Well, heck! I just realized ...

Two posts in one day?! I know. Insane. Check my temp.
I just realized that today is the 18 month anniversary of the day my life changed forever. For the better. In indescribable ways.
It was 18 months ago today that I had gastric bypass surgery. Now, 230 pounds lighter, my life is completely different.
Sure, there's still 30 pounds to lose ...
But, all in all, a success. Of (g)astronomic proportions. And if you're thinking it's the easy way out, you're smoking stuff. Let's see you go without pasta, bread, rice, and potatoes for the rest of your life. Let's see you never eat chocolate or sweets again. Let's see you go without fruit for a year. Let's see you watch your diet and exercise every day for the rest of your life to maintain what you've lost. Okay. That last one is something we should all be doing anyway. I am here to testify that following every instruction given by surgeons, no shortcuts whatsoever, leads to a happy life.

A happy life includes:
*Walking into any store and finding something in your size
*Walking a flight (or two or three) of stairs without gasping for air
*No longer worrying about a chair collapsing under you
*People approaching you in a store - sometimes just to ask for your opinion!
*No more sleep apnea, swollen ankles, or joint pain
*New friends
*Old friends you'd forgotten existed because you were busy being a hermit
*Buying a swimming suit for the first time in 20 years - and having it fit
*A nephew that loves to pick you up, just because he can
*Getting a hug from someone whose arms actually go all the way around you
*Being able to get in your car when the idiot next to you parks too close
*Realizing you can have kids when the time comes
*A (few) new wardrobes, shoes, and accessories
*Not remembering what soda tastes like
*Thinking ice cream looks nasty
*Foregoing dessert because you crave a bowl of fruit instead
*Walking as far and as long as you want without sore feet or legs
*Having healthy teeth and gums
*Dating (although this has yet to happen, I do think it's part of a happy life!)
*Going back to school because you're well enough physically and mentally to handle it
*Introducing yourself to people because nobody recognizes you (still kinda strange)
*People making eye contact and smiling at you
*Feeling good from the moment you wake up until your head hits the pillow again
*Thinking that TV is boring and wondering why you ever liked it so much
*Learning to love cooking again, but doing it to be healthy
*Eating to live, not living to eat
*Sitting cross-legged on the couch
*Pulling your knees up to your chest
*Wearing knee-length skirts and not feeling self-conscious
*Being hopeful about life and all it has to offer
*Knowing you can succeed at whatever you try
*Taking a chance on love

So thanks to Dr. Smith who made it all possible. And to my parents for encouraging me to be my best. And to my family for supporting me. And to my friends for not judging me. And to my co-workers for filling in for me. And to the two people who gave it all to me - my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am blessed.