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Candice is right, Janet. Melissa is very blessed to have you for support!

Janet. Good advice for Melissa. Didn't she have to talk to a psychologist before surgery? She really should b/c it sounds like she is grieving the loss of food. If she doesn't change her attitude, I'm afraid that she will sabatoge her surgery. Another thought: she may be a bit depressed from the Meds. They do a number on me--for sure. If Candice didn't come and visit after my hip surgery, I would have been a mess. Either way, I think that Melissa has some head work to do (like a lot of us!)

Sorry Karla! I knew that! So he didn't kill me, but he was not happy either. I sure hope the styles don't change too much in the next couple of years; I'm not updating again any time soon! Now I need to find some clothes that fit and are appropriate for a site visit. Janet: I'll be in Long Beach Aug 3 and 4, and then in Pasadena for the weekend. Any chance you want to make the drive for a shopping trip? Old Town Pasadena? Other ideas? I' trying to talk Mel into renting a car. If he does, maybe we could meet somewhere in-between? We've got quite a Trip planned. First to Candice's, then Niagara Falls. Then to Chicago to catch a plane for LA. Babies coming this morning for a little while so mom can run a few errands without them. Yippee! I feel so blessed to be able to have them so close. It's not going to be the same with the next one. I hope that I can bond with her the same as I have with these two. Mel is making a cradle for them and I just ordered the bedding. We're having a shower for them next month, so we're hoping to have it ready by then. Karla, when is your baby due? Is Elyse getting her baby bump?

If you never hear from me again, know that Mel killed me. I ordered 2 pair of designer frames (one was sun glasses). After getting all the extras, the price was over $900! OMG. What was I thinking? I'm going to have to be VERY good! But this is the last time i'll have flex spending which will cover most of it. . . (he won't buy that). The glasses are pretty nice. Carla, I'll try PM you with my email address

So sorry to hear about Steph. Yeah, this band is not the total answer. That's for sure. I hope things go well for her now. thanks for letting us know. And Phyl, your friend Jackie: Sounds like she's in for a fight. Not good. I'm sorry to hear that as well. My hip is doing well. Still hard to get up from the floor when playing with babies, but all on all, I'm better than i was last summer. Getting my eyes checked today and new glasses. Hate picking them out. I need a second opinion as it's hard to see what they look like in mirrors. Well it's finally hot here. 90's. No complaints from me!

I'm worried about Melissa. Not good to be watching food channel! I wish there was a way to reprogram our brains! Whoever figures out a way to do that will make millions! Tried taking Cora to the beach this morning, but got rained out. At least I got some exercise anyway! I'm a mess. Waiting for her to fall asleep so I can take a shower! Ah the retired life--gotta love it!

Oh yeah, Cala, a gentle reminder for some pics of these projects!

Well, Phyl, sure hope catching some rays will help you feel better! I'm feeling tired too, but I think that I just need to get more exercise. I've been a bit of a slug lately, and I need to get moving. We'll see now this week goes. I was going to start a pair of earrings today, but I can't find the wire I bought last month, so I need to go to the store and get more. . Hopefully tomorrow. I also need to get my eyes checked and get new glasses by the end of the month. Guess I know what I'll be doing tomorrow. I agree with Cala, Candice. Good for you for getting to the gym. You're sticking to the program--atta girl! And Carla, what class are you taking? Is this a "blended" course--where some of it is face-to-face, but the rest is online? Do you have to be there all week? How far is Helena from where you live? Hope Janet's having a good weekend.

Believe me,Candice, you could never hurt anyone's feelings. You are one of the kindest, most supportive person I know. You have a knack for saying things in a nice way. Maybe your "outside" is not what you'd like it to be, but I sure wish I were more like you on the inside--where it really matters. Your DS sounds a lot like mine, except that mine IS perfect WITH five PERFECT Kids. I think I know how much patience it took! Hope Janet has a nice weekend. Her baby is 40 and she's going to look 40 after her PS! She'll have a hard time explaining that! Phyl, I'm missing you. When are you going to Buffalo? I need to get it on my calendar. Carla, how's the class going? Cy, hope you're not scared off. We really aren't so bad.

I still love the two of you--whoever you are. Wait! Maybe it's ME! IDK. Good luck, Karri. Hopefully we can get updates from Janet from time to time.

Cy, gotta say that my memory's failing me, but no matter. Glad you found us! What's your story? If you've been struggling, you're among friends here, but we're on to excuses. We've used them all ourselves! We know that we own the responsibility. Our bands are tools, but we still make the choice. Unfortunately, only our stomachs are banded--not our heads! So I look forward to reading more about what you've been up to for the last 4 years. I did pretty good the first year, but then I developed a hiatal hernia and was unfilled for awhile, and during that time I gave up and started regaining. I had a hip replacement in April and have been doing ok since then. I don't weigh myself, but I have gone from a size 18 this spring back to a loose 14. I'm taking it more slowly now. So please don't feel like were all so perfect. We just like each other here and are blessed to be a part of this group--"warts and all."

Janet, that's great! You've got to be so excited!! You've worked so hard for your new life--I'm really happy that you cam do this! You are going to be a real hottie when we go to NO. I can't wait to see you! Busy couple of days. Long story, but on Monday Mel, Andy, Cora and I drove to Minneapolis (6 hours) to bring a car to Luke and Nicole. They were in an accident a couple weeks ago and we brought their car here for Mel to do the bodywork for them--so now we brought it back and flew home. It was fun to watch Cora take her first airplane ride! But our flight was delayed, so by the time we got back into town it was late. Cora spent the night and all day yesterday with me instead of going to child care. She was really overstimulated, and had a major melt down yesterday so it was a bit of a challenge. Today levi's here, but he's pretty easy. Were going grocery shopping when he wakes up. I like your ditty, Candice. Go for it! Hope you're feeling better, Phyl. Mel's been sick for the last 2 1/2 weeks too. Really nasty bug, but he won't help himself either. Just fights instead of tking it easy. I wish that man would learn to let go once in a while. He does himself no favors. Still waiting for pictures of your projects, Carla. I wish I had half of your ambition! Denise: did I miss the result of the job upheaval? What happened?

I vote New Orleans. What brand of spray, Candice?

I hope they can make her responsible for the millions spent on the investigations and trial. You can tell that she loves all the attention, and no doubt will make millions on book deals and interviews. Such a travesty! Hectic week. Not much down time, and man, do I sleep well when I can!

Thanks Candice.

Wow Janet! I think you got your workout without going to the gym. I take it that Melissa had her surgery. Keep us posted. How is Karri doing? Mindy helped me clean out my closet today. Car full of bags went to Goodwill, and some to the dump. Feels good.

Just turned the AC on. Not that it's hot by any means, just humid! Have a great day.

Janet beat me! Happy Canada Day, Candice! Yup, I remember last year. . .getting up and drinking coffee on the deck, the parade, shopping, the food, the fun, the friends! Good times! I remember thinking how blessed I was to have you guys as friends. My kids are good, Karla, it's my sister and mom who are giving me grief. Candice, don't you worry a bit about having a clean house for us or anything else. Clean sheets and a shower would be nice, but that's all. I didn't clean when you came here! Yeah, what's up Phyl? And Denise? What's happening with your job? Karla, I'd really like to see pics of some of these projects--the pond and the house. We tried a pond once. It was a lot of work, and with our climate, not a lot of time to just enjoy it. We sold the house so I don't know what happened to it. Yeah, clean houses. ..I gotta do mine this weekend. Sister, bro-in-law, and 5 kids coming Sunday, so all the little things, like cleaning switch plates and under the sofa need to be done. Then since everyone's coming here on Monday, I need to spruse up outside too. Still can't get up and down to pull weeds, so gotta get DH to do some of that. And windows, and grocery shopping. . . Why am I even sitting here posting? I need to get going

More drama. Such selfish people! Getting my hair done this morning. Wish I could do something short and sassy too, but my face just needs hair. Tried short after initial we loss--didn't like it. Have you guys tried the non-chipping nails? I think they're called Shellac. I did them in Arkansas, and they really did last about 2 weeks. Better than acrylics I think. But i' still not paying $35 to have them done every other week. Oh yes, I need to tell you that we finally have some nice weather. Might need air-conditioning tomorrow!

New "do" Janet? Lookin good! What a hotie!

The saga about my family is too long and convoluted to recall all the nuances here. The bottom line is that my mom and sister do not know what it is to have friends; they just are not nice people, and it never was more evident than some comments they made about something I suggested we do. Just the way they phrased their comments--they were sarcastic and selfish--set me off. Here's the highlights: I will be hosting another (princess) sister, her husband, and their 5 kids at my house all next week. My mom will have them (not Mel and me) over for dinner every day, but for the most part it will be up to me to be the hotel maid. Oh yes, and the Fourth of July celebration with the entire family (30 ppl) will be in my backyard while the rest of my neighboors have our taditional neighborhood celebration in front of my house. My mom and sister have "no interest in socializing with (my) neighbors or feeding (my) neighborhood (of four empty nest couples with no or very little family in town to celebrate with, but cook up some pretty tasty dishes themselves) But it's ok if i do both parties separately at the same time! Ugh. Janet. . . Can I come to Indio NOW? There's more, but I'll spare you.

Candice, your comment about remembering that we are all defective hits home. I am extremely disappointed in the attitudes of my family (siblings and parents) about something--to the point of anger. The arogance and selfishness they displayed is astounding. It hit reLly hard this morning after a stressful weekend and I did not handle it well. I need to remember that I am defective too.

This is crazy, Denise! You need to kow what the heck is going on. How can you plan anything? At least you have the Mexico thing distract you. When are you going and here sre you going? There are so many pretty dresses now--not like a couple years ago. Even I am wearing more dresses and skirts now than ever! Phyl, do you think that it is possible that in some way, your problem with food is somehow connected to Earl being so controlling? How do you deal with so much micromanagement? I am not as nice as you. I get really bitchy when Mel pulls that stuff. I know that my eating in some ways is in response to the powerlessness that I feel in my own life. I can't have the things that I really want, so I find a way to substitute things that i Can--like food Ok, I'm really frustrated with this keyboard, so I'm going to quit for now. I'll try again later.

Janet, you have mo idea how tempting it is to come and hang out with you. It will happen at some point, believe me!

You gotta know your limits, Karla. It's gotta feel like a load lifted. You will get your masters one way or another, so no need to kill yoursElf in the process.