Kat817

Well I had a nice big post ready to go almost this morning---complete I might add, with my new friend---the ?????? Yes I do have the new keyboard up and going, only having minor issues getting used to it, and I know this is going to sound totally wierd, but I am getting an odd "c" in cthings where I did not type it, like in the word things just then. It is so random I have no idea, but I do know I do not keep making only one mistake, and that being a c. I am going to quit correcting it, just to see if I can see any pattern....so ignore excess "c"'s. Anyway, I had some of my personals done, not others, and was working away when someone come to my door, pretty early---it was my DIL, wanting to leave my grandson while she delivered her computer to the repair guy. OMG girls---I love him, I truly do, but the messes he made in an hour will take me days to fix....one of his tricks was to reach down and turn off my computer, and the thing that really pissed me off, was my DIL sat there and watched him, then tells me later she has no idea what chappened to her computer!!!! I do!! I told cyou the other day I spent shampooing carpet, first thing he did was grab her coffee, cand over it went. Did she do anything? Nope! While I was stomping on the towel trying to absorb it up, she let him get it again, and what had not spilled did then. He trashed the programming on the TV---going to have to let Rick clook into that. I am going to have to just love him at his house or at my house without his mama. I love kids, but I am not one of those anything goes kind of Grannies! I have rules, and I have corners for ones who cdon't like my rules!!!1 OK, so now you see the "c" issue I am having! Looks like this keyboard is going back to the store too.....I cannot win!! Haydee hope your mouth made it ok. My DD called me this morning and told me she wasn't bringing Kinsey at the usual time, she had a bad wisdom tooth. So she brought her by on cher way to the dentist. They ended up pulling the tooth---it was impacted horribly, he said the worst he had seen in years. She has had an ear infection cshe was treating, but no pain from the tooth until 4 this morning! She looked rough when she got in, they could not get cher numb---so it hurt. They are going to sedate her and take the other 3 as soon as she heals from this one. I still have Kinsey---who is sleeping---thought I would let Manda rest for the day. Hope everyone got their lists, I sent them to the email provided, and none bounced back. Let me know of any mistakes... Pamela ask me about Amanda's (Lunasa) address, it is so different from what we are used to. So if I miss her when she comes back cto let us know how it went in court, someone be sure to ask her if it looks right. I cjust copy & pasted it----so-----I can't tell you anymore than that, I have no idea! Pamela--in my wonderful perfect post my grandson elimintated this morning, I joined in with everyone in how good your pictures were, and yes red looks wonderful on you! Tracy---your change is awesome girl! Doesn't it seem odd not to dread or refuse to take pictures! cIt does to me. Dammit, from no ??? to extra c's...........I give up. I did not hear anything from the endocrinologist today, but I really didn't expect to. Figure it will be tomorrow or Monday. I have talked to so many people who know others with this, just like all of you, I am quite confident and comfortable both with the suggested treatments and having it done locally. If the treatment he suggested was vastly different I would insist on going elsewhere, but it seems the 2 avenues he mentioned are the usual--so staying near home will ease some stress alone. Today I went shopping. Spent all day in the mall with Kinsey. I must have tried on 30 pairs of pants. I bought 1. I am solidly in a 14 comfortably. I do not do tight. A 14W is too big. I tried on some 12's....and if I wanted to do Tracy's breathing optional thing, I might have pulled it off----but I hate anything tight!!! When this belly goes, and 12 will be smooth sailing. They go over the legs and across the butt without an issue one, it is the belly bulge. And it is soooooooo gross!!! I can roll it, and twist it!! It has a layer of fat in there, but it is mostly skin, wrinkled, soft dough like skin---yeeeeech! I did try and find a pair of pants I loved the fit on---they were in Maurices, they were a Junior size 15--- I just could not make myself buy them, the pants although they fit great, were mighty ugly!! But that was towards the end of my shopping attention span, so I do have another avenue to explore in pants. Juniors---who woulda thunk it??? DH's pants are too big on me now! I never wore his anyway, he wears work pants, nothing I would want to wear, I just wanted to see if I could, and they were big. I love it! OMG I have to tell you what I did to myself today---no one to blame but me, and I embarassed myself sooooo bad! Kinsey said she was hungry, so we hit the food court, and I am munching a salad, from Subway, while she eats a corndog, and we are talking about this and that---and she needs more ketchup. So I get up to go get it, and my back was killing me, so I made "the get up noise" you know it--the ugh kind of noise. Kinsey asks me what is wrong, I tell her I am old, I am an old lady. She says no, so I am teasing her telling her yep I am an old lady. She laughs. We go to walk out of the food court, and there sits this woman within 10 years of my age, and yep, you guessed it, Kinsey says "She's and old woman too huh?" I was wishing for a hole in the floor to swallow me up. I quickly tell the lady I have been teasing her about ME being an old lady. I tell Kinsey not to ever say that again, we sat down out in the mall and had a little talk that I was playing, and saying that might hurt someones feelings.....I about croaked!!! OOOooh Tracy, an adults only weekend----any fun plans, besides buying exercise equipment? Do you ever do any yardsale shopping? Both those items are at sales around here all the time....might look since you have the weekend to yourself! You are going to have to give me some get up and go power, we are almost the same distance away from the same goal! My Dr. said my weight loss should pick back up following this surgery, and getting my thyroid levels evened back out, right now with the level as low as it is, basically non existant he said my metabolism is shot. But that will improve he said, so there is hope! You have done sooooo well! I know it will make such a difference in your life, and also that of Macy. Good Job! Notice my rogue c has not shown up in awhile....wierd I tell ya!! Rick went to help a friend do what today???? Haul wood! It is supposed to be the last day. But he hates for anyone to go out alone, in the hills, with chainsaws..... Ricks Dad turned 80 on the 4th of this month. We have a surprise birthday party planned for this Saturday. Today he went to see a friend, and come home and informed everyone that he had a job. He is going to be dry watching a rig. For those not in oil and gas areas, they have to have someone on site 24/7---but not all rigs run 24 hour shifts, so for those, or the wells they are waiting to do something else to---like frac (which is what type of cdept. DH runs) they have to be watched. So now everyone is freaking out. He goes to work tonight already---not sure what this is going to do about his birthday. I hate that at 80 he thinks he needs to work---it is not something he needs to do, and it will just leave more around the farm for Rick to do! When I say Rick runs a frac dept. He runs the crews that do so, and the crews cthat maintain the equipment. When they used to drill a well, mostly natural gas around here, not oil, they would get permitted to drill down to certain formations in the ground---you know how the ground is in layers, well they would only permit them to one layer....which the gas would flow, for years, but then natural shifts in the earth, or the pocket would dry up, and the well quits producing. Now regulations have changed, and they can use one well on several levels of formation. So Rick's guys go in, and frac the well. Frac being short for fracture---they fracture the in cground formations with water, sand, and liquid nitrogen as well as other gels. They get pumped down the well hole and fracture the ground, and get the gas flowing again. While the water etc. is being brought in, and things set up, the site is not actually being worked, but has to be dry watched....which is an easy job IF you can stay awake. Have no idea how my FIL is going to do it. He can't stay awake during the time people are visiting!! Could be interesting! Well I guess I better figure out what I am going to feed him when he gets in. Will check back later--- Kat

I used them to make a quick desert. We have a few apple trees, so have apples in abundance this time of year, so I took a couple of apples, peeled & sliced them into a small single serving pyrex type of bowl, sprinkled some brown sugar splenda on them, and popped them in the microwave for about 3 minutes, checked them, then cooked them for about another minute and a half, til they felt tender to the fork---then I took the crunchies, broke them up in the bag, and sprinkled the bag over the top and zapped for a final 45 seconds, let it cool....topped DH's 1/2 with cool whip and ate mine as it was---give a nice crunch...apples were sweet. It was easy.....it ended up being one of those things I really wanted to eat more of than I was able. DH took care of it for me!!! The next time I used the Special K vanilla bites, cuz thats all I had on hand----and someone else suggested the weight control oatmeal packets make good crisp toppings for baking fruit like this. Going to try that one! Kat

Haydee I don't know if your tongue is swelling or not, but back in the day when my oldest DD was doing everything in her power to show me she was her own boss---she went and got her tongue pierced! She spent 2 days drinking slushes from Sonic, letting the icy cold sit on her swollen tongue.....she said at the time it helped. I had no idea why she was drinking them, til she finally fessed up!!! Kat

Bet our weather will be better then too! Kat

Haydee did he give you anything else for your tongue or tell you that you could use anything for it----(yeah, I really am gonna hook up the new keyboard!!!) I ask because I use a little packet of stuff from the pharmacy it is over the counter it is called Amacin---you mix it in a couple of ounces of warm/hot water, swish and spit---it has a numbing agent in it, also a peroxide base I am guessing, it is antisceptic as well. It helped more than anything with all the stitches I had in my mouth at the time---and we have used it since for many mouth issues. As I say we buy it at Walgreens, like 7 bucks for a package of 20 or more packets. Hope you aren't hurting too bad. Mothers Day-----doggone it! I will work around whenever! Most of you have work schedules etc. I do not. If this place has booking issues at the time we decide, we can find another---the only thing that really matters to me is that we can all get together. And like I said earlier, with us going later, maybe Denise will be available!! Kat

Woooo hoooo Jessica you got your date!!! And the teeth getting pulled will cut down on your last meal syndrome!!! Thanks so much for the well wishes, you are a great addition to our group, I am glad you are with us! Kat

Michelle if my friggin computer would cooperate, or if I had a clue what was wrong I would send you the list right now, but it is not letting me copy and paste it, I have suddenly lost tool bars for going back and forth---it will not ctrl c or ctrl v---nothing. And I have to go for dinner, this is making me mad as all get out! I will work on it when I get back this evening, if I have to type it out all over I will get it to you. Kat

Oh yeah, sleeping arrangements don't matter much to me. My Mom uses a C-PAP, and Rick did prior to his heart surgery---so they don't phase me, look wise, or noise wise....when I was in ALbq. with my folks the night they drove me nutso, my Mom had a dream and tried to chew the hose to hers in 2! I laughed my butt off! Rick says since losing the weight I don't snore anymore, BUT---he snores so loud I have no idea how he would know, and I don't sleep with anyone else, so have no real idea!!! I have to sleep on an incline, but have an inflatable wedge I take traveling.....or I can find me a recliner, and sleep there! I just thought of another possiblity---with the date change, it may change things with the due date of Denise's DD-----if the baby is already here, she may be able to join us for a weekend! I understand not chancing missing it(birth of her grandchild), but we could always fit her in...if her grandchild has already been born by then....and that would make it even better!!! OK, just posting rambling thoughts now. DH and I are going to dinner, celebrating in our own way---the lack of chemo! Got horrible news today though, a child I provided daycare for for 10 years, consider him one of mine, his family is wonderful. He was killed in a stock car racing accident in Abilene this weekend. I cannot believe Ryan is gone, he was 25. Breaks my heart. His Dad beat all the emergency crews to his car, and kept trying to pull him out, now Dad is burned too. SO incredibly sad. Prayers for the Bard family please.... Kat

I just ask you in the regular thread if those days worked for you, I was going to suggest working around your spring break!!! I am extremely flexible----even with my time (wink-wink) Seriously, as I said over there, whenever, just let me know. I am hoping to get this thyroid thing over with, and maybe even get my TT done this winter as planned, and will be there regardless!!! Rick already told me to GO!!! Kat

Hi my friends---well it was a joke come to life, I went in to the old saying of having good news and bad news. In the end, my thyroid does have cancer cells. BUT the lymph glands checked (4) do not. They do plan to do further lymph testing to be 100% sure, but feel confident they are ok. The plan is to meet with an endocrinologist about a radioactive iodine treatment, and whether that would work, or whether my only option is removal. Removal is preferred, but carries risk with my keloid scarring. Not only does the scar tissue form on the outside, but also in the inside, which could compromise my vocal cords, or my parathyroids----they would prefer not to introduce all the adhesions if we can find an alternate plan. The MOST WONDERFUL, BEST, GREATEST news of all, is that thyroid cancer seldom follows with chemo. I have had an emotional roller coaster kind of day. My results could have been sooooo much worse. I could have had better news, but I can cope with this. I love you all, and thank you so much for being there with me in spirit, and allowing me to be honest with my fear---I do not know what I did before you guys---the weight loss with my band has been wonderful, but the friendships outweigh even that. (((((hugs)))))) to all of you and thank you more than I know how to say!!! Kat

Hi my friends--- Terry thanks so much for the kind words, and spreading my news. I wanted you to hear something before now. I know the morning Tracy went to court, and waiting to hear about Janes results, I was on pins and needles. So I don't know a whole lot more than what I told Terry. I am having a consult over the phone (he will have access to all of my records by computer, including scans and results), and from there we will decide if I need to go down and be seen by him. My appointment is tentatively set for review next Wed. and surgery on Friday the 2nd. The issue at hand they are mulling over is my keloid scarring. While it is not going to be pretty looking like a railroad track across my throat---but the issue is the adhesions also grow on the inside---which will be too close to my vocal cords, and para thyroids for their comfort . So they are discussing several options. Seems very strange to be happy even though there was a cancer diagnosis, but if there had to be one, this was by far my best situation to be in. The knowledge that they seldom follow up with chemo is such a massive relief to me! The only bad news he gave me besides that was that with my history, he wants to me have my colonoscopy done for the first time this year rather than waiting til 50----yuck!!! So thank you so much for all your prayers and good wishes, I knew I was in such good company---I cannot wait to hug each of you personally and say thank you!!! Speaking of doing the in person thing----I know April is the bandiversary for you all, but is it the best time for everyone otherwise When do you have Spring Break Pamela--- Ok needed that question mark---and I HAVE an adapter!!! I just have not taken time to put it on--I began this post, and ended up with the neighbor coming over, then my brother showed up even before she left---and Manda come---has been busy and chaotic---and very emotional day! Going to post this so everyone is not wondering why I am here and not saying anything!!! Love to you all---and thank you more than I know how to say--- Kat

OMG This is it, I was sitting down to post, and the Dr. called, he wants to see me at 10:30, just over an hour away---and I have a 30 minute drive, and Kinsey nor I are dressed---I need to take her to my Mom. I think they usually give good news on the phone...crap, Maybe he just wants to schedule the surgery regardless, I am praying hard for that to be it, but put very plainly I am scared shitless........I keep thinking breath,,,,,Rick is picking me up any minute I have to get ready, but think good thoughts---I need em bad......I am so fricken scared I am shaking....please let it be ok. Will let you know the second I get back. If I have time I will program someones # in my phone so they can spread the word before I get home. Kat

Awwww Darcy don't let our issues frmo years past scare ya---you have an advantage in so many ways---you have a well adjusted happy daughter living with you who will say you do not keep her from her Dad, what more could they ask for---- Not much time here, the Dr.'s office called, and they want to see me at 10:30. Scares the crap out of me, I think they usually give good news over the phone.....but hoping for the best....will let you know. Wish me luck...I'm scared. Kat

Terry do the Tuscon show, and I'll try to get there! At least it is in the realm! I am afraid to begin beading or scrapbooking that I will get addicted and go overboard!!! I'm with Judy & Terry---no periods, and I do not miss them, not one little bit, not even a single second of it...period! I would have given it away years before, but no one wanted to do the surgery, then a few cancer cells and Voila` out it all come in a hurry! Well I spent all day carrying the phone with me from room to room, doing everything I could to keep my mind occupied, and no call. Finally about 5 I called the office, and he called me back about 6 and said nothing had been uploaded onto the computer system yet, he would check in the morning, and let me know as soon as he gets anything. So another night of waking up at 3 and it filling my mind...ggrrrrrr. I have a feeling it is all ok....but the fear is there. I mean I never ever would have thought I would have had it the first time around. And regardless I am looking at some sort of surgery, breathing and swallowing are a big part of my day! You CA girls, be careful and be prepared, get some things ready in case you have to go quickly. Those fires are starting up all over. We have a separate hard drive, that I have all of my pictures on. We scanned all kinds of documents into it, I keep it in the safety box. With our birth certificates, and copies of everything, probably even copies of credit cards we no longer have!!! When I escaped my situation in TX I left everything behind. But I never expected to live through it, so I had packed 2 boxes here, for my Mom to give to Manda....and that is all my past I have. So I am always prepared!! Well, I better get to bed, see if I can sleep!!! See you goils in the mornin' Kat

I agree---give me my friends---I can yak for hours!!! I also like the nature walks, not sure it will be the best time of year for scenic attraction---although spring might be trying to pop through----I won't hold my breath!!! The horseback riding is not a biggie to me, it is available to me all the time!!! Wonder if they rent scooters anywhere or even bikes....could be fun. With the temps Tracy found, count me out for any rafting!!! If it is only 35 at night, that Water is going to be icy! Don't think we will have trouble filling our time. The main issue with spouses is the sleeping space, the way I see it. I realize they could find things to do...but it would change the dynamics of the sleeping arrangements. But I don't have issue with it---if someones spouse wants to come--let them, mine will demure I am sure----unless I let him ride---and I am NOT riding the bike that far! LOL Kat

Well no call today---the office said the results have not been uploaded to the computer system they all use, to check tomorrow. I guess they have never waited for this kind of news....has left me an emotional wreck! I truly don't think it is bad news---I am holding that hopeful feeling---but regardless I am headed for some sort of surgery, gotta be able to breath and eat! Dianne, my surgeon and his office worked with me extensively prior to scheduling my surgery to find aftercare. I am in a rural area of New Mexico, and in fact there are no band surgeons in the state at all. The closest to me works out of both Pueblo and Canon City Colorado. It was his seminar I attended. We worked together for close to a year, getting all our ducks in a row for him to do my surgery. I met the required weight, I had the co morbidities, I was in a 12 month medically supervised weight loss plan. I had to fight with the insurance to allow my MD to do the nutrition appointments, there is not a nutritionist locally. So, finally we were getting things finished up. I was seeing my PCP at the time every 2 weeks---once a month as a nutrition discussion, and once a month for a weigh in etc, as my MD. I had my 10th month appointments done, was a few days away from the first one for my 11th month, and I was in a car accident. I was hit from the rear, and it spun my car into a light pole, pinning me in the car, and crunching my left knee between the dash and the door where we hit the pole. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital, spent the night, and had surgery scheduled within the week. I called and cancelled the appointment for my nutrition consult---I was totally dependent, I could not drive. I rescheduled it within the month---had my surgery, my Dr come to the hospital and saw me. I went to my scheduled appointment. A few days later the surgeons office called me saying insurance was closing my file. My missing the appointment, had violated the requirements for the surgery to be covered. My PCP did not want to get involved, but the surgeons office helped me to appeal, they once again said when I completed 12 consecutive months without missing an appointment, they would cover, but not until. By that time I was furious with my PCP, he was the one who ruined it in my opinion, he saw me in the hospital---I was just a steady co-pay and insurance payment he was not willing to lose in my opinion!! But changing PCP's and trying to find another who would support the surgery etc....I stuck it out there. I began looking into other options then. I have a friend here who used the Dr. I did, so I called her, and began researching....while once again begining the appointments. Then my surgeons office called and said the other things I had done...the cardiology work up, the sleep study etc, would not be submisible they needed to be done within 6 months of the surgery, and insurance would only pay for them without referral once every 2 years. So I stopped the whole thing. And began looking into Mexico again. This was before Kirshenbaum or anyone in the US was doing them as reasonable. I had decided on my surgeon, was just trying to figure the finances, without disturbing our savings, that is our retirement....all the while being seriously depressed. Then one day---a really depressed day---Rick and I were going into town and my cell phone rang, and it was the insurance company for the driver at fault. My ortho had just released me and they wanted to settle the case. They were telling me what all bills they had already paid, and throwing numbers out....I was trying to get my phone onto speaker, but was holding it so Rick could hear---and she says something to the effect that they would like to settle with me personally besides paying my medical, for pain and suffering, and loss of mobility, and on and on. When she told me the amount, the door opened. I had my way of doing it. My SIL was interested as well, so she pulled money from her 401, and we went to Mexico. Before we went though, as I began---my MX surgeon , spoke with the CO surgeon who worked so hard with me. He agreed to do my follow up care. But he is still 6 hours away one way. So the surgeon also had me contact my oncologist who treated me when I had my bout with cancer, to find out if he would in an emergency access my port for a total unfill only. I went and met with him, he agreed they could do that, called my surgeon with the ok, and we set a date! It was an amazing experience, the hospital was immaculate, the people all but fell all over themselves keeping us comfortable. They required us to stay longer since we had to travel so far home. It is not a clinic, but a hospital and we were in the hospital for 3 days. Longer if you could not drink comfortably and use the bathroom. All was well, so the afternoon of day 3 they took us back to the airport. I have been back to see my surgeon once, when I went with another friend to be banded. I would do it again in a heartbeat! My surgery, and flight for Rick and I both at the time (April 06), everything involved, travel to and from the airport, the motel, everything but 1 nights meal was included. It come to a total of $7,740.00 The surgeon did accept all my tests---he does require similar tests, but accepted mine, my SIL had to have a cardiology appointment, and a psych evaluation before the surgery---but he did not require the sleep study. I like the Dr. who does my fills ok, his office staff really worked to get me approved, it was insurance that failed me not them. But in the end, I liked my MX surgeon much better, he was much more informative, and relaxed, seemed more personable. My fill Dr. is very smug! I have some family members that went and were banded, they did not set up local care, and at this time one of them is doing the fills and unfills for them---yep---crazy idiots! I understand there is now a place in Albuquerque to get fills---I don't know anything about it though. I have not had a fill since a year ago July. Thinking about one to get the last of the weight off, then schedule a TT. WOoo HOoooo---a flat belly what a dream come true that will be!!!! Ok enough of a book! Kat

It may seem like a long ways, but you will get there!!! Look how far you came and what you overcome to get here! You made the drop from morbidly obese to obese in 6 months----with the majority of that time you did not have a working band---your repair was what 6 weeks ago---you WILL get there my friend, and we will be "overweight losers" together!!! Kat

Hi girls---and any guys we might have pop in.... Sitting on pins and needles awaiting a call from the Dr. but have heard nothing, begining to think it will be tomorrow----dammit! Patty been thinking about you and your boys with this fire. Once all the chaos is settled, I would have a serious talk with the school, ANY child with asthma, or any health issues should have been kept in, with no phone calls necessary, that is scary business! Will for sure have you in my prayers. Dianne---sooooooo good to see you! I can go to your site, just tell me what you want me to do---talk pro lap band---I do that well!!! What if they ask about where I was banded....isn't your site Dr. related....because I am a Mexico bandster.....let me know! I miss seeing you around, how's the legs----(I have no question mark still---cannot find an adapter, so now I have to either add USB ports through an expansion or buy a different key board.....grrrrr) Mandy, we have had cold weather too, but today has begun warming up some---and so far the prediction looks as though the kids might have decent trick or treat weather. What is Miss Abi going to be for Halloween---- You never know how much you miss that one little key, the lone question mark, until you don't have it! Betty---you on the mend now---- Eileenie----hugs---miss you! Well everyone, I only seem to have questions in mind today....and the lack of the key only irritates me! I had 3 computer shops that were to call me back today---nothing, between them and the Dr. everytime the phone rings I hope, and it is always someone wanting to know if I have heard anything! Will check in on you girlies in awhile---- Kat

Not long ago there was a thread about this, and the OP found someplace selling what appeared to be nice handbags, the one she linked was a black purse looking bag. They open wide, and have disposable black plastic bag liners. They sell them for air travel, car sickness, chemotherapy etc. I cannot for the life of me remember where I might find the post though. Maybe do a search on airsick bags, or car sick bags---- Kat

when going to nursing school a few years back my DD worked for Red Lobster. She was written up by her manager for selling a childs plate to an adult. She accepted the write up, because as she said she was told it was not accepted when she went through her training---and she knowingly broke the rule by allowing the woman to do so. She quit shortly thereafter and it is not someplace we go anymore due in large part to many of the rulings they force upon their waitstaff. Now whether this is corporate as he claims I have no idea---but it IS how he ran his local franchise. I agree---if they tell me no, figuring their tip will suffer, I can guarantee it will! Work with me and I will make it worth it! BUT that being said, the area in which we live, there is a HUGE issue with big parties and no tips---it is pathetic. My DH says when they go out to lunch from work, he has to overtip to compensate several of his employees who will not leave a cent. These are men making well in excess of 20-30 bucks an hour compared to the waitstaff making less than 3 per hour! We too go back where we feel taken care of, and do not go back to other places for the same reasons. I always tell management that I am unhappy with that this is a small town and I have a big mouth and I intend on spreading the word! Kat

Hi Panda--yep we have lists everywhere!!!! This one is a contact list. We are exchanging contact information outside of LBT. That way if one of us goes missing---we have a way to check and make sure they are ok. For instance now with these fires, we have some in our Violets in California---we would have contact if suddenly we quit hearing from them. We also wanted to exchange Christmas cards, which led to the Secret Santa!!! Only those sharing the information will be given the information, it will go out privately, that way it is not open to the public on the forum. We are including: Name SO's name, children's names if you want address phone # email birthday If you want to be added just PM me your information. You will need to send it to Laura separately for the Secret Santa---that way when I forward my list to all of you, someone not wanting to do the gift exchange is not inadvertently added to the SS list. Please feel free and welcome to join in! Kat

FOUGHT---not fount!!!! I really do know how to spell it! This is easier than editing these days!!! Kat

My battle in High School was the opposite, I was skinny---and hated that as badly as the obesity! I married right out of high school, and at 5'9" I fount to gain up to 116 pounds so my wedding dress would look decent. I want to lose more, but never want to go there again either!!! Kat

Ok---getting everyone's info together here---I missed one---don't tell anyone I messed up!!! Gina---is there a DH's name you want included---also waiting on some info from Jane (where you at girl---worry about you when you go AWOL), and anyone else wanting included. Terry, I have no idea what is inside the bear, he is white, and soft, he got smelly---like a freezer---but he cannot be washed---so I closed him in a zip lock with a bunch of baking soda, and he is a sweet bear again!!! I have done NOTHING today---unless playing Barbies counts! We filled Papa's lunch cooler with water, and let the barbies go swimming in the kitchen! Kat

some places allow me to order the childrens portion without question, others balk, so I just pay it---figuring, in the past I have more than made up for it. I noticed a HUGE difference in the looks I got before losing much weight and now that I have lost a considerable amount. Back when I was still near my heaviest, and would only pick at the huge plate of food, they would always ask, but had this look about them that was like "who do you think you are fooling"----but now they tend to ignore my not eating as much. We have found ways to save a few bucks when we go out at some places. One place offers a side kick of ribs or a skewer of shrimp that can be added to an entree---there we just order me the sidekick! Other places like our Chili's, never balk at me ordering from the kids menu. I too have a card, that requests them to allow me to order from the childrens menu, because I have had WLS. One of our local buffet restaurants honors it, another only discounts me to a senior buffet cost---saving about a quarter!!! In fact we don't go there anymore, because the manager was such an a$$ over it, he tried his best to embarrass me---asking loudly if my surgery was not working!!! I told him to skip it, charge me full price, I could fill as many plates as anyone else, whether I ate it or not! Other places that refuse to allow me to order from the childrens menu, if they can't because of company policy, I figure that is fine. I am out for a good time, and not having to cook, it is worth it, and I take leftovers home. BUT---the funniest thing to happen to me eating out was about a month ago we were in Applebees for lunch, and I was slowly and sparingly eating---it was one of those days things were going down very slowly---and this woman, sitting accross from me was heavy, close to my starting size, not quite, says to me across the aisle "If I could eat like you, I wouldn't look like this!" I was so shocked by it at first I said nothing, but smiled. Then I finally stopped at her table and told her that I had a lap band and ate small amounts slowly and with it I had managed to lose over a hundred pounds. She took my email to get more info!! Kat