Kat817

It didn't come as much of a surprise when I attended the few support groups I did, that the men were overall accepting of the others there, regardless of the type of surgery they chose, while the women were confrontational, and argumentive about which surgery was best. It is sad to see it, but it happens in everything it seems, women are cruel to other women. They put them down for being overweight, then harp at them when they lose that weight. They either 'took the easy way out' with surgery for those not needing it, or they chose the wrong surgery by the RnY'ers. If a woman wears clothes too tight, she is slutty, and if they are too loose she is a slob. Few men care what another is wearing! Men do not dissect what one another had for lunch---other than to wonder if they too should have ordered that. Women--some of them can tell you what every person had and how much they ate, and how they ate it!!! I know this is a generality----but it is VERY common! The more women you are around, the more crap you will get from them! I have been really busy the last 6 weeks with the National High School Final Rodeo in our town--there are over 1600 kids from over 40 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and from Australia. I volunteered and worked with many of these people 4-6 years ago, when the finals were held here last time. Through the volunteering, I work with a variety of people, probably more men involved than I have worked with in years. The last rodeo, was before my surgery, and I am now within sight of my goal, and in a size 10 comfortably. The men while not being flirtatious, are complimentary, and then drop it. They do not question what I eat, they do not make snide comments about me regaining it in 2 years. The women.....oh good grief, they cannot stop the questions. I am no longer just Kat-----------I am just a body attached to the band!!! It seems we cannot discuss anything else--including the job we are there to do!!! I am not ashamed of being banded, and do not regret for a second telling anyone of it----I feel it might give hope to someone who is in the position I found myself a few years ago. But without a doubt the negativity from those that have chose another surgery, and those who refuse to educate themselvesis irritating as hell!!!! We are all different, and come from different places in life, we had different eating issues, why in the world would we think one surgery was for everyone---that is why there are options!!! Hang in there-----as my Grandma used to say, the proof is in the pudding. Lose your weight, retain your health and show them!!! It has shut many an early naysayer up in my situation. Kat

Good morning! Kinsey is here and fast asleep, if I had any sense about me, I would be as well!!! Will be home most of today, off to work this evening at the fairgrounds. Volleyball is over, and they are now on to a 3 on 3 basketball tourney, and I am not involved, I know little to nothing about basketball so will leave it for them!!! They have cutting along with the regular rodeo performances this morning---so I am not involved!! A portion of everything sold, from a bottle of Water, to a saddle to the gate entrance fees today goes to breast cancer research. The theme today is "tough enough to wear pink" so should be a sea of pink out there, lucky for me, I do have a pink shirt, and it is cool enough to wear!! Later today for lunch I am meeting up with Sofi, and looking forward to that!! scale is still sitting at 176.5----the danged 1/2 a pound won't even budge! I have seen 175 several times, but I want to get there fully clothed before my Dr. appointment! So going to try again today to keep an eye on what I am eating and how much. I think my problem is amount.....I am still eating less than pre band of course, but I know at this weight I need even less in order to lose than I did at 200---and I am eating the same as I had. I did fair yesterday with portions, not so much with food choices, but I watched how much of it all I ate. Terry, how did the tests go with your Mom? My Aunt called me concerned over my Mom not sounding very "with it" on the phone. I still believe her Dr. has her way over medicated, but you cannot convince her or any of them that he is a quack!! Both sets of parents see the same Dr. he seems to specialize in drugging older people. His practice is almost exclusively medicare, and it is nothing for them to wait 3 hours in the waiting room for an appointment. He is sickeningly sweet to them, so you cannot even talk to them about it. My SIL and I have tried repeatedly with my inlaws, and I do with my folks, but they are all very loyal! Told my Aunt, why don't you come visit, and then we can talk about it. I take my Mom to see her a couple times a year, but she never comes here. Guess I will go try to find something to call Breakfast, I don't ever want to eat in the morning, but I need to change something---might as well try it! Will check in later before I go. Hugs to all of you! Kat

Home again---dinner was fun, kids looked amazing!!! I cannot fathom the money some of these families spent, omg!!! I am off to bed, I have Kinsey with me tomorrow, so will be home til afternoon, then I am back out to the fairgrounds. Hugs to all, I am off to bed, this old lady is not used to all this work!!! Kat

Home for a few minutes, dropping Dew off, and grabbing something to eat. Last night I had these little sausage things, which were ok, they were all protein, not great nutrition, but the sausage---I did not chew it well, and it gave me fits!!! I had heart burn all night, and burped the dang sausage all night! Today was fun, I actually got to stay in the arena inside, and rode all day, my feet are not aching!!! Tonight though, I will be on my feet!! I am going to help serve a dinner to the cowboy prom goers. Should be fun. I plan on grabbing a steak for myself and calling that dinner!!! Well girls here is what I did. I know it sounds like I am simply delaying, but this week is chaotic, so I plan to do this come Monday. I went to Walmart and went to the new school supplies stuff that is everywhere, bought me a new notebook, and come Monday I plan to journal, and track food, and water, and exercise, and see if I can come up with a good reason I am stalled. I am doing lots! I am just afraid with no fill, I am eating lots more than I should. Then I have to make a decision, whether I like my life as it is, or whether I seriously want to put out some effort and make my goal. Which I do, just so I can say I did it! I am ok with my overall size now I guess, I just have lots of jiggly parts I seriously need to get tightened up!!! And losing another 10-15 pounds would make me very happy!!! I go to get my after pictures done on the 4th......hope to drop to 175 by then, at least close to weighing what I should for what he removed! Candy has not been an issue. The last few days when I am out at the fairgrounds, I have done lots of sugary ice though, they do not have a sugar free option, so I just eat what they have and it is nothing but sugar water I know!!! Becky is here, bbl~~ Kat

I felt a bit like the wicked witch in Wizard of Oz......"I'm melting!!!" I loved it, other than it was a bit icky....oozing all over the place, but there was a definite thrill in knowing it was fat melting out!!! Yep we might all be a bit psycho!!!! But we are in excellent company!!! Kat

Hi ladies, another busy day here. I skipped the morning rodeo--and was not scheduled for any other volunteer things. I will be heading out about noon, taking my horse today, gonna take it easy, and give directions and move around up high!!! Have to tell you what I DID yesterday! We have a single elimination volleyball tournament going on as well. Because some of the events are so spread out, there is little for the kids to do in between times. So we have hot tubs and pools, and several games of sorts. Well we ended up with kids from 46 states, 5 Canadian provinces, and Australia. So when the info went out about the volleyball tournament, we got 40 teams signed up. We began yesterday---and it continues this afternoon, but since I judged some yesterday I cannot today. Anyway several of us were messing around with some of the kids who were warming up for their game--and girls I actually played volleyball again!!!! I had a blast, and it felt good!!! I am going to look into the league play here again. I used to play volleyball and softball all the time, til my weight stopped me. Now I might be too old but I am sure as heck gonna try!!! Terry---good luck on Moms tests today! Judy---we get clouds built up and wind blows, and we get a 6" rain every afternoon......a drop every 6 inches.....enough to make a pretty mess when the dirt blows then! The temp does not drop----it remains hot. Of course it does, I don't have a pool for it to torment! TracyK---maybe you could get the friends # and call her and offer a day for her to leave her DD with you as opposed to the daycare once in awhile? Maybe a weekly Sunday School class would put her in touch with some new kids. And most are offering some sort of Summer bible school program around now----a week of fun. Ours this year is built around a safari theme. It is 3 hours a day for a week. You could volunteer to help so you would still be together, and she would be with kids. Kinsey cannot go til next year she is too young. TracyKS, yes the plan is to hit Sturgis---we have camp spots at Buffalo Chip. They have been in our little group for 7 years now!!! It is all up in the air right now. They guy Rick works with---they are 2nd in command---they have a big boss, then it is them, and they share the job duties,with opposing schedules, so one of them is required to be there at all times, or available by phone to get there. Anyway, his son has been diagnosed with a fairly serious hole in his heart. They noticed his lips and eye lids getting really dark, while his hands would lose almost all color. He is full blood Navajo, so he is a dark little boy anyway--he is 4--and when they began looking into it, they found the heart issue. So he is looking at surgery,and we don't know when. I will pull the camp pass and look up the address! How fun would that be to get together!!! Pamela---I am seriously jealous of your skinny dipping! SERIOUSLY! Laura, sorry the class is kicking your butt---you will kick back I have no doubt---good luck! Michelle---it is hard to believe school is a month away! PTA back up and running! Haydee---glad the weddings were great! We have a friends DD getting married in Vegas this weekend. We can't go because I commited to the rodeo stuff. She is having a beach themed wedding, hawaiian clothes, and she is being brought in on a surf board......and yesterday they found out they have a whole 7 minutes for the ceremony!!!! How sad is that??? 2 hours further, and she could have had it on the beach itself! I am excited to hear of your planner debut!!! Jenn---choose a date carefully!!! Jane---how exciting to think of a career change! Any more heart issues? I worry about that, when do you see your Dr.? Suzanne--are you out working extra shifts, or are you skinny dipping too? I am sooooo jealous, and yet so happy for you!!! Well I better get going, I need to load tack and hay. OH!!!!! I also forgot to tell you! I went before the show the other day to the trade center, and bought me a new pair of Rockies (cowgirl jeans---high waisted, which I thought might work similarly to my compression) I bought size 11!!!!!!!!!!! I am wearing them today to ride all day, they will hold my muscles snuggly. I need to look at my western shirts for something light colored. I own 3 pairs of boots, black, brown, and tan-----I don't have the pinks, and purples, and greens the girls do, so.....gonna go neutral!!! And light, it is hotter than Hades out there!! One thing about it, you can wear a cowboy hat to shade you and no one looks at you twice, you fit right in!!! Catch you all this evening!!! Kat

Hi girlies, I am home, and exhausted! It is after midnight...so I am off to bed, will be home in the morning I think, then it is off to shuttle kids---that's what I get for having a good driving record!! Tomorrow is 2 rodeos, and a volleyball tournament, and getting the ones who volunteered for the little rodeo (they do it for the handicapped kids) back to the fairgrounds!! TT is healed, pulled another length of stitch stuff out today----hoping it is ok---it works its way out, I have to pull it! Will catch up with you all tomorrow, I am off to the shower and bed. HUGS~~ Kat

She works with nuns.....if she is their boss.............oh the thought is mind boggling!!!! Terry ((((((hugs)))))) Kat

hey Karey, the way my PS explained it to me is that he cut off the blood supply to residual abdominal fat, so it just dies off, and basically melts. When this happens, it seeps out and looks a bit like chicken fat, I at first thought it was infection, but there is no odor, it is yellowish, but no green tint, and there is no pain or heat involved. If there is no open area for it to seep from, the body simply absorbs it. One of the girls on my other thread, had this same thing with her port scar!!! It is basically just dying fat.....sounds yummy huh??? YUCK! It doesn't last long, but scared me when it happen!!! Kat

I am in and out today girls----gonna be that way all week. I have to be an adult on sight for a trap shooting contest this afternoon. BBL~~ Kat

Becky, I am a month ahead of you, and still swelling. When they pulled my drains, I was not getting but a few drops in 24 hours! Nothing to speak of! Then I did the fat necrosis thing....no fun! Then when we thought I had an infection, I actually had an allergy to the triple antibiotic he had me using on it!! Once I left that be, the drainage stopped almost instantly! When I get up in the morning, I have the flat, curvy belly and body I dreamed of...as the day wears on, I swell, on the left side! By evening as you say, pants are uncomfortable, and I look a bit bizarre. I do however look much better even with the swelling than I did prior to surgery, so I am not complaining!! My Dr. also said it is not unusual, and it can go on for months.....fun fun fun!!! Kat

Hey girls I am home, safe and sound. Was a great weekend. Rally was a blast, good, safe riding, concerts were great (a Van Zandt ---formerly of Lynrd Skynrd on Friday, and Foghat on Sat) were loud and lotsa fun. We left waaaaaay early this morning, so I could get back to do my part in the stock check in, then they could have done it without me. Many times through this, I work really hard, and am left feeling that way, that what I am doing does not matter, that it would be just the same without me. I don't want the thanks that isn't it, I feel superfluous just being there.....hard to explain. Anyway I am done for the day. There is a second stage NHSFR Queen pageant tonight, I skipped out. All the sun and going, and I am totally and completely exhausted. Am off to bed in a minute. Terry, my Grandma was the same way---she smoked in her hospital bed.....no real cigarette, but she mimed it, EXACTLY like she smoked, and the look of peace as she took the first drag was amazing! And she saw "boys" coming home from the war without their legs, and chastised me all the time for staring! Then she showed me the proper way to mix a cake!!! Another day she was out of bed stomping the snakes----which were actually her IV tubes and the phone cord. I so understand where you are, we told Grandma many times we loved her, but if it was time to go be with Grandpa we would be ok---but she did it on her own time.....typical Grandma. I miss her every single day! Hugs to you! Will try to do personals tomorrow, I am off to bed. Will tell you of Rick's tattoo experiences, and seeing the Dallas Cowboys---and all my new NSV's tomorrow. Worst thing about the rally (barring the sand storm.....) was being without contact with you guys!!! I called the kids, and I almost called one of you just to check that all was ok. I am addicted without a doubt!!! Kat

Purple power to you Laura, I would never make it!! Forgive me girls I am on the laptop, and it hates me!! I am off to the shower, and will be back to catch up while my hair dries!! Kat

Hiya girls! What a day!!! Check in has officially begun, the sea of RV's and stock trailers goes on forever!!!! But the excitement is infectuous!! The kids are for the most part, great kids! I had some really HAPPY people with the housing situation, and I got the local Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota dealers to do some loaners----Once one was in all were in!!! Competition is wonderful!!! Anyway, we were able to accomodate everyones needs so far. Actually spent an hour at the ER. One of the contestants Moms was getting out of the truck and the door closed on her leg, and she needed 7 stitches in it! I took her over, really nice lady. I remembered just before we left, to have my friend Bev, be sure she knew the son, and that they could call my cell---and he did 3 times!!! She is back out there, and going to be fine! It is ALWAYS something! Part of me really hates leaving right now....the other part of me knows if I don't I will be burnt out before my part even begins!!! So we are leaving in the morning. I think I have everything ready. Terry, Abbey has a placental tear. It is not an abruption, it is not pulling away from the uterine wall, and it is not in the area of umbilical attachment. It is just a tear of the placenta. When it first happened, she had a lot of bright red bleeding. They were able to pick up the heartbeat, without a problem so they sent her to ultrasound, and the baby did not seem to be in any distress. So slowly the bleeding eased, and just stayed a spotty dark brown old blood, he said there was a hematoma---a bruise--where the tear was so the old blood would drain off. Well everytime she does anything, the bleeding resumes. They use the doplar and are able to get the heartbeat each time with no problem, they do not want to ultrasound again for 5 weeks! They said the ultrasound bounces sound waves off of the placenta, and could further damage it. So now she is on strict and total bedrest. He said if they can get the placenta to heal, and stay healed she will not have any problems. If it keeps tearing, it will eventually become a big enough tear it will abrupt and bleed out completely which will deprive the baby, and she will have a mid term miscarriage. She is 13.4 weeks along. This is usually not an issue after the first trimester, but for her it continues to nag along. Needless to say everytime she sees red blood she goes into a panic. She was so thrilled about the pregnancy, and went through the first part so easily, not any morning sickness, or anything....this happen, and they do not know why, she did not fall, or lift anything---they have no idea. NSV.....this morning checking in kids, a friend of mine come up and we were visiting, she was with her sister, who I know, just not as well. All of a sudden the sister says "Oh my Gosh! I just realized who you were, or are!" She said she was off in space in her head counting stalls, and knew Twila was chatting with someone she knew, it just didn't click it was someone she knew too! I had not seen her since before banding!!! Was kinda nice!! The NHSFR was here 4 years ago....so I met some of the stock suppliers, and vendors and all back then, I have had some seriously shocked people today. Made me feel like a million bucks, despite the fact my left side continues to swell! Great bags Michelle, I loved the one you were working on in the car on our trip! All you creative Violets....then there is me!!! Well, I am off to fold another load of laundry. Got the house all cleaned and ready to leave. Where we are going is under a flood watch right now......might be an interesting trip!!! Kat

Taking responsibility is fine, I have no problem with that, even respect the attitude. But there are without question times that it is someone elses screw up, not your own. To dig through time until you can find some way to take the blame yourself, seems like a form of self destruction to me! Take Susans last issue. She made arrangements with the mortgage company, taking responsibility for the situation they found themselves in. Doing the responsible thing by trying to pay for a home they agreed to buy..... The company couriered papers to her on the 11th of July, and someone had screwed up the paperwork to say it had to be returned and in their office on the same day, the 1th of July. She had jumped through the hoops and spent hours on the phone, and worked to get the payments made----and because someone else almost ruined it at the end, she is still supposed to just sit down quietly because the first misstep might have in some way been her fault? I don't agree with that at all!!! My nephew and his fiance have just completed a pre approval process to buy a home. They did the pre approval on his income only because they are not married yet. He has been out of school for just over a year, and with this job for about 6 months. He makes an extra check each week because he uses his own truck to service compressors in the oilfield. I would guess his annual income if he stays with this job to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 55K without the additional income for the truck usage, which cannot be used in a documented loan. They had actually found a small home on some property out of town a bit, that the people were asking $199,500.00. He went to get preapproved, seeing if perhaps he might have enough saved to do the down on it. They pre approved him in 3 days with no additional docs or anything for 365K!!!!! He cannot afford a loan of that amount! Luckily he has enough knowledge as well as guidance from family NOT to get in over his head. His brother----if it would have been offered would have been all over it, it would have made him think he could if they said he could. Different personalities! I know they tried to get him into a loan more than he could handle----too many people work on commision in the field. Most may be honest, but there are without a doubt unscrupulous ones out there, and luring young kids who are starting out could make them some serious money, to hell with the kids themselves. It is sad.....but true! Kat

Yeah, we had the ex wife issue too.....now WE have a lien on HER house!!!! I AM an ex wife, and would be way to chicken...or smart or something to have pulled these stunts!!!! Guess my problem, was I shouldn't have married a man with a bad heart....well the valve was bad---but you would be hard pressed to find a better man!!! It DID however put us into some serious financial difficulty with the complications that arose..... Kat

Just stopping in to say goodnight. Been a busy day. Spent the morning in meetings, and then the afternoon moving irrigation pipe so we can cut the hay before we go so it can dry. We are leaving town for Friday and Saturday, going to a Fire and Ice Motorcycle Rally---it is always one we enjoy. Last year it flooded, had water up past the gas tanks on some bikes!!! It of course falls right here in monsoon season!!! We will be back for me to begin registering my session on Sunday. By Sunday night we should have almost 1600 kids registered for the rodeo! I do not have anyone staying with me at this point!! Yay!!! Judy the outfits look cute!!! I should sew for Kinsey, then I could make them long and skinny!!! Denise, adorable boys without a doubt!!! We took Abbey a bunch of movies today.....she is on total bedrest, up to the bathroom ONLY! She is already bored, called us a couple of times today! Poor thing, she is doing her level best to keep a positive attitude, but the tears are very close to the surface. Pamela---I still have your birthday card....it come back to me, because in all of Palm Springs----they do not know which PO Box is yours, if I don't write it on the envelope!!! I thought surely they all knew you there!!! I wrote the name, the PO BOX, and the Palm Springs CA on it, then come over to my computer to get the box # and the zip. Wrote the zip and mailed it----never thought about it again until it come back undeliverable as addressed!!! How dare they??? I got another envelope----so you WILL get it, I liked the card---I just want it to arrive on it's own so it makes an impact!!! That's my story now!!! Well I am off to bed........long, hard, hot, emotional day. Heading into one hella busy week! See ya in the mornin'! Night! Kat

TracyKS--you have me sitting here in tears, so glad your news was so great!!!! BBL~~ Kat

Tracy---it is called a phone!!!! If you give up your cell when you quit working, all you have to do is call and say CALL ME!!! And I will call you back on my cell where it doesn't cost either of us! I do know what you mean!!!! Not raising my hand either........scared that someone might think they are raised with just typing, but Jane is more talented than I!!!! I don't get to sleep late---Kinsey is here at 6 AM----so will see y'all tomorrow!!! Nighty night! Kat

What your insurance describes is the standard 6 month medically supervised diet program that many require. If they deny you on that basis, you will need to find a PCP, and begin working the program for 6 months. And follow the details to a T! If it says monthly check ins, do not let it go to 32 days! If they want details charted, make sure your MD knows that, and includes the needed info in the chart. Back when I was trying to get my insurance to cover mine, it was a 12 month required program...... Kat

My incision is done identically to your Neal. Kind of like _/ as opposed to the smile shape. I had not seen anyone elses done the same!! Glad to hear the revision went so simply!!! You look great! Kat

The small fills referred to by Dr.'s are usually in reference to the smaller bands. They have a max fill of around 4cc's. The larger bands of course get larger fills, and some even during surgery---so it is hard to compare the 2. You may be dealing with some swelling. Until liquids go down easier, I would not attempt food. Give it a couple to 3 days, drink some Protein shakes, stick with liquids. If you are too tight at the end of 3 days to drink normally, I would call them. If you try to eat, and it won't go, then you end up with a nasty PB, and swelling, and if you are already tight, any swelling could put you in the dangerous position of not being able to swallow your own saliva. When you start those swelling cycles they are really hard to break. Better slow and steady--------and if you need a slight unfill, go get one, it is better to be able to eat hard protein and lose your weight in a healthy manner. The problem is everyone is built differently inside as well as outside, and the Dr. cannot see inside to know what is too much for you. Good Luck, I hope you ease some soon. Til then.....drink up!!! Kat

I don't have that, we have the same teeth---we even smile alike!!! He though, is 6'3" and 165 pounds and FIT!! Solid, firm muscle. But he works outside, physically every day. My thing with him, used to be, that I at least had hair, his was getting thin. Then 5 years ago, I lost every hair on my body----and he did not say a word, he did not ever rub it in. So now even though "thin" is long gone, and now "bald" resides, I never say a word. He told me the other day he didn't think I should lose much more weight-----I don't know which of us the comment shocked more!!! Kat

Well even thought you continue to lose weight, your actual stomach size on the inside does not continue to get that much smaller. At least that was what I listened to the Dr. tell my SIL who was getting close to her 4cc. max fill. He told her, that once she gets to a point of restriction, the amount from that point will be VERY minor adjustments. Personally I had 2 fills and lost my weight----then had a total unfill for my Tummy Tuck, and after being banded for 2+ years, I have yet to feel a need to refill. When I feel hunger, or gain weight, then you betcha, I will go for a fill----til then, I am waiting it out. Sometimes it takes a minute amount to make the difference from no restriction to TIGHT restriction. No one knows what that small amount might be----but it might surprise you!! My first fill was 1.25 cc.'s (a 9.75ml band holding 4cc's max), I barely felt a difference, and then only if I ate a lot, or too quickly. Then my second fill was less than half that amount, I got .50cc's --only 1/2 a cc!!! I was so frustrated, I thought this is going to take forever!!! I barely felt anything with 1.25, now I get less than half of that! I noticed that evening drinking--I had to drink slow, so I thought I was dealing with swelling, so I avoided food for another day just to be safe, stuck to liquids. The 3rd day I got up and made myself an egg and a piece of toast----whoa!!!! I could not eat but maybe 2 bites and felt it. So I thought it was the bread, so I quit eating it. Later in the day I got a piece of cheddar cheese to eat, I could only eat another 3 bites, I had major restriction!!!! I did this for over a week, I was almost ready to go in for some to be removed, as I didn't feel like I was getting enough nutrition, when slowly I could add an extra bite, so I waited it out, and over the next year and a half it loosened enough for me to eat normally, but I never experienced hunger again, and I had to eat like a bandster. Since the unfill, I still am without the hunger, but the way I can eat has changed, so I have to be on the ball and pay attention so I do not over do. I try to make myself chew well, and small bites, even if I don't have too. This is going to be the way I try to eat the rest of my life. If I can have any food, in moderation, and the only change be, in ME slowing down and portioning, without starving---then THAT I can do!!!! Give it time, that next tiny .02 or .05 might be the magic fill----just work with your Dr. They want you to succeed too----and will slowly work you towards it!! It is really hard not to overthink the entire band thing. Used to be when I got a stomach ache, I of course had nothing to seriously worry over, now a simple stomach ache and I panic that something is wrong with my band!!! Kat

Tracy----maybe the key to getting it off this time will be exercise. Yep a dirty word if I ever heard one!!! Today I got mine in, doing hopscotch, and kicking a ball back and forth with Kinsey, as well as attempting to really (without a Wii) hula hoop!!!! Playing is exercise, and she loves it!!! I think Manda is going to see about putting Kinsey into pre school come summers end. She can and will carry on a conversation with any adult, but with kids she clams up, and is unsure of herself. She is an only child again, and always around adults. She knows enough to start school I have no doubt, she can count and write her name, and knows her shapes and colors---is even beginning to recognize sight words. She can rhyme words, and sort things....all the things I can think of to work with her and play games doing. BUT.....I cannot give her other kids to play with and interact with. We spend time with Connor who is younger and does not play. He bullies----she spends the time defending herself, not interacting. Ray, Becky's grandson and her do wonderful, but they don't get together real often. It was obvious at the wedding this weekend, the other kids were playing tag, she had no clue. They all played and run, and when they run, she thought they were running away from her, she had no idea to run with them. So it seems it is time. Breaking this Granny's heart!!! I might consider going to work to occupy myself. Terry---I agree, the difference is one of those that seems drastic, yet subtle----someone who did not know you had anything done would think you just had a great nights sleep or something!! You look wonderful!!! It did take years off----I need that!!! Pamela, I looked through your pics, and your favorite one, is a good one, I agree---you look very happy!! I also liked seeing you in glasses!! Well Rick and I are going out to dinner, so I better get myself ready..... Kat