2 Years

Two years ago tomorrow (10-25), I went into the operating room believing that if I died, I would be better off. I hated myself for what I had allowed myself to become. I weighed 384 pounds and was completely miserable. I knew that weight loss surgery was my last hope for a healthy life.

Being a 37 year old that could barely climb the stairs to her bedroom makes one learn to take control of her life. My children had only known me as super morbidly obese and had missed out on so much in their won lives because of it.

My life has changed in ways I never dreamed. Here is a list I compiled of things I wanted to do. I've done every one and many more.

I had planned on making a big deal out of this anniversary since I hit my weight loss goal. Unfortunately, because I still don't have my laptop, this will have to suffice for now.

December 2005, my friend Stephanie and me:

Summer 2005 just before I dumped this 350:

The next two pictures were taken by the talented Barman on a beautiful Autumn day:

(if you click on the pictures, it will take you to Photobucket to see the rest)

It took me two hours to post this from the old computer, so I'll try and tweek it a bit when/if I get my laptop back.

So, life is great, but strange at the same time. I'll be partying down this weekend at a Halloween party. I plan on having lots of fun on my special day.

Thursday Portraits

Mr. Sign and I took some pictures on our walk last Saturday.

This one cracks me up because it looks like a Senior picture:



This one shows some of the beauty that is Michigan Fall colors:

Flash 55, Take 51

Watching the crescent moon rise reminds me that fall is in the air. The crispness of the air and the smell of dry leaves crackling under my feet makes me feel like a child again, about to fall into a giant pile of colors.

Fall colors give way to my favorite time, snow play, yay!

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If you are interested in attempting to write a 55, you can visit here to learn about it.
If you do one, go tell G-Man that you did.

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A River Runs Through It, Take 2

~edit~ I learned how to make movies!! Here is my first:

(Oops, I deleted the pics by accident. Most of them are in the video.)
My entire family went to the great North in Michigan (see last year's post) this past weekend. Mr. Sign, both girls, Mom, Ted (my step dad) and my grandma. Grandpa got sick at the last minute and didn't come.

It was an excellent weekend even though there were few fish. I forgot to take a picture of the outhouses. They were the pits, pun intended. Just imagine a tiny house with a hole inside. Now imagine that many disgusting men have used it. I mean, this thing looked like someone exploded inside. I did everything I could to find other amenities. I'm still nauseous thinking about it.


The family slept in my parents travel trailer. Mr. Sign and I slept in the back of our van. It was rather cozy.

(All pictures can be enlarged)

Here we are almost tucked in:

This is how Mr. Sign likes to sleep, just like at home, all over the entire bed:

This is the view out of the back of the van:

This is #2 on Suicide Bend. We hiked (yeah, I hiked. Can you believe it?)
up to catch the view. It was breathtaking:

#2 and me. I can't believe how different our coloring is:

#2 rigging up her rod:

This is me near the dam:

Daughter #1:

Daughter #1 is the only one who caught a fish.
Here she is with her fish on a leash (I know it's a stringer,
it just sounds more fun as a leash):

Here is a rather unflattering picture of my backside. I have split many logs,
but this one almost killed me. I chopped at it for over an hour and now I can barely lift my arms:

This was our morning fire. It had to be kept small since the wind was blowing 50 MPH and the leaves were blowing. I didn't want to catch the woods on fire.
Mom, #2, Grandma and Ted:

The colors were gorgeous: