Kat817

Good evening ladies....boy it is a good thing I didn't come here until after dinner, or I would have been wanting to eat it ALL---well maybe not the broccoli!!! Actually I will eat both broccoli or cauliflower, but only raw, I do not like either one cooked! My food today was not great, but.....I did a lot so hoping it balanced out! I have no idea of calorie count. breakfast--about 1/2 c. of Honey Bunches of O's---2 % milk, maybe a 1/2 cup. I ate all but the last 2 bites, I was full. lunch--leftover stuffed zuchini ( cut in half lengthwise, hollowed out, filled with a mixture of italian sausage, garlic, onions, mushrooms, bell pepper, marinara sauce, and cheeses--mozzarella, parmesan, romano) The meat is browned, veggies added, then stirred in the sauce, spooned into the hollowed out meat, and then cheese over the top. Then baked at 375 for about 25 minutes, til the squash is tender. Be sure to sprinkle liberally with garlic salt before filling with meat sauce. I had a leftover slice, about 2 inches long. Took longer to tell you about it than to make ir OR eat it!!!!! j/k snack--SF popsicle with the girls, when we come home from the pool. dinner--Made BLT's for DH with his fresh tomatoes---like the 3rd or 4th ones we have had ripen enough to use, they are coming on like crazy now!!! I just snacked, ate a couple of slices of bacon, and had a wedge of lettuce--just wasn't hungry. I think I drank too much tea when we come home today, I felt dehydrated, but water was too blah, so I filled up on unsweetened decaf tea...DH calls it my colored water! I am finished eating for the day----I have to have my pouch empty when I go to bed, or I reflux----yech! I am going to have to make me a folder to store some of these recipes in!!! Tomorrow I am putting pork tenderloin in the crockpot.....any suggestions???? I am off to the shower, I feel like I have been in the water all day! Will try to check back in, if not I'll see y'all in the morning! I think I will call my parents and tell them thank you for being so supportive---I know I am extremely lucky. Back when I was a kid they "adopted" all my friends, they were Mom & Dad to everyone---they will adopt all of you too!!! Hugs Violets! Not that it matters, but that makes me smile---Violet was my Grandma's name....I miss her so much! Kat

Well we now have one dark cherry red trailer, and it looks sharp!! I am so glad, he was stressing over it! The purple, was just not a pretty purple...kinda magenta, based, it just was not pretty. I too like purple, in fact Rick was giving me grief at the paint store yesterday, because I had on a purple shirt, and purple flip flops!! I didn't think about it, I just got dressed!!! Anyway, now it matches, he will finish it off tonight, put the lights back etc, and we will be good to go on Friday. Whew!!! He also painted my formerly black helmet! It is an open face, which is nice in the summer, but, not the black! Our other bike is black...but black helmets are easy to come by, the red is not. Not the right red anyway. So now it matches the other open face. He is going to put my microphone in it tonight. Don't have a clue what I did to my ankle, but it is hurting bad this morning, think I must have slept with it tweaked a bit...everytime I try to stretch it, it hurts like hell! Mandy, sounds like you have it planned well for your recovery. The only thing I can suggest, is to get some of the dairy items with Probiotics. Bowel inflamation is pretty common, and the cure is to rebalance. I let mine go for too long, and had to have them order in the prescription for the good live culture, and the relief was instant! My Dr. told me to use it anytime my body has been under a strain or after a trauma, and it has worked well. I made sure I had plenty of books and movies, and soon found myself bored, it was easier than I had anticipated! But it is important to take the recommended 6 weeks or whatever they tell you so that you heal well inside. We will be thinking of you. Betty--glad you are getting to see family and friends with all your company, but girl we miss you!!! I emailed Beannie at the address too, I know she said she occasionally got a phantom signal---hope she gets one soon!!! Been getting to Curves pretty regular, and getting lots of exercise in besides that. Seems like there is always yard work, or kids wanting to go walking or to the park---we stay busy. Today I am taking the girls to get their picture taken. I tried all week to get ahold of my DIL to get the grandson in the picture but she is apparently still mad at me, so...she is ignoring me. I miss my grandson, but am pretty sick of her immaturity, and have decided to let things lie right now. She is going to hit me up to watch him on Thursday---haven't decided what to do. The guys are going to the lake, and she will want to go. So I got this hateful letter from the hospital Rick goes to in ABQ. telling me they had not received a payment on my long overdue account, and any info gathered would be sent to the collections dept. Please contact them to make arrangements to pay my amunt due of $0.00. Seriously, the balance shown is zero---and I got a collection letter. So I called, she said there must be a mistake in the amount owed....I don't think so! I have paid everything as it comes in, and never received anythign before this. So today I am sending them a check for zero dollars and zero cents....idiots! Ok, I am off to get myself ready so I can take the girls for their picture. Everyone have a great day!!! I am running so much lately I feel like Cindy!!!!! j/k Kat

Morning ladies! Thought I better check in before yet another day gets away from me as they have been doing!! Kinsey is so much better! She did not complain of her tummy hurting at all yesterday, and all but ate me out of house and home! She is a bottomless pit suddenly!!! And she has 0 patience, she asks for whatever she wants, for instance she wanted some toast yesterday morning, so I put the bread in the toaster, and she keeps telling me "Please Granny, I hungry, I want toast." I think she believes we are reverting to our ways in the hospital, and ignoring her hunger! Today I am taking the 2 girls to get some pictures done. We were going to do the pics around the 4th of July in some outfits my Mom got them, and with Kinsey in the hospital, we are just now getting them done. Better late than never I suppose. So Terry, did you call about your brown spot? I have a darker spot on my stomach that I have had since my teenage years, it is a pigmentation abnormality of some sort. Now it is not bad, but I was horrified by it as a kid---and refused to show of some seriously defined abs!!! If I had them now, I'd paint my belly all different colors and show it off!!!! Let us know what you find out! Tracy, your face really has thinned down! I feel like mine has some days, others....I feel like I did 2 years ago! Wierd how the mind works, gives me a much beter understanding of anorexia....kinda scary. Hope all of you meeting Texans have a great time, can't wait to see the pics. I am going to do my next set of progression pictures in 3 more pounds. I need to update my ticker to show the last pound I lost---I am much more careful not to regain it, if I show it, but I refuse to show it until the weight stays off for a couple of days. Anyway, when I lose those 3 pounds, it will make 100. That seems big to me! I also find myself wondering about celebrating it---like I shouldn't celebrate it, I should never have let it get that out of control. But it is IN control again, so celebrate I shall! I am finally learning to celebrate with something other than food! It is no wonder I got so fat! 100 pounds is going to find me on the massage table!!! Ironically then I will regain 3-4 pounds for a day or so until the fluid retention my muscles go into balances! Judy, the flowers look wonderful! Mine are surviving. The week before my big anniversary party for my parents, Rick was fertilizing the yard, when he lets out a gasp, he had grabbed the wrong bag, and "fed" my flower beds, weed & feed! We flushed them, repeatedly, and only ended up losing some of the pansies---they seemed pretty delicate, and affected more by it. I am just glad the rest made it! I have bought a couple more bags of bulbs...I am stockpiling, and come fall I am going to be planting for hours!!! I love lillies, so I have kinda gone overboard! But they are so pretty, and soooooo easy! Let us know how your garden tour turns out! Well I made it to Curves yesterday---and found out they sold to a new owner. She has lots of new plans she said, for more fun things to do. I am glad I just bought the new shoes, she prefers no street shoes....so I at least have that covered! I'll just wear my flip flops til I get there and change! Then I come home and scrubbed down a trailer for DH. He built this awesome trailer to pull behind our big bike, for long trips. He went into the bike shop and got the color code for our bike which is 2 toned, dark cherry red, with metal flake. Went to the paint store---got the paint, come home, prepped the trailer, and got the compressor set up, the garage draped, and opened the paint to find it purple! He called the paint shop, the guy told him it would change with the top clear coat, to the deeper color.........wrong! We had a PURPLE trailer, he was irate to say the least. We left and went to dinner, and to the car show, but he kept looking at his hand where he of course got paint, and shaking his head. So we took it in yesterday, and the woman was very nice, and admitted it was her mistake right away, and went about figuring out what she did...she entered it in the computer as a RT219 and it was supposed to be a RM219. So she gave us new paint, and catlyst, and all the supplies we wasted, and apologized repeatedly. It was so nice to have pleasant help, and someone who admitted a wrong instead of passing the buck!!! It did take the wind out of my sails though I went in prepared to battle it out!!!! So I come home and wahed it, and roughed the paint, so Rick could paint it the right color! Which he did last night, and it looks AWESOME!!! He also painted my black helmet to match. It is an open face and so much cooler in the summer....except it was black, which is not cool in any way! Should be some better now. He was so happy it matched finally!!! We want to use it this weekend for the rally we are going to. Well I better go get girls in the tub so we can do pcitures in a bit. Everyone have a great day---good luck with the new fills, and the nutrition appointments....will be thinking of you all! Kat

Your original question was "Do you think Filipino Women make good wives?" Yes, I think Filipino women, or Mexican, Brittish, Chinese, German, Vietnamese, and many other races of women can make good wives. On the same note though Filipino, Mexican, Brittish, Chinese, German, Vietnamese, and many other races of women can be horrid wives.....and the same goes for husbands, good and bad. As Lisah pointed out, it is the PERSON not just the persons race to consider. Marriage is so much more, and buying one is a whole new can of worms....and anything involving a marriage broker reeks of that. Kat

I know this is off the original topic but related to the last post....my BIL worked in a factory making refrigerators---one refrigerator design---in the motor, the condensers etc. 6 different companies, added their own shelving, and minor styling differences. The working components were identical, and they sold for up to $600.00 difference in price range depending on what "name brand" got attached to the exterior! Food---including pet food DOES have to be listed in the order it appears, as has bren discussed....but nothing dictates the quality of the items listed does it? It is scary. I still miss Bailey, and wonder if if my feeding him something bad made his last days pain filled and miserable. Yes I would have done so unknowingly, but it still fills me with remorse. Poor mean little brat, I sure miss him! Kat

Hi all--- Not much happening here, trying to calm an IRATE husband. He built a trailer to pull behind the bike....it is very cool, small, but allows us to take some camping equipment without upsetting the balance of the bike, they tend to get top heavy anyway, and when you pile things on...it gets worse. So he bought the base for the trailer, it was originally a small utility trailer. He cut it, and redid it, and had a fiberglass shell set on it, it is very cool. Has LED lights, it is carpeted inside, and it looks good shape and size wise. So the last step is painting it to match the bike. So he goes to the paint shop while I am at the hospital with Kinsey, and they order it in, from teh paint code on the bike. He got it in Friday, and had the trailer all stripped, tires off, and lights off, and poured out his paint, and it is not a dark cherry red....it is purple! We placed a call to the paint shop, and are assured this is normal, when the clear coat goes on, it will match. Well our bike has a 2 tone paint, and we went with the lighter of the 2, and it has a light gold metal flake in the paint. So the paint was to match. Clear coat is on, it is still a giant grape, and has no flake in it at all. He is furious! He is NOT pulling a purple trailer, and I do have to admit it IS ugly!!! It painted up nice, the trailer will look sharp when it is the right color, but it is nowhere near that right now!!! So we have to go to the paint shop at lunch tomorrow, and he hopes to get it repainted, and have time for it to cure before we wanted to use it next weekend! Now don't y'all wish you were in my shoes???? Guess I'll go and humor him, and quit making jokes. I said we needed to get one of those eye decals, and add a horn and HD wings to the sides and we'd have a one eyed, one horned flying purple people eater!!! I was the only one laughing!!! Ok---I'll check back with ya later!!! Kat

I began at 289 pounds, and wearing a 22/24 pants, and a 4X tops. I am tall, 5'9", and extremely top heavy---was then, and still am now. I am just a few pounds shy of making my 100 pounds lost---I am in the low 190's. I now wear a Misses size 14 pants with ease. I could go smaller, but the belly has to be fixed and skin taken away first. And I am doing some Misses XL but mostly still 1X Womens tops. Hoping to totally leave behind the Plus/Womens...but not sure with this chest it is ever going to happen.......everything changed size wise, my feet shrunk a size and a half!!! I was wearing a 9.5, and am now buying 8's. My rings went from a 10 to a 7.5. Even my sunglasses and reading glasses had to be adjusted!!! Kat

Hi my purple Pals!! As for the above Terry---I know we have now realized there is much more to life than food.....but to hell with the longer life, I'd still take the enchiladas and cookies!!! No broccoli for me thanks!!!! LOL---you made me laugh! Shoulda made me feel guilty over my continuing bad choice, but nah, just made me laugh!!! Josie, our place is outside of a small town called Comanche, on hiway 36. It has been in my husbands famly for generations, all the surrounding land is family owned too, as it gets broke down and passed down through the generations. Our part is like 80 acres. It has spring fed tanks (aka ponds) and also a creek. Now the creek is seldom a good thing, it is either dry, and the cows get off our land through it, or it is flooding, and leaving debris and weeds all over the pecan bottom.....but it is what is it is! We graze nd raise cattle on it. We are not getting rich with them---they basically pay us to go back and forth, and to take my in laws back and forth! We work there, is about it! There is always shredding briars to do, and sprigging new fields, and pecans to harvest...we do get to see some family, and I am meeting up with some LBT-ers hopefully down that way next time---but mostly that place ==work!!! Are you familiar with either Brownwood or Stephenville? We are about 35-40 miles from each. Judy---do the bugs in my teeth count as protein???? Hmmmmmm Went to Walmart to pick up some groceries and odds & ends today, and decided to try some things on while I was there, and alone, with no reason to rush. I ended up frustrated with the sizing!! A size 14 in one style of pants fits great...another style has baggy thighs and sitting would effectively cut me in 2!! And the tight at the ankle stuff is coming back and it is not a good look for an egg on toothpicks like me! I found 2 shirts in the Misses in XL that fit, and are looong enough to cover my roll! Other Misses tops were nowhere big enough through the bust. So I pout my way back to the Plus sizes for shirts, and all of them I found were like short and wide. I found one, in an 18W that was perfect! It is sleeveless (UI don't usually wear sleeveless, I have some nasty scars), but it fits nice and close under the arm, no gap...the buttons lay smooth, it is a good length---and it was clearanced!!! So I got it cheap, but it was the only one. So I bought some cream colored capri's and 2 shirts. I need to go on a spending diet as well as the food diet!!! But my DH is like Terry's always telling me my clothes are baggy, then he mistakenly told me, I show my weight loss better in clothes that fit, instead of the baggy ones---so what does he expect???? What's everyone up to on this Sunday??? Kat

I used my leftover chicken and made green chile chicken enchiladas last week...........mmmmmm. Also did my own version of a chicken pot pie. We do lots of chicken around here!!! Kat

wooohooo Terry----great progress!!!! I had hell buying a swimming suit---ended up with one I am less than thrilled with. But....next year without this belly ---watch out! omg Josie---do not back down, you need just a smidge removed, before you start an evil cycle----swelling caused by a too tight band can be a really bad thing. You did not gain the weight over night, and it is going to take a little while to get it off again, just be patient, and do it in a healthy manner. We will be here to help you come up with ideas if the hunger strikes too hard. I don't think it will. I think when you get some relief, and are able to eat hard protein, you will find it easy to eat and forget about food for awhile. I am so jealous of all you guys getting together!!!! I go to TX 2-3 times a year, but I am going to the central part...between Abilene and Austin. We have a small (by TX standards) ranch there, and go down to check on things, and deal with cattle sales etc. And we go once around Thanksgiving time to deal with the pecans. Wish it was in your path!!! Denise, you may have ate that much but don;t forget to factor in all the activity you were doing too----it won't totally counteract it, but when you add to it the fun and together time you had with your family, and you don't do it everyday---it was worth it! We all want to lose this weight, but don't forget to enjoy TODAY---while we are working towards being thin TOMORROW. Our tomorrows are never guaranteed, and you had a wonderful today with your family--don't let a simple overrun of caloric intake for one day influence your enjoyment. Glad you had fun, it sounds like a blast. We are going to the lake with our kids on Thursday. Our son and future Son in law both have boats. Pamela it is so good to have you back!!! I am glad you had a good time, but isn't it wonderful to just snuggle back and be home finally! I love to travel, but am usually equally eager to get back home! We don't have any big vacation plans, not knowing what Rick's health was going to allow, we didn't plan anything. Next weekend we are hitting another small motorcycle rally. It is pretty mellow---my DH wants to go to the Foghat concert. It will be fun, we are going with our friends we always bike with. Tonight we rode over, and had dinner at Chilis, and then went downtown and walked through about 12 -15 blocks of Street Rods. Man there were some awesome cars! I ran into an old boyfriend!!! He paid me the nicest compliment...and he likely has no idea! Each of the entries had a paper in the window detailing the make and model and year of the car and the name of the owner. Well I see this name I recognize from over 20 years ago! So I look around, and sure enough---there is an older version of the Dave I remember! So I walked up to him...he was facing away at an angle, and said "hey--remember me"? and he turned, his eyes went wide, and he gave me a hug, and said---"I would have known you anywhere, you haven't changed at all!" The remember me line was his old line---he used to come in to where I worked and always ask me that---"hey, remember me?" We talked, introduced him to Rick, and my friends. He never saw me at my fattest---I am still bigger than I was back then, but by no more than 15-20 pounds....and he had about that much extra too. He thought I hadn't changed!!! I loved it! Smiled all the way home----big....BIG mistake on a bike!!! Judy---I love the postage due idea!!! What a waste of money! The paper and ink to print it, the extra mailing envelope, the postage to send it to me, and the personel time to do so---for an account with a $0.00 balance! Well I am going to look around a bit, then head off to bed--I have full intentions of sleeping in tomorrow!!!! DH is going to work, so he will leave early, and I am going back to bed... talk to y'all tomorrow! Kat

I'd call back and ask.....it could be a simple mistake. My endoscopy, was done without serious prep---nothing by mouth after midnight...then they gave me verced (sp?) for it, and it was not a biggie at all. On the other hand, my Mom had to drink a bunch of junk to clean her out, and avoid meat, and red food dye prior to her colonoscopy....so there is a difference. I'd call!! Good luck with your procedure! Kat

Exactly my point----your way or no way. You are unwilling to hear or entertain anyones ideas or thoughts besides your own. No one I know, of any sex, or ethnic backgrounds likes being around people who are know it alls and are close minded. Yes, I said close minded. You can shut your mind to other things besides race! Many of us have been or are single parents, and yes it is the hardest job you will ever do---it is also the most rewarding. There is no reason you should have to find a babysitter and travel far and wide to meet people---women included. You are currently working to lose weight, take your boys to the park...help coach a baseball team for them--it serves multi-purposes. It is good exercise for not just you but good lessons for your sons. You meet many new people. No the man you coach with may not be your type, but he knows other people...networking...it works for more than finding a job. Attending your childrens school functions will do the same thing---it puts you in contact with people. I have no issue with your attraction to filipino women. I have an Uncle who married a Japanese woman he met as he volunteered at an English as a Second Language course. He was on disability following being hit by a car, being driven by one of the students at the high school he taught at. So he volunteered to teach this class, and 6 years later he married her. My point being, there are numerous ways you can volunteer. And by doing so it helps others, not just yourself. As a vicitm of Katrina---I am sure you realize the value of volunteers. And when you think about it, wouldn't you want to find a woman who would be like minded about helping others. Even if you don't find one for you, maybe seeing other women work to help others without regard to the thickness of their wallet, would help your outlook towards the gender in general. But in my own opinion, you are going to have difficulty due to your attitude, not your bank account balance, nor the fact that you have 2 sons. Kat

Ok---me again. I just went and got the mail. We got a bill from the New Mexico Heart Institute. Rick has had surgery there, plus multiple procedures, so I am not surprised. Now this is what it says. Dear Mr. M..... Thank you for choosing NMHI for your medical needs. We pride ourselves in providing outstanding care for our patients. Our records indicate you still have an outstanding balance of $0.00 and a recent payment has not been received. Please send payment in full or contact a Patient Account Manager at (505) 843-2922 or toll free at (800) 888-6642 for further assistance. Any information garnered on this account will be turned over to our collection agency if we do not hear from you regarding this long overdue balance. Sincerely, NMHI Am I losing my mind here??? We have ALWAYS paid what little we owed after insurance in a timely manner---which is obvious in the amount owed....nothing! I am seriously considering writing them a check for $0.00 and mailing it to them, and mailing a copy of both the bill and my check to everyone involved with the Heart Institute---maybe even the Albuquerque Journal Paper---except the bill for the NEW MEXICO heart institute come from Denver CO!!! I wonder why I get frustrated????? Anyway thought I would share what a deadbeat I am!!! Kat

Laura--you looked beautiful, it didn't look like you were melting!!! I looked through your pictures, and how happy and relaxed everyone looked, and thought I wonder how differently it would have been if she had continued on in the BIG wedding thing it started!!?? You look like a very in love girl, and the dress is gorgeous!!! You were also right about Dads shirt tying it all together---you did a great job! Well we seem to only be getting rain in the evening. I hit Curves this morning, and cleaned the house up---now I am just waiting for Rick to get home. We have some shopping to do for our trip next weekend, and we are meeting our friends for dinner---but between now and then I am sure he will be prepping his trailer to paint it, I won't see much of him anyway!!! Maybe I'll hunt up a new book to start! Sorry the rain dampened (yeah---pun intended) the mood of your yard sales. Keep in mind there are those that live to yard sale, so they will be itching to get out next week too---so you should have a banner sale then! So Tracy did the scale behave and stay where it is supposed to? Mine is back to bouncing a half pound on and off!! Oh well, I am finally getting back into the workout groove again! I needed the push so bad!!! I used to do pretty well....then life got crazy, and it is what got pushed to the side. I need to move---I feel so much better when I do, and I enjoy it---I have no idea why I let it slide. I am suddenly having trouble eating watermelon. I hate that, because I like watermelon! But just a few bites, and it is in my throat, and I am gagging. No warning with sliming---it is just a chore to keep it down. Not going to try it again for awhile, but twice now. I thought the first time, I just ate too big of a bite or something....but little bites, and chewed well. Same problem. I know my trainer friend is always telling me never to work the same muscle group 2 days in a row. To lift weights one day and do cardio work out the next, or the muscle will retain too much fluid to benefit from the exercise. Or something to that idea. So that may be the same thing Jenn was told, and might be affecting your plateau. Good Luck, let us know what you are eating, we might be able to share ideas over that too! Ok, off to cruise the site, and find a book to read. Catch y'all later!! Kat

Your rambling way of attacking what is being said to you, as well as the refusal to have a discussion of the matter, insisting YOU do no wrong, and all Americans, women in particular are gold diggers, does give one insight into the multiple failed marriages. Marriage, whether the parties are of the same race or one is purple the other pink, require give and take. It is not a 50-50 proposition, some days one partner gives 100% while the other is doing all they can just to take it. Other days it will even out. In order for it to work this way a couple has to compromise and work things out. If you cannot have a civil conversation, without name calling on a board such as this----why would we be led to believe you have intentions of a loving, caring giving marriage....regardelss of her race, or yours. That is a non issue. Have you thought of residing in her country to marry her? It sounds as though you are pretty fed up with Americans. Kat

Glad to see Betty & Mandy back where they belong!!! Missed you guys!! Glad you were having a good time though! I mowed the front lawn tonight, and now cannot quit sneezing! Sometimes it gets my allergies, others nothing at all---go figure! Between that and Curves and a marathon shopping day---I'm whooped! I found some good buys though---bought me some work out pants, that I am hoping stay up! I spend all my time hiking my pants up as it is now! I also bought me some backless slide on shoes---they are nice and padded, Adidas. My oldest DD used to wear nothing but Adidas! I run around all the time in flip flops or bare foot---and I hate getting ready to go workout or to ride the eliptical because I had to put on socks, and shoes---now I can just slide off the flip flops and slide these on. They were comfortable today---hope they make it easier on my brain to actually go exercise!!! So now that Betty and Mandy have shown back up, has anyone heard anything from Beannie? I know Darcy has no internet at the cabin, and spends a great deal of time there....so hoping she will check in when she gets a chance---and hope her birthday was happy! Beannie has me a bit worried, she changed jobs---and disappeared! Better round up the monkeys! Kinsey is feeling much better, but has stomach issues to this day. She eats maybe 3-4 bites of food, and says her belly hurts, and she refuses anymore---even refuses the sweet stuff, so it isn't a spoiled issue from all the attention. She does not care if she can't have a treat. Even treats, only get about 3 bites, and she hurts. She really mopes, and lays around---then about 10-15 minutes after she complains of the pain, she will sometimes burp---other times, nothing we notice, and she sits up, all happy and states her belly is all better. And our happy little girl is back until she eats again. The pediatrician said to give her gut another week or so to fully heal, and if it is still a problem, they will try to do some tests. Poor baby! I took the girls to see Ratatouille yesterday---we liked it! It held the attention of all of us from ages 2 to 70! My Mom went with us! I was worried about the little one, they had a short before the movie, as Pixar often does, and this one is about some aliens---and she was uninterested completely---she was talking and wiggling, being a 2 yr old. Then the movie come on, and she was totally enthralled! A few minutes into it, she sits up straight in the booster seat and says " Granny, them peoples don't has eyelashes--take mine off!" Crazy kid!!! Well I am going to have to go battle with Best Buy, my monitor is screwy---it developed a red line right down the screen, top to bottom, about 2/3's of the way over on the right. They said on the phone they would honor the guarantee---I hope it is not a battle! Ok, I am off to cruise the site a bit before calling it a night! Take care all--- and have a great weekend!! Kat

I think the advice to meet as many people as possible is wise---to limit yourself to one race, or one eye color, or one vocation, is limiting to BOTH of you. Personally, I too felt that the financial burden was especially heavy on my DH back when we began dating. He ask me out---so yes he paid for the first date. Then we got creative, went on cheap dates, we rented movies, and I cooked dinner---he was in college, and working, we were both raising children...it was a second marriage for each of us. We connected on a level it was something we could discuss---if I could not discuss that with him, did I really have any hope of a serious relationship working???? I thought not. However---we just had a celebration for my parents 50th Anniversary, and both couples that stood up with them as attendents at their wedding were able to come back and do the same for the vow renewal. There were 3 couples, who struggled, through hard times, and all 3 made it to their 50th Anniversaries. I would be willing to bet, that in the 1950's the men paid for it all. I know through the years, my Mom worked while my Dad re entered college, and we struggled financially---and by that time they worked as a team, but prior to the marriage, I am sure that Dad paid for it all. Times have changed. The law very well may have changed---but if you find a woman of Filippino background or whatever, and nurture the relationship, prior to hauling her back to the US of A to marry her---then those questions will not be an issue. Marrying someone from another country is not illegal---marrying them simply to gain them citizenship is---as it should be. The law not only protects innocent young girls from being sold into these relationships, it protects you as well. YOU ask "isn't it love we want?" YOU need to answer that question---what is love to YOU. Is "love" - your spouse doing everything your way? Is "love" - your spouse being at your beck and call? What makes you feel loved? How do you intend on making this woman feel loved? Love is not something you buy---or something you just make happen in my opinion. When you love someone, you want the very best for them---so you need to make sure you are the very best. Sounds to me like maybe you need to take a little time, enjoy talking with these women, and or any others, and learn to find out who you are, and what would make you feel loved, so you can in turn make the woman you marry next feel the same. Just my opinion! Kat

Denise it began as an April 07 thread, and then some of us held them hostage until they let us join, and now there are all kinds of us!!! Welcome!!! Plateaus are horrid!!! Sometimes if I UP my intake for 3-4 days then get serious about high protein and watching caloric intake it will break it....good luck! WOOOOOO---HOOOOOOOO TRACY! I am sooooo happy for you!! Don't get to settled in those 230's they too will be gone before you know it!!!! You set your goal, and went into action, that is so awesome!!! When you get surrounded by all those judgemental eyes, keep one of "those" smiles on your face, like you know something they don't or you are getting something they aren't!!!! It will keep em wondering!!!!! Enjoy yourself! Put those shoulders back, walk tall and proud, smile at them, look them in the eye---and you will impress them all! February is going to be an issue with me, unless I change the date I want to do the TT. I might be able to do it early January, and be comfortable enough to travel in a month. I want to go---pick a date and I will do my best to work around it. Even if I bring my saggy belly with me and do it afterwards!!! Went to Curves today....even though I tried not to! I went to town to buy a baby gift, and ended up shopping for new shoes to work out in....and walked the mall, and several independent stores as well, and was wiped out!!! I found the shoes I wanted at Famous Footwear, and bought some work out capri's (ones that might stay up without constant assisstance!), while I was in the mall, and a couple of tshirts on sale at JC Penneys. I met with my friend for lunch...and I was tired! But I come home, and was putting away all this new work out gear, and felt guilty---so I went to Curves!!! I always feel better, today was no exception! My friend and I shared a Taco plate, we each ate a tace, and had it with grilled veggies instead of beans and rice. She is not banded, but is seriously dieting---so it worked for us. Not sure whether I am going to be able to eat dinner or not, my lunch is still making me very full. Maybe I'll just fix Rick something....and have some watermelon with him afterwards. I went looking for slip on tenny shoes. I run around here barefoot or in flip flops all day....and am happy that way! Most of the clothes I wear I can work out in, or just slip out of my denim capri's and into stretch ones, but I HATE putting on socks, and shoes, it is too hot! So I found me some work out shoes that I can just slide into---and go! I am not going to wear them for anything else, just in Curves. I bought some Adidas, with gel inserts in the heel---they felt good today. I guess I will go and figure out what Rick gets for dinner. We went on an evening ride last night, and I was hoping for another tonight, but it looks as though it is going to storm....dangit! Will check in with yas later~! Kat

I didn't meet my DH online, I met him in line.....he was in front of me several places, and he was causing trouble, not wanting to pay....he was a troublemaker then, and remains so at times. You hear about seeing trouble dancing in someones eyes, it was in his I saw what that meant---his bright blue eyes, were just sparkling, and he was laughing, and making gross jokes, and impressing all his buds.........we were in 4th grade! We attended school together, from 4th grade to graduation--yes we both made it! We were friends, tho not close, I was quite good friends with his best friend. Only because the best friend and I had last names very similar, and any alphabetical seating charts had us sitting together!! I knew him and liked him ok, but was serious with my now ex husband and he with his now ex wife!! We went our separate ways, and married the wrong ones. Fast forward a few years and a few kids later (!!), and we ended up sitting at tables next to one another in a bar!! When my friend got up to dance, I saw someone headed my way I was avoiding so I slid over to their (he and his best friend) table and talked to them. He tells me (yes tells, not ask!) Let's dance....we did. OMG!!!! I kept telling myself, 'you can't be feeling that or thinking that, this is Rick...!!!!' Didn't work! He did the same thing. We dated every night for the next 18 days! Then he moved away, went off to college, and we did long distance for awhile...til it got to be too much, and we moved in together, first there then here....and here we are. We finally made the families happy not too long later and made it legal, and got married!!! He still makes my heart beat faster---especially when we dance. I would have been out of luck if I had relied on computer dating, he is just now willing to use it for anything other than ebay!!! So in my case it was thank goodness for the lunch line!!! Kat

Yea You!!! Congrats and welcome to Bandland, and welcome to LBT---we look forward to getting to know you! This is a great site, for support, and inspiration---you are going to love it here!!! Kat

I almost forgot..........roller coasters!!! I can ride them again, and anything else I choose to without issue!!!! Love it!!! Kat

Count me IN!!! But I wanna go NOW!!!! Are we there yet?????? Tracy---no one said he couldn't come! We'll need someone to carry our newer lightweight luggage!!! I am only kidding---I personally have no problem with significant others of any kind being there....some of us are lucky enough to have them as our biggest supporters, and if we want to keep them as that, maybe we ought not party without them! LOL Took the granddaughters to see Ratatouille (sp?) today, they both loved it. They are 6 and 2. It even kept my Mom and I entertained. The 2 year old was very antsy in the pre-movie movie about some aliens---so I thought it was going to be a disaster, but the movie itself she loved! About 10 minutes into it, she says "Granny them peoples don't have eyelashes! I wanna take mine off!" 2 year olds---gotta love 'em! Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I am willing to fly wherever. I was interested in the Vegas on the other thread, but that is about the timing I was planning to do the TT. Hmmmmmmm I love Vegas, and the variety of things to do there. We don't do tons of gambling, but are never at a loss for things to do. We went to a body museum last time, it was incredible!!! Actual bodies, freeze dried, showing blood vessels, organs, muscles....it gave me a whole new respect for how my body moves. We could have spent HOURS in there there was so much to look at! And my DD loved the wax museum! Anyway, I'll do my best to be wherever, whenever----sounds awesome! We have been researching beach houses in TX, in Palacios--across the water from Port Lavaca where they are holding a a family reunion) for the end of next month---and for a 3 bedroom house, with room to sleep 11. Has it's own private pier, screened porch, fish cleaning areas---fully stocked, etc. We rented it for a week--and it was $900.00. Which ended up cheaper, when we all broke down the cost. Last time we rented a boat, and went back and forth to the reunion that way. Now we aren't even sure we are going.....so haven't made any more plans. We rent fromt eh same guy each year, and he said if we would let him know by the first of August, he would be fine with it. Well dinner is ready (smoke alarm is sounding)---timer is dinging! BBL! Kat

Well, y'all have hit most of them..... crossing the legs was a biggie for me, and eating in a booth with extra room---face it, the hostess just taking us to a booth, like it is a natural thing is AWESOME!!! Salespeople being willing to help me is nice, although it still irks me how I was treated before! No more meds....none, not a prescription in the house with my name on it!!! My Dr. is thrilled, and very supportive---he has witnessed the success! Another biggie for me---I now weigh less than my DH!!! I thought dropping below 200 was great, but it was anticlimatic compared to being smaller than Rick!! I no longer feel like I am too big for our motorcycle. DH says he lost the best backrest he ever had though!! I can walk around the rallies, and buy the cheap tshirts---I don't need the extended sizes anymore! If I actually chose to buy a leather halter---I could! I can mow the lawn, and not worry that the neighbors are going to have to dial 911. It is now something I do without a problem---I consider it nice exercise, not the dreaded chore I used to consider it as sweat POURED off of me. Now I can mow it, and have energy left over! I don't feel like the guest exhibit at a restaurant....I always felt like before everyone was staring at me wondering what in the heck I was doing eating even more! Now I blend in....no one pays a bit of attention to what I order...it amazes me how judgemental people are. I smile for pictures...I do not avoid the camera! Before pics of me are few and far between. I have taken, willingly more pictures in the last 6 months than I have in the last 10 years! And I even like some of them! My neighbor just told me if I don't quit losing weight he is not going to be able to tell my DD and I apart----I could have kissed the toothless old man!!!! I enjoy wearing my jewelry again. Necklaces had seemed so tight around my neck, and my rings were tight, and earrings just drew attention to how broad my face had become. Now I love wearing it again! In the same idea, I can wear my hair in all kinds of ways again. I had chosen a style, that was as flattering as I felt I could. But trying to draw attention to the eyes, not the double chin, and flabby jowls. Now I wear it up, down, in a pony tail---whatever, it does not matter anymore! I can get up off of the air mattress when we camp without help! We actually GO camping, where I had all but quit. Now we go, and we hike, and bike, and DO things! We go often enough now, that we keep the bike trailer loaded with the regular items! The list could go on and on and on....I feel like I have a new chance at life. I give horsey rides to my grandbabies....who will never remember Granny as morbidly obese! I breath easier, and do things to make myself breath deeply willingly! I love going and doing. The Plus size dept., and my recliner probably both miss me...they got left behind! My husband, got his wife back. He calls me "Slim"......I could not have ask for anyone to be more supportive. The band has been a blessing in countless ways! I would do it again in a heartbeat, and recommend it highly!!!!!! Love these answers!!! Kat

I flew home on the 3rd day, snd going braless was NOT an option!!! I wore an older one, that was not underwire, and had been washed to softness. I wore elastic waist pants, and a pull over tshirt type of top. I also made sure to wear slip on shoes, since you have to remove them in security at the airport, and bending to tie shoes might be painful. The girls laid heavy on my incisions, so I kept them bandaged longer than recommended, but, they healed well. Go for comfort.....don't waste your money on cute new jammies for the hospital---they will be too big in a matter of 2 weeks time!!!!! That's what it's all about!!!! WooooHoooo!!! Kat

Well I am glad some of you are checking in. Sherry, we will be here right with you, full of support and butt kicking if you need it while you let your belly nd esophagus heal. I am so glad you brought up the phone issues with him! So much of the time I complain, and then, let it go, I am proud of you!!!! And I like your new ticker too!!! Mandy---hope all is well!!! Dianne--how's the leg? I am getting this visual of you sitting at your desk with your leg propped up and hands waving in the air in excitement as you discuss your band!!!! Let us know what the Doc said. Betty----where are you???? I am officially worried now! Cindy---how in the world did you manage BEFORE you retired??? Lol you have not slowed down since! Glad you are all ok....and that you made it through another difficult time---you are a good daughter! And setting wonderful examples for your own DD. Well I am off to put clean sheets on the bed. Rick is feeling better, so I changed out all the towels, and the sheets.....get rid of those germs!!! TTYL!!!! Kat