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I remembered! Maybe I'm not losing my mind after all. LOL! I'm impressed, Mandy...and you're on all that medication.... Today I am staying home...yesterday I was at my DD's school all day. It was busy, but kinda fun. We're getting a lot of stuff organized for the first day of school. I've got my eyes on the news of that bridge collapse in Minneapolis. It is so terrible. So what's going on with all of you? I'll check back later and find out. Hugs, Cindy

I came here looking for news from Mandy, and thank goodness there was a post from her! Glad you are hanging in there, Mandy. I know it's rough, but when it's all said and done, I am sure you will be glad you had this done. Take care of yourself, and rest all that you can! HUGS! Cindy

Hi Darcy! I think it would be great to live in a little cabin...I bet it's hard to downsize everything. Still, simplifying is such an attractive goal, and I envy you! You seem to be very happy in your lifestyle change, and good for you! We take DD to camp tomorrow...she is all packed and just antsy to get going! We are carpooling with her friend, so we will all load up and take off about noon tomorrow. We're having lunch, then going out to the camp, to get there around 3PM. She loved it last year, and I hope it's just as wonderful for her this time. G'night all! Cindy

Just a quick check-in...I'm off to DD's swim party for the church camp kick-off! They all meet over at one of the kids' houses, with a way nice pool, since their family is in the pool-building business, and get together for a couple of hours, then have ice cream. It just breaks the ice a little for the camp, which starts on Tuesday. We sit around and chat, and sweat! LOL! See ya later, Cindy

Kat, you are a BIG inspiration! ONE HUNDRED POUNDS! That is so so great! I am still wondering if I will ever make it there, but maybe...just maybe... Congratulations to you, sweet Kat! It's a deserved moment of pride! Thanks for posting the link about bubble (boba) tea, Mandy. I like it soooo much, it could replace my Starbuck's addiction. The problem is, there is nowhere to get it around here. So, I learned to make it myself; it's okay, but it's better when "they" make it! I found the tapioca at the Asian grocery today, AND the almond milk powder that I like (I like all things flavored almond). DH found his dried squid...oh boy. DD found her Panda cookies. It was a little adventure, right here in Big D. Sherry, great to see you! Seems like forever! Glad you are healing a little better...at least it sounds like it. Mandy, is Tuesday your surgery day? What all last minute plans do you have? Eileen, enjoy your clean house and laundry...that's such a great feeling! And more power to you with your re-dedication to exercise and recording your food. I need to do that, too! Inspire me some more! Betty, were you out riding this weekend? I saw a big group riding today, and I wondered if you were one of them. Hugs to all! Cindy

Hi, I'm here! That's a crazy story about your "niece", Kat. You are not causing the problems in the family, as your MIL suggests...the niece is causing the problems, and you are just calling her on her personal responsibility. It is not blessing her to allow her to continue the chaos in her life, is it? You have the better ideas, I think, and have the little girl's best interest in mind. Stick with it as long as you can. It's so hard, I know! I'm pooped today, and took about a 2 hour nap, even! Mandy, I think my DD is about ready for school, too. She's going to camp next Tuesday, so that will definitely help. I do, however, need to pack her stuff for that! LOL! Tomorrow we are taking my FIL to the local "chinatown" area for lunch and shopping in the grocery stores there, so I can get more big tapiocas for making my own "bubble tea." Have you ever had it? Yummy! My DH is looking for dried squid. EWWWW. He says it is like fish jerky. EWWWWW. Am I giving any of you a new idea about retirement???? Hahaha! It's not "your parent's retirement" when you have a 9 year old to keep you busy, that's for sure! I am grateful for it, because it keeps me young, too! (Or, I hope so, anyway....) Hugs, Cindy

Good morning! I like this quiet part of the day. DH is teaching summer school, so has already left for school, and DD is still sleeping. Later, I'm taking DD to a friend's house to go swimming, then coming back home to spend a few hours typing up rosters and paperwork for the parent org. The fun never stops! LOL! Mandy, you are getting so close to your surgery! It will be easier due to being smaller, just getting up and down and in and out of bed. I hope you are a quick healer like Kat! I'd prepare for the worst, just to put my mind at ease...and hope for the best! Wish we could be there for you, really. We are always a screen away for a morale booster, though. And our prayers are always with you, too! Kat, about your sorta niece...it takes a LOT of re-education to re-teach the social brainwashing that has gone on over a long period of time...which is what it sounds like you are doing. When the whining starts about her hard-knock life, just ask (very innocently, of course) WHY they think these things have "happened" to her. Keep asking until they finally realize it is the result of her choices. This takes patience. LOL! But you're up for it. I want to hear more about the Texas trip, of course! Maybe this time we can work something out to meet somewhere, even though this is a BIG state! Hey gals...what's shakin'? Hope everyong is doing well, staying cool, and happy! Hugs, Cindy

Good morning! Yes, it's just summer busy-ness...yesterday I was busy helping DD with her book report. Her school has a required summer reading list. She's finished (in rough draft form) two of the projects, one is totally done, one is ready to do as a poster presentation, and she still have one more to read. The way I "help" is to "grade" the report, and keep her on task as it is re-written. She does a pretty good job, but the English teacher in me is hard to please! LOL! More volunteer work today for the school, but just a few hours. Then, I'm going to do some more organizing in my "scrapbook area". Betty, take a break, girl! Who are these people that are staying at your house???? I hope they are fun, at least! Hope ya'll had a good time at the circus, Patty! Sounds like a great time! Yes, as the weight drops off (remember to be patient!) you'll find it easier and easier to move around...you eventually will not even remember how difficult it used to be! Your trip sounded a little wet, Kat! Sometimes those difficult trips actually make the best memories, though! My family still teases me about my rainy Fourth of July picnic I "made" them go on! To everyone, hope the summertime fun is what is keeping you busy and away from here! Hugs, Cindy

I think ya'll's (is that even the right spelling?) weekends sound pretty great...Haven has a little friend over for the weekend. So far, we went to see Peter Pan performed at the community theatre last night, then today we went to see Hairspray (very good, IMHO), then we went to my sister's to see the baby cousin, then we played a game, then they jumped on the trampoline with the water sprinkler, and now they are making brownies for dessert tonight! Whew! In between the BFF stage, they argue. Both girl's are strong-headed, and the art of compromise is apparently difficult to come by at 9 and 10 years old! LOL! Every now and then I declare myself off limits (like now!). Yes, I guess I am coasting with the weight, but I saw my regular dr. yesterday, and she said I had a lost a pound since the last time she saw me, so what the hey. I think perhaps when DH and DD go back to school and life goes back to routine, I can get a better grip on my eating routine. For now, I think I'll just be happy that I can maintain my current weight...I think that used to be impossible two years ago. OMG! Tomorrow is my two year bandiversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :whoo:I just now remembered that. Wow. I guess I'll have to take pictures, for sure. Well, imagine letting something like that sneak up on you. Remember when we were worrying about what fills were like and if they hurt? Adn what counted as mushy food? LOL! Hey, everyone have a great Saturday night...I'll try to survive here with the sleepover! Hugs, Cindy

Mandy, Abi's closet sounds great! You really are thinking ahead, and I know you have to! Yes, we had a nice "tea", and everything was delicious! All things considered, it has been a very nice day. Hope the same is true for all! Hugs, Cindy

Good morning! I got the same email from Beanie...so she's out there, but sounds like she's looking for a job and otherwise occupied. At least she is well and knows we are thinking of her. I'm sure that means a lot to her. Kat, I do not envy you your day. That is grueling labor, and coming from farming "stock", I have some little bit of knowledge of that life. It has great rewards, and great work! Good luck, and take care of yourself in that heat! Betty, I'm glad you can use your pool again, and the weather is perfect for it. Can you believe we have not had a 100 degree day yet? Mandy, thanks for getting us started in contacting Beanie. Your wait is getting shorter and shorter, and I know you are glad for that! Well, girls, yesterday was a difficult day for us here. Years ago, when my aunt passed away, we took her Airedale to take care of her. We promised her we would. She did not have children, and my uncle had passed away several years before. As you can probably guess, yesterday we had to follow through with the most difficult decision there is in loving a pet, and took dear Annie to our vet to have her put to sleep. She was almost 12 years old, and had heart problems and severe hip dysplasia, which we were treating. However, she became incontinent, and the vet explained that it was a pain response, and the loss of bowel control indicated nerve damage. It was time. I told Annie she was good girl and we loved her, and to go find Patty (my aunt). I know they are together now, and while we miss her, she is happy to be with her true mistress. We know we did the right thing, but we miss Annie's grumping around, and our other two dogs are looking for her. I think they kinda know, though. It made for a sad day, but a pet's love is worth it, I think. Today my sister is coming over for "tea" made by my DD. This ought to be fun, and we could use a little distraction. She is making little finger sandwiches, and having salad and brownies. She made the brownies yesterday. That girl loves to cook, and it's fun to teach her! I guess that is all for now...everyone stay cool, and drink plenty of water! Hugs, Cindy

Poor Beanie...the flying monkees are on the loose. I emailed her, too! Let's see if we can reach her. Maybe someday I'll make it up to Chicago, you never know. I still remember when you bought your house, and making it your dream home is all part of the fun! I just got back home from some volunteer work at the school, then errand-running. Now, it's goof-off time before dinner-making time. I'll check back later! Cindy

Oops! Sorry about the Purple People Eater, Kat! But, I'm still laughing....and sorry about that, tooo. Don't tell Rick.... Hope you get that paint matched; the trailer sounds really great! Mandy, I knew you would be all organized...I'd come visit you if you were just a little closer to Texas! I bet you're going to feel a lot better once you are completely healed...it will take a while, but it will be worth it! Eileen, I might have Beanie's email, too...I'll look around, too! Cowboy chopmeat sounds pretty good to me...remember on Roseanne, when she and her sister had a chopmeat sandwich shop??? That's the first thing I thought of when I heard you say that. I haven't lost a pound in months, myself...but I'm not getting a fill. I still get the "golfball" pretty often, and I think the changes I need to make are in my behavior. So, I'll just have to face my own failings...one of these days! I just don't want to risk losing all the progress I have made. I don't know if I am thinking rationally or not, but that's how I feel about it right now. Okay, it's time to go to bed...see ya tomorrow! Hugs, Cindy

Hello to everyone! I just spent several hours just cleaning the dining room...mostly steam cleaning the rug in there. So, that's over...now I'm goofing off with ya'll! Hope you had a good foot massage, Patty. What movies did you get? Betty, that bbq chicken sounds pretty tasty! At least it's not raining today!!!! Glad to hear that the reflux is so much better, Sherry! Rest your back...I bet it is hard to stay in one position, PLUS getting stuck with inky needles! Ya'll are braver than I am, that's for SURE! Chrispy, hope the new guy is a good guy! Have fun camping with your family! Mandy, are you getting everything ready for your surgery? It's about two weeks off, isn't it? I remember it is scheduled for the end of the month, if my "rememberer" is correct! How is Abi? Eileen, how is the weather up there in NJ? Is it rainy or hot? I bet you love your pool; I know I would love to have one, but it's just not in the cards for me at the moment...maybe someday. Have a great day, everyone....HUGS! Cindy

Mandy, my street is torn up, too! They are re-doing all 4 of our neighborhood's streets, and right now (due to the rain) it just a bunch of mud and ruts! What a mess! It will be great afterward, but right now....yuck! Chris, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend. It is so sad to say good bye to someone, even though we know they are in a better place, we are still here and there is an empty place where our friend used to be. I pray for your peace and comfort and for the family, too. Hugs. Hi, Betty! Summer is pretty busy, huh? Glad to see you here, whenever you can make it! Hi, Deb...it HAS been a long time! I'm so glad you still remembered where to find us! We'll take you whenever you have time! Good luck finding a new pre-k...that's sometimes a difficult task! Hi Mandy! Sounds like you had a good time at the zoo! Dianne, good luck with your leg surgery...my, you've had the surgery this year! Sherry, you would be as busy as I am, I'm sure of it, if you were retired. I'm just glad your reflux is doing better!! Let's keep it like that, until you are all healed up! Eileen, Kat, and everyone else, hope you all have a great weekend! Tonight we went to my DD's little musical theatre performance...some selections from Cinderella, and some from Les Miserables...she was SO GOOD! (If I do say so myself...but I'm trying to be honest). The guy who owns the music academy said he can't believe she's only 9, and he can't wait to hear her when she's 15. I was a very proud mama, I have to confess to you, friends! Tomorrow is an "off" day, nothing on the calendar, thank goodness! See ya then! Cindy

OMG, I forgot Kat! Can't do that! Hugs, Kat! How's Rick?

What a relief, Sherry! I'm so glad some definitive action was taken, and I understandhow nervous you are about weight gain, but face it, your health and well-being are first, then the weight loss can be taken up again after that. That's one advantage of the band, is it not???? HUGS to you, sweetie! We'll be here, like Dianne said, to hold your hand and encourage you, and remind you that your health is #1! Dianne, so glad to hear that your new position is fun and you enjoy it! I bet it's a kick to help other people who are just starting out! Yes, I do stay busy, but I like it that way, then I like some down time, and this way I'm in control of that! When I was teaching, I just had to say "no" to a lot of things I really wanted to do. Maybe now I say yes to too much, but I enjoy it! Tonight I'm going to a potluck dinner for Children's Ministry Council for our church...in fact, I've gotta put the stuffed pizza braid in the oven right about NOW! Hey Mandy, Betty, Patty, Eileen...and everyone else I left off the personals...will catch ya the next time! Hugs, Cindy

Hey, I'm here! I was spending a couple of days at my dad's house...my sister, dd, and I thought we'd go over there and hang out with him to get through my mom's birthday, and it's been two year's since her death. So, we ate out at one of her favorite places, played card games, worked a puzzle, and went to see Ratatouille...just a way to celebrate her. I'm so glad, Kat, that Kinsey is better...but worried about Rick. Let us know! Patty, just play it nice and easy, and don't get pressured. Sometimes, not that this is the case for your doc, they are very focused on their stats, so you just worry about you, and balance their advice with your truth. Sherry, I think you have a serious situation...both in health and customer service, and I'm sure you'll stand on their desks and let them know about it! Then, come here and tell us what happened, because we are WORRIED about you! Happy Birthday, Darcy!!!! I hope you had a grand day! I had a fun day at the dentist being fitted for a crown...dang, those are expensive! I have a dr appt next week...I am having a problem with my shoulder...I swear it seems like a rotator cuff problem, but I am no athlete! I have no idea how I could have sustained an injury like that! Could I have started something when I had my unfortunate (and embarrassing) fall running from home to first at the kids/parents softball game at the end of May??? Whatever the cause, it just becomes more and more painful, and I can't even reach behind my back or over my head, and Aleve isn't cutting it. So, since doing nothing about it isn't working, I guess I'll go to my doc, have her look it over, and probably refer me to an orthopedic. Can we just stay well around here! LOL! Glad to be back, and hugs to all! Cindy

I just finished doing some school work (volunteer, of course!) and stopped in to check on Kinsey! Glad to see some hopeful signs here! Saying more healing prayers for her, and hope you have some good stories to keep her entertained, Kat. Mandy always has the best places to go to! Give her hugs from us...and here's one (HUG) for you!

Dear Kat, Just stay on top of it all. As hard as it is, and as tough as you have to be, you can and will do it. That's what we do. Everything you said...well, I remember those feelings from when mom was so sick. It must be worse with a 2 year old. DEFINITELY find the nusing supervisor or the patient advocate and tell him or her what happened. If you have not started a journal, start one. We wrote down everything...who came in and what time and what was done or not done. If you remember the names of the people, the exact times, etc. write that down so you have great info when you report your situation. Remember, you are not just getting back at the lazy nurses, but you are potentially saving someone else's family members. No guilt trips for that, that's for sure! You and Rick are God's special gift to your family. Your strength, perseverance, dedication and faith have been called on time and time again. No doubt you are tired, and no doubt you are worried, but with things like this, there is also no doubt that you have been tapped to be there and serve your daughter and granddaughter, and you are doing it. If we can hold you up, even a little, through our cyberspace connection, it is an honor. If only our (((hugs))) could be real ones! Come here to talk anytime, and prayers are with you and your family (even the difficult ones). Dianne, take care of yourself, and don't mess around with the blood clots...and good luck with your new job! Hi, Eileen! We've got nothing much going on for Saturday...a wedding to go to tonight. Then tomorrow and Monday night, my sis, DD, and I are going over to dad's to stay...sort of a "Mom's birthday" celebration thing. We don't like to make a big deal out of it because we don't know if it makes dad happy or sad, but we don't want to ignore it, for the same reason. So, we'll go spend some time together, which is something Mom loved for us to do. Hope everyone else is hanging in there...hugs all around! Cindy

Alrighty then...Sherry will find out something on Wednesday, and Mandy will have her solution at the end of the month. Wish you could have the lap hysto, but what needs to be, will be. It will soon be over, and you'll feel so much better! Now, let's hear from Kat, and see how the family is doing. I hope they have figured out what the common link is, and how to treat it! Prayers, and hugs, all around! Cindy

Hi! This is a harder question than it seems, because the answer is different for each person...AND because the answer changes for each person at different stages of being banded. You'll get all kinds of answers, and then you'll have to figure out the answers that are right for you. Even still, it helps to have some guidelines to go by...I stay away from carbonation, because first of all, it's not all that great of a food to begin with, and it feels weird in my pouch. I have had it, but if it is served on ice and has lost some of its fizz. I prefer water or tea or coffee. I have had no problems with salad, but others have. I can eat some bread, if I chew carefully. In fact, there is no food I just simply cannot have. The defining characteristic is in my BEHAVIOR. If I eat carefully, chew well, take some time between bites and eat small bites, I can eat almost anything. Portion size is important, too. Good luck to you as you discover what works for you! Cindy

Kat, so they think it's a flu or virus???? Could it be some kind of food poisoning or bacterial thing they picked up from tainted water? I guess they have run fecal tests...or something to see if there is e. coli or something like that. This seems different if it's the whole family. Prayers are with you...PLEASE check in with us when you can! Hugs to all, Cindy

Good idea, Eileen...maybe it's the time of day Sherry is eating. Yeah, the Beanster has been missing from here a LONG time...started right after she changed jobs. Where is that girl? Kat, give us a report on Kinsey, please. How's your Dh, also? We had more rain today...it's unbelievable. Right now we are watching the History Channel's story on the Revolutionary War...making DD watch it with us! And she is...! Enjoy your holiday! Cindy

Well, Sherry...I wonder if you have the beginning of pouch dilation? I'm just taking a shot in the dark, and I definitely think you need some tests run to be sure of what is going on. The esophagus can get desensitized, and the food can collect in the area above the band, so that would make you feel like "something is in your stomach" all the time. I'd get it checked out, and I know you will. I don't want you to have any trouble! How's your tattoo healing? Happy Fourth of July to all! I know all of you will spend a moment praying for our Troops! Hugs, Cindy