TerriDoodle

Haydee - I have a salad recipe that is ALWAYS huge hit...and you can add roasted chicken or deli turkey chunks to it for an entree. It's got romaine, boston lettuce, roasted pecans, mont. jack cheese, and sliced strawberries with a sweet vinaigrette dressing. I make the dressing with Splenda and nobody ever notices. DELISH! Honey Baked Ham and Potato Salad?

I assume your supplements are pills?? Pills generally do not go thru the band unless they are tiny. Your doctor should have gone over this with you. It sounds to me like your pills got stuck and especially with cold drinks this is likely to happen. You may still have a little irritation from yesterday's "stuck" episode.

I can't tell you how proud I am of you!!!!!!! High five girly!!! Woo Hoo!!! Victory! Excellent post, Michelle! Thank you for that boost! :cool2: Isn't that the truth?? DH will appreciate it too. Haydee - Don't know if you're going strictly Mexican food or not, but Goode Company does wonderful catering work at a reasonable cost, and/or picking up pans of lasagna & salad, etc from Carrabba's could help. Also pretty darn reasonable. 3 days clean and sober!! Working on day 4...... :cursing:

Well then get on the internet and find a damn job in TEXAS! You should see all the building cranes in Houston alone! It may be time to suck it up and just get the hell outta there. It would be a shame to take the kids out of their schools, but better than than homeless! C'mon, Jenn, you can pull it together!! Just do what you gotta do. Get strong. Get mad. And don't let life defeat you!

I started taking them because I had a boss that would DRIVE ME INSANE all the freaking time....he was a nit-picker, pompous ass....I'd be climbing the walls, pop a pill and then nothing he could say or do would bother me. It was just like I floated thru the rest of my day without a care in the world!! I took Tranzene (lovely drug!) ...and I keep trying to get more but my stupid doctor put me on Lexapro instead. I think Paxil is the drug of choice now, but I've never used it. Have some of my mom's in my cabinet for 'emergencies'....LOL And by god, I've got an emergency tonight but I've chosen wine as my drug. I'll fill ya'll in on the details tomorrow as they flesh out. I'm so sorry, Kat!! :thumbup: Man, when it rains, it pours! You've had a rough couple of months!!!! Tracy.....PLEASE tell me that you didn't touch that pie!!! I just know you were strong!! You HAVE TO BE STRONG....for me!!!! It's taking everything I've got to stay away from the ice cream tonight. With all my drama (details tomorrow) I could have gone face first into it, but I didn't! I was stressed out and really tight at dinner and only had a few bites. I'm hungry and it's late and want something that can sliiiiiide on thru the band, but I'm not doing it!! Please tell me....lie to me if you have to....that you did not touch that evil pie!!! Bad PIE!! (ROFL...that was too funny!) Good Job Gina!!! Yea!!!!!! Where the heck did you get that sweet Corgi smilie?? I love corgies!

You're doing a FINE job, Judy! Keep up the good work! One thing, though.....could you make the time speed up just a wee bit?

I've had anxiety attacks but it was many years ago and I don't exactly remember the symptoms. I did enjoy the drugs they gave me for them, though!! :cursing: LOL!!! ROFL!!!!!!!!! Ain't no way I can stay off the scale until Nov. 1st. I'm 2.5 days clean and sober. :thumbdown:

This is the BEST story I've heard in ages!! YOU GO, KAT!!!! I would have given $100 to be there!!! I'm really proud of the way you handled it. Perfect!! I've got 2 good eating days under my belt...and working on Day 3. Feelin' strong! How 'bout you?

"Tweaker"?? Never heard that term. Will have to go look it up on Urban Dictionary. I got my housekeeper just asking friends if they knew of anyone or had a housekeeper themselves. She's been with us for 7 years now. She's not the best in the world, but she's very sweet and honest as the day is long. She has also worked hard to learn English and get her citizenship and provide a better life for her children. I respect her a lot. Ok, Day 2 of being a good little Low-Carber went well! 1025 calories 47g carbs 50g protein Not bad, eh? Don't know how I ever did 20g carbs!!? I logged my food almost every single day and averaged 35-40g/day. Oops..gotta run...bbl.

YOu're not alone, Michelle...that's what I do too. When I've had a bit of a loss then I slack off and have a few cookies, a bowl of ice cream, a second piece of bread....or all of the above! I was a pretty good low-carber yesterday: 1100 calories, 57g carbs, 57g protein. I WILL DO EVEN BETTER TODAY. It feels good to be in control. I think this may have something to do with Mom. I went way off track (and stayed there) when she got sick back in October--and now the service is over I suddenly feel motivated again. Odd. Tracy, I'm so sorry you're so sick!! My gosh! You better make sure you've got plenty of fluids!! Dairy products are a no-no, y'know. The bacteria in your throat thrive on the lactose in the dairy. If you've got strep (white spots on ur throat?) and now you've got the "other", you may want to get to the doc. Strep is nothing to mess with. In the meantime, lots of hot salt-water gargles will really help. Laura - Gosh, I hope you get some relief today. Let us know what they say and if you're feeling better. That quitting smoking and oral pacification problem is a booger, isn't it? (hugs) So sorry you are off to such a rough start in what should be a very exciting time for you and Russ. It'll get better!...it just has to!!!

Ok, I've just decided something. I'm going to eat LOW CARB for at least two weeks and see how I do. I know for a fact that this is the WOE that my body likes best. I'm jumping on the Start Over Wagon with you girls.... as of today. Do I hear a HOOOO-AHHH !!?

As far as laxatives and/or stool softeners go, I recently tried Miralax at the suggestion of several in this forum and it really is great. Very gentle, effective and best of all .... tasteless! You're doing great! Best of luck to you on your journey

This is GREAT advice! Rose, I don't think you've done any damage because it sounds like you stopped eating pretty quickly which is the right thing to do. Lettuce can be especially tricky, particularly iceburg! When choosing lettuce I usually go with darker, more tender varieties like red leaf or spring mix. Unfortunately we have to all go thru what you did in order to learn our lessons. I'll never forget my first PB and it was a DOOZY!

You will go thru periods of varying restriction...this is perfectly normal. Stress can play a big part in making you feel tighter, as well as previous irritation to the band you may hardly even be aware of. If I were you, I'd cancel that appt. and ride it out a few more weeks just to be sure. I promise you, it's pretty miserable being too tight for weeks at a time and actually does little to help with weight loss. It's important to stay loose enough that you are able to eat healthy foods and when you're too tight it can be difficult to eat green veggies, fruit and lean meats.

Good Morning Everyone! Thank you all so much for your spiritual support this weekend. I did think of you all while I was in the service and wished you could have all been there....that would have been so great. It went very well but it was unfortunate that there were many who couldn't attend because of the effects of Hurricane Ike. Nevertheless, Mom surely was pleased because the Mass was so beautiful. My sweet brother-in-law began the service by reading the eulogy we wrote and he did a wonderful job. He choked up bad when it came to the part where we talked about how much she loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren ....because she did. They were her life. The soloist was incredible and I did fine thru the service until she sang "Ave' Maria" and pretty much lost it then. It was my mother's favorite and I felt her presence filling the church during that hymn. Anyway, the flowers were all beautiful ... you wouldn't believe the central arrangement! It was a huge vase of entirely pink roses....probably at least 60 or more of them....and each was about 5" across. They were just incredible! Our friends and relatives were asked to take some home with them as they left and everyone liked that. I have several of them drying now and will make a little bouquet of some sort and will always treasure it. OH, and it was so sad because my son was not able to be there...he woke up yesterday morning nauseous and throwing up!! His medication does that to him sometimes if he hasn't eaten well. He was so upset and he tried so hard to get better. He just kept putting one foot in front of the other and moving slowly, but when it came time to hurry...we were now running late...he needed to try to get his suit on....he was running for the toilet!! He felt so bad but I assured him that is was alright...It is what it is and can't be helped. He was sick until 3:00p and then started feeling better. I was so glad we didn't push the issue -- can you imagine if we had "made" him go and driving across town (45 mins away!) worrying about him and/or having to stop or turn around!!? That would have been a disastrously stressful situation! So, today is nice and quiet. The weather is stunning and kids are at their dad's and DH is playing golf. All is well. Love you all and hope you have a wonderful day!

LOL Pamela!! What a hoot! Mmmm SweetTarts! My favorite! Whenever I've tried to type when having too much to drink it takes me like forever because of all the typos-- it's quite hilarious. You did good! Laura - Congrats on your degree!! I am so impressed, girlfriend! Oh, and about maternity clothes...the thing I hated about them is 1) they are ridiculously expensive (I had to buy nice work suits, etc.), and 2) what fits today may very well not fit worth a damn in 4 months! So don't go nuts quite yet. I gained 42# with my first and got so huge I had to go buy a whole bunch of new stuff just to wear the last 4-6 weeks!! Man, I was not happy about that. I sure would have been grateful for Ebay back then....and for baby clothes too. Well, last night we had a family gathering at my sister's house and it was nice....can't believe she actually invited me! LOL We watched the video that the funeral directors put together of all the photos we submitted to them and they did a beautiful, beautiful job. I wish ya'll could see it. At the end is Jesus standing on the shore and waving like, "Come with me..." and then Mom's picture fades in on top of that and then it kind of transitions into a sparkling bright white light. It's hard to explain, but trust me, it is very impressive. I did fine not crying too much until the last pictures of her 80th birthday party, then the Jesus thing...and I lost it. It was nice that my son was right there to hold me. He was really sweet, but always is. He loves his mommy. Anyway....we're off to the service this morning and I am hoping I can keep it together. I don't cry very often, but when I do let it loose, I let it loose. I'll check in later, girls. Love you all. Enjoy your Saturday!

Suzie - I've always wanted to take Tai Chi! I'm anxious to see how you enjoy it as time goes on. I took yoga for a year (longest I ever stuck with anything!) and I loved it. I learned so much and still use many of the techniques I learned for relieving stress and being self-aware. Very cool.

GINA - you can click on the link in my signature (it's always there!)... it's Etsy :: terridoodle :: Doodle Studio. There's a girl in the UK that contacted me about an order for 10 bracelets (of one certain kind) and I was all excited at FIRST! I think she's written me 8 emails, keeps changing her mind and wanting me to quote different quantities for a 'bulk' discount, different links, with and without clasps, etc. Drivng me bonkers! She finally said she wanted just one of each thing so she could see it in person first. So, after being pretty fed up with this chick altogether, I finally told her if she just wants one of each thing she can buy them directly from my shop and pay full price for each and so, 20 emails later, we went full circle! Now I know how Laura feels!

Hi All -- TracyinKS - AWESOME NEWS!! Kat -- AWESOME NEWS!! Haydee - AWESOME NEWS!! Yea! Finally some good news around here!! Woo Hoo!! I have some good news, too! DH finally gave the nod to adopt a doggie!!! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited. First thing I did after hanging up the phone with him is rush to the website and fill out an application. It's a Golden Retreiver rescue operation that we adopted from before. My whole world just got brighter!!! :-D

Hi everyone! I'm here! Still been super busy at work and yesterday had just a wee bit of a run-in with my work partner which never happens...and we've worked side by side for 15 years! It got me in a total funk and suddenly I just am tired of this job!!! Too bad, 'cause I ain't going anywhere for 5+ years when I can officially retire with pension and benefits. Blech. All I wanna do is play with beads. Laura - I sure do hope the massage/accupuncture helps. You must be damn miserable. :confused: Where is JENN?? It's like herding cats trying to keep up with her! I'm watching Johnny Depp kiss the crap out of this woman on some movie. Dang he's hot.

1. I went in for my 4th fill yesterday and thought I was going to pass out. Fills 2 and 3 were quick and easy. Yesterday, my surgeon could not get the needle to pierce the port. I made him stop and try again from a different angle, so to speak. He still could not get it. At this point, I am woozy, clammy, and shaky. Normally I can grin and bear it, but the pain was unusually intense this time. I finally told him to stop and that I would come back another day. It was horrible. Now he wants to do the fill at the hospital under the flouroscope. Has anyone had a fill experience like this? Any advice would be great!Yes, my port is slightly tilted and at times they have problems finding it the first time. It's usually quite easy, but recently she had to stick me 4 times. They want to use fluro because it's much easier to see the port, I think. 2. Also, one odd quirk I am experiencing. When I eat at home, I have absolutely no restriction...none at all. But when I go out with my family, I take 2 or 3 bites and I'm done. I am eating the same types of food... grilled chicken or salmon...especially salmon. I have this same issue sometimes. I chalk it up to two things: Talking and eating at the same time (not paying attention!) and trying to 'keep up' with everyone else at the table who are always eating much faster than I! I always feel like I'm holding everyone up and try to keep pace! HA! Like that's ever gonna happen!! But after all this time I'm finally learning just to take my time... what's the hurry? Old habits are hard to break! 3. I am at 3cc's in a 10cc band with little to no restriction. How many fills or how many cc's until you reach your "sweet spot"? Hate to tell you this, but Everyone Is Different! Bet you've heard that before! If you're at 3cc's and have had 3 fills then you're doc is filling you at a fairly slow pace...but that really is GOOD! If you're not feeling restriction, just make your next appt. as soon as he will allow. (my doc allows 3+ weeks between appts). Good luck to you!

Well, I'm just sayin'........

All you're doing is shooting yourself in the foot eating all that rich food....just more weight you'll have to lose on 'the other side'...but oh well! It's a myth that you won't be able to eat these favorite foods again...you will.

I went back after a week, but wish I could have taken a couple days more... I was just so tired!! ...but not in pain.

eggs in any form give many people problems...might want to stay away from those. Solid foods should not be too difficult for you if your are taking teeny tiny bites, about the size of a pencil eraser...and CHEW! Look at the food section for ideas on mushy foods....and your doctor should have given you a list as well.