Buble Music Day... memories and Dr. Laura...

I heard a song on the radio yesterday that made me tap my toes, put a smile on my face, and almost instantly LAUNCHED me into a distant and oh, so happy memory. 

Jeff and I knew almost immediately, after we started dating, that there was something special between us.  We also were well aware of the challenges that we faced since I had been married before and had two children... he had never been married, no kids.  We were both big fans of conservative radio show host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and used the years of advice we heard from her to help guide us through the sensitive issues we encountered during our 2 1/2 year courtship and engagement.  (BOY, oh boy do I have some great stories on this topic... for another time!) 

Flash forward to the above mentioned great memory... I remember one cool summer night... we had been dating for over a year and after going out to dinner, Jeff took me on a walk around Lake Mission Viejo.  Remember those early dating years when time just stood still when you were together... every word, every step you took as he gently held your hand... magically... floated... and on a warm southern California night, the air softly held you, the sky was decorated with stars (just for you), and you were so happy together that you dreaded the time that you would have to softly kiss and say, "Good Night."

This particular night, we sat on a bench, overlooking the moon drenched lake, and talked about the benefits of marriage.  I remember telling him all the wonderful things I remember about being married (before my first husband had an affair, of course)... all the while thinking, "I LOVE YOU, SILLY... ask me... ask me... ask me"... I refer to this period of my life as, "Ring Watch, 2000!"  

Most importantly, I VIVIDLY remember that as I was talking to him, I was SO DARN HAPPY that I was still able to feel such excitement and passion about marriage!  One of the things I was SO AFRAID of after my first husband's affair was that I wasn't going to be able to trust again... that I would be damaged and would carry toxic pain into my next marriage... SHOOT... if you ever listened to Dr. Laura, you heard people blame their previous pain on their current crappy decisions all the time!  I... DID... NOT... want my ex-husband's bad choices to ruin the rest of MY LIFE! 

I knew at that moment that I was going to be fine... that I loved this man with all my heart and we would (someday... since he hadn't proposed yet) live a very happy, loving and passionate life together.  ((( happy memory sigh )))

Soooooooo... after that long story, WHAT was the song that led to all those INTENSE emotions?  "Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Buble.  We are all on a journey... some of us are working on our weight, some our confidence... some of us are married and wanting to be our husband's girlfriend again, and some of us are single and getting ourselves in a place to be ready for the love that is waiting to come through the door.  The emotion of the lyrics in this song... the cool beat and swing of the music...

even though I have loved Jeff for over a decade now... 

I continue to change... 

WE continue to change...

and we are constantly "meeting each other" again in so many ways...

... and falling in love over, and over, and over (ohhhhhhhhh, yeah!)

Isn't THAT what LOVE and LIFE is all about...!?

The song is over on the right of my blog... and we ARE changing the Soundtrack in our Heads... one song... one memory at a time!  Make it a FANTASTIC day!

6 month Photos... Training my TUSH off...

Hummmm...
I have worked out, HARD, 6 of the past 7 days...


208.2 pounds



207.4 pounds










 



















Monday - 2,500 meter swim
Wednesday - 18 mile bike
Thursday - 2,500 meter swim
Friday - 2 SPIN classes... BACK TO BACK!
Saturday - 1,600 meter swim (yeah, I took a break and only did 1 mile in the pool)
Sunday - 36 mile bike with (4) Category 5 climbs!

And I admit... I totally cheated on Saturday night.  Now, REALLY... it was a special party catered with pulled pork, coleslaw and Thai Peanut salad, bacon wrapped scallops, a MASHED POTATO MARTINI BAR (serve yourself mashed potatoes, butter (I skipped), sour cream, bacon and chives in a martini glass... DROOL!), shrimp cocktail in shot glasses (very cute presentation!)... oh yeah, and margaritas...

BUT... (now here comes the justification that we ALL do every time we want to provide a solid defense for our food choices...)...

1.  REALLY... look at those workouts above!
2.  I am trying to make a lifestyle change and that means that every once in awhile I can let my hair down... and get right back to it the next day (which I did with that massive hill bike ride!)
3.  I've lost a total of 42 pounds since my tops 9 months ago... I deserve a night off...
4.  ALL OF THE ABOVE!

Sometimes, we have to give ourselves a break!  Very obviously, I am TRAINING MY TUSH OFF and it is alright to be bad (OK, I was REALLY bad) every once in awhile... AND, I made choices that night that I WOULDN'T HAVE DONE in the past... I didn't have butter, I didn't have cake, and I didn't have appetizers... and I had a WONDERFUL evening!

So... what has this journey accomplished in the past 6 months...

237 pounds

207.4 pounds





 

HOLY COW!

And you know the best part...

... Jeff loved me when I weighed 237...

Now, I am really starting to love myself, too.

I'll see you tomorrow for Music Day... it's a goooooooood one!

Are you feeling, HOT, HOT, HOT...?

Us... on our honeymoon almost 10 years ago...
Ahhhhhh, we love the beach summer...

Ahhhhhhh... can you feel it? 

The cool ocean breezes blowing through your hair...

... the heat rising from the sand that your feet are tucked into...

... the sound of the cool ocean waters crashing and washing up as you feel of the salty spray...

... smell the air, close your eyes, and remember what summer vacation meant to you as a child...

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!  IT IS HERE!  Summer vacation can mean so many different things, from a beach vacay to a camping trip in Yosemite to a cruise to the Caribbean to a memory filled week with the grandparents.  When we were kids, it didn't really matter WHERE we went... just that we had a fun filled summer to report back to our school mates in September.

As adults, those days seem long ago as the pressures of work and bills and responsibility consume our thoughts... sun drenched days are a thing of the past... OR... ARE... THEY? 

It doesn't really matter if you can "get away" this summer or just think about the old days... the thing is that those memories are PRECIOUS and tapping into them can bring a smile to your face and a sense of relaxation to you. 

Today, I am TOTALLY TAPPING INTO THOSE FEELINGS with the song, "Hot, Hot, Hot," by Buster Poindexter.  Yes, it is a fun summer song.  It is also the FIRST SONG that plays just before JIMMY BUFFETT takes the stage for every concert.  I've been a "Parothead" since I met Jeff... BUT JEFF... HE has been a Buffett fan for over 30 years now!  (more on that as this year's concert gets closer.)  Buffett always plays in Southern California either at the start or the end of the summer, so HOT, HOT, HOT always reminds ME of all my favorite summer memories!

This week's assignment is to tap into your favorite summer memories... a certain place... a song... a particular time in your history... an annual trip or activity... whatever it is for you, tap into those wonderful memories... to help change THE... SOUNDTRACK... IN... YOUR... HEAD!  (Seriously... I swear I can hear the ocean in this shell I'm holding up to my ear...)

Weight Watchers found me!

I have a funny little story to share with you today...

My sister received a call from a friend last week.  Her friend had attended a Weight Watcher meeting and someone in the meeting recommended that the group go on-line and check out this blog she found...

... she said it was very inspirational...

... it was well written and funny...

... and something that everyone in the group should start reading as one of the tools in their weight loss journey.

I will give you ONE GUESS as to what blog was recommended to this Weight Watchers group...

YES!  It was THIS BLOG... HOLY COW!  This gal checked out my blog and saw a photo of my sister, and called her to relate the story.  I am THRILLED about the recommendation to the WW's, especially since I have been a WW Lifetime Member since I was 13 years old!  Yes, I have had my ups and downs throughout my life, and WW has always been the support I have chosen to get me back on track.  I currently use the Points program... it gives me the flexibility that I need (and, after using it several times, I am very comfortable with how it works... and IT WORKS for me, so I'm sticking with it!)

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the wonderful person that recommended my blog and WELCOME to you new WW readers!  The weight loss journey you are on is probably just one part of the BIGGER journey you are undertaking.  Like me, you have taken an AWESOME step to lose weight by going to WW... and you can follow along here to take the next steps...

improve your self esteem...

improve your confidence...

be happy with yourself...

start playing with your kids or husband or loved ones instead of sitting in the

background because you don't have the energy...

be IN FRONT of the camera instead of HOLDING the camera for protection...

and GET THAT SEXY BACK! 

(And let me tell you... getting your "sexy back" is just as much for YOU as it is for HIM... I'm learning that daily as my husband is flirting and holding me tighter and longer and checking me out... WOO HOOO!)

FOR NEW READERS... go back in the archives... over there on the right... and check out the first few posts on this blog to read why I started this journey, where I started and where I hope to go... I've been told over and over again that readers feel they are "reading their own story" in those early posts.  This is not just my journey... this is for ALL OF US that one day at a time... one choice at a time... want to be our HUSBAND'S GIRLFRIEND again! 

See you tomorrow for MUSIC DAY!!! Changing the soundtrack in our head... one song at a time...

Photos... Not hating the blue shirt so much anymore... and new fun...

Yes... the blue shirt is still very tight...

No... I would not wear it in public yet...

HOWEVER, I am finding spots where it is getting a little loose... can you see it? 



208.6 pounds

 

208.2 pounds





Ok, ok... so there wasn't much change in the numbers, but it is funny what just 1/2 pound looks like... and feels like.  I certainly felt much lighter this week... and look lighter, too.

And as far as the loose spots...



6 weeks and 7 pounds lighter...



215 pounds

























... the armpit area... the shoulders... and the length of the shirt.  When I started with this shirt, it came just below my waist line... now it is several inches longer (because there is less mass to pull it up!)  I might sound like a broken record, but if part of your "Girlfriend" journey is losing weight, or just toning up, you HAVE to take photos each week.  WHO KNEW that you could actually SEE 1/2 POUND!?  I wouldn't if I didn't have the photos above!  Let me TELL YOU how INSPIRATIONAL it is for me (and Jeff) watch the photographic journey... and success!  You (and your husband) will love it, too!

Now that school for all our kids is out (which means I am also off for the summer), I have lots of fun things in store for the blog and our journey!  Tomorrow I have a fun and totally ironic story to share with you about some new readers on the blog... stay tuned... ;-)

Happy Father's Day...

On this annual day of celebration and love for the most important men in our lives, I simply wanted to share a few photos from our photo shoots this week and to say...

Chris, Dad and Jessica
at our family photo shoot last Sunday.

"I love you, Dad!"



Sample shot of Jeff, Chris and me
at Chris' senior photo shoot a few days ago.

and, of course, "I love you, my sweet husband!"

You both make the word, "Dad" mean...

love, mentor, family money tree,

best shoulder for crying on, Nernie Gazerbaflex,

the math voice, favorite swing dance partner,

goofball, commitment, advice giver,

cruise/ski/camping leader, inspiration,

being the head of the household... the family... a man.

I love you both with all my heart!

Happy Father's Day!

Special Photo Day...

Yesterday, my side of the family (Mom and Dad, my sister and her family, and the 5 of us) had our very first formal photo shoot!  There is much more to come about this fun afternoon at the beach, but I wanted to do something a little different for photo day today.  


Thanksgiving 2010... a little above 240...



Today... 40 pounds less...





 

I'm going to let the pictures... and that new confidence, speak for themselves.  Oh, and I am back down to 206.8... Make it a FANTASTIC day!!!

Are you your Husband's Girlfriend, or his roommate?... "Date Night"

We were at our friends' house last night (Hi, Mindy and Jeff) and watched a fun movie that had me CRACKING UP... "Date Night" with Tina Fey and Steve Carell.  The theme of the movie is of the old married couple that are better roommates than husband and wife... in a life routine with blinders on... just living the routine day after day after day... 

The whole time we were watching the movie I kept thinking about how much I am LOVING becoming my husband's girlfriend... how blessed I am to be loved by him... and how fun it is to flirt again now that he hugs me extra tight, stares at me when he thinks I can't see him, and cuddles all night long.  Jeff's smile has always made my heart start beating faster, but these days, his smile... that starts with the upward turn of his mouth and encompasses his eyes, his posture... his whole being... makes me absolutely melt. 

So... do I have to say it...?  Flirting is just like sex... at first you might not think you are "in the mood," but once you get started, you'll enjoy it just as much as he does! ;-)  Go get that flirt on... and enjoy your Date Night!

Music Day... Pet Peeve #12 when you have put on too much weight...

The buttons on your blouses (in the chest area) gape open and won't close without...

#1... You holding your breath and rolling your shoulders forward (looking like a total goober)... OR...

#2... You risking the lives of everyone around you because when you least expect it, that button will become a missile... popping and propelling itself into the eye of the nearest bystander.

I have several button down blouses... that I haven't been able to wear for YEARS (for a combination of the reasons listed above)... UNTIL YESTERDAY!  As I've been losing weight, I've been trying on my smaller clothes... wanting to look good and flirty for Jeff.  Yesterday, I felt like Chevy Chase in the movie, "Christmas Vacation."  At the end of the Christmas light plug in scene... when the family is back outside to see the lights and he tries to get them on... ONE... LAST... TIME... there he is saying under his breath, "Go, go, go" as he plugs in the extension cord, sparks fly, and the lights finally come on.  I had a volunteer breakfast and Chris' golf team banquet to attend yesterday, and I wanted to put on a nicely fitted shirt, so I pulled one out of the closet...

... and I put it on...

... and I buttoned the top button...

... "GO, GO, GO..." was all I was thinking, hoping the buttons

would not only, "GO," but "HOLD!"...

... and one after another, they closed...

... and held...

... so I let out my breath...

... and I stood up straight...

... and there weren't any sparks, but I swear a light shined down

 and I heard the "Hallelujah Chorus"

start singing as I started dancing around the bathroom.

Yes, I know.  I'm a bit dramatic.

But after losing almost 45 pounds in the past 9 months...

... and with the new way that Jeff looks at me, and loves me...  ;-)

... I think I'm entitled... and I am LOVING EVERY MOMENT!

Long story short, I've hit another milestone... small on the scale of this whole journey... but an unexpected victory that made my whole day!  As Pink says, it is time to "RAISE YOUR GLASS!"  Look around... and find YOUR next victory... and GO GET IT!  This song is over to the right... make sure to add it to the new "Soundtrack in your head!"  One song at a time... one choice at a time... we are getting stronger, more confident, and bringing that flirt back!  Make it a GREAT day!!!

Photo Time... hummmm....

I'm up 1.8 pounds... there, I said it.

And I'm good with that.

Saturday night I enjoyed Margaritas and garlic ranch bread with some friends.

Last night, we had corned beef, cabbage and garlic dill potatoes.  Yummmmmmmmm...

This journey is about restraint, but living, too!  So, I am up... and with I ate this weekend, I'm actually glad it is only 1.8 pounds!  I'm already back on track, swam 1.5 miles today, and looking toward a GREAT week!

206.8 pounds

208.6 pounds

























CRUD... after looking at those photos of an almost 2 pound gain... maybe it wasn't worth the extra calories... You know what is CRAZY... you can see 2 pounds of gain just as easily as you can see 2 pounds of loss... Things that make you go, hummmmmmmm....

Music Day... Moment in time...

This journey is about becoming our Husband's Girlfriend...

... or our Wife's Boyfriend...

... but there are moments that define our status as a Husband or Wife...
... a Mother or Father...

... and we just experienced one of them.



Chris moving through the staff... he hugged everyone of them... (((insert tears!)))

Our son just graduated from high school.  Next for him... the All Star Football Game sponsored by the Chargers... then onto Northern Arizona University.  I'm guessing we are not alone in the "Senior Struggles" that all families face... senioritis... grades... turning 18 ... testing  limits in a way they've never done before... thinking that they know EVERYTHING because they are high school graduates... and being SCARED TO DEATH about the next chapter that is looming as we speak...



Chris, you know who loves and supports you...

CHRIS... We love you.  We are sooooo proud of you.  We know it will take work, and we also know that YOU... CAN... DO... IT! 

Today's song is all about you, Chris.  I found a version of this song
that related more to the kids than a love song, although it relates to that, too. 

Shadows... FINE... Memory... YEAH!

Chris... WE... "Have Faith In You..."  And... we love you!

(see song at right)