Kat817

I agree that Dirty Dancing and Grease have to be added....also loved Fried Green Tomatoes!!! The English Patient was not a favorite of mine. And while I liked Bridges better, it had undertones that made it something I had difficulty with. I think I like the upbeat chick flicks the best! Kinsey and I had a good night. We slept in til a little after 8. Rick called and woke me up at 6-----but I was expecting that, and told him I wanted to talk to him before he left this morning. He said he is bringing me pictures of the memorial in OK City. I didn't tell him I got his shop board painted! I want it to be a surprise! So today I am going to Walmart (fun....NOT) to get some spray paint, and some dye, and a couple of throw rugs......going to revamp some things in my bedroom to go with the new stuff!! LOL Looks like rain here.....overcast and dreary out there. Kinsey wanted her usual, peanut butter toast and a banana for breakfast, but nothing sounds appealling to me yet so just waiting for now, started my water! Just called to check on the place we get Aspen wood, and there is no wood available, guess I might not get to do that this week, dangint! It is hard work, but it is something we need, and I really wanted to surprise Rick with it.....but is not looking good, will call again tomorrow and ask about really early morning see if there is ever any. Let us know how your bean soup turns out Tracy-------and don't forget if it is good, we do have a Violet recipe thread out there!! I looked at it the other day!!! On my way to town I am going to stop and cut my FIL's hair so I can mark that off my list of to dos!! Plus if I don't I might as well buy him some barrettes in town, it is getting so shaggy!!! LOL Judy do you ever take Ethan in the pool? Kinsey LOVES the water. If we cannot go get wood we may go to Durango and do the rec center swimming.......especially if things do not calm down quickly at home. Manda said they have a plan, and a way to deal with it, it might take a little time, but she seemed calmer. Looks like they will pull from his 401K to pay off the 5K and just go on. They are frustrated by it, but acknowledge it is their debt, and the way they were acting with one another caused it to grow this way----and they are going to handle it----but it is upsetting to them. And would have been to me too. I mean honestly if she were living on her own, she would be totally without. We would not let them be hungry or homeless, but what if we were not around? She said she sees more clearly how people end up homeless..... Should go out and mow before it rains.....but I'm not gonna!!! I feel so lazy!!! Pamela how do you keep all the jobs straight??? I would be nutso!! Well I am gonna get dressed and get started on the day. I might end up mowing.....who knows!!! Kat

:redface: Color me happy........now you notice there is only one clapping smiley----when Rick gets home I will add some more. When my DD gets her current issues settled I will add even more!!! Til then, I can honestly say I am NOT unhappy!!! LOL Pray tell what has YOU so happy Ms. Pamela??? Got the shop walls painted! All I was painting was 2, 12 foot sections of peg board that is foor to ceiling, so about 10 feet high. Well peg board sucks to paint!!! I tried a roller, then a brush, and finally one of the paint pads......was frustrating, the little holes fill with paint no matter what you do, and then when you turn around it has run out of them and the board is full of runs!!! Took awhile----but it is done,and it is bright and he will be thrilled!!! Especially when he ends up painting other odds and ends areas of the peg board and sees what a PITA it is!!!! Kinsey is spending the night with me. Manda got kind of a financial shock today, and is reeling, and part of it is Jasons fault, so they will be in discussion once he gets home, and I thought maybe Kinsey would be happier here! She is soaking in a bubble bath, and I am lying on the bed a few feet away with the lap top. Back when the kids divorced, the judge give this one credit card debt to Jason. Well the credit card company told him they could not hold him responsible since the card was opened in her name. She had the account from graduation on....well he took that to heart and did not pay it. Well neither did she, and they had both moved so since they did not have her address they had no way to tell her she was responsible, regardless what the judge said. So now they are back together, and he told her that they said that, well Manda being Manda, looked it up, contacted them, made payment arrangements, and sent them a check. Well she goes on line today to see if her direct deposit has hit, and it shows her account over $4000.00 overdrawn. Come to find out the credit card company has a judgement against her, as of Feb. 07----that she was unaware of, so when she sent them a check, in an effort to do the right thing---they used the account number and effected the judgement plus interest for the entire time, and attorney and court fees. The original amount owed on the card was less than $1100.00. So now when her check went into the bank, it is gone! And she is overdrawn the entire amount, plus any checks she has out will bounce when they come in. The bank says she has to deal with the credit card company, who is not backing down, says they have their money they are satisfied. Meanwhile she has a child who she can now no longer support, as she has no money! Now she is living with Jason, and he will support them, that is not the point.....legally she is still a single Mom, and they can leave her with no income they say. So tomorrow she is going to the bank to demand a copy of the judgement that she has never seen, to find out how they can pay something of that amount....when they know good and well she does not have that money in there, and never has that kind of money in there-- and then to see an attorney. First she is closing her bank account though, as that will stop her paycheck from disappearing. She was hysterical! She said she would be mad if they had found her and done it, but she contacted them to set up a payment to clear the debt because she thought it was the right thing to do.....and now they are not willing to do anything to help her of course. Anyway, I thought Kinsey would be happier here.....bubble bathing and sleeping with Granny in an old fashioned sleep over.....and tomorrow we get to sleep in late!!! Wooohoooo!!!! Guess I will kind of wait and see what she hears before deciding about the job.....right now what she pays me goes right back to the bank, into a savings account for Kinsey----lucky for her the check she gave me was still sitting here, or it too would have cost her $27.50! Anyway no sense in making her stress over the additional cost of daycare until we see how this pans out.....I think she is just going to have to close the account, let them turn it over to collection, and pay them.....which she is willing to do, she was willing to pay them in the first place. I sliced my thumb cleaning up my paint supplies, the paint pad has a metal edger on it, and it sliced my thumb pad all the way across---not super deep, but enough the water was pink not white!!! OUCH! Well I am off to shampoo Kinsey's hair, and then lotion her up, and get her all snuggly, then it is likely 4-5 bedtime stories before she gives up the ghost and falls to sleep!!! I might check in and read up on you girls!! Kat

Terry--my check too is on its way! Do you have a plan if the hurricane makes the service impossible? Do you have lots of people coming from out of town? When my paternal grandma died it snowed, then rained, melting it all, and the hearse could not get up the hill in the mud to the old cemetary she had chosen! There were men in suits literally pushing the hearse. Then when my maternal grandma passed away, we had tons of family in from out of town. My Grandma had dozens of nieces and nephews and she kept in close contact with them all. She was the last living sibling of 8....so tons of cousins come in, and we had a record snow fall. We did not have a cemetary service for Grandma, but we had over 20 people snowed in, roads closed....total chaos. And yet the weather fit the mood......I hope the storm delays untlil you get to say your goodbyes. I went shopping this morning, and found me an outfit for the party. It is simple and casual, a khaki colored pants with a black blouse with maroon and khaki colored designs in it. Large shirt from JCPenney, and a size 11 jr. pants from Maurices! Yay!!!! The colors do not match the party, but it is not my party---so I chose what I liked!! Scale is sitting tight it bounces a pound up and a pound down, but sitting pretty steady. Which is pretty much what I expect unless I really concentrate on my food intake, or work extra hard doing something physicall. Maybe I can drop a pound or 2 for good if I go do the wood this week!!! I bought a new bedroom set for me today!!! I found this really pretty gold and green---not dark, but about the same sage green as my bedroom carpet, hand embroidered quilt! It is a ring design, but not a wedding ring quilt---really pretty....at linens and things. And I got gold lightweight drapes to go with it! So....Rick is not going to want to leave again---I spend $$$!!! I actually got a job offer I am contemplating! Seems so wierd, but I am considering it. I would be working at BP with both Becky and my DD Manda. I would not be working with either of them, but for a guy who used to work with Rick, as his admin assistant, and scheduler. Without taking out insurance or anything that way, the money would be really good. I would still put heavily into a 401K and keep doing our IRA's......but it would make retirement come sooner for Rick, and would be good wages to better my own social security when the time comes. Plan to really think it over seriously, and decide before mentioning it to anyone else!!! By that I mean Becky or Manda!!! They would freak out! Manda has been talking preschool for Kinsey, like I said, so it would not be something she would balk over. Dress would be jeans casual....right now I am leaning towards doing it! Seems kind of exciting! I am going to try to get the shop painted tonight....well here starting in about an hour when my "helper" leaves for ballet! It should not take a long time, then it can be good and dry, and I can mark it off my list too!!! Well I am going to put some things away, and try to be productive! See y'all in awhile! Kat

I would print out a list of PCOS symptoms and list what you fall into and take it to my Dr. If he ignored me, I would move on to the next Dr. Whether it be a PCP or your gyno. There is nothing really that can be done to "fix" it or cure it.....but the knowledge of what is going on with your body----will make it easier to cope emotionally if you are one of us slow losers.......but you know what....I may have been slow, took me 2 years and a few months to lose all my weight, not just a few months, but the point is I did it!!!! And you can too, regardless of the diagnosis! Hang in there, but also be your own advocate in regards to your health you deserve to know what is going on. He works for YOU!!!! Kat

Denise, is that both Moms holding their sons? Have some of the problems cleared up? I hope so for everyones sake!!! The boys are precious!!! I am looking forward to our new grandson in December! Probably won't get to see a lot of him, our son in law is not close to our family, and never comes to our family things, only his own. And our DD lets it happen....so what can you do???? Rick just called and he is in OK. Ready for class tomorrow. I ate about half a piece of my cheesecake ----yummy!!!! Well going to finish watching House (a marathon, I LOVE it!) and then call it a night. I got the photo video finished, and the ribbon streamer finished, and about half of the flower bouquets for the tables done. I actually have the basis for the others done, but my SIL did not bring the teapots over so I could finish.....but I will tomorrow! I feel so productive tonight!!! Will see y'all in the morning! Hugs~ Kat

If you have the option through work or through any sort of program to talk to a therapist or councelor, I would take total advantage of it! Mood swings are quite common, and I hate to be the barer of bad news, but sometime as weight loss increases and you lose quickly following the surgery---the mood swings and irritability increase! It is due to an influx of estrogen into the system. If you are prepared for it, and know to expect it, sometimes it is easier to handle, knowing this too shall pass! The stress of waiting for a date is really bad!!! The band will help you, but you really must be ready to accept that, and learn to handle the emotional eating, as it does nothing to help with that for minimally a couple of months----the first while it is ALL you! You have to allow for time for the band to heal and set into place before you can begin fills in an attempt to find good restriction, which sometimes takes a few fills. I am not trying to discourage you in any way---the band works, and makes losing weight possible in ways you never ever expect!! BUT you have to have your head about you for the first few months especially, or the discouragment can get the best of you, especially if you are already dealing with mood swings and iritability! Has your Dr. diagnosed you with PCOS? Often times the emotional issues combined with the difficulty losing weight, are what triggers them to check. Hang in there......it CAN and it WILL happen if you work with it!! Kat

Call and schedule a consult. If the PS thinks he/she will have better results with additional weight loss they will tell you! In the meantime have your rashes and back aches documented. Long term issues have better chances of being covered by insurance. I had mine done about 20 pounds ago.....and am not dealing with any new sagging skin from that 20 pounds! Kat

Yours is not a unique situation, around here they refer to the condition as a FUPA----Fatty Upper Pubic Area, and it is quite common. It loses fat about the same as other areas that you cannot exercise a muscle underneath to tone. Slower, but as you shrink, it will too....some. I lost the bulk of my weight and saw a plastic surgeon---because the vast majority of my weight was in my stomach, and a TT was a dire necessity. At that time, he said he would also do what is called a Mons Lift. When they make the incision to pull the upper stomach down, they make it where they can lipo the pubic mound and pull it up as well. If need be, they often laser hair removal prior to the surgery. I was astounded at the difference it made! My suggestion to you, is to seriously work your band and lose the weight in a healthy fashion, so your body keeps up with the weight loss, and you don't get that droopy skin look. If it is causing you problems now, be it physical, or emotional, bring it up with your Dr. Have it documented. For instance if you get a UTI, ask if it could be affected by the excess skin and fat in the area. Anytime you see the Dr, for anything that is at all weight related, skin rashes under your breasts or pannus (stomach apron) have the Dr. look at it, and document it. This way down the road, if at all possible insurance might cover the surgery. If you wait until you are ready for the surgery, they seldom do. If it is a long term documented health issue, they often will cover.....my TT, lipo, and mons lift was all covered. Til then, it seems your DH loves you......and it is time to learn to love yourself. Maybe instead of concentrating on how it looks or how fat you feel it is.....maybe concentrate on making the sexual encounter GREAT for both of you. That will matter to him much more than if you have a little extra cushion!!! Trust me, I bet this worries you much more than it does him!!! Kat

Hi Vi's! Well I planned on painting after having a late lunch with my folks....but have not even opened the can of paint!!! I took total advantage of being alone, and the nice weather, not too hot, not too cold----and I went riding! I have not had the time nor freedom to ride for such a long time straight, I am even a bit sore!!! But mostly that is breaking in my new saddle!! I could not have done it before losing some weight! The top is sueded, and it is a bit chafing on the thighs. I rode so randomly at one point I thought I was lost!!! I was technically, I have no idea where exactly I was, but we have 2 tall mesas around here that house all the local radio towers, and microwave towers for all the cells etc. And pretty much from anywhere, if you get up high enough you can locate them, which is what I did, got my bearings and meandered my way home. Saw a skunk first thing----was praying that Doo did not spook! All was well, we flushed out several jack rabbits, and a covey of quail....other than that saw bunches of lizards and nothing else. A couple of kids on quads, I rode several miles on the river bank, before wandering back into the hills. Was SOOOOOOO nice. I feel refreshed, and ready to make a plan for the week. I have about a dozen things I want to cram into this week----! 1. paint the shop walls 2. haul a load of aspen wood with my Dad 3. I have about 3 bushels of green chile to put up! 4. Friday we decorate for the birthday party, so I have to have the flowers and the ribbons done before then! 5. I have Kinsey all week! 6. lawn needs mowed...told Rick I would hire my brother, but it really is good exercise! 7. gotta go find an outfit to wear to the party! 8. need to go give FIL a haircut before the party as well! Can't think right now, but earlier they were all rolling around in my head! It CAN be done......hope Kinsey is ready for a run around week!!! Laura, I remember doing the same, and worrying so about it! Mine was that the week before I found out I was pregnant with Manda I had gone out with the girls to one of thems bachelorette party, and had to be practically poured into the car when my ex come after me.....so I was worried sick!!! How goes the not smoking? Probably a good thing I don't have a pool, none of my list would get done!!! My DH loves me! My friend Marie is a baker---she does cakes and other goodies, she brought me some chocolate dipped cheesecake....from Rick, cuz he knew I was moping around from him leaving!!! Only 2 small slices he told her, he did not want me thinking he was trying to sabotage me.....just spoil me! I am going to have one later. I have done pretty well today....peanut butter toast for breakfast--1 piece. For lunch I had about a cup of almond chicken no rice----leftovers in the fridge. And I am still full, so just waiting to feel more comfy to have my treat!! I have done so so with water. Had 3-4 bottles, and also had a SF A&W Root Beer----frosty mug and all! So will work on another bottle or 2 of water before calling it a night. So what did my sister Violets find to do with their weekends???? Kat

Hi y'all, Well Rick is gone, that makes me so sad! I am going to do my best to get all the peg board in his shed painted before he gets back. He made the comment that when he come home, he would organize his tools, he was all excited, then he kinda garumphed (yes it is a word!!) and said he'd have to paint it and let it dry first, and he was unhappy with the delay. So.....we have the paint----and I am going to paint it! That way when he gets home he can organize, and continue to move out of MY garage!!! Loving it!!! Jenn, I got what you were saying to Laura. One of the advantages of height is how we carry weight. So now that she has lost so much of hers, when she begins showing, it will be baby.....my DD Manda was that way, looked like she had a volleyball under her shirt we told her!!! Abbey on the other hand, said she outgrew her pants last week----which is normal, she is half way through, but she said it is not belly---it is her hips getting broader! They are oppositely built that way-------Manda is like me, tall and narrow----and the belly come naturally with pregnancy (and in my case, without!). Abbey is like her family....both sides tend towards hips broadening with age. Large hips and large thighs. She has always had such an amazingly flat stomach!! She tends to be very curvy.....and hates it. She wants Manda's boyish slim, and Manda wants Abbey's curves. Lenny just rolls his eyes at them both.....and he is skin and bones! So was Rick til he quit smoking and turned 30 in the same year!!! LOL, he might be surprised that skinny does not last forever for everyone!!! I have to sit down today and do a photo montage for my MIL's birthday. I have a total of 64 pictures, and have to pick about 3 songs. I have lots of pictures of her when she was younger. I have pics of her with all her kids. I ask Rick's siblings to get me pics of her with their kids and grandkids. Only one did. So now I am presented with the issue of do I include those, and leave the others out, or do I not put any of the grandkids and great grandkids in???? Any opinions??? I want to put some ugly ones in, but I am behaving!!! My SIL made a dig at me yesterday when we were talking about what we were wearing to the birthday party. She said she might have a dress to fit me, but she thought she had given all her big clothes away already. The woman is NOT any smaller than I am! And a size 10 is NOT big clothes! I cannot wear a size 10 dress......but neither SHOULD she!!! I have to have bigger to fit my boobs, and she doesn't but I hate her little snipes! Going to go have chinese food with my parents later today....they are delivering some bags of goodies to church shut ins today, so we will go afterwards. Thinking Almond Chicken might hit the spot!!! So Laura, did the Reeces make it??? LOL silly girl! I need to find a way to download an old VHS video clip to my phone. Looking through old videos I found one of me at a family gathering literally stuffing my face! The size of the bite outdone only by the size of my huge face and cheeks! I need it so when I am on the verge of a binge I can watch it!!! Some scary stuff girls! Embarrassing as all hell! Well I am going to get ready in case my folks finish up early I won't be holding them up. Will be back later. Kat

What you can order will depend first on what stage of post op you are in. If you have gotten to the final stage where you are eating normal food, you can probably eat anything your personal band will accept. Some people have problems with bread or with Pasta or rice. I can eat them all, just VERY small amounts of them, and I must eat really slowly. Other foods I can eat more of and at a more normal eating pace. Whether or not it is something you can eat, will just have to be done with trial and error! chicken is always easy for me.....I eat it a lot when we go out. If we go somewhere I know I can get a tender steak, then that is always good. Things like fajitas, are great, I personally just eat them with a fork and skip the tortilla. Most restaurants have a Soup selection if you are worried about solids yet. Mexican food is the easiest of all foods for me to eat---I have not found anything I cannot eat----but to be honest I have not tried to eat a sopapilla since being banded. I usually have ice tea or Water with my meal----drinking it up until the time my food comes. I have had a few mixed drinks since being banded, but not a lot. Margaritas, and that type of thing are not a problem. I do eat popcorn, both at the movies and at home----it has to be fresh----where it can be chewed up, and not just crushed, like it does when it is stale. It is not nutritious but it is one of my favorite things!!! Eating out is not an issue! Many places will allow you to order a la carte, or some off of the childrens menu. Otherwise, plan on taking a lot home.....but it is not a big deal, I have always found something to eat!!! Kat

Candy used to be a weakness, not so much anymore, heck I have the HUGE bucket of candy in the cool part of the garage----and it is not a big deal. I have been wanting wierd things! When Rick got home, we run into town and got some things to work on his shop, got some peg board hung and shelves and work benches up. Lights are up, and he and Dad will hard wire it next days off. It is looking good, and with each addition we put into it, a few more bits and pieces leave my garage, I am loving that!!!! Then we come in and packed him to leave, I hate that he is going. I like him being home.....I am not into being all alone!! Jenn, I am sorry you are re-living the suicide of your friend. At least you know you are making positive steps (yeah----pun intended) to move forward from it. Knowing what you know....about the heartache and the lonliness, will keep the thoughts at bay for you, because you love your kids too much to do that to them. Maybe he just didn't know. I had a friend years ago, a woman my Moms age, but we developed a friendship through another mutual friend. Her name was Betty, and she was a really amazing woman. She had 4 kids all in the general age range around me....and then had a surprise baby many years later, and he was born with Down's Syndrome among other retardations that I no longer remember the name of. Her husband died and 8 months later her youngest son died. So she was living alone when I knew her, and her kids just pretty much ignored her, living their own lives. She babysit for one of her DD's a lot. This DD hated the group of us girls her Mom hung out with. She accused us of using her ---for what we never knew!! She was much poorer than any of us! She was just a nice person---her DD was not. Betty---the friend---ended up with lung cancer, and they removed one entire lung and a portion of the other. She fought hard, and won the battle with the lung cancer. Lived for 6 more years and ended up with a brain tumor that cost her her life. Since that time the DD that disliked us all so much----all 3 of her sons have committed suicide! The middle son shot himself not long after graduating, because his girlfriend dumped him. She was so psycho she called the GF and screamed and called her all kinds of names before she even called 911! Then about a year later the oldest son shot himself with no one having any idea of why. And not long into his first year of college the youngest son ingested no less than 400 different medications and washed them down with Jack Daniels! She now has her only daughter left, and I see her, and she still refuses to be decent to me, and I feel so bad for her! We worried about my brothers limited mental capabilities and his addiction to alcohol for so long, that he would become suicidal----but he is stronger than I have ever given him credit for I think! Gina!!! Good to see you!!! It sounds like it might be time for a study of why you are having eating issues, maybe you are too tight? I know it is hard not relying on the band to give you real restriction, but without it being so tight, you can eat real, quality food!!! I hate to hear you are having trouble! Jane, what was the reason for cancelling your appointment? That seems like such a short time frame for fills. Heck when I go to see my Dr, even without filling me, he spends a good 20 minutes talking to me----that would only let your Dr. see 4 patients or so a month for fills! Is there another Dr. option for you?? Lunasa, I have no idea why you would get tighter and tighter....did you say you have an appointment or not?? Did ok with eating today overall. For breakfast, I ate a piece of peanut butter toast, for lunch I had a taco, and for dinner, we had kabobs with pork, peppers, onions and a teriyaki glaze. I ate about half of one, some of each of the things. I know I am getting in plenty of calories, probably too many to be honest---but I feel like the food is pretty balanced. I drank 6 bottles of water, and a couple of cans of SF 7-Up! The only snack I had was a small pickle. No ice cream, and no candy corn.....and the world seems to be spinning just fine on its axis anyway----go figure!!! Judy hope your party went well!!! I bought the first part of my secret Santa gift today!!! Catch you girlies in the morning!! Love ya! Kat

Terry I agree that you have part of it written already! Those are the memories that will bring her back to life and to the memories you as well as others will want to hang onto of her. As you mentioned, not the final day in bed, as she left you, but the laughter and the silliness, and particularness that made her not only your Mom but allowed you to grow into friends as well. We sat around one evening telling stories of my Grandparents---actually with all 4---when the preacher come by to get the basics----dates, and children's names etc. the family all remained and we just shared stories, and from there, my cousin and I did our best to work as many into a 8-10 minute eulogy that we could. Everything from my Grandpa's experience with a bear to making candy with my Grandma (where with us kids it was decorate 2 eat 1). To my other Grandpa's stint as Mayor that he won an awart presented to him for our city by then President Johnson! In my situation, since I was the one who lived here, we used my computer to do the "writing" and to this day, I have them in hard copy form, and cannot say that I would change anything. They are not professional, and sometimes a bit sappy---but they made us smile in memory....and as difficult as they were to write, in their own way they gave back some dignity, showing a life well lived. Your rosary is lovely for your Mom, your necklace is amazingly beautiful for you---you will feel a hug from her around your neck each time you wear it! And you will honor her with words written with love, I have no doubt in my mind! I am doing laundry today so when Rick comes in, we can get him packed. He is leaving at 10 in the morning. Will notbe back until Friday night, then we have the birthday on Sat. So.....I will have all the time in the world to clean and plan for the party. Just made reservations for the dinner for 40 people! I refused my credit card info! The restaurant owners know us--and I am not going to be responsible if someone else is unable to pay!!! I have to meet my SIL to do the flowere in an hour, so I better get a move on. Will see you Vi's later!!! Kat

Sorry you are having to deal with it all Laura.... I am with Russell, you would never be comfortable laying the baby on that bed....who knows what has seeped into the mattress??? Well I am heading back to bed, and if work calls Rick again.....I am disconnecting the phone!!! Night All! Kat

I too watched Stand Up 2 Cancer, was pretty sobering. The kids just seriously get to me. A woman my Mom belonged to Rebekah Lodge with just lost her 4 year old son----not to cancer, but just losing a child like that is so horrid. My DH is in deep trouble!!! He had to run across to Walgreens from work to grab something at break, and saw that the Candy Corn was out for Halloween. He said he always remembers his Grandpa having it for him. So he brought it home so he could give it to his grandkids----but his wife is wanting it!!! I am off to bed early tonight. Not getting my sleep last night is catching up with me!!! Hope everyone is ok, I miss them all checking in!! Night night all! Kat

I agree that there is a LOT of negativity here for a thread titled SUCCESS stories. There are also threads titled COMPLICATIONS......seems these need to be moved around a bit. I have no issue with people posting of their problems, they do happen---and I wanted to read up and be aware of all the good and all the bad before I had surgery. Which to me seems to be somewhat of a recurring theme with some of the complications, and that is not being fully tested nor fully informed of how the band works. To lose the enamel on ones teeth requires stomach acids----and they should not even be in the pouch---the stomach acids should be remaining in the lower portion of your stomach. Serious medical intervention should have been taking place all along, and if you are not getting proper care from one Dr. then see another! There are competent band Dr.'s out there who will treat other Dr.'s patients, I know, I go to one. I do not go back to the surgeon who did my surgery due to distance. Personally mine IS a success story. I have not had adverse medical issues related to my band. I have lost down to my goal and beyond, and am reassessing my goal right now to decide whether to lose another 15 pounds or so. I had a total unfill back in April in preparation for my TT in May. I have not refilled my band at all. I worked very hard to train myself and my body to portion size and healthy eating ways while I had restriction to help me. Since my TT and my total unfill I have lost an additional 20 pounds. I am not gaining....I am using the lessons I learned being banded to maintain my weight. I am very sorry you had a bad reaction to the band in correlation with your other health issues. The fact remains with those existing health issues, you likely would have had EXTREMELY serious health problems if you had chosen bypass. You would be suffering malnutrition on top of your lupus and your fibromyalgia. With the band, while it might cost you financially, it CAN be removed, and allow you to continue on with your life as before, dealing as best you can with the illnesses you have. With bypass, that would not be an option, that portion of your stomach and intestine would forever be gone. I DO understand the illnesses you are dealing with. My Mom has suffered with fibromyalgia for many years now. She does get some relief from a combo of massage and accupuncture. My oldest DD has RA, which is complicated by a connective tissue disorder similar to Lupus. She is currently undergoing further testing to see if the damage to her aorta is going to require surgery to repair the dilation. I am not taking your illnesses lightly----I am saying perhaps they are the underlying cause of many problems that you are dealing with not simply the band. Even without the band, with those problems life would not be a bed of roses. I agree that it is highly unfortunate that they were not diagnosed nor caught prior to the band. Surgeons DO make a difference, and it is imperitive that we research who we are trusting to make changes to our bodies!! I spoke with several patients of both of my Dr.'s before making my decisions. I hope you find relief. I still feel that bashing the band in a success thread is not a right thing to do. There are places to do that, and to thumb your nose at the thread title is like thumbing it to all of us wanting to share our good outcomes as well. No one here who has met with success has put you down.....yet you have tried to diminish our success stories by placing these here.....at least in my opinion. Kat

Hey girls, you know how very occasionally something happens at just the right time? Today I had one of those moments!!! Kinsey and I were at the fitness track, and we were doing this slant ramp, and I heard someone coming up behind us, so we moved on. The next one has this linked jump rope connected on one side, so you only spin it with one hand. But she had to try it--so she couldn't figure it out, which leaves me having to show her----so I jumped maybe 3 times, when the person behind us catches up again. It was my PCP!!!! He was shocked---the last time I saw him was for my PS referral. He talked to me for a long time, and told Kinsey how great it was that she was learning to work out and exercise. Now I had not been to the place in well over a month! But I got Dr. credit like I was there everyday!!! LOL We stopped and had a taco, did a quick bit of shopping, did our banking and come home.....paid bills last night, so I am poor again!!! LOL Now it is time to go find something I can put together and call dinner! Rick is going to be exhausted, and will likely come home early, so guess I better get a move on!! See ya in awhile!! Kat

Morning girls~~~ barely but still morning here!!! Manda just dropped Kinsey off following her 2nd day of the nuclear stress testing She ended up being there forever because the policy is to not let them leave the facility until their pulse is under 100. Well her resting pulse rate is always high, which was one of our signals something was wrong. They finally using drugs to reverse things got her down to 107 and released her. We get the results of these tests on the 23rd. She said this morning she wants either Rick or I to go with her, because we have been through some heart stuff before. Glad I didn't have to pull the Mommy card and demand to go!!! I got the housework done this morning before Kinsey showed up. I wanted to sleep in, Rick did not make it back home til 1:30 this morning--but the neighbor was working on his bike and a couple of other guys were over there, so there was no sleeping. Of course in an average day no one is sleeping here at that time, so I am not really complaining, plus I got all my work done! Now Kinsey and I are off to do some banking, and I promised her a trip to the park. She loves the fitness park in town, it is a loop, probably half a mile, and has stops along the entire thing, with chin up bars, slant sit up boards, all different kinds of fitness themed stops. Well not only does she expect me to "do" them, but to help her do them as well, it is a double workout!! But hearing her giggle is worth it!! And the exercise cannot hurt me!! This time of day is not an issue, I feel like a doofus when the really fit people are out there, watching my wings flap as I attempt a pull up-----which by the way I have NOT succeeded in doing more than one, and I hurt for 3 days after doing my one!!! I keep thinking there is less to lift up, but it doesn't matter--I am totally out of any kind of shape! Well I am off to curl Kinsey's hair. Her Mama curled hers this morning--so she must have hers done too!!! But hey a couple of years ago I wondered if she would ever have any hair so it is all good!!! See y'all when I get back--will check in if my shaky, jiggly, weak arms can type!! Hugs! Kat

The site did that to me too Jenn, logged me off and started me back a hundred pages or so.....too wierd. Rick got called out, so he just left, his folks come over, and stayed for some ribs----thank goodness I cooked extra everything! They come to see his shop, and his Dad loves ribs---especially when they are ones he can chew!! And with me needing everything tender, mine are fall off the bone tender! We had a nice visit, with just us and no outside sniping we all do fine, I love them to no end----but she listens to every little snide remark out of her DD's and I have my fill of that pretty doggone quick!!! Rick's sister in Denver is wanting this huge garden tea party theme for her Mom's 80th birthday. Which is fine, I am all for the that. But she has it planned for the afternoon of the 13th....and she is getting in about noon on the 13th, and will be here for the party, then we have reservations at a friends Mexican restaurant, for a family dinner to seat 40 people....then Breakfast at a big buffet place on the 14th and they are leaving from the restaurant. So that leaves all the planning, decorating, and of course buying of everything to his sister that lives here and us. She actually said something to the effect that they have the expense of travelling here----like that is our fault! We do everything for them, but we also get the pleasure of evenings like tonight as well. But I am out several hundred bucks for a party she will take all the credit for! We have a roll of white picket fence to go around the main table, and 2 tall cupcake towers. The cupcakes all will have flowers and are done in Pansy shades, of blue and purple. We also bought a bunch of floral swags, and are draping each corner, and around on the ceiling tile, to make it garden-y. And each table will have a floral arrangement done in a china tea pot. We are using the tea cups to hold mints and nuts on each table with the tea pots. We have paper lace doilies to go under them all in a really pretty periwinkle blue color. And I found a really pretty picture frame set that looks like it is china with the pink roses on it---3 5X7 frames----so we are putting a picture of her as a small child, her senior picture and one of them recently on the side board. Rick is leaving for a class on Sunday and will not be back until Friday night, so even he will not be here to help out....figures! I know she will be thrilled to have her entire family together again though, so I will do what I can. I was all ready to go buy the Elephant book, until Pamela's post----let me know how it goes Pamela, I too have to be hooked quickly!!! And I read fanatically! But I have no idea who is on the home page, I don't see anyone in a green shirt. Had my ribs for dinner, and some fresh green beans----which were AWESOME! But now I want ice cream.....so am having a serious talk with myself!! I am comfortable now, anything else and I will be miserable!!! I wish Rick would just finish eating the dang stuff and I would be all good if it wasn't around! LOL I KNEW it was his fault somehow!!! I am going to go get his lunch ready for tomorrow, and think about soaking in a hot tub.......but I might fall asleep in there!!! Will catch y'all in awhile! Kat

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love seeing you not be so hard on yourself again. You mention the issue of not smoking, you did not mention the double move in what 6 months? The quitting your job after 10+ years........and the impact that had on your life, both emotionally and financially. ALL that causes stress! And you dealt with it, and you did not smoke, and you did not give up. You gained 30 pounds! The same 30 you probably would have gained without a band---so now you have a way to help get it off again. And your DH has his new job, and Macy is settling in at school-----it is time for some TRACY time!!! We may have to up our cell phone plans and chat as we walk in totally different areas of the country!!! SOOOOOO proud of your new found faith in YOU!!! Love ya girl! Kat

Jenn's son is Dylan, daughter is Alexandra. First stage of DD's heart test is done, the second will be tomorrow. She is back at work, and feeling fine she says. Gonna go play hopscotch----aren't y'all jealous???? Kat

I agree totally, my DH has been an active part of my banded life--even before it began. From talking about it, to the seminar, to today---with over 120 pounds gone for me, and over 30 for him! We have regained our health, and found new things to do together besides going out to eat! It is without a doubt a change---------and both of you have to be willing to change with it. My DH has been with me from the skinny me at 24 when I weighed less than 130 pounds! To the biggest me 3 years ago when I was almost 300 pounds! No one could be prouder of me and the weight loss, and yet I feel if I were to gain it back, if I did not shut him out---he would still be there. While the weight is a big deal, we have been through other highs and lows in our lives. We have dealt with kids and serious problems with them, a son with a drug issue for a period of time. I have been through cancer with him by my side. We have lost loved ones. Marriage is not a 50/50 deal. It is not 'I fix dinner today, you fix dinner tomorrow'. Sometimes marriage is 90/10--------sometimes you need to be carried along, and other times you do the carrying. If you have a marriage that works in that manner, and you continue to work in that way, sure it can survive, weight loss is not an automatic divorce----I would rather remain fat and have the love of my life in my life. Fortunately for me, he would prefer I have both, my health and him. You do have to work at marriage, it is no more a magic cure than the band is for our weight-----it takes help. Kat

Pregnancy dreams are always wild!!! I remember Manda coming in full of wild tales. Rick's southern family roots, make discussing a dream before you have eaten breakfast bad luck. So she had had a particularly wierd, bad dream and he told her that one morning, and she just burst into tears. In hind sight it is funny, at the time I was ready to throttle him!!! I keep waiting for the beaver or Abe Lincoln out of those dream commercials to show up in Laura's dreams!!! Terry, you outdid yourself. The rosary is beautiful, and I believe the shimmer in them to be your love shining through---I am so proud of you for having the composure to think of something so personal and being able to produce it in such a loving fashion. ((((hugs))))) My eating too is suddenly out of control it seems!!! I am not hungry so to say, but being able to eat again without the nausea, makes me think I should!! LOL I have cinnamon rolls for Kinsey for breakfast, and I know I cannot eat them ---well more than a single bite without it being TOO MUCH----has always been that way!!! Well Becky come by and my post was delayed!!! She and her sister, and her Mom and her Moms sister are all headed to San Antonio tomorrow!!! I was invited.....and would have had a great time with Becky----but not interested in spending much time with the rest of them!! True to form....3 bites of cinnamon roll, and I am full probably for the day! OMG! Well I am going to post this before something else comes up. Gotta get my Violet fix thing taken care of first thing! Oh yeah Michelle, when I read the beginning of your post about your DD being sick, I expected you to say that you stepped in Mo poop!!! LOL Some cool names Lunasa, but if Russell wants something more everyday, I don't see him liking them!!! Men....!! BBL~~ Kat

Terry we may not be able to be there with you physically, but we are all there with you in spirit...and we want you to know that! I cannot imagine the rosary being anything but beautiful---everything you have made that I have seen has been, and this has more love behind it than anything else you have ever done, I am sure. Your Mom is looking down smiling----and bragging to all the other angels that HER daughter made that!!!! As predicted, we lost.....again! I played 3 innings, got 2 hits and a walk. Made a RBI and scored once myself, second hit I was put out on 2nd.....The guy batting behind me tapped that ball and it landed right at the shorts feet, where he tagged me as I went by heading for 2nd. Then the 3rd time I was on 2nd when we got our 3rd out on a pop fly.....then she pulled me and I watched from then on. Rick got pulled at the same time, I guess she thinks we are joined at the hip. He hit a triple and 2 singles, scored each time, and brought in 4 RBI's.....he is doing GREAT, she just doesn't see it!!! This is a co ed league so we have to play an equal number of men and women, and alternate the batting order. We have this girl, Lorinda, she used to work for Rick as an office clerk, I LOVE her, she says anything she is thinking!!! She is a fair sized Navajo girl, and VERY butch---in fact that is her nickname for herself. Partly because of her orientation and partly because one of the big bosses is named Butch and she digs at him that way. So she wears her hair buzzed, and dresses in mens shorts and cleats----so the umpire who was a total witch--tells her "You are batting out of order-automatic OUT!" Lorinda tells her "No I'm not" the ump says last batter was a man---to which Lorinda grabs her boobs and says "Look Ump you and I play on the same team, and I have TITS!" The witchy umpire did not know what to say----she just looked dumbfounded, while our entire team and stands are roaring, so she just yells Play Ball!!! It was worth losing for!!! Laura I am anxious to see what Fairy names Lunasa comes up with, how fitting would that be for you....although I can see a little fairy sitting on the perfect petal of a Lily....being so named. TracyK---how did Macy do today??? Manda begins her 2 day nuclear stress tests tomorrow to compare to her base lines from the beginning of this. Will tell us if damage has occurred during the time between, and if so how fast it is progressing. Will help decide if she is headed for heart surgery or not. Well, I am going to check my mail, and head off to bed. My stomach is better, I grazed all evening long! I am still really quick to fill up---well same as before the problem, but soon found myself eating again. Guess there is no happy medium for me!!! See ya in the morning....nighty night! Kat

My very best investment in "school suppiles" each year was a new desk calendar, and some home supplies. We bought what was needed at school, but we also bought home supplies--and some of them for fun! We had a small house, so I found a portfolio folder at a yard sale when she was in 2nd grade or so, and we filled it with all her homework supplies, calendar to scribble on etc. She always had paper and pencils, and colored pencils---even though much of it was leftovers from the year before!!! But I give her an empty can to cover with paper and use for her pencils----she would turn our dining room table into an elaborate office, to do her spelling homework!!! But it was well worth it! She did not balk so much at doing it, and it developed great habits! All the way through school, even when she finally did have a room with a desk in it, she would organize herself before ever beginning. And I would lay odds her desk at work is similarly organized!!!! The reward system worked GREAT for Manda too! I bought one of the cheapo sticker albums and each day that she finished her work, or brought home a good paper---whatever she got to sort through the sticker supply and choose one to add to her book. I bought stickers when I could afford them, and added to the stash. Was not high dollar, but she loved it. She took the sticker book to many a show and tell as well!! You could also let grandparents etc. know about the stickers or whatever reward you choose. With the Dollar stores around these days it should be easy to come up with a reward plan! I would have loved it......back in the olden days!!! Most of all, I would not let them see that the amount of homework bothers you, they take a lot of cues from you----if you freak out so will they! Make like it is a normal thing, and make it as stress free to do the work as possible.....and it will end up being easier on all of you. Rick's kids Mom, suffers from uncontrolled bi polar disorder. She would go off the deep end, and decide they had too much work, and refuse to let them do it! She was banned from a school in San Diego, because she threatened a teacher.....she kept things in a constant uproar with school----was a hard thing to overcome when it come time to do so! Well I am off to get myself ready to play ball.....or maybe sit on the bench!!! Who knows?????? See y'all after the game! Kat