Many Thanks...

After six (im)patient months, I have finally reached what I have so desired. Tomorrow I start the second chapter of my Lap Band journey, with band firmly in place (I hope) and a new resolve to better my life, my health, and my body. I can’t say that these last six months have been easy. I should have been doing a lot of things differently. If I had actually put my mind and body to it, I could have already been down forty or fifty pounds, rather than just the 24 pounds I lost over these two weeks. However, I’m a sloth, something that I hope will change in the coming months and years.

There is one thing that I want and need to do before I try and sleep tonight. I want to thank people, a LOT of people. Without them, I would not be standing on the brink of a healthier life. Yes, this is going to get all sappy and crap, and it will probably sound like an Oscar speech, but I’m sincere in my thanks, and grateful for the friends and family I have.

To my husband and son: I love you guys. You have put up with so much from me while I was waiting. Both of you encouraged me (unsuccessfully, because I suck) to exercise more and eat less. You have both been patient with my mood swings, my depression, my irritation….the list could go on forever. I appreciate the effort you put forth, and I promise that this will be a new start for us, with a wife and mother who does not tire easily, sweat easily, or stay at home because of how she perceives herself. You are my strength, my joy, and my life.

To my parents, my sister, and all of my extended family: Thank you for cheering on my decision and giving me long distance support when I needed it. I love all of you, even when you guys act nuts. I also miss all of you, and I’m sorry that we won’t be coming home until December. Of course, when you see me again, I’ll be less. Much, much less.

To Rob: Thank you for listening to me bitch about all the issues I had with the clinic. Thank you for making me laugh, for calling me up and leaving your insanely hilarious messages on my answering machine, and for just BEING THERE. Your friendship means more to me than I can express, and I’m so glad that you’re my “online fantasy world” friend, as well as a real life friend. I love you, in a totally platonic way, but I reserve the right to grab your ass in July if I’m drunk. *ahem*

To Julie: Thank you for taking the time to message me when you sensed that I was down or having a hard go of it. I’m glad that we’ve gotten to know each other better, and I truly value your wise advice and insight on life. You’re a truly beautiful person, inside and out, because you have no qualms about soothing others when you have your own problems to deal with. I look forward to meeting you in July and taking over the Soul section of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

To Bobo: Thank you for making me laugh and for sharing your life with me. You are an awesome friend, and I’m so glad that the tiff we had on the boards didn’t end our friendship. Someday, I will get to England and we will hang out, but until then, we shall continue talking online. I love you, little bro. Never forget that.

To all my crew at Renegade Retro and the 00ze: A million thanks and hugs and kisses for supporting me in this endeavor. I am eternally grateful that the people I know would never belittle this choice that I have made (and I’ve heard horror stories at the Lap Band meetings, trust me), but have rallied around me and stuck with me through the madness. You guys rock, and I love you all, even the pissers that annoy the crap out of me from time to time.

To the people I’ve befriended through my blog: Thank you for your comments, your advice, and your sympathy with my issues. I’m glad that my blogging and my reading of blogs have led me to some of the nicest people on Earth.

My thanks having been said, I shall wrap up this post. I will try to get on here tomorrow night from my phone, if it has a signal, just so I can update and let people know I’m okay.

Goodnight.