Kat817

Morning girls~ Excellent points Jane, I had not even thought of those things in regard to Pamela---or any teachers, school workers in general I suppose. And you are right, I remember my Mom worked for 3 years after my Dad retired---so that she would have her own PERA retirement, and while she loved her job, she really had a hard time of it with him being off!! Glad to hear you Texas girls are hanging in there, ok, I am hoping Terry is too since she has not checked in. Tracy---last winter, I let Kinsey sit in the tub and blow bubbles with the shower doors closed!!! She thought it was hilarious and fun, and I figured the soap residue would wash off with the next shower---just be aware they do make it slippery! Kinsey come in, and never even woke up!!! She is still sleeping, I'll fix us some breakfast when she rouses. She is beginning to toss and turn, and slowly working her way awake. She always tells me "Good morning shunshine!" I'll probably be 80, with grandkids grown, and be unable to say sunshine, will still be saying shunshine! Well she woke up and we spent a half an hour cuddling into a happy mood---better get this posted! Ok, so I am off to figure out breakfast. Scale still sitting.....might have to do some serious WORK!!! Scary thought! Kat

Tracy---you keep us posted!!! I will be worrying about you! And Terry, and Haydee----for the storm, and Pamela for her sadness. I think you may have shelved your emotions concerning your Dad to avoid puffy eyes, but....it all comes out someway, whether in the blues or overeating or both. And face it, what you are dealing with is not something minor. Big hugs! We ate and went on out to my inlaws, where they are still knee deep in everything out of the kitchen. Ceiling is done, primer on the walls, and cabinets have a first coat. Looks ok, not what I would have chose, but it is brighter....so it might be a good thing for my MIL working in there. They have thrown so much of her stuff away it just saddens me, and also alerts me that every time I check with her about needing anything when I am going shopping, she will now need something!!! I just don't get it I guess, this is sooooo hard on them. They are both over 80---they lived through the depression, and have lived without a lot of things, so now when they get something---they hang on to it! Or did until their Daughters decided THEY were the parents now and began this disaster. They ask if I was going to be over tomorrow---I told them not until Kinsey left---afterall it was the SIL who was so snotty when she said they did not need a bunch of kids underfoot. Well they have a 15 month old and a 2 year old without Kinsey being there too!! They actually tried to pawn them and a 10 year old off on me---I just laughed!!! Y'all will not believe what I did today. I forgot my final PS appointment! It hit me at about 5 PM that today was the 4th--and my appointment was for 9 AM! I have to call in the morning and reschedule--I hate that---it is going to end up costing me! Dammit! It has been hot here too. Breaking records, for daily temps but also for the number of days above 100. It is simply too hot for us to do much during the day outside. I am thinking maybe after my hair tomorrow about taking Kinsey to see Space Chimps or whatever the movie is, she calls it Monkey Assronauts!!! We saw the movie poster yesterday in the mall. Well I am off to bed----my stomach did not like the ribs, or something---feels rumbly tumbly..... See you in the morning.. Kat

You say that jokingly Tracy, but it IS TRUE!! We ARE worried about you--and it might be a great time to bring Macy to NM to meet Kinsey, I will have power.....well electricity anyway!!! HUGS!!!!!! Kat

Libra while I can fully understand the shock you must be in, I just wanted to extend my congrats to you and your family. I think I too would be very concerned about weight, afterall we have concentrated so heavily on it for the last year +. I think my best advice at this point, is now that you know and have learned some proper eating habits, would be to avoid the scale as much as possible, and map out a healthy plan for you and a pregnancy. I know there are cravings even with out being pregnant that you will have to deal with, but if you know that you are eating healthy 97% of the time.....it seems it would go a long way to making the other 3% acceptable! I know I am operating on an unfilled band, since my TT, and have been living by those attempted plans!!! So far so good..... I agree, that what weight you gain, will be easily lost post pregnancy with the help of your band, and you will have a new cuddler as well!!! Good Luck and congrats to you all. Kat

I agree Rain, that we do tend to put our kids first----and mine are all closer to 30 than 20 now!!! I just wanted to add, that while it truly IS important to do this for you---the lessons you are giving to your children by doing something like this for yourself are wonderful!! They see you taking care of yourself, and they learn to take care of themselves. The new ways of eating and exercise are lessons they will have with them all their lives. So by doing this for YOU......YOU pass on wonderful life lessons for them to carry on. While my DD's are as I say older 25 & 26, it was impressive even to them for Mom to commit and actually do it and follow through and be successful, I could not ask for them to be prouder of me! It feels great to show them that they can do things for themselves and not be viewed as shallow or selfish. Especially important lessons for daughters I think. Congrats on your success! Kat

Tracy be careful with Miss Macy or you will create a monster!!! I cannot make a PB&J now without Kinsey 'helping'. She has to help do anything and everything in the kitchen, whether it is cooking or loading the dishwasher, she wants to be involved!!! We do have fun though! Today she was helping me shuck corn when her Mama showed up---she told her as soon as she was finished with her work she could go! And I sent corn home with them so she was telling Manda she knew how to "do" the corn so she would show her! I have avoided my inlaws house all day, not sure if I can manage it tonight or not---Rick may think we need to at least go by---maybe I'll have dinner waiting, then we can ride out later. But gee I'll be in my good jeans, so can't help! Tomorrow, my Mom is keeping Kinsey so I can get my hair cut, and then again on Wed. while I go to lunch with my friend Marie. So.....part of each day is already planned. I too am lucky enough to have my parents both still with me. I know there are times I complain endlessly about things concerning them, but I love them dearly, and do my best to let them know that frequently. And while there are times my inlaws make me stark raving crazy----I am extremely lucky to have them most of the time too!!! The issues with being so close, and the ones relied on all the time, cloud that for me more than it should. In my case, I deal with being the one they rely on, because there was just my brother and I, and he has serious handicaps. IN Rick's case, it infuriates me, when his siblings do nothing all year long, and try to overrun everyone one week a year. They spend 2-3 week long vacations in Hawaii, they take cruises, they go to my SIL's family home, but they never come here, until this one week each summer when they come and try to overhaul their lives to fit them. My SIL's have point blank said they would have to do this now or later so they will do it now. I HATE when they do that or ask if they can have such and such when they are gone. That is mean! Anyway--I needed the reminder Pamela---and I thank you for it. I have actually spoke to both Dads today, and set up times to cut their hair this week! Well off to begin cooking my fingerling potatoes. I have a pound cleaned, I bet I eat one!! LOL, I need to learn to cook smaller amounts! But Rick takes left overs to lunch. I smell my BBQ ribs....mmmmmmmmmm Baby Backs, hopefully tender enough for me---I have had them smoking low for 2 hours so far! See y'all after while! Kat

Welcome Michaele and NYCFun--this is definitely a great group, they are supportive, and loving--when you need a kick in the butt, and ask for it they give it, but they do not tear you down without you asking for help!!! I treasure the friends I have made both from NJ and not!!! Back a couple of years ago, the forum was set up differently and the newest posts appeared first, so many of us responded to a question or comment, without realizing it was NJ thread, and were so happy with the companionship and support we all stuck around!!! Has been a busy 4 days off for Rick and I. His birthday was yesterday, so we spent the day riding, and had a family dinner, and cake and ice cream, which I promptly got rid of---sent it with a niece!! We also had the Connie Mack World Series (HS baseball---usually aged like 17-18.) The company my DH works for sponsored the home run derby, so we had to be there for that---to help keep records, and he helped hand out trophies. Was fun. We also have his sister, and her son, his wife and their baby in from Denver. She cannot come to visit her parents and enjoy them, she has to come here and make it a job. I really love this SIL, but she frustrates me with her lack of ....heck I don't even know the word I want----but she cannot sit and talk and laugh with them, she wants to redo their house, and she is NOT an interior decorator!!! She is actually planning to sand down and paint their wooden kitchen cabinets! She thinks the dark wood is too much for them---so is planning to pain them a light blue and then the rest of the kitchen off white. Last time she did the soffet area with contact paper like wall paper, and was put out it did not last!!! She is not neat, she slops paint everywhere! Then in the LR are the ceilings are high with exposed dark wood beams, she is going to paint them white with the ceiling. I just shook my head, and vowed to stay the heck out of it! But for now.....the same SIL is supposed to come over to access my WiFi---so I need to get some things picked up----I know she would LOVE to get her hands on my house, something she will NEVER do!!! Talk soon---miss you girls! Kat

Hi girls~ Hope Laura and TracyKS are having a blast!! We had a busy weekend. We had Rick's birthday dinner and cake and ice cream yesterday, and we took a long ride---his birthday...his choice of activity! We had to go to the ball field, his company sponsored the Homerun Derby, and he had to be on hand to help hand out trophies, and keep records. Meaning, I told him what to write down and he did it!!! LOL!!! Paperwork has NEVER been his strongpoint, his advancement was made possible through his computer!!! LOL Love him to death but he has paper phobias! We managed 2 loads of wood over the 4 days off---one from our own property, and then we went out on Sat. and cut and hauled a load in from BLM land. I am so freaking out of shape it is not funny!!! The trek up and down the hill loading that wood I kept repeating to myself, "this is good for me.....this is good for me...." I still breathed like I had ran a mile, and had a back ache from hell---but I told y'all that. I made a huge (double) German chocolate cake with the coconut/pecan frosting for his birthday---it is both our favorites. But we each had a slice, and a small scoop of ice cream ( luscious and home made....) and sent it all home with my niece! Did not even offer it to my own kids---out of love! There was not tons leftover.....there was over 30 people and that was family!! My brother, I have told, has some mental disabilities. Well he always fuels at this one station, and when you gt over 8 gallons of fuel you get a free candy bar. Well with his line of work---as a handyman, he goes through that each day, between lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, chain saws----so he had this 5 gallon ice cream bucket in his freezer full---not an inch to spare---of candy, we told him to keep it froze til Halloween and hand it out. Nope he included it in Ricks birthday gift. So I have to find a place in my freezer, and I will hand it out! Good Grief, he has no idea how knowing all that candy is a few steps away can be!!! Kinsey drug me away for a minute, and I forgot to post this----better do it and get busy. My SIL is supposed to take a break and come use my WiFi today sometime, want to make sure the place is clean!! They are going so far overboard with my inlaws house, and going to make it look much worse in my opinion. She is going to sand and paint their wood kitchen cabinets, because she thinks the dark wood makes it harder for them to see it darkens the house---so she is painting them a light blue and the rest of the kitchen an off white. And the ceiling through the main part of the house is high and has open beams---also dark wood---and she is painting them white with the ceiling. All of this might be ok, but she is not careful, nor neat with her painting, she slops it on, I have been in her houses for years, and she has a pastel thing and uses contact paper like wall paper (I swear) and has never met a neat paint line---there are globs, and smears everywhere, and she does a lot of froo froo stuff, fluffy curtains, and lots of knick knacks to draw the theme together----not something my inlaws need. And she is going through their overstuffed closet, and instead of simply trying to weed some out, she is telling them for every 1 item they keep they need to get rid of 4. I would toss my kid out on her butt for telling me things like that, she has her own house, mine is messy maybe but not horde like pack ratted----she is being a royal PITA----and she is my favorite SIL!!!! She cannot come and visit with her mom and dad, and sit down and talk with them, laugh with them, enjoy them--she has to make it a job. I am staying away. Y'all had no idea taking care of Kinsey was such a "job" did ya!!!! Talk to ya later!! Kat

HeatherO---the way it was explained to me at my one and only bra fitting, was that they first measure the fullest part of your bust---then just below, where the band sits----which ends up your band size---the 38 say----and the difference in the 2 measurements determines the cup size. Like if there is only a 3 inch difference that means you need a C cup, a 4 inch difference is a D cup, 5 inch difference a DD. Now I am NOT saying that is the right correlation, but that is how it was explained that the cup size is determined. So if you have lost a lot of weight through your back, and through the 'side boobs' under your arms, the measurment would be bigger.....moving you to a smalller band size and a larger cup size. It is not uncommon. Some people carry a lot of weight in their breasts and when they begin losing weight they all go away----others lose everything around them, and they remain (me too!)---whatever the size you end up, buying a bra that fits good and is comfortable is well worth hunting for!!! Kat

No time to read through posts. Just stopping in to say we are alive and well. Today is Rick's bday and we have been on the go. I have not cleaned at MIL's!!! Talk tomorrow~~ Kat

Home again. Did my stint in the evening game ticket window. I loved it!!! So many excited little kids----and even more excited big kids!! LOL Rick, Becky & Gary went ahead and went to the game so when I finished up, I went and sat with them. Was lotsa fun. I ate half---well not quite half, maybe a third of a chimichanga---with beef and green chile, and refried beans for dinner, so was stuffed! I about fell down the bleachers when I got to them, and they were all gnoshing on more food!!! Nachos and popcorn.....I would have been eating right along with them before my band. I said no thanks and finished my bottle of water, like the 7th or 8th one today! I did see an opportunity for some additional exercise running for them though... Up and down the bleachers, to the concessions, or to the trash. Probably 7 trips----they thought I was nuts! I felt empowered....not eating the junk and working out anyway! Laura, have a wonderful trip!!! TracyKS--check in soon, so we know you made it safe!! I am off to check my mail and call it a night. See y'all tomorrow--not sure exactly what the day holds, we are discussing another load of wood----cut in the hills, not in my yard though! Bathroom facilities are nowhere as nice!! See ya manana!! Kat

Damn Pamela--that is too wierd----I would take a few seconds and document things----well I guess in a way it is here, if they ever need dates etc. Tooo strange!! Well lests see, today--I had part of an egg mixed with green chile, corn tortilla, and hashbrowns---juevos rancheros----It was made on top of one tortilla, with one egg----and I cut it all up together, then scraped half onto Ricks plate!!! Ate that and 1/2 a piece of sourdough toast. Was YUMMY!!!! Then I just ate a handful of huge cold juicy green grapes!! The plan is to go to dinner with Becky & Gary tonight. As for exercise.....we cut and hauled our first load of wood today. Not far----it was from part of our tree that burned on the back property, Rick cut it down, and we cut it up, loaded it, brought it around and stacked it. Wood hauling has officially begun. Was some serious work, wore me out!! I am out of shape! We come in, took a shower, laid down on the bed letting the ceiling fan blow on us, and woke up about an hour later!! Was nice. I do a lot of reading for pleasure----but self help books don't get very far....I grow bored with them too easy. That and I see every little point I want to remember, and soon they all blur!! Hope things are going well Laura!! We had to stay home, first thing this morning he got called for a wreck one of the frac crew had, so staying in town seemed wisest. Listening to some ZZ Top on TV instead of in person----just not the same!!! LOL WEll I have had 3 bottles of water, and need another, it is hot---HOT outside---and I was sweatin'! This oldie is not used to the workout yet. And I am having some serious back pain. I think it is the muscles and even the skeleton readjusting when I work out, to not having the strain of the weight of my belly hanging on them. Sounds strange, but for years they were stretched to support that, and it is gone. Anytime I do physical things now, my back hurts.... Scale is still sitting at 171.5.......I am gonna make my goal, watch me!! I am getting so close I am getting psyched up again, and YES, knowing I have to tell you if I eat junk.....it helps----doesn't stop me, but it helps. Like last night I was going to eat ice cream on the porch...............well, ok I did, but I only ate about 1/2 a cup! LOL Well my hair dried while we took our unexpected nap and is wild as hell now, so I better go tame it before dinner! Talk to y'all laterz.... Kat

Laura I'd take some cash anyway!!! Better safe than sorry. Kat is staying home......Aiden has surgery tomorrow morning at 7:30 AM. Rick and I are talking about driving to Albq. to see them on Sat or Sun. We are actually talking about going tomorrow and catching ZZ Top and Brooks and Dunn in concert---then seeing them the next morning. One good thing about the company---they can always get us seats in the box if we decide to do the concert---we have done it just an hour before and not had a problem, and they had them available today....so we'll see. I am sad at not going to Sturgis, yet not devastated----not much changes year to year!!! Pamela---Swing Vote does not open here til tomorrow either, but I had it in my head all morning it was Friday!! LOL----we will go tomorrow if we don't head to Albq. We can't leave for Albq. until after 2----he has to be available while crews are out. Work sure does get in the way of life!!! LOL We went to Fuddruckers with son, DIL and grandson tonight. He was actually so well behaved it was shocking!!! I took him to the bathroom and cut his nails, they were so long it was unbelievable! I cannot believe the way she does with him sometimes. Oh well. I had a corner of Rick's burger, and about 3-4 onion rings. Earlier I had a handful (one of the quarter machines) of Hot Tamales. Haydee---we eat sooooooo much green chile!!! When it hits the market it is sold in 40 pound bags. We buy minimally 4 bags, and freeze per year! We clean it, remove the seeds and skin then bag it----some whole, and some I chop. When I put it in the bag, I flatten the bag, then when I need some of the chopped, I can open the bag, put it on the edge of the counter and break off what I need. I keep the ones that work well for rellenos, as we clean them whole, and bag them separately and mark them so when I am ready to make them the chiles are nice and meaty, and whole, so they work well. We eat chile 3 times a day many days, and I would die I think without it!!! I too make a MEAN pork green chile!!! I miss it when we go to TX---Tex Mex is so different! Here the actual state question is "Red or Green?" Referring to chile!!! Well I am off to screw up a good day, and have a bowl of ice cream on the back porch with my hubby!!!! BBL~~ Kat

My hair loss began at about 4-5 months post op and lasted for about 6 months, it got pretty thin, like you I already had thin hair so that was not welcome!!! I had lost all my hair before due to chemo---and this was no where near that drastic, but I was on the verge of considering wigs----because I felt the top was see through. About that time, the top seemed less thin, and the hair was coming back. It grew in quickly really---and I wear my hair fairly long, and now it is back to almost the full length, it is back enough my ponytail is thick again.....I keep the straggly ends trimmed off as it grows out. I tried everything--I kept my Protein up, kept healthy fats in my diet, took Biotin, and zinc....used folicure shampoo----nothing seemed to help. Finally I quit, and accepted it, and soon it stopped, so not sure if stress was exacerbating it or not!! Good Luck---it DOES grow back and is worth the few months of thinning----grab a hat and go shopping for smaller clothes!! Kat

That is all we want Haydee---for YOU to be happy. There are as many different types of relationships in this world as there are people, and everyone has to work with what works for them. Isn't it one of our Violets whose DH leaves every Christmas to avoid the commercial chaos----and that works for them, where it would not for me.....we are all finding our own ways each and every day, and we only want you to be happy!! I was not meaning you should have a baby---no no no!!! Spend some time enjoying yourself. That is not to say babies and kids cannot be enjoyed, but they are forever----even with ours grown and gone, they are still our kids, we worry over them everyday, and it is a personal battle at the ages they are to still not always put them first....something Rick and I are working on----like I say --relationships remain a work in progress at all times!! I seriously did not mean to sound as though I was passing judgement. Pamela---you can also do a close measurement with a dollar bill--it is 6"----will give you a pretty good idea..... Anybody want a brother---mine is making me mad and I am gonna give him away! Kat

Hi all~ The earlier date for Christmas works for me too---but you guys and my DH and DS are really irritating me! They are off getting permits for wood hauling, and y'all are talking Christmas.....like summer is all over! It isn't!! I refuse to be cold already, it just started!! Today teams arrive. I was going to miss all this, but since we cannot leave for Sturgis this morning......I am gonna Connie Mack instead!! The teams are almost exclusively US teams this year. There is always a local host team---they have never won---and are usually eliminated VERY quickly. The other teams compete to get here, and the local just wins the local tourney! But they have a team here from Houston--Terry, Tracy & Haydee should have tagged along! And teams from Georgia, Illinois, 2 from Arizona, Connecticut, Ohio (they have been here lots of times and won lots!), Florida and a team from Puerto Rico. They qualify by regions and then have 2 qualifier rounds. They check in tonight, have a big cook out, meet the host families, and have a parade tomorrow with the first ball being thrown out at 5:15 PM tomorrow. I am working the gate Saturday, and probably Sunday I will volunteer the concessions--good reason not to clean!!! LOL There are usually about 5000 people per game--and 2 games a night. They run a shuttle over the weekend, because they have a regional swim meet going on in the same area. It was pretty funny, they showed the swim team check in picture in the paper from last year. The volunteers checking them in were a local ABATE chapter---a motorcycle club! The volunteers were in full leather, bandanas, long hair, beards, tattoos showing---checking in kids in swimwear or summer clothes, super clean cut!!! Our son come over for breakfast, so I made his favorite, pancakes and sausage---homemade syrup. So I ate a pancake wrapped around a sausage. Drank a bottle of water before he showed up----and have one in front of me now. I need to go clean my mess in the kitchen. DIL and grandson will be over soon--the guys rode in to get permits and were going to ride in to Colorado and look at a place we get a lot of Aspen wood. I think this afternoon Rick and I are going to a movie. He wants to see Swing Vote. So my day with the piehole report will be shot!!! Popcorn will do me in! But I will accept defeat today!!! My scale went down another pound----but since I know the future of today, I am not changing anything yet!!! 171--that puts me pretty doggone close to the 160's----amazing, absolutely freaking amazing!!! Haydee you look lovely as always!! I have a question---maybe I missed it---but are you and Juan living together again? You said you went home and shared his cereal.....made me wonder. Did holding the baby trigger you wanting one? It always does Manda. Abbey is still on bed rest, still bleeding, not heavy, heartbeat is still strong, and her hormone levels have increased right on schedule. Just holding our breath. One of my friends----actually the one who was banded that made me start looking into it---her oldest son and his wife had a baby yesterday. He was only 6 lbs 13 ounces----but has the absolutely biggest feet I have EVER seen on a baby. Kinsey is 3 1/2 years old and I swear to you they are as big as hers!! No kidding I bet they are 6" long! He looks so strange!!! Look wise he looks like his Daddy did as a kid! But from heel to toe is longer than from heel to knee! He also has big hands---I told her if he grows into them he will leave his 6'2" Daddy behind!!! LOL They named him Dylan Matthew. I also have a new great niece in Denver....we just got pictures of her, she looks just like her older sister. They named her Saya. Saya Lilia......my SIL kept telling them to name her Saya Nora.....she was very unhappy with the name Saya so was making a joke, then they told her they thought the whole Sayanara thing was funny that they DID name her that, she freaked out. Of course Saya Lilia in my opinion is not much better!!! LOL Well I need to clean the kitchen before it gets too late and I am chasing the grandson around!! BBL~~ Kat

The vibrating rings like you are speaking of in Walmart usually do come with a condom, but are not attached to it----you can use it, or make a water balloon out of it----one is not necessary for the other. Kat

Welcome home Jessica! I enjoy being away but am usually glad to be home. I am a creature of habit, and I love my own bed!!! Yep I am rodeo'd out!!! Was a great success, we had lots of fun, some scary times, a couple of young boys hurt seriously---one broken back needing emergency surgery, and a broken neck! Both are still hospitalized, but recovering well, and look to make full recoveries. I know they ride those broncs and bulls knowing it is possible, but it is still scary! The kid who broke his back got stuck under a raging 1000 lb+ bull, and was stomped on. The other boy made his 8 seconds on the bucking bronc but when he dismounted, the horse threw his weight right at the kid, and flipped him onto his head---where he landed, breaking C1. Altogether they gave away over a quarter of a million dollars in scholarship money! It was a lot of work, but a lot of fun too. Now we have a few days off and Connie Mack World Series baseball starts, we have teams from all over the US as well as MX and Puerto Rico among others. We at first were not going to do this, because we planned to go to Sturgis, but the guy who works with Rick, his son is having heart surgery, so he is going to be gone, we have to stay home, so got involved in baseball again! Speaking of baseball---I actually signed up today to play on Rick's work softball team!!! I used to play a lot, that and volleyball. This was offered so I am doing it. They ask me what size uniform tshirt top----I had mens medium to mens XXX to choose from. I got Large! Can you believe that---and I have lots of room, it will be great when washed and dried! Pat---it was so good to talk to you!!! She surprised me girls!! She says "Guess who this is?---And no fair peeking at Caller ID" Well I peeked anyway and it only showed a #!!! It was so good to talk to her!! Conscensus was----kids and their choices in life are a PITA!!!! Donna---I have heard the larger bands might take longer to reach a sweet spot---BUT I have also been told straight up by my surgeon, they have went to the larger band, because it is easier on the stomach, and results in less erosions and slips. Many of us in here were banded before the large ones were even available. Mine too is a 9.75 ml, with a max fill of 4cc. Sherry have you tried the lactaid or eliminating some dairy?? Well I am off to shred chicken (will the fun never end??) we are having green chile chicken enchiladas tonight---and they won't make themselves!! See y'all later!! Kat

I was going to suggest the same thing to Pamela!! I have a friend who loves all my cast offs!! She struggles financially from time to time, and has teenage girls. So....when a new shampoo doesn't please me, or seems not to work well after a few tries, and gets shoved into the linen closet----eventually they get it, and are thrilled by it all! When I hit the motels and get all the little bottles, they go in the womens and childrens shelter collection box at church. I am seriously trying to buy less of that---make myself use up stuff I have before buying new. I am actually finding it rather exciting to use something up and throw it out! Silly--but I have been refusing to buy new, until I need it. I may never buy some things again....lotion, eye shadow, nail polish----I likely won't live the 50+ years it would take to use it all up!!! LOL Well I had a hot dog for lunch--bun included and a bottle of water---that was my 3rd bottle of water, and now I am eating shaved ice!!! I know there is no nutritional content---but it is 102 degrees out, and it tastes really good!!! Dinner is going to be chicken enchiladas, I'll have spanish rice for Rick, but I don't care for it, so will just eat the enchiladas. Well guess what I did????? NO! I did NOT do that! I signed up to play on Rick's work softball team!!! I used to love to play, and quit obviously due to weight---so I am playing the fall season, starts in August!! We are both playing! He was all put out, he had got down to 192, and yesterday was back to 205 (mid day fully dressed) so he is ready to kick it in gear again---instead we opted to work out more! Hope I don't embarrass us too badly! One thing about it, I am not worried that they won't have a uniform t shirt to fit me! What a change! Feeling fine today, I just have no voice! I sound like a pre-pubescent boy---high then low-then squeeky!! I hate it, so I am doing my best to be quiet, and rest it, and keep it moist and cool----don't have any idea if it will help, figure it can't hurt! Well I am off to put away some groceries----my ice is gone...... Check in later! Kat

As far as wanting your ???'s in PM---if there is ever a question about anything band related or not, you are welcome to PM me. As for the rings you saw in Walmart----they are a silicone ring with a small vibrator attached. The ring goes around the base of his penis, and will sit then right in the area of your clit----sending the vibrations to both of you, but in more of your most sensitive areas than his. The vibrator attached is small, say as big around as your pinkie finger and about and inch or an inch and a half long. They are not expensive----get one and try it! If it does not do it for you, there is not much lost, but an openess with your boyfriend has been gained! The problem with inhibitions is that they hurt you both. You might be perfectly able to use the vibrator on yourself, but he might also really get off using it on you----and those feelings of excitement are contagious. Same with the words you think to yourself----it might thrill him to hear it---if it thrills him, that translates to better times for you too! I do understand the closeness involved in holding someone as you orgasm. But there are many positions you are not holding one another----same as when you are brought to that point in any other manner than penetration. That is not to say it has to be that way each time. I feel there are times it is advantageous to both ways! Of course I love the closeness of that with my husband, but I am also selfish enough to admit that through oral or other means, when I orgasm----it is all about ME!! I can totally relax and enjoy it for what it is! Then I can enjoy the after glow cuddled up if I choose! I would not want a steady diet of one or the other, I enjoy both! There are times, especially if one is trying too hard, that it is just not going to happen. That does not mean the act itself is not pleasurable. I enjoy the giving of the pleasure as well as receiving. Just enjoy one another, do some experimenting, and playing around with positions....and let one another know how much you want to be with one another. At this point it seems like you are at risk of making sex a job. A job with a goal. Kind of like how infertility messes with a sex life. Sex is not just sex anymore, there is a goal. And while I know you DO have goal, and it is one you totally deserve----don't forget to enjoy what you are getting, in a search for the almighty "O". Womens bodies are all different, and weight, age, and menopause all affect us. What used to be easily reached and arroused is now often times more hooded, and has now got a fat pad over it etc. This was all mentioned by my PS when we discussed the mons lift with my TT. It is not just you---it is common enough that it is even a surgery offered in and of itself, not just with TT's. So knowing this, if you do a little self exploration, you might more easily figure out what ways will work better. Read your own signature line......if you want the results changed, you need to change the way you're doing things!!! Most of all enjoy the learning!!! Kat

There was actually a thread once on port placement, and ports are all over the place!!! There was one up in the collarbone area---like my chemo port was! And there were ones clear down on the bikini line, and everywhere in between!!! Continue to sip away----you might consider 2 things to sip on----one being clear Protein drinks--like the Zero Carb Isopure---the protein will aid in your healing process. The other thing I have heard recommended often when dealing with raw esophagus, or swollen stoma areas, is clear aloe vera juice. Sip those same as you are your sports drink---slowly but STEADILY....and hopefully soon you will be on the road to really working WITH your band!!! Glad you are feeling better!! Kat

I think a main point is being missed here, and that is that Denise needs to figure out what works for her, before she can let bf know what works for her. And self exploration is the only way she is going to figure that out, with or without toys. Then once you figure out what feels best.....the best way to let him know-----show him! He won't mind watching I betcha!!! Go to Walmart and buy the vibrator ring, the battery power is quiet, it is not gonna wake the kids or freak out the neighbors!! Make a fun time of it. Sex is wonderful when it is soft, and loving and romantic....but sex is wonderful when it is full of laughs and exploration with one another too. If this is a new relationship---then he seriously does not have any history of you to compare to. This is your chance to come out of yourself a bit, and show your daring, fun filled side! Touch him, touch yourself.....say naughty things if you feel like it! Open up with yourself, and it will allow you to open up with him. Most of all, have fun----and enjoy the discoveries together---it will add another dimension to your relationship that only the 2 of you share. Kat

Hi girls~ Well, I think I was sick yesterday was why nothing sounded good to eat, and I hurt all over! Went to bed with a pretty good fever, Rick turned off the alarm before it went off, and told me to stay in bed, and the next thing I know it is 10:00 AM and my doorbell is ringing!! Was just my folks---I opened my mouth to speak to them, and almost nothing come out----my voice is gone, but today I feel fine!! Go figure, I have some sort of migrating virus!! LOL Nothing at all sounds good to me lately---I just do not care about eating. It is the wierdest thing for me! Usually hungry or not I can think of a dozen things that sound yummy. But nada---it all just makes me curl my lip---yuck! I have not PB'd or anything that would like turn me off of food or anything, nothing just appeals. I eat because I have too. I felt crummy yesterday, but otherwise, I am not depressed or anything -- everything else is good, just lost my love affair with food! Terry---I do not plan to clean with my SIL's. There are things I do for them that involve cleaning---I shampoo their carpet usually once a year---and I might go do that when they finish their cleaning job--------but that is it! When we are out visiting, I take the Webster out, and go through the beams on the high ceilings, and along the corners, and lamp shades, get all the cobwebs knocked down---I know they simply do not see them....and I don't mind, we visit as I chase webs--but I do it every couple of weeks, I do not need a vacation to be spent cleaning!! Rick is working, so he will not be available through the day either, and hopefully she is worn out by evening, and will not try to recruit him, or I will seriously be the bitch SIL!!! Tracy----Jason finally told the jerk off boss yesterday---in a heated moment "Go ahead, keep at it, and run me off---when you do I am gonna keep on running straight to my attorney!" Then he went and had a closed door session with the safety guy---and he said they mentioned it, and moved on to talking about boats, but the boss had no idea, and was pretty decent afterwards!!! He went to Reliance which is the medical place they send all work related injuries, and they are handling it. This is the same boss Rick has to work for and he is an ASS! He threatened Rick's position when he had his open heart surgery---telling him that they might not be able to keep his slot open! Amazingly they did!! He just likes to make people miserable. But get this, he actually called Chana---the girl we went to the rally with her and her husband---she is Rick's secretary---and ask her to come pick him and his girlfriend up at the bar---at 2 AM not too long ago. So she did!!! But she stopped by work first and clocked in! No one has questioned why she put in an hour and a half in the middle of the night, but she has documented it! They have a lot against him, as far as him being seriously racially biased.....and much of that is documented by those of the same race!! But he is a minority---one carefully protected where I live, and he is crippled (bad leg) so firing him, is a lawsuit waiting for the company. Terry---I will try as you say to eat regularly--so guess I should go start!!! it is almost noon! I did see a new all time low on the scale today, 172. I want to be able to enjoy food though!!! My goal was to be at 175 fully clothed for my follow up appointment on the 4th. I might do it! BBL~~ Kat

Good Grief Pamela---keep us posted!!! Still feeling crappy. Rick took me to DQ to give me a sugar rush---and their AC had gone out, and the ice cream was soured----gag!!!!!! Good way to keep me from eating it!!! Off to bed with me....see you in the morning! Hugs! Kat

That really sucks!!!! When you do finally see your Dr. remember to tell him about it! Wish there was something we could do to help besides listen---but since that pretty much covers it---we are always here! Kat