Kat817

Hey Carol--I'll send you a message when I go to Canon City (Dr. Brown) for a fill next time, and we can see if we can meet up. Mary--we can do Elitches together no problem!!! Everyone is welcome, what fun we could all have!!! Kat

Hey everyone--we almost made it to the end of the month!! Today we had for about 5 minutes, all the leaves out of our yard!!! We took 2 walks and did the leaves. Then I brought wood into the house, and decided I was done, that was enough for today!!! Bluehill, the hula hoop wa easy once I figured out the rythm again!!! I did a Hawaii theme for my parents anniversary this summer. It was such fun we decided to make in an annual event!! I mean good grief I have all this stuff, grass skirts, table decorations, leis....2 HUGE totes full, we have to use it more than once. Besides it was a blast!!! A friend of my DD's made us one of the plywood things with the beach babe, and surfer painted on the front, and you stand behind with your face through the hole. The pictures I have are priceless!! I'm glad you made the challenge, and did so well! I don't have a real preference on the time allotted to the next months challenge, I agree my biggest change for the month will to be making my water intake habit again. I know I would feel much better, I always do when I make sure to stay hydrated! Welcome Heather, good to see you again!!! Yes we will start a new thread on Nov. 1st, it will outline the challenge, and we just check in as we find time, and encourage one another. It is a great group!! Betty--know we will be with you in thought on Tuesday. Prayers will be going steady. Your situation hits very close to home with me still. Please know we are all with you in heart. Boo..Keep running girl, I am so impressed!!! So what's on the agenda for Halloween with y'all? Kat

Can't really say I am feeling your pain!!! I am 5'9" and I have the opposite problems!!! To get things long enough in the leg, the hips and thighs are 3-4 times too big!!! What I have been told as far as the big box stores..Walmart, Target etc. is that what they sell they restock. As an item is scanned, it affects their order. So if you live in an area as I do, where the predominant size is different than yours....then try another outlet. If Target has a brand you like, you just have problems getting your size, you may have better luck in another Target, or using the online option. Where I live, we border the Navajo Nation Reservation. As a rule the female Navajo's are much shorter...having very short legs, and large body trunks. so when an item fitting them is in, it sells quickly, thereby restocking similarly. I can drive up to another store, which is closer to a college, and I find easily 10 X the number of "tall" items available. So if you know what you like, try another outlet, or try on line. Good Luck! Kat

Good Morning everyone, hope your weekend is going well. Here things are quiet. I am glad they are notin an uproar, but I am feeling kinda bored!!! I could clean house, or work outside, but have decided to chat with y'all instead, it sounded much more fun!!! Sherry...our group that was banded last April have done some challenges the last couple of months, and it has really helped motivate me!!! We started with just 30 minutes of moving 15 times in the month. Didn't matter what kind of exercise, just something that had you up and moving. Then this month, we upped it to 17 times in the month. And we added 5 minutes to the workout, and we each tried to do something out of our comfort zone, as far as exercise went. It didn't have to be harder, just different. In my case for instance, walking and Curves are my standards, I do them regularly. So for my new one, I used our bowling, and a Hula Hoop contest I did with my great niece. The bowling will be the keeper, we intend to go every week or so. But I am also thinking of taking the hula hoop to use during one of the rest stations at Curves. I made the 17 times even with all the issues with DH's health. There were days I had almost decided not to go to Curves, then I thought I have to, I won't make 17 if I don't!!! So far, from the sounds of it, we won't be adding a lot, maybe a minute or 2, but the add on for the month is to make sure we are getting our water in. Something we have all admitted we are failing at! So we are going to challenge it!! I am all for a challenge here as well, or if you want to join us, I know you would be welcome! Mandy...I know introducing a new kitty would be easier, sooner, rather than later, but let your heart guide you. The new kitty deserves that as well as all of you. When the right one twitches it's whiskers, you will know it, whether it is on a visit to the shelter, or in a box outside of Walmart! Let yourself heal a bit, without feeling rushed. Big hugs to all of you. Patty...Did you or the bank have a police report filled out? When a family member dealt with an identity theft issue, the police report was very important, it helped her with the credit bureau and in a situation like yours, she had the report to show to her landlord, and it helped get her the time she needed to make her rent. You might call and ask, if you haven't already got one. Hope all gets better for you quickly. Dianne...I am so glad your meds are agreeing with you. It is good to be happy again isn't it??!! Glad you had a good time at the inlaws. Eileen...how's the back? Continuing to improve I hope. As far as your pain meds go, if you need them...try taking them in the pieces you chop them up in, justa bit at a time. You be the control in the time release!! My SIL had to do that. She would take a piece of her pill with a cracker or something, and then in 30-45 minutes later another small piece with a bite of something. That way the pieces are not all in your little pouch dissolving at one time. And maybe eventually it would be enough to give you some pain relief. Cindy...are you stuck in a corner somewhere surrounded by construction? I hate remodeling for the same reasons!! I am a creature of habit, I have my chair, I always sit in, my same dining room chair to eat in, my hair and make-up in the same place to use every time. I get displaced and all is messed up!!! Even traveling, DH teases me, because I get somewhere, and I set the motel room to being Mine!!! Putting my things where I want them!!! I sympathize with the chaos!!! But it will so be worth it! Mary...I hear ya on the dog issue. One minute I want a little house dog, that can sit in my lap. But the next I want a bigger outside dog I can take walking and can handle young kids. Will likely go somewhere in the middle! A mid size dog, who can be in and out both!!! When the time comes I will just see who needs me most I guess! Have fun with all your Halloween festivities!! I miss that. We will have grandkids, and kids everywhere! I ran a day care for over 20 years here, so "my" kids are now bringing their own kids to my house!!! We usually have food, whether it be a pot of chili, or stew, or buy pizza. We have snack stuff out, veggies & chips and dip. I used to bake sugar cookies or make donuts, and let all the kids (the ones I know!!!) decorate thier own treat. But that got too chaotic as the #'s grew!!! I will have some very special treats for my special kids, and lot's of candy for all the trick or treaters, we usually get in the neighborhood of 200 I'd say. Where's everyone at? Probably out raking leaves like I should be!!! Take care all!!! Kat

I would imagine your stomach is terribly swollen now. I have not thrown up often, but when I do, I immediately quit eating solids. I can't in all honesty say I go to clear liquids for a full 24 hours, but for an easy 6-8 hours, nothing but tea or water for me. When I do eat, I try to make it something soft, and that I know frm experience I can usually eat. In my case, something like cottage cheese. I understand you are hungry, but I think eating is just keeping the evil cycle going. I would stay on liquids, and call my Dr. in the morning. You don't have to take in huge amounts of liquid to stay hydrated. a very small sip every few minutes, will keep you hydrated enough to prevent health problems for now. Just do whatever you need to, to avoid throwing up again, it is not a good thing with a band!! You may also have picked up some sort of bug along with the restriction issues. I know around here there is a horrid stomach virus going around!! Hope you get relief and feel better very soon! Kat

My DH has named mine Billy. He refers to people jokingly as "Billy Bad Ass", especially our DS when he is full of himself. So when I was banded he kept saying I was a Billy Band Ass....now we just refer to it as Billy. Not the name I likely would have chose, but it fits now. At dinner tonight when I stopped eating (we went out with DS, DIL and DGS), he asks me "Billy shut ya down?" My DIL was so confused, she finally ask what we were talking about! so sign us Kat & Billy

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/238/150 - 25 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: 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 - 208/203/173/132 - 35 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/136/110 - 44 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/185/134 - 49 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/258/180 - 100 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 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 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/207/140 - 35 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/209/180 -75 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298/278 - 114 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/236/156 - 52 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/218/150 - 55 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/104/69 - 21 kgs/46.2 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/220/170 - 50.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/219/165 - 70 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/197/145 - 67 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 - 283/267/243.5/140 - 39.5 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/253/145 - 80 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/170/135 - 55 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

Hi all, this morning we spent hauling wood for my parents, cut, loaded, unloaded and stacked 2 pick-up loads of firewood. Then made it to Curves this afternoon. Made my 17th day....I actually think I forgot to add a day or 2, but it doesn't matter!!! Tomorrow, I think I will go for a ride. They say it is pretty good exercise, but I am going for enjoyment!!! Maybe tomorrow afternoon, we will go for and iron-horse ride!!! In the morning I am taking my granddaughter and a friends daughter to a local farm, where they are doing hay rides, out to a pumpkin patch, letting the kids pick pumpkins, then back to bob for apples, or you can dip an apple in the caramel, they have several games, and a petting zoo (that smells so bad from the goats, I refuse to go!!!). I think they will enjoy it. Maybe then no one will want to go riding with me...I would like some alone "down" time!! We almost made it to the end of the month....hang in there everyone!!! Kat

I am ready to go vote...we too have early voting. In fact I usually work both early voting and election day. This year with my DH's health problems, I couldn't make the begining of early, so will only work on the 7th. Anyway, we will likely go tomorrow, DH had not had a chance to study the amendments, or a bond issue on the ballot, so he wanted to wait. He is off tomorrow thru Monday, so we will get it done!! Had to crack up at Gayle's answer, we did just the opposite!!! Our county here in NM had spent many thousands of dollars on table top, small computerized voting machines, they never even made a general election!!! The public demanded paper back!! So we are voting on paper ballots again...which are being read by a computer...go figure!!! Kat

I'm sorry to say, that does not sound normal to me. Your Dr. should have someone covering his practice while he is on vacation. Call and let the anwering service forward to the other Dr. I would think if nothing else they may want a blood work up to make sure you are not harboring infection somewhere. If no Dr. is available through your original surgeon, try an Urgent Care. It is something I think you should have checked out. If for no more than your own peace of mind. Good Luck let us know!!! Kat

Jill, I am sorry you are having complications! From what happened with my SIL, which was pretty much the same thing--band too tight--unfill. She said for the first 2-3 weeks it was not any issue with hunger, because she was apparently swollen, so still had restriction, simply from the band itself. The end of the 3rd week she began feeling hungry, so he moved her to heavy liquids, and to mushies week 4, then she had a small fill done the 6th week, and is doing well now. Hope you have as good of luck. We will all be here if you need support through it!!! Good Luck! Kat

While I don't like the pants hangin' crotch at the knee, I agree with T.O.M.---and do not want to start seeing the gov't. step in! There are already indecent exposure laws on the books, if the pants show skin, enforce it, if their unerwear shows, just be glad they are wearing it! If we allow them to make a law on this, what is next? T-shirts with slogans? Because I have seen some very vulgar ones! Shorts? Because face it some people should not be wearing them (shiver!!!). It opens a can of worms I would rather keep the lid tightly closed on!!! Kat

I am glad you feel so much better, remember the feeling so you can pull on it when times get tough. He will likely be unhappy with the new things you decided on...but too damned bad!!! Rest now, before you hav to hassle with him again. Did your lawyer tell you why she thought it best to allow him to stay, or is it just to appease him while this is going on? I am glad you had enough time to discuss every little thing, and not worry about "the meter running" so to speak!!! Do what you need to do, to make a good life for you and the kids, without setting out to destroy his. That always seems to come back and bite ya in the butt!!! Glad today was better for you!!! Kat

I'm not technically in CO, but I am only about 8 miles from the CO border near Durango. I go to Canon City for my fills. Where are you located? vwenzel, I have family in Golden, in the McIntyre & 58th area! We have family all over the Denver area. I am going to Elitches this next summer, and fitting in every ride....ok, maybe not the kiddie rides!!! Kat

I have no problem believing the statistics quoted on the show of 30% of WLS patients end up substituting the addiction to food to something else. I think as Carnie Wilson said, it takes an addictive personality. I believe if those same people managed to lose the weight courtesy of WW or Jenny Craig, they would have done so by swapping addictions. An alcoholic who manages through AA or jail time or whatever to quit drinking would probably have the same liklihood (30%) of falling into another addictive situation. And all would have an even higher incidence of repeating the addiction. But with alcoholism for instance there is no band equivalent to keep you from drinking, as our bands limit how we can eat. She (Carnie) stated she is still addicted, she just finds other things to fixate on...now hers may be trying to "fix" other people or telling the world about her problems! As for the other guests, a woman who is less concerned with how the problem is affecting her family than being referred to as an alcoholic or an addict...it seems to me that is just the tip of the iceberg with her problems!! They also went into detail with the alcohol issue of how it affects the body different now, getting drunk on less, in a quicker time, and sobering up quicker. If you have any sort of addictive personality, that would be a big, huge draw! My brother has an addictive personality. When he was young it was pot. He got hurt in an accident and was side lined long enough recovering to escape that addiction, instead it was then his prescription meds. Well with my folks, and the Dr. they handled that one. Then it turned to alcohol. He struggled with alcoholism for years. His accident left him with brain damage, and the Dr.'s told us with his new level of behaviour he likely would never quit. Through a mix up he ended up forced into sobriety years later. He has been sober for over 7 years now. And now he has 2 new addictions, ones he fully recognizes, and intends to keep. He sees what is happening to him. Now he smokes cigarettes, he never did til his mid 30's! And he drinks coffee...tons of it. He has no less than 20-25 clamp top jars of coffee beans in his kitchen. He grinds and brews his coffee...but he is always shopping for new types...it is so wierd!!! Now he has suffered ( dealt with, or whatever) with all these addictions through his 44 years, but the one thing he has never turned to??? Food!!! He is 6'3" and never has weighed more than 155 pounds!!! Then there is me....We would have made Oprah's head spin!!! I do wonder if most people recognize their own tendencies to addict to things. Maybe that should be part of the psychological work up prior to banding. I agree Oprah seemed really rude to the nurse. The comment was uncalled for, all of us knew we were fat, just as she did when she was, we don't need it pointed out to us especially on national TV! Maybe seeing that will keep us from doing those things if we remember it! Kat

Awwww Mandy, I am so sorry about your kitty--wish I was close enough to give you a big hug, and a shoulder to cry on. Having been there and done that, I do know how badly you are hurting, and the loss you feel. Please know you WILL be in my prayers, and that I will be thinking of your family. Aww I just read your post to Patty--you are such a sweetie!!! Eileen--elaborate on what you are afraid may be wrong. If you really feel that way, why wait another week for the MRI? That scares me! I too would wnder exactly how he knew what was going on without looking at it, which will involve the MRI. I know you had to wait what seemed like forever for this appointment, but...maybe schedule a follow up now, and by the time the appointment gets here you will have had the new meds for a week, and not have to wait even longer. It is not a good idea to let things press on the spine for too long, I wouldn't put it off, or delay due to their scheduling. Big hugs to you too. Cindy--so how does the floor look? I know it isn't finished, but does it make it seem bigger already? That's what I noticed for some reason!! Sherry--I read all of Janet Evanovich's books. I began the Stephanie Plum series when someone told me about them being placed in New Jersey, and that was where my youngest DD was living at the time. Stupid move by an immature girl!!! Anyway that's another story!! But I just read 12 Sharp. There is actually a website for the series, with a place to vote on who you want to play the characters in the movie....something they keep saying might happen. So far Sandra Bullock is in the lead for Stephanie according to my DD's, who both read them! Diane--glad you had fun with your kids. It is the perfect time to teach a lesson in responsibility in drinking. Enjoy your special time!! Patty--Hon, your plate is definitely FULL!!!!! Not too sure how to help you clean it off...but sure do wish I could help! When it comes to your kids, don't even try retracting those claws, it is a fight worth fighting for! I have a nephew, Chris (well I call him that, he is my best friends son) with ADHD, and he was diagnosed with several other learning disabilities as well, and to add to his distress with school, he was born with his little ears folded over on top, and he was picked on and treated like crap every day in school. Some days I would pick him up (I did his day care) and he would just lay in my lap and we cried. He is 23 now, and to remember it can still make me very emotional. And his Mom and I fought with the school many a time, it was all fairly new to them then, so cooperation was not as well mandated as it is now. At least you KNOW you have rights!! And they have you, a strong loving Mom to help them along. Now...my boy Chris, he is a diesel mechanic, married and has a 18 month old son. He still has issues, but he has learned coping mechanisms for his learning disabilities, as will your boys, because they are being shown they are worth it. Keep up the fight--when it gets hard, we are all here to listen and support! Well I lost a filling, so am headed to the dentist today---yuck!!! And ya know Anne, i was thinking, there is no sense in both of us being chained to the potty chair...I'll just bring Kinsey to you!!!!!! LOL...nah I'm kinda attatched to the little munchkin'! Betty--have you heard anything on your brother? Beannie--glad to see you are still with us here, we worry when you disappear! Darcy, Pat, Chris, Mary, and everyone I missed today--take care & hope to see you on here soon!!! Kat

Most bands are somewhat fickle! As for why you can eat pizza as opposed to say toast, I would guess it is because there are other textures to help digest the bread crust with. Many people have problems with scrambled eggs, but can eat fried eggs just fine. Someone told us that it was because the egg cooks and never breaks down any further....personally if I add a bit of diced ham or some browned sausage to my scrambled eggs I can eat them just fine, and I have good restriction. Salad is a day to day thing with me. I can usually eat it, but I have to be extra cautious with chewing....or it hurts. Bananas are not an easy one for a lot of people, I have not tried because I read about so many having problems. The time of day affects a lot of bands too. Several people have told me a lot of it depends on how much of the fill is in the ring as opposed to in the tubing. I am definitely a little tighter in the morning than I am in the afternoon or evening. Hope you get some good answers to your questions!! Good Luck! Kat

I think both sides of this discussion have merit. I too know people working in the penal system, and they agree saying they (the molesters) will be back to the old tricks if let go. That they opt out of treatment when it is available. But I also see how it could be viewed as an illness. I do not know anyone personally who is the type of molester your friend has turned out to be...as far as I know, I suppose any one of us could be blind sided by something such as this, just as you were John. But, from books I have read and shows I have seen on TV, it does not appear that the molester is enjoying themselves 24/7, and excited and happy about what they do. It seems an urge they are unable to control, and once it has been attended to, by molesting a child, they seem remorseful, and full of a different type of rage. Rape itself is a crime of rage, not sexual pleasure, so while castration may answer the repeat crime of rape, it will not address the rage that leads to it. I do not have an answer, I have little in the way of new ideas to even offer...about all I can do at this point is mourn the innocence of the children, and pray for peace for them. As far as testifying, I would let the DA know he would have to subpeoana me. And then, rather than trying to "help" your friend (or however you choose to view him now, it would be hard to know), I would just be honest, answer both attorneys questions willingly. Seeing you testify, that yes you too had been raised similarly, and that you did not know what he was doing, and that you, yourself have never done such a thing, may give his children hope. Because even though you 2 were raised similarly, you are different people. My brother and I were raised in exactly the same home, and by the same parents in a stable 2 parent home. We were never exposed to drugs, or alcohol in extremes, when punished we were treated fairly and the same. He however has a very addictive personality and has battled with both drugs when he was younger and is an alcholic (sober for 7+ years). I have never had a problem with anything but food...even though we were raised the same, the outcome was different, he also has a learning disability that I do not...so really comparing the 2 of you is not fair to either of you. Relax John, you made the right decision...you were true to yourself, you visited while not condoning what he did. What he did is not something you knew about or could have prevented. If forced to testify, keep his kids in mind, and be honest, show them they can be different, just as you were. Compassionate, caring, and not abusive. Will keep all of you in my prayers... Kat

Well we got 3rd place in the hula hoop contest!!! We made it for 19 minutes before we (read me) lost it! They stopped the contest after 33 minutes when the 2nd place duo went out! It was fun, but more of a workout than I remember it being as a kid!! I have been walking, and made it to Curves yesterday, going to go again tomorrow, today I have my granddaughter, so we will take a long walk here when she wakes up from her nap. It is such perfect walking weather, and she likes me giving her the bright leaves we find, the other day her stroller was shedding leaves as we walked we had picked up so many!!! At any rate, I am getting my time in, even though not all of them are at the gym or in an organized activity. I like the walking, it is something I will always do, so it is a good daily thing for me. I have been making myself fill water bottles, so I can see how much I am drnking, otherwise it just slips my mind. Barring any more catastrophies I will make the challenge!!! Well I was interupted by the phone, then the baby woke up, so we have walked to the park, swung for awhile, and then on to the store, for some dinner necessities. All together about a mile and a quarter, so if I do some work on my balance ball tonight, I will easily make today count!!! Sounds like everyone is doing really well! Thanks for the much needed motivation during this stressful month!! Kat

Oh Betty--I am so sorry about your brothers thumb! How scary that must have been for everyone involved, knowing there were children there. He knew what needed to be done, and did it, gotta respect that! The Dr. (my PCP) that my DD nurses for is missing his thumb on the left hand. He lost it in a bicycle accident, and it was beyond repair, for the time...it was over 30 yrs. ago. Will say a prayer for acceptance and quick healing for him and his family. Eileen---where are ya? What did the doc say? We are worrying about you!! Mandy--you would be more than welcome here...kids...dogs....and all, BUT it will be snowing here soon as well, spit a few flakes the other day. Is not unusual for Halloween to be our first real snowfall each year. I will say we usually have the kind of snow I like, it covers everything, but we warm up quickly again, so the roadways clear off quite soon...I hate driving in the snow, too many people don't have a clue!!! Mary--job sounds demanding!! Especially since it sounds like you do it all-- while the "specialist" makes sure it looks like they did it I am sure!! Darcy--don't you love watching puppies in their first snow? My dog Chelsea, she loved the snow! One of her favorites was to have snowballs lobbed at her, so she could catch them and crush them--she thought she was so tough!! Sherry--you working or playing? Dianne--I can so relate with the kids getting older!! This is the time of year it hits home with me. Or son had a b-day in Sept. he turned 27. The youngest DD had a b-day this month, she turned 23, and the oldest DD will turn 25 next month. My Granddaughter will turn 2 the first of December. So they all bombard me with the getting old feelings...I can't get past one before another does it. Of course they really had little to do with when they were born!!! Besides the fact, I really like to do my christmas shopping early, but I stay too busy doing birthdays!! Shoulda planned better!! Cindy--How goes it with the floors? Did he get a lot done while you were at school? Prep takes forever, then it goes much quicker! Patty--heard anything yet? Glad Mom is home safe. Beannie--where ya at? I need a kick in the butt!!! Chris--how's the port and liquids going??? Well DH worked all day yesterday, well he worked at the computer--and he did fine. Said he actually enjoyed getting to see most of the guys, and no one rode him about timelines or anything which is unusual, he said he thinks they are all worried if they hassle him he will topple over with a heart attack or something!!! DD's kidney infection has worked it's way to the bladder now, so she is getting a consult in Albuquerque. Well everyone have a good day....going to be lazy, and hang out at home today. My granddaughters potty training has slipped into more accidents, so we are going to stay home and be consistant today!!! Will the fun never end??? Kat

Sounds like it is time to "build your case". I hope you have been documenting every little thing...it sounds so petty, but it does help. Now you need to take pictures of the food situation, and if it is still $$$ coming from a joint account, when the statement comes in, copy it to show that joint $$$ bought that food. Take pictures around the house, of missing things, remember to write down anything your DD notices missing and comments on. In fact just taking several pictures now, can help you if eventually he removes more. Kind of like inventory of your home. Make sure someone else has a copy. Go to your parenting class, make sure you have a way of documenting and proving you went. You might meet people there who have been through this who will have advice! Keep a copy of the recipt for the $40.00. Copy all emails from him, and print them off in hard copy form as well. I would keep them all at a friends, or work, away from where he is right now. Print them as they come, the print date will show on the page. DO NOT wait to print them all at the last minute before going to court. If he says or does anything, and I do mean anything, that scares you, worries you for your safety or his for that matter, call the cops! And insist that a report be made. You can call on the hateful emails, but it would be pushing it!!! ANY threats of ANY nature need to be reported immediately! Make note of the day you come home from work, and why, and how much money you lost in doing so. If you go to the Dr. ask for a copy of the days records. Keep receipts for any and all Rx the Dr. may give you. Now some simple advice, that may not be something that really matters to you right now, but having spent way too much in attorney fees over the last 8 years, I feel a need to warn you!!! Every single time you call your attorney, it costs you...every page you fax, or email, that they look at, it can cost you. You may have an attorney that doesn't bill that way, we weren't so lucky! We kept everything in detailed documentation, and when it come time to go to court, and we met with our lawyer, we had everything he would need in order, but we learned not to just "keep in contact" because it was costing us out the yin-yang! I know you are at a point you need immediate help and advice from yours...I agree you need to talk to her like yesterday....but in the future keep in mind that you can send her a months worth of his emails, at one time, and only pay once as opposed to them billing you daily. Anything that comes to you by mail, keep the envelope with it as well, for the postmark date proof. Write detailed memo's on any checks you write, and do write checks skip the debit for now, if anything on the check you are writing is for your children or the house, document it. When your statement comes in, the memo notes will be there, and dated. It sounds like your DD is old enough to feel the stress, and is likely a bit afraid herself. Divorce is scary as well as sad. So maybe you guys can find something to do together, even if it is free, or cheap, buy several pumpkins, and laugh away some stress carving them...all the while you can secretly be imagining it is HIM you are gutting!!! Double stress relief!!! I hope this all smooths out soon for you. Like Barbara said, toughen up, put on your poker face, and show him you will NOT be intimidated any longer...the days of that are GONE!!! You can do it--and we are right here to listen to the doubts, and support you...just don't let him see or know of the doubts!!! Hang tough Hon, you CAN do this!!! Kat

Hi everyone! The Parade of Homes was alot of fun. But have to say that the most fun was realizing my own house was paid for...and not looking to finance anything like that! My Gosh,one of the houses they showed an average 30 yr. loan, and the payments were over $3500.00 a month--and it was not the most expensive of thehomes we looked at...it just seemed unbelievably expensive to me. I mean DH makes good money but holy smoke, that would make my budget shudder!!! Saw some awesome homes...and found some things I wouldn't mind trying out. But we ran out of time so will see the remainder next weekend. Michele is planning to build a home within the next couple of years, and she is looking to build a monster of a home, so she was getting lots of info and ideas. It was a fun day. In the end my DH only ended up buying 2 laptop computers at the auction...nothing too drastic!! Eileen--glad the back is feeling a bit better, and the visit with the Dr. is coming up quickly now. I was worried about you making it to tomorrow..and you did it!!! We have no plans whatsoever about building our own home...we are not carpenters...and we are getting too old! We have an Aunt and Uncle in Texas who just built (well are still finishing) a really cool house, it makes me want to in ways...but I also remember how long she lived in a little mobile home while it was being built!!! They have this really cool "breezeway" big old wood double doors with leaded stained glass windows, open in the front, and go straight through the center of the house and out the back in the same type of doors. The house opens off of it on either side, and the upstairs has an open style catwalk that walks through the breezeway...it is very unique. Not enough to make we want all that work tho!!! Call me lazy!! Cindy--I think frozen food is exactly what you should do while you are in limbo!!! The miocrowave can be plugged in anywhere!! J/K I know you are doing floors!!! Did you catch up on all the work you escaped from yesterday Betty? You can come do mine, I ran away yesterday, and then spent today in town shopping with my Mom. I figure the work will be there tomorrow, I may feel lost without DH around. I use my crockpot fairly often, but it seems I always use it for the same things! Sherry if you try any of the ones on here, let me know what is good!!! Mary hang tough in the job----and pick out something in the pound for me, so I don't go! It is working on me, and that was one of the feature articles in the paper today...go figure~ Well I am going to go bring in some wood so we can build a fire...and watch some TV with DH....y'all take care & I'll catch ya in awhile! Kat

HI! Not sure about the sizes of the signatures...but I cannot see any pics...only boxes with red x's. I know when I went to update my ticker awhile back it would not let me, it said I had over 1000 characters. The code for the ticker must have been huge because I didn't have much else! Nothing compared to others, but I eliminated all of the other stuff. I am such a computer dummy....I have no clue! Well I need to shower and get myself ready to go. DH is with both of the Dad's (his and mine) at an auction today. Half scared to come home and see what he bought...he kinda gets "into the moment"!!! While he is off doing that, my friend Michele, who emailed y'all when Rick went down, she and I are going to a fundraiser. It is a "Parade of Homes". This year there are 17 homes in our little tri city area open for you to walk through and check out. Both of us are kicking around the idea of maybe building in the future. She more seriously than we are, in fact she works for a construction company!!! But last year I got some fantastic ideas if we ever do decide to build our own, or even for remodeling. These homes are usually fantastic, and range from a few hundred thousand dollar homes to million dollar homes. Most are currently lived in, and not on the market, some will be new construction and for sale. I like the lived in ones, I can also get decorating ideas!!! We have gone to this together for several years. It runs 2 weekends, so we go this weekend, and then next weekend I take Rick back and show him the features in certain homes I fell for!!! So it should be a fun day for both DH and I, and one of the first we have spent apart in awhile...already feels kinda wierd now that he is gone!!! Eileen--I agree with Betty, I know the laundry needs done and the rubber bands picked up...but they will still be there I bet when you feel better!!! Don't get carried away and make it worse!!! I know life goes on and so must you, but do it in short smooth bursts!!! Try to spend some time resting your back too...lie down on the heating pad..or ice...or back and forth. Betty I read what your block does on Halloween--and it sounds like a great idea!!! Do you have to get police ok to block off the road? I doubt we would get response from a couple of neighbors, but there is a group of 5-6 of us in the area who would love that!! Ok will be back to check on all you later...Darcy have fun with the dogs...I hate it but I am feeling jealous. I hate it because I remember feeling like Mandy does right now about her cat...and that scares me. But then I think of how happy I could make a few years for some needing dog, and I know one is in my near future! I will just blame Darcy--there ya go problem solved~~! Big hugs still going your way Mandy. Weekends here, hope you get lots of floor done Cindy!! I am excited to see the pics! Patty have a good weekend with the boys! Sherry (you shrinking woman, you), Pat, Anne, Beannie,Dianne, Mary---will be back to check on y'all!!! Kat

Wow Sherry---only 15 pounds in the last 2 pics? Amazing difference!!! I will take my next ones when I hit 75 lbs off. Hoping that is not in the too distant future!!! I, like Cindy, will require help!!! Anyway--- you look great! You are doing so good! A friend and I were discussing why it is that in the Jr.'s clothes you never find horizontal stripes, occasionally in Misses, but get to the Women's Plus sizes--and the colors are brighter, stripes or huge floral print everywhere!!! And that sucks, because even when I was of a semi-"normal" weight, I wore Misses size pants, but always needed Plus size tops. Keep up the good work!!! Kat

Welcome to LBT!!! I was lucky, and found the site during my research into getting the band, so had these great people all the way. There are many very smart people here, and they are very willing to share what they know or have learned the hard way!! There is also a section of LBT that can put you in touch with people in your area. Look through everything, and ask away! This is one of the best things about being banded, is the friends I have made here on LBT. I was looking to lose and control my weight, and I have...but I have also made amazing friends! Once again....WELCOME! Kat