Apples2

Janet...did you ever think 3 yrs ago that you would even be going to the gym, let alone kicking your GD's butt at the gym???? I am amazed on a daily basis how much energy I have and it just doesn't stop. After being such a slug for so many years, I am very thankful. Half a day here at home getting my guys situated in the fields (cultivation and tiling) and then I'm off to see my fake brother in the hospital and then onto the lake with my puppa. Lots going on this weekend with 2 bday parties (40th & 60th), plans with some of my friends tonight and tomorrow. DH will not be up till Sat afternoon...trying to finish up the cultivating. More stressful for him than harvest or planting seasons. Linda...thanks for the offer to pick up some supplies. The only thing I can think of at the moment is water. I usually travel with my basics...protein/fiber bars, cereal, etc. Very nice of you to think of doing that. Let me know what I owe you for my share of the room and I'll send you a check. Great...imagine you are on the road by now. Hope you have great weather and no bears or copulating elk. Eva...have a great trip. Safe travels. You all have a great weekend. Talk to you all Tuesday. (If not b/4 noon today). I'm going to Vegas to meet my friends! Going to be so much fun.

Not too many complaints in the DH dept. Even after he encouraged me to go yesterday morning, I struggled with the guilt of leaving him during such a busy time. When he got home last night, he insisted I book. Honeymoom at the lake this weekend! :thumbup:(TMI)

Thanks for the offer. I'll do the couch. Lori offered her bed but I really don't mind the couch. I am usually up very early and would prefer it.

I booked my flight. I get into Vegas a little after 10am and do not leave till Monday 7am...only way I could do it but will just find a room near the airport for Sunday night. I cannot breath...I am sooooooo excited. Since I had not planned on going and have not paid attention...who is staying with who and so on

I found my flight (first class upgrade using no extra airline miles...whoot) and getting ready to book but didn't want to do it without knowing if I need to book my own room or not.

OMG, OMG, OMG...DH came home tonight and told me that I should just forget about the farm and go to Vegas!!!!!

Have fun, safe travels. Don't kick yourself. We all have things that get in the way of our plans sometimes.:thumbup:

Major Bummer!:thumbup:

Arlene...you have literally had a very "crappy" day. Sorry you have to go through such a "poopy" situation.:thumbup: Hugs:wub:

Hey LaGordita....try not to sweat it. I have seen so many posts where people gain a little once they switch to mushies or soft foods. Just make sure to stick to your doc's plan and the amount of calories he suggests, get out and move each day. This time is for healing and taking care of yourself. If you stick to your plan, you will see that scale moving again. Wishing you the best! Any other questions or concerns you might have????

Hang in there, Joyce. I used to feel like my body just was not catching up with the scale and my head was not catching up with the weightloss. A vicious circle. You will get there....be patient. Now, I would probably look at you and think you looked wonderful. We are too tough on ourselves. And, it really doesn't look like I will be in Vegas but thanks for the kind words. End of Sept thru end of Nov is when I am really needed around here.

Linda...we should have made the time to stop on our way to FL last year. But, DH was on a mission and keeping his nose to the ground to find the farm show he was after. Next time. Would love to meet you. Cute story about your baby and the lab. Some of Tanker's friends are so, so tiny.

Julie...forgot to ask you how your friend's surgery went?

Linda....we have tried the over the counter calmers for our dog. It takes too many at one time for our big guy. Just wanted verification from vet as to what amounts we should give him. I ended up with a prescription for him just to be safe. He is usually so calm except for fire works and storms. Hopefully, this will do it for him. $35 for prescription (20 tablets/2 per storm) and $50 vet bill. We'll just have to see how it works and if not better than the over the counter, we'll go back to using that. Great...just let me know when you are in SD and we'll see what works. I am thinking it would be better for me to come straight west and meet somewhere instead of you going all the way to Watertown. I'll take a look prior to then. Sounds like fun. Julie...hope you get your appt soon with Mayo. I have friends (the ones that visited us in FL) that have a daughter there for the last few weeks. Some weird immune disorder. They have only seen 2 cases ever. She went to school with my youngest. 27 and lost her short term memory and could not walk or talk. Really scary. Doing weekly treatments and have no idea when she will be able to come home. At least they were able to figure it out. She has been hospitalized since mid-April in Fargo. Scary stuff. We'll see if we can meet sometime this summer in Fargo (or whatever works). Janet...I agree with Great...brave GM taking GD out for drive. Gotta be done at some point though. Laura...sorry about the vertigo issues. I have had an unusual amount of episodes of it since Jan of this year. It does pass but can make for a couple of miserable days. I am always thankful when I can get through a day and not vomit when I have it. So far so good. Rainy afternoon here. DH is napping. Found him sleeping at the computer when I got home from town. Heated him up some beef stew I made yesterday and tucked him under a blankie in his chair for a nice nap. I should have joined him after being up with puppa most of the night. Darned dog thinks he has to put his 30lb head right on my port. This afternoon's activities are floor scrubbing, vacuuming and making three pans of bars of parties this weekend. Also plan on boiling 4 doz eggs for deviled eggs. Will wait with those till Friday at the lake. Then I'll pack the truck for the lake and take off early morning. Better hit it

Janet...don't feel bad that I cannot consider Vegas at this time. You picked a date and most can make it and I am happy for you guys that can make it. Talked to DH about it this morning and that is a time that I am really booked unloading trucks. The job DH counts on me doing. Now, you wouldn't want me getting fired, would you?????? Hummmmmmm..that's a thought! LOL We would not way be done by that time...just the beginning of our harvest. We never get done until after the snow flies. The average for completing our harvest is at the end of Nov...sometimes into Dec. It would just be such a nice time to meet the rest of the girls and spend time with all of you I met in FL. I most likely will not be going but will wait till the week of and make the decision. If it was travelling with my group of girls I go with annually, it wouldn't bother me to skip a year. BUT IT'S YOU GUYS. Have a great trip Eva. Be safe. Hope you get off work when you want so you will get on the road when you expect to. LauraK...safe travels today. I, too, thought your hair in that photo was really cute. Hope you have it as cute for Lori today. You guys have a nice visit. Lori is a sweetie. Cheri...happy to hear you are venturing the Vegas trip. Hope you enjoy it. Jessica....don't want to miss your special day on Saturday. I will be leaving again early tomorrow and want to make sure I get my greeting to you.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR JESSICA HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU I hope you know how special you are and recognize just what you have accomplished the past year. Taking my dog to the vet this morning. No small fete. He has hated going to the clinic since he left his testicles there 6 yrs ago. I've told you all the story of him putting the brakes on when he gets 1/2 way up the walk. He weighs 100lbs and because I do not to screw up my repaired hernias, I choose not to carry him in. When I would get to the door, I would have to walk in backwards cuz he would spread his feet out and plant them on the door jam. I have the clinic # on my cell and will just push the button and they will have to come out and help me push is A$$ in the door. Poor thing. He is afraid of thunder storms...even 1/2 hour b/4 it starts raining, he starts shaking. Anyway, they want a full check-up in order to give him the calming medicine he needs. Hoping it work over the 4th with fire crackers, fireworks, etc. We had thunder that started yesterday afternoon and did not quit till 4am. He never sleeps with us except during storms. Needless to say, I had a dog on my lap most of the day and in bed with us last night. Not much sleep going on. So busy the next couple of days. Yesterday was an easy one as the guys only needed me to run a couple of times. Got most of my houswork done and some computer time. I have 2 bridal showers on Sat morning, a 60th bday party at 2pm and a 40th bday party at 5pm. Need to make some food for both (just a couple of potluck dishes...easy). Need to fit in a couple of visits with my (fake) brother who is in the hospital. Gallbladder surgery but they had to really cut. Infection...lucky boy. They said 2 more days and it would not have been good. Ooops...will check in later. Gotta give a ride to my guy

Problem is, Phyll, I cannot even begin to consider it until closer to the time we go. All depends on the crops. We got in the fields early this year and most likely means an early harvest. One week earlier and it might have worked. Will just wait on it and see what happens. I'm not a pouter but I could be if I miss this trip. As far as accomodations go, I can always find a room somewhere close if there is no room. I am working on DH a bit but feel a little guilty. We are taking that 2 week trip to Canada in late August and it will be a spendy one. Putting mega $$ into my mouth this summer, investing in DS's business ventures he is getting into, etc. I realize I could do this Vegas trip for very little so will just see. But, thanks for saying you would want me to come. Hell, I want me to come!

:smile2::crying::crying::crying::thumbup::crying::ohmy::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying::crying: Sob, whine, cry, whine, weep, whine, etc., etc.,.....:sad:

Linda...loved your A.I. explanation. LOL I was saying a couple of weeks ago that I think I expected to lose my weight, look in the mirror and see the same 38 yr old face I had prior to weight gain. Heck, sometimes I startle myself (honestly I do) when I look in the mirror and I have aged. That's just not supposed to happen!

Janet...there's a chance we could all wake up fat tomorrow???? I'm skipping over tomorrow. Great...see how that goes? We see things in others that we don't see as too bad and we focus on that one thing (or 2) that bother us about our own body. Grass it always greener..........

Thanks, Joyce. I did my reseach on the dentist and was able to visit with a few that he did the same procedures for. His fees are a little more than average but worth it.

You know, Janet, after feeling so self-conscious, inadequate, etc. when we lived in our obese bodies, we continue to find faults even though those faults are something that no one else would notice. I have friend in their 60's and 70's. They will complain about their arms, thighs, hail damaged butt, etc. and I just don't see it. Try going sleeveless a few times. It's freeing and by doing so, I have let go some of the insecurities about them. No one came up to me and said "OMG! You have three wrinkles on your upper arms." And....most of those flaws we see are most likely nothing more than age-appropriate sags and wrinkles which most ppl have anyway.

Janet...I agree with Eva. You are far from needing PS. When I see you, I see cute and fit. Very fit for your older than me age. LOL. I figure if I look good in my clothes and I don't have a panni that is hindering me, no sense in doing anything. On the other hand, if someone needs it or really wants it to look better, good for them for going through it. Had a lake neighbor lady do it on the 11th. Saw her last weekend. She is happy the hell is behind her. She still has tubes but is moving, swollen but looks and feels much better about herself. She had gastric bypass 8 yrs ago and had her second and last child a yr ago. She was well over 300 lbs and is maintaining at about 170 and looks wonderful. This is what she needed in order to even dress in normal clothes. She had a total TT and muscle repair. She's young (about 38). My DH is the only one to see my "melted butter belly" and I am now and the point where I don't mind how it is at all. A little messy but if you lined up a dozen 54 yr olds, we would all find something to bitch about. I have a few little wrinkles in my upper arms but only if I hold them in a certain position. I just don't hold them that way and have gotten enough confidence this year to wear sleeveless. Last summer it was unheard of. Better get back to work. Good thing I sign the paychecks.

Laura...Port Douglas, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Aus. Their winter but very warm this time of year. 70's-80's. The rain forest is as far north as you can go by Port Douglas. Fascinating.

Chris...knowledge is power. Read everything you can. Spend time on this site. Ask as many questions you can think of. Focus on the end result. And, #1, don't let anyone push you to doubt your decision for a healthier you. The best advice I can give you is to absolutely stick to your doc's rules...even when it's tough to do so. Feed your newly banded stomach like you would feed your newborn...very carefully. With thought and planning. It's not easy but all the effort is worth it. You will not have restriction at first and that, in itself, can be quite frustrating. Just take everything day by day and as I stated above, focus on the end result that you are looking for. I was a slug prior to my LB surgery which was 2 yrs ago last week. With each pound loss, I felt a renewed energy. I hit the ground running each morning and have endless energy throughout the day. I'm 54 yrs old and had countless health troubles. Today, I take no medications. My highest weight was 249#. Go into my public profile and look at b/4 and afters...do the same with other banders that are a year or two out. I used to do that and it gave me the kick to stick with my plan even when things were tough. There are sooooooooo many ppl on this site that are willing to talk you through anything you might not be sure about. Good luck with your decision and the decision to make your life a healthy one for your family.

Now to keep the dogs out of the wet concrete?:smile2: I think we should make the "topic of the day": Your take on Laura drinking wine for breakfast. I say OK as long as it's low carb, you're in Vegas or you have an egg white omelette to go with it.