Apples2

Deb...new year...new start. Hope your depressed feelings subside and sorry you worry about your mother. Not too much can be done when you live a distance away. I sure she appreciates hearing from you. JB...try not be be overwhelmed with the task of starting over. I think with any little gain (even 3lbs) there is the need to "start over". Gotta take a look at what put that weight on and get back into gear. Make little goals for yourself. For instance...5lbs by the time you meet up with us in FL and 10lbs by April 1. That way, you don't feel so defeated. You can actually get excited about meeting little goals and start on to the next. And, during these different stages work on in your mind how you will handle maintenance (In my opinion, maintenance is absolutely no different than the weightloss stage....alway need to be aware, keep journaling, etc.)

Janet...Eva's post reminded me of a couple of things did not comment on. So sorry about another loss in your family. You never know and don't even want to think about something like that happening to family or friends. But, have no control over things like that either. So sad. Deb...a big congrats from me on the 50lbs, also. I have been really bad at following along with you guys lately...so sorry. It's not that don't think about you and read your posts...just hectic for us this two weeks at year end and a week into the new year. I like Arlene's idea of getting the toxins out. I had to do that with a couple of friends two years ago. It was difficult at the time but they served not purpose in my life and were actually causing a lot of negatives. I saw one of them last night and just breathed in a clean breath. She was always so bitter and controlling. I cannot have those things in my life. Last night was great. Met friends from lake at hotel and visited for a couple of hours. Met DS and his GF for dinner and a comedy show. Comedian was fun and was nice bringing in the New Year with our son and his wonderful GF. We stayed with the kids until just after midnight and then drove through our little town on the way home and saw that some of our good friends were at the bar and grill. Didn't get home until after 2am and then sat up and visited with DH over coffee and protein bars until after 3am. Slept in until 9:45 and tired today. Screwed up my schedule. Had one weak drink and I was walking crooked on the way to the bathroom. The kids and DH were putting away buckets of beer. (They are more seasoned that this old lady). Bitterly cold here today....par for NY in MN. Gotta go out in it after a bit to visit dear adopted sis and her family. Trying to get house and food in order for our holiday get-together tomorrow. DH made a promise that he will help in the morning. Expecting a crowd. Pi$$ Pot Pete will be on the run with toilet brush in hand. You all have a great day.

Happy New Year to all my Cyber Sisters!

Hey All...just jumping on to say Happy New Year to all of you. Getting ready to head out for the evening and I am running late. Full day at the computer with last minute farm stuff. But, our year is now complete. Laura...welcome back and GREAT photos. You look so wonderful and such a change in weight from last Christmas photos. Janet and Linda...thanks for sharing your photos also. I am having some trouble with my new computer and card reader and had hoped to post photos. Will try to do it after my last Christmas party on Sat. To All....sending love and best wishes for 2010. Signing off and saying goodbye to 2009

Phyll...always been gonna ask you what your favorite drink is at Starbucks. I know you have mentioned many times that it is your treat. We do not have one within a 200 mile radius. We are gonna hit the road on our way to Atlanta and FL and need some hints. I LOVE their just plain coffee but I am one to sip foo-foo coffees also. If you don't mind, I would like to know.

OOPS...forgot to mention Melissa's mom

I think this Florida Meet has put a FIRE under JB! OK, JB...on Feb 11-14 some of us are meeting up in Orlando. We will be staying at the Buena Vista Resort Condos. We have reserved 3-3BR units and will be staying the 11th, 12th and 13th will everyone heading home on the 14th. So far we have myself, Janet, Eva (Octillo), Meredith, Julie, Melissa (1Day) and Laura (Peascorp) if she can make it. I sure hope you can come up and join us. You have quite a drive...5 hours???? This will be great....I've always wanted to meet you!

Hey, JB...you've been missed. Glad to see you back. Sorry you have struggled but sounds like you are ready to climb back on the horse. I don't know what I would have done without the daily support of these fine ppl. A bunch of us are heading to FL in Feb. What ya doin' the weekend of 11-14??????

Linda....have fun tomorrow with your GF's. Sounds like fun. We have decided that we are going to stop out at the hotel and visit with our lake friends prior to taking oldest DS and GF out for NYE dinner. Excited about it. Nice when your kids actually WANT to spend time with their old folks. Ummmmm....I've seen Great (Lori) and I think she'd took awesome in a teddy. (No icky thoughts or anything, Lori...you just look draned good LOL). If you have not already bought one, go get your cane (if it's icy) and head out to VS. Surprise DH. Oh, and let us know how it went....no detail, please!

It's called acceptance. Been a way of life for me since 1994. Never sure when they will hit and when they do I call it "Life Interuptice".

:tongue2:

Give yourself the time to adjust. It took me forever to not go directly to the "Plus" section when shopping in department stores. Then, when I would redirect myself to the "normal" section, I would feel as if people were thinking I should not be in that department. Just takes awhile. Just wait till you start wearing your skinny jeans everyday and start looking at that slimmer image in the mirror and know it's here to stay.

I think it was Cheri who mentioned veggies with meals and liking them soft. I make this dish often and top my meat with it. It's almost an addiction and have to be careful not to fill my pouch and not get enough protein at the same time. 3 diced/peeled fresh tomatoes 1 jalpeno chopped small (optional) 1 red or green sweet pepper diced 1/2 diced onion 1 sprig or 2 cilantro chopped 1 Tbls minced garlic 1 stalk diced celery I just saute in a little olive oil or olive oil spray until done. I add 3 Tbls of FF sour cream and mix. I use as a side dish or top my meats. It keeps in frig

First off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR CHERI HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!! You've come a long way, Baby! and look fabulous. Enjoy your day with your family. I am so happy that you are so happy about being surrounded by them today. Secondly I have an announcement to make: A New Arrival at our House Time: 3:03 AM Name: Bouncing Baby Boulder Weight: Not sure but had fingers Length of Labor: Close to 48 hours Momma is resting and doing fine. In fact, ran errands in town, did four loads of laundry, fed the crowd and mopped all the floors. Good to be back to "normal" other than being stiff and pain when I pee. Eva...hope you are feeling better. I have always been so lucky to never have had back problems. Hope you get some relief soon. I love relief. Welcome Leah and Witchbabe. This thread is a soft place to fall. Janet is open and honest about her LB journey and does not mince words. Lots of experience bandsters to help you through this. All you have to do is share. Jewel...you are doing so great. I love the fact that you are preparing yourself physically and mentally for your surgery and after. Way to go, girl! So proud of you. Janet....hope your day back at work is going good. Great...sounds like your appts are going great. You are doing amazingly with your recovery. I am in awe of Linda also with how she is doing. Laurak..."Hi", Laura...hope all is well and you are back home. Meredith...where the heck are you?????? Julie...hope Mimi and you are better. What a good Grandma. Do any of you think I will EVER be a Grandma?????? Sorry but cannot catch up with all of the posts. Just wanted to pop on and let you know our exciting news. Take care and have a great day.

Oh Eva...thanks for the offer of psychic sonic waves. But, I am at the point right now that I would much prefer a 5th of Grey Goose delivered to my door:blink:

Well...I must be the odd girl out. I love my veggies just passed over the steam a bit. Mushy I can do but prefer lightly steamed. Cheri...who's Jack?

Evening Girls... Great...I don't recognize the name of that town that was getting all the snow. Albany? maybe? When you live in MN, you are crazy not to carry colapse coverage on your ins. policy. Especially for all of our "outbuildings"..machine sheds, etc. Heavy, heavy snow this year and lots of it. Well, things aren't moving as fast as I would like them to with this stone. Just wish I could bear down and it would be gone. No such luck. And, to add stress to it all, it's crunch time around here to get everything completed by the time the bank closes on Dec 31. I think we have all of our prepays figured out and should be able to be ahead of the deadline. It always works and hope this year is not diff. The late harvest threw a wrench into EVERYTHING. Gonna go sit in a warm bath and read. Thanks to you all for the well-wishes. It will pass...it had better. I have been put under a number of times where they either had to go up and get them or break them up. It willl pass on it's own. Please join me in the "Crossed Fingers and Toes" club.

Hey All...it's been a "B" of a day. Thanks for being concerned. I can tell that the stone(s) is on the move. Starts in the back and now the pain is radiating towards the front. I can always tell when it's going to hit the tube...pain in the groin area. Not even close to that yet. I usually pass on my own within 48 hours or so. I could feel this coming on many days ago and hoping that was not what I was feeling. Sorry but cannot comment today. Don't even have advice for Dee cuz I can eat any veggie. Later.

Cheri..pain meds make me projectile puke (TMI). I have always had adverse reaction to them. I never fill scripts after surgery. I just tough it out. DH thinks I have extremely high tolerance for pain. Right now I would say there is no tolerance what-so-ever. I have thrown up many times from stones but since being banded, it's different. It's almost like my new stomach does not have the option to vomit. I just wreath and say a certain cuss word that even offends the dog.Thanks for sending hugs, Cheri Janet...got the sympathy and hugs....they arrived shortly after you sent them! Thanks. :biggrin:

Hey...thanks guys...nothing like asking friends to feel sorry for you. I have felt this coming on for quite a few days now. I am a "seasoned" passer since they hit in 1994. Long, long story but not much they can do. I am a major water drinker. Always have something in my hand and sipping whether I have stones or not. I just manufacture them and so do my two DS's. Never heard the beer story but have been given all kinds of advice. Cranberry juice, apple juice, cannot remember all of them. I just wait and pass when I can. No fun but that's just the way it is. I guess I should feel fortunate that I have not had them for a couple of months. Just wanted to say "hi" b/4 going to bed. Just got out of the warm tub and maybe finish my book. Night all!

UHGGGG...Kidney stones! Any sympathy is appreciated.

My DH would have seen to it that I had my "products" but there would have been no way he would have gone into the store and picked them up. He would stand outside and offer anyone any amount of money to do it for him. Gosh...I hope you don't get that stomach flu. I still have my fingers crossed. It's been making it's way around here for the last couple of weeks. Well...The Black Eyed Peas are one of my favorite groups....LOL Actually...never heard of that tradition. We don't really have a tradition so to speak. When the kids were little, we would let them stay up till midnight with us. They usually never made it. We usually always had a party or two or three to go to and would try to just spend a little time at each and end up at the party we thought would be the most fun at midnight. The last few years we have been staying at a hotel with 14 families from our lake resort. This year we will go to the hotel and visit for awhile b/4 DH and I go out for dinner and probably head home. Just want to do something different this year. Working with DH today to make sure we have everything in place for our next tax appt. I am REALLY trying to be kind and gentle....a little worried cuz it's only 10am and I am losing patience. Nothing big...he's just on his 11th call this morning with friends. (tapping foot...waiting):thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: I think us women are more goal oriented and men are just used to us waiting for them. I am pretty good about not losing my patience but I can feel it slipping.

Well Lori...some pretty kind words and I thank you for that. You should feel very fortunate that you have your immediate family in tact and that your kids actually want to spend time with you. Just keep your sis's and mom's ways in your mind and strive to break the pattern with your children. Good luck flying solo tomorrow. After all the activities (and trying on clothes) a rest would be good for you and so down time. What a DH for helping with the bras and such. Was he one that would by personal hygeine products for you also? What a guy! OK...now I'm going down the hallway to bed!

Sorry I forgot to mention some of you. Not intentional...just tired and headed down the hallway to bed...long overdo.