November 2, 2006

Just peeked out the door. We have about 1 inch of snow so far. Predicting 5-9 inches tonight and tomorrow. Hello Old man winter.

Nothing really new to report today. Weighed in at 277. Need to be careful, that the upswing does not get carried away. I am going to have to work harder on the weight loss. The easy pounds are over.

gotta go, c ya

November 1, 2006

Life has a way throwing curveballs at you. Sometimes you need to swing away, and other times you need to go down looking. I have spent a lifetime of doing the "safe" thing. My am not really happy with where I have ended up. Do not get me wrong, I love my family and my new job is great, but this is not the way I really want to spend my life. The family life could be improved...but it seems that I am the only one who thinks it needs changing. I will keep working on that. All I ask for is less negativity and a friendlier atmosphere. Some day maybe that will happen.

The part that I can change is my job. I am really torn on this. My current job gives me great security, the benefits while not great are ok....although Suburban offered more for less. It is very flexible. The people I work with are all fantastic and some of them have actually become good friends. I cannot think of any negative aspects but one. There is one goal in my life that I have never achieved, and that has just been offered to me. I have always wanted to manage or to own a restaurant/hotel. Even in high school, I talked about it with one of my closest friends. It was our dream to become partners and open a restaurant/hotel.

Well, time goes by and things change. My friend is still dear in my heart, but he tangled with certain substances that changed his personality in a manner that I did not like. I still miss him..not the way he is now, but the way he used to be. But I digress.

Time goes by and things change...said that once, didn't I? I have worked in the hospitality industry, and only confirmed that I really do love it. I have also worked in the retail, waste management, energy, construction and entertainment industries. I have never been really happy in them. My current stint is a federal position doing government accounting...for the US Army, Fort Bragg and Fort Stewart more specifically. And like I said, I really like it. But is it what I really want to do with my life? NO IT IS NOT!!!

And then the news announces that The Alexander Hamilton Inn is closing the first of the year. I have worked there in the past and know its potential. Another friend wants to buy it and has asked me to not only manage it, but want sto make me Vice-present or something like that. He is offering about an 80% pay increase over my current pay. He has mentioned Full benefits. All he needs to add is a retirement plan with employer matching contributions, and I AM HIS BITCH for life. I would give up the security I have now...A job for life basically just to fulfill my dream. In the past 15 years, I have seen several people try to run the Inn and fail. What do I think that I can do differently? First of all, anyone that has ever dined there has seen the prices. I would make it more a family priced menu to begin with. Keep the fine dining foods, but tone them to a more affordable price. We do not live in Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, St. Louis or any of the big cities. As a matter of fact studies have shown that this area has a higher concentration of impoverished people in it that most of the country. That study was released maybe 3 or 4 years ago, could it have changed that much since then, I would bet not.

This is all a long-winded way of saying that I would change jobs, and that with his financial backing and my...um....well...um...my...um...well what ever he sees in me, that it can work.

On to another subject. John Kerry's comments: basically that if you do not get a good education you will be sent to Iraq, were the most inconsiderate thoughts I have ever seen expressed by a political figure. I think that he will never be given a chance to run for president again because this will be hard for people to forget. Just because some people disagree with president Bush, does not mean that we have to be insulting to our troops. They are the bravest men and women in the world. To go to a country that noone wants them in (not even our own people it seems) and have to survive in adverse conditions makes them all heroes in my book!!! Do you people realize that the front line marines basically live in their vehicles for 9 months at a time. They get about 10 minutes of phone time to talk to their families each month, their lives are at risk every second of every day (how can they sleep knowing this?) They do not even have the basic needs for every day life. That is why I have joined the adopt a soldier program at work. Every few days, we will be sending care packages to Iraq for the front line soldiers. It makes me proud to know that I can help them in one way or another.

Hear dfrom Gretchen today...she gave me a surprise phone call. She is the first Suburban employee to contact me since I left....of course, she is no longer a Suburban employee now, but she is still the first. Thanks Greta..........I really enjoyed hearing from you. See ya soon.

Last but not least, Monday I had a DR appontment, Actually was lectured for losing too much weight too fast. I have now lost 25 pounds in 8 weeks. Weighed in at 276.5 in his office. I am going to keep dieting the way I have been. Hope I can keep it up.

gotta go, c ya...

October26,2006

Weighed in at 281, one pound from my first goal.

Today's meals....Oh, I fasted for blood work. had 4 bites of chocolate for snack and some concoction of noodles, cheese, and hamburger....was actually quite good.

Not muc else, gotta go. c ya

October 25, 2006

Yesterday I decided to start jogging again. Big joke. I went 1 mile...walked 3/4 of it jogged the rest. I guess it is a start. I put myself on a diet as of September 3. So far I have lost 19 pounds. The people at my new job are really pushing me to do it. Dan is pushing really hard...he questions me constantly on what I am doing and then lets everyone else know. Most would think this intrusive, but I do not. Contrarily (is that a word?), it has helped me. Because if I fail, then it could get very embarrassing. I set a goal to be 280 pounds by 10/30. Last check, I was less than 3 pounds away.

Funny story: Yesterday Jamie stayed after school to make up an exam. He then walked to my work and sat in my car. It was cold so he turns the heat on. After quite a while, he realizes that he is not getting any heat and shuts it off. Problem was, he did not start the car. Well, when I get out of work I go to start the car and dead battery. He did not realize that while he had the key on, it turned on all the lights also and drained the battery. Funny boy.

Today Des had an orthodontic appliance put in and has been in pain...poor baby.

Chris finished putting sheetrock up in Jamie's room, now we need to paint and lay carpeting.

Got the parts to fix power steering in the $500 trooper we bought last week. Should be fixed soon.

I jogged again.....no better than yesterday. I am going to start logging my meals here just to keep track of them...sorry to bore you. Breakfast: small bowl frosted flakes. Lunch: 4 plain donut holes. Dinner: 2 pieces thin crust pizza and 5 wings. No snack, figured I already had to many carbs for the day.

Gotta go!

October 23, 2006

Wow, it sure has been a long time since I signed in and posted a message.

First I want to say to all my former co-workers from Suburban that I miss them and that I love them all. But life must go on. I hope we can remain friends no matter how often or how little we get in touch!

On with the new job...I JUST LOVE IT!!! Should have done it years ago. I am making new friends every day. There are only 600 different personalities to choose from, and I love to check them all out. I have made a few mistakes that have haunted me, but I am proud to say that when I was told to make a one billion dollar adjustment that did not seem right to me, I kept going back to people until I finally made them see I was right!!!

Here are some of some of the people I have come closest to so far:

Dan: Kind hearted, super intelligent and always willing to learn more. He has pushed me towards making my life healthy, and with his help I have lost 19 pounds as of today. He made me set a goal to lose 21.5 poinds by October 30 and by golly, I am going to do it. My next goal is to lose another 20 pounds by New Years Day. Tough to do during the holidays, but he has found a way to motivate me. He tells everyone about my weight loss...so if I fail, I sure am going to look stupid.

Doreen: Just a very nice lady that always has a kind word for me. Having a baby very soon.

Yvonne: used to work with her at Great American way back when Jamie and Desiree were babies. Walks with me twice a day no matter what the weather. Pushes me to walk hard.

John: In the cubicle next to me. Adds comic relief to my day.

Joe: Trained me. Very good at what he does.

Angela: Also trained me. Works very hard and has a ton of work to do.

Ken: He is to DFAS what I was to Suburban. The go to guy for everything. Knows more than anyone else there (that I know of any way). Always so busy helping others, his own work builds up.

Ruth: My direct supervisor. Very nice and very understanding of every ones situation.

Lisa: Ruth's superior. Very smart and funny....I have never spoken directly to her.

John Kay: Deputy Director. Awesome ability to remember everyones name.

Roy: The big boss. Have only spoken to him twice...he is excellent at keeping the place running.

Carla: Very sweet, always kind, intelligent and pretty. Will make some man a very very happy person. Also helps me to keep a good attitude toward my weight loss program by giving me little pep talks.

There are many many more people, but these are the ones that affect me daily. They are all very important to me in one way or another.

Gotta go.

July 29, 2006

Just had to put this on......it is so cute!!!!!

July 29, 2006

Week one at the new job is over. I am having mixed emotions, I am nowhere near as busy as Suburban kept me, but my work has not been transfered over to me yet. I am just observing. It was month end Friday, and boy do they scramble. For the number of people that work in this place, I cannot believe how much of a team they are. And on food day....what a spread.

It took me about an hour today to find out where my printouts are going. I finally typed a message saying: "I am trying to find where my printouts are going to, if you find this page, please place it in a conspicuous place so that I may find it." And I even signed my name to it. Worked like a charm, within five minutes I found my printout. Everyone smiles all day long, and they are so willing to help one out that it sometimes scares me.

The girl is home from camp, had a wonderful time of it. And the boy starts 2 weeks of summer school and retakes an exam soon.

On a sad note, I would like to say a prayer for Aunt Gail. She had spine surgery Thursday and has been in a Coma since they put her under. They have told my mom that she had a spine stroke and she is worrying herself sick.

Dear Lord, I know that Gail O'Rourke is in your hands and that Your Will is at work. I ask that you keep her safe and make her well. It is by the Power of Your Will that all things are and will always be. We are no more than what you make us and we love you for what that is. Also, please keep my mother's spirit up and help her to hold her chin up and be brave in this time of need. All this I ask of you lord, while knowing I am not worthy of asking. In your name I pray, Amen.

I know that some people do not like to see that kind of stuff in my conversations, but that is who I am. Besides, who really reads this anyway?

Sunday I am going to be at Harpoon Eddie's for a drawing of a Jet-Ski, I qualified by entering on-line and they announced my name. Thanks to my brother's Rob and David I called in and qualified. I missed hearing me name, but Rob heard it and called David, and David in turn called Mom, who gave him my work number and then he called me....left a voicemail on my phone because I was away from it.

gotta go, c ya

July 28, 2006

Just received this from Sylvia and liked it so much I had to post it!!!!


While you have your first cup of coffee, set back and listen to some music and read about HELLO.

Have you ever thought what this word stands for? Read on....
Do you know that a simple "hello" can be a sweet one?

The word H E L L O means:
H=How are you?
E= Everything all right?
L= Like to hear from you .
L= Love to see you soon!
O=Obviously, You are my friend..so, HELLO!
It has made me smile every time I say hello since then so send this message to the people you care about.
Just thinking of you!
May today there be peace within you. May you trust your God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
"I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

Hope you are drinking from your saucer too.....
I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now.But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhowAnd as I go along life's way,I'm reaping better than I sowed.I'm drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed. Haven't got a lot of riches,and sometimes the going's toughBut I've got loving ones all around me,and that makes me rich enough. I thank God for his blessings,and the mercies He's bestowed.I'm drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed.I remember times when things went wrong,My faith wore somewhat thin.But all at once the dark clouds broke,and the sun peeped through again.So Lord, help me not to gripe,about the tough rows I have hoed.I'm drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed.If God gives me strength and courage,When the way grows steep and rough.I'll not ask for other blessings,I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,to help others bear their loads.Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,'Cause my cup has overflowed.When I think of how many people in this world have it worsethan I do, I realize just how blessed we really are.Don't be too busy today...Share this inspiring message with friends and family.Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures.