Dorothy’s Life Journey

Good evening friends!

I can’t believe it’s already 10 p.m.  Today is Monday, the 3rd of December and it’s weigh in day as well.  I’m 31 weeks post op.  I had VSG or vertical sleeve gastrectomy on April 30, 2018 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI with Dr. Randal Baker. He works out of Grand Health Partners.  My pre-op weight was 355 lbs.  Today’s weight was 269 lbs. So far, I’ve lost a total of 86 lbs. even.  I’m happy with my progress thus far.  I have lost quite a few inches too and my stamina is getting better as well.  I’ve been logging my food in the Lose-It app daily.  That’s good for me because quite honestly, I despise logging my food.  However, I have my 6-month post op appointment coming up on Thursday this week and I’m pretty sure the Nutritionist will probably ask about it.  I’m really not doing the greatest with my diet. I’m not getting enough in and I think that’s why my hair is so incredibly thin and falling out.  I know it happens with many weight loss surgery patients, but it just seems pretty rough.  I do well with taking my vitamins daily and pretty well with getting my fluids in.  A non-scale victory was the new coat that I bought for $7.99.  It was a size 2X and it fit beautifully.  It’s red and I love it.  In the past, I would generally pick out dark colors to hide in.  Not anymore.  You should see the array of LulaRoe colored Perfects I have.  I’m living and enjoying life now. I’m no longer trying to hide.  

My activity this past week only included the walking I did at the zoo on Saturday.  I haven’t been out walking because the weather has been wet and dreary or just too cold and snowy!  But just this evening I ventured into the dark part of my basement armed only with the flashlight on my cell phone and I found my workout dvd’s and my kettlebell and yoga mat!  My yoga mat isn’t pictured below but the others are.  The only thing I’m missing now is my core stability ball that my niece borrowed prior to having her baby.  I can now start doing some workouts inside.  Even some strength exercises with the kettlebell.  It’s an 8 lb. bell.  I’m not sure which I’m going to start with…probably a Leslie Sansone workout.  The Jillian Michaels will be emotional for me.  It was the workout I was doing when my dear sister-friend Heidi went missing and was found the next day face down in a pond nearby.  At that time, I vowed never to do a Jillian Michaels workout again.  Heidi was a huge fan of Jillian’s.  She thought Jillian was perfection.  Heidi passed back in 2012 and I haven’t done a workout of hers since that awful night.  

Now, how about that interview? Well, I think it went pretty well. The first thing we had to do when we got there was fill out our availability.  Right now, mine is pretty open except Sunday mornings and Tuesday mornings. I really don’t want to miss church or my bible study if I don’t have to.  He seemed to respect that.  It was the first interview that I’ve been to that was not a one-on-one interview.  There was another woman there as well and the Manager took us both into a room on the 2nd level and questioned us both simultaneously.  Surprisingly, I was pretty comfortable with this. I let the other woman answer first for most of the questions.  She was younger, more hyper, thinner (not that it matters), had 12 years experience in Human Resources.  I was the oldest in the room.  Most of the questions she asked were related to pay and possibility of advancement.  I didn’t ask much, just how long he had been working for Kohl’s.  He had been there 12.5 years.  He has been in retail since he was a teenager.  He mentioned that the store secretary had the most service. She started in 1989. I thought that was fascinating. That’s the same year I had started at Meijer.  I also asked if there was a certain dress code.  There weren’t many questions he asked of us and they really weren’t all that hard, thankfully.  He said that he usually gets back with a yes/no within 24-48 hours.  We would hear via email and when we do, it’s recommended that we schedule our orientation as soon as possible.  He did say that it will start as a seasonal position at $9.25/hour.  But there is potential for it to become permanent part-time.  Everyone starts as part time.  He says the best of the best move on.  If hired, I’ll do my best.  It’s all in God’s hands.  I can’t stress over it.  I’ve been dealing with enough anxiety lately.  

On another note, I worked a wee little bit on my knitting project.  I think I did three rows.  I can’t believe I was able to pick it up and figure it out and I didn’t forget how to do it.  Two of my YouTuber friends crochet and they’re so talented.  One sent me a beanie he made.  I picked the colors purple and yellow and I just love it.  

This coming Friday, I was invited to what’s called Heart & Home at my brother’s church. They’re doing a cookie and gift card exchange. The gift card only needs to be $5 and need to do 3 dozen cookies.  Now, I haven’t baked in eons.  She did say that it’s not mandatory and she’d rather see me show up and not let that stand in the way of me going if I’m not able to do it.  I’m going to be browsing Pinterest probably.  Although I do have my grandmother’s recipe box.  I don’t want anything difficult or expensive.  I’m thinking some molasses cookies because boy do they sound good.  My great-grandma used to make some awesome molasses cookies.  Boy, do I miss those!

Alright, I think I’ve rambled on long enough. Many thanks to the new followers and those that have been following along.  It’s now nearly 11.  Time flies when you’re having fun.

Wherever you are, I wish you peace, love and happiness.  

Don’t forget to smile! 

Dottie May 🌻