The World According to Leslie

Last week I got older. I guess that's not really crazy.  We technically get older every day.  Then this week, in ONE day, I got 430 views on my blog!!  That's NEVER happened before, but I could get used to it! ****** We are still in the middle of Girl Scout cookie season. If you haven't gotten yours yet, let me know. I can either deliver them (if you are close enough) or give you the website where you can order them. ****** On Sunday, the stuff for Vacation Bible School came in! I'm so excited!  I'm the director this year, but I am going to need a TEAM of awesome people!  We have a church full of awesome people!  I'm going to get the recruiting video ready so that the pastor can show it before we have the volunteer meeting!!! On Sunday, the pastor also announced to the church that we are doing toys for 500 kids this Christmas. We are going to be collecting toys and money. If you have new/gently used toys that you'd like to donate, please let me ...

Since July 10th, I have been sick. I have been to the ER 3 times in 3 weeks. I have not been out of my house, except to go to the doctor, for 3 weeks. On Thursday of last week, I had to have a spinal tap done to see if they can figure out these headaches. On Saturday, I ended up at the ER again because my neck and shoulders were completely stiff and painful. They gave me meds that made me sleep all day. Yesterday, my neck and shoulders started feeling much better.  I can now sit up for longer than 20 minutes at a time. My headache is only at about a 3-4 instead of a 8-9. On to better news..... We have finally decided where the Princess is going to go to school next year. She has agreed to play softball again at the school. We are excited. We just have to make sure that she gets the classes that she needs to get into the IB program in the high school. I'm still working on finding a full time job, but if I don't, I can always be a substitute teacher again this year....

A couple of weeks ago, I posted (first the first time in 2 years??)!! I am still alive. So... in two years a lot can happen. Let me start with the BIGGEST thing. On July 1, 2014, I went to visit a surgeon. I was at my heaviest weight ever. My doctor had told me that I needed to lose weight (about 1/2 of total weight) in order to regain my life. I visited the surgeon and decided to have the surgery. On June 11, 2015, I walked into the hospital to have surgery. In that year, I lost about 30 lbs. However, I had the Vertical Sleeve surgery. The doctor removed 2/3 of my stomach. On June 10, 2016 (365 days after my surgery--because of leap year), I went in for my one year appointment. I lost 189.5 lbs over the course of the year since my surgery. Wow! I couldn't believe it.  Neither could my doctor!  Everyone in the doctor's office said that I did an awesome job!  I'm so proud of myself! 

Today is my BIRTHDAY!!!  At 2:45am, I turned 35!  WOW!  (I'm getting old!) So there are some things I want to work on this year.  (I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but I do try to do things differently on my birthday!) 1. Stop stressing over the little stuff.  To me, in recent years, everything has been "big" stuff.  Not now! 2. Lose a little weight.  I'm not setting a goal of 100 lbs or anything, but I want to get back on track with losing weight again. 3. Have more family time!  I want to spend more quality time with the family!  I think that it would help our family dynamic.  I think it would also help Chasity to excel (even more) in all her activities. Thanks for all the birthday wishes already!  Some of my friends, who know there is NO WAY they will wake up before me, posted "Happy Birthday" for me last night so I would get it this morning!  You guys are the best!  I hope you all have a great day!

Short update: 1. I lost 10 lbs. last week.  I'm watching my calories.  I'm feeling a little more energy. 2. Dad is back in the hospital.  It's not his heart this time! :)  However, he's very sick.  He has a fluid and infection in his left leg.  The MRI/CT (we aren't sure which they did....and they keep saying different things!)  showed that there is a LOT of swelling (edema) at his ankle and heel, knee, and hip.  He can barely stand up to walk to the bathroom. :(  HOWEVER.... I know God is in control.  Dad always says, "God's got a plan!"  I guess we just have to wait to see what it is.

Actually, I guess it's not new.  I have fought with my weight my entire life.  I was the "cute chubby" baby.  Then I was the "plump" girl all through school.  Who invented those stupid "Pretty Plus" clothes anyways? Now...however...I am the overweight adult.  I have tried (and succeeded) several times to lose weight. Unfortunately, the keeping it off is always my downfall.  I do really well....until I hit that plateau where I stop losing at a rapid rate.  Then I start getting aggravated.  I start "cheating".  Today, I am starting on a new "old" journey.  I am starting Herbalife today.  The last time I used Herbalife, I lost about 70 lbs. from January to June.  (Then came the plateau!) This time, I really need to lose a LOT!  I'd rather not post my actual weight on here right now.  So.... next week, I will just post how much I lost! :)  Then....  one day.... I will post my weight totals....  when...