Teachlady

Laura.. you GO GIRL!! Sounds like you're taking control and that's great. Just get through Friday and yes, this will all be a bad memory and you'll be back in business and ready to tackle the weight once again! You CAN do this. Look what you've done so far!!! Keep hanging in there!! We're all here for you..

And did you guys stop posting when I was in Alaska?? Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo... so guess what??? Type message, send. Type message, send. Type mess... well you get the idea.

Good afternoon, Violets.. Well, I went to the aerobics class this morning and I was able to do most of it. That with Curves and the stationary bike at the gym will certainly do me for exercising this winter! Just finished my lunch and watiing for DH to get ready so we can head to the gym. Today is my first day where I can do what I want, when I want and it feels great. Laura.. I can't believe you're going to have to pay all that extra money when it isn't your fault!!! What the heck kind of warranty is THAT?? grrrrrrrrrrrrrr TracyinKS... hey there married lady!! Congrats to you. Now you can relax and plan a very special time in March. Janie!! WOOO HOOOOOO!!! How awesome that you're able to say.. I LOST 100#!!!!!! You GO GIRL!!! Smyly...I go for my 3rd fill next Monday and boy,do I need it. I feel hungry in between meals and that hasn't happened since I've been banded. Course we skipped a fill last month because of our upcoming cruise. We sure are ready now, though. Kat... you didn't check in last night.. How is your Dad???? Well, off to the gym for some time on the stationary bike. Everyone have a great afternoon and remember. WWJD??!! (Did I mention how much I love my bracelet?? It never leaves my wrist except for shower and pool time)

Smyly.. WELCOME!!! You already joined us when you posted!! And CONGRATS on the fantastic weight loss.. wow!! Just hop right in here. We're a chatty bunch, but we welcome all anytime. It's great to be a Violet!!!

Good afternoon, Violets.. I finished my hospital shift and DS is done with work today so he is watching Ethan. Soooooooooo I have all day to get the house ready for tonight and where am I??? Well HERE of course!! TracyinKS.. CONGRATS on your wedding day!!! Hope you take lots of pics! Terry... Thank goodness you're back. We've all be suffering gym nazi withdrawals!! Laura...Hope you get the call soon! Chica.. I take Drixoral and it clears up the congestion amazingly fast. But I haven't had a cold since being banded. Kat..prayers said for you and your family today. We'll be waiting for good news tonight. TTFN!!

Good evening, Violets.. Such wonderful news from lots of you today!! How kewl is that??!!! My busy Sunday is finally over. I got to church, directed the choir, went to my singing group rehearsal for 3 hours, came home and made homemade turkey soup, then cleaned for the rest of the evening. I think the house is just about ready for my ladies of the evening... errrrrrrr the Lia Sophia party ladies tomorrow night. Now if I can just get Ethan to not mess up the house tomorrow, I'll be happy!!! DD is coming over to help so that will be fun. I made chocolate mousse for dessert tomorrow. Of course I couldn't help but have a few spoonfuls while I was making it. yummy.. I got some fish stuck this afternoon so am trying to go easy on food tonight. Well, I'm sooooooooo tired. I'm off to bed with my Crystal Light slushy and my tabloid magazines to read the latest gossip. Everyone have a good night. Sleep well! And remember to follow those bandster rules. Tomorrow is a new day, a new week and full of possibiities!! Patience, trust and WWJD!

Good Morning, Violets.. Hope you all had a restful night. It's 34 degrees here this morning.. yikes!!! But it's supposed to get back into the 80's this week so I hope to get one more swim in the pool before we close it up for the season. At least I'll still have the hot tub through the winter. Everything went well yesterday.. we had over 100 people show up at the pig roast. It was cold and blustery, but we moved most things inside and it turned out really well. I'm going to go get ready for church. Kat.. great news about Rick and my prayers are with you for your dad's surgery. Laura.. prayers to you also for a quick fix of the band and on to the land of true restriction! Denise..one word of advice for new grandmas.. everything in moderation...yeah RIGHT!!! I bought out every garage sale baby item in Alpena for my grandkids. They had boxes and boxes of clothes and "things" from Grandma. You're gonna love it!!! My DD finally had to say to me.. Mom.. please STOP.. walk away from the sales!! And she was the aunt, not the mom!! Just finished my cottage cheese and blueberries so I'm ready to dry and curl my hair, put on my make up and hit the road. Everyone have a great day today!! WWJD!!

Good Morning, Violets... I'm all packed up and on my way to the Democratic Party fundraiser here in town. We're having a Pig roast, silent auction, fun day and I'm the vice chair so I'll be there from now til 4 tonight. I went to be really early last night after having Ethan all day. I'm not cut out to be a mom anymore.. being a Grandma wears me out enough!! TracyK.. I feel for you.. my DDIL has your problems too. My DS works 12 hours a day 7 days a week and she is left with the kids and she goes to nursing school. I really don't know how she and others like you do it. I'm in awe of you!! Everyone have a great Saturday. I'll check in later tonight. WWJD??!!

Wow.. 66#.. ard, that's awesome!! Kudos to you and your dedication!! Today was a tough day with Ethan. He cried for 2 hours straight and he and I are exhausted!! I think he's teething cause his nose kept running and he kept trying to chew on this fingers. When I rubbed inside his mouth there is a definite bump in the back where a tooth should be breaking through. Poor little guy. We went to the gym again this evening and I did my 5 miles on the stationary bike. It's nice when we go near to closing as we are just about the only ones in there. We went to Walmart and I got my Friday fix of magazines.. People, Star, Us and TV Guide. I'm off to the hot tub and then to cuddle in bed and catch up on all the gossip. Everyone have a good evening.. TGIF!!! WWJD!!!

Laura.. so sorry to hear your news. I'm sure the band manufacturer will stand by their product and make it right for you. Mel..thoughts and prayers headed your way for a positive outcome on your case. Just got back from the gym. I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike. DH did the treadmill. Now I can relax and hit the hot tub this evening. We had to turn the furnace on this morning. Temp was 60 in the house and with Ethan coming over, I didn't want it to be too chilly for him, but dang.. I hate turning the furnace on in September!!! I usually don't turn it on until my fingertips turn blue, but the priorities have changed with the grandbaby in the house. Have to be up early again tomorrow to greet Ethan at 8. I took some pics of him dusting and "swiffing" for me today. I'll try and post them later. TTFN..

Good Morning, Violets.. Ethan is here bright and early and we've played for awhile now and he's finally konked out and is napping. I have a nail appointment at 10 and then back to get dressed to go out of town for the afternoon. Can't tell you how great it is to have choices of what to dress up in. I'll be meeting up with my friend who had gastric by-pass a year ago. She's lost about 110# and I'm anxious to see her. Last time I saw her was in July I believe and she was wearing the same size I was at that time and it was hard for me to believe that since I thought she looked heavier than I did... DH agreed. We'll see how much of a difference there is between then and today. I'm so thrilled for her that she had surgery cause she was literally dying before my eyes. She couldn't go from the living room to the kitchen in their Florida condo without being out of breath.. and it's a small condo!!! It's shaping up to be a very busy weekend for me. Tomorrow I have Ethan again and then I need to get everything ship shape for a Lia Sophia (jewelry) party I'm having on Monday night. Can't wait to show off my WWJD bracelet!!! Saturday is our Democratic Party fund raiser from 11-4 and Sunday I have a New Day Singers rehearsal from 1:30-4:30 in preparation for our concert on Oct. 5. We're getting down to crunch time now.. arghhhhhhh 11 days til we get our 3rd fill and we're both ready. I'm hungry between meals and that's never been the case before. I try and make good choices.. fruits and protein, but I really don't want to be eating between meals at all. Guess I need to tighten my bracelet!! Kat.. hope the meds work for you!! I was thinking of you all evening wondering how you were doing. Pamela.. you GO girl on the -6#!!! TracyK... onederland is right around the corner for you!!! I remember when I hit it, it is SUCH a big milestone!!! And knowing I'll never be in twoderville again is just the best feeling ever!!! I'm off to do my hair and drink my slushy Crystal Light before going to my nail appointment. Everyone have a fantastic day and remember... patience and trust and follow those bandster rules!!!

I'm off to bed so I can be up and ready for Ethan tomorrow at 8. I'll have him til 1:30 and then will leave to meet some friends out of town. Everyone sleep well, drink your water and remember... Patience and trust... WWJD??!!

Kat... what's the word from the dentist????

Kat.. if it was me, I'd be heading to the ER to see what the heck was happening!!! Denise.. CONGRATS!! Ethan was born before his mom and dad got married and I know just what you're going through. Ethan's mom is not my favorite person, but she is the mother of my grandson and we make the best of the situation. At least she has no qualms about letting me babysit.. I'm free and available most of the time. The New Day Singers picture didn't happen last night.. a couple of the people didn't get the memo about concert dress. And I am odd one out again. When we decided on blouses, I always had to get the biggest one and they always picked out something with buttons down the front.... my LEAST flattering look. Well, I was all hepped up about getting new blouses, but the one that is too big for me now would have gone to a new member and I would be the one with no blouse and they are out of stock..... sooooooooooo now we are looking for new blouses. At least I don't have to worry about them carrying the biggest size for me. I can wear a large now and be comfortable!! A nice change from the 3X blouses I had before that still stretched apart at the buttons around my belly. I had two hours of flute rehearsal this morning, came home, had lunch and now am babysitting again as DD left to go to her nursing classes. DH is at a church service..30 days of peace...and I needed help watching Ethan while we were both gone. My DH is one special lady. I love her dearly..such a sweet, kind hearted person. I must have done something right there!! Tracy.. I finished my first 33 oz bottle of Crystal Light slushy and the second one is in the freezer and I'll have it in another hour. I drank CL on the cruise, but it wasn't frozen like I like it. I'm loving having my slushy treat again. Well, off to check on Ethan and do some cleaning in the kitchen. Will check back later.

Good morning all you Shrinky Dinks.. Forgive me, but it's soooooooo nice to hear you all talk about your periods and I don't have to worry about any anymore. One of the perks of being OLD!! lol Kat.. so sorry to hear about the accident. Also hope you get some healing in your mouth! Prayers are with you. Laura.. it's your body and your choice of doctors. YOU are in charge!! Pamela.. no chance of a menopausal baby, is there?? hehehehe Now wouldn't THAT be a miracle!!!! No Curves for me this morning.. I have Ethan until this afternoon, but I'm thinking of hitting the stationary bike at the gym after he goes home and before choir rehearsal. Time to clean up this computer desk. It's looking pretty trashed at the moment. Everyone have a great day... Drink that Water, Tracy!!! My Crystal Light is turning into a slushy right now and I can drink it in one hour. yums.. Remember....Patience, trust and WWJD!!

Thanks, Laura. I just put yet another new avatar pic in. This was one of my favorite shots of me in Alaska. Never thought I'd be happy to see pics of me, but I just love seeing the difference. Reminds me that it's time to take my monthly bathing suit pics. I'll have to do that tonight. Gotta go get dressed up for yet another picture taking session tonight.. this time with my New Day Singers acapella group. Will check back later!

Just got back from the luncheon, taking the dogs to the groomers and then Curves. I have GOT to clean this computer room today. I'm having a Lia Sophia party on Monday evening and it will take me that long to get the house in shape for company. The luncheon was very nice. It was at the home of the minister's wife at the church where DH was once minister. She fixed us chili, soup, salad and we had lo fat ice cream for dessert. I had one bowl of the veggie with chicken soup and once cup of the salad. Had the ice cream and it was yummy. Now I'm enjoying my Crystal light slushy before I hit the cleaning trail. The Prebysterian minister's wife was telling me about an aerobics class at their church on Tuesday mornings so I'm going to go there next Tuesday and try it out. She said there are only about 3-5 ladies in the class so it should be fun. I did notice something on my cruise that I had not noticed before and that is the hair loss. Everytime I washed my hair and ran the mousse through it I would come back with a handful of hair. yikes!! Ok.. off to clean. TTFN!

Good Morning, Violets. I really slept in today.. must be all the traveling catching up with me. I have a PMS luncheon today.. that would be Pastor's Main Squeeze group of clergy spouses that get together once a month for lunch. Just like in here, we share the same experiences and have a great time just being us. Then we take the dogs in for their grooming and I will go with DD to Curves again today. Tonight i have my singing group rehearsal. We are having our publicity pictures taken tonight and for the first time I will NOT be the heaviest in the group!! NSV!!!! Pamela... you luuk maaaahvelus!!!! And certainly not at all like your old avatar picture!!! I was thinking last week that on the first day of school, I was not in the classroom again, but on a ship on it's way to Alaska. Life is good!!! Kat...sorry to hear about all the medical issues. Hope they are resolved quickly. Jennifur....you made the right decision about the sleepover!! Weather has been rainy here the last few days, but we sure needed it. My lawn has finally gone from brown to green and needs to be cut again. DH will get his exercise mowing this week. Tracyinks...loved the pics of you in the jeans.. it's amazing the difference in the two!!! Keep up the great work, you loser.. hehehe Who would ever have thought that would be a compliment!! lol I'm off to get dressed for the luncheon. Everyone have a great day. Patience, trust and WWJD??!!

DH and I travel 4 hours one way to get to Port Huron. We were banded by Dr. Bhesania and swear by him and the staff there. We can not recommend them highly enough. Exceptional pre and post care. It is worth the drive for us to have the best and Port Huron is a center of Excellence. Dr. Bhesania and Dr. Bout have done over 1700 lap band surgeries. They are extremely competent.

Good afternoon, Violets.. It's been quite a day here. I've done unpacking, laundry, Curves and uploading all the pics. Here is the link to them. I am soooooooo proud of the way I look in MOST of them. There are a couple of doozies in there, but for the most part, I am pleased I kept saying... Take my picture here... take my picture here. And I did NOT say... make sure you take the picture from the neck up. Woooo hoooooo NSVs!!! I'm off to a Democratic party meeting and then will check in when I get back. Had some turkey for supper and it got stuck, but good. Still haven't ever PB'd, but darn close tonight!! Alaska cruise 2007

SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE'S BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!! Good morning all you lovely Violets.. I've MISSED you!!! We had an AWESOME time on the cruise.. the best ever and most of it was due to the new bodies we were sporting. We walked up and down the stairs.. very rarely took elevators so didn't have to wait and wait to get where we wanted to be. We went to the gym 4 out of the 7 days and did our workouts. And I must say we enjoyed the meals. Was I perfect?? nope. Was I guilty.. nope. Am I back "on the wagon".. you betcha!!! We had some lovely people from Ireland as table mates and Ann was admiring my jewelry. She was asking about my Pandora bracelet and I explained that each of the angels was for 10# gone and she said.. NO.. you would never know you were that heavy. NSV right there, folks!!! I told her about my WWJD bracelet and she thought that was lovely too. Her husband took our picture instead of us paying to have it done by the ship photographer. DH said.. "she looks great doesn't she?? I think I'll marry her." Ed then said in his wonderful Irish brogue... "If I wasn't married, I'd marry her meself". Another NSV!!!!! AND when they had the sailaway party and were dancing ... I WAS THERE dancing away to YMCA and the Macarena and I even got on the DVD of the cruise that they were selling. I NEVER would have done that 55# ago!! We saw whales, a bear up close and personal, seals, eagles and lots and lots of jewelry and shirts!! I tried to get caught up on all the posts since I've been gone, but that will be an hour or so project!!! I've got tons of laundry to do today and Ethan is coming over at noon. I'll be so glad to see him again. We really missed our yorkies too. It was so nice to be able to cuddle them again last night. Everyone have a great day. I'm not even going to think about weighing in until next Sunday. That will give me a week to work off what I'm sure I gained on the trip. I had a couple of episodes of sliming, but never PB'd. I just got to eating too fast and talking and thud.. there it sat. I would get up and walk around and it would be ok thank goodness. Everyone have a great day and I'll check back in here when I can!! Patience, trust and WWJD?!!

Good Morning, Violets!! Here's my last post before we head to the airport. Hope everyone has a great week. I'll be thinking about you all.. course the bracelet brings each of you closer to me.. Thank you, Terry!! Pam.. I DO miss the kids, but not the routine, the drive and the administration if ya get what I mean. Terry.. this is our 3rd cruise.. our 4th will be in November. We just LOVE cruising and never in my life did I think I'd ever be able to do it and here we are!! TracyK.. all of us demure Violets in the same hospital wing??? I can see us all now.. typing away on our laptops comparing notes when we are just rooms apart.. lol VIOLETS rule!!! Well, I've got to pry my fingers from the keyboard and finish the last of the packing and snuggle up with our Yorkies before we leave. I'll try and connect on board ship, but it's always slow and expensive.. but we'll see!!! TTFN... catch you all on the 10th!! And remember.... Patience, Trust and WWJD???!!!

Haha Bruce... I hear ya!! We had a buy out at our school.. never happened before and never will again so I took it and have used the money to travel. We've been to the Western Caribbean twice, Canada twice and Florida 3 times since I retired in 2004. We are headed to Alaska tomorrow on a cruise and then we head back to the Caribbean in Nov. Flying is so much more comfortable now and being able to wear a bathing suit without feeling like a beached whale is great too. Continued lapband success to you and your wife!!

My boobs are still perky.. they just point down instead of out. Seriously.. if I had the courage, I'd have a breast lift, but I don't want any more surgeries unless they are really necessary. As long as I can find a bra to sling up these puppies, I'll continue on as I have. And as for the belly.. I'm sure I'd have the surgery if I was younger, but I'll just jam everything into the spanx for now and hopefully there will be less of it when I get to goal. DH is impressed with the way I look and says not to do it for him. If my back continues to give me problems, I'll consider it as I'm sure insurance would pay for it if it's a medical issue and not just cosmetic. But for now I'll just keep on keepin' on. I have our first choir rehearsal of the season in a couple of hours. The summer sure went fast!! But it will be nice to get back into my routine. Can you tell I'm a creature of habit?? I believe they call that.. being anal. Yup.. that's me!! TTFN....

Had surgery and follow ups at Port Huron. I highly recommend this facility and it's staff.