vanishingvixen

This will be a quickie. I needed to purge my thought surrounding my first post-op shopping trip yesterday. Given my previous post and the whole emotional roller coaster thing?I think retail therapy helped a bit. I have a wedding to go to this weekend, and don?t have anything to wear that FITS *grin* liquid diet on 9/7). To try on a size 20 dress, then a size 18?? After I have been wearing a 22 or 24 (depending on the cut)?totally made my day! Im certain the size 18 dress was cut WAY big, but still?Just looking at myself in it?thinking ?wowwwwwwwwwwwwww?. I couldn?t stop smiling? I?ve even noticed that my knees & back aren?t hurting as much. I guess 30# can make all the difference in the world. food again after having NOT for a month. Especially after that chicken salad incident?but we?ll see. I guess other than that, everything is ok. I?m looking forward to many more milestones and shopping sprees. And I can?t WAIT to to rock my new SIZE 18 dress at the wedding. *super smile* Nope. Folks ain?t ready? Yup - wearing this to the wedding! Thanks again for all of the encouragement, and for taking this ride with me. It?s gonna be full of ups & downs?but it?s sure to be memorable!

1 wk ago, I did something that will forever change the course of my life. I think I was grossly unprepared for the emotional roller coaster I’d be riding though. I read about, but kinda shrugged it off. I’m emotional, this is true. But I’m strong…and this thang seems to be getting the better of me… Yesterday, I struggled with the thought of no longer being in “control” of my weight (for the most part, at least for the next year or so)…I cried when I realized that I would no longer be the bodacious, busty, lusty big girl that I’ve been known to be after I purchased a bra A LOT smaller than the one I wore 3 wks ago (46DDD/F to a 44DD)…I cried as I tried to remind myself that my “larger than life” body didn’t MAKE who I was as a “larger than life woman”. I am who I am…but if who I am – and always have been – is a vivacious BIG GIRL, BBW, +Sized Diva, FULL-FIGURED Vixen… What happens when the weight falls off and I’m no longer considered…BIG?? *sigh* :biggrin0: I’m sure folks who have never struggled w/their weight OR have lost weight on their own over a long period of time may not fully understand the BFD. But when you suddenly see yourself melting away – literally – especially in a significantly short period of time – it can be a little unnerving. YES, I know this is what I signed up for. And honestly, it’s kinda crazy because I DO love what I’m starting to see in the mirror. But the fact that it’s happening right before my eyes so quickly is Freaking. Me. Out. Little things like washing my face and actually being able to feel my face structure, or putting on a pair of sweat pants that now have a saggy crotch…or doing a double take when I walk past the mirror…or my aunt calling me a “skinny beeyotchhh” in jest. I guess there is a 1st time for everything! Skinnyway… In the midst of my emotional outburst yesterday, I temporarily did something hella dumb. Now, I have 1 more wk on the liquid diet to go. So why did I think I could get away w/taking a *teeny-tiny* bite of chicken salad? *smdh* Super. HUGE. Epic. Fail. It got “stuck”. It was the most awful feeling in the world (now I know what Lap Band’ers go thru. BAH!). No harm, no foul…but trust I’m sticking to the game plan from here on out. Just 1 more week to go to meatloaf & mashed potatoes…says my dietitian ! (Well, only a table spoon or so, but I’ll take it) Speaking of food – my dietitian/nutritionist recommended an AWESOME cook book for post weight loss surgery folks called “Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery”. Some high protein/lower fat recipes that will make your mouth water, are quick & easy, and full of flavor. (ie: stuffed cabbage, parmesan crusted turkey, and ham-n-cheese stuffed chicken breast *yummmmmoooooooohhhhhh*:drool5:) After all – there is life – and GOOD FOOD – after weight-loss. I am, and will always be a Foodie. I’m just learning to be a healthier one…I knew that for ME, I would be unsuccessful with ANY weight loss program/regimen/surgical tool that would not afford me the foods that I love. Portion Control & exercise. I. CAN. DO. THIS!:thumbup: One last thing: I don’t think you fully realize how out of control your weight was until you start losing it. And you never realize that even if folks compliment your fatness/curves/etc, they still notice when you have seriously crept up the scale – until they mention it on your way down the scale *lol* On that note – I’m calling it a night/morning. I’ll keep y’all posted – as usual. *Change came quick – I brought it*

*grinnin ear to ear* :biggrin0: Heyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! ((This will just be a quickie update until I can get to a pc and not have to blog via crackberry)) I made it to the other side!! Not w/out a few obstacles. But 3 days post-op, and I feel pretty great. My surgery was on Tuesday, and today…I’m in amazement. 1st of all – the pain that I anticipated wasn’t the issue – my biggest prob has been nausea. Like, morning sickness on crack. The. Worst. *blah* And other then my BP going thru the roof and them having to admit me to ICU b/c of it…everything else went off with out a hitch. I was up walking by wednesday eve, and kept it going yesterday…(And looking forward to putting on some kicks and walking the block) I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that Potomac Hospital (in Woodbridge, VA) freekin rocks! Dr. Halmi & staff made this experience a great one, as far as surgery goes. Now, the pure craziness? I started at 310# pre-liquid diet. Today, I weighed? I’m already down to 283#! *gadzooks* :thumbup: I’m still sorta-kinda in disbelief, really. I had to go buy new pannies today…like, WTH? *laughing wildly* I will say – I’m. More. Motivated. Than. Ever. Tomorrow, I’m gonna take a stroll down by the water…then after my follow-up, I’m gonna hit step class once a week. But the real excitement for me? Going back to bellydancing class. I have never felt sexier than after a good belly-dance workout. Just beware – you may end up knocked up, like I did! (Quiet as kept ladies – one of THE best workouts you’ll ever get. Total body, plus the added “benefits” that come with working the Yoni *wink, wink, wink* – anyone in the DC area down, we can try to meet up for a class. Check out Dr. Sunyatta at: www.gomamasita.com) In any event – I just wanted to send out a collective thank you to all my friends/fam – real world & online – who have been praying for me and supporting me and encouraging me beyond belief. I could NOT have done this without you. More follow-up’s as the transformation continues…but for now, sweet sleep!

*woooooosaaaaaaaaah* I’ve been trying to avoid (delay?) an anxiety attack…so perhaps this quickie post will help alleviate some of my angst. Maybe I’m not starting off properly – see, I AM, in fact, STOKED about this move tomorrow. There are no words, really. Something that I’ve struggled with for 30+ years…will soon be not as much of a struggle. I won’t/can’t say effortless – as I know I’m in for a pretty rude awaking in a few hours…BUT, rude is probably what works best in this instance. Today, I’m just tying up loose ends with GGX, washing clothes, and lovin on my mini-G. I’m gonna stay w/my g’ma for a few days post- , so I don’t have a wild 2 y/o trying to climb & clammor all on me…and I can actually get the rest I need (which I KNOW wldnt happen at my house *pfft*). Not really sure why I’m so nervous. I’ve had major surgery before but I this this is a whole new realm. I do find solace in the fact that I went with a noted surgical Center of Excellence who has taken amazing care of me and made the journey getting to surgery as easy as pie *mmmmmmmm, pieeeeeeeee*. Dr. Denis Halmi promised to take good care of me, so I’m good w/that. I was thinking about something last night: as much as I’ve enjoyed (for the most part) being a “sexy big gurl” – deemed by others, not myself *lol*, I think I may enjoy being a “sexy healthy gurl” @ various sizes on down to my goal of 160#) just as much – if not more. *grin* I’m a foodie at heart, so there will be some moments of struggle (maybe anger, too? *lol* you know that’s a standard feeling in most break-ups)… BUT: no food tastes as good as getting this 140# monkey off my back is gonna feel. BELIEVE THAT. This is also the perfect opportunity to re-train my eating habits along the way. Another thought I had? I’m actually looking forward to getting my work-out on. I love to exercise really, but my knees & hips, and back were the ones in opposition. So, at the start, imma get me some Shape Up shoes and get to walking while the weather is still nice, and hit step class once per/week. By the new year, I should be relatively pain free, and will head back to Dr. Sunyatta to get my Yoni work-out & bellydance on. Yeahhhhhh, mannnnnn. Victory is going to be so sweet. I can almost taste it! So, until then, my friends…See ya on the other side of anesthesia. *change soon come – I BRING IT*

This made me smile, and get a little misty. I'm only 3 days out, but I can feel myself gearing up for a similar post. I'm SO excited for you!

any suggestions on how to NOT make the next 2 weeks totally suck?

Tomorrow is the day. 8 hours from ow, to be exact... *woooooosaaaaaaaaah* I?ve been trying to avoid (delay?) an anxiety attack?so perhaps this quickie post will help alleviate some of my angst. Maybe I?m not starting off properly ? see, I AM, in fact, STOKED about this move tomorrow. There are no words, really. Something that I?ve struggled with for 30+ years?will soon be not as much of a struggle. I won?t/can?t say effortless ? as I know I?m in for a pretty rude awaking in a few hours?BUT, rude is probably what works best in this instance. Today, I just tied up loose ends with GGX, washed clothes, and loved on my mini-G. I?m gonna stay w/my g?ma for a few days post- , so I don?t have a wild 2 y/o trying to climb & clammor all on me?and I can actually get the rest I need (which I KNOW wldnt happen at my house *pfft*). Not really sure why I?m so nervous. I?ve had major surgery before but I this this is a whole new realm. I do find solace in the fact that I went with a noted surgical Center of Excellence who has taken amazing care of me and made the journey getting to surgery as easy as pie *mmmmmmmm, pieeeeeeeee*. Dr. Denis Halmi promised to take good care of me, so I?m good w/that. I was thinking about something last night: as much as I?ve enjoyed (for the most part) being a ?sexy big gurl? ? deemed by others, not myself *lol*, I think I may enjoy being a ?sexy healthy gurl? @ various sizes on down to my goal of 160#) just as much ? if not more. *grin* I?m a foodie at heart, so there will be some moments of struggle (maybe anger, too? *lol* you know that?s a standard feeling in most break-ups)? BUT: no food tastes as good as getting this 140# monkey off my back is gonna feel. BELIEVE THAT. This is also the perfect opportunity to re-train my eating habits along the way. Another thought I had? I?m actually looking forward to getting my work-out on. I love to exercise really, but my knees & hips, and back were the ones in opposition. So, at the start, imma get me some Shape Up shoes and get to walking while the weather is still nice, and hit step class once per/week. By the new year, I should be relatively pain free, and will head back to Dr. Sunyatta to get my Yoni work-out & bellydance on. Yeahhhhhh, mannnnnn. Victory is going to be so sweet. I can almost taste it! So, until then, my friends?See ya on the other side of anesthesia. *change soon come ? I BRING IT*

Now.... whadda I need to take with me to the hospital??? I'm a bundle of nerves and excited. Totally stoked after my final meeting with the surgeon & nutritionist yesterday. *giggety, giggety, giggety - doing the Quagmire dance* :001_wub:

Now.... whadda I need to take with me to the hospital??? I'm a bundle of nerves and excited. Totally stoked after my final meeting with the surgeon & nutritionist yesterday. *giggety, giggety, giggety - doing the Quagmire dance*

*re-posted from the forum for posterity* 7# down and ret-ta-go!! I guess there is something to this pre-op liquid diet after all. Granted, I sorta kinda cheated, but not really cheated. I replaced 2 lean proteins (egg beaters in the am, a skinless boneless chix breast in the pm)…which helped me stay better on target during the rest of the day. After doing my research on the liver shrinking diets (the entire point of the pre-op diet, so the liver is more out of the way – ie: less FATTY), I decided that I could do that without detriment to the process. Must be working! I was told today “well, at least you were smart about it”. Funny thing? I think I’m gonna forgo the substitutions from here on out. I was so excited w/the small goal – that it broadened my veiw of the bigger picture. So, I’m all in! Let’s ger ‘er done!:thumbup1: One week from today…the physical transformation begins where the mental one began 6 months ago. 9/21 – Surgery Day *woot & giggety* Today I had my final nutrition class and met w/the anesthesiologist. Everyone in there is scheduled for surgery next week, so I have a few buddies to walk the halls w/on Tuesday (since they will be getting us up to walk almost immediately afterwards). IDK how I end up w/the group of class clowns – but it made for a good time of bonding, musing, and well-wishes for the future. Good information, good vibes, and really…a bunch of excitement. I was also able to pre-register (which will give me an extra 45 mins of sleep time that morning), so all I have to do is show up Tuesday and go right to the surgical suite. Time to get this party started!!! I can hardly believe that this is REALLY going to happen. I mean, to get a grip on the fact that this time next year – I will be close to half the size I am today is…unreal. *eyes watering*:001_wub: I’m at a loss for words, really. Just thankful for those on this journey with me in spirit, and in sisterhood…old friends who have had my back, and new ones to take my hand. This is a happy time, but there is also a lot of work to do. It’s not lost on me that some folks -however well meaning in their “encouragement” – still still seem to think the surgical option to help get the weight off is a cop out. I won’t even get into the superiority complex :drool5: Far be it from me to say they aren’t entitled to their opinion (after all, just like @$$holes, we’ve all got one, right?) But for ME, I felt it the best way to expediciously put a halt to some of my immediate ailments (mainly neck, back/spinal issues, hip, knee pain that dr’s were discussion surgery for. So, surgery to fix an ailment that would only reoccur b/c of the weight? Or surgery to jumpstart the process of getting the weight off so I wouldn’t need numerous other more invasive surgeries in the future?) and get me on the right track for my future. Working this tool the way it is supposed to be worked w/healthy habits & lifestyle… exercise…is. A. MUST. Before I forget – the physical trainer they have at my surgical center that spoke today? Used to weigh 500#. And decided AGAINST weight loss surgery. She quit her job, and has lost over 300# – she looks freakin AMAZING. IDK how many of us can afford to quit our jobs to lose weight, but she did. She is a domestic violence survivor that packed on 260+ pounds as a coping mechenism during a bad marriage. She decided to make this her life’s work – helping design exercises and workouts for those of us fatty’s will some restrictions due to injuries, ailments, etc. She knows what it’s like to be fat and try to do jumping jacks…and she said that a lot of the exercises that other trainers (who most likely have always been athletic/healthy) try to get folks fatty’s to do – sometimes do more harm than good to their bodies. She is sensitive – but honest – and will help you do the work. And I can’t WAIT to hut her Zumba class…(Check her out if you’re in the woodbridge area. Her name is Amy – and her info is on the bluepointgroup.com website) She is totally amazing and inspiring…I may have decided on the surgical route for my own personal reasons, but I still hope to be just a much of an inspiration to someone, someday. Any way…I was just feeling so full that I needed to get it out. These rants & musings are a key part of my journey, and will no doubt become more frequent along the transformation process. Stay tuned… (I know this post was all over the place – but I was excited and full of emotion. I know y’all understand me)

7# down and ret-ta-go!! I guess there is something to this pre-op liquid diet after all. Granted, I sorta kinda cheated, but not really cheated. I replaced 2 lean Proteins (egg beaters in the am, a skinless boneless chix breast in the pm)?which helped me stay better on target during the rest of the day. After doing my research on the liver shrinking diets (the entire point of the pre-op diet, so the liver is more out of the way ? ie: less FATTY), I decided that I could do that without detriment to the process. Must be working! I was told today ?well, at least you were smart about it?. Funny thing? I think I?m gonna forgo the substitutions from here on out. I was so excited w/the small goal ? that it broadened my veiw of the bigger picture. So, I?m all in! Let?s ger ?er done!:lol0: One week from today?the physical transformation begins where the mental one began 6 months ago. 9/21 ? Surgery Day *woot & giggety* Today I had my final nutrition class and met w/the anesthesiologist. Everyone in there is scheduled for surgery next week, so I have a few buddies to walk the halls w/on Tuesday (since they will be getting us up to walk almost immediately afterwards). IDK how I end up w/the group of class clowns ? but it made for a good time of bonding, musing, and well-wishes for the future. Good information, good vibes, and really?a bunch of excitement. I was also able to pre-register (which will give me an extra 45 mins of sleep time that morning), so all I have to do is show up Tuesday and go right to the surgical suite. Time to get this party started!!! I can hardly believe that this is REALLY going to happen. I mean, to get a grip on the fact that this time next year ? I will be close to half the size I am today is?unreal. *eyes watering* I?m at a loss for words, really. Just thankful for those on this journey with me in spirit, and in sisterhood?old friends who have had my back, and new ones to take my hand. This is a happy time, but there is also a lot of work to do. It?s not lost on me that some folks -however well meaning in their ?encouragement? ? still still seem to think the surgical option to help get the weight off is a cop out. I won?t even get into the superiority complex Far be it from me to say they aren?t entitled to their opinion (after all, just like @$$holes, we?ve all got one, right?) But for ME, I felt it the best way to expediciously put a halt to some of my immediate ailments (mainly neck, back/spinal issues, hip, knee pain that dr?s were discussion surgery for. So, surgery to fix an ailment that would only reoccur b/c of the weight? Or surgery to jumpstart the process of getting the weight off so I wouldn?t need numerous other more invasive surgeries in the future?) and get me on the right track for my future. Working this tool the way it is supposed to be worked w/healthy habits & lifestyle? exercise?is. A. MUST. Before I forget ? the physical trainer they have at my surgical center that spoke today? Used to weigh 500#. And decided AGAINST weight loss surgery. She quit her job, and has lost over 300# ? she looks freakin AMAZING. IDK how many of us can afford to quit our jobs to lose weight, but she did. She is a domestic violence survivor that packed on 260+ pounds as a coping mechenism during a bad marriage. She decided to make this her life?s work ? helping design exercises and workouts for those of us fatty?s will some restrictions due to injuries, ailments, etc. She knows what it?s like to be fat and try to do jumping jacks?and she said that a lot of the exercises that other trainers (who most likely have always been athletic/healthy) try to get folks fatty?s to do ? sometimes do more harm than good to their bodies. She is sensitive ? but honest ? and will help you do the work. And I can?t WAIT to hut her Zumba class?(Check her out if you?re in the woodbridge area. Her name is Amy ? and her info is on the bluepointgroup.com website) She is totally amazing and inspiring?I may have decided on the surgical route for my own personal reasons, but I still hope to be just a much of an inspiration to someone, someday. Any way?I was just feeling so full that I needed to get it out. These rants & musings are a key part of my journey, and will no doubt become more frequent along the transformation process. Stay tuned? (I know this post was all over the place ? but I was excited and full of emotion. I know y?all understand me)

Be kind to yourself. This is a new experience and you are still feeling your way around. Almost 50# in 3 months is ALOT. You didn't gain it all in a few months, it's not all gonna come off ina few months. I will say - food choices are everything. Sure - splurge here and there...but make sure you are getting the nutrients you need and not continuing the bad habits that got you to the surgical point in the first place. That is my personal fear - I'll do all of this, and still not have kicked the habits that got me "here"... Best of luck. YOU. CAN. DO. THIS!

My surgeon & nutritionist told me that at 14 weeks "soft foods" which they included ground meats - beef/turket/chicken - we perfectly fine, but obviously in small amounts. Granted, not sure that would be the first softee I chose...but you should be fine. I wouldn't panic, just pay attention to how your body reacts...

*repost from the forum, for posterity* I started my 2 wk pre-op liquid diet yesterday. I don’t think a fattygirl like me realized how big a part food played in my life until I had to give it up. Granted, I'm doing the Opti-Fast plan and will have shakes, protein bars, and soups – plus all the SF jello, SF pops, and all the crystal lite, water, decaf tea/coffe (unsweetend) that I want, too. BUT, going from being a fatty-foodie, to being soooo conscious of NOT putting food into my mouth has been hard. Its more of a mental thing than anything. Tho I won’t lie – around 4pm on the first day – a migraine hit me like a Mack truck! Then the dizziness, weakness, and irritability (of course). I just kept saying out loud “I canttttt doooo thisssss!!” Yet, I WAS doing it. Go figure. “They” say, it will get easier with each day. But day 2 hasn’t been any easier. *lol* in fact, it’s been harder. But still, I’ve stayed on course. I almost flubbed it – I walked into my Candy Man’s office at work (you know, there’s always SOMEbody that has a dish of candy on their desk) and popped a Werther’s Original into my mouth as I usually do. I didn’t catch myself at first, then about 30 second into me sucking on the buttery goodness I got the deer-in-the headlights look and went & spit it out in the trashcan. But that’s something, right? 12.5 more days to go before surgery with no relief in sight. But I guess I gotta do this one day…one sip of water…one bite of jello…one sip of soup…at a time. *Jesus be the taste of a Big Mac on my tastebuds* AMEN. :thumbup1:

I started my 2 wk pre-op liquid diet yesterday. I don?t think a fattygirl like me realized how big a part food played in my life until I had to give it up. Granted, I'm doing the Opti-Fast plan and will have shakes, Protein bars, and Soups ? plus all the SF Jello, SF pops, and all the crystal lite, Water, decaf tea/coffe (unsweetend) that I want, too. BUT, going from being a fatty-foodie, to being soooo conscious of NOT putting food into my mouth has been hard. Its more of a mental thing than anything. Tho I won?t lie ? around 4pm on the first day ? a migraine hit me like a Mack truck! Then the dizziness, weakness, and irritability (of course). I just kept saying out loud ?I canttttt doooo thisssss!!? Yet, I WAS doing it. Go figure. ?They? say, it will get easier with each day. But day 2 hasn?t been any easier. *lol* in fact, it?s been harder. But still, I?ve stayed on course. I almost flubbed it ? I walked into my Candy Man?s office at work (you know, there?s always SOMEbody that has a dish of candy on their desk) and popped a Werther?s Original into my mouth as I usually do. I didn?t catch myself at first, then about 30 second into me sucking on the buttery goodness I got the deer-in-the headlights look and went & spit it out in the trashcan. But that?s something, right? 12.5 more days to go before surgery with no relief in sight. But I guess I gotta do this one day?one sip of water?one bite of jello?one sip of Soup?at a time. *Jesus be the taste of a Big Mac on my tastebuds* AMEN.

So excited for you!! I'll be on the losers bench with you soon!!

My surg date is 9/21 and i started my 2 wk pre-op liquid diet yesterday. I'm miserable - to be quite honest. Headache, weakness, dizziness...irritability...and a sense of "i can't do this"...then i remember that i HAVE to do this...and that i will never be as fat as i am today - ever again. It's hard, but being fat is harder. WE CAN DO THIS. One day, one water sip, one bowl of SF jello, one SF pop, one bowl of broth...at a time!

HILARIOUS. I've heard this is by far one of the worst after effects, but your simple yet eloquent post drove the point home for me. Love it!

I know you ladies are right. And I wish so many of my concerns weren't vanity-driven. But, as someone who never had a problem being a "big girl" until it started to get physically uncomfortable - I almost feel like I'm not gonna know this new person. IDK if that makes much sense, but in my own twisted head... I'll be real - I love the fullness of my breasts and the curves of my hips...Granted - at my smallest, maybe a size 12/14 in 11th grade, I still was all boobs & hips...so it's quite fathomable that ill still have my lovely lady lumps...BUT, I know that no matter how hard I work out - without the help of a body lift, booble lift & such...the skin/sagging will take over. I'm trying to make my peace with that. It's a process...but thankful to have found a forum where other folks are on the journey & understand!

I wore my favorite dress last Saturday night. It was a bittersweet. I freakin’ rocked that dress, if I might say so myself. (as much as it could be rocked by someone that weighs 300#) And if ppl’s reaction / responses to me in that dress were any indication – I was a Red Foxx!! But alas, I realized that it will be the last time I wear that dress (unless I can manage to rock it another time or 2 before 9/21). It still trips me out that quite a few folks – including a few miscellaneous ppl in various store I stopped at – including folks outside my general realm of admirers ( to be PC about it *lol*) were gassing up my head! but maybe...it was just a nice. dress. Thing is, given my recent over-all disgust over my appearance…I felt…GOOD in that dress. It may have been a fluke – as I know that will be the last time some of those folks will see me this size, but I again made me think about my concerns about me future “post” body. My big & bodacious body so round & full of life…will soon shrink…I’m just wondering if my personality will, too. See, this is a new place for me. Insecure about this frame I’m in…unable to take a compliment, for the most part. I wonder how that will change in the coming year – if at all. I have so many funky-fresh outfits & dresses I’ve accumulated over the years, i'm gonna miss how I looked in (some) of it, yanno? That’s neither here nor there, I guess. I’m just gonna enjoy this last lil bit of summer in my size 22/24/3x big girl clothes. Change soon come – I bring it!

I'm goin in 2wks frm 2day - 9/21. I startd my pre-op liquid diet 2day. Hard Core...but I'm committed. This is sure to be one wild ride!

Thanks all fo rthe kind words. I havne't picked up my Optifast yet - but I was told there are shakes, bars, and Soups too. So I guess it won't totally "suck" after all *lol* This morning has been a little rough - but one day (or minute) at a time. Much appreciate the feedback. We are ALL gonna do this thing!!

Thankies, ladies. WOOOOOOOSAHHHH (Jesus be a Big Mack on my tastebuds even though it's only Crystal Lite - AMEN!)