Carlene

It's not Sandy, but I'm surprised Sandy has let this opportunity pass her by.

I like Donna's idea, but since it's hubby's work group, you better run it by him. I once knew a businessman who was told that the photo of his wife in a two piece swimsuit (semi-bikini, but not terribly revealing) was inappropriate for the photo cube on his desk and to substitute another pic for it.

Anyone else in TX looking for a Labor Day gift? Or is it just between the two of us? Maybe we could arm wrestle for it.

At my house, you lose the right to argue your point if you attack the person instead of their opinion/perspective.

They have some very.......interesting products. CheckMate Semen Detection Kit Do you suffer from the nightmare of suspicion and doubt caused by the infidelity of a cheating spouse or have a concern that your child is sexually active? Find out what's really going on the quick and easy way with CheckMate. CheckMate is a patented home use semen detection test kit that instantly detects invisible traces of dried semen or "sperm" that can be found in underwear after sex. This kit was designed exclusively for accurate test results in 5 minutes or less without damaging or staining the article being tested. The test will detect invisible semen stains on undergarments or clothing for up to 2 years if they haven't been washed. It is easy to use and you get 10 tests in each kit. CheckMate's patented semen detection formula also completely eliminates the possibility of false positive test results.

I think what you probably need to do is put a little tag on each one with your logo, name, or whatever on it. Ty, for example, does not have a copright on purple teddy bears, but they DO own the rights to "Ty Inc" and "Beanie Babies", so you can't call your purple bear a Beanie Baby. Some things are just too generic to copyright. Little round chocolates with a hard shell are all over the place, but they can't stamp that M&M logo on them.

I have never understood why some doctors say "don't drink for xxx minutes BEFORE you eat". What good does that do? There is no food in the pouch...the drink isn't going to wash anything thru. It's just going to go right down to the big stomach and help fill that puppy up. I drink right up until I start to eat. If I'm dying for a drink during a meal, I take a baby sip or two. If you have good restriction and are eating solid food, a tablespoon of Water isn't going to wash it thru the pouch and undo all your good efforts.

Reminder from: DFWBandsters's CalendarTitle: Burleson Bandster DinnerDate: Saturday August 26, 2006Time: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm Repeats: This event repeats on the last Saturday of every month.Next reminder: The next reminder for this event will be sent in 2 days, 4 minutes.Location: Antonio's Mexican Restaurant, 344K SW Wilshire Blvd., Burleson, TXStreet: 344K SW Wilshire Blvd..City State Zip: Burleson, TX Phone: 817-426-3460Description: Please RSVP to Charlie. Antonio's is on SH 174 (Wilshire Blvd) about a mile west of I-35. Exit I-35 at the Wislhire Exit (can only go to the west) and come west about a mile. Antonio's is in the Strip Mall on the right hand side (north) opposite the China King Super Buffet. It is in the center of the shops in the corner of the ell shape.

Reminder from: DFWBandsters's CalendarTitle: Band Buddies Saturday LunchDate: Saturday September 2, 2006Time: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Repeats: This event repeats on the first Saturday of every month.Next reminder: The next reminder for this event will be sent in 6 days, 3 minutes.Location: Aparicio's Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar, 1001 E. 18th St., Plano, TXStreet: 1001 E. 18th StreetCity State Zip: Plano, TX Phone: 972-423-6980Description: Aparicio's Restaurante Mexicano & Tequila Bar is located 3 blocks east of Central Expressway on 18th Street in Plano, TX (or 1 block west of Ave "K". Restaurant sits on the immediate east side of the DART railroad treacks. Food is delicious and the service is accomodating and efficient. The fellowship is the best!!!

I will be gone from Aug 31st until Sept 4th. I haven't received anything yet either.

It's a she!!! She now has before and after pics on the auction site. The pamplet is one page (8 1/2 x 11), plus you get her phone number. I think some of our before and after pics look better than hers. Do you think we should send them to her?

I guess everyone has to make a living, right?

She/he is in Forney, TX...that's east of Dallas. This person might be on the local Yahoo board. I will see if I can find out.

Jack... I think I am the other way around. My body is much closer to goal than my head. Every time I go to put on my jeans, I expect them not to fit. And I'm always surprised when they do. I buy stuff that has to be returned because it's way too big. Sometimes I WEAR stuff that's way too big because my head thinks that's what should fit. I think all this means I have self-image issues. But the funniest thing is that when I was MO, I didn't "see" myself that way, either.

I'm so jealous. I have only had steak once since being banded almost 2 years ago. It just doesn't work for me. Maybe because I can barely eat it medium well - no red, bloody steak for me. It's one of the few things I miss.

For me, it really wasn't a choice. I was born to be a mom. My life would not have been complete without children, and I always knew that. Even as a little girl, I loved babies. I played with dolls long after my peers had lost interest. At the risk of getting bashed, I have to say that if you are really agonizing over whether you want to do this or not, then maybe "the mommy club" isn't for you. And you are very smart to realize that it isn't all little yellow ducks on the wallpaper. It's countless nights with little or no sleep, walking the floor with a crying baby. It's blood and poop and vomit and crayon marks on the walls and all kinds of things that cost major $$$. Your life will NEVER be the same again. I think this child deserves a set of parents who are dying to be a mom and dad. Two people who feel like this is not just an opportunity, but an answer to their prayers. If this describes you and your husband, then I hope you will not let anything stop you from going forward with the adoption.

I am about ten pounds from goal, although my BMI is 25 and that's pretty darn good for someone my age (late 50's).

There is a dinner in Arlington - at Mercado Juarez - the third Thursday of each month. The time is 6:30. We would love to see you there. You can meet me, Cynthia Jones (a 210 pound loser), Charlie (the unofficial host), my DH Bob, and a host of others. Where do you live? There are several other D/FW dinners throughout the month, from Burleson to Plano to Dallas, etc. I only attend the one, but I can get you info on any that might interest you.

Remember...a moment on the lips, forever on the hips.

My GRANDDAUGHTER is 14 and lives with me. I can wear her clothes (she's not overweight - I'm just very close to goal). Can you imagine anything more traumatic than sharing your grandmother's clothes? The really low-rise jeans are all hers, though. I'm not into flaunting my underwear, or showing my butt cleavage.

You will be glad to hear that you are totally normal. Many of us had that same mixed bag of emotions. Nothing awful will happen, believe me. Try and make good choices. Stop when you are satisfied. When the time comes, get your fill and if it isn't enough, get another one. Good Luck!

The "old fashioned way" is often over-rated. I had natural childbirth (not planned) and it sucked. My grandmother was raised on a farm and lived there all her life (she died at 92). She got her milk the old fashioned way. I tried milking a cow once and it's harder than it looks, so I buy my milk at Kroger's. My stepson and his wife have triplets. They couldn't get pregnant the old fashioned way, so they did invitro fertilization. Their kids are just like the regular kind - no better and no worse. I had a cyst in my wrist. The old fashioned treatment was to smash it with a big, thick book. I had it removed surgically - under anesthetic. I will take drugs over nostalgia any day.

My MIL is 86 years old, nearly deaf, and lives with me. Don't you girls all feel really lucky now? And she absolutely dotes on my husband - waits on him hand and foot. If we are coming into the house with groceries and I am struggling with 4 bags, she will almost knock me down so she can get to him and take the ONE bag he is carrying. She is a terrible clutz and it's bad enough that she breaks my stuff, but then she denigrates it. "Next time I'm at the Dollar Store", she says, "I will see if I can find one to replace it." It didn't come from the *&(%$ Dollar Store!!! It was an antique, for crying out loud!

I live in Texas. Most cities have tornado warning sirens (for obvious reasons) and in the spring, they go off regularly and scare the pants off you - even if you have lived here all your life and never knew anyone personally who was killed by a twister. I have seen a few up close and personal, but there were no cows flying thru the air (anyone remember that movie?).

Donna... How old was I when I had my children? Well, my oldest is adopted (I was 21), then I had three subsequent children when I was 24,26, and 27. But I know about older parenting, too. My mom was almost 40 when I was born, and her sister was 44 when she gave birth to twins! How old is too old to start a family? Well, we are raising a grandchild - she just turned 14, my husband is 62, and I'm 57. Good grief...I've been raising kids for the last 35 years! As for adoption vs biological, it's a non-issue. I knew on the way home from the agency that this was MY baby. My other kids used to say I loved Tommy best because he was adopted. Not true, but I did love him first. You are right about it being hard work, but the payoff is priceless, IF you are longing to parent a child. Not everyone is born to be a mom - especially at 44 - and if you have doubts about jumping into this, I can certainly understand. On the other hand, if your arms are aching to hold that little baby, then I say don't let age deter you. Now for the down side. Your life will never be the same. Next year's vacation will not be romantic (but Christmas will be magical). Your house will never be the same. Before he is potty trained, your carpet will be pretty much trashed, as will the interior of your car. You will be spending your Social Security check on braces and senior prom, but so what? He will force you to keep in touch with a generation that you might otherwise never learn to appreciate. But at the end of the day, the whole thing comes down to just one question...how badly do you want to be this child's mother? It the answer is more than anything, then go for it.