Apples2

Also have 4 pair of brand new capris in a medium (8-10) made out of a nice 97% cotton and spandex sheeting. Never been worn (neither have the bras). They are loose fit with snap, zipper and a draw string.

OK...done with chest of drawers and have some leftovers. Anyone need some new 38D and 38C comfy underwire bras? I will send and only want the cost of postage.

So happy for you, Lori. Take care of yourself. Sorry to say that Nov 27 will not work for me to meet you in Souix Falls. DH's family is having their Thanksgiving that day. Really want to be able to travel out that way. Maybe just lunch in Miller some day? :thumbup:

Mornin' Gang! Arlene...sounds like you are following up on everything and being proactive with what is going on with you. Hope you get some definate answers soon and you do not have to suffer through the winter months with this. Meredith...I am sure you are on pins and needles with this house thing. Really push who you need to and make sure they know you are adament (sp?)about getting this house deal done b/4 the deadline. My DS missed out on the first time homeowners rebate by 2 days. After the program came out, it went retroactive to a certain date. He closed 2 days prior. He was just 26 at the time he bought and it ticked him off. Those $$$$ would have come in handy for him. His process was a nightmare. He did a first time homeowners along with doing a low interest veterans loan. The vet process was drug out for way too long. Luckily, the people that owned the home let him move in quite a few month early and had him pay them $214 per month rent. The lady that moved out was so cute. Brought him homemade Cookies and meals cuz she felt sorry for this kid. They were a Godsend. Just really push for the date and you should be OK. DS does have some $$$ to make up for this lose in his near future. He served in Iraq for a year and has a permenent disability on his back and will be going to Fort Snelling in a couple of weeks for his final determination on his knees. He will need both knees replaced in the future and is working on his disability for this. He is just 28 and really sad to see him walk like an old man. He was more than proud to serve his country but really hoping that they determine this to be a disability. He weighed 158lbs when he left for Iraq. Was a gunner on top of Humvee (sitting duck) for the entire year. They were loaded down with over 50lbs of gear and would have to jump down a number of times a day (about 12 foot jump). They figure that's what did his knees in. If this goes through for him, he will recieve retroactive payments back to 2004. Will make a couple of nice principal payments on his house or he can pay off his new truck. Janet...you talking about the operations of your office make me miss working with insurance. I do get a taste of it once in awhile. I have a good friend that manages an agency. When she travels for her updates and meetings, she invites me along for the overnights. Gives me a chance to keep up on things and visit with old friends that I see at these events. How you doing today, Lori???? Laura, any news today???? 21 degress here this morning. An unusually cold fall. My guys are working out in the cold today repairing field drain outlets. I feel for them. This week I have gone through EVERY closet and EVERY drawer (just have one chest to go through today) and both pantrys. I feel so organized and ready for the corn harvest. I am outside most of corn harvest unloading the trucks as they come in. We are completely automated so the trucks just dump into a great big pit and overhead augers take the corn to separate bins. I just have to push certain buttons to make sure they go into the correct bins and then at times transfer after the corn is dried in the dryers. Simple, but a cold job some days and I come in at night covered in a fine white powder with "Bees Wings" stuck to my coveralls and jacket. Quite the sight to see! Bees Wings are the little lightweight red colored stuff that comes off the corn. Kind of like popcorn hulls but lighter. There! You all got your farm lesson for the day! We have a high tomorrow of no more than 38. We have a wedding to go to for a little neighbor girl. (Her family is also our next door neighbors at the lake). I am wearing a Ralph Lauren black dress that has blueish colored beads on the bodice. Found a royal blue (my best color) nubby jacket to go with it. It's going to be sooooooooo cold that will take a sweater and slacks along and change into for the dance. I am not sure if the wool coat will come out but thinking it will. My fall weight coat won't do it. Better get that last chest of drawers organized and be done with this cleaning stuff. Feeding the guys stir fry chicken, fried rice, homemade gouda cheese monkey bread and pumpkin/caramel crunch cake for lunch today and need to get the cake in the oven. You all have a great Friday and a great weekend. Enjoy your down time! Have a wonderful and safe trip, Phyll!

Lori....so great to hear from you and to know how well you are doing. You will be up and running in no time. Good luck keeping up with Phyll. Sounds like she has hit the ground running and not looking back! So nice the surgery is behind you and you have the future with a new knee to look forward to. "Hi" to everyone else. My butt is planted on the couch and watching some Oakie movie with DH and doing my NY Times and LA Times daily crosswords. I think you could take away anything from me but my dailys!

Arlene...so sorry for your struggles. Hopefully you will get some relief soon. Have you checked with your LB doc on taking the Advil? Just a thought. Would not like to see you have tummy troubles because of it. Take care.

Laura....you do a pretty good job with going with your emotions. Feel 'em, get 'em out. Try to stay busy with fun stuff with Nelson. Your company might turn out to be a blessing in diguise. There most likely will be times in the next month you will need or want to travel to see your parents and your SIL and nephew can help to keep Nels busy while you are away. Being busy with them can also help to take your mind off of things. When we were on the phone I was going to remind you to watch for signs of stress with your band. Sorry you had that "stuck" episode this morning. Get all your nutrients, try to get some rest and go for foods during this time that you know you do not have problems with. Appreciate you keeping us informed. Hugs

OK Girls, Lets all keep our fingers crossed and pray that this thing with Laura's dad is not as dire as the docs are saying..... RE: Job...don't know yet. I meet with owners again today and then I need to do some thinking on pros and cons of going back to work. I could choose to work 4-7 days a week. The job is mine if I want it. DH is behind me either way. I used to be able to handle my obligations at home and still work over 50 hours a week. Would not start till Dec 1 but need to decide within the next three weeks. Have a 9lbs pork loin in the oven roasting along with baby garlic/italian seasoned potatoes and creamed carrots (just lowfat evaporated milk poured over the top..makes a nice dish). Cheesy monkey bread waiting for it's spot in the oven when it's time. See why it is difficult for me to decide on the job thing? I would need to do all this either b/4 or after work or both. I will now when it is time what decision to make. Eva...good luck sorting through your work stuff. Dont' pull your hair out! Cheri....As I have said b/4...admire you for the job you do with those kids. I am sure there are nights that you are completely, emotionally exhausted. Gotta get going. Only have 1/2 my floor scrubbing done and still need to shower and set up for dinner. Later.

Laura...there's no words to say except that I KNOW we are all here for you. I would be soooooooo angry after all the time your poor papa spent in the other hospitals. You wouldn't think it would have been so difficult to diagnose....especially with his symptoms. If you remember, about a month ago I mentioned a person in my life (she has been my "mom" for the last 20 years) was going through surgery. She was diagnosed with kidney and bladder cancer 7 yrs ago. She is now 89. Her left kidney and ureter was removed six years ago. A year later she was treated for bladder cancer. Treatment was chemo flush for six-eight weeks. Her bladder cancer is back and she is doing eight week treatments again. She is very lucky because cancerous tumors did not break through the bladder wall. It makes me wonder how long this has been going on with your dear dad to get a diagnosis like this. Her symptoms were immediate and it took one visit to her urologist and one biopsy to come to know what was going on. I sometimes wonder if some docs don't want to be TOO agressive when it comes to "seniors". I cannot imagine your state of mind at this moment. Try to fill your days concentrating on your Nels and your DH and how you can arrange your life to be with your parents when you can. I am so sorry you are going through this. Will be thinking of you and are hoping you will keep us informed on how your mom and dad are doing and also how you are doing with all of this. Sending love your way.

Arlene...thanks for the bit of encouragement. Same thing DH said....nothing to lose...can always quit. Will see what comes of today. Hope docs can figure out what is going on with you. Never fun to be in pain. Just ask Julie. Good luck with your appts. Will check back this evening when I get home. Off to a hair appt to get younger, job thing and then to Menards, Walmart and a few other stops as long as I will be in a town that has those stores. Later

Julie..have a great trip and wishing for you sleep-filled nights! Thanks for your input on the job situation. Eva...Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. Here's my deal: As I stated last night I gave up my job to solely work for the farm and our other business. I owned two ins agencies and DH really didn't pressure me to sell but I knew in my heart that I needed to be here to help. We did hire the books done for two of the last years I worked but ended up doing more work correcting that if I would have done them myself. I am mainly the "gofer"....run for machinery parts, take things to the field when needed, do over the road trips for our other business, do the books for the farm and other business, feed the crew, unload grain in the fall, etc. I am a multi-tasker so am able to work here three days in the summer and spend some time at the lake and feel very fortunate for that. But once fall harvest starts I put in some pretty big days and am pretty busy through the end of the year. I had provided for so many years and now these last 9 years feel like a kept woman. My friends think I am nuts for even wanting to go back to work. I'll be 54 next month...same age as most of my friends. They all would LOVE to stay home. I would need to drive 65 miles one way for my job. Could be a little hairy in the winter. Road to work has a lot of "S" curves and with a lot of snow and ice. But, in the summer I would be able to drive a couple of days from my lake place which is only 25 miles from job. Will see what I decide after I meet with the four owners today. I am excited but afraid to upset the entire apple cart. It would mean many late night hours catching up here. (Which I did for over 20 years when I was working and raising kids and training in a DH). What it comes down to is I need more outside stimulation. 15 miles from nowhere. I usually go to town one time a week (not including summer) for a couple of hours and the rest of the time is spent here. DH is a wonderful person and is encouraging me to take this job but all I can think of is "Here we go again". Put the stress back into our life. OK ...enough about this. Thanks for listening. Now, stop it! I can read your minds....You are thinking..."Why would she want to go back to work?"

Was reading Eva's post about being too tired after work, etc. and was thinking whether I shared this with you guys....I have a job interview tomorrow. I have not worked off this farm (besides my fall through spring volunteer job 3xweek) since 2000. DH begged me to just work for him. His statement "My life would be so much more stress free if you did not work" got me and I quit my job and felt like I quit my life. Took me so long to adjust to not seeing people every day. I had a big client base and just plain missed them. Well, really need to be busier and am truly considering going back to work. I meet tomorrow and will then consider if I want the job or not. I would be driving 65 miles one way but expense would be covered. Am I crazy??????

Too funny, Phyll. I like most food. Liver and oysters would be eaten by me only as a last resort. Admire you for giving them a try. Maybe the wine helped to get them down????????????????????

Phyll...thanks for the recipe. Gonna give it a try. Instead of the oysters (you'd have to tie me down to get me to eat them) I am going to use scallops and follow your recipe....sounds good. I use a lot of evaporated lowfat milk when making soups also. This recipe will be a hit with my guys. Thanks

Hey Linda...nice to see you!!!! Hope you're doing well. Miss having you aroung! Hugs back at ya!

Hey Phyll...are you willing to share your chowder recipe?????

Sorry about your hungry day, Janet. Don't you just think that's the way the band is though? I have 5-6 days where there is not hunger and then 1-2 days where I could eat the dog or anything else in my sight. Even with adequate fill, I think that's just what we live with when we are banded.

Phyll...thanks for sharing the news about Lori. Sounds like things are going pretty good for her. Great to hear. Julie...hope you will be able to swing going on your trip. Wish you could get some relief from your pain soon. Maybe that shot will kick in? Janet. You are very photogenic in all your photos. Pretty dress you were wearing. The sun peaked out for awhile today. We've had a few days of rain and it has put the bean harvest at a standstill. Was hoping that harvest would be completed early this year. I have my doubts at this point. DH is the most easy going person that God put on this earth. He worries about nothing. His favorite saying when I worry in the spring and the fall is: "We always get it in and we always get it out". Just wish he could transfer some of that calm into my veins! Busy with my house the last couple of days. Closets are all cleaned and now working on organizing my three freezers. Always feels so good when you open doors and everything is in it's place. Fingers are crossed. Had not stepped on scale for quite some time and I am up 4lbs. Hoping it stays with me. Hate to even type this paragraph due to the way some might percieve it. But, we all have different struggles and need some encouragement and support. I have given up worrying about putting on the weight. I just keep my cals over what I think my body needs and we will go from there. OK...everyone clap and say "Yeah...4lbs. is good and congrats". (just kidding)

My ins company's guidelines were the six month medically supervised diet. I did have record of previous attempts at taking off the weight but they insisted I wait the six months. At first I was ticked off. But, that wait I had really prepared me for the surgery. I no way wanted to wake up after surgery and feel like I had the "rug" yanked out from under me. My doc was great in insisting upon a weight loss with each monthly visit prior to surgery (I think mine was about 9 months from start to finish). I was able to lose over 50lbs during that period of time. I was asked the question all the time "If you can take it off on your own, why do the surgery". The answer I can give for that is; I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and knew that after having the LB I would be able to keep it off. Other attempts to lose weight were fruitless. Gain, take some off, get discouraged and put it back on, plus some. It is my understanding that ins companys take beginning weights that are documented by LB doc or personal physician at the onset of the process. Anyway, that's what my ins company did.

Took a look at your photos...you had great TT results. Congrats!

I have worked every day since Feb to get my 3000 cals or more a day in. I am an extremely active person and, as I said, metabolism kicked into high gear at the beginning of 2009. I check out healthy. DH says I have the best of both worlds. Can eat and still maintain. I have only had two fills and have 14cc band so I really don't have much restriction. I hope you don't take it that I was doubting you having PS. Just from personal experience and how my boobs shaped up was where I was coming from. I lucked out and have a flat stomach after all the weight loss. The only thing I would like to get done is a thigh lift. I am thinking maybe a year from now I will look into it. I have just heard a number of times it's difficult to do TT and TL together but you gotta trust your PS doc and what he recommends for you to do. I guess I would be the same as you and want anything I could do done at one time. Cannot wait to see your results. BTW....put in a friend request and would love to see your photos. I thought I had you on my friends list but see I don't.

I went through that also...the last 15-20 seemed as if they were just never going to come off. But, you made it to goal and I wish for you to maintain and continue on your successful road. Think back a year ago...so lucky to be where you are at a year out. A BIG thumbs up. A question...did your PS doc have a problem with you having TT so soon during the weight loss process????

I take it that this question was intended for OP but can give you a few suggestions on what worked for me. First off, it's not easy but if you plan and really work on sticking to recommendations by your LB doc and not veer from his plan, you will be successful. Go into it all with the mind set that this WILL work. I cook massive amounts of food every day. We farm and I have a crew to feed during the farm season. I revamped most of my recipes to high Protein and low fat or fat free so that I could still sit at the table with everyone. I am also on the road a lot (farm errands) and there are times that I need to eat on the run. I always have a stash of food with me that will get me through. I never missed getting my 75gr of protein in a day. I always also made sure to get enough fiber in my diet to keep things going. I also never missed a day with journeling my food to hold me accountable. If I reached my max cals at 4pm, then I was done for the day. By doing this I learned to space things out to make my cals last for the day. Hope this helps:thumbup:

A big congrats on your success! You sound so happy and should be sooooooooooo proud of yourself. I know that I am happier and healthier than I have been in years and plan on staying that way. I am 54 and feel like I could run circles around any 19yr old!

Also Allie...maybe you want to wait on the breast PS for a bit. I am a 54 yr old and was disappointed in my boobs after my weight loss. A year after hitting goal, I can say that I am truly happy in how my boobs have gone back into shape. I am a believer that in order to keep breasts in shape, a good bra should be worn except for when sleeping. But, I could run around without one and my boobs sit right up there. Maybe you want to just wait a few more months and see how they shape up. Just a thought.