mousecrazy

HI everyone! Beanie, it's true, it's true! Fall is on it's way (again)! My fingers are still crossed for your appeal to be successful...keep up posted; you are doing a great job of that! Also, may I please be your editor? It will be good practice for my book! Seriously, I know there's a book in here somewhere...when I retire, I'm going to ponder it. Eileen, keep teling us poor, hot Texans about the REAL fall weather you have! Pat, that seafood thing sounds so great! The one thing I worried about was not being able to eat shrimp (that's what someone said at the seminar I went to), and so far, I have not had any trouble, glad you don't! Dinner plans? No plans here, I think everyone's gonna fend for themselves tonight...I think we have left over chicken. I'm packing "goody bags" for the birthday party on Sunday. School has been fun today...kids were working well, and I had some great discussions on life with them today. That's a great day in my book! I'll check back later, Cindy

Paula, first, I am so happy you suffered minimal damage, and you are all safe! When I was a little girl, from birth to about 11 year old, my family would go to a friend's beach house on Holly Beach, so it's very real to me. I remember swimming there, playing on the beach...wondering why I couldn't go to the BonTemps Roulet (sp?) with the grown-ups....LOL! It hurts to see the beach like that...I hope it won't be long before there is rebuilding. I am glad you posted the pictures...and interesting that so little time was given to other parts of Louisiana and Mississippi, in contrast to the New Orleans situation. YOu did us a public service! Thanks, Cindy

Wow! A pat on your skinny back! Truly inspirational...I'm so proud of both of you! Cindy

Hi, everybody! Seems like the first emergency going on around here is Eileen's problem with insurance/surgery...I am soooooo upset for you! It is not an easy thing to get everything arranged, then have to wait and change things due to bureaucratic foul-ups (do you like how I said FOUL-ups instead of @*@$?) It's like Beanie said, everything will work out, and you will be happy. To all of you, thanks for whoops of congratulations...it is so great to get that from people who KNOW what it's like...I'd be embarrassed to say that to my skinny friends at work...I don't know what size they think I am, but I bet it was never as high as it actually was! LOL! On the other hand, I guess my problems are purely evident on the outside...and they probably have the same ones, but do something else instead of eat...wonder what? Probably they found those joints Eileen was looking for. LOL! Beanie, I'm out here pulling for you against the insurance company. I think you're a real hero! This is the week of my sister's and daughter's birthdays...my sister's is today, and my daughter Haven's is Friday. She'll be 8, or have I said that already? ANYWAY, there's a family party Saturday, and hers is Sunday afternoon (with friends). She is doing chimes in two services of church on Sunday also. Guess I won't get to watch the Cowboys this week? Anyone else a football fan? Time to get the bedtime train rolling...Eileen, I hope you sleep better, maybe it was the full moon? Goodnight ya'll! Cindy

Thank you, Betty, for the wisdom and inspiration you are to everyone here! A big congratulations to you! Cindy

Here's my list: 1. Bread - yes 2. Pasta - yes 3. Pop - no 4. Tortillas - yes 5. Salad - yes 6. Steak - yes (small bites, chewing well) 7. Roast - yes 8. Cereal - yes 9. Hamburger - yes 10. Pizza - yes 11. Apples - yes 12. Chips - yes 13. Cheese - yes 14. Shrimp - yes 15. Pop corn - yes 16. Pretzels - yes The one food I have had the most problems with is roast chicken...I don't know if I forget to eat small bites and chew really well, or if it is just the food itself....I keep trying, though, because it is good protein and I like it. I am careful of anything with skin, like tomatoes, apples, potatoes...I eat it, but am aware of chewing very well. I also agree with the point that this list is subject to change without notice! Cindy

I wouldn't have missed a word of it! Thank you for honoring your self; in doing that, you honor all of us! You are a beautiful and amazing woman! Congratulations! Cindy

Good question! The high end of the "range" for my height, 5'7", is 150. I have been there twice. Once, in college, and again about 15 years ago when I used Tenuate for weight loss. The truth of the matter is that I would be satisfied with 180, but thought, why not go for it! I won't ever get there if I don't state it as a goal. Cindy

Don't defeat yourself with nonsense...take the big pictures point of view, and know that what you have the power to do is control what you eat. I just recently broke a 3 week plateau...I changed a couple of things I was doing, and kept after it. It was hard. But the main thing that happened is my body adjusted to a new weight, and decided it was time to let go of some more weight. Please don't sabotage yourself with negative thoughts. Cindy

Hi friends! I played hookie from work on Friday...had fun at Haven's school, kinda like a field day thingie. Sat. I went shopping; bought some pants in size 22 (I started out in size 26). The big news is that my plateau finally broke, and I'm under 250!!!!!! It looks weird to write 250 and be excited about it, but I am! I made some adjustments to what I was eating, and started getting in 3 servings of dairy. Also, I drank more water and cut out some of the ice cream, my personal drug of choice. Hey, I gave up everything else...smoking, drinking, and other things I won't mention because it was too long ago to count now! Today, went to church and then ironed for like 4 hours...a new world record for me! My feet hurt! ReneBean, I am so anxious to find out how your letters are going...I know you are too! All NJ friends, I've been keeping an eye on the weather and news of flooding, and keeping you in my prayers. It's still 88 degrees around here, sunny, and I'm ready for some fall weather! Back to work tomorrow, and I'll check in then! Cindy

It didn't happen to me, but I THINK I have read about someone having a hematoma, so I wonder if that is what yours is? I think I would go to the doctor and let him/her take a look. Don't mess around with your health, you know? Keep us posted, Cindy

Hi guys! Renebean, you just keep after them! You're doing your research and after it goes up a step or two on the insurance ladder, and you mention "discrimination" you'll have it licked, I'm sure! I know about the difference with bypass patients is that it is much faster...but at what cost? That what swayed me to the lapband. It just didn't seem like something I wanted to do: change the workings of my insides. Eileen, it's good you don't understand suicide bombers...it means you couldn't think like them. I just wonder why incidents like that don't get reported to the public...you have to dig around and know someone where it happened to get the truth. Makes me wonder how many more things like that have happened? Karla, how are you doing? Not much news today...pretty much your regular, ordinary day. That's a good thing. Bye! Cindy

Hi to everyone! This is one of your Texas buddies checkin' in! We went to the State Fair (of Texas, that is!) on Sat. and enjoyed it...the weather was perfect! Of course, it took a while to get in due to security checks, but I never complain about that. There was an incident the weekend before in Norman (Univ. of Okahoma) outside the stadium during a game, where a student blew himself up. He was the only death, but in his apt. they found Al Qaeda literature and Jihadist stuff...and it is reported (but barely, they put a squash to this story pronto) that he had been trying to get into different gates, and failed....sooooooo, they were extra careful before the big OU/Texas game. Yesterday I was off, and daughter and husband weren't. I need about 20 days like that, minimum. I spend most of the day making the invitations for daughter's birthday party on the 23. She'll be 8 years old. It's at a Lunar Mini-Golf place, so the invites are on black cardstock written in gel pens..."What has 2 eyes and glows in the dark? YOU, at Haven's birthday party!" I think they look pretty cute! Karla...if I had those 20 days off, home alone, I would get into that scrapbook so quick you wouldn't believe it! It won't be long before I retire, then I can do more of that. but, you're right in the suggestion to start with recent events, and catch up on the rest later....that might really help me get going again! Hope everyone is doing fine, enjoying good weather, and eating right! OF course, I didn't this weekend! Hugs, Cindy

Happy Belated birthday to you! As a young person who is approaching her 50th birthday, I want to encourage you by telling you that the 40's were great! I have not dreaded one single "0" birthday, and all of them have been fantastic! It just gets better and better! Hope you had a great day! Cindy

.5cc's in my first, and only, fill. I am seriously weighing out the pro's and con's on getting another fill. If I do, I will ask for only a little. I am still learning to control food, and do not want the consequence of PB's on everything I try to eat. I am leaning toward getting a bit of a fill sometime soon, maybe the week of Thanksgiving, since I am off work then.

I survived the State Fair last Saturday, during the Texas/OU game! Yes, I ate a Fletcher's Corny Dog! I have only had one fill, my choice, and I was able to eat the whole corny dog. It was great! Here's the upside: previously, I would have had that PLUS maybe another! I also had a taste of my daughter's cotton candy, some french fries, and part of a Slurpee. That sounds like a lot, but not when you compare it to what I used to eat! It set back my weight loss for sure, though! We had a great time, rode lots of rides, and watched a miniature donkey and surrey barrel race! Where else are you gonna find THAT, besides the State Fair?

I'm coming in late, but extremely curious to find out what these are! since they ahve playing card symbols on them, they have to be something about Bridge, Spades, Poker....something! Are they just potted plant decorations? That's goofy, but I'm at a loss for suggestions that haven't already been mentioned! Cindy

Just me, checking in from the COLD state of Texas! Why, I don't think it's supposed to get out of the 60's today! Lovin' it! I love the Eagles, too...and am waiting for their Farewell concert tour to make it to DFW...if it ever does. I have seen hundreds of bands, but never the Eagles, so DH and I have decided if we ever get the chance again, we'll fork out the big bucks to make sure we are AT THAT CONCERT! This weekend: we are going to the State Fair tomorrow! I just love the whole atmosphere, and taking pictures of my daughter eating cotton candy and standing by Big Tex! We'll ride the Ferris Wheel, and some other rides...daughter and I usually ride while husband holds the stuff...he doesn't like spinning. I like going to see the entries in the Women's Building, seeing the new cars in the Auto Building, and what's a fair without browsing through the livestock buildings? Then Sunday is church day (Methodist...I'm surprised the joke didn't have something about food in it!) and we are going out to lunch with a couple in our church who have a daughter in the same class as our daughter, so that should be fun. Then Monday, I am off from work (in Texas, we have "Fair Day" so the kids can go to the fair, which is why I never go on that day!) I think I'll get everyone out the door to school and work, then work on the baby quilt for my niece, or work on my scrapbook. The scrapbook is harder than it seems, because it is from our trip to DisneyWorld last Christmas...for my parents' 50th anniversary, and my mom has since passed away. So, while it's great to see the pictures of all of us together, it is also sad. Anyway, it looks to be a pretty good weekend for us. I'll check in later to see what everyone's up to! TGIF! Cindy

Well, this is certainly an interesting thread, and teaches as much about what NOT to do and think as it does what TO do and think. In that way, it is instructive. It is also very sad to see that Nykee has asked for help, but didn't really want help at all. I big eye-opener would be for you, Nykee, to realize that you are on the pitty pot and don't seem to want to get off. It reminds me of students I have who take a step toward success, then sabotage themselves so they won't succeed. I've always thought they do it because they are simply afraid of what people might expect from them if they ever show their competence. Sometimes I ask them this question: "Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired all the time?" The role of victim is way too comfortable for some...although this thread is frustrating, I am certainly encouraged to see that there are so many who are willing to join the struggle and confront it. Nykee, I'm sure you have a reason/argument against everything. Please sit yourself down and discover why you must maintain this victim identity. It could be a life-changing moment. Much hope being sent your way, Cindy

My confessions: *I eat ice cream too often *I do not exercise *I am not getting enough "hard protein", and using protein bars instead *I have nto scheduled my 2nd fill I guess these aren't too bad, but I know I would lose faster if I changed just one of them!

I would like to meet up! I'll PM my number, too! Cindy

I'm a recovering Tom Cruise fan...I sure liked him in the old movies like Top Gun and Cocktail, etc...but methinks he is too impressed with himself. Apparently, he needs a girl, not a woman. Even that I could handle, but this little fad of movie star kids without a set of real parents is a true tragedy. I can't help thinking about these children, and how they are always, always, going to be missing a part of their lives. Why is it so hard to disapprove of this? Instead, the media hypes it and gives approval to it...I just think it's sad.

I am glad you are okay. I know it is hard to stay in a little trailer, and you must miss your home. Congrats on the great weight loss...I hope it stays nice and steady for you! Cindy

Glad you're here! This is a great group of supportive and informative people, and we have fun, too! Good luck, Cindy

Hey, try seeing a snake on the front of every can of soda...even the sound it makes when opened is snake-like....SSSSSSSSSSS! Temptation comes in many forms. RESIST! Show that evil snake who's boss! (The soda, I mean, but if it applies to Erin McEvil, well.....) I believe in YOU! You just gotta get on your white stallion and slay the dragon! Cindy