Sunday, February 26, 2006

Sunday update

The baby shower was awesome. The food was so yummy and I did great at resisting temptation. I had a very thin slice of beef on a roll, some shrimp salad that was made with fat-free sour cream, onion, carrots, celery, and spices. My brother-in-law mixed it with salad greens and it was very yummy. I also had some fresh veggies. I was really full. They had cupcakes and other stuff, but I didn't eat any. My sister loaded up on the gifts. I don't know where she's going to put everything. She looks really great. They told my sister that if she delivers within the next month, the baby is going to be around 8 pounds, but if he goes full term, he will weigh a bit more .. the doctor didn't want to scare her so he wouldn't tell her how much more. They finally decided on a middle name. His name is going to be Justin Ray.

Friday, February 24, 2006

I did it!!!

I am so shocked!!! I reached the 20-pound lost mark within one month! I'm so happy today. I feel so much better, look better, and I know that I can lose the remaining 60. I might even go further than my original goal. It depends how I feel once I get there. It's been so long since I've been at the goal weight that I set, I don't remember what it's like.

This afternoon I'm off to my sister's house in Orlando. The baby shower is tomorrow. I'm so excited. I can't believe Justin is almost here. This is one birthday that I'm looking forward to .. he is due on April 15, two days after my birthday. Well, I need to get to work so I can get out of here early. Everyone have a wonderful day!!!

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

I received my 10-pound bear!!


10-pound bear received 02/21/06 Posted by Picasa

My little bear arrived safely with my second shipment of NS food. I was so excited. Please excuse my messy desk. She is sooo cute and I should be receiving my 20-pound bear next month with my next shipment. Each bear comes with a name and short letter of encouragement. This bear's name is Pound and her letter says "Pound says congratulations on your initial weight loss. She's here to keep you motivated as you continue toward your goal weight." I think it is a wonderful thing for NS to do to keep people encouraged. Pound lives on top of my computer monitor since that is where I spend most of my time.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Tuesday update

Not much exciting happening this week so far. I was down another pound last week. I weigh on Fridays. This weekend is going to be the big test for me. My sister's baby shower is Saturday and they always have the best food around there. I'm taking my NS food and going to munch on veggies only. I would like to lose at least 15 pounds by our vacation on June 1st so I can't afford to cheat even one day.

My husband is also going to be starting NS. He was doing South Beach, but I finally convinced him that it isn't healthy, especially with his borderline high cholesterol. So we ordered his food on Friday night. I'm so excited for him.

I went to do a home visit for the pug rescue I volunteer for yesterday and the stupid people weren't home. I sat there for 15 minutes and left. To me that doesn't leave a good impression that you can't even be responsible enough to either call and cancel the appointment or be there like you should be. These people have three pugs already so I don't know what the big deal is. I took off of work early to go out (25 miles away) and do this. I was supposed to go on Saturday, but I called them and cancelled because I had a migraine. So the rescue is going to send out someone else. It upsets me more because I feel like they stood up the pug more than me. Weird, I know, but there are so many that need good homes and this one is a special needs pug. He has some eye issues and may go blind eventually so he is harder to place.

Well, that's about it for now. I'm behind on work so need to get busy!

Thursday, February 16, 2006

Article regarding husband's company relocating

This was in today's St. Pete Times (my comments below):

TAMPA - A call center in east Tampa that handles inquiries from customers of
financially struggling General Motors will close by year's end, leaving about
400 employees without jobs.

International Business Machines Corp., which took over a contract to run the
center for GM Jan. 1, told workers Wednesday that their jobs would be gradually
phased out until the facility closes in December. Two other GM call centers run
by IBM face job cuts.

The work in Tampa - handling calls and e-mails from GM vehicle owners, dealers
and prospective customers - will go to other centers in the "global network" of
IBM and subcontractor Convergys, which employs the workers, said IBM spokeswoman
Jenny Galitz.

Galitz and a GM spokeswoman declined to say whether the jobs will be moved
outside the United States.

In Web site postings and e-mails to newspapers, some Convergys employees wrote
that they expected work will be handled at centers in Canada, the Philippines
and Argentina.

GM is carrying out dramatic plans to cut costs amid monumental challenges to
the auto industry. Losing U.S. market share to Asian competitors, the company
posted a $8.6-billion loss in 2005, in part because of high costs for pension,
employee health care, materials and labor. GM plans to eliminate 30,000 hourly
jobs and shutter 12 facilities by 2008.

Sitel Corp., based in Omaha, Neb., opened the Tampa call center in 1999 under a
five-year contract with GM to run centers in Tampa; Austin, Texas; and Portland,
Ore.

The plan was to consolidate eight GM-operated centers in southeast Michigan
into three outsourced centers. GM extended the deal, but last fall awarded IBM a
five-year contract to run the three centers.

At the time, the companies said most of the 519 Tampa workers would be hired
when IBM took over.

About 120 left and were not replaced, said Galitz. The companies kept their
word by keeping the others past Jan. 1 but didn't guarantee long-term
employment, said GM spokeswoman Ryndee Carney."The world doesn't stay the same,"
she said. "Things do change."

IBM will close the GM call center it operates with Convergys in Portland, which
employs about 620 people, by the middle of 2007. The Austin center, run by a
different subcontractor, will lose an unspecified number of employees through
mid 2007, Galitz said.

The word started leaking out this month on an employee independent Web site. On
Feb. 2, a site member reported rumors that the company would tell employees this
week that Tampa and Portland customer assistance centers would be shuttered,
with the work heading to Canada.

The decision to move call center work out of Tampa was made by IBM, said GM
spokeswoman Carney. "It's IBM's responsibility to figure out the best way to
meet our needs as a client," she said.

The move is a blow to NetPark, an office complex created from the old East Lake
Square Mall in east Tampa.

GM leases 100,000 square feet of space there. NetPark is also home to the
information technology division of CP Ships. The container shipping company is
cutting about 700 Tampa jobs, including the information technology department,
by 2007 as part of its acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd of Germany.
*************************************************************************

Regarding the information in bold above, an employee happens to have recorded
the meeting on an MP3 player and they were advised that the company is outsourcing
to the countries mentioned above. They were told that GM is a "Global Company".
Someone responded back that GMs new motto should then be "Global Revolution" instead
of "American Revolution". I couldn't agree more.

Pancakes, pancakes!!!

OMG, I just had the best pancakes everrrr!!! I got the recipe from Jazz's site. I used the NS pancake mix of course. I smashed up a whole banana, put half of it into a small saucepan and added the other half of the banana to the pancake mix and milk, mixed well and made pancakes. With the pancake mixture in the saucepan, I cooked on low for a bit and added some sugar-free syrup and cooked a bit longer. I topped the pancakes with it when they were done. They were sooo good and didn't taste like something that was allowed on this plan. You skinny people could do the same thing with regular pancake mix also. Yummmmmy!!

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Husband is losing his job

Not that it is really a big deal, but more irritating. They had their "big" meeting today. Rumors have been going around that the location he works at will be relocated. The company stated two weeks ago that they don't address "rumors". My husband heard the "rumor" from a reputable source so we pretty much knew it was true. Basically he works with a company that has a contract with General Motors to provide their customer service, legal division, and a few other services. So it was confirmed at the meeting today that their location is closing and they are moving some of it to Canada, Argentina, and the Phillippines. No reason was given other than "business purposes". They supposedly don't know when the move will take place, but they will be given 60-day's notice and if they stay until the end, they will get a whopping $1000 bonus that is taxed at around 30% or so. My husband has been with them for 7 years, but this company just took over the contract on January 1st so they aren't offering severance. My husband asked what made them decide to move out of the United States and their reply was that GM was a "Global Company". He promptly advised them they should change their motto to "Global Revolution" then instead of "American Revolution".

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Starting to Exercise

Woohooo!! I got my Gazelle elliptical trainer yesterday finally. I went a mile on it last night and a mile today. Not too bad considering I haven't worked out in many years. It came with four DVDs that I haven't looked at yet and I also ordered the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs. I'll probably do those in the afternoon and the Gazelle while I watch The Price is Right at 11 am every day. I'll do the Gazelle at night also. I love the Gazelle, it is really fun to use.

Tommy had an interview this morning. Rumor has it that the company he is working for is closing down the Tampa office in June so he has been looking for another job. They're supposed to have a huge company-wide meeting tomorrow, but he already heard from a higher up that the rumors are true. He's been there nearly 7 years and has been wanting to leave anyway so it's not really a big deal. It's a good thing we sold the house in November and have money in savings though just in case he doesn't find a job before they close.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Great weekend

It has been a wonderful weekend even though it started a bit rocky. We got the work issue straightened out and the husband apologized for not being supportive with things. He has done much better over the weekend and hopefully it will continue. I think he was afraid that when I lose the weight that things with us will change or something. I assured him that I am here for the long haul, that's what I vowed to, no matter what.

We went shopping yesterday and he let me pick out an outfit for Valentines day. I got a cute pair of capris, shirt, and a new purse. Got home and the capris are like jeans on me, but they still look okay. I think I have the shortest legs in the world. He also went and bought me some pink Tulips. They are soo pretty and my favorite flower. I had to go pick up my glasses yesterday and I hate them, but I'll suffer. I've never worn glasses before so it will take some time to adjust I suppose. We also went to Don Pablos for lunch. I was pretty good and had the South Beach grilled chicken salad with salsa instead of dressing. It was sooooo yummy.

I'm down 2 pounds for this week, for a total of 17 pounds. So far, so good. I think Tommy is going to start on NutriSystem also. That will make things much easier around here. He just has to finish up the regular food that we have in the freezer first. That's about it for now!

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Stressed and depressed

Well, just got my butt chewed from my husband because I haven't been working as much as I should. He doesn't understand that I have a hard time concentrating and focusing on work. I get so distracted with the littlest things and I don't know why. I'll do some work and before I know it I'm up cleaning the house or doing something other than working.

I dunno, maybe my mom was right in what she told me my entire life, I'm lazy and I'll never amount to anything. I try, but I just can't finish anything I start. Even the smallest craft projects I don't complete. I get halfway done, get bored, and put it away.

I'm just tired of not being good enough for anyone. I try to be the best wife possible and I am always 100% supportive of anything that he does. I'm just not good enough once again. Maybe I'm just meant to be alone or something. I know that I can't take this much longer. My self esteem is at an all-time low and I've been depressed for a long time. Tommy is never supportive of things I do or anything that I do achieve. He wasn't supportive of me starting NutriSystem and complained about the cost. When I lost weight my first week, he didn't seem too thrilled about it and barely mumbled "good". He wasn't supportive when I said that I wanted a Gazelle elliptical machine because according to him, "it will never get used".

I've supported every decision he has made ... every single one. Why can't he just be supportive and encouraging also? He has changed his major twice in school and changing a third time. I have supported him every single time even though it is money down the drain when he keeps switching because not all of his credits transfer to his new major.

I just really wonder what my purpose is in this world or if I even have one. Sometimes I really don't think I do have a purpose.

Mmmmm, yummy snack!!

I know it's early but I was hungry so I fixed my afternoon snack. I put 1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese in the blender along with four packets of Splenda, some ice, a bit of water, and some strawberries. I blended it until it was smooth and it is soooo yummy.

I also got good news today that my cousin will not be going to my sister's baby shower. It appears that her bachelorette party is that night so she won't be able to make it. I'm so excited. It was the best news I've had in a while. :0)

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Minor meltdown

So, I had a bit of a meltdown over the weekend. My cousin Sita, who is nothing but a user, has been invited to my sister's baby shower. I cannot stand this woman. All she does is put me down when I am around her and I have never done anything to her or said anything to her to deserve to be treated that way. She is just a bitch. She and my great aunt, her mom, are both coming. I used to spend weekends at my aunt's house on the beach when I was a teenager and my aunt and I were pretty close. Now she has nothing to do with me. Why, you ask? Because my husband is half Puerto Rican. She doesn't believe in any type of mixed-race marriages even though our family isn't 100% pure anything. She is blind to the fact that her dear bitch of a daughter has dated and lived with women, black men, hispanic men, and white men, which I don't have a problem with. Anyway, my sister is having two baby showers so I was hoping that they would be going to the baby shower that I'm not going to. I haven't seen Sita since my mom's funeral services nearly six years ago. The last straw for me dealing with the bitch was before my mom passed. Mom was in a coma in the hospital and Sita came up to see her. We were all standing around the bed and Sita kept saying that my mom would come out of the coma and that she wasn't as bad off as the doctors told us. She kept rocking my moms bed from side to side to try to get some sort of reaction. Helllooooo dumbass, she's gone ... she's not there .. no brain function. I was so pissed that she was acting like that. Every event she goes to she has to be the center of attention.

So the bitch shows up at mom's funeral services. I was walking out of the building before the services started with my mom's best friend and the friend's husband. The cousin comes up and hugs the friend and her husband and pays me no attention. Gee, I didn't just lose my mom a few days ago, two days after my 26th birthday, don't acknowledge my loss. So, I walked off. After the services, we gathered together for snacks and such. I was sitting next to mom's best friend and her husband and got up to go get a drink. Sita comes and sits in my seat and turns her back to the empty seat so when I come back to sit down I am totally excluded from the conversation. Every time I have seen her prior to that, she always talks about what a brat I was as a child. How the hell would she know? I moved to Florida when I was 6 years old and she grew up in Indiana!!!

Anyway, the baby shower is February 25th and I was looking forward to going, but now I'm not. I get tired of being made to feel like shit by her. I so much want to say something to her if she starts her crap, but don't want to ruin my sister's baby shower. I'm even thinking about just not going at all. I don't want to say anything to my sister about it because I don't want to upset her. She has enough going on without me adding to it. I don't know what to do. I was talking to my grandmother about it on Sunday and I just had a meltdown and cried all day. I don't want to be around her at all. This really sucks.

Sunday, February 05, 2006

Shopping always makes me feel better ...

The hubby and I went shopping yesterday to Babys R Us for prezzies for my sister's baby shower on the 25th of this month. That store was packed. Too many pregnant people in there and not enough room in the aisles. They had too much stuff in the middle of the aisles to get the cart through and it was just a mess. I ended up getting her the Eddie Bauer carseat that she wanted for when Justin is bigger, some bottles, the protector thingies for the electrical outlets, and a couple other small things. We then went to Play it Again Sports to see if they had a used Gazelle elliptical machine, but they didn't. From there we headed to Publix to buy more veggies. I got some soy burgers and a few other things to add to my NutriSystem meals. We came home, watched a couple movies, and I ordered my Gazelle from HSN. We ordered the UFC fight last night and the matches were pretty good. Chuck Liddell knocked Randy Couture out, just as I predicted!! I don't know what's planned for today. I know we are watching the Superbowl tonight of course. We might go do some more shopping and I think Tommy wanted to get his hair cut. That's about it for now.

Friday, February 03, 2006

Wooohooo, it's Friday!!!

I woke up early this morning, about 4:30 am, and decided to get up and get some work done. I pulled up five reports from my favorite doctor to transcribe. Most of her reports are repetitive, so I get a ton of lines without much work. I transcribed 386 lines in an hour!! Woohoo, my day is halfway over already!

Today was the end of my first week on NutriSystem and I am down 7 pounds. I haven't exercised at all yet, so I'm pretty satisfied with that! I've lost at total of 16 pounds since 01/16/2006. We're going to start at the gym here in the apartment complex tonight. I went and got an iPod the other night to listen to while working out.

We're going shopping tomorrow for gifts for my sister's baby shower on February 25th. I'm so excited. Little Justin is due on April 15th, two days after my birthday!! Here is a picture of little Justin ... I think he's so cute already and cannot wait to smooch his sweet little cheeks.



Well, that's about it for now ... I'll try to post more later!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Wednesday meals, etc.

This morning for breakfast I had Paul's Apple Bundt Cake. It was pretty yummy. I got the recipe from Jazzman's BB found here: http://s2.forumforfree.com/index.php?mforum=jazzman&act=idx

It is a support board for people on NutriSystem or those following the NS diet with their own food. It is very motivating and the people are wonderful on the board. There is always someone willing to help out or provide some support if needed. They also have some great recipes.

For lunch, I had the NS ham and bean soup. I was a bit scared to try it, but decided to bite the bullet and try it today. I added some chopped green onions and a slice of fat-free cheese to it and it was pretty good. I also had a salad.

I'm not sure what I'm going to have for dinner. I have to take Tommy to the eye doctor today and we're going shopping for my iPod and some gifts for my sister's baby shower after he's done at the eye doctor so dinner will be late. I'll probably take along a snack with me in case I get hungry before we get home. That's about it for now. Back to work!!

Tuesday continuation

I didn't have time to update yesterday so I am doing it today.

For lunch, I had tossed salad, the NutriSystem pasta with beef, and a piece of rye bread. It was pretty good. My snack was 1/2 can of tuna with some mayo and onions and some grapes. For dinner, I had steamed broccoli and cauliflower and the NutriSystem Chicken Pasta Parmesan. My night-time snack was the NutriSystem white cheddar soy chips, which tasted like paper. I don't think I'll be ordering those again.

The eye doctor went okay I suppose. I have to get glasses and wear them all of the time. I have astigmatism in my right eye and my left eye is working overtime to compensate, which is why I keep getting headaches. I have no idea what my glasses look like because they had me pick them out after they dilated my eyes and shined bright lights into them for 5 minutes. Hopefully they will look okay, the whole visit including glasses was $50 so I can't complain. I can't wear contacts unfortunately so I'm stuck with the glasses. Ugh.