Look who’s here for the week!

emma and kitty take a break, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

I have a visitor this week. My great niece Emma is here for a week or so to visit. As usual she delivers such joy to us while she is here. So far we have made many excursions to the location playgrounds, and the persistent rain has now hindered our efforts! Not sure what the rest of the week will hold in store, perhaps some homemade ice cream will be on our radar. A day in the life of a four year old…what more can matter?

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Ice Cream Extravaganza….. in my office

Blueberry cheesecake protein ice cream, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

We all most likely agree that ice cream makes the world a better place. It can eliminate stress, make things better, fulfill the day, cure a broken heart, fix a sweet tooth craving, solve many problems….but it an also be healthy.

To make a long story short, since having WLS I have missed eating ice cream. Even more so in the summer. Last summer I was so ill that I did not care or even think about it. But as time wore on I began to think about healthy ways to create something to enjoy, mainly ice cream or gelato! Last week I bit the bullet and purchased a new Cuisinart 1.5 quart Ice Cream maker and bought it to work with me. Sooooo, on long afternoons I have been experimenting with the right combination of ingredients and flavors. So far I have adapted some of Shelley (Eggface’s) http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/ recipes and they have worked very well!  So far my creations have included:

Blueberry Cheesecake Protein Ice Cream

Un-Chunky Monkey Protein Ice Cream

Lemon Meringue Protein Ice Cream…..yum everyone in my office works with a smile on their face!!!!

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A woman’s worry.

deb, dana, and cousin, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Ok, so I get home last night at 5:30 to a message on my answering machine to call my Doctors office “regarding my abnormal mammogram results as soon as possible”….problem, it is after 5:30 pm and they are closed. So I call at 8:00 am this morning. It turns out I need further evaluation of my tests that include an ultrasound…problem is I live in a rinky dink hoe dunk town that the hospital states it has no opening until next Friday July 31st. So now I sit and wait. I wish I was still 5 years old like in the picture and did not have to worry about my breasts. UGH….

Bye the way…that’s me at 5 years old in the photo with no shirt on and I didn’t have boobs to worry about!  Some days life just plain ol’ sucks.

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Ten Things I Miss The Most…

Ravenna, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

If I had to go back and do it over, I probably would. You see having weight loss surgery is not a tell tale end all cure to fix any problem. You still have good days and bad days. Some weeks even contain more bad days than good ones! However, people who have never experienced this cannot fully understand the psychosocial changes that occur in ones life after WLS. You loose friends, people don’t understand what you are going through, life changes, your body changes and your mind gets left behind. Some days I really miss my “before life”. I miss being invited to eat out with friends, I think they don’t realize that I an still eat, but not consume gluttonous amounts as others do, but they don’t even ask me to join them anymore. I think they they believe that I am a “different” person and perhaps will judge them on their eating habits….NOT! Anyways, here are the Top Ten Things I MIss the Most….after WLS.

1. Eating out for a meal and ordering several courses.
2. Dessert.
3. Alcoholic beverages…yeah a good margarita!
4. Pasta, noodles etc…carboholic goodness.
5. Pizza….yum!
6. Chicken….can’t eat…..causes rapid pukefest.
7. Chocolate and anything candy oriented.
8. Bread..rolls, pancakes, croissants, brioches etc….
9. Ice Cream…..anything more than a spoonful.
10. I miss being normal in others “eyes”. I feel sometimes people avoid food around me. Now come on, I am not an addict……I just made some majors changes in my life that are for the better. I am much more physically fit and could kick anyone’s ass these days!

PS. Can’t wait until August 7th the release of the new movie…Julie and Julia!

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Rain, Rain Go Away!

orange you happy?, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Here in Maine have had about 6 weeks of rain this summer, much more than our usual rain in June. It has only showered briefly this week so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we have broken the pattern. For now I came across this joke that made me snicker!

A curious fellow died one day and found himself waiting in the long line of judgment. As he stood there he noticed that some souls were allowed to march right through the pearly gates into Heaven. Others though, were led over to Satan who threw them into the burning pit. But every so often, instead of hurling a poor soul into the fire, Satan would toss a soul off to one side into a small pile.

After watching Satan do this several times, the fellow’s curiosity got the best of him. So he strolled over and asked Satan what he was doing. “Excuse me, Mr. Prince of Darkness,” he said. “I’m waiting in line for judgment, but I couldn’t help wondering, why are you tossing those people aside instead of flinging them into the Fires of Hell with the others?”

“Ah, those,” Satan said with a groan. “They’re all from Maine… They’re still too wet to burn.”

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Tuesday In The Life

Mt Katahdin, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Nothing new, just stress. The last 12 pounds to shed before the end of the month would be grand! Summer is here …sorta of! It rained like thirty days in June, except for Sunday when I took this photo nearby. A ride back to to the wilderness always grounds me in reality. And some days I just need that!

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A happy Friday to all.

purses!!!, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Another week in the life has passed by once again. Friends I have an update to share. After 53 weeks I have lost a cumulative total of 6 ft 8.5 inches off my body as well as -134 pounds! Amazing! I am still having difficult days to say the least. Difficulty with protein consumption and eating certain items. My exercise routine has vamped up again to loose the remaining 12 pounds I have to loose. Some days I suffer from extreme frustration. Frustration for lots of reasons. My love of food still exists and try to replace it with other thoughts, but separating you mind from your body are two very different tasks to say the least. Sometimes I feel as though I am on a hamster wheel going around and around without being able to get off. Strange huh? Same routine…no diversion. Get up, shower, go to work, leave work, go to exercise, go home, try to have dinner, watch TV or read, then go to bed and start all over again the next day. Having dinner in the evenings often turns into a chore. Preparing meals is not what it used to be. Nothing seems to be as good as it used to be food wise. Cooking for such a small amount of food is difficult, especially when I am not real fond of leftovers. So that is my rant for a Friday!!

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Wordless Wednesday

frescos in Ravenna, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

What can I say. I’m at a loss for words today. After a month of rain and temps in the low 50′s…… I’m wondering where summer is. To cranky and tired I guess. But enjoy this beautiful photo taken last month in the Basilica in Ravenna Italy while visiting my wonderful friend Cyndi.

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On the Shores of Lake Garda…

swan family, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

During our recent trip to Italy we decided to embark on a side trip to Sirmione on the shores of Lake Garda. We traveled by car from Florence to Lake Garda in a matter of 2.5 hours. We had really no sure idea for what would be there except for the fact of the beauty we had heard about. One a hot day as we stepped out of the car on the beach side parking lot, we were all instantly hooked. A gorgeous place indeed.

Lake Garda (Italian Lago di Garda or Benaco) is the largest lake in Italy. It is located in Northern Italy, about half-way between Venice and Milan. Glaciers formed this alpine region at the end of the last ice age. The lake and its shoreline are divided between the provinces of Verona (to the southeast), Brescia (southwest), and Trento (north). Being easily accessible from the north via the Brenner pass, the lake is a major tourist destination, including a number of exclusive hotels and resorts along its shore.  Wikipedia.com

We visited the Scaliger Castle and spent the day enjoying a walk around the town on the lake path and sitting on the beautiful beach. Largo di Garda is definitely a keeper and a place to return.

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I wish…..

.

pici con sugo, originally uploaded by The Rambling Rountrees.

Thoughts of ramblings fill my mind today. I am having a difficult time concentrating. All I can think of is what I’d rather be doing, although I should consider myself lucky to even have a job during this difficult economy. But, a job? I have a great career, and I still find my mind wandering on travel, writing, blogging and cooking. I need a change. I want to travel, write and cook as my life. I don’t want to be forced to a schedule, meetings, and making people happy. I yearn for freedom. My soul yearns for travel as a way of life…sort of like a vagabond or gypsy.

I no longer want to be strapped to my desk and dealing with the problems of others. I want to be free of the stress that I deal with professionally. I want to be creative and be able to travel and discover myself and the adventures that await me!

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