tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60699789735699082142024-02-18T19:01:15.275-08:00To Live Happily Ever Now...Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
-- AristotleKate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-30046937447110491862009-02-26T09:26:00.000-08:002009-02-26T10:30:10.306-08:00Beginning of the End?No this is not about 2012 or Armageddon - though in 2 years it may be...<br /><br /><div></div><div><strong>The End of the upstairs rotten shower -- </strong></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJv1rD0U0BvLB7Lq1HyM4SPDB0agzqs60Dpeaong6iWhLuGxU2NLt8k2tvrN5HR3nFdYkOr74X7A-LDmmp3OxlPfV62sqL9nzwHHRgOk5v3jAeHnrK880A6K0H-DjjC0Ebs_8hEUY57U/s1600-h/0216091749.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307170167226988898" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJv1rD0U0BvLB7Lq1HyM4SPDB0agzqs60Dpeaong6iWhLuGxU2NLt8k2tvrN5HR3nFdYkOr74X7A-LDmmp3OxlPfV62sqL9nzwHHRgOk5v3jAeHnrK880A6K0H-DjjC0Ebs_8hEUY57U/s320/0216091749.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We've gone back and forth on the shower debacle - the last visit to Home Despot left Rob ready to rip down all the walls and re-drywall and slap a pre-fab shower in... That left me completely freaked out and flashing me forward to some home improvement disaster show on HGTV - and Rob and I the guest stars... </div><div><br /></div><div>Now I have *full* confidence in Rob's ability to do home improvement - he's shocked me w his prowess in doing electrical related 'stuff' - which esp scares ME. But we did buy a new shower door for him in August - which is still leaned up against his bathroom wall... so I do worry about what sometimes feels like the insurmountable wall (or shower door?) between 'what it takes to function every day - chores, job, pets, laundry, etc.' and ' that + the energy to also do a bunch of home improvement stuff.' I have this argument internally all the time - how do I fit in exercise? if it's this hard now, how do we fit in kids?' </div><div></div><div>It's also a lot easier to get used to status quo - even if that means sharing a shower - than to change... it's like that old chemistry lesson - entropy vs enthalpy... a body tends toward the least amount of energy/effort, etc. <div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhhfA_txDz_6Yxe9QVaKMnDLSRJDfd19FySGmV99gkZwT2oUXlJH0JP9r3veWJ9npw2iuhqTC1uZYnwsFFfbi1H6qBE6p6mCTFYN_N1GKCDG9VM93HS34EwIAxptDG5Lw9TcFJ-H341E/s1600-h/0216091750.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307170235879453714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhhfA_txDz_6Yxe9QVaKMnDLSRJDfd19FySGmV99gkZwT2oUXlJH0JP9r3veWJ9npw2iuhqTC1uZYnwsFFfbi1H6qBE6p6mCTFYN_N1GKCDG9VM93HS34EwIAxptDG5Lw9TcFJ-H341E/s320/0216091750.jpg" border="0" /></a></strong></div></div><div><br /></div><div>SO where we landed - we did call the tile guy... after some rescheduled appts, he finally made it here Monday night. He's given us what I think is a super reasonable quote - to take out all the concrete down to subfloor, replace the pan (if needed), then re-concrete, tile, etc. Since all this is timed around bonus and tax refunds, the fix is much easier to absorb... <div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhhfA_txDz_6Yxe9QVaKMnDLSRJDfd19FySGmV99gkZwT2oUXlJH0JP9r3veWJ9npw2iuhqTC1uZYnwsFFfbi1H6qBE6p6mCTFYN_N1GKCDG9VM93HS34EwIAxptDG5Lw9TcFJ-H341E/s1600-h/0216091750.jpg"></a></strong></div></div><div><br /></div><div>It'll take about 3 days - given the time to dry/cure, etc. And am hoping he starts soon - like by this weekend... <div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhhfA_txDz_6Yxe9QVaKMnDLSRJDfd19FySGmV99gkZwT2oUXlJH0JP9r3veWJ9npw2iuhqTC1uZYnwsFFfbi1H6qBE6p6mCTFYN_N1GKCDG9VM93HS34EwIAxptDG5Lw9TcFJ-H341E/s1600-h/0216091750.jpg"></a></strong></div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>The End (I hope) of my current plateau --</strong> </div><div><br /></div><div>Lap-band wise I'm a little discouraged -- both last week and this week (weighed this AM) I've stayed on the same whole lb# -- now's when I wish I were actually noting the decimals! </div><div></div><div>I'm surprised to hit a plateau this quickly time-wise - though I realize I've dropped more than 40lbs - so weight-wise a plateau doesn't surprise me. It is however DAMN discouraging when you're eating less than 1K cals a day though... the deprivation feels that much deeper - and sorta more pointless... </div><div></div><div>I however will NOT be discouraged - and in fact I had a check up Monday - and am going in for another fill next week. Luckily the fill is IN THE OFFICE - woohoo - so it will be a small one (they have a limit on how much they can fill in office) - but hopefully cheaper... the office visits so far haven't even cost a co-pay - I think they're being accounted for as part of the surgical 'followups' - woohoo! Cross your fingers for me! </div><div><br /></div><div>That will mean next week is liquids Tues/Weds, mushies Thurs/Fri - and back to solids on Saturday... thank goodness it's just in time to be done for our Phish weekend - full of houseguests - and then a # of work lunch mtgs... </div><div><br /></div><div><strong>The End of paying $15 a mos for a crappy gym I don't use --</strong> </div><div><br /></div><div>We have a gym at work. Now in McLean (NOVA) our office bldg is like 14 stories - w the gym in the lobby. So really no sweat sneaking down at lunch or right after work, etc. In Richmond, the gym is in a separate bldg - our conference center - so really you have to deliberately leave whatever bldg you work in to go to the gym. </div><div></div><div>Our Richmond office is basically like a college campus - except unlike college, there's no delayed start to your meetings to account for walking between the bldgs. Most of us who say work in bldg 1 and have to walk to bldg 6 (my daily 'commute') - end up running there if we're in back to back meetings - arriving flushed, out of breath, w shin splints - and well late - every time... OR like me, folks just drive bldg to bldg - which is a crapshoot - bc the parking lots are large open land lots for the most part - which means your walk in from the lot can be as long as walking through 2 bldgs - and it introduces more of the outside elements... </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, our gym is effin inconvenient to 'drop in' to during the day w/o hours open to accomodate it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our gym is also dominated by networking men and crummy staff. In NOVA, there was a great staff who were friendly, knew you by name and I even would catch up pretty frequently w one of the girls there. They made themselves available for any questions and were really helpful but also didn't force them and their training, etc. on you. In RIC, they all appear to be 19 years old, disinterested in even saying a pleasant 'hi' when you come in and appear pretty stand-offish... </div><div><br /></div><div>I also do NOT enjoy working out w my coworkers - esp since the gym is about the sq ft of my house... I esp hate it that some coworkers seem to use it as their way of 'getting in good' w the sr folks at work - like I knew someone who would come in at a certain time to work out so he could chat it up w muckity mucks... whereas our former co-president of the entire company used to work out in NOVA - hat on, head down, super focussed - folks didn't try to grab a machine near him or anything just to suck up... that vibe sorta permeates our RIC gym and generally to me has completely turned me off to going there... </div><div><br /></div><div>They also do things like forget to turn on the room music... and since they're so damn unapproachable I have no desire to go bitch about it...<br /></div><div>SO long story short, I'm quitting it... gimme my $15/mos back!<br /></div><div>The timing works out very well bc we have a new Golds coming into our area -- like a crazy awesome new gym - 40K+ sq ft, w a cardio cinema (watch a movie on the treadmill) , a pool (critical for me bc of my back issues), a women's only section designed like a curves for circuit training, saunas, hot tub, racquet ball, smoothie bar, kidsitting, 100s of machines, abs only area, 2 diff workout studios...<br /></div><div>And they're running a special to 'pre-sell' memberships - so my $15 dues which to me were so cheap for a gym, I figured I'd never join another one - turns into $30/mos (cheaper than my discount at the Y) and I get a state of the art awesome gym to go to - w hopefully very few run-ins w co-workers and a TON of stuff to do. TVs in each cardio piece, etc. -- it opens 3/15. </div><div><br /></div><div>We got a 'family' membership for $60/mos for the 2 of us, I got almost all the fees waived for joining. And we can use all 3 area Golds (they've also redone the older 2 to compete)... so I'm pretty damn happy w my negotiating - and the rate. It's 2 yrs and then mos to mos locked in 'forever' </div><div><br /></div><div>Score one for Kate!<br /></div><div><a href="http://www.richmondgolds.com/">http://www.richmondgolds.com/</a></div><div><br /><strong>The End of pig as savory --</strong> <strong>Mo's Bacon Bar -- </strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>Bacon + Chocolate?! </strong></div><div></div><div>The last part I will actually leave to my friend Yhippa's blog - his post does this more justice than I could... I went on my quest to find the Bacon Chocolate Bar at Joe's Market and got the last one... </div><div></div><div><a href="http://yhippa.blogspot.com/2009/02/bacon-chocolate.html">http://yhippa.blogspot.com/2009/02/bacon-chocolate.html</a></div>Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-24008887136048286352009-02-13T11:29:00.001-08:002009-02-13T12:16:37.568-08:00'Things are gonna change, I can feel it'<em>'Soy un perdedor... I'm a loser baby so why don't ya kill? Get crazy w the cheesewhiz'<br /></em><div><div><div></div><div>oh wait crap that's not where i was going w it... although on a sidebar - WTH does 'getting crazy w cheezwhiz' connote? </div><br /><div>So this past few weeks I've been working w the padre to get tax stuff in order. Nice refund from state and really nice from federal - which makes me more comfortable in the money dept. Doesn't mean we'll have a wedding anytime soon but I feel less dire than I did a few weeks ago -- part of that also is bc our bonuses were just approved - PHEW! Though horrendous timing as it came out the same day that an entire peer team of mine was 'shut down.'<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Ok so some <strong>updates on the Smoketree front</strong> -- </div><br /><div>Upstairs bath - Rob's been working to chip the tile away - nightmare! And it's still stinky and super slow work... the next layer is concrete. We got a referral from our realtor for a tile guy -- though as I asked folks at work about the issue a few of them had had to deal w it and in fact recommended NOT to do tile bc of maintenance but instead just drop in a shower inset and caulk around it. It'll still mean a lot of work chipping up the concrete and rest of the tile but... should save some money in the long run... </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302372938535201314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0M8TGVOLqDU_kEcYRq9kEZ3-4zswEjTHDkoQMSecedkg7pRNvTsWXHN-dEGADh0EDziGaS_9gifMLc3sAhn8H_nbXzpO6_PnU1UybE1tW5_iv2FDGK2fz7veZ6ul5ILCDVYbKY7NQtQ/s320/Shower.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><strong>ALSO on a more exciting front is a craigslist bonanza!</strong> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We do NOT like our brick fireplace facade - too dark in a room that's already darker bc of wood paneling - and built ins flanking it - ALSO dark stained... we've kicked around the idea that some day we'd like to stone over it and make it a mtn lodgy look/feel instead - at minimum it should lighten up the room but bonus is that it gives a unique character and it fits in well w the decorating scheme and lots of wood... SO long story short I've been corresponding w a dude on craigslist who's actually working out of PA -- they do have a lot of stone there... He's a stone mason - has had a few jobs recently fall through so he has a surplus of materials and is willing to travel down and do our fireplace for under $600! SO I think that will be our 'big' home improvement project that I was mentally hoping we'd have something for w the refund and bonus money... </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Here are the pics he sent of the stones that we liked. We're going for VA blue ridge mtn look - not so much granite quarry stone look... </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47TNaR-Nk3dUTRuFL-B7fvlx93hnLgamCC5mJdGO2FTt-RDaHTcqjHZHJN0tSrnIbJnAmSdzRsaLWNbp42n6CnVTKFk3Ueu64AiUi3D7twwQcwT0ow2mFu0-7Z1wjegi-cHXb4s4gDM4/s1600-h/stone+060.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302373207413180850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg47TNaR-Nk3dUTRuFL-B7fvlx93hnLgamCC5mJdGO2FTt-RDaHTcqjHZHJN0tSrnIbJnAmSdzRsaLWNbp42n6CnVTKFk3Ueu64AiUi3D7twwQcwT0ow2mFu0-7Z1wjegi-cHXb4s4gDM4/s320/stone+060.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtqDBvPY7nKQ2mYBz839RDVmuyD3mKGW1q8abxLNcjDb501nhkkbi6J9Z2XZesEmt8hr9qA5kISBisKqOlvsDb1gpxzehrVBnrdcUGsVCiaIGGMYw0BVxHZCD2fKg3hwB8GCAZ1oWtyU/s1600-h/stone+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302373078065062306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtqDBvPY7nKQ2mYBz839RDVmuyD3mKGW1q8abxLNcjDb501nhkkbi6J9Z2XZesEmt8hr9qA5kISBisKqOlvsDb1gpxzehrVBnrdcUGsVCiaIGGMYw0BVxHZCD2fKg3hwB8GCAZ1oWtyU/s320/stone+052.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Also lost 2 more lbs this week - grand total of 42. Having consistent trouble w solid breakfast - so I'm sticking now to yogurt or eggs... not uncommon and frankly not something that is particularly tragic to me :) yay!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I'll close w another song - mainly bc it's been stuck in my head the last few days - who KNOWS why - and surprisingly it <em>is</em> relevant... </div><div></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em> </div><div><em></em> </div><div><em>'You take the good,</em></div><div><em>You take the bad,</em></div><div><em>You take them both and there you have the facts of life.</em></div><div><em>The facts of life.'</em></div><div><em></em></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I think it might have been subconsciously linked to seeing this Robot Chicken ep. </div><div></div><div>Check out minute 8 <a href="http://www.videowebtown.com/piss0ff/8933/28290">http://www.videowebtown.com/piss0ff/8933/28290</a></div><div></div><div></div></div></div>Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-50768340915612405152009-02-10T18:56:00.000-08:002009-02-10T19:08:43.122-08:00When it rains... it pours...Well that little 'soft spot' Rob found in his shower has now turned into the bane of our existence... (and for irony and levity I could have spelled that 'bain') - but we're past the point of levity...<br /><br />So Rob devoted this last Sunday to 'fixing' the shower. Unfortunately he barely made a dent in Step 2 (that's w step 1 being 'Go to Home Depot and buy shit') -- when he pulled up the tile he found that ALL of the floor of the shower was covering what effectively had become liquified concrete... in fact I'm pretty sure it defies the laws of chemistry - what used to be concrete is now like really stinky wet beach... it's TERRIBLE... I will never be able to do this horror justice in virtual media - until they develop a USB powered smell machine...<br /><br />SO we're starting to move out of paralysis. Rob's gotten a recommendation for a bathroom genie... does he come w a bottle and three wishes? We'll see...................<br /><br />So for now - and for the first time since before we lived together, Rob and I are sharing a bathroom. <br /><br />We've lucked out and had some awesome weather so at least we've been able to open windows and slightly dissipate the stench - which is in our master bathroom - which coincidentally of course is part of our master BR - the BR where we sleep every night :(<br /><br />OH and yes you might be reacting like we did -<br /><br />Why the hell wasn't this caught by the home inspection? And do we have any recourse? Unfortunately that's a 'who knows' and a 'no.' Home inspectors are smart w their 'if you take us to court and we're found liable, you'll only get the home inspection fee back' -- so really I don't think $300 is worth small claims court... my tune might change though when we get an estimate for fixing this disaster...<br /><br />AND<br /><br />What about home warranty coverage?! Ahh well - instead of being caused by something 'major' - ie fundamental issues w plumbing... since this was caused by something 'minor' - ie no maintenance/upkeep on 28yr old tile (would it kill them to do some grouting?!) it's not covered under home warranty... <br /><br />Flippin brilliant! uggKate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-42842333746057643852009-02-02T12:28:00.000-08:002009-02-02T13:18:48.659-08:00If it's not one thing... it's another...The<strong> Not One Thing</strong><br /><br />In the quest for continual home improvement most of you know that I've recently made a new nemesis... WALLPAPER...<br /><br />So how better to understand the enemy than to put some UP myself... by myself... (as I type this I think - WTH was I thinking?!)<br /><br />So I took Friday off - I just needed a day. It's hard coming back from a long holiday and getting back into the swing of January - by far the crappiest month by my estimation. (No offense MLK Jr day) -- I'd add February into that if it weren't so short and included Valentine's Day -- formerly known as Singles Appreciation Day (sadly enough, 'S.A.D.') but now that I'm squarely in suburban almost-married life, I sorta like the chocolately celebration.<br /><br />ANYWAY, so what better to do on a day off than procrastinate from putting away laundry?! How about putting up some wallpaper?!<br /><br />It all started bc of a big sale at Target... BEFORE I opened the mail to the horror of gads of medical bills... I found and bought for $20 a pretty groovy roll of wallpaper... I thought I'd do the laundry room wall that has horrendous paper in it already over w this paper. However, when I walked into the laundry to plan it all I realized that in addition to the royal pain of having to move a fridge and dryer, that I'd have to work around the fuse box... water+electricity - never good...<br /><br />I also didn't want to have to purchase any MORE than the 1 roll of paper bc of the recent bills...<br /><br />So I arrived at doing the smallest wall in the guest room... and I think it turned out pretty well... this is the image on Target - though the metallic is a copper/tan not the silver they show here and the background color is a matte aqua (luckily perfectly matching 2 shams I got for supercheap post Xmas at Macy's - so decorating scheme DONE) ... it's very simple/asian inspiration - looks like those chinese brushpaintings of cherry tree branches...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.target.com/Graham-Brown-Solitude-Wallpaper/dp/B000JPZFOW/sr=1-15/qid=1233607390/ref=sr_1_15/175-1675998-6418937?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038616&rank=price&rh=k%3Awallpaper%2Cp%5F36%3A%2425-%2449&page=5">http://www.target.com/Graham-Brown-Solitude-Wallpaper/dp/B000JPZFOW/sr=1-15/qid=1233607390/ref=sr_1_15/175-1675998-6418937?ie=UTF8&pricerange=&index=target&field-browse=1038616&rank=price&rh=k%3Awallpaper%2Cp%5F36%3A%2425-%2449&page=5</a><br /><br />And here it is in the room -- not too shabby... and coordinates perfectly w the neutral (boring) taupe paint and white trim that the former owners painted it right before selling (believe me - I found DARK BLUE on the lowest parts of the baseboards)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298305741701890738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG6WmrUyo0N_X7pGGZnou0EDtBuPB4X6Wr5c41ICOh-zslLsTwICiHqAGIUXGPaQl7hJFDzPOUpbQs-Igcx4tFozUnN-pZqnVE9ZbqSLB0tQo2yeeaEgaHdo-PdWNq9EmqKmGckVOO8s/s320/wallpaper+guest.jpg" border="0" /> I had some snags - not enough paper to keep up the matching -- and old Mr Azmo walked in when I was on my last super long piece and stepped through the paper - leaving little VERY VISIBLE holes in one of the metallic flowers - so there's a big fat seam where I had to cut it out and match up w the paper a foot down... figgers! <p>Now onto the...<strong> Another<br /></strong><br />When I was doing the wallpaper on Friday, I was using my upstairs tub to soak the paper (self adhesive on back.) I noticed while doing this that there was a 'soft spot' in the tiled floor near the top of the tub. There wasn't any water underneath it - just what looked to be once saturated wood that splintered into oblivion and dried... damn... that means replacing the tiles... luckily it wasn't wet, there appear to be no leaks in the tub itself and I wonder if someone just didn't have a shower liner or something in place bc it's right by the nozzle where water can spray out if the curtain isn't drawn. Didn't feel too urgent - and at some point, we'll redo the entire bathroom... something to file to mention to Rob later...</p><p>So I did - and he came to the same conclusion I did. </p><p>Now keep in mind the story of our lives recently has been all about timing... like the Alanis 'Isn't it ironic?' lyrics...<br /></p><p>Yesterday Rob comes downstairs to inform me that apparently HIS shower stall has a 'soft tile' patch - except under his is the equivalent of the sludge you see in a new housing development when it's rained for 2 weeks and there's just foundations dug...<br /><br />So now we're scrambling to figure out if our home warranty comes into play here... and Rob's now using my shower... ugg<br /><br />Here's the offending 'patch'<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298308524090891922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD6PTLFyE7aK2CdNuZN4pENYEUTY2seuH8oj8uhbXqKSbRU4AyTXE1kOKU27XOcPOsdcoOWgYJ7DsMkOQFN9OuVIB3YKZgE5qJsladLHA3J_cj2631suOZ2F0to9qfMpjGWYyDmEclNE/s320/tile.jpg" border="0" /> So if anyone knows a tile guy - or has some advice, we're seeking!! </p>Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-8398559306483140102009-01-29T11:19:00.000-08:002009-02-02T08:43:44.276-08:00Drama Queen dethroned and we need Al Borland!As my wonderful friend Mark Martin said 'dust off your skirt and get back up.' He inspired me to get over it - along w a few solid days of feeling sorry for myself.<br /><div><div></div><div>I did want to catch up on progress quickly - last Thurs I posted a 5lb loss (I think the drinking more water effect is kicking in.) and just today I was down 5 more lbs. - WOWZA! Yay! I'm still experiencing dread and trepidation when I step on the scale - pretty sure that's just human - but I also think there's a mental element here where you just feel like this can't possibly work - gotta be a fluke right?! So I keep assuming the worst and hoping for (and the last 2 weeks SEEING) the best! </div><div><br /></div><div>So now we're grand total of 37lbs down. Woot!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><strong>Calling Al Borland...</strong> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Also did a few home 'improvements' - improvement is simply the turn of phrase - not always the truth behind it...</div><div><br /></div><div>We actually did these back over holiday break - I just hadn't shared yet. </div><div><br /></div><div>We now have a lovely stainless steel (working!) hood/exhaust over our stovetop where our decrepit, old, almost useless microwave was mounted. When Rob pulled that out - it was astounding how much more space there was to cook - we could actually USE the back burners - and it really opened it up visually. We also found TWO layers of wallpaper - umm YIKES... </div><div><br /></div><div>We already had his outrageously GOOD stainless countertop microwave - which we had been longing for every day since we moved in and had to use the crappy over the range microwave. SO it's dusted off and micro-ing like the champ it's always been!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So improvement - CHECK!</div><div><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296806444260857154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFww6kHk5wmjISXitZSZZ-pGYwz9GeFO_oL4uX5GteVL0t16GXbP6eEkA3z7V74PKYEkSbiBIJcd2XROH3yTKMScY8uveOV5vg9wzzB5UES89o53HCchUEiXPCn12VkniPoxR9uyI6rE/s320/hood.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Now onto the 'other.' For those who have seen the house, 99% agree that its wallpaper is hideous. There's some on the bottom half (below chair rail) in the kitchen - that's passable in that it doesn't assault your eyeballs - but it surely wouldn't be my choice... then there's the dining room... now that is truly frightening...<br /></div><div>SO what *better* time than when you're absolutely stir CRAZY and trapped at home to remove wallpaper? Rob ventured into the world to secure me the supplies - and then I began to 'pirannha' away w this lovely medieval looking tool and coated the first few panels of paper in gel Dif wallpaper remover. Soak in, pull off... wait - it's supposed to come OFF right?! </div><br /><div>Well - the Mattoxes - who lived here before us - Debbie (wife) had told us at the walk thru - when I *specifically* asked about that same occular violating wallpaper - that 'it should come down, no problem... they sized it when they put it up.' </div><div></div><br /><div>Well she was either lying or truly had lived there SO long and had taken one too many bong hits (the Mattoxes were def hippies) she hadn't remembered that the monstrosity was there when she moved in... </div><br /><div>there was no sizing...<br /></div><div>there was no primer... </div><div></div><div>there was no sealant...<br /></div><div>there was... NOTHING... </div><br /><div>So after a panel or 2, we determined that something was WRONG... </div><div></div><div>That's right folks -- we have the perfect storm creating the MOST difficult wallpaper removal situation you can have. We have drywall so we can't use too much liquid... we have wallpaper that's old as shit and covered in glue and it's been APPLIED DIRECTLY TO THE SHEETROCK. </div><div></div><br /><div>So there was cursing and giving up... I busied myself poking at the kitchen wallpaper afterward - at least THAT was primed and came off... </div><div></div><div></div><div>There was a few days of 'I'm not dealing w this shit' -- </div><br /><div>Then there was copious googling done by yours truly to figure out exactly WTF to do... in parallel w Rob polling the experts at Lowe's and Home Depot. </div><div></div><div></div><div>A few themes emerged -- </div><div></div><div></div><div>1. You're screwed if you do remove it - then you're either replacing the drywall completely or you're spending days repairing and re-drywall 'mudding' the whole room. </div><div></div><div></div><div>--- PHEW, glad we stopped 2 panels in ---</div><div></div><div></div><div>2. You can seal it and prime it and then apply 'wall liner' - aka - plain wallpaper that's paintable - over it and pretend like you're starting from scratch. </div><div></div><div>--OR--</div><div></div><div>3. You can mud/spackle to repair what you've done, sand everything - including existing wallpaper - and then seal and then prime and then you can 'start from scratch.' </div><div></div><br /><div>I think we've settled on what's behind door #3. </div><div></div><div>We would have to buy sealer, primer and spackle anyway - between wall repair and general painting needs... this way we save the extra expense of buying a room of wallpaper. (Well half - it's luckily only above the chair rail in the dining room.) </div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296805797707210786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 459px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 335px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9F1LJyYQHFXtErnZF7kSZcklv8iukKd__0NQzRtUwRoDtMwZkvhgwcXBxaiC5bYKbtN6KzRutAlOmWK9h6UrFT_AuMCX9q7vbXn7gZ2dHkuaOOCAOK0GFA2Me_P_udN0SSZIKfosZiY/s320/wall.jpg" border="0" /><br />So I'm sure there will be upcoming developments on this front that's worthy of blogging... </div><div></div><div>Rob's Mom and Dad were supposed to come up in Feb but his Mom's shoulder surgery was more serious than initially thought so she's out of work for longer - and clearly needs a longer healing time... that buys us a little more time in getting the dining room up to code for their visit. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Stay tuned... </div>Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-48691330691933917272009-01-26T09:42:00.000-08:002009-01-26T10:16:31.568-08:00Dividedwefail FAILInsurance fail. Or maybe it's Kate fail.<br /><br />I about had a cow yesterday when sorting through the week's mail, I found bills for my surgery in early Dec - totally $4200?! What could this be?! I already paid $1100 at the surgeon's office beforehand. That's a fuckload of money right there. I mean this procedure is COVERED by insurance? $1100 sounds reasonable... pricey but doable -- and for my avid readers you already saw my rant about that bill...<br /><br />Oh how I wish it were *just* $1100. (This of course on top of the $300 or so I'd paid already toward deductible.) Who would think my earlier blog rant about that only covered a small amount of the 'holy shit I'm going to become a dividedwefail commercial.'<br /><br /><em>"I had a job. In fact I HAD insurance coverage -- but the medical bills kept coming in." </em><br /><br />Well FUCK. And eff my company for year by year making our plan shittier and shittier - but not really cheaper... and ironically they were touting how 'great' it would be for 09 since 'benefits weren't changing.'<br /><br />So shock, disbelief, tears characterized Sunday. Seething anger began Monday morning.<br /><br />Kate -- "But I have a max out of pocket each yr of $3500 -- I already satisfied my $1000 deductible and my co-insurance is only 30%!! And I already paid $1500 to healthcare in 08 - WTF?! "<br /><br />Radiologist - "Call Aetna."<br /><br />Surgeon's office "Before you call anesthesiologist ($800 bill opened Sunday) or St Mary's ($3400 bill opened Sunday) -- CALL AETNA"<br /><br />Kate -- "Ok." so I call Aetna...<br /><br />Astoundingly this poor woman was able to make me understand WTH was going on. Oh and by the way - 1 night in St Mary's (NOT counting surgeon's bill) -- $33K - HOLY SHIT. And w Terrible Teri to boot?!<br /><br />Well apparently due to some strange LIFO type insurance payment scheme - or perhaps just really delayed billing from the surgeon's office, their claim was paid out last. Which means I should be getting a full refund of the $1100. Unfortunately that's bc I'll be LEGITIMATELY having to pay $4200 which satisfies my deductible and co-insurance max out of pocket for 08.<br /><br />AWESOME.<br /><br />The only concession is that St Mary's allows you to take 10% off if you pay within 30 days - so you BET I'm gonna be racking up the rewards points w Chase as I pay that off to the tune of saving me over $300. Hoping all still goes well, my bonus in March will go COMPLETELY to medical bills and some 'we just bought a fucking house 6 mos ago' expenditures.<br /><br />To add insult to injury, my fill -- that took all of about 15minutes (w 2hrs wait time) -- guess how much that cost?!<br /><br />I'll give you a minute...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A 'negotiated' price of $3307. Negotiated apparenlty meaning that some pay MORE.<br /><br />Which means I'm now smack dab into 09 with another bill coming soon from St Mary's for $1700 -- satisfying my 09 deductible at $1000 and already going another $600 into my max out of pocket of $3500 in 09.<br /><br />So the moral of the story is 'multi-fold'<br /><br />1. Insurance STINKS. PERIOD. Even if their bookkeeping was totally accurate - about which I am floored. The cost of healthcare is outrageous.<br />2. Put whatever you can in FSA. Worst case you end up with hundreds of dollars to blow at Walgreens EOY.<br />3. When in doubt, call and make them itemize upcoming expenses -- I figured my bandfills couldn't be that much since they *used* to do them in their office for a $50 co-pay. How WRONG was I?! Wish I'd done this and coulda padded FSA way more.<br />4. We'll never afford to get married. Great... fucking great... we haven't even ever taken a vacation together. And it's not due to spendorama - first it was moving to RIC and building up some $, then my 2nd back procedure, then buying a house - and now medical bills. DAMMIT - how at 29 do I feel like I'm telling the story of a 50yr old?<br /><br />And as if that's not bad enough - of course BEFORE all this shit of the last week... I got my tax forms for all my accts. That includes my 401K - of which I lost $30K. Which was 30% of my total acct -- the acct that I started 8 years ago. How bout them apples? Thank GOD I'm not retiring anytime soon.<br /><br />Oh yah and last Thursday we announced a loss - first time ever.<br /><br />At least I still have a job (SO FAR) and a house to live in.<br /><br />And if we elope, I can get on Rob's (also Aetna - eeks!) health insurance... it's the Aetna plan I had years ago - when I never even GOT a bill for my 1st back surgery.Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-36686467246201970622009-01-15T10:20:00.000-08:002009-01-15T10:30:25.230-08:00This damn movie...I saw a movie on HBO the other night and haven't been able to shake it. I tivo'ed it bc it has one of my favorite actors in it - Nathan (Hottypants) Fillion - who was in Buffy, Firefly and some other bit parts in cult following type phenomenal dramas and also has some decent parts in movies to his credit. I think mainstream-wise he has recently been in that show 'Drive' that lasted like 4 episodes last year and in the show Brothers&Sisters which i have yet to catch. Anyway, he's really good - and frickin HOT.<br /><br />I couldn't be happier having taped it based solely on getting to watch Nathan Hottypants for 2 hours. But much to my surprise (it also stars flippin Felicity... oh and Andy Griffith!) I hit the jackpot! I thought this movie was PHENOMENAL.<br /><br />It's called 'Waitress' -- it absolutely qualifies as a chick flick but w/o the ultra happy and sappy bits that epitomize chick flicks. It deeply resonates with all things 'woman and love' but not in any feminist way nor perfect love story nor fairytale way - just in what is frighteningly real.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473308/">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473308/</a><br /><br />Anyway, I went to find out more about it - including what other movies the writer had done and found a tragedy belied it.<br /><br />The writer/director Adrienne Shelley - many accolades - including for this movie - was an indie director - actually died while making the movie... actually -- was murdered.<br /><br />There are a few other films she's written - though I've never heard of them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0791248/bio">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0791248/bio</a><br /><br />Anyway, it's worth a netflix or trip to blockbuster. It so hit me that I *must* own it - for fear someday I might forget how wonderful it was, and then that it even existed...Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-6823991031440421752009-01-15T06:54:00.001-08:002009-01-15T07:44:47.245-08:00The first fill...I have been really good about weighing weekly. Giving it a week between weigh-ins is good for a # of reasons - mainly bc it is less than obsessive and it actually can give an accurate picture of significant loss/gain. <br /><br />What however is more depressing than eating less than 1000 calories a day, every day, is when you don't lose weight from one week to the other... With such consistency and significant reduction in calories, you begin to expect to see losses weekly... not the case. This week I hit my 2nd week overall without a posted loss. I guess that's better than a gain... but it goes to show that for a portion of the population, losing weight *isn't* always a sure thing if you 'just eat less.' <br /><br />Overall, I'm still down more than 27lbs since I began this journey less than 2mos ago. Which is phenomenal - and I'm thrilled about it. I think I'm slightly more disheartened bc the last time I lost a significant amount of weight (since my 100lb loss 6 years ago) was about 2 years ago - and that was 25lbs. I need to make it beyond this hump to not feel like this is yet another 'fad' diet. <br /><br />But to the new part --<br /><br /><strong>I got my first fill.</strong> <br /><br />A quick refresher -- the band has a hollow/balloon like piece around the band itself - this is connected to a tube that ends in a 'port' - basically a large circular tough 'pad.' (same as when ppl get lines for chemo) -- this port is attached to my abdominal wall via stitches during surgery.<br /><br />There's a pic about 2/3rds the way down the page --<br /><a href="http://www.realizeband.com/dtcf/pages/realize-surgery.htm?pgn=1">http://www.realizeband.com/dtcf/pages/realize-surgery.htm?pgn=1</a><br /><br />Anyway, fills are meant to make the band tighter - and therefore keep you fuller longer with any food consumed - and this is about 1/2cup. It is filled w cc's of sterile saline - and can hold 8-10cc's. <br /><br />SO the first fill -- headed to St Mary's, checked in - had to get the hospital bracelet and everything! They do these fills at something called the 'Pain Center' -- really?! who named that?!<br /><br />So you get directed to this room - the pain center is also a pain to find - you actually walk out of the hospital and then back in - it's an externally accessible room. There's a bunch of people waiting - fellow banders - some fatties, some not as fatties and one slim woman who has lost all her hair to cancer - I'm not entirely sure that she's there for a fill - perhaps taking fluid out to ensure she can eat a lot to make up for the chemo effects. <br /><br />What I've discovered that's outrageously refreshing is how OPEN people with the bands ARE to talk about their experience, weight loss, issues, etc. It's like this topic that's been totally taboo for all our lives -- even most relatives you don't discuss your weight issues openly with... Because we've all gotten to a place where we acknowledge our shortcomings and need for help - and it's totally liberating as we can finally talk about it bc there's hope that this doesn't define us and that it may change in the future. So picture campfire, guitars, com ba ya, etc. I will spare the details since most folks who don't have issues with this could care less... Let's just say I think I've been a SAINT on my first few months - bc about everyone in there had some comment about having issues w certain foods - all of which were ones they told us NOT to eat! haha! (subs? icecream? WTH?)<br /><br />SO I get weighed and then sit for a while - then get called into a room where I immediately recognize 2 of the 3 people from my office appts - very comforting! <br /><br />I then stand in front of what looks like an open MRI machine sans bed - turned on its side. It's a stand up x ray (but w less clunky camera and smaller plates. I stand in front of it, the dr finds my port and puts mark on my skin where it is. (recall - port is subdermal - not visible from the outside - when I get smaller I'll be able to feel it and possibly see it slightly) She then tells me NOT to look at the needle - apparently it's not small...<br /><br />In goes needle (all this is being xrayed) - little prick - not bad - some rooting around to get it situated and then attached is the syringe - she pulls out the oxygen (they apparently prep the bands w oxygen for surgery) - then she puts in 3 cc's. She has me take a sip of barium -- while she watches it go down on the xray - pretty cool! She has ME holding the syringe at this point so she can move to see the xray pictures - apparently bc of the hard plastic the port is made of, it'll shoot out if not held in. She puts in another 1.5cc's - I drink more barium and she says I'm good to go and they record the amount. <br /><br />I asked her how she knows what the right amount is - and she patiently explained the xray pics - which were totally rad (and I will see if I can take a pic w my cell of it next time) - much like the upper GI post surgery. She shows me where the band is and where the barium is passing through it -- then she shows me - using her THUMB where my 'pouch' is - ie the piece above the band that holds the food -- and I'm shocked that it's little wider than her thumb! Then I notice how small the opening is between this and the larger stomach below the band - like the width of an ink refill! Unreal - and super cool!<br /><br />Then I'm done - that was IT! Nothing scary at all :) They have you then drink some liquid before you leave to be sure it's not too tight (too tight = liquid comes back up) - I'm then on liquids the next day and a half and then mushies and then solids again tomorrow -- Friday. <br /><br />I actually think the liquid part (which was terrible this time - as before) has me probably ingesting more calories bc they are 8oz portions (rather than my 4oz 1/2 cup ones) - which I attribute to this week's plateau. But damn does tomato soup still make it all better...<br /><br />Safe travels to Spevak!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-42609156434005517332009-01-15T06:25:00.000-08:002009-01-15T06:53:05.022-08:00The unseemly Smoketree underbellyThere is a plague upon this quaint, quiet suburban neighborhood... I think thy name is teenager...<br /><br />I expected less property damage in the burbs than the hood - but alas, so far my annual neighborhood dues have only contributed to MORE expenditure...<br /><br /><br />Oct08 - I bitched about the pumpkin being taken off our porch and smashed down the road...<br />Nov08 - I bitched about the mailbox being beaten...<br />Dec08 - then it was run over - totally obliterated...<br /><br />(drumroll please) -- and now the latest juvenile deliquient scheme - no doubt replete with cunning and rigorous planning...<br /><br />Picture this - we wake up - the first Saturday of 2009, we're recovered from our houseguest and candy coma; we're bracing ourselves for the last day of vacation before 09 really starts... we look outside, it's chilly but not too cold - what will today have in store? yard work? shopping? hermitting? And something is wrong with the picture. It's not so much the inclusion of a strange element - but the opposite - something's MISSING... hmm<br /><br /><br />Jan09 - dumbass took our trashcan and drove it a block and a half away - dumping it in someone's ditch.<br /><br />Luckily Rob had the wherewithall to go on the canhunt. I assumed it was stolen or we somehow had forgotten to pay our trash bill. In parallel to the canhunt, I rummaged through any outstanding mail to verify that indeed we were not deadbeats and were all paid up.<br /><br />What followed was what I'd call adult temper tantrums - which I have much more frequently than my better half - well because I'm way more vocal, stressoutable, and enjoy my moments of being a drama queen... the rest of the day we went on relationship SWAT and pretty much did our own things alone so we didn't bite each others' heads off (for something that had NOTHING to do w either of us!) <br /><br />For Rob that meant heading out to a bar, watching football and drinking beer. For me, it was heading upstairs to catch up on my trashy tivo'ed teen drama - One Tree Hill. Which cleverly btw - an homage to the network formerly known as the WB's original teen drama Dawson's Creek - they cast James Van Der Beek (Dawson) as a coke addicted Hollywood director - amusingly exactly what was always Dawson's dream - plus a drug addiction - SWEET!<br /><br />All because of some punkass teenager - that or some Hokie that is really bothered by my UVA flag. Get over it - you got a bowl game and are now 'America's university'...<br />We'll stick to our #1 public university status - most recently apparently we made the 'best value in public school' designation - which I'm not sure is *exactly* the right connotation -- I mean 'best value' makes it sound like Walmart or Big Lots...<br /><br />bit of a clash w our ultra pretentious 'The University' windshield stickersKate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-52166173531778170222009-01-01T10:29:00.001-08:002009-01-01T10:29:44.747-08:00Another year down...I already did my 08 retrospective so I'll keep it short w just a Happy New Year!<br /><br />Rob and I rang in the New Year at the new house w a roaring fire, Andy Cooper and Kathy Griffin on CNN and the notable LACK of the staccato of gunshots outside... WOOT!<br /><br />Now I am a Kathy Griffin fan (thanks to D List's endless repeats on Bravo.) When it comes to comedians, Rob is a misogynist so he's predisposed to dislike KG... well he got a taste last year w KG and Andy, and as this was our 2nd celebration, he was starting to break down and perhaps not *hate* her :) -- well she has now forever endeared herself to him - with what will likely have her FIRED from doing anymore Andy CNN NYE celebrations...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsR8DVGS9bM&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsR8DVGS9bM&feature=related</a><br /><br />Happy 2009!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-73636651095169199712009-01-01T10:20:00.000-08:002009-01-01T10:27:59.568-08:00Oh and Merry Effin Xmas in the new house...As most of you know already, we've been initiated into the burbs w 1 smashed pumpkin and a batted at mailbox (which broke off the flag) in the first 6mos of living here...<br /><br /><strong>What more could there be?</strong> <br /><br />We found out 2 days after Xmas -- some asshole (probably drunk bastard taking the backroads from Cap Ale Midlo) ran over our mailbox. <br /><br />As in left it in 4 splintered pieces - w 6 inches left in the ground - the clearance of a car bottom... RAN IT THE FUCK OVER... And he left tiremarks in the grass - clearly showing the swerve afterward...<br /><br />So thanks - and merry effin xmas to that douche. Glad that the Lowes giftcards we got for Xmas - the FIRST ONE IN OUR NEW HOUSE - will be put to such good use - as to buy a new mailbox bc of some worthless puke who's probably headed back to some b list VA college to 'get ter drinkin' w his frat bros in another week.<br /><br />As I found myself stressed the hell out after a botched grocery trip for NYE provisions yesterday, I actually took some solace in cruising the hood looking for dented bumpers and our culprit. To no avail of course...Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-3842995846105287182009-01-01T10:01:00.000-08:002009-01-01T10:14:20.931-08:00Band updateI'm a week into solids - another 1.5lbs down - woot! I'm having no nausea and really no trouble w any foods yet - but I am not full on my 1/2 cup. That said, I have no fluid in my band (which is what tightens it/restricts me more.)<br /><br />I had my 4week checkup on Tuesday - went great - except for the 1.5hour wait in the office beforehand - astounding!! I am also now scheduled for a fill - which should address my fullness issues above - on January 12th!<br /><br />I didn't end up getting any visitors post surgery - which bums me out A LOT... I'm also feeling like I'm begging to see folks - i.e. to get people to commit to making time for either a visit here or at their place or in honor of a new arrival, etc. I'm telling myself this is merely bc it is December (but it's not as though my schedule was tough - we're talking home all December - weekdays and weekends) and will get better as we settle into the cold, crappy and planless months of Jan/Feb. And I think the underlying problem is I'm just STIR CRAZY - I've never had this much time off since summer after my freshman year in HS! (And even then I had a season's pass to Busch Gardens and spent all my days there!)<br /><br />But w Xmas soon afterward, we got a parade of folks visiting starting mid December - which was fun and exhausting. I'm also a little shocked that not a single visitor made their bed when they left!! I mean, really people?!<br /><br />But I am also relieved to say I've now been able to have some wine and thus far do not appear to have the 'cheap date' syndrome - PHEW! ;)Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-3546003597342921292008-12-19T10:27:00.000-08:002008-12-19T11:37:11.931-08:00My Favorite Things - 2008So if Oprah can do it, why can't I? Course my list won't end up boosting product sales the equivalent of a 3rd world country's GDP but... I do often find my most favorable experiences are bc of a friend's recommendation. And I'm always happy to share positive ones... (esp since I spend a lot more time bitching about the negative ones ;) )<br /><br /><em><strong>Obviously there are eternal truths</strong> - that affected me specifically this year<strong>.</strong> </em><br /><em><strong></strong></em><br />It <em>has</em> been a super eventful one!<br /><br /><strong>1. Being your own landlord is always better than being someone else's tenant.</strong><br /><br /><strong>2. Trader Joe's IS the answer to life, the universe and everything.</strong> And thank Hermes (also God of Commerce and Markets) for one FINALLY in Richmond!!<br /><br /><strong>3. Changing teams sometimes CAN make all the difference at work - and then consequently personally!<br /></strong><br /><strong>4. And sometimes admitting you can't do it all and you need help -- and then getting it -- can be one of the most liberating experiences in life.<br /><br />5. And along the same lines -- truly no man is an island. Friends and family weave the best safety net.</strong><br /><br /><em>Now onto the materialistic goodies...</em><br /><br /><em><strong>Fave products of 2008</strong></em><br /><br /><strong>1. Method cleaning products.</strong> Bc bleach stinks and green is the new black. I like the mint window cleaner and lavendar AP cleaners esp. Ooo and microfiber towels - woot! <a href="http://www.methodhome.com/">http://www.methodhome.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>2. Greek Yogurt</strong> - generally. All of it -- full fat, partial fat and fat free. Why go through the trouble of making yogurt cheese or buying sour cream? This does it all. I esp like FAGE (pr. fayuhh)'s packs w cherry or honey in one compartment, yogurt in the other. OH and protein superior yogurt - so I can silence the voices in my head saying 'cottage cheese is a better snack' !! <a href="http://fageusa.com/">http://fageusa.com/</a><br /><br /><strong>3. Dove SkinVitalizer</strong> -- Vibrating Face Cleaner - ironically this I think is the frugal response to Oprah's Clairsonic fave thing back in 2007. That one will set you back like $200... this one sets you back $10. I keep reusing the facial cleaning pads w my own cleansers - and they last weeks that way too. NEVER has my face felt so smooth and clean.<br /><br />And this link will save you $3.50 on it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.doveskinvitalizer.com/register.aspx">http://www.doveskinvitalizer.com/register.aspx</a><br /><br /><strong>4. Serious Skin Care</strong> - CoQ10 day and night serums. I am now a convert of a nighttime regimen - including night cream too. The inventor - model turned skincare peddler - OH and incidentally Sylvester Stallone's WIFE!<br /><br />AND<br /><br />Serious Skin Care - Dry Lo spot treatment. Stuff is pink like Calamine lotion - works overnight - and you can wear it under makeup!! Bye bye blackheads and zits.<br /><br />Super good deals/packages found on HSN... ok yes FINE I admit it, I've shopped on TV - yikes!<br /><br /><a href="http://beauty.hsn.com/serious-skin-care-skin-care_c-bs0011_a-146_xc.aspx?prev=hp!sf!146">http://beauty.hsn.com/serious-skin-care-skin-care_c-bs0011_a-146_xc.aspx?prev=hp!sf!146</a><br /><br /><strong>5. Aquafresh Whitetrays.</strong> I have been a conoisseur of home whitening since I was 15 - seriously. WAY before it was chic to use them - and no doubt when they weren't as safe as they are today. I recall getting a 'compliment' like 'wow your teeth are SO white - they look like they could glow in the dark.'<br /><br />I've laid off for a few years - the strips I find annoying AND they give you peroxide burns on your fingers! I still think the best was the more permanent mouth trays you just refilled w bleacher but I'm not sure those are even around anymore...<br /><br />enter these Whitetrays -- would give them a B+ (so better than avg and better than any other OTC treatment.) The trays don't go all the way back to your molars (who needs them white anyway?!) and the gunk is at the bottom of the trays so I'd argue they don't do well at the gumline to whiten that part of the tooth and in between... BUT they don't hurt to apply, they don't cause outrageous gag reflexes as you choke down saliva bubbling w peroxide. And they're well flavored. I wouldn't advise talking w them on - or going out in public w them on either. They're also a great way to prevent EATING ;)<br /><br />$7 off coupon for em here -- <a href="http://www.aquafresh.com/">http://www.aquafresh.com/</a><br /><br /><br />An <em>honorable mention</em> goes out to good ol <strong>Campbell's Tomato Soup</strong> (not cream of just plain ol) -- I no longer find it too acidic when made w milk and it was my saving grace during all liquids! Warhol was right in memorializing it...<br /><br /><br /><strong>So - happy shopping!</strong> And perhaps you've found some stocking stuffer ideas... I'd advise *against* putting yogurt in the stockings - perhaps instead make it part of Xmas breakfast...Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-22783214784865844802008-12-19T10:04:00.000-08:002008-12-19T10:17:43.397-08:00End of week 2 -- 1 week of mushies down!As of yesterday AM, I was down 3.5lbs on my first week of mushies. So we're down 23.5 lbs since beginning liver shrinking pre surgery -- which is 4 weeks ago. Woot!<br /><br />This phase comes w its own unique challenges -- how do you make 60grams of protein out of 1.5 cups of mushy food????!!!!! How can you not count everything as mushy - I mean don't my teeth make solids mushies before swallowing?! Does 1 Xmas cookie really count?! :) I haven't strayed much - other than a few pringles (thanks Rob...) and 2 cookies... I did get the A OK at my checkup Weds. My incisions looked 'great' per the surgeon -- all 22 seconds of the appt...<br /><br />Well my solution to the protein problem has been things like refried beans, tunafish salad, chicken (canned) salad... and I daresay I will go the way of deviled ham next week for some variety. <br /><br />May no one decry potted meats until you've tried good ol Underwood Deviled ham - comes in a white paper wrapped can w a dancing devil on it. How could that be bad??!!!<br /><br />I'm even bordering on pulling out my old favorite that I haven't had since I was a kid -- but sans the nutritionally worthless white bread WITH country crock AND mayo (Gammy was one for condiments) and a rip of iceberg lettuce --- LIVERWURST! I do believe I was the ONLY 6th grader packing Braunschweiger for lunch...<br /><br />But I gotta say, it's pretty good stuff... I mean it's what - 1 rung below pate?! ;) I was mature for my age!<br /><br />So I'm now tackling the issue of making room for more than just 1/2cup of protein for each meal. This is a challenge in that usually the protein is a lot tastier than the veggie - and if protein is the most important component for me on such small qtys - WHY make room for a veggie?? Well I just know it makes good nutriotional sense to... (and to keep taking my vitamins - which now must be in liquid and chewable forms for the most part - if they could only find a way NOT to make them horsepills I could swallow them!!) --<br /><br /><em>Which reminds me -- does anyone want unopened good for year+ new vitamins I can't use anymore??!!! Free to a good home! </em><br /><br />Anyway, so I'm now pulling out the tablespoons for measurement -- there are 8 tblsp in a 1/2 cup - so I can make 2 or 4 of those veggies adn the rest protein. <br /><br />It will also make me feel a little less of a dinner companion reject - bc I can also then have 'meals' again w Rob - rather than what we've been doing the last week -- of me pulling out some impossibly and depressingly TINY tupperware container of prepared protein and eating half of it for dinner.<br /><br />I'm doing pretty well at pacing - and find it much more satisfying to eat at the kitchen table. <br /><br />So all in all, I've begun to see the future - how this will become habit - along w some of the possible saboteurs I may also face. I'm pretty stoked - and feeling better and better about my decision daily!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-30117170936063149972008-12-15T10:26:00.000-08:002008-12-15T10:37:44.996-08:002 Funnies I Forgot!I forgot to 'document' two goodies to date from all this...<br /><br />1. Apparently during surgery I got the HICCUPS!! Now afterward they seemed to think that was 'no biggie' and that working around the diaphragm that happens not infrequently... I however give the utmost credit to the surgeon for not slicing me open in a badway -- how the HELL do you operate LAPAROSCOPICALLY on my mid-section when the entire thing is going through explosive spasms???!!! dear god - I thanked my lucky stars once I was conscious! <br /><br />2. So I was thrilled to be able to shower sans assistance when I got home. My friend Jim reminded me (having had the same back surgery I did but more recently) that this wasn't really possible after my back surgery. My mom - being the dutiful supervisor she is - was umm very supervisory post shower - making sure I got out ok, etc. I am very conscious of this bc I got a tattoo when I was 18 and NEVER wanted my parents to know. (Jeanne - if you are reading this, you are sworn to secrecy.) <br /><br />Well -- floored was I when my mom pulls out the "So when did you get the tramp stamp?" Now she IS a high school teacher so the colloquialism wasn't an offense -- I did however correct her immediately that it WASN'T technically a tramp stamp bc it was located on my hip! And then I picked my jaw off the floor and explained when I got it, etc. I figured that I'd hid it a decade, I'd done pretty well... she wants to get a tattoo herself and her best friend is inked stem to stern so I was pretty safe w her finding out. <br /><br />I did however swear her to secrecy from telling my father who I believe would SUMMARILY DISOWN ME if he found out... he never wanted me to get my ears pierced! I believe the comment I got when I came home from college 1st year w a set of SECOND holes (god forbid!) was something like -- "what -- is the lip disk next?"Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-30954014980263294592008-12-15T09:40:00.000-08:002008-12-15T10:03:45.727-08:00Phase 1 - Liquids - DONE!Glad that's over!! Thursday was the start to mushies - which basically means real food that involves umm TEETH...<br /><br />SO liquids -- first off never has a simple half banana ground into protein powder provided SUCH pleasure and taste. You do truly appreciate the sense of taste MUCH more when you haven't been able to use it in a while. <br /><br /><strong>Why liquid diets STINK:</strong><br /><br /><em><strong>--- Neopolitan or no dice...</strong></em> apparently bodybuilders and fad dieters alike only enjoy sweet things - and they seem to only now be strawberry, vanilla and chocolate flavored. I seem to remember when Slim Fast had just begun that it had gads of different flavors (still all sweet but...) things like tropical, orange, coffee, choc, vanilla, etc. -- now we seem to be down to only neopolitan... and in Slim Fast High Protein - only chocolate and vanilla - I was never able to locate a strawberry. <br /><br />When you are only 'eating' 3 shakes a day for a week, only having 3 flavors to choose from is incredibly painful. I did do some pre-shopping so I had instant coffee granules (which were atrociously bad - and made my shakes taste like they had beef broth in them... YUCK). I did grab unflavored soy protein powder at Trader Joe's - and found some Strawberry BANANA (whoa!) Genisoy at Kroger. There were only specific shakes I was to consume to ensure I had the right amount of protein vs carbs a day - so I was even more limited. <br /><br />But may I suggest some patentable new flavors? Mint, Choc Mint, Curry (there's a protein bar that I recall came out once stuff like Luna bars and Clif Bars became the rage along w all the atkinsy bars) -- I think it's called Mojo - anyway, I remember seeing it a Ukrop's and they have savory flavors - like curry pretzel peanut or something -- what a great idea!) , Caramel, Butterscotch, Almond, PEANUT BUTTER...<br /><br /><em><strong>--- Extract this from your...</strong></em> Ironically I was allowed at this point to use extracts in the shakes to 'spice em up' a bit -- unfortunately I was forbade from using alcohol based extracts -- and to be honest, I don't think a single one of my extracts isn't alcohol based...<br /><br />So I used half bananas - and revelled in the taste - probably bc of the natural sugars.<br /><br /><em><strong>--- It gets old fast...</strong></em> And I just choked down the rest -- never would you believe it was actually a CHORE to sip down 3 shakes a day (@ about 20g protein each) -- it was just boring...<br /><br /><strong>Why liquid diets don't entirely stink:</strong><br /><br /><strong>--- <em>Heal thyself...</em></strong> It was a good way to get my head back into the flavor game and allow me to heal. <br /><br /><em><strong>--- Baby steps...</strong></em> It also got me so much more excited for mushies but allowing me to pace myself. I was having 8oz of shake at a sitting (approx 30min) -- but ultimately my meals are not supposed to exceed 4oz (volume) so it got me eating smaller portions but not immediately into the 4oz. <br /><br /><em><strong>--- Weighting game...</strong></em> I lost another 8 lbs -- we're now down 20lbs as of last Thursday 12/11. Woot!<br /><br />To sum it up, if you can stand it, liquid diets are good for results... and I got enough protein so far bc my hair is not falling out (SERIOUSLY -- that's a possible side effect... nice huh?). I will say Campbell's tomato soup was my SAVING GRACE! Made w milk it got me some protein and it was savory. <br /><br />I'm now onto mushies -- which is a 2 week long phase (unless I get the ok to go solids from the dr's tomorrow -- I hear it's been known to happen!) This comes w its own challenges - but that'll be my next post!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-87561865672817805452008-12-09T12:30:00.000-08:002008-12-10T09:14:15.236-08:00Mental note - setup your computer BEFORE heading to hospy...Thanks SO much to everyone for their kind thoughts, personal emails beforehand and after, and the txt messages -- and checking up on me through Rob. I was so excited to get the notes/msgs and now am really glad to be back online and reconnecting!!<br /><br />Extra thanks to Julie for my card and Spevak for my fleurs :) Considering Aimee is in Turkey right now -- whoa! yay internet!<br /><br />And congrats to the Joyners and new baby Henry!<br /><br />OK so I'm home - and SOO glad to be here...<br /><br />Here's a rundown of the last few days...<br /><br />I weighed in on the morning o surgery - but wasn't down really anymore lbs - so I'd say it's sorta like South Beach - if you follow it week 1, you'll get most of your results then...<br /><br />Took my tiny $25 pill -- will post a pic soon.<br /><br />Headed off to hospy w Mom and Rob -- left about 7am to be there at 7.30am. Uneventful checkin - met someone else in the waiting room who had the surgery *right* after mine -- like I think they wheeled me out and had her waiting...<br /><br />Also relatively uneventful - changing o clothes into a horrendous gown, got a lovely hair cap - which according to one of hte nurses people actually ask to KEEP... why I don't know -- it wasn't even waterproof... peculiar.<br /><br />Got those nasty stockings w a creepy foothole at the top - bizarre! And my hospital issue totes sockwarmers things - which unfortunately disappeared from my bed post surgery - so I dind't get a 'souvenir'...<br /><br />Got asked the same 3 questions by 10 different people, got some rockin drugs that are *supposed* to cause amnesia (it's like super valium) but I remember everything pre general anesthesia (same happened w my back surgery). This stuff made me super dizzy, sorta drunken - on the verge of losing all body control - a little disturbing -- enough to get myself onto the surgery table by myself -- and then the did the oxygen mask (just like nip tuck) - and told me to take some deep breaths... well I think something was IN that oxygen... ;) anyway, McHugh OUT!<br /><br />Woke up in the recovery room, sorta groggy but doing ok - not too much pain, oxygen in nose, etc. I became more awake of course w time - and kept getting some excuse about the 'ward' being busy so I was going to just hang down in recovery. The guy next to me Federrico - had just had shoulder surgery and coudln't stop bitching about his shoulder being numb... REALLY?? wtf? Then I heard him get the wizzenator but after 30min he still hadn't pee'ed...<br /><br />Luckily at that point I was wheeled upstairs - what i was SHOCKED to see was taht it was 2.30pm already... during the wheeling, they accidentally 'ripped' out my nose oxygen mask - not too painful - just annoying. They were super apologetic - Kelly and Marvin were pretty ok - they told me apparenlty when they built the new wing, they didn't make the elevators big enough for patient's beds - so they had to wait on the 1 of the 4 that actually could take a bed... WTF? Also came to find out that the 'transporter' - unfortunately NOTHING like Jason HottyPants Statham - had had the same back surgery as me but slimy St Mary's attorneys were able to fight his lawsuit that it wasn't caused by the fact that he pushes hundreds of pounds of people every day all over the hospital in oversized beds w wheels... BASTAGES! Yet another tale that should be on dividedwefail.org<br /><br />So lemme switch perspectives now and give you the Rob/Mom view -- they said adios about 8.30am when they took me back. Headed up to the surgery waiting area upstairs at St Mary's. They got a slip which linked to a beeper that was linked to a beeper on my hospital wristband... So they get a call about 10.30am from the surgeon saying everything went great and I'm out - in the recovery room. They said they'd call when they took me upstairs...<br /><br />Now when I was in the recovery room, I heard the nurse call to say that I was doing fine in recovery but that they were busy upstairs and so I'd be here a little longer bc they didn't have space. She said she'd expect it to be an hour maybe more -- so they could either stay in the waiting area or go to the waiting area on the 4th floor and they'd get beeped once I went to my room.<br /><br />Well now I get wheeled up - after realizing I'd spent 4 FOUR HOURS in the recovery room to my room - which turned out to be the shitty one w 2 other beds in it, tvs mounted in such a way it was IMPOSSIBLE to see them and obviously the utmost of privacy between beds - w ceiling curtaings... OH YAH and a SHARED bathroom...<br /><br />This was an incredible annoyance to me since when I'd toured the 'ward' the night I had my nutrition class, I'd seen the awesome private rooms w adjustable airbeds and private bathrooms w showers...<br /><br />So now I'm just pissed... plus hurting plus post drug woozy... and when I get wheeled in, no family is to be found... I ask the nurse (the one who was 'too busy' bc she had TWO patients - the other cattle car roommates of mine)... she calls the waiting room on the 4th floor and no one answers. I get I'm sure visibly annoyed - so she goes to the room and no one is there. Then just comes back and tells me that...<br /><br />Well the girl next to me - who'd had her surgery right before mine -- and who'd been in the room for HOURS AND HOURS already... - and who was ALREADY up and walking (like i SHOULD have been if I hadn't been held in recovery bc nursebitch Teri was 'too busy' -- more on Teri to come) walks in - we recognized each other from the class -- she is w her hubby and mom. She or her mom - someone - asks how I'm doing. Now I'm *sure* I looked bad - not only pale post surgery - but pretty much on the verge of tears - between being in recovery for so long my neck was aching (their idea of a pillow in 'temporary' recovery was a folded up towel) and then getting the shittiest room to the fact that my family was missing and the nurse could care less about her new patient... I choked out something like 'ok, except I can't find my family' -- SO thank goodness for the kindness of strangers... her hubby gave me his cell to call Rob -- I did and got him right away... apparently the idiots NEVER called back down to buzz them to say I was out of recovery and in the room... Rob had some comments (most of which he kept in) for the little old lady volunteer who just sorta giggled when he went to return the beeper and said he'd never gotten a call - except from THE PATIENT...<br /><br />So all begins to pick up then. About 3ish, I got my family! :) And was MUCH happier...<br /><br />The cattle car room stunk - and the spending all that time in recovery STUNK... in fact the girl I met in the waiting room who had the surgery AFTER mine was already upstairs and in her OWN room when I was hauled up there - so apparenlty it was my 'luck' to get the crappy nurse Teri.<br /><br />I also completely missed my aftn 'meal' -- which was my clear liquids stage - jello, broth, tea, juice, ice chips... not a BIG miss - but slightly troubling to me when the first thing I had after icechips was me trying to 'eat' the Carnation Instant Breakfast protein shake at dinner... this also was after establishing that it was 'too late' to send me off for my upper GI xray -- which everyone else had that day... but as Teri assured me 'well if you're not in lots of abdominal pain now drinking that protein shake, the surgery probably went ok' -- again WTF?? so had the surgery not gone well - but since miss Teri couldn't bother to order my GI xray -- I COULD Have had CIB leaking into my bloodstream and been in severe agony... I'd rather NOT have taken the guinea pig route...<br /><br />Then Teri tells me that 'oh they don't usually take people after 5pm so you'll have to do the xray in the morning - oh and you can't then drink anything after midnight' -- thanks bitchface... after the breathing tubes, my throat was really hurting - so the prospect of no longer being able to drink anything also made me want to cry... frankly, the neck and the throat were actually causing me more pain than the incisions... this actually was the case really until today (Tues)<br /><br />So back to cattle car room -- it actually ended up being a blessing in disguise (well excepting that the 2 other people in the room had BRONCHITIS - and now it appears Rob may have it...) -- bc the girl next to me was a kind stranger she actually saved me from the complete INCOMPETENCE of nurse Teri... apparently I was supposed to get an anti-inflammatory - Touradol - after the surgery - soon post recovery... she never checked to see if I was given it in my extended stay in recovery - and I wasn't... so I had to ASK her to check and then give me it. Teri also liked to 'play' w the drs - making fake calls, etc. She also commented on multiple occassions that she was mixing up our charts and writing the others' stats on them... so Teri should NOT be given the cattle car room - or frankly ANY patient...<br /><br />In fact she tried to briefly stop my IV so I could change into my own clothes and do bathroom things - and instead caused it to reverse and pull out my blood - and then she had to reconnect it and 'force' my blood back up into me along w the stuff in the IV - geebus... she also didn't tell me I had to pee in a plastic cowboy hat thing to monitor my 'output' until I'd pee'ed like 3 times already - after which she showed me my 'labelled' one - that clearly someone ELSE had pee'ed in... she finally 'made the time' to get me a 'fresh one' - ugg...<br /><br />Fam left about 8ish and headed home (Dad stopped in briefly too) - at that point, I'd done a few walks around the halls (tethered to an IV and w a 4lb heart monitor thing 'draped' over my shoulder -- annoying...) and could sit - I'd negotiated w my neighbor to turn our tvs toward the other since we could see each others better than the ones mounted above us...<br /><br />Then like angels, the night nurses in their white coats came. Teri treated them like crap - so clearly she must have some sort of seniority... and as she collected my survey the next morning, I felt it imprudent to bitch about her there -- so I will find out from my dr's office how to appropriately report her in 2 weeks.<br /><br />The night nurse was India. (Not to be confused w India the pre-op 6ft black manwoman at the Valero by our old hood.) India had an 'apprentice' too. India was AWESOME... she was super attentive. Also very methodical about taking our readings, giving us our meds, doing whatever we needed. She also made sure my GI xray was ordered and I'd go first thing in the AM. So basically she did her job. Compared to Teri, this made her my shero for the night! Did more walking 1am and 3am, peed in a plastic cowboy hat (which was less bizarre than it sounds - it sits under the seat to 'collect' pee - and got some Percocet. whoa.<br /><br />Next Teri the Terrible comes back as I'm being wheeled away about 7am to my xray. Luckily the confirms that all is well, no leaks, right size, etc. That was actually pretty cool -- looked like one of those slo mo photos of a smoke puff as the barium went thru my stomach.<br /><br />Headed back up, got to change and was on my way out! GOODBYE TERI! I kept leaking the numbing meds from my 'Q ball' - anesthesia filled ball that actually they gave me in a fanny pack to take home and was connected internally to deliver med under skin (more to come.) Teri's final feats were to redo my bandage to try to stop the leaking - unsuccesfully of course. And to listen to my 'bowels' - which are supposed to make noises I guess to ensure you're ok - they did this after my back surgery too - and Teri flippantly comments that she doesn't really hear anything... but apparently no biggie = she'll still discharge me. Luckily India had listened about 6am before she left and said they sounded good - so I wasn't worried...<br /><br />I got home and slept all day basically. The pain is far less than my diskectomy - the incisions are unpleasant but not bad. They're pretty sore -- first few days felt like someone took me out back and beat me w a bat on my abs... the incisions are a little bruised... I was able to shower on Saturday - woohoo!<br /><br />Now -- and this will have to be supplemented w a photo -- the 'Q ball' or pic line... basically it's a ball of medicine (liquid) connected to tubing that is actually in your stomach (just under the skin - not really internal - sorta like a splinter goes in) and delivers it under the skin.<br /><br />On Saturday that got to come out -- which was an ordeal bc unbeknownst to us the tube inside was down like 10inches... so my Mom just kept pulling and pulling and finally it came out -- I didn't really feel it but it was pretty creepy to look at...<br /><br />Apparently afterward my Mom went downstairs and ordered a liquid lunch from Rob - wine of course...<br /><br />So now I'm just catching up on some Tivo - and finally my blog!! I'm supposed to login for work tomorrow (this so I could avoid the MIP situation - which I have had issues w in past) - I'm not looking fwd to that but it should only be for the rest of this week and then maybe a day or 2 next - actually I can start vacation Monday and be out through Jan 5th.<br /><br />My followup appt is 12/17.<br /><br />Next I will update on the liquid diet and what's going on! Stay tuned - I will try to do this in the next day or so!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-73911286590968456702008-11-27T06:42:00.000-08:002008-11-27T06:47:51.585-08:00Week 1 resultsDown 12.5 lbs. I shit you not. Woohoo!<br /><br />Makes it slightly more 'palatable' (ha) to not be gorging on turkey and fixins today. We still have plenty of thanks to celebrate all around so it's still a very Happy Thanksgiving. <br /><br />We did light a fire at 8am and plan to spend the rest of the day stoking it.<br /><br />In either case, it will be a lovely day off even sans gut busting tryptophan induced mid aftn coma!<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving to all!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-27037933267718875742008-11-26T16:14:00.000-08:002008-11-27T06:53:41.687-08:00NH in the Hizzouse and how much could ONE PILL possibly cost?!Had a visitor today - yay! Took the mind off my all liquid day. And it was good to have someone over - esp who got to see the new house. Plus Azmo was WAY excited -- another DOG person, pant, pant, jump jump... wag wag wag. Nicole brightened my day - thank you dear!! Plus she brought a wonderful goodie bag for pre and post surgery which was super thoughtful! SF water mix-ins, Carnation instant breakfast, an awesome celeb addition crossword puzzle book and a mug to make my liquid drinks at least a little more fashionable.<br /><br />I had a really good (ie disciplined, followed diet to a tee) day -- so I'm hopeful - even if it took a week to get here - that I kinda rounded the hump! It's hard to become really hungry/crave an 8oz protein shake... so if anything I'm more generally bored w it all. BUT I'm keeping w/in the appropriate snacks, foods, etc. I can't find SHIT for flavors beyond the vanilla and chocolate -- it's gotta be the HIGH PROTEIN SLIMFAST.<br /><br />So please keep your eye open for other flavors -- or pls pass on recommendations on where I can find other good uns...<br /><br />I did mix in some leftover coffee this AM so that was a real life saver as I rounded the aftn on my 2nd 'meal' - w 1 apple, 2 2%milk Polly O's and 8oz of morning slimfast in my belly...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">It costs HOW much?! </span><br /><br />So our health insurance has gotten shittier like yr by yr the last hmm 4 years or so...<br /><br />Now that we've at least moved away from the sham of a Health Savings Acct (not to be confused w the awesome concept of a Flex Spend Acct... let's just say 'savings' was an aspirational term) - we have some deductible to satisfy as well as then a co-insurance to pay until we finally reach some ungodly amount of 'Max out of pocket' - which is like thousands of dollars - on top of what we pay each paycheck twice a month...<br /><br />So even though this surgery is 'approved' by Aetna, it's still gonna cost all told approx $2K. Still a far cry better than no coverage at all - which is like 10times that BUT still absurd given what I'm shelling out each paycheck - I mean it costs $200 to check my cholesterol?! geebus -- this after not seeing a SINGLE bill after my back surgery - which was more invasive, 4 times longer and also an overnight stay...<br /><br />SO to my point -- the absurdity of insurance expense and how I can absolutely understand those 'I had insurance but still had to declare bankruptcy' commercials that ran incessantly during the campaigns...<br /><br />I picked up the rx at Target this aftn. Refresher for those reading my earlier post -- it was for 1 pill - ONE PILL...<br /><br />And how much did that ONE pill cost???<br /><br />$25<br /><br />ironically - it was for 1 pill that's an anti-nausea med... which is ironic bc I about PUKED when I heard the price... and then of course... paid it.<br /><br />Dammit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">About those commercials... </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895896/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895896/</a><br /><br />Apparently I'm only $10K shy of being the avg medical expenses incurred of those having to declare bankruptcy - and that's those WITH insurance...<br /><br />absurd<br /><br />Some petitions to sign here urging healthcare reform... on divided we fail<br /><a href="http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/"><br />http://www.aarp.org/issues/dividedwefail/</a>Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-37937362048786078272008-11-25T09:38:00.000-08:002008-11-25T09:51:09.102-08:00Day 6I'm holding off on weighing in until Thursday - so I've got a week's worth of progress in the resulting #...<br /><br />It's been hard - esp with a weekend that included a houseguest, boozing, snacks, pizza delivery and 2 (ACC and NFL) football games! But I stuck to my guns - and complained a lot... which unfortunately is what Rob gets since he's not also liver shrinking :( <br /><br />It's also really hard when I'm not super busy - which week of Thanksgiving isn't exactly the busiest week at work...<br /><br />Yesterday I got to spend 4 hours in St Mary's - ugg! It was for all of about 30 actual minutes of tests and an appt w the NP at the surgeon's office... I also apparently continue to have temperamental veins which is really fun when they need to fill 5 vials w it... luckily the dude got it on the 2nd try and I dried up w just enough in the 5th vial... surprisingly little bruising from it! This is yet another examples substatiating my reluctance to participate in blood drives... and IV drug use...<br /><br />I got an rx for 1 - ONE - pill... i kid you not. It's an anti-nausea med for right before surgery as a precaution. And Target will be giving me a $10 giftcard for that ONE pill - woot! Good timing on the coupons!<br /><br />Otherwise I've got more info from the drs - plenty of reading materials for the week/weekend pre surgery. This supplement goes into weeks 2 and 3 post surgery so it talks about the 'mushies' I can eat... And given that I could probably entirely subsist on potatoes, those I think will be good weeks for me ;) I'm already brainstorming how to make 'high protein mashed potatoes.' <br /><br />Anyone tried powdered milk? How god awful is it??<br /><br />I will let you know on Thursday how much I've lost on shrinking - I know I need to boost water consumption already - and that will make a diff in the bottomline too but you learn as you go! That will mark completion of week 1...Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-58587823877688841322008-11-20T21:11:00.000-08:002008-11-20T21:44:08.917-08:00Day 1Yah... not so fun...<br /><br />Thank goodness I had a wootoff to keep me busy. <a href="http://www.woot.com/">www.woot.com</a> and I fell asleep on the couch for basically the entire dinner time couple hours... well that's one way to do it eh?Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-3602471838671929222008-11-19T19:47:00.000-08:002008-11-19T19:50:08.792-08:00Dreaming of a White Thanksgiving?!Apparently it's going to be snowing in the morning...<br /><br />for those of you not up to speed on local weather... that'll mean it will be snowing AGAIN. yes, AGAIN...<br /><br />It snowed pretty much all day yesterday.<br /><br />No complaints here!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-58444902794308243722008-11-19T19:37:00.000-08:002008-11-19T19:39:24.882-08:00Eyes bigger than my stomach?!Umm last supper... good... too good...<br /><br />Dear god - if this is anything like the fullness I'm supposedly going to feel after 1/2c food in future, sign me up... though I'm a little on the uncomfortably so side of the house...<br /><br />And you know, I think in the future my eyes will be about the size of my stomach (pouch)!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-44617342194479630392008-11-19T16:15:00.000-08:002008-11-19T16:17:13.213-08:00Last SupperSo what would you do if you knew you were about to go from a stomach that holds 6 cups to one that holds about 1/2 cup at a time? And that you'd be 'eating' mostly liquid protein shakes w the occasional lean meat and veggie for the foreseeable future (month)<br /><br />Umm well I think you're an idiot and in denial if you don't give some attention to it as a 'Last Supper'...<br /><br />So what have I done knowing this the last few weeks?<br /><br /><ul><li>Had a meal at perhaps every fast food joint around (well the biggies - Hardees, McD's, Wendy's, Taco Hell) - it would normally be about a year to log a check on each spot on this list... </li><li>Made Thanksgiving on Sunday - all the fixins - turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, creamed onions, creamed peas and new potatoes (for Rob), mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy </li></ul><br />And in the last few days, working through our leftovers as well...<br /><br /><ul><li>Rob and I went to Silver Diner on Monday night (relative letdown) </li><li>Carolina and I hit up Copper Grill for lunch today </li><li>(there was also a cancelled trip to Panera for breakfast this AM - sorry to Allison :( -- apparently sleep will always win over food... at least in the morning!) </li><li>I think tonight we'll opt for NY Slice w its heavenly ricotta cheese </li></ul><br />And then come morning... dum dum dum dum...<br /><br />BRING IT ON SLIMFAST!Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6069978973569908214.post-34439957414371316062008-11-19T15:42:00.000-08:002008-11-19T16:54:30.323-08:00On a clear day you can see a long, long time ago...So I feel it appropriate to keep this title somewhere on the blog - even if it's been unseated as the blogname... it's logged a lot of miles but I think it's time for something a little less dwell-y, melancholy and more in the here and now...<br /><br />It was a quote I randomly came across my first year at UVA during no doubt some useless timewasting 'altavista' search or some other now nonexistant search engine... searching for quotes - who knows why or what kind of quotes but I came across it and haven't shaken it from my synapses yet... it was merely attributed to 'anonymous Chinese'. From that day on it became mine - well not in a plagiaristic sorta way of course.<br /><br />It ended up being the inscription on my Jefferson cups at graduation and on those I had engraved for a friend... a friend who I haven't heard from in years - I often wonder if she doesn't look at them once in a while and perhaps think of me... or at least us -- as brothers (Phi Sigma Pi) and wahoos and well exactly who everyone hopes to find in college - part of a great group of folks you could never replace and that are pervasive in all your memories from 4years...<br /><br />So as it's the night before my liver shrinking starts and to an extent I feel like I'm embarking on a journey, a new path - something you can't characterize without sounding like a cheeseball... I find myself seeking -- googling (sounds way better than 'altavista'ing') new quotes... new guidance... I much prefer Aristotle's simple characterization of happiness -- but I did find this particular Stephen Covey quote pertinent to here and now... And as if life's all one mobius circle, of course I was introduced to Covey at UVA...<br /><br />"Happiness can be defined, in part at least, as the fruit of the desire and ability to sacrifice what we want now for what we want eventually."Kate McHughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03515759420085088920noreply@blogger.com0