DivaStyleCoach

Yay for you, BBK! Persistence pays off - you have refused to give up, and now you're going to be even more beautiful... I hope you're feeling better soon - can't wait to see your pictures. Much love, girlfriend! :thumbdown:

Sure - that could come in handy during corporate takeovers... Thanks, slim! It's rainy here today, so somebody has been practicing their ancient nekkid rain dancing...we're supposed to have rain the next two days! :eek: You are just too funny! Ain't THAT the truth! G4E - I love the little dancers! Thanks for the good wishes - will definately check in tonight to let everyone know how it's going... Thanks everybody - you are truly good friends and I :wub: ya!

That's too funny...I've worn my suits here before, usually when I have something going on after work, so they are kinda used to that...they know I am active in the community, so that's going to be my reason for "dressing up" tomorrow. Normally I wear dresses and unmatched suits (pattern in the jacket, solid shirt and pants or skirt) but a full-on interview suit might raise a red flag. At this point, I really don't care what they think about my attire, so I may just wear the interview suit anyway! Now I DO know it's time to go...I'm starting not to care what they think of me...and for me, that's a dangerous place to be. Makes my ghetto side come out and I want to fight...:ihih: I'll keep it in check until after I find out about the new job...taking out my supervisor might not look really good...LOL

Drive by PJTP... G4E - congrats! I'm doing the happy dance for you over here as well...makes my co-workers look at me funny, but who cares?:eek: Beth - glad you've feeling better after your slight unfill...I haven't had that happen yet - and I think I'm glad!:thumbup: Feeling like I can eat the whole world lately - including one of those awful Domino's bread bowls!!! :eek: SnT - thanks for the good wishes...I'm a little stressed about tomorrow, because I SO badly want out of my current situation, but I'm going to breathe and try not to stress too much. Already picked out my outfit for tomorrow - not too dressy, because that will make people suspicious, but nicer than normal so I feel my best. Somehow, I've not gotten any LBT update emails today - came in and found I'd missed a few messages :ihih: Don't they know what an LBT-addict I am? That, and FB...but then, I'm a geek, so it figures...everyone have a wonderful evening! :thumbup:

Oh dear...I shall miss Green also - I liked reading her posts... Please pass along my condolences to her dear mate - so sad when you lose a friend, even one who I only knew online...:ihih:

Hi all! Had to chime in on this one...I'm 5'11" tall, my DH is 6'3" tall, and he and I both LOVE me in heels! I like being tall, LOVE being able to look him in the eye, and he thinks heels are the sexiest. If he could get me to wear 7" heels, he'd do it! For erinshel - take a look at EBay, and search for the crossdresser's sites - they often have a wide selection of heels (and other shoes) in sizes that will fit a taller woman. I have a good friend who is 6'3" tall and she buys her shoes there all the time. When I was 45 lbs heavier, I often wore a size 12W, sometimes a 13, so I would shop there too - thanks to the band, my foot has decreased in size to an 11W, occasionally a 12M, so I shop differently now, but for boots, the crossdresser sites are still the best. Good luck, and ROCK THOSE HEELS!:ihih:

If the spirit moves ya, girlfriend...rip away! :thumbup: OMG - it's funny, but not funny...I've been there, done that...

Drive-by PJTP... Fanny - AWESOME pics - love the frog, too, along with everyone else...and congrats on the new job! :wub: Plain - I think I love you, darling...thanks for the compliment! It couldn't have come at a better time...:eek: Beth - that is Providence working in your favor, girlfriend! I pray you get that job...and he'll be blessed to have you! You deserve nothing less than the best...:wub: G4E - good luck with the job - and the upcoming surgeries. I pray your full recovery and lots of financial blessings... Heartfire - thanks for the virtual kick in the pants...I think I needed that! :thumbup: Tap - miss you much, my friend...though I know you won't see this until you return, I hope your trip was at least a LITTLE fun! Lulu - the mystery trip sounds like fun! I hope to do some of that once my DD goes off to school, because there will just be me, DH and the dog! Glouc - how wonderful! I am constantly lusting after the HGTV dream homes, so now I can live the dream through you! I hope it all works out better than you could have imagined... If I missed anyone, I'm sorry! Job interview moved to 4 pm - I don't mind, I get to end my day on a HIGH note, and the interviewer now feels like she owes me one for being gracious about rescheduling. Keep the good thoughts / prayers / nekkid dancing (LOL Beth!) / sun salutations / incantations and rituals coming...I can use it all! :wub::w00t::tt2:

But if you're in prison, I don't think it's a 'sneak attack' - they just come at ya full force!:eek: Why anyone would want to 'sneak attack' their spouse that way is just incredible...how selfish and inconsiderate can you be? It's far more enjoyable for ALL concerned when you make a conscious decision to indulge...it's way more fun when you have two willing partners!:tt2: It's not something I'd do for just anyone...though I've been married to my current stud :wub::wub::wub: for nearly 19 years, I was married before, and it was OUT OF THE QUESTION. I didn't feel as comfortable with husband #1, and he never got up enough nerve to ask...his loss!:thumbup:

Wow, Mac...that's harsh. Glad you weren't in the group that was let go...similar things are happening in my company. We found out the folks down the hall from us in my building were eliminated - the entire department! Just gone - just like that! I would HATE to be the one making those decisions - I know sometimes you have to do it, but I would not want to be the one...:biggrin:

My other friend here thinks that's part of it...that it is indeed personal, and yes, ugly. She believe that because we are both WLS patients, my boss is unwilling to share the "limelight"...she's lost over 80 lbs and looks good, but now that people are noticing my losses, she may be threatened by that. There's also some who think that two strong women can't work together - I hope that's not it, but I'm starting to wonder...I don't challenge her authority in any way, I give her the respect her position is due, and I don't tell tales out of school regarding her personal activities (which I knew far too much about earlier in the year). Maybe that's her problem? My mom LOVED crossword puzzles - she had an amazing vocabulary because of them...I like them too, and word searches to pass the time. I also crochet and occasionally knit...:biggrin:

PJTP...I just got called to interview for one of the other jobs I applied for...Thursday at noon. Send up the good thoughts / prayers / positive energy! I'm so happy I could scream!!!!!:biggrin: Of course, I haven't got the job yet, but I'm hopeful, which is more than I could say an hour ago!:biggrin::thumbup:

Thanks, Slim - I really needed to hear that... Gosh, Susan - makes my work drama seems much less important...I'm glad you and your hubby are on the same page and that you're willing to start over TOGETHER. I pray everything works out the way you want it to...it would really crush me to lose my home right now, with everything else that's going on. My nephew is a Chrysler employee and has been off work for a while - luckily for them, they are living in my family's home in Detroit and don't have a mortgage to deal with. This economy is such a killer right now...I hope it turns around for ALL of us really soon...:biggrin:

PJTP... G4E - you are in my prayers...what's going on with me seems like a trivial drop in the bucket compared to what you are dealing with. I pray your full recovery...it stinks that you have to deal with this, but it's great that you have us! Kat - bless you for offering your perspective and your help. It helps to talk with someone who's been there and - unfortunately - done that. Tap - sounds like a really intensive conference...can you formulate a 'food preference' kind of request early enough to let them make accommodation for you? Perhaps listing a "digestive issue" would help them arrange for band-friendly food? Maybe you don't want to tell them that much... The second meeting with the bosses was...weird, sad, unproductive and did I mention weird? I laid out my responses to their verbal / written reprimand, and they immediately started defending their conduct. Then the HR person said they were just "examples" and not an all-inclusive list of their concerns. WTF? Why can't they just be up front and straightforward...why the cloak-and-dagger games? Anyway - my union rep asked them point blank if they want me to stay...the big boss said yes, the HR rep said yes if I can perform the job to their standards, my manager said nothing. Not sure really what that means, except that they have not, to my mind, made their expectations clear, so I'm not sure how I can ever fulfill them. My manager took offense at the fact that I said the difficult relationship between her and I is creating an adversarial work relationship. She admits to "having no patience" but seemed to imply I was taking her behavior too personally...not quite sure how I want to feel about that. My union rep doesn't want me to throw in the towel - she says I should try to start "fresh" so to speak and attempt to stay in the position because finding another one in the current climate will be tough. It's also an issue that I'm an E-level - that includes supervisory capabilities, but I'm not the same as the managers here. I'm willing to stay in the position, because it's interesting and challenging, but I don't deal well with being hammered all the time. Nothing was said about anything I do RIGHT - just all the things they see I need to improve on. I got no sense that they are truly "invested" in me. I'll see what the next few weeks bring - I am still looking for other positions within the company, but with the recent layoffs in other areas, those folks have first crack at open jobs - as it should be. I'll continue to try and talk to my manager - figure out what they want and give it to them - but if they aren't willing to be CLEAR about their expectations, I don't see how I can possibly be successful here. Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes, folks - I really needed them and still need them now. I'm a bit of a mess this morning - frustrated and teary - which is really not like me. I told them that in my 30-plus year work history, I've never experienced anything like this. I've never had any supervisor / manager be this dissatisfied with my work product and I admit I don't really know what to do about it. I think I'm giving good effort, but it's obviously not enough. They actually admitted yesterday that they want the statistics to be "perfect" that there is no room for error. That is one of my charges to myself - figure out a way to automate the darn things so I don't have to create them manually - that will eliminate chance for error, especially if I can do it with THEIR rules for creation. I feel like I'm rambling...gonna sign off for a bit and give this some additional thought...:biggrin:

G4E - you also have my prayers for speedy healing and a wonderful job opportunity... Be blessed, my friend.:redface:

This meeting was called by my union rep and I - it's to present / discuss my response to their most recent "reprimand". I have pretty good responses to everything they slammed me with, but I'm not at all sure it will do any good. I think they've made up their minds and are just "going through the motions" until they can suspend or fire me. Have I said how much I HATE being in this position? :confused: I've never had as much trouble on a job as this one - now I wish I'd never left my old department...at least there I KNEW where the lunacy was coming from - it was all personal favoritism toward one person, not attacks on my job performance, and it didn't really matter. None of the crap at my old job affected how I did MY job...they could play favorites all they wanted...I thought this was a good opportunity - a promotion and a move to a different department where everyone said things would be great. Not so...

Thanks, LuluC - I just got word that we're meeting again tomorrow to discuss my response to the latest verbal / written warning. I HATE confrontation - my stomach is tied up in knots and I know I won't sleep very well tonight...though I am good at fighting, I don't like it - I don't thrive on conflict. I hope this is all over soon...I wish I could just get back to doing my job and not worrying so much. Will report in tomorrow on what happens - all good thoughts / positive energy / prayers / good wishes gratefully accepted! :confused:

The first "conversation" was termed a "counseling session". Not much changed in my mind after that - same old, same old. Got called in again, this time it was termed a "verbal reprimand" and given to me in writing so I'd have a copy. More of the same - referring to my "difficulties" in completing assigned tasks, etc. I feel like I'm being crushed in a vise - if I ask a question to clarify something, I know it will be portrayed as "I don't know how to do my job". If I don't ask, complete it the was I think it should be done, and it's not right (some little detail thing) I'm portrayed as "can't do the job". I'm so ready to be outa here...have applied for 4 other jobs - was referred to the hiring manager on 2 of them, still waiting to hear on the other 2. Can't wait...just trying to keep it together until something else comes through - I really can't afford to be without a job right now with DD headed off to college... Even my union rep says it's time to go...

Congrats! I've seen your happy posts on fb - you two are so cute! :wub: G4E - you are in my prayers for a speedy (and inexpensive) recovery and a dream job in short order. I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through...that old saying "What doesn't kill ya, makes ya stronger" is true, but dang - why do we have to get beat up so much? Hang in there...I'm rooting for ya! :crying:

Yep, but if we refuse to watch or to patronize those who sponsor / advertise on the show, it will end quickly. I agree - it would be far better for Octomom to focus on raising her children and not in seeking celebrity. It's not all it's cracked up to be...look what's happening with Jon & Kate - all their marital difficulties are played out in the public venue. I would NOT want that kind of focus on me and my family - I KNOW I'm not perfect, and would not want my every fault (and I know I've got tons) played out on video for all to see. If she edits too much out, the authorities will be even more suspicious. I think it's a no-win and she should just drift into obscurity and raise her children without the constant bother of the media and profit-seeking. But that would be too much like right...:wub:

Hi Brandy! I've used Word and the associated templates to do my resume recently - I do like it. A google search on 'resume template' brings up a ton of different types, most of which are probably compatible with Word. Good luck!:frown:

What a crock! First to make such an accusation, and then to not even admit it...he's definately off my list of favorite contestants. Yeesh - talk about a sore loser! Just because HE couldn't hack it with Jillian as his trainer... He's had his 15 minutes of fame, now it's time to move on...let's see how HE does in getting his friends and family to adopt a healthier lifestyle and when he's had the success that Jillian has worked so hard for, THEN maybe he can comment on her methods. So far, her results speak for themselves...:frown:

PJTP... Lulu - you, your friends and family are all in my prayers. Hang in there...and definately get a little unfill so you can keep your strength up. They need you - and YOU need you! Beth - Congrats on cleaning out the closet! You are going to have such FUN re-filling the closet...I've gotta do the same thing over the next few weeks. I've got a bunch of stuff to put on EBay as well...or I may piggyback on my neighbor's yard sale and put some of my stuff out on the weekend she does hers... Fanny - your trip sounds wonderful (the Brazilian - not so much :clap:) you brave girl you...have a wonderful time! I smiled at your note about being in love...ain't it great! :welldone2: Kat - take care of yourself as well - it's so hard when people we know are going through tough illnesses. Prayers all around! Found out one of the jobs I was going for was cancelled, haven't heard yet about the other two, but one has closed to applications, so I hope I'll hear something soon. Applied for 3 more yesterday - it's so easy to do with the online process... Boss is due back from business trip tomorrow morning - I'm not exactly looking forward to it. Waiting for a meeting to be scheduled to discuss my answer to their recent reprimand...it's not going to be fun, and I really wish I didn't have to do this, but I'm not going to be run over and left on the side of the road - you put my back against a wall, and I'm ready to fight. :frown: Band support group tomorrow night in New Haven - looking forward to it so I can catch up with my other band buddies. Some of them are here on LBT, most are not - not sure why...you guys are the greatest! :thumbup:

PJTP...Congrats to all on the wonderful weekend posts! Beth - I hear ya and totally agree...gotta find a way to release the stress. Do we need to do a road trip to punch someone in the face for ya? :thumbup: Tap - I was in my garden yesterday - some digging, some planting, helped DH move some really big stones from the edge of the driveway (he says I inspired him with my activity), and took a walk with DDog, who's always ready to go. I'm hovering at 220 and want to be BELOW that so badly! I'm hanging in there...it was my goal to be below 220 by June 1st, so I didn't quite make it, but it's the lowest I've been in quite a number of years, so I'm okay with it. One month and 3 days till Florida vacation and new, cute swimsuit...kicking the workouts into a higher gear, working the weights and drinking more water. I think I'm going to post actual pics of me when I hit the 50 lbs lost mark - I looked at my pics from last summer in Arkansas, and I was astonished at how BIG I look. I guess photos don't lie, but my goodness! It's a beautiful day, I got out for a walk at lunchtime (tougher now that we're on summer hours with only 1/2 hour for lunch) and can't wait for my walk to the train station this afternoon. Have a wonderful afternoon / evening all! :party:

I took a mini-vacation with my hubby this past weekend over the Memorial Day holiday. We spent a total of 5 days traveling and having fun... My hubby is a private pilot, and belongs to the Black Pilots Association. He flies small planes - Piper Cherokees and such - and the organization has an annual get-together called Skyhook in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We went for the first time last year and had a ball, so off we went again this year... We flew out on Thursday - now normally flying is not a big deal for me, but for some unknown reason, during the second leg of our flight from CT to Arkansas, I had a problem with something I'd eaten. I spent the flight sliming and had a couple of minor PB's. People thought I was airsick - not entirely untrue - but since this had NEVER happened before when I flew, I was at a total loss. After we got to Arkansas, I was fine - go figure... Spent the next couple of days flying with hubby - Arkansas, a short hop to Mississippi to visit distant relatives of his, and then back to Arkansas. No problems the rest of the time. I felt a bit guilty because with our hectic vacation schedule, I wasn't getting my walks in, and I was a bit worried about how my body would react. Normally when I go on vacation the combination of lack of exercise and unfamiliar food makes for a 5 pound or so gain of weight. I ate a few fruit-and-yogurt parfaits from McDonald's and tried to concentrate on getting my water in and eating enough protein. Salads were relatively easy to get - even though I can't finish them, they still make for good protein and veggie content. There was a barbeque on Saturday night, which ordinarily would have meant waaaay too much food and dessert, but because I'm banded, I again focused on protein and veggies, plus a small amount of ice cream for dessert with fruit for a topping. I was amazed to be so satisfied with so little food compared to what I normally would have eaten - in fact, what I ate the previous year! The rest of the weekend went without a hitch - and even the ride home via commercial flight was uneventful. I don't know what caused my initial upset, but I'm certainly glad it didn't repeat itself! Flying is much more comfortable for me now that I'm down 45 pounds - I fit more comfortably in my seat, and even though my hubby has wide shoulders, he and I can sit side-by-side without feeling squished because I now take up LESS ROOM! :wub: We returned late on Monday night, and when I got up the next morning, I weighed myself - thinking the worst, but hoping I had at least stayed the same. Hooray! I actually LOST a pound! :sad: That was definately NOT what I expected...and I can only attribute it to my band. Never before (well, at least since I became an adult) have I gone on vacation and come back LIGHTER than when I left. It's all due to the great restriction I now have with my band - I have definately hit my sweet spot, and I'm on track to make my goal of being at 200 lbs by July 4th. I've just got to keep up the good work - consistency for me is the key - and with regular workouts and eating right, I'm certain I'll reach my goal and be able to wear the beautiful new swimsuit I bought for my July trip to Florida. Side note - I recently had to buy new clothes because I've lost enough so that my existing garments started to look funny on me, and I'm now wearing a size 18! I'm out of the 20's for good and I'm NEVER going back - at least, not as long as I have my band!