Temptation

At the school I was substituting at yesterday, it was potluck day.  What does this mean, exactly?  Well, pre-band, it would have been the best day of the week.  The old Amy would have eaten with everyone else, then gone back when everyone was gone to get more.  Nope.  The teacher's lounge was empty, that is, except for all of the no-no food staring me in the face.  My first response was utter excitement.  I won't lie.  Then, quickly, the bandster in me kicked in and I started analyzing everything.  Yes, there was disappointment, but I kept myself under control.  Here are a few things I saw.......

DONUTS!!!  NO !!!!!  RESIST !!!!

Nope.  No juices, Amy.  Reason # 1, empty calories.  Reason #2, no liquids during meals.  It washes the food right through the band and I lose any feeling of satiety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has been your biggest temptation lately?  SPILL IT!

School Lunch

Yes, I photographed my lunch!  Not too bad for a school lunch...I always bring my own, but today I scoped out the food before any students got there to contaminate it.  LOL  I got a nifty "snackish" type lunch and a few things from the salad bar. Having so much to choose from kind of made it fun.  What I didn't eat either went home with me (apple because I didn't have a knife to peel the skin off) or I threw away.  Yes. I. Threw. Away. Food.  

I tried raw peppers for the first time (red, green and yellow),  but didn't care for them.  I'm proud of myself for trying :)  I had some grapes (they're on my no no list, but I only ate the inside) and the most delicious strawberries that I've had in a long time.  Mmmmmm.  Had to pass up the other two lunch options - PBJ and a corndog....but really, I liked the variety that I had.  

I managed to have a conversation while I ate (have to be careful so I don't eat too fast) and didn't have any problems.  My worst nightmare is that I get stuck in front of someone.  I think I really need to watch my eating - because I didn't seem to have a full feeling today.  I'm guessing it was because I didn't meet my 50-60g protein goal. 

Call me Kermit!

Green.  Two weeks after my first fill and I'm still green!  I called True Results today and cancelled, yes, cancelled, my next fill.  I don't need it.  As hard as it was to say no, it was the right choice for me.  I have a whole year of NUT visits and fills, there's no rush.  This feels good to me.  The weight loss is steady (a few plateaus, but related to Aunt Flo).  If I get a fill, I'm worried that I'll eat even less than my 1,000 calories and lose weight too fast.  I'd like to reduce the inevitable skin sagging everywhere.  So far the loss is coming from my boobs (EEEEK!!!!) and my face.  I hope I don't end up looking like some sort of sideshow freak.  I really don't picture myself getting plastic surgery.  I'll go kicking and screaming if I have to do that.  :(

I wish I could yell and tell the world that I've lost 41 pounds since the last week of June.  I wish I could tell them how hard it was, how many days I cried because I was so damn hungry and frustrated.  I wish I could tell them that I don't regret my decision at all.  But I can't.  I know I won't like the comments I receive and being questioned, so its just better to keep it between myself and oh, say, 2 bazillion strangers in cyberspace.  Ha!  Shhhhh! 

Recipe: Onion Rings (baked)

My final finished product

I've been reading all of the Hungry Girl cookbooks.  Try your local library - I found so many recipes that I liked in one book that I just went ahead and bought it rather than copy half of it.  The other books had a few each that I wanted to try, but not buy.  She focuses on low calorie/low fat fixes to high cal foods.  I've noticed that although her ideas are great, they're usually a bit too high in carbs and sodium, but they're nice for a treat every once and a while.

Today's recipe is, "Lord of the Onion Rings."  You can find it here:  RECIPE.  It is from this cookbook:  BOOK. The biggest challenge of the recipe was trying not to slice off fingers when cutting the onion rings!  It was pretty easy to make (few ingredients and prep time). I used way less of the seasoning than she did.  I also added small amounts of cayenne and chipotle powders for a little kick.  Either I picked a gigantic onion, or her serving was huge.  See my pic for what my serving size was.  That was only half of the onion. I'll still count it as a full serving on my food count though...but twice this would have been gigantic.

PER SERVING (entire recipe): 155 calories, 1g fat, 515mg sodium, 41g carbs, 16g fiber, 7g sugars, 9g protein 

Amy's overall rating:  2 (I over-breaded it)

Rating Scale

0: I would run away from this food and never eat it again, even if starving, not even feeding it to the dogs

1: It was edible, but I won't make it again

2:  It was okay, I would make it again, but make some changes

3:  It was good and I'll make it again

4:  I flippin' loved this! You must make it!

Waaaaay too close to my food!  He almost licked the plate before I busted him!

40 Pounds Down!

I know the weight loss will not be at this rate forever, but I'm enjoying it.  The 40 lbs includes 16 that I lost in the pre-op diet for the week before surgery.  8 weeks = 40 lbs.  I'll take that! 

Holy Cow - I ATE TOFU!

Yes.  Me.  Amy.  I ate Tofu.  Tofu Shirataki noodles, to be exact.  They're in the dairy section with the regular Tofu at stores like Whole Foods.  If you would have asked me six months ago if I would have even THOUGHT of eating Tofu, I would have told you no and asked if you were on crack.  I would have rather been tarred, feathered, and left on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.  Tofu is, "described by many as rotten and fecal."  Yeah.  But this is the NEW AMY.  She tries new things.  <rolling eyes>

I stared at the package in my fridge for a week.  Every day, I cringed at the thought that I would have to eat them.  Most of you know that I'm a super picky eater.  SUPER picky.  I'm trying really hard to eat different things (mostly mixing things like soy proteins into regular meals that I already eat).

I used "spaghetti" shaped tofu noodles to make Pizza Spaghetti Pie.  The original idea came from Hungry Girl.  Her recipe is called "Super Duper Spaghetti Pie."  I used the basic idea from her but turned it into my own. There are lots of youtube videos of fans making her recipes.  Basically, you prepare the noodles as directed on the package and just make spaghetti like normal, but add in protein.  I added turkey pepperoni, turkey sausage (Jimmy Dean precooked crumbles ROCK and they're the same price as the uncooked!), Laughing Cow cheese wedges and tomato sauce.  

Last week I cooked up a mega batch of onions and pushed them into ice cube trays for later.  Once frozen, I popped 'em up and bagged each one individually.  Tonight all I had to do was nuke the baggie for 10 seconds to soften, then added 1 of the cubes.  I added a touch of cayenne pepper, parsley & garlic to the recipe.  Think pizza and pasta mixed together.  Some egg whites to bind it together, into the oven, and then I had to eat it.  Deep breath. . . 

Okay.  It made two 1 cup servings.  I'm stuffed.  Was it fantastic?  No.  It was edible.  The noodles were a strange texture that required a lot of chewing.  Honestly, I don't need the tofu noodles.   I don't really crave pasta much.  I would have been just fine eating the meats and onion (not a big veggie person).  The only thing I really miss is my mac and cheese, but I suck it up and get over it.  It was an interesting meal, but nothing I'll brag about. 

Here is the nutritional info for half (A TON) of the meal:  calories: 195, fat: 6.5, Sodium: 935 (ouch), Carbs: 15, Protein 20.  Better than eating pizza or spaghetti!  My final decision:  I didn't like tofu, but I didn't dislike it, either.  But I will say that a cup of this stuff leaves me completely stuffed!!  Try it and judge for yourself.  Just try not to breathe when you open the bag.

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Shit happens...well....not all the time.

I've been a regular girl all my life (33 1/2 years!).  I might not have visited the porcelain throne every single solitary day, but there were no complaints.  Then I got SAL.  Yeah, SAL has rocked my digestive world.  Yes, I'm sure this is TMI for my non-banded followers, but its something I've got to discuss.  You've been warned.

The pre-op diet brought nothing but diarrhea.  That quickly changed after surgery.  Nearly seven weeks post-op, I'm averaging once every three days.  Seriously.  I know what you're thinking, "Is she drinking enough water?"   Yes!  If I drank any more water, I think I would vomit.  I physically cannot drink any more than I am.  I eat fruit, take my multi-vitamin, yadda yadda yadda.  I'm going crazy.  

After an uneventful trip to The Throne today, I made a decision.  I have to get regular again.  My belly hurt and I just felt miserable.  Off I went to Walgreens.  I stood there in the digestive section in complete awe.  So many choices.  I decide I should ask the pharmacist.  I trot over to the little consultation window and discover <gasp> a man.  Sorry, mission aborted.  Can't ask those questions of a man.  

Back to the aisle of doom and desperation.  Ok, well, I don't need an enema or anything drastic.  I already have enough decorations in my house, I don't need more!  Ok, enema is out.  Next choice: suppositories.  Well, I don't understand the logic here.  If the problem is that nothing is coming out, why would I shove something in?  Ok, suppositories are out.  Then I see it:  "Gentle Laxative."  How nice.  Gentle.  It makes me think about sitting on a lovely white cloud and gracefully moving my bowels. 

The directions said 1-3 pills.  I took one while still in the parking lot.  I'm not kidding, people.  I mean business.  Business of the numero dos nature.  We'll see what happens.  I'll be sure to <cough> fill you in.  And that's no shit.

Awww.....thanks!

Thanks for the nice notes you guys posted on yesterday's blog.  They really made me smile!

I have a nice NSV (non scale victory) to share about today.  It was my first day back to work (I'm substituting) and I had a nice comment made.  I substituted at this school a lot at the end of the 09-10 school year, so some of the staff knew who I was.  The secretary looked at me at the end of the day and said, "I didn't recognize you.  You lost weight."  She put her hands on the sides of her face, hinting that my face looked skinnier.  

I was standing at a high counter, so she could only see from the chest up, but I was flabbergasted.  I was amazed that she noticed.  I mean...totally amazed.  I've dropped 37 lbs since surgery and I guess it shows!!  Today was also the first day since surgery that I wore dress pants from pre-surgery, six weeks ago.  They were really loose!  They hung lower and the waist had a big gap.  I'm not going to be able to get away with this size for much longer.  Eeeeek.  That's a good eeeeeek though!!
Like I said yesterday, I don't expect a gold star from people, but DAMN, its nice when someone that I don't know well notices my weight loss.  That makes every bit of surgery discomfort worth it.  Every single freakin' bit.

Green Green Green

Well, 6 days after my first fill, I must say that I have really noticed a difference.  I'm not sure how long I'll stay at this level of satiety, but from what I hear, this is good.  I no longer awaken like a crazed beast that needs food immediately.  As long as I eat at certain times, I don't have tummy growls or feel lightheaded.  

I try my best to have any carbs in the morning as recommended by the NUT.  I don't snack in between meals and I'm not constantly thinking about food.  I'm getting in my 1,000 cals/day and watching my sodium level.  Still fighting the energy level, but the Vitamin D level is going to take awhile to get back to where it needs to.  All in all, I can say that 6 weeks post-op, things are moving in the right direction.  

That's not to say that this is easy.  Each day is a struggle, but in different ways.  I lived on fast food before the band.  I haven't gone through a drive through since, and have no plans to.  In the end, there's no recognition, no gold star, except for the one I'll give myself.  I didn't do this to be skinny or pretty.  I did this to be healthy. I did this to feel better about myself.  

I did this to Find Me.  

Thanks for coming along for the ride.  Each one of you, friends, family & fellow bandsters, take the time to read and comment on my blog.  I really appreciate that!  Cheers to continued success, whatever that number may be.

Excitement At My Doorstep

Today was the day.  My Amazon.com order came in!  I got Hungry Girl's book, 200 Under 200 (previewed at library and liked so many recipes that I had to buy it) and also a game for the Wii, "Walk it Out."  I've kept to my promise that I won't buy any non-exercise games for my new "used" Wii.  Only for exercise.


Walk It Out (WIO) seems pretty cool.  You walk around a city and collect stuff, while keeping to a hip hop beat.  Rather than write out my review, which won't be nearly as good as these, I'll give you a few links.  This is a good way to start exercising.  I'm just too out of shape and uncoordinated for a lot of the Wii Fit stuff.  The little Wii girl hangs her head daily and tells me I have no balance. 

The only time she told me that I did a good job was when I sat on the balance board (yes, I actually was able to do it but looked ridiculous!) and stared at a candle to "meditate" and sit still.  I've perfected the sitting part, Wii Nazi Woman, that's why I'm so fat.  Screw her.  I can walk without getting any pretend avatars upset.  :P

Description/Info From Company 
You Tube Video Review - pretty cool!  - you HAVE to watch 4:00 - made me laugh outloud.


That's all for today.  I'm up waaaaaaaay past my bedtime. 

My food is not hot.

My food is not hot.  My food is not warm.  My food is not cool.  MY FOOD IS COLD.  Why?  It took me forever to eat. I got some 85/15 ground beef (nurse pract said that's the best for lap banders because 93/7 is too dry).  I added some chipotle powder to and tossed it on the grill.  I salivated as I watched it cook.  I stared at it, mentally psyching myself up.  As it cooked, I made sure I had my cheese and ketchup ready.  As I smelled the grill, my breathing quickened.  I was excited.  The juices were sitting on top of the burger....and YUM....it looked delicious.  I applied my cheese and watched it slowly ooze to the side of the burger and grabbed it off at the moment of perfection.  It wasn't undercooked.  It wasn't overcooked.  It was perfect.  

The first few bites went down fine.  Man it was good.  And then....the feeling.  I was stuck.  I got the "fist up the back of my throat" feeling.  I paced the living room, wondering how I allowed this to happen again.  Walking and a few sips of warm water got it down.  I let things relax and finished the rest of the burger.  One. incredibly. small. bite. at. a. time.  Over an HOUR to eat a burger the size of a slider.  It was a frustrating experience, but worth it.  Even though it was stone cold, it was goooooood.

Field Trip: Penzey's Spices and Whole Foods

I found some interesting things at Whole Foods.  First, I was trying to find some sort of cracker/chip that would satisfy my crunchy craving that was a bit more healthy than my Pop Chips obsession.  I love BBQ flavored Pop Chips, but there is no nutritional value and tons of salt & carbs.  If you eat the whole bag (who?me? nevah!), there's even more.  

Find # 1:  Near Satan's Pop Chips, I found Soy Crispettes (BBQ flavor).  Made by Whole Foods.  

A serving is 19 crispettes and it has 7 grams of PROTEIN.  Wow!  Sodium is reasonable, 16 carbs (not great, but decent).  If I'm going to eat something devoid of  nutition, at least there's 7g of protein!  Not an everyday food, but good for a craving.  Read about it here: BBQ SOY

Find #2:  I can't believe I'm admitting that I bought this.  It sounds so horrible and the packaging doesn't help.  Tofu noodles packaged in water in a clear bag.  Ewwww.  I only bought it because I heard Hungry Girl use them as a substitute for noodles and I'll at least *try* it. I'm going to try some mixed with milk and lowfat cheese (maybe laughing cow triangles) in a desperate attempt to satisfy my mac n cheese addiction. It is called Tofu Shirataki. Read more about it here:  TOFU NOODLES

Find #3:  Vitamin D pills (5,000 IU).  According to my blood test a few weeks ago, I'm low yet again.  So, rather than go back to the doctor so she can write a prescription for a single pill that is 50,000 IU to be taken weekly, I just take 10 of these tiny softgels.  This saves me a trip to the doc and another copay.  I'll do the high dose for 8 weeks and then go in to see if it is back to where it needs to be.  Then I can go back to maintenance.  I think the level is low again because of surgery and all of the weird stuff I've put my body through in the last 6 weeks.  

Penzey's Spice Store:  I've heard about this place, but I've never been there.  I grabbed Chipotle seasoning, Adobo seasoning and a new, salt free seasoning "salt" that can be used like Lowry's.  I'm hoping I can use this to season up the Morningstar Farms fake meat.  It was a neat place - jars available to smell every single spice there and the sales ladies were super helpful.  I think my total with tax was about 12 bucks for the 3 spices that were 1/4 cup or so.  I can't afford to buy all of my spices here, but for the specialized ones, this was a neat place.  Otherwise, my Oregano, garlic, etc will all come from the 99 Cent Store.  ;)  Visit Penzey's here and be sure to get a catalog - there are cool recipes inside.  PENZEY'S

I just roll my eyes. . .

*@&$*U* #(#)*@&&$  *$(*@&$&#$(&#$*^ !*@&#$^$&*(!&#

Off antibiotics, now steroids....grrr.....

Following my fill on Wednesday, I broke out in a rash.  It didn't itch until this morning when I noticed that it spread.  It isn't an allergy to Lidocaine because I've had it plenty of times before.  I went in to the weight loss center (three days in a row: fill appt, support group and then today!).  The best the NP can figure is that it is a generalized allergy.  She said the antibiotic I was on for the staph infection is notorious for causing rashes, but I finished that up on Monday.  Go figure.  Hopefully the steroids will knock this out.  

On a positive note, I got my first substitute teaching job of the year.  This is in a district that is far away, but I've subbed there before and loved it.  Once you get a good rep, teachers will request you and you'll be busy.  I'm hoping to get my name back out there after teaching in a classroom for the last year.  The good thing about subbing is that no one will really notice my weight loss.  I don't want a bunch of questions like I might have in a smaller workplace where people see me and are more likely to notice changes.  I also don't have to buy as many outfits because I can wear them more frequently because I'll always be in a different school/classroom.  :)  :)   This is going to come in handy soon because I'm almost down a size since pre-surgery, but not quite.

Ack! Post-Fill Problem?

I have a rash (mostly all over my belly) since last night.  I noticed it last night before bed but it is still the same this morning.  Anyone had this?  I've had Lidocaine before, so I doubt it is an allergy, but what the heck?  Also, is it common to have a tender port area after a fill?  Kinda of feels like someone punched me.  Not really pain, more tenderness than anything.  Just feeling a bit paranoid this morning!

NSV (Non Scale Victory)

Totally forgot to mention that my blood pressure was normal for the second time since surgery.  Back to 120/80ish - right before surgery I was diagnosed with high blood pressure, with a BP of 135/96 or so.  I should probably keep a list of my NSV's for the "bad" days.

First Fill Complete!

My band holds 10cc's and I'm told most people are between 5-7cc's when they're in the green zone.  I had 4 cc's put in at the time of surgery, and all 4cc's were still in today! (that means no leaks, wahoo!).  I got 1cc added for a total of 5cc in the band.  She used Lidocaine to numb the area first (which pinched a bit, but nothing more than a blood draw) and then I didn't feel the Huber needle going into the port.  I watched her draw out the 4 cc's and then added that in plus the other 1cc.   Not too bad.  I can go back in 2 or 4 weeks, depending on how hungry I am.  I'm on liquids for a day, then mushy food, then gradually back to regular food again.  Hopefully this makes a dent in the hunger issue!

The Wii Truth

I bought a Wii and Wii Fit Balance Board (used).  The treadmill at the gym was terrible - there was a gigantic mirror RIGHT in front of it and no TV to watch.  The last thing I want to do is walk and stare at myself in boredom.  

I got everything connected tonight and did some of the initial tests.  I thought I'd take a few pics to mark my beginning.  Honesty hurts. 

I was surprised to see that it was accurate!!  Same as my scale.

Drum roll....

It was awful.  The music went wa-wahhhhh and the character hung her head in shame (even though she still has a smile on her face).  How horribly depressing!  If you need me, I'll be drowning myself in the toilet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

First fitness test:  FAIL.  After the tripping question, I wanted to drop kick the Wii, but resisted.

After the slightly traumatic Wii experience, I set my goal at a loss of 1 pound a week.  I figure the worst that can happen is that the Wii gets all excited for me.  I hate to think of what it would say if I didn't reach my goal.  I'm not sure if I could take that!!  So....here's to the Wii, and it's brutal honesty.

How many times do you need to chew a raw carrot?

Apparently more than I did.  'Nuff said.  The dogs get to eat the rest of the carrots.  <sigh>

Yes, it is what you think it is.

Craving Satisfied

I really wanted to make a homemade pizza and today I did.  I made it as "healthy" as possible without losing much taste.  I had to calculate all of the ingredients and then figure out how much I would be able to eat (rather than regretting it after I ate half the pizza).  I got to eat TWO pieces!!!! Yeah!!  It had mystery meat, chicken, turkey pepperoni, and much less cheese then I would have preferred, but it was good and I'm happy for a while.  Next time I will put way more meat on there.  I snapped a picture midway through.  If you're one of my friends on myfitnesspal.com, I believe you can see my recipe that I used.  (user ID: lifeisjustbeginning2011@yahoo.com).  Thanks for visiting.

Hydration

Pardon the rant, but I'm finding it completely impossible to drink as much as I should be.  First, 64 oz every day.  Alright.  Then add two cups because I'm on antibiotics.  Alright.  Then if I'm outside for any length of time (i.e. five minutes), I've gotta drink more because its 112.  So, I've calculated my water.  If I don't leave the house, that's 80 ounces minimum.  That's with a "pouch" that holds about 3 swallows of water before I feel like I'm going to yack.  UGGGGHHHHH.  I'm going to have to start drinking some Gatorade G2 every day.  My bowels will appreciate this.  Now, I'm off to.....stay inside.

I GOT STUCK!

Wow.  I knew the day would come.  I've been uncomfortable before, but tonight I actually had food get stuck.  I had two "chickenless nuggets."  This was during a big thunderstorm - my power was out, the dog was freaking out, and I was just happy that I had dinner ready before I lost power.  I ate two of them, realized that I ate them too quickly because I felt a little bit full.  I set the plate down to make myself slow down.

I started salivating a lot.  Then I felt like someone had their fist up the back of my throat.  I think the thunderstorm drama probably got me nervous and the band tightened.  The rest of the details are graphic, so if you're grossed out easily, quite reading now.  This is for the benefit of my bandster friends, so if they haven't had it happen, they'll know what it's like.

I can't say that I actually vomited.  There was no liquid whatsoever.  It is hard to dry heave up food!  I think I only did the dry heaves a few times, then got a little up, then a little more.  I felt my throat relax a bit, so I got some warm water and took two large sips.  Then I was in shock.  There was just too much going on and I didn't chew my food.  It was very scary though...I had to breathe through my nose because I felt like I was choking.

I waited a half hour or so and tried a tiny bite.  Five minutes later it was fine, so I ate the rest of my chickenless nuggets.  Ack.  It sucked.

Lab Results (vitamin levels)

Here are the blood tests I had from my primary care:

CBC (complete blood count)

Thyroid Panel (T3, T4 & TSH)

Iron + TIBC (not sure what the second thing is)

Folic Acid

B12

Vitamin D

The only issue was Vitamin D (I've been low before).  I'll have to talk to the Endo about the thyroid levels.  I think they're ok though.  Considering what I put my body through for the last 5 weeks (1 week pre-op diet, surgery & finally a staph infection, I'm happy.  I'm eating regular food (cautiously) and hoping that I'll get some energy back once I knock the staph.

I also met with the nutritionist today and had my food diaries printed out since surgery day.  He advised to watch the sodium, which I had noticed as well.  I think it goes hand in hand with my love for cheese.  He wants me eating 200 more calories a day, a total of 1000.  He said the caloric intake could also be responsible for the fatigue.  Eat more protein, protein, protein.  My goal is 60 a day but I'm usually in the upper 40's or 50's.  Planning my meals ahead of time will help me plan this better.

Man, a few hours in the sun (110 degrees today) has worn me out.  I carry water with me all the time, but I can only drink sooooo much.  I'm supposed to drink two more glasses of water a day since I'm on antibiotics, plus more because of the temperature, in addition to the minimum 64 oz.  That's a lot of water!

Manic Monday Questionnaire

1. What is your occupation right now ?

Just left the teaching field, too much drama. I'm lookin'!

2.What color are your socks right now?

None, no one wears socks in Arizona!

3. What are you listening to right now?

Food Network

4. What was the last thing that you ate?

Pizza Casserole

5. Can you drive a stick shift?

Nope.  I tried once and it smelled like the car was on fire. Never again.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?

Dad

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Cece always reads and replies to my blogs, even when they're boring. 
Thanks Cece!

8. How old are you today?

33 1/2

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?

None really

10. What is your favorite drink?

Fuzzy Navel

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?

Yes, just to a darker shade of brown.

12. Favourite food?

Cheese

13. What is the last movie you watched?

Little Fockers

14. Favourite day of the year?

Christmas because I get to see my family

15. How do you vent anger?

 Just blurt it out.

16. What was your favourite toy as a child?

Cabbage Patch Kid

17. What is your favorite season?

Winter.  I live in Phoenix, remember?

18. Cherries or Blueberries?

Cherries

19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?

Sure, not sure anyone really reads my blog anymore. lol

20. Where is you favorite place to escape?

Dad's and Jan's house!  Or to play Bingo somewhere...

21. Favorite Tv Show?

Sex and The City, Food Network Star, 48 Hrs on ID

22. Living arrangements?

I live with two dogs, a mutt and a Shiba Inu

23. When was the last time you cried?

Talking about my surgery

24. What is on the floor of your closet?

Dirty laundry central

25. Who is the friend you have had the longest?

Amanda - since elementary school

26. What did you do last night?

Went to Target

27. What are you most afraid of?

Death (people, pets, anything really)

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers?

Cheese - maybe a little spice but not too much

29. Favourite dog breed?

None in particular - like 'em all

30. Favourite day of the week?

Well, I'm unemployed, so any day

31. How many states have you lived in?

Three

32. Diamonds or pearls?

either, I don't wear jewelry very often though

33. What is your favourite flower?

Gerbera Daisies, but I like all flowers really

Bad news :(

Staph infection.  Thank goodness the doc cultured it last week.  Added another antibiotic to the one I'm already taking AND my fill for tomorrow is cancelled until the port is better.  DANG!!!!