In order to lose... someone has to find...

Just a quick little update. I joined a Weight Watchers at work group back on February 14th. It is now September, and I have lost 35 lbs. since then. At first I wasn't really sure how the program would work for me, what with having a silicone band around my stomach that seriously limits the quantity of food that I can eat, (click here to see an animation of the procedure: http://svsurgical.com/about-lap-band-surgery.php#surgery) but I really felt like I needed to do something to try and get the scale moving again. Weight Watchers is a GREAT program, and the weekly accountability has been just what I have needed to get the scale moving again. THAT and having a new "friend" in my life. I have jokingly given credit for the weight loss success to "the jason diet" because for some reason, having him in my life has been quite motivating. That is kind of strange too, because usually being in a relationship makes me very comfortable and I eat a lot more and GAIN weight. This time has been different.

Anyways... let me get off that tangent and back to the topic at hand. I am very proud to say, that since November 17th of 2003, I have lost a grand total of 106.5 lbs. How freaking cool is that?!?!?! I need to check my measurements again too, but the last time I checked, I had lost 66.5 inches off of my body. (11.5" off of my waist) My next goal is to get below 200 lbs. I only have 18 more lbs. to go to hit 199. I am going to do it by the 4th Anniversary of getting my Lap-Band. That is exactly 2 months from today. I am excited and know that I can do it!

What's on your list of things to do before you die?

My list is one item shorter now!

Wow! So... Two weeks ago today, on May 10th. I fulfilled one of the "dreams" on my list of things to do before I die. I visited Machu Picchu, the Incan ruins in Peru. Truly one of the most incredible, and profound things I have ever done or seen in my life. I can't really explain it, but it just was. We got up really early so we could see the sunrise, but when we got up there, it was totally fogged in. We were kind of prepared for that, because most of the guide books mentioned that it happens frequently, and to be patient because it always burns off.

It ended up being nearly perfect BECAUSE of the fog. It was as if the mountain was magically revealing herself and the surrounding peaks in a show just for us. Truly, we could only see maybe 20 yards in any direction, and were completely unaware of the majestic peaks that were directly in front of us, but hidden by the clouds. With the passing of time, the fog would lift a little here, revealing an ancient structure to our view. Just enough to whet our appetite and reward our patience. Cameras came out and pictures taken, only to have the fog reclaim the view. Moments later the fog would lift for a peek at a distant peak, again showing off some of her secrets. Over the course of about 2 hours, the fog had pretty much lifted for good and an amazing vista revealed for all to enjoy! We walked around for ages, exploring little rooms, looking out windows and wondering at the wonder of it all. The stone used for these structures is not indigenous to this mountain top, further adding to the mystery of the place.

Some of the girls from our group were determined to climb the sister peak of Wayna Picchu. Which was an ascent of probably 1000 feet. Very steep stone stairs all the way to the top. As we waited in line for our turn to sign in, I was almost sick to my stomach. All those fears and doubts from years and years of being overweight kept creeping into my head telling me I was crazy to try. I even left the line once, deciding that I could not do it, but then I realized I was half a world from home, and that THIS was the very reason I was in Peru, to experience Machu Picchu to the fullest extent, and that if I did NOT at least attempt the climb, I would regret it forever. So off we went! We were at about 8300 feet, so altitude took a little bit of a toll on my ability, but I just kept at it, slow and steady. Walk 10 steps, stop to let my heart beat slow down and catch my breath. It took about an hour and 20 minutes to make it, but I MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN!!!!! A very significant mental AND physical victory for me! And the view... well, it is something that is burned into my memory for the rest of my days! I am an amazing and determined woman, and now I know that I can do ANYTHING! :) Go me, I rock!

One more thing...

Softball season is officially under way! Had my first co-ed game tonight. We lost. BUT, it feels soooo good to just be outside, and movin' this bod of mine.

Just what the doctor ordered...

This morning, on my beastly commute, right around Lagoon, I came upon a totally HOT guy, on a Harley. He caught me smiling at him, and we had a little game of freeway flirting tag. We pretty much stayed next to each other all the way until the 2200 North exit in Salt Lake. Did I mention he had on all leathers?

WOOT WOO!!!!

It totally made my day, just to have that smile to think about during the day today.

Did I mention that I got a dozen red roses for Valentine's day this year? They were given to me by a really nice guy when he took me to lunch, yes, ON Valentine's day! What a difference a couple of months makes. Yes, it was Park City Eric.

Then there is Marty, from Provo. Another VERY nice guy. Almost seems too good to be true. Then there was Troy, (my old kissing friend) who texted me about hooking up on Valentine's evening. AND THEN, there was the very casual text from Erik, all the way from Mexico. Telling me hello and barely making it in under the midnight wire with a Happy Valentine's day.

I think, two years later, I have finally realized that the advice of, "don't put all your eggs into one basket" is very sound advice.

Yea me!

Today was an amazing day! Me, my sister Heidi and niece Indie were able to witness the birth of sister Camille's baby boy, James.

Ok, now it is a day later, and I have had some more time to think about the whole Erik thing actually being over. I am a little more bummed tonight than I was last night. I just can't believe that two years has come down to one three letter text word. Y-E-S. That was his answer when I sent him the following text message last night. "This seems kind of anti climatic. I mean I have known we were over for a while, but just wasn't sure. Ya know?" and that was his response: "Yes." No, thanks for the good times, it's been great! or Hope you find what you are looking for and are happy! Wow! what a trip it has been. Just "yes." DORK! Oh wait, then he sent another that said, "but I still like you, and I think that you still like me, no?" Double-dork! I wonder where I would be right now if I had stuck with our initial break up last May? Because that is what that last text message says to me: I like you, not enough to be with you, but to you keep you as a back-up for when the other things that I have lined up don't work out for me. Actually, I think I am the one who is a dork! :) Live and learn. and move on.

This morning I got up and started to get ready for work. I had even decided what I was going to wear, when all of the sudden, I felt a little light-headed. No big deal, it passed as soon as it had come on. But, it was long enough for me to think of all of the things that I needed to get done at work today, and to convince myself that there wasn't any of it that couldn't be put off 'til tomorrow, and I called in sick (and tired). I then proceeded to sleep in until 11:30! It was fabulous! I felt 110% when I actually got up. I had 101 things that I could have done around my house while I was home today, and I did not do ONE of them. Oh wait, I take that back, I had a sink full of stinky, dirty dishes that I finally did tonight around nine p.m. So, it wasn't a total waste of a day. PLUS, there is a lot to be said for getting some extra rest. I can go back to work tomorrow all ready to face the work week, just like I was planning on doing this morning when I first got up, but now, it is just one day closer to Friday!

Also, I had a little "conversation" with Erik, who is presently in Juarez, MX. He sent me a me a text message, that wasn't really to me, it was to a "friend" named Alissa, asking me about how my business trip was. To my relief, it just made me chuckle. I didn't feel bad at all. I have known things were over for a while now, and had even given myself permission to go on a couple of dates, but still didn't really want to say out loud that things were over until we had at least talked about it. Once he realized what he had done, (which was before I actually forwarded the message back to him, telling him that I thought it was meant for someone else), he had sent me another text apologizing that it was to another "friend". (the one he had stayed with in Cali, just as I had suspected!) I wrote him back and said, "no worries, we all have "friends". He sent me a smile, and then another text saying, "Hopefully yours lives within 50 miles of you" I told him, "Yes, THEY are." Then he asked if I was dating much, so I told him that I had been. He told me that a girl he likes is moving to another part of Mexico. Boo hoo! Anyways. I guess that is that. Two years. Done. Ok, I must admit, that makes me a little sad. No grande finale, just him going to freaking MEXICO to possibly work (El Paso) and live. Where the HELL did that come from? Ah well... maybe he can find a fill doctor whom he can go and bug every other day, (and still not lose any weight) and a nice little chica to settle down with, so she can get her green card, and they will live happily ever after. What did I ever hope to get from him? I am a dork! But he is a bigger dork!

On to better and better things! : ) Starting with dinner on Wednesday with Park City Eric. : ) Spelled with a "c".