Devana

Way to go Simmah, you're an inspiration!

Well, I wouldn't actually use the term "hacked". My husband would be curled up in the fetal postition if he heard that! Remember that their skin is covered with hair, so they're just removed and the skin sewn up. You can't even see it. If they had a vasectomy that wouldn't eliminate any of the negative tom cat behaviours, like spraying all over everything. Yuk.

I can canoe with my son. I can go paintballing. I can dance with complete abandon. I can be on top. I can eat in public without self consciousness.

Well, Benny was young and small and very fluffy. I guess his testicles hadn't quite descended fully. I would have had to do a lot of intimate poking around and well, heck. He didn't seem to hold the mistake against us, though.

Stephanie, enjoy the concert. We're going mid Sept.

Similar to our cat "Betty". We had to change that to "Benny" after the first vet visit. What can I say, he's a long hair.

Kim, I think the mourning our old ways of eating is natural for some of us. I was glad I had a few weeks between deciding to do this and actually getting it done as it gave me a chance to go through that mourning process. But the great surprise is that I can eat most of what I want, but just in small quantities. You'll be alright.

Yeah, I was wondering, too.

Good luck today, Kim. Actually with me being on the west coast and a few hours behind, you're probably in the process at this moment. So here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Be careful of quantities, too. I was pissed after downing one McEwans the other night, which I drank very slowly by the way. I think the small quantities I've been eating might have made me more sensitive to the alcohol, I don't know. It was a good lesson for me. I would also take heed of what Carol said about judgement being affected. I would hate to be eating at the same time and not chew well enough and ruin my night through a big PB.

Way to go Sammee!!! You're an inspiration for all of us. It must feel soooo good.

Welcome Sharla. How are you doing these first few days?

I kind of like the idea of self fills.

CBC News - The Lens will be showing a documentary "Morbidly Obese" on CBC Aug. 8 and again on Newsworld Aug. 12. It follows 3 people who "suffer from a multitude of ailments -from asthma and high blood pressure to diabetes and sleep apnea. Morbidly Obese follows these extremely overweight Canadians who have struggled with obesity, and who chose to undergo radical bariatric surgery." Now I don't know if "radical bariatric surgery" means something other than banding or if they think all bariatric surgery is radical.

Aliens would be cool, though.

It looks in the picture that the grass is a little longer and greener below the circle, away from the house. Could that be the drain field? Do you have a septic tank and if so do you know where it is?

Love this thread. Hello to all of you. It's 1pm here on the west coast and we're having our first cool and drizzly day in a long while. So cool in fact that I've got a big pot of pea soup with a big ham bone in it simmering on the stove for supper later. Tuesday is my day off. I've taken my son to physio and I'm taking him along with me to bottle a batch of wine later. I usually do it with 2 other wine making buddies (we split the batches and costs) but we've had trouble with being able to get together at the same time. My sweetie has come home for lunch and is having a nap before returning to work. When we get back from bottling, my boy and I will sit down and make our list for our summer camping. We're going to a lake near here next Fri and will be there the whole week until the following Sunday. I will be nipping back and forth every second day to work. The pros and cons of having my own business: it's very difficult for me to take a lot of time off but I do have the freedom to adjust my schedule to start late (to give me time to get back into town for a shower) and take the odd afternoon off. I'm telling everyone I'm working next Wed. but I'll actually be nipping over to the mainland for my first fill. Yahoo!

Could you have one of those round septic tanks buried under there? I've seen this before in summer where the grass goes brown over the exact shape of the tank.

OK, guys, it's the 8th so the doc should be on regular CBC sometime this evening. I don't have a tv schedule so I don't know the time but I would imagine either 7,8 or 9 o'clock.

Totally amazing, Robyn!!! Good for you. And you're such an inspiration. That's a hell of a lot of weight to lose in a year. How did you do it? Just all the good stuff like careful eating, lots of water and exercise or do you have some secret???

Welcome, Crishell and congratulations on your decision. This is a great place for questions, answers, support and fun. Devana

Way to go Mr D!! Congratulations on your date, that's just a few days from now! Remember to keep your mind on your goal during your liquid diet.

Hi Randi, I love what Barbara just said about taking time to enjoy the road even with it's uneven texture, potholes and curves. I believe that difficult times that cause sadness and introspection are part of our continuing growing up process. Kind of like stirring the pot, I guess, helping us to become more "done." I was asking a first nations friend of mine awhile ago about what makes an "elder" in her culture. She said that it's not just the years but the variety of experiences and the integration of those experiences. I think these moments can contribute to us all becoming wise women or wise men. Hang in there.

You look wonderful, PinkMary, and congratulations on your pregnancy!

Hedwig, I agree with Kitty. Go now, just in case it's serious. I can't believe that anyone would deny you medical attention when you need it.