So close and yet so far away

6 weeks ago, I embarked on a little weight loss journey.  It is the least fun of all the journeys I have been on in my life, but I had to take it.  My goal was to lose 15 pounds by this Friday.  On that day, I am hopping on a plane (I have new plane medication and let's hope it works) with my sister and heading to the great state of Arizona to visit my 94 year old Grandma.  Since Grandma tends to call things like she sees them, I wanted to do what I could to avoid the fat talk.  Barring a miracle or the stomach flu or food poisoning, I won't be reaching my goal by Friday.  I am three pounds shy of it.  I knew it was lofty when I set it and I am not terribly disappointed because my clothes fit better and, more importantly, I feel better.  On Sunday, I fit into jeans that I haven't worn since we were in Ethiopia two years ago.  I rather enjoyed that feature and it gives me some incentive to keep going.

I have set a new goal and I'm going to have to reach that one by December 27th because I may have underestimated my weight accidentally on purpose at the doctor's office yesterday.  I have had weird swelling and pain in my left foot since the summer and it isn't getting better so my regular doctor sent me to the foot doctor.  They don't weigh you at that office - they just ask you to tell them what you weigh.  SAWEET!  Based on my primary doctor's opinion, I thought I would be getting a steroid shot or something and be on my way.  Wrong!  As it turns out, surgery is in order.  YUCK!  In order to have that surgery, I'll be getting a pre-op physical where I am going to have to get on the scale for realz.  Because of the fact that the holidays are the busiest time of year for a pie baker, I had to schedule the surgery for after Christmas.  So, I have exactly 8 weeks to drop another 10ish pounds.  It won't be easy at this most wonderful time of the year in which my favorite foods play a starring role, but I am determined.  At least today I am. 

And, if you read this far about my blub issues, here is a bonus for you:

Are they not the cutest lady bugs you ever did see?