I've never walked alone......

on this journey.....and for that, I am thankful.


Often times, when we reach a milestone or a goal, as I have....with losing this weight....we find ourselves so smitten with the our accomplishment and the end result that we forget that we could have never done this alone.
When I think back to the moment when I decided to take on this blog, I vividly recall thinking that I would record my weight loss, maybe share my food intake and document my success in pictures and possibly little stories. It wasn't going to be all that fancy or creative or even time consuming. I just wanted to find a way in those early days to focus myself--make myself accountable to something or someone. I wanted to sit down a few times a week and devote myself to what I was undertaking and make it part of the program. It was not going to have a long life....it was just going to get me through those first critical months.
I'll let you in on a little secret---the reason why I didn't see Stories from the Road having a long life is because at the same time I was starting this blog, I had my eye on starting another blog that was going to be about my passions---my creative endeavors--the things that made me tick. It was called Sweet Judi Blue Eyes. Oh, I had such grand plans for it (in fact, if you check my profile page...you'll see it there "under construction").
Stories from the Road was going to be my starter blog, my test blog so to speak. I mean--how much could a girl talk about her Lap band and losing weight? I imagined myself sitting there writing and exploring the creative side of me--sharing my thoughts, my projects, my writing, the real me and whatever I was up to on my real blog---Sweet Judi Blue Eyes.

But, it didn't quite happen that way....

And, do you know why?
Because of you....
Having you travel this journey with me, my days took on new meaning. YOU made all the difference. Even if I couldn't see you or perhaps I didn't even know you--I knew you were there. I mean--come on--every morning sitting in this little office off of my kitchen typing into a machine to unknown people! Who would have guessed it would become as much a part of me as my shoes? Thus making you not only part of my success but a part of my life.
So, whether you like it or not--you are on this journey with me and it ain't over yet.
Keep those shoes on.
Hope that's okay with you travel buddies!

Thanks.

Silence is golden.......

especially when you've got nothing much to say......


Sure, I can always come up with something...we can talk about shoe shopping or why Starbucks got rid of their energy shots or the fact that I lost 115 pounds (putting me 5 pounds below my goal) or the dream-come-true of fitting into size 10 and sometimes even size 8 or I can tell you how darn pesky my band is being at the moment or I can really tell you how I feel about empty nesting.....
But, no.
Been there, said that and I'm quite sure I'll be saying it all again.....

Instead, I am going to softly walk away from my computer and tip toe into Tuesday.
Into the sounds of silence.....
Beginning now.....

Three is a charm......especially when it comes to giving thanks....

It's the third Monday of November.
It's time to give thanks.
Remember...that's what we're doing here on Mondays in November.
We're not bitching and moaning about the fact that it's Monday.
We're kicking off our week with a simple thank you....
If you need a little refresher.....click here....

So, what simple, little thing am I thankful on this third Monday of November?
Let's see--on the first Monday I was thankful for chili beans.
....on the second Monday I was thankful for Monday diets.
Today I am thankful for sturdy lawn and leaf bags.....



Yes, friends...that's right. I'm grateful for those huge, strong lawn and leaf bags. They are now filling up my SUV.....stuffed with clothes.....heading to the Goodwill in about 2 hours or so. My vehicle is filled to the brim....I must have shoved 30 of them into my trusty Ford Escape. They didn't tear or rip even though I man-handled them quite a bit--forcing just one more thing into them, rolling them down the steps, kicking them out the door and squishing them to make room for more. We sometimes forget just how wonderful those bags are and just how easy they make our lives.
I am so damn thankful for lawn and leaf bags this Monday morning that I just feel like crying.....

Held hostage at the mall!

by my band......

Just when you thought I'd tell you that it was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime sale that hogtied me to the mall.....I defy my reputation and admit to the fact that it was my very own beloved Lap band.
Let me tell you all about it......

It was an absolutely incredible day here in Judiland yesterday---besides the fact that it was Saturday--the sun was shining, warm breezes were blowing and the sky was a clear blue. It was a roll your window down kind of day. We don't get many of those types of days in mid November here in my little corner of the world. It was the kind of day that screamed.....don't clean your bedroom! go to the mall! So, I slapped on my size 8 boyfriend jeans from Ann Taylor, my cute-as-be red sweater tunic from Anthropologie and my red and black cowboy boots and took to the open road. To ease my guilt over not really accomplishing much....I decided I'd do a little Christmas shopping, stop off at the Italian store for the sausage for my stuffing, run into the grocery store to pick up my turkey plus I'd do a few quick errands in between all of that. Sounded like a great plan.
As with every-out-of-the-house trip I make--my first stop was to Starbuck's for my venti chai latte (shit how I miss those energy shots....why did they go away? why?). So, I stopped at The Galleria....picked up my chai latte, chatted with a few other chai-lovin' customers, flirted with my fav barista and then shopped around a bit. I ran into a few great baubles that I just knew my college girl would love and then I did a few quick laps around Williams Sonoma, Chico's and Coldwater Creek. It was about that time that I figured I should possibly get something to eat. Since I was on my own--I didn't feel like ducking into Houllihan's for potato soup or Bravo for lobster bique. So, I headed up to the grocery store...figuring I'd grab a quick bowl of soup at their cafe, pick up my turkey (I had brought an ice filled cooler in the car so that I could still go shopping after getting the turkey), drop off some dry cleaning and pick up some magazines to read for a Saturday night on the couch.
First stop--to check out their soup selection. I decided on a butternut squash bisque. It seemed safe enough--smooth and creamy....not too chunky....which is what I needed considering that my band had been acting up quite a bit in recent days. Everything started out fine. The soup was good....not great....but it did the trick....I was full after eating close to 1/2 of it.
From there, I headed over to pick up the turkey....stopping by the seafood counter to pick up some fresh crab and collassal shrimp that were on sale. The store was crazy busy--people with carts overflowing, racing through the aisles. As I was dodging my fellow shoppers, I started to feel a bit odd---a sharp pain in the middle of my chest with sweat beads forming on the back of my neck. Was I having a heart attack.....right there in Aisle 7 with the condiments....before I even made it to the mall? This was definitely not the way I had planned on exiting this world. I had no time for a heart attack and I could not die at the grocery store next to the pickles...what statement would that make? And, listen...I could not go and die with my bedroom being such a mess....my family would never forgive me for having to clean it!
Plus, I had things to do....
Still feeling odd...and in a bit of a panic....I raced over to get my turkey (they were on sale for 40 cents a pound....), threw it in my cart and high-tailed it to the registers. But, on the way....I could feel it....that familiar eruption in my stomach. I was going to vomit. Yep...right there in the Health and Beauty Department.....50 feet from the bathroom with an old lady directly in front me meandering through the aisle. I could either ram her, yell at her, push her or knock her down or I could leave my cart and run past her. Yes, I took the high road....
Little did I know....I'd never return to my cart. (So, if anyone reading this happened to see a cart with a turkey, crab and shrimp in the Health and Beauty Aisle and did the good samaritan thing and put it away....thank you and I'm sorry....).
After about an hour of misery in the grocery store bathroom....I needed to get out of there and fast. Which is exactly what I did. I went directly to the mall (across the road), got myself a cup of tea and decided to try and salvage the day. But, I didn't make it too far. Apparently, the liquid from the tea re-erupted the situation....and I landed in yet another bathroom--this time at the mall food court. After that....it was just one bathroom visit after another. I figure the folks in security at Macy's and Sears were probably having a field day watching the same woman return to the ladies room on their survelliance cameras.....there she is again....what the hell is she doing? Thank God they didn't apprehend me to try and figure it out. I would have messed up their interrogation room....
So, four hours later--I returned home. The sun was still shining, the warm breezes were still blowing and I was starting to worry about something I never before in my life ever worried about.....I don't want to get too skinny.
So, what's my plan for today?
Chai Latte with extra protein added.
Clean my bedroom.
Be kind to my band.

Peace be with you......

Yes, that's me (minus 115 pounds!)....in my very messy office.......it was Black & Gold Day (for the Steelers big game on Sunday!) at work yesterday......

Have a great Saturday!

Do you have paraskevidekatriaphobia?

if so.....I suggest you take cover today!

As for me--I'm going to make sure I have underwear that fit, that my chai latte is not too hot and that I'm wearing shoes with sturdy heels. Plus, I'm going to be oh-so-careful with the eating.....I'm having some band issues. Yes, that's right....my band is very tight at the moment. I haven't even had a fill in awhile! But, there are other factors that cause band tightness and one of them is--stress! Do I have stress? Well, my band seems to think so. It's been acting up continually now for about 3-4 days---giving me quite a bit of discomfort after eating even the smallest, most benign things. Thankfully, at this stage of my journey--I know exactly when to stop. So, I do. But, it ain't been fun.
I think I might have to just have a liquid weekend.......

Nice undies.
Chai Latte.
Good shoes.
Lots of liquid (as in liquid libations?) for the next 2 days.......
Sounds like a great plan.....for Friday the 13th.

Yes, I am fine with compliments......

...keep 'em coming!

Having spent a good deal of time this past week with family members that I don't get to see very often--I found myself in the enviable position of having to accept a lot of compliments....on my weight loss. I mean, aunts in their 80's, cousins from out of town and family friends from long ago all had something to say--over and over again. Everyone was ga-ga over the fact that I actually lost all this weight. It was like...."oh my God....you really did lose weight!" What did they think I was going to do?
At times, it was quite embarrassing with all the talk about how I look, how much weight I lost and just how amazing it all is. There were times that I felt as if I stole the show--right there at the funeral home!! But, I am 100% positive that my Aunt Mary was up there in heaven thrilled that I managed to show up at her viewing---in a size 10. That was just the way she was. She didn't like being fat and she didn't like the people she loved to be fat either. She was one of those folks who always had something to say about weight....so, yeah, I know she was very happy I didn't come to say my final good byes to her....as a fat girl.
By the end of the two days, the compliments were dwindling. Unless you count those few times my one aunt would walk by me and shake her head in disbelief and say "I just can't believe how good you look!"
Right before I was ready to leave the after-funeral luncheon--an older cousin who had not said a word to me about my weight loss the entire time--came over to me and whispered "can you stand another compliment?" Since I hadn't heard one in a while (and I was getting so used to being given them every 5 minutes for 48 hours straight), I turned to him and said "bring it on!" To which he replied, in a deep whisper-- "fuckingfabulous" .

That's just what I was going for.

Commando girl!

I'm having undies issues......
........and, I'm not afraid to admit it!

I am a girl who just loves her lingerie. So, even during my big girl days, I always had a very sweet collection of underwear. Every color, every style, every theme---you name it, I owned it. I couldn't pass up an underwear sale to save my life. I never had to worry about that age old mothers' advice--always wear nice underwear. Because, my dear blog friends--I always did. I'm not sure what deep seated issue I have that causes me to love pretty unmentionables. Perhaps I always liked the fact that underneath it all.....that's where the real Judi lived---separating me from the rest of the suburban working mom world. Under the black pants---leopard hi-cuts. Under the houndstooth--racey red silk. No white cotton for me. Not even a demure pink high-waisted Fruit of The Loom. No. No. No.

Loosing all this weight has done a number on my clothing budget. Oh, I'm not really complaining. Thankfully, the weight loss has happened at a slow enough pace that I haven't had to replenish everything at once. I've found that it's easier to find clothes in smaller sizes at places at T. J. Maxx, Marshall's and Burlington--at nice prices. And, of course--I lucked out with a few great sales plus extra cupons at Coldwater Creek and Chico's (my favs!). Plus, I've developed a healthy love of some very nice upscale consignment stores where I can find some great things. And, even better--I've been the recipient of some very fashionable, well-made pieces from friends and friends of friends. So, I'm doing okay when it comes to what I wear on a day-to-day basis. Thank God-- I have been able to maintain the style I have become accustomed to.....

Except when it comes to my underwear.....

I still haven't parted with the majority of my big girl undies. Hey...they are still pretty great undies...even if they are big! So, I haven't done much undie shopping these past 27 months. I've saved my dollars and cents for my regular wardrobe. I know....hard to believe--huh?

My undie avoidance finally caught up with me.....
And, it wasn't pretty......

As with most weeks of late--last week was a bit of a bear. So much so that one night, when I finally dragged myself into the house after a long and grueling day, I couldn't wait to take off my clothes, put on my big fluffy robe, light some candles, turn on some good music and hang out on the couch with the newspaper, a big stack of magazines and a cup of tea. So, after grabbing the paper and checking the mail--I went directly to my bedroom to start the transformation--from working girl to lady of leisure. If just for a few hours....
I was so anxious to get myself firmly planted on the couch that I whipped my clothes on the bed, grabbed my robe and headed down the steps in a flash. That's when it happened.....with nothing to hold my big girl underwear in place--they fell down to my ankles--sending me tumbling down 3 steps----right there in my empty nest. With no one to see me, no one to catch me and no one to see if I was okay....there I laid--with my pink robe askew, my underwear around my ankles and my body tangled.

That's when I knew--when your underwear start causing you to have accidents.....it's time to hit Victoria's Secret....



(sorry for the late post today.....I was having early morning problems getting this posted....)

Taking a pause......

To honor the woman in the chair......

The last time we were all together in 2006

Our family of strong and beautiful women will spend today together.....to send one of our own home....to join those who went before us.

Pictured:
left to right
Front Row:
Cousin--Barbara Jean (kneeling)
Aunt Mary (in chair)
Me--Judi (kneeling)
Row 2:
Cousin--Mary Ann
Sister--Denise
Cousin--Annette
Aunt Theresa
Aunt Phil
Sister--Cathy
Back Row:
Cousin--Phyllis
Cousin--Louise
Cousin--Margaret Ann

Another simple thank you....

Once again.....it's Monday.....
It's time to give thanks.
Remember...that's what we're doing here on Mondays in November.
We're not bitching and moaning about the fact that it's Monday.
We're kicking off our week with a simple thank you....
If you need a little refresher.....click here.

Today, on this second Monday of November, I am thankful for Monday diets.
Yes, you heard me right--Monday diets.
You see--this past weekend, the world lost one of it's most notorious Monday dieters--my beloved Aunt Mary. In my treasure trove of memories--Monday diets and Aunt Mary go together like peanut butter and jelly, like gin and tonic, like spaghetti and meatballs.
My Aunt Mary was always on a diet. On Monday. She'd talk it up every Sunday with equal parts ghusto and disgust. Ghusto--because this time she was going to do it. Disgust--because she couldn't believe she didn't get it right the Monday before or the Monday before that.
So, why am I so thankful for Monday diets?
For one thing--I like the memories.
For another--Monday diets was something my Aunt Mary and my mother shared. Every week. They were best friends. They shared everything---including their Monday diets.
It was a conversation that never ended between the two of them. Until my mother died...36 years ago.
After that, Aunt Mary was on her own with her Monday diets.
She still mentioned them from time to time....but never with the same ghusto or disgust.
I never really thought much about those Monday diets as time went by. Until Aunt Mary got sick several years back and started to wither away. That's when she told me that the diet was finally working.....just when she didn't want it to.
"Isn't that always the way?" she clucked in her Aunt-Mary-way...."all those years of going on a diet every Monday only to find that someday, without even going on a diet, I would lose all the weight I was supposed to lose!" ...her voice tinged with both sadness and amusement over the irony of it all.
Today....I am especially thankful Aunt Mary and her Monday diet buddy--Din (my mother)....can finally continue their conversation. They've been waiting a lot of Mondays for this.
Monday diet in heaven.
Better than Weight Watchers, the Grapefruit Diet, those Ayds carmels, TOPs and Dr. Cip's magic pills (yes, they did them all and then some).
Maybe even better than a Lap band.


I'll miss Aunt Mary. Very much.
But, it was time my mother got her back.
I'm okay with that.
And, I'm thankful.

Tell me, what little thing are you thankful for today?

Heaven just got itself a fiesty, back-talking angel.....

and I can just see my mom running to the pearly gates to greet her......they've got lots to catch up on.

There's a reunion in heaven this weekend and I know it's a big one. I'll bet my mom and Aunt Congie have been cooking for a few days now.....just in preparation for the party.
Thank God there's no calories in heaven.....

Yesterday, almost immediately after I finished up my blog--my Aunt Tee called with the news. My dear Aunt Mary passed away. It was a sad phone call....not one that was unexpected but sad nonetheless. It's funny how no matter what the situation--when someone you love, who has been in your life forever and who is a part of so many of your memories dies--it takes your breath away. But, I'm not going to concentrate on that today. Because my Aunt Mary would be pissed. Lots of things pissed her off and lots of things made her happy. She was just one of those kind of gals.

A lovely picture of Aunt Mary and her beloved daughter--Annette.

Off to the fun park!

It's a sunny Saturday here in Judiland.....a perfect day to take to the road! With my two kids packed in the car and the music playing loud....I can't think of a better way to do Saturday! It's off to the foodie fun park....

It's a foodie weekend here in Judiland....

Vince and Toni are both here--tucked safely in their beds as pots simmer on the stove--filling the house with the aroma of family and home. Carmen is ensconced in yet another work project that's zapping his time, energy and patience so he slinked out of the house at some ungodly hour this morning to make the long drive back to his office. But, last night, we all managed to gather around the table at one of our favorite family restaurants to share libations, laughter and yes...some of our favorite foods. It was a wonderful kick-off to what I'm now dubbing a foodie weekend with the fun park trip today, a family dinner/birthday party tonight, a cooking demonstration at Williams Sonoma tomorrow and then capping it off with an old fashioned Sunday sit-down.....

Three years ago, a foodie weekend in Judiland would have meant tight pants on Monday. Today, it means skinny jeans with my Donald Pliner Moc Croc Leopard Booties.....

Here we go again......

It's Friday......time to plan how I will save the planet, do my part for world peace, feed the hungry, do away with H1N1, beautify my community, lift the spirits of those whose spirits need lifted and pitch in to stimulate the economy.....all in a mere 2 days.....

Yes, it's a tough challenge.

But, someone has to do it.

I guess that someone is me.

Bring on the weekend.....

Yes, I know.....I've been a little short......

no, no..... not in stature (although I'm by no means tall!) but in my communications.....

I'm not sure if the time change has caught up with me, if the cat got my tongue, or if I am just plum out of things to say. But, I have to confess--I have had a serious case of blog-block coupled with some big-time-yawning this week. Believe me--it's not like there hasn't been a lot going on here in Judiland. As a matter of fact--it's been active as all get-out. My days are busting at the seams. Thankfully, my pants are not. And, although my nights are not rockin' with major excitement, they have managed to do me in as well. All things considered-- you would think I'd be in a semi coma by the time night falls.

But--no.

You see....I've developed a very bad habit this week. Halloween candy and Sex and The City on demand cable. Except for last night when I prefaced it with Sleepless in Seattle on-demand and Halloween candy.....followed by Halloween candy and Sex and The City on-demand.

Perhaps that's why I haven't blogged very much.

I didn't want to tell you what I've been up to.....

I know it's only Wednesday but I'm so over this week.....

Let's talk weekend......

......the countdown to the weekend has begun.....time to make some plans so we can have something to look forward to at the end of another week in the trenches!

DO YOUR PART TODAY!!!!

A simple thank you.......

BECAUSE IT'S MONDAY!

Yes, because it's Monday!

Go ahead, beat up the computer. It's okay. I understand.

Are you finished?


No?

Alright, go ahead, if you need to stomp your feet....I'll wait for you.

Done yet?

Now that you're all done greeting another Monday in your own special way....I've got a little deal for you.

Listen up.....

It's time to give thanks.
No, no, we're not celebrating Thanksgiving early.
This is not about the last Thursday in November.
It's about every MONDAY in November.
What I'm talking about is giving thanks for Monday things.
Little Monday things.
Not big things.
Save those big things for the big Thursday in November....


This is what we are going to do......

Each and every Monday in November...right here on Stories From the Road....
instead of bitching and moaning about the arrival of another Monday and the end of another weekend, we are each going to give thanks for one thing. One small thing. We're not going to give thanks for our families or our friends or our health or anything else that's big and worthy of huge thanks. We are going to look at our lives and find something small....teeny weeny.....and we are going to celebrate it and give thanks for it and focus on the wonderfulness of it. Yes, that's right...every damn Monday....that's what we are going to do. We are going to search our worlds and our lives and we are going to say THANKS for something that seems insignificant and unworthy. We are going to forgo the usual pomp and circumstance of thankfulness and we are going to dig deep into the ordinariness and simpleness of our lives and the mundaneness of our worlds and find something that we would have never thought was worthy of much--let alone thanksgiving. And, we are going to bow down to it and praise it and tell each other all about it. And, we are going to give a BIG ASS Thank YOU for it!!! A BIG STAND UP AND CHEER ABOUT IT THANK YOU.....that's what we are going to do.
We are not only going to be thankful for what we ourselves present but DAMN IT, we are going to be thankful for each other's thankfulness. Yes we are! That is what we are going to do each and every Monday in NOVEMBER! We are going to be so DAMN THANKFUL for one little thing that we are going to be jumping up and down and dancing around and doing the hokey pokey because of it....

Here....I'll start.....

Today, on this very first Monday of November, I am enormously thankful for chili beans. If I would have not eyed them up at the grocery store yesterday, I would have never had the idea to make chili last night. And, if I would have not maDe Chili last night then God knows what we would have ate and I would not have had anything to pack for lunch today and dinner tonight and probably dinner tomorrow night. Yes, I am thankful for chili beans. But, now I feel very guilty for saying that chili beans are a small thing to be thankful for. Because clearly they have a huge impact on my life.
Isn't it amazing how important chili beans are?
Who knew.....!
But, since I don't have time to come up with another simple, insignificant thing to be thankful for because I have to go and take a shower (yes, I am so thankful for soap), I'm going to have to say that today I am so thankful for chili beans!


Your turn.....

What time is it anyhow?

It's Let's Talk Turkey Time......

Happy November!

Did you turn your clocks back?

Blog reader Debbie and I are getting an early start on our turkey talkin'......we're meetin' up at Starbucks for some fuel and then headin' on over to our Turkey Tips Class.
Let's hope Debbie turned back her clock....

See ya on Monday......!

Gone Broomstick Riding.....

Trick or Treaters Welcome!

I've got a few treats I want to pass out.....

So, I'm looking for ghosts and goblins and witches to come a-knocking!

Post a comment and tell me what YOU are dressed as....

You might just get a treat...!

Do you want some candy LITTLE GIRL?

Why do I want chocolate?


I can go an entire year and not once do I crave chocolate or candy. I've never been a candy girl. Even during some of my biggest eatathon days. My taste buds have always preferred salty, spicey, savory foods. Never cakes or cookies or candies....well, except for twizzler licorice--yeah I could kill a 5 pound bag of that in no time flat! But, chocolate---sure I will eat it but I don't crave it or dream about it or fantasize about it. I admit--I have had orgasmic moments over huge bowls of pasta, big fat meatballs, piles of nachoes, platters of sharp cheeses and home made hot sausage with peppers and onions . But...sweets....not so much. I don't even like sweet wine or super sweet girly libations. I'm strictly a girl who likes to taste her booze and savor her spices.

So, why is it that come the last week of October, I find myself wanting Reese's peanutbutter cups and Almond Joys??? Does it have anything to do with years of trick-or-treating? Does my body just know it's time to get candy???

A good meal is like life......

People who live only for dessert, very rarely enjoy the main course.

aren't I prolific these days?

yeah, well, I stole that quote (and the beautiful picture) from somewhere.

When you're a foodie and a recovering obese person, you understand food.

So when wise words are put in that context.....you get it.

I want to enjoy the main course.

Lapbanded, of course.

Bon Apetit!

Digestion.......

it doesn't just happen in your stomach......




A Lapband is a little bit like getting older.
You can taste the good things, nourish yourself with what you need and cut down on the excess stuff.
That's what I am thinking as I digest the latest rounds of changes in my work life.
A few years ago, these changes would have me crying and fretting.
Today....not so much.
Why is that?
Because I know what's good in my work life-- working with many of my colleagues, the work that we do and of course--payday.
And...the other stuff....I don't need it.
Not any more.

I'm old enough to be so over the career girl thing.
And my stomach isn't big enough to overeat because of it.

Ain't misbehavin'.......

just needed a little extra shut eye.....

Yes, a little extra beauty sleep on a Monday was warranted this morning. So, no need to worry.....I had to forgo my early morning ritual in favor of vanity. There's no tales to tell of wild nights spent dancing in my brand new Donald Pliner Leopard Moc Croc boots or stories of illicit escapes after drinking too many gin gimlets. The fact of the matter is--sometimes weekends just do me in. And, this weekend was so exception......! When the alarm beckoned, I was just not ready for anything---much less coming up with anything remotely fascinating to share here on Stories From the Road.....

Now that I got that extra beauty sleep.....things will be fine tomorrow! I'll be back to my ravishing, blogging self.....

Alleluia, Alleluia, Allllleluiiii-a........

Don't these Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc Boots just make you want to get down on your knees and cry out with joy and thanksgiving?
I'm down on my knees and my mascara is running......



One of the sheer joys of not being obese is wearing amazing shoes. Although I've always loved...I mean absolutely worshipped....shoes and I always had a very respectful collection of some darn cute shoes, as my body grew, the most I could do was gaze upon many of them and love them from afar and just be content with owning them. Sure, I'd wear them around my bedroom, admire them in the mirror and maybe even wear them for a bit. But, soon, I'd have to toss them aside for a roomier, more comfortable pair. Yes, it was utterly heartbreaking.....
But, now God has taken pity on me for those awful days of having to abandon my shoes. He delivered these Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc Boots to me.
Yes, my beloved God gave me a brand new pair of Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc Boots in Size 8 1/2. And, he gave them to me for $38. And I only had to go around the corner to get them. It was a calling, I tell you....when I found myself at this amazing place.....only steps from my house. That is where God called me to get my Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc Boots.
The shoes I have been lusting over for months in the window of my favorite shoe store--Footloose.
These $299 Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc Boots.
The ones I would visit at least once a week....my Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc Boots.
The ones I would slip my foot into, gaze upon and tenderly return them to the box and hand them over to the sales woman.....my heart tinged with sadness, my eyes moist.
With each visit, it became harder and harder to say goodbye....to my Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc boots.
And, then, one day, I went to visit them and they were not there.
My Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc boots were gone.
And, a piece of me went with them....

Now I know that God had other plans for my Donald Pliner Leopard Congo Moc Croc boots. They were my reward for having to endure years of being too damn fat to wear great shoes. And, my darling God chose yesterday--a cool and dreary October Saturday to lure me to where my Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc boots lay in wait for me. He led me to my Donald Pliner Lola Leopard congo Moc Cros boots by convincing me that Avalon Exchange--only steps from my house--would hold a treasure trove of articles for Toni's Moulin Rouge themed Halloween costume. Oh, my sweet Lord is such a coniving fellow---we found no suitable articles for Toni's costume there.
Only my Donald Pliner Lola Leopard Congo Moc Croc Boots.

Shop, Rock and Roll......

That's what I call a day worth putting make-up on for......


Happy Saturday!

Sip, sliding away......

from a long and quite unnerving week......

That's the plan.

As soon as I get through Friday!
Hope your weekend is as lively and rejunvinating as a Gin Gimlet!!!

P.S.
And, I'm counting down the hours until my sweet little girl arrives home!
I need a major Toni fix. Can't wait to have her all to myself.....I won't have to share her with a boyfriend. Yes, it's the upside of her broken heart.....

Gotta go get dinner in the crock pot so the house smells like home when she gets here....

Have you seen my 112 pound pumpkin?

This is what I lost....... It was not a good look for me.
I look horrible in orange.......

Lapbanding

is very real.....

This past Sunday, we celebrated my mother-in-law's 76th birthday. Being an Italian cook straight from Italy--what she wants for her birthday is to cook dinner for her la familia. What that means is--several courses of old fashioned home cooked Italian food, a table laden with her best made dishes--minestrone, home made pasta, home made meatballs, chicken romano, penne with marinara sauce, roasted potatoes with garlic--to name just a few. Nestled in big Italian crocks and spread on huge platters with all of us sitting around sharing the fruits of her labor, sipping on wine, talking about the things that families talk about when they get together, unwrapping presents and blowing out candles and eating ice cream and cake.

Last Saturday afternoon, as the rain fell outside, an old friend, her darling niece Abigail and I sat at one our favorite neighborhood haunts and chatted over a lovely glass of Montevina Sauv Blanc. I had a bowl of French onion soup to warm me up, my friend opted for an appetizer of hamburger sliders and Abigail had a French dip. We gabbed about the things that old friends chat about when they get together, we entertained Abigail with our banter and got the inside scoop on how a preteen views life. We swapped stories and advice, laughed and grimaced and enjoyed the respite from life out in the big, bad world. Afterwards, we went shopping--my friend was on a specific mission at Pottery Barn Kids and I went along for the fun. And, along the way, we found ourselves smack in the middle of a wonderful sale---so we shopped.

The night before that--Friday--with Carmen feeling a bit under the weather, we made no specific plans except to light a few pumpkin spice candles, dig out some furry throws and recharge after a long week. But fate had other plans for us. My sister and my nephew popped in after his hockey game--both them in need of some nourishment. I ordered some wings---hot, garlic and dry rub---from a local joint , poured wine for my sister and I and then we sat around watching the Pitt game. I nibbled on a wing or two and every once in awhile, my sister and I would sneak out on the porch---where it was chilly and damp--to have a contrand smoke.


So, why am I telling you all of this?
Just to give a little glimpse into what living with a Lapband is like......

Yep, it's not at all cult-like or crazy!!! We don't have to weigh and measure or write down everything we put in our mouths, we can eat and cavort with the everyday folks, we can go to restaurants and be in the presence of tables filled with wonderful food, we can eat foods that our restrictive diets of long ago forbade us to eat, we can drink wine, we can do whatever we want to do..... plus we can do it all--without worrying about dieting tomorrow.

You just never know what's around the next corner.....

one of my many mantras......words I live by......things I say......

Every day holds at least one surprise. Something you never saw coming. A question you never knew would be asked. A face you didn't plan on seeing. A situation you didn't plan for. Words you never though you'd hear. Sometimes it's all of those things....other times it's only one of them. Sometimes they are big rock-your-world type of things. Other times they are just little inconsequential things. Yet, they are always there.....making life just one big interesting conglomeration of seconds. And for every surprise, comes another opportunity for us to ponder. Another opportunity to look at how things are and what it all means to me and my life.

I do not feel old. Hell, 50 is not old. What I do feel is experienced and aware. Not cynical. More like a cross between wise and balanced---understanding my place in life, knowing that all things are not as they seem and that given enough time, everything will be okay. Add that to the fact that I'm more in tune with what I want and what I don't want. Even though sometimes my wants and non wants come as a big surprise to me! So, when life throws me a huge surprise---as it did yesterday--the wisdom that comes with age helps me process it and deal with it.

Yeah, I know....I hate it when someone alludes to something but doesn't tell exactly what's going on. And, that's just what I am doing here. Let's just say this---no need to worry. The big surprise effects my life in ways that are not harmful to me or my family. It's just a work related thing. Yes, I know....work is a big piece of my life. But...here's the kicker.....this particualar surprise helped me see how work fits into my life these days. So, even though I was frustrated and a wee bit pissed, I also realized that it's not the end of the world........

Headed for the next corner......

Mission Impossible.......

Your mission, should you decided to accept it......
............... please, please, please find me a source for the Starbuck's energy packets. Starbuck's has discontinued them and the supply I have been hoarding since the announcement of their demise is slowly but surely dwindling.
If you do not know what the energy packets are--they are a non-tasting powdered add-in that Starbuck's peddled for a few years. And, during that time period--I became addicted. Each and every day I add them to my Venti Non-fat chai latte. There is nothing...and I mean absolutely nothing.....like a Venti Non Fat Chai Latte with an energy shot. My barrasista buddies get them ready for me the minute they see me coming. Many of them share my broken heart and concern over it's ax from the menu. But, not one of them can help me in finding a supplier. From what I understand--it is made up of guarana, ginseng and concoction of B vitamins (maybe other things--not sure). They get me through the day.....everyday. Especially Mondays.
I'm counting on your help......

Just a few words of appreciation......

Thank God for old friends who somehow know exactly when to pop into your day, thank God for the big sale at Coldwater Creek and thank God for my Lapband........


And a few words of advice.....
*Always keep your girlfriends close
*Go to the sale at Coldwater Creek (it's only 7 more days....honestly....the prices are unbelievable)
*Never put off doing something for yourself and your health

And, one more thing....
Sunday night....the hardest night of all....
But, I'm getting through it counting my blessings.
Girlfriends, sales and no longer being obese. To name just a few.....

Saturday in Judiland......

I'm not sure where to begin.......so, I just won't.....




It's been a bit of time here in my little suburban hamlet. But, I'm weathering it all with the same smile and optimism that gets me through most things. Some folks may say (and they do!) that I live in a state of denial. Whether that's 100% true or not...I plead the fifth. But, in those circumstances that it is true--I'm here to tell you that my state of denial is deliberate. Especially when it comes to things I cannot control. What I do know is this--when there's a choice of being negative or positive--I choose the latter. So, call it what you will--denial or optimism--I refuse, I absolutely refuse--to believe that all things--no matter what-- are doomed.
Carmen tends to look for trouble and problems in every corner. I call him Mr. Doom and Gloom. He doesn't like it when I tell him "it will be okay". He references all kinds of statistics to prove that maybe it won't be. Take for instance the latest episode with our furnace. The other day in the midst of a totally unrelated worrisome situation, I walked into a hot, hot house. I checked the temperature and found it was at 91 degrees. We had just turned the furnace on the day before and set it at a very low heat. When we did that, we noticed that our high tech computerized temperature control panel was on low battery. Thinking that we would go out and get new batteries over the weekend, we didn't think a thing of it. As it turns out, a low battery on a computerized heat control panel is a big thing. It can't regulate the heat. So, that furnace kept going and going---thus a 91 degrees house! Now, my take on the whole thing was--turn the furnace off, wait for the house to cool down, put in some new batteries and see if that's the problem. I turned the furnace off, called Carmen and made him aware of the situation and waited for the house to cool down. I opened windows and doors and went about my business. When Carmen arrived on the scene--he saw things quite differently. "Call the furnace guy now!" he panicked. Instead, on my way to phone, I somehow managed to find a package of new batteries in the junk drawer. This didn't sit too well with him---in that short period of time, he had already convinced himself that we needed an entirely new furnace. I used my "why do you always assume the worse" mentality on him (that he hates) and convinced him to try the new batteries. He scowled and stomped his feet and set out to prove me wrong. He put in the new batteries. Everything is now fine....
It reminded me of the time many years ago when my spirited friend Kate and I spent a lovely hot July afternoon drinking wine on my deck while the kids ran through the sprinkler. All of a sudden, the electricity went out. Kate--being the wife of an electrician--and I--the wife of an engineer in the power industry--didn't consider a power outage in the entire neighborhood. We assumed it was a problem in my fuse box. So, we marched down to the garage--with our wine--to check out the situation. We fussed with the fuses--pulling them in and out. As we did that, a neighbor came by to tell us the power was out in the neighborhood. With that, we went back to our perches on the deck and continued to drink our wine and enjoy the rest of the day. The electricity finally came back on and all was well. That following weekend, I was hosting a large party--with lots of people coming and lots of cooking that needed done. So, when I noticed that my stove was not working (I had an electric stove at the time) the day after our afternoon of wine drinking, I was a bit concerned. Carmen was this close to a meltdown. He had us within steps of heading out the door to buy a new stove. "Before we do that, let's see if we can get someone to fix it," I suggested. No, Carmen was sure the stove was a gonner and we had to buy a new one. He huffed and puffed while I tried to convince him that things could not be that bad. After a few go-arounds, he agreed to let me call someone to come look at the stove. Unfortunately, I could not get anyone to come to the house in time for the party. Feeling a bit stressed but not ready to throw in the towel, I called Kate to share my latest dilemna. That's when she reminded me of our escapade at the fuse box. Kate, being a like-minded soul--that things could not be that bad--suggested I check to see if we put all the fuses back into their spots properly. Upon mentioning Kate's theory to Carmen--he scoffed at the notion, still convinced we needed to run out right then and there and get a new stove or else call our entire guest list and tell them the party was off. Fortunately, I heeded Kate's advice on my own and spent the next few minutes screwing in the fuse for the stove and saving the party and several hundred dollars.
And, those are only a few examples of the way things go. I've got many more "it ain't that bad" stories in my arsenal. And, not all of them deal with heating elements and electricity. Some of them are much more intense. I've come to the conclusion that not only do I live optimistically and sometimes in denial, I also live hopefully. And I find that a much better way of living.
And, so, today, when many folks have lost hope, I have not.
I'm still absolutely positively--without a doubt--sure that things just aren't that bad.
And, to prove it....I'm off to Starbucks with the hope they have at least one energy shot left.
And, I know they will.

Judi AWOL???

Yes, it appears that I am.

But, not for long.
I promise.

I'm just tending to the flock......
And, right now....the flock is taking a lot of tending.....


The Flock: "Pour me another......!"
Judi: "Hold your horses, I'm coming!"

See, what did I tell ya?

"So, what the hell DO YOU EAT?"

asked a shy blog reader via email.....

once in July, then again in August and then she asked again last week.

I figured it was time to tell her.....

This one's for you Ms. Kat!

(but the rest of you can listen in....)

First, let me start out by saying that people have a healthy curiosity about most things. And, being a big-time curious person myself, I understand all the interest. I'm no stranger to any of it! I have been in situations when people I am eating with know that I had weight loss surgery, they become very intent on watching exactly what I eat--as in what it is that I am eating and how much of it I am able to eat. It doesn't bother me in the least.....especially at this stage of my journey. My food consumption is very old news.

What most people who I regularly eat with will tell you---food and eating is just no big deal. My very close friends and family no longer ask me what I can and can't eat and whether I can go to a particular restaurant or not or if they should cook a special food just for me. Not sure if it all came about by happenstance or design---but, they trust that I will find something to satisy my palate and deal with my band without too much scuttlebut. And, that's just the way it should be. As a matter of fact--whether I knew it or not--that was a milestone I worked hard to achieve. It's my new normal. A normal that's not that new at all.

So, what do I eat?

In order to give a real-live look at it---I decided to pick a 2 different type of days where I am doing different things......

Saturday (Homecoming Weekend--visiting Toni)

8:00 am--Driving and walking around--1 Venti Non Fat Chai Latte with a shot of protein @ Starbuck's

11:00 am--Parade--1 Large Non Fat Chai Latte @ Sheetz

1:00 pm--Toni's dorm--1 bite glazed donut, a few grapes, 1 cube of harvarti cheese

2:30-5:00 pm--Tailgating--2 chips with taco dip , 3-4 chili-lime shrimp, a few cashews, 1-2 glasses of wine, 1 jello shot, 1 shortbread cookie

6:00 pm-10:00 pm---Local watering holes---a few sweet potato fries, a few chips with nacho dip,a few chips with artichoke dip, a few bites of garlic wing, handful of popcorn, 3-4 glasses of wine

Monday (regular work day)

6:00 am---home--Hot chai tea (not latte)

7:00 am--driving to work--1 Venti Non Fat Chai Latte @ Starbuck's

8:30 am--at desk--1 turkey sausage pattie, 1 slice sharp cheese

12:30 pm--at desk--1/2 cup Panera cream of broccoli soup (left over from Sunday)

1/2 cup peach yogurt

3:00 pm--at desk--fun size Baby Ruth bar

7:00 pm--at home--3 oz. chicken breast baked with pesto, plum tomato and feta

2 asparagus spears roasted with garlic oil and lemon

9:00 pm--at home--1/2 peanut butter granola bar

8 oz. sugar free chai latte with pumpkin spice non dairy creamer (made at home)

Surprised?

Don't be.

I'm not that different than any of you......

Got Swine?

I don't

but.....I might get it!

Why?

Because I'm a woman over 50......

Here's a portion of an email we got at work yesterday.....

...........writing to let you know that Student Health Services has received an initial shipment of 2,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine from the state in the form of a nasal spray called LAIV (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine). The nasal spray vaccine is recommended ONLY for healthy persons between the ages of 2 and 49.

Looks like us 50 year old chicks gotta wait for the needle.

I guess because we are tough broads and needles don't make us squirm....

So, this got me to thinking about this age thing.

What is the difference between a 49 year old and a 50 year old?

Spare me the obvious, please.



I'll tell you what the difference is for this 50 year old.....

I am healthier and feel better than when I was 49....

and when I was 48......

and 47.......

and 46......



Well, you get the picture.



I guess I'll just have to wait for the needle.....I might be able to defy age but I can't deny it.

In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.....

What a crazy Italian he was!





Speaking of Italian......
Let's start the week off with a recipe that's screams ITALIAN!
It's the perfect comfort food for us bandsters (and everyone else too) who have had to give up traditional lasagna (and pasta in general!)......

Lasagna Soup
8 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound bulk hot Italian turkey sausage (or 1 pound sausages, casings removed)
2 cups diced onions
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups diced zucchini
1/2 cup of basil leaves juliened
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
One 15-ounce can tomato sauce
Two 14-ounce cans low sodium chicken broth
1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
2 cups ricotta cheese
julienned basil for garnish
good quality romano cheese for dusting

In a saucepan or stockpot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, onion, and garlic. Cook, breaking up with spoon, until sausage is browned and onions are softened. Add zucchini, basil, oregano, pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Add spinach and cook about 7 minutes more.

Meanwhile in a small bowl stir the fresh, chopped basil into the ricotta cheese. When soup is finished, ladle into shallow bowls. Carefully add 1/4 cup of the ricotta to the bowl. Garnish with basil and dust with cheese!

Bon Apetito!
Happy Columbus Day!

Headed off to college.....

Yes, we're headed on a little weekend road trip.........it's Homecoming at Toni's lovely campus.
We'll be staying with my darling niece at her adorable apartment and meeting up with our fun friends Patty and Mike for a weekend of doing whatever you do at college!
So....off we go........

The French martini jello shots are chilling

The strawberry margaritas are freezing

The sangria is concocted

The cookies are baked

The chili lime shrimp is marinating

The kettle chips are waiting to go

My red and black cowboy boots are sitting by the door

And, the special little surprises I bought to cheer my sweet little girl up are bagged up and twirled with ribbon.......

Toni.....I can't wait to see you baby!

Your mommy will make it all better!

I'm bringing BAND AIDS!!!!!!!!!

See you Monday blogger friends....have a great weekend!!!

Shake off the glitter, take off the stillhetos and the feathers.........

and life can be awfully boring.....

We spend our days sitting at desks, our nights doing laundry and our weekends trying to catch up on everything we don't get done M-F. And, then we do all again. And again. And again. I don't know about you but sometimes I just need some feathers and sex pot shoes. But, it takes some reminding. Lots of reminding. Blazers get in the way of the feathers and office politics get in the way of those sex pot shoes. It's tough to cook with feathers flying and running up and down the steps to switch from the washer to the dryer in sex pot shoes can be dangerous!

It can be sad reality sometimes. But, just like we can wake up and decide to make today a happy day, we can decide to be show girls today.

Embrace your inner show girl and get in the conga line......

Raise your hand.....

if you've survived a broken heart.
I need to hear survival stories to share with a special young woman who is a part of my own heart.......
Her heart is broken in a million pieces and she doesn't think she can ever put it back together again.....
Her tears are stinging my soul
and I can't help but be broken hearted too.........


Help me rock her to sleep with your stories......

Judiland is jumping......

Why didn't I talk to you this morning?

It's me.....it's not you.

No, I'm not still suffering the after effects of my boozy Saturday.

And, no, I didn't secretly hit at the slots and now I'm off living la vita loca.

It's just that.....well.....life can sometimes get in the way of doing the things we really want to do. And, that's just what is happening here at the moment.

But, I wanted to share with you a first ever event.

It happened last night.

My father said.....
"You don't need to lose any more weight".

In all of my 50 years, he has never said that to me.

Yes, there was a full moon.

When you don't eat that much......

the wine takes effect quicker......

Yep, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.


I have recovered enough to talk with some sense of clarity.
I can't believe I'm saying this.....but, I am glad it's Monday.
Yesterday was rough. I wasn't just nursing a headache, I was also suffering from all over pain.
I don't think I joined the land of living until much later in the day. Even though I managed to walk with through the day getting most of the things I set out to get done accomplished, I was definitely not very with it. Not at all.
It takes extra effort to get past a boozy day when you're 50.
Add that to the fact that I could not consume much food at all--especially 24 hours after a fill.

So, that explains it all.
It had nothing to do with the 2 French Martinis (yummy!) before noon at the casino, the lovely glass of wine with my lobster bisque at lunch at Atria's on the North Shore, the hour or so of wine tasting and the wonderful bottles of dry white wine we shared with some old friends who we ran into at the winery as we languished on the terrace listening to jazz in the autumn sunshine.

Hello Monday....be gentle with me.

Shhhhhhh........

Wine headache in progress.......

The Empty Nesters' Day Out.......

Today we are taking advantage of our empty nester's status.
We are going grab hold of the day ahead of us and calling it our own.......
We are off limits to everyone. EVERYONE.
Do you hear that Vince, Toni and Dad?
Don't call unless there's blood and guts.....

And, just how are we going to go about doing this?

Like this.....

First stop.....you know where for you know what.....a girl needs her energy!

Then, it's on to the Rivers Casino....to try our hand at the slots! I'm not much of a gambler but this might be my lucky day!
Then, whether we become millionaires or paupers, we're on our way to
this place.....for their afternoon jazz and wine tasting. We'll either toast our good fortune or drown our sorrows. But, at least there will be good music....that always makes everything better.


After that.....
well, we're still trying to decide that.
Which, I suppose, is another beauty of empty nesting.....we can decide.



Oh...by the way....
let me fill in the blanks....
Where was I the other morning?
I had an early morning scheduling adjustment....which gave me no time to blog.
How did my Lapband appointment go?
As suspected, it was a long one. But, it was all good.
Cumulative weight loss?
Drum roll please.....
One hundred and twelve pounds.
Count em baby.....! 112
Blood pressure?
115/74
BMI?
24.7
Band fill?
Yep! .2
State of mind?
Bought 4 pair of pants, black leather jacket, off-white leather ankle boots, 2 limes and a
bottle of the good stuff--Hendrick's gin


Have a great Saturday!

Lap band Friday.......

It's a big day here in Judiland.

Today is my 2 year Lap Band follow up apptointment.

Yes, I know...my 2 year anniversary was over 6 weeks ago. But, my surgeon's office is busting at the seams with patients (which means that weight loss surgery must be trendy...I have alwas loved being trendy!). So, getting in a lengthy appointment like this one takes awhile. I'll be doing my official weigh in, having my port checked, talking with the technician about where we go from here (now that I have lost the weight), having my band examined and getting the blood work done. In addition, because I volunteered to be part of a larger study about weight loss surgery, I'll be meeting with the researchers and going through their battery of tests. A long day? Yes. But, an important one. You see....my Lap band changed my life. Completely. Not just a little bit. A whole lot. And, after today, I'll know even more about how much it changed my life--I'll get an inside look at what it did for my life in terms of my health. So, it's not just about fitting into smaller clothes or having a better self image--it's about living a healthier life--in those smaller clothes.

When I started this journey.....I was well over 200 lbs (a lady never tells her exact weight), I was taking meds for diabetes, my blood pressure and my cholesterol were climbing, my knees were killing me, my feet constantly hurt, I couldn't make it up a pair of steps without pain and misery, walking any length of time was not pleasant, I was constantly exhausted, I wasn't too thrilled with how I looked, my self image was plumetting, I was frustrated and I felt old. Today, 200 is a memory, I am not taking meds, my blood pressure and my cholesterol has been under control, my knees are fine, my feet are fine (unless I wear really cute but completely uncomfortable shoes), I can run up steps, I can walk for hours, I get tired because I'm tired, I am thrilled with how I look, I feel good about myself, I am content and damn it---I feel like I am in the prime of my young life!!!! And, for all of that--I am thankful. Beyond thankful.....

As much as today is about needles and tests, it's also about knowing where I go from here. Is my restriction just perfect and will it enable me to maintain this weight loss? Or, do I need just a little tweak? Am I done losing weight? And, if so--am I done losing weight? Am I the Judi that I will be 2 years from now or 5 years from now or even 20 years from now? Will I no longer be trying to lose 5 pounds or 10 pounds or 20 pounds? Will I always wear a perfect Size 10 Petite and sometimes even a comfy 8? Does my future no longer include weight loss?

Two years ago, I wondered what life would like without pasta, bread, diet coke and gin and tonics. Today I'm wondering what life will be like without having to lose weight.

Is this when I say.....you've come a long way baby?

So...where was I this morning?

Was I hung over and couldn't get out of bed?
Did I go out last night and never come home?
Was I at an all night shoe sale?
Did I hook up with my Starbucks energy shot supplier for an all night chai latte party?
Did I usher in October with a night in the county lock-up?






I'll never tell.


What happens in Judiland, stays in Judiland.