DeLarla

Paul, too bad I'm busy this weekend myself with the Pipefitter's Annual Picnic (I'm the cotton candy lady) and are the races this weekend or next weekend? I can't keep up any more! Suzi, can ya really make it? Far out! Jenna, why didn't you sign up for belly dancing lessons? REGISTRATION FOR CRYSTAL'S BELLY DANCING LESSONS DeLARLA SUZI

They can't find your port?

Hmm, I guess when I get up to reload my plate the third time. Yep, that's a pretty good hint that I'm full.

F***ED How's that?

I told ya'll that next year things are going to change a little, so the first thing we need is our own, unique and individual name. From now on, the annual event at my house will be known as the Vegas Blast. This idea came from a Vegas gal that has been lurking. She's off to get banded by Ortiz soon, and she referred to our party as the "Blast." She asked if she could join our bandster family, and I stole her idea for our new name. Jenna, she said she loves your posts! Michelle, send me a PM if I can give her your name and number for questions, but don't even think about stealing my new friend! LAS VEGAS BLAST 2006 is tentatively scheduled for the last weekend in August. That's "tentatively" so please don't start making reservations. I'm planting the seed so you don't go making plans for anything else. Plan weddings and childbirth around the bash next year! I'm moving it to August so more people can enjoy a warmer cement pond. In order to enjoy more pool time, food will be simplified by a "team" of chefs. I hate the idea of store bought food. I'll (TRY) to limit the food instead of trying to feed an army, but it's still going to be assembly line style. I'm thinking dinner salads and make-your-own mini pizza. I've had requests to try something different than Buca. The reason I stick with Buca is because of the huge servings and the price. Where else could we get a 7 course meal for $13.00 each? Jenna suggested Claim Jumper, which is an excellent choice, but reservations get very tricky, and there isn't a central Claim Jumper. The bigger problem is making a solid reservation. I'm friends with the event coordinator at Buca, so she always lets me slide with last minute changes. That's how we got the bigger table at the last minute (I called her.) Jay (our friend) showed up at the last minute due to an emergency. Several people that were supposed to show didn't at the last minute. There's simply no way to make a solid reservation, which is why we'll take votes as the time nears. It's either Buca (centrally located) or I'll have to ask someone else to coordinate the dinner. And since so many women were excited about Slumber Parties, I will do my demo before the Blast starts. Anyone (females over 18 only) that wants to come to the Slumber Party has to be at my house by 11:00 a.m., then the Blast will start at 1:00 p.m. Clothing exchange is a must! Everything will be kept packed and sealed in boxes. We'll all pitch in to move boxes into the bedroom at the same time and then organize piles of pants, blouses, skirts, etc. We'll pick a number to see who goes first, then everyone can have a fair shot. I'll have a prize for the sexiest underwear since I got to see so many near-naked people. But someone better bring me a prize because I plan to win that contest. My Name Game will be an annual event. Whoever made the suggestion to go around the table gets a gold star! We'll have better guidelines next year so we aren't accused of cheating! I know it's early, but I want this thing figured out to a science. I simply can't wait. Love, THE LAS VEGAS BLAST HEADQUARTERS

Celeste, there's no "if" now because you are SO committed to bringing African Baileys! OMG, that sounds so good! I'm not sure why I have 2 threads going (probably to confuse people) but I'm going to ask Moderator Penni to lock this thread and direct people to the bandster Sangria Suarez thread.

Vines, you'll just have to stay extra long! Also, I'm scheduling you in for a 30 minute belly dancing lesson out back. My poor little house is much smaller now that Slumber takes up half the living room. REGISTRATION FOR CRYSTAL'S BELLY DANCE LESSONS AT DELARLA'S BASH 1. DeLarla

Wow, beautiful bike, and all that green! Where is that? Great shots!

Jack, as you can see from my avatar, I'm a very berry kinda gal. I LOVE berries, so if there's any way you can pick & freeze some of your berries, I would with great pride add them to my Sangria in August. Also, for those who can't make it that have nice clothes that are too big, please feel free to send them to me. Every year we do an exchange, and the extra clothing goes to charity.

I've been waiting for this thread, and if I didn't do a search for Africa it would have gotten past me. Celest, I'm so proud of you and thrilled for you all at once. You're living my dream... well, part of it! All that government finance talk scares me, but to live and work in Africa is beyond my wildest dream. How are you feeling? What kind of bug did you get? Check in often, please. And don't forget to buy me presents! Actually, you don't have to buy them, but when you see cute African matchbooks, rocks, shells, please think of me, and if I don't respond to your threads it's because I don't see them, so please PM me. More pics, please. I'm amazed!

Okay, now that my 3 month challenge is over, I can devote more time to this thread. Here's the skinny: This year I'm eliminating the dinner since coordinating so many people at one restaurant is too time consuming (considering everything else going on.) FRIDAY AUGUST 25, 2006 I'll have an Open House for men and women from afternoon till 6:45 p.m. All men must leave at 6:45 p.m. because at 7:00 p.m. I'll start my Slumber Party. ALL MEN (and those under 18)INCLUDING MY HUSBAND, MUST LEAVE THE PREMISES FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS DURING MY DEMO, and they're free to return afterwards. We'll just have light Snacks and "Bring Your Own Booze" since the focus for Friday is hugging, catching up, meeting new friends and the Slumber Party (I'm only doing the Slumber Party because so many people demanded it, plus I'm a big ham.) Because everyone here is so special, I will offer 40% off any one item to EVERYBODY for coming. I personally don't want to make Friday night a big drinking night, and I will be staying in that night to get up early and start cooking. Saturday August 26 is the all-day party at my place. I'll be making Sangria this year and a Spanish rice dish. Those that are contributing to the menu can either bring your ingredients or we'll make a trip to the grocery store, so try to come a little early. ~Saturday we'll do an official White Elephant Gift Exchange, so bring a wrapped gift if you want to join. ~Saturday we'll do a clothing exchange around 1:00 p.m. so bring some good underwear since we'll all see them! ~Saturday we'll do our famous name game for Slumber prizes! SUNDAY ~ I hope to ride my Harley with my friends JoLynn & Celest. I can take one smaller rider with me, Chris can take any size rider with him, and I'll see if our local guys can show up and bring some more people for a ride to Lake Mead. Jenna, I need to know for sure if you'll be staying in Voo's room (haha) because some other people would like to stay at my house. Penni, I need to know ASAP if you and John are sharing the futon in my office (small but comfy.) HOW DOES THIS SOUND SO FAR?

Kathy, I refuse to wait, so get the pics posted now! And Vines, the weather is perfect right now, so get that bike back together! (Vines, I'm headed to the banster Sangria Suarez thread right now and need you to answer something there.)

I guess I was different because I had no jitters or worry, I was plain excited and couldn't wait to get on the surgery table. I was living in suicide fantasy at 317 pounds, though too chicken to go through with it. I think another 50 pounds up would have given me the courage to end my own life. So goodbye to thoughts of leaving this world sooner than necessary. NOW I DANCE DOWN GROCERY STORE ISLES. GOODBYE TO SADNESS!

Okay, Kel, with all that said: 1) Change your name from Big Belly Kelly to Kelly On Wheels! 2) Book your flight to Vegas for August 25 for our bandster Sangria Suarez. 3) Start shopping for a bathing suit since we'll spend 8/26 in the pool. This thread brought tears to my eyes, but the sugary sweet kind

DELARLA LOVES PAULA DELARLA LOVES VERA DELARLA LOVES JOLYNN DELARLA LOVES (this list can take days!)

JoLynn, I kept the details really simple. You can see the front fender in the top picture. It's a braid that goes from front to back with a heart & dice on the front (the other end of the braid has bones, like a barrett at the end.) And see my signature with the pink Harley wings? He painted the same decal (only bigger) on the saddle bags. Now I kinda wish I did just a little more but I was afraid to go too crazy all at once.

I cry that Franceca and my sisters and cousin went home. The one in the green pants is Cousin. I told them they have a VERY dysfunctional family because they all call each other Sister and have cute nicnames for each other. They call their cousin, Cousin, and they all hug and kiss and love each other (weird for me coming from such a screwed up place.) It was the nicest girl lunch, and I love them all and wish they would have stayed longer. They love each other. Sisters love each other?

Maybe I ate alligator??? Is there a diff between alligator and crocodile? I know we ate one of them though, and I know I need to know the next time you're making real gumbo. I never liked gumbo till I hate that garbage in New Orleans (they call it debris gumbo.) Sooo good!

Me & my pal.

Sexy Loretta!

What a great challenge! I'll be a silent cheerleader as well since Monday ends my 3-month challenge, and I'm exactly the same as when I started. I give myself enormous credit for maintaining, but I love this Onderland dream!

So, what's the latest in diet in nutrition? As if I don't know the answers already - eat less, exercise more, lose weight! But like Vines said, we can't give up, so I have an appointment tomorrow with the Health and Nutrition department of my insurance plan. I wonder if they'll suggest weight loss surgery? What can they tell me that I don't already know, unless the doc is a delicious slice of Heaven that motivates me to come back thinner? I hope??

I'm in sabotage mode. The burning & choking in my throat woke me up at 3 a.m. and I can't sleep. Yesterday I bought all the right soft, easy foods like cottage cheese and steamed veggies, but late at night the monster comes out. I'm at my lowest weight right now (by miracle) yet I layed on the couch eating a box of crackers spread with butter, a huge bowl of sugar Cereal, a few popsicles and anything not nailed down. My pouch hurt, my throat burned, but every time I get to this low weight my mind plays games with me. People have been noticing my loss again (it comes in phases) so what do I do? I go crazy and eat till I hurt myself. Paula, I've tried Nexium and Prilosec, but no meds can help me unless I'm willing to help mysef. So, will you move to Vegas and smack me around? The diet doc was so perplexed by my honesty about food addiction that she's referring me to their addiction specialist, who doesn't even deal with food issues. However, my problems are all in my head, and I really need some help. I'm trying to go back to bed with this big, deep sigh... sighing off xo

Paulax, good luck back at you. I had a lot of complications and way too many band-related surgeries, but in the end I'm down 77 pounds. I have problems with my esophagus now, but that's because I can't get my eating in order. I lost my band due to erosion and am stuck with mountains of bills from it. But before the band I didn't want to live, so losing over 75 pounds and getting my life back (even if it's only temporary) was worth it.

I need help in Vegas! You're the only other Vegas person here except me! Who are you, where are you??? Come over at night and tape my mouth shut for starters!