phyllser

Ooooops!! Sorry! I got mixed up. Candice goes to Mexico for her dental work!! Like I always say, I'm OLD and I forget stuff! LOL WE had such a nice sunny day today... not hot, but pleasant! But now my left shoulder is KILLING me... hope that doesn't mean the weather is changing!! Weatherman says showers tomorrow... but mostly in the SOUTH... we are NORTH of Seattle... so we should NOT get rain!!! Nevertheless.... my shoulder HURTS!! This is NOT RIGHT!

BTW.... Mexico all-inclusive sounds fun!! Tracy & Jim took his two oldest kids and grandkids to one in Cabo a month or so ago and they had a GREAT time. 2nd time there for Tracy & Jim and they want to go back next spring and want us to go with them. Earl doesn't know it yet, but WE ARE GOING!!! Probably from Sky Valley... in April, when Tracy has her spring break... assuming she is going to keep working, but that's in question right now.

My exercise today was a lot of walking... I think I'm getting through to Earl that I don't need the scooter for shopping!!! I walked around the Bx/Commissary or almost 2 hrs! Then we went to Walmart and I walked some more! I didn't buy anything except for a cute turquoise zip up hooded jacket that I found that was on sale for $5!! Oh.. and some lite cream cheese. Almost had some smoked salmon at the commissary until Earl made me put it back because he said it was cheaper at Walmart. Of course, by the time we got to Walmart, I FORGOT!! So I was mad when we got home and I realized that I had NO smoked salmon because he wouldn't let me buy the package I had because it was $5!! GRRRRR! Dogs will be so much easier when you get that fence up!!! Oh... I didn't mind him weighing the steak... I like to know exactly how much I'm eating, so that wasn't a big deal... I was madder because he was assuming that since they took the fluid out of my band, 3.5 oz would not be enough for me! That's what pissed me off! That's what I ALWAYS eat!! I did take a little slice off Tracy's steak because she only wanted half of what he gave her. If you saw the 4 steaks on the platter... here were these 3 huge pieces of steak and this little dinky filet that was mine! I don't care! I had enough! I had 1/2 of a small baked potato with it.. with FF sour cream. And I had the veggies I told you about, and a very small salad with FF Catalina, and some mushrooms and onion that he sauteed... and a little BBQ sauce. Earl made a cherry pie... .but he used SF cherry pie filling... 35 calorie for 1/3 cup, plus the crust. So I had a small slice of that. And he put 1/2 of a Skinny Cow Truffle on each one. It was a nice dinner but I didn't stuff myself. I did, however, have too much Merlot! It seemed to hit me extra hard today, though. So maybe not as much as it feels like! But.... nothing staying in my pouch very long now, so the wine is in my system like... POW! But I honestly have to say that part of my success to date has been because he weighs and measures most of my food. So I don't mind that... it was his assumption that since the fluid is gone, I will need more. Yes, I'm hungry, but I'm going to stay the course despite the hunger!! And I really need him to support me in that. He tends to go from one extreme to the other. I've always said that about him... in every aspect of his life... it's all or none, no in between! Like the heat... it's either all the way up or completely off! Clothes.... all dressed up or scum bag... no casual in between! Food.... pig out or starve yourself... no moderation! Get it???? I mean EVERYTHING is one extreme or the other. LOL I SO MUCH enjoyed my Gigi visit, too! Of course, they brought my grandpuppy with them. She is so funny. I bought doggie treats for her.. and all I have to do is TOUCH the bag they're in and she recognizes that crinkly foil sound and is in my lap!! It's a kick! So she gets in grandpa's lap and I crinkle the bag and she is out of his chair and in to mine! She is such a good dog. Stayed under the table while we ate, but never made a sound or begged for food. She is like the PERFECT puppy! I want to find a dog just like her! Only precaution we have to take is to close the bathroom door when she gets here so she won't go in there and eat the cat food! Candy just ignores her and doesn't seem at all intimidated when she's here. Casts a dirty look her way sometimes, but mostly acts like... "I don't see that dog! She is NOT really here!" LOL

Yeah, I might go to Mexico if I ever lose my band. I'd have to do it over Earl's ranting, raving and telling me I CAN'T!! So I guess I'd have to get you to take me!!! LOL! Yes, I know there are towels, and I'm assuming that since the place sleeps 8, that there are enough for 8 of us. And, as I said... there's a washer and dryer. Maybe Candice remembers how many towels... we looked the place over pretty thoroughly. Oh... that reminds me.... Candice... the morning you come in is the morning that we'll be returning from a camping trip to Eastern WA with Tracy and Jim, so I'm quite certain we can't get to the airport by 11 a.m. You might have to wait for us. I'm thinking that when we get almost home, Earl can unhitch the car and let me go to the airport. Or maybe Jim can ride back with him in the RV and Tracy and I can go in her car to the airport. We'll figure it out.. but just an FYI that you might have to wait for us. There's lots of shopping at the airport and places to eat. If that happens.... check out Anthony's Home Port.. go in the sit down part, though... not the walk up. I know I bought oysters there... and I'm trying to remember if that's where I got the really good spinach!? My goal these next 2 weeks is to show them all and LOSE weight, not gain, while I am totally unfilled!! You are all going to get tired of me telling you everything that goes in to my mouth!! But I am determined that I am not going to gain!!

Kurby, enjoyed reading your intro. I was born and raised in Buffalo so I'm quite familiar with Toronto. Candice is in Wasaga Beach, not too far from Toronto. She had her surgery in Mexico. Our youngest daughter had PCOS.. married 13 years before they had any kids. Finally went to a dr who found the right combination of Rx.. then boom, boom, boom! Three kids in less than 5 years! And no treatments for the 2nd two... they just happened! Sorry guys.... I'm really lousy at responding to all your posts, but want you to know I read them ALL, and enjoy keeping up with your lives! Fire Island, etc.! Julie... it's so good to have you back! Haven't posted an update yet on my "situation"... I knew band was kind of tight, but I was doing okay with that most of the time. Reflux became more of a problem a few weeks ago... which led to coughing, etc at night... and then apparently led to bronchitis, or the bronchitis aggravated the reflux.. Who knows! At any rate.... I was in trouble. Saw my surgeon's PA yesterday.... she met me in radiology and did a barium swallow. Her and the radiologist decided that a part of my stomach has prolapsed above the band.. no slippage, no erosion, but a bit of a problem at any rate. So she did a complete unfill. I have to go back on the 16th for another barium swallow and if the situation has resolved itself she'll start putting fluid back in the band. She said she could tell as soon as she got the needle in the right place that I was too tight because 1 cc came literally shooting in to the syringe without her withdrawing the plunger. So I'm feeling a bit panicky with no fluid in my band and experiencing hunger pains like I haven't felt in a long time! Will be exercising extreme discipline until this is all back on track.

Okay.... here I am with my mid-day report! For lunch I had about 1/2 cup of my veggie salad... I think I already said this but it has peas in it, corn, green beans, celery, onion, garlic and bell peppers of all colors. Dressing is Balsamic vinegar, water and Splenda. Then I had 2 Wheat Thin Flat Breads... 30 calories each, and about 2 oz of smoked salmon. Then we went to Navy base and Walmart. I am in the habit of depending on Mr. Control Freak to manage my Crystal Lite... I left it in the kitchen empty. He usually refills it... big jug is difficult on my wimpy wrists and fingers. Well, he didn't see it... we went shopping without it. And that's my excuse for buying a 20 oz Diet Coke at the commissary. He drank some, but I drank most. Then he buys a roast beef wrap on his way out of there. It was cut in half. He asked me if I wanted half. It was huge! I didn't even answer him. So then he offered me a bite... I had two bites. I am in "Bandster Hell", BTW! First real hunger I've ex[experienced in a LONG time! It's not too bad.... YET! So I'm having about an oz of white cheese... not sure what kind as you know who re-wraps everything so it has no labels! Anyway, I'm having some wine and cheese now. Tracy & Jim are coming over soon and we're going to BBQ steaks. I'm going to saute that spinach with some onions, bell peppers, garlic and mushroom. I'm going to try doing it in water and balsamic vinegar! Question just posed: "Is a 3 1/2 oz steak going to be big enough for you???" Answer: "YES"! Am I being too sensitive if I see a hidden message in that???? LOL Oh... anyone have any fun ideas for our weekend? Like I was thinking... since Sunday is July 4th, we could declare it "Red, White and Blue Day"! You, too, Candice!! LOL Dress in Red, White & Blue, drink "Blue Hawaiians" or some kind of nasty blue drink, (maybe I'll drink some blueberry wine!!), etc. Later, Chicks!

Hi.... Doing pretty good today. Did I give you my food for yesterday?? So far today.... about 12 oz black coffee, 1 egg, 1 Sara Lee toast (45 cal, I think), 24 oz Crystal Lite, 16 oz SF, FF latte. Don't know what I'm going to have for lunch. Just bought a bag of fresh spinach at Albertson's. May saute that for dinner, with some onion, red, yellow, orange pepper and garlic.... and some white balsamic vinegar. Think we are going to do steak on the grill, too. Wgt this morning... 196.6. Dr. scale yesterday said 199, but Dr. scale a week ago was 196 with clothes on.. don't think I gained this week. Maybe just the difference in scales... two different drs. I am going to be accountable to you guys, and I'm going to weigh every day!! Tomorrow we're going to Red Robin for lunch because DIL & grandchildren from CA arrived very early this morning to pick up DGD from U of WA. They're staying way south... down near Jodie, so we're meeting in Seattle for lunch. I will have what I usually have when we go there. Ensenada Platter... 1 chicken breast w/salad, tortilla strips, no dressing, salsa and some other sauce you get with it. I think the whole meal is 629 calories or 679. Not a stupid question. I know the linens are there for the beds, and I'm sure there are towels, but wonder if enough for all 8 of us. I will check on that, but don't bring any because I can bring over some of mine. There is a washer and dryer so we can do laundry if necessary. Info says no fires on the beach, but there is a fire pit we can use. So we'll plan to do that. Can I tell him to back off without love??? LOL!! I've gotten mad enough a few times lately to tell him to ________ off, and that's not a word that often comes off my lips!! Ticks me off to use my "mad money" account to pay for my hair appt because I think that should come out of our budget! But I will do it if it will get him off my back about the $$$$$!! Huh!! Peter, Earl and Mel.... all MORE than "distant" cousins!! Aren't you glad we're going to get a 4 day break from MEN??!! LOL! Tummy is feeling fine... however, still have an ache in my bronchioles when I take a deep breath and just feel a little run down, tired, please don't make me go to the gym today!!! Yes, I am hoping when I go back on the 16th they can start to put the fluid back in. They'll do another barium swallow first. Then if everything looks okay, she'll put fluid back in. BTW, she was so sweet yesterday... sorry I called her the "B" word!! She told me not to freak if I gain a few pounds during this unfill. She told me I've done great... and that they've had people that they had to remove their bands and they maintained their weight loss. It will be my worse nightmare if they have to remove my band. I asked her about the sleeve. She said they've only done two and that most insurance is not yet paying for it. Aetna is one that does, interestingly enough! I used to be a pre-cert nurse at Aetna and that really shocked me!! I'm sure it'll be a while before Medicare pays!! But.... if I have to have my band removed... I will see how much it would cost to convert to the sleeve.

Really nice pictures! Loved the ones of your girls, too. Nice looking... and they all look alike! Our kids all look so different! Yeah, I'm already depressed today, and feeling very worn out. Worked out a lot yesterday, then Earl made me get up early and go to the gym before we headed south for the dr appt. I had sore muscles from yesterday, so only lasted 10 minutes on the bike. food today... 5 oz (1/2) Protein drink for BF, 16 oz latte on the way to dr. 24 oz crystal lite, 1 cup Jodie's homemade Minestrone Soup... my favorite thing that she makes...lots of zucchini, tomatoes, hamburger, onions, macaroni. Yummy! I called when we were on our way and said, "got any leftovers??" She said... this is your lucky day... I made Minestrone yesterday! dinner.... leftover salmon patty from yesterday, small dish of my veggie salad and 1/2 of a small baked potato with salsa on top! Yuck! I wanted FF sour cream or margarine, but i wasn't given a choice! :thumbup::mad::tt2: You can bet my food is going to be closely monitored for the next 2 weeks! GRRRRRRR!! If this "prolapse" doesn't resolve itself, PA said they might have to remove the band! Then I would be REALLY depressed!

great pics!! to the gym in 15 minutes!

Okay... I found all the flight info and put them in to one document so I can print it all off in one place. Candice... 11 a.m. Wed., Janet.... 11 a.m. on Thursday, Linda.... 8 p.m. on Friday... may have Earl do that pick up. Then Janet leaves Monday at noon, Linda Tuesday at 2 pm, Candice Tuesday at 11 pm. No need to stay at the airport Monday night... you can stay with us. I did 1 hr of pool exercise today, then 5 wgt machines and about10 minutes on the bike. My back and legs started hurting, so I quit. BF.....1/2 protein drink.... 75 calories 16 oz SF, FF latte later Lunch.....Healthy Choice Veg Soup...120 calories Wine...6 oz w/ 1/2 oz white cheese Salmon Patty. 4 oz, for dinner... Earl made them... salmon, rice, egg, bread crumbs 1/2 cup veggie salad w/vinegar dressing.. Skinny Cow Carmel Truffle.... 100 calories

We can pick you up if Karri can't. When will she know? So, Steph, Rose and Karla are driving, right? So just you, Candice and Linda flying in. Don't remember when they're coming in.

I know you are happy to have this school year winding up!The summer break will be nice, even though I know you won't exactly be "on vacation"! I am feeling pretty good. Finished my antibiotics and haven't had to use the inhaler. The picture thing is easy... click on the little paper clip at the top of the box when you're finished typing your post. A box will pop up. Click on browse and find the photo file you want. Then click on upload. I think you can add up to 4-5 photos. When you're finished you just close the box and when you hit the "submit reply" button, the photos will post, too. Yes, there is Wi=Fi at the beach house. Afraid my daughter and I have created a monster!! LOL After much resistance, due to all the rain, finally talked Earl in to using the 1 week free gym pass. So he went with me this morning... and he LOVED it! So he tells me we're going back tomorrow... I said we can't because I have appt w/LapBand people at 11 a.m. and it's 65 miles away. He says... we'll go EARLY!! So.... I guess I will be a little more disciplined in my gym workouts now!! He will want to make sure he takes full advantage of his free pass, and I'm paying now.. so he'll make me go, too!! AND... they finally stopped renewing my "free" pass when the thing yelled "Access Denied" at me when I scanned my card this morning after my PT in the pool. So I signed up... $25 a month and no sign up fee for seniors... there are some benefits to being old!! LOL So they gave me my new member packet and she shows me the coupon page... I have 5 free week passes in my packet. She says I can give them to different people or give them all to the same person! So guess what I'm doing with mine!!?? So Earl gets 6 free weeks... the one Tracy gave him and the five I have. You work so hard!

Absolutely! My youngest sister, who is also a nurse, told me today that a doctor told her that even they sometimes can't tell the difference between a heart attack and a gall bladder attack. Gall bladder can be difficult to diagnose.

Yeah, Steve is the youngest one. Oldest son is Navy Cmdr.. soon to be C.O. of his unit. Very responsible. Flying up here in the plane he built next week!! I always worry when he flies long distances like that.. over the mountains... and I think he's flying by himself this time. Lots of times son, Justin flies with him, but I think Justin is driving up with DIL this weekend. They're all coming up for a visit and to get DGD from the U of WA. She's about finished with her sophomore year.

Talked to Steve again. I'm thinking maybe he really did have a stroke. Said his left side was paralyzed for a while yesterday and arms and legs still tingly today. First he had severe chest pain. Then he panicked and was hyperventilating. So.. definitely panic made the whole episode worse. But they told him he has high BP and needs to see a dr. He was told that 4-5 years ago when he had to go to ER with an ankle sprain... fell off a ladder at work. And he never followed through. Gave him an Rx, but don't know what it is or what it is for because I think he is spelling it wrong.

Yep, Arlene... the son in OK, not the Navy Cmdr (he's in CA).. Steve is in Grove. He works for a mobile painting company, so he's all over, but back in Grove for the time being. I don't know what to think... yesterday I heard heart attack, stroke, heat stroke and anxiety attack! I am concerned because it started with severe chest pain and numbness in his arm. He says his left side was paralyzed, but today just tingling in his arms and legs. They gave him an Rx, but I don't think he's spelling it correctly... He kept saying, "hydrocholoro... pomoate". Haven't looked it up yet, but my sis did and she couldn't find anything close to that spelling. At any rate, they also told him he needs to see a doctor because he has high BP. He was told that about 4-5 years ago and never followed up. He has no health insurance and does not handle money well. So, of course, he's worried about how much it will cost him. And I worry about his follow through..... if he does get Rx for BP med, what are the chances he will consistently take it and continue to get refills. He is adopted.. and I am convinced, fetal alcohol syndrome. I just can't imagine him having the self discipline to put himself on a regimen of taking even ONE pill every day! And, problem with high BP is NO symptoms until you're in serious trouble. So... that's my story! I had to get up early past two days for Dr. appts... esp today when I had to be there at 8 a.m.! SO I am exhausted and need a rest, but wanted to give you an update. Tomorrow I have to be at PT at 9 a.m. and Friday, LapBand surgeon (radiology) at 11 a.m. and they are about 65 miles away, so that will be an early start day, too. Can't wait for Saturday.. I am SLEEPING IN until at least 7:30 a.m., maybe later! BTW... doc I saw today explained everything on my back x-rays, said the pool PT is perfect and gave me Rx for 12 more sessions. very nice fella, and quite interesting to look at... Indian, I think... fairly young, dark skinned with thick gray hair..but it was curly. Don't think I ever met anyone from India with curly hair. Not kinky, just very curly. Very pleasant personality. My DH says, "you're done already!??" when I came out. But, I think he spent a good 30 minutes with me... very thorough exam and slow, careful explanation of everything... sat me down at desk at the nurses' station and sat there with me explaining each x-ray... showed me bone spur, sliding disc, scoliosis (you were right about that, Laura), and another abnormality on S-1 .... a "breach" of some kind that could be a previous fracture, or maybe congenital defect.

Nothing new on my niece except the jerk is in jail and apparently called her at 1:30 a.m. How do you get to use the phone in the middle of the night when you're in jail.... to call the person you beat up???? Hope they throw away the key. I'll tell you more on that later. She never should've gotten mixed up with this guy in the first place. He has quite a history. Steve.... beginning to get suspicious about what this is all about! First he was crying and in a panic with chest pain and his arm going numb....3X. Then.... girlfriend's mother calls and says it was a heart attack and/or a stroke! Then he calls and say sit was a "massive heat stroke". Then he calls late last night, groggy from medication they gave him, and tells me it was an anxiety attack and he'll call me in the morning. I have to go.... appt with the physiatrist for my back at 8 a.m. Denise... grieving with you over what is going on in the gulf! So sad! And no end in sight. I can't imagine the emotions you must be feeling.

Feeling much better... no more coughing, etc. One more day on "Z-Pack" for the bronchitis and was using an inhaler for a few days but don't need it now. Being very careful with food.. but not doing all liquids like the surgeon's office told me. Have had oatmeal the last couple of mornings. Had 1 Rye krisp cracker w/lite cream cheese and some smoked salmon for lunch. SF, FF latte this morning and 1 glass of wine this afternooon. Having some of the veggie salad that I made for the party yesterday right now, and Earl is fixing me a boca burger for dinner. Appt to check band placement on Friday. Tomorrow I see physiatrist about my back... which is doing fine. I am doing the PT in the pool 2X a week and I love it. Get a good 1 hr workout... strengthening and some cardio. And today I went upstairs to use some of the gym's machines before I went home. Had dermatology appt early this morning... lesion on my cheek was nothing but a cyst and it's now gone. Dr. used some kind of an instrument that removed the cyst and the Fluid in it. And he took a skin tag off my nose... was right where my glasses rest and it kept getting inflamed. What a day it has been.... text messages first thing this morning... My sister telling me her daughter's boyfriend held her "hostage" for 4 hours during the night beating her up. Said she is unrecognizable.. swelling, black eyes, etc. He is in jail. Then, when I got out of the pool I noticed I had messages on my cell phone... called my voice mail and heard three tearful messages from our youngest son (in OK) saying he had terrible chest pains and was going to the ER (37 yrs old). Then I couldn't get him back on the phone. Then his girlfriend's mother called and told me he had a stroke and a heart attack! I said a stroke AND a heart attack.. she says, well, he had chest pain and his arm went numb! So.. finally I hear from him and he says he had a HEAT stroke. But then the call dropped and I couldn't get him back! So I am waiting for another call from him.. that was almost 2 hrs ago. And his boss called me and said he was headed for the hospital and would call me with an update! After all this I think I might have a stroke and a heart attack! I need a vacation! Plus Earl has been a pill today. So tired of his daily monitoring of the credit card and checking account! Got drilled this morning about what this is and what that is and why is the phone bill so high! So, I"m so mad I"m barely speaking to him right now. I wouldn't be speaking to him at all if Steve wasn't having all these medical problems today! But I had to tell him what was going on.

Feeling much better... no more coughing, etc. On "Z-Pack" for bronchitis and was using an inhaler for a few days. Being very careful with food.. but not doing all liquids like the surgeon's office told me. Appt to check band placement on Friday. Tomorrow I see physiatrist about my back... which is doing fine. I am doing PT in the pool 2X a week and I love it. Get a good 1 hr workout... strengthening and some cardio. And today I went upstairs to use some of the gym's machines before I went home. Had dermatology appt early this morning... lesion on my cheek was nothing but a cyst and it's now gone. Dr. used some kind of an instrument that removed the cyst and the fluid in it. And he took a skin tag off my nose... was right where my glasses rest and it kept getting inflamed. What a day it has been.... text messages first thing this morning... My sister telling me her daughter's boyfriend held her "hostage" for 4 hours during the night beating her up. Said she is unrecognizable.. swelling, black eyes, etc. He is in jail. Then, when I got out of the pool I noticed I had messages on my cell phone... called my voice mail and heard three tearful messages from our youngest son (in OK) saying he had terrible chest pains and was going to the ER (37 yrs old). Then I couldn't get him back on the phone. Then his girlfriend's mother called and told me he had a stroke and a heart attack! I said a stroke AND a heart attack.. she says, well, he had chest pain and his arm went numb! So.. finally I hear from him and he says he had a HEAT stroke. But then the call dropped and I couldn't get him back! So I am waiting for another call from him.. that was almost 2 hrs ago. And his boss called me and said he was headed for the hospital and would call me with an update!

How did your workout go?? Party was a lot of fun. Got to see the grandkids, got to hold my puppy, etc. My salad turned out really good!! At least I liked it! There was so much food there.... I didn't see too many eating it... of course, not the kids, and the adults were filling up on burgers, hot dogs, ribs! I ate 1/2 a dog w/o bun and a couple of ribs, spoonful of potato salad, little bit of my salad.... Oh... and a small piece of birthday cake. Very slow... very careful... because everything is going good today and didn't want to screw it up. Had oatmeal w/lots of FF milk for BF, 1/2 cup runny mashed potatoes left over from the other night. So runny I had to drink it! Yeah... gotta rest!! Have dermatology appt early in the morning to check out this weird thing on my cheek.... finally! Dr told me to have it checked 4 months ago! My bad! Then.. PT at the pool in the afternoon. UGH! Exhausted at 10 p.m. so think I'll go to bed early! Couldn't get to sleep until about 4 a.m. I think Albuterol inhaler kept me awake... used it too late. Forgot since this morning, so don't think I"ll use it now... too late again. Not coughing so maybe don't need it anymore. Sent PayPal $$ to Suzanne Lambert ..... deposit check for $200, $804 for balance. You're all good...

Good Morning! Candice.... great site for finding a dog! Thanks. Just did a little research there. Been using Petfinders.com, too. Good for you on the job issue! They are NOT appreciating you, let alone showing you some common decency and respect! Sorry, Karla... I'm a mean mom... tough love type. I'd toss that chick AND her dog out! That's about to happen to our 21 yr old grandson. He won't grow up until it happens and Elyse won't either. He is taking advantage of his folks and disrespecting them. So is Elyse! I would NOT put up with a dog who is peeing all over the house, especially in the bed!! No excuse... new mattress and new carpet!!??? Forget it! OUT!!! Yes, Janet... .I need to rest. Hard thing to do! Earl always thinks I should keep on keepin' on even if I feel like shxxxxx! I really wanted to stay home from church yesterday! But... we're church shopping with Tracy & Jim. We really like the one that meets at the gym where we all go to exercise! Small, laid back, pastor preaches in jeans and shirt tails hangin' out. We like his messages, too. But.. we wanted to try one more before we settled in there. So we planned to do that yesterday. Didn't like it. Back to the gym next Sunday! So... there was that. Then we always go out to lunch. But that was right on the way home... close to home, too. And I had a bowl of navy bean Soup. Then I did rest for a little while. But I get antsy just sitting in my recliner wasting time on my laptop. So I called Tracy! Rode my scooter over to the latte stand... in TWO sweatshirts... put 2nd one on because it is nice warm hooded pullover (from Whistler) and it was drizzling. Came back and got it because my head was getting wet. Anyway, after I got my coffee I rode over to Target and waited for Tracy. We shopped for about an hour. Got birthday presents for party we're having today... Jim's birthday this week, Alisha's today, and one of their little granddaughters. So we had fun in the toddler section ooooing and aaahhing over all the cute clothes! And we got some CDs.... Carrie Underwood and Craig Morgan. So... came out of Target and it was raining harder.... had to steer with one hand and hold my umbrella with the other all the way home! Then I did sit and rest the remainder of the day. Today... mostly sitting... until the multi-person birthday party later today. Will be happy to se Jodie & family, too. They are coming up. Love to see the kiddos! I made veggie salad that I learned at Primetimers a couple of weeks ago... a small bag of frozen peas... the little ones, half of a small bag of frozen corn, half of a small bag of frozen whole green Beans. Then I diced up some onion, celery, and a little green, orange, red & yellow bell peppers. For dressing.. used my magic bullet and put in 1 clove of elephant garlic, about 1/2 cup each of Water and white balsamic vinegar and about 4 packets of Splenda. Added some ground pepper and ground sea salt and some non-salt seasoning... garlic and herb. Put it in the fridge last night to marinate overnight. Should be good. Won't eat much... supposed to stay on liquids! Had some steel cut oats for Breakfast. Earl made about 3X more than I could eat, so I have leftovers for the next few mornings. Lots of FF milk to make it runny. Feeling better this morning and no coughing during the night. Slept good, but I don't think I got to sleep until about 4 a.m. I think I used the albuterol inhaler too close to bedtime. Well, hope you all have a great day. RAINING again here, as usual!! Lets hope we get a dry weekend when you guys come up!!! Forgot one more thing..... if you have to have ice cream around.... I love the new Skinny Cow Truffles. They come in 3 different flavors.. I like the white chocolate mint, I think they're called. 100 calories. I have to keep buying them because every time I go to get one they're either gone or almost gone because Earl keeps eating them! I don't have one every day, just a few times a week. This past week.... no Snacks... too tight. But I had one last night and there was only one more left! I think that was the first one I had out of the last box I bought! Funny how they disappear!!

Hi, Didn't feel too great this morning... late night last night. I did sleep like a rock w/o coughing my head off... Didn't cough up anything at all last night. Medicine must be helping... so have to assume doc was right about bronchitis! But surgeon's office told me to stay on liquids until Friday and I'm having a hard time with that. After resting my stomach for a few days, I'm not tight anymore and I"m HUNGRY!! Had my small omelet for breakfast.. ate REAL slow and careful and it was fine. Went out to lunch after church.. had navy bean soup! That was fine too. 2 mugs of hot tea with it. So... stomach seems to be back to normal but I will try to obey my instructions! Carrie Underwood concert was outstanding! Best concert I've ever been to. We all loved it.... Tracy, Jim, Earl, Alisha and her BF. Two lead in groups were good to... Sons of Sylvia and Craig Morgan.... really liked him... Tracy and I met at Target today and I bought their last two Craig Morgan albums... one for me and one for Jim's birthday. And I bought Carrie Underwoods newest album... the one the concert was promoting... "Play On". Do have a lot of aches and pains today.. and think I was running a low grade fever again for a little while this afternoon. But mostly just draggin'. Busy week ahead. So will take my rest whenever I can get it. Hope you all are having a GREAT holiday weekend. Weather here sucks!

Feeling tired and worn out, but coughing has almost stopped. And had 1/2 baked potato w/soup for dinner.... put the soup over the mashed up potato and ate real slow... went down fine. Didn't feel stuck at all.. but will be very careful what I have.... soup, protein drinks, etc. Concert was absolutely the best I've ever been too. Carrie Underwood is awesome! GREAT entertainer!

Checks.... what a GREAT idea!! I downloaded one audio book and one ebook from my local library... and the software that is supposed to allow me to read them on my iTouch. The software synced just fine, but cannot get the books to transfer! iTunes makes it really difficult to sync anything to your device that you don't buy from them. My BIL says just drag and drop, but I can't get that to work either! DD & SIL saw Prince of Persia yesterday and were raving about it today. We have tickets to see Carrie Underwood tonight. Feel lousy but going anyway. Doc says bronchitis. Did I report that already?? Anyway, don't think it is a problem with my band... I was really freaking out about that. But surgeon's office has me scheduled for an esophogram on Friday to check placement.

Hi, Slept well last night but awake a few times, especially 5-8 a.m., coughing, coughing, coughing... bringing up pink-tinged gunk which I finally decided is probably NOT coming from my stomach. So I went to walk-in clinic at my primary care doc's office. Slight fever, hurts deep in my throat when I take a deep breath.. lungs sound clear... Dr. I saw thinks it's bronchitis and gave Rx for antibiotic and inhaler. Probably from too much vomiting all week. I have such a strong gag reflex that even though I wasn't bringing up anything more than slime really, it was causing me to wretch pretty violently... like dry heaves. So... we'll see if this helps. I really feel okay except for a little tired out and slight headache that comes and goes. In fact... about to go to Walmart, and tonight... Carrie Underwood with DD, SIL & DGD & her boyfriend. We're going to dinner too.. I'll probably have soup. LapBand Dr office old me to stay on liquids until I see them next Friday!!! HUH!!?? I will probably have some soup. Last solid food I had was the mac and cheese Lean Cuisine Thursday night. But, not really feeling hungry. Bought a 4 pack of EAS protein drinks but didn't have any yet.