ShelbiCallie

:lol: Agreed!!! (I didn't even notice it until I saw your reply! -- Maybe the STD Challenge and we could all get a big shot of penicillin at the conclusion??) The :thumbup:-day suggestion is so much better, Julie.ann!!!

Happy New Year! Love the adorable grandbaby pictures-- such a couple of cutie patooties!! SO CUTE! Hugs back to Mr. Buster, Mal! Glad to hear your friend was with you on Christmas Eve; I hope he's doing well. I'd like to jump in on the VD challenge too, please. Put me down for losing the 7 pounds that I found over the last few months, Miss Dee. And thank you for being the statistician. I'm going to try hard not to be a drop out this time around! My pops moved (short-term, I hope)to a nursing facility this week for some intensive PT, hopefully to get him more mobile. So I'm off to visit him, then back home to cook the traditional New Year's good luck meal. 2009 is going to be the best year ever for all of us -- I can just feel it!!

We saw the movie yesterday afternoon and loved it. My whole family cried along with everyone in the theatre. Alot of sniffing and snorting going on! I'm reading the book now and loving it. Deb, how is Tucker doing? Brandy, how did you learn you've got a tilt? Well, my visit with the scales revealed a 7 pound gain! Now 5 doesn't sound so bad after all. Happy Monday everyone!

Thank you all for your so very kind words! You guys are the best of the best.:tongue_smilie: As all of you know, there is always another dog (or twenty)who needs a home and people have been trying to give us another dog right off the bat. I have a co-worker who has been trying to give me her lab for more than a year and I've always refused because I didn't want Barkley to have to share his place in the pack during his last years. Anyway, when I got the full story on this boy and I knew I couldn't stand another day living without a dog, we went and got him. He's a 2-yr-old yellow who has spent his entire life in a small lot and had never even had his immunizations! It's one of those stories where the family got a cute puppy and then realized how much work he would be and put him outside until they could find someone to take him. He had never even worn a collar before and had Parvo as a pup. So, I've had a good project to work on -- he has a heart of gold, but is a wild goofy teenager -- not the dignified older gentleman that Barkley was. This has been very healing for me -- he's now house trained and doing well on the leash. We've got all the vet stuff behind us and he knows "sit". I wish you could have seen him run when we turned him out in the back yard for the first time -- he had never been able to stretch his legs or get the exercise that labs must have. And now I have a walking buddy -- so no more excuses! My youngest son has named him "Wilson". Sorry to ramble on about my dogs, and thanks to my fellow dog lovers for indulging me. I am going to bite the bullet and weigh tomorrow morning and update my ticker. Time to face the music, so to speak. Thanks again for allowing me to be here after being negligent with my participation. Did I tell you that you are the best of the best already? Well, you are!!!

Hello Banditos! Long time no post! Belated Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years to you all. I am sorry I've been a stranger. I've scanned the posts, but I know I'll never catch up, so I'm jumping in here. I hope no one minds.:thumbup: I have been a bad, bad bandster. I have gained about 5 pounds, but I am so thankful for my band otherwise it would be 25, no doubt. I am dusting myself off and jumping back on the band wagon. I am loving all the wonderful news you've shared here. Patty! You. Look. Mahvalous!!! Rockin' those 18/20s!! I am back to one day at a time. Back to the basics. Back to practicing those rules and remembering why I got banded in the first place -- to get healthy. Update on what's been going on here: We lost Barkley at the end of November. I miss him every second of every day. His seizures became uncontrollable and constant with medication and he couldn't tolerate surgery. He really suffered the last week of his life to the point where I felt like I was disrespecting him because I didn't let him go sooner. I'm still working on that. My dad has been in the hospital and though home now, he is not improving. The walker and catheter continue and he hates the loss of his independence. I hate it for him too. Trying very hard to keep his focus positive. We had a good Christmas with him -- sang every Christmas carol we could think of. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and let you all know that I'm thinking of you (even when I fall off the band wagon) and sending you positive thoughts and big hugs.

I didn't know you'd hear about our NC commercials out there in UT!!!! I am convinced that Liddy Dole did not want to be re-elected -- she wanted to go on to Kansas with Bob, retire and quit feeling obligated to spend a few days in NC each year. She ran a half-as* campaign and then capped it off by insulting everyone with 2+ brain cells who happened to catch that commercial. That was the final nail in the coffin for Liddy. I am having serious withdrawal from the process. I feel like I'm supposed to be working on the transition team or something. Or coming up with a good name for Sasha and Malia's new puppy. I hope they get a lab:wub:.

msnbc.com mobile They're still counting the provisional votes --I think there's about 50k of them. I can't wait til they call it!! But it's already a done deal anyway, just will feel good to see the Blue! The BEST news in NC: we now are represented in the Senate by Kay Hagan!!!!!! For the first time in my adult life, Jesse Helms or his wannabe is not representing me in Washington. That's monumental for me. The most touching moment for me in this whole thing: I stood in line for 2 hours at the library to early vote a few weeks ago. An very eldery African American man with oxygen and a walker, was struggling with each step to get through the exit after casting his vote. He had the biggest smile on his face. Will probably be his last election to vote. I'm so glad that I got to witness that. Jaime, I'm glad you're doing well!:smile2:

Long time no see! Just popping in to say good luck Jaime! I've certainly missed you guys! I've forgotten in the recent weeks that I've even had a lap band, but it's time to get back on track. I'm sorry that I haven't kept up, but I have been working as a volunteer and supporter for OUR NEW PRESIDENT!! For the first time in my life I made calls, donated and volunteered at the local campaign headquarters. It has been an awesome experience!!! I can't tell you how overjoyed I am and how proud I am of our country. We have much work still to do to but there opportunity to make positive change like never before!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everybody take care! Love, Shelbi

Deb, Congratulations!!! I am thrilled for you and Janet, and wish you two a long and happy life together! Love is to be cherished and celebrated, always. Jaime, What jerks! They need an ass whuppin'. You'll show their sorry butts with your new, hotter body and they can drool !! Marie, Thinking about you and your dad. Everyone, I'm still around -- sorry if it's sporadic, but I'll catch up at some point. I can't stand the thought of losing the connection with all of you, but I'm not too band-focused right now for some reason. Thank God for my band, though, or I'd be gaining!

Popping in to say hello, my wonderful band peeps! I haven't forgotten you, but am having frequent computer connection problems that have made me actually have to drive to the real office to work! I'm spoiled, I know. Mal and Dee -- I am so very, very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am behind and don't know if I will ever catch up again, but please know that I'm wishing everyone well and keeping you in my positive thoughts!

He is adorable. He and his mama are so fortunate to have you in their lives. I am sorry that you are going through this, but am so thankful that you were there to intervene and take charge of the situtation before it worsened. Stay strong Patty. I'm glad to hear that your sister and mom are helping. Kiss that precious boy on that sweet little head for me.

Hi Everyone! Just popping in to let you know that I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth. I am hyper-focused on work, kids and, let's be honest, obsessing about the Election and the Economy! NC is a swing state and I don't think I've ever been as absorbed by the process as I am this time around. I want to encourage everybody here to VOTE -- please exercise your ballot rights, which were hard earned by women 88 years ago! (Stepping down off the soap box now...:cursing:) To be brutally honest -- I totally suck at BFL!!! I don't want to let you down, but I am hating this and myself right now. Consistency has never been my strong suit. :cool2: Take care everyone and know that I'm sending positive thoughts your way, Shel

I'm just giving you a hard time, my dear friend! :embaressed_smile: I'm an old L&D, Peds, newborn nursery (the healthy ones) and postpartum nurse, but have been away for so long I'd be dangerous at this point. I'm spoiled by working at home, but I miss working with other nurses -- never a dull moment! I've been working 3 12's for the last few months, but am switching back to a M-F 8-5 shift next week. I'm going to miss my days off during the week, but I am having a hard time sitting and focusing for 12 hours and I want free evenings again. That's great that you've already lost from your waist!!! I love craigslist! Found my den furniture there a few months ago! Re: accumulating stuff -- I am absolutely forcing myself to enter the "getting rid of it" stage of my life. However, I'm married to a collector of anything and everything and my children seem to have inherited that tendency from him. Even Barkley doesn't want to part with his most ragged, gross stuff! I'm surrounded!

Hey, I resemble that remark! Me! I keep getting calls from travel recruiters because I'm licensed everywhere for my current job, but I could never travel -- no current skills in anything! I've spent too many years talking for a living, so I'm pretty much incompetent when it comes to the hands-on stuff anymore. Thank heaven for little girls! She is adorable!!! Question -- where do you get supplies for a princess party motif in Nome?? I know you can't run out to your nearby Disney store. And you know Nome life fascinates me!! Yard Sale day was absolutely my free day!!! I only ate 2 meals and they were BAD!! Not near enough water. No breakfast and lunch was a Wendy's chillie. For dinner, I had a huge margarita, about a third of a Blooming Onion, a good part of a grilled portabella salad. The margarita put me to sleep; I'm so old!! THE BFL challenge is hard, but I'm hanging in there. My butt hurts!! I never realized how weak I am -- I am huffing and puffing and sweating like a fool! Way to go, girl! Rock those new jeans!!!! I will never participate in another yard sale again. But, yippee skippee, the house is empty! We worked our asses off for about $125. We ended up taking most everything to the curb with a huge sign that said "FREE -- PLEASE TAKE" and when I drove back by a few hours later most everything was gone! I'm doing the happy dance! No more stuff to sort or move or ditch or move. I hate stuff. I've got to keep reminding myself of how much I hate stuff so I won't buy stuff. Too much stuff is stifling!

FOSHO!!!! :cursing: That would be wonderful!!!!!!! I want to meet both of you! I am marking my calendar!! Munchk, is your connecting flight in Raleigh?? Raleigh would be great! I didn't know that New Bern even had an airport. It's gotta be pretty small, so I'm thinking you'd have to connect in either Raleigh or Charlotte. We could meet up on your lay over, if you have one. Or, hell, I'll drive wherever. PM your dates and plans when you know details and we'll plan from there. Yay, an East Coast meet up!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!!!!!!!

I'm in!!! And watch "Airplane" too! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But now you look more like Bob in the first avatar, just with blonder hair! So I can keep my first visual that I had in my brain after all. Whew, less work for me. Yay, Brutus, on being featured in the newsletter! I know mama is proud! Jaime, I've looked at every single smilie on this website and not until tonight have I ever seen the banana boner one!! Yowza! Where did that one come from!? Nite-nite friends. I'm up at 5 in the a.m. Yippee!

I agree, Munchk. This is why I love Tucker. He has skills I admire. Me? Funny? Do you mind if I print this so I can share it with others as I try to convince them that I'm not annoying, but have actualy been referred to as funny. I can always count on your honesty, Mini. (How did you know that my visual of you is an 8th grade boy in a college professor costume?? :thumbdown:) Yard Sale tomorrow. Good lord, I hate those things. I just want to give whatever to whomever shows up. More family drama, "fosho". (Thanks for allowing me to meet my "new word for the day" goal! Did I use it correctly?) I may do my BFL free day tomorrow so can drink some wine in the morning.

DAY-UM, gurl!!! 35 minutes!!!! Mal, that is awesome!!!!!!!!! Praying for you still. Cry whenever you need to -- it's a good release. Eat and rest, too!!! Munchk -- Love the tat!! You're before/after shot -- amazing difference! Funny thing -- I always thought from your avatar picture that you were the one on the right, but that's Bob, correct? Now I know that you're the one on the left and I have to re-visit and correct all the visual stories that I have in my head of you when I read your posts. I hope that makes sense. For so long, I've pictured Bob in scrubs in the ICU. Now I've got to replace that visual. Does anyone else do pictures in their heads like that, or is it just me and I need to switch to a different psych medication??

Good Morning, everyone! Well, today is my one year surgiversary. I can't believe that a year has past. I am still holding at an 88 pound loss and have 22 more pounds to go; but, today I am celebrating my acomplishments and keeping my eye on the eventual prize. I'll get there! Thanks for all of your support along the way. I've been posting here for 14 months now, I think. You folks are the best!

Big hugs, Brandy, thanks for posting. Been thinking about you all day. Please make sure that YOU are eating and resting, too! You must. Because I said so, that's why. ( I'm channeling my mama here.) Seriously, I'm concerned about all of you and praying for a clean report and smooth recovery. Please post again when you can, but don't worry if you can't fit it in. We understand. More big hugs. More big hugs again.

Denver -- Ouch! Good luck with that tomorrow and let us know what Dr. K says. (PS Your avatar always makes me smile -- I miss Ren and Stimpy!)

This peanut agrees with mom. Get as many opinions as you need to feel comfortable. Trust your gut. Way to go Marie on that hike! Any news from Brandy anyone? Ador -- My fill doc has me sit in the waiting room after a fill and drink at least a bottle of water. That really helps me identify if it is going to get stuck -- hard for anyone to tell with only a few sips. BFL UPDATE: BFL has kicked my butt! Not the exercise today, but getting in all the food and water! Dee & Lifesaver, I realized that I drank 3 cups of coffee today and, according to the book, for every cup of a diuretic you have to drink an additional cup of water. I didn't get near my water quota. I'm a total coffee addict and I've got to work on that! I think I'm going to have to resort to protein shakes twice a day to get the water requirement. I got 3 1/2 meals in and now it's bedtime -- too late for a meal. How the heck can anyone get in 6 meals a day and still get a decent night's sleep! Another question -- for the strength training: For a muscle group, we're supposed to do 5 reps of an the exercise and then immediately switch to another exercise within that same muscle group for the "high point" -- how do you do this is you're working on the strength machines? It takes awhile to clean the equipment, find a free machine, sign in to the fitlinxx machine, etc. Can't I just do all reps on one machine for that muscle group? I hope I'm making sense.

The BFL Gods are against me! (But they won't win ~ BWAHAHAHA) - I broke the pedal connection thingy on my exercise bike. So I did stair climbing for my cardio this morning. Panting and sweating. The interval part of this stuff is killer! I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes-I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes-I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes. Tomorrow upper body (and my butt is still sore from the strength training that I did yesterday) - My crockpot of steel cut oats are overcooked with this funky thick lining along the crock. They stink. Threw them out. Ate regular oats this morning and low fat cottage cheese. - My photos that I took last night turned out to be all flash. Couldn't get it right. Maybe I can get some done this weekend? Meals: 1) Cottage Cheese and Oatmeal 2) Tuna and yogurt 3) Protein Shake ?

The BFL Gods are against me! (But they won't win ~ BWAHAHAHA) - I broke the pedal connection thingy on my exercise bike. So I did stair climbing for my cardio this morning. Panting and sweating. The interval part of this stuff is killer! I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes-I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes-I-can-do-anything-for-20 minutes. Tomorrow upper body (and my butt is still sore from the strength training that I did yesterday) - My crockpot of steel cut oats are overcooked with this funky thick lining along the crock. They stink. Threw them out. Ate regular oats this morning and low fat cottage cheese. - My photos that I took last night turned out to be all flash. Couldn't get it right. Maybe I can get some done this weekend? Meals: 1) Cottage Cheese and Oatmeal 2) Tuna and yogurt 3) Protein Shake ?