Cheri

Scoot over, Dear!! I will take one of those paddles from you and we can hopefully turn this boat around!! For me, it's those blasted girl scout cookies!!! Curses to those little pigtailed, uniformed, freckle-faced smiling demons of destruction!!!!! I really thought the band would help me more than it has. I will do super-de-duper (ie. exercise, eat right, plenty of water) and see nothing. So, this week I finished off three boxes of G.S. Cookies, and I am exactly the same as I was before my binging...ridiculous!!! I am only 1.5 in a 10cc band, and I DO have restriction (ever so slight) that I can't eat breads at all. I have to chew chew chew everything to get it in, but I keep forgetting to NOT drink with my meals, so I end up pbing cold Water and slime pretty much daily. Let's see if we can't turn this boat around and get on course, girl!! I'll lean on you and you lean right back on me - okay? ~cheri

I am so curious - what is it that you do?? I know it's really none of my business, but sounds so cool to be able to uproot and relocate like that!!! I am excited for you!!!!!! Wish I could do that (about the farthest I get away from home is the Walmart across town!!) ~cheri

I don't think I even have ribs anymore, but congratulations on finding yours again!!!!!!! ~cheri

Anwyn, I'm pretty sure it's 1 a week now. I agree with you about Paris, her song choice has definitely got to improve or she'll be headed home! I think that Taylor will make it further than Ace (southern boys have a strong history on American Idol), and I think Mandisa will be the last woman standing. I took Simon's comment about Kelli and Carrie as a personality thing - Carrie was rather backward...and as we can already tell, Kelli is a mess!! She has a good stage presence, but the other girls eat her up vocally. Have y'all noticed that everyone seems to have their own niche this year? Well, maybe not Mandisa or Elliott, but defintely the rest of them! Chris - Steamy hot rocker dude Taylor - 70's southern soul with some "funky" groove Ace - Smoldering yummyummy balladeer Bucky - Gritty country boy Kevin - hmmm, not sure Kelli - Daisy duke country gal Kathrine - Talented showtunes gal Lisa - Hot young girl with a taste for the old, old oldies Paris - should stick to soul Melissa - Down 'n dirty bar babe Any opinions? I feel that last year's group was more versatile (except for Bo - but I'm a huge Bo fan, so it's all good!!) I know what you did last Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday... ~cheri

Good Luck Mini and Leener I will be sending prayers your way! You guys will do great, and be super members of bandland!!! congrats!!! ~cheri

Welcome to bandland!!! You'll love it here!!

Next week's pick - Stevie Wonder I think they've done enough Stevie this season IMHO - wondering about Chris, Bucky, Kelli, and Melissa's song choices. Everyone else will probably sound the same to me!! I hope the girls step up the excitement factor for the next show, because the boys are kicking the booties off those ladies!! ~cheri

Paula - I'm with you 100% Ace redeemed himself for me this week! Mandisa is a goddess! Taylor is a complete nut, and his dancing cracks me up!! Soul patrol is his fan club in Birmingham. On the 9:00 news, they go live to the Soul Patrol Taylor viewing party. Anyone who comes from Alabama pretty much get all of Alabama's votes (there is nothing else here to do, so we spend a lot of time calling in votes!!!) Reuben and Bo were both from the Birmingham area, and we all know how well they did!!! My picks for next week's "Had a Bad Day": Kevin - love him, but he's not GREAT or Melissa - don't know why, I just don't feel the public votes for her It's getting tough - Chris, Taylor, and Elliott are amazing, but Ace is HOT (and pretty good singer, too), Bucky has a fan base (I like him, but not country) Mandisa, Paris, Lisa, and Kathrine are all extraordinary (song choice will most likely be the downfall for them), and Kelly is America's Goof Ball right now. Hard to say, hard to say - top 10 could be a sticky place to be this year!!!

I use sparkpeople.com and highly recommend it. I tried fitday, but dodn't like that I could save my own foods, and it was a bit hard to navigate. Spark people is perfect for me - I have my own personalized food section or I can choose a ready planned menu, track my weight, measurements, exercise, and other life goals. Check it out, after all, it is free!!!! www.sparkpeople.com Hope you like it! ~cheri

Sorry! Here we go! 266/231/150's?/-35 taters

My picks for the curb tonight: Kinnik, Brenna, or don't remember her name (sang a Reba song) The crooner, Will, or Kevin (I love little chicken Little Kevin though) I really hope that Mendisa, Taylor, Chris, and Paris stay around for the whole thing!! Ace, you are one hot tamale, but you should be doing underwear ads instead of idol!!!! ~cheri

Wish I would've taken before surgery measurements (I think I did, but can't remember where I listed them!!!) Oh well! Weight -234 Neck - 15.5 Chest - 50 Waist - 45.5 Hips - 46 Thigh - 26.5 Calf - 17 Upper Arm - 14 Wrist - 7.5

Wish I would've taken before surgery measurements (I think I did, but can't remember where I listed them!!!) Oh well! Weight -234 Neck - 15.5 Chest - 50 Waist - 45.5 Hips - 46 Thigh - 26.5 Calf - 17 Upper Arm - 14 Wrist - 7.5

Congratulations and happy banding! Take it easy those first few days post-op, sip, sip, sip, and rest, rest, reat!!! ~cheri

Yep - been there, did that!! Kind of personally embarassing, but fortunately they've dealt with it before! Had the exact same thing happen to me - I feel ya!!! Good luck on Wednesday, and hopefully your visitor will either be gone or wait a few extra days before she visits!! ~cheri

:wow2: :wow2: :wow2: Ray, you ROCK!!!! That is SOO incredible!!! High Fives for you!:high5: :high5: :high5: :high5: :high5:

You Go Girl!!! (Can you see my green eyes of jealousy glaring at you??) Have fun on your trip, but be careful!!! I bet you come back with more weight lost - unless you ski like I do! My idea of skiing has always been sitting in the lodge drinking cup after cup of cocoa!! ~cheri

Hey, it's only right to battle the bulge when the bulge is in the wrong place!! I am so excited for you!!! For me, it's from size 20 to 18. I refuse to try any 18s on (except those low rider jeans beacuse they are so slouchy) because I don't want to feel that disgust when they split at the seam.... maybe I should try them, huh?? Good job, and keep it the positive mindset - it wil take you places you couldn't get to before!!! ~cheri

In IN IN!!! I'll PM my adress when I get a chance!!! Woo Hoo, giftie time, cheri like giftie!!! I promise to make this gift exchange better than my last one!!! (sorry, La Madam!!)

(((BIG FAT SQUISHY HUG)))) Kellie - I am so sorry that you are going through this, but please know that you are SSOO not alone!!! We are all here rooting for you at all times!! Are you taking any presciption meds right now? I don't mean to be a drug dealer, but Lexapro has changed my (and my family's) lives!!! Not only am I on it, but my mom and sister have begun taking it as well. I am NOT saying it is a wonder drug, but it is well worth a try!!! Let us know how it goes for you!!! ~love, cheri

Woo woo Woo woo WOO!! 80 pounds - way to go!!! :hail::confused: :roll::confused: :wow2: :whoo: :woot: :clap2: :dance: :high5:

Hello and welcome to the band!! Totally agree with harley, just grab something liquid (maybe warm chicken broth - warm personally fills me up better!) You'll be back to real food in a couple of weeks...it may feel like longer, but you are giving your body time to heal and adjust!!! Mary, a fill is when the doc adds saline to the band by placing a needle in your port (it is under the skin, of course), and adding a bit of saline. Once you get a good fill, you will be able to eat less while feeling full (or so I've heard!!) Good luck!! ~cheri

Penni - I copied this post to msword to print out for my fridge!! You spoke the words for the feelings I have been having!! Thank you thank you thank you!! I am in, and I will try to check in daily!!! ~cheri

Vera - I am so sorry. I will be praying for comfort for you and your family! {{{{[[[[Hugs]]]]}}}} ~cheri

Thanks for this thread, Kare!! I am sort of new, too, but I love this place!!! I've tried staying away from any confrontational threads (I just don't get them - I'm here for support and advice...and the occasional chuckle...and the gift exchanges...but mostly support and advice). I recently referred a new bandster that I met in my docs office to this board because she was having some issues that I hadn't experienced. I knew that she would get a bag full of great advice and support here. After reading some of the latest threads, I'm afraid to think what her opinion of me is now!!!! She probably assumes I like the confrontations and intrigue (any of you who have read any of my threads or posts know this is totally untrue - I am the goofball, half torn up teddy bear you can always count on for a warm squeeze). I almost regret telling her about this place!! TommyO - I think you are great, light-hearted (I got that, my fellow December baby) - but - This is your band speaking...you need to put down the spoon and walk away from the jar!!! Vinesqueen - I LOVE you, girl! You are my kwon. I come on here many times just hoping to get some of your insight!! You have a great way of looking at things...I wish I could be as in tune with inner self as you are!! Porcindoll - Call me and we'll jump in those puddles barefoot!! You are bunches of fun, and I always enjoy your personal intrigues! Iluvharleys - Wowser, woman!! Almost 100 pounds of you gone! You are an inspiration!! Besides, you are as sweet as a bag of cotton candy (albeit in a much smaller container now) Nykee - you are awesome, I SOOO enjoy your posts! The Best Me - I would love to be considered your friend!! Big Paul - You lose weight too much better than me and I loathe you entirely (just kidding) - you seem like a whole lotta fun! The rest of you I failed to mention - love y'all too! Now, let's get out there and play nice!!! Love~cheri ____________________________________________________________ Hopefully, no animals or feelings were harmd in this posting!