Counting Lessons

When this picture came in an email, it had Grandy LAUGHING OUT LOUD!!!

But then...I realized...What am I laughing at? I'm the one that makes the blackjack dealers count my cards out loud FOR ME.

*sigh*

Maybe this Wal-Mart in Mississippi is on to something.

Too Much Time...No Money Makeovers

Grandy learned a while back that there are websites out there where you can have a virtual makeover done for free. A friend and I had played with one site, while she was considering another hair style.

Tonight, Grandy had a little time on her hands and was looking like a drowned rat from the rain, so it was time to play with the makeover tool over at Cosmopolitan and see what they can do with the virtual celebrity makeovers.

Here is the picture Grandy started with:


Then she started playing.

The site allows you to pic a celebrity photo, and it digitally inserts your face into the look. I tried as best I could with the shading of the pics, but the lighting is only as good as it can be.



Can you guess whose look Grandy ripped off borrowed? Come on...Take a guess!

Here's the other look pilfered from this fun site:



On a great rainy afternoon, Grandy really could have been doing more laundry, housecleaning, working in general. But instead, while the boys watched TV all afternoon, Grandy played with herself...sorta. She played with her looks anyway.

Tell me if you can guess who the celebrities are. I bet you can't!! Not BOTH anyway.

Yard Work

Since I can't get my son to pick up all the land mines in the yard, perhaps I can teach my dog?

This one has it all figured out!

WTF Wednesday - Public Decency?

Grandy was reminded late last night that today HAD to be WTF Wednesday. There are so many things that I exclaim WTF to right now, but not so much that would be worth it to any of you.

Thank you for being my internal calendar, Suzanne. THANK YOU for also reminding me of all the glorious WTF material available on the world-wide-web.

Can someone please explain to me WHERE this man would wash his hands?

Next question...Where's the line for the women's?

WTF Friday - Bonus Track

Oh Yeah Readers...It's a bonus track of WTF!

Grandy has been putting in some LOOOONG days this week. Sorry for not getting around to see anyone, drop any cards, leave any snarky comments, and all that other warm fuzzy stuff.

It will get better soon...I think. (How many times has Grandy said that I wonder?)

Anywho...it is only right that I give you something to smile about.

Did you know there was an actual WTF FRIDAY site? Neither did I...until now. Look what they had over there:

Somehow the words, "Tastes like CHICKEN" takes on a whole new meaning.

Thanks, my fellow WTF Friend!!

I AM A SUCCESS STORY

March 5, 2008: Grandy takes this picture in her living room, just in front of the coat closet, as they are getting ready to leave for dinner.

*Fast Forward*

March 5, 2009: Grandy takes this picture...reluctantly...while on the phone...to show progress made throughout the year.

Looking at these, it's hard to believe either one is me. I never really saw that person in the top picture and I don't yet see the person yet to be in the bottom.

On March 6, 2008, Grandy had Gastric Bypass surgery. I know you all know that I had a "surgery" back in March last year, but I never really shared with everyone WHAT the surgery was. There are so many opinions out there about the surgery, and the reasons people have them, that I didn't want people making assumptions about me or my reasons while I was going through the process.

First things first, Grandy's weight did not qualify her for the surgery by itself. In looking at the picture, I don't see how that is possible, but it is true. It was the fact that my diabetes was heading off the chart, my heart rate was out of control, blood pressure couldn't get down, and I was pretty much headed to even bigger issues. Despite gym attempts and re-hashing dietary needs over and over and over, Grandy was taking 13 medications per day (200 units of insulin was just the start). Those medications were taking a toll on my system.

The GP had mentioned the surgery to me for a couple years, but each time I would get ticked at the mere mention that I was even large enough. I'm not 100 lbs. overweight DANG IT! He would always come back with, "You don't have to be. You just have to be over 40% body mass index. Clearly you are." ASS

So Grandy tried other ways: Weight Watchers, Atkins, Exercising, Weight Watchers again, you name it. Slowly her weight would fall, rise, fall further, rise higher. All the while, no matter what she did, her blood sugars never balanced out.

In April 2007 Grandy applied to go on "The Biggest Loser". At that time my weight was 226. It was enlightening to even go through the application process (to say the least). I cried as I truthfully answered all the questions. When it came to filling out my health history, it broke my heart. I was now turning 35 and did not see the possibility of me seeing the light of 40.

From that moment I decided it was time for me to take charge of my destiny. I had an overwhelming sense of needing to fight. I broke my back and almost died at 23, I had a stroke at 28, and the writing was on the wall. Must.Overcome. When I wasn't accepted onto the show, I had my "Plan B" in place.

Unfortunately, my body decided to start the implosion, and the doctor put me on my MIS (Medically Induced Sabatical). "I'm going to put you on permanent disability," he told me. I had to do something. Nothing was working.

In November 2007 I met with the surgeon. My weight was 209 (my efforts were slightly paying off) but my insulin needs continued to climb. He told me to STOP going to the gym, and don't lose any more. He worried my weight would drop me too low and the carrier would not qualify it. I had all the other CO-MORBIDITY factors required for the carrier to approve it, why miss out for 5 more pounds?

I started going to a support group (and was looked at funny when some of the patients realized I wasn't an "after" patient) and continued to go every month. I made changes to my diet ahead of time so it wouldn't be too hard after (no more carbonated soda).

One year ago today I took the big step. I had my big surgery. My weight the day of the surgery was 201. My morning blood sugars were 407. Today my weight is 145, and my morning blood sugars are 130. My 200 units of insulin is down to 15. All the other medications I was on have been replaced by vitamin supplements.

In September they discovered a complication (something that only happens in 2% of all gastric bypass patients) and in October I had a "re-do" corrective surgery. Man did that suck. I made it through though, as you all know.

For those of you that think that I took the easy way out, please keep in mind that today I have paperwork that outlines my prospective retirement date of 2037. Try and imagine how it feels to actually believe I might see that day sometime, when before I never thought you would see 2012.

It's very exciting people, I assure you!!

Snow Day

Here is a picture I took from my cell phone this morning. It's a picture taken from my front door.

When I got home from work yesterday there wasn't much left on the ground from the other day. Then as I walked in the door it started DUMPING!

It's a good thing today was my day to work remote from home. :)

I'm thankful that I live in an area where I want to take pictures, and not just of the rednecks.

WTF Wednesday

Can I please find this stamp and use it all over my desk?

How about I stamp it on some people's foreheads?

Oh yeah, Grandy is having one of those weeks.

Another Reason I LOVE My Camera

Yep!! I took this picture on our way back from a trip over Memorial Weekend. It overlooks the canyons not far from where we live.

Nope!! I'm not a pro.

But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Sweater Emergency

While shopping at a local retailer recently, and glancing through the clearance rack, Grandy came across the following article of clothing.

Please beware...

This is a TEST OF THE EMERGENCY CLOTHING SYSTEM...THIS IS ONLY A TEST!!

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The fact that even one sweater exists like this, means there must be more.

The fact that there is only one sweater like this on the rack means that someone bought the others.

Why? Who? How???

Trust me... If Grandy were your friend...your true friend...she would NOT let you wear this thing outside.

Pinky Promise!!

It Could Be Worse

Grandy is going to nominate this poor guy as the winner of today's "SUCKS TO BE YOU AWARD".

Grandy took this pic from her cell phone while hubby was driving. How wonderful that he turned into the same parking lot as us so I could share with the world wide web.

Grandy-isms in YOUR Pictures - Round 1

Remember Grandy's offer to frame your pic for you?

Here's my first creation for BeeDancer. Have you seen BeeDancer's site? She has some great pics of Florida on her site.

Her little Gizmo is adorable!! He looks very smart too.

I'm glad she liked the pic.

Now where are your pics? Email them to me people!! It will be fun!! I can even change the color of the frame to suit your liking.

It's FRIDAY readers!!

I don't subscribe to a ha-choo or a Fun-Friday thingy.

But I'm all about wishing you all a fun one...and bless you!!

See you all tomorrow.

Grandy-isms In Pictures

It's been a while since Grandy has had a chance to play over at Big Huge Labs and she thought it was time to create some new sarcasm for her daily dose of Grandy-isms.

Wanna play? Why not send Grandy a pic and she can give it...how shall we say...UMPH!

My Grandy-isms + Your pics = Magic

Or at least it's good for a couple chuckles anyway.

See you all tomorrow!!

Check-it-Out

Recognize anyone in that NaBloPoMo Badge down there??


Visit NaBloPoMo


Grandy is goin' places!!

Who wants my autograph???

See you tomorrow!!

A day in the life - Grandy Style

Good ol' Mrs. G at Derfwad Manor has asked us to participate in a challenge. Someone asked her for a pictoral "day in the life of Mrs. G" and she has asked her readers to play along.

Well this "Mrs. G" thought you all wouldn't be overly stimulated if I showed you pics of what Grandy does all day. Really, her day is much more exciting when she's working. There would be a gazillion pics of all sorts of different activities showing why Grandy is so crazy at the end of a week.

But alas...that craziness is slowed down as I spend so much of my time on this:

Liquid Codeine... aka Liquid Crack... aka the reason I can go on living for the time being. See that plant in the background? I'm trying to keep it alive. But I'm not very good at this stuff. In fact... I suck.

It causes me to do so much of this:



But I do try to keep my mind engaged by challenging it with:

I'm rockin' the puzzle world, and my sisters and friends text me throughout the day to see how I'm doing. Gotta love unlimited texting... and then I don't have to talk to everyone.



And of course I can waste countless hours with this:

My Tivo is a wonderful thing. Look at the CSI's and Without a Trace episodes just sitting there... waiting for me... so I can fast forward through the commercials.


My afternoons are spent policing spending quality time with:

I tell ya, this kid cannot WAIT until I get my happy a$$ back to work because he's suffocating with all the smothering love he's feeling. Did you do your homework? How was school? What did you have for lunch? Who did you hang out with? Who keeps texting you? Little does he realize I ask these questions all the time, just not all in the same breath.



By the end of the day I find myself tired again. From what, I'm not exactly sure. But you can bet I am spending my evening like this:

Me...on my recliner...with my laptop... with a haze over me. Good grief! Is it possible to LOOK medicated? Sure it is. I'm doing it right here.

So this is a day in my life right now.

Bored yet?

Hey...WAKE UP!! You've been sipping my meds while I wasn't looking, huh?

No Words Needed

**photo courtesy of Google Images**

Commuter's Emergency Kit

As a commuter, it is vital to have certain things available close by and handy.

Napkins in glove compartment? Check

Lotion in glove compartment? Check

Hand sanitizer in center console compartment? Check

CD's in back of seat? Check

Lint roller in side compartment? No? Where did it go?

Oh, carpool friend found it on the floor. Phew!

Except this lint roller had attracted a little more than just lint...

I'm thinkin' I could be on to something here.

It could come in handy.

Can we say "Wood" on the Internet?

I love me some Presidents! Why? Because...Hubby had to work and son had plans, so I got to totally catch up on some much needed blog reading and commenting. GUILT FREE!!!

I didn't actually keep track, but I think I'm in training for my 100 comment post marathon that comes up in ...oh...about 10 more posts!! I'm so thrilled to have caught up with all of you, and even some of you new ones!!

That being said, I have to tell you that when I typed last night's blog (yeah, just scroll down, I don't need the link do I?) I hadn't realized what glorious giggles I would get by the comments.

Do any of you realize how many times I made you all say "wood"? What does that say about my childish mentality that I'm giggling at the fact that we're making arguments about the fact that Hubby can't get me "wood" for our anniversary? UGH!! ROFL!!!

I have to leave town again tomorrow, so the next few days will be dicey in my ability to post. I will try, but if I can't, I'll at least try to check some of you out. Oh yeah...I am watching, even when you don't know it. :)

While I'm gone, I'd like to leave you with more WOOD! ;)

I think I get one of these for my 5th anniversary with the company...Say it with me people... OOOhhhhhh!!! AAAAAHHHHHH!!!! OHHHHHHHH!!!!! *small applause* (Possibly need to evaluate my current attitude...nah)

I have a couple of these, as Ty is quite the Boy Scout... I have 5 I think!!

Hubby SO WISHES we had one of these Sasquatch / Big Foot wood carvings in our yard. I can't explain why because I truly don't understand why, other than he knows it would irritate me to no end to have THIS in my yard.

Yeah, nothing says, "Welcome to the Grandy's" like Big Foot's A$$ staring at you from 100 yards away. NO THANKS!!!

Readers Vote!!

Thank you all for all your comments to my last post.

As I mentioned, I took many pictures of the same sunset, with different settings of my new camera to see what each setting did (remember I didn't have much time to read the manual) and I promised you all you'd get to see the different sunset pics. Now remember, these are all of the same sunset, taken within a few minutes of eachother.

So, I'm going to post a new "profile pic" for myself, and am letting you, the reader vote for which one I use. Everyone has a different opinion on what they like, and I like them all. That, and you've all been begging for me to post more...and larger pics. I think these are the largest ones I can post.

Now, you comment on which one you like...even you lurkers...and I'm going to go commit masicism by going to the grocery store on SuperBowl Sunday. Gotta love my planning!!


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Rewind in Time

I wanna go back....Back...BACK IN TIME!!!

Rewind....

Back to our time in MEXICO!!!

Since I can't...I'll just post some other pictures. It's that time, isn't it. We're getting snow, and I'm thinking of the beach in Mexico.

This was so nice and relaxing in this tub...Ty and I would put our swim suits on and let the jets go. Hmmmmmmm......

My boys snorkling in the water...brrrrrr...It wasn't until later I learned how many jelly fish there were in the water. Good thing it was much later.

One of these days I should post every picture I took of the sunset. There were about 20 shots with all the different settings on my camera, but boy was it beautiful in each one.

Me and my guy on Christmas day!! LOVE this kid!!!