Saturday, July 15, 2017

Liebster Award Responses

This is what happens when you don't blog for several months. My beautiful friend at I'm not fat, I'm metabolically efficient nominated me for a Leibster Award in November and I just saw it. Talk about a procrastinator. This is an award given to up-and-coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. I probably have less than that because I'm not consistent in my blogging.
 
The rules:
1. Think of 11 facts you'd like to share about yourself.
2. Answer the questions I asked.
3. Think of 11 questions you'd like to ask (come on, have fun, it's a way to be nosy without being rude)
4. Nominate 5 bloggers
11 Facts about myself:

1. I am a procrastinator - hello, did I not just say that? (Considering this has taken me 4 years to complete!!)

2. I'm addicted to Facebook games. Hence, my procrastinating. I'd rather sit with my family and play on Facebook than do housework, obviously.

3. I have an Accounting/Finance degree, and worked in the Mortgage Industry for 10 years before I became a mom.

4. I love my kids and am a strict mom in some aspects. Most of the time I love being a mom, but with an 11 and 13 year old (now 15 and 17, see, procrastination), sometimes that is tested!

5. I love watching movies. The whole family loves movies. We could (and do) watch movies over and over again.

6. I've been married to my wonderful husband for 21 years in May (ok, 25 now, do we see a theme?). We met in college and have been together for 25 years.

7. We just moved out of the house we lived in for 20 years and can not believe how much stuff we accumulated (this is current!!)

8. We have a wonderful Bernese Mountain Dog that we love dearly!! We lost our Great Dane two years ago and still miss her.

9. I have a hard time dealing with the loss of someone close to me.

10. I very much enjoy sitting down with a good book, also another form of procrastination.

 11. My family are the most important people in my life.

 Questions asked by the person who nominated me, I'm not fat, I'm metabolically efficient

1. Was there a pivotal moment that made you decide to take on this weight loss challenge or a combination of different moments and what where they?
Yes, when our family went to Elitch Gardens (Amusement Park) my daughter and I couldn't ride on a ride because I could not fasten the belt. She was 5 and I felt like a horrible mom because of it.  

2. If you could tell something to the 20 year old you, what would it be?
You need to do the best you can with whatever you do, don't assume that anyone owes you anything.

3. What is your favorite holiday/season and why?
Christmas, because it is a time to spend time with friends and family. It is a magical time of year.

4. What is your favorite thing about blogging? Your least favorite thing?
 My favorite thing about blogging is that I learn about people and I am able to express my thoughts and feelings without too much judgement. My lease favorite, I don't do it enough.

5. If you were in a zombie apocalypse what would be your weapon of choice (this question brought to you by my children).
A very large gun. 

6. How well to you take advice? How well do you give it?
I think I take advice well, but have been told differently. I try not to give advice, I've been burned by this before.

7. Think of a time that makes you smile....describe what happened.
My children make me smile all the time. 

8. Name one thing on your bucket list.
To travel with my husband.

9. Name a pet-peeve -- particularly if you do it yourself so it's even WORSE when other people do it (not that this is EVER a problem for me).
People who act better than others. (No, I do not act this way and never will!) This is not only a pet-peeve, it sticks in my craw every time I see others doing it.  

10. If money and size are no object where would you shop for your clothes.
Same places I do now (with the exception on Lane Bryant).

11. Do you think people are essentially good, or bad and why?
I feel most people are essentially good, with a few exceptions. There are always exceptions to every rule.  

Questions I want to ask my nominees.
1. What careers did you consider before the one you are in currently?
2. What were you most afraid of as a child? What are you most afraid of now?
3. What type of music do you enjoy?
4. What is different about your life today that you never would have predicted 10 years ago?
5. Do you watch any sports on TV? Which ones?
6. What was your most favorite vacation?
7. Star Wars or Star Trek?
8. What is the last movie you saw in a theater?
9. Do you wear a watch? If you don’t, why not?
10. What do you look forward to about the holidays? What do you dread about the holidays?
11. If you were the leader of your country (i.e. president, prime minister, etc.), what are the first changes you would make in the country’s policies?

 My nominees (please please play):

My how time flies.....

Starting weight: 301
Weight at last weigh-in: 222
Today's weight: 190
Total lost: 110

It has been alomost 5 years since my surgery and I could not be happier. I have more energy and can fit into normal size clothes. 

There have been ups and downs and days that wasn't sure if I did the right thing. I really wanted to keep a log of my progress, but life got in the way. The more time passes, the easier it gets to feel that I have done what I needed to do.

It has been a long journey and I am ready for the next. 

With rapid weight loss comes lots of extra skin and I am wanting to get all of that taken care of. Off to see the plastic surgeon in a couple months, I hope.

All I know is that without the love and support of my family I would never have made it




This is me on my 48th birthday (las year), and I didn't shy away from the camera. In fact, I love taking pictures with my favorite people!