newhope4me

Actually there is a minimum wage requirement with food and beverage servers. They earn about $2.15 an hour from the employer, and then thier tips are suppossed to make up the difference, if they don't the employer is suppossed to make up that difference so that they make that minimum wage. I work in the hospitality/recreation industry, we pay our servers at least $5 more than they would make any where else, however, many private club members do not tip, therefore we pay the servers more and offer full time employees medical benefits. But, the members that do tip them, well, sometimes these girls make much more than I do, especially around the holidays when I'm wishing I wasn't on salary. I also believe that you earn your tip, it shouldn't be assumed. I've seen the entire spectrum, from a great server who loves her job and you can tell, and makes your dinner (or whatever) a pleasant experience to a server who hates her job and wants to make sure everyone knows how miserable she is so that she can share that misery with them.

Yes, but I, like you, turned 40 this year. Therefore, I'm assuming its age, not the band. I've had an almost 2 week period, then 2 weeks later, I started spotting, went couple of days with nothing, then my period started again. I'd been pretty regular for quite a few years before this. I do lose weight though, due to being so tight during TOM. May I ask, was turning 40 a factor in getting the band? I only ask because it was for me. Seeing all the health issues in my family, and a big birthday coming, I didn't want the same future for myself.

Since we are discussing tipping, what about a nail salon, is it the same? I usually give at least $5 for a full set, double if i have mani and pedi.

Thank you, I am very proud of him. I have always encouraged him. When my kids were little, we would take crayons, paper, pencils every where we went so that the kids were never bored. All 3 can draw, but my middle son has really blossomed. You can tell how he feels (depressed, happy, comfortable, etc) by his work.

Here I am, the missing OP. Yes, Kat is correct, this has been resolved. So funny how old a thread can be and then get resurrected. When I'd received email notice of a reply, I didn't even remember that I was the one that started this thread.

I chose not to tell because not only is it not anyone's business, but about a year before I was banded a co-worker was banded. There was a lot of negativity that I heard about it then, I don't beleive any of it was mentioned to her, but behind her back, it was awful. It was all due to lack of education regarding the band, but I don't need any added stress like that. I don't need anyone judging me based on my health choices, I have some co-workers that already dislike me because I outwork them (7 jobs) I don't believe it's lying by not telling anyone I'm banded. One co-worker who is trying to fund it herself asked me if I was, after noticing my eating habits and the weight loss. I was honest with her, and she swore not to tell anyone. Our business is very seasonal with business just beginning to pick back up, so people are really starting to notice, since they havent seen me all summer. But I'm honest with them as well, it was hard work, healthier eating habits and getting up off my butt! I have people ask if my husband is overseas again (military) because I always lose weight when he's gone, but I gain it right back. I can't wait to see it stay off!

I dabble in many different things (sew once in a while, cake decorating, drawing, posters, etc) but the real artist is my son. He has worked in almost every media and does great in all of them. He has sold a couple of his pieces when he was still in high school. Now he is apprentising to be a tattoo artist. Here are some of his works. The first is the most recent tattoo he did on a friend. Then a sketch done with prismacolor pencils of his girlfriend's niece, a couple of pen and pencil sketches. The spiderman scene was done on my garage wall, he had just received an airbrush for Xmas and was trying it out. I hate that a few months after that we thought we were going to move (military) and we had to paint over it. Now that he lives in another state, and I find comfort in all the drawings and paintings and sandblasted mirrors he has given me, I miss that one when I go into the garage.

With my first husband, we did this a couple of times. However, if there are any insecurity and/or trust issues, it is not a good idea. I did it with him because at that point in my life I would have done anything to keep him from cheating-he cheated anyway. So, hopefully everyone is doing it for the right reasons. While I was single I did it without so many complications. I think the things you and your wife must look at are (as mentioned above) will someone feel left out, or a bit uncomfortable on what one should do? It sounds like you are interested in bringing in a woman, which can be exciting for you, what if your wife suggests another man? This can be very enjoyable for a woman, to be the center of 2 men's attention, very flattering (and doesn't need to be any man on man interaction). I am bi-sexual and do miss being with women, however, my current husband doesn't want to risk our feelings with each other and I respect that.

Are you sure that what the Dr. gave you isn't a guideline, with suggestions? I'm with jmegirl, mashed cauliflower is better for you than mashed potatoes, with similar consistency (spelling?) When I was in this stage I also added a bit of marinara sauce to the cottage cheese or low sugar strawberry jam to add some variety. I like cottage cheese, but it can get boring just plain.

Thank you for that information. I will watch it in the next couple of months and see if it continues like this.

Sorry i've been absent, been out of town on business. Ok, maybe not in order, but my responses: It was private and charter school night (i left out the charter school part as I have been asked so many times what this is: basically a private school for the general public, it is not expensive). I did learn that many parents were a bit upset about it, not to mention faculty members who were in attendance. There were games set up by faculty to raise money for thier prospective schools (dunk the principal, etc). I don't believe that I was mistaken regarding the theme. The students were given the tickets (all students received 2 tickets), and the ticket stated: "Private and Charter School Night". Once we arrived, there were people at the gate handing out trick or treat bags with a few pieces of candy and the concession vendors were wearing costumes. When we mentioned the girls' outfits, we were informed it was "Halloween Night". I don't know how I coud misinterpt that. I also would not expect the naughty school girl outfit to be every where as there were young children present. I have nothing against the outfit. I have a similar one in my own closet. However, I do not wear it in public and definitely not around children. If I had been in a bar or at an adult costume party, i would not have a problem at all with the outfit. Yes, 12 year old girls can see pretty risque outfits on television. Does that mean we should encourage such attire? Granted, I feel lucky that my daughter is much more modest than some of her friends. I know I can't protect her from the negative influences in society, but i just thought that enjoying a family activity could be accomplished at something that invited children from area schools.

the eating on a schedule thing is super important to me. if i don't eat on time, then i feel like im starvin and always end up eating too much and/or too fast. i also just had another fill, now relearning about mushies, and to eat smaller quantities

it is finally getting light, maybe by thursday it will be over

I've read that the more you get it, the more you want it. To keep with that suggestion, before we go on a weekend away i masturbate more, to encourage my body to want it even more for the time we have, lol. I am looking forward to next week. we are going to nashville for a week, just the two of us. the days will be busy as hell for me, but im hoping the nights are busy for both of us!

Like I didn't dislike my TOM enough already, it so far has lasted an extra 2 days, with no end in sight. Today it is still heavy like it is on the 2nd day, and i've been having killer cramps. WTF? I know it's not a huge deal, but as heavy as it seems, it could go on for at least 2-3 days more. Maybe just one last hurrah before i hit menapause? lol, i will be turning 40 in about a week and maybe this is mother nature's little "happy birthday" to me? Seems each of my decade birthdays are "off". When I turned 30 I had just had my first depo shot and the dr. had me on hormones to get things evened back out and my mom thought it was a good time to tell me that most of the women in our family go through menapause early. The hormones made me a mess. Now, my 40th and i am of course a little off due to this neverending period thing.

After I was banded, I changed our families lifestyle. The only sugar we have in the house is hubby's soda (can't get him to quit that) and I let him and my daughter pick out their favorite cereals. I even try to buy low or no sugar foods. I just wish I could buy some items in the same sizes that I used to be able to get in regular foods, i.e. low sugar ketchup is a small bottle, I used to buy a huge bottle and it would last forever. The only time I have sugar is TOM, i have to have my dark chocolate. But its usually one small square or so.

I'm assuming they did it in August because I'm guessing there's no game around Halloween to do it then.

That's understandable. Therefore, I found a similar outfit online to show you. The only difference between the pix and the actual outfit are, there was no bare midriff, the girl wore a tight fitting shirt under the white shirt. The skirt was black as well as the laced topped thigh highs. The girl wore her hair the same as in the pix.

minor league i'm guessing. it's the city's team, hubby said he was wondering if it was triple A or what, but I don't know. I did ask my 21 year old son what he thought, and he agreed that since there were kids, it was inappropriate. he said even if the girl had been hot, because there were a lot of kids, it was wrong.

I have always considered myself a pretty liberal person. Or maybe i'm just getting old! Friday we took my 12 yr old daughter to a baseball game. She had received a ticket from her school for "Private School Night". We thought it would be an enjoyable family evening. Not quite... I guess in addition to it being "Private School Night" it was also "Halloween Costume Night." As the vendors were coming through the stands selling Snacks and beverages, there was one vendor who looked like she was selling a little more than that. Hubby and I both thought it was inappropriate and distasteful for a "family oriented event" such as a baseball game. Had we been at a bar or other "adult only" venue, it would would have been fine. Where I work, we do not allow the staff to dress for Halloween anymore due to situations like this. It seems many people do not realize what is appropriate and what is not. In fact it is an outfit that hubby likes and I have a similar one in the closet... the short skirt, lace-topped thigh highs, white top that the girl was spilling out of. And I don't believe I'm saying this out of jealousy, since the girl was about the same size if not a bit larger than I. Hubby even talked to the assistant manager (apparently the manager was not available). Basically he was dismissed that "It is Halloween Costume Night." Ok, I understand that, but they are dressed as.....and is that what we want to emulate at a family oriented event? While hubby was speaking with the asst. manager, another girl walked by dressed identically. Now, we are not overprotective of my daughter, she knows the facts of life, she is aware some women make a profession out of what it appeared these girls were emulating. However, its not only about my daughter, but all the other children (many of whom were younger than mine) and families. I feel lucky that my daughter is so modest; she doesn't even like to wear bermuda length shorts and she can't stand v-neck tops. As I stated, I believe I am pretty liberal. However, what I wear to a girl scout meeting is completely different than what I wear to go to a strip club with hubby. Now, am I overreacting that it was inappropriate? I know that many girls wear less day to day, but these girls (early 20's I'm guessing) were obviously dressed like hookers/strippers, is that appropriate at a baseball game on the same night that school age children are going to be the majority of the attendees? Am I just getting old and making too much of this?

Just found this Military spouse section! Hubby is a Marine. We met here in Yuma (5 yrs ago), so this is suprisingly the only place we have been stationed. Couple of close calls with recruiting duty, but both times decided to send him to Iraq instead. We like it here. I have a great job, my daughter is in a great school. But we are willing to go any where. We look at it as an adventure.

i shave everything down there. it is difficult, lifting the tummy flap, but i, like you, prefer everything clean and hairfree. I do try to get the hairs out from the lips, usually end up missing some, which irritate me later. As far as the nair idea goes, that has never worked for me, even on my legs. (actually i believe the label says not to use it near the genital area, i think it would burn if it gets too close to some areas). I have thick, dark hair and i believe that's why nair (or any of those products) work for me. Regarding the laser hair removal, a coworker had this done for her upper lip. She had 6 treatments and still has hair. she said it was not worth the time or money she spent on it. I have considered it for my facial hair, until hearing her story. I couldn't imagine doing it down there.

I love my wii fit! I like that it tracks your weight and bmi and the time you spend on it. I like seeing my mii compared to other mii's, helps me to realize what size i seriously am. (my son's friend's girlfriend set up a mii, I always thought i was larger than she is, but when i saw her mii, i was smaller.) The two weeks prior to getting the wii, i was working out in the mornings to exercise videos. But I am sweating way more with the wii than i did with the videos. My favorite is the stepping. I hope they make a full game involving the steps.

Finally! I got mine yesterday. Hubby got it for our anniversary. He said he didn't want to since its not very romantic, but he knew how badly I wanted it. We each set up mii's on it. We had fun. I think he's going to enjoy it as much as I am. He's a Marine and a bit overweight to their standards.

This is a great tool. Thanx!