Apples2

I swear every one of my threads have been quite this weekend. I hope everyone is just having a great weekend and out and about. DH and I are about to head out to watch my DS's friends band. They are sooooo good and just started up last summer. They play a variety and do very well for mostly 23-24 yr old young men. I got all dressed up and holding DH off till we get home. Guess I dressed a little too sexy for the old man!

I am going to try your recipe, Charlene. Sounds like a great dish for a change!

Claudine...was going to mention. You have an amazingly beautiful face. I take it your avatar is a real photo of yourself. Mine is...are't I pretty????????????

Welcome to the group, Claudine! Hopefully your fill on Tues will do the trick. In the mean time, try to not snack. Trade those Snacks in for veggies. Mix 1/2 cup fat free may, 1/2 fat free sour cream, 1 tbls dill weed for a nice fat free dip to go with veggies. See if that gets you through. Let us know if your fill helps. Good luck!

Long...DO NOT...I repeat....DO NOT buy any more sandals....you are delaying spring. I wish you would have mentioned it b/4 I bought 4 pair. Now I feel so bad. I screwed it up for everyone! Try not to stress about goal...you will get there. I remember that the last 20lbs were the toughest to take off. The last 2lbs took forever. It will come. At least you are in tune to your losing cycle. Hang in there and we will all Celebrate with you when you get there. Way to go, girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LJV...have fun in Vegas and fun with your family. This is the first year that I have been out there that the weather was chilly. I have gone for the last 17 yrs in March and was always nice. It was terribly windy while I was there.

OOPS! Forgot the 1/2 cup slivered almonds

Phyll...submit away!!!!!!!! If you want any other Heart Healthy recipes to submit, let me know. I have one that I make all the time and just love it. Cherry Chicken salad 2 cups cooked wild rice (you can actually find it in the store in a can) 2 cups diced chicken breast 1/2 cup FF sour cream 3 tsp Splenda 1 cup FF mayo 1 cup dried cherries (can use dried cranberries also) Serve on lettuce leaves

Not much time to check in...spring work has hit us (not in the field yet..just readying equipment, etc.). Have a table full of guys for dinner today and making the cakes for MIL 89th bday tomorrow. We have a crowd coming and will be a big day. Happy to hear you are feeling better, Janet. DH has the same kind of thing going on. Nurse was here this morning to set him up with CPAP machine. I felt for him. All snotty and trying so hard to try the machine out. Took three hours but think he has a handle on it now. He had 2 sleep studies and results were that he has same rare sleep disorder as DS. Nurse scared him into wearing every night. We'll see. DS takes his with him when he travels and hope that DH does the same. Todays menu: White chicken chilli, homemade (up at 5am to get it going) whole wheat bread made with honey and cottage cheese....so nice and moist, and pumpkin cake with cr. cheese frosting. Chili recipe: (I'm cutting it down to a 4th of what I made) 4 cups Water...bring to a boil 2 cups diced chicken 2 tbls low salt chicken bullion 1 can butter bean 1 can black Beans 1 can great northern beans 1 TBLS chili powder (more is wanted) 2 cups Fat Free sour cream Simmer for 30 minutes...stir often ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope everyone is having a good day. I'm off to head to town for farm parts, to the bank, to the PO to mail Easter box to DS and GF and then to visit my 88 yr old best friend.

Hunzi...that's wonderful news...CONGRATS and the best of luck to you!!!!

Hi All...Hope everyone is doing fine. I am back from my "extended" Vegas trip. Felt like I had two vacations. Spent 4 nights with my 50th bday party group at the Monte Carlo and the other 4 nights at the Riviera with my group of friends I go out to Vegas with each year. Was the greatest time with both groups. Saw Tom Jones. He moves pretty good for an old guy and can really belt it out. I have caught up on this thread and my others but no time to respond right now. GREAT photos, Janet. Happy to hear you had a good time. You look wonderful and congrats on the zipping fete. Your GS in beautiful.

Good Evening Ladies. Busy thread today and I was so busy getting ready to leave that I did not have time to visit until now. Sharon...happy to see you back safe and sound and good you had a nice trip. Julie...so sorry about your new bed...bummer. Hope you get your new one soon. Yum...rice pudding. I have some on the table at the moment waiting for the guys for their supper. Some portions in the frig also for meals this week. I love making homemade rice pudding as it is my DH's favorite. I make it with skim milk and Splenda. You are right about those low sugar/fat free Cookies and such, Julie. They still have plenty of calories and just not worth having around the house. Congrats on your scale dropping!!!!!! You will be in Twoterville b/4 you know it. I am sooooo happy you are posting with your friends here. You just wait...you are going to feel like you cannot miss a day with us b/4 you know it!!!! Long...sorry about your tummy ailment. Hope your are back to normal soon. Not a fun thing to worry about when you have the band. Well, girls, leaving early in the morning. Worried about the weather coming and hope my plane leaves on time. The rest of the girls are getting worried also. Supposed to get crap weather tomorrow. All packed and ready to go!! Talk to you all in about a week. Have appt. with specialist regarding my kidney stones the day after I get back. I am hoping they will be able to blast them so I have a break from them for awhile. Bye-Bye for now!

Allie...don't beat yourself up. I went and read the discussion between you and Wasa. Yes, she is very pro-sleeve but most who discuss on the sleeve or complications threads have had MAJOR troubles. I guess I peak into complications threads once in awhile....you never know what can happen with the band and good to have that knowledge in case something does. I've been very lucky and have only been stuck a couple of times and it was totally my own fault (nervous when eating and ate fast). Wasa is actuallly full of knowledge and very helpful to most that are having problems. Try to blow it all off and not feel bad about your discussion with Wasa. You could talk to her tomorrow on another thread and she would be there to help you out and give you advice. We've all been in a situation like that. Things get heated up and things are said. Been there done that!

LOL, Plyll.... OMG...do you know how many times in the last weeks you guys have mentioned my cooking, etc.? Guess I better back off a bit on posting what I cook and bake. Guess I just wanted everyone to know that it IS possible to cook and bake AND resist. It's all part of my job on a daily basis. Many helpers around here for 9 months out of the year and has always been a big part of my life...even when I owned my own business. I always cooked in the evenings to get ready for the next day. When I look back on my posts, I guess it was not quite fair to list what I make....but most recipes are converted to low fat, low sugar and I eat my own concoctions every day. Sorry girls

Allie...I think we are talking about the same Seven jeans...they are a tad expensive but soooooo nice. There are Seven/7 jeans also that are less expensive but fit nice. Trying to stir up trouble in another thread, Allie??????? (Just kidding). I get very passionate about my band also. In real life I seem to be defending it daily. People make the some of the oddest and rudest comments. Very opinionated and sometimes quite stupid. I just burns me. I try to stay out of threads like that. I just sit here and lurk with my foot inserted. Nothing wrong with saying what you feel and defending yourself though.

Hunzi...wishing you all the best with your upcoming surgery. You've been through a lot and you deserve a bit of luck this time. Please keep us posted as I am sure we are all anxious to hear how you are doing. Sending love your way! Good Sunday evening, Everyone! Had a busy weekend. Helped oldest DS (28) with his bookwork for his tax appt. He had things pretty well documented but got a new program put on his computer and got last year's transaction and up to date for this year. He was VERY appreciative and momma didn't mind helping him out. Did some last minute things around the house and a little baking for the guys for when I am in Vegas. I am so excited for this trip. Just hope I can go into the relax mode once I get there. I always worry about home, the farm and how things are getting done. Our weather is pretty iffy which is making me nervous. Any hint of bad weather tomorrow and I am off and running to get closer to the airport (4 hour drive). You all have a good week and will talk when I get back. Take care....and, Hunzi, you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Joanne..have never heard of Bass Pro...will have to go online and take a look.. Now I see what you mean about MOA, Joanne...she was talking about LAST year and I thought she was talking about saving $$$$$$$$$$$ for an upcoming trip to MOA. If she was heading that way, I was going to drive and meet her for a bit.

Janet...when is your trip to MOA?????????

Hey gang, Happy Saturday. How's the mons, Allie? Too funny! Now, don't run up the stairs just to look!!!!!!! I know it's been discussed on many different threads about going into a store and feeling like you don't belong in the "normal" section. I still feel my cart pull me down the path to the Plus size area. I would be in the smaller sizes and actually look around to see if people were staring at me. Weird. Talkes awhile. But, I love shopping so much that I could be a personal shopper. Long, I too need tall jeans and slacks. I wish stores would carry more longs. Hard to find. I found 2 great fitting capris for my trip...blue denim and whit denim. I went online and found them and going to order same style in a jeans in tall. They are Columbia "Lean" fit jeans. I am very narrow through the hips and I have extremely skinny legs (not to my delight). These pants are the best fitting I have had so far. Allie...I love Seven for All Mankind jeans from TJ Maxx. I also like the Seven/7 brand. I notice that the only pants I want to wear anymore are the low rise. I am short waisted and they just fit me so much better. The others come up right under my boobs. Lucy...so nice you made what your dad wanted for his bday dinner. I am sure you fill and make him feel special. It can't be easy for either of you and I am sure you both miss your mom. Well, off to get some things done around here. Talk to you all soon. Where is that CathyChats anyway.....maybe she ran off with her blind date guy????????????????

Thanks, Long. This trip is going to be so much fun. I love to fly and do it as often as I can. Was able to get first class the last three times I have flown and also this trip. Getting spoiled and won't want to go back to coach next time. I would fly every day of my life if I could. Must be where DS gets it from. He has been a commercial pilot since he was 20. He is now in Atlanta starting up his own flight school. He instructs every day and has for over five years. It's so fun to watch your kids do things you wish you would have done!

OOPS! Forgot to say congrats on the size 10's, Long. There are so many elating moments on this lapband journey, aren't there???????????

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Wanted to jump on and catch Janet b/4 she left on her trip. Janet...have a wonderful time. I, too, hate deciding what to take. I think I have packed and repacked three or four times for my Vegas trip. I think I have a handle on it now and taking a smaller suitcase (2) of them actually. Bday party went off really well. But, days of prep, decorating, cooking, baking but happy we did it for our friend. Sorry...I had to let off some steam about it the other night. Around here everyone knows everybody and when there is a party...everyone shows up whether they are invited or not. Had a great time. Had a couple of drinks very early in the evening and then switched to water cuz I wanted DH to have some fun and I was the driver. Didn't get home till 1:30. Had clean up after DJ was done and then unload our truck when we got home. Julie...so sorry you feel like you don't fit with the crowd....I have to tell you that I felt like you fit immediately. You are so open and friendly. Just give us a chance and you will see that we accept EVERYONE. You can be as negative as can be and we will lift you up. You should never worry about what you say in your posts. We've all been down the same road. I got your email but just didn't have time to respond this week. I will get ahold of you soon and we will talk. Well, better get after it. Lots to do and think I will be leaving a day early due to the weather. It's a 4 hour drive to the airport and will get ahead of the weather the day b/4 and stay over night near the airport. If I don't get back on, we'll talk to you all soon. Hugs to my friends!

Hi to everyone......looks like everyone must be having a busy day...no one posting. Been busy with volunteering and party preparations. Tomorrow night is the night. 250 people or more. We are cooking for 300. How do I get myself into these things? So upset tonight. Met with my friend and made 450 Jello shots. Bday girl was sooooo rude and unappreciative. Have never known ANYONE that plans her own party right down to the sash and the tiara. I was gifted with the BEST 50th bday party ever. DS and DS planned it from FL and Iraq...250 people and I expected nothing. I was humbled when I walked in the door and saw the crowd. This chickie-poo even sent out her own invitations and TOLD people they owed her and should perform and put her party on. Well, needless to say, my friend and I decided that everyone deserves a party even though she pissed most people off and they refuse to lend a hand. I'm definately not a doormat but getting up at 4:30am and making cake for 250, baked Beans with Italian sausage for 250 and so on...my other friend is making BBQ hamburger. After food prep I am having a shot of Yag and I'm going to sing Crazy at her FREE kaeoke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Helene...I agree with Joanne....time to squeeze some time in to take for of yourself. No way should you have had that drama right b/4 surgery. It's hard to take back words that are said but an apology would have lessened the pain. When you are feeling better and can be out and about, take a day for Helene. Go out for lunch with a friend, take in a movie, go sit in the park. You have been through sooooooooooo much in the last few month. Time to create some time for yourself and not feel guilty about it. Joanne...I know someone else reminded you of this; make sure you get up and walk on the plane and stretch your legs to prevent clots. I have had trouble with clots in the past and feel it is very important to move, especially during long trips. I bet you are get more excited by the day to see your family. You will have to keep us all posted.

Not too strong of words at all, Holly. Some days when we are not feeling just right or are having a weak day, all it takes is to come on here and there's always someone that's going to be there for us. We are all at different stages of this process but we all know that we are in for this for life and need each other and truly UNDERSTAND what each other are going through. What goes around comes around and I think we each give help and take that help when we need it. Happy St. Patty's day everyone! I am a half Irish potato cooking and a half Norwegian coffee drinking girl. I always have an answer for myself when I have inner turmoil going on....it's the Norwegian in me b___tching at the Irish in me!:lunch: