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Sheryl that's so awful! My condolences! I never understand why that happens. People have to think that over, and should be considering those they will leave behind. John continues to be sweet and charming. He's very different. I never even realized his Spanish blood. His mom was born in Spain. He speaks reads and writes spanish. He had some alcohol last night and I finally detected an accent. I'm just going with the flow and hoping this surgery next week is going to help me. Right now I have bad days and good days if the sciatic nerve isn't pinching the nerves in my leg. I'm taking pain pills more often now. It really bums me out that I can't fine one full bottle. I hope I didn't leave them at my son's house.

I went to Johnell, he's amazing. I am on depression meds for other reasons and its not an issue. They are, more than anything, looking for alcoholism ... it's bad to be an alcoholic and do this and Johnell is so thorough he doesn't want anyone in his office that will not succeed on the program and I love that about him. I'm in Broomfield! :party:

How did I let this happen again? I had lost nearly 60 pounds, and slowly but surely, the weight had reappeared. I say that as though it happened without my knowledge or consent. I guess it would be more appropriate to say I put the weight back on. I wear it around like a lead coat. It stifles me, it breaks me, it pains me. Yet, I have done this over and over and over for my whole life. All the fluffy girls reading this know exactly what I am talking about. As a collective, we have probably gained and lost the same 60 pounds a million times. I hate to think it is because I am lazy, or that it is because I have no will power. I know that’s what most people think when they look at me - that woman is a glutton. I suppose there is some truth to it. Although, if they knew how disheartening it is to reach a goal, only to have it taken away . . . wait, there I go again, acting like some invisible power caused this. I know I have to take responsibility. I did this to myself. It didn’t happen to me, I caused it. But could it be that I can’t help it? It may be my fault, but maybe I just need some help to be successful. I tried many different things to “help” but nothing worked in the end. Weight Watchers was great, and I certainly learned a great deal about what foods to eat, and what portion size I should be eating. I remember the first time I learned about the portion size for pasta and rice. I think I laughed out loud. I did lose weight, quickly at first, but I never could get past that 40 pound mark. I had such a long way to go, over 100 pounds, and stalling out at 40 pounds just threw me over the edge. And when I would cheat, I WOULD CHEAT. I think it is a great deal like being an alcoholic. If I had one drink, or in my case, bite, it was all over. Forget about moderation, or “Points” or whatever. Then getting back on the wagon was harder than ever. Again, I know, excuses, excuses. Nevertheless, that was my pattern. I even tried medication for a while. I went to my doctor and begged for help. I remember saying, “I think something must be wrong with me. Even when I am really good, for a really long time, I can’t seem to lose the weight I need to lose!” So she gave me Wellbutrin. It states clearly that it is a medication for depression that should not be taken by people with eating disorders. Well, at 300 pounds, isn’t it fair to say I had an eating disorder? 50 pounds later, gained, not lost, I decided to quit taking Wellburtin. It definitely took the edge off, and helped me realize that I probably have some anxiety issues to work on, but it certainly did not help me lose any weight. In fact, it just made me complacent. The end result, however, was that it did force me to recognize that I have an addiction to food. It forced me to recognize that there was not going to be an easy fix for me. That was a huge disappointment. So, this last bit of temporary weight loss came from a surprising turn of events. I was pregnant, and all of a sudden, food was not my first priority. Taking care of the little being inside me was the most important thing of all. Because I was so large, 355 to start the pregnancy, my doctor was very worried about gestational diabetes. I met with a dietician at the hospital, and I followed her directions to the letter. I cut back on carbs, no more orange juice, lots of fiber, plenty of protein. Well, compared to the fast food junk I had been living on up to that point, it was no surprise that I started to lose weight. All told, I gained 13 pounds through my pregnancy, but lost 35 immediately after my daughter was born. Then, the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life occurred. My dear little one came 6 weeks early and was critically ill. She had to stay in the NICU for nearly a month. For the very first time in my life, I did not turn to food for comfort. In fact, I could not stand the thought of eating a thing. Leaving the hospital without your baby is the most unnatural thing in the world. I felt like I was literally being torn apart. I remember, the night I was discharged from the hospital, my husband and I were walking across the parking lot, and I said, “I feel like I am forgetting something.” Then I broke down and bawled. I don’t think I quit crying for the rest of the evening. I had to pump every three hours because I was hoping to breast feed my baby. Since I wasn’t eating, there wasn’t any milk to pump. I didn’t figure this out for about three weeks, and was getting very discouraged. However, I did find it funny that every time I turned around, someone was trying to make me eat. It was the strangest thing! My father especially, who was such a champion for me during that time – driving me back and forth to the hospital – would always try to get me to eat. I just couldn’t do it. In the end I lost an additional 20 pounds, creating an ultimate weight loss of about 55 pounds at that point. Eventually, my beautiful baby did come home. She is the light of my life. Being her mother is what I have been waiting for. I know all mothers probably feel this way, but she is the most lovely creature I have ever seen. She spreads such joy everywhere we go! I feel so blessed to have a baby that can make even total strangers smile with glee. I continued to lose weight. Ava and I walked every day. All the climbing up and down the stairs with baskets of laundry didn’t hurt either. Breastfeeding did work out in the end, so I know that helped me shed a few pounds as well. All told, I lost over 60 pounds. Then, I had to go back to work. Summer was over, and I had to return to my job as a literacy specialist at an elementary school. I started eating again. It happened slowly, and I saw it happening, but I didn’t do anything about it. It was as though I could watch myself through someone else’s eyes, but I didn’t try to intervene. I just kept eating. WHY? I have thought about this a great deal, and I don’t have any good answers. Was I feeling guilty about taking my baby to daycare? Probably. Was I worn out and looking for comfort? Probably. Was I wishing for more consistent help from my husband? Probably. Are those good reasons to gain 60 pounds? Absolutely not. So here I am, obese again, trying to raise a well-adjusted girl in the United States. That is why I have made this decision. She is the reason I am going to be successful this time, even though I have been unsuccessful all the other times. I want to raise her, not watch her from the sidelines. I want to still be alive when she gets married and has beautiful babies of her own. I want to be able to chase her if she is getting into harms way. I will do this. So that brings us up to date. I have decided to have gastric banding, also known ad Lap-Band surgery. This simply has to work. I have to do the hard work to make it work. I am going to be successful at this! Several things happened to bring me to this decision. My good friend Heidi had gastric bypass surgery a little over a year ago. I mention this for several reasons. First of all, I love Heidi. I have always thought she was one of the most beautiful women I have ever met, even when she was heavy. Second, Heidi has always reminded me of myself. We were both women of faith, school teachers, intelligent, opinionated and well-read. I hold her in the highest esteem and respect her immensely. When Heidi told me she was going to have gastric bypass surgery, I was so excited for her. She had followed a path similar to mine, struggled with her weight all her life, tried all the commercially available programs, all to no avail. I was a bit worried of course, especially because I had just heard about another person I knew that had died from complications from bypass surgery. I started thinking about the notion of never being able to eat gluttonous amounts of food again. I thought about not being able to drink a can of soda pop. I thought about eating only Dixie Cup sized potions. Yuck. That was not for me. Not only that, it scared me. (continued in part two)

I am 7 months out and 95 pounds down - and i weigh daily without fail on my bathroom scale after using restroom (and naked) first thing in morning before getting in shower. My weight can fluctuate within about 3-4 pounds overnight - in other words there have been major short-term swings over the months. Sometimes this is due to me having more calories the day before, bloating before/after/during ovulation/period, amount of salt/water retained in my system, alcohol night before (like I'm dehydrated the next morning - my weight is falsely super down by a few pounds - but it's all regained the next day from hydrating). Take heart - I do not know many people who go down on the scale every single day - there are going to be fluctuations - (and different scales always produce different results). Just stick to what you are doing and you will get to goal!!!!

Good Morning Violets~ Checking in from Disneyland!! Susie, I saw the parking garage! Can't believe that story...wow. Tell him the parking garage is still standing! Well, yesterday...I blew out my knee at work. I almost said a very bad word in front of the kids as I was laying on the desks. I told the kids to go get me ice...I mean this was really bad. Then driving here, it stiffened (sp) up and I could barely get out of the car (PS is about 2 hours away w/ traffic). Went to dinner, then to the keynote last night...I WAS DYING! Susanne is here and I got into bed and slept really good...and so far it is better. I have an apt w/ doc on Friday late afternoon. I am almost depressed thinking about not being able to do Jazzercise. I finally found something I love, but honestly...my knees have hurt bad for a few weeks. I've NEVER had trouble...and am pissed that they hurt. I am hoping a few shots and I can work out. I promise not to do anymore squats. Well...long day of food, sitting...more food, and then alcohol! I am trying to make "good choices". Last night had the salmon (OMG...melted in my mouth), the broccli, 1/2 piece of bread, but skipped the pots. Also everyone went out for dessert...skipped that. I had sooo many compliments lately, especially w/ my new pants that actually fit, don't want to go too far off track. Have a great day everyone. I'll try to pop in tomorrow am. Jenn~ Did you get a new tat?

EE The liquid phase is hard - I wanted to eat - I chewed and spit out just like you at that phase too.. Sometimes we forget that we have the band - Congrats on preparing the food and not eating it - There are pple here who will eat real food when they are suppose to be in liquids... Yep the tiny bites eating slowly and not drinking takes a while - I still suffer from eating too fast sometimes and I am almost 2 yrs out... I will occasionally pb but not often. Thanks for the props - I have worked really hard to get where I am and am still working at it. Yesterday - I was making all these excuses in my head as to why I didn't need to go to the gym... But alas I went - I have to if I want to maintain my weight and still eat.. Ya I am a real person with a real life - I will over indulge with various things (alcohol and food) from time to time - but what I know now is that after I have - I have to get back on track - this is what skinny pple do - we all see them eat drink and be merry and think that they do this stuff daily - well most don't they enjoy life from time to time but on a daily basis they watch their intake and exercise.. Keep up the good work - Good thought on your fill today... When you visit the doc - remember in your head he is a person just like you - you pay him he really works for you - just cuz he's a doc with a degree doesn't mean he's any better than you are.. So stick up for what you want -

So i went out with friends last night. Amazing time. I have had alcohol in the past wine makes me a little tipsy, beer just makes me full... Last night we had a cream type wine and some shots before we went to the bar. OMG I didn't know if I was going to be able to walk down the stairs to the car! I'm such a light weight now. It was a fun tipsy feeling and once I was at the bar I switched to water. Danced for 2 hours and had a blast! One of my friends said I looked like a cute little barbie doll last night. haha made my night!

Hi gals! I've had a bit of computer trouble so hopefully it is fully repaired now - hoping your MRI goes well Sheryl - I had to have one on my knee soon after my sleeve surgery and I told myself I was glad that I did not have to be inside the machine because there was no way I would have fit. Luckily, it doesn't take too long. Thanks for the nice list Kim - I should save that and add my own to it. I like cleaning, organizing, labeling things - I think it is a stress reliever for me because it gives me some semblance of the illusion of control over one area of my life. Checking things off lists makes me feel like I am accomplishing something - even if they are silly things. I had a therapist years ago who considered me very ocd with my writing things down and checking them off and tried for a long time to break me of the habit - I think it only served to make me feel even more freaked out and vulnerable than I already did (I have pretty much always felt very unsafe in the world growing up with a raging sexual/verbally/physically abusive alcoholic stepdad and checked out mom.) I know that I will work on all of this stuff until the day I die and it still wont be resolved Florinda, you simply have not met the one yet - I kissed hundreds of frogs before my princely man game along, and by no means are he or I perfect, we can all find someone to love - I did not think this was possible for a long time. I never thought I would find happiness and just when you least expect it - it can arrive. I can completely identify with how you feel - I have been there.

I weighed yesterday and was the same as last week, not disappointed-almost relieved as we had a very busy week food and drink wise. We have decided no alcohol in the house for the next few weeks as we try to get ourselves 'dried' out before we go on holiday at the end of the month. I had a fast day yesterday and came in just under 600, not perfect but OK. Florinda your recipes sound amazing, do they taste as good as they sound as I know you have to make lots of substitutions? I'm only 5' 3" and there is no way I could get down into the 130s I would look ill, we are all so different. I am quite curvy and even as I have gone down I have retained the proportions. I'm aiming to get into the 150s and then review it. I'm still a long way off.

Kim, how nice that they asked you to model for them! I also am not open to the public about how I have lost weight. Some ppl know but I'm not one who shares it with everyone. Cathy, oh no! That stinks. Like you said, they are just things. Still hard to deal with. You had asked if I am happy with my plastics results. I am very happy with my results. I am over 5 months out and in the last month I finally feel really good. Finally I can do all my normal workouts and I am getting more and more used to my new body. It has changed a lot and continues to take shape as time goes on. My dr told me my body will continue to change in the first year after surgery. My favorite part is my completely flat stomach. I love it!! I need to do my inner thighs next. My dr wouldn't do them with the LBL. I'm sure I could've found a dr that would but as soon as I had my consult with him I knew he was the one for me so I stayed with him. I really need to take some pics and post them. After surgery I was so sure I would take pics every month to see the changes but this recovery has been very emotional for me and I didn't want to take pics all the time. Denise, I'm so glad you are feeling better. You've had a rough road. Did Bill stick around and help you or were you on your own all the time trying to deal with this? Sheryl, I can understand why you are hesitant with moving into a serious relationship with someone. Sounds like Kevin is feeling the same. Do you want to be loved and in a loving relationship for the future? I know you didn't have that with the ex. But, the future can be different for you. Don't feel like you have to rush into a decision. I, too, don't understand how some ppl can fall in love quickly. Take your time and you will know what to do when the time comes. Just don't let the fear of being and giving love hold you back from allowing it to happen. It can be a wonderful thing! Mexico was beautiful. We were in Cabo for a trip my husband earned through work. It's hard to come home to WI after being in such was weather and beautiful sunshine. Oh well, back to reality! I'm looking forward to 5:2 this week after eating whatever I wanted whenever I felt like it for 4 days. I don't drink alcohol so thankfully I didn't have any of those extra calories to contend with! The food though, delicious food anywhere and everywhere whenever I wanted it. Thankfully I could only fit in a few bites of everything. But a few bites all day long adds up. It's all good though I'll be back on track this week.

@@UK Cathy I have cut way back on my drinking to prepare for surgery, but I realize how many calories I have been consuming that way! I have the opposite problem, I will forget to eat if I drink alcohol and that aint good either! I think the best answer is to combine alcohol with a real meal (or at least an appetizer) so you don't wind up eating munchy type foods. I tried to see Kinky Boots when I was in New York city 2 years ago, but couldn't get tickets. Can't wait to hear what you think of it! So, I have been doing some casual dating, but this guy Steve I have been seeing since October. No future in it, but super nice guy and fun to do stuff with. anyway, he has gone off the rails. Like depressed. There are some things that have happened that suck, but I think he has a depressive type personality as he has given me hints of it before. I think the reason he is attracted to me is that while I have my ups and downs, I am basically bubbly and outgoing. Anyway, he is hiding from me, like he texts alot but won't even talk on the phone. It doesn't really matter as we aren't in deep or anything, but it is just part of that whole... wtf??? Are there any men on the planet who are fit, middle aged, SINGLE, fun without being irresponsible and not suffering from major emotional issues? Ha

Georgia, so good to hear from you. 14lb is awesome. I've given up alcohol for lent so am hoping the absence will diminish the snacks and chocolate that usually accompany it. Here's hoping.

Florinda, I'm no dietician and I know you know your body better than anyone but is your daily low calorie count enough for your body? I can hear your frustration at the slow weight loss. Would it help to have a couple of days at higher cals to see if it shakes things up? My own weight is up and it is totally my own fault, I have had a weekend in Turin (Italy) and we ate and drank. It was the drink more than the food- it goes down too easily. The weather and the atmosphere was great and we took advantage of it, glass of wine before lunch, same at dinner and then sitting out in the squares people watching with a drink later. I think it is no alcohol for me this week so that my poor liver can recover. We went to Turin to see the shroud and it was an amazing weekend, made all the more amazing by meeting a Muslim lady and her elderly mother who were also there to see the shroud. We were able to discuss with each other the things our religions had in common. It was really special. It also follows on from an amazing exhibition I saw in Marseille recently which was about the things that the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths have in common. One fact I took from that is that Mary (mother of Jesus) is mentioned more in the Koran than in the Bible! And that the Muslim faith have a deep respect and reverence for Mary because she is The mother of Jesus who they acknowledge as a prophet (as does the Jewish faith). As humans that is what we should focus on - the things we have in common, not the things that might/could divide us. Anyway a lean day for me I hope!

Florinda I am sorry you are going through this....but don't be too hard on your boyfriend. I have noticed a chromosome related trait of unwillingness to communicate empathy. The next boyfriend will fail in a similar way... there are exceptions and it depends on the topic and circumstances but over the phone in a situation he knows about but hasn't really "lived" he doesn't stand a chance. That is what moms and sisters and girlfriends are for. Beautiful photos! My life has taken a turn toward the tragic with bettys brain cancer at center stage. I am proud of myself that I wake up every morning and ask myself if I feel the wolf....the horrible anxiety/mood stuff and I don't. I am calling old friends, extended family and enduring their guilt wracked voices and tears.....and while I feel it like a thousand cuts I am not depressed or spinning up...just even. (Betty is a raging alcoholic and most of us lost contact over the 7years since my sis died even though we all love Betty and promised my sis to watch out for her,that is the guilt part) A week ago I ordered this little farm toy, before all hell broke loose, and it arrived on a hot day when I happened to be dressed a little daisy duke like...Haha. makes me so thrilled at my weight loss, maintenance and plastics!

SH*******TTTTTTT!! I just typed out a very long post catching up on things and then hit something wrong on the keyboard and caused it to disappear. EFF EFF EFF. I have so little capacity for stress these days, that seriously almost made me cry. I need to remember to regularly to a Ctrl A/Ctrl C whilst I'm typing this stuff out, in case of this kind of thing. :-( Now I don't know where to start cos I used all my wafer thin patience typing it out the first time. Well, I had started off last time by saying CONGRATS to Chi, so I will start there again. So. net-net -- I've gained roughly 15 lb in a short time, cos was maintaining without 5:2 for ages. None of my clothes fit -- not too tight only, but really do not fit. I caved and bought a few things in the next size up (10 for the record, back in double digits with a wardrobe full of 6-8s) and they are already too tight. GUTTED. This causes me to have stress every morning and throughout the day when things feel tight and I have giant muffin top etc. UGH, feel awful and ugly. I started 5:2 again last week, Mon and Tues, and did pretty well. But then had work stuff and a girly weekend trip to Netherlands, so that involved eating, wine, and a lot of walking -- netted out without a further gain, so I'll take it. Just did 5:2 again today, as well, and will tomorrow too -- hate the back to back approach, but it's the only option to work around work events and etc. Did really well today...then after having a lovely chicken salad for dinner, I polished off the rest of the Jelly Bellys I bought in Schipol, as well as a cupcake I'd got there and just "had" to eat before it went to waste. (In addition to the one I ate while I was still in the airport of course. I hate airports/flying so I eat badly and drink too much wine. Sigh.). So I sort of fasted and sort of effed up big time today. I also wonder, as CGJ mentioned, whether 5:2 causes mood disturbances -- I posted about it in the 5:2 forum at some point a long time ago -- the very fledgling (cos they haven't done enough research yet -- imagine that, they haven't tested something properly on women yet. Shee-it) notion that 5:2 has an effect on hormones for women. Who knows. Agreed with my coach, who I hadn't talked to in MONTHS and finally reconnected with, to take 5:2 as a starting point for getting my feet back under me, cos it also has the effect of not drinking wine at least two days a week. Is that sad or what? I honestly don't think I'm an alcoholic, but I've gotten in the very bad habit of self-medicating way too much...and it doesn't help and it DOES make me gain weight. *Sigh* again. I don't smoke much anyhow, and I'm good at quitting, so that's bottom of the list. Cutting down further on wine, getting back in the gym, and doing some sort of meditation or yoga or SOMETHING for stress management, are taking up the middle positions on the list. So many ways to be out of control, so many of them that I'm doing. Unprecedented in my life, btw. I don't even recognise myself. I have GOT to get myself sorted, but then I think that and it causes a sort of despair/fog of self-loathing to cloak me and that makes it worse. I have to find some compassion for myself and just start picking up the pieces again. I can't believe what I've been through; I can't believe all I've given to work over the past couple of years. They don't even deserve it I think sometimes. I don't know. Still lost but starting slowly to try to find my way. Now crying and going to bed to TRY to get some sleep -- god it would help so much if I could just sleep well a couple of nights a week (also on the list, but not sure how to tackle that one). Still super stressed about not having done any taxes and being way behind and not knowing how many billions I owe. JUST. UGH. Don't read my posts, they will wind you right up I'm sure. :-( Thanks for listening. <3

Remodeling is stressful! I remodeled this house after I bought it and it was a nightmare for awhile. Sheryl what happened to the guy you were dating who has the Harley? I thought you liked him, and did see possibilities with him. It's nice that you still have your ex to talk to and are still able to find comfort with him Sara I am so excited to hear your news about your dad. I really hope he continues to get good news after the pathology report. I got good news today too. My fusion is coming along nicely and I don't have to wear my back brace unless I leave the house. The best news is my liver doctor feels that my Hep C is not affecting me. He said my body has learned to live with it. The treatment for it is 90,000.00 and my ins would never pay for it because I don't fall under the guidelines for who gets treatment and who doesn't. But the main thing he told me is as long as I don't drink alcohol, not ever, I will die from something else, and not liver cancer. Now I go to physical therapy and I can go back to the gym as long as I am careful . I guess the PT will tell me what exercises would not be good for my back. I can do cardio though, and go back to exercising my thighs, where I have gained most of my weight. I really want to be able to wear my clothes. 15 lbs makes a huge difference in my pants. Floridna, I went to a talk on plant based diets and they talked about MS. They said diet makes a huge difference, but I am sure you have all the right books and are doing what is best for yourself.They talked a lot about eating tons of leafy greens. Please stop judging yourself because you have gained weight. You've had a lot of stress since you came back to the US and your MS is messing up your weight loss, not YOU!

I can't eat sugar alcohols at all... My bowls complain so much, Its revolting! I mostly use stevia or splenda....

Mama Mia was amazing, whole audience up dancing and singing by the end. I'm up in Scotland visiting SIL this week and then with mum next week as I get a new bathroom installed for her next week. I'm lucky that I get a 2 week break from my job. No weigh in as no access to scales though I am mindful that clothes are snug. I survived the no alcohol for lent and I actually felt better for it. Hubby and I both realised we enjoy wine too much. Going to restrict it to 2 nights a week and restrict the amount too.

Exactly what I was told. Although we both have Australian doctors, so they might have the same training background... My surgery centre really stressed that they need us to be on the pre-op diet for the last 2 weeks pre-op. They say it will be the last diet we will ever be on! YAY! Our pre-op diet is based on medical Meal Replacement products. It has choc or vanilla shakes, chicken Soup, choc mousse, choc bars and choc berry bars. Some variety in the textures, but it all tastes pretty much the same weirdness. To that we can add 2 cups of non-starchy vegetables (NO carrot, potatoes, peas (other than snow peas), Beans (other than mung beans), carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato etc), 1 piece of fruit per day (limited selection, eg. apple, pear, orange, strawberries, pineapple), diet jelly, diet soda, herbal tea, and some basic herbs and condiments. Absolutely no alcohol or caffeine is allowed. I'm basically having one of the shakes for breakfast; a salad and a bar for lunch; fruit for afternoon tea; stir-fry, grilled or soup veggies for dinner; a bar or dessert and diet jelly for supper. Plenty of herbal tea and Water in-between, and just the odd diet soda if I feel like one. So far the pre-op diet's generally not that bad. I'm on day 5 of the diet today - a bit hungry today, as I had my "special lunch" :hungry: with the girls yesterday, and I guess I'm getting over that. Day 3 was also hard, I got really grumpy and cold.:confused: I thought it was because of the heavy gardening work that I was doing, but TOM arrived yesterday, so it was probably that making me grumpy (usually that would have been fixed with chocolate! LOL!). Thank goodness it came now and not when it was due (on surgery day).:clap2: Different surgeons have different methods of working, or have different view of the relevant research and literature. I think that my surgery centre is very conservative in terms of pre and post op diet requriements, but less conservative in other ways. As long as the outcomes and recovery are good, that's all that should matter. Good luck to all as we count down the last few days until 1 October! Let the banding begin!:clap2: :clap2:

Well say 'hi' to the sharks for me. Personally, I don't swim in anything that's no chlorinated...although I hear that hasn't stopped alligators in Florida from crawling into a few. Went to my first meeting. Not quite what I expected, but I'm going back and we'll see what happens. I'm doing very good today with avoiding those carbs. Can't say I'm not craving them, but every time I reach for one (like a cracker), I remind myself that it's my 'alcohol' and walk away. If I can get through this first week, the following week will be easier because we'll be at Disney where there are tons of things to do to keep my mind off food and I won't have ready access to food. Yeah I know there are food places all over, but it's still not as easily accessible as opening up a fridge. Oh goodie...it's 2:30 and I can have my Protein drink! That should help with the cravings! Melody

Funny!!! I've tried a few drinks here and there also. I cannot do the "sweet" drinks anymore! Whew! And yes, I got crazy drunk very quick, but it also didn't last long for me. My metabolism is so fast, it just went right through me, LOL! Last weekend we took our 21yr old daughters and their guys out for dinner and drinks. Had a blast! The one guy had a chocolate stout beer. I tried a little and was delicious!! I always have liked beer, just not the cheap stuff, LOL. I like the local made stuff, or imported "fancy" beers. I drank the WHOLE big glass of this beer and didn't get nauseous at all! I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing, LOL!! My surgeon says no alcohol, like EVER....but I figure maybe once a month I can indulge in a little bit!

Hello everyone, I hope you all enjoyed your weekends. I can't believe it is March already. That is the funny thing about being pregnant, so much of your time is spent "waiting" time is either passing at a snails pace or you blink your eyes and a month has gone by. I made some beef stew in the crock pot this morning before leaving for work. It just sounded good today and the weather turned cold again. I think it said it was 17 F today in the car . . . brrrrr. Michelle, you are such a dear for helping out that family and it seems to be going great. I am always afraid of offending people, but it sounds like in this case they just really needed a little help. It feels great to help, but it is sooo much better to be appreciated for it as well. Kat, My goodness . . . no wonder you get hives, I get itchy myself thinking about all the stress you have been dealing with. There is something about unruly teenagers that really makes me crazy. We just rented a film called Eden Lake last night. A bunch of pre-teens & teens started stalking and tormenting a couple on vacation . . . definitely suspenseful, gory and disturbing, which is great if you like that kind of movie. Could you post some no-trespassing signs and go out with a camera to take pictures when they are there? At least they would know they are on record and perhaps make themselves scarce, but then again . . . perhaps that would just antagonize them and you might find worse things happening afterwards. Spreading manure might help. I guess what scares me the most is that you said they found a crack pipe. That makes people dangerous because you know they are not thinking with their right mind. Not to mention that your valuables become more at risk . . . they have already broken into your shed. Do you personally know who any of these kids are? Judy, would Kris be up for a little company to break the monotony? Maybe play cards or watch movies. It is probably hard for both of you to wait and you could maybe share the time together. My mother "hung out" with me during labor with my son. It was really a special and exciting time for both of us . . . something I didn't realize I would enjoy so much but I have never forgotten it. Suzanne, those pic's were great of the basement. Someone went through a lot of time and effort to make it nice. I really want to do a kids play room in a theme as well, perhaps tropical-under the sea theme. I must be a bit shy . . . because there is no amount of alcohol or prodding that could convince me to sing karaoke although my sisters thrive on it, lol. TracyK, good luck with your van, I hope it is something small. Be careful with mechanics if you take it somewhere as well. My husband just had a problem with a break line leak about 2 weeks ago and the garage said it would be around $1,250 to fix because it needed break lines, calipers and wheel cylinders and break shoes . . . basically it sounded like the entire system needed replaced. I balked at the price and my brother came up to take a peek while it was still on the lift at the garage. He looked and only said, take it down, we are taking it with us. He fixed it for about $70 and a couple of hours of labor. My brother said the googly-eyed mechanic was trying to put one over on us (and this was at a big break repair chain). Laura, I am feeling your pain as well. I seem to be having aches and pains but it all depends on how I am sitting or laying. If I lay on my back or sit a certain way, I can hardly get up again without the sharp sciatic pain. It really is just easier to walk around than to sit. Also, sometimes I sit on the floor . . . always have . . . but I swear getting up again seems like scaling a small mountain sometimes, lol. I feel like am going to be as frail as a 90 year old women in another two months.

I have kept to the diet described in my Surgery Bible. I do not eat anything that my nutritionist says is objectionable. I know me. If I start binging on foods that are sorta on the list of bad things. I will explode! I know of 1 person that lives in my building that had the same surgery. He lost some weight. But started eating all the same FAT and SUGAR stuff he ate before. That is not for me! I have a long journey before I am through. I will not eat pizza. I will not eat Junk food. I am a FOOD ADDICT. If I start down that road, The Gremlins in my head will tell me SURE IT IS OK. Eat what you want. Your tummy is all shrunk up. No problem. BULLCRAP! I have to not give in to my cravings. now Addictions. I have been Sober from Alcohol for over 24 years. I had just switched Addictions from Alcohol to Food. I had to learn how not to drink 1 day at a time. I am learning how not to Eat as an Addict. This to me is a WAR that I aim to win! 1 meal at a time!

Pam, ya never know I just might show up!!! I guess it depends on when my package from Laura comes!!:biggrin: MACY IS TOOO CUTE!!!!! One of my friends had her kids pic taken and they told her, "what would happen if they died today and you didn't buy this package", I understand they need to make money too, but gosh, it seems like it is at the expense of your emotions! Lazy day today, I want to make sure all my laundry is done and hung up, that is my goal today. I am sooo puffy today. I didn't drink alcohol last night, only water and black coffee, but boy did I eat. I made a recipe for a buffalo chic dip that was very good. I had eaten one that was served cold, but this was hot and was very good. Susie, when is the pool going to be done? Is it a inground or above ground? Yesterday was rain all day and kind of cold. It was supposed to be sunny all day, you should have heard the weather guy try to explain that one over a holiday weekend!!! Kind of funny!! Oh well off for the day!! Have a great one!! Jane

Gold schlagger is some sort of alcohol.. with... wait for it... GOLD IN IT! Really. It's little flakes of gold.. and you drink it. I don't care for the taste of ANY alcohol to be honest, but I enjoy drinking gold flakes. Makes me feel rich that I can poo gold.