Great2BThin

Good evening, Just got home from my 'date'. We just grabbed dinner and not a fancy one at that. I've discovered something lately, are you all sitting down? Food just isn't that big an issue for me anymore. Whodda thunk that?? DH asked where I wanted to go and nothing sounded that appealing so rather than spend big bucks for something that wasn't all that appealing we went to On the Border, I love that place mostly their chips and nachos. They don't have one in Utah that I know of so we went while we could and yes I had nachos. It's my anniversary after all. Only ate about 5 or 6 of them. DH finished them off. So that was our 'big' celebration. LOL Also the cruise is coming up for all that fine dining. LOL Now he's leaving me tomorrow morning til Thurs. I gotta go down for my upper GI myself. I don't remember much of the one I had right after my surgery as I was still groggy from surgery, the minute I was awake they were taking me down for that. Apples, no wonder you have such tiny legs with all that running! It's great to enjoy what you do. Does Tanker ride with you on all that driving. BTW, how does Tanker come by his name? Julie, no harm in taking a break from everything so you can heal. To me it sounds like you aer over doing it. You have a good day and then you over do it and then you have a pain set back. I know it's hard, but you'll be the better for everyone if you do.

Good morning, just got home from my appt with Dr Snyder (my lapband doc). He said I am doing great still, didn't even say anything about my 5 lb gain, he said he knew I knew what to do and just encouraged me to up my exercise. It's not what it used to be before knee surgery that's for sure. I told him about my move and he wants me to have an upper GI done before I go to be sure all is well with the band so I am having that tomorrow morning. And he ordered labs to be sure I am getting all my vitamins etc. He gave me a name of a doc he knew in Salt Lake as well but said he hoped I continued to come back there for my post op care. That is my plan, but I thought it might be wise to have a doc there as well just in case I have a complication or something. Tomorrow DH & I celebrate 31 yrs of wedding bliss and it really has been bliss. I am so lucky to have him in my life. Though he's ditching me tomorrow. LOL HE has to go to Atlanta for work so we have a date tonight. Not sure what yet. Janet, I am so proud of you for still working out last night even though your trainer canceled. I'm afraid I'd have looked at that as oh well out of my control, I can't exercise now! Jewel, you are doing so good, keep up the good work on everything, you have lots to balance and you do it good. Julie, you too have lots going on, don't over do it, that shoulder doesn't need that, though.

Busy place tonight. Laura, congrats to DD on the job. Hey when you are driving to or from NV, you gotta go through UT, maybe we could meet up as I could be living there by then! Jodi, I have been thinking of pricing those pearls. Apples, I don't do well with things in flux either. The realtor is optimistic we will sell quickly but then again aren't they always when they are getting your listing? But we are priced very good. I am hoping to go with DH for a day next week to SLC to see some homes there, but not sure as he has to do some interviews for some positions he has open and may not have time. I think I've mentioned before if he had it to do all over again, he'd be a farmer or rancher. He never has as big a smile as when we are back in SD every fall. But he's also very happy with the job he has now. He is more of a visionary type person and likes to solve problems and sees thing in the big picture more or less and this position gives him lots of opportunities for that. The deck sounds wonderful. Oh and I wouldn't foot the bill for everyone else's internet either. We'll just have to go through Apples withdrawal for a few days each week.

Good afternoon, just got home from a morning of volunteering at church. The church sec'y is going on vacation and I am filling in for a week mid-May. I went in today to get trained. I really enjoyed it, that would be a perfect job for me, real laid back and stuff I could handle. In an hour and a half the realtor shows up to officially list the house. Seems word is spreading around church about our home and there a few folks interested. They know that we can take a lower offer since we have some price protection, plus since we have hosted this small group in our home for the almost 4 yrs we have attended this church people know the house and the shape it's in. So maybe it will sell quicker than I thought. Is that a good thing or bad thing? LOL Apples, so what do we have to do to get your internet up at the lake? I just miss you so much when you are gone! LOL I am envious though. Arlene, yep cruising is my ultimate vacation, as much as I love Hawaii, I'd have to rank it higher than that even. Unpack once, wake up in new ports, get pampered and waited on. Grand total it is costing us $100 a day total for room and food. Of course our excursion will be extra and I've been busy online looking at those. I am going to Palma Majorica, Spain, Monaco, and Rome, Livorno and Naples, Italy with a night pre cruise in Barcelona. Luckily so far all the flights to Barcelon have been unaffected by the volcano, I pray it remains that way. JOyce, congrats on the loss!! Melissa, are you doing the shake thing like Arlene? Are you getting enough protein?? Julie, darn it all anyway, I thought the pain was gone for good. Hope the dr has some good news for you. Phyl, enjoyed the pics, miss you on Sudoko though I noticed you've been playing the games I sent you. I am beating you once in a great while on one game but can't do it for all 5. You are just too good and I practice a lot! If you see me on Facebook that is what I am probably doing! LOL

I also do the Citracal Petites, I can swallow them no problem. Forgot to mention that in my last post. I've tried the chewables from Bariatric Advantage, Celebrate and others but they are so costly and didn't like the flavors, I'd just as soon swallow them and since I have no problem with these I stick with them. I take 3 a day but I space them through the day, the NP at the hospital told me that your body can only absorb so much at a time and pees the rest out, not sure if that is true. Laura, do you know, (well I am sure you do)? Janet, DUH!! Silly me, PB can equal more than Productive Burp. LOL Never even thought of peanut butter, maybe because I detest peanut butter so it's not even in my vocabulary. LOL Mom had to make me butter and jelly sandwiches as a kid. I can eat a peanut butter cookie though! or a Reeses peanut butter cup but not the pieces. Well, decisions decisions, DH just got a call and has to go to Phoenix tomorrow or Tues. and has invited me along. I've been gone so much so maybe, maybe not, but this is what I am looking forward to when we move, is tagging along with him a lot!

Good afternoon! How is everyone today? Doing good here. Just got home from breakfast, church, then lunch and Penney's. I got a coupon in my email today for 20% off everything including sale prices. I saw a tshirt I wanted when I took Grandma there on Friday but it was a buy one get one deal, I hate those deals when I only want one. Well today it was 55% off and then I got 20% more! DH was with me and he's been needing a sport coat so we went by the mens section and he got 2. One was 60% off before my coupon had to order it though as they didn't have his size (he's very hard to fit being 6'6) and another one was on clearance in his size for $19, then we found 3 dress shirts for $8each. DD was with us and she found tons of bargains too, it was our lucky day I guess. I never used to like Penneys but lately it's turning into a favorite for some things. Either that or it's because I go so often with Grandma as it's her favorite store for her Alfred Dunner stuff she likes. Janet, did I read that right that you PB'd on a banana shake? Eva, sounds like you are very busy in your yard. I bet it will look awesome when it's done. DH loves yard work, I hate it but he is out there puttering around all the time and we have one of the best ones on the block if you ask me! LOL not that I am partial or anything. Phyl, best wishes for continues safe travels. Linda, our house wasn't in too bad a shape, after all we've only been in it for 3 1/2 yrs. It was a repo when we bought it and DH totally redid everything then. The realtors all commented on what good shape it was in and that we obviously knew what we were doing when it came to decorating and staging for sale. Lot's of practice! LOL I might have to check out those tone up shoes. Not sure if I want the sandals or the shoes to wear year round.

Joyce, Tylenol isn't a NSAID however, if you need that for anti inflammatory purposes. Hence the reason I needed the ibuprofen once in awhile. We are going on NCL, I've not been on Regent or Raddison but have been on NCL, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival. Well got lots done today, house should look pretty good when we list it on Monday. Why is it the house always looks the best when we sell them??? Guess we've had lots of practice with that.

Janet, I actually got to go to the MJ concert for free. I was living in Salt Lake at the time and my neighbor was an exec with Burger King, some how he had free tickets but was unable to fly to Denver for the concert, knowing I could easily get here he gave them to me. It was pretty cool. And the 'seats' we had would have been way more than $100 aka $1mil to me as well. Sneaking in probably makes the concert all the more memorable for Andrews. LOL Joyce, I take about a double dose of the childrens Motrin or Ibuprofen when needed. Also, I had to take some after my knee surgery it helped when I was no longer needing the vicodin but Tylenol wasn't cutting it. My lap band dr said I could take it periodically and when I did to take a prilosec with it to coat the stomach/pouch. I have only done that a few times and took it along to Isreal as it was difficult having the liquid childrens stuff along with me and I did so much walking there. Don't think it would be a good idea to do regularly but in a pinch it helped me out a lot. Linda, Happy Birthday whenever it is! I have seen Bonefish here, I will have to check it out, I love seafood. HMMMM my bday is next month, our anniversary next week. Though DH is going to be out of town on our actual anniversary. 31 years, guess he can miss one! LOL

Decision is made and vacation is booked!!!! I am very excited. We are going on a Mediterranean cruise! I couldn't believe the deal we got. We normally get discounts for being airline employees but have never seen one like this, it was $299!!!! 7 days from Barcelona. Of course, we fly free, and with all DH's travels of late, he has enough hotel room credits for a free room in Barcelona the night before. It just all came together perfectly. We leave here on 4/30 and return 5/9. I don't think we could've done Hawaii for that little of a price with hotel and food. We were to some of the ports last year but that's fine, one can only see so much in Rome in one day, there's lots more to explore! Last night DH & I had a date night, we went and saw Date Night, I enjoyed it, very entertaining. Today we are busy 'staging' the house to go on the market. It will look like a model home when I am done, I hope. LOL DH is cleaning up the yard and I am decluttering inside. Laura, the muscles picture is so cute. You know I used to hate going to the gym as I figured everyone was looking at me wondering what a fat out of shaped woman was doing there. Then I realized men not matter what the age, are so busy looking at themselves and their muscles in the mirrors to even notice me. LOL Janet, is Andrew goign to all 3 days of the concert then? He'll remember that forever, i still remember some of my big concerts when I was young. My very first concert was at REd Rocks and it was Linda Rondstadt and opening for her was Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. At Mile High stadium I saw the Eagles and Michael Jackson with the Jackson Brothers, was down on the ground and pretty close for that one. Those were the big ones I remember saw others as well.

Good morning! The weather folk said I'd wake up to rain this morning. so far no rain, that's fine with me but it is much chillier out. I hope it holds off as I am taking Grandma out today. We heard from the relo company and realtors and the house will be officially on the market on Monday. The realtor we chose is out of town this week, his partner could do it but we opted to wait for him. DH just informed me he can take the first week of May off on vacation so we are trying to figure out where to go. I know, I know I was just in hawaii but he was working and it was so quick, I need some one on one time with just him and am looking for a relaxing vacation not a hustle bustly busy sightseeing one. I still need to wrap my head around this whole move and all as well. Apples must be relaxing on that lounge chair on the sunporch at the lake. Hope she is enjoying herself, like there's any chance she's not! Jodi, thanks for the kudos on the volunteering. You are right my reward is in heaven. Goodness you sound busy. Hope the gym isn't what has to go in your schedule, that will pay off in so many ways down the road, maybe the new job will work out and the time you save in your commute will make your day all the better. LauraK, love the new avatar photo, my you look so my thinner and younger! Julie, glad things are working well for you. I think you made the right decision by Mimi you are both going to be all the better for it. And you still see her a lot. And the pain being better, oh that is so wonderful! Well better go 'get beautiful' ha ha, that just means I have no make up on yet and am leaving shortly to pick up Grandma. Can't take my new car as I don't think she could get in it, it's kindda high.

Apples and Arlene, you have me in tears your kind words about venting etc. You are so right, I just needed to get it off my chest. I am unused to actually dealing with my feelings, I am more used to feeding them. That's what makes this place so special. Everyone here truly gets it and as we learn to deal with issues that we may have fed or stuffed down before we are here with a bunch of others who truly get it and can help us through it. So thank you! Julie, I am also so happy you got a painfree night of sleep. Be careful in your remodeling not to over do it and flare up the shoulder. You sound so much happier today! Laura, thanks for the whey education. Linda, no you don't sound weird at all, if so then I am weird too. Apples, that is one aspect I am looking forward to thsi move being over with. The lonliness. Like this week DH was in SLC well if I lived there, he'd be coming home at night and not a hotel room. Also, I plan on travelling around with him often as well. I have my kids and family here but it's not the same as having him come home. He is quite the workaholic too and even when home is usually working on something, but he's here. Speaking of I here him now, his plane has landed and he's home!!!

Apples, you are right. I don't know why I let my emotions/mind get away from me like that. I feel silly for even feeling that way or posting about it. It's never bothered me before, I got my rewards from the people I visited and helped on their journey to surgery etc. I was just having one of those days, DH is out of town, had lots to do at home but I still made sure I got down to the hospital, etc. I do notice when DH's is away, my mind will play! think it is the alone time and my thoughts go bonkers. That is the time I used to eat, at least I am not doing that too much anymore!!

Apples, got 2 lounge chairs on that porch? Sounds wonderful. :thumbup: Your photos of your views yesterday remind me of the landscape at DH's relatives farms in SD, but then again it's not that all that far apart. You have more trees. It looks so green there already. We really started greening up last week but have a ways to go yet. The trees are budding too. Supposed to be nice today and then stormy tomorrow and the weekend, at least as of now it is rain and not snow. Spring time in the Rockies! One never knows. Well we got a call from the relo company yesterday and I can go ahead and list the house. The realtor we chose is out of town til Monday, his partner can do it now or we can wait. We chose to wait. Now I have to call and interview some appraisers, we select 2 and submit them to the relo company, then they order 2 appraisals and whatever they come up with the company will buy our house for in 60 days if it doesn't sell. So we could be moved in 60 days if we choose to or sooner if the house sells. We are putting it up at a good price I think anyway as it really doesn't matter to us because whatever we lose up to $50K the company will reimburse us. This is the price the relo company recommended so we went for it. Part of me is excited and anxious to get this all rolling and get moved, I hate living in limbo or transition. On the other hand the other part of me is dreading it and wanting to drag my feet. I love Colorado. I am jealous of reading about pools. If I ever live in a hot climate again, I will have one! We lived in Las Vegas for 14 mos once and wanted one there so badly. Hope our worker gals that are so busy at work get a break soon. Sometimes I think I want a job and others I think nah, not sure I could handle all that. Still a little miffed at the hospital, the gal I volunteered for wasn't in yesterday til after I left, I guess I would've thought she'd have called or something, I left her a good bye note, etc. Then it bugs me that I am miffed as I wasn't doing it for any accolades but it does feel good to at least feel appreciated.

Congrats! I am not real familar with either dr. I went to Dr Brown's seminar but he did not come to it so I never met him. I called Dr K's office and the gal on the phone I believe her name was Natalie was quite rude so that was my only dealings with them. I hear many people are satisfied with both of them so you need to go with the one you are most comfortable with. I went with Dr Snyder as a self pay. There are many dr to choose from and everyone likes something different. The one you pick will also be responsible for your after care so keep that in mind as well and pick the one you feel meets your needs the best.

I've tried on the Skechers and other brands of the same thing and have considered them, just haven't plunked down the $$$ for them. have you noticed a difference in your legs and derierre (SP) ???? Every time I ever had a pair of Skecher shoes they have hurt my knees, not sure the connection and now that I have had the knees replaced maybe that won't be an issue.

Good afternoon, well my volunteering days at the hospital are behind me. I was a little hurt that they acted like no other day and didn't really say good bye or anything today. Weird. I didn't expect a big party or anything but a thankyou or something would've been nice, oh well, I didn't do it for that, I did it because I wanted to. Apples, my volunteering sounds a lot like your's. One day when I was there a gal came in for a fill, the nurse practioner had me go see her in the exam room, weigh her, and talk to her about her weight gain, give her suggestions etc. she had me do everything but the actual needle part. I just felt the gal is paying to see a professional not a volunteer. And other times I'd get this list of things to do but wouldn't have a clue what it was etc. and would spend so much time trying to figure it out that it would be time to leave. It was so unorganized, she'd tell me to organize it, kindda hard when you don't know what many things even are. Today I organized all the preop class lists and cleared out 2007 and 2008's. I found mine for June 2008, seems like so long ago. It was dated 5/17/2008 which was my 50th birthday, that's the day I went to my first pre op class. Great way to spend my bday!! Getting educated for the rest of my life in my new lifestyle. Are you still cooking for all the men then? I thought you 'retired'?? Do any of the schools need volunteers? You could read to the kids or something? Laura, love the pool pic and the room your dad is sitting in all those windows, lovely! I bet the photographer friend really appreciated your order. Other Laura, CONGRATS on the mile!! That's awesome. Arlene, congrats on 2 more lbs!! Julie, glad you got some rest, hope those shots kick in soon! HotMama, welcome. Sounds like you could be too tight?? are you eating small bites, chewing slowly and still PBing?? I know we want great restriction but you can have too much restriction too.

Good morning, I am ready to leave for the hospital. Today is going to be my last day volunteering. I figure my upcoming move is good reason to quit even though I am still here, things have gotten so crazy. Plus, lately it's just been difficult. I am not receiving clear direction as to what they want me to do, I get real vague projects and frankly I don't feel they are things a volunteer should do, she's offered pay for me to do some work yet I never see the pay and the biggest thing that upset me was I used to get free fill etc. for my volunteer work. Well now since my dr is no longer private practice but was bought out by the hospital they no longer do that either. Weird you'd think now they would as it's the hospital I volunteer for. Free fills was never the reason I started volunteering, I found out that perk afterwards but it was a nice perk. So I just think it's time I take a break, maybe when I get to UT I will find a place to volunteer. DH is gone so much on Wed. too and I like to go with him sometimes and now I have to cancel at the hospital to go. He's in UT today and I'd have loved to go with and maybe look around at homes, etc. But there will be plenty of opportunities he goes there often as that is where his new office will be. Taxes, I am afraid it's going to get way worse before it gets better. I saw something just yesterday on the news that Americans are bringing home 3 or 4% less of their incomes due to higher taxes in the past year add that to the bad economy and our money just isn't going far enough these days. We did get a refund this year but not as much as last year and not much changed. Laura, glad your dad is feeling positive about something. They must have quite the home to have an indoor exercise pool. That would be so neat!

Linda, Dentist in the 50's? Nope not me! LOL Just joking, mine would've been the 60's. Just had to throw that in there. LOL I had to take the antiobiotics before as well. Your GD is going to have lots of play things at your place, she won't want to go home! LOL Joyce, I hated taking that many amoxicillin before my appt then you are lying there in that chair and the tummy starts rumbling. I had to take 4 capsules. Clag, congrats on the loss. Cindy, welcome! Julie, glad the shots are over, hope you are feeling painfree soon!

Just another way we are alike, Apples. We must've had the same childhood dentist. He'd always say it wouldn't hurt. Yeah right, it didn't hurt him. And what was worse when I'd tell my mom about it she poo-pawed it that I was either being a baby or exaggerating as he wouldn't do that. To this day I have a hard time going to the DDS. I've narrowed my fear down to the drill mainly, when that noise starts I tense all up. DH was so sweet to meet me for lunch afterwards as he knows what I go through before going. Dang my beautiful sunshine went away but that wind is still a howling out there. I have some tulips coming up and phlox trying to bloom so I know spring is trying to come.

Angel, bummer on the insurance. When I got banded my insurance (also United Healthcare) didn't cover my band, it's not the iinsurance company but rather the employer putting in an exclusion for bariatric procedures. It has now changed and they cover it, however, when they didn't, my doc's office had a cash pay price for fills. Their price was actually less than the FillCenterUSA's price was so you might check with your dr's office and ask how much a fill is for a cash pay person. Hope it works out. Congrats on the loss.

It's quiet here today! Yeah!! No cavities or issues at the dentist. Glad that is over. DH had to run up to town to pick up some stuff for work so we met at McDs for a quick lunch, of course I got my nuggets! Today was a 5 nugget day. It's how I tell my restriction, great restriction =4 nuggets, loose = 6 or more nuggets, 5 nuggets just right. LOL It is a beautiful sunny day but oh so windy. One thing about the wind though, it makes the air seem so clear and the mountains so sharp and clear. I'll have even closer mountain views in Utah.

Good morning, I am dreading this morning as I have to go to the dentist. I've never outgrown my fear of the dentist. Today is just a cleaning though, but I am so afraid they'll find a cavity or something. This is also my first DDS appt since my knee surgeries, I had to wait at least 3 mos after to go and I have to take 4 amoxocillin capsules before my appt due to the risk of infecting my knees. That sounds odd to me, but I just downed those 4 pills hope I don't get a crampy stomach or yeast infection now from that much antibiotic. At least it's a beautiful sunny day again here, the weather folk said rain today but so far it's gorgeous out. Julie, thinking of you this morning, I hope these work! Janet, gosh I wish your workload would let up, we miss you around here. Is there any end in sight? Laura, yes they are back from the honeymoon. I joke with DD that 9 mos post wedding is Christmas and that would be a great Christmas gift, to be Grandma! LOL She is having fun setting up her new kitchen with all her wedding gifts etc.

Melissa, is it possible that you don't want to ask DH to not bring in the chocolate because secretly you want him too? I know that is me with chips. If I don't speak up then it's not my fault cause I didn't bring them in the house and therefore, I am the victim. But if I speak up and say don't bring them in any more then well, how am I going to get them when I 'need' them? You can do this, you've come so far. Can you do something to divert your attention til the craving passes? Tell DH to hide the chocolate so you don't see it and/or know where it is?? Julie, good luck tomorrow, I hope you get immediate relief. I'm not so sure how good a shopper I am. I have shopped a lot recently but overall not so much. I've had to take Grandma so much and then start looking for me. LOL But now, alas, my wardrobe is pretty complete and I don't have much to shop for anymore. It sure was fun while it lasted though. And I do love a bargain. 2plus4, I feel so for you and that 'brat' to say those things. You are on the right track though and soon that will be behind you. Apples, dinner sounded yummy! Did he like his cake? Carrot cake is DH's favorite as well. Janet, you are very missed!! Hope you are having fun. A fling? Facebook guy? Do tell??????

Tanker and Glimmer look a lot like my Hunter and Lucy, both mine are black lab mixes. Lucy got a new toy today and is in heaven, she hasn't put it down yet. Lot's of talented folks on here with the yards, the baking, concrete, beads, sewing, etc. I just got home from having lunch with DS, I went to his store (he's a Super Walmart asst mgr) for his lunch break and gave him a ride in my new vehicle. He liked it. Also, got a pedicure and stopped at a jewelers and sold some of my old gold chains that I haven't worn in years. I got $250! Not bad, I felt good about that. Now I can shop again!! LOL Laura, congrats on the great check up. I just got a reminder for mine from my gynecologist but have put off making an appt. I thought of waiting and going to the one I liked so much when we last lived in UT 10 yrs ago. Julie, I am sure you miss Mimi, just think of the fun you will have with her when you no longer have to deal with this pain! Eva, glad you are having such a relaxing day. Your place looks great Apples, glad you got up to the lake, how far a drive is it for you? I wish I had a place like that to go to. I enjoy our camping but would like it better if I had a place to return to with a floor and ceiling and walls that was all mine! Happy Bday to your DH as well! Joyce, I love your red convertible!

Eva, Just say on Facebook that it's your birthday tomorrow. Hope you have a great day!!!! Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birhtday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Eva, happy Birthday to you!