DivaStyleCoach

PJTP... Wow, Beth! Very nice result...I wish my kitchen floors were flat enough to allow me to do tile...old house = non-level floors (unless you want to pull it all up down to the joists and re-do the underlayment, plus remove and replace all windows after re-leveling them, and re-building the stud walls, etc, etc, etc) I've heard of green board, but thought it wasn't for high moisture areas like shower stalls. Of course, if you can use it for that, it would be lots easier than wrestling with cement board! Maybe I'll use that when I finish the master bath sometime this fall... Tap - thanks for the compliment - given your experience and history, I take that as a compliment!:sneaky: I'll have to post more pics soon...I want y'all to see my projects, too! Now I just gotta find a good one (most of them are over 7 years old and ready for a re-do or refresh) :wink:

PJTP... Glouc, I get a daily email from an inspirational publication, and today's message seemed appropriate for your situation. I've paraphrased a bit, but... Today's Daily Word - Thursday, June 18, 2009 Change I cross every bridge to change with faith and confidence. As I complete one phase of my life, I make ready for the next one. I may be changing from a role as a student to one of being an employee. I may be taking on the added responsibility of owning my own home. I may no longer choose the single life and commit to a lifelong partner. Whatever change I embark on, I build a bridge to my new experience. With planning, insight, and prayer, faith and confidence, I trust as I step forward to change. Now about those wall tiles... Depending on how well they were installed the first time, when you pull them down, the surface behind them will probably come with them. If that happens, no problem (she says happily)...you can replace the wall behind them with a tile backerboard (cement-based, kinda heavy, but in a shower, I wouldn't use anything else). Lay them out in a pattern that minimizes seams (seams - places where water can seep in). Once you've got the backerboard in place, you can lay out the walls with graph paper and with your measurements in hand, go to the home improvement store and pick your tile. Accent tiles are big nowadays - but you don't need many of them to make an impact. If the bathroom is kinda big, you can use a bigger tile. If it's small, a smaller tile may help keep it from feeling claustrophobic. Tile can get pricey, so watch your budget - don't fall in love with something expensive, especially since you're selling the house. Neutral colors (think spa-like) also add value. Once you pick the tile, you'll have to pick the adhesive, a grout color (and grout) and remember to caulk the seams between the tub and wall when you're done. It sounds like a lot, but it can be done - I've done it! :wink: Sometimes the challenge is that once you re-do the tile, the rest of the bathroom looks like it needs re-doing as well...be careful of 'might as well' syndrome...'while I'm retiling, I might as well replace the floor, the faucets, the mirror, the sink..." Great websites: hgtv.com - they will have before and after projects, plus shows that deal with remodeling before a sale to maximize value...Designed to Sell is a good one for that; diynetwork.com - also has good tips and before and after projects. If there's a Home Depot or Lowe's near you, they probably have tile setting classes free - take one before you start the project to see if you really want to do it. Good luck! :sneaky:

Breathe, Glouc, breathe! You won't lose your independence by marrying your guy, you'll just be 'formalizing' your already-great relationship... It's going to be okay, girlfriend...I wish you and your DH-to-be nothing but the best! :crying: You're going to be working for that attorney you interviewed with soon, I hope...and if not, you'll be snatched up by someone else. In the meantime ('cause I work better by schedule, too) set yourself a schedule to get something productive around the house done every day...just for a couple of hours. You'll feel better, the projects will get done, and you may find that once you start, you'll keep going for a while. I don't like plaster / drywall work...I put it off as long as I can, but once I get going, I'm okay...just collect all your tools (or a heap of bags, or whatever) and go! You can do this! :wink:

YAY! YAY! YAY! CONGRATULATIONS! Glouc's getting married in January!:wink:

Yay! Glad you're feeling better and can eat again! What she said!:wink:

PJTP...I'm feeling invincible today - certainly nothing to do with the weather (it's raining and chilly here) but everything to do with my state of mind. Oh - and the fact that this morning, I got on my scale and I've reached the 50 pounds lost mark! :crying::laugh::smile: I was shaking in my chair when I wrote it, but I've never been one for the cloak-and-dagger stuff. I'm much more in-your-face! It's a relief to have told her... Consider it kicked - get your not-so-big-anymore-butt out there and MOVE, soldier! *Ebony doing her best drill sergeant imitation)* I absolutely LOVE my house...and as big as it is, I need to do some major de-cluttering, because it's way too easy to hang on to 'stuff' when you have a big house! Mornin' Slim! She's out of the office today, working across campus with a special program...looks to be a quiet day... Go for it, Glouc! Thanks, Susan - I am starting to feel less worried as time goes by. Even if this isn't the job for me, there will be something else...I believe that! Thanks, G4E! I'm so glad you're having a good day, and give your youngest DGD a kiss for me on her birthday! 3 year olds are so cute and adorable... The votes of confidence from all y'all, my LBT family, are so heartening and encouraging. I :wub: y'all for being with me through all this...I don't know if I would be nearly as calm about this without all of you.

PJTP...just got in from taking DDog for his night walk. Beautiful night...a little cool, but still comfortable. No other dogs around (DDog doesn't like other big dogs much, is mostly okay with smaller dogs) and few people (he doesn't like strangers much either - men and children are a particular challenge. Loves my DH, though...go figure). I think he spent too much time at the pound or something before we adopted him - but loves WOMEN! :blushing: Well her response to my email about my being a 'finalist' for the job was to say that she appreciated my honesty and wished me nothing but the best. Very short, clipped response (very much like her, the way she speaks) and was sent from a Blackberry - we'll see what tomorrow brings...:w00t:

PJTP...just finished my online Finance class, and here I am back on LBT! :w00t: Now that I'm out of the office and relaxing at home, I can definately see that, too. Thanks Slim! Since I felt they were probably going to contact her, I told her what was going on. I wanted to tell her face-to-face, but she was away from the office today on another project. I sent her an email saying that I was in final consideration for another position, expressing a little frustration at my challenges on the job, not blaming anyone - and letting her know I'd give proper notice. She responded (one line - she was on her Blackberry) by saying thanks for letting her know and she wished me nothing but the best. At least it's out there now...and I don't have to look over my shoulder. Welcome home, Fanny! :blushing::biggrin:

Thanks, Slim...I pray all goes well. I really DON'T want to be here another month or two while looking if they KNOW that I'm looking...I just see things getting really uncomfortable. I hope so, Beth...I did email my union rep and told her what's going on, so that if she does try to sabotage my leaving, I may have a cause of action. What I'm afraid will happen is that she will 'damn me with faint praise'...mention things like 'lack of attention to detail' which they brought up in past meetings. Hopefully, with two good references and only one so-so one, it won't make a difference. I guess that's confirmation that they are seriously considering me, though - they wouldn't be asking for so much if they weren't serious about me...would they? :wink2: Can ya tell I'm anxious about this? I wish it was Thursday so I would have tomorrow off...:wink2:

PJTP...apprehension and discomfort...:wink2: What am I talking about? The job I've applied and interviewed for has asked to check my references and wanted people 'senior' to me...no problem - I gave them the name of the doc who ran the program I worked for prior to my current assignment, and another person senior to me who worked with that program. They just emailed me and asked if they could contact my current manager. What was I supposed to say? NO?:wink2: I told them if that was what they needed to make their decision to go ahead, but that I was apprehensive about the effect on my work environment if I am not the successful candidate.:w00t: That's the truth...if I'm leaving, then I don't care if they tell her - especially if I've already gotten the job...if they are going to base it on her recommendation / opinion, then I'm sunk...:eek: I guess I won't really know until it happens...:frown::crying::w00t:

Or even after high school! I found the house I'm living in now by doing pretty much the same thing...used to walk around the block for exercise when I worked in Norwich, saw the house, got nosy, went up the driveway and into the open back door. Yep, squatters were living there, but they were gone when I made my visit (good thing, too). Saw the high ceilings, wood floors, and even through the grime and trash, it was still a potentially beautiful house. About 3100 sq feet, big columns out front, tall windows, etc. Tracked down the owner, bought it from him for a song (he was in foreclosure). Paid some back taxes, put about 50K into it, and for a total investment of around 65K, had a house that was appraised at over $275k several years ago. Of course, lots has changed since then, so I know the value has dropped some, but it's still MY house and I love it dearly...and it all started with trespassing! :wink2:

PJTP...it's a beautiful sunny day in Ebony Rose's neighborhood and I'm in high spirits! :wink2: FairyFacade - I agree, the baby is gorgeous,:w00t: and welcome back! Tap - hope your tummy stays quiet and relaxed today. Somehow the chicken I ate late yesterday didn't agree with me, so I had a bad tummy afternoon, but the upside is that I lost those 2 pounds I'd regained! Now if I could only do it without the sliming and PB'ing, it'd be great! :wink2: Lulu - your vacation sounds WONDERFUL...and I agree, we are living vicariously through you...keep updating us! SheSmiles - Glad to see you back...look for a pm from me - I'm a Facebooker as well... Heartfire - yep, you're right...it's "all my parents' fault"...*sigh* Saw a Yahoo story about a high school in Maine that wouldn't let a young man have his diploma because he waved to his friends and blew a kiss to his mom when he went on stage. :eek: They called it "fooling around" and said there was a zero tolerance policy for it. I think I'd go ballistic...I sincerely hope my DD DOES wave at us and blow me a kiss - I know I'm going to act a fool when she goes up and I hear her name...cheering, yelling, waving, etc... Let them try and stop me!:frown:

Consider it sent, girlfriend! I am flying high right now...and just praying that everything falls into place the way I hope that it will...I fired off an email to my references to let them know the inquiry is coming...

G4E - that brings back such memories! My mom always had a garden in the lot next to our house in Detroit, where I grew up. There was a guy who would always come and beg for green tomatoes - my mom had HUGE tomatoes on her bushes - and my mom would always tease him that there wouldn't be any left for salads or sauce if he ate them all before they got ripe. Nice memory - thanks for bring it back! Job update: They just emailed me and asked for my references! :smile::w00t::w00t: I think that means they want me!!!!! :eek::w00t::eek::w00t:

PJTP...Grrr - I had this great post all typed up, hit the wrong key and lost it all! Now I gotta retype all of that great info! :wink: So here goes: Slim, Beth, G4E and all my LBT friends - thank you so much for all the good wishes. I think they worked! Susan - my prayers for your friend and her family, and those left behind to pick up the pieces. What a tragedy... Tap - hope your tummy continues to treat you well...mine is a little upset right now. Tried to eat some chicken at lunch and have been sliming since...YUK! G4E - good luck with the disability folks - I pray they are clear, receptive and work fast to help you. Had my second job interview today with the Senior Admin Asst and the business office staff person where I might be working. The business office staff person was really nice - friendly, open, lots of experience at the company and in the section. She'll be a great resource person. The Senior AA (who I would be working with) is impressive. Very sharp - both intelligence-wise and appearance-wise. You can easily see why she has the job that she does. She was friendly, professional, personable. Very clear on the requirements for the job, very pro-team environment, and dedicated to the doc in charge of the section. That completed, I waited a bit and was able to meet with the head honcho - who is pretty easy on the eyes, I might add. Very professional, high energy but not in a manic way, brilliant - not just intelligent, and very driven in a good way. He exudes a sense of commitment and you get the feeling he'd go to the wall for his staff and for his projects. He knows one of the docs I used to work with before - so I think that worked in my favor. I think it went very well - I sent off a thank you email to everyone thanking them for their time and reiterating that I DO want to work for that department. I did get the question about stepping back a grade from an E to a D, but told them (truthfully) that job satisfaction is more important to me than a title. I hope to hear something soon - in any case, I wouldn't want to start until after I return from Florida. I would have to give two weeks notice at my current position, and that would put me into early July anyway. Hopefully that will work for them...I'll definately let y'all know what I hear! Thanks again for all of the support, good wishes and prayers - I am certain they made a difference!:smile:

PJTP... Prayers out to you, Colorado Chick and your beloved mom - I pray all turns out well and she recovers quickly and completely.

It's been a few weeks since I posted, so it's time to get back on the stick, so to speak... I'm enjoying my banded life...I still feel as if I have an optimal level of fill, since when I do eat, I can't eat very much before feeling full. If I eat too fast (old habit - hard to break) or take too big of a bite, I get a little stuck and have to wait for things to clear. I've been avoiding 'sliders' like ice cream and chocolate, but have an occasional slip. Where not so long ago, that would have meant a 'I'm feeling sorry for myself' binge, now it's just a slip, and I get back on track. Weight loss is slow, but still moving. I'm guilty of wanting it yesterday sometimes ...for instance, this past weekend I tried on a new swimsuit that I bought in anticipation of a family trip to Florida in July. I bought the suit at the size I wanted to be, not necessarily the size I was at the time. Not too far off, but still... It's a really cute suit - kind of old-fashioned in a way, because it has a 'skirted' look to it like ones I've seen in old catalogs. Fits really close to the body, not a flared skirt, more like a mini-mini-mini pencil...scuba gear is what it reminds me of, without the length in the legs. It's white, and fully lined, with a halter neckline. I tried it on the day it arrived, and while I wasn't ecstatic about how it looked, I wasn't horrified either - first time THAT's happened in a very long time! LOL I knew I had some work to do, but had a month to do it in...now it's about 2 1/2 weeks before the vacation, and I'm not quite where I wanted to be, so I'm second-guessing myself and my decision to buy the suit. Normally (my pre-banded life) this would cause me to give up and just eat the first sweet / salty / crunchy / fattening thing that crossed my mouth. Instead, last night I got on the rowing machine and did 25 minutes...I haven't rowed in a while, so it was tough, but I figure MORE exercise is the best way to get the scale moving again. I've lost nearly 50 pounds as of this writing, and I think my "easy losing" time is over. Now, I think I'm getting to the more "entrenched" fat, and it's going to take real WORK to get it off. My tummy is so soft now...where it used to be firmer with all the fat cells packed in there! It's not a pretty sight, but I look at it as a marker of my progress. My DH said he could tell from my legs that the muscle is fighting for dominance over the fat I'm trying to lose...LOL...makes me think of a scene from a kids' cartoon where germs moves through the body and are attacked by antibodies - except I'm attacking the fat cells with exercise and eating right! :thumbup: I'm going to focus on burning as much fat and building as much muscle as I can from this point forward - I know that will get me where I want to be, and the only way to get there is through hard work. I have a goal to be down another 10 - 15 pounds before my trip, and I'm going to make it! Increasing the intensity of my exercise will help, plus watching even more closely my portion size and protein content. My walking is going well - I love to walk, and with summer approaching, I do more outside walking than ever. We're on summer hours at work, which means I have a shorter lunch hour, and therefore less walking time. I think that's why my weight loss has stalled somewhat. I didn't realize what a difference that 10 - 15 minutes would make (a 25 - 35 min walk versus 15 - 20), but it obviously makes a difference. I thought I was walking 'harder' to compensate, but I guess there's no substitute for time and distance... For all those working with their band, congratulations - keep up the good work! :wub: If you and your band seem to be at cross purposes, I encourage you to go back to the beginning - re-discover what made you certain that the band was for you, talk to your doctor or your nutritionist, and get back on track - you CAN do this, and the band can be one of your tools! :mad2: If you're not yet banded, I encourage you to do the research, get the answers you need, and make an educated decision. I did, and it was the best decision I've ever made for ME! NSV (Non-scale victory) - I was kidding around with my DH this past weekend, and he grabbed me in his arms, fell backward onto the bed, and proceeded to tickle me. I laughed and laughed - he loves to tickle me and most often, I love to be tickled. After a short while, he stopped and got this contemplative look on his face. After I stopped giggling, I asked him what was up - he said simply "You didn't cough". I had forgotten that when I was heavier, I could not be tickled for long periods of time without losing my breath and starting to cough. Sometimes the coughing would bring tears to my eyes, and my DH would apologize for tickling me. It was an uncomfortable feeling - knowing he wasn't trying to hurt me, yet knowing something was wrong - why would I be coughing from being tickled? His statement brought it home to me - whatever my weight was doing to my breathing capacity, whatever it was doing to my body to cause the coughing, it's now gone! I can be tickled like the rest of the normal-weight women out there and not worry about losing my breath or having a coughing fit. :w00t: Perhaps a little thing, but one more piece of evidence that I'm claiming my ability to live a normal life with the help of my lapband. :wub:

Beth, I think that's a terrific idea :party:- have mentioned it to DD as well, but she's not ready to hear it yet...got her heart set on "getting out of Dodge" so to speak. She really wants the "college experience" and thinks she has to leave home to get it...:hurray: I also encouraged her to apply to a local college - she would be living at home, we'd get her a car to drive back and forth (no bus service to the college that is reliable - it's a few towns over, about a 30 min drive), and it would be half the cost. They have her major also - which was formerly a sticking point. She's still insisting that she can raise the funds to go out of state, but she's got less than a month.:thumbup: I've told her the funds have to be committed by the time we return from Florida, or it's time to make alternate plans... Our fallback plan is to let her plans run their course, then, if she can't get the money, she goes to community college for the fall (easier to get into, schedule classes, and it's less than 15 min from our home), and then transfer for the 2010-2011 year. Happy Monday to you too, Susan, and to all my LBT fam! :party: Yay for you, G4E! The new job sounds wonderful...I pray all works out fabulously for you! :thumbup: Heartfire - I agree, this will be one of those "grow up quick" scenarios...she's learning some of that lesson (inattention to grades means less college money) as she searches, but until she has to write the letter refusing her spot at VA State, it won't really hit home. My DH and I think she'll probably blame us..."my parents don't have enough money to send me" :thumbup: and that's fine...I've been reiterating to her that we don't want her to work because working while in high school produced a drop in her grades and we made her quit. The same with being in the Marching Band - her grades dropped and we made her quit. We did the same thing with her brother - his grades were not good enough for him to try out for the basketball team (something he dearly wanted to do) until his senior year! By then, it was too late - any skill development he COULD have done while with the team, getting stronger, etc, it was just too late for. We are consistent with our messages and our discipline because it's just easier that way, and ultimately more fair. Ya think they'd learn by watching their siblings go through stuff, but no...no lesson learned until it happens to them! :hurray: Happily preparing for my second interview tomorrow ...sending up big prayers for a favorable outcome. The first interview was great, so I'm pretty confident, but not overconfident... Everyone have a wonderful day...I'm planning to do the same!

PJTP...It's only about 2 1/2 weeks until my Florida vacation! Yippee!!!:smile: I can't wait - I'm so ready for a nice semi-long vacation, that it's not even funny...I'm already thinking about what I'm going to take with me... The goal swimsuit isn't quite looking like I want it to :tongue_smilie: - and I'm not sure if I'm being too critical, or I'm really NOT ready to wear it. I'll have to try and get an impartial point of view - or at least from someone other than myself! My weight loss has stalled temporarily :smile::mad2: - and I seem to be really hungry lately :wink2:. No - I don't need another fill, because when I DO eat, I get good restriction after just a small portion of food - this is all about my head hunger. I want stuff I KNOW I can't eat - like french fries! They get stuck on me something awful... I gotta give myself a good shake and get through this...Florida is awaiting! :tongue: DD is still making plans for college - though I have encouraged her to continue the process for a local college as well, just in case she can't raise enough money to go to VA State. It's going to cost $24K a year:scared2:, and we just can't swing that...I really don't want her to have to take out a loan if at all possible. We can only cover about half of that, and it's up to her to find the rest via scholarships and financial aid. She's making decent progress, but...the sense of urgency that I feel just isn't there for her.:frown: She thinks i'm going to "rescue" her and empty MY bank account (plus commit to a big parent loan) if she can't raise the funds. :smile: I can't do that - I have been in the situation where my payments have been so high that I couldn't breathe, and I am NOT going down that road again...not even for my beloved DD. :smile: I hope she can raise the money - I really do - but if not, I want her to have a backup plan. Most of her classmates are attending a local school, because their parents are in the same situation. I hate to say it, but her past inattention to her grades is now coming back to bite her in the tail! :sad: We'll see what happens, but right now, it's a bit stressful in EbonyRose's house! :smile2:

NO - it's not wrong...it's perfectly normal! ITA - have fun! Yay! Good for you G4E!!! We'll keep sending the good vibes and prayers your way...great progress! Mac - I love it! Serves 'em right... Aww...Hugs, LJM! Update on the job front...I was called back for a second interview! :thumbup: I go in Tuesday morning to meet with more of the admin / mgmt staff, and they said to block out 1 1/2 hours for the visit! I don't know what they want to talk about for that long, but I'm up for whatever...I hope this means that they are leaning toward offering me the job, and I can get out of the toxic situation that I'm in right now. I'm thinking positively - and feeling very hopeful!:confused::thumbup::thumbup:

ROFLMBO....thanks, Beth!

Just got back from doing mine...humid as all get out today (74 but feels more like 84) but off I went anyway. Couldn't wear a jacket (my normal don't-look-at-me-coverup-garment) so it was just me and my slightly fitted black wrap dress (which on me is VERY fitted because of "the girls")...I got whistled at when I passed the construction site! :laugh: A little ego boost never hurt anybody! :thumbup:

Hi Beth! I'm hoping they don't have a problem with it...that didn't come up during the interview yesterday, and they asked some borderline "inappropriate" questions... Questions came up on subjects like discretion with confidential records, getting along with all types of people, handling conflict, how to deal with difficult co-workers, etc, etc. They even mentioned at one point that they preferred someone more - ahem - "mature" because there wasn't the problem with confidentiality that they feared with younger workers. If they ask, I'll just let them know that fulfillment in the position is more important to me than the title. My union rep said I would not have to take a pay cut, but at this point, I'm really not caring :thumbdown: The difference isn't that great, and I think with a better work environment, I'll match and surpass my previous pay level in a short while. I guess that's part of being more "mature" - you realize that small pay differences are not as important when balanced against your mental well-being and level of job satisfaction. I'm not ready to hang up my pumps yet, but the kind of drama that I was experiencing at my current position had me seriously considering it...:laugh:

G4E - thank you for your prayers and good wishes! I, like you, think the job sounds promising and I'm really excited about the possibilities. Right now, ANYTHING would be better than where I am... I talked to my DH about it, and there is a remote possibility that I may have to step back a pay grade (my current position is an E, the new one is a D level). He put it all into perspective for me when he reminded me that I was doing just fine at the D level before, and then said that my health, happiness and well-being was worth far more than any temporary increase in pay. Plus with the new job, there is room to move up...unlike at either my old position or my current one. That's important to me - I gotta have somewhere to go...I'm not ready for the ROAD program just yet (old Navy term - Retired On Active Duty)...:thumbdown: Blessing to you that you asked about your doc's vacation - I'm glad you didn't have to waste your time. Sounds like your doc is a good one - I pray there is an easy solution to your physical challenges and that you'll be at 100% soon. I hated being on steroids - gained 30 pounds with them before I was banded, and it seemed to take FOREVER for them to come back off. They did eventually come off, but...it wasn't fun. Maybe you can do cold soups - gazpacho and fruit purees could be nice when it's cold out. Perhaps a slushy kind of thing would work instead of soup - just take it easy on the sugar...:laugh:

PJTP...Hi Y'all! I know I'm late, but... Ain't it great when you get to buy new clothes! I love shopping anyway, so... Long time no see, BBK! Very good to see you... I think it went well - from an outsider's perspective, he's thinking about how he wants to set up the office. Since he's had over 100 applicants, he's probably a little burnt out, and you're a known quantity - that will ease his mind, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't hire you. Well...I arrived a bit early for my interview, as is my habit. My first interviewer was another Admin Assistant - she works for one of the docs in the section. The section is busy - 4 doctors, plus they are planning on adding staff and moving to a new facility which is being built for them as we speak. It will be primarily clinical in nature, so the admins will stay where they are... The job sounds really interesting - multi-faceted, working for one of the top guys in the section. It's open because the previous person got a promotion. That's a good thing - she's still there helping out, so I won't be walking in blind...notice how I'm thinking positively! :laugh: They seemed impressed with my range of experience - asked me a LOT of questions regarding work situations. Very heavy on the "how do you get along with others" kind of stuff. They want someone to be a leader - no problem with me on that front - and someone who can play well with others. No problem there either. My previous experience in the residency office was great - I was able to talk a lot about that. I even had an answer for the "why do you want to leave your current position" question. I told them (truthfully) that I miss the day-to-day contact with the people in the program that I'm working for. I don't see the applicants here - just phone and email, and I do miss that. They told me they'll be doing a second round of interviews - and they kept me there until 5:15 pm! I started my interview at 4 pm. The first AA who interviewed me then took me over to meet one of the senior folk (I got the impression if I'd been a dud, she would not have introduced me) and we talked another few minutes. I'm feeling really hopeful about the interview - in fact, I'm going to compose a thank you email and let them know I'm still very interested this morning just to reiterate... I've already told them about my vacation plans so they know...hopefully when I come back from Florida in early July, I'll be coming back to a NEW JOB!