Theresa Marie

Darling, you are one adorable young lady. You have a most beautiful smile and it is as though your loving, kind spirit shows through your eyes. I am so very proud of the wonderful job you have done. You look absolutely lovely. Way to go!!!!! I am so very proud of you and thrilled for you. Great photos and fun activities. I feel like I got a little sunburned on some of those shots. HA. Congratulations Doll.

I am going to buy two white climbing roses and plant them on a trellis that is shaped like a heart. When they bloom, I will think of Blossom and her beautiful smile and shiny blonde hair and I will thank God that she came into our life and shared such wisdom and love with us all. May She Shine In Glory With God Forever. Peace, Theresa Marie

Ryan, you are so thoughtful. I line dry mine. I wanted to be in on this survey. I am glad she is home and you are having a hard time keeping your pants up. Okay, now maybe that did not come out right!? Way to go on all the huge weight loss and your are several sizes smaller in the waist and cannot keep your pants up. That is a great nsv. I am chuckling about bra drying survey and not being able to keep your pants up. Too fun. Nice to hear you laughing again. I can hear you laugh if I listen really quietly..... great sound!!! Keep up your great work. Take care, Theresa Marie

Amazing Grace Girl, that is absolutely spectacular. Way to go!!!!! That is just a tribute to your hard work, dedication and never giving up. You have taught us all so much by sharing your experience, research and knowledge. Thank you so much for inspiring, educating and sharing with us all. Wow, I think we should all stand up and sit down and do the wave for you....ready everyone, okay I will start, who is next..... Congratulations Babs!!!!!! Wow, fabulous!!!

Ladies, congratulations and fabulous job. You both look beautiful and so happy!!!! I like the short hair cut too, adorable. You both are very inspiring; thanks for much for sharing those with us. Amazing success for you both!!!! Keep us posted on future glamor shots. Take care, TM

You are smart to be the first surgery of the day. I had mine at 7:30 too and they told me later that my surgery went faster than expected and they did not have the next person ready. I wish you smooth sailing, quick recovery and best wishes as you begin your new life. Hugs and best wishes -- you are going to be fine!!!!!

I live in the Minneapolis area and we FINALLY got some snow. I personally did not mind not having any snow but my husband owns a snow plow business in addition to his full-time job and he was wishing for snow. So, he plowed all night Friday night, hit his accounts again Saturday due to high winds and drifting. Now today, Sunday, he is out in the bobcat clearning our driveway. You know the old saying -- the plumber's sink gets unclogged last -- the snowplower's driveway gets cleared last. We both have 4 wheel drive -- you have to live in the woods like we do. I do think it is pretty and there are a million lovely birds at the feeders now too. Happy winter wonderland!!!! :Bunny

Oh, fun people, I want to come!!!! Sorry I am late to this post, but I will come and could come whatever the date is decided on. I am flexible at this point. Darcy, I know you live in WI (I think anyway). I will fly with you and we can talk quilt patterns and various stitching techniques to keep your mind off flying. Now, I know you are all thinking -- boy what a fun flight that will be, if only I could join them!!! HA!!! We could fly out of Minneapolis. How far away do you live from MSP Darcy Girl???? Thanks Lisa for getting this going and for opening your home as part of the weekend of fun; that is very nice of you. What a great treat it would be to meet some of the wonderful people on this site. I already think of you all as friends and it would be a bonus to know the sound of your laugh and have memories of lots of fun with you all. Darcy, we would be just fine flying. Let me know if that works for you Darcy!!!!! How fun -- makes this snow storm more enjoyable to know that soon it will be summer and then at the end of the summer, a PARTY!!!!!!!! :banana

Oh my dear brother, Ryan. I did not know you and Sweet Patty were struggling so. I have been too busy with my job to get online much this year. I am so sorry she is in pain and needing to be sedated. You are not able to share the day with the real Patty when she is medicated so intensely. I will pray for safe travel, insight and wisdom for the Doctors, compassion for all who care for her (no one will be as great as you though), and for a miracle of pain relief for a sweet person who has suffered too much. I have said before that I believed that 2005 was going to be a miracle year for both of you -- I am hopeful this is a small part of the steps necessary for this miracle. You alone as a person are a miracle. You have touched so many lives here and have caused us all to pause and think about things differently and yes, to wipe many tears when emotions were evoked with your extremely eliquent posts. I will forever remember many of your stories, especially about the little boy who's loving Mom took his hand in the cold of the night of Christmas Eve and encouraged him to be still and listen to the silence. I am certain that every time I hear Silent Night, I will think of you and your Mom and say a prayer in thankfulness for you sharing your story of that night. That story alone touched me in many ways. Ryan, God has blessed you with much love in your life, I am glad that all of us are part of that. You are such a part of us. Please know we will be praying for you, thinking of you and wanting only the very best for you and your dear wife. Please let us know - as time permits - how you are and also how Patty is. Please let us know if there is anything else we can be doing for you to lighten your load right now. Is there anything else we can do? Please let us know, if humanly possible, you know we will do it. I hold you close in a hug and prayer and ask God to envelop you in His peace, love, guidance and wisdom. I love you my dear brother Ryan and through your stories, I also have come to love Patty. Theresa Marie

Wow, DeLarla, I love your new picture. Your face has slimmed significantly. That is an amazing picture -- such a dollface!!!!! Good for you girl!!!!

Megan, that is excellent. Thank you so much for retyping that to share with us. There are a million a-ha moments in that one "as Oprah would say". What a remarkable journey that woman experienced. And, Megan, you are right, it is alot of what we all feel and think every day. Thanks again for typing it. Also, drive careful today. It is really snowing in Minnesota. Be safe girlfriend. T

Leatha, did I understand you correctly? Are you having lasic surgery again? Why the repeat? Please let me know as I am hoping to have this surgery and not have to wear contacts any longer. Curious why you have to have it repeated? Will you have to pay again?? Hope you are feeling better honey.

Oh Leatha Doll, that is it. I am bringing my magic wand in for a complete tune up. I am so sorry you are still not well. Those bugs really can knock us out for awhile and there is no negotiating a quick fix. I wish I lived closer so I could make you homemade broth and spoon it for you in a cute little baby spoon for your sore throat. I will pray for a speedy healing and rebuilding of your strength. Can't keep a good girl down for long, you will be rebounding and telling us your stories of a tremendous amount of energy and how none of your clothes fit as they are all too lose. Wait a minute, I just nodded off and that is my recurring fantasy dream. Okay, I will let you share it with me. HA. Get better now honey. Sorry about my defective magic wand. Hugs and love, T

Leatha Girl, if love alone could heal a person from all ills.....you would never be sick. You are loved by all on this site and everywhere in the world (I trust) and you should be feeling better very soon. I just changed the batteries in my magic wand and I have waved it over the computer and said a magic phrase to heal you. Did it work? Are you feeling better? If not, let me know and I will have it tuned up. I have been so busy with my work that I hardly get a chance to get to this, my favorite site, to say hi to my friends. Hope everyone is doing great -- I am certain Leatha is all better now. Let me know Leatha. Hugs and love, Theresa Marie

Penni, thanks for sharing your photos -- beautiful. I am glad you got away. I am sorry to hear about your sister and you being down. I have missed your smiling face and posts. I send you hugs and best wishes for hope, promise of a brighter day, and much love. You are an important part of this family and we all want the best for you as that is what you deserve. Take care honey.

So nice to hear from you and see your lovely smiling face again. How could any of us not be filled with joy after reading your note. You are a remarkably beautiful person inside and out. You always think to build up others and share from your spirit to help and encourage others. I wish you continued success, love and joy. Life is great for you and we are thrilled for you. Check in with us so we can continue to share your love and joy. Love and best wishes for continued happy life and joy.

My first NSV...I returned to work Monday and two guys in the office came up and said, wow, you look so great -- I love your new hair do. I have not done anything to my hair...I think my face has gotten thinner. I just smiled and said, thanks, glad you like it. I laughed to myself as I walked away. It was fun. Plus, I notice all my too tight closes are now way too loose. I can shop in my closet for several months before I will need to buy anything. I have a pile of clothes started that I want to donate too. It is a fun feeling to take out the old and slide into clothes that have not fit for quite a long time. Ya hoo. I love reading everyone's NSV's -- alot of fun to share in the joy!!!!!! Keep em coming everyone.

Leatha, you and your family are beautiful. You look so great and so happy. I am thrilled for you and you inspire me. Happy 2005 you doll.

Ryan, or shall I say Rocky - ready to take up the fight again - my money is on you to come out a winner. I am so glad she gets to come home -- there is no place like home to rest and heal, plus you will be together. Love heals as much as being home does. I pray you will have safe travels and she will be feeling better soon. Take care of yourself -- of each other. You are a strong, loving man. We are all lucky to have you be part of our family. We are all pulling for you both. Happy January 2 -- glad to get the good news on Patty coming home!!!!!!

Alex, you look so beautiful and happy. I am thrilled for you. You have done a marvelous job. I am sure your whole family is bursting with pride for you. Keep your bright light shining Girl. Thanks for posting photos, very inspiring!!!!

I will splash in on this fun too. I feel so much better when I drink enough water. This is a good way for us to encourage each other to get in enough. I like to drink Crystal Lite too Leatha. Sometimes just water is great but an added bonus occasionally of Crystal Light is fabulous. I am loving the strawberry, banana, orange flavor right now!!! Bottoms up everyone!!!!

I say ditto to Alex's post. I have not been paying close enough attention to money and have built debt,which I hate. We have been going out to eat too much and I have been buying things I could live without. So, 2005, I want to be focused on minimizing debt and eating more HEALTHY meals at home. Plus, I want to wake up every morning and say, Thank you God for the gift of this band; help me to work with it to be healthy. AND thanks for my lap band family here!!! May we all become more alive in 2005!!!!!!

Terese, I am sorry you are having this pain. You got some good advise above; I am a newbie to this port thing so I don't know. I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and hoping everything is working out okay with you and finding a new vehicle, etc. Those are such stressful things and then during the holidays on top of it. I am hoping that this pain will pass quickly. I bet with the stress your band is tighter and maybe that would affect this pain too? I have not a clue except I know I want the best for you -- a little poem for you. Smile!!!!!

Ryan, you can celebrate new years when she gets home. I am sorry you are apart right now. I am so sorry for Patty that this happened to her. I am still praying for you both that 2005 will be a joy-filled year of recovery and healing. I am so proud of you for the strength that you have, the love that you have for each other, for your wonderful spirit, for the fact that you are our brother. We all love you and wish the best for you. Can you feel our hugs and love enveloping you???? If love could heal, you and Patty would not be in pain right now. That kind of love can heal and I pray for you that it will. Hugs bro. Hang in there and please keep us posted on how you both are doing. We will be thinking about you and watching for posts. Take care of yourself too!!!!! (Sorry, I really am acting like a sister now -- telling you what to do -- HA. My brothers said I was always like that -- can you imagine???)

Thanks Lisa. It was our Precious Penni to the rescue; I could not figure out how to shrink the picture. That Penni is a wonder. Thanks Penni for helping me!!!!!