mousecrazy

Hopefully this will be of some reassurance to you, but I have never received a negative comment of any kind, ever. I told everyone, and have been completely honest and out there about my surgery and my reasons. I have never felt I was under a microscope, I have never felt that I had to defend my food choices, and the results speak for themselves. If anything, I have been an example and someone others who are suffering from obesity can ask questions of about lapband, and I think that is definitely a worthwhile thing. In fact, after I started talking about it, two other people at work started talking about their weight loss surgery also. Do your own thing, I'm sure you are aware that your mom likes to talk, so you probably suspected she'd talk about this anyway. This is about YOU.

Hellos to everyone1 Eileen, hugs on your DB's birthday; Mom's is on Sunday. The NJ budget crisis is all over the news, so I was aware of it. What I heard was that because state employees oversee the gambling, and they cannot work, then the gambling cannot happen. Probably ought to get on the phone with your Jersey girl moxey and tell your rep to cut that budget and do it now. They can start with their pay, and continue on to their retirement package! LOL! At the very least, you'll get their attention. Betty, rest your foot! Beanie, glad you had a restful 4th. DH and I made a contribution to an organization that provides scholarships to fallen soldiers as our 4th of July gesture of support for our troops. Did ya'll know that on the Dept of Defense website there's a link for America Supports You. mil (I don't think there are any spaces) and you can just type a message of support to the troops, and it doesn't cost you anything? Tomorrow is the anniv. of mom's death...I am feeling okay, just trying not to dwell on what was happening a year ago. We are going over to dad's to have dinner with him, even though we didn't really say why, I'm sure he knows. I don't think we actually have to say anything. Love you all, Cindy

I am cheering you on, Terri! Congratulations!

I'm almost one year out now, and have had not one problem, even small, with my band.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Happy 4th of July!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: We've done all our celebrating on Sunday and Monday, and today is just for our little family...did anyone watch the Space Shuttle launch! It gives me chills! Eileen, Sherry, Kat, Patty...ya'll are the "go-to" gals for advice! I read every word, and feel really good about how things are going so far. We do drive together alot and talk alot in the car. I don't think she's embarrassed about anything. She even told DH the next morning that she wasn't looking forward to that period thing! We're good communicators, or try to be. I love the idea of "ladies day" and think my sister would love to be part of that, and maybe my nieces and some of the other women who are important to DD. We have a wonderful ladies restaurant in Denton, The Chestnut Tree, and it would be perfect for that! Sherry, your mom was so great with you, and I love how she prepared you for that important decision. I think it would have helped me to make better decisions about that...I know I treated those decisions way too casually. That caused a lot of pain and stress, and who wants that for their daughter? Or sons, for that matter? A big thank you and I'm still up for hearing any further stories...all of them are very helpful. Dianne, it is good to hear from those further down the road that it is natural to be unsettled during the weeks around the time you lost someone really important to you. I feel sorry for people who never talk to others, and carry their burdens all alone. They never have the comfort of knowing that others feel the same, and have survived and thrived, and they can, too. I can't even explain how comforting that knowledge is. I know Betty, Eileen, and others have shared this with me, and don't know what it cost them to share, but I do truly appreciate the gift. Thank you. Hope everyone has a safe and happy and grateful Independence Day! Hugs, Cindy

How about Viactiv calcium chews? I have some that are chocolate mint flavored and they taste pretty good!

I have read this book, and still have it. I read it five years ago. I don't think I was ready to understand it then, but I should probably read it again. Thanks for reminding me about it. It is a good recommendation, and when people are really ready to face that issue, it's a good place to start.

Good morning, everyone! The brownies were great, but next time, less marshmallows on the top! They all melted together and made it really hard to cut, but they tasted great. DD taped stripes of red, white, and blue all over a shoe box (we're a very patriotic family, too!), and it looked really great and cute! We had a good time over at my sister's...I got some nice compliments from friends of hers who haven't seen me in quite a while, which was nice, of course! Okay moms, let me throw this at you and ask for any advice. I brought this up as a theoretical not long ago, but now I guess it's not as theoretical. DD was complaining of itching in her "personal" place, so I was helping her clean herself, and noticed she has some pubic hair. I swear. She'll be 9 in October. So, like Pat said, I talked to her about her periods and what they were. She cried. I wasn't expecting that. But I hugged her and listened and prayed for the right words. I told her that God designed our bodies and we should receive that as a blessing because it allows us to be mothers some day. She wanted to know if it hurt, and I said sometimes there are cramps, but I never had any...some people do. So, you have a general idea of how I handled it...I'm sure there will be more questions from her, so do you have any ideas of other things I can tell her? Did your mothers do anything that really made an impression on you? Mine kinda avoided the whole thing, and I want to do that differently, so she sees it as part of a bigger picture of God's design and something that should be honored. It sure seems like this came really fast...8 years old! I've always thought she was an "old" soul...I'm gonna have to stay on my toes to keep up with her! Eileen, enjoy your crumb cake! Hugs to all!

I believe you can do it! I'll be looking for your progress each week, and cheering you on!

Hahahaha! Laughing makes you feel better, too!

I just read through this entire thread, and decided to risk the following contribution: regardless of the cause of loneliness, one thing that always works to make you feel better...REALLY better, not the temporary better of drinking, drugs and food...is to DO SOMETHING for others. Serving others, finding a purpose for life besides yourself, is something that will help you fill the lonely spot. The secret is that the serving others thing can't be done to make yourself look good, because that is really serving yourself. I hope this suggestion is taken in the spirit given...it is sad to read of all the loneliness and hurt. Let's get out there and DO SOMETHING! God knows, there's plenty to do.

Sounds like the holiday weekend is in full swing around here! Patty, glad you survived the vacation! And, it sounded like a good time! Rest up a little, because now you've got summer to survive! Since DH and I are both teachers, we are home together with DD, and we enjoy it, but it seems to drive others absolutely crazy! Hope you are in the "enjoy it" category! Eileen, thank you for your kind words and cyber-hug...you know, it's so great to have learned to roll with some things and let them be what they are...ironic. Letting go of some control actually gives you more control? I think that may be a breakthrough, there... We have made our brownies, and boy they do look good and smell good. DD is in her room decorating a shoe box in patriotic colors, then we'll line it with wax paper, and put the brownies in it for the fish fry. I think her brownies will be a big hit, and she'll be all aglow with compliments, which is the point. Give that girl a project and a purpose, and she's in heaven. As for me, like Sherry, I did some cleaning, but mine was on the back porch. I even broke a sweat. It was so shocking, all the dogs were actually worried! LOL! All I did was clean off the porch swing cushions, brush off the dust and stuff and then reattach the cushions. They look so much better now! I'll check back later! Everyone have a great day!

I haven't found any food that I just cannot eat, ever. I don't have a big fill, though...but it is fickle. some days, chicken is just fine. Other days, it gives me a "golfball." Like others, I've found that dark meat is easier. I have eaten bread, rice, potatoes, eggs, shrimp, salad, cake, melted cheese, etc...just smaller amounts, and smaller bites. I honestly think, for me, that it is more of a matter of the size of the bite, and the speed of eating than anything else. For the newer members, this is good advice: just because you CAN eat something, doesn't mean you SHOULD. I ought to remember that more often! LOL!

Amen. I love that we are all being lifted in prayer and strengthened by God and our faith in Jesus Christ. We will learn to see ourselves as He sees us, and treat ourselves as He would treat us. We will learn to deal with food. May God bless all of us.

Hi, It's great that you are thinking about these issues! Keep thinking about them, and you'll find your answers. All I can tell you about these problems is that, for me, they come and go. Some days I do better than others. Some weeks are better than others. There are so many things like this that come up as we struggle with our eating issues, and the band is such a great tool. It is there as we work these things out. You are not alone...I bet you get a lot of feedback on your questions. I know you were probably wanting some magic answers, and I hope you are not too disappointed by mine. I'm trying to be honest with you, and encourage you to just keep going, one day at a time. You'll get there!

Betty, thank you for your understanding and kindness. I sure hope you have a great weekend! Kat, your luau sounds like it went fantastic! Just get a plastic tub, and store all that stuff, at HER house! LOL! That's a grand idea! I'm going to teach my DD how to make real mac and cheese tonight, so that'll be our dinner, too...she just loves to learn to cook. Then we're gonna make some (caution! The following is dangerous to those avoiding sweets, especially chocolate!) "Fluffernutter Brownies." It's a Rachel Ray recipe, starts with a brownie mix and you add peanut butter chips, and marshmallows and nuts. We're going to take those to the fish fry tomorrow at my sister's. We don't have to take anything, but I know my DD will be very proud if she brings something that everyone oohs and aahs over. Have a good evening!

How cute! I love cross stitch, but just haven't had time to do it since I became a working mother with a long commute...but I've got high hopes for retirement! It's beautiful work!

Betty, I am so happy for you that you are getting away for a few days! I am hungry for your salads already! I bet you got a cortisone shot, which should help pretty quickly...did the doc tell you to try ice? With time, a soft tissue injury will heal, so be nice to yourself! So, it's July already? Wow! I'm battling some emotional eating issues, but I'm just going to ride them out until this week or so passes...here we are at the one year anniversary of mom's passing. That will be on July 6. I feel differently than I thought I would, but it's hard to describe it. I know, thankfully, that many of you understand this. On a lighter note, I am sitting on the couch, laptop in my lap, and beside me are Mickey (mini Schnauzer), Slately (big gray cat), Dharma (Bichon), and Snuggles (longhair tortoiseshell cat). At my feet, there is Annie the Airedale. Only one cat is missing, and I think she is outside, or she'd be right here, too! I'm like the animal magnet! I've got nothing going on...so interested in everyone else's plans!

Nothin' much going on...I'm just doing some small organizing tasks around here...going to my sister's for a fish fry on Sunday night. It is too dry to sneak any fireworks, way too dangerous for fire hazards, so I imagine we'll cook some hot dogs and call it fun! What's everybody else doin'?

Apparently this is a much bigger deal than I personally think it should be, because it's on every news station....sigh. One idea I heard is that Rosie required the departure of Star. I guess it makes sense that Rosie and Star would not sit around the same table.

I just got back from my Austin trip! We had a great time! Went to eat at our fave places (all Tex-Mex), walked around the UT campus, which looks kinda the same in places, 'and really different in others, bought some t-shirts, and then went to my retirement counseling thingie...swam at the pool, and just generally had a blast! We think we'd better do this each summer...so nice to just be girlfriends, no kids, for a couple of days! I've got to take DD to her voice lesson...BBL! Hugs, Cindy

I don't watch The View, and haven't for years now...I have kept up with Star a little, just due to the weight loss aspect, and I don't really like the way she looks all that much, but I don't have to live with it, so who cares what I think? Honestly, I just have pretty much lost patience with most celebrities, in a general way....if you have a contract that you have signed, stating you will not discuss something, you should stick to your contract. Someone who is knowledgeable about the law should understand that.

Okay, Betty, prayers surround you and your brother. I will be out of town until Thursday night, but you will be in my prayers the whole time. I will check in here first thing when I get back. Hugs and love, Cindy

THAT's what I forgot! Donna's anniversary!!!! That's a gorgeous necklace! Congratulations! Can't wait to see what the rest of the surprsie is! It's interesting that two of you have dated on Match....my niece met her husband on eharmony or something like that. My DH and I met the old-fashioned way---we were set up by my sister and her husband! LOL! Today we have swimming, then a few errands. Then I pack for my little trip to Austin to get the retirement stuff set up with teacher retirement down there. I also need to pack for DD, because she's gonna stay with my sister so they can babysit for my little baby great-niece (my sister's granddaughter). My DD is already planning what clothes she's gonna make her wear! Poor baby. I'm looking forward to the trip...my friend and I are going together, so she can have some time away from her two little kids, also...a girl trip! Yippeeeee! DH is staying here, listing and selling stuff on ebay, and going to the tax office to try to get our property taxes reduced...somebody's gotta do the heavy lifting! I'll check in later!

Awwwwww! What a cute little puppy, Sherry! I see why she was irresistable!