Apples2

Good Morning Lovelys!!!! Beautiful morning here. 4 degrees but sunny. Just having the sunshine makes such a difference. The wind is what gets us here on the plains and makes it feel soooooooo much colder. Our Christmas party was nice. Visited with ppl I had not seen since that party last year. I ended up NOT wearing the outfit I had picked out. I dressed down a bit and glad I did. Most ppl were in jeans and sweaters. I wore a baby blue sweater with matching vest and matching jacket. Decided to layer up and not be cold. Threw on one of my new pair of Champion pants and good to go. It's funny how you can dress up a pair of yoga pants. Some lady asked me where I found a pair of "dress" pants that fit so well through the legs. Ummmmm... Great...I love those bacon wrapped chestnuts. The persons that hosted the party last night had a huge cooker full of them. I noticed they were the first thing to go. They are usually a staple at parties around here as are pickle/ham roll-ups, meat balls and cocktail sausages with BBQ sauce. The spread was very band-friendly. I just didn't feel right though all day yesterday. It started with just a creepy feeling with my skin and then every once in awhile a stomach cramp. Don't know if it was something I ate. Anyway, didn't have much of an appetite the last couple of days and carried into today. But, it's 10:30 am and already have adequate calories in for this time of the day. Great...(kind of got off track on what I was going to say to you)...good luck with all the wedding stuff coming up. Sounds to me that your DD most likely has a handle on it and it should go smoothly. Very nice to get a break on some of the expenses. Janet...all you guys are welcome to camp out on my door step and you would not have to worry about me force feeding you. I love to cook but one thing I do not do is be a food pusher. It's put on the table, dessert is put at each place setting, but, if it's not eaten, I'm not offended. Both DS and DH are very health conscious and I respect that and really worked hard to revamp recipes to LF and LS when I can. I figure during harvest and planting is when I can really have fun and load them up with goodies. They wear it off. All this talk about how my job involves so much food got me thinking of how I was able to handle being around it and at the same time work on losing. I think that I had it easier than most BECAUSE I work with food every day. I was cooking huge amounts of food just a couple of days after surgery and all during my weightloss phose b/4 surgery. I switched over to healthy. I would look at the hotdishes and desserts about six months into it all and was not even tempted and still not. I get adequate calories every day but I make such different choices than I used to. I eat a treat now and then (like this morning while baking cookies) but a half is good enough rather than half a dozen. It's like something clicked in me and I knew that part of my down-fall in gaining weight was so much temptations every day, that I had to get really strong and make my health #1. Make sense? What a ramble! My point...Jewel...your MIL may never change and may always have things around that will tempt you. Just stay strong. Make your OWN choices. Ask others to respect your new way of life. Tell them what you EXPECT and ask them to work with you on this. The junk food may always be there to tempt you. Just be very firm and let ppl know who you live with that you are turning the corner on how you eat and would appreciate if they could respect your new way of life. It's difficult at first but once you pass up the unhealthy choices for long enough, it really does become a way of life to think about what you are putting into your mouth. Phyll...I love dates. I put chopped dates into my steel cut oats. And, the sweet/salty taste is one of my favorite. My favorite holiday treat is a chocolate covered pretzel. Cheri...you are so close to goal. 8lbs away. Seems it was not ago that you started posting on this thread. (See Jewel....the time flys by..b/4 you know it, you will be posting that you are in the stage that Cheri is now). What a good GM to babysit. (Breathing deep)....I cannot wait for those days as I have said numerous times but just have to say it again. It's understandable why you would not want to go to the expense of FL when only for such a short time. Linda...so cool that you brought your cooler to the hospital with you. It has always amazed me the times I have been a patient that most of the meals served are really not healthy. Thick gravy on everything, desserts at every meal, etc. Good for you for thinking ahead. I'm a "carrier". I always have a green bag in my truck since banding. I carry enough to get me through a day or two. Your shrimp dip sounds good. I make one similar where the LF cream cheese is mixed with just a bit of FF sour cream and some dill, spread on a platter, topped with baby shrimp, green olives and cocktail sauce over the top. I usually make my own cocktail sauce. When I was 21, I managed a hotel restaurant. An editor from a Minneapolis newspaper stayed at the hotel for a week and urged me to enter my recipe in an annual contest the newspaper had in their Taste section. Our restaurant served it on the salad bar each night. It was served over chunks of boiled cod as an appetizer. It's so simple and could not believe when I won first place. I'll share: 1 cup plain ole' ketchup 1 or 2 drops of liquid smoke (careful as not to get too much in) 2 Tbls. horseradish 2 Tsp. lemon juice 2 Tbls. worcestershire sauce 1/2 Tsp. dry mustard 1 Tsp. tabasco sauce Whisk together...let sit in frig at least 24 hours. OK...now for the sweet treats I made this morning. Was paging through a magazine a couple of weeks ago to get new ideas on cookie baking. Some person was writing about how much they like to throw a little mint flavoring into their peanut cookie batter. At first I thought it sounded awful. Yesterday when I was in town I picked up two bags of mint flavored miniature 3 Musketeer bars. I made peanut butter dough this morning, rolled them into small balls and put into my mini muffin tins. Baked 8 minutes and stuck a mini candy bar in each. So easy. They were a hit with my men that were sitting in the house waiting till it got "warm" enough to go out and combine. Anyway, might be something some of want to try for your baking this holiday. So simple, but they look festive and like you really worked hard on them. OK...where's Meredith, Laura, Eva, Melissa. What are you up to this weekend? You all have a great Sunday. You guys down south...soak up some sun for me. The others...stay warm.

Awwwww......I wish you guys were my neighbors, too. One of my best friends lives in Australia. We just clicked right away. It hurts that we only see each other occasionallly. I talk to her by phone a lot though. She is sooo cool. I just love her to peices. No problem with leftovers at this house. DS takes a lot of them home and I have befriended a lot of the little ladies that were in mom's apt. building. I stop by and distribute frozen small portion meals every few days. It's a way for me to stay in contact with them and see to it that they have a nutritious evening meal as most of them get Meal on Wheels at noon. It's fun visiting, it's rewarding and just that little gesture puts a smile on their cute little faces. Makes me smile right back at 'em! Funny...there's one that just grabs the meals and runs. She's in her 90's and she's a hoarder. So darned frustrated. I took photos for you guys of my outfit I am wearing tonight. For some odd reason photos will not download. Don't get it. Never have that problem. Oh well, you'll have to wait till I can figure it all out. Well, time to go beautify and put some good smellin' stuff on. Shower is done, hair is dryed. And....I'm NOT putting something white "under that thing"!

I have the Bose cranked up with as many CD's as I can get into the changer. Hi, Melissa! Hope you are having a great weekend. Charlene...wish I could throw those aches and pains out the window. Sorry, hon. I love Christmas movies also. A Christmas Story with Peter Billingsly is my favorite. Been going back and forth all day on what to wear to Christmas party tonight. Had it all decided until DH looked at it and kind of wrinkled his nose and said "You got something white to wear under that?". I had picked out a silver, black and grey blazer (some metalic in it with jewel cluster buttons) and under it a silver metalic shell. Slacks are a black, grey and silver mix. I think I will defy DH's wrinkled nose and go with it anyway. How many places can I wear metalic glitter tops? To the farm store? Nope! To the grocery store? Nope! Out to the bin site? Nope!

I have one for you, Janet. Always a hit with the crowed at the lake and they don't realize they are eating lite. 8 oz of low fat (1/3 fat of reg) cream cheese. Put entire block of cream cheese in a zip lock bag. In small bowl, mix 1/4 cup lite soy sauce, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder, 1/4 tsp. onion powder. Whisk with fork till well blended and pour into bag. Lay flat in frig for 24 hours, turning occasionally. Pour sesame seeds (about 4Tbls.) onto a paper plate. Take block of cream cheese from bag and turn onto plate. Roll until all is coated with cream cheese. Simple, different and can be spread on crackers or sliced cukes or sliced large carrots. :thumbup:

Janet...that was a little sarcasm on the joint issues. I do have sympathy for you guys deal with it. I just lucked out. 2 yrs ago I was SURE I was going to have to have my right knee replaced. Popping, grinding and painful. Who knows...down the road it could come back to haunt me with the damage done from being overweight. I wonder how smart I will be then????? Great...you will fit into those capris next summer. If some don't fit just give them to someone.

Happy Saturday, Everyone!!!! Life is good. Linda...you are amazing in how you are handling this hip replacement. Isn't it nice coming out of it not being as bad as you thought? What a nice Christmas gift. Take care, enjoy your new joint but be careful. Great...hope you get the same gift as above. Don't know too many ppl that would just buck up and get both knees done so close together. I'm feeling a little left out...I don't have anything to replace! Oh, I guess my attitude could be replaced...just would have to ask DH. Julie...no one here is a failure. Can't use that word here and you are far from a failure. You are going forward, right? Have a few little treats to get you through the season if that's what you feel you want to do. Make it up by going out for a brisk walk or cut back on cals some days. You are doing great to stay level if you have been a little naughty. (Not a good choice of words cuz there's really no naughty food). You gotta be able to slip a treat in once in awhile or you are going to feel deprived. Just got back from town. Left home at 7am...still dark. We have a store in town that has Columbia and Woolrich clothing and they were having a sale. Since I have lost my insulation, I need to layer. Had bought three sweaters with three vests to match a couple of months ago. Went back and got the hoodies that go with them. So cute. Now I will be warm...warm and spoiled...warm and spoiled rotten. I always feel that way when I buy clothes...for a few minutes anyway! Working around the house catching up cuz that most certainly did not happen this week. Also, relieving DH once in awhile out at the bins so he does not freeze to death. Have a Christmas party tonight at some friends home. Out for brunch in the morning and back at the combining tomorrow. Thinking Tues will be our last day. It's been a long haul and am always amazed that DH can stay so even throughout it all. I do really well for about 5 days and then I have to get out of here for a bit. Then I'm good for about another 5 days. Better get the table set for these dirty ole' farmers. They are getting grilled beef and cheese sandwiches made with homemade BBQ sauce, roasted potatoes and gingerbread tarts. Sorry...had to share. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Phyll...would have loved to hear and see that Marine Band concert. I would have sat there and bawled. When my boys got deployed, I stayed very strong...knew it was in God's hands. But, I could not listen to a patriotic song without having my shirt wet. It's still that way for me even though I love to listen. It triggers something in me that I believe will be in me for life. I got a top award at our State bowling tournament a few years ago. (Nope...not a very good bowler but I rocked at State). I had to go up to the front of the lanes to get my award. They were playing a patriotic song and I stood up there and just sobbed like a fool. Hundreds of women looking on thinking "My, she's happy with her award"! Forgot to wish you luck with your knee appt., Janet. DH just started to have trouble a year ago at the age of 54. He's in a world of hurt this year and is not taking the time to make an appt. for them. I think he just uses and abuses them but should have them checked out again. Knee caps pop over to one side if he does not have braces on. Weird. Well......................morning spent with a number of neighbor farmer guys having coffee and eating goodies. It WAS SO NICE. Why did I have to bitch and moan about it yesterday? Guess I was just in one of those moods and they had upset MY apple cart and plans I had made. All is right with the world again!

I could tell you not to panic or be fearful but I do remember that stage. Now 18 months out, this is just a way of life and I love it. Go into all of this with as much info as you can, do research, practice all the rules your doc recommends and you will be successful. It's work to stay on task at times but having lots of energy and not having your shopping cart automatically steer itself into the plus size section of a department store is such a wonderful trade-off!:rolleyes2:

Mornin' Girls....woke up all refreshed (I promise...no rants today). Hey...that really did help to vent. Jumped in bed a few minutes after typing that rant and peacefully went to sleep...thanks for listening. I had just had it up to my eyeballs. You'd have to live here to get the true picture but I know you guys understand anyway. In fact, I am so calm this morning, I'm not even ticked off that someone searched out and ate my large Marathon Snickers bar. I even hid it so I would have it for breakfast this morning. Well...not really hidden, just in the back of the protein bar container. Great...hope you are still all snuggled in your nice, warm bed and not having to go in...not even for cleaning. Yep, I guess you could call eyelash extensions being a girly-girl. Never thought of those when I wrote that previous post. I have never been to a spa or had a massage either. Can't even tell you why not. I don't do manicures due to the work I do around here. Telling DH this morning that when farming is done, I'll give it all a try. Great...we are not done with corn harvest yet. Going to start sometime after noon today when DH catches up with corn drying. We have a few days left. Usually goes quicker but drying time is so long in between picking. We are all about ready to be done. Will talk to you all later.

I'm here, Janet....I must have been ranting at about the same time you were posting. I drink coffee right up until bed time. Always have....always will. I love my coffee! Have a great day off tomorrow!

Evening Everyone...hope you all had a good day. Great...I get the fitted. Best to go to Target and try on and then go online to get your longs. That way you will know for sure how they fit. I do that with a lot of jeans and pants. About ready to hit the hay. Long day...turned out to be another day of farmers at the table. Don't really want to get into it but by mid-afternoon I was STEAMING. I had soooooooooooo much planned for today around here. Nope, I swear DH stands out by the mailbox at the end of the driveway (it's a highway) and waves everyone in and hollars..."Come on in..she's cooking". I'm sick of cooking, I'm sick of way too many months of guys talking about nothing than farming, I'm sick of serving them, I'm sick of not being able to do what I want to do in my own home. (Maybe I want to walk around and scratch my butt..or boob or something). DH spent tons a few years ago adding two offices and a showroom onto his Morton building. He has tables, chairs everything but he has to drag everyone off the street. WHEW...that felt good to vent! OK.. thank you...it's off my chest.

Recipe sounds really good, Arlene....except for the rice. (We don't get along so well). :eek:

Hey! Proud of you, Girl, for booking that trip. Sounds like you got a pretty good deal on the flights. You know you can do this travel alone. One of us is only a phone call away. And, if you have questions at an airport, there would be many reps to help you out. You will do fine. :eek:

Almost every surgery I have had the pre-surgery rules states NO nail polish. Not only do you get to wear it, sounds like your toes are all dress up and festive. I almost hate to admit this...I have never had a pedicure or a manicure. I guess I have never been much of a girly-girl. One of these days I'm gonna go get me one!

Great...so what you are trying to tell us is that most of us have to wait till we are pushing 101 yrs of age till we kick our cravings for sweets? LOL

Thank you for the compliment. If you set your mind to it and make good, healthy food choices, with the band, you can do it too. Just go into with lots of knowledge, prepare yourself with following as many lap band rules you can prior to surgery and you will be on your way to a healthier you. I wake up every day so thankful that I don't hurt anywhere or ache anymore. I am thankful that I am on a dead run most of the day (I have a very physical job) and never have had a day in a very long time that I could say that I was tired. It's so worth it!:scared2:

Sure, Laura...go ahead...rub it in! Just took me 10 minutes to get my Sorels (boots), coat, mittens and cap on to trudge out to where my men are working to deliver them some cappacino. I have a red nose and cold finger tips. Sure...just sit by your pool...no guilt. Nope, don't feel sorry for us.:thumbup:

Anything what makes us accountable is a positive, Arlene. I've tried 'em all. Does not mean a certain plan would not work for me now, though. I think the band would help a lot with almost any plan. Maybe you can take WW and make it a designer plan just for you. Just tweek a little of the info given to you. Those weigh-ins make a person accountable. I was thankful for my weigh-ins with my LB doc. Kept me on task. Years ago when my doc warned me that I should get off the 40lbs I was carrying or I would be sorry down the road, he referred me to the nutritionist at his clinic. She was 3x more obese than me (not judging). At my appt. she would show me what a portion size with her plastic food, giggle and say "I eat 4x more than that"...giggle again. Needless to say, I gained another 100lbs after that little session. Never did anything about my weight until it got to the point where I HAD to. My point is....structured plans work for some of us and weighing in is sometimes that challenge we look forward to and need. I know that's what worked for me. When a person is feeling out of control, structure is the way to go.

You're the BEST granddaughter! Every Grandma that's 100 yrs old should have one like you!:scared2:

Arlene...I think Great sent you that cold weather. It hits there, bounces off the mountains and heads your way. Guess we'll blame her?:scared2: Too bad about the camera. DH and I were discussing our picture taking inadeqacy(sp?) this morning. We used to take loads of photos and now determined to get into again a bit more. When you're growing up your babies, lots of pics are shot. DH bought me a pocket sized Cannon SD1000 Power Shot camera last year for Christmas. So handy, small and takes fairly good pics. What I like is downloading and being able to send to family and friends. I do scan old photos once in awhile to send to youngest DS who lives in Atlanta. Just reminders. Even scanned our wedding photo on our 30th and sent to him. Not even going to whine about the cold today (-19). Working in the house and hoping for no interuptions today. Had ppl at my kitchen table ALL DAY yesterday so did not get done what I wanted to. All of the cookies (6 doz.) are eaten along with all but two of the dozen or so cranberry bread I made on Monday and most of the fudge. Hungry visiting farmers. Was a nice day and happy to share but now I need to start over with some baking. (You all know how much I enjoy baking so good to go). Remember all the discussion on the Champion pants? I think most of you were influenced and went out and got some. Well, got mine on Tuesday. I had ordered 4 pr in the talls. Always happy to find them at a good price. Well, got them and was missing my capris that were on sale but package included 2 pair that I did not order but in my size. Called Target to let them know I would be sending back and wanted the capris. Good news. They told me to keep the 2 extras and they would be sending the capris for no extra $$$. Merry Christmas to me. Back at it. Later:cool:

NY? How fun! You just do what you need to do Meredith and check in with us when you can. It's just that we miss you when you're gone. Take care and good luck on your finals. Yes, physics suck as far as I am concerned. Should have hooked you up with youngest DS and he could have helped you by phone. He used to tudor Physics students at his Universtiy. Take care! Love back at ya!:scared2:

Yep...the puppa is going to be 8 on Feb 2. He actually still has a lot of pup in him in some ways, but in other ways, he is a big ole' lazy dawg.

Do what you can to educate your DH on this. Take him to your seminar, doc appts., show him internet sites, etc. The more a person understands about the LB procedure, the better they are at accepting it. I, too, felt like you are feeling just a couple of years ago. My DH has been so supportive all along. He knew how miserable I was. I was approaching 250lbs....249 was my top weight. I could not walk any distance without getting winded, exercise was out, I had more or less given up. I had been researching the LB for quite some time b/4 getting up the nerve to do this. I can tell you that this is the best thing I have ever done for myself. :scared2:

Arlene...OH NO....you can't come to FL.....was just hoping. Next time. I get really tight when I fly. I can actually feel it tighten on the way up and I am tight for about 4-5 days after. My doc did not have and answer for it. He just looked at me funny....come to think about it...he does that a lot with me. I figured you'd have problems with adhesions when you got home. Sorry! Hang in there.

Welcome home, Arlene. If you feel like it, would enjoy seeing some photos. Questions for you...I am unsure if you said you could make the FL trip or not. If you read up, you will see that the condos are booked and there is still room for you in one of them. They are 3 BR with one sofa sleeper. Just let me know and I will write you down as going. Hope you can make it! Glad you had a good trip. Yep...my vote is water retention:wink2: