*sneaking in the back door, hopefully unnoticed*

Some of you might have noticed that my 5-Day Pouch Test didn't get past Day 1.  I suppose I owe you an explanation (especially those that were doing it with me).

Monday was supposed to be Day 1 and it started out just fine.  But right before I arrived at work I started to get a migraine.  I stuck to the plan for most of the day until 2pm when I started to get aura followed by a seven-hour migraine from hell.  I went home and slept off-and-on from 2:30-8:30pm and then again through the night.  I was nauseas, dehydrated, and generally nasty-feeling for the next 24 hours.  Basically, I needed to adjust the plan (aka stop it) in order to recover from the migraine.

I had every intention of re-starting on Wednesday, but I didn't.  Plain and simple, I was afraid it would trigger another migraine.  Plus, the scale started moving again so honestly I don't *want* to do the pouch test if I'm losing again. 

So, this is my explanation and subsequent apology to those out there that perhaps were counting on me to do this with you.

Forgive me?

Day One

Day one of my 5-day pouch test started off on the wrong foot.  I was awakened at 5:40 a.m. with a migraine.  Luckily, it was/is milder than my migraines usually are, so I was able to start the test today.

I started out my morning with a Carnation Breakfast Essentials shake (powder mix, 1 c. 1% milk, and a few ice cubes) at 7 a.m.  Blech, I had forgotten what it was like to drink those things.  Not entirely nasty, but not appetizing either. 

When I got to work at 8:15 I had to drink a cup of caffinated coffee w/ SF coffeemate and it helped my migraine a little.  Now, of course, I have a bad case of the caffeine jitters.  I don't drink caffeine EVER, but desperate times call for desperate measures. 

As soon as I'm done with this post I'm off to fill my water bottle (gotta get those 64 oz. in!) followed by a lunch of chicken noodle soup broth.  Because of the migraine this morning, I wasn't able to take time to prepare myself a decent liquid lunch.  I wanted to bring some SF pudding or jello, but that will have to wait for tomorrow.

Anyone else doing this with me?  How's it going?  What's your plan for today and tomorrow on liquids?

Testing...Testing...1-2-3

I'm going to start the 5-Day Pouch Test tomorrow.  I've been struggling since the holidays with being a "good bandster".  I've continued to loose weight (a little over 10 lbs. in the new year), but only by sheer luck and the skin of my teeth, I believe.

I got a much-needed fill a month ago, and had another one scheduled for this Thursday.  But this morning I called to cancel it because I don't feel as though I *deserve* a fill.  I haven't worked this last one like I should have, so I cannot justify getting another fill until I truly know what this one is doing for me.

I've been eating crap for the past few weeks.  Pizza?  Yup.  Chinese take-out?  Uh-huh.  Too many sweets at work?  Roger that.  The kids' lunch granola bars?  Pretzles?  Peanut butter straight out the jar?  Yes, yes, and (shamefully) yes.

So, this morning I decided that I am going to do a pouch test.  If for no other reason than to get myself back on the proverbial wagon and rid my body of those darn carbs and sweets.  I'm hoping also to find out where I am restriction-wise when I'm on a good WLS diet.  And, lastly, I want to challenge myself to really work the band and let it work for me.  I haven't come this far to just fall back into old habits.

So, does anyone want to do this with me?  I'd love to have a pouch-test buddy over the next five days.

Anyone?
.
.
.
Bueller....?

Things People Say...

Since my surgery in June and the subsequent 80 lb. weight loss, obviously my physical appearance has become a major topic of conversation.  It is a rare day that goes by without someone commenting on my appearance.

Don't get me wrong.  I love to hear the observations, compliments, and encouragement regarding the drastic changes I've made in my life these past eight months.

But some days, not very often but SOME days, I want to be talked to about something other than weight-loss surgery, my new "diet", how much weight I've lost, etc.  I feel a bit like a broken record...   
....

"You are looking fantastic Jenny!  Aw, thank you!

How much weight have you lost so far?  Oh, a little more than 80 lbs.

Wow!  Do you feel amazing?  Oh yeah.  I feel totally different.  I have more energy, I enjoy being active, (etc. etc. etc.)

So, do you ever miss eating?  (laughing)  I still eat.  Five or more times a day.  It's just smaller portions and better quality food.  But no, I don't miss it.  I suppose I might if I was hungry all the time, but I'm never really hungry."
...

And the conversations go on and on like this, day in and day out for almost nine months now.  Like I said, I really do enjoy the compliments and I don't mind sharing my story with others at all.  I am happy to answer questions about what this experience has been like for me.

But sometimes I just get tired of answering the same questions and having the same conversations over and over again.  I know its because the changes in my appearance are still a "shock" to people.  And I'm changing from week to week, so that will continue for a while still. 

Nonetheless, I feel like a broken record.

ABCs of Me

Something to pass the time...

(A) Age: I will turn 30 on June 9th (also my 1 yr. bandiversary)
(B) Bed Size: King.  I needz mah sleepin' space, yo.

(C) Chore You Hate: Laundry.  Laundry is the bane of my existence.

(D) Dogs? Love them.  But can't have them (son's allergies)

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Toothbrush

(F) Favorite Color: in general?  Yellow.  To wear?  Peacock Blue.
(G) Gold or Silver? I wear more silver jewlery.

(H) Height: 5' 8"

(I) Instruments You Play: I played the clarinet in middle school and I used to play the piano.

(J) Job Title: Elementary School Nurse and Mom
(K) Kids: Two sons.  Cameron is almost 9 and Connor just turn 5.

(L) Live: The most perfect place in the world... Loveland, Colorado.

(M) Mom's Name: Betty  (she hates it)
(N) Nicknames: Jen, sister

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? Five days with each c-section with my sons and one night when I was banded.
(P) Pet Peeve: lateness.  I hate waiting for people.  Hate.It.

(Q) Quote from a Movie: I'm not bad.  I'm just drawn that way.  -- Jessica Rabbit
(R) Right or Left Handed? Righty

(S) Siblings: Yes.  One sister (younger by two years).  She's my bestie.  ♥

(T) Time You Wake Up? On school/work days, between 6-6:30a.m.  On weekends, I'd better not see anything besides the inside of my eyelids until at least 8 a.m.

(U) Underwear: baggy.  I need to go buy some new undies.

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: broccoli.  tastes like feet.  Blech.
(W) What Makes You Run Late: Nothing.  I never run late unless there is an emergency of some kind.  My motto is  "if you're on time, you're almost late" so I'm early everywhere I go.
(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: a couple on my feet to check for breaks (I'm very clumsy) and a chest xray or two to check for pneumonia.

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Tonight I'm making Chicken Florentine.  YUM!!
(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Penguin

Totally Over-Did It...

You know that kettlebell class I took on Saturday?  Well, I TOTALLY over-did it and am now paying for it in a big way.

I knew I would be pretty sore, but I had no idea it would be THIS sore.  Yesterday and today I could hardly move.  Every step makes me cringe in pain.  Getting up from a sitting position is torture, and forget about squatting down.  Totally out of the question.  Its mostly just my quads, hams, and buttocks that is unbearably painful.  But it's causing me to walk funny, which is causing my hips to go out which is, in turn, causing back/hip pain.

Yup, definitely over-did it.  It's one thing to be a little sore after a good workout, but this is just stupid.  I can hardly walk, let alone go to the gym and hop on the elliptical.  Today is *maybe* 10% better than yesterday.  I'm going to my mom's house tonight after the boys are in bed to sit in her hot tub.  Hopefully I can scorch some of the pain out of my muscles.  LOL

So yeah... let this be a warning to you.  Working hard is good.  Over-doing it, notsomuch.

Anyone have any quick and legitimate remedies for insanely sore muscles?   *cringecry*


On a positive note, I am down 2.7 lbs. this week.  I am a bit concerned that I'm not getting enough calories in, though.  Which might explain some of my plateau these last several weeks.  Today I consumed 650ish calories.  I'm not hungry and I'm going to bed in about three hours.  I think I may get too few calories probably three days a week most weeks.  I need more of a balance from day-to-day.  Any tips on how to up my calories without filling up on junk?

On track...

Just popping in for a quick update on how I'm doing now that I've kicked myself in the ass to make to my goal of 100lbs. lost by June 9th...

I'm back at the gym at least twice a week, hopefully more like 3 times a week from now on.  I've cut out virtually all "junk" food, especially the sweets that are ever-present at work.  And I've upped my water intake.  Just increasing my water has made me feel a lot better overall.

Today I took an Intro to Kettlebells class at my gym.  I've worked with kettlebells before, but only very basic moves for very short periods of time.  I learned SO MUCH in today's class and I got one heckuva workout!  My arms are so sore and my legs feel like jello.  But in a good way, kwim?  I'm going to do a full kettlebell workout once a week which is the perfect combination of cardio and strength.  Full body workout in one fell swoop, here I come!

I haven't lost any weight this week, but thats only because I gained last week and am now back down to where I "started" at 218.  If I lose 1.4(ish) lbs. per week, I will be 100lbs. down by June 9th.

I really think I can do this.  I really want to see a 1 as the first number in my weight.  It's been a looooong time coming.

I Can Do Eet!

**sorry for the random Rob Schneider reference.  I can't help but say that phrase like that.**

Yesterday I weighed in at 217 lbs.  My goal is to be under 197.7 by June 9th (my one year bandiversary) making my total weight loss in one year 100 lbs.  I like to know what I'm up against, so I crunched some numbers.

June 9th is 16 weeks away.  I have 19.3 lbs. to lose in those 16 weeks.  If I lose 1.21 lbs. per week, I will reach my goal by June 9th.  That's TOTALLY attainable and I really believe I can do it.

Although I must admit that I'm getting easily frustrated by how not-easy it is to lose weight these days.  If I'm honest, the first 70 lbs. came off easily.  Yes, I ate right.  Yes I exercised (albiet not as much as I should have).  But it still came off easily whether I stuck to the plan 100% or not.

But since Christmas I haven't been able to drop the pounds without REALLY working at it.  If I don't work out at least three times a week, I won't see a loss.  If I "cheat" with sweets and sliders (like I fell back into after the holidays), I will gain a pound or two for a few days before going back down to my "starting" weight.  I know this is normal.  The first six months tend to be the fastest loss and then your body settles into the "new you" and you plateau more often.

But it's frustrating nonetheless. 

So here is my proclaimation for the world to hear (read?)...

I hereby commit to "walking the walk" as a Lap-Band patient.  I will drink my water, eat my protein, and get as much exercise as I can.  I will NOT sit around and hope that the band will do all the work for me.  I will NOT test the band and it's limits, no matter how good it has been to me these past eight months. 

And I will lose 19.3 lbs. in the next 16 weeks or I will die trying.

Amen.
The End.
Peace Out.
*fistpumppeacesign*

The Insanity of my Obsession aka I Love This City

When you live in a town called Loveland aka The Sweetheart City, Valentine's Day is, by default, a big deal.  We're known around the world for our Valentine re-mailing program, there is an annual Valentine business decorating contest, and we even crown a Miss Loveland Valentine.  I could go on (and on and on) about all the crazy things we Lovelanders do during the month of February. 

But there is only one event that gets my blood pumping: the annual Hunt for the Heart.  The week before the big day (Valentine's Day, of course), the local newspaper hides a heart somewhere in Loveland and leaves clues each day that leads to the heart.  The person that finds the heart wins a nice little cash prize in the vicinity of $500. 

Needless to say, I am a bit obsessed.  Luckily, so is my sister, husband, and many of our friends.  And those that aren't as obsessed as we are?  Well, they usually end up participating whether they want to or not.   

(I have a vague recollection of my father walking a frozen river bank last year while I was stuck at work.  That's love, people.)

So today was day three of the Hunt for the Heart.  The clues have been tricky, but my sister and I figured them out (except for one small piece of yesterday's clue) and I drove straight from work to Devil's Backbone.  You might have heard me talk about it before.  Its a hiking trail west of town that I hiked for the first time in my life this past summer. 

Today?  Well, today I hiked it again.  60 lbs. lighter.  Alone.  In fading daylight.  In 12* temperatures with a wind chill of 3*.  Wearing jeans and a fleece jacket.  Muttering the clues to myself as I trekked the THREE MILES up to the keyhole and back, stopping every few yards to look under benches, rocks, and signs. 

Yes, I'm that crazy. 

I spend 90 minutes *scouring* every inch of that trail looking for the heart.  I didn't find it.  Halfway back down the trail my sister and her friend met me going up.  They looked until they ran out of daylight and then her friend went back after dark with her husband and their head lamps. 

Yes, we're that crazy.  I would have done it too if I had a headlamp.

Tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. my husband is going out to get the newspaper.  And we will be damned if someone else is going to find that heart before we do!  Forget that there are hundreds (maybe even thousands) of people in town doing the same thing.  Clearly they don't have the level of dedication that I/we do.  Nevermind that as I walked the trail, no longer able to feel anything south of my hips, I saw dozens of other footprints from others who had done the same thing earlier that day.  Clearly they aren't as dedicated as I am because I DID IT WITHOUT THE PROPER ATTIRE. 

My face is windburned and my hands are still numb.  And even if I don't find the heart, it will have been worth it because this is what I saw today while I hiked Devil's Backbone on the outskirts of the amazing city of Loveland that I am lucky enough to call home... (warning: cell phone pics)

 

This.

This?  Actually happened today.

Ignore the disheveled hair, no makeup, and messy background.  Focus instead on the fact that I am WEARING MY WEDDING GOWN from almost 10 years ago!!  Its even a little big!!!!

*dies*

Brrrrr...

As I'm sure most of you know (and are experiencing first-hand), the majority of the US is in the throes of a nasty-cold winter.  While the east coast has been hammered with storm after storm, things have been relatively mild here in Colorado, which is quite uncommon.  But starting on Monday, our temps bottomed out and the entire state was under a cold-temp. advisory.  Schools were closed for two days while the temperatures plummeted into the -20's.  Yes, I said NEGATIVE TWENTIES.  Wind-chill at night got as low as -40 here in Loveland one night.  Crazy, right?

One thing I've discovered since losing almost 80 lbs is that I am NOT the warm-blooded girl I thought I was.  I was just fat and well-insulated.  Now that I've lost this weight, I am freezing cold all.the.time.  Jeff got tired of me stealing his blankets at night and bought me an extra blanket for our bed.  I now sleep under two giant blankets and I still get cold most nights.  ((TMI Alert: I can't stand to sleep in clothes, otherwise I'd get myself some warm pajamas))

My hands and feet are cold 24/7 and I can't be outside for more than a minute before I'm chilled to the bone.  I take hot showers and baths every chance I get just to warm up and I have to wear layers whenever I go out.

Oh, the crazy things that happen to our bodies when we shed the pounds.  Not that I would change it for a second.  I'd rather spend the rest of my life with icesicles haning off my nose than be back up to 300 lbs for even a day.

Freeze On!!

Fill 'er up! (and other random stuff)

I saw my surgeon on Thursday afternoon.  I haven't been in for a fill since mid-October and it was nice being able to talk with my doctor about my progress (and current lack-there-of). 

He was thrilled with my 70lb. loss and was so complimenting and encouraging.  I could tell he was a *bit* hesitant to give me a fill at first, but after a short discussion about why I felt like it was time, he totally agreed and gave me .4cc.  I now have around 6.5cc in my 10cc band. 

My restriction is definitely back and I've lost three pounds in the last few days, putting me back down to my lowest-low of 222 lbs.  I'm hoping to be in onederland by my one-year bandiversary on June 9th.

SPEAKING OF JUNE 9th.... not only is that my one-year bandiversary but it is also my 30th birthday!  I've been thinking for months about what I want to do for my birthday and I just wasn't coming up with anything that just felt "right".  I want to have a big celebration of not only entering my third decade on this earth, but also the amazing transformation I will have undergone in the last year of my 20s.  I wasn't feeling the whole "nice restaurant dinner with an intimate group of friends" and I wasn't keen on the "rent out a bar and dance the night away to bad techno music" either.  And then, on the way home from the grocery store tonight it hit me... 

I'm going to have a big party at my house (or maybe my parents because they have a lot more open space) and invite all my fun-loving friends.  Its going to be a big, loud, fun GAME NIGHT PARTY!!!  I love to play games with my friends and we're always talking about how life is just too crazy with work and kids and life in general to get together for game night very often. 

So, my big 30th b-day bash/bandiversary is going to be the game night to end all game nights!!  Guesstures, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Charades, Taboo, MadGab, EVERYTHING!  I want there to be at least 20 or 30 people there and its going to be one fun, loud, and amazing night!!

WAHOO!!  Have a good week ya'll!

xo

BYOC

I haven't done BYOC in a while so here goes...

1. Do you believe in love at first sight?
No, I don't think so.  I think you can be instantly attracted to someone, but love is more than attraction.  Love takes time.  You have to get to know someone.  You have to discover the very best and the very worst in them and then you CHOOSE to love them because of and in spite of it all. 

2. What's your idea of a romantic evening?
Honestly?  The most romantic thing my husband could do is arrange a night where I don't have to do anything.  He'd plan to have someone watch the boys.  He'd make dinner reservations and maybe buy movie tickets.  And we'd spend the whole date just hanging out, worry and stress-free, enjoying some time together.

3. Who was your first crush?
The first crush I remember having was on a boy named Ryan Kinney.  We were in kindergarten and my best friend Heather liked him too.  He was quite the stud for a five-year-old.

My first celebrity crush was on none other than Joey from New Kids on the Block.  Oh my, he was so dreamy!  LOL!!

4. What do you believe is a stronger emotion – love or hate?
Oooh, this is a very good question.  I believe that hate can be stronger in the way that it tends to consume a person more completely.  But I believe love is the most powerful emotion in the world if you allow it to be first in your life.

5. Repeat question: Summarize your life in blogland and in real life.
My blogland life has been pretty nonexistent lately.  I went through a time after Christmas where I struggled and now I'm pulling myself out of it.  I plan on blogging more often these next five months leading to my one year bandiversary in June.

In my real life, things are just plugging right along.  Work, kids, husband, home... everything is same-old-same-old.  We're starting to get in to the nitty-gritty of winter here in Colorado and I'm hoping for some good snow storms as its been a very dry and unseasonably warm winter thusfar.

Happy Friday, friends!

xoxoxo

My Rollercoaster.

In the interest of full disclosure and because I tend to live my life like an open book, I feel like I need to put this out there for everyone to read, understand, and help motivate me and hold me accountable.

I'm struggling.  Seven (almost eight) months into this journey and I've hit my first major roadblock.  It's not like anything life-altering happened.  In fact, quite the opposite.  Nothing happened.  And maybe I wasn't prepared for that.  Maybe I'm suffering from a little bit of let down.

The last seven months have felt like the beginning of a roller coaster.  You know what I mean... the car starts slowly climbing that huge hill.  Each foot higher you go, the more the anticipation builds.  You climb closer towards the peak, your stomach flipping with a mixture of fear and excitement as the big moment draws nearer.

Except on my rollercoaster, the one in my head that started on the day of my surgery, there was nothing at the top of that giant climb. 

I don't know what I was expecting.  I didn't even realize I was on the rollercoaster until I got to the top and realized all that build up resulted in a let down.

Since Christmas, I have fallen off the proverbial wagon.  I hate using that cliche, but it's accurate.  My restriction was good, but I ate around my band and little by little I got away from all the things that have made me so successful the past seven months.  I stopped drinking my water.  I  stopped eating my protein.  I snacked.  I grazed.  I got re-addicted to sugar.  And I made a million excuses.  The biggest of which was the severely twisted, "I've lost 75 pounds, I deserve a little treat."  Yup, the ol' Fat Girl standby.  I'm sad, so I deserve a pint of ice cream.  I'm stressed, so I deserve a bag of potato chips.  I've been so successful, I deserve a break from the "diet".  I forgot the one cardinal rule of bandster-hood....  

This is NOT a DIET.  It is a LIFESTYLE!!

I'm ashamed to admit that I've gained weight, real tangible weight, for the first time since my surgery.  After a lowest low of 223 lbs, the scale this morning read 229.  I almost vomited when I saw that number.  It felt like a punch in the gut.  I cried.  And then I did what all fat girls do: I rewarded my pain with food (chocolate caramel popcorn, specifically).  That six pound gain has hurt more emotionally than when I saw the scale read 297.7 lbs., my heaviest recorded weight.  Six little pounds and I feel like my roller coaster car rounded the peak and dropped straight down to the ground, smashing into a million pieces below.

Everyday, all day long, people tell me how great I look, how good I'm doing.  And for the first time in seven months, I don't beam with pride at their compliments.  Sure, I smile and say Thank You.  But what I really want to do is scream, "I'm a failure!  Don't commend me for failing!"  Am I being melodramatic?  Probably.  Are there worse (much worse) things I could be going through right now?  Yes.  But right now, today, I feel more lost and insecure and pathetic than I felt at 300 lbs. 

I have a fill scheduled for tomorrow.  Yes, I actually do need a fill.  For the last two weeks, my restriction (even with band-friendly foods) is almost totally gone.  I feel like something amazing needs to happen.  Like a lightning bolt from heaven needs to come down and strike the motivation and optimism back into me and make me wake up and take control again. 

I really do have a flair for the dramatic, don't I?

Last Call for the Sisterhood...

Any clothes left over on Wednesday are going straight to the Goodwill.  Take 'em if you want 'em.

Click Here for Sisterhoood Clothes

Side-by-side photos

I'm down 75 lbs. so I figured it was time for a side-by-side comparison. I have to run to the grocery store so this is gonna be quick. 

 

 It feels great seeing these photos side-by-side.  I can't believe how big I was!  I didn't see that puffy face or that round belly when I looked in the mirror seven months ago.  Talk about personal distortion!

Well whadduya know!

Eating right and exercise really does work!! ;)

I've been stuck gaining and losing the same two pounds since before Christmas. One morning I'm 224, the next I'm 225 or even 226. I'm the first to admit that I indulged at Christmas and have had a hard time resisting sugar ever since. It's so crazy how easily my body begins to CRAVE sugar once I start to indulge just a little bit!

But this week I really kicked it into gear. I've been good about my water consumption, better about my protein intake (still need to work on this) and I've gone to the gym three times. Part of me thinks I need a small fill since it's been months since I've had one. But if I really take a step back and evaluate my restriction level, I realize that I have good restriction when I work the band. When I eat three small meals and a couple of healthy snacks and plenty of water, I'm fine. But as soon as I start eating junk or grazing between meals, suddenly I'm hungry all the time. So, as it stands right now, no fill for me.

This morning the scale showed a new low... 222.2 lbs! That's a loss of over 74 lbs. in the seven months since my surgery! My next big goal is to hit one-derland by my one-year bandiversary on June 9th, which is also my 30th birthday. In a perfect world, I'll get down to 197.7 lbs. which is not only one-derland, but it'll be 100 lbs. lost in one year.

I'm cautious about putting this goal on too high of a pedestal. 100 lbs. lost is totally attainable, but I don't want to get so focused on the numbers that I lose sight of the reason I did all this. It's not about just the numbers, and I don't want to forget that. It's about getting healthier. It's about being able to play with my boys without getting winded. It's about hiking in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and being able to breathe. It's about no more sleep apnea. No more bad cholesterol. No more pre-diabetes.

If I don't make it to one-derland by June 9th, I will still be happy. I will look back at the past year and be proud of how hard I worked and how far I came. I will know deep down that I have permanently changed my life and my family's life for the better.

But onederland should would be a nice 30th birthday gift to myself...

Heavy

Sarah at My Anniversary Band dared us bandits to pick up a weight at our gym corresponding to the amount of weight we've lost. Never one to shy away from a dare, I accepted the challenge. She said it would be a profound experience. I didn't think much of it because, well, I just didn't. I've lost 72 lbs. I know that is a TON of weight. But after my workout last night, curiosity go the best of me and I decided to see how much, exactly, 70 lbs. felt like.

So I walked to the free weights and picked up a 70 lb. dumbell. Or rather, I *tried* to pick it up. No joke, I had to use both hands and I could barely lift it off the rack. I thought, "surely this isn't really a 70 lb. weight.". So I asked someone and sure 'nuff, it was. So I lifted it again, this time trying to walk around the free weight area carrying it. I got about three waddle-steps and had to put it down.

It was astounding how heavy that weight was! I know that my 70 lbs. of fat wasn't all in one spot and being carried in front of me by my weakling arms, but still. Throw that sucker into a backpack and carry it around for a day, and I guarantee my joints will be killing me and my body will be exhausted.

Sometimes it's hard to be excited about how far I've come when I see how far I still have to go. But lifting that weight gave me a whole new outlook on my weight loss. I really am a rock star! :)

Sisterhood Alert!! 42 Items w/ Photos!!

*woopwoopwoop*

*eeeeeooooongeeeeeong*

*wheeeeeewooooooowheeeeeewooooooooo*

(those are my alarm noises, in case you were wondering)


I have a TON of clothes that I want gone.  Now.  Yesterday.  Please take them.

Here are the rules...

1.  First-come first-serve.  The first person to comment that they want an item or items, gets dibs.  I have numbered each item to make this process a bit easier.

2.  Please leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you regarding where to ship your item(s).

3.  (and I gave this a lot of thought) Because of financial restraints, I am asking that participants pay shipping for their item(s).  I wish I didn't have to do it this way, but the truth is that I can't afford to ship all of this.  I'm sorry.  It's still great clothes at basically no cost.  So, there ya go.

4.  All clothes are in good or great condition.  Some of the jeans have basic wear like at the bottom hems.  Nothing has stains that I could see.  It's all clothing that I have worn, but kept in good condition.  Some items were barely worn and are perfect.

5.  Play nice and have fun.  I'm thrilled to be able to pass on these clothes to you ladies.  I hope that you return the favor by, in turn, passing them on in the sisterhood once you're done with them.

Now, ARE YOU READY TO RRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMBLE?!


(((you should be able to click on the pics to enlarge them)))

First up is jeans.  Lovely, comfy jeans. 

Starting at the top-left and going down and then back up to the top-right and down...

• 1. Venezia sz. 6 Avg. Red Triangle stretch bootcut jeans
• 2. Venezia sz .22 Avg. stretch flair jeans
• 3. Venezia sz. 24 Avg. stretch flair jeans
• 4. Venezia sz. 24 Avg. stretch bootcut jeans  *worn in upper thighs and bottom hems but my fave pair of jeans, by far.
• 5. Maurices sz. 22 Regular Ciara style stretch bootcut
• 6. Venezia sz. 22 Avg. stretch flair
• 7. Venezia sz. 22 Avg. khaki denim flair

Next up is the long-sleeved tops...

Reading like a book from top-left to right...

• 8. Lane Bryant (LB) 22/24 olive v-neck sweater w/ hood.  Fits a little on the smaller side than most 22/24s
• 9. LB 22/24 gray/white v-neck sweater w/ red trim and hood.  I'm super sad to see this one go
• 10. LB 22/24 Plum sweater w/ lattice detail and 3/4 length sleeves
• 11. LL Bean 2X fuscia fleece v-neck top
• 12. LB 26/28 sleeveless red sweater cami w/ black beaded cardigan (3/4 sleeves) that ties in front  This is dressy and I only wore it four times.
• 13. LB 22/24 v-neck black 3/4 sleeves top w/ waist tie accent.

 Next is more long-sleeved tops and some workout stuff...

Starting at the top-left and going down and then back up to the top-right and down...

• 14. LB 18/20 knit blouse w/ lace and sequin detail on neck, sleeves, bottom hem (3/4 sleeves)
• 15. Northcrest 22/24 striped knit top
• 16. Venezia 22/24 v-neck striped knit top
• 17. Venezia 22/24 pink v-neck knit top (3/4 sleeve)
• 18. Athletic Works 22/24 polyester gym pants.
• 19. Danskin NOW 22/24 gray knit gym shorts

And now for the capri pants...

Starting at the top-left and going down and then back up to the top-right and down...

• 20. Avenue 22 capris w/ cute drawstring legs.
• 21. Venezia 24 gaucho capris my absolute fave pair
• 22. Gloria Vanderbilt 22 capris
• 23. Venezia 24 capris
• 24. Venezia 22 capris
• 25. Maurices 24 grown dress capris
• 26. LB 22 black dress capris w/ embroidered embellishment on bottom right shin.
• 27. Worthington 22 capri dress slacks
• 28. LB 24 gray capri dress slacks
• 29. LB 20 pinstripe brown dress bermuda shorts
• 30. LB 24 chocolate pinstripe capri dress slacks need inner thigh seam stitched (approx. 2")

And last, but certainly not least... the short-sleeved tops...

Starting at the top-left and going down and then back up to the top-right and down...

• 31. Venezia 26/28 NY graphic t-shirt
• 32. Venezia 22/24 black y-neck tee
• 33. Venezia 26/28 black tee w/ b/w stiped inlay
• 34. Karen Scott 3X pink striped tee
• 35. Just My Size 3X 22/24 black tee w/ slight ruffled accent at neckline
• 36. LB 22/24 aqua blue supima cotton v-neck tee
• 37. George 22/24 knit short-sleeved black sweater
• 38. LB 22/24 short-sleeved coral sweater
• 39. LB 22/24 short sleeved dark teal blue short-sleeved sweater loved this sweater!
• 40. Venezia 22/24 cream lace blouse (w/ underlay)
• 41. Apt. 9 2X one piece brown, coral, and cream cami/cardi set.  I have a fantastic coral necklace that I'll throw in as well since it only goes with this top 

And this top needed a photo of its own because its my FAVE and I'm so sad it no longer fits!

• 42. This is a Lane Bryant 22/24 soft-as-buttah knit blouse in an aqua-teal-blue with gorgeous ruffle around the v-neck and down the front.  I got SO MANY compliments on this top and while I'm thrilled I'm too small to fit into it, I'm a bit sad that I can't wear it anymore cuz I lurve it.  *tinysob*

Ok, whew!  That was a LOT of clothes!!  If you want it then you should'a put a ring on it.  Oh wait.  No, thats Beyonce.  If you want any of these, just leave me a comment with THE NUMBER of the item(s) you want and your email address so I can contact you.  I will try my best to update my post and cross off the items that have been spoken for. 

Also, if you other bloggers would maybe be sweet and post a link to this on your blog to help spread the word, I'd be much obliged.

Thanks lovies!
xoxox

Apparently...

... I can no longer eat "real" breakfasts w/o getting stuck.  Holy stomach pain, Batman!

For the past couple of months, I have been doing the smoothie-yogurt-coffee thing for breakfast simply because I'm always in a rush getting the kids out the door for school and myself out the door for work.

This morning I made myself a small breakfast burrito with egg substitute and turkey bacon.  It went down fine.  But about 30-45 minutes later, I was clearly stuck.  Pain, sliming, and more pain.  I PB'd about 15 minutes after I got to work.  It didn't help.  I'm still hurting.  The pain is radiating into my back.  I really want to chug a bunch of water, but obviously I know that won't help. *sob*

Looks like I'm now in the "super-tight-in-the-mornings" club.  Back to smoothies, yogurt, and coffee from now on. 

***Keep an eye out for a sisterhood post.  I'm going to try to get my clothes posted tonight or tomorrow night.  There's going to be TONS of good stuff in sizes 20-26, mostly from LB***

Can someone please explain...

... the sisterhood to me?

I have about eleventyzillion clothes that no longer fit and that I never want to see the likes of again.  I want them GONE and I've heard rumors of a sisterhood where us bandits give away our clothes to bandits in need.  So spill it.  How does it work? 

Do I just take photos and post them on my blog?  Is it first-come-first-serve?  What about shipping?  Who pays it?  Are there any unspoken rules I need to know?

Because, honestly?  I just want these clothes gone.  And they're cute clothes and I know other girls out there can use them during their WL journey.

Halp!