Goals

Once I had my surgery in February, I decided it was time to start getting healthy. I've been overweight most of my adult life and working out is not fun for me at all. However, I was on all types of drugs for various ailments and I was in pain nearly every day -- and I knew that if I could loose some weight and get my muscles more toned, I would feel better.

So, my big goal this year is to loose weight -- not for looks, but for health! I finally broke out the Wii Fit I won last fall and weighed myself on it on March 30th -- 218 pounds and a size 18-20! I've weighed more, and I've certainly weighed less (at one period in my life when the drug Phen-fen was still being prescribed, I got down to 160 and a size 12 -- but I quit taking that and quit exercising, and it all came back).

I started going to the gym or walking 2-4 times a week and was watching what I ate. By early May, I had lost 7 pounds. Then work sent out an email inviting people to join Weight Watchers, which would be meeting once a week during lunch at work. The best thing (for a spendthrift like myself) was that it was free for the first 17 week session (and half price for additional sessions). I wasn't sure I was ready to be in a "program" -- but then I figured, why not? I was already doing it on my own -- a little more help and support couldn't hurt. So I joined.

The 17 week session just ended this past week and I've lost a total of 20 pounds while on Weight Watchers (added to the 7 pounds I had already lost on my own -- for a total of 27 pounds gone!) That is more than 10% of my original body weight. I'm wearing smaller clothes and people say I look great. In fact, one day a young man I didn't know came up to me at the gym and told me that he had noticed me working out the past few months and that he could really tell the difference from my hard work -- that really made my day! The best thing about the weight loss and activity is that I no longer have to take medication for nightly indigestion and I don't get that crippling back pain I used to have. Usually, when my body hurts these days, it's because I've added weight or intensity to my workout.

The Weight Watcher's program at work ended, but I can still get the discount if I go to meetings out in town -- which I plan to do. My goal is to loose another 20 pounds by Christmas. I'm not in any great hurry -- I want to be slow and steady, and learn how to really live realistically while being healthy. Occasionally, I really want a cookie or a soda -- and I allow myself to have treats, while eating healthy overall (and getting in the activity I need).

Another major goal I have for myself is to start thinking about what I want in a job and what kind of job would meet those needs -- and then trying to find/create that job for myself. Again, I'm not in a great hurry -- I want to really explore and find something that will be rewarding (better still would be something I love -- but rewarding works for me just now). Once Mike makes it past his 90 day probationary period and is hired full time by the corporate office, then I would feel comfortable moving to a job that perhaps does not pay as much but might offer more rewards mentally. I'm excited about that upcoming adventure and hope to be in a new, fulfilling job by spring!

Good News...and More Good News!

Mike finished with his Bachelor's Degree and this summer started on his Master's Degree. He was also looking for work, but could not get so much as an interview. This town is funny that way. I noticed the same thing when I was looking for work and finally started with a temp agency, which placed me at my current job. That is how I was able to get on full time with the office when they decided to hire. Some of our patients from out of state say they have had the same problems. It's frustrating, because you know if you could get an interview, you could get a job -- but I don't know if the employers in this town post positions with someone already in mind, if they want local people for the job, or what -- but it's hard to get an "in."

Mike's unemployment is due to expire in another month, so he decided he would also start temping to see what happened. That was frustrating, because he has so much experience and should do better than a $10-$12 per hour job. However, it was a good decision, because one of the national temp agencies called him about a management job for a computer giant that has a branch in our town. Once they talked to him, they hired him the next day! After a 90 day probation period, he'll be working full time for the temp agency -- but contracted out to the computer giant. The pay is about half of what he was making before -- but enough that we can live comfortably on it, my job, and his pension from the military. He is going to continue going to school full time as well -- at least through the fall semester. He really wants to get his Master's Degree and I admire that.

In other good news, one of the problem employees at my work decided to move on to greener pastures. I was very happy to see it, as work had been pretty miserable. We still have another one of her gang that wants to do things her way -- taking time off whenever she pleases, doing the job however she sees fit, and spending hours online, texting, and on the phone. It's maddening, because she has indoctrinated another employee that this is the way things can be done -- so between the two of them, not a lot of work gets done. I'm starting to get emotionally and physically exhausted trying to cover the stuff they let fall through the cracks. We just hired a new person and will have another starting within a few weeks -- so I'm waiting to see how that works out. If they have the same type of work ethic as these two gals, then it's time for me to move on as well. Management is aware of the problems, but are never on hand to witness things -- so nothing gets done. I find going to work to be frustrating instead of rewarding, and I really want to have a job I look forward to! I'm making that one of my goals for the next year.

Another Guest Room Done!

While my youngest daughter was at college last spring (and after I had recovered from my surgery), I decided to make over her room. We had painted and decorated it when we first purchased the house, and she had liked the super bright colors at the time, but her tastes had changed. I also wanted to have another guest room that friends and family could use when she was at college (or when she moves out once she graduates).

This is a before shot of her room once it had been emptied. Needless to say, all of her accessories were also in these bright yellow and salmon colors (with some lime green thrown in as well).

We purchased a very nice queen-size bed for $100 from a retired couple who were moving and had used it as a guest bed (so it was in almost new condition). I then found a "Bed in a Bag" on sale at Wal-Mart for $35. I took my color inspiration from the comforter and purchased a very neutral wheat color paint for the walls. I kept the trim and doors white and also kept the current white cellular shade for the window -- just adding a splash of color with a new turquoise valance (not shown in the pictures). We also found a great upholstered chair for $20 at a thrift shop that matches the valance and headboard. The showpiece for the room is the padded headboard! I've always wanted to make one and finally did it. The fabric was on clearance, which cut the cost down quite a bit. It ended up costing about $75 -- but I think if I do it again, I can do it for less using foam mattress pads for the padding instead of the foam I bought at the local fabric stores. What do you think?

I still have some work to do in the room. My daughter already had a few beachy accessories, like a shell wind chime and a few pictures/corkboards that fit in with the color scheme nicely. I had a few more that I salvaged from the kid's bathroom before the remodel. I need to get those up and add one more, larger piece of art on the wall across from the bed. I'm thinking I might try my hand at an abstract piece on canvas, in the colors of the room, that gives a "beach like" impression. It's something I've wanted to try after watching some decorating shows on TV -- and it doesn't look too hard. Look for my results later :)