Just letting all the Harry Potter fans know that the movie will be released two days earlier then planned so you can change your date to make sure you are first in line to see it, grin!
Also there are plans underway to build a Theme Park based on Harry Potter and Wizardy scheduled to be open to the public in 2009 in Orlando. I'm sure more information about this will be available soon!!!
We already knew that there were videos and classes dedicated to pole dancing as exercise. Now there is an Exotic Dance Workout DVD where you will learn the moves of the exotic dance industry while losing weight! The video teaches classic stripper walk moves like the “model turn” and the “profile wave”. It also includes a section on floor work where exercisers learn to slink around on the floor with moves like the classic “black cat”. As a bonus the video includes chair prop work that can be performed with any regular chair you have in your home to give your exotic dancing a boost as well as deepening and strengthening the worked muscles. Yes folks, this one is a real product! So put on your pasties and power up that exotic dance DVD and learn to shake some stripper booty!
Well I know I need to add exercise to quicken the weight loss but this new trend won't work for me with a busted up knee! I'm sure hubby wouldn't mind it though, lol 
Make it a good day folks!
Hugs,
Aly
Well since I know I am facing two surgeries in the not to distant future hubby and I just started drinking the Adkins Advantage protein drinks for two meals supplemented with sugar free pudding and or popsicles in between. Dinner time will be meat and salads and if we need a dessert it will be another pudding or popsicle. We will be looking up other drinks to make so we don't get too tired of it but this is one of the drinks recommended to drink for two weeks prior to the lap band surgery. My knees are really suffering today and I can only hope with less weight will be less pain!
I managed to clean the bathroom minus washing the floor or doing the tub, and continued the laundry and started up the dishes and I am now wasted and packed on ice.
Our friend is coming over tonight to have hubby help her with some personal letters that need to be written and to visit abit. I am sure she must be abit lonely too as in the hospital at least you hear people all around you even if they aren't in your room.
Off to rest awhile. May courage and love fill your days and nights.
Aly
Well our friend who has recently undergone two surgeries and ended up in ICU both times has finally gone home today. On the way home she stopped by to visit a little bit and pick up her cell phone. It is wonderful that she is now well enough to get on with her life again. She has undergone a lap band surgery where they also fixed her hiatal hernia and then she went home for a day and a half only to half to go back into the hospital and undergo a gallbladder surgery! She must be like new now. She is doing very well on the lap band program and has lost quite a bit of weight already. This is a life changing journey she is on and a true inspiration for the rest of us.
Have a good night everyone,
Aly
Well I had a gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket from my birthday so hubby wheeled me around Dillards to look for a pair of cropped jeans. I found a nice comfy pair and some intimates too! Then I used my crutches to get into Mervyns and found a few cool tops to wear for the hotter weather. That was as much as my knee could take with the walking and changing of clothes. It was nice to get out and to get a few things I needed for the summer :).
Just put in some laundry and we are going to watch a movie together.
Later folks,
Aly
We finally used my free 30 dollar dinner out at the Keg Steakhouse tonight for my birthday. Once you eat their once you can sign up for their free birthday dinner which is a 9 oz lucious steak and a lobster tail! It is fantastic food and service so if you have time, take time to see if you have a Keg in your area.
On another note, today was my first day alone in along time and it didn't start out well. I felt a bit panicked early on in the day and just feeling the pangs of the lonliness. Hubby had to work an extra long day as his asst was out today on vacation and then he had to stop at Walmart for some protein drinks and other essentials.
I have finally figured out why our cat Jordan is so skittish about coming into our 'new' bedroom! It is because we bought a tower fan for it as we don't have a ceiling fan so he is all stressed out everytime he scampers by it. When he is not doing that, he is giving it dirty looks, lol. Someday we will get a digital camera and we will upload some of his antics to youtube I am sure! He is a character for sure.
Have a nice day tomorrow everyone. DON'T DRIVE DRUNK!!!!!
Peace and Love and Courage,
Aly
Well as we were driiving to my surgeon's appt our friend Dar called to say they were taking her into surgery at 5pm and my appt on the other side of town was at 3:30. I called my sister and aunt and they hightailed it over to the hospital to be with her before the surgery. They could feel her nervous energy and I guess almost all of them got sick to their stomachs. By the time we got back down there my sister and aunt looked bedraggled and she was still in her surgery. Not one family member there during her time of need! I pass on their behavior at this point in time. I guess they are discussing letting her go home (to her brother's) tomorrow. She is already brushing off their negligent, hurtful behavior because she is afraid of losing them. She's never had them in my opinion.
My surgeon reexamined my latest xrays and my knee and said he wanted to remove some fluid to make sure there wasn't any infection and to drain some it off my knee. He said a knee replacement is inevitable but that in the meantime we could try the gel shots to try and buy some time. He also knows I need a gallbladder surgery done. Now we wait on the insurance to hear about that. It doesn't feel quite as painful today. I am just tired out.
I expect we'll also be hearing more from my son about his plans soon. That is some really good news for sure. We can all use some of that.
Well I'm gonna do some resting up. My aunt and sister left for Tucson so the house is unusually quiet as they have been with us since last Sunday. We needed and appreciated their help.
Live in Harmony and Health,
Aly
I just heard from Dar and I could hear in her fragile sounding voice that something was wrong. It seems her brother and his wife 'have plans' to go to a graduation of their son's stepdaughter the night she is having her surgery and they won't be there!!!! They did this to her after her car accident when they couldn't have her go stay with them as they 'had plans'!!!! and I was sick but we had to care for her as they wouldn't. I can't believe they are pulling this selfish shit again, pardon my french. I am so pissed off at them right now I can't see straight!
I have my surgeon's appt and I guess we will have to rush down the highway to try and see her before her surgery and be there for her when she wakes up. She is so terrified of this surgery because of her mom dying.
Why are people so cruel??? She is so good to all of them she deserves so much better treatment then this!!!!!!!!
Well after many changes back and forth with Darleen the dr told her this morning he is removing her gallbladder tomorrow evening. She is getting antsy being in the hospital and wishes she could just go home but even after the surgery I am sure he won't want her going home alone which means she will have to stay with family for a few days. I pray it all goes well.
I found her the cutest teddy bear at the gift shop yesterday that sing 'that's what friends are for' and its head moves and its mouth while the song plays.. it is just so darling and so perfect for a close friend. I know she gets lonely as she isn't gettting a lot of visits from her family, sigh. I won't get into that now.
So tomorrow hubby and I go to my surgeon at 2:30 and then I guess we will be turning around and heading for her hospital. I hope I am not in tears as I am dreading this visit to talk about replacing my knee so much. No choice it seems.
Life is hard, isn't it?
Hugs,
Aly
9 tips to save money at the pump!
1. Find a bargain.
If you're taking a summer road trip, plan out your route before you go. Identify gas stations along the way that have the lowest prices.
When I stopped in a beach town last week to fill up my car I didn't plan like I should have (I almost ran out of gas), and it cost me the most I'd ever paid for gas -- $3.85 a gallon. Next time I'll go to GasBuddy.com, a site that lets consumers share gas price information easily, and find a better deal before I head for the beach.
2. Keep your tires fully inflated.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average driver can improve mileage by 3.3 percent simply by inflating their vehicle's tires regularly.
In fact, according to the AAA, under-inflated tires are the No. 1 way we waste gas. One out of every four cars and one out of every three pickups, vans, and SUVs have at least one extremely low tire. So pick up a tire gauge at your local auto parts store and check your tire pressure whenever you pull into a service station for gas. Your car's owner's manual will tell you the recommended PSI -- pounds per square inch -- rating.
3. Get a tune-up.
A vehicle in need of servicing is wasting gas in more ways than one. According to the Department of Energy, replacing a clogged air filter can improve your gas mileage by 10 percent, while fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve gas mileage by an unbelievable 40 percent.
So kick off your summer by getting that tune-up you've been putting off. Check your owner's manual, or download a free service and maintenance schedule at CarCare.org.
4. Fill 'er up with regular unleaded if possible.
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The truth is that you may not even notice the difference when you drive your car with regular gas instead of premium, and the cost difference can be as much as 40 cents per gallon. If your car doesn't require premium unleaded, you're wasting your money -- premium doesn't improve performance.
5. Adjust your driving habits.
Speeding, excessive accelerating, and sudden braking all waste gas. A more relaxed driving style not only improves safety, it also improves gas mileage by 33 percent for highway driving.
Idling your engine for long periods can also waste up to a gallon of gas per hour. Also, think twice before blasting the air conditioning. According to the Department of Energy, operating your car's air conditioner on its maximum setting can reduce your miles per gallon by 5 to 25 percent compared to not using it at all.
6. Clean out your trunk.
Unnecessary cargo weighs your car down. A hundred extra pounds can reduce your miles per gallon by 2 percent.
Going on vacation? Try to avoid storing luggage on your roof. The increased wind resistance will reduce your mileage as well.
7. Carpool.
You'll literally save thousands of dollars a year in fuel costs if you share a ride to work. Here's an example: If you commute to work 40 miles per day round trip, work full-time, drive a vehicle that gets 24 mpg, and pay the national average for gas, your estimated yearly cost to commute is $5,124.
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9. Buy a hybrid, get a tax break.
Driving a hybrid, which runs on a combination of gas and electric power, will significantly increase your miles per gallon. Hybrid cars are becoming more affordable, too.
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The government is even offering tax incentives when you purchase certain hybrid vehicles. To find out the details, visit the IRS web site. To read more about hybrid cars, visit Yahoo! Autos.
Well I am a nervous wreck tonight as Dar is going to have the gallbladder surgery done tomorrow afternoon. Then when I saw my doctor today we discussed the fact that I need both a gallbladder surgery and a knee replacement and my concern was which I should get done first. I don't want any complications during the knee replacement from my gallbladder. She thinks I have held my own thus far with the gallbladder and she thinks I would have to put off the knee surgery for too long if I do it that way so she said it was her opinion that I get the knee replacement done first. We are doing some blood work and she said to discuss this with my surgeon as well. There are just too damned many hard decisions to make at once.
Well I am very tired so I'll end this post here.
May you find love and harmony in your life,
Aly
Well I just spoke to Dar and she's back in her room after an early morning stress test to see is her heart is ok to perform gallbladder surgery tomorrow. She is so scared as her mom died on the operating table during a gallbladder surgery but that was many years ago and they didn't know she had a heart murmur.
I asked her when she wants me there, either before or after the surgery as I can't sit too long with my knee so she is going to think about what she wants.
Well we are about to get on the road so I can see my doctor and determine what to do about my gallbladder as well.
Gotta go,
Aly
Well I guess Dar won't know until tomorrow what the doctors will decide to do for her until tomorrow. She can't even drink water. She said earlier they were thinking of going in and taking the gallstone out through her mouth and then 6 months from now taking out her gallbladder. She has really gone thru alot these last several days. She looks tired from it all and just wants out of the hosptial!
We didn't stay too long tonight as she had company starting at 10 am today. I am glad her family went to visit her and let her know she is special.
I see my PCP doctor in the morning and I guess with all my digestion problems, pressure and pain that i may finally have to have my gallbladder out. This is just bad timing with my knee being so bad.
Life is hard these days, so I hope God is watching out for all of us.
Live in Harmony,
Aly
Well by the time I got ready to go last night I was doubled over in pain and cramping so badly all I could do was go to bed. After taking the meds for it I woke up at 8:30 pm. I called Darleen this morning but they have her too sedated to make any sense of what she is saying. Perhaps they are doing this until tomorrow to get the gallbladder out, I don't know. I called my sister last night when I had the melt down and asked if she would come up today and help me and to get me to see Darleen since hubby has to work today.
I am waiting a little while to call Dar's sister in law since her brother doesn't seem to use the phone much..... sigh.
My gallbladder is also acting up so now I am faced with the dilemma of which surgery should happen first. I guess my PCP will have to tell me what to do. I am so overwhelmed at this very moment I have to stop typing.
We heard early this morning that our friend was feeling pain in her chest and nauseous late last night so her brother and his wife took her back to the hospital. They ran all kinds of tests and couldn't find anything wrong. Her sister in law Nancy called me early this morning to fill me in on everything. They told her they were going to run an upper GI series and found that it is her gallbladder and now they are going to plan on taking out her gallbladder. This is so much for her to deal with. I am so worried about her and now my stomach is acting up. Some days are just so hard to deal with everything.
I hate to complain as I am blessed in so many other ways but lately things have been piling up. Our friends mom died on the operating table during gallbladder surgery and besides worrying us I am sure it is worrying her. Please say a prayer for Darleen.
Off to the hospital,
Aly
Well since all of these changes have been made it feels like we have moved to a new place, lol! So today while hubby still has those moving discs he is going to swap places with our futon and love seat in the living room. It will open up the room more and put the love seat in front of the window and it will also show off the french doors going out to the patio 
.
I can only watch and give suggestions but it is giving my morale a boost since the pain continues to try and drag me down. I think my niece has enjoyed the project and she has a truly loving heart. Her smile lights up the room!
Well enjoy your day folks,
Aly
Well hubby was out running an errand for our friend who just got out of the hospital when our car starting turning like a mack truck. He barely got it to the garage and he walked backed home since the car dealership is so close. We both had chiropractic appointments which now have been cancelled and we couldn't finish the task for Darleen so we have called her to see if someone in her family will finish the task for her.
What a day. I'm afraid to move.
I don't think my niece realized how much work this job was when she started it. Hubby and I are packed into this 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment and even though every time we move we have thrown things away we still seem to have too much!
Then hubby went to plug in our phone in this room and realized it doesn't work. He then realized our cable connection didn't either. He called Qwest only to get a recording saying they were closed at 6pm!!! No help to us. So between no technical service available and cheaper rates we are switching everything back to Cox. So much to deal with and I can't be up and helping. I asked him to put papers and shoes on the bed for me to sort through and throw away things we don't need. I woke up crying from a sound sleep I felt so overwhelmed.
We both also have to get use to sleeping on different sides of the bed which is hard to do as it puts my right leg in the middle of the bed instead of on the outside. Being closer to the bathroom is easier for me and I am sure it will be after the next surgery as well. I just wish I felt stronger then I do. Later we see the chiropractor and hopefully adjustments to my back and neck will help me feel better. He is not touching my leg period.
Hubby had pictures fall on his foot and it hurt like hell and cut him too. It has been a busy morning already.
Well I have to try and get showered which is always a thrill.......grrrr.
Have a good day all,
Aly
Due to the fact that I can be closer to the bathroom and be in the bedroom with a view my niece and hubby uprooted both rooms and have redorated them completely! She is coming over tomorrow night to help finish our old bedroom with rearranging and decoration. In the middle of this she was doing laundry and cleaning the kitchen. That girl has so much energy I would love 1/10th of it. She is just so loving and thoughtful.
Hubby is completely worn out because many of the items were heavy and today was his first day of managing his own team :).
I'm worn out from all of the activity and change and not having much say in what was being done for me, lol. I'm grateful so I'll try to keep my little remarks to myself albeit hard to do!
Bon Nuit,
Aly
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