Friends and Family

Friends and family

Today October 25 would have been my Mom’s 69th birthday. I am starting this blog off with this to explain my rather melancholy mood.

I have been thinking a lot about family this week- my actually family has dwindled significant in the last decade or 2- My Mom, Dad, Husband, both my Mom’s Parents, My Dad’s father, my Mother in law, one of my Grandmother in laws, my step mother in law, and many Great Aunts and Uncles are all deceased.

I do have a fabulous Brother, his wife, 2 Nephews, My Dad’s Mother, a Father in law, Grand Mother in law , Sister in law, 2 Nephew in laws – 1 of which just got married, My Mom’s brother and a bunch of her relatives that all live in and around Ludlow Massachusetts.

We do not choice our families- they come to us from God, he selects them for us. However there are the “collected family”, as my Mom used to call them. I have many of these family members. Some have been part of my “collected family” since I was 8 or 9 years old, others since Jr. High school ( I Graduated High School in 1982 and college in 1986) High School, College, Jaycees ( 1984-1996), Landmark education, and life in general. Many of those family members live all over the place- New Hampshire, Georgia, Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Delaware, and others are just up the street.

They work in all kinds of jobs and careers from, stay at home Moms, to Teachers, Chiropractors, Hotel sales director, IT folks, office/practice Managers, bar owners, Physicians, Retired military personal, Etc. We get to exchange ideas in our diversity.

I love my “collected family” for I have chosen them, I have invited into my life and my heart, they are frequently on my mind, and never ever out of my heart. As I sit here to write this there are some of them doing amazing things and other having struggles. One of “collected family” ran the Marine Corp Marathon today, and I am anxiously awaiting his blog to find out all about it, another is on his way home from Las Vegas where he delivered a speech this weekend about this incredible plan he has come up with that helps Patients get out of pain, and be able to strengthen their weak core muscles, a plan I know and thanks to him, has given me my life back. Yet another is preparing her special needs son for Tonsil surgery this week, one is dealing with caring for his aging Mother who is in the beginning stages of dementia, one has a daughter about to graduate high school this year and a teenage son to deal with, one is coping with the recent death of her beloved Mother in law, one just got her 1 yr clearance from a Liver transplant, and others are dealing with the day to day joys and struggles of living life.

Of all the Collections I have had in my life, the collection of “Collected Family” is my most cherished and beloved. They are blessing in this amazing life I live and I am truly blessed to have them be a part of my life- to each and every one of you I say THANK YOU, I love you and even though we don’t talk often, you are never out of my thoughts and always in my heart. God bless each and every one of you.

This week I finally broke down and purchased some winter clothing. I ordered on line several pairs of slacks, some tops, a couple of fleece jackets, a few sweaters, 2 pair of shoes, a pair of boots, and 2 sweat suits – yep I am COLD already. I have always disliked shopping and I am not enjoying it all now either. I did however order a fabulous Dress to wear for New Years Eve, I will be celebrating New Years in Jamaica this year and am very excited about this dress, and it’s awesome.

I saw my PCP this week; I have lost 168lbs – HOLY COW--- I am blown away by that. My injected insulin has been reduced drastically in the last year- from 220 units a day to my now 20. WOW. My blood pressure meds have been reduced equally as drastically. My goal is to be off all by my Thyroid replacement hormone within the next year. It’s all about being HEALTHY.

Thanks for being a part of this incredible journey with me.

Unusually Cold

Unusually Cold

That is what I have to say about this week… it’s been usually cold. This morning I awoke at 7:30 to find the ground covered in white stuff. I thought for a moment I was dreaming but – no dream it has snowed well a lite dusting over night. WHAT ???? Its October right? It’s been cold enough that Ariel, the cat, has been sleeping under the blankets with me lately.

I’m still fighting with a cough that doesn’t seem to want to go away. But I am feeling good- and have had a good week. Our new front desk/marketing director is doing a great job, and so far I am very happy with his performance.

My weight loss continues, and I really need to buy some warm clothes as the cold has snuck up on my faster than I had anticipated and have almost no warm stuff left in my closet. Of course what I do have the girls are going to get rid of anyway the next time they are here.

I really did enjoy my trip to Florida 2 weeks ago, and I am looking forward to Jamaica in December. I just read an article that made me scratch my head- apparently one of the news sandwiches sweeping the nation is a bacon cheeseburger that is served on a toasted buttered krispy kreme glazed donut- this sandwich weights in at a whopping 1500 calories- WHAT?? Seriously why?
Things here are good. My nephews are growing and thriving one is playing football for his high school team, they have a new Puppy named Molly. I hope my brother enjoyed his Guys weekend in OC.
My incredible coach leaves for a speaking engagement in Vegas this week; I know he will have an amazing time. Vegas is one of the most amazing cities – there is so much energy there. Good Luck Dr. Wood have a ball.

As always your love and support means to the world to me- THANKS
The journey keeps getting better and better.

I've had the time of my life

I’ve had the time of my life…

I have just returned from my first trip to Florida and an incredible visit with my friends Naomi and Dr. Steve. I truly did have the time of my life and I really want to Thank Naomi and Dr. Steve from the bottom of my heart for the fabulous time.

I decide to make this blog entry a chronically of my trip.

Day #1- Thursday October 1st
My alarm went off at 3 AM although I was wide awake, too excited to sleep. I showered dressed and drove to my friend’s house for him to take me the BWI airport. I arrived at BWI right around 4:30 AM. Thru the ticket counter, and security the first leg of the flight was Baltimore to Atlanta- was only in Atlanta for less than an hour then off to Fort Myers Florida.
I had a window seat and was watching the beautiful landscape and sky as we landed. WOW
Once I had my bag and was outside waiting for Naomi to arrive to pick me up I was enjoying the warm sun and calm breeze. What a lovely place.
Naomi was as excited to see me as I was to see her. First stop was Dr. Steve’s office in Fort Myers- Dr. Steve has been a chiropractor for more than 30 years, he practice AK which means Applied Kinesiology, it’s really interesting and something I would like to learn more about. Dr. Steve gave me a great adjustment. While at the office I got to meet their daughter Marianne. We were off again this time to their home on Sanibel island- over something they call a causeway- it looks like a very very long bridge to me. It was beautiful. Naomi and Dr. Steve have a lovely home. We dropped my stuff as Naomi was anxious to show me as much of Florida as possible. She showed me Sanibel and then Captiva island- WOW what a beautiful place. We stopped for lunch at a place called the Bubble Room- WOW what a great place- this little restaurant has 3 floors, with all kinds of memorabilia around- the tables are all glass topped boxes with sand and toys in them. The meal was awesome and their “Award winning” cakes were even more amazing- I had something called Orange Crunch- OMG what a cake- I could only finish about 1/3 of it.
After lunch we went to the “Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge” where we toured the refuge and saw some beautiful birds and a live Crocodile. This was amazing to me.
Back at their house I got to meet their Son Chet and just hang out, helped a very little in cooking dinner. After dinner Naomi took me for a golf cart ride around the neighborhood, showed me the beach, and the golf course, Chet joined us on his bike and led the way. What an incredible place to live.
By 10 PM I was barely able to keep my eyes open and excused myself to bed.

Day #2- Friday October 2nd
It was off to Orlando for Naomi and I- a quick visit to Dr. Steve’s office and the off for the 3 hour drive to Orlando Florida. It was a lovely drive, the sky was so blue and the big white fluffy clouds. Once we had checked into the Embassy hotel. The pool was just too inviting so we spent the next couple of hours in the water and enjoying the warm sunshine.
After our swim and a quick shower Naomi wanted to show me International Drive this is one of the most well known roads in Orlando- it has so many many unusual buildings, hotels and the huge convention center. Then it was off to Downtown Disney- OH my goodness what a place… it was packed with people, music, lights and about a billion things to do. We had dinner at planet Hollywood- ( I had a turkey club) this restaurant is packed with really neat things like the Dorothy’s dress from the wizard of Oz and a Jeep from Mash, there is a constant stream of videos playing very loud and a DJ .
Since we knew Saturday would be a long day we were off to bed early.

Day #3- Saturday October 3rd

Naomi’s birthday- and The MAGIC KINGDOM DAY!!!!
Up at 5:30 showered, dressed and sun screened. A quick breakfast which Dr. Steve, who was attending a nutrition seminar in Orlando, joined us for. We headed to the magic Kingdom- as we pulled up and saw the huge arching sign the says Magic Kingdom- it took all the restraint I had to not un do my seat belt and start jumping up and down like a 5 year old. We had to pick up our tickets at “will call” and then off to the Monorail that took us into the Magic Kingdom….
We waited impatiently at the Gate- then the MC came out and introduced himself- his first name was George, and he announced the train the carried Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Chip and Dale, etc into the Park. We then entered the Park….. Cinderella’s Castle loomed in front of me- this was a site I had longed to see, Naomi lead the way- first to the “It’s a small world “ ride- awesome, then to Peter Pan’s first flight, then to the Hunted Mansion…. OH My - I have issues with movements due to the Chiari One Malformation, which is a condition were my brain stem sits outside the spinal column. We then went to the hall of Presidents – this is amazing how each President from George Washington to Barack Obama, then we were off to the Country Bear’s Jamboree, then to Mickey’s Philharmonic, then I had wanted to see the new Move it, Shake it, Celebrate it street party, so we went back to the front of the Castle to watch that, well watching wasn’t all we did- Naomi has photos of me dancing in the street with Chip and Dale. A quick bite of lunch and it was off to meet the Princesses, well worth the nearly hour wait, I had my photo taken with all 3 Princesses, a ride on the Walt Disney Train, then more waiting to meet Mickey and Minnie. In to Tomorrowland for the new “Monsters Inc”. Laugh Floor, then Walt’s carousal of Progress. Believe it or not it was time for us to make our way back to Adventure land for our dinner reservations and the Liberty Tree tavern. What a dinner- OH WOW- salad, roast beef, turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, mac and cheese, green beans, rolls and butter, apple cobbler and vanilla ice cream for dessert. YUMMY. After dinner we secured our places in front of the restaurant for the Parade. The Parade was amazing everything had lights on it. Then off to Main Street to what the fire workers and Tinkerbelle fly out of the castle and sprinkle Pixie dust on the crowd. We ended our Day with some shopping on Main Street. It’s hard to believe the day went by so fast. It was an Amazing and incredible day.
We got back to the hotel right around midnight- a quick shower and off to bed.

Day #4- Sunday October 4th
Neither of us could believe that we slept past 9:30; both Naomi and I are usually early raisers. We each showered, packed up our stuff, loaded the car and headed to International drive again. Naomi wanted me to try a restaurant called TU TU Tango- this is a Tapas restaurant – the food was very very good- we had bang bang shrimp, Grilled crispy pears, Stuffed lobster rolls, and Flaming cheese.
We were off then for the drive back to Fort Myers. The sky was once again so blue and the clouds so white and fluffy- just beautiful. Sunday night I got to meet Naomi’s Mom and spent some time just hanging out with their family.

Day #5- Monday October 5th
I slept in, visited Dr. Steve’s office and then Naomi took me to see the Sanibel Light house, the gulf of Mexico which I walked into to my mid calf, then to the shell museum, some shopping at She sells sea shells, dinner at the Lazy Flamingo, then to dairy queen. Back at their house we relaxed and chatted a bit more. Sadly it was time for me to pack and get ready for bed.

Day # 6 Tuesday October 6th
I woke up at 5:30 to the sound of Croc’s and the birds in the back yard. After I showered I got the rest of my stuff packed and relaxed a bit. Soon we were off, a quick stop at Dr. Steve’s office then off to breakfast with Naomi at a little place called the last watch- I had something called Floridian French toast which is a wheat germ break with strawberries, bananas, and kiwi on top of it.
Then off to the airport- I had a direct flight from Fort Myers to Baltimore it took about 2 hours and 20 minutes. My friend Dawn picked me up BWI airport for the 25 minute drive to home.


I really did have the time of my life. Florida was amazing the magic Kingdom is just that totally MAGIC-
A few weeks ago a friend of mine had told me that I was going to love the Magic Kingdom as entering there was like entering a different dimension. Rick you were so right- it truly is.
As for the diet well let’s just say it was on vacation too. I did eat wrong, but still managed to keep my blood sugar levels under 100.
I cannot put words to the feeling it felt standing on the beach Monday while the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico washed over my legs. It was just incredible.

Ariel my adorable kitty was so happy to see me when I got home- she did not leave my side all night.

The stuffy nose I woke up with yesterday morning turned into a fever and cough this morning- I am sure it is just my body’s reaction to the claimat change and in a few days I will be fine.

I cannot find the words to express my gratitude to Naomi and Dr. Steve for their incredible hospitality and for giving me this amazing chance to enjoy my new life. THANK YOU BOTH so much.

Months ago my Coach the amazing Dr. Joe Wood told me that life was going to get so good that I could not imagine it, I kind of shrugged that off but NOW I know what me means. OH WOW…

This journey is amazing and so much fun.

Growing bones in new places

This week’s accomplishment: 9/21-9/27/09

This was a good week- back in the gym. Our New employee is working out great, and I have been able to return to my desk and get a bunch of stuff done this week.

My workouts have been about 75 to 90 minutes this week- despite tendonitis in my left wrist and a kidney infection. Thankfully I am feeling better.

I am so very very excited about my trip to Florida and to the Magic Kingdom. I have been doing some research on the magic Kingdom and it looks like an amazing place.

I ordered a pair of jeans last week- they arrived this weekend and they appear to be too big. I swear I no longer know how to dress my body. I guess at some point I will need an intervention for clothing.

I have also begun to grow bones in new places- for instance the other day I notices that I now have bones around my collar area and in the hip areas. I wonder when they got there, and why they decided to appear at this age.

Thanks for all your support and love.

I want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe fast for Yom Kippur.

This journey is amazing and getting more amazing every day.

An awesome week

I want to start this week’s blog with a huge Thank you to all of you that commented on my post from last week. Thank you so much for the kind and wonderful words, your love and encouragement has meant a lot to me.
This has been a good week- Besides the lovely comments to my blog, several of our patients made a bunch of comments and compliments about how I was looking. THANK YOU
This was my first week back at the gym since my tonsil surgery. My ENT cleared me last Friday for a gradual return to life. I was warned to take it slow and not push myself too hard. So I have kept this week’s work outs to about 75 minutes or less.
Wednesday morning as I was walking into the gym my gym shorts fell to the ground… LOL NO I have not thrown them away yet- I did however put safety pins at the waist to keep them up. I know I need to get rid of them, but I seem to have issues parting with clothing that I paid so much money for and have worn for such a short time. The 1 trainer I have come to know laughed and said to the women he was working with- “See I told you she was working her A—off”. It was kind of funny.
My friend Dawn and I went shopping this weekend- it was cute- Friday evening standing in Burlington Coat factory – as I tried to convince her that the Beverly Hills Polo Club Polo shirt I had in my hand needed to be in the larger size and Dawn is saying no no no next size down. To my surprise the next size down fit perfectly. We then went to Wal-Mart and I bought 2 more tops and several packages of panties and a few bras. Several sizes smaller then what I had in my drawers. This is a very strange experience for me – as I feel like I am dressing someone else’s body.
Thank you Dawn for being my shopping buddy and for knowing what fits my body better than I do these days.
It’s getting cooler and I needed to buy some jeans as Dawn and Gina throughout the pairs I had- so I took my measurements and to my surprise I have lost nearly 10 “ from my waist and hips since the beginning of March, and 8” from my chest in the same time frame. When I first joined the Gym they took my measurements as part of my initial assessment, I have no clue what they were back in September. I have ordered a pair of Jeans and we will see if they fit. Yes I still hate shopping.
This week our Company’s New Marketing Director started- he is doing awesome so far and I am thrilled to have him on our team. Welcome Michael. I will be training him all week. Since we let the former employee go nearly 3 weeks ago- I have been doing double duty and feel a bit frazzled but it will all be ok.
In 10 days I will be leaving to visit my friends in Florida- I am very excited about seeing them and the trip to Disney. While out shopping this weekend I made sure to get some SPF 50 so I don’t burn. This is going to be a fun trip and I am so grateful to my friends Naomi and Dr. Steve for making this happen for me.
I noted a very amusing thing Friday night – Dawn and I went to Carraba’s for dinner- we shared an appetizer and then each got an entrée, of which more than ½ mine came home with me. It used to be that I could eat an appetizer by myself, my entrée and then dessert. NO more… Dinners frequently come home with me.
I keep saying this “Life is really great” and getting better. My coach once told me that I had no idea how great life was going to get- I get that…. Words cannot descript how I feel, beginning able to shop at Wal-Mart and Burlington, to have to be replacing my entire wardrobe, to be able to move- walk, swim, dance and have fun and not feel pain, winded or exhausted. LIFE IS GREAT…. THANK YOU Dr. Wood.

The journey is taking me too many destinations- and I am enjoying every one of them.

This has been an incredibly amazing year.

This has been 1 incredibly amazing year

It was a year ago today that my coach Dr. Joe Wood extended his hand to me and WOW what a year it’s been.
At this point last year I weighted 149 or so pounds more then I currently do… I could barely walk, I had a hard time getting out of a chair, I could not even shower without having to sit down as soon as I got out, I was scared that the stairs at our new office would be too much for me and I would have to quit my job, and mostly I was terrified that I would end up like my late husband Edward, bedridden and needing someone else to do everything for me.

Today life is GREAT and getting better and better. Those stairs at the office are not even a challenge; I go up and down them multiple times a day. I spend 90 to 180 minutes at a time, 5-6 times a week at the gym working out. I eat right, feel great. My nephews have a better Aunt, My boss has a better employee, my friends have a better friend, and I have a better me.

This weekend was the annual Reister’s Towne Festival- this was our company’s 11th year participating in it. In past years I have helped set up the booth and then just sat at the booth because I knew trying to walk around would have been impossible. This weekend I walked around the festival several times, and totally enjoyed it. Yes it was cold and damp yesterday and I was frozen, but today was bright and sunny and LOVELY. Despite all the incredible bad temptations of food- like deep fried Twinkies—YUCK- I managed to make good food choices- a polish sausage grilled yesterday and a pit beef today

My ENT cleared me on Friday I can doing really really well. Tomorrow will be 4 weeks and he was kind of surprised I had been back to work for 2 weeks, able to talk, and able eat and swallow most normal foods. He said he has seen patients my age need 4 to 7 weeks off from work. I was off 2 weeks.

Last year when my coach and I first talked we set some goals. (Beyond the Aston Martin) my goals were –
I wanted to be an inspiration for others, I wanted to make a difference for others, I wanted to dance at both my nephews weddings, I want to hold both of my nephews babies in my arms. I want a husband who is honest, sincere, genuine, humorous, loving man, who will love my cat and accept me for who I am, who will let me know everyday how great it is to wake up next to me. I don’t think I have met any of these goals yet, but life is a work in progress.
I still have my affirmation hanging on my bedroom wall and say it every morning: I am loved and protected, and a very special person, unique and I of a kind, and that makes me a priceless creation of God’s.

Last week my coach said he was proud of me and that he expected much more- he didn’t elaborate and I did not ask because I know whatever it is- I will be able to accomplish it, for anything is possible once I have set my mind to it.

As for the Husband when God is ready for me to have that- he is going to put the man in my path.

There are lots of great things happening in the next few months- On October 1st I will be flying to Florida to visit my friends, this trip is going to include the Magic Kingdom – I have never been to a Disney park and am very excited. The day after Christmas I am leaving for a week in Jamaica- I am giving serious thought to purchasing a bikini for this trip, and come January we will once again be going to Parker Vegas – Las Vegas is the MOST awesome place.


I am not an island and have had some great support thru out this year and I really do appreciate all of it, of course my coaches guidance , support , love and belief in my even when I didn’t believe in myself has been amazing. THANK YOU DR. JOE WOOD!!!!

The top photo was taken today, the bottom 2 are me at my heavest- you will notice the cane in the 1 photo.

What a week !!!

This week’s accomplishments: - 8/31/09- 9/6/09

What a week!!!!

Well my surgeon and I had agreed I could go back to work this week, if I only worked 5 to 6 hours a day, well that did not happen. In fact I worked 3 consecutive 12 hour days at the beginning of the week, 8 hours on Thursday and 5 on Friday, and another 8 today.
Unfortunately, I had to terminate one of the Chiropractic assistance that worked for us, it really hurt my heart and soul to have to do that, but my boss and I had no choice. For those of you that have ever had to terminate someone you know what I am talking about, you invest so much in to them and then are left with little options. On the high side- we did some interviews late in the week and 1 of the candidates was just a great fit, so we offered the job and have a new employee starting next week.
My throat is doing better, still a bit sore but I am finding that if I keep it moistened with cold liquids it feels better. My shoulder is also nearly totally healed- now just reaching over my head provokes pain.
Next Sunday will be a year I have been working with my coach….. It’s been an amazing year and I feel so good. Seriously no price can be put on being able to move and live life. For the last year or so my friend Naomi has been on my case to come to Florida to visit her, well later this month I will FINALLY be doing just that. She is having a ball planning all kinds of fun things for us to do including a visit to the magic kingdom…. A year ago I would have made excused to not go- for fear I would not be able to keep up with her- not now, while there is a small bit of anxiety about all the walking involved with the magic kingdom- I am excited about it, and excited about doing 1 of the things on my 101 things to do before I die list.
Ariel has not been happy this week, she had not liked my return to work, nor that she has been left alone during the day. She is spoiled but loves me, and wants to spend every moment with me, as I write this she is sleeping on my feet…. NOW if I could only find a man that would love and adore me so much.
Today would have been my Late husband Edward’s 52nd birthday. He was taken home so young- but I know he is at peace and not suffering.
Life really is good.
The journey is getting great… hold on tight..