DeLarla

Oh, sorry Paul for forgetting to laugh, but it took me a couple times before I got it!

Trust me, Betty, I'm gonna give that steak 100% effort! Yes, I do see Texas steaks in my future, oh yes I do.

Thank you, Betty! Should I even bother packing shorts? It's been too cold here for shorts - was below 40 this morning. We probably won't rent bikes if it's cold because Chris hates the cold. So far, I still plan on leaving early Wednesday morning from San Antonio in our rental car. So, what should we do for an afternoon in the Dallas area other than eat?

If you think really hard about it, we all took a gamble at suicide by getting banded. We all knew there's a small mortality rate during surgery (as with any anesthesia.) We all put our lives on the line, so isn't that just a little suicidal?

Yep, I'm happy for a PB considering I had no restriction for a week. Fickle, fickle, fickle.

Yes, Officer. I voted.

He left the same week as my Kitty. I'm glad he has such a great dad to carry on his name and love.

Life is all about chances. It's all a gamble, no matter what way you slice it. I took a chance and had tons of complications. I currently don't have a port, and I'm not sure if I can ever get one. I lost 70 pounds then gained 10, and now I'm struggling to lose again. Some days really sucked, other days really sucked a lot worse. But it saved my life. I'd do it all over again. For me, it was worth the gamble.

I have a bi-polar band! We think we both do. Hey, who said that? You did. No, you did.

Okay, I'll switch the mood to funny. The most obnoxious b**ch on Earth worked at my last law firm who was determined to ruin the party for the whole bunch. She was nasty, mean and rude to everyone. So I rigged the gift exchange. We did it "White Elephant" style, so I told everyone not to pick the really big box. It was the prettiest, largest package under the tree, so when it was her turn to either steal a gift that had been opened, or pick one from the tree, she naturally picked the most elegantly expensive looking box. It was a box of fart bombs. Yep, I actually found a whole case of them because I lived close to an Ice Cream Man supply store. Apparently some ice cream trucks carry these little gag fart bomb pouches that you stomp to emit a very foul smell as a prank. She got an entire case of them. The snotty witch was horrified when she opened the gift and actually got nasty with people who wouldn't trade with her, and then that's when I gave the entire law firm the most beauiful gift one can give - PEACE. The woman actually shut her mouth for a good hour and sat in angry silence. Amen.

Kare, don't mess with me when it comes to throwing an OC Slumber Party! If you & Michelle can get 15 confirmed guests, color me there! Talk to Michelle then let me know. I'll bring Santa's Sled packed, so nobody will have to wait for orders! Either the 2nd or 3rd week in January are okay for now till my phone starts ringing this morning. The ONE thing I forgot is to buy a 2006 calendar insert for my date book, so last night several girls wanted to book parties so I'm running to Office Max in a bit. I can make a weekend out of it. Me, you & Michelle can hang out!

It might be acid reflux. I have the same problem, and I'm always choking on a flem stuck in my throat and coughing. It's a pretty common symptom with acid reflux. Are you eating too soon before bed? Because that's what my problem still is. I eat too late, then the acids wash back up to my throat when I lay down. Prevacid or other antacids might help.

Alex, tears are burning through my eyes. That one really choked me up. I've got a thing for Danes and Grammas. I got one of each. Thanks for making me bawl because I'm still grieving for my kitty and the tears soothe my allergy eyes. I wish you could find the pic of Gramma with that big bow around Baby's neck for us???

HAHA! I'm so tired that I thought you said all you've had is Water and beer. I had to read the "beef" part twice. Too funny. Sorry to burst your bubble, but you sound totally normal

Last week, right after my Upper GI that came out with good results, I suddenly lost all restriction for the first time in my banded history. I mean ALL restriction. I even did all the testing, like swallowing a horse pill 1st thing in the morning, but it slide right down. I ate a whole steak dinner with a massive baked potato. I haven't had an ounce of restriction in several days, which was very odd for me. But she's back, the sweet PB and pain of restriction is back! This morning I was physically hungry after being on my feet till midnight last night. I warmed a tortilla and spread it with cottage cheese. I was able to eat about 2/3 before getting the horrible, slimy, painful golf ball PB. OH WHAT A FEELING! I also received written lap results on the same day that say "UPPER GI RESULTS WITH RESPECT TO GASTRIC LAPBAND ARE NORMAL." My band is normal for today! Gives me a whole new lease (again.) So I gave the rest of the tort to my furry friends, who really LOVE when Mamma PBs. It's been 2 hours since my tortilla, and I'm still full! GO BANDY!

Hey Baby, now you can be extra excited cause I'm right next door in Nevada! We have an annual band party at my place, so we hope to see you in Vegas next summer.

HEATING PAD! It saved my life, it was the only thing that brought relief to all those aches and pains. Walgreens has a great King-Size one that's worth the extra money.

I pulled a co-worker's name for a gift-exchange. The poor girl was madly in love with Kevin Costner (back in the Dances With Wolves days) to the point she'd blush and get the vapors. So I wrote him a letter telling him about Jenny. He sent back an 8X10 autographed photo, dressed in full "Dances" costume that said, "Jenny, I'll meet you at the movies." I bought a nice picture frame that I wrapped. We opened the gifts at a fancy restaurant during our company Christmas party, and Jenny really loved the frame. But when she took a closer look, the poor girl almost passed out. She started shaking and bawling her eyes out, making a huge scene. I should dig through my old photos and see if I can find that grown woman crying over that picture!

Jenna, I wanted to participate but there weren't enough options. Yes, I've contemplated it. I've fantasized about it. The reason God invented furbabies was to prevent suicide. I could never leave them behind. So yes, I've wished I had the courage. Once I stood in the doorway to the garage calculating how I'd pull my car in, get all my furry people in the car, then do the exhaust-hose-in-the-window thing. I can't remember what stopped me. I often lay in bed hoping I'll choke on food and croak in my sleep, but my needs come after Voodoo & Sachi's, so for now, Life is my only option.

Send him my way!

"Why good morning, Sweet Cheeks!" He replied, "Well somebody had a BM." I said, "Not fair! You peeked at my chart." He said, "I didn't need to peek. I've been doing this long enough to have learned that a patient's personality is directly tied to how long it has been since his or her last bowel movement." Sue, how am I supposed to be serious? You're my (insert the proper word for the person you wish you were since I want to convert.) What else can I say?

My precious, what can I do? I LOVE YOU BABY GIRL.

I've been working full time plus doing Slumber Parties on the slide. I did two parties this weekend, so I'm pretty tired, which is my excuse for the day. So I'm right here, drinking a glass (fine, 2 glasses) of White Zinfendel with my furbabies and hubby sleeping.

Kare, I'm done waiting. Let's hang out. What's going on in the OC in January?

Chris and I talked and decided not to rent bikes unless "it was meant to be." Meaning we'll rent if there's a good selection and if the weather is good, but we won't make any decisions till we get there. Either way, we're still leaving San Antonio early on the 8th towards Dallas (either by rental car or bikes.) We're bringing our gear just in case, because we still want to rent Harleys even if for a day in San Antonio. So, if we leave San Antonio in the morning, we should be able to meet everyone at Strokers for lunch? Is that right? I've lost ALL restriction, which would normally worry me, but not if I'm coming to Texas! Beer and steak, uh, no problem! How do ya'll say it??? YEEE HAWWWW! Leatha, I'll call you & Betty when I get near. I've never met Betty, so you might warn her that I'm the same in person, all spun out! And VERY excited to meet Miss Betty!