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Hi Ladies - Just checking in - its been a busy holiday weekend. We were at my sister's ranch north of Cloverdale; it was so pretty - all the vineyards are changing color, which I love. I grew up back east and I miss the fall color changes. Jewel - your new picture is great - you look so different from your other one. You've done great. I agree - ever since Thursday and eating off track it has been hard. Today is the first day I feel a little more normal, but we still have brownies in the house and every time I walk by and smell them - uugghh! Heather - I am so glad you wrote to your doctor; you've lost so much and kept on the program for so long, I really hope he cuts you some slack. Tamara - keep the goal in mind. Sometimes I just tell myself I'm not going to have something just for today, so it doesn't feel like I am saying I can never have it. Riley - you are awesome with the exercise. My husband is going to help me get started on weights - he and my son have all kinds of stuff in the garage. I didn't know it could make that much difference with the aerobic exercise. You learn so much on this site! Donna, Pam, Nicole, Candra (not sure I recognized everyone in the picture) - you look terrific. Miss you all. It would be great to get together in Dec. Well I have a busy day. I am having my husband's family for a turkey dinner and am starting to decorate for Christmas. (Riley, I am breaking out the Christmas CDs!!) Hugs to all.

Hi Everyone - Happy Belated Turkey Day. I was up until 1 am baking pies. The baking part wasn't hard; it was the serving them yesterday that was hard. I went and sat at the opposite end of the table from them (they were talking to me). I made myself baked apples with raisins and nuts and cinnamon with just a tbsp sugar an oatmeal topping with some light butter. It was good - not a piece of pie, but it was ok. I had snacks before dinner - mostly cheese (yeah, Riley, I love cheese too) and some veggies with dip. I did give in on the gravy and stuffing. It was yummy but I have to say I didn't feel well all night - tummy felt bad. Today is better and I am back on track so far. B. 2 scrambled eggs. 1/2 c low fat cottage cheese, 1 c. fruit salad L. 2 small slices of whole grain bread toasted with 2 oz turkey, low fat mayo and 1 slice swiss cheese, 1 cup of left over roasted veggies Like Donna said, I am very thankful for all of you. You make me laugh and inspire me and help me to understand this journey with food and weight and emotions so much better. Love you all. Have a good evening.

Riley - I am so so sorry. Long distance hugs to you. Please call me whenever you need - I want to be there for you. A Gaelic Blessing Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the gentle night to you. Moon and stars pour their healing light on you. Deep peace of Christ, of Christ the light of the world to you. Deep peace of Christ to you.

Tamra - Yes 12/7 was an open Surgery date for Dr. Baggs as of this morning. Dr. Park doesn't have any open dates in December. So yes, keep away from the chicken place and get the rest off quick and you could be the next one! I wanted to wait after the holidays, as my son will be home from the east coast for 3 weeks and I wanted to have a good visit with him; didn't want him worried about me.

Hey Everyone - Good and Bad News: Good news- I was down again at Kaiser - 24.4 total since 9/13! Good news - I will have surgery the week of 1/18/2010. (not eating or drinking, wearing my light clothes before weighing works - so does the 1200 cal. diet and long walks!) Bad News - no specific date yet because Liz is working on the January schedule and will call me in a week with the exact date. (I could have had 12/7 with Dr. Baggs, but I want to stay with Dr. Park and wanted to wait until after the holidays.) Also, the EKG I did on Friday did not come back normal so Liz had me repeat it this morning and sent a note to my primary care doc. I did get my pre-op classes scheduled for 12/17 and my appt with Dr. Park for 12/15 (all the way in Vacaville!). So I think I am on my way! It feels good; hopefully the EKG is nothing - the nurse on Friday had trouble with the machine so I am hoping that is what it is. Riley - I fit into the next size down of my jeans too! (Good bye size 20 and big size 18s!!)

Hey Riley - I just noticed that tomorrow is your 9 month anniversary for your band. You have done an amazing job. Contratulations girl! Also - love the sort piles - you left out "the lay down on the bed to zip up" kind Hey - I am down another 3 lbs from last week (@229 on my scale) , so I am not too worried about what I will weigh tomorrow at Kasier for my appt with Liz - still don't plan to eat/drink and will wear light clothes. I am really pumped. (I'll change my ticker tomorrow is the Kaiser scales shows less.) For all of you on the 1200 cal. one trick I am doing to help me not eat too much of the whole grain bread Trader Joe's daily bread (I loooovvveee bread) is I freeze the loafs and I take my slice out from the freezer and toast it. That way if I'm tempted to eat a second one, I have to work to get it (freezer, toaster, wait, etc.). It works pretty well for me. I really like the cinnamon raisin kind and I would eat more if it wasn't frozen.

Monique - I'm with you - I haven't been on for a few days and so much to catch up on. Maria - hang in there. I do remember Jewel and Candra saying the pain med was making them crazy after a few days and one of them switched to liquid tylenol. You seem to being doing well following the plan for liquids, etc. It helps so much to read what you are going through, since I think I might be next. Lee and Ash - It was me who was reading on this site the "Complications" thread. It freaked me out a little, but I agree with Riley that from what I read most of the problems seem to come from being banded in Mexico. I feel very secure knowing how highly rated Richmond Kaiser is. I am with you about wanting to be as well informed as possible - both the good and the bad. I do much better when I have realistic expectations. Riley - WOO HOO on the dress and fitting easily into a size 10. That my goal and to think I could be there next year is awesome. You are my inspiration! Liz and Nicolie - you sound like you are doing great - with your eating and the exercise. I have been exercising on the weekend, but have not been able to get myself in a routine during the week. I need a swift kick! Well ladies time for nite nite - have a busy day tomorrow. We are going to my sister's ranch up north to pick Olives. It is suppose to be a nice warm 40 degrees! I'll check back with everyone on Sunday.

Ok you guys - someone needs to yell at me. I just spent the last hour reading all the posts on the "Complications" Thread. Scary stuff. One theme - lots of problems from surgery done in Mexico! We are so lucky to have a surgery center with the accrediation that Richmond has. Ok now I really am going to bed.

Heather - sorry you are feeling bad. I always want to baby myself with food when I feel bad - good job on the NO Cookie Doug!! Riley's new thing of logging her food and emotions is really interesting. She found she doesn't want to eat when she is stressed or angry, but when she is bored or feels 'entitled', like "I deserve this." I am going to look for the food journal log she got at GNC - I think figuring out the emotional eating patterns is probably a big key to this complicated puzzle.

Maria - Congratulations. Happy Band day. You are in my thoughts. Tamra - when I went to support group in the beginning of October, Bev said that they were running 6 - 8 weeks out for scheduling. I will let you know on Monday, since I have my case manager appt then. I am expecting a date in January. Riley thought that Bev might have been talking the schedule for RNY, but Jewel told me that Dr. Park is going on vacation Dec 17th, so I really think a January date is what it will be (I'm actually thinking middle or 3rd week which would mean not going back to work until middle or 3rd week in Feb. We usually have the warm streak that hits in Feb so I have my time off all planned out - want to really get my walking in!) Canolie - way to go on the weight loss! Riley - good meeting on Tuesday; you guys are a big support and I love the pillow! Lee - sorry I flaked - I forgot I had a hair appointment and couldn't go, but I will go to the Dec mtg. Monique - thinking of you - know the return to work is hard; take care and get your rest. Candra - you are back and making me laugh again! I love the cruise idea - I'm in!! Nite ladies!

Tamara and Lee - I plan to be at the Richmond Support meeting on Wed. I come right from work so will probably get there right before 6. I'll try to post what I wear that day so you can tell, but I look kinda like my avatar pic except bigger since that was taken a couple of years ago! Reggie - sorry it was a rough appt. We are here for you. Someone on hear says 'tomorrow is a new day.' Don't beat yourself up, just move forward. Maria you are in my thoughts - just breath deep and focus on the wonderful changes that are going to happen in the next year! I like the idea of visualizing that and making the poster for the future. Night ladies - have a good tomorrow.

Hi Ladies - Got my Case Manager appt for Monday morning at 9 am! (labs and ekg on Friday). WOO HOO, I'm on my way! Tamara - I will be there for the Wed support meeting at Richmond; it will be great to meet you. I am so glad you got your insurance and are back on the 'band' wagon. 1200 really does work. Analynn - we are here for you. Come to the meeting on Wed and get a hug! It really helps. This is such a supportive group. Riley - I will see you tomorrow night. Looking forward to the info you will share on the emotional eating class. Any of you vetrans have any other books you would recommend the newbies read? Have a good day everyone!

It was so great to meet everyone yesterday. Jewel - Thanks for organizing/picking thespot; it was a great place to walk. You look great and my hats off to you for having 3 in college; I don't know how you do it. I thought it was hard with 1! Heather and Donna - great pics. Thanks for posting. It was fun walking with you. Liz and Canolie - it was great to meet you. So neat you are doing this together. Monique - you are doing great for 3 weeks post - awesome! Pam - you look great, so different from your online pic. I love your hair. Riley dear - it was a great day. SCWLS meeting was really good for me. I'm so glad you got to meet my sister - she is a neat lady - pretty hot for 68! It was great talking. You are my inspiration. I love what they said at the meeting in the morning about getting help from someone and then later being able to help someone else through this process - kinda like 'as you reach for someone's hand then make sure your offer your hand to someone else". Anyway, you are my hand now. I'll see your Tuesday. Ash and Lee - I am doing the 1200 cal like the book says, but like Riley, I really cut down on the starch carbs (nothing white like Tina). My grain carb is a bread from Trader Joes called Daily Bread - it is made with whole grain, no sugar and no oil; the cinnamon raisin is really good. It is really working for me 23lbs in 9 weeks.

OMG - I did it! I am below my surgery goal weight! Weighed in at Kaiser this am at 233! That is 22 lbs from 9/13 to 11/13 - 9 weeks. I am calling Liz today for the appt! I really didn't expect it even though my scale showed me below goal. (I guess freezing my butt off with a little tee shirt and cotton pants and no food/water worked!!!) Riley and Monique - thanks for the confirmation on why LB vs RNY and understanding my feelings. Can't wait to see you. Nicole - you and Auds are beautiful; you look fantastic! Well need to get back to work. Will check back later!

Hi everyone - looking forward to Sat to meet some of you. I need the meeting! I have been kind of down in the dumps - lots of stress (I am broken out in a rash - it happens when I get really stressed). I know some of it is a lot of work related problems, but I have been kind of unsettled since that last Kaiser Rich meeting with all the RNY folks and saying they didn't want to deal with the fills etc. Since some of you are struggling with fills I have been having second thoughts. So just really stressed, but I've been sticking to the 1200 even though I've had a ton of head/stress hunger. Riley, you need to share what you are learning in your emotional eating class. I go into to Kaiser for an offical weigh in tomorrow. I'm not eating or drinking before I go because I want a good number. On my scale I am at surgery goal but know it will be higher there, just hoping it isn't too much higher. Candra I am so bummed you won't be there, I really wanted to meet you and I know you could make me laugh! Riley I'll PM you to see how we can work out the driving.

Riley - I'm here, just been a busy weekend. Nate has a big role in the fall school drama production so we went Fri, Sat nights and Sun Matinee. We'll be doing it again next weekend - they had a low turnout so I feel bad for the kids and director since they worked so hard. It is a great little productions and Nate is hilarious as Trotsky! Riley, can I ride back from the So Co. WLS meeting with you to my house? and then I'll drive us to Vallejo (I will ride up with my husband or sister.). I'll check in with you later in the week. Jes - trying to get ready for the big walk - I walked an hour Sat and Sun at the wetlands - it was such beautiful weather and I had fun exploring the new trails. But I'm sore - so gotta keep doing something this week so I'm ready. Can't wait to see you and all the girls on Sat. Hey - do any of you eat sweet potatoes? We went out for dinner tonight and instead of a baked potatoe I ordered a baked sweet potatoe because I heard they were suppose to be good for you. I looked 'em up online and they are really really good nutrition wise. A weight loss therapist I had seen a couple years ago recommended them. Anyway, it was really yummy! Have a good week!

Jes - I am with you TGIF - what a week! It ended OK though, since we went to see my youngest son (16) in his school play tonight. It was great 6 1 acts all fit together with a theme. In one of the acts he plays Trotsky, complete with Russian accent, on the day he dies with an axe in his head the whole scene. It was so funny. Needed to laugh! I'm going to go back to the wetlands/Schollenberger tomorrow and explore - hope to do another hour walk. Welcome Oaklander - I have Dr. Parks and thinks she is great. The whole program is really good; nurse at the last support group said it is ranked 5th in the country. I think all the docs are going to give you the best care. Analynn - I'm so sorry for you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Now that you are home, keep checking in. I think I have about 4 - 6 more to go before I am comfortable to schedule my case manager appt., so maybe we can be surgery buddies. Liz and Nicollie - how are you doing? For my 1200 today I had B: 3/4 c. low fat cottage cheese, 1/2 c non-fat yogurt with cinnamon and 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce L: salad with peppers, carrots cucumber, 2 tbsp low fat dressing, 1 tbsp sunflower seeds, 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 pear, 1 slice of trader joe's cinnamon raisin daily bread D: 4 oz grilled salmon, 1.5 c mixed veggies, 1/2 c skim milk snack: 1 cup unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.

Riley - you are a hoot about drinking! When it gets closer you need to instruct me on your magic bullet ideas; I hate chicken broth from a can, so we got to figure out something else! Wow 11 on the line with e-Harmony and more each day- way to go Girl!! Have fun with it! Candra - you are too hard on yourself; you look great. And good job getting back on the wagon - no more chocolate chasers! Jes - I'm thinkin' of you / hang in; Pam, Canolie, Liz, Maria - it is so great that you are all coming down on the 14th - can't wait to meet you. Maybe Donna too??? Canolie and Liz - the 1200 works!! It isn't super easy, but it isn't that hard, ya just gotta make up your mind to do it! I get more head hunger than real hunger. Liz - Don't worry I didn't start the 1200 right after orientation; I waited until the weekend to get all my food organized and not be so stressed from work; plus it was alot of info to take in from the orientation, so start when you are ready, but when you do GO FOR IT! Tamara - so good you are back on track and hanging in with us; I read the Gov't has extended unemployment again, so I am hopeful for you that this is going to work out. OK - nite ladies. Can't wait until next weekend!

Hi Ladies - I was with Riley last night at her group - it was great; the couple who host it are amazing and so inspirational - Sherry lost 250lbs 11 yrs ago and has kept it off and Jim almost 200 in a year. It is so inspirational to hear people who have been successful (regardless of surgery type) and are keeping it off even though they struggle. I went to the Kaiser Richmond group tonight; the moderator wasn't there but the group ran itself, although some people were bummed they couldn't weigh in. The group kind of freaked me out - everyone there was RNY, and I asked my usual question: Why did you pick the surgery you did? Lots of people talked about not wanting to have a port/feel a port and getting fills; they just wanted to be done with it. There were 2 nurses there, one of them is related to one of my nieces. She said that both surgeries are about the same amount of invasiveness. She also said that if you were to get sick later (like with cancer) and needed additional nutrition there are plenty of other ways to make that happen. So I am very unsettled tonight. Wish a bandster had been there! Jes - where were you??!! Beatriz were you there?? I don't know what you look like?? Nicollie and Liz - congratulations on getting your surgeon appt in the same day - way to go. Tina - glad you are better; sounds like it was awful. Heather and Candra - The Sonoma Country Weight Loss Surgery meeting is 11/14 at 10am at the Wells Fargo Center (use to be called the Luther Burbank Center). Take 101 North and exit at the Mark West Springs Exit (its the north end of Santa Rosa.) and you turn right into the Wells Fargo Center and need to drive around to the south side. Jes - Yes, Riley and I will come to Vallejo, but after our meeting on the 14th. I am committed to going to that meeting because I already invited my husband and sister and she is driving down from Cloverdale to be there for me. We can be to Vallejo by about 1 p.m. Anyone else in for the 14th for the SCWLS support meeting with Riley and me besides Candra and Heather? And who is in for meeting for a walk and lunch in the afternoon in Vallejo? I think I heard Jes, Pam, Nicolie and Liz.

Hi Ash - welcome. This is a great group. People who are long term bandsters and newbie just banded and those of us who are in the pre-surgery process. It is a wealth of info - especially if you go back and read some old posts. I was right around 40 -41 BMI when I started and it was almost 2 months before I got my orientation (did the overview class in July and orientation 9/8). I didn't try to lose any weight before because I knew I was on the line since I didn't have any other medical conditions that require weight loss. Before the orientation, I did alot of research online (Mayo clinic, etc.) and thats how I found this site. Also the Kaiser Richmond Bariatric site has the full orientation handbook on it so you can read up before you go. I think the costs really do vary by plan. I called member services and then was referred to the business office to get my questions answered. Some people on here have said they paid nothing for their surgery. I have a deductible plan, which means some services I have to pay for until my deductible is met. My plan has a $1,500.00 out of pocket max so the most I will pay for my surgery is 1500. I have paid my regular office visit co-pay for my surgeon consult ($20) and my psych appt. There is no charge for the support group meetings. Hope this helps.

Hey everyone. I went to Schollenber this afternoon and wow! The new section that they opened is huge - it has lots of great paths - it is part of the water treatment facility; they built a wetlands to aid in the rain water run off. I only walked part of it and want to go back next weekend and check out more. I walked for an hour! Then came home and put the Halloween decorations away. Riley - I am planning to come to your group Tuesday night - the time is 6:30 and its at the same house you sent me right? Jess - Can't believe the bridge is still closed - what a mess! Are you planning to go to the Richmond support group on Wed night? I am planning to as of now unless the bridge is still closed and traffic is still all messed up going over the Richmond bridge instead. Anyone else feel the way I am before doing the surgery? (my last question about being scared to do it and being scared not to do it?)

Hi Ladies and John Happy day after! I didn't eat the candy, but it is really hard. (We did get ribs for dinner and I had 4 - and a grilled portabello mushroom with asiago cheese on it - that was my Halloween treat. Robin would not have said I was on program but it wasn't too far off.) Our neighborhood is grown up now, (so sad it use to be so much fun with all the kids) so we didn't have many trick or treaters. We bought the 150 piece bag from COSTCO and 100 piece are still in the pumpkin sitting 10 ft from me. I am putting it all in a bag when I am done and putting it in my son's room. Heather and Riley - great costumes. Riley you are a BAD girl! OK for those of you who have had teenage boys you will appreciate this. My 16 year old dressed up as Andy Samberg from SNL in the skit called D--- In A Box (take off on Backstreet Boys - check out on YouTube!) complete with the gift wrapped box duct taped to his front! (Which I only learned about 2 seconds before he walked out the door!) For those of you without teenage boys, thank your lucky stars you don't have them! Monique - hang in - sorry it is hard. I'm worried that it is too soon and you are not healed yet. Jess - thanks for the encouragement. I need to lose more - probably 5 more on my scale just to be safe before I go in for my appt with Liz. I don't want surgery before Christmas - too much stress, especially with my older son coming home from D.C. - want to be able to spend some good time with him (he balances out living with the sullen 16 year old!). What I would really like would be to do it at the end of week after Christmas; we have a deductible Kaiser plan, so I have to pay $1500.00 for the surgery and if I can do it in 2009 any of my deductible I have already paid would go towards it -which is about $250. It isn't the end of the world if I can't - just would be nice if it worked out that way. Probably Dr. P will be taking some time off like the rest of the world so I don't know that it would work. Also at last support group, they said they scheduling was running out 6 - 8 weeks. Its more likely I'll be in January. All, I am going out in a bit to check out the new trails at Schollenber. My foot hurts no matter what so I am going to get in a nice walk on such a beautiful day. For the vetrans, Did any of you go through feeling really scared to both have the surgery (complications/ will sabatoge it) and really scared not to have the surgery (like if you didn't do it you wouldn't be able to ever gain control over the eating thing) at the same time? I'm feeling both.

Happy Pumpkin Day! I'm so excited that so many of you are going to try to meet on the 14th and if you come to the NorthBay what a treat! Also if any of you come to the meeting how awesome! (Its 10am to 12noon). I gotta prepare my hubby for all you crazy ladies (I invited him and my sister since there will be a panel on support people.) (He's kinda quiet so I think we should put him next to Candra!!!) I'm game for meeting where it works for most people cause I really want to meet and hug all you of you in person, as long as Riley and I can still do the meeting. The flat walk Jes suggested will work for me. (If we do the North Bay - there is a great flat walk in Petaluma at the wetlands - Schollenber park - they have several new trails I haven't tried yet.) After a B----- of a week, I weighed and I am .4 from Surgery goal weight!! I'm so excited. I know I need to lose more 'cause of the Kaiser scales and clothes, but still it feels so great. It really means something to me because I did this despite being super stressed - I haven't hit the sugar so I'm proud of me. Liz and Nicolie - The 1200 cal really works! Here is what I eat on a typical day B - 3/4 lf cottage cheese, 3/4 c ff yogurt, 1/2 c raspberries, 1 slice of Trader Joe's daily bread toasted (no sugar, no fat) with 1 tsp of Land of Lakes low fat butter L - salad (~3 cups of veggies) w/ 2 tbsp Safeway low fat poppy seed dressing (yummy), 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 pear, 1 slice of the TJ bread D - 3 oz of tri tip or chicken or port tenderloin, 1 - 2 c steamed veggies (brocolli, zucchine, or spinach), 1 c skim milk, I slice of TJs bread toasted with 1 tsp low fat butter I don't snack, but sometimes after dinner I also have extra fruit (not on the diet) usually 1 c of unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon I'm in for the "Traveling MooMoo of the Banded Sisterhood!" Love you all! Stay away from the candy today - my husband hid ours for me (now says he can't remember where he put it LOL - this 50+ thing is a b----- on memory!)

Candra - My migraine sister! I've had em since I was 15 and they went haywire 2 years ago - I actually was out of work for a month - maybe had 5 days out of the month without a migraine. Badlands! Tried everything - headache clinic / neuro surgeon put me on Topamax - bad drug - makes you really feel weird - hands and feet go numb but they tell you that is normal - NOT. Since I've gotten through the Big M they are better but not gone. My sister's went away after the Big M. Maxalt worked great for me for years - but not with the big hormone thing with menopause. Now that I'm through it the Maxalt is working again. My biggest triggers are lack of sleep (can you tell I'm a night owl) and stress, some foods, but mostly the other 2. Now that I'm eating right I think it helps. But like you say, sometimes they just come on for no apparent reason. Sooo I really understand and feel for you. Nothin' worse (except when you get the vomitting with them too.) Oh and Candra, I have you beat - my engagement was 7 years and 1 kid! Since I had already tied the knot 2 times before I wasn't too anxious to do it again. Then when I was ready he wasn't, then he was and I wasn't and so on. We also got pregnant in there by accident and decided to have our oldest son but held on the marriage thing since we weren't sure. Finally tied the knot in 1991! So its been a total of 25 years now! Riley - I agree we are worth waiting for - the North Bay Gals! Seriously, it would be great to met up with the group. I'm game for a walk, but not sure how long I can go because of my foot. (I'm scared of the power girls: Riley and Jes!). Is the Tuesday night group at the same house each week? Beatriz - congratulations! and Maria congratulations on a new, sooner date - it will be fine. Annalynn - we are going to do this together! Good job on the alcohol - lots of sugar! I'm waiting to get weighed at my PCP's next week before I update my ticker, but my home scale last week showed I was only 3 from surgery goal. (I know it is more but it is really making me push - I really want my case manager appt in Nov.) Tamara - don't give up - we are here for you. Jess - My work has been nuts - more layoffs today. I've worked every night this week until 9:30. Its hard. I know when I'm banded I'll need to not do that so I can eat - I was starving tonight - I only ate a little extra but it was hard. What do you do? Night ladies - have a good Thursday.

Monique - you rock - 6.9lbs! Sorry you are hurting, but it has only been a week. I know it will get better. Tina - glad to hear you can eat a little more - awesome on being firmly below 200. it is really helpful to read about how you feel and the fills. It seems like it is really different for each person. Really helpful to have this insight going into all this. Reggie - take care. My son came down with a cold and was out of school 1 day then seemed to get a little better and the next week was knocked back with the flu (fever, aches,etc.) so watch yourself. Heather - great that you are back on track with eating. Chris - the first flutters are so cool - great news! Jess - you sound like your weight is doing fine. Sorry work is crazy - I know what that is like. Clinical exam? What do you do? Since I have Dr. P I am interested to hear what she says / if she will give you afill. Ok - all have a good Tuesday. Good night.