New Weight-loss Strategy

I confess: ever since my lap-band was deflated/emptied, I've struggled with even maintaining my weight, much less losing it. (Obvious, when you think about it-I had the surgery for a reason!)

While the Hunger Games are working to a degree, I've been frustrated by repeated setbacks, and the up-coming weigh-in is sure to be painful, AGAIN.

But yesterday I had a brilliant insight. Most of my unneeded and unwanted calories come at night, after I'm supposed to be done with eating for the day. I get the munchies, basically, and it's hard for me to resist the urge to nom. While I don't eat anything crappy, the calories add up regardless. So, last night, after I finished dinner, I went ahead and did my normal bedtime routine hours early, which includes PUTTING IN MY RETAINER. I can't eat with my retainer in, and it's a gross pain-in-the-ass to take it out if I did decide to have anything to munch on. Success! Not only did I not snack, I ended up drinking plenty of water, just to fill up my belleh. So I hydrated, too!

We'll see how this goes, but I'm encouraged. Trying to lose weight is fucking hard, people.

Massage Protips

First of all, if you don't like to be touched and aren't really interested in receiving massage, DON'T LET YOURSELF BE PRESSURED OR BULLIED INTO IT. Most times this does not turn out well.

Second, if you have a massage scheduled, and you plan on not getting completely unclothed, you might want to think twice about wearing your favorite panties. You know, the ones covering your rather substantial bottom which are emblazoned with:

Delicious! Too Sweet! Bite Me!

It was really hard not to laugh.

Only in New England...

will you see a sign in the left-most lane that says:

RIGHT LANE MUST TURN RIGHT

:facepalm:

And then there was...

the male half of the couple's massage, who apparently thought that since HIS therapist had already left the room, it was okay for him to disrobe. Despite the fact that I was still standing there, talking to his pregnant wife.

I've never seen a man shuck his clothes so quickly...outside of a porno. I thought he'd merely taken off his shirt, but his pants must've had some kind of built-in translocation spell, 'cause he was actually down to his tighty-whities.

Seeing his thumbs tucked in the waistband of said underoos in preparation for the final reveal, I shrieked at calmly asked him to please wait until I left the room to get undressed, holding my clipboard up in front of me to block my view of him as I finished my intake interview. Then I skedaddled.

I deserve an extra tip for this whole affair. Hazard pay, just sayin'...

Seen in a convenience store window...

in Lynn, MA.

WE SOLD CAMERAS!

Too bad I don't have a time machine.

Hunger Games Week XI

Game called on account of WEER'D!!

Yes, you read correctly. SCI-FI and I agree that Weer'd is to blame for the omnomming that went on this weekend, leading to shameful weigh-ins this morning.
See, if we hadn't invited the Weer'ds to dinner on Saturday, we wouldn't have had ALL the yummy food that Mrs. SCI-FI prepared in the house. Plus, you know, the epic popcorn brittle Mrs. Weer'd made. And the ice cream. And on and on and on.

So, because it's always easier to pass the buck, we blame WEER'D!

See you next week. :)

Best Email I've Gotten in FOREVAR.

In my inbox a few minutes ago:

Dear Christina:

The WPE Appeals Committee accepted your appeal and overturned the original grade of Retake, or Void, to a Pass.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you for passing the June 2012 WPE and meeting the Writing Proficiency Requirement. Your pass will be posted on your WISER account, but I advise you to print and keep this e-mail notification from the Writing Proficiency Office until you graduate; it will be your only paper copy and proof that you completed the requirement.

Again, congratulations and all the best in your future endeavors!

---

 I'm so stoked right now! I ruptured everyone's eardrums with my screaming, and now I'm hoarse. I also did a happy dance, and thankfully nobody had a camera handy. 

What a relief.

WPE Update

I had my meeting with a counselor and it went very well. I'm not as disheartened as I was going in, that's for sure!

I got a score of six on my exam, and seven is passing, so she advised me to go through the appeals process. As she put it, the worst that can happen is that they say, "No." I'd be no worse off than I am now.

Also, she definitely recommended doing the portfolio option if at all possible. She told me to go ahead and take any written assignment I'd completed at NBU, regardless of whether it was graded or not, and head over to the WPE office to get an opinion. While I'd still have to write a new essay for the portfolio, there are workshops and I could get my drafts vetted ahead of time. We'll see how it goes.

As of right now, I'm working on my appeals letter, which is due no later than 4 PM today...*gulp*. I guess it's another chance to show my writing chops. It's a delicate line to walk, having to show confidence in my writing without tipping into arrogance and entitlement. Hopefully I'll nail it!

Again, wish me luck!

Please. :)

Hunger Games Week X...backsliding!

Me: -8 (ARRRRGH...)

SCI-FI: -12

Two steps forward, one step back. For ME, anyway. No worries, I just had a couple off days (meaning, OMNOMNOMNOM...). I'll be back on track tomorrow.

Generous Tippers

receive forgiveness from the Grammar Nazi.

Loser

That would be me. I failed the WPE. I have one more chance to pass (the retake date isn't until next January) in order to be permitted to continue in the nursing program at NBU.

Well, I have an appointment to see my WPE counselor tomorrow and we'll go over my essay and where I missed the mark. Hopefully I'll get good feedback. Wish me luck!

Silver loves taking pictures...

whether the subjects of her pics love her doing so or not!

Charlie('s Angels?) on the T!

No, no I'm not.

As I was about to put my shoes on before heading out to work, I told myself, "Oh, I guess I should probably put some pants on. I'm not Robb Allen..."

For P.G. and E.S.

Hunger Games Week IX Update:

Me: -9.2

SCI-FI: -11

We are rockin' now!

Dear Lord help us...

the twins got their learner's permits today...yay? ;)

Car Bleg

So, anybody in the general Boston area know where I can get a RELIABLE used car? Or does anyone have a used car for sale? Or know someone who does?

Looking for a car that's up to ten years old, but not completely run-down. Automatic and A/C is a must, other than that, I'm flexible. It has to be able to get my girls from MA to ND and then putter them around Grand Forks for a few years. I'm willing to shell out up to four grand.

THANKS, Y'ALL!

Very Special Day

Today is a very special day, it's the day 21 years ago that I got EXTREMELY lucky in the daughter department:

IT'S SILVER'S BIRTHDAY!!!!!

She's strong, beautiful, intelligent, and yet she doesn't seem to be aware of any of that. It's something she definitely needs to work on. I want her to know that despite any setbacks, she WILL succeed. And I'll be cheering her on all the way.

Love you, Sweetheart.

Thanks...I think?

Me: I just have to put some makeup on, then we can go.

Daughter-who-shall-not-be-named (DWSNBN): You don't need makeup, Mom!

Me: Yes,  yes I do.

DWSNBN: *I* don't wear makeup.

Me: You don't need makeup, you're young and fresh, I'm old and worn out!

DWSNBN: You are NOT old and worn out! Okay, well maybe you're old, but definitely not worn out...

Me: Uh...thanks?

Hunger Games Week VIII

Me:-8.2

SCI-FI: -6.8

Yay, the decrease in calories is working (duh...)!

I "only" have 18 pounds left to lose...but I can do it! And SCI-FI needs to up his game, just sayin'...:D

(I love you, bro...you know I'm just kidding, right?)