Moving soon!

I have e-mailed everyone my new mailing address (until the house is done) I still don't know exactly when we will be moving, but I am hoping for someday SOON! While the weather is still not horrible and wintry!

I finally broke down and bought a scale. I have lost over 30 pounds in a month (Dec 28th)! I have to go back to the Dr. in Holland on Eric's b-day (Jan 18th) for my first adjustment (they inject saline into the band around my stomach to make the amount of food I can eat less) and then I will have to go back every 2 weeks until the Dr. is satisfied with the rate of weight loss. I don't know how many trips that might take, but I don't care either.

There has been nothing else really going on, I have been busy packing, and sorting through all of our junk..I am trying to make sure that I don't move anything that I will want to throw away as soon as we unpack. Warren and I are going to be staying ay my parent's house until the new house is done, so you can reach me by phone there. It's not listed, so if you need the number, you can still reach me at the Wellston number for the time being.

Hope everyone had a safe holiday! Love to your families!

The Last Supper

Well, this is it! Tomorrow is going to be the last unadulterated eating fest I will have! Surgery is Tues, 7:30 am in Ypsilanti. Then, several weeks of liquid dieting...and then on to 'regular' food. I will have pictures posted on my flikr web-site when I have them so everyone can see my progress. I am starting to get more excited now.

We are moving! We will be building a home across the street from where we are now. Until that house is done, we will be staying with my parents. I will still have access to e-mail, but it will be slow, and frustrating, so I might be on even less until the house gets done. The contractor is saying January, but I am figuring on March...I guess we'll see. When it gets done, it is going to be on the cover of a home catalogue for Tittle Brothers Since they are the ones doing the building.

Updates

ok, so its been like, a month since I have had anything worth mentioning here! I am finally able to tell you all that I have a surgery date! I will be having bariatric surgery on Nov 28th in Ypsilanti at the Bariatiric treatment center's hospital. Yes, I have done my research, and I know that I will be in good hands. so, if anyone has heard "horror stories" from 'friends', please do not feel the need to relate them to me. Thanks!

In other news, the girl's basketball season is winding down, less than 1 month to go, and then...husband! Yipee! I am looking forward to him being home at night, and in the afternoon, and wait a minute....does anyone have any work he can do? he's going to be around all the time again!!! AHHH!!

We have been watching the World Series (just like every other Michigan native) and praying for a win for the good guys. Warren, being from Detroit, has always been a huge fan of all of the teams, even when they are the Lions 1-and-whatever, so its been a fun time at our house lately.

I will be doing a fundraiser for the girls basketball program at Brethren soon...I am going to be peddling Home Interiors candles. The girls get to keep 50% of their sales, and that's amazing for a fund raiser that's not really difficult. I will be expecting orders from all of you kid havers that I have been ordering from for all these years, and don't think you can avoid me, I will hunt you down, and I can be very persistent!

By the way, this still totally freaks me out, but Jonnie Sam III is my new boss....he graduated in '96, and was (still is) a huge dork...I guess I should have been nicer to him back then, but who could have figured? Not me....but anyway, he is the greatest! We are having way too much fun to be getting paid for this~! It helps me love my job even more! And, since he's dating Rochelle now, I have to be nice to him anyway--Damnit!

With love..from Michigan

The U of M game was awesome! The good guys won! and the seats were killer! (Thanks Boss!) We are already planning on going again. I will take my camera next time. I was going to bring it, but I wasn't sure about their policy on cameras and such. We had a ton of fun, we went to the 12 Oaks Mall in Livonia, and the Fashion Square Mall in Saginaw in search of the official tee shirts for the game before, and a replica jersey for me to wear to work after. We're planning a pre-Christmas trip to Birch Run where we'll prolly end up spending 2 days...In other news, I am looking at early June for Mom and Dad's 25th anniversary party. It will be at their house, unless I can find a hall that will allow alcohol for not a ton of money. But I am thinking about their house anyway. Something informal, prolly a BBQ type thing, I wanted to do something nicer, but they are worried about money (like I can't afford it or something) I wouldn't offer if I didn't think I could handle it, not like I can count on Eric for any ($) help at all! Anyway, other than mom turning 52! on Sunday, there's nothing else going on, I am calling the Bariatric Treatment place tomorrow to see about a surgery date. I will keep you posted as I progress, I can't wait to show you all my before and after shots!

Because I am a girl?!?

Ok, so I took my 97 Ford Escort with over 200,000 miles on it to Midas in Manistee for a front end alignment. We have a mechanic near us that we trust, and who had told me all we needed was an alignment. I called Midas to make the appointment and was told that it would cost me $39.95 for a front end alignment. I dropped the car off for the estimated 2 hour appointment, and went to lunch with my mom. We hadn't even gotten our food when the cell rang with Midas on the other end. There are some other things that will have to be fixed before they can complete my $39.95 alignment. They have to replace the ball joints on both sides, and the coils and struts in the rear. Apparently, the mechanic that we use is full of shit, and I should just blindly take their word for the things that are wrong with my car. The total bill for my $39.95 alignment? $1,039.43 tax included! The car isn't worth $500.00, why in the hell would they think that I would pay that freaking much for a front end alignment? Probably because I am a girl?? Well, they were wrong! VERY VERY WRONG!

Here's the kicker, my mom was telling her friend Pat (Patricia) about the "deal" they were giving me, and she said they did the same thing to her, and she took her car to another garage the same day, and they aligned her tires, for something like $50.00 out the door--no added parts that HAD to be fixed! HA!

Fall?!

I am having trouble letting go of the summer this year. It seems that every year, it gets harder for me to see the leaves start to change, and they seem to go earlier each year. I think it might be due in part to the fact that my life is going by so much faster now, that everything else is clipping right along with it. I don't know.

It is definitely time to put away the capris, and bring out the heavy blankets and sweats...and almost time for mom's birthday...52 this year! Now, that's old! My parents will be married 25 years in Feb. I am thinking about having a party to celebrate that in May or June (most of the people will be back from Florida/Arizona by then) at their house. I think I might invite everyone we know, and Warren and I will celebrate our 5th then too. Keep this in mind when you're all making your spring plans...I will keep you posted.

I will be taking my camera with me to the Michigan game next week, so look for some new pictures, coming soon!

Going to the BIG HOUSE

On Sept. 23rd. Warren and I will be in attendance when the Wolverines take on the Wisconsin Badgers! He is so excited!!! He's never been to a U of M game, (neither have I but I don't care) and he's the biggest sports nut! I can't wait to go with him!

I took the dog to the beach today. This was our first trip, he hates the water, and is usually not a very good walker. He would not go into the lake! I was standing in the water, and he would come to the edge, but refused to come in with me. What a huge baby! He has climbed into my mom's pool with me a couple of times, and was miserable the entire time! I have never heard of such a strange thing (a dog that doesn't like water)! He'll climb into the bathtub if I turn the faucet on very low, but that's all I can get him to do! Before I tortured him with the beach, I took him to the dog park in Manistee. He's also never been there, but since he was the only doggie there, I took him off his lead, and he ran and played, we both had a great time! Now, he's sleeping and I am trying to stay awake...oh, the life of a dog!

Report from Boyne

I can't believe I am about to say this, but Kid Rock was better last time! I never thought I would say that, but this show was no where near as good as last year. He did do Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry, but that was THE HIGHLIGHT of the entire show. Last year, I couldn't say enough about what a performer he was...how great the show was, how much energy he had...etc...Obviously, being a newlywed is draining him! Damn that Pam Anderson!

Brethren days is this weekend, this signifies the official end of summer in these parts. Labor day is the end of the celebration...and I don't think I am anywhere near being ready for fall.. I do love the fall, but this has been such a great summer, I don't want it to end! Oh well, I guess another one will be coming, (in like 10 months) boo-hoo....

BINGO!

I went tonight and played bingo with Sarah and her mom. We had a good time. Sarah is the only one that won anything. I think I might start taking my mother-in-law once in a while. I know she likes to go, and since she never gets to leave the house anymore, I think she might like a night out. I guess bingo's not just for old ladies anymore!

Kid Rock on Saturday! We're hoping for good weather. I'll be happy if its just not as hot as it was last year. Maybe his new wife will be with him? I doubt it too!

Kelly is coming soon! I am going golfing Friday morning to get ready for her visit. I should be all practiced up by then.

The house we want in Kaleva is still on the market. Teresa said someone put in a bid, but they must not have accepted the terms, or whatever...so there's still a shot for us to get it. I am not holding my breath....Lordy Lordy do these wheels turn SLOW!

Great Time in TC

We went to TC overnight for Warren's birthday (17th), we stayed at The Heritage Inn on Front St. They are very reasonably priced considering where they are located (near the bay and downtown) and have very clean rooms. For dinner, we went to Big Easy Blues Bar and Grille, I had the ribs, and Warren had the little butte (steak) with cajun shrimp. They have these cornmuffins that are out of this world! I will go back there just for the drinks, atmosphere and the MUFFINS! For b-fast/lunch the next day, we went to the Hard Luck Cafe on Front St. they have the best "pit" pork I have had in a restaurant. They offer a couple of types of BBQ sauce, and the sweet is awesome! Then we went to the movies and saw the new Pirates of the Caribbean. It was very good...I enjoyed it, and so did Warren. While we were watching the pre-views, they showed the Transformers movie that is coming out 4th of July nest year. Warren can't wait to see it. I can't believe they made a movie of the Transformers!

Not much else going on in my world. I am still waiting on my money for the house. I can't do anything without it, so no new word on the new casa de Ostrander...soon, hopefully.

House hunting fun

We went with Teresa LaPoint today, and looked at 4 houses. I really liked 1 of them, so much that I might even be putting in a bid...Not quite sure, but maybe! Its in Kaleva, so its way closer to work, and to my mom, but farther away from Warren's mom. I think we can make up for that fact by offering her a guest room to sleep in when she wants to visit. I'll keep you posted.

Holy CRAP!! We bought this CD "Booty Hits", its the greatest thing EVER!! Its got Da' Butt, The Humpty Dance, Push IT, Tootsee Roll and No Diggity on it! I love it! It reminds me of high school, and when Warren and I were dating. I love summer music! I wish it never had to get cold again!

HUH?

Not having ever given birth, I freely willingly openly admit that I know nothing of post pardom depression....However! I cannot except the fact that someone could have chased down their own children, and drowned them! I don't understand how a jury of 12 even semi-conscious adults could have found Andrea Yates not guilty by reason of insanity! WTF!?!?!? This morning, I saw a report where she says that she had 'visions' of her children in the future, and that one of them was a serial killer, that one was a mute homosexual prostitute, and that the rest died in horrible tragic ways... Well, I guess she made that last one a self-fulfilling prophesy! I can't stand the fact that this woman might make it out of the nut hatch, and be able to possibly reproduce again. In an interview after the verdict, her ex-husband was actually happy with the result, stating that he thought she was innocent all along. All I know is that he must be on some pretty damn good happy pills too.

ARGHHHH!

I am so sick of turning on the news and seeing more of GW playing in the sand. I wonder when he'll get tired of those toys and move on to another 'target'. It shouldn't be too long now. I am sorry if you are Republican...no really I AM sorry, I thought your parents would have raised you better. While I am ranting about politics...I don't know what to do about the Governor's race here in Michigan. I don't know which of the 2 choices are going to be worse. Our current First 'Lady' in quite a piece of work herself. I think I might write Lori in...I don't think that would be too bad... We could at least know for sure that we were not being lied to on a daily basis. Hmmm.

There is nothing to report on the personal side. I am working, shopping, and sleeping..Pretty much in that order. And on Saturday morning, I am going to be drinking too. I guess I am pretty much a Manistee-an and that scares me to no end. I am looking forward to Kelly coming home next month. I have a couple of free passes to our golf course, so we can go and not spend anything! There's only one thing I love more than golf, and that's free golf!

Forgot to mention

Michael Jordan and Don King were supposed to be at the fight the other night. They were flying from Cali, and had some problems leaving there on time, and when they got to Mi, they couldn't land in TC for some reason, so they went elsewhere. We were really disappointed, they had a table set up of MJ, with a $100 minimum bet, and a dealer all psyched up to deal to him. Well, at least the fights went over very well, so we have a good shot at doing something like that again. I will tell you that it is weird to turn on Showtime and see something from Manistee on the program description. I thought it was kinda cool too!
This month, we've got Crystal Gale, and Billy Ray Cyrus. I can't wait until the amphitheater gets done, and we can have bigger acts. Maybe then there'll be some shows that I want to go to here.

Yet another trip to see Kid Rock!

Well, I think I am officially a fan of Kid Rock. There's another show at Boyne Mountain this summer. Aug 25th, so we're taking Warren's mom because she was mad that she didn't get to go the last 2 times. I know we'll have a great time. I get along pretty well with her. She's not too bad as far as mother's in law go...

There's not a whole lot going on, my house in on quarantine, Warren has a double eye infection, so I am not going anywhere while he's here. I don't want him to be alone, so I have been having his mom come sit with him while I am working. he might try to go to work tonight, he's feeling a little bit better, but it still looks gross. His eyes are all red, and he's got really light blue eyes anyway, so its really a stark contrast, and very zombie looking! YUCKY! I am knocking on wood as I type this, but as of yet, I have not caught it. If he makes it through work tonight, I think I might go over to my mom's to get away from all the germs for a day (and maybe use the pool if its warm enough).

Other than that, I guess once again, no news is good news...

How bad am I?

I have not been keeping this up at all. I have been checking on myspace, and pretty much ignoring my blog. I am a bad girl! I feel like I am saying that a TON lately! I don't know where all this guilt is coming from.

I have my psych consult for by surgery this week on Thurs. I have to go to TC for it, and I am going by myself, so I know I will have a good time. I love shopping by myself! I never feel rushed, or like I am driving someone crazy because I will look at the same shoes/shirt/whatever a dozen times before I decide that I can't live without them. This kills Warren..he's always like "just buy it, or don't, but don't drag me back there to look at it again!"

Happily, there's no family news to report. Dad's coming along well from the surgery...Mom's feeling fine-and Eric--well, there's no helping him. I keep trying to talk him into finishing school. I don't know if he will or if he's going to try to buy a house with the girlfriend and be stuck in Manistee for the rest of his life. I guess I don't care as long as he's happy. AHH, what do I know?

BTW, I don't know if you guys keep up on the casino promotions, but, we're having a Showtime boxing event broadcast live from Little River this weekend. There are going to be a bunch of celebrities around Manistee. We've been given an unofficial list of names, but I couldn't tell you one of them. None of them mean anything to me. But I thought it was kind of a fun fact to know. I'll update you if I get to meet any VIP's, I really doubt that they will be hanging out at the table until the wee hours of the morning, but I guess you never do know.....

My Space

I've been visiting Myspace.com quite a bit lately...I think I am becoming addicted to searching for people. I mean geez, for Pete's sake, its almost 3am, and I am still awake..and on the computer. I never consider the fact that I would only be going on hour 2 at work right now...so I am supposed to be awake. I think I like being up at this hour though, there are no distractions. the phone won't ring (even if I'm not online), there aren't any cars going by the house, there's no one pulling into the driveway to make the dog bark...its kinda nice. All that, and I have the house to myself, so if I decide to play my music really loud, I don't have to worry about waking anyone up!

Anyway, back to myspace, I have an unofficial 'date' with Kelly LaFleur at the end of this month...she said something about having to cat sit for her 'rents, and I mentioned dollar beer night at First Street tavern is on Weds, which happens to also be my day off! Hopefully, she'll be able to meet me there...I don't think I have seen her since graduation, or shortly thereafter.

I went for a ride to Cadillac today, I had to pick up some groceries and things, and I noticed that the lakes around here are REALLY high. Lake Mitchell is almost over the edges of the canal (by the park) and the little pond thing (Pine River) by my house is really high...some days, it even goes over Low Bridge Rd. Which is the way I have to go to Cadillac, until they finish the Cooley Bridge (on M-55). I thought that the last few years, the water levels had been at record lows..It looks like things have changed...hmmm

I watched "the Perfect Man" today..with Heather Locklear, Hillary Duff, and Chris Noth...for a 'teeny bopper' movie, it wasn't that bad. I think I have a soft spot for "Mr. Big" though.

The Show was....

Freaking AWESOME!!!

Loved it!!! Had the best time! I am so in LOVE with Kenny Chesney. The seats were awesome, the beer was cold--and not too expensive, and did I mention, KENNY FRICKING CHESNEY!!!

holy crap!

oh, yeah, and Deirks Bentley and Carrie Underwood (that's her in the picture with no forehead! It was hard to see what I was shooting sometimes) were there too! Special guest was Uncle Cracker--they sang 3 songs together...The Sun goes down, one by Uncle Cracker...and COWBOY! (Kid Rock) It was sooo cool! We went with Warren's buddy Ted and his wife Cathy..they're both quite a bit older (I am the same age as their youngest boy) but, we still had a great time. Cathy is a huge Kenny fan too, so we sang and danced all night...while Warren and Ted drank beer and stared at Carrie Underwood (she was right behind us--I did say the seats were good--right?)

After the show, we went back to the room and pretty much passed out--I was exhausted and the man was drunk...Today, we went to TGIFriday's and then I got to do some shopping...I love Grand Rapids! All in all, we had a fantastic time!

Is it Friday yet?!?

My date with Kenny is this Friday! I can't wait!! Warren and I are going to stay in G.R. after, and I am sure I will have to go to TGIFriday's for dinner the next night. That's his favorite restaurant. They DO have good food, but I would like to try something else once in a while.

Went to Mom and Dad's on Sunday to make ribs for Dad's b-day/Father's Day/Gramp's B-day. Dad's still hurting...he's off from work for a month or until he heals...Hopefully it will be soon...He is missing golf very badly right now. Speaking of golf...I am going to get out soon and play a few rounds so I can be ready when Kelly comes home for Labor Day...

I was reading the Manistee News Advocate today, and found out that Ryan Johns has passed away. He was living in Va. I didn't know he had moved. Very sad news.

Dad's Birthday

Today, my dad turned 51! I know he is really feeling a lot older that that... He's recently had shoulder surgery, and is trying to recover at home. I called him to harass him and he was taking a nap--My dad NEVER takes naps! He is always giving my mom crap about taking them....Well, they're the same age again, and now he's doing it too! He hasn't been feeling well for the last month or so...He keeps thinking that he's having heart attacks! Its been pretty scary. He even called off his trip to Corpus Christie Texas for Nationals (bowling) because he thought he was going to die..turns out, he was just really dehydrated. Poor Daddy, he's really not old enough to be in such bad shape. I hope he starts feeling better soon.

Mom is feeling much better lately. I think she just needed to get out and get herself some sun. Now, she's so tan that she looks like leather...Really unhealthy! But, what do I know? I am just a kid! I keep telling her that she'd better start listening to me because I am the one that will be picking out her adult care home, and I can be cruel! Not that I would, but its a good threat!

Eric got a tattoo! It looks like a giant snake with a dragon's head. He had them color it blue...I don't know...I just don't know. He seems to really like it, and it IS on his body...so I don't have a whole lot of say in the matter...but our grandpa is going to FREAK OUT! When he sees it on Sunday! He lost it when Eric got his ear pierced...I can't wait to see how he deals with this.

I did learn an important life lesson this week: NEVER EVER EVER ask the local pre-op transsexual the question of "What's new?" I can laugh about it now, but it has taken me several days to be able to consume solid foods again...Ha...Ha...Ha-gulp

Countdown to KENNY!!!!

Less than one month until I can see my dreamboat in person!!! I can't wait.

My friend Angela's last day at work was Saturday night...I am going to miss her. She is going to move to grand rapids to focus on her schooling...she was my very favorite supervisor at work!!! We had a party for her Saturday morning...after work...drinking margaritas at 10 am really isn't that bad (when you've been up all night) its kind of like going out for a drink after work...I just work strange hours....That's what I am telling myself anyway!

Eric is working at the buffet restaurant in the casino...he's been working the carving station and doing prep work. In two weeks, he's going to be a line cook in the deli--working midnights...I might actually get to see him sometimes now! He really is enjoying his job, so I am happy for him. He's not thinking of this as a career move, but a way to pay for school..This is cool to hear him actually thinking about his future...

In local news, M-55 is closed in front of my house, so there is 1/4 th of the traffic, so its been nice to be outside in the sunshine and not have to worry about Peanut running after cars and trucks!!