piercedqt78

Hey, today is the 1st!! ~Mandy

Well our summer is gone too, but yesterday was hot!!! I got highlights and they look really cute. I will have DH take some pics later. I also went to sears and got some GREAT deals on shorts for DH and DD. All the clearence is an additional 50% off, moaking most stuff 90% off. I got DH lands end shorts for $3, and some nice t-shirts for $2. He needed new stuff for the trip and for next summer. He is hard on clothes so it's nice to see him in new things. We also got some great deals on shoes. I found sketchers for me for $13. They had swimwear too. We also went to build a bear and got the new ghost that came out for halloween. He is soooo cute, his eyes and heart glow in the dark. He is only $16, and I had a gift card and coupon so he cost me only $2. Today we are going to get packed for the trip. I am going to do some cleaning. And of course laundry. We are getting a waterbed, and I need to make sure the carpet in my room is vaccumed before it gets set up next week. My house is a wreck, I can't do big cleaning and it's driving me nutz. How is everyone? What are you all up to? How is school for those that have gone back? We are loving Abi's new teacher. She is young, pretty and really sweet. This is her 4th year teaching so she has loads of energy and still loves the job. Abi was only half day last year, so the full day 1st grade is a big step. She loves packing her lunch and going to art and gym. I think it's going to be a great year. ~Mandy

I had to have an unfill because I have problems with nausea (sp?) in post-op. They were affraid I would slip. ~Mandy

I'm in Chicago. Well the western suburbs of Chicago. ~Mandy

Patty, for some the band works without a fill, others need more restriction. I am going to guess that if you are dropping pounds you don't need a fill unless you are struggling to drop those pounds. I always say that you are a bandster as soon as you are awake from surgery. No secret club, no secret handshake. Just a major surgical proceedure. LOL. ~Mandy

I'm pretty sure the band they are referring to is the mesh band, that is not adjustable. It was called vertical banded gastroplasty. ~Mandy

I am keeping all 3 suits. The striped one and the blue one are going to Disney with me. The brown one is a bit tight so it will be great for next season. I got them all at Macy's and Kohls, on clearance. Macy's had suits for 80% off last week. Kat, have fun canning. I just made home made blackberry jam, 2 batches of it. One with splenda and one with sugar. It turned out better this year than last. ~Mandy

I had to PB on a bus at Disney. I opened my backpack, I had ponchos in a ziplock bag. I dumped the ponchos and pb'd into the ziploc bag. No one noticed, or if they did nothing was said. I closed the bag then closed my backpack. It was hot, I was over tired, and possibly a bit dehydrated. Everything seemed to have gone down fine. It may have even been throw-up and not a PB, but it hit me all at once. If something has not worked I usually know right away, but have time to make it to a bathroom. Also I seem to have more problems when my sinus issues flare up in the fall from mold allergies. ~Mandy

I can eat egg salad, and chopped boiled eggs, easy. Every other style seems too rubbery and gets stuck. ~Mandy

The doctor wasn't in the room when I was put under, and I didn't get to see him before hand either, he was behind schedual. However the nurse and anesthesiologist were there. I handed the anesthesiologist a picture of my daughter (4 at the time) and told him that was why I had to wake up. He said he was going to make me fly, and I was out. I remember hearing them counting the instuments as I nodded off. ~Mandy

Thanks everyone for the compliments. I can't wait to go swimming on vacation. We have a pool in our subdivision for the residents but never use it. It opened June 1st and Abi had surgery on the 5th, then I had surgery 2 weeks later. Just as I was cleared to swim it was time for the hysto, so I got zero pool time in and of course it closes next week. It's only 78 here today, nice and cool. Fall is approaching here in Chicago. We had really bad storms last week and a tornado touched down less than a mile from my house. We had no damage and were not home when the worst of it hit so it wasn't too bad for us. There are still people without power, this all happened last friday. My front yard flooded but it's better now. Usually we have one huge storm and then the really hot weather is gone until next year. It will be in the 70's and rainy until the really cold stuff hits. We usually have icy rain for Halloween, and that kicks off winter. Sounds fun huh? Have I ever mentioned that I HATE WINTER???? I lived in the south growing up and had never even seen snow until I was like 13 or 14. I don't understand the draw to snow, it's cold, makes the roads dangerous and it's cold. I prefer beach sand anyday. ~Mandy

I can't believe I am going to do this but here goes.....I went bathing suit shopping and need some opinions. I am still a bit swollen around my belly but it's getting back to normal.

Hi all. I have family in from out of town, so I will be MIA all day tomorrow. ~Mandy

I see Dr. Lahmann at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet. ~Mandy

I also have the recipe for cracker barrel cheesy hash browns. 1 bag of frozen hash browns thawed 1/2 can cream of chicken Soup 1/2 cup sour cream 1/2 while onion chopped 1 cup shredded chedder cheese mix all ingredients in a bowl, spread into a 9x9 or 8x8 pan. Bake for 30-45 mins at 375, until crispy and brown. My mom swears it is better if you give it a stir half way through the cooking time. I never do and it's always good. I have added 1. ham and peas 1. bacon 2. broccoli 3. hot peppers 4. toped with salsa 5. different cheeses I take this and slice it, and reheat by pan frying the next day. Makes great little potato pancakes. ~Mandy

Make a taco dip. Low fat sour cream, low fat cheese, fat free refried beans, guac, salsa. Servre with baked tortillas. Yum....now gotta go find lunch. ~Mandy

Saturn also makes a beautiful purple color, I belive it's called blackberry. ~Mandy

BooBoo Kitty I will be 30 in Feb. So much in common it's scary. Where do you live? I'm in Chicago. ~Mandy

So around 11:30 in Wed? ~Mandy

Amelia, what does Tue look like for you? Did you see when mom is coming in? ~Mandy

Hi All, it's been raining here for 2 days. We need the rain. Before surgery we planted some grass to fill in the bare spots in the yard and we have been having to water them for weeks. Now we are getting a good soaking rain. I feel sorry for DH, he has to work out in it but at least it's not cold and raining. I am feeling a little better each day. I am stull very swollen, but have no weight gain ????? Maybe I will be a few pounds lighter when this is all over. We ate at Cracker Barrel today, I had turkey sausage and a biscuit....yum! With my band empty I can have a bit of bread, that's nice. I have never been a bread junkie, but sometimes I miss it. My mom and dad came over and we played dominoes until almost midnight last night, but it was welcome company, Dave was at work and they left about 20 mins before he came home. I'm still not sleeping very well, and I plan on talking to the doctor about that on tuesday. Maybe hormones will help, if not sleeping pills are going to be needed. I am sooooo tired, I know that is also from the surgery, but I am 20 days out and still need naps like a baby. I can't sleep more then a few hours at a time. It stinks. I listed a bunch of stuff on Ebay this week, spending money for Disney! WooHoo! My mom and I are going to hit the outlets while we are there. I'll check in later. ~Mandy

This could be my list as well. 1. I cry in Disney World (one of my only memories of my father is him walking me down Main Street holding my hand, I was 3). 2. I have a daughter (6) that is bipolar, with odd, ocd, and adhd, she is currently battleing with potty training (she has reverted back to pullup full time) 3. I have several very large tattoos, and want more. 5. I am divorced, and remarried to my prince charming. 6. I have about half of a Disney travel book written, and I write a food column for a Disney fan page each week during the school year. 7. I suffer from being mentally obesity. 8. I was sexually abused by my step father and he eventually raped me at 15. 9. I am a stay at home mom for now, but do body piercing when I am working 10. See #9. ~Mandy

Since none of us are working, do we want to meet during the week this time? ~Mandy

Eileen, I did several crossword puzzles while HSM2 was on. We did watch the HM and she came off as a spoiled little brat. I'm usually ok with her, but last night she was just bratty. I like the Jonas brothers, and they did a good job on the show. Have fun at the Faire. ~Mandy

Send in everything you have right away. You are only allowed so many appeals, and you don't want to waste one because they deny you rather then ask for more info. I would call and find out exactly what is required and submit at least the minimum requirements. I also submitted a personal letter about the pain I suffered from my weight. (knee, back and emotional pain) I called Inamed and sent in a Lap-Band packet too as my insurance considered the band experimental. ~Mandy