Surviving NJ

Feeling Optimistic with a New Plan

October 8, 2009

Written by Deb

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Optimistic isn’t usually a word I use when it comes to weight. Usually it’s dread, frustration and many other along the lines of that. This time…I feel optimistic.

I went and started a medically supervised diet program. I have no where else to turn at this point. I’ve worked out, I’ve changed my eating, I’ve done the programs like Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Atkins…and for whatever reasons…they just haven’t helped me shed my weight.

Anyway, I’m not going into all the details at this moment, but I wanted to put this out there that I am feeling happy and hopeful, and that’s a big step for me. Hope can do many beautiful things, and in this case – it can help me feel motivated.

I’ll fill in more details and pluses and minuses as I go along. It’s day 2, and I’m feeling fine. I’m not hungry, which I was concerned I might be….and I’m totally satisfied and content. I’m taking extra vitamins my doctor recommended, on top of a B12 shot — and the goals are simple:

Get me off some meds…shed some weight…become healthier.

Here we go.

Category:

Finding Myself

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Familiar Friends

October 5, 2009

Written by Deb

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There’s something comforting about seeing an old friend. You can start stories mid-stream. You can catch up in the blink of an eye. You can laugh about old days, and not have to explain past scenarios…

I had the opportunity today to visit with an old friend…we’ve known each other since my children were small. We’ve shared hours of laughter, heart to hearts and more…our kids knew each other and played together.

We ate dinners together….planned outings together, and knew each other well.

Life tosses a few balls along the way and takes people in different directions. Today, I got the chance to revisit someone I hadn’t seen in a long time – and it was fabulous. Wonderful day….wonderful day!

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Family

Just Hanging Around

September 15, 2009

Written by Deb

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poohscorner.jpg

What do you say when you see your first love?

When I was a little girl, about 6 years old, I remember going to Sears and picking out a stuffed Pooh Bear. It played music…you wound the key in the back, and it played “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. I slept with that silly bear for a long time. He was my buddy…

As I got older, and he was put on a shelf- something happened through the years….Pooh got heavier! He grew a rounder belly. The new Pooh Bears they were selling have tummy’s twice the size as the original one I had gotten!

In looking back, my Pooh Bear was quite thin! It’s funny how his belly size changes in shape based on the latest version they are selling of him. His color has changed as well. My pooh bear was almost more yellow then orange…a honey colored yellow, but in later years he took on more of an orange hue.

Anyway – I saw him hanging out up there and knew I had to snap a picture. I’ve seen him there many times, but this time I guess it caught my attention more.

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Disney & Travel

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Room with a View

Written by Deb

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roomview.jpg

I just wanted to share my view. It’s lovely, and is just a standard view here, but how is this even standard when you’re from Jersey? LOL

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

A spontaneous trip came up, and here I am. I’ll be home shortly, and back to life, but sometimes those unexpected and unplanned moments offer you some wonderful treasures.

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Disney & Travel

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Changes in Shopping Habits

September 11, 2009

Written by Deb

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I jumped onto the online bandwagon more than 12 years ago. I held fast, and have been loving my internet for years. A strange thing happened a long the way.

- I started booking vacations online, no more travel agent
- I started researching and looking for reviews before buying things
- I started buying more items online

So today, I’m in the shower and got to thinking…yeah, I know – dangerous, eh?

I thought about how many books I’ve bought over the last year – and how many times I bought them in a bookstore versus buying them online.

Sure, I’m looking for the best deal – trying to snag a bargain, but in the process, my local book store is seeing less and less of my money.

Think about how many OTHER people are doing the same thing.

How much of your business that used to be local- are you now putting into online businesses?

I started to look at how much money was being diverted to other business, instead of the small local businesses near my home. How much money was I giving to someone else…

…I hate when I think too much.

Anyway, do I think it will change my habits? Will I buy more local and try to help my local businesses, or will I be looking at my family’s bottom line and keep trying to save US money along the way? I honestly couldn’t tell you that, but right now it’s really on my mind.

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Lifestyle

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Tram off Track

September 6, 2009

Written by Deb

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tram09.jpg

Watch the tram car please….please watch the tram….We spend the weekend down in Wildwood, and were heading to Curly’s for a quick bite to eat. We hopped onto the tram, and rode the path – picking up and dropping off other passengers along the way. Right at about 26th St, the front car goes hard to the right!

Oh my gosh? What just happened? We weren’t sure — did it hit someone? Was the driver trying to avoid hitting someone who didn’t move in time?

Nope– looks like the front end blew out! Whether the axel broke, the tire fell off, or whatever — as you see here, the front end just toppled over, and it veered! Thankfully not one single person was hurt, and that’s pretty amazing as crowded as the boardwalk was!

Ironically? It has this mishap right in front of where we wanted to get off! Talk about timing….the funny part to me was seeing how many cellphones came out…people were snapping pics left and right, so I thought I’d grab one to share too.

Maintenance came out and had it up and running in about 20 minutes tops. Pretty impressive – quick repair…full boardwalk, full tram – no one got hurt. Now that’s something to be thankful for!

The weather was fabulous….and I’m sad to see summer coming to a close….but I guess it’s that time of year.

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Disney & Travel

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Signs You’re Getting Old

September 5, 2009

Written by Deb

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You pay 2x as much for the large print version of a book…and you still use reading glasses to magnify thinking…ooh, this is nice – I can see and not get eye strain!

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Lifestyle

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Wildwood Weekend

September 4, 2009

Written by Deb

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I’m spending the weekend down the shore with my son. I remember when I wasn’t “connected” when I go on vacation, but anymore – it’s become the norm to have an ipod, laptop or something to get you online.

The traffic coming down wasn’t too bad 80% of the way, but at some points just the sheer amount of traffic in one place at one time literally brought highways to a stop. NO traffic lights slowing us down, only merges, and 4 lanes of highway just stops…parking lot! Thankfully, it only lasted in certain spots.

Tonight, we spent some time wandering around the boardwalk. There are some interesting people — and it’s always fun to people watch. After walking the boardwalk, as we came to the end – we sat down and watched a round of Bacci (sp?)…neat to see.

We’re sitting in for a short bit, but there should be fireworks starting at 10pm, so we’re hoping to head out to the beach and see if we can grab a nice view.

Well, wrapping up tonight. Hoping to enjoy some beach time and pool time tomorrow. Have a great weekend!

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Disney & Travel

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Barking Mad Dogs

September 2, 2009

Written by Deb

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I think someone laced my dog’s food. Seriously, they are beyond themselves this week – barking any time a leaf falls. Is it a full moon or something? Here’s the thing….when you have 2 dogs, you have 2 dogs. When you have 3 dogs, you have a pack mentality.

One dog starts, and the others fall in line. Sound the alarm….

These dogs, that I absolutely adore are driving me barking mad this week!

Every car that drives by — woof!
Every dog that is being walked by — woof!
Every time I shift in my chair or get up quickly… what’s going on? woof…bark now, ask later….
Every time one of them thinks they hear another dog within a 75 mile radius! — woof!

Whatever is flowing through them this week, I will be thrilled when it’s finished.

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Family

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Pork Chops and Pierogies

August 28, 2009

Written by Deb

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What a combination, right? I grew up eating pierogies with kielbasa — and it’s a favorite of mine. I never thought of them with pork chops though! I was just out for dinner, and I saw this interesting combination on the menu….

A pork chop, pierogies and asparagus

…of course I had to get it – OH MY GOSH, it was so good! YUM-YUM

I was just tickled to see that combination on the menu, since it’s not one I’ve ever noticed before. We eat out a lot too, but whoever put this together tonight in the kitchen at the local place we went to – KUDOS…man, it was awesome.

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Lifestyle

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