The Day The Squirrel Went For a Ride!!!!

Hey guys!

Just a quick funny to start the work week off! I honestly believe some people have to much time on their hands!

Have a great week!

Good Morning Sunshine...

...except where it's raining! Think of this though, behind the rain, the dark gray clouds, the dampness in the air...The sun is shining! That's right ! It is still there. The sun is just hiding, waiting on us to put our best foot forward. Waiting on us put that smile on our face! Waiting on us to face the day with a positive attitude! Now that I have reminded myself of this, on with the post!

Just an update ! I have followed up with my insurance company, only to find they have not received my papers! So I checked with Centennial. My surgeons office received my papers back in the mail with the following message...""the clarity of the faxed document received lacks sufficient clarity". Please resubmit in a format other than a facsimile. You think that CIGNA would have it in there notes that they had returned the documents, but no! The girls at Centennial handled with this with ease though, and are mailing the package off today!

Thank you Tonya and Lisa! After my tirade last week, I have found that you guys are the best!

So we try again! We walk out that door with our heads held high! Just a praying we don't drown from all the rain! Just a hoping that we don't end up with a mouth full of wet, soggy, dead leaves! Just a looking for the sunshine..................it's still there!

Have a great day!

A couple of good eats!

Chili Relleno Puff

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1 pound ground turkey, browned, crumbled and drained

1 small onion, diced (cook with ground turkey)

5 eggs, beaten until lemon-colored (about 3 minutes)

3 Tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 to 1/2 cup salsa (I saved this to put on top)

2 cups lowfat ricotta cheese

1 large can (7 oz.) diced, mild green chilis

1 cup shredded cheese (Jack, Colby, Mozzarella or a mixture)

1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brown meat and onions, drain and pat into a 9x9 baking dish. Beat remaining ingredients together (except for the last 1/4 cup cheddar--it is for the top.) Pour onto the ground meat and onion. Top with cheddar. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until golden brown and puffy (a knife will come out clean.)Makes 9 servingsPer serving: 320 calories, 29 grams protein

Sugar Free Pumpkin Cheesecake

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Crust
3/4 cup gingersnap cookie crumbs

3/4 cup crushed fat-free graham crackers

2 tablespoons SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cheesecake Filling

2 (8 ounce) containers block-style fat-free cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 1/2 cups canned solid pack pumpkin
3 tablespoon Cinn-a-bliss

1/2 cup nonfat evaporated milk

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

4 eggs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch springform pan.
Using a fork, combine gingersnaps, graham crackers, 2 tablespoons SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, and melted butter. Press mixture onto the bottom and two inches up the sides of the pan to form the crust.
With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and 1/2 cup SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener until light and fluffy. Stir in the pumpkin. Mix in the Cinn-a-bliss, evaporated milk, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing until smooth.
Pour batter into prepared crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, or until center of cheesecake is set. Allow to cool in pan for 30 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.

Some times you feel like a nut.....

Sometimes you don't. Well my son is nuts! There is no doubt, the apple does not fall far from the tree! Today, R.J. andI had the pleasure of manning the RIP booth at a local elementary school Fall Festival. Now it was boring at times, but also fun! R.J. had the opportunity to play games, grab a goodie bag and fill it up with freebies, and meet some very unique people! But he also had some down time where he had to make is on fun!

So, without wasting another second of your time, may I introduce the next participant of "American Idol".

Hope you enjoy!

Looking for Dionne Warwick?

First of all let me say a big Thank You to all of you who responded to my "A Tad Upset" post. That is the main reason I Love this group of people!

So, what's next? All of my paperwork has been found. This includes the very first Weight Loss consultation in April! YEAH!!!!! Centennial has in turned faxed all of my paperwork needed to CIGNA ! Anyway, I am going to be upbeat, positive, calm, compassionate, kind hearted...oh yeah PATIENT with my wait. Or as a friend of mine said "Graciously Tenacious"! I love that phrase!

So, Thank You! and to borrow a line from a Burt Bacharach/Hal David song (I know, I'm showing my age)..........

"Say a Little Prayer For Me"

A Tad Upset !

Hey guys,

I apologize for this post...yes I am apologizing for the anger I feel! I have met several of you from the Centennial support Group and other functions throughout town, and I am truly blessed in knowing you! But I am angry this evening.

You see I am a patient of Dr. Dyer, and have been undergoing my 6 month diet. Approximately 3 months ago, I was informed (wrongly) that I would be finished in Sept. with my 6 month. Right as I finished the diet, my case was transferred from one rep. at CMCWLS to another. Well here is where I get confused. Like I said, my diet should have been finished on Sept. 17. After that appointment, I emailed my insurance rep at the clinic to find out what was the next step. I found out the task that needed to be completed and immediately set up arrangements to fulfill these said appointments.After all was finished, I gave it a week only to find out my paperwork was not sent to insurance. I was informed that we needed to wait on the transcript form the surgical consult. Once again igave it a week. As I was following my information on the Patient Portal, I noticed my weight loss records were not checked as completed. I immediately called CMCWLS only to find out, are you ready...they only have 5 months of weight loss records. According toCMCWLS, the records they have are from May -Sept (5 months of weightloss records). Angry was not the word used to describe my emotions. I called my PC P's office to find that my WLS journey was begun in April, not May. So according to Summit Primary Care, I have 6 months of weight loss records.

I know how I feel is not relevant to the care that CMCWLS gives out,but if I did not follow up on this, would I have ever known that files are missing? I have heard of the roadblocks that we face when we have WLS, especially from the insurance companies. I just never expected it from my Dr.'s office.

I understand I am ranting, and once again I apologize for my feelings. Tomorrow I will call my PCP and request that the files be sent again. Hopefully we can move in the right direction.I truly love being a patient of Dr. Dyer. I think CMCWLS has the best program in town! I thing CMCWLS patients and the support group here are truly one of a kind!

So, I really don't want to change services. I guess I will hold my tongue now and go to bed. Maybe Iwill feel better tomorrow!

Thanks for listening! Scott

Thought for the day!

Sustantialiscious \sub-'stan(t)-shu-'li-shus' (noun).

The weight of something when you weigh it with your toungue.

sup-port (se-port', -port')

It's the most wonderful time of the year...almost!

Yes, that time of the year is right in front of us. And I have a few questions to post, just for your enjoyment!

Have you started shopping?

Have you started decorating the house?

Have you started getting party favors ready?

Have you got your costume?

Did you think I was talking about Christmas? You are wrong, it's time for Halloween! You know, that annual time of the year when we buy tons of candy. That most of us end up eating ourselves! STEP AWAY FROM THE CANDY CORN!

My son has started picking out his costume. He is 9 1/2 years old for goodness sakes. When do we stop dressing up for Halloween? OK, I still dress up, so, NEVER MIND!

(

Anyway, theres a chill in the air and it is a fun time of the year! We have our traditions, just like many of you do! R.J. has already asked if we were going to Mama Jo's and Poopsie's (my parents) for Trick or Treating. They really do it up big at their house. At one point over the years, I would be willing to say they had at least 200 youngsters and parents coming by. Mama Jo makes chili, or at least she better! And boy is it good! Especially after traipsing around the neighborhood with a big bag of candy on a chilly fall evening! Both my parents usually dress up themselves and really put on a show. Mama Jo swears up and down she is a witch...and at times...never mind! As a side note, I really love my parents! They have been so good to my family. R.J. is truly blessed to have 2 sets of grandparents that love him!

I might get in trouble with this picture!

Anyway, it is the most wonderful time of the year. From now until New Years is one wild ride. So, get out your costume, carve up the pumpkin, and let the good times roll!

Guess what I did?

I saw the Dr. on Monday, drank a strawberry flavored barium milkshake on Tuesday, and am now waiting for the insurance to give me the go ahead! YEAH, I guess?

The Dr.’s visit was a breeze! Dr. Dyer’s only concern stemmed from my Hiatel Hernia and how big it was. You see, I have had 8 esophageal dilatation’s over the years. So, the good Dr. sent me to have a Upper GI. Now, this was an experience in itself. The radiologist was a hoot. When he first showed me the barium going into my stomach, he popped out with his best Al Pacino imitation and said, “Say hello to your little friend”. Other than the fact the strawberry flavored milkshake was nasty, no problems!

Anyway, it seems I have finally fulfilled that laundry list of do’s for the insurance company. I can’t believe that 6 months has flown by so fast! It seems like yesterday I was reading over the insurance requirement, and thinking, “this could take forever”. Who knows, it might still take forever! You hear all kind of stories. From the ones who took 2-3 years to finally get approved, to the ones who were approved within a week.

Well no matter what happens I am on the right track! I’ve made changes in my lifestyle that are going to make me a healthier person. I have surrounded myself with a great support system of family and friends. And I believe in a God that reigns upon high! Who could ask for anything else!

So, there you go! My request is this…For my friends and family on this board and elsewhere to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. And as soon as I hear something, you will know it! In fact you will probably hear me screaming, feel me jumping up and down, and then you will remember…”It’s just Scott in Tennessee, he must have gotten approval!”

On yeah, the hospital let me bring home some of the strawberry flavored barium…I’m willing to share if anyone is interested?

Have a great week!

Overtime!!!!!!!

Overtime means one of two things...Extra money in your pocket, or someone did not win during regulation play! In this case, it's the later!

(

What a game! It was probably the most defensive game played all season! The 1st quarter was a battle of control. The ball switched sides more than a tennis ball bouncing across tennis net! Finally during the 2nd quarter, the Titans took control and scored on a 20 yard run by Nate “The Great”. At halftime the score was 13-6 ,Titans over the Murfreesboro Raiders.

The 2nd half started with a 45 yard kickoff run back for the Raiders to tie the score at 13 all. The rest of the game was once again pretty much a defensive battle. Our guys were awesome, (especially R.J.). Every time I turned around that son of mine was a wrecking machine! It feels really good to yell across the field,”Go Tank”! That’s my boy, ‘nough said.

The game ended in a 13 – 13 tie. So overtime ensued! We got the ball first on the 10 yard line. We could not capitalize on our possession. So, the Raiders got their chance. All in all, the final score was Raiders 19, Titans 13. Our parents were all up in arms that the Raiders cheated! My thoughts…If they cheated and it can be proved, then let’s protest! All I worry about is that my son had fun!

So, once again the Titans took the field only to lose! To borrow a line from ABC’s Wide World of Sports…”The agony of defeat”, prevailed! But guess what…My son had fun! I feel like the Dad on the Publix commercial, when I ask R.J. how he feels, his answer is always the game…”Man that was awesome”!

Have a great week!

Live Like You were Dying?

Music speaks to people in many different ways. You've heard the saying, "Music soothes the savage beast". Music makes us sad or happy,. Music can lift our spirits, or have us crying in our beer.

Well, several months ago, when I started this journey I am on, I posted the words to a song. The song was from the movie Dreamgirls. It was one that was sung by Jennifer Hudson called "I Am Changing". The words of this song spoke loudly to me! Yes, I am changing! Changing the way I eat, changing the way I do things in my life, changing for my family. I believe these changes are for the better. Whether to make me a better person, or allow me to do things I have never done before. changes are happening!

Well, day before yesterday, I heard one of my favorite songs on the radio. Tim McGraw's Live Like You were Dying. And yes, before you commit assumicide...the words spoke to me!

Before I started making changes,in my life, I was living like I was dying! Matter of fact, I probably was dying. My weight was killing me! I was tired, breathing was a problem, walking was the worse. My life consisted of working and eating, watching TV and sleeping. Going to the basement was tortuous, climbing stairs was a nightmare. I think you get the picture.

The words from this song really mean a lot to me! Not only the sentiment involved, but the mere thought of taking advantage of every waking minute. Yes, I still love my TV! But walking means a lot also. In fact last week at the Walk From Obesity, I walked 4 miles! Being able to do things like hiking, climbing stairs, watching my son play football means so much!

You know, we are not promised anything in life. We are not promised tomorrow, a week from now, or even our next breath! So my challenge to my friends and family this week is simple...Live like you were dying!

For those who have not seen or heard the video, I have placed it here, along with the lyrics, for your convenience. Listen and enjoy! Oh yeah, Have a great week!

He said I was in my early forties
With a lot of life before me
When a moment came that stopped me on a dime
And I spent most of the next days
Looking at the x-rays
Talking bout the options
And talking bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
That this might really be the real end
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man what’d you do?

And he said
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

He said I was finally the husband
That most the time I wasn’t
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all the sudden going fishing
Wasn’t such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book
And I took a good long hard look
At what I’d do if I could do it all again

And then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
What’d you do with it
What did you do with it?
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?

Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying

Live like you were dying!

Sometimes songs really speak to us. Back when I started this journey, there was a song from the movie "Dreamgirls" that really reached out and smacked me in the face. It was sung be Jennifer Hudson in the movie, and it was called, "I Am Changing". What an impact that made on my wieght loss journey. Yes I am cahanging, changing for the better, changing for my family, changing so I can do things I've never done before.

Well this week has been busy, very busy

Music Video:LIVE LIKE YOU WERE DYING (by Tim McGraw)

Music Video Code provided by Video Code Zone

He said I was in my early forties
With a lot of life before me
When a moment came that stopped me on a dime
And I spent most of the next days
Looking at the x-rays
Talking bout the options
And talking bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
That this might really be the real end
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man what’d you do?

And he said
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.

He said I was finally the husband
That most the time I wasn’t
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all the sudden going fishing
Wasn’t such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book
And I took a good long hard look
At what I’d do if I could do it all again

And then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.

Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
What’d you do with it what did you do with it
What did I do with it
What would I do with it?

Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu-Manchu
And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flying
And he said someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying

He said I was in my early forties
with a lot of life before me
when a moment came that stopped me on a dime
and I spent most of the next days
looking at the x-rays
Talking bout the options
and talking bout sweet time
I asked him when it sank in
that this might really be the real end
how's it hit you when you get that kinda news
man what'd you do
and he said

I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I'd been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.
He said I was finally the husband
that most the time I wasn�t
and I became a friend a friend would like to have
and all the sudden going fishin
wasn�t such an imposition
and I went three times that year I lost my dad
well I finally read the good book
and I took a good long hard look
at what I�d do if I could do it all again
and then
I went sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I gave forgiveness I�d been denying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.
Like tomorrow was a gift and you got eternity to think about
what�d you do with it what did you do with it
what did I do with it
what would I do with it?
Sky diving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named fumanchu
and then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter
and I watched an eagle as it was flying
and he said someday I hope you get the chance
to live like you were dying.
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying