Devana

Nuts! How about this then: cold herbal tea. Maybe a fruity blend or something. I always find that really refreshing. I especially like lemon balm tea.

I had the bad habit of biting them in half until I broke a chunk of tooth off!

It's surprising the number of people who just don't like the taste of plain water. You might want to give this a try. Several companies make a liquid chlorophyll supplement that you can add to water. It's usually mint flavoured and a few drops just gives the water a light mint taste. It can be quite soothing to the digestive system. One brand that I can think of is Nature's Sunshine. My sweetie often puts lemon juice in his water. I like the taste of it, but worry about the acid bathing my teeth constantly. He's not worried about it for some reason. I keep encouraging him to drink his water plain, like I do.

Welcome Nursedeeva. It sounds like you've been through the same stuff most of us have, the yo-yo weight and also being scared of actually going through with banding. Think of the problems you've read about as part of the learning curve. There's lots of support and information here to see you through anything that might occur. Good luck with it all!

Thunder Calling Blitzkrieg Bop

People who allow their children to play video racing games and then expect them to drive safely when they get their licence. These games are quite realistic and the cars go at sometimes well over 150 mph. If they're played long enough these kids can get a programmed behaviour in their heads that's really hard to ignore when they're on the road. In our area we have a substantial increase in accidents which involve speeding youth and I have no doubt that this is a contributing factor.

No you don't. Just set up the schools and hire good people. Gives you a chance to visit without living there. Be the boss, not the worker!

Welcome Julie! Congratulations on your banding.

Welcome Cascadian. Glad you're starting to post. I think the thing to remember, and I know you've heard it over and over if you've been lurking, is that the band is a tool. I know I had huge doubts at the beginning, "What if I spend all this money and it doesn't work?" I lost a fair amount quickly at the beginning and then things really slowed down. However, it is due solely to the fact that I'm a bit loose with the band rules. You've been through the weight yo-yo. Now is your chance. Good luck with it.

You're right, Jack. I have three of these, one in the car, one at the office and one in the house. I also put one in my sweetie's truck. My car stash has come in handy on several occasions when flashlights, blankets, first aid supplies, sanitary supplies or those dandy little hand warmers have been needed. We had a small tremor yesterday, but it apparently was a surface one rather than one of the deep ones they were predicting.

Hey! Just cuz we can't drive in a half of inch of snow! :nervous I've been watching what's going on back east. You guys are really getting nailed. Hang in there.

Welcome clb. Congratulations on your banding. There's lots of support and information here.

Welcome cutty. I think that every one of us had a bit of that last minute panic. My band buddy Jane and I flew down to Mexico and were banded the same day. There was a point mid-flight where we suddenly looked at each other and said "What are we doing??? Are we crazy???" All went well and we both think it was the best money we ever spent. Good luck with your surgery. Keep us posted.

Why don't you try some of those printed scrubs that nurses wear. Very smock-like. They're inexpensive, come in large sizes and sometimes in nice artistic prints. (Sometimes goofy ones, too, though!)

OK, bitter, this is perfect. I know someone who is setting up ESL schools in India because the demand for outsourcing is so great.

What the heck?? I can't stop laughing!

In our neck of the woods we have roadside shrines popping up wherever there has been a death due to an MVA. They bug the hell out of me and I'm not quite sure why. I guess it's because I think people wouldn't dream of putting these up in their homes if someone died in their own bed. I'm tired of seeing bedraggled teddy bears and other mementos by the side of the road. I do have young relatives that died in a fiery crash, so I don't think I'm insensitive to grief. Does anyone have any opinion on these? How long should they stay up? I go by some that have been in place for years. Is this filling a need that a grave site would?

Before I ordered things online I often ordered by phone items from catalogues like J. Crew. They had their offices in the southern states and sometimes, I swear, I could barely understand the people on the other end of the telephone line. I got a call from my bank's head office in Toronto offering some deal or other and the young man spoke so fast and it was so scripted (therefore devoid of inflection) that I could only catch every 6th word or so. I had no idea what he was talking about. I told him to try me another time when he was prepared to speak at regular speed and enunciate clearly.

I just saw this, Lisa. You and your friend have my condolences. I've often wondered what it will be like to be parent-less. Mine are both still alive, in their late "70's and both with health problems.

Go figure, hey?

Welcome, Wrennbird, I'm glad you found us. Riding horses, that's a great goal. I just want to be able to get into a kayak with my son! You might want to try the US regional sites down below to find someone from your area. All the best with your process and keep us posted.

Way to go Ravenheart. I see you've got your ticker all set and down a few pounds already. Keep us posted!!

Way to go Jeff!! A whole new life awaits you.

I know leatha, I'm not easily offended anyway.

OK, I've started to reply twice so far. First was yes, then no, however, now I'll say yes, I would consider him Christian, although perhaps a flawed and hypocritical one, because he says he is. I believe we are all works in progress and who knows what lessons are in store for him or what his personal relationship with Jesus consists of. If Jesus has a personal relationship with him, what does he have in mind for him? Just because he doesn't appear to be what other Christians think he should be doesn't necessarily mean that they have an insight into his own spiritual journey and possible struggle. I feel alright about judging his actions but not about the quality of his professed faith.