peaches9

Hi ladies; Share here, your pictures and comments about the Lucky 7's recent trip to Mall of America

When we were in M of A we talked about or "VISIT & Get-together for 2009" One of the ideas tossed about was coming to Canada and visiting My beach and the Elvis festival. Below is the link to the web site. Its pretty cool.... and it is usually held the 3rd weekend in July every year... as soon as I have CONCRETE dates I'll post them. The Collingwood Elvis Festival 2008 let me know what you think Wasaga Beach The Friends of Nancy Island and Wasaga Beach Park check out Nancy Island Historical Park also in my town.

Congrats on the W/L and the new exercise plan... You will be even more successful in the future!~~

oh yeah, DH has STILL not noticed my newly peirced ears... Men, can you beleive it? Steph, you don't have yours done??? I thought I was the last holdout?

Jacquie; You could have kept up with the shopping. It was awesome. I am NOT usually a shopper but I was there CLOSING the mall and there early enough to see it open!!! I am a convert LOL I am so happy with my purchases of Foundation garments. It truly DOES make a huge difference, even in my confidence level... I know that may sound strange but without giggling when I walk I just feel like I HOLD my head up higher... and the "girls" they just make me look 10 yrs younger!! Karri, that is really nice of you to offer to help Steph. I am sure that if she makes the decision to go back to sch. that she'll take you up on that offer.! Glad the fill is working for the HUNGRIES, that can be aweful waking up in the middle of the night hungry! Congrats Steph~ you actually LOST weight after the M of A ??? Dah, I gained 2... how'd you do that??

Where is Stephanie??? Did she make it home o.k?????

Ya, I WAS nice to you wasn't I?? loved your photos!!!

OMW,, body shapers!!!! they are the best invention since hair spray!!! I bought SPANX panty with high top coverage (all the way up to my bra) and I look 10 lbs thinner... nothing giggles. No Panni roll, its awesome. When I put it on the other girls were so encouraging. So I went back to Nordstroms and bought another in a long legged variety. $72 but worth its weight (pun intended) in gold! I am up 2 lbs from my Mall of America trip, but with my new Oprah bra and spankx I feel PRETTY today!@ pictures are on a separate THREAD

So that's about all from me tonight, gotta go spend some quality time with Hubby :huh2:

That I did not get to go to the Casino with ROSE, Stephanie's Mom. She was such a fine sport... and so fun... I'll see if I can whangle some more photos. I'm not too good at this. Breakfast Photos, The indoor rollercoaster ride at M of A:thumbup:

I am glad you are home safe... did you have to work today??? I stayed overnight in Michigan in some little town called Davisville(?) just between Flint and Lapeer... I tried to make it to the Canadian border and to my Aunt and Uncles' place but I couldn'tkeep my little peepers open any longer. I heard about the earthquake on the car radio. Gosh! How scarry for you! Linda, I hope you took a day to rest before you plough into all the wedding preps.. I'll be thinking of you and MISS YOU ALREADY!!!! Oh and hubby is eagerly awaiting the cheese and wine opening!! The wine should be chilled right? The ice packs worked perfectly and my Comfort Inn room(only one avail.) had a wee fridge so I put things in there overnight... and guess what I had for dinner???? ya you guessed it... Taco bell... burrito... O.k. its now my new fav. fast food rest. now where to find one in Canada?????eeekkk??? Phyl, Steph,Rose How did you spend your last day???? I am all curious I am so sorry we didnt' get to connect again before we had to leave M of A. time just ran out.... I am sending big hugs and kisses from HOME :wink2: p.s. looking at my pictures now and will post soon

Linda; I made it home!! HUBBY was SO glad to see me... I havn't stopped talking though since I hit the door. I have so much to tell him and I can tell that he was truly jealous of all our fun. He can't wait to meet all you ladies next year! :wink2: Who us??? We don't "talk" too much do we :huh2: ??? Actually one morning I woke up with a sore throat, I think it was from too much talking!!! O.k. we havn't heard from Phyl, Stephanie(Ruby) Janet??? All still enroute I am so proud to have met all you gals, its like having extra sisters. Linda you were an incredidable hostess and all that driving you were a real trouper... I can't beleive you never said "SHUT UP Candice!!" I know I can go on, and on, and on.....:party:

Hi Gang; o.k. ONE MORE SLEEP, I am leaving to start my Big drive tomorrow!!! Yippee.... I am so excited and my Aunt and Uncle in Sarnia/Pt. Huron are glad that I'm coming to see them too!!! I have Kari's phone # in Michigan so I'll give her a call on my way thru, perhaps we'll be able to meet if time allows. GOOD FOOD DAY today!! Later babes, gotta keep packing the washing machine and dryer are on FULL ALERT

love those before & afters I need new bras when we at the M of A do they have a Lane Brant???:ihih: gotta get my girls UP :seeya:

Bft: Eat O+Home made Old Fashioned Oats. Boil for 10 min kind. I make it thick... 2/1 2 cups water/1 cup oats..... then I sometimes add raisins, chopped walnuts and sugar free syrup and skim milk... This is warm and solid in your tummy... even when I've not been able to drink a shake the oatmeal is perfect??? Lunch: SOLID Protien, leftover chicken breast from last night, steamed veggies, then Rice or whole wheat pasta(but only if you have ROOM) with the solid Protien 3oz and 1/2 cup of veggies you'll probably be full... I usually am. Supper: SOLID Protien, beef steak, pork chop, Fish or Scallops(Janet's fav) , more steamed veggies or salad, then carb serveing if you have room... SMACKs for even trying to eat a Muffin, or crackers.... they are big Sticker(as in Stuck) items for me... o.k. Snacks that are o.k. Raw almonds 10, chew REALLY well. Yogurt FF/SF, Sugar free Fudgecycles, Turkey BItes(kinda a pepperoni) HUMMUS, with Whole WHeat PITA chips or raw veggies... again watch the chewing... I sometime chew 30 time per mouthful, let your mouthful mix well WITH saliva BEFORE swallowing.... then pace your swallows.. between each mouthful, put DOWN your fork, chew,chew,chew mix with spit, swallow and THEN pick up your fork again.. It is painfully slow, but it is how we are to eat banded - also push your food around on your plate A lot...(like you are being picky) this works for me when I am eating with REGULAR people who just shovle their food in and eat quickly. Hope I havn't ticked you off , but these are a few things I've had to learn the hard way:cool:

I'll give you a call Thursday while I'm driving(I'll pull over first) and see if our scheme works, if not I'll call you for sure on my drive home Monday/Tues of next week... PLUS I'll not have any time constraints on the way home...don't have to be at work until Wed. 30th...:eek:

Kari; Do I have your Cell phone # ??? I think so... When I get close to the Muskegon Dock I'll phone you so we can hook up. I am leaving Sarnia crossing at Pt. Huron (don't know how long that will take?) I've got to be at the dock and car parked by around 3:30.... So we should have time to meet and have a coffee!!! Wouldn't that be great? I'll have a camera so we can get Pictures for Janet and the other Girls.

What janet said.... DITTO!!

Phyl; HAPPY BANDIVERSARY

Here's my two cents. Leave it alone, if you can drink water... you are o.k. Can you drink Protien shakes??? or are they too thick? It may be that you are PB'ing because you have gotten into a habit of NOT taking Tiny enough bites and giving it some TIME between bites. Also I chew 20 - 30 times before I swallow. Don't worry, we'll watch you at M of A...

Kari; Below is my route in Michigan... does this come anywhere near you??? Candice Indian Road N, Sarnia, ON N7V 1: Start out going SOUTH on INDIAN RD N/CR-29 S toward ROSEDALE AVE.0.4 mi 2: Turn LEFT to take the HWY-402 W ramp toward BRIDGE TO U.S.A..0.4 mi 3: Merge onto PROVINCIAL ROUTE 402 W (Portions toll) (Crossing into *UNITED STATES* MICHIGAN).2.6 mi 4: PROVINCIAL ROUTE 402 W becomes I-69 W/I-94 W (Portions toll).3.4 mi 5: Merge onto I-69 W via EXIT 271 toward FLINT/LANSING.118.9 mi 6: Take the I-96 W exit, EXIT 81, toward GRAND RAPIDS.0.3 mi 7: Merge onto I-96 W via the exit on the LEFT toward GD RAPIDS.90.6 mi 8: Merge onto S SEAWAY DR/US-31 BR N.5.2 mi 9: Make a U-TURN onto US-31 BR S/N SEAWAY DR.0.1 mi 10: Turn RIGHT onto W LAKETON AVE.1.1 mi 11: W LAKETON AVE becomes LAKESHORE DR.0.6 mi 12: End at 1918 Lakeshore Dr Muskegon, MI 49441-1643 Estimated Time: 3.0 hours 32 minutesEstimated Distance: 223.60 miles B: 1918 Lakeshore Dr, Muskegon, MI 49441-1643 Total Time: 3.0 hours 32 minutesTotal Distance: 223.60 miles

Janet, I just LOVE that Green Dress!!! And the twinkle in you eye says it all.

Phyl and Janet & Stephanie & Linda; O.k. I'm getting out my suitcase tonight!!! Now that Janet has sent me her clothing guideline :ohmy: I've got to make sure that everything fits... I went to visit my DD today and wore an old fav. black and white stripped T with Blue Jean capris... the Capri's are a 16 and fit great. Then I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror and realized that the TOP is huge!!! It looks like I saved it from my Maternity Clothes bag!! It's getting chucked tonight!!! :blushing: Plus, I won't have DH to hump my luggage, so I'd better pack economically cause I won't have the strength to carry what I usually pack...:wink: Oooh, food police... I was kinda not good today. Breakfast: Protien Shake (o.k.) LUNCH: we went out to an Indian(EAST) buffet rest. in Toronto... omg was it ever good, I had 1/2 cup rice, Lamb curry, some onion fritter thingy, 1/2 a NAN bread, 1 small piece of chick. breast (1 oz) and then I had desert... it looked like a timbit or maybe you guys call them Donut holes??? anyways they were divine!!!! It's 8 p.m. I'm not too hungry so havn't had dinner yet either.

First of all, all your doubts are well founded and NORMAL. One year ago, I was having a lot of the same doubts and concerns. I was banded July 11/2007 and I have had ups and downs. I'll explain... surgery was great very much less pain than I had anticipated... so that was fear #1 dispelled. Fear#2 would this REALLY work for me? as I've tried every other scheme out there for weight loss. I honestly didn't have the strength to FAIL at something again. Now my fill process was coming along nicely, oh to learn patience was hard! Then in Nov. I got 'pricked' my the fill nurse and my tubing had a hole in it. So I lost my sense of restriction. and stopped losing weight. I even gained back a few pounds, but never did I go back to my Pre-banding weight. WHEW. In March 08 I had my BAND tubing/port replaced and everything has been forward moving since then. I am down from 240 - 179.4 lbs. and I just climbed a 1500 meter mountain last weekend!!! I can't beleive how far I have come. I exercise more regularily because I "CAN" and I am even starting to enjoy it. Bike riding with my hubby is fun and we "DO" more together besides just EAT, sleep. yada, yada... :wink2: I just had my Annual physical and my B/P was 120/70 perfect my Doctor said. as last year pre-banding she had wanted to start me on medication... so another bonus. I hope this information helps you to make a decision. Lapband life is not perfect, but I sure feel healthier and able to reach my goal weight now.

Hi Linda; I enjoyed hearing your real voice the other day on the phone... I just wanted to confirm with you my Ferry is booked leaving Muskegon Mich. at 4:45pm arriving in MIlwakee at 6:15 p.m. on 24th July that is a Thursday. We drive to the M of A Friday. Stay over night in the hotel FRIDAY , SAT & Sunday is driving back to your place . Ferry back to michigan is MONDAY Jul 28th at 12:30 noon arriving back in Michigan at 4 p.m. Then I'll drive back across Michigan to Sarnia and stay overnight with my relatives. THen home Tuesday. 5 more sleeps!