Kat817

Yea!!! Michelle made it through with flying colors!!!! I knew she would, but it is always good to have those thoughts confirmed!!!! Rest, sip your water, and walk as much as you can....and soon, you too will be encouraging others to follow in your footsteps! As of now Laura, I have not located anything other than my printer discs. Not sure where to look next....I thought I knew where they were. Will keep looking. We ran into the same thing, we had way too many issues with the old computer, the CD drive was out, the modem was out, the memory needed a massive boost.....among many issues, so there was no sense in trying to revive it. And we could not get anything other than the Vista. When we bought our last computer XP was less than a month out! I am running neck and neck with Windows I think!!! I am actually pretty happy with it. I know several with it, and none with serious problems. I like some of the new options. Took awhile to get my email the way I wanted it, but it is pretty easy to manuever around. I liked the ease of making my DVD's for my folks anniversary. Scanning in the photos, adding their music, took about 20 minutes per disc---it was so amazingly easy!!!! I have nothing I use my computer for other than pictures, and I use an external hard drive for pictures and music. Otherwise it is for my email, ebay, and my boards. I do no gaming, or anything of that sort---so it should work fine for my needs. I'll let you know if I locate the disc. Well I am going to check my ebay things, and go to bed early....what an idea!!!!! Talk to y'all tomorrow! Kat

Oh Laura I am so sorry, let me look through and see if I can find it or not. I was going to look for it for you weeks ago! If I can find it, you can keep it, our new computer is Vista. Learning it slowly..... Will look for the disc I promise!!! Don't worry about pushy---I am getting old...for heavens sake remind me!!!!! As for the coordinator---I would tell her point blank, that you "accept" that she confused the appointment time, but it did however cost DF paid time off, and that you are confident it will NOT happen again, and is there in fact a penalty payment or credit, if either of you repeatedly misses scheduled appointments, since you will be dealing with so many 3rd parties? No need to go into Bridezilla mode...but no need to let her set the tone of the arrangement by walking all over you either. Makes me wonder if this is not how she guages her couples....whether they will be easy or difficult to work with. I would not give her the impression of being hard to deal with, but I also would not act like it was not an inconvenience when in fact it was! Bottom line....YOU paid HER---she works for YOU and she did not show up....better to find out early if you need to look for someone else. I agree, it is unprofessional! Besides another question hit me when she said she had people over....people over as in friends visiting? Other clients? Does she use up YOUR time with her answering other calls??? Sounds like something that would have set me off as well!!! Ok---I will try to hunt down my old computer discs......then let you know. Kat

Awww Lynne, I am so sorry for your loss. No words can convey how much I wish there were something I could do to help you through this. Just know when the times get hard, we your LBT friends are here to help you by listening. ((((hugs)))) Kat

Hi everyone!!! We made it home yesterday--had a wonderful time this weekend. The rally was fun, weather a bit iffy. This rally is in the mountains, and it gets COLD!!! But the rides are incredible---huge tree covered peaks, and rolling grass valleys, or deep rock gorges (we go over the Royal Gorge on the way--you can feel it bounce and sway as trucks go over!!!) Lots of places ro ride to, things to see. We listened to some really good bands, ate yummy food--met nice people. Had one psycho woman move into the spot next to ours, and raise hell one night, she left the next day (wierd from the time they arrived, til they left!!), but all in all, she was mainly just good for laughs, never really affected us much!!! They set up a HUGE tent, and used our stakes---literally put us wall to wall with them! We didn't know that til the next morning, they set up in the dark while we were at the bon fire---but in the middle of the night (2:30 or 3:00AM) she woke us ALL up screaming at someone for being out so late, and she was cold, and couldn't get the lantern lit, and the asshole next door was snoring and she couldn't sleep!!! Throw the MF word in every other word, and you have the idea of her screaming fit!!! So the next morning my DH and the guys from the spot on the other side (4 guys 25-30 YO from Idaho) argued about who was the asshole!!! We don't like anything touching our tent--especially there, where it frosts up at night--because a tent will leak wherever it is touched and allow the moisture in---so we were going to move it to the other side of our friends tent, between them and 4 older guys from Colorado---and when we went to pull stakes, we found that they had used them instead of pounding their own!!! When Rick removed them, the back of their tent fell. OMG talk about mad!!! They never even looked at us to speak, so we could tell them why we moved it---they loaded up and left, her cussing and screaming the entire time! It was 2 women, and a younger guy. They had a 3-4 ROOM tent, it was huge! Made our little 10X10 pop up look dwarfed!!! They had those beds on a frame, with air mattresses, even throw rugs, and a small carpet roll on the floors! But one woman did nothing. She walked around camp a bit while the other threw things in the SUV cussing about having a MF heart attack....and the guy tried to be friendly, he waved good bye!!! But no one helped the angry woman. ONe of the young guys on the other side, offered she was rude and hateful so no one bothered her again. All in all their tent was up about 12 hours!!! They were at a very noisy camp ground (it is at a Y in the road, with roads going up mountain passes on either side of you with motorcycles roaring up the roads, echoing off the rock--so cool sounding!!! but VERY noisy!) during a motorcycle rally with 30-50 thousand bikes---and were there with no bike. They had on Myrtle Beach bike week shirts though---and had leather jackets, they guy even had on chaps---but no bike. And they parked their truck so close to the other guys tent, they ran over his stakes, and then got up at 4 AM and sat in the truck with the heat running, with it inches from his head! Rude, wierd people, glad they were only there 12 hours!!! The rest of the people we met were really nice. All the way from Canada to Mexico, California, to South Dakota----and lots in between, but those were our borders at the campfire that night!! We had a great time---we needed the down time prior to what lies ahead. So have you heard about the woman who refused to pull over for the police? She was alone in a deserted area...and refused to stop. We had some guy on the reservation a few years ago, who was using fake lights to stop women, and raping them. I think this is one time I would rely on my cell phone and make sure it was real before I stopped too. I think I will go and listen to the story....bbl Happy Birthday Patty's boys!!! Kat

Wow what a busy bunch y'all have been!!! Glad to hear everyone is ok---nothing traumatic going on anyway---sorry about the sinus & ear infections. I do have a remedy for opening up ears that need to be popped, and it also works for ear infections in which the problem is caused by the same imbalance between the inner ear and the eustachian (sp?) tube. It first worked for me when we flew into Hawaii, I saw people in the airport doing it---I then ask my ENT about it, and he said it is the perfect way to eliminate the problem, you just have to be a bit patient with it---so it isn't a great fix for kids. Here is what you do. You will need, for each ear (if both are affected---they can be reused but will take double the time) a styrofoam cup ( like a disposable coffee cup) and a paper towel. Now wet the paper towel with as hot of water as you can stand, wring it out, and rinse the cup with the hot water as well, then drop the paper towel into the bottom of the cup and position the cup tightly over your ear. Make sure the paper towel is in the bottom of the cup so you don't get burned. Keep the cup held tightly against your ear. And wait...and wait...and wait!!! The heat in the cup helps to open the tubes, and release the pent up fluid, and as the cup slowly cools, so does the air and fluid in your ear, balancing it again. It worked wonderfully for me when we flew to Barbados---I had problems for the first time, ever, I fell asleep, and was not working my ears during the descent for landing. I fought it for almost 2 days---and finally decided to try it---instant relief!!! Ok maybe 30 minute relief!! So I ask my ENT about it---mostly out of curiosity--he said it is perfect, much safer than the pinch the nose and blow thing we all try!!!! I have used it during a bad ear infection, and it worked as well, but the relief was not permanent, I had to redo it again. Good Luck-----hope you get relief soon!! And Terry was right on the money about the not eating following a PB. The problem is as she said, the PB caused your stomach to swell around the band. So if you give it time, to settle down, you do much better, otherwise there is a high likelyhood of the next solid food causing another PB due to the swelling, not what or how you eat. So you get the cycle going Eat, Swell, PB....Eat, swell PB......much better to stop the cycle before it starts. Tracy(KS) you must have been watching me---I was eating the same nachos and cheesecake!!! Food vendors at the rally did me in!!! I did ok though, I ate anything I wanted, and the weight remained steady. The only thing I felt a bit deprived over was I only ate 2 bites of a funnel cake, and I wanted MORE!!!! But I was afraid it would react like the donut, and swell, and I did not want a PB and forced liquids then---so I ate 2 bites, and consoled myself with some shopping!!! We had a blast---it was such a fun weekend! Probably 30-50 thousand bikes. Weather was iffy---rained on us a bit getting there, but not while we were there. The nights got cold!!!!!!! But it does every year, and we went prepared! We had wonderful camp neighbors the first night, then the 2nd night late into the evening, we were already at the bon fire, and having a good time (!!!) when another camper come in and set up between us and the guys in the other spot. We probably should have offered help, but didn't we were all involved in conversations etc. Well we go back over to get something from the tent, and the tent they put up is HUGE!!!! And literally wall to wall with ours. If anyone was sleeping against that wall, they could have got to know Rick really well!!!!! We figured oh well...went on to bed. About 3 AM we were woke up with a psycho woman yelling and cussing about someone over there just getting back and them being cold and the asshole next door snoring when she couldn't sleep! OMG made my DH so mad!!! Well our tent is like 10 X 10---easy to set up, we LOVE it, have had it for years---so we decided to move ours to the other side of our friends between them and 4 guys from Idaho, the next morning---no problem remove the stakes, and slide it over as is. We got up about 8:30---well they did, they are all coffee drinkers, I laid in bed until the sun warmed the tent for me to climb out. I finally emerge from the tent, and they are all looking at where to move the tent, they picked a spot, and he grabbed a hammer to remove stakes. Now by this time, the campground is awake, bikes are roaring around (the campground is at a Y in the roads up the passes, so the bikes are wrapped out going up, and echo on the mountains---I love it---but quiet it isn't!!!) When Rick got to the back side, to the "shared" wall he calls me over...they had not used their own stakes, they tethered their tent to ours!!! He looks at me with this question...I just shrugged, so he points it out to the guys on the other side ---4 guys from Colorado, and they tell him go for it---"asshole" (jokeingly --from her tirade the night before!!!) when he removes our stake, the corner of her tent drops. Well come to find out, her spot was not big enough for her tent and her SUV (no bike.....???) so she parked her car so close to one of the other guys tents she ran over his stakes! She was irate at us waking her up and started throwing things into her car, and cussing, OMG she was psycho!!!!! We refused to leave to breakfast until she left! Our other neighbors were going to hang out and wait for some friends to arrive, so we left, and were very glad to find her gone for the next night. They come in about 8:30 that night, set up an elaborate 3-4 room tent, with the off the floor air beds, even had carpet rolled out on the floor (I watched her throw it in the car!), they were at a bike rally with no motorcycle---but yet had on bike week shirts from Myrtle Beach, and leather jackets. They never joined the party at the bon fire, threw a fit in the night, and left the next morning....fun weekend for them???? Rick kept thanking me for not acting like she did!!! EVER!!!! Aside from her, we had a great time, safe ride, good company, great weekend! Some down time we really needed, heading into the next round of surgery with DH. OK I have written another book....just had to share psycho woman with y'all. Prayers going out for Mdrai as she joins the ranks today!!! How exciting! Has anyone ever had a bone spur? Can you get them in your hands???? TTYL, Kat

OK my purple pals---I am back, but will be busy for the next hour or so reading to catch up!!! Will be back!!!!! Kat

Just checking in before I check out for a few days. We are off to a rally in the mountains. It will be cold...will likely rain...and we will have fun in spite of it all!!! It is a beautiful place, we like the runs they do---provided the weather cooperates. I intend on buying some new leather this year, my old coat and chaps hang on me!!! Yeah I get to buy a smaller cow!!! This rally is going to be the first for our friends, and it has a tendency to get a little rowdy---so we never stay right in town, we stay at a small town about 30 miles away. It is strongly attended by the Bandidos!!! Who leave you alone, if you leave them alone---which I intend on doing! We will hit one down south in mid July, and then take them to Sturgis. We are only doing these to accustom them abit!! It could be interesting! It is a 6 hour ride, and the weather is not looking cooperative, so hoping for the best! If anyone is interested in the clothes I mentioned, PM me-----and I'll think of you all---hope you are out enjoying the holiday weekend. Be safe, have fun!!!! Kat

Wonder if they make a microwave big enought to fit wacked out Daddy into???? Eye for an eye.....no the parents, nor the parents who raised them...none of them should ever be near this child again. If the grandparents were involved prior, surely they could tell the father was not behaving normally. Same with the Mom and her Mom who went out and left him alone with the infant. They had their chance, they blew it, now let someone who will love her properly raise her. The courts may step in and lock him away, whether in a psych ward or prison---but Mom will likely be let go, and will probably already have another child before it ever goes to court! Kat

Awww Tracy---she found her an angel in Leavenworth KS---it is where she was supposed to be!!! Let me know if there is any way I can help from NM. And Laura---I was living it, and didn't get it, until he said it. His sister always gave us a hard time about us kissing the ground one another walked on...so it fit!!! Kat

I was told you can never go wrong with fiber!!! My Dr. suggested if it was a problem, to use benefiber, and get lots of water. Actually---he said to up my water intake, and if that didn't help to try the benefiber! There are several threads on it, with solutions others have found. You are not alone out there!!! I think the concensus is that it is a real shi#&y problem!!! Kat

It is a hard thing for someone who has never been morbidly obese to understand. It also as my DH (dear husband) pointed out to me, a hard thing to be supportive of in a way. He said he was afraid if he supported me doing it, I would see it as if he were unhappy with me the way I was. Then if insurance fell through, or I simply changed my mind, I would think he was unhappy being stuck with the fat me. Which in honesty, with the emotions I went through trying to get this done, could have been the case! Men also have a "fix it" gene!!! If there is a problem, they want to be able to fix it for us. I have a horrible time with my DH sometimes, I just want to vent, and complain about something, but he wants to fix the problem. If I am upset about a comment made by his Mom for instance, he is going to call her up and settle it---NO!!!! Just listen to me, let me get it out, and it will go away! But his natural instinct is to try to DO SOMETHING!!!!! Did your DH go to the seminar with you? That might be helpful. I have also read, that many men, are scared by this that we will lose the weight and then leave them! They too are insecure often times. Discuss with him the things you 2 will be able to do together again, be sure to include him and his feelings in the talks. I know I am somewhat insecure, and if my husband suddenly decided to do something drastic, I would worry a bit about my place in his new life. I mean I love him as he is, isn't that enough? I am sure those are along the lines of your husbands thinking. Another issue men seem to have is fear of losing us during the surgery itself---that we may die during surgery. Seems quite common on the board that they worry along those lines. When you get the surgery behind you, and YOU have not changed, regardless of weight loss, he will relax. He just does not want to lose the you he knows and loves. The inner you is going to change too---but will remain the one he loves, and that will calm him down, and he too will likely come on board with it. Men as a whole have been trained to not show emotion, so they rely on indifference and anger often to cover the real feelings---IF they even recognize what the feelings are. Give him a chance, reassure him that the surgery is for YOU but it will make life better for the 2 of you! You can do more things together, your sex life will improve.....show him positives he can relate to!!!! Welcome to LBT----this is an awesome support site, and you are far from alone here. We do tend to obssess over our bands for awhile, and at least here, no one gets tired of listening to us, or talking with us about them. Hang out, we'll support you!!! Kat

Looking good Chris!!!! My DGD is a flower girl for my DD's sister's (on her Dads side) the latter part of June. My DD was complaining about how much the dress was, and hers....many things I will help with, this is not one. When she got married, and her 3 half sisters were in the wedding, I ended up buying their dresses, because their father is still worthless. Now I understand this is not the fault of ANY of his kids---but the one who is having this HUGE blow out wedding, with the dinner, dance...the whole 9 yards, has been with the boyfriend for 5 years, they have 2 sons, fight like crazy, he has been arrested twice for domestic abuse, and has been hospitalized from an attempted suicide! I am just staying as far from it all as possible. She actually sent me an invitation, but with Rick recovering I will not be able to attend---doggone it! Poor girl had no upbringing, I feel for the kids. I may not be perfect, but I have common sense, and am not addicted to alcohol and drugs, so at least when the Dad flaked, my DD had me and my family and eventually Rick and his family. His last 4 kids, had, make that have, no one. He is divorced now from their Mom, who is so involved with the new man, she ignores and prefers them to be with their Dad, who is a raging alcoholic, living with another alcoholic. Wonderful way to raise 3 teen girls! A bunch of losers....sad to say! I really, truly am not saying this simply due to our history and divorce. It really is a sad and scary situation. Mandy--will Abi eat raisins? The ENT suggested them to me, for nutrition before I had my nose cauterized. Just make sure she brushes well after eating them. They are worse on teeth than a Hershey bar! And keep lots of hydrogen peroxide around, it will take the blood out of most anything. Without harming the colors, in say sheets or furniture. Is Abi out of school then for the year with all this going on? Poor sweetie!!! Been keeping busy getting things together for our trip this weekend, and also for the big Anniverasary party coming up. Ordered several things online. Looking to buy several more! $$$$$ this is NOT cheap! When we did Ricks folks 60th anniversary there were 4 siblings, all sharing in the cost, if not the work, one sister and I did it all!!! But in my family, I am it. My brother is unable to contribute, he will be helpful in getting the yard work ready, and other than that, this is my baby! But I have to do something 50 years is such a special accomplishment! Wish me luck!!! Beannie, must not be getting her phantom signal at night---I miss her! And Darcy is hiding out in that new cabin pretending to rough it---but we saw the "cabin" and it is amazing!!!! I might be guilty of hiding out there too!!! I am so lazy today---I am still in my jammie pants----it is rainy, and was so cold this morning---I just refuse to go outside!!! The place we are supposed to be going this weekend is in the mountains, and is known to be cold at night---but in the paper this morning, the state wide weather forcast shows their low tonight to be 28. And Rick expects us to camp out????? We may have to have a change of plans!!! I'm just not that brave! Well my granddaughter is awake, and investigating the fact that Granny has a new computer---she has pronounced it COOL. But I am likely to lose everything if she keeps messing around, so will quit and post it now!!! Take care everyone!!! Kat

Hi everyone! Katie, if your port site is still sore, take it easy---if you are not fully healed on the outside, you are likely not fully healed on the inside either. If you think about it, the outside is dry and open to the air, and would heal quicker. They were adament with me, about healing the inside stitches before causing any stress. Give it a little longer. In the meantime....walk. It will put no pressure on the incisions, inside or out. It will boost your metabolism, increase weight loss, and just make you feel better overall. It is a hard thing to get started doing, but before long, you find yourself addicted. You can vary your path, look around, check out other peoples yards, get ideas for your own! Breath deep, feel your lungs appreciate it! It may not feel like a big thing, but for your body, walking is a HUGE thing, it is so good for you to be out moving. Like Tracy is doing, getting her son, may not be miles and miles each day---but it all adds up! It helps emotionally as well as physically. How I cannot tell you, but the fresh air feels like it frees my brain, I am free to think, as I walk! I miss the days I haven't walked. I need to update my ticker---let me check my calendar. For the month of May, my actual total is now 30.5 miles walked. Will change it later!!! Laura, I know exactly how she meant with the ring. When something comes along that makes me slow down and look back, at our lives, and how they have changed since the engagement, it does bring on a sense of melancholy....in a way. The fact that we are looking back at that as opposed to looking forward to that! I am happy at the place I am in life, I love having grandbabies to spoil and send home, I do not want another baby of my own (scares me even to type that!!!!) I think back of our kids when they were little, now married and even with kids of their own! The buying/building of a new home....we contemplate that again every so often, but our home is paid for, and it is hard to consider going in debt again!!! I think the feeling is because I know my past was a happy time overall, and of course the future is unknown! With Rick's health issues the future is very scary to me, so looking back and smiling at the memories, is a good thing. Knowing you have all of it to live through, is something else to smile about. My DH as I told you proposed in the bathroom!!! Kinda.....We too were living together, which irritated the hell outta our families!!! We each had children we were raising, and we were doing that just fine together, but they wanted us married. My former marriage was extremely abusive (ending in my attempted murder---him in prison---bad), so I flat out refused to marry again! So we moved in together, and went on with life, raising kids, working, and getting the get married lecture at every family event. Then it all changed!!! One afternoon.....Feb. 20th to be exact.....I come in the front door, and there were Hershey kisses all over the floor, a trail of them leading in the door, and across the living room, into the master bedroom, I expected to find him in bed!!! Nope, no honey there!!! The trail led on into the bathroom!!! Stopping at the shower, which had a heart taped to the door that said "open me". Now the shower isn't runninng, so I don't expect him to be in there---but am cautious just in case!!! Open the door, and no honey there either, but a huge bouquet of lillies (my favorite flower) hanging from the shower head! I took them down and as I was looking at the card which just said "I love you", I heard him, he was leaning against the door jam looking at me, I thought he looked pretty full of himself at the time, looking back I recognize the nervous bravado!!! I still had no idea what was coming! He backed me into the vanity, and very seriously told me "Now that I have kissed the ground you walk on, and showered you with flowers, will you do something for me?" I was thinking naughtly things!!!! Then he dropped to his knee and said to me "trust me enough to be my wife?" I could not respond! I could not breath! Marriage? I hated marriage! I loved him I didn't want to ruin that! But I loved him too much to say no---so finally through the tears I said yes---we married 2 weeks later, in a kids only wedding--not even inviting family!!! On the spur of the moment, we called a judge friend and did it! I have NEVER been sorry. It wasn't marriage that was bad it was my ex. We have had ups and downs, and through it all much, much more laughter than is likely our share!!! He admitted to getting help with the proposal from his sister....and here I have been so mad at her----shame on me!!! Laura---don't let the details of the wedding spoil it---do what you want that will make the 2 of you happy. Plan to enjoy it--and your future together. In the meantime, even a PCP can prescribe you something stronger for abnormal bleeding, or give you a referral, which then your insurance should pay for. OK, I have wrote a book!!!! Kat

Thanks for all the heads up on the phones---plan on making a change tomorrow, I will be out of town for Memorial weekend, and need it to hold a charge for more than 30-45 minutes which is what mine is doing. It is an old Alltel phone---has always been pretty worthless!!! But at the time DH's employer bought it, so I took it!!! This one will be my choice though! As for the cheerios, strawberry has never been my favorite---I will eat them as they come, the fruit itself, but anything strawberry flavored---no thanks!! So I only bought the one box, and it is packed away for our rally trip this weekend!!! Thanks everyone!! Kat

I have a banded friend, who is one of those people who have the perfect comeback lines all the time, unlike me who thinks of the perfect thing to say AFTER the perfect time has passed!! She had a friend (who is now also banded ironically) say to her, when she was complaining about being on liquids..."well this IS what YOU chose to do" My friend told her "Yes I did choose this, and I am choosing not to choke the living sh#* out of you for pointing that out, and right now neither one of those choices is easy!" She said they laughed about it---but now I wonder if she uses the line on others saying it to her??!!! Kat

Hi there my purple pals! Wow, I wish I had caught Lunasa before she left, I'd love to know if she has a way to get the music to the song she posted. My Dad was a Navy man even, so it would be great!!! Kity, my niece is singing the Tanya Tucker song called Strong Enough to Bend. It is very fitting, and they both like it too....so it will be sang at some point in the reception, they are thinking about what they want sung in the church, and my DD is doing a reading out of 1st Corinthians, the verse that starts out "Love is patient, Love is Kind...." They both are very strong in their faith, and like the passage. I ordered these 5 & 5 1/2 foot tall plastic clings of a male and female Hawaiian dancers. In all the hula skirts & stuff. I am mounting them to a piece of wafer board, and cutting out the faces, so people can stand behind them with their face through a hole, on the perfect Hawaiian body. I rented 6 umbrellas today, with the grass skirt type stuff on them. I can pick themup on Thursday and return them on Monday he said, and I rented them for $18.67!!! I was surprised! I have tons of grass skirts, and grass table skirts, and enough of the short type with flowers to skirt the top of the porch---makes it look like a hut! My neighbor just took a bar out of his den, he was going to tear it up, I convinced him to let me use it first! Going to turn it into a Tiki Bar, and have it set up as a drink station...tea, lemonade, tubs with water & soda. I have a sign that says Tiki Bar Open. I bought 6 assorted beach balls to toss around the yard today and 6 pink flamingo yard stakes (gotta love the Dollar Store for these parties!!!) I had already bought over 70 of the little plastic leis, and coconnut mugs for my folks---lots of cute festive serving items. Today I found a guest book, with pictures pages in it, and bought some picks to stick in the flowers with the 50 on them. Bit by bit. I only have one brother, and he is disabled, both physically and mentally, so this is my show---and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed! Mdrai---I would much rather hear there was a problem with the invite from a friend, than send it out with mistakes!!! Thanks!!! Laura---I hear your pain over the ring. I have not worn mine in about a year now. I am now in a loose 8---I have to watch or they slide off. I don't want to have mine sized until it is final. Til then, I am wearing a band to match his. I bought it, and when I bought it as a size 8 it was too small. What I will wear when this one falls off, I have no idea! I truly miss my real rings though. Did you have a romantic proposal? I always tease Rick that he proposed to me in the bathroom!!! Which he did kinda, but it was done with much thought, and was very sweet! It turned off cold here today! I have on denim capris and a t shirt---and think I will go hunt up some sweats!! Speaking of clothes. I have some that need new homes. Several shirts, say a dozen or so, and some capris. They would be in the 3X range. Casual, t-shirt style. Not dressy! I'd be glad to send them off to anyone interested, or if you know of someone you have heard on another thread that could use them, I'd be glad to give them away. OK off to find my winter clothes!!! Hang in there Jennifur----that job is going to find you----at just the right time. Congrats on the degree!!! Madam graduate!!! We are proud of you! Kat

Congratulations---job well done! Now on to your next job...Mommy!!! Welcome to LBT---sounds like you will be a real asset to those with questions!!! Kat

OK---here's my opinion!!! Well you kinda ask!!! If you can instruct the boys over the phone how to prepare an easy meal, you can do it in your own kitchen with them as well. They would likely be help, and it is a great learning opportunity, and as you say, you do have help nearby. Worrying and being unable to get to them would get me worse than any post op pain. You will be feeling good as new any day, and will probably get there quicker knowing they are fine. Bring 'em home!!! Let them zap YOUR lunch in the microwave---soup is easy!!! Teach them how to carefully make a grilled cheese to go with it. You could always resort the the toaster and then pop it in the microwave to melt the cheese. They will survive a few days of different meals than usual, at least you would know they were having a meal. And I would tell D-EX-H that I wanted them back or I would be reporting him. He doesn't like it??? Too damn bad!! Hang in there Patty, you can handle them, you could use the company as well!!! Kat

I am making progress....I finally decided on wording for my parents 50th anniversary invitation---it will be as follows: 1957-2007 Together they have Found a friendship, raised a family, And built a beautiful marriage. You are most warmly invited by the children of John & Jane Doe To participate In the joyous clebration Of their parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary. A vow renewal and a casual reception will be held On June 30th... at..... at..... (address) at the bottom it will say Your love and friendship are treasured gifts, We request no other. I got the labels printed, and the envelopes addressed. Ready to print my invitations, buy some new high dollar stamps, and get them in the mail. Any suggestions for changes??? We are having a Hawaiian Luau in the yard the night before, when all the family arrives, then the formal celebration the next night. As it is right now, my folks think my brother and I will stand with them as they renew their vows, but in reality, both couples who were their original attendents, will be there, to redo their original roles. 3 couples all married for over 50 years!!! Any luau suggestions, or anniversary celebration suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Getting used to this new computer to do all this has been interesting to say the least! Rick is ok. He is tiring very easily. He is ready to get this next ordeal behind him. We are leaving town for the weekend, going to ride over to a rally in the mountains---freeze our butts off! A few years ago, it was sooooo cold it frosted on our tents!!! The only things that saved us were a down blanket I threw in, and my hot flashes! Which I no longer have, so we may turn into popsicles!!! Have a great night, would love some input!!! Kat

I lost a WHOPPING 3 POUNDS during my chemo! I am a survivor. I had uterine/endometrial cancer. I had been cancer free (?) for almost 4 years when I was banded. I have thrown up a few times with the band, and so far had no bad results from it. I took an oral form of chemo for 6 months and was mildly nauseated from it, I used patches to combat it. Then I had 6 weeks of 3 X a week infused therapy. The first round made me violently ill, then my numbers got low, and we had to postpone a treatment, and when I went back it was just like the first time, violently ill---but that was the worst of it, it seemed like my body at least tried to adjust. I agree with blulili, I would see how I react, and try to schedule your banding during a time that you would be least likely to throw up. It does need time in there to heal. I actually went back and made arrangements with my oncologist for him to assisst me in an emergency unfill if it become necessary, since there are not any nearby band Dr.'s the closest to me being 6 hours away. He was thrilled that I was going to lose the weight, and said he and his staff would help with accessing my port if it were ever a necessity. Good Luck with your treatment!!!! Kat

Yes my dear chewing is very important!!! If you are just getting some frothy saliva, it sounds like it was mild, and now you have a reminder! Before banding I thought of myself as one whole unit. Not so anymore. I now think of my stomach, and the eating and digersting processes as a separate function. Capable of thought, and reasoning on its own! Actually I think of my entire body, outside of my head, as a separate part of me now!!! I do NOT think about food, or what I can eat, or any of that anymore. Eating smaller amounts, and deciding what to eat is once again second nature. But I still find myself separating my body!!! All of yours as well!!! I tell you that your band is telling you to slow down....or that your stomach is trying to help you pass that fruity yogurt by producing extra saliva----slime. Did I develop multiple personality disorder when I got banded???? Mdrai, another reason you read more stories on here about problems both large and small, is for the same reason you come here for support. Some DH's, or SO's are against it, waiting for a problem....so even the minor discomforts come here. We do tend to obssess about our bands! My friend called me like 4 days after I got home from being banded, she was almost a year out, and she was crying, thought she had eroded, and was hurting and sick. Had been trying to hide it from her DH who is also banded. She didn't want to lose hers, and go back up in weight, while his stayed down. They neither one are interested nor have time (in their opinion) to come to an online support group---their loss!!! Anyway, eventually the pain did send her to the ER---where 2 hours later, they removed her appendix! I kept telling her that her pain would be higher with the band, but her port is realllllllly low....so she was convinced it was band related. Pre banding, we all ate something occasionally that did not agree with us, but now, we always blame the band! I agree, that was an awesome thing to do, showing her how supportive she is for everyone but her. I remember so well the day you were denied, I felt so badly for you! Now off you go, the liquid diet is more than half over!!! Now for myself. I do not have a cup next to my bed for spitting in! I did for a couple of weeks keep some crackers next to the bed, I was having issues with reflux again----but that has eased. I eat whenever I want to eat. I do have to eat smaller amounts. That is what has helped me lose over 90 pounds. I have not done it as fast as some. But I do not count calories, or points, I eat the same things I did before being banded...just less of them. I was happy with my pre band life, except for the weight. So I pretty much live the same life, and share a meal with my Grandkids now----no big deal! If I have to order a full meal, I have leftovers---not going to stop me from going. I would have gone pre band, and ate it all, and paid for it, so I go now, and ask for a to go box!!! In the last 13 months, I have PB'd twice. Both times, I knew it was happening, it was not sudden and in public---I just fell into old eating habits, and had not chewed well. I eat small amounts of most anything. I will admit, after throwing up (PB'ing...whatever) what seemed like no less than a dozen donuts, after eating only 2 bites...I have no real desire to eat another so I avoid glazed donuts completely. Those 2 bites expanded in my stomach like I cannot tell you!!! I eat small amounts of bread, no problem. I know none of us are exactly alike, and I would never expect you to make your choices based on my experiences. But I can tell you I am so fully happy with my banding choice, that if it become necessary, I would suggest it to, and accompany, my own Mom or daughter, to be banded. I have recommended it to friends who have ask, and 2 have actually had it done, and are doing well. I am lucky in the way that everyone around me here was and continues to be supportive---but while they support---they do not understand---in the same way someone who has been there does. My LBT-ers do. Back when I was banded, I complained to my DH that my incision hurt because it wasn't healing well, my boob laid right on it, kept it from getting air, and healing. He looked at me like "....and you want me to fix it how???" I come on here, complained, and had numerous people tell me how they dealt with it, and just knowing they were healed, and had the same problem, relaxed me, and sure enough a week later it was fine. When I had my chemo treatments, some of the people complained about having to go to the oncologists office for the infusion. I welcomed it, I saw others going through similar things, I saw people in the office who were re growing their hair...it gave me hope----it gave me the affirmation that I could do it if they could!!! We will all be here for you. On another thread I am active on, I have a friend who has chatted with us for over a year, closer to 18 months, as she battled with insurance to get banded, she has been there for all of us. Insurance failed her. She finally managed a self pay, and is almost a week out from surgery now. She feels where you are at!! Come here and vent, worry, ask for support----whatever you need whenever you need it. These people in this room, are so great---you will never lack for understanding...or a kick in the pants if you need it! Hang in there!!! Well I will catch the rest of you later---I need to get going, I am meeting Rick in town to get his blood work taken care of. BBL Kat

Hi everyone---Rick got tired of me dragging my feet, so he went and bought a new computer.........I HATE it!!!!! He is a man....bigger is better. The monitor hurts my eyes, it is too bright, and way the heck to big, seems to me it distorts things. On the bright side---I sure as heck don't need my glasses!!! Trying to relearn everything they changed just irritates me!! Guess I am just a grouch about it all!!! I want him to network my old one in so I can still use it, problems and all! At the very least....my old monitor, it was 17" and I liked it---this one is too danged bright, and I cannot find controls yet. You can touch the monitor to do things, without the keyboard......hmmmmmm Patty, hang in there!!! It will shock you the speed the weight comes off in the next month I bet! OK, head hurts from this bright movie screen a foot away from me..........check in tomorrow!!! Kat

Hi everyone! DH bought a new computer----I HATE it! Now not only am I having to adjust to a new site, the new computer and the new Vista edition----I am just not a happy camper!! I told him he better figure out how to network my old one in, I want it back. It had problems galore, but I liked it! The monitor on this new one is bigger than the TV I lived with before I married him all those years ago!!! He could not believe I was happy with a 19" TV. Now we have big screens, and my computer monitor is 22"............it distorts everything it looks like to me. I am trying to convince him to return it....we'll see. We had a lazy weekend. Rick worked part of it, I got the house cleaned, and some more flowers put out. Tonight I went to a friends baby shower. Well this is giving me a headache trying to figure it all out....will work on it tomorrow. Y'all take care. Judy---hugs and good wishes to you and your DH---all will go well!!! Kat

It had been closer to 20 years since I saw the 1.......I was scared to death to step off of the scale, that it would bounce back to a 2!!! It has stayed in the 1's.....not moving much. I think I have stuck at 198. But a platuea in the 100's is easier for me to be ok with!!! Congratulations!!! Kat

Well here it is late at night again, and I am still up!!! I ate dinner way too late, so giving myself some time to digest, before laying down, otherwise I reflux! ICK!!!! Well I too have been around the block before, and know that marriage is only the right answer if it is the right person...sounds like these situations that Haydee and Jennifur are in, are questionable in that sense. The way I see it is you can wait for them to bring you flowers---or you can plant your own garden....You are strong, and worth so much more effort than is being put out for you. We have conditioned ourselves to accept that and expect little or nothing. It is not just you guys. I was so unaccustomed to being treated well, I kept waiting to see what was up with my DH---and that has been many years ago. To this day, he spoils me. But it isn't just me. He coached baseball teams for over 20 years, he is always mechanicing on someones car---or on the phone diagnosing the problem. He had so many visitors when he was in the hospital, it was quite eye opening. He is not just nice to me---he is a nice guy. Everyone likes him, he is friendly, he likes them. I am just lucky enough to be the one he loves that loves him back. You deserve the emotional comfort that brings. To KNOW you are #1. This is a combination of this and another conversation---but someone mentioned to Laura, that the words "obey" were not in some vows. When my oldest DD married, she did not want that said---I told her then, that he was not the man for her then...she thought I was being a Mom, and blew me off. I tried to tell her, whether she says it or not, she should know in her heart she could say it and mean it. I know Rick would never ask me to obey anything that he did not believe with every ounce of his soul was in my best interest. He would not ask it. Because he would never exploit that, I could if ask, say it. She has since divorced, and is in a relationship now, she says she understands the difference. We were married in our church (Methodist) and it was not part of our vows. We did light a unity candle. We had a reading about joining 2 hearts, 2 families, and 2 lives into one.....as we lit it. My DD in the wedding she had, she held 2 long stemmed roses in with her bouquet, and as she was walked down the aisle, she stopped, and gave me a rose, and kissed Rick, and then after they were pronounced husband and wife, on the way back up the aisle she stopped and gave the other rose to her new MIL. It was pretty. Ok, now to dump my opinion on Tracy too!!!! Wait until you can discuss it with him---he will likely never remember this meeting, he is young. Going, may make him think you EXPECT him to like these people. When he is 6 or so, tell him you are going to meet some family members on his Fathers side, and if he likes being there, you can go again, if he doesn't like it, he doesn't have to go again. No biggie...play it down. But until he can form an opinion, I would give them little to no access to his happy little world. Angie, are you sure about the size of your band? Maybe you have the larger band---which would account for the bigger fill. I hear lots of people are preferring the large size, they say there are less complications. Mdrai---don't stress over the food situation---many of us still eat normally. I eat the same things I did before, in much smaller quantities! The food threads, and the complications threads, make it seem like everyone has issues....but that is because when we don't....we don't post about it! No one would want to respond --or at least respond nicely to a thread....I ate 3 meals today without issue!!! Househuntress, TY for your kind words for DH's upcoming ablation. The only reason they say his will take so long is because he is bouncing back and forth between atrial flutter, and atrial fibrillation. They said most of the time is spent watching a pattern form, then disrupting that, and he is not is a set pattern. He is hoping to do it in 3-4 hours. But also warned it could take much longer. He has high hopes of this fixing the problem though. He is showing some signs of congestive heart failure now, which they warned us about, but the meds they calledin have helped with the swelling etc. Hoping to hold out til the planned surgical date. Took my granddaughters to a carnival last night---and I fit on the childrens bumble bee ride!!!! They said my youngest DGD was too small to go without an adult. Some of the rides, they let her go with the 6 year old, not the bees or the airplanes---Granny got to go too!!!! Point being I fit! Felt like a fool---but I FIT! Ok, I am rambling now......everyone take care will chat with you tomorrow...... Kat