mousecrazy

1. What does your handle mean? Mousecrazy means I'm crazy about Disney, especially DisneyWorld...Mickey "mouse"! I'm not at all "mousey." 2. What book are you currently reading, or did you last read? The last book I read was Jan Karon's The Light in the Window. I am going to start the Left Behind series over the holidays. 3. What do you do for a living? I've been a teacher for 28 years...High School English at an alternative school. 4. For what in your life are you most grateful? The incredible good fortune to have met and married a fantastic guy, who is my best friend and pal! 5. What's one thing about you that you think would surprise other people? Probably my past...before I grew up at the age of 40! 6. One word to describe yourself? Curious 7. One word others use to describe you? Caring 8. Would you rather play a game with someone better or worse at it than you? Better. I want to learn. 9. Favorite movie? Favorite show? Too many favorites, all different kinds, as far as movies. Shows: I'm a news junkie, and prefer Fox News (O'Reilley, Hannity, Gretta, etc.) I like American Idol, too. 10. Something unusual about yourself? I'm a 50-year-old mother of an 8 year-old daughter, a big-city girl living in a small town, happily married and living life as a domestic goddess wannabe (when I retire next year!) If you knew me, you'd know this, in itself, IS unusual!

I just want to wish you luck in your endeavor to find the right job. I have been a teacher for 28 years, so looking for new jobs and changing careers isn't something I know about. My advice to my students is to really examine what makes them feel happy and what they are good at, then try to combine them. I do not love every aspect of teaching; you will not love every aspect of any job, I don't think. But, I love working with kids, especially the at-risk ones, and helping them learn both the academics and the very important lessons about life. You make more than I do, after 28 years. I know I wouldn't be able to have a career where it was all about the money, but I know people who do. What kind of person are you? That's the important part! Good luck! Cindy

Keep the faith, and I wish you a blessed new year! Stay strong. Hugs, Cindy

I'm free! I'm free! No school until Jan. 3!!!!! My DD wrapped lots of packages today, and I finished making "Texas Mix" which is otherwise known as Chex Mix in other regions of the country. Tomorrow, DD and DH are going somewhere on an adventure, so I can wrap her presents! Did I tell ya'll that I got my DD's present early, last night? She (they) got me the Willow Tree nativity scene...all of it! It is so beautiful! She substituted a different angel for the usual one that goes with it. The one she picked has a little angel holding her ear to a seashell, and is called, "Thinking of You". She said it was to remind of us her Nana (my mom) and Grandma K. (my gma, and her great-gma), who won't be here with us for Christmas anymore. Can you imagine the tears? So, we had our cry, set up the nativity, and admired it for a while. Sigh. You know it's gonna be hard, but I guess you're never ready for just how hard it is. What's everyone up to tonight? I'm done for tonight I think. Tomorrow, we'll make chocolate dipped pretzels, rolled in sprinkles, and Cranberry-Orange bread for Christmas morning. Also, choir practice for DD. Pat, I know. I'm weird about weather. I guess we get so much sun here, I just like something different. Ira, beautiful family. Merry Christmas to you, too! Dianne, good girl! Pneumonia isn't something to mess around with. Beanie, whatcha doin'? It's just soooo busy, isn't it? Off to bed...can't wait to try the new flannel sheets I just put on the bed! Hugs, Cindy

Congrats on your revelation! I'm glad you feel better, and you will just keep feeling and looking better as we go into 2006! Cindy

Today is the last day of school! Yippee! They are walking out the door at this very minute! I don't know who is more excited: us or them. Raining...I love it! Bad weather puts me in a good mood...weird, huh? Dianne, take your medicine. Good health trumps weight loss. Eileen, poor girl. Sorry to hear about the in-laws. I pray for their health. Let us know. Betty, relax! You DESERVE it! And, I'm glad to hear you are so close to goal...right now, when I see I have 88 pounds to go, it just seems like forever. I am learning to trust the weight loss, nice and steady, but it seems unreal to lose that much weight! Pat, good luck at the mall! I went to Sam's yesterday, and it was a madhouse! I survived, of course, and lived to tell the tale. There is part of the hustle and bustle that I really enjoy! Jan, good luck on your surgery! You won't feel tip-top for a week, so don't be surprised. It gets better every day. Be patient. Should get the wireless network set up tomorrow, then I can surf in the comfort of my own bed! Ha! I doubt this will help me get any more sleep! LOl! Luv, Cindy

It's going to be okay, hon. Look at the panic as a sign of how important food is to you, and why you chose to do something about it. I still find great pleasure in food, and all the memories associated with it. I still enjoy most of the foods I used to enjoy. But ONE cookie at a time, instead of 10. One-half a roll, instead of 4. Embrace the melt-down as a part of the process, and chin up! You are going to be fine. Cindy

Just checking in with you all! I'm at work (not on my laptop, though), just kinda chatting with the kids who actually showed up today...nice and relaxing day, for the most part. Took DD to the mall to shop yesterday, and she got all her presents for everybody. Not much going on today...a little Sam's shopping after school. Tomorrow is a half day, and the other half is our faculty "party." I put it in quotes because it's really just going to a restaurant to eat. That'll be enough! Hope everyone has a great day! Cindy

I have gone to Cracker Barrel several times...I had a salad, and I've had a couple of the child's plates. I haven't had any trouble...I think you are just in the "new phase." We all have lots of issues around food; maybe you'll feel better now that you've let out some of your emotion. Good luck, Cindy

Hope you have a fantastic birthday, Cissy! Cindy

Funny story! Glad you've got your sense of humor! Take care of yourself, and your mom, and get better fast! Follow the rules and let yourself heal...it's the inside that counts! Cindy

HI, and welcome! Good luck with your surgery on Thursday! I'm sure it will go well. Use the search feature on this site, and look up liquid diet, or some combination of words for post-op diet...you'll find good ideas abound here! Since this is a busy holiday season, you might not get quite as big of a response as would be usual, but everyone is so kind and willing to help! Here's to a successful surgery, and healing...ask anything! Cindy

Another great post, John! Thanks for the reminder, and you have presented a great analogy, that should help us make the connection between what we do now, and how our lives will bein our later years. Blessings, Cindy

Impressive! Beautiful home, and creative decorations! Thanks for posting! Cindy

Happy Birthday! Hope it was extra-special! Cindy

Amen! I want what's on her list, too! Maybe I could add this one little thing? An enchanted house, where everything magically finds its way back to where it belongs!

Welcome to LBT! Take it nice and easy, so you can heal and your band can "set". No need to rush. The band is in there, and it will work with some help from you, of course! Ask anything! You'll always get an answer! Cindy

If I eat too much, my left side will hurt, but that is where my port is, so I figured it was just the pressure of the food in the abdomen pushes on the abdominal wall where the port is stiched in place....it seemed to make sense to me. LOL! Just a made-up theory. Cindy

Good morning! DH is off to church with DD, for early service, and I'm SUPPOSED to be wrapping gifts or something productive, but here I am hanging out with you, drinking some coffee! I can only imagine the wireless laptop making matters worse...or is that BETTER! LOL! Hi Sherry! Let us know who makes those liquid protein add-ins! That sounds great! I had a very nice dinner last night at Master Grill...it's like a Texas de Brazil, if you've heard of that...a Brazilian Churrascurria (sp?), where they bring meat around on skewers? Very band friendly, they charge bandsters child plate prices. I had a lamb chop and some bites of other beef, different kinds. Salad bar, with smoked salmon and shrimp. I had a little slice of the salmon, and one shrimp! Doesn't that sound ridiculous? I could eat 2 pounds of shrimp, easily, before banding! Three or four lamb chops would be normal, along with lots of filet mignon, sirloin, etc...It is so amazing to notice the difference! I'm still full! I think there's a Cowboy game on today, and there's plenty of things to do, so let's get after it, everyone! Love ya, Cindy

Good afternoon, my friends! I didn't check in last night because....ya'll won't believe this....I was out buying a LAPTOP! AND, a wireless router/access point to have a home network, so all the 'puters can get internet. Can you believe it?! I was just working, as usual, when I got an email from DH saying, "It's time to get your laptop and wireless network stuff." Just like that. I got a Toshiba Satellite notebook and the other stuff, plus a software package for Students/Teachers that will install Word on the other two computers. That's what I use at school. DH says I will make a fortune writing a book...LOL! I want to, but don't know what about...probably not fiction, like Beanie. Anyway, they'd miss me if I was out on a book tour! ROFLMAO! Still, I'm so pumped about the laptop! I tried to set up the wireless network, and got about half way and threw in the towel. I work with a wizard, so he and his wizard-in-training son are coming Wednesday to get it all going....and get this: his son charges $10/hour! What a deal! Tonight we are going out to dinner for DH's birthday...tomorrow, church all morning (DD is playing chimes). Then some Rice Krispie treat making for my kids at school for Monday. We are also trying to square away the clutter (ha! it sounds better than "complete disaster"!) in the living room/kitchen, which is all one big open room. Betty, I hope you enjoyed your peaceful moment, and have a good time at the party! Patty, we see eye-to-eye on the respect issue...there is certainly a general lack of that, these days, in all sorts of arenas. Glad you love your haircut! That's so important! Eileen, maybe you can get a little nap? I know, I know, it's impossible, but fun to think about! Lisa, take care of yourself...it will get better! Dianne, post pictures of the puppy when you can! Beanie? Check in with us, we're glad you are home! Pat, I hope your holiday prep is going well...I'm sure everything looks gorgeous! Everyone else...have a great evening! Cindy

WOW! You look great! I am getting excited about making it to 207, as good as you look! Thanks for posting the pictures attached to a weight; it really helps me visualize! Congratulations! Cindy

Congratuations! Thanks for posting the great picture, and for the positive news!!!! Cindy

Lisa! My Bichon had an affair with the mini-schnauzer down the block last year at this time, and had her puppies in Feb. We kept one of them, Mickey, and he "is" a mini-schnauzer...he is black and white, although the dad was the normal silver/tan. He is the cutest! Congratulations! We have a Bichon, an Airedale, and our little mixed mini-schnauzer, and I think he is the "cutest." Of course, they are all adorable in their own way! Eileen, We have class next Mon. and Tues., then we are off until Jan 3. We have not done any baking at all, yet! We'll get to it in the next several days, I imagine. We will absolutely do sugar cookie cutouts and decorate them...my nephew, DD, and I always are in charge of that project for the whole family. We have fun. Beanie, hope you travelled safely, and return to us quickly! gotta run, swamped, kids everwhere! cindy

Welcome to LBT! You found a great place for learning, getting support, and even giving support! We have both Banded and non-banded people here, and love all of them! Use the search feature to find topics of your interest, and start reading and reading! Post anytime! Cindy

Yes, I do not want to be severly restricted. I have had two fills, and this one is just about right for me, or so I think right now. Do this on your terms, you know what I mean? Do what's right for you today, and if it's the same for tomorrow, fine. If not, figure it out and do what's right for you then. Baby steps, baby steps. Feel you way through it. Just wanted you to know I understand. Cindy