Meredith2424

Well girls!!!! Long time since I've been on! I'm so sorry! Everything is so hectic lately with work, school, moving, friends having babies, etc. I just wanted to stop in and let all of you know how much I miss all of you and this site. Today, after my band was filled too tight yesterday, I realized just how much I have missed all of you and your opinions and input. They are really crucial to this journey. I remember once reading (i forget who posted it) that you are more successful if you keep up on this site and post. Well, I logged on today and saw that I haven't been on since mid February! Besides feeling terrible that I have not been here for all of you, I realized how much I've needed all of you. Usually in a month, I have been losing about 10 lbs a month. Well, this last month and a half, I have only lost 5 pounds! I am doing better with my weight, as I have 31 pounds left, but I really really understand just how much all of you help me and one another when we are in a bind and just to chit-chat with lifes struggles. I think that it is so important to come in and check in every day, or at least every other day to keep accountable to ourselves and to one another. This is my resolution. Thank you to all of you! Love you! Meredith

Love you girls and miss being on here everyday! I hope you had an awesome time in Florida! I cannot wait to hear all about it and see pics! I closed on my house on Friday and we are redecorating and moving stuff today. Good thing we don't have to be out of the apartment until the 1st! CBL. Love you! Meredith

Quiet day huh? Nothing real exciting going on here. No new news on my friends mother. Just awful. I did get a lot done for the house though. Got the inspection and the appraisal scheduled as well as some paper work sent over to me. I just have to go to my parents and pick up some additional paper work to take to the mortgage office. Also, I started packing small trinket style things. Andrew doesnt think that this is a good idea because he thinks I'm jumping the gun. I don't think so! I'm ready to go! We are supposed to close Feb 18th ish. Maybe a few days before, maybe a few days after. I really want to paint and get in there by March 1st. It's possible really. I just need to paint the living room and dining room before we move in. The rest can wait. Plus, I already have my paint scheme picked out! Ok, enough about me. Julie~ How are you feeling? Eva~ I want to paint the walls 2 shades of blue, one lighter shade and one deeper shade with black moldings and white ceilings and doors. Probably not all moldings will be black. We'll see. I got the color scheme from better homes magazine and combined it with one of the interiors (lynette and toms) on desperate housewives. Everyone~ Thank you so much for the prayers for the family of my pal. Tomorrow night it will have been one week since she disappeared. I cannot believe it. Jewel~ I totally get it about nighttime eating. My savior food at night time are fudgesicles. The 40 calorie no sugar added kind. They have to be the popsicle brand though because I tried the kroger brand and they are not as good. Ok, well, time to wind down and go to bed in a little while. Watching the news and then time to hit the hay. Long day ahead of me tomorrow. Night, Meredith

Hello all, I love being able to have a pajama day! Thank you to all of you who have prayed for my friends mother and her family. There is still no word on anything. No new breaks or leads. Nada. So sad and exhausting for everyone. Lori~ Yes! The bank took forever! My offer was in on this house since October 1st. SO, you just have to be patient. There is still no garantee that they will even accept the offer from you either. I offered the exact amount that the house was listed at. Now, everything is moving so quicky! I think that I am going to close within the next 30 days! When will you know if you are moving or not? What area? Apples~ You are so funny! My moms mom is like you! Grandma never can sit still. Well, unless it's for her crosswords! She is small and thin and is still running around at 90 yo! She also did all of the driving to FL when she and my grandfather would go there for the winter. I mean ALL of it! Cute. Good memories. As for the other gma, she is the same. Not great, not terrible. I just think that all of the emotional stuff that has been going on with the family has taken such a physical toll on her. Ok, more later. I think I'm going to take a nap! Love, Meredith

Wow! So much has gone on since I was on here last. Some good, some bad. Bad= One of my friends mom's went missing Tuesday night after she left church. I mean totally missing! It appears as though she was kidnapped. It's a huge scandal in our town since our city is extremely safe. So scary. They found her car in the church parking lot with her purse inside with $2,000 inside it. No keys and no cell. Since the church is about 50 yards away from Lake St. Clair, they are also searching the lake for her body. They have no idea what happened to her. I've been a little side tracked with that. Please pray for her and her family. Here is a link to the news story just in case you might be interested in knowing what she looks like, etc Search Continues For Missing Woman - Detroit Local News Story - WDIV Detroit Please please please pray for her. Good= My offer on the house has been accepted!!!!!!! We are just putting all of the paperwork together and I should close around Valentines day! So, maybe it's a good thing that I'm not going to be able to go to Florida. I might be closing that weekend! I guess everything does happen for a reason. Also, I only have 4 more pounds to go until ONEDERLAND!!!! It's so late. Good thing no school tomorrow. Melissa~ Hope you had a wonderful birthday! Lori~ I hope that all of the wedding planning is coming along well. And, I totally understand about the cleaning thing! Good thing your husband helps! Andrew is only good at cleaning the bathroom! Linda~ Sorry you are having a hard time sleeping. Hope that will get better for you soon. Julie~ I hope you don't get sick! Keep pumping in the OJ and vitamin C. Several times this year I felt like I was going to get sick and I drank so much OJ. Lots of extra calories, but no sickness! Laura~ I also saw your FB pics of Miami. Looks like you had a great time! Sorry, I cannot remember everything, but love to all the rest of you (Janet, Cheri, Apples)! And welcome to all of the newbies whom I haven't read much about, but looking forward to learning more about all of you and continuing on our weight loss journey together! Hope all is well. Way past my bedtime. More tomorrow. Love all of you! Meredith

Girls! I am alive! I've had so much going on lately. Pretty much I've been on the brink of tears for the past two weeks at any given moment. My grandma is extremely ill and 2 of my 3 aunts are treating her horribly. When I say horrible, what i mean is evil. It's so sad and just breaks my heart. School started again and is just running me ragged all ready. I'm burned out and have "senioritis" to the max. May cannot come soon enough. I just feel like if I log on and tell you all of this I will sound like such a Debbie Downer. But, you girls sure do make me feel better and it is important for me to post to keep me accountable. I think that it will be easier for me to check in and post now that I'm back on a schedule. It really takes a solid schedule for me to keep on track with everything, weight loss, money management, everything! So, I know I've said this before, but I'm back now for real! I've missed all of you so much. Ok, now for some bad news. I cannot make it to Florida next month. My best friend is having a baby in April and I am helping throw her a baby shower. Her mother decided that the date should be at the end of Feb, so we are having it the last weekend in Feb. There is just no way I can miss this much work. I already went to Cali in November, NYC in December, it is just not possible. I was really looking forward to meeting all of you. I cannot just convey to you how upset I am about this. Is there any chance we will be able to meet again in the future? I'm so sad:frown: I think that this is also why I've felt bad about checking in with you guys. I was so looking forward to this and now I have to back out. I just hope all of you will understand. There is good news though. I am losing weight again and it feels good. One more day and I will update my ticker. Well. I have to get back to math homework. Ugh. My worst hated. I hope that all of you are doing well. I didn't have time to read today, but I am catching up. I feel like I'm almost caught up and then you gals type a bizzillion pages in one day! Love you all! Meredith

Oh, BTW, I like it when Janet is the food cop!

Laura K~ I think that Lori might be right when she said that you may have overfilled your pouch. I have found that even though my band is super tight, baked potatoes never really do give me problems. They seem to be the only white starch that goes right through. Also, did you get the chili and potato from Wendys? Sometimes the skin on their baked potatoes is too dry. Hmmm. Apples~ The only crosswords I do are the ones in People Mag! Great~ I love that dress! I got my maid of honor dress on a website called houseofbrides.com Maybe check it out? It was about $150 cheaper there than it was at David's and the rest of the bridal stores. Just an idea. ALso, M&M's make custom made candies with peoples faces and names on them. I think that you can go on their website too. Good luck! Peas~ Girlfriend! You had better let all of those peeps down in florida know that we are coming and that they better warm things up down there! LOL! I want to SWIM!!!!!!!!!! Also, I reall miss the sun! It is frigid here! I mean freezing! Phyll~ I would love to do the sudoku thing on fb with you!!! I love sudoku! If we aren't friends on FB yet, my name there is Meredith Angell. To everyone else, I didn't forget about you, I just cannot remember everything because I have just read so much to catch up with all of you! I'm at my parents house right now, about to watch the news with my dad and head home. Andrew is out with two of his college fraternity brothers. One of his best friends from college younger brother killed himself and tonight was the visitation at the funeral home. Only 30 years old. So sad. Tomorrow is the funeral. I am not going. I just think that the boys need this time to be together without wives or girlfriends. Just sad. Ok, talk to all of you later. Goodnight, Meredith

Yay Jessica! I am so glad that all went well for you today in surgery. Do as the girls here say, walk, walk, walk! I was like a slug when I was done with surgery, so you are lucky that your are up and about so quickly! Went to the Dr today. I am amazed because he was so happy with my progress this month! -8 pounds. It would have been 10, except I gained those two back. Ok, im hungry. Back on track! Gonna make some eggs. Haven't had them in awhile! CBL, Meredith Oh, also, just curious, how much were all of your flights?

Hey girlfriends! I'm here! So sorry that I haven't ck'd in since just after my visit to NYC and then again on Christmas. I just feel terrible about it, but this time of year is always so bonkers! Anyhow, Happy New Year everyone! I am glad that it is a new year becuase I really have gotten so down on myself after all of this crap food that I have eaten. Honestly, I have been so depressed about my eating and weight and kinda have gotten into a funk about it. It feels like how I used to feel, and I want this feeling to go away. I need exercise so badly! My mom got me the biggest loser exercise dvd and Andrew and I are going to do it tomorrow when I get home from work. Sheesh! I feel like a fat old slug! Just the way I used to feel before I got banded! I hate this feeling and am totally done with it. No more junk in the house. Period. Sorry, I needed to vent! I'm signing up for a class on Tuesday nights called "Butts and Guts" through the community program here and it's $25 for 6 weeks. Along with this class, I will begin my step aerobics again on the 11th 2x a week for 13 weeks at school. Thank God the holidays are over! I need to get in my groove again. The good thing is that I only put on about 2 pounds so, I am still at a 70 pound weight loss. I was up to -72, but I can handle just two pounds. I go to the LB dr on tues and I'm nervous that he is going to yell at me! I think that one of the main reasons why i didn't do so well this holiday season with my eating is because i haven't been drinking my boost high protein for breakfast. Ok, ok! I'm done with the rant!!! You all get the point I'm sure! I've missed you all very much and I have really realized just how much I have missed all of you while I have been absent from LBT! I love you all very much and need each and every one of you to help me along this journey. I'm back!!!!!!!!!! I haven't gotten a chance to read very many of your posts, but I will work on that this week. Love you all!!!!!!! Happy new year!!!!!!!!!! Love, Meredith will share some pics tomorrow! I love all of your pics everyone! Great!

Hi everyone! Just wanted to stop in and say Merry Christmas!!!!!!! I haven't had a chance to read since I got home from NYC, but I will work on that tomorrow. So much to fill all of you in on! Night, Meredith

Hello all. I just took a break from studying to stop in and read and say hello. I have a physics final tomorrow night and my nutrition final thursday afternoon. Ick. I cannot wait to get home from New York on Monday so I can bake all of my cookies! Last year was the first year I did them. Grandma used to make them, but she has not been well for the past few years, so I have taken over. 7 layer bars, lemon bars, melt aways, sugar cookies, and wreath cookies. Mmmmm. Last night was my work christmas party. I will post pics at the bottom of last night. At the party, I showed my co-workers what I looked like 70 pounds ago in April. I will put that pic first. After the party, I went over to one of my co-workers/friends house and had some cocktails. Then, on the way home from there stopped at the bar on the corner near my house bc I say my friends car there. His dad died right before I left for Cali. We haven't spent any time together since. Well, we got real drunk and had a sob fest. We ended up closing the bar and he came over and we had some more drinks! OMW! I totally do not drink much anymore and it was interesting alright. Andrew was pretty surprised when we walked in the door! We ended up crying and talking and laughing until 5 am!:ohmy: I know it sounds crazy, but we needed that time together. Laura~ I am so sorry about the bad news. My heart really goes out to you and your family. I am not very good with words at times like this, but I just want you to know that I am thinking about you and praying for Dad. Andrew loves "puppy chow"! I've never made it before, but I might make it for him if his best friends fiance doesn't. She usually makes it for him to eat on New Years Eve. Sweet gal. Ok, back to my all night studying! Night girls, Meredith

Hello girls! Sorry I have been a stranger. This past week I had two finals, and this coming week I have two more, plus I leave for NYC on Friday evening after work. There is just so much to do it feels like and not enough time to do it. I haven't been in the mood for typing the last few days because I wrote two papers last week and that did me in with typing for a few. I've read everyones posts, but there is just so much to comment on! All in all though it looks like everyone is getting ready for the holidays. I think that my favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story. When I was little my dad got me a Red Ryder BB gun too! I still have it and love that he got me that to this day. Cute. When I get back from NYC I have to make so many Cookies for all of the family. I make them now because grandma can no longer do much since she is now wheelchair bound and feeble. Poor thing. I am really going to cherish this Christmas with her. I fear that this may be the last one :_( Update on the house..... I got an e-mail from my realtor saying that my offer was on top of the heap and their sellers realtor said that the mortgage co/bank performed a Brokers Price Opinion on it to expedite the process in a smoother and more time efficient manner. We will see. Now the bank has to just say "yes" or "no" to my offer and then we will move forward. Everyone, please say a prayer or two and keep your fingers crossed for me. PLEASE!!! Ok, well, I have so much laundry to do, and studying of course. I will CBL and see whats going on. Just know that I am keeping up on reading and what is going on with all of you, I just haven't been able to write. Love, Meredith P.S. Only 50 pounds left until goal!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello girls! This one is going to be real short! It is finals week and I just finished 2 papers for my physics class. Ick. Physics is not easy! Ok, so it's 2 am and I have to get up so early to go to class and then to work. I just wanted to ck in and tell all of you "hello" and I am so sorry that that I haven't been around as much as I used to. School has been so super busy right now that I just cannot post as much right now. After next week and my NY trip next weekend, I will be around on here so much you will get sick of me! Can't wait for Florida! Love all of you! More tomorrow, Meredith

Apples, I hope that you didn't think that I was calling you old ladies!!!! You were saying that in your post before! I don't think that anyone is old really, my grandmas are 89 and 90 and the 90 year old could run circles around most people my age! I think that I've talked about her on here before. She walks 2.5 miles everyday in 28 minutes. 3 local newspapers just did stories on her. I'm so proud! Also, I'm hoping that I have some of those genes. I never thought that any of you were old at all. I hope that you didn't think that! Now I feel bad! So sorry if it was taken the wrong way! Love all of you so very much! More later, I'm over at my parents house and we are going to watch Desperate Houswives in a little while. Even my dad and Andrew watch! CBL, Meredith

I am just soooo excited to meet all of you!!!!! And, Apples, I do not think of any of you as "old ladies"!!! We are all in the same boat. Trying to lose weight and maintain all the while trying to manage our busy lives! I really don't see age at all. My dad and my aunt are two of my best friends! You're silly!!!!! Ok, so I should fly in Thurs evening sometime after 3ish into Orlando and fly out sometime after noon on Sunday? I just wanted to make sure that this is correct before I really start looking for and purchasing a ticket. This is so exciting!!!!!!!!! YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!! I didn't end up watching a movie last night. As soon as I got off the computer, Andrew was sound asleep on the couch. I ended up working on my wreath that I am making out of felt, sequins, and embroidery floss. This should turn out interesting! I will for sure post pics of it when I am done since I am just beginning to sew. Ok, gotta get to work! I might head over to my parents house later too. I love hanging with them. Love you all, Meredith

Ok gals, u have been so busy the last two days! I had a long day at work, and i have been reading all of your posts from the last two days. Almost 4 pages! I am IN for sure for the Florida trip. I don't care where I sleep or anything. I am not picky at all, and I too am a water rat. Love it. Also, thanks to all of you for your info about the fluid in my band. I was thinking the same thing for the past few days. Thats why i am not super worried about it. I thought about some fluid hiding in there too! But, thanks so much for all of your input. It really helped me to put my mind at ease. Anyhow, I am going to watch a late night movie with andrew and then hit the hay. I am pooped. Night, Meredith

Apples~ I made your recipe tonight and put it over egg noodles for andrew and i. I probably should not have had the egg noodles because they made me pb, nevertheless, it was delicious! Thanks! Also, what ever you plan is cool with me. Just let us know. I would like to save on expenses as much as possible though. Julie~ You are telling the wrong girl to not obsess! LOL I obsess about everything. Oh well, I suppose that there is really nothing that I can do about it. Ok, well I am going to relax for awhile tonight. I've had kind of an emotional day today, there are two people at work who are really struggling with health issues. It is really tough since we are all so close there. Night, meredith

Hey girls. Just got back from the docs office and what was supposed to be my unfill. Last night, I didn't feel so tight, so I was wondering why I was still even going today? Anyhow, I got there and I watched what was going on. I told him that I wanted .25 out. Well, he sucked out all of the fluid and there was supposed to be 6 cc's in there and there was only 5 in the syringe! What the heck? He did it again, still, 5 cc's! He thinks that maybe the port might be leaking. Oh great. I just had him keep the same amount in there and am going back in two weeks to make sure that nothing else has leaked out. If some more is gone, it is prob a leak and he will have to replace the port. Crap. Apparently this is only a small procedure, but what a pain in the a$$. Whatever, I guess it's not really that big of deal since I am still losing. Ok, I have to go back to work, just wanted to stop in and let you know whats going on. CBL, Meredith

Hello everyone, I am in physics class right now, and it gets so boring during the three hours that the instructor lectures. So, I decided to check in on all of my gals! Janet~ I've been meaning to mention to you how handsome your DGS is! I mean, really good looking! He should model or something. I'm with you on the fudge, plain or with nuts. Delish! Apples~ Your baby is just beautiful. I love doggies! I don't have one right now because we are in the apartment, but as soon as this house business is completed, I want one! My sis has 2 doggies that I brought back with me from Cali. They are staying at my parents house until she gets home and decides what the hell she is doing. Laura~ Hey girl, take this time to focus on your fam. Ya, of course your weight loss is important, but you have the tool and it will come when you are less stressed out and can focus on yourself some more. I always try to explain to everyone that having this band and losing weight is just like having another job! It is a lot of work to figure out what we are doing. Plus, encorporating exercise is huge! Also, while I'm talking about exercise, I was wondering if you (since you live in Florida) and everyone else want to do the Disney princess half marathon next March? So, that would be March of 2011. I'm asking now so we can all prepare and sign up early. Let me know! I do continue to pray for you and your fam. I'm so sorry that you have to go through all of this. I could not even imagine. Especially since you are a great distance away geographically. <HUGS> Linda~ Oh man! I hope that it is not shingles either! I would hate to see anything postpone your operation. I know that you are totally prepared to get the show on the road! Let us know whats going on as soon as you find out! Cheri~ We would love to see a new pic of you on here! I'll bet that you look a lot different now. Oct~ Hope you had a great time at your sisters house for dinner! Ok, well I better get back to paying attention! I get my slight unfill tomorrow morning at 11:30. I just want to be able to eat lettuce again! I love it and with the band being so tight, I couldn't eat it at all. Instead of dessert, i would rather have a salad! CBL, Meredith

Did I hear fudge?!?!? Oh my, I am not a sweet person, but fudge is my downfall. I would like to try the recipe for Christmas though! Thanks for all of the advice on the unfill. I called today and the lady told me to come in "now"! I told her that I had just gotten downtown for my aerobics class at school and couldn't come in "now". She told me, well then, here's your oppurtunity, you should decide and come in now! WTH is this womans problem? All of this after I told her I could wait a few days because i knew the doc would be busy. Also, I thought to myself, wouldn't you be glad that I was exercising? Whatever, i just thought it was strange for her to act like that, but finally, she told me that I could come in Thurs at 1130. I will have to leave class early, but oh well, works for me! I think that I will go with the -.25cc's Ok, just thought that I would ck in. Have lots of homework to do and it's already half past eleven! Night Meredith

Apples and Lori~ You two look great! Im glad you got to meet one another and have a nice visit. Laura~ Glad you are home safe and sound. Looks like all of you had a nice meal together. Back to the old grind, huh? My Thanksgiving was very nice. I love seeing my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cousins on my moms side. Suprisingly we are all so close since my mom is an only child. So every year my grandma (90yrs) and her sis (85yrs) make dinner and dessert for everyone. Grandma made 8 pies from scratch and Auntie Dort made dinner for everyone. She needed help this year though because her bad back. But, she loves to do it she says! It is just so wonderful getting together with everyone! My band is soooo tight though. I have barely been able to eat anything since monday. I will call the office tomorrow and hopefully be able to get a little bit out. I know that Cheri recommended about .25cc's out. I'm at 6 cc's right now and last fill he put in 1cc. But, at 5cc's i wasn't happy with my restriction. Any other suggestions from anyone else? Just curious if anyone else has dealt with this when finding thier proper amoutn of restriction? Thanks all! Love you! Meredith

Hey everyone!!! Tried to post last night, but as all of you saw, the site was down for awile, so I went to bed. I had a tough time getting up this morning. It was so dreary and crappy outside that I just wanted to stay in my pj's, but I put on my workout clothes and headed out the door to aerobics and weight training. I got a new Nike sports bra, it's amazing and less expensive than I thought it would be. 25 bucks. I then went to Marshalls (haven't been there since highschool cause i've been fat) and bought two pairs of exercise pants size large for 12 dollars each, two tops one for 20 and the other for 15, a new pair of awesome new balance running shoes for 32 bucks, and a beautiful christmas plaid table cloth for 7 bucks! I was so impressed with my shopping!!!! I found myself wandering into and gravitating towards the plus sized section. I was looking at size 18 and 20's and actually held them up to myself to see if i should try them on. A heavy woman approached me and said "honey, this is not your section! I don't know why you think you can fit into those?" She said it in a loving manner. I took this oppurtunity to speak with her about Lap-Band and she was very interested. Maybe I will be seeing her at the next seminar that my surgeon will host? That would reaally be great. Anyhow..... Sorry about my ramblings, i was just really excited. I do have a real question for all of you though.... I got my band filled on Monday. I'm at 6cc's in a 10cc band now. Well, when I swallowed the water in the office, I did fine and it did not hurt, but i could definately feel it go through. Usually I stick to liquids for the rest of that day and then the following day. Well, I did okay during the rest of the day with my boost and then when I got home I was hungry. So, i very slowly ate a very small amount of chilli. About 1/4 c. I pb'ed a little while after eating it. I ate a fudgesicle and called it a night. Yesterday, I stuck to liquids and in the evening, i blended a can of lentil soup and got that down alright. I then had an extremely small amout of tuna mixed with hellmans dijonaise (suprising low in cals) and ate about 1/2 c. of that fine. Anyhow, today, super tight in the am. Couldn't eat at all and even had a hard time getting down all of my boost. I think I may be too tight. I did have about 1/2c. of regular unblended lentil soup and didnt feel any tightness until about 10 min later. I went in the bathroom and forced a little up. I felt so much better after that. So, what do ya think? Get about .5cc out huh? I think so. I called the office yesterday and they said that no one would be in the office until Monday. I can wait. Tomorrow before we eat dinner I am going to tell my aunt that my band is too tight and ask her if I can fill a super small container with just a few bites of everything for me to freeze and take home to eat next Sunday? She knows about my surgery but I don't know if she told any of my cousins of not? If any ask, of course I will tell them, but you get what I'm talking about. Ok, sorry........RANT! Phyl~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Laura~ Miss you! Hope you have a wonderful tg with the fam. I too miss the stories of Nels, but you need to concentrate on the fam. Prayers to your daddy. Love you! Janet~ Have a wonderful time with everyone at your house. I am really excited for you to take DS to the gym!!! Show him how it's done gf!!!! Apples~ Those gals should definately keep up with the cards! I'm sure they will. They are just probably so sad about mom that they cannot imagine it without her. They just need a little push, and I'm sure they will do it. Tell them that she would be super disappointed that they did not continue to play because of her absence and that she wouldn't want that at all! Linda~ I too am happy that you are getting your hip done. You will feel awesome and look great!!! What could be better than that?!?!? Everyone else~ Sorry that I didn't say anything personal, I love you all! I just couldn't remember everything I was going to comment on. I am in Physics class during a lecture so I am trying to concentrate on two things at one time!!!! HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!!!! Love all of you! Meredith

Apples~ I'm so sorry that I didn't get on here a bit earlier to wish you a happy birthday! I love that you could just do and eat pretty much what ever you wanted today. Thats fun! Sometimes I really enjoy time to myself to run around the house and dance and listen to music at an extremely loud volume when no one is home. Other times I like to knit and craft and stay quiet. To me, it sounds like a great birthday with all of the hectic stuff you have going on lately. Also, I think that I am going to try your recipe that you posted on here the other day tomorrow. It sounds so good. Phyl~ Your chilli recipe sounds awesome too! I'm not a super fan of cilantro though. Does the taste seem to be pungent in this recipe? In some cases I do like it though, so maybe I will just try it. I'll bet that the jack cheese really tops it off nicely. Eva~ Sorry about your battery. Glad you are home safe and sound, and really glad that you and Janet had a wonderful time with Phyl. I'm so jealous that all of you are meeting one another. I hope that we are all still on for February? If so, I still cannot wait. Also, I was wondering if you have any easy suggestions for my turtles diet? I am giving him canned dog food, fruits, and veggies. He's kinda picky though, so I don't know what else to feed him. Also, since he has been in captivity since birth I am really nervous to give him any worms or minnows. Do you think that it would be ok to give him these? I don't even let him go on the grass in the summer time when I take him outside because I don't want him exposed to the fertilizer or anything else that might make him sick. I know, I sound crazy. Janet~ That pickle!!!! Why does it sometimes happen and sometimes not. I think that we are alike with our bands that we are tight in the morning and wide open in the evening. I really wish it would switch around. Gosh. Julie~ So sorry that you are still struggling with pain and sleeplessness. You poor thing. Hope it gets better for you. How about using an ace bandage to hold the ice packs onto your body? Hopefully DD and DH will be able to help you on TG with the preparation of the meal. Its an awful lot of work for you to do if you are in pain. Cheri~ Great pics of you and your little lady exercising! So cute! You look amazing. Keep up the good work! Enjoy your break from school. I know how it goes since my mother is in the same boat with her special ed kids too. I always say "it takes a special person to do that job". Linda~ Like Janet mentioned, wtg on the weight loss! You've almost lost 100 pounds!!! Just awesome! Great~ Have a good time on your trip! Can't wait to see the pics of you and apples when you meet! As for me, I got another fill today. I am at 6 cc's now. I think it's pretty tight, but we will see tomorrow evening when i try to make and eat the meal that apples posted the other day. I tried chilli tonight, and it was a no go. I should have done like i always do and waited until tomorrow to try mushies. Usually i only drink protein drinks for a day or two after a fill. As you can see, it's pretty late. I've been up studying for a nutrition exam that i have tomorrow. I always am so last minute. Anyhow, i'm going to take a shower before bed to help me relax, then hit the hay. Goodnight all. Love you! Meredith

Im here! So sorry that it has been so long since I've even checked in! I didn't realize that it had been so long. I just caught up on my reading here. Whew! Busy gals! Anyhow, my sis came home for thanksgiving on Friday, so we went out last night downtown. We first went to a great restraunt in greektown (one of the best greektowns in the country i think) and then to an irish pub called the old shelleileigh. Its a great place with a trio of guys who have been playing there for 20 years! The upstairs is all irish and the downstairs is like a club with hip hop music. We stayed upstairs. My sis, her new boyfriend, his father, andrew and myself. It was so much fun! I slept in really late today and I am so embarrassed about it! Oh well, I must have needed the sleep. Tomorrow I have aerobics and weight training and then an apointment for a fill at 4:15. I already have 5 cc's in a 10 cc band, but i do feel like I need more restriction. Phyl, Janet, and Eva~ You girls look wonderful! I hope you had a great time with one another! The neclace and earrings are also so beautiful Phyl! Nice work. I have to get dinner together for andrew and I. I really don't feel like cooking, so I may convince him to run across the street and pick up a carry out. I like the grilled chicken ceasar salad (if I've had a low cal day, which i have today, and no croutons or garlic bread) and andrew gets a grilled chicken sandwich. Delish. I am still stuck at -59. So annoying. I have eaten well, and I have been exercising like a mad woman still. My trainer seems to think that muscle is replacing fat and evening out on the scale. Who knows? It's annoying. However, I have noticed that clothes are much baggier and there is no way I can even still wear any of the clothes that I used to. They are all going to Purple Heart, or maybe to a client or two. Even when i was really fat I got lots of compliments on my clothes. So now. I am wearing a size 16 pant! From a 22 to a 16! I no longer have to go to the fat girl store for clothes!!!! That is super exciting to me. Anyhow, I willbe back later on to comment on everyones news from the past few days. Love you all. Meredith