Apples2

Laura...your dad wanting to do the inpatient rehab is such a great idea. Plus, it will give your mom the break she has been needing. How about Canada. Lake Victoria. Just an absolutely beautiful place. We are heading to Northern Canada for a couple of weeks in August. We have friends that invited us up. They own a resort up there and the guys will be doing some bear hunting (poor bears). So many options this time of the year in Canada. So many local celebrations to get in on, etc. Pull up the Lake Victoria region and see what you think. Wine for breakfast? Not sure....ask Phyll!

Just remembered...prior to LB surgery, I bought 4 sports bras and never, ever wore them. I had not problems with my reg bras so they have been in the drawer since then. They are "Shear Shapewear" brand and that brand was recommended by a one of the girls in my doc's office. No sense in them just sitting in my drawer. PM or email me your new address and I will stick them in a manilla envelope and shoot them off to you

Linda...congrats on breaking your plateau. You were talking about only losing 3lbs in six months a couple of days ago? Well, it's still 3lbs and even if you just lose a pound here and there, you are so close to goal...you just know you will get there. DH took a photo of me last week in a flowy top...I thought it made me look sloppy and heavier than I am. I did not see yours looking that way but mine. I think we are more critical of ourselves than we should be. By no means do I feel fat or even worry about it at this point but that top is getting belted the next time I wear it. Great...I bought the Thomas bagels. 110 cals, fiber 5g, protein 6gr and 24gr carbs. I swear they are just the flat hamburger bun with a whole in it. Same thing. I know they in no way hold DH's appetite for any length of time unless I grilled a 1lb slab of ham to put in it. That's what is so great about those Champion pants...so many options. I am built like a boy on the bottom so I buy the slim fit and order online cuz I can get talls. It's rare that I find a tall unless I am in a Target Greatland or Superstore. I just go to the Target online and then I get the option to buy through Amazon with free shipping. I don't wear sports bras so cannot help you on that. Janet...your "winter" clothes would be my "summer evening" clothes. We have warm days but cooler nights. I always have a winter jacket and ski pants on around the camp fire.

Mornin' All...busy day on the farm. DH is heading out with the cultivator for the day and DS is heading out with 4-wheeler and laser to do tile surveying. I will be "on call" to be the gopher when needed. LauraK...hope the next leg of your trip is a fun one with DD and a safe one. Your DD is a cutie. You are not the only momma that feels frazzled at times with wondering why these kids don't pay attention to detail. It comes with time and experience. I would say the age of 26-27 is when they start becoming us (scary). I'm pretty sure it's called "Fly by the Seat of Your Pants Syndrome". Great...I know someone that has a pink cement mixer that would probably love to help with that patio today. We poured in 2007. Did 2 long walkways out to our road and front walkway to front door, and front and back patio. Did the colored concrete. Not worth the extra $$$ spent. Took 2 yrs for the color to even out and now it just looks like a plain out concrete color as it has faded. But, I do love it cuz it's maintenance free and can just hose it off. Hope you feel more settled in your new home. Will help that you will see your kids this next weekend. I envy you. Have not seen youngest DS since March. Really miss him and have been thinking of jumping on a plane in the next couple of weeks to go see him. He has been talking of coming home this summer so will wait and see what his plans are. Eva...your camping plans sound fun. Got that kitchen sink loaded yet? Have a safe/great trip! Better get things going around here. Will pop on throughout the day. Have a good one!

Just read my last post. Hope none of you take it that you are pain in the A$$. Was not directed at anyone. Just a groggy head.

Linda...thanks for sharing the photos of you, LauraK and her DD. You both look so nice. I can tell the difference with your hair layered like that. Looks great. That LauraK is cute as a button. Hi Eva....yep...definately go the meds route with dental. I really don't have a choice. I am just lucky to have a high tolerance for pain. I have a low tolerance for Pains in the A$$ though. Up at this early hour eating oatmeal with raisins and dates with vanilla soy milk. Best meal of the day.

Awww...I get it. I bought those for my DH also. Not much to them. He swallows a half in one bite. :thumbup:

What is it with your weather out there, Phyll???? Sounds like you are getting just what we got last month. 9:20 here and just got in from doing flowers and sweating in shorts and a tank. Thanks for the kind words!

Phyll...too funny. I read "thigh abductor". Now, that's a machine we all wanted a time or two in our lives. Sorry your puppy is not what you hoped for. When I am dog shopping, I look for the calm in them. I would always spend time, come back if I was not sure. A dog that is not afraid to come up and greet you but at the same time, not all over you. It pays to be patient...especially if the dog will be around children. And, with you guys living in a resort setting, it especially is important to find one that has a calm demeanor. It will all hit you when you find the right one for you.

Start smiling, honey. There's no time like the present. Just keep focused on what is to come.

Cheri...that composite photo is exactly what the end result will be. All impressions have been done and bridge and 20 crowns are just sitting there waiting to be installed. Arlene...congrats on the weightloss and getting to the "real" food stage. I just have to put my 2 cents worth in...I cringed when I read bagel. Gotta have some carbs but I would eliminate that one. Maybe it's because I was one to eat a large bagel each morning dripping in peanut butter or cream cheese/jam. I KNOW it contributed to my weight gain. But, you are sticking to you caloric intake and admire you for that. Joyce...a BIG congrats on reaching Onderland. Feels great, doesn't it?:thumbup:

Gotta add. The photo in the red top was taken after I had lost 25-30lbs. Top weight was 249lbs

I avoided the camera for so many years because I was ashamed of the way I looked. Also avoided camera during weightloss stage so really had to dig just to find some b/4's. I now wish I would have taken photos throughout this process but it is what it is. I am have been banded 2 yrs (as of June 17) and have been down to my "wedding weight" for quite some time now.

Oh Laura...such wonderful news. Happy Day! I am just so relieved and happy for you. Thanks on the teeth comments, guys! No, by no means done with procedures. Will be at it most of the summer. Had the front bottom extractions a couple of weeks ago and now have a temp (but very realistic looking) snap in until I can get my bottom bridge in 4 weeks. This last visit was grinding down the top back (4 teeth) and three hours in the chair. Also have temp caps on them for 3 weeks. But, so not painful (except for in the chair) and temps fit so natural. That after photo is the end result doc did on his computer. Have many steps to go. Resculpting to front gums to make room for longer teeth. God shorted me on my natural teeth. He gave me nice boobs instead. LOL. Figure it will all be done by mid-September. Time for healing in between each loooooooong session in the chair. Will be so worth it though. I should have called Julie to have her post that all is well with us after the terrible tornados last week. Total of 63 tornados in our fine state on Thursday. I was in the path but no damge at the resort I was staying at and no damage to our lake place. I have a friend from the lake that lives in Wadena, MN. The damage done was devastating. She is an insurance agent and has been kept quite busy with claims. Absolutely wiped out neighborhoods. Populations of 4,000 and 252 homes demolished. School with a lot of damage, community center gone, some business' gone. We were very lucky. 3 deaths in our state. Many, many farm sites leveled. Had a great time with my friend at the resort. Stayed Wed and Thursday nights. DH met me at lake on Friday for a very nice/quite weekend. He spent most of his time with buddies. They are always cooking up something to do. It's usually projects around the resort. The owners are so lucky that these guys (about a dozen of them) are farmers and can't sit still. They do not have to hire any work done as these guys love to work on their "down" time. Worked 9 hours for my friend today at her salon. I love it. A "stupid" job....don't have to think...don't have to bring it home with me. Have never had a job b/4 where I didn't have to pour myself into it. Just customer service. She is remodling and is leaving some of it in my hands as she is extremely busy running two shops. Should be fun spending someone else's money for once. LOL Well, gotta go make dinner for my two men and will check in later. Caught up on all the posts (man, it takes forever after being gone). No time to comment individually. Not happy about that but gotta pretend like I am a good farm wife...at least a couple of times a week. Getting weak and feeling a whine coming on about Vegas. Never whine to DH on things but this might just happen.

Have fun with LauraK, Linda. Wish I was meeting you guys!

As promised....my b/4 and after composites. See? The teeth do need some updating. Will talk to you all later. Just got home. Missed ya all

Thanks Janet...I have those moments when I think my face really looks old. But then I have to remember my age. The fat filled out all the wrinkles and now I am deflated. I started my weight gain at the age of 38. Prior to that I was the weight I am now. Guess I couldn't expect to have have the same 38 yr old face reappear? Why not? Oh, why not? LOL I'm on my way out the door. Blocking out thinking of my 3 hour time in the dentists chair this morning. Just focusing on fun and relaxation at the resort I will be staying at the next couple of days. Looking forward to seeing some old friends. Just hope they look a hell of a lot older than me....I'm bad.

Kurby...wow...great going on the weightloss. Even after the band...we all treat ourselves once in awhile. One thing I like now is that I never think of any one food as a "bad" food....as long as you eat it in moderation and it works into your caloric intake for the day. Great...thanks for the comments. And, yes, I feel like we have been through this together EVERY step of the way. Do you know how excited I was that day when we met? We had been through a lot together and I was finally going to meet you. We were lucky to have each other cuz our Junies group never really did take off like I was hoping. But, we were lucky to have our resident experienced banders on this thread. That store is selling out..did I mention that?

I lost 136 total. So sorry about EX issues. You gotta dump how your are feeling and there is always someone here to listen, PJ. Thanks for the compliments on the pics. I really am very happy to feel so great.

Let me know when you're comin' through...I'll lock up the young'uns:biggrin:

OMW...do I look that old, Laura? One of those "boys" is my DH and the other my oldest (26 at the time)

Janet...not wanting to do an avatar photo until the dental work is completed. 3 hours in the chair tomorrow. Right side prep for caps...upper and lower back. Do you know how much I admire you for doing boot camp? That's really something for a chick "older" than me! LOL...sorry...had to say it

Holy Hell....here it is

OK...junking up the thread again but just one more thing. I decided to have DH take a photo tonight cuz I wanted to post in b/4 and after thread for 2yr mark. Do NOT like the photo (not DH's fault...when you have the sun in your eyes it makes for a bad photo) but posted it anyway. The reason I am mentioning this is that I found a photo from 2007 at DH's sister's house. I was just floored at how heavy I look and I had already lost 25lbs by then. It's AWFUL and just makes me wonder what the heck I looked like heavier than that. (No photos at my highest).

Julie...don't know how I missed your post this morning. Did not realize that you DM was having surgery. Good to hear it was successful. You will be busy with her over the next few weeks, I am sure. I hope you did not take my comment about your extra work as anything but concern. I do get where you are coming from on being busy and wanting to do your functions. I really do get that. Sorry if you took offense. Have a great time at your reunion. I am sure you will get many positive reactions on your weightloss. Have fun!