Well, I have decided to revitalize my journal. I haven't been to WW in a couple of weeks because of my surgery. I will go for an official weigh-in tomorrow night. I think I may be back up over 200 again because I haven't really been counting points and can't do much exercise yet.

For those of you who don't know, I had a complete hysterectomy and bladder suspension on 20 Nov. They also had to connect my vagina to a ligament in my right buttock and that has caused a lot of pain. It is kinda like a sprained butt cheek. I take ibuprofen round the clock and when the pain is too bad, I supplement it with oxcycodone (or as it is more commonly called around here, hillbilly heroin). Let me tell you, that stuff will really make you fly.

We finally got my dad's estate settled after more than a year. It was very complicated and my sister and I took many days off from work to get it straightened out. We finally got is settled and all the money is disbursed to us girls and our brothers. We could have taken an extra $11,000 apiece off the top before the money was split as executor's fees, but we decided not to. We just thought of it as something we did for dad.

I will let you know how my weigh in went tomorrow evening or Wednesday. It depends on how things go as sitting here at the computer is dependant upon how much pain I am having at any particular time. Keep the faith.

200.2 Well, I didn't make it below 200 pounds tonight. I know it is because I haven't been counting points, exercising, or drinking my water since the surgery. I am getting back on track tomorrow with the points and water. Will also try to do some arm work with 3 pound weights. Don't think I will be able to walk as they are calling for freezing rain tomorrow.

The doctor said I could start walking after 2 weeks (can walk 1/2 a block); but I haven't been able to because the first day we had 8 inches of snow and now there are still patches of ice and they are calling for the freezing rain tomorrow. I can't afford to fall as that may tear some of the internal stitches and really screw things up.

I started driving again this weekend and I didn't realize how many muscles you used in your pelvic area just driving. I really paid for it Sunday night as I did too much walking in the stores on top of the driving. Keep the faith.

Things are getting better in the recovery department. I went Wednesday and picked up my new Trailblazer. Had to go to Delaware, which was about 40 miles round trip. For the first time, I didn't have to take any oxycodone for the pain after I got home. I was exhausted, don't get me wrong, but the pain wasn't as intense as it has been. Maybe things are looking up. I have also been able to cut my ibuprofen down to 600 mg every 8 hours instead of 800. I am glad of that because it was really starting to tear my stomach up, even though I would eat something every time I took the meds.

We did have freezing rain Wednesday morning and schools were closed again. We were supposed to have two whole weeks off at Christmas, but three of the days will be used to make up snow days we have already used this year. We didn't even have any 2-hour late starts last year and have already used three snow days so far this year. I wonder what the rest of the winter will hold. Any snow days used after Christmas will be added on at the end of the school year up to five. If we use more than that, then they will add time onto the end of each school day to make up the time. Probably what will happen is that we will have plenty of snow days will I am still on on leave. (I have to be out until 21 Feb because I can't lift more than 10 pounds til then, and in my job I have to lift more than that as I hold kids in the therapy tank and also help with adapted phys ed at the elementary, middle, and high schools.) Then I will return to work and have to make up all the time at the end of the year. What a drag that will be. Keep the faith.

I am going back to church for the first time since 17 Nov. Don't know how sitting on those hard pews will be, so I am taking my cushion. I was baptised as a Primitive Baptist back in March. I was raised Methodist and went to the same church, even after I got married. Back when my dad was ill with his cancer, that church gave him no support, and most of them were his relatives. He gave so much to that church through the years. He helped build the new building, mowed the lawn on a regular basis, did so many things. Then when he was unable to go, they sorta kinda forgot all about him. At dad's request, I even called the minister and told him dad could really use some spiritual help. Nothing came of it. I made sure they knew that was the reason I was leaving that church.

This church, on the other hand, has been so supportive. The pastor came to see me the morning of surgery before I went in. He also came in later that evening and the next day. The church sent me a dish garden and I have gotten cards from many of the members. What a difference from the way dad was treated in the church he grew up in and continued to support until he was no longer able to do it.

I must confess, I was not born to be a princess. I can't lift anything over 5 pounds. My husband has been off all but one day since my surgery. He has been fixing all the meals, doing all the laundry and all the cleaning, with help from the kids. I just kinda sit or lay around on the couch and watch all the activity. If this is the life of Riley, he can have it back because it bores the heck out of me. Of course, it has enabled me to get my cross stitching done for Christmas presents. Instead of having to sit up late at night and do it, I can do it during the day. I am almost finished. Just working on my sister's trivet with a rooster on it. (She collects roosters - almost as odd as my frog collection!) Keep the faith!

197.8 That was my official WW weight last night. I did it, I finally got below 200 pounds for the first time since I had my daughter 18 years ago. What a Christmas present. So far I have gotten rid of 44.6 pounds.

I say I have gotten rid of the weight instead of I have lost the weight because of something my WW leader said. She said when you lose something, you usually try to find it again. When you get rid of something, it is gone for good. I have gotten rid of the weight because I have no intention of finding it again. Since I started with that phrase instead of saying I lost the weight, I haven't gained any back. I have maintained for a few weeks in a row, but haven't had any 2 - 3 pound gains. Guess that mentality works for me. Keep the faith

Merry Christmas! We had a white Christmas here in Maryland. It was the first one since 1993, according to the news. Makes for a very beautiful picture and a lot more Christmas spirit.

We had a nice quiet day, since it was too crappy to drive any where. My husband played with his new weather station which also interacts with the computer and allows him to set up an almanac, Joe is waiting for the weather to get better so he can put the new shocks on his truck, Jai set up her new DVD player and watched DVDs Joe gave her, Tim played games on his new playstation 2 that Joe, his dad and I got for him, and I listened to my new CD, watched my lava lamp, and played with my new digital camera.

It was a much nicer Christmas than last year, as I was still reeling from my father's death at that time. I still miss him and ma very much and will go put flowers on their grave as soon as the weather allows.

I would have done it today, but didn't feel safe driving on the roads and they were still slushy and snow covered. I do believe the roads crews were somewhat surprised by the amount of snow as the weather forecast called for it to be mostly rain and the temperatures to rise into the 40s. Oh well, you just can't fool Mother Nature. Guess she had the last laugh on us. Keep the faith