Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Oct. 31, 1007
Happy Halloween
I woke up this morning and got my skeleton and bat off to school. They woke me up to paint their faces and get them ready 1 1/2 hours before they had to leave and then they sit there sad because they are ready to early. kids! They turned out so cute. I will post a picture of all 3 tommorrow.
I have to study all day today for a midterm that I have tomorrow. it was supposed to be an open note test but the teacher told us yesterday that she changed her mind and now it is no notes. I have so much studying to do it is crazy. So if you know anything on the Napoleonic Era and it's art or romanticism give me a call. I need all the help I can get.
I had a tough diet day yesterday. One of my classes met at an art history luncheon so free lunch. That is always hard becasue you don't know what they are going to feed you. I actually got a comment on how little of an amount I was eating. It was free whyy didn't I take a bunch of desserts. I was good and had a salad and bowl of broth that was supposed to be chicken noodle and I just ate the liquid. Dinner I was starving so I got a pollo bowl and ate half of it and then I got home and ate 1/2 of a beef and cheese burrito. Oops. Sounded good until the end.
I weighed in this morning at 164.6
Have a great evening of fun everyone.
ALi

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Oct. 30, 2007
It is 6 am and I am awake because we had an earthquake and it woke me up. Everyone else slept right through it. The news says it was a 2.6 but is was about 2 miles from our house. So it is dark and I am brewing my coffee as I write.
I go back to school today. I have a luncheon for my art history class where my teacher is the speaker. I get to see if any of my ceramics that I was working on made it through the last week or if they are all trash. Last class should be fun since I went to bed late and got up 2 hours early. I think caffine is going to get me through the day.
I weighed in this morning at 165.2. This seems to g a popular number on my scale. Hopefully after the luncheaon today it doesn't move up.
Have a good one.
Ali

Monday, October 29, 2007

Oct 29, 2007
What a busy weekend. We spent the weekend cleaning and redoing the garage. There was some shelving but not enough and on the wrong wall. Shawn built shelves down one whole side of the garage and I got to clean, trash, and organize all the junk we own and can't get rid of.
We took the kids to a pumpkin patch and carved pumpkins which is always a fun and messy job. They turned out to cute. Cody carved a puppy, Garrett a ghost, and Pj a happy face with Mommy's help that he now is calling Jack. He keeps walking over to it and giving it kisses and saying Hi Jack. I will feel bad when the pumpkin rots.
We clean up the back and front yards, layed new bark, and planted some new plants.
The Boys for Halloween decided that they wanted to make their own costumes. Garrett a skeleton and Cody a bat. We also made both of their costumes. For Cody we took a black sweat suit and sewed an old umbrella's material on the back so it looks like wings. We also sewed ears on a beenie for a hat. Garrett's was a little harder, we printed up picks of skeletons and my Bro drew some examples and we copied them with paint onto a black sweat suit as well. They turned out better then I thought they would and I spent less then $20 for both costumes.
I did really well this weekend. I am at the same weight that I started the weekend at. 165.2 and 51 pounds lost.
Have a great day everyone. Oh, and we got George Strait tickets this weekend. Our annual trip with Matt and Scott Jones. Vegas Baby!!!
Ali

Friday, October 26, 2007

Oct. 26, 2007
Shawn owed me a 41 pound gift and was waiting for me to figure out what I wanted. I had forgotten and the other night he asked again. He asked if I needed clothes which I did so he gave me money to go shopping. I spent the day yesterday shopping for me. I actually found clothes. I am so used to stuff not fitting and getting all upset when I shop. I actually had a good time. I am not wearing a size 12, it fits perfectly not snug of anything. I also can fit into a medium top. Yeah. I have a pair of jeans that I have not worn in like 9 years. I got them on yesterday and they fit. Yet another yeah.
I have an issue. After you have c-sections your muscles never quite go back to normal in your stomach because they cut through them. When I put pants on I actually have to tuck my stomach in to my pants. It is just skin now. The most exciting part is a few years ago Shawn asked if I ever lost the weight would I want plastic surgery to fit all my c-section damage. At first I was not big on the idea but the more I lose the more I am excited that he is willing to pay for the surgery that I now really want. When I get to my goal I am going to have some fix up surgery.
I weighed in this morning at 165.2 again. Yesterday I met Shawn for lunch and had a big salad with peperoni and ranch which are both no no's and last night we split a burrito from our favorite Mexican joint. Was not a bad day, I just didn't lose.
Have a great weekend. I am going to making 2 costumes :)
Ali

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Oct. 25, 2007
We started our Christmas shopping this week for the boys. Usually we wait until Dec. but we are getting an early start this time so that we can actually find the stuff they want. I have spent the last 2 days looking at toys, clothes, all the fun stuff. Shawn put in his request last night, he wants his own IPOD. He uses mine all the time(especially when doing yard work) but doesn't like my music so he wants his own. Normally we don't get gifts for each other but I think I have enough time to get it for him.
Today Pj is going to the sitter even though I don't have school. She is prepaid so I might as well use the time. I am going to the library and then to lunch with Shawn. Should be fun. We never quite know how to act without the kids around.
I did really good again on my diet yesterday. Lots of salads. People ask what I eat and there you go. Lots of salads. You can put anything on lettace. Lunch was tuna salas with avocado and dinner was taco fixins and a little bit of rice on lettace. I am not tired of them yet. Today I am in the mood for chicken and cheese on lettace.
I weighed in this morning at 165.2 51 pounds lost now. I cannot believe that I weigh 165 pounds. That number seems normal. A year ago I would have killed to be 165 now I am here and I feel great. I just can't wait to lose some more.
Ali

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Oct. 24, 2007
So right after I posted yesterday a fire broke out a few miles from our house. We were all ashy all day. Luckily the wind blew it but not to much. We were a little worried becasue it is all empty field with old grape vines so if it jumped Cherry ave. it would have been right in the field behind our house. Our house has ash inside and out. It smells aweful. It looks much better today and our fire is out. Yeah...
So Ali has no school this week. My school is a mess becasue of the winds and fire. They cannot let us into the classrooms because the air in the classrooms is unhealthy. The air outside is like breathing pure ash. I had a test for Thur. but now I have all weekend to study which I really needed.
I weighed in this morning at 166.2 which puts me at 50 pounds lost. I lost another 1.2 pounds since yesterday. Shawn called yesterday and asked if I would make him his favorite pasta dish of course I said yes. I went to the market and as soon as I realized that I was spending over $60.00 I put everything back and went and bought the actual dish from Macaroni Grill, I got a yummy salad with scallops, cheese, panchetta, I actually went out and got something good for me. I am getting closer to my goal.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Oct. 23, 2007
Can you believe thse fires. Yesterday at 9:30 I was doing dishes and looking out the kitchen window when I saw smoke start rising. I knew it was a fire but didn't know where. It was the start of the Arrowhead area fires. So our house smells and is ashy. I was going to take a pic for you guys but forgot. Near all our windows there are piles of ash that has made it's way in the house. The one near the back door was huge and covered the the whole dining room floor. Fun cleaing that up. It is still extremely windy today. I guess it is supposed to last through this evening.
My campus is closed today so I get to stay home and watch the news. My campus sits right at the base of the mountain near the green valley lake fire. They also had a bunch of power lines fall because of the wind and cannot fix them until the wind clears up. Yeah for me.
I had a great day yesterday of no cheating. I stuck to my salad, yogurt, string cheese, all the stuff I know I can eat. I weighed in this morning at 167.4 which is over 3 pounds in one day. I know I am dehydrated and this is part of why it is so low. Drinin my water today.
Have a safe day and stay inside.
Ali

Monday, October 22, 2007

Oct. 22, 2007
I'm back......
So after a 10 day period of cheating, sickness, and more cheating I am back to normal. Yeah. I am renewing the diet starting today. I have been terrible the last 10 days. I have been lazy, and eaten just about anything I wanted. I did think about the cheating before each bite but still ate it. I am done with the antibiotics that made me feel hungry all the time so today I am starting over again. I pulled out my folder from when I first started and I am going to look at my journals to remind me of what I was eating.
I wish that I could tell you how windy it is at our house. We woke up in the middle of the night from Sat. to Sun with strong winds. We get stronger winds over here because we live below the Cajon pass and it acts like a funnel dropping the wind in our area. Last night I hardly slept. i thought for sure that I was going to have a broken window when I got up for the day. We had sustained winds at 65 mph and gusts up to 110. I say it was just damn windy and faster then 65 like the news said.
So I weighed in this morning at 170.6 I gained like 4 pounds over my fun week. So today I am going to eat right and try to get on the treadmill while Pj is taking his afternoon nap. Wish me luck.
Ali

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Oct. 18, 2007
So I was hoping for a day of rest yesterday and it did not happen. Garrett got sent home from school with pink eye. We happen to have medication for it becasue it went around our house about a year ago. The worst part is I am still not feeling well. Garrett doesn't feel sick so he is all over the place. He is home again today and says he just wants to go wherever I go today. I am in the mood to sleep and be by myself so today should be a day of fun. I still have swollen toncills and a head ache that just won't go away. I am actually going to miss school today becasue I am sick not the kids I don't know if I have done that in the last 10 years.
With not feeling well. I took another day off my diet. it may be crazy but I need the food to help me get better. I am not going to disappoint you guys and not go back on, it will just be a few days. I am going to try to stick with it today. I weighed in at 169.8 as long as I don't go over this I am ok for now. I would hate to be back up 10 pounds because of a bad week. So I am still working through this no diet phase.
Ali

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Oct. 17, 2007
I don't feel good. I woke up yesterday with a little bit of a sore throat and by last night it was bad. I now have toncelitis. I used to get it all the time as a kid but have not had it in a few years. I was lucky to have some left over antibiotics. I started taking the meds last night. I just feel yucky. I have no choice but to go to the market today so I will do that and then chill on the couch the rest of the day.
I had a bad diet day yesterday. When I don't feel good I want to be full. Ali hit the taco bell for dinner. I guess the only good part is that up until dinner I had not had time to eat so it just went downhill from there. After dinner I had an ice cream sundae in hopes that the cool would help my throat. Nope but it was good. I also had some left over apple dip that we had this weekend. I am not sure why but I am having a hard time getting back onto the diet after a fun weekend of eating whatever I wanted. I am going to mentally work it out. I am trying to convince myself that I only have 30 or so pounds to go.
After my evening of eating I weighed in at 169 again. I know why I am stuck, it's called bad food choices. So today I am hoping to feel better and maybe get on the treadmill.
Ali

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Oct. 16, 2007
I am at school today so once again a quick blog today. I spent the whole day yesterday in pajamas. It was fantastic. Pj supported me and wore his all day to. I guess it was the weather.
I weighed in this morning at 168.2 so I am going back down .
Ill catch you again tomorrow.
Ali

Monday, October 15, 2007

Oct. 15, 2007
What a weekend. We were so busy.
Friday I weighed in at 49 pounds and got my 49 pound gift from Connie. She got my 2 beautiful candles in a mosaic candle holder that looks like stained glass. Thanks connie I love them . Friday I spent the day getting ready for the weekend. Brandy and Justin came over and watched the kids Friday night and Shawn and I had date night. We went to Taps in Brea. It is a nice place with good food but the bill grew really quickly. I am not sure if we will go again but the food and atmosphere was fun for a date night. We had to be up early the next morning so we were back at the hotel and asleep by 10. Sad I know. We got to the golf tournement at 6 am. We had yummy food and fun all day. It was raining so it made it not quite as fun as it could have been but we still had fun. We played with Shawn's coworker and his fiance who are about as good at golf as we are so it was more about fun then skill. They had a prize drawing at the end of the day and Shawn won a new cordless phone and I got a cool new golf bag that I badly wanted. Yeah for me. We came home and my Mom and Bob were here watching the kids. We got BBQ for dinner and hung out and talked. It was gun becasue we don't know Bob that well. Shawn and him have movies as a like in common so they talked all night. It was alot of fun getting to know him.
Sun our first friend turned 30. We went to Matt and Scott's house to celebrate jessica Defriends 30th. We had fun and saw alot of people that we don't get to see as much as we would like to. We ate, hung out, and watched football.
I weighed in this morning at 169.8 so I am up. I feel like crap from all the junk I ate. You think I would learn but no I keep doing this and then having to recooperate. So this week is about getting back to where I was. Fun Stuff.
Ali

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Oct. 11, 2007
Quick one today.
have to get to school early so I am off to get ready.
I was 168.0 this morning so 48.2 pounds. I am almost to 50 lost. Whoo hoo again.
Ali

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Oct. 10, 2007
Today is going to be a great day. Shawn is going to be ok and that is all the good news I need.
We went to his Dr. appt. yesterday and he did no damage to his ligaments. The MRI shows he broke his leg by his knee but they are not going to cast becasue it is already healing in a good position. He is going to need physical therapy for his arm and leg in the near future 3 times a week for about 6 weeks. We are thrilled that he is not going to need surgery and will be just fine with time.
School yesterday went really well. I made my second teapot which is the ugliest thing you have ever seen but that was on purpose. I also had time to start a few of my own things. I had a critique for my night class which was nothing but good comments from the students as well as the teacher. I am finally getting to know people and feel like I am fitting in a little better then I was. I did a paper the first week of class on an artist named Andy Goldsworthy. For some reason my teacher kept reffering to me as Andy Goldsworthy and looking at me so I thought maybe he is using that becasue he doesn't know Ali yet. I went to him last night to get my grade so far and in the grade book he had me down as Andy Goldsworthy, he had no idea that was not my name. He has all my grades and everything under that name. He felt pretty stupid when I told him I was Ali Brenner not Andy. He laughed and told me he thought Ali had dropped the class becasue he hadn't seen her in class. Only me Andy. So all is fixed now and I am Ali again. In this crazy process I found out that I have an A on both of my projects that I have turned in so far. Works for me.
I weighed in this morning at 168.8 I am at 47.4 pounds gone. Whoo hoo I am back below 170.
have a great day.
Ali or Andy

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Oct.9, 2007
We I told someone that i might not admit this on my blog but I have to, I tell you guys everything. Yesterday I went to Old Navy becasue I heard they had good deals on some shirts right now. I did pretty good in the pants dept. I am not in a 12. From a 20 to a 12 is fabulous. I am thrilled with it. In the shirt dept I did not do as well. The shirts revealed all the rolls and work I still have to do. I in a moment of self pity stopped by Taco Bell and got a burrito to make myself feel better. I still have things too work on obviously. Does it make and sense to go eat if you are unhappy that you need to lose more weight? Retarded way if thinking. I also had a mini scoop ice cream sundae last night. I had a day of weekness to say the least. Today is a new day and I am back on track. Oops is what we will call yesterday. Just another road bump.
I weighed in at 170.0 this morning so up a little from yesterday. Sad part is I was so excited to be out of the 170's and here I find myself again. Come on Ali you can do it. Ok well I am off to Shawn's dr. appt and then school for the day.
Ali

Monday, October 8, 2007

oct. 8, 2007
Good morning. Shawn comes home today. I am excited like a little kid everytime I know I get to see him after he has been gone a few days. Today is getting the house in order and maybe getting him a welcome home gift like a cd or something small.
I went to The Brenner's yesterday. I had a great time. It is hard to get myself excited when SHawn is not there and I know I am going to have all 3 boys by myself, a drive at night but I really had alot of fun. I also got my 49 pound gift sitting on my fireplace, No idea what it is but it smells good. I also got my 45 pound gift this weekend from Ali. I got these super cute yankee candle holders for haloween with yummy candles, a kitchen set with soap and lotion in pumkin spice smell, some cool pencils, and a day planner notebook. I love pumpkin spice this time of year, it makes it seem like fall. Thanks Ali.
We had yummy chicken last night with a cranberry sauce over it. I was glad because this is the first time I have gone to someones house since starting the diet and everything they served I could eat. It was fantastic. I even had a few bites of pumpkin pie becasue I did so good on dinner.
I weighed in this morning at 169.4 whoohoo I am in the 160's. Yeah for me. Seemed like before the diet I would have killed to be in the 160 range and now I am here. Thrilling day. Ok enough of that. Have a great week people.
Shawn has him MRI results tomorrow so Ill let you know on Wed. what is going on.
Ali

Saturday, October 6, 2007

Oct. 6, 2007
Well it is 6:30 in the morning and I am up. One of those mornings where you know if you go back to sleep it is going to be hard to wake up.
Yesterday Cody found a dog running around the streets. It is a small chihuahua. Cody and Garrett walked around looking for an owner for 2 hours yesterday. We posted signs all over the neighborhood. What a pain. It is a male and unnutered so it is peeing on everything. Lucky for me the dog is pretty dumb and can't figure out the doggy door so I can leave it opened for our dogs and he stays outside. If we don't get a phone call by Monday he is going to the pound. I am not a dog person, it took me months to like our dogs. I am not going to be stuck with a rat dog.
Other then that we had a kick back day. The weather is cold so all I want to do is drink coffee. I think I had like 5-6 big cups of coffee yesterday. I was flying high. I stopped drinking coffee and moved onto tea in the evening so I wouldn't sleep awful.
Well I didn't weigh in this morning because I didn't want to wake up Shawn with all the noise. I will let you know on Mon how I am doing.
Ali

Friday, October 5, 2007

Oct. 5, 2007
Good morning y'all.
I made a teapot yesterday. My first project for ceramics is half done. I made a normal looking teapot but I carved daisy's all over it (go figure) I think I have a flower obsession. It turned out totally cute. I can't wait to get it done and show you all. My second teapot is going to be all square so I am still working on ideas for how I am going to pull it off. If you have any requests let me know. No guar. that it will look like what you want but I can try to do a few thing between projects. They have a sale in Dec. where I can sell my stuff to fellow students but I would rather make things for you and charge you the cost for me to make it. Most likely less then $10 a piece depending on what you want. Ok enough advertisment of my stuff.
I weighed in today at 170.2 which is the same as yesterday. I think I forgot to put it yesterday. 45 pounds gone. My ultimate goal is to be at my goal weight by my 30th b-day. That gives me 5 months to lose 40 more pounds. I think I can do it or get pretty close to it. If I lose 2 pounds a week I am there.
Shawn is off to Tennesse for the weekend. I am excited for him and Matt. It sounds like they have a packed weekend of fun stuff. Pray for safe travels.
Ali

Thursday, October 4, 2007


Oct. 4, 2007

Happy Birthday to Crystal....

Lets see, Shawn and I actually got to see each other last night. It was a shock to me as well. We talked alot about the upcoming golf weekend. Now I am even more excited. We are staying at a hotel close to the course because we have to be there at 6am and it is like an hour drive away. We are going to go to dinner a movie and then hit a bar for a drink and dessert. Please don't expect me not to lose weight. Goof thing is I will be working out all day on Sat. so it shouldn't be to bad.

I have the busiest weekend coming up. My Aunt, Uncle, and cousins are all in town and I have not seen them in 5 plus years. We are going to my Mom's after we drop SHawn off at the airport to hang out with them for the evening. Sun is The Brenner family b-day parties for Oct. and I will be taking the boys over there to hang out. I am looking forward to hanging out and gabbing.

What happened to me yesterday, not to much. I did dig through some old pics and found what Shawn and I are calling Fat Ali pic. I was shocked at this one. People you are supposed to tell me I am fat.... So here it is for your enjoyment.It was taken in June 06 at the boys bday party. Best part is those shorts are huge now, they fall off without me even wiggling to get them off. I love this diet.

I am off to school.

Ali

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Oct. 3, 2007
Yesterday I get to school a little early becasue I had purchased clay over the weekend that I needed to get into the ceramics studio before class. There are 2 parking spots near the studio and I was hoping one would be open. Nope. I had to carry a 50 lbs box of clay half way across campus. I finally got there and I literilly had lost feeling in my arms. I had 2 boxes but the other one is going to have to wait. The best part was about 2/3 through my walk I realized that I am really close to 50 pounds lost. This crazy amount of weight that I hardly made it across campus with is the same amount as what was on my body dragging me down a few months ago. What an awesome feeling.
We need a little prayer for Shawn. I told you guys yesterday that we would get his MRI results in the end of Oct. Well the Doc. called Shawn yesterday and said that he wants to see him on Tuesday instead. Shawn was 1/2 asleep when he told me but I think he said the doc doesn't want to wait that long. It doesn't sound good if they are pushing his appt. up to next week. best part is Shawn is having a crazy work week and Matt and Shawn are going to Tennessee for the weekend so I don't think he will be thinking of it to much. Someone asked how he was doing and I thought I haven't told you in awhile. His arm is usable, he writes and can do daily stuff but his elbow is still in pain and he cannot extend his arm all the way out even if he tries, I guess this is where physical therapy comes in. His knee is still in constant pain. He limps all the time. He comments how it is still just as bad as when he did it. We figured something was wrong we just hope it is easily fixed and won't bother him the rest of his life. He still has this weird thing where his knee will buckel and casue him extreme pain. He does this mostly when he is waking down stairs or forgets and squats down. So please be thinking and praying for him. I know he is worried even if he doesn't talk about it.
I weighed in this morning at 170.8. I actually am going to be in the 160's very soon. Yeah for me. Watch out people I have alot of sponsors coming up again.
I am so excited. Shawn and I are going golfing. Mpm is going to a golf tourney in a few weeks and I get to play. Shawn gets the itch to go fishing, I now get the itch to go golfing. Wish we could do it more. I guess we might be one of those old couples that golf alot. That would be awesome.
Have a great day.
Ali

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Oct. 2, 2007
Quick blog today. I have school but need to finish laundry, unload the dishwasher, and make sure the house is in order before I get Porter in the bath and me ready for school all in the next hour. Fun mornings.
Shawn's mri went well. He gets the results back in the end of Oct. like the 25th.
Weighed in this morning at 171.8. Wroks for me. I am going to pack my lunch and be a good girl today. I found the one vending machine in the art dept. and it is all sodas which for me is just fine. I think diet coke will be my new best friend.
Have a good Tuesday,
Ali

Monday, October 1, 2007

Oct. 1, 2007
Happy monday.
We had a fun relaxing weekend of nothing. I was able to get some homework done. For the most part we were couch potatoes. Sat. we rented We are Marshall. It is the true story of an entire college football team who is killed in a plane crash and how the school and people react after. It was sad but good. It had Matthew Mconehey so eye candy even if the movie was sad. I would watch it again.
Sun we watched football, hung out, and ate.
I weighed in this morning at 173.0 I am sad that I let food get the best of me this weekend but back on track today. Sat we had Burritoes yum my favorite. Dinner was turkey sandwiches. Sun was taco bell, corn nuts, and homemade blueberry pancakes for dinner. We had a fun munching weekend. As long as I get back on track I don't mind the bumps in the road.
Shawn went this morning to get an MRI of his knee. I am not sure how long until we hear the results but I will let you all know as soon as I know.
Ali