HarleyNana

My electric bill this month was the highest I've EVER received, $538, for one freakin month. That doesn't include the gas bill, which heats my two 75 gallon hot Water heaters or my pool, nor does it include my husbands garage, it's on a separate meter, it was only $20.

Thank goodness I'm on the "budget" plan and pay $350.00 every month, so it averages itself out, well it use to any way.

I do have to admit, I keep the thermostat in my bedroom on 67 at night, hey, a girl's gotta sleep, LOL.

All of my porch lights are those energy saving can flood types, I just can't use those kind of bulbs in my ceiling can-lights inside.

Carla, I'm surprised you still need the cpap machine, you're doing awesome with your weight loss. What do your co-workers think now?

I didn't know you slept at your job, that's very interesting.

Heather, I always thought I had Diet Coke in my veins, LOL. There are days I think, boy a Diet Coke would hit the spot, then I think of how sweet they are and I don't think I could do more than a sip now.

Now it's either light lemonade or a screwdriver, LOL.

Good luck!

Jefe, that would be an ideal situation if you and your wife could take this journey together. I was self-pay, and I have no regrets, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Heather, congratulations on your band date. My mom, who will be 77 next month, had her surgery 5 months after me, ours was opposite, plus insurance paid hers, but I was self-pay.

It did help I was able to share my experience with her and gave her insight as what to expect. We also have a lot of laughs sharing our embarrassing lapband moments.

Good Luck!

Tina, so glad to hear you're healing. Sounds like you're well on your way .

I'll bet DH was very touched and WILL cherish that picture forever.

Hugs!

Sherry, I love cucumbers, my favorite veg. Have you tried the cold cucumber Soup? I thought, yuk, cold Soup, cucumber on top of that, it was delightful! I so hope we're able to meet someday.

Diane, I had to read DH your description of Friday night, you made it sound like a resort :thumbup:. It was so my pleasure having everyone here. Donna, again, we missed you. My fingers are still sore from eating the crabs, one of these days, I'll learn to use the crackers instead of my fingers.

I wish you all could have been there.

I might be going down to the beach house today, hubby had a pool house built while he was down there this weekend, but he has to match the siding up to the cottage, so he's on a mission.

Later girlies,

That is so disgusting.....but so damn funny!

I adjust the light on a few pictures, thought I'd share.

I know exactly how you are feeling, I felt that way before my TT, but as for the band, I couldn't get it done soon enough. The surgery is quick and so is the recovery. Just keep thinking about the new healthier, smaller you!

Good Luck, just think about the positive and keep looking at those before and after pictures.

Betty, boy you sure picked up on this quickly. Diane and four other lady friends came over Friday night for a girls night out pool party. We had a blast. My son brought us a couple of dozen of crabs, all cleaned and ready to cook. I'm use to cooking a huge pot of crabs, but this one was like a large Pasta pot. Well, we're sitting on the patio and Diane said she smelled something. I thought, hmmm, smells like burning popcorn, then I looked at the grill and realized the beer had cooked out of the crabs a lot sooner than expected, so I added another can of beer and let them cook a little longer....yep, that can cooked out too. All I can say is around midnight, we're hanging out IN the pool, eating crabs that tasted like burned popcorn. I had turned the heater on in the pool and it was around 93 degrees. I even went down the slide, which I had NEVER done!!!

After everyone left, Diane and I sat and talked until 3:15, then got up at 7:30ish. I thought I'd be asleep before my head hit the pillow, but I had a terrible time falling to sleep and staying asleep. Needless to say, we had a great time. I fixed this dip that was debomb, crab and salmon. Oh, and the crabs, that's the only way to eat them, (ommitting the burned taste). I'll probably sit my crab pots back out today, and have my son teach me how to clean them while they're still alive, that way there's not deadman or guts or eggs or nasty stuff, just pick and eat.

Donna, I called and left you a message on your answing machine, we missed you.

OK, girlies, sorry to have taken up the thread, have a great day all.

Sherry, 200 miles on a motorcycle, OMG, what a woman! It is more fun with a large group or riders, and it's safer .

For some strange reason I'm rather tired tonight, (LOL, Diane), so I'll check back in the morning.

Hugs.

Jetti, I had to laugh, the worst pb I ever had was after I ate a pretzel. Be careful!

I had to share this tidbit, my DH went by one of our rentals yesterday and knocked on the door to let the lady know he was there to check out the deck, because he wanted to send someone over to power-wash and stain it. Being the "nice" old lady that she is, she invited him in. She's been there 6 months, prior to her move in, we had the entire house painted and new carpet installed.

My DH almost CHIT, there were two dogs running around, yapping at his heels, the carpet was not only ruined with pee stains, there was dog poop all over the freakin carpet. They're not even her dogs, but her former daughter in law, whose boyfriend won't let her keep them at her house, because they chit everywhere! Needless to say, my DH told her the dogs had to go and called the dog owners and had a few words.

Being a landlord has it's ups and downs, I have 9 tenants that are past due for the month of August, and are avoiding my phone calls, hummmm, imagine that! I expect it out of about 2-3 of them, but I guess the economy is taking it's toll on renters as well.

I hate to lose a good paying, non complaining tenant, I'll leave their rent the same for years as long as they pay on time and don't nag me. I just rented to a single dad and he calls me almost every day, even on Sundays. I finally told him he's not buying the house, he's renting, it's not brand new, it's not under warranty, to please stop calling me unless it was an emergency. Well Sunday, I get this "emergency" call, his upstairs tub leaked into the downstairs ceiling. I called the plumber who went out and said there was a faulty install of a tub spout. So yesterday, I was reviewing my rental receipts and there was a receipt attached to this guy's check, where he had purchased AND installed a new tub spout! Always something.

Just thought I'd give you the "flip" side of the rental industry.

I do know in VA there is a department that dictates how rentals are handled, for example I have to pay interest on deposits when I refund them, and there's a rate provided by the state, that I have to use to calculate the interest. You may want to check with your state and see if all regulations were abided by.

I have taken Synthroid for 20 years, I was still banded, but was self-pay.

Sorry, Debski, I'm not going to be as gentle as others. When I read your post, all I could think is OMG! Do you realize the damage you could do to your stomach and your band? You've got to get a grip, you've got a long journey ahead of you and the band is not going to do the work for you, it's a tool to help you make better choices.

I realize what's done is done, but you have to respect your band.

OK, with that said, today's a new day, take charge and I wish you the best on your journey.

YOU CAN DO IT!

After reading your post, I'm at a loss for words, that a physician would give you such poor advice. If you really like this doctor, I would ask him if he has been banded and to further explain his "theory".

As all have said here, the band is a tool, it does not replace food. I've been banded almost four years and sometimes I look at food wish I could eat it, but I know my band will not tolerate it, so I have to make another choice, but to say food disgusts me....NOT.

Also, it does not sound that your doctor is a true advocate for the lapband.

Keep us informed.

I agree with TP, this is NOT normal, please seek medical advice immediately.

Your girlfriend is fortunate to have someone like you who cares.

Please keep us informed.

:cool2::eek::w00t: OMG JETTI, I can't believe you've lost all that weight without a fill!!!

Donna, I'm having a girl pool party Friday night, I wanted to invite you, when are you leaving for the beach? I'm supposed to go down Saturday and come back on Sunday, still not quite sure I'm going to go though.

Trish, I'm thinking about you!

Eileen, a honeymoon....WITH, DD, what are you thinking....

Kat, missing PS appt is not like a MD appt, they're tickled to get you in for that selective surgery stuff. I missed my "after" appt 3 times, thought for sure they'd charge me, but they didn't.

Sherry, what are you up to?

Betty, still waiting on some good news from your PCP.

Later girlies!

Lisa, we all have various pain levels, personally, I was a little uncomfortable, but not in severe pain. Stopped taking pain meds the second day. Maybe my doctor was more gentle, LOL, who knows, but we are all different when it comes to pain. Walking really helps the healing and is good for you too.

Good luck to you all of you on your journey to a healthier , happier you!

Hugs

Being put to sleep is one of my biggest fears, along with getting a blood clot afterwards. Lapband is a very fast surgery, my surgery took less than 25 mintutes, and that included fixing a hiatal hernia.

You'll be fine, stop watching those crazy movies, LOL.

Let us know how it goes.

IMO, weight loss is so individual. I, personally, still see myself as a fat person. I see every lump and bump. Personality wise, I'm more confident and definitely, loving life more.

As for others, I agree, I've witnessed people close to me who were not even considered fat or overweight, lose a few pounds and become bitch-divas, act like their "stuff" doesn't stink. Yet, I know others who have lost lots of weight and are still their sweet self, just excited and in love with their self in a good way.

Weight loss is a wonderful thing, but I have seen many relationships destroyed, not by the person who lost the weight, but by the spouse that beings to cheat, because, he/she, is no longer the dominating spouse...I hope that makes sense.

Has anyone heard from Philip? I'd love to know how he's doing.

Blossom was my lapband buddy , I still miss her....:thumbup:.

pumpkin, you must have really gone way back to find this post, LOL.

Thanks for the info :thumbup:

Happy Birthday Eileenie, I hope it's a very special day!

You're such a sweetie :w00t: OK, I'm a few hours early.

Trish, hope your mom is better, let us know how she's doing.

Hugs to all