mousecrazy

Just a quick "fly-by" as I head out the door to the eye doctor's (yes, for teachers, summer is the time for all these check-ups!). I got a little monthly statement thing from LBT, and noticed that I registered on this site June 22 last year...so it's been a year that I've been hanging out around here, ALREADY! WOW! I know, it's almost bandiversary time for me, and I can't believe that, either! We're getting new glasses, then going over to my dad's to hang out until dinner and a show with a mom/daughter friend couple tonight...we're seeing Grease at the local theatre here in Denton. That should be fun. Welllll, whaddya know? I just heard thunder! I think it's gonna rain, finally! Gotta go, love ya all! Cindy

You have asked a really good question, and it reveals so many approaches to living life as a bandster. I have tried to approach the whole thing as learning to eat "normally." This is not a smooth process, LOL! I have learned to judge, pretty much, what is a portion size for me, and take just that much. Then, if I am still hungry, I can get some more (you know, like a normal person). Do I overeat sometimes? Yes. Do I succumb to the charms of the siren, ice cream? Oh, yes. And, I notice the same effects that Jack mentions...it messes up my whole system and how hungry I feel for days afterward. Yet, I do it at times. As you go, you will learn what works for you. If you have trouble doing that, keep coming here and getting feedback. I have learned so much from the friends here at LBT. Good luck to you! Cindy

Betty, I'm soooo sorry you are going through so much stress and worry. As we have talked before, my heart knows how your heart is hurting, and I will pray for all your family, and especially you, my friend. When you need a hug, you know where you can get a bunch! Hugs, Cindy

God bless him! I'm a total patriot for our military and wish people would worry a lot more about the behavior of the terrorists and a lot less about our brave men and women. I'm proud for you!

Congrats on the new job! You may or may not remember, I answered your question about how to get supplies last month. I teach in CFB, and have for 29 years. I dearly love teaching, and work with the at-risk students in an alternative ed. setting. We had an art program and they ditched it, because "we were sending so much money to the state due to Robin Hood." Please don't wish for a TAKS test in art...(I suspect you were tongue-in-cheek there); what we need is LESS testing, not more, for goodness sake! I understand why you would not want to burn bridges...teachers can really incur some consequences for speaking out. I say it's like the Emperor's New Clothes. The person who tells the truth will not be believed, and all the people who agree with the top person will move up, regardless of their effectiveness. What I'm wanting to tell you, Poodles, is not to feel guilty for one minute. There are plenty of kids who need you, and you may as well maximize your situation while you are at it. I figured this out after my 25th year in the district...in the same district I grew up in, and went to 12 years of school...I received a postcard saying "congratulations" and I knew then that my longevity in that district was WAY more important to me than it would ever me to the administration. Contact your special students, and know that you have done the right thing. If you are a parent reading this, get involved in your school district and find out what they are spending your money on. You'll have to dig, because most of the administrative costs will be hidden in "student resources" or some category like that. Find out what is being spent on special programs that benefit very few students, and find out how many administrative positions there are to support those programs. You'll soon find out why kids can't have basic art supplies and art teachers, or music, or any of the things we used to have when I was in school, presumably when we had much less money than we have now...hhmmmmm? Good luck, Poodles, and I know you'll enjoy your new job!

I just want to encourage you to take it one day, or one popsicle, at a time. You took a big step and made a big decision to get the band, and you are worth it. Now, treat yourself like you are worth it, and follow your instructions. You want to HEAL. The better this goes, the better the rest of the journey will go. You have read about problems with the band...and you'll never know if the people with the problems followed their dr.'s instructions to the letter or not. You WILL know if you did. Take care of yourself. Focus on your goal and what you want to achieve, not what you cannot have for the moment. You will eat again, just less! Good luck! Cindy

Good morning! Pat, those pictures are so great! They all look like they are having a great time. And, congrats on the NSV with the shorts..even when we are not losing numbers on the scale, our bodies are still changing. I keep repeating that to myself when the numbers stay the same (which is happening now!) Missed you! Beanie, I hope you make it through the day...heartbreaking loss. IMHO, there certainly was some iffy officiating, but you can't argue with 37% shooting, and Dirk being held at 0 points for the 3rd quarter (I think). Both teams were good, and it was a good series. Congratulations to all the HEAT fans, especially Donna! I checked in on the board yesterday, but had so much trouble moving around the site, I couldn't post...did anyone else have trouble? I haven't read everything as of this morning, because I was afraid if I went back a page, I'd lose this one, and I wanted to post and say hi to everyone! I went to the dr. yesterday...she has me at 66 lbs lost, great blood pressure, etc. Nice to hear! We're still adjusting medications to control the migraines...I still have about one a week, just not at the super intensity I was having. So, progress is being made, and that's a good thing. DD is still taking swim lessons, and this session she's lucky to be the only one in her level, so she has private lessons, and is learning so much! She is actually swimming the length of the lanes now...I just can't believe it, like she's growing up in fast-motion. Sherry, how frustrating to have to fix someone else's problem! The problems you describe exist in the public sector (education) also, so I wonder how we're going to remedy this crazy lazy mindset that has taken hold of people? Is it such a revelation that some things really DO matter? HAHAHAHA! I'm watching the news, and there's a story about how the police are catching criminals because their baggy saggy pants are slowing them down and tripping them, or even falling off, with their wallet and ID in them! That cracks me up! LOL! I"m gonna read for a while...see ya'll later! Hugs, Cindy

Uh-oh. The Mavs are down by one, and on their way back to Big D. Hopefully, this will be better (for us)! Overtime, and a one point loss...bummer. Good luck, Donna. Yes, it's true about the sign on the yacht...some really rich people (obviously) had a yacht with a Go Mavs sign on it, and the city made them take it down. So, they hired a plane to fly a sign that said "Go Mavs. Beat the Heat." Ya gotta love rich people! It would be such fun to have no limits like that! Eileen, I'm so excited for you! I thought I'd break the 220 barrier by now, but I'm in one of those "hanging out in the same weight" periods...sooner or later, it'll inch downward again. I can feel your excitement! Way to go! Sherry, your descriptions crack me up! It reminds me of the outfits we used to plan for Pat! I'm pretty tired and need to get to bed...see ya tomorrow! Cindy

Congrats on the new member of your family! With kids and dogs, some things just take time and patience---yours! You have plenty of both, and everything will work out when everyone gets adjusted! Cindy

I am one of those people who loses weight in spurts, also. I've kept track of my progress on Fitday.com, and my average loss/week is 1.2 lbs per week. I want to emphasize that there have been long weeks where the scale does not move; I've learned not to confuse myself with that. It's like a magic trick, I swear. The appearances of the numbers on the scale can be deceiving!

First, you are a very talented photographer. Truly quality work. I would develop one B&W and one color, just to show the range of your work.

I originally had 150 as my goal weight (I'm about 5'8"), but I had a long talk with myself and thought that might not be the best weight for me. I changed my goal to 180, which is a weight I remember being happy with long, long ago. I'm losing so slow, that loose skin isn't a big issue, thankfully, and I don't want it to be, either...at 150, it might be. I'm just going to go where I go. I chose 180 as a target just for the sake of having a target.

Jana, how cute! The name "Frosty" came to mind, because of the frosty white parts around the foal's nose and legs...or maybe it just looks like that in the picture...BTW, I'm in Texas (north of Denton). Paula, thank you for the compliments, on my Easter picture. I think you might want to get one of those hard plastic kids swimming pools for the dd (damn dog) to swim in! LOL! I'll try to find a picture for a new avatar! Thanks again, Cindy

I decided to love the term Morbidly Obese, because being "that term" qualified me for the lapband surgery that has changed my life, and has been a great decision. I think it's all in how you choose to look at it.

Poor puppy! I hope you figure out what is causing the stomach illness...pred. can do that, but maybe the puppy needs something to help with the nausea, too? Eileen, your picture is so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You look great, and I love the darker hair color on you...which do you prefer? I decided to post the compliments here instead of on the picture thread, so there'd be more room for pictures...I figured you'd take the compliments, no matter where they were! LOL! All done with the shopping, now I'm just goofing off, DH is listing stuff on Ebay and DD is writing in her new little journal...it's always fun finding things to keep her brain busy! Cindy

You have some control over this. Ask for very small fills...explain that you want to sneak up on your optimum amount and go very slowly. My fill doc is very receptive to this, and if you'll look at my signature, you'll see I have only had .7cc's and the last one was in November. I probably should have more restriction, but I have been very cautious. So, I understand where you are coming from, and you are the best judge of your situation.

Good morning! Kat, I appreciate the update. I'm so sorry you have to put up with the ridiculous state of affairs in the world of insurance on top of all the stress you already feel in regard to your DH's health. I just wonder if it would be better if we just left the middle men (insurance companies) out of it, and dealt directly with the doctors...too big of a question, I know, but they are making profit, so probably not really doing us any big favors. I certainly would never want the government to pay for my health care, so i guess this is what we will have to put up with. ANYWAY, I continue to hope for the best, and know your DD is excited about her new digs! Eileen, you are the luckiest girl! Apparently everyone wants to go to New Jersey! Can't wait to see the pictures of Diane! Not much happening today...just a little shopping for DH's fathers day gift. DD made him a daddy/daughter scrapbook yesterday...so cute! Have a great weekend! Hugs, Cindy

I probably do something like that every day. Maybe not a shake, but something. You're doing great on your weigh loss, and I'm a firm believer in NOT trying to be perfect. I think it leads to shame, then more emotional eating. You'll get different feedback from other people, so take what makes sense to you, and leave the rest. You can make better choices at the next meal, right? Cindy

Economic Left/Right: 7.50 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: 0.67 I'm kinda near Tony Blair, and below the President...I think it was a pretty accurate little quiz.

You're already at least halfway there! You recognize that you eat for emotional comfort...now, all you gotta do is decide if you CHOOSE to do this, or NOT. Put it in terms of your choice. Just like regular, "normal" people, we choose how we comfort ourselves, and there are lots of ways: alcohol, sleep, sex, drugs, food, reading, prayer, meditation, exercise, talking, etc. Give yourself the choice. Maybe you'll see you have some choices, and don't have to choose the same old way. Sorry there is so much going on. I like the one day at a time approach, and when I get all freaked out, I usually realize I'm not using it! Good luck! Cindy

Here, I copied this link (I hope!) that explains a lot of the abbreviations: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7959

Hi, Cinderella! LOL is Laugh Out Loud...it's a good thing! There's a thread somewhere on here with all these little abbreviations on it...use the Search feature (look at the top of the page.) I live north of Dallas, but we're all still Texans! Good luck with your journey! Cindy

LOL! I'm cracking up on "fighting with my kids on manners!" My DD is 8, and that is one constant battle. Something I've noticed is it gets better when I restrict her TV time. Even though she's watching Disney, there are just too many teens with too little adult supervision on those shows, and of course she wants to act like them. Good luck in the battle! It's worth it! Patty, hang in there. You have really been made to jump through hoops, that's for sure! Betty and Donna, I guess we'll have an exciting game to watch on Sunday, huh? It's all tied up now. The Mavs couldn't hit anything last night, and the Heat was hot! Eileen, you and I need to accept the challenge of finding new avatar pictures! Wanna try? Darcy's is sooooo cute! Beanie, wow! Great to hear from you. Hope this fill turns out to be what you're needing, and not too tight. I know exactly what you mean by being spoiled and not following the rules...I'm just accepting the slow loss, and learning how to eat as I go. I have learned so much in the last year. Sherry, you're doing great on your progress...I wonder sometimes about the need to be "perfect". (Not suggesting you are of this mindset; I just read this on the other boards). As far as I can tell, I don't know any perfect eaters, thin or otherwise. I'm just going for normal, I tell you! LOL! Last night was the end of VBS, and it was fun, but I am happy it is now over! You know what I mean? I get really concerned when I see kids at church who are mean-natured and ill-behaved, and no one has the "you know whats" to correct them...is everyone just totally wimped out? Yours truly here did my share of "guiding" and no one complained; they thanked me. I suppose people are just afraid the parents will complain, but I think if they are bringing the kids to church, there is probably some expectation that there will be some behavior guidelines. I expect the adults to correct my DD if she is goofing up; in fact, I would be really disappointed if she were to say something mean to someone and an adult heard her and did not try to correct her. I am afraid I am a small, dying breed of parent who still recognizes that my child could possibly be wrong at something, and would love to have the help of other teachers and guides in raising a well-behaved and polite young lady. Sorry, I'll quit on the soapbox! Betty, hope your back/headache is better today...probably the Mavs fault! Today is a lazy day, or at least I hope so. Hugs, Cindy

HI everyone! July 22 wil be my one year date...I have probably lost the slowest in this esteemed company, but I am very happy with what has happened this year. I started at a size 26, and am now wearing an 18. I have only had two fills, for .7cc total, and you can see in my signature that my last fill was back in November. I am most proud of learning to eat "normally." I do not eat perfectly. I have learned patience, and I am able to do all kinds of activities that I could not do this time last year. I am helping to lead the music program in vacation bible school, and it involves a lot of physical movement...I do that for 3 hours each night! No way I could have done it last year! I can climb stairs, walk long distances, and I sleep better at night. My cholesterol is down to below 200, and my blood pressure is completely normal. It is amazing! I would do it again in a heartbeat! Congratulations to all of us, and I will repeat that in a month! Cindy

Darcy, that is the coolest hair ever! I love it! I'm just checkin' in...home for tonight...VBS was crazy fun! We taught a reggae-type song and dance, and I promise it was the hardest one (physically) yet! Tomorrow, I am taking charge of the 3rd graders ( my DD's group) because the regular lady won't be there. That ought to be interesting...not as much dancing, though! Gotta run, gotta finish laundry, pack and get ready for tomorrow. We're spending the night at dad's again, and I work again on Thursday, so won't be checking in again until Thursday night! Luv and hugs to all! Cindy