I have been so busy, that it took me weeks to post the second part of this update, LOL but better late than never, so here we go! I have to admit that I am one of those people, that doesn’t sleep well when I am excited. This has caused me huge issues over the years, as I end up being super tired at 
important events. With the thought of the giant bags under my eyes during filming, I went to the store before leaving, and picked up a sleep aid. It’s been since the insomnia years,(as I refer to them), since I took a sleep aid. I did take one the night before the filming, and slept very very well. Although, I think between the time difference and the early time in which I needed to wake up, that I ended up with about 5 and a half hours. Not much but I was able to work with it. I woke up at 5:30 am or so, and was jolted awake by my phone sending me an alert. It was an extreme weather alert, stating that it was raining outside, and New York City was in danger of flash floods. I laughed and shook my head, after all it was 99 degrees when I got off the plane the day before. Turned off the hotel alarm that at that moment began to ring, (by the way I am not sure who bought said alarm but it would not have woken an ant up, seriously the strangest alarm I have ever seen), and than made my way to the window. To my utter shock, it was pouring down rain outside!! I 
hadn’t seen pouring rain in months, in my drought ridden home in Idaho. If I could have opened my windows I totally would have! With the thought of the cooler air, I climbed out of bed, and began to prepare for the day. On a grooming note, I was told to wash and blow dry my hair, and so with that I began the process of taking a shower.
This had to be the worst shower experience I have ever had. It took me nearly five minutes of irritating time, in which I dodged the freezing water, and tried to figure the shower out. It had more dials that many cars I have seen, and only one shower door! Like as in there was a glass plate and no door. I ended up with a puddle on the floor, but I did eventually figure out how to use all the dials and very much enjoyed the pressure dial after I found it. *G* Did all the prep stuff, and used the Keurig to heat up some water for my oatmeal. I discovered these great fruit and nut oatmeal cups from Quaker, that I used on the trip and I loved them! After enjoying the oatmeal, and an apple that I brought with me as well, I packed everything back up, and said good-bye to my awesome room. Wish I had had more time in my room, and in New York, but it was still a great trip. I headed downstairs to check out and met up with Jenny from Weight Watchers, who set all of this up for me. We checked my bags and off to Starbucks for some much needed coffee and great conversation. Walked around Lincoln Square and eventually made our way back to the hotel, where we grabbed my bags, and found my driver and car. He got me inside, and I met one of the other ladies from our show. Her name is Charmaine and she is so amazing! I won’t share her story, but we for sure are kindred spirits, and I have enjoyed getting to know her since the taping. We chatted in the car as we waited for the third lovely lady in our trio. There was some miscommunication and she ended up not getting to the car for over 45 minutes, but it gave Charmaine and I a chance to gab it up. By the time Christina joined us, we were BFF’s and enjoyed a quick trip to the studio.
LOL I have to admit that it made me feel pretty ritzy going through the security check point in a beautiful black towncar with a driver. So cool!! We were greeted by the amazing staff at the show, and 
headed upstairs. We were shown the ladies rooms and rounded the corner to see the host of one of my favorite shows ever. I won’t tell you who it was, but to be honest I nearly peed myself!! He came up to me and told me how he had read my entire story and was so inspired etc. OMG!!!! Wait till you see the show, and see who I am talking about. After me nearly passing out in fan girl form we headed to our dressing rooms. Dressing rooms!!!!!! It was so cool and they had a wonderful gift for us with a cute note. I got a Dr.Oz hat which I have been wearing constantly. I loves it! The entire process was so organized and fun for me. The wardrobe people came in and I showed them all the clothes and shoes I had brought with me. They settled on one of my favorite shirts in my power color; red, my new sandles, and a pair of awesome black slacks I had just gotten. The clothes were rushed off to steam, and I was bundled into hair and makeup. Hair was first and I chatted with the other ladies and my awesome hair stylist. My hair looked so freaking awesome! Next was makeup, and the tv host I mentioned earlier came in
to get makeup done, and talked to me for awhile. He is so totally down to earth and had been to CDA many many times. It was so cool that he even knew where Lake City High School is and the CDA Resort. What a great guy! Everyone knows that I love makeup and wearing it. It was so neat to see what they did with my makeup, and I begged them to come home with me when they were done. This woman totally needs to learn contouring!
After makeup I grabbed a bite to eat and than changed into my clothes for the show. They had a great food section set up with these amazing healthy mini muffins and lots of fruit. Visited with the 
other ladies, and than it was time to get briefed on the show, with 5 minutes to go. We climbed upstairs to the studio where we were greeted by more producers, hair and makeup, the stage manager etc. They explained that I would be on first and I literally had a mini panic attack inside. I thought I was going to pass out for a second there, which believe me is not normal for me. I promise it’s really not. *G* I was the last person prepped and the first one on, so I really didn’t feel like I had a chance to ponder on the direction I wanted to go. The tv host I talked about earlier came over and encouraged me, and so did the producers. I wasn’t the only nervous one out of us. I think we were all very worried about representing our stories correctly and inspiring others to make the changes in their lives. They came up to me and explained the process, and then took me out behind a piece of plywood, so that I got a full studio and tv audience reveal. I stood behind the bookcase, panicking and afraid I would fail. I could hear Dr.Oz talking and I was terrified! Not of him but of speaking in front of all of those people. I heard my husband’s voice come through the studio and a wave of calm rushed through me. He is and always has been my rock through all of this. Hearing his voice calmed me down, and made me remember exactly why I was there. It wasn’t about perfection and it never has been. I’m an imperfect creature who has struggled, fought, and overcome, and if I can do it anyone can. You can do this!! I will write more on the actual taping as time goes forth but I really want it to be a surprise for all of you. Butterfly up and out!
