DivaStyleCoach

PJTP...it's chilly and gray here in CT and I'm ready for sunshine! At least the weekend is supposed to be nice...and the end of my work week is shaping up beautifully because things have slowed down a bit... 3 potential new jobs in the pipeline...I've been referred to the hiring manager on all three, which means I passed the first screening test for qualifications, etc. Had to take a typing test on Tuesday - first time since I don't know when - and I practiced a bit online first. Scored 71 wpm corrected - not too shabby, if I do say so myself! :thumbup: Hoping to hear from one of the other jobs very soon - best possible circumstance would be for me to be outa here by the end of June. I do have a week's vacation planned around July 4th, but I'll let them know that if and when the switch occurs. Just about to break the 220 mark - got two days left in the month to get there, and I'm determined! I wanted to be at or below 200 for my July vacation, so I'm doing okay so far. I have that cute swimsuit I want to wear and not be worried about how it looks...summer hours at work mean a reduced lunch hour, so my walks have moved to before work and after work between my office and the train station. A little less distance, but I'm trying to ramp up the speed so I burn just as many calories. Hope everyone has a wonderful day! :w00t:

Congrats DD! Go girl go! :thumbup:

FrenchVanilla (love your name, by the way!) - good for you for starting to work out! I understand the tough schedule - I have a 1 1/2-hour total commute by car/train to my job (that's each way) so workout time is limited for me as well. I work it in by walking to and from the train station - it's a little over a mile. I used to walk 1.6 miles at lunch, but we've switched to summer hours, so I have only 30 minutes for lunch instead of an hour. Since I'm getting out of work a little earlier, I will add a walk in the evening when I get home - there's still a little daylight when I get home. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is critical - if you have to go too far out of your way in the beginning, it will be harder to stick with it. Since I have to go to the train station anyway, I decided to walk instead of taking the shuttle bus. I do little things throughout the day - take the stairs instead of the elevator, volunteer to run things across campus, etc. I've added weight training back into my workout because my weight loss is starting to really show and I want to work my muscles to get them ready to be 'shown' as the fat loss continues. I'm losing at a pretty good rate right now, and that's entirely due to the band and exercise in combination. I am certain I would not be losing as much as I have without exercise. I'm still on my 5 - 6 days per week schedule - though because I've been walking the dog so much (every day, rain or shine) I really don't count it because I figure my body is used to it now. I do try to push myself - a little faster, a little farther, carry a small hand weight, etc to make the walks different. Planning out different routes also helps. Prevention magazine (prevention.com) has a feature called "My Walking Maps" that you can use to map out routes in your area based on address and they give you an accurate distance measurement. That's also helpful if you are trying to advance your distance. Hope everyone has a wonderful summer! :thumbup:

Congrats! It's kinda of a fun problem to have, not being able to fit any of your old clothes, yet not wanting to buy a lot more because you KNOW you're going to continue to lose! :thumbup: Hope you have a wonderful time in Vegas! Mom2two - you are in my prayers. I hope everything gets fixed for you really soon, and at NO additional cost. You've been through the wringer and I am holding good thoughts for your full recovery. I'm doing well - seem to have found the sweet spot. Just returned from a 5-day trip over Memorial Day weekend with my hubby to Arkansas and Mississippi. Didn't get much workout time in, ate a little too much of the wrong things, but lo and behold, I was actually down a pound yesterday morning when I weighed in! I really, really, :cry_smile: my band! A year ago, before I was banded, that weekend would have resulted in a 2 - 5 pound GAIN! I'm really close to making my goal of being under 220 by the end of the month - and moving forward on my goal of being at or under 200 by July 4th. This is, hands-down, the BEST thing I've EVER done for myself...

If there is another temp agency in your area, I would look at another one. Do they offer "training" for their employees? Perhaps you could begin by telling them you'd like to move in a different career direction and refer them back to your resume (or take them one if they don't have a recent one) and ask them if they have any assignments coming up in your areas of expertise / interest. If they aren't willing to help you, I'd definately go elsewhere. Who's the biggest / most stable employer in your area? Who do they use for temp employees? If transportation isn't an issue, you could also look farther afield. I'm sorry if you've done all this already and this advice sounds redundant. I know what you're going through - been there, done that - and I know how frustrating it can be. I will keep good thoughts for you and send prayers your way... I wholeheartedly agree with Slim - don't blame yourself for being frustrated... Hugs...:wub:

G4E - have you talked to any temp agencies? When I was job hunting several years ago (and again just a couple of years ago) Pfizer here in Groton, CT was one of the places I worked. It's easier to transition from temp to perm (some places even list the jobs that way) when working with an agency that has a good relationship with the employer. I got into Yale the same way - came in as a temp, was hired in the position permanently. I hope something opens up for you very soon...:eek:

PJTP...I'm catching up after 5 days away on vacation! DH and I flew to Arkansas for an annual Black Pilots Assoc event - DH has his license - and we arrived on Thursday. DH got checked out on the rental plane on Thursday, we stayed overnight in Lonoke, Arkansas, then picked up the plan Friday morning and flew to Pine Bluff, AK. Full day of pilot-stuff (fun!) and then flew to Mississippi to visit DH's distant family. Stayed overnight there, flew back to Lonoke on Saturday AM, returned the plane and drove to Pine Bluff (about an hour). Drizzly day on Saturday, but got to watch some of the flyboys do their thing plus give rides to some very excited kids. Two F-18 pilots showed up with their planes (absolute hit of the weekend) and showed them to all the kids, plus inspirational talk. 70's theme party on Saturday night, wanted to beat the crap out of a woman who was excessively flirty with my DH, had a good night though. Rained out on pilot activities on Sunday, but DH's grown son from his first marriage came to visit (fun again!) and catch up. We haven't seen him "live" in about 5 years - he looks more like DH every time I see him. Saw "Terminator" Sunday afternoon, after watching F18's take off from Pine Bluff - loud but very, very cool. Awards dinner Sunday night, more wanting to slap excessively flirty woman (same one), and then off to bed. Slept in Monday morning, had a late breakfast with DSS (Darling Step Son) and off to the airport for our flight home (commercial flight). Visited with more pilot friends who were also waiting for flights, had an uneventful flight home, in bed at 1 am. Up with the sun this morning (had to walk DDog) and off to work with 4 hours sleep. Trying to keep my head from hitting the desk - LBT is keeping me up so far! :smile: You rode 16 miles! OMG! OMG - my brain! :hurray::eek::hurray: ROFLMHooHaOff - Beth, you are too funny! ...now wiping Coke Zero off of my computer screen...thanks Beth! :hurray: You Go Girl! G4E - you and your DGS are in my prayers...I'm so glad that he has you...keep on being there for him, and I hope all works out in his favor. To tell a child something like that...there's a special place in he** for people like that... Now back to your regularly scheduled PJTP...:tt2:

...you can rejoice with others on being members of the "Losers Club"! :laugh::w00t: ...the fact that summer is coming holds a LOT less terror than it used to, because you are wearing a smaller size and taking off the outer layers that hide your body isn't as big a deal as it used to be! ...you applaud restaurants that have an option for a SMALLER portion of a dinner entree because you know you probably won't finish it anyway, but it's less expensive than buying the big dinner you KNOW you won't finish!:mad:

I really have to question the wisdom of her having such invasive surgery so soon after the babies - I would think she'd need a LOT more recovery time before undergoing such extensive surgery. Who's taking care of the babies now? Who's going to take care of HER when she gets out of the hospital? She won't be able to take care of the babies after having abdominal surgery like that - she won't be able to handle the physical demands of taking care of so many children, let alone her older children and the poor little one with the emotional upset. One well-placed child's kick with some Oomph behind it (out of frustration, not meanness) and she'll be back in the hospital. Or are we taxpayers going to be asked to foot the bill for an additional nurse to take care of Octomom while she recovers? Guess this puts the job search on hold for a while, huh?:laugh:

No comment on the man boobs, Plain...but since I still wear a 38J (down from an H) I didn't want to *ahem* overwhelm the poor man, so I spared him...ya gotta be certified to handle these! :laugh: So far, my DH is the only one that's proven he can handle the job...

Hi Notorious Novembers! Checking in...doing okay on weight loss. After I hit my sweet spot, I've had good progress. On a continual downward trend with weight, eating pretty well - though much less than I thought I'd be satisfied with - and losing slowly, but steadily. I hit an occasional plateau, but it usually doesn't last long - a week or less. I'm on track to be at 220 by the end of the month, which makes me very, very happy! :crying: Next goal is to be at 200 before my family's vacation / reunion during July 4th week. We'll be in Florida and I don't want to spend it all covered up like I would have before getting my band! I've even bought a new swimsuit in honor of the trip, and I'm really excited about summer coming for the first time in a very long time. :redface: Still exercising 5 days per week - mostly walking, with occasional weight workouts thrown in there. The walking includes hills and such, so I think I'm doing myself a lot of good. I haven't had an irregular heartbeat episode since I was banded, and I'm slowly reducing my diabetes meds with guidance from my doctor. I'm hoping to get off the insulin by the end of the summer. Just reducing the amount helped immensely with my hunger!:smile2: Nice to see so many Notorious Novembers doing so well - everybody keep up the good work! Mom2Two - you are in my prayers! I hope your situation is resolved with a minimum of pain, expense and bother very soon. I pray the solution is close for you - hang in there!

Hi Tina! Sorry to hear about the drain - but it's all part of the process, I guess. Hope it's out soon and you're completely healed. What is it about the summer - I'm having boss drama right now - I kinda wish I could switch...:crying: Anyway - just keep telling yourself "It's only temporary...". The new person won't have hire / fire capability will they? If so, watch your back! Yes, occasionally, men do SUCK! I won't ask what happened, but hopefully it wasn't too too bad...:redface:

ROFLMBO...maybe I should have tried that! :redface: I definately count it as an NSV...it never hurts to have somebody find you attractive! Put in two applications for other jobs this morning, already heard back from one that my resume has been forwarded to the hiring manager. That's good news - I've passed the initial screening...hopefully I'll hear more as time goes on...but so far it sounds promising!

PJTP...It's been an *ahem* interesting morning! Got in an unexpected extra walk this morning - had to go to the main train station to see if anyone turned in my work id - I lost it on Friday. Thought I left it on the train, but no such luck...:Banane33: Got in a little late, then had to go to the ID office to get another. The guy at the desk was flirting relentlessly - not offensively, but in a funny way. :Banane01: Made me smile - but didn't make paying the $20 lost id fee any more fun! :purplebananna: Now back in the office and the atmosphere here is just plain weird. I can't wait for the weekend - 5 days with my DH, playing around with the other private pilots in Arkansas. Hot weather, good friends, lots of food (though I'll be kept in line by "Jillian" my band) and parties! Having lunch with one of my best friends today - hoping to hear about another job I've applied for - and on it goes... We switch to "summer" hours next week - shorter lunch hour means I'll have to get my walks in before and after work instead of at lunchtime, but with temps sure to rise, that may not be a bad thing... Have a great day all!:success1:

I've read some articles that indicate that "addictive" personalities - those addicted to food, alcohol or drugs - sometimes end up "switching" addictions. Their personality traits still lend them to being addicted to something, and they switch from bad stuff to exercise. Though I don't have this issue, I, like Beth, would have assumed that people would revert to prior bad habits with food. That's what we've seen in the tabloids and on web sites - Biggest Loser contestants struggling to keep the weight off once the show is over. I've never understood anorexia - and I feel bad for those who suffer with it. I do know of someone addicted to exercise...she was a bank teller at one of our local institutions. Always thin, but usually healthy-looking. Over the past 5 years or so, she has gradually gone from thin and healthy looking (she has a small frame) to looking almost skeletal. If she were younger (she appears to be around my age, maybe a bit older) she would make a decent supermodel - she's that thin now. She's always out walking - seemingly for hours at a time...or in the gym on the aerobics machines (that was a couple of years ago when I was there too). I almost want to say something, but I don't feel I know her well enough to do that...I just hope she really is healthy and I just don't know it...:eek: But then who am I to judge? :sad:

Yep, definately - Jerry would look better with some additional muscle weight, but at 65, it may be harder for him to gain muscle. Perhaps a few more pounds would be okay... I would imagine with the focus always being on losing, the contestants would be prime candidates for "over losing" and getting too thin. I'm surprised we haven't seen anyone trigger into anorexia as a result of it...if someone was borderline, that would certainly send them over the edge, don'tcha think?:wub:

Sisko came to us after spending over a YEAR at the local dog pound - they said they just couldn't bear to put him down...he had already been to one home (beyond his birth home) and because he wouldn't let ANYONE in the car with his then-owner (including family) they returned him. He's a sweet dog - most of the time - but he also lunges at strangers (rarely), so we keep him on a short leash and do not walk him at times when we're likely to see a lot of kids / people. We live near a big church, so we don't walk him when services are beginning or ending...We also don't tempt fate by taking him out off-leash. We could do that with our labrador and with our other mutt, but not this one. It's an imposition, but we couldn't bear to leave him at the shelter and condemn him to a shorter life - they were well beyond the time where they would have ordinarily put him down and his time was running out. Our next dog will probably be a smaller one - we've had three big dogs and I'm ready for a little cuddler...

Hi Bandana, I'm much the same way - if I eat well during the day, it's easier to fight off the night hungries. I also have the same kind of thought process - it helps me to have small portions of fruit or something else low-cal around so when I feel like I'm "entitled" to eat, there's something quick and safe around. I think it's a holdover from my pre-banded life - I remember doing the same kind of thing - eating little or nothing during the day and getting fast food at night. I have found that having a snack before my afternoon commute (or during the commute - fruit or a small amount of protein) helps me to arrive home in a non-ravenous state and not try to eat everything in the house. Let us know how you're doing and what adjustments you make...:laugh:

Mornin' all! PJTP... They are such a wonderful addition to our lives, but oh man, can they put a DENT in the budget! We've had similar experiences with our dogs, too. That DOES sound like an awful lot for shots! Is there a 'teaching hospital' kind of place near you that might be less expensive? I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your kitty - I love cats, just can't have one because of my allergies. None of my dogs have been cat-friendly, either...I won't let them chase cats we see on our walks, but funny enough - the current dog, Sisko, is actually friendly to the cat who is always in our vet's office! He will sniff at the cat (who's usually on the counter and doesn't even move when the dogs come in and out) but not bark or growl. Cats we see on our walks are a different matter - he tries to chase them. Go figure...:laugh: I'm nursing sore hamstrings from gardening, but otherwise I'm okay - going on vacation at the end of the week with DH to a pilot's gathering in Arkansas - hotter 'n Hades down there, but the people are great and the event is always fun. We're planning crazy outfits for a 70's night - I'll see if I can get decent pics and maybe post a few when we return. :wub:

I definately hear ya on the shoes! I went shoe shopping today - I'm headed to Arkansas soon with my hubby and it's major league hot there, so... I am now fitting into size 11 sandals with no hangover at the toe or heel. Hallelujah! Have you checked EBay for shoes? I get a LOT of my shoes there...especially the sites designed for Crossdressers - you'll find lots of shoes in larger sizes there. Some are wider than others, and with anything, do your research on the seller before taking a chance, but when I buy shoes on EBay, I don't have to worry about seeing them on someone else.

Ya gotta point, Mac...hope your situation resolves itself in your favor soon. My dear departed MIL (no sarcasm - really did love her to bits) said it never rains all day on Saturday, 'cause if it did, we'd have an excuse to not go to church on Sunday. I've seen days that were cloudy and drizzly all day, but not an all-day rain...things that make you go hmmm Beth, that sounds like fun...I've always wanted to drive a race car! :smile: OMG...ROFLMBO...:lol: Mine too! What she said...how's the baby, LJM? I jumped in here for just a minute - finishing up a very nice, busy and productive weekend. Gardening on Saturday - pulled out a bunch of stuff, planted a whole lot more stuff...now my hamstrings are sore (but in a good way)! Saw 'Angels and Demons' over the weekend - good movie. Love Tom Hanks in the role of scholar and symbologist (new word from the movie). Hope everyone's weekend was great! :cool:

A recent post by JazzyMom17 got me to thinking...she asked me what I wish I'd known before being banded. Very good question - here's my response to her, plus a bit more information: Your question is a great one - what do I wish I'd known before having surgery? I wish I'd known (I mean really KNOWN) that the weight isn't just going to fall off of me. The band is a tool - on an intellectual level I knew that, but on a heart and soul level initially - not so much! I needed to figure out how to work WITH the band instead of expecting it to do the work FOR me. I wish I'd known that eating slowly and focusing on protein first would be my eating style for the foreseeable future. Because we eat so much less, getting the protien in is essential. I wish I'd had more "adjustable" clothes, or at least plans to make them adjustable. Elastic waists, while not exactly fashion-forward, are easier to deal with and adjust while you are losing. I wish I'd known that my shoe size would change! I guess we don't realize we gain weight in our feet too! I wish I'd known that I needed to replace all my underwire bras! I am full-busted (extremely) and underwires were my saving grace before surgery. I cannot wear them now, they rub against my surgery scars and irritate them. Don't buy too many though, because depending on where you lose your weight, you may need new ones within a few weeks! I wish I'd developed a better exercise habit before I was banded. I used to be a regular exerciser, but fell off the wagon and blamed my "busy" life for it. Exercise is critical to your success as a bandster - just WALKING can bring you great results! I've been walking 30 minutes (minimum - I often get in more than that) since I was cleared to exercise after my operation, and I'm now making really good progress on my weight loss. Took me a while to figure it out, but... I wish I had started eating according to the bandster rules (protein first, count portions, track everything that goes in my mouth) before I was banded. You don't necessarily have to limit your portions to post-banding portions (although if you can, that's great too), but get into the habit now of writing down what you eat - it will help you keep the habit once you're banded. I wish I had started a regular exercise habit before being banded - even if you only start with 5 minutes, because each week you'll get stronger and by the time you're banded, you'll be in better shape, come through the surgery better, and be ready to start your new life! I wish I'd planned for wardrobe changes earlier. I work in an office, so I must keep up a certain standard (at least I think so). I've never been one much for 'business casual' clothing - it's too hard to define and can be so subjectively interpreted. I love the principle of Capsule Wardrobing - taking 8 - 10 pieces and turning them into 20 different outfits. Between EBay, consignment shops, friends and family, I can minimize my clothing expenses and still look polished and professional. Once I get to my goal size, though - It's on and shopping! I wish I'd thought more about journaling or keeping a diary during my transformation. I missed the first few weeks of my change in thought because I was too busy living it. Now, like with childbirth, it's tough to remember what it felt like initially. There are so many 'lightbulb' moments where I had flashes of understanding and I wish I'd written them down. I wish I'd taken more progress photos - the recent finale show for the Biggest Loser showed progress photos taken every week by the contestants. There were little incremental changes, but WOW what an end result! I think a monthly schedule would be okay for a bandster, depending on their loss rate - perhaps someone losing more quickly would take photos more often - but as of right now, I'm taking photos on a monthly basis. That's it for now - I think that's quite enough - but if you are reading this and have suggestions, please feel free to add them as comments so everyone who reads this post can learn and benefit from them. As always - take good care of yourself, follow the bandster rules, and never forget that you are starting a Brand New Life! :smile:

Hi JazzyMom17 - love your screen name, by the way! :smile: Thank you so much for the compliments - I really appreciate it. Funnily enough, coaching was something I considered as a career when I was thinking about leaving the work force (the first time). I never really pursued it, but you've raised a spark in me...I need to do some research on how the industry has changed. Maybe there are some people I can help... Your question is a great one - what do I wish I'd known before having surgery? I wish I'd known (I mean really KNOWN) that the weight isn't just going to fall off of me. The band is a tool - on an intellectual level I knew that, but on a heart and soul level initially - not so much! :smile: I needed to figure out how to work WITH the band instead of expecting it to do the work FOR me. I wish I'd known that eating slowly and focusing on protein first would be my eating style for the foreseeable future. Because we eat so much less, getting the protien in is essential. I wish I'd had more "adjustable" clothes, or at least plans to make them adjustable. Elastic waists, while not exactly fashion-forward, are easier to deal with and adjust while you are losing. I wish I'd known that my shoe size would change! I guess we don't realize we gain weight in our feet too! I wish I'd known that I needed to replace all my underwire bras! I am full-busted (extremely) and underwires were my saving grace before surgery. I cannot wear them now, they rub against my surgery scars and irritate them. Don't buy too many though, because depending on where you lose your weight, you may need new ones within a few weeks! I wish I'd developed a better exercise habit before I was banded. I used to be a regular exerciser, but fell off the wagon and blamed my "busy" life for it. Exercise is critical to your success as a bandster - just WALKING can bring you great results! I've been walking 30 minutes (minimum - I often get in more than that) since I was cleared to exercise after my operation, and I'm now making really good progress on my weight loss. Took me a while to figure it out, but... I'm going to stop now before this gets WAY too long, but if you need more info, feel free to email me or post another message - and good luck on your banding on June 17th! Let me know how you're doing... One more I wish - I wish I had started eating according to the bandster rules (protein first, count portions, track everything that goes in my mouth) before I was banded. You don't necessarily have to limit your portions to post-banding portions (although if you can, that's great too), but get into the habit now of writing down what you eat - it will help you keep the habit once you're banded. Get into an exercise habit too - even if you only start with 5 minutes, because each week you'll get stronger and by the time you're banded, you'll be in better shape, come through the surgery better, and be ready to start your new life! Much love! :glare:

Our normal monthly lap band support group meeting in New Haven was a good one this month...two new people who were looking for information, one lady who was newly post-op (about 2 weeks out from her surgery), one lady who is scheduled for surgery within the next 2 weeks, plus our session leader and myself. We stayed past the regular 8 pm stop time, we were having so much fun talking. :cool2: It's really cool to meet new people who haven't yet been banded and help them through their journey. The band is so individual and everyone's experience is a bit different, but having that support is so valuable. I really like sharing the ups and downs (mostly ups) with others...I learn something every time I go to the support group. I've told everyone who I meet there about LBT - hoping that they too will find their way here and get additional information that will help them on their banded journey. Some wonderful NSV's have been happening for me lately...I'm a fan of Lane Bryant's clothing, and my sizes keep dropping. I'm sitting here right now wearing a pair of Right Fit Jeans (taking advantage of Casual Friday) in a size Red 2. When I started my weight loss journey, I was wearing size Yellow 5's. That means not only am I down three clothing sizes, my body is reshaping and my waistline is gaining definition. Beyond the obvious aesthetic benefit, it also means that one of the determining factors in heart disease - carrying excess weight in the midsection - is going away for me. I've read articles that say the "apple" shaped body is one that has a higher potential for heart disease because the excess fat surrounds your vital organs and can affect your heart and lungs more than when you carry your weight in your hips and thighs. It is mostly men who carry their weight in the "apple" shape - more women are shaped like "pears" - at least that's the theory. I have noticed over the years that I am seeing more and more women with apple-shaped bodies rather than pear-shaped bodies and it scares me. I did not want to become a statistic, hence my becoming banded. Losing weight in my waist also means that I can experiment with belts more...I just bought a dress at Lane Bryant (on sale - I try never to pay retail!) that has an elastic belt that goes along with it. In the past (my pre-banded life) I would have just snipped off the belt loops and worn the dress without a belt - they never looked good on me.:crying: Now that I've lost 37 pounds, however, and because I am active and working out, I can wear that dress with the belt and it looks good -at least that's what my hubby has said! I'm thrilled that I think I look good in the dress as well - we are always harder on ourselves than anyone else in our lives. I'm just finishing up my lunch - one half of a turkey sandwich on wheat, with lettuce, tomatoes and provolone cheese. In my pre-banded life, I would have scarfed down that sandwich and been looking for seconds. It was an exercise in patience to finish half of the sandwich. I'm so happy I could just scream! :w00t: I am looking forward to summer for the first time in a LOT of years - because I know I'll be in better physical shape and be able to enjoy it more. I'm looking forward to traveling and having fun this summer without food being the major emphasis. It's funny in a way - I referred to my relationship with food in the past as an obsessive (and abusive) love affair. No matter how badly the food I ate treated me, I kept going back for more - I couldn't stand for someone else to get more of it than I did. I equated food with love - that started in my early teens, and funnily enough, so did my weight gain. Now that I must truly make choices with food that allow me to "eat to live, not live to eat", I am making better choices. I do sometimes mourn the comfort I used to be able to find in food - now I have to find it within myself. I am looking forward to finding out more about ME - all the things I wouldn't allow myself to experience because I was afraid I might stand out too much because of my weight and size...how much life have I missed? I can't get that lost time back, but I can commit to never hiding from life again! For those of you on this banded journey, take time to reflect on who you are becoming...your interactions with others, the "inner voice" you use to talk to yourself, and what you truly see when you look in the mirror. If you're not yet banded, I encourage you to keep up your search for information, but realize there will never be a perfect time to be banded - LIFE will always get in the way. Don't wait so long that your options are limited - do something for YOU, for your health NOW. As always, email me if you have questions, or just want to talk...I'm here for ya! :biggrin:

PJTP...I really :wub: you guys! It's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend... Absolutely - you and my DH feel the same way - I'm going out on a high note...they can be as snarky as they want, but I'm going to smile my way out the door. I'm going to kill them with kindness, but not take any abuse at the same time. Good thing I'm not a 20-something at the beginning of my career, this might have really crushed me... ROFLMBO...and I nearly spit out my breakfast sandwich on that one! OMG...stop making me laugh! I used to work summers as a lifeguard and NEVER swam in outdoor pools for that very reason...all those little kids! :eek: Go Beth, Go Beth! I just hit 224 this morning! :w00t: Gotta stay on my game, 'cause you're coming up fast behind me...I can hear that motorcycle revving now! I'm right there with ya, girlfriend...I haven't been this light since my children were very little and my hubby was still on active duty! :w00t: ROFLMBO...I love it! I really needed all the laughs this morning, guys - thanks a bunch! My union rep even said it's time for me to go...she does not understand the attitude I'm getting, and does not believe I'm as bad as they would have her believe. She hasn't known me for long, so I really appreciate her candor and honesty. I'm going to compile a reply to the laundry list - I have an answer for most everything they mentioned - and in the meantime, I've spruced up my resume and am looking for another position within the university. There are several possibilities, and with me getting my Associates in July, even more will open up. The most promising one so far is in the Film Studies department - my union rep knows the woman who had the job and knows it's been open for a while, so I'll be putting in my app today. Hopefully by the time my 1 year anniversary arrives (early June) I'll be moving to a new position and a happier, healthier work environment! Have a great day, everyone! :tt1: