ReneBean

So, here I am - in the wee hours - stopping by to fill y'all in on my evening. Since we are staying at the Fort Lee Hilton - we are much closer to downtown. We had dinner at a lovely italian place in the meat Packing district... Then we went to Mickey Mantle's to watch the game. (I weep, I mourn...) I am pretty sure that my Boss was trying to kill us all driving around downtown - but he didn't quite manage it. It was HUGE fun, even though the Mavs lost the big game. I know that this fill is making me eat less than I would have... I have to, its a simple function of time and chewing. I am still eating more than I should - but not as much as I would have on the last trip... I guess that's improvement... hopefully I won't gain any weight while I am here. Anyway - I have to crawl over to the bed now and pray for a very mild hangover - since work will be a joy ANYWAY - and with a hangover and not nearly enough sleep, it ought to be even more of a thrill. Happy Days to my Birthday Girls! I hope you both had FAB wonderful days. Hugs All Round. And try to keep it down in the morning, ok? :]

Hey Trish! Glad to hear you had a good day! Happy Belated Birthday!! Hugs!

Ooooo - I missed it! Hope you had a FAB day Miss Mary! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

I had LOTS of moments when I knew I had to do something - for YEARS. Having been fat since childhood - I had my entire life from the age of about 13 contemplate being overweight. Several times along the way, I had "epiphanies" that put me on the path to good health - the diet & exercise path... I did lowfat, low carb, onion Soup and every other thing you could think of. It never "stuck". FINALLY - I was sitting one day, wrapping my legs to keep the swelling from my Venous Stasis from making my ankles swell to the size of watermelons, and it occurred to me that I was going to have to wrap those legs every day for the rest of my life... and if I had THIS at 40, what was going to pop up at 45? What about 50? God Help Me - what would it all be like at 60? Would I even live that long? I decided on the spot that no method was too drastic - I would find out what needed to be done to have the gastric by-pass. I would lose the weight - no matter the cost. I had no idea the lap-band existed - I was fortunate to discover it during the very first days of my internet research into getting the by-pass. While I have not burned any records into the books with my loss - I am losing - and with this last fill, I am losing a little more rapidly. I have no side effects - no pb's and my life has not changed dramatically, except for the amount of food that I eat and the way that I feel after losing 25 official pounds. "Official pounds" means what the doctor's scale says I weigh. I am happy to report that my home scale is showing the benefits of having the proper restriction! Unofficial pounds lost? 36 lbs!! woo hoo!! I never made a better decision in my life than getting the band.

The Sane bit was for Anne... you poor thing, Annie. How did you survive the rugrat invasion?

Hey There Friends and Loved Ones... Here I am in beautiful Fort Lee at the glamorous Hilton... This month, we are making the boss take us to Times Square! We don't care what HE wants - we are going on Wednesday and he is going to darn well take us and we are all going to have a grand time! LOL... He stays here because it is closer to downtown and he thinks the service is better - so we are going to make him take us for a New York grand adventure in Times Square. Eileenie - Thursday lunch sounds fab - I will get with you on the e-mail. Ira? (yes, I saw you lurking...) Whatcha doing on Thursday? One of these days I am going to actually lay eyes on you. I am beginning to think you are an imaginary friend or something... :] I hope to spend some more quality time on LBT this week - since I have my laptop and some time to myself with no DH to be demanding. I am just a little bit too far gone to concentrate tonight. I am going to bed now, to dream of heathy husbands, heathy puppies, and sane & healthy friends. Hugs & Love to All! xo

TGIF! I am wearing black today in mourning for the massacre that occurred in Miami last night... alas poor Dirk, he threw not well... This weekend we have fab plans to do MORE YARDWORK! Yippee!!! But it's really a good thing. We found a tree guy to come and get the godawful topped pine trees out of the back yard. They are RIGHT on top of the pool and they have made my backyard life a nightmare. They are going to do a bunch of other stuff while they are here - basically doing a whole yard clean-up for us at a very reasonable price. It takes a load off my mind, for sure. They are even going to pull the ivy off the chimney. *whew*... I was not looking forward to climbing the ladder... but in order to have them come and take out my diseased redbud - I have to pull the bricks up that somebody put down around the tree. I also need to get the water system hooked up again, since it has been so dry that I am afraid my foundation will crack. Ah, the joys of living in TX. My other weekend task is to do some laundry so I have some clothes to wear in NY next week. That's my big plans for the weekend... I hope everybody is well. Love you guys!!

"Well I've been one poor correspondent, I've been too, too hard to find... but it doesn't mean you ain't been on my mind..." Yep - I have not fallen off the face of the earth... I'm BACK! Since last we spoke... I had a glorious week of vacation. We did some yard work, got some sun, ate everything in site and basically did all the hedonistic fun stuff we could think of for the week. It was glorious. For the Texans among us - we went to Luna De Noche (mexican restaurant) for the first time and it was fab. Then I had to come back to work. (oh joy. oh rapture.) Tuesday, I went in for my third fill. I made a special point to go in for the fill after Noon - because I tend to get looser as the day wears on. I now have 6.5 cc in my VG band... Um, Yeah. Restriction. What a concept. It is just today that the swelling is down enough so that I can drink water without having to wait between swallows for the water to run through. If THIS doesn't do it, I really don't know what will. You guys have all been so busy while I was away... Darcy - DANG! Look at how cute you are!! Love the new avatar. I hope you are feeling better. Kat - I will keep your hubby on my list of things to think Good Thoughts about. I admire your strength thru this ordeal. I would be a complete basket case by now. HUGS!! Eileenie - I will be in NY next week - Monday evening thru Friday morning. Maybe we can meet for dinner? Sherry - Hey, could you send us some of that rain y'all have been having? We are in stage 3 drought here... we could really use some water... Sorry you are stressed out. Hope you enjoyed your mental health day. Donna - See - the Heat pulled one out of the hat. You probably could hear me screaming all the way from Texas! Can't wait for the game tonight! *and as for the fill question - yes, you probably should get a fill if you feel like you can and you want to eat everything Anne - you poor thing! I hope your revision goes smoothly and you don't have to get poked again for a very long time... Betty - MAVS RULE!! We may not have won that third game - but we made them fight for it! It was like a miracle that Shaq was actually making the free throws that night - otherwise - we would have won. It will be very exciting to see what happens tonight. GO MAVS!! Dianne - first rule at our house? No pet-sitting. Kids we will watch - but pets? NO. Sorry it's a beast! When do you get rid of it? **MacArthur Park? I haven't heard that song in AGES. how funny! Cindy - How's Vacation Bible School? Having fun? Jan - Hey, nice to see you. Great job on the exericise. I need to do more of that... and congrats on the 50 lbs! Patty - I envy you your Disney Therapy. I haven't been to the Magic Kingdom in so long I can't even recall the last time I was there... :[ I hope things start to look up for you soon! Mary - that dress is gorgeous! I am green with envy... Junior rodeo? What events will the boys do? Randi - Welcome. Stop by any time. Even though I have had slow weightloss, I can't blame it on the band - it's all about me eating whatever I feel like eating, not following the rules, and not exercising. I KNOW from experience that when I follow the rules and exercise and take my vitamins, I DO lose weight. I am just spoiled and lazy. I must say that this most recent fill is going to force me to follow the rules a bit more. Don't let us put you off the surgery. I have lost pounds that I would not have otherwise lost and I know that I will lose more in the future. Knowing that makes it all worthwhile. Well, Folks - I am WELL over my lunch hour, now - so I have to get back to work! Hugs All Round. Irene

Hey Y'All! I am alive - just very busy... getting ready for my much needed Vacation. Wednesday was the last day of the month - always a delight - and yesterday I had to go to my Band Doc. My OFFICIAL weight is 322. Talk about slow... I beleive that makes a total of only 9 lbs since my surgery in Feb. Even if you add that to the weight I lost in the 10 days prior, it's only 25 lbs... *sigh* My own scale at home is floating around 318 - a little back-sliding. Very bad. I did schedule another fill for the 13th - after my vacation - so I will hopefully be able to get back on track after a week or so of Hedonistic Eating Pleasure... Yep - I am going to eat any darned thing I want between now and the end of my vacation - then I will go back on Plan. DH and I plan to visit the gym while on Vacation (we are staying home) which will hopefully kick-start us back to the habit of exercise on a regular basis... Donna - Boot Camp is something I think EVERYONE should have to go through when they turn 18. I swear - it would have to be good for all of us. I know I certainly could have used it... I will think good thoughts for your DS. Becky - so glad you had a great Birthday!! Good work on getting to the gym. It is amazing what a difference it makes, isn't it? Dianne - 201 ROCKS! Keep up the great work!! Patty - we are waiting with bated breath... Did you hear? Did you hear? I have fingers & toes crossed! Kat - Wow! Here on the very first day?!? LOL! I will throw in my opinion on the fill thing - you have enough going on right now without worrying about yourself/your ability to eat. I would wait until DH is at least in a stable place so you don't have to be eating in restaurants all the time... And you can't count on my boot for another week or so... I plan on being bad... very bad. Darcy - you slacker! You skipped a day of exercise? FOR SHAME... :] Good luck with getting below the magical 200... You can do it!! I know you can. Let us know what the Doc has to say about your palpitations... Hopefully it will just be residual smoke... it takes a LONG time to clear that crap out of your system for real. Sorry about your dog. Just remember - you can always earn more money but the love & joy of your pets is irreplaceable. Betty - I am sorry we didn't get to hook-up at the faire... I guess we'll have to make a date for next year or something! DH's peppers are starting to look like they may become food some day - We have ours in pots on the deck - so no weeds for us. Of course, the beds are another story - but hey, that is what I will be doing all next week - YARD WORK. (when I am not enjoying my hedonistic pursuits...) GO MAVS!! PattiU - Hi and Welcome! The Band and the By-Pass are very different surgeries - and they work in very different ways. If you want Immediate gratification - you probably want the By-Pass - although it presents a great deal more trauma to your body and your life. IF you don't mind a slower pace, the Band is better for lasting results. Be sure to be SURE what you want prior to having any surgery. Sherry - Stop with the chicken, already! :] I don't think I would spring $200 for a paintball gun, either... so what did your friend think? I hope that your boss gives you a raise or something!! Mary - hope you get the whole thing settled, and to your benefit, soon. Hugs!! Poor Chalio! But he probably thinks the whole Black Eye thing is cool, huh? *sigh* Boys... whatcha gonna do? Cindy - how's the life of leisure going? Hope you are enjoying a little rest & relaxation. Eileenie - What's up Chickie? Hope that bad boss man isn't harassing you too much. Well my dears - I will check in a few times during my vacation - just to let you know how BAD I have been... :] Love you guys!!!

Hey All No time for personals today - I will try to get caught up tomorrow! Well, I went to pick up the DN on Friday - and stayed at my Sister's long enough to watch the end of the Game... Go Mavs! Saturday was pretty low key. DN played on my computer - he gets to play on a better computer with better games at my house - and I read and played, too. We went to Dave and Busters and played Shoot-em-up games for several hours - well, I played for an hour and then watched the Pistons get their butts beat by the Heat at the D&B bar... DN had a fab time playing to his little heart's content and DH & I watched the game. Sunday - we were off to the Faire. This was DN's first trip - and his little head was swivelling around like mad - gawking at everything. Fairies & Pirates and Lords, OH MY. We saw some shows, got some sun, ate some food - basically had a blast. We had so much fun that we decided to do it again on Monday - so we did. (Betty - I was the chick mopping her brow every 10 seconds - you know, the one eating everything in sight...) It was very warm both days - but we all had a fabulous time. Between faire visits, we watched the ball games... (Did I say "Go Mavs!!"?) Now, it's back to the old grind... month-end, and trying to control myself... not succeeding, mind you - but trying, none the less. I am so darned tired of hovering at the same weight - so I have scheduled that fill I know I need, finally. Unlike some of our other folk, I am able to eat any darned thing I want, any time, anywhere, anyhow. I think I need a little more restriction... or a head examination, or something. DH managed to throw out his back a while ago, unloading some water from his truck, so we haven't been going to the gym - but Darn it! We are going soon... if sweating gallons and walking for miles counts, I guess I got in two days of exercise over the long weekend. I go to my Band doc on Thursday - so we will get the official weigh-in figure. All I can say is, thank GOD this occurs BEFORE I go on vacation from the 5th thru the 9th... *sigh*. I was hoping to get my fill done before the vacation - but the fill center is booked until the middle of the vacation - so it has to wait for after. Dang! So, having not enough restriction, and no will power at all, I will enter my vacation days with the potential to eat like a mad-woman. Greeeeeaaaaaat. I guess I will just have to knock on Darcy and hope for the exercise jones to hit. Well guys, I have to run. I am already late back from lunch. Love you guys!!

Sitting in the garden room with my gray striped cat on the back of the chair, purrrrrrrring.. Sitting on the deck in the sun in January. Watching the pattern of lights on the ceiling at Christmas time... the old style twinkle lights put on quite a show.

My Goodness - Such a quiet day. I guess everybody else is holding out for Betty to check in on the weekend? Since I will be busy, I thought I had better check in now... Mary, Dear. If I had been paying the insurance - and idiot boy hadn't - I think I would be pressing for more than half... after all, they will be cutting that check to YOU. Would he have even HAD insurance if you weren't paying? I think not. Just my 2 cents. Eileenie - I will be up in June - 19th thru the 23rd. We will have to plan on lunch. Hugs! Patty, My Darling... Happy Birthday to the boys! Have fun hanging the shelf. I wish I lived closer, I would come and help you set up the Tivo so you didn't have to depend on your EVER so delightful ex. Oh well. Hugs!! I go to grab my Dorky Nephew this evening and then its off to a wonderful weekend of hanging with the kid and pretending I am 15 yrs old again - only smarter this time. :] We will probably make a run out to Scarborough faire - and of course, the obligatory trip to Dave & Busters. Maybe I will put the little urchin to work in the yard for a few hours - We can use the free labor from the young and strong... Not much going on, otherwise. Hugs to All! I will check in on Tuesday! xo Irene

Hey All Another glorious day in mtg lending... How's by youse guyse? Eileenie - what is this I hear about bunnies... you got bunnies? I wanna see!!! We have bunnies that live in the neighborhood, too. They are awful cute in the Spring. Darcy - WAY dizzy. I was actually a blonde until I moved to the northwest and my hair never saw the sun again. Now I suppose my hair could be called Dark Blonde... VERY dark. Oh - and I have always wondered who the heck thought that they should call a fat ladies store "The Dress Barn". WTF?!? Mary - So the SIL was making the calls? Or was she thinking she was going to get the funds? Vent any time... Goodness knows we all do it from time to time... Becky - I know what you mean about the work and family thing... I just never had the family and have always worked full time. I can't imagine being in the mortgage lending business if I had to make it to day-care at a certain time, or whatever. I don't know how the other chicks do it... I must be a lightweight, too. Sherry - and computers were supposed to make our lives easier... I must admit that I have never seen a single episode of the Idol all the way through... I just don't get off on reality TV. Glad your favorite won. Betty - the only way I manage to get in here these days is to eat my lunch in front of the computer and use the rest of the hour to surf. We miss you. Hope all is well. Hugs! Well, my lunch hour is up - and I have to get back to the old grind. I for sure will NOT be around for the weekend - since Dorky Nephew will be hangin' at the Hacienda. I'm such a big kid myself that we get along great. I had room spins again this morning - but I couldn't stay abed. I think it is just going to have to go away over time. It's no biggie, really. It doesn't actually hurt - it's just a little irritating to have to be sure I am holding onto something sturdy if I plan on standing up or bending over... Hugs! Love you Guys!!

Hey Y'All... I am still alive... I have been out sick for the last couple of days - lying in a stupor on my couch. I had a little sinus thing that was pushing against my inner ear. Every time I stood up or moved my head I got room spins... Not conducive to productive work at all... so when I got up this morning and the earth didn't move, I decided I had better get on in here and get something done... Of course, that is easier said than done. Lots of things were overlooked while I was out and I am just now getting to the point where I might be able to get some actual work done... *sigh* I have had a chance to read all the back posts - but no time to respond... I will get back on track tomorrow. Other than taking a couple of hours of my 80 hours of sick time, not much is going on. My Dorky Nephew is coming for a visit for the Memorial Day weekend - that should be fun. Pat - good to see you back. You too, Dianne. Is it too early to start singing? "Everybody's working for the weekend. Everybody needs a new romance. Everybody's going off the deep end. Everybody needs a 2nd chance... " Hugs to all. Talk to you tomorrow!

Woo Hoo!! Congrats to both of you! Give Mike a big hug from ALL of us here. :]

I still love you, Jon... and Randy... and Paul... and of course, JACK. Hugs to all the boys! They keep our board so interesting... xo

Hi All. Darcy - an actual walk counts for exercise - just the same as a treadmill walk... :] Rock on with three times around at curves! Have a great time at the "shack". Hugs! Mary - I hope you can avoid the infamous BK. Christian has a GF?!? Wow~ - young love. Have fun with the garden. Watch those pumkins... they will take over the world if you let them. I hope you feel better, soon. Hugs! Kat - hugs, hugs and more hugs! I bet your DH is scared. Nobody wants to have their chest cracked open. What are the options on valve replacement? Is Pig Valve the only choice? I think that they may be the best choice - since pigs are so genetically close to humans - but is there any chance of a HUMAN valve? Or do you have to have the whole heart replaced to get human parts? I am thinking only the best thoughts for you and your hubby. We all love you too. Eileenie - hope you have a fab party. Enjoy your crazed day of hooky. Hugs!! Betty - TGIF! Hope you get to relax a bit this weekend. Hugs! Patty - You will let Lewis go to camp when the time comes. You won't be able to resist when he wants to go. Glad he had fun on his field trip. Hugs! Pat? Anne? Cindy? Ira? Becky? Donna? Sherry? Dianne? Tammy? Zannie? (wherefore art thou, Zannie...) We miss you... Y'all Come Back, now, ya hear? Well - no news on this front. Scale is hovering in the 316-317 range for the last couple days. I went to the gym on Monday & Wednesday and plan on a visit there tonight - so that is all in line. Nothing exciting going on at all... just the way I like it. Work is busy - but that's life in the big city. This weekend is the pirate invasion at Scarborough Faire - so we will definitely be going out. DH particulary wanted to see the pirate show. What's everybody else doing this weekend? Love you guys! Irene

Hey guys, Another busy day... but I thought I would check out the latest. Sherry - Hugs - hope you get over the traumatic trial, soon. Everybody else - Hugs to you too. bye!

I think my insurance company paid in the viscinity of $40k. I was pretty surprised - because the Cash price was $15k - and that would have included a full year of fills and aftercare... I'm not asking any questions, though. I never use my insurance for anything else... and I didn't have $15k. :]

Hey Y'All... I have a minute or two today - thank goodness! Becky - Great job getting to the gym! It does feel great when we go. I don't know why we fight it so hard sometimes... Eileenie - I am surprised none of those photos shows the big ol' granny panties on their heads! Glad you had fun! Anne - sounds like your DH travels a lot. It's cool that you can pack up the kids and hang with your Sis. Fill us in on all the latest when you get a chance. Hugs! Kat - Stress is the worst for trying to maintain proper eating. At least if you are depressed you can just sleep - but stress! Yikes! It's like your hand moves with no msg from the brain... right into the cheetos - or the refried Beans, or whatever. I am still thinking positive thoughts for you and your DH. Try not too worry too much about what you are eating right now. HUGS! Patty - at least your insurance was willing to talk to you! Mine wouldn't even acknowledge my existence until 30 days after the request... Try to take a deep breath and count to ten or something. It will come. Hugs! Mary - have fun with the garden - and yes, Hoeing counts as exercise! Hugs! I am thinking good thoughts for a healthy band. Maybe you just have stress tightness - and aggravation from PB's... Hugs for the boys, too. Darcy - my thighs still hurt - but it's back to the battle with the Evil Eliptical tonight... I will not consider it a victory until I can go for 45 minutes without the thing going into "pause" mode because I am going too slow! It doesn't matter which gym you join, so long as you go. Hugs! Cindy - So glad you have the headache thing under control! You school must use that "bag-o-lettuce" with all the chemicals on it, huh? ick. Congrats on the 5 lbs! The scale is not cooperating with me right now - but I am not paying it any mind. I know that thigh muscle must weigh more than thigh fat... So long as it doesn't become a trend, I am not going to worry. Sorry you miss your Baby. Someday, you MAY look forward to those quiet moments, you know... And - since you no longer have that Headache excuse, maybe you could make your DH's night! lol! Hugs! Donna - what, is it something in the air? Just say "NO" to PB's people! :] I have come close a couple of times - the food moves REALLY slowly... it's just a little reminder from my band to slow down and chew... The latest for me is that I had a little NSV last night. I went to Walmart for some "stuff" and found clothes that I had to have - and they FIT. I got this long beach cover-up skirt - and some really cool hippy-girl shirts to wear with it. Now, I have been able to wear a few specific items from Walmart - but not SHIRTS. I was so jazzed! And I have had several compliments today on my fab new shirt! I will try and remember to have DH take a photo tonight when I get home. That's all the news that's fit to print... Pat? Where are you, Pat? I am starting to worry now... We miss you. Please stop by and let us know how you are. Hugs!! Well I have to run. I have lingered longer than I should already. Hugs all round!

Gosh, I am so busy! I only stopped by to say Hey to everybody. Kat - I am thinking good thoughts for you & yours. HUGS! Tammy - Welcome - I have never had a PB - it doesn't have to be and it should NOT be a regular occurence. Hugs and welcome. Well, I have to run. I really just wanted to let you guys know I am alive (although just barely after 35 minutes on the eliptical yesterday) and that I love you all. Hugs!

Another glorious Monday... Hi Everybody! Cindy - Hugs! Just cause you can never have too many. Dianne - gotta keep those hooters under control! Happy Vacation! Hope you are having the best time ever! Ira - a complete lack of Drama is a good thing. Can't wait to see the pictures! Eileenie - sounds like you had a great time... So Cool! Sherry - Woo Hoo! Party on, Girl! So Awesome! Uh - exercising the right not to go? Sounds a little too familiar... Patty - I hope you hear from your doc, soon. Congrats on winning the auction! Betty - Hey, you finally got a little R&R - YAY! Hugs for you, too. My DH is growing a variety of peppers - and we are all excited at our house because the first Serano is really starting to look like a pepper. Anne - Hanging baskets are good...even if you did have to play in the rain. How did the coffee cake turn out? Sounds yummy - so long as you used flour... lol! Donna - I can't decide what wow's me more... the dramatic difference in your before and after pictures, or the view off your deck~! Darcy - Oh yes. The dragging to the gym thing. I so should have gone this weekend - but did I? NOOOOOOOO. *sigh* Hell no, we won't grow! Kat - Hope you had a great Mother's Day. Mary - sorry, I don't do the Country thing... I'm a Rock-n-Roll girl... Well - the weekend was uneventful - the best kind. We decided against the faire this weekend... it was going to be very hot - and we decided to save ourselves for the Pirate Invasion this weekend. So, did we go to the gym? Did we eat properly? Do I even need to say it? NO! I had a Carbalicious weekend - ate everything in site and slugged on the couch watching bad movies all weekend long! I didn't even do laundry... down to my last pair of skivvies! Oh well, the weekend was fun while it lasted... but now I have to PAYYYYYY. I don't even want to talk about the scale... it was mean to me this morning. Maybe tomorrow we will be on speaking terms. In the mean time, it is back to the old grind. Speaking of which - I had better get back to it! Hugs all round!

Hey Y'all! Ohhh - look, Darcy AND Kelly are on line... What's up, Chickies? Darcy - we missed you - Don't you just LOVE it when you get surprises like that? I shudder at the thought! I would love to see my Mom - but without notice? EEEK. Donna - I already called shotgun. You'll have to ride in the back. I have the rotten veggies ready. You got any eggs? And what a great idea to paint the picture for your daughter! It will be much better than the copier paper on the fridge. Have fun with the Grandbabies. Eileenie - after I got done rolling on the floor - I went back to look. I just saw a bad picture of a scraggly grey beard... But I see where you might accidentally have a visual error... Have a great time at the concert! Anne - hahahahaha - after - ahahahahahahahhhaaaaa...... Kat - wise advice. Hope all is well with you. Hugs! Sherry - Wow - what a story. I am glad you didn't take him back. The reward for your self respect and strength was a man worthy of you. And now Look at you! 35 lbs ROCKS! Go, Girl, Go! Betty - TGIF~ Hope you get some time to play this weekend. I am going to the Faire again. :] I will think good thoughts for you to get a cruise on the Harley, at least! Hugs! Mary - when the right one comes along - it will be obvious... you have already seen what the wrong one looks like. Don't worry about timing. Hugs! Tammy - Howdy!! Welcome to our little chat. Set awhile - tell us about you... Doesn't matter if you don't live in Jersey at all... LOTS of us don't. I personally live in Dallas. Hope you visit often. There's always room for one more Jersey Girl. :] Patty - that is SO exciting. I am glad to hear that our Lewis is well - or at least unchanged - and able to live a normal life. Hugs to you and all the boys. You're pretty awesome yourself! I am MORE than happy to shotgun with Patty and Donna any time - nothing gives me more satisfaction than crushing a bad man. (see Ira - you don't have anything to worry about. You are a Good man.... Hugs!) Becky - Do come back and fill us in on stuff. We have missed you. You didn't poke anybody with your knitting needles last week did you? :] Glad you had a good weekend. Hope this one is great, too! It seems that some folks are always missing these days - everyone is so busy! Well, let's see. The big excitement for the day? The scale STILL read 314.8 this morning. I took my vitamins, my calcium and drank my 2 litres of water yesterday and DH and I went to the gym. I ate like a good little bandster and was rewarded with the scale holding fast to that number below 315. Woo Hoo!! Only 15 lbs to go to become a Twonderkind. I guess I will have to try and be a LITTLE bit pure at the Faire this weekend... But GOSH - that fry-bread with the fruit topping was good last time! *sigh* OK, OK. I will be good. Hope everybody has a great weekend. Hugs!

It's THURSDAY - and I am halfway through... Can you tell I am anxious for the weekend? Mary - Yep - DH was fishing... What a jerk. So, who gets the insurance money on the car he wrecked? You, I hope. Hope you are feeling a little better. That meat is tricky stuff. Eileenie - Did DH ever notice the ring? And wow - doesn't it make you feel old to see the band looking like that? It does me... Remember when they were all young and you might have liked to knock a little off of one of them? And now, all you want is a PICTURE. *sigh* Ah, the good old days! Anne - have you recovered from your fill trauma? Sorry it was so dramatic. Kat - Congrats on the goal! Color me envious! I would LOVE to be within 100 lbs of goal... but I continue at my snails pace.. eating lots of the things that I love - so I guess I can't complain. :] Oh - and it's amazing how magnanimous the competitive people get when they fall behind... haha. Hope you are both doing great! Dianne - Your party sounds like fun. I hope your DH really is surprised. It will be so much cooler if he is... Good luck finding a suit. I hate shopping for those worse than anything else. *shudder* Donna - Your bike ride sounds like fun. I know what you mean about fighting it... and then wondering why. Don't you get the added benefit of that feeling of accomplishment? I surely do. Patty - HUGS! I am thinking good thoughts for Lewis's little heart. I hope all is well. Not sure about the pig valve. I would study up on the rejection rates. It might be wiser to wait for a human donor. Hopefully that's a decision you won't have to make for another little while... Every day is another opportunity for a medical miracle cure. (((((hugs!))))) Anne - I call Shotgun! I will throw rotten veggies at him after he's down. Cindy - Congrats on the scale moving... it moved for me, today too. YaHoo!!! 315 - well, 314.8 - but I am not going to get all excited about 2/10ths of a pound that will be back on the scale tomorrow, anyway... I don't change my ticker until my DOC's scale says a magic number. So, I wait until June 1 - or until I get another fill, whichever comes first. **And just sit back for a minute - and imagine how the world would be, if EVERYBODY played fair and nice.... Well - My big excitement is that I did finally break the 316 barrier. DH wanted a day of rest yesterday - and they moved my desk yesterday, so I was late getting home, anyway. We go back tonight - and I have to do abdominals - because Just ONE night without them and I have some back stiffness... ICK. That's all that's happening in the World of Irene. Betty? Pat? Bueller? I hope everybody is doing great. Hugs all round!

Honey, I started at 350 and had to jump thru massive hoops to get insurance coverage because of my weight - but when I went in for surgery, the Anesthesiologist told me he had recently been part of the procedure on a gal who weighed over 450 and had not a single problem. Definitely pop the extra dollars to see a 2nd doc for another opinion. I know it's expensive - but what is your life worth? If you drop from renal failure while you lose the weight for this doc - would it not have been worth the extra couple of hundred to see another doc? I hope you find a good one. I know if you tell us where you are located, someone will probably be able to give you a recommendation. Hugs and good luck!