Apples2

We had two exchange students and got to know their families. Their families have been here on extended visits (2-3 months) and the girls have been back for months at a time...many different times. Through all of them, we met many of their friends and feels like going to visit family when we go. DH also has a friend that grew up here that has lived there for 40 yrs. He did a month long outback trip with him a few yrs ago. He did the Great Barrier Reef dive/thing and loved it. We have wonderful underwater photos from that trip.

Hey Great...sounds like you had a nice Hawaii trip. Sorry about the ear issues. Best to get it checked out. I've had my Bose for about 5 yrs. I had a tough time deciding between the ones that fit all the way on the ear or the smalls ones. I chose the larger as I believe they block out more noise. I have gotten so used to travelling with them that when I forgot them one time, I found the jet noise/ppl chatter to give me a headache. My longest trip was to Australia. Four hours from Mpls to LA and LA to Sydney was 18 hours. 16 on the way back to LA. Took that trip 4 times. About due for another one of those. We are thinking for our 35th anniversary (4 yrs) and stay 3-4 months. Our others trips to Australia were one month each. I would live there if we were not so tied to the farm.

Tip of the day...We eat a lot of omelettes at our house. I was in Walmart last week and picked up two little microwave dishes. You can find them where in the microwave oven aisle. About $3.50 each. They are about the size of an english muffin and have a lid on them. So handy. DH has to watch is cholesteral. I just buy the egg whites in the carton. Pour 1/2 cup in, set microwave on 1 minute. Done. I add a little cheese and salsa. DH likes his on an english muffin with turkey sausage patty. Easy clean up and ready for the next snack attack

Kab....during the weightloss stage I drank this drink a few times a day. It really did stave off hunger and helped with the chocolate cravings. I also found a hot drink product that I love. Alpine sugar free cider...just mixed with hot water. 15 cals. For me, hot drinks got me through some tough hunger spots.

Arittel...take good care of yourself. Don't push the limits and take time to heal. You don't want to repeat your incident. Feed your band as if were your baby. Take care.:smile:

I like either the Nestles or Swiss Miss...they are about 20-25 cals per packet. I actually carry them in my car for when I stop for coffee, I just mix a packet in and add some sugar free Caramel or Hazelnut syrup. The Nestles actually comes in a canister that I use while at home. 2 Tbls = 25 cals. I will also mix in my Benefiber

Good Morning....today same as yesterday...unloading trucks, drying corn and sweeping corn into the pit. Good days...have I mentioned I love harvest time????? (Probably 100x's) Was up early and have supper ready to go in the oven later today (timed bake). Have a late afternoon annual physical (only time I could get in was during harvest) and had to make an appt for a flu shot then back home to take over my job again. We usually have trucks till about 10:30. Anyway...enough about that....just wanted to say "Good Morning" and hope everyone that is trying to stay on task, does. And, everyone not trying to stay on task, stays on task anyway...just for the health of it!

Hey Carmen...welcome. Sounds like you are on the fence about whether to get a fill or not at your next appt. If you are unsure, wait a few weeks. We are all so different when it comes to how many fills it takes to get to good restriction. Some on this thread have had many and some only a couple. A month from now you might find yourself getting more hungry and will know you need another fill...a little time can make a huge difference....especially this soon after your LB surgery. Good luck

Joyce...I don't fly without my Bose headphones. Makes the flight so much more enjoyable.

Arittel...so glad you filled us in on the outcome of your night from hell. Happy to hear that they figured out the problem. I had something similar two months after LB surgery. Had a number of hernias repaired about 60 days after LB and my sternum got bruised from putting mesh in. Not comfortable. Hope you are on the road to comfort soon.

Sandy...Charlie has a very kind face.

Trish...what a great feeling, huh??? Even though you were feeling crappy you still got your butt in gear. Way to go!

Phyll....a full hour of pool exercise??? Woohoo! Lucky girl to go thru menopause without hot flashes. I had three huge symptoms....gained A LOT of weight, mega hot flashes and I could go from zero to b_tch in 2 seconds. So glad most of it is behind me. A hot flash once in awhile. I can put up with that. Arlene...still on cloud nine over Jakob's win??? I would be. Quite the kid. Good luck with the carb cleansing. Once you get on to it, you'll be so happy with yourself and maybe break that nasty plateau. Julie....thinking of you and your upcoming wedding. Hoping you are able to get through it and your pain stays at bay. Don't ruin your weekend by doing things you shouldn't while prepping for the wedding. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Laura....detest night calls....our phone rang at 5:20...marketing call. Makes we want to go thru the phone line on them. We were just ready to get up, but still...5:20???? Been a busy day...DH decided to go help with the tiling and I have been unloading semis and drying the corn. I get a semi in the yard every 16 minutes and need to fire up the dryer evey 21. I have a crew for supper tonight so ran back and forth in order to get it in the oven. Made lobster/shrimp ravioli (homemade pasta) with garlic butter sauce. Smells so good. I set aside some of the seafood and sauce and veggies for myself b/4 putting with the Pasta. Have a pumpkin pie out of the oven and sourdough bread ready to go in. Spoiling my guys tonight.

Hi Everyone.... Good going, TX...love your attitude and congrats on the 3lb lost....many more to come with the way you are going. Will catch up with you all later. Dumping semi-trucks and drying corn today.

Arittel....just checking to see how you are doing....hope all is well.

I get it, Cheri....you like plain and simple. Kind of like Janet cooks for herself. Real food... Meat and veggies. At least you make decent meals for yourself and are not just eating whatever and not a satisfying meal. Like we've said so many times on this thread; BACK AWAY FROM THE CHEETOS. Just don't buy them. If you feel the need for that candy bar, buy a small one once in awhile and savor the flavor!

Pretty bad...now I'm taking pictures of food:blush: 15 cals per cup. I put it in at least 1.5 cups of hot water cuz I'm not into it sweet.

Just junking up the thread with green ink.... Also, Cheri...there's a pretty tasty alternative to coffee for something hot to sip on. When I was in the weightloss stage I drank one every evening. Alpin (from Krussateaz) makes a good SF spiced cider. Just add hot water.

Cheri...was thinking (scary, I know)...you talked so often when cheering on somone on this thread about how you liked to sip on something warm with FF/skin milk throughout the day. If you have a craving for chocolate, how about getting some of the 20/25 cal packets of cocoa and putting them in coffee or a little milk. That might take care of that craving and make your stomach feel more satisfied.

Cheri....I think you sound pretty normal for a person in maintenance. A person gets a little lax, pushes the boundries a bit and finds themself up a couple of pounds. But, do NOT let it get out of hand. Sounds like you have a handle on it with getting back to basics. FORCE yourself to do it. It's surpising what just getting back on track can do for our mind and body. Google 5 minute recipes and see what you come up with. Buy egg whites that come in a carton. DH and I have been working on trimming him down a bit. He was up to 192 (5'10") and doc wanted him down to 174. He hit 174 last week. One of his favoite meals is really plain and simple. Make a white egg omelette. Easy. I just spray a pan with olive oil, egg whites, put lid on it, turn once. I top with diced tomatoes (canned) and enough for a couple of meals in one can. I sprinkle just a bit of cheese and spread a Tbls of FF sourcream on top for moisture and flavor. There's recipes for mini-egg muffins you can freeze and grab on your way out the door. Make a batch of chicken chili loaded with black beans, kidney beans, butter beans and edamame. Freeze into one cup containers and grab for a meal. Got to the Food and Nutrition threads today and get some simple recipe ideas. You've done so well with weightloss and maintenance, Cheri....we're not going to let you fall between the cracks. Also, sorry for your worries and troubles. YOU CAN TURN THIS AROUND B/4 IT GETS OUT OF HAND.

I buy my favorite brands for the fit...not the name. That's where my TJ Maxx comes in so handy. They carry a lot of the brands I like. My Born boots were $89. We have this store in our little town that has 30-40% off retail price most days. I watch for the sales. It's a "town and country" store with a little bit of everything. Parts for farm implements. Children and adult clothing. Just nice basics. Columbia, Carhart, Armour All workout clothes. My daily wardrobe is Columbia. Perfect for the farm and if I would happen to have to jump in my truck to run for the farm, it still looks presentable.