Monday, January 3, 2011

Its 2011

Happy New Year.

Well its 2011 and Im thinking wow next year will be my 30 year class reunion and hope that we have a better organized gathering than our last one. I might have to send some emails so we can get the ball rolling....Im thinking it would be nice to have it at the MAYO..Ive always loved that buildings downtown and it had set empty for years. I look out my office window and see it everyday...Im proud of Tulsa building up downtown and restoring the old buildings instead of building new ones. I love the archetecture of our buildings...My goal this year is to do the Tulsa History Walking tour this fall...anyone want to join me?

2011 is I hope will be a "get my act together"year. I think most of 2010 was thinking about getting everything together but not following through. With the death of Kathy at age 48 Im thinking I need to get my life in order...get the weight under control and my finances in control too. Life is unpredicatable. But I am very optimistic and love what life might bring me.

While I have always loved Weight Watchers I have to say I DO NOT like there new program....In fact I prefer the old much more. I have had friends that have had great success in counting calories. ...In fact if you get the chance you should check out Sean Andersons blog...he started out at 505 pounds and reached goal last year. I heard that his new book will be released this April (Happy Birthday to me....lol) I also am a HUGE fan of Dave Ramsey and will be folowing his baby steps. One major thing is no going out to eat....(except for friends/families birthdays) I want to become debt free...not that we are that bad off but not to have a school loan or car payments or credit cards...that would be FAB. I need to think about saving more...how about you?

I will try to update this blog more than once a year...lol. Come join me want you? Please respond to anything that sparks your interest.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Tribute to my friend Kathy

Yesterday I attended a funeral for a friend Kathy Fisher Fitzpatrick who died at the age of 48 due to cancer. When this year started Im sure Kathy would of never dreamed that this would be the last year of her life. I had met Kathy through her brother Mark that I have been friends with for many years. In January of this year she was diagnosed with Cancer and for 11 months she would fight courageously to fight this evil desease. The last 11 months of her life she would spend 2 to 3 weeks of every month in Hillcrest Hospital. When I went to visit her after the masectomy I went wondering what kinds of words of encouragement could I say to her. People that know me know that I usually dont have a problem with talking. I was blessed with the talent of talking...you know its one of my hobbies...lol When I walked into Kathys room I was met with a joy and smile that only Kathy could have. I know that she was on strong medicine at the time but Kathy was always joyfull, hopefully and encouraging without even trying. I left her room feeling guilty that she had uplifted me and I hadnt done anything for her. When I was with Kathy I saw Jesus in her ....I will miss my dear friend. I took for granted that we would have more time but that was not to be.

At the funeral what words would I say to a father that lost his daughter or a son that lost his mother or a brother that lost his older sister? I just dont know the words to say. The only thing I could do was give a big hug and say I love you. When someone that you know dies and they are about the same age as you dont you start thinking about our own time on earth? How would I be remembered? What goals and bucket list do I want to accomplish? Kathy put family and God first. When she died it didnt matter how much material possessions she had, what her golf game was like or how important her job was. Kathy took with her what was important the love for her savior and love for her family and friends. That is how I will remember my friend Kathy.

Monday, November 8, 2010

IM BACK.....

Good Monday to everyone.

As you can tell I have not been diligent in my writing of this blog. You know its one of those things that you want to do but dont make it a priortiy so it never gets done. Well Im here today to give you an update of my world and hope that you will continue to come back and comment on any subject that might be of interest to you.

I love this time of year....Growing up Summer was always my favorite time of the year..out of school and free. Now I enjoy the cooler weather, the OSU football game (my husband and friend Lisa both graduated from Oklahoma State). I enjoy decorating my apartment with what has become a collection of scarecrows (why I dont know). I cant believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. While food is the main focus of this time of year. Iam going to try to focus more on why am I thankful?? Thanksgiving holds many memories of family that is no longer here. I have one sister that lives with her family in Amarillo and one that lives here in Tulsa. While my perfect holiday would be to have eveyrone together every Christmas and Thanksgiving...that just doesnt happen with my siblings...miles and work committments has become priorities over spending time with family on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I do understand as they have there family and friends so I dont expect things to change. Siblings sometimes grow apart and things are never like they used to be when it comes to the Holidays. Sad but true.

I am thankful that Mark doesnt have to work this Thanksgiving and we havent yet decided what we are going to do. Last year we went to the River Spririt Buffett and it was really good. I was shocked at how many people showed up. This year if we decide to go we getting there early to wait in line. One good thing about going out for Thanksgiving is that when you are trying to cut down on eating you dont have all the food leftovers to graze on all the rest of the day. I can remember eating turkey and dressing for days...lol What do you do with your families on Thanksgiving?

So many things Ive been thankful for this year...I received 2 promotions at work which is amazing in this economy right now. Community Care has treated me well in the 7 and 1/2 years that I have worked there. Mark and I had the opportunity to see my niece Rachel graduate which I am so proud of her and her many accomplishments. Although I gained some of the 100 lbs that I lost September of 2009 I am continuing my stuggle with this food addiction. You know people wonder why I dont drink much alcohol..I joke that I have enough problem with food and dont wont to add Alcohol to my addictive personality.. I have some great recipes that I would like to share. I am thankful for all the blogs that I frequently read that encourage me. If you look at the list you will see the blogs that I frequent. It shows me Im not alone and that someone else understands and shows me that this evil addiction can be conquered. I also frequent Hungry Girl website... I cant fail to mention Ruby from Style Network...Mark and I met Ruby last September and continue to watch her TV show which should return on Style Network January of 2011.

2010 has been a great year sharing with my friends Lisa, Geri, Victoria, Lora and Gerri...I enjoyed a road trip to Thackerville to see Rick Springfield with Geri and Victoria which was a blast...enjoyed many birthday get togethers...havent missed a one. Most of all Im thankful to my best friend/husband Mark....wow..after 5 years of marriage I still feel giddy and happy that God brought such a kind hearted selfless man in my life. Mark has opened a new world for me...changed my priorities from me to we. I cant wait till the weekends to spend time with him...if only to go to the grocery store or out for breakfest it is so comforting to have someone in my life to share those simple moments with. I thought I was fine to be single the rest of my life but didnt know how wonderful it would to be married. Good things comes to those who wait...but I have to admit it would of never happened if I didnt have prayer and I didnt put myself out there to meet someone. I hear so many people hold themselves back and are afraid to put there real selves out there. Hey I was 300 plus pounds when I met my husband and although he is overweight to I just didnt see it. We are the previous Mike and Molly (TV show on CBS Monday nights). I just want to shout off the rooftops...that I love this man......Now he's not perfect as Im not the perfect woman....we work together and that is they key. Im not saying there is anything wrong with being single...but God knew what he was doing when the institution of marriage began.

Ive discovered Dave Ramsey and budgeting....whats that. If you dont have a budget or a plan for retirement....now is a time to start on it. I encourage you to check Dave Ramsey radio show out or his website. It was life changing for me....hopefully it will be for you.

Well I better get some laundry and housework done. This will be my last Monday off untill January so I better enjoy my last 3 day weekend off for awhile. Have a great day and please be sure to leave a comment or question. My goal is to share simple low fat reciepes and share encouragement to anyone that would like to loose weight. While Weight Watchers is my key to life change it may not be your way of doing it. Share with me your tips of loosing and maintaining.

Have a great Monday

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Thanksgiving and Meeting RUBY

Hello Strangers

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. I think for me Thanksgiving is not only hard for me eating wise but it also brings up wonderful past memories of people in my life that are no longer here. My mother has been gone for 6 1/2 years and my grandmother 10 years. Growing up I could remember waking up to the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls made with left over homemade pie crust and homemade pumpkin and lemon pies. Isnt it funny how some foods you connect with family members? If something happened to me and you asked my family and friends I dont think they would remember me or connect me with any kind of food...lol Well maybe mexican???
I havent wrote in so long and so much has happened. Mark and I took a weekend off to go to Dallas to see "Ruby"...who is Ruby??? Ruby Gettinger has a reality show on the Style Network and her new season should begin late January or February. I really wanted to meet her as I feel a connection with her (we both weigh the same) but this woman started weighing in at 700 lbs and is now in her 300's. Im so happy for her. I bought her book which is basically a journal of things you see in the past 2 seasons of her show and she gives you a background of her everday struggle. I had heard that she was going to be at the 1st annual Plus Size Teen contest...so I thought hey that's an excuse to go to Dallas. I used to live in Dallas and miss it very much. I did arrive at the hotel extra early hoping to catch a glimpse of her and sure enough I walk into the lobby and there are signs everywhere letting people know that they are filming a TV show and they may be on tape. I walked down a hall way and there waiting to get on the elevator was Ruby but I only saw the backside and wasnt for sure it was her. As I passed by her and looked back sure enough it was her. Mark and I sat across from the elevator and was talking for about 10 minutes and Ruby got off the elevator and I said "Ruby can I get a Pic with you" I know this sounds fanish but I didnt care. Ruby is everything that she is on TV...she was extremly nice and wanted to know Mark and I's names and thanked us for coming up and supporting the "girls" in the Plus size competition. I had written her a letter and told her about my struggle with weight over the years and basically gave her a letter of support. I took 2 pictures with her it was like talking to a instant friend that I will probably never meet or talk to again. You know how you meet people for the first time and you know you have an instant connection....that is how it felt for me. Ruby asked if we for sure were going to be there that night and I said yes. I ended up loving the Plus Size Teen Contest...it was wonderful !!! They dont support being overweight but living a active life style and it does so much for the girls that came from across the United States to compete. Some where very talented and I picked the winner who I had watched rehearse her drama speech as her talent competition. The young girl had asked me to watch and critique her presentation which I was happy to give her some small pointers....lol How did she know I was a theatrical star in high school and college?? LOL I heard her tell her friends that "the nice Lady helped her".....Nice Lady made me sound old....I guess I was old compared to the competition.
Before the show Ruby came in and was talking to other people and saw Mark and I and started talking to us over about 5 rows of people...I understood her to say "Congrats on the 90 lbs thats wonderful" and she said a couple of other things but I dont read lips to well...so I have no idea what else she said to us. Mark and I signed a release and was told to watch the 2nd or 3rd show of the season...I look forward to seeing the show. It was a wonderful trip. Tomorrow I will tell you about our near death experience on the highway back from Dallas to Tulsa. Hope everyone is healthy and look forward to sharing life and start shrinking some more. Gotta to weigh in this morning. Have a wonderful Saturday and GO POKES....I want OSU to beat OU (love OU too) but husband and friend Lisa both graduated from OSU...so go Big Orange.

Friday, October 23, 2009

10/23/09






Its the weekend...thank goodness. While Ive been used to working 4 10 hour shifts a week my schedule will be 5 8 hour shifts again. I will miss my Sat, Sun and Mondays off but it will be worth getting to spend the weekends again with my husband, Mark.






Tonight is a very cool, crisp, fall night here in Tulsa. Im glad its fall but where did summer go? I dont think I had my fill of summer nights at the pool. Time seems to be going extremely fast this year..Is it just me? Before I forget I thought I would share one of my favorite chilli recipes....It serves about 11 1 cup servings. If your on Weight Watchers its about 5 pts per serving. Even if you are night dieting and want something with a little spice you might want to try it.






1 pound of ground turkey, cooked and drained



1 can pinto beans drained



1 can kidney beans drained



1 can Mexi Corn drained



1 can Chilli Beans drained



1 pkg onion soup mix (I bought mine at Aldi....oh my gosh...have you discovered this grocery store?) Cheap and there product line is pretty darn good



1 can of Rotel



4 tbsp chilli powder...(I use Williams or Target brand)



2 cans of Progresso Southwest Style Soup



1 can or water



Minced Garlic (optional)



I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend...lots to do in Tulsa and surrounding areas....Octoberfest on the River, Pecan Festival in Claremore on Saturday. On Sunday Mark and I are going down to Dallas to see Ruby Gettinger...who is Ruby????? About 2 months ago I read an article of a woman that weighed 700 something and is now down to her 300's....Style Network tapes her every move and her show is very touching and I so much relate to many things that she shares with the world on her TV show. I find when you are trying to improve your life in whatever aspect it always helps to surround yourself with others that are going through the same thing. Whether you are reading a blog or reading a story of someone that you can relate to there life experiences often it can have an impact and motivate you without you even knowing.




Hey for Bon Jovi fans...heard they are going to be at the BOK on April 13th of 2010...thought I would post a old pic of John and I in the late 80's...Have a good night...talk with you soon.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

10/22/09

Well Im a little under the weather today and cant sleep so I thought I would start my blog. Need to be a little productive dont I???

I have been attending Weight Watchers at Work since January of this year. I have lost a total of 90 lbs. I struggle most with portion size and changing eating habits that continually haunt me. I literally take it one day at a time. In the past If I cheated I would just give up....I dont do that anymore I get right back on plan the next day. There is always a new day :) The one thing I like about weight watchers Is I can eat anything so really the only way to cheat is eat a bigger portion than your supposed to ....of course you have eating guidelines of 5 fruits/veggies...I eat alot of black beans, veggies and much smaller portions of meat (which is my downfall) I love finding healthy recipes by fellow WW members (Aimees Adventures.com and DWLZ.com) I could not live without those 2 sites. My husband went to OSU and obtained a degree in the Culinary Arts so he is a fantastic help when it comes to any cooking questions he is the main cook but I love to wear the chef's hat too....If you get a chance google...Hungry Girl...I love her ideas and her heads up of new healthy products.

Well I need to close for now.