JoannMarie

Ouch - the timing won't work out for me. We have a friend at Ft. Leavenworth whose husband is deployed. She has to have a radiation treatment for thyroid cancer, and can't be around her small children for 5 days (kinda radio-active!) It won't hurt for her to be around other people, but she has very small children who won't be able to understand why mommy can't hold or hug them. Her mom is coming to stay with the children, and she is going to stay with us during the week that she is unable to be with her children. Her treatment is Feb 12, so that week I will be spending with Julie and rented Project Runway episodes. She is a friend of my DD, was stationed in Korea when DD and her family moved there 2 yrs ago. She is a wonderful person, very creative - she wants to learn to knit - maybe I'll teach her. She will be a captive student with lots of time to practice! I hope you all have a great time! Would love to do this some day...

Gosh, thanks for the quilting props. I appreciate your compliments - would love to do a quilt for each of you, but probably could just manage a post card! I'm about to abdicate responsibility for any more large quilts and going to wall hangings and art pieces. Too much time and work involved. My kids are still asking, though, and I've always had a hard time saying no. The only quilt we actually sleep under is one my MIL made and I machine quilted for her. I have others, but I don't use them because I don't want the wear and tear of using, washing, etc. They will be going to my 3 children, as they are the hand-quilted ones. There will be others, but I am no longer hand quilting - right thumb joint is arthritic and it's just too painful to hand quilt now. I make up for it with hand-guided machine quilting - pretend the machine needle is a pen and move the fabric under the needle. I love the process and the results, so still happy with my quilts. I missed the stuff about a trip? Please share... Lori - great to hear from you so soon! Be a good girl, do what you are told (!) and use the pain meds as you need them!

p.s. Do y'all realize you fill up about 3-4 pages in a day's time? No way I could ever catch up! Serves me right for being gone so long! Thank you all for the warm welcome back. I've missed you...

Hi All - I'm thinking of Lori this morning as she heads out for her second knee surgery. My first one was 7 years ago this month! Time sure flies... The right knee is bone on bone and has been for a couple of years or more. Oddly, the weight loss has improved it to the point where I am not in a hurry to have the replacement done. DD wants me to wait if I can - till they return from the Korea posting and she can be here to help out. I'm okay with that now, though before the weight loss I was not hopeful about that. I figure with another 40 pounds off next summer the knee may be willing to wait even longer. I hope Lori's surgery goes well and her recovery goes as well as the first one. At least now she knows first-hand what to expect and what to watch for. All this talk about Christmas goodies... I have a few things on the to-do list for kitchen treats, will probably tackle them this weekend to take to the Christmas day festivities. This week I am working on a quilt for older DD who lives close by. I've had the top here for quite a while, working on the quilting and hope to have it finished by the end of the week. I have to be very careful, as she stops by unannounced some days - I don't want the surprise spoiled. Sooo - back to work. Hope everyone has a great day! Joann

Hi All! Joann is back today - it's been a long time since I posted. Lots of travel over the late summer and fall, DD, SIL, and the two little boys who live in Seoul were here for 2 wks in November - over Thanksgiving. SIL's parents joined us for the first week so the little family would not have to travel even more to visit with them. We had a great time, but it was a lot of go-go-go, and a lot of cooking/eating. I held to my plan pretty well, but frankly I did not worry about it too much. I am well restricted and my band just won't allow me to eat too much. I avoided the mushie and sweet foods as much as possible, as they go down too easily and can trip me up. I was up about a pound after everyone left, lost that and 2 more quickly as soon as I was watching the protein and water intake more closely. I DON'T have anything resembling holiday treats in the house now - it just makes it so much easier to do what I'm supposed to do and, frankly, I simply don't want them. DH and I both are in agreement on that plan! I still am losing slowly - about 4-5 pounds a month - but that is plenty fast for me. At least when I buy clothes I can figure I'll be wearing them for 6-8 weeks before they begin to slide off my body. I've been visiting the resale shops with a friend, and find them to be good alternatives for nice clothes at a bargain. Takes a little digging... My first year bandiversary was Dec 4th. I've lost 67 pounds in this, my 67th year. Happy about that! I have learned so much about my body and how it reacts to food, and can apply that information so much more successfully. My DIL asked me what would happen when I started to eat normally again. I'm sure she was wondering how long it would be before I gained it all back, a valid concern given my past history. I had to laugh. Sweetie - this is NORMAL now. And I LOVE IT! The question about pizza - I've been fortunate in that I have not had problems with any particular food. This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how good or bad that food might be for you overall! I choose the thin & crispy crust, and chew VERY carefully. I also choose the more healthy toppings, primarily vegies and chicken if available. Limit is 2 smaller pieces and I usually eat less than half the second, as I am full. I don't eat it often (3 or so times in the last year), but I like it and don't feel it is a good idea for me to turn completely away from foods I really like. I believe deprivation has led to over indulging for me in my past life. I'm confident my band and my resolve will allow me to enjoy treats occasionally. Cheri - you are so close to goal! Congratulations on your success! You have done a great job. I have not taken the time to go back many pages to catch up on everyone - but saw Lynn's posting about her fill. You have really done well, Lynn - I hope the extra cc will be just what you need to feel back on track. I have 7cc now - my last two fills were 0.5cc in June and 0.5cc in late September. I have had good restriction with both of these. My next appointment is in January - don't know if I will need it or not as right now I feel I am where I want to be. I'm getting so used to this whole thing I don't think about it much.

Surprise, surprise! It's Joann - not forgotten I hope, just been gone a long time... It's been a busy few months, visited with MN friends (Duluth) in September, quilt show in DesMoines in October - 2 week visit from our DD, SIL, and both little boys from Seoul for Thanksgiving, which included SIL's parents for the first week. It was a crazy time. The baby was baptized on Nov 29th and we had a reception for them that afternoon. Lots of friends and relatives invited and we had a so much fun. They left on Dec 3rd and we MISS them. It was not enough time. I'm continuing to do well - losing about 4-5 pounds a month as I have from the beginning. I have to say there is a benefit to losing a little more slowly, I guess. At least when I buy clothes I know they will fit for 6-8 weeks before they are beginning to fall off my body. My friend took me to her favorite resale shop last week and I vowed to go back to that one and find more of them around town. Good prices for some very nice clothes. My first year bandiversary was Dec 4th. I feel like a new person. I've learned so much about myself and how my body reacts to everything I feed it. I've learned to be patient with myself and kind to myself. I've made mistakes along this way, but nothing that can't be fixed by following the basic rules and staying the course. My DIL asked me what would happen when I started to eat normally again. (I'm sure she was wondering how long it would be before I gained it all back...) I had to laugh. Honey - this is eating normally! and I LOVE IT! I have not taken the time to go back page after page to see what has been happening with all my friends. I did see that the news about Laura's father has not been good. Laura, I am so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out to you in this difficult time. Please know your family is in my prayers.

I'm HERE! I've been trying to catch up with all the news, but found that to be futile! Y'all are just too talky-talky to keep up with. I returned from Korea (great visit with the little family - had fun with grandsons and their parents) on Sept 1, and had multiple deadlines to work on. My art quilt group was finishing up a "round robin" and the exchange date was mid Sept - I still had a lot of work to do. A couple of baby quilts for friends whose babies are DUE... I'm slowly but surely catching up - will quilt the last baby quilt this week. I'm trying to finish up a knitting project that was supposed to be a b'day present for youngest DD (in Seoul) - it's already a week late and I'm considering making it a Christmas present instead. Retirement is great, but I get myself into these situations way too often. DH and I have had some time away together. We were in Duluth and on the North Shore of Lake Superior for just under a week 3rd wk of Sept., visiting friends who have been friends for over 50 years. We had the most incredible weather, the lake was absolutely stunning, ran into several other friends from high school - all in all a wonderful visit "home." Last weekend we spent in So Missouri near Bennett Spring State Park, where we have a camper parked at a campground. We were so busy (and out of the country) during the summer, we did not get to visit our favorite haunts much. We vowed to go 2 weekends in October before we have to winterize the camper. We were lucky to have another beautiful stretch of weather and several of the campers we have made friends with were there for the weekend, too. We're going again Friday - it'll be colder this time, but it will probably be the last time before spring. We got great pictures on both trips. DH has always been the photographer in the family, but I must admit I took some awesome pics in Korea, and have taken possession of the little elph digital for myself. (DH can have the Nikon - I like the little one!) He is getting a kick out of "showing" me - and I've been tutoring him on composition... We are funny... I'll try to post some of the pictures. I'm happy with the losses I've had. I am still slow but steady, headed in the right direction. Sometimes I have to wait a couple of weeks, but then I'll drop 2-3 pounds. Had one of those days today. I'm having issues with hair loss - my hairdresser, who is a nutrition "nut," tells me to up my Protein, make sure I'm getting healthy fats - and my hormones are probably whacky, as that happens when we lose large amounts of weight. I had not heard that could be a problem, but I'm going to research it. She tells me the best way to stabilize the hormones is to EXERCISE! THAT is the answer to everything apparently!! Back to the gym tomorrow... Great - I'm glad to get a little more info on your knee, been following you on Facebook, but that leaves something to be desired. It sounds like you are doing well. As you know, it does get better. The therapy hurts, esp at first, but it's essential to your recovery. Stick with the walker a while longer - the dizzy spell could have come at a very bad time, keep the walker handy. Soon you will be done with it and graduating to the crutches and cane. Laura, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. My prayers are for his recovery and for your family as you help him through this. Hugs to your mom - she must be so worried. And you - sweetheart - just do the best you can. That's all you can ask of yourself. Your presence is precious to both of them. I did not mean to take up so much space, but I guess I had a lot to share. I hope everyone is doing well tonight. Hugs to all... Pictures: #1 Joann playing Grandma with Josiah; #2 Joann just playing with Jack; #3 The bridge over the Niangua River at Bennett Spring; #4 DH and his favorite (only) truck

Hi All! Still in Korea visiting with DD and her boys. We've had beautiful weather most days, and my visit has been great. DD and I have been working out at her gym 3 days/week, and walking quite a bit on other days. Wherever we walk we have the 2 yr old in his stroller, DD "wears" the baby in her Ergo carrier. So here's the grandma pushing the stroller and 32 extra pounds of boy in it up the hills of this Army post for a mile or more! Not even a huff or a puff! DD certainly offered to push - but I tried it, and had no problem. Today the family took a bus tour of Seoul and toured the N Seoul Tower - large tower at the top of the mountain around which Seoul is built. From the bus stop to the tower is about 1/2 mile - seems almost straight up. DD took one look up the road, turned to me and asked if I was sure I wanted to try it. Sure - I can always turn around if it's too tough. No stroller this time - DSIL had charge of that. Just propelling myself. OMW - it was steep and long, but I made it without stopping, and without a huff or a puff again. It was almost harder coming back down - so steep it was dizzying. NO pain in my knees, either with workouts or the walking. It feels so good. I can't even begin to tell you how my life has changed since Dec 4 of last year. To those of you considering the band - it is not easy, esp at the beginning. But please have patience with yourself, work the plan, give it everything you've got. I am only halfway there and I am a slow, steady loser - but I am already 20 years younger and so much stronger! Will head back home on Sept 1st. I miss that hubby of mine and the kids/friends at home. But I will hate to leave this little family here. DD and I have such a great time together - I am blessed to have her for my best friend. We both love Project Runway and she is unable to get it here - we love Netflix! Been on a PR marathon since the first discs came in the mail! Once the boys are in bed we are right there with Michael Kors and Nina Garcia choosing who is IN and who is OUT! Love to all my LB Friends - I hope you are having a good weekend!

Vickie, I'm so sorry to hear of this setback. Try really hard to stick to the band "diet" of Protein and veggies while you are waiting to get back on track. The South Beach program is a good one for this type of eating plan and may be helpful to you. I have heard from several people about this happening out of the blue. Usually the surgeon just takes a little bit out of the band, but your primary was probably very nervous about the situation and wanted to be on the safe side. I can't blame him/her for that - what you were experiencing is dangerous for you and could cause problems with the band if not treated. I hope you will be able to get back on track soon. As far as missing stuff - my friend asked me that the other day - I will have to say the thing I miss most is hot food (as in temperature, not spicy). I can eat just about anything, tho I avoid the bad slider stuff most of the time - no more shakes at the drive-thru! But it takes me so long too finish a meal, much of my food is just warm by the time I finish. Not complaining! I don't mind eating slowly and thoughtfully. This is the first time in memory I have done that and it feels good. Losing slowly - 4-5 pounds a month, but I'm not complaining about that either. I am going in the right direction and that's the important thing. It's good to hear from everyone...

Hi All! I enjoyed the comments about cruising. I think that's what I've experienced, too. Food just does not have the same appeal as before banding. I began to notice this feeling as I approached that sweet spot that has come with my last fill in June. Still well restricted - can eat anything, just not quickly, and definitely not very much volume. I fill quickly and am satisfied with small amounts - just what it's supposed to do for me. Chasing a 2 year old helps, too! I'm definitely losing more quickly since that's part of my daily routine. I AM HALFWAY TO GOAL! Best to all... Love your band.

Hi All! I enjoyed the comments about cruising. I think that's what I've experienced, too. Food just does not have the same appeal as before banding. I began to notice this feeling as I approached that sweet spot that has come with my last fill in June. Still well restricted - can eat anything, just not quickly, and definitely not very much volume. I fill quickly and am satisfied with small amounts - just what it's supposed to do for me. Chasing a 2 year old helps, too! I'm definitely losing more quickly since that's part of my daily routine. Best to all... Love your band.