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Thanks Karri. It really does help to know I'm not alone. That's what keeps me around here. I need to change on the nuts as well. I've only been trying them out for 3 days now but I find I will graze on them. They set off my appetite. I try to drink instead, but the nuts call to me. :wub: So they've gone down the garbage disposal. I picked up some Omega 3 Fish Oil capsules today, so fingers crossed that will help me out instead of increasing my food intake. Geez Louise at times I wish I had a different addiction to deal with rather than food. At least with alcohol or smoking you never touch them again. But with food you still have to eat. :sad: I've been out most of the day. Went and got my hair colored. That took an hour and a half. It was nice and relaxing. Then I went looking for some shampoo/conditioner that my hairdresser recommended to try and get my growth started again. Then I went to lots of different clothing stores. I didn't buy any new clothes, I just get such a buzz out of trying on size 10s and having them fit. Some of them loosely. :w00t: Being out and about stopped me from thinking too much about my weight. I'm SO tired of thinking "fat". I know I'm not fat. At least not as fat as I used to be. I'm overweight. I'm not always the fattest person in the room. I don't get stared at when I'm out. I don't feel like everyone's watching me when I order food. I can tie my shoes without passing out. I feel great when I exercise. I need to be grateful for these accomplishments because I worked hard for them. So why can't we lose fat girl thinking along with the weight? I need to invent a pill that will do that. :tt2: I'd be filthy rich if I did.

Hello ladies, made it through graduation and actually had a good time. We won't talk about how much money I spent. Fortunately my sister and daughters helped out, but by the time I was done I probably spent over $400 for food etc. When did things get so expensive? Part of the money was spent on a new battery for the Beast (my old 1977 crew cab Chevy pickup). I had it all loaded for a dump run and to pick up the shrubs for the stage at graduation and the Beast wouldn't start. It ended up needing a new battery. For the most part I had a nice visit with the family, glad to see my sister go, hard to see my girls go. I didn't even end up crying during graduation. Alexa's dad ended up being a jerk, he drove up from NV on Saturday and left immediately after graduation. He refused to come to the celebration because "he didn't want to be the most hated person there". So Saturday evening he stopped his car in the middle of the road and honked the horn for Alexa to come and get her gift and told her that since SHE couldn't make time for him to go to 'hang out' he was going to leave and not go to graduation. We have been divorced for 15 years and quite frankly he isn't important enough for me to hate, only pisses me off when he messes with the girls. The weather cooperated and it was beautiful and the yard was gorgeous as well. I hope that some of the pictures turned out and can post them on facebook. Anyway, I will weigh tomorrow at school. I did have an alcoholic beverage this weekend and a 1inch cube of carrot cake. Basically as busy as I was I only ate Breakfast and dinner, but I could see how easy it would be for me to slide back into bad eating habit. For the most part I didn't think about food (strange for me) but, the unhealthy food sure went down easy when everything else sticks. Damn, I just remembered that I had a smore also, what a selective memory. Don't we still have another week on the challenge??? I got my mountain bike fixed so I will be riding for exercise. Janet, I am so sorry about Angel, what a heart break. My babies came from private breeders. Jordan and Simon were free because male doxies are not as desireable as females. Breeder was VERY responsible and lives next to my parents so I was lucky to get them. Molly...well I bought her, not from the same breeder, but from a parent of a student. All the babies had to go to the kennel for the weekend, it was molly's first time. All went well. Well, I am going to go plant something on the farm, I couldn't plant before the weekend.

Hello everyone, happy Saturday! Sun is shining here and the temp. is nice 24C still not as warm as our usual June weather, but then with Global warming... what's USUAL??? Oh I wish I was going to Las Vegas!~!! So exciting... I havn't been there in 10 years. I am sure its changed completly since then. My Mother (85) is scheduled for her Angiogram on Wednesday, so any Prayers for her healthy outcome are appreciated!! My Sister is going to come with me to attend and support Mom... I think she is a wee bit scared. Poor thing, I just want her to have better quality of life and be able to breath better, and hopefully without an oxygen tank. Food wise, I've been tracking all week, and doing well... Had a couple alcoholic drinks yest. so my total was 1600, but I tracked it :smile: and I did get some walking in too. Have a great weekend everyone!!!:redface:

Karri- You are pretty sane if you ask me - I had a mentally challenged mother too (she committed suicide when I was 15 - found her on the floor with her wrist slit when I was 5 ) So from one to another who had mentally challenged mom's you come off pretty darn normal to me - you seem to know your issue and are working on them - We are pull your self up by the boot straps kind of girls - you gotta move forward..... Heck we all are a little crazy at one time or another in our lives. But hugs to you on how your mom treated you - that's pretty bad.. What's the most I have eaten at one time well the 1st thing that stands out that I really remember was I ordered 2 super size submarine sandwiches and ate them both on a Friday nite. These are big sandwiches - I did not eat them ate all at once but thru the course of the evening they were gone. Made brownie batter and ate it raw in bed (and I wasn't in the raw ) I know that I have fished stuff out of the trash to eat - that's why the xmas cookie I threw away - I made sure that they were unwrapped and contaminated by the other trash. We do love you - and props to you for no more sneaking... I guess my problem is since I don't have a dh or bf - I don't have to sneak - but that in itself isn't good either cuz I could and would eat anything and everything I wanted in the privacy of my own house.. Well Karri from your Band Mommy hugs and kisses to my little girl.. I'm the kind of Mom that will try and make you feel better about yourself not worse...:seeya: .. Phyl – I was teasing you that cuz you told me once that DH let you have your wine – if he could have a ciggy - Imho you gotta have what makes you happy in moderation – it’s not like you are drinking a gallon every night if you were then Karri & I would have to become the Alcohol cops on your butt – and you would be throw in the rehab house..

Yes I need one of those... and today it needed the alcohol to go along with it! Got another 16 oz down. That means that I am up to 48 oz today. 1 more and I will be good to go!

You guys just crack me up :eek::biggrin1::nervous I am lucky that you don't hate me for being the food cop :bandit(I have read on this board where alot of people hate the food cop) - or as I like to think of myself - that little ANGEL on your shoulder saying "come on sweetie your really don't want that - the a little louder - PUT THAT DOWN YOU DON'T NEED IT" or if you really just can't help yourself - take that slice of cake - cut it in half - throw away 1/2 and chant these word "better in thee than in me" and eat that 1/2 of a slice.... Take one day a month and allow yourself a tad of something you want. Do it in a way that you can't over eat it - like share a dessert while you are out - buy one cookie at the bakery - not a dozen - and if it's a big cookie break it in half and share or throw half away... Don't go into the break room when there are doughnuts in there. Don't tempt the devil.. I guess the way I look at it - If I can do this so can all of you - We are really all the same - yes I over simplify things - but imho why make them more difficult than they have to be. I am single - so I don't have ANYONE being that food cop when I am home (so that makes it easier for me to do something I shouldn't - but since I am preaching to all of you all the time - I gotta walk the walk - so really I have all of you on my shoulder) I work a very stressful job - always deadlines - always needed it yesterday - then I gotta go home to a 16 GS who half the time is a butthead - 2 doggies who just love me too much sometimes - I want to eat too - but I want that scale to go down more than I want to eat - the other night I wanted a butter taco (tortilla cooked on the stove with butter) - so know what I did - I took off a 2 inch strip of the tortilla and cooked it added a tad of butter and that was all I needed - didn't feel deprived had what I wanted for about 30 calories - Your kid's - DH - DW whomever don't need the junk in the house either and if they just have to have it - buy something you don't like that they do (my gs likes chip ahoy cookie - I don't - he likes hot cheetos I don't -but don't put a bag of cheeto puffs in my way) - or have them keep it somewhere where you don't know.. And explain - Food is my DRUG of choice - so please help me with my addiction and don't have temptation in my way... If you were an alcoholic - they wouldn't leave a bottle of booze on the kitchen table to temp you... That is my biggest defense - I don't buy it or go around it - at the office I can do it cuz they all know I have the band - so I show my will power as a badge of honor If you have a moment of weakness and you ate that pint of ice cream - forgive your self - say ok - I did that and now I will make better choices We went through so much to get this band - this isn't just a little diet we are trying - this is a permanent thing we had installed in our tummies to help us, now we gotta help it work by making good food choices and getting your exercise in - another big component but I will save that lecture for another time. Thanks again gang – I love you all :kiss2: Since you all have given me the titleI have to set a good example for you so that make you all my food cops :bandit XOXOXO Indio aka Food Patrol Angel aka Janet

Anyone see the Oprah show today? It was about gastric bypass and how once someone can no longer overeat, they substitute the addiction with another, like alcohol or sex or some other addiction. The point being that you must deal with why you have a weight problem before you should ever consider weight loss surgery because you may get a "transference addiction". Carny Wilson was a guest. She talked about her alcohol addiction after her surgery and how she overcame that. Has anyone experienced anything like this after lap band surgery? PS I've posted the same thing on the General discussion panel. I thought it would be interesting to see the replies.

Man, I don't log on for 5 days and I have to catch up on 9 pages of posts!!! Yall type too much....j/k. Well I am glad to see that everyone is still kicking.....lol. I guess i need to say Happy Belated B-day Threebeauties, Welcome Angie, Jdru, cookie dough and alcohol doesn't' sound healthy, sounds good, but not healthy. Raynie, i too enjoy the candy bars...lol.. Okay so that about sums it up. I'm finally getting rid of this cold and cough so i have ran out of excuses on why i can't seem to get to the gym. I go back to the dr for another fill on Feb 8th... I have got to make some progress this week so i don't get lectured on not losing and not exercising. Anyway, talk to yall soon!!

Well I am finally starting to get back on the bandwagon here...my vacation really threw me. I guess alcohol, ice cream and potato chips really aren't my friends. Now I just need to get exercising again. I defintely have time this weekend so I've got to get my butt to the gym. Is this Sunday our first Easter challenge weigh in or was that last Sunday?

You are not alone Khloe. A lot of us are struggling. I have done Ok but I am disappointed and depressed today too that I have not lost more and like you it's mostly my fault. It is truly a mind set that you have to have to push past your comfort zone. It is taking me longer than I thought but I refuse to give up. I had surgery , I cannot fail with this band. Perhaps you do need to go back to your surgeon and get a fill if you feel like you can eat more than you should. I have noticed that stuff that is not good for you are sliders and for the most part are sweets. Thankfully, I'm not into sweets but I do like food and I have been drinking alcohol more than I should. I will be having another fill at the end of this month and I am working on my mind set so that I can get back on the horse and follow the rules. Almost every successful bander will say that "Follow the rules" !! Today is a new day you can make a fresh start. So can I.

It took me a long time to realize that eating was an addictive behavior. Ever since I was a kid I knew that I would need to be careful around alcohol because my grandparents were alcoholics, along with a number of my other relatives, so I knew that it ran in my family... what I didn't realize was that it's 'addictive behavior' that runs in the family, not alcoholism... I was talking to my fiance, who is an alcoholic (not the raging drunk kind, the few beers a night to relax kind), and he was talking about how he needed to stop drinking and not bring alcohol into the house at all in order to quit (that moderation wouldn't work for him), and I said something to the effect that I wish my addiction was that easy. He said "well, I just drink a couple of beers to wind down and relax at the end of the day" and I said "Yes. I understand" and he said (rather sarcastically) "well, does eating calm you down?" and I said "YES". I think that was the first time he kind of 'got it'. He still doesn't 'understand' not REALLY, but it gave him a better idea. I still have to be careful of my drinking, if I find myself drinking every day, I stop for like at least a month, just to be sure I don't get 'sucked in' so to speak. I think I could easily become a shopping addict too. My house is already full of trinkets and crap I don't need. Something else that I think helps me is that I am in counseling. I know that I'll probably always have an addictive personality, but I feel like if I feel more in control of the things in my life, this will be one of those things.

My weight has gone up about 5lbs too. Last night I was out and my feet and legs were visibly swollen so I think I am retaining a lot of water for some reason. At this point I'm just waiting for my fill and I'll see what happens then. Right now, I'm very afraid that I am on just another diet and it's not going well. I'm eating much less than I used to eat plus I'm not drinking any alcohol or diet soda or chips or any of that other stuff so I think I should be dropping a ton just from that. I'm gonna chill for now but after next month if this mess keeps going on I'm officially pissed.

Hello August Bandsters! I was banded 8/30. I lost 50 lbs pre-op and have only lost about 12 pounds post-op. I know I should be beyond excited but I'm fighting frustration. I've had 3 fills. After the first two, I hardly felt any restriction; however, after the third, I felt some. I thought it was perfect at first, but now after 7 weeks, I'm able to eat more. I've gained 3 pounds in the last 3 weeks. I usually just stop eating when I know I should have had enough, but sometimes I don't. (I have to admit, I've been on "vacation mode" with this winter break...snacking more, even drinking some alcohol on our recent vacation.) I see my doctor tomorrow and I imagine I'll get a small fill. In the mean time, I could use some support. I'm feeling kind of alone in this process. I was very active in the local support group during the summer when I lost the bulk of the pre-op weight. Unfortunately, they meet in the morning on a weekday and I can't attend now because I'm a teacher. Anyone else out there going through some of this?

Ok, it's been a while since I've been on here. But I'm feeling the need to confess so here goes... I confess that I'm way more arrogant than I ever thought possible I confess that I see myself as one hot momma (it took pics to convince me I wasn't before weight loss, lol) I confess I'm addicted to beef jerky and I justify the unhealthiness of it by the great protein amount I confess that sex is way better now! I confess that I'm 11 months out and drink alcohol several times a week even though I signed a contract that I would wait a year I confess that I love my cheese puffs and dont even feel guilty about it I confess that I don't say it out loud but I am beyond thrilled that I now share clothes with my 14 year old daughter I confess that while folding clothes I hold up my new panties and just grin at how tiny they look Last but not least I confess that this is by far the best decision I've ever made, better than when I said 'I do' to my husband!!! Whew, that felt great, thx

Hi Jen, I had to cut out the alcohol period. It was sabotaging me. I was sabotaging myself. I would do good all day and then want a drink at night to chill out from all my frustrations and distractions but then with the drink I would grab a handful of chips or nuts or something else not good. I was stuck at the same 26lbs down for about 2 months. Once I stopped the alcohol my weight loss has started to pick up again. I'm now 36 lbs down and just started C25K. I would be at least 50 lbs down if I never started back up with the alcohol. I'm gonna subscribe to you on YT I just realized that we are both August rushers. I agree with the other poster. Of course you are struggling only having 1 1/2 cc in your band after all this time. I thought my surgeon was conservative. He put 1cc in my band on surgery day. I'm going for my 3rd fill on Jan. 5th and I'm now at 4.5cc which is good because I do feel restriction. I think by my next fill or maybe the one after I'll be at or pretty close to my "sweet spot". You are losing weight basically on your own and by sheer will power. The band is supposed to be a tool to help us get to our goal. Your tool is not helping you because your Dr is not letting it. What the heck, you have to lose another 30 lbs before he gives you a fill in 6 months? I have never heard of this before . Dang, you'll be at goal by then or pretty close to it. A Dr told you that the fat is turning into muscle? No such thing....fat is fat and muscle is muscle. You have burned fat and have built up your muscles. I think you should try to talk to your Dr . but this is just my humble opinion. Dee

Just wanted to share this today....It doesn't take a marathon! http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/28/even-a-5-minute-run-can-help-prevent-heart-disease/ Even a 5-minute run can help prevent heart disease Good news for runners: A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests running, even for a few minutes a day, can reduce your risk of dying from heart disease – whether you plod along or go at race speed. Researchers studied more than 55,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 100 over a 15-year period, looking at their overall health, whether they ran and how long they lived. Compared to nonrunners, those who ran had a 30% lower risk of death from all causes and a 45% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, investigators found. In fact, runners on average lived three years longer than those who did not hit the pavement. When data was broken down by age, sex, body mass index, and smoking and alcohol use, the benefits were still the same. “That’s important to note,” said Dr. Warren Levy, a cardiologist and chief medical officer of Virginia Heart in northern Virginia. “Even with all the negative factors, such as obesity, smoking and diabetes, those who were, let’s say, obese and ran had a less likely chance of dying from heart problems than those obese people who didn’t run. Same with smokers, diabetics, etc. ” The speed and frequency of a person's running routine did not make a huge difference either. The data showed novice runners who ran less than 51 minutes, fewer than 6 miles, slower than 6 miles per hour, or only one or two times per week still had a lower risk of dying than those who did not put on running shoes. D.C. Lee, lead author of the study and an assistant professor at Iowa State University's kinesiology department in Ames, Iowa, said the researchers found runners who ran less than an hour per week have the “same mortality benefits compared to runners who ran more than three hours per week.” So more may not be better. “Its been shown that after a certain amount of running over a certain period of time, the benefits seem to wane,” said Levy. “We aren’t quite sure why.” However, researchers did discover that consistency was key. They found participants who ran consistently over a period of six years or more gained the most benefits, with a 29% lower risk of death for any reason and 50% lower risk of death from heart disease or stroke. There have been many studies that have shown the benefits of exercise on the heart. But this study is one of the largest to pinpoint the positive effects of running, especially for nonmarathoners or nontriathletes. "Since time is one of the strongest barriers to participate in physical activity, the study may motivate more people to start running and continue to run as an attainable health goal for mortality benefits," Lee said. Activities like running can lower your blood pressure and decrease the production of glucose, which cuts your risk of developing diabetes, according to the American Heart Association. Running also seems to protect the innermost lining of the arteries, keeping the walls and cells intact, which cuts the risk of blockages or clots that can cause strokes or heart attacks. Levy, a runner himself, said people considering taking up running programs should talk to their doctors first, especially if they have chronic conditions. “A lot of weekend warriors just go out without preparing for their run. It’s the runner who takes it gradually and trains correctly, even for a run around the block, who's the one who avoids injuries and other complications."

I've known a few reformed alcoholics who have told me that everyone at the AA meetings chainsmokes and guzzles tons of coffee. These people were all heavy coffee drinkers and smokers.

well I found my MM.. it was at Mejiers.. a grocery store here.. It was 13.99 for the 1lb jug,.. I called GNC and my god.. i would need a loan to live on this.. on the internet it was not too bad..So I went for the milk choc... we will see how that goes..and I got the RTD for my Vegas trip.. I need to get some protein in that week besides alcohol..

I'm doing the same!! I gained a few pounds over the holidays since my weight they have on record. Lol. I've stopped drinking sodas, beer (alcohol period) Lol, anything carbonated since January 1. Been dieting n exercising as well. Lost 8.2 pounds so far. Have 4 more pounds to go then anything after that is a win for me. Then I'll be doing my one week of preop diet the week before surgery. Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using VST

I've struggled with every addiction in my life except, alcohol and drugs. But had every other one out there!! A couple months ago, I relapsed a bit with the gambling thing, but got back out of it after a couple of days, Whew!! Before I got the band, probably around my 40th birthday I decided I was not going to lie to myself anymore. I was going to face the facts, take an account of what was up, and face the truth! Since my birthday, just over a year ago, I......put myself on anti-depressents, quit gambling, allowed myself to lower my wall to the world (I am who I am), got my lap-band. It's not been easy every day, but WOW, my life is tenfold compared to a year ago. Im happy because I face the truth!! That being said, I believe thats why I only relapse at the casino a couple of days, I actually couldnt stomache it anymore. Walked out!! My point is.....I somewhat believe the transfer is true. It's probably easier to get it together before, but if not, the band will open your eyes to the next battle! My advice to the world.....Believe in yourself, Listen to yourself, accept yourself and love yourself!! Okay, how's that for therapy? lol...that'll be $55.00 from each of ya!!

It's definitely not a fact. Some people get that, some not. Me ... yeah, usually. Man... on Canada Day (night), I ate a hotdog for the first time in a year and a half! Alcohol was definitely a factor. In restaurants, it depends how I'm feeling. Some times I can't tell. I'm so hungry, but I'm just not sure I'm going to be able to handle eating something... but I order it, planning to try it out and eat what I can, and it all goes down fine. The other day, I went out for lunch, not 'feelin' it' at all and planning to order just a soup, but the one they had was gross, so I ordered an omelet, and ate it no problem. I don't bother with things I'm sure are pointless, like a burger, cause with the speed I have to eat, it would get yucky, fast. I'll usually get what I want, and deal with the sympathetic looks or questions if I can't eat much of it. Annoying :phanvan how are you doing now, Wheezy? Do you not weigh yourself? I wish I didn't!

Bibo Are there any local support groups in your area? Does your doctor have a therapist you can speak to about your relationship with food? What is normal exactly? Being able to run through the drive-thru and order a Big Mac and a large order of fries? Maybe that has become normal in our culture but it's not healthy at all. We have become a fast food world in a fast food mindset. Even regular home cooking. I would make these big delicious meals and I would absolutely stuff myself. Two helpings! Two platefuls! At that rate, I wasn't going to be able to survive to see my grandchildren! There comes a time when you have to decide which is more important and why food has such control over your life. Food for us is very much like booze to an alcoholic. It controls our lives and it wrecks our health because we can't seem to consume it in moderation. You say you can't pick up your two year old right now. At the rate you were going, were you going to be around to see him/her graduate from high school? How many diets have you tried and failed at? I too sometimes think I should have given diet and exercise one more try. Well to be honest, I am dieting now! I have to watch my carbs and my calories. I have to make good food choices. But the one thing my band helps me with is quantity. Even if I do indulge in some mashed potatoes, I can't consume nearly the amount I used to! I am in a partnership with my band. It can't do it without me and I can't do it without my band. It definitely sounds like you have not come to terms with the changes you are going to have to make in order to be successful. This is a drastic lifestyle change and commitment. But it's a commitment to yourself and to your family. You're not going to be any good to them if you cannot move around or have diabetes, sleep apnea or any of the other comorbidities associated with obesity. You and I deserve to be healthy and happy people, not someone who is a slave to food. Find someone you can talk to locally to help you through this transition.

Glad you liked the cat Riley - so sorry bout #1, I mean #0 - how disappointing but i think the former #2, now known as #1 put a hex on it. have a good night and don't let the bed bugs bite LMFAO! Monique - how did you get the apt with Doc Who? I was told there was nothing available - guess I need to call back in the a.m. Heather - love that the best part of the trip was the plane seat belt - hahaha Lee - you're a cougar - woo hoo! I think I would be too if I was single Ok, so like, 3 of you have less than 10lbs to go - is that right? I've been watching Robin Williams, at home ALONE and I just actually laughed OUT LOUD uncontrolably - he was talking about the stupid crap alcoholics say when they think they're cool - RE: pick up line: "are your parents retarded cause you sure are special" OMG, no he didn't!

p-butter, oh no not rihght after surgery!! I can barely eat it now! 2 cans of soup would have done me - seriously. Get a magic bullet blender; you can eat anything that the family is having (once on Stage 3) by just poppin' it in the ol' blender. I ate GOOD in stage 3 . . . . used it all the time in stage 2 also, turned anything into soup with some broth or soy milk :-) YO - drinkies and calories = my area of expertise, yo Jes jump in anytime here! All "shots" (hard alcohol, assuming it is unsweetened - does not include the likes of Malibu rum, etc) has exactly the same amount of calories and ZERO carbs. If you are in an establishment that knows you, bring diet cranberry (ocean spray) juice and drink that with plain old vodka. Otherwise stay away from any kind of fruit juices. Vodka (or plain rum) works with crystal lite too - and we ALL pack THAT around - and in diet jello shots. Michalob ultra is like 70 cals and 2.3 carbs, it is a beautiful thing for BEFORE surgery; after you have to pour it into a glass from 3 feet height and let it flatten before you can drink it! I can actually drink one out of the bottle now, but too hard to stick to 1 so I don't. I am especially partial to vodka diet tonic, no fruit. But that was when I drank vodka . . . . I'm over than now. But I lost so much weight that I cant drink like i used to! 2 is my limit and I have a hard time with that, so I sip red wine now - i NEVER chug that. It has calories AND carbs but I am drinking 2 not 5 or 6, so it all works out and saves me from stupid and regretable behavior(!) I had to not drink at all to lose 43 lbs. before surgery - probably one of the main reasons that I lost it so easilt, LOL!!

Da Shoes! the night of the awards banquet I was walking with my boss down to dinner and one of the men I work with catches up to me and says "I had to run to catch you girl, you can rock those heels". I loved it. I watched a u tube done by a pro runway model to learn how to walk in high heels and the key is to just own it. Tentative short steps don't work. We had to catch shuttle busses from our hotel over to the other hotel where the big closing dance party was held. I wound up being on my feet for hours - I should have sat down more - but it did make it easy to leave the party at 10:30 as my feet did start hurting. If I had sat down instead of stood/walked for hours and hours I could have worn those shoes all night. 1030 was a good time to leave. Remember this event had no "spouses" so was at least 85% men. The booze was flowing and the mood started to become very alcohol induced festive about that time - like I could sense the change in the vibe. I was chatting with a couple of guys I used to work with - one of them was my employee 10 years ago. It kept me "safe" and I didn't get hit on over and over like I did last year. I am finally figuring out how normal women deal with these social situations. I did pick up a really cool guy "stalker" but that was earlier in the week. LOL. I really liked him but of course no work with pleasure and he lives in like Kansas. My boss noticed him too as he came and chatted me whenever the opportunity presented and managed to get my phone number too - but again, he is in Kansas so no real problem. I do own a pair of Guess booties that I still don't feel comfy walking in - fear of falling. They aren't that much taller and they are fairly comfy but there is something about the foot angle that is just hard. I suspect that is why i like them - the steep angle makes my huge feet look better...haha. I have another pair of bootie/shooties that I bought before I even knew what a shootie was - more than a year ago. They are a black and white floral pattern with sheer black panels on part. They are pretty wearable but to my eyes a little more cutting edge looking than a girl from the country wears around here. Nobody would look twice in NYC etc but around here, they look weird. I only wear them occasionally but Steven is crazy about them because they have a sheer portion which turns out to be the thing that gets his interest. Speaking of Steven, it is his birthday today - turning 66! I am forbidden to celebrate it in anyway which is probably one reason he blew me off again and hasn't called. I am thinking about dropping something small off at his house - can't decide since he asked me to not do anything. I imagine he isn't thrilled - I know that turning 50 later this year is kinda of a yikes thing for me. Anyway, I am not telling him today about my decision due to the birthday, but soon.