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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

 

2/24/09 Hospital Packing List

I'm posting this also in the Pre-Op Forum, but I know a lot of you are post-op here and may not see it, and you're the experts I need input from...   I’m about 6 weeks away from my pre-op class so I’m trying to put together some lists so I’ll know what to buy now, or what I need to ask/gain approval about from my surgeon. Is there anything I’ve forgotten?   Here’s the list I’ve compiled from everyone’s suggestions for taking to the Hospital (this does not include my post-op at home list). I’m a Mary Poppins (I’d rather have it and not use it, then to be wanting it and not have it) so taking a lot doesn’t bother me a bit (and we’re only 30 min. from the hospital)…so add away! I should be there one night.   I should note that I’m allergic to most soaps, thus the reason to take my own nighty and sheets for the bed- just take 2 top sheets to sandwich as a buffer between their sheets (had a bad reaction last time).     HOSPITAL Toiletries/Medicines
Mouthwash
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Brush/Comb
Hair holders (ponytail, clips, headbands)
Facial Moisturizer
Pads
Baby/Butt Wipes (flushable)
Chapstick (several)
Kleenex
Regular Prescriptions and Asthma Inhaler/spacer (ask Surgeon)
Cough remedies (ask Surgeon)
Migraine remedies (ask Surgeon)
Chewable vitamins (ask Surgeon)
Gas X (ask Surgeon)
Heating Pad/ext. cord for back/gas pains (probably not allowed, ask), or possibly the chemical heating pads (adhesive, ask)?
[*]Clothing Robe
Slippers (slip on kind)
Nightgown that buttons off-don’t have to lift arms (allergies to hospital ones)
Extra undies (not the silky kind-slide on sheets)
Extra Socks
Change of LOOSE clothing for ride home, w/slip on shoes (underwear, bra, drawstring pants, button front top, socks, shoes, jacket).
[*]Sleeping Pillow (my own)
Eye Mask
Ear plugs
Sound machine if own room (ask?)
Small Throw/Blanket (get cold in hospital)
Sheets (allergies to hosp. ones)
[*]Personal Items Insurance Card/other info. needed
Small firm pillow to hold against stomach for ride home, and for sneezes/gas pains/coughing in hospital
SF Mints, Tic Tacs (ask surgeon if you can suck on these)
Packets of Crystal Lite & SF Koolaid (why? Need this? Ask surgeon)
Camera (for photos)
Water bottle, no straw-sippy kind (need this? ask), others suggest small shot glass to measure fluid intake
Notepad/pen; to write down info., notes from nurses/doctor, etc.
[*]For Boredom Ipod & Earbuds
Cell phone & charger
Books or magazines
Reading Glasses & case
[*]DH Items *Have him keep a bag with my valuables, ie. Cell phone, iPod, camera, insurance card/info. etc., while in surgery
Laptop/cords
Book/magazines
Snacks/Drinks
Cell Phone/Charger
Phone numbers list
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4/1/11 Friday Facts

- I've decided to start dieting to get these last pounds off (Atkin's as that was my most successful diet, several times). YAY...all the bacon and cheese I can eat!     *Portion of Post Deleted For Lap Band Book   - You know that first bullet up there...April Fools! And no, I'm not making fun of those that follow Diets with the Band (do what works for you). Hey, I knew I couldn't pull the pregnancy card again.   - I started work on our Study I showed you (and DD's old room). I love blogging as it often helps me think things through and get new ideas (many from you)...I decided to "go shopping" in my own home and moved out two big pieces and moved in four smaller ones. DH got home late Saturday (poor guy/geez work...and it's a Sunday return this week), so Sunday I put him and DS2 to work moving all the furniture around to see how we liked it. When DH saw everything and where I was setting the small old TV (note here; this is not our main 'TV' spot-we have a nice flatscreen in the great room and a huge big screen in the basement), he decided he wanted to make his stamp on the 'new' room and went shopping.... I swear if 'She who dies with the most fabric wins!', is the women bumpersticker, then just replace 'Fabric' with 'TV's' for men!   I've got lots of furniture and shelf painting ahead of me, but I'm excited about the final plan (pics to come when it's done).   - My 'Martha Moment' this week: Remember the lamps for the Study I made, and that I noticed that the dried sheet moss had faded over time to a 'dead looking' brown? Well, I went out and bought new moss, but it wasn't as green as I wanted. I decided to try dying it with green food coloring in water...it worked...I started out covering (glue gunned on the moss) these topiaries that are also for the Study. I was dreading the lamps as I'd have to take all the glued on moss off the Styrofoam and replace it...and I wasn't sure how that would go (aka I was feeling lazy and knew it would be a ton of work). Then I had an idea...dye the faded moss that was already on it! A foam brush to dab on the solution...and voila! Think outside the box! (I wish being a 'green thumb' was always that easy!)   - I've been 'Spring Cleaning'; kids rooms and my art closet for the past month...have a huge pile for charity, but I let my kids decide what they wanted to keep and box up (mainly toys they aren't using anymore). I think they all got the 'hoarder' gene from DH and I. I now have boxes of trophies (that they'll never look at again, but don't know it yet) and sets of their favorite toys...hey, it's a small price to pay not to be 'that Mom' (the one that threw away all their things). I've still got lots to finish up.   - My middle Sis and her family are arriving tomorrow for their 'Spring Break' (I've been busy getting DD's empty/now 'guest room' back in order...shopped my house again and moved some furniture in)...'cause doesn't everyone want to vacation in Pittsburgh for their Spring Break (not much 'green' in sight herd, but hey my Snow Crocuses are blooming, and it's snowing...now who's playing the April Fools joke...snow in April?!!)? And no, I didn't know they were coming when I started the 'Spring Cleaning' so my house is a wreck and I'm cleaning like a wild woman. I'm so excited to see them!   - Had a 'drinking girls' lunch yesterday with a neighbor (somewhat like a 'working girls' lunch, but without the working)...no, I only had one glass of wine...I SO needed the break from the housework and DH doesn't get home until early Sunday morning, so no help in sight LOL! Back to work!   - 156 lbs., down 1 (again).   Happy Weekend Fools! I'd recommend the rubberband on the kitchen sprayer (if you have a separate one from the faucet)...lined up just right...gets 'em every year!
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10/12/09 I?m Seeing Red

To finish my vacation adventures (sorry for my acrophobic ‘safety’ issues in the last blog LOL)….   After driving out the East gate of the Grand Canyon, we stopped in Cameron for lunch. We headed down to Sedona with side trips to the Wupatki Indian ruins (we decided we’re not ‘ruins’ people after stopping at several as we thought they all looked the same) and then to Sunset Crater; an old volcano (we both loved the lava fields…my geologist DH was in heaven). We also stopped at the overlook in Oak Creek Canyon to get a great view of the switchback road we’d be driving down and the cliffs.   We checked into our hotel, grabbed a glass of wine and walked to the edge of the mesa the hotel is on where we sat on a rock to watch the sunset overlooking the red rocks of West Sedona and then to dinner.   We were up at dawn to watch the sunrise and hiked around the base of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. Got some breakfast and then we decided (well, I picked two and let DH chose) to do a harder hike (labeled ‘Moderate’ instead of ‘Easy’); and he picked Doe Mountain. I thought it would be OK, since the hike was only a mile and a half up about 500’ to the top of a mesa and then several miles around the mesa top…and heck, I’d just done so great hiking into the Grand Canyon and all (what I didn’t know then…). We arrived at the trailhead and signed in (in case you disappear from the face of the Earth they know where to start looking for your body). We saw some others on their way up and passed a few on their way down. The trail was steep switchbacks on one side of the mesa and was a pretty good, but skinny path. I was doing OK until about 1/3 of the way up and then as I followed DH the trail seemed to deteriorate. We were suddenly on a VERY narrow path, but we could still follow it, with the cliff on the side and then it got even worse…we were ducking under bushes and near the top we were climbing straight up rock faces and trying to wedge our fingers and toes into the crevices so we could climb. About this time I’m cursing the Red Rock Ranger station for labeling this a ‘Moderate’ hike…and screaming ‘If they call this ‘Moderate’ what the heck do they call ‘Hard’? I about need some ropes and carabineers to get up these rocks as it is! This is supposed to be HIKING! NOT rock climbing!!!’ Well, I made it up the last steep section with DH bracing me at points and then up the last rock ‘chute’ to the top of the mesa. The plants here were very spaced out with wide areas between them. We followed the ‘trail’, which quickly disappeared, but it was no problem as the instructions said it circled the edge of the mesa, so we just stayed near the edge. We got to the edge overlooking Sedona and sat for a snack/water and to take some photos. About that time I had to ‘go’, badly…so I found the tallest ‘bush’ I could to crawl under (about 4’ tall) and had DH be the lookout…we hadn’t seen anybody since the beginning of the trail. Sure enough here comes a helicopter! I scrambled to finish as DH said he was told to lookout for hikers, not helicopters…smarta$$. Off we went to circle the edge back to the trailhead. There was no path to be found, but we knew we’d find the trailhead down if we just stayed on the edge. After another hour and it looked like only ½ the mesa circled to us, we ran into the lady we had seen going up the trail before we’d started. She was completely lost and had been circling the mesa for a long time. After some discussion on not being able to see our parking lot/cars from where we were and our experience from where we’d just been, we decided to forgo the other ½ of the mesa’s edge and cut across it to take a peek on the other side (she was an experienced hiker from Colorado).   We were joking along to each other about how we were glad we’d signed in below…perhaps a helicopter would come by before dark…could we spell ‘HELP’ with rocks…etc, etc. Another ½ hour picking through some thicker brush and getting stabbed by cactus plants and we came to the other side. We saw the cars far below and set out along the edge to where we thought the trailhead would be. I swallowed my pride and discussed how much more difficult I’d thought the trail up was (wondering how I was going to get down all those rock faces) and to my surprise she complained as well and described the same problems coming up. Soon we saw another couple and after calling to them, to our relief they were at the top of the trailhead (they had just gone a short way onto the mesa and returned the same way…thank goodness someone had some sense). DH and I then realized it would have taken us several hours more to get here if we had circled the entire mesa…it was MUCH larger than we thought and the top loop could not have included the entire mesa.   We started down the path with our new group and we weren’t 2 minutes down the second switchback when I knew we were walking much further West than we’d been on the way up (I could tell from looking at our cars far below). Just as I thought that the lost Coloradoan said the same thing! Suddenly, we were all describing our rock climbing on the way up and the other couple was laughing at us…apparently, the three of us had gotten off the normal trail! They thought they’d seen the point where we’d made a wrong turn on the way up because they’d almost done the same thing. Well let me tell you, we were laughing the whole way down…it was a much longer trip on the way down then the route we’d taken, but at least I was walking and not climbing! I should have known better than to let DH lead…he’s got a terrible sense of direction, and like any man, he’d never admit he was lost of ask for directions. We were happy to cross our names off the sign-in as we returned and I parted from our company with ‘Thank-you.’ and ‘Happy Trails!’ as they laughed. We cleaned up back at the hotel where DH and I used tweezers to get out the small cactus needles and he even had one huge one that was about 4” into his thigh…that’ll teach him not to ask for a women’s help!   We drove up to Oak Creek Canyon for our last trail that afternoon. It’s its own microclimate of lush foliage and tall pines along a creek in the middle of that desert. It was a cool, tranquil FLAT hike…just what we needed. We said goodbye to the red rocks of Sedona and to Arizona as we woke to our first rain (made it easier to part) the next morning for our flight home. It’s a beautiful place.
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11/24/09 Holiday Cheer

I’m channeling my creativity (so I don‘t take it out on the Thanksgiving pie this year)…I just finished making my annual Christmas decoration exchange items. I was behind again this year in thinking of an idea (as if I‘m ever ahead), so I drug (dragged?) DH to the stores with me this weekend looking for inspiration. There wasn’t much to inspire out there this year, so as usual, I made up my own. We’ve been doing these so many years I realized I’ve never made anything for the kitchen, so that was my inspiration. I made a decoration to hang from a cupboard or other place in the kitchen with a pick, handmade bows and some cookie cutters and ribbon…OK, not all that creative, but I had to make a bunch of these and mail them out soon and these went together quickly (pic attached). 　 Could you hear me? I was playing the holiday music and singing my way through my crafts the last two mornings (much to my family’s complaints). I know, I know, I’m the first one to say when I’m in the stores ‘What’s up with the Christmas music? It’s not even Thanksgiving yet!!!‘ , but it sure got me in the mood to make Christmas decorations. So if your feeling a little blah heading into the holidays (been hearing a lot of that lately here), crank up the music, make a craft or bake some cookies (and freeze them, of course, so you won‘t be tempted)…it will get you in the spirit, I promise. Put them all in bikinis and that will keep you from eating them! 　 I took the leftovers and made a whole string of holiday cookie cutters with picks and ribbon at each end for over my kitchen sink window (pic attached). I think I need to get some more ribbon and picks and pull the center up with a big bow or something for a focal point. You know me, over-decoritis is my affliction when it comes to the holidays...one can never have too many holiday decorations!
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2/26/10 Goal!!!!!

Yes, I FINALLY reached goal!!!! It's all gravy now!   Blogs this week Here: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/   -Lookie Here -Linner- Sides and Snacks -My DH has an addiction -We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming -Really? Nobody?
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7/31/10 Scale Whores Anonymous- CHALLENGE!!!

OK, you SWA members and new initiates (keep those blindfolds down and stop giggling or I'm getting out the measuring tapes) and yes, Gigolo's...remember the 'G' is just silent in SwGA...like all men should be...silent...at least when I'm talking...shhh...(Andrew) that means you...you remind me of DH...or is that our gigglers making all that noise LOL!...I've decided that our next biannual August 'meeting' needs to be a little more interactive (or maybe it's just that I'm busy and I need some serious help...thanks for the wine Darlin'1). If you're a Scale Whore, then you're probably also someone that finds great gratification in awards, followers, and bling (not to mention that you're all comment whores too)...so you're just an all-around-whore (just ask the Mama Pimp)...and that's what I'm offering you...   ...awards, followers, bling, and comments...disguised the way 9 out of 10 WL experts agree works best...   ...NO! NOT a (cover your ears) D-I-E-T (have you learned NOTHING here LOL?)...   ...A CHALLENGE!!!! Yes, all you little competitive Scale Whores get to join another challenge!!! Oh what fun!!! And this one will only cost you a little time (and dignity). Whores, feel free to grab your 'Challenge Logo' below:         ...and for our Gigolos: Get your coupons clipped and sign up now for your rebates! Here's how it works/the rules; we Bander's (see #1) love rules, so I'll make this long and complicated...actually it's super easy, I'm just making it LOOK long and complicated so this looks more official than it is:   1. No (Draz), you do NOT have to be a Bander to enter...just a Scale Whore (Gigolo...Sam).   2. No (Kathy), you do NOT have to be a Blogger to enter (read *). Complete at least ONE (but no more than 10,000,000) posts.   * Non-Bloggers (this is kinda like my Dad talks about DH being a 'non-Catholic'...he thinks it's hilarious LOL): No worries if you don't have a blog...'cause you'll WANT the bling, even if you don't care two hoots (hoot, hoot) about followers or WL awards (although since you can't post the award on your non-blog you could always print it out and pin it to your shirt...who doesn't want to wear a 'SWA' award around pinned to their shirt every day, like me...I'm just sayin'. OK, you non-Bloggers...I'm loaning out my blog for your posts...you get to be a 'guest blogger' for the day (even anonymously...but then, I might take credit...if it's creative/funny!). Just send it to me on e-mail (on my sidebar here: THE SWEET SPOT) and I'll post it.   3. The title of the post MUST include (in some shape or form) our group name or acronym...that's "SWA", or "SwGA" for you silent but deadly ones (geez, men and farting...do they ever stop laughing at farts?).   4. To be officially entered, send me a link to each of your posts (email- sidebar, here: THE SWEET SPOT, or leave it under comments for the current post) and I will add it to the SWA page; look at the top of my Home page and click on the 'SWA' page (that makes you an official-blog post carrying-member of SWA). Others can link to your post there and you'll get new followers or un-followers depending on your level of creativity. See, you're an instant celebrity AND you get instant gratification...kinda like Paris Hilton (sex tape...no, I haven't seen it, I'm just guessing about the gratification part). So there's some new followers for you (hopefully). I'll try to post the links periodically on my blog as well.   5. Posts must be posted and the link sent to me starting tomorrow and by August 31st, at 12pm...or whatever time it is in your country or 'Land of Oz' (Cara)...does that mean I have to stay up all night to watch you (Sally)?...yes, THIS year, you twits...or is that Twitterers?   6. On or about Sept. 1, 2010 I will link to each of the posts and tally up the number of comments that have been left under each of the officially entered posts for the top prizes. Translation; comments will equal votes....yes, I can see your wheels turning in evil ways...so pay attention...   -NO, you don't get to combine your number of comments from all 10,000,000 of your SWA posts...I'll be looking for your SWA post with the highest number of comments...so if 'funny' didn't work for you in getting comments...try an 'informational' how-to post...ie. 'how weighing myself hourly and making a spreadsheet helps me lose weight' (maybe you'll get lots of sympathy comments).   -NO (Jen), each person is only allowed ONE comment under each post (so no 'friend' can help you, but having friend(s) plural (Amy) is an advantage as they can each comment once).   -NO, you may NOT comment under your own post...anonymous comments will NOT count toward the total unless both a name and a Blogger address (or an email address is given)...I know you young gals still have your 'Baby Name Books', so an anonymous comments with a just a name (Elvira & Ezekial) will NOT count.   7. Three (there have to be at least three crazies out there, right?) top prizes/homemade craft projects that I will be creating with my own two hands...side note (ie. another long off-track ramble) have you seen the site 'Homemade Hilarity' yet? As an ex-art teacher it's right up there with http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/ (I must have a dark side that secretly likes to laugh at others...that is until I see myself on one of these sites)...these are all homemade crafts that people make to SELL...not to be funny...seriously...check it out...unless you're in the side-business on Etsy of selling crocheted wine cozies that look like Sponge-Bob that you created after drinking a few (sorry Sandy...is that you girl?); http://homemadehilarity.blogspot.com/ ...OK, I'm back....where was I?...Three top prizes will be awarded...and the (homemade) prizes will have lots of bling (who doesn't like to be bedazzled?). If need be (and if I have my act together again before Sept....not likely) I will be showing you the lovely prizes so that you will be oh-so-motivated to participate...or maybe you'll want to retract your entry once you see my crafpt projects...so maybe 'no' to the pre-show...hey, was that iambic pentameter?   8. Challenge Theme: For this very first inaugural 'SWA Challenge' ('cause you know the demand is going to be high for many, many, more...maybe for each bi-annual meeting?), let's keep the first theme loose...and because I'm feeling a little 'Martha' talking about crafpt projects and all...Tell us somehow in your post how/why/that: 'Being A Scale Whore (Gigolo) Is A Good Thing'   ...umm YES, where have you been...didn't you read our 'Creed' or the 'Qualifications for being a Scale Whore'? Get thyself to the SWA page here: Scale Whores Anonymous ~ THE SWEET SPOT and read!...we Scale Whores think weighing yourself regularly is a good thing for WL...   ...NO, OK you want that other 12-step group 'How to Wean Yourself Off the Scale'...they're down the hall and to the right (and they must be missing the WL gene).     OK, now let me share a few ideas to get your fat cells jiggling (yes, we'll always have our fat cells...OK, I will)...get creative to get those comments (begging is also allowed... - A post telling how being a Scale Whore has helped your WL (or got you sent to WL rehab)...NO (Lori), length doesn't count, only comments...yes, you can beg for them. - Photo (yes, it can be as simple as a single photo) of you on your scale...maybe 'hearting' it (Gen); yes, I've seen all those 'piggy photos' you love to post in the other challenges (your toes on the scale)...or maybe it's a time lapse vlog of the next 100x you're on it set to music (no naked photos allowed...we have standards/don't have an 'adult content' warning). - An 'Ode to My Scale'...done in Iambic Pentameter of course. - Re-write the words to a song telling us about your journey with your scale helping you (I'm partial to this one...DS2 has been writing funny songs about me all day and coming to serenade me on the guitar). - An SWA craft project (d*mn glue guns...get out the ice and aloe again will you Lena?)...no, my headband isn't quite finished to show you yet...I'm working on it, I'm working on it!   LET THE CHALLENGE BEGIN!!!!     One other piece of biannual meeting business:   SWA Medals/Trophies:   All SWA Members are to go and claim their official 'SWA Medals/Trophies' for WL over the past 6 months (find them and the details on the SWA page at the top of my Home page here Scale Whores Anonymous ~ THE SWEET SPOT). And just because I can, I'm making it even easier to reach your medal goals this time...you have between now and Aug. 31 to go and claim your medal, so if you're 'not quite' to the Silver medal you covet, then keep working as you have until Aug. 31...use that scale often! Let me know if you've claimed one/which one and I'll post your name/link on the SWA page.
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2/16/10 Before/After

I finally posted my Before, During, and almost After pics. Enjoy... Here: http://bandgroupiethesweetspot.blogspot.com/
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12/10/08 One Down, 5 To Go...Oh NO!

I had my first month’s weigh in with my PCP this morning. I came out 2 pounds lost (from my eat and drink fest last time), but at least I wasn’t water-logged/bladder bursting again so I could actually have a nice discussion and pay attention this time. My PCP visit went well and we discussed my building a support system (talked about online and the Healthwise Company support program I enrolled in). I’ve been having more trouble with my osteoarthritis in my lower back…not sure if it’s because I’ve just about eliminate the almost daily pain relievers since they started me on migraine medicine. I was afraid to start any pain relievers for my arthritis in fear of the migraines coming back (the arthritis is nothing compared to the migraines). She said it’s OK to start some Tylenol as needed, so we’ll see what happens. It’s also likely that I’m having more pain now that I’m exercising…my body saying “Exercise??!!! What’s that?!!” I’ve had some toe numbness on one side, so she’s having me get an x-ray just to be sure the discs are still OK.   I was so frustrated at the beginning of this process with learning I’d have to do the 6 mo. diet (Diet?!!! Been there, done that…if that worked I wouldn’t need a LAP-BAND®!), but after spending some time researching the LB I began to think 6 mo. was a good thing. There’s so much to learn and to prepare for. For example, this month my “Education Task” with my PCP was doing research and putting together my questions for my surgeon consult coming up. I’m actually amazed that even after 3 different hospital seminars how many questions I still have. I’ve been thinking about this and it’s because this isn’t like most procedures. Heck, when I had my hysterectomy & bladder sling it was pretty much textbook, no choices, standard procedures, I knew what would happen (except the failing part). With this I still have a million questions not only because every surgeon requires different pre & post-op testing/care (let’s not even get into all the differences in fill schedules/procedures/amounts)…but even with the surgery there’s differences….ie. I have a choice of which type of LB and a choice of where my port goes…and look at all the other differences we hear about on LBT: 1 incision or 5?, catheter or not?, CO2 heated and removed or not?, overnight or out-patient?, on and on. So having 6 mo. to research and prepare isn’t all bad and I know now I’ll be more successful afterwards because of what I’ve learned…   My only problem is…I started researching this in summer so I’m ALREADY almost at 6 mo. of preparing/researching…yep, when I look at it, the past 6 mo’s. went fast, but these next 5-6 months are going to be longggggggg! Help me make the time go faster...tell me a story…....anyone have a good joke?
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4/27/11 Happy

*Post Deleted For Lap Band Book     Follow me here: http://bandgroupieth...t.blogspot.com/
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6/8/09 Name That Tune

DS1 decided to have his graduation party next month (they go on all summer here). I’m making a DVD slide show set to music that plays music clips in the background. We set it up to play continuously where the food tables are so people can watch some/all as they arrive. I’m putting together the elements of it now; about 10 pics from each year of his life set sequentially and about 10-11 song clips; about 2 min. each. I have to finish soon as I send the scanned pics and music to an expert who makes it all look pretty.   I did the same thing as a surprise for DD’s graduation party 4 years ago, so this time DS1 knows its coming and has been helping me screen some songs. DD is like me and likes a little bit of everything so it was easy to pick music for hers (and there were several daughter/girl songs). I ended up with a lot of country just because the lyrics worked well with little kid pictures. DS1’s a rocker and doesn't like country...so we found lots more rocker/current ones that he’ll pick 2-3 from for his High School years. I need mostly songs that are appropriate for little kid pics and the growing up years as that’s most of the pics/show. If you have any suggestions, or opinions, let me know! Here’s our working list that we’ve yet to narrow down.   GROWING UP SONGS (Pick 8-9) - “My Wish” Rascall Flatts - “Miracle” Celine Dion - “Beautiful Boy” John Lennon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5HyePwfIXQ&feature=related OR Celine Dion - “Somewhere over the Rainbow” Israel Kamakowiwo’ole http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAIKznMPXUk - “Days Go By” Keith Urban - “Teach Your Children Well” Crosy, Stills, Nash & Young http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6pphVs8bF0 - “Landslide” Stevie Nicks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f46rv5EWbAU OR Smashing Pumpkins - “Good Riddance” (Time of Your Life) Green Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClhNPb3mmpI - “Wonderful World” Louis Armstrong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk9ItaDWxgk OR Joey Ramone - “Times of Your Life” Paul Anka http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4CIBHLPjBI&feature=PlayList&p=30B6FE7B47078485&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=34 OR Joanna Wang - “Life is a Highway’ Tom Cochrane http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9NS5o71DPE - “Forever Young” Rod Stewart http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juJyIxZ-p6M OR Bob Dylan - ??“The Times are They are a Changing” Tracy Chapman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I2ep0wNFVM OR Bob Dylan - ??"Tough little boys" Gary Allan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzmgAM8rIgo - ??“Whenever You Remember” Carrie Underwood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc6y9_2CoPI - ??“Do I Make You Proud” Taylor Hicks   HS SONGS (Pick 2-3) - “I’m Not Gonna Cry” Corey Smith - “Friends Forever” Vitamin C - “Name” Goo Goo Dolls - “The Climb” Miley Cyrus - “My Generation” The Who - “This is Your Life” Switchfoot - “Best Days” Graham Coulton - “I Will Remember You” Ryan Cabrera - "Here In This Diary" Ataris - "But A Breath" The Wedding - “No such thing” John Mayer - “Please Remember” Leanne Rimes - “Graduation Song” Amy Diamond - “High School” The Friday Night Boys *Noticably missing are "Unwritten" - Natasha B. and "I will Remember You"- Sarah M. (he nixed)
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9/15/09 Over 18

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book                                            
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1/4/10 Holiday Facts

- The kids all had a great holiday…they are enjoying their favorite gifts; DD- all the new clothes, shoes, and beauty items; DS1- his new (used) desk and new comfy office chair (which he vows to somehow fit into the minivan to go back to school with him); and DS2- his new acoustic (w/electric) guitar. Mostly, they’ve enjoyed spending quality time together.   - I wish I could say there was no holiday drama, but it always finds a way in. This time it was a boyfriend/break-up right before Christmas (poor timing). I’ll just say that DD is doing alright and was out with friends a lot over the holidays. She got inspired to clean out her bedroom (most of her stuff from college was jammed into her room on a shelving unit and in boxes, and under her on-lifts bed)…so we all pitched in and helped her take everything she doesn’t need out to the ‘clubhouse’ in the back yard for storage. She took off the bed lifts, bought some shoe storage boxes for under the bed and she’s almost done cleaning up. A ’fresh start’ is a good thing sometimes.   - On a lighter note, DS1 has a new girl he met at college (not sure if she's an official 'GF' or not) …they have been back and forth the hour drive several times already and he’s off to see her again today.   - Mom’s birthday was yesterday…I miss her, but am thankful Mom and Dad were able to visit us just before Christmas.   - DH and I, although we missed seeing both our extended families, enjoyed our first holiday season without any travel. It was much more relaxing/non-stressful and provided many quality moments with the family. The kids have really appreciated it as they’ve been able to see/spend time with their friends as well (I can’t tell you how many times I was giving thanks, w/all the boyfriend/girlfriend issues that we were home). DS1 was also able to work (restaurant) over the holidays for some extra cash for school.   - We took the kids last night to see Avatar and then out to dinner to celebrate our ‘last moment of the holiday’. I had a wonderful ‘moment’ watching them ‘plan’ on what order they were going to sit together at the theater (it’s nice to see that even as they get older they enjoy each other’s company). Great 3-D movie BTW…and for those of you that get sick watching IMAX or 3-D movies (I can’t even watch the ones at Epcot without feeling sick) I had no problems at all. It's a stunningly beautiful must-see movie.     - Everyone (except DS1, who has another week home from college) is now back to work/school…depressing……..for them   - Most of the holiday decorations are already down (I hate that job) and I’ve got a dining room table full of ornaments to finish packing up today…depressing………for me * Oh, and Kay...I'm sorry I forgot to post the kitchen tool tree pic, but I remembered yesterday when I was packing it up. Attached are a few pics of the little tree and a pic of my red handled kitchen tools (now you all know I'm clinically insane...my family calls this part of my 'rust' collection).   - From 12/18 until today (the past 2.5 weeks), I’ve lost 3 pounds…it still continues to amaze me (losing weight over the holidays). I’m at 170.5, so (as Xavier would say) I’m headed back to the 60’s (yes, I remember the 60’s…I was a child, but I remember LOL).   - I bought a size 12 pair of pants this weekend…yes, I can barely button them, but the 14’s were a little too roomy. I’ve got them hanging up in my closet ‘front and center‘ (in front of my shelves) as my next goal (size 24 to a 12!). I also bought a piece of ‘shape wear’ for the first time, but more about that later. 　 Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season full of time with your families! As I sit here and listen to the ‘Today Show’ with segment after segment about weight loss (ahh…January), I’m headed into this New Year with renewed hope that as much as last year was all about my weight, sometime this year…it won’t be.
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5/3/09 Pomp and Circumstance

Well, it was a looooooong weekend, but I’ve finally collapsed into a chair. Everything went really well…couldn’t have been better and my chest pain is much better, only a deep breath hurts now. The dinner party for DD’s college graduation was a hit (I can’t believe I don’t have any juicy stories to tell).   My side of the family arrived right after lunchtime (DH’s side was already here), and so we had all the appetizers (I made) and drinks then moved everything outside. The weather couldn’t have been better…it was supposed to be off/on rain and 50’s, but it was sunny and in the high 60’s, so we were able to enjoy the outdoors and some activities (Frisbee, bocce, badmitton, baggo, etc.; and I was able to sneak in and clean up the mess before round II). I was chugging down the Special K20 protein water to help me get through all the food porn. One of my sister’s thought I was drinking red wine out of a, as she laughingly called it ‘sippy cup’ (plastic mug with a lid). Twice when I’ve been at fancy family events (while dressed in white) I’ve dribbled red wine down the front of me, and no, I'm not a lush...just a clutz (I didn’t correct her…let her think it was wine). The caterer arrived on time with huge amounts of yummy (I’m told) foods…I could SO get used to someone cooking for me. The head hunger was hard and with that amount available, I didn’t just want ‘a bite’ a wanted ‘a big honking plate full’. At one point I was standing in front of that enormous amount of goodies thinking ‘What the heck did I do?’, but my next thought was ‘I’ve finally done something that will help me and I just need to provide a smidgen of willpower, especially until the Sweet Spot.’ It worked out really well that it was a buffet and there were so many people that they were eating in several rooms. I ran around making sure everyone was taken care of, refilling drinks, etc. Another sis was helping me out and kept commenting that she wasn’t going to eat until I sat down to eat and took a break (uh, oh…I’m on liquids and no one knows about the LB). Luckily I got called away so I told her to go ahead and I’d join her in a minute. I was holding my breath that I’d get through this party unnoticed. In all the commotion no one noticed that I didn’t eat… …WHEW! My family saw me at Easter so they knew I’d been trying to lose weight so I had some questions/comments about how I was doing. I gave my pat “eating half as much to be half as big” and “lifestyle change, slow loss” answers. So now everyone knows I’m on my way down (yet again) and they won’t be shocked to see more weight loss the next time we see them. I’m so glad it all went smoothly! At one point I remember we were watching the DVD I had made for DD’s HS graduation with pics of her growing up set to music (some there hadn’t seen it). I looked over at DD and she was smiling from ear to ear, laughing and chatting up all the memories with both sides of our family…it was all worth it.   The actual graduation was today and most of the company had long drives home, so they couldn’t attend (it’s 3 hours round trip drive to the college). The group that went set out in cold, cloudy weather (I’m not complaining after yesterday’s wonderful weather). We were wondering if the outdoor ceremony would be cancelled (we only had 2 parent tickets if we had to move indoors). It did start drizzling as we drew near, but they held it anyway. We did OK with our umbrellas and rain ponchos wrapped over our legs. DD was all smiles as she received her diploma then walked right in front of us back to her seat (click, click, click…cameras whirling). We went to lunch and I’d forgotten to bring some liquids that I can have (I’m going to have to be better about planning things). I winged it and made due with an iced tea and a large bowl of chicken noodle soup (well, just the broth). In the afternoon we attended the Business college (International Studies was at the same time so she had to choose one to go to) special ceremony which was indoors (of course by now it was beautiful outside). We made the drive home and now I’ve about passed out (so sorry for the boring stilting writing…I’m only half here). I probably over-did it this weekend (I kept finding myself bending over…not a good thing, and not taking anything stronger than Tylenol made for a somewhat painful weekend), but tomorrow I’ll try to rest up. Thank you all for your support, I truly was thinking of you as I was trying to overcome the head hunger and sneaking in my protein shakes…if you can do this, so can I!   zzzzzz.....
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12/7/08 Thanks...for the Memories

NOTE ***Read the last paragraph at least for my favorite kid story this year…it still makes me laugh!   “Thanks for the Memories” gifts. My Dad started this tradition way back. He would wrap up little crazy things:crazy: that were funny or embarrassing. They are always preceded by a funny story that makes everyone wonder what’s in the box and you never know who’s going to get one. My favorite one was the year I’ve received a box of run-over mangled gas caps. Back when I was a teen, long before they had locking ones or gas doors with handy cap holders on them I lost 3 of Dad’s at the gas station by leaving them on top of the car where you’d put them while you pumped the gas (where else would you put them?). So one year Dad went to our local gas station where they had a whole box of them that other people had left (see, I wasn’t the only one) and yep, I gotem’ all!:wink: We’ve all started this now…   This year I’ve got some good ones ready for my kids. My oldest, my daughter, will be getting a lovely mug we found with Betrix Potter’s “Mrs. Tiggy Winkle” on it. When she was just one we lived for a few months with my in-laws when we were looking for a home after our move. We all loved reading her stories. One day out from the boxed book series came “Mrs. Tiggy Winkle” and she freaked out! :scared2: I have to admit, she’s one scary looking beady-eyed hedgehog (Google her if you want a scare).:scared: For many years, we’d say “Mrs. Tiggy Winkle” and she would imitate Mrs. TW and wrinkle up her nose and make a scary face. She wouldn’t go near the bookshelf at the Grandparents house until we showed her the book and put it up high. Her Grandparents love reminding her of that story. So now she’ll be getting a little reminder (we’re cruel parents, I know)! :blushing:   My oldest son will be getting what’s left of our old OSU front car plate as he had to buy a new one, along with a new front-end on our car (actually just the deductable). Yep, he got in his first fender bender:car::car: this year (no one hurt, low speed, bumped the SUV in front of him and the SUV won big time-hardly a scratch on theirs…:rant:RANT-I ask you why oh why can’t all bumpers line up at the same level?:mad2: What’s the point if they don’t?:cursing:). Yep, we’re really cruel parents!:sneaky: It’s a good lesson when your first accident is a little one though…I hope it’s made him much more cautious; I think so.   My youngest boy-13 will be getting music, specifically Guns and Roses “Sweet Child ‘O Mine”. He got his first guitar (electric) for his birthday in July (Santa is bringing him a bigger practice amp…are we crazy or what? The one it came with was really bad though.). We were so busy:willy_nilly: this summer that we couldn’t start lessons until September. Well, he was so anxious to start that he got on YouTube one day and by watching, tried to teach himself the long intro to the song above. After a month of listening to him trying to pluck it out…before we knew it he had it down and at the right tempo even.:thumbup: Google the music video on YouTube…it’s fast…and he’s never played a guitar…brass in the school band for a few years (band concert at school last Fri. night-very nice), but no strings. September comes and I take him for his first lesson at the music store (he’s nervous, but excited) and we meet the teacher…nice young guy who graduated from Berkeley and they go into one of the lesson rooms while I wait. Half-hour is up and they come out…huge smiles:biggrin::biggrin:…I asked his teacher how it went and he starts laughing:laugh:…OK, I’m thinking what happened?...my son is shy, but super funny…uh oh, what did he do?....the teacher tells me “We began with how to hold the guitar, then we started the beginner book…and it was great that he’s played an instrument at school because I could skip some of the real basics like timing, notes, etc.”...then he starts laughing again:lol2:….he says “We had a few minutes left of our lesson time so I played a little for your son to inspire him and showed him that soon he’ll be strumming and then I played him part of a great picking song.”…:smilielol5:hysterical laughter now… “Well, I finished and your son looks up at me and just gives me a grin” :ihih:(he’s got an INFAMOUS sneaky grin) “Then he looks down at his guitar and without a word plays the same thing I just played perfectly!” :wink2:….what song did the teacher pick…you got it…fate steps in….what are the odds…the ONLY song my son knows…intro to “Sweet Child ‘O Mine”!! The teacher says… “Boy was I amazed!:eek6:...now, if he could have done that with 2 songs…ha-ha!” (I’ll bet he thought he had a prodigy) :lol:We were in tears laughing (guess you had to be there). Ten lessons later and he’s perfectly playing “Stairway to Heaven” (except the big wild solo part). Looks like I’ll soon be a “Band_Groupie” in more than one way…hold those lighters up!!!:thumbup:
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7/17/09 Onederland is a Tease!

I've been super busy; I’m tired and there’s no end in site. I haven't had my shower yet and I need more coffee. I'm getting ready for DS1's huge graduation party a week from Saturday and I'm running behind on things. It's been a super busy summer and I got a late start on things. The house is a wreck (I’ve been in the basement, so a tornado must have come through here…no other explanation) and I haven’t started buying the food and supplies yet.   After finding out my DVD-slideshow lady is no longer in business I decided to tackle the project myself (with some tutoring from middle sister). The slideshow set to music runs in a loop in the garage where the buffet will be set up so people can view it for a short time or as long as they want while they’re getting their food (It’s almost ½ hour long…almost 500 pics). Yesterday I went downstairs right after breakfast to finish scanning pics and didn’t come up until dinnertime (never could have skipped lunch before the band!). I even forgot to drink any water until the evening…I was ‘in the zone’…gulped down three big glasses after dinner…yeah, I was up three times in the night. I do have the music all loaded, clipped and transitioned. Can’t believe I still have some pics left to scan today. It would have helped if all the photos were organized and in albums, but only about ½ are…we still have some that are just on CD’s and some that are sitting on our 5 scan discs…I hate all you scrapbookers that have every event in an album and with cute decorations too. My three sister’s/Mom keep trying to get me sucked in with all their rolling bags filled with cute scrapbook stuff, but I’m avoiding that cult like the plague. I wouldn’t be a good devotee as I can’t even seem to get my pics developed. As my neighbor friends have pointed out, I set the bar too high with DD’s HS Grad Party. Why did I have to do the slideshow in chronological order (real fun when you have pics sitting in boxes unmarked). My sister was smart…pull a pic out and scan it, who cares what order or if you even miss a year? Why did I have to make a giant quilt for friends to writ messages/autograph (I use T-shirts I’ve been saving from each of them from every sport, workplace, event they were in and put white borders around the T-shirt squares for people to write messages…framed in black and quilted). I HAVEN’T EVEN BOUGHT THE FABRIC YET FOR DS1’s!!! Stop snickering!!! I happen to hate sewing…no patience for it. So what am I doing here instead of getting busy on those pics? Well, one word…ONEDERLAND…I’m NOT there!   I’ve been up and down the same 3 pounds this week and I’ve been eating like a bird…probably too little, some days maybe too much, but I don’t have time to track things right now. My next fill isn’t for another week and a half so I’m just hanging in there. This morning was the kicker though…200.5…the closest I’ve gotten yet. I was thinking ‘Comon! Give a girl a break, like I don’t have enough stress! Can’t you give a girl one measly pound?!’ I know, it’s been another WhineFest…sorry. Off to finish the DVD….if you don’t see me in a few days send a search party down to the basement computer as I’ve probably shriveled up and keeled over (Just let my friends here know I finally reached Onederland)!
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10/16/09 The Life of a College Freshman (and his Non-Helicopter Mom)

So we've been talking about teens lately here on LBT and I've had some new updates in my middle one's (DS1) life at college this month.   He's pretty sure he already wants to change his major…not a big surprise as many college students do. I give PSU a lot of credit for immersing them in a course in their major their first semester. He’s decided that an Engineering Major (in CS)- is not for him as it doesn’t involve enough people interaction and he doesn’t want a job where you sit at a computer all day. Well, that’s good to know sooner rather than later. He’s bright and has time to figure out what he wants to do…my DH was ‘Undeclared’ until they came and made him pick a major his junior year. We reviewed his plan and listened. I'm trying so hard to NOT to be a 'Helicopter Mom' (the ones that hover and solve all their problems for them; I know college is as much about becoming an adult as it is about school). DS's already been to get advice from three of the Profs in the Engineering Dept. so they’ve got a plan (and I'm not worried...yet).   He joined a fraternity (put a wrench in all our plans to see him as he has 'pledge duties' and events, but I'm NOT hovering)…when we called him last night he was scraping out the deep fryer at the fraternity house with another Pledge. They’d run out of dish soap and were contemplating whether floor soap would work LOL (OK, I had to make a few suggestions on this one...I'm the Clean Queen). He’s the Treasurer of his Pledge Class, so it's good he's getting involved. I was glad to hear the fraternity has mandatory study hours for him…sounds like a balance…we’ll see...DH and I met as Greeks…we know. So yesterday afternoon I get an urgent call from him wanting to borrow all our camping gear …and I need it in two hours…Oh, and I need the big 4 room tent because we have 10 guys. Me- OK, where are you camping? I’m thinking this might be a pledge class thing. PATERNOVILLE! he says excitedly. So after several stressful hours of packing up his long list (tent, tarps, lantern, sleeping gear, board games, etc.) and adding a few of my own (bags and bags of chips and food, an extra blanket, and a small gift for my God-daughter/his cousin there…I have to keep my informants happy), two of his friends (that go to a satellite of PSU near here) came to pick it all up on their way to Main Campus.   So you’re asking…WHAT THE HECK IS PATERNOVILLE? Well, I can tell you. Penn State has long given out non-seat specific tickets to students (they all sit in one section), and in order to get front row seats on the rail, students started camping out a few days prior to games. PSU became part of the Big 10 and in 2005 with the biggest and longest (6 day) campout in anticipation of the Ohio State game, the name ‘Paternoville’ (for Coach Joe Paterno) was finally given to the tent city when one student hung a banner with the name. Paternoville now has its own student government with officers and continues to grow. There are all kinds of rules like: you have to pre-register, max 10 in a group, one per group has to be lined up at the stadium at all times (they take turns…after all they’re expected to still go to school) what day/time they’re allowed to set up (Thursdays for most games, it’s a week before for the OSU game), etc. …and they’ve got it down to a science. The Paternovillers get special wristbands and on game day the stadium workers wake the camp about 6:30am with the loud speakers playing the sound of a rooster crowing, by 7am the tents have to be down. Well, it snowed yesterday at PSU and Paternoville was cancelled for this week’s game due to the weather. We bought tickets for our whole family to go to the OSU game there on Nov. 7th and stay the whole weekend to visit (as did my God-daughter's family...can't wait to see him...I'm NOT hovering)…I’m sure it will be another Penn State White Out. We’ll be easy to spot in our Ohio State Alumni scarlet and gray and no, we won’t be staying in Paternoville …but I know who will (pic attached)! Ahhh...the life of a college Freshman....
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