Another one bites the dust

It’s time for Linda’s annual wrap-up. Here’s my 2006 and 2007 edition, if you’re interested.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
I had gastric bypass and lost 80lbs, went on Z0l0ft, sent Maddie to MDO/preschool.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t make them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.

5. What countries did you visit?
Just the good U.S of A.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A pregnancy.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
July 21st, which was the date of my bypass. It changed my life forever.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Have I mentioned that I’ve lost 80lbs?

9. What was your biggest failure?
My inability to save money.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I’ve had a kajillion colds since Maddie started preschool, but nothing major.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Kindle.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The American people. I’m still so proud of the voter turnout this year.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
To be perfectly honest, mostly my own.

14. Where did most of your money go?
To Target.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Again with the bypass.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Womanizer

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?  Happier. Mostly because of the Z0l0ft.
b) thinner or fatter? THINNER!!
c) richer or poorer? Poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spend money. I’m totally a Spender. I want to be a Saver.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
With family and friends. Also, sick.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Just that cheesy “more in love with my husband and kid” kind of love.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Gerald and I watched the entire Buffy the Vampire Slayer series this year. I loved it.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I try not to waste time hating people. Sure there are people I don’t like, and there are probably one or two more than there were last year, but it’s not a big deal or anything.

24. What was the best book you read?
Holy cow. I’ve read SO MANY books this year. I couldn’t possibly pick one to name “the best.” I can tell you, that I did NOT like the final installment in the Twilight series.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Regina Spektor

27. What did you want and not get?
Nothing stands out. I’m very lucky in that I get a lot of the things I want. I have a very giving and generous husband.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Either Iron Man or Walk Hard. I’m not hard to please.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 32 and I went out to lunch with my husband and daughter and did something nice for a stranger.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I had saved more money instead of wasting it.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Cinched. I can wear pants for two sizes if I cinch those bad boys with a belt. Also, I’ve converted from “loose and baggy” to “figure flattering.”

32. What kept you sane?
Z0l0ft

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Robert Pattinson *swoon*

OMG! Gerald looked him up on imdb because he had no idea who RP was and guess what he found? RP has the same birthday as I do! Just 10 years younger. I’m 5/13/76 and he’s 5/13/86. Tell me that’s not fate? We’re destined to be together forever and ever!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Does the election count as a political issue?

35. Who did you miss?
My mom. This answer won’t change no matter how many years I participate in this meme.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I finally met my BFF in person!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
My time and attention are the greatest gifts I can give my child.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“The sun is hot. The sun is a not a place where we could live. But here on Earth there’d be no life without the light it gives.”

Merry Christmas!

I hope your day is filled with joy, love and family.

Also, alcohol. You know, if your day is full of too much family.

Heh heh

Look at me, being the change!

So, I just dropped off my cinnamon rolls to the new neighbors. I met the wife and their two sons who looked to be six and eight. (Maybe? I’m really bad at guessing ages.) Anyhow, she was surprised at my offering and even suspicious. I actually said “Don’t be so suspicious! I didn’t poison them!” She said that they’re retired military so they’ve moved a lot and they’ve never had someone bring them a welcoming gift. She also said they’ve never had friendly neighbors before.

I’m pretty damned proud of myself for deciding to make the rolls and take them over along with an offer of any help we might be. Imagine, I’m someone’s first experience with friendly neighbors. I told Gerald that it’s a little sad that they’ve never had someone do something like this for them before and we’ve never done it before. But, here I am, being the change I want to see in the world.

Random Snippets

* I made those cinnamon rolls this morning. Technically, I made the dough yesterday and put it in the fridge over night. This morning, I made and baked the rolls. According to my guinea pigs family, they turned out well. I couldn’t find maple extract/flavoring at my grocery store, so I used cinnamon extract in the glaze instead. Gerald said the coffee flavor was prominent in the glaze, but even though he doesn’t like coffee he still thought it was tasty. I’m waiting until later this afternoon/evening to take a dozen over to the new neighbors. I’ll let you know how that goes.

* My dad and I went to see The Nutcracker on Saturday night. His wife was supposed to come with us, but she got sick and decided to stay home. It was really nice to spend some quality time with my dad and we got a chance to talk about some things that had been weighing heavily on my mind.

* For the first time in recorded history, I’m more excited to give than to receive this year. I’m so excited for Maddie to see her presents on Christmas morning. We got her this and this as “big” gifts and they’re just going to blow her tiny little mind. They have a small version of the horse at preschool and Maddie talks about it on the way to school EVERY SINGLE TIME WE GO. “I wide da hohse!” Now she’s going to have her very own hohse to wide right in her room.

* We’re making progress with housebreaking Roxy. I’m not sure what the hell the lady we got her from was thinking. Roxy was 12 weeks old when we got her and had no concept of doing her business outside. She’ll spend 20 minutes outside, come in and pee. She prefers to go in the house. It’s insane. So, I consulted Dr. Google and decided to crate train her. She already had a crate for sleeping in at night and for when she’s home alone, so it was a logical step. Now, she’s in her crate whenever she’s not outside or being directly supervised. She’s out quite a bit for playing and loving, but she doesn’t get a chance to pee or poop in the house. She’s managed one or two accidents when Gerald and I don’t pay close enough attention, but it’s much less than it used to be. I’m hoping that a week or two of this will teach her where the proper place is for her business.

* I sent MsPruFrock her Christmas package last week. Unfortunately, she’s not likely to get it until New Year’s. Hey, did you know it costs $1,000,007 to ship something internationally? Seriously, a six pound package was $45. And that was for 10 day delivery, which is the slowest the USPS offers. I was all “Um, don’t you have something in the $20 and three week range?” No, they do not. Anyhow, it was worth it. I really hope Pru likes her loot. She said the one thing she likes and can’t find in England is Swedish Fish. Well, I sent her enough Swedish Fish to tide her over until she gets back to North America. And Maddie picked out some things for Pru’s daughter, too. Hopefully they’ll get a kick out of it. Otherwise, I want my $45 back.

* Our holiday plans are as follows: Church tomorrow night (wish us luck since the service starts at Maddie’s bedtime), presents and cinnamon rolls Christmas morning, lunch and more presents at my dad’s in the afternoon, road trip to the in-laws first thing in the am the day after Christmas. We’ll stay there until Monday, I think.

* Did I tell you guys about my best friend from high school, Rachel? Well, we went to high school together in St. Louis and lost touch a couple of years after graduation. A few months ago she found me on facebook and lo and behold, she lives in Texas! Not only in Texas, but 30 minutes away from me! We’ve been getting together once a month or so for the last five months. Anyhow, since she’s here all by herself for Hanukkah and Christmas, I invited her to come to my dad’s with us Christmas day. My dad hasn’t see her in 14 years, so that’ll be neat. Also, it’ll be nice to have another friendly face there in the sea of my dad’s wife’s family.

* I officially resigned from my job last week. My last day is 12/31. I’ll no longer be a WAHM, but a full-fledged SAHM. Wish us luck. If things get too tight financially, I’ll have to find another part-time job. It’s no big deal, but I’d rather not, you know?

I think that’s all I have left to update you on. I talk to you again before Christmas, so I’ll save my mushy well-wishes until then.

Five Months Post-Op

*Pics are here*

Yesterday was five months since my gastric bypass. Stats are as follows:
Weight – 220
Pounds lost – 80
Size – 16/18
Bra size – 40DDD (I’ve lost FOUR band sizes and NO cup sizes. WTF is that about? Also, the boobies are starting to look like tube socks with a tennis ball in the end.)

I’m feeling really good these days. I’m taking my supplements regularly, but still not getting enough protein. I don’t have a good reason for this, either.

I’ve cancelled my gym membership because I wasn’t going. Instead, I’m jumping on the 30 Day Shred bandwagon. I picked up the video last night and watched the level one workout. Jebus. I was tired after just watching it. I have a feeling that it’s going to totally kick my ass. Which is EXACTLY what I need. I don’t just want to be skinny. I want to be strong and fit.

Fun Fact Friday

* We got new neighbors next door. I’m considering making some Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls for them as a welcome gift. I’ve never done that before, though, and I’m a little nervous. The welcome gift giving, I mean. Will I look like a dork? You see, we couldn’t stand the last family that lived next door. They were renting the house and didn’t care about it. Their kids ran wild and were always throwing stuff into our backyard. I’d kind of like to get off on the right foot with these neighbors. It’d be nice to have a friendly relationship with them, you know?

* I bought some new makeup yesterday and tried to give myself a Dita Von Teese look. Let’s just say I’m no Dita Von Teese. I showed it to Gerald and he proclaimed that it looked good…….. for a drag queen.

* I haven’t lost any weight since Thanksgiving. It’s disheartening, but from what I’ve gathered it’s natural to have little stalls. I get nervous that I’m going to fail and not lose anymore weight. Granted a size 16/18 isn’t a bad place to stop, but it’s not what I’d prefer.

* Gerald has the next two weeks off from work. Maddie and I are really looking forward to having him around. For the first couple of days, at least. We’ll probably get sick of him before it’s all said and done.

* I’m going to see The Nutcracker tomorrow night. I’m really looking forward to getting all dressed up and doing a grown-up thing. Yes, there will be pictures.

* I’m seeing a movie with TESSIE tonight. Yes, I know you’re jealous. Why else would I make a point to tell you?

Best Evening in Parenthood History

We’re working on names with Maddie. She’s very good at saying “daddy” and both “mama” and “mommy.” However, “Maddie” eludes her. The closest we’ve gotten is “Manny.” (Which, coincidentally, happens to be the name of my ex-boyfriend. Gerald doesn’t find this as amusing as I do, fyi.) Tonight at dinner, we were practicing “What’s your name?” About half the time we got “Manny” in response and the other half we got “Name!” as her answer. Gerald asked her again what her name was and I belted out “MY NAME IS KIIIIIID ROOOOOCK!” complete with fists of rock. Maddie thought this was the funniest thing evah and began shouting “ROCK!” in her best rock star voice. She even tried her darnest to make the fist of rock, but all she could manage was a regular fist.

She also says “DUUUDE!” and “suckah!” on a regular basis. All of these things are from me. I call Gerald “duuude” all the time, and I’m the one calling people “suckah.” I suppose I should be embarrassed or ashamed, but I’m not. I think it’s awesome. This is a perfect example of why I don’t have any other “mom friends.” My kid’s already a bad influence.

OMG

I’ve gushed about tattoo artist Dawn Grace before, so you already know how much I love her style. Well, she’s in Chicago and I happen to be planning a trip to Chicago… can you see where I’m going with this?

I have an appointment with her the morning before I fly home from BlogHer! Can you believe it?? I’m FINALLY going to get a Dawn Grace tattoo. As if BlogHer wasn’t going to be awesome enough!

So, here’s where you come in. I need help deciding what to get. Take a look at her work in Flickr to get an idea of her style. What I’d like to get is a tattoo to commemorate my weight loss/transformation. By the time BlogHer rolls around in July, I’ll be one year post-op and (hopefully) at my goal weight. I want my tattoo to symbolize the drastic changes in my life, but I don’t want anything cheesy like a butterfly or a phoenix. Not that I’m against either of those things, mind you. I just want something more unique. Besides, Gerald has already gotten me a beautiful butterfly bracelet as a 1/2 way to goal present.

I’d love for you to give me some ideas. Send me descriptions, doodles or links. Help a sister out, wouldja? kthanx!

An interesting evening

Last night, about 7:30 I was in the bedroom soaking my toes and I heard a loud clap of thunder. It was sleeting here, so it didn’t seem that odd. Gerald came bustling into the bedroom and asked if I heard that. I replied that I thought it was thunder. Apparently, it was MUCH louder at the front of the house and he assured me that it wasn’t thunder. His guess was that someone took out the fence.

We’re the first house in our neighborhood and one side of our property is fenced with a “decorative” brick fence. The intersection of our street and the larger road we live off of is a prime accident location. We’ve been waiting for five years for someone to hit the brick fence. Last night, it was in the 20s and sleeting and well… this happened.

Luckily, neither the driver nor his wife were hurt at all. Gerald went outside and offered help and then for the next couple of hours our house was Accident Central. We hosted the accident victim, a very nice man named Cecil, the police officer who came over twice and the wrecker. This morning, we got to visit with the president of our HOA. All in all, it was very exciting. For Gerald and I, at any rate. Maddie? She slept through the entire thing.