Kat817

Thanks so much girls---I am not real concerned about the tests tomorrow and the next day....Friday has me a tad nervous! Tracy---prayers, and all my good thoughts will be with you...I'll tell ya what---when I am in the tube (they scheduled me another MRI as well), and they tell me to be very still...I have to lie there with my eyes closed, thinking strongly about something or my claustrophobia kicks in!!! So when I am inside, I will use all my concentration to pray for you and your son! You will have my full attention! Thanks for the chicken ideas! Jenn, I have chicken of all kinds!!! I tend to buy up both breasts and thighs (boneless/skinless) when they go on sale, and use tons of it!!! Tonight, I fried chicken tenders. I know that is not the healthiest way of eating them, but it is one of the handiest for a 2 year old!!! I take the Fried onions (like you use on Green bean casserole) and crush some of them up with Ritz crackers, some season salt, and a bit of flour. Dredge in the mix, then into milk or yogurt (plain), then back into the cracker mixture, and fry. Rick and I like them with ranch dressing, but she does not like ranch on anything! She ate so much chicken and broccoli tonight I thought she might burst!!! She liked it! Rick and I just finished watching a PBS show about the Amazing Human Heart. Unreal! I still find it hard to believe they did all that to him! Pamela, I believe the exercise comparison---dancing is an amazing work out! I don't do anything as strenuous as what they do in jazzercise, but I'll put music on and dance with the kids, when I think that we have all been vegging for too long!!! We have fun, and gets my heart rate up!! Judy I agree, I would not say anything to DD about the jeans. I have some my DD gave me that were too big for her, and I wear them all the time, she ask me the other day if I could get into them yet....I told her I have been wearing them for 2 months, I was hoping they would be too big for me now, but they still work!!! Maybe if she brings the subject up....!!! Ms Jen---WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!! 50 pounds, what a great feeling!!! Picture time!!! If not to share, at least for your own comparisons, so you can SEE how things are changing!!! Terry---you sound like me...all the neighbor kids, all the kids friends, I was Mom to everyone!!! Not to mention all the daycare kids! You should see our house on Halloween---I still have kids, and now kids bringing their kids. They all know this is a safe bathroom stop, and we will have dinner, and snacks...I have a houseful for hours! This year, I am making a big pot of chili, and having a build it yourself Frito Pie or Chili Dog bar, going to put the bowls of fritos, cheese, onions, tomatoes, sour cream, and anything else I can think of out on the bar, and just let them build what they want!! That way it can be ready for whoever, whenever. All the kids end up here different times, depending on where all they have to go! I always look forward to seeing all the kids again! Pamela, I am trying to think of something non sugar for the kids....thought about those water based tattoos, or balloons, or pencils......not sure yet what I will buy for the masses!!! Tracy--great strides!!! The front view of the shirt, is impressive, the change so evident---good job girlie!!! TracyK, Gina, Denise, Amanda, Michelle, I can't scroll back far enough to respond! I used to copy & paste from word too...guess I am going to have to again!!! My memory is not failing, it is done gone!!! Will check back with you guys in the morning before I have to go.... Kat

For some people the stricter diet does allow them the freedom from choices, and fits them. Others like myself do not do well feeling deprived!!! My Dr. also had me on 2 weeks of clear liquids---watery consistency, no thickness or pieces of any kind. Then 2 weeks of full liquids, thicker cream type of soup. It still had to be of a consistency to go through a straw for instance. Then another 2 weeks of mushies, and then slowly on to regular food. If you tolerated a full diet, including hard Proteins, then in another 2 weeks he would do your first fill. I ask about the spicy foods, and was told to watch and see if I tolerated them, and the big issue was consistency so the band could heal in proper position. As for the creams, they are indeed useless calories. BUT, if it satisfies you, keeps you on target for allowing your body to heal, it is not the worst thing! I have never strictly "dieted" since going back to real food. I do concentrate on eating much healthier, simply because I can not eat a huge amount, so I want as good of nutrition as I can get from the smaller amount of food. I do eat things that are not healthy---it may very well make my weight loss slower. I am happy this way. I eat as my palate pleases basically. I have learned HUGE amounts about nutrition, and portion sizes....all information I use everyday in my choices. I also know myself very well---and if I thought I was going to be limited to a small variety of food for the rest of my life, or even for a year while I got to goal---I would be going nuts! I don't like that! My best friend is just the opposite, she does the Slim Fast, because she doesn't have to think about food then...and all it does for me is make me think non stop about food!!! How we approach the different stages, and how each of our diets affect us is as different as each of the Dr.'s schedule of things!!! Good Luck in your healing, and in following your eating plan! Kat

Well the girlie is asleep, so I was going to get some things done, and let her nap. As I took chicken from the freezer, I was going over in my head, all the things I do with chicken, and decided I am tired of them all!!! So I am asking my Violet Sistahs----for each of you to post your favorite chicken recipe....help me find new ones!! Thanks! Kat

Good last few minutes of morning in my time zone!!!! I looked down as I typed morning and my computer says it is 11:53!!! This day has passed in a hurry, and I have so much more I wanted to do! Kinsey and I decorated for Halloween---put out all of Granny's scarecrows! She laughed at them---does not think they are scary at all!!! Then we lost her 'little princess dress'---a short one piece tutu/leotard, that the child just almost lives in!!! We hunted and looked and searched...finally finding it in Granny's hamper!!! Trying to make a point, since she put it in the hamper, I took it to the laundry, and am taking the time to wash it! It was looking pretty rough!!! We spent the morning making cinnamon rolls---such a glutton for punishment!!! Actually they are not an issue, the thought of eating one causes pain, and makes me want to slime!!! But Kinsey and Rick both love them. So we made some for our house, and made a pan to take to a friend who just lost her brother. I won't be able to attend the service, I will having my biopsy, so wanted to do something. We are heading out to Walmart in a few minutes, I have to get a few things, and want to have some simple easy things for the next few days of testing fun. Rick can and does cook, but he doesn't normally get home until 6:30 at the earliest---so I usually try to have it ready by then, so we are not eating so late. Tracy, I feel your pain, some men are soooo slick!!! One time many years ago, my ex come to get Manda, I should have sensed something was up, because he NEVER come after her! But this was early in my learning process!!! He told her when he picked her up they were going to go have pizza...really talked it up! About 10 minutes after they left, he shows back up...Manda upset, saying that pizza Hut would not take a check, and so he couldn't take her. Then he had an idea, maybe I could cash a check for him----stupid foolish me!!! My biggest concern was he would stop payment on the check! I cashed a check for him gave him all the cash I had, was a whopping like $32.00. I run to the bank the next morning, got my cash back, and relaxed. Then about a month later, I got a letter from the Child support enforcement, chewing me out, telling me I was not allowed to receive support directly, blah blah blah---he turned the check in as support paid!!! A$$hole that he was! It caused everything I had done to be eliminated, and I had to wait another several months to show he was again not paying! All over $32.00!!! And the kicker???? Manda said they didn't get to eat pizza! At the time that made me mad, I was just secretly relieved he had not stopped payment...I had no idea what was coming! I learned not to trust anything from him! He did the same thing with Manda's birthday---he would give her a check, and make it out to me, since she didn't have an account. I knew better, I refused it! I refused it so guess what she got??? Same thing she has received every year since, a big fat nothing! She told me the other day he told her he has early staged COPD, and his blood pressure was like 192/120---I could not find much sympathy. I told her I would add him to our prayer chain, and I would pray that I could be civil! Judy I think I am going to be struck first without a doubt!!!! Well, I am going to fold this load of laundry and head into town, to do our shopping....well maybe, Kinsey is looking like a nap is on the way, maybe I can wait and do it all tomorrow after my first test.... we'll see!!! TTYL~ Kat

The remote fill or unfill will still be medically controlled by the Dr. is my understanding, it just eliminates the need for needles, and possible introduction of infection. The remote is carefully calibrated to increase the size of the band, thereby reducing the size of the stoma, doing exactly what the saline does now. On another board we were discussing it, and a woman was explaining it to us, that had ask her band Dr. about it. This is just my understanding of the conversation we had. My Grandfather had a pace maker that was remotely adjusted. Recently my husband had a cardiac event monitor that was telephoned in and adjusted. I understand the future of the band is hoped to be adjusted in a similar way. Only trained Dr.s and hopefully more hospitals will have the ability to eliminate restriction without fear of harming the patient. The goal they were told is to be able to simply call your band Dr. in the event of an overfill equivalent, and place the phone in the area of the band, and they will be able to loosen the band. I know my Grandpa had simply to hold the phone over his pace maker and adjusting it that way was done---so I have no doubt that eventually such a thing is possible. I have never heard of any possibility that YOU (not you individually, but us as patients I mean) will have your own remote to your band. It will still be managed by a band Dr. Yes they would lose the revenue from fills and unfills---but many include some in the cost. If it were to ever be possible to eliminate them, I am sure the overall cost of the band would go up to compensate. Many Dr.'s still tend to push the bypass, and there is not any fill/unfill follow up revenue with it. I figure they would figure out how to come out ahead...same as they figured out with this!!! I think the overall charge would be similar, you just would not have issues of needle pokes, or saline, or leaks...it would definitely seem to reduce the risk of infection, as well as reduce the amount of items used that could cause problems. Now some deal with flipped ports---ports would not be needed. Tubing leaks and even separates some times, there would be no tubing.... Initially I am sure the cost would be considerably more, in order to pay for the equipment, as would be expected....but in time I would think the cost would come down just as some are finding it is now with the types of bands we all have. That is one of the biggest advantages of the band in my opinion. If they come up with some new band to control that way, we are fully able to have one, nothing has been rerouted---it was a major decision maker for me! I am excited to see what the future holds with WLS----just glad they are continuing to study and discover! Now how long until insurance follows suit? None of us may live long enough!!!!!! Kat

Hi girls! Well Kinsey is asleep at last, she ended up with a late nap and kinda through things out of kilter! We went to our friends Becky & Gary's for a cookout today. Gary's folks are in town, so it was nice to see them. Kinsey had their grandson to play with, so wore herself out, and fell asleep coming home. She put on quite the singing and dancing show for everyone today! I'll try to get some pictures of her Queen outfit...she is very excited for Halloween. But she is pretty iffy about the scary things! TracyK, your Ariel is adorable!!! I always wonder about how to keep kids warm with cute things like that! So we went with a long sleeve, long dress, that she can wear sweats under to try to stay warm!! A friend has a Red Riding Hood cape, fully lined with red fleece, that I think we will put over her dress to go trick or treating. Manda said it has slit for the hands---I just don't know if she can manage all those layers!!! You know, that is the night they have to potty every 10 minutes! Judy, if you get struck, I will be sizzling right next to ya!!! I SERIOUSLY thought about making an appointment and talking to her face to face, but I don't think it will matter. She is totally lacking in personality. She is very close to my cousin and his wife, both around my age. She smiles and laughs some with them, but otherwise she is very serious all the time, and comes across as almost shy...but yet something about it feels insincere. Church attendance has dropped drastically. My parents say nothing negative about her....but they do not seem "excited" about their new classes. And as Judy said many extra activities, and such have been just let drop. Our church partnered with a woman doing a feeding program for children in Kahzikstan (sp?)... she has nothing to do with it. The childrens ministry has dwindled, she is not married, has no children, and does not seem to relate to them any better than anyone else. Sounds like we both need Bob for our churches!! Pamela glad you had a nice time with Susanne. Hope the week flies by quickly for you! My PCP had his nurse call me and try to schedule an appointment to "strategize a treatment for my high cholesterol", I was shocked, when I donate blood it gets checked and has been fine...I know it is not a fasting test with them, but my numbers have steadily dropped. So I ask her what is was, she tells me it is close to 160, and he would prefer it closer to 100. I was pissed!!! I told her I felt like that number was acceptable at this point, and I had other things to think about, I was not interested in strategizing over something so piddly to find someone else wanting to turn over a co-pay!!! Yeah I was in a bad mood by that time! I was coming back from Albq. with my Dad from his check up, and Rick calls, she had called and left a message with him for me to call the office ASAP. With everything going on right now, he was in a panic, which made me the same way---all for that! Heck when I began this lap band journey I was in the high 230's....so where I am is fine! Made me mad! Hope your numbers are all ok, and you get satisfactory information on them. Jenn-you work this weekend? What's on the agenda for Halloween for you and your DS? Tracy---how about your little guy---what is he going to be? Don't think we have anything major planned for tomorrow, maybe some laundry. I go for the first part of my 2 day test on Tuesday. Manda will be home she said---I hate that I caused them to cut their trip short, she says I didn't...but seems like!!! She says she is missing Kinsey too much to stay much longer. Today when she called Kinsey sang "You are my Sunshine" to her and made her cry!!! It really IS adorable! If I show no adverse reactions with the test, then they will administer the actual iodine junk, and I can go home. If there is any possible reaction to the iodine, then depending on how severe, they might keep me at the hospital, or scrap the test all together. My Mom is highly allergic to iodine, so they are making me do the testing. Oh! I did get some possible good news! You know when I went to get my license and they decided I was a Possible Threat to Society!!! Well technically my given name is Kathleen. I have NEVER gone by it! My SS, everything is in Kathy. I was told to go to the MVD, and see if they will check and find out if a block comes up on Kathleen, and if not, simply changing my ID to my given name, will clear me to obtain a passport again!!! I really am NOT a threat!! Well I am going to bed. This Mommy business is tiring!!! See y'all tomorrow!! Kat

Good Morning~ Getting going slowly this morning. I wimped out and sent Kinsey to church with my folks. I know we should have went and taken her, but I could not get moving. I am so tired! In 2 weeks I think we will go to the next town over and go to church there. The pastor is much more jovial, and makes us feel welcome anytime we go. I was sitting the fence with our new minister until my Dad had his surgery, and she come to the hospital finally....only after Mom called her 3 times. She made the comment she would be in Albq. seeing her parents, and going camping with them, and that she would try to get to the hospital. She come finally, and found out they had postponed Dads surgery, then acted like it inconvenienced her! If she did not have time to come, be honest, tell my parents. I hate when someone does something and then tries to make you feel crappy for them having to do it. So she stayed a few minutes, not even long enough to sit down. Offered to say a prayer with us. Mom invited a man we had been visiting with to join us, he was all alone, and scared for his wife---she never aknowledged that he was with us, or ask who he was with or said a word to him. And when she left the hospital, that was that. She took 2 calls on her cell while she was there, but she never used it to call and check on him, or anything. She had no idea how he was until he showed up at church the next week. Now if my Dad never did anything for her I might be able to see it. But he works hard for the church. He and my brother do all the lawn maintenance, and building maintenance. My brother uses it as his tithing---not my Dad. He also works at the parsonage steadily....doing general home maintenance. He is a 74 year old man!!! The church has younger members, but they don't DO anything. He teaches a Sunday School class, and holds small group classes at his house that he teaches. This pastor is someone he is in touch with on almost a daily basis. Yet when he was having something this serious done, she couldn't be bothered with him. Made me feel like we intruded on her. I have not been back to the church since. Today is a pastor appreciation dinner---I just could not bring myself to go. I feel guilty, SHE is not the church. And I know I would have felt better for going---but let my bad feelings overpower me. I think us going to Bloomfield to the church over there will be best. It is sad to me. We are definitely into Fall here, leaves are gold and red, and absolutely beautiful!!!! The mornings are crisp and chilly, we usually build a small fire. By afternoon it is warming some, and pleasant. Talked to my SIL in Denver this morning and she is dealing with freezing rain---so I will take the falling leaves!!!! Will be back in awhile, have to go make my beans to take to dinner. Thanks for listening to me vent.....again! Kat

Name your 3 all-time favorite movies: Ghost, Multiplicity, & Grease If you could pick a new career right now, what would it be? I am happy where I am.... How old were you when you fell in love for the 1st time? 16 If you could pick your “last meal” what would it be?BIG battered and deep fried shrimp, loaded baked potato, and chocolate covered cheesecake for dessert! What’s the greatest thing about the town you live in? I have lots of options close at hand, mountains, and snow skiing in the winter, if I go north, Colorado is only 11 miles away! Desert if I go south. Lakes for swimming, and Water skiing. It is small enough to feel at home, and close enough to a bigger town to be convenient. My kids are here, my parents are here...my home is paid for here!!! Where were you born? Boulder, Colorado. Have you ever read a book (or attended a lecture, took a class, etc.) that changed your life in some way? What was it? This is going to be a very wierd answer---but it was my Great Aunts funeral! The number of people who attended, and they all said how wonderful she was, she was one of those people who never said bad things about others, was always the one to be helping, and she smiled all the time! She was killed by a drunk driver who hit her when she went to the mail box when I was 14....she made a lasting impression of goodness, I hope someday to see her again, and that I did not disappoint her! What is your favorite charity? Why? I donate financially to our local fire dept, at Christmas for their charity drive. I do the American Cancer Society walk each year, taking pledges. And also walk in the MS walk, as I have several family members with MS. Name your 3 all-time favorite books: I love the Janet Evanovich series of Stephanie Plum, Jonathon Kellermans Alex Delaware series, and one called Morning Glory, by LaVeryl Spencer. What do you do when you are bored? Do you not see how much time I spend here!!!???? Do you have any vices? Quit smoking years and years ago....seldom drink much.....eating has been seriously diminished....I still say bad words!!! Name one thing you’d like to do before you die. Get REALLY old, and watch my kids grow old, and my grandkids grow up healthy and happy! Is the glass half-empty or half-full? Half Full, way more often than not. What is your bedtime? 11 ish What is your idea of the perfect vacation? Rick by my side....a nice beach house, somewhere tropical....cool breezes, fruity drinks, fresh pineapple to snack on, a classic hammock swaying back and forth....sandy beaches within view... and a body to be proud of at that beach!!! Ever have a dream that you were “with” a movie star? Who was it? (insert theme music from the Twilight Zone here) I too had a Bill Clinton, on his desk, sex dream!!! And he WAS good!!!! If you knew your advice would be taken, what would you say to a high school graduate? If there is someone you trust, be it your family or a friend, trust them if they tell you someone you are dating is not good for you---they are looking out for you same as always!!! And if it feels wrong, get the hell out, regardless of whether it will look bad, or how close to the wedding it is....whatever, look out for you!!!

Well, got the kiddo to bed, and I am going to be right behind her. There is a reason God gives you kids when you are young!!! I am too old to chase around a 2 year old!!! I am not sleeping well at all, I can no longer sleep on my back, the mess on my thyroid, causes too much pressure on my trachia, and my air gets cut off, so I wake up gasping and heart racing...time after time, after time! Many years ago I was a side or stomach sleeper, then I hurt my back, so I trained myself to sleep on my back---now untraining is taking just as long! I see you in here Penni---miss your posts---hope all is well, I think of you often, everytime I read a Nora Roberts book, or catch Ghost Whisperer!!! Ok girls, I am off to bed....see ya tomorrow!! Kat

Must have been a soup kind of day!!! I did a cream of chicken with green chile and cheese....it is Rick's favorite. I buy bags of cream of chicken basemix at a local restaurant supply store, and use the chicken base for lots of things. The recipe on the bag just calls for it to be added to water to make the soup---it is like a creamy bullion type of thing. I always make it with chicken broth and some half & half. I had leftover chicken, so I diced it, and simmered it with some green chile for several minutes while the stock cooked, then tossed them all together, threw a lid on it, and let it sit and get aquainted for awhile. Then when he said he couldn't stand it anymore---the smell was yummy---I turned the heat back on, added some cheese, let it melt, and called it soup!! If I hide it well, there will be enough left to send to work with him on Monday. We are going to friends tomorrow for a burger cook out. I have to make baked beans for that....so maybe that will take his mind off of the soup!!! I love getting new ideas for dinner....I have to watch myself or we seem to get in a rut of eating the same things over and over again! Keep the ideas coming! Kat

Hi! Busy weekend here, we have the granddaughter staying. All of our kids are in Las Vegas---lucky ducks!! Will try to get in and catch up after bedtime. TTYL!!! Kat

Hi Violets~ How's everyones weekend going? Ours is uneventful. All our kids made it to Vegas safely, and are all attending a show together tonight, then hitting Margaritaville together. Lucky brats!!! We took the folks to breakfast this morning, then spent the day winterizing things. We covered swamp coolers on the rentals, and for both parents, and did the chimney sweeping thing...well Rick did that, I cut the Dads hair. Then come home, and vegged, did not even get our own done!!! Maybe tomorrow! Grabbed some quick dinner at the local A&W, and now we are just sitting around letting Kinsey entertain us! TracyK--so sorry about your nephew Hon, your family is hurting through all of this, and I hate that! I do hope he is improving soon, and I am so thankful you got Macy out of the way, he could have hurt her without ever intending to. Pamela---enjoy your time with Susanne, I love your earrings!!! Terry---I have mostly good neighbors, there are some exceptions!!! The crazy lady I told y'all about!!! And then right next door there is an older couple who own a local real estate agency, with several office branches---and they are SOOOOO much better than us, just ask them!!! Actually the husband, is pretty nice, he had heart valve surgery not long before Rick, so he comes around and talks, she would not lower herself to mix with us rif raf!! Otherwise, it is a great neighborhood. It is in high demand, houses do not stay on the market long. It is an older neighborhood, most of the houses being built in the 50's & 60's. I love it here. I actuall lived in this house in High School. My parents bought it in the early 70's, for under $20K!!! Then they moved into a bigger home, and rented this one out. When I come back here following my divorce, I rented it with an option---by that time the appraisal on it had quadrupled---and it appraised and sold to me for $84K. Then I rented it out when we went to Denver with Rick....then we moved back here and decided to just live in it!!! Then the government finally turned loose of some property behind our houses on this block, that used to have a railroad on it that quit running back in the 60's. Gave us an option to buy the land adjoining ours. Our houses are the last row of houses, butting up against school property and BLM land. We have lots of wildlife, and yet are only like blocks from down town! With the addition of the land, we are now on 3 city lots, and our last appraisal for insurance come in at $283K. Quite a jump from what my folks paid back then $19-$283!!! We have some property out of town, but it adjoins the land his parents live on, so we are not willing to move out there just now, they like to monopolize him and his time if allowed anyway. Eventually we will likely move out there and build. Rick wants a bigger shop, and when we have big gatherings, like holidays we have a lack of space---both in the house, and parking wise. We jokingly call it our 5 year plan, because in 5 years, everything else will be paid off, and the child we battled over in court will be 19---and her mother will be out of our lives! Then we will do it! But as for the neighbors, it is nice. I can always borrow an egg if needed, and have someone to watch my house when I am gone. We do gather for impromptu parties some in the summer. Good people. The ones right next to me are the worlds biggest alcoholics I think! But it doesn't affect me, they never have infringed due to it...so I let them be! They go through over a case of Coors Light a day, between the 2 of them! Is Judy gone again? I remember reading about her busy schedule, but thought they had awhile before their next cruise. Miss seeing her! Laura, hope the girlie is feeling all better!!! Was DH surprised by the additional jewelry?? LMAO! Well I am off to play Barbies!!! We bought some new ones and a jeep today, maybe I will get to drive!!! wooo hooo!!!! See ya in awhile! Kat

Hi everyone---just stopping in to say Hi and all is well. I am exhausted, we spent yet another day cutting wood, I thought we were done---but Rick approached me about cutting a truckload of wood for the man on the corner of our block. He is in his late 70's, not of normal mentality. He lived with his parents til they died, then with his Aunt & Uncle in the house on the corner, until they too died. Now he lives alone, and a nephew comes by and he has visiting nurses. He does not like women, he is afraid of them I believe. His name is Keith...he has a golden cocker spaniel named Candy who escapes frequently, and I have to take her home, he barely looks as me and says thank you, as he lavishes attention on his dog. 2 years ago about this time of year, I took Candy home, after one of her escape sessions, and I heard him hollering for help, so let myself in, and he was lying in the hall, damn near dead! I called 911, then called my Dad---Keith likes my Dad a lot. He had gone up on the roof to cover his A/C, and fallen. He made it up and into the bathroom, and tried to get to his room, and fell in the hallway. In the end the paramedics puntured his lungs with his broken ribs, and he was in bad shape for a along time, but he made it home. My Dad mentioned to Rick that he had always tried to get the SWAT team at church to take wood in to Keith, but they were not doing that anymore, and ask him how much a co worker sold wood for, because he wanted to buy him a load of wood. It ended up, we went and cut it. His eyes lit up like a 4 year olds on Christmas---it was nice. My husband is a nice guy....guess I'll keep him...today!!! All of our kids are gone, they are all in Vegas at this point in time. Rick's ex is getting married, so they went to the wedding. And Manda and her bf are going to spend a couple of days there with the other kids, and then plan to head to the coast. Manda had such a hard time leaving Kinsey, I kind of expect them to cut their week short!!! We are taking Kinsey and meeting our parents out for breakfast in the morning. We used to go once a month or so. Meet up at a Golden Corral or Country Buffet...so each family group pays their own way, and we all get together early (9:30) on Saturday, see each other, spend some time. We don't end up cooking, or cleaning up, or cleaning house to have a gathering. Then we are all free to do as we want or need to do for the weekend, without feeling like we never got to check in with the family. Since the kids are all gone, it will just be us and the folks! As for the fill question, I have had 2. I have a total of 1.75cc.'s I am not tight, but have restriction enough to limit my intake to a reasonable amount without much trouble. I could lost weight at this restrictive level if I would work with it a bit, I am just lazy, and not doing much!!! It eased my mind sooooo much though to realize how easy maintenance is going to be!!! Sorry for the work trouble Laura. Same with you Pamela, that kid would have stayed lost between the cracks with some teachers too---you hopefully got him going where he needs to be to get the help he needs. Enjoy the visit with your Dad & say hi to Susanne for us! I wanna go yard saling with you Terry!!!! I am not one to go frequently, but when I do, I have fun!! Well not knowing how well Kinsey will sleep until she settles herself in, I am going to go on to bed, and sleep while I can. Will check in with you girlies tomorrow!!! Kat

Alcoholism is such a difficult thing to deal with. As well as divorcing an alcoholic, my brother drank terribly for many years. He has now been sober for close to 10 years. We still seem to walk on eggshells around him, like he will start drinking again if we do or say the wrong thing. When that is their life style it is VERY hard, there are so many fears, and angers festering inside. Have you ever attended Al Anon meetings? They were of great help to my Mom. Her biggest fears were that my brother would feel we abandoned him, or that he would drink himself to death, or have an accident and die, and she would have been mad and not speaking to him...so she always tried to talk to him. She got great support and guidance from the Al Anon group---plus a lot of people who understood the emotions she was going through. It was full of people who knew she was not a failure as a Mother, who understood how she could love and hate him all in the same breath. Please look into it, if just to have someone to relate to. I understand some of the fear, but to have the fears with your brother is nothing like it would be with your child---I cannot even imagine. Just know you are NOT alone. Hopefully as she gains momentum behind her with this push for sobriety she will begin to see you full of the love you have for her. Hang in there, and try to get some help for YOU as you deal with her---it will help her in turn. I am sorry I have no words of wisdom, I just wanted you to know someone was out here listening, and feeling full of compassion for you. I am going to say a prayer for you and your family tonight, and hope you all can find a way to work through this together!! Good Luck on your fill tomorrow, it really wasn't a big deal at all!!! The needle is a simple poke---same as any other shot or blood draw, nothing to panic over!!! (((hugs))) Kat

hey All---back from Albq. Dad got a good report, and I come away with names for an endocrinologist, and a surgeon recommended by Dads surgeon---plus his positive spin on things, so feeling better! Thanks so much for reminding me how lucky I am to have all of my friends here!!! Hey Kelly (want2bemegain)!!! This is Kelly everyone--it is her in the pics with me! I know you will make her welcome!!! Kelly this is the crew! I'd say the New Jersey crew....but we are scattered all over!!! How did Moms surgery go Kelly? Anyway, I am heading off to bed, I am not sleeping well, not being able to sleep on my back---has me waking every 5 minutes it feels like!!! Will check in with everyone tomorrow!! (((hugs))) Kat

Hi all, I made it home safe & sound! Dad got a good report---and I got some recommendations from his Dr. for both an endocrinologist, and a surgeon. Plus encouraging words from his Dr. as well. This is his surgeon that did the carotids. I only have one sibling, my brother who is handicapped...so for many years now, when Dad has had heart issues I have been the one to take him. He had his first bypass when I was pregnant with Manda who will be 26 next month...so it has been awhile. About 12 years ago, he was sent to a new Dr. as his was changing practices...so he has seen this young Dr. from Tennessee who thinks my Dad hangs the moon! He tells my Dad to lose 10 pounds, before he sees my Dad again, the weight is gone. He tells him to exercise, and he does---he uses my Dads case in all his lectures, he tells us. He come to our area to fly fish, and went by to see my Dad!!! He has sat and told us stories of his med school days, this guy has just endeared himself to our family. So today even though we are not seeing him he walks through the waiting room, and freaks out that we are there. He stops and checks out Dads incisions and asks him all kinds of questions. At one point I added a comment to something Dad had said, and he turned and looked at me, and stood straight up--in the waiting room full of people-- and says "Holy Smoked Mackeral girl, you have lost a lot of weight!" I was laughing so hard at the holy smoked mackeral---I didn't really respond, but he was telling me I was going to be so glad I did it, it was wonderful...on and on!!! I have heard Holy Smoke, and Holy Mackeral---but Holy Smoked Mackeral??? Only Dr. Harding! So we took Kinsey to Albq. with us today, and they are in the middle of a huge hot air balloon fiesta this week, she was so excited!!! It was very cool, driving down the road, with huge hot air balloons everywhere. We stopped and paid 6 bucks apeiece just to walk through them for an hour, so she could see! Was fun! TracyK---I will offer another possible help for your mouth ulcers. My DD had them bad, she is allergic to most metal, and had braces on her teeth---so you can imagine her inner mouth. They had us get liquid Benadryl, and liquid like Kaopectate, or Mylanta...and mix it half and half. It separates quickly just like oil & water. You can swish and gargle and spit, or swallow, either one. The benadryl will shrink the ulcer, and the chalky consistency of the other will allow the benadryl to stick to the ulcer. It helped her A LOT!!!! Kelly---hoping Moms surgery went well---will check in with you! Going to wait to do all the questionairres tomorrow. Not sure what my problem was today, I just couldn't eat. I wasn't hurting type of stuck---just felt VERY full VERY fast, and it lasted for hours on end! I did not drink like I should, but hate to when I am driving long distances between places!!! Yes I saw in my email where losingjusme is back, I am glad...we do all need support...hope she feels the love! Pamela just be a teacher I need it!!! The questions are going to be fun! Will try to get to it tomorrow too. I didn't sleep well last night, and had to be up early this morning, and am about ready to call it a night! This not laying on my back business reaally sucks! Laura, yay the couch is history, how did Sis take that news?? Michelle, that is the one I will likely fail!!! All these baby medicines being recalled has me feeling lucky our youngest are ok! Well girls, I am going to finish checking my mail, and head off to bed, 5:30 comes early!!! Talk to ya tomorrow!! Kat

Hi Heidi, I used Dr. Aceves, and am totally happy with him and his staff, the hospital he used, everything! I knew people who went before me and have sent several since I was done. I would be glad to answer any questions you have. WasABubbleButt was also an Aceves patient, and is a frequent poster on the board, and has recently reached goal in less than a year!! I HIGHLY recomment Dr. A---feel free to PM me if you like concerning this! Kat

It would be my guess, that they put his opinion out there, as an advertising gimmick. As with many stars, ANY recognition is better than no recognition. I mean it has been how long since we heard anything good that Brittney Spears, or Lindsey Lohan did...it is all bad, but they are still in the headlines, and that is the goal. Gets Warner Bro's name in the news....then they can deny it, and keep the name in the news....playing it for all it's worth! Just a guess. Kat

1. Do you have specific allergies (foods, scents, dyes etc.)? No incense..the smoke kills me! I also am not a big fan of fruity scents... 2. Favorite color? jewel tones, or earth tones 3. Least favorite color? neon colors! And while I like some of them pastels do not go in my home, they would match nothing! 4. Hobbies of any sort? Reading (mostly modern fiction), motorcycles (we do tour bikes not Harley Davidson), & being the favorite Granny!!! Not to mention LBT & my Violets!!! 5. Do you collect anything? country antiques. Not "country decor" no dried flowers, or hearts or swags, or plaid---but I do have antique farm implements...trunks, and yes, even a wall decorated with antique tractor seats!!! And another with barbed wire!!! Don't laugh, I have a strand of barbed wire worth more than all my vehicles combined! And it was given to me! Christmas I decorate with snowmen. 6. Any additional comments This is going to be great fun---wonderful idea Laura---everyone better answer!!!! Terry's thoughts on a limit sound reasonable to me. There will be some difference in shipping costs....not all of us are in the USA! Keeping that in mind, $15 sounds like a good number! If someone finds that too much for an expensive time of year, a heartfelt note would be fine too! I'm easy (don't tell!) Kat

I made it home! I began to wonder, I had a cop pull in behind me, and literally follow me through turn after turn...almost all the way home, never getting off my butt--I was almost ready to just pull over and get it over with! I hate that, and he had bright lights no less...really annoyed me! We met 2 other couples at the Golden Corral, which is where the one couple always wants to go. We usually beg off, but went tonight---they are good at honoring my WLS card, and charge me for a childs meal--which I greatly appreciate. I ate a small salad, some steak, and some shrimp---made myself FULL, more so than usual, so I knew that no ones dessert would tempt me!!! I find myself being amazed, and grossed out at how people eat these days! The male half of the other couple we went out with tonight...omg the man ate like 5 plates of food! We also go to a Mexican buffet sometimes, and I am always shocked at how much Gary can put away for a normal sized man---but it was nothing to what Craig ate tonight---I just couldn't believe it! And the lady at the table next to us, packed her cheeks like a chipmunk and talked around her food, I keep wondering did I do those things????? Heaven help me...and I do not mean to be mean, but I hope to never be like that again, band or no band! Tomorrow we take my Dad to Albq. for a check up. The girl who was supposed to watch Kinsey is sick, so she gets to go with us. Poor thing! Hours in her car seat, out long enough to sit in a Dr.'s office and behave, then back into her seat for several more hours! I packed her a backpack full of sitting toys----and a cooler full of snacks---as many things as I could think of without sugar! I do not need a sugar rushed 2 year old stuck in a car seat!!! Michelle I do those things to myself---I cannot turn on the computer til the bed is made, and the dishwasher unloaded!!! Your friend is better off without the guy who chooses to leave like that. There is a massive character flaw that would allow someone to do that! New Mexico's senior senator is stepping down, well he is not going for another term---and I am here to tell you the commercials, and phone calls have already begun. It was already pretty bad, with Richardson running for president, and being from NM, the politics were in high speed, now they are at warp speed. I have this to look forward to for over a year!!! And one of the women running for the senate seat nomination is someone I cannot stand, just to hear her commercials sets my teeth on edge!!! Becky laughs at me, I have to deep breath through her commercials, or get all pissy!!! LOL Terry-----food worthy of being food porn.....mmmmmmm Pamela, I could not agree more---I depend on you girls more than I probably should, but I never want to be without you!!! Laura---have you quit vomiting? Hope so! Well Rick is finished exercising, guess I should go do some myself----my turn on the elliptical, dangit! Someone on another thread called it the ElliptiKill.....sounds like it goes hand in hand with my Dreadmill!!!! Talk to you guys when I get back tomorrow night! Kat

Off to dinner with my hubby---visit with friend and yucky sister was ok...sister is still yucky!!! Talk to y'all later! Kat

Not something you need to buy---but just a suggestion that helped me a LOT!!! Find a hard back 4 legged chair, like a dining chair, and have it next to your bed. Prior to surgery figure out exactly where it will need to be placed to be of the most help as you get in and out of bed. Use it to leverage yourself. Sounds minor, but getting in and out of bed, was the most difficult task I had---After sleeping for several hours, I would be stiff, and sore, the chair was a welcome help. If you are going to be alone, keep a cordless phone, or a cell phone with you---just clip it on your clothes---that way if you should fall, or should get light headed or anything that occasionally happens following surgery of any kind, you can summon help if you need it. Best of Luck to you!!!! Welcome to LBT, See ya in bandland!!! Kat

LOL...on another thread right now everyone is saying how people mistook them for pregnant----this is one time you might be able to use that excuse!!! My niece was that way smells made her sick---everytime a waitress would walk by with something she would run for the bathroom, for minimally the first 7 months!!! Well my DD is on her way over to get the kiddo, and a friend of hers who used to rent from us, a very sweet girl is bringing her 2 DD's over to visit. One of them is a new baby, Kinsey is so excited. So was I until I found out she is bringing her sister, a bully smart ass that none of us like---now I am just wondering how quickly I can get them out of the house!!! Hate being put in that position! She called me to say she was running late, that as soon as her sister dropped her off she would head our way---we were excited & happy, then 5 minutes later she calls to see if her sister can come----yeuck!!!!! they are here bbl Kat

I have to tell my story, though I really am not proud of it now!!! I was in the hospital with my husband having heart surgery, and was extremely stressed out...when I walked by this woman and her son who was about 5-6 years old, he was crawling on the floor, under the chairs, and had chips scattered out of the bag, and Rollo candies, stacked on the bare floor---really gross! Anyway he points at me and tells his mom "She's fat!" Mom is ignoring him, and texting away, and just says "yep"----I walked on a few steps as I digested it, then I turned around and walked over to him and told him "Yes you're right I AM fat, and your Mama is LAZY or she would be teaching you better manners!" Then I turned and went on my way---she barely looked up from her phone to acknowledge I said anything. I KNOW it made no difference in their lives, other than to think not only was I fat I was also a bitch!!! BUT it made me feel much better than just walking away was!! Kat

Laura, I have a friend like that. She is always saying she is going to do this or that, and then never shows. I am in the middle of a mess with her I am afraid, I rented her son a mobile home, and finally ask him if there was a problem, because he had not paid his rent. He moved in like the 19th of Sept. we told him not to worry about Sept. rent, to begin paying in Oct. He was being treated like crap by his Mom and new step Dad--they are building a new house, and he was informed he was not moving with them--he turned 18 in August. So anyway I ask about the rent, and he said well he hadn't lived there a month yet. He wants to pay his rent after as opposed to before. Now the rent is not making nor breaking me, but it seems like he should get into the habit of living by societies rules not his own. I told him it sounds good, but that isn't how it works in the real world...ask around, ask the guys at work, ask anyone. He tells me ok, but he might have to ask his Mom to borrow some money to pay it. I am now waiting to hear from her! We bought a pool table from her for my Dad, well he bought it, we will just be the ones to move it this weekend---so something will end up coming of it---rent or a disagreement. I told Rick we should never rent to him because of the other connection, it is so much easier to rent to strangers!!! My cereal for breakfast is not digesting well....keeps trying to golf ball on me.....maybe I should get my lazy butt up and do something...move and see if it helps! My comment was not in the rants and raves I don't think---it was just a simple everyday observation, that I prefaced with In My Opinion---and the one who thought I was writing about her was not the one it was actually written about, but like I told her and explained to Terry, I cannot help when someone sees themselves in a comment like that. There has been nothing further said which is fine by me! Might have to remember TracyK's plan though for those days I wanna smack something, go in, piss 'em off and haul butt!!! I'll check and see if anyone wants to go with me when I go!!! Actually I have had some really good discussions in some of the rooms. There are some people on here who are incredibly smart! Some posts make me think about things in an entirely different way--others make me think they are nuttier than a bunch of fruitcakes!! I don't frequent the rooms like that though---intentionally. I used to end up in them sometimes when I would respond on a new thread---but they removed our new posts sections so the only way to get anywhere now is intentionally. That is unfortunate I think---I have wonderful friends on a New Jersey board, that I happened upon from a new post---I would never have met them without the new post area. I ask if it was gone for good, and noone responded. It disappeared about the time the ads on the sides did... Going to lunch with Rick today---he is off the next 4 days. Tomorrow I take my Dad to Albq. for his follow up on his carotid surgery, and to schedule the other side to be done. I hope they can work all of our appointments around one another!!! We have been feeling Fall around here, but it is supposed to go back into the 70's today. Which is good---I can stop at the park with Kinsey and we can both get some exercise. Well going to go get some things done, before I head into town to meet up with Rick. TTYL~ Kat