Apples2

Hey Gang...Apples here a.k.a Awol Apples. Again, thanks for the concern with me M.I.A. It's been a crazy whirlwind of action around here the last couple of weeks. I was up at 3am, eating my nightly oatmeal, dates, raisins and brown sugar and got caught up with my threads. I can honestly say that I CANNOT respond to all of it. Too far gone.... Phyll and Janet...have a wonderful trip. We make it to Canada once in awhile and have loved every trip. DH and I will do impulsive trips and just drive. One year we got in the truck on a Friday night, did a trip over to Niagra Falls and didn't come back for over a week. Was the best trip ever. Such beautiful country. We stopped at amazing farms, little cafes, and just bedded down for the night where ever. Long...you've had a lot going on. Congrats on DD getting engaged. One of my best friend's DD got married over the weekend. Was amazing but made me realize that so much of the fanfare really is not noticed by most of the guests. My friend and ALL of the family decorated the hall for days and days. I love to plan, organize, etc. but DH and I decided it's not so bad having just two DS. We will just sit back and write the check. DH had offered 10K to each of the kids and a house full of furniture if they just run off (with us invited) to the Grand Caymons to get married. I was offended at first by his offer to my sons but now I somewhat agree. As long as we can be there to see them married, I'm good with it. Long...you asked what a trip accross the states is? Just that. You hook up a trailer, get in your truck and haul A$$ to your destination. Pick up your farm implement and haul your A$$ back over the same route and states. Was a good trip. I swear I could travel every day whether by land, sea or air. No wonder where my youngest DS gets it from. I think this week is the first time since banding that I can say that I am truly spent. No time for a nap today (on the run for the guys running for farm parts, etc.) so will have to keep plugging away. We are up and at 'em at 4:30am around here and don't hit the pillow till after 11pm. So if ever anyone wonders if I earn my time at the lake? Yep, I do. We have Aussie company coming in about a week and are staying through most of August. Really looking forward to it. We had 2 Australian daughters on an exchange program back in 1994 (and one from France in 1995). We have been able to see them almost every year since then. Either with us going over there or them coming here for months at a time. Love them like they were my own (cannot really say that about our French student...pouty and made no attempt to do family things). Laura...hope you are having a wonderful trip. Happy Anniversary. Meredith....you are doing so great. I'm a believer in just following your doc's rules and eventually it will get you to where you should be. Anyone that says it's not work is crazy. The band is a great tool but it takes determination and work. To all the rest of you lovelys.....hope things are going well. Life is good.

OK, Mom, sorry I misbehaved:crying:. I'm now in time out for 15 minutes and then on the run again till evening (farm stuff).:crying::wub::wub::biggrin::wub::thumbup::wub::thumbup::wub::thumbup::wub:(loves to all)

Rod....so happy to hear that your son is back home and doing fine. So sorry you had to go through this, Mom. Been gone for a week and just catching up with thread....only to find that I do have something in common with MJ. We tend to took a lot alike....melting butter...his face...my thighs and A$$ after losing 139lbs!

A very Happy Bandiversary, Phyll. You are an inspriration to me and many!

Just walked in the door. I feel just terrible that I did not have a chance to post b/4 I left on a farm trip. Left directly from the lake where we have no service for the unplanned trip. Sorry to worry you guys. Just didn't know I would be gone. Travelled across many states by myself, in my truck. Radio cranked up, singing and dancing in my seat. Promise I will try not to let that happen again. Thanks for the emails Janet and Julie. Off again for the day. Will try to check in tonight. XOXOXOXO

So funny on the "yo momma" comment. I've been following your thread (breaking off with momma) but did not jump into it. Nope, cannot insult yo mamma....but, have lots to say about my momma who I divorced in 1995. I agree, felt good to vent on this thread. No intention of flinging crap at any posters. One of the reasons I do not visit "Rants and Raves" very often. Always seems to be a "bible beater" in the wings just a waitin' to abase. I believe there is a higher power and I do have some morals. Just don't want to be preached to for an opionion that does not match theirs. :thumbup:

I believe you are correct on both counts

Ooops...post had timed out on me so did it over...sorry about that. Looks like I'm doubley pissed!

And...how many parents would let there sweet little boys have a "sleep over" with the creep down the street? Bet if there was one small rumor of a pedophile in a "normal" neighborhood with children, social services would be knocking the door down. I know throughout this thread some of us have come off as very bitter. But, as children we were thrown into unthinkable situations at the hands of an abuser (s). It takes your childhood away and makes a person numb. Then it makes you want to fight back. I truly have forgiven my abuser. (But I cannot forget). I had to in order to have peace. I did my work on this. But, it doesn't make me any less passionate about my opinion on pedophilia(sp?). It is my right to have the wish that all of them rot in hell after death. I have a little quote from the bible "Eye for an Eye"?

And I wonder how many parents would let there child have a "sleepover" with the creep down the street? And how many social workers do you think would show up at the door of that creep down the street if he had children in his care and was known to have a drug abuse problem??????

Kat, as always...you clearly have a way of expressing what others are maybe thinking but cannot put into words. On the steroids...I was on them for 5.5 yrs. Really raised havoc and contributed to a lot of my weight gain. Helped with the symptoms I was dealing with but also helped add the pounds (along with the fork in my hand).

Don't mean to sound snarky here but I can tell you what I learned from my ten years of childhood sexual abuse. I learned that if it looks like a pedophile, walks and talks like one, it is most likely a pedophile and I have no feeling but contempt for people that inflict abuse. None of us know for SURE what went on in that "chamber" her had off of his bedroom that was rigged with bells and whistles....but I sure as hell can speculate and come to my own conclusions.:thumbdown:

Just want to throw this in, Kat....congrats on the weightloss. Way to jump back on the horse.

Very eloquent responses, Glouchester.... This is a "rants" thread,right? You can cast boulders, say how YOU feel about something, disagree, agree, duck and get bashed for it. DH's fav saying: Opinions are like A$$holes...everyone has one. (My point is...every rant thread seems to pick them up along the way).

Thanks, Blaze...getting to goal was a chore, maintanence is a chore, but, what in life isn't????? I am living this new lifestyle and plan to continue to stay healthy and happy.

Proud to say that I lost 54lbs on 6 mo pre-op diet and 85lbs after band in 11 month time for a total of 139lbs lost

For me it was about 60lbs lost. Friends and family would comment but I just couldn't see it. My "light bulb" moment came when a friend of mine kindly told me to start donating my clothes. The big red thermal shirt was looking like a tent!

Some people say not enough fat in the diet or not enough protein. I think it is just something that happens 3-5 months after surgery. Happened to me 4 months out. Subsided after a couple of months. Came back in thicker than b/4 (seems like it anyway). I, too, took Biotin and Vit E but to no avail. I faithfully ingested enough fats and at least 75gr of protein/daily. Try not to worry about it. My doc says he has never had a patient that needed a wig!

In Janet's case, that would be Dear Grandson. In my case it might be Detered Grandson (since I don't have any and can only wish).

Thanks, Beth. Both DS's KNOW there are soooo many grateful Americans. (Sorry...a little hijacking) On the State of CA and what the bill for all of this will be...hoping MJ's estate is footing the bill. But am pretty sure CA will be putting out some funds for crowd control, etc. If I have this right, LAPD is flying his sorry ass to the service in a helicopter.

When oldest DS was in Iraq a MPLS newspaper was allowed to do ride-alongs with the promise of no leaks (this unit escorted dignitaries to and from airport from Green Zone). Only took two weeks b/4 there was a leak. Entire unit were on the verge of different mission because of this leak. To think, just for a good story and putting our guys at risk because of it.

Makes ya want to cry, doesn't it??????? Shows you just how out of whack our society is. Bowing down to entertainers and having no clue to what is going on in the real world. Neither of my sons (both in service and have experienced Iraq) have respect for the media and the way things are portrayed. I am also wondering, Gouchester, what the money spent on this memorial would have done for a charity. Childhood Sexual Abuse Foundation maybe?

Hey MN, I have a few tricks you can try that worked for me during the weightloss stage. I always kept Pure Protein (WalMart) on hand. Be careful...they are really good! I would but them up into about 10 peices and have a couple with a cup of coffee. It really would satisfy my cravings for a little chocolate. The way I looked at it is that I was getting some protein and satisfying a craving at the same time. Also, try SF Jello with a couple of tsp. of FF Cool Whip. I would also buy Fiber One and Kashi Go Lean cereals. I would package them into one cup sizes in snack bags and use those as my treats. I would always keep fruit on hand. Blueberries and Blackberries are my friend! As far as the soda goes....was not a soda drinker so cannot help you much there. Only advice I have on that is to NOT buy it and try to switch to a Crystal Light drink. You can buy the little packets to carry with you. They have so many flavors and lots of generic brands. My fav is Peach Tea in the Target generic. "They" say it takes 18 days to break a habit. Got 18 days? Wishing you luck!

Good luck, Julie...hope that whatever it is, it's an easy fix. Will be thinking of you!