March 29th

As some (or most) of you already know, yesterday was one of the most important days of my life. I posted a photo slide show...I ordered them, but for some reason the slideshow is putting them out of order. My favorite photo is of my dad in the waiting room reading a magazine and the cover story is how to make dinosaur feet out of tissue boxes. He was super excited about the article.


9:30 am - Wake up
10:00 am - Pills
11:50 am - Sandwich (turkey on whole wheat w/ veggies), Coke
1:00 pm - Dr. Wolf
2:30 pm - Dr. Kress
6:30 pm - Red Lobster (celebratory dinner)
8:45 pm to 11:: pm - Random Nap
12:00 am - Pills
5:00 am - Bed





Basically yesterday I met my surgeon for the first time. He put his concerns about my hip replacement on the table, and his main concern wasn't my weight (I was surprised). His main concern was how I got the infection when I was 12. Since we are unsure he wants me to see an infectious disease specialist. Hopefully when I get done with the I.D. doctor I will know whether or not I have an immune deficiency and what the little "bug bite" like spots are (my dermatologist will be helpful with that too).

Originally we thought that late June might be the time, but after talking it over with Cathy, my doctor's head R.N., we decided that to lower my stress level I should push the surgery to a month where I will have plenty of time to lose weight, see the I.D. doc, and clear up my skin. All of that plus health clearances from my dentist, general doctor, and g.i. doc are needed at least 10 days before the surgery.

When I started this post I hadn't told my dad the date I was given, but since I have taken forever to write this post...I've told him - and I can tell you. I'd do one of those things where I try and delay telling you by being funny, but you can just scroll down to the date. So,...the date is: August 25th, 2011.

I really want to thank some people who have been so supportive and helpful. First of course are my parents. I can't even imagine how horrible my life would've been if they weren't there with every twist and turn my life has given. Second, is well the rest of my family who always call and email to make sure I'm doing ok. Thirdly is Kelly Hayes (except for 5 minutes ago). I've known her since I was 11 - so she's been around since the very beginning of this whole hip thing. Fourthly (this is a long list), are my friends. I'd name them by name, but they're probably already mad that Kelly got her own thanks...Lastly is a girl I found online (sounds scandalous huh?). Her name is Chloe and she had a hip replacement when she was 20, I believe. She's been so kind to tell a stranger that it's going to be great and make my life better.

So thank you all. And of course this is continuing until...forever?

HIP, HIP, NEW HIP HOORAY!

Jessica

Before The Surgeon

I normally don't blog real time..but right now I'm FREAKING OUT. There's only like 4 hours left until I meet Dr. Kress....I might vomit and pee myself..at the same time. TMI? Haha If you wanna know stuff real time I guess I'd check either my facebook or my twitter (jsnail).

Good luck to me?

Jessica

March 27th

12:30 pm - Wake up & pills
1:00 pm - Fruit Salad, Sandwich
2:00 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver
6:30 pm - Chaba Thai, Yogli Mogli (with mom)
11:00 pm - Pills
2:30 am - Bed

Today my mom and I went out to dinner at our favorite thai restaurant and then to one of the 200 million frozen yogurt places that have opened up around our house. Normally my mom cooks on days when she doesn't work, but today we went to Joann's to get fabric to make me a new skirt for my doctor's appointment on Tuesday.

Why a new skirt for a doctor's visit? Well, I want to feel special. This might be one of the most important doctor's appointments I've had in a long long time and if he ends up telling me he won't schedule the surgery I want to feel a bit special so it will make that news less disappointing.

I'm so nervous about this appointment that I can't even express it in words. I kind of want to vomit, cry, yell, and sit in the fetal position all at the same time. Usually I write about the day before (like today is the 28th, but I'm writing about the 27th), but tomorrow I'll definitely let all the readers (if I have any....) know what happens at the surgeon.

It'd be awesome if you could leave some calming thoughts or ideas in the comments. I'm already shaking and feeling nauseous due to nerves.

BAH.

Jessica

March 26th

1:30 pm - Wake up & pills
2:00 pm - Diet pepsi, banana, 1/2 everything bagel with egg salad, lettuce, tomato
3:30 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver
6:30 pm - 1/2 glass white wine, champagne
7:30 pm - Mexican Night at the McCabes, Fresca
10:45 pm - Pineapple, weight watchers ice cream, water
12:30 am - Pills
2:30 am - Bed

Today was a little odd with what I ate - mostly about the wine and champagne. BUT it was the grand opening of my hair stylists salon! It's name is Tryst and her name is Laura. She is so amazing and strong. I'm so happy for her and her family that she finally achieved her dream of owning her own salon!

Also, my family and I had a lovely dinner at our neighbor's house. There are 2 families and my family that have dinners together. We used to do it all the time and then for some reason we stopped for a long while, but now we're getting back into the swing of it and every time I thoroughly enjoy the dinner and games (if we play it's normally dominoes).

I have another post to write since I'm behind so I'll see you in the next post!

Jessica

Rainy Days - I Can Feel Them In My Hip

Today I had plenty of time to blog. I just didn't do it. I feel badly about not putting anything up, not because I have devoted fans who hang on my every word, but because I promised myself that I would blog daily. So today I give you this blog...let's see what happens shall we?

Ok. This one is dedicated to M. Ostis because I just told her that my surgeon is like an 11 year old Harry Potter and I'm like Hagrid...

That's all I'm giving you until my double blog later on.

LUMOS!

Jessica

March 25th

12:45 pm - Wake up & pills
1:10 pm - Cinnamon oatmeal, raisins, apple, 110 c. pringles, water
4:10 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver
6:00 pm - 100 cal pringles, water
9:00 pm - Sake mango margarita, water, california roll, spicy chicken yakiudon
2:00 am - Pills & bed

Today wasn't really anything out of the ordinary...minus the whole going to Ru San's with some awesome friends (Bill, Chris, Courtney, James, Kelly, & Kevin). A few of them did saki bombs, all of us ate lovely sushi and enjoyed a fun-ass time. We also played Bill's favorite game, Time's Up. Kelly and I lost by 3...it was disappointing, but we still know that we are the best duo there is.

One thing I need help on is ideas for healthy portable snacks. I wrote in my "food & activity" journal that I need more "grab n' go" options. Right now I really only have those 100 calorie pringles packs and protein bars. Protein bars really aren't always an appropriate snack - they're supposed to fill you up, almost meal like really. I was told not to eat granola bars or anything with refined sugar. So please help me out and give me ideas. I don't want to end up hating pringles. I'd hate to prove their "once you pop you just can't stop" slogan wrong. So let me know what your on the go snacks are!

Live long and prosper!

Jessica

March 24th

10:45 am - Wake up & pills
1:30 pm - Coke, cobb sandwich, fruit (Tuscany Cafe w/ Melanie Ostis)
3:50 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver
5:00 pm - Orange, water
7:00 pm - Bbq chicken, potatoes & onions, water, ww ice cream
11:00 pm - 1/2 cup rice with egg, water
11:45 pm - Pills
2:00 am - Bed

Today I met the wonderful Miss. Melanie Ostis for lunch at Tuscany Cafe. I had lunch with her because 1. she's awesome and 2. she ordered a few bow hair pins from my Jewellery By J business! One of them is in GA Tech colors so she can show her school spirit! Hooray Yellow Jackets! We just caught up on each others lives and had lovely conversations with lovely food and lovely weather (it was just lovely, lovely, lovely, lovely ha).

After that I came home and worked out. It seems I keep burning less calories doing the workout. I have no idea why. I feel like I'm doing the exercises more correctly...then again my high percentage of correctly complete the exercise is 97% and this workout was only 95%. Oh well, as long as I continue to workout and "feel the burn" I'm happy.

I really did snap out of my funk yesterday. I'm not sure if it was my realization that I was being ridiculous or the new medicine or both that snapped me out of it, but whatever it was I'm glad it happened. I hate feeling down. I hate it a lot.

My dad and mom made BBQ chicken for dinner last night. At one point it looked like my dad had chargrilled the chicken on the grill. The grill was smoking like it was on fire and when my dad opened the lid the chicken looked like a lost cause, but in reality it was delicious!

After dinner I really just hung around, watched some tv, and that's it!

Carpe the eff out of this diem!

Jessica

March 23rd

10:30 am - Wake up & pills
11:30 am - banana, ww ice cream, water
3:00 pm - pear, pasta, water
7:00 pm - pineapple, kiwi, strawberry, sandwich (deli thin, mayo, avocado, alfalfa sprouts,
tomato, american cheese, ham, salami)
11:00 pm - ww ice cream, water
1:45 am - pills
4:00 am - bed


Ever since my doctor's appointment on Monday I've be in a rather large funk - hence the 2 ice creams 2 days in a row. I literally just laid around and watched dvr'd things. But around 3:00 am I realized that I was being quite ridiculous. I have nothing to worry about. I will be getting that new hip no matter what.

I don't really have much to say since I've been laying around like a lame lump all week. Hopefully life will get more exciting after the 29th.

I've started a list of things I want to do after I get my robohip. Some of them are pretty mundane, like tying my own right shoe. You don't realize how important the little things are until you can't do them. I can't even remember the last time I bought shoes with laces or buckles because I worry that if nobody is around to help me I won't be able to get them on my right foot.

I can't really remember what else is on my list (it's upstairs), but I'd love to hear some suggestions on what I should do! Let me know in a comment or something?

Here's to shoes with laces!

Jessica

March 22nd

12:00 pm - Wake up & pills
12:45 pm - Banana, ww ice cream, water, sandwich (ww deli thins, mayo, white american cheese, ham,
salami)
2:30 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver (twice), 1 virtual smash
4:30 pm - Orange, water
7:10 pm - Turkey burgers, cauliflower, cabbage, rice, diet snapple
9:10 pm - ww ice cream
12:30 am - Pills & bed

I had 2 ice creams today. Oh well. I'm in a funk so that's why I ate two...and I wanted them. I'm not really in the mood to write anything today...so I don't think I'm going to.

Funkity funk funk,

Jessica

March 21st

10:05 am - Wake up and pills
11:15 am - Dr. Tobin appointment
1:00 pm - Chicken pho (only finished half), small square of cake, water
4:00 pm - Green apple, 2 slices white american cheese, water
6:30 pm - Popeyes, coke
12:00 am - Pills
1:00 am - Bed

So, today was my check up with my family doctor, Dr. Tobin. I didn't lose a pound, not one single pound. Dr. Tobin says it's understandable since I had my period and my increasing hip pain is making it harder and harder to exercise. I'm very disappointed and anxious now.

The anxiety is about my surgeon appointment on the 29th. I want, no need, him to schedule my surgery. Not many people know this, but I'm an extremely anxious person. I take anti-anxiety meds to help, but not losing weight kind of pushed me over the edge of what my medicine controls normally. My anxiety shows up as small anxiety attacks (crying, a little bit of trouble breathing) and itching skin. Itching skin, odd right? I looked it up last night and I'm not the only one that shows anxiety like this (thank goodness - I thought I was going nuts ha).

Hopefully the 29th will put this anxiety to bed. Until then I just need to remember that I have lost 15 lbs total and that's nothing to laugh at. Plus, I have a week (exactly) until the appointment and with some work I can knocked off a few more pounds. Also, my doctor wrote a note encouraging my surgeon to schedule the surgery. She also said that if he doesn't to make him call my rheumatologist, Dr. Myerson. Supposedly Dr. Myerson has a lot of pull with my surgeon and plus he says my hip is a disaster haha, so he's all for me getting my new hip as soon as possible.

I just have to hold on for another week.

Here's hoping!

Jessica

March 19th & 20th

March 19th:

1:30 pm - Wake up & pills
2:00 pm - Cinnamon oatmeal, raisins, banana, water
8:30 pm - Taco mexican rice, beans, 0.25 of a pork tamale, diet peach snapple
11:30 pm - Weight Watchers ice cream
12:00 am - Pills
1:00 am - Bed

Today I spent about 4 hours helping my dad out with a fantasy baseball draft. Later on my parents and I watched the movie Red with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirrin, etc. It was good, had a few laughs, and some great fight scenes - I'm glad I waited and didn't pay to see it in theaters though.


March 20th:

12:00 pm - Wake up & pills
12:45 pm - Grapes, banana, 100 cal. pack pringles, water
3:45 pm - Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich (only ate half the bun), water
6:45 pm - Artichoke, caesar salad, water
7:45 pm - 1 serving of pasta, water
11:00 pm - Weight watchers ice cream
11:15 pm - Pills
12:00 am - Bed

I don't think I did anything exciting today. I made steamed artichokes for my mom and me though. This is basically how you cook and eat a full artichoke. I only put lemon juice in my steaming water though. I eat mine with a bit of melted butter (well, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter).

That's about all...

Jessica

March 17th & 18th

So, I know I'm pretty behind with this, but it's the first time I've really fallen behind. The past few days have been very hard on me. Not because of anything special...I've just been in immense pain with my hip. I have had issues walking and I cannot get a good nights' sleep because I can't find a comfortable position for my leg.

But, enough of that. This will be a post containing 17th & 18th, and later on I will do a post containing the 19th and 20th. Since the 20th is the day I should be writing about I will be all caught up! Huzzah! Here we go.

March 17th:

11:40 am - Wake up
12:00 pm - Pills
12:30 pm - Cinnamon oatmeal, raisins, water
2:00 pm - 100 cal. pack pringles, water
3:00 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver
7:45 pm - potstickers, rice, chicken lettuce wraps, diet peach snapple
11:30 pm - Pills
1:00 am - Bed

I first attempted to work out at 1:45 pm, but my joints were are verrrry tight (even after stretching). I decided that it wouldn't be the best idea to work out out joints that wouldn't cooperate. So, I waited 2-ish hours and my body finally loosened up enough to do a small work out.


March 18th:

12:00 pm - Wake up
12:10 pm - Pills
1:10 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver
1:45 pm - half everything bagel, egg salad, pasta salad, water
8:20 pm - Payday (Chicago's concession stand)
10:00 pm - Arby's, Bud Light, Reese's Pieces
3:30 am - Pills
4:00 am - Bed

So today's eating was quite thrown off. I didn't want to eat before seeing Chicago at CHS (which was AMAZING), and because of that I ended up starving and eating the wrong things. I can't take it back now, but Kelly called me out on it...I think I called her something derogatory as my response - sorry about that Kelly haha. I ended up driving home from hanging out instead of just sleeping over because of my hip pain. Normally sleeping on that couch is ok, but with my hip already killing me, I couldn't fathom a night on the couch.

Later you'll get March 19th and 20th...and maybe a sneak preview of March 21st (since I do have a doctor's appointment today....). You will just have to tune in and find out!!

Nerrrrvous.

Jessica

March 16th

11:00 am - Wake up & Pills
12:30 pm - Salad, Ale laced chicken tender, dijon vinaigrette, coke (Lunch at Fresh 2 Order)
6:30 pm - Whole wheat raisin cookie, diet peach snapple (cookie from Whole Foods)
7:45 pm - Chicken amaretto, basmati rice, seltzer
11:00 pm - Weight Watchers ice cream
11:35 pm - Pills
1:30 am - Bed

It was a loverly day - other than over sleeping. I set my alarm for 10:00 am, I woke up and promptly fell back asleep..and got up an hour later haha.

Luckily, I was still on time for lunch with Miss. Nicole Mueller! We went to Fresh 2 Order and it was delicious. We both seem to only go there when we go with each other. I had a lovely salad. I looked up the nutrition facts the night before and for some reason the ale laced chicken tender was less fat than the grilled chicken..odd right? The salad I got was their club salad - I asked them to leave out the bacon and I changed the dressing from honey mustard to dijon vinaigrette. I think the last time I saw Nicole might've been summer..well it was great to see her and catch up!

After that I went to Target and Whole Foods with my mom. I ended up getting a new purse and a snazzy new water bottle at Target..along with a few other things. I learned about this type of water bottle from Kelly. It has this nifty straw that keeps water in unless you bite on the top. It's by a company named Camelbak.

We wanted to get artichokes from Whole Foods...which means we came out with more than just artichokes. I absolutely love whole artichokes and March through May is when they're in season. I'll let you know how to cook and eat them when I make them for dinner!

Carpe Diem!

Jessica

March 15th

10:40 am - Wake up
11:00 am - Pills
11:20 am - Cinnamon oatmeal, raisins, cantaloupe, water
2:15 pm - Banana, tristcuits, cheese, diet pepsi
3:45 pm - Apple, 100 cal. pringles
7:00 pm - queso fundito, pork tamale, 1/3 chicken enchilada, 1/3 chicken burrito, a bit of rice & beans, coke
11:20 pm - Weight watchers ice cream
11:35 pm - Pills
1:00 am - Bed

Ok. Dinner. Not very...diety? BUT I didn't eat as much as it seems. I feel like when I write out meals like that...or the fact I ate at 2:15 and 3:45....makes me seem like a fatty...well I am, but that's not the point. I know I don't really have to explain myself to anyone but myself, but I'm still very self conscious.

I don't really mention the self consciousness much, but I once heard that fat girls try to do their hair and make up nicely so they can fool people...and at first I was like, well that's just rude. Then I realized that I do exactly that. I try to do my make up nicely and style my hair in someway; it seems like I do more grooming than my thinner friends. But I am ok with who I am...most of the time.

Plus side, even though I ate ridiculously I lost weight over the last week. You see I weigh myself at home to make sure I'm losing weigh; I don't take that as my actually weight because it only matters what the doctor's scale says (the doctor's scale tends to say I'm lighter woohoo!).

Well..that's the end of this....more serious post? No worries tomorrow I got a photo and a friend!

Jessica

March 14th

11:20 am - Wake up & pills
11:50 am - Cinnamon oatmeal, raisins, water
2:00 pm - Apple, red grapes, triscuits, diet pepsi
3:00 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing, personal training
7:30 pm - 3 veal "burgers", sauteed broccoli, pringle 100 cal pack, water
11:50 pm - Pills
1:00 am - Bed

Today I spent 85% of my time messing with a few different wireless routers. I'm not even going to go into it because it still makes me mad haha. Plus side: faster internet, hoorah!

When I woke up my hip was already more painful than usual, so after my work out I don't know how I managed. At one point I just wanted to pop my leg off like a Barbie or Lego man - unfortunately that would just cause me more pain.

I really don't have much else to say...I sat out on the porch for a while last night; just to relax and calm my anxiety. My family and close friends know when I'm getting very anxious due to my "leg shaking tick". Chris always puts his hand on my knee to stop it when we're playing Times Up. Haha, most of the time I don't realize I'm doing it...like now. I have been shaking since I first started this post, but only came to be consciously aware of it when I wrote about it.

Well since today (the 15th) is so gross I'm going to continue my dvr emptying binge =]

Adios!

Jessica

March 13th

Well this post is a bit late due to internet issues and laziness...

10:40 am - Wake Up
11:00 am - Pills
11:10 am - Cinnamon oatmeal, raisins, water
12:45 pm - Your Shape: cardio box, personal training
2:45 pm - Apple, triscuit thin crisps, cheese, diet pepsi, water (didn't finish t.c./cheese)
6:30 pm - Kid's fettucini, sauteed broccoli, 2 small garlic knots, water
11:30 pm - Pills
1:00 am - Bed

Today was a lovely day. I spent a good amount of time out in my screened in porch just listening to music and relaxing. I actually ate lunch out there...so I was outside for about 2.5 hours. All my pets really enjoy the porch. The cats are fascinated by all the animals and noises.

At 4ish my family and I went over to my aunt and uncle's house. We hung out for a bit and just talked. Then we brought in Pasta Vino for dinner. I got a kid's sized fettucini...yay for take out and them not being able to tell me that I'm not 10 and under! I wish restaurants would realize that sometimes adults want to order off of the kids menu.

Oh, I watched this really weird movie called Chloe. It's about a woman (Julianne Moore) who hires an escort named Chloe (Amanda Seyfried) to see if her husband (Liam Neeson) is cheating. Needless to say it was rated R. It's not the worst thing I've ever seen, but it was far from the best. I definitely enjoy Liam Neeson more in his kick butt roles (like in Taken) than his serious dramatic roles.

Hip Hooray!

Jessica

March 12th

11:30 am - Wake up & pills
2:15 pm - Avocado Delight Sandwich & Diet Coke (went to Cuzi's with my dad)
7:15 pm - Salad w/ craisins and blue cheese vinagrette, 1 sabrettes hot dog, 1 hamburger
(about 1/4lb), wheat buns, water
9:00 pm - green grapes, triscuit thin crisps, water
11:30 pm - Pills
1:30 am - Bed

Today was maid day and daylight savings. So, I slept later due to the loss of an hour and the fact I was stuck in my room until the maids left. I went to lunch with my dad at this little family owned cafe. It's kind of like Atlanta Bread Company/Panera.

The photos shows half the sandwich, an apple, and my diet coke. I ended up taking the apple home, drinking half the d. coke, and then left some of the bread from the 2nd half. It was quite the lovely lunch!

After that my dad and I went through coupons and made a grocery list. My mom and I went to Publix and the walking around there replaced exercising...kinda. I was just too tired and it was late-ish when we got home so I opted to skip doing Your Shape.

We grilled out for dinner. I made hamburgers with a few seasonings from a recipe I found online (click on the word recipe for the link). They were super yummy!

After that we went to the McCabes for dominoes. I enjoyed myself immensely - I came in 2nd if you wanted to know. Then it was off to bed!

Hope you all are having amazing weather like we are!

Jessica

March 11th

10:20 am - Wake up & pills
11:15 am - Maple brown sugar oatmeal w/ peaches
1:30 pm - Popeye spicy chicken tenders, diet pepsi
3:30 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing
4:15 pm - Apple, cheese, pringles
7:00 pm - Spicy veggie fried rice, diet snapple
12:00 am - Pills
1:30 am - Bed

Ok, so I know Popeye's is yet again not diet friendly, but my womanly cravings want what they want and won't stop until I get it. I seem to be hungrier this week and I'm really hoping it's due to me having my period and not due to my body adjusting to the phentermine (diet pill). I'm going to have to keep tabs on this over the next week or two so when I see my doctors I can tell them what's going on.

Hopefully starting Sunday my hunger will reduce and I can get back on track. I want to push myself when working out and attempt to plan and cook healthy recipes for lunch and dinner. I'm still having a difficult with lunch. It is usually right after I work out - meaning I'm a bit tired and don't really want to stand around and cook.

This coming Tuesday I'm working with my neighbor Fran who is a fitness instructor at LA Fitness. I'm going to ask her to help me come up with an upper body work out routine. I need to trade off working out my upper and lower body since my legs do start to get warn out.

I've decided to start taking pictures to add to this blog. My hope is that it will make it a more interesting read for people. If you have any other ideas of how to keep this interesting and fresh please let me know. The fact that people read this blog and care makes me extremely happy. I want to keep everything new and exciting so send me some comments and let me know what to do!

Go outside and enjoy your day (at least if you're in Georgia - it's gorgeous!)

Jessica

March 10th

9:30 am - Wake up & Pills
10:30 am - Quaker Oatmeal & Raisins
12:30 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver, 2 virtual smash
1:30 pm - Pear, triscuits, cheese, diet pepsi
5:30 pm - 100 calorie pack of pringles
6:30 pm - 3 steamed pot stickers, mongolian chicken, rice, spicy chicken rice noodles
10:30 pm - 1 cookie
1:00 am - Pills
2:00 am - Bed

Today when I went to work out I knew my leg was hurting, I knew my hip was sore, and I knew my ankle was achey, but I did it anyways. Halfway through the cardio boxing my leg was starting to give, but I powered through - and by powered through I mean half-assed my way to the end. Of course I was only 22 calories away from getting another achievement so I boxed my way to glory!

I really need to get back on track with food. I think once I end this week of mother nature's gift to women I'll be ok. I'm starting to gather recipes and write a grocery list. Hopefully I'll be able to go to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. I really want to get some good artichokes and Publix just doesn't have the quality goods.

The End.

Jessica

March 9th

10:30 am - Wake up & pills
11:00 am - Cinnamon Swirl oatmeal with raisins
12:30 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver & personal training
2:30 pm - Apple, triscuit thin crisps, 2 cheese "sticks"
6:30 pm - crab break (1 piece), 4 baby back ribs, coleslaw (a few fork fulls), fries, coke
12:30 am - Pills & Bed

Yes, dinner wasn't as diety as it could've been, but it was a celebration! For those of you that don't know, I make jewelry and accessories out of buttons! I sell them myself and recently I begun selling them at my hair stylist's salon - it's called Tryst and it's on Old Milton Parkway! Since I started selling at the salon I've sold 2 bracelets, one of which was sold yesterday!

This the the bracelet that was sold. Laura, my stylist, said that the girl used her own money to buy it! It's kind of a big deal since using your own money when you're younger is, well, a big deal haha.

I also make headbands, earrings, hairpins, and I've made one pillow. I haven't updated my jewelry tumblr in a while, but I'm going to start. My stuff is "Jewellery By J" and my tumblr site is jewellerybyj.tumblr.com! Check it out!

Hope everyone's week is going well!

Jessica

March 8th

9:15 am - Wake up & Pills
10:45 am - Quaker Oatmeal, Raisins
1:30 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver, personal training
3:00 pm - Apple, Triscuit thin crisps, cheese
5:45 pm - banana
7:30 pm - homemade spicy fried rice w/ veggies, diet pepsi
11:30 pm - 100 calorie pack pringles
12:30 am - Pills & bed

Warning: I will be talking about womanly stuff. If you get squeamish about that talk, stop reading.

This week is my time of the...every 3 months? I'm on continuous birth control because of my polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Unfortunately when I had to start the bc I also developed intense cramps that need a prescription to control. Normally during this week I can't really do much, but I've been pushing myself this time.

So far I've worked out like nothing is wrong. I burned about 206 calories in 27 minutes today. Hooray! According to my scale I have lost 0.6lbs in the past week, but I'm also bloated (aka I probably have lost more but the bloating adds weight).

I made dinner for myself and my dad tonight. I've been making spicy fried rice since I was allowed to use the stove. Normally I just have egg fried rice, but tonight I added bok choy, mushrooms, baby corn, mung bean sprouts, and egg. Other than that it is a little bit of oil, soy sauce, and guillan chili sauce. I should've taken a picture...I think I'm going to add photos to this blog.

Would you enjoy it if I put blogs of what I eat or crafts I make? Let me know!

Love yah bunches!

Jessica

March 7th

11:30 am - Wake up & Pills
12:15 pm - Cottage Cheese, Pineapple
1:20 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver, 2 virtual smash, personal training
2:30 pm - Wendy's Grilled Chicken Sandwich (no bun; 5g fat)
5:45 pm - Apple
6:30 pm - 3 Tacos
9:15 pm - Cinnamon graham cracker w/ nutella and raisins
12:30 am - Pills & Bed

Today was the first day of me putting my dietitian's plan to work. The tacos/nutella might not have been the best decisions, but I think the other food I ate made up for it. It's always hard to make the right decisions. I find that lunch is the most difficult meal for me usually. I get very tired of eating sandwiches all the time and I'm not a fan of cooking for lunch (plus my hip makes it hard for me to stand to cook - when I get the hip expect invites to dinner parties). I need to find recipes that are simple, fast, and possibly no cook for lunch.

What do you eat for lunch? Any ideas to help me out? I pretty much eat anything but fish (no tuna sammies, sorry). I'd really appreciate some help with lunch ideas.

I went to CostCo with Mrs. Kathleen yesterday. I got some socks - since it's obvious that my dryer eats them - and the book Water for Elephants. I didn't get it because the movie starts Rob Pattinson. I've been meaning to read it since sometime in high school. I can't remember who, but someone was reading it and said it was awesome - maybe it was Emily Smith? I duno. I really like reading books and seeing how they change to fit the medium of film. My favorite comparison is the book Wicked to the musical of the same name. I won't ruin the differences here in case someone is planning on reading it (*cough* Erika Schorr you better because you have my copy *cough*)

Hopefully I'll start reading Water for Elephants tonight. I also have 2 books by John Green to read. I want to start reading again, but first I need to finish Kelly's headband for formal. I'll post a photo when I finish it!

Beam me up, Scotty!!

Jessica

P.S. the phrase "beam me up Scotty" was never actually said in Star Trek.

March 5th and 6th

I didn't post yesterday for a reason: I wanted to combined the 5th and 6th into one disappointing post. By disappointing I mean failure at dieting. Really the only semi-healthy thing I did over these two days is on the 5th I worked out for 30minutes and burned nearly 250 calories. But honestly I don't really care haha.

I spent my days with the people who support me most, my friends and family. While family is supposed to be there and help you through the hard times, but my friends are so amazingly supportive. I'm rather lucky. I don't think that this entire process would be as easy if my friends, whether they're away at college or I see them weekly, didn't encourage me all the time.

Actually, without them I probably wouldn't be attempting to get my hip replaced.

This is a rather short post, but hopefully I'll make up for it the rest of this week.

Love you bunches!

Jessica

March 4th

I realize that what I ate today wasn't exactly following my new dietitians plan...but I've decided to start her plan on Sunday after I have some fun with most of my best friends. Sooo here we go!

11:00 am - Wake up & pills
11:30 am - Blueberry fruit and grain bar, water
1:50 pm - Grilled chicken sandwich, apples, diet rootbeer (Taco Mac w/ my mom)
PUBLIXING
4:45 pm - Turmeric popcorn, water
7:00 pm - Pasta, diet pepsi
9:40 pm - Weight watchers ice cream candy bar, water
12:20 am - Pills & bed

Ok, so Taco Mac..not so diety. BUT thanks to them getting one of those awesome new Coke machines you can basically get any kind of drink you want. My mom got Fanta Zero Peach and it was soooo delicious. I got diet rootbeer which tastes surprisingly like regular rootbeer. I got a grilled chicken sandwich - it came on a wheat bun, I asked to have it without cheese, and instead of fries I got fresh fruit (which turned out to be apple slices). So I made Taco Mac healthier? Maybe not..

In the afternoon I went over to my neighbor's (the Narayanan's) house. Mrs. Kathleen made us turmeric popcorn as a snack. They have a popcorn maker so it's basically oil, corn kernels, turmeric, and salt. I'm not entirely sure of the amounts or anything, but you should attempt to make it because it's to die for.

I'm not going to go in to what I got at Publix since you'll be seeing it in the list of what I eat!

Hope this blog is still what you thought it might be!

HUZZAH,

Jessica

March 3rd

10:00 am - Wake up & Pills
11:00 am - Blueberry cereal bar
11:30 am - Dietitian
1:15 pm - Half of a cheese burger, Fries, Water (Champp's w/ Mom)
5:00 pm - 100 calorie Ritz Bitz cheese
7:00 pm - Egg Roll, Chicken chow fun, Snapple
9:45 pm - Orange
12:00 am - pills
??:?? am - bed

I met with my dietitian for the first time. The meeting went fantastically. Basically what I learned from talking with her is that I need to eat more protein, fruit, and veg (aka I see a lot of cottage cheese w/ fruit in my future). She gave me basic meal ideas to use for every day. I'm going to be starting her way of dieting probably on Sunday due to previous plans and just getting new groceries.

I also got my hurr did. It's still dark, but this time I have a combo of pink/purple/blue all over the back. It looks super fantastic thanks my hairstylist, Laura. I sell my button stuff at her salon and have sold an item already. It's like I'm a successful jeweler..?

That's really all I got for today. No kicking of cats this time!

Jessica

March 2nd

10:45 am - Wake Up & Pills
11:15 am - 1 chocolate chip eggo
12:30 pm - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver; 3 virtual smash (funny story to be written below)
3:00 pm - Lean Pocket, Homemade hash browns, Apple w/ nutella
6:40 pm - Cabbage in tomato sauce, Rice
7:30 pm - Ice cream
12:00 am - Pills & Bed

Total Water Consumption: 37 oz

For the second day in a row I managed to exercise before 4:00 pm - which has been my common exercise time. I was really pumped to work out; I made it through the cardio boxing with ease. I wasn't breathing heavily or sweating a lot. So, I continued on to virtual smash. I think it was during the third game, but I went to kick with my right foot and my cat Carlos (alias: Bigs) ran in front of me. Yes, you know it - I kicked him square in the head. I'm not 100% sure if it hurt him as much as it hurt my foot, but he went running from the room. I felt so badly that I paused the game, looked for him, finished the game when I couldn't find him, and then cut my work out short to make sure he was ok.

Moral of this story? I'm not entirely sure...especially because 15 minutes later Bigs was carrying around his favorite pipe cleaner and meowing.

Since nothing else could top me kicking my cat...

Over and out,

Jessica

March 1st

I've decided that it'll be easier to blog about a day the day after since I record what I do right up until I fall asleep. I'm not entirely sure of the format for these posts, but they'll evolve as I continue blogging I guess.

8:30 am - Wake up & pills
9:15 am - 1 chocolate chip eggo
11:00 am - Your Shape: cardio boxing silver & 4 virtual smash
12:30 pm - Watermelon jolly rancher
1:20 pm - Pineapple, kiwi, Lean Pocket (sausage, egg, & cheese)
3:00 pm - 3.5 oz Banana pudding milkshake from Chick-Fil-A
7:00 pm - Bread with roasted garlic, lemon asparagus pasta, weight watchers ice cream, Snapple
12:00 am - Pills & bed

Total Water Consumption: 30 oz


I normally wouldn't have had so much for dinner or the milkshake. Kelly remembered I mentioned how much I liked banana pudding and brought me the milkshake (great friend, enabler haha). Also, Kelly and I lost a bet and had to make Bill and Chris dinner. It was a lovely evening full of friends and Scattergories.

Your Shape is the xbox kinect game I use to work out. It's great. When you first start it gives you a fitness and creates a personal training regiment that is specific to how you do on the test. It also has gym games (virtual smash) and gym classes. I absolutely love the cardio boxing under gym classes. It has 3 levels built in (bronze, silver, gold) and you can download other content.

As a start to Mega March - which is what I'm calling the push towards meeting my surgeon on March 29th - I think I did fairly well. What do you think?

To infinity and beyond,

Jessica

The Beginning

I'm guessing most of the people reading this will already know what led me to this point in my life, but if for some reason this blog takes off and I become a super famous blogger, explaining my life could be kind of important to understanding the rest of this blog.

When I was 12 (so back in 2002), I contracted a staph infection in my right hip joint and femur. March 20th was the first day I realized something was wrong. I couldn't sit or stand, I was in searing pain, and honestly I was just scared. It took 12 days for doctors to realize what was wrong with me. By that time I had already gone septic (basically the infection got into my blood stream) and had a 104 degree fever.

On April 1st I was transferred to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in an ambulance. I had no clue what was going on; all I cared about was that the ambulance driver absolutely refused to turn on the sirens. Looking back on it, he was kind of a jerk.

To make the rest of this story shorter....I had 8 surgeries on my right hip to clear out the infection, spent about 6 weeks living in the hospital, and took 2 years to relearn how to walk (I spent most of this time in a wheelchair and when I needed to walk I used a walker/crutches/cane).

When all was said and done, the infection left me with a severely damaged right hip joint. I'd show you my x-ray, but I don't have a scanner large enough to get it onto my computer.

So now it's March 1st, 2011 - almost 9 years later and I'm finally going to get my robo hip.There are a few obstacles in my way though.

I need to lose about 40lbs. I need to keep the rest of my illnesses in control (I have Crohn's Disease and PCOS). I need to prove my point that even though I'm only 21, my hip effects my life enough that replacing it is the right thing to do - even if it means having to go through one or two more hip replacements in my life time.

So, let's get going because it's going to be one hell of an adventure!