DeLarla

T, thanks for posting that. I would be right there with you if this "party girl" attitude would chill for awhile. I checked my calendar and the next 3-day weekend isn't till September, so maybe I can avoid cocktails till then and keep following your lead to get back on the losing track. My heart is all lippity-loopity thinking about how you must feel - what a rush. And Shelly, from 350? That's simply miraculous. After this camping trip, I'm sure I gained a couple pounds, but the scale only showed 1/2 pound gain. I don't pay attention though, because my body takes a week to catch up. So if I eat perfect next week, I'll probably gain 2 pounds. Here's my take on plateaus: It's like when I do crazy Spring Cleaning. If you walk into my house during one of my rare but MAD cleaning sprees, you'd think I live in a dump. Everthing has to come out of the closets and cupboards and piled all over the kitchen first. Mismatched Tupperwear, dust bunnies and kitchen boogers get scrapped & dragged from behind the appliances, and piles of spoiled science projects come out of the fridge. But after a couple hours, when all the guts are clean and I take the piles of garbage to the curb, clean the counters and floors, suddenly the house is immaculate. That's how my head thinks when I've stopped losing. As long as I'm eating like a normal person and remaining active, I know my guts and insides are doing stuff to make the weight leave. Because I never just lose one pound. I'll stay at the same weight for a couple weeks then drop 3 pounds over night. So when we are eating right and being active, stuff is going on inside us - working to clean out the boogies and dust bunnies, which will go away if we're good to ourselves.

Sorry I was gone for so long but now I'm back & can make some calls. For those really needing to save a buck, I'll gladly check prices and availability on some of the small motels along the Strip (decent rooms but no casino attached.) Just let me know. Everything is within walking distance, plus there are few free trams that transport from casino-to-casino. Also, the bus comes on the Strip every 10 minutes, so transpo is no problem. I personally like the long drive from either San Diego or The San Fernando Valley. Perhaps it seems shorter to me since I've done it quite a few times though. I love blasting good music and getting lost in the drive. You could rent an economy car for about $20 a day to save mileage on your own. If any husbands are coming that are of the "caveman" variety and grunt in the garage about Unions, pipes, welding, tools, then Chris will be perfect company for them. If anyone wants to stay longer, we could drive to Kingman, AZ (an hour away that takes us across the Hoover Dam) to explore cool abandoned mines at the historical ruins in Cerbat, AZ. Don, you could even bring your detector! I love playing tour guide!

I forgot to mention how weird the desert is when it comes to drinking liquids. You drink 2 gallons, but only a few ounces come out once or twice a day. It's so dry that you don't even feel your body perspiring, but the gallons you drink magically leave your body through your skin. Just an odd tidbit I wanted to share. I'm back to work in an air-conditioned office so my water is working normally again & running back & forth to tinkle!

I thought my band would have given up on me after my long camping trip. Certain things work better for some people, and my savior is a morning Protein shake instead of food. Once I start my day chewing, food is too near to my brain, so the shake works wonders for me. Also, some people can drink with meals or soon after, but I need a good hour before and after drinking before eating, otherwise my band is wide open and doesn't work well. Making shakes while camping would be too much hassle, so I brought Protein Bars for b-fast. But I never ate one! All those smells got the better of me. But my problem was drinking and eating... I was in the middle of the desert and drank gallons per day, so waiting the hour before/after liquids didn't happen. Plus, I planned on doing a healthy, sober, hiking, climbing trip and packed tons of Water, OJ & Gatorade... not a single drop of booze in our coolers. However, we blew a tire on the highway, got lost, couldn't find a campsite, found out the rivers we were going to use were dried up, lost hubby's gold band, etc., my hair was standing on end and I was a nervous wreck. So when we found the last campsite on earth, that bottle of wine in the camp store ended up in my hands. Within a few hours I drank most of the bottle, but I drank so much water that I didn't feel buzzed. Then hubby started drinking my favorite, which is non-alcoholic beer. That used to be my drink of choice, but I can't have carbonation, so now I'm hooked on Bloody Marys or White Zin. But Virgin Marys are gross. I need a non-carbonated non-alcoholic beer! HELP! My whole point is that between gallons of water and cocktails, I never felt hungry so I ate very little all day. Then by 9pm, I'd realiz I needed food, so I'd eat stuff I haven't had since pre-band. I ate an entire can of nuts in 2 days. Nachos, chips, pork rinds! And never at meal times, just "whenever." So I figured I'd be in big band trouble today, but I'm pretty restricted and passed on my morning shake. I brought one of the leftover protein bars and it's after 10:00 a.m. but my band says NO. So, after my abusive weekend, looks like I'm getting another chance. Thank God. Thank Inamed. Thank you all! And I'm dead tired so I hope my writing/spelling makes some sense.

Donali's sister, Cheryl, called me an hour ago. Sorry it took so long to post but I'm going in too many directions this evening. Donali was in surgery 4 hours. Cheryl didn't call them "complications" but the surgeon had some repairs to do. I don't have any other information yet, other than her sister is with her at The Oasis Hospital, and her mom is waiting at home for her in San Diego. I think we can all agree that she's truly amazing. Actually, you all are. Cheryl told me Don was touched with all the support here. Believe it or not, I'm at loss for words.

I couldn't sleep so I've been on the puter since 4:00 a.m., hoping for an update on her condition. Yes, Darcy, she's been a huge inspiration so so many people. She originally said she might have to stay 1-2 nights in the hospital. Let's hope she can go home today and start recovering around all her stuff. Don, when you come back and read this, yes, that's a wisecrack in the face of adversity but all in Xs and Os.

This topic is apparently too close to home for a lot of us. I realize it's disrespectful to speak of the dead, but I have a good point to make. My deceased mother-in-law told me in her last year that she should have left her husband many years ago. He's selfish, arrogant, abusive and has less than zero manners and a horribly foul mouth. He makes the "F" word sound G-rated. Sure, they loved each other or at least the "constant" that their marriage had, but everything was about him. Even after her death, he kept and sold her few precious things that she specifically instructed him to give to her closest family members. She had very little (it was all his) but she announced to the entire family who she wanted to have those precious items. A couple pieces of Noritake china to her grandaughter. A ring to me (that we bought her.) 2 other rings to my sister-in-law and her fur coat to her own sister. Nobody got anything. He called me pissed one day and said he's sick of people asking for "his" things. He had another women move in a year after her death, who parades around their small town in the rings and coat, while they sold the china. However, my husband (eldest son) had a firm talk and said either he sends me "my" ring or they'll never speak again, so he sent me the ring, but nobody else got anything. About 10 years ago, my in-laws came to Vegas for a visit, and the father hit a $5,000 jackpot while my husband hit a $2,000. My husband was giving his mom play money, because George wouldn't share with his own wife of 40 years. Later, she asked if we could go inside a pawn shop since she's never seen one having spent her entire life in a small farming town. So we took her. Chris & his dad carried over $7,000 cash between them. They looked at guns while I spied on Mom, who was trying on a ring like it was the biggest piece of candy in the world. She was beaming, so I snuck and asked a cashier how much it was. Only $300. So I snuck and told the guys I was taking Carol outside so they could sneak and buy the ring as a surprise. George in his usually manner pretty much told me to F off. That night, I nearly strangled my husband for being as selfish as his dad, and it took him a week to realize how selfish he was, so he asked me to take him to that shop and point out the ring. The ring was gone though, but we bought a more expensive one with tiny diamonds around a huge topaz stone. We mailed it to her. Then we got a phone call that George and the other son got a card and wrote "Happy Birthday from Chris, George, Lisa & Brother Kelly. NO LIE. My name didn't even get 2nd billing! He took credit for that ring! This month is 2 years since she passed, and I just got the ring last month. Sorry for taking this to such an sad and ugly level, but now you see what can happen if you don't straighten your guy up right now or make some quick changes. And good luck to you! Be a strong little bear!

Birdee, every time I see your name I think of those four cute Cockatiels my husband bought me last Sunday. What a cute name!

My husband is going to wake me up in the middle of the night to leave for our camping trip. Perhaps someone can call The Oasis of Hope Hospital in Tijuana to check on Donali? My cell phone has never worked to get through to that hospital, and I hate to wake her up at 3:00 a.m. I hope to see some posts that she's feeling better when I get back in a few days. Thanks, all have a safe 4th. xo

Bring it on, Penni, bring it on! Can't wait. My sister has a total gym and told me it would be much better for me considering my back surgery. I've been trying to go to bed for an hour cuz Chris is going to wake me up to leave for camping in the middle of the night (uh, you think he's excited) but I'm gonna miss this place! See you in a few days, and have a Happy 4th!

The digital batteries are charging right now cuz I'm a huge picture taker. Teresa, my husband would tent out in that yard given permission in search of that ring! Many moons ago, I too, lived in Oregon for one year. It rained and rained and rained. But I remember looking up at the brilliant blue sky on one of the rare sunny days and reliazing all the rain is worth the beauty. Yes, the economy sucked, even 20 years ago. Had I been more prosperous, I might have stayed. My husband went to bed at 7pm, so he'll but up at 2am shaking me with a cup of coffee, cause he's all ready to go! He's decided on Prescott, Arizona. Boring, I've been to Ariziona too many times... I was looking forward to Utah or Colorado. But heck, at least he's taking me somewhere. And my poor dogs are freaking out and can't sleep cause they see the camping gear out and they can't wait! See you guys in a few days. Peace, till then.

I'm one of those who hasn't PB'd yet. First I really wanted to because like Alex says, it would make me feel official. However, what if I have one really big one backed up waiting to surprise me when I least expect it? I'm working extra careful at chewing and stopping when full in fear of that day. Plus I've heard NEVER eat and drive, and never eat on the run or while walking around, so I have to be sitting to eat.

No way Penni... liar liar liar! Do you really? Is it a fairly recent model? If it's in good shape, you're on! My recumbant has the computer and I think even the hand thingys that monitor your pulse. It's completely adjustable so your legs can be close or far away. How fun is this?

Chantal, I've been with my husband 13 years. Five years ago, I filed for divorce because he lost control of his drinking after his child was taken in the divorce. You describe a lot of how Chris used to be. I got lucky though, because the divorce papers whacked him back into reality, and he hasn't had a drop of liquor since. He's very irresponsible, but at least now it's in cute ways to make me happy. For example, checks are bouncing and bills are late, but he's spending a fortune so we can go camping this weekend, while I'd rather spend the money to relieve my stress over our financial affairs. I took on a part time job that barely pays minimum wage. So I'm trying to swim, while he's adding weights to my ankles, but at least the arguing has stopped and we still laugh and love. My biggest piece of advice is to give this a long though and ask yourself this simple question: "Do I want to be in this same situation in five years?" If your answer is no, then you have to do something now. Make a list of all the things you've tried in the past to fix this situation. Then make a list of things you haven't tried. Whatever you're doing with him now isn't working, so you'll need to try a new approach. My final approach cost me a thousand bucks to hire a divorce attorney, but it worked for me. And when Chris asked me to call of the divorce dogs, I told him he'd have to sign a written contract with me and that I'd keep our hearing scheduled for 6 monts out in case he didn't keep his end of the agreement. Meanwhile, if you really want out of this relationship, what makes you think you'd be a single mom? Wouldn't he want part time care of the children? The fact his mother interfers has me livid., but maybe you can turn his meddling mother into a positive. If you separate, you can at least rest comortably knowing that she'll be there to help your huband when it's his turn to watch the kids. Maybe she doesn't do things your way, but she seems to love the grandkids, so on your peaceful days without the kids, you can be confident they're in good hands. I hope the best for you. Rule One: BE STRONG!

I have a new (used less than 20 times) recumbant stationary bike going cheap if anyone drives to Vegas. I wasn't thinking of my lower back surgery when I bought the recumbant style last Christmas. It's not the machine for me. It's kinda cool looking and can hold at least 2 loads of laundry both on the seat and hung off the bars. I'd like a Total Gym if anyone has one for trade.

We can't afford camping either. Kitty had surgery the same weekend I had my port removal, Cha-Ching! But tell my 9 year old husband that. Vera, thanks for the warning. I'm going out at lunch to a nearby upholstery shop to see if I can get a few hunks of foam rubber, and I'm bringing every pillow and comforter in the house. Last year we went to an old ghost town, where it was 106 during the day and dropped to 30 at night. We had two little pads to sleep on but Voodoo & Sachi argued for their fair share, which is 150 pounds of dog. They wouldn't even sleep on the ground! But why should we go camping when we can just come to your lake house? I'm so flippin' jealous! That's my dream. Send me a map! Teresa, we each have a White's detector, but Chris spoiled me with an accessory that makes mine more powerful. There's gold to fe found, cause people are still finding nuggets, but you've got to take it extremely seriously and put enormous ammounts of effort into it. I do minimal effort and dig up about a hundred bullets. We came close though and thought we found gold, but we had it tested and it was "fools gold." Hey, that's pretty exciting in my book! I also found a lot of blue copper, so my rock garden has lots of blue rocks. Pretty cool Wish you guys were all coming.. would be a hoot!

You people are my sunshine. Sometimes I try to wake up a little slow and grouchy, but I come here and soon my brain is screaming, "Let the sun shine, let the sun shine in!" Thanks for that! Yes, hubby is quiet aka BORING. He thinks I use too many words, but then he never gets anything right because most men drop the details and use just a few grunts to complete a sentence. For example, he doesn't want to hear about the big blue sign or the green fence when asking for directions, just point him in the direction... then we drive in circles while I wonder when he'll learn. I wish you were coming camping, too! Chris always wanted a metal detector, so Santa got him one last Christmas. I always just wanted him to come hiking with me. So we made a good match cause we explore abandoned mines and gold fields, he with his machine, me with my mutts collecting rocks & cactus. But on Valentines Day, he suprised me with the Mack Daddy of machines, better than his. So now I have to drag that thing with me. I do a little unsucessful gold hunting, then just hike. This time I'm 36 pounds lighter, so maybe I won't come as near as heart attacks as I usually do. But I gotta take it really easy cause my incision just closed up for the first time this week. Also, like Donali said, somewhere around 30-40 the ground turns to cement, so sleeping on the ground when I'm only able to sleep on one side is going to be a tough one. We'll be the black truck driving towards Utah with my bed strapped to the top! Have a great day!

Darcy, after being through 2 surgeries so far, and one more to go, I'm still paranoid about any odd sensation. I hear that means I'm normal, if you could believe that! Take it easy, baby! Take those mini walks, just don't turn into Wonder Woman like I did. I felt great, so I pushed harder at the gym, but now I remember that the tortoise always gets there first. Oh, and those warm liquids really are nice, aren't they? I was never a "tea" girl, but now I love chamomile with honey. Have it almost every night.

One might think I'd be a closet clown. Unfortunately, I'm just as immature in person. Wacka-do wacka-do.

Roy, can you teach my hubby some of that "quality time with the wife" thingy? He spends too much time in the Spousal Avoidance Center (garage) pretending to be building stuff that never gets built, except that giant bird cage that I didn't want but now have with 4 Cockatiels who think their roosters. Funny, there's an article in Redbook that blew my husband's cover, so now I'm sure he's not doing anything important in there. What's everyone doing for the long 4th of July weekend? I'm actually getting some quality time because Chris is taking me & the mutts camping. We're headed towards Utah for a gold-bearing mountain near a river or stream with our metal detectors and fishing poles. You guys should use this time wisely and post a bunch of gossip about me. Rock on!

Doofy Donali! I hope you laugh when you come back because yer the funniest one I know and a purty fart smeller, too! Silly girl!

Candy B, you're so yummy I want to eat you! Imagine if my mom named me Pizza? If I ever have twin boys, they'll be Ben and Jerry, just for torture sake! Glad I could make someone smile, winky wink.

The only time I counted calories was during my liquid-mushy stage. I didn't count because I wanted to keep track, but I was curious to see how few calories I was drinking. Los and beholdings! I was sipping down 1600-1900 per day. Those regular Fudgsicles and tumblers of juice really add up when you toss in a milkshake and creamed soup. I know it's not what you're looking for but I had to toss it in anyway.

The problem, Newlapper, is that's exactly what I planned to do. The bread just fell into the ol' piehole! It jumped in without my permission! I actually ate the topping first, with every intention of tossing the bread, but something went wrong. Very wrong.

Roy, Roy, Roy. Dear Roy... if there's any place for someone to break out of their shell, you've found it! Hold on, because your in for a fun filled, silly, yet extremely informative ride! Put your hands up and screeammmmm!