mousecrazy

Bummer, Chris, on the downside of your date...the smoking. My DH smokes, but I used to, too. I quit 6 years ago, but he hasn't. I only bug him about it a little, because we both quit drinking, and that was a much bigger deal. Only you know how big a deal it is to you, except maybe Sherry! LOL! Yes, Pat... I know the "talk" is coming. I don't even mind having it. DD will be 9 in Oct., and is already developing physically, so I know the period is not far behind. We even took her to the doctor a year ago, because she was complaining of pain in the pelvic area...the sonogram showed some ovarian development even then. Thanks for the encouragement. DH and I take these things matter-of-factly and approach the sexual side of things from a spiritual approach and will do the best we can to pass that attitude on to her. Betty, sorry about the dead battery...still, it was good you got to get out and ride for a while. Hope everything's okay for you...hugs! Eileen, hope you have a good week...I know you are going to lead the way to onederland, and I am looking forward to cheering you on! I'm in the holding pattern for now, but I've learned to just accept this. It's so weird, isn't it? When my weight stays the same for a while, that's when people ask me if I'm losing weight...it's weird. I know there was something else I was going to say to someone, but it's late and I'm tired and going to bed...I'll think of it tomorrow! Goodnight and hugs, Cindy

Prayers go up for all who have asked, and He hears all prayers both said and unsaid. Our God is right on time, and will deliver his will on time in all situations. Let go and let God. It is so simple, and so difficult for us. I pray for his guidance and comfort for all who ask, and ask that you remember all our troops in your prayers. Thank you.

Just a couple of ideas, but my situation is not the same as yours, since i only have one kid! I make us a little schedule...structure is a good thing. I find worksheets that are kinda fun too online...Enchantedlearning.com is one place...but there are tons out there like discovery.com...While your older kid is working on something alone, you will have time for the 3 year old. Also, check out familyfun.com for some great ideas. One I have used is to have all the kids put some things they want to do on slips of paper, and once a week, or whatever schedule you like, you pull one out of a jar, and do that one. I think the saving grace is to have a schedule that you make...you need to put some order to things. They'll be happier, too. You can limit how many days there are friends over, and what kind of things you allow. You can check movies out at the library and have matinee afternoon, with popcorn you make...lots cheaper. Or, the older kids can make up the menu for lunch...and you can have cooking lessons that way. When I get stuck for ideas, I go online and find something and some good ideas, everytime! Good luck...remember, YOU'RE the boss (but it helps if they think they are getting choices!) LOL!

Urrrggggghhh! I just wrote a post, and it disappeared! Anyway, I was welcoming you, Chrispy! It's a great group here, yes, we need an after picture of Sherry, and good luck in your quest to be a bandster! I promise the first post was much more interesting! Hugs to all, Cindy

I never thought about it. I would imagine not...seems like it would get in the way...I always think of doctors as mechanics in that way...it has never bothered me. If you have problems with that kind of thing, it is probably something to discuss with your doctor or his staff.

Happy Saturday! Eileen, how was the Care Bear show? I bet ya'll had a blast! Hope the weather will straighten up for you up there in NJ...we had a few rain drops yesterday and happy to have them, but no floods like in Houston or up there. Patty, have fun with Johnny this weekend! We're ready to throw the virtual online party when you finally get your surgery go-ahead! I know it's coming... Betty, your family is still in my prayers. How's the news? I hope it's as good as it can be. Donna, how's the beach? What part of Florida are you in? Trish, glad to see you! I just am so sorry you are having all these problems. Hope that wound heals quickly! Darcy, so what is the treatment plan for your crazy goiter? I have a friend who has something like that, and she hasn't had any operations and won't let them use radiation, so she stays on beta-blockers. Otherwise, she has the heart racing you talked about...she's a little exteme against medical procedures, so I'm by no means suggesting you follow that...I was just wondering what reasonable people would do! LOL! I guess by the time we work through everyone's medical things around here, we'll be well informed, huh? Sherry, how did that problem at work get settled? I imagine it was just part of your regular routine. Beanie, are you rested up from your exciting trip? I bet you are hibernating this weekend! My DH finished his summer school job yesterday. Grease was fun... I forgot how many things were in it that might need "explaining" to an 8 year old! She fully understood that Rizzo was a tramp, but didn't understand the PG thing, or the "friend" that was/wasn't coming to visit. Also, she didn't ask, so we havn't had to go through that entire discussion, yet. She still feels sorry for actresses that have to kiss as part of their roles...how can you kiss someone you don't know?????? I hope it stays that way for a while! Have a good day, all! Cindy

Congratuations, Babs! I really appreciate you taking the time to update all of us on your journey...you've done so great, and your advice is so valuable! Good luck on your new goals! Cindy

Verrrry interesting! When I was losing more quickly than now, I had a difficult spell emotionally, but I am also recovering from the grief of losing my mom, so it's all kinda balled up together and hard to separate which feelings are caused by what. I had never considered the weight loss as a part of the equation, but I guess it could be. Thanks for the thought-provoking post.

Just a quick "fly-by" as I head out the door to the eye doctor's (yes, for teachers, summer is the time for all these check-ups!). I got a little monthly statement thing from LBT, and noticed that I registered on this site June 22 last year...so it's been a year that I've been hanging out around here, ALREADY! WOW! I know, it's almost bandiversary time for me, and I can't believe that, either! We're getting new glasses, then going over to my dad's to hang out until dinner and a show with a mom/daughter friend couple tonight...we're seeing Grease at the local theatre here in Denton. That should be fun. Welllll, whaddya know? I just heard thunder! I think it's gonna rain, finally! Gotta go, love ya all! Cindy

You have asked a really good question, and it reveals so many approaches to living life as a bandster. I have tried to approach the whole thing as learning to eat "normally." This is not a smooth process, LOL! I have learned to judge, pretty much, what is a portion size for me, and take just that much. Then, if I am still hungry, I can get some more (you know, like a normal person). Do I overeat sometimes? Yes. Do I succumb to the charms of the siren, ice cream? Oh, yes. And, I notice the same effects that Jack mentions...it messes up my whole system and how hungry I feel for days afterward. Yet, I do it at times. As you go, you will learn what works for you. If you have trouble doing that, keep coming here and getting feedback. I have learned so much from the friends here at LBT. Good luck to you! Cindy

Betty, I'm soooo sorry you are going through so much stress and worry. As we have talked before, my heart knows how your heart is hurting, and I will pray for all your family, and especially you, my friend. When you need a hug, you know where you can get a bunch! Hugs, Cindy

God bless him! I'm a total patriot for our military and wish people would worry a lot more about the behavior of the terrorists and a lot less about our brave men and women. I'm proud for you!

Congrats on the new job! You may or may not remember, I answered your question about how to get supplies last month. I teach in CFB, and have for 29 years. I dearly love teaching, and work with the at-risk students in an alternative ed. setting. We had an art program and they ditched it, because "we were sending so much money to the state due to Robin Hood." Please don't wish for a TAKS test in art...(I suspect you were tongue-in-cheek there); what we need is LESS testing, not more, for goodness sake! I understand why you would not want to burn bridges...teachers can really incur some consequences for speaking out. I say it's like the Emperor's New Clothes. The person who tells the truth will not be believed, and all the people who agree with the top person will move up, regardless of their effectiveness. What I'm wanting to tell you, Poodles, is not to feel guilty for one minute. There are plenty of kids who need you, and you may as well maximize your situation while you are at it. I figured this out after my 25th year in the district...in the same district I grew up in, and went to 12 years of school...I received a postcard saying "congratulations" and I knew then that my longevity in that district was WAY more important to me than it would ever me to the administration. Contact your special students, and know that you have done the right thing. If you are a parent reading this, get involved in your school district and find out what they are spending your money on. You'll have to dig, because most of the administrative costs will be hidden in "student resources" or some category like that. Find out what is being spent on special programs that benefit very few students, and find out how many administrative positions there are to support those programs. You'll soon find out why kids can't have basic art supplies and art teachers, or music, or any of the things we used to have when I was in school, presumably when we had much less money than we have now...hhmmmmm? Good luck, Poodles, and I know you'll enjoy your new job!

I just want to encourage you to take it one day, or one popsicle, at a time. You took a big step and made a big decision to get the band, and you are worth it. Now, treat yourself like you are worth it, and follow your instructions. You want to HEAL. The better this goes, the better the rest of the journey will go. You have read about problems with the band...and you'll never know if the people with the problems followed their dr.'s instructions to the letter or not. You WILL know if you did. Take care of yourself. Focus on your goal and what you want to achieve, not what you cannot have for the moment. You will eat again, just less! Good luck! Cindy

Good morning! Pat, those pictures are so great! They all look like they are having a great time. And, congrats on the NSV with the shorts..even when we are not losing numbers on the scale, our bodies are still changing. I keep repeating that to myself when the numbers stay the same (which is happening now!) Missed you! Beanie, I hope you make it through the day...heartbreaking loss. IMHO, there certainly was some iffy officiating, but you can't argue with 37% shooting, and Dirk being held at 0 points for the 3rd quarter (I think). Both teams were good, and it was a good series. Congratulations to all the HEAT fans, especially Donna! I checked in on the board yesterday, but had so much trouble moving around the site, I couldn't post...did anyone else have trouble? I haven't read everything as of this morning, because I was afraid if I went back a page, I'd lose this one, and I wanted to post and say hi to everyone! I went to the dr. yesterday...she has me at 66 lbs lost, great blood pressure, etc. Nice to hear! We're still adjusting medications to control the migraines...I still have about one a week, just not at the super intensity I was having. So, progress is being made, and that's a good thing. DD is still taking swim lessons, and this session she's lucky to be the only one in her level, so she has private lessons, and is learning so much! She is actually swimming the length of the lanes now...I just can't believe it, like she's growing up in fast-motion. Sherry, how frustrating to have to fix someone else's problem! The problems you describe exist in the public sector (education) also, so I wonder how we're going to remedy this crazy lazy mindset that has taken hold of people? Is it such a revelation that some things really DO matter? HAHAHAHA! I'm watching the news, and there's a story about how the police are catching criminals because their baggy saggy pants are slowing them down and tripping them, or even falling off, with their wallet and ID in them! That cracks me up! LOL! I"m gonna read for a while...see ya'll later! Hugs, Cindy

Uh-oh. The Mavs are down by one, and on their way back to Big D. Hopefully, this will be better (for us)! Overtime, and a one point loss...bummer. Good luck, Donna. Yes, it's true about the sign on the yacht...some really rich people (obviously) had a yacht with a Go Mavs sign on it, and the city made them take it down. So, they hired a plane to fly a sign that said "Go Mavs. Beat the Heat." Ya gotta love rich people! It would be such fun to have no limits like that! Eileen, I'm so excited for you! I thought I'd break the 220 barrier by now, but I'm in one of those "hanging out in the same weight" periods...sooner or later, it'll inch downward again. I can feel your excitement! Way to go! Sherry, your descriptions crack me up! It reminds me of the outfits we used to plan for Pat! I'm pretty tired and need to get to bed...see ya tomorrow! Cindy

Congrats on the new member of your family! With kids and dogs, some things just take time and patience---yours! You have plenty of both, and everything will work out when everyone gets adjusted! Cindy

I am one of those people who loses weight in spurts, also. I've kept track of my progress on Fitday.com, and my average loss/week is 1.2 lbs per week. I want to emphasize that there have been long weeks where the scale does not move; I've learned not to confuse myself with that. It's like a magic trick, I swear. The appearances of the numbers on the scale can be deceiving!

First, you are a very talented photographer. Truly quality work. I would develop one B&W and one color, just to show the range of your work.

I originally had 150 as my goal weight (I'm about 5'8"), but I had a long talk with myself and thought that might not be the best weight for me. I changed my goal to 180, which is a weight I remember being happy with long, long ago. I'm losing so slow, that loose skin isn't a big issue, thankfully, and I don't want it to be, either...at 150, it might be. I'm just going to go where I go. I chose 180 as a target just for the sake of having a target.

Jana, how cute! The name "Frosty" came to mind, because of the frosty white parts around the foal's nose and legs...or maybe it just looks like that in the picture...BTW, I'm in Texas (north of Denton). Paula, thank you for the compliments, on my Easter picture. I think you might want to get one of those hard plastic kids swimming pools for the dd (damn dog) to swim in! LOL! I'll try to find a picture for a new avatar! Thanks again, Cindy

I decided to love the term Morbidly Obese, because being "that term" qualified me for the lapband surgery that has changed my life, and has been a great decision. I think it's all in how you choose to look at it.

Poor puppy! I hope you figure out what is causing the stomach illness...pred. can do that, but maybe the puppy needs something to help with the nausea, too? Eileen, your picture is so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look great, and I love the darker hair color on you...which do you prefer? I decided to post the compliments here instead of on the picture thread, so there'd be more room for pictures...I figured you'd take the compliments, no matter where they were! LOL! All done with the shopping, now I'm just goofing off, DH is listing stuff on Ebay and DD is writing in her new little journal...it's always fun finding things to keep her brain busy! Cindy

You have some control over this. Ask for very small fills...explain that you want to sneak up on your optimum amount and go very slowly. My fill doc is very receptive to this, and if you'll look at my signature, you'll see I have only had .7cc's and the last one was in November. I probably should have more restriction, but I have been very cautious. So, I understand where you are coming from, and you are the best judge of your situation.

Good morning! Kat, I appreciate the update. I'm so sorry you have to put up with the ridiculous state of affairs in the world of insurance on top of all the stress you already feel in regard to your DH's health. I just wonder if it would be better if we just left the middle men (insurance companies) out of it, and dealt directly with the doctors...too big of a question, I know, but they are making profit, so probably not really doing us any big favors. I certainly would never want the government to pay for my health care, so i guess this is what we will have to put up with. ANYWAY, I continue to hope for the best, and know your DD is excited about her new digs! Eileen, you are the luckiest girl! Apparently everyone wants to go to New Jersey! Can't wait to see the pictures of Diane! Not much happening today...just a little shopping for DH's fathers day gift. DD made him a daddy/daughter scrapbook yesterday...so cute! Have a great weekend! Hugs, Cindy