Wednesday, June 1, 2011
I had typed up a big ol' update a few days ago and then my program crashed and I lost it. Ugh. So here I go again.
Firstly, let me apologize for disappearing as I have. It's been a crazy past couple of months. Seriously. I'm not making that up!
The Spring semester has ended and I'm in my 2nd week of summer break. I'm so stoked for this break. I thought math was going to break me, I swear! I thought last semester was rough, well kick it up a few notches and that's the difficulty of this last class. And it's only going to get worse! I'll be living at the tutoring center in the Fall; that'll be that.
Of course I did swell in both my Writing Fiction and Digital Photography class. I've got some great photos that I need to put into frames and hang up now. We're talking some kickass pictures! Not because of the class...but because I had time to actually go through pics from the past year and print them out in class. So nice when you have a great photo printer worth thousands of buckeroos at your disposal!
As far as weight loss goes...the plateau that I'd hit really hit me hard. Not only was I not losing weight, but I was losing momentum in a big way. I was trying not to, but when you don't lose for well over a month, you lose steam. Needless to say, I fell into the typical rut that those who lose weight fall into for a while. It didn't help with all of the stress going on from school and such, either, and I easily started to give a day up here and there with exercise...until finally I wasn't exercising at all. NOT GOOD when trying to lose weight.
No fear, fellow fatties, I'm back. Well, technically I never left, but I'm back for a few months again. Regularly until school's back in again. You know how it goes. I'm back on the treadmill daily. Forcing myself to not take Sundays off again so that I get back into the habit again. When I feel I'm good and ready, I'll give myself that one day off again. Until then...I'm full force and gung-ho. It's not fair that us fatties have to always worry about falling off of the wagon, so to speak. No matter if we reach our goal...we always have to be in hyper-awareness mode of what we're eating, how much, and when....we will never be free from being fat, not really. Not fair at all. In fact, it downright sucks. I want to be one of those people with the magic metabolism. Of course I will never be...so here I am, doing what I can with what I've got.
Still no work to be found and we're entering summer where the pickings are slim in the bank, as well. We're usually tight during the summer until my first part of my student loan comes through. I really wish I could find SOMETHING. I am trying to keep busy in the meantime. I'm still volunteering a lot at the SPCA, we're in the process of moving to a new location. Bigger and better. Yay! I'm also involved in animal transport and have done a few of those now, as well. Which leads me to my next big news...
K and I would love to introduce you to our new family member...merry Mary.
She's part Chow-Chow part Golden Retriever. She's got the sweet and loving personality of a Golden, and the fluffiness of a Chow. We couldn't have been more lucky in a new family member. She's Emily's age, 11 years, and so she's old and creaky. Her hips are not what they used to be, I'm sure, and she stumbles or loses her balance from time to time...but she's got lots of kisses and love for anyone she meets and Emily and Peaches are slowly getting used to having her as part of our family. Mary came into our lives through my transporting some doggies from Battle Mountain County Animal Shelter which is about a 3 hour drive East of Reno. I didn't leave home expecting to be bringing home a new family member...but she was going to be put down if I didn't pull her, and nobody's shown any interest at all in her being's that she was so old. K and I have a soft spot for older doggies...they need a loving home in their final years. That's the least that we can do for them. So Mary came home with me, along with the two other dogs that I was transporting. We took her to the vet within a day of her arrival and she got all of her shots and then took her to the groomer where she was thinned out and shampooed. After that, it was like her entire demeanor went from blue to perky. She literally prances and dances and shakes her head in joy. She's such a blessing to us...and will continue to be so.
So that brings me to today. Now. Things are pretty much the same as usual. K celebrated his 51st birthday and so we had a dinner/movie date...something that we haven't done for months and months since there's just not money for that kind of thing. It was nice to get out with my sweetie pie and just be together without worrying about the kids.
So that's what's been happening with me. As I mentioned, now that it's Summertime, I will be updating on a more regular basis again.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
I'm bummed.
This one's for Christopher!
Friday, April 30, 2010
I also got my English final paper back and received a 95% on it. I was happy because I didn't think I'd do that well on it. I just didn't feel comfortable....but I guess Patty didn't think that way! There were still a few things I could have done better but overall...I did really well.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I had a lot of questions....and it wasn't until Kurt almost kicked my physically out the proverbial door that I took the step. Last year for his birthday we spent the day on TMCC campus, and for once I felt the faint stirrings of excitement. Excitement that I'd finally be able to do what I love...eventually. Excitement from taking one more step in the right direction from my life. I was still working in Utah then...and I knew that the time was upon me to give notice and move back home with my husband. We all needed to be a family again.
And so, after enrolling and being accepted, signing up for a loan, signing up for classes...I was on track. But there was still the idea of the first day back to school. Yikes! It'd been so long! Kurt had told me that when he went back to school he was so afraid that he missed the entire first week of classes! I was not going to be like my sweet husband. Hahaha. I straightened my spine and took that step in the fall...and I've not regretted a single moment of it.
Fall semester began with me taking classes in Political Science (yes, me), History of Rock Music (very fun class thanks to Dan Robbins), and a college prep class. In the latter I learned many techniques for studying, getting involved, working with others, etc. Needless to say I finished up that semester with a 3.9 GPA. I was so proud and was looking forward to starting the Spring semester where I'd be taking math, English (taught by a wonderful woman that I want to emulate in so many ways, Patty Cullinan), and Diversity (again a great instructor that I wish wasn't leaving but he is so he can devote his time to finishing his doctorate, Christopher Koch). Again, I've surprised myself with how much fun I've been having. I won't kid you...the work load was a lot heavier than my first semester back...but I've been able to tackle everything, so far, with good grades. I was scared about math...no need for me to have been. It's been so much fun to learn...and I'm actually grasping concepts that I'd never learned before. Yay me!
But the best thing about starting back to school? The one thing that I've loved more than the learning new things? Meeting new people. Making new friends. I've made some good friends this last year in school. I hope that the friendships are able to move with me as I go through the rest of my life. Brenda and Kelly from my EPY class. Angela, Debbie, Jeff from English. Dan, my rock music instructor. Studying with these people, talking with them, learning from them, and definitely laughing with them has enriched my life beyond measure and I thank them all for making such a difference...even if they had no idea.
And so here we are...wrapping up the Spring semester. Only a few weeks left, if that. Final pages of course syllabuses. Lots of papers being written, tests being taken....it's making me a little melancholy. Will I stay in touch with my new friends? Or will the friendships fall to the wayside as so many other college relationships do. I sure hope not...because, to me, they are more than just friends. They're a part of my life. And as I've said many times before...I love my life!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
After having a pretty down night and day after the math results came in I've began taking steps to ensure that that sort of thing doesn't happen again. I've made appointments with math tutors twice a week for an hour each time to go over math and to review what I didn't have down before. My math teacher will be giving the test again because apparently most of the class did pretty shitty. So I'm going to be reviewing like mad!
I'm doing pretty good in my Diversity class. A's on the quizzes and first paper. Should know how I do on Tuesday with my second paper that I turned in. I also turned in an extra credit paper. I haphazardly put that one together so I don't know if I'll have gotten all of the points for it or not. It's definitely my favorite class, though. Christopher is an excellent teacher and really gets the class involved. There are some touchy subjects sometimes but it's fun to hear other people's opinions.
We're past mid-term and on the downward side of the semester. I'm looking forward to the end. Haha.
Monday, March 8, 2010
I've been cleansing today...never a fun ordeal but I've felt as though I've needed it for a few weeks now. I ran out of the cleansing juice after my 2nd week so I've went without for about 3 weeks now. It was time!
Kurt's decided to blog again...about some really fun stuff. So if you haven't been following his blog be sure to do so. You can find the link on the left side of my blog under Fave Blog links...his blog is called Something/Anything? He's such a talented writer and I love reading his stuff because he makes me laugh so darn much!
Yesterday we went grocery shopping...a tedious chore that must be done. You should have seen me reaching to the top shelf for a can of plain almonds. Of COURSE it was on the top shelf...and of COURSE I couldn't reach them! And of COURSE Kurt was in the next aisle over looking for something else on the list. So I stood on my very tippy toes (which isn't far with all the weight I'm carrying) and streeeetched my hand up. There were 4 cans stacked one on top of the other and so I grabbed the bottom one and verrrry carefully lowered it down to where I could take the top one off of the stack and then very carefully put them all back up onto the top shelf. I was impressed that I could actually do all of that without dropping anything! Ahhh the drawbacks of being short.
I took the dogs to their vet appointment a few days ago and was told (I already knew) that Peaches needs to lose a pound or two. She's got love handles where there needs to be ribs. So we've been trying to feed them twice a day, morning and evening, out of separate bowls. Peaches gets only 1/4 cup of food each time. I was worried about her because for a while she wasn't eating...but we've found our rhythm. Phew! They also both got their shots and Peaches got a mani/pedi done. MUCH needed! Her nails were starting to split... :(
Anyway that's all for now...till next time...don't eat any chopped liver. Not only does it taste disgusting but it looks disgusting, too!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Now, as a fat girl there are two things that I was concerned with with the new semester. The first being parking. Although I had it perfected with last semester I was worried about the new building and new time. I know, I know...I worry about the oddest things...but seriously, this was one of the main things that I was concerned about. Being uber fat makes walking long distances hard. My lungs get all worked up, I turn all red in the face, huffing and puffing...wait, am I talking about the distance between my lounge chair and bed or between the parking lot and classes. Both! So I worried about this. I worried for naught.
The second thing that only a fat person of my stature has to worry about is squeezing into those small desks. I had two classes last semester that I had to do that with. It was rough. I always felt like I was squeezing into jeans that are two sizes too small...tugging, pushing, shoving...you get the idea. So when I reached my math class and saw that it was tables I was elated! One class down! And the class and instructor isn't so bad, either!
After math is English...and when I peeked through the window on the door to THAT classroom I was not so jubilant as the desks were desks...and not tables. *Insert frowny face here* When I went in I saw the little table on wheels with the comfy chair and headed towards it. They're always in the front row anyway and so it was perfect! (I'm a front row kind of gal.) So I didn't need to worry about wedging myself into a small spot yet again. Woohoo!
After all was said and done I really believe that I will have a positive experience with these two classes. Tomorrow I have diversity and we'll see how that one goes. It's on the ground floor so it shouldn't be too much of an issue...and the parking lot is one that I'm familiar with. Go me!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Well, the semester's grades came out and I did superbly well in all of my classes...even poli-sci! A's in both college prep. and rock history and an A- in poli-sci! Can you say WOOHOO!!!
Another bonus is that I've found a job. Not the greatest but it resulted in one of those letters that I sent out a couple of months ago to all the local vets and doggy day cares, etc. Surprisingly it is our vet that we go to that called and offered me a position of Kennel worker. I can't remember the official title. Basically I'll be walking the dogs, cleaning the kennels, and keeping the office neat and clean. Hopefully I'll be able to see the vet techs that work there in action and get a better idea of just what they do! There are more hours than I was hoping for...just short of 30...but the pay is much better than I'd hoped for so I guess that's ok. We'll see how it goes when school starts again on the 25th of January and see if I can manage my higher workload classes with my job hours.
The upside to the new job is that it's a very physical one. I'm on my feet almost the entire time...who am I kidding...I AM on my feet the entire time. I feel pounds just aching to come off with that kind of activity! Yay! I've worked a full day already and will be returning after the holidays for my regular Friday thru Monday hours on the 8th of January.
The holidays have came and went with little fanfare. DH and I were unable to afford gifts for ourselves or others this year so we didn't expect much in return. We were surprised by a visit from santa's elves on xmas day, though. (AKA Richard and Holly) They came bearing some fun gifts...one of which was supposed to get DH out of his grumpy, scrooge demeanor. It did for a few minutes anyway.
Richard and Holly are very old and dear friends of Kurt's from the town he graduated HS in. I guess Richard was the first friend he made when they first moved there. Whatever the story...bless them...they were so sweet and gave us two GC's to Macaroni Grill (or Chili's which we don't care for). They were both a very high amount and gave me a good cry when they left. These two people have given us at least one date night, if not two. We haven't had one of those in so very long. It was a very self-less act that they have performed and I'm positive that they will receive multiple gifts from heaven for it. We're so grateful to have them both in our lives....and thank you to Facebook for helping to bring them that much more closer to us!
A couple of months ago I weighed a LOT...and I still do. I've been listening to a weight loss, self-hypnosis CD every night in hopes that it'll rub off...and I'm looking forward to the exercise that I will get from working. Here's hoping, cuz I'm tired of getting out of breath from climbing into bed, or walking into a store, or not being able to make it up a flight of stairs without pausing for a moment. The life of a fat person is not fun...and it's not healthy. I need to get on the ball.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Winter means the end of my first semester back in college. Winter means looking forward to Spring semester starting and new classes to enjoy. Winter means new photos to take and explore with my camera. Winter is winter. It's simply a season. It's my emotions and thoughts that can make it into either a good thing or a bad thing.
As of now...I choose to make it into a good thing. Now...if I can just talk my inner critic into believing the same thing.
