Vacation... and I am back

I was on vacation for one whole fabulous week. We went to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (where I grew up) and visited family and friends. My parents have a cabin on a lake and we stayed there for the week. Lots of swimming, kayaking, boating and so on. It was so great! I did come back 3 lbs heavier.. but I don't care. There was so much great homemade pie and other wonderful things... also some grape soda... adult beverages.. ect. Now I need to get back to it. I also need a fill. I called today and scheduled an appointment with my doctor and the soonest I could get in is September 16th. That is okay though... maybe I can get my eating back on track and know exactly where my restriction is.

So anyway, I am only a few days away from my 1 year bandiversary... where has the year gone. Hope you are all well... I am going to try to catch up on all that I missed while I was gone!

I am a versatile blogger...

I must do the following:

1. Thank the person giving the award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Nominate 15 bloggers.

4. Let your nominees know about the award.

First of all, Thank You so much miss Suzieq4givn! It is an absolute honor, and you have been a huge inspiration to me!

7 things about me:

I grew up in a very rural part of Upper Michigan. I loved it but couldn't wait to move away. Now I wish I could move back.

I have two first names, one middle name, and a last name. My first name is hyphenated so my initials spell ASS.

My favorite food is Ethiopian.

My favorite day of the year is Halloween, I love costumes!

I was in speech therapy a good chunk of my childhood for a lisp. I refused to change my ways, I like my lisp, eventhough many folks don't even notice it.

I like animals more then people.

I grow a very large organic garden every year. I always get so excited to plant everything in the spring but despise taking care of it by July.

Nominate 15 bloggers: Okay, so I have done this before... I cop out. Honestly, it is so hard to pick 15 bloggers. All of the blogs I follow inspire me and keep me motivated. So here is to all of you out there in blog land!

H&M Really?!

I had to return a couple things at the mall today and decided to wander into H&M since I had some extra time before I had to be at work. I have always loved H&M but since we got our first store in MI some years back I have never been able to fit into any of their clothes. Today I decided I would try a couple of shirts on. I ended up buying three shirts... two size 12!! And one size L! OMG! They looked great, felt amazing, and I was so excited.

Lately, I have been so busy having a social life I have pretty much just been maintaining my weight. I have been doing drinks with friends, dinners out, and parties left and right. The most fantastic thing about this is that I have been maintaining my weight loss. I may bounce up or down a .5 lb (177.5-178.5) but I am thrilled. I certainly want to continue getting the weight off... I really want to see my goal, but I am also really enjoying the spoils of my work so far. I feel like I am so much more social now... I have always been social, but now I am looking for any opportunity to go out with friends.

I have a nine days work free coming up here as well as my husband's birthday and our seven year wedding anniversary. I don't expect to have any earth shaking loses in the next couple weeks... maybe even a small gain. But I am so excited with how far I have come!

Sara Rue weight loss

I just read this article from People Magazine. She looks really great. I thought she was always beautiful and looks just as lovely now. I do wonder though... how will she keep this weight off? Will she continue on Jenny Craig forever? I believe I read, at one time, that she had always struggled with weight. I hope she is able to keep the weight off! I hope she continues to have a good relationship with food.

Okay... today's picture isn't great...

I had been outside all day, sweating and tired. However, it is still a great comparison picture from last year. The first picture was taken 8-15-2009 (just 1 day shy of a year ago) and the second one today. We have an end of the summer celebration at the library and both photos are from that event. I wish I would have worn a shirt that wasn't as big on me... but you can still see a difference!

Down a little..

I dropped just under 1 lb (.8 lbs) this week and I am happy with that. I am now down to 81 lbs down, well on my way to 85 down (my 1 year goal). I am working today, we have a huge end of summer reading celebration and I will be out in the hot hot sun today. I remember last year, I was 259 and miserable. I was hot, my feet hurt, and I felt huge. Today I feel pretty good about myself and don't mind wearing my summer clothes. Hopefully I will have a comparison photo for you later today!

Have a great Saturday all!

Have I Ever Told You?

You all who blog and comment and even just read, are all so amazing. I am inspired everyday by the honesty and care that this group puts out. Thank you!