This weekend is our 12th Wedding Anniversary and I thought it would be fun to do something a little more special than our usual go out for dinner and movie. So I did a search for Bed and Breakfast in Minnesota. I found lots of lovely places to go. I thought it would be nice to get out of the twin cities and go someplace we hadn’t been before. I found The Candlelight Inn, in Red Wing Candlelight Inn . I was lucky to get a weekday rate which really helped out. We got the Queen Victoria Room and I was not disappointed. More on that later.
We left for Red Wing on Saturday 7-17-10 in the morning and took a leisurely drive stopping at a flee market where Tom got a microwave for is office, and I got a pair of earrings, we also picked up a couple of things for the kids. It was very sunny, hot, and humid, but the car’s A/C was a great relief. We pulled into Red Wing around 11:30 and set out to find a place for lunch. We decided on Maries it is in the Armory building. I had my doubts after entering the building but they were soon gone. The service was wonderful. I had the salad/soup buffet and Tom had a burger. The food was great! They were having a prime rib buffet that night so we decided that was where we would eat for dinner. After lunch we walked around downtown. Stopped in the Red Wing Shoe store, I was hoping to find some new shoes but I didn’t really like the styles and they didn’t fit well. Then we moved on to Uffda Shop, it was a very unique Scandinavian store I really enjoyed looking around. Then we moved on to some other shops, but the humidity was really getting to us so we decided to go the Red Wing Pottery store. It was a fairly large store it had not only the Red Wing Pottery but had other types of pottery as well. Attached to the store were a couple of gift stores. Just a cross the street was the factory where the pottery used to be made. Now it houses lots of little shops and antique stores. We spent quite a bit of time there.
At 4pm we headed over to the Candlelight Inn to check in. The furnishing were beautiful and as I said before we were not disappointed. Lynette the Inn Keeper was the sweetest person, we had a chance to talk at length during our stay. She is what I would have imagined an Innkeeper to be like. The bed was very comfortable and I felt like I slipped back into time.
We went back to Marie’s for dinner, however, this time we were not impressed with the food or the selection. Oh well live and learn. After dinner we went to see the Last Air Bender. It was good, but I could have waited for it come out on DVD. It moved a little slow and seem there might be 3 more movies to follow. After the movie we headed back to the Inn and to bed.
At 8:15 in the morning we were greeted to the sound of music outside our door, a basket with Coffee and delicious bran muffins were waiting for us. 9 am was breakfast, and what a feast it was, Apricot smoothie, then fresh toast made with French bread and ham, then a desert of pineapple upside down cake followed. I didn’t have the French toast, I received eggs and they were yummy. I did have a bite of Tom’s cake and it was to die for. We did meet the other guests and had a very nice conversation. After breakfast Lynette came out and told us about the history of the house. Then we were free to go.
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, I don’t remember the last time I really enjoyed myself this much. I wouldn’t mind staying at more Bed and Breakfasts.
It’s been little over 6 months since my surgery. I got on the scale this morning and finally broke the 100 pound mark. I was thrilled beyond belief to see I had lost 101 pounds. Unless you’ve been through this you can’t fully understand how I feel, and to be perfect honest a part of me didn’t think it was possible. But the scale doesn’t lie. I did a happy dance after I stepped off, to my family enjoyment. I still have a long way to go, but I have come a long too.
Thoughts after the 6 month surgaversary
There are so many wonderful things and a few things that I miss.
What do I miss? Bread, sandwiches, French fries, hamburgers and hot dogs with the bun (see the bred thing)
What I’ve gained –
Enjoying walking, I can walk longer than 15 minutes with out pain in my back.
Wearing smaller clothes, I put on one of my hubbies tee-shirts and it was a little big. YAY
Having more energy, I’m actually shopping in stores now and not just online.
Fitting in theater seats and my legs not touching the arm rests.
Tying my shoes with out straining
Walking up stairs and not being out of breath
There are so many more.. but the biggest thing –
Feeling good about myself, looking in the mirror and smiling instead of cringing at that large person.
Here is a shot of me starting with the day of surgery, 3 months, 6 months..
So I woke up, did my normal morning routine and just as I was about to walk out the door I decided to weigh myself. I figure I had lost another pound. But as I watched the numbers appear I was shocked. I had lost 4.2 pounds, taking me below 300 for the first time in I don’t know how long! It funny how when you are gaining weight a number like 298.2 makes you want to cry. But as I am now going down that number is wonderful! That means if I want to buy panty hose I don’t have look for the one over 300.
I can see a difference in my body. My stomach is smaller I have a little more lap room, the one thing I hate is how flabby my upper arms look, but I will take it. Knowing that after all the weight is gone that will go to. My face is thiner as well. Several people have already commented to me about the weight loss and its nice to hear.
I feel great! I have more energy than I can ever remember having. I am actually enjoying going out and shopping. I used to avoid it, but my daughter Lisa and I have made several shopping trips.
I do not regret having this surgery at all.
Whoooohooooo I’m under 300 pounds!!!
I had couple of WOW moments this past week. But before I go into those I want to report I am down 58 pounds. This is just thrilling for me, to be honest there was a part of me deep down in side that thought I would fail yet again. But they just keep melting away!!
So I went to the store because I needed to some pants that fit. The ones I have are falling down a lot. What I found was have dropped TWO pant sizes. I was shocked and happy at the same time! YAY me!
Then on Saturday we went to see Percy Jackson Lightening Thief. When I sat down in the theater seat, my legs didn’t hit the sides of the arm rests!! Whooohooo I was comfortable for the first time in I don’t know how long!
It was a good week!!
Today it has been two months since surgery! I’ve lost 50.8 pounds in that time that are now gone forever!!!. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am. For the most part everything has gone really well. I’m able to eat anything I want with out any real issues. I only had one bad experience and that was last night. I had chicken for dinner, it tasted so yummy. But I got distracted while chewing and swallowed a piece that was a bit to big. I can’t tell you how much it hurt. It was a big reminder to chew, chew, chew, and pay attention to what I’m doing.
While I can’t really see it looking in the mirror that those 50 pounds are gone, I have other ways that I can tell. Here is a short list:
These are little things in the grand scheme of things but are important to me. Today is a good day!!
Today I am 44 lbs lighter! What an awesome feeling this is. Most of my clothes are a lot looser and my pants are starting to feel like they could fall down. I think I’m going to need to invest in some new pants to wear to work. Mary gave me a bunch of very nice sweaters, it’s been so cold I am glad to have them. Plus it’s nice to wear something new and smaller
The next part is a TMI if you don’t want to hear about constipation I recommend you stop reading now. But I wanted a record of this.
One of the side of effects of this surgery is constipation. Several things factor into this, 1. Not eating fiber, 2 Iron and Calcium supplements contribute to constipation and I have to take them. Well for the past several weeks I’ve suffered with constipation. But it’s been manageable though not pleasant. Until this weekend, it started on Saturday, I felt that I needed to go but nothing happened. It was discouraging but I figured it would happen soon. Sunday came and the urge to go it several times yet with no success. By this time it was starting to hurt. Monday came and it only got worse. I called the nurse and she suggested suppositories or an enema. I went to CVS to pick up a enema bag but they didn’t have any. So I had to buy the pre made stuff. With out going into to much detail, the enema didn’t work. I was left trying to go, by now the pain was intense and I started getting sick to my stomach. Tom and I tossed around the idea of going to the ER, but I thought if it doesn’t come Tuesday morning I will go into urgent care. At 10:30 I decided to go to bed. This time as I tried to go, the pain was intense. A half our later after screaming, groaning, and tears it was released. I swear it was like having a baby. I was very concerned about my rectum that it had been damaged after three days of trying to go. So this morning I went in a was checked out. Some minor tearing and two hemorrhoids but everything was ok. I’ll just be sore for a few days.
I called the clinic and Sam talked with the doctor. They want me to try miralax twice a day, benifiber in my drinks, and increase my bean intake. I sure hope that I NEVER have to go through this again! As I write this I am feeling some what better!
It’s been a month since my surgery. I’m down 35 pounds woot!! Aside from the cough I have had since the day after surgery I’ve done well with only a few minor bumps. I only found one thing that hasn’t agreed with me and that is tuna. It tastes good but gives me an upset stomach everything I’ve eaten it. So for now it off the list, I’ll try it in a few more months. My favorite thing is refried beans with greek yogurt, and salsa. Some things that were harder for me when I was at my highest weight have now become easier. I am really glad I did this, and wish I hadn’t waited so long. I’m looking forward to the future.
Today was my first day back at work. On one hand it felt like I’d been gone forever, but on the other hand it was like I hadn’t been gone for 3 weeks. I was glad I decided not to let everyone know I was back. I had several problems that needed correcting and some reports run. Not to mention people stopping by to ask how things were going. It was really nice to see everyone again. By the end of the day I was tired, I guess that was to be expected.
I did much better getting my liquids down. It’s about 9:30 pm and have just about gotten 60oz in. YAY me!! I’ve lost 36 pounds and for the first time I weigh less than my driver’s license. It’s a nice feeling. But some how I’m not as happy as I thought I would be. I guess I thought I would have lost more. I’m worried that this will fail yet again. I know I’m being silly but tonight it’s really bothering me. I’m a little down and I don’t know why.
Back the theater we go!! We were assured yesterday that Avatar would be working today. So we went back. True to their word the movie was working. I have to say I really missed having popcorn. It smelled so good.
Avatar was excellent and the 3D made it. It would be good with out the 3D but with it, it was so much better. I would like to see at least one more time.
My coughing isn’t as bad, but still there. I was able to time the coughs either during loud sounds or when no one was talking. I don’t think I disturbed to many people.
It was nice getting out of the house for a little while.
Lisa has this weekend off so we decided to go see the movie Avatar, so being the procrastinators we are we had to rush to the theater. Only to find out there was a problem in the theater that was showing the 3D version. After talking it over we decided to see Sherlock Holmes. We had to wait an hour before it started so Tom took Lisa over to MacDonlads for some lunch. I stayed at the theater, I’m not sure I am ready to smell Macd’s just yet.
The move was good, though I think I could have easily waited for it come out on DVD.