Diva Taunia's Backstage Pass Official Blog

♥ GOODBYE, MY LOVELIES ♥

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MY COMPLAINING...

I admit it: sometimes I get in a mood and complain a bit.  Ok, a lot.  Rob tends to chalk it up to the awesomeness of peri-menopause, but a lot of the times, I'm also just RIGHT.  Because he gets to get up, drive in a car away from the children and spend 8-10 hours with adults, I think he sometimes forget how attention-sucking they can be and how much time I actually devote to taking care of them, the house, the dogs, AND working all day long.  Not that he doesn't appreciate it, because I know that he does and he's REALLY good about verbalizing that, but sometimes I think he doesn't GET IT.   That maybe he thinks I'm being dramatic or bitchy, or peri-menopausal-y.  

So I decided to log the day.  Not even just for him, but for me.  Maybe I AM just being cranky and dramatic.  We're about to see.  Let's start:

7am:  wake up.  Rob is gone to work already, and both kids are asleep.  An hour to myself!  JOY!  I make my coffee and sit down to the 10 gazillion emails I have to answer.  One hour spent answering about 1/4 of them.

8am:  wake Britt up and get her ready for camp.  I make her toast while she gets dressed.  She then needs my assistance figuring out an outfit to wear because 1) she's still sleepy and 2) she has no idea how to match clothing.  I then run and wash my face and brush my teeth, throw on some deodorant iron my shirt, and get dressed.  I remind her to do her medicines and brush her teeth.  We're out the door at 8:30, and I drive her to camp.

8:55:  back at the house. I finished getting dressed and do my hair and makeup.

9:15:  Tylor wakes up because the phone rang in his room.  I make myself some toast and head downstairs to answer more emails.  

9:37:  I'm actually surprised that Tylor hasn't asked me for breakfast yet.  I swear the kid is holding off just to make me look bad in this journal entry.  I'm having to fight my OCD and NOT go upstairs and wash the sink full o' dishes that someone left for me.

9:39:  Heh.  I knew it.  "Taunia?  Do you think you can make a smoothie for me?"  I'm off to the blender.

9:42:  Rob calls.  "Can you do me a favor and run out to the car?"  ...

(Informed him of this journal entry...and my little experiment.  Don't worry honey, this is not about you not appreciating me, I know you do.  This is more about the accuracy of my bitching.)

10:04:  Holy crap.  How is it after 10am, and I still haven't even started working yet?!?  Just finished making Tylor's smoothie, getting Rob's stuff from the car, calling him with that info, and of course doing the dishes - because I just couldn't walk by them again and they were driving me batshit crazy.

Also realized?  Totally my fault.  I came upstairs and Tylor had put the ice, yogurt, strawberries and milk on the counter.  At almost 14 yrs old, he's totally capable of making his own smoothie, but because I baby them, and because I'm too controlling and know that he won't clean up afterwards, I do it for them. Absolutely zero right to complain about this.

10:06:  Going to attempt to do a few hours of RRR work, then I'm headed to a cafe to work in peace and get some Backstage Pass Work done for next Monday's show.

10:57:  I hear walking and pacing around in the living room above me.  Door opens.  "Excuse me, Taunia? Where did you say you put my leftover extra smoothie?"   Uh, in THE FRIDGE.  I knew the kid wouldn't make it an hour without interrupting for something. It's like he can't even help himself. GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY! Oy.

11:46:  I've actually gone almost an hour uninterrupted - MIRACLE!  I decide to go upstairs and make Tylor some lunch and let him know I'm going to a coffee shop.  And then the barrage of questions come: Where?  How long will you be gone?  Why are you going there?  What time will you be back?  Can I go to my friend Dan's house?  Should I call you when I get there?  I wish I was kidding.  He's OCD about time and details the way I am about , well, time and details.

I tell him I want him to read today for a minimum of 45 mins.

11:58:  Door opens:  "Taunia, I'm going to start reading now."

11:59:  I start pulling out my own hair.

12:44:  Door opens:  "Taunia?  Can I play video games now?"

12:46:  Door opens: "Taunia?  I'm going to go to Dans."

12:47:   Confirming that it's almost impossible to concentrate in this house.  Packing up to go to the coffee shop.

1:52:  It's becoming more and more clear to me that I am really the source of my own frustration and ridiculousness.  It's also become clear that the problem is NOT the kids, but the fact that I'm cooped up in the house (and more importantly, the basement) all day long working.  Here's where I'm at:   Barnes and Noble Cafe.  WITH Tylor.  Yeah, I know.

I just felt bad because the poor kid is home on vacation and there's literally NO kids home to play with.  (Sidebar:  where do all these kids going during the day?  It's like they're freakin' VAMPIRES.)  Rather than leave him home to just sit and watch TV, I figured I'd hook him up with a laptop, and bring him to B&N - that way, he could read if he got bored.  I gave him the "there's no talking to me - I'm working" speech.   So far, we've been here 20 mins trying to get connected to the wireless and get some grub.  (Oh, and B&N?  $15 for a bottled water, a cookie for the kid, a half sandwich and small cup of chili...are you KIDDING ME?) 

But here's the thing:  I feel relaxed.  I'm out of my house, there's tons of sunshine coming through the window, and I don't feel bad for ditching the kid at home.

2:00: Back to work.  Cafe-style.

3:20:  Ty's computer connection stops.  We spend the next 15 mins trying to re-connect to no avail.  Commence the constant barrage of "when are we LEAVING" questions.

3:55:  I decide that I cannot take another ETA question, and pack up my stuff to go.  We hit the rest rooms and get in the car to pick up Britt from camp.

4:25:  Pick up Britt from camp.

4:40:  Stop at Market Basket to pick up stuff for tonight's dinner.  In-store battle for ice cream flavor begins.

4:55:  I tell the kids to go outside and play, because I need some peace and quiet and alone time while I start dinner.

5:05:  The kids are BOTH back in the house, in their rooms, watching TV.  "There's nobody outside to play with."

5:06:  I start prepping food for dinner.

5:16:  Rob calls to tell me he's on his way home.  Children then come out to ask me questions.

5:23:  I send them back in their rooms.  I'M TRYING TO COOK.  And BE ALONE.

5:55:  I finish cooking dinner :  corn on the cob and pork on the grill, salad, and potato salad.  Lots of running back and forth from kitchen to grill outside.

6:45:  Finish dinner.  Clean up and change into jammies.

7:15:  Play pictionary with the kids for an hour. Tylor and I get our butt whooped.  Interrupted by a few business calls for me.

8:45:  Game ends, everyone goes to watch TV.  An hour-ish of vegging out and watching a pure-guilty pleasure:  The Real Housewives of NJ.

10:00:  We put the kids to bed, then we put ourselves to bed.

TODAY:  Wake up.  Repeat.

Check back.  I'll be updating this sucker all day.  

WLSFA FUNDRAISING VIDEO

"AWAY FROM THE SKY" - Michael Aaron / Rickie Lee Jones Cover

HOT-CHA-CHA!

Shelly (Eggface) is back from her NYC Progresso trip.  Read all about it and see her gorgeous sneak-peek pic here:

http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2010/05/trip-details.html

BID TODAY BY 8pm EST

I'm trying to clear out inventory from my store here at home, so I'm having a free-for-all bidding war on full lots.  A whole bunch of great stuff  - most of it new - at super-cheap rates.  All the info is below and you can find the pics on Facebook (with descriptions).  Thanks for checking it out!

1) Make a bid/offer. :) I'll take bids... up until 8:00pm tonight, and the highest bidder gets the lot.

2) I accept Paypal (preferred - divataunia@aol.com) and check.

3) The lots have a mix of new and gently worn items. Each photo will have a description underneath.

4) Shipping can be calculated here:  CALCULATE SHIPPING

This lot weighs 7 lbs and is being shipped from 03061.

If you'd like to bid, you can send me a message here on Facebook, or you can email me directly at info@divataunia.com.

Thanks for looking!

4X TOP LOT # 1 - OPEN BIDDING UNTIL 8PM EST

I'll start the bidding at $50.00 for the entire lot.  13 pieces total!

CLICK THE PHOTO TO SEE ENTIRE COLLECTION.

3X TOP LOT - OPEN BIDDING UNTIL 8PM EST

I'll start the bidding at $50.00 for the entire lot.   11 pieces total!

CLICK THE PHOTO TO SEE ENTIRE COLLECTION.

XL TOP LOT - OPEN BIDDING UNTIL 8pm EST

I'll start the bidding at $50.00 for the entire lot.   11 pieces total!

CLICK THE PHOTO TO SEE ENTIRE COLLECTION.

DRESSES - INDIVIDUAL PIECES - OPEN BIDDING UNTIL 8pm EST

Each piece is priced individually.  You'll find the price on the photo description.  :)

CLICK THE PHOTO TO SEE ENTIRE COLLECTION.

Thanks for looking!  :)

*FREE* ONLINE LIVE CONCERT TONIGHT!

I'll be performing live tonight with my friend and accompanist Brad Smith on piano via www.stickam.com/divataunia. Please stop by to listen and say hello! 8pm EST

♥If you like what you hear, please consider making a donation to the tip jar via paypal! We totally dig generous people who support live music. ♥

HAPPY EARTH DAY! -Free Earth Day Music Collection

www.educationalrap.com

To give back to the community and help celebrate Earth Day, we’re offering a free download of the entire Earth Day Collection today. To get your free download, enter code EARTHDAY after adding the collection to your cart: Earth Day songs

The download contains lyrics, custom-made worksheets and games in PDF form, and all versions of the songs in MP3 audio form. Track list includes:

1. Radiation, Conduction, Convection will help you teach students about heat transfer with lyrics focused on solar radiation, conduction, and convection. Teaching heat conduction and energy transformation will be much easier with this song as a part of your lesson plan!

2. Sun, Earth, Moon introduces students to concepts such as earth’s rotation, tilt, tides, and orbit around the sun. Help your students learn about the solar system through this fun science song!

3. Photosynthesis is a song about converting solar energy into chemical energy. By listening to this biology song, kids will learn how plants absorb CO2 (carbon dioxide) and release O2 (oxygen) back into the world!

4. Water Cycle will teach your students about the hydrologic cycle and will help them memorize key concepts and terms such as precipitation, condensation, evaporation, and transpiration, among others!

The earth is movin' and groovin, and you can be too! Enjoy :)

Lane Bryant Says ABC, Fox Censored Plus-Size Lingerie Ad

I think we gots us a double standard.  Lane Bryant or Victoria's Secret.  Apparently, Fox and ABC will decide FOR YOU.

DDP CHALLENGE WINNER: JENN! WATCH HER PROGRESS

Many of you know that Diamond Dallas Page ran a contest promotion on The Backstage Pass Radio Program searching for an individual to work with, challenge, and motivate in their weight loss journey.  The winner received the entire YRG Fitness Program, along with a weekly motivational phone call from Dallas himself.

We got lots of great entries, but Dallas was particularly moved by Jenn's story, and she was selected as the winner.  (Note:  after speaking to Jenn today, she informed me that she's already down -5.2 lbs.  Go Jenn!)  Jenn has agreed to share her YRG Fitness journey publicly, even bravely giving us some "before" photos. 

Here's her winning entry:

While I am writing this to tell you about me and the things I face every day and to understand what's it is like to be in this 348 pound body.   

 

I started at the Wharton Medical Clinic May 2009 and at that time I was my heaviest 374 pounds.   The Clinic has been a blessing and very supportive in my weight loss so far.   

 

My body on the other hand, is 25 and it seems the more interest i put into my health and improving it the more my body rebels.  I feel 90!

 

I woke up March 2009 and realized i have been attempting to get pregnant for over a year with no luck, I was finding i was having allergies pop out of nowhere and my snoring was becoming a big self conscious area preventing me from over night visits anywhere.  My boyfriend has also been telling me that i stop breathing every so often and i found i that i have been getting a lot of headaches.  So sick of being ill all the time i traveled 3 hours to my home town of Cambridge,  ON to see my family doctor because in Peterborough i have been on Doctor waiting lists for approx. 3 years with no luck.   Because of the distance i prepared fully for my appointment, I had an allergist and all the referral information as well as a Sleep Clinic in Peterborough and the referral sheet to Wharton.  Wharton Medical Centre i found on a blog about WLS.

 

Two weeks later i was in with an allergist and  found that i am allergic to dust and certain cleaners but not longer allergic to ragweed anymore.  He placed me on eye drops and nasal spray and my sneezing/crying fits for no reason have almost completely stopped.  He also sent me for a chest x-ray and breathing test due to my Asthma (which I have never had before).   The chest x-ray came back showing my diaphragm is lopsided and the breathing test best way to put it I FAILED!  So they placed me on a new steroid inhaler (doesn't help lose weight) and are still testing showed my lung function is diminishing.

 

About a month after the referral i got into the Sleep Clinic, had my over night (that was not fun) and then over a month after got my results and found that I have enlarged tonsils and that i am definitely suffering from sleep apnea.  I was told I stop breathing 23 times an hour on average and my blood oxygen drops into the 70's.   I am now sleeping with a CPAP machine and as sexy as that is i have found one benefit beside from the obvious living, If I want the bed to myself all i need to do is start talking dirty to the fianceé wearing it and he will start laughing and leave the room and not come back till i am asleep.

 

Wharton I have been extremely impressed with!  They are a weight-loss clinic in Hamilton and Burlington Ontario and are fully OHIP funded.  Every time i go in they test my blood pressure, weight me and do an EKG, which is nice to know how my weight loss is affecting my body.  They also due all kinds of testing like ECG, and Ultrasounds on my liver.   The staff is amazing they cheer you on and give all the support they can.  There is where i got the Bariatric Educator and Meal plan to follow and has helped quite a bit.  

 

During all this my medical conditions have become a list:

 

Asthma

IBS (Irritable Bowl Syndrome) 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (Beginning stages)

Allergies

Sleep Apnea

High Blood Pressure

Diverticulitis

DUB (dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding)

 

 

Other the medical issues big a "Big Girl" has many obstacles.   I am limited to friends i can visit in their homes due the floor the live on.  In many public places i am forced to use the handicap washrooms because i am to large to wipe properly in the "normal" ones.  I can no longer enjoy amusement parks with my Step-Daughter because i am to large for most rides.  February 2008 I went to England for my Nana's funeral, the plane ride was 8 ½ hours and i had to hold going to the washroom because i could not fit through the door.  When we landed in Scotland to pick up more passengers the stewardess show me where the washroom was because i was bouncing in my seat i had to pee so bad, to which i responded to her "you don't have enough butter to get me back out"  she didn't know how to respond until my mum started laughing.  I think the worst thing i have to deal is work, I work in an office and i sit in a computer chair that just barely fits my butt and with my heavy weight sitting for an extended period of time my legs go numb so when i stand i need to lean against my desk for 3-4 min to allow blood flow back to my legs or i will fall over.

 

 

All I wish is to be healthy and one day have a family of my own!  I am waiting for my gastric bypass, but wait times in Canada are horrendous and from Dec 1st 2009 I was told it would be another 12-14 before my first appointment with the surgeon.  I am trying to get enough weight as I can off to make sure when I get this surgical tool I am safer.

 

 Here are Jenn's "before" pics:

 

Jenn, you and I have the same "before" body shape...so I know exactly how you feel right now, and I also know exactly how you're going to feel after the weight starts coming off.  And I'm SO. EXCITED. FOR YOU!

I want everyone to wish Jenn the best of luck.  Girl, we are totally routing for you, and DDP and the YRG Fitness Program have produced some amazing results! Jenn will be checking in with us once a month with her progress and updates, and she'll even be doing a guest journal entry every now and then.  

Jenn's going to totally rock this - so let's give her a big "you can do it!" applause for being brave and motivated enough to take this journey with all of us!