Single moms in Baltimore = bitter and angry?

I really cannot come to that conclusion because my boss and good friend was a single mom and she is not bitter or angry and doesn't take out resentment on everyone around her.

But

At the old apartment, the lady below us complained constantly about our sound system ... at 6 p.m. on the weekends. So much so that when I asked the apartment managers about it, they rolled their eyes and said she complained about everybody. This letter was left on our door last year.

Now we have a single mom who lives next door. She complained about Smokey barking all day when we were gone and we understood completely. He doesn't make a single sound when we are at home so we didn't realize he was constantly barking when we weren't there. So, we got him a bark collar and we put it on him when we're out. No problems since then. Till today. I forgot to put the collar on him when I went out for a couple of hours to grocery shop. This is the note I found on my door.

What really makes me laugh and want to stuff her note down her throat is how she asks if the dog's crate is next to "her" wall.

I wrote an apology and said I would be more careful about putting his collar on him. But, it irks me. Some people act like they deserve extra special treatment. I understand her concern; I would be unhappy if I was home all day every day (don't know how she feeds her children) and the next door neighbor's dog barked non stop. But, we took her complaint the first time and acted on it. I even told her to let me know if it happens again and to feel free to leave me a note. She leaves me a note but it's filled with an undertone of entitlement that pisses me off.

Video tour of our condo

Saudi Arabia?

I get into the elevator at work with a pleasant looking African American lady who's getting off at floor 2 while I am going all the way to the top (floor 3).

She: "Where are you from?"
Me: "India"
She: "Really? you don't look like it."
Me: *wondering how to respond, laughing a little* "Really?"
She: "Yeah, you look like you are from further east, like Saudi Arabia or something."

Maybe she was worried I was one of them terrorists.

How can you know exactly what I feel like?

when you are half my size and I can count your ribs through your shirt?

Let me back up. I found this 2 week trial coupon for Bally's Fitness online and since there's one 5 minutes form ym work, I decided to try it out. 15 minutes after I filled out the online, some very excited, very hyper girl called me to set up a meeting. I stopped by on my way home last Thursday.

This 5'4", 113 lbs (I know because she got on a scale that wasn't working right. I pointed out it was just showing weight in kilograms and she needed to press a button to make it show in pounds), bright silver eyeshadow over the whole eyelid and dark black clumpy mascara (I know this because she chose to stand very, very close to me throughout the meeting). She walked me thruogh the different areas of the gym and asked me what I was looking to do.

I , for once was honest, and told her about the surgery and that I needed to boost the weight loss and start some skin toning so I don't get loose hangy skin (there's a visual for you). As she walked me to the abdomen area and pointed out the different machines for doing crunches, she touched her own very concave belly and said, "I have the same goals as you do, need to lose the gut." I almost threw up on her. But, somehow I restrained myself from bringing up my lunch from hours ago or throttling her. Then, she took me to the weight training area and showed me the circuit training machines. And proceeds to say, "I have the same stuff as you, need to tone my arms and stuff." This was said as she lifted her bone and skin arm in the air and touched the area where normal women have triceps.

I managed to walk out still with a smile pasted on my face. I am amazed there are people who basically have skin stretched out over bone and they can survive. Though, judging from her hands (she had more finger showing above her nailbed than she had nail left on each finger), there might have been eating disorder issues there. BUT, don't try aligning yourself with me. You are my height, half my size and I could eat you for dinner (or I could have before the surgery). Just listen to my goals and tell me how your gym can help.

I am waisted again

I thought about doing a regular blog about the surgery but voted against it because it would get boring. It's already taxing keeping track of how many grams of protein I got in at every meal.

But, it's 2 months post-op, I'm over 30 lbs negative and I have a waist again (I don't count the fat above or below that waist :-P).

I was at Lane Bryant just browsing their sales and saw this cute jacket. It's not a warm jacket, more of a fashion thing. I never find anything like this in my size, especially when it's the last item of that type. But, this one FIT. Also, I am at the lowest end of the sizes they carry, which has its pros and cons. The pros, obviously, are that I am losing weight and can shop at regular stores. The big con is they have some cool looking shirts and jeans that fit perfectly. Oh well, I'll deal with that issue when I am at it.