StephC

I agree with the above about "keeping it off". I think we've all lost plenty of weight while we diet but as soon as we go back to "not dieting" it all comes right back on. I can honestly say that I've tested my band and over the holidays I ate whatever I wanted (which was about a million cookies) and I still lost a pound. I have faith in my band to help me keep the weight off.

I mean really .. what do you have to lose?

I forgot to add - they are required to pay for your travel time AND also the mileage. Maybe you need to point that out to them.

Geesh! So is that it? You don't go in again? I think you could probably fight it, since you were going to another meeting and that was why you punched in from home, and since there was bad weather and you couldn't make it then they should be able to just adjust the time. Do they pay you for travel time? Because, legally, if you are traveling you should get paid for it. Had you gone in to the branch near you and clocked in then left for the meeting they are required to pay your travel time. Are you going to sign up for unemployment? I just attended a Labor law seminar last spring and and they said as an employer you should never deny benefits, only bc if that employee files a complaint it can bring an audit. Even if we fire someone we dont' deny their unemployment, and we already pay the highest rate since we are seasonal. I'm not happy with my pay either, I'm the office manager and yet I have all the responsiblities of the clubhouse manager. But since I am the office manager I know that theres no room in a the budget for much more - its just that the golf pro makes 3x what I do and I do most of his job, I think they should give him a pay cut and give me the increase! I'm sorry it all happened, keep us posted.

CharBrue - I live at Reels Corner - just up the mountain! I also go to Dr Marley. I had my surgery a year ago and I'd do it again tomorrow if I had to. I love the support group in Windber, I go almost every month. You are more then welcome to join us. I forgot to tell you Scrappy-Friend you don't need to call ahead, just show up. They have moved the meetings to the Joyce Murtha Building, up stairs. Its easy to find. Char can I ask why you aren't going with Dr Marley? He's wonderful, I was so thankful to find him in our own backyard.

Bman - girl tell us what happened!!! I'm like :tt1: You are kidding! You are NOT pathetic! Like Faith said sounds like a sting of bad bad luck - what's going on sweetie? Didn't you just get a "kinda" promotion? Someone left and you were filling in their place until they found someone? Get back here and fill us in.

Kat - after thinking about it, I really don't know where NM is - time to get out the atlas. I mean I have a general idea and if you gave me a puzzle of the states I could figure it out, but as for the climate and stuff - I'm clueless. Scappy-friend - I know right where the rocking chair place is. We are just on the other side of the mountain. I'm at Reels Corner, up from where the ship hotel had been on 30. Your side of the mountain is just as bad as this side. My friend Charlie lives down past Chestnut ridge school. Its funny how 5 miles can make that much of a difference in the weather. I have Comcast internet but today its the slowest its ever been. When I type its about 10 seconds behind me - crazy. As for support group - I love it. I need support. I'm not a do it on your own kinda girl. Which is why LBT is a lifeline for me. I remember the meeting and you. I was feeling depressed that night. I'm happy to say I feel much better about myself now. I've only lost about 5 more pounds but I went down a size and I'm in a 10. I went to the ps in Greensburg, he wouldn't even talk about a pannectomy (where they cut the flap of skin off) he wanted to do a tt and it was $10,000 - er... waay too much money for me. In fact if the insurance won't pay for the pannectomy I won't be getting any thing done. But still he was too high, my sister had a tt in Mpls for $6000 - $4000 is a big difference. Waiting for the insurance was the hardest thing! I finally called them after a couple weeks and that very same day I called they called Dr. Marley and approved me. I had my last appt of the 6 month appts on Oct 11, got approved on Nov 11 and had my surgery Dec 11. But it was the Oct to Nov that drug on forever. Ok - sorry ladies I know I get long - you'd think I was writing a book!

(((((Boo))))) - sounds like you need a hug. Hang in there sweetie. I think I'll try those powerbars - my son used to eat them all the time but I thought they were super high calories. For some reason I'm doing really good this week - whats with that? I am measuring my food and stopping when I'm full. I think it was the support group meeting, they scared me. I know I was pb'ing way too much. I would not want my band to slip so I guess I'm going to be more careful. Va - I don't think we are. I thought we'd stay at least one night since its a 4 hour drive! But my son and dil think we can drive it. Kids! Its going to be a long day, at least I can sit in the back seat with a book. But you know what we should do is find a half way mark and meet. When the weather is a bit nicer. School let out early today - dd is home early. She gets on my nerves somedays - all she does is lay on the couch and watch mtv - ok ok who am I to talk ? I get dressed at 2pm.

Kat - aren't you from New Mexico? I never thought it got that cold there - I guess I imagine it to be like Arizona. Is it always cold like that? Are you in the mountians? Sorry for all the questions. That does sound scarey! DH and I were watching a program about abnormal growth last night, I can't remember what its called but theres less then 200 people in the WORLD who have this disease, anyway we were both saying how fortunate we are to have our health - until its gone you don't really appreciate what it means. I'm glad things are looking good for you.

Claud - they thought we were getting too big for the other thread - then we complained and he reopened it but since we moved here I guess this is where we will stay... until they lock us up again. :pray2: Va - guess what? I'm going to be in Richmond on 2/2 - how far are you? I'd love to meet you for lunch. My son is doing a mixed martial arts - jujitzu thing (LOL - whatever!) at the Showplace Annex - it'd be so cool if we could get together. Although it'd probably just be for an hour or so since I'd have to get back for his competition - but its a thought. Think on it. Well that is if you're close to it. Anyhoo - so I thought you got a new job, the one with the travel woes? What happened there? I don't understand men either. I guess he may be healing a broken heart (like our own sweet Bman) and he's afraid of another relationship. Did you all email Natster and tell her to come home? I'm at work again - and I hate it - I'm so lazy, love sitting around in my pj's all day and do puzzles. I did walk 3 days in a row and the nurse at support group says that you burn more calories when you walk in the cold bc you are breathing in that cold air and so your body has to work harder to warm it. Does that sound logical?

Hey Scrappy Friend! So good to hear from you! We should do lunch sometime :pray2: You weren't at the last support group were you? Sometimes I need to be slapped and say hey remember me? Anyway, I don't regret the band for a second! I love love love my band and I feel so much better. I feel its alot safer then bypass and thats why I chose it. I was a little afraid but I was more excited then afraid. If you need someone to talk to email me with your phone number and I'll call you. Kat - I'm glad you are a survivor! Its so important to get those yearly exams. Its snowing here today too - (probably not in Alum Bank) - the guy I work with lives down there and he said the roads have been dry for 3 days! But up here on the mountain its miserable. Have a great day ladies!

hey guess what? I emailed Nat and she wrote back. They blocked LBT at work so she hasn't been able to check in and you know how it is when you get home, not all of us want to get back on the computer after being on it all day at work. Anyway she's doing good and is going try to pop in this weekend. I told her everyone would bombard her with 'we miss you's" so I'm telling ya - email her and let her know we miss her.

hey girlfriends I see you down there - Banannie - how are you healing? Once again I have to tell you that you look absolutely amazing! Boo - are you feeling better? Sweet - hon I felt the same way about when my friend died a couple months ago, I didnt' even know she had cancer until she died! I felt like a smuck - but the family understands that you didn't know. I still think about Sandy and her family, she had a boy 16 and a little girl just in first grade - all Christmas season they would come to my mind, its so sad - all we can do is say a prayer for the family, God can help them through the grief. Bman - glad you are feeling better. If you had been at my support group last night you'd be in the doctors office today. They told of a lady who's band prolapsed - they ended up taking it out and putting a new one in - long story but doc was upset bc it looks bad on him, but it was her fault for not going in at the first sign of problems. He could have taken some fill out and let the band heal and then refilled but she waited until it was too late - even went to a different hospital for the ER visit. Anyhoo - I hope you take it easy, let the tummy heal and don't worry about weightloss.

I don't think its about the money if you can afford a bodybugg you can afford a fill. I was at support group last night and we all got a lecture about how important it is to check in with the dr bc our bad numbers make him look bad and so if his numbers look bad the insurance companies are going to start pulling out. Good luck, I know you can get back on the band wagon.

Our Chesepeake, Ginger and Sandee Bandee, shi tzu at Christmas with her colored hair, and Sandee as a baby, she was just so darn cute!

Survivor: Micronesia – Fans vs. Favorites on CBS The other guy I couldn't stand was Jonathon, remember him? But there a few who we'll have to root for Yau-man and Ozzy - if I remember right Ozzy was a real sweetheart. But I don't even remember a couple of those girls. Oh and of course James is back, I liked him too.

I don't think its too late to bake a cake and take them a card, write a little something in it saying you're so sorry you didn't hear of it soon, if there's anything you can do.. you know what to write, I don't think that they'll think you are terrible but just that you didn't know. Its always sad when someone young dies unexpectedly, my heart goes out to them. Well I walked again today, I feel like its a start. Although I haven't actually gotten dressed yet, I'm sitting in my long underwear and sweatshirt, so I'm still a lazy butt. I haven't eaten much today either, just noticed I was feeling hungry. I guess since it is 2:00 I should go start my day. :cool:

Hey sweet - did the rootbeer make you burp?

Tonight is support group, I missed last month so it'll be good to go, it always inspires me. Going for a walk - crazy me, I wait until its cold and snowing until I decide to get moving.

It is funny but sometimes it gets out of hand. She's a cutiepie. We have a BIG dog too, a Chesepeake, this morning when I let the little girls out I was tying her and she turned her head into me and bit my boob! She doesn't bite hard but she nips at you, and it feels like a pinch. Last week when the water man came (we get the 5 gal. jugs delivered) she bit him in the butt! And he was carrying 2 jugs of water! She doesn't do it aggressively, its bc she wants to play but dang it shocks you. I was sooo embarrassed. She looks mean if you don't know her but she's a big baby too. I attached a pic of her on dh's lap, she thinks she's one of the little girls. :smile:

I had to edit that and I noticed that we don't have all that enscripted bs anymore. I had a long day - I'm not used to working 8 hours.

this is my Sandee Bandee at Christmas, my son thinks its funny to color her hair with (washable) markers.

geesh I just looked at the cast - some of them are stupid! I can't believe they were ever anyone's favorites!

Yeahhhhhhhhhh I can't wait - survivor is my FAVORITE show ever!!! I hated johnny fairplay but he's not going to get away with it this season. And how about Big Brother coming on early too - I am assuming the writers strike has been the reality shows dream come true.

Sweet - girl that would have me burping up a storm! I take a small sip of someones soda every once in a while - just cause I miss the fizzy - and oh man watch out cuz I'll be burping for an hour. My dd says it really grosses her out - my burps stink - lol tmi! I figure if you can tolerate it why not? I really miss the fountain soda - :eek: not all the time but every now and then I wish I could tolerate it. I walked! None of the running 40 minutes stuff like our sweethot girl but I got my butt outside and went a mile. You should have seen the dogs - my shi tzu's - I put these little red booties on them, they did the "wth's on my feet" dance. It was a very nice invigorating walk. I think I might just do another when I get home.