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Super! I just love knowing how great that feels for you! Cindy

I recommend this website: www.allearsnet.com for any info you need...they have a section on weather, and post the average temps for each month. I was at WDW last December, and you have to pack all those things! It rains, so you need all that stuff. It was cold enough one night that we had to buy sweatshirts, and we were still cold! Think LAYERS! Also, we always got a locker at whatever park we were in, and stashed rain stuff, first aid stuff, etc in a back pack, and put it in the locker. That way, we didn't have to carry it, but it was there if we needed it. Get the best forecast you can from weather channel or weather bug, and then pack layered things that you can add or subtract as you go! Have fun! I'm so envious! Cindy

Food porn...well, I guess it could be that! LOL! I love watching the Food Channel! I get great ideas from the shows, and learn alot about cooking. (Pat? See, I told you!) Good for you for noticing, Margo, that your life really is changing! Cindy

Hang in there! Distract yourself with something you enjoy, and then, pretty soon, it will all be over! Be sure to post here when you get back from surgery....take it easy, don't expect to feel like a million bucks right off the bat, and feel proud of yourself for making a life-enhancing decision! I'll be thinking about you! Cindy

Welcome and congratulations on your new life! You have also found one of the greatest resources ever...LBT! Another way to learn all you need to know is read past threads, like Pat said, and read the stats under our names...you can see how long we've had the band, how many fills we have had, and how much weight we have lost. You'll read many, many successes, and you will also read about problems. We share it all here; the open sharing of both good and bad experiences is our strength! Post any time, and someone will come running with info! Cindy

OUCHIE! OUCHIE! OUCHIE! I sure hope you feel better soon! Cindy

I LOVE BEANIE'S HAT! It's a 10+ on the festive scale! Cindy

Thanks, Betty, for the recipes! I have made some butterscotch cookies like yours, but mine have chowmein noodles and peanuts! I think I'll have to try yours! The main cookie I am required to make are decorated sugar cookies. The recipe is from my great-grandmother on my dad's side. The cookies are kinda soft, then frosted with the old standard confectioner's sugar/milk frosting. The frosting hardens when it dries, so you can stack them. I like red hots and silver balls, along with all the other sprinkles and colored sugar. My DD and nephew (now 20) would protest mightily if I did not have them at the kitchen table, decorating like mad! Those thumbprint cookies sound great...I have a recipe for them, too, but I haven't made them since high school! If you want me to, I'll collect the recipes and email them to everyone? Or, I guess I could copy them and mail them out in a little book? Is anyone interested? Sunsett/Dianne, hello! I'm another Texan that sneaked in here...I'm not sure how it happened, but I sorta started hanging out here, and made great friends, and who knows? Maybe we will all meet someday! Cindy

I've only had 2 fills, and I think the total is .7cc in a 4cc band. I am happy with the conservative philosophy, because it has allowed me time to adjust my "head band." LOL! For me, that is the key to the whole thing...being banded, and knowing in your head that you are banded, can be entirely different. If my dr. had just pumped in the saline to have lots of restriction, and my head wasn't ready...I think it would be disaster. I like the slow adjustment better. Whether insurance pays, or you pay, it doesn't matter to the office. I guess there may be some dr.'s who might do it, but I bet it is a very small number. Mine wouldn't. Good luck! Cindy

Thanks! This is a fantastic safety feature...and will save lives, no doubt! I'm doing just right, I think, on my weight loss...about 40 pounds in about 4 months...I get impatient sometimes, but I am learning to relax and concentrate on each day's habits. How are you? Cindy

Happy birthday to ALL of you! That's a big group!

I have coffee with Splenda and (right now) Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha, just a splash. I've had no trouble with coffee at all, and since it is practically the only vice I have left, I'm trying to hold onto it! Cindy

Good for you! Cindy

Fantastic! I so admire those who can use their gifts to praise the One who bestowed them! I try to do that as a teacher, but it's a lot less people at one time. And they don't all believe. And, it's public school, so it's touchy. You are living my secret fantasy life...singing! But believe me, it's best if I only sing in the car! Thanks for posting this! Cindy

Eileen, good morning! Thanks for starting the Dec. Chat! I think I look forward to visiting here about as much as anything! Patty, happy "birth" day to you! You hae gone all the way to make a great day for Lew!~ Perfect!~ Love your picture, too! Gold Legos! How cool! Betty, well, what can I say? You know I can relate to the waiting you are doing to hear news of your aunt. I hope everything turns out okay. You and family are in my prayers. What is "Tied Potato Stick Candy"? Are you going to publish all these recipes? When I get things cranked up to bake, I'll let you know what's cookin'! My principal brought in a HUGE floral arrangement today...it's from the staff here at my school. So pretty, hydrangeas, snap dragons and cala lilies. I wasn't expecting it, but it sure cheered me up! The kids are sooo impressed! I told them to try to find a place to work where the people care about you...it's always been a blessing to me. So, it's off to work I go...well, I'm already here, but I'm goofing off! Hugs, Cindy

Beanie!!!! Your new avatar is GREAT! That was your Christmas gift from Vines, right? I am mailing my Secret Santa gift tomorrow, so can't wait until my person gets it! Ira, talk about irony...really! Keep after them! Betty, (((hugs))). Thank you so much. I have 2 weeks and 2 days until I get a couple of weeks off. Hopefully, I can make it until then. My teacher friends have all volunteered to do part of my work, take some of my students, and even my kids have hugged me, told me how sorry they are, and have been extra cooperative! I don't expect that to last forever. I'll try to vent less, but I do appreciate the willingness you have to listen and absorb it. Lisa, I told my 8 year old daughter the truth about it all, also. She is able to take that stuff in pretty well. I understand why you did it, and she gave you such a gift with her honesty. Remember how much you are going to want that in the teen years! Beanie, before I close, I want to say thanks for the solid advice. I have not allowed myself to turn to food for comfort (for DD). I have spent more close time with her, more snuggling, those kinds of things. She is more interested in comforting me! She is a sweet little spirit, feels things so deeply. Thankfully, we have a very close family, and everyone rallies for the other. To all, a restful goodnight, Cindy

Hey, girl! It's always nice to have another Texan around the boards! Remember you do not have any restriction right now, and ALL you should worry about it taking it easy on the food so your band can heal correctly. That's ALL. You will lose weight anyway, you're just gonna have to gut it out through some of the hunger pains. Keep up drinking liquids constantly...don't wait until you are hungry. Keep drinking. Post any questions here, and people will be running to answer them! I'm up around Dallas (north of there). Cindy

I just want to say thanks for being a great guy and posting on this board for Francesca. You are highly esteemed around here for doing that! Please send gentle hugs and best wishes to her, and a prayer for her continued healing. Thanks, Cindy

Lisa, you were a great furbaby momma, and you know so well how "worth it" it is to love our pets. I am sad you had to endure this loss, and I am very proud of you for doing everything right. You have courage and strength, so rare. Now Kitty Milo feels great, and is playing all his games with the people angels who had to leave here without their pets. I've got some angels up there myself. (((((hug))))) Cindy

I am soo glad to see/read your post and understand what caused the problem...and I want to say thank you for sharing all the information and giving all the support you have since I have been part of this great group. YOu are an inspiration and someone I look up to a great deal. Take care of yourself, heal quickly, and continue your journey, and PLEASE give us advice when we need it! Cindy

Hi, guys! I'm back at work, maybe a day too soon...my emotions are a little shakey. As the day goes on, I feel better, though. Patty, "Cindy-loo" is so familiar...lots of people call me that, and my sister calls me Cimbo. My nickname in high school was "Fireball" for my debate style! I can still have a firey (sp?) temper on occasion...it's just that I don't lose it often. I think whatever decision you make in regard to the birthday party is fine, and good luck! Ira (or whoever knows), about the life insurance....are you getting new coverage, or trying to increase coverage you already have? I have life insurance, but was turned down when I tried to increase it, due to weight. I was going to get under their magic number, and ask to increase it, so I am interested in your saga. Since I am retiring in a year, I need to do that before then. Eileen, bummer on the washing machine! When you get yours fixed or replaced, have your handy DH (mine is good like that, too!) build you in some counters to fold on, etc...I think I would enjoy folding clothes if the room looked as good as your daughter's! Mmmmmm, that's a thought..... BEANIE!!!!! Do we smell bad? Or, are you recovering from your vacation? Hey, at least you know you are missed! I am picking DD up from school...my dad usually does it, but he's still in Kansas...then she has chimes and choir. HOWEVER, I am about to decide not to take her, and get her home early so she can rest. She was bawling and crying when I left this morning, so I know she is not "over it." That makes sense to me...I think she needs some home time, down time. The chimes teacher will just have to deal with it. She's a tough cookie, though, so I may get in trouble. More later, Cindy

I'd have to get out a thesaurus to add to the words already posted! After my weekend, your news is the best news!!!! I was so happy just to read the title! What a gift! Now, you are on your way, once again, and I know you'll do great! Thanks for your kind comments regarding the support and family on the boards...you are absolutely right, as usual! Great people here! Hugs, Cindy

Hi everyone, I just got back from Kansas and grandma's funeral. i got everything unpacked andput away, and am ready to go to bed and get some rest before work tomorrow. Everything went well. The weather was horrible...cold and super windy. I even saw a couple of snowflakes floating around in the air! It was good to be with all the cousins. Seemed like we were there a long time for such a short trip. My poor Michigan cousins had to drive about 18 hours, one way! My Colorado cousin's DH almost didn't make it, because the eastward highways through Kansas were closed due to high winds. But, we all made it, and got through a tough time. Patty, gosh. Part of me says to tell him no way, and part of me thinks it might go easier on the kids if you just suck it up and include them. I don't have any experience with your situation. So, don't put too much credence in my thoughts, okay? Eileen, enjoy this last week of "vacation"...I hope you got the chance to rest and enjoy yourself enough to last ya for a while! Lisa, wow! Already all decorated?! I bet it's pretty...post pictures if you can! Betty....be sure to give us the run-down on what you are baking....I'm just nosey like that! Everyone else: thanks again for the thoughts and prayers. I haven't read everything in this thread, so excuse me if I missed commenting on something...just wanted to write a little something before bedtime! Hugs, Cindy

Thanks Kelly Girl! BTW, I got your Watkins catalog! Awesome stuff, and I"m working on my gift list! Cindy

My doctor explained the process of stitching the stomach up and over the band, or something like that. He told me that it reduces the likelihood of slipping or eroding. I sure hope that's right! Cindy