Lucy

Same here -- my husband is my romantic love and best friend. I wouldn't have married him if he was just my best friend and I wouldn't have married him if he was just my romantic love. And of course I wouldn't have married him if he was neither.

This woman is not your friend. A true friend will support you when you make a positive decision to change your life. I think you need to separate yourself from her (and any other negative people in your life) and surround yourself with real friends who support you.

Hazelbunny, I'm with you on that. Fat free cheese is disgusting.

I'm a big fan of eating a reasonable, balanced diet. I try to follow Michael Pollan's way of thinking -- "eat food, mostly plants, not too much". I do eat the protein first, then the vegetables, then the carbs. But my primary goal is to eat natural and organic food that is good forme -- I avoid synthetic "foods", trans fats, and simple carbs. But beyond that, it's really just about eating what I know is good for me.

The primary difference is that fructose is a natural (i.e. REAL) form of sugar and sucralose is a synthetic sweetener. Fructose contains more calories, but sucralose is artificial. There haven't been any long-term studies on the effects of sucralose, so I'm a little wary of it, personally.

I LOVE Toronto! And something tells me it won't be any hotter there than Palm Springs! I hope everyone here is doing well. I had my post-op exam with the doc today and he said everything looked good. He did reprimand me for swimming on Sunday, but siad that I could still walk every day. Maybe I'm a little too eager to get the exercise going...other than that, everything is going well. My throat is mostly healed and I'm just trying to get through the full liquids to the mushie stage...I can't wait until I can have some mushies

I don't eat artificial sweetener, either. I've been getting most of my protein drinks and powders from Whole Foods and I've been drinking a lot of water. You don't have to eat jello or crystal light if you don't want to. I'm eating some sugar, but not a lot, and not really worrying about it. I exercise and the amount of sugar that I'm eating is very small.

I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm just stating my point. Internet maps are not going to make paper maps obsolete. They are an alternative. I stopped using internet maps because the directions are almost always wrong when I've used them or they give me the worst directions that take me miles and miles out of the way. When I look at a regular map, I can decide how to get there on my own. Since you mentioned it, I don't use a microwave, either.

How do you think people got around before the internet?

mmmm...beer...

I think they all suck equally. I'm partial to the road map atlas in my car.

I take Garden of Life's Perfect food every day and have been for over a year. It's a really good source of nutrients and Vitamins and it keeps everything, ahem, regular. I mix it in my Protein smoothie with yogurt, Protein Powder, flaxseed oil, and berries, which masks the taste. The powder doesn't smell like something I would want to drink alone. They also make it in a capsule form.

I did some googling, and I think the bracelet is a good idea. I just ordered one off Medic Alert. Thanks to whoever mentioned this company, I like the idea that there is just a phone number on the back for them to call. I don't need to alert the whole world to my lapband.

Out of curiosity, if I am in a situation where I am unconscious and in a hospital or ambulance, will the medics actually look for a medic ID on me?

Great idea for a thread, Bubblebutt. I just finished: Leaving the Saints by Martha Beck -- really interesting story of a woman raised Mormon and all the dirty secrets of the Mormon church. Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodruiguez. An American woman opened a beauty school in Afghanistan after 9/11. I wanted to read it because I heard her interviewed on NPR a few weeks ago and she sounded so kooky. Last week I heard another interview on NPR with one of her former students who now fears for her life because of all the secrets Deborah Rodriguez revealed about her and the other women there in the book. It's not the most well-written book, but it's quick reading and an interesting view of life under the burqa. I'm in the middle of reading On Beauty by Zadie Smith. It's decent reading. She writes very well. Just ordered The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. He writes mostly about food ethics. He's one of my favorite people on the planet. Usually, I try to buy books at a local bookshop because I prefer to support them than some giant conglomerate bookstore. But Amazon is convenient when I'm looking for something that not everyone carries (which is often the case). I also highly recommend Alibris.com for used and out-of-print books.

I already "donated" $15,000 to my band. This website has been a great resource for me, but I'm not interested in paying for access, simply to eliminate the ads. Instead of putting the money towards this website, why don't you pay to upgrade your internet access? Then all the websites you visit will be faster. Just a thought...

Tell him what you told us. That you want to make peace without feeling like a doormat. Be assertive about your feelings and hopefully he will respect them.

Don't forget Fire Island. Somebody please shoot me if Mitt Romney gets elected...

Sweetie, you know your man better than any of us. It doesn't sound like the situation warrants your apology over his, but my point was that sometimes it's better to reach out and keep the peace. I don't think you should call him and apologize for something he did, but call him and let him know you love him. Even though you are angry. What the hell do I know...I'm an artist, not a therapist! :biggrin1: I just happen to have an amazing husband who handles these situations better than me so it makes me feel like I know something about handling arguments with the significant other. Here, have a hug.

Hey everyone, Thanks for your kind words of support. Eddie -- I totally understand your situation. My husband has a CRAZY job where he leaves at 6am and comes home anywhere between 7 and 10pm. He is only required to be there from 9 to 6, but he works more hours because that's how it goes in his field. His crackberry rings until 2am during the week and he often takes calls at 8am on Sundays! This bothers me, but it's also the only thing we really argue about. At the end of the day, the arguments happen, and are sometimes necessary, but they don't make anyone feel better and they don't bring you closer together (until you have great makeup sex, woo hoo!). All this to say, I agree with the others. Call him and tell him how much you love him and find a way (other than food) to let out the stress. Then, when you are back together, make sure he gives you all the oral pleasure that he owes you for being such a jerk.

Eddie, thank you so much for your encouraging post. It's been difficult with the gas pain and, unfortunately, the Gas X strips don't do a damn thing -- most of the pain is in my back, chest, and shoulders. The vicodin helps with the pain, but I hate that it makes me feel groggy, so I've been trying to not take it as much. Thankfully, my husband has been taking very good care of me -- making miso soup and rubbing my back. Luckily I don't seem to need a buttwiper, but I can never have too much love and support! I'm sure this gets easier as the days pass...:sick Love to all of you.:kiss2:

Hey everyone, hope you are all doing well. I had my surgery yesterday and it went very well. I've been having excrutiating gas pains, but other than that, things aren't too bad. Just wanted to let you know I'm okay. xoxo

Juli, send me a PM. I would be happy to offer some suggestions...

That's so funny! It's really nice up there. I loved St Augustine, it's so quaint and relaxed. Miami is a really great place to visit, but I don't really like living here. There's so much of "the scene" that I'm not really into. Living near the ocean is nice, though. I can't wait for the big day! Today I need to pick up a few more "post-op" items and I have to meet a work deadline (ugh). Hope everyone here is doing well. xoxo

Eddie, you and your man are adorable. I just noticed you were banded in Jacksonville. Do you live there? I live in Miami. I haven't really spent much time in North FL, but I was in St Augustine not too long ago and really enjoyed it. How is everyone else? I'll post a picture of myself eventually--let me find one that I like...