Kat817

I had no issue with nausea following the surgery. After that......I have thrown up 2 times due to my own stupidity!! Or PB'd---would be more precise---once when I ate a glazed donut, or actually about 2-3 bites, and it felt like when it hit my stomach it grew to the size of a dozen donuts!! Up it come!! Then months later I was shopping and grabbed a piece of popcorn chicken my granddaughter was eating and forgot I was a bandster, popped it in my mouth chewed once or twice and swallowed, as it slowly moved down my throat, feeling the size of a football, it hit me what I had done!!! Yep it too come back up!!! The only other times I have thrown up were a year ago last July---I had the stomach flu and was SICK!!!! Most people learn some of the band lessons through aversion therapy, you do it, it is not pleasant, so you quit doing it!!! It isn't fun to PB or to throw up----but it is not worth not being banded over to me! Kat

We refer to that as being Twitterpated!!! Kat

Hammer, the best way I have been able to explain it, is to relate it to one of those cake decorating bags. With the bag being your stomach. Now as man you might not have had personal experience using one of the cake decorating bags, but you can still get the idea here!! If you chew your food to a proper consistency, it will be like heavy sludge, or in this case the "frosting" in the bag. If you were to chew and swallow---and nothing else be happening, it would just sit there. But when you swallow the food, your stomach does not just sit there, it begins to churn and knead to aid in breaking down the food for digestion. When it squeezes, then the food pushes through. Just like applying pressure to the decorating bag by squeezing it pushes the frosting out. It does not run through, if it is hard Protein, and that sort of thing--------REAL food. Ice cream, and high sugar based foods that break down to nothing, will slide right on through. Which is why we refer to them around here as slider foods----they slide right on through, and just rack up calories. It takes your stomach some time to work the food through, so you remain full for quite some time when your fill is at a proper restrictive level....which varies for everyone....slow and steady til you get to that point. Now if you can imagine that you have the decorating bag full of nice creamy frosting.....and you drop in a grape----it will eventually plug off the opening, and nothing gets through...the same thing happens in your stomach if you eat too big of a bite or do not chew it really well. If it is something that your stomach cannot break down-------and it can be painful as it tries, then eventually it ends up in a PB---as the saliva you are swallowing will not pass either. This in most cases leads to a slime session, where your body will produce HUGE amounts of heavy saliva trying to help slick up the offending food and push it through. Just a side note, your body does this whether you are banded or not, anyone can slime! "Slime" is odorless, and basically tasteless, it is just thick spit. But it is in huge amounts, and you are blocked off, so there is nowhere for it to go, until it decides to just come up! Hello PB! The reason we have been told not to drink with our meals is to keep the food a heavier consistency, so that it does take awhile as it works through. If you drink, you liquify a lot of it, and it flows right on through allowing you to eat more than you would have otherwise, and upping your caloric intake. If you chew well, and eat healthy, the food will slowly work through. It does take awhile to get to the proper restriction for some people----it is such an individual thing. When you can sit and eat a meal, and not be hungry for several hours, and yet not be uncomfortable.....that is what I perceive the Sweet Spot to be. Hope you find yours soon!!! Kat

I forgot to say, the reason I am so mad about them wanting Rick to do the painting of the ceiling--is that #1 this was THEIR idea, not ours!! But more importantly is the fact that Rick takes an anti-inlflammatory every day for degenerative bone disease in his neck, and painting like that KILLS him!!! We hired our own done for that reason. And they want him to do 2500 square foot more of ceilings. I am going to lose it if it is brought up! He will likely be facing a surgery on his neck in the next 5 years, but the ortho wants to wait as long as possible saying they are doing amazing things with a new hinge surgery as opposed to fusion. But I hate him irritating it, it puts him in serious pain for days, he was complaining of it hurting and took Tylenol for it at lunch from painting the LR ceiling the other night! Sorry---wanted to explain that it really is not just me being petty, I feel it is them being inconsiderate....yet again. Kat

Hi everyone! Yep Pamela, here you go to jail for riding with a drunk driver, especially if you are that way yourself!!! Most times, it is nothing more than a minimal fine, but, it is still expensive, when you go through the booking process, and what all having the actual record can cost you, and even more so when these guys all have their CDL's on the line----and therefore their very livlihood! Well the PS appointment went well, he did the pictures, and I was seriously swollen, he had been poking and prodding, and pulling stitches.....but he declared me healed....almost! He said no yoga, no pilates, no stabalizer balls, no ab lounger type of exercises, nothing that hyper extends the waist. I am not to arch my back. But I can swim, and take bubble baths again!!! Went to lunch and did some shopping with my friend Sofi, and Rick joined us for lunch. Had a small dinner salad---was really good! We are supposed to go to my in laws for dinner tonight. I have potatoes cooking to mash, and need to figure something else out to take, just not thrilled about it, so not into making choices of what to cook!!! These 2 SIL's are getting on my list quickly! They conned Rick into helping them paint the ceiling----and now they taped off the rest of the ceilings in the house and are just waiting for him to come and do it! He worked late, then dealt with his friend last night, and if he does not do it, they will be leaving, and leave it half assed, for him to come in and clean up. I cannot even be polite and say the things I am thinking about them right now. It totally upsets me, our son is furious with them, they make crappy comments to him about him not being there doing much. Well hello........he is on light duty at work, and not doing much of anything, he has surgery on Wednesday!!! He ruptured a pretty nasty hernia....left side groin. And they want him reaching and painting, selfish, pig headed irritating......and I am not even started yet!! I have been so upset with the WAY they did all this, that Becky has Gary call me to ask how we are, and how our son is, because she knows how mad I am!!! Got my frame, now I need to get it ready for taking to the fair. Of my baby cowboy butt! I bought some really soft comfy tshirts at Target----size Large!! Not even a single X in sight!!! Well--guess I will go figure out what I want to feed all these people----anyone know which aisle the arsenic is on????? Not really, if I didn't care about the people they are hurting it would not be a big deal, but I do! Kat

I hear ya Pat---we have had pet issues from day one. People lie through their teeth saying they have no animals, and day after day you see the cat sitting in the window!! LOL One day DH went by one of our rentals to post door notices about the bug guy coming to spray, and if you wanted inside sprayed, to please let us know so we could schedule them all on the same day. So he goes to the door to tape on the notice and he hears a motorcycle----INSIDE the house!! Yep he rebuilt it in the middle of the living room----carpet and all. Ruined it all the way through to the hardwood below it! Upon further looking he found the door frame torn apart on the inside, because he got it in a jam------now mind you it is still inside needing to go outside!! DH left, and knew the guy would try to move it as soon as he left the property....so he called for a civil standby with the Sheriff---while the guy got the bike out of the house, and witnessed the verbal issuance of eviction---which followed with the paperwork the same day! It is unbelievable what some people do.... With rentals being in high demand where the OP is, that seems to make the difference. Our rentals are actually in high demand, since we have space for them to have a horse----and out of our 7 rentals, 4 have been in place for over 2 years....rent is on time, they are wonderful!!! 1 new one seems like he might be following suit in that way, a nice guy, pays on time, and is keeping things up. One is on their way out this weekend----and the other.......we have yet to see rent due a week ago. And no phone!!! Somedays I hate the rentals!!! Kat

LOL Jane, that sounds like something I would do totally!!! Terry----Junction or Moab are both doable for me, you gonna go with the group? I can arrange a quick road trip!!! Right to the Rockies!! Actually headed that way 2 times in the next month or so----once to Denver, and once to Pueblo (I'd rather be beaten than go there usually!!! HATE that town!) I am up and showered, now need to get ready to go to my PS appointment! I am not missing this one. I had hoped to get a good nights sleep and have my swelling down for my after shots----it was not to be. I had 3 hours sleep. Last night as we headed in from yet another rained out Series game, we got a phone call from one of Rick's friends---------who works in another dept. but used to work for Rick prior to his advancement. About 5 weeks ago he had a daughter killed in a car wreck. He went out with the guys after work, and one of them was supposed to be the DD--well I guess he had knocked back the best part of a pint of Peppermint Schnapps he had hidden in the car---none of them were aware of it, until he got stopped on the way home---and they ALL went to jail! 2 of them are current shop employees----3 of them hold (or held) CDL's----and the one who Rick considered more a friend than an employee anymore, had noone to bail him out. So we were up and at the jail until 1:30 AM---then had to take him home. He is totally despondant, Rick is worried, he is too depressed. It was a sad situation. And ironically the bail bondsman told us, the 3 guys who were taken in for riding with an intoxicated driver---2 of them, including Rick's friend Steve, had a much lower Alcohol content than the Designated Driver---ass that he is! Legal limit is .08-----Steve and another guy each blew a .09, and the other a 1.25---while the driver blew a 1.57. The guy riding up front with him said he smelled peppermint, but the DD was chewing gum, and he didn't think anything of it----and they were stopped 4 blocks from the bar, so there was not much time for anyone to become aware of it. It was a simple $1000.00 bail---so they bonded him out on a hundred bucks, it was just annoying and time consuming,and not something we wanted mixed up in. But since he has employees possibly losing CDL's he needed to know. So here I am this morning, tired, and swollen. Dammit! Oh Well----regardelss how swollen I feel, the B&A is going to be so incredibly shocking! I am excited. I also need to ask, I have stitches popping out all along my scar line----7 can be felt above the skin now. I want to go swimming, but he said not with open wounds----are these considered part of a wound??? Gonna find out soon!!! Well I gotta get going or I'll miss it again!!! Y'all take care Going to lunch with Sofi----will be in later today. Kat

So many of these last posts trigger memories for me.....my suggestion to you girls is to print those posts out, and soon you will be checking off the list. Those things can be done!! Now I am much older than most of you, and my bikini days are long gone----but I am on the motorcycle and horse several times a week, shop in any store I want, get looks from men, my age, older, younger----amazing!!!! Work your band----work with your Dr. and when you get down, read your list, then check out the before and after pics--soon you will be posting your own!!! Hang tight, it is gonna happen!! Kat

I had never heard of this either---until we went into Toys R Us, and they have it advertised all over the store!! I was there without anyones list, but thought at the time, my kids better NEVER!!!! LOL!!! My SIL, let us all know, so we would not have to be bothered shopping, that her grandson who was graduating really just wanted $$$$. Made me so mad that she did that, that I rethought things, and instead of writing him a check as I had intended, I bought him a gift! I guess it all boils down to not liking to be told what to do!!! LOL Boycott the list! Buy what you want! Honestly kids, go into TRU and 2 days later when they go in they want different things anyway! Kat

ME! ME! ME! ME! ME! ME & JUDY!!!!!! Ok, Judy and I want presents please........ I got the hint and sent my info to Laura too!!! Kat

I agree with those thinking maybe it is time for some counceling. It does not have to be WLS connected, just a bystander, who you can unload all the thoughts and burdens you refer to on. It is not something to be shameful about, many of us find ourselves needing an emotional outlet. And like you most of us found that with food for a long time, so it is an easy shoe to slip back on. It is so hard with the band to make blanket statements, because it truly is such an individual thing. With bypass, they actually cut away part of the stomach, and re route things the way they want them to be. With the band, they are in a sense banding you blind---they do not know exactly where the nerves are in conjunction with where they are placing the band. And where they place it seems to have serious differences in the early outcome of surgery. With some patients the band placement hits the nerve, or applies immediate pressure, to where hunger is reduced or eliminated, and in others it takes several fills to not only reach restriction, but also to cause pressure on these nerves eliminating the hunger issues. The immediate questions that come to mind for me, concern over all depression, and if you are being treated for such---and maybe it is time to explore that---or if you are maybe a medication change. The band is there, and 80 pounds in a year is nothing to sneeze at! I am 2.5 years out as well and lost it fairly slowly----but it beats me gaining in those 2 years which is what I would have done without the band. When you see your Dr. discuss revisions with him/her and see if that is something you want to look into, I do understand the band is not for everyone.....but I do hope you will come back here for some support, and see if you cannot make it work for you again----just think another 80 pounds would make you a total of 160---Well on your way. You did not gain it overnight, and will not lose it in a healthy manner overnight either---that is what I kept having to remind myself of!!! Good Luck, and I hope things begin to look up for you! Kat

Sherry---the story I was reading, the woman said apparantly her stomach was weak in the area of the stoma itself, and when sitting the weight of the stomach held it in an open position, but when she laid down it collapsed, causing everything to back up. The sitting fluoro was normal, when they did her fill...then her unfill.....then the refill......so in the end they wanted to see if perhaps during a longer test, maybe the esophagus was spasming, so they scheduled a full fledged upper GI---and lo and behold when she laid down the stoma closed off, and nothing went anywhere!! At this time her Band surgeon is consulting for options of how to handle her case..... This is something I am hearing somewhat 2nd hand......it is a friend of my friend who is banded, she is emailing my friend what is happening---and my friend just forwarded her email on to me. I do not know the person involved, just reading what is happening with her. My friend Michelle sent it to me because she knew I had reflux----but I had it long before I ever had a band. I will let you know if they come up with anything that I hear of. As for an Upper GI----you might be able to get that scheduled through your PCP, since you ARE having reflux issues, and insurance should cover it---then if there ARE problems, take the results to your band Dr. I sometimes hate Dr.'s!!! My fill Dr. is quite arrogant! He has never been a problem, and he seems to always err on the side of caution, but he acts as though eating right should not be a big deal--of course he is maybe 150 pounds---super thin, and a bike rider, and mountain climber-----ay yi yi!!! LOL Talk later! Kat

USE those boys!!!!!!!!!! Use the feelings they left you with to assure your success! When you want to backslide, and eat something you really know you would be better off without---remember the cruel things they said, and use it to help you walk away from the food in question. Make it a goal to prove them wrong, and watch their faces as this works for you!! While planning for the worst case scenario, of not being able to eat any of those items, is a good way to assure yourself you are ready for the required work the band takes, it is not a guarantee that you will not be able to eat those things! I can eat any of them and all of them----what I cannot do is eat them in pre band amounts nor at pre band speed! I drank Diet Dr. Pepper like there was not tomorrow! I have a small bit every month or so now, if that, it just does not appeal like it used to. It does not cause pain, it just isn't tasty most of the time now. It is in certain times it sounds good again, and I will have a small one---my Dr. does not have issue with it. They are not using the entire equation here----they are imagining you giving up all those things without the aid of the band. That is hard to do! And even harder to stick to! But the band gives you help that they do not know anything about, and will never understand without being banded themselves. When you learn to eat like a bandster, chewing small bites very thoroughly, it breaks your food down to a point of really tasting your food, and many, many things that used to be my favorite go to Snacks, are just plain gross to me now!!! A Little Debbies snack cake for example----gag me!!! You chew that more than a few times, and to me it feels like a mouthfull of lard! You begin to appreciate real food, vegetables for instance taste the same first chew or 20th! And while you might be able to eat the rice or potatoes, they are slow foods for me, and simply not worth the effort. To make a baked potato, loaded the way I prefer them and used to eat them, is time consuming, you first have to cook it, then mix in the butter, and sour cream, and cheese, or bacon bits or chives-------and then if you have ate in a proper manner, and filled yourself mostly up on Protein, then you have only got room for a couple of bites of the potato you spent all that time working on!!! Just not worth it anymore. The band also helps with the actual hunger itself when you reach a point of restriction, and when you are not starving 24/7--------it makes making wiser choices much easier. It is true the hard part is the stages post op, while you are on liquids, and learning what works for you and what doesn't and you are getting your fills started--but the excitement of actually losing weight, filled me with incentive---and like I say when those hard times hit--remember you have to do it to SHOW THEM!!!! You CAN do this, and this board is wonderful support! Not only will you be losing weight, soon they will also hear you talking about people on the site here like they are close personal friends!! Then they will really wonder!!! Just a question out of curiosity---are your boys dealing with their own weight issues?? Take Care, and Hang Tough!!! Kat

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EILEENIE---we luvs ya, and hope you have a wonderful day!!!! :thumbup: Hope this finds everyone else hanging in there, Trish hope Mom is improving, Donna, hope the fill is working! Betty---we have had enough heat here of our own---although we are now getting the remnants of Eduardo, and it is raining. It rained out our Series games last night, so they were postponed til noon today. Jessica, I took DH and he was very respectful after he saw the size of the fill needle!! LOL Sherry---I read a story about a woman with reflux----and they finally found that she had a weak spot, and the stomach would collapse when she laid down. So---when they did the flouro study during her fill, it dripped through without issue, but upon further study, they had her laid down for an upper GI----and nothing was moving at all! So whatever was in her pouch----stayed there, and built as she swallowed saliva through the night----til it had nowhere to go but back up. I thought of you when I read it. Might be worth discussing with your Dr. maybe they could test you both ways see if there is a difference in how things pass through. Pat, I missed my PS appointment!!! I cannot believe I did it, I remembered it at about 5 PM on the 4th, and it was at 9 AM!! So I called early the next morning, she just laughed and rescheduled me for a cancellation she had just received for tomorrow morning. I will get my after pics done then---and he will put the B&A's together for me. I have 7 places now where stitches are working out---my incision is now uncomfortable again---it had been fine. I am anxious to find out if I can swim with them working out. Well Kinsey is here, and I am having to stop every few minutes and change Barbies clothes--so I guess that means it is Barbie time,not computer time!!! Off to play!!! Take care all! Kat

Late sleeping morning for us too!!! I actually got up at 5, visited with Rick til he left at 5:30, waited for Kinsey to get here, and glory be....she was still snoozing, so I told Manda, put her in my bed---and I followed her, not getting back up til a quarter after 8!!! She just woke up! So now I have to stop typing every few minutes and change Barbies clothes!!! I had a small bowl of Grape Nuts cereal for breakfast--and have already had a bottle of water, and my vitamins!! Our baseball games got rained out last night and postponed until noon today----thinking of taking Kinsey since it is daytime games. I have to go to Hobby Lobby and see if I can find a picture frame I need.....so I can put my Cowboy Connor picture in the fair. I keep telling Ali I will do it, so I better!! I bought a frame for it, but the frame is slightly too big---all they had was a document frame 8.5X11--and the pic is 8X10. I have a wood look paper behind it and you would never know, but for the fair they would!!! I actually have some of my antique barb wire worked into the frame----so I would be more comfortable leaving it at home anyway. Will find an old wood frame in an 8X10, and let it go that way---no mat. Connor was only about 3 weeks old and tiny---maybe 6 pounds, and my brother in law brought him a cowboy hat and boots---they both of course swamped him, but they put them on him anyway.....so I had my DIL remove his clothes and took his picture from the back, so you see cowboy hat, bare bottom and cowboy boots way up his little scrawny legs. It is cute!! That and my tractor are the only things I am taking to the fair this year. And Rick is going to be working---so I....as in me, myself and I.....have to drive the tractor in!!! I have drove it in the fields probably more than I care to remember, but never on the roadway! My Dad will drive behind me with flashers on--it is about an 9 mile drive.......will take an hour!!! OK, not quite---but awhile! So----if it would quit raining, I would go wash the tractor and get things done today. But it is still raining off and on. Tracy---did weight loss change your TOM a lot? My friend I meet up with from Durango, was complaining that with her weight loss, hers has gotten much worse, and she sure hates it. I had my hysterectomy long before banding, so have no clue what to advise her. Will Ethan be gone in time for your pool party Judy, or is he going to be the entertainment??? They are so good for that!! Jane, I guess with you and Judy, I am going to have to begin looking for my own Wii, so I can get back to actual exercise. I mean I am very active---but no actual exercise plan. And I want a pool too!!! LOL I want......I want......!!!! Michelle---if we don't hear from you by 6 PM we will send rescuers to your basement!!! I actually saw 170.0 on the scale this morning.......going to wait to see if it holds or not!!! If we don't do the game---and she is willing we might try the movie again today. Yesterday I told Kinsey she had to take an early nap if she wanted to go see Space Chimps---and she laid straight down and was asleep in 10 minutes. But she woke up and the first words out of her mouth were "I no wanna go to the movie" I have no idea if she had a bad dream about it or what!!! If I go to the movie, the weight will go back up from the salt on the popcorn--------not to mention the butter!! LOL The bucket of candy has not haunted me, but I DID dream about it---we were outside and trick or treaters started coming and I had forgot to buy candy!! I was so glad I had the bucket of candy!! LOL----like with grandkids I could forget Halloween!!! Going to go play Barbies!! Kat

Oh I agree, I can see why a landlord would want the place back, I just don't get the accusations and animosity they are showing. I have never evicted or let go willingly a good renter! I have been known to shed actual tears when losing a good long time renter, and most of ours go on to buy their own place. The rentals we have are small, and rural, so our renters usually have horses----each rental has pasture with it. But boy I have had some horrors along with some who remain wonderful friends to this day. Having said that, if this woman continues to be rude over it----I wish upon her some renters like I have had....there have been some that were so beyond gross! I too am an ex smoker (17 years for me) and have issues with smoke---BUT will take it over the renter that moved out in the night---to avoid past due rent, and left 3 buckets under the bathroom vanity....one with feces, and one with used tampons----the other was thanfully empty! There was a pefectly good working toilet 3 feet away......go figure. I hope this is one of those situations that you look back and think how lucky you were that it happen so that you could move on to better things! Kat

I am so sorry! I hate that they can do those things to you with no reason necessary---that seems so unfair! A friends husband was recently let go from his job of 14 years, that he had advanced steadily at, and in our state you can be fired at any time with no reason being given. The family was devastated! I imagine similar to what you are feeling now. Have you approached this woman in person? Maybe ask her if they have another rental you could look at----make like you just expect them to be sympathetic....kinda bluff your way along. I hope you find something you like, or that something can be worked out---that just SUCKS!!! Hang in there, and keep us posted what happens. Kat

You got it--------GOOD LUCK!!! It was one of the very best decisions I ever made for myself!!! Welcome to LBT, hang out, ask any questions you have, and learn about the band! You can get all kinds of info from your Dr. but most of us here are banded and can relate personal experiences....and we're glad to help ease anxieties!! Kat

So far so good!! Breakfast was a scrambled egg with diced ham and cheese---ate about 3/4 of it. no Snacks this morning at all lunch was a chicken strip cut up over about a cup or a cup and a half of salad with Roasted Red Pepper Vinigrette....mmmmmmm was really good, but I ate too much, and now I am cooking dinner, and am not going to be eating if I am not hungry yet! It is clouding up and thundering outside, and my house smells yummy----I have Italian Sausage cooking, to make spaghetti sauce---which is dinner.....spaghetti. If I eat I can only do 1/4- 1/3 cup of Pasta, and I am FULL!!!!!!!!!!! Water----3 bottles of Water, and a bottle of Propel. Exercise---just feeling good I remember how to spell it, cuz I forgot how to do it!! Kat

I have not clipped coupons seriously is a long time, but you referred to stocking up--that I DO do! I have people freak out everytime they come through the back of my house and through my storage pantry! I only buy things that are on sale. The only exceptions of course are the usual, bread, milk, produce things. Otherwise if say chili is on sale, I buy 6 cans, and will not buy it again until it is on sale again. Boxed juice drinks for my grandkids, Snacks for them---I stock the pantry, and when I begin getting low it goes on my list. I make a shopping list every Wed. I go through the ads, see what is on sale, compared to what I need, and if it is at one of the 2 stores I frequent I buy it from them, if not, I price match it when I am in Walmart. I do not run to 6-7 different stores. There is only my DH and I, and provide babysitting for my 3 year old granddaughter, but I spend less than $200.00 a month on groceries!! Kat

Unlike most of those posting, I am not newly banded, I have been banded going on 2 1/2 years--and I am not at all sorry I did it, I would do it again in a heartbeat!! I would take my Mother or my Daughter to be banded, I whole heartedly believe it can be the answer to weight problems, if YOU are part of the eqation. Losing large amounts of weight without aid is possible, but very improbable, especially maintaining the loss. And having the band but not working with it, will not get you far either----but you put a good attitude, along with a good restriction-------and you CAN and WILL lose the weight! There are plenty of us around to prove that point!! As has been pointed out, this is often a place to come and vent or ask questions, or just moan and groan about whatever for the day. There are few serious issues ever come up---as there are with any surgery. Most of the time it is every day people with a simple problem or complaint, and they come here. On the other hand there are tons of us, out there day in and day out without issue, and we do not start threads every day saying "Another problem free day", "I lost another 2 pounds!", or "I Love My Band". While you will happen across those threads, they are not started everyday, and many who reach goal, or are close to it, have begun doing so many new things they are not around to post much, the need for support having lessened. You will get out of the band what you put into it....if you are willing to do your part, and watch the foods you eat, and the amounts----which sounds like what we always tried to do dieting---but is totally different and doable with the band, then the band will work!! It is not at all uncommon though to have a few days of "What in the hell did I do????" reaction. It goes away, the post op diet is eventually over, and life takes on a whole new meaning when you can lose a pound with less effort----and it stay off!!! Then another, then another!!! Hang in there----I KNOW mine was not a mistake!!! Kat

He didn't make the job of eating them last long!! Kat

Hi girls~ Well my morning is not off to a great start. Manda dropped Kinsey off and chatted at the door for a few minutes, and as she stepped out, I hear her make this half screech sound and barrel back in the door.....there was a snake in the driveway! I HATE snakes!!! About a week ago my brother saw one he said in my rose garden. So I have refused to go in the rose garden since.....so now I am almost house bound! I told Rick he has to do a snake round up when he gets home, both brother and DD said it was not a rattler, but I have a little girl who loves to be outside---so the snake has gotta go! I am in the last row of homes in my town on this side, we abut BLM land, so I have open rolling hills behind my house, some of them quite large---as well as an irrigation canal, so when the weather is rainy, the bull snakes search for dry land. And they can get to be huge! We had one on the porch of one of our rentals, that I called Animal Control for and it was over 5 feet long, and would not fit in the snake bucket they carry, she could hardly lift it on the long pole he was so heavy!!! So tonight Rick is going to take a stick along the perimeter of the house and through the shrubbery, and the lillies, and try to flush out the intruder. He does not like to kill things, so I told him, kill it or take it minimally 20 miles away before you release it! So today as I come and go, you can bet I will be hyper alert!!!! Denise---how is your DD and her gall bladder surgery issues? And the house? And the babies? Time to check in with an update! Terry--I didn't Snopes check the article, I watched the guy talk on 20/20 about a year ago--or someone talking about the triangle of safety. I stupidly assumed it was the same guy. The demos they did on the show were impressive. Then again I suppose it could have been faked too----ya never know! We have had a couple of earthquakes, but they just did some structural damage at most, nothing collapsed. Thankfully!!! Glad you weathered the storm ok!! Tracy---You and Macy out walking, or is the weather still too bad? When you posted that all was calming down, I have not had a need to tune in to the weather channel!!! Our local weather said we will get rain from your storm beginning tonight and lasting through the weekend. Dang, I might not get to gather wood!!! Although this weekend is the County Fair. I have to help decorate the BBQ cook off booth for DH's work. It is always fun! Haydee, did the storm hit you hard as well? How about the event center, no damage with the upcoming weddings I hope! Jane--You off playing on your Wii? Too bad you cannot work out with other Wii owners, you and Judy could work out together!!! Suzanne---how is the foot? Did you push it putting the shoe on? Jenn---you hanging in there? Feeling better? I cannot wait to hit the amusement park again!! Might do it week after next, not sure though. Pamela---Poor Susanne, I hate going to the Dr. once, let alone a bazillion times!!! When do you go back to school? Enjoy your pork rinds. I snacked on a bag, and Rick made short work of the rest, one of his favorite snacks! Michelle--still culling out for the yard sale? Becky and I did the one here, and got rid of lots, and now I am ready to do it again, I really need to clean out my cupboards! I have waaaaaay too much junk!! I bet I have 10 mixing bowls in there! Judy--if you were closer you could bring Ethan and we could go to the movie together! Maybe you could make me avoid the popcorn!! Laura & Tracy---hope you are having lots of fun! Our local baseball team was eliminated last night---which is pretty normal!! I sell tickets again tonight. Then will help in the concession stand on Friday with Rick's work. Not looking as forward to that one. There is one guy, he is a boss of sorts, he has is own team, and he thinks when he gets in the concession with all of us volunteers, he is our boss as well. He is not Rick's boss, but I try to be respectful of all of his fellow employees, but this guy makes it difficult. And if you don't bow down to him, he pulls the race card out on you. I am seriously hoping I get put in a different concession area than he is in!! Scale is holding tight at 171.5. If I dress lightly, I might make it in under 175 fully dressed on Friday---at the PS. Hoping so. Well if I want to make a pie hole report today, I better go find something to eat!! Hugs to All, hope I didn't miss anyone! Kat

Let's see....what have I ate today... I had chicken salad with WW Ritz for lunch---half a dozen crackers or so, with the chicken salad. I have drank probably 4 bottles of water Oh yeah---could not remember what I ate this morning!! A piece of WW toast with peanut butter! Had a SF popsicle after lunch. Not a bad day---but zero exercise! I have to change that! Not feeling the slightest bit ready for dinner--so Rick might get leftovers!! Not that he minds. He is one of those people that if I make a huge roast or something he would eat it for lunch and dinner 4 days in a row or until it was gone, and never complain. I on the other hand, want a day or 2 between the meal and having it for leftovers!! I have leftover ribs for him, and he would be happy, He is likely to be wet when he gets home, it is raining, and he is on his bike! Got my PS appointment rescheduled for Friday morning....can't forget this one! Not sure but figure we will go out and see the progress at my inlaws tonight----I have not so much as called out there today--I knew they would want me to come get the other kids, and I did not want to hurt my great nieces feelings since she is the only one old enough to understand that I refused!! I am going to ask her to go to the movie with Kinsey and I tomorrow. We were going to go today, but a friend stopped in and visited for awhile, so there was no time, and she had fun with her grandson! Win/ Win!! I like those times! Tracy, glad the storm did not do you any damage, I kept watch on the TV, and worried about you!!! I will be back later, going to get things ready for supper. Kat