Kat817

Next time I am in Abilene, if they still have them, I will get you one Tracy!!! Promise! Kat

LOL, I love you all and I missed you and this exchange so much while I was gone!!! I am with you all on the KITA plan....I need it. I am doing well so far today. I have water going in, and had a couple slices of bacon in a scrambled egg for breakfast, and that is IT....no snacking! Getting my house back in order and laundry done from our trip, so I am keeping busy. My next plan is to unbury the eliptical, I am using the damn thing....I AM!! You guys laughing at Judy over saying pissed, I bought Rick a Tshirt at a truck stop we were fueling at that says "MY anger management class pissed me off", I thought it was funny....he will wear it to work. Laura, my DD, Manda drives and Altima, and loves it, it really is a nice car. If nothing else, the number of them on the road is testement to them. Michelle, yes, I find myself scared....refusing to look at our 401K, and doing auto roll overs on my CD's rather than shop interest rates.....and it 'as Judy would say' also PISSES me off!!! Rather than point fingers and say it is their fault not mine, and that only this or that person can fix it, can they not all see it is going to take EVERYONE together to fix it? It is like our entire country turned into a kindergarten class, and the want to fix things is outweighed by the want to do it MY way. Although on second thought, most kindergarten kids can be reasoned with, maybe they are acting like teenagers!!! LOL Hope you hang in there Michelle. You were dealing with some emotional upheaval anyway----and Dr. prescribed medication is not evil! If you find the depression, and anxiety worsening, see your Dr....hell call me, I might drive you and see him myself!! TracyKS-------if you were my sister, I would have to hurt you! Your poor sis, has no idea you put that up for the world to see! At least now tho, you have a strong, and close diet partner to work with, and you have the advantage in that you are not really trying so hard at this point to lose as much as maintain....and you can do it. Do not however use me for an example, I sabotaged myself right and left, and then went to TX and seriously messed with it. But today is it, I am back on plan, and going to ditch the pounds that snuck back on, and going to consider a fill.....but part of me really wants to prove to me, I can live with my new rules and do this, just so I know if I had lost my band, I could maintain. I always thought, if I had only 10-20 pounds to lose, or was at a happy weight, it would be so much easier to do than the daunting thought of losing 100+ pounds. Well here I am, and I NEED to know if I can do it or not. Y'all have to help me do it!! LOL First order of business, get the left over Halloween candy out of here, I left so soon after, it was still on the table and is still there! Suzanne, 2 bottles of water are in, and I am off to fill it again! I will think of you often as I am up all night running to and from the potty!!! LOL Time to change laundry----and begin unburying the eliptical....then to the garage to unbury the treadmill......wish me luck. If you don't hear from me, send in the rescue squad, there might have been a junk cave in as I try to find my exercise equipment!!! Kat

Welcome to LBT! And welcome to bandland!!! This like most forums slows down come middle of the night!!! So I would suggest, "bumping" the post come morning, and looking around and introducing yourself on other threads that interest you. There is likely a thread out there for July bandsters, which would be full of people in the same stage of the game as you are in. This site has been a salvation to me!!! I have made wonderful friendships, and received more support than I ever would have known was possible here!!! Hang out, get to know us, and enjoy the site, and your band.....both are GREAT!!! Kat

I missed all of you too....maybe not so much the rest of LBT, I come home to a shitty message tonight from someone, about a post I had left long back, telling me I am insensitive and crap......I seriously wanted to unload on the poster! The comment I originally left, was in a success stories thread, and someone come in complaining that their band was not a success. I replied that some of the issues the poster had were not band related, etc. Then a mod moved the thread to the complications forum, and I have caught hell for it already---and now again. They act like I posted to rub in my success----and I was in a success stories forum originally---makes me want to scream at them!! Jane sorry your cousins court case turned out badly for him. In the long run, it seriously could have been much worse. Such a hard place to be for your family...as well as the one of the man that was killed, I am sure it would be very hard not to be bitter. Your family will remain in my prayers. Terry, we miss you, hope you perk up soon, and hurry back!! Sadly I am afraid regardless how the election turned out, things might get worse, before anyone can make them better. Jumping in front of the hurtling train is not going to do anything, we are going to have to give them time to get down the track a ways and even then it will take time to turn things around, and I pray something can and will be done......these are some scary times. I think of our TX trip soooooo often!!! I laugh at how the water level changed when we mass exited the hot tub!! LOL What a shock we must have been to the quiet little group of homes we stayed in! I cannot believe how much fun we had! Ready for more, I can tell you that without a doubt!!!! Rick is coming down with some crud, he is aching all over, and feeling crummy. Manda is home with it---I know they are going to give it to me---I want an invisible shield to protect me!!! So tomorrow I am going to seriously begin watching what I eat!! My MIL made some comments to my Aunt, about the "stupid band", how you cannot eat anything without throwing up, and how it is going to ruin my SIL's health. So I was dead set to SHOW my Aunt differently!!! I ate everything! And way too much of it!!! My MIL did not know how to react to me eating like that! Was kinda funny! But now is time to get back to basics. Going to do a low carb week, and really try to get my exercise back to a daily thing. I don't care WHAT kind of exercise....just something EVERY single day! Riding is not doing it, the only one of us getting in shape is my horse!!! So back to walking, and eliptical-ing, and video exercise fun with Kinsey. Might not help much, but it can't hurt!! And as Suzanne always tries to make me do, I need to get my water in, been doing way too much Diet Dr. Pepper. We were buying gas in TX for $1.87 a gallon, and come home to it being $2.67----we have 2 refineries within 12 miles of us----but apparantly it is cheaper when you truck it hundreds of miles away.....go figure! Cold and rainy here. Rick and I missed the first snow, we were in TX wearing Tshirts and capris!!! We have this tradition of going outside and kissing in the first falling snow of the season.....missed that, but will do it when we experience our first of the season! Years ago I might have told you why we do it----I don't know anymore!!! We just do, and kissing is a good thing, so I don't question it!! LOL Well off to reply to some less pissy threads----that one just happened to be my first to open, lovely that it was......grrrrr!!! LOL Oh well, thank heavens I have my Violets! Kat

imsamiam, please re read the thread, the OP originally posted her problems in a success thread, NOT in this one, a moderator moved the thread to this, a more appropriate area. How you read it, is simply your perception, and I cannot change that. Sorry your band is not working for you. I however was NOT disrespectful nor insensitive, when responding to where the post was originally. I would not have come in and posted anything at all had the OP been put in this complications area in the first place. It was however in a Success Stories thread---which was obviously NOT the place for it, nor was it what people wanted to read there, so I responded to it in that forum. Please feel free to ignore my posts if they offend you. I don't post to belittle anyone, I do try to be supportive, and honest.....and sometimes that is not what people want to hear. Kat

I'm HOME!!!!!!!!!!! Was a good, safe busy trip. But I cannot tell you how totally HAPPY I am about being home. I have to read and catch up with all of you. Rick is off today, and we must grocery shop, and unpack. I might not get it all done today, but wanted to tell you all how much I missed you! I could not pick up a signal at the only supposed hot spot we went to----and my Aunt has her computer in her bedroom, so I felt like I shouldn't try to use it. Will be so glad to get back to my support group, I bet I gained 10 pounds when I was hoping to lose while I was there---it did NOT happen. And part of it was my own doing, will explain that mind game later! Hope everyone is ok, I prayed hard for all of you! Jane you were in my thoughts every single day----hope things are ok with you. TracyK---you and Robby too. It never ceases to amaze me how much a part of my life y'all have become. I will scan through posts, and be able to catch up eventually!!! We got some Christmas shopping done, and lots of farm work done, fences repaired, briar shredded, cattle sold. Had a heifer die while we were there, unsure of the cause, afraid it was a disease called black leg, so we spent an entire day giving shots....hope it is not a bad thing, so far none of the others appear to be problematic. Rode ATV's all over the place, barely kept my DH from getting skunked! I yelled and he barely changed paths and we hauled butt!!! We were attacked by a turkey buzzard, and all kidding aside, his wing span was wider than our van! We hit him, and did not kill him---at at least 45 mph....he was HUGE! Let's see what else? My son is an amazing chauvenist----Rick is going to do his best to talk some sense into the idiot before he ruins his marriage. Now granted his wife is quite immature, and selfish---they both are selfish. Being in such close quarters with all of them has shown some serious cracks in the marriage. Which I hate, but, they just don't seem to have "it". If there was 1 piece of cake left, they would both want it for themselves, not only not thinking of pleasing one another with it, but neither of them thinking of giving it to the child. VERY upsetting and sad. Rick is really depressed by how he saw things. Now our son busted his butt working, and he always does, and he is giving of his time and work for everyone, except his wife.....oh well, not something I can fix. OK--gonna go unload the van....Rick is doing it without me! Will check in later-------missed you all so much!!! Kat

Is there a November thread??? If so....I didn't see it! Wanted to drop in and let everyone know, keep the monkeys caged, I am going out of town! Headed to TX here in an hour or so, will be gone for 7-10 days. I am taking my laptop, but not sure if I can find a WiFi hotspot to use it or not! The farm has no cable or phone lines, since we are only there a few weeks a year....and cell service is only a dream. We are truly in the boondocks out there! I will check in if I get a chance......hugs to all! Kat

All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.....however I am not leaving on a jet plane. I also know that this song reference will sail right over you young 'uns heads!!! Suitcases are loaded....house is done except for a last minute vaccuum, and I chose to check in with you guys, then pay some bills online, THEN finish the house. I hate leaving unless my house is CLEAN! I have changed the bedding, so when we come home, sick of strange beds and riding in the car, we can shower and hit a fresh, clean bed......I am already counting the days til then!!! I don't dislike going to TX, I like being there, love the family there, just the constant 24/7 being with my inlaws is trying. My FIL just spent $5K on new hearing aids, and cannot hear still so you yell and repeat everything 3-4 times. My MIL is nonstop yacking -- I love her to pieces, but it is like she is afraid if she does not fill the quiet I will think she is mad or something. And I take advantage of being away, take books and such, but end up stressed out because I cannot read and make conversation or comment again on a story I have already heard minimally twice a year since we have been taking them to TX---which we figured last night was 9 years. Add to this years stress the kids, and grandson, who they do not watch well I don't think. And they are taking their dog, which is not well behaved. He is a puppy still, and weighs 50+ pounds....and jumps on everyone! I am scared Connor will get into the fire ants. Heck last year Rick and I sprayed the house, they were INSIDE the house! We cannot spray that around Connor---but what do we do about the ants??? HELP Texas Girls!!!! TracyKS, I am so sorry you had to go through all that with Robby---and I cannot help but feel sorry for him too, he must have your strong will I will say that for him!!! You hang in there, and keep on doing the right thing. I will send you all the purple power I can muster!!! Jane I will be thinking of you and wondering how your court hearing is going. I will check in with you as much as I can. My cell phone gets no service there, and is on roaming the entire time, they do not even offer me a plan where it would be included. Thinking seriously of changing providers. I know I will think of TracyK a lot while I am gone since I am staying with the Aunt you remind me so much of!!! I sure do hope I can stay on some sort of healthy eating while I am gone, if not I am going to HAVE to go get a fill when I get home. If anything important comes up, you can reach me on Rick's cell phone---and I will shoot out an email to you all with it.... Baby shower yesterday went ok. Our DD maried into a wierd bunch that is for damn sure!!! Her MIL is an old hippie who refuses to change-and I can respect that, it is her right, and her FIL is as much of a fuddy duddy as you will find anywhere, he refuses to speak to any of us. I see his son being just like him, and doing the same thing---Abbey is not a hippie, but she definitely marches to the beat of a different drum, and allows him to live wildly and vicariously through her. He won't get a tattoo because he is afraid of dirty needles--yet he encourages her to get them all the time, he was saying yesterday he was going to have her get a new one with all the family names in it after the baby gets here, when I said something in reply, I honestly don't remember what he informed me his Mother has 7 and is not done. I think he wanted to marry his mommy! Shame on me!!! Abey got lots of nice things, and this little guy should be warm and cozy, he got lots of snuggle clothes and blankets, and things. Have to tell you, I bought him this little outfit, in a preemie size, not wanting him to come early, but they usually fit the first little bit and this was an adorable outfit, she is actually going to bring him home in it. So when she opens it up, he held the box and she pulled it out, and she said "Oh my Gosh that is the tiniest thing I have ever seen, it is so cute! Well unknown to any of us, my DIL and the other girl giving the shower were writing down everything she said about her gifts. Then the comments were transferred into a story book, like a Mad Libs thing--telling the story about the babies night of conception. My SIL will never forgive me for buying a tiny outfit----Rick and some of the other guys were rolling in laughter from the story! That comment was supposedly what Abbey said when Rhett undressed that night! Rick won a prize....They gave each of us women a balloon when we come in with our spouses or BF's. Then we were told to blow it up later on---and give it to the men---who then had to put it in their shirts and try to tie their shoes, and pick up pennies off the floor. Rick's ex wife's new husband has a belly already bigger than pregnant Abbey's---he could not even get the balloon in his shirt. He is a Jimmy Buffet wannabee, and his shirt would not button around the balloon! Anyway Rick won. Good thing he lost all his belly!!! Well I am rambling putting off doing the rest of the things here....paying bills in particular!!! You all take care of yourselves and each other, I love and will miss you all!!! Kat

Mine was actually pretty easy, as I had very little excess in areas they usually have to do a lot of lipo on, which is the biggest source of pain. I had some muscle repair, and it WAS sore, but not as bad as I had anticipated. My incision was done on an angle as opposed to a smilie face curve....mine is done from hip bone to pubic bone, across the top of the pubic bone and back up to the other hip bone...kind of like this _/, so when I stand facing straight forward all you see is the one across the top, and it is usually done below the pubic hair line, so it too can be hidden. The TT was an awesome change---I always carried the vast majority of my excess weight in my belly, and to be flat stomached again is wonderful!!! My surgeon did the mons lift as part of the TT---and I am thrilled with that as well. I actually had a history of a torn abdominal muscle, and documentation of rashes and skin tears, so my insurance paid for mine. I consider myself VERY lucky for that!! Good Luck in yours, I bet you will LOVE it!!! Kat

I am a little over 2 1/2 years out from surgery, am actually below my original goal weight, by choice. I am happy where I am now, and maintaining without much problem. I have zero fill in at this time, I had it removed to have a Tummy Tuck, and have never filled it again. No problems, and I consider the band one of the best things I have ever done for myself----my health, both physically and emotionally are far better off than they were 3 years ago!! Kat

Well I got my day off to a rip roaring start, had one of Kinseys cupcakes for breakfast, then come here and feel so guilty after reading TracyK's post! I am a bad girl!!!! I KNOW I will have cake later today, could I not have waited until my DD's baby shower??? Oh well, what is done is done, I will behave til then! LOL Kids had a good time last night here too. We had a houseful, and I saw one of the boys I used to take care of, he brought his 2 daughters by, and he kept hugging me and telling me he was driving by and he saw lights and Halloween decorations, and he just wanted his kids to walk up to the same house he used to love going up to. He had no idea we were here. We moved, and had this house rented for a long time, then when we were seriously planning to build, we moved back into it, because it is paid off, and a decent home, and wham cancer struck, and here we remain! He was kneeled down actually telling his daughter he used to know the people who used to live here, when I answered the door. He is of course a man now, and he was not sure I was me! When he smiled I knew it was him, he kept hugging me, and he ask could he come back and visit....made my evening. Kids made a haul of candy. Kinsey is not a huge candy eater, she kept telling me her candy is going to soldiers! There is a local dentist who buys the candy from kids and sends it to the troops. She would much prefer to have money---she wants to buy a new Polly Pocket Doll. LOL Connor on the other hand we had to hide his and put our own candy out of his reach, he was shoveling it in his mouth so fast he would gag himself! He wanted it all....except we had a bunch of Hannah Montana candy bracelets that were left over from DH's work handing out safe treats so they sent them home with him, and Connor did not want them, he would just shake his head and say Girls! LOL Someday maybe he will talk for real....he is very slow talking. I am hoping to drop the extra pounds I put on while I am in TX. I will not have the snacks handy.....and can usually keep my head about me as we eat out----it is the grazing that gets me, not real hunger! Plus my inlaws are both diabetic, so we do not keep sweets around....big help! And I normally get a lot of physical labor exercise, which might be lessened since my DS will be there to help DH, but maybe I can walk more, or something....gonna hope it helps! Getting laundry done, and things pulled out to pack. I never know what to take this time of year, I have been there in Nov. and worn capris and flip flops, and I have been there when coats and heaters were used....might go check on line and see what the weather is SUPPOSED to be like! Will check in later.....what do y'all think of the new site design?? Kat

In my opinion, when it becomes scarier to do nothing, than it is to have WLS, then you are ready. When the health issues begin to affect your quality of life, then you can bet they are also affecting the quantity of life, and you make a decision. Lap band in no way is equivalent to a lobotomy, I am still of perfectly sound mind---well as sound as ever---it has not changed who I am, or much of the way I think. I do think about food a lot less now----food is not the be all end all of my world. I enjoy it, but it no longer rules me. And I am much smaller than I used to be---but that is in a physical way, not a mental one. Do LOTS of research and be honest with yourself whether or not you could commit to the changes required. We do eat slower, and much less than you are used to doing now. I do however eat 99% of all the same foods I always have. I eat them in different quantities now, and enjoy different foods than I did pre band. Some bandsters however cannot eat some foods, and it is a possibility you have to face. There ARE changes----and in my opinion every last one of them was WELL worth it.....and that is not my lobotomy talking! Welcome to LBT- hang out read up as much as you can, and make an informed decision for yourself. Kat Kat

Happy Halloween Ghoulies!! Busy day already!! So I am going to break one of my own rules and eat while I post and talk to y'all. Normally I do not allow myself to do anything while I eat....not even TV anymore!! Has really slowed my eating! Kinsey come this morning, and while she slept I wrapped baby shower gifts....there are times when her help is not so helpful!!! When she woke up we mixed and baked cupcakes. Put my chili in the crockpot.....and while it cooked and the cupcakes cooled, we left and went and cut the Grandpa's hair....first my Dad, then Ricks! Managed to cut myself, cutting my FIL's hair, was talking to my grandson, and snip....right into my knuckle! I had the hair between my index finger and middle finger, and was cutting above them and looked at the kids, and hacked my own index finger knuckle!! I am such an idiot!!! So when we come home and went to cleaning pumpkins my bandaid would not stay on! Got it done though. Then we frosted and decorated cupcakes. And FINALLY....Finally Kinsey could eat one! LOL, she ate the frosting!!! Her Mama come to get her and is at home doing her best to get Kinsey to take a nap with her. Tracy we are leaving Sunday to go to TX--will probably stop in Lubock for the night, because we cannot leave until after noon. Then will go in the next day. Our place is about 75 miles SE of Abilene. We will be there for a week, and come home on Monday the 10th or Tues. maybe. Jenn so sorry to hear about your Aunt, I know how much it hurts you----but just imagine the reunion she and your Grandma are having! I am a firm believer in holding kids responsible. Manda left school one day with a friend---she actually come by and let me know they were going to do something--I don't remember what. She just failed to tell me, there were others in the car, and that the friend had quit school the semester before. Well they ended up in a minor accident, she ended up in the bar ditch. Turned out she and one of the guys were both legally drunk! The other girls and Manda were not, but she caught it from me! And she missed Homecoming....no game, no dance, NOTHING. For my social butterfly this was a serious hurt!!! Had it been Abbey, the punishement would have meant nothing, she would have had to be dealt with in an entirely different manner--her we had to make her work off punishment. Mucking stalls or something. As much as it hurts you, it is the best thing you can do for him, TracyKS------and I KNOW it hurts you. Hugs!!! Pamela I am so glad you have a happy year of kids, I know it makes you extra job and your diss easier, can you imagine trying to concentrate on Chapter 5 with Manuel in your life??!! Not enough M&M's!!! Laura--kids may not trick or treat til they are 2----but next year you are going to see those sooooooo cute teeny tiny costumes for him/her-----and have to buy one....then you have to take them all around to everyone you know, so they too can see how cute the baby looks. This truly is your last Halloween to concentrate on you, or nothing.....from here on out it will center around kids! AND......you may not realize this....but it will be so much more fun! Saw this costume--------a woman was dressed in all white....even had her face whited. And she had these colored strips of paper attached to her shirt and pants----they had something typed on them, but it wasn't until I got in line behind her I could see what they were---they said things. "No those pants don't make your butt look big" "The check is in the mail" "Really Honey, I love your Mother" All different things.....the cashier ask her what was up---she said she was "A Little White Lie". Made me laugh! I would have loved to finish reading her!! LOL Jane thinking of you and your family. Thanks so much for my celebration card. You are so sweet! HI Suzanne, I am being really nice, don't yell at me!!! Hope the Halloween Witchy Mood leaves soon!!! Terry, check headed your way, be on the lookout!!! LOL I have no doubt that if the jewelry you made had an outlet for selling in a high enough range, you could do well----it is just finding the right place to sell, that you could make enough to do so....and when you do, we will all say, we knew you when... TracyK-what time are you and Macy headed out Trick or Treating?? Haydee---what did you decide to dress up as? Michelle, the horoscope was kinda eerie!!! Follow up! Judy, have fun with your family tonight! Better get my behind in gear, I am done eating, and have lots to do. I have to run the mower over the front lawn and eliminate some leaves. Megan (the "little" girl I kept from the time she was 5 weeks old til Jr. High) is coming to hang out with us for Halloween, and Manda's sister is coming with her----maybe I will wait and make them help mow--I am getting so wise!!! Hugs to all and have a SAFE and FUN Halloween!!! Kat

Guilt is another issue all together. When I know I was fat, and I see my DD gaining weight, I feel responsible. I taught her how to eat, and passed on the genes that are pre disposing her to the weight problem.....those are the things that go through my mind. Now I know she is an adult, and information on healthy eating is readily available, and she could eat better, and exercise more. I KNOW that.....but as her Mom and role model, I feel like I failed her, and it makes me sad. At this point with my DD she is simply a bit overweight, but she is following in my footsteps in how she is gaining and the age she is gaining.....it scares me, and it saddens me. It also makes me very happy to know she has options at a younger age than I felt like I had. Hope you and your Mom get on the same page!! Kat

My experience in MX was 100% positive, I have and continue to recommend my Dr. to others. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have to wonder, does your Mom have weight issues? I know I fear for my kids----I do not want them to have to deal with their weight like I did mine. I have one DD it is going to be an issue with. It breaks my heart. I might cry if she told me she was being banded, but it would be tears of gratitude that there is something she can do to take control of her life while she is young. We Moms want our kids healthy and happy, and she sees you being neither now....but surgery is scary, and WLS, when you hear all the negativity, is even scarier.....but when weighed (no pun intended) against the devastation obesity causes our bodies, the surgery is not nearly as scary. I would suggest when you go to the seminar for the band surgery, take your Mom, I bet she turns around! DH---yes is Dear, Darned, Darling, Damned.....Husband, depending on the mood!!! Same with DD---daughter, DS son---you get the idea!! Kat

HI all---I am alive and well.....and doing lots today!!! Some for me...kinda, and some for Mom!!! Took Mom to her cardiology appt. today, and the tech got called away so they postponed her for 2 hours. Amazing how much $$ I can spend in an extra 2 hours! Scary!! Other than that, I spent all day messing around getting ready to go to TX---got the other new tire put on the van, to match the one they ruined and replaced. Then had it serviced, and washed, and fueled it up....and driving home, I stopped at a stop sign, and when I went to go, the engine just revved----it said it was in drive, but was not! So I called Rick, and HE took it back to the place, and I brought the car home. Not sure what the outcome is going to be. Right when we need it to go to TX tho! Did good on food today----protien for breakfast, scrambled egg and 2 slices of bacon. Lunch I had fish and coleslaw.....dinner remains to be decided---was too busy today to plan anything! And I have things to put away! I needed my Violet fix before moving on with my day!! Awww Tracy, sorry Robby is being so stubborn right now--he sounds JUST like Becky's oldest son Chris. That child pushed me to my limit countless times. The ONLY and I do mean ONLY reason I kept on keeping him was due to our friendship, any other child, I would have requested they find other day care arrangements!!! His problems boiled down to some serious insecurities for some reason---all in his head! But now, he is grown and has turned into a man I am proud I helped shape! Will keep my fingers crossed for you. And just remember it is better for him to learn these lessons on Halloween when he is 6 than on Halloween for mischief sitting in jail at 16! Being a Mom is not always easy (sorry Laura, it is true!!!!) I HAVE to go get busy-------will check in tonight. Loves ya! Kat

Worked like that for me too. My health has been great, but I have had 2 surgeries in just a few months, and my hair is falling out again.....dammit anyway! Kat

Judy, Rick has had the heart rate issue. They said any number of things, even a shock-a scare-can cause it. When blood pumps from one chamber of the heart to the other it is in a developed flow pattern, and when that is interupted by illness, surgery, the scare he mentioned, whatever, the heart rate is changed, and the blood flow is changed. So instead of pumping into the chamber and back out, it circulates, and does not empty properly. They do different tests to see WHY the blood is remaining in the chamber-which causes the heart rate to increase, in an attempt to push the blood on through. If it is just an abnormal rythm, they do the cardiac shock---like you see on TV...Charge, Clear, Wham! You are sedated for it! If the problem is a pathway change they usually opt for cardiac ablation, which is what Rick's issue was. They go in with probes like they do for angiograms, through the artery in the groin, and watch the blood flow, and then they use cautery to change the path. It is like a pool ball, banking off the walls of the heart, and not ever hitting the pocket---so it is not exiting the chamber. So they cauterize an area which makes the blood move in a different pattern, and continue until the cautery pushes the blood out the proper way, and empties the chamber, allowing the heart rate to return to normal. Rick went for over a month with his heart rate never dropping below 120 at rest! He had the ablation done, went back to the motel that night and felt better than he had in months he said! Scary, but done VERY frequently....same as the shock. It is also something that will reoccur often, but Rick's was done 2 years ago, and he has remained low rate ever since, he does take Cardizem every day to maintain a steady rate, and not to put extreme pressure on the mitral valve they operated on. Well I am home from lunch and the pumpkin patch, and have tons and tons to do, and want to do NOTHING! But I am going to. Manda won $100.00 for her costume today. She took the old Monks robe we have had for years and wore it, she rosied up her cheeks nice and pink....and stapeled lunch box size bags of chips all over her robe, and went as a CHIP-MONK. She said the best part was at break everyone snacked off her outfit!! Goof ball!! She said the 1st place winner (she was like 5th) was the Grim Reaper, and his robe went clear to the floor, and he had a fog machine hooked up under it, so it looked like he floated everywhere! He had one of those hoods so no part of him was visible as a human, and he looked to float! And her friend wore a huge regal gown, and had twigs and leaves attached everywhere, with her hair all up, and little animals all over her, she was Mother Nature....she won 2nd, her DH was Father Time,and he won nothing!! LOL She said it was lots of fun at work! Better get busy!!! Hugs Kat

Terry---no, my earrings have only one large denim-y blue bead on each pin. There is one at the top, then the curly Q, then the 3 pins look to have....well wait a minute, there is 3 beads, yes--small seed beads, then the large denim colored one. Want me to send it back to you? I am so sorry I lost it I cannot tell you! Literally made me sick the rest of the day, I was so sad. I have so much I need to be doing, and nothing even appeals to me to want to do any of it!! I have a housefull of people due here Friday night, my DD's baby shower on Saturday, and we leave for TX on Sunday. I do not have a single thing packed, nothing cooked to take, nothing cooked for Friday, nothing wrapped or ready for the shower-----I have bought several things, and we have bought them a dresser/changing table---so the buying is done, but I need to get the rest together, buy some blue tissue paper etc. I have done nothing! Little things keep popping in my mind that I need to do----download the pics from the camera card, and re charge the battery.....nah, it is still in the bike!! I have no idea why I am such a slug lately! OK, I went and got the camera and the battery is charging so I can download the pictures, and be ready for both Halloween and TX. We will be in TX for 10 days or so, and I will take my laptop, but unless I hit a WiFi hotspot, it will do me no good (other than solitaire!). I will have major Violet withdrawals! I have cell service when we go to Brownwood, but even in Comanche it is spotty---they all complain about it. We are going with the whole family, and to say I am not jumping in excitement is an understatement!! We take my inlaws twice a year, it is their home, and they should not be driving it, we know that, they are harder to convince. But this year my son, DIL and grandson are going as well. It is a small 2 bedroom original homestead farmhouse! Rick and I will likely either get a motel (which my finances will not appreciate!) or stay with his Aunt. She is the one that I swear when TracyK grows old, I already know what she is going to be like! Seeing Tracy was like looking at Aunt Carolyn 35 years ago! She is my favorite of Rick's relatives there, and I LOVE spending time with her, she is a riot, so hoping we stay there! His Mom says they have one of the Queen size air mattresses on the stand......ummmm no thanks! I do not do well with air matresses in the first place, I am top heavy, so I feel like I sleep with my head in a hole! Secondly there is only 2 bedrooms, and one bathroom! One bathroom with 6 adults and a kid---and in order to get to the bathroom---you HAVE to go through one of the bedrooms!!! So at night if I was in the LR on the airmattress if I needed to go I would have to traipse through either my inlaws bedroom or my kids----or if one of them stayed in there--they would be coming through mine--NO!!! Rick really does need our sons help on some things there, he needs the strength, and agility to fix a water shed, and things---but it is turning into a royal nightmare! I have bacon cooking, and it is making me hungry! I have not changed my ticker, because I will get back there, but I have gained weight! It is time to pay attention for me. Being with all these people who watch my weight as closely as I do (MIL, DIL) will surely help with my snacking demons!!! Today instead of doing the million things I need to, I am going to lunch with Marie! Then going to go with Mom and Kinsey to the pumpkin patch again! So I better get with it..... Kat

Well so far so good for now! Laura I agree, give your friend time to deal with things her way. When Rick was so mad at me, the article Terry sent me about allowing the injured party to set the tone....is something I have a really hard time doing, but have been attempting to do in other areas of my life as well. My best friend, Becky is the same way, she goes to bed and sleeps for hours when she is sad, or scared or worried.....makes me crazy!!! I am doing mey best to let her deal with things HER way tho now. I am opposite, I eat, have trouble emptying my mind to sleep at all----I want to talk, but do not want touched, no hugs, unless I initiate them!!! As hard as it is, it is her grief, and while it might make YOU feel better to be a part of it, right now she doesn't think it would help her....and allowing that is the most you can do. Some how the article Terry sent, really resonated with me, taught this old dog new tricks, or is at least trying, I tend to still try to run roughshod over people and heal them MY way!! Good Luck! Gonna post this, and go clean shrimp--------fun, fun, fun! BBL if the site will allow, then it is off to the shop to put up more insulation! Kat

Grrrrrr trying again----no less than 6 posts lost today....but after the first 2 I learned....gonna try the short one first!!! LOL Kat

Hey y'all, Thought I better check in before the monkeys head my way! All is going well here----been out in the shop helping DH put up his insulation. It is so much easier with 2 people, one measuring the insulation and cutting it, and the other stapling it up. We tag team really well after all these years! We have actually had a warm front move in, keeping our daytime temps up into the low 70's and the nights in the low 40's. Which I will take anytime compared to the week before our lows were already in the low 20's! We went and got a load of wood in Colorado the end of last week, and it was SOOOOO cold! We stopped in on our way home---several hours after we began at 6 AM, to get a hot cup of cappucino for me and coffee for Rick, and the cashier said it was 15 degrees out----so it must have been right about zero when we began....no damn wonder I was cold!! We joke that the firewood warms you up lots of times, when you cut it, when you load it, when you unload it and stack it, when you carry it in to the house from the woodshed, and then finally when you burn it! We got 3 cords the other day, one for my folks and 2 for ourselves, my Dad was with us. He may be 75 but the man can work circles around me! Thinking I might look into a fill-----I am fighting to keep the weight down, it is something I have to think about now, and I had been to a point of not being hungry ever, so I simply did not think about it, and I liked that! Going to see how maintaining goes for another week or so, then schedule it I believe. Right now I have been holding my breath, my entire family has had a virus, dealing with nausea and diarrhea-------NOT something I want!!! I have taken some wonderful rides while the weather has been so nice---both on the bike, as well as horseback. There is actually very little time that the weather is SO perfect for horseback----was not too hot, was not too cold, and I could have stayed out forever!!! Normally the old adage of the horse speeding up the closer you get to the barn holds VERY true---but even my horse seemed to want to stay longer! She tossed her head and quivered her nostrils, I'd swear she was smiling! I call her Crazy Horse......her name is Suede, she is a buckskin, and beautiful....Suede kinda melted into Swayze (as in Patrick---but REALLY just a shortened Suede sound) and I would always tell her I was Crazy for Swayze-----and now for years she has just been Crazy Horse. We also have one I call Doo....and her name is Serendipity!!! Which led to Dippety-Doo.....and thus Doo. Aren't y'all glad I don't name you!!?? Back to the weather, they say it is going to hold through Halloween. Which is going to be so nice for the kids--warm weather, and the time has not changed yet, so they will have some time to trick or treat, and it is on a Friday! So the teachers do not have to deal with sugar highs/crashes the next day! My granddaughter is going as Ariel, the Little Mermaid, red wig and all, it is tooo cute! And my grandson is a biker, complete with Do-Rag, leather jacket, little James Dean looking jeans, black boots, and tattoos!!! Having run a daycare for 20+ years, I have lots of kids who are now bringing their kids to my house to trick or treat. As well as our own kids who bring theirs to our neighborhood, and hang out as well. Add to that friends who live in the country, who come to hang out, and we have a housefull!!!! I am putting on the stock pot full of chili. Going to have cornbread, hot dogs, and fritos....as well as all the fixings, they can have whatever they want from a bowl of chili, to a chili dog, or frito pie. Kinsey and I are baking cupcakes and cookies for everyone....and we keep hot coffee going, and the kettle full of hot water for chocolate. Everyone knows it is here, and they know this is a safe bathroom stop, it gets pretty chaotic, but soooo much fun!!! I do not dress up....I have a Halloween shirt but it is too big!!! YAY!!! So....nothing special for me to wear this year! Any of you dressing up??? Better get things put away and the coffee pot ready for morning---then it is time to hit the shower and make sure the insulation is all washed off. Take care everyone!!! Big hugs!!! Kat

I have 2 nephews who are half Navajo Indian----they decided I belonged to a new tribe called the NoAssAtAll Tribe......sadly they are right, looks like I have fellow tribal members tho----good company at least!!! Kat

Color me very, very SAD! Terry if I send you a check for half again as much as for my earrings, can you make me just one??? I had 2 compliments on them at the eye glasses shop, did a dozen other stops, left Lowes and glanced in the rearview mirror to admire them again myself, and there is only one....somewhere, the first time I wore them, the first day I had them I lost one! I have left messages everywhere I went, but I am just SICK, and I love them soooooo much!!!!!!! Rick said I had them at lunch because he was thinking to himself, he liked me wearing the girlie earrings because 99% of the time I have my diamond studs, or simple gold hoops in---sheer laziness! He said he looked at them and thought that, so he knows I had both then. Which is not a good sign, after that, I hit Walmart, Big R, the feed store and Lowes. Just makes me sooooo upset! I am going to get those little clear plastic like tubes to use as backers on them from now on. Laura we use the pepperocinis a lot.....always on our subway sandwiches!! Sometimes in a salad, we buy the jar of them already sliced. Going to have to try the roast thing tho--Rick would love it I am sure, he loves peppers of all kinds, especially the hot ones--me I am a wimp!!! Haydee------I got your birthday card back today---apparantly the PO Box I have for you it says has been closed.....So before the holidays I need a new address! Suzanne, it would not matter what else was on the menu, if I ate the pasta or the baked potato...I would not lose an ounce! When I do the white carbs in ANY quantitiy it seems like it seriously affects my weight loss. I could eat equal amounts calorie wise, of anything, and lose weight, but the carbs like that thwart my efforts---and of course I love them! Tonight, we are having salad....I am having mine with leftover chicken, and Rick is having his with a roast beef (also left over) sandwich. I am not throwing out all this food! He said something light when I ask what he wanted, so salad it is! I am considering a fill, so going to eat all the salad I want til then. Sometimes it takes my stomach a little while to adjust to the fill, and while it does, salad hurts---too much digestion work I guess. Well I am off to get some things done before Rick gets home---although he will be in to eat, then off to the shop, his insulation was delivered today so he will be working out there tonight watching Monday Night Football I betcha money!!! BBL~~ Kat ( a really sad, one earringed Kat)

Morning girls~ Quick check in for me as I head out the door. Jane I had problems last night too-I could create a post, but it would just sit there, would not post at all--totally pissed me off!! Terry--we went for our ride yesterday, and as I come up to the front porch following the 200 miles.....I saw a box on the porch, and realized it must have been from Saturdays mail delivery! Sure enough it was something Rick ordered off of Ebay--but in the mail box were my earrings---I LOVE THEM!!!! I am wearing them today!!! I am taking Rick to the eye Dr in just a bit, and have on jeans, this simple eggshell colored tshirt and one of the new swingy sweaters that just button across the breast---the rest is open-----------also in eggshell, and my new denim colored earrings!!!! I even pulled my hair up to show them off!! I will get a check to you, I would have already, I just had no idea you would get them done so quickly! I am at home, and already had a compliment on them, Kinsey too loves them!! She said they are beautiful. I will be thinking of you and sending you purple power today too Jane!! Lotsa Love headed your way!! I gotta get---I need to pick up Rick in 30 minutes....then get across town to the eye place. He needs new glasses so bad, not so much the Rx change, as his are so scratched up!!! Will check in when I get back and check up on the rest of you, and share my dream concerning TracyKS!!! Huggles!! Kat