po-tay-to, po-tah-to...

So far, I have been pleased to find that there haven't been any foods that I can't tolerate...until recently.  It seems that potatoes are becoming a problem food for me.  While I've experienced some painful moments with many different foods (due to not chewing thoroughly and eating too fast), I experienced my first PB a few weeks ago off of tater tots.  Then again last week--french fries.  And again a few days ago--roasted baby red potatoes.  Because I'm stubborn (and I love them), I'll have to see what happens with a baked potato.  I do not want to make a habit of the PB thing.  So sad to say farewell to my beloved friend.

fill 'er up....

Fill #3 finally scheduled for next week (Thursday, October 28).  It seems that #3 is the magic number for many people.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!


Cheers!

quickie about B.O.O.B.s t-shirts...

Did anyone else notice that the BOOBs t-shirts were manufactured by "Port & Company."  How appropriate!  I got a kick out of that. :)

PICTURES: how i spend my time while i'm [NOT] losing weight...

Weight loss is slow-to-non-existant these days...1.5 lbs since August 26.  As I've mentioned before, it's really difficult to get timely fill appointments.   Also, I know that I still owe y'all "My Chicago Epiphany (Part 2b-The Revelation).  But, that post is kind of emotionally heavy and I just needed to focus on other things for a while.

I've been taking a beginner digital photography class on Monday mornings(Photography 101 @ The Showcase School).  My instructor, Jeff Woodlee, is just great!--a great photographer and a great teacher.  I have completed 4 weeks of the 6 week course.  Just to show off what I've learned, here are a few shots that I took @ the Atlanta Botanical Gardens this morning.  Enjoy!

PS  Apparently I like taking pictures of bees. ;)

my Chicago Epiphany (Part 2a)...

At the end of Part 1, I had just overheard an unflattering conversation about myself.  How did I respond?--I shut down and hid.  I was deflated and embarrassed and just couldn't bring myself to go back out there.  My already fragile ego was shattered.  I took put on my PJ's, took and Ambien and went to bed.

The next morning, I turned to food and ate a bag of popcorn for breakfast.  I decided to lick my wounds and spend the morning alone--mostly because I had hidden the night before and didn't know how to find anyone else.  It was a nice, peaceful morning.  I spent the afternoon shopping with Rani--all the while trying to avoid other B.O.O.B.s.  

I basically didn't really put myself out there the rest of the weekend.  I showed up to events and even had some great conversations.  But, I didn't open up.  I had what I call "customer service" conversations.  I was friendly;  I told some stories; I laughed a little and even cried once.  But,  I had a wall up and didn't allow my true self to show.  I was myself, but just dimmed.

I had a nice weekend--but it was just "nice".  I absolutely love Chicago and was thrilled to be back!  But, because I held myself in check, I didn't make any of the "BFF" connections that some  others have talked about.  I feel like I missed out and I have only myself to blame.

As you all know, it took me a while to really process all of this.  I was so emotionally drained when I got home that I slept for most of the next day.  Then I read some blogs and started realizing something....everyone else is not as obsessed with me as I am with myself.  I also realized, eventually, that I have a problem with perception.  Not just with my perception of myself.  But, more importantly, with my perception of how other people perceive me.  (yes, I know that's a bit of a tongue twister) 

More on that in Part 2b.

My Chicago epiphany (Part 2 teaser)...

...perception.


PS  Is it just me, or does that word look really strange when you type it all by itself.  I must have spell-checked 10 times before posting. 

house guests, my dad & part 2 (delayed)...

I don't mean to keep y'all in suspense, but Part 2 won't be coming until next week.  We have a house guest coming in from Detroit for the weekend.  There are still a few "finishing touches" for the house and then it's Hostess time for a while.

For those of you who have asked, my dad is doing great!  (For those who don't know, my dad was in the ER on the Wed. before BOOBs and got a pacemaker as I was boarding the flight to Chicago on Thursday.  He told me he'd never speak to me again if I post-poned my trip...so I went)  His incision sight is still sore, but the swelling is going down.  He looks better than he has in several years.  His face isn't swollen; his eyes & mouth aren't droopy; his coloring is healthy; and he's smiling a lot more.  He's always been quick-witted and that had been slipping (we were concerned about Alzheimer's since it runs in the family).  Well, his wits are back!  He's made some pretty wicked-witty comments lately!

So, look for Part 2 early next week.  And--thank you for all the comments on my Part 1 post.  Maria---that shirt is yours (as soon as I'm finished with it)!