ocotillo

Okay....with the work, now you know how it goes with me sometimes. Also, we can't log-in I don't think. The site is probably blocked. I'm afraid to even try. As far as being busy though.....it's never ending.

Phyl, I swear you are the chili queen. I think you've posted about making chili more than anyone I know. It's great food for the crock pot and for chilly weather. When are you heading back to the north? DH has a problem buying shoes too...he'll do it but rarely and it's like torture for him. Joyce, that's good that you aren't going to need surgery for quite a while. Just don't let it get so bad you can't move anymore. Of course, I'm sure you know that already. Apples, LOL on the plaid shirts....for my DH it's t-shirts and white button downs if he has to dress up. Dog bath in the pond...guess you pond doesn't smell bad like some of the ones around here. Glimmer got her birthday bone today and a little special attention. She seems to be a happy B-day dog. Charlene...CONGRATS!! Wow, glad to hear how well your program is working. Yep, it seems it's just what you needed to do. Linda, you are so good about getting rid of that tempting food. I have to throw stuff out too because if it's here, I'll eat it (at least stuff like chocolate). So are you still going to join the new gym? Too bad about the Y...you want to support organizations like that, but they have to keep up their equipment. I can't stand cold pools either. Laura...have a safe trip. Are you flying commercial or using your "connection"? Guess the weather warmed up where you are...pool time already! I bet the flowers will be lovely in NC...yep, take picts. Hope you Dad is feeling a little better when you get there. Give your Mom a little break. Thanks everyone for the compliments. I appreciate it. It's funny you mentioned about saying "thank you" with out the buts....because it's been a hard lesson for me too. I've had a couple of girl friends get after me a lot about that and even though I don't always feel like accepting the compliment, I'm learning to say thanks and leave it at that. It's really hard. I had to stop off at a different store after work tonight...it's the one where I get my dog meds from. I was sort of amazed at how many truly big people there were there today. Now, I still fit right in with that assesment, but I used to be the exception...now I'm not and I don't think this bodes well for our nation. I believe there were more overweight people at the store than normal sized people. It's a little depressing. Okay on that note...I'm going to check out facebook again. A couple of high school people recently contacted me and I need to go update something. I'll try checking in again later. EVa

My little purse invites....they are all different.

Bug pictures....DH took one of me, but it was so bad I'm not including it. The weather is perfect and it was fun driving there with a big old moon and great weather.

Back from dinner...went to a steak house and had ribs....or should I say a rib and salad. Didn't do too bad...brought the rest home. I end up throwing a lot of food away because I just don't eat it like I used to. Guess this is another advantage of the band. I was so hungry by the time we got to the restaurant, I was shaking...I had to sip on DH soda...it helped. I hate it when my blood sugar drops like that...it takes a while to level out again. Jodi....hope you are having a good passover. My boss went to a passover celebration last night....said he was lucky it wan't one of the long ones where everyone is up until 2am. He wouldn't have been too pleasant if that had happened. Deb have a really good trip. Take pictures of your flowers. I love those. Later Eva

Julie, I can't wait for you to get some relief from your neck/shoulder. There has to be something they can do for it. I know you'll tell us what the doctor says. I can't stand carpet...I know most people have it and in the cold part of the country...it's necessary, but man, keeping that stuff clean is a pain. I have it in my master bedroom and it's a pain. I'll pull it out and replace it one of these days, but it won't be for a while yet. Joyce, what is DJD? degenerative joint disease? I have arthritis in my left hip and sacrum area. It bugs me now and then and no fun, but my knees are holding up alright. The PT you'll be getting will help a lot and you will feel a lot better...at least after a while you will. Lori, I'm so glad your sisters said something....I'm assuming it was positive. Did your mom say anything nice to you? Don't feel guilty about them leaving early...I take it they can fly standby too so they can change their flights at will. We are planning on going to Hawaii too, but now in September when flights are cheaper. I guess we will be going to Oahu instead of the big island, but I think DH and I will be sneaking off to the big Island anyway. We want to do volcano stuff. Apples, glad your appointment with the doc went well. You are such a nice MN Easter bunny. "Our" kids are really going to appreciate what the bunny is going to leave for them. I just picked up some egg coloring stuff to play with on Sunday. The FNSC gang is coming over on Sunday for an Easter brunch and they want to color eggs...so that's what we are going to do. It should be fun...and I'll make them take their eggs home with them. Janet, so your work computer was down? Bummer....or maybe not, but then everything gets behind when that happens. Charlene, are the stickers helping? They must be. Can't wait to see what results you are getting from the shakes. Gotta go...it's date night and we are taking the bug....VW...it's fun. Talk at you all later. Eva

I am very jealous....15 acres of dog romping room is something we would love. Glimmer turns 11 on Wednesday, she will get something special for her B-day. I am strict with what she eats, but DH isn't...I finally had to put a measuring device in the dog food bin and make DH use it to feed the dog (that's his chore). It's working for both of them. Glimmer is losing a little weight and feeling better and DH sees she is not suffering from starvation. Poor dears. We (the dog and I) went for a walk after work tonight...it felt good. 1 day...I put ground cinnamon in with my coffee grounds in the morning. I get big containers of it at COSTCO and use that or sometimes I use a cinnamon stick, but the ground stuff works for me too. I also use vanilla extract...maybe 2-3 teaspoons...same deal...big bottle from Costco. I've also used cocoa, but it clogs up the filter...it's too fine. I have trouble painting rooms any other color than white too because white is so versatile. But I did paint one room an amazingly bright yellow, then did one of those glazing techniques over it and it's pretty cool. Sort of looks like leather. Wow Julie, that's some news. You know, when it's right, it's right...I knew that about my DH although it took us 20 years to get to that point, but it's also very scary that he's this interested this quick. Hope she doesn't make any rash decision before you get the chance to meet him. I wish her the best of luck and I do hope this is the right guy. It does make me nervous though. Laura, I'm glad you are finally feeling better. Well you got me beat with the weight loss, but hey, I don't want to trade places because there's no way I want to go through what you just did. So you will be taking off again soon for NC. DH seems to have to work most of the holidays, is he low man on the seniority totem pole? Jessica...sorry about your fall (the again part is bothering me). Hope you slow down and don't hurt yourself. The move is going to be stressful....your MIL is going to be weird because you are upsetting her apple cart but hang in there, you'll get through it and all will be better. And you can always do without the furniture for a couple of weeks or so and get them as you can. It's not comfortable, but you'll be on your own and that may be worth it. Janet, ahoh, you've got the farming bug. I can't even log on to FB right now. It's just another distraction for me and I have enough trouble logging on to LBT and keeping up with it. I keep thinking I'd like one of those cruiser bikes, but everything is very hilly here. Anywhere I'd go on the bike from the house would mean coming back up a very steep hill. I'm just not ready for that, but I'm working up to it. Joyce, sounds like a "refreshing" of the living room might have just been the ticket. It does feel good to give things a bit of a face lift and move stuff around. Jodi, the week after I was banded I cooked for a wedding (50 people). It was amazing...I tasted stuff by tasting the sauces, but managed to not eat anything and I still got to enjoy the cooking part of it. Right now I'm in the not cooking phase. DH is suffering with frozen left overs because I'm not doing anything new. I am really trying to clean out the freezers and get rid of old stuff so I can cook some new stuff and freeze it. It's amazing how long food lasts now that I'm not eating tons of it all the time. I have to freeze the left overs. Phyl, I don't envy you the prep in getting ready to go back north. It hasn't been very hot yet this year so do you travel based on the month or the weather? Books are great things but I think if I were in your boat (or RV as the case may be) I'd be looking into the Kindle or a digital reader. My sister has one and it sure saves a lot of space. Not as much fun as turning pages, but convenient. It's like a digital photo frame for your books. Great...the pictures were wonderful. Your daughter was beautiful...she takes after her Mom....you too were beautiful. Glad you had a good time and I hope your visit is going well. Since I haven't seen you posting much, they must be keeping you occupied. Charlene, how's the shakes going? You should be feeling better with them or getting really sick of them by now. Cheri...how's the neck doing? Hope it's starting to straighten out and feel better. Hello to anyone I've missed. Guess you guys can't tell I'm staying busy. As I said in my earlier post, I stamped all day yesterday (just about) and I'm very pleased with my invites. I haven't stamped like that in months and months and it really felt good. I guess since I'm not cooking, it's my creative outlet. I didn't go to bed until about midnight last night, so I think I'll try and turn in early. Hope everyone has a great night. Eva

Morning ladies...sounds like some of you are doing a little spring cleaning....I love it when things get done. I was stamping all day yesterday...got most of my invites done for the purse party. It was very windy out and didn't want to spend too much time outside. I ended up not working too much. Yeah...but I didn't get the other engineers trench detail done. Oh well. Have to take the dog to the vet this morning for testing. She has valley fever and needs blood tests every 6 months, so I'm on the run again. Just wanted to let you know I'm around...just not hanging out on the web. Talk at you later. Eva

Quicky fly by again....I have to go work (it's Saturday) but I'll go do some field work that is close to the house and then do the design at home....I was able to bring my laptop with the AutoCAD back home. I'm on page 636 so I still need to catch up. Julie, glad to hear they saw something on the MRI...a plan of action will be helpful. Apples, 15 MOB is pretty funny. Later Eva

Phyl, there you are...so you made a special set of jewelry for the Red Hats? It's really hard to get your money & time back out of making jewelry for other people. But if you love making it and don't want to keep all of it, you can always offer a few pieces for sale. Joyce, yep, I've had that feeling...wishing I could eat a lot more...but geez that's what got me into this mess....what I try to focus on is eating what I want, but in very small portions. I eat pizza, but boy it's a lot less now that before the band and I eat it very slowly. And lots of people here do popcorn. But I didn't eat those things for at least 3 month after banding...so you might want to take it easy for a little while longer. Everyone is different and can eat different things. Janet, maybe all that stress from work is getting to you and having that protein drink at night helped quell the muchies. Or it's just you weren't hungry. Kind of amazing how we watch others eat now. Hell, it's amazing to watch how I eat now....I just can't finish a meal or eat very fast anymore....it's truly amazing. AND I like you being the food cop...someone has to do it. You do it with love and I appreciate it. Linda, so good to hear from you. I completely understand about being busy. Glad you had a good visit with DS. I don't think I could deal with a little one like you and Julie do...you guys are great to pitch in with your grandkids. The weather is pretty weird, warm one day and cool the next. Take care Linda!! Apples, sounds like you had a lot fun. Great deals too! I just can't get my head around clothes yet. The pants thing was necessary because most of mine are sort of falling off, but I haven't really bought any shirts. However, today I noticed my company branded shirt was really big. I like them lose, but you know...one day, it may be too big. Kinda cool. Jessica...sorry about the problems with your son at school. Don't they have monitors or something? I thought karate was all about discipline....not kids just kicking a pushing. Sorry about your MIL too, tell her you'll come help move furniture after you get moved and settled. It's just too much for you to handle right now. How's school going? Laura, tell DH Happy Birthday from me!! Hope you start feeling better soon. Geeze no fun if you are sick from both ends. Take care of yourself and I'm going to have to catch up with you now...don't want to get sick to do it though. Great, hope you are having a GREAT time with the wedding. Will be thinking about you tomorrow!!! I spent a good chunk of my day transferring from one computer to another at work and moving them physically around to find an arrangement I like. I finally got admin rights to the new (used) computer and was able to install AutoCAD lite...and it works okay, so I had to move my bookmarks and email and all that other stuff....takes a while. Then I moved three computers, disconnected them and sorted all the cords and reconfigured everything. I spent a bit of time on the floor hooking stuff up and running cords around. Gee what an exciting day. Then I went shopping for a new office chair. Why is it that it's always the most expensive item that appeals to me. I sat in at least 10 chairs and of course the one I liked the most cost the most. I didn't buy it, but I'm thinking about it. I could sleep in that chair....I'm looking for one that I could sit in to watch TV too...so that one really fit the bill...and it was attractive too, leather and wood. I have pile of paperwork to sort and just don't want to do it...guess I'll go watch TV or listen to a book...hope everyone has a good night. Eva

Laura....sorry you aren't feeling well...guess your statement of you gotta really means you gotta go!! Feel better friend. Lori....good for you....just say no!!! The puppy can go to a kennel for a day or two if necessary. Dog packs can wreck havoc and especially with a puppy. Sounds like you might actually have fun with the "spa" treatment...enjoy yourself. You have lots of work a head of you!! Meredith...hope you find that perfect fill spot. You will and WTG with being 30 pounds from goal. Glad Andrew got a job, it's really tough these days. How's the new house? Met my sisters and nephew for dinner and we did a little walk around afterwards...that was nice. I'm really tired right now again and can't think straight, so off to bed I go and I'll chat with you all later. Eva

Congratulations!!!! Great job!!

Lady Gaga? Wow, I would have never guessed anyone else had heard of her on this thread....see what happens when you assume. Good luck with finding local people to share your journey with. As large as Tucson is, I really haven't had any local connections. My friends are cool, but for LB issues, there's no place like this. Jodi, sounds like the band is doing it's thing for you. It's kind of fun figuring out how to do your normal life and not eat everything in the world isn't it. Yes, hire the handy man for the hard stuff...it's worth it. Sounds like you are getting your spring cleaning done. As for the water...it's pretty hard at first. I couldn't drink that much for the first few weeks. I just drank as much as I could...do the best you can. I do drink a lot more watered down tea and herbal tea now than I did before. When I was still on liquids, I drank watered down fruit juice (way watered down) just to get some flavor and liquids in me. It seemed easier to drink something flavored than to drink plain water. I was a big water drinker before the band and I still try to get at least 64 oz...but some days are really hard Wow Meredith...it's so good to hear from you. You are still doing great if you only have 31 pounds left. Life happens and you have to roll with it and I've been doing a little of that too, just too tired to read and type. It's so good to see you back!! Apples....what did I miss? MOB....you? When and which one? Julie, I'm so glad you finally got that approval....wooohooo!! I really hope they see something and can fix it. Nerve pain is horrible and nothing helps without really messing you up. Janet, yep, we need to figure out how to make money and not work...this working is getting in the way of our personal lives. How's Andrew and his dog? Haven't heard much about that lately? Charlene, thanks for sharing the diet with us...how's it going for you? Are you able to maintain and not be hungry between meals? If so, that's great! Besides the weather issues, how are you feeling on it? I know, it's just started...so hopefully after a couple of days, you'll be feeling wonderful. Laura, I hit 218.5 today....still behind you, but catching up. I haven't been this weight in probably 10 years....How's your Dad? When are you leaving for NC? Great....your family just stresses you out too much. Hopefully everyone will behave for the wedding. Don't let them take advantage of you either....you can just say NO if you really don't want to do something. I wish you luck!! I was going to walk to pick my Jeep up from the car repair place (oil change) tonight...about 3 miles, but it was raining by the time my car was done, so I didn't get my walk in tonight. Went to TJ's after I got the car and DH met me there, we did walk to a new pizza place across the road...so I did get a little walk in. The pizza was delicious, but I couldn't finish my piece...had to bring it home. I've been experimenting with protein/granola type bars. I'm on my 4th batch. These bars don't have any flour, but they are high calorie because of the peanut butter or almond butter with an additional stick of butter, plus nuts and chocolate chips (mini ones) and dried fruit. I really don't care for the peanut butter ones, but I needed to get rid of an open jar so that's what I used. I used applesauce instead of butter and added ground flax seeds. There's 2 or more cups of old fashioned oatmeal in these and I think they are really helping with the fiber issues. I cut them up in 1 inch or 1.5 inch squares so the pieces are pretty small. They are sweetened with honey and a little brown sugar....I'm going to try and figure out the calorie count one of these day...especially if I can nail down a variation I really like. Okay....I'm going to bed...take care everyone. Eva PS....thanks for the good vibes....I felt them all day!!

Morning, Apples, I don't think I've had spasms either....but I do know that "first bite syndrom" is something like a stoma spasm. This is something the doctor covered in his webinar. As far as your question about liking different foods after banding? Nothing comes to mind for me because I'm eating pretty much the same kinds of food...meaning everything. What I don't like so much after banding is chicken breast and dry fish. Okay, I have to get ready for work...I'm taking my jeep in for an oil change. I'm shopping after work tonight, so don't know if I'll be checking in tonight or not....I really want to catch up and I'm not depressed or floundering, just tired and distracted. Love you guys and miss being here. Eva

3-23-10 218.5 Yipee!!

Morning ladies....fly by. Sorry I was MIA...but Stephen King sucked my brain out during one of his sci/fi book orgies. Really, I was reading Under the Dome and couldn't stop....it's a 30 disc book and I'm on 30 today. Did get some stuff done, but just piddly stuff like gardening and laundry. I will make an effort tonight to read posts and respond....got to go to work right now. Hope everyone is having a great day!! Eva

Lots of stuff going on again. Great...well if you come to Phoenix, let me know...I'll take the day off if I can and meet you. It's only a couple of hours away. Glad you haven't heard from future MIL again......as many concerns as you've had, it still is the kids' decision and their lives. Hope she isn't one of the meddlesome MIL's. Julie, I haven't been able to color my hair myself successfully yet. I miss spots and when it grows out, I get that dreaded "line" that is so much more noticeable than when my professional does it. I really like having my hair colored...it looks natural and when it does start to grow out it just sort of blends. That's why I pay him the big bucks...it's one of my few personal indulgences. Sorry about your shoulder again. I take it you are still fighting for that MRI. Apples....yep you needed to get out....great deals on the clothes too, wow!! Glad your support meeting went well too. It's a nice surprise that you didn't have to defend yourself. Janet, I hope your dinner went well tonight. Tell Andrew Happy Birthday. Hope your job calms down some. There is only so much stress that you can take before you rip someone's head off. Phyl, great posts. Yep I do believe prayer can make a lot of difference. The joining of kindred souls praying for something can be an amazing thing. Joyce, Jodi, Charlene, Laura, LauraK...and I know I'm missing people...Hi, glad to hear you are all hanging in there. It's getting to ge the end of the week and I'm tired still. I just don't sleep enough...go to bed late and get up early. Work is still busy and that won't stop any time soon, but at least I'm not in a rant about it right now. I've been listening to audio books again and so I haven't been so good about being on line....it's one distraction or another. Okay, I'll check in again tomorrow (hopefully). Think I need to go relax. Eva

Apples, sorry about your DS's basement. A pipe broken in my Mom's house (the rental in Colorado)...that was a hassle especially trying to get someone in there to do the work with the flaky renters. The renters did pull all the wall paper off the walls and retextured them however...and the bathroom got tiled instead of carpet, so there were improvements after that little episode. There were at least 2-3 inches of water covering the entire basement. No fun to try and fix from a distance. Glad you are getting some sun. I know I need it to stay somewhat level. Yesterday was a really nice day...today is windy. I have field work to do again today and trying to hold down my paperwork is fun when it's blowing all over. HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!! Eva

Oooppps hit enter too soon. Jessica, good luck on your move, it will go just fine. The B grade is alright...you are still doing really well. Keep going to class, you too will get through it. Phyl, get those taxes done....ours just dropped off at the CPA last week. Beautiful beadwork too!! Charlene, hope they can find something with your CT scan. Take care of yourself. Jodi...oowwww....protein drink on couch...yuck. Not my favorite thing either. But I do drink them once in a while. I use ISOPURE and it's not great, but not too bad either. Okay, I can't remember anymore...sorry to those I've missed...Great, Cheri, LauraK.....HI We just had "date" night at a tapas restaurant...drank too much Sangria and the food was pretty good....little plates of food was very nice. Busy at work as usual and I'm listening to a book on tape, so I'm distracted. I'll be more attentive after I finish this book. Have a good night everyone. Eva

Oh my, just scanned the posts.... Janet, sorry about the job being so frustrating....I completely understand...do more for less money....and don't do a crappy job, you have to do a quality job because we are watching you....blah...blah....blah....oh well, we have to keep plugging away for a while longer. We will get through it. For all you vertigo people, so sorry....hope it clears up for you...I get it too sometimes, just not right now. JOYCE--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Morning....on page 615...will have to catch up tonight. Just wanted to say hi....have a great day! Eva

Yeah, we needed a water feature...desert you know. What I like about the tank is it's moveable....I'm on the 3rd tank...two others sprung leaks.

Thanks....it's my husbands birthday...not mine....but I'll tell him you wished him a happy birthday.

Okay, the first picture is of the electric drop and eucalyptus tree. We have to move the power line before we can take out the tree....so the pictures last week of the big piles of dirt were from digging the trench for the new power line. I included this picture because once the tree is out and I get to plant my new mesquite I'll take another picture. Oh I might actually get the yard cleaned up too....no point in it now. The concrete mixer in the picture...was a gift to me from my siblings for my 50th birthday. The 2nd picture is of some of my house plants....there are more....I haven't bought new ones in years, but I can't seem to not have house plants. 3rd and 4th pictures are of the fish pond. The first one is the original pond and I was just starting to build the wall in front of it. The pond got so hot it cooked the fish (gold fish). Since I put the wall in front, it helps to shade the pond in the summer and helps keep it cooler. We don't have to worry about freezing too much. I moved the pump (just decoration) and have a couple of different plants.

Good for you....I'll do the same. I probably won't start being really careful today (birthday and all) but I'll be there tomorrow.:thumbup: