llkb4me

We opened our presents on Christmas morning and my kids and myself still do. Now that they are older we started a new tradition of having Mimosa this year it will be Asti. Not sure if I'll be having more than just a sip with them. As it is bubbly. They have stockings that have fun goodies in them.

When they were little we did all the cut out Cookies my two and niece and newphew came and decorated. What a mess but what fun. They all had their little aprons.

I did get an unfill today 1/2 cc and boy did it help, I feel so much better.

Laura K

Cheri, Love the new pic, you are beautiful.....

Well I am going in for a unfill, think I'll have them just take out half of what they put in so that should be 1/2 cc. This morning it took me over an hour to drink an instant Breakfast. How can you get that stuck feeling on liquids? It seems to be getting tighter every day. I thought I could make it the week but with Christmas it would be over a week, can hardly eat anything.

Lori, funny dream! Can just picture that.

Laura K

Way to go Cheri, you must of been cruising. Wow so close to goal you will do it in no time.

Welcome Shrinkin Shan. You are doing great. I've only been banded since July and I'm still adjusting to the portions. Just had a fill and I am really tight and can eat just a little bit. Before this fill I could eat a lot more than I thought I should have.

Laura K

Janet & Apples, Thank you for the comments on my pic. I had my DS take them as he was bugging me to put a pic on FB. ( which I didn't do yet)

Still taking it easy on eating, seems eggs won't work, tried twice. Did eat Qudoba Soup yesterday an 1/4 of a sm quesadila & oatmeal this am. One good thing is my scale shows I've lost 5lbs since last thursday, hope it stays that way when I can eat again. lol

Laura K

Janet, I can drink ok I don't think I ate to fast. I was able to eat oatmeal tonight so it may still be irratated. I don't think my Dr will do unfill until at least 1 week passes. If I remember right from what his nurse said. She had band done 4 weeks before me. Decided to just take it easy.

Laura K

Wow, Apples what a spread, think I'll hit the road and join you. lol

Well not sure about my fill, may be to tight. I tried some chilli today and pb'd. Have had nothing but liquids since thursday. May have to go in and have an unfill. I know I don't want to be this way for Christmas.

Glad everyone else is doing good, all the patients, Laura's decesion (sp) Janet getting rid of her cravings and hitting the gym, school break and done with harvest. Life is good.

Take care all.

Laura K

Janet,

I'm doing good, had a dr apt yesterday. Got a fill another 1cc. I hope this helps. I have slowed right down in my weight loss. Only 4.5 lbs since Oct. I don't feel like I'm eating more & I know it is going to get harder. I am increasing my exercise & yes I am still journaling my food. lol

Still getting used to my DS home again & DD comes home tomorrow for 3 or 4 weeks. Lots of deep breaths. This to shall pass..........

All in all life is good and improving all the time.

How are you doing, ready for your fam to come and Christmas?

Take care Laura K

Lori,

So glad for your knee progress and that you get to go home. I always felt better in my own home. Good going..

Apples, time to celebrate.........

Julie, hope you feel better soon.

Eva, have fun shopping.

Laura, Do what is best for all of you, you will make the right decesion for your family.

Laura K

Julie, Here's the receipe

2c light brown sugar

1/2 c light corn Syrup

1/2 c butter

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp salt

1tsp baking soda

6 qts popped corn

Combine brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, cr of tartar & salt. Heat to boiling, stirring over medium heat, stir constantly, boil rapidly to hard ball stage, 260* about 5 min. Remove from heat, stir in baking soda & pour at once over popcorn. Stir gently until all coated. Bake in pre-heated oven 200* for 1 hour, stirring 2-3 times. Turn out on wax paper. Cool.

Hint: keep popped corn in 200* oven while making caramel sauce. You can add peanuts or other nuts if you would like.

Hope you like it Julie.

Laura K

Meredith, WOW girl you look wonderful..

Janet, my version of Puppy chow is butter melted with P butter & choc. mixed over cripix Cereal coated with powdered surgar with nuts stirred in. It's ok my kids love it but give me salty anytime.

Julie, if I can remember when I get home I have a carmel corn receipe I'll post for you.

Laura K

Sounds like we all have another thing in common, I love to bake and cook also. I was the main baker for all holidays for my family. I would start just after thanksgiving and fill up two or three rubbermaid 18 gal totes. One year I made 24 lbs of fudge and gave it away. We make the puppy chow all year as my kids love it. My daughter makes it now for all her friends.

I was at my Mom's last friday and we set there and watched "Cake Boss" they sure make some cool cakes, just amazing.

Great, good luck with the knee surgery tomorrow, I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Laura K

Laura, Thoughts and prayers to you and your family. This is a tough time, stay strong.

Laura K

Jessica, You can do this, your mind is made up so don't second guess yourself. My dr had 10 days liquid before then worked up to reg foods for the next 5 weeks. I did it you can too. I was just banded in July. Each Dr is different so follow what yours says. You will work this all out, everyone here is behind you.

Laura K

Hi All,

Sorry for not posting for a bit, you all sure were busy typing away. Read them all but can't remember everything.

Trying to get used to my DS being home again. He will start working tomorrow and hopefully will get into the classes he needs. They are all waitlisted for now.

Been busy doing Christmas stuff, tree is done, most of shopping & started making a few treats to share with fam and friends. Wasn't going to make much but the list keeps growing, my sister requested p butter fudge. Says she looks forward to it every year. So I guess I'll make it for them.

I too love Apples receipes as I like to cook and bake. Those ginger tarts sound wonderful.

Deb what is the Asman thing you mentioned? Don't know what that is. Think that is what you called it.

Linda glad to hear you are doing so good with you hip replacement. Positive attitude helps so much. Kudos

Laura K

Julie, Be careful today going out. Is it snowy?

Deb thanks for the encouragment. The past few years have been really crazy for me as I try to live with this new opstical in life. Thankfully I have been overcoming it lately.

I am pretty sure I just aced the first half of my final in anatomy. Now I need to study for the second half and my Human growth and development final. They are both next wed. Gotta work some stuff out with my grant too. Make sure everything is lined up for next semester. That way I can spend the holidays reading Eclipse and practicing for my literacy exam. This is my first semester back to school in 10 years. I never imagined I would do so well. It was hard work but it is paying off. Expecially once I was diagnosed. The meds we tried originally were almost crippling. I couldn't drive or care for my son because they made me sleep so much. Slowly i am gaining my life back and it is becoming more than I ever expected. The LAP-BAND® will just be another chapter of overcoming for me.

You are doing great. When you go back to school at this stage you really want it. It interests you so you like it. Great job on the test.

I have the seasonal Affective Disorder, the first time they put me on meds, the next year I said no and bought a Happy light that I use in the fall and winter. It helps me.

Laura K

Hi all, just fly by. I do not yet know about surgery. Saw surgeon today and he took a blood test and said he will make the call tomorrow morning. He wants me to show up for surgery at 8:00 a.m. (now predicting terrible storm here tomorrow) and he'll decide at that time. He said my blood work from Fri. showed my white blood count way high (well yeah, I had bad infection) but it's responding very well to the antibiotics and it looks very good - almost the same as the other leg. So keep me in your thoughts. I think it will happen, but not 100% positive. I just know I want it to happen, but at the same time, I want it to be a safe surgery as well, I don't want a massive infection in my body either.

So, here's the deal, I have no laptop and DH would never be able to type anything here. I will not be back home until Friday probably late afternoon if surgery is done. Please dont' worry, I'll be fine. I'm just looking forward to getting this done.

Linda

My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Thinking positive thoughts for a safe surgery & that it is a go.

Laura K

Laura,a great pics of you and your family. Boy girl you are smokin hot..... Glad the people you talked to understand as I posted earlier not all do. Your Dad's attitude is so cool, my Mom was just like that too. Glad you get to go meet everyone in Fl.

Laura K

I forgot to tell you guys, just found out last week my DS is failing all his classes and moving back home. He's trying to get back into comm college he was at before, he's waitlisted on all the classes he needs. He's not been telling me the truth any time I asked how he was doing with his grades. I am very disappointed in him right now. Has kind of put me into a funk. I know I'll get over it but very upset. It has not made me eat more though so that is a positive.

I did get stuck on Sat. pb'd and slimed for the first time. I hope I never do that again. Was all my own fault was talking on the phone and eating at the same time. I was eating chic wings and did not chew enough & ate to fast. How stupid. I have been stuck on my weight loss but this week I did finally lose another pound. yeah!

Well good luck to Linda and Great on you up coming surgeries. You will both do wonderful and cruising around in no time.

Apples good luck on the farming, I noticed a lot of corn in the fields around here also.

You talking about those bins reminds me of the summer I spent building them. My girlfriend and I did it for her Dads company, we were the outside workers and two guys inside. Alot of work but when you are young it was fun, especially when the two inside had hangovers, your wrench slipped alot and hit the side. LOL

Laura K

Okay, I'll stay where ever - -doesn't matter to me where I sleep as long as I have a BED. LOL. So I'll go to 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom - whichever -- I love you all, so doesn't matter to me. I probably need to sleep alone though (so single bed would probably be best) as I toss and turn a LOT (just a warning). LOL. Sounds like great prices, you did good Apples and Laura. I'm a Water rat too so I'll be spending lots and lots of time at the pool I'm sure. Can't wait. Laura K, sorry you won't be able to go, but we live close enough maybe we could plan a meeting some time??? We'll have to do that in the spring or summer -- I live about 60 miles south of Des Moines -- 3 hours from KC -- how far are you from KC?

Leg looks even better today -- less red - so I am keeping positive.

Jewel, good going on passing up the pancakes and syrup! Way to go!! Keep up the good work. I know you will do just great -- you are already making better choices and you are a strong lady. Anyone who can be married, raise a child and go to nursing school all at the same time is one heck of a woman! Your family and especially your MIL should be supportive of you.

Meredith I didn't realize your sister was thinking about moving back from CA. Has she made a decision on that yet? I bet she misses her babies.

Pretty cold this morning, sliding storm door to the deck was almost frozen shut -- our back yard faces north and that wind just blows and howls from the north -- always have a breeze from that direction.

Well, gotta run and get busy. Have a great day everyone. Janet, way to go on leaving the fudge alone - proud of you.

Julie, thanks for thinking of me and the well wishes on my surgery. Hope you are okay after your fall the other day. Be careful, looking forward to meeting you in Florida -- can't wait!!

Linda

Linda, I'm not sure how far it is. St Charles is located not to far from where the thumb is attached to the mitten. That's the easiest way to describe michigan. I know it takes about 2 1/2 hours for me to just get out of michigan. I will meet all of you some day. You are an important part of my life now. As someone said we are all in the same boat.

Laura K

Yea!!!! We have Julie's "yes" on FL. We will make sure you have comfy accomodations.

OK...we need other confirmations. LauraK...are you in? Meredith? Cheri? Does this work for you? Arlene? Linda? Eva?

Apples, sorry I can't make the trip this year with all of you. I just can't swing it financially. I am so jealous that you all will get to meet and spend time together. I may be able to go next year/time. I would like to meet all of you.

Laura K

Apples, I seen them in the store, thought about getting one to match the pants I bought. Dang it I restrained myself.

Laura K

JeweI, good luck to you and your decesion. Stay strong and get healthly for you.

On the discussion of exercise pants, I just bought some from Walmart. They are Danskin brand, very comfy, roomy and have lycra in them. For us short people they are a bit long. Boot cut also. I am hoping to shrink them a bit. Got a yahoo moment when I put them on, they are a bit two big. If they don't shrink I will be taking the other pair back.

Laura K

Went to my Master Gardner Christmast party tonight. It was a pot luck. I was talking with a lady sitting across from me and she was telling me about how she was not eating sugary stuff as she has been in a challenge at the YMCA. Any way the discuss got into how much she has lost and I told her I had lapband. She had the gall to tell me she did it the hard way. That kind of burned my A$$. I did inform her very nicely that lapband is not the easy way and that I have to make the right choices and eat correctly. Why do people think this way? Well I ate very good and she ate more than me and tried her husbands Desserts. I did see her watching my plate. But hey that's ok I ate what I wanted, tried different things and threw the rest away when I was full. So I guess that is one for the good guys. Sorry for the rant, but I figured you would all understand.

Laura K

Hi All, Sounds like you have been very busy. I don't do the tree for a couple of weeks yet, I hate the disruption. I have a small house and if I wait the kids can/will help decorate it. They will both be home for a few weeks on break. I am trying to decide if I want to do all the baking this year. Last year we switched to doing more candy and pretzels. Guess I will have to see what they want. None of us need the extra goodies around. But it's not christmas without it around.

Laura K

Great pictures everyone,you are all awesome and so are the pets.

Laura, Glad you and your family made it back safely. Your pictures of your family are wonderful, you look so good.

Laura K