BethFromVA

Squashed by a Clinton appointee. Shocking. :tongue:

Clusk, you can try to point the finger at one group all you want, but that doesn't work anymore either. BOTH groups suck. BOTH are power hungry now. BOTH have caused the financial troubles we are in. You can blame the Bush years all you wish, but maybe you're unaware that the president alone cannot pass ANYthing. We have had a democratically-run congress for four years now. We had mostly dem control for about 40 years until about 15 years ago or so. What happened so great over those 40 years? Did the inner cities become better? NO, they got worse. The dems were right there voting for the war. The dems were right there shoving this $700 billion sham down our throats. The dems were right there letting the Mexicans overrun us like ants at a picnic. And we had a surplus??? We haven't had a surplus in over 100 years! The only way any one group can claim a surplus is to project IF this and IF that AND include our social security monies in that number, which is not even legal -- but the government steals from it all the time. I am more of a Reagan conservative, but that animal doesn't exist anymore. The right has become what the left once was, and the hard-core left have moved SO far left they are socialists bordering on Marxists. Again, if you simply want to sit from "your side" and point at "my side," then you will continue to not see the entire picture. Which is a shame, really. That's why we're IN this friggin' mess!

People are trying too hard to NOT see what is out there. And if you question him or say you won't vote for him, you are labeled a racist. This country is being bullied by people who want to scare others into submission by labeling them bigots and racists. There are few like me who don't care what I am called. PCism is killing us from the inside out. Nobody is listening because we ALL want change. Nobody can deny that. However, people seem to forget that change doesn't guarantee that it is GOOD change. Change can mean taking away your right to bear arms, your right to free speech, your right to earning money through a capitalist society. And that is where we're going. The sad thing is, BOTH parties are taking us that way -- it's just do you want to go on the slow boat or on a high-speed raceboat?

Neither one is a good choice, but NObama is downright horrid. Nothing good will come of having that socialist, terrorist sympathizer in the White House.

I used to want to lose weight and look the same I did when I was in my 20s and had a hot body. Now I want: To see my clavicle, a rib or even a waistline again. I used to want to lose weight and be able to turn guys' heads again. Now I want: To be able to tie my shoes, walk upstairs, and (blush) have sex without difficulty. I used to want to lose weight and look good in a bikini again. Now I want: To not be staring diabetes in the face, not worry about high blood pressure, not have my knees, hips, and feet ache, and not see this fat person staring back at me from the mirror -- when I catch a fleeting glance, of course. I now simply want my health and quality of life back. I want to have pictures of me again (few taken in 15 years)! I want to shake the embarassment, the sadness, the self-contained lonliness because I don't want to (or can't) do some things with others. I used to want to look great again, but if my body looks halfway decent after my journey, I will take the blessing and look at it as icing on the cake. My vanity days are over. I just want my life back.

Just curious, but what scared you after reading the site? Just the different issues people have experienced?

Oh wow, now you're making ME choke up!! I love your goals as well. I think they're very important to have and be realistic about. The best of luck with your journey, Valley.

Inspiration is good. You knew where I was going! Your pics look great, btw. I bookmarked your blog.

Omg, how could I forget the wedding rings?? The diamonds are so dirty, but I can't take them off without removing half the skin on my knuckle...

OMG, Mindy, I just looked at your ticker! You freakin' ROCK, girl!!! Can I be just a little wee bit envious if I don't mean it in a bitter, green sort of way? :eek:

Way to go! You will be banded two days before me. Welcome, and congrats! :eek:

I'd be honored, Mindy. Thanks!

Jacole, when possible, what if you go for a walk or do some other exercise or activity when you feel the stress hit? Not only do you not eat then, but you get moving a bit or get something done around the house or in the yard.

Good for you, Aqua! I can hardly wait till I am wearing clothes that don't have an X in the size or a size that beings with a 1. :eek:

LOL, I can relate, Ginny. Though I have my date, I am technically still waiting for my approval. I did the psych eval on Thursday, and she should have the letter to my doctor's office by Monday. The doc's office says after insurance gets that, they should okay it within a day. I also worry, what if... :eek:

Maybe I should think of my weight in kiligrams. It sounds way nicer in those smaller numbers! :thumbup:

I never did see it as malicious... more like there is no filter between that pea brain and big mouth of hers. :thumbup:

I would love to lose half my weight -- 145 pounds. However, it's hard to tell what will be ideal for me at this age, so I'll deal with the numbers when I get there. In high school I was 120, so I don't think it's unrealistic to add 25 pounds or so to that number. If I luck out, I'll be a little less than 145.

Well, we have a pretty open office around here. It's probably closer than it should be where management is concerned, especially with her. She always likes to hear what's going on with people to the point where the lines are somewhat blurred, if that makes sense. I am sure I will say something to her at some point, but evil or not, I had my reason for not doing it right away. I need her to do something for me that may give me a chance to be seriously considered for her job when she leaves (somebody else is silently slated to get it, but I've been working SO hard to get extra education, etc.). As bad as it sounds, I needed to be sure she supplied some info to somebody before I pissed on her corn flakes, so to speak. And today I found out she did what I needed. Yes, it sounds maniuplative, and it somewhat is. If you knew the dynamic of this office, you'd understand my underhandedness. But I will certainly say something. Everybody there knows what she said, and they are all mortified and pissed.

Mine could probably stand to lose 20 pounds, but I was 140 when I met him and tried to keep up with him in eating and ate my way to 290. :thumbup:

We're getting banded the same day! As for prep, just check with your doc. They should help you to be sure.

And the day may come when I do say something. You're right about gossip -- look what Star Jones went through. People shouldn't have to feel like they need to explain if they don't want to.

Hehe, I like that. I'm surprised even HR HAS to have your surgeon's name. There are all SORTS of HIPPA rules these days! It's really none of their business. Funny thing about my boss, I know she's an alcoholic -- or at least has an issue with alcohol. And is at times very promiscuous. I could tell stories -- that SHE has shared, no less. The you-know-what in me wanted to ask if her alcohol problem was still making her loose and slutty.

Well, this is the third comment about my physique in two weeks -- two about getting tucks and/or lifts, and the one about the staples. She has also made flip comments about my new grandchild that were out of line as well.

Does your surgeon's name HAVE to appear on your paperwork?? I don't know why they would need to know! That, to me, violates the HIPPA rules completely! Can you ask your HR to black out your doctor's name before she gets a copy? That just sounds totally wrong.