What I am Thankful for...

With Thanksgiving in the States upon us tomorrow, it is time to think about what we are thankful for.  I want to start firstly and say that I am thankful for my family.  Those of you that have read my whole blog would notice that my husband and I have been married twice.  Today marks 7 years from our divorce.  It is almost surreal to look back at that day and realize what I have now!  I am thankful that we both had the guts to grow up and realize that we found that person that we were supposed to be with for the rest of our lives when we were 18 and 20.  I am thankful that we both remained open to the idea of giving it another go.  It is so much better this time around!! 

I am thankful that I have 3 healthy children.  I know so many who deal with illness in their family.  Though they deal with it with dignity and strength, I know it must be difficult.  I am also thankful for my health which I have regained control of this year. 

This past weekend, my husband I went to spread the ashes of a really good friend who lost his life unexpectedly earlier this year.  A lot of emotions were involved in that day.  His family chose not to be involved.  I am thankful that my family would have been there without question had it been me. 

Even though it has been a trying week at work, I am thankful that I am able to have a job.  So many don't right now.  My husband has to take a furlough day today, but at least on Monday he has a job to go back to.  The management at my job is toying with our insurance.  I will have to drive 4.5 hours one way to go to my next appointment as I need to get it in before changes happen.  I am thankful that I have that option and ability. 

If I don't make it to post again before Thanksgiving, I wish all of my American friends a grand holiday.  All of my worldly friends, a safe day.  And most importantly, even if it isn't a holiday never forget what you are thankful for in your life.  You never know when it could change.  I love you all and thank you for your support in this journey of my life!

What I eat

I didn't have much extra time yesterday to post this as I meant to.  Thank you Lap Band Gal for suggesting this.  It is so helpful for new ideas.

6:00 am Coffee with 1tbs 2% milk and splenda. (30 cal)

7:00am Protein shake (Pure Protein all naturals vanilla) mixed with hot coffee and a packet of splenda.  If you ever missed Cappuccino, you won't have to again!  (130 cal)

10:00am  Zone bar.  I prefer the Cinnamon Roll or  Kashi Roll peanut carmel (approx. 240 cal)

12:00pm  I am very lucky and live 1 mile from my office so I am able to come home at lunch and have time to cook something.  I usually have a cup of healthy choice soup.  (120)  or 8 cocktail shrimp with cocktail sauce (100), or a grilled chicken tender (70).

5:30 I usually eat whatever the family is having for dinner as I try to cook healthy for them.  Last night we had the thin (breakfast) cuts of pork chops approx 2 oz baked covered with carmelized onions. (approx  185 cal)  2 tbs of mashed potatoes (2 % milk, light butter) (65 cal), 1/2 cup broccoli (27).  My children love all foods so it is easy for us to eat well at home as they will eat anything!  I try to keep calories for dinner under 500 for a normal portion for the family so mine is going to be less than that.



So I end up usually about 800 calories.  That is what I try to keep it at.  I hope this helps!

Whirlwind

This morning has been a complete whirlwind.  I get to work this morning and get a call from our union steward.  She is telling me about a meeting on Monday to discuss what happened at the meeting with the employer yesterday.  Anyway, I can tell that she is pissed off, so I ask her to share.   She knows that I will not say a word to anyone in my office until after the "official" meeting on Monday.  Boy am I glad she shared because it was a real issue for me. 

Our contract expires on November 30.  The jist of the meeting yesterday was that they are changing our insurance (completely), they have already signed contract for said insurance.  We had no idea that this was even being talked about.  AND said new insurance is going to cost us $110 dollars a month more.  My dilema is that I have a secondary insurance through my husband.  I was able to get my band without owning anything.  I however do not want to pay $170 a month for insurance if I don't really have to as I am post op.  Employer is not saying this to anyone, nor have they mentioned to anyone that November is open enrollement.  So they just figure they are going to spring this new insurance on us Dec 1, take first payment $85 out of paycheck on Dec 3.  It won't be open enrollment anymore, so changes can't be made without penalties and you are stuck paying for a year.  I have no problem dropping this insurance as I am covered by husband also, but the problem I have is my next fill appointment is DEC 1!  What timing.  Also, my doctors last day before Dec 1 was yesterday.  So in order to have appointment before insurance changes, I have to drive 4 hours ONE WAY! 

I called my husbands insurance and they said that they can't change to primary until Dec 1.  Pre-authorization has to be made for fill appts as Bariatric Surgeon is not contracted in my region.  Pre-authorization will not be approved as secondary, so I have no choice but to drive for next appointment.  Geez, totally what I want to do right after Thanksgiving!  I was able to get an appointment on Monday November 29.  That will give me 6-8 weeks to set up new appointment and straighten out this mess.  I am just SO GLAD that union steward confided in me!  I couldn't imagine trying to figure all of this out next week with the holiday!

TOM

Before I lost the weight that I have, TOM didn't have that much of an effect on me.  At least that I noticed... I never remember being so in tune with period. Now on the other had, this is ridiculous!  My fingers swell, I eat like a ravenous monster, and my family really realizes something is going on!  My weight loss stalls for a week...  Let's hope I keep the 3lbs I lost for the challenge this week!  After TOM leaves my house though, I usually end up in another decade.  That is is only reason for putting up with this is that loss.  Here's to hoping for the 150's. 

What a difference a year makes!

I posted on Friday with a story of my life over the past year.  As I was going through some pictures, I found a good comparison that I would like to share.

I probably need to email that one to my mom!

Giveaway!

As part of my reading of new to me bloggers, I came across a wonderful blogger Beanne at  Lady Lap Band!  She is giving away a set of Jackie Warner's Power Circuit Training & (1) Set - Hand Weights! Click here to enter!   What a great giveaway!  Back to reading...

Don't forget...

For those of you participating,the second week weigh in for the Holiday Challenge is due today. I went through the working list on Kristen's page and started following all of the challengers that I didn't already follow. It looks like I have a lot of catching up to do! Good luck to everyone. I am off to read some new blogs now!