serenity55

Hi all, I'm playing hooky today. Asked my office manager if I could take a day off because people were starting to get on my nerves. Switchboard work can be tiring, and I never realized that until I started working one. There are ten lines and we get several hundred calls a day. We've often had to count them. There are some that are really rewarding. People call for themselves or a relative or friend who's losing their sight, and lots of times they're crying because they feel like the world's coming to an end. I try to spend time with those people, because I can tell them that I've traveled alone, to England twice by myself, and to New York, and Georgia to perform with friends, not to mention Hawaii, San Francisco, St. Louis. When they hear those things it gives them hope, and that's what makes my job so enjoyable. They learn that they can live alone and be independent. They can have lives again. . Sometimes they'll even come in and ask for me, or they'll call back and do the same thing. It's the repetitious calls, people calling for their husbands and wives, kids calling for their parents, staff members calling to ask for extensions that they should look up themselves--that kind of shit that drives me nuts. I found myself telling someone to get a directory yesterday, so I knew it was time for mme to keep my butt at home. Sorry for the vent. I'm going to do some exercising this afternoon, weight resistance, and then go on the treadmill. That ought to help me get out some aggression! My roomy Ariane is making beans today. She loves to cook, and I'm happy to let her. When I lived alone I did it, and still do occasionally, but since she likes it more than I do :shrugh: Hope everybody is having a good day. Debbie

Tracy, congratulations from me too! I don't know what the difference is here, maybe it really is the support. On so many of these threads I find it hard to be really glad for people who lose weight. Probably just a tad envious. :wink2: But not here. I'm truly happy for you, and excited that you're back on track. I think it's going to help me as well. I don't have any candy in the house. We don't get any trick or treaters, which is a good thing, for me. . Thank you for telling us what you eat. I snack on almonds, eat lots of fruit and veggies, sometimes raw, and that really helped me, and I know it will again. I'll try to remember to just take it one day at a time. Today wasn't a terrible day, but it wasn't as good as I have been, but I'm going to try not to beat myself up about it. Whether you blog or not, Tracy, I'm going to follow your progress, but I hope you keep posting it here, and I'll bet everybody else does, too. Jenn, I hope you're having fun! Michelle, feel better. Suzie, I hope you're enjoying your cozy evening with hubby. Ashley, I look forward to the day when I can wear skinny jeans. I wear some with boots now, which I've always wanted to do. Thank you for sharing your life with us. And congratulations for being willing to work things out. Good for you! Kat, I'm so sorry you had to go through all that you did, but, like someone else said, I'm glad you found Rick. He sounds like a good man, and based on what I know of you, you deserve nothing less. Hey Angela and Plain Debbie !

Tracy, you keep riding that weight loss wave! I hope it continues! Thanks to you and kat for making me feel like it's not such a crime. I'm not as depressed today--well, I don't know if I really was yesterday, but it's funny how eating like that can make me feel like I must have gained a hundred pounds! I'm at work. This could get to be a habit. I can check this thread twice a day because of the computer in our back room. It's been a pretty uneventful day. I love reading everyone's posts! Hey Angela! You can start that other fire any time! Go girl! :thumbup: Suzie, glad you finally got rid of that nasty bug. It didn't want to leave, but you kicked it out! Hey Plain, what's goin' on?! Hey, Jenn, where ever you are! Hope you're not working too hard! Michelle, how're ya doin'?! Have a good day everybody. Debbie

I wish I could figure out how to do the multiple quotes the way y'all do! Thank you all for the kind words. I wrote that today in about an hour. It took me that long because I was writing between phone calls at work. Plain, if you're wiping away a tear, your cover is blown, you're just a big ol' teddy bear! :lol!: Tracie, good for you. Congratulations! Maybe some of your good behavior will rub off on me. I ate a bunch--and I do mean a bunch, of M&M's peanuts today. I feel like a freakin' failure--well, I know I am. The good news is that even though I feel like a piece of shit I still keep trying. Guess that's hope. Debbie

A nice bunch of women, one really cool guy. I would read, never write, though I longed to say hi. So I took a deep breath, and i started to post. Of all of the threads, this one welcomed me most. You opened your arms, and you opened your hearts; You widened the circle, drew me in from the start. I'm not the best bandster that you'll ever meet. You wouldn't look twice if we passed on the street; But I'm here and you listen. I feel I belong. Your support of each other, and me, make me strong. Ashley, Shar, Terri, Kat 8 17, Jenn, Michelle, Tracy, our thread starter Queen! Suziecat, Cindy, and Angela too, And then there is Plain--I would not forget you. Thank you all so much for the wonderful way You let newcomers know they are welcome to stay. There really aren't words with which I can express How fantastic you are--you all are the best! Debbie

Hi all, Just a quick pass through. Suzie, feel better. Angela, thank you for saying that I was appreciated. Michelle, I've often felt that people are not very nice, some just downright nasty, if not selfrighteous because they just sail through the process. That pisses me off, but I figure there's no point in making myself even more angry by getting in to an argument with them. I made that mistake once, and I'll never go there again Everybody stay warm, safe and dry. Debbie.

Hi all, Kat I think you're right; lots of people who have been banded and are doing well just don't come back to the site any more. I try occasionally to write something encouraging to people who are just starting the process because I knew how frustrated, then frightened I was. But I never feel like what I said was really appreciated. I always felt that people made connections with others, and I could never figure out what it was about me that kept them from really understanding how sincere I was and how much I wanted to help. OK, enough whining. Tracy, I hope you feel better soon. I will keep you in my thoughts. And whatever you may be going through, I hope you don't go through it alone. It's because of you that the rest of us have a home. :laugh:. Debbie

Kat, Rick and you are both in my prayers. Please let us know as soon as you hear anything. Let's hope it is a careless employee and no cell phone service. We are all with you and sending you huge hugs. I know we'd all be sitting with you if we could, so just know we're there. I played for the 100th anniversary of my sister's church this afternoon. I made healthy choices as far as lunch went, and I didn't have dessert. Suzie, congratulations on the 5K. Tracy, kudos to you for not having what you normally would at DQ. I think you should consider that a milestone; we all know how easy it is to just break those habits! Michelle, I'm sorry you're still feeling icky, and your poor DD. Jenn, were you beating yourself up again about those pounds? If it wasn't you, I'm sorry, but if it was, just look at what you've accomplished. You'll do it when your life is your own again :hug:. Hey Angela, Cindy, Plain, Ashley, Shar, and Terri. I'm going to go. I've been up since 5:30--had to get my hair done so I'd look good for the church celebration, went to my sister's, and got home at around 4. I'm tired. Kat, I will keep your mom in my thoughts as well. Maybe seeing the surgeon will give her the hope she needs to keep going. I'll pray that's so. Debbie.

Hi everybody, Suzie, you can always ask me anything--you all can, and it's perfectly OK. I do have a mouse but I don't use it. I have certain key commands, one of them is enter, which is just like clicking on something, so that lets me get to whatever I want. Does that make sense? If not, let me know. Ashley, it's my turn to tell you a little about myself. My name is Debbie. I live in southern California with a friend I've known since we were kids. I'm totally blind and work at an organization for the blind and visually impaired. I'm the switchboard operator. I'm also a pianist and have recorded one original CD and a few others, a couple solo and some with singers. I volunteer twice a month at the hospital where I got my band. I'm still trying to figure out facebook, y'all. I spent my whole--well almost whole--lunch hour at the computer in the back room of my department. Either there's a lot going on, or I'm really stupid! My money's on the second one. Hahaha!! Everybody have a good night! Debbie

Hi folks! thank you all for the Pm's. I can't wait to figure out everything so I can start chatting, but it might take me a while. I'm going to go there tonight and try to see what I can do. There's just so much information for me to sort through but my friend Marissa explained things to me, so I'm going to give it a shot. She told me she'd posted a before picture too, so I'm not sure where it is, but I'll ask her, because I want y'all to see what an oinker I was. You think I'm fat now?! Michelle, that's gross about all those flies! I hate insects of any kind. When I lived alone years ago I had infestations of ants. I hated that. They were coming in the kitchen and there's nothing so disgusting as feeling zillions of those suckers crawling all over your hands! YUCK!! One morning at camp, when I was a kid, I found a caterpillar in my tennis shoe! I'll never forget how disgusting that felt. Of course it scared me, so I took it out and was going to throw it down--I was on the top bunk in a cabin. I remember one of the adults saying, "Oh, don't hurt it!" I thought, Screw that! It's me or this creepy thing! Kat, your description of the leaves and the v wedge of geese sounds absolutely beautiful. This is why I love reading about different parts of the country--and the world. Jenn, I hope it's really cold so when you're snuggling tomorrow night, it'll be extra cozy! Ashley, I'm a relative newcomer to this group, but you really won't find a more supportive bunch of people, even Plain! hahahahaha!!! Welcome, and I look forward to getting to know you. I love you all! Stay warm, and be safe. :ggrouphug: Deb

Well, I checked my control pannel and it says I haven't created any albums, so I'm not sure where my pictures are, but Marissa assured me they're there. :cursing: Debbie

My friend also set me up on face book, but it's going to take me some time to figure things out. Right now it's pretty confusing, but I'm hoping to get the hang of it. Deb

Hi! My friend Marissa uploaded my before and after pictures for me. She started an album, so I guess you can click on my profile--I'm sure you all know how, and you can see me. I'm so happy--I've been wanting this since forever! Don't worry, y'all, no more walking on the roof, though I have been tempted. I didn't go on the treadmill tonight because I got home a little later than I'd hoped. thanks everyone, Ariane is doing better. I don't think she's going to get the Motrin, I think she's just going to stick to the Advil. She could probably take three of those and get the same effect? But she says her pain is much better and the swelling has gone down quite a lot, so she's just going to stay off her feet as much as she can. It's raining off and on here, and I like it. See you all tomorrow! Debbie

Cindy, I have a friend whose mother had Alzheimer's, and my heart goes out to you. We ride home together once a week and it was really hard for her; she had to put her mom in a nursing home. For awhile she was asking when she could go home, and then one night my friend walked in and her mom didn't recognize her. She asked who she was. I too hope that your dad finds an alternative to the $4,000. It's sad that we have to spend so much for something that's so necessary. Michelle, I hope you feel better. Chili sounds good, though. BTW, I did go up on the roof once, just to prove I could. There's a railing around so I can't jump! LOL!! Tracy, I'll send out positive thoughts that everything goes well at Christmas. I know it's still a ways off, but it can't hurt to start early, right? :smile: Suzie, you're a whirlwind! You walk for miles, come home and do housework--after going to work. Well, I went on the treadmill tonight when I got home, so I'm kinda proud of myself, too. Plain, I hope that just because you're on face book, it doesn't mean we'll see less of you! You're fun to have around, so don't forget where you live! And I'm going to be watching you, too! Angela, for someone who was in Margaritaville you wrote pretty dang well! Hahaha!! Thanks everybody for the good wishes for Ariane. The doctor prescribed 600 milligrams of Motrin, but she's taking Advil, and icing it. He gave her some kind of splint, but it isn't very comfortable. Right now she's reading--actually I think she's asleep, poor thing. Everybody be good! Debbie

Hey everybody! I enjoyed reading all your posts. Jenn, I don't know the whole story, but I'm truly sorry anyone could treat you badly; based on what I know so far, you're a terrific woman, and don't deserve that. I hope you will find someone who will give you all the joy you deserve. Suzie, the prayer walk sounds great. I love reading about all of you who have changing seasons, and beautiful trails to walk on. Kat, I think just the fact that you went to help your dad says a lot. You say you don't know how to help, but you are. (Just my opinion.) :smile: Michelle, we love you too! Tracy, keep up the good work! Sounds like you're on the right track! Plain, I know you're watching. Come out, come out, where ever you are! It was a nice cool day here with a little rain, and we're supposed to get more. I went to play at the hospital today, and my friend Ariane went with me. We take public transportation, basically it's curb to curb, from our door to our destination. When she was going down the stairs outside our complex, Ariane fell, so we spent the first hour in the emergency room. She's OK, just a sprained ankle. But that means I'll have to go on the treadmill this week because she's my walking partner. I don't like to go up on the track alone; it's on the roof of the place where I work and kind of creepy--you know, like Plain! :thumbup: That's probably why it is like that; he's watching me, aren't you? Fess up! But it's supposed to rain all week anyway, so we probably wouldn't be able to go even if she was all right. Gotta go. Time to get ready for work tomorrow. Talk to y'all later! Debbie PS. Hi, Angela, Shar, and Terri!

Hi! Did y'all see that?! Plain's gonna come up here and slap me! Do it! It made me laugh! And I heard that burp after all that beer too, buddy! Remember blind women slap back! LOL! Not much happening here this weekend. I went shopping today, groceries. Came home, had lunch, and helped my roommate straighten out the garage. We had termite inspection and you have to move crap so they can spend thirty seconds telling you there aren't any, or they're in places where stuff didn't have to be moved. Grrrr!! I went on the treadmill, and read a little. Tomorrow I'm going to play at the hospital. Everybody take care of yourselves! Debbie

Boy! you've all given me lots to think about! Another friend at work who wanted to have the bypass--did I mention her here? Anyway, she started thinking about getting the lap band but called me and one of the reasons she gave for changing her mind was someone told her that after ten years the band has to be removed. Someone in my department wants to have a bypass because she thinks it will help her to stop eating sweets. I'm not sure who said it, but I can so relate to the fact that it's not my band, it's my mouth that opens to eat sweets. I have 5.75 CC's in my 10CC band, and I feel full on less. If I snack, I try, not always successfully, to have fruit, a few nuts, or just good ol' water. It makes me sad to think that the band might become a thing of the past. I would not have had weight loss surgery if it (the band) hadn't been a choice, and for all the reasons that y'all have talked about--it's irreversible and less risky being just a couple of the important ones. Tracy, congratulations on the 7 pounds. You are truly our inspiration! My surgeon also has support meetings which he sponsors, focusing on nutrition and emotional health. While I have made a couple of friends there, it feels like I can get just as much, if not more support from all of you, and for that I'm truly grateful. Debbie

I did miss two people! Terri and NeenorNina, how are you?

Thanks ladies, for your support and for making me feel like it's all right to vent. Suzie, I hope you and Daryl --hope I spelled it right--get badges. You certainly deserve them after three years! Angela, I love the suggestions you gave Kat. guess that makes me a big kid! :grouphug: Tracy congratulations on your seventh day! I feel like my eating wasn't so much out of control today. I made good meal choices, but I had a peanut butter cookie! And thank you for what you said about talent. :smile: Plain, where are you? Michelle, hope you're all right. Kat, I always love reading your posts. I can picture everything. Sorry you had to rewash the sheets! Jenn, hope you're resting! Shar, hope you're not working too hard! If I missed anybody, slap me! LOL! buenos Noches! Debbie!

Hi. All of you who have done so well, and I believe that's just about everybody but me, should be really proud of yourselves. You've lost tremendous amounts of weight, based on what I've read, and only started regaining after you'd lost so much. The reason I say you can all be proud of yourselves is because you worked hard and can do so again. And will. But I understand the struggle with food. That's my problem. I didn't want to have a bypass because it felt too risky for me, but I love sweets, and I've heard that people who get the band have less success because of that. That's me. I do great for a while, but cookies always call to me. I read about bandsters who've lost weight in a year, and I'd hoped that would be me, but I know I'm just kidding myself. Yes, I walk every day. Yes, I eat much less than I used to. I even have restriction, and it hurts if I eat too fast, but I've never slimed, or had a PB, so I guess I'm lucky there. But I know there are reasons why I just can't let go of sweets. I eat less of them, too, but I still eat more than I should. I tried OA, and was off sugar for two years--and by sugar, I mean dessert type stuff. I ate sugar free things, but I still over ate. Then I went the other way, and the rest, as they say, is history. I regained the weight I'd lost and then some. I know it's emotional. I've pretty much given up on having a relationship, but that doesn't mean that the desire doesn't rear its ugly head sometimes. I feel like I should be doing more, playing more, publishing my poetry, making more money, yet I don't have the confidence. I feel better about my body, but I'm still not good enough. Tracy, that $100 sure did come in handy! It went for bills! LOL! The gift card I could spend anywhere I wanted to, and I bought groceries, took myself out to breakfast one Sunday, and still have a little left. Sorry for the novel, folks. I do have a journal, and I actually write in it, but reading everybody's posts made me want to share a little--Little?! about myself. If you've gotten this far, thank you all. Debbie

Hi all, A coworker says she is going to have a mini gastric bypass. I've read here that not many people choose it. Can someone explain to me just what it is? I didn't have much luck when I googled it. She says she's not interested in getting the lap band because she's not willing to go for fills. She didn't say anything about getting a plain old bypass and I didn't think to ask. . I have no interest in trying to change her mind, but I also don't think she's done her research, and I'm curious. . Thanks in advance. Debbie.

Hi Nina, yes indeed, what fantastic weight loss! Someone on another thread said they saw your before and after pictures and you look fantastic. Congratulations! Looking forward to hearing that you've reached your goal, and you sound like the kind of person who will Debbie.

Hey Kimmie, welcome to LBT. Have you been banded yet? I hope you find lots of great information and good friends here. There's a lot of both. Keep posting, because we all want to know as much as you're willing to share--especially about your band, and how you feel pre and post op. Good luck! Debbie

Thank you. Now my coworker says she may not go to the seminar because her mother's birthday is this weekend and it depends on what day she wants to go out for lunch or dinner, I can't remember which. She's also afraid of "looking old" if she loses weight too fast. I don't know if she knows what she wants to do. *sigh* Debbie

Hey everybody, Kat, thank you for the explanation. This woman says she wants to lose 70 pounds, so i'm not sure if she'll qualify. It seems like one would have to be at least 100 pounds overweight, but I'm definitely no expert, that's just my opinion. Terri, a couple of times I couldn't log on at work, either, but this must be the day for computers to cooperate :biggrin:. Yesterday one of the accountants asked me if I'd received my check for the annual meeting I played for a couple of weeks ago. I said no, thinking that was a strange question because I'd already gotten the gift card. Well, this morning I got a check through our inner office mail. $100! Works for me! Evrybody feel better. Have to go back to work. Debbie