Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!!!

I wish you all the best throughout 2011!!!

Love,

Kari and Karson

From my Daughter

Yesterday, while we sitting at the house recooping from the 2nd Annual Halloween Party, Karson handed me a sheet of computer paper with the following on it:

I'm Thankful For

I am thankful for my mother raising me as I am.
And that she is my mom and she can never change me because I love her.
I am very thankful for who she is and I am very thankful for her to be my mom.
She will always be my mom and I will always be her baby girl.
I LOVE YOU MOM!

Love,
Karson

She's such a sweet girl...I love her with all of my heart!!! She is my world...my entire world!!!

Yummy Goodness...

It's been a while since I last posted...so I thought that I would give yall a treat... Some Yummy Goodness...

Earthquake Cake
1 – Devil’s Food or German Chocolate cake mix
1 – 8 ounce package of cream cheese
1 – box of powdered sugar (2 cups)
1 – stick of butter
Coconut (as much/little as you like)
Chopped pecans (as much/little as you like)
Spray pan with cooking spray (I use fat-free butter flavored…LOL); sprinkle coconut and
pecans in pan; set aside; mix cake mix as it says on box; pour cake mix in pan; mix cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy; add powdered sugar ¼ cup at a time; mixing well until smooth and creamy; dollop cream cheese mixture on top of cake mix; bake at 350° for 45 – 50 minutes.

It's called an Earthquake cake because when it comes out of the oven, that's what it looks like...LOL...it's cracked and has holes...

I hope you enjoy!!!

You've Got To Stand For Something by Aaron Tippin

This was one of my dad's favorite songs... I was downloading (okay...my brother-in-law was showing me how to do it...LOL...) songs on to Karson's iTouch for her last night and I had forgotten that when we were doing the music for my dad's funeral that I bought this song on iTunes... It was still sitting in my purchased folder...almost two years later... He and my brother used to listen to this song every day after my brother got off work... He said that this song means something...that it's the way you should be and feel...

Now Daddy didn't like trouble, but if it came along
Everyone that knew him knew which side that he'd be on
He never was a hero, or this county's shinin' light
But you could always find him standing up
For what he thought was right

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Now we might have been better off or owned a bigger house
If Daddy had done more givin' in or a little more backing down
But we always had plenty just living his advice
Whatever you do today you'll have to sleep with tonight

He'd say you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Now I know that things are different than they were in Daddy's days
But I still believe what makes a man really hasn't changed

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything
You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name
You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything

Love you and miss you Daddy...

Love,

Your Peanut

...TUESDAY...

I have thought all day long that today is WEDNESDAY!!!! Now...my day is crushed...LOL...

Well...it's been a LONG time since I posted anything...I know...but...I felt I needed a little break... PLUS...I had surgery and it put me out of commission for a couple of weeks...

More on my surgery you say... Okay...here goes...

Most of you who read my blog have known me all of my life or, at least, most of it... This is something that I have never been able to talk about...with anyone... As you know, I've ALWAYS been overweight...and five years ago after having that tumor removed, the hormones from trying to get pregnant again and all the other stuff that was going on in our lives...I gained more weight...

I used to be REALLY self-conscious about my weight... I didn't do a whole lot because I was too embarrassed by my weight...and I love(d) my (ex-)husband to death, but it was partially his fault... As you notice, I don't blame him completely...I'm at fault too... BUT...I had a wake up call when we got divorced 3 years ago...i have a whole new meaning in life about me...(please excuse the French)...IF YOU DON'T LIKE ME THE WAY I AM, FUCK YOU, I DON'T NEED YOU IN MY LIFE!!!... So, I started dressing differently...not covering up as much and not wearing clothes that were actually too big for me and made me look bigger... My whole outlook on myself changed...FOR THE BETTER!!!! I love myself the way I am...and if you don't love me like this...bye-bye...

But, a couple of years ago I had to start taking high blood pressure medicine, cholesterol medicine, still on a small dose of hormones, and also medicine for acid reflux... So...in January of 2010, I decided to make a HUGE change in my life...

I went to see a doctor's seminar about Gastric Bypass... I feel in love with the doctors because they were SO truthful...and caring...and straight up in your face about it! I started going to see Dr. Robert Davis of The Davis Clinic in Memorial City, Houston, Texas and I can honestly tell you...that he has changed my life for the better!!

I, of course, had to do the whole insurance requirement thing...and I got APPROVED... I went to a nutritionist for 3 months so I could learn what I needed to prepare myself for after surgery... On July 7th (Karson's 10th bday), I got a call from Alma at the Clinic and she said that they got the final approval for surgery...and that I had a surgery date...of August 24th, 2010...

I was so excited...but then I was like "CRAP"...I can't take off work that week...it's the first week of school...and they will fall apart if I'm not there...but then I was like...no, they will be okay...I'll give them PLENTY of notice that I will be out for a week or so... So, I talked to my boss and told him what I had going on and that I know we aren't supposed to take off during August/September...but I had to do this...I couldn't put it off any longer... So...he agreed that since it was a medicial issue and not vacation, that I could have the week off...

On August 10th, 2010, I started my two weeks of liquids only prior to surgery... The first few days were tough...but...my friends and famly supported me so much (THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! I LOVE EACH OF YOU DEARLY!!!!)... I will say that I did cheat some during those two weeks...I just HAD to have something to freaking chew and swallow!!! LOL...

Anyway, surgery day got here...and we (me, Mom, MeeMaw and Aunt Judy) went to the hospital and sat around forever until it was my turn... I was so nervous!!! I had only been in the hospital 2 times before that...1 to have Karson and 2 to have the tumor removed... I was so scared... I took Karson to school that morning and told her I loved her and gave her a HUGE hug and kiss and told her (and PRAYED REALLY HARD) that I would see her in a couple of days... Karson is the whole reason I was doing this... I wanted to be here for her...and see my daughter graduate HS, College, get married, and be with her when she gives us grandchildren (when I'm 50ish...I didn't have her until I was 25...)... She is the reason I am here today...she keeps me going...and I wanted to be around in order for her to keep me going!!!

I was in the hospital for a few days (Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday)...and I was doing great while there... I came home Friday and was okay...then by Saturday I thought that I had made the BIGGEST mistake of my life!!! I was SO SICK... ANYTHING I put in my mouth made me nauseous...and I threw up... I couldn't drink water or anything!! The doctor wanted to put me back in the hospital, but I said no... we finally realized that I'm allergic to liquid coedine...I will NEVER take that stuff again!!! Once that got out of my system, I could drink water and broth without hurling...

I'm doing GREAT now!!! I have lost a total of 48 pounds in a month!!! I can't eat a lot at one time...but that's fine... My stomach is about the size of a golf ball...so it only holds about 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time... I have to eat 4 or 5 times a day...and it has to be hig protein foods...because I can't drink the protein shakes anymore...they make me hurl... They are SO SWEET!!! And I wasn't a sweet eater before surgery...and I'm definitely NOT one now...LOL...

I have to read all the nutrition facts on all food now... I can only have so much sugar per meal... And it's hard to eat things that are canned/pre-packaged because of the sugar count... But...so far so good... I feel a lot better...and can do more by jsut losing the 48 pounds...just think when I lose all that I want to how good I will feel...

Thank you so much for listening to me... I will keep everyone updated on my progress as time goes on...

Thank you again...and I love each and every one of you...

PS - I would post a before and now picture, but for some reason, blogger won't accept my pics...whatever...LOL...

Have a great day!!!

1st Day of School

WOW...

School starts again today for just about EVERY School District in Texas...all of them in the Houston area start today...

AND I OFFICIALLY HAVE A 5TH GRADER.......AND A NIECE IN HS.......

And yes, I did shed a few tears... I can't believe my girls are growing up so fast!! I don't have a first day of school picture to share...because mom leaves for work at 6:15 a.m. and she was not all smiles when I woke her up to tell her to have a good day...LOL...

I did gt to talk to her though...because the Nanny had to call me and tell me to have a talk with her...she DID NOT want to move this morning...plus she had a wardrobe malfunction...and for girls her age...wardrobe malfunctions are the worst thing that can happen...especially on the first day of school...so pray my girls day turns out better than it has started...

So, her day didn't start off too good...I sure hope it gets better tomorrow morning...but...I won't see her then either...or for the next few days actually... Her dad is coming to get her this evening and she is spending the next two nights with him while I'm in the hospital...and I'm SO going to miss her... She's my girl...and we take care of each other... So...the Nanny will be taking care of me for the next few days instead of the kiddo...LOL...

Have a great day everyone...

Thought for today...

True Love is when you can sit in a room together and say nothing, and it feels like you've said a thousand words!