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Introduction Text I've been away for a spell but I am baaaaack at SparkPeople! My name is Kim and I'm a big girl with a lot of weight to lose. I'm a retired, 22 year elementary teacher in the city school district. I've been in Philly since 1987. I have a small machine embroidery business and I'm teaching myself to sew and quilt. I have a bit of a fabric fascination and just love textiles and patterns in design. Late in late 2016 I nearly died from a massive infection in my bowel caused by diverticulitis. I was septic when admitted to the hospital and woke up with a colostomy and a lot of tubes in me. Repair of the damage from the infection and the colostomy reversal (yay) were done this summer. In all I spent 95 days in two stays in the hospital and rehab. On top of that I have 2 bum knees. Got to lose this weight to get the new ones. I am sick of being disabled. I'm grateful to God for letting me survive and giving me a chance to get a real hold of my health. My brush with death was a real epiphany. I know my demons where weight is concerned. For me it's emotional eating binges, grabbing the wrong foods when I'm tired and/or in a hurry and portion control, that darn portion control! The trackers here really help with that, and my BLC Team, the Lovely Limes, is a super strong support and motivational group. The hardest part for me is exercising on a planned basis. I have terrible knee pain and a lazy streak. I know what I have to do but I don't always do it. I have a long way to go, one day and one decision at a time! My personal life I prefer to keep personal, it's complicated, but I will talk all day long about my kitties, lol. I am Meowmama to the now 3 Philly Phurballs, my only "children": "The Baby": Jesse James Junior, aka "Manly"-all black boy kitty and just a sweetheart, who came here to escape becoming an appetizer for a kitty-eating Shar Pei. Blonde Boy, Sparky, who appeared on a dark and cold December night, hungry and friendly as could be. He's very entertaining! Little Gingersnaps aka SnappyDoodle aka Doodlebug, a beautiful tortoiseshell, rescued from the streets of West Philly when she was a wee tot, is my LoveBug. Last year my two elder kitties passed over the Rainbow Bridge after living wonderful lives of 16 years with us. Big Purrrrchouli was the queen of the castle- and Tumby Tumbo, aka Frantic Boy, was a sweetie once he slowed down.. They were mixed gray, black and white Tabby cousins, born to alleycat sisters behind my old house. I miss them so much, they were great kitties. So, here I am again. This is a fabulous community. Thanks, SP and all you wonderful SparkFriends for helping me reach my goals. Together WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!

Eat healthier, lose weight, gain strength, feel more energetic, move without pain and panting. Lose 100 pounds and get my knees replaced.

-Finding a better Mind/Body balance -Learning from and leaning on my Sparkfriends. -Drinking TONS of water. -Eating more whole grains, fruits, veggies, beans and less meat. -Learning the true meaning of portion control. -Dodging the villainous sodium. -Coping with diet sabotaging triggers. -Cooking more at home, healthier and tastier! -Tracking it all at SP. -Learning how to exercise again...and making myself move!

I LOVE cats, reading, football, music, cool people, history, classic movies. I'm 5 and a half years into retirement from teaching....but share a custom embroidery business with my best friend at her cleaners.... I also do some volunteer work with a drop in community art studio In Delaware. I have a passion for vintage and indigenous textiles and I'm learning to sew and quilt.

I am a collector of many cool and interesting vintage items and lovingly refer to my home as "The Clutter Dome". On days when it's not quite as cluttered as usual, we call it "Chez Gatos" in honor of the pussycats who run it. I have a wicked sense of humor and a pretty quick wit...I also speak my mind and, as my parents always told me to, I don't take any crap from anybody!

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