Pre-Holiday Update

Hello Everyone!

I'll be in DC for Thanksgiving! Hopefully I'll get to see everyone, but if not - I figured it'd been awhile since I sent an update & thought I'd get everyone caught up on the broad strokes...

I am had another party this past Saturday - if you missed it, SHAME ON YOU!

Party Pictures:
http://homepage.mac.com/leeputmanjr/PhotoAlbum25.html

The Homepage (Now WITH VIDEO!):
http://homepage.mac.com/leeputmanjr/Menu18.html

Minor home improvements continue. All the new wood blinds are installed, even a new vertical slider for the patio door. Believe it or not, I hung each and every one myself! In my living room, the top of the top window is 15 feet off the floor, so I'm sure I put on a great window-wiggle show for the neighbors! The hard part was getting a 10 foot tall step ladder in my Jeep at Home Depot...yeah...NO pictures of THAT...

All of my new bedroom furniture is in....and WOW...talk about mattress comfort...this upgrade was MANY years overdue. I got the furniture from Pottery Barn - it's the Valencia collection, and I have to say I'm QUITE impressed with the quality. The wood itself is very nice stuff, and the construction and finish are excellent. Very, VERY Heavy. Definitely grown-up furniture. Not sure I should be allowed to have stuff this nice! And it was GREAT to be able to pick out from scratch a style that was all my own. I even got an old, and very favorite art print framed to go above the bed - then I mismatched different color sheets to go with it & my comforter. Opinions have varied so far...but I like it!

A few weeks ago I got my very first pair of glasses. Just for reading & computer work. Can't seem to keep track of where I have left them. Got an extra pair to just leave at work. Not happy about this development.

The health & fitness stuff all continues...if not fairly well, at least it continues. I have come to accept the gym...maybe I don't LIKE it, but it's really not so bad. I'm even taking tennis lessons, and I want to get a kick-ass bike. Suggestions, anyone? It's the getting my ass out of bed in the morning part that sucks. Once you're I'm in motion, it's actually..."ok"-ish. The portion (no pun intended) that continues to plague me is the EATING. I have, over the last few years, continually changed how I eat - for the better - but I cannot overcome the constant, pervasive feeling of just being hungry. For the first time in my life I understand what it feels like to be an addict - and it's hard to admit there is something in my life that is beyond my control. It has always felt like I should be stronger, I should be able to kick this thing's ass, I just need more grit and a bit more self control and discipline, right? Hell, I was a Marine...! It's not so damn difficult, just DON'T EAT SO MUCH, idiot! This simple little thing has brought me to my knees, feeling like a failure because I have to ask for help. There are few things in life I despise more than asking for help.

So...pay attention, big news here...I have made a decision.

November 30th I am having laparoscopic bariatric surgery:

http://www.lapbandcenter.com/index.cfm

My Doctor has supported me on this, and it is a good option. It is NOT a gastric bypass. That surgery is horrifically invasive, permanent, complicated, it has serious negative long-term health implications, and a 1% mortality rate. What I am doing is significantly different and less invasive, it is called a Lap-Band - and it is 100% reversible, it is adjustable, and it does not change how the body functions from a "plumbing" standpoint. All it is - it's just a small collar that goes around the stomach making a small pouch near the top. Food passes through the restricted area normally - though slowly - making the person feel very full very quickly, for a longer period of time.

The surgery itself takes about an hour, and with no complications I go home the same day. The recovery period is 4 to 7 days. The only actual "cutting" are several one inch incisions they use to insert the scope and helper tools.

The initial weight loss is not as significant as with a Gastric bypass, but within 3 years the numbers even up, and with MUCH less risk. They are going to target me for a consistent 2 pound per week weight loss. At that rate it'll take me about 2 years to approach my "ideal" weight. They monitor me the whole way, every month. If my weight loss is too much, or not enough, the diameter of the band can be adjusted.

In preparation for this...for two weeks prior to the surgery I'm on a pretty much liquid diet. (Sorry - NO, you smart-asses....beer is NOT on the plan!) That means - no Thanksgiving Dinner for me. YAY! I get to be with my family...but WITHOUT alcohol...and I can't even have Turkey. Who the hell said this was the season of miracles....? Oh well...NEXT Turkey day...I'll be half the man I am now...so, it's all good. I'm actually looking forward to being home for the holidays regardless of the food - I'm not sure if you all know, but Mr. Beagle passed away at the end of August. While I'm at Mom's for Thanksgiving I plan to sprinkle his ashes in the river behind her house. Anyone who ever met him knows he'd like that.

For those of you playing the home game...remember what happens the end of December? That's right, kids, it's MY BIRTHDAY! I've actually been thinking about this one quite a bit (turning 39), and in the spirit of embracing that which cannot be avoided (turning 40)...I have decided to make a list of all the things I'll be doing this next year - and document my progress.

"Things I want to do before I turn 40"

(...or..."what made me feel ready to become a grownup".)

My theme of discovery for the year I'm 39 (2006).

Items to do this year include Surfing in Hawaii again, a cross country drive with an old friend in my Fiat, finishing my college degree, loosing the weight, learning to live a TV free life, becoming a morning person and using the time to work out, get aggressive control of my money, find a date worthy of meeting Mom, see the northern lights, dance with a beautiful woman at the top of the Eiffel Tower...

Feel free to send in suggestions, comments, or ridicule! It would be GREAT to hear from everyone. I hope you, your families, and everyone you care about are all doing well. Happy Holidays!

Progress, pictures & blog coming soon:

www.flickr.com/photos/leeputmanjr/

Love & hugs for everyone-

PS - my company phone no longer has text-message capability, only email. As a SOX requirement, if we can't track it, we can't use it. Bummer. Just send email!