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Take this time while waiting for insurance approval to really wrap your head around how Lapband surgery will change your life. I, too, was required to have the six month supervised plan. At first I was upset because I felt I was ready to jump in and have the surgery. In retrospect, I am so happy that BCBS had that requirement. It gave me time to "practice" eating like a banded person and provided me with adequate time to prepare. I woke up from surgery NOT feeling like I had the rug yanked out from under me. I felt truly prepared for what was to come. Those first few months can be tough b/4 you get your fills and feel that you are at your "sweet spot". Take this time to read everything you can on LapBandTalk. The wait is worth it. Wishing you luck!

Good Morning to All! Eva...sounds like you are having a wonderful trip...delays, lost luggage and all. Who would have thought that you would be delayed in Dallas again???? Didn't get enough of it the last time??? Hope to hear from you, but, if we don't, enjoy! Another busy day on the farm. Up at 4:15, lunches are packed, breakfast has been had and DH is in the field planting. Had a short, short night. Kidney stone hit about 6pm and passed the sucker about 3am. It wasn't as bad as some but still kept me awake some. Just happy I passed it cuz there could be no slowing down today. Going to plant all my flowerbeds today. One of our soldiers that just returned from Iraq opened up a greenhouse and flower shop with his wife. Went there yesterday because wanted to support them. We have a huge greenhouse business just 1.5 miles from us but it is very spendy and NEVER get a thank you at the cash register. Anyway, picked up a truck load of beautiful plants. I am so excited. I feel so flighty when I am home and trying to catch up with you girls. Didn't take notes when I was reading your posts so did not even hardly "talk" to each of you. So sorry. I guess it's just going to be hit and miss this week and maybe for a bit. Janet...we asked DS to at least wait till the next training session in Sept to make his decision. Not a small deal to comit to 2yrs and just want him to be sure. That's all I asked of him. If he wants to go, we need to support his decision. I'm not happy about the fact he might be over there but his life. He's young, single (yep...again) and cannot hold them back. Will check in later...getting a call to run to feild

Peaches...congrats on the great food day. We are all so different on what works for us. The trick is to find what makes you stay on track and accountable. Hope each day comes easier for you.:thumbup:

Jessica...sounds to me like you have injured or pulled a muscle in that area. You don't want to further agitate it so you might want to call your doc or wait for a little bit to see what advice you get from our "resident medical experts". You are doing so great and are so motivated. It is so fun to read your posts that are so full of all the great things you have going and have done for yourself. Keep up the great work! Thanks for sharing your pics. Your little guy is so cute. He has his momma's smile. I loved that age...well...every age....well...maybe not 17-18 so much. LOL

Lori...my dear friend HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR LORI HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! Hope your day is a wonderful one and have a wonderful evening with DH. You are one busy lady lately and have lots on your plate. As far as the volunteering...I understand following through with a commitment but I would ask to cut it back some. They will just have to understand that you are booked right now. Good Morning to All....It took me forever to catch up with all the posts and there's not way to give you each the attention you deserve. Came home early this morning after a wonderful weekend. Did I say it was a wonderful weekend? Weather was perfect (70's) and this week is going to be the same. DH came and joined me at the lake on Thursday (that has never happened...lucky to get him there by 10pm on Fridays, but, at least he comes...for the first 5 yrs we had the place, he didn't make it up most weekends because of his workaholic ways). We did a lot of work around the place, campfires, nice long breakfasts together. He left early Sat morning to start soybean planting. Asked him a number of times if I could be of help but he wanted me to enjoy myself and the nice weather. DS helped him on Sat and Sun. We have a about 1,000 acres left to plant and need to spray about 2,000 acres. If the weather holds, he should have everything planted by Thurs or Friday. So, needless to say, it's crazy week around here. Have my laundry done and hung out in the sunshine, floors scrubbed, garage cleaned and swept out, bills paid, lunch made, toilets cleaned and now need to hit the shower so I can head out to find some plants for my flower beds and get them settled in their new home. Plyll sorry you lost your friend. Never easy. Great...congrats on finding a home in SLC. Will be thinking of you these next weeks as you move and get settled. Laura...prayers of your dad's speedy recovery. Thanks for sharing the photos. Janet....lovely flowers Jodi...sorry I was not quick enough to respond with a few recipes. Sorry for Dassi's disappointment. Keep trying. Determination WELCOME to all the new ppl. Peaches....I think you posted on the 50's thread for quite a while???? Gonna start the week out with a postive thought for everyone and hope you all take it to heart.... Bose was playing when I walked in the door this morning. Whitney Houston song...the phrase just stuck with me and I hope everyone can get to a point in their lives where they feel it..."The greatest love of all is inside of me". I truly feel you need to have a certain peace and love inside of yourself in order to get to that place where you are satisfied and wake up each morning happy. And, what's more important, you need to feel love for yourself in order to succeed that the things you do. This journey isn't so much about weight loss as it is about finding peace and giving ourselves credit. Not putting up road blocks and self-sabatage because we feel we do not deserve to be happy. Wheather we lose 50lbs and are happy there, or, really want to work towards another 50 more, it's about being happy and healthy and being proud of the women we are. So, that said, I wish for each of you that inner peace. Don't let all the busyness get in the way of taking care of yourselves. Later...sending the love

Deb...sounds like a GREAT trip. Isn't it nice when we can experience things through each other? Would never get DH to New York but I yearn to go. Think it will need to be a GF trip. You sure packed a lot into your days there. So nice that you could spend that time with DD. Allergies are high around here too. Our trees are still budding and lots of mold from snow cover this spring. Poor DS that works with us is ictching, puffy-faced and stuffy. This should all pass within the next couple of weeks as things settle. What brand of bra did you get. I found my perfect fitting brand a couple of years ago and know I will wear the same for life. Just does the job for me. And, an added benefit...I like the way it makes my boobs look.

Thanks, Laura...your wish will be granted. I always know how to have fun. Love my friends but what would be great is to look forward to all of you girls around my kitchen table playing cards. Wow, now that would be fun!:smile2:

Janet...we play some Texas Hold'm, Rummy...simple stuff. Not real big gamblers. I think the most I ever lost was $7 and the most I walked away with was $40. We also play dice and we have a horse racing game we bet on. Yep, we are all sinners and have succomb to being gamblers.

LauraK...I don't kick butt...I kick a$$!

Eva...have a great trip. Sounds like fun. I LOVE traveling....as if I have never told you girls that b/4!.. Safe travels and will miss your posts if you cannot get service. Thanks for the internet tip...I will check it out. Janet...No big surprise on AI...Big Mike going home. I really like his personality. So sweet when he had his baby and wife on stage. Crystal has been my favorite since day one. My favorites are Louie Armstrong, Janet Joplin, Melissa Ethridge, etc. and she has a voice like that. I did not think anyone else was really that great this year. Janet...put out a challenge to your Lucky 7's girls. Most lost by your date wins a special prize or each put in $10 or something and that's the prize. But, has to have proof of healthy eating...documentation (journal) etc. Maybe it will help kick it in the butt for some of them. I know I like a good challenge. Hey Jodi..good going on the weight loss. Sorry you have had some issues. Get better. Great...Good luck. Hope you find the house of your dreams. I am so excited to think that I FINALLY get to meet Phyll and take a peak at her driver. Better hit the books, get the rest of my housework donw, grab the dog and head for the lake. Have some friends meeting me there tonight. I imagine a little card playing and a foo-foo drink or two. Got my money bowl full of quarters and ready to roll! You all have a great weekend. Sending the love...

You are sounding a lot like DH...LOL. Writing it all has always been in the back of my mind. A lot has never been told except for behind the doors of my doc. Would be a bit of a shocker for the now mayor to have it "out there". Oh well....:smile2:

The photo I was trying to attach that showed a close up of the teeth (Chicklet looking caps and dark) was saved in a file and for some reason won't attach

Can't attach for some reason

Hey Phyll! I am only 70 miles away from I94 (Alexandria) which is a great stop off place for lunch or whatever. Also, if I am at the lake I am only 8 miles from Ashby exit. We'll have to plan as the time gets closer. Heck...I would have driven the 4 hours to the MPLS to get to meet you. I plan on looking into that book. I really do appreciate you telling me about it. Sounds like one of those that has a successful ending. DH is always bugging me about putting things into print. I don't have it in me. Too busy trying to leave it all in the past. Janet....yep, you could do it. When you meet your lovlies this summer, just suprise 'em with a boot camp. :smile2: You say you cannot remember what my teeth looked like? I tried to attach a photo. I really dislike close-ups because of my dark teeth. But...here goes:ohmy:

Meredith graduated already. Where did that year go. I miss her busy/young posts. If you can hear this, Meredith...congrats and hope you are doing well. Missing Julie also...looking forward to her popping on and saying she is headed to the Mayo. Someone has to figure this out...she's been having a miserable time of it...especially lately.

Jessica...cute haircut. Also, congrats on the grades, exercise and just plain doing so great. Phyll...I'll check out that book...thanks. It depends on the story...some I cannot read. Leaves me frozen in time. Well...when you decide you route and the time gets closer, we will talk about maybe meeting. I wouldn't make you go off your route even...I would come to you. Laura...so happy to hear you had a special weekend with your folks. I pray that your father's chemo does the trick. Hey...and good going on being able to spend some time with DH. I know with his busy schedule it's not always easy. Thanks for sharing the photos. Nels really does look older with his hair cut and gap. So cute. Tell him I am bummed...I am going to lose 6 teeth and tooth fairies don't do any favors for 54yr old ladies. Hi Cheri...sounds like you are busy and a little hairied. Hope things calm down soon. OK..."Hi" to everyone else. I feel so bad that I have not "talked" to each of you lately. Working on trying to get internet service at the lake. Will see. Would be great. Later.

Hey Arlene...congrats on your loss. And, look at that extra 1lb as something that will probably show up as an extra loss at your next weigh in. Drinking that water is a good thing...if your body was craving it, you needed it. I push the water all day long and always have. Everything works better. I used to notice that the weeks I really got my water in, my weight loss was better when I checked in at the clinic with my LP doc. Flushes out all the impurities. Good luck with getting lots of extra steps in each day. Kind of fun to use the pedometer. Makes you realize just how many steps you are getting in a day and makes you push for the extra. The more active a person is...the more energy they have. Take care!

I just don't know where I could find a more supportive group of friends, and, I so appreciate you all. Thanks. I will be just fine and am like a rubber ball. I bounce right back. That good night of sleep I got last night made all the difference in the world. My family of origin are sh_ts...plain and simple. I have done my work from the time I was a little one and resolved myself to the fact that I would break the pattern and have. I am a survior and not a victim and there's no turning back from that. But, I do appreciate having this outlet to blow once in awhile. As far as the dental work. It will all go well and I am ready for whatever it takes to FINALLY have nice white teeth that I don't have to continually fix. I will have about three month's worth of work and have already made friends with the office staff. I will just look at it as my chance to socialize. I have always taken good care of my teeth and got kudos for good brushing, flossing, etc. But, since childhood they have been a dark grey color and now it's time to change that up. Since I don't feel the need for plastic surgery (as I have stated b/4) this will come out of my PS fund. The extractions for six teeth are the lower front and will now be a bridge down there. I have a defect where my lower lip has extra tissue that has pulled on the gums each time I talk or smile and as damaged that tissue over time. I have had a couple of surgeries in the past to repair and replace that tissue and not willing to go through it again. They took the tissue from the roof of my mouth and sewed it to the gums twice. Not worth it and would cost about 3x more to try and save that area. I am happy with my decision to do the bridge. When all the work is done, I will post some b/4 and afters. I saw photos of my smile from the wedding we were at a couple of weeks ago and it just verified the fact that it is time for me to do something. Phyll...let me know when you will be traveling through our state and if it works for me (and you guys) I will drive and meet you for lunch. Even if it's only an hour or so...would just love to meet you. OK girls...gotta take care of some housework so I can get myself to the lake tomorrow. Will check back later. Again, I do so appreciate all of you. Sending the love

Morning Gang....Well......I am a new girl this morning. Got some sleep. Janet........yes, same DS that was going to follow GF out to California. She is going to law school out there. The relationship hit the toilet. He broke up with her. He was going to sell his business and everything for that move. Now this Iraq/Afghanistan thing. I asked him to give it till the next training session to make his decision (Sept) and so far he is waiting. He already has security clearance so if he wanted to jump on the next training session, I know he would do it. I think he is stressed and tired of working 24/7 (almost) in his own business and wants the excitement of travel again. Anyway...not the reason I have lost sleep. I am resigned to the fact he needs to do what he needs to do and I would never try to talk him out of it...just to be sure of his decision and not just jump in. We will just need to have faith that things will be fine. DH and I have had a lot come our way during our lives and have always handled. Not going to go into detail on why the sleep loss this last week but all I can say is it involves my family of origin. I am not hateful towards them but I know in my heart that ice cold blood runs through their veins. I think I will be having every procedure know in the dentistry business. LOL. Gum sculpting, new caps, extraction of five, new bridge, old bridge replaces, root canal, etc. New dentist is going to try and come up with some kind of plan to make it easier on me since I have had a few reactions to novacaine (ambulance ride to hospital kind of reactions). Any work I have had done in the last 20 yrs has been without anything and that included root canals. But, all this is worth it to finally smile and not feel like covering my mouth. I am going to have to start practicing how to smile. Phyll...not sure why but had a dream about you (mostly) and all the other girls last night. You and Earl came to MN to pick me up in the motorhome and we went to MOA to meet the other girls. MOA actually ended up being a hospital. You and I kept sneaking into ER to use the restroom cuz we didn't want to walk to other one. Got caught a number of times and finally kicked out. Weird dream. OK...gotta run...hit the shower and hit the road. Sorry cannot address each of you...just not time. Will try to visit when I get home this afternoon.

Arlene...haven't even started the work yet...just all the prelim stuff so it hasn't been tough on the body really. I am just spent. Have had so much come up around here the last week and I've lost sleep time. I just need to catch up to feel better. I am usually so good at making sure that I get adequate sleep but not lately. Hope everyone is doing well. Back for the start of all the procedures I need to have done at 9am tomorrow. I have to drive at least an hour for each visit. Am anxious to get this all behind me. Heading for bed. Night all

Hi all....just cannot catch up with everyone. Last couple of days at the dentist's office. Going to have a new smile when I am done but going to go through a lot to get there. Just thought I had better check in. Not feeling well today. Think I am just shot and need to catch up on some sleep. Take care. Will talk later.

Julie...haven't seen a post for a bit. Hope you are doing OK. Will talk to you all Monday!

Up eating my 1st breakfast...I am sure I will be up again at 3am for another. Just like a newborn. Forgot about Mother's Day when I posted. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to ALL..yes, Eva, that includes you. I know what a good mother you are to your babies!

Well Gang...heading out by 6:30am. Have a dental appt, coffee with a friend and then off to the lake until Monday afternoon. Should find out tomorrow what the plan is for the teeth. I know whatever I do will cost a bit more than a bundle of $$$ but I consider this cosmetic stint what I would have spent on plastic surgery had I felt I needed it. Heck, as Janet just said the other day...we look good with our clothes on. I just want a nice smile. DS's decision is strictly his and I will not try to influence him. Think this decision has to do with wanting this exciting job...more than for the $$$. It would be working for the mililtary as a civilian. If I were a young man (or woman) with his experience and had an opportunity to do what is offered, I would jump at it. His stint with the Air Guards is up in Oct and he has put 10 yrs in. I really am proud of him but the 2 yr contract thing seems like a mightly long comitment. Oh well, we have always been available if our sons needed or wanted our advice but they have always been left to make their own decisions. I live with a faith that it's out of my hands and out of his hands once he makes that decision. That higher power is the one in control. And, I can live with that and will. You all have a wonderful week. Ours will be cold and rainy again. The weatherman will have to earn his way back into my good graces. It's been in the 50s most of the week, wet and windy. Not supposed to be above 53 all weekend. Snuggle time! Bye-Bye!