DivaStyleCoach

Tap - congrats on the grandbaby! Somehow, I missed that as well...I LOVE LOVE LOVE grandbabies! *sniff* I miss my grandson...he's getting so big now, and I haven't seen him in a year because DS and DDIL moved to Indiana...just haven't had time or budget to go and see them. Gotta change THAT for 2010! :frown: :eek: :w00t:WOOT ALERT :wink3: :sad: Just got a call for a job with our local public utility (yep, where my hubby works). Because of my qualifications and experience, I put in for two different levels of the same job - one more senior than the other - but both of which I am qualified for. I have an interview on Wednesday...hoping and praying this is the one for me! :w00t:

Hi Tap! No good news yet on the job front...there has been no real change in my situation. Every time they give me a new assignment, I'm apprehensive about getting all the information needed to do the job correctly, but having never done it before, I don't really know what questions to ask! Two of the jobs I applied for through the Federal Govt were filled before they got to me; one of the jobs I applied for here at my current employer was filled by someone on layoff - I can't exactly be upset about that...still looking and still trying to stay encouraged. It's hard not knowing when the next 'shot across the bow' will come...but I'm just trying not to obsess about it. It's our busy season - application deadline is this week, so I've been swamped with phone calls and emails from applicants. I barely have time to breathe. Still working on documentation requested by my union - they are "hard over" on me needing this "tell me how to do what you want done" procedural stuff. I'm supposed to document what I do and get the manager to sign off that it's the right procedure. Unfortunately, all the procedures are changing because we're going to an online application process, so whatever I had before is no longer valid. It's not the most fun place to be right now...good thing I have my running, my family and my friends to come to! :frown:

PJTP...it's definately MONDAY!:sad: Tons of phone calls from prospective candidates - the poor babies are all stressed out about their applications and stuff that hasn't come in yet, and the deadline is Thursday. I try to reassure them that even if the stuff comes in late, as long as it's not a couple of MONTHS late, it will be okay... I feel for them - it's stressful and they feel getting into the right MBA program is critical to their career success, so I try to be patient and positive and encouraging to them all... Ebony makes note to self - go see Fanny's other pics Oh gosh - well, it'll come off again soon - it's probably as much water as anything else. Ran 3 miles without stopping to walk in the middle this morning. I am at the "end" of the C25k program I downloaded - for some reason it only goes to week 9 and I thought it went 12 weeks...:frown: I feel really good...and while the pounds haven't moved much, the inches continue to leave, which I'm glad about. Back to the grind...BBL!:eek:

PJTP... Takiing a short break before I return to writing my final paper for my Humanities class... Had a wonderful weekend - the play and dinner in New Haven was wonderful - funny, I got to spend time with my DD and one of my BFF's, and had a great time. Brought home 2/3rds of my dinner - a heavenly Risotto with sun-dried tomatoes and broccoli - YUM! There's enough for two lunches this week, along with the steak I broiled today for dinner... Am going to make Italian Herb chicken in the crock pot tomorrow, so there will be additional leftovers to use the rest of the week - I'm getting the hibernation feeling too - wanting to cook more, and cook 'comfort food'... Had a wonderful potato Soup on Friday - will be looking for a recipe for that one - and I also love chili when it gets cooler. Penguin 5k in two weeks - I think I'm ready, but I can always get better. Was told by one of my church 'elders' - one of our senior members - that I've lost enough weight. I said "Thank you for the compliment, I really appreciate that" and she responded "I don't want you to appreciate it, I want you to LISTEN!" Only this particular lady (in her late 80's, a real firebrand, feisty as all get out, though her step is getting a bit slower) could get away with that, with me...I love and respect her so much...and I've heard that so much from family and friends lately that I've reset my goal to 175 lbs (instead of the original 155). My losses have come much slower and much tougher lately, which may be my body's way of telling me I'm near my goal as well. I'll see how I feel at 175 and use that as a stopping point. If - no WHEN - I get there, I'll evaluate how I'm feeling. At that weight, I will have lost 90 lbs - and I'm shooting for it to be gone by my bandiversary on November 17th. That would be the coolest! :smile:

PJTP...Good early morning everyone! :thumbup: Had a wonderful end-of-the-week - healthy lunches with friends at work which required an extra walk to reach them (bonus!) and went out dancing last night with my hubby after a First Friday concert event. Had a great time - while I don't necessarily recommend this to everyone, I danced the 'Cupid Shuffle' and the 'Cha Cha Slide' back to back at the club in 5-inch spike heels! :-) Just goes to show what living a good banded life can do for ya! My legs were feeling strong (all the running and walking) and my knees didn't hurt (losing 69 pounds helped) and for me, since I'm a diabetic, no alcohol, but plenty of Protein before (dinner at First Friday show). Sometimes I wonder why it took a major health challenge for me to wake up and treat my body right...but that's in the past. I am so enjoying my 'normal sized' life (thanks to my band!), and while I would NEVER look down on someone still fightiing their weight (because I'm not at goal yet) I WILL become more of an evangelist regarding living a healthier life, and getting there by using the Lap-Band. Everyone have a wonderful Saturday - rainy and chilly here in CT, but I've got my brand-new elliptical trainer in my house that's ready for me so I don't miss a workout prior to my Penguin 5k run in two weeks. Have a wonderful day - going with my daughter and a good friend to New Haven to see "The Cleanup Woman" (musical / play in the Tyler Perry vein) and have dinner after the show. BBL!

Go for it, Bill! You are an inspiration and a role model - YOU GO BOY!:thumbup: Raining and cold this morning, so I'm going to take advantage of my elliptical trainer and do that as my workout today. 2 weeks until the Penguin 5k and I'm determined to keep up my training and be ready to run the entire thing. Pounds lost are steady, but inches are changing all over - I'll take it! Want to lose about 20 more pounds, then maintain there and keep working out. Considering plastic surgery this year, but only if it fits into my timetable and my budget... Have a great Saturday, everyone!

Hi Bill, ROFLMBO at your wife's response... Actually, I think there are fewer men with 'members' the size of a cucumber than one might think...though my experience is quite limited (I've been married twice, have had very few lovers prior to my 2nd - and last - marriage), I've never met or heard of anyone that size among the ladies in my circle of friends. One could consider starting with a 'baby' cucumber and moving up from there, but somehow I don't think that's quite what your wife meant...:smile: I think earlier on this thread, someone mentioned that they started 'getting used to it' by working with their DH's fingers, working from smallest and narrowest to thickest. If your wife recieves pleasure from finger use, then she might be willing to go further...but please, take your time with this and let HER set the pace. My first husband was not interested in it, and neither was I...it took my current DH raising the subject gently and a period of time before my mind would allow consideration of the POSSIBILITY let alone the reality. Now, it's not an 'everyday' thing, but once in a while we BOTH crave it, and so that's when we indulge. Hope this helps...glad you felt comfortable enough to ask the question!

PJTP...the original! We are in 100% agreement on that one! :smile: Do these folks that let such stupid things come out of their mouths even OWN a dictionary? Consensual means she was IN AGREEMENT with what happened to her - IMO, as soon as you drug a person, they are no longer able to give that kind of consent. And for an adult to do that to a 13-year old is reprehensible. Bad Plain...don't raise THAT particular spectre! :thumbup:

Hi Bill, DH = Darling Husband or Dear Hubby...unless you're mad at him, then it could be Darn or Da*n! :smile: And thanks for the congrats - I absolutely am loving my banded life!

PJTP...Happy Friday, People! :thumbup: :w00t: :w00t: I'm SO glad it's Friday...have a wonderful weekend planned. I'm going to a Steel Drum show with DH tonight - part of our local Arts council's First Friday series - foot tappin, dancin, good time to come. Going to see a play tomorrow with DD and one of my best work friends. We got the tickets over a month ago and have planned to get dinner at a nearby restaurant after the show. She's bypassed, I'm banded, so there won't be a LOT of food eating going on...it's more for the company and the chance to hang out!:smile: Wearing my new 'Cowboy Cut' jeans today - 36 x 36 - so they are plenty long...also have a new jacket that I just bought and is already getting loose. The pounds aren't going very fast, but the inches are going! Seems to be my pattern - I'll lose really well for a while, stall on the weight loss, but the inches will go, and then the weight loss will start again. Go figure! Everyone have a wonderful weekend, and for all those fighting headaches, illnesses and family illnesses - Good health to you! Can ya tell I'm in a really good mood? :w00t:

Hi Bill, I can only speak for myself, but I really DO enjoy it...it's a different kind of sensation, and without getting too graphic, it allows my DH to keep his hands free to explore other parts of my body. One of our favorite ways to enjoy this position is with him on his back and me on my back on top of him...takes a bit of coordination and timing, but it can be done...and because he's taller and heavier than I, it's more comfortable for me that way... You MUST be ready for this...it's not something everyone will enjoy - some women will do it because their partners love it and it brings the partner pleasure. Lubricate, lubricate, lubricate, and take your partner's anatomy as well as your own into account. It MUST be a mutual decision - there can be no coercion or force involved (unless that is part of the enjoyment for you both), and you should talk about it afterward. Communication - honest, open communication - is critical when trying something that is new to both of you and has all sorts of societal 'baggage' around it. Now that I've gotten that out there... everyone enjoy your weekend! :smile:

Good morning all, I don't know if anyone has started an October Exercise Challenge thread yet, but I'll check and see, and if not, I'll start one. This is the month I'll be running my first 5k! Got up late this morning, so no run at home, but did my usual walk from the train station to my office building, will walk again at lunchtime, and then will run 3 miles tomorrow morning before doing my usual Saturday running around and chores. Two weeks (roughly) until the Penguin 5k, so I'm getting tighter with my eating / nutrition plan, taking my Vitamins more regularly, and doing more stretching. I will also take more deliberate care with my warm-ups since it's now colder in the mornings, and I don't want to risk an injury keeping me out of the race. Have a great weekend, everyone, in case I don't check in until Monday...:smile:

Hi Minidriver! I agree with you there...I also will not be skinny when all this is said and done, but that's okay with me. I have been full-figured most of my life, and I don't want to be too thin. I call my transformation process going from being full figured to being FULLY figured...LOL The only thing making me continue to try to lose is the fact that I'm not off the diabetes meds yet - and I may talk to my PCP about whether the plastic surgery and the attendant loss from that procedure will make a difference. That may be the make-or-break factor for me...if I still need to do some physical work to get me off the meds, I'll wait for that, but it's the only thing right now that would make me postpone the surgery beyond the financial aspect. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone if I don't get back to the thread today! :smile:

Absolutely will do, luv2teech! I work at Yale University in New Haven and am covered by their health plan, so that's where I'm looking for info. Dr. Schulman in NYC has a thread here...I've just gotta break away from my office to call his office and make an appointment for a consult. I'd love to do the surgery this year, but it really depends on timing and money...he recommended 3 weeks off for me, and right now I can cover that, but only with the help of our regular holiday shutdown. I may not be ready for the surgery - I've heard reports that you should be at goal for 6 months before surgery, and others that said they had the surgery to help them reach their goal...I'm of two minds about it - part of me wants to GET IT OVER WITH - but not at the risk of my health. I'll keep y'all informed - and if I find out I can make this happen this year, I'll start a plastic surgery thread so I don't 'hijack' this one!

PJTP...I'm either blind or just plain crazy (or maybe both) but the thread really IS still there...:smile: Just ignore the crazy woman in New England, please...

Back again...it seems that the original PJTP thread has been closed and deleted...can't find it on a search anymore. FYI...hope everyone updated their subscription to this thread so we don't lose anyone again...

Hi Minidriver! Yes, your surgery WAS very reasonable...I have seen prices quoted at DOUBLE that...almost makes me wanna get on a plane... We'll see what my local guy comes up with, and in the meantime, I'm going to keep talking to Dr. Schulman...

PJTP...Good morning Everyone! Ran my 3-mile course this morning - only walked 2 blocks, so I'm getting stronger and still loving the c25k. NSV - Put on a size 16W dress this morning and it fits beautifully! I look skinny - for goodness sake - I NEVER thought of myself that way. I was so discombobulated this morning after how well the dress fit that I totally FORGOT jewelry...that is so NOT me, but oh well... It's a beautiful sunny morning (though not warm - can tell Fall is in the air) and all's right in Ebony's world... Have a wonderful day, everyone! BBL!

Hi Everyone! Did my 3 mile run this morning - walked two blocks of it today - one because I couldn't see where I was going (it crosses a park / green and the streetlights don't quite cover it, plus it's a dirt path) and one block because my left knee went from a twinge / light ache to a obvious ache. After I walked a block, it eased up, so I ran the rest of it. This was Week 8, Day 3's routine. I have one more running day this week - Saturday morning - and I'll move on to week 9 next week. It took me a little more than 30 minutes to do the entire route - about 35 total, but I'm feeling great and feel strong. JollyGreen - I love your emoticons! LOL I do know about the cold you are talking about - it was in the upper 40's this morning when I ran, so I layered my clothes. I wore a running tank (close fit to support the 'girls' since I'm full-busted), a long-sleeve tee shirt, a long sleeve thermal pullover (not sweatshirt-heavy but medium weight), and my running vest (reflective trim front and back for visibility). I wore yoga pants (not heavy sweats) and had gloves on for my hands. Because I wear my hair in a big afro (think nearly Angela Davis-sized) no hat yet, but I'm going to get some knitted headbands for when it gets colder. I was fine during the run - actually was a little damp at my innermost layer, but didn't feel cold at all. I get cold easily now that I've lost my "insulation layer" :w00t: so I tend to layer more. Dress for the weather, and you should be fine...because I run at 5 am, there's nothing else open to do an inside run, and by the time I get home at 7 pm (after a long commute) I am hardly likely to go out again unless it's still warm when I get home. Make it work for YOU, girlfriend...adapt and overcome! As long as you keep walking - do what works for you! :smile: You are gonna be fine now that you're able to run again, and I bet it comes back quickly! I'm losing inches like crazy - the only thing I can attribute it to is the running, since the scale is moving slowly if at all. After my recent fill, I dropped 4 pounds right away, putting me under 200, but nothing since then. Still fine-tuning my eating - the recent fill made me change some things - and the fewer carbs I eat, the better I feel / more I lose. It's a balancing act because I'm still on diabetes meds - if I feel 'spacy' because of low blood sugar, I tend to head for carbs, and once I get started, it's very hard to stop! :ohmy: It's a process...and I'm winning - so I'm gonna keep going! :thumbup:

Hi Y'all! Oh but the campyness was the fun part! But since I love action movies (and martial arts movies, and comic book movies, and make-you-think movies...) I'll probably go see it. My latest must-see is "Where the Wild Things Are" - can't wait for that one! Yep - I'm a kid at heart... Didn't go see Bewitched - nothing against Nicole Kidman (I think she's gorgeous) but to me, Elizabeth Montgomery was the only Samantha...

Hi Minidriver! Ebony makes note...lymphatic massages - must do! I just found out there is a plastic surgery "department" at the university where I work - they are a teaching hospital and I know a lot of the residents there. I've sent the chief physician an inquiry regarding their requirements and such. If I can get it done right on campus, that means less expense (possibly). The medical plan at my job might cover more of the expense that way...it might also be easier to qualify since they work with my bariatric surgeon. How long was your process of approval, etc from start to finish? Or were you self-pay, and so did not have to jump through hoops - I can't remember right now...

Hey there! I've done the week 8 workouts - so far, the farthest I've run is 3 miles, round trip, with about 4 blocks worth of walking in the 3 miles...I was so proud of myself! I'll keep the distance the same for a while and work on stamina and speed. Usually by the time the program tells me I can walk, I'm MORE than ready! My first 'official' 5k (I don't count the walk I just did) will be in October, in Mystic, CT. They have a Penguin 5k that I've signed up for. I plan to be running the full distance, and am planning on that being my first and only 'race' for this year. Once it gets colder and there is frost on the ground, I won't be running. I will still walk, but the running will have to wait for non-slippery ground...

PJTP...again! Wednesday edition... Back to work this morning - still not 100%, but considerably better than the last couple of days. Lots of stuff on the desk to catch up on, but here I am PJTP'ing...:scared2: Housework - YUK! What Slim said! Missed you too, girlfriend!:tt1: Oh yeah....I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it...:w00t:

Thanks, Slim! ***doing happy dance*** I'm really happy about it...I NEVER thought I'd see that size again! Once I get more of this tummy off, I'm sure they'll fit better, but until them, I'm celebrating! "I love it when a plan comes together..." Col John 'Hannibal' Smith - the A-Team:tongue_smilie:

Hi Everyone, Been down for the count the last couple of days...some bug got a hold of me and I've had NO energy. Took a short walk with DDog this afternoon and it nearly wiped me out, but I did it. Back to walking / running tomorrow - I'm still committed to that 5K in October, so I gotta do it... Hang in there, everyone! Georgia Girl - great to see you back! I'm using the C25K program as well and love it.