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.

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.

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.