A window into my World.

window boxes, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Just a note today to let you all know about my weight loss progress to date. This week marks the 30 week anniversary of my surgery. I never thought I would survive to this pint. I am not quite at the point to say I’d run and do this all over again, but things appear to be getting a bit easier. I have lost a total of 108 pounds so far. I still an avid fan of the local gym. 6 days per week you can find me there. My routine involves 30-45 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes of weight training. I try to switch up my routine a bit every other day. The changes in myself are amazing. I still see the same person when I look in my mirror, but everyone else sees someone else. It is all about one’s own perception. Physically I feel so much better and will see my surgeon for a post op followup next week and the results of my recent labs. My energy level is high most days! I have a new body and have finally shed my “fat suit” or my “evil twin” as I like to say. Surgery is not the solution for a lot of people, but for me it seems to be an ok choice. I still battle with certain foods, I wonder about how this will affect me for the rest of my life, but this the choice I made for myself, and I’m ok with that. 

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A Story Seven Months in the Making…

the infamous Roman scooter, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Well, I’ve been keeping a secret. A secret that creates a sore spot for my wonderful husband. The keeper of secrets. It is about travel. Travel to Italy in fact. Travel to Rome to be exact, that occurred last June. While in Italy we often plan our days and then others we just go with the flow. Well this day started like all the others. Rise early, headed down tot he hotel breakfast room to fortify ourselves for the day and then headed out on the A-1 to Roma. With the assistance from our trusted GPS unit, that I purchased my husband for Christmas. We were all set. We plugged her in…fondly nicknamed “Scandicci”, and headed south.   Scandicci was great she purred to the sound of a female voice. After a couple of hours we found ourselves parking in a Roman neighborhood right across from the Colosseum. Walking over the visit this magnificent masterpiece we were awestruck. We had made it! We had survived the furious traffic of Rome and ended up right on the doorstep of one of the wonders of the world.

After our visit to the sight I made the mistake of making a suggestion to my pilot Don, to take me to the Trevi Fountain. Well we had programed the Trevi Fountain into Scandicci before we had left for the day. With Scandicci purring we left for the other side of the city, not knowing what lay ahead for us. Scandicci, or so we thought would head us in the right direction. Around the street we went looking for a place to park. We drove on the famous Via Veneto. As we were coming close to our destination, I felt a twinge of anxiety begin to set in. My stomach started to ache, sweat streamed down my back…..my eyes stated to twitch. As I observed the area we were in I noticed that something was not right. But we continued to have faith in Scandicci. After all, she would bring us safely to our destination. After several attempts to to navigate the streets, they suddenly started to close in on us. Not good, when you realize you are in a location that you should not be in. Scooter were lined up everywhere. I had visions in my head. Falling scooters. Hit one and they all fall down. My poor patient husband realized the something was wrong as well. But we continued to have faith in Scandicci. She would bring us to our destination.

Harrowing streets, street vendors closing in on us…it felt surreal. Then suddenly I saw it coming. Like a brief puff of smoke…things started to get cloudy then before I knew it….”BAM”, our most dreaded fear came true. A falling scooter…broken mirror, scraped car. Oh no, this was not happening! Just then some Italian men came out of a restaurant and started what appeared to be cursing. I looked at my husband and he said, “stay in the car”. After a brief exchange of pleasantries and 100 euros later we we headed out of the city. Oh the lessons we learn during life’s little tests.

Lesson learned, don’t always trust technology!  Still a sore subject in the Rountree household.  My husband is a Saint.  After all he, IS married to me!

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Today is National Ask Your Cat a Question Day!

Spaz, my Kentucky wildcat, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Well today marks another Ask Your Cat a Question Day? The beginning of a day filled with questions and answers from our furrry feline friends. What do you want to know. My husband will love this one! We have three cats Spaz in the above photo, Callie and Bebe. They are all very inquisitive indeed. So go ahead, if you dare that is. Don’t ask what you may not want an answer to!  Inquiring minds want to know!

Be kind to your furry friends today and everyday, for they will return the favor with loads of unconditional love!

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A Time for a New Beginning…

saw dust pile road, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Today in Washington:
Barack Hussein Obama, 47, became the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday afternoon, banishing forever more than 200 years of history during which the office passed from white hands to white hands and promising a new era of “hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

As the crowd chanted, “Obama, Obama,” the president thanked his predecessor, George W. Bush, and said he was “humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.”

Obama acknowledged that “we are in the midst of crisis.”

“Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred,” he said. “Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly, our schools fail too many, and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.”

Saying ”the time has come to set aside childish things,” Obama declared: “Today, I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.

“But know this, America — they will be met.”
Taken from MSNBC.com

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It’s a cold, cold world!

hungry deer, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

And getting colder! I know, I know….get on with it you say! Well it is so freakin’ cold here this week and getting colder by the minute. The highs towards the end of the week are expected to only be about -5 degrees here! I really cant wait till spring.

On a much more pleasant note we are making plans for bella Italia 2009 once again! My heart starts to beat faster with the greatest anticipation….tickets have almost been purchased but I won’t sleep until they have! My poor husband knows how I am, plan all the details and execute them exactly! The countdown soon begins!

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The morning after the snow

the morning after the snow, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Well another cold well frigid day here in Maine. I live on the tundra, far away from the everyday life. A cold desolate place. Each day I wait for Spring, but I’m afraid it is a long way away. The weather this weeks indicates temperatures to plummet well below -20 degrees. Here I am counting done the days.

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