BJean

Got this in the mail today: I want to thank the OFA supporters who stood with House Democrats as they raced back to Washington this week to cast a vote on a state assistance bill. I'm proud to say they passed the bill yesterday and the President immediately signed it into law. And, because of it, hundreds of thousands of jobs will be saved -- including an estimated 14,500 public school teachers across Texas. Republicans called this bill a "bailout" and a "handout." They called the police officers, firefighters, and teachers whose jobs were on the line "special interests." And nearly every House Republican voted no. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats did the right thing, reminding us again of what we're fighting for in the upcoming elections. When voters cast their ballots in November, it's up to us to make sure they remember who's fighting for them. It was from someone who works for the president.

Cleo's your last paragraph is exactly what I was thinking in response to pattys suggestion that kids just need to take care of their aging parents. I do agree that some people could take care of their aging parents, but certainly not every aging parent. Some aging folks don't even have children. People are living much longer these days and many of them are living with horrible debilatating illnesses because of new treatments and medicines. Many of those people require nursing care and medical equipment that cannot be installed in private homes. Trying to answer the problems of our aging population with one simple solution of home care is assinine and stupid. I would said naive but I had to consider the source - the person with all the hands on experience.

And btw, you continue to use the word HATE in your posts. Either you have that in your mind or your heart or both. If you didn't, you wouldn't think to use it so often whether you're accusing someone else of hating or whether it's really you who is feeling that emotion. The fact that it finds its way into your writings so often, one must conclude that it is definitely in your head and probably in your heart. Sorry dear. It is what it is. Unless you're just playing games here, of course.

You silly goose. I was responding to your posts. Are they real or are they some made up tripe that you put out for fun and games? Either you believe what you write or you're just playing a game. Either way, I'm merely responding to what you write.

As usual patty, you have it backwards. People have constitutional rights. YOU want to take them away. We aren't wanting to take them away, we want people to be able to choose how they live in a free society. Our country has promised people that they have certain rights - you do not believe in certain things and so you wish for them to be outlawed which would effectively take away those rights that we've been promised. Like same sex marriage. You said: "Everyone will have to stand before God one day and give an answer for what he has done in the flesh, whether good or bad." And of course we know all about that. But what you don't understand ad nauseum is that we do not have to stand before YOU and give YOU an answer or explain anything about what we've chosen to do in the flesh to YOU. Because YOU are NOT God. And furthermore, you have no right to tell us how to live our lives by passing laws that take away our right to live as we believe - not as YOU believe.

patty: "I was not complaining about the way we've done it. I am complaining about the way Obama is trying to change what we've been doing by forcing people to buy what they don't want to buy. It's unconstitutional. " What should be illegal is the way the insurance companies have gouged people and then not provided the services that they paid to get covered. That is why someone like our president has had to get involved and try to beat back this monster that "the way we've done it" has created. I cannot fathom why you find this so difficult to understand.

patty: "Every American has access to HC. They just have to pay for it." You reveal your stupidity when you post things like this.

Sorry, I don't buy it. For someone who is homosexual, that IS who they are. It isn't just about sexual behavior. It goes to the very core of their being. Just as being a heretosexual goes to the very core of your being. And when you HATE for any reason, you're not a good Christian trying to live by the example of what Jesus preached, whether it is the behavior you HATE or the individual. And when you take action against an individual because of that HATE, it makes no difference anyway - it's your behavior that is deplorable and that is what Jesus tried to teach you! Furthermore, just because you SAY that you LOVE doesn't mean that you really do. Because your actions always speak louder (and more plainly) than your words. And many fundamental extremist believers hold a lot of HATE in their hearts when they demonstrate against someone with whom they philosophically disagree. And again, that is wrong and that is the basis of Jesus' message.

NtvTxn, sounds like ours heads are in about the same place. I'm still getting used to the new look that proper fitting bras have created for me. Since I've worn the same bras for years - minimizers - I didn't even realize that they have come out with tee shirt bras. They're great. I invested (big time) in 5 of them. Now I'm already beginning to think I shouldn't have bought so many. I may be going down another size soon and I only got them a couple of weeks ago. I hope this isn't TMI!!

Well pumpkin you've lost 58 lbs and that's nothing to sneeze at! Good job! You're more than half way to goal too. My dentist said that if you use artificial sweetners enough they react like sugar on your teeth. And I've heard that once you get used to some of the artificial sweetners, your palate gets used to the sweeter taste of them and you need more sugar than ever to satisfy the craving you get for something sweet. I've seen a whole lot of people, including family members, who are obese and they drink diet Coke almost exclusively. What started out as saving calories turned into a detrimental addiction. ODaisy, that's good news about the maximum stretch achieved by 15 months. Gives me a little more confidence that my sleeve will continue to be my best friend even after I'm at goal. I do understand that each person is different though and your doctor may leave a smaller or larger pouch than mine did.

Yes, I read about the gravel roads. At least people that are putting down the gravel have jobs. Our very first plan of action needs to be getting rid of corporate welfare. We've let them go untaxed for years and that didn't work. Why don't we tax them and just see if it works? Fair is fair, right?

Or religions, plural.

patty: That's NOT fair at all. Why should I pay for YOUR Health insurance? It's not your right! If it is, then it's your right to have food on your table and it's your right to not be homeless." Health care should be something that every American has access to. If you want to take that out of the equation, get ready to join the ranks of third world countries with people dying on the streets everyday from untreated diseases. Why in the world would you want to live in a country like that if you could live in America where we have a government and taxes that provide for a far higher standard of living? If you want that kind of life, why are you living here and complaining about the way we do it? Move someplace where you don't have to pay taxes. And put up with the standard of living that you get.

patty: "The bank requires it for you to have a loan. They're not forcing you to buy it. If you don't want to purchase it in order for them to loan you money for a house, then save your money till you can buy it yourself. I wouldn't give you a loan either unless there was a reassurance that if anything happened to it I would be repaid. They are not the government forcing you to purchase anything you didn't want to buy. " If this is actually a valid argument you won't mind telling us how many homes you own and how many you've purchased in your lifetime and how many of them you purchased without a loan... hmmmm?

patty: "My daughter didn't have HC for a while there and when she went to the ER for stitches, the bill was sent to her, not you. Once, many years ago, when my husband was out of work and we had no HI, the hospital put a lean on OUR home till we paid it, not YOURS or anyone elses. The fact is, that we pay high premiums anyway. They will not go down because others will be mandated by law to purchase HI." It's people like your husband and daughter who've made the requirement of insurance by lenders and doctors a reality for the rest of us hard working, on-time bill paying folks.

patty: "Car insurance is to protect others. HI is to protect me only. Does my neighbor care if I can't pay my hospital bill because I didn't purchase health insurance? Or does anyone care that I have medical bills to pay? It effects noone but ME if I don't carry insurance. Not carrying car ins. effects the one you run into, therefore, it should be required by law. If you don't want to abide by the law of purchasing car ins., you don't have to own a car. You can walk or take the bus." I'm sure someone has already explained this to you but I haven't read all the posts yet that followed this one. I cannot believe that you are really this obtuse! Why, other than outright greed which is the biggest reason, but why do you think our health insurance premiums are so high anyway. And with this kind of thinking why would you complain if illegals get free medical care at our hospitals if it didn't affect you?

Amen, sister!

You know, I'm a band to sleeve revision. I think that the time I spent coping with the band prepared me for the sleeve. Who knew that the awful band experience I had would actually be a benefit! But I do think it has made a difference for me adapting to the sleeve. Btw, if I am eating with others who are eating fast, I too fall into the old habits. It seems like the less I eat, the more my husband eats and the faster he eats. Odd, huh? :confused:

Oh gosh I just don't have that kind of time to devote to having a meal. If all I can eat is a couple of bites then I just accept it and leave the table. I am actually a happy camper when I can only eat a few bites. I know I will need to eat something again in an hour or two so I just get busy and then when I feel like I need something else to eat, I have some of what I didn't eat at the meal or I have some kind of snack. I consider that uncomfortable feeling my best friend. Sometimes I have the old kind of expectations about eating a meal. Especially if I have worked hard at preparing the food or if I have been really looking forward to going to a certain restaurant. But after the initial disappointment of only eating a few bites, I pat my tummy and think halleluia! I'm going to be not only a "normal" person again, I'm going to be slim and attractive! Whoo-hoo!!

patty: "This is yet another Obama tactic to bypass our constitutional form of government and to FORCE an unwanted mandate upon the American people." Which American people feel forced by it? Not me. None of the people I know feel that way. We're all American people.

Except when I was in the hospital (overnight) post surgery, I haven't taken an acid blocker at all. Maybe that's part of my intolerance for plain Water. I do drink Smart Water some but I don't notice a difference. The dietician said that our tummies absorb water very quickly and that's what causes the ache. I will try Arrowhead. Thanks a lot for the tip! I am averse to food and drink if they are artificially sweetened. I'd rather have nothing at all than something containing artificial sweetners. In fact, I don't like artificial flavorings of any kind. So during the liquid and soft food stages, I stayed with savory type foods rather than sweet ones as much as possible. I have never been a juice drinker in my life. So drinking something that has juice in it is new for me. I have used the new V8 drinks a little, diluted half and half with water. That is about 30 cals for an 8 oz drink. Certainly affordable, calorie-wise with probably a small amount of food value. People may think that I am not losing quickly enough but I don't have as much to lose as some people. And I already weigh less than I have in 20 years. I still fear sometimes that I won't reach goal, but other times I feel very confident because this is working so well for me. I eat foods that are very high in Protein, a few carbs (never been much of a bread, potatoes or rice person) and the drinks I've been describing. I also use part of a Protein Bar or almonds (sometimes cocoa dusted) for Snacks. And as I said, I'm happy with a 5 lb weight loss over 2 weeks which is a slow down from when I was on the very low-calorie plan, but slowing down was something that was also in the plan. You've done really well and have lots of good experience with this sleeve thing. I appreciate your input. How long did it take you to lose 100 lbs? I started this surgery needing to lose 62 lbs and I've lost over half of that. Do you honestly think that I'm being too easy on myself? I believe I can take the truth from someone who is so experienced and successful. Did you lose hair? I'm worried a lot about that. I don't have that much that I can afford to lose any.

patty: "You mean like how the liberals try to convince the public that anyone on the right is a racist and a hater? You mean like that?" No patty, I mean they lie and misrepresent and cheat to win elections. The right wing extremists who make false claims against our president and against people working in congress are what I'm talking about. I wasn't talking about HATE. I wasn't talking about RACISM. I was talking about lying, cheating and misrepresenting to win elections. If you want to talk about the leftists and accuse them of stuff, make a post saying that. Don't try to hijack mine to mean something that it doesn't. patty: "Don't put words in my mouth! I told you not to do that many times. So, stop it. I have never, EVER, said that anyone was going to Hell for anything! What a LIAR!!!! you are!" I am not a liar. I have read your posts many times when you've said that only if people believe as you do, will they be able to get into heaven. If you say that the only people who are going to heaven are the ones who believe as you do, then one must quickly conclude that you mean that the ones who do not share your beliefs are going to hell. You've posted it repeatedly. It's one of your mantras. Why in the world would you deny it? And why in the would would you call me a liar over something you have stated repeatedly? This is very confusing. patty: "I never knew that the wealthy business owners claim to be born again." Roll eyes? You think this is funny? Are you telling me that you are unaware that there are a lot of very wealthy and powerful people who claim to be born again? And I say "claim" because in reality many of them are just, as in business, hedging their bets. The way they behave does not indicate that they are true Christians. Take a look around, if you really pay attention it isn't hard to see them. There are seveal stand outs in congress and on the Fox network. And lets not forget Pat Robertson who helps lead them.

Kabranda that's a good idea. I have a margarita machine that would do the trick. It is kinda messy to use and a lot to clean up though when I can just go pick one up at Sonic. And btw, the kiddie's size that I get these days isn't close to 200 calories of a small size and I still only drink half. And I've switched to the lemon-lime juice because the other seemed too sweet. Donna, thanks for your concern. However I have problems drinking enough Water each day. Water tends to hurt my stomach if I drink more than a few swallows. If I have something like juice in with frozen water, it is one way to fill the water quota that I need. It was suggested to me by my dietician. I do hear what you're saying (that you think I'm cheating.) But a 600 to 800 calorie diet should not last that long. My doctor's dietician began requiring 1000 to 1200 calories per day for me a long time ago. (My revision surgery was in April.) If I restricted my intake to 600 to 800 calories a day indefinitely or until I reach goal, I could expect to lose my hair and muscle mass and my overall good health. I am only expected to and want to lose from 1 to 3 pounds per week which will enable me to exercise all I want with no chance of harming myself. Years ago I went on Optifast, guided by an endocrinologist, and that diet was around 600 calories a day. I stayed on it for 9 weeks. My health suffered as a result and I eventually regained all of the weight I lost and more. I certainly do not want a repeat of that. I'm in this to win this. I want to reach 130 lbs. as quickly as is reasonable, not as quickly as possible. And so far, I am delighted with the results I've obtained by following my doctor's plan.

Thanks, Cleo's. I feel woefully ignorant and inadequate next to you. But of course that doesn't slow me down. Everything you posted above is true. Unfortunately the Republicans are masters at instilling fear in people who are uninformed about how they operate. Fortunately the internet and some of the national media sources are helping to balance the scale a bit. But it is truly frightening to see large populations of different states be sucked in because they don't want "socialism" or gun control or new taxes or a foreigner for president. We have to keep the faith that Americans are basically just like us. People who believe in America and good Americans. If we don't stick together, divided we fall. And as we've both noticed, they are doing their darned level best to divide us.