My very first BYOC... & all the ones I've missed!

I'm doing ever SO much better today - Day 3 - on the liquid diet!  I must thank you ALL for your encouragement.  You were right.  So far, Day 2 sucked, but I've got new insight.  Hakuna Matata & all that.  Stress holds on to fat & that garbage has GOT to go!!!  I even avoided McDonald's french fries (the smell alone is fattening) & chocolate cake, which were both up for grabs in the break room at work today.  Hardly had a twinge of an urge.  I'm proud of me!

I'm celebrating both my Dad's & my own birthday this weekend, & I plan on eating a little.  But I'm going to be über-good:  chicken breast or fish of some kind with steamed veggies.  I'll let you know, b/c of course we'll be eating out.  Living on the Gulf Coast helps with the fish selections.  Just have to make sure they don't cook it in anything.  I heart fish.  Been craving it!

Another thing I'm excited about is the new B.O.O.B.S. blog & the trip associated with it!  I've never been to Chicago, but plan on being there for the big meet-up with my band-pals Camille & Tanya.  Sounds like SOOO much fun.  Check it out!!!  Can't wait until I'll look good in one of those T-shirts...

Okay, let's get down to business!  I've been negligent in the new Friday meme that Drazil's got going on.  So, I'm playing a little catch up here.  I love these things... & now I'm an official ho-bag!  Teehee

The current BYOC (5th Edition):

1.  If you ever won the lottery – what’s the very first thing you’d do? 

Assuming I've won a generous sum here, I'd definitely quit my job & buy an open-ended ticket around the world!  I know that sounds cliché, but I've ALWAYS had a wanderlust, & though I truly love what I do for a living, I don't love some of the dynamics that occur at my job.  I'd be happy to be rid of it... at least for a time.  The other part of it, is I'd pay off my home, & help my parents out, BIG TIME.  And buy them the long-awaited trip to Hawaii (long story)!!!



2. What is your favorite curse word?



I truthfully try not to swear.  I work around KIDS.  And, truth be told, I work around a lot of "potty-mouths."  It's hard not to pick up some of those expressions.  I guess, if there's one I use a lot, it's "bullshit," though I prefer "bollocks."



3. What is your favorite holiday and why?

Christmas, hands down.  It's such a family time & I love our traditions.  Our family truly cherishes this time & tries to come from far & wide to be together (we're spread across Canada... & me in the US).  Of course, the meaning of Christmas & Easter are hugely important to me, as well.



4. What turns you on?

Kind gestures, eye contact, a nice smile, & above all... a man who can fix things!  My Dad is retired now, but was a mechanic by trade, & can fix pretty much anything.  I had a boyfriend once whose philosophy was to just get it done.  The complete antithesis of mine (& my Dad's), which is to do something right the first time (& usually to do it yourself).  That ex drove me NUTS!!!


5. Whose blog spoke to you, stayed with you, meant the most to you, stands out to you this week and why?

Miss Cindylew sent me a message today on my blog.  I was stopped at a red light (honest) & got a ping on my iPhone that I'd received a new email.  It was her message.  She had come across my blog & realized we're on the same schedule & have our surgeries scheduled 2 days apart!  It was just nice to find a band-friend who I so closely identified with, calendar-wise...  Looking forward to encouraging each other through this!

That's the end of the first BYOC (which, incidentally, means "bring your own craziness").  Here's the rest in order of newest to oldest... just for Drazil!


BYOC - 4th Edition:

1. If you could have lunch with a famous person who would it be and what would you order?

I'm not easily impressed, but am easily intimidated, so this is a tough one for me...
I'll have to get back to you on this one.  (It's too late & I can't think.)

2. Where’s the furthest place you’ve traveled to?

I have to say Hawaii.  I loved Hawaii... but I thought by this time in my life I'd have experienced more places around this big, beautiful globe than that!
My dream is Paris.  Then, anywhere in Europe, eastern Europe, Russia, Africa, Oz, Asia, North Canada, etc.  Not necessarily in that order.  India never truly intrigued me... nor South America.  I'd LOVE to tour the Holy Land!

3. If you could describe yourself in 4 words – what would they be?

Loyal, exasperating, bubbly, & shy... all at the same time! 

4. What’s one interesting thing about you we don’t know?

I wish I were a veterinarian.  There are some days when I like animals ever so much more than I like human beings!
I truly adore animals.  While I'm not at ALL fond of snakes or insects, other exotic creatures fascinate me too.  I had a growing obsession with Steve Irwin until his passing.  RIP Steve.

5. Finally – whose blog spoke to you, stuck with you, stayed in your mind, resonated with you – this week – and why?

Answered for this week already.
Onto the next one...


 BYOC - 3rd Edition:

1.  If you could be a Superhero (like Gilly) - what would you be called or what would your powers be?

I'm with Drazil on this one.  Some kind of healer, for sure.  I'd rid the world of all these diseases & maladies.  But I'd definitely have to be able to fly as well.  That's a non-negotiable!  Then I could also kick some bad-guy bootie.
I need a name...  Hmmm...  Just call me Mary Poppins!  :)

2.  Name one physical thing you love about you and one mental thing you love about you.

One thing that never gets fat... my nose!  My Grandpa said that when I was a baby I was almost born without one.  It's small & pert & gets a light smattering of freckles in the summer.  It can't hold up sunglasses worth a darn, though...
Also, perhaps not mental, but my heart.  I have a huge heart.  It gets hurt so easily b/c I'm actually very sensitive & loving.  I care too much what others think, but I think that comes from a place of big love & compassion, even in the face of betrayal.  It can be hard, but not a bad thing either.

3.  If you stood in front of God what question would you ask him?

I want only to hear one thing when I meet Him face-to-face:
"Well done, good & faithful servant."

Once I get more comfortable, I'll grill Him on cockroaches!

4.  Besides yourself - who was/is your biggest enabler in your weight loss journey?

I have no one to blame besides myself.  I know that when I was little & my folks would say, 'clean your plate; there are starving children in Africa' I actually took that to heart growing up... but my weight is my own.  I own it.  I'm more than happy to relinquish it, however!  And for a pack-rat like me, that's progress!
My family is my biggest support.

5.  What do you do for a living (another reader request question)?

I'm a pediatric operating room nurse.  That means that, as an RN, I'm responsible for the care & well-being of children throughout their surgical process, as well as making sure the anesthesiologists, surgeons & techs have everything they need to also care for that child.  I work for a non-profit hospital.  It's truly a great job.

6.  Whose blog hit home for you this week or whose blog made you think the most this week?

Answered... onto week 2...


BYOC - 2nd Edition:

1.  If you could change your first name - what would it be?

I used to want to change my name SO badly when I was younger.  I was constantly teased that Robin is a boy's name.  Robin Hood, Batman & Robin, etc.
So much so, that in high school, I began spelling it with a "y" (Robyn) b/c I thought it looked more feminine.
There's some special stories, however, behind my name... & I'm actually quite proud of it nowadays.
So, I wouldn't change it.  But if you held a gun to my head... I'm Moon Willow.  ;)

2.  Why are man hole covers round? (this one came from a follower - thanks!)

I guess they then fit in any direction, right?

3.  What's one of your biggest pet peeves?

People who pronounce 'especially' "EX-specially."  Aarrgghhh!  There's no X!
Also, people who drive slow in the fast lane.  I truly believe they help contribute to the road rage out there.

4.  If you could be a car - what would it be?  Post a pic if you can. 

I don't know that I'd BE this car, but I sure wanted to own one when I first saw it in my brother's car magazine back in 1997.  It was called the Dodge Copperhead.  It was a concept car.  Here's a pic:

Funny, because the car I drive today (Nissan Murano) is almost the same colour! 

5.  What's the biggest thing you learned from a blog this week or which blog spoke to you the most this week off the top of your head? (try to link them so others can check them out)

Moving on to the first even BYOC...


The Original BYOC:

1. If you could be a weather forecast, what would you be and why?

I'd be a big, old thunderstorm!  I love a good storm.  It's my favourite day-off weather actually.  You know, those days when you REALLY need a pajama day, & you can just curl up with a good book (or movie), your pets/loved ones, & spend some quality time getting some much-needed R&R?
Also, I love the smell & sounds of a good rainstorm.  Although living in tornado/hurricane country the past decade has brought some new insight, I must admit...

2. If you could be a crayon, what color would you be and why?

My favourite colour is green.  I love other colours too, but green just grabs me.  I think it's God's favourite colour too.  Look at the palette he left us in nature.  Even the water is green in some places!

3. What is/was your biggest physical goal you want to do when you hit your goal weight?

All Drazil's answers here were great.  Belly button ring, short sassy hairdo, run a 5K...
I think I'd just like to be able to do a cartwheel again & not break something.  Take stairs two-at-a-time, play with my nieces/nephews without getting winded.  Have my picture taken & not dread it.
LIVE!!!

4. If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

Hmmm... so many things for so many reasons!  But considering I love dogs so much, I'd love to see things from my dogs' perspective.  Love to do that Freaky-Friday switcharoo thing for a day.  I think that would be hilarious & very revealing.
Also, I think if people were more like dogs, this world would be a far better place.

5. Just because I’m new to some followers and I’m curious – let’s do a put it out there in black and white stat question.

What was your highest weight?  274.8
What is your weight now?  265
What is your goal weight if you have one?  135-140
What is your goal size if you have one?  Something in the single digits & I'll be happy.
What diet/program/tool do you follow/have if any?  The BAND - coming soon to a theater near me!
How did you lose the weight current to today?  I've gained & lost a million pounds.  One diet I enjoyed was the Suzanne Somers diet & also a very natural food diet.  That was all a long time ago now though.

6. What’s your best advice for people in this weight loss journey?

Believe in yourself.  Whatever your struggle, whatever your tool to overcome it, you DESERVE it!

7. Have you ever shaved your whootananny?

Yes... as best as I could by myself.  I've been curious about the waxing though.  I mean the WHOLE thing!  A friend says it's the greatest thing ever & feels so much cleaner.  If I ever get the guts...

Well, my friends... I'd say that's just about the longest blog post ever, so I'm done.  It's, like, 4 am & I'm off to bed!  Daddy's b-day in the morning!!!  Here he is... I heart him!

Blessings,