gadgetlady

Um, because you won't give examples? That's really how one determines what is true and what is false: by comparing claims using factual information, not the opinions and unverified statements of a random person on a public board.

I don't speak Hebrew and therefore will likely never be privvy to the original text, so I have to depend on translations if I want to read the Bible. I don't have a choice; the only choice I have is which translation to rely upon (and if one studies the different options, there are just a few that rise to the top for accuracy), I've studied several different translations and often use supplemental sources to go back to the original untranslated words if I'm confused. If you can't cite any examples of grossly mistranslated text, how can anyone look at what you're claiming and agree? How should one study the Bible if one does not speak Hebrew or Greek? Or are you saying it's only a text for people who speak those languages?

gadgetlady and mr.gadgetlady have been very busy these days. Starting October 1st, my dh will be part of an international team rowing a gondola from Albany (NY) to Ground Zero. This is a tribute row in honor of the fallen heroes of 9-11. On October 8th, we will be participating in the Columbus Day Parade, towing our gondola in the parade down 5th Avenue in Manhattan. If anyone's interested in the project, visit GONDOLA BLOG for more information.

mbanja, try Band2gether.net (b2g) Lap-band Support Forums - Powered by vBulletin. It's a "kinder, friendlier" version of LBT. It was started by a former LBT member who was banned for being part of some pretty nasty goings-on -- IMO, she was attacked and defended herself. B2G is a much more supportive place to hang out. surfbored, I'm glad you were able to take communion and didn't, ya know, PB or DIE. My guess was that you would be fine, being a former Catholic myself and knowing the consistency of the host. Of course, I'm remembering that you did ask Catholics the question and I'm not sure everyone who responded in the negative was Catholic and knew about how Catholic communion dissolves. Blessings to you on your band journey!

surfbored, what did you choose to do about communion? I'm curious to see if you had a problem with it if you decided to take it.

Well then it's a good thing we all have guns :-)

Wow! Have we actually reached a consensus on LBT?

I hope you don't take this wrong. The best admonition I could come up with is from the Bible, in 1 Cor 15:33: Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." It is rare, in a relationship, for the "good" person to pull the person with the corrupting influence up to their level. More often, the good person gets pulled down.

The other night at about 2am we heard helicopters over our house, sirens, looked out the window and saw search lights, and heard the police on a speaker telling someone to get down on his hands and knees. With 2 sleeping children in the house and a lot of sliding glass windows opening to our backyard, I was thankful to have guns in the house -- just in case the guy broke free and decided to use our house as a refuge. As many people as there are that don't feel safe being around guns, I told my dh that I wouldn't feel safe in a house without guns. When the riots broke out in Los Angeles back in the early '90's, all of my unarmed friends showed up at my house because they knew they'd be safe® or at least have a fighting chance. I abhor violence but I would never want to be without the ability to protect myself and my family. I also believe strongly in firearm education. But in my book, gun control is being able to hit your target.

No problem. If parents want to kill their kids, it's their right. They own them anyway. I'm sure my 7yo and 10yo will be glad to hear this.

I know this has been talked about before and nixed, but I've set up a group cruise for personal friends and family and thought it'd be neat to invite bandsters as well. It's an incredible deal. Here are the details: December 3 - 7 Monarch of the Seas (RCCL) Los Angeles - San Diego - Catalina - Ensenada - Los Angeles I have 3 cabin categories available: I (deck 8, partially obstructed view): $470.94 PER COUPLE F2: (deck 4, ocean view): $530.94 PER COUPLE F3: (deck 5 or 7, ocean view): $550.94 PER COUPLE These rates INCLUDE ALL TAXES AND PORT FEES and are for BOTH PEOPLE in the cabin. In addition, you will also receive a $50 CABIN CREDIT! I have 7 staterooms available right now (I might be able to add more). The deposit is only $200 and the final is due September 24th. If you're interested, PM me. Don't miss out. I don't have time to take this cruise but I couldn't pass up such a steal of a deal!

I am, indeed, a travel agent. I specialize in cruises and resort vacation, so I can definitely help you. Alaska is a wonderful trip! I'll PM you with my contact info so we can connect :-)

:confused: Haven't we had the discussion about the poor choice of wording in this poll already? I haven't sacrificed my beliefs at all. I believe categories 1 and 3 in this poll represent those who are pro-life.

Yeah, the opinions of 39% of the people don't really matter.

Good choice. I'm a big fan of being conservative :biggrin1:. I think everyone should be conservative :heh:.

My goodness. I am astounded that adults have such poor communication skills and so little regard for others' feelings that simple questions and posts degrade into this type of discussion. I feel like I should give some instructions -- like I do to my children -- on how and how NOT to phrase things to avoid riling people up. Just today, they fought over who got to drink out of the blue cup at lunch. It's probably best to not call someone else's information "wrong". It might be better to simply say you disagree and state your reasons in a polite manner. No one likes to be told they're "wrong", especially when they might not be. An "in my experience" phrase does a lot to temper statements. Also, a "please ask your doctor if you need clarification" is better than "This is right and I'm sure your doctor would agree" (especially because he might not!). surfbored, welcome to LBT, where tensions and tempers run so high that a simple question and a simple response can start a fight.

LOL! I don't have time to do this either, but I'm a major "deal hunter" and I couldn't pass this one up. Because we're in US waters for 3 out of the 4 days, I'll have my laptop and my cell and I'll be doing some work while vacationing. I am happy to hunt for deals like this and will keep everyone updated. If there's a particular cruise you're interested in, let me know. I specialize in cruises and resort vacations. And no, no discounts on food

I'm not Catholic but I take communion every Sunday. Our communion is a bit more sturdy than the Catholic "wafers" that dissolve so easily -- it's more like a cracker. I've never had a problem.

My swimming days have come to an end, at least temporarily. Thursday, I injured my rotator cuff swimming. My right arm, of all things, leaving me with difficulty doing everything because I'm right handed. I've been in a sling for 2 days. I don't know how I'm going to feel about going back into the pool once it's healed, because I certainly don't want this to happen again!

<sigh> I've been swimming for exercise for the past few weeks, and I've noticed as my endurance increases and I do more, my lungs / chest have been hurting when I breathe (after the exercise). It's a bronchial / airway thing and I've really had it all my life (again, after I have exercised in the past). I remember feeling it in my teens and 20's, but since I've never been an exercise guru or stuck with exercising for more than a few months at a time, I never paid much attention to it. I've been trying to figure out what it is and the only thing that I can find on the internet that seems to match is exercise-induced asthma. I'm not wheezing (yet), but I am taking short breaths because it hurts to take deep ones, and it reminds me of a very mild version of bronchitis (which I've had in the past, sometimes for months on end, but not recently). Any ideas? I really don't like to exercise but I'm trying as hard as I can to keep it up. This might just be a dealbreaker unless I can figure out how to solve it.

CONGRATULATIONS! The band will wait. Take care of yourself and your precious cargo.

I've been swimming now for 4 days and already I'm noticing a difference in my shape - arms and waist mostly. Of course, I had to go out and buy goggles and ear plugs because I was getting water in my ears, but other than that it's been smooth sailing!

I started swimming today with my new "tools": Swim-in-Place Aquacise Pool Tether for Low-Impact Aquatic Fitness and Training Exercise (we have a small pool that was built just for the kids so you can't really swim laps in it) and ZENASWIMWEAR Designs custom made Swimwear, Bikinis, Tankinis, Swimsuits, Bathing Suits for Full Figure, Large Figured, Plus Size, D cup, DD cup, Large Cup Swim Wear (WOW! I've never had a bathing suit that FIT ME PERFECTLY! It was expensive but well worth it; I don't feel like I'm hanging out all over when I swim -- even though it's only my family who sees me). I figured I take a shower every morning anyway; why not get wet first in the pool and then shower? As long as the pool heat kicks in before I wake up and the pool's up to about 85 or higher (I like it warm), I'm good to go :biggrin1: Looking forward to tomorrow's exercise.

I prefer the ACLJ - American Center for Law and Justice - ACLJ • American Center for Law & Justice instead of the ACLU.

Last night at about 3am I felt the worst pain I've ever felt in my life. It was worse than labor. It felt like intense cramps and started in my lower abdomen, dead center (so I knew it wasn't my appendix), and radiated occasionally straight up my centerline to about where my port is. It felt like cramps, a bit like extreme constipation, and it debilitated me. I couldn't move, I felt like I was going to vomit several times, I was pale and had chills and cold sweats, when I got into a position and the pain came on I couldn't move, it was just awful. It lasted about 2 hours and I've been achy and sore all day today. Anyway, I know gallstone pain usually happens much higher than this pain was (this was directly above my pelvic bone) so I don't know what it could have been. If I have another "attack" I'm going straight to the ER and/or going to see a doctor on Monday. I should have gone to the ER last night but I kept thinking it'd be over any minute. Anyone else ever had anything like this? Gallstones / gallbladder removal does run in my family.