Apples2

Both traits should be considered talents, Oregon. (Now we have to watch how we diagram our sentences!). There aren't many people who are easy to talk to and REALLY listen. If you've been told that, consider it your talent!

Katy...will be thinking of you this weekend, Monday and until we hear from you again. Wishing the best for you!

She's crazier than the lady down the street (where I grew up) that had 15 kids (no multiple births) and had at least 7 of them leashed to a tree at one time. And to think...local authorities let her get away with it!

and don't be shy!!!!!!!!

OK...speaking of talents...let's get to know each other a little better. Everyone name what YOUR talent is...

Julie....explained the coke roast above and about the beer bread...it is make in a loaf pan and has a beer taste...we love it. It's a cross between a biscuit and short bread. It's made with self-rising flour and beer. If you type it in a recipe would be sure to pop up!

Janet...you and me both!!!!! I had responded to everyone....great big long post and "POOF"...gone. I said "damn it". The roast is made with real Coke...one can. I take about a 3lb roast, (I brown it first b/4 I put in crock pot), sprinkle with onion or garlic powder, dump the can of coke over it and let it cook. I don't make gravy out of it but I have friends that do. LJV...cooking and baking really don't get to me. I'm a planner so I just make sure I have my own meals planned for the day if I feel I cannot eat what I am cooking or baking. I used to drool like my black lab but now I have myself conditioned to not even crave what I cannot have. I do believe in treating myself to homemade Cookies, bars, cakes, breads......but small portions and very rarely and I "plan" my treats. (Well, not right now cuz I am trying to gain a few back). But, when I am really watching it and in the weight loss stages, I had my planned treats. I would never allow impulse treats. It really did help to make me not feel as if I was being deprived. Phyll...such a funny story about your painters. I would be telling that story over and over! OK girls..Janet asked about the popcorn. I did use my air popper last night but I have another way I make it that's easy and healthy. Take a brown paper lunch bag. Put 1/4 yellow popcorn seeds..fold bag over just a bit and then put three staples in the top. Set your microwave on the popcorn setting for the 3.2 oz. and pop away. You need to be careful so the staples to not get in with your popcorn! I just cut the top off right away with a pair of scissors and throw away. I use Pam spray or Butter Buds brand and also ICBINB spray. Speaking of popcorn......................bye bye...

Peaches and Joanne......ALL the quilts are just so beautiful. I am so envious of your talents.

Mornin' girls... Yep, Janet, I air pop the popcorn and, nope, we don't grow popcorn. All our commodities leave here by train and go to destinations unknown. I spray my popcorn with I can't believe it's not butter spray and sprinkle with salt, brown sugar (splenda when I'm really watching my intake). So good. Off to two volunteer jobs today from 12-6pm. Spring fever is really setting in and good to get out of the house. Have my lunches packed and ready to go. A banana bar (and yes, I will eat this first...cuz I can), seafood salad, crackers. Have dinner and supper in crockpots for the guys...homemade mac/cheese/ham, homemade beer bread for dinner. Supper is coke roast/taters/carrots/rutabagas and homemade honey wheat rolls. (Tried a new recipe from a GF). Wish I could eat it. Bread NEVER sits well with me. I do eat dried garlic toast and rusks (a dried bread with different flavorings). Now, I imagine most of you (besides Julie out in ND) and giggling cuz I called our meals dinner and supper! We here are correct...the rest of the world has it wrong! Have a great day!

Joanne...those quilts are beautiful and so are you. Nice photo of you also. I collect quilts and have them (2-3) on all our beds and also hanging on walls....I also collect hooked rugs and hang them. I have a GF who does quilting for others and her time is not her own anymore so I know where you are coming from on that. And, EVERYONE seems to have an unreasonable time limit for it to be done. I guess I couldn't take the pressure of doing it. I grew up in front of a sewing machine and should get in front of it again. It's been a few years. Bet you cannot wait to hug that little one!

Hey Becky....yep, you can show up any time. There's always something to do around here. But, I am sooooo sick of snow...don't want to see it any more. The roads were terrible when I was on my way to doc today. I spun out on the highway...lucky no one was in the other lane at the time. I had to check my pants when I finally got there!

Charlene...what a cute little Charlie you have. My Charlie is 25 and can grow hair like that in a 24 hour period (DS). Sharons....waving back to you. Janet...Hope you will be feeling better soon. My DS had crud for a week. Fever, sinus crap, etc. It hung on way to long. Hope it's nothing like that for you. Everyone have a great evening. Off to make homemade popcorn for me, DH and the dog!

JoAnne...you will be on that plane b/4 you know it. We have a son we only get to see every 6-9 months or so. It's difficult. Talk to him almost every day but not the same. There's some pretty big bear hugs for mom when we do get together. Hope everyone had a good day. Most of mine was spent in the waiting room at the clinic. Doc was waaaay behind. Just reading and lounging this evening.........my kind of night!

OK...what the hell kind of screening process does this "baby factory" clinic have? It seems to me that I jumped through many more hoops to get my lap band than this woman did to be implanted. And I do know this....my band will get much better care in it's lifetime than those poor children will. The answer is plain and simple..these children need nurturing and love on a one on one basis each and every day. Every child deserves at least that much. I do not want to judge this woman just on looks or her actions during an interview. But, so difficult not to. Just seeing what I have of this person I would in no way want her in charge of one of my children.

Linda...good going on the 5lbs lost!!!!!!!!!!!

Phyll...nice to have a "resident" RN on board!

Janet....I don't know how you keep up with it all. You had an answer or comment for EVERYONE. I have a difficult time remembering which thread I am responding to half the time! Thanks for all you do. Sharons....what a nice thing to say. I ROCK!!!!!!!!!! and SO DO YOU and the rest of the gang!!!!! I will see what I can do about those recipes for you. I might just post them here so everyone can get them. I won't have time for a few days. Am booked with volunteering the rest of the week, planning a 50th bday party, helping a friend with some computer troubles, etc...but promise I will follow through. LONG>... hope you are not doing the onset of kidney stones. Got my urine test report back today from doc. Showed evidence of stones in ureters. Doc wants to see me tomorrow to discuss what they found in CAT scan and then decide what we will do about it. All depends where in the kidneys the stones are sitting. Just want them gone so I can have a couple of stone free years. OK...time wake up DH and DD (dear dog) so I can get them off to bed. sleep tight, dear friends.

Army wife...I remember being swollen for a few days after a fill. My doc says to do solids following a fill but I took it easy with cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. Didn't want to push it. I never did have trouble with liquids. I would keep an eye on it till tomorrow and give your doc's office a call if you are still having problems. No sense in irritating and causing more havoc. Wishing you luck.

138lbs gone from my life! Has changed the way I feel as far as my health and also my emotional health is where it should be. Best thing I ever did for myself!

Also akin to the puppy cloning...article was in last week's People magazine. Sooooooooo many animals in shelters to be adopted....Soooooooooooooo many pshyco mom babies to be adopted!

Kat...I think you spoke for many and put out there what most people think of this "so-called" mom. Really don't want to bring God into this...but here goes. God did not "create" those babies. Pschyo Mom and her unethical doc did.

Oh JoAnne...I cried with that one. Thanks...you are the inspiration. Look at you...you are doing everything by the book and have such an awesome attitude and KNOW you will reach your goal. That's what all the Lap Band docs are looking for in a person!

JoAnne...happy your fill is working and that it sticks this time. Go about considering another fill b/4 your trip with caution. My last fill took a good month to kick in. I was scheduled for another but was really on the fence. Happy I didn't do it....but...you are the only one that will know if you need it or not!

Oregon...this is just curiousity...love my band because it works for me but know there are people out there with loads of trouble and converting to the sleeve. It's a brave step especially with being self-pay. Do you know if there are people out there that converted and their ins. company paid? It makes sense to me that if the ins. company paid for the band they would consider the sleeve if they were going to lose there band. I wish you the best and keep us informed of your decision and what the outcome is. You have had your share of trouble and I can understand why you are converting.

Hey Julie...you got on the darned thing and you walked....that's what counts. Sounds like you are pretty booked with things and it's weighing on you. You will notice that the more weight you take off...the more you will be on that treadmill or outside walking. I couldn't believe what that first amount of weight off my body did for my ability to exercise. Keep it up! Boos....sorry about your hunger issues today. Some days are just like that and it takes ALOT of willpower to stay the heck out of the kitchen cupboards. How many times have you heard people comment on how fickle the band is? I think it is something we all go through. Hang in there and try to not have to make up tomorrow for what you have done today. Long...I know you have some issues when it comes to your mother. Hope you can handle of the stress of it all...well...I know you can. Grandma is going to appreciate everything you are doing for her. I simply LOVE the elderly. One of my best friends is 88 and guess what she did this morning when I was visiting with her? She said the "f" word!!!!! She has another "old" (77) lady that bugs the heck out of her and relys on her for everything (very emotionally needy). Well, she's had enough of it for awhile. She started out with saying "I'm going to go to hell for saying this...." and then she said it. So hilarious and I don't even like the word.