Domestic Oil

About 6 months ago, the writer was watching a news program on oil and one of the Forbes Bros. was the guest.. The host said to Forbes, "I am going to ask you a direct question and I would like a direct answer; how much oil does the U.S. have in the ground?" Forbes did not miss a beat, he said, "more than all the Middle East put together." Please read below.


The U. S. Geological Service issued a report in April 2008 that only scientists and oil men knew was coming, but man was it big. It was a revised report (hadn't been updated since 1995) on how much oil was in this area of the western 2/3 of North Dakota, western South Dakota, and extreme eastern Montana ..... check THIS out:


The Bakken is the largest domestic oil discovery since Alaska 's Prudhoe Bay , and has the potential to eliminate all American dependence on foreign oil. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates it at 503 billion barrels. Even if just 10% of the oil is recoverable... at $107 a barrel, we're looking at a resource base worth more than $5..3 trillion..


"When I first briefed legislators on this, you could practically see their jaws hit the floor. They had no idea.." says Terry Johnson, the Montana Legislature's financial analyst.



"This sizable find is now the highest-producing onshore oil field found in the past 56 years," reports The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. It's a formation known as the Williston Basin , but is more commonly referred to as the 'Bakken.' It stretches from Northern Montana, through North Dakota and into Canada . For years, U. S. oil exploration has been considered a dead end. Even the 'Big Oil' companies gave up searching for major oil wells decades ago. However, a recent technological breakthrough has opened up the Bakken's massive reserves..... and we now have access of up to 500 billion barrels. And because this is light, sweet oil, those billions of barrels will cost Americans just $16 PER BARREL!



That's enough crude to fully fuel the American economy for 2041 years straight. And if THAT didn't throw you on the floor, then this next one should - because it's from 2006!

U. S. Oil Discovery- Largest Reserve in the World


Stansberry Report Online - 4/20/2006


Hidden 1,000 feet beneath the surface of the Rocky Mountains lies the largest untapped oil reserve in the world. It is more than 2 TRILLION barrels. On August 8, 2005 President Bush mandated its extraction. In three and a half years of high oil prices none has been extracted. With this motherload of oil why are we still fighting over off-shore drilling?


They reported this stunning news: We have more oil inside our borders, than all the other proven reserves on earth.. Here are the official estimates:

- 8-times as much oil as Saudi Arabia


- 18-times as much oil as Iraq


-21-times as much oil as Kuwait

- 22-times as much oil as Iran


- 500-times as much oil as Yemen


- and it's all right here in the Western United States .


HOW can this BE? HOW can we NOT BE extracting this? Because the environmentalists and others have blocked all efforts to help America become independent of foreign oil! Again, we are letting a small group of people dictate our lives and our economy.....WHY?

James Bartis, lead researcher with the study says we've got more oil in this very compact area than the entire Middle East -more than 2 TRILLION barrels untapped. That's more than all the proven oil reserves of crude oil in the world today, reports The Denver Post.
Don't think 'OPEC' will drop its price - even with this find? Think again! It's all about the competitive marketplace, - it has to. Think OPEC just might be funding the environmentalists?


Got your attention yet? Now, while you're thinking about it, do this:


Pass this along. If you don't take a little time to do this, then you should stifle yourself the next time you complain about gas prices - by doing NOTHING, you forfeit your right to complain.


Now I just wonder what would happen in this country if every one of you sent this to every one in your address book.

By the way...this is all true. Check it out at the link below!!!
GOOGLE it, or follow this link. It will blow your mind.
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1911

Death of family friend: Walter Neustadt, amazing philanthropist and a great, kind man

Walter Neustadt: Oilman, philanthropist, University of Oklahoma regent

11:53 AM CST on Tuesday, January 12, 2010

By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News
jsimnacher@dallasnews.com

Walter Neustadt was a philanthropist who gave more than money to the causes he supported.

A longtime University of Oklahoma benefactor, he served on the school's Board of Regents and was an OU Foundation trustee. But it was his hands-on approach with the Neustadt International Prize for Literature that showed the depth of his passion for students.

The former Ardmore oil man continued his spirit of generosity after moving to Dallas in 1998.

Mr. Neustadt, 90, died Tuesday of complications of lung cancer at his Dallas home.

Services will be at 1 p.m. today at Temple Emanu-El. He will be buried in Temple Emanu-El Cemetery.

"He cared about putting wind in the sails of students," said R.C. Davis-Undiano, the University of Oklahoma's Neustadt Professor of Comparative Literature.

Mr. Neustadt had a deep and passionate commitment to students, Dr. Davis-Undiano said.

He expanded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature – founded by his mother more than 40 years ago – to address an array of student needs.

"It was under Walter's watch that we extended the program to include a lot of student scholarships and fellowships and courses and internships," Dr. Davis-Undiano said. "It really, really flourished under him."

Mr. Neustadt was deeply involved with both his family and the groups he supported, said his daughter Kathy Neustadt Hankin of Denver.

"He was a quiet leader; he was immensely respected and proud of the organizations that he got involved in, and his family," his daughter said.

Mr. Neustadt was born in Ardmore, Okla., and attended the Mercersberg Academy, a preparatory school in Mercersberg, Pa. He received his bachelor's degree from Yale University in 1940, and his master's degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1941.

During World War II, he served with the Army Air Forces, assigned to combat intelligence with the 8th Air Force from 1943 to 1945.

After the war, he joined his family's Ardmore-based oil company, Westheimer-Neustadt Corp., founded in 1946. He served as the company's president from 1965 until it was sold to Kaiser-Francis Oil Co. of Tulsa in 1981.

In 1998, Mr. Neustadt moved to Dallas, where he continued his philanthropy, supporting causes that included Equest, a therapeutic horseback-riding program, and the Vogel Alcove, which provides child care for homeless children.

In 1999, he founded the Dot and Walter Neustadt Lecture Series at Temple Emanu-El.

Mr. Neustadt was a 33rd-degree Mason and had been a trustee of National Jewish Hospital in Denver.

He was a University of Oklahoma regent from 1969 to 1976, and an OU Foundation trustee, serving as chairman for 10 years.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Neustadt is survived by his wife, Dottie Neustadt of Dallas; two other daughters, Nancy Barcelo of Watertown, Mass., and Susan Schwartz of Dallas; a sister, Joan Weil of Dallas; a brother, Allen Neustadt of Dallas; and six grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Walter Jr. and Dolores K. Neustadt Scholarship Fund, No. 42351, in care of Karen Renfroe, Regional Major Director, University of Oklahoma, 339 W. Boyd, Whitehand Hall, Norman, Okla. 73019.

Christmas Letter 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009 has certainly had its major ups & downs for us. The highlight of which was us getting remarried on July 3rd! It was a wonderful small ceremony with only our parents, since our first wedding already had all the bells & whistles. We can’t tell you how happy we are no matter how hard life has been for us this year.

Sorry for disappearing from so many friends lives, but we lost many friends when we announced we were getting remarried that we just decided to move on with our lives, stop trying to explain/justify everything to everybody & enable our marriage to grow. We were thinking those that truly care will stay in contact with us & be happy for us.

Allison has worked for a prescription benefits company since September ’08. As of October 1st, she has been on medical leave as she was hospitalized for 9 days. The positives of her being home are many. The house is mostly spotless, she’s created a dog crate cover that looks like a million dollar’s & a cover for our 3 litter boxes. If Scott had it his way he would probably leave the door cracked a little so they get “lost” so she decided to help with the litter box smell by covering them. Now that she has a sewing machine who knows what she will make next. We just want to get her better soon!

We are renting a house a half mile from Lake Hefner (Portland and 64th) so we go there often to feed the geese. Our neighbors are ALL Catholic so we really feel at home! We LOVE our home & hopefully will buy it eventually as all our furniture fits this house perfectly & we have a half acre solidly treed backyard. It’s nice to be near everything! Plus, Daisy is in heaven chasing the squirrels all day long. God knows what will happen when she actually catches one. We put up some awesome lights this year so feel free to stop by before Xmas & take a look.

Scott has finally been blessed with a NON-NEWS job at Feed the Children. Feed the Children is the 12th largest non-profit organization in the world, changing the lives of children & families in 114 countries. He has his own office with 2 workstations , an editing bay & might even be traveling to Africa as a photojournalist. It’s been a huge blessing especially since Allison is not working right now. He is soo happy there!

Our families have gone over & beyond the call of duty to help us through this hard time these past few months, their love has no end! We are so blessed to have such amazing parents! Scott’s parents brought us to Scottsdale for Thanksgiving. We had so much fun driving together & took lots of silly pictures at various funny places (corner of Winslow, AZ, etc…). We had even more fun posing for pics at IKEA in all the different rooms. It was such a beautiful trip, getting to see everyone & see all my old stomping grounds. For a long while we were tempted to move back now that housing has plummeted almost below ours but being surrounded by all those $100K+ cars & multimillion dollar homes was depressing. We want our kids to grow up around other kids with a similar background, not being the kids who always have less. But on the plus side we can always visit when we want! We loved getting to see & play with Ally’s aunt Maureen’s new maltipoo Izzy. She so reminds us of Daisy as a pup. We miss that stage they’re just so adorable! We were so happy to see Maureen after forever! It’s just so darn gorgeous there you never want to leave! It was a huge blessing for us! Getting to FINALLY see lil miss Sophie was certainly a highlight, Rob and Shani you made one hell of a beautiful girl who has just the cutest demeanor! I am soo glad we got to catch up with you guys, it was like we had just gone the Roger Klyne & the Peacemakers concert together yesterday, so easy to catch up, wish we had more time, esp to play with Sophie! I really wish we had gotten to see more friends but Scott had to be back for work! We wont miss ya next time!

We joined Corpus Christi Catholic Church downtown. Although we are the minority race there we’ve never felt more welcomed. We have joined the choir as it is awesome. My parents came & were overwhelmed by how amazing mass was. They loved it!! They got to meet everyone too. It’s just an amazing experience, & Ally was on a natural high all day getting to sing with the choir & belt her voice out.

We hope that you are all doing well. We would love to hear from you at anytime as we miss so many of you! Ally’s # is 405.361.1924, Scott’s # 602.809.2673, home # 405.837.6600.

Love, Scott & Ally

pre bday

Funny how my horoscope the day before my bday is:
Your thoughts are inclined to be heavy, critical, and pessimistic at this time, so it would be good to realize that you are only seeing part of the picture. This can also be a time of leaving, separating from friends and choosing a new way.Your mind wanders, and this can be a time of creative reverie or daydreaming. Avoid making binding contracts at this time.

The sad thing is it is creepily true seeing as I am going through a really, really tough time right now. Ive written something that is dear to my heart of my life in the past yr & before, so u all know where I am right now, whats happened & why I've made the decisions I have. S

eeing as Ive managed to runaway from people so as not to face the 3rd degree 100 times a week, I want u to know that it has turned out amazing. Hope to have it done tomorrow! Sorry to those I dont see or talk to, still feel like I must have scared yall away in the hospital back then so I have stayed away- i still love you all & miss ya deeply. One last thing: ONE YEAR= 100 LBS DOWN!!!!!!!! WHOOHOO!!

This is quite interesting

Body count. In the last six months

Chicago - 292 killed (murdered) Iraq - 221

Chicago is a combat zone.

Who is in charge?

The leadership in Illinois: Senator Barack Obama (Democrat)

Senator Dick Durbin (Democrat)

Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. (Democrat)

Governor. Rod Blogojevich (Democrat)

House leader Mike Madigan (Democrat)

Attorney General. Lisa Madigan (daughter of Mike), (Democrat)

Mayor Richard M. Daley (son of former Mayor Richard J. Daley) (Democrat)

Of course they're all blaming each other, why? They can't blame
Republicans, there aren't any!

State pension fund $44 Billion in debt, worst in
country. Cook County (Chicago)

Sales tax 10.25% highest in country. (Look it up up if you want).

Chicago school system one of the worst in country, This is the political
culture that Obama comes from in Illinois.

And he says he is going to fix Washington politics?

Let’s leave him in Chicago to see if he can fix this before even think about Washington!!

because people have to hate soo much!

I am very saddened today! As I have said all along, I respect the fact that we all have the freedom to choose who we want to vote for. We should all be proud of that fact. Because we believe one way or the other does not make a person ignorant, or uneducated. So please back off the personal attacks and insults – it reflects poorly on you and hurts those who you are insulting. We should all respect each other both before and after this election. This has absolutely sickened me and I am really hurt.

I have a lot of beliefs that a lot of Americans may deem old-fashioned. In no way am I saying my beliefs are above others, just that these are MY opinions as a Christian conservative. I am in no way a perfect person, nor will I ever be. God knows I have made some really stupid decisions in my life in which I had to face the consequences.

OK so now I am just pissed and really bothered! So I gotta say something… Here’s the really pissed off me that is done with all this negativity!

I find it really sad that some people have resorted to such extreme hatred and borderline psychotic antics regarding this election. Please remember that we are all AMERICANS. NOONE, and I mean NOONE is above anyone! If you feel the need to tell us all how beneath you we are please go talk to yourself in the mirror because you’re making me sick, especially now that my stomach is so small!

They make it sound as though struggling through college makes someone beneath the rest of America, or not able to be Vice President. Isn’t that the point of America and the point of all the liberal antics… that ANYONE can succeed even if you come from nothing. And do you even realize that Palin even has a higher security clearance than Obama or McCain… Do you even know why? If you don’t then you really don’t know enough about her.

This really hurt me for many reasons!!! I personally happened to be an excellent test taker and did pretty good in school. But I do know there are a lot of people in America who couldn’t even get through college because they can’t take tests well, period. Look at my dad – the smartest man I know – he can calculate any equation you throw at him in his head in a split second no matter how large, tell you every single thing that’s ever happened throughout all of history, and just about knows every damn bit of useless information as well. He was honored with the opportunity to go to West Point, which almost all of us in America could NEVER do, nor get through it! He worked his ASS off everyday not only at his studies but all of his daily athletic activities, etc. for the ARMY. He STRUGGLED to make it through, but he did just barely. He is a genius, yet he barely got by West Point. Does that make him any less of a genius? Just go talk to him for a while, pick his brain and you will see the man has a brain beyond the encyclopedia. He sure as hell knows a HELL of a lot more about economics than most Americans! So I really take offense at anyone that makes statements like these!

I was attacked my sophomore year in college, and guess what – I barely even got straight C’s that year when I had never even received a C on a homework assignment ever… Does that make me less smart than others who got all A’s that year? Wow that’s REALLY judgemental and makes me understand what kind of people are making these statements. I struggled that year because I was depressed not because I was dumb. HELLO, I got all of my freshman year paid for because of academics, and my sophomore year was partially paid for. I was going to go to get my Ph. D. but life happened and plans had to be changed… Would I love to go back to school and get it – hell ya… Can I afford to do that Hell no.

I think no matter who you are you, as a woman, should be damn proud that FINALLY a women has been nominated for VP, whether you agree with anything she says. It’s a step in the right direction, and hopefully will give all other women the ability to be nominated from now on – republican or democrat! I find it exciting that Obama was nominated, even though only partially black/arab – its about time that we as Americans start utilizing all races and genders and show how equal we really are in this country. This will pave the way for more women, and races to run for office.

I just find it so weird when I see hatred to this extent, if Palin was really as bad you like to shout, you shouldn’t need to say anything about her at all. I find it sooo interesting that the same people who are sooooo worried about saving our environment, saving the whales, dolphins, and saving the children in Africa are the same ones screaming about SAVING the right to abortions… That seems weird… How can you be for life in Africa and against it here in the US? I personally do not believe in abortion, yet I have many friends who have had one or more. I worked a year in college at a crisis pregnancy center. I saw the effects having an abortion had on all those women, and it broke my heart, I cried almost everyday. I saw so many people come in for an ultrasound who were 5 or more months pregnant and go get an abortion right here in OKC, only to come back a few months later wanting yet another abortion.

I absolutely DO NOT BELIEVE in partial-birth abortions…. I studied that for my final project in a college class and it left me horrified and scarred for life. I would love to see all the pro-choice peeps out there go watch a partial birth abortion and stick that vacuum into the babys brain and suck it out and see the baby’s fingers squirming and going limp. I am sooooo not that person that will judge anyone who has had one, ask my friends. At 17 yrs of age I thought I was pregnant, but as upset as my parents were, they were by my side supporting me, making sure I knew if I was they would help me raise it. So please don’t say I haven’t been in that situation and have no idea what it feels like to maybe be pregnant as a teen – it was really scary, but I made that decision and I had to handle the consequences of my actions.

It’s funny because I have seen so many Democrats post stop the hate bulletins… Yet those are the same ones that ALWAYS post hate McCain/Palin stuff… Maybe they need to look at themselves first before they judge others. I am really bothered when I am sent videos that are edited soooo insanely it makes me start dry heaving its soo sick. Then it makes me really rethink what I think about them when they send things like this.

I almost feel its like my old boss when I was a 16 year old lifeguard. She hated me all summer and I had no clue why. When she left I was told it was because the very first day I said I wish I would just be laying out and not having to have a job, and she automatically judged me as a spoiled Edmond teen. I had no hope from then on because she had her mind set on what a spoiled brat I was she couldn’t even see who I really was, because that most certainly wasn’t me. Please don’t let your hatred blind you like that!

And PLEASE, BACK OFF my sister!! She is a surgeon who has been on her Trauma rotation and has to deal with life and death every minute of her 100+ hrs. she works every week. To have “friends” tear her apart for her conservative beliefs, when she had to turn around and call someone’s time of death the next minute, seriously… Please just leave her alone, she is already soo stressed out everyday, she doesn’t need this added stress. She is dealing with the things none of us can even imagine, nor even handle! If you feel the need to yell at her, please redirect that anger at me not her.

There are soo many people on here that have politely voiced their opinions on this election in nonthreatening, no belittling ways on both sides. Please think about that before you feel the need to send such horrible things out. I am friends with as many Democrats as I am Republicans, but they all respect my views as I do theirs. You might even learn a thing or two when you have a respectful political conversation with a member opposite your political standing.

Oh ya, and peeps let’s just all get along and stop all this hate, k? Cause I like being happy as often as possible! After 2 years of absolute horrific pain, back surgery and a year of bedrest, I try to keep life as positive as I can now… Thus why this has bothered me so much – life is way too short to not enjoy every moment. I just wanna be silly and laugh all the time with as many people as possible – please don’t ruin that for me :-) Ask anyone - I am a total goofball at almost all times, and would normally ignore these kinds of things!

update

So I have pretty much hibernated since Thursday night! I was soo sore from overdoing it that my body was like violently rebelling against me! Its really weird because I have 6 incisions, with 2 being on my left side and 4 in a sqare shape centered above my belly button – But the 2 on the left we the ones that the bigger laparoscopic instruments went in that did most of the stuff and they are the ones that hurt like hell. So I can bend as long as I bend on my right side – which really proves difficult when I go to the bathroom !

I was supposed to watch the VanHorn girls this weekend, but am very very grateful that Kristin stayed with them this weekend while she was studying for her midterms. But I went late Saturday night and had so much fun seeing my little “sisters” again! I soo miss seeing them all the time so I was glad I got a few hours to talk to them all! Plus I brought Daisy to play with their puppy Chloe and they were like instant best friends. It was so awesome to see them run everywhere so fast and play soo much – Daisy is always too hyper for everyone else’s dog so she was really excited to have another puppy with as much energy as she has. I just couldn’t believe how grown up all the girls are now. They are all doing so well and I loved catching up with their lives now. Their parents have raised such awesome girls – I only hope one day my children will be as awesome as they are! But by the time I left I hardly had any energy left and was starting to really feel sore. So I slept most of today!

My mom came over and brought me an entire refrigerator full of every drink you can imagine since I can only drink liquids for 2 weeks and can then move onto to smooshy foods. Its becoming harder! But the good part is when they removed 75% of my stomach they removed the part of my stomach that secretes the hunger hormone so I am actually not even hungry now. YAY!

My mom and I went and visited my neighbors who I know feel have become my adopted grandparents. He has Parkinsons and she has Alzheimers and are sooo hysterical! SO we talked to them and another neighbor for an hour or so. Found out that most of my neighborhood is full of young divorcees. They know everyone so I am always meeting neighbors everytime I go over there – so many people just drop by to say hi to them! Then my mom and I went on a VERY slow walk for a while – found a 2 bedroom for lease that is being renovated and is in an awesome spot but not sure if I really want to move again this soon! It’s a 2 bed on one story when most 2 bedrooms here are 2 story. So I will call this week and see.

I am going to work tomorrow and hope I will do ok. Still a little tired and sore but should be fine. I haven’t wanted to talk much because I get out of breathe easily right now. But I am still doing my breathing exercises so its getting better. I should start getting back to everyone soon – just understand I am not avoiding anyone just waiting till I can talk longer!

POst op

 Friday, October 10, 2008 at 8:18pm | Edit Note | Delete

So I had to stay home from work today as I was in too much pain to move much. Think I jumped the gun too quickly because I felt I was doing so good after surgery. But when I got home from work yesterday I definitely felt all the movements I made all day.

I didn’t take my pain medicine but one time yesterday so I felt the full effects of the surgery. Plus I can only take sips right now and if I take a normal sip it hurts soo bad if air gets down there when I take a sip. That kills me – but I get soo thirsty I just want to gulp it down. Taking my meds every morning and night is turning into a nightmare because I can only take one pill every half hour so it doesn’t hurt… Tried to take 3 at one time this morning and I paid for it.

Its still way better than I ever expected it to be. They prepare you sooo much for this that you already know what could happen and how you should handle it. I just feel very swollen and sore. I wanted to give it my all to make it back to work so quickly so I didn’t miss any more work than needed, but I think that was a mistake because I wasn’t ready to get in and out of my car or in and out of my office chair.

I haven’t been able to talk for very long as I get tired easily and talking makes me use my diaphragm a lot which puts pressure on the whole area they took out. I am still using my breathing machine every few hours to make sure I don’t develop pneumonia, since its very easy to not breathe regularly since its hurts to breathe deeply.

So I will get back in touch with everyone as soon as I start feeling better and can talk. I am drinking plenty of fluids – guess my bladder is getting a good workout!

Everyone is more than welcome to stop by if you have time… my mom came over and made my already clean home spotless! I would love the company! =allyv

Post Op Info

Well, I am laying here feeling a little stiff!

Immediately after surgery until Tuesday night I felt awesome. I kept thinking “is this all”. I was up walking within the first hour and kept walking around the hospital every hour after that. It really helped with the stiffness that came from the surgery.

The staff was very surprised by how well I did and couldn’t believe how quickly I was able to get up and walked the entire bottom floor. The staff were amazing. I cannot say enough about how wonderful I was treated there. I felt like I was at a spa not a hospital.

I just felt soo good compared to what I thought I would feel. I am sure it helped that I had gone through soo much pain after my back surgery. I was so excited when the Dr visited early Tuesday morning to release me, since he didn’t release anyone else until after 5 that evening. He is the most awesome Dr ever – he cares so much that he is changing peoples lives. When I kept thanking him for changing my life he got all teary eyed and gave me a huge hug.

I had stopped taking any pain meds around noon on Tuesday so when my mom picked me up around 5 I was a lil stiff and swollen and could feel more of the pain. However, it was livable pain. After I got home I definitely starting feeling everything. Getting in and out of the car and into bed hurt soo bad. The worst part is going to the bathroom – just sitting down that far uses all those muscles that are soo sore.

Driving to work this morning was tough – every bump sent pain throughout my body. I did fine at work for the most part. However getting in and out of my chair was a bitch. Walking hurt a lot too. I was feeling a lil nauseous despite all the meds they have me on to help it. My liquids only diet took a toll on my tummy today and that sucked.

The ride home was the worst. I felt every single bump… But as soon as I got home and into bed I felt much better. I am glad to know that I can seriously handle the pain without pain meds! I hate seeing or touching my incisions. 3 are about 1 ½ inches across. One started bleeding immediately after surgery so it looks the worst. They are kept together by glue so I don’t have any staples or stitches! I feel weird when I sneeze though – because it puts so much pressure on my belly I feel like it will all come open.

It was really cool because my boss and coworker came to visit me on Monday. That was so awesome of them! The funny thing is I had a huge sleepwalking/talking incident that night that made my nurses laugh… glad I dint say something incriminating…

So I am taking it easy this weekend to recuperate. I will start returning calls as soon as I feel I can talk long enough!

But all in all this may really hurt right now but its nothing compared to my back surgery.

Having my surgery

So my surgery is scheduled for 10am Monday morning at Foundation Bariatric Hospital… the old Renaissance Hospital in Edmond. I am soo excited! I feel like I am getting my life back. The best part is how absolutely healthy I am eating now. I swear its like once I got off eating so much carbs I stopped craving them completely. Its weird because now that I am more than 20 pounds lighter I am soo encouraged to keep losing this weight. ALthough celebrating my birthday with all liquids won't be too much fun!

I know I have a long way to go… a long, long way! But I am so happy to have an opportunity to get this weight off. Since April I gained over 50 pounds… I know that a lot of that was due to quitting smoking and all the medications I was put on which ALL cause weight gain but I have learned how to overcome this the best I can.

I thank those who have contacted me to wish me the best… It really means a lot to me, especially to those that go as far back as elementary school!! I will let you all know how I am as soon as I get online. I will be staying overnight Monday and should leave by Tuesday morning… I can stay Tuesday night oo but I think I will want to come home by then.

From then on it will be liquids for a few weeks, then smooshy foods, then semi solid foods… So for a month or so I wont be eating regular food. I am surprised to know the broth everyone loves is available at The Dollar Tree… RANDOM!

Seeing my sister tonight at Matthew's party really made me excited to think I may actually get back to my high school weight again in the next year or two. As she said though she is still that small because she is a surgery resident and that's what it does to her… I won't ever be as stressed as she must be, esp during her trauma rotation…

I am honest about all this because that's how I live my life now… no secrets here – I am an open book! I am who I am and won't ever pretend to be anyone I am not! I was skinny for soo much of my life that when all 3 of my surgeries happened over the years the weight just kept coming on with all the complications.. And with the car accident keeping in my pain and in bed on and off for 2 years the weight gain was horrific. With all the complications from the 360 degree spinal fusion I never thought I was going to survive it! When things finally did turn for the better, my husband left and went back to AZ leaving me shattered and not healed with no job, no income, no hope…

Yet here I am today – mentally sooo much happier, finally have hope again, quit smoking in April, have an incredible job, and am eating soo healthy losing now over 20 pounds. I am still extremely sad my marriage didn't last, but I know I deserve someone who will stick by my side through everything.

I just wish I will give hope to someone to cope with whatever it is they may be going through. It WILL be ok… You will turn out to be a stronger person because of the hard times – they shape who you become! I am stronger than I ever believed I could be and now know I can get through just about everything! In a way it may be a blessing to have gone through so much, so young because I have learned soo much from it all! Most people don't learn what I have until they are 50 or 60. I don't have much to be scared about anymore.

This surgery is a gift to myself… A gift to pay myself back for the 2 miserable years I had with my severe back pain and back surgery that cost me my marriage! I gave myself my lungs back by quitting my almost 2 pack a day cigarette habit, and now I am giving myself my body back by this gastric sleeve operation!! Its like getting my teenage size stomach back without anything too drastic or foreign objects in my body. Plus the part that produces the "hunger" hormone is in the part removed so I will lose all sense of hunger after the surgery! It will last about 30 minutes and I will have about 6 quarter inch incisions and one 1inch incision. I will be up and walking within and hour after the operation. After my back surgery it should be a piece of cake!

I am so excited – my boss and coworker said they would come visit me after work Monday – that is soo awesome of them. One just had my surgery 3 months ago and the other had the band about 6 years ago. They look amazing!! Plus my head boss wants me to call him when I wake up so he knows I am ok… I am very lucky to be working with such great people! I guess things happen for a reason!!

Quick shout out to Heather for standing by my side since April and never letting me give up! Thank you for listening to me talk on and on about how in shock I was that he left and not killing me for having to listen to it all the time!! You have picked me up soo many times and I thank you soo much! Thank you for believing in me when even I didn't! Thanks for not letting me ruin everything I have worked so hard for and for keeping me away from our friends that would have led me astray! It means so much to me!!!

10/1/08 Whohoo finally having it!

So even though I am having the shittiest week ever... I am finally going to get to have my surgery – almost right at 20 pounds down peeps!!! You have no idea how good it felt to go to the Dr today and know I am at my target weight. My NP and Dietician were jumping up and down as they know how hard it has been for me to get these last 20 pounds off.

So I go in for my surgery on Monday and have my preop appt with my Dr tomorrow. I got it worked out with work to get the time off nd everything is a go....

So looks like my birthday will be full of JUST liquids but the best present to myself will be that surgery so thats ok!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

! This is going to be the best rescue I have ever received in my entire life other than quitting smooking! It will mark the start of an entirely new life for me… one that I felt had ended years ago!

I am still sad reflecting on where I was last year and how horrible a time that was, but to think I have made it this far in just one year is unbelievable. If you would have told me that in one year I would have stopped smoking, eating soo healthy, and had a great great jonb and been able to walk I would have laughed. That was one of the most horrible periods of my life. Yet here I am today more than a 360 degree difference! Its amazing what our bodies and minds are capable of.

I doubt anyone even reads this thing but this is more for me to get stuff out than for anyone to read… I am finally getting back to the old Ally again and for that I am truly grateful to God! I know that no matter what happens during my surgery I will be OK –n because it wil NEVER be as bad as the complications from my back surgery. I know that no matter how many people care about me I will be ok because I still have my family and important friends who will! I need to stop trying to understand people who really don’t care and focus on the ones that do. It hurts, yes, but I have to move on now.

So hopefully I will be able to keep everyone informed as to how I am doing. I will be at Foundation Bariatric Hospital here in Edmond if anything should happen. But I am sure if that were the case my parents would have contacted you already… I know that every surgery has its consequences, but mine should only be about 30 minutes. Then an overnight stay and then home.

I plan on being back at work by Thursday. I am very fortunate to have such a great company that I am employed at..

Sorry to out of state friends – haven’t been up to talking lately as I have been in a funk and hate to bring that on others!

What in the world – its like I am feeling like turning 31 is like the end of the world or something… Maybe I need to give myself a swift kick in the ass 

9/30/08 old post

I am feeling bummed this week… Think it’s the realization that I am that much closer to turning 31… I just want to scream “happy fucking birthday” to myself right now… still have a few days to go though… Sorry I just have to get this out… You know I blog about everything happy and sad.

This just is sooo NOT where I thought I would be at almost 31. Its just hitting me really hard. I realize that I have like 1 friend here in town and a bunch out of town – and that makes me really sad. I almost wish I were back in Scottsdale now, but Scott is back there and that would just add to my sadness!!! Going from April to August with only 1 friend who even called made me realize I don’t have the friends I thought I did, maybe I never did. I used to have soo many friends I knew I could depend on through anything, but to have gone through almost 6 months of the worst Hell of my life and have 1 friend there really hurt, still hurts. Being the life of the party for so many years is kind of backfiring now – I never didn’t have a ton a friends.

Its really hitting as I am getting closer to my birthday and only having my family to celebrate it with. I don’t have a husband to celebrate with anymore (like I have the past couple of years) – I used to love just having him to go out with, it didn’t hurt to not have a bunch of friends to celebrate with. Gone are the days when I had soo many people to go out to dinner with for my birthday every year… We used to all have so much fun – and yet now I am sooo freaking alone!

Maybe that’s just it – maybe not being married on this birthday is really hitting me hard. I hate not being able to get over this – but my heart is still soo absolutely sad and devastated. Its like I feel I am doing soo good and then wham things like this come around and bring back the happy memories of being married.

I know I have come a long way and I totally pull it off that I am just fine – but sometimes I am not. I almost wish he had cheated on me or yelled at me or hit me – anything to make it easier to move on from him….

I just feel like I should be married with kids by now… Hell most of my friends have multiple kids who are older by now and I am stuck back at dating again… I told a friend yesterday I feel like Marissa Tomei’s character on My Cousin Vinny “My biological clock is ticking like this.” I mean seriously everyone knows how much I love kids – I have practically raised a lot of them already and am really, really good at it. I just wonder will it ever be my time… will I ever get the chance to raise a family? I know I am a total dork, but having a family is the one thing I look forward to the most.

On a positive note, I have now been between .2 and .4 lbs away from the 20 pound weight loss goal before I can have my surgery. I go in to see my dietician tomorrow so hopefully we can start the process of setting a date. This has been a huge accomplishment for me, and I am feeling soo much better energy wise. We have a new client coming on mid Oct so I am not sure if I can have the surgery before then. If not it will be end Oct probably. Either way I will be happy! Just wish I could keep all that money 
Spent Saturday with my sisters in-laws watching the game! I got to play with her twin nieces who were sooo absolutely adorable! I had a blast – her in-laws have always been soo much fun! The twins were hysterical and had soooo much energy. They have like white blonde hair and bright blues are so cute with their little laughs.

I am looking forward to Sarah’s sister, Rachel’s wedding this weekend! Should be a lot of fun! Plus I get to see Sarah again – YAY!!

Oh ya and all the political articles about Palin being from a small town, etc… really gets me sad since I was from a small town – so seriously just back off and quit trying to me it sound like because I am from Oklahoma I am lesser than those of you in other states… I know my economics, I know my morals and I know what I want from a President just as each and every American should, and has the right to. Just because I am for McCain/Palin does not make me stupid and I don’t appreciate being told so by soooooo many people. I believe what I believe, BUT I always BELIEVE EVERY AMERICAN HAS THE RIGHT TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES. Don’t send another story from the Wall Street Journal and say its unbiased – HELLO people where have you been? That’s like saying something from The Daily Oklahoman isn’t biased conservatively!

I am happy for anyone who understands what they believe in and why – as long as you make a decision and go vote! Please just lay off the name calling cuz this has been a really shitty week for me and I really cant take one more personal insult because its just building up in me and I don’t need that! I am asking nicely, thank you!

9/29/08 Elect nobody old post

Worthy of your time and attention regardless of your Party Affiliation.
Even though I fully support McCain/Palin... this article put into words exactly what I have been thinking for a long time!! I think alot of you probably feel the same way no matter who you support for President!

545 PEOPLE

By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them.

Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices 545 human beings out of the
300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing.. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash.. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of
300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way. There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation,' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!


Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

*** keep in mind what party controls each segment... The President doesnt have as much power as you might believe!!

9/20/08 old post

Sorry, I write on my Myspace page and forget about all of you! I think I need to explain a few things!

As most of you know my entire world was shattered back in April when my now ex-husband quit his job at News 9, left me in like 15 minutes and went back to Scottsdale because he couldn't handle me not getting better after my back surgery. The hardest part is he still wants to be my best friend and always emails me.

For months I was destroyed and heart broken. I married for life, so this was horrible for me. But over that time alot happened inside of me. I swear I grew up like 10 years in 6 months. I made a decision to finally quit smoking April 9 and have stuck to it. I made a decision to get all the weight off me that has accumulated esp over the 2 years in bed. With help from my Dr and dietician I am on the best diet ever. It makes grocery shopping easier, because its pretty much all fresh produce and meat. I have stuck to that too, although at the beginiing I didnt stick to it like I should have. I hadnt lost any weight and was frustrated and then all of a sudden I dropped almost 14 pounds in a week and 3 days, and now have dropped17.3 pounds in 2 weeks! Once I hit 20 pounds down I can start the process of having my surgery which will really change my life for the positive!! I am sooo excited!!

Once my back finally started doing alot better, I took the time to find a job I would love. I was very fortunate to find a job just like the one I loved in Scottsdale with Maxcare, owned by the Pharmacists Assoc. I LOVE IT, and love the people I work with!

It made me focus on all aspects of my life… where I am at, where I am going, and where I want to go. It made me realize that I am not getting any younger… I thought about what it is I want in life and this is what I came up with…

Heres part of my blof from MS:

I loved being married. I loved laughing every night before bed and every morning when we woke up. It was such an amazing feeling to have your best friend there all the time. Cuddling together is one of the most awesome moments! Of course, divorce was NEVER an option for me. It has taken me a while to come to terms with the fact that I had no choice in the matter. But I have to look at it like, well it just wasn't meant to be and I have to accept that, no matter how much I don't like it! I have picked myself up and moved on and am in a really good place now. Talking to a friend tonight really made me realize what it is I want…

I want to get married again, hopefully sometime in the near future. I want all those butterflies to come back everytime I see someone. As Carrie Bradshaw said in Sex and the City… "Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting,
challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous." Everyone deserves to have that person that loves you for just being you… And noone should settle for any less – never ever.

At this point in my life I feel like I don't even want to waste my time trying to find dates… I don't have the luxury of that anymore. I want to find someone that is really ready to commit to settling down and raising kiddos. I want the whole family thing! I want to have that nice Catholic family down the street that everyone bbq's with. I want what I had growing up and I only hope that it will happen for me eventually! I want someone that cant wait to see me everyday.

I have been really focusing on making myself a better me this year. I quit smoking back in April (kuddos to Matthew for giving me idea to do it)! I am such a healthy eater now – have lost about 14 pounds in a week and a half now! I resist temptation to cheat on my diet – which is something I never thought I could do! I really focused my job search on what I really wanted to do with my life and it paid off! And now its just a matter of weeks before I will be able to have my surgery, which I am soo excited about!! So after I have reached all my goals, I truly feel like I will be soo ready to be in a relationship again. I miss that feeling so much! I just hope one day I will mean alot to someone, someone who appreciates me for all my quirks and hyperness.

I am soo excited I get to go out for a bachelorette party this weekend – it should be a blast! I cant wait to get to hang out with the girls!!

Oh yeah – my job is soo awesome! So glad for all my Caremark training – its come into good use! It keeps my mind working all day long!"

So hope that helps some peeps understand why I say the divorce may have been the best thing to ever happen to me!! If it had been up tp me I would still be married!

09/08/08 OLD POST

Here is why I usually side with Republicans... But I have liked McCain forever especially because of his bipartisan efforts throughout the years. Seeing him bring both parties together on things has always made me respect him more than most republicans... I saw this video and thought it pretty much summed up my beliefs.

Those of you who actually took economics in college might have a clue about "Reaganomics", if you don’t understand economics your really cant make a good argument for either side then. Reaganomics was the most serious attempt to change the course of U.S. economic policy of any administration since the New Deal. "Only by reducing the growth of government," said Ronald Reagan, "can we increase the growth of the economy." Reagan's 1981 Program for Economic Recovery had four major policy objectives: (1) reduce the growth of government spending, (2) reduce the marginal tax rates on income from both labor and capital, (3) reduce regulation, and (4) reduce inflation by controlling the growth of the money supply.

Reading that policy how can you NOT side Republican? It’s easy to follow someone who seems all glorious and has a large celebrity following, but do you really have a clue what they really stand for. I think if some of you really understood the fundamental basis of the Democrats you just might change your mind, or even give pause to think about what it is your really supporting. Is it because everyone you know in your town is democrat and so you side with them, is it because he seems like a cool candidate. Its easy to be cool when you have no background to prove that you would be a good leader.No way to see what he would do as President when he only voted PRESENT like a hundred and something times and didn’t vote yes or no… Is that really the kind of President you want, someone who sits back and lets others do the deciding for him without having to take a stand and make a decision??? Chances are he will do it again since he has a proven track record of doing it!

If you do understand and you still believe in him more power to you because as an American we have the right to believe. I just want people to know why they are supporting one side or the other and not just supporting someone for nonimportant reasons.