Kat817

I would say you are still dealing with a large amount of swelling. While it is not as drastic of a surgery as bypass, the stomach is still totally ticked off at the unjustices done to it. It had a belt (band?) wrapped around it tightly, and then stitches placed into it to hold the band in place. It reacts by swelling. Due to the swelling, of not just you stomach but the abdominal cavity, burping is different right now. Today 9+ months out, I feel nothing like I did the first 2-3 weeks after being banded. I have zero residual soreness at all. I have to search and poke to even locate my port. The only way I even know I have a band in there, is I can only eat a small amount. I can sleep in any postition, including on my now much smaller belly! I have keloid factor, so my scars, have not totally disappeared, but are lessening more than I had anticipated them doing, they have done remarkably well! As for the not being hungry, it too is likely caused by the swelling. As the swelling goes down you will likely find yourself hungry and unable yet to eat, and that too will lead to uncertain feelings, like you are having now. Just as Lisa said, you are in a state of mourning, and it is a normal stage, as is anger. We end up angry at the band for changing our lives, and angry at ourselves for letting it get to the point we did. But soon all those feelings pass, and you get a renewed surge of excitement as the weight begins to drop quite quickly---and your new body begins to emerge. Once the fill process starts, you regain some control of how you choose to eat, and live your life. Some bandsters follow a strict diet, counting every bite for calories, protein etc. Others, take a more casual approach, and while they may lose slower, it fits their life better. You will find the path that best fits your needs. There is a small chance you will not feel hungry again like you used to. The nerves signalling hunger are at the top of the stomach. Which is why we used to have to eat so much to feel full. Now the band allows food to reach those nerves quickly, and we cannot eat any more, nor do we feel hungry once they are reached. There are some people who actually end up with the band placed in a way that it hits the nerve, and they do not feel hunger. My Dr. said it is rare, but happens. Eating when you are not hungry, is a whole new sense of freedom! You can make wise choices, and choices based on taste alone, not by the quantity of food you think you need any longer. I used to look at a menu, for instance, and make my choice based not only on what sounded good, but also, whether I thought it would be "enough". Now it is ALWAYS enough!! So I can go for something healthy and tasty! If you have given up caffeine since surgery it too could be part of your headache, or just general fatigue, after affects of anesthesia, muscle and nerve reaction to being unable to get comfy at night, or sleep properly. I would bet within a couple of weeks, you feel like a totally different person! You will be able to sleep well again, and will be on your way. ((((big hugs)))) I know it is hard, but it is SOOOOOO worth it! Hang in there---come and talk, and question, and complain when you need to, we are all here, because we have all been there! Kat

Well the deputy and I both showed up, but he didn't. He called my FIL later to say he was seeing a Dr. for his eye, that he would have to do it another time. FIL said he would have to see about it, and is leaving it up to Rick and I whether we want to pursue it or not. I say I am going to---the property is technically ours---the folks signed it over to the sibs and us several years ago to avoid legal issues and fees when they should have to go to a home, or would pass away--so we can do it ourselves. I told the deputy I wanted documentation that he failed to show, and I will give it to the city cop who set the date and time up, and then file my paperwork. What a hassle. Meantime, I called 2 fencing companies, and have them set to go look at it, and give me estimates...so I will know what I can ask for! I think at the time, due to the nasty phone call, and the fact that he does not need to be out there with my inlaws without one of us around, I will see if the officer will sign off and allow a restraining order on him...will let you know. DH worked until 4:30 this morning, he was there for 22 hours---come home slept for 3 hours, and they began calling again! Then he had to work on some plumbing in one of our rentals, and is now back at work and says it will be another late night....they are super short handed, and with it being such a big company, they have to go through all kinds of new hire school and junk when they do get someone hired. And he has different guys gone for different things, one had surgery, one lost his father, good reasons, it just leaves him with a skeleton crew in a time when the temps are so cold everything breaks. I miss him! Will check in later ladies! Thanks for the support in dealing with the fence idiot! Kat

I waited almost 2 weeks...of course he left on a business trip the 5th day out, and was gone for a week!!! We just adjusted positions to where he did not lay on my incisions---no problems then! They were probably tender and not ready for that for about a month or so. Have fun! Kat

I have a neighbor who calls every couple of days, and when I answer the phone, she says "whatcha doin'?"...and lets it hang there, for me to fill in and find conversation material. If I had had any conversation I wanted to share with her, I would have called her---but I end up struggling to find something to say, because I figure she must be lonely to keep doing it. Maybe it is a good thing she does it---I vent a lot!!! I have no blue in my house, but my SIL HATES my house and insists on telling me so, saying it is hillbilly---like I give a rat's a$$ what she thinks!!! Her's is so cluttered with pictures stuck in the corner of every frame, and cupboard door, and stacks of papers and bills, and a lazy susan in the middle of the table that is nasty----crumbs, and yuck all over it. My house is clean---she just does not like my antique country style---but it pleases me, not her, I live here---and am VERY glad she does not!!! Kat

I quit over 16 years ago, cold turkey. I had smoked for 15 years....so I do know what a difficult thing it is. There are several drugs available now to ease the cravings, no need to be harder on yourself, ask your PCP for help! It doesn't matter HOW you do it---just like the band----all that matters is that we ARE doing it. Start a thread in the rants & raves and ask for support as you rant and rve your way through the cravings. There are lots of us who have been there, or several who are there now, wanting to, needing to quit. Maybe put a challenge out, for someone to quit with you. You will have my support however you choose to do it!! Good Luck! Kat

I feel your pain with the frozen roads, and pipes, we have a rental all froze up....sewer lines in to the house. My DH had so many guys broke down yesterday with all the freezing, he went to work at 6 AM yesterday morning, and got home this morning at 4:30AM, only to be woke up at 7:30 AM by renters having problems. So he has been digging up frozen ground and using an auger ever since. I hope you get your Mom's pipes thawed, as well as your toes....and I wish you luck on your consults next week. at least it wasn't postponed by months!!! I will be thinking of you! Kat

If I were you I would call my Dr. and discuss the situation with him/her. I have never had these symptoms, and it sounds like something Dr. should be in on to me. Hope you feel better soon!! Kat

IF the game we were playing with had been mine, the batteries would have already mysteriously disappeared, unfortunately the one we were playing with belonged to my SIL!!! Mine is blissfully silent! Well I talked to the Sheriff himself---got the paperwork needed to file charges, he signed the form to waive the fee to file. He also gave me a form for the witness to fill out (got that done today too), he gave me forms for DH and I to fill out stating he admitted it to us, then never showed back up. He made photo copies of my pictures of the fence. He gave me yet more papers, to use to subpeona his wife or whoever it was working with him the day in the shop, I have her name, and it is different than his, but she referred to him as her husband. If he is indeed her husband she can refuse, if she just called him that, and is not legally married to him, we can force her to testify, if it comes to that. He went out to my inlaws about 2 hours ago and took a report about the phone call, and their side of things as well, rather than just my 3rd party reporting. But back after I left the Sheriffs dept., I told him I was going to go see him and try again to get it fixed to our satisfaction prior to going to court. He told me I could state that...that it was an effort to mediate the problem before going through legal proceedings, and he said if I wanted an officer there, that was my right. So I called the city (the fence he hit is out of city limits, and under the sheriffs jursidiction, but the mans business where I was seeing him was in the city limits), requested an officer to meet me at the place of business, which is probably 800 yards away from the Police dept.!!! The officer was kinda snotty at first, but when I pulled out my packet of paperwork from the Sheriff, he mellowed out some, before we could walk into the guys shop, he come out---he was freaking out that I brought a cop!!! He was telling me he has "shingles" (not sure if it is spelled the same way) in his eye, so he couldn't get the fence fixed. Then he would get all agitated and act huffy when the cop refused to get involved. I told him very simply that he had not kept his word, and that now the law was involved, that this was a last effort at handling it outside of a courtroom. That he has 48 hours to make full repairs to the fence, including cementing in the posts, and welding the sucker rod across the top, replacing the section of torn fencing and the barbed wire top rung. He went nuts yelling that we were using him as a scapegoat, and he would just go to court. I told him that was fine if that was his choice, and that he needed to be aware that in addition to the damages, we would seek a fine for assault concerning the harassing phone call he placed to my 80 year old FIL, scaring both he and my MIL. He tells me "Bull F'n S#*t" well he really said it!--and the cop tells him another outburst and he will find himself handcuffed. The guy stormed into his shop, and the cop started writing---I just stood there, unsure what to do! He finally told me he was making a report in case my in laws had any unusual damages at their place there would be a paper trail. Just as the cop handed me a copy of what he wrote, and informed me he would present one to the moron---the moron come back out, saying he would be out there to fix the fence at noon tomorrow. The cop radioed dispatch and had them confirm a deputy would be able to stand by...and we are all to meet there at noon. He kept denying making the cussing phone call to my FIL, and when he come back out to make the agreed upon time he tells me, he thought when he called he was talking to my DH! The officer asks me for my paper back, stacks them all together again and wrote that he admitted to making a threatening, and harassing phone call to the party. He also tells him he hopes that if he ever sees that truck on the road, it has insurance!!! He tells the cop he doesn't know it is up to the office manager to pay those things, and the cop told him no if he was behind the wheel it was up to him to have it. I think I will ask the Sheriff to check it tomorrow!!! Now tho he has me worried he will retaliate in some manner. But he took out a big section of fence, and left it down with 2 bulls, and 18 cows in the field! Which has road frontage---one of them gets out and hit, we pay---so it is something that has to be fixed, and is going to cost several hundred dollars to repair---he should pay---he did it! Anyway I am still steamed!!! Guess I should go walk it off!!! I'll let you know how it goes! Kat

Not going through them now...but did prior to my surgery as well---feel free to ask anything, or just vent out your nervousness!! We are here to help!!! Congrats on the upcoming banding---you will not be sorry!!! Welcome! Kat

Hi Pickles, I see Dr. Brown in Canon City/Pueblo for my adjustments. I actually live in New Mexico, but just across the border from Durango. Welcome to LBT---we look forward to getting to know you! Kat

My DH and I lift light free weights every other evening. We have not been doing it for very long--6-8 weeks I'd say--and I had already hit a plateau, so I do not blame the lifting for it!!! BUT---when we began, that, my inches began to shift again, and while I did not lose a single pound in over a month, I did lose 6 inches. We do our bicep curls and hand weights while on a balance ball--and we end up doing a lot of laughing---it has been a good thing for us. I feel like I see a difference. The scale has begun inching down again---but as much as I like seeing the numbers go down---if I can be healthy and look good---I'll be happy. I hope the weight lifting will tighten up some problem areas...arms etc. If it does, great, if not---I'll have had good quality time with DH, and some well earned muscle won't hurt me at any rate!!! Good Luck---hope your scale wakes up soon!!! I was told going into the banding, that the question is not IF you will hit a plateau, it is WHEN will I hit it....maybe you are there. If that's it, relax, follow your eating plan, and let your body adjust I guess, it will pass!!! Kat

Oh my Wheetsin---I had never heard this before! I am going to the grocery store after the Post office in a few minutes....just to buy fresh parmesan---I have to try this!!! Thanks! Kat

We have a set of numbered dominos as opposed to the ones with dots...ours are double 12's. We bought our set in Mexico!! I got it with 4 domino tray holders and paid about $10.00 for it, I see them on ebay for the $20.00 range. It is a multi player game, matching numbers as opposed to counting to a certain number. Easy to learn, fun to play, no concentrating involved, the kids can play as easily as adults....luck of the domino draw as much as any skill involved! Each player builds a train track of their own, starting with a set number, for instance the double 12 spinner, and everyone has to start their train with a 12.....then you keep adding to your track each turn by continuing your track according to what number was on the other side of your 12. so if the 12 domino I played was a 12/3, I would then have to play a domino with a 3...if it was a 3/9, my next play would have to be a 9.....the "Mexican" train is free for anyone to play on...and if another player gets stuck, their train de-rails, and you can then play on them. You try to get rid of your dominos, so points do not count against you. Is harder to explain than to play. All you guys out there with young kids, this is a fun one for all ages! The worst part of our game was my BIL kept pushing the domino on the train "station/hub" and making the whistle sound----can we say annoying????? Well I am meeting the Sheriff deputy at 3.....to discuss with him out options.....then depending on what he says, I may have a city cop do a civil standby while I discuss this with the moron who took out the fence. Just want to cover my butt----not let him say I threatened him or anything. Will let you know how it turns out! BBL Kat

Once you are done with the mushy stage, and need the snack crunch someone recommended to me the 100 calorie packs of Chips Ahoy or Oreo Chip type of cookies. They satisfy, but they also turn to almost nothing when you chew them---kind of like a graham cracker. I don't eat them often, but they meet the need when the craving strikes!!! Hang in there---you went through a lot to get this band---give it a chance!!! Kat

Now I have had a totally different experience! Yes the band is simply a tool to help you, like has been said. But it has made a HUGE difference on how I am able to eat...and has made all the difference in the world in my ability to lose weight! I have had 2 fills/adjustments. And I am no longer hungry. Dieting, or simply making wise food choices when you are not hungry is something I found very easy to do! When I would walk in the house at the end of a day and was starving--I'd grab a bag of chips or cookies and snack as I prepared the quickest thing I could that would make plenty. Now I am not hungry, so the effort is much easier to spend the time making something a little better for me health wise---and we don't need a ton of it anymore. I eat small amounts, so prefer to have something really good tasting for that small amount! I can afford to buy the healthier snacks now that one is going to be all I need or can eat, as opposed to being able to eat the whole box/bag. Water is free, tea is cheap to make, all the soda pop we were going through was neither healthy 9even if it was diet) nor cheap. I researched and studied all the different WLS, for months, before making my decision, based on my own health issues, and desires for my future. I spent hours a day on line, and reading, and researching. I have not regretted it at all. I am not losing as fast as some are---a couple who were banded the same time I was have lost over 140 pounds!!! But I do not follow a strict diet, I try to live as normal of a life as I can, and to now move some each day. I didn't (couldn't) do much exercise early on, but now with 85 pounds gone, it actually feels good to get out and DO things!! I don't feel people staring at me, I "blend in". And my body feels great after getting my blood pumping, and the knees that hurt too bad to exercise have reacted wonderfully to the lesser weight to haul around. It sounds like we fall on opposite ends of a spectrum, and in actuallity you can fall anywhere as well. It is only my opinion, but if it were me, and I was banded, and had proper restriction, and was still dieting so seriously Mary---I would see another Dr. and have some tests run. It could be any number of issues, and maybe something could be done to help, or at least ease your concerns. Good Luck to both of you! Kat

Hi Josette!!! I live up in the Farmington area! I also travel to Colorado for my fill. Welcome to LBT!!! There are several in the ABQ area now, they have started meeting the first Saturday of each month. I intend on going when the weather is better come Spring/summer. Just wanted to say Hi to a fellow New Mexican, and welcome you to the site---it is an awesome place for support. Feel free to contact me anytime! My Dad went to college (mining) in Soccoro! Kat

Welcome!!! I cannot say enough good things about my band!!! It has truly changed my life, given it back so to say. I too had to travel for surgery, I actually went to Mexico for the surgery, and now have a 10 hour round trip to my fill/follow up Dr. I do have arrangements made for emergencies here close to home. Just living in a rural area, there are no other options. You have found an awesome site, and great support here! But none of it can compare to the support you will be getting from your DH (Dear husband, darling husband, damned husband...depending on the mood!!!). Hang out with us, ask questions, make yourself at home!!! We are glad to have you here!!! Kat

Usually when someone is complaining of their pre-op diet, someone will chime in that they did not have one---so it isn't unheard of. In my case, I was put onto a low/no fat, high protein diet for 10 days prior to surgery. It is easy enough to follow (basically an Atkins induction phase), and I lost about 10 pounds prior to surgery---PLUS the big thing I found was I lost the carb cravings prior to surgery---which made the liquid follow up much easier. I would do what you can to lose weight---we all know we can lose it, it was the keeping it off that did me in! It will do nothing but benefit you. I did hear of one Dr. who based his patients pre-op diets on their body shape as opposed to weight or BMI. Apple shapes had to go to strict liquids only for a month prior!!! And pear shapes had similar to the one I did. Luckily my Dr. wasn't that strict---I am a HUGE apple!!! Congrats on having a surgery date---how exciting!!! If you have any questions besides this, feel free to ask away! Stick around, tell us a little about yourself! There are great support groups here---I am sure you will find great comfort from this site! Welcome! Kat

Sunny---I hope to soon have that concern, maybe we can wander around together, thin!!! Not meaning to make light (yes that pun WAS intended) of your question....how about volunteering for something that can get you excited----Children's Make a Wish---a local food pantry....something you can work on as much as needed while you adjust, and would help out someone more than you can imagine! I used it as a tactic to avoid thinking about the weight I needed to lose about 3 years ago, I worked with a local group trying to insulate seniors homes, and locate funds to help with their out of control heat bills. It was very rewarding! Now I am babysitting for my 2 year old granddaughter so it makes doing that pretty difficult, but I fully intend on doig something of the sort again!! Good luck, and congrats on making your goal---what an inspiration! Welcome to LBT--we are glad you are here!!! We welcome the voice of experience! Kat

You two exchanging in French---reminds me of another!!! Where I live we border a reservation, and it truly irritates me to no end to walk in a room where people suddenly begin speaking in Navajo, and pointing----yes pointing!!! Knowing I cannot understand---little do they know, I DO understand some of it! And ironically, most of the time, they are not even talking about who they point at---lame immature games---lame immature people where my DH works!!! I got the same attitude at a Nail Salon I once went to, they all jabbered in another language, laughing and pointing at a womans feet they were giving a pedicure, when she talked to them, they ignored her. I was on my way out, I told her I bet if you refuse to understand how much they want you to pay, they suddenly will talk to you. I never went back, and told everyone I know!!! Small town...big mouth....works wonders!!! No offense meant towards your conversation, it just triggered my memory!!! I had to giggle, at the wonderful French conversation, and it centering around Texas and Mexico!!! Se Habla Espanol!! Or something like that!!! lol Kat

Hi! Welcome to LBT---you are right, this is a great site for support. I am not sure how I would have managed without it, and I feel truly blessed by the friendships I have made here. The thought of losing 100+ pounds is very daunting---but it is sooooo possible, and many here have done it. I need to lose another 15 pounds to make my 100---and I am doing it! I would have never in my wildest dreams imagined losing 85 pounds and regaining the life I have again. Always before, losing weight was a chore---eliminating certain things, watching every bite....it was a full time job---24 hours a day. This band helps in every way! I am not hungry, I only eat small amounts---but I can eat almost anything, and I feel normal! I know normal is a relative word---means something different to everyone, but in my case the normal I refer to, is....I can go out to dinner with someone who doesn't know, and they would never know, they would just see someone eating small amounts. I can walk into any store right now and pick up a size 16 pants, and if anything they will be too big. I do not garner whistles and cat calls---but I am 46--- could be at goal, and would still not get them, that is fine by me. I also don't get "the look" anymore of why is she eating that....wow she let herself go....all of us know "the look". I am not thin yet, but I am overweight (well I will be in half a pound!!), I began as morbidly obese, and thanks to my band, I am not going back. I hit a plateau over the last several months, of my own doing I have no doubt---with the holidays and the holiday food! But....I just sat at the same weight, I didn't lose....but I DID NOT gain!!! It filled me with such confidence for maintaining the weight when I reach goal---it IS possible, and I am going to do it---and I would bet you will too!!! There was an Associated Press article in our newspaper today about a Father/Daughter dup having lap band done, and showed their pictures----I cannot wait to have my afters!!! Look around the site, ask any questions you have...settle down, and make yourself at home, we are all here for help and support---welcome! Kat

How sweet you all are to worry about me!!! I am home---we actually come in late last night, but had a Superbowl party planned, and I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get ready. Done and behind me, a good time was had by all. We used to always go to some friends house, but there was always tons of alcohol around---and now that we have the next generation running around, we decided to have our own good time. We had all the kids, and their kids, and some friends in---they had some beer, the rest of us drank iced tea, and soda. We enjoyed it a lot---I am glad however to be home --- sitting!!! Darcy---I logged a total of 27 miles in January. Mary--I am so glad you took your little guy to the Dr.---hope he is on the mend! Volunteering will enrich you in so many ways---I'm proud of you! Chris---beautiful picture!!! Well sorry all you Bears fans----was kind of a ho-hum game for us, we had no real strong feelings one way or another. In fact, until I read about all of you wanting the Bears to win, I was very vociferously going for the Colts. Remember my niece that was such a snot over the pictures at Christmas? She is a huge Bears fan, and in one day inundated my email box with 87 emails all saying things about the Bears, and dogging DH's team (Broncos---we lived in Denver for years!!). I eventually blocked her!!! So I just had to hope they didn't---then you all wanted them to win---so I just refused to take sides!!! I just watched football to get to the commercials! We had quite the trip to Denver---over 350 miles of snowpacked, icy roads. We got there and spent the remainder of the day holed up in the hospital, with my SIL. When we left, having to take another niece to get her son, we left in a huge blizzard...in the middle of rush hour...in down town Denver! Between the roads, the traffic, the accidents causing multiple detours....to get home took us over 3 hours! Our windshield wipers froze to the windshield! Then we woke up to horrid noise on Friday----70 mph wind gusts---with a sustained wind speed of 50-55 mph. Blowing snow so thick, you could not see. We finally made it to the hospital, to bring my SIL home...and had a big dinner with the rest of the family, played some Mexican Train dominos....and had a good time. Our drive home, was better, still snow packed on the mountain passes...but nothing like the trip up. Wolfcreek, one of the mountain passes we have to go over, has over 110 inches last I heard----they have the road side reflectors stacked 2 high---and they were buried in the snow........with the fresh snow on the road, it looked like you were in a tunnel---wild looking, I videotaped it all the way over! We did really well, only kicked our 4WD drive in a couple of times the whole weekend---glad I got new tires tho!!! Mandy--glad the foot is on the mend, hope your fill works wonders. I have 1/2 a pound to go---and I am no longer obese. Now after the chips and queso---it may be more!!! Once I finally get to the "overweight" category, then I only have a few pounds to go until Onederland---then several more and I will make the 100 pounds lost. You would think with all these cool goals, I would have lots of motivation---but it is hard to stay focused. Sherry---I'd choose most things over the aquarium cleaning---every now and then DH and I will think about an aquarium, and that holds us back---we are so lazy! Cassie---I am glad you feel better---not sure if alcohol will do that or not, but glad you feel better. Dianne--you sound much better---glad to see you feeling better, and happier, family health issues, can get you down, I understand. Anne---good luck in the orientation---poor you! Beannie---sounds like a bunch of us are night owls!!! I wish DH went in to work later----his 5 AM kills me!!! Cindy---how was the hot date with DH? Betty--what goodies do you have for the superbowl party? My youngest DD makes a Queso dip, mmmmmm. The oldest DD, does hot wings, but they are HOT! So this year she made some with a honey BBQ for me and the kids!!! I did pulled pork bbq sandwiches, and we had lots of chips, and dips, and sweets of course....there was tons of food, and I sent leftovers with everyone---they were not allowed to leave without some! Sorry if I missed some of you---my brain is fried! Well it is late, I am tired. It was a quick trip to and from Denver...but worth it. Tomorrow I have to go "Discuss" a few things with a local guy who ran through my FIL's field fence. He just drove off, but a neighbor got his license, and "name" when he was trying to unstick his truck. Well the name was a fake...but we tracked him down. He called later and cussed my 80 year old FIL up one side and down the other---finally agreeing to come and fix the fence today. Well guess who never showed up. So tomorrow, I intend on going to the Sheriff's office, then to visit with him. JERK!!! He told the neighbor his name was Randy Pierce...and he worked for Aztec Welding. In reality his name is Jan (pronounced Yon) Pearson, and he owns a local business called New Mexico Metal Art. I want a deputy present when I inform him, that if he EVER calls and curses at these old people again, he will face assault charges! Wish me luck....DH wants me to wait and let him handle it on Wed. when he has the afternoon off---but it needs done now. Off to bed! Missed you guys! Kat

I'm home!!! Glad you did so well in your race Julie---awesome job! Oh Roberta---I am so sorry you fell!!! I am still nursing a sore knee from my fall on the porch---hope yours heals quickly! I have people due here any minute now for the big Superbowl game...I have way too much food around here for my own comfort!!!I can hear the chips and queso dip calling my name!! Will be back tomorrow....I have now only got 1/2 pound left to drop out of the obese range..........hope today doesn't sidetrack me!! If it does---I'll be the one to pay, and have to lose it again!!! Regardless, I will have had a good time, with family and friends! I exercised in Denver---we shoveled enough snow to fill a football stadium it felt like! We drove up in horrid weather! Snow packed roads for over 350 miles!!! Then we left the hospital on Thursday in the middle of Denver downtown rushhour with a blizzard going on! Friday the wind kicked up and we had snow blowing all over in 70 mph gusts!!! So when it calmed down we tried to get her place shoveled. She is getting around pretty good, we want it to stay that way! Well my son and his family are here---I have a grandson to spoil!!! Will talk to you all soon! Kat

I think my MIL is doing her best to sabotage me---and need advice on how to handle it. My SIL and I were banded at the same time, we went together and did it. It all started out well, but then she began having problems eating. In my opinion, she is causing a lot of her problems, she went at her fills fast and furious, and got to a point where she ate nothing but Cheetos, and mashed potatoes. Well, she ended up with a total unfill, and is now filled again, and falling back into the old problems. She claims she cannot eat food--good food, but she can eat 2-3 pieces of pie, or sweets without a problem. So now she is saying the Dr. has told her she may not be a good candidate for the band, that she may always have problems. I think she is wanting it out. Now my MIL is always bad mouthing the band...talking about how it is not proven etc. So suddenly she is making things for my DH that she is just sure I am not doing with my constant dieting!!! She sends home plates of fudge, bowls of food--all the time. We say no... so she sends my FIL over with them later!! MY DH, is great, he refuses, and is actually trying to drop a few pounds himself, so is trying to avoid all the holiday extras too. I have so far tried to be gracious with it, and actually use the things she sends to add to DH's lunch for work, etc. I thought I was handling it well. Now today, she makes us a plate to bring home from New Years dinner---and it is full of things DH is not even fond of, but she knows I am!!! Mostly sweets--candy, and DH is not a candy eater! He pointed it out to me when we got home, and ask if he should talk to her. I told him I didn't know yet!!! So....should I ignore it until it goes away, and just try to avoid the food? Throw the food away, and let her be? Or confront the situation??? HELP!!! Advice appreciated! Kat

Hi all- I would like to ask you all to remember my friend Joyce and her family in your prayers---her twin brother was hurt the other day in an accident involving a fork lift, and he passed away late last night. We had all been friends since we were in 2nd grade. In jr high and high school, there were 4 of us girls who run around together. So far all 3 of them have lost a brother, due to some type of crushing accident---and mine was permanently disabled...but in a car crash. Kind of eerie I thought. My friends name was Joel, he leaves behind a wife and 3 sons. We had more snow last night, it is still snowing, and we are supposed to leave in the morning for Denver. The storm hitting us now is headed north---along the same path we are, and at the same time a storm in Wyoming now is supposed to be moving South towards Denver too---what a time to go. We are taking my MIL, or we may opt out. Today, I have to go to the DMV, I mailed off to get my tags, but they have not shown up, and they expire today, and we need them! Then I am off to get the taxes done ( a friend who is a CPA does them, the farm write offs, and P&L's are too much for me!!!), then I am going to get tires put on the Explorer, and we will take it to Denver...so we have new tires and 4WD. My DD is on her way to get the girlie---sure will simplify my day!!! Unfortunately the reason Mama is coming home early----she has pink eye! I am kind of glad I will be gone the next few days---maybe I will avoid it! They of course don't want her dealing with patients, being contagious. So, I need to get dressed, and be ready to head out...I still need to pack, and my suitcases are in the shed.....and the snow is pretty deep out that part of the shady yard...doggone it! Maybe I will travel in Walmart bags!!!!! I also need to find time to grab some band friendly snack stuff to have on hand--- I will be back later tonight, and catch up on everyone---see how the food porn is progressing---and if a piece of cake jumps into my mouth on my travels today...I'm blaming y'all! Kat