Goals

I'm going to be 50 on November 2, 2012!

Holy cow! How did this happen?!

I think I realized that turning 50 was a real possibility some time earlier this year. And I started thinking that if I was going to be 50, and it looked like I was, shouldn't I FINALLY make some changes? Yeah, so I thought about this--but didn't really make any changes. It was just a nebulous idea floating around out there.

Then I saw a picture of myself on facebook (that shall forever remain untagged) and interestingly enough, I was motivated! Oh alright, here it is. Can you guess which one is me? I bet you can:) See me? That girl in the peach colored shirt? Ugh.



Lose weight. Good goal. Now what?

Well, first you probably have to get on the scale. OMG! I so did not want to know this number. I've been on scales before--sometimes with good results--others, not so much. This time wasn't going to be good. I psyched myself up and SHIT! I am OBESE! Obese. Ooooobeeeeeese. What a seriously ugly word. O. Bese. Who made up this word? Seriously?

Obese - defined
o·bese/ōˈbēs/Adjective: Grossly fat or overweight.

Synonyms: fat - corpulent - stout - plump - pursy - gross - portly

Wow. Look at the definition. Not good.

So I was going to post my weight and journey towards my goal. But now I'm nervous. You just saw that nasty, nasty, definition and then my number? What will people think? So I know that people know that I'm overweight when they look at me. But they don't KNOW like how much--right? Or DO they? Do you??

So my lovely picture was taken on May 11, 2012. And on May 12, 2012 I started working towards my goal. For the umpteenth time. I weighed 263.3 on the morning of May 12, 2012.

My motivation is high. God knows why I didn't figure this out when my dad died of complications from diabetes. I mean, I'd "figure it out" and then unfigure it out and then re-figure it out. Whatever. But my mom has had some health issues lately and that has pushed me harder than watching my dad lose a leg and then his life. Seriously. I think I'm nuts. But I'm here now and here I'm staying.

So today my diet is pretty good. Not perfect. I strive for perfection but can't always get there. And I've added in exercise. Woohoo! Joined the fitness center at work. I get at least 30 minutes of cardio in most days. And try to climb at least 10 flights of stairs everday.

My number is lower. Yesterday--I weigh Saturdays--and Sundays, Mondays, Tues, oh you get the idea. But anyway, yesterday I was down to 246.8. Approximately 17 pounds down and LOTS more to go.

And we're going.

Sunday Mornings

Sunday mornings are my favorite.  They always have been.  Now, my honey and I have our own Sunday morning ritual and it's wonderful--but nothing compares to those Sunday mornings when I was a little girl...

Every Sunday morning--EVERY--Daddy would drive downtown to the kosher deli--Gross's, and then to the kosher bakery--Karsh's.  As you can imagine, Beth and I always wanted to go anywhere with Daddy.  Plus, and this was the best part, Daddy would always buy each of us a Joyva Joys raspberry candy bar.  Yummy.  That is one tradition I passed along to my boys.

If you don't know what a Joyva candy bar is you are totally missing out.  They are a raspberry jelly bar coated in dark chocolate.

Yummy! I could eat one right now. And when I do, I'll think about Daddy. I always do. I'll probably call Dave to brag, too!

You know how some families are sweet, loving, and...sappy?

Well, we are not a sappy family. No mush. My parents raised us on sarcasm and humor. We were always laughing in our house. And cracking jokes. And burning each other--haha, burn!

One time when were in family counseling--all five of us were in attendance--the therapist commented that we were like the Marx brothers. His head was spinning. Poor thing just couldn't keep up with us.

And whatever you do, don't buy me a sweet card for any birthday, holiday, or just because. Blech! Sarcastic and funny cards for me.

So imagine my surprise when my sister Beth turned into a mushy, sappy woman. You should just see her with her husband of one week, Bruce. Yes, it's their one week anniversary and they are going out to dinner and a movie to celebrate. So, I have to admit, I did call and wish her a happy one week anniversary. Two reasons, one, it was funny, and two, knowing how sappy she has become, I knew it would make her happy. ~

Hello blog!

Hello blog!

I think I recognize you. If I squint real hard and shake my head a couple times. Yes. You're starting to look familiar.

Well, kinda sorta. Some things look familiar--but WOW have things changed.

I did my stint in El Paso. And it was definitely NOT very part-time-ish. I was there until one of the auditors in our department took a position within the Company and my boss asked me if I would prefer that he hire someone for Phoenix or El Paso. What?! Are you kidding me? I jumped at the chance to come back to Phoenix.

And in Phoenix I have been for the last year.

So here's the rundown--Reader's Digest version--ready, set, go!

• got job,
• rented one unit of four-plex in El Paso,
• packed stuff,
• rented U-haul,
• Dale drove U-haul--Sherri the car with Derik and Latke (my kitty) in tow--to El Paso,
• unpacked stuff,
• Dale went home,
• Derik stayed,
• enrolled Derik in school,
• Sherri went to work,
• Dale went to work,
• Drew went to school,
• Derik didn't go to school,
• Mom and sister Beth moved into house in Phoenix,
• Derik moved back to Phoenix,
• Nephews moved into house in Phoenix,
• Latke moved back to Phoenix,
• Beth moved in with boyfriend (boyfriend?!) Bruce,
• packed stuff,
• rented U-haul,
• Dale drove U-haul--Sherri the car with Derik--to Phoenix,
• unpacked stuff,
• went to work,
• Nephews moved out,
• Mom moved out,
• Beth got engaged,
• Drew got engaged,
• Drew applied to many medical schools,
• Derik dropped out of high school,
• Beth got married.

Whew! Two years went by just like that.

And THAT's what you missed with shewbee...

New Life

So, next week I move to El Paso. Sort of on a part time, half and half basis. I'm so going to miss EVERYTHING. Especially my lovely man. No jobs there for him and we can't afford to sell our house right now, so... we're going to try the commuter marriage life=(

But, at least my baby is going with me. Oh, he's not happy about it. Doesn't want to leave all his friends, school, and life. I couldn't bear to be apart from him. And who will torment him if I'm not around? That's the most important thing that moms do--at least according to my boys. Still, I have to be there to push and prod and suggest ice cream for dinner.

One time we took those boys for an ice cream dinner. We went to our best ice cream parlor--Swensen's--and we each ordered our favorite sweet, chocolatey, caramel-y ice cream desserts. It was perfectly silent while we ate. My honey and I congratulated ourselves on being the coolest parents ever.

And then...

Derik, or maybe Drew, said...So what's for dinner?

But wait, we said. That was dinner, we said. Wasn't that fun?, we said.

No, said our boys. We want real food, said those silly boys.

Now I ask you, why would anyone want real food for dinner when they could have ice cream??

Daddy

Today is my Dad's 73rd birthday, except for the part where he passed away 9 years ago September 18th. 1999 to be exact. From complications of diabetes.

I miss him so much.

I miss the sound of his voice.

His sense of humor.

The funny words he made up--like hippicanarious.

I miss how he always called my sister and I SherriBeth--so he wouldn't have to worry about mixing up names:)

I miss just sitting and talking with him.

I miss hearing him tell our four little boys (my two and my sister's two) how my mom was best friends with Pocahontas and Sacajewea.

I miss how he never got to see those little boys grow up into fine young men. Never saw them play baseball. Never saw them receive awards for their amazing achievements. Never saw them play their musical instruments. Or meet the girls they dated. Or give them advice. Or tie their neckties for them.

I miss the crazy things he did. I remember the day before he was diagnosed with diabetes--he must have known what the result was going to be--he brought home chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Everything chocolate. Donuts, milk, candy, pudding. My dad, my sister, and I had a big ol' feast. Ate until we were stuffed--and then ate more. The next day, when he went to the doctor's office, his blood sugar was off the charts.

I miss you handsome.

Meet the family

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.

One.

With your mouth shut.

That's what my funny husband wrote during a high school poetry unit.

He makes me laugh. He makes me smile. He finishes my thoughts. He breaks out in song whenever the lyrics fit the situation. He quotes movie lines if they fit better than lyrics.

We have been together for 24 years, married for 23 years, and we have two children.

Well, they're not really children, any more.

Drew, 20.

Derik, 16.

They are beautiful, amazing boys. And they have their father's sense of humor. And his brains.

Lucky, lucky boys.