Teachlady

Here are your pics resized, atcg1rl. Now delete the other post and things will be back to normal!!

Good Morning, Violets. sorry you're having a rough patch, Michelle. And yep, Pam hit it right on the head. Patience and Trust. The band will work for you. It already has and it will continue. You just need to tweak it and tweak yourself, whether it be making better choices, adding a little more exercise, staying away from temptations. This is a life long process and look how far you have come since the surgery!!!!! As in any other life problem, attitude is 99% of the battle. Stop focusing on the negatives and look at the positives. Would you have been looking at a sexy dress for New Years last year at this time???? Were people complimenting you on your weight loss last year at this time??? Did you have all these Purple People in your corner last year at this time???? Throw away the @#$% scale and concentrate on YOU and your choices. Until you get to your sweet spot, you're going to need fills. We go in on the 17th for our next one and I don't think I'll get one, but the Bobster definitely will. I'm not hungry after meals and I am full after little tiny bites of 1 cup of food. My only problem is in the evenings before bed and that's head hunger. I'm going to beat it with the new exercise equipment coming this week. Michelle.. here is the voice of reason to combat the evil voice in your head. YOU EAT THAT CRAP TODAY AND I'M GONNA KICK YOUR TUSH!!!!!!!!! Got it??????

G'night all.

Gooooooooooooooood Morning, Violets!!! Just got back from church and have so much to talk about!! HOpe I don't bore everyone. The concert was absolutely fantatic. That boy has the most beautiful voice. And with the symphony backing him up it was just incredible. And he did my absolutely most favorite song for his encore... All is Well. There is an amazing high note at the very end and he nailed it with a spotlight focused right on him for effect. Gives me goosebumps when I think of it. Daughter Kris had a great Christmas present and was very appreciative. We went shopping on Saturday and picked up a couple of things. I got to go to Christopher Banks for the very first time... NOT CJ Banks, the plus sized shop. I got a khaki skirt for $9.99 in a size 16 and it fits. I got a sweater at Khols in a sie Xl and it fits too. NO more plus sizes for this chickie!!!! We were able to get home just as the storm was hitting the area. When we woke up this morning, there was about 8-10 inches of snow on the ground. Bob had to snow blow the driveway so we could get to church. I shoveled out a path from the garage to the hot tub. That about did me in this morning!! When I got to church this morning, I wasn't expecting anyone to be there cause the roads were so bad, but 90% of my choir was there so we sang our anthem and we were 80% of the congregation!! Sometime during the night a radiator burst and there was a river of water running downstairs at the church. The music library was a sauna.. Water had blown into that little room and sprayed all the music that was out. Our handbells are stored in that room too. We had to pull out everything that wasn't nailed down and spread everything out to dry. The bells were fine.. just had to wipe the water off the cases. The bad part of all of it was the damage.. but the good part is our son Joe works for Service Master and he does water damage... and it's $25.00 an hour for weekends!! Woooooooo Hooooooooooooo!! He was pleased to be called in. At 1 I have to be at the mall to wrap presents for an organization Bob belongs to .. Partners in Prevention. They deal with substance abuse issues. Wrapping the gifts for a donation is one of their fund raisers. I doubt there will be many people at the mall today, but Bob can't get there til he gets home from church and Kris won't be driving in on the roads today so it will be just me to hold down the fort!! Tracyinks.... I am going to be making that fudge this year for gifts!!! Now you and I can be the fudgie twins!!! I will certainly try to be as good as you with the nibbling. I have a couple of never worn dressier pants outfits in size 18W. One is short sleeve cream colored with cream colored fully lined crepe pants and the other is black 3/4 sleeve velvet glittery top with black pants that have the chiffon overlay to look like a skirt. If anyone is interested, just email me at justincase@lycos.com and I'll send you pics. I would be happy to mail them to anyone who wants these freebies.. I'm finishing up my south Beach lunch befoer I head to the mall. Everyone have a warm, cozy afternoon!! TTFN!!

Good Morning, Violets.. I couldn't get to sleep last night for some reason. Soooooooooo I got on ebay and at midnight I got a Zune for the Bobster for Christmas. Hope I did the right thing!! Kat, didn't you say you had one? Michelle, the dress is stylin', but I really like Jennifur's. The empire style is great for a pear shape. And the color is perfect for this season. Cindy.. I looked at the ornments. The Bobster saw them and said.. let's get one and make it. Surrrrrrrrrrre!! I said maybe later. lol We are off to Kalamazoo today to hear Clay Aiken. My Weather Bug is chirping saying that we are under a winter storm watch for Saturday night through Sunday morning. 10 inches of snow possible with freezing rain. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! We will be home Saturday night so hopefully it will be before the storm hits. Sooooooooo everyone have a good day today and tomorrow and I'll catch up when I get back!! Patience, Trust, Purple Power and WWJD??!!! P.S. I didn't have any chocolate covered peanuts yesterday!! And they're all gone so you know how the Bobster's day went!

Evening, Violets.. The Bobster has gone to a Pastor's retreat for the evening, so I'm batchin' it by myself here. I'm going to work on getting the laundry room cleaned out. So much junk in there I just need to weed out by packing and pitching. Suzie... sorry to hear of your troubles. I've never had a stress test so can't tell you anything, but will be pulling for you and keeping you in my prayers. Tracyinks.. you will be in onederland before you can say "restriction"!! Terry.... sheeeeeeeesh woman, was that the sound of a PB you made there?? Haydee.. I had so much fun with that site last year. You and your friends look ummmmmmmm coordinated?? lol Jennifur... hope you can get the new couch cleaned up .. I can understand how you feel and hope you find the culprit soon! Laura...we knew you would get back to the bandster rules and be on your way back down the scale. Janie..how did it go with the weirdo client???? TracyK and Kat and everyone else I might have missed.... how was your day today???? Gotta go work on the laundry room now.. will check back later. TTFN!!

I was 59 when I was banded..two months before my 60th birthday. DH was 62 when he was banded. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Good Morning, Violets.. I got to sleep in today. I always seem to need that the morning after I have Ethan all day! I've been doing some projects for the Bobster on the computer all morning, plus getting my laundry started. Kris will be here about 1 and we'll all go out to lunch together. I got half an omelette down this morning. Couldn't do the rest as it was uncomfortable going down. One of my choir members brought me back a pound of chocolate covered peanuts so my goal for the day is to not eat a one. I had enough last night to last me for several months!! The Bobster said his goal is to finish them off so he doesn't have to worry about them being around. Somehow I don't think that's quite the bandster rules!!! Michelle!!! CONGRATS on the -65# That's AWESOME!!! We're all proud of you!!:clap2::clap2::clap2: Everyone have a great day whether it be CTC or making wise choices.. just remember.. Patience, Trust, Purple Power and WWJD???!!!

Thanks for the CNN article!!! I forwarded it to the Bobster..

Cindy!!! Woooooooooo hooooooooooooooo! Another twin for me. Does that make me a triplet now?? I took early retirement from teaching 3 years ago!!! Welcome to the Shrinkin' Violets. Now we have yet another "unofficial" member!!!!!! Glad to have you posting with us. The more the merrier!!! I just got done ordering our Nordic Track elliptical. Now we have no excuse not to exercise!!! Daughter Kris has my dad's exercise bike and even though it's not a recumbent, I think I'll have her bring it over so I can get some cycling in during the winter months. This former guest room is gonna soon be just like the gym.. sweaty and busy!!! Everyone have a restful night. Laura... congrats on your good habit days!!!!! I knew you could do it!! Just remember.. Patience, trust, Purple Power, and WWJD??!!

TracyinKS.... I'm betting that onderland is going to be your Christmas present to yourself!! I'm even betting it comes before Christmas!

Yikes.. couldn't get into this site for a few mintues. I was having withdrawal issues already!!! Got word from QVC that the glider has been shipped. By this time next week I'll be striding my legs off! We have a call into the Health Center to see if we can cancel that membership. If we can, we have a Nordic Track elliptical all picked out. The money we save from the health club will pay for the elliptical in 4 months and they just happen to have a 4 months same as cash plan. What a coincidence! So our at home gym is starting to shape up! Ethan just got picked up by his mom. He was so full of energy today! I'm pooped, but still have a church meeting to go to. Flute rehearsal is finished at least, but choir is in 2 hours. Tomorrow is my lazy day. No Ethan, the Bobster leaves for a pastor's retreat at 1 and I'm on my own!! Woooo Hoooo!! Friday we leave to head to Kalamazoo and the Clay Aiken Christmas concert. Then shopping on Saturday before we head home. Fun, fun, fun. TTFN.....

My childhood was less than perfect. My parents were both deaf and they fought all the time. My mom was very smart and could have gone to college, but there was no money for that. She settled for my dad after knowing him a few months. She said to me many times later in her life that if she had to do it over again, she never would have married him. My dad was a 12 year old in a man's body and never grew past that. He was extremely prejudiced and greedy. Everything was about him. He never once said he loved me, though mom said it to me all the time. I really couldn't stand my dad until the last 3 years of his life. When it came time for me to take care of him, I saw another side of him which helped me to make peace with all the terrible feelings from the past. He never did say "I love you", but every day when I would leave his apartment after visiting, he would say "Be careful". All my life I took great comfort in food.. still do. I love the feel of it and the taste of it. It doesn't even have to go down my throat. If I didn't swallow the stuff, I'd be fine! The lapband has made my life so much more enjoyable. The energy, the clothes, the positive attitude about myself. It's all well worth the plateaus and speed bumps. If I don't lose another pound I know I have accomplished what I set out to do.. make myself healthier and happier. Anything else is , forgive the term... gravy. I swore to myself as I got into my teen and college years, that if I ever married and had children, I would never treat them like I was treated.. and I never have. The Bobster is my lifesaver. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter, kinder, gentler, smarter man. He has often said he doesn't understand how I turned out the way I did with the childhood I had. Having his parents as my in-laws was a blessing too. His dad was more of a dad to me than my own ever was, but he died way too soon and my youngest kids never got to see the special man he was. Daughter Kris had Bob's mom until Kris was 9. They watched Lucy and Golden Girls together and Kris still collects Lucy things and has Grandma's diamond in her wedding ring. They had a very special bond. Oh my gosh.. have I written a book or what?? I better quit before I write a book to rival War and Peace!!! Thanks for letting me have some Purple Power therapy.

I now pronounce you woman and lapband. What your surgeon has joined, let no one put asunder.

Good Morning, Violets.. Ethan has arrived so my day has started. I have a flute rehearsal at 1, a church meeting at 4:30 and choir at 6. So much for my day. At least I'll keep busy and not cooped up in the house thinking about food! I really enjoyed Dancing with the Stars last night. I wish Mel could have won cause she's the better dancer, but I'm happy with Helio too. It was a really fun season to watch. Hope everyone has a great day. I miss hearing from everyone each day.. Seems we are not all posting like before, but I'm sure it's the holiday rush that has us all preoccupied. I certainly hope it isn't because we feel too guilty to post. We are all here for each other.. just like in marriage.. in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer.. up a pound and down a pound. TTFN!!

Good afternoon, Violets.. Kat.. good luck tomorrow and Thursday at the doctor appointments!! Hope everything goes well for you and your dad. The Bobster and I are headed to Dunhams to look at an elliptical machine they have on sale. With that and my glider and my Sweatin to the Oldies DVDs, we'll have an entire gym upstairs in the formerly known as "guest' room. I'm thinking of canceling my Curves membership, but still kinda undecided about it. I'm just finishing up lunch... 1/3 of a cheese stuffed brat and some veggies. I bought my SS gift(s) today. Will get them in the mail by the end of the week. I'm excited!! Hope everyone else is having a great day and that you all are feeling PROUD of what you have accomplished so far in spite of what seems like "speed bumps" put in our way here and there. WE CAN DO THIS!!! Look how far we've all come since last April!!!! Amazing!!!!!

AMEN, SISTAH!!!

Good Morning, Violets.. I'm up early for a dentist appointment. Got to make sure I have my half hour for breakfast since things aren't going down too easily these days. I'm sorry that a lot of you are going through some stressful times with the band. My scale is banished til Sunday. I find my head works much better if I don't see that number each day. I'm not having the food issues many of you are having, but I am NOT getting my exercise in like I have in the past. It's been just too hectic with Ethan and the holidays. I'm going to have to get my mindset adjusted and add that exercise in. I do work out in the hot tub each night, but it only amounts to 3 sets of toning stuff. I ordered a glider from QVC yesterday and that should be here by the 5th, just in time for the December exercise challenge. Ethan ended up being here with me yesterday from 10 - 6. He really ran me ragged. Can I count that as exercise?? I don't know how many times I can do Patty Cake and read The Foot Book without it affecting me!!! The Bobster has left already for a Democratic Tuesday morning coffee get together. After the dentist appointment I'm headed to the store to get my SS gift. Fun, fun, fun!!! Everyone have a great day. Like Pam says. what a difference a year makes. This is the first year I'm not going to be stressing over what to wear to Christmas concerts I am involved in! Patience, Trust, Purple Power and WWJD??!!

Son Joe just called and he is going into work today so I get Ethan at 2!! Woooo Hoooooo!!!

Michelle. Here is my super secret recipe for Crystal Light slushies... I use a Deja Blue bottle. I fill it up just to where the neck starts to form, add 2 packets of Crystal Light to go... I use one lemonade and one Raspberry lemonade... shake well, put in freezer with the button up (otherwise it sucks the bottle into a free form shape) for close to 2 hours. When it is ready it will be hard, but you can squish it and it gets all slushy inside. When you drink it, it is SUPER cold and refreshing. P.S. I'm not sharing this secret recipe with anyone else but you. Shhhhhhhh

Good morning, Violets!! I'm sitting here eating my cottage cheese and frozen blueberries and will be headed to the hospital for my volunteer shift soon. I weighed in yesterday, recorded my weight on the new winter ticker and that's it... the scales went in the cupboard until next Sunday. I got into the BAD habit of weighing in every day. It got depressing going up and down and I'm not going to put myself through that each and every day. Once a week will be it. Worked before and will again. I'm going to go shopping for my SS gift tomorrow and will get it in the mail by the 1st, hopefully. And yes, we reveal the name of the sender in the package. That's half the fun!!! Bob got the tree out this morning from the shed and it's sitting on the back porch waiting for him to get a new tree stand. We forgot that one leg broke off last year. He just called from Walmart and got the stand. If he couldn't find it, he would have had to get a new tree. Soooooooo now, when I get home from the hospital, I'll start decorating the tree. I don't get Ethan this week unless Joe gets called into work. He works for Service Master.. a cleaning company and they don't have any jobs for him right now. Hate when that happens. going without a paycheck just before Christmas sucks. I hate to wish for people to have water damage at their homes, but it's work for Joe! Well, I better get off here, finish my breakfast and head to work. Everyone have a great day!! Patience, trust, purple power and WWJD??!!

If I get it in the mail by the 1st I'll be lucky!! Who made that rule??? Had a nice long nap today and got up to put the tree up, but the Bobster was napping and I didn't want to wake him. I wrapped presents instead and got that all done. We'll get the tree out of the shed tomorrow morning and have it up by afternoon, I HOPE!!

Good morning, Violets!! I'm dressed and ready to head to church. The weather is a tad bit warmer.. 33 degrees right now. Hopefully some of the snow will melt so we can get some of the chores done we were supposed to do before the first snow hit. Hope to have the house decorated and gifts bagged and wrapped before evening today. That's my goal, anyway!! Everyone have a great day. Suzie.. hey there twin!!! You look great!! Nice to have a face with the name. TTFN!

Good Evening, Violets.. Just got in from the hot tub. It was such a BEAUTIFUL night. The moon is full and the snow just glistens. Did my toning exercises in the hot tub and then the Bobster came out to join me. He knows not to come out until I've been in the tub for 10 minutes.. lol Tomorrow is church and then we are going to decorate the house for Christmas in the afternoon. I wonder how Ethan will react to all the new stuff that will be around when he comes next week. It will be a whole new experience for him. I want to get the presents all wrapped and bagged too. That will be one less thing to worry about. I remember all the Christmases past when we used to wrap the gifts on Christmas Eve. We'd hide them at the church and I would stay after the Christmas Eve service to wrap. Sometimes I didn't get home until 1 or 2 a.m. Those were the good old days!! Time to head to bed and read my new tabloids.. lol Everyone sleep well and remember.. Patience, Trust, Purple Power and WWJD??!!!

Good Afternoon, Violets.. Another busy day here, but at least I got to sleep in this morning. We had our 2nd local lap band support meeting. Only one showed up, but that's more than ok, cause she said she really needed it. She has been like most of us, losing a pound, gaining a pound, trying to get to onederland. We sat and talked for an hour and set the date for our December meeting. Even with all the holidays coming up, we decided we NEEDED to meet every month, at least. We might even go to every other week during the winter when it gets so boring around here unless you ski or snowmobile. Took our oldest son and his girl friend out to lunch. Bob had a sandwich and he got stuck and couldn't eat it so they got to take it home for later. I had ribs and onion straws. Ate the ribs and a few of the straws and sent the rest home with son. I made a big batch of beef vegetable soup for supper. It's that kind of day out. 33 degrees and cloudy. I plan on hitting the hot tub for sure tonight. At the support group meeting the Bobster and I decided we are going to make our guest room into an exercise room. We very rarely have overnight guests.. only two times since we moved here 14 years ago. Sooooooooo we'll get rid of the beds and get some equipment and then cancel our health club membership. I'm excited!! Kris has an elliptical machine she's not using, so we'll have to see if it can be moved upstairs here. The ab lounger can go in there and I want to get a glider type thingy. Time to check on the soup and try and get a short snooze in before dinner. Everyone have a great evening!! TTFN!