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Paul, as long as you understand going in that the band is only a tool, not a magic cure-all of obesity you will do just fine. The band helps us by limiting the amount of food we can eat - but it does not help us choose what foods we put in our mouth. You must make the right choices and you will still have cravings which you will have to overcome. The rules of the band are: eating Protein first, exercising regularly, no snacking and drinking at least 64 oz. of Water every day. You cannot drink with meals and most surgeons instruct you not to drink at least 1/2 to 1 hour before and after meals. This is because drinking will wash the food through the smaller pouch and into the stomach and will keep you from feeling full. We also eat very few carbs -- only healthy carbs (fruit and veggies) during the weight loss phase (no bread, potatoes, rice, etc.) Some can gradually add them in during maintenance. I've been on maintenance about a year and I have learned I must stay away from them. Keep reading and researching before you make a decision. I hope whatever decision you make will be the right one for you and you will be able to get your weight under control and enjoy life more fully. Good Luck and hope to hear from you again. Linda

Morning everyone. Very cold here and supposed to be for several more days. Apples enjoy that sunshine. Glad you passed that stone -- have a friend here who just got over a bout with a stone. Sandy, I don't mind you asking - I share everything here - Aylah's dad has only seen her a couple of times. Right now he lives in Colorado. This year he made a bit more effort and they actually spent a few days visiting her. He's married now and I think his wife is helping in that area. Prior to that, he had only spent a total of maybe 2 hours with her over the course of the first three years of her life. He has several other kids, as far as I know he pays minimal child support and not sure if he even supports his other kids. We don't really know him - Katie didn't know him well either. They never really had a "relationship". So even though he's her dad, he's pretty much a stranger to her and to us. We would never deny him a part in her life but wouldn't really feel comfortable with him and his wife raising her as we don't know anything about them or how they live. It would be very hard for Aylah too. So this also adds to our stress about her health. We certainly would not want a judge to decide who would raise her if something happened to her Mom, especially at this age - she's only 4. Katie did talk to him about it after her ilness in August when she was in critical care and he was agreeable that my son and his wife or me and my DH raise her if something happens to her. We need to get it all done legally, and that's on my to do list. Went to my first chiropractor visit last night - iimpressed with him -- did x-rays and I go back Monday. Hoping he can give me some relief from my neck and shoulder problems. Gotta get ready for work -- TGIF!!! Linda

Laura -- I keep forgetting to tell you how fabulous you look -- wow -- you are HALF the size - what a great side by side that is. So proud of you!!! Linda

LauraK, sorry you are struggling. I was there last fall as well. Have you tried the Laughing Cow light cheese? It's saving me - 35 calories and 1.5 grams fat per wedge -- very creamy - cream cheese consistency - they have about 4 flavors - my favorite is garlic/herb. Think they have a blue cheese, swiss and tomato flavor. I like the swiss one too. Smoking is such a hard addiction to quit -- I was on the gum for many years but finally stopped that as well -- so I know how tough it is. Have you tried the new dessert gum? I do like it -- especially the chocolate mint flavored one - it really seems to help me not crave sweets. Hugs to you and hope winter is short for us -- frigid here today and supposed to be colder tonight/tomorrow. Gotta get back to work. Apples, hope it passes and you feel better. Hugs!! Love you all. Linda

Morning everyone. Apples, hope the stone has passed -- I have a friend who passed a huge one yesterday - she took a picture of it next to her diamond ring - not something I would want to pass. She was in the hospital at the time -- I think it was her 4th one in the last two weeks. Thinking of you this morning and hoping all is well and you can go on your walk. Speaking of Tucson, very good news that Congresswoman Gabby is going to a rehab soon - wow -- so happy she is doing so well. Well, DH was in Katie's hopsital room yesterday when her doctor arrived and she gave permission for him to speak in front of her dad. I have been right all along in that it is a drug problem - she's been smoking mj as well as taking prescription drugs without prescription -- can't remember the names -- several - he said the problem is that when you take them recreationally and then stop suddenly (unlike if you were prescribed with them -- the doctor would never stop them suddenly - always weans patients off them) it does cause nausea and other problems. She was screaming and denying this all during the time the doctor was talking. The doctor said they can't do anything to help her -- no doctor or hospital can help her because she is and has been abusing these drugs and until she stops them she will not get better and if she doesn't stop soon the prognosis is death because her body and immune system is so weakened by not taking care of her diabetes and drug abuse. He was going to release her! So DH told him that she has recetnly threatened suicide and "wishing to die" thoughts and so the doctor (thank God) called the psych nurse and they admitted her to psych care. So all we are doing now is praying they can do something with her/for her. If they would keep her 30 to 60 days and get her off the drugs or send her to a rehab. Not sure they will though. Not sure if psych dept will "mandatorily report" anything -- in many ways I hope they do. We have Aylah and of course are willing, able and ready to raise her. I do need to get Katie to sign some papers. So that's the latest -- I have been right in my mother's intuition all along - but wishing and hoping I was wrong. Jessica, hugs on the possible break - maybe it's just a tendon problem which will get better with rest -sorry that happened. Have fun with DB and your DF -- how long are they staying. As for your MIL -- wow - you'd think she'd be wanting your support -- all you can do with people like that is be there for them when they ask for help. She should be hoping she can do as well as you have! Eva, enjoy those classes -- love love love writing classes -- you'll have a great time. Melissa - has Atlanta gotten back to normal? It's below zero here this a.m. and not supposed to get very warm -- I think 10 above for a high today. Yuck. Arlene, hope you have a good day and feel better. Great -- yes I watched BL - I felt the same way -- but at least he did okay at home. Well, gotta get to Water aerobics. CBL Linda

Hi Kimmie and welcome -- sounds like you are doing the hard work -- the head work which is so important in this weight loss journey. Feel fee to tell us more about yourself and hang out a bit -- lots of good information on this site - many of us have been here for awhile and have gotten to be good friends with each other. You're welcome to join in and be our newest friend. Meredith -- good going on the exercise -- you're right of course, to do it when you like to do it -- with my new schedule I can now exercise after work a couple nights a week and it's great not to have to get up at 5 every morning. I am doing deep Water aerobics on Tues./Thurs. at 6 a.m., but I love it so much I don't mind getting up early on those days. Apples/Janet sorry your lost your posts -- miss you both. What I miss most about this site is the ability to post pics cause I'm too dumb to figure it out. It used to be much easier. No word yet on the ultrasound. I think he got the results yesterday so if I don't hear anything today I'll "assume" I'm not in any imminent danger and will see him on Feb. 4 for my follow up. So that's good news I think. Katie was transported to Iowa City hospital yesterday afternoon - hopefully they will get her whatever help (mental or rehab) that she needs. Because she is 27 the doctors are not allowed to disclose her medical conditions to us without her permission. We really are in the dark - all we can do at this point is pray that she will overcome whatever is truly wrong with her. The doctors here have just given up on her -- they refused to treat her last week and when she went to the ER yesterday they transported her to Iowa City (about 90 miles away). Let's just hope they keep her and do something for her. Gotta get going and get to work - have to do Aylah's hair, etc. Busy busy. Have agreat Hump Day Everyone!!! Linda

Got an e-mail from Kaye Bailey who is the nurse practitioner whoo works with bariatric patients and who developed the 5 day pouch test. I have found a lot of her information very helpful and when I read this I thought it might help some of you. If you want to read more you can click on the link "5 day pouch test" below and you'll find her site. I hope it's okay to re-post it --- it's such good information. <P done13="5">Three Keys to Lasting Weight Loss Surgery Success Nearly a quarter-million people in the United States will undergo weight loss surgery this year to arrest their morbid obesity and lose weight. In spite of the drastic nature of gastric surgeries not all patients will reach a healthy weight and some may eventually regain weight they lost initially with surgery. 5 Day Pouch Test Store By Kaye Bailey Nearly a quarter-million people in the United States will undergo weight loss surgery this year to arrest their morbid obesity and lose weight. In spite of the drastic nature of gastric surgeries not all patients will reach a healthy weight and some may eventually regain weight they lost initially with surgery. Obesity is not a simple cosmetic problem of excess body weight than can be corrected with surgery. It is a metabolic disorder where the body stores an abnormal amount of body fat. Bariatric surgeries help arrest the disease by reducing the amount of calories a person may eat and some surgeries reduce the amount of nutrients the body absorbs and stores as fat. The surgery does not remove the disease but with patient compliance weight is lost and obesity can be put in remission. Chances for healthy weight loss and weight maintenance with surgery can improve with patient commitment to recovery. Patients must accept that the burden of treatment for their disease obesity is with them. Bariatric counselors tell patients the surgery is only a tool and it is up to the patient to use it correctly. This applies to all procedures including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, and adjustable gastric banding (lap-band). There are three pro-active things patients can do to use their tool wisely: Use the Tool Wisely. Lifestyle: Accept that bariatric surgery brings with it an entirely different lifestyle that you must adopt for the rest of your life. Unlike conventional diets there is no finish line: surgery requires an almost religious-like lifestyle change. Patients must follow a high Protein, low carbohydrate diet every day for the rest of their life in order to lose weight and maintain that weight loss. Patients will need to avoid simple carbohydrates including sugary snack foods and fried food. Snacking, when allowed, must be mindful including lean protein and low-glycemic fruits and vegetables. liquid restrictions mean no beverages before or after meals and no drinking with meals: this helps the surgical pouch work correctly. Patients learn and accept that some things will make them sick, smells will affect them differently, and sometimes they will feel emotionally blue because of the irreversible restrictions of surgery. We have this life-changing surgery with all its restrictions and then return to the very environment in which we became obese: of course we suffer feelings of sadness at times. Support: As with other life-changing disease, patients seeking treatment and recovery from morbid obesity with surgery benefit from support. While no one can understand another persons exact journey we can certainly share the collective experience of obesity, life long dieting and weight gain, and finally the somber decision to undergo treatment with surgery. While patients are likely to cluster to support groups both live and online before surgery and in the first year following surgery, there is a tendency to drift away from support groups as time passes. Evidence suggests, however, that solid support relationships are a key in sustaining personal efforts for health, weight control and wellness with bariatric surgery. Activity: The inclusion of physical activity as part of lifestyle change with surgery will make a difference in the long term successful weight management of bariatric patients. Early post-operative patients are directed to get 150 minutes of exercise a week, that is about 20 minutes a day. Patients who do this and more will successfully manage their weight loss and weight maintenance. Patients who regain weight often admit they never really got around to including physical activity in their new lifestyle. Studies indicate exercise need not be strenuous or exhausting. Physical activity simply must move us beyond the normal motion required of daily life. Weight loss surgery patients tend to idolize their surgeons and bariatric teams crediting them with restoring their health. But long after the surgical wounds have healed and the routine checkups are simply annual office visits it is up to the patient to own their surgical tool and manage it in a way that keeps their disease in remission. Janet, glad to hear from you -- sorry about the computer problems - it's hard without it. Apples, yes, go buy one of the readers and let me know which one you decided to buy - I'm interested in them also - I just know for sure you want to be sure to get one that you can download books from anywhere (like Amazon) -- some of the ones sold at the bookstores are limited to buying only books from them (or so I've heard). Glad you're having a good time - lol I wouldn't go back to the winter either after spending time away -- that's why I don't plan to go until I don't have to come back. Gotta run -- ultrasounds went well this a.m. Hoping to hear results today. Love your new pic LauraK-- you look fabulous!!! Love you all. Linda

39 here and raining -- guess it's the weather Great had over the weekend - yes, feels and smells like Spring, but oh my are my legs and feet hurting - just aching soo bad. Just a quick check - very quiet here. Phyl, glad you checked in -- nice that you stay so busy -- funny store about the German guy -- can't believe he wouldn't know to cook a hot dog. And never had a toasted marshmellow? Wow that is amazing. Hve fun this weekend with Jodi and Janet. Glad for those of you having a three day weekend - not us - my first 3 day weekend isn't until April 22 -- my birthday and Good Friday -- I keep saying it's about time my company makes my birthday a holiday. LOL. Speaking of that, happy birthday Melissa -- hope it was a good one - hope you enjoyed it and relaxed. Our move across the parking lot (at work) has been postponed for another week -- was suposed to be this Sat. now changed to 29th. No biggie for me - not much for me to move. Just my personal stuff. This is my first day of 8 to 5 - so far so good -- have my ultrasound in the morning. Thanks for the infor. Laura -- I didn't know that about the blood pressure being a problem. Mine is fine usually -- but now I have to watch getting too low -- I usually run 110/70 -- sometimes 110/65. Before lb 140/85 or 90. So that's another NSV. Have to fast after midnight and then they said I have to have a second ultrasound with full bladder - yuck -- so uncomfortable -- they said it may take awhile to fill it - I said, "no way, one cup of coffee and I'll be full." LOL. We'll see. Great - have fun in Denver -- hope you get out. Enjoy that bbque tonight -- sounds great -- I'll tell my DH to get ready to bbque here tomorrow maybe. LOL. We'll see, heard it's supposed to turn really cold like a high of 8 degrees. Gotta run -- later. Linda

Morning everyone. It's 7 degrees here too, Meredith. Not complaining (yet) just stating facts.Those of you in sandals and capris -- ENJOY!! Sandy -- yeah!! So happy you bought that plane ticket - you so deserve a week to suck down margaritas!! WTG -- I'm proud of you for choosing YOU first. And I do hope you get to drop your dad off at your sister's doorstep -- that should open her eyes. Glad he's doing a bit better. Meredith, yes, your TOM makes it really tough -- I do tape the doctors every day and skim through them and I remember seeing one where the doctor recommened eating one ounce of dark chocolate every day no more no less to help those cravings around TOM. They say it that amount will do more good than harm when you're having those cravings -- just make sure it's the dark chocolate and stop at one ounce (which is not much). Let it melt slowly and enjoy it. Of course, I eat sugar free puddings and sugar free fudgesicles and that seems to help me, BUT I no longer have TOM so I'm no help with knowing if it would help that situation. Try to stay positive. As Sandy said to Jessica (which was a wonderful recap and I strongly second it Jessica you've accomplished so much this year). So have you Meredith - look what you've accomplished this past two years -- 100 pounds!! Graduating college!! Buying a home!! Etc. Etc. the list goes on and on and on - you both are doing so very well and you just need to get confident within yourselves. Both of you need to be proud that you took care of this disease NOW while you're both young and are saving yourselves from many of the medical problems many of us older gals have -- like bad knees, hips, backs, diabetes, kidney problesm, etc. etc. Be proud of that!! You both deserve to be proud of your accomplishments. Not much else going on here -- hope you all have a great day. I bought some turkey sausage yesterday and am looking forward to having that for Breakfast (it's the little things that are important to me lol.) Arelene, are you kidding about remembering the movie? Wow, it seems like yesterday doesn't it? Great - thanks for the reminder about the King's Speech - I saw all the promos for it but with the holidays and everything had forgotten about it -- definitely want to go see it. Apples, come on girl, we want to hear you brag about theat nice weather!! What are you wearing today? I need to live vicariously through you! Have a great day!! CBL Linda

Morning everyone. Thanks for all the good thoughts, prayers and hugs on my SD's situation and my kidneys. All will be fine -- I am working on positive thoughts to help my body heal. I believe it will work. Meredith-- I agree with Cheri - instead of feeling shame you should feel proud of the choices you did make. When I go to buffets or encounter these types of situations I usually just don't go look at the Desserts -- and if it's too terribly tempting then i get up and leave the room while my dh eats his dessert -- usually I can handle it. But on occasion, I decide it's my time for a special treat and I will have a little something -- I plan for it. Sometimes I will take a dessert and have one bite of it and that's enough to satisfy me. Then my dh usually finishes it off but if not I don't feel guilty about wasting it -- as Janet says better in the trash than in me. You did good considering all the temptations you were encountered with. Just think how much you would have eaten pre-band -- that will show you how much better you are now than before. This is our "lifestyle" now -- not just a temporary situation and during our "lives" we are going to eat a little bite of brownie occasionally and it's OKAY. Jodi and LauraK - any new dates this weekend? LauraK I totally "get" what you mean about being picky-- don't blame you in the least -- you need/must be picky -- you don't want to inherit someone else's problems. I call that being smart. Keep that radar in place -- it's important. On the NBC news last nigiht they did a story about the ceramic bell chimes "Ben's Bells" in Tucson - what a beautiful story -- Ben died of a disease in 2002 and his mom started making ceramic bell chimes and would hang them in various location in Tucson with a note that said something like "you can take the chimes but let them remind you to always be kind to others" or somthing like that. She's been doing it since 2002 -- many many volunteers have gotten involved in those years and help her make and distribute them. Well after the tragedy last weekend, hundreds of volunteers made them and they ended up hanging 1100 new ones all over Tucson. Even in the Safeway parking lot where the tragedy occurred the FBI hung them up because it was still blocked off as a crime scene. That is true American spirit. I'm just awed by it. I woke up and had some snuggle time with my Merry -- I just love it when she cuddles up to me in bed and i hold her and talk to her and she literally "hugs" me. Had my coffee and now it's time to go to they gym. Julie, sorry to hear about your pain issues -- I wish someone could help you. Sorry. It's very scary and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Linda

Great, I can't believe that woman -- your DD's MIL - I think your friend handled it well -- except she probably should have told her, if you want to invite them to a shower, have one yourself. What a rude, pushy witch she is!! Makes me crazy thinking about it. Linda

Great -- wtg on the weather --- I wish it had warmed up here -- I think our high was maybe 20 -- not sure. Went to my kidney doctor this a.m. Have to have an ultrasound next Tuesday. I suffered severe kidney damage 2 years ago when I picked up an e coli virus and one of my kidneys is barely functioning. He did blood work today -- I was so hoping that this would improve after i lost weight too but doesn't look like it did -- I had blood work in October that showed it's still a problem. Really sucks. I never ever in my life figured i'd end up with kidney problems -- I only had one bladder infection in my entire life -- so I never dreamed I'd ever have problems. Arlene, you do know that they will make any Subway sandwich into a salad for you don't you? That way you don't have to deal with the bread at all. I do miss a good sub with that good bread though. LOL. Sorry, but I do miss that kind of stuff occasionally. Can't eat it though -- thank goodness. You are such a great daughter -- your mom is soooo lucky to have you. Eva, hope you and Apples had a fun day today. Keep us posted on all your activities -- we feel like we're there with you when you share. Oh, my boss approved my change in hours -- starting Monday I'll be working 8 to 5 like a NORMAL person. Yeah, now i can do Zumba two nights a week -- I'm very excited. Okay, gotta run. CBL. Linda

Phyl, sorry you're mom is under the weather again. Hope she'll be feeling better today. Katie is sick again because she refuses to try to change her diet in any way to see if it would help her. She refuses to take readings and take insulin properly for her diabetes. Then she also uses drugs which complicates matters even more. Her body is basically shutting down. Even though she was on a ventilator jsut 6 months ago on critical care she went back to al her old habits, including smoking. There's just nothing more the doctors can do for her -- until and unless she wants to start taking readings and proper insulin. Every time she is admitted to the hospital for a few days and her diabetes is brough under control and she's been eating a proper diet, she comes out feeling great, all symptoms gone. You'd think by now she'd "get it". She wants a magic pill to "cure" her and like our disease, there just isn't one. It's time for her to grow up and become a responsible adult and she refuses to do it. She has nausea and diahhrea continuously and keeps losing weight because her body isn't getting nutrients. Her stomach is no longer digesting foods properly because of her out of control diabetes - she has neuropathy of all of her organs because of it They have run every test in the world, scoped her, etc. and find nothing else. This has been going on for 1-1/2 years and it is exhausting. Okay, enough whining. Sorry, it's just that I can't really talk about it with anyone else except you guys. On the other hand, Aylah is a joy and we loved having her overnight. Unbelievable how much love she brings to our world. Melissa, good for you going to work -- felt good to get out of the house I bet. Sorry to hear the airfare is so high -- I know it's getting worse all the time. That's going to be a problem no matter where we decide to meet. Cheri way to go on the weight loss I've been good all week too but alas, I only lost about 1/2 lbs. Funny how our bodies are so different. Oh, by the way, I bought some humas and has really enjoyed it with my chicken for lunch this week. I bought a 3 layered one -- roasted red pepper, cilantro and garlic layered together-- really a yummy combo with chicken. Thanks for that tip. On my way to Water aerobics. CBL Happy TGIF everyone! Linda

Sandy, hugs on the dad issues - I know my DH and I both had home physical therapy after our hip replacements cause we couldn't drive -- so I'm sure your dad would be eligible for that, And the Meals on Wheels is a great idea - you need to just tell him that's what's going to happen - it sounds mean, but you gotta take care of YOU. It's YOUR turn. Linda

Great -- don't stop posting about your trips -- I know Arlene is teasing you -- so please keep sharing - we love to give you crap cause we love you so much!!! Well, I worked through lunch yesterday so I could go to a new Zumba class at the Y that is offered Mon. and Wed, from 5:30 to 6:30 -- and I asked my boss if I could change my schedule and work 8 to 5 like a normal person as I can see no reason why I'm needed to work this odd 9 to 6 - he said he'll check it out but the reason we did that originally was cause we are busier from 5 p,m. to 6 than we are from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. So I pointed out that we have 7 people here (without me) from 5 to 6 and only 2 here from 8 to 9, If someone is sick or on vacation they expect me to change my daily life and work 8 to 5 then! Honestly I think it's silly for me to work until 6 and i told him I want to do it to change up my exercise routine - our company is very pro health so I'm hoping he will agree to it in the near future. I really liked the Zumba cause the instructor is new to it too so she's not really fast and is easy to follow -- but it's definitely something you need to go to repeatedly to learn. I thought it was fun. Then this a.m. I went to a deep Water water aerobics from 6 to 7 and then the regular one from 7 to 8. Oh, and i did water aerobics yesterday morning too. See how much more i do when I can go to classes? I'm tired of working out alone and on boring machines -- I want interaction with people. So keep your fingers crossed for me please. Okay, I think Great is the one who was saying that we gave our kids too much and they didn't have to work for things, etc. I totally agree - I have proof first hand - my son who is 38 was raised by me as a single mom who struggled to keep food on the table, we didn't have much but what we had was clean and we didn't go without either. He started working for extra money at 16 and always had a job even though he played football, wrestled, and competed in weight lifting. He worked his way through college and with some football scholarships as well -- he's the one who is very successful and works in LV and when he lived here would always offer to do anything for us - like shovel snow, mow the grass, drive me to work in bad weather, etc. etc. And, he's a wonderful hubby to my lucky dil and pitches in and cleans house every week with her as well. All my step kids on the other hand were given everything -- my DH and I spoiled them, paid for everything and wanted to "help" them cause we were in a position to do so. Well, not one of them amounts to anything and none of them want to grow up, so I totally agree. I feel somewhat responsible, but I know it's not really our fault. It's just discouraging. They never offer to do anything for us -- just the opposite -- what can WE do for THEM? That's why we want to buy a motor home and get the he$$ out of dodge as soon as we can. I hope within the next 5 years. That's the plan. Jodi, you and LauraK need to have fun, but don't be too quick to settle down with anyone - just be cautious - when I was single I always wanted to be married - but now in looking back I think OMG I had a wonderful life -- shouldn't have wished so much. Don't get me wrong, I love my DH and he's wonderful, but I got a whole set of problems and headaches with his kids. Julie, hope you are doing better - hope to hear from you. Meredith - hope the snow stops soon - it's really bitter here - it was 10 below this am and our high today was 18 or something like that. No new snow though. Tomorrow I go to my kidney specialist - hoping things are okay - when I had my physial my kidney function was very low on one kidney - hope it's improved now. Melissa -- I can't believe Georgia - I had lots of customers calling in today telling me about the 2" of ice you all have -- hope it warms up soon -- MG you've been house bound all week. Hugs. Apples and Eva -- I'm so jealous you get to hang out - I can't wait till I get that motor home so I can be right there with you too. Well, gotta get moving here -- oh, it's Thursday -- so you know what that means -- KAtie is sick and Aylah is at my house. Happens every week just in time for the weekend. Linda

LOl that play date for Tanker is today -- sorry -- by the way, I can't do any multi quotes and even quotes don't always work. I also can't go in and edit anything -- how long are they going to make us suffer with this site not working correctly?

Morning everyone. It's a balmy 8 degrees in my area this morning. No new snow, so life is good. Great -- how was the movie? Haven't heard about that one yet. I hear ya on the popcorn - I can't stand to smell it without eating it so that's why I take my own with me in a big purse -- but if I didn't, I'd be buying it there too. i'm just lucky they don't check purses here, but they probably would in a larger area. I forgot to mention before tha myDH got me a little rug to work out on too -- he was worried about the carpet wearing out as well. LOL. It cracked me up when you said that. I guess we should be happy they think we'll work out so hard that we'll make holes in the carpet. LOL. Just a warning to you all - I bought some really cheap sf popsicles at Walmart -- I had some last night for the first time and they gave me terrible terrible gas. I had it all night, in fact still have it -- had a hard time sleeping with it. so they will go in the trash. It has to be them cause everything else I ate yesterday is my usual food and I don't normally have it that bad. Since that's the only new thing, it must have been them. Sometimes it doesn't pay to try to save money. Did you watch Biggest Loser? I couldn't believe how badly that one team did in that challenge - didn't look that hard -- but they sure couldn't get their act together. My girlfriend heard Jilian is pregnant - and then her "not feeling well" made me wonder if that is true. Glad the ranch team won the weigh in so they didn't have to send anyone home. So far it's been interesting -- I think that one girl who's already liost over 100 pounds will do really well - I really like her attitude. Love the Tongan man - sorry I can't remember their names yet. Apples, glad you checked in and glad you are in warm weather. I watch NBC news and they are taping live from Tucson and the weather looked marvelous. You deserve the break. Hope you relax now and enjoy - hope Tanker has a lovely play date tomorrow. Will be looking for pics on fb. Meredith good job on the organizing - It surprises me that you don't pay bills on line, but sounds like you have it all under control. Have fun playing in the snow today. Time to get my act together and head out to Water aerobics. Hope you all have a lovely day. Lori, hope your Mom will fly out soon so DD can ger her 5 generation pic -- that is really a neat thing - not many family get to have pics like that. Later

Hi all. Good going on the shoes Great -- you deserve them, especially since you couldn't go to Denver this morning. Are you still heading to Hawaii this week? I can't remember your plans -- hope you can get out of your cold miserable weather for some beach and sunshine. Oh how I wish I could join you!! LOL. Schools actually did close here after I was on line this morning. I was surprised - didn't seem that bad to me. Now it's dropped in temp -- from 28 this afternoon to 13 now. Brrr I have my heater blasting at work. Arlene, how did your mom's appt. with doctor go on getting her wrist set? Did she have to have surgery? Hope not. Hope Apples is enjoying some good weather. Gotta run. Will try to cbl. Linda

Good morning. Julie, thanks for checking in with us - have been worried. Don't worry about catching up -- none of us has been doing anything too earth shattering. Sorry to hear the GDs have been sick but glad you aren't catching it. Apples, hope you get settled in soon and get back on here -- missing the green ink. Melissa - glad you enjoyed the snow -- stay safe -- it's so funny how it closed down your area with just a few inches. We got about 9 inches since yesterday and everything is normal here. I know it snowed once when I lived in SW Texas - about 1/2 of an inch and everything closed -- then the sun came out and it was all gone by 10:00 a.m. It was funny to me. It's amazing how snow can cripple an area that doesn't have proper snow removal equipment. Glad you stayed home and had fun with your DS. Kelly, don't you still live fairly close to Janet? You should go meet her and Phyl one of these days. I promise, they are NOT axe murderers. Lori, safe travels to Denver and have fun with GM and DD. Hope youare feeling better today about the MIL issues. Sorry your MIL is like that as well. I can't even imagine being that type of person. My sister's MIL was like that and was always difficult for my DS. I've been lucky and had wonderful MILs. I think if you just don't allow her to control any situation starting now that over time she'll learn what battles to choose. If she doesn't then she's just really an idiot or truly nuts. Cheri glad to see you checking in and thanks for the good wishes. Things are calm right now - Katie said she spoke with the diabetes educator (who is the one who said she's the mandatory reporter) so not sure what is happening there at this moment. I just hope that woman does report it -- it's our only hope at this point in time. Janet, sorry about the tape. I bought a Zumba tape and felt the same way it was just too hard for me to figure out. Now my gf is teaching a Zumba class but I can't go cause it's from 5:30 to 6:30 and I work until 6! Oh well, probably be hard on my hip anyway. Eva, thinking of you -- this tragedy has just been so horrific. Arlene, so sorry about your DM falling, but again, thank goodness she was in the rehab part. Maybe you could get her that necklace that you wear around your neck so if you fall you can get help -- I think it's called LIfe Alert or something - that would give you peace of mind when whe does return to her own apt. Meredith, have fun in the snow -- it should be getting there about now or in a few hours. Very wet snow - I agree, it always seems warmer to me when there's snow too. Well, gotta get this body moving on the step - staying home to exercise cause I don't need to be driving around in this weather --have plenty of tapes to keep me moving right here at home. Then gotta drive to work -- that's enough for me. CBL. Have a fabulous day everyone! Linda

Hi everyone. Not much happening here - in the middle of a huge storm that is supposed to dump about 8 to 10 inches of snow overnight and until noon tomorrow. It didn't start until about 2, so not too bad yet. Congrats Meredith on your math test - -forgot to mention that before and on your weight -- you're doing great!!! By the way, did your test for mono ever come back? I don't think I ever heard if it was mono or not. Great, I responded without reading what Meredith wrote -- we both had basically the same reaction so I think our responses are true to the facts of the situation. Some people just cannot give up control. What a BBBBB____ch she is. You're poor DD. Anyway, not much to report, had Water aerobics this morning and pool was too cold -- hate it when its cold, but they had a swim meet Sat and they always turn the pool down for that. Eva, you must be busy getting ready for Apples to arrive at your MIL house. I'll cbl. Hope Apples checks in soon. Jodi, I'm so jealous that you get to vacation and see the girls the end of January. Have a great time. It will be great for Dassi to meet Janet and the gang too. Charlene, how's your mom doing today? Thinking of you too. Have a great night all. Linda

Lori/Great -- you DD's MIL is simply a control freak and is being ridiculous. You should e-mail her and tell her neither you or your DD are the hostesses and you do not feel you have the right to ask the hostess to change the date/place. Tell her she is welcome to attend, but if she must send her regrets, YOU will forgive her. What is wrong with people??? I feel so sorry for your DD to have to put up with this woman. Is she an alcoholic or a drug addict? With people like her you must be very direct and don't beat around the bush - if she can't forgive you /your daughter than that's her problem and her problem only. I know it's tough but you gotta hold your own now or it'll only get worse - especially after the baby is born. Your DD needs to take hold of the lasso and rope this woman into reality. She is the one that's nuts, not your dd. Hugs, Linda

Phyl, lol, you have me laughing -- you and Earl could/should be a new cartoon in the funnies! Well, I think the problem lies in the fact that he is trying to take YOUR kitchen over and you need to tell him to just back off. LOL. So cute you both are. Zoey is such a little character - truly I don't know what you both did before you had her -- she's become such a HUGE part of both your lives. Glad to hear your mom is feeling better. Got my step aerobics done and then spent 2 hours cleaning. Then showered and made DH a big pot of chicken tortilla Soup -- new recipe someone at work had and I think he'll ike it. Katie and Aylah stopped by for a quick visit. Bryan has decided to move in with them which we are happy about -- so he got all his stuff -- as long as they can get along it should be helpful in many ways. We have our house back - it's very hard after the kids move away and then decide to move back in. I'm happy to be alone again. Not much else happening here. It's about 23 above zero -- no sun today - supposed to have snow tonight. Okay by me -- as long as we dont' get too much snow. Congrats Kelly -- 50 pounds is an amazing accomplishment since surgery -- wtg and also on your exercising. It's such an important part of our weight loss but it's the hardest part in my opinion. Just keep on trucking. Laurak sounds like you had a fun night at your singles party -- did you see Mr. Filet Mignon there? Do tell. . . Eva, so sorry about the shootings. Very tragic and very sad. I remember when I lived in Reno there was a terrible plane crash that killed over 100 people and I just felt so devastated by it -- for some reason when it happens right where you live it seems to affect you even more. Hugs. Jessica, you have accomplished a lot and your doctor should be validating your success and not making you feel like you aren't succeeding -- my word you've been a model patient! Try not to take it in a negative manner but that he's trying to help you succeed even more. Hugs and hope your appointment goes well. Hope to hear from Apples soon today and yes, Phyl you are doing a marvelous job! Keep up the good work. CBL Linda

Good Morning Everyone. Good to hear from you Chris and wtg on your back and knees not hurting as bad as they would have prior to surgery-- yes that definitely counts as a NSV and a big one. You're progressing nicely - especially since you had the shoulder surgery at the same time -- and you were so limited in your physical activity - 38 pounds is a huge deal -- that's about 4 sizes -- they say every 10 pounds is a size. Isn't it great to feel so much better and be able to be so much more active? WTG, keep up the good work. I am in shock about this shooting incident - what a terrible tragedy -- just unbeliveable violence -- really scares me that we have so much violence. Arlene, I agree with Janet and Great. I think stress makes you weigh more -- I do think it has something to do with it. Just relax, try to eat healthy every day. Hey, at least you are more aware of your eating now and that's a good thing. We had an absolutely perfect day yesterday in Des Moines. Katie was feeling better and had her brother stay with her and help her with Aylah so we didn't have to take her with us. We wouldn't have minded, but had a lot of stops to make and it's such a pain to drag her in and out of her car seat especially in this cold weather -- was a high of 12 here yesterday. We dropped my Kitchen Aid mixer off to be repaired -- the entire assembly that holds the beater in place fell out last time I used it -- they have to order the new part, wonder how much that will cost me. Really disappointed in this as I bought the "professional" one cause I use it so much for heavy duty stuff. I really haven't used it all that much -- have only had it 3 years. Oh well, hopefully it won't be too terrible. Then we went to Sam's to get stocked up on all our paper products and a few other things -- I was disappointed however that they were out of rotissere chickens -- the next batch wasn't due to be out for almost an hour and we didn't want to wait. The place was an absolute zoo -- and yes, the people crowding around the tasting booths really irritated me this time -- I think it was Janet who said she noticed it at costco last time she went -- they all just rush from booth to booth and grab food and stand there and eat it, blocking the way, etc. They had a stand for tasting the frozen parmesean tilapia but alas, I missed out -- by the time I got close enough the plate was empty and she said it would take 10 mins. until the next batch was done. She looked at me and said, "oh honey, you'll really like it, go ahead and buy it anyway." LOL. So I bought a bag of it for nights when I'm tired and just throwing something in the oven is necessary -- it has 230 calories and 10 grams of fat per each 4 oz. fillet. Looked decent -- will let you know how it is. Have any of you ever bought it? It will be one of those "special" treats for me. I thought it was ironic that the ONE thing I wanted to taste I couldn't taste. Went to Petco for dog food and treats, stopped at Starbucks (I just had a reguular coffee), and then went to Trader Joe's. OMG - I thought for sure they had a radio dj inside giving something away -- the people were just pouring into the store -- I actually said to my dH "they must be giving money away in here" -- it was unbelieveable. Once inside, you couldn't really even move - it was just wall to wall people all jammed in this tiny store. We got a few items - hummus and apricot chutney and left -- had to stand in line about 15 mins. just to buy that. We shopped at Trader Joe's in southern california and the stores were about 3 times the size of the one here -- but it's been open since last fall, so not sure why it was so crowded. The sales clerk said it's like that all time -- no matter when you shop it's always jammed with people. I said, "well, they need to open another one". SO maybe they will since it's been such a big hit here. But alas, my DH was disappointed cause he was hoping to get his "Italian" olives that they had in So. Cal. and they didn't have them in this store. I'll have to see if I can order them on line. Probably. Then we went to our Bonefish Grill for dinner and had a fabulous dinner. I had longfin tilapia which is one of their specialities. I splurged and had the one that is topped with lump crab, shrimp and scallops and drizzled with lemon caper butter. OMG it is to die for. Able to eat about half. I usually have plan fish grilled but decided to have a special treat. Also had one crab cake which are very very good -- hand made there out of lump crab as well. They give you two sides with your meal and they have two sides that are very band friendly -- so I had steamed broccoli and steamed mixed veggies for my sides -- and they were perfect. It's nice that a restaurant offers healthy choices for their sides. Again, I just can't say enough good things about this restaurant, I just love it. Apples, so happy you made it as far as you did -- hopefully after today you'll have great weather. Janet, glad to hear you got your energy back -- sounds like a good/busy day - feels good to get that kind of stuff done -- I'm lucky that my DH doesn't work and does the vacuuming, etc. But I have plenty to do with keeping kitchen and bathrooms clean and all the dusting. I do miss having cleaning people, but half the time they were missing so much I still had to do some of it, so why spend the money? Now that I've lost the weight I breeze through it. Melissa, haven't heard from you - hope you are doing okay. Thinking of you. Julie, same to you. Hope you get some relief and soon. Janet, yes, Katie had a son who is now 7 -- she lived in Oregon at the time -- they took him away at birth as he was a crack baby -- then gave her an opportunity to go to a rehab WITH him and if she made it through the rehab would have been able to keep him, but alas, she couldn't get through it without breaking rules -- and about 3 weeks before she would have graduated they caught her off grounds with a guy and tossed her out and her baby was adopted by the family who had fostered him at birth. It's an open adoption and she does get pics and a note once a year. He's autistic and has multiple problems and it 's heartbreaking to us as we know her drug use caused these problems. We are so grateful that Aylah doesn't have these kinds of issues and we want to make sure she is raised in a loving environment. If that means we will have to do it ourselves, we will. Katie's going to have to make some tough choices in the very near future. You'd think her near death experience in August would have changed her -- well, it changed her for about 6 weeks -- after that it was back to the same old same old. She's had years and years of counseling, been in at least 12 rehabs -- she's kinda like Lindsay Lohan I guess - just refuses to stop. Well, I need to get going here -- it's 8:30 -- time to go work out - think I'll do step here at home -- that way I don't have to deal with being out in the 9 degree weather. But, the sun is out -- so that's great!!! Drive safely Apples and DH! Love you all. Linda

Oh Arlene, we were posting at the same time hugs hugs hugs. Hope you mom improves. She sounds like a wonderful woman and I'm sorry to hear she's not better today If she still has infection, surely the doctor will keep her inthe hospital. Will be praying for her today. Linda

Morning everyone. Safe travels to Apples and DH. It's gorgeous here this morning -- sun is out bright but a bit chilly -- about 5 degrees but above zero so that's good. Great, I couldn't get on the sit last night either -- I got some strange message which made it sound like it was something with my computer but because I could get on other sites with no problem, I figured it was this site's problem. Thanks to all of you for your kind words about my family situation. Janet, you hit the nail on the head -- she has to report it to authorities - which is what we need to have happen and I just pray she does it and soon. But as I said before, she's been in and out of rehabs and even lost her first child due to drugs, so all we can do at this point is pray. Another worry we carry constantly is worrying about her getting pg again. Anyway, Phyl, glad you are busy and enjoying life -- I can't wait to have that kind of busy in my life too. Great -- sorry I made you cry but I am so thankful to have you and everyone here to support me and give me kudos. I've never felt so much support and love in my entire life. Meredith -- how's the food going for you? Arlene, you on the train today? Chris, glad you checked in but it doesn't sound good. Will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers today. We're planning to drive to des Moines and drop off my mixer to be repaired and then hit Sam's club and a few other stores we like to visit in the "big city". LOL. Probably end up at Bonefish Grill - we love that restaurant. We also have a bbque restaurant we like too that has great meats -- so either one sounds pretty good to me. Gotta get to it and get to the gym so we can be out of here at a reasonable hour. Have a great day everyone!!! Linda