My son Alec's Bar Mitzvah Present from Ken & Erika Osen: The African Queen! (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

Our good friends, the incredibly generous Ken and Erika Osen, who attended my son's Bar Mitzvah, made him this remarkable diorama based on the Humphrey Bogart and Catherine Hepburn classic, "The African Queen." In addition to building the base, Ken hand painted the backdrop!^&cool^&cool^&cool^&cool^&cool The African Queen is by Metalshed, and the German Gunboat Louisa is by Lesinski.

 

[zblang]

Amazing!!!

 

[mikemiller1955]

Wow!
that is nice...
you have a lucky son...
nice job Ken and Erika...

 

[villagehorse]

Really nice and a one of a kind. Robin.

 

[joesgis]

Holy cow! That's amazing!!! What a gift!!!
Louis, Thanks for sharing the photos of this brilliant dio!!

Joe

 

[Louis Badolato]

Holy cow! That's amazing!!! What a gift!!!
Louis, Thanks for sharing the photos of this brilliant dio!!

Joe

Thanks Joe!:smile2: And by the way, here's a photo of me in my wedding Tuxedo getting ready to leave for the Bar Mitzvah . . . I lost 75+ lbs. since you last saw me!{sm4}

 

[mikemiller1955]

looking good Louis...you must have been highly motivated...life changing effort!

 

[Louis Badolato]

looking good Louis...you must have been highly motivated...life changing effort!

I had to Mike, for my back. My doctor told me if I wanted to walk without a cane or a walker I need to lose the 55-60 lbs I had gained and build strong core muscles to help support my spine. I have completely changed the way I eat, cutting out all carbs and dairy, and I do the exercises my PT gave me to build my core an hour a day. It’s hard, especially around the holidays, but it needs to be done.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Louis...
I'm a type 2 diabetic...so I understand carbs and the way our body treats them as sugar...
also my back is currently out of whack and the Pain Management Clinic has sent me to Physical Therapy...
I hate doing those exercises...
so I kind of realize the sacrifices you're making right now to repair your body and change your body's fuel......
your results have been rewarding...
you're looking good and healthy...
I'm sure you're feeling better not carrying around the extra weight...
and hope your chronic back pain is better...

I miss eating pizza til I'm stuffed...
a big bowl of pasta...
beans...rice...garlic bread..Mexican food...cake...pie...candy...etc...
but I really try to keep my A1C numbers good...
so now if I want pizza...
instead of all I can eat pizza...
it's maybe 2 slices of pie and a salad...
I do try to stay away from the carbs and only eat them in moderation...
trying to stay under 40 carbs per meal...
but I do miss the overindulgence I enjoyed years ago...
I would struggle to do as you are doing and give up carbs 100%
that would be VERY TOUGH!

I re-posted the pic of you standing sideways...
it looks much better standing tall...

congrats to you...your results are an inspiration...

now with that said...
I hope Manning and OBJ don't play this week...^&grin

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thanks Mike!:smile2: Getting from north of 280 to south of 210 was hard, but my back pain is much improved at the moment (I think more due to a change in medicine than to the weight loss), and it does feel good to be able to fit in my old 42 regular suits and 34 jeans. Thanks for posting the photo upright, I must have forgotten to edit it before posting. Oh, and by the way, you got your wish with regard to OBJ, and haven't you already clinched the NFC East?{sm4}

 

[mikemiller1955]

Louis...yes they clinched the East last week...but they are not going anywhere...it will be a first round knock out...their lack of offense...inability to score in the red zone...poor protection of Dak in the pocket...and Dak's failure to handle his pocket presence and releasing the ball quick...will make their departure quick from the playoffs...Dak has actually surpassed Eli in sacks...and you know Eli get hits a lot...Dak has 52 sacks in 15 games..that's a HUGE number...

 

[TomNT]

Thanks Joe!:smile2: And by the way, here's a photo of me in my wedding Tuxedo getting ready to leave for the Bar Mitzvah . . . I lost 75+ lbs. since you last saw me!{sm4}

Crikey, is that the same bloke I saw recently in NY! Looking great Louis, the missus better watch out as you'll be a chick magnet for sure! ^&grin

Tom

 

[TomNT]

Louis...
I'm a type 2 diabetic...so I understand carbs and the way our body treats them as sugar...
also my back is currently out of whack and the Pain Management Clinic has sent me to Physical Therapy...
I hate doing those exercises...
so I kind of realize the sacrifices you're making right now to repair your body and change your body's fuel......
your results have been rewarding...
you're looking good and healthy...
I'm sure you're feeling better not carrying around the extra weight...
and hope your chronic back pain is better...

I miss eating pizza til I'm stuffed...
a big bowl of pasta...
beans...rice...garlic bread..Mexican food...cake...pie...candy...etc...
but I really try to keep my A1C numbers good...
so now if I want pizza...
instead of all I can eat pizza...
it's maybe 2 slices of pie and a salad...
I do try to stay away from the carbs and only eat them in moderation...
trying to stay under 40 carbs per meal...
but I do miss the overindulgence I enjoyed years ago...
I would struggle to do as you are doing and give up carbs 100%
that would be VERY TOUGH!

I re-posted the pic of you standing sideways...
it looks much better standing tall...

congrats to you...your results are an inspiration...

now with that said...
I hope Manning and OBJ don't play this week...^&grin

Great to hear Mike but I hope we can still drink whisky together someday! {sm3}

Tom

 

[mikemiller1955]

Great to hear Mike but I hope we can still drink whisky together someday! {sm3}

Tom

Tom...my world traveling friend...if you ever visit again...we can certainly have a snort or three...^&grin

 

[OzDigger]

Hi Louis, what an amazing gift, and you're looking good after the weight loss, not easy, especially this time of year.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thanks Matt.:smile2: After the back surgery, I had really let myself go. I was eating like my old self, but for months at a time got zero exercise as I couldn't walk without a cane or a walker. Finally, I got on a scale at my doctor's office and saw 283 lbs. He told me if I ever wanted to get control of my back pain, I had to lose the approximately 60 lbs. I had gained since the surgery. 75+ lbs. later, and I am wearing size 34 jeans and size 42 regular suits still in my closet from when I was in my 30's!{sm4}

 

[Warrior]

Looking sharp there Louis; if the lawyer thing doesn't pan out, you could always give Maitre d' at some Italian joint on Long Island a shot ("I'm not saying this place is rough, but their special is broken leg of lamb...………..tip your waiters and waitresses, don't forget to try the veal, two drink minimum"...………….)


283; wow, that's a lot of weight for someone with your frame, good luck with the diet, it's a tough, tough road, willpower is key, so difficult to stick with it as temptations are everywhere.

Exercising is another tough road; again, a lot of discipline is needed. I used to be in the gym 5 days a week, it killed me to miss a day here or there, haven't seen the inside of a gym in 12 years, I don't miss it at all, I walk around my complex for half an hour a few days a week when I can find the time, that's about it. It's funny as we age, diet and exercise are so important, but so few people do either, nevermind both.


Again, good luck.

 

[Terp152]

Wow, that's beautiful, and I'm talking about the diorama here. :wink2: Ken is incredibly skilled, and generous. I have four dio bases by him. Chris

 

[Mirof]

And for the newbies
Among the more then 1000 toy soldiers makers present and past
Ken and Erika Olsen see
http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/c-1191-hudson-allen-studio.aspx

Myself, I was thinking first they were relatives, grand parents or golf club friends ...

 

[jason foote]

That is an amazing dio. How do you have th3 soa e for all your great stuff?