The Lounge

4,946 topics in this forum

Has anyone else applied for a passport recently? I made my application 6 weeks ago. The State Dept has a web site where you can track it. It says it should be in the system after 4 weeks, but mine isn't showing up yet. I know they are behind but we applied for a passport for DGD the same day and hers shows "being processed". I sent an e mail (per the web site instructions) and got back a generic reply that just said give them 4 weeks before trying to track my app.

Has anyone tried bar Ivory soap grated up in their flower garden to keep the bunnys away ? Last year I used a deer spray but that became expensive .

A recent poll about customer service revealed that Sprint is the least consumer friendly company in America, at least according to those who took the poll. My vote goes to Bank of America. Bottom Ten (Sprint being "worst") Sprint Sprint Nextel Bank of America Comcast Time Warner Cable AT&T Citibank Wal-Mart Verizon Wells Fargo DirecTV Dishonorable mentions Dell Circuit City Best Buy Home Depot Sears Macy's

I am losing weight at a nice pace, and I'm SO happy that I have my band! I have a situation here that I just can't wrap my mind around. My size 20 jeans....some of them are HANGING on me, so much so that they aren't really comfortable. I tried on my size 18's, and they are still way too small. I dug in my closet some more, and found some more size 20's that I didn't know I had. I tried them on, and I can't get them buttoned. WTF?? I am getting frustrated that I have NO jeans that fit me right now, and I really don't want to go buy any (even at Goodwill or DAV) because I know that I won't need them very long. At least that's what I'm hoping. WHY is it tha…

I have a daughter who is 13, her father and I divorced when she was in kindergarden and he has since signed over his rights. Never saw here and lived 2000 miles away, never called or anything. When she was 9 I got remarried to a great guy, treats her like she is his, does everything a father should do for her. Has always been good to she and I. Problem is, when I mention adoption he freaks out. He says why should he have to do paperwork and all when he takes care of her now like she is his. All the paperwork will do is change her name. I look at it a different way and think this would make the family whole. Am I just being a b*tch in thinking this way? I just can't imagi…

Hey all, I was just wondering if any of you caught American Idol tonite? DID YOU FREAKING SEE BLAKES PERFORMANCE.....OH MY GOD. That was the HOTTEST thing i have ever ever EVER seen. I nearly died. Chris's performance was extremely hot as well....but Blakes...Oh my freaking gosh....WOW. You all may not agree with me, But im 20....hormones out of control...it was sexy as can be. LOL. Well I just thought i would share that with you all. Im going to take a cold shower now lol. ~Hotpink~

I'm planning a trip to Maui in July - I think i've narrowed it down to west maui and will have a car. I'm looking for suggestions of where to stay: Not a resort - prefer to rent a condo On or walking distance to the beach A nice swimming beach by the condo close to shops, restaurants - somewhat accessible but still quiet more private not too many kids and, any thoughts on the maui eldorado - that seems to get some good reviews, etc. any other suggestions are also welcome - thanks,

Does this forum look different everytime I come on here???? I keep thinking I am going to the wrong place lol. I do kinda like this look a little better.

I am one lucky woman!!! Two guys I know from work gave me 2 pounds of morrell mushrooms that they found today. Does anyone have any recipes for them that does not include flour and hot oil? I've looked on the web and so far haven't found anything. Would love to try something new and band friendly.

I am absolutely pooped. I wrote a 23 page research paper in about 8 hours today. I have yet again learned my lesson about procrastination. I've had since late March to do it, but I waited until today. The very day it was due. :faint: Well, actually, I waited until yesterday to work on it, but I spent yesterday doing the statistics for it and didn't get much writing done. I started writing the actual paper about 12:30 last night and got about a page done. Then I went to campus this morning and found out that I was doing it in the wrong format, so I had to start all over again. It definitely isn't my best work, but I have a 100 average in the class, so I don't need to do…

Do any of you also use any similar sites as this one? I would be intersted in finding out if there are other English speaking groups but with more British/European members.Just so I could find out more about certain foods and especially the protein drinks etc. Some of the American foods and brands I am not familiar with and I would like to know if they even recommend protein shakes in Europe after surgery? I haven't found any by just searching so thought one of you may have some ideas.......

Hey ya'll! I just wanting to make a quick post that our website, TrueResults.com, will be undergoing a major re-design that should be complete by the end of the month! Also, our former website, http://www.aigb.com, will be removed from the web this weekend with its traffic sent over to the new web address. I will be posting a quick survey on the current True Results site that would really help us out a ton if you could spend a minute and let us know what you think about the site overall. Your feedback will help us create content that is truly helpful for those who have had the lap-band procedure or who are researching their bariatric weight loss surgery options. The…

I see by the ever-vigilant ET show that Larry Burkhead has left the Drahamas and returned to his old Kentucky home with his daughter by Anna Nicole Smith. Thank goodness. I only hope that his man has enough sense to keep her there, so she will at least have a fighting chance for a normal childhood. He seems like a sincerely loving parent and a nice guy. But time will tell. If he tries to turn this little girl into a cash cow, I hope the bad Karma comes back on him 10,000 fold. Originally, ANS had named the child Hannah Rose. Then her son died and she was driven by grief and loss to remember him via her newborn. I think if I were Burkhead, I would change it ba…

Here's a scenario a peer shared with me today. For various reasons, calling the future bride/groom for clarification is not an option. How would you handle the gift issue? Groom is a family member you don't really know - haven't seen in 10+ years, and only knew on holidays before that. Bride is someone you've never met, nor even seen. Complete stranger. The first time you encoutnered her name was on the invitation. On Monday you receive an invitation to their wedding, indicating where they are registered for gifts. On Wednesday, you receive an invitation to a couple's shower (that Friday). No mention of where they are registered for gifts. Shower is being he…

after 2 A.M., on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be.. 02:03:04 05/06/07. This will never happen again

When I was a little girl growing up in Northern Minnesota on May 1st we would make little baskets of candy and put them on our friends door step, knock on the door and run. It was our way of celebrating May Day. I was wondering if anyone else did something like this? It really makes me nostalgic thinking about a simplier life and time.

Help! I'm trying to find the Sears store that sells this mirror. sears mirror.bmp

A co-worker of mine has a 4 y.o. nephew who was treated for brain cancer most of last year. He had surgery, chemo, and radiation and as far as we in the office heard was doing well. I just got an e-mail from the co-worker letting me know his nephew's cancer has returned, and the doctors say it's progressed to the point where he has only 2-3 months to live. My heart is just broken in two for this family. I can't imagine. :think

I slept until 1 PM today then had a nap from 7:30 - 10:00, and I'm still tired! To top it all off, I feel sort of icky and have a sinus headache. I've been trying to get a paper done that's due this coming Wednesday, but I have no energy.:faint:

We just got haricuts this morning, and I'm sad to say it ended in tears for my older dd. We went a little, um, shorter than she wanted. :shuffle Normally I'd let her have all the say, but she didn't really even need a cut, she just wanted one because her sister was getting one. So while she was in the chair the hairdresser and I discussed "long layers" and Gillian didn't say a word. The hairdresser seems not to know what "long" means. Gillian was aghast, and inconsolable for a couple of hours. The before and afters are below. She's over it now, and I think it actually looks really great. She'll be very happy not to have to deal with long hair for the summer.

The site of the Sand Creek Massacre finally became a historic site today. I can remember reading about it when I was little (I was really into Native American history for a while) and being absolutely horrified that those people could do what they did to people who weren't even hostile. I am so glad that our nation is finally stepping up and acknowledging what happened.

I had a bit of fun tonight on YouTube...I uploaded my first YouTube video for the world to see...ohhh sooo scary...hehehe...I am an australian/newzealander but the trouble was no matter how many takes I did, I sound like I am trying to put on a darned fake American accent...grrrr...My apologies to all Americans...anyhow check it out at: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o704GOkySBU]YouTube - The Fat Life episode #1[/ame] I am sure you'll have a bit of a laugh...I am talking about my experiences as a fat woman. :confused: Becky

My wonderful loving relationship of 15 years is ending! I'm so sad but trying to be happy for all the great times we have had. It's always been a bit of an unconventional relationship but most important in my life. How will I deal with this without eating and food, my other good friend - i just don't know. But I will get through this!

I have had some pretty awful days this week. I am writing this to let everyone know the dangers of something so common I never gave it a second thought on it bieng dangerous. Sunday my 11 year old daughter asked me if she could make her and her 3 year old brother some lunch. I jumped at the chance to let her do it as as I was sitting on the couch doing homework on my laptop and was too "busy". About an hour or so later my son seemed very angry and not feeling well. I thought he was just bieng his normal moody self until he started throwing up all over the place. I assumed he had the stomach flu and while I was cleaning up all the vomit his sister came home and asked wha…

Water OR COKE? Eye Opening Information! This is really an eye opener.... Water or Coke? We all know that water is important but I've never seen it written down like this before. WATER 1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. 2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. 3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as much as 3%. 4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washingto…

When I get thinner I'm going to wear... Cherry colored polka dot pumps and a cherry retro bathing suit like I had back in high school!

Just went to my PCP yesterday. He wants me to go on this new medicine. Said everyone they have put it on has lost weight. I am type 2 diabetic and my numbers are controlled and good. Anyone here on this?

This is a wonderful piece by Michael Gartner, editor of newspapers large and small and president of NBC News. In 1997, he won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. Well worth reading. And a few good laughs are guaranteed. My father never drove a car. Well, that's not quite right. I should say I never saw him drive a car. He quit driving in 1927, when he was 25 years old, and the last car he drove was a 1926 Whippet. "In those days," he told me when he was in his 90s, "to drive a car you had to do things with your hands, and do things with your feet, and look every which way, and I decided you could walk through life and enjoy it or drive through life and miss…

I have been fighting with federal bc/bs for a year and a half trying to get them to approve me for lapband surgery. They have approved me for the bypass surgery, but I don't that one. If any of you have had to submit a letter to bc/bs to encourgae them to approve the lapband, please send me a sample of your letter. I am just about at the end of my wits with them. thanks edna:think

Hey everyone--- Just wanted to let you all know that I have a myspce. If you have a myspace, let me know so we can add each other. Here is the link: www.myspace.com/mannamay Just send me a message letting me know you are from Lap Band Talk so I don't think ya have other plans, like viruses...lol. Hope to add ya!!

http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/celebrity_fit_club/series.jhtml This started tonight. It's going to be pretty motivating and giving me some ideas.

I'm about to scream! :help: I went last night to buy a new pair of slacks. I had bought a pair last week in a 16W, and they fit too loose. However, a regular 16, while they go all the way up and zip, wouldn't be practical because I can't sit down! Honestly, it didn't occur to me to try a 14W (primarily because they didn't have a 14W in this particular slack). So there are regular sizes (14, 16, 18, etc), and women's sizes (14W, 16W, 18W, etc.) and there are junior sizes (11, 13, 15, etc.) For the time being, let's exclude the junior sizes because at 51, most of them are too young for me, no matter how young I look or act! But what is the difference between a wo…

I've been seeing more avatars and posts about Nascar so thought I would start a thread. I've been going through withdrawals since CA and the MX race didn't do much for me. Smoke is my man.....how about the rest of you? I would like to get to know all the fans out there so we can talk about the race. Can't wait till 4PM on Sunday!!!

So, I'm looking to find a swimsuit for my honeymoon in June... I'm trying to find something with a little more than a shelf bra, but I'm running into a couple of problems. Evidently if you are a 36, you can't have boobs bigger than a C cup, and if you have a DD, you must be a 40. I haven't looked in ALOT of places yet, but I thought I'd post here while I was searching to see what people have found... Thanks guys!

I thought folks might like to participate tomorrow. Thanks! Annette

:eek: I had joined this group to educate myself before surgery. I ended up having an Open RNY, so want to unregister, unsubscribe, or whatever it's called. Can anyone tell me how?:eek: Thank you, Lynn B.

if you blame beer consumption, please discuss the before and after surgery effects

Anyone else tempted to go vote for Sanjaya on American Idol? I don't even watch the show, but it is SO tempting. I despise American Idol, and I am getting such a kick out of them being forced to let him stay on. :heh:

That is what my favorite aunt was told today about how long she has left to live. She has been fighting cancer in different parts of her body off and on for years. None of us expected this. I am completely crushed. This aunt took care of me and my siblings while my mother went through breast cancer and chemo. She has always included my family in all the holiday parties she threw. She was like a second mother to me. My head is pounding, my heart breaking. I feel numb. I took pain medication for a migraine (diagnosed with them as a teen- Im no wimp) and ten minutes later I found out the news about my aunt. I don't think the medication is working and its been hours... I wa…

Okay, I know you guys are the only one's in the world who would understand this!:phanvan I have to fly US airways for buisness Dec 10th and return Dec 15th. With all the news on charging for 2 seats for heavy passengers I am terrified! My company paid for the flight and I couldn't imagine the embarassment if they asked me to pay for 2 seats!! :confused: Has anyone flown lately? Any problems? Thanks for the help! Turner24

Twelve hours from now, I will have started my thesis seminar presentation. And I still have to finish the introduction and conclusions/discussion sections. I'm up to about 42 slides, so as long as I present at a rate of about 1 slide/minute, I should be fine. Now to finish this damn thing....:faint:

What is your favorite comfort food? It doesn't have to be healthy or bandter-friendly, but simply the food you think of as the ultimate comfort food. I have a few. French onion soup, homemade mashed potatoes, brocolli casserole.

Hey all, I am really thinking about getting the Lap Band. I am 6'6'' 370 lbs. Very athletic guy but am having real trouble controling my weight and eating portions. I would love to hear advise?

There are so many interesting ones.... how did you come up with your user name? What does it mean to you? Mine is a nickname my mom used to call me when I was a little girl. Then my girlfriends called me that in college and now my (step)grandchildren call me that because I REFUSE to be called "Grandma"!!! Maybe when I have my own grandchildren I'll have them call me Granny-Doodle! I like that. :biggrin1:

I efiled my taxes today. Do I send in the money I owe with only the payment voucher or do I also send a signed copy of my 1040?

A wonderful, civil, intelligent discussion between a well-known minister/author (The Purpose Driven Life) and a PhD student in neuroscience, also an author, on the existence of God. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17889148/site/newsweek/?gt1=9246

Pardon the strong language, but since I suffer from this illness from time to time I just thought I should share. Go get yourselves vaccinated…wouldn’t want you hard working folks to become affected!!! I called my boss this morning and told him that I am staying home because I am not feeling well. "What's the matter?" he asked. "I have a case of anal glaucoma," I said in a weak voice. "What the hell is anal glaucoma?" "I can't see my ass coming into work today." :clap2::faint::clap2:

I didn't get to finish it all today, I changed my plans around. I will be going back in a few weeks to get more work done..

This is Nicholas, my oldest grandchild, and Cheyenne, the granddaughter who lives with me. They are cousins. And this is Lane, Cheyenne's younger brother, and his cousin Shane.

Just for Laughs! We've all heard about people having guts or balls. But do you really know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the definition for each is listed below.... GUTS - is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, Being met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: "Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?" BALLS - is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the butt and having the balls to say: "You're next."