I'm ba-aack.

[tapshoes 2]

Did you miss me? Or are you saying, Who is this newbie??:sad:

I intended to be away for about 12 days…12 weeks later, here I am. So many posts to respond to, so little time. But to give you a significantly abbreviated update on my life…

Went on a short vacation. While there, a good friend died. 53 years old. Dead. I got to spend some quality time with her in the hospital, but it definitely was not the holiday I had planned. Did see my ex; in fact, because of the circumstances of my visit, I ended up staying with the ex and the new wife. As my ex and I were always friends, this isn’t as ‘trendy Hollywood Pamela Anderson-ish’ as you might think. We (myself, ex, and new wife) are adults and we act like them…no issues.

I flew to and from my holiday/vigil. My observations for what they are worth: small flights (lower altitude) no impact on band; longer flights/higher altitude – great restriction for a day or two after!:smile2:

Speaking of restriction: had a small fill (1cc) end of June. Fine in the clinic and for 2 days then suddenly I couldn’t swallow spit…2 hour trip to the clinic for a small unfill (1/2 cc)……ahhh, relief. 2 hour drive back home. Last week, 1/4cc back in…and that lovely feeling of restriction is back. I love my band. Nurse really wants to ease me back up, and I ceded to her experience rather than my ‘fill ‘er up’ whim. So far, so good. The good thing is that I am no longer morbidly obese, am in wonderland, and have hip bones (there was some doubt about that!).:ohmy:

My mother has been spending a few weeks every couple of months with me…I love to have her stay, but she drives me nuts!! How ungrateful/bad does that make me??? But as I am reluctant to leave her alone for any length of time (she can’t open the exterior doors as they are too heavy for her, and I’m terrified she will trip over a cat as she sees only out of one eye now, and very limited vision with that one) so it means being really creative with how I get my 8 hours a day at work done! And of course, this is at the same time we are trying to do minor renovations in the house and it is in total chaos.

Oh, and I received a promotion ()…need to put in lots of extra hours to ‘learn the ropes’ (rats) and figure out what’s going on before I change everything!

And I have upped my exercise variety and frequency…albeit I still have a long way to go to match many others. Nevertheless, I have increased my exercise, and it is helping – if only because I have less time to sit in the house and hear the refrigerator calling to me…

OK - now on to reading and responding to all of your posts....

[Ezma 2]

Welcome back!!! Sounds like life has been very chaotic for you. Glad to hear the band part is going pretty well though. You've been missed. Sadly several regulars have been missing. But I guess it's good for them cause they're having a life. I have a life but I really need this group right now to stay on track. Hopefully things will pick up some now that you're back. :biggrin2:

[coolcrystal 1]

I have been wondering where you've been.. I remember that post when you said you were going on a trip and then never heard from you anymore. I figured you were one of those who didn't need the forum anymore... I hope I never leave the forum.. this is what keeps me going on this journey and keeps me inspired.. Welcome back and I'm sorry to hear about your friend.. and it's nice that you and your ex are still friends I have that with my ex too... we still write, though he lives in CA now, but I still care about him and his family and we were friends before we married.. so it's cool to see another who feels that way.. WELCOME BACK.. don't take another 12 week vacation and leave us ever again. :tt2:

[tapshoes 2]

don't take another 12 week vacation and leave us ever again. :thumbup:

Tapshoes hangs her head in shame, and mumbles "no ma'am. never again."

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

Welcome back! Glad to see you around again!