newhope4me

aye! I hear ya on this one!

O, and the little sounds they make while nursing, those are my favorite sounds in the world, i so miss that! I nursed all three of mine. Only the first one ever had a bottle, and only because i was only 18 and modest so i would make a bottle for him when we went any where. I had issues with pumping, so it was formula, which is nasty! It stains everything and stinks so bad and he would always spit it up. I weaned him when I found out I was pregnant with his brother. A year later when his brother came along, i was an old hand, no more bottles, heck, grandma tried to get him to take one once in a while, but the boy gagged on every nipple on the market, mom's was the only one he wanted. I was still modest and covered up with a receiving blanket or if the shirt was big enough, with that. My worst nursing experience was when I was nursing my daughter, she was 16 monts old and i had to go to the ER due to gallstones. I had been going at least once every month or 2 since shortly after her birth (no insurance at the time) and they would give me something for the pain, then send me home. But this time, a different doctor, I told him i was nursing and wanted something non-narcotic, he asked how old the baby was. When I told him, he informed me she was too old to be nursing and gave me something narcotic. I was livid! I couldn't believe a Doctor of all people had said that and gone against my request. That's when I weaned her. I was so pissed over that. Personally I believe babies should be nursed, if at all possible for at least the first 2 years. My kids are healthy, smart and we are very close. Can you believe I once had someone ask me, "Isn't that a hassle?" No, a hassle is formula and warming it and cleaning bottles, etc. So easy just to whip out a boob and let them latch on.

I have 9 tattoos. The majority of them, if i had it to do over or if i could afford the treatments, i wouldnt have. I was young and didn't think this far ahead. I like the idea of the ones I got, i think the only thing i would really change is removing the one from my hand and my breast, only because of first impressions and one of them on my ankle should have been done with single needle instead of 3 needle. However, it sounds as if this is something you've spoken to him before regarding, i'm sure in other conversations you didn't keep the fact of wanting more from him. It's not like you are changing who you are nor are you pressuring him to get them. I believe if I were you, I would discuss it with him, as I'm sure you have. Point out that they are not obviously apparent tattoos, you arent getting anything as insane as a huge pot leaf on your forehead or anything. it's something you want to do, what is it going to hurt? if he had a problem with them, why is he with you, when you have tattoos? However, If you do decide on doing it. as a mom, i must brag..., my son is very talented and will travel. (i can send pix of his work, i wish he had been the one to do mine)

Yay, Harleygirl! I too am wearing a size I hadn't seen in forever! It's so exciting, i love it when hubby asks, "Are those new?" (speaking of new jeans or other clothing) and i can honestly say, "nah, it's old, i just can get back into them!

Aubrie, personally I'd say a massage, but maybe that would only lead to more discomfort, lol.

I too do not believe that God would want us to spank. I believe that "spare the rod, spoil the child" is in reference to the rod to guide as in a sheperd uses a rod to guide, not hit. We are God's children/sheperd and therefore I believe this is what this phrase meant. I do not recall the Bible stating in any verse to strike a child. Just because something has been done for a long time, does not mean it is the correct/right way.

Before rushing to have the port moved, have you tried other positions? Depending on the position I am in, the muscles around my port are more affected, its like getting a cramp in your leg right at that moment of release. Just a suggestion

I had this problem too at the beginning. Once it was so awful, I don't even want to tell you what I had to do. I believe it was all the Protein and not enough Water and Fiber in my diet. It was to the point that if I didn't take a daily dose of laxatives I had problems. Now that I've increased my fiber intake, keep up my water intake, I don't have as much nor nearly as bad. Water is very important, but sometimes it seems difficult to keep that at the level it needs to be since I can't drink with meals.

I've worked payroll in our facility, so I don't need to ask the servers. Apparently, our servers are different since they make between $8-9 an hour. I know they don't claim thier tips, they are only taxed on the wage they earn. The tips that are run through a member's account (private club) are taxed as income as they should be, but any cash tips are pocketed and not taxed and we do not doing any kind of estimating those to tax them. When I was a server making $2.15 an hour, I claimed my taxes and therefore was taxed on that. I guess that's why I didn't understand taxing them based on what they serve, because I've never seen it and it's never been done to me.

Thank you. I looked at his gallery, very good. I especially like "Imp". He's very talented with portraits too it appears. It's like a special gift when someone close to you is so talented, a gift that is always giving. My son is always sending me pix on my phone or via email. I love it!

Kimaly: "I guess some people don't realize a waitress has to pay taxes on 15% of the food they serve." Is this a Virginia thing? I've never heard of this. Our servers don't pay taxes on the food they serve. There are taxes taken out of thier wages, just like the rest of us, but they pay nothing on what they serve. I don't even understand the logic in that. Why would they want to serve anyone if they are being charged to serve it basically? Maybe I'm misunderstanding the whole thing. Sorry to hijack the thread, just confused by this, especially since I work around servers almost every day.

Nanook: "Some of the worse discriminators are current fat or previously fat people. Sizism is "real" discrimination and people should really think long and hard about this one. It affects all of us." I agree with this statement. I've even seen it on here, which really suprises me, as I would expect those who want or have had the band would be more understanding. However, it's almost like those (and this is a weird comparison, but I'm a bit weird) serial killers that kill gay men, because secretly they are gay and cannot deal with it. I think some people are discrimatory those who are overweight because they hope they are never in that situation (or back in that situation, in the case of some) I feel that no matter how much weight I lose, I will always be fat inside. I have 2 boys that I have raised to never call a woman (or anyone actually) "fat", the word was not allowed in our house.

Actually there is a minimum wage requirement with food and beverage servers. They earn about $2.15 an hour from the employer, and then thier tips are suppossed to make up the difference, if they don't the employer is suppossed to make up that difference so that they make that minimum wage. I work in the hospitality/recreation industry, we pay our servers at least $5 more than they would make any where else, however, many private club members do not tip, therefore we pay the servers more and offer full time employees medical benefits. But, the members that do tip them, well, sometimes these girls make much more than I do, especially around the holidays when I'm wishing I wasn't on salary. I also believe that you earn your tip, it shouldn't be assumed. I've seen the entire spectrum, from a great server who loves her job and you can tell, and makes your dinner (or whatever) a pleasant experience to a server who hates her job and wants to make sure everyone knows how miserable she is so that she can share that misery with them.

:tt2: I had my procedure on 3/7/08 and i have been a real bitch since. i've lost some weight of course and feel good and motivated by that, but also feel tense. poor hubby is the one getting the brunt of this. i really cant find a reason, just feel like i am being a royal bitch. yesterday we had an argument because he moved one of my frogs (i collect frogs, and yes i am a bit anal, but this was a new one and hadnt really been put in a particular place yet). he cleaned off his desk and moved one of my frogs to a already crowded shelf, i saw it and put it back on his desk and then we got into it. like i said, yes i am a bit anal about where things go, but this wasnt even about that. i just felt it was about control. i just feel like everything pisses me off (hope this language is ok in here) and i feel like arguing. i mean i dont want to, but just feel TENSE! i did talk with him about some of the posts i have read that sometimes we go thru like depression because we are used to emotional eating and now we cant, and i thought that may be some of it. depression i know, this edginess:angry:, i just dont know, i guess it makes me feel uncomfortable. im one that avoids confrontation. i dont even know what my question is, really, maybe has anyone else gone/going thru this?

Yes, but I, like you, turned 40 this year. Therefore, I'm assuming its age, not the band. I've had an almost 2 week period, then 2 weeks later, I started spotting, went couple of days with nothing, then my period started again. I'd been pretty regular for quite a few years before this. I do lose weight though, due to being so tight during TOM. May I ask, was turning 40 a factor in getting the band? I only ask because it was for me. Seeing all the health issues in my family, and a big birthday coming, I didn't want the same future for myself.

Since we are discussing tipping, what about a nail salon, is it the same? I usually give at least $5 for a full set, double if i have mani and pedi.

Thank you, I am very proud of him. I have always encouraged him. When my kids were little, we would take crayons, paper, pencils every where we went so that the kids were never bored. All 3 can draw, but my middle son has really blossomed. You can tell how he feels (depressed, happy, comfortable, etc) by his work.

Here I am, the missing OP. Yes, Kat is correct, this has been resolved. So funny how old a thread can be and then get resurrected. When I'd received email notice of a reply, I didn't even remember that I was the one that started this thread.

I chose not to tell because not only is it not anyone's business, but about a year before I was banded a co-worker was banded. There was a lot of negativity that I heard about it then, I don't beleive any of it was mentioned to her, but behind her back, it was awful. It was all due to lack of education regarding the band, but I don't need any added stress like that. I don't need anyone judging me based on my health choices, I have some co-workers that already dislike me because I outwork them (7 jobs) I don't believe it's lying by not telling anyone I'm banded. One co-worker who is trying to fund it herself asked me if I was, after noticing my eating habits and the weight loss. I was honest with her, and she swore not to tell anyone. Our business is very seasonal with business just beginning to pick back up, so people are really starting to notice, since they havent seen me all summer. But I'm honest with them as well, it was hard work, healthier eating habits and getting up off my butt! I have people ask if my husband is overseas again (military) because I always lose weight when he's gone, but I gain it right back. I can't wait to see it stay off!

I dabble in many different things (sew once in a while, cake decorating, drawing, posters, etc) but the real artist is my son. He has worked in almost every media and does great in all of them. He has sold a couple of his pieces when he was still in high school. Now he is apprentising to be a tattoo artist. Here are some of his works. The first is the most recent tattoo he did on a friend. Then a sketch done with prismacolor pencils of his girlfriend's niece, a couple of pen and pencil sketches. The spiderman scene was done on my garage wall, he had just received an airbrush for Xmas and was trying it out. I hate that a few months after that we thought we were going to move (military) and we had to paint over it. Now that he lives in another state, and I find comfort in all the drawings and paintings and sandblasted mirrors he has given me, I miss that one when I go into the garage.

With my first husband, we did this a couple of times. However, if there are any insecurity and/or trust issues, it is not a good idea. I did it with him because at that point in my life I would have done anything to keep him from cheating-he cheated anyway. So, hopefully everyone is doing it for the right reasons. While I was single I did it without so many complications. I think the things you and your wife must look at are (as mentioned above) will someone feel left out, or a bit uncomfortable on what one should do? It sounds like you are interested in bringing in a woman, which can be exciting for you, what if your wife suggests another man? This can be very enjoyable for a woman, to be the center of 2 men's attention, very flattering (and doesn't need to be any man on man interaction). I am bi-sexual and do miss being with women, however, my current husband doesn't want to risk our feelings with each other and I respect that.

Are you sure that what the Dr. gave you isn't a guideline, with suggestions? I'm with jmegirl, mashed cauliflower is better for you than mashed potatoes, with similar consistency (spelling?) When I was in this stage I also added a bit of marinara sauce to the cottage cheese or low sugar strawberry jam to add some variety. I like cottage cheese, but it can get boring just plain.

Thank you for that information. I will watch it in the next couple of months and see if it continues like this.

Like I didn't dislike my TOM enough already, it so far has lasted an extra 2 days, with no end in sight. Today it is still heavy like it is on the 2nd day, and i've been having killer cramps. WTF? I know it's not a huge deal, but as heavy as it seems, it could go on for at least 2-3 days more. Maybe just one last hurrah before i hit menapause? lol, i will be turning 40 in about a week and maybe this is mother nature's little "happy birthday" to me? Seems each of my decade birthdays are "off". When I turned 30 I had just had my first depo shot and the dr. had me on hormones to get things evened back out and my mom thought it was a good time to tell me that most of the women in our family go through menapause early. The hormones made me a mess. Now, my 40th and i am of course a little off due to this neverending period thing.

Sorry i've been absent, been out of town on business. Ok, maybe not in order, but my responses: It was private and charter school night (i left out the charter school part as I have been asked so many times what this is: basically a private school for the general public, it is not expensive). I did learn that many parents were a bit upset about it, not to mention faculty members who were in attendance. There were games set up by faculty to raise money for thier prospective schools (dunk the principal, etc). I don't believe that I was mistaken regarding the theme. The students were given the tickets (all students received 2 tickets), and the ticket stated: "Private and Charter School Night". Once we arrived, there were people at the gate handing out trick or treat bags with a few pieces of candy and the concession vendors were wearing costumes. When we mentioned the girls' outfits, we were informed it was "Halloween Night". I don't know how I coud misinterpt that. I also would not expect the naughty school girl outfit to be every where as there were young children present. I have nothing against the outfit. I have a similar one in my own closet. However, I do not wear it in public and definitely not around children. If I had been in a bar or at an adult costume party, i would not have a problem at all with the outfit. Yes, 12 year old girls can see pretty risque outfits on television. Does that mean we should encourage such attire? Granted, I feel lucky that my daughter is much more modest than some of her friends. I know I can't protect her from the negative influences in society, but i just thought that enjoying a family activity could be accomplished at something that invited children from area schools.