I have a few friends that are missionaries in Brazil. Very sweet family. If you would, please keep John, Samantah Jonah and

4 Month Update!

Can you believe it's been 4 months since surgery? I can't! I just had my check up with my Doc, and everything is great! In fact, all my lab work came back perfect! My high blood pressure has dropped to a normal range. That's the first time I can remember that happening on a regular basis! My acid reflux, which I have had for over 25 years, has gone bye bye! I could just go on and on, but I won't!

God has blessed me beyond reason! I'm not questioning it, I'm just amazed! guys, I wnat to Thank You for all the prayers. Without God, my family and friends, I would not be where I am right now! So gee...Thanks!

From this...362 pounds!

To this...227 pounds!

Like OMG, we survived Prom '08!

Well, I can't believe we survived. If it wasn't for the coffee, I might have gotten in trouble. At least I got my fluids in for the day...8 cups of decaf later! LOL!!

I will say this, it was one of the nicest proms I have been to. Everything was gorgeous. The food was actually WLS friendly. OK, maybe not! But at least I found some chicken tenders that fit the bill. Did I mention the 8 cups of decaf? Just checking! Both Beth and I opted not to go for the chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate chip cookies, or brownies. See, we can make good choices!

We had tables set up in the corner for the teachers, as well as our own food tables. The speakers were pointed away from the old fogies, at least it wasn't too loud!Now I will say the DJ was pretty cool. He played golden oldies before the prom started, then switched dover to a lot of "bump and grind" music. Now I did not get up to dance. I only got out of my chair for coffee, remember 7 cups! Now, if we had some of our resident table dancers from the Lunch Bunch there, I'm sure the party would have really gotten started!

Anyway, we had a real good time. I will say this, we were a little over dressed, but that was OK!!! They had real good coffee at the Maxwell House. I think the coffee was Folgers! Maybe thats why it was so good!

Here is a comparison picture from prom 9 years ago and now. I think there is a little difference. The pic from last night is a scan of the picture Bill (Susan's husband) did. Thinks for keeping us in your prayers...we survived! Oh, I forgot...Bill did take a picture of us sitting in our chairs...I was drinking coffee !!!!!

Have a good day, I know we had a good night!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!!!

We make decisions everyday of our life. What will I wear today? What route do I take to work? Which bill gets paid first? What do I need from the grocery store? Which movie do I watch? Etc. etc. etc! You see, decisions are just a part of life.

I am the father of an almost 10 year old! Wow, where did the time go? Everyday, I try to be the “super dad”. In other words the best that I can be! I think I do a decent job. Anyway, the one thing I have tried to do, even before I knew we were expecting, was to be the dad that was there for him.

I want to be the father that is there when my child makes a choice. If a bad choice is made, I want to pick him up, dust him off, and talk about what we learned from the experience. When he makes a good choice, I want to be there to rejoice and celebrate his decisions. You see, I know where my son is heading before he gets there.

Why? Because I have walked that path before. I know how hard that brick wall is when you hit it at 60 mph! I know the damage that can occur when bad choices are made. But would I be doing an injustice by making those decisions for him? Probably!

I believe it’s the same with weight loss. Would I be doing an injustice to you if I told you what to eat everyday? Probably! That is why we give advice. That is why we share what we have eaten the day before. It gives people who are new to this sport some examples to live by. Will I ever tell you what to eat? No I won’t, that’s not my job. See your Nut for that one!

I will share with you though! I will share experiences that have succeeded as well as failed. I will try new things, just as you will. I believe we are here for a reason. We are here for SUPPORT!!! Support in our endeavors. Support in our failures. Support in our successes.

This is a mantra that I have long lived by, and I think it fits well right here at the Tennessee Board:

Give a man a fish and feed him dinner. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime! We’re teachers…you, me, and that person sitting there reading this post!

Have a great day!

Candle burning!!!!!

Well, it’s been 4 months since surgery! Can you believe it’s been that long? Anyway, things are going well.

I am still working 2 jobs (Home Depot & RIP). At times it can get very exhausting! Especially on Mondays and Wednesdays! Just so you know what I talking about, here is my schedule:

Mon:
Home Depot 4a.m.-8a.m.
RIP 9a.m.-7:45p.m.

Tues:
Home Depot 4a.m.-8a.m.
RIP 9a.m.-3p.m.

Wed:
Home Depot 4a.m.-8a.m.
RIP 9a.m.-7:45p.m.

Thurs:
Home Depot 4a.m.-8a.m.
RIP 9a.m.-3p.m.

Fri:
Home Depot 4a.m.-8a.m.
RIP 9a.m.-2p.m.

So you can see, I am one busy bee! But that’s Okay! You see, I am still off every weekend. This way I can spend time with my family, take care of things around the house, and of course stay active in Church! Gee Whiz Batman, I’ve got the best of both worlds!

As far as weight loss goes, things could not be better! I am down to 230 pounds. That’s a loss of 132 pounds since Feb. ’07, and a loss of 73 pounds since surgery. My BMI has dropped from 46.67 (morbidly obese) to 29.53 (overweight). Wow, I’m just overweight! Watch out world, only 28 more pounds till I become normal! Who would have thunk it? Me, normal!!!! Okay, I know what your thinking, I will never be normal in the sense of the word. But I can be normal as far as weight is concerned!

I know it’s been a while since I posted, but I’m gonna try and do better! I promise, okay I won’t promise, I’ll just do the best I can!

I’ll have new pics up by the end of the week. You see, once again its prom season in Tennessee. Guess who has to get gussied up this Friday? Film at 11:00!

Have a great week!

Carly Simon...

...said it best when she said, “You’re so vain”. Since weight loss surgery, I’ve been noticing my reflection more and more. When I walk by the frozen food doors at K-Roger and steal a glance. Another time that always happens is at church when I walk by the big mirror. Then I have to back up and ask, “Who’s that?”


I told Beth the other day that I can’t walk by a mirror without looking at my reflection. Am I vain, or am I starting to see a difference in the way I look? I believe it has to do with the changes I am seeing on a daily basis. But what bothers me more is the fact I that I know the “big guy” is still there. People keep calling me skinny, and I just don’t see it! Someone mentioned that takes a while for our psyche to catch up with the weight loss. I just hope it happens sooner than later!


So, am I vain? Maybe, but I just like the changes that are taking place!