Ann S.
Update
Aug 28, 2007
I am now 6 weeks & 1 day post-op. Been stuck at 225 for several weeks now. While it's frustrating at times because I'm anxious to get on with the losing, I am determined to NOT say that I've ONLY lost 21 lbs so far. That's still 21 that I don't need to fight with. I get my first fill on Sept. 12th...just a couple more weeks from now.
Our Anniversary Celebration was a huge success & I couldn't be happier. The weather was nutso but even that didn't detract from the beauty of the day.
My friend, Lynnie, one of the "main gang" had asked me last week to email her a photo from our first wedding. Well, she surprised us with a matted & framed collage of our anniversary invitation along with the photo I emailed her. Then the guys, Alain & Dennis, presented Mike with a brand new shotgun. Another friend, Janeene gave us a feed bucket full of goodies for our horses.
I mentioned the weather. It went from sweltering 105 degrees all day to downpour of sideways rain right at the time the wedding was supposed to start. Didn't matter though cuz I was still at the motel dealing with a frantic matron of honor (Mickie) who was trying to rush me along. I finally convinced her that they wouldn't start without me. Besides we still had to stop & pick up the chicken, cole slaw, fruit & veggie platters. The platters were a dissappointment...no fruit at all was ready & the veggies were rotten!!! I was soooo upset about that. Thank goodness I made a ton of deviled eggs & Mickie's hubby, Dave, made his famous meatballs.
We finally arrived with the chicken, the cole slaw, & a pair of puny veggie platters & there was Mike, still nasty & grubby from working all day. Dennis, his bestman, finally convinced him that it was time for a shower & to get dressed. In the meantime, Mickie & I boarded the carriage & Dennis & Lynn (my borrowed Dad for the day) took us for a leisure carriage ride along the lake. I needed that ride to calm down from all the stress of the past few days. I was so worried that I wouldn't fit into my dress, but it fit like a dream. Then I had stressed over the cakes because Matt, my son, accidentally dropped the beautiful groom's cake that I'd stayed up all night making & decorating so I had to make a replacement, plus my 3 tiers for the wedding cake. As we're riding along, enjoying the scenery & serenity, Dennis informs that for a while my rings were missing...he'd lost them! Thank God he found them cuz if he hadn't I'd have killed him for sure.
Finally the guests were all seated & it was time to begin the ceremony. Originally we were going to set up chairs outside of the tent but because of the weather we moved it in out of the rain. The rain actually stopped long enough for us to not only get through the ceremony, but also long enough for everyone to get a plate of food. Anyway, back to the ceremony. For weeks I had envisioned Mike & Dennis riding side by side along the upper portion of the lake. I chose specific music to be played. While I couldn't hear the music because I was too far away, I did get to watch them ride across & it was just as I had hoped it would look...spectacular. And now it was MY turn to arrive.
When the carriage came to a stop, Dennis stepped up to assist Mickie as she climbed down & then escorted her to where Mike & Cliff were waiting. Lynn helped me down & we stood there as I listened to a recording of my darling sister, Cyndi, sing a beautiful operatic song. Then the Bridal Chorus began & that was our cue to make our way to Mike. Oh my. The way he looked at me when Lynn placed my hand in his...I will never forget that look. I don't think I ever felt as beautiful as I did at that moment. The ceremony was lovely, the words beautifully spoken by our dear friend, Cliff, who served as our officiant. And he had a suprise in store for us...one that I never expected. He asked us all to bow our heads in prayer & when we did, Cliff began to sing The Lord's Prayer. I have known & loved this man for 12 years & had no idea he could sing that well. It was such a touching moment for us all.
We actually held a ceremony within a ceremony, called the Sand Ceremony. Our sons, Matt & Chris, were asked to join us. As they approached the front, they brought with them a table that was laid out with 4 small vases containing 4 different colors of sand & a large empty vase in the middle. Each of us picked up a small vase & as Cliff explained to our guests, we each began to pour our sand into the big vase simultaneously. The blending of the sands were a symbolic gesture of the blending of our two family...Me & Matt with Mike & Chris. Our sons are grown now, but only Matt was at our original wedding & we just wanted to do something special that included them. The result is a lovely table decoration for our home with the unique design...a kaleidescope of colors that will be treasured always. Cliff pronounced us husband & wife AGAIN & just as it happened at our first wedding, Mike kissed me long & passionately while our guests applauded. With the Bridal March playing in the background, each of our guests filed by with hugs, kisses, lots of I love you's & best wishes.
The food was great, but the weather was not. It began to pour down again so some of the menfolk got together & pulled the tables in under the tent while our poor DJ frantically rushed about covering his equipment. There would be no more music for the rest of the night. In exchange, the Good Lord gave us a spectacular fireworks show. We lit all the oil lamps on the tables & just enjoyed each others company & fellowship. Toasts were made lovingly, the cake was cut...this time, instead of dropping cake down the front of my dress, Mike decided I needed some frosting on my nose! Eventually our guests began to say their goodbyes, a quick clean up, then Mike & I headed for our trailer for some much needed rest. We crawled up into the bed, poked around in the bucket of goodies Janeene had given us, chatted about the days events, who said what, remembering our first wedding. Then we just cuddled up together & fell asleep, blissfully happy & peaceful.
We didn't get to dance to "our song" & we didn't get to boogie the night away, but it was perfect...all of it...even with it's flaws. I can still, to this day, look at that man of mine & get butterflys in my stomach. I so adore him & I know he adores me too. And so ends the story of our fairytale Anniversary.
Night all & may God bless & keep you.
Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007
Aug 16, 2007
This week has been hectic but not without its rewards. I spent the night at my bestfriend's house (Mickie) last Sunday. Was supposed to help my "hanai" daughter, Allison, shop for an outfit to wear to my anniversary celebration, but due to a cranky husband, I didn't even get on the road until noon, which was when we were supposed to meet at the mall. I DID get to spend a few minutes with her but no shopping.
Mickie sat with me while I had some lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant. I still can't get used to the idea that I'm taking home half of a kiddie's meal. It strikes me as being so funny! Instead of going back to the mall, we opted to go to her house & just chill for awhile, which we did.
The next day (Monday), Mickie & Dave went off to work, leaving me to my own devices. I just layed around & relaxed, revelling in the fact that nobody was around to "want" anything, such as food, laundry, answer the phone, etc. Around 9 am I ventured out to the mall & found a cozy diner to enjoy a leisure breakfast & the morning paper. I walked inside the mall about 20 minutes before the stores were due to open & found a comfy bench to sit on. Looking back on it, I could have done what I was watching others do, which was the mall walkers. Oh, hindsight being 20/20, I missed that opportunity. Finally the stores opened up. My first task was to find gifts for the menfolk that are participating in our "wedding." I went to the western wear store & after much searching, came away with 6 very nice belt buckles. I even got Mike a new one. I strolled through JC Penney's, looking at the women's clothes. I am sooooo not impressed with their fashions. Nothing looked good so I didn't waste any $$ in there. I decided to cruise the mall. Why not...my sister, Cyndi, wasn't arriving at Dulles until 5:15 that afternoon anyway. Besides, I had more gift buying to do. I came across a hair salon & the next thing I knew I was getting my hair washed & blow-dried! If I'm EVER lucky enough to win the lottery or something, I will definately have a hairdresser on staff cuz I can NEVER get my hair to look as good as when they do it for me!
By 2:30 I had found the additional gifts I was looking for, had eaten lunch & was ready for new scenery. But before I continue, here's the first reward of the day...
I WALKED THAT ENTIRE MALL, BY MYSELF, UNASSISTED BY ELECTRIC CARTS OR WHEELCHAIR!!!!!! I didn't feel the need to sit down every 5 minutes. I wasn't out of breath & felt no pain at all!!! That's a first for me in too many years to admit to.
Ok, so next I found the nearest Walmart. Walked that one too. I bought a couple of things I will need for making my wedding cakes, plus a new outfit that was on sale. Then I drove back to Mickie's & vegetated on her computer for awhile. Mickie & Dave both got home about 4 pm. Mickie changed clothes real quick & then we set out for the airport, while Dave got the baby (my Godson, Joshua) ready to go so they could meet us at the restaurant for dinner. At first we were gonna just have a girls' dinner out, but with such little time to spend with Cyndi before she heads off to her REAL reason for coming to VA, I decided to make it a family affair. We were to meet up with Dave, Mike (that's my hubby), & Chris (my youngest son) & Amanda (Chris' girlfriend). But back to the airport. We circled, & circled, & circled some more. Then I made a boo-boo & wound up almost all the way to Centreville. Finally got turned around, collected Cyndi & her luggage & then headed for the restaurant. We all had a very good time yakking & cutting up & enjoyed a leisure dinner at Logan's Roadhouse. I came away with lunch for Tuesday, which Mike thought he was gonna take for his lunch at work....NOT!!!!
Tuesday, me, Cyndi & Matt headed to Winchester for some shopping & a little girlie pampering. I got my nails done & a pedicure; Cy got a pedicure as well but they didn't do as good a job on hers. Probably cuz she has steel belted feet!!! Cyndi's completely immersed in her new beau, Bill. It's a new romance & on this trip will be their first time of one-on-one, so to speak. At one point, while she was talking to him on the phone, I asked if I could speak to him. I convinced him that he needed to come to my place cuz I was making spaghetti for dinner & I had a plate with his name on it. Well, he jumped at the idea & within an hour was on his way to my place. Cy & I finished some shopping & got back home in time to tidy up a bit. Bill arrived & she was sooooo tickled to see him. He's quit a guy, that Bill. He regaled us all with tales of when he was a career firefighter/paramedic & I can't remember when I laughed so hard! Both Matt & I are medics, as well, so his stories were really something. Bill & Mike hit it off good too, having military stuff in common (Mike's retired Army, Bill retired Navy). Dinner was terrific & then we just sat around the table swapping stories some more. By 11 pm, we were all ready to go to our respective corners of the house & bed down for the night.
Wednesday, Cy & Bill were up with the chickens. I slept in till my usual weekday wake up call from Mike at 8 am. Cy & Bill needed to hit the road by 930 so while she collected her things, I went out to the garden & harvested some fresh tomatoes & bell peppers for them to take with them. After that, I spent the day on the computer. I still have to make the design for our "arch" for the ceremony. Mike prepped the plank last weekend so now it's my turn to work my decorative magic. I made up 2 different designs for Mike to look at when he gets home. Around 6, I started making dinner. Sad to say....IT WAS AWFUL!!!! I don't make too many stinker dinners but when I do, they're really bad!!! If Mike won't eat it all, then you KNOW it's not good!!! Mike decided he didn't like any of my designs so he got on the computer & messed around. Came up with a good rising sun design, but the lettering was off.
So now we're up to today. It's raining, thank God!! I got my wake up call, did my call to nature, ate breakfast, got caught up on the OH happenings & now I'm typing this. When this is done, I'm gonna climb onto my stationary bike & give that a whirl, then it's back on the computer to finish up the sign design. Hopefully I can start transferring the design onto the board & start woodburning. Mike will have to put the finish on it during the week, next week.
Tomorrow I have a post-op nutrition class at Fair Oaks for 2 hours, hopefully hook up with Mike Oxley, a fellow OHer, for lunch, then I'm off to Culpeper to meet up with my friends poolside at Kelly's Ford Inn for the day. They're talking about doing a mountain ride on Saturday so I will probably work on the sign while they're off riding. I'm still not ready to get on my horse yet. I'm not allowed to lift anything over 15 lbs for another 2 weeks so I better not try to wrangle a horse before then. We'll get home sometime Sunday evening. Then it will be 5 days & a wake up till our 20th Anniversary celebration!!! I can hardly wait!
