DeLarla

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In response to all your e-mails, I agree that we can't plan an event on this message board as long as the moderators allow one person to drag the ugly past back here. Please provide your phone numbers and we'll continue to plan that way. See you in Vegas.

Request information from delarla@juno.com

Request information from delarla@juno.com

I saw a diet doctor today, only my appointment got waylaid and focused on my sick esophagus. I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagitis during my last endoscopy (that also revealed band erosion.) Even with the Prilosec, my esophagus/throat/ghost-pouch haven't been feeling well lately; I have mild burning in my throat, and stomach acid is preventing me from getting over my cold. Doc pulled out a model of the stomach and explained Barrett's, which is caused when stomach acid pumps back upward and into the esophagus. While stomach tissue is designed to accommodate stomach acid, the esophagus isn't, so mine has tightened up and has spots of erosion that aren't healing (because I'm not heeding dietary advice.) Acid Reflux, also known as GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease) can do quite a bit of damage to the esophagus. Barrett's is a precancerous condition that leads to cancer in about 25% of people who don't get it under control (don't quote 25% since my doc said she'll get a more accurate number with my next visit - this was her guestimate.) The band is one thing that can cause GERD since it puts pressure on the stomach. When excess pressure is put on the stomach, the flap (sphincter) that usually holds food and liquids down can fail and allow stomach acid back upwards into the esophagus. Overeating, stretching the stomach, even tight pants or binding bras (and the Band) are things that can cause too much pressure. I'm not saying my Band caused Barrett's, but I certainly didn't have this esophageal problem prior to being banded. This is a friendly warning to everybody who suffers any type of acid reflux, GERD, persistent sore throat/choking sensations, etc. If there's acid in the esophagus, it could lead to precancerous Barrett's Esophagitis, which can lead to esophogeal cancer. My doc said this condition can be resolved by eliminating the acid and giving the esophagus plenty of time to heal. All the basic rules of avoiding acid reflux come into play, which is to eat small meals, never lie down after eating, prop your torso up at night or raise the head of your bed, avoid booze, caffeine, fatty food & meat, creamy stuff, and to my surprise, avoid mint, chewing gum and Soup. Soup? Yep, soup is too big in volume to fit in the belly. I always thought the liquid passed through quickly, but it stays in the stomach for a couple hours before exiting the bottom sphincter into the small intestine, so those of us who have been treating our reflux by eating soothing soup and chewing peppermint gum have been doing the opposite. DOH! I realize this is stuff most of us know, and that we wouldn't be obese in the first place if we ate to avoid reflux, but I figured I'd share the warning to obey your band, and if you do have reflux, see your doctor as soon as possible and at least get some meds (like Prilosec, for example.) P.S. Did I spell all that okay?

Am I lucky that I'm able to trace when my addiction to food began and how my bizzare eating habits started? Does everyone know when being fat happened to them? Looking back at an ugly childhood, I recall hiding with food because we weren't supposed to have any. That's where my current nighttime binge-eating habit began. I raised myself by hoarding whatever I could get my hands on then hiding in a safe corner, alone. Now I'm not alone, but it's hell trying to change the habit of eating a huge amount of food when I get home at night. Another bizzare memory is that we weren't allowed any type of junk food except during my sick mother's PMS (I figured out the PMS part when I was older.) She had to have Rocky Road ice cream during PMS, but with 3 children that weren't allowed goodies any other time, it was like 3 vultures fighting over the container. Somewhere along the line we'd gather around the cutting board and she'd slice the carton in 4 pieces, cardboard and all. To me, 1/4 of the container was a normal child's serving. Now a whole pint is a small serving. I need a good 1 1/2 pints to satisfy an ice cream urge these days. Thanks, Mom!

Request information from delarla@juno.com

Funny how marriage invents new words & phrases that nobody understands but you. I often take it for granted that we speak in tongues, which makes people look at us like, "Huh, what the heck did you two just say?" So I'll share some of our common household words and phrases that have over the years become part of our daily conversations. The funniest thing is how these words and phrases have come full circle, and I guess I use them often enough that my whole circle of friends talks like this now. I heard a co-worker telling another co-worker to, "Stop acting so damn nibby." Then another co-worker said, "Let's order pizza, I have a hankerin." Those are both my husband's words. Here's more: Nibby = Old women act nibby (snippity, nervous, uppity) as does my girl Pitbull when she shoves you off the couch or bed since that's where SHE wants to be. Hankerin' = strong craving that must be dealt with Poonage = (short for poonage-4-the-noonage) = Tampons Be-dotes = Anything can be be-dotes. Hug be-dotes, snack-be-dotes. Be-dotes are your "whiskers on kittens." Snurf = Successfully stealing the last piece of bacon or food that doesn't belong to you Pinch & squirt = We take our dogs to the park, where they pinch and squirt Hootie-Hoo = An oral favor given to a man Strappin on the Feed Bag = dining out Fine Dining = midway food like corn dogs & meat-on-stick

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And all along I've been pronouncing it "ku man." Whoda thunk?

And all along I've been pronouncing it "ku man." Whoda thunk?

One of my favorite things now is dropping things in public. Before it used to be a huge ordeal. I'm 5'10" so things are really far down there on the ground, so bending over without tipping sideways was damn ugly. Now I like dropping things so I can squat down with my legs together like a lady. Now I run to help people that drop stuff just so I can do it!

My tough guy biker pipefitter says, "Mamma, blankie me." Once he's all tucked in tight, I go to the kitchen for "cakes n' pies n' such." That just means he wants goodies.

Being naked outdoors.

Alexandra, you are clearly not human! Or at least not American! Who on Earth can resist a perfectly browned (not burned) marshmallow? And I thought the baked Ritz was gross, too, but you just gotta try it. I'm sorry for the hijack but Jenna started it!

Alexandra, you are clearly not human! Or at least not American! Who on Earth can resist a perfectly browned (not burned) marshmallow? And I thought the baked Ritz was gross, too, but you just gotta try it. I'm sorry for the hijack but Jenna started it!

Just remember in Mexico, that is all they do is put in bands. They don't care about your welfare or if you need this or that, they just want to get the money from you and what recourse do you have? NONE!! BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO!!!

A light shower? I haven't been riding long enough to catch much rain, but when it did start pouring everyone ran for shelter but me. I rode down the street getting soaking wet laughing my pants off! That was so damn fun! Let it rain, let it rain. Another favorite thing is waking up with Piglet's face tucked into me. That's my girly Pitbull who sleeps on my pillow. She snuggles in so tight and snores in my ear all night, but sometimes I wake up with her face sleeping in the palm of my hand.

I'm glad to see this thread went way off track, so I'm gonna share another secret. Someone made these at work one day (we used to have an oven) and I thought it was a stupid idea, but the place went nuts over them. It's the easiest thing in the world, and all you have to do is cut Jet Puffs in half or quarters with scissors. Lay Ritz crackers on a cookie sheet and top with the piece of Jet Puff and bake till the Puff is golden brown. OMG, these buttery Ritz snacks are so damn good! Then you need a cold snack to eat tweeners, so frost up a bunch of Graham Crackers and pop them in the freezer (butter frosting is way too good.) Break the pieces so you have little frozen cookies to go with your Ritz Puffs. Then come to LBT for support regarding our obesity and food issues! Do NOT throw your shoe at me!

I'm glad to see this thread went way off track, so I'm gonna share another secret. Someone made these at work one day (we used to have an oven) and I thought it was a stupid idea, but the place went nuts over them. It's the easiest thing in the world, and all you have to do is cut Jet Puffs in half or quarters with scissors. Lay Ritz crackers on a cookie sheet and top with the piece of Jet Puff and bake till the Puff is golden brown. OMG, these buttery Ritz Snacks are so damn good! Then you need a cold snack to eat tweeners, so frost up a bunch of Graham Crackers and pop them in the freezer (butter frosting is way too good.) Break the pieces so you have little frozen Cookies to go with your Ritz Puffs. Then come to LBT for support regarding our obesity and food issues! Do NOT throw your shoe at me!

Wake up everyone, the dark is gone. Mandy, haven't you seen the new coffee in a can that heats itself up? I can't remember if it's Wolfgang Puck or maybe Seattle's Best (but I do remember it's a famous name brand.) It's a single serving can that has this odd contraption built right in. You pop the seal and wait 5 minutes, and you've got a steamy cup of latte' or capucino. I was leary but just had to try one, and it was pretty darn good, and the can really did get real hot! So there's a coffee in a can that you'll love!

Mandy, I don't know what made me smile more, that awesome compliment or waking up to your lil one. I actually did find TWO Fountains of Youth! One is my Sweet Cherry Pie (my new Harley) and well, let's just say Slumber Parties keeps me glowing! Which brings me to... a five minute toe-curler!

I'll try really hard to see 3Loves instead of 3Loaves now that you're banded. PM me the second you get home, you banded beauty!

Caramel and fudge accidents.

Steve, we need more men around here. Welcome!