up here, before I posted. I was thinking there were like 100 or so pages. OK, I could manage, eventually. But now I see that there are 184?!?! NO WAY am I gonna get caught up anytime soon.

So, here I am, following Dawn over from the BL4 thread. From everything I've read so far, y'all are awesome!!

Just some background on me: single mom, divorced 8 years, 2 kids (DD 12.5, DS11). DD is in special ed--Verrrrrrrrrrrry slow. DS has ADHD, ODD, and some emotional issues. We call him the terrorist (hey, it fits...) I had gastric bypass 7 years ago and lost 250#, then found 50 of those all over again in the past few years. So I decided to get the A$$ in gear and lose those 50, plus the last 26 that I never got around to losing. So, here I am, I've lost 40 of those 50, and have just 36 to go to get to my goal.

If you want lots of detail, you can read my blog--the link is in my siggie. In the meantime, I really am looking forward to getting to know you all!!

whgrn, welcome to the club. Looking forward to your additions to the craziness.

I always feel like people are looking at me going "what does THAT fatty think she is going to buy in HERE?" I need to change my attitude.

Yes. Know the fatty don't belong feeling.

On the plus side, i had my first dress fitting for the wedding on sunday, and they actually had to take it in 2 inches on each side, cost a pretty penny, but i was excited!! When i bought the dress and brought it home in August it fit snugly!!!!

Well.. off to read the rest of the posts that i've missed in the whirlwind of the past several days...

Congrats on the expensive dress tayloring.


AKASnowWhite - shouldn't you be uh, packing or oh, I don't know, sleeping? You're gonna miss us, aren't you.

Had a good night. Business dinner. My whole family was showered, house was mostly organized and dh's work clothes were clean, all before 6pm tonight. That, my friends is a blessing. I came home and got to have "relations" instead of barking orders and running for broke.

OK, I am taking advantage and going to bed before midnight.

See you all on the flip side.

One more thing, did you notice how full the moon is? It was glowing in my back yard. The very same moon we share. I thought of you.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Night guys...I will read and post tomm...

We left for Chicago at 1:15 yesterday and by 3:30 were in Wisconsin...with car problems...turns out the KIA dealership beack in Feb when Dan and I were complaining of this back tire wobbly..feels weird issue...missed a little thing called the shocks and struts which caused my allignment to go out and the back left tire to wear bald on the outside...

So we had to get an allignment and get the shocks struts done as soon as I get back by the dealership that screwed up..it is stil covered by warranty...and getting it done down here means no car to get anywhere...

So back on the road 3 hours later..we got into the hotel in Chicago at 11:30 not 8 like planned.

Today saw and toured Notre Dame...amazingly beautiful...I will post pics when I get back...We were there for over 5 hours..waled the whole time..that was the most excersize I have had in awhile..legs were sore..probably 3 miles...in flip flops...

Treyner has a great friend that will be goiung there next year so he is planning a football trip....

Baylor is being soo good...12 year old boy and was so polite and qiet and inquisiive about the campus life..artifacts...age of buildings...he also said he liked the fact it wasn't in a big city because huge buildings give him "VERTIGO..."

My sister and I looked at him like...WTH??? He does not apply himself at school most of the time but he is not an idiot and I think this has helped him see the bigger picture of a future...

My sister Laura and I are having a blast...she is 5 years younger than I and we were never close...but we are a lot alike...and she hates being touched so I am messing with her all the time...I consder getting her past her germophobia a gift...and I am nothing if not a giver...

Treyner was hit on by a 65 year old lady named Betty who gave tours in the Basillica at Notre Dame...she was trying to recruit him...kept calling him a doll...and when 1 hour of .."IT"S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.." finally sunk in...she started in on a college 20 minutes away that is Lutheran for him....

He is such a but kisser..he hugged her and said..."I hope to see you again"...he thinks she will help him with his football ticket next year he will need. I said...were you surprised..he said..
"No...I could tell it was comming....women just have a certain look when they are about to tell me that they think I am cute...or that I look hispanic/Puerto Rican which leads to dark and handsome...It's just a curse.."

I was laughing so hard...but he was totally right and he totally played Betty..batting his brown eyes at her....she loved him like a grandchild in 10 seconds..and he eats it up...she did ask Baylor's name...but never mine or Laura's...
I guess we were not hot enough ...probably the weight...

OKay..off to bed..homework in the morning for kids...so I can get on and do justice to all your lives for replies....

MISS YA ALL....

P.S. If anyone here is Catholic...why do the "Relics" of Saints involve teeth and bone and what is the signficance of having those pieces??? I never knew that and it kinda grossed Laura out...we asked Betty but she had no clue...

 

[grumpyyoungguy]

I refuse to post the numbers on the grounds that we (board babes) may incriminate ourselves....

 

[SeptemberGirl]

You guys are Killing me with your laze fair dress codes. Now I schlub around with the best of em. But not cause I want to. I'm fat. I don't have any other choice. It's a big Disney sweatshirt or a sweatshirt with kitties chasing butterflies. Take your pick.

This made me laugh out loud. HI LAR IOUS.

I want to be the classy, well dressed woman who gets on the elevator at the Beach Club and has to use her key to the world to get to the concierge level. With her Italian leather loafers, sea foam blue capri pants (ideally size 6) and white, crisp Brooks Brothers button down shirt.

Do you guys like to shop? I LOVE LOVE LOVE SHOPPING. My favorite thing. I'm guessing no.

Girlfriend, I LOVE to shop. LOVE it. You and me and our Vera Bradley bags can go hit up the Lily Pultizer store. When we are at goal, of course.

I DO. I love that newer Raspberry Burst Pattern. I don't have any VB, but I think I'm gonna have to get one. Maybe in a carryon.

I have a carry on - the large tote. In Cambridge, and a matching cosmetic case and handbag. I also have one retired color. I love the Raspberry Fizz. I could collect VB!

Had a good night. Business dinner. My whole family was showered, house was mostly organized and dh's work clothes were clean, all before 6pm tonight. That, my friends is a blessing. I came home and got to have "relations" instead of barking orders and running for broke.

Nicely done!

OK, I am taking advantage and going to bed before midnight.

See you all on the flip side.

One more thing, did you notice how full the moon is? It was glowing in my back yard. The very same moon we share. I thought of you. [/B][/COLOR]

Wow, that's why I'm such a crazy person. Full moon!