Apples2

Good Morning Girls...packed yesterday...repacking today. Will leave one pair of shorts and one pair of capris and my swim suit but doubt if I will wear any of them. Pretty chilly the next three days...will just have to see. Curious...as others have said, this thread is a "go to" place for a lot of us on a daily basis. It's like a soft place to fall. Yes, we are a very social group but we not only share our lives, we share our band experience as well. We have a wide range of bandsters. With someone's first post coming here for help, you might have 5 ppl that have an answer to your question. I doubt if there has been one new person to come to this thread that did not get welcomed and have their question answered. Come and join us...we welcome new ppl and enjoy getting to know each and everyone. If you are wondering about seeing the answer to your posts, make sure to go to your personal info and select that you want to be notified by email of your subscribed threads. Really looking forward to this weekend. We can visit on Thursday on what to do when. Later.

Oh yes, Janet....way to go on choosing cute over functional! LOL DS said he has cleared $3700 since Monday. Haiti would been a better option as far as volunteerism goes but pretty tough to get equipment there. Just go out to daddy's machine shed and off to Baltimore we go! On the supplies...we won't starve anyway. DH was looking at what I was packing this morning and said "Holy Hell, Honey...they are banders for goodness sake". Maybe he's right when he says I don't do anything simply. But, I'm always prepared. :cursing:

Janet...I bought every size of the Samsonite spinners a few years ago. What I love about them is that I don't have to pull. They "walk" right along beside me. Great in an airport and trying to dodge ppl. I will never buy another peice of luggage without them. Howdy, Linda! Damned the winters. It's been a tough one, hasn't it? Even though we are not having temps in the 70's and 80's, I don't feel like I'm being held captive. I love sitting out on our screened porch here and reading. Haven't been to the pool yet and hope to see it sometime b/4 our month is up. As I said in my above post, I so wish you all could come.

Eva...thanks for the info on troublesome posting. Problem is a weak signal here at times...mostly in the morning. We did figure out how to get phone service. We ordered a Magic Jack that plugs into the laptop. I was driving 10-20 miles out of the resort in order to use my cell. It's the same for everyone here. PPL and DS's could email and that's about it. Nice to have the phone in case of emergency. Just talked to DS (our son that works with us)...he was sitting with friends the other night discussing the snow out east. Impulsively, they left the next day, drove straight through and are doing snow removal out there. He loaded up DH's trailer with a bunch of equipment and toiling away. Took him and his friend 27 hours to get there. He met up with a contractor while out there and is working under him instead of knocking on doors. He plans on being out there another week or so due to the amount of snow that is on it's way again. You would think a young, single almost 29 yr old would want to head to the islands for a vacation...not from deep snow in MN to deep snow in Mass. Great...yep, I've thawed. Gets a little chilly but have to remind myself it's sooooooooooooooo much better than at home. Had a campfire last night and I was pealing off layers. The other night I had six layers on, with 2 of them being Titanium jackets. Anything for a campfire! Melissa...I was soooooo hoping that I would be picking you up at the airport with Great. Makes me sad you cannot make it and feel bad for your upsetting circumstances that keep you from coming. Heck, I wish all of you could make it. Maybe next time. We should discuss soon where, when, etc. to meet next time. I stayed at the Monte Carlo the last time I was there and loved the hotel. Everything at your fingertips and close to some fun things. I make the trip every March to do a girls week. I've missed one year in 15. It's a perfect spot even if someone is not into throwing their money to the big dogs. So much entertainment to choose from. OK..let me know if I have this right...We have Janet, Julie, Judy, Jessica, Eva, Lori, Laura and crew, and myself. Three in one condo and four in another. I have packed some supplies so you guys don't need to overpack. I have packed.... Soynuts, popcorn, all the makings for steel cut oats, FF cocoa mix, SF cider mix, a variety of protein bars, a variety of Crystal Lite packets and 4 different kinds of coffee. Will pick up bottled water, a variety of deli meats, some shrimp and fruit and veggies. We should be able to hang and eat and not worry about eating every meal out. Jessica...good luck with your first fill. Looking forward to meeting you at the end of the week. Eva...hope you can see the end of your work overload soon. Anxious to visit with you about what you do. OK...gonna post this while I'm ahead. You all let me know if there is something special you want me to pick up on my way. Gotta go. Have a great Tuesday. The countdown begins..........

OK...going to try this again. Keep losing my connection. Must have something to do with the weather. Melissa...sorry you cannot make the trip. Was looking forward to getting to know you. Will check in later...already had big post and lost it somewhere.

Sorry guys...fly by. Hope you all had a great weekend. I am a football girl and hurrying posting cuz don't want to miss anything. At a SB party with laptop. Sick, huh? Knew it was the only time today I could check in. Having the time of our lives with our friends. Packed a lot in since they have never been in this area. They wanted to see the Atlantic Ocean. Colder than crap on the beach. Melissa. I don't know if I missed what time you are coming in. I will be at the airport at 10 to pick up great. I will scoop you up too if it's not too far from that time. Just let me know. Gotta go...later

Hey All....really quick post b/4 we take off for the day. Weather is dreary but when you're from MN, anything over 30 is a delight. Having fun with our friends from MN and friends we have in the resort from last year. Been doing day trips..Mt. Dora today and St. Augustine tomorrow. It's in the 60's here but fine with me. Been cooking here as our friends just want to hang here most evenings. Even been packing picnic lunches for our day trips. Actually been nice doing it that way.. Today is egg salad sandwhiches, beef sandwiches and fresh fruit, wine and a fresh salad. Just wanted you all to know I'm alive and looking forward to our meet next week. I will be the fuzzy-haired lady (humidity makes my curls look like He!!.) Hope you all have a great weekend. Hope your trip was a good one, Phyll!

Janet...wishing you fun with your sister and lots of luck in everything going smoothly. Hope you get all your "stuff" done. Laura....Moon Fish is fine for me...I will also PM you.

I'm going to try this again. Lost two posts this morning. Someone out in cyberspace is reading a crazy lady post. Good Mornin' again. Me and the dog are already fed a couple of times and letting others sleep in. We got up about 5am...hard to break that farm schedule I am on. Just plan on hitting the road today and finding something to do. Tomorrow I think we will do Mt. Dora or St. Augustine. Flee markets this weekend. Making spaghetti for dinner tonight. Made a chocolate cheese cake this morning and it's in the oven and smells wonderful. Ate like a piggy yesterday...hoping that makes a difference. Well, not going to try and duplicate my last two posts. Hope you all have a good day. Will talk later.

Julie..sorry you are felling funky. Hope all is better soon. Also hope you are cleared for an MRI. Way to long to go with pain and suffering.

Great...I think DS is a little "gun shy" after all the drama...I will explain all in person in FL. He is not at all shy and does date but not looking for a relationship at this time. It was all good until the moment she moved in with him. The example I wanted to make was that he had a "gut" feeling when she said she wanted to move in with him from MN to FL. They had been dating for 2 yrs prior to that and she was hiding her illness from him and kept going off her meds. After finding out about how she was handling life and hearing him call her "crazy", I tried to convince him to look at it as an illness no different than diabetes. She just took it all too far. Better now than when married and involving children in it all. Try TJMAXX for capris if you have time to look. They have every style, every rise, etc. Linda...the closer I got to goal, the slower the weightloss. I hit a couple of long plateaus...maybe a month long each. I sometimes wonder if medications play a roll with some ppl. I deal with kidney stones and have since 1994. When I would be hospitalized and medicated, I would gain a lot of weight. I am not sure if you took many pain meds with your hip but maybe that's a part of it. I do think it's smart for you to change up your diet a bit. Maybe do a couple of high protein/low carb days at a few higher cals and see what happens. I understand your fear of gaining with upping cals though.

Hey Jessica...thanks for sharing your photo. Looking good! How ya doing, Arlene? Better today, I hope. Ultrasound provide any info???

Hey from sunny FL! Finally we have sun. Feels so good. Just hanging around the cabin. DH and friends are out on a boat with a bunch of other friends. I declined due to my verdigo. Just didn't want to give it the opportunity to return. Did laundry (after almost a week on the road, decided it was time) and now just catching up here. I think I actually brought enough clothes for both of us to last a month. DH just rolls his eyes. Cheri...not sure where I stand on my own self-esteem issues. I know I do better than b/4 and I now find myself accepting compliments instead of boo-hooing them. I try to overlook what I cannot change and accept what I have ended up with. Heck, I figure I can basically cover what I don't want the world to see. I promised myself at the beginning of this journey that I would settle for what I ended up with and am doing a good job of it. Yep, I'm OK with it all and don't want to go under the knife for a few little physical inadequacies. Janet...sorry about your pooh issues. I had trouble in the beginning until I learned I needed an adequate amount of fiber each and every day. I munch on Fiber One or Kashi cereal every day. I have found out which foods tend to bind me up and try to stay away from them. Cheese is something I could never eat and blackberries are not my friend, even though I LOVE them. Hope you get things regulated (literally) and get a good night's sleep tonight. Sorry about your "crappy" situation. LOL Linda...sorry if I sounded harsh in my last post. Must have been the glass of stupid juice (wine) I had. We went and visited a friend for her bday and they talked me into a glass. I think the last glass of wine I had was a year ago when we were here. We had gone to St. Ausustine and stopped at this Irish Pub for lunch...forgot to eat and had 2 glasses of wine. I was so cute that I sang a song with the one man band. (Bob Dylan kind of guy). I had him singing a little Patsy Cline. Anyway, didn't mean to be preachy....just making a suggestion. You will figure out what works for you. You rock! Laura...so sorry for you dad's issues. And, when you send my invitation for Nel's party...just send it general delivery to the resort. On the shopping in FL. I also have GPS and not afraid to drive anywhere. We can go in two vehicles. Eva...hey...sounds like you are really working it. Happy to hear your last fill is somewhat what you needed. Good feeling, isn't it. We don't eat out much. DH tends to gravitate to everything unhealthy when we do. I do like to go out to eat every once in awhile though and when we do, I can always find something to eat. I am silly in that I like my "own" meals. I eat what I can and then DH finishes it or I take it home. I tend to be a "food snob" and am picky about how someone else prepars my meat. I get very disappointed over paying for protein that is leathery. Deb...feeling out of control is the worst feeling we have as bandster IMHO. And, you are most likely correct on the 4lbs. I try to take only the weight from my own scale. I am sometimes 6lbs diff with the doc's scale. Just try to gauge your weight by your own scale. And, yes, those damned cookies or whatever trigger foods a person goes for usually turn into more than one. Good girl to rid your house of them. Great...DD will figure it all out. We went through a horrible situation last summer with a dear GF of youngest DS. Long, long story. Bipolar issues with her. We love her but she is no longer in his life. Actually, it is at the point where she can not contact him or us. It was a tough situation and he was at the point of pressing charges. He's a big strappingSS guy and we were proud of him for just never raising a hand or threatening in a few of the situations he put him in. She bloodied his face one night and that was it for him. He took it hard. He loved her and is a gentle giant and w e are proud of how he handled it. Long talks this last visit and he is doing well. Bring your swim suit. I am sure we will get some time in the sun and pool if the weather lets us. Hi to all I am forgetting. Better go make some lunch. I am not sweating the lost pounds. The way I am eating, I will get them back. LauraK, when I first read your post about the cappucinos, I thought, Oh crap, I made her drink them. Good going on recognizing the cals in them.. Later.

OK, Linda, was going to say this earlier...but not sure if ppl would take it seriously...you need to eat more to burn more. You really, really need to eat 1200 cals at the stage you are at and exercising like you are. Just try it out for one week. It will kick you off your plateau. That's all I have to say about that. Just eat more (healthty stuff) and see what happens.

Jessica...you're not nerdy..you're a cool chick and I'm proud of you!

Short post...Jewel..good luck with your eating this weekend. Really be mindful of what you are searching for when hungry. Make sure to have veggies on hand when wanting to much. Don't know how you do school and family. Proud of you. Great...I would bring both capris and long pants, short sleeves and long sleeves. Right now it is about 60 but feels warm. I am in layers but it should warm up by afternoon. Milkshakes (ice cream, milk, etc.) don't sit right with my banded stomach. I did drink cappucinos all the way down. At about 550 cals or more for the 24 oz, you'd think I could have maintained. I ate at least 4-5 protein bars a day, plus meals...This has happened each time I have traveled since being banded. I'm working on getting it back. Eating M&M's and sliders. I hate to even post that on LB Talk... Don't really care that it is raining today. Wanted to go for a walk with DH and DP (dear puppa) but that might have to wait till later today. I have a few books calling me and think I will try to get through a couple of them today. We have a big screened in porch so at least I can still be outside. I didn't think I could take one more day of being cooped up inside in MN. Now, I AM FREE! Hey, Eva...sounds like you are really on the right track and this fill has really helped. Good to hear. Hey, Arlene...keep reading and share your knowledge with the rest of us. I enjoy hearing what ppl get from self-help books. I cannot wait to hit a book store. I see that the outlet mall we plan on going to has one. Hey to everyone else. Gotta go. Kisses being blown.....let me know if you don't get them...I will resend

Good Morning...Poop! Crap! and everything else! Had a huge post to everyone and pushed a cancel button by mistake and lost it. I am not used to the laptop and the way it sits and my clumsy fingers get in the way. Yep, Janet, we are out in the boonies again. Actually, our resort has a restaurant, sportsman store, post office, general store, laudromat, etc. But, the little town has one tiny, kinda stinky grocery store and one stinky convenience store. Big day around here. It's our puppa's birthday. 8 yrs old today and unlimited treat day. Sould be for mom too. Lost a damned 7lbs on the trip here. I am pretty frustrated and cannot figure out why I lose when I travel. I had more than 3000 cals a day. Just don't get it and I could just sit and cry, but I WILL NOT. You would think that sitting on my A$$ for 5-6 days would at least keep me even. Not going to stress. OK...checking out...as I stated last night, most likely won't check in after today until right b/4 we meet. Gotta check out what it wrong with my email account. I know I am not getting it all. Later.

Hello from rainy FL! Just hanging out and eating cereal with the dog. We are all settled in our cabin. Got here yesterday about 4pm. Haven't done much besides run to Walmart in a town about 25 miles away. Dh left for a few hours this afternoon to shop for a stainless steel fire pit and the dog and I got accustomed to things around here. Expecting a couple of days of sunshine this week. I think rain for part of tomorrow and Friday with a nice weekend. Have friends flying in (from home) tomorrow and they will be here for about 10 days, I think. Plan on some day trips to St. Augustine, Daytona Beach, Mt. Dora, etc. In fact, I think our friends fly out the day I head to Orlando. So...I will most likely be MIA for a few days. Hope you are all doing well. Miss my daily chats with you all!

Morning Gang...well, I've been up for an hour and ready to hit road. But, some icing issues this morning and DS, pilot and forever weather watcher, talked us out of going so early. We've had such a wonderful time with DS and his friends. Julie...Woopsy! Washed a telephone? Well, don't feel bad. I bent over a ice fishing hole a few years ago and I have one at the bottom of a lake. DH's billfolds and tiling knives have gone through the wash more times than I can count. Janet...sounds like you had a nice birthday celebration(s). So, how does it feel to be older than me now????????????? All I can say is that you LOOK alot younger than me and certainly look younger than your age. BTW...just want to tell you I'm glad you were born! Hey Eva, happy you enjoyed Garrison. And, BTW, I wear a lot of white shirts and I'm from MN...even wear them in the winter. Speaking of boobs, food and "shelves" on white shirts, have you tried the Tide Stain Release tablets yet? They work wonders. I have never not had a stain released since starting to use them about 6 mo ago. Cheri...sound advice about Jewel's nephew. Well, I'm going to go in and see if I can get DH to roll out of bed. Going to make a nice breakfast b/4 we hit the road and visit some with DS. Will check in in a couple of days. Depending on weather and I don't know what else, some days I need to go to the lodge to get internet reception. Most likely will not be checking in every day. FL girls, remember, closer to the time of travel....if you need to get ahold of me, email or leave a message of my phone. I will have service the day of travel since I will be on the road to Orlando. Looking forward to the meet and getting to know all of you. Loves, Karen

Dang, LauraK...sorry I missed you in the summary of events. I KNEW I would miss someone. Got that choc lab off my mind. Thinking of stealing DS's husky on the way out of town!

Yes, Great, it's been a lovely visit with DS. He's such a good host and seen to all of our wants and needs. Wants to feed us every half hour..he tends to forget he has a "Band Momma". I still get weepy when I visit our farm that we moved from when my kids were 4 and 6. You are just being a normal mother. Have heard that In and Out Burgers are the best. Watching movie with DS, Tanker and DH....Later

I'm over 18 months out and have had two fills...last one was Oct, 2008. I believe I have ideal restriction. Not too tight and loose enough to still get hungry and enjoy my meals.

Been there, done that, BobbyND.... I thought that my midsection would never be in portion with the rest of my body. It was where I carried most of my excess weight and was the last to go. Even after hitting goal, it took a few months until I noticed my waist finally being what it should. As far as waistbands go...I am very long legged (34"inseam if not 34) but I am short waisted. I find the the low rise jeans work the best without causing a snuggy.

OK Jodi..I gotta ask...explain shabbos, please? thanks:unsure: