we are back from one hell of an amazing trip to japan!
wow!
thank you so much sun-k, ikuko and each and every student and TA that made our trip so amazing.
i spent the afternoon sifting through the photos and video and put together this little ditty from our trip.
and since it is weigh in wednesday i feel the overwhelming need to share that i have lost a whopping 24 pounds thus far on 
...i cannot frickin believe it,
to celebrate i bought new jeans from the gap today...
SIZE 12!!
i have not worn a size 12 since 2000!
WoW...looks like you had a really wonderful time!!!
Posted by: Apple | March 05, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Looks like you successfully left the "ick" in the US and had yourself a great time in Japan. Good for you. Nice your DH could be there too. Welcome home.
Posted by: Jill | March 05, 2008 at 07:44 PM
way to go superstar! i love that you looking skinny and wonderful! glad to hear you are pass the yuck and had a great time!
xoxo
ronee
Posted by: ronee | March 05, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Donna...good for you with NutriSystem. I joined Weight Watchers a year ago and have lost 48lbs. It's great getting into clothes you haven't worn in ages but wait until you get into sizes that you haven't seen since your age was in single digits. It's very cool. And btw, I love you paintings.
Posted by: Leah | March 05, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Thank you for sharing your videos and pictures of Japan! Looks like you were feeling much better there.
I cannot believe you got those glasses so inexpensively!! But I did like the ones you chose better than the others.
Posted by: Steph Carty | March 05, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Loved the video Donna - and you picked my favorite pair of glasses.
Dang - makes you wonder why glasses cost so much here in the US? It's IN-SANE what I pay for my glasses.
Posted by: Kate Griswold | March 05, 2008 at 09:02 PM
hey donna!! oMg!! i totally KNOW you now!! i was thinking that when you returned from japan you were going to put konichiwa!!! LOL!!
when are you coming back to TX?? i am sad that i missed ya when you were here the last time.
my mama says hello too!! :]
Posted by: kara stephenson | March 05, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Donna,
I don't know how I found you but I've been reading your blog for months now--and loving every minute! Thank you so much for sharing your fun trip with us. I came across this when I was writing an article the other day--the definition of Inspire:
in•spire –verb (used with object)
1. to fill with an animating, quickening, or exalting influence
Doesn't that just sound like Donna Downey!
Thanks for sharing your heart with us!!!
Apryl
Posted by: apryl | March 05, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Congratulations.
Keep up the good work. Its not a diet its a lifestyle....
definitely a reason to celebrate!
Posted by: Sharon F. | March 05, 2008 at 09:31 PM
Shut up...$147?!? Wow. I should have suggested you stock up on Fiberwig mascara. Here, it's $20 a tube. I'm sure it's much less in Japan since it's made there.
See you next month!
Posted by: Jeanette | March 05, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Hey, Donna,
You so made the right choice with the glasses. And can I say Bill gets cuter everytime I see him! What a toe-head! Do you know how much some women have to pay for those curls and that color! Not me but some other women! Looks like you had fun. Thanks for sharing. Jonel
Posted by: Jonel | March 05, 2008 at 11:51 PM
wow thanks for the video...am at school with a few girls from Japan...they are so sweet and kind.....my glasses cost me $800 last time....
Posted by: bettyann | March 06, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Donna,
Hi there! Do you mind telling me when you joined Nutrisystem? I was inspired by you and joined - I wanted to lose 50 pounds. But, I'm a little frustrated right now. I've lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks of being on NS. I feel like it should be SO much more. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. Thanks! I love love love your blog!
Posted by: Shannon Gurney Photography | March 06, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Donna!!!! You look FABULOUS! Seriously gone is the ick and in is the sick! (in a good way :) )
here I go again with the lame ryhming...heehee.
Japan looks like a really interesting place! Love the moving sushi bar with instant green tea (who knew?!) and a red Eiffel tower...too cool! I recognise some of the temples from my MIL trip photos...I so have this place on my list of things to do / visit in my lifetime.
I almost choked on my cuppa when I saw the price you paid for the fly glasses....I so want to kick my OPTS A** and his $1000 dollar range bills....seriously at that price I`d grab a couple of pairs..shoot, one for every mood!
Posted by: bonafyde | March 06, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Wow Donna. You look awesome. Congrats on the 24/12! Yippee! And thanks for sharing the video and pix of Japan - oh, I miss it so...!
Posted by: Karen K in CA | March 06, 2008 at 12:31 AM
Hi Donna!
Glad you recovered from the flu and had a great trip to Japan. The video is fabulous - it made me happy just to see all the smiles of people having so much FUN!!!!!
You are a great sb ambassador :)
Cynde
Posted by: Cynde | March 06, 2008 at 07:54 AM
Donna you look awesome. Wow 24 - way to go. Looks like your trip was a lot of fun. Keep up the awesome work.
Posted by: Michelle | March 06, 2008 at 08:18 AM
WOW-I was just looking at your schedule. You are going to be doing some serious amazing traveling! Luck you! Japan looks amazing-we are hoping to go there one day when the kiddos are a little older so we can leave them with the "rents" for a while. I think we're all amazed on how cheap your glasses were-they are too cool! Take care-
Posted by: Marlyn | March 06, 2008 at 09:05 AM
SHUT UP Miss size 12! You rock.
I loved the moving sushi bar. That would be cool to have in your house. The kids could serve themsleves anytime.
What I want to know is did you bring a suitcase full of green dildos to Japan? That is a converstion in Japanese I would like to hear!
Posted by: sue Treiber | March 06, 2008 at 09:08 AM
Hooray on size 12! I lost 20 pounds on WW and am fitting into size 12's...I have about 20 more to go. I have slipped into maintenance mode with sloppy eating habits but would love to get back into weight losing mode!
So glad that you had a great time in Japan!
Posted by: Juliana Gordon | March 06, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Congrats on the 24 lbs! You are inspiring, to say the least. You are going to look so HOT at the inspired event! HOT.
Posted by: Sarah Kristiansen | March 06, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Wow Donna,
Loads and loads of fun! Congrats on your weight loss.
What????? $147.00. I always say shop for expensive stuff elsewhere. I got my very first pair of glasses in Jordan. I don't even remember how cheap it was, but it was a lot less!!!!!
Why not get both and switch off? Right.
Posted by: Debbie | March 06, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Amazing! It is nice to see that scrapbooking can be a universal bonding experience. Through your video, I am thrilled to be reminded that people are people and that we can come together despite the differences.
Loved the glasses - will have to consider going to Japan the next time my hubby needs new ones! It would be worth the trip!
Congrats on the Nutrisystem. You are looking really good and I really liked your "inspi[red]" t-shirt!
Posted by: Laura Bruner | March 06, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Great to have you back! And congrats on the Nutrisystem!
Question, are you supposed to hear what the people are saying on the video? I can only hear the music...
Posted by: Sama | March 06, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Konichiwa! You picked the right pair of glasses. Congratulations on being a loser (of 24 pounds)!
Posted by: Karen | March 06, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Hi Donna,
Congrats on 24 pounds! You look marvelous!
Julia
Posted by: Julia | March 06, 2008 at 01:45 PM
I so love your video! That was amazing and I am so glad Bill went with you! Love the new glasses and for so cheap!!!!
Posted by: Alicia Sharp | March 06, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Congrats.
Posted by: tiffany | March 06, 2008 at 02:35 PM
I must say that I about fell off of my chair laughing when I heard the song you chose for the video montage! Sounds like you had a great time...I agree that you should have bought a pair of glasses for every mood. My husband's last pair cost $600+. Great to have you back!
Posted by: Christy | March 06, 2008 at 02:43 PM
my dd and i were watching your video together, she's three...and throughout the whole video I don't get any reaction from her, and then a sudden gasp of excitement at the sight of Hello Kitty, and squeals of "I have one of those"...so cute.
congrats on the weight loss, it feels good don't it? LOL (I'm 5-6lbs from my goal wt...and it's crazy driving me nuts trying to loose this last little bit)
YOU GO GIRL (do people still say this?) apparently I do. LOL
Posted by: Kelli Johnson | March 06, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Aaaaccckkkkk!
I just saw your two new books in your inspired newsletter! WHEN and WHERE????
They look amazing!!!
Posted by: linda, canada | March 06, 2008 at 04:03 PM
WOO HOO! Size 12 thats right! You go girl! Losing weight & on vacation too. Damn! That is so awesome. Love the glasses....defintely the right choice & apparently the right price. Hahaha Loved the video. Your class looked like a hoot. Keep up the good work. :)
Posted by: Janna | March 06, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Rock ON sister! ;)
Posted by: Michelle | March 06, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Thanks for sharing your video. Way cool and love the new glasses. Great job on the Nutrisystem too! You should totally send in a Flip video for their commercials!!!
Posted by: Kristina | March 06, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Congrats on your weight! I can't believe $147 for glasses. I get the exam, frames and the high index, thinned lenses and my total is like $375. And I pick the ugly cheap frames because I have mommy guilt about spending money on myself. Wow! Thanks for sharing the joy of your trip.
Posted by: Jess | March 06, 2008 at 07:30 PM
congrats on the weight loss! So glad you had a great trip. I finally mailed your workout music, I hope it arrived. Sorry it took so long.
Posted by: kim in Camas - ScrapToMyLu | March 06, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Glad you're back!!! The trip looks like it was amazing! CONGRATS on the 24 pound loss. WAY TO GO and KEEP IT UP!
Posted by: Mary | March 06, 2008 at 09:13 PM
looks like a fun trip!! the moving sushi bar- totally awesome!!!
congrats on the weight loss! you must be so proud of yourself :) great job.
welcome home.
Posted by: erika | March 06, 2008 at 09:29 PM
That was an awesome video!! Thanks for sharing and congrats on the weight loss!! Cute glasses too!
Posted by: Heather Wilson | March 06, 2008 at 10:00 PM
You totally rock in the weight loss department! So, tell me, what are you using to edit your flip and add text???!!! Tried converting so I could use iMovie, but it takes so long...has to be a faster way. Share, please!!!
Posted by: Kathie | March 07, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Glad to see you got over the ick for your trip. You obviously had a great time!
Size 12! I don't think I've worn that since 9th grade.
Posted by: Jeannie | March 07, 2008 at 02:03 AM
Congrats on the weight loss Donna you are going great guns at it. Also good deal on the glasses. Here is a website that you may be interested in for future glasses purchases.
http://selectspecs.com. i got a pair of glasses with pescritpions and postage to australia for $43.00 aud. Now thats a bargain
Posted by: jodii | March 07, 2008 at 04:49 AM
Well done on the weight-loss, you're doing so well!
Also, you picked my favourite pair of glasses - good choice!
Get over to England and do an event here!
Pippa x
Posted by: Pippa | March 07, 2008 at 05:57 AM
Donna you rock!
I hope I get to meet you someday.
An buy the way you look Marvelous.
Posted by: Judi Haines | March 07, 2008 at 06:15 AM
whoo-hooo! you go with your size 12 jeans!! I am so happy for you...you go girl!
glad the ICK didn't follow you to Japan...looks like it was a fun-filled trip. thanks as always for sharing!
Posted by: Susan Gilman | March 07, 2008 at 07:42 AM
Donna all I can say is "YOU HAVE ARRIVED!!!"
So great to see the video..thanks for sharing
Posted by: Susan | March 07, 2008 at 08:33 AM
Donna, you look amazing!!! Thanks for sharing your trip-how fun:) Glad you are feeling better.
Posted by: Marcee | March 07, 2008 at 11:05 AM
A big welcome home to the babe in the skinny jeans!!! Mac
Posted by: DebbieMac | March 07, 2008 at 04:38 PM
good for you!!! you look great!!
ck
Posted by: christy Kennedy | March 07, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Woohoo! Go Donna!
Posted by: Tina | March 08, 2008 at 02:54 AM
Donna!
Thank you for coming to CKU-J2.Your class was very pleasant.
Please come again soon!
Posted by: Rie | March 08, 2008 at 12:52 PM
I loved this video! Congratulations on your success w Nutrisystem! Keep it up!
Moving sushi bar? Donna, come down to Miami we have tons of those here ;)
Posted by: Dayami | March 08, 2008 at 01:43 PM
Congrats on the weigh in!
Posted by: Julie in Houston | March 09, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Congratulations on your weight loss!!! :)
Posted by: Catherine | March 14, 2008 at 10:21 AM