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About this blog

THE SWEET SPOT My journal on my expedition to Bandlandia and my adventures there. I plan to stay forever (been to Onederland many times, but I never stayed long). Join me!:see

Entries in this blog

 

Third Bandiversary

Hello my lovelies!   This week is my 'Celebration Week', so drink up you groupies, and keep the party going all week!   - My Birthday (I'll be 53). - Our 30th Wedding Anniversary (we'll be leaving for London in less than two weeks…Cheers!). - and…drum roll please…My Third Bandiversary!!!   I can hardly believe it's been three years! It seems like just yesterday that I was getting banded, and yet it also seems like I'm now the same person I always felt like inside...only happier.   I'm swamped getting packed, so I won't repeat myself, but here are some thoughts I had on the past year HERE I just wanted to stop in for the big party (get your hugs here) and to tell you thank you all for your continued support and friendship!   Pics- a pair of pants I found in the back of my closet (too small on me when I got banded)...excuse the pre-shower scary face.   See you all in a few weeks! -BG (lap Band Groupie)
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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Ketchup

...or should I say Catsup...no, make that Catch Up...   So much going on here that I didn't get a moment to even post my already completed posts...my Bandiversary, my scheduled visit to my Surgeon, my new projects...   ...but those will come this week...   ...let's catch up on the other important other stuff...life!   It's the last day of Spring Break here for DS2, and DH took off a few days last week, so thus the busy week. He's got a crazy schedule the next two weeks, so we (OK, my 'honey-do list') needed to get lots of things done...he's got a late dinner today, off to Italy tomorrow with three guys from China, gets home late Saturday night and then has to catch a flight about 4 hours later out west for the week...ugh...I don't miss work travel. He's going to miss my Birthday and his this week *sigh*.   DD spent the weekend with us, but DS1 had some big projects due and finals coming up, so unfortunately he couldn't get home from college.   Saturday was our 29th Anniversary...we were supposed to go out Friday, but I had a stomach bug...and since DD was home Saturday night, we spent it with the kids and made a pact to do something big next year for our 30th.   We had fun dying eggs...DS2's eggs...can you tell he loved the 'tie dye' kit best. We had a great time watching movies together and playing games...DD peed her pants laughing (she must have gotten my incontinence genes) when we played 'Just Dance 2' on the Wii and DH and I did a duet dance (DH has two left feet, but he beat me anyway because I was laughing so hard).   DD and I did some girly things...painted our toenails...we dyed our hair in honor of Easter...mine turned purple...well a gray purple (I swear, wish I'd thought to take a pic), and not on purpose...and then we fixed it...and I let DD trim my hair for the first time for fun (it kept getting shorter and shorter...and I had to get out the scissors to even a few things up this morning). I gave DH's hair a trim for his trips (I started trimming people's hair in college, so you know I'm a professional LOL...besides, as he would say, there's not much left to trim LOL).   Here are the kids...DS2 hamming it up after finding his hidden basket... DD opening her 81 eggs after the big hunt. Yes, we still hide an obnoxious amount of eggs for each kid (the older they got, the more we hid) in different rooms in the house...and yes, they still love the hunt...I'm sure we'll still be doing this until they have kids of their own. I made a great Easter brunch (OK, pick your chin up off the floor...yes...I cooked)...with a new recipe for a toasted crusty bread and savory egg casserole...YUM. We had the traditional Easter ham dinner, with some new appetizers (the Pittsburgh potatoe perogies were a little bland...I need to look up a sauce for next time).     *Portion of Post Deleted For Lap Band Book Folllow me here: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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9/3/09 Home Alone

Yes folks, it’s that time of year again! School started today and finally…I’m home alone! DS2 went off to 8th grade, DS1 is safely tucked in at college and is having a blast, DD and DH went off to work. I don’t know what to do with myself! Sure, there’s the pile of supplies and stuff we brought back from DS1’s college move and the pile of stuff from our week at the beach that all needs to be put away. My white tiled kitchen floor (I must have been in a coma the day we picked white tile for a kitchen floor…one suggestion…DON'T) looks more like my lawn right now. The laundry is done only because DS2 made me do all his clothes yesterday because he needed everything to select from for his first day of school (I’m guessing all those girls who were texting him day and night last year are going to be a big distraction this year LOL). I have a pile of mail to catch up on and the bathrooms all need cleaning…but what to do?!   I’m making it a fun first day alone. I think I’ll start with painting the lights I want to make for my god-daughter (I’ll post my catch-up blog from two weeks ago on DS1’s and her move to college tomorrow, which will explain the lights). Then I’m going to bake some cookies to include with small gifts we bought DS1 on vacation. I’ll mail both their college care packages off tomorrow. But right now…excuse me while I run naked through the house…weee....
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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9/24/09 Hope for the Economy

"On September 24th and 25th, the world's financial representatives and leaders will come together to discuss economic policies and address the global financial crisis in Pittsburgh." The G-20 Summit begins tomorrow and the delegates are arriving (our President arrives today). President Obama will chair this meeting of 20 leaders from countries around the world that represent 85 percent of the world’s economy. Pittsburgh was chosen in May by the White House (the last summit was held in London in April). The reason for Pittsburgh? "The reason, according to the White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, was that Pittsburgh today serves as a model for economic and environmental transformation in the United States and abroad. The city has reinvented itself by building a balanced, innovation-driven economy based on its strengths in advanced manufacturing, financial services, information and communications technologies, health care and life sciences, education and research, and energy and environmental solutions." Pittsburgh has the first green convention center (where the Summit is being held) in the nation and the former steel mill town is now known for its higher education and health care and technology innovation. They've been preparing for the Summit for months now here. Streets have been repaved (although many roads are closed) and many local businesses and schools are closed. Downtown looks like a police state (police officers from every suburb are working this event; there was a lot of violence at the London summit that they are trying to avoid here) and hordes of protestors have come to town as well to draw attention to their issues (8 Greenpeace activists were arrested yesterday hanging off one of the city's bridges). No matter what your political or global views, I think we can all agree to have hope that the mission of this Summit is successful (to evaluate measures taken since the London summit and to implement new policies that will stimulate the global economy). We should all keep hope in our hearts that our economy will improve!
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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9/22/09 Autumn Begins

Today marks the first day of Autumn here. We put up the Fall decorations this weekend. I usually wait until the end of Sept., but the next two weekends are booked for DH/and or I so we're early this year (I need his help with the outside stuff). Plus I never got the Easter or Memorial/4th of July stuff up this year because of the LB, so I'm ready to dive into another holiday (I'm a holiday freak).   I thought I'd take a few pics of my fall decorations to share for those crafters out there. I love to craft so I try to add one new thing each year (and usually get rid of old tired things). Dag, I forgot the outside...I'll take one this week to share.   - Pic 1: My stairs with basket pumpkins (store bought). DS2 stepped on the big pumpkin coming down the stairs in the dark last night; crushed it in, but DH popped it back out...creases in the back LOL.   - Pic 2: The lighted garland/bows (my neighbors tell me it looks nice at night through the glass front door). Closer to Halloween we add a giant spider web that goes across the whole 2 story foyer and up to the 2nd floor...the kids love throwing hundreds of plastic spiders up into the web (they catch and dangle down) and we have some flys and rats we wrap like a cacoon.   - Pic 3: My foyer table. DS2 and I made the pumpkin flower arrangement a few years back when he was sick at home for a week. I'm not a silk flower lover, but it works for me with fall's bright colors. He grew all the gourds in his veggie garden and we dried them. Oh, and you can see my glass front door I've mentioned before in the mirror reflection.   - Pic 4: My fireplace. I've been a Homeroom Mom for all three of our kids and as an ex-art teacher I always organize the craft. I've done the pumpkins on the right with each of their classrooms over the years. For other HR moms or those with kids (I made these up, but they're easy I swear): just a block of wood with a dowel hot glued on the top pre spray painted orange/green stem and ready for the kids to "pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch" (set them out on the floor) to decorate....raffia bows (we premade with green pipe cleaners -Kids twist around the stem with some silk green leves and older kids can make tendrils with the ends of the pipe cleaners by wrapping over a pencil, some glue-ons (spiders, etc.- they would bring to us to hot glue where they wanted) and for the face either sharpie or black sticker paper they cut depending on the grade of the class (did the black stickers with the kindergarteners- just give them large/small squares and they can cut shapes). We made DH make the big one on the right a few years back (under many protests...he hates to do art), but it didn't look right with one from each of us in the family and not him (the kids love his- candy corn wooden glue-on eyes).   - Pic 5: Acorn trees in the Dining Room. I would suggest doing these to no one! When we moved here about 10 years ago DH collected a bucket of acorns from the backyard (our backyard is up against a large wooded hillside going down with huge oak trees). He brings them in and proudly proclaims...Here, we got these for you to do a craft with! .....Ummm thanks? No clue what to do...I got some styrofoam cone shapes, covered them with fabric and hot glued the acorns on and then sprayed them with a sealant. Well, I kept finding what looked like tiny wood shavings around them...finally figured out there were tiny acorn worms burrowing holes out of them DISGUSTING...bagged them for a year and re-sealed them really well...and every year when I get these out I still have to re-glue acorns on that fall off (have a few missing in the photo- need to get out the glue gun today)....but thanks Honey for the acorns!
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9/21/09 I'll Follow The Sun

Haven’t you heard? Today’s the last full day of Summer; tomorrow is the first day of Autumn (well, at least up here on the top half of the World)! Yeah Baby, get out your bikini and run through that sprinkler one more time…Slip ‘N Slide?...Don’t mind if I do!   I don’t know about you, but this summer went by like a flash. I know it will be one I'll always remember!   Have you ever thought about all that beautiful sunshine and where it comes from? It looks like a speck of dust on the surface of the sun. But this spectacular picture shows the space shuttle Atlantis alongside the International Space Station (ISS) silhouetted as they orbit the earth.   The image was taken in Normandy by French astrophotographer Thierry Legault. He used a digital camera attached to a $7,000 specially fitted telescope. The next image (below) is an enlargement.   The shuttle and the space station can be seen in orbit 250 miles above the earth while the sun is 93 million miles away. Stop and think for a while about how far away the sun is from the camera compared to the shuttle and station. It will blow your mind.     I thought I’d celebrate the last of summer with one last great summer sunset. Here’s some music to click on and play as you enjoy the sunset on another wonderful summer...click HERE. Enjoy…                   Keep reaching for the sun all!!!
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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9/15/09 Over 18

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book                                            
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9/11/09 Where were you?

What were you doing last night? I was watching the Steelers win the kickoff NFL game (BTW the Penguins were at the White House yesterday meeting the President)! But do you remember where you were and what were you doing on 9/11/01? I find it's sometimes cathartic to talk about traumatic events.   What a defining day in our lives. I think this day will resound with my generation as Pearl Harbour Day does with my parents. I’m sure most of you remember where you were. There are very few days in my life where I can tell you where I was and what I was doing at the time…Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, my wedding, the Challenger disaster, my three children’s births and a handful of other days. On 9/11/01 I was with DH on one of a handful of pre/post business trips I’ve joined him on. My Mom had come from Columbus to watch our 3 kids so I could join DH for two days before his convention in Las Vegas, of all places! It was my first trip there and I’d put our names on a waiting list for the Cirque du Soleil ‘O’ show (the one that is in/over a giant pool of water) and the second night they called to say they had tickets available for the late show…we went and if it hadn’t been such a great show we would have fallen asleep as it ended very late (our time). We slept in and DH got in the shower while I turned on the Today Show and started quickly packing for my return flight home that I needed to catch in about an hour. I remember screaming to DH as I watched the first plane hitting the tower...at first he thought I had it wrong…I was so riveted on the TV I couldn’t leave and kept screaming to him to come and see for himself. We watched in horror as the second plane hit. As soon as we knew what was really happening we were on the phone to the travel agent and even went downstairs to try and rent a car to get home. Others had beaten us there and even when we tried to rent a U-haul truck we were informed that everything in town was gone. People were trying to find others who had cars to pay them for a ride their direction. The phones were so tied up that I couldn’t get through to my Mom at home. All we wanted to do was get home. Unbenounced to me, my family was panicking wondering about us and by then they had all heard of a plane going down ‘somewhere in Western Pennsylvania’ (that was back when none of us but DH had a cell phone and the landlines were tied up). They didn’t know if that was my plane coming back to Pittsburgh or even if our home had been hit in Pittsburgh (there's a big memorial ceremony going on now near here at the Shanksville site). We eventually got through and all of us reconnected. We sadly watched with the rest of the country as the towers fell. I’m tearing up now remembering the tragic and devestating loss of life and horrors we all witnessed that day. I think it hit home even more to my kids as we’d all been to NY City on vacation just a few weeks before 9/11 in mid-August with DH’s sister’s family. We actually had reservations in the ‘Windows on the World’ restaurant at the top of one tower for lunch, which we decided to cancel in favor of having more time to take the kids to Ellis Island and past the Statue of Liberty via boat. Over 150 people; everyone present in the restaurant that morning perished. I'm glad, for the kids sake, that they hadn't been there. Windows on the World.     When I took DD back to NYC a few years ago for her spring break all she wanted to do was go to Ground Zero; even though she knew nothing was there but some fencing and excavated foundations.   It took DH a few days to track down his college roommate who worked in one of the shorter buildings in the WTC complex. His building suffered quite a lot of damage; windows all blown out, etc., but he was safe.   I’ll have to say being in Las Vegas was a very surreal place to be during this event. We were stuck there for an additional 3 days and were lucky (with our travel agent’s help) to get one of the first flights home. When we went downstairs to try to find ground transportation that first morning we walked through the casino and lobby to see a few TV’s with people gathered around them and right next to them were people still playing the slot machines…I wanted to scream at those still gambling ‘Don’t you know what is happening?’   We also had some wonderful moments of commeradery…we took a taxi out to the closest department store where I found the lengerie department packed with women like me looking to buy more underwear to get through the next days until we could get home. We were all helping eachother find sizes and discussing how many we might need. I only had clothing for two nights, so I bought a few more tops as well. I remember having discussions with the resort staff as well. Immediately every show was, of course, cancelled and by the second day the staff knew this event was going to be devestating to the economy in their town and were expecting huge lay-offs, which happened…their economy was devistated. There was lots of talk on that morning about the fact that Las Vegas might be a likely next target. It was certainly disturbing to later learn that a number of the 9/11 hijackers make at least six trips to Las Vegas immediately before the attacks.   I can tell you I was never so glad to get home and hug my family. Our lives will go on, but WE WILL NEVER FORGET.   Where were you, and what were you doing that day?
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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9/10/09 Foul Mood

I'm in a foul (fowl) mood. It's just been 'one of those days'. DH is away on business this week, so I've been juggling everything with the kids. I realized last night we’d forgotten DS2’s Allergy shot appointment last week (he’s down to once every 3 weeks and we’d lost track with the vacation week). I’ll have to take him after school (they’re only in the office here on Thursday’s which makes it harder to get this in). They’re not going to be happy with me as he’ll have to start the last dose over again…grrr…bad Mom.   DS2 had his 6 mo. dental checkup recently and they found some small cavities. They filled the four of them they could get to (he had braces on), but they thought he had a few more under the braces. He just got the braces off (yay! after over 3 long years...even at age13, those final baby teeth just weren't going to fall out so they had to pull them to finish up his braces) and so this morning was his follow-up appointment with the Dentist. They took x-rays and he had 18 more (YIKES) small cavities between his teeth where the wires from the braces were (one of those was a regular larger/biting surface cavity). Holy Cow 22 cavities!!!!   No, that's not his mouth...yet! I'm 50 and didn't have my first cavity until I got in college (my 4 siblings and I were 'Crest Test Kids'...in the 60's we had piles of boxes of unmarked toothpaste tubes to use growing up). We have a great Dental office with 5 Dentists and they're known as being the best in the area. We're at the dentist every 6 months for check-ups and were at the Orthodontist every 4 weeks...how the heck did it get this bad without them knowing it?!!! I guess the braces made these impossible to get to or see?!! We made sure he brushed morning and night, but apparently he's just prone to them. Two shots of Novocain and 4 more fillings this morning (and an Rx for fluoride toothpaste) and will be back in a few weeks to get some more done...poor kid!   So we're walking out of the dentist and almost to the car and I remembered the note needed for the school...back in we go. Now off to the school with DS2 and luckily I remember my neighbor telling me that the bridge I usually take to the school is being replaced and so I'd have to get there another way. The school is 20 min. North on the Interstate and then about 5 min. more on back streets (by the old route) so I don't know the area well at all. DS2 told me he knew the way his bus goes so he directed me through about 12 turns to get there. Mission accomplished...I dropped him off praying and hoping I'd be able to find my way home. I made it almost through all the turns when I turned to find a slow moving train blocking my route. Others were turning around, so I figured there was another way over/under the tracks, but no way was I going to get lost…WHY didn't I bring my GPS with me? Dag, I even left my cell phone at home!! Now I’m nervous I’ll get lost. I turned the car off and waited. OK, train gone, just 2 more turns...wee! Last turn...I made it!!! Back on the Interstate ramp!!!   What's this? There's a police car with lights on coming up a distance behind me on the long ramp. I figured he was on his way somewhere so I quickly merged into traffic so he could get around me...NOT HAPPENING!!! HE'S NOW RIGHT BEHIND ME WITH THE LIGHTS BLAZING!!! QUICK...PULL OVER BEFORE HE STARTS THE SIREN!!! Yep, he's pulling over too...it's ME he wants??!!! 'Can I see your license and registration ma’am?' *Me (Not even noticing the dreaded “Ma’me” that always makes me feel old) fumbling through a million packets/pieces of paper, tire gauges and napkins in the glove compartment I never use* 'Sure, here they are...can I ask what this is about?' 'You made an illegal left turn.' 'Really? Where?' 'At *street name* and there are 4 signs saying NO left turn.' 'I'm so sorry. Really?! I missed 4 signs?!' (babbling now) I didn't know how to get to the school since the bridge is out so my son told me the way and I was so focused on coming back the same way...I can't believe I missed 4 signs! I'm sorry.' Well, a wait for him to check my license and one ticket (no points) later I'm home...in a foul (fowl) mood. I'm hoping with no points the insurance company doesn't get this info. (anyone know?) as we already had a big rate hike after DS1's 2nd fender bender this year...sigh.   Alright I'm searching for some good news (just my optimistic nature when I'm down)...I didn't have time to drink anything but coffee this morning and was absolutely ravenous by the time I made it home to my protein drink (I'm still on my 2 days of post-fill liquids). It was interesting and surprising to realize how long it's been since I've really been hungry like that...I'd almost forgotten what true hunger feels like...now there's some good news.
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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8/4/09 Grand Canyon

Since recovering from the big party, I've been trip planning...two trips actually.   We've decided to take a summer vacation. DS1 would rather spend time with all his friends before they're all off in different directions for college so we've planned to leave the day after taking him to college; end of Aug., and before DS2 starts 8th grade here. We're meeting DH's parents at their condo (2nd home) at Seabrook Island, SC for a week. It's going to be a scorching hot week to go, but it's the perfect last-minute place and it's not an expensive trip for us (with the second one going to college there's no excess funds). We need a getaway...especially for DS2 as this summer has been all about his siblings, their graduations, and their new endeavours (college, jobs). It's going to be weird just having one kid on a family trip, but DD just started the new job so she can't go either. I told DS2 that it will be his chance to be spoiled rotten as an only child on this trip LOL. It's a beautiful island and they sit right on a marsh with a dock for crabbing and a swimming pool right down the street. In a 5 min. drive to the other side of the island you can get to a beautiful uncrowded beach on the ocean and it's less than 45min. from Charleston (sits right next to Kiawah Island). We can't wait. DH suddenly has lots of trips planned to Phoenix this year so I've decided to take advantage of DD living here and meet up with him after a trip this fall. I'm flying out Oct. 2 for 5 nights and I'm wildly trying to figure out what I need to book. I'm SO EXCITED that I'll finally get to see the Grand Canyon for the first time! I've been to Phoenix/Scottsdale on business before when I was working, but never got to see much.     We booked my FF airline tickets and 2 nights lodging (2nd, 3rd nights of the trip) inside the park (2 different lodges, since that's all that was available now). I think I'll plan the last 2 nights in Sedona, but I'm not sure where to stay the first night; somewhere on the way up to GCNP (maybe somewhere in Oak Creek Canyon?). I'm starting to think 5 nights may have been too many. DH was a Geologist (before he moved into the business world), so I'm trying to plan mostly outside things and outside of Phoenix. I'm looking for some easy hikes. DH has already hiked down and up the GC; good thing as there is no way my body/back could handle that hike...short hikes for me (maybe this will be the motivation I need to exercise more). You know me, I'm an anal planner and I love coming home from a vacation exhausted. I'm trying my best to make this an economical trip too.   If you have any suggestions/tips for me, please let me know! Back to my research!
Band_Groupie

Band_Groupie

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8/26/10 Hello BG, It's the World Again (Allergan & Realize + Updates)

OK, either the World is sending me 'messages' again, or I'm just a gullible sucka whose getting punked again (Erika, is that you?!). You all know I don't get 'subtle'...in fact I don't usually get 'hit me over the head with a 2x4' either. Oh NO, it takes me having many horrific PBing moments before I finally am sitting there thinking (and re-chewing my regurgitated food in the middle of a fancy restaurant) 'Hmmm...Wasn't there a rule about chewing well BEFORE you swallow?'   So there's a point to all this somewhere...oh yeah, 'messages'...stick with me, I swear this will get good at some point...well you know I've been taking somewhat of a hiatus from the writing...not all by choice, summer, 3 kids, life happens, and it should....but next week when the rest of the kiddies are back to school I've actually been looking forward to finishing up the book proposal and starting the process of sending it out...so this week, now that things have finally started to slow down, I decided it would be my 'pull together all the motivation I'll need, collect proposal layouts, and start getting my plans to finish the book together' week.   Here's what's happened...OK, first of all I received a wonderful gift...I'll remind you that recently, one of my sister's and I had been discussing Dr. Suess/books...in fact, I had mentioned to her that at one point I had looked at a vinyl lettering quote, like she has up in her kitchen (they are like rub on stickers), and I was looking at my favorite Dr. Suess quotes to go in my hall upstairs (on the way into my office/our Hobby Room). Fast forward about a week and I get this same vinyl letting/rub on quote in the mail...I excitedly called my sis (not there) and left a thank-you message...a week later or more I hear back that it wasn't from her...HUH?! Mystery gift?!!...I finally solved the puzzle and it's from my good friend and LBer Diane. OK, she's been so busy (working girl), and then I left for vacation, kid off to college, life again, that we haven't had time to discuss this, but it's freakin' me out...did I mention my "hall plan" to her?...I think not!...messages from the world?!...here's the quote:       Too cool for words...just WHAT I needed, WHEN I needed it! Now I have to repaint the hall before I mount the words (10 years later, it's time to be repainted, thanks for that motivation too), but it's going up as soon as I paint (I'll take some after pics to show you)...so, thank you Diane...you know me so well (and I hope you get done working soon so we can talk)!! It will inspire me daily as I walk down the hall to the office to write to the best of my abilities (I would put it over the computer area as you suggested in your note, but those walls are Hunter Green...I'm thinking the black wouldn't show)!   Now get ready for 'messages from the World' 2 and 3.   So Monday morning as I'm pulling up info. on proposals, I took a moment to check my email...hmmm...someone from Lap Band Talk...and what's this?! Although I've run across 'advertisements' on Lap Band Talk (and a few who have put advertisements as comments on my blog/deleted), I've never been directly solicited, until this week. I really thought that my first 'solicitation/request for product endorsement' would come through the Blogger site as it's more 'out there' in the world and all that (and I've seen others here get 'endorsement requests'...and I'll be honest that it turns me off when people actually do them). So this request came through LBT, not Blogger...very vague (complimenting me on how my transformation is one of the best he's seen yet and asking if he could use my pics for a 'major campaign'...OK, I was happy it wasn't a product endorsement request), new member, from a marketing firm, so I was very wary. After looking up the marketing firm and a few emails back and forth I find out they want to use my before/after pics and a testimonial from me about how my life has changed for an add campaign...for...wait for it...the Realize Band! Me?...I chose the LB/Allergan!...so although I'd do anything to help pay this forward and help promote the Band, I can't do a campaign for the Band I don't have.   I'm typing up my 'so sorry, can't do, I have the LB/Allergan' email to the marketing firm guy when a new message pops up in my email...also through Lap Band Talk...it's from a health journalist who is writing a short article for the LB/Allergan site about things we can now do after getting off weight (she'd read about my Grand Canyon trip). If it wasn't for the fact that I hadn't yet sent my email telling Mr. Marketing that I don't have a Realize Band and couldn't do this, I would have thought these two things were connected and he'd given my name to the journalist. But still; Coincidence?! You know me, I asked. Yep, she (Hi there! Yes, I looked you up too...she's a very legit and well published/award winning journalist...name a health magazine and she's written for them...also 'O' magazine...no, Amy W., Oprah didn't call me next LOL) assured me today it was just coincidence...and so I'm looking forward to doing the interview (and I'll keep you all posted on the 'article'coming out this Fall).   The World is sending me messages again...with a 2x4...Yes, I could take this as 'LBT sold my name to a bunch of people' (including my friend Diane), but remember, I'm an optimist and my rose colored glasses are gigantic...I'm taking all this as 'Messages from the World' just when I need them that doing the book is the right thing to do (being a newbie writer...it's like being a newbie Bander...lots of doubt...there are days where you say 'WHAT WAS I THINKING?!!!'). So I've found new faith and belief in my 'messages' that I'm really going to be able to help other Banders with the book and I'm off to get the proposals out and hopefully finish the book! The book, for me it's like my LB...at some point you just have to believe that you were meant to do this and that it will all work out. You just have to believe in yourself first.   **UPDATE**   I did the interview this morning (for LB/Allergan), very fun! Yes, I told her I'm not a gym rat! I think that's part of why she liked my story...at that point 5 mo. post-op, only about 50+ pounds off and not any real strenuous regular exercise to prepare...even I was shocked at how well I did on the trails (DH was even more shocked...how he loves hiking!). From not being able to walk up the church stairs (Notre Dame) about a year and a half before, to hiking several miles down and up (no, not even half the way down) at the Grand Canyon, and then two more days of hiking Sedona...I guess it's a reminder what 'only' 50 lbs. off can do to help your health! Just think what I'm capable of now?! Just think what you're capable of now!   Other updates/blogs: Funny Guest Blogger Today: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/2010/08/8710-funny-guest-blogger-today-and.html   Only One Week Left To Post! SWA Contest http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/2010/08/82510-only-one-week-left-to-post-swa.html
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8/22-27/09 Vacation (Part 1)

Details of Part 1 of my vacation   5:15pm Monday- I'm sitting pool-side on vacation right now...all I need is a drink with a little umbrella, but they don't have them at this pool. I know, I know…no sympathy…YOU'RE ON VACATION! …but I WANT my umbrella drink!   We've had a busy week….got up around 4am on Friday to take DS1 to PSU (college) for his big move in day (but I'll save the details as I wrote a blog for that one, but didn't get the pics loaded yet, nor did I have time to finish it). We got back home around 5pm (about a 4 hour drive from his college) and started loading the van again (and this time the car top carrier too) for our vacation (didn't I JUST load this van?). Saturday we were up early again and on the road for about 12 hours drive down to here (Seabrook Island, SC).   The in-laws own a place here so we vacation here sometimes. Sunday was DD's 22nd Birthday and we spent the day on the beach and then out to dinner for her birthday. The waves were as big as I've seen them here because of the hurricane going up the East coast. I made DS2 (age 14) wear a life jacket, after many protests, because there were rip-tide warnings in effect and there are no lifeguards here (surprisingly the beach patrol was sitting and watching the area, which is the first time I've seen them do that here…no lifeguard, so I'm not sure what a gal in clothing would have done if someone was in trouble)…luckily this is a mostly retirement age group now as most areas have started school because if there had been any other teen kids on the beach DS2 would have stayed out of the water vs. wearing the life jacket. Today we went swimming early and then into Charleston for lunch and shopping. *Pic attached DS2 and I at the Charleston Market (don't know the other dude).   6:30pm Monday- OK, that's as far as I made it in my blog when my in-laws came out of the Community house (the only place around here with internet access *end note-we never got back there, so no internet) to sit with me (DH and they were checking emails on their computers sitting inside in the AC). My ancient laptop battery died while we were chatting so I didn't get to post anything. I'm back at the place now and we're heating up chili we made at home for dinner tonight. It will be interesting to see how much weight I gain this week. I'm not eating huge amounts, but just not the better choices I usually make. MIL made waffles for breakfast (I thought I was eating OK, but had to run to their bathroom 2 steps away to PB) and I ate an appetizer for the lunch in Charleston…two small crab cakes on a tomato and corn chutney…not a lot, but VERY rich. No internet here, so who knows when I'll be able to post this. Anyway, I now have my glass of wine in hand so things are good. In-laws are here (we're staying just down the road as their place is a 2BR)…GTG   12:00 Tuesday- DD went for a horse ride on the beach this morning. She's done that a few times here and always enjoys it…they walk the horses on a trail to the beach and then gallop up and down the beach and in and out of the surf (just a little way in). We were at the pool again (the close one next to us- no internet building) and now the kids are fishing and crabbing with DH on the dock…these places are on the marsh side of the island with a view across the marsh and toward the inlet where the shrimp boats go in and out every day…it's a beautiful view. *Pic attached: Horses way down the beach in the am.   10:51 am Wednesday- Just got back from watching the gang play tennis…a few sun showers, but they cooled everyone off.   3:21pm Wednesday- More crab cake appetizer for lunch at the ocean club here. I've had a relaxing afternoon just lazing around.   9pm Thursday- We took my in-laws out to a nice place for dinner last night (The Sanctuary, at Kiawha Island). I had the Shrimp and Grits. The chef sent over some steak tartar appetizers and I had a few of those while others ate the wonderful breads with flavored butters. DD wanted to switch plates with me, so that worked well …although the ½ bottle of wine didn't help.   This morning we went to the Magnolia Gardens Plantation early. This was DD's one request here as she remembered the gardens there…except in August not much is blooming. We took the tram tour and then walked the gardens.   *Pics attached: Alligator in the old plantation rice fields, Butterfly & Live Oak Tree.
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