I'm here to help...

[IndioGirl55 32]

Awww, Janet. How nice of you to help that girl out. That's what life is all about....a helping hand when needed. An extra pat on the back for you today for initiating the deeds of kindness and also for being a good mom to DGS and DK (Dear Kitties)!

Apple you are so right about that's what life's about - this little girl is really trying to improve her life from where she came from she is a really hard worker - loving mom and he son's disabilities - just all around good girl - I know how tough it is - I had help but I still struggled

Thanks for the pat - but really none needed - I just wanted to share how good it feels - I am feeling really good right now that I am so blessed to be able to help her - I am just so happy for her - I remember what it was like to be her age and trying to improve your life.

I remember my 1st home (I was 21 - bought a government repo fha low income house for $17,500 - Dad gave the down payment from my mom's social security $$ after she died) - Oh I know I need to get her some bubble bath stuff - I remember when bought my 1st house - that xmas - bday all I got was stuff for the house - which I loved - but I didn't get anything personal (clothing shoes etc) and back then that was the only time I got stuff for me - all my $$ went to pay bills and cloth DS ..

Knowing that I have help someone who really appreciates it and needs that hand up - She will one day pay it forward I know she will...

Ya well as far as DGS - OMG we had a few words in the car on the way to get the hair cut - he was lucky I even took him - Kids !! I know he's 18 - but he is still a freaking kid - but he was thankful on the way home - but he is one moody smart ass sometimes - I just want to smack the crap out of him....

Ok I really am going now - it's 8:45 and I haven't eaten - lucky fish only takes 20 minutes but just my have an omelet instead :0)

[doodlebug11 0]

Linda~~~~ OMW it is true !!! you don't look like the same person!!! One of these days, I am going to get there!! One of these days!! Your little one is just BEAUTIFUL!!!! I just love her smile!!!! Who are the other 2 little girls? They look like twins, are they?

Apples~~ so sorry to hear about your DH!!! I am really surprised that mine hasn't been hurt with all the remodeling that he's doing!! If I had hurt myself like that, I would still moaning and groaning!! Looking for bed to fall asleep and not wake up 3 wks later!! I don't do PAIN!!!

1day~~~ sorry to hear your not feeling well. I think that stuff must be going around. Eli woke up yesterday with a runny nose, sneezing, and coughing, but no fever. The nights here have been so nice, 58, and days are just gorgeous!!! 85--88 Hope you get to feeling better soon!

Janet and Linda~~ we all have something in common!! Besides being banded and getting healthier!! My Eli is mixed, his dad is black and my DD is white!! I also have a 16 yr old DGS that is half Mexican. I have 10 DGC, these 2 are the only ones that are mixed and I love them ALL but Eli and Jonathon hold a very special place in my heart!! I think part of it because I live in the middle of Ark. and ppl around here are still stuck in the 50's as far as mixed couples are concerned and we have had remarks made to us about the blacks and Mexicans! So I feel like I have to protect my babies from ugly, narrow minded jerks!! It wasn't too many years ago that we had a black family move to our town and someone burnt them out!!! And we have a chapter of the kkk here also, when we found out that my DD was going to have a black baby, my DH sent a message to the idiot who is the main man for the kkk in our town, that if he put one foot on our place, that he would come out with his shotgun!! Eli is now 4 yrs old and has been going to our small school for the last 2 yrs and EVERYONE knows him, how could you not know him, he's the ONLY black kid in school!! And EVERYONE loves him because he is soo out going and friendly!! But I do have to say this, our little town has been coming around, there are more Mexicans, Indian, and other nationalities moving in and ppl here are more welcoming than they used to be! So it is getting better here! I think while Im on vacation this wk, I'm going to try to figure out how to post pics and I'll post one of Eli !

Good for you on helping the young Mother!! I can't imagine how hard it would be to start out on my own with no help at all!! I think that we should help others that need it if they are trying to help themselves!! Maybe your bosses will hurry up and do the right thing!

Well,I think I'm going to go to bed, I'm a little tired.

TTYL Sharon

Edited September 2, 2009 by doodlebug11

[Meredith2424 0]

Hello Ladies~

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted, but I've been taking a little break from the comp since I was supposed to be up north anyways. I've been reading though and have caught up on everyones posts. Looks like all is going pretty well for all of you. I will comment on posts later.

Just wanted to update on a few things. Lost a few more pounds, which is great! Andrew bought me an iPod for my birthday so I loaded it with music and bought an armband for it and walked and ( I cannot believe this!) JOGGED!!!!! It felt great to get out there today in the nice fresh air and move my body in a way that it hasn't moved in years! Oh man! I cannot wait to start running again! I've been keeping the calories low, and I am so happy with everything so far. I do know though that I need another fill. I can just fit too much in there. It's not like I'm cramming food into the pouch, I just stop when I'm full. Have a LB support group meeting tomorrow. I always love going to those!

Oh, the pics that all of you have posted are amazing! I love them! Andrew and I went to a wedding on Saturday night (my birthday night) so I've decided to post a pic of us at the wedding to commemerate the first time that I have worn a dress in years! No Spanx either!

More tomorrow! Love all of you! Counting the days until our vacay in Feb! ~Meredith

[ljv52 2]

Hi everyone, Thanks so much for all the compliments, it feels so good. Doodle, you are so observant -- yes, the little girls in the tub with Aylah are her twin cousins, Hazel and Lillie --they are just precious as well. Can't wait to see Eli's pics also. Apples, your DH is a stubborn DS -- I'll tell you -- hope he wasn't running any equipment out in the field with all those pain meds in him. That's how my Grandpa was -- nothing ever stopped him - he'd go right back out -- I don't remember him ever being in bed sick -- not ever. Janet, we also have something else in common -- I never told you before, but my nickname is also "Lala". LOL. Janet, you are so generous to help that girl out - and also to try to get your employer to do that as well. I understand exactly how you feel -- I've done similar things in the past myself -- it feels good to help out another single mom especially cause you can afford to do it. Kudos to you. We went to an Indian casino tonight cause DH needed cigarettes and I managed to win $85 playing nickle poker. So that paid for dinner, cigarettes and a tank of gas. It's more than we won the entire trip to Vegas. LOL. Oneday, do hope you are feeling better, take care of yourself.

[ljv52 2]

Wow, Meredith what a beautiful couple!! You are both gorgeous! You are doing so great -- 45 pounds is amazing -- congratulations on your jogging!!! Linda

[mroseharvey 0]

Hello Everyone,

I know its been a very long time since I have posted but its been crazy for me. Both my mother and mother in law were diagnosed with terminal stage 4 colon cancer within 3 months of each other. We have gone through surgeries and chemo my mother in law is currently continuing her chemo my mother on the other hand wants no more treatment. We are just trying to make her comfortable. I am currently a full time caregiver to both of them with the help of my husband and children.

On a good note the weight loss is doing well. I am losing about 5 lbs a month and swimming everyday. Looks like I am where I need to be with my fills and am very comfortable with the amount of food that I am eating.

I am so happy to hear that everyone is doing so well.

Janet you have always been a inspiration to me and I want to thank you for being here for everyone through our journey.

I wanted everyone to see a current picture of me and my dear husband that was taken a few weeks ago.

My best to everyone and thank you all for all your words of hope.

[ljv52 2]

Rose, so sorry about your DM and M-in-law. I'm sure you are the best care giver ever. Love the picture of you and your DH. You are more than beautiful -- so gorgeous. You've done beautifully with your weight loss. Glad you checked in with us as we think of you often. Please let us know how you're doing from time to time. Take care and keep up the good work with your weight loss. Linda

[ocotillo 0]

Fly by post. I'll catch up tonight. My DH has been coming home from work early the last couple of nights and I feel I need to spend time with him. This is sort of unusual for him, he usually works late or something.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Eva

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Hey there, lots going on since I was here last... Meredith, you and Andrew look so happy and you look fabulous... WTG...

Rose, bless you for what you are able to do for your family.. These are tough times and you must be tougher as you can do this caregiving... Pictures are gorgeous... glad you found your way back to this site...

Janet, this young woman will never forget your kindness.. It does feel good to help someone and you're just the person to do it... my compliments.... I can relate sometimes to the stubbornness of grandchildren. Mine is only 2 1/2 and somedays she can push each and every one of my buttons!!!!! But you gotta love 'em anyway... They make up for it in so many other ways.. I have my days of being testy, too..... glad I get forgiven!!!!

Apples, how is DH today??? Suppose you are leaving or gone for lake already.... Have fun....

Cheri, wish I had your restriction... I was thinking I had more after my last fill, but it's a week now and I can still eat when and what I choose... Just try to be careful......

Eva, quality time with DH is never a bad thing....enjoy..

I slept even better last night, so am hoping this is a positive thing... Maybe there's still hope for me... I keep holding at the same weight and it's getting to me a bit.... Just a pound or two would make me happy at this point... Still can't do much in the way of exercising but have started walking some... Well, off to some chores.. Have a friend coming for lunch later so I'd better straighten up some... and finish bill paying for Mother!! You all have a great day............ Julie

[Apples2 19]

Rose....so good to hear from you. Sorry about your mother and MIL. So nice you are available and willing to be a caregiver for both of them. I will be thinking of you as you go through these tough times. Hang in there!!!!! Your photo is absolutely beautiful and DH is a handsome bugger. What a striking beauty you are. Keep in touch and let us know how things are going. Sounds like you have a handle on band eating. Keep it up! You will be to goal b/4 you know it.

Meredith....You are so pretty and have done such a great job on your weight loss. Like I said to Rose...you will be making your goal weight b/4 you know it. Andrew is welcome in FL....we'll just sit and drool over him! LOL Great job on the JOGGING! I was on the college track team and do get some running in but not like back then. Walking seems to fit better with my 53 yr old body.

Sharon....your story of prejudice in your city makes my stomach turn but hopefully you are right that things are turning around. In our area there is a better acceptence and do not notice much prejudice. People tend to be MORE accepting of mixed marraiges, children, etc. My father was the most prejudice person in the world. All eight of us siblings grew up to break that pattern. Just growing up and watching and hearing some of the things said by him and being soooooooo devastated and embarrased by his outbursts turned us to acceptence. I remember thinking that if we had the KKK where we lived, he would have joined up. Was not proud of his actions. If we could just pound it into people that we are all cut from the same cloth. I know I wouldn't want to live with only 20 white T-shirts in my closet. A mix makes for a more well-rounded world.

How the "H" does a person get stuck on melon????? I get up during the night at 1am and 4am to eat. Ate Cereal with soymilk at me 1am feeding and mouth was dry at 4am so decided to do cantelope. Needless to say, I didn't get back to sleep cuz it didn't go down. Chewed good but miserable. I am a person that can count on one hand how many times I have been stuck. Don't think I even know what a PB is. You would think that melon would be a slider? Oh well, got through it. Gonna take things easy today and eat soft.

Heading out about 1pm. Have a 10 ton beef stew in the oven to deliver to my Dear Fake Mom's family. They will all be with her the night b/4 her surgery (tonight). Going to drop it off and head up. Going to grab my book, a drink and off to bed early since I didn't get much sleep last night. Need to be up by 4am in order to get to hospital b/4 she goes into surgery. Thanks to everyone on the well-wishes for her.

Was going to stay home because of DH's finger but he would not hear of it. He was able to button his jeans this morning by himself (Heck, I was looking forward to making a game out of it)!

You all take care and have a safe but wonderful Labor Day weekend. Do something fun!!!!!!!! XOXOXO

[Apples2 19]

Fly by post. I'll catch up tonight. My DH has been coming home from work early the last couple of nights and I feel I need to spend time with him. This is sort of unusual for him, he usually works late or something.

Hope everyone has a great day.

Eva

Eva.....have a game you can play with DH....read my previous post!:thumbup:

[Apples2 19]

Julie...good to hear you are sleeping better. Don't get discouraged...at least you are walking. Just add a little bit more every day. Every little bit helps. Give it a couple of weeks to see what that last fill does for you....you never know. If it does not provide more restriction, go for another fill. Take care. Have a nice lunch with your friend.

Our weekend is jam-packed with activities. Carnavils for the kids, three potlucks, I am sure a campfire every night unless it rains, a 50th bday party, bean bag tournament, etc. Looking forward to it.

[Charlene K 1]

Rose and Meredith..........awesome pics.........Both of you look great!

Rose, I am so sorry your mothers' are going through cancer. I am sure you are giving them the very best of care. I nursed my MIL and FIL with cancer at the same time. It is the Amazing Grace of God that will see you through. HUGS and Prayers for you today! Check in when you can. We are here for you.

[Great2BThin 5]

Hello there. I've been so busy the past few days haven't had time to check in. Such beautiful pics posted in my absence too, Linda, Meredith, rose beautiful and some cute kids too by others and parents even.

Well today I went to the knee dr as my pain is just getting too much. I'm following in PHyl's footsteps and having knee replacement. Mine is on Oct 5th. EGADS, I am scared to death, especially after reading how much pain Phyl is having. I hear the recovery is a ____________. I wanted both knees at the same time but the dr advised strongly against it so will heed his advice.

Oops I hear the garage, DH is finally home (late) gotta go, rest of my week is calmer and hopefully I'll have more time to catch up.

[ifyourstomachoffendsyou 1]

Onederland baby!

CBL

Cheri