Quarters, Raspberry Sherbert, & Dancing Monkeys

The weather today was fantabulous. I was able to leave work early and truly enjoy the beautiful weather. I had made plans with Ethan (my brother) to go to The Willows and frolic! I love it there. It is just so much fun! And now that I weigh significantly less, it is far more easier to frolic!



Loads of quarters were spent in the arcade. The arcade is my favorite place to be at The Willows! I am big fan of rideable video games...like the ones were you are skiing. Well, let's just say that it is so much easier to do these. Also, I am able to fit in the seats for the race car ones!! YIPPPEEEE!!!

I am so happy. I can't wait to go tot Canobie Lake this summer. I haven't had an amusement park fix in years. I have been way to heavy to go on rides. But, not this summer. I can go on roller coasters again. YIPPPEEEE!!! Anyways, so Ethan & I did a bunch of video games, the motion simulator ride, pin ball, and some games where you win tickets!! Good times.



The Dancing Monkey thing is the best. You put in a quarter and the monkeys in the box dance. THEY ARE NOT REAL MONKEYS! Some play little instruments too. I have always loved this. When I was little I used to dance when the monkeys danced. We danced together. Well today a little girl & her parents were dancing with the monkeys. Ethan & I did too, on the sidelines. So much fun!



I wanted to go on the carousel, however Ethan did not. I also forgot how little it was. But, it would have been fun. Oh well, I will go on the one at Canobie Lake! I did get some raspberry sherbert. I got a kiddie size cup and didn't even eat a quarter of it. Thankfully Ethan finished it along with his popcorn. The sherbert was so good. It didn't cause me to dump either...BONUS!!! It was nice to have something frozen and sweet while at The Willows! I never would have gotten sherbert before. I would have gotten ice cream with stuff it and jimmies. However, I definitely can't eat more then a bite of that now. That is fine, because I am looking so good. Can't wait to go back to The Willows. Maybe during the Week!

The physics of my bum!

I have come to the conclusion that my bum has dropped. I know that you are asking yourself, "what on earth is Marla talking about?" Allow me to explain.

My bum used to be a whole lot larger then it is presently & used to be halfway up my back!

I know this because I could get away with wearing pants with an average inseam...cause my bum filled up so much of them. I can't do that anymore because I have far less bum. Also, my bum has dropped into the location of where it should be normally. Very exciting. I don't have as much junk in my trunk...so I am not as high up when I sit. For example, my mom is 2 inches taller then me; however when seated I was taller then her due to all the junk in my trunk. Hence, my bum has dropped.

I am greatly enjoying this. Pants fit the way they should. Low rise jeans land where they should, because my bum dropped. I am loving this although it is still rather bizarre! But, hey my bum dropped into place so I can't really complain!

A Marla theme song

Because of "my arm," this song is one of my theme songs. But, it also gives my strength.

Doctors have come
from distant cities
just to see me
stand over my bed
disbelieving what they're seeing

they say I must be one of the wonders
of god's own creation
and as far as they see they can offer
no explanation

newspapers ask
intimate questions
what confessions
they reach into my head
to steal the glory
of my story

they say I must be one of the wonders
of god's own creation
and as far as they see they can offer
no explanation

I believe
fate smiled and destiny
laughed as she came to my cradle
"know this child will be able"
laughed as my body she lifted
"know this child will be gifted
with love, with patience
and with faith
she'll make her way"

people see me
I'm a challenge
to your balance
I'm over your heads
how I confound you
and astound you
to know I must be one of the wonders
of god's own creation
and as far as you see you can offer me
no explanation

I believe
fate smiled and destiny
laughed as she came to my cradle
"know this child will be able"
laughed as she came to my mother
"know this child will not suffer"
laughed as my body she lifted
"know this child will be gifted
with love, with patience
and with faith
she'll make her way"

Wonder
Natalie Merchant

Back in the land of Blog!!

Gawd, I haven't blogged in about 2 months. That is not good. I need to mantain my blogging regularly. Anyways...Time to bring y'all up to snuff.

As of Tuesday... I have lost 88lbs since surgery on 1.3.06 and and lost 100lbs since my heaviest weight of 392lbs last July. I now weigh in @ 291.4 lbs. The black & white photo is from the other day and the "wedding photo" is from last July when I was at my heaviest.

It is so strange to see the difference between the photos. I still can't believe how much I let myself go. But, that is part of why I have been seeing my therapist again,. Lots of things to deal with. I have come to realize that my life hasn't been that easy in many ways and that certain things I did really suited their purpose. I am just grateful that I woke up and did something to change my life NOW! I don't want to think about what would have been had I not done this.

Anyways, I will defiinitely be blogging regularly again about my journey with gastric bypass. Just make sure to leave comments.

I am a loser!

I have now lost 55 lbs. 25 lbs till 300...WOW!! Although I am in my 9th week post-op, this is experience has been bizarrely surreal! It is truly amazing. I love getting my life back. Each new day is exciting. I haven't been this happy in sooo long! I need to start posting pictures.

So True

Reflection Christina Aguilera

Look at me
You may think you see who I really am
But you'll never know me
Everyday it's as if I play a part
Now I see
If I wear a mask I can fool the world
But I cannot fool my heart

Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside

I am now
In a world where I have to hide my heart
And what I believe in
But somehow
I will show the world
Whats inside my heart
And be loved for who I am

Who is that girl I see
staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection
Someone I dont know

Must I pretend that i'm
Someone else for all time

When will my reflection show
Who I am inside

There's a heart that must be free to fly
That burns with a need to know
The reason why
Why must we all conceal
What we think
How we feel
Must there be a secret me
I'm forced to hide
I wont pretend that I'm
Someone else for all time

When will my reflection show
who I am inside
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside

Age & Life

I came to a conclusion a long time ago that age is nothing but a number. It is all about how you feel. If you feel young, you are young. If you feel old, you are old. I came to this conclusion when my grandfather turned 90 (approach. 7 years ago). He did not look his age. You see my Opa (German for grandpa) was an amazing person. He lived till a few weeks prior to his 97 birthday. He passed August 2004.

My Oma had died July 1998. Since then he was living on his own, driving (even though he shouldn't have), going out, etc. He was a total social butterfly and the life of the party. He was the youngest 90 year old person I knew. He died the way he wanted to; in his house, in his slept, with hospice care.

He felt young, therefore he was young.

There are a few exceptions to this theory. A boy must be 13 to have his Bar-Mitzvah, a girl can be either 12 or 13. You must be 16 to get your drivers permit in Massachusetts. You want to vote, buy cigarettes, and/ or porn...you must be 18. Wanna buy that 6-pack of beer? You need to be 21. Need to rent a car, you must be 25.

I just turned 26 on Friday. I don't feel any different. I feel great & young, but adult at the same time. So I did some math. I added the digits of my age together to come up with my actual age. 2 + 6 = 8. 8 seems about right!!