Stacey was here! :-) And now she's gone! :(

HERE:

GONE:



My best friend of 23 years, Stacey came to visit for a quick weekend. Since she is off for the summer and travels a lot with her family, it took a while to figure out a good time for her to visit. Seems like with all the planning we did and the anticipation of her coming, it went TOO quickly. We had a GREAT time. Didn't do a whole lot sicne I am not working right now...but it was exactly what we both wanted and needed. She got to see my mom and meet some of my newer friends that she's heard about and seen pictures of. I dragged her to a few parties, we went food shopping, to one of our favorite restaurants, to three differente 7-11's looking for my new favorite treat (to be blogged about later!) and we also went to see one of her old friends that she hasn't seen in 10 years! We crammed a lot into our 3 days. I miss her already! Next year I will go visit her and then I get to see the kiddies too! Jake (my godson) is 4 1/2 and Maddie is 1 1/2. I haven't seen Maddie since she was 2 months old. :(

Here are some pix from the weekend's festivities:

Re-post: from my Myspace Blog, circa 5/8/08

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Rantings of a tired girl (AKA CAN’T SLEEP!!) Current mood: anxious, excited, and TIRED! Category: anxious, excited, and TIRED! Life So here it is 5:30 in the morning. I've been up for an hour and can't seem to go back to sleep. My mind won't shut down....and there's no reboot button. Lots going on in my life right now....some good, some not so good. Many of my friends BLOG as an outlet and as a ways of sharing bits and pieces of their lives with friends and loved ones. Up until now, I've mostly blogged silliness. Gonna try some "grown up" blogging and catch ya'll up on my most recent (and upcoming) life adventures. First of all, I was layed off from the JCC last week. They had HUGE budget cuts and 3 of us were let go....possilby more to come too. Mine was NOT performance related....was the typical, last hired, first fired story. While I was only there for 6 months, they were VERY good to me upon departure. I received a severance pkg, all my vacation and comp time was paid to me and I got an extra month's worth of insurance (which as many of you know, is VERY important for me specifically to have!). They offered up glowing references and were confident I would fnd a new job VERY quickly. From their lips to god's ears!! While I was certainly NOT happy about this development, I was not exactly devasted by it either. I truly do believe that EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. A few days prior to this lay off, I had a mtg w/ my boss. I had been asking for this meeting for 2 weeks....to discuss upcoming new programs that I was developing and to get his approval for most of it. I had a laundry list of items to discuss and harassed him every few days for an hour of his time. I FINALLY was granted an audience with him and after about 15 minutes, he comandeered the meeting and used the opportunity to tell me that basically, he wanted me my position to take on a new direction and role. He wanted me to take on more of a sales driven role and start to bring in more revenue via different outlets rather than the programs that I was currently working on. This was very upsetting to me. As most of you know, I made a HUGE career change about a year and a half ago. While the road of this new career has certaining been bumpy and I am sitll trying to find my path, I do NOT want to change the path. This new direction that my boss wanted me to take was NOT what I wanted to do, nor did it have anything to do with Event, Party, Meeting or Program Planning.I worked extremly hard and sacrificed a lot to get where I am now. I was NOT happy at all. I immediately, started looking on Career Builder and Monster to see what else was out there. Meanwhile, a week prior to this, I had a mtg with the Director and Asst. Director of Programming at another JCC in Davie. This is a BEAUTIFUL, newer, well-funded JCC. MY Jcc in Plantation was considered the 'red-headed step-child' of JCC's and it was a struggle every day to get people to attend my events and programs. We lacked funding, people and facilities. The JCC in Davie does NOT have these issues. Anyway, I met with them (completely un-related to any of the things I mentioned above) to work on some joint programs. I had a lovely visit with the girls (both of them close to my age) and we chatted easliy about programs as well as other things we had in common. I left with a bounce in my step and excited over the prospect of working with these girls and feeling as if I had made 2 new friends as well. Fast forward 2 weeks later....last Tuesday, April 29...about an hour before I was called into my bosses office to learn of the lay offs. I get a call from the Program Director at the JCC in Davie. Her assistant is leaving and they are interested in ME for the position!! HOW PERFECT!!! I immediately told her that I was interested as well. Now due to certain office politics, they HAD to post the position internally as well as on the JCCA website. Regardless, they called ME to interview....and I am doing so tomorrow at 2:30!! Wish me luck!!! I've got a few other irons in the fire...job-wise. I had a phone interview with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation earlier this week and they are suppose to call to set up another one. The one I had was a pre-screening, qualifying interview with HR. It lasted about 40 minutes and went quiet well. Only thing is it's for the WPB branch. Also, it's A LOT of fundraising and securing corporate sponsorships on a MASSIVE scale....not sure that is the direction that I want to go in either. I am not going to rule anything out and will continue to pursue the position. I also interviewed at a new club in downtown Ft. Lauderdale called America's Backyard BBQ. They offered me the job on the spot! I am VERY over-qualified for the job they offered me. It is basically a glorified phone sales person (although technically they aren't selling anything). Which as I mentioned earlier in this blog, is NOT the path I am on. So I will be turning that offer down. However, we did discuss other opportunites and they want me to consult for them. Once we work out the terms, I will most likely be doing that in addition to whatever full time job I get. Unless of course, it's with another night club, which would be a conflict of interest. There are a few other positions that I've applied for, including 2 wedding planner jobs and an activities coordinator. I am confident that I will be offered a new job and start it by month's end. I have some money in the bank, a tax relief check coming week after next and can collect unemployment starting next week....I will be FINE. :-) I also had a mtg 2 nites ago with POSH, my former employer and 1st REAL job as an event coordinator. We have been emailing for some time about putting on another doggy event. We had POSH Pups in May 2007 and it was probably our best event ever. Not so much financially, but more so in turn out and feedback. EVERYONE loved it! We had 17 vendros, a title sponsor and a beneficiary. It was very well attended and we sold tons of raffle tickets. I am meeting with them again on Friday to work out the terms of my consulting fees and start working on dates. I am extremely excited for POSH PUPS II....due early September 08! Details to follow!! On a slightly different note, my dear friend Jen Maz has moved back to South Florida from CT. She was gone about 2 1/2 years. I saw her twice in the time she was gone. Once in NYC. I met her for coffee at Starbucks in the city and then again with Melissa for dinner at a very trendy restaurant. After dinner, Jen and I saw "The Wedding Singer" on Broadway and hit a local Irish pub for drinks. Was one of my favorite visits to NYC. Most of the time that I go, I am either with my cousin/godmother (who is in her late 50's) or by myself. So while, I have fun with her and we shop and see the sites and hit the museums....it does not compare to exploring the city with friends my own age! Another fav visit to the city was with baby cousin Lauren. We spent a lot of time on Canal Street shopping. But she wasn't 21 yet and we had to boogy back to the train to go back to her house out on Long Island fairly early. Stilll...mucho fun!! I next saw JenMaz on a quick trip she made to South Florida with her Dad. They both came to a happy hour for a mutual friend's birthday celebration at the Hard Rock. I was very happy to see dear Jen, but even happier to meet her father. He chatted easily with all of us and was thrilled to see Jen's "Florida friends". He has since passed away and I am sad for Jen. When she calls me, a photo that I took of them together on that visit shows up on my phone. Jen's dad brings me to my next subject. (goodness, I am on a roll and can't stop blogging!!) This week 2 other friends lost a parent (Lisa's mom passed on Mon and Regi's dad on Wed). These 2 girls are only a couple of years older than me and their parents are around the same age as MY parents. I was JUST talking about this with both JenMaz and my newest friend Kim. They both lost their father's last year. Kim is only 23! Another friend of mine lost her father 2 years ago and she's just a year younger than me. It seems like my generation (and even the next one after me) is losing parents at an alarmingly young age! Both of my grandmother's passed away in the past year and a half and they were 92 and 87 respectfully. What is going on with our parents??? It's pretty scary... I called my dad yesterday to tell him about this and to say that I really hope that I don't have to go through this anytime soon. He's been very ill for years, but he's always fought it. He has a plethera of health issues, most recently bladder cancer for the last 3 years. The last round of chemo ended almost 2 months ago and he hasn't recooped from it yet. He doesn't leave the house except to go to the doctor's. He LIVES in a chair...eats and sleeps and sits in it all day, every day, all day long. Day in and day out. He has a nurse come to the house to give him a sponge bath and small amounts of physical therapy. He is in CONSTANT pain...and I fear...he has given up. My older brother and I have talked about it quiet a bit over the past few years. We have made our peace with it and we KNOW..... And yet, I will NEVER be the same when that day comes. I am just glad that my grandma passed before he did. That was her greatest fear...burying a child. It's been almost a year since she is gone. We are having her unveiling in August. The whole Friedland clan will come down and we will have a lil celebration of my grandmother's life. She will be happy we are all together again...even if for a short time. I can't wait to see my baby cousins Lauren and Danielle. And my favorite uncle Danny and his fiance Diane, who I adore! They are all too far away and we are all so busy...we don't visit or talk nearly as often as we should.. Ok...enuff with that sad stuff. On to more good stuff! I am going to Orlando next weekend....YAY!!! My amazing friend Jeanne (THE queen of blogging) has invited me up to visit. I am not working right now, the flights are $19 each way...I am soooooooooo there!!! We are going to have a girls nite out on Friday nite at Downtown Disney. I am going to EPCOT with her cousin on Saturday (can't wait to meet him finally!!) and then visiting w/ my cousin Danielle (who is driving up from Wachula w/ her new boyfriend just to see me!!) and my dear friend, Chris (in Oviedo) on Sunday. Not sure what we are doing yet, but am sure we'll all have fun. I will also be there on Monday, but have no plans so far....am sure Jeanne will come up with something for us. I am looking forward to spending time with Jeanne, her hubby Fred and their 2 beautiful daughters, Ellie and Sagan. Jeanne and I have lost touch with each other several times over the years. We reconnected 2 years ago agian after her mom passed (yet, another parent who passed far too young!!). I have known Jeanne since middle school and spent a lot of time at her house and knew her mom well. I was also a bridesmaid in Jeanne and Fred's wedding 14 (I think) years ago. Naturally I went to her mother's funeral. It was in WPB and I hadn't seen Jeanne in close to 10 years. It was as if no time had passed at all. We've been steadfast friends again ever since. I saw her only once since then. In November of last year when I was in Orlando for literally 24 hours. She met me, my brother and my cousin, Dani and my cousin's boyfriend for dinner at City Walk (my 1st time there!). We recently discovered that we are both on yahoo messenger and have been chatting every single day since. Isn't technology a wonderful thing??!! Am most excited to see her this trip.... So I forgot to mention that JenMaz is staying with me for at least a month! She owns a condo here but it is rented out. I have a spare room and she is a friend...DONE. She arrived on Monday morning and we have been having a blast ever since. She has a doggy too....Roscoe. He's a mutt and is 10 years old. He's only about a head taller than Tonka, but he's thick. Jen says that he weighs 80 lbs...but I think it's more like 50. Anyway, poor Tonk isn't quiet sure what to make of Mr. Roscoe. Most of the time they ignore each other. But my Tonky is the jealous kind. He barks if I hug or kiss a man in front of him and he barks if I am holding a baby. Needless to say, he barks when I pet Roscoe. For the most part they get along ok. I'd love to see them play with each other. Thankfully Roscoe is quiet docile. Couldn't handle two hyper doggies in the house...lol. Jen is looking for a job right now too. We both have interviews tomorrow (and I am STILL wide awake at 6:15 now!!).....is soooo nice to have her here. I LOVE living alone and cherish my privacy. But it's really great to have someone to chat with when I come home or to chill out at the pool with (which we've been trying to do a lil every day). We have very different personalities but very similar personality traits. Does that make sense? Is hard to explain. Bu I will try! We both are very considerate of other people. We both treat our dogs the same and talk to them the same way. Am glad that I am not working now so I have this time with Jen. Like I said before...EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON!! There is a chance that she might stay longer at my place...which I would LOVE! I have also talking with Kim about moving in...she'd be a GREAT roomie too! We shall see.... Before I started this blog, I wrote it in my head. I had other things to talk about, but have rambled on long enough. Perhaps now I can get some sleep. Want to get an early start to the day tomorrow....JenSchwartz and Kimmie are comin over for a few hours in the morning for some pool time and then JenMaz and I both have job interviews in the afternoon. No nap time for me!! I think I like this blogging thing. Will try to do it again tommorrow. And will try to not be so long-winded...lol! It is now 6:47 am...have been at this for just over an hour and it is now light out. Tonka is snoring and I can't keep my eyes open. Some of my friends are getting up now to go to work and I am just now going to sleep...again. G'nite!! 5:31 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

Tonka's visit with grandma

My mom came over the house this afternoon to spend some time with me and Tonka. Look at what ensued....lmao!!!

Stealing a post from Jeanne!!

Potty training at the Zanegood School for Better Babies! This was just wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too cute! I just HAD to re-post it. Here is their 1 1/2 year old daughter, Sagan, singing with mommy today!!

PS...Jeanne, SaySay will now hate us BOTH for posting her PEEING on the internet!

Tonka helping with the laundry!

You might be able to say you "knew me when".....

When I wasn't famous that is! I MAY be on a reality tv show!! I got the call today to go to a casting next week! I applied for this new reality show for the WE network last week and apparently, they are interested in me!! YAY me!! It's a show about weight loss and exercise. I saw the posting on the Craigslist and immediately emailed them, telling them my "story" and sending before, after and current pictures. I couldn't believe it when they called me today! I don't know much about the show, other than what was on the listing (which you can see here). I DO know that it is a 4 month program with a dietitian and a personal trainer and I'd have to go down to Aventura to meet with them 2-3 times a week for 4 months. Am not sure the format of the show. I could be one person of several that an entire season is featured on. OR, I could just be 1 person that is part of 1 show. I hope to find out next week more about it. They don't have a name yet for it either.

So, now the REAL question....what on earth am I going to wear? I asked Stacy (my local bff and c fashionista) to come over and help me pick something out. I was told to abide by these rules of what NOT to wear: 1) black 2) heavy pattern 3) anything that covers my "problem area". I know I am going to wear my hair straight with my bangs pulled back like this: My casting is on Wed, 7/31 at 12 noon in Aventura. Wish me luck!! I'll blog about the casting after the fact. FINGERS CROSSED!!!

Mamma Mia...here I go again...my...my.....

I LOVED this movie! So much so that I saw it twice this weekend!! I had to stop myself from singing along...both times. The music is all ABBA and the story is the same as the Broadway Musical that I saw a few years ago. The show is coming back to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts again this season and after seeing the movie twice, I can't wait to see the show again! I was AMAZED at how well both Amanda Seyfreid and Meryl Streep sang! EXCELLENT casting of them as mother and daughter. As amazed as I was at how well they sang, I was equally amazed at how BAD Pierce Bronson sang. He started off pretty rough, and in my opinion, got slightly better. Never really GOOD...but better. Over all, it was pretty painful to watch him sing...he didn't seem comfortable with it either. Although he acting the songs well...if you catch my drift.

Watching Mamma Mia brang back memories from a period in my life when I re-discovered the music of ABBA....which was close to the time when I saw the play. That time in my life was when I was with Ricky. A lot of the songs have special meaning to us and so naturally I thought of him when I saw the movie. I had actually wanted to see the movie with Ricky and mentioned it to him. But of course, Mister "I hate sitting in a dark theatre" politely refused my offer to go together. How can he stand to sit at BCPA and watch the play but not go a movie theatre? It doesn't make sense. Oh well....it (and he) are not my problem anymore....lol.

After I came home from the movie (the 1st time) I did what I always do.....I look it up on IMDB.com to answer some questions I had. How old IS Meryl Streep? In the movie she is playing the mother of a 20 year old! She always reminds me of my cousin Doris. She's so bohemian and the way she speaks and her mannerisms....and she seems to barely age! She is almost 60 and looks AMAZING!!!!! I already knew Amanda Seyfreid from BIG LOVE on Showtime and from Mean Girls, but I wanted to see what else she was in. I also wanted to know about the guy who played her leading man, Dominic Cooper. Come to find out...they had an AFFAIR on set! LOVE that juicy hollywood gossip! For more info click here. Was also excited to see that Amanda is up for the title role in the upcoming Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland...I hope she gets it...she'd be PERF!!

Who wants to go see it with me again? Third times the charm!! ;-)

Do you believe??

I sure do! I had my first REAL psychic reading tonite. I say REAL because I had one before but it was kinda a crock. Anyway, I heard about this psychic thru my dear friend Jeanne (http://zanegood.blogspot.com/). She's been getting readings from her for quite some time and talks to her mother via the psychic. She SWEARS by her. So naturally, I was curious and tried a reading of my own this evening.

Meet Judith Ulch, my psychic:
Let me tell you folks...she's the REAL DEAL! Within the first few minutes of my reading, my grandmother came thru loud and clear. This brought tears to my eyes. I won't bore you with the details, but she helped me make a decision that I have been wrestling with. She (they) told me the name (roughly) of my future husband and told me where and when (approx.) we would meet and how many kids we would have!! We also talked about my father and she confirmed what I've been suspecting for some time. I was amazed and in awe. Naturally, I cried a bit too. She was right about so many things and it was wonderful to speak to my grandma. I can't wait for the rest of what she said to come true! If anyone's interested in a reading with Judith, she sells them on ebay and her username is: ambushretreat.

Thanks again Jeanne!! And thank you JUDITH!

It's moving!

The scale is! After 2 days of pure liquids, I've lost SEVEN pounds!!! Can you believe it? Am sure it's all water weight (durh!!), but still...that's HUGE!! Am certain that now that I've had my 1st bite of solid food this morning (1 egg/cheese omelet and 1 slice of turkey bacon) it will all come back...but hey, at least I got to see the scale move! AND...I get to update my lil ticker on the bottom of my blog. I have it set for a 10 lbs loss, which is average for most people on the 5dpt...and my goal...for now. After this week, I will do another ticker for 20 lbs (plus however much of the 10 lbs that I don't lose this week)...making it a total of 30 lbs. WOOHOO!! Yeah me!!

Day 1 of the 5 Day Pouch Test and still alive!

So I 've made it thru day 1...almost. As you can imagine, I've spent most of the day PEEING!! Here's what I had today:

1 cookies n cream Pure Protein shake w/ 2% mile
1 can of Tomato Basil soup
1 chocolate mint, sugar-free jello pudding
1 raspberry, sugar-free jello
1 can of lentil soup
2 gallons of sugar-free various flavored drinks

No wonder I'm peeing all day! LOL!

In addition to being strict and following the plan, I also went to my gastric bypass surgeon's office: US Bariatrics (www.usbariatric.com). I went for a few reasons. First and foremost, I got a B12 shot. I use to get these once a month at support group. I haven't been to support group in several months, so I was long overdue. The B12 shots give me more energy...so that's a good thing. I also found out the date of the next support group, which is next Tuesday and I am going. I text my 2 wls buddies to see if they want to join me. Michelle can't make it, but Jenny will be joining me...yay! I also spoke with the nurse and nutritionist and they both gave me some good advice as to how to get back on plan. Additionally, I got weighed! Since I'll be going to support group next week, I can use this weigh in as a baseline. Oh and I also bought a few more protein shakes.

On my way out of the doctor's office, this older lady started asking me questions about my visit. Long story short, she is in the same predicament as I am. I told her bout the 5 day pouch test and about support group. We exchanged email addresses and she promised to go with me next week too. One of the most important parts of GBS is talking with other people who are having the same experience as us. Michelle and Jenny are great...but they aren't having the same issues as I am. They both have kept their weight off and have even had plastic surgery since losing the weight. So it's hard for them to relate to what I am going thru. I hope this new friend, Linda, comes to support and we can help each other!

After that I went to Publix to get the rest of my "supplies" for the week. First thing I did when I walked in was go to the bathroom! It wasn't THAT hard to food shopping on a day when I was only able to have liquids...but I will be sure not to do that again...wasn't the smartest move. I bought some more soup for tomorrow and a bunch more sugar-free jello and pudding. Most of what I bought is for days 3, 4 and 5. $70 later and I was on my way home...whew!

So now, it's 8:18 and I am a lil hungry...think I'll got have an ice pop that I made out of my sugar-free kool-aid!

L8R!
Deb

New Background

Ok, after several hours and a lot of help from Jeanne (thx again!!), I've managed to add some fun stuff to my new blog. Most noticeably, I added Publish Posta new background. Jeanne's is from Pyzam.com, so naturally, I checked out that site first. I like how they categorize their backgrounds by color. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love purple, so of course I checked their first. Picking the actual background from within the purple ones was easy. I found this butterfly background.

The official "logo" if you will, for Gastric Bypass Patients is the Butterfly. Because we go thru such an amazing transformation from caterpillar to butterfly. Ever since I had GPS in Nov, 2004, the Butterfly has become very special to me. Over the years, I've been given gifts and cards of butterflies...my most favorite, a white gold butterfly pendant from my brother.

So it only makes sense that since I am turning a new page in my WLS story, and will be documenting it in this blog, that my background have butterflies on it.

And that my friends, is the fascinating story of my butterfly background...TA DA!!! lol

L8R!
Deb

5 Day Pouch Test begins TOMORROW!!

Ok, so for now, I am going to assume that the only people reading my blog are people who know me (prolly just Stacey and Jeanne, lol) and will assume that you know things about me so I don't go into too much detail.

For instance, I had Gastric Bypass Surgery on November 29, 2004. This of course was THE best thing I have ever done for myself. (Tonka being the 2nd best). I lost 148 lbs and went from a size 20/22 to a size 6 (ok, was barely into a 6, but still....). Anyway, since then, I have fallen into all my old BAD eating habits and have gained quite a bit of weight. It is very common after GBS (Gastric Bypass Surgery)to gain weight. They call it "Bounce Back" weight and it usually occurs after the 1st year. Most people gain about 10-15 lbs. I, on the other hand, have gained quiet a bit more. I am not going to give a number, at least not now. Perhaps as I lose some of it I will say how much, but for now, I will just say that I am back up to a size 14 and am ABSO-F*CKING-LUTELY MISERABLE about it.

There are a million things that I can add to this about how I beat myself up about it on a daily, no scratch that, hourly basis. Or about all the things I've tried up until now to get on track. Or how it's felt having to buy new cloths in larger sizes...several times over now. Or even about how my self-esteem has plummeted and I don't even want to go out. I don't want to see people who knew me when I was much thinner and I don't want to meet new people either. Which for anyone who knows me...this is NOT like me AT ALL. But, I digress....and I said I was NOT going to talk about this stuff. The point of this post (and the even bigger reason that I began to blog) is to talk about what I am going to do about it NOW. I was watching some show on TV many months ago about gaining weight after WLS (Weight Loss Surgery). There isn't a lot of info out there about this phenomenon, nor a lot of support for it. They mentioned a 5 day pouch test and a website (http://www.5daypouchtest.com/). Naturally, I checked it out. I read it and bookmarked it and promptly forgot about it for several months. Actually, no, before I forgot about it, I sent the info to an old friend of mine Tobi, who has also been struggling with weight gain after WLS.

Last nite, I revisited the site. I read the program again, made a shopping list, registered on the site and read the blog and the forums. More importantly, I made a commitment to myself.

I AM STARTING THIS TOMORROW!!

I have several of my protein shakes in the fridge and a bunch of soup in the cabinet (the 1st 2 days are purely liquid). Will try to go food shopping later today (after I take my MUCH needed nap due to only 2-3ish hours of sleep last nite/this morning). Will start on Monday and be done on Friday and then....we'll go from there. Am hoping it works like it says it does. Is suppose to tighten my pouch (my stomach) and make me feel full. Will help me get back on track to the basics of the WLS diet and as a bonus...it triggers weight loss! As much as 10 lbs in 5 days! Can you imagine? 10 lbs!!!??? Thats a whole clothing size! By this time next week I could be back in my size 12's! Not great, compared to my size 6's (which I have resigned myself to never getting back into and need to find a consignment shop for them)...but definitely a FANTASTIC start! I would be THRILLED to bits to be back in my size 10's. That is my goal...and to lose 30 lbs. I am going to create a lil widget to put on my blog to track that weight loss.

Here are some before, after and in between pix of me:

Me at my heaviest, size 22, at Mom & Jon's wedding in Key West, Dec 2001:


Me at my thinnest, size 6, Orlando, NYE 2005:


And me, last nite, size 14:


So there you have it....my plan.....pray for me!

L8R!
Deb

The Love of My Life...Tonka Toy!!

Tonka Toy!!



OK, so when I was trying to come up with a new name for my new blog, I thought, momentarily, of naming it "The Many Adventures of Tonka T and Me!" or "Tonka's Mommy". But...lucky for you, I thought twice. I thought, hmmmm, I am going to blog soooo much more than just about my sweet lil puppy Tonky! Granted, he will definitely be a major guest start including photos and videos. Perhaps even a guest blog from him? You never know!

So, to start things off right, here are some BRAND NEW, NEVER BEEN SEEN pictures of my precious pup:

Every summer I take Tonka in for his "summer do". They shave him down and it is soooooooooo much cooler for him! Grandma (my mom) absolutely HATES it! She complains that he doesn't look like 'her Tonky"...and he doesn't. He looks like a lil puppy about 6 months old. Which I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!! See, I got Mr. T when he was 9 months. And while he was certainly still a puppy (not only age wise, but behavior wise) he was already full grown. So I never got to see my baby as a 'baby'. And for this I am truly wistful. I wish I had seen him as a teeny tiny thing who fit in the palm of my hand. And that I had gotten to see him grow and evolve. So, you can see this time of year, when he looks like a puppy is special for me. And of course...he IS much, much cooler too! ;-) This year, I decided to try to give Tonka is trim myself. It started off innocent enough. Last Sunday, I was feeling quiet spunky and energetic. Was doing tons of things around the house that I had been putting of for weeks....including giving Tonka his monthly bath. He was WAAAAAAAAAY over-due for that, as well as his trim.

So, I gave him his bath and while he was cuddling in my lap and drying off, I started to trim his tushy fur. You see, that area grows especially long and can get quiet yukky when Tonka is going potty (won't be gross here)...and you can imagine it can get REALLY bad if he has a runny tummy. Sooooo..I started trimming there and just kept going. It took an hour and a half and by the time I was done, the entire floor beneath me was COVERED with fur! I wish I had taken a picture of THAT! I also had fur all over me. And Tonka was NOT happy....lol! Poor pup...doesn't like hair cuts AT ALL! Now, I know that the groomer uses an electric trimmer and I only used every day house shears, but....I think I did a pretty darn good job of it! Of course mom doesn't know yet...am sparing her the trauma until she sees him next.

L8R!
Deb

Inspired to Blog....again (Dedicated to J & S!!)

Once upon a time, I use to "blog". I use quotes around the word blog because after reviewing my old blog (http://deblyn71.blogspot) , I realize that I was just blogging for the sake of blogging. I rarely had anything to really say. I posted quiz results, referred to other people's cool blogs and posted pictures. While this was all fine and dandy, it was not TRUE blogging.

I have recently been inspired to blog for REAL, by my friend Jeanne (http://zanegood.blogspot.com) who I have known since middle school, when we use to ride the yellow bus ( NO....not he short bus, lol!)....some 25 years! My other friend Stacey, who is my very best friend of 23 years also has a blog (http://buckalewblog.blogspot.com). They are both married and have beautiful, amazing children. Most of their blogs revolve around them. As I am hundreds of miles away from me (Jeanne is in Orlando and Stacey is in Atlanta) and I don't always get to talk to them as often as we'd like....blogging really allows me to feel close to them and to keep up with them and their families. I also feel a bit of a voyeur....like I am sneaking a peak into their daily lives. And ya know what? I LIKE it!!

Thank you Jeanne and Stacey....for sharing your lives in this fashion, as well as inspiring me and motivating me to BLOG! Love you both! XOXO

Over the next few days I am really going to try to "pimp" my blog up and make it LOOK nice as well as lay the ground work for WHY I have turned to the wonderful world of BLOGGING. Other than giving me something to do on those sleepless nites (I have had insomnia the past few months), I am hoping it will be good therapy. And maybe, just maybe, it will give my friends and anyone else who wonders on by, some insight into the wonderful world of MOI!

One last note, for now.....you might be wondering WHY my blog is called Pieces of Me, Part Deux. My original blog was called Pieces Of Me (yes, from the Ashlee Simpson song of the same name). I feel that this title really epitomizes what I hope to portray here....all the different pieces that make me ME! So, it was only fitting that this blog be named the same. The "Part Deux", is homage to a parody movie from the early 90's. Guesses anyone?

L8R!

Deb