Kat817

Wow, she is so grown up Darcy---in fact she probably sees a lot and knows a lot she is not ready to admit to herself, let alone to you yet. My DD was that way. Is there a legal aid office near you that you could get some free or low cost info? Or how about a free 30 minute attorney consult? I know the annulment would be public record, same as a divorce or marriage. Technically my 2nd horrendous marriage, to MY personal axe murderer, was annulled, as he was already married, and his attorney was trying to save him some additional charges. If I had known, or was stronger at the time I would have refused, but....guess it doesn't matter! I do however know it is public record. Do you know a date? You might be able to access him through the county court house where he would have either been married or had it annulled....depends on how far back they have put everything onto computer. To get the copy of my parents wedding license I had to use the old microphish (sp?) machine, and then it was alphebetized. His discharge should be the same. We checked on a medical discharge, to see if he really was medically discharged or whether it was dishonorable, and it was at the court house as well, and he really was medically discharged, not sure if it would have been the same with a dishonorable. You poor thing, it sure sounds like you need some guidance. I would really look into legal aid....they might at least be able to guide you through the steps, that is how my DD got her divorce. I bet you could get some good stats from the SAHM's. I mean technically I know both sides have their own stats supporting the working vs. SAHM's---but for what you need, go for it!!! The point being you are a happy SAHM. I believe when it works for you it is right, for some others, if it is something they cannot see themselves doing, then they will be of no benefit to their kids, if they are not happily at home....know what I mean? Through all the years I ran the daycare, there were both. Moms who wilted just leaving---even though they knew their child was in good hands, and then others, who were comfortable, and heading off to a job they enjoyed---without hesitation. The kids of those who had a happy Mom in the situation, were just happier kids. Is Emily speaking a possibility at all? Saying where she is happy? Angela, the child we deal with, with Ricks ex, spoke in court---said point blank she did not want to spend time with us, but she did want us to send her things!!! That is how immature she was and they let her speak!!! Maybe see how your DD feels about being a part of the mediation---make your ex, either be fair, or be decent anyway, he won't want to act like the ass he will otherwise if she is there. Hang in there, maybe someone here, has some knowledge about getting the info you need. Does Emily know about the 1/2 sister btw? What is her take on that? Kat

Laura, you NEVER cease to amaze me....picky girl you are, and you love Saurkraut! Goofball!!! Tracy---I use ground turkey a lot in mexican food, the seasonings, and no one has ever noticed a difference!!! Something like Tacos, everyone likes, and you can probably eat without issue...or just eat the filling without the shell....refried beans go down well, and work with them. Mexican is always my "go to" meal....like Laura with her saurkraut!!! Well gotta get the girl ready to go to my MOms, that is where she is staying while I go get the girls smushed, and the thyroid scanned!!!! TTYL Kat

Darcy---hang in there girl, the court was not fair nor nice with us either, I have much more faith in prayer, than justice in a courtroom!!! We have spent over $50K through the years in court...and the kicker....it is proven through DNA based paternity tests not to be Ricks child, but since he set presedence by doing things you would do for a child, he assumed custody. I kid you NOT!!!! She has taken us to court repeatedly, we have to fight it, to not fight it...means we agree to what they file for. She is a paralegal, and has free representation, we of course do not. It has been a nightmare. We have had actual court appearances 4 times, each separated by no less than 7 months. The first hearing lasted 6 hours, and the judge was very obviously on our side. We ran out of time, and met again 9 months later, the judge had literally, and naturally forgotten everything, so it all was glossed over, and she began wavering on her former decisions. We again ran out of time, his Ex's attorney, argues every single thing to death! So we met again 7 months later, and again, we rehashed all the same things, she actually called my DH a dead beat Dad at that one!!! He RAISED the 2 children that are his...and has paid support on one that is not his for 14 years!!! We met one more time 14 months later, where she (the judge) decided maybe she did not have jurisdiction over it after all!! At that time, we decided to cut our losses, and figure the remaining years of support were less costly than the court battle. That decided, his ex wanted more...then she went after maintenance!! She lost, appealled, lost, appealled, all the way to Colorado Supreme Court! Now through this all, my DH and I have been drug through the mud many, many times....I got to spend the first 2 hearing in the hall way, I was sequestered, so as not to hear his ex wifes testimony, since I was a witness. The 3rd hearing I was on the stand for about 10 minutes before we went over on time, and had to reschedule. Since that time, Rick nor I EVER got to get back on the stand to defend ourselves. The judge through over 20 hours of testimony, and questioning, has never heard Ricks voice. He never got to speak a word in his defense, and she made a ruling! As I say I do not hold much faith in our judicial system. He is a kind hearted man underneath the anger at this woman, he accepts that whether this girl is HIS or not, it is his childrens 1/2 sister, so he was willing to be her father---but no they do not want a father for her, they want $$$$ and nothing else. We do not have visitation. Yet we pay child support. We are not included in any decisions health wise. Yet we provide health insurance, and pay all co-pays. Now are ya sitting down???? We through our EOB's from insurance have just figured out, we are now paying for her obstetrician copays---looks as though she is pregnant, from what we can gather on the papers. Labs, Dr. visits, ultrasounds, prenatal Vitamins, etc. She is 17. We saw her in court last when she was 12. We never paid CS on her until she was 8. I mean their youngest child together is 24, the other is now 27. But as soon as a judge ruled he had set precedence, we were screwed. Yet she cannot explain to us HOW he set precendence!!! Horrible mess....I feel for you more than you realize!!!!!! I too was thrilled to hear from Donna, and very happy that Patty was not gone any longer, you were so upset, and to go missing for a few days worries us!!!! Now Beannie needs to check in....and Anne!!! Well today I go for my mammogram, and for my thyroid ultrasound, immediately following it. I am stressing over it. I don't know if it was the stress of yesterday, or this coming up today...but I did not sleep worth a hoot last night. The windshield in the truck will get replaced as soon as we take it up for the Colorado Sherrifs dept. to look at and make a report on. I was supposed to do that today, but am putting it off until tomorrow. My ultrasound has already been postponed once, while I had to stay longer with my Dad in Albq. My symptoms, and the size of the thyroid concern both my Dr.s. I am at risk of recurrance, I know that, so am anxious to rule that out! Keep yer fingers crossed my friends!!! Well I better get showered, want to be as fresh as possible since I cannot use deodorant!!! Will take it with me to put on following the smashing of the girls!!!! Will talk to y'all later!!!! Kat

G'mornin'!! My eye is good thanks, most of the redness is gone. I still have the poke holes in my breasts!!! I thought it just got one, but the glass poked from either side of my cleavage, and I was wearing a henley style shirt, nothing sexy for wood gathering!!! But it went in, and literally stuck me from either side. I will be going to Durango tomorrow probably, to the S.O., not today. Today I have some of my appointments. I have my mammogram at 1 and my thyroid ultrasound at 2. What fun I have lined up!!!! Will be nice to get the results of the thyroid ultrasound, it has worried me. I know I am at risk for recurrance....so anything out of the ordinary, makes me a little leary. Wish me luck. I have responded on several threads with losingjusme, but had not really clicked on her disappearance yet, maybe she went on vacation? Several usuals have just went away. Carlene, Leathag, TOM.....just gone! But on that note, the girl on my other thread that just disappeared so long ago, with no warning, we worried about her son in Iraq. She prompted me to exchange more info with those I care about. She showed back up yesterday!!!! I was so surprised, and happy!!! She said she would fill us all in as to what went on, she was just stopping in to let us know she was ok. What a relief! I hope you find what happened to losingjusme, she has been a very big part of LBT. Friendly, supportive, not one who has a holier than thou attitude....I will miss her! Let me know if you hear anything! Kinsey is in a whiny mood this morning. She is laying down, I am ignoring her, so she will relax, and hopefully finish her nights sleep!!!! She wanted cupcakes for breakfast.... poor thing, she got part of a ham & cheese omelet instead!!! Maybe with her tummy full she can drop off, and wake up her usual happy self! But she is not settling down, so guess it is time for Granny rocking!!! BBL Kat

Bread tends to go back to it's dough state in the belly as the glutens break down. It is hard to pass a ball of dough through the stoma....that is why toasting, or some whole grain breads are easier. Welcome to LBT....not all threads are this crazy I promise!!! Kat

I also used the Unjury unflavored, used it in all kinds of things! Added it to oatmeal, spaghetti sauce, all sorts of stuff.... I used it in my shakes, and also used a lot of the flavored syrups to add variety, they have TONS of flavors, so surely you could find one that appeals to you!!!! Kat

Well I typed a post, and lost it----irritates the hell outta me when I do that!!! My post op instructions said to take in at least 60g. of protein a day. That was listed during the liquid stages, and the mushie stage, but by the time I returned to a normal diet, it was no longer on the instructions. It then said not to take in excess calories nor protein in drink form, to use food. I continued to use my remaining protein powder in different things probably until 8 months out or so. I did not notice a difference in hair loss with it or without it. The hair loss began at about 5 months out, and lasted about 6 months...so part of that time I was seriously using the protein, the other part I wasn't, and there was no discernable difference. I never have had any issue with my nails. I now do try to get all my protein (no specific amount) as well as other nutrients through food. The only exception to that is if I have a "stuck" episode, or when I had my PB's, I do go onto liquid for awhile then, and will drink a shake for nutrition following that. Otherwise, I have really tried to just learn to eat healthy more often than not. I go for whole grains, and high fiber, trying to reduce the sugars, and watch the types of fat I use. I cook with skim or powdered milk...but cannot stomach drinking it, so I drink what I like, I compromise! I eat a lot of veggies, and am attempting to eat more fish, more chicken, less red meats. I want to learn to eat in a healthy way, I want my band to help me learn that. Heaven forbid I should ever lose my band, I want to have a fighting chance at keeping control on the weight, and the only way that will happen is if I have learned to eat differently and to incorporate exercise into my daily life. Already, I am ahead of the game...I am physically able to do so much more than I could 100 pounds ago. I will never again be as sedentary as I was then. Period. Even if my band were to be gone tomorrow, I do not have that 100 pounds, so I can still move, and will continue to do so. I have learned a lot of common sense ways to eat, and while the band is limiting how much of these things I can eat, I do know that I am eating in a more healthy manner, and as Terry pointed out the other day I am enjoying it a lot more. Food is not my enemy anymore! We are in the game of getting healthy together!!! Speaking of food, I did not fix an extremely healthy dinner, but I was so worked up earlier, I decided to cook Rick something he really likes. So I fixed a meatloaf, and mashed potatoes, and creamed corn, with a cheesecake for dessert. He loves the lemon creme cheesecake. I used to make the lemon creme, and keep it in a bowl, and add it to his as he ate it. Now I slice a small piece out for myself and then cover the rest of the pie with the lemon creme!!! Wouldn't you know it....he had to work over! He is still not home! I tried to eat, but after 2 bites, I felt it sitting in my chest, so I quit. Too much stress maybe? I figure I will not starve missing one dinner!!! A lot of cooking for no one to eat!!! Thanks for all the well wishes girls, it was really scary! There is a hole I see, looks kind of burnt, not like a perfect hole I would expect in the dash of the truck.... Well I am going to go put things away in the kitchen, and change, I have had my clothes on long enough, this bra has got to go....it's time for Girls Night Out!!!! See y'all in awhile! Kat

DONNA!!!!! We have been so worried about you!!! We prayed for you and that your son was safe. You are here by ordered never to disappear like that again!!! I am just sooooo glad to see you here and ok!!!! Welcome back! We DID miss you!!!! Thanks for all the concern girls, it was a scary ordeal!!! Kat

I had my first fill about 7-8 weeks after surgery, then my 2nd a month later...that one being done 15 months ago. I still have decent restriction, not tight, I can eat a full variety of foods, but just MUCH less than before. Since losing I'd say the first 80 pounds, it has slowed down, but other than an occasional plateau, I have never stopped, so have opted against another fill, I do not want to chance getting too tight, it seems to start too many problems. I too have heard of people losing ALL their excess weight with no fills. The Dr. who did the seminar I attended said occasionally the band is placed right over the nerves that send the full signal to the brain, and you literally never feel hungry again....but it is very rare!!! Good Luck, Welcome to Bandland, and welcome to LBT!!! Kat

Hi all...wanted to stop in to see if we had heard from Darcy---will be watching for her. Had kinda a yucky day already.... I went up to this excelsior factory, with my best friends husband (sounds waaaaay kinkier than it should, gives me the heebie jeebies!!!) Rick helped him install a woodstove in their place over the weekend, and he needed wood, but had no idea where this place was or how it worked. This excelsior factory....ok, excelsior is the curly aspen wood, like in swamp cooler pads, or in gift baskets. When they shave the wood into the curly stuff, they do not use anything but the very center of the log. Aspen trees grow very tall, so they begin with long logs, and just cut off the outer sections with the bark, and then shave off the center to make the excelsior, then each end piece that was in the machine is discarded as well. Any pieces with dark color in the knots of the wood, are also discarded. So you go to this factory, and they have huge piles of discards. They charge you between $5.00 and $15.00 per truck or trailer depending how deep into the winter it gets, the more you need the wood, the more they charge!! Surprise! So you just go up, load up the wood you want, pay and go. I have been no less than 40-50 times. So even though Rick was at work, I was going to go up and show Gary where, and how to do this. But I figured, why not fill up my truck with small kindling type of wood. So I did, Gary filled his truck, and we were headed home by about 8. It is 50 miles from us. I had only gotten about 5 miles out of town, and was on the phone (blue toothed) with Rick when this loud crack happened, and I had something in my eye---BAD! Something was in my eye, and it would NOT open, and the other eye wanted to shut, and I am driving 65 mph! I kid you not, I was squinting enough I saw I could not pull over, there was a guardrail---we are in the mountains of Colorado! Finally I was able to pull over, by that time both eyes are pouring tears, my nose is running in sympathy I guess, I cannot see, I do not have a clue what is wrong with me---I was just scared! In every vehicle we own we store extra napkins in the door pocket, so I reached down to get some, and there is glass all over in them! I am finally able to somewhat open my eye...my phone is ringing, I would not respond to Rick all of a sudden, and he could hear me freaking out, so he hung up to call Gary---then called me back. I am finally able to see, my windshield is shattered! There is glass all over me, all over the truck! Gary pulls up, and is out of his truck, and over to mine, opens the door and glass falls, he is picking it off of me. The one that had got in my eye apparantly washed out with all the tears, just a red spot to remember it by. I also cut my right breast where glass went down my shirt. The windshield is shattered in an area just to the left of the drivers face area....in an area not too big. It is still intact in the rest of the truck. I finally settle down, got Rick settled down, and was ok to drive it slowly home. Then he meets me here, and he thinks it was a bullet! All the guys do, there is a hole through the dashmat and into the dash! So now I have to take it to Durango tomorrow, and have the Colorado Sherrifs Office look at it, and make a report. It is hunting season, so they believe that is what it was!!! Inches......mere inches, and fractions of seconds...and it would have come through the side glass, and into ME! Scared me all over again! Come home, unloaded the wood, trying to use the adrenaline rush I was on productively...sitting was not an option, I was keyed up big time! Then went and got Kinsey, and my folks and we went to Walmart to do my parents shopping, had some lunch, and now I am finally able to sit....still a little freaked out by it! It is going to prove to be an expensive load of wood, when you add my glass deductable to the cost of it! But at least I don'thave a hospital bill to go with it! So , still a little jumpy, too much to sit still any longer, so guess I'll make something for dinner. Praying hard for you Darcy----rest of you are in there too!!! Kat

Hi girls- Well I am home, and feeling crappy to put it quite plainly!!! I went up to this excelsior factory, with my best friends husband (sounds waaaaay kinkier than it should, gives me the heebie jeebies!!!) Rick helped him install a woodstove in their place over the weekend, and he needed wood, but had no idea where this place was or how it worked. This excelsior factory....ok, excelsior is the curly aspen wood, like in swamp cooler pads, or in gift baskets. When they shave the wood into the curly stuff, they do not use anything but the very center of the log. Aspen trees grow very tall, so they begin with long logs, and just shave off the outer sections with the bark, and then shave off the center to make the excelsior, then each end piece that was in the machine is discarded as well. Any pieces with dark color in the knots of the wood, are also discarded. So you go to this factory, and they have huge piles of discards. They charge you between $5.00 and $15.00 per truck or trailer depending how deep into the winter it gets, the more you need the wood, the more they charge!! Surprise! So you just go up, load up the wood you want, pay and go. I have been no less than 40-50 times. So even though Rick was at work, I was going to go up and show Gary where, and how to do this. But I figured, why not fill up my truck with small kindling type of wood. So I did, Gary filled his truck, and we were headed home by about 8. It is 50 miles from us. I had only gotten about 5 miles out of town, and was on the phone (blue toothed) with Rick when this loud crack happened, and I had something in my eye---BAD! Something was in my eye, and it would NOT open, and the other eye wanted to shut, and I am driving 65 mph! I kid you not, I was squinting enough I saw I could not pull over, there was a guardrail---we are in the mountains of Colorado! Finally I was able to pull over, by that time both eyes are pouring tears, my nose is running in sympathy I guess, I cannot see, I do not have a clue what is wrong with me---I was just scared! In every vehicle we own we store extra napkins in the door pocket, so I reached down to get some, and there is glass all over in them! I am finally able to somewhat open my eye...my phone is ringing, I would not respond to Rick all of a sudden, and he could hear me freaking out, so he hung up to call Gary---then called me back. I am finally able to see, my windshield is shattered! There is glass all over me, all over the truck! Gary pulls up, and is out of his truck, and over to mine, opens the door and glass falls, he is picking it off of me. The one that had got in my eye apparantly washed out with all the tears, just a red spot to remember it by. I also cut my right breast where glass went down my shirt. The windshield is shattered in an area just to the left of the drivers face area....in an area not too big. It is still intact in the rest of the truck. I finally settle down, got Rick settled down, and was ok to drive it slowly home. Then he meets me here, and he thinks it was a bullet! All the guys do, there is a hole through the dashmat and into the dash! So now I have to take it to Durango tomorrow, and have the Colorado Sherrifs Office look at it, and make a report. It is hunting season, so they believe that is what it was!!! Inches......mere inches, and fractions of seconds...and it would have come through the side glass, and into ME! Scared me all over again! Come home, unloaded the wood, trying to use the adrenaline rush I was on productively...sitting was not an option, I was keyed up big time! Then went and got Kinsey, and my folks and we went to Walmart to do my parents shopping, had some lunch, and now I am finally able to sit....still a little freaked out by it! It is going to prove to be an expensive load of wood, when you add my glass deductable to the cost of it! But at least I don'thave a hospital bill to go with it! Laura---I can sometimes not make myself buy clothes in RL---buying pretend clothes for a pretend me, is just not gonna happen!!!! For your sake I am glad others do not have my stinginess!!!! Tracy good job on all the water! Denise, Judy, TracyK, Panda, Michelle, Jenn---I see you all here, but once again, am going to have to get up and do something my energy has not been fully eliminated, I still feel too jumpy inside to sit still. Will catch you girls later! Kat

Hi girls-- Just checking in---DH has hogged the computer all day, and our router is not working with the new computer now---we had to patch a driver for it, with the new Vista ---and it just quit working. Which I hate, I am really liking the new Windows---but could not get my laptop up, and he was working on junk all day!!! Oh well, here I am now!!! I did nothing today!!! Did the crossword in the paper, and watched TV....took a nap....sniffed...lol!!! Will make up for it tomorrow, I have a full day and it starts at 4:30 in the morning! Laura, you may be a bit too tight, Mom may be right! Be sure you are getting adequate nutrition, not just your protein bullets---you need other nutrients too! Maybe when the infection clears, your ability to eat will improve, it affects many that way. Pamela---I am so jealous of your closet!!! TracyK--girl, I feel your pain...I too am built very top heavy! I never had a serious problem with heavy hips or thighs---it was all from there up---I was huge. S l o w l y but surely though it is evening out!!! Jenn, I am keeping my fingers crossed for your new job opportunity, sorry about the bike---there will be another down the road, at a better time for you. Judy, hope the recital went well...you have so many talents! Well I have not got to everyone, but I MUST get some sleep before my morning begins so early--- Hugs to all of you will look in when I get back tomorrow. Kat

Wow in so many ways I am living parallel lives with each of you in different ways!!! I like Eileen am dealing with some killer allergies, or maybe a sinus infection, not sure, but miserable none the less! I have all my cleaning and laundry to do today, Rick being off has trashed my usual schedule!!! We hauled a load of wood in for my folks the other day, since he just had the carotid artery surgery, and it come on fairly suddenly, he had not got a good supply in, so we took some in for him, a load of cedar and pine mix. He was happy. Met me at the truck and told me there was a message on his answering machine for me. WTH? So I went in and listened to it, and it was one of my oldest friends! She had tried my number and got no answer nor machine. We had left to go do wood, because they turned off our electricity to replace a pole out back...so no power = no answering machine! Anyway she was in town and was hoping to connect with me. She is engaged, and her new fiance is from a nearby town! I called back and we managed to connect schedules yesterday morning. They are here for a family reunion, so had little spare time. I have to tell you girls, this was such an excitement!!! And for the first time, when faced with meeting up with an old aquaintance, I was not apprehensive in the least. My weight was not a consideration! In fact the ONLY concern I had about it was that my friend had also gotten very big, and I was concerned for her. When we were young, we could share clothes, both tall and thin. When we had kids, we did ok, we still could swap things out...then as the years went by and we were separated, we both packed on the weight, and we could have still shared a wardrobe!!! So I did not want her to be where I used to be worrying about my weight...I hope that makes sense. Instead when she stepped out of their truck, she is my size AGAIN!!!! She had GBP just over a year ago!!! She wanted lap band but her insurance refused it, and approved the bypass, and she said she was desperate... but she looked great!!! She was down 112 pounds, she looks healthy. Still dealing with the thinnning hair she said, but no other bad effects at this time. She said she had the same issues, not wanting me to be hurt if I was still heavy!!!! Neither of us knew exactly how to put the feelings and thoughts into words, but we both had them! We spent hours gawking through pictures, amazing how much our granddaughters look like our daughters at that age! Manda come over and saw her....Rick visited with her fiance, who seems like a really nice guy---I liked him a lot, he reminded me of her!!! Anyway, the realization that I was not in a panic over someone seeing me anymore, and not stressing over what to wear, that minimizes the problems....was such a profound moment. Wanted to share it with ya! Darcy, thinking of you as tomorrow nears...big hugs girl! Dianne--is everything alright with you? You sound like something is wrong---can we help? Betty--gonna try for a ride up to look at the beautiful color change going on in the mountains today....wish we could go together!!! Eileen---lets do something fun skip the house cleaning!!! We could go shop & sniffle together!!! Cindy--I bet you wowed them with your 50th party!!! Relax a bit now! Mandy--no fill, surgery, and vacation, and only 6 pounds, I consider that a success!!!! I am so glad Abi is still thrilled over her fun vacation! Sherry, a friend on another thread is telling us her Mom is a Reiki master(?) as well, she says how much it helps her! I told her about you!!! Patty---where ya at girl? You and the boys ok??? Pat---was so good to see you here!!! I needed the parental pep talk!!! I love them so much, but that was just too close of quarters!!!! Well I hear my washing machine stopped, I just finished cleaning up Breakfast, so better change the laundry out so I can go riding and enjoy, not feel guilty!!! Good to see so many of you here, see you in October---miss you all!!! Kat

Welcome back Lunasa! No need of any of you being here alone....I am a year ahead of y'all and I'm still here. Kinda like a bad neighbor, you just can't get rid of me!!! Feeling crappy tonight. My nose is so sore from wiping it, I sit here and sniff, and that is something that annoys the hell outta me for people to do! But it hurts so bad!!! We spent the day helping friends install a woodstove. Ok to be exact, Becky and I ran back and forth to Lowes, and the guys installed the woodstove!!! First the kit was missing parts, then the saw blade broke....but it is in, and has their house at 80 degrees, and the door is open!!! I guess it has something to do with not being able to much taste my food, I don't want food. I DO want ice cream!!! Nice cool, sweet ice cream.....managing to avoid it so far, and going to head to bed very soon to keep on avoiding it I think!!! I am sitting here downloading music on the computer---from our own CD's, but music I want on our MP3 and on the Ipod. We carry one or the other on the motorcycle, and they hold thousands of songs, I have just been lazy about adding music to them!!! So I am putting my new CD on, and adding some from our personal collection, which is huge. I bet Rick has 4000 CD's!!!! He has music going ALL the time!!! If he is in the garage, his music is on, in the truck-it's on...ALL the time! He will be happy with me putting new music on here for us! I took bioten, from pre-op til several months out, it didn't help me personally, but I am sure we all react differently, same as everything else. Time is all that helped my hair loss. It is growing back with a vengeance. I can feel it thick again, next to my scalp, and it is taking a long time to blow it dry again. The ends are still straggly---but it'll get there. I had a wonderful visit with my friend and her new fiance. They come over this morning, and it was like time fell away. We shared pictures of kids, and grandkids...it was so great!!! We now have granddaughters, the same age our daughters were when we became friends, and we had to laugh, the kids look so much like their Mamas, it could have been our kids!!! Her fiances family lives locally so she will be here much more often. That was such wonderful news!!!! She has lost 112 pounds! She had gastric bypass just over a year ago. She was shocked I had lost almost the same with lap band, her Dr. told her that was not possible with the band. Makes you wonder how many people are detoured that way. Glad I researched. BUT she looks good, she does not look haggard, she looked healthy, and very happy...made my heart happy! Pretty ironic, through the years, we were able to share clothes back in the day 20+ years ago. Then several years ago, we would have been able to share our XXX Large clothes, and now we are back to where we could share again if we had the notion!!! I too ended up shopping today Tracy. I hit the Door Buster sale at JCPenney. I bought Saint Johns Bay Corduoroy blazer style jackets, regularly $44.00 for half off, then another 10% off the total ticket. They have lycra in them so they stretch through the shoulders, are not binding in the slightest. The sleeves are nice and long, and I can move!!!! And I bought them in Misses, XL. Becky bought the same thing, also an XL. We ended up with 4 of them, in 4 colors!!! I bought a brown and a black, she bought burgundy and tan. I was so happy!!! And no one looked at me like I was going to destroy it by trying it on. It will look better when the belly is gone---but til then I will wear it anyway!!! Well I am going to surf for a bit, then call it a night. See y'all tomorrow!!! Kat

Terry, I agree with your eating. I DO enjoy it more, part of it is actual taste, the other part is the lack of shame in how much I actually ate!!! I buy better quality food now, because I buy less quantity. I will buy small filets as opposed to the larger sirloin for instance. Or will opt to pay more for fresh veggies in the produce section as opposed to canned goods. In that way the food I eat tastes better. The other side of it is, I no longer feel shame about how much I ate, or how I should have made better choices. I don't end every day vowing to do better the next day. The band has allowed me to relax with food, and enjoy it without the emotions getting in the way. I can't explain it well, but, I know it figures in to how much I enjoy food these days. When I see the little square Ghirardelli chocolates at a checkout counter, I can grab one, and savor it, I know it will be enough to satisy the sweet tooth....and be happy about it, I do not have to buy the family size bag of M & M's, and polish them off in a day! I have found new foods I like, but not tons....mainly because I have not gone looking!!! I am a creature of habit. I go to restaurants and always order the same thing! I have my usuals everywhere we go!!! But I am not complaining, I am ok with that. I am much more experimental at home. My biggest issue with food has been to learn not to cook so much! I cook like we are still a family with 3 kids eating...we are not!!! Well we took the wood to my Dad today and unloaded it for him, he was pretty happy!!!! He is not supposed to lift more than 10-15 pounds, since his carotid artery surgery. My Mom belongs to the Rebbekah Lodge, and is at a 4 day National Conferance...so Dad was home alone. I think he really loved getting the surprise of the good wood, but also for the company. Then we went out to my inlaws and split wood for them, until our son pissed off his Dad, and his wife made me mad as hell, so we just left them to do it alone!!! Damn kids! I got a call today from a friend I have not seen in YEARS!!! We lived near one another when our kids were tiny. We were both going through divorces, and had daughters the same age. We spent tons of time together, and then she moved back down south where her family was from...we have only got together sporadically since. We talk on the phone and email, but she is here--I get to see her tomorrow!! And I am not ashamed to face her! Not that she would think or say anything, she was always overweight as well...but I was ashamed of myself. And tomorrow I won't be....it feels like a HUGE NSV for me! Self pride....hmmmm....what a concept! Tomorrow I am going with Becky to find a hearth pad for their new woodstove-then we are going on a New Construction Home Parade. I have gone for several years, it is a lot of fun. Local builders open up homes they built for tours....lots of good ideas!!! Then going to dinner with my friend. To meet her fiance!! His family is from our area, so I might actually get to see her more often! Well I feel better, but took some cold meds, and they are kicking in, and my eyes are a drooping!!! Will check in with y'all tomorrow when I get a chance!!! The city put in new electric poles behind us, so we were without power for several hours today. Now I have to look forward to the phone company, and the cable company changing their lines over!!!! Whatcha wanna bet the phone company screws up....they ALWAYS do when I am involved!!! Catch y'all tomorrow! Kat

There is so much I want to say to each of you, I just do not have it in me tonight. My allergies/cold dilemma is a sinus infection I do believe. Rick and I went after a load of wood for my Dad today, and took Kinsey with us, I was miserable---now I am miserable and exhausted!!! We went out to dinner after cleaning up. I ordered a beef chimichanga....they brought me chicken, and their chicken is all breast and too dry for me, so I sent it back, and very quickly they had my right beef one to me, and 3 bites into it, it got cold....the meat is cooked---but was cold........so it too went back, and I was just too tired, and stuffy to care about waiting, so we come home. They paid for Ricks meal. Now I am just going to bed!!! Haydee, I only sent out the list to those that were on it....so that is why you didn't receive it. Either you or Laura can PM me your info and I will add it on, and get the list off to you. Then you can let Laura know if you want in on the Christmas gift exchange. I did not mean to slight anyone---anyone who wants in on the list exchange is welcome, I just figured the ones I hadn't heard from were opting out.... OK....well I will be without electricity tomorrow, they are replacing the pole behind our house, and our pole has the transformer, so it will be out several hours. Will be back tomorrow night. Hopefully Judy and I will both be feeling better!!!! Tracy glad the tooth is gone. Tracy, be proud of the band and beat the crap out of whoever outed you!!! I give up guys I can't finish!!! Kat

I wasn't 100% sure about posting all our #'s here, so I went ahead and sent out the list we have so far, since most of our #'s are on it. If you want to give everyone a chance to write it down and edit your post to remove it...that way we still have all the info. I LOVE thinking I can pick up the phone and call you and urge you on Terry---maybe it will guilt me into doing my own!!!! Pamela I think we ALL do what you are referring to some--which is why we find it so hard to make a big change, like into Onederland sometimes, or past the 100 pound mark for me. I got this funky attitude, that was like who was I fooling, it would never happen, and sure enough it wouldn't have if not for you guys keeping me on track. Your newness with it all is contagious!!! Well I either have allergies, or a cold starting up---feeling crummy. Could be some from lack of sleep, I stress when I argue with DH. Not stress from the arguement itself, but his refusal to really fight it out. I did not come from a fighting family, maybe it was my prior marriage experience that makes me want to get it all battled out and over, and he prefers not to make a big deal about it and go on. He wants to act like nothing was disagreed over. And in reality it WAS nothing, but I think I felt bad then too, and just wanted to argue with him!!! Oh well, after all these years and my history you would think I would like his lack of fight---but it usually works the opposite, it irritates the heck outta me! I have dinner in the oven, my DD said it smelled great---I cannot smell anything.... Tracy--pics look great!!! You've come a long way Baby!! (I may be the only one who remembers that commercial!!!) Ok, earlier I told you about my crazy neighbor---well I have another crazy to tell you about!!! As most of you know, MY oldest (DS) and my youngest DD are technically my step kids, I just raised them, I did not birth them! Well their Mom is a nutcase...certifiable....hospitalized on the psych ward more than once. But overall a pretty easy person to deal with the last decade or so. Well she has been seeing a guy that Rick and I went to school with that we really like, and things have been so much easier on the kids---they are making an effort. Well now they are going to Vegas next month and getting married. They want the kids there---well they are both grown and married, can go if they want. They extended the same invite to my DD---they really ARE trying to make nice. So I start thinking she is less crazy...hahahaha!!!! Today my DIL comes by and says that the Mom--they call her Heidi, not Mom, but that Heidi's sister called and said they are giving her a bridal shower....she is 46, this is marriage #3 or 4.....and here ya go....here is the kicker......she is registered.... at the local porn shop!!! I SWEAR!!!! DIL is saying I am NOT going in there!!!! And especially not with Abbey (DD)!!!! She says I do NOT want to think of her that way!!! Her freaking out was hilarious!!! Had me laughing so hard the grandkids joined in!!! Some days I feel down right normal! Ok off to put finishing touches on dinner.... Kat

Another sugar free syrup I used, and again it is in the US---but you can check their web site is Torani. Torani: Your Place for Flavors, Ideas & Inspiration I believe. I checked and saw who had what I wanted on sale...they are very similar. Glad you heard from someone more local to you where you can find it, they do wonders for the Protein shakes!!!! Kat

You can access the website at DaVinci Gourmet – Flavored Syrups, sauces And Tea Concentrates Not sure about shipping to Canada....there should be info on the site, and possibly a phone #. They saved me during the Protein shake stages!!! You can also use small amounts of SF/FF pudding mix. Good Luck! Kat

What can I say---he is just that way, thinks one husband is enough for me.... Kat

Darcy---I will be praying hard for you---I know the pain, fear and hurt of the custody battles. Go in knowing you are not the one having to prove anything, your DD has proved it for you by flourishing. While you are there, know that in New Mexico, I am setting aside some time to do NOTHING but pray for you a wonderful outcome. Big Giant ((((Hugs))))to you as you deal with this. Mandy, glad you too are home safe, and had a good time!!! Kat

Nothing against the age difference, I just don't think my husband would take it real well!!! Kat

Well Laura, technically I AM you a year from now...and yes I am happy. I wish I had made my goal in the last 18 months, but like Terry I guess I didn't want that bad enough. I AM happy though. I don't take any prescriptions meds anymore, and I am merely overweight, no longer obese, let alone morbidly obese, where I started. I believe I began losing my incentive, when I became happy!!! Sounds backwards a bit---but when I lost the feeling of shame, and discontent with myself I lost what was motivating me some. I used to have all kinds of negative thoughts before walking in to a room full of people, and that fear and dread spurred me to make the change, have the band. Well now I walk in, and I blend in...and I am comfortable there. I want the rest of the weight gone, yes...but I have to find something to spur me on the last 20 or so pounds....because right now, I have a "they aren't hurting me" attitude!!! And while I have come a long way from where I began, the extra weight even if it is 20-30 pounds IS hurting me, and I have the way of getting it off, I just need to work it, and I'm not! Terry----what we gonna do girl??? Get our exercise running around in circles kicking each others butts???? Jenn, is Mom thinking the burn is going to be ok, or does she think it needs to be seen to? I know I am preaching to the choir, but watch for red streaks leading up your arm!!! Rick and I are still being very quiet to one another this morning!!! He goes on days off tonight, and will be home until Monday---either we will have time to work it out, or it will be a looooong quiet weekend!!! It is sooo cold the last few mornings. One (maybe more but at least one) of my neighbors has a fire, I smell the smoke....I refuse to start fires this early in the year, but I might go make myself at home in their house!!!!! Can't you just see me in my jammies, and slippers, knocking on their door, laptop, and Kinsey in tow....maybe a cup of hot chocolate!!! Love Thy Neighbor. It is probably my CRAZY neighbor!!! She is psycho!!! Her DH says she has Alzheimers, I don't buy it. She is not like any other Alz. patient I have ever seen, she is just nutso!!! When they first moved here, he threw her a birthday party at a local Bistro, to get aquainted. My next door neighbor and I went. They had a scrapbook of her life, she was gorgeous!!! She was a model, actually had a pin up poster of her! She was in several brochures, had quite the portfolio. Then at some point in her early 30's he said she got sick, and coughed so hard she detatched the retinas in her eyes. So she is legally blind. But she sees well enough to know if you have your foot 1/2 inch off the sidewalk onto her property and she starts yelling, and cussing, and threatening. She is quite the entertainment on the 4th of July, she HATES the fireworks, they scare Tiffany---her little almost hairless terrier. She feeds this dog in --not from but IN her plate!!! We have some neighbors who do neighborhood parties once in a while, and Juliette the crazy lady totally grosses Rick out (hmmmm maybe I should invite her to dinner!!!) I say she doesn't have Alzheimers, because she remembers everything the local kids have ever done. And she remembers conversations, and repeats them each time verbatim. She wears her hair long and it is VERY frizzy, and she pulls it down in like little girl side pigtails....she wears huge thick glasses, that are shaded dark yellow--which is for her loss of sight I am sure. And always has on a huge straw hat. And BRIGHT red lipstick smeared all over her lip area. And she is LOUD, she is always about 3 times louder than need be. If we run into them in a local restaurant, EVERYONE knows we are there...and anything else that has gone on in the neighborhood, because she screams about it!!! She has gotten very heavy, and she doesn't walk by putting one foot in front of the other, she rocks back and forth, so she progresses very slowly. When Rick had his heart surgery and we walked 3 times a day, she screamed at us all the time, saying she was logging our surveillance activities! And once we ended up behind her on the street, and she as I say is very slow, so we spoke before we got there, so as not to surprise her, she turned around spewing curse words at us, and threatening to Mace us!!! Her husband is a nice seemingly quite normal guy. Though how he could be normal in all that I have no idea!!! We are always nice, I mean there is a problem of some sort....but we avoid her unless her husband is with her, because she is wild!!! Lucky for me while she is in the neighborhood she across and down several homes from me!!! Point being---fire is probably at HER house, guess we will stay here and get a blanket!!! Well guess I should go pay my bills---such a wonderful fun job!!!! Talk to y'all later! Kat

Just stopping by to say sorry I forgot to mention it earlier Laura...but WAY TO GO!!!!! What a goal you have reached, especially with the problems you had---you are doing so well!!!! And sorry you have to do without. I am too if it helps any....DH and I are fighting!!! It is very rare, and even more so that neither of us wants to talk it out, but this one is gonna be a doozy!!!! As it stands now we are just not speaking....I thought so seriously about going outside and yanking the cable, so his Boston Legal would go off, bet he'd say something then!!!!! But would rather not even hear him right now! deep, deep sigh....... Anyway, y'all have a good one, and I'll catch up with you tomorrow. Kat

Totally agree on Mike Rowe!! My brother had snakes as pets for years.....he was given his first python by a friend who bought it without his Mom knowing in high school....when the pooh hit the fan, my brother got Monte (kid had no imagination). He had him for probably 7 years, and inherited a Boa (Julius....Julius Squeezer),from someone. He lost Monte to an accident in the house, he was crawling free, and crawled up on a book on the closet shelf, and it over balanced, and he fell, and the book hit him, killing him. And then Julius outgrew my brother!!! One night the heat rock went out, and it was too cold for him without it, so he put him in a pillowcase, and put him in the foot of the bed with him, it apparently pissed him, off and he had hell fending him off the next day when trying to put him back in his "cage" a 4 foot by 4 foot glass enclosure. So he took the snake to a friend who owned the pet store, and he now lives in the check out counter, is the store mascot. I am not a huge snake fan, but with him having them around, I am not a run and shriek kind. I did gross out on him shaking the poor mouse in vitamin powder before letting it loose in the cage to be devoured!!! The closest I ever came to physically hurting my DD was over a bone popping incident! She knows I hate it, so one night we are in the kitchen cooking dinner, and she keeps saying her neck hurts. When all of a sudden she grabs her chin and turns her head and the most God Awful crunching cracking LOUD sound---I about peed my pants! She is laughing her ass off, she had taken an uncooked egg noodle we were getting ready to dump in the boiling water, and put it in her mouth then when she fake twisted her head she bit it. She came damn close to getting her neck broke for real!!! Kat