Monday, January 18, 2010

Merry Christmas from Guinness’ Dog House

Happy holidays from my dog house to yours!

Happy Holidays to you and your family from Pflugerville, TX. What a difference a year makes! Mom is still pretty busy with work and now always having to watch Finnegan (more of that later) so I would give it another whirl this year for the family letter. I still remain the princess of the bunch and have many tales to tell! Hopefully you enjoy our stories from the past year as much as we did with the activities.

H.A.P.P.Y H.O.L.I.D.A.Y.S.

Horror, Little Horror – The big news of the year is the newest member to my dog house, Finnegan (formerly known as Toodles). Mom found him at a rescue shelter and thought he needed to live with us. He is a monster. A four month old puppy that makes me look like a saint! He does like to chew on mom’s things STILL and even though I pretend to be annoyed with him, I love having him around.

April – Girls week! Grandma and Aunt Jo Ann came to visit us in April. Although for some reasons Finnegan and I had to go stay with Dr. Skinner while they toured Hill Country. Finnegan was the hog of attention while we were there. But I still love visiting. The following weekend we went to see our family in Houston. Finn & I agree…leftover grease from the fried Turkey is yummy.

Painting – LOTS of painting. Grandpa came to visit us in July to help mom finish the painting upstairs. She wasn’t making very much progress on her own. Finn & I loved it because Grandpa was at the house every day so we could play. He is so good he finished ALL the rooms upstairs and the laundry room in less than a week!

Planning – Mom did a lot of planning with her brothers and family and pulled over a HUGE surprise party for Grandma’s 55th birthday! Grandma didn’t even know we were coming to visit and she was so surprised when we greeted her at the door. Even Aunt Jo Ann & Uncle Oak were in on the surprise! We had fun playing with our friends Bailey, Chloe, & Morgan while we were back!

Yes! – Those are the words we said when mom’s friend Kris asked if they could come to see us for vacation! Kris, Ron & Kyra came to stay with us. They got to do fun things like Sea World, the Schlitterbaughn and shopping but mom wouldn’t take us! Kyra kept us entertained and we missed her as soon as the car left the drive way!

Heaven – Grandma S was called home to heaven in June. Grandma had it planned out and it happened during our trip home to Nebraska. It extended our trip for a day. She definitely will be missed and taught mom a lot about faith! I will definitely miss all that yummy food she would sneak me when Mom wasn’t looking!

Opportunities – Mom had lots of opportunities to do her new work outs of choice, swimming, biking & running. She trained with Team & Training and did her first Triathlon in May! She enjoyed it so much she did 3 different ones! Finn and I loved the running part because she would take us with her! Our godmom, Michelle, even flew in from Maryland to cheer on Mom for her big race – the Capital of Texas Triathlon! She took lots of pictures of mom in action and it was a visit long over do!


Insulin – In January of this year, Uncle Shane was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It was definitely some frightening times and he ended up in the hospital for three days. Of course, now the concern is, will mom get it? With Grandma M (Type 2), Uncle Gene (Type 1), Grandma S (Type 2), Shane (Type 1) it definitely is a possibility!

Dates – Mom still continues to date guys but still hasn’t found one that Finn & I approve of. Her and Kevin broke up in February but still remain friends and he comes to visit now and then. She dated Brent for awhile and we thought she might be on to something, but no luck. We are still searching for a dad and are not settling for less than the best!

Ahhhh Cousin – My mom’s cousins Courtney, Amy & Damon all came to visit us Labor Day weekend. Damon did the Austin Triathlon while the girls cheered him on! They spent a day tubing the River and did the trip to the Salt Lick. They had a LOT of fun and Courtney & Damon kept telling mom she was going to take Finnegan home with her! I would of so loved it but for some reason he was still here when they left.

Yea Babies – We love babies and the Schmidt clan finally has some we can play with! We met Shane’s son Gage when we visited Nebraska in June! Then for Thanksgiving, mom was always playing with Ali – cousin Luke & Sara’s little girl. I made sure to sit right by them when mom was giving her a bottle. She is still MY mom. Plus, next year there will be even MORE little one’s for us to play with since Cloe will have a baby at her house by then and Cousin Brenda will also have a baby too!

Security – Mom is still secure in both of her jobs. She still is working at National Financial Partners but moved to a new group when the company did some downsizing. She still does her old job but also takes support calls for general website technical questions as well as Microsoft Office questions. After a year, she finally has a set schedule at Lowe’s. It definitely made things easier for Finn & I, well mom too. She works on Tuesday & Friday nights and then opens on Saturday & Sundays. She is not so tired on her new schedule, even though she still works the same 20 hours. Plus, we can get in more walks this way!

A special message from Mom
I hope this finds that each of you have had a joyous holiday season and a great start to 2010!  Life in Texas is good and gets better and better each day!  My house is finally done on the inside which means that in 2010, the foucs will be on the outside!  I  pray each of you has a healthy & Blessed 2010!

Jenn, Guinness & Finnegan

Little Piggy

Okay, well that is what my nose looks like.  The little piggy nose. 

Surgery went really well on Friday.  I checked in before 6 am and on my way home by noon.  I did feel a little sick after my bathroom run, but never did get sick which is a REALLY great thing. 

I have spent most of my time sleeping and eating.  I have to eat to take my antibotics and pain meds, so I eat almost every four hours.  Then the pain meds make me sleepy, so I sleep after I eat. 

Aunt Jo Ann stayed through Sunday morning.  We made a run to the grocery store before she left since the soups I planned for meals were out.  Everything I eat has to be at room temperature.

Pretty much, right now I just feel really congested.  It comes and goes in waves.  I really would just love to blow my nose but for now - that is out.

I am also being very careful on what I eat and recording everything in my WW journal.  I cannot do any running for 6 weeks and right now even a walk seems like an exhausting task.  So, until I can workout again, we will be extra careful on the food.  The goods news is that today's weigh in (my outing of the day) was 2.6 lbs returned to the fat gods, for a total of 4 lbs.  Hopefully by next week, I'll get my 5 lb star!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

100, 99, 98, 97....

They tell you to count backwards from 100 and honestly I don't remember if I make it out of the 90s.  But, I do have that sinking thought of will I wake up?  I think everyone has it has ever has surgery.  Or so I hope I am not alone.

I should be asleep now.  I have to be up at 4:45 and out the door by 5:15 but I can't sleep.  I have had a number of surgeries in life, 6 to be exact and they are never anything less than stellar.  From always puking to having a bladder that doesn't want to work, outpatient becomes a three day hospital stay.  I have this normal routine I go through, Church, confession and then prep for the surgery. 

I think the part that bothers me the most is that I didn't make it to Church or confession.  My biggest fear with any surgery is dying.  It just is.  It was hard tonight talking to my momma.  I talk to her everyday.  Tonight she said I love you when she ended the call.  I know many here that every call with their family but ours isn't that way.  So to hear it, it was just hard.  My second mom Aunt Jo Ann is here to take care of me, taking me to the hospital, taking care of me this weekend and keeping my momma in updated. 

So here I lie in bed tonight, tears flowing, afraid.  I'll say my prayers tonight and beg for God's forgiveness and mercy for the sinner that I am and I'll pray that this surgery does help me and ease my sinus pain. 

For my family and friends, I love you all!  As Grandma Schmidt would say, until we meet again....

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Week 2 Update

Well, it is official DC and her sister kicked our ass this week.  Of course, it happened to do with DC's miracle weight loss in one week.  I secretly think she pulled a BL and was stocking up for her first weigh in so it looked like she did REALLY great in week two.  We will see what Week 3 holds for her and the rest of us.  Here is our beautiful graph for the week:


T minus 2

So I haven't blogged in a week.  Honestly, it is because once again I have another sinus infection.  It started Tuesday of last week with a headache.  Since I am scheduled for surgery on the sinus on the 15th, I was only able to take Tylenol for the headache.  Needless to say, it was still there on Wednesday and by Thursday, I just couldn't take it anymore.

I called the surgeon's office and left a message for the nurse.  Told her what is going on and she called back and left a message saying they called in two prescriptions.  One was an antibotic and the other for pain.  Well, fast forward to me sitting down on the couch to look over these prescription.  Holy cow, not sure what kind of headache they thought I had, but Vicodin was the cure for it, or so they thought.

So, Friday I was just wiped and called in for my shift at Lowe's.  Honestly, I had to have DC to talk me into doing it.  I always feel bad and think the last shift I didn't work was in August.  Well, I later found out that I had been the fourth person that called out that night.  :(  Oops!  But they covered.

I did open on Saturday and I looked like ass.  They told me I looked like ass.  I had dark circles under my eyes, I felt like my eyes were floating in fluid.  It was good times.  Sunday was a better day but Monday and today are more of the ass feeling.  Except, now to couple the headache, my throat hurts cause of the crap that is draining down my throat!  Ugh.  I would love to call in tonight but it is my last shift until next Tuesday and working that one is kind of iffy. 

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Friendly Competition

Back in September of last year, four of us embarked on this journey to lose weight.  The winners received $, the losers paid up!  We started at the same time as the Biggest Loser - Second Chances started.  Obviously, we haven't done so well.  But - it's a New Year and time for New Starts.  So - here is where we are by team and what we have done so far. Got to protect the innocent, so you won't know who is playing but you can follow us along on our journey!  I am on Team West and our gain is all on me. 



Monday, January 4, 2010

LosinIt2010

Yep, if you are on the Weight Watchers site, this is me, LosinIt2010. 

As with all New Year's come the New Year's Resolutions.  So, the first one is of the year is this little issue I have called my weight.  Yep, most will look at me and say, yeah well you don't look that bad, you don't need the Fat Club.  But I do.  So not only am I going to do this with the help of WW, but I am goin to do this with the help of you...my secret stalkers....I know that more than just Runner reads this. 

So, Monday's at lunch time I will be attending the local WW near my work.  Today's official weigh in...I even hate to say this out loud....191.2.  Ugh.  Really it isn't a shock.  I have the scale at home and that number is just a few off from what the home scale said in the morning. 

I know what I have to do and now I have people to hold me accountable every week and my first goal is hit my 5% goal...181.2....look out world, here I come!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

*$^*(#)&*(^#*&#*)&*#_&R*)($#

That is what my knees are saying right now!  The period of not riding my bike came to an end today and for whatever reason, my knees are screaming. 

Runner and I were going to head out New Year's Day for the "Freeze Your Fanny Off" annual bike ride and after seeing that the morning temp was just around freezing and we were suppose to ride at 9, we both agreed that we were fair weather riders and the temps had to be at LEAST 45.  :) 

So, this afternoon, in a cool 52 degree's, we headed out for our normal ride - Parmer Lane.  It is a ride done a million times over, but for whatever reason, my knees are killing me tonight.  It took us an hour to go 14 miles, so it wasn't an earth shattering pace.  Just ANOTHER sign that I need to get some weight off and get back into that beach body! 

It was great riding with Runner today!  It had been way too long since we had done anything together and it was just nice to catch up!  We have decided that Saturday's will be our standing ride date.  Of course, within reason and it has to be 45 without a terrible wind!  :) 

I am LOVIN 2010! 

Small World leads to....

a low key New Year's Eve.

Right before Christmas I received a friend request from T (short for Trouble) on Facebook.  T and I went to the same high school, only he was a year ahead of me.  I knew of him, but didn't know him.  I think he was more the resident bad boy and well, high school wasn't some of my finest days, my wall flower days.

From the friend request, T indicated that he is also in Austin and was interested to see other Pius peeps here.  So, given that, I said why not, and accepted the friend request.  He was back in Lincoln for the holidays and really we didn't really talk outside of the isolated comments on status updates.

Well, fast forward to Wednesday night.  I was just settling in to watch the Husker bowl game and was doing a quick check of Facebook when I got an IM from T.  Long story short, I had to pause and then rewatch the first half of the football game because T and were talking and I was not paying attention.  I knew enough that we were winning but that was it.

T was visiting his sister in Pflugerville, so after declining going out for drinks for the second half, T came over here.  Sadly, I must report that I didn't see much of the second half of the football game because we were more talking that watching. 

I don't know how to put it.  It is like a piece of home showed up on my door step.  Someone that gets home, high school but gets why Austin is the BOMB and why you wouldn't want to move back!  Even though we didn't know each other really in high school, it felt like we have known each other forever.  It ended up being a waaaayyyy late night of catching up and because I was so flippin tired for work on Thursday, staying home on NYE was just fine by me.

Of course, as my luck has it, T is now out of the country for the next month enjoying a nice vacation where it is very warm!  I did chat with him at midnight and can only assume that we will hang out again when he gets back.