HeatherO

I guess I should mention my husband and teenage son. They both have always eaten twice as much as me (and we are talking before banding) and can down the dessert with no problem whatsoever . . . yet are both trim and athletic. I have to eat like a bird and be banded as well to even come close to a normal size. What is up with that????????

Drive by post . . . happy Friday everyone.

Hello everyone! Today is a good day in that I am still on plan at 11:06 in the AM . . . we have to start somewhere, right :0) Landlord Installment #3 ------------------------ I got a letter from her attorney yesterday. It said that I should have given her notice that I was leaving in May of 2009 . . . and I am moving out October 31st??? He says this because she handwrote at the bottom of the lease that she would like 90 days notice if lease is not to be renewed prior to expiration (lease expired August 1st, I am leaving October 31st which is 90 days past the lease expiration and we did not execute a new lease). Anyway it is a weak argument at best on their side . . . the holdover lease clause is very specific. The lease expired August 2009 and we are now "holdover tenants - either party must give 30 days notice to terminate" per the lease." He also wrote in the letter "in non-legal terms you are sandbagging her by not giving her sufficient notice." This letter is not even on letterhead, the wording is poor and the argument is weak . . . where did she find this lawyer???? All I can say is lucky me, lol. The only thing in the letter that worries me at all is that it says she will be exercising her right to have various tradesman inspect the property for damages above normal wear and tear and I will be liable for all work performed. In the case that there is any excess of the security deposit, it will be refunded to me. So . . . it sounds like she is planning to keep my security deposit for damages - there are no damages except for an issue with a closet door that had a small divot in it from an indoor basketball hoop . . . and I already replaced it. I know the house is in good shape but I get the feeling that she is going to try to use up my security deposit. I am taking pictures of everything and my lawyer will be attending the final walkthrough and key handoff, unbeknownst to her. She has to provide an itemized list of anything deducted from the security deposit . . .if there is anything frivolous on there (what are the chances???) then I will take her to small claims court. Anyway, the lawyer I have been talking to is a company lawyer who is advising me as a friend on the side. My risk seems to be pretty small. It seems like the worst case might be the loss of a security deposit, I can live with that risk. The lawyer I have been speaking to said that this initial letter is always supposed to present the strongest case and any specific examples of issues as a scare tactic to hopefully cause me to back down and concede to any requests. There are no specific examples and anything referenced is exceedingly weak. Can you believe I actually feel more comfortable after receiving this letter, lol??? This is my first ever letter directed at me from an attorney in my life (and hopefully the last). I feel very confident that this situation is under control.

I make all my soup in the pressure cooker in 10-20 minutes. There is nothing faster and it tastes like it has been simmering all day :wink2:

The horse makes me think of Mr. Ed also . . . Hellloooo WiLLLllLLBBBbbUuuRRR, lol. I did Zumba. I had a great time but found that although it was tons of fun, I was only getting a moderate workout and would have been happier with a higher intensity workout. At the time I had been hitting the gym every day for months and months to do step classes, weight training and othe aerobic activities and was in really great shape. I suspect Zumba may be the right level for me now post baby, lol. I haven't dragged my behind to the gym in toooo long.

Judy, It is absolutely unacceptable that Bob can not be more involved. Would it be worth it to cancel and go to Bob's current church to have it done? This is an important event . . . you have the right to feel comfortable with who is performing the services. Is it to late to change venue and do something different? Janie, Wow??? I'm curious as well. Haydee, Now is the best time to prune from around September into early October for Oleanders. Pruning any later will cut off the Spring growth according to this website: culture. They even have diagrams of how to prune which is helpful as well. Hello everyone else :0)

Congratulations!!! I remember my first appointment - it was exciting and fun but there was one thing I wasn't aware of that shocked me. I knew I would get the first ultrasound and just couldn't wait . . . I had visions of the goo being placed on my belly and my little bean dancing around on the computer screen, lol. However, no one told me that it is an, umm, internal ultrasound. I had to be embarassingly present while my husband asked "you have to stick that where????" The goo doesn't go on the belly for the first one, lol. Good luck!!! I hope you are feeling really well during these early weeks. It is a long but entirely worthwhile journey. :0)

LOL . . . that just brought back a memory. Just a little background, my husband is Turkish and is an accountant by trade. We met in Germany where I used to travel to our satellite offices for business. We met in '05, got engaged in '06, married in '07, had a baby in '09. I remember when he first told me about his first cousin who has lived in NJ for the last 8 or so years. I asked what he did for a living . . . he said he owned a gas station . . . ROFL . . . I just couldn't stop laughing. :lol::cursing: It just struck a funny bone with me, but my DH could not understand what in the world was so funny (after all, what is wrong with owning your own business???). I had to explain the whole Middle-Eastern/gas station connection. I just couldn't believe he wasn't aware of this connection. :thumbup:

I am sorry, Haydee, but I am not sure those pics will be anywhere as endearing as Grady’s pics, lol. I don't know why, but I love to baby my hubby when he is feeling under the weather as well. He enjoys it so much and always returns the favor when I need it. Judy and Laura, I sure hope you are both feeling better soon. I have to say the most recent pictures of Grady and Carson are absolutely, incredibly adorable. Janie, I am sending positive thoughts your way concerning the work issue. I hope things work out for the best . . . and although scary, sometimes change is a good thing. I know I have been through many changes in my life and although I am scared to death to transition to something new, I always end up happier and more fulfilled in the end. If you’ve been in the same shop for 20+ years it might be time to see something new. I hope that no matter what happens, you are happier and more fulfilled either in the old shop or doing something new. Michelle & Pamela, I am still jealous that you went to Disney without me :0) Now you’re talking!!!

Everyone I know either loves or hates Tarantino films . . . I guess I know which side of the fence you are on, lol. :thumbup: LOL, I didn't know it was a Tarantino flick - although I am not in the least surprised because that is what it seemed like to me. I don't even think I knew or cared who he was until a few years later. I like the style but I have weird tastes in films sometimes. To be honest, the majority of the films I watch now are foreign or independent films. I have never been a main stream kind of person . . . but I can see that a lot of the films that everyone listed as favorites are loved by me as well. I think the cream usually rises to the top regardless of who is watching :0)

. . . and???? What did you think?

Fargo is awesome too . . . I should have had that one on my list. I am not always into bloody films . . . but this one is just so twisted and riveting. I should have mentioned most Quentin Tarantino films are great. If you have never seen Four Rooms before . . . it is a must see. I really wasn't so crazy about Reservoir Dogs . . . too much blood and not enough plot. As far as Natural Born Killers is concerned . . . it is a whole lot more than just a shoot-em-up. It has real style and is also riveting. You just stayed glued to the screen the whole time. I would say it fits in the same class as Tarantino flicks or Fargo. Also it has Juliette Lewis in it . . . she is awesome and one of my personal favorite actresses. I also like What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Leonardo DiCaprio shows a whole different side to his acting abilities in that one (and of course there is Juliette Lewis as well). Hello and welcome Blund :0)

Ahhhh . . . three more of my personal favorites, lol. I have never seen Up close and Personal . . . sounds like I might just need to hit the vidoe store :smile:

OK - this is silly but actually made me laugh because I do like Emoticons. Warning - not for the easily offended: (_!_) a regular ass (!) a tight ass (_*_) an ass hole {_!_} a swishy ass (_o_) an ass that's been around (_x_) kiss my ass (_X_) leave my ass alone (_zzz_) a tired ass (_E=mc2_) a smart ass (_$_) Money coming out of his ass (_?_) Dumb Ass

Oh by the way, thanks everyone for your thoughts on the landlord issue. It is almost unanimous that I should run. My DH also said he really does not want to live there anymore even if it were free. I guess that's it . . . I am going to move. Did I mention that I reallly, truly hate moving, lol. I guess I should just suck it up and go. Also, feelings are fickle . . . yesterday I started to feel sorry for her thinking she can't find anyone quickly this time of year. This morning after thinking through everything I am feeling like she deserves what she gets for behaving so poorly towards us. A little niceness, decency and respect for others goes a looong way. Too bad for her.

Pam, I had to laugh about Rappers Delight, lol. Everytime I hear that name I think of the old lady in The Wedding Singer movie with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore . . . for some weird reason I never get tired of that movie (or 50 First Dates either), lol. I also never get tire of the Dawn of the Dead or Shawn of the Dead movies (I must be a hidden zombie film buff). The Color Purple also never fails to hold my interest. The Big Lebowski movie has probably been watched half a dozen times by me. On top of it all is Zoolander with Ben Stiller . . . I have to watch it every time. :0) I guess my eclecticism knows no bounds, lol. So, now that I am officially on solid foods post rebanding . . . I discovered something terrible last night. I ate a chipotle burrito (now I did ask for half's of most items), nevertheless I ate the whole ENTIRE burrito. About an hour later, I was hungry again and rooting around the kitchen. Now this was not just head hunger, this was legitimate stomach hunger as well. I ate a small piece of chocolate and was reasonably good, but my mind was telling me I should whip up a batch of peanut butter cookies or lemon bars, after all . . . I had all the stuff I needed and who wants it to go to waste??? So for the first time since being banded, my hunger demons have returned with a vengeance. Now I remember exactly why I was banded. I also realize that I really need my band. Had I had it removed thinking I had learned my lesson and could do this on my own, I would have been wrong (and I was indeed thinking these thoughts). I realize now that I would be heavier again . . . maybe not to the same level but I would still be heavier. So why did I get banded in the first place??? My hunger sensor is not tuned into reality. A chipotle burrito, even a smaller version, should have filled a reasonable person to capacity. My first fill is on 10/27 . . . I scheduled it late because I wanted to give my stomach extra time to recover. Now I am bummed because it is a rather late appointment and the first fill is typically only marginally useful. Woe is me . . .

I think cravings depend on what you are used to eating over time. As I got further and further out from banding, the less my original cravings were a problem. Your cravings change if your diet changes to include primarily healthier items. After the first year, I now crave things I never craved before that are actually good for me. Stuff like pancakes and some sweets just don't taste the same and I really don't want them like I used to.

I have a very large three bedroom apartment directly underneath my babysitters apartment which will be ready Oct 15th with the first official month beginning Nov 1st. We didn't sign the lease but we did put a little money down to reserve it. If we back out now, we lose a little money but not enough to cry over. I wasn't going to leave myself hanging in the wind without another option ready and available.

Hello Everyone!!! I am back on a full diet again. I am eating thai peanut noodles for lunch. I had half a serving so about 250 calories . . . not healthy but not an insane number of calories. I am at 138 pounds today so that is not too bad either. Landlord Saga - Installment 2 ------------------------------- I had the building inspector and landlord in today. The house failed again primarily for electrical issues. The house has never passed once in the three years that I have lived there. While she was there, I had a voice recorder stuffed into my bra and took her around the house to discuss items that were issues before I moved in. She admitted to all of them being prior issues . . . some of which were more than 10 years old. She can't deduct for any of them out of my security deposit now because I have her taped admittance of their pre-existence. My lawyer also said it is legal to tape a conversation as long as one party is aware (me) and that I don't use them for blackmail purposes (would never do that but absolutely would bring them to small claims court to prove a point). After the inspector left, she wanted to discuss the lease. Apparently, she never got my second lease termination notice which was sent cerified, return receipt last Thursday. She said it is because she is so short with a deep mailbox that she can't reach the bottom. She said sometimes her mail stays down there forever, lol. So, I told her in person that we are terminating at the end of October. She was really upset to say the least. She asked why we made that decision and I told her that one of the biggest deciding factors was when she mentioned that we would need to replace 30 year old cupboards in the kitchen. She said she doesn't remember saying that and that the cabinetry is beautiful so why would she say that. She also said that the paint started chipping 10 years ago but they still look to good to replace. Anyways, she said we have her in a really tough position. She said it would be impossible to find new renters in one month, especially because it is a large 3 bedroom house and school has already started for people with children. She said that she wanted 3 months notice per the lease (the lease says in a holdover lease either party can terminate with 30 days notice) but she did put a handwritten comment on the last page that she wants 3 months notice prior to lease termination. She said is there anything at all she can possibly do to keep us in as tenants. She really doesn't want us to go. So now I feel bad for her (I think my heart is too soft). After all of that craziness, she needs us now, loves us as tenants and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep us. However, I feel like these kind feelings of hers are specifically related to her need for us to sign a new lease. So my question to you is . . . would it be worth considering negotiating a very favorable lease . . . or . . . should we just run away as quickly as we can??? Your thoughts???

Hello Michelle, I wouldn't stress too much about excess skin yet. You are still relatively early in the journey (I am assuming it was June of '09) and time and exercise absolutely does make a different . . . you just have to give it time. Staying well-hydrated and eating right also contribute to helping your body get back to where you want it to be. I had this same question mid-way along in my weight loss. Now that I am at goal, I have almost no excess skin except for a poochy belly and a little bit of sag to my butt and thighs . . . but not much and it is undetectable in clothing. My breasts didn't change too much either . . . I went from a 40D to a 36DD. I don't have a bikini body but I look pretty good in a one piece. You might just find that you are pretty pleased once you get closer to goal.

I don't really get the replies about them doing driveways for a living having anything to do with their likelihood to make fun of people. You can find mean-spirited people in any profession. Having worked in the medical field for years and years, even doctors and professionals (not all, only a select few) making fun of patients or other people. I think this has more to do with upbringing, environment and personality than profession. Never let people get you down . . . when you are back to your normal self and sporting your new body, you can always give people like this the cold shoulder. I am sure they are the same kind of people that would probably make comments about some pretty girl walking along.

Thank goodness that you are on insurance and can go to a doctor again. It still sounds like a slip to me. You may want to go in for a barium swallow and endoscopy as soon as possible. If your insurance doesn't cover band related items, then complain of extreme acid reflux for the diagnosis and it should be covered. When you get the tests done, make sure that they give you a cd copy of the test (ask before you get the test). At least this was you can get diagnosed.

One more thing, when I looked on Amazon for cell phones, I found some accessory packs for .01 but didn't see any actual phones . . . am I missing something? Is there a link I could use?

Yeahhh, Michelle's back. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I must admit, I am still jealous :0) Laura, You should put in an incident report as soon as you possibly can. I am sure they have cameras, but it is not to their benefit to provide the film showing your fall so it may not be easily obtained. Also, I am not sure how long they would keep a recording . . . is it a week, a month, a few days??? What caused the fall initially . . . was it wet or did you trip over something? Haydee, I am with you. Wedding is for glamour and not meant to be the same as every other day. I love the idea of straightening it and putting in big curls :0) Hello everyone else!!!

Well, I may not be the best person to answer this. I went from 188 the day of delivery and am currently 137 at less than four months out. This loss was due to a slipped band so it is kind of like cheating. I am beginning to struggle a bit with hunger now. I am not just hungry, I am HUNGRYYY . . . I had almost forgotten what that was like. I am trying sooo hard to be careful but I am beginning to battle the same demons as before banding now that my band is fixed albeit empty. I don't need to lose, but I sure as h*ll don't need to gain. Maintenance is the key for me and it is alllll too easy to go in the wrong direction right now. I am handling it by not limiting myself on quantities of vegetables/salad (not starchy items like potatoes and corn). I am staying away from sweets, starches, rice and breads as much as possible (although I have had an occasional sandwich because I missed them for so long). I need to get my butt moving with exercise, but just haven't gotten to it yet. I am ready, I have no excuses now . . . I just need to do it. It helps that we can motivate each other :0) I don't think anyone understands what we go through as much as our fellow bandsters.