Sounds deep, doesn't it? Well it is in big and small ways.
Abandoning Art
In small ways – I've recently falling in love with a movement started by Michael DeMeng and his wife Andrea Matus DeMeng called ART ABANDONMENT. There is a group on Facebook for it. http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtAbandonment/. The idea is to make a piece of art and leave it to be found. Here are a few pieces that have been sprinkled about my town.
a 9×9 mixed-media canvas/collage with watercolors and Pan Pastels:
a 9×12 canvas board mixed-media hybrid collage with colored pencil acrylics and enamel:
a handmade journal:
the last piece shown hanging from a little tree outside of the library.
The idea is to print out a little tag / note with it that says something like this…
This is a gift secretly placed among everyday items
simply for you to discover and enjoy.
Let us know you found it:
ArtAbandonment@groups.facebook.com
Art Abandonment encourages artists to leave art in various
locations around the globe for a person, like you, to find.
I don't really identify myself except for posting my abandonments on the FB group.
It's that simple. Join in the fun!
Abandoning the Weight
In big ways my life is changing too. My kids are growing up. Middle School and High School this year. How did that happen? In all the time I've had the kids though, I've always been overweight. It wasn't always this way. Here's a Madonna moment for you – back in the 80s…
Yes, that is me. And although I know I will probably never weigh that much again… it sure would be nice if it were recognizable.
I have tried every weight loss diet and gimmick I can fathom. And nothing works. I'm always hungry and I never feel full.
So I decided to focus on making small health changes first.
Something lifestyle for me was kicking the caffeine habit. I made the switch from Diet Coke to Caffeine Free Diet Coke. Doesn't seem like much, does it? But believe me it was. And then I thought, why not kick the diet soda habit altogether? I mean, what is really the point of Caffeine Free Diet Coke? Seriously?! So out it went.
I gave up on my vanity and made an eye doctor appointment. I'm now the proud owner of a pair of lineless tri-focals. I can see! This makes a huge impact on my jewelry-making abilities.
You don't know this, but seven years ago I was denied by my insurance for weight-loss surgery. It was devastating. I didn't get it. And it actually made me give up in a way. And the weight gain just kept happening.
Then my sister passed away unexpectedly in October. And I pretty much pulled in the reins and focused on my nest. I kept thinking about how I was spending my time. Precious time that I have to live my life. It was time to make some changes.
I got my studio in order. You can see it here!
I became a soccer Mom in every possible sense of that word. I got into my kids activities and became more present in their lives. But still, I wanted to lose this weight and it wasn't working.
So I lucked out. They say that people are put in your life for a reason. A friend paved the way for me. She told me that she was having a weight loss surgery. And I listened to the different options that she was looking at. A procedure I had never heard of before – Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, sounded like the most perfect solution I could have ever hoped for.
VSG is different than a gastic bypass (or RNY). They don't re-route anything and it isn't mal-absorbtive, so you get all the nutrients in your food. Essentially they remove a large portion of your stomach, and the remaining stomach resembles a sleeve in its shape. A large portion of the stomach is removed, and this portion is responsible for making the hormone, Ghrelin, which I actually call 'Growling'. It is the hormone that signals, "I'm Hungry!". And for me, getting rid of it would be great. I'm always hungry and I never feel full. These two problems are solved by VSG. No more annoying hormone production and a smaller stomach to fill. Voila!
Fast forward to several months of visiting with a nutrionist, my doctor, lots of blood work and physicals, EKG, chest X-ray — you name it. I'm basically very lucky. I'm a healthy girl, but I'm very overweight. My heart and lungs are working for two people. My back and joints are complaining about it too but not loudly, yet.
Lucky for me my insurance agreed this time around.
So I've been on a pre-op diet for the last two weeks and starting a clear-liquids diet today. I've never had a problem sticking to a diet for a couple of weeks. But beyond that? Never worked for me.
I'm going in for my surgery on Monday morning. Do you know what it feels like to look forward to a Monday? Now I do. Because I have hope. I know this is going to work. And I feel in control for once.
That's the plan.
I wasn't sure that I was going to share this part of my life outside of my immediate family. But then I thought about what would have happened if my friend hadn't told me what she was doing? If I'd never heard of this procedure? And that made the decision something that I had to share.
Thanks for reading.
Sally, I’ll be thinking of you and praying for your surgery and a good recovery. Thank you for sharing and here’s to your health!!!
Sally Lynn, I’m glad you shared all of this. Know we are thinking of you and encouraging you in your decisions. PS. Love the idea of the abandoned art- I’ll have to check it out.
You are very brave in finding a solution that works for you and making yourself a priority along with your family and home. God bless you on this journey. Thank-you for sharing in such a real authentic and vulnerable way.
My distant friend while I love your “vintage” photo, you’ve always been beautiful to me. I’m sure that cameoflage has been your fashion sense and believe you mean, I’ve learned to do the same these past few years but I never ever knew your deep down struggle…I’ll keep you in my thoughts and I am so glad you shared so that all of us who love and admire you from afar can cheer you on…up and downs alike!
Hugs
Congratulations Sally! This is a big step and it sounds like you are more than ready! I admire you very much for pushing on and wish you a very successful operation with results beyond your wildest dreams!
You know what I always say ( and believe)…LEAP… And the net will appear!!
Good 4 U girlfriend !
Sally Lynn,
Thank you for sharing. Just another reason I admire you. I will be sending you good thoughts as you embark on this new chapter of your life. Congratulations!
Love you,
Lisa Stahl
PS. Will have to be more diligent when checking out the shrubbery. Not just looking for Corrine any more!
Sally Lynn. You never cease to amaze me. Every time I learn something new about you and love ya even more than the last time you shared something, you go and make me adore ya even more. You are such a GEM and I’m excited for you. Happy Early Monday and let this new chapter, give you the strength, the self confidence and the love for yourself on the outside that makes your soul so beautiful on the inside already to everyone who knows ya. Huge hugs and congratulations on your accomplishments so far!!!
Congrats, I had gastric bypass in January and have lost 100 pounds since then! It was difficult for the first two months after surgery but looking back it was all worth it!
Sally Lynn,
I have had 2 friends have this surgery. One just had it early June and she’s dropped over 40 lbs so far. The other has lost 147 lbs and has kept it off for 1 1/2 yrs as of today! So with those 2 always in the back of my head, and now reading your journey, I do believe it is time for me to think about this option as well. I gasped as I was reading your story. I am ‘healthy’ in every sense of the way (normal sugar, cholesterol, & bp numbers, etc.) that always astonished the doctors who never held back their surprise! But my back has sign of arthritis (hello 40 and toting around my boobs since 3rd grade), my knees feel as if they are about to give at any moment and just overall aches and pains that I KNOW are due to my weight. So I want to THANK YOU for sharing… for being an INSPIRATION… and for helping this fat girl DECIDE her way. Prayers are with you now, Monday and after. <3
How exciting! You are a true brave girl in every sense of the word. You are more beautiful from the inside out, so here’s to the new frosting on your wonderful cake!! (tee hee!) Praying for success and good health. huggs! xoxoxo
Thanks for sharing your art and heart with us. I think you are beautiful just the way you are, but are excited for you to find the healthy weight you seek. I’ll be praying for you and tell those kiddos to stop growing!!! I used to say that to mine and now am telling my grand kids!!! (((hugs)))
You never cease to amaze and inspire me. I remember as a new CTMH consultant, you were one of the first people to really get me excited about creating. I would pour over your posts and your artwork and absorb as much as I could. Then I met you in Vegas at convention and though I’d never really talked to you I remember feeling so welcome in your presence and so inspired by your presentation. I have been following you as your journey has progressed and I am in constant awe of the beauty you are constantly adding to this world. When you posted about Art Abandonment, it was like a light bulb flickering on again in my creative attic. I had gone through a bit of a drought struggling with a lot of things like depression, weight, life in a small town, etc. I had stepped away from everything that made me happy (like creating) and as I’ve started to take my life back, I realized just how empty things were without creating. You inspired me once again to do something great! The idea of Art Abandonment is brilliant and my fingers have been dirty again! It’s wonderful. The weight issue hits home as well. I am a short chic…5’1″ if I’m lucky, and I am carrying 2.5 people around with me instead of 1. It’s ridiculous, but like you, I have tried everything under the sun including exercising and dieting like a mad woman. I have seen small results but never enough to make me want to continue to give up the food I love. I am so proud of you for taking this step to take control over your life. You consistently continue to grow and bend your life and I think that is the most beautiful and inspiring thing. I wish you so much success and happiness on this path and will keep you in my prayers. Thank you for always inspiring.
Tonya, thank you SO MUCH for validating my reasons for sharing this journey. Best of luck to you on your journey as well!!!
Lisa, you have confused me utterly. Shrubbery? LOL!
Wendy, Wendy, Wendy. Words are failing me right now. But I’m positively glowing from reading your post. Thank you for inspiring me!
A great big hug going out to you and hopes for a successful and quick healing proceedure. Good luck! Also I love the idea of the free art placed in the world for others. 🙂
Saying prayers for your speedy recovery and ultimate success. One of my customers has had tremendous success with her weight loss surgery because of her devotion to healthy eating and exercise; the surgery was just the kick start she needed. As long as you keep that in mind, you will do great.
Sally, I had a lap band installed in mid-May. Like you, i’d tried everything and nothing worked long-term. Since may 1, I’ve lost 35#, gone down an entire size in clothing, and feel great. More impressively, from my viewpoint, I’m full. FULL! I’ve always been able to eat and eat and eat, and now I simply can’t. You’ll do great with the surgery and I know you’ll be happy with the results. Like with the band, with the sleeve you’ll still have to make healthy food choices, get lots of protein and exercise, but it’s all so much easier when you aren’t constantly hungry! Best of luck, and enjoy the journey.
Here’s to Monday morning and all the days after Sally Lynn!!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. Look forward to hearing more of your journey. I just know you will be successful <3
SO happy for you and so excited to have one of my best friends to go on this journey with : )
Best wishes and prayers for you on Monday and every day thereafter.
I will be thinking of you on Monday – and support you 110% – I have emailed you… cuz I just didn’t want to fill you comment field with my ramble. But in short. I was right there all steps done and was ready to commit myself to the same journey.. but then a bungee cord changed things in life for me and I couldn’t go forward. Will be waiting to hear the positive journey and all the lbs that will be dropping off –
Donkey Hugs
Michelle Oatman
I’m sending one up for you… you’ll do great!! I’ll be watching for a progress report!
Wishing you all the best and much success. I have heard it is not easy, but here’s hoping you will feel much better in the long run.
Sally, as usual, you are inspiring! You will be in my prayers and thoughts. I totally see you in your newly revitalized body in a few months. You kick a** lady! 🙂
Best wishes and I’ll be praying for you!!!! Keep us informed informed about your progress!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
Wishing you all the best on this journey! I hope the surgery goes smoothly and that your recovery time is brief. Sending lots of good wishes your way! Hugs! Dawn
Didnt mean to confuse you! Just reminded me to look for abandoned art and an old joke Corrine had that she was going to hide in the bushes and pounce on the UPS guy! Good luck tomorrow!
Lisa. 🙂
Sent from my iPhone
Best of luck today!!! I’m so glad you found my blog, I’m thrilled to be following you now 🙂
Once you’re out of surgery, you’ll feel really sleepy, and kinda shitty. Just keep sipping on water and Isopure, and when you’re up for it, walk as much as possible to get the trapped gas out. DON’T BE A HERO! If you’re in pain, ask for meds. I spent the first half of day one in pain, thinking that that was how I was “supposed to feel,” having just had my stomach all but removed. But the nausea got to be too much and I called the nurse in. She hooked up 3 IV bags, gave me some sublingual and a shot in the belly. In literally FIVE MINS, I felt like a million bucks. The next day and a half in the hospital were a breeze, and I’ve felt 80-90% human ever since. I’m feeling better and better every day, and I find I lose weight when I hit my protein mark for the day. When I’m down on protein and fluids, I don’t lose. ALSO, don’t worry about calories, I track everything on MyFitnessPal.com, and got concerned when I was exceeding 600 calories. My surgeon told me I was doing awesome, and not to worry so much about calories this early out, just get the protein in.
best of luck, hon! let me know if you have any questions <3
Congratulations, Sally Lynn — I hope all goes well for you! Look forward to seeing your progress.
Sally Lynn, just read that you were in the hospital on FB so I came over here to find out what’s up. Congrats on making the big decision, and being aware of your health and well-being. Sending you love and a quick recovery from surgery. Hang in there, girl!
I am so very happy for you. I will follow your progress and wish you the absolute BEST. For me, I was STICK skinny as a Kid, and then puberty hit like a ton of bricks. DDD breasts, and weight just came on like crazy….tell me that isn’t somehow metabolic, not just sloppy FAT. I was young and walked everywhere, every day. By 9th grade I weighed 150, not horrible but bad enough. I was tired of being called ‘heavy set’. I spent high school eating 1 glass of milk and a bowl of vegetables a day to weigh 120. I still had the DDD’s and the guys loved it, but I felt somehow creeped out by the attention.
I did uppers prescribed by my Doc after I got married. Then pregnancy and it has added on and on. I did weight watchers with some success 3 times, but what does that tell you, 3 times. I now weigh as much as some football players. I had knee replacements, and have arthritis in my hands and back. Exercise is difficult so the pounds keep piling on. My problem is portion control, I can eat until whatever on my plate, in the box, etc. is gone….as my grandma said….people are starving in th world, eat it all.
Best wishes to you and I hope you post pictures of your fantastic journey!
Sending you lots of love and healing wishes and some soft and gentle hugs too!
Sally I am thrilled about this and your journey – but you can get back to that weight – it is a myth that you can’t get back to what you were (or smaller!) after having kids. Sure our ribcage is wider due to carrying a child, but the weight? YOU CAN DO IT!!! xoxoxo Cindy
Just read this & I know you are on the other side of your surgery! WTG Sally Lynn..you’re halfway there now the other half is where you will fight through the weight loss part but knowing you I’m placing bets that you win this struggle 🙂