Kat817

I have to say---I love my husband!!! We just got home, he took me away on a surprise mini vacation for V-day! He and my oldest DD got together, and planned, and worked, and I had a fabulous weekend----he thought of EVERYTHING! There is a mountain town in Colorado called Ouray (pronounced yur-ray), it is built into the mountains---is called mini Switzerland. We used to go on our Anniversary, but with all this last year brought, we didn't go. So he booked our usual place...and he surprised me! He took along candles, and he knew which fragrance to buy (coulda been DD's influence there!!!), he packed some serious Chick Flicks, my favorite blanket to snuggle under...he remembered to load my down pillows! He had bags full of food, and most of it was band friendly....we ate out, but he had all kinds of things for the room. He had bought a tray of chocolate covered cherries and strawberries, from a local bakery. He had booked us a massage at the motel, we spent a lot of time in the hot springs, with it snowing on us! We rented snowshoes, and went walking in them---talk about exercise!!! It was a fabulous time...I remain in shock that he did all of it without me having a clue! He even had the neighbor in the know--so that she would feed the cat! We needed the time, what a way to reconnect---I guess I'll keep him!!! Then on the way home, we stopped in Durango at the Walmart this morning, figuring it would be quicker...I ended up buying 2 new pair of jeans---size 14!!! I cannot keep the scale moving steadily, but things are changing in my body!!! We had to come home fairly early, we have a birthday dinner for a friend tonight at Fudruckers. Should be fun. Dawn---I am SOOOO happy for you, and proud of you!!! Onederland---someday I'll stop by there and visit ya!!! Seems so close and yet so far away the way I am losing these days---at least the size is still changing. I need to get ready for our party---just stopped to tell you I am home---had a wonderful weekend....sometimes that man just knocks my socks off!!! ok, ok, ok, we WERE gone all weekend, a few things were off besides my socks!!! Hugs to you all! Betty, I am glad things are being taken care, of, will feel better when he is well again! Boo--got your PM---how exciting!!! Keep us posted! Will catch up more tomorrow! Kat

Hi everyone!!! I have to say---I love my husband!!! We just got home, he took me away on a surprise mini vacation for V-day! He and my oldest DD got together, and planned, and worked, and I had a fabulous weekend----he thought of EVERYTHING! There is a mountain town in Colorado called Ouray (pronounced yur-ray), it is built into the mountains---is called mini Switzerland. We used to go on our Anniversary, but with all this last year brought, we didn't go. So he booked our usual place...and he surprised me! He took along candles, and he knew which fragrance to buy (coulda been DD's influence there!!!), he packed some serious Chick Flicks, my favorite blanket to snuggle under...he remembered to load my down pillows! He had bags full of food, and most of it was band friendly....we ate out, but he had all kinds of things for the room. He had bought a tray of chocolate covered cherries and strawberries, from a local bakery. He had booked us a massage at the motel, we spent a lot of time in the hot springs, with it snowing on us! We rented snowshoes, and went walking in them---talk about exercise!!! It was a fabulous time...I remain in shock that he did all of it without me having a clue! He even had the neighbor in the know--so that she would feed the cat! We needed the time, what a way to reconnect---I guess I'll keep him!!! Then on the way home, we stopped in Durango at the Walmart this morning, figuring it would be quicker...I ended up buying 2 new pair of jeans---size 14!!! I cannot keep the scale moving steadily, but things are changing in my body!!! We had to come home fairly early, we have a birthday dinner for a friend tonight at Fudruckers. Should be fun. Mandy--hope you are feeling better--no more shoveling snow until your chest is clear---you do NOT want pneumonia! I do hope you are feeling better! Beannie--WOW!!! What a trip---fun for awhile, but I was wondering if you ever got home!!! (I was reading---catching up....saw you DID finally get there!) Eileenie--bundle up if you gotta go out!!! Frostbite is nothing to mess with. My FIL is missing the tips of 2 toes due to frostbite!!! Even though he claims it was MIL's bite!!! Dianne---keep up posted on FIL, that is scary, he sounds very sick. You have your hands full Hon.....((((big big hugs to you!!!!))))). Sherry--Sorry I am late wishing you a Happy Bandiversary!!! You have done so well, you may not have made the goal you hoped to at exactly the time you hoped, but you have done so well!!! It seems you live a very satisfactory life, one in which your band emphasizes how you live as opposed to restricting you you live. Which is just what I want too!!! Yeah, I wish I could sink below the 200 mark too.....but in time we both will. Until then, just think how much better our lives are than they were a year ago!!! You have done great!!! I am proud of you! Chris--hope you enjoy your date!!! He sounds like a nice guy---I have one friend who asks questions all the time about my band...about my family...all of it, she is just very involved!!! It doesn't sound like he is judging you by it! I have no tattoos, neither does DH. At one point, him not having any was a definite plus in my book, I had issues with them for awhile! My ex was fully sleeved, and had a full back. It was a trigger for awhile, simply seeing a sleeve took my breath away in a panic. That has now passed...time has healed I guess! I saw that meaty tatooed arm swing at me waaaay too many times. Now my kids all have them. Son and one DD are small, youngest DD has a couple that are quite large. Much to her Dads upset! Her choice in pictures just confounds him!!! Mary--glad you won your jeans! Betty--how was your weekend? Did you warm up there? It was nice here---I missed it! Figures! Cindy--DH even packed a box of GS cookies!!!! You sound way too busy to enjoy retirement the way I thought it was supposed to be! Anne--glad the new job is fun!! Patty, Pat, Cassie, and whoever else I missed-----guess that is all the message---I miss you! Sorry for the monster post! Kat

Me again----It is under the Lap Band Talk Community Center....in the Lap Band Talk Forum Suggestions, Feedback, and Questions. There is a sticky there, detailing getting the ticker in your signature. Good Luck---if I can do it---anyone can! Kat

Hi Sandy---welcome to bandland, and to LBT!!! The ticker I have I desiged through www.tickerfactory.com There are other sites as well, and most will walk you through making one, and then just cut and paste it to your signature....available under User CP. I think there is a sticky ( a permanent thread) detailing how to get a WL ticker---I'll look for it! Stick around, tell us all about you! We are glad you are here!! Kat

I too think you need to discuss the NP's attitude with the surgeon, he may have no idea! I was told they submit the weight from your original request as well, that the required diet was for them to see you can and will follow the orders they give. I was self pay, so cannot guarantee that, but I do know I have read that is how they do it. Hang in there----hopefully the surgeon, will get things going---keep us posted---we care! Kat

They have a machine in Curves that you push out and pull in with your legs straight ahead of you. It provides resistance, and works both the outer and inner thigh. I can see you working the same muscles pulling out using the band, maybe something like an exercise ball to provide resistance to the push in.... I once did a floor exercise (in one of my MANY classes prior to banding!) that you lay on the floor knees bent, with a ball between your knees (we just used kids .97 balls). You keep your hands on the ground next to you and slowly squeeze your knees together and lift your butt off the ground...hold for a count of 3 and lower slowly. This worked the thighs and the hips if I remember correctly. I am told target exercising does not work by one person, and then the next highly recommends it...so who knows!!! Good luck---you will lose your thighs, and I will say goodbye to this belly!!! Kat

Hi all--- Late night here---has been a busy day, but very enjoyable. Julie--glad you are in, and getting settled. I was sad for you that your Mom had to leave early, until I read that you will be together in a few days time for vacation. Good she got out while the going was good! Boo--yes message me too!!! Curiosity killed the Kat........if I wasn't curious about it before, now I am!!! I did the same thing when I would go see my DD (they were stationed in Hawaii). I was big, but I would buy a suit I loved, and it gave me the confidence to wear it! They are no longer there, but DH and I are going on an island cruise--the end of august, so I plan on wearing swimsuits then, and not stressing!!! Tracy--welcome to our beautiful bunch! Hope you feel better soon!!! With kids around it seems someone is Always sick!!! Feel better! Amourette---hope you too are feeling much better, and ready to fly off on new adventures! Seen the "snogging" new boyfriend again??? Roberta--are you feeling any restriction? I see where you had no fluid found, and they re-filled you---does it feel like it is in place? Did they say why they found none? I must have missed all this...of course I have slept since then!!! Blue---what's going on with you? I can't scroll back any further to catch myself up, and my brain is mush tonight!!! Which probably means I should go to bed. Not any real exercise today---eating sucked, I got sweets today---not all chocolate, but chocolate/toffee covered almonds and pecans---and I gorged! Will work it off tho---was a fun day. DH is on a 4 day off stretch, not sure what is planned, don't worry about me if I go MIA---I kinda like my captor!!! Kat

DH calls me "Woman"---all cave man like! Dates back over 25 years, to when we were quite young, and he referred to me as 'his woman', and made everyone just roar laughing. So he has always called me that. Makes my SIL nutso, she thinks it is so degrading---I love it! A few months ago I almost lost him, and as he lay in a coma in a hospital bed, that is what I prayed to hear again, was him to call me "Woman" again.....my prayers were answered!!! For the most part, I call him "Hon"....I vary it occasionally, with the usual "Babe", or even occasionally the ever loving "SmartAss"....but more often than not it is "Hon". Nicknames, private little signals, communicating without actual words---they all make a couple closer I would think, simply because you get them from spending time with one another. Kat

Hey Doug, Not sure if it is the same place you found or not, but I got a message from another New Mexican, about a place in Rio Rancho I think it was....check out the New Mexico thread, and see if it is there, I will also lookback through my private messages, and see if I kept the info. I am from the Farmington area. I was banded in Mexico, but go to Canon City CO, to Dr. Timothy Brown for my fills. He operates both in Canon City, and in Pueblo...not sure about the center of excellence---I remember him saying something about it in the seminar, but not recalling exactly WHAT was said!!! If you want the # just let me know. Try Lubbock---there was one there, I remember from my researching days. Will let you know if I find the info on the fill place. Welcome to LBT, and hope you get a surgery date soon!!! Glad to have another bander nearby. They meet in ABQ or Rio Rancho the first Sat. of each month for support meetings, this one is going to be in a Starbucks or something I think I read, I hope to make it if the weather is better. Kat

I was just teasing mrspruett----besides I just HAD to get the subject back to sex for goodness sake!!!! j/k!!! Machines, sex....it is all exercise---some just more fun!!! And besides 2 on a treadmill could be dangerous!!! No hijack in progress! Kat

I was told years ago, pre band, that if I was getting shaky when I was hungry it was time to check my blood sugar. Sure enough for me at the time, it was when I would let it get way too low, I would get shaky and light headed. Maybe see if that is a problem---you can adjust it with snack foods if it is not a constant problem. Good Luck!! Kat

I do not think of myself as obssessed with either---ok, ok, ok, NO ONE would think me obssessed with either one!!! In the very beginning I counted some proteins--so I could maintain, I didn't care for the taste of the liquid protein, so I just wanted to get it done! But since then, I do not count. I have a vague idea in my head, whether I have eaten in a healthy manner, and base my actions on that. for instance if I know I ate good for breakfast, and lunch, and haven't snacked like crazy, I know I can splurge a little more if I want ice cream after dinner. If I snuck Valentines candy all afternoon, I know I better skip the ice cream! I do weigh every few days---it keeps me in check. BUT I have learned a better judge for me is how my jeans fit. My DH and I have begun a new workout program this year, and I have stalled pretty much on the weight loss, but I am down another size in jeans--and my old ones are getting really saggy---so even though the scale hasn't moved, I am moving weight around of something. I do not live by this---if we are out for the night, I enjoy myself. My little buddy in there, will not allow me to go too far overboard! I want a way of life, not a life long diet. I may never be stick thin again---so be it. I will be much thinner---I AM much thinner. I started this at a size 22-24 pants, and my new ones are 14's. I'm not done yet...but my blood pressure is normal, my sugars are normal---I have the life I wanted. That said, I have found myself, enjoying being out and moving my body--now that I CAN move it! I take part in a challenge on here (LBT) to exercise a certain number of times each month (this month is 18 times). It can be any type of exercise. Hula hooping with my niece counted...but I don't do it everyday---I DO walk everyday---or try to. My heart needs it. I come froma family line with serious heart problems, my DH just had heart surgery, so we are committed to daily walks. But in reality that is not band related---we would be doing it with or without. I have 2 DD's who neither one even own a scale, they come to my house and weigh here every now and then....someday I will do the same! Sometimes in order to maintain focus on the task at hand though, one must be temporarily obssessed! Hang in there---make your own "normal"!!! Kat

Along the lines of mens undies being more comfy (not to mention cheaper). What I don't get it---we can build stations in space, transplant organs, and build micro mini computers, just to name a few---but no one can figure out how to make a sock with no seam??? gimme a break--some are huge--and I'm a picky old lady! And the driving across the parking lot----my DD refers to that as urban 4 wheeling---it is damn near a way of life here---makes me crazy too! Kat

I have both a treadmill, and an elliptical, and I got both for under the $900.00 you are willing to spend mrspruett. They are both very nice, and not by far the cheapest I could have gotten. Both have "ifit" technology. The treadmill is easier for me---but the elliptical, probably gives me a better quicker workout. If I could run---the treadmill might provide a quicker raise to the heart rate---but I have a bone issue that prevents me running. Look around right now, there are some amazing sales going on---you should be able to do both for that price. Watch the machines you can find at most big box stores, they usually have a 250 pound weight limit. I bought mine through a sporting goods chain. Now in order to maintain topic-----sex is a much more fun method of exercise than either of these machines!!! Kat

Hi Shirleigh! Welcome to LBT!!! You might have more response when there are more people awake!!! Not many of us nightowls around!!! I am glad you had a good experience with surgery and recovery, mine too was very smooth. Hang out, tell us all about yourself---we are glad you are here, and look forward to sharing your WL journey. You will soon come to LOVE your band!!! Well I too am off to bed for the night---come see us in the daylight hours!!! Once again---welcome! Oh and it is official---Happy Valentines Day! Kay

Thanks Kelley---it IS pretty wierd to celebrate beng a loser, and I had a huge celebration a couple of days ago, because I am overweight now!!! When I started I was morbidly obese, went through obese, and just the other day---I dropped into the overweight category. So I am a happy camper about being an "overweight loser"!!!!! As for your marriage, I too have been divorced---but I once again repeat---try to remember what you fell in love with him for, and do your best to resurrect that. You will never regret giving it your best shot---on the other hand giving up too soon, could bring on serious regret. I hope he is willing to work with you. When it is bad, it is awful---I know. Being alone was better for me than being with my ex. He was extremely abusive, but the emotional side--is what crippled me from taking action, not the physical. I realized one night, I was lonlier with him there, than I was with him gone. When he was gone, I didn't feel like there was someone there I should be connecting with...it was ok to feel lonely, I was alone. BUT when he was there, I actually felt lonelier---because I could feel what all was missing, with him sitting right there, and us having nothing to say to one another, and no love left to share. He killed it, long before he tried to kill me! I wish you lots of luck, if you need someone to talk to message me! Kat

Weather permitting I am going to try to make this one---keeping my fingers crossed!!! It is snowing here now! I had such high hopes, after last week---Spring Fever!!!! Kat

The head hunger is a definite issue to deal with, but unfortunately the band does not help with it---it is something you must overcome, a habit you must break. What I am refering to with not being hungry, is the twisting feeling inside my stomach, that it wants food, and by damned it wants it NOW!!!! I no longer get that! I forget to eat if I get busy---my stomach no longer reminds me, I have to remember on my own. As for your steak---ouch!!! There are some things they recommend if you do get something stuck. You may have tried these I don't know. Personally, when I get to a point it just feels like nothing is going through, but I would hesitate to say I was fully "stuck" yet, I can drink a little pineapple juice, and it sends it through for me. You can also go to GNC and buy Papaya Enzyme, and it works well I am told. I have my bottle, but have yet to have to use it! And the grossest by far....liquid meat tenderizer! A man who spoke at the seminar I went to pre banding, said he was snacking on grapes, and one of the skins, just blocked his stoma completely---and he ended up drinking some meat tenderizer, and it worked like a charm he said. Would definitely make you remember!!! YUCK!!! At least the pineapple juice tastes good!!! Kat BTW----welcome to LBT---we are glad to have you here!!!

Yep----it happens! For me the change come about following my 2nd fill---I have seen signatures with up to 8 fills (I believe that was the larger band tho). My first fill was most aggresive, it was 1.25cc.'s, and I could feel a slight difference---I had to chew like I was supposed to! And I had to slow down---but I could still eat, and was still feeling hunger. So a month later, I had my 2nd fill which was only .50cc.'s, and wham---I have restriction! That was back in July, and I can really say, I have not been hungry since. I am able to eat more now than I was 6 months ago---but still in a range that I feel this is still working, so I have no intentions of scheduling another fill any time soon. The nerves that signal fullness are located at the top of your stomach, in order to trigger them, and cut off the hunger signals, you have to reach them. When you get restriction, and food hits them quickly...you do not need much food. I believe as the stomach is pulled to aid in restriction, it affects those same nerves, because even when I have an empty pouch, I am not hungry. It is a powerful change---one you will find when you reach restriction. Just work with your Dr. adjusting the band as needed, and follow his aftercare instructions!!! I go onto 1-2 days of liquids following an adjustment, to help with any swelling. Hang in there---you will find that spot.....it usually takes more than 1 fill. Kat

1) I know we are supposed to be working really hard to get all of our fluids in. I have been trying, but with the constant reminder that I need to take baby-sips I can't seem to make it happen. Are baby-sips necessary even if larger sips don't hurt? As you heal you can likely take more than a baby sip---you are just allowing your stomach time to heal---and attempting to keep it completely empty if possible.. As you probably already know from prior research, when they banded you, they pulled the lower section of stomach up and stitched it to the top to hold the band in place. Now they do not want weight, or the act of digesting (which makes yoru stomach go into a kneading like movement) causing undue stress on the stitches. As the days progress you should be able to begin drinking in a more "normal" fashion without issue. 2) I'm not really feeling hunger, so I don't really know what full feels like. It is almost like I have detached from my body... While on the full Fluid phases, should I limit myself to a 1/4 cup of soup? I can tolerate probably a 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup and am not sure if that is a good thing. I have no idea how else to get calories into me - right now I am at about 300 calories a day. Normal? It is hard in the beginning to get proper nutrition in, and get all the fluids in as well. I was allowed more than 1/4 cup---in fact I know they brought me more than that while I was in the hospital--so I am sure if you increase it, as hunger presents itself it will gradually increase the caloric intake too. 3) I start purees soon and am unclear on if that is the same thing as "mushies"... Are there any TLBC patients out there that can clarify what their pureed phase consisted of? I went from Clear liquids to what they called full liquids, which included cream Soups, and Protein shakes, Jello....still liquids, but heavier liquids, still no chewing involved. Then I moved on to mushies, which included cottage cheese, yogurt that kind of thing. Sorry I am not a TLBC patient, so cannot elaborate on that particular diet plan... hope you get someone who was that can better help you! 4) Finally, did anyone else feel kind of down after the surgery? I feel totally bummed out and can't really get it together. I know that being in pain doesn't help, but I feel like I have no energy and am quite gloomy right now. I can't bring myself to leave the house! Depression is quite common. The surgery is somewhat anticlimactic in itself. You prepare, and wait and get all excited, then wham it is over....and nothing! No huge changes yet, it just seems sort of a let down. Plus mourning food is VERY, VERY common! Food was a constant and reliable friend and companion to us all, and suddenly we have to treat it differently---it is a hard head game. BUT--we all did it, and survived it!! Anger is not unusual either! Another possibility is that you need to UP your calories, and UP your protein. I used a clear liquid called Zero Carb Isopure, I bought it at GNC, it comes in several flavors (they were not terrible, but not something I would have chose to drink in every day life either). They have 40g. of protein in every bottle. Healing depends on protein. I would definitely try to get more in! I would drink 1/2 the bottle in the morning and the other 1/2 in the afternoon, it made a huge difference in how I felt! To this day if I get sluggish, I increase my protein. I also use unflavored unjury powder (www.unjury.com) I added it to broth etc. It should help to get more nutrition in. You are literally depressing your body---it needs fed. 300 calories is not enough. Now is time to heal, not just to lose weight. If in order to heal you need more, then get it, and worry about weight loss after you heal. Even getting more, I imagine you will begin dropping weight, I mean even ifyou eat 3/4 of cup of soup, and 2 bottles of high protein juice---compare that to what we used to eat!!! I hope you begin to feel better soon. Once your moodiness passes, and your energy returns---you will find new motivation---I am willing to guarantee it!!! Hang in there---if I can do this ANYONE can!!! Kat ps----it is snowing outside now-----

My DH has esophageal spasms, and prior to medication, he said they were painful--and described it similarly. He also would choke easily---I have had to heimlich him twice---scared the hell outta me! I also wondered about your gall bladder---do you still have it? It may be a probelm... Wish I had amswers for you---I will be hoping you can see the Dr. soon! Kat

Glad everything seems to be working out so well!!! I bet that was scary---the waiting and not knowing!!! Good for you!!! Kat

Got my fingers crossed for ya girlie!!! WOOOHOOO!!! Kat

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: DeltaDawn - 358/202/179 - 156 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/165/132 - 43 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/117/110 - 63 total--NO MORE BAND :-( 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/174.5/134 - 59.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/216/180 - 142 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/143.5/140 - 96.5total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/187/145 - 30 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/205/150 - 68 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/201/170 - 69.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/203/165 - 86 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/206/160 - 56 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/184/150 - 80 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/229/150 - 54 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/228/150 - 105 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/150/135 - 75 total 4-29: Momofsixkids - 238/188/140 - 50 total <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Hi all! Boo--In Rick's case, he was either born with the abnormality, or a case of rhuematic fever following a bout with strep throat caused a weakening that eventually led to the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve to fail. He had never had any issue with it at all. One Dr. picked up a murmur several years ago, but rated it <1. Which I myself have...I was born with the murmur. With that, my serious family history of heart problems, combined with my weight, I would have bet everything I own, that I would have been the one to land at the cardiologists....just goes to show you! He is doing great now...they can do amazing things. When they did his surgery, they actually reduced the size of his heart!!! It had enlarged due to the backwash of blood being so severe for so long (he had a blood clot), so they had to cut it back to normal size, I never knew they could do that!!! They did, and I tease him, that now he loves me less!!! He used to tell me he loved me with all his heart--that's how he signs cards etc., so now that they reduced the size I tease him, he loves me less!! Dawn---you need to be careful, a popsicle for a Polar Bear, would not be a good thing!!! I too managed to make it to Curves, my knee made it a full round, and then I kinda skipped around machines the next round---some were just too much for it. Then I went to lunch with a friend, had a nice salad, and a great visit. My DIL brought the tiny terror over to see me this morning---I do love that little guy, but OMG, he is so into everything!!! I ran a home based day care for several years, so had infants, and I raised my own, and have 3 grandbabies before him, and ALL of those kids combined, created less mess than this one little guy! I kind of had a talk with her about it...hope I wasn't TOO much the MIL!!! Oh well, it needed to be said. He knows no better, and it is their job to teach him. Ok I'm babbling---better go start some dinner!!! Hugs to all!!! Hang in there Boo---it is scary as hell---but aren't we glad they had this now that there is technology available to fix it!! Kat