Penni60

If my only choice was going to TJ or Ventura that is no brainer. Ventura is only an hour from San Fernando Valley. I live in Van Nuys. It takes me an hour door to door to see Billy. Billy will do your fills but because he is out of town alot your fills will be far apart. I have had Dennis do an unfill on me and he hit the port the first time and I didn't feel a thing. They are both very competent in their skills. I highly recommend Dr. Billy and Dennis. They are compassionate and understanding and will work with you on your goals. The office staff is wonderful as well.

I got a Mild sedation for my endoscopy. I could hear and see what was going on but I really didn't care. There was one period where I was gagging but I relaxed quickly. The thing to remember is just not fight it. The more you do the longer the procedure will take. They do spray your throat to numb it, which feels funny. Think like when you go to the dentist and he numbs your gums that is how your throat feels. Endoscopy = "End" usually refers to inside or esophagus (if I remember my medical terminology right) and "oscopy" is referring to viewing whatever the first part of the word is. So in this case it is inside the body. Gastroscopy = "Gastro" refers to the stomach -- So this is looking inside the stomach. The actual correct term for what we are calling and Endoscopy is EGD which just refers to the actual parts of the Digestive system is viewed. Esophagus, Gastric, and Duodenum. Now, an UPPER GI is simple an Xray taken while you swallow Barium liquid to see how the Esophagus works the fluid down into the stomach and once there to see how the stomach empties. In a Bandsters, case they are looking to see how the pouch empties into the bottom of the stomach.

Pat that boy is gorgeous. You just wanna squeeze his cheeks. I am dying to touch and smell that baby of mine. I just love that baby powder smell of babies.

Thanks guys. I got the car on Friday and now Today MOnday I am leaving for Tucson for the Bead show. SIGH!! I am already going into withdrawal knowing I can't drive it for 11 days. LOL!!!

Believe me if I lived closer to them I would have tea parties and princess balls and cotillions and I would let them dress up in my clothes and all kinds of things. But we live so far away from them. SIGH!!!!

Just had to show off my two other grandkids. I just got these in the mail the other day. Talley Jane (TJ) is in the pinkish shirt and she is 5 soon to be 6. Ashlynne Renee (Ash) is in the purplish shirt and she is 3 soon to be 4. I miss them alot. They live in East TN.

Big brother is doing good actually. Mom said he would gingerly come over and kiss his head and then pat his arm. Isn't that sweet. One other thing about big brother, Eli. He doesn't get to see Mom or me that often so it takes a little for him to warm up to us. So Mom kept trying to get him to come to her and hug her. But he wasn't having any of it. He asked him mom if he could have an apple. She told him yeah and that he could get it. Well he comes back with two apples. He gives one to my Mom. Isn't that the sweetest thing. He wouldn't let her hug him but he got her an apple. Children are the most precious thing on earth. They can really humble you. It kills me being so far away from my grandkids. SIGH!! I see them at least two to three times a year though. Better than nothing.

My mom went to see the baby yesterday. She brought back a pic and then sanned it into her computer then emailed it to me. Now all of you that are computer savy might think this is nothing and easy to do. But my Mom has only been using her computer for about 2 years. I am so proud of her. Anyway, here is the picture of my sweet grandson. I can't wait to get my hands on him.

OK my closet is all clean of clothes. So at this time I don't have anything else to give away.

Um Yeah that is my house. LOL!! You know I am still pinching myself about this car. But the real joy is that I have a great guy and I have a great life.

Here is a pic with me standing beside MY NEW CAR!! See the thrill on my face?

OK here are the pics of my new car. The last in that series is of my 1996 Lincoln that I have been driving. It is a great car too but it isn't the 300. LOL!!

OH Mandy I will scream for your daughter as well. I love the primalweightlossscreams.com that is too funny.

OK, most of you know I have lost my band due to erosion. I went through a "bad patch" right after. I slipped into a deep depression and almost let it control me. I talked with a good friend and was encouraged to grieve and then let it go. Which is exactly what I did. The thing is, I didn't really realize I was grieving till I spoke with her. Then it became clear to me I was doing just that. I had to work through all the stages of grief. I am presently in anger and acceptance. One minute I am pissed off, then the next I am "ok I lost the band." I am leaning more toward the later nowadays. More calm now. It all comes down to just accepting where you are in life and appreciating it. Then deciding to make changes based on what you want. I put out in the universe that I wanted a particular car. I was determined to have it. I tried to convince my boyfriend to buy it for me. That didn't work. Then I tried to buy it myself and that didn't work. I had all but given up on owning this dream car. I prayed about it. I screamed it to the universe that I wanted this car. I just knew I was gonna get it eventually. Well Friday I got it. I applied for a loan that I just knew I wasn't gonna get and voila I got it. I drove that puppy home yesterday and I was in heaven. I have been making excuses to go places just so I can drive it. The point I am getting to is "ask for what you want". Speak it loud. Not squeak it to yourself or under your breath. SCREAM it out loud. Then allow the universe to work it's magic. It will come at the right time when it is right for you. Some people will think this is a bunch of HOOEY!! So what? Who cares? If YOU believe it then what does it matter what someone else believes. I am a Christian but I don't judge someone else simply because they aren't. I respect their beliefs even if they don't respect mine. The universe is a metaphor for whatever you believe will answer your prayers, requests, desires, wants, dreams, etc. If that is GOD then shout to GOD what you want. If it is a Goddess then shout to Her. If it is Buddha then shout to Him. Get the pic? You will never get what you want if you don't find your VOICE. Yes it hides from time to time. And it gets shut down by others as well. But you have the power to shout and ask for what you want. OK I have rambled long enough. "I WANT TO BE HEALTHIER AND LIGHTER IN WHATEVER FORM THAT MIGHT BE, AND THE AWARENESS TO SEE IT!" That was my shout did you hear it?

OK, most of you know I have lost my band due to erosion. I went through a "bad patch" right after. I slipped into a deep depression and almost let it control me. I talked with a good friend and was encouraged to grieve and then let it go. Which is exactly what I did. The thing is, I didn't really realize I was grieving till I spoke with her. Then it became clear to me I was doing just that. I had to work through all the stages of grief. I am presently in anger and acceptance. One minute I am pissed off, then the next I am "ok I lost the band." I am leaning more toward the later nowadays. More calm now. It all comes down to just accepting where you are in life and appreciating it. Then deciding to make changes based on what you want. I put out in the universe that I wanted a particular car. I was determined to have it. I tried to convince my boyfriend to buy it for me. That didn't work. Then I tried to buy it myself and that didn't work. I had all but given up on owning this dream car. I prayed about it. I screamed it to the universe that I wanted this car. I just knew I was gonna get it eventually. Well Friday I got it. I applied for a loan that I just knew I wasn't gonna get and voila I got it. I drove that puppy home yesterday and I was in heaven. I have been making excuses to go places just so I can drive it. The point I am getting to is "ask for what you want". Speak it loud. Not squeak it to yourself or under your breath. SCREAM it out loud. Then allow the universe to work it's magic. It will come at the right time when it is right for you. Some people will think this is a bunch of HOOEY!! So what? Who cares? If YOU believe it then what does it matter what someone else believes. I am a Christian but I don't judge someone else simply because they aren't. I respect their beliefs even if they don't respect mine. The universe is a metaphor for whatever you believe will answer your prayers, requests, desires, wants, dreams, etc. If that is GOD then shout to GOD what you want. If it is a Goddess then shout to Her. If it is Buddha then shout to Him. Get the pic? You will never get what you want if you don't find your VOICE. Yes it hides from time to time. And it gets shut down by others as well. But you have the power to shout and ask for what you want. OK I have rambled long enough. "I WANT TO BE HEALTHIER AND LIGHTER IN WHATEVER FORM THAT MIGHT BE, AND THE AWARENESS TO SEE IT!" That was my shout did you hear it?

OK, most of you know I have lost my band due to erosion. I went through a "bad patch" right after. I slipped into a deep depression and almost let it control me. I talked with a good friend and was encouraged to grieve and then let it go. Which is exactly what I did. The thing is, I didn't really realize I was grieving till I spoke with her. Then it became clear to me I was doing just that. I had to work through all the stages of grief. I am presently in anger and acceptance. One minute I am pissed off, then the next I am "ok I lost the band." I am leaning more toward the later nowadays. More calm now. It all comes down to just accepting where you are in life and appreciating it. Then deciding to make changes based on what you want. I put out in the universe that I wanted a particular car. I was determined to have it. I tried to convince my boyfriend to buy it for me. That didn't work. Then I tried to buy it myself and that didn't work. I had all but given up on owning this dream car. I prayed about it. I screamed it to the universe that I wanted this car. I just knew I was gonna get it eventually. Well Friday I got it. I applied for a loan that I just knew I wasn't gonna get and voila I got it. I drove that puppy home yesterday and I was in heaven. I have been making excuses to go places just so I can drive it. The point I am getting to is "ask for what you want". Speak it loud. Not squeak it to yourself or under your breath. SCREAM it out loud. Then allow the universe to work it's magic. It will come at the right time when it is right for you. Some people will think this is a bunch of HOOEY!! So what? Who cares? If YOU believe it then what does it matter what someone else believes. I am a Christian but I don't judge someone else simply because they aren't. I respect their beliefs even if they don't respect mine. The universe is a metaphor for whatever you believe will answer your prayers, requests, desires, wants, dreams, etc. If that is GOD then shout to GOD what you want. If it is a Goddess then shout to Her. If it is Buddha then shout to Him. Get the pic? You will never get what you want if you don't find your VOICE. Yes it hides from time to time. And it gets shut down by others as well. But you have the power to shout and ask for what you want. OK I have rambled long enough. "I WANT TO BE HEALTHIER AND LIGHTER IN WHATEVER FORM THAT MIGHT BE, AND THE AWARENESS TO SEE IT!" That was my shout did you hear it?

Hey Michelle ROADTRIP!!!! I will come and pick you up and then we can drive to pick up Francesca and then drive to VEGAS. LOL!!! I gotta break in my new car. LOL!!! Sorry I am just so excited about it. Francesca I am feeling your pain. You, Michelle, Lisa, and I should all make a trek to TJ and picket outside both Lopez and Ortiz offices. Demand a refund on our bands. Love ya girl PS: I was told I could get rebanded in 6 months. Will I? Only if insurance covers it (which it most likely won't). But I am gonna get a shot at Biggest Loser so I won't need a band in 6 months. Hey I gotta have a positive attitude.

Hell I drive to Newport Beach now for my eye doc so what is one more trip. Especially since I have a nifty swifty new car. LOL!! So PM me the info girlie girl!! Hey maybe we can do lunch or something when I come for a treatment? That would be fun.

I have some takers. The 22 size is taken. The 16/18 have been spoken for but I have a few in that size so if there is ONE more person that contacts me then I will share the wealth between you two. Make sure you PM me with your address ASAP. I am leaving town on Monday and will need to get them in the mail by that morning. I have to leave at noon to catch a plane. SO GET ME YOUR ADDRESS ASAP!!!!!!!!!

I have some clothes (some never worn) that I want to get rid of. They range in size from 22 to 18. I have cute jackets (one is a pink tweed I have never worn). I have a pinkish purple jacket and crop pants. I have some halter tops in green print. I have some pants. A couple of dresses in size 18. The dresses are very frilly and sleeveless. With a nice wrap they would be very sexy. I have some shoes too. Mostly size 8, 8.5, to 9. Some are Wide some are M. If you are interested then please PM me.

OH man I am soooooooooooo jealous. I would rather have the whiteheads than the dark hair. I am looking for a good Laser Hair removal place in my area. Anyone know of a good place? I live in the Los Angeles area and I am sure there are lots but it still would be nice to have a referral.

I would think that INAMED and not the FDA would know more about the procedures for their products. I could be wrong. LOL!! Also, once the needle is in the port you could do a jig and it wouldn't hurt a thing. Of course it would be best to not dance or move around alot. Nothing is absolute but once the needle is embedded in the port you have to really pull on it to get it out. This port is much like a port that is used in cancer patients. By the way, I was a cancer nurse for 8 years and dealt with this port ALL the time. The needle once in is there until you physically remove it. Now there is a chance that the needle is not far enough into the port and can dislodge with movement but that is highly unlikely but not impossible. It just depends on the technique. When I got fills, I always had to do a half sit up so the stomach muscles acted as a back board for the port while the doc pushed the needle in. I always knew when he hit the port cause it felt "funny". Like a movement inside me. Hard to describe. He only missed the port once and that was because the port was tilted. Once I had surgery to correct that he hit it every time. Always with the half sit ups.

OH OH OH I want one. Mine would have a slight southern drawl. Youall!!

SARGE!! YES SARGE!! Private Merrick reporting for Weight loss patrol. SARGE!! LOL!! Can you tell that I was a military wife at one point. You don't say YESSIR to a Sargeant cause they are Non Commission. LOL!! Anyway, back on track this morning with diet. By the way Sarge I did exercise last night with all the dancing I did. SO THERE!!! I just walked outside to make sure the car was actually real. I keep waiting for a phone call or the police to show up and say "Mame there has been a report of a car matching this description seen leaving the Dodge car lot under false pretenses." OH NO!! But no the car is still here and just a pretty as the first time I saw it. DROOL!!! I am still on cloud nine.

Ok first of all, I bought a 2006 Chrysler 300 Touring edition today. And I got a great deal. Pics to be posted tomorrow. Then as if that wasn't enough, John and I just got home from seeing INXS at the Gibson Theatre at Universal City Walk. OH MY GOD!!! I got my exercise in by dancing the night away to J.D. Fortune and INXS songs. Oh and two surprises. Marty Casey opened the night with his band Love Hammers. They rocked the house. AND AND the second surprise, MIG AIELLO showed up and walked through the crowd. OH MY GOD!! I nearly wet my pants. So between the NEW car and the concert tonight I am flying HIGH. The only down side is I went way off my diet tonight. BUT it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much fun doing it. I have a new car!!!! I have NEVER in my 45 years had a new car. I mean a brand spankin NEW CAR people. WHOO HOO!!!!!!!!!! It is cream with leather interior.