Kat817

I know I have it. But the way I eat now is habit. I do not think about it every meal. It is similar to this....I have a tooth that I have had 3 root canals on, and is still sensitive to pressure when applied from the sides, so when I brush my teeth, and floss, I have to be very cautious with that one tooth. I do not think about it during everyday activity other than brushing and flossing, and now after the year with it, I go lightly on it as habit. Same with my band. I have a pretty good idea of what is best for me in a meal, and I make my plate accordingly. Small bites, and chewing well, are for the most part habits by now. Occasionally I will not chew well enough and it will cause discomfort, so I am reminded!!! I don't really know how to say it, but I think about my health, and my intake more regularly, like knowing that yeah, those cookies look good, but they really aren't good for me, is my first thought, not wondering if my band would take it. I don't have much in the way of food issues, I can eat most things, so I think about them in relation to the healthiness of them, as opposed to the band friendliness of them. I think it is just becoming part of who I am and how I do, I do not think about it all the time anymore. Being part of me I don't forget it in general, but I do not think about it often anymore. Great Question!!!! Kat

I loved the dog chew toy that looks like Vick---made me laugh. I live in redneck country---and dog fighting used to be common! My DH and each of his siblings (4) all had a pitbull from a litter his Dad saved, and they all had these dogs for years...spoiled animals all. They grew to love the breed. But around here for years you could not trust getting any pitbulls. They were inner breeding them like mad, trying to get mean dogs, and they succeeded!!! Through the years the dog fighting, and finally the cock fighting have tapered off....none too soon. Sad, sick pastime, gives a bad name to a breed. There is nothing positive to be said about it, I don't care how common it is---they deserve to be caught and punished for it. Kat

Make sure you are getting some clear liquid Protein, it will help with the hunger/cravings often times, and will also aid in your healing. I would not in my wildest dreams imagine a Dr. ok'ing solids after only days!!! This is time to heal. Time to find out what you are really made of! Get mad, get tuff, and hang in there! Even if it takes getting mad at the fact you got yourself banded---whatever it takes to get you past the "gotta eat food" thing you find yourself facing. It is way too soon. You have had it explained to you in many ways why you should not be eating---ANYTHING that is not on your Dr.s ok list. It is not like you are trying to eat a cream soup a day early---you JUST had surgery---please give it a chance to heal! Soon the weight loss, will help give you incentive---unitl then, perhaps when you think you HAVE to have something, take a walk around the block---it will serve double purpose, get you away from food, and that thought, and get you some exercise started as well. Or log on here, and complain to everyone---we have all been there----and made it!!! Be strong---it is the difference maybe in having the band and being healthy the rest of your life, vs. momentary satisfaction of what---a sandwich? Not even a question!!!! Give me long term weight control!!!!! Size 14 is just my current stop on the way down, but it feels so much better than anything you could eat today would taste----you'll see....hang in there!!! It IS worth it! Kat

Hi Girlies, Has been a couple of yicky days here. My best friend Becky (she and her husband are the ones we ride with, she has been the sister God forgot to give me for many, many years), is in the hospital. She thought she might be having heart trouble, went to the Dr. got tests scheduled etc. Then yesterday morning the heart burn worsened and her arm went numb...so off to the hospital with her. She is still in, although now the Dr. seems to think it may esophageal spasms, not her heart, which actually seems to be checking out ok. Thank You God!!!! It also brings me to light, that sometimes these esophagus problems OTHER people have....not just bandsters!!!! Then yesterday morning, one of Rick's young drivers, crashed his truck, and was killed. Rick has been so tore up, the kid was only 22. He worked with him, and he was also Ricks sister & bil's nephew. On the brother in laws side. So they always made jokes and family comments, in a fun way. He lost control while driving a nitrogen transport, carrying thousands upon thousands of gallons of liquid nitrogen. So Rick was called to the accident site, to release the pressure of the nitrogen, which can be released into the air without harm, but to come in contact with it in liquid form will literally freeze instantly, and freeze burn. So he had to go out there, and was there when they brought the boys Dad out to the site to see him. There is a state law, that once he is removed from the site of the accident, and identified...whether it be by family or whoever...he is not to be seen and viewed, until the mortuary is finished. So his Dad opted to come to the accident site. Considering the coroner got lost---they were out on oilfield roads---and it took them almost 6 hours to move the boys body, he had plenty of time. He saw the Dad, and due to the family connection he knew him, so went to him, and was with him, when they unzipped the body bag, and he said Harry--the Dad---just crumpled, he said he felt so helpless, and emotionally overcome himself, it made just breathing hard. So no matter what we did or said, his mind went back to that last night. Tomorrow we go to Albq. to get the results of his 30 day event monitor he wore, and hope to eliminate some of his meds. Our plan was to spend the night and go to the State Fair---guess it is all pending now, will wait and see when they need him with the funeral and work, and how my mouth feels. I feel like a bad botox advertisement right now! Mary---I am so glad to see you back, we missed you girlie!! Patty---update us hon, let us know how it is going? Mandy, Sherry, Chris---when y'all leaving? Betty---how was getting back to work, did you survive it? Cindy---where you volunteering today? Eileenie---don't work too hard!! Beannie---check in---we need to hear from you!!! Dianne---how's the legs? And the boobies? Darcy---finished unpacking yet? If I missed you I am so sorry---my mouth is controlling my brain and I am thinking in throbbing sequence I think...I am off to find some cold sweet tea.....I have survived on it for 2 days, this should jump start the weight stall!!! NOT the way I wanted to tho! TTYL-- Kat

Restriction is when you are only able to eat a small amount. The flow of eaten food is restricted as it passes through the tightened down area where the band itself is placed around your stomach. When there is good restriction, it means there is plenty of saline in the band (or the band itself can provide enough for some people), and the amount you can eat is restricted. It moves through so slowly, it only allows you to eat a small amount. Sweet spot is when you have proper restriction, so your portions are limited, but you can eat a variety of foods, including hard Proteins without any pain, or discomfort. You do not have frequent PB episodes. It is similar to a maintenance....you eat small amounts, of most any food, and are in a position of not worrying about your fill level. Sometimes it is just easier to ask----!!!! Welcome to LBT! Kat

4:00 dentist appointment---hope he can help!!!!! I miss Terry.......we may have to ban her from further vacations!!! hmmmmmmm that may go for ALL of you!!!! Kat

I just lost my post through my own stupidity!!!! I hate it, I don't even have anyone to be mad at but me!!! I just talked to Becky, she had a good night, and is headed down for her stress test soon she said. As soon as my Mom gets back from the Dr. to take Kinsey I hope to go to the hospital. I am currently waiting to either hear from my Dr. or my Dentist. I look like a Botox overdose advertisement. My lips are 4 times their normal size, seriously! I cannot eat, brushing my teeth brings on tears, it hurts soooo bad! I have a partial plate, covering a missing tooth on top, and a molar...silly looking thing with 2 little teeth---I cannot put it in...my mouth is too swollen. My Dr. was so concerned over my thyroid, he blew this off, and I am hurting to bad to just see how it goes, especially since I will be out of town for the next 2 days. And it was supposed to be a fun time. I hurt too bad to be walking the fair right now, not to mention how I look! I don't know if I need antibiotics, I have no idea if it is viral or bacterial, and no one does, they would have to look at it! My Dr. is only open half days on Wed. and is booked. My Dentist, is supposed to call me when he gets in, he and his wife are at an obstetricans appointment. So til then I am whining to y'all. Denise---congratulations!!!! It may not have been your preferred manner of becoming a Grandma, but it may well be an answer to your prayers anyway!!! I have such a wonderful relationship with my grandbabies, especially Kinsey because I keep her every day. I am sure Judy can relate with Ethan---I loved being a Mom, and all in all, I think I was involved, and did a good job, but I was young, and soooo busy trying to run a business, and buy a home, and provide for her, I don't know that I enjoyed her to a level I could have. With the grandbabies, it is what I do!!! You will make a wonderful Grandma----please tell your DD congratulations for me! Just imagine, your grandchild will never have seen you at the heaviest weight!!! Tracy---Drink up girl---any new fun wedding plans? Michelle--I got up early, then Kinsey and I went back to bed. I did not sleep well. Rick tossed and turned. He is soooo tore up over the boy who died yesterday. Jenn---missing one class won't hurt you---sounds like you needed the rest. Laura--congrats on your slot machine win. I am such a cheapskate, I play the cheapo machines!!!! Is DH feeling better? TracyK--what you and the little one got planned for today??? Judy---smile pretty for your new choir picture!!! I am going to go make me a Protein shake---haven't had to do that in a long time----I seem to be able to eat enough protein, but now I cannot eat..... Everyone have a good day! Kat

Slime is a VERY thick, VERY gooey, form of saliva. The body begins producing it in copius amounts when it senses something is either stuck or needs help moving through. It tries to slick it up for us. Unfortunately, there is sooooo much of it, and we are usually already full which is part of the problem, it only makes matters worse. I have found it best to simply spit it out, as opposed to trying to swallow it. Spitting it out is kinda gross, it wants to string on forever!!! There is no bad taste involved...it is just EXTREME spit! At least mine is....that too may vary. Kat

Hey everyone-- I am exhausted, and off to bed. My best friend, Becky, who we ride with her and her husband etc....is in the hospital, they are watching her, she thought she was having a heart attack, and her EKG, is abnormal. Spent most of the afternoon and evening there. Rick lost an employee in a rollover accident today---a 23 year old kid. He had to go out to the accident site, and I guess it was gruesome as hell. He keeps letting bits of info out. He worked with him, but it was also his sister & BIL's nephew, on the BIL's side, so he had carried on several conversations with him on that level as well as work. He is VERY shook up. He was there, when the kids Dad was brought out (the coroner literally got lost!!!) I think he related to him, our ages are similar, as are the ages of the kids. Hope he is ok. My mouth is worse than I know how to convey....going back to the Dr. tomorrow. Will check in in the morning.... Night~~ Kat

Me too---it is begining to sound as though PB's vary as much among bandsters as everything else. Now, that being said....some people are talking like these PB's happen to them often, and I like Jachut have only had 2---she has longer at this than my 17 months, but it is NOT frequent. Kat

We all bring different backgrounds, beliefs and attitudes when we have kids. I tried going back to work when my oldest DD was 6 months old, and was a miserable wreck!!! Just as some of you say you could not see staying home, I had hell everyday leaving, even though she was with my SIL. In the end, I stayed home. When I found myself divorcing a year or so later, I once again went to work---miserable. Even more miserable when I saw how much day care expenses ate up my check!!! I did the same thing Angie above did---I started out doing home based day care in my home. I started classes, in early childhood developement, licensed myself---and went full steam ahead! I did that for nearly 20 years!!!! I saw both types of families. Ones where the idea of staying home was never even entertained. Others who drug themselves away every day! I managed to support myself, buy a home, and run the day care for several years, before my DH entered into the picture. I had children long term.....many of them from infancy through til they no longer needed anyone to watch them. The teenager who occasionally babysits for my granddaughter, was one of "my kids"---I began with her when she was 5 1/2 weeks old---and she quit coming to me her 2nd year of middle school. Long after she needed taken care of, but she lived quite a distance from town, and was all alone, she preferred coming here! She was my last child, when I quit, Megan just refused to quit coming!!! She is now in high school, and still drops by minimally once or twice a week. This is without a doubt her home away from home. I am her legal guardian if something should have happened to her parents. This is not meant to sound smug---but if I had found someone to love and care for my child the way I tried to care for the little ones I kept---it may have worked out. Now I am no longer in the business, I take care of grandkids only...and Megan still comes!!! I get calls now from several of "my kids" wanting me to watch their kids!!!! If life was not the chaotic mess it has been this last year I might have considered it---kids are such fun to have around....thank goodness for my grandbabies!!! Kellie---especially in the situation you have I see no issue, your child is getting special time with Dad---sounds like you have it all figured out, and there is no reason to flame anyone, it is a stupid arguement SAHM vs. working moms. We do what we do, that is needed, whether the need is financial, or emotional. Kat

With my granddaughter who is 2, I also cruise the lot looking for a spot close to the shopping cart return racks---because I hate putting her in the car and leaving her there while I trek back across the lot to return the cart. And I HATE people leaving them scattered everywhere to bash into my car! When I was young and a first time Mom, I had the same issue going to the laundromat.....do I leave her in the car, and carry in the laundry then get her, or do I take her in first......so I would remove her, and lay her on top of each basket as I carried them in and out. Luckily our house was finished before she got too big to do it with!!!! I agree with green----get involved! It is a wonderful way of meeting new people!!! Kat

Morning all you Violet Vixens!!! Pamela---I agree, you could have put those pics in a line up and I never would have picked them from your other avatar!!!! Girl you are beautiful!!!! Classic---perfect oval face!!! Definitely time for the avatar to change!!!! Terry helped with my pics---I too am picture challenged. Jenn---sorry you too are having distressful dreams. I have not had mine again, but it was so real, I can feel it, and see it in detail still. Sometimes we have to make them accept the fact that we are the parent for a reason, they have friends at school---we are going to do what we think is best for them. And will she hate it now? Yep, but in the future she will understand it. My kids, have mentioned it too many times to count!!!! Michelle---I am so impressed!!! My elliptical trainer has 8 programmed routines, then you can purchase others (they sell with a video, so you can see where you are walking!!!) 5 of them are varying levels of the hills, increasing as they go, pushing it up to a level 6 max on them that I have found. Then the other 3 are 30 minute workouts with increased tension levels lasting longer, and longer. Or you can enter your weight and how long you want to work out, and all, and it will program, and vary the intensity---I have never done that!!! I have completed the first 3 programs, and at this time I just choose one of those, and go. Then when I finish it, I do some upper body loose weight lifting....and call myself done. But yes, I miss it when I don't do it. I didn't do it last night, I feel kinda crummy. I should drop a pound or 2, I cannot eat! French Foreign Legion---made me laugh---and that hurts!!!!! Is one of those hurts good hurts though!!! I will be joining Jenn in liquids today, my mouth really hurts! I opted out of a morning ride with my cousin, the jarring just sounded painful. Tracy---we missed you, glad you're back....remember how hard you fought to get to the 230's???? And now look at you!!!! Gina---don't be such a stranger girl!!! I worried about the strep---figure if it is, I will hear today since he cultured it. I have some general aches...a headache.....who knows maybe I am just old and grouchy!!!! Had a pretty frank discussion with the SIL yesterday, and still feel like she blew the situation off....oh well. She wants to play ostrich, there is likely nothing I can say or do to wake her up. Denise---how's things going with your DD? You seem more relaxed---hope so. Those problems are hard to escape from. TracyK--I forgot to mention it, but I am really glad your DD's eye appointment went so well. I hate when kids have problems! Judy---be careful, at the speed you are going you might run into yourself coming and going out the front door!!!! Can you imagine how tired you would be attempting to do all this at your former weight??? Well I went around and closed windows this morning, I was cold. Looked to see how cold it was outside, and my thermometer is not working, I will have to get a new one, I want to know how cold I really am!!!!! Girls---have a good day....Haydee, try not to work too hard!!!! Ms. Jen.....where are ya???? TTYL!!! Kat

DH===Dear Husband, Darling Husband, Damned Husband---whatever fits at the time!!! DW=.....wife DD=....daughter DS=....son MIL=mother in law FIL=father..... You get the idea---there is a thread with all the acronyms....maybe under general discussion, possibly under introductions, I don't remember---only that it is there and goes into all of them. Kat

I use Dr. Brown in Canon City to do my fills. His was the first seminar I attended in Pueblo. Kat

Jacqui, I don't eat in my car either, my sliming issue come from a piece of chicken I had eaten earlier while shopping---another stupid move!!! I managed to use a cup to slime in....eeeewwww!!!! Terribarri---yes a PB is a bandster form of throwing up---sometimes a simple hiccup of the food, other times, forceful, projectile type of ejection. It is usually caused by over eating, eating too big of a bite, or not chewing well enough, and something cannot pass through the squeezed down area where the band is placed. The body tries to help by producing copius amounts of "slime" a grossly thick and gooey saliva. Trying to slick things up and help push it through. The problem is our pouch is small, and already full, or stuck, and the slime makes us even more over full (I know not really a word!!!) The best way to try to avoid a full blow PB is no spit the slime, and not attempt to swallow, but even then often times you end up throwing it up---or PB'ing. Same as people without a band, that affects us all differently. Some people are in pain for hours, and finally manage to get the offending food out, others upchuck it simply and it is over. You may experience both types within your banded times!!! The biggest difference in a PB and vomiting pre band, is that with a PB you have slime, and chewed food, no stomach acids. Anytime you PB, depending on the severity, you need to be cautious---if it was BAD, go back to straight liquids for 24 hours or so....mild, eat soft food with care, and see how it feels. I have been banded for 17 months, and had 2 PB's....they are not really good for your band, so do what you can to avoid them! Now---as for the bag, the price was nowhere near what I would have expected them to charge!!! I can just imagine your fellow passengers in a plane though, thinking OMG that woman just puked in her purse!!! I know that is not what you want it for, I just had that visual.....maybe because no matter what, no matter where, when my oldest DD puked, it ALWAYS got my purse!!!! Kat

Hi~ Dr. said my mouth issue is some sort of infection---he cultured it, but gave me nothing---total waste of time and money even going. Plus he got sidetracked, telling me my thyroid was several times its normal size, he focused everything on it, and blew off my reason for being there. He was unhappy that I cannot fit my schedule with another thing this next week!!! So I have an ultrasound of my thyroid on the 20th. I do new blood work this week. The blood work I just did for my scan---has abnormal calcium levels, also a thyroid issue. Maybe cause for my fatigue??? He seemed very concerned---not sure if I should be or not. It was kind of an awkward visit for me, my first with him, since my DD quit her job as his nurse, he has been through 4 since her!!! If he would lock his wife out of the office, he could keep help!!! Judy pictures looked great, I scanned through them quickly, I am exhausted, and heading to bed soon. Jenn sometimes, you just have to let people know where you stand. I did with my SIL's today---yep plural!!!! One sits in Denver with her blinders on---pretending all is well here, while in reality it is not. There is lots of work to be done, and out of 4 kids, my DH is the only one doing anything!!!! The other SIL has her niece living out there, and she is not paying her rent---so she needs to ride her butt, get her caught up, or I am evicting her!!! Talk about persona non grata----that will be me!!! Now....ask me if I care??? TracyK---I will get back to you on the PM about my TT plans---just did not find time to sit down and do it this afternoon---mornings work so much better for me, Kinsey is sleeping, and then running around playing with me, afternoons are chaos!!! Jane---good to see you, I agree, Haydee definitely got her work out!!! I think she should have unloaded them at MY house!!! Gina I see you on, the same time I am....missing what you are saying---so...HI!!!! Everyone take care, I am off to bed....I am OOOOoooolllddd it is just after 9!!! Kat

If those spaces bother you---don't ever try to park at a base grocery store!!!! I went with my DD, and we had to park in the north 40...Handicapped, and then ranking officers...several different ranks had special spaces, then the Mom & Tots spots, military vehicle spots---then us!!! Woulda highly irritated my Grandma, who would drive around 10 minutes looking for a good spot to park!!!! Kat

First of all, I eat more than a quarter cup of food, only the first few days following my 2nd fill was I ever so tight that was my limit. I eat more like a cup or so. When we go out, I have adjusted through the stages, what I eat. Now for instance, we went to Chilis the other night---He ordered chicken Fried Steak, baked potato, and veggies, it come with garlic toast. I ordered chicken fajitas. When the fajitas come, I pushed about 1/4 of the mix of chicken, and peppers and onions to the side, I sprinkled the cheese, and the pico de gallo on it, added some sour cream, and proceeded to eat them just like that. With my small bites, longer chewing time, and sitting my fork down between bites...I finished my small portion about the same time DH finished his entire plate. I put the tortillas and all the leftovers into a to go box, and his lunch was ready for the next day!!!! No one around you will likely pay you much attention....unless someone is making loud smacking sounds or something, I never notice how someone at the next table is eating!!! We go out with friends, and they always laugh at me, taking so much home, they never notice that most of my meal is left!!!! Chilis is very good about letting me order off the kids menu, not all places are. Some are downright rude about it. I too order sides...or find something, that one of us will eat as a leftover! Most restaurants have soups....Mexican food has always been and continues to be the easiest of any food for me to eat. Dining out soon becomes a non issue---nothing to worry about! Kat

Jessica---no one is an outsider!!! I listen to all types of music, pretty much. Not a big huge rap fan, but love 70's rock! I mentioned George Strait in concert, because he had been mentioned. I have also seen Alice Cooper twice, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, more recently Korn, & Evanesence (sp?), become a bit groupy with John (Cougar) Mellancamp for awhile, have been to see him 12 times!!! We've seen Toby Keith, Bob Segar, David Allan Coe, White Snake, Celine Dion....a wide variety!!! My Dad likes some of what he refers to as long hair classical---I do not like it. I love to dance to Spanish music!!! Around here with weddings and Quincineiras (sp?) we get to quite often!!!! Kat

I never intended to take any type of pill---I was asking, wondering if someone on a birth control pill for instance, had less hair loss, due to a steadying effect of the hormones in the pill. Kat

Check out the Polynesian Culture Center. It is run by a church, but not religous based. They have a water parade, with all 7 or 8 of the Polynesian Islands represented, and dancing in full costume---they are all very different...some are slow and fluid like the slow hula you see, and others--the Tonganese for instance, are big on stomping feet, and do the really, really fast hula! They have shows for each island culture, you see how they bake in banana leaves, and watch them scale Palm trees, barefooted, learn how to break open coconuts, throw a spear, etc. It is realllly pretty too...of course most of the islands are!!!! Each of the islands has a small village for you to visit, and you can take canoe tours. I can remember some of the islands without benefit of looking it up, but not all...Tonga, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa....and I forget the other 2...oh yeah New Zealand........ Sorry, I remember it being fun, but I was vacationing not studying for a test!!!! Also check out Hanauma Bay---awesome, awesome place to snorkel. They rent the equipment, and are all set up for it, the reef is unbelievable, we spent hours following schools of bright fish, saw manta rays----totally worth going to!!!! You will drive through very desert like country, then look over the retaining wall into paradise!!! Buy a disposable underwater camera or 2!!! Of course Pearl Harbor is very sobering, and something you will be glad you saw. When you are there, you see for yourself exactly how our ships were trapped in there. They have a swap meet on Wed. & Sat. at the Aloha Bowl, PERFECT place to buy your souveniers to bring home----not a flea market---all items are new---just all around the entire football field is this HUGE swap meet! There is also an International Market Place...look it up, huge trees growing inside the marketplace!!!! Just a cool place!!! It too is in Waikiki, I think. Waikiki Beach is fun, sky scrapers on one side of the road, with shops selling 5K dollar purses, and beach a stones throw away. Fire lit tiki type of torches lit by roller bladers each evening while we were there!!! There is also a really cool aquarium on Waikiki. If you are not afraid of them, the glider rides, in the bubble top gliders are awesome!!! You see the island in a way you will not otherwise. The one we took was on the Dillingham Airforce field--on the north shore.....a beach you definitely want to see---wild wild waves!! Enjoy all the wierd Banyan Trees, with all the above ground roots, and the gum trees with orange and green bark, and Monkey paw trees that stretch all across the road from one small tree---and whatever you do.....sniff some Plumeria for me. I love it more than I can say!!!! My DD and her husband were stationed on Oahu for 4 years, at Schofield barracks with him in the Army. We visited---was good while it lasted!!!! Someday we will go back! But with the way we stayed, I have no suggestions for places to stay---sorry! Enjoy your trip!!!! Take tons of pics!!!! Kat

Yep, I took them off the plane too!!! I forgot about them. Unfortunately if you do end up overfilled, waiting it out seldom seems to work, the swelling defeats any weight loss loosening it up....is at least what it seems from reading all these posts about it. Be sure not to wait too long, it is dangerous for your stomach, and can lead to erosion....better safe than sorry! Post us a picture when you get your new bag---I wanna see!!!! For someone traveling a lot, it does seem to be more logical, than for a homebody like me!!! Kat

Welcome back Judy! Glad you had such a fabulous time. I don't think I have ever talked to anyone who did not enjoy that cruise!!! Alaska is so beautiful. Michelle, if you get to move into Pammy's closet---move over you are gonna have a roomate!!! Hey do we get cable in there??? We need our Lifetime Movie Network fix too!!!! LOL----Pamela please do not be offended by this---I just had this giggle when I realized what a beautiful closet you and Susanne now have to come out of!!! Pathetic sense of humor I know!!! My horrid dream did not come back last night, Thank You God! I have not had issues going to sleep, other than being afraid to last night. I was sleeping well, when this horrid vivid dream, that was soooooo real feeling happen. I don't know what I would do if it had become a recurring dream. Well I go to the Dr. today to have my mouth checked, I am going as a walk in, and they are going to work me in---could be a long wait. But it is now swelling into my glands, so something is going on---want it fixed before we go to Albq. for Rick's appointment, and they State Fair. Tomorrow I go get smushed---mammogram....I have been putting it off!!! When I scheduled my scan I scheduled all the icky appointments, in a now or never frame of mind!!! I keep having to stop and clap. Kinsey thinks every time she counts to 10 it is time to clap! We were in Olive Garden the other day, and there was a birthday or something going on in the next room and they were clapping, and she ask her Mama, what is that clapping? Across the table I thought she ask her "what is that crap?" Manda calmly looked at her and said I don't know---maybe a birthday party. I was shocked she let her talk that way, then she told me what she had said!!! She talks a lot, and very plainly for a 2 year old, but in the noisy restaurant especially, it is hard to always catch what she says. She has such a quiet voice, unlike my grandson, who could wake the dead! There is such a HUGE difference in the 2! My oldest grandkids, Mason is 7, and Ally is 6, they were very similar in temperment, and in how they acted. When she was born, Mason was gentle with her, and when we get to see them (which is very, very seldom, sadly) they are still that way. Not so with the last 2....she is quiet and tiny, and if given a choice of toys, will choose something small to carry around---Polly Pockets are (were til the recall anyway) her favorites. He is 15 months younger, has already outgrown her, is loud, and a wild child in every sense of the word---if given a choice of toys, he wants the biggest thing he can grab, and he wrestles around with it!!! The toy car in the back yard---Kinsey takes her babies, and gets them all settled in, and drives around the back yard. She uses the gas meter, and pretends she is at a drive through, and places her order!!!!! Connor on the other hand, prefers to tip the car over, and try to get all 4 tires spinning at one time!!! And they do not play well together at all!!!! Connor has a problems playing with anyone who cannot handle his roughousing, which includes Kinsey. It is going to be interesting watching these 2 grow up!!! Jenn, I too am retaining tons of water----going to see about having my diuretic Rx renewed at the Dr. today. Well I am off to clean the kitchen, surf awhile, maybe just be lazy, and sip a cold drink, see if it helps my mouth any! TTYL, Kat

When I was first banded, and worried about how to handle this possibility, I took the large red plastic Solo drinking cups, and folded a paper towel into the bottom of them, and had about 6 stacked and in my back floor board. I used one, once on the road because I was sliming like crazy---I slipped back into old habits with a bite of popcorn chicken, and only pretended to chew!!!! It worked as I slimed my way home....where I had my 2nd, and last actual PB. The cup worked really well for spitting in!!! Anyone driving past me, would have just assumed I was taking in, not spitting out. A man I used to know used these cups with the paper toweling to spit chewing tobacco in...yuck!!!! But that's where I got the idea to do this. The clutch sounds like it would be a good plan, but expensive I bet! And that would really suck, spending all your hard earned money on a pretty little bag to barf in!!!! Sorry, I just had to try to see the humor in our situation!!! One thing about it, at least we can find an alternative, when "dumping" hits---bags nor cups would do us a bit of good!!!!!! Kat