mousecrazy

Yes, I buy whatever brand is on special, and keep a few in the freezer for when I cook the family something that is not especially wonderful for my band... They work just fine for me!

I would think, not having lots of info on this subject, that the Muslim riots in France would lend some credibility to the idea as originally posted.

I hope the weather is better up in Chicago than it is around here! Wish I ws closer and could help you out! I don't know how to ship chicken soup up your way! Will be looking for your update post later, Mandy.

That was what I was saying...I don't think you are alone. I think the majority of Americans do not place race as a deciding factor in choosing their candidate. I am not naive, though. I know there are people who have racial problems. I know there are PLENTY of people who just plain ignorant and basically rude, of all types of political persuasions. The majority just mind their own business, and quietly decide who will do the best job. They want someone who thinks like they think, and who will make good decisions.

I think you see what you want to see. If there 1,000 people who feel differently than the 1 person who displays an offensive bumper sticker, does that mean the prevalent opinion is the bumper sticker opinion, or the the opinion shared by the 1,000 people who are too busy with real lives to display stupid bumper stickers?

Hi, everyone! The meeting: I was ONE day short of what I had to have to qualify to retire..blah, blah...(you have to have 90 days, I had 89)...they just couldn't have told me any sooner...blah,blah...so that's the bad news. Now, my principal was totally on my side against the administration, so that helped. But, the bottom line was I had to work another day, and delay my retirement date to the end of January instead of December. This affects mine and my DD's insurance, so the district will cover my insurance, but my DD was never covered by the district, so cross your fingers she doesn't need anything until February, when the retirement insurance starts again! The good news is that when we were leaving the ad building, the principal said to me that as far as he was concerned, I had already worked my extra day, and he would turn that paperwork in to the district by the end of this week. (See, I told you he doesn't want me hanging around... I know too much!) So, it was a bad news/good news thing...there wasn't much else that could be done, but at least I didn't have to go back down there to work! Woke up to a big surprise today...it's snowing! So, DD and DH are home today too! DH just left to take some packages to the post office (Ebay) and make a grocery stop, it's not too bad on the roads for his 4WD. Dianne, just want you to know you and your family are in my prayers, too...I know how difficult a long term illness and care concerns are. Like Kat reminded you, thank goodness you are in such better health. As hard as it is, it would have been even harder a year ago. Take care of yourself. Darcy, I'm going to throw in with you on your cumulative miles...I hesitated because I have a bad history sometimes with these things (you know how those challenge things go sometimes?), but I'll give you some miles when I get them...I have a pedometer, so that should be easy enough. If 30 minutes of weights equals 1.5 miles, I can do that, too. Do you want these reported at the end of the week, or what would be easier for you? In our signature? I definitely want to be part of making our team a success! Mandy? Is your surgery still on? Are you doing okay? Mary, I hope your car hangs in there for a while! Do you have a good mechanic friend who can take a look at that noise for you? When I was teaching, I had no trouble finding some guys who worked on cars...maybe you can find some guys who will look under the hood for you...anyone at church or anything? Anne, so GOOD to see you after so long! Sorry you are feeling bad...I had that right after Christmas. You have a couple of weeks until your new adventure! Are you excited? Good for you for having a paid off car...one of these days, I will do that, too! Hi, Eileen...I enjoy your BOOS! See you girls later!

Welcome to LBT! Please post when you feel up to it, and let us know if you're feeling okay. The gas is probably one of the problems you are dealing with...let us know, and we'll send along our favorite solutions! Hope you're doing great! Cindy

Hi! Be sure to use the"search" feature...you can look up any aspects of the surgery you are interested in... Then, you can post specific questions, and someone will rush to you with answers/opinions. You are very wise to get all the info you can BEFORE the surgery... My best advice is to go into the process understanding that the band is a helper, but you are still going to have to put forth a great deal of effort. It will just be easier to succeed...and the band is there for you, when you can't be there for yourself. Be patient, take your time, and be willing to take things slow and methodically. It's been a great decision for me!

Take a deep breath and remember she's just a girl behind a desk. She didn'teven know what yoru insurance co. really required, did she? Keep your head...you're gonna need it to deal with the real decision makers... come here and vent all you want...we've heard it all! (((HUGS))) never give up hope...and take things one step at a time! Let us know how it's going, and good luck! Cindy

Welcome to LBT...and good luck with your surgery this week! You'll be good as new - BETTER - in no time at all! Be prepared for the gas pains (Gas-X or baby tummy drops) and give yourself a few days to rest. Come here with questions and we'll do the best we can to help you through it all! Good luck! Cindy

I just want to wish both of you the best of luck, and good healing! Come here often for support and friendship! Cindy

I might fall in that category...Banded 17 months, lost 83 pounds. My goal is to lose 106 pounds, and I have a ways to go yet. I like losing it this way...I've had time to adjust to my new sizes...it's a bigger deal than you might think when you first start out. Take your time...there's no race. Good luck!

Hi, everyone! Darcy, you GO girl! You can get to whatever number you want to be at, and we love you all the same...if anyone understand the ups and downs of this ride, it is us. HUGS! Mary, just keep taking the high road...I'm just shaking my head at the guy's jerky behavior. What is wrong with people? That's my standard question. Thanks Mandy for the update on the surgery day...the 19th. Are you asking us about the 3 day Avon Breast Cancer walk? More info, please...Or, I'll go the website and see what I can see. Kat, how'd the dentist appt. go? More snow? We are thawing out a little...there's been some sun and wind, and that helps, but it's going to be in the 20s tonite, so still very cold. Brrrrrrr. Tomorrow I'm going down to school...one of my girls is doing her graduation walk, and wants me there. Then, stupid personnel called me and says I didn't work the right number of days or some stupid thing, so I have a big meeting with Mr. Asst. Superintendent, Ms. Payroll Lady, my principal and me...where I will be asking annoying questions like, "Why are you just now informing me of this, on Jan.11?" and other similar questions. They actually said, on the phone, that I might have to "delay my retirement date" for a month. I said I don't think so, since I am already on the Teacher Retirement System insurance plan, and my daughter will not have insurance if they do that...???? So, life is always interesting, and tomorrow's meeting will be very...critical. I'll let you know how it goes...I'm sure they will want me to work more days or something, because you know you never get your money's worth out of us teachers. LOL! Remember, I know some "secrets" about the principal, so that might make things even more interesting....I'd hate to have to bring that up, though. That's pretty much all that's up around here...wish I could report that the tree is out of the living room...but I am NOT cutting out duck and Easter eggs! THAT was GREAT motivations...thanks! Hugs, Cindy

Since being banded, I have concentrated on learning to recognize being satisfied, as opposed to being stuffed. This is a big behavioral change for me. The band has helped me learn this difference, and it has made a big difference. At the very beginning, I did keep track of food intake on fitday.com, just to re-learn portion size, and begin to learn healthy eating habits (again). I decided I did not want to pursue any more pills, crazy eating plans, etc., after being banded, and wanted to eat like a "normal person". I know normal people eat cookies. I do, too. I just don't eat the whole box! I am accepting that weight loss is sometimes slow, and sometimes takes a break, and I learn to be patient. These are the big hidden benefits of the band, in my mind. Nice discussion...thanks for starting it!

Here I am, Paulax, still relating to you! Now, I'm wearing some size 16's, and still find it miraculous. Isn't it funny? And fun? LOL! The ability to change our view of ourselves is just one (big) reason I am always preaching "patience". Even though we're in a hurry to lose the weight, I think our mindsets need time to change, and we're better off we give ourselves the time. You are just doing great...be careful with the fills, and don't over-do it...you know what I mean, right? Good luck! Hugs! Cindy

Just popping in for a check-in... Mandy...are you still having surgery on the 17th, or did it get delayed a week? I can't remember. Congrats on the Bears win! Chrispy, congrats on the Pats win! (Stupid, stupid Cowboys....) LOL! Confession: Christmas tree is still up....what is wrong with me! Just laziness, I suppose.... I made a nice dinner of Italian baked chicken, angel hair pasta, garlic bread and Caesar salad...family is enjoying the new homemaker me! Then we played a little American girl game with DD...very nice evening here. Tomorrow, if the roads are okay, I'm going to this Lifeline Screening thing...they do 4 diagnostic tests...one for strokes, one for aortic aneurysms, one for peripheral artery disease, and then bone density. Since my mom had the abdominal aortic aneurysm...I am really wanting that diagnostic test...and kinda worried about it, too. But, I'd rather know than not know. I'll get the results in 21 days. IF they are open tomorrow. DH said he'll drive me down there, because I am a big chicken about slick roads... We're lucking out so far...there is ice on the trees, but the roads are not so bad thus far...it may worsen overnight, though. Stay warm, everyone!

Sorry, I don't know who wondered about this, but yes...the two answer are almost the same regarding Hillary and Obama... I was making a point... I won't vote for someone just BECAUSE she is a woman, or because he or she is black... I choose to vote for the candidate that represents my views, regardless of color or gender. This seems simple enough to me. I am a conservative...thus, these two particular examples would not fit the bill for me.

I'm speaking for me, personally. The question was, I thought, would I vote for an African American. Yes, I would. For me, the skin color and the gender do not matter, but the ideology (stands on the issues) DO matter. I do not require 100% agreement with my point of view, because that is irrational, but somewhere in the 80% area with strong leadership skills and experience. Does that explain my meaning? I vote for people who best reflect my point of view on policy.

Just be patient...your body needs time to adjust to itself. It is an important part of the journey...food, rest...you know? Your body will do some shrinking, even when the scale doesn't move. It's normal. Are you measuring yourself? Please, try to be patient. It is so hard, but getting overfilled can possibly lead to big problems that will sooooo slow you down in the long run. It's okay to be frustrated...we've all been there!

I would vote for an African-American. I would not vote for Obama. Race is not an issue; ideology is.

I would vote for a woman. I would never vote for Hillary Clinton. Gender is not an issue; ideology is.

That's all of Groundhog Day I'm good for...have fun. Hopefully, when I return, I will read some discussion on what type of diplomacy will achieve the goals you would like to see achieved. Isolationism? Socialism? Communism? Fuel Independence? What would be the timeframe for these goals, and how would the US transition in the meantime? Please try to include in the discussion the fact that there will be a new President in less than 2 years, and Bush-hating will be passe. How will the discussion take shape and form then? Will there even be a reason to discuss these issues without Bush-hating as the centerpoint? Enjoy wallowing in the same old arguments.

Good morning! Nice icy day here...not the big ice storm we have been warned about, but supposedly it's still on it's way...we'll see. DH cooked a big breakfast for DD and I...french toast, bacon and eggs. I have 1/2 piece of french toast, a piece of bacon and an egg. It's amazing to me, because my normal big breakfast would have been about 4 pieces of french toast, 4 pieces of bacon (more?) and 3 eggs. What a difference. Beanie, this is probably what you were talking about with CiCi's...you ate "a lot", but not like you would have pre-band...so don't rush with your fill decision. Take your time. My endless, boring advice, huh? Chris, glad you're here...sorry about the PB. Experience is the best teacher, and although it would be easier for us if the same rules applied to everyone, they don't. So we just have to feel our way through this journey, and figure out our little friend as we go! Okay, so the 45/15 plan did not work out very well, but it's because I didn't use the plan. I used the 100% of my time spent on my computer plan...so I don't think the plan failed exactly. I failed to use the plan! It's hard to motivate when you know you are in the house for 3 days in a row...maybe today? Otherwise, I'm gonna cut out a bunch of hearts, mail some to Eileen, and call it good. Ya'll are just the little Exercise Divas, aren't you? Very, very good girls! Seriously impressive. Mandy, your get-together sounded fun...who else had one? Chris? I just got a PM that there will be one in Denton on Feb. 1 at Jason's Deli...if any of you North Texas gals are interested, I think it is posted on the Texas Support thread. Darcy, it's good to hear you are finding your energy and spunk...who cares if it's the meds or mania? LOL! Glad you found all your poopsicles! A BIG congratulations for making it a smoke-free year! I've made it 7 years now, and it gets easier every year, I promise you. I don't even think about it at all now, except to count the years. You've made a huge difference in your personal health, and in the health of your family, and you deserve a big hug! See ya'll later....hugs! Cindy

Weenie wagging? Is that a professional or technical term that I need to understand in order to continue in a meaningful discussion?

Please, what does diplomacy look like when Iran's stated goal is the destruction of Israel (I believe it must be wiped off the face of the earth, or that was the quote I read), and world chaos so the messianic prophecy of Islam can be fulfilled? He (Ahmadinejad) is a true believer. Please explain how diplomacy can counteract the World Tour of Let's Destory America?