September 15, 2006
	The new photos are on the Wedding page, but the world didn't stop for the wedding and thus my journey continues. As of today I weigh 163.9. That's a little over 132 pounds gone since February 2005. I'm changing my goal weight to 145 from 150. And when I get to 145 I might reassess and go for 140. My doctor says I'll know it when I get there. Since my foot surgery in May, I've really stepped up my exercise. I now walk 3 miles in 40 minutes, or an average of 4.5-4.8 miles per hour 5-6 days per week. For 1 1/2 miles (or half) of each workout I walk at 5 miles per hour or nearly a 12-minute mile. My knees, which both need to be replaced, are feeling really good now that I've strengthened the muscles around them. I'm not having to take nearly as Advil. I also started getting hyaluronic acid (synovial fluid) injections in my right knee to see if that can hold off surgery for a few years. Losing another 20 pounds will help, too. With winter quickly approaching, I've decided to join (gasp) a gym. It'll probably be the Y. They have all the machines I need to use. Nothing can ever replace my beloved track, though. I'll still hit it on mornings when it's not freezing. I'm not real excited about joining a gym. I'm just not a joiner of anything, thus the reason I'm doing Weight Watchers online only. I don't go to meetings. But if I want to work out this winter I need a gym, right?  The scale hasn't budged much in 7 weeks. But that's ok. I've lost 1 1/2 inches off my hips since July 31 and 1/2 inch off my waist. A scale can't measure that kind of success. My blood work came back rockin' last week, too. I've lowered my cholesterol from 256 to 170 with WW and exercise! My triglycerides are only 60! I'm no longer a walking heart attack. I never will be again, either. My doctor also took me off one of my two blood pressure meds. And my numbers are behaving themselves so far. My blood pressure is difficult to control even when I'm thin. At this point I'm pessimistically optimistic.   Life is boring and that's alright.

More on August 13
	My 43rd birthday is tomorrow, but with my daughter's wedding coming up on Saturday and all the work we've got to do, we decided to have a cookout tonight. I loved this photo my daughter who's not getting married took of Larry and me. Can you tell I kinda like the guy? Carlene and I have been doing self-photos since she was a little girl. Here's one that shows that, yes indeed, I am 43 and have those smile lines and all those dips and divits that go along with having a middle-aged face. I have NO problem with it!!

August 13
	I went shopping a few weeks ago with Chris (CrispyRice) and Carol (SnowGirl) for my mother-of-the-bride dress. The one I originally bought just isn't working for me, and so I'm going with the dress I bought at Penney's for $29. I kid you not. My mother-of-the-bride dress was 75 percent off. It's knee length, brown with light blue, green and cream polka dots, and if kind of 1930s retro style. Very summer/outdoor wedding. Maybe too casual, but who's gonna be looking at me anyway (except maybe my husband). Here's Chris, me and Carol (left to right) when we were done shopping. According to Carol's step counter we walked 6000 steps or 3 miles. Not bad! My daughter, Carlene, went with us, too. She's in a photo further down. I decided to buy the polka dot dress for the rehearsal dinner. It will look uber better when I buy the proper undergarments (gee, can't tell I had two children! haha). Carlene chose a different dress, but we decided we needed a photo of us together in our polka dots. It kinda makes your eyes spin, doesn't it?

July 9, 2006
	Okey dokey, it's now July 2006. My daughter's wedding is Aug. 19 and I'm at about 173. I'd like to be in the 160s by her wedding, but if I'm not, I will NOT sweat it. Well, at least that's what I tell myself. Today (July 9) was my daughter's bridal shower. I decided to go sleeveless AND I tucked my shirt: two things I haven't done in years. And I felt free. And kinda cute. I still don't feel thin, but I'm getting there, I think. Here's me and my girls. The one on the left is the one getting married in August. I'm going dress shopping on Saturday with a few friends from WW. I'm wearing real shoes now; the swelling on my toe after surgery is reduced enough that I can wear sandals. Yay! Now I'm ready to tackle the mother-of-the-bride dress. I plan to wear black. Not that I don't adore my new son-in-law and look forward to the wedding. I just look damn good in black :) This is also the cake I cut, served, but didn't eat. I didn't even lick my fingers. I'm so proud of me. But then, cake isn't my thing.