Kat817

Took this page over 5 minutes to load----sorry everyone is having problems, but it is kinda nice to know it isn't something wrong with just mine!!! Like I told Michelle---I have no clue on what to do when something's hinky with this computer!!! Well Rick is off early, and messing with the irrigation----I was right, the guy down the alley shut it down, he let his freeze and break....such a moron!!! Jenn---excellent news on your electric bill. Our cost of living is so much cheaper, it is unbelievable!!! Well you Mon-Fri girls are on the down hill slide now!!!! Will see if this will post---or if I am wasting my time, the page keeps re-loading, it is definitely not right yet.....that sux!!! Kat

I too was a bulk eater, I ate lots...regardless what it was!! I ALWAYS felt hungry....I felt a total lack of control when food was involved. The band has helped me by giving my control back! I am not hungry all the time anymore....and when I eat, I eat much less---and feel satisfied with that amount. Food no longer holds the appeal it once did. I used to be able to sit down at any given time and name off a dozen things that sounded good to me---and I would have to choose which to fix or go after. Now---it takes longer to even find something that sounds good to me. And when I do finally decide on something, it is not like the be all end all food used to be to me. Like green---------the knowledge that I have to get all my nutritional needs met with the newer smaller amount of food I eat---has made me very aware of the nutritional aspect of my food. I try to focus my meals on healthy---and as strange as it is, now that is what tastes best to me. I found that chewing like I have to being banded, that highly processed foods, tend to lose the good taste after half a dozen chews, and after it is chewed to mush---it is horrible!!! Most of it tastes like a mouthful of lard! I have taken an approach of less restriction, because with the lack of hunger, I can personally better control my eating. Being too tight, really scares me. But it has been steady visits with my Dr.'s, and working hard to learn to listen to my body----and only feed it when it needs food, not 24/7. Kat

Pamela----PITA= Pain In The A$$!!!! I could give multiple examples if you need more info than that.......I know several locally who fit the bill!!! Oh my allergies are starting, my eyes are itching like crazy!!!! LBT is being wierd for me this morning, it keeps trying to reload. Guess I will close it, and try again, see if it helps. Suzanne----hugs!!!! Yo have soooo much going on, and it is so much emotional. I can relate right now with all my DD is going through. Well Kinsey is ready to go outside, guess I will go rub my eyes out there!!! Talk Later! Kat

HI girls~ Met with my new bandster friend for lunch---we could have stayed for hours and talked!!! It was GREAT!! She is young enough to be my daughter, but so what my DD is also (you are not going to believe this) young enough to be my DD and we are great friends as well as Mom and DD!!! This girl is just starting, has not had a first fill, is a little worried about trusting herself not to eat around the band....did my best to assure her that she is stronger than that!!! Then tonight we went to Chinese with DH's family, his brother is in from Denver for a night. He has to go to Albq. & Santa Fe to check on some stores, so he always stops in for a night. We had a fun joke gift for his brother, so it was fun. I had to listen to my SIL tell me she could not believe how much I eat....as she went off to toss her cookies. Oh well....I am healthy! Manda sees a cardiac/thoracic specialist a week from today in Albq. She has her blood work done, and has an ultrasound on Thursday. Kinsey told me her Daddy said it was terrivle that her Mommy was feeling sick! Goofball!!! Tracy---good for you, no cigarettes, lost in the city----heck I have been quit for 17+ years, and I might have been tempted! Laura, I'll work on the siggy thing tomorrow. Feeling kinda brain dead tonight. Jane--my friend going through the divorce with the crazy lady who had him taken to jail, he found out his appraisal is waaaay down, but on the positive side for him, he has no equity now to have to share with her. He has been in the house 14 years, he re-financed it when they got married 13 months ago---and the re-fi'd @ $200,000. Now it appraised at $187,000. So he has lost money----but if it had been more he would have had to buy her out, even though she never worked and he was in the house for 13 years before her!! TracyKS---so is DH mellowing about your trip? Hope so! Susanne---how are you doing? You hanging in there? Pamela--I love when Rick wants to go somewhere at night, I always go in my jammies. My friend and I decided we are going to go jammie shopping together this next week. She needs bigger bottoms, I need bigger tops, we are going to try to buy the same and swap out sizes!!! Keep us both happy!!! Haydee--I wish I had enough color to feel less like a glowing ghost when I wear shorts!!! I need to go sit out and get some sun so I don't fry to a crisp when we go to TX!! I am paper white!! Terry---all the info on me is right on the spread sheet---flights and phone # too. They had a bead show today in Farmington, I thought about you---would have gone, but would have no idea what to look for for you!!! Judy---are you really considering a summer vacation job location?? Michelle---how is the shoulder today? We have a girl I watched grow up in church, she has been going through similar suicide attempts. For years, her folks although divorced, would come to church together with her. IN ways I think it gave her false hopes. Then Mom married a man that the girl despises....and she has made several attempts, and run away from home. She is now in some treatment place, and who knows if anyone took time to check into it. It is so sad, she was such a happy little girl, and now at 15 she says she no longer wants to live, and has threatened to kill him (the new step dad) as well. I have no idea of the dynamics in the home. But I know as a Mom, I would be doing some serious looking into what the heck made her so angry at the guy----but Mom seems to have chosen her side, and is sticking to it. Sooooo sad. Jenn----so did you get a start date for the job? Or find out about dress codes? Sorry Mom said things to upset you, it would have me as well.....not much you can do about it I suppose, it is like my MIL goading me so much....I try to let it roll off. Well Rick took his brother out to location to see their Dad---81 years old, and he is working......driving a big truck, pulling an 18 foot trailer no less--------now THAT is scary!!! So I am off to soak in a bubble bath.....ahhhhh no I'm not....dammit! My UTI was showing signs of being back so I am back on antibiotics, and do not need to sit in bubble bath....so off to shower!!! Talk to y'all tomorrow! Kat

I have no real answer for Mandyjo----but I do think that Jachut and I need to exchange metabolism or something, and we would even out!!! My butt is no longer rounded, it is bordering on concave!!! My legs look like chicken legs---srawny/skinny!!! My ankle I can circle with my fingers!!! BUT----if we move up, where your ribs are showing--I still have a healthy layer to lose.....my arms, still wave in the wind.....and the girls, have not lost a bit! I have lost several band sizes in my bra, but cup size has increased if anything! And I am just the opposite, when I lose any weight now-----it continues to come off the lower part of my body, where I cannot afford to lose more. I believe if it were me, I would discuss it with someone I trust implicitly. My DH or my best friend, or my DD. Maybe look around at those people you know, find one you think looks good at her size, then do an honest comparison of yourself to her. If you find you are her size or smaller, then call it good if you would feel happy looking like that person. If you find that the person you admire is 10 pounds less or a size smaller, then you get an idea of what appeals to you, and have an idea what to work for. I think it is an issue for all of us.....it took many of us a long time to admit to ourselves we were Fat! It might take just as long to accept that we are not any longer. You have done a great job!! Kat

We are alike---I am the same way---my biggest worry about being in TX until time for the surgery, is my house! I will not leave to go on vacation, or for something like this planned surgery, without everything in its place. I don't care if I have to be at the hospital at 6 that morning, I will change my sheets before I leave, I will come home to a fresh house!!! I want the DW empty, and nothing in the sink, ready for it to be loaded as needed. As for everyday, I am not a slob, but I am not a neat freak either. It is only when I am gone, or when I am not going to be 100% I want everything in order! This time I am going to have to trust DH---and roll with it!!! Could be interesting! Julie sounds good already----soon you too will have it behind you-----and I have less than a month---YAY!!!!!!! Kat

I can lift the shirt and flash with the best of them (o)(o) .....however, age, weight loss and gravity, have made getting them back IN the top, the real show!!!!!!! Kat

Jessica & Diane---thank you so much.....I don't know what more to say, other than thank you. This is my child, I am at a loss. It just seems we went through these heart problems with my DH---his was a different valve....and it cannot be inherited, she is not his child!!! Even though they act so much alike no one believes that. Everyone always tells us, she looks just like me, but acts just like Rick, she even laughs like him. But she is from my first marriage. To her Rick is her Dad, always will be, but....doesn't explain the heart problems. I will keep you posted as we get answers. Again----with all my heart I am thankful for my LBT family. Mandy--did they open your knee all the way up? I had to have my right one opened the other surgeries were arthroscopic---which was much simpler, and less painful. Granddaughter is hollering--BBL~~ Kat

Pamela---flowers look good!!! You plant like I do---symmetrically! If I have a red here I need a similar one over here. DH is a throw it in the air, and plant it where it lands kind of guy----so we compromise. Together we prep the flower beds, and together we pick out what to plant. Then I walk around and sit out the flowers where I want them, and he puts them in the ground or pot!!! He has a few things he wants EVERY year, he loves the Pale green Dusty Miller plants, so we always have to include them, and he loves the Blue Delphimium. Except he calls it purple. Rick is double color blind----so I think that is why he is less inclined to try to make a flower bed look organized!!! I don't strictly go on color, I try to keep overall size, and height in mind, and he could care less, he tries to put tall spiky things in front!!! But.....he is out there doing it---so I zip my lip, and just move it!!! Where were all of you when I needed to know not to kill the ants??? Here in NM, I can leave all my bulbs in the ground year round, with a layer of leaves to mulch and hold warmth, except for gladiolas, and the big dinner plate Dahlias, they have to come up, or they rot from the moisture.....needless to say--I don't grow them for more than a year!!! I might get by this year, but over the next several, it looks like I will either go back to getting allergy shots, or live on Zyrtec. The new woman across the street, tore out a rose bush border between her and the neighbor---and replanted it with lilacs. I am soooooo allergic to lilacs! She told everyone she did it, so when their baby is born, and begins running around the thorny bushes won't hurt the baby. IN reality, her dog, who is always going through the bushes to poop in the neighbors yard is always getting hung up in them and yiking, and crying. She ties the dog out to the corner post of her carport, so he can either lay on the cement, or crawl through the bushes and lay on the neighbors grass.....hard choice for a dog!!! She could tie to the other post, and the dog would be in her own yard, or she has a fenced back yard----but this way someone else ends up cleaning up after her dog. She is such a nice lady----very quiet, and friendly, and she always asks about everyone, but I am glad I am not the one with her dog in my yard...I would find it hard to not say something! So.....today I am meeting Sofi for lunch. She called me a bit ago, to say it looks like she will be a few minutes late, it had been a rough morning. She runs a group home type of thing. She called me while she was stress relieving on the elliptical.....while I was being lazy and snuggled down watching Wonder Pets with Kinsey!!! I know I should be an exemplary bandster, at lunch today......and yet at the same time, I want her to see, you can eat the bandster way, and still eat normal food, have a normal life....and despite what my MIL says....be successful!!! By that I mean, I should ditch the bun on my burger etc.......but my personal choice in the matter is to eat it, just eat less of the burger overall. I may end up out of control with no fill--the thought is kinda scary!!! Someone better take a roll of duct tape to TX so you can tape my hands together and my mouth closed!!! Well....everytime I turn around I am having to lay the computer down and chase the girl, so I guess that is my hint---it is time to play!!! So....I am off to push a girl on a swing, I have done my best to teach her to pump her legs, to no avail..... Kat

I can only imagine the single digits. I woke up yesterday and told DH this is the last 21st of any month I have to wake up with this belly. Of course he did look at me like I had lost my ever lovin' mind!!! I guess I should have opened with Good Morning! I am going to be in Texas with the Shrinking Violets Group from May 16th to the 19th, then come home and have surgery on the 20th!!! It should easily occupy my mind the last few days! Of course getting everything ready to go on the trip, then to the hospital, will make it a busy time before!!! Hope Julie's surgery went well yesterday!!! Kat

Pamela---bulbs are the easiest in the world!!! You plant them once in the fall ---they look kinda like a dirty turnip. Then come spring, they grow---all on their own. Then they die off, and sit in the ground dormant, until the next spring when they do it all over again---and most of them multiply---so they spread....and living in CA you would never have to dig them up until you decided they had spread too much, or you no longer wanted them!!! You DO know what a tulip is---and a yellow daffodil---they are both bulbs, as are peonies, and they grown into large blooming bushes....love them. I must admit though, my peonies for years, grew into large gorgeous bushes, and buds would come out, and then nothing, the flowers would never open up. They would die off as buds. Then one day the woman across the road was over and I was showing her around the yard, and when I showed her my peony bushes, I noticed they were full of little black ants, I told her I thought they were killing the flowers, that I better get my spray....she laughed at me, and informed me the ants are needed to eat the sap like stuff holding the buds together. I always saw the ants, and I would poison them!!! I now let the ants go for a few days---and have HUGE peony blooms!!! The ants don't stick around when their job is done.....I never knew that!!! I had a couple of humming birds today----so I guess maybe spring is really here!!!! Talk to y'all in the morning! Kat

When I get the urge to eat, just for the sake of eating, the first step I take is to get a glass of ice Water, and try that. If the thought still doesn't go away---I head out for a walk or hit the elliptical. Sometimes brushing my teeth helps----but moving is the only way I have truly found to squash the urge to eat. There were times in the beginning, I would take 3 walks a day, just to have a plan in place to avoid food at non food times!!! Not super long walks----just enough to break a cycle of thinking I needed to eat if I sat down in front of the TV for instance..... I WISH I had the answer to head hunger, I would be well loved!!! Kat

We haven't begun planting for this year yet--too early, we will get another couple of freezes oftentimes. I have all my spring bulbs coming up, daffodils by the bunches, and tulips, hyacinths, the iris are up, not budded yet---lillies the same, the green fronds are all up, and looking nice though. Grass is greening up. A couple of our pots have perennials in them---several with dianthis, and some that just re-seed themselves like Moss roses. Then we will add some alyssun around the borders, and plant a few more pots for the patio. And we always plant several hanging pots to go around the house and around the patio. Rick is very good about watering, it is his way of relaxing in the evening, and now Kinsey is old enough to help, and know not to pull things up!!! Tomorrow I am going to lunch with a new bandster. We have spent a lot of time on the phone, but will meet tomorrow for the first time, I am looking forward to it. I broke down tonight and actually ate some of our beef. If I hadn't opened it myself I would never have known....which is good considering I have so damn much of it, I might as well use it!! We ended up with over 570 pounds of meat!! Manda heard from one of the Dr.'s who looked over her MRI, and he said it is not a stenosis of the ascending aorta it is a dilation of the ascending aorta. Still just as scary, maybe more so. I had to quit looking at it online, it was too upsetting. She sees the cardiologist in Albq. April 28th. I want her seen yesterday. Well I am going to go surf a bit, will check in later or tomorrow. Hugs~~ Kat

Well heck, I hope I have room left in my suitcase for clothes!!! I would hate to embarass y'all wearing the same thing all the time, but fun comes before fashion!!!! LOL I have another question..... The 3rd picture, just cuz it's pretty---there is like a mini waterfall, level change in the background-----we don't DO that do we?????? Rick is jealous as hell now......he is a water otter, he dives----not me! He told me I will be fine, so-----if he said it---it must be true!!! Actually he is totally glad I am not having my TT until after, he thinks we are going to have a blast! I do too!!! Kat

If you advertise to do progression pictures---I would offer the idea of monthly weight loss, or monthly pregnancy progression, or construction progression....I would put a few ideas out there, and then if the weight loss is something they are interested in....they can contact you in that regard. Otherwise, no offense, but it might come across as some sort of fetish thing. Personally, no one is going to see my pictures, so I do not want nor need professional quality. I use the door as a backdrop, and a digital camera with a timer, and I am good to go!! I do my picture, then do my measurements, and weight----then I store it and usually never do anything with it, until I add the next month. This is NOT something I would ever pay another person to do for me. It is highly personal---and not something I would trust another person to guard as closely as I do, nor would I print them anywhere but home. Kat

I developed --doing like others have said, and going to bed flat one day and waking up fluffy another. I never remember a training bra, I was probably a C cup for a year and a half before ever having a period. But I was also EXTREMELY thin-----that might very well explain it. I developed in about 5th-6th grade so 11 or 12, but was between 7th & 8th grade before starting my period. Then it was not long before I too was on the pill for regulation. I would start and then my period would just go on for weeks......not terribly hard, just non ending! I had fertility issues, due to irregular periods even as an adult. I ended up with uterine cancer. Had a hysterectomy as part of my treatment of course-----was good to get rid of it all, it was ALWAYS one problem or another!!!! Kat

Go ahead Terry---call me a baby it will not be the first time today I have been called a baby! And I am with Judy!!!!! Now, is there a way to like latch tubes together so we can remain within talking distance---or hollering distance? Or so I don't take a left at another river????? LOL---yeah I know better! I bought water shoes at Walmart today--black & gray for under $5.00. Nothing fancy, I don't plan on wearing them for a fashion show. Keeping my well worn flip flops for that!!! This morning I was tickling Kinsey and she was kicking---I told her don't kick Granny's chest, it is sunburned and I showed her---her response she must have learned from Terry "Oh you poor crybaby!" I about fell over! I ask her who called her a crybaby--she says "No one, I'm not a crybaby, you are." I told her that really wasn't very nice....which made her tear up and promise she was only teasing......so see Terry, someone already beat you to the punch of calling me a baby. Oh and Laura----if we take vacations like men, do we have to plan to sit around, scratch ourselves, burp and fart????? I worked with outfitters and mens hunting trips---OMG I thought women were high maintenance!! And gross does not come close with some of them! Eeeeewwwwww....... Kat

Gee----------do ANY of you remember me last year when you guys were just starting out, and losing like crazy, and I was moaning, how slow mine had become? I was timed just as you are now.......One year out, and it did slow down, the closer I get to goal weight, the slower it continues to be. BUT.......it is still working, and I am not complaining, nope not me, never do that, uh uh---------:rolleyes2: ahhh who am I trying to fool??? Well I am off to take DD to lunch----see if she can calm down some. Then she has a credit card that has been stolen apparently # wise, has an $800.00 charge that is not hers---so she really needed that stress added to her right now. We got the card cancelled, and her signed documentation faxed to them. When it rains it pours! Talk Soon! Kat

You mean we are not gonna have a "What happens in Gruene...Stays in Gruene" agreement??????? We should went to Vegas, where it is mandatory!!!! LOL Kat

Yay You!!! I was going to tell you and Judy, to go potty and blow your nose, and get on with the new #'s already!!!! I am proud of you!!!! Someday I will get there......of course it may be due to decomposition....but I WILL get there!!!! Kat

I HAVE noticed that Jane is now past her half way mark, weight wise----even if her cleaning is not half done!!! And I noticed if Terry loses another ounce she will be in the 170's. And if Judy loses any (and if she can't eat much she will!) will be in the 160's!! Me? Just hanging out here in the 80's like I belong or something! I seriously need to get it in gear----but.......it does not seem to change anything. I know my weight is shifting around, my rings are spinning freely on my hand---which will be good with the trip, because I always swell up in TX!! But as wierd as this sounds, my belly rolls are shifting---actually dropping. But at the same time, it seems my belly is even bigger than usual--and some waist bands do feel snug again. So I have no idea, I should measure and see what I come up with. Everyone is doing so good, I could not scroll back further to see everyone elses stats---but I am so happy for you losers!!! LOL Manda is supposed to be calling me back with her appointment date----but have not heard from her, and hate to call her at work. My ring tone on her phone is Stewie from the Family Guy going "Mom, Mom, Mama, Mom, Mom, Mommie".....repeatedly---finally the Mom yells "What?" and he giggles. It would annoy the heck out of me!!! But it leaves no question as to who is calling her!!!! I WILL do it, if she does not call soon. I figure they are getting info and will call her back when they decide which cardiac group to have her see. I need to get dressed and walk down and see why I have no irrigation water. Someone closed the headgate I think, my lawn needs water..... so I plan on turning it back on, whether they like it or not, if they have a problem----FIX IT!!!!! We have a neighbor down the road, who never winterizes, and quite often freezes and breaks something, then rather than fix it, he just shuts all the water off. BS!!!! We helped pay for the headgate, and line, and I pay ditch fees to use the free water----so I plan on using it, and if he floods, then fix it! He annoys me anyway, he struts around like he is God's gift to women----and he always seriously looked down his nose at me, and when Kinsey and I were out walking this last winter one day, he actually told me, "If it wasn't so cold out, I would tell you to take that coat off, I cannot believe how much weight you have lost!" Like I would have taken my coat off for him----------no friggin' way!!! LOL Ok---I am off to get ready. See y'all later! Kat

This is good to know, I like the thought of a tube with a bottom!! I have lots of fat left---lots! But......none in my butt!!!! I was picturing me kind of like you see in the movies when they stuff the kid in the trash can....... I added water shoes to my list....my list is short, as I say I refuse to buy clothes from here on out for awhile. Jane---we are roomies, and the idea of the shot to get ya on the tube--I hear ya.....pour 2!!! I used to carry an Epi pen, due to "ideopathic urticaria"----aka hives of unknown cause!!! But I seldom have issues with hives anymore, and Zyrtec takes care of them when I do....so I never got another pen, and mine is soooooo long expired it is likely useless. But that is a good thing to call and ask about----if you cannot get an answer I can call my niece and ask how she travels with hers, she is highly allergic to all shellfish, or iodine in any form. Most of my stuff will be checked, will do a carry on, with camera, and odds and ends maybe----might just carry on the camera case!! I should find a LARGE purse to carry, and that would solve the problem, mine I am carrying now is little, and everyone hates it (meaning Rick, and Kinsey) because I cannot carry everything for them!!! LOL Anyone notice if the rooms have hairdryers?? Tooooooo excited here!! Kat

Hi girls--SOOOOOOO good to see you!!! The new girl at the top is actually from LBT this time. Her screen name here is BooBooKitty. They changed it, and they also added what they call a landing page.....if you click the HOME and FORUM tabs at the top you can go back and forth and see the new changes. The landing page is all part of the new magazine thing going on. Has been a time of change for sure!!! Well I am on a less than a month countdown now!!! I told Rick this morning, this is the last 21st of any month I will wake up with this belly!!!! He just looked at me like I had lost my ever lovin' mind!!! LOL We got some nice rides in this weekend---was pretty out, but the wind kicked up. We also helped our friends Becky & Gary do some siding on their house, and I got major sunburned on my chest, and arms....I know my chest will peel, dangit. My DD is in need of some health prayers, please. She has been having issues, and they finally decided maybe the palpitations she was having were related to the back pain. So they did an MRI---and found some serious problems, in multiple areas. She does have a mild herniation of L2, but that is not being worried about right now, they found some serious stenosis, of the ascending aorta into her heart into the aorta valve. She is seeing a cardiologist with a cardio/thoracic surgeon on staff. The MRI also picked up a HUGE all encompassing mass on her right ovary. She has the ultrasound of it Thursday, today she has her blood draw for a CA125 tumor marker test. It scares me half to death. Trying to remain calm, and deal with each of them as the issues are being dealt with. I will say as wierd as it is, her ex husband is being sooooo good through it all, I am unsure how to act. Just going to be thankful, she sure does not need more stress right now. So if you could remember her, in your prayers, I would be forever grateful. Her name is Manda and she is only 26....lots to face at that age. Well Kinsey is awake and ready for Breakfast now....so I will check in soon, and I am so glad to see you back Sherry---cool bike, you and Mandy will be Hot on those new bikes as you cruise around!! Kat

You get one stuck on your ass, I will look like I have one around my middle---we'll call it a fashion statement!!!! Laura can design us some sexy duds for our "look"!!! Kat

Halbert said it all soooo well----what an awesome uplifting post! When you need inspiration, and reminded why you are going through all of this, go peruse through the before and after pics!! Let us know how the appointment goes! Kat