dmtjet

> >The Wooden Bowl > > > >I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl > > > > tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from >now. > > > >A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and > >>four-yearold grandson. > > The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step > > >faltered. > > > > The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's > >shaky > > hands and > > failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the > > >floor. > > When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth. > > > >The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. > > "We must do something about father," said the son. > > "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the > > >floor." > > > >So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. > > There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed > >dinner. > > Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a > > >wooden bowl. > > > >When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a >tear > >>in his eye as he sat alone. > > Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when > > >he dropped a fork or spilled food. > > > >The four-year-old watched it all in silence. > > > >One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood > >>scraps on the floor. > > He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the > > >boy responded, > > "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when > > >I grow up. > > " The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. > > > >The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. > > Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. > > Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. > > > >That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back > >>to the family table. > > For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for > > >some reason, > > neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was > > >dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. > > > >On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, > > how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. > > > >I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she > >>handles four things: > > a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree > > >lights. > > > >I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, > > you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. > > > >I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a > >>"life.." > > > >I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. > > > >I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on > >>both hands. > > You need to be able to throw something back. > > > > I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. > > But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, > > your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. > > > >I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I > >>usually make the right decision. > > > >I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. > > > >I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. > > > >People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, a quick note or phone call, or just a > >>friendly pat on the back. > > > >I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. > > > >I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about > >>.......I just did. > > I do care about everyone on here and all of us are having our own trials and tribulations!! I just thought a little reflection might help us keep it all in perspective! At least, we are all for the most part, healthy, and working towards being more so!! We are definitely working towards our own betterment and eventual old age in a more graceful and healthy manner!!! Yeah, for all of us!!!!:whoo:

Jackie, Great, glad you are doing so well! Maria, I had the should pain, lasted probably a week and a half and is now gone. Neck pain, I didn't have, but I did have the lower back pains, which I had to go to the chiropractor for. I was allowed to go and get an adjustment at 1 week post-op, perhaps that would help you also. I hope it gets better for you! It is not fun to be in pain! Where did you have your surgery? Again, welcome to our group!

Gee, glad I don't have your doc, lol, ... two weeks for swimming seemed like an eternity! LOL You are very welcome for the link, seemed some people were having trouble pulling it up. Have a great day! Been sitting here way too long, gotta go do some things!!! Talk to you later!!!

My first time on the treadmill wasn't soooo great!!! LOL I felt like my stomach was going one way and my body was going the other!!!! Didn't enjoy that much, lol!!! I am glad you don't have to crush your meds!!! That doesn't seem fun, I can't imagine the taste some of those meds would have!!! I know I have had a pill get kind of stuck in my mouth if I don't drink quite enough and that didn't taste too good, but to have to actually eat it, YUCK!!!! NO thanks to that one!!!! I had the back ache too! My lower back hurt soooo bad and woke me at night! I am not used to sleeping on my back and it showed! I did see the chiro after one week post-op and now am feeling much better! I hope you feel better with that soon! You are bored already, lol! Don't you still have another week off, lol???? Once you are able to move around and do more things, you won't be bored! Then you will wish it would all slow down again, lol! Have a great day, Sunny! Sheelagh, The bloating takes awhile! I still feel bloated, but not nearly as bad! I would lay down in bed and no kidding, it looked like I was pregnant!!! Not want you want to see when you do this to look thinner!!! Especially, when your 46 years old, lol!!!!! Enjoy your day!!:peep:

bostonchic, Hang in there! We are all here for you!!! Someone is always ready to help a friend! Let us know you are needing support and you got it!!! Have a great day! Janiee, you and that diet!!! GEE, a rough one! I bet you are dropping the pounds left and right!!! I was told with full liquids that I could have anything that I could drink and fit through a straw! So I had SlimFast, jello, broth, the chunky soups blended in the Magic Bullet, really any soups that are creamy, Protein drinks, sf fudgesicles and popsicles, gogurt, yogurt, baby food fruit, V8 low sodium ... some people were allowed scrambled eggs here, but I have them on my soft/pureed list, which follows the liquid stage. I also put shredded cheese on ANYTHING that I thought would taste good, lol!!! Good luck! You are probably very ready to "eat!" Cazulay, sorry to hear about the nausea! Haven't had that! I am sooo glad I didn't, but I have had a few times that I wanted something, fortunately it passed quickly! Then I got back to my teeny weeny bite sized meal, lol!!! Reality sets in and you know you really don't want it, lol! sarujah, Join Us!!! Absolutely, how cool to have someone from Syria!!! I think that is the neatest thing ... none of our lives would have ever touched if it wasn't for the "band"!!!! How cool is that? Check in often!! We will be happy to chat with you!!! Sunny, I hear you with the head hunger!!! I am not hungry, but I always feel like I should have SOMETHING! I try to drink when I feel like that, but sometimes that just doesn't do it!!! That's when I have a sf popsicle or fudgesicle and I love the sf Werther's lozenges!!! They hit the spot and I feel like I have something YUMMY, lol!!! I hope the head hunger goes away soon!!! Or at least, that I can quit listening to it, lol!!! Chim, Good morning!!! You sound chipper this morning! So glad you are doing so well! Are you home yet? Or still with your parents? Do they live close to your place? You are going back to work tomorrow, right? Do you feel ready? Thinking of you!!! Cazulay, I don't envy you crushing pills!!! I don't have to do that and I am taking some "horse pill" biotic vitamins!!!! I just take one at a time and give some time in between pills!!! Sometimes it takes a good hour to get them on in in the mornings, lol!!!! Well, everyone have a good day! I will check in and out! Gotta make some lunch before my daughter goes to work! Yesterday she worked a double and didn't eat all day!!! My husband never can understand how the girls can work at a restaurant and not eat all day!!!! So, I want to make sure she has something in her tummy! She's a whole 115 pounds!!! She can afford to eat, lol!!!!

Just happened to check back on and didn't want to leave a friend that is struggling ... Maybe you are doing too much too fast! I wasn't able to drive for a week, there is a lot of anesthesia left in your system and I was told if I were in an accident, I would be at fault whether I was or not! Just something to think about, plus with being on the pain meds. you are tired! I'd be careful with that one! Other people on here have reported port pain! Honestly, I was banded on the 9th and that is the only incision that I still have to watch! I don't want to bump it or anything! It takes awhile for our bodies to adjust and adapt to this new way of life! Give it time! I am sorry you had to miss the concert! That was rough I can imagine, but just think, this time next year, you will be able to go and you will look HOT and feel soooo much better! :whoo: I am sure it is rough being alone during your recovery! Perhaps ask your friends to stay with you once in awhile! That might give your spirits a lift! But on the bright side ... you don't have to cook meals you can't eat for everybody else in your household, lol!!!! :clap2: Believe me, that can be a tough one, lol!!!!! :cry Hang in there, you are right, tomorrow is a new day! I hope you are pain free tonight and don't need those extra meds!!! Sleep tight, Dear!!! :notagree

:notagreeNight Everyone!!! Hope everyone sleeps well and has GOOD dreams, not like someone had about a chair (can't remember who, but didn't sound like a GOOD dream to me, lol)!! Happy Birthday one last time Dini!!! Hope you enjoy your day!!! Hope to chat with everyone tomorrow! By the way, the new recipes sound delicious!!! I can't wait to try them!!! Thanks everyone!!!! Night!:notagree

These all sound sooo good!!! I will have to try some of these!!! Thanks!!

I didn't have trouble with scrambled eggs!!! They were delicious! But I have read that some people do! I guess you won't know if you don't try. If you are allowed to, I would probably try it! Just me though! Not sure what you feel comfortable with!!!

Thanks Dear! Sweet Dreams!!! Hope you feel great in the morning!!!:notagree

Kathy, I am so glad you are feeling better this evening! I love Starbucks too!!! Bit too many calories though, lol!!! I could really go for one though, lol!

Brandy, Glad you got "comfortable" with your Honey, lol!!!! Nice to know everything works, how 'bout it? I still get a little nervous, because if he puts pressure on my upper abdomen, I get pressure in my chest from the port!!! Doesn't feel too swift!!!!

Can you believe how weird the weather is??? We had one day at that temp ... the rest have been low to mid 70's. Lows at nights in 40s and 50s. Just bizarre!!! I KNOW it will be hot and humid when I go back to school!!! Always does!!!! Just stinks!!!

I did try a few bites of salad the other night at Red Lobster. I did okay, but quit because I was so fearful of getting stuck!!! I know, I always ordered salads when we went out to eat. It is hard to order differently now! Takes some willpower and forethought!

Dini, You are young and deserve to feel young!!! The decisions you have to make are the ones that are best for you and Annafrancesca! She needs a happy and content Mommy!!! And all of us need a happy and bubbly Dini! LOL If you look deep into your heart, you will make the right decisions!!!

Lynette, Hi! Sounds wonderful!!! Let us know how it is and if it is good, post your recipe!!! I am loving your recipes, Girl!!! I am counting on you to keep me up with some new ideas!!!! Keep 'em coming!!!! Oh, I couldn't have done the fruit thing, I would have had to have some!!!! You have amazing willpower!

Sunny, You are always our Sunshine!!! I am glad you took it easy today! Your son probably really enjoyed spending time with you!!!! Those unplanned times are often the best ones!!!! Good for you! Are you feeling better this evening?

Happy Birthday, Dini!!!! Glad you have restriction! Things are working out for you and that is great! So glad you are doing some Dini Soul Searching ... what did Dini's soul tell her, lol?????? We have missed you, Kid!!!

Hey, Sweetie, glad you had a nice day with the kids and shopping! I don't like the sounds of the pain while walking, but maybe just too much, too soon! I would definitely call your doctor if it doesn't let up for you though! You just never know! The headache would worry me also, do you normally have neck pain???? I had to go to the chiropractor in week after for low back pain, you may have to follow up on that one too! Take care of yourself and follow your body's signals, you know what is normal for you! About your sister, she may suspect something, but I always think that way and usually it is my imagination! She just may have been surprised you hadn't told her about any surgery, including a hernia operation. Maybe that is all it was and not that she thinks it was a different surgery! I sure hope she comes through for you on the babysitting! That is sooo disappointing when you have those chances and it doesn't work out! Let us know! Work on Monday, you really do have to take care of yourself! You will be miserable if you can't get this figured out. When I have a headache I am down for the count!!! I will say some prayers that you find relief in these coming days!!!

I waited a week, but don't worry about the breath, I know my husband wasn't too concerned about my breath ... I doubt yours will be either, lol!!!! I think really when you feel okay with it, it is fine!

Cazulay, Yeah, just a hint of sun!!!! Nothing more!!! Depressing summer, temps are mild, which is nice, but sun is nearly non-existent!! I love to use the pool in the summer and this year hasn't been too good for that! The only time it was nice was the day of my surgery (100 degrees) and the two weeks after that I couldn't swim ... go figure!!!! Oh, and my pool doesn't have a broken filter, but another pump, which we just bought a year ago!!! Not too good, since the first one lasted 20 years and this one only one year!!! I am working on a letter to Doughboy as we speak, lol!

You are welcome, Kathy has a recipe for Lentil Soup on there too and I think Lynette has a chicken recipe. Haven't had a chance to try those, but they sound good! We need to get more recipes on there, lol! Gives us some new ideas!

Yes, this should get you there too! Thanks, Chim!!! http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f94/lucky-7s-recipes-thread-38192/

No problem!!! Wasn't what I wanted to hear either, lol!!! But, it is, what it is!!!

I was told 2 weeks!!! Seemed like an eternity, lol!!!