July 25, 2000

We’re moved but I’m still coming back to the old apartment to work on the computer because the phone is not turned on until August 1st (which seems like a long time away!) I’ve never been without a phone this long . I’ve had to stick around the new apartment a lot in the last two days because the cable people were SUPPOSED to come (never did, darn rats!) and the Art Van people are going to deliver the bed today from 12 – 4. So I’m stuck at the new place without a phone and no tv…yuck!

The move went relatively well but of course we had some little arguments. Shawn was kind of grumpy because he was moving to a new place and it’s a mild hassle he said. Luckily we had a lot of help. His folks, his friend, my sister, and her husband came to help so there were plenty of people to get things on the ball. After moving on Sunday, Carrie (my sis), Dennis (my bro-in-law), Shawn and I went to the Rio Bravo Cantina and it was awesome. I got one of their low-fat burritos called the lighter side chicken burrito and I was super impressed. It only had 6 grams of fat in it and it was so tasty. I ate good all weekend but I gained because TOM showed up. Go figure! I knew it was coming because I felt very bloated.

I have a job interview on Thursday. So wish me luck! This is job interview number four. Finally the paper has job postings for social work jobs because for the last month there hasn’t been anything. This week, I sent out 7 applications in the Grand Rapids area…it’s about time. Well folks I better get going…take care all! Kellie

July 20, 2000

Shawn is moving this weekend to his new apartment. My sister and Dennis are coming over to help him move and so are his folks so it’s going to be a long weekend. Shawn doesn’t have a thing packed yet. I volunteered to help packing but Shawn wants to be here to package the stuff. So lets just say that I’m going to be really tired from the move. Then yesterday we found out that we will be without a phone for nine days. I was kind of pissed off at Shawn because he waited for the last minute to get things together. I told him when he found out about the place he should have called the phone company, heck I even asked him about it repeatedly but he didn’t call. So he called last night and found out that the phone cannot be turned on until the 1st of August. Shawn still has possession of the apartment until August 10 so I think we are going to leaving the computer and the answering machine over here at the old apartment. Some things you can procrastinate on, others you can’t.

I’m doing okay diet wise but I must admit some days are diamonds, others are pearls. I mean, sometimes I’m really strict with the food and sometimes I don’t eat as well as I should. I’m not overeating but I’m not eating healthy…like getting my fruits and veggies. It seems like my meals lately have been mostly carbs and protein. So as soon as I hit the grocery store, I’m going to get some fruit and veggies. It’s amazing how you can actually overlook those important ingredients in your diet. The walking is coming good. Shawn and I are walking every evening. We’ve been hitting the neighborhood around his complex. When he moves into his new place, they have a tennis court so I wouldn’t mind doing that a little for exercise. I’m glad I’m exercising but I must admit that I miss the gym scene. I was reading someone’s journal and they spoke about being bored of it…but I was just jealous because she got to exercise in a gym. Is that weird or what? Me being jealous of that. Though I must admit to being jealous of others at times because they are losing weight faster, have a better workout, etc. I must admit at times, I want to compare myself to them but deep down inside, I know I can’t be compared to anyone else because I’m Kellie…I’m unique, I will lose weight differently. I think that’s important for people to know that too…don’t compare yourself to others when losing weight because your body is going to make it’s own pace of taking it off, whither it be 2 months to 2 years…and don’t get discouraged!

I got a call today for a job interview. The funny thing is that I sent that resume out over a month and a half ago. Man these people take forever to get back to you. Jeez, I didn’t know a job positing meant they would call you in a month and a half. Now Shawn is moving and the address is changing and so is the phone number…so I hope they will call me at the new number. We’ll that’s it for me today, take care all-Kellie

July 17, 2000

Okay, I have discovered the best diet pop! Ruby Red Diet Squirt. It’s awesome and it doesn’t even taste like diet. But then, I have a question, is diet pop bad for you? So far, I’ve been limiting myself to one a day for the last two days. I read in Luci’s Journal a while ago that citric acid was bad for you…so is that true? I figure you all who have leaders can answer my questions because I have no one to turn to but y’all. On that note, I would like to thank all my readers. Thanks for the support because without you all, my journey would be a lonely one without support! I swear, if you have the capabilities and you are losing weight, you should have an online journal. It’s an excellent tool to mark your progress both weight wise and mental wise. There are tons of tools and sites out there to help you get started…so think about it.

The job interview went well but I think they want to go with someone from the Ann Arbor area…they want that built in referral system, a person with contacts. Besides, my gut feeling about the job was not good. They are currently on the defensive with the rest of the county’s social service department because they are a new service and let me tell you folks, social work is VERY TERITORAL… the funny thing is that people don’t but the best interest of the client first, but they put their agency first. So, they want a peacemaker to come in and make things right. Another thing that bothered me is the area is way to busy. If any of you live in Ann Arbor, Michigan…Kudos to you because that city is super super busy. Then the cost of living is way too high. $700 can get you a dumpy apartment while in Grand Rapids, it can get you a super nice place. I’ll take my time. I sent out some applications today, two are in GR and the rest are in Allegan (30-minute drive from GR).

We’ve been walking faithfully and I ate good at the wedding but…how do you say no to the bar and appetizers. Oh, I am weak when it comes to having a drink and some goodies. On Saturday we went to BW-3 to just play some trivia after the wedding and I had a lot of high fat food and a beer. I need to be stronger in this type of situations because I must admit sometimes they get the best of me. Can people actually go to the bar and drink diet pop and snack on some lowfat items? Yes, it’s possible but I haven’t been able accomplish that task. It’s something I need to work on. No excuses! Well that’s it for me today, take care all-Kellie

July 12, 2000

Thanks Teresa (if you are out there reading) but I took your advice to heart. She basically asked me why wasn’t I walking or doing something to that effect. Well I had no excuses, so I thought, I should go take a walk. Shawn and I are now walking in the evening. He lives near subdivision and we walk about 45 minutes over there. By the time we are done, we both had a great workout. I’ve been eating really well lately so everything is going well and hopefully now, I’ve surpassed my hump. When I was walking around a strip mall, I saw weight watchers. It made me wonder if I should sign up for a meeting because I am on the at home plan and would it hurt to attend a meeting? Humm, maybe when I am employed I can do it.

I have a job interview on Friday in Ann Arbor. I was surprised to hear from them because I sent out the resume more than a month ago. When I pulled up the ad, I must admit I don’t know if they will want me because I might be under qualified. We’ll see, I just want to go to refine my interviewing skills. I know the place is interviewing at least 8 people so unless I make a stellar performance, I won’t have a leg to stand on. Though, what kind of attitude is that? I think I do pretty well in interviewing situations (granted I’ve been pretty sick for the last two!) I still haven’t heard from the Grand Rapids job and it’s been two weeks tomorrow since I went to the second interview. Part of me wants to call them and the other half of me wants to sit back and do nothing. I hear aggressive people usually get the job…but is that for real? Well that’s it for me today, take care all-Kellie

July 9, 2000

If you haven’t noticed it, I must admit that I’m kind of angry at myself for being lazy. I want to start exercising again but it’s like I’ve hit a brick wall with this relocation thing. I keep on feeding myself excusing of why I’m not exercising but you know what? It’s not working….I long to be working out at a gym and feeling the benefits of it. I love working out at a gym but I have less enthusiasm when it comes to working out at home. I’m pathetic sometimes…hopefully; I will get over my laziness pretty soon. You know only 50 pounds stands away from me reaching my goal? I don’t think that’s too much at all. I have to have that go-getter attitude that I am used to having because I think I’m lacking that right now. I’m kind of letting my current surroundings and feelings get too me I think. I am allowing my self to get overwhelmed and I am letting my feelings control what I eat.

Speaking of eating…I have lost my sense of taste and smell. I can’t taste anything I’ve eaten since I’ve had this nasty cold. What in the heck did I have? And I am wondering when am I going to be able to taste things again. Maybe this could be good but it’s kind of spooking me out. I’m finally feeling 100% but I’m still have some after effects. I want to taste again!

Okay, I’ve decided that I’m going to get a job here in Grand Rapids…and I’ve found the perfect neighborhood to live in. It’s called the Heritage Hill area and they have Victorian homes that were built in the 1880s. So if I can’t live in Louisville, I want to live in a place that looks like Louisville. The area is relatively safe but the outskirts of the neighborhood is not too great, a tad ghetto-ish. Now, I just need a freaking’ job. So wish me a job so I can get my stuff up here and feel settled! Well that’s it for me-take care all! Kellie

July 6, 2000

Still no word about a job…that’s okay but money is still getting tight though. I need to financially work soon but I am doing all I can. There aren’t too many ads out this week for social work jobs. Oh well. I’m finally feeling better. That cold just knocked me off my butt. I still have a little in me but it’s slowly coming out.

I made it through another wedding…just one more to attend in a week from now. Okay, is it me or is everyone getting married in the year 2000? I wonder if these couples will stay together? These days, you kind of have to wonder about that. Then, of course, I get the question of “When are you going to get married Kellie?” I absolutely hate this question because I’m not ready for it just yet…yet, everyone is asking that question. Believe it or not, Shawn and I are doing relatively well together. I guess I am getting to see a new side of him. He’s been doing a lot of growing up and it’s nice to see that. My only pet peeve about him is some of his bad habits, like stealing my bath towel or him quoting movie quotes from Star Wars all the time. Shawn is a graphic designer…so he’s into collecting comic books, watching sci-fi flicks, and his huge Star Wars collection is amazing. He has at least $10000 in his collection. Basically he needs his own trophy room for his collection. This is funny because we are polar opposites because those things don’t even interest me.

I’m down to 188, which isn’t bad. That cold helped me lose those 5 pounds that I gained the week before. I’m frustrated though with my lack of exercise. I wish I had some $$$ so I could join a gym up here but I don’t. I need to get my tapes so at least I could start to exercise here. When looking at some apartments on the Internet, I noticed that some apartments advertise health clubs in their complexes, which could save me some money but then, how good are they? Would joining the YMCA up here be cheaper? Humm….if I could just start working everything would be okay. I feel that I can be my goal weight by next February but sometimes I think that feels like it’s so far away…though, it’s one step at a time.

I’m getting a little bored too…as if you didn’t notice?!?!? My schedule is like this…I wake up at 9:00 am, stumble around the apartment a bit. Then I check my ebay auctions and email, then I take a shower, dry my hair and watch some tv. Then I box up the auction items and take them to the post office. I hit some resale stores in the area and explore a bit while sometimes hitting a garage sale. By the time I get back to the apartment it’s around 4 and I start dinner. Shawn comes home, then we eat dinner and sometimes we go out to Barnes and Noble or the Mall. I miss aspects of my old life honestly…it’s hard to get to know a new area. I guess it just takes time. I still miss my folks and my life in Louisville but that life is over and I just have to adjust to my new life...good things will happen soon!

For those who are in a clothes transition, I suggest shopping at your local resale stores. I hit goodwill regularly and there are some great buys there for all sizes of women. For example, I got some Elisabeth (Liz Claiborne) items really cheap…like some jeans and shirts for $8.00. If you really want to save some money, you should go the resale route. I’ve been shopping at resale stores now for 10 years. I started when I was 15 and I’ve been doing it since. 75% of my wardrobe is resale stuff. Another man’s junk is definitely someone’s treasure….Well that’s it for me today, take care all-Kellie

My Vistors Since July 6, 2000