Thank You!

I'm a couple days late with this but the ever lovely Black Butterfly, Dawnya and so inspirational Christine at Phoenix Revoloution nominated me for the Stylish Blogger Award.  Thank you so much ladies!!!  I am flattered.  So, I think I need to reveal 7 things about me and nominate 15 more bloggers that I love or have found lately.

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7 (obscure) Things About ME!

1. I am a Libra and I was born in the Year of the Dragon.  This makes me very strong willed but I am also very even keeled.  I like peaceful.  I'm a lover, not a fighter.
2. I got kicked out of my house when I was 16 and have been supporting myself ever since.  I put myself through college and have a relatively successful career now.  Not the ideal way to get started in life, but it sure makes one grow up fast.
3. I can pour hot tea into a parfait glass perched on my forehead, foot and behind my back.  A little trick I had to learn (quickly) when I waited tables at a Morracan restaurant.
4. I appeared on a couple of episodes of Work in Progress - a show that used to be on HGTV.  I LOVE doing home improvement projects.
5. I'm a giver.  I like to give gifts randomly (picking up things when I see something that reminds me of someone.)  I like to help friends with their home improvement or organization projects (told you I like DIY projects!).  I think this trait goes way back.  My mother says that when I was about 4 or 5 she was talking to a friend of hers who told her that she was so broke she didn't have 2 nickels to rub together.  Overhearing this, I promptly went upstairs and retrieved my piggy bank which I presented to her.  Even back then I would give you everything I had if I thought you really needed it. 
6. I'm a TV-aholic.  I love reality shows - mostly competitions like Top Chef, Project Runway, Amazing Race.  I also love HGTV, Food Network, cable series like Dexter, The Big C, True Blood, Sex and the City (I know it's not on anymore but I still loved it) and The Big Bang Theory.  I TOLD you I was an addict.  It's lucky I work in the satellite industry I guess.
7. I really, really, really want to travel the world.  Someday when I have time and money I want to go to India, Africa, the Seychelles, Costa Rica, Cinque Terra (in Italy), Brazil and pretty much everywhere else.  If I could find someone to do The Amazing Race with me (that I wouldn't want to kill or vice versa) I could get a whole bunch of traveling in.

15 bloggers I love or have recently discovered:

(this is gonna be hard because I follow over 130 of you guys and I love you all!)

1. Well, I have to say, I just recently discovered Dawnya and even though she nominated me, I have to nominate her right back.
2. Same goes for Christine.  She is the first blogger whose entire blog I read beginning to end.  She is always full of great suggestions and, because of her, I am completely paranoid the my port will protrude eventually ;-)
3. Catherine is wonderful and living the big city life I always wished I had had the guts to go for.
4. Amy W. kills me.  Have to admit I have a little girl crush on her.
5. Gen - my Colorado neighbor who shares the same doctor and whose experiences have taught me to only go to the wonder PA, Dawn, the port whisperer.  One of these days we will finally meet in person!
6. Read - whose MIL stories slay me.  OMG, she and my MIL belong together.
7. Tina who sent me a wonderful, cushy bike seat
8. Sherry whose writing style is so wonderful. I just wish she posted more frequently.
9. Maybe this Time - who is practically my band twin
10. BG at The Sweet Spot - So inspirational.  Can't wait til her book is published and I get to read it.
11. Mimi at The Big Fat Bet - just found her yesterday and love her already
12. Robin - another Colorado blogger.  I haven't met you but I am so impressed with your success!
13. Cindylew - Where are you girl?
14. The other Amy.  Again, you haven't been around that much lately but I love it when you show up.
15. Dinnerland - always so supportive.

I could go on and on.  If I didn't list you I swear it is only because I ran out of room and because I need to wrap this up.  Now I have to inform everyone I nominated.  Yikes.  So much to do, so little time (while at work).

Thanks again to Christine and Dawnya.  I truly appreciate the sentiment.  I am not the most prolific blogger but I am trying.  This is going to be a long journey and I need all the support I can get from my (mostly sisters) in bandedness.

Monday Blues

Happy Monday everone (well, as happy as a Monday can be).  I just noticed that I am averaging about 1 post per week in the new year.  This is not good.  I read everyone elses post religiously but don't seem to find much inspiration for writing my own.  I guess I am not feeling all that interesting.

My weight this week was the same as last.  Not sure if it is related to TOM, or if I am just continuing along on my massively glacial weight loss movement.  I know I should just be grateful that I am going in the right direction but it is sooooo slow.  (Over 40 and peri-meneposal does not make for rapid weight loss.)

I'm feeling a little sad that Read's MIL has gone home.  I am sure she doesn't share my sentiments but her presence does make for great reading.

I'm headed to the gym tonight for the Group Centergy class.  It is a combo of yoga and pilates with some squats and lunges mixed in.  I have actually found it more challenging than my Group Power class - which is just a group weight lifting class.  I think I am going to stay late tonight and get a steam in.  Things at home are not so good so there is no sense in running home.

On the band front...restriction seems good.  I became insanely tight when TOM hit late last week.  Seems to be easing up a bit but I do get stuck on solid foods at a pretty regular rate.  I know I must not be too tight since I have no problem with liquids or mushies so I am convinced it is just me still eating too fast or not chewing enough.  I am so jealous of Lap Band Gal who has never PB'd and still managed to lose over 100 lbs.  Crazy!

Hope everyone is well.  I promise I will try to blog more.  Have a great week!