Apples2

Oh....and forgot to add....is also known to increase wine sales in the CA Southern desert area!

I do the books and hand a nice report to our tax ppl and just smile and run. Tax work can cause many physical and emotional problems....night sweats, extreme anxiety, divorce, tics, blurred vision and can greatly add to Ben & Jerrys and Edys net income.:frown:

Julie...we have a fish fry tonight also. Gotta go work it at 4pm. DS and DH have been getting ready for it for 2 days. DS is president of the board. It's a wildlife federation and proceeds go to feed pheasents, etc. We usually feed 500-800 ppl. A lot depends on how many other fish frys there are and the weather. Have fun. Poor DD trying to soothe things with that little girl. I would say she does not belong in a daycare setting until they can get a handle on her tantrums.

I still catch myself "hiding", Joyce. I have an excuse to hide in the back since I am usually a bit taller than most. I gotta quit that. We work on all this a bit at a time.

Joyce..love your new avatar. Such a pretty lady!

Joyce...the eating socially will just become routine for you if you do it often enough. I think each of us struggled with it. Also, the eating/drinking will also become routine. Heck, if you visit long enough after eating, you can still order your coffee when it's time. I got to goal in Oct 2008. I then lost 20lbs after that (without trying). Soooooooooooo......I have been "building" that new wardrobe for quite some time. In my next life I am sure that I will be coming back as a singing, cooking personal shopper.:frown:

Yep, LauraK...regarding my little style show...I awarded myself the "Best in Show" trophy. Would love to see a photo of your new "do". :frown:

Hey Judy...I hear Phyll is now a tax expert. She hasn't mentioned anything about hiring out......:thumbup: And...jump back on the healthy eating wagon. What better time than right now!:frown:

Great...trip after the wedding sounds like just what you need. And to take a GF along sound lie fun. You are so lucky with all your perks. We had that when youngest worked for Era Aviation in Alaska. Was a shock when we started paying our way again. We have many miles built up on our airline miles plan. I tend to save them for DS that is on the East coast for emergencies...such as funerals, weddings, etc. Just think...wedding in one week. Just relax and have fun.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr.....we got up to 50 degrees yesterday with sunshine and today grey/cloudy and not to get above 32. But, you know what? That's OK....got my fix yesterday with the sunshine and no jacket. Janet,yep, miss your reg posts but don't sweat it, dear. Take your time. It's not like you've had any stress lately?????????????????? We are big girls and will take care of each other until you have the time to be here. And, we'll try to pick up on new questions. How fun? 4-wheeling. I have made my DH into a "screamer" when he rides behind me. We got the greates invention yesterday for our 4-wheelers. They are these tire protector thingies that keep the mud from building up. We have very heavy, heavy soil and looking forward to trying them out. Have a great weekend and have some fun! Phyll...sitting in MN and saying an extra prayer this morning and wishing your pain away. Included Eva, Julie and Arelene. Oh heck...I'll just include the whole darned group. Now have have to start over. Arlene...hope your baby shower turns out great. DH and I were all caught up in the local newspaper's supplement that the local hospital puts out. It shows pictures of all the babies born in the last year. We were saying Awwwww this and Awwww that. You think we are ready for some grandkids? (No pushing...no mentioning it to my boys...they gotta raise them so I want them to be ready for it. And if not, we'll just continue to borrow other's GC). Have not accomplished much yet this morning. Had a style show (mirror/myself) with all the new clothes I bought yesterday....I got such a good deal, I feel like I stole them. Forgot to mention that I got 2 really cute peasent tops for less than $5 also. Now I have some really cute things to wear when the garbage truck driver comes.

Jodi...you SOUND so good. I can tell just by your post. And a big congrats on the 16lbs lost. If you want recipes for the mushy stage, go to the Food and Nutrition threads. There's all kinds of ideas over there. There are such differences in dr's food plans after surgery. A month on mushies...you'll have to be creative so you don't tire of the same ole' thing. Did your doc provide a list of foods for you?

All I can say is to pat yourself on the back for the 90lbs. lost. Wonderful. The next thing I have to say is that you might just be too tight. Call your doc, tell him your symptoms. He might just want to unfill you a bit. Gotta be comfortable with your restriction. Let us know how things go. And...welcome

Yes, LauraK..it felt sooooooooooo good to get out of the house. 5 days in a row was way too much. Leaning my arms on the kitchen counter watching that garbage truck was my WAKE UP CALL. I found some Columbia pants in a 2 long (yep, I wear a 2 long) for $4.44. And, a Relativity sweater for $6.00. All packed away for next winter. Also, sitting around the campfire sweat pants for $4.00 each....sooooo...I bought 5 pair....you can never have enough. I also found a Jones NY sweater to go with another shell I have for $6.00. Life is good!

Better clarify...my support leaders are great and so are many that are in the group. I have had quite a few "side" comments while walking out, etc. and some comments right during the support meetings. It's usually one of the "slow" losers that have made comments. Lovely meeting today though. What I notice is that it is usually the more successful banders that are upbeat and positive that are the most supportive. Was a small group and very friendly. I am very lucky, our leaders are both my surgeons nurses and have been banded. They are both truly lovely ppl and very supportive. They now my struggles. Ppl just don't think b/4 they blurt sometimes. Anyway, my meeting went great even though I had myself worked into a tizzy and ready to defend myself. Heading over to our get-together. Should be fun. Frying fish, visiting with neighbors. Have a good evening! You guys are the best DANGED support group ever! (Sound like I live on a farm)

Mornin' All! Lovely day here on the prairie. Sun is shining, dog is happy...laying on a hard pile of snow with a new 5lb braised joint bone...I guestimate that it will be gone withing 2 hours. My guys are prepping my new deck for painting. And, the garbage truck showed up for it's bi-weekly pick-up. Have not been out of this house since Sat evening and pretty sad when the highlight of a person's week is watching the garbage truck grab onto that dumpster and spill it's contents. I was feeling like Nels this morning looking out the window at it. Well.....I can hardly contain myself....I will be putting my cute jeans on and heading out of here some time after 12pm. Afternoon of shopping and a 5:30 LB group meeting. Stopping to visit friends with DH and DS after my meeting for a farm shop get together with neighbors. After my last meeting (2 months ago) I told DH I would not go back. Got a nasty-A$$ed comment from someone that should have known better. I just gotta learn to have a come back and not stand there with my mouth open in shock. Not that I cannot stick up for myself. I am just always in shock that ppl can be sooooooooooooo rude and I dropped my jaw in disbelief. I know, I know...I should handle all this better and snap the crap right back but I was taught that you never stoop to that level. Anyway, I am so much better and do not get hurt by the words and do not walk away hurt. I walk away ticked off. My strategy has been to answer a question with a question and it seems to be working. Example: What happened after our last meeting was that someone came up to me and said "You do NOT eat the amount of calories you say you do, do you?". I stood there for a bit and stared at the person. Then I said "Why do you ask?". They could not answer and just walked away. OK...that is MY support group too and I should be able to say what I need to say and not get scoffed at. I am able to pour it out to you guys and all I get is love and support. Is it because they can see the non-fat girl and they doubt? (There is not one person in my group that has gotten even close to goal in a period of 3-4 yrs...I'm considered a newbie after 2 yrs). Frustrating, but I'm heading back and I WILL talk about me and my concerns. And, any comments I will be strong and not have to find the need to defend myself! OK...that's my rant for today. Phyll...I have never found a chewable with citrate. I do three caramel/chocolate a day and will probably stick with them until I find one with citrate. Should do some looking on the internet again and see. I am a worry wart after living with reflux for so many years. I worry the citrate would bother. I have not had reflux or anything close to it since LB surgery so guess I should not worry. And, goosebump/heartwarming story about your friend's daughter and the taxi. We DO have good ppl in this world. Laura...one thing I would do for myself if I ever went back to work....a cleaning crew. I have been cleaning for so many years, it's getting really old. Julie...I have found that when not eating hard proteins, food stays in my pouch not more than about 20 minutes. As I have stated b/4, in order to get in my required cals per day, I have to be careful to not pack my pouch with hard proteins every day. My hard proteins are usually mixed with mayo and they slip right through. It does make such a difference with the hunger issues. Try to force yourself to get into the habit of eating hard protein twice a day. I know you would see a difference. Try scrambled eggs instead of making eggs into a salad and making a slider out of them. Not being critical just trying to be helpful. It's difficult to make the change, especially if you are not crazy about eating meat. But, it only takes about 4oz to make that pouch stay full for 3-4 hours. Make sense? LauraK...those ruebens sounded good. I love corned beef and pastromi. One of my favorite lunches is to take 2 or three pieces and make coleslaw, roll it up and eat. So good. Well, Chickies...better get my butt in gear so I will be ready to run after lunch. Making mushroom burgers on the grill today. Taking advantage of this nice weather. You all have a good one!

Yep, Julie, Jodi is one busy, busy girl. Love your license plate story and trying fill with gas. A few years ago my youngest DS was home from Alaska. Wanted to go out and party with his friends. Told him I would deliver them all to the bar and they were to call when they wanted to come home. Gas station is right out the front window of the bar. After I had dropped them, I decided to fill with fuel. Well, was thinking of which feild and what I needed to drop off for DH and put in diesel instead of gas. Not good. Started up the truck and it moved about 2 feet. Of course, all these young 22 yr olds caught what I did and thought it was pretty funny. It takes ALOT to make me cry. I stood there and cried. When DH showed up and saw that I was crying and so worried about my truck, he just hugged me and took me home. Next day he had to spend some time ciphening the tank. No harm done except to my pride. Joyce...you are welcome on the consipation info. Everyone is so different and what it takes for them. But, I'm a big believer in lots of fluid and fiber. Have fun on all your dates. Love to see that you are out and eating socially already. That was a big one for me in the beginning. I'm fine with it now but quite the hurdle for me.

OK...went and looked at the diff between calcium citrate and carbonate. Supossedly the citrate form digests better and does not need as much stomach acid for digestion. There was a warning that if there were someone that suffers from an acidic stomach, that citrate would not be the preferred choice. Hey, I learned something AGAIN today. Two days in a row. Wow. That felt good.

Again...here's proof I am not a nurse. Don't have a clue what the diff is with the citrate. Anyone know?

Great...after hitting maintanence, I have at least 2-3 high fiber/high protein cereal portions per day. I find it to be a snack that I look forward to instead of something less healthy and binding. I also get a fair amount of fruit and veggies daily.

Ok...you all know I am not a nurse but will share what I know about calcium and constipation. Have heard from my doc that there is a corelation between too much calcium and it causing constipation. My friend said that her doc said that too low of calcium can be tied to consipation also. All I know is that I was having troubles when I was taking the chaulky chewables. Doc had me switch to the Viativ chews and have not had troubles since. He also stated to up fluids (I was getting more than enough) and up fruit intake (which I did not do). Just switching to the chews (not sure why), problem was solved.

Phyll...omitted my thoughts and prayers for your dear friend in my last post. So difficult when they get to that age and things keep them from being mobile. DH's parents had to give up their AZ home a few years ago after being snowbirds for 15 or more years. His mother had kidney failure during surgery for an aortic aneurysm and has been on dialisys for the last 7 yrs. Hate to say this but not going took a lot of joy out of their lives. We all pushed for her to do her treatments in AZ but no go. DH gets upset that it seems they just don't try to even socialize any more. Sad.

Starting out on this journey, all I wanted to work for were the pins my surgeon gave out with each goal...50lb pin, 75 and 100lb pins. They mean everything to me. But, I did reward myself with a few things along the way as well. I did permanent eyeliner and eyelash extensions just b/4 goal. I bought a new wardrobe for each season. My favorite being a couple of pairs of 7 for All Mankind jeans. Resized all my rings and added a couple of diamonds to each for good measure. But, the biggest reward I find is just how great I feel. Love and apprciate all the "things" I have rewarded myself with. But love more the "things" I have done for myself physically and emotionally to get myself to this point.

DS's basement will come out of it just fine. Loss of carpet but he can deal with that. Just replace when things dry out. They have stripped everything down to the cement and block walls. One good thing is that the city now lets them run their sumps out to the city gutter system. Just one of the joys of homeownership. DS is lucky he has a dad that is so willing to jump right in and help no matter what it takes. Friends also showed up to help him. He's such a mother hen when it comes to his house. He takes great pride in it. You know your kids are grown up when that happens. His new red Ford pickup is also his baby and is spit shined on a daily basis. So cute. To think...during their teen years the interior of their trucks looked like the inside of a McDonald's garbage can. Know exactly what you are talking about with the wind. We live on the prairie and have our share of it. Can just plain tire a person out. You have a good one. Don't work too hard. :scared2:

How could I forget? Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! St. Patty has sent us down some sun. Much appreciated. Now I can stop the whining.

Mornin' Arlene....glad your test is behind you. Hoping for good results for your friend. Yep, clean up in son's basement took 3 men all day. Could have been worse. He'll survive it. Laura...sorry about the neck issues. Vertigo gone? Mine is soooooooooooooo much better than over the weekend and Monday. At least do not feel like loosing lunch when I move. Looks like a fun lunch yesterday. I miss those days with the boys. Enjoy. Such a good idea throwing things in Nels' lunch. I still do that (not every day) sometimes when I pack a lunch for the guys when they are tiling. I just love to imagine the look on DS's face when he finds "I love you, Mommy" in his lunch and the guys he works with are with him. Great photos!