Scrapbook Blessings Club

Well actually, I had two ah-ha moments, one before surgery and one after. My wake up was our vacation in July of this year. We went to a beach and shared a condo with family. My husband and I slept on the pull out sofa for two nights. I just wanted to die! The pain I felt in my back, hip and legs was unbearable. On the last night, he went and bought an air mattress but the damage was done. I was in full- blown pain. Hubby went and got me some pain meds but all he could find (that I wasn't allergic to) was a night time one that made me drowsy and loopy. So here I am, at the beach, under the umbrella, feeling like Shamu, watching my family members play with my kids. I felt so helpless, useless and fat! On that beach, in NJ, was the moment I promised myself that I was gonna get myself under control before I died and let my family without at wife and mommy. When we got home, I called the Bariatric Center at my hospital and the rest was history. Everything just came together. God was di...

Almost 2 months out for me and I've lost 33 lbs since surgery, which was Oct 25 (figured I would update now because next week will be CRAZY!!!).  I weighed in at 258!!! So I'm in the 250s now, very excited!  When I first started, I wore a size 30/32, bra size 50H, panties 12 and shoes 10 1/2, sometimes 11. Now I am wearing 22/24 tops, 22 reg or 20W bottoms, bra size 44DDD, panties 10 and shoes 9-9 1/2!!!  I can't wait for the next two months!!! I am a bit of a scale junkie, get on daily but only record my losses.  I also set mini goals for me. Like the first month, I wanted to lose 20 lbs.  Goals work good for me, gives me something to work towards.  If I don't met a goal, it gets me back on track, and I can analyze what happened and learn from it.  My next goal, well actually I have three :)   First, I want to be 255 by Christmas, only 4lbs away now.  Second, I want to be 250 by the end of the year, 9 lbs to go.  Thi...

Author Unknown His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally is wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian recently while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and So Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before! By now the people are really uptight, and...

This is the best decision I have ever made for me and my family. I am 5 weeks out and lost 25 lbs as of today (266 lbs)! That makes a total of 58 lbs lost after my pre-op diet starting Aug 1st (324lbs 4 months ago). I started with 30/32 pants and shirts, 4-5x shirts, 50 DDD bra, 10 1/2 shoe. Now I am in 22/24 clothes, 2-3x shirts, 44 DDD and get this... a size 9 shoe and high heels to boot!!!!! I am a shopaholic, lol. The biggest thing that I am over the moon about though, is that I am pain free!!! I've had hip, back, leg, joint pain for the last 5 yrs. I have so much energy now and have been able to play on the floor with the kiddos. I was also able to cook and host Thanksgiving dinner and it wasn't until the end of the night that fatigue set in but I felt so productive. I was running circles around hubby. Oh and I was able to help weed, rake leaves and hang Christmas light with hubby. This is the first time in a long time that I didn't feel guilty that he was doing everyt...

To digi or not to digi, that is the question??? I love digtal stamps but don't have the money to invest in Copics (I have 5) and have a big mess with storing them on the computer.  The paper I used was horrible with markers for coloring. Does anybody have some great digi stamp hints? Here are free Christmas digital stamps at About.com!  Look at these cuties... Other free digi stamps- master list on About.com.    And the best on of course is Free Digital Stamp blog

I love all the blog buttons that I see and found a great site for HTML impaired people, lol... eHow.com! It helped me step by step and it actually works!!!   The code is over on the right :)

BLOG HOP This organization is designed to collect and send a bundle of cards with words of encouragement to needy children for their birthday or in a time of need along with a cuddly card package that includes a stuffed animal. We will help to make sure that each needy child’s birthday is celebrated and that children in the hospital receive well wishes. Blog hop will start at 8:00 AM (EST) on Friday November 26th and run through Saturday November 27th. Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps will be sponsoring our blog hop and they have graciously donated a $10 Gift Certificate! In addition to that, each Design Team member has donated something to the blog hop Grand Prize and you won't believe what they donated.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM ME TO YOU AND YOURS I can't believe that today makes one month after surgery. I have so much to be thankful for! First, my God and family, they have been my rock though all of this. Second, for this surgery and how it has changed my life in just this short time. I have had no complications with surgery or even recovery after. It seems very surreal right now, like did I really do this, but I look at the scale and see 24 lbs gone, look at my closet and see all the 30/32 size clothes gone along with most of my 26/28. I eat 3 oz of soft foods and feel full. It has become a neccessity not a way of life or enjoyment. I'm rediscovering how much fun it is to play with the kids or even do yardwork with hubby and not have pain or feel guilty that I can't help him. I could go on and on of how much more I can do now. And do you know this best part? This is just the beginning!!!!! So today, I am a very thankful woman, enjoying the blessing that I have been given....

I am one of the crazies that pour over the day after Thanksgiving ads and mark my store buys for the day! I have fun with it and the whole family jumps in. So I thought it would be cool to post any kind of "Cricut" sales here!!!! Michaels: Personal Cricut- (Friday only) $69.99 Cricut Cartridges- 60% off, $27.99 and $35.99 Disney Cricut Cartridges- (Saturday only) $24.99 Gypsy- $99.99! Save 100 bucks! Coupons: 30% off Entire Purchase Including Sale Items (Thursday Only) 30% Off Your Entire Purchase - Friday Only 50% Off Any One Regular Price Item - Friday Only 50% Off Any One Regular Item (Saturday Only) 20% Off Entire Purchase Including Sale Items (Saturday Only) Big Lots: Cricut Cartridges: $20.00 Walmart: Cricut Expression- $185.00 (cute colors) Cricut Lite Cartridges- $20.00 (fyi- 0nly 50 cuts per cartridge/not a full cartridge) JoAnn Fabrics: Cricut Cartridges- $27.99 Cricut Expression- $199.99 Cricut Imagine Print & Cut Machine- $449....

I went to the Dr for my two week follow up which is actually 18 days, but we won't go there. My labs are perfect (very early yet) and I'm getting water, protein and vitamins in no problem. I weighed in too and wanted to do the happy dance. I lost 15.5 lb since surgery on Oct 25th and a grand total of.... Wow!  I've lost 50 lbs from August 1st and that doesn't count loosing the extra water weight from surgery.  The nurse said they wanted 10% the first two weeks and I was at 11% (which is 274lbs).  She also said I can expect to loose an additional 40-50 lbs in 3 months!?!?!?!  My mind is having a hard time wrapping around that one!  That would put me around 225lb and the last time I saw that number was in college. I'm also on the next stage of my diet.  I can eat soft, pureed foods.  Protein has to be first, 6 sm meals which are 3-4oz, over 48 oz water and exercise (I love my Wii Fit). We went out to eat tonight, too.  That was an experience, a "fre...

I want to thank those that kept me in their prayers!!! Surgery went like clockwork. I have no pain just tires easily. My big news is that Creative Scrapbooking Divas have asked me to be a permanent DT member! I love these ladies!!! I will be taking over the Traditional Scrapbooking group and a new Cricut-licious group!!!! I would love if you came and join us.  Great challenges, inspiration, resources, games and chances to win prizes!!!!   Creative Scrapbooking Divas

I can't believe its been a week already!!! Time goes by fast when you are having fun, lol. Monday was surgery, I was out of it all day, Woke up in my room and hubby said I was hitting the morphin pump every 6 min, lol. Tuesday, I was still on that morphin pump, It was my hospital BFF, lol. Started to get up and walk and it was very uncomfortable. I like walking at night. It was quiet, no people or other obsticals on the floor and I got some one on one time with nurses and they would walk with me, keep ing my mind off the pain. Wednesday was my downhill hump day. The nurses didn't know much about sleeve patients. I had a nausea patch on the one of the nurses took off of me whn I was sleeping. They then told be to get up and walk but I wasn't feeling good. My mom was helping me and I started dry heaving and trying not to throw up. My husband and mom where yelling for help, nuirsing running, mass confusion. My husband asked where my patch was and the nurse said she...

I hope you had a Blessed Sunday! I wasn't going to church today because I was feeling a nausea and just blah. Hubby took the kiddos and they all went to Sunday School. I was just sitting flipping through the channels and decided to picked up the phone and called my Mom. It was about 20 min before church was to start. She said she would be right over and get me. Needless to say, hubby was very happy and suprised to see me sitting in the sanctuary waiting for him to get out of men's class. I think there was a big reason that God wanted me there and for today it was the praise and worship. During this part of the service, I was standing, dancing, arms raised up and didn't feel sick at all. All my focus was on God and worshipping Him. After that I was done in, lol. One of the songs that was played was Our God by Chris Tomlin. It just touched my heart. Right now it is about a week after my surgery and I'm having these what did I do thoughts ( not quite buyer's...

I got home around 6:00pm. yesterday. I was able to rest ( hospital should have a sign posted...Thou shalt not let thy patients sleep)!!! On Monday, we got the hospital at 5 am and got my iv and all the other goodies to get me ready. Surgery was at 7am. I remember sliding off the gerny onto the operating table. They put compression blow up thingies on my legs, tied my arms down and put the mask on me. Next think I remember is waking up in my hospital room. ( slept through the whole recovery room episode) The staff were very nice but some were clueless, they kept referring my as a RYN pt not a sleeve pt. We had a lot of pt education these last couple of days, lol. Dr said everything was very smooth, liver shrank down and they didn't have to jostle my insides around. -Here is what I noticed: -I have no appetite -I made them order me a binder, I walked much better with one on, the JP drain didn't feel like it was being tugged on. -Sipping is much easier than I thought. I ha...

Ready, set... Well, the time has finally came. This is the day that God has decreed in my life, and I am walking in it. Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. I'm off with hubby, we have to be at the hospital at 5am and surgery is schedule for 7am. When I wake up, I will be headed to the losers bench for once and for all. Oct 25th is a new day for me, it's the first day of my new life.  I weighed myself this morning and too my measurements.  I'm 286, that's 38 lbs lost pre-op! I am not naive to think that magically I will lose all my weight and life will be all hunky-dory. What I know is, I am given a new chance, a new "tool" that can "help" me keep my weight off. Ultimately, I am in control of what I put in my mouth and how I use this tool in the future. I just thank God that I have the opportunity to do so.

We know life is a journey. Paul even describes it as a race... Heb 12:1 “Run with endurance the race that God has set before you” On a race, there are markers to make the path to show the way to go. On our race, God is our marker, His words are our map. But on a race, what happens if a car is parked blocking the signs, or if you have a leg cramp and can't keep going, or fall and get injured? All of these will slow or even stop our race. Life is the road blocks in our race. I can't tell you how many times I've looked to the right or the left to see who/what I cam keeping up with. I've kept my eye behind me and I've tried to strain my eyes in front of me. But I realized, there comes a time when everything is blurred around me and the only place I can look is up. And that is what I'm doing, keeping my eyes focus on Jesus because I'm afraid to take my eyes off Him. I'm afraid if I do, then I won't make it to the hospital tomorrow or if I do, I ...

I feel like it's been forever since I've been on here. Hubby thinks I should just take the month off because of my two surgeries and just recuperate. I have to admit it was stupid to go to my crop, but I run it and felt like I was letting everyone down. Later I got a lot of support from the ladies and a lot of people stepped up to the plate to help me, even if I need help for November's crop. So I'm not feeling so overwhelmed! Here is a digital scrapbook that I made for our vacation this year.  Much easier in the clean up, lol.  Free scrapbooking design personalized with Smilebox Smilebox is great.  You can share photos online like I just did or if you pay a monthly/yearly fee then you can print out the book pages or send it to a store for them to put the book together.  This is like digital scrapbooking for beginners!

Almost Go but not yet! It has been a very busy day. I manage to get everything I need after surgery. Now I just have to make a list of what the kids will need when I'm in the hospital. I also had a date night with hubby. We went to a fancy place with dinner music and all. I splurged for my "last" meal! Half a chicken breast, half a baked potato, a roll and three bites of a gooy, yummy dessert. It was so nce talking with hubby, we got a lot out about our fears about surgery. We both in a good place. We went to see a movie afterwards, held hands the whole time. We don't do a lot of that with three kids, 5 and under, lol. When we got home there was a message on the machine. Hospital called and they changed my surgery time from 9am to 7 am. I have to be there at 5 am. All the butterflies came back, lol. Here's to 2 more days left!!!

I have to give a big WooHooo! I'm at 289lbs, that 35lbs lost!!! I'm doing really good following the low fat/low carb diet. I am feeling a little limited in my food choices though. I could use some great recipes. I had a very surreal moment today too. I love reading all the posts on the VGS board both good and bad and everything in between. I love giving encouragement and praying. Hugs and prayers have been my tag line, Why? Because I wish I could just reach out and give you all a hug to let you know I'm there for you, and prayers because, well, that's what I do. I believe if you talk the talk then you walk the walk too. But until know, it's always been the "other" people. It finally dawned on me, "This is going to be me this time next week " By 12:30 next Monday, I will have my sleeve, be in my room, learning all over again how to eat and begin with a fresh start in life. I have to be at the hospital by 7am and surgery is 9 am. Oh man, all I ...

Wow, another praise and worship song for the week!!! But that is were my heart is. We have a thread on a VGS support board started by one of our sisters. She writes about the guilt that can flow through us when we make such a big decision in our lives as this surgery is. I took a lot of comfort in that post because I didn't feel alone. There are people feeling the same as me, and I don't have hide those fears. I can confess them and move on in the knowledge that God's grace, mercy and love, that are unending, never failing. With the support I have there from fellow believers and a long hard talk from my family and BFF, Jen . I finally came to the place where I can share my new found joy and peace in this journey. Yesterdays post and song was all about letting go and releasing all my thoughts and fears to the Lord. Offing all of me to Him not just the parts that I think are pleasing to Him. I am not perfect aka Super Sandy and guess what... I'm okay with that. I'...

This weeks song really spoke to my heart. It was like everything I had bottled up inside, everything I wanted to pour out to the Lord. The prayer typed at the beginning of the song is "my prayer" to Him.  I can do nothing without Him.  The best part is He takes me as I am, all my faults, failures, distresses, joys, accomplishments.  I don't have to be this cookie cutter Christian woman. There is no mold I have to fall into His grace is without works.  His love is unfailing.  The problem is I'm human with many expectations on myself.  But sometimes you just have to "let go and let God".    Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." All that I am, all that I have I lay them down before...

What do you think of my new blog look? I spent all morning on it. I choose this look because it is fitting for me and my life. The cleaning supplies represent my home, the book represents my faith, the food represents me getting healthier (the blonde hair cutie is me at goal weight)and the laptop represents me working outside of the home (I work on a laptop at every pt visit). So that's my life in a nutshell :)

I am very pleased with myself tonight! My sister had her 6th annual Harvest Party. There were a ton of people there who brought a ton of food. Soups, chowders, chicken and biscuits, pumpkin pie, apple pie, donuts, smores, and on and on! I brought all the beverages. (Still having pain from gall bladder surgery on the 5th) So here I am with all this food, knowing 1. I can't eat large amounts and 2. I can't eat 80% of what is there and still be on track for my next surgery on the 25th. So I said "Self, you can do this. You want to be healthier more than you want that pie." So I had a bowl of bean soup, a scoop of turkey sloppy joes and my water. I balanced my bowl on my plate and put the meat next to it. It looked like I had a lot of food. Then mingled while I ate. This helped me eat slower and get full faster.  So, this party tonight kicks off the holiday season for us.  But you know what?  I really think I'm going to enjoy these holidays!  I can spend le...

There are so many great blogs out there! And I found another one at All the Weigh.   She posted this great questionnaire she found, and I thought to do it on my blog as well. It is not always easy to put yourself out there, but I hope I can inspire someone like I have been.  Feel free to post on your own blog post. If you do, let me know so I can drop by :) 1. What was your highest weight, what do you weigh right now and what is your goal weight?  (sigh)  My highest weight was 325 lbs.  ( I was/am carrying another person around with me)  I weight 294 lbs right now.  I've lost 30 lbs to date.  My goal weight is 175lbs.  Why? Because with that weight...  it is attainable, I will be out of the plus size clothes, I will wt less than my hubby, anything smaller than that will just be gravy :) 2. What is your #1 motivation for losing weight?  My husband and children are my motivation.  They deserve a mommy/wife who isn't just trying ...

 Here are a couple of Halloween tips that help me alot, esp. when talking about the "C" word....CANDY!!!  Wait til the last minute. Don’t be tempted by bags of Halloween candy sitting around the house. Instead, buy your candy on the 30th.  Buy and give out candy that you don’t like. For me it would be anything with coconut like Almond Joy or Mounds bars, no temptation there. Don’t shop for candy until after you eat.  Give it all out! Leftovers are a big no-no!  If you do have extra candy, get it out of the house on November 1st: * Donate to a local charity or church * Take it to work * Give to your doorman if you live in an apartment * Offer leftovers to friends or neighbors * Can’t get rid of it? Dump it. Don’t feel guilty. You’ll feel worse on the scale after eating what’s left. I love Joy Bauer (even though she is a size zero, she is just too cute and talks so I can understand).  I get her newsletter every wk and they are nice and short with great weigh...

I've been on a "simple is better" kick lately. So I thought this would be a great challenge. All you need to do is create a layout that is simple but packs a punch. Recipe: One Pattern Paper (you can matte photos) One Embellishment One Scrapbooking Technique Here is my creation :)  I used one piece of pp (from Target's $1 bin), I used one chipboard sticker and for the technique, I used my glitter glue to outline some of the flowers and such on the paper. If you would like to participate in this challenge, just go to Creative Scrapbooking Divas . Click on the challenge forum and post your picture.  I am offering a small rak for this challenge and it doesn't end until Oct 31st. (raining outside, so I couldn't get a great pic, sry)

AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I made 30 lbs!!!! I can't believe it! I'm down to 294 today and doing the happy dance. I set a goal to lose 30 before surgery, now I think I'm going to up to 35lbs. I keep thinking of Dory on Finding Nemo . remember the scene where she keeps sing "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming". I say "Just keep losing, just keep losing"! In this post HERE , I wrote about how I lost these pound and all the tips that I am learning from the nutritionist. I thought of another one today. FAST FOOD!!!!! I work in Home Health and 95% of the time, my lunches consisted of going through the drive thru and picking up "something small". Well, I haven't been to a fast food place in a month. I went on the dr's diet to shrink my liver two weeks before my gall bladder surgery. Now I'm going on two weeks after surgery, and I'm here at home not able to drive. That is a big NSV for me. My other big NSV is that I haven...

1. Do your pants get hung on a hangar or folded?  My pants are folded and in the dresser 2. If you are stranded on an Island, what 3 things would you need to have with you (not including humans or electronic devices)? Bible, pillow, sunglasses 3. Where is the farthest you have ever traveled to? Cozumel Mexico.  Went on a cruise with my mom and sister. 4. Do you live in a house, trailer or apartment, etc.?  I live in a three bedroom, 1 1/2 bath, split level home.  It was the home I grew up in.  I bought it off my mom when she remarried 5. What is your most hated household chore?   easy, laundry!!!!,  hubby does all the washing, drying, folding and putting away... man, I love that man!!!

I've been a little off the last couple of months due to health reasons. I've really been focusing on CSDivas and being on the design team. It is a ning. site, and you have to set up a profile page which takes all of two seconds. They are wonderful ladies, and I love the challenges, tips, quotes and inspiration that I find there. Our Fall Blog Hop was a great success, and I want to thank everyone who participated!  Here is a couple of project that I got done before my surgery Tuesday (one down, one to go on the 25th).  I made this cute favor cake for a baby shower.  It was a big hit.  You can find these cake/pie templets all over the internet.  I added some Prima flowers, bling, ribbon and Cuttlebug.