Great2BThin

Good morning. I have some of those QVC 'diamonds' too. I had a bracelet but some of my 'diamonds' fell out. I have a few rings and a necklace. I love 'em and don't sweat about wearing them. Today I am going up to talk to my boss to tell him of my 2nd knee. I know I am putting him in a bind, and if I need to quit I will, it wouldn't kill me to. The way it is now, I go back to work on the 1st, I'd be working only 2 weeks, then my knee surgery. I'd go back on Feb 1st and then would need 2 weeks off again on the 28th of Feb for our Isreal trip. I make so little money that it's not that big an issue, just like having the 'fun' money. But the money I will save by having this surgery now over next year is almost 6 mos of my salary (told you I made very little LOL plus we have one of those high deductible HSA insurance plans). Also, gotta take the doggies to the vet to get their shots. They are a few behinds late in getting them and with going to the farm in SD next week around all the other dogs and critters I want them current. Then I too am meeting a friend for lunch today. So busy day.

Are there still any June '08 BUgs out there? It's been a year and a half almost since out band dates. Would love to hear from everyone and how they are doing! For me I hit my goal just about at the one year out mark and I've been maintaining ever since. I used to hate shopping but I love it now, it's so much more fun looking for sizes 8's & 10's than it was 24's 26's. I am a little nervous about the holiday season coming up and maintainance, but I lost last holiday season I should be able to handle maintainance I hope. Since banding surgery I have had my gall bladder out, and then in Oct of this year I had my knee replaced and now in a few weeks I am getting the other knee replaced. That's my biggest disappointment with the band and it's not the band's fault. I was so hoping as I lost weight my knees would get better. But, alas, I damaged them too much. So I am looking as the knees completing my transformation. I love being more active now and hated that my knees held me back. Plastic surgery? I'd love it but after 2 knees, I just won't have the funds for a long time for it. The excess skin isn't too bad. My stomach is fine it's my legs and droopy girls that bug me the most. So how you doing? There were a couple hundred Junebugs at one point. Come back and check in!

By the looks of your ticker, it looks like you broke that plateau. Good job!

Good luck tomorrow Allie!! AFter this your transformation is going to be complete. I can't wait to see the pics!!

I asked mine repeatedly to do both too and he said no. He very very rarely will do both knees at the same time, he says the risks are too high and recovery too difficult. And the fact that I was a bariatric patient made it even more so. But now that I am 6 weeks out it sure would be nice if the worst was behind me. He also told me though that the 2nd knee recovery is almost always easier than the first. First of all, you know what to expect and second, it's not as bad as the first knee. He said the worse the shape the knee is before surgery the more difficult the recovery. This knee is no where near as bad as the other but I didn't want it to get that bad either. I am praying they get an earlier cancellation though as now that I have decided, I don't want to wait 4 more weeks.

I like your line of thinking, Janet, not having to cook! Better yet, get out of clean up duty. LOL And if the gathering at my family gets too intense I have a perfect excuse to leave. LOL

Good afternoon. Well I had my knee doc appt this morning and I am gonna do the other knee! AM I crazy?? I am set for surgery on Dec 16th unless they get a sooner cancellation. It will be nice to have them both done and behind me. Seeing as how I met my out of pocket maximums for my insurance with the last knee this one will be paid 100% hence my decision to get it done before the end of the year. I'm not real crazy about it being the week before Christmas but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. The 15th is DHs bday so it will be the day after. I am a little afraid to tell my boss that I am coming back to work for 2 weeks and taking off another 6, then back for 4 weeks and taking off 10 days for vacation. I like my job but understand if he wants to replace me. I wouldn't be heartbroken. I figure whatever happens is for the best. Apples, so sorry to hear you are feeing the grief so hard right now. Wish there was something I could say or do to make you feel better. You are the biggest cheerleader for everyone here when they are down. You've just suffered a major loss, think they busyness kept your grief bottled in until now when you are alone it just is bubbling out. Sounds like you are able to drink as much as me. LOL Eva, thanks for the pep talk about my daughter. I do see glimpses of her settling down some. She's come along way. My son, well think he still has a few wild oats to sow. LOL Janet, you will quit the smoking when you are ready. Just like losing weight, no one is going to make you do it and you won't be successful until you are good and ready. We'll be here for you either way, just as you are for us. What I like about this thread is we are all able to accept each other where we are. We don't get into debates about politics, religion, etc. we may all be on totally opposite sides off all that, but what brought us together is our surgeries, our need for support and friendship and it has remained that. Since this is your thread, I thank you for that. I am white under my dark brown as well. I get the skunk stripe if I wait too long. I now go to a salon again to get my hair colored as I found a cheap gal to do it. But when I lived in CA and on the east coast it was too costly and I did it myself. Just went to Sally's and bought the color and developer myself and DH would check the back for me and make sure I didn't miss any spots.

I used to post here a lot too, I left when there began to be so much band bashing awhile ago. I love my band, was banded 6/5/08, I reached goal in 1 yr. and have been there since. I'd never have made it this far w/o my band. I lost weight in the past but no more than 60 or 70 lbs and always to regain it. What I like about the band is that I can keep my restriction and it's helping keep me at goal. I still get cravings and have treats on occassion. I went from a size 26 to an 8/10 depending on the cut and what it is. I used to hate shopping and now it's my favorite pass time! Welcome to the new folks!

So would DH. Heck he'd probably bring his dog and shotgun along and look for birds. LOL Can't wait to meet ya! Sounds like you know Watertown well so I'll let you pick the place.

Apples, thanks for the pep talk about DD. For the most part it's been good, but lately have had our moments and it's mostly from falling into old habits in things like help around the house, etc. We will get through this and plan on having a discussion soon. Before you offer to buy lunch, I am bringing DH along as he is my driver. LOL I don't mind the extra 50 miles. If we cut that in half we'd probably be meeting in a field some where about 25 miles out of Watertown. LOL Julie, drats, didn't realize you were that far away. That's a long drive for a couple hours. Now just gotta pray for no bad weather and for good roads.

I am back from a very trying day shopping with Grandma today. Seems my sister told her to tell me to be careful of ice, becareful she doesn't get too tired, etc. What do they think I am a kid? Like I don't know there's ice out there? (very little and we avoided walking on any of it, it was melted by the time we got anywhere anyway). So that set my mood. LOL But she was in a mood where I couldn't make her happy. Took her to a nice restaurant and she ordered soup as she wasn't hungry, took her everywhere she wanted to go and we'd get there and she'd want to leave. I am worried maybe she wasn't feeling well. I kept offering to take her home but then she'd say no to that too. It was a day that required more patience is all but we got everything done we wanted to. I even got DH's Christmas present, he will be so surprised and excited as I got him a new fly rod & reel. Apples, I am married to a workaholic too. My kids are so far the other way at least when it's around the house and off the job. I hear reports from their jobs if I am at them etc. about what hard workers they are there. But they just work, then blow the money on the social scene. Both of them have had cars repossessed even. Drives me nuts. It's all about me me me me and living in the moment. I'd like them to balance it a little better than that, but what can I do at this point. They say they are cleaning their acts up but the verdict is still out on that one! Why make a car payment when there's fun to be had. GRRRRRRR DH is a workaholic and I was always so anal about getting bills paid, money etc. that I think our kids have gone to the opposite extreme. Janet, the wedding is in March, 26th to be exact so about 4 more mos. She's living in our finished basement so no one sees her stuff, but I still feel as you do, she should be more as a guest and keep her stuff picked up and not treat it like her teenage bedroom. It can't even be that it used to be her room as she's not lived with us in this house before. LOL Gosh I feel like I have been such a downer today. Sorry, just some frustrations going on. I'm actually feeling really good, knee is better and better every day. Tomorrow I have the appt to find out about the other knee. I leave a week from tomorrow for SD. Which reminds me: Apples, the only restaurant that I know of in Watertown is Applebees. Do you know of any others? or is that okay? Still shooting for Sat after Thanksgiving? what time???

Good morning, well I posted somewhat about my holidays last year already. My plan is to plan for my treats and go easy on myself for slips and focus on the family and traditions. LauraK, I agree with Apples. Just because you won't be partaking doesn't mean you can't prepare the food still. That is unless it is something you resent doing and don't like to do. But if you like to do it by all means go for it. We have DH's family here on Christmas eve and I do all the fixings and eat hardly none of it. But they are all traditional foods and I have fun doing it and it means a lot to see them all enjoying it. Last year I too stressed over whether everyone was watching me eat, what was on my plate etc. Heck, knowing them they probably were. BUt this year, I don't care anymore. My new body speaks for itself. If they want to gossip or talk about that cookie on my plate or whatever let them. I changed my life most of them haven't. Sometimes those feelings still creep in but it's different now. Now I feel they are waiting for me to fail and put all the weight back on. Before it was feelings that they knew I wouldn't be able to do it but now that I have it's more that. Guess my point is, if we worry about what others are thinking along this journey, we will let that rule us as the journey continues what we assume they are thinking just changes. Don't let them have that power over you. Many of my family dynamics are very strained this year on both sides of the family. In some ways I am not looking forward to the family gatherings as I am just so fed up with some of it, but on the other hand, they are family and I do love them and want the holidays to be special. Apples, I bit my tongue last night, but DH didn't. LOL For the most part I am doing pretty good with my daughter living here but there are times......... I wonder was I really as mature as I thought I was at that age, or was I that immature too?? LOL I think I was mature, heck I was on my 3rd house, moved out of state, married, 2 kids and one in kindergarten at her age. She's still all about the social life.

Best wishes for a safe surgery and speedy recovery! Editing to add: So sorry about the loss of your grandfather. I posted before I read your post.

Meredith, I sure can relate to the mother/daughter issues. Both as the daughter and as the mother. I've posted lots about my relationship with my mom. My daughter is 28 and engaged and currently moved back in with us. Sometimes I feel like she's in HS and tend to want to mother her too much, but on the otherhand should a 28 yr old have to be asked to clean her room? Or to help out? It's a fine line. We get along great for the most parts and my biggest prayer is that I don't turn into my mother when it comes to her. Congrats on finding another house. Let's hope this one goes faster than the other short sale. Any photos?? Janet, do you have new knees in your future? Or did you injure yourself? I can remember PBing on stuffing because we were in SD last year as well for Thanksgiving and I was at this crowded table very difficult to get out and had to excuse myself to run to the restroom, don't want to do that again. This holiday season as the goodies come out, I am trying to remember everything I did last year. I lost over this time of year, I tried to plan on my treats. My goal wasn't to be perfect, but in control and mindful of the extras I allowed myself. One bite or one day a year isn't what put the weight on us in the first place, it was many bites and many treats and mindless eating. At least for me.

Nope not me that does a tree in the bedroom. I'd love to though. LOL I do my main tree in the family/living/great room (think the same room has many different names in different parts of the country) and then a few small skinny trees in the basement aka mancave. DH decorates that one with used shot gun shells and lights. LOL My tree upstairs is mostly handmade balls that we've made the past few years from the pheasant feathers. They are quite beautiful if I do say so myself. Now I am anxious to put my tree up! LOL I think I am going to get a real tree this year since we will be putting it up later. I used to put it up the day after Thanksgiving but due to our trip to SD this year it will be a week later. Tomorrow I am getting DH's Christmas present (either a GPS for hunting or a new flyrod/reel and am taking Grandma shopping with me. I think she'll get a kick out of the huge Bass Pro shops store and we'll get lunch at their restaurant. I too get stuck on stuffing, gotta be the bread. Bummer. I did miss having that last Thanksgiving and am sure I will this one as well. I'm not making it this year and I will convince myself that who makes it this year just doesn't make it good. LOL I do like green bean casserole so will have that instead. Sounds very thoughtful Janet, all you are making for everyone. Apples, most likely it is the stress you've been under making you tighter. That's the only thing that I notice that affects my band. Flying doesn't. Well, that and being at a high altitude. When I went camping up in the mountains at about timberline, I had trouble. Odd that that would but not flying. MAybe because I was there for a few days.

Good afternoon. Therapy done for the day and still no improvement on my bend, can't get beyond 120 degrees so will ask the doc about that on Wed. Janet, 2 weeks off sounds nice. Glad you will have your family together. I forget, do you just have one son? Is the son that is coming the father of the GS that lives with you? I know how you look forward to that baking day with the girls. What's on the menu for this year? Apples, bummer about the battery, funny how that has gone around all of us. You can come organize my closets anytime. They are better than they used to be but still need lots of work. I can tell I've lived in one house longer than usual (over 3 yrs) because they are getting cluttered. When you move as often as we have they get cleaned out as things get packed. LoL Well I am in Christmas carol heaven! Just discovered on the music stations on my DirecTV that the Christmas music has begun today! WOOHOO!! And I think the local radio station is starting the continuous music on Friday. I love it. I know, many folks hate it and think it's too early, but not me!

Good morning. Just a minute this morning as I have therapy earlier than usual today. I think I am getting close to done with that too. YEAH! Apples, I, too, was just thinking about you and that job opportunity as I was reading your post this morning. Any news? Meredith, look at your candy bar lapse as a learning opportunity, just like the olives. So you are human and cravings are still going to hit you. Now you know that, next time have some low calorie chocolate on hand as an option, some here eat the fudgsicle bars or fat free puddings. The important thing is you confessed it, are aware of it and are moving on today. Just put it behind you. Julie, glad you had such a good night last night. Let's hope this was the first of many! Betty, welcome, and best wishes to you on your surgery in a few days. You are about to embark on an incredible, life changing journey!

Janet, I got closet envy in all your clothes. DH put in some ccloset organizers for me when we moved in, I love it. We just went to Home Depot and put in the 'tower' which is some shelves and you can add drawers and then double bars. It is very basic and was cheap, the brand was Closet Maid, maybe Andrew could put them in for you. I am still chicken to try skirts or dresses. Haven't worn one in decades. I will wear one of course for my daughters wedding but actually looked at a gray flannel skirt in Loft today but didn't even try it on. I have major issues with my large calves.

I paid several thousand dollars for my surgery as a self pay, I went through major surgery to help me accomplish something I've never been able to do, lose 100+ lbs and reach my goal weight. After going through that, I was going to follow whatever my doc told me to the T. It just wasn't worth it to me to go through this and not follow the recommendations. So for 18 mos I have had no bread, pasta or soda. I have had a few sips of DH's Diet coke tiny tiny sips on rare occassion. Giving up the soda's was the hardest for me. Now 18 mos later I am down 128 lbs. at goal, and like my new size and body more than I miss those foods.

Good evening! I couldn't get this site to open for almost 24 hours. Talk about withdrawal! Looks like it was just me though as there were lots of posts to catch up on. Glad the coupon worked for you Janet and Phyl. I wondered if after they scanned my when I used it if it blocked it in the system or something. I am jealous as I'd love another one, but it is another addiction of mine. Popcorn, Fritos, and Coach purses! LOL I could probably add Ann Taylor Loft to the list now. Speaking of the Loft, DH wanted me to show him things there I wanted for Christmas today! Can't wait. Told him if he couldn't remember a gift card would be just fine. I walked a whole mall today without pain pills and did quite well. It will be 6 weeks on Monday and I think I am doing pretty good. Might either go to 1X week for therapy this week or stop it, will check with the knee doc on Wed. We are getting snow tonight, supposed to turn heavy overnight. Hope it's not bad in the morning. DD's wedding dress came in and we are going in tomorrow for her to try it on and be sure it fits and all. Should be fun.

Great photos, Phyl. So did you get to use my coupon on that loot? Who's purses are who's? Those are completely different purses than I saw at my outlet last weekend when I went shopping for my DD's Christmas present, and they had no shoes. :thumbup: Looks like a fun day had by all. Amazing differnce in the 2 yrs ago pic and today's pics too. Thanks for sharing. I am relaxing tonight, I think the past 3 days on the go doing for Grandma took a toll on my knee. My stamina isn't up to normal quite yet either which is surprising as I am 5 weeks out from surgery. But guess I've been a lazy slug for 5 weeks. LOL I've shared so much about my issues with my mom, I have to share a positive. She called me today and emailed me today saying that words can't say how grateful she is for all I have done for Grandma and how much she appreciates it! It meant a lot to hear that. I've never heard anything like that from her before EVER! I have shared so much negative with you all so I had to share the positive. So today I am grateful for that!

I am home from a day with Grandma visiting the LongTerm care clinic. We toured, played Bingo, had lunch, and saw the nurse practioner. It was an excellent facility if she needs to go on the program. But we got some excellent news though I was extremely frustrated at first with my mom. My mom has insisted this annuity that my grandma gets (almost $1000 a month) was running out this fall. All grandmas financial decisions were based on this fact, she's afraid to spend a dime. Well.......guess what? All along Grandma even had it in writing and tried to tell my mom, it will NEVER run out. She gets this annuity til the day she dies! That's great news, but if mom would've only listened to Grandma rather than discount her because 'she mixes everything up' we'd not have been in the position we were. I spent 2 days dealing with these workers learning about Medicaid etc. and now we may not ever need it. GRRRRR But am happy for Grandma and she is very relieved. Apples, your mom sounds like mine. Mom moved my grandparents to senior housing way to early back in WI before they wanted to, then got Grandma to move to FL so she wouldn't have to go visit WI so often, it's all about what mom wanted and not Grandma. So it's a blessing to have her here and to do these things for her and keeping her living independently. Grandma feels much better knowing she it taking care of herself too. I'll never forget this time I am spending with her so it's all for the good in the end. I am sorry your Grandma was so unhappy the last few years. I think mine was down in FL. Mom moved her down there and then didn't see her much. She has more company and goes out more here than she ever did there. Well hubby is home and needs me to show him something on the computer. I am thinking of Phyl and Janet shopping for their purses.

Julie, I am sorry you are feeling so down right now. It's gotta be frustrating, while I don't live with the pain day to day as you do, I have been for about 6 weeks with pain due to my knee surgery. I know I have an end in sight when my leg will be all healed, it's gotta be tough for you not having that 'end in sight'. It sounds like it is consuming you and depressing you and that's understandable. You say you don't know how to change the word 'hope to get to goal' to 'will get to goal', I know it sounds cliche but you just gotta repeat those words to yourself over and over. Look at yourself in the mirror and say that to yourself a couple times a day. Eventually you might start to believe it. WE believe in you. I agree, go to the dr maybe they can give you something to tide you over, refer you to someone you can talk about all this too. Or I know you've mentioned church in the past, can you discuss this with your pastor or pastor's wife? I did that once on an issue I was having and it helped immensely. I know you are in N Dakota, how far are you from Watertown, SD?? I am hoping to hook up with Apples on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, would be wonderful if you could join us, weather permitting. Meredith, forgot to comment earlier on the photos, you look awesome. Phyl, you deserve that purse. You hit Onederland, you just had a blip you'll be back there in no time. You gals will have to post pics of the new purses. Is Eva going shopping with you too? I had a very informative day with grandma and a 'Pace' representative about Grandma's options going on to their plan for her care, etc. I understand things so much better and it's a relief that she is going to be able to still live independtly more or less and with dignity. She's in assisted living but doesn't have to go to a nursing home to get assistance. We go visit their center tomorrow where her docs will be and some social activities etc. So I will probably not be posting tomorrow.

Julie, Your post jumped out at me today for some reason. Maybe because of the self doubt and frustration. Lord, knows I've been there so many times. But, honey, you need to replace words like hope to make it to my goal to I will make it to my goal. And you are so worth rewarding yourself for your progress thus far. Even more so because of all the medical issues you've had etc. You deserve it. You have persevered through so much and look at you 106 lbs down! Even if it's not a monetary reward or something you go and buy, treat yourself to a extra long soak in a bubble bath, give yourself a pedicure and manicure. Anything to make yourself feel good and that is a treat for you. You've had such a battle and you are still going strong. you do so much for others, you need to start doing for yourself. I can't think of someone more deserving of a reward to themselves than you! A Coach purse is a designer brand of purse, www.coach.com you can check them out. It's one of my only weaknesses when it comes to brand names and shopping. i guess all the years of being overweight I never spent much on myself clothes wise and could care less about brands, but a purse well even a fat lady needed a nice purse was my thinking. LOL And I could shop in a real store and not a large size store to get it. I lived a couple miles from an outlet store in CA and got hooked then. But I don't go crazy and I save up for them if I get one. I hope my words don't come across as offensive, they are said in love.

Today I am thankful for the many blessings God has placed in my life. I am thankful that he saved me at such a young age and I've hardly known life without a relationship with Him. I am thankful that every day my knee gets stronger. Today I go to therapy this morning and then have the rescheduled appt from Monday with the agency that helps Grandma as her money runs out and see what their services are. Not really looking forward to that as I really don't understand Medicare, Medicaid, etc. guess I will get a crash course! Rewards: Lets see as I lost weight I gave myself a new gold star charm for my Italian charm bracelet for every 5 lbs. until I ran out and couldn't find them anymore. They were such a rage a few years ago but no longer. At 50 lbs I got a Coach bag and I also got a coach bag at goal. And since about every 20 lbs I needed new jeans bad I got those then. In the past my rewards were always food, in my case popcorn. When I say popcorn I am not talking the fat free microwave kind, oh no. I had to pop it on the stove in lots of oil and then put a whole stick of butter on it. Even now I read of several of you eating the microwave popcorn as your treat at night. I can't trust myself with it. For me it would just trigger the cravings for my super fattening version. So I only allow myself popcorn at the movies and a small at that. I have been known to scour the paper for a movie that looks even half appealing just because I am having a popcorn craving. LOL