mousecrazy

Hi, Anne! That is the worst case of Bad B&B I've ever heard of. You might think about filing a report with the Better Business Bureau or some camparable entity...just as a public service to the other unsuspecting tourists out there. I would if I were you (but then I'm a trouble maker, and would feel compelled to right the injustice). It is so good to see you online again! Eileen, hope you go get a strep test, just in case. I know it is going around down here. Also, since DH and I are not drinkers, pretty much no party is THAT crazy (anymore!)...I would have warned ya'll if I had thought for a second that I wasn't going to be able to handle a little computer transfer...but it surprised me! Kat, we bought an eMachine, which is great on the price. One small complaint I have is that the motor/fan is pretty loud. We joke that we're "taking off" when we turn it on! LOL! However, it has a lot of RAM and a faster processor, and that's kinda all we were looking for. We didn't want to watch or record TV or anything like that. Today is 18 days....it's starting to seem almost real. Sometimes I like that feeling of "going to work." I wonder what I will replace that with? I suppose I will plan field trips for myself! How's the decorating coming, everyone? See ya'll later...hugs, Cindy

Thank you all for the birthday wishes!!!!!! Ya'll are the bestest friends! I have not been able to get online since Thursday...we tried to get the new computer all hooked up, but something happened (doesn't it always?) and the DSL line dropped, plus the wireless router didn't like it's new computer, and so on and so on. So, today, a wizard friend of mine and his little wizard son came over, and a mere 5 hours later, voila! I'M BACK!!!!!!! Thank goodness! It was torture not being here to visit, or play POGO games, or shop online...talk about withdrawal! Sounds like everyone did okay with their Thanksgiving dinners (sorry Betty!) and shopping...I don't get out there on Black Friday. This year, we are cutting back on gifting, and only the kids are exchanging. Oh, and we are giving both our fathers gifts, but they are more of the "experience" gifts...like we are taking my FIL to see Josh Groban in March. We are taking my DD to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert in a couple of weeks, as part of her Christmas present. She doesn't know it yet, but next weekend I'll wrap up the tickets and give them to her. We have 1/3 of our tree up...it's prelit, but it's not as easy as it sounds! I'm still untangling the bottom branches! I need to take my DD's picture for our Christmas cards. So much to do.... I had a nice birthday...my DH and DD took my out to eat, then gave me "coupons" for a massage (sometime) and a movie. My sis and Dd and I went to see Happy Feet on Saturday. Very cute movie, with a heavy environmental message. I'll stop for now...I sure have missed you guys!!!!!! Hugs, Cindy

Mandy, I'm up later than you! I have no idea why I'm up so late...just hanging out and playing Pogo, mostly. Dh And DD are in bed, and I like having the house to myself. We're having 13 for T-day dinner, too...but over at my sister's house. We are trying to get our living area back together, in case DH's brother and new girlfriend come over here tomorrow, but c'est la vie...they'll have to get over it! It looks okay, but not House Beautiful okay. Like it ever has....it IS pretty good, but lots of things are still in the garage. It takes so long when you have to clean each and every piece of furniture, picture, etc. Sorry for Abi's eczema...thank goodness kids put up with this stuff better than we do. Still, I know she is tired of all of it! Talk to ya'll later on tomorrow, C.

It is truly amazing, but your tastes change over time...not right away, so don't get real excited quite yet, but give it time. I have eaten a few burgers, but usually end up taking the bread off, and then when you actually see the "meat", it is really unappealing, and that image will keep you from being tempted for a long time! LOL! French fries, forget it. They get stuck every time, for me. It is really hard to visualize all the change that is in store for you...have a good trip!

I am not encouraging this, but I am not a big exerciser. I want to be, but have some big time restrictions. As I have lost weight, I find myself more active overall...more walking, more movement. I have more desire to walk longer and further in my everyday activites. When my time restrictions are changed in the near future, I certainly plan to change my exercise routine!

Giving Thanks for all my LBT Friends! Happy Thanksgiving! I made the Buttermilk Chess Pie first...it is simple. Sugar, a little flour, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, nutmeg...pour it in the crust. It is a Southern thang, ya'll. I bet Paula Dean has a recipe for one, but I haven't checked. Then, the pumpkin pie...then the roast turkey...then DH fried the other turkey. Zippidee doo dah! We are done! Everyone's feasts sound so delicious! Eileen, I hope you feel better, and DD, too! I hope everyone survives their families...even better, I hope everyone actually enjoys their families!!! LOL! Let's all take the time to count our blessings....love to each and every one of you! Cindy

Since you've gone to the trouble and expense of having the band, why not give it 6-8 months? Get some help and counseling for the anxiety and emotions. There are so many benefits, why not go for it?

I got the Room Mother thing done...they had Grandparent's Tea at DD's school...it looked nice! (if I do say so myself...forgive me?) That took the morning, and now I've home and I just decided to sit down and goof off before I start dusting again! Will it EVER end? My part of the menu is: Roast turkey Fried turkey (yep, that's DH's thing!) Buttermilk Chess pie Pumpkin pie Homemade Cranberry-orange sauce Good luck to all the NJ girls, with all their cooking, and in making a teensy, tiny teeny bitty Thanksgiving plate! This oughta be interesting! Cass, I'm so glad everything went well! Keep an eye on those incisions, and call your doc if it looks weird at all! Beanie's absolutely right...the port one will hurt for a long time; in fact, my port area still hurts if I'm stupid enough to overeat. It's like a built in regulator for me! Let us know if you have any questions; and take it easy! Hugs to all! Cindy

Thought I'd better check in...didn't even stop by yesterday. I'm trying to back up our old computer before I transfer files to the new one...still putting the house together,too. Darcy, I LOVE your quilt! It is so cute! Mandy, those pictures are adorable, and I agree with the others about your beautiful eyes! Patty, sorry to hear you've had the flu...hope you are on the mend. Betty, I know you are cooking a bunch of stuff...what's on the menu? BEANIE!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Enjoy, and remember to keep your patient hat on! Eileen, what's your schedule this week? I read everything kinda fast, and now I can't go back and refresh my memory. Chrispy...I promise I'll get some new pictures made as soon as I get the new computer up and functional! Ya'll, I know I Left out some of you...but I've gotta get my DD in bed now, and I'll check back later! Hugs, Cindy

This is nowhere near as fun as Jack's suggestion, but the only savoury suggestion I have is something involving V-8 juice or tomato juice...maybe like a Bloody Mary, but probably without the zip. Does Clamato juice have protein in it? LOL!

1. Prayer 2. My DH and DD...we have a very close and fun family! 3. My friends, in person and online, are a special blessing. 4. COFFEE!!! I love my coffee, especially during my long commute to work. 5. Learning...my brain needs to be engaged in something.

Welcome to LBT! You have found a great place to talk to others who are, or who have been, in your situation. For some us, it was easy to get approved, and for others, it was difficult. Whichever way it is for you, stick it out, and find a way. I think after you've read lots and lots of stuff, you'll find that if you can use your band as a tool to help you...and not push your luck with it or rush it...you will have a tool to help you for the long run. I have been banded for 16 months now, and have lost 75 pounds. I think that's about 4.5 pounds a month, on the average. It hasn't been that steady...some months I didn't lose anything at all. I learned to accept that. Please start right now, by making just one tiny little change in whatever you are doing. Even if it's just making sure you are drinking more water each day. It will help you, no matter what. You will be taking charge of your health, and that will make you feel better. Just one little change. Good luck, and come back and visit with us! Cindy

I understand, Mandy. Wait until the eye-rolling starts, followed by the Mooo-ooom (a two syllabled pronunciation of the word, Mom, said with the condescending whine only girls can do properly) Very sweet...protect that childhood as long as possible! We're doing our best.

Jack, I applaud your valiant effort. I hope that your clearly stated arguments might at least inspire some interest in your ideas. I remain hopeful. The new documentary, Obsession, details the goal of Jihadist Islam. There is only one goal, and it is not difficult to understand. The reason diplomacy has not worked with this mindset is because Jihadists DO NOT WANT to get along; they want dominion. The end. (**NOTE** I am aware that all Muslims are not Jihadists)

Good evening, everyone! I spent the day working on getting all the furniture back in the right places...is it every gonna end??? it gets better each day, that's all I can say right now. Took DD to the Girl Scout meeting; they are making a quilt for a children's hospital. It might not be perfect, but it's made with love. Cassandra, Kat said everything perfectly, but since you are looking for support, I'll throw in a little extra. Everything she said is true, true, true. See, it's not going to do any good to beat yourself up (figuratively, of course) about lack of will power, or discipline...for whatever reason (theories abound), us bandsters just never succeeded LONG TERM with diets. All of us were able to lose weight, but we couldn't keep it off. The yo-yo effect only made matters worse. And here we are. Go for it, girl! I have NEVER regretted it, not one minute. It's obvious that we all look better, but the REAL benefits are inside. I feel so much better about myself. I can bend over and pick up stuff, and still breathe! I can cross my legs. I can buckle a seat belt on an airplane, and have extra room! I can walk without hurting as much (you're young, so this might not be a problem). My daughter can put her arms all the way around me! Also, my cholesterol has gone down over 50 points! My blood pressure is normal, not high. I wear an XL, not a 3XL. I wear a loose 18 (almost a 16!), and started at size 26. My energy level is higher than it's been in 10 years, and I'm 50...no one really guesses my age, and I honestly feel more like I'm 40 than 50. One of the worries I had was that I would have loose skin, but that hasn't happened; I don't know if it's good genes, or just that I love lost weight so slowly that it has just adjusted with the rate of loss. I keep thinking of things to say, because I just wish for you the positive experience this has been for me. Don't be trapped by fear...Kat is right, we'll be here for you. No question is too "dumb" to ask, and we'll kick you in the patootie when you need it, too! We'll do it nicely, okay? Good luck, Cass. Get ready to fly! Hugs to all, Cindy

I completely agree with this paragraph, and wish that more people would try to maintain some respect and civility, even when disagreeing with policies and directions of one administration or another. As it is, very few decent leaders are going to be willing to step up and run for any office at all, with the media and public scrutiny that goes along with it...much less attempt to lead the USA. It's a big country, and it is still, IMHO, the last great hope of many others in the world.

Cute kittie picture, Beanie! Good luck with that fill! The amount needed is different for each person, and I hope this is the "just right" amount for you! Mandy, that's one cool website, and I looked it over really well. If I get a computer this weekend, I think I can "price match" for the sales on Friday, and have them refund the difference, if it's significant. The actual bundles I was looking at weren't listed as being on sale, but you never know! Makes me wish I knew how to build my own...wait...nevermind! LOL! Gotta run, we get to leave a little early today, TGIF! Cindy

The above 5 posts explain perfectly why conservatives quit posting.

Good morning, and HAPPY FRIDAY! Pat, no way...that was NOT a joke! Now I'm really grinning! LMBO if you wanna know the truth! This morning I'm wearing my catering hat...getting plans together for our big holiday luncheon we're having in a couple of weeks (here at school). We usually serve about 250 people, so it's a big undertaking. I think I told you I was volunteered to coordinate it, since I don't have much to do! LOL! DD will have her voice recital on Dec. 3. She's singing "Little Lamb" from Gypsy. She actually looks forward to these things; why am I so nervous? I am computer shopping tonight. If you post today, and have opinions on computers, let me have them! Cass, how are you feeling? Pat, good luck with tree...if you have a hand in it, it will be beautiful! Mary, enjoy your week off. Hope that means you'll check in often! Eileen, guess there are eyes on you today, but I see you lurking! Are you making both recipes you had links for, or just one? I'll check back with you gals later...hugs, Cindy

The battle is being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as many other places, and was started by repeated terrorist attacks on American citizens and military by various terrorist associations, mostly Al Qaeda. It is no longer a war against another country/countries. The ideology of Naziism, most effectively popularized and lead by Adolf Hitler, is similar in some respects to the ideology of Jihadist Islam, most effectively popularized and lead by Osama bin Laden. Saying that President Bush started this war would be like saying President Roosevelt started World War II. Once our nation has been attacked, and repeatedly, then we must protect our nation. Because it is an ideological enemy, and not a nation, the battle is complicated and amorphous. I admire President Bush for recognizing the nature of the threat and standing firm in his committment in facing it. How would we view President Roosevelt now, if he had decided not to defend the country, and especially if he had decided not to liberate most of Western Europe, and save many in concentration camps from certain death? Who among us likes war? I do not, but believe it is righteous and necessary, much as defending your little sister or brother from a bully is righteous and necessary. That's a simplistic explanation, but I think it is relevant. I am proud that my DD understands that there are Americans who are brave and courageous and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. That is in absolutely no way shameful. It is heroic and admirable and thank God for those men and women. BJean, specifically to you, I am sorry you feel personally attacked or abused by an opposing point of view. Yet, in your post complaining about that, you continue to use terms like Georgie-porgie, and BuSh, which simply ARE disrespectful and ARE ad-hominem attacks. Like you, I did not go back through and read everything, but I do not believe that those on the liberal/left are un-Christian or un-patriotic; however, they DO most certainly have a different perspective, and one with which I do not agree. I do not succeed 100% of the time, but I do try to keep my language neutral, and present reasons for my opinion. I think one does need to support one's opinions...otherwise, what value do they have? Anyone can say any emotionally-based thing, without logic or reason, and without even understanding it. When asked to provide some evidence, it would be a mistake to take that as a personal attack. It is a simple requirement of discussion and debate.

I might be confused here...which country's tax system are we discussing?

Congratulations! I know you are so proud of all you have accomplished, and you are an inspiration to all the newbies who are wondering if they can actually change the way they think about food. YOU CAN! Way to go!

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!! Pat, that is SOOOOOO funny! I think I've done that, but it was about Starbuck's Hazlenut Mocha! Thanks for the great giggle!

L8BloomR, I do agree with your analysis of the situation. If a person reads through the posts on this thread, and cannot see the vitriol directed toward the conservative members who posted in it, then they are just not trying hard enough. Even spelling the president's name "BuSh" is disrespectful, not to the man, but to our country. Another term I read in this thread that is considered an ad hominem attack is "baby Bush". Please notice that I am addressing language and terms, and not the people using the terms. For the life of me, I cannot understand why Americans do not see that it is good to disagree, but it is bad to split our country down the middle and rip it into pieces, and then leave it in ruins for others to take. When the disagreements become hateful and not policy-centered, and are focused on the man who happens to be President (and will be out of office a short two years from now), the conservative members probably just quit posting on these threads, NOT because we do not have an "arsenal" of arguments, but because it is obvious that there is no argument that would be deemed worthy of consideration.

Hey, guys, thanks for noticing! Yep, I slipped into the 75 pound target! It does sound soooo good! I was on a plateau for a while, then my theory is that all the furniture moving increased my activity, and I would eat my Lean Cuisine thing at lunch, and my Zone Perfect bar for dinner (and ice cream) and those changes, plus just time itself, got me over the hump, and I started losing again. Kat, I WILL post some pictures, just be patient a little longer...our computer is very sad right now. It is 3 years old, and pushed to its limit. I am right now shopping for a new one. We are also digging out all the CD-ROMS that we packed up, with the USB cables that go to the camera. I really, really need a new avatar, and will probably have to beg someone to help with that. I have new glasses, new hair, and I think I look kinda different from the one I am using now! :clap2: Eileen, I would make either one of those recipes from the Food Channel...I love pumpkin and I love gingerbread! I am required to make the traditional pumpkin pie, because my nephew loves it, but I may add that pumpkin gingerbread trifle thing, too! However, my sister doesn't really like pumpkin, so I promised I'd make a chocolatey thing...maybe chocolate pecan pie. Pat, yes, after today, it is 19! Then, I have next week off for Thanksgiving...then just 3 weeks and 3 days to go. My retirement party is on Dec. 14, or so I hear. Hey, Darcy! I miss you! Betty, I think Eileen's idea of cooking in advance and freezing might work, maybe for some of the things you make anyway....let us know what you decide to do! Folks, I gotta run. I've got some writing stuff to do...students are at the door! Hugs, Cindy