Christmas Snaps.. and a New Comparison Shot



Steve has a long tradition of having a big Christmas party at his club every year.  This year was his 15th!  It's a really nice party -- a black tie sit-down dinner for 100 people in a very elegant club, and Steve does his best to make sure there are an even number of men and women (the only party like that that I know about in NYC... usually women far out number the men).   Steve planned the whole thing, from the guest list (though in retrospect, I should have jumped in there.. had a friend who was a little upset not to be invited because she viewed this as my party... Agh.  Kind of clueless on my part not to have thought of this -- there are locally-based friends who are invited to our wedding who were not added to Steve's usual invitation list.) to the menu and decorations.  He did a fantastic job, and it was a lot of fun!

 

With Steve in the library

The dinner tables

 Me!  In a R-e-em A-c-ra gown that I rented from R-en-t the R-un-way.  I loved it!

 

A fun shot of us with our feet up!  I love that Steve's socks match my dress!

 With my beardy fiance!  Yes, I did get the ring in the shot on purpose!  :)

And, to drive it all home, and put some perspective on all of this, I did a new comparison shot.  The one on the left was taken just over four years ago.  I was in DC with my brother and sister, had just broken up with PP, and was miserable.  This was a few months before my surgery, and I hadn't started looking into the band at that point (I was self-pay, so once I decided, I had the surgery soon afterward).  On the right was me last weekend.  I am 38 on the left and 42 on the right.  A size 1X, 20, 14W on the left, and a size 8 or 10 on the right.  The me on the left was uncomfortable in my skin -- my feet ached and my back hurt, and I was self-conscious about my weight.  The me on my right felt completely freaking fabulous.  What a difference.
 



Catching Up

Since I posted last, a few things have happened.  My dad and step-mom were in town for a very successful meeting with Steve's parents, and we had a heck of a good time. We went to see some Jazz at Lincoln Center (which is actually in the Time Warner Center...), had a great b-day dinner with my friends, and even made it up to MOMA for a spin and a fabulous lunch!

My mom arrived the following day for an extended Thanksgiving stay (just over a week), I cooked up a storm on Thanksgiving (Steve and Marjorie joined us for a fun dinner), and we had a great time relaxing and seeing Argo, which was off-the-charts good.

Unfortunately, I found out that my step-brother, Robert, died unexpectedly on Thanksgiving.  He hadn't been feeling well, and had not made it to the doctor yet, and then unexpectedly died.  I did not know him very well (our parents married about 10 years ago, long after we'd both moved from home), but I am very fond of his mom and of his young daughter, who is ridiculously cute and adorable.  My heart really goes out to my step-mom, my dad and Robert's family and friends.  It is so sad.  He also has a new baby girl with his current girlfriend, which just adds to the sadness of this.

I'll post more later -- Steve and I had our Christmas Party (really, it's his annual party... I just get honorary co-host status as the fiance!) last weekend, and we got some really nice photos.  I just would not feel right adding a party post to this sad news, so I'll post about it separately later on.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Hello!!  Today is my 42nd b-day!!  And, so far, it's going very well!!  The first thing I did this birth year was kiss my sweetie.  So, that was a nice start already.  Then, I got up this morning and went to spin class and worked out hard.  THEN, despite that I went to Wh-o-l-e F-o-o-ds and passed several pastry carts on the way home, I thought -- I want the first thing I eat this year to set the right tone for the year.  So, I had some Greek yogurt with fruit when I got home.  (I know.. gag.. I'm such a freaking martyr... LOL!)

 

Later today, I'm taking one of my biggest clients (who I love) to lunch at a vereeee fancy restaurant in midtown for our annual b-day lunch.  And, later this afternoon, my dad and step-mom fly in for the weekend.... to meet Steve's parents for the first time!!  That will happen on Friday.

 

Tonight, though, I'm having a dinner party at my house for my dad, step-mom, Steve, myself and four really close friends.  I wanted to do this so that my dad & step-mom would get to know some of my good friends better before the wedding.  I just think that will really add to everyone's fun!!

 

Sooooo, I set the table as pretty as possible....  Want to see it??  Here you go!  The placemats, runner and napkins are from S-er-e-na and Lil-y, and were a gift from my dad and step-mom last year.  I love them.

 

Plainly, I'm suffering from old age because, when I got back from spin, I asked Steve -- didn't the grocery delivery get here??  Well, dear friends, it turns out that some idiot (Read:  me) forgot to click through the final screen and I never ordered the food for tonight.  AGH!!!!  Guess who is taking the morning off of work to go to the grocery store? . . . DOH.

In better news, I opened some presents this morning!!  I got some adorable clothing from my mom and brother, and my mom gave me a potato ricer (which I'd specially requested and will use when I make tonight's dinner... Shepherd's Pie).  My mom also wrote me the nicest letter for my b-day.  I seriously cried when I read it -- it was just so nice, and I will treasure it always.

She also did a fantastic job with the wrapping paper -- see below!

 

Max, "helping" me unwrap my presents 

Steve and I also had a great call this morning with a bluegrass band that we're going to use for our ceremony and cocktail hour (Steve plays bluegrass music -- so this will make the wedding al the more personal for us).  I really want to walk down the aisle to a bluegrass version of a reggae song -- right now, I'm thinking it will be One Love.  Just want to review the lyrics and make sure it's not too far off the mark!  The band said that they would do it, and I think that would be pretty amazing!  I kind of want them to start the strings in with the first few bars of the "Here comes the bride" song, then go right into One Love.   We'll see how it works!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Storms and Participating in the Democratic Process!

Me, in D.C., on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, with the Capitol Building behind me.

Steve and I weathered both of the big recent storms just fine.  I lost power (and heat... and eventually water..) for the better part of a week, but since Steve's apartment had power, we were able to stay there.  All in all, it wasn't that bad, and it was nothing short of wonderful to have so much down time together.

My storm-induced staycation let me do something I've wanted to do for a LONG time... clean out my closet!  I needed to do this to make room for Steve to move in, and now it is officially done.   As most of you guys know, I pretty well cleaned out my closet as I lost weight, by sending clothes to other bandsters through the Sisterhood of the Traveling XL Dress.  But I still had a bunch of things in there that needed to go!  It felt so good to get it all in order and to switch out my closet from summer to winter wear (that's what folks in NYC do, since we have such limited closet space...). 

In other news, I feel like I really have had a very U.S.A.-focused two weeks.  During the Sandy aftermath, I listened nonstop to discussions of the election and the storm on a little battery-operated radio that Steve gave me.  Then, on election day, I stood in the cold for 2 1/2 hours (mostly outside -- my feet were completely numb with cold by the end) in order to vote.  And, I also went to Washington, D.C. to see oral argument in a Supreme Court case.  All in all, I feel like I really got to participate in (or at least watch) all three branches of the government -- voting for the Executive and Legslative branch reps, and watching the highest court in our Judiciary branch.  Not too shabby!

I also made time to donate some supplies (a big box of diapers and wipes) to the folks in Staten Island who are suffering in the aftermath of Sandy.  They made it incredibly easy by registering on A-ma-z-o-n, so I was able to just click and donate.  It was really important to me to do something, since I feel very grateful to have made it through the same storm safely and with relatively little trouble.

By the way, on election day, I took some time out to think about what I was up to last election day.  I was just 12 days post-op then, and hadn't even gone through Bandster Hell yet.  Say what you will about Obama and how the nation has fared during the last four years, but I sure as heck am not complaining about how those years went!! :)  Can you imagine??  If I hadn't had my surgery, those years would have been so different, I am sure.  I wonder if I'd be at 270 today, or if I would have found a way to lose a bit of the weight, or at least maintain.  Anyway, it doesn't matter.  That's not what happened.  Did I mention how grateful I am??  WHEW.

Masqued Ball ... 2008 vs 2012

Last night, Steve and I went with a big group of friends to a masqued ball.  This ball takes place every year around Halloween, and I'd been once before.   In fact, this was my FIRST post-band party, four years ago, in 2008.  Unfortunately, Marjorie wasn't feeling well and didn't go, so we couldn't reinact our 2008 photo.

 

 

With Steve at the ball.  He looks like he's going to steal my diamonds in that masque!!

 

2008 to 2012.  Four years older, but feeling so much better!

2008 vs 2012 (Hooray!  My roots aren't as bad this year!)

I always find these kinds of comparisons eye-opening and kind of surprising.  I remember how I felt, getting ready to go to this party in 2008.  I was a little nervous about being at a party and having some wine.  I also didn't know as many people in this crowd then as I do now, so the party wasn't as much fun.  Last night was an absoute blast -- I danced up a storm with Steve, and we had a really great time!

This was particularly good because I think both of us were feeling pretty stressed out last week and really needed a fun night.  Nothing terrible -- but we were both thinking a lot about the fact that we've each been doing pretty much whatever we want and not having to answer to anyone else for most of our adult life.  And, the fact is, that's changing now that we are marrying one another.

To give you an example...  I had my apartment painted earlier this year -- the living room is this fabulous shade of blue-green now, but it just doesn't quite work with my existing furniture.  This week, I came very close to buying a rug on-line that would have helped to tie the whole room together.  But, before I bought it, I realized I should check in with Steve to make sure he liked it.  And, he wasn't in to it and didn't want me to buy the rug.  I didn't buy it, but the fact that (!) someone else had the right to stop me from decorating my apartment how I wanted didn't sit well with me!  I've lived alone for a whopping 18 years, and that hasn't happened before!  But ultimately, I do want to share my life with Steve and am excited about us building a home together, so that's a sacrifice I am willingly making.  However, that doesn't mean it's not an adjustment!!  :)

Happy Fourth Bandiversary to me!

Four years ago, I was wheeled into the OR in the Christus Muguerza Sud hospital in Monterrey, Mexico, where Dr. Roberto Rumbaut installed my lap band.   I changed my life that day.

The past four years have been truly wonderful. Yes, I had moments of frustration, and even some heartbreak and other disappointments, but through those years, I have really enjoyed the feeling of FINALLY, conquering the one issue that really bothered me and that I hadn't been able to fix on my own -- my weight. I've said this before, but it bears repeating. The lap band isn't a magic wand that will solve all of your problems. HOWEVER, if being overweight is the one thing that is really bothering you in life, which was the case for me, it certainly can feel like one.

 

A comparison showing the physical changes from Years 1-2
You can click on this to make it bigger.

Don't get me wrong on the "magic wand" comment -- I've worked for my weight loss. I have put in the time in the gym, which was essential for me to get to goal and is essential to my maintenance. I've watched what I eat and have followed the bandster rules more often than not. But this hasn't felt all that hard to me. I wanted to do that work, and I loved the feeling of inching my way toward goal. Every tenth of a pound lost during the first 1-2 years was a thrill. It made me feel good about myself and, of course, was a reason to update my stats on Lap Band Talk! I struggled through many plateaus and felt frustration sometimes, but in the aggregate, I have felt pretty awesome through this whole process.

There have been many changes through the past four years -- the biggest of which occurred in Year 1, when I lost the bulk of my weight -- 63 pounds. Being able to run again, to shop in normal stores, to be free of foot and back pain, and to recognize myself in the mirror again were HUGE changes that year. But small changes have occurred during the past three years too, and some of the changes made during my first two years now seem normal to me.   Here are my Second and Third bandiversary posts, which give a lot of perspective on that.  A few changes that I want to mention today are that:
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1. I forget sometimes that I was ever fat. What I mean by that is that I don't think of myself as my heavier version -- if I picture myself, I look like I do in the mirror. Clearly, I remember being fat if I think about it ... it's just that I don't think about it all that much anymore.

 

2. I don't do negative self-talk about my body. It's very nice not to have thoughts about myself like "Oh my G.. you are so disgusting, how did you let yourself get like this?" That was at least a daily occurrence 4+ years ago, and it actually stopped right after surgery.  I don't miss it one bit.

 

3. I don't feel guilty about what I eat, even if I have an ice cream sundae, since my diet and exercise can handle the occasional treat.

 

4. I have even more confidence now than I did before.

 

5. I have slowed down on the shopping, since I finally have enough clothing in my size, but I do still really enjoy shopping these days.

 

6. I still fit into the clothing I bought three or so years ago (whereas in the past, clothing wouldn't usually fit long term because I'd be gaining...).

 

7. I have become the kind of person who would be up for doing an athletic vacation! Steve and I want to climb Kilimanjaro together (NOT on our honeymoon... honeymoon will be latrine-free, thank you..!).

 

8. When Steve tells me that I'm beautiful and sexy, I know that he really means it. (I am so going to marry that guy...) :)

 

With Steve at a horse race last weekend.  I am wearing size 8 corduroy pants.  Four years ago, it would have been very hard for me to imagine being able to wear corduroy (without undue whistling and starting a barn blazing fire...), much less a size 8!

9. OMG... I HAVE a fiance!! Woo-hoo! :) There is no doubt in my mind that all of the work I did on myself through the past several years has led me to this wonderful relationship. I'm not just talking about losing weight -- yes, that was part of it, especially because it was the one thing that really got me down in my life. Plus, it surely doesn't hurt that I look better, am healthier, and can enjoy things like hiking and playing tennis with him. But, the mental stuff is a huge part of this too. I make taking care of myself a top priority now, I feel good about myself and my accomplishments with the band, and I'm just generally in a very good place. I also really appreciate that, and it adds to my overall happiness.
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And.... can I get a drum roll, please???
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10. All signs indicate that, next June, I am going to get to cross my FINAL WEIGHT-LOSS GOAL off of my list! It was on my "Pro" list that I made when I was deciding whether to have this surgery. . . .
 

I don't want to jinx myself or anything (knock wood, etc. etc.), but it looks like I am not going to be a fat bride.  If I was still at my pre-op weight on my wedding day, I know that I would have been doing a bunch of negative self-talk about my appearance, and that would have taken away from my enjoyment of the day, no matter how happy I was otherwise.  But now, that's unlikely to happen. I feel so incredibly grateful about that, as well as for all the other changes through the past four years.

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 My Mother of All Comparison Shots. 

From obesity to rocking a H-e-rve L-e-ger bandage dress.  Who would have thought it possible?!

Thank you all for being here for me through this process. Your support and encouragement has made all the difference to me, and it keeps me on the straight and narrow.  I know that I would never have been as successful with my band if it was not for the support of the wonderful people I've met through our blogging community, in addition to that of my friends and family.  It is stunning to me to look back to my first post, from October 11, 2008 (just prior to my surgery) and to see how far I have come on this journey, and all of the great things that have happened along the way.  I'm excited about the future, too!  

A Few More Chicago Pics!

Stephanie was nice enough to send me some of her fantastic Chicago photos, and I wanted to post them here.  I love having a record of our fun trip!  No time for a real post today... will let the photos speak for themselves!

With the organizers at brunch

 

 

Saturday night dinner

 

Chicago Recap and Thoughts

I had a great time in Chicago.  Once again, our fabulous organizers did an amazing job, and I really enjoyed seeing some dear familiar faces and meeting quite a few new people as well.

The weather was really gorgeous, and one of the things we did was an art walk around town.  Here I am, inside of some art...   Unfortunately, while I brought my computer, I ... forgot my SD Card (doh!!) so I could only take photos on my phone!

With Joey at the bean!

One of the nicest times I had was at brunch with Joey, Gilly, Stephanie, Deb, Dawnya, Angela, Jenny, Linda, Read and Carmen.  It was so nice to catch up with them -- that is one awesome and hilarious group of amazing women!  I was honored to be included in their brunch, and was completely surprised when they gave me a beautiful engagement present -- a frame engraved with S&C.  Seriously, I totally got choked up.  Well, ladies, that frame is awaiting a true wedding photo, but for now, it has a place of honor in my home, and I put one of my favorite photos of Steve & me in it.  Here's how it looks in NYC... 

So, dear organizers, I can't thank you enough.  This beautiful frame is just a part of it.  Thank you for organizing the Chicago trips and for bringing so many bandsters (and now sleevesters) together.  Thank you for helping us to make even stronger connections within this community and for being such great sources of support, both on-line and off.  Thank you also for dealing with the BS that can't help but accompany organizing any big group meeting!  You all have done a wonderful job, and I hope that newbies will take over and plan future events.

As I said before, I had a really good time in Chicago, but this year felt different to me.  I had a hard time putting my finger on exactly why at first, but then I figured it out.  I was looking through my blog list on Blogger, and looked at some old favorites I hadn't seen (whether on-line or in person) for a while -- some of the bloggers whose support really got me through the peaks and valleys of the first 2 years of this process.   People like Angie (I am in Repair), Jenny R (Life's Little Journey), Sarah (Losing Weight.. Gaining Tons), Cara (the Dash) and Nella (Skinny B- - - -).  I was also thinking of other favorite blogging bandsters (to name only a few) like Amy W, Nicole, Jacquie, Robin, Stephanie, Maria, TessieRose, CindyLew and Roo, who I'd loved meeting during other years' Chicago trips, but who weren't there that year.  I missed all of them -- the trip just wasn't the same for me without you guys!

I was a little down, returning home on Sunday.  In some ways, it felt like the end of an era because things had changed so much from years 1 and 2 to 3.  I had felt a bit like that when I got used to being at goal.  While I was very happy with the status quo, I missed the joy and excitement of losing!  But that time is over, and now I'm on to a different phase, which is fine -- and an inevitable part of making progress.  There is no getting around that this is overwhelmingly a positive thing.  And, this new phase is exciting -- not just maintenance, but living life as a fit person, planning my wedding to Steve, and enjoying my friends, family and life in general all the while.

Heading to Chicago!

I'm sitting in the airport right now, waiting for my fight to Chicago!  I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone!!

Not THE Dress and Forth Year Appointment News

I'm so glad that September is finally here and I'm actually home a few weekends!  And, that's given me time to get going on the wedding plans! 

 

Before I get into that, though, I wanted to tell you that I had my fourth year band checkup last week!  My fourth bandiversary isn't until October 23rd, but I went in earlier because the timing was better for me.  I also have been feeling a little freaked out that so many bandsters have been having problems with their bands, and wanted to talk to my doctor.

 

With Steve at a wine tasting out in the Hamptons over Labor Day weekend

 

 

Here is what my doctor told me:  She said that there is no reason to expect that I'll lose my band (which was a relief.. I thought she might tell me that I'd need to replace it before Year 10 or something, but she did not).  She also said that most problems that cause people to lose their bands are brought about by "self-abuse" (her words, not mine -- I'm just repeating here).  She said that what she meant by "self-abuse" was people keeping their bands overly tight, and pushing it on the eating front so that they were frequently having to vomit.  Obviously band loss can also be caused by faulty bands and bad installation, too -- but at four years out, if that was going to be an issue for me, I'd likely know it by now.

 

Another thing she told me, which I hadn't realized, is that I've been at my current fill level since June 4, 2010!  I had no idea -- that was over two years ago!  I also went back to look at my post about that adjustment and saw the nicest comment from Jackie, who told me that I "WILL FIND MR. RIGHT and he will adore you!"  Jackie, I can't even tell you how happy I am that you were right!!  It was so nice to go back and read that!

 

I also let Dr. Ren know that I've been having reflux sometimes at night, including while I'm sleeping.  I've been monitoring it, and realized that it only happens when I eat or drink close to bed time.  Guess what the solution is?  Um, don't eat or drink for 30 minutes before bed.... Doh.  She also said that I could take Prevacid to help with the reflux as well.

 

OK.... ON TO WEDDING TALK!!!  My mom was in town last weekend, and we went to "visit" two dresses that I'd liked (both shown below), and we went to two other bridal shops as well.  AND... I think I found my dress!!  I'm not going to post pictures of it because I don't want anyone to see it before the wedding.  But, I'll post two of the ones that I did like!

 

Here is the first one -- this was my no. 2 choice!  The "Lucy" by Le-a An-n B-e-l-ter

This may shock those of you who've read some of my more decadent shopping posts, but I am hell-bent on not spending a fortune on my wedding dress.  In fact, I pledged to myself not to spend more than $2,600, with a firm cap at $3K.  You'd think that would be a perfectly decent budget, but you should have seen how the shop girl (wearing a very cheap outfit, I might add.  Meow.) reacted when I told her my cap!!  You would think I'd said $50!!  Welllllll..... as it turns out, Shop Girl brought out several dresses that were close to what I wanted, but not right on.

 

Here is another one by Le-a An-n Be-l-t-er that I really liked.  None of these are from the store I'm talking about in the post... they had a STRICT (!) no photo policy!

At one point, she brought out a dress that was almost what I wanted, but the bottom was too pouffy.  So, I asked if she had something similar, but A-line.... and she brought out this great dress that she hadn't pulled for me earlier.  The minute I saw it, I knew that I was going to really like it.... and I got nervous ... just how much was this dress?!?  I asked, and Shop Girl said....... wait for it ........  $1,200!! It was by far the least expensive dress I'd tried on at that store, but I liked it by far the best!  How awesome!!

 

And, the best part??  I shopped around for that dress on-line, and found it at another store here in NYC for even less.  They have two versions -- one is $1090 (super long train, which I don't want), the other is only $900 (shorter train, which I probably do want)!  I'm going to go and try it on in a few days -- the shop is right by my office!

 
 A cute pic of my mom at our dress-shopping-day brunch!

What else??  Well, we've got our florist (Steve's talented cousin, who works with I-n-a G--ar-te-n) locked down, same with the cake (family friend who used to be an editor at G--o-ur-m-et is going to make it), and I found a great photographer, too!  So, we're getting there!!  It's really a lot of fun, and I'm enjoying it a lot!  It's nice that Steve is interested and involved, too.  He's such a wonderful guy. :)

WHEEEEEEEEEEW!!!

I'm breathing a major sigh of relief. I talked to my dad last night, and it turns out that he's going to be fine. No spread of cancer, thank God. He'll still have to undergo some treatment for the bit they found, but it does not sound life-threatening at all. (Er, Dad, I hope it's OK that I'm posting this on my blog.. let me know if not..)

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers... and please, keep 'em coming! :) xoxo

BC3 - CHICAGO!!!

I am SO GLAD that fall is here. I spent last Sunday in my apartment organizing, doing laundry, catching up on work and doing some wedding planning with Steve. It was so nice to spend the whole day in close proximity to my sofa... and Max, my cat!

That said, I do have some upcoming travel plans that I'm excited about! I decided to join the crew of bandsters -- and sleevesters -- in Chicago for BC3! I'm really looking forward to seeing the folks who I've gotten to know through the past (nearly four!) years of blogging, and the last two years' fun in Chicago, and can't wait to meet the people who are joining for the first time! I have some serious blog homework to do before the conference....

Hilton Head!

Ahhh! I finally have photos to share from my trip to Hilton Head, SC from August 11-14th. Steve and I were both able to go and to meet up with my Dad, step-mom, my brother, his wife, my niece and nephew, two of my aunts, and two uncles. The reason for the trip? My Dad's 70th birthday!

Lounging on the sand!
I am loving the Tr-i-n--a T-u--r-k towel
I bought with a GC that a friend gave me for my b-day

It was such a great trip, for many reasons. First, I'm so glad that we got to do something big for my Dad. He's such a sweetheart, and is extremely easy-going and is not the kind of person who calls out for everyone to make a big fuss over his birthday (unlike me! Hee hee). So, it was extra fun to do just that!

Second, I really enjoyed getting to hang out with so much family all at once! Leaving aside that one of my aunts mentioned my ex-fiance at least FOUR separate times (broken up in 2004, mind you... I hardly even THINK of the guy and he couldn't be more irrelevant)... everything went very smoothly and it was a ton of fun. We hung out at the beach and/or went bike riding every day, had dinner out, followed by ice cream, and played quite a lot of frisbee in the pool and the ocean!

Such a cute photo of my dad and step-mom from the trip! Look at those big smiles!

At the beach with Steve! Surprise! This looks like all my other summer photos! :)With my Dad! Why yes, I have perfected the "ring-display" pose! Hee hee!
I can do it from the other side, too! LOL

The third thing that I really liked about this trip is that it, like all our weekends out in the Hamptons, reminded me that I no longer dread a beach vacation. I'm far from perfect, but I'm about as close as I'm ever going to be, and have come so far that I don't worry about my flaws the way I did before. On this trip, I was in a bathing suit for at least several hours every day, and that didn't stress me out even a little bit. Even when I was this weight when I was younger (pre-big-gain, pre-band), I never felt like that at all. I probably would have worn shorts all day, and a one-piece. I am so grateful not to feel like that anymore.

The champions of frisbee!!

This one cracked me up. :)

After returning from the trip, I found out that my Dad is going to have to have some medical tests this week and next. It's a worrisome situation, though one that might turn out not to be a big deal, if we caught this problem early enough. I wanted to ask all of you to keep him in your thoughts and prayers -- and to hope for the best possible results. My Dad is hugely important to me, and I figured that some extra prayers and thoughts might help.

A Happy Mistake

This is the first Saturday that I've been at home since before Memorial Day. (And it feels so great to be in my apartment right now!) But, as I was rushing around to get out the door for spin class, I heard someone trying to get in my apartment! I had an internal lock on the door, so the person wasn't able to open the door.

I asked who it was... and it turned out to be my cat sitter! I'd completely forgotten to tell her that she didn't need to come this weekend. But I was so glad that I had!

I haven't seen Sheila (my cat sitter of 9 years) since before my surgery. At that time, she was a few months out from band surgery and had lost quite a bit of weight. She utimately had complications with her band (it sounded like her doctors botched the surgery, unfortunately), and wound up getting revised to gastric bypass surgery.

Sheila is about 5 feet tall, maybe. Well, she lost around 150 pounds - and most of it since I'd seen her last! She looks fantastic! So much younger and healthier -- and she's tiny and petite! The last time she saw me, I was about 80 pounds heavier, and she'd come over so that I could pick her brain about banded life, and what to expect from the surgery. It's incredible how much we've both changed since last we met!

It was amazing to see her, even though I only had 5 minutes with her and had to run full speed to get to spin on time. It's hard to believe that it had been almost four years since we'd set eyes on one another. We're in regular contact by text and phone, but since she's usually at my apartment because I am not, we don't overlap in person all that much. Anyway, it was really a great surprise, and I'm so glad that I forgot to cancel her coming this weekend!

Catching up!

It's been such a busy summer, and I am woefully behind on catching up with my blog! I want to tell you guys about the trip that Steve and I took to Hilton Head, SC for my dad's 70th b-day celebration.... but since someone didn't charge her camera battery before the trip, I'm going to see if I can get in some photos before I post!

In other news, earlier this month, Steve and I had dinner with the wonderful Nora and her husband, here in NYC! We had a fantastic time! I love those two, and it's always fun to hear about their latest news and travels. Steve and Kenny hadn't met before, and they totally hit it off!

With Nora at Hearth, here in NYC

I'm not sure if I blogged about this, but I met Nora before her surgery. We had lunch and really hit it off. It is so much fun for me to get to see her looking so amazing and wonderful. She has lost more than 130 pounds and is really enjoying her life. If you haven't checked out her blog yet, be sure to -- there is a link in the 2nd paragraph of this post.

How great is it that so many of us have made close friends through this process? It's such a fantastic fringe benefit, and one that I did not at all expect!

Hiking Photos of the Recently Engaged...

Steve and I were up in the Adirondacks last weekend, visiting with his family (who were up, too) and doing a leeeetle wedding location scouting! It was a great weekend, and we even managed to find time for a hike. And, I thought you guys might enjoy seeing that trip through my eyes!!

View from the top of the mountain!

The family, at the top of the mountain....
Trail marker!

Summer Lovin'

I'm holding my hand up in this photo because I tripped over a bag that *ahem* some cute guy *ahem* left at the bottom of our brick front stairs and hit my ankle and wrist. My wrist blew up and is now a lovely shade of yellow... but it's fine. I'd done that (stone cold sober, I might add) on the way to the beach that day...

OMG, Becky. A friend took a two photos of me and Steve at the beach out in the Hamptons last weekend, and I like 'em both. I am pretty sure these are the first photos of me in a bikini where I am not just OK with the picture, but affirmatively like them both. Who knew that would happen?! It wasn't even on my list of stuff to look forward to.

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We are both wearing Lilly Pulitzer bathing suits. Did you just throw up a little? Mission accomplished! Hey, at least they don't match. ;)

I'm still really struggling to get to the gym enough this summer. My weight is OK -- I'm still hovering at my goal, but I can feel the small difference between having a few more pounds off and feeling a little more muscled. It's weird, because when I was fat and going up the scales, I don't think I noticed the gain as much as I do now. I also know that I felt a lot worse about it then than I do now, because now I know both how to get it off and that I can do it if I get a bit more focused.

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In other news.... I GOT MY RING LAST NIGHT!!! I can't post a photo just yet ... I need to show it to my family and a few friends before I put it on-line, and I also want to make sure that Steve won't mind if I do that. But it's gorgeous, and I love it. I know that I got to pick out the setting (and it's the one I posted a link to a few months ago (though not from that overpriced store b/c we're not crazy), but I didn't fully appreciate just how beautiful it was going to be, or how incredible it would feel to get to wear it, know it's mine, and know that it means that this adorable guy I'm head-over-tea kettle for seriously wants to marry me. Good stuff!!

We're heading up to the Adirondacks this weekend.... going to see his family and scope out what I think will be our preferred wedding venue location!! So excited. :)

Fourth of July Extendo-Weekend!

I am behind! I have fun things to report! :) Over the Fourth of July, Steve and I went up to the Adirondack mountains to visit with his family and some friends who were up in the area. We went up on Tuesday afternoon, which made for an awesome extend-o-weekend!

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One of the nicest parts of the weekend was that his parents threw a cocktail party to celebrate our engagement and the arrival of their new granddaughter (who is adorable)! That was just so nice, and made me feel so welcome. (They also had me in the family Christmas card picture! An honor to be sure!!) :)

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Steve and I also went camping with four friends at a lean-to on a lake. We hiked during the day a bit, then rowed Adirondack guide boats (photo below) out to the lean-to in the afternoon.

The lean-to where we and four friends camped one night!

We weren't roughing it too, too badly. Yes, that IS a bottle of Veuve Clicot rose in nature's finest wine cooler! :)

Below is a photo of Steve, with our friend A, in the lean-to. You can see that the bottom is covered in pine branches, which smells like Christmas, and is very soft and comfortable to boot! We just camped one night, which was perfect -- and the organization that owns the lean-to also put an environmentally friendly loo just a hop away (no running water, but it was a wooden structure with a door that closed... and toilet paper... whew...)! So, it was rustic and beautiful, but not uncomfortable (or unduly gross!)!

Steve's dad gave me my first ever Spork in honor of our camping trip! I used it constantly! I was enjoying a very nice red wine, some steak and a baked potato when this was taken! Happily, I did not get stuck on the steak!

Here is my FIANCE (still getting used to that word!), rowing one of the guide boats we took out to the site.

I was thinking about this trip and wondering what it would have been like to do at my heaviest weight. I'm sure I would have still done it, but it would have been a LOT harder. The hike we did was really easy -- only an hour, followed by sitting on the top and having a leisurely lunch. I am sure I would have found it really tough and been struggling to keep up.

I also don't think I would have been able to row the boat all the way to the lean-to (which I did -- and it was pretty far, not to mention really windy). I surely would have let my friend take over the oars, and I probably would have felt badly that I was heavier than her, and that she was stuck rowing me. Also, I wonder how well I would have fit in the seat. As it was, I did the hike just fine, I'm the one who rowed all the way out to the lean-to, and I didn't even THINK about my weight the whole time. How things have changed. Total NSV.

The Engagement Scoop!

This summer is insanely busy!! We've literally been out of town every single weekend from Memorial Day until now. It's been a blast, but it's hard to get things done (like blogging) that I normally do during my down time at home, since that time is so limited.

OK... the scoop. The weekend before we got engaged, Steve and I were out on the beach in Amagansett (Hamptons) and were talking about how the following weekend was the only one where we did not have travel plans. So, on a whim, we looked up travel information for Block Island, RI, and booked a trip out there! Also during that weekend, we had a talk where Steve was asking me questions like "Why do you want to get married?" and questioning why society (and our friends) put so much pressure on us to get engaged. Honestly, the conversation left me thinking that he was a LOOOOONNNGGG way from being ready to get engaged, and I was feeling really frustrated about it.

I decided in my mind that I was not even going to THINK about getting engaged during our trip to Block Island, and that I was going to just use that time to have fun with Steve and to enjoy all the reasons that I want to marry him in the first place.

We took off work on Friday, and spent the night in the Hamptons (a short drive from the ferry to Block Island). Then, we went out on the Friday morning ferry, checked into our adorable inn (first photo above), and rented bikes so that we could ride all over the island. We went out to both of the island's beautiful lighthouses during the weekend... here are photos of my favorite one....

Action shot of Steve! He was going to propose in about 1 1/2 hours... I had NO IDEA!!

Toward the end of our ride, we were on the main street in town (cute restaurants overlooking the water), and Steve suggested that we go back to the inn for a glass of wine. I was a little surprised, since the inn has no bar... and we were right by all the cute water-view bars, but Steve reminded me that he'd brought a really nice bottle of Brunello with us, and we had snacks back at the inn. Thinking no more of it, I agreed, and we went back to the inn.

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When we got back to the room, I put up my things and was ready to go and sit outside. Steve said "I just need a minute. Can you go down and put two chairs in the sun, and I'll meet you out there?" I was like.... that is so weird that he is asking me to move furniture... especially solid wood, really heavy Adirondack chairs! But, since I'm freakishly strong after all my years of working out in recent time, I said "Sure!" I moved the gigantic 50 pound chairs :) and started writing post cards.

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Eventually, Steve came downstairs. He was carrying a bag and two plainly wrapped packages. I thought he might have organized a special picnic for us, but it turned out that they were presents for me. I opened the first one -- and it was full of really cute Lacoste tennis clothes. Seriously, the cutest tennis skirt I've ever seen, two tops to go with it, and a pair of matching socks (avec aligator logo)! How great!! I was so surprised and happy!

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Then, he gave me the second box. And, in it were these really cute tennis shoes... white with pink (see below). And THEN, I noticed that there was an envelope inside of one of the shoes, tied to the shoelace. I looked at it and saw that it said "For my girl."

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I was like "Honey, what is this?!" And he just shrugged, giving me a funny and semi-mysterious grin. I turned it over, and saw in the bright sunlight that there was something ring-shaped in the envelope. I then thought very hard in my brain "CATHERINE!! THIS IS NOT A RING. DON'T YOU DARE THINK THIS IS A RING. AND, DON'T YOU DARE CRY AND RUIN THIS REALLY NICE PRESENT!!" Then I turned the envelope back over and started to open it.

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As I did, I saw that Steve was starting to go on his knees.

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I thought "CATHERINE!! Maybe this IS a proposal??" And then he asked me to marry him! (P.S. For anyone as slow as I was that day, it really was a proposal!)

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On the back of the card was a cork that Steve had cut into the shape of a ring at our anniversary dinner back in January. He had kept it for six months! And, he put the diamond he bought for me inside of the circle and attached it to the card.

He did this so that I could pick my own setting, which I did last week.... the ring should be ready in about three weeks! I can't wait!!

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But, more importantly, I can't even tell you how incredibly happy I was when he asked -- and how incredibly happy I continue to be about this! He really surprised me -- I never thought he would ask that weekend, and am so, so glad that he did.

He was even sneaky enough to secret a bottle of Veuve Clicot in the bags without me noticing, and he kept it cold so that we could enjoy it after we got engaged. It was so wonderful to sit out on that lawn with him in the sun, and to toast to our future. :)

We rode bikes around the next day as well, and told a few people that we were engaged. Of course, we called our parents, siblings and a few (very few) very close friends to share the good news with them. That was a lot of fun, and it was so nice to see how happy everyone was for us!

Post-ride cocktails on that Saturday

My handsome fiance (I'm still getting used to calling him that!)

And, for good measure, a pre-dinner cocktail on Saturday night at another inn.

Sunburned and happy at dinner!

And, there you have it! We haven't set a date yet (why does everyone ask that the second you get engaged?!), but are looking at a few venues. That part is a lot of fun! We're trying to have a very small wedding, and we'll see how that works out for us... I'm just thrilled though. I can't wait for us to make it official!

Thank you all for your nice messages on my engagement post! It is so nice to be abe to share this with you guys!! xoxoxo