Despite eating myself silly all week, I woke up this morning and found that I'm now down a total of 35.3 lbs, weighing in at 191.7!! Yeeehawww!
Boy, the body sure is a strange thing! ;)
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Rambling topics
Last night, Scott and I were watching an old Dana Carvey special on TV. As he moved into his Katherine Hepburn routine, I watched him shaking his head in imitation of her and I suddenly turned to Scott and said "Katey!!!" Thank God he's been with me long enough to pick up on the fact that I was referring to the Baby parrot. lol
He liked it too - naming our quaker parrot after quaking Katherine Hepburn. So Baby is now being called Katey, and it's close enough to Baby that she's responding to it. The only thing subject to change at this point is how I'm spelling it. I may go Katie or Katy.
Katie (hm...easier to type) is also working on her "I'm queen of the roost" routine. She routinely dominates the finches and the cockatiel, and she's now trying to dominate Ziggy, the other Quaker. She seems absolutely fearless - a strength of her namesake - and will rush him. He isn't quick to back down - but so far, he is backing down.
Due to being dominated, Sammy, the cockatiel, wants to stay pretty close to Mom (hey Mom, mind if I sit on your head? You have some hairs that I could pluck!), so this is a nice little side benefit - he doesn't like to do that often.
Stay tuned to see what happens in the bird world next ;)
I'm struggling with my diet this week. I keep putting food in my mouth that I know doesn't belong there and I'm up .3 lb right now, instead of being down under 190 where I should be. I went through this when I broke 200 too. It's like there some major war going on when I get to these milestones. I probably need to examine that...and soon.
We're going to start looking at residential care facilities for my mother in law. We'll see our first one or two this coming Saturday. But before we do that depressing task...
Friday night, we have tickets to the Smothers Brothers who are playing at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth. The next morning, we're going back to the Bass Hall to pick up our tickets for Alanis Morrisette! I love Alanis, and Scott, surprisingly, likes her too. She's coming June 30.
So, fun Friday night, and then Saturday we visit the residential care facilities. Then home to finish cleaning my house before my Dad and his lovely wife Kathy come to visit me next week! ;)
He liked it too - naming our quaker parrot after quaking Katherine Hepburn. So Baby is now being called Katey, and it's close enough to Baby that she's responding to it. The only thing subject to change at this point is how I'm spelling it. I may go Katie or Katy.
Katie (hm...easier to type) is also working on her "I'm queen of the roost" routine. She routinely dominates the finches and the cockatiel, and she's now trying to dominate Ziggy, the other Quaker. She seems absolutely fearless - a strength of her namesake - and will rush him. He isn't quick to back down - but so far, he is backing down.
Due to being dominated, Sammy, the cockatiel, wants to stay pretty close to Mom (hey Mom, mind if I sit on your head? You have some hairs that I could pluck!), so this is a nice little side benefit - he doesn't like to do that often.
Stay tuned to see what happens in the bird world next ;)
I'm struggling with my diet this week. I keep putting food in my mouth that I know doesn't belong there and I'm up .3 lb right now, instead of being down under 190 where I should be. I went through this when I broke 200 too. It's like there some major war going on when I get to these milestones. I probably need to examine that...and soon.
We're going to start looking at residential care facilities for my mother in law. We'll see our first one or two this coming Saturday. But before we do that depressing task...
Friday night, we have tickets to the Smothers Brothers who are playing at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth. The next morning, we're going back to the Bass Hall to pick up our tickets for Alanis Morrisette! I love Alanis, and Scott, surprisingly, likes her too. She's coming June 30.
So, fun Friday night, and then Saturday we visit the residential care facilities. Then home to finish cleaning my house before my Dad and his lovely wife Kathy come to visit me next week! ;)
Monday, April 25, 2005
Trying not to let the stress get to me
Problem: Scott's mom is not doing well at all. Since falling and breaking her hip in March, she's been hospitalized again, and since coming home, seems to be falling apart. At 62, she just seems too young for all these problems, but the lupus is a big contributor to it, I guess. We're considering assisted living for her, since we both have to work all day, and my sister in law is getting WAY burned out. Unfortunately, to get any place decent, we'll end up having to pay them in addition to her disability check.
Problem: We had to give an attorney $1000 today, to file a motion for a modification of Scott's visitation with his daughter. His ex-wife is jerking him around HARD...and what affects him, affects me. We've tried and tried to negotiate with her, but nothing works...she's just got to be "in control" of things.
I don't think we're ever going to be able to buy our house :(
I've had two Fudgecycles tonight...only 40 calories each, but still not good. This is addition to all my regular food. *sigh*
OK...tomorrow will be a better day, I'm positive.
Problem: We had to give an attorney $1000 today, to file a motion for a modification of Scott's visitation with his daughter. His ex-wife is jerking him around HARD...and what affects him, affects me. We've tried and tried to negotiate with her, but nothing works...she's just got to be "in control" of things.
I don't think we're ever going to be able to buy our house :(
I've had two Fudgecycles tonight...only 40 calories each, but still not good. This is addition to all my regular food. *sigh*
OK...tomorrow will be a better day, I'm positive.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Baby's first word...
Wasn't really a "word", but it was definitely human. As I bent over her, smooching my way towards her beak, she reached up and smooched back!
She's decided the cockatiel's cage is more to her liking...she keeps getting over to his cage, and he ends up on hers. They're eating the same food, her's has more toys...I'm just not sure what the attraction is. I'm thinking about swapping some cages around, since I've clipped Baby's wings as short as I dare or want to, but what if she hurts herself trying to get over to his cage?
Ah, the joys and perils of motherhood...lol
On the weight loss front, I'm down 34.6 pounds...hopefully, by tomorrow morning, it'll be a solid 35 lbs gone! Weight as of this morning was 192.4, so almost in the 180s. But, I slipped this evening and had a very small piece of pizza...but drank another bottle of water. Crossing my fingers!
She's decided the cockatiel's cage is more to her liking...she keeps getting over to his cage, and he ends up on hers. They're eating the same food, her's has more toys...I'm just not sure what the attraction is. I'm thinking about swapping some cages around, since I've clipped Baby's wings as short as I dare or want to, but what if she hurts herself trying to get over to his cage?
Ah, the joys and perils of motherhood...lol
On the weight loss front, I'm down 34.6 pounds...hopefully, by tomorrow morning, it'll be a solid 35 lbs gone! Weight as of this morning was 192.4, so almost in the 180s. But, I slipped this evening and had a very small piece of pizza...but drank another bottle of water. Crossing my fingers!
Monday, April 18, 2005
The DNA results are back...
And it's a girl!!
The new baby Quaker Parrot, that is...I sent her bloodwork off last Monday, and received the news today that she's a girl! I'm still trying to figure out a name but I'm leaning towards Bailey or Casey.
Weightwise, the scale is moving again...I'm down to 193.2, a total of 33.8 lbs lost!
The new baby Quaker Parrot, that is...I sent her bloodwork off last Monday, and received the news today that she's a girl! I'm still trying to figure out a name but I'm leaning towards Bailey or Casey.
Weightwise, the scale is moving again...I'm down to 193.2, a total of 33.8 lbs lost!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Baby update
Ah, Baby is growing up. Still doesn't have a name which disturbs me, but we're working on it. We're also waiting for Baby's DNA test to come back, to tell us whether he's a he or she's a she.
Baby is getting very adventurous and appears to have bonded quite nicely with me. Baby's main goal after I get home is getting to me just as quickly as possible. Even with clipped wings, Baby's determination is so great that lift is achieved and the foot between cage and my chair is easily manuevered ;)
It is also fun watching Baby learn to climb up the cage, and learn to play with toys. No words yet, but then I haven't been working on it much either. My bad :P
Baby
As far as my weight loss, I've been stalled at 30-31 lbs for a couple of weeks now, so I finally met with my counselor last night and we went over my food diary. He determined that I wasn't eating enough, so he gave me a few ideas and told me to go ahead and get my food in, even if I go over 1200 calories. That's harder than it sounds, believe me. I'm mentally programmed now for that 1200 and it's brutal to watch my calorie count increase past that! Hopefully though, I'll start seeing scale movement again and soon!
Baby is getting very adventurous and appears to have bonded quite nicely with me. Baby's main goal after I get home is getting to me just as quickly as possible. Even with clipped wings, Baby's determination is so great that lift is achieved and the foot between cage and my chair is easily manuevered ;)
It is also fun watching Baby learn to climb up the cage, and learn to play with toys. No words yet, but then I haven't been working on it much either. My bad :P
Baby
As far as my weight loss, I've been stalled at 30-31 lbs for a couple of weeks now, so I finally met with my counselor last night and we went over my food diary. He determined that I wasn't eating enough, so he gave me a few ideas and told me to go ahead and get my food in, even if I go over 1200 calories. That's harder than it sounds, believe me. I'm mentally programmed now for that 1200 and it's brutal to watch my calorie count increase past that! Hopefully though, I'll start seeing scale movement again and soon!
Sunday, April 03, 2005
The baby is home!!
When we got to the breeders', there was only one baby left...thankfully, it was bright, alert, friendly. It's down to two feedings a day and the breeders really believed that with our schedules, the two feedings a day would work...so it came home with us :)
(It was older than I thought. I thought they said they had hatched in late Feb/early March, but it's actual hatch date was 1/21.)
At my request, THEY clipped it's nails and did the DNA sample and clipped it's wings for us (so the baby didn't have to associate those things with us right off the bat). It's a 2-1/2 hour drive from their house to ours, so Scott and I split the driving, with me spending the first hour with the baby.
It's a real snuggler, and very trusting of us...had no difficulty trusting me enough to take a nap on my chest :)
It will be called baby or sweetie until such time as we get the DNA results back, and then we'll pick out a name.
(It was older than I thought. I thought they said they had hatched in late Feb/early March, but it's actual hatch date was 1/21.)
At my request, THEY clipped it's nails and did the DNA sample and clipped it's wings for us (so the baby didn't have to associate those things with us right off the bat). It's a 2-1/2 hour drive from their house to ours, so Scott and I split the driving, with me spending the first hour with the baby.
It's a real snuggler, and very trusting of us...had no difficulty trusting me enough to take a nap on my chest :)
It will be called baby or sweetie until such time as we get the DNA results back, and then we'll pick out a name.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Full weekend ahead
After helping my husband pull a possum out from under our mobile home, who was not playing dead, but actually dying, I've come in here for a quick post.
We're leaving today to go to Oklahoma for the day, to see his dad and maybe do some fishing. Will be a challenge for my diet, for sure. On our way home tomorrow, we'll be stopping in at our breeder's and picking out our new baby Quaker Parrot...woohoo!! I'll try to get pictures and post them when I get back.
Good news...my sister has decided to join Nutrisystem as well! The girl looks like Sandra Bullock...good thing I love her, otherwise I'd hate her ;)
It'll be nice having her with me on this journey...sometimes, specially when I look at my 120 lb husband, I feel so alone, even though I have a forum full of people doing it too. It's just the same though as having someone close to you going through the same things.
I was kind of stuck this week. After hitting 196 last weekend, I was bad on Easter and jumped back up to 198.6. I finally hit 195.9 this morning, but dang, one bad day and I paid for it for a week...how am I ever going to lose another 55 lbs??
We're leaving today to go to Oklahoma for the day, to see his dad and maybe do some fishing. Will be a challenge for my diet, for sure. On our way home tomorrow, we'll be stopping in at our breeder's and picking out our new baby Quaker Parrot...woohoo!! I'll try to get pictures and post them when I get back.
Good news...my sister has decided to join Nutrisystem as well! The girl looks like Sandra Bullock...good thing I love her, otherwise I'd hate her ;)
It'll be nice having her with me on this journey...sometimes, specially when I look at my 120 lb husband, I feel so alone, even though I have a forum full of people doing it too. It's just the same though as having someone close to you going through the same things.
I was kind of stuck this week. After hitting 196 last weekend, I was bad on Easter and jumped back up to 198.6. I finally hit 195.9 this morning, but dang, one bad day and I paid for it for a week...how am I ever going to lose another 55 lbs??
Friday, April 01, 2005
Well, this bites
Scott and I tune into the TV tonight, just in time to catch the performance of a comedian named Mitch Hedberg on Comedy Central. We really enjoyed him and so I (as usual when I need info) ran to my computer and googled him (yes, it's an acceptable verb now, just as Miriam Webster).
Sadly, what met my eyes was the news that just yesterday, Mitch had died at the age of 37. What we caught on Comedy Central must have been some tribute show on him.
Completely bites that just as we found him...he's gone.
Sadly, what met my eyes was the news that just yesterday, Mitch had died at the age of 37. What we caught on Comedy Central must have been some tribute show on him.
Completely bites that just as we found him...he's gone.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Rainy weekend in Texas
Blah.
Spring has sprung in Dallas. Lest you be envisioning lots of beautiful flowers poking their heads up, let me correct you.
Spring in Dallas means rain...and lots of it. We'll get several inches between now and June. This is actually a good thing, because my porch plants really needed watering and I'm just terrible about it. However, it means that I can't call the exterminator to kill all the little critters that come out of the woodwork in the Spring, because the birds need to be out of the house when he comes...and I'm not sticking them out in the rain!
Of course, we will get our fair share of beautiful little buds all over the place...I actually have a couple of calla lilies blooming for the first time! My daffodils are daffodead though...they look pretty ragged.
I was supposed to get my car washed yesterday, and we ended up chasing elevator calls (Scott's a mechanic) all day, so we never did get to it...and now it's raining. *sigh*
Good news though...I hit J.C. Penney's last night, in search of clothing that fits. I stood in the Women's section, looking at all the 1Xs that used to fit me, and started tearing up as I realized that I no longer had to shop in that department! I headed over to the other sections and found clothes in three different areas that fit me! Woohoo! I love being a size 16...it frees me! (Of course, I'll love 14 even more and, with lots of work, size 12!)
And best of all, was walking into Victoria's Secret...they rarely carry XL in the stores - you have to buy them online, and I was able to buy a new pair of panties right there on the spot! I mentally lifted a middle finger to Lane Bryant...lol! By the way...am I the only one who thinks $12.99 is a little much for ONE pair of panties?
Spring has sprung in Dallas. Lest you be envisioning lots of beautiful flowers poking their heads up, let me correct you.
Spring in Dallas means rain...and lots of it. We'll get several inches between now and June. This is actually a good thing, because my porch plants really needed watering and I'm just terrible about it. However, it means that I can't call the exterminator to kill all the little critters that come out of the woodwork in the Spring, because the birds need to be out of the house when he comes...and I'm not sticking them out in the rain!
Of course, we will get our fair share of beautiful little buds all over the place...I actually have a couple of calla lilies blooming for the first time! My daffodils are daffodead though...they look pretty ragged.
I was supposed to get my car washed yesterday, and we ended up chasing elevator calls (Scott's a mechanic) all day, so we never did get to it...and now it's raining. *sigh*
Good news though...I hit J.C. Penney's last night, in search of clothing that fits. I stood in the Women's section, looking at all the 1Xs that used to fit me, and started tearing up as I realized that I no longer had to shop in that department! I headed over to the other sections and found clothes in three different areas that fit me! Woohoo! I love being a size 16...it frees me! (Of course, I'll love 14 even more and, with lots of work, size 12!)
And best of all, was walking into Victoria's Secret...they rarely carry XL in the stores - you have to buy them online, and I was able to buy a new pair of panties right there on the spot! I mentally lifted a middle finger to Lane Bryant...lol! By the way...am I the only one who thinks $12.99 is a little much for ONE pair of panties?
Thursday, March 24, 2005
30 lbs gone forever!!
I knew I was close yesterday. I woke up this morning fully prepared to have to fudge my weigh-in by tenths of a pound, as my autoship goes out tomorrow and I want that 30 lb bear!
I tiptoed over to the scale (maybe if I sneak up on it, it'll be more cooperative, right?). I exhaled (air has to weigh something) and stepped on. Feeling like I was in Vegas watching a slot machine, I prayed as the numbers came up...196.9!! That means 30.1 lbs lost!
WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
I tiptoed over to the scale (maybe if I sneak up on it, it'll be more cooperative, right?). I exhaled (air has to weigh something) and stepped on. Feeling like I was in Vegas watching a slot machine, I prayed as the numbers came up...196.9!! That means 30.1 lbs lost!
WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
My babies
I wanted to share pictures of all of my babies tonight, since it's Ozzie's birthday today! Click on the picture for a larger view.
Life with these birds is like living with four 2-year olds...there's never a dull moment, and they're so loving in their own ways. Ziggy is an attention hound, and so is Ozzie...they want to be snuggled and petted constantly! We give them all they want ;)
Sammy, cockatiel
Ozzie, Senegal Parrot
Lucy, Sunday Conure
Ziggy, Quaker Parrot
And, lest Misty think we don't love her anymore, here is a picture of her :)
Misty
Life with these birds is like living with four 2-year olds...there's never a dull moment, and they're so loving in their own ways. Ziggy is an attention hound, and so is Ozzie...they want to be snuggled and petted constantly! We give them all they want ;)
Sammy, cockatiel
Ozzie, Senegal Parrot
Lucy, Sunday Conure
Ziggy, Quaker Parrot
And, lest Misty think we don't love her anymore, here is a picture of her :)
Misty
Monday, March 14, 2005
A new size!
I went shopping today and bought a new pair of pants and three new shirts...all in size 16! Major rush for me, it's been a couple-three years since I could squeeze into a 16!
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Bad week :(
So I finally get below 200 and it suddenly becomes "free eating week"? I swear there's something about that number that I'm having a problem with. Extra desserts here and there, bread with my lunch, an eggroll just before bed...all foods that aren't on the program, and all the wrong times to eat them. Added up to no weight loss today...in fact, almost a half pound gain. UGH!
OK...time to recommit, to remember why I'm doing this, and time to remind Scott that he can't make it hard on me by asking me to get him treats because it makes me want them.
OK...time to recommit, to remember why I'm doing this, and time to remind Scott that he can't make it hard on me by asking me to get him treats because it makes me want them.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
For the NS gang
Because Nutrisystem has decided not to show my profile, at the moment, I thought I'd paste a couple of pictures, and show my weight loss history.
My name is Helen. I got married last summer to a terrific man who is my best friend, supportive cheerleader, and is just wonderful to be around. Unfortunately, this wonderful guy also weighs 120 lbs dripping wet - I feel like an elephant next to him!
I had been on Nutrisystem in 2000 and lost about 28 lbs. Everyone started telling me how great I looked...so I figured I had lost enough and left NS after just a couple of months. BIG MISTAKE. I hadn't learned enough to keep the weight off.
This time, I'm going for broke...140, here I come!
3/9/05 - ONEDERLAND!!! 199.4!!
My Progress
Week 0: 01/05/05 - 227.0 lbs
Week 3: 01/26/05 - 212.3 lbs -14.7
Week 4: 02/05/05 - 208.0 lbs - 4.3
Week 5: 02/13/05 - 205.4 lbs - 2.6
Week 6: 02/21/05 - 206.0 lbs + .6
Week 7: 02/27/05 - 203.8 lbs - 2.2
Week 8: 03/02/05 - 202.3 lbs - 1.5
Week 9: 03/09/05 - 199.4 lbs - 2.9
The "official" start picture - 1/5/05
7-11-04 - Wedding Day :)
2 wks before wedding...YUCK!
My name is Helen. I got married last summer to a terrific man who is my best friend, supportive cheerleader, and is just wonderful to be around. Unfortunately, this wonderful guy also weighs 120 lbs dripping wet - I feel like an elephant next to him!
I had been on Nutrisystem in 2000 and lost about 28 lbs. Everyone started telling me how great I looked...so I figured I had lost enough and left NS after just a couple of months. BIG MISTAKE. I hadn't learned enough to keep the weight off.
This time, I'm going for broke...140, here I come!
3/9/05 - ONEDERLAND!!! 199.4!!
My Progress
Week 0: 01/05/05 - 227.0 lbs
Week 3: 01/26/05 - 212.3 lbs -14.7
Week 4: 02/05/05 - 208.0 lbs - 4.3
Week 5: 02/13/05 - 205.4 lbs - 2.6
Week 6: 02/21/05 - 206.0 lbs + .6
Week 7: 02/27/05 - 203.8 lbs - 2.2
Week 8: 03/02/05 - 202.3 lbs - 1.5
Week 9: 03/09/05 - 199.4 lbs - 2.9
The "official" start picture - 1/5/05
7-11-04 - Wedding Day :)
2 wks before wedding...YUCK!
Testing, testing
I thought that I'd try to put a picture up here tonight. This is my Quaker Parrot, Ziggy, taking a bath. If you click on the picture, a new window will open with a bigger picture of him. Isn't he adorable? :)
Ziggy takes a bath
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Floating on sunshine
Today is a gorgeous day. The temperature is wonderful, the sun is shining, they're not working me too hard today at work...and, for the first time in 4 years, I weigh less than 200 pounds!! Yep, officially hit 199.4 this morning and my life is awesome :)
Thursday, March 03, 2005
*Dancing*
I have officially lost 25.3 lbs! Woohooo!!
I started walking yesterday and yes, I'm a little sore, but I'm so motivated that a little soreness won't stop me!!
I'm hoping by the end of March, I'll be down a minimum of 30 lbs, 35 by the end of April, 40 by the end of June, when it's time for our annual BBQ. I want everyone to go...WOW :))
I started walking yesterday and yes, I'm a little sore, but I'm so motivated that a little soreness won't stop me!!
I'm hoping by the end of March, I'll be down a minimum of 30 lbs, 35 by the end of April, 40 by the end of June, when it's time for our annual BBQ. I want everyone to go...WOW :))
Sunday, February 27, 2005
So close to my first mini-goal!
My first mini-goal is 25 lbs. As of today, I've lost 23.2! I'm getting really excited :)
I tried on clothes from my closet today...My size 16 bathing suit just about fits, as do all of the pretty bras I bought 5 years ago when I was on NS before! WOOHOO!
I had wanted to be at 25 lbs by Valentine's Day, but that just didn't happen. It probably would if I'd play strictly by NS' guidelines, but I just can't seem to get my mind there. That would mean giving up a few things that I absolutely love. As long as I'm losing weight, I figure I'm in good shape ;)
I tried on clothes from my closet today...My size 16 bathing suit just about fits, as do all of the pretty bras I bought 5 years ago when I was on NS before! WOOHOO!
I had wanted to be at 25 lbs by Valentine's Day, but that just didn't happen. It probably would if I'd play strictly by NS' guidelines, but I just can't seem to get my mind there. That would mean giving up a few things that I absolutely love. As long as I'm losing weight, I figure I'm in good shape ;)
Monday, February 21, 2005
Ahhh, vacation
Tonight is the last night of my vacation. We left last Sunday for Shreveport, LA. We spent 3 nights at Boomtown Casino, and then returned Wednesday night. Horrible place to try to diet, believe me! Buffets are the main fare. I tried to be good, but indulged myself each night with a decadent dessert.
Thursday morning, I flew to Cincinnati, OH to visit my daughter and 3 year old grandson. He got sick the day after I got there and was just miserable the rest of the visit. It was nice to see my daughter, but my time with my grandson is so limited, that I feel pretty bummed out about it.
I returned last night and after my week of being off program...I was only up .6 of a pound. Total lost now: 21 lbs! :)
But, what follows is what I'll forever refer to as the "ice cream story".
******
There's this ice cream maker in Ohio....some of you may have heard of them...they're called Graeter's (read about their French Pot method of making ice cream). I swear, it's the best ice cream I've ever eaten and they have Black Raspberry Chip....which is raspberry with huge chunks of chocolate it in. I fell in love with it the first time I visted Ohio and make a point of having some whenever I'm there. Scott had his first taste last July when we went up there for our honeymoon, and he's likewise addicted to it.
Now, you can buy Graeter's online and they will ship it to you, but 6 pints will cost you $90 (I notice that's up $20 from last year!). Ain't no way I'm paying $15 for a pint of ice cream, unless there's a bar of gold in the middle of it ;)
So, as I tell Scott yesterday that we were getting ready to leave for the airport, he says "stop and get some ice cream to bring home!" Hm...ok, sounds like a plan. I have Kristi call American Airlines to be sure that's not a problem, while I'm on the phone with Graeter's placing the order. AA says "No problem". Great. I buy 6 pints, they put it in a styrofoam container and pack it with dry ice...$30.30. Much better :))
I get to the airport and the ticket agent says "there will be an additional $40 charge to bring dry ice on the plane". HUH?? I tell her that we had called and nobody said anything about paying to take the dry ice. She said "Sorry, I don't make the rules, but if you want to take that ice cream on the plane, you'll either have to pay the $40 or get rid of the dry ice". WHAT?....$70 for ice cream? No way. Oh, and let's not forget how dangerous dry ice is -- unless you PAY them!
It's now 5:30 and my plane is supposed to leave at 6:15...what to do?? Looking around, I spot a bar & grill. I head over there, explain my dilemma to the bartender. He opens the container, dumps the dry ice in one of his sinks, and refills my container with regular ice. I run back over to the ticket counter, the agent checks it for me, and gives her nod of approval. I borrow some packing tape from her and reseal my container. Great, I'm good to go. I say to her, "ok, my plane leaves at 6:15, right?" "Oh, I'm sorry...they changed your flight - it now leaves at 7:30." What the hell?? She couldn't have told me that before I dumped the dry ice?? I was so mad, I couldn't say a word. I go back to the bar and sit there until it's time to board.
At 7:00, I head over to security where they have me remove my coat and shoes, and send them through the x-ray machine. Purse next...and wait a minute...
"What's in this box?"
"Ice cream." I respond. "See, the top says "Graeters"?"
"Ma'am, you can't take this package back there with dry ice in it."
*sigh*
I explain the whole process to them and they joke that they'll have to confiscate the package, but eventually let me through with it.
As I'm sitting there waiting for my boarding call (including three gate changes), I get the thought that the belly of the plane is freezing cold...I'll do a "valet check" of the box. I get it tagged - time to get on the plane. I walk down the boarding ramp and set the package in the valet area and start to walk away. A girl I had been talking with and who was behind me taps me on the shoulder and says "trouble!" Crap, what now??
The gal loading the valet bags is having an absolute fit. She's screaming into her walkie-talkie "Ticket desk, someone up there better answer me!! Ain't no way I'm loading this dry ice onto my plane!!" I start explaining the saga to her and she flat out doesn't care - that ice cream is NOT going on her plane. Finally, an airline employee, who was traveling as a regular citizen, and who I had chatted with earlier, pops up and shows his badge and tells her that HE had me dump the dry ice and replace it with regular ice and that HE had personally checked it, and that it was fine. Grumbling, she allowed it....I thanked him profusely.
Instead of getting home at 7:30, we landed at 9:30, then an hour drive home...I was nearly panicking but didn't dare break the seal on that ice cream. We finally arrive home at 10:30 and I head straight to the sink and thank God, everything was fine. The ice cream pints were a little soft, but not melted...WHEW. But being that late, and being so exhausted...I never even opened a pint to eat some!
Thursday morning, I flew to Cincinnati, OH to visit my daughter and 3 year old grandson. He got sick the day after I got there and was just miserable the rest of the visit. It was nice to see my daughter, but my time with my grandson is so limited, that I feel pretty bummed out about it.
I returned last night and after my week of being off program...I was only up .6 of a pound. Total lost now: 21 lbs! :)
But, what follows is what I'll forever refer to as the "ice cream story".
******
There's this ice cream maker in Ohio....some of you may have heard of them...they're called Graeter's (read about their French Pot method of making ice cream). I swear, it's the best ice cream I've ever eaten and they have Black Raspberry Chip....which is raspberry with huge chunks of chocolate it in. I fell in love with it the first time I visted Ohio and make a point of having some whenever I'm there. Scott had his first taste last July when we went up there for our honeymoon, and he's likewise addicted to it.
Now, you can buy Graeter's online and they will ship it to you, but 6 pints will cost you $90 (I notice that's up $20 from last year!). Ain't no way I'm paying $15 for a pint of ice cream, unless there's a bar of gold in the middle of it ;)
So, as I tell Scott yesterday that we were getting ready to leave for the airport, he says "stop and get some ice cream to bring home!" Hm...ok, sounds like a plan. I have Kristi call American Airlines to be sure that's not a problem, while I'm on the phone with Graeter's placing the order. AA says "No problem". Great. I buy 6 pints, they put it in a styrofoam container and pack it with dry ice...$30.30. Much better :))
I get to the airport and the ticket agent says "there will be an additional $40 charge to bring dry ice on the plane". HUH?? I tell her that we had called and nobody said anything about paying to take the dry ice. She said "Sorry, I don't make the rules, but if you want to take that ice cream on the plane, you'll either have to pay the $40 or get rid of the dry ice". WHAT?....$70 for ice cream? No way. Oh, and let's not forget how dangerous dry ice is -- unless you PAY them!
It's now 5:30 and my plane is supposed to leave at 6:15...what to do?? Looking around, I spot a bar & grill. I head over there, explain my dilemma to the bartender. He opens the container, dumps the dry ice in one of his sinks, and refills my container with regular ice. I run back over to the ticket counter, the agent checks it for me, and gives her nod of approval. I borrow some packing tape from her and reseal my container. Great, I'm good to go. I say to her, "ok, my plane leaves at 6:15, right?" "Oh, I'm sorry...they changed your flight - it now leaves at 7:30." What the hell?? She couldn't have told me that before I dumped the dry ice?? I was so mad, I couldn't say a word. I go back to the bar and sit there until it's time to board.
At 7:00, I head over to security where they have me remove my coat and shoes, and send them through the x-ray machine. Purse next...and wait a minute...
"What's in this box?"
"Ice cream." I respond. "See, the top says "Graeters"?"
"Ma'am, you can't take this package back there with dry ice in it."
*sigh*
I explain the whole process to them and they joke that they'll have to confiscate the package, but eventually let me through with it.
As I'm sitting there waiting for my boarding call (including three gate changes), I get the thought that the belly of the plane is freezing cold...I'll do a "valet check" of the box. I get it tagged - time to get on the plane. I walk down the boarding ramp and set the package in the valet area and start to walk away. A girl I had been talking with and who was behind me taps me on the shoulder and says "trouble!" Crap, what now??
The gal loading the valet bags is having an absolute fit. She's screaming into her walkie-talkie "Ticket desk, someone up there better answer me!! Ain't no way I'm loading this dry ice onto my plane!!" I start explaining the saga to her and she flat out doesn't care - that ice cream is NOT going on her plane. Finally, an airline employee, who was traveling as a regular citizen, and who I had chatted with earlier, pops up and shows his badge and tells her that HE had me dump the dry ice and replace it with regular ice and that HE had personally checked it, and that it was fine. Grumbling, she allowed it....I thanked him profusely.
Instead of getting home at 7:30, we landed at 9:30, then an hour drive home...I was nearly panicking but didn't dare break the seal on that ice cream. We finally arrive home at 10:30 and I head straight to the sink and thank God, everything was fine. The ice cream pints were a little soft, but not melted...WHEW. But being that late, and being so exhausted...I never even opened a pint to eat some!
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