Happy New Year everyone!

2015 has been an exciting and tremendous year of changes for me since I was sleeved April 20, 2015.

Once I decided that surgery was for me, I still had to wait over a year for it due to financing issues. So, I have been on this journey for quite a while.

One of the things I like to do is write. I took a hiatus from writing my novel this year so plan to get back to it soon.

I signed up for a writing workshop in a nearby city that starts this month. A year ago I couldn't have even considered attending due to my disability and lack of mobility. As long as the weather participates I am now able to get out more although I am still not 100%.

Another thing I want to do this year is write a book about weight loss surgery. Any suggestions, advice, or encouragement is welcome. I don't yet know what the finished product will be, but I was inspired by reading @@Alex Brecher and @@Queen of Crop 's books.

What big goals do you have for 2016?

Happy New Year InnerSurfer Girl....it's been great to follow your posts and good for you for signing up for the writing workshop (I take them as often as I can and find most of them very inspiring). The best advice I can give you is to set aside a few hours every week and just write...don't worry about grammar or flow or anything...just get stuff down on paper. Then at some point you can go back through it and edit and revise. But stick to a schedule and you'll be amazed how much you will have. Also, my goodness...you've posted over 3,000 posts...you already have a book!

I have a goal to write a novel this year and hoping I can find the time. But to be honest, I'm so busy having fun that the days just go by! I'm having surgery to remove the extra skin in my abdomen in Feb so I will have some downtime for a month or so after that.

Good luck and will be interested in what others goals are....

Happy New Year InnerSurfer Girl....it's been great to follow your posts and good for you for signing up for the writing workshop (I take them as often as I can and find most of them very inspiring). The best advice I can give you is to set aside a few hours every week and just write...don't worry about grammar or flow or anything...just get stuff down on paper. Then at some point you can go back through it and edit and revise. But stick to a schedule and you'll be amazed how much you will have. Also, my goodness...you've posted over 3,000 posts...you already have a book!

I have a goal to write a novel this year and hoping I can find the time. But to be honest, I'm so busy having fun that the days just go by! I'm having surgery to remove the extra skin in my abdomen in Feb so I will have some downtime for a month or so after that.

Good luck and will be interested in what others goals are....

Thanks for the advice!

One of my short term goals is to write every day. Just getting back to writing at least 300-500 words daily is a baby step I need to commit to. Maybe posting here can count toward that!

I have collected many of my posts in Scrivener, so I do have a start.

Let me know how I can encourage you as you write your novel! I am so much better with helping others write than actually doing it myself...I need to work on that.

Inner Surfer Girl, I love your posts and have no doubt you will create a wonderful novel.

My big goal this year is to buy a house after my divorce is final, which looks like it could be in May. I'm scared to death of this huge financial step while I still have girls in college, but I'll do it.

While I do, I am keeping my food clean, measured and committed, and I will reach my weight loss goal in 2016 by doing so.

This will be my year!

Inner Surfer Girl, I love your posts and have no doubt you will create a wonderful novel.

My big goal this year is to buy a house after my divorce is final, which looks like it could be in May. I'm scared to death of this huge financial step while I still have girls in college, but I'll do it.

While I do, I am keeping my food clean, measured and committed, and I will reach my weight loss goal in 2016 by doing so.

This will be my year!

That is a big step but you are worth every penny!

I'm gonna wear jeans...

I've not worn jeans since 1996...

Really!!

Of course, there's more...

But the jeans thing is imminent...

I'm gonna wear jeans...

I've not worn jeans since 1996...

Really!!

Of course, there's more...

But the jeans thing is imminent...

This!

I want to wear jeans, too!

Thinking back, the last time I wore jeans was probably 1990. I have only owned and worn one pair of Levi's 501 Jeans in my life and it was after my first MAJOR weight loss attempt (Medifast). All the other jeans I ever wore were "fat girl" jeans: plus-sized, with or without an elastic band.

Even as an adolescent jeans shopping was TORTURE. If they fit in the hips, they gapped in the back around my waist.

Now, my challenge is mostly in my legs. I am being treated for lymphedema right now so jeans may be closer than I thought.

Oh yeah...

I'm also going to sing (just karaoke) in public again...

I've only sung once in quite a few years...

And that was at a friend's wedding, so hardly 'in public'...

That'll be the same night I'm wearing the jeans...

Anyway, more 'doing stuff' to come this year...

this year.... i will go skydiving....

few possibles.... lose another 10-15lbs., maybe do another play at the theater, buy another Harley...(i miss my bike), and you just never know what else.

Finally go on the tropical vacation we planned as a reward for reaching goal (now 1 1/2 years ago). I can hope!!!

I'm going to relearn how to load and clean my pistol. I used to be so anti gun, until I stayed in Alaska for an extended period. but now widowed.... I don't care about items, but don't know what to clearly do if the invaders want more than "things".

Just my way of feeling safe

Ps. FYI No kids anywhere around my house

@@Julie norton Two years ago i joined this group.... http://thewellarmedwoman.com I can't even begin to tell you how much i enjoy this group. i love my guns....i conceal carry always...