Ms. Vicki

I don't have a problem using straws....use them all the time.

This prayer thread is such a blessing to me especially on Monday mornings. I will pray for all those mentioned. God bless you all.

Pickles are great for curing a craving (when you're not sure what you want). Sometimes when I eat one of those big dill pickles I get a belly ache. As far as the band is concerned, as long as I chew well I don't have any problems. They are loaded with salt though and you might be more likely to retain water. The vinegar is good for you.

Way to go! I remember how excited I was when I was approved. Celebrate this weekend! Congratulations

I've had both surgeries, but nothing has made me happier than the band. Is your hernia causing you pain now? Hubby is right. Only you and your doctor knows what's best for you. Good luck.

Call me a rule follower. I lost about 2o lbs before me first fill.

I am very relieved that your doctor ordered the vaccines. It is imperitive that the day care be "scoured" for signs of bats. If I were in your shoes, I would also call the county health dept (if your doctor hasn't already) to let them know. Whether or not your husband finds anything, there is a possiblility that other children may have touched the animal. Both birds and bats are known rabies carriers and if either were close enough to be touched, it sounds like a sick animal. I'll be praying for your daughter, She'll be fine now that she is on the shots.

I am in heaven! :clap2: :whoo: I got my second fill yesterday and can FINALLY feel restriction! I know it might be premature, and it might not last, but this is the FIRST time I've felt any restriction at all. It's not too much, but I fixed myself a 1/2 cup of egg beaters this morning and could only eat half of it. I'm enjoying every second of this! Just had to share my excitement.... for as long as it lasts. Hooray for my new best friend (my band)!:love:

I have an NSV! For the first time in more than 10 (maybe 15) years, I gave myself a pedicure this morning, including toe polish and all!! Even my 13yr old son got excited...........bless his heart, he has polished them in the past! :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo: :whoo:

I have a couple of recipes: NO-BAKE MARGARITA CHEESECAKE 1 1/2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes unflavored powdered Gelatin 1 cup sugar 3/4 cup Water 1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup sour cream 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1/4 cup premium tequila 1/4 cup Grand Marnier or triple sec 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest 1/4 teaspoon salt Pretzel Crust, recipe follows Thin lime zest strips or curls, garnish Thin lime slices, bottom halves dipped in sugar In a small saucepan, combine the gelatin and sugar. Add the water, stir, and cook over medium heat until the gelatin dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream, lime juice, tequila, Grand Marnier, lime zest, and salt, and beat to combine. Add the dissolved gelatin mixture and mix well. Pour into the prepared crust and chill until very firm, 3 to 4 hours. To serve, remove the outer ring from the springform pan. Decorate the center of the cake with the zest strips and the outer edge with a border of lime slices dipped in sugar. Cut with a thin, sharp knife dipped in hot water and serve. Pretzel Crust: 1 1/4 cups crushed pretzels 2 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup melted butter Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a food processor, pulse the pretzels to make 3/4 cup of crumbs. Add the sugar and pulse to combine. Add the butter and mix well. Transfer to a 9-inch springform pan, pressing onto the bottom and slightly up the sides. Bake until set, about 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Best Ever Banana pudding 2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen Cookies 6 to 8 bananas, sliced 2 cups milk 1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top. In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!

What an inspiration! Words can not express how much I appreciate these before and after pictures. You look like a totally different person. Thanks for sharing!

I'm PREGO, which is pretty amazing for a 51 yr old grandma! My precious bundle will be an 11 lb little girl (11 is my favorite #). I do NOT believe in abortions, but may have to give this blessing a little thought. The father is MICHAEL JACKSON! (just the thought might be enough to spontaneously abort!) This was fun...thanks for sharing!

Skinny-mini, I know you can do it. I have been where you have been. The thing that has helped me the most in controlling my hunger is eating lots and lots of Protein. The carbs just form a vicious circle. The more you eat, the more you want, so the more you eat, the more you want (slapped myself to end the repetition) Sounds like you are beginning to get a handle on things. Keep up the good work and take things a day at a time. Give yourself a big hug at the end of the day for a job well done. If you have a day of struggles, give yourself a big hug anyway. You are worth it! We're here to support you.

hey Lisa, My Mom, son, daughter and grandbaby are going to Disney this weekend too. If you see them, say hi for me. :wave: My daughter will be the one pushing a stroller.........(just kidding!):laugh:laugh:laugh

I have been called Ms.Vicki by everyone I'v known since the the 70's (Tiny Tim's Miss Vicki, for those of you that remember). Funny, even people I just meet that do not know my knickname call me Ms. Vicki. Maybe its a respect thing. The kids in my Sunday School class call me Ms. Vicki too.

GentleSpirit, I have been where you are. In fact, I filed for bankruptcy in '85. I hated to do it, but it was my only way out. I was a single mom (my exdh had to be taken to court twice to garnish wages) and was depending on money from under my sofa cushions just to buy milk and bread for my kids. I hid my car behind the fence in my back yard so it could not be repossessed. When I remarried, I paid back some of my creditors even though they had written the debts off their books, which made me feel better emotionally. Actually, because of some health issues, my credit has gone to hell in a handbasket. Six months ago, my credit was A+, but I got behind one month and it snowballed from there. We are selling our house that belonged to my DH's grandma to get our heads above Water. I will pray that God will give you the answer and the confidence you need to handle this situation. We're here for you..... Love, Vicki

Mary, you look great! What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing your photos..

It took about 3 weeks for my shoulder pain to go away.........but it did eventually! Heating pads helped me the most. Hang in there!

I haven't found anything I COULDN'T eat yet, (even after 2 fills) as long as I chew, chew chew, EXCEPT oyster on the half shell. Since I can't imagine chewing them, I guess they are permanently off my list.

Tammy, I'm praying for your entire family. Hang in there.......we're here for you whenever you need us.

I had my second fill on 05/01 and have had plenty of restriction until yesterday. I ate everything in sight and could not satisfy my cravings. I tried to eat plenty of protein which is supposed to stop the hunger but it didn't phase it at all. Today, I had a little restriction in the morning and could only eat 1 scrambled egg before getting that "full -- if I eat another bite I'll lose it" feeling. Then came lunch and I had no problems at all. I've heard it can be different from one day til the next, which certainly holds true with me. Hang in there...chances are, the band is just being "fickle".

Welcome back Becky! We're here to support you!

Without a doubt getting the band is the best decision I've ever made.

I hate it when not only is it hard to get into the stall, but once you sit down, the TP dispenser is at your knee and you don't have any room to reach "what you need to".

I can relate to every one of these....they are hilarious! I hate it when.... one of the kids will tell me at 10pm that they need something for school THE NEXT DAY! :grouphug: the child with kitchen duty swears he will finish it before he goes to bed and I get up the next morning to food on the table and dishes in the sink! :doh: