ReneBean

Hey Y'all! How's the day? I am actually working at my job on a fairly regular basis - and I have been studying for and taking sections of a required test - which is why I have been a little sporadic in my posting. Today, I am also trying to get 3-4 other work-peripheral things done... I have located plastic champagne flutes for 265 - Whew! Now all I have to do is run out and snag about 120 2 litre bottles of Sprite... :/ and lug it into the building... I think I am going to need some elves for that. Can you tell? We are having a little New Year's gig tomorrow. New Year's at Noon. We will have a countdown and toast for the Noon hour to Celebrate. We are a partying kind of place around here. I am the ChairChick of the Fun Committee - and I am also helping promote our Committee Membership Rally this week - so I have put together a Media Blitz for Committee Participation. Yeah - just another day in Corporate America... Betty & Cindy - I could SO use a cookie right now... How far are you guys from Addison?? Come on down... Heck, Betty! You baked enough to put down Cookies for my party tomorrow... (lol!) Aw, Betty - that whole job fiasco sucks. Worse than making you get all prettied up - they got your hopes up! That's just wrong. I hope you had fun shopping, though. Shopping can be good. Pat - the old year is passing. Out with the crap - in with the veggies! I have sworn to my Beloved that as of January 2nd - any remaining "bad" foods are going into the trash. Neither one of us needs to be eating Queso and chips... Eileen - DANG, I should be coming up there THIS week... all that party stuff sounds soooooo good! Well, guys - I am off to pick up the champagne flutes & the pop. What's everybody else doing? Come on, guys. Check in. We miss you!

Wowza! At 144 I bet you are looking pretty slinky-cool! Pictures, please. Great work! :]

Their loss is our gain! Great to see you! Looking good! :]

Howdy! Eileenie - so far as getting their earlier goes - just flying into Neward vs LaGuardia will probably knock an hour or more off my arrival! As soon as I get firm travel plans, and know whether or not I will have my own vehicle, we will be able to make some sort of arrangements to meet up earlier. Betty - what are we going to do about all those cookies? I honestly don't know how you keep from grazing on them all day! Alex - thanks for the info - but the beauty of this chat is that we don't all have to be on-line at the same time. A Shout Out to all the rest of our friends who are out enjoying vacations and holidays and stuff. Enjoy it all and then come back and tell us about it. Happy New Year!!

Unbanded can play? I guess I will have to do it, then - but only if the gym has put in a scale... otherwise I can't track my weight! It's a new gym and they are still putting the place together. : (of course, I might KNOW if the gym had put in a scale if I had BEEN there in the last few weeks!! Gads - I need this challenge!)

I can totally get past the "foreign object" issue - I view the band like I would a pace-maker or a replacement knee cap. I would not freak-out about having either of those things if I knew it was the only way to make my heart beat regularly or the only way to be able to walk. And I am pretty sure that the band will be the only way to make me slow down & chew my food.... What scares me, a little, is the whole "change" issue. I admit it - I am spoiled. I am used to eating what I want to, when I want to. I gave up on the whole diet thing a while back because 1) I have a complete lack of self control, and 2) the yo-yo effect was only making me fatter, whereas eating what I wanted, I maintained. Change is hard - no matter how much we know it's the right thing. I don't even want to think about not being able to eat a burger or white rice. But, on the other hand, I don't want to think about the bad things that happen to fat girls over 40, either. My family history is pretty ugly - and I am already experiencing less than acceptable mobility due to my bulk. I guess it's just a matter of which thing scares you more... I have made my decision - now I am just trying to convince my insurance company to pay for it... I can tell you that so far as surgeries are concerned - this one is pretty easy. No major reconstruction work and fewer complications than any other Bariatric Surgery currently available. Take your time. Read everything. Talk to people face-to-face. Read some more. Think some more. In the end, only you can make the decision - because only you will be the one who has to do the work and lose the weight. Happy Deliberating!

I just had a weird thing where the system kicked me out and no matter how many times I logged back in, after it told me Thank you for Logging in - it took me back and I still wasn't here. I had to try and post - get the "you must be logged in" screen and then click the "Remember Me" checkbox before the system let me back in. It seems we have some serious glitch action going on. :[

*sigh* I am really trying not to think about it too much. Que Sera, Sera. I don't know exactly what I will do next if they don't approve me. Thanks for the well wishes!

Who wouldn't want to find THAT cutie under the Christmas Tree? Wow! Enjoy these precious moments! :]

Hey New Jersey & New York... I will probably be in town again next month from the 16th to the 20th. Chances are good I will do what I did this time and fly in relatively early on Sunday the 15th. Based on my experience this month, I would hazard a guess that I won't have any large amount of time available AFTER that - so I think we will have to plan on any get-togethers that Sunday. I hope to have all my travel arrangements JUST a little earlier than I did last time, and I might have more input in where I stay. I will try and get a place near a train station - but I may end up in the Pearl River Hilton. It appears that I will be there with the Head Honcho, this time. That ought to be interesting... Last time, I was sort of the head honcho - if only by experience in my craft. :rolleyes Every trip is going to be an adventure, I can tell... Maybe we can get together in January! :squareeye

Warm thoughts for an easy surgery and a speedy recovery! :]

Wow, Lots of lucky Bandsters having surgeries tomorrow! Congrats to all! We'll be thinking good thoughts for easy surgeries and speedy recoveries. Good Luck! :]

The First Step is to read your denial letter. They should specify what your options are for appealling the denial. Then, you have to decide whether you want to engage an attorney to help you. Definitely read thru the sticky thread and any other threads in the insurance section. Several attorney e-mail addresses are posted in among the information. I had to re-submit to Blue Cross before the State of California would look at my request for Independent Medical Review. I am waiting for the State to do their thing. I would definitely appeal - whether you use an attorney or not. It costs nothing but time - and there is lots of info in the insurance forum to help. And NanaHanna - all policies exclude weight loss treatments - but many of them have an exception for Morbid Obesity. BMI over 40 = Morbid Obesity. It's an ugly word - but if it get's your insurance to cover banding - wave it like a flag. Good Luck!

Wow. Lisa - could this suck anymore? I think not. OK - cheerleader: Go, Lisa! Go! At the rate of speed this whole insurance process is moving, I expect it to be a while before I have any chance of getting a band - so we can do the "Eat Right & Exercise" thing together...ok? (((((((Lisa)))))))

Howdy! I have been in a vegetative state for the past three days.... I did successfully avoid going into any stores at all since Friday Night - when we did the Walmart run at 11:00pm and it looked as busy as a normal Saturday afternoon. It was crazed... But I got a case & a battery charger for my camera, picked up a new microwave to replace the one that did a snap-fizzle on us a while back. I also got the fixin's for the fruit salad. Went to my Sister's on Christmas Eve. She had a fab feast and a big box of Fudge & Lemon Bars to take home... The fudge was pretty good - but the Lemon Bars should be illegal in six states...They were incredible! We had a lovely relaxed kind of day, took lots of pictures (which I forgot to bring along today! Sorry!) and everyone opened their presents. Christmas Day was spent with DH at home. We started watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy. DH got a little vacation because between left-overs from my Sister's and the salmon he smoked on Friday, we just nibbled a little bit of this or that all day. The new microwave was put to good use. We lazed around watching the first two parts of the trilogy, sleeping, playing on the computer all day long. Yesterday, we watched the last movie in the Trilogy and lazed around some more. I must say, I have probably gained a pound or two eating every sugary thing ever made in the last couple of days. Eileenie - I could have put on a fake twang for you - but that would have been cheating. *I can't even imagine surviving 3 children under the age of 9 in one house...I would probably collapse! And who is the Bad Girl? I don't think I have to worry about any inappropriate pics hitting the internet! (Besides, when "inappropriate" things are happening - both DH and I are too busy to be snapping photos!) Patty - Hope you are having fun in Santa Barbara! How was the Crystal Cathedral? Betty - some day, we will have to have a salad show-down. I actually forgot to put the cranberries in... I just ate it the traditional way. I always forget how good it is... I guess that is a good thing. It is a carb and fat delight... NOT thinning. Cindy - I guess we won't be carolling next year, after all... Of course, your DD and I could go... We would sing with you in the car... :] I must say that the best presents I got were things I got for myself... My Sis & SIL both sent baked goods for us & Mom sent a gift card. I got myself a lap-top - and I have been playing my Art of Magic game on it all weekend. I don't know what to tell you about the Insurance thing. Unfortunately, the ins. co. probably won't pay for what it actually cost you - unless you go to the trouble to sue them. There is no way to put a price on missing those weekends... You should probably consult *gasp* an attorney who is familiar with personal injury cases. Or, you can just go with the "If You Don't Ask, You Don't Get, school of thought and tell them you want all your medical bills paid + the loan balance on the new car... You never know. Stranger things have happened. Ira - no fair going back and spell-checking our old posts... :] How are you doing? Are you getting closer to your Super Weightloss Stud goal? What's happening with you? I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas weekend. I am looking forward to these next few days passing quickly so that I can have another 3 day weekend!! Woo hoo!! Sadly, I haven't managed to win the lottery (nope - not in either Texas OR New Jersey!) or invent my miracle product and earn enough money to retire. So, it's just slog thru the short work-week and enjoy the long weekend to usher in the New Year.

Hi! I have been in a vegetative state for the last three days... But I am here, and I am alive... Not banded - but alive. My request for Independent Medical Review has been acknowledged by the State of California and I can expect to here something within 45 days... Something like the first week of February - by my loose reckoning. I have been busy at work, so I haven't spent as much time on-line as I was there for a while... But I do keep tabs. Thanks for asking. Everybody keep your fingers crossed that someone in the State of CA is rational and will overturn the ridiculous denial by Blue Cross. :]

Hi Folks!! It's the end of another glorious day in mortgage lending.. Wheeeee!!! I must say that I hardly worked at all today. We ate nachos and played quite a bit. I played too much and had to stay to finish a file! But, now am off toward the old hacienda for a lovely weekend. Tomorrow, we go to my Sister's for Christmas Eve - presents and dinner. I wonder if she would still invite us if I refused to make the infamous Fruit salad? Don't let the fruit business fool you - it's really more of a dessert than a side dish. Betty, I am intrigued... I *eh-hem* found my recipe some years ago - many, many years ago - and I can't even remember where I got it. Does your salad have mayonaise in it? ***ALERT! ALERT!! SECRET SAUCE RECIPE LEAK*** Ok - so it's not really a secret - but the sauce is a mixture of Coolwhip, mayo and a little pineapple juice to get that smooth creamy consistency just right. I usually mix it up in a bowl and then add the fruit into the pre-stirred sauce. I would give you measurements - but there aren't any... It's Lots of Cool Whip, Some mayo for that special tang and just enough pineapple juice to keep the cool whip from doing that chunky thing it does when you mix it with stuff. Apples, banana, Grapes & Pineapple are the MUST components. After that, I sometimes add Mandarin Oranges, raisins, nuts or any combination of the above. This year, I am considering a NEW ingredient choice (Spice of Life, you know)... I am thinking about Craisins. It's all Cindy's fault if my family doesn't like the change... Mandarin Oranges and Craisins... (see, I really DO love Cranberry Orange stuff). So, Betty - Is yours anything like mine? I know that fruit and mayo sound like a horrid combination - but really, if you don't tell people what it is, they will pester you for hours asking what gives it that special creamy yummy flavor! Eileen - you know I was just teasing about the accent thing... I was actually surprised at how subtle it was. It's kind of funny - we watch the Sopranos on DVD - and there is a Character on the show called Adrianna. There was actually a gal in the NY office that sounded JUST like her. I really expected you to have more of an accent than you did, Miss Eileen. AND - you got a deal on that Christmas Tree... Garden Ridge wants $140 down here for that same tree. I looked at it and thought about it. I am going to see if they have any on-sale after Christmas. For me, the tree is pure extravagance. DH doesn't really care about that kind of stuff - so I do it just for me. This year, I just have my Santa's out and some small things. Next year, I am going to DECORATE. Cindy - rehearsing with the choir? Do you sing? Can we see you perform? I suppose I would have to go to Church, huh? I'm not so sure that would be such a good idea. Lighting and all. lol. I guess we'll just have to meet up at a Karaoke Bar sometime for LBT Sings the Blues! Patty - $600 is a lot - but it's a WHOLE lot less than replacing the engine, or the whole van. Sorry about the hassle, though. It's not fun to have this sort of excitement at the Holidays. Funny about the DEXH, though... BWAHAHAHAHAH. "Oh, my. But I have high tea with the Queen, I can't possibley deal with my Children right now...." Yeah. Sure. Whatever. Welcome to Reality! Anyway, hopefully that Mechanic will take pity on you and drag his butt in to fix it tomorrow. It sure would be nice if you could make it to your Sister's. Everybody - concentrate really hard on Festive Mechanics.... Dianne - did the system mess you up, too? I have found the secret... I copy my post using the "Control C" command before I push the button or change pages or anything. Then I can paste it back with "Control V" if it disappears. We will wait with baited breath for your life story. :] Wow - you folks and your cleaning... you are so energetic! I expect that if I looked too hard, I could find a dust bunny or two in my living room. DH has been smoking salmon today, instead. MMMMMMM. I can't wait to get home and try some. Plus, a co-worker gave us some of the most decadent Dill Dip I have ever tasted. I have to stop at the store for some crackers so we can have Hoi Polloi hors d'oevres. MMMMMMMMMM. Oh - and the most exciting bit - my camera came today, so I can start posting pictures!! Whoopie!~ Now maybe I will show you what DH looks like... But then, maybe not! If you Texas gals were to recognize him on the street, you might decide to keep him! lol! Well, I think that I will actually go home, now, and play with my new toys. I will check in with you wonderful folks sometime tomorrow. For tonight, I leave you with a favorite Christmas Carol... (Sing along, Cindy!) "Here we come a-Wassailling among the trees of green. Here we come rejoicing so fair to be seen. Peace and Joy unto you, and to you your Wassail, too. May God keep you and grant you a Happy New Year. May God grant you a Happy New Year." (oh yeah, a happy, peppy, Christmas DRINKING song...) G'Night!

Well, you already figured out the basics of posting... Because here you are! The site is broken down into separate Forums - There is a drop-down box at the bottom left that lists them. The ones we visit most often are really individual choice. I tend to just hit New Posts (top middle on the blue bar) and read anything that looks interesting. If you want insurance information - post in the Insurance forum. If you want info on Doctors, Fills, or food - post in each of those forums. If you just start clicking around, I am sure you will begin to get a feel for what is posted where. There is also an Introductions forum and a Lounge. Introductions are for Newbies, like you. You should stop off there and post to introduce yourself to the board at large. The lounge is where we go when we want to talk about NON-band subjects - you will find ALL SORTS of things going on in there on any given day. The Texas forum is set aside just for us (I live in Allen) and most times, you won't get a whole lot of interaction from non-Texans, here. Most of the posts go into the main forums. Feel free to PM (private message) me or any of the other Texans like Mousecrazy & Iluvharleys for help if you need it. You can also find some of us Texas Folk hanging out in the New Jersey forum on December's Chat. Stop on by and say Howdy! :]

Looks like you got it figured out! Congrats! Welcome to LBT. :]

ARGH!! I had a whole long post typed up and my log-in TIMED OUT. So when I went to submit - it deleted the whole thing and kicked me to the log-in screen... ARRRRRRRGH! I have to go now. I love you guys, and I will try again tomorrow.

Hey Mary! So glad to hear that there is nothing un-fixable. Take your meds and we will all think good thoughts for quick healing. Hugs!

Hey Folks... Another busy week... Darn these people at my office who expect me to actually work!?!? What's THAT all about? Like, DUDES - Don't you know I have other stuff to do?? But, they persist in bringing me files to underwrite. Geesh! The Noive! (my best Jersey accent - learned at the knee of our darling Eileen) Anyway - Last night I went to my Sister's house to visit for the Nephew's 15th Birthday. The kid is taller than me, now - and goofy, like all 15 yr old computer nerds are. I had a great time visiting with them - but no time to visit with you! Patty - I am playing a PC game now called "The Art of Magic". It's great fun. Wizards duelling with spells - that's the gist of it. Sorry, but I have never found another man like my DH - and I'm not sharing him! Occassionally, I will share his COOKING though, so if you ever get out this way, we will make him slave for us. Have fun at your Sisters! Jan - Check in when you feel up to it. Congrats! We are all be thinking good thoughts for a painless, quick recovery. Dianne - hope you are feeling better. Pneumonia is nothing to mess around with, hon. Take care of yourself. Pat - glad you were able to avoid the mall. I wouldn't go anywhere near it right now unless I had a Tank and a couple of Professional Wrestlers to help me negotiate the traffic and the crowds... :] Betty - Wow! 100lbs... you are almost there!! How incredible will it be to hit that milestone? I am in awe... And all while BAKING and making Candy! (so, do you have my plate ready? should I come over now?) I am a little in awe of you culinary types. I bake about once a year - maybe, if the stars are aligned just right... Lisa - 11 lbs is great! Congrats! (and no worries about the cookie.) I guess if it's a girl-puppy, you could call her Frieda or Gretta? Those always sound very German to me, too. IRA!! What a fab picture. You and your family look wonderful. You should stop by more often - we miss you around here. Cindy - I guess you get to stay a kid for as long as you teach. There is still magic in the Last Day of School... How cool is that. And - YOU'RE baking, too?!?! I am going to have to take an LBT tour for coffee and baked goods... And your DD is a wonderful child. I am tearing up for you over here. Eileenie - how's the lip? I hope you are feeling a little more up to par, today. How is FIL? Is the hospital REALLY that bad? It's not too late to take him for a 2nd opinion... Big Hugs! Let's see - tonight, I am going home to collapse and get some sleep. I have to work all week - and it is Month & Year-end, so it will be WORK. I still need to string a bracelet for my Niece and wrap the presents for her whole family. Thank goodness that's all. We actually did very well this year in getting the whole gift thing done early. All are packages have been mailed and received - all we have to do now is show up on Christmas Eve... and I have to make my Fruit Salad - it has become a holiday tradition. Grapes, Bananas, Apples and some secret sauce - sometimes I throw in Mandarin Oranges for color. There's no proper recipe - but I can tell you that it isn't thinning. Don't let the Fruit business fool you. Cool Whip is one of the ingredients in the sauce. On the insurance front, the State of California has acknowledged my request for Independent Medical Review and I should get some response within 45 days... I only hope that there is no exclusion added to my company insurance policy after Jan 1. This surgery surely would be a great way to start the new year! Well, I'm off to the old homefront. DH has had a little cold for the last few days, too. Poor Baby. But, we have lots of fluffy comforters and Fat Cats to keep him warm and cuddly. Love you guys! Take Care of Yourselves & Have a Very Merry Christmas (if we don't see you between now and then) Hugs!

Yeah, Baby!! Congrats on a FABULOUS year of Band Success!! :]

It sounds a lot like depression. I hope you get past it soon. hugs

You look incredible!! Wowza!! Keep up the good work! :]