SherryW

Hi BethM...I'm from Taunton. I just has surgery myself on the 18th...revision. I don't want surgery again myself either if I can avoid it. Hurting quite a bit but, thankful I still have my band :tongue_smilie:

Thanks music....just got home today from Thur surgery. They kept me an extra night because of the snow. Everything went really well and i do have new band in place. They said when they went in the band had slipped more than they thought. When they first went in it didn't look bad until they looked around then they could see it in the back. My stomach had prolaspsed up through the band and the band was slipped. My stomach looked fine though so they put a new one in, in a higher position. I'm so thankful for that! I'm pooped though so I need to go rest but, thank you everyone for your healing thoughts. I know they helped!

Hey everyone...I just got home. They kept me another day because of the weather. They didn't want to release me until i have a sip test and that didn't happen until 1pm and the snow was really bad here at that point so DH went home and they told me to stay. Its' probably best that I did stay because I tend to do more than I should when I'm home. I'm already complaining my house is a mess....no one kept on top of it even though I cleaned before I went in UGH. I'm going to have to live with it though....just too sore to do anything about it. I'm so excited they were able to put in a new band. DH told me they said the band had slipped more than it showed in the testing...amazing....maybe now they'll listen to someone when they complain something isn't right. I can't say enough about how well I was treated though. The intern...Dr. Lin....is really really nice. He just called me to make sure I made it home ok and asked about pain meds. John told him I get sick on the pain meds so I wasn't going to take them. Dr. Lin called me one tough cookie lol. Yea....I really don't complain much about pain...if I do it REALLY hurts! Anywho...I'm home...I'm pooped and I'm going to relax but, wanted to say THANK YOU for thinking of me and keeping that positive energy flowing my way. As soon as I'm up and running....for 2009 I'm ready to check in with exercise. I told Chris...our new saying is.....Looking Fine in 2009! We can do this! Betty...I didn't take your words as harsh at all. I reiterrate them....I know all too well....ONLY YOU know your body and need to take care of it! Know that way too well! WE all need a reality slap once in a while and I'm glad someone said it! Love ya girl! Chrispy thank you for letting folks know how I was doing. Pat...I had your number so asked DH to call you so you could tell the girls too. I'm glad he reached you :tongue_smilie: He likes your accent :tongue: ok time to go rest. Thanks again everyone!

Betty you are right...absolutely right and I'm praying I have another chance at this thing so I can do it much better. The first year I followed every rule and I lost the weight and it wasn't too hard. Sure things were tempting but, I did really well 95% of the time. So I'm praying for this new start and I'm going to do what we're suppose to do. If I lose my band...well.....DH and I already promised each other we're going to move it to lose it anyway...either way we have a plan. I want 2009 to be different that's one of the reasons I tried the fill the day before Thanksgiving. People thought I was nuts, not being able to eat turkey etc but, in my own mind I marked that day as just one meal in many meals for the rest of my life. No big deal I can have turkey another day it doesn't have to be Thanksgiving 2008 to have it. And it's also why I pushed to have the surgery now, before Christmas. Sure I have a new account coming in January that will need all my attention but, more importantly I didn't want to go a whole month with no fill with all the holiday goodies because...I can't trust myself not to eat too many. I certainly believe a few of those favorites are ok but, for me...as my favorite saying goes...ONE IS TOO MANY, TWELVE IS NOT ENOUGH so I can't take that one unless it's the LAST ONE available around me. I'm not healed head wise when it comes to food....there isn't a band around my brain so I need to start thinking the right way. So by having the surgery now, I start fresh again either way but, hopefully with the help of this lovely "tool". I'm excited about it an ready. I'm really mentally prepared to start anew...not so sure I'll hold it all together if the band doesn't go back in but, I'm certainly a very lucky gal in that I have a man here who loves me and wants to get healthy with me so that in itself will get me through it. I'm keeping positive thoughts rolling though that I'll wake up with a new band, in a new higher position so the pouch is once again the size it should be and the band is sitting straight like it should be. Work is starting a Biggest Loser Contest January 5th. I didn't sign up because I thought it was unfair for me to do that because I'll be on liquids for 3 weeks or so and then mushies etc. I'm going to do it but, not for the prize money and I want to support all my fellow co-workers that want to get healthier. I'm going to put together, while I'm home recouping, a bunch of websites they can use and food journal sites etc. So if any of you have some email them to me ok? The more information I can provide for them all the better. I'll take website links, names, stores you get your Protein supplies at, online support group info etc. PM it to me here or my home email for those of you who have it. If you need my home email just PM me I'll give it to you :shades_smile: Do you all want to do some kind of New Years 2009 Exercise goal or something together? Kind of like we did with Darcy back a few years? I'd be willing to keep the stats/hours posted for us if you want :confused: I'll even make us a separate thread to post exercise. I realize it's not easy...but maybe we can motivate each other? Who the hell loves to exercise lol but, there is no end what we can do together. We've stuck together this long right!!! So tell me what you think :sad_smile: My Dreadmill needs some miles on it along with the Assache-in-cycle and the Eliptical-(couldn't think of something good here haha) and the Wii fit is also out of shape and needs to kick my ars lol. Now.....wouldn't it be cool if we could find a Wii exercise came we could play online together? Hmmmmm now that's a thought. Ok so since I've been home (Around 2.5 hours ago) I've been nesting. Picking up the house, cleaning...isn't it amazing how men never think to put the boxes away from the stuff they just bought instead it sits there in the middle of the kitchen or livingroom floor until I MOVE IT? WTH? Now I need to pack a just-in-case I stay overnight bag. I had to run out and get a bathrobe that wasn't going to make me die from heat! Hospitals are so freaking warm and you can't walk around in those dang nighties they give ya without flashing someone so I had to get a lightweight bathrobe....need slippers, chapstick, fresh undies, sweatpants/shirt yadda yadda. Suppose I should go do that...I got so damn busy that I didn't eat supper and now I can't. Funny the pre-op visit didn't specify a light eating day today like they did when I got the band the first time they just said nothing by mouth after midnight. I pulled up my files from the orig. operation and found the "day before surgery" rules and followed those. I just feel better doing that. So I'm hungry, cranky, nervous and need to pack lol. Not a good combo lol. Hmm I need to take a shower and shave too hahaha Don't want to gross the docs out or give them wisker burns lmao. Gotta get up at 4am to get to the hospital by 6am as requested for a 7:30 surgery. okey dokey...thank you all for all your support...I love ya and I'll check back in when i can :thumbup:. HUGS

Diane....is your band too tight? It worries me that you can't get more than a few bites down. BELIEVE ME you don't want to live like that. If you can't eat good healthy food...and only junk will stay down...GIRL I know that all too well and look what i have to go do now. How much do you have in your band? How long have you had this problem? yes...call me a worry wart but, I learned the hard way and I don't want any of my friends to have to do the same.

Umm Pat do you add anything to that can of chili? hee hee. Hey if it's what you like, it's what you like no harm in that. Lots of folks like the chili at Wendy's but, I'd prefer my own. I don't like it really spicey so I can control that when I make it myself. I use the recipe on the McCormick packet and it comes out nice. I add a jar or mild salsa too. Ok really weird nothing in my band....and I'm choking on a cookie. I swear this thing is flipflopping around in there. So frustrating!

Hmm Good morning folks. Where is everyone? I hope you're all enjoying Christmas shopping or something. I can't say I enjoy Christmas shopping...it would be GREAT if I didn't have to have money to do it lol. There is so much I'd love to get folks but, eh gotta keep a budget. Things are tough for everyone. My friends and I agreed to not buy for each other to help each other out instead we got together for a nice dinner and we each made a piece of it. Easy, simple and lots of fun getting together. I just have a few gift cards to get my nephews because they get so much at Christmas I never know what to get them so they can pick something out themselves. I have a red velvet cake in the oven right now. Made if from scratch too. Never made one before so we'll see how this works out. Making it for my friends birthday, she doesn't know we're coming over with it....her DH does though :tongue2: I called him yesterday to work it out. I baked chocolate chip cookies yesterday but, I need to finish baking off the rest of the dough. 34 degrees out and DH is out on the motorcycle. NUTS! No way was I going long johns or not lol Too cold burrrrrrr. What is everyone up to today?

We haven't gotten together again since Dez had her baby or since we had the first meeting. It seems everyone was too busy or something. I tried to get a group together but it never came to pass. I'm still open to hosting if we can get a group together but, we'll have to wait now until I heal up. I can honestly say even with what I've been going through I'd do it all over again...but speak up faster and demand testing so I wouldn't waste a year to 1.5 years with no weightloss. It's a great "tool" to help the weightloss journey...just remember it's just a tool. We still need to do the work, including myself. I need to get my butt moving more and I know that whether or not I wake up with another band...it just has to happen. Move to lose.

Oh I wanted to add too......I've never heard of the band just coming apart inside someone. It doesn't slip just because someone ate too much either...happens for all kinds of reasons and you may or may not realize why. I for one don't know why my band slipped. My husband thinks he remembers me getting sick, 24 hour bug, throwing up really hard but honestly I can't remember. I was in an auto accident this past May and that could have done it or the stress...lots of stress makes you tense and that could have done it. Don't really know...it's not a bad slip but bad enough to give me reflux every night to the point of me feeling like I"m drowning. We did an upper GI and found it then. They have to cut the band I have now out and place a new one higher up. I asked why they can't just move this one back into place and Dr. Jones said they don't do that they replace it. Dr. Lin (intern) said all the literature from the lapband maker says it should be replaced not moved or repositioned so thats what they do. If you're nervous about it becoming loose or unbuckled you should ask at the information session or when you meet with the doc. They'll help you will all your questions too

Hello Music, I'll try to help with the questions if I can.... I've had my band since 2/13/06 done at BIDMC with Dr. Jones. No known dangers when the band is in for more than 5 years that I"m aware of. Older bands had some issues but, not all of them for all patients. I know a few people who's bands have been in since 2003=2004 and they are doing just fine. Can't say I know what you're talking about when you say mini gastric bypass. I only know of the full bypass and the gastric sleeve other than lapband. I chose lapband because I didn't want to "cut" any organs...just seemed to drastic to me and I like the idea that if something should happen and this has to come out my organs are all the same as they were prior to surgery. Just a personal choice really. I also didn't like the fact of purposely malnutrioning my body because that is what the bypass does...I liked knowing I could still have some of the things I liked occassionally without "dumping" too. The band kept me from over doing any meal because whether eating the good or bad stuff you can over do it but the pouch above the band only allows so much or you'll PB or get that nice golfball in the chest. Many other reasons but, personal really....everyone has their reasons for whatever surgery they choose All I can say is do your research and do it well before having any surgery. So many folks come in here having had the surgery with no clue on what they just did to themselves and their body, the bandster rules of eating, etc. Pretty scarey stuff. There is plenty of information here but, ALWAYS go with the information provided by your physician and/or bariatric group. BIDMC offers alot of information online and at the center. The nutrionists are also so very very helpful. Good luck!

Hi Pat, Lindora is an online diet type program but, you can also get weekly coaching sessions too. You use the program to log in your food, water, exercise, they have daily emails for encouragement and helpful hints, weekly call from your nurse coach, there are forums to chat and medical forums to ask questions and if you want you can order protein based products from them to put in your program etc. Apparently a woman from this program was at a seminar that my surgeon and his nurse were at and the nurse got to talking with her. So she asked the nurse to recommend 10 lapband patients for the program and they'd get the program and coaching free for 10 weeks. So she offered me a spot and I accepted. Lindora wants feedback on how the program works for lapband patients. I"m sure so they can market it to lapband folks but, I think it's cool. At least I can start it right after my surgery and see how it goes from there. I told Chrispy about it so she contacted our surgeons nurse and the nurse called her back and recommended her for it too. Chris was also accepted into the 10 week program. We're excited to be able to do this together too. She's been struggling with her weight too and thinks this will help her kick back into doing what she's suppose to do too. Hopefully we'll both like the program and work it so we can get the weight moving in the right direction again. I'm excited about starting! I know alot of the products they sell I've had on previous protein based diets and liked them so that will be a big help. I also signed back up as a Herbalife distributor so I could get DH moving in the right direction too. If anyone is interested in that product you can have my discount on it. I'm not doing it as a business...no desire to do that! I'm busy enough as it is...I did it to get the discount. I lost quite a bit of weight on Herbalife before...then got pregnant with my son lol. It's a protein drink based program with herbal vitamins etc. I'll probably be drinking those shakes right after surgery. Colored my first page Pat it was relaxing lol. Tonight I think I might hit a crossword puzzle hee hee. Tomorrow...the baking begins. I have a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough ready to go and I want to make a Red Velvet cake for my friends birthday. Then I might try some sugar cookies with orange zest in them. Ever have those? OMG.....thank goodness I'm getting this band fixed! This time of year totally scares me! I have to bake though.....got neighbors I give tins/trays to for Christmas. DH is going for a freezing motorcycle ride so I'll keep busy between baking and laundry lol. Hope you're all doing well. Everyone must be Christmas shopping today with no posts in here. I still have so much more of that to do but, I don't wanna UGH.

You're welcome. I think many of us have DREAMS of where we will be when we hit the 1 year mark but......when it comes down to it at least we took the steps to help ourselves and we need to remember that. It took us a long time to put it all on so it takes longer to come off. I really think we all forget that because it comes off easy at first for most. Me...I never dreamed I'd be in this predicament right now nor did I EVER think I'd put 30 back on after working so hard to take it off UGH. I'll get there though...after this revision. It's nice to have a fresh start and I plan on doing better for myself this time around Including getting my gym downstairs all set up and ready after I heal up from the surgery :biggrin:

luv2teech7 - congrats on your bandiversary Breanne - congrats on the start of your banded journey :biggrin:

Seems the more I look around and read the more people I hear who have had a slip and revision surgery. I don't know which band he'll use to replace it. I had a hard enough time finding out what band I had in the first place lol. I have a 4cc band right now that has nothing in it. Surgery is coming up quick and I wasn't given any instructions other than don't eat after midnight the night before. The first time around I was give a special diet for the 3 days before surgery...no clue why it's not the same for this time around except maybe because I'm 50 pounds lighter? Anyone else given a special diet before their revision surgery?

Congrats Michaela! Keep up the good work! Kat - Thanks for the addresses. I'm making no promises though lol. I'll try my best to get them in the mail. Pat......girl....You DID put a smile on my face today :wink: I laughed and my husband got a kick out of it too and then I had that great feeling that you get when you have good friends. Thanks so much for thinking of me, You have no idea how much that means to me. You bet I'll be having fun with my new crayons! I think I need to ease my nerves and crafts are too much right now so this is the next best thing for me! **still smilin'** Week from today I'm going under the knife again. Dang it's scarey no matter how simple the procedure is huh? Did I tell you folks about the Lindora company?

Thanks Tiny.....they can't reposition the same band. My doc said he has to take it out and he'll try to replace it with a new one in a higher position but, there is a chance I will wake up with no band at all. All depends on what he sees when he goes in there. Hopefully he can give me a new one...I keep praying he can...I really appreciate my band and want to keep it.

HAHAHA Pat you crack me up. I used real garlic and my garlic press and yea it's a big pot with a cover lol. I just fried the ground beef in a big frying pan with the other stuff and dumped it in my crockpot lol

Pre-op done....blood pressure is up...gee wonder why...wouldn't have anything to do with the stress of all this and the 30 I put back on would it? UGH. Anyway they said they wouldn't stop the surgery because of that but, I should have my PCP take a peek. Well I won't have an appointment with her before surgery it takes freaking months to see her unless you're deathly ill. I have my tree up but, no decorations...hmmm sounds like dey-ja-vou (spelling?) of last year lol. Do I hafta put it up? Just not in the mood even with the snow we had yesterday. I think I'm a scrooge this year....nah just too much going on with this band of mine. We don't see DH's family until after the holiday because of the surgery so might have to do some shopping after Christmas and catch the sales to save money. I did that last year and got the gals all gifts already ...just have the guys left on his side. burrrr it's cold here...was 14 degrees and windy. OMG the coldness with all the wind between the buildings going to have the tests done burrrrr. Betty which soup did ya make the Lasagna or taco? Pat...which ingredients didn't you know? I didn't know about the Petite chopped toms until I went to the store lol. Saw the can and the light bulb lit up lol well just go back from Boston for those tests. It was booked for 1 and we were stuck there for 3 hours because the computers went down. Tired now......gotta finish laundry and figure out something for supper UGH. Love yas

Hello everyone, I'm sorry I haven't set up a date for a support meeting. I've been going through heck with my band...reflux issues. Had a slight unfill in August...tried a fill the day before Thanksgiving and it was a no go. An Upper GI showed a slight slip/prolasps that needs revision surgery. I'm headed for revision surgery on 12/18/08. I hope we can get together for a meeting in Jan or Feb I'll keep you folks posted if you're interested. The meeting will be at my place in Taunton, MA.

Hey folks...I'm sorry I haven't put together a date for a support group get together. I've been going through heck with reflux. Went for a slight unfill in August...then tried a fill again the day before Thanksgiving but, it was a no go and finally an Upper GI was ordered. It showed a slight slip/prolasps. My pouch is bigger than before too so revision surgery is set for 12/18/08 for me. Hopefully I can get our support group going again in Jan/Feb if you're interested. It will be held at my place in Taunton,MA

Yesterday I made this in the crockpot.....the guys really liked it. I put my spin on it in Red. I used the crockpot. Tastes Like Lasagna Soup 1 pound ground chuck 1 onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon thyme 1 tablespoon firmly packed brown sugar 1 (32-ounce) box chicken broth 2 (14.5-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (I didn't have this so I used 1/2 tsp each of oregano, parlsey, garlic powder and cilantro) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups broken lasagna noodles (I used 2 cups of egg noodles instead) 1 (5-ounce) package grated Parmesan cheese (I used the Kraft one from the bottle and just poured about 1/4 cup in) 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Garlic Crostini, recipe follows (I didn't make this, we just had regular Italian bread and dipped it) Garlic Crostini: 1 thin French baguette 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 cloves smashed garlic Salt and freshly ground black pepper In a large Dutch oven, combine ground chuck, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beef is browned and crumbles. Drain well. (Then I added it to my crockpot with the other incredients except the noodles) Stir in thyme, brown sugar, broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, (parm cheese if using crockpot) and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add noodles, (if using crockpot add 1 hour before eating) and simmer until noodles are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Preheat broiler. Ladle soup into 8 to 10 ovenproof bowls. Evenly sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Broil soups, 6-inches from heat, 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese is browned and bubbly. Add a garlic crostini slice on top. Serve immediately. For the garlic crostini: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut bread into 1/4-inch round slices. Place on baking sheet and brush each slice with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper; place in oven and bake until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Rub each side with smashed garlic cloves. Something else I did to my bowl but, the guys didn't want it, before putting it under the broiler to melt the mozzarella cheese I put a dollop of low fat ricotta cheese in the middle of my soup then put the mozzarella on top and broiled. NOW THAT'S LASAGANA IN A BOWL haha. It was really good but, I like ricotta :sad_smile:

Back to report the soup was yummy and filling. If anyone would like the recipe I'll gladly type it out for you here and email it to you if you want.

My tree isn't up. No lights going up outside this year. I completed one person on my list for Christmas today. Not baking because too close to surgery and baking earlier would be yucky. Today I trying a new recipe in my crock-pot for soup that's called Taste Like Lasagna Soup. It's a Paula Dean recipe I saw on TV the other day but, I put mine in the crockpot/slow cooker instead. Smells heavenly right now anyway, I'll let ya know how it tastes. It has petite dice tomatoes, tomato sauce, very lean hamburger, onion, green pepper, chicken broth, italian spices and garlic. Then when it's done you put it in crocks, put mozzarella cheese on top and bake it for a bit to melt the cheese. Well I know I'll like the cheese anyway lol. Ok this may sound silly...but does anyone ever get the urge to color? Like in a coloring book? I've had that stinkin in my head...probably to relax me or something. I bought crayons but, do you think I could find a coloring book? WTF don't they make them? Why make crayons if no coloring books? DH has the urge to do some scrollsaw work too so we'll be making Christmas ornaments for the family. He cuts them and I paint them. Hmmm maybe I'll color them with crayons HAHAHAHA

I really can't say enough about how supportive you all have been. It means so much, it really does. You're right Darcy...I am VERY lucky my DH is not only supportive but, very attentive when it comes to something so important to me. When I realized I could lost my band prior to seeing the doc on Wed...while the tears flowed in the waiting room he kept telling me, honey no matter what we'll get through this and be successful. We can do this. So it's never him putting it mainly on me but, always a suggestion of us being a team. My appointments are in Boston...that is 40 min no traffic away from our house but, with traffic (usually pretty heavy) it can take us anywhere from 1 hour 15 min to almost 2 hours and you know...he's drove me in every single time. In the three years of having this band, EVERY time, every visit, every test he's been there. Being an IT guy he's able to schedule his client appts around my doc appts and does it happily. I'm still in awe of that to this day because....my first husband was never this supportive ever! So I truly am blessed. Again that's what I keep telling myself regardless of he outcome of all this. I'm still a lucky gal. Not sure if I told anyone but, about a month ago my husband was keying way on his laptop and you could see the gears turning in his head..I asked him what he was up to and he said he was writing a book. No fixed title yet but, "My wife and Bariatrics" is close. He wants to tell others how they can be "part of the team" in helping their spouse succeed with Lapband or other WLS by being there. He said even if it's not a complete book but, maybe a small handout that could be given to spouses, he wants to do it so others will have a support system too. :thumbup: Yea....I am a lucky gal. I'm fortunate to have Reiki students too and I've used myself as a lesson for them. I always tell them I'm here for them no matter what, questions, concerns or help needed yet it's always hard to ask for those things yourself. So I told them about my story and realization in the waiting room when I saw the man in the wheelchair and here I was crying over a band - a none life threatening thing - yet he had an arm cast, leg cast and through is speech you could tell he mentally was slower yet probably from an accident....and just across the way the Dana Farber Institute where people were having cancer treatment....it all came in perspective and I thanked my guides for teaching me the lesson and so I taught my students the same just this week. Told them my story about the Lapband...many didn't know....told them what I've been going through for the past 1-1.5 years and asked them to send me healing energy and ask for my highest and best good with all this. They're sending it gladly...probably why I'm feeling pretty good considering TOM is around the corner lol. Anyway....for those who know what I mean by the energy...and for those who aren't sure...it's like having 20+ people praying for you all at once. It's really something else I was reading back on some of my old posts so I could try to explain to the docs how long I"ve had these isses and follow my fills and unfills and I can clearly see how long it's been since I've been truly myself. I can see the difference in my words and joking around. I'm hoping after this surgery and things get "fixed" one way or the other I can bring back that sense of humor :thumbup: OK enough of the serious stuff....I don't want to drag the thread down. I've got almost another 2 weeks before surgery so.....let me start trouble hee hee..... Who has their tree up? (Pat your's is very pretty and I bet looks wonderful with the new skirt) Who is decorating outside this year? Who is DONE Christmas shopping and who hasn't really started? me! lol Any special holiday parties? Who wants to say BAHHHHHH HUMBUG? hee hee Anyone want to do a gift exchange? I've seen that a few times on the threads and participated in them...they're kinda fun hee hee. Ok enough trouble rom me :cool:

Diane....you're such a sweetheart. Thank you :whatchutalkingabout Thank you everyone for being there for me. This is really rough, I have to say. I've been on the verge of tears alot...doesn't help that TOM is around the corner and I still haven't caught up on all the sleep I lost the past week. I did sleep well with no reflux last night so that was nice. Today though.....a few times....some pretty sharp pains in my chest with one this morning that actually took my breath away. No clue what it was...DH seems to think it was the stress from the day before and because I actually laid down to sleep the first time in a week. Apparently I was snoring...haha gee wonder why? Anyway.....it was nice to be busy at work. Less time to think. I just keep trying to stay positive and believe when I wake up from the surgery I'll have a band in place. hey....it was nice not having to try to find the December thread this month. I think I'll set us up or anyone who does do it should do the same thing again. We really don't use as many thread pages as we used to so no sense in making starting one for each month..don't you think? You know...I haven't even started Christmas shopping other than for my son and cripe he knows everything he's getting. At 18 I'd rather he got what he wants.....he wants video games and works for a video game store with an employee discount. Mama shouldn't have to pay full price lol so he bought them and I paid him back lol. Of course he got a kick out of telling his friends at the store he was buying his own gifts lol. Turkey! Like he said it would be stupid to not get the 25% off besides he can get more if he pays less lol. DH already got his gift from me too....considering we weren't buying for each other we've spent quite a bit lol. Every year we go through this. He's downstairs now playing video games on his new Video game Chair (speakers near his head, tilt seat yadda yadda on our new 32'' HD TV we put in the exercise room. You know....so MAYBE I'll use the treadmill AND be able to see and hear the TV lol. (WE only had a 18 or 20'' down there before). My thoughts.....get the video games downstairs on the carpeted concrete floor so when I'm playing my Wii Fit on the jogging program the fish tank isn't making title waves hahaha. Now that it's down there I can play with it more...umm...if I get my ars down there that is. Treadmill, Eliptical and Stationary bike...pilates ball, weights, Wii Fit and roller wheel ....YOU'D THINK I'd be a size 10 by now. Sure collects dust great though! So I'm trying to psych myself up to get my butt moving again. Sittin here typing won't help huh? Hmmm wonder if I can connect my laptop to the dreadmill? hahahaha