Jen's Journal.....Baby Steps to a new me

[Blueeyes101817]

Kim-you have already done a ton for me, just being there the last (almost) 5 weeks with this..i couldnt have done it without having you to call and "let everything out"

Cam-I am trying to get rest--I feel like i am starting to wear myself out--theres just too much going on between work, school, alex stuff, etc. But im trying to rest!

Tracy-I am hanging in there..Alex is doing fantastic! He was officially moved out of ICU! His breathing tube was removed completely and he is breathing all on his own! He is eating and drinking and talking up a storm..It is amazing..I will hopefully be seeing him this week since I have not seen him since the trach was removed. I get so excited when i go to the hospital to see him...im amazed at the progress! Thank you so much for asking..you guys have been so helpful.

My ex-boyfriends mom is in the hospital after emergency surgery on Saturday morning..Im not quite sure what it was for, as he doesnt like to talk about hte medical stuff---hes always thought that if he ignores it , it goes away...But my mom and i will be going to the hospital tonight or thursday, so if you could keep them in your prayers it would be greatly appreciated. His dad is in remission from cancer as well.

Well, im off to work,thanks for c hecing in!

 

[kimwim8]

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Thanks for stopping by kim--i feel so loved

WOAH, i just looked at your counter--14 days til your trip!!!!! im so jealous--im sure your kiddies wont mind if we pack me in a suitcase

i wanted to share that alex is out of the hospital and has moved on to rehab. It is still goign to be a long road, but hes doing it one step at a time. He even stood for about one minute, putting weight on both legs!

As for me--things are okay i guess..I am starting to feel very burnt out with work, school, and things going on at home. I do not like this feeling at all. Luckily, i am done classes for 3 weeks on Aug 9, so that may help me a little bit. It is going to be a hot week! have a great week everyone

 

[kimwim8]

No burn outs allowed!!! You need to get to bed earlier & stop chatting with those weirdos you met online.....oh wait - that's US!!

Seriously, take it one day at a time. Like you said, you're almost done your summer classes and then you can take some time to chill and regroup before the fall semester.

Yes, my trip is coming up...and I am more than willing to stuff you in a suitcase, if you'll just pay for the over-the-50-pound-weight-limit fee!!

Have a GREAT week, Jen!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Darn weirdos!! ALthough it would be nice if the weirdos were online tonight--i got out of class early!

You mean, i weigh over 50 lbs? ?darn! hahahah but i AM inviting myself over when you get home to come look at pictures! And i have your alex shirt! What day do you get back again?

Nothing new and exciting with me--Alex is still doing well and he is so thankful so many people are praying for him--Its going to be a long road!
have a great night!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hey Jen,

Stopping by to see how you are doing sweetie. Just think.... in 8 more days, you'll be done with classes for a few weeks.

Hope you have a great day!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Tracy-Thank you so much for stopping by! I cant beleive i will be done classes on Wednesday! im really looking forward to having a few weeks of NO classes!! I have also decided to take a full week off of work before classes start.. i feel horrible to do it because i need the money, but i think i need a break as well.

Im taking an "off day" and am still in my pajamas...I cant blieve it, but i really think i needed a day to relax. Things have been okay, i just have been having a rough couple of days. I have just felt off, so hopefully this is a new week, things will be looking up!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Well..My classes are DONE!!!!!!!
I now have a break from class until Sept 6..im thrilled! I havent posted in awhile because I have been in a lull all summer with my exercising..I am still watching what i eat, but allowing myself that ice cream when i want it..

I have already made myself a promise that when classes start and i am not working full time, i will start exercising like i did last time..Right now, i am at 151.5..That is not TOO bad, but i would like to get down to 145 by the time i leave for my cruise Nov12..I think that is an attainable goal--Do you guys think it is? I need advice!

Okay enough about my weight--on to the fun stuff--weekend plans!
Today i am doing nothing! I was exhausted and slept 11 hours last night..My cousins are coming over today and im going to recruit them into helping me wash my car Hopefully later, we will be seeing Alex. Tomorrow I am waitressing at a chicken bbq to raise money for Alex--it is expected to raiase over 10000 dollars! im really looking forward to doing that, its going to be an amazing help for his family.

Now, my update on Alex..( just realize i havent done one in awhile)
Alex is out of the hospital and has been moved to a rehab program (probably about a week and a half to 2 weeks ago). In the last couple days, they have done xrays and have taken the turtle shell brace off of him. They also "downgraded" his neck brace to a collar neck brace. he looks wonderful!! i saw him on Monday and he was eating, drinking, talking like crazy..He still has a something on his left ankle, since they are trying to figure out what they will do with that..They have had him standing for about 3-5 minutes at a time. He goes through hours of physical therapy a day and is doing a remarkable job! I am amazed at how far he has come since the accident on June 24. I will hopefully be seeing him today--last time i was there, i told him that i posted on the websites i belong to and that a bunch of people were praying for him..he said thanks and he was shocked so many people prayed for him. I just wanted to update since I havent in awhile and wanted to say thanks..again!

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Jen...CONGRATS on another semester completed!!!

And thanks for the update on Alex. I'm so glad things are going so well with him! Tell him your buddy says hi!!

OK, lady....I'm gonna go start packing. You try to make it through the week without me!! My PM box has PLENTY of room (hint, hint). I'll miss ya, buddy. Take care....and you know how to get a hold of me if you need me!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hey Kim--Thanks for posting! I know you arent home, but ALeX IS HOME!! i cant wait to fill you in on everything when you get home --you will hve a TON of PMs by then!

Alright, so as i said, alex is home! I am so excited and i cant wait to go visit him at his house..The fundraiser was a sucess over the weekend and we have another one on sunday..He is amazed at how much we have done for him..I will post when i get any other news on his condition.

I am EXHAUSTED! i went out with a copule girls from work last night and we were out from 8-12 sitting in applebees..it was a GREAT time and we had fun, but im paying for it today! My kids (at work) have their high school musical performance tomorrow--we are making it a HUGE deal..we bought donuts and chips..we are decorating their faces --im excited! My last day of work is next friday--i will miss those kids like c razy, but i am really looking forward to a little break!

have a great day all

 

[goldcupmom]

How's it going, Jen! I've been praying for Alex even tho I haven't been posting. Glad he's doing better.

Hope you have a great rest of the week!

 

[gradtchr]

I just wanted to say HI!!!!!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

AHHHHHHH i just typed a really long journal entry, and it deleted for some strange reason!

So anyway-I am getting ready for bed as i am EXHAUSTED! Had to say goodbye to one of the kiddies in my class--had him for 2 years and it was hard to say goodbye to him--he started getting all teary!
Its going to be really hard next Friday whe nit is my last day-ill come here and need to be cheered up!

So here is part of my new plan..One of my coworkers and I are making a deal. Starting Sept 6, we will be holding each other accountable ...We will weigh and measure ourselves once a month at work. If we stay the same, or lose weight/inches, then were good..If we gain at all, we put 10 bucks in the pot..The last day of work before CHristmas, we add up who has lost the most--The "biggest loser" gets the pot..If its REALLY close, well split it..I have a feeling that more people will be signing up for this at work..its nice to have that accountablility..im cheap , so between this and posting here, and kim, i hope i will be able to stay on track..

Alright, off to bed! happy weekend

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Well, i got back from the motorcycle thing a couple of hours ago..they must have made a ton of money! it was a great day!

I was in a strange mood, so I read through my entire journal from the beginning. Its a little discouraging to think i am at the same weight as when i started journaling in dec 0f 2004,,but in a way, its good to see i havent gained either..
Tomorrow at work i will be talking with my coworker to see when we will start our new exercise plan..im fine with starting after this week !

Well, my best friend is on her way over to work on thank you notes and surprises for our class...her last day is wed and mine is friday..so we want to make it a fun week! have a great night

 

[kimwim8]

Hey girlie!!

I'm BACK!!!

I know you missed me!

Have a great week at work, and enjoy it. Bring in your camera and take lots of pictures. It's gonna be a tough one on both you AND your kids.

I'm glad the fundraiser went well too. That Alex is a miracle man!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Kim is back!!!!!!!! YAY!!
i actually did miss you and the kids ( i guess that hubby too!) haha DONT TELL HIM!

Hope you come online tonight!

Things are good with me..the weight loss thing with my coworker is starting friday--she is bringing her scale to work and we will see what our starting point is!! ill post about it when i get weighed/measured

 

[kmp1191]

Hey Jen, just getting caught up with you.
Glad Alex is home...keep us updated on his improvements! I'm glad he's doing better!
Also, I know how hard it was when my dd "graduated" from her pre-school program. She LOVED her teacher!! Hang in there, and enjoy your time off!!

marie

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Jenny Jen Jen!

Hope your day is going well. I know this week stinks at work for you. Cry it out, girl. You'll get through it! If you need some alcoholic therapy, come on down!!! I can mix up some of my world-famous sangria!!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Hey Jenny Jen Jen!

Hope your day is going well. I know this week stinks at work for you. Cry it out, girl. You'll get through it! If you need some alcoholic therapy, come on down!!! I can mix up some of my world-famous sangria!!

Today was soo cute! Today was my best friend (the other teachers) last day--When we got back from break, the kids yelled surprise and they were holding these flower cards..we each got one..the middle is a picture of jess and i with the petals being pictures of each of the kids..the leaves were signed by all the kids and teachers in the school--of course, i got all teary!

Then, they moved aside , and there was a huge cake that said well miss you miss jen and miss jess...Talk about tears! then all the kids came running at us, hugging us..too cute!

So kim--alcoholic therapy sounds good to me--give me a day when you get settled from vacation, and i will be there

have a great night!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Well, today was my last day of work..it was a good day, until about 3:40. Let me explain real quick-i leave at 4..theres a girl in my class, who is more of a helper than a student. I have known her for a few years, as her mom works at the school. She kind of became a little sister type to jess (my best friend) and i. This girl is very much a tomboy and i have never seen her get emotional. Jess told me on friday that the girl cried when Jess left and that made Jess lose it..
Today, she wasnt supposed to leave until after me and her dad came to get her 20 minutes before i left..She just started crying and clinging to me. It was hard, and i started to get teary too, knowing how hard it is for her to let her guard down and allow herself to cry. Luckily, I will be able to see her once in awhile and Jess and I are planning on surprising her by going to one of her soccer games..It was just hard to say goodbye to her..She made me a card that said "I cant believe the summer is almost over!! You rock!! As always, i think its the best to be best friends with the teachers. You are awesome." She also made a picture frame for me , and i already have it in my room.

Other than that, today my coworkers and i measured and weighed ourselves. We are going to be doing this once a month, near the end of the month. If we stay the same or lose weight, good...if we gain, we put 10 bucks in the pot..At the end of this, whoever loses the most gets the money..
So as of this morning, this is where i stand.
157 lbs (not happy with this at all!)
Waist-29.5 inches
Arms-11 inches
Legs-23.2 inches
Hips-42.9 inches
chest-35.4 inches

im really going to start focusing on what i am eating and how much of it i am eating..I need to kick myself into gear. I want to drink at leaset 4 bottles of water a day as well as stop snacking..NO MORE ICE CREAM! The mini goal is i want to be down to 145 by the time i go away on my cruise..hopefully that is an attainable goal.

Well, this weekend is looking good..Tonight, i relaxed alot and cleaned..Tomorrow morning, i am going to drive to Brads house to see him and the baby and then im going to Kim's house --im excited!!!!
I dont have to work until at lesat sept 8, so next week will be getting things down around the house and relaxing..I have a drs appointment with my endocrinologist on tuesday-I feel that my thyroid levels are low, so im hoping we can do something to change that..

Have a great weekend all!