NYSparklegirl

Hi everyone.....wow its been a while. Ive been on vacation for the last two weeks on and off that is. Weve been going out to Fire Island and even though there is internet connection...I dont feel like sitting in and getting stuck using computer instead of outside...at the beach or in town. So far ive gotten two fills since surgery on March 9th. I have lost 45 lbs. and have been eating healthy. Ive got restriction...I think lol. Not hungry during the day. Eating a protein bar for breakfast, a piece of fish or chicken cutlet for lunch and then dinner is whatever lunch wasnt if im home....if out then ill have fish or some seafood something...mostly grilled something. lol I have been keeping to the motto....less then 6g of sugar, and not more then 10-15% of daily recommended amts...on the labels. Have not eaten any "whites" as in bread, pastas etc. Started eating some vegetables...broccoli, zuchini and salads. I have been trying out new and different products that Ive never had before...canned beans, chumus, pickels, qunoia, bulgur, millet..and a few other things like using sauces with no sugars....not worried about fat so much as sugar. Foods are going well....its the exercise that is a challenge to me!! I hate hate hate to exercize....Have I made that clear?? Well, doing it anyways!! Twice with trainer and once alone now...im trying to do more but have a hard time getting to the damn gym. lol well....things are just great!!! Down to a size 12 from 2x. What a great feeling. I look and feel great. No more BP meds or Prevacid. Just the cholesterol and the pill that we need to take after surgery for six months so we dont get gall stones. well.....I must be getting to sleep. Have a great night all. Glad to see so many are doing so well!! Keep up the good work fellow bandsters. Jodi

Hi, all..... Wow...its been a while since posting but just finished reading posts from about a week ago.... Im glad everyone is doing well....or better!! Great.....im sure you will have that house it tip top shape by next week! Jessica...way to go on the 14 pds. Linda and Laurak thanks for the infor and the encouragement. Luara, oh...nooo puppies...I agree that puppies...are cute but not to have in your house until house broken!!! lol As a dog owner..with an 11 yr old I can tell you.,,,its not the childs dog its your dog...and you are going to be taking care of it. Even when they are a little older. My daughter??? haha. I have to bribe her to walk and feed this dog. The only time she will do it willingly is when Im not home. Even then I have to tell her to. Then again I live in an apt. so its a little more difficult. I would get a dog but know that Nelson will only love it and play with it. You mom will have another child to take care of. Yes, fostering is a great way to get to know a pet without the commitment. You can foster short or long term. You can choose what type to foster....large, small, med...sometimes even pure breeds. You might give this a try till you find one you have to keep!! lol (hopefully not all of them) Joyce, no I dont eat orzo regularly..it was just in this mix..so you got maybe like a half of handful...lol. No whites....thats the motto. Ive been trying.,..and I think I found a spelt brand bread that i actually like and better still Dassi likes!! Been ecperimenting with beans in the can from trader joes...they arent bad!!! Been mixing them with spices and qunioa or millet or bulger. Janet, I know how you feel about your sister...when Ron died...Rons brother was administrator but I did all the work...and he wasnt even my husband any longer and I didnt get paid one cent. Did it so Dassi would be sure to get her money. Wasnt too sure that this brother was going to make sure that she was taken care of....turns out I was right....he took whatever came from his salary that was owed to him for himself.....the only thing that Dassi got was the insurance that had her name on as beneficiary but I had to do do alot of work to get it transferred out of insurance and into a guardian account with court..he would have let it sit in policy and she would have lost it all within 5 yrs when the market crashed again. At least she has this.. but we dont speak at all...not that we did before..now when I see him...I dont even look his way..Dassi doesnt even know he is her uncle as he doesnt call or see her or even send her a card on birthday...he is a miserable stupid ass. His other brother who lives in Israel and my sister in law....they have been wonderful...to both Dassi and me.. not financially as they dont have much themselves but emotionally and physically....they are real uncle and aunt! So....just keep your cool...it is not worth getting aggravated over!! Apples, oh I hear you about the non inviters..showing up. When I was in the bungallow colony...everyone knew who what we call people who come but dont invite ever "shnurers" jewish word. In the colony it is such close proximities to everyone else you cant not invite...if you are BBQ or eating outside..everyone is passing by..stopping by and picking.....thats just the way it is....so shopping isnt just thinking about yourself...you have to prepare for all those passers by.,..or snacks and stuff for when you are having mahjong marathons nightly...food was a big part of those nightly games...chit chat food and mahjohn. There are those that are never contributing..sharing etc. and that is frustrating!! Glad im not there this summer as Id gain all the weight back flost for sure!!! lol New comers.....welcome. Hope you guys are doing well.... Cheri...thinking about you in this heat....no, I dont work without air conditioner....im not that devoted. Most classrooms here in NY do not have AC>...I would never work the summer program ever!!!! Crazy!! You are a saint. Im glad that the everyones children seems to be doing okay..and the medical scares are not heart attacks...yes serious but can be managed...or treated...but heart attacks and strokes can be deadly so glad to hear that they werent! Im going to say this again about the blood pressure pills and staying on treatment. My ex died because he refused to take the pills and see doctors even when he had insurance....you cannot force someone to take care of themselves..and you cannot control or take responsibility for someones actions other then your own. Please keep this in mind when feeling badly. Everyone has to take their health into their own account. Nothing more to say.....except I hope that everyone who needs to take medication for HBP does it! It wont be about "if" you will die it will be "when" Pass this message on to whom ever needs to hear it....I wont be unhappy. Fire Island this past weekend was amazing. I love being in Ocean Beach. Last few years we were in Ocean Bay Park where there are houses, space and families. Ocean Beach has the town, life guards at the beach, cottages and houses next to each other and streets that are close in between the rows of houses on each side....so you can window peep in each as you walk down then road to either the beach or the town..depending on which way you walk....as one end is the beach and one end is the town and then the bay.,...oh yes and I forgot....there is a big childrens playground on sand at the end of our block a block behind town. Couldn't ask for a more perfect location as far as blocks....life guards on one side..and park on the other....town in between! Whats really amazing is the DEER, they roam free....you are not allowed to touch or feed them as feeding them kills them....in the winter when all vacationers go home they would starve as there is no one to feed them in winter so no feeding the deer is allowed. They walk next to you....or sit in your yard. Yesturday I came home and there were two babies and a mother sleeping next to our deck. Most of the properties are fenced in so deer cant get in...but in the back its open from the house in back...and they enter there and lay in the back of deck. We sat and watched them for about an hour....or so. So beutiful and peaceful. Our little room is at the back of the house. Separate from the main house. It has a bathroom and shower and big enough for two singles and a single air mattress on the floor. The main house has three bedrooms and one bath and shower that everyone has to share. We have the backhouse because I have the dog and she isnt allowed in main house. Yea for us. lol I wouldn't have done this share..if I couldn't bring the dog or we were in the main house with all the yacking kids! Each room houses a family..which could mean up to two adults and sometimes three kids...and there are three bedrooms meaning three of these families...a mad house! Too many kids!! Too many people for a small house. Not a big house. Small kitchen, living area and dining area. Not big...too many people, not enough bathrooms and too little space,....when its raining or night time its a zoo. So,,,, the deal was separate and not equal lol. We get our own bath and shower and get to escape the zoo when we want and sleep late...not be woken by the chit chat and bickering of kids..lol The nice thing about being in town...and with life guards and a childrens park...you guessed it....Dassi can be independent. She can go where she wants when she wants without me. She just needs to let me know where she is when. Cell phones are good for something after all! oh...wait one more perk for us....her friend from her old school who owns a house lives on the next block over from where our share is..sooooo she has her and so far they've been hanging out together running to either of the above places plus running to each others houses all day long......its a nice life the kids have!!! As for us...well now that Dassi is independent that means that we are too!!! WOO HOO We get to run from town to the beach to the house in between all day as well! This also means spending money as town has two things that are enticing..quaint little shops, crafts, clothing, restuarants, bars and two main grocery stores and a community center that has a makeshift movie theartre. The town is only about three to four blocks..spent some more money then would have liked to and certainly more then if we were a mile from town!! Every two minutes we are getting...coffee, food, ice cream..supplies....clothes etc etc lol Im hoping that calms down next time we go or ill be broke by mid summer for sure. The weather this past holiday weekend was amazing! Sunny and warm! A little cold at night but doable. We like sunny..when it rains..omg its horrid so we pray for sun. ( sorry) rain and beach..not good. Sun and beach.....perfect Shabbat was nice, relaxing and the food was good. I cooked lol BBQ....yes that is the way to do it on FIre Island.....the only way!!! lol Been beefing up the grilling healthy recipes. This week all week by the way on food network is grilling week. Been very good on my food plan. Did not deviate. Did not eat junk or candy or whatevers that everyone else brought. Walked a lot so got exercise and ate planned snacks....fat free, sugar free icecream. 140 cal a half of cup, Was happy with this planned snack daily as part of the days food. well I must run now to work. My little boy has been sick so....not much teaching going on there this week...bored to death. okay....have a great day! ' Jods

Hi all...well everyone is getting ready for weekend;....so I wanted to say Have a great weekend all. Still feeling good with the fill.. Im still thinking about loosing some solution and what that means or could mean. Im going to obsess over this one as you all probably could guess by now....until next fill to find out if this is a problem or not. Could this mean a leak and they have to go in and fix it? could it mean I punctured it with some food or something...oh the thoughts that are running through my mind. Oh well. guess i wont know till next month. any ideas???? Omg....I would have been on the table screaming like a lunatic! You at least had the sense to call the dog....lol Not funny for sure...but uch. I remember in camp once wen I I woke up one morning and went to put my foot in a shoe and out popped a mouse!! To this day I shake out every shoe I put on no matter where I am!! Took me a long time to stop screaming and get down from the bed. lol Glad you werent hurt during all this....grills and mess can be cleaned up.....must have freaked you out all day! Next time I bet youl shake that grill before opening. Joyce,,sounds like you are like me about the visuals....I just read a book that you might also like...Its called "picture perfect weight loss" and its all about visuals. If gives you pictures of the things that are good for you and the picture of whats not so much...and the whys in between....It also has a shopping giude which goes through each isle in the supermarket with visuals and discusses the good foods vs the not so goods with pictures to explain why. It really helped me make good choices as it showed me the pictures....gave me visuals. I can now remember how many cal, carbs, proteins certain foods have because the picure with the amts above them is in my brain now. It might work for you to if like you say you are a visual learner. Ill get the author later at home to post. The other thing I find helpful is my dinning out guide from E-diets my mom gave me...boy has this saved me when eating out!! Goes through every cuisine. My bible now. Also....a log of what I eat everyday....I write every morsel of anything that goes into my mouth...the cal, pt, carbs....as well as how I felt when eating, where I was, and what I was doing. This gives me a visual of the things Ive eaten,...so i dont forget and the visual helps me keep tract and not eat more then wanted!!!!

Hi all..... Hope everyone is having a great day. It hit mid nineties here in NY today...I was soooo happy. Finially some nice weather sunny and dry! Today was doctor day. Started with the surgeon...I got my second fill. I didnt think I lost any weight this past two weeks as I didnt go to gym and it was holiday and at Fire Island.....I thought nope..but was wrong. I lost another 5 lbs. and now am at 175. Woo hoo. I feel good oh I feel so good!! However apparently I lost some solution which isnt a problem except if it happens consistantly so they are going to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesnt happen...if it does...well I dont know what happens then. We will have to look and see whats going on....I didnt want to know what that really meant. They are not concerned now. They put on 2cc and well....I feel just fine. I hope it continues!! Anyone ever have that experience where they lose some solution and knows what this means when this happens consistency? Next Doctor was the pulmonologist. Going for a sleep study again next week sometime....to see if I can now get off C-pap......that would be great. My Asthma is good. Flair up gone and im back to reg med dosage. yea. I hate all those meds. Next was the primary.....now my primary was my biggest push to get the band...and wouldnt let it rest until I did it! I havent seen him since a month after surgery....wow was he shocked! He could not believe it. He was so happy. Even happier when my blood pressure is still 128 over 80. No more blood pressure meds ever now he said..your good to say you do not have high blood pressure anymore!! Yea me. lol He also said to stop taking prevacid as the band will be helping with reflux and since I had the all the presurgery tests etc I now should not need this any longer. The only thing now is to wait to find out the cholesterol levels tomorrow and decide whether I can stop these pills as well. If so...I will be pill free! I think though my cholesterol is genetic so will probably be on pills forever. It sure was nice to not have to think about taking all the pills tonight, just the crestor oh and those pills so you dont get gallstones that we need to take for 6 months after banding. Anyone else need to take these pills?? Twice daily big pills..need to open and pour in water or juice..pain in the ass but taking them, as Im neurotic about these things. Well....all in all it was a good day for results and visits. Of course spent so much time at visits and the waiting in between I didnt get to work today in the end. I saw my extra little one....but I needed to be back by 4:30 for bus so scratched going to my little boy.....parents not too happy after not being there last week for the holiday. I could understand that but what could I do?? I have vacation days that I havent taken....I have a right to take off...but it was kind of bad timing after just coming off vacation week so to say. Well whatever..cant help whats out of my control....if everyone ran on time I would have been able to see him for at least an hour and half. It didnt and they all ran late..in fact for each apt I waited 45 min. That was just too much. It happens I guess. After getting home....realized that tonight is Karate and Dassi is now in the intermediate class which is at 6:30 not 7:15. So rushed to get dinner going.... I started cooking on Sunday for the week the main meal dishes so Dassi will have allready made foods in the fridge when she gets home. I find that by 5:30 shes hungry and if there isnt anything made she will snack. Not good. SOoooo I started making three seperate dishes. Baked chicken cutlets, Baked salmon or some fish, fake shrimp or crabmeat sauteed and baby chicken pieces for me. lol I have a bag of salad mixed and I cooked some couscous, corn on the cob and steamed some brocoli and zuchini. She gets to choose what she wants to eat each night but must eat one meat and veg and the starch....with salad a night. She doesnt have to eat all but needs to varry her foods throughout the week.....this system seems to be working not only for her but me as well.... PJ my heart goes out to you. Im so sorry that you are going through this. Divorce is never pleasant on the best of terms. Ive been there Been divorced now 4 years. My husband actually died 3 months after we were officially divorced. Not expected. I have an eleven year old daughter. I was banded on March 9th and have lost 45 lbs. to date. I have worked real hard to get my life together..im no where near done yet!!! One day at a time. Keep your head high....and think positive. Work on yourself!! Take this time to get yourself into good health...its not a race take it slow....thats the best way!!! Good Luck and Welcome.... I hope you have an easy move!!! Ouch....sounds like this is going to be painful however....you will deff be so happy...and it will be worth it in the end just like getting the band! Will be praying for him as well. It should all be good!!! Hope everone else is good. Linda enjoy camping..I so miss our weekends in the trailer. We had a "prowler"...went camping every weekend all summer long while growing up. ENJOY. Great I hope the move went well. Julie I hope you are feeling better. Janet....great work on getting to 135 you go girl!! Joyce you will see that you feel better not eating the "white" starches. I have started to eat some whole grains....cous cous, quinoa, bulgar, orzo and canned beans...kidney etc etc....I find that with a tablespoon of the above I dont miss the "white starches" I even tried spelt bread...however I olmost puked from that!!! I also found these stone ground corn baked tortillas from Costco and trader joes has there brand....they have stone ground corn, quinoa, flax seed, and some other organic whole grains...and I like them. They seem to take the place of breads and pastas and im good with that. I eat them with salsa or bruchetta. 10 tortillas for 140 cal. with the salsa or bruchetta..another 30 or so. This is good...as I know we need some fiber and it also has 4 gms protein for every ten. We need to find substitutes for those carb cravings we all get....I tried the above so far so good.....maybe some or all can work for you to. Well...its late late late...and im tired!! so must go to sleep, tomorrow must go to work....tomorrow must go to work...and if I keep saying it I will actually go!!! Have a great night. oh...didnt go on that date int he end Tuesday night...we are going tomorrow instead so thanks for the good wishes Ill take them with tomorrow.!! Jodi

Hi all. Its been about a week...so Ill need an update. lol Cant possibly read a week and halfs posts so can someone post a basic update?? Fire Island was great. The share house worked out great. The four families worked out amazing and all the kids by the end of the week were all buddies... My daughter and one of the other families son who is her age got on amazingly as they were reading the same series book. Percy Jackson and they were just chit chatting the whole week about it. lol The last night they were up till about 1AM just talking about that and who knows what but they fell asleep together on the couch in the living room area. They were so cute. I think this was her first intro to "boys" as she goes to a school in which the classes are seperated. My mother...well she fared okay. Thought that she was going to hate it but ended up faring well....considering she was the resident grandma for all the kids. lol Im real happy with my room which is a seperate guest room from the house with own bath and shower...far away from the noise of the main house. It was nice not to wake up from little ones screaming in the next bedroom or sharing a bathroom with 10 other people. Yes, this arrangement is quite acceptable. lol I wouldnt have taken this share if it wasnt set up like this..Im too old to share a house with little kids and lots of people in my face all day and night...I need some respite from all that....so this is just perfect. I could escape to take a nap and whatever whenever..and dont need to worry about being woken or disturbed. The food situation worked well....I bought most of the foods and prepared most of the main foods. I made sure there were healthy snacks and no junk stuff. Fresh fruit, cheeses and grains...etc. Lots of times when you do shares the junk food comes along with as well as loads of take out....neither of which will work for me.. Everyone seemed happy with the choices and no one really cared that there was no cheese doodles, potato chips, cookies and cakes galore. All the adults were happy to help with prep and cleanups. Best....there was plenty of food extra to freeze for this coming weekend so need to bring food again out and waste the beutiful weather cooking and preparing. The weather well it wasnt great for the first days....it poured turentially. Not good when going on ferry to Island where you are shlepping suitcases and shopping for four families for a week. But after settling in the first day in the rain..the next day started clearing and by the third day it was gorgeous. Shopping for crafts and such is always fun this weekend of the year....the town where we are always have an anual craft and flea market...my favorite kind. All the stores just opened for the first time this weekend as well and we enjoyed checking out each on Friday and Sunday. Bought several pieces of hand made jewerly two necklaces and a bracelet. Spent way too much money but well...I just had to have them. lol The beach was fabulous the kids spent the week buggy boarding.....they had a great time!! Well...that was our week in a nut shell. We have ten weekends now till the end of summer and this weekend kicks off the beginning of the summer season so to say...this past weekend was a preempt...so to say...but Memorial weekend is when all the shares begin so....am excited going to be sharing my room with my friend Renne who is also single and Dassi. We will have four weekends without Dassi while she is in camp. That should be fun and interesting ...havent had a vacation without. Well.......it was back to reality on Monday morning and just got finished doing the laundry cleanup and organizing so thought I would post as a reward for getting it all together. Going to Surgeon tomorrow and all the other doctors at the same time....as they are all in the same area. Hoping to get a fill as I didnt loose any weight this past two weeks and well...am eating more then usual then since banded. Havent really eaten badly but deff more. Lost 40 llbs. so far and its been two and half months...so hoping that ill get a fill and that will help with the portions again. oh and of course I didnt exercise all week...I walked and walked however that apparently didnt count...lol Im not upset. I just am getting back on board and today going to trainer and tomorrow and maybe Thursday. SO.....will try to read all posts but not tonight. Have a date.....not looking forward turns out I know this guy,...he was my BFF in col friend. lol I didnt know this until he said what his last name was. I just laughed. I told him who I was and he still wanted to go out...so how can I say no??? So, we are going. A friend set us up and well..how could they know? NY is a small place for Jewish single adults who are semi religious to real religious. lol Who knows....maybe he turned cool over the years...its been about 20 years. Is it possible? Wait..maybe I have gotten uncool. Then we will be a perfect match. Dought it..didnt really like him then...dont suppose that will change...but hey im willing to meet. I sent an e-mail to my friend from Col and told her this story....im sure she is having a good laugh. okay......Little boy is up and got to get back to work. Have a great day all. Hope all had a great week. Jods

Hi all. Hope you all had a great weekend. Well...ive been sick as a dog. My allergies asperated my asthma and im still feeling so bad...I keep thinking that im going to slip my band with all the caughing and such! Its deep caughing and it hurts!!! I called the surgeon several times to ask about it....as I am so neurotic about it. He says not to worry. hmm Im still worrying. lol Weighed in on Wednesday and have lost 40 lbs, so far....yea me. This week is going to be really busy and am going away for the holiday shavuot. We are going to Fire Island. Cant wait. Tomorrow going shopping for all the food and preperation stuff. We are going for a week so..have to plan Someone posted a quote that I thought very appropriate..... "when you fail to plan you plan to fail" This is my new mantra...esp. for the upcoming vacation that I need to take all the food with as their is no groceries that I can buy from. A. too expensive and B. no kosher meats and stuff. It will be fun but.....If I fail to plan then I will surely fail!! oh this is not good. You must be freaking out. Have you spoken to your surgeon?? Some people are suggesting Biotin. They sell these vitamins at CVS or other pharmacies. im so sorry youve had this experience. my hair is getting thinner as well trying the biotin now. Well all must go to sleep...have a great week. Keep up the good work all!!! Jodi

Hi all, Hope you all had a great weekend. Well....the audition went not so well....didnt make the grade so to speak. but thats okay. The more practice the better She will get. If this is what she really wants. This manager wasnt looking for anyone in specific and wasnt even looking to sign anyone per se however, he was actually honest and seemed to be decent. He wasnt interested in Dassi or anyone else who auditioned so.....on with the next. Thanks for the good wishes So, ive got my healthy eating shopping list ready for tomorrow morning and will be a cooking throughout the day. Have decided to make the zuchini dish of Apples and Quinoa and chicken with vegetables and a seven vegetable Soup. These are my dishes that I have the recipes ready and are prepared to make first thing tomorrow...will let you all know how these come out and if good....I will post recipe for the Quinoa and seven veg soup. Havent gotten much further for actual recipes for the items that I will be buying. This means fish and vegetables and deserts. I was offered a banana choc chip cake that a friend made but...kindly refused. (actually adamantly) lol No, thanks. Will do without the white flour. Laura, so sorry to hear about your dad feeling so badly hopefully they can give him meds to break up the clot or go on quickly and destroy it before it moves. Will have him in mind on prayer for recovery. I love this quote.....If you Fail to Plan, then you Plan to Fail.....I will be putting this on my frig as soon as I get offline! Thank you....so true. I hope you dont mind that I will be using this as my new mantra! You are doing great on this day!!! Daily prayes and mantras I believe really help us overcome obstacles. I love the one you posted about beginning in the evening and you can start anytime..not just in the morning. Thanks for this quote as well. Keep up the good work.

Hi all. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. JULIE GLAD TO SEE YOU!!!! I know weve all missed your daily posts....and was wondering how you were feeling...saying a prayer every day for you!!! Im glad to hear that you at least are comfortable for now. Hoping it will get only better!!! Janet, didnt I tell you id remember what I wanted to respond to your post at about 2 AM.... well it was about 3. lol Yes,, NY is a great place to come to vist. I suggest what a great place to have a get together and I would gladly accept the role of ambassador...lol I was thinking....that we could all rent a house for the weekend or week which would be so much cheaper then a hotel. We can all cook together, sharing our favorite recipes that weve been posting here in LBT. I live right next to the railroad to Manhattan. No need for renting cars etc. We can see its "Girls night out" which is a fab interactive show about 5 woman. I loved it and with a group of friends....the house will come down. Well....just a thought to add to your post!! Just say when...the rest is done. Of course you can all stay with me in my little two bedroom apt if you wanted more cozy..but no more dogs!! Hiatus here. So, Ive been caughing still. Feeling much better overall. The medications have deff kicked in but im still caughing like crazy...now the congestion has broken up but getting all the mucus out is freaking me out. I keep thinking the band is going to slip with any caugh as they are so deep and it hurts so much my ribs are hurting. I called the surgeon again....as I was so sure....and he again assured me that if I did I would know emmediately.. great and now im more worried that it can happen. He said not to worry but the nerosis in me is worrying. I think that I actually ate a little more then needing to tonight just to make sure that I was okay and I didnt throw up or reflux etc etc. So far its okay. Shabbat was quiet...and low keyed. I organized the coat closet. Needed to give away coats and sweaters that I know will not fit come fall/winter. While I was at it I went through all the hand bags and purses. Got rid of all the bags that I havent used within the last 3 yrs. Not easy but done! Reorganized, switched around and cleaned up the closet..which really should have been done before passover but just shut and sold the whole lot as didnt need it then. lol Last night organized all my jewelery, had to get rid of half. It was time. There was stuff I was never going to where again but couldnt get rid of. Nothing worth much except of sentimental value..but needed space for all the new pieces that my step mom gave me to go with the outfits...which btw are olmost too big allready sadly to say for the clothes were fabulous but taking them all in as I go down. lol Not giving those up. So, spent the evening and afternoon organizing and decluttering. In between we went to shul and after the kiddish lunch and organzing closet we went to the park with our dog Starlight. We walked around and chatted with some people we knew then sat on a bench and just enjoyed the gorgeous weather after the horrible week weve had in NY...brr was it a cold one. We just sat and enjoyed chit chatting about this and that...it was a perfect afternoon with my daughter. We did notice that something was missing. BOOMER. yes, the park had taken on a different view with him...and talking about the past two weeks with him and the visits to the park was fun but I was happy to just sit and relax and catch some sun for a change instead of running with him all over. The kiddush lunch in the afternoon after synaguage (shul) meal was catered. It always is and anyone whose been to the beginning of any NY jewish wedding can imagine just what this is like. It was interesting...as this was the first one like this ive been to since banding. I did look at all the foods that were offered...as usual all the most amazing foods that could be offered that entails fat more fat and then some. All the jewish foods that you can think of in one giant room. Food enough to feed an army. So....what did I eat???? I had an amazing lunch. First I had a tablespoon of three bean salad, and two ounces of grilled chicken slice, two strawberries, three rasberries and one little chunk if watermelon. It was really good. I could have eaten about 3,0000 calories easy as I have in the past...as everyone can easily do..when food is good and is in front of you and its free. Those days of thinking this way are over. Not going to happen every month....in shabbat, I enjoy the socialization when these buffet lunches we call Kidush happen. I get to see and meet new people in the shul that I wouldnt normally and I dont have to cook at home...so it usually means its my turn to invite Dassis friends over to me as apposed to on other weekends and my mom so they are taken care of for this meal at least. Kind of silly but hey...I need a break sometime from cooking and with the cost of feeding 4 or 5 people at a meal that needs to be the so called "elaborate shabbos style meal" Tuna and bread just doesnt cut this meal. lol Although the meals I have been preparing have gone through a transformation from the 3-4 course fish and fatty meat and potatoes and side dishes with more oil then id like to think about now...high calorie deserts etc...have been replaced with more healthy choices.....Its just what has to be in this house....taste and style is not forfeited just healthier style. I have to say....trying new things is sometimes not so good like the spelt challah we tried last week tjat was a bust. It was like eating sandpaper. We agreed his week to have he white flour, egg and raisin challah that we love..and only had about an oz. (Dassi had some more...lol) and I dont feel bad, It was delicious. I worked that into my plan for dinner and the dinner was a good low cal, dinner of 3 oz of terryaki salmon...and two bites of grilled portabella mushroom. For desert we had a 100 cal fudgsickle. Just as elaborate and elegant on the shabbos table as was the past traditional foods eaten and presented and I felt really good about creating new recipes. Dassi seems to be good about this and is anxious to try these new things as well...however...she says she isnt giving up chulent or chicken soup with matzah balls and noodles. I guess thats okay....she wont need to know that I will change the recipe slightely for each to make it low cal. lol Last night I made...... Salmon with ginger and terriyaki sauce. Yes, this was a keeper. Shavuot is going to be a real challenge. My plan....is to plan. lol Lots of fresh vegetables, fruit with either fish, or chicken breasts. Ill make lots of grilled veggies with olive oil and herbs and spices. boy....my family and friends who we will be going with are going to be so um either estatic of really peeved..but I dont really care. The food will be tasty nutritious and fit for holiday fare...and we will not be eating 3 meals a day for three days straight at about 2,000 cal meals which was easy in the past. for deserts....I will have some, sorbet, frozen yoghurt, and fudgsickes along with cool whip to top fresh berries, and to have on hand throughout the week there to eat just whenever will be hard butterscotch candies, lemon lolipops and litt choc kisses (instead of choc cheesecake, pies and choc cookies and so on and so and so on) for snacks for the kids. All low cal alternatives to the traditional cheesecake and high cal/fat deserts this dairy holiday entails. okay....have I convinced you all??? PLEASE help me between now and Monday night to not be tempted to fall back in the end to the traditional meals of this holiday so easy to make as I am so familiar with them and can make them with eyes closed. It would be just so easy. SO need lots of encouragement to stick to the plan!!! Just to make sure I wouldnt start to think about the possiblities of the above...I just ran through the pantry and got rid of anything that might be threatening my plan...which I should have done right after passover in any case. Got rid of a box of matzah meal. Will not make matzah balls from wheat, the noodles for soup ...bye bye. The three cans of whole berry cranberry sauce as well. There was a can of bread crumbs, that I just tossed. The bag of sugar...I gave next door along with a bag of choc chips and walnuts. I will not have anything in the house that I can grab for or use in cooking any longer that is not healthy or low cal. There are plenty of healthy snacks for Dassi that she enjoys and the above candy stuff that are low cal for her. Ive found some gluten free low cal cookies and stuff she actually likes so...we are getting good...the shopping is getting better....and what I found is...if I have the stuff that is healthy and I stock up the pantry with these items then all I need to do every day is decide what fresh do I need....is it fish? chicken breasts? lean meat? Easy. Bought some low cal sauces for grilling, baking, steaming, poaching and boiling. Frying is out. out out! lol Okay....so this is what I would love from anyone. Im stuck on the side dishes...for the holiday. It will be 6 days. I need some dairy or vegetarian recipes that I can make with all the yummy veggies I will get that will be fairly easy to make in a strange place?? lol Please post any kind...id love some ideas besides the zuchini dish that I think either Karen or Linda posted but not sure. Ill take any at this point. Ive been looking as well at some sites...but only have a few. Thanks in advance!!! Phyl, Im so sorry about your BFF. How sad not to have been notified not to mention insensitive. Families often forget to call and reach out to those out of touch themselves to those who did really care as they either dont know you, forgot as they were bereaving or thought someone else would do it... None good excuses but to herr is human. Im sorry for your loss..... OMG...ive been ranting on and on...and now Ive truly junked up this thread.... cant imagine anyone reading all the above...but if you have....thank you and im sorry...but apparently had so much to say... anxiety about the upcoming vacation. Jessica and I....what a pair both fwe are feffing over the what will bes with others on our upcoming vacation..in dealing with our banding issues and the foods we will choose or not. lol Have a great night allJ Tomorrow....Dassi has another audition with a major film director. Please Please..let them think shes got something....she has one more audition with an agent next month after this and then the program is over. If this doesnt pan out we wont be sad.....the experience of this program was fantastik and weve had 6 auditions that we would never have ever gotten ourselves with these great directors, managers and agents. If god wants Dassi to be in the movies or on TV it will happen...if not thats fine as well. But it sure would be nice. Crossing fingers. Not nurvous, Not Nurvous, Not Nurvous..... Have a great night all Jodi

Hi all.....before anything else My mom seemed to have these same pains in her calf and legs at night that some are reffering to. She saw a neurologist and he told her to drink gatorade. It was the electrolytes off? Well every day she has a glass of something like that or gatorade.....and after the first night...she hasnt had any pain at all. She told my sister about it who was experiencing similar symptoms. It helped her too. Cant hurt to try. Hope it works. Okay.....Hi again. Well....This week was wicked. I was pretty much out all week and miserable. Today I started to feel better so.....instead of going to work on a Friday I figured....hey what about a me day?? (every day this month seems to be this lately) I could use a makeover....I lost 40 lbs. It was time for a new look. This was after I finished cleaning out my closets and dressers this week....only took about 3 weeks. lol What else could I do..in between nebulizer treatments and doctors checkups. Asthma sucks. But thankfully didnt end up in the hospital..this time. I have been admitted several times before. I seem to have a very hard time till the asthma breaks and I usually need a few days of IV steroids and nebulizer treatments and pumps...round the clock. What saved me this time....the weight loss!!! yes, apparently.....it has helped lessen the effects of a severe attack. Allergies are so bad this year. I havent been in hospital for about ten yrs. Well....its breaking and thanks to all the oral steroids that I hate...but taking and the treatments....im good. So, figured...perfect oppurtunity to get a makeover.. I went to a new hair salon that was recommended but havent gone to as it was supposedly expensive....bottom line....you get what you pay for. In the end....it would have cost more anywhere else for what they did to me lol. I started out with covering the roots and grey coming in( I hate that grey)....and getting an overall darker color over the whole head. This made a softer look. It looked fabulous however they werent finished. When this was finished...the cut came...and what a fabulous new style. I noticed since surgery my front top seemed to be alot thinner....It was. (must take biotin which was recommended) He layered and shaped the whole head and then made side bangs.....longish then zigzagged and framed the face. He did good! Afterwhich I went back to the colorist....she then gave me half head highlights around the face upper and soft gold in between. The whole effect was amazing. Then I had waxing....mani/pedi all of which I hadnt had done including cut and color two weeks before surgery. lol It was time. So...this was the end of my horrible week.....didnt end so badly!!! Im doing the happy happy dance! (My daughter didnt recognize me at first!!) lol Thank god for shabbat...I need a good rest after today..might have pushed it a little. Tomorrow they are having a big lunch at synaguage and so only had to cook dinner..thats nice too!! Just thinking about getting stuff ready for shavuot holiday and being in Fire Island over the holiday is what I will be planning for the next over shabbat lol. Not good but must its..Tuesday soon enough and again....cannot buy a thing there must bring it all. lol Still havent decided to cook before or there....still have a day or so to decide. Must go shortly Dassi starting to yell its shabbos...so quickly...... Eva, enjoy your vacation. Debra,,,,dont worry we will next time....sounds like you had an amazing trip!!! yes. Town bathing suits...outrageously expensive....but they last forever!! Ive had several for 15 yrs.; dont laugh. I never got rid of them after I got so heavy. You saw so many people.....visitors!! I never see anyone. Good for you. Sounds fabulous! jessica..Im going to Fire Island in NY. Sorry for the confusion. Charlene,....Hope mom feels better.

Well.....hello all. You know how they tell you....that if you push yourself its gonna come back and bite you?? well it did...suffered an asthma attack this week like never before. Who was it who posted...you gotta slow down and take care of you?? well thanks but I didnt listen but next time I will.....wish I listened. So, spent the last two days in bed. Today finially went to Pulmonary doct and I have bronchial asthma.....so im now on steroids, antiobiotics, and upped dossages of proventil and long acting steroid. Feeling slightely better. While I was at the doctor..he weighed me and woo hoo...lost another 7 pds since last Monday. Down 40 llbs. Half the weight. Yea. I feel great about that. Even after eating out every night....I still was able to loose the weight by choosing the right foods and sticking to the plan. Yea. Now I feel even better about all that hemming and hawing at each meal. Hi. Mish Welcome! Tell us about you....and your band journey. Post, respond , ask....thats what we are here for. Good for you!!! Yes. one day at a time. no soda. lol So what are you eating?? let us know....so we can help. That sounds great.....glad you are doing so well. Thanks for sharing. I would love to try sushi. Its low cal and healthy. Im so afraid Ill get stuck. Tuna sounds good as well...are you putting mayo in it?? on bread?? what kind? I havent tried bread yet either....lol Salad either. Need to try these things.....the bread I can do without but sushi and salad cannot live without! Welcome Mikissa, yes. walk walk and walk more.. it really does help. Sip, Sip and Sip some more. Gas x and the pain killers help as well. Take them as often as needed. It really does help. Promise in two weeks youl be happy you did this....lol keep us posted with progress. ask questions, post comments etc. tell us about yourself and your band journey. Thats great!!! Glad to hear. Let us know how its going. well must go to sleep now....have a great rest of the week. Jodi

Hi everyone. well. its been a heck of a week last week and apparently my body has also had it..so it has rebelled and now im sick like a dog. Ive had the worst asthma attack in years. Allergies this year was so bad and well I guess with all the goings on...they just led to asthma attack. I was in the pulminary office for about two hours. Xrays and all. Wasnt a happy camper. Now on steroids, antibiotics and increased dossages of pumps for two weeks. I suppose this is better then a few days in the hospital so...I wil follow treatment plan. I was more concerned with the possbilities of caughing and hacking so much that Id slip the band however after the pulmonary I stopped in at the surgeon...as they are in the same floor in the same building...convenient(not planned). He said not to worry that rarely happens. ( they dont know me yet??) but they said if I did I would know. In the meantime Im good..wew. so...visited Boomer yesturday as promised my daughter if I left him Friday that we can go up again and say goodbye with her this week one day. So we drove up the 2hrs and the back the 3 hours. (traffic) he seems happy...so im happy. Funny thing..I cried for the hours on the way home Friday after leaving him...but my daughter she was so happy he was in a good home....didnt cry or was sad at all. She was like we did good and that was that. hmmm Whats wrong with me??? lol Got to tell you..its nice and quiet and relaxed again here...Im happy, happy now. Now I gotta figure out what the next stressers are going to be...lol oh wait. hah. Didnt take that long. We are going to Fire Island Tuesday for the week. Have to pack food and all. Thats going to be just so much fun! not.... Havent decided to cook here and bring everything or shop and bring everything and cook their. Its not my house its a share....meaning everything is shared esp the kitchen...so the question is will their be enough space, time and pots and pans to cook with. Ive allready decided to make ....the zuchini dish that ..hmm who posted?? yes that. and ginger/terriyaki salmon. Grilled chicken breast in Panko bread. and stir fry vegetables. This is as far as the planning got. oh and the 7 vegetable holiday soup. This is with curry....so yummy. Ill have to think of several more meals. My mother and Dassi of course is coming.....there is no supermarkets just little bodegas. Two...and anything cost three times as much then on off the Island so..I hate to have to buy anything besides the basics like milk and bread. well, must go and get ready for the marathon day ahead. I have a vet apt. with my dog for lyme disease vaccine.. lots of ticks in FI. Lots of lyme disease. must be careful. Work then I have a dermatologist apt at 3 after which I have a support group for lap band at 7. Another marathon day. lol Not feeling well. Dont need this!!! well must go to sleep OMG......wait.....when I was weighed this morning.....at doctors....I lost another 7 pds this past week. Now im down 40 pds. Half the weight I want to loose! Was so excited..didnt think I lost any this past week!!! Yes put me in your book!! lol This way you will always have it. Would love to send all the information for the compiled list. Then no excuses. Charlene..yes please come and visit. We will annoy your son. lol Jewel.... OMG you look amazing!! I bet you feel it as well. Great going on the grades. Pins and needles...yes but youl be fine!! Good luck you worked hard for this!!! You deserve it. Good Luck on the house hunting.....it should be the bestest of the bestest!

hello. all Hope all you moms had a great mothers day. Welcome to the new bandsters. yes, this is a journey. The band is a tool but is not the answer to end all. We alone have to change the way we think about food and eating. If we dont we will go right back to eating exactly the way we were before. Weve lost initial weight during the healing process. After a month or two we now see that yes, we can eat most foods without a problem. Perhaps we can eat the same foods but less. Thats nice and yes that will help but thats not what is going to help us get healthy! We have to eat different and think different. Exercise and eating healthy with the portion control which the band does help with and all the above is what is going to help and nothing less. so lets start talking recipes..and discussing daily foods and what we are eating. I think its important to share our experiences daily on this journey. Getting fills and how much weight we loose isnt the only thing I would like to hear. I need to hear what other people are eating, doing, learning, each day about changing our thoughts and actions. We are at that stage where we go back to eating the way we used to or we change it... Lets support each other in those changes and give reinforcements. We also need to question those who are choosing not great choices and help them make better choices for the future, discuss tips and tools that have helped them in this process and encourage to go on. I think we need to adress issues that we are dealing with that either hinders or helps us along the way each day. This week was particularly difficult for me. Last Sunday was my birthday and I had this extra dog as a responsibility. Starting with last Sunday it was a to dinner every night. First...my brother on Sunday. To a steak house. Monday with my dad to a fussion restaurant. Tuesday with my Mom for chinese. and Wednesday with my step mom at her house for pizza and fish. Friday night was fast food on the way to bringing the dog to his new home. Sat night was dinner and show in the city. Sunday mothers day was an Italian family restaurant. Please tell me how????? How was I to eat right???? but, I tried. How?? well, I have this little guide that is put out by E-diets. Eating out healthy and low fat, low cal. This saved me. Of course it drove everyone nuts but who the f--ck cared?? My birthday?? My party so to say. So...I chose those foods that were listed as good choices for each restaurant type. Studied each guide before ordering. I had the waiter...bring out only about 4 oz of the meal and pack up and hold the rest for take home. I tried to stick with grilled fish and vegetables. I ate only a bit of the veggies and about 2-3 oz of fish. At the steak house, I ate baby chicken grilled and mushrooms. Fast food....well I ate KFC one piece thigh grilled that was it. During the days wasnt bad. but of course the whole week through me off...and didnt have anything prepared. so ate lunch out. Mostly soups, vegetables, pea and lentil. Had my protein shakes for breakfast. In between it was water and well....some yoghurt, cottage cheese and low cal crackers and salsa/ Biggest problem...Italian Family restaurant. There was no fish...just seafood. I dont eat seafood. All the other dishes were all those yummy saucy dishes with creams and heavy noodles. Each dish feeds about 4 people. What was I to do? no half portion or appetizer sizes. hmm. I wait to see what everyone wants.,.,nothing that I can have. SO I order my own dish for 4 of plain brocoli side dish with olive oil and garlic. That was so yummy!!! lol Watched everyone eat fetticini alfredo, linguini with clam sauce, penne a la vodka. etc etc etc. Stuffed mushrooms and calarmari for appetizer. Well, this is how my week went. I still stayed within a good healthy limit...and the choices were okay...but without that guide with me...I could not have made those choices. What does everyone else do??? What is your guide?? do you use one?? I also carry around my daily journal. I stapled in two pages of cal of most foods I am writing down everything eat and wrting the cal, fat cal and pt. I add them up at the end of the day to see how many cal I am eating per day. etc/. what is everyone else doing?? tips??? ways to keep track of eating etc etc?? counting cal? etc etc Lets start this discussion Have a great week Jodi

Hope everyone had a great day yesturday. Glad to hear about everyones goings on. Ive got something to say to all those traveling through NY. If you get stuck at the airport, flights are cancelled, delayed or you have a layover.....CALL MEEEEE!!!! TEXT!!! E-mail!!!! I live 10 minutes from the KENEDY and 1/2 hr from Laguardia. You are all welcomed to my apt anytime!! (I now have a sofa bed, queen size) for as long as needed. If just for a few hours or longer. I will gladly pick you up and return you when needed. of course I might be working at the time and youl have to wait a bit but I will try to be as fast as possible. Needing to stay in Hotel!!! I wont hear of it!. Great.....glad things worked out this time...but next time please call and dont be alone! I would have loved to have helped out. For the future....my e-mail is Joeducare@aol.com come. My number is listed. Brenner....washington Avenue, Cedarhurst. No excuses now! So, Boomer has found an amazing home with 2 other black labs for company. The home is in CT. Way way far out. 3 hours from me. The woman who adopted him is a divorced woman with two teenage children. A big house and large property. She has a lake and forest within her development and a beach house that they go to weekends. I spent the afternoon traveling friday to bring him up there. What a shlepp. Im glad I did as I needed to see that this was a good match otherwise I would not have left him. I will have to go back on Thursday with my daughter so she can see where he is and say her goodbyes to him. I promised that she can do this....although kicking myself for this promise as its such a long trip. If it wasnt Friday I would have not been able to get him up there till tomorrow and that would have meant 5 more days of bonding....which meant....you all get it...that dog wasnt going anywhere. Bad enough that we had him one more week more then planned as we really grew to love him. Usually we take care of the dogs and they are so sick or in bad shape that just caring for their needs the first week or so is so draining that you cant wait to get him adopted so you can get some respite. Here....Boomer was in excellent shape and was such a happy dog and so well taken care of that he was just a pleasure....that was the beginning of my demise....he was such a great dog...a great family pet. Dassi and him bonded from the very start....so much so that they cuddled together on the bed, floor, car seat. Ive never seen anything...they were so attached, I knew that if he was going to go..it had to be ASAP. Every day was more and more bonding...and I was thinking this isnt going to be an easy gettaway for us. and guess what???? whos crying?? not Dassi but me!!! Shes so happy she did her job....took care of him well, saved him from being euthenized and loved him while we had him preparing him for a home. Im the one whos a mess...shes been okay....she misses him but is happy that he has a happy home and she made that happen. lol Its.... me Im a mess. Im so depressed without this dog!! I know hes happy and he will have a great home...and other dogs and kids and get what he needs as far as exercise and attention all day with someone home all day......(she doesnt work) paying attention to the dogs. I know this...yet, I had such a hard time leaving him..I cried the 3 hours going home. My freind who drove with me...couldnt believe that this was "my" reaction. She was right about thinking maybe this fostering isnt the right thing for me...as I cant take the seperation and giving them up. Twice she turned and said..you want to go back and get him?? But,,, I couldnt. I know this is best for him. It would have been easy for us....but not a good placement for him. We arent home all day. We have no time for a dog. We have one and she is neglected all day when we arent home. We go away alot and no one wants my dog as an extra...for sure no one wants a big one! We have a share house in FI...and it took 4 yrs to have them allow my little dog....what would I do all those weekends with him??? no, I know we couldnt keep him and yet.....Im so sad as I really liked him alot suffice to say....ill be taking a hiatus from fostering for a while. lol So...we will do a do over on Thursday and I will be a basket case again on the way home. lol Maybe it will be okay in the end. SO, no we were not on TV in the end...not even in the crowd!! We were back stage with the dogs until time to go out on stage. The decission to not have the foster parents go on was a last minute decision...not sure why but in the end they decided against it and wanted to use their staff. GRRRR. So sorry all that you didnt get to see us, I was hoping that we were able to as promised...but you know TV. fickle. We didnt get to meet Meredith and Al roper and Mat and everyone else....as we were waiting till air time everyones break was spent with the dogs. So it was nice meeting everyone....and Dassi had a fabulous time. So....sorry..but hope you all enjoyed seeing Boomer. Isnt he something??? Cutest. Today...am taking a day off. I am feeling under the weather.....not sure whether this is allergies or what but so congested and stuffy....eyes watery and nose sneezy. Hope it isnt a cold. Not sure about medicating....last night after mothers day late lunch with family...I came home and took a Benedyl. Usual dosage 50mg. well....Ive never had a reaction like this.....I felt like I was stoned out of my head...I couldnt sit still my heart was beating so fast and I was so drowsey at the same time...i thought I was going out of my mind. This was the first time I took anything other then my reg meds and Vitamins scince banding two months ago and thought perhaps...I didnt eat enough yesturday only had a pt shake in the AM and then brocoli and a tablespoon of whole wheat linguini. Perhaps this is why?? I dont know but not taking Benedrly ever again. Ill take zyrtek today. Actually preparing for the doctors today...with Dassi going for her medical for camp. This should be fun. (NOT) She has allready informed me that she will not accept a shot that she needs to get today. HMMM. I think she is going to give me a harder time then Tanker gave....on Friday at the VET. Not looking forward to this visit. The PA does the fill in our practice. There was a sign at counter that I noticed last month that said we now must charge $200 dollars for a fill as the insurance co are no longer payin for them. So we will have to pay $200 each fill. After I got my fill last month..I was ready to pay for it and the copay. The receptionist said no charge. I was like??? so she said oh....we bill the insurance co and most of the time they end up paying. Oxford apparently is still paying...so unless they dont I dont have to worry....wew. What a releaf who has $200 a month? The copay also is waived as it is a follow up visit. Hey who am I too complain? I wasnt too excited to spend that extra cash as I knew there was going to be plenty of bills to pay otherwise..but nice to have it to actually pay them. yea. OMG....you gotta love our pets they have their quirks and personalities, fears and phobias just like we do. Just the way described that scenario......brought tears to my eyes....lol sad but you have to laugh. Poor thing, what an experience he must of had to cause all that anxiety. A thought just occured......would a mild sedative help him before to settle him some what before these visit help any? Wow. you must be a so excited and nurvous for him. What a wonderful thing to want to do. He must be a gem. I will put him on my list of prayers for keeping him well. Ive never included the prayer for soldiers in my daily prayers for people who need a prayer to get well...but there is one and I will begin to say one for him to...I dont know his name but I will fefer him as your son. God will know who I mean. I can also for all the other people in danger as well in war time, Hope he makes the right decission for him. You are so brave to let him be who and what he wants to be. Laura, yes, I think pictures and talking about the dog is great. The more the better. Children deal with things differently then we do. They need closure, like us. Having them make a funeral, bury the dog even in backyard so they can visit is healing. (depending on laws in your area) writing poems and reciting them, making a memory collage and writing a book about the dog is all good experiences for a child to become emotionally secure and know its okay to have and feel emotions. In preschool we had a hamster, and fish. The fish died frequently but nevertheless we had a funeral for each one. This helped them with closure. Pets are an important part of our lives and teaches children so many lessons. Unfortunately we all need to learn to say goodbye to someone whom we loved at some point. Pets who dont live as long as people prepare us for these happenings as ultimately they live between 12-14 yrs or less. Preperation is always best. If you know your dog is getting on and well its a matter of time....then you prepare for it with a young child. Go through all the scenarios of what could happen and when and talk about what you could do to make it easier for them and the pets. etc etc I have to say that I think that Dassi was really okay after Ron passed....her father because she had prior experience with several pets and having the chance to say goodbye before hand. She says....she would have been okay if Ron died but if she had the chance to say goodbye. In her case it was sudden and nobody had the chance and that is sad, I tell her that she didnt have to that he is with her all the time and she never has to say goodbye. That will only last for who knows how long.....but preparation is best and if not....then some creative ways to help dealing with the death is important so that when things happen to our loved ones we will have dealt with those feelings before and they are closed so we can deal with the next one and so on. From the early childhood educators professional point of view. lol Julie, I want to come down their and kick these doctors butts!!! If they can give you the shot why cant they give you it now and charge the insurance later. Its so frustrating to hear about the hoops you have to jump through to get something. I agree that maybe its time to go to the Mayo clinic to see about what treatments they offer for chronic pain. This is just not acceptable and you should not have to live with this. Id call every damn hospital in the US Mayo, John Hopkins, etc etc even in NY. But.....this is ridiculous. Im so sorry for you. I would even think about a lawsuit with the insurance co at this time. They have to allow you to get the treatment you need in a timely fashion. Have you spoken to a lawyer yet??? Please do,,,just for your sanity at this time just call one. Good luck and take the pain killers when needed dont wait. Im so angry for you!!! Om praying for the 14th too come soon!! Janet..... As a child who drove my parents insane by the stuff I did...I can tell you...that your support and just being there for Andrew in the end will be your triumph. He might not learn now but later he will thank you for all. I know this as I thank my mother and grandmother everyday for all that theyve ever put up with....you know when I realized this??? when of course I had Dassi and became a mother myself. So hang in there and just be there through it all. The best to have them figure it out on their own. Our instincts is to do it all, after all its easier, faster and less frustrating but then we are creating dependent children. You were so good to say...figure it out. He did...and he will ......always with suggestions and support. The choices may not be the best or ours but they are theres....and thats what counts. SO glad your home. but see opening post.....you must call me when stranded, alone, delayed or just in NY!!!! Im so sorry that you had this experience. Cant wait to hear about your trip!!!! Well, all I think I am feeling slightely better and its time to clean up this place from the weekend. Have a great day all.....and a terrific week! Jodi

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you fellow bandsters. Must run....lol will post later! Have a great day!! Jodi

A quick update before hitting the sack. Must get up early. Both Dassi and myself have been invited to be Boomers handlers tomorrow on the "Today" show for the adopt this pet of the week. So, excited. Of course....this can all change in the AM but as of now its a go. So, turn on your tubes to channel 4. We will be on the 8:30 segment. If you dont end up seeing us youl def see our Boomer!! We will be either on or behind but so excited. Cant wait!! Hit pay dirt tonight. You know sometimes things happen for a reason and we never know why. Well....ive got to say that being nice to my step mother Sunday was a good thing...not only because it was the right thing to do for Dassi but apparently for me too!! We made a date to come to her house to visit this evening. Turns out when we arrived my SM tells me...listen I know that you lost 35 pounds in the last month you must be in need of some clothing....it just happens that Ive been looking to give all my corporate clothing away now that im retired for 6 months and will never wear any of these clothes again..so they are size 14. Would you want them?? Would I not???? Heck sure would!! So after dinner.. Dassi spent time with her dog and boomer and her new husband in yard and we went through her fabulous fabulous to die for closet!! Now, I remembered she dressed nicely..but haleluya she is a coldwater creek and Chico fan! Like me. Then there were some fabulous designor outfits that must have cost a small fortune. Every single thing I put on fit like a glove!!! She was so happy to finially get all of it out of her house and I was so happy that she was giving it all to me. Then she gave me three pair of shoes and two pairs of sandles. I swear they looked never even worn. Jewelry to match! I was like holy toledo!! Pay dirt. Then she tells me this is just the stuff she went through...she just started with the summer stuff and when winter comes...shel have a whole wardrobe to give me for winter. I told her I was hoping to be a smaller size by then...and she said....Jodi youl take the clothes and get them made smaller they are worth a small fortune. hmmm she had a good point. SO you all know what this means??? Now...I deff have to keep up this relationship now!! You know its not such a bad thing...Im glad that we went there and even if she didnt give me anything Im still glad we went. We made plans for next Wednesday for dinner and to come watch Dassi at Karate. This is a good thing...complicated for sure but good. As you said Linda.....this was my mother too for 14 yrs. Ive missed her and tonight she showed me pictures of us and said...I never let your father take these as I wanted some memories of my favorite kid. Lol sure, every mom says this but was so touched and the sorry ass that I am.....started bawling like that kid and then her and Dassi was like yikes.....but it was all good. Healing for all of us. In any case.....Must run. Long day. 7:30 on set in Manhattan and then back home drop off dog then drop off Dassi then to work then to support group at night.. wow long day. well night all> have a great week. Watch for me tomorrow wearing new clothes that fit!!! Linda thanks for the info and I am so making that zuchini recipe next week for shavuot. We eat dairy foods traditionally on this holiday and boy oh boy that sounds so yummy!! Any other dairy recpies like this or others..please feel free; lol I will try anything once. Notice the emphasis on try.

Hi all, well I weighed in yesturday and ive lost another 5 pds down 35 pds. yea! I really didnt think that I lost more then a pound or two this past week but I guess I was wrong. Jessica...wow, wow and wow...you go girl!! Great Job on making the grade. Apples....im so sorry about the vertigo....Ive had that occassionally and uh how nauseating. I hope you begin to feel better as the weekend is close by. Janet...... thanks for the info about foods. So far I dont seem to have a problem...yet. Havent tried bread and steak meat or veggies that arent over well done. Salsa and Bruscetta was okay as well.....that is why I asked. Yes, I ate the tortillas with the salsa and ragatta cheese. Yummy. that was a meal. 6 crackers and a little of the extras. I figured this was a healthy snack meal. Im glad that you mentioned the hot and spicy yes.... yummy. Chumus is good and 2 tblsp is a snack., I can eat it plain. I did get the single packs at trader Joes. Ive been pretty good about the servings so far Of course cant eat alot yet!! LOl Laura...how do you do it with Nels and snacks?? yes. I guess a planned snack is the best ones. I bought Healthy choice fudgcycles. No sugar and 100 cal. They are yummy and satisfying...for now. lol Hope it lasts. Well must get going..break is over! Have a great afternoon! Jodi

Hi all. Not usually on during the day...however lately during my little boys napping im sitting here twiddling my thumbs so might as well read daily posts and post myself. So, I have a question about foods...... Besides carbonated soda are there any other foods that we cant eat? I havent been told any others but now that im really eating foods....well, I was wondering? Things like acidic foods. Tomatoes? Salsa? Bruscetta? These are all low calorie healthy foods..im thinking but they are acidic..is this problamatic for the band? Anything else? As far as the crackers and tortilla chips...from costco I guess they are not such a good healthy choice? The thing is im not eating wheat and bread so its a little challenging. Chumus on what? I tried spelt this past week and starting gagging....lol that is not a good choice but tried it. Yea. yes, having children around presents challenges of its own for this journey..for her its a great alternative to fried tortillas and chips which she never liked anyways. Hang in Slimnole....this too shall pass!!! I was just where you were in March and I know the first few days are the worst. You think....what the heck did I do? But...as you will here drink the pt shakes.....you must drink 40gr, if you are you should not feel hungry..unless you are feeling gas pains and think that is hunger?? I felt that way as well at first. Sip Sip and Sip some more. Walk walk and walk some more....I live in an apt and was walking the walls floor by floor all through the day and night! It helped alot. Also...take those pain meds!!! If your doc prescribed them as he should have take them!!!! Dont be in pain no need!! Take them every 4 hrs if needed. I took them for the first 3 days. Hell I hate pain! But the gas...listen the woman here they know best. Gas X...all day and night, lol Sometimes the whey pt. powder can be a problem, if you are allergic to dairy. I needed to switch to Liquid Protein the kind they use in the hospital. The gas was less then. Now I can tolerate the powdered whey. Do follow the instructions to the letter from your surgeon. I wanted to start reg liquids after a week and called him and he said no way.....lol but cant hurt to ask if you really want feel bad about something..the answer may not be what you want to hear but then it may! In anycase keep us posted. and we will all try to give you suggestions and support. The best is to find a support group to go to phyiscally if possible this week in your town if possible and there can also answer any concerns and questions you may have possibly through your surgeons office?

Hi Everyone, hope you all had a great weekend. This weekend was a busy one! Had two friends of Dassi over and today went to the bris for my brothers new little boy..it just so happens that it is also my birthday and a holiday called Lag Baomer. I just know someone is going to ask what this is..and to tell you the truth there are so many explanations that im really not sure which is the correct one. I will however use Janets wisdom and check her site..for the correct one and post it. What I do know is its an extremely popular holiday for religious jews and for Israelis religious and secular. This always confused me as Israelis are notoriously secular and while they might not even go to synaguage on Yom kippur or fast they will celebrate Lag baomer which is relgious in basis. Its not a holiday like shabbos or the high holy days but is filled with tradition and symbolism. What I know of it is a time when you go to the parks and light barn fires and sit around and sing songs. Like a camp fire. Well this is what we did in Israel. Eat roasted onions and potatoes wrapped in foil and thrown in fire till olmost burned. I never knew how good onions are when made like this. The kids all play all day in outtings to parks and field trips and play archery. I dont know why archery however there is a reason for this... my daughter was telling me but I couldnt get the story straight. lol So today....We went to the brit which was thankfully uneventful. Everyone was very cordial and even friendly. Im sorry my dad wasnt there but...as my daughter said when I told her he wasnt coming so she wouldnt be suprised he wasnt there after I explained that its "complicated" but tried to explain in the nicest of ways. That he didnt want anyone to feel bad and cause any disruptions to the celebration. well she turned to me and said so he is a coward. hmmm. wow. that was pretty big of her. She understood that he didnt want to see his ex wife and her kids. He couldnt face them so this was the excuse. She saw it for what it was. she was right. So, I answered her.."its just complicated" somethings just are and we have to accept them. The main thing is is that we will be there for uncle Jarett and his wife and baby. Turns out she really liked my step mother and they decided that if it was okay for me that they get to know one another as we live only 15 min away from her. hmmm So, I said of course that would be lovely. You cant have enough people in your life that care and want to get to know you so absolutely. So, they have set up a date for her coming to see Dassi in karate class and then take us to dinner. My step mother really isnt a bad person and bottom line was my father left her. She really wanted to keep that relationship going and my father wouldnt let it. Unfortunately he didnt forsee that the grandchildren will grow up wondering whos who and want to get to know all the players. Im sure my dad isnt going to be happy about this but hes a big boy. He made his choices and those dont have to be mine. Its been long enough, and there is no need to for this...we will be seing each other at all my brothers childrens occassions and his as well. So, we might as well understand that get over it. My daughter needs people who will care about her...if my step mother is willing to dote on her then why not??? She deserves it. After the bris we returned home and my other brother lol and his family (from my mothers second marriage) took me out for a birthday dinner. That was nice. I had grilled baby chicken, with mushrooms and onions, Israeli salad and chumus. I had about a 1/4 cup of all. They were happy that it was a cheap present I shared with my daughter. lol. After dinner....we went to the park across from my apt complex and there they were having all sorts of Lag Baomer festivities and BBQs and Barn fires...(controlled by fire dept) Never seen this before. It was an interesting experience. Met alot of people who I havent seen in a while and they were like OMG you look great. yea me. It was good to see friends that I havent seen in a while. Now Im soooo zonked but still have to walk the dogs! Janet.... thanks for kind words about family. I agree as you see from above. BTW.....I see that you go to Costco to. I found some interesting healty crackers......have you seen them there? They are called "Multigrain" made by "Food Should Taste good" They are a Tortilla chip thats a cracker too. Made with flax, sunflower, sesame, oat fiber, brown rice, quinoa and Soy. 140 cal for ten. total fat 6. carbs 18. and sugar 1. Protein 3 gr. Im thinking this is good. carbs are hight but its multi grain? Has protein? no sugar. Am I not thinking right here? The carbs are throwing me off. would this be a healthy snack? If so they are really good!!! Have you tried them? or this brand? They make other stuff as well but this was the first thing I bought from them...Figured for Dassi this would be good. Then I tasted one and thought I like these!! lol well, I must go walk the dogs....its like making the donuts....walk the dogs...walk the dogs. walk the dogs. Have a good week all. Jodi

Hi everyone. Hope all is well with all you and all are enjoying your weekend. For all those who live on the east coast....hope you are enjoying the great weather. I think im pretty much the only one huh? Today we spent the day pretty much in the park. We took a large sheet, food and water and spent a couple hours. My daughter had two freinds sleep over for shabbat and they had fun with the "Boomer" (foster) dog. I sat and read my "picture perfect weight loss program" witth "Starlight" our dog under a tree. "Picure perfect Weight Loss" by Dr. Shaipiro, I had this book for such a long time that I totally forgot about it...then when searching for something to read last week I remembered that I bought this last year but never ended up reading it. I started reading it and really like the program that it talks about. I like this program as it uses illustrations to show you all the items you can eat and the calories for all. It also shows you foods that you might think are low calorie and oposite each they show what you could be eating instead with the number of cal. For example...on one side of the page was a picture of a corn muffin and cal of I think about 400 cal. On the other side was a pic of about 6 different items of fruit plus two whole wheat somethings for the same amt of cal. hmm This is how the book goes through breakfast, lunch, dinners and snacks. They have several different "demonstrations" of what you might consider typically for meals with the cal under each and then what really is better choices with the same amt. Objective is to show that you can eat alot of food that doesnt have alot of calories from fats and carbs or so called low fat diet foods or that we might think is low fat. Im not sure about anyone else but seeing for me is believing. I need the visuals. If I dont see it then its not getting through and so this seems to be helping. It also discusses the importance of not making drastic changes on eating patterns that we are used to. People are differnt and appetites and food routines are differnt. It talks about not changing these but changing the food choices for those times to foods that are satisfying but lower in cal. The best.....is the idea that deprivation is a bad thing....the idea is not to deprive but to give in to what ever cravings with better choices if possible and if not work what you are craving into the daily program. Premise being if you dont get what your body and mind wants its going to get it two fold later with other items that are possibly even unhealthier. It also comes with a shopping book to take along with to the supermarket and goes through each dept and illustrates differnt pictures to help you choose healthier items compared with items that wouldnt be good choices for those depts. This has helped tremendously as shopping had become a 2-3 hour ordeal because I now am looking at each item I want at the nutritional value....and it is quite amazing how I never cared to look at anything before...if I wanted it I bought it.... never looked to see what the contents was...if it was organic then it was good....but now I see OMG> how could I have ever eaten something on a reg basis that was 700 cal a serving?? well....times a changing. lol Has anyone else been having shopping experiences like this. I just know that I could be in the super for about an hour and come out with 4-5 items. My daughter sometimes is like. what???? Thats all you bought?? wheres the food!? I just laugh because shes right..until I figure it all out and it becomes a little easier...with the help of my shopping book...this is the way shopping will be. Ive lost 30 llbs as of last week. Havent weighed in since last Monday. People have deffinetly begun to notice. Yea. My clothes are becoming loose and it will be time to go shopping yea! Ive noticed Ive diff lost in the face and upper body..I also lost in the hips and legs. Im narrower however...the stomach is what needs to go!!! lol ladykcusa Yes, gyms are expensive. I pay membership $69 dollars a month and private trainer is $60. It is a very nice gym. Has all the ammenities of first rate gym but no pool. Gorgeus locker rooms with everything from toothpaste to shaving cream and razors. Steam room and Sauner. They have a store, lounge and health food bar.They do have a childrens room but I dont need this anylonger, but they do have a computer area for the teenagers. Lori, I hope I didnt miss you....but I think I did...But if you check posts...I hope you are having a fabulous time. Eva, fabulous idea about the cruise!!! Julie, my prayers are with you. I have included you again in the names of people who need to get well during my daily prayers. Jessica, im sorry you are having such a rough time with this fill especially during finals. I hope you feel better soon...and continue to do great on exams and finish soon so you can enjoy all the ammenties of your new apt and get really settled. I hear what you are saying about the memories regarding your childhood and bringing them all up again when visiting your brother. I hear you...as Im getting ready to go to my brothers baby's bris tomorrow and my ex stepmother and step sisters will be there as well. My dad is not coming as he will not be in the same room as them. Their divorce was a bitter one and he asked my sister and me not to continue a relationship with them even though they were married for 12 yrs and my step sisters and I grew up together pretty much. I loved my step mother and was sad when they divorced. My dad isnt in the greatest health and having us keep up relationshop with them well just was too complicated and hurtful for all... unfortunately my half brother from my father and my step mother...gets really shafted as he does have a relationship with them as she is his mother and my step sisters are his half sisters....so complicated!!! SO as I get ready to go today to this shin dig...I dread what words will be said there and to whom. My sister has allready said...dont talk to them, dont greet them etc etc. hmm. how not to and why not?? so, complicated even 25 yrs later. So, I hear you and Im sorry for you as well....its sad when you visit with loved ones and in so doing you have to have emotions that run deep be dredged up. Hugs to you. dont let it get you down, try to work through them so you can get stronger and stronger!!! Janet, Happy shopping, hope you get some good things. Enjoy the weekend. Everyone else.....enjoy the rest of the weekend!!! Jodi

Hi everyone. Hope all is well with all you fellow bandsters and all are enjoying your weekend. For all those who live on the east coast....hope you are enjoying the great weather. Today we spent the day pretty much in the park. We took a large sheet, food and water and spent a couple hours. My daughter had two freinds sleep over for shabbat and they had fun with the foster dog. I sat and read my "picture perfect weight loss program" I like this program as it uses illustrations to show you all the items you can eat and the calories for all. It also shows you foods that you might think are low calorie and oposite each they show what you could be eating instead with the number of cal. For example...on one side of the page was a picture of a corn muffin and cal of I think about 400 cal. On the other side was a pic of about 6 different items of fruit plus two whole wheat somethings for the same amt of cal. hmm This is how the book goes through breakfast, lunch, dinners and snacks. They have several different "demonstrations" of what you might consider typically for meals with the cal under each and then what really is better choices with the same amt. Objective is to show that you can eat alot of food that doesnt have alot of calories from fats and carbs or so called low fat diet foods or that we might think is low fat. Im not sure about anyone else but seeing for me is believing. I need the visuals. If I dont see it then its not getting through and so this seems to be helping. It also discusses the importance of not making drastic changes on eating patterns that we are used to. People are differnt and appetites and food routines are differnt. It talks about not changing these but changing the food choices for those times to foods that are satisfying but lower in cal. The best.....is the idea that deprivation is a bad thing....the idea is not to deprive but to give in to what ever cravings with better choices if possible and if not work what you are craving into the daily program. Premise being if you dont get what your body and mind wants its going to get it two fold later with other items that are possibly even unhealthier. It also comes with a shopping book to take along with to the supermarket and goes through each dept and illustrates differnt pictures to help you choose healthier items compared with items that wouldnt be good choices for those depts. This has helped tremendously as shopping had become a 2-3 hour ordeal because I now am looking at each item I want at the nutritional value....and it is quite amazing how I never cared to look at anything before...if I wanted it I bought it.... never looked to see what the contents was...if it was organic then it was good....but now I see OMG> how could I have ever eaten something on a reg basis that was 700 cal a serving?? well....times a changing. lol Has anyone else been having shopping experiences like this. I just know that I could be in the super for about an hour and come out with 4-5 items. My daughter sometimes is like. what???? Thats all you bought?? wheres the food!? I just laugh because shes right..until I figure it all out and it becomes a little easier...with the help of my shopping book...this is the way shopping will be. Ive lost 30 llbs as of last week. Havent weighed in since last Monday. People have deffinetly begun to notice. Yea. My clothes are becoming loose and it will be time to go shopping yea! Ive noticed Ive diff lost in the face and upper body..I also lost in the hips and legs. Im narrower however...the stomach is what needs to go!!! lol Liftingchic; Yes, you are doing great. Again this is not a race to see who looses fastest...its an individual program and each person is different. Each doctor is different as to when and how much of a fill to give at each adjustment date. What you can do is follow the exact orders of the doctors and nutritionist or dieticion and exercise daily. If you do these things the weight will come off. Its a personal journey that we are on and for each one of us the challenges are different. Mine for instance is exersize. Yours might be in food choices someone elses might be in not getting enough liqiuds or being able to tolerate pt, shakes, vitamins etc. Your doing great...your objective is to become a healthier you and you are taking the steps to do that....baby steps are the best if they will keep you steady and strong!! Im not sure who posted that they were coming to NY but I seemed to erase the post that I was responding to forgive me.....but I read the post and you are coming iin May I gather to meet your neices? ..I would love to get together....maybe we can all get together from the metropolitan area? Stevie said she lives in NJ and alot of others as well! When are you going to be here?? lets set a date now...so we can all schedule. My e-mail is NYSparklegirl@aol.com Have a great rest of the weekend. Jodi

Hi all.... Lord its been a hell of a last two weeks. Why??? simply because im a sucker. Yes....thats it really. It all started on Thursday when I was asked to foster a dog..who btw will be featured as pet of the week on the "Today Show" on Thursday. Since we moved to the five towns area a year and half ago we gave up fostering dogs, from the ASPCA. Kill shelter in NYC. We fostered about 8 dogs so far...but after moving to an apt....it just wasnt condusive...however.... heres the sucker part.....this dog who happens to have been a stray and found is such a mush and a very polite guest!! As a matter of fact hes the perfect pet. NO, NO, NO, cannot will not keep him! I want to but cant. Why??? My life is so up in the air...each day is well a suprise even for me...there is nothing consistant about me or my life! How can I adopt another dog?? In an apt??? no backyard?? He is a gorgeous black lab. Well behaved and great nature..sweet, calm and did I say perfect?? He has attached himself to my daughter and wherest she goes that dog goes with. Hes 2 yrs old. The question is what possessed me to say yes to fostering un the first place. This weekend was so busy....We were out all day Sunday so needed a dog walker and the dog was okay....but I worried about him...yesturday I needed to drive him to the city for a groom so that he can be all cleaned up for the shoot. SO, I drove him before work then picked him up after work....Then had to run to the gym for a traning, didnt get home till 9. So had to pay the babysitter an extra two hours. Tomorrow....I have to come home from Bklyn to come home and pick dog up and bring him to city by 8 at night..so he can be ready to go on set Thursday early..and then pick him up again on Thursday. Why oh Why did I volenteer....I dont have the time for this! Its hard enough to find time during the day for everything as is. Okay...well he is the sweetest and would hate to think if him staying at that shelter for a week or so until adoption....and with the kill shelter...they get 3 days...if not adopted they are euthenized. No dog should have that happen...but couldnt it have been another foster parent?? well....enough venting about the dog, Whos name is Boomer. So.....Dassi had an audition with a director Sunday and got an honorable mention however did not get a contract. Owell.....have another one next one and then another two to go...perhaps one of these big ones will like her enough for even a little role. As I cannot deal with taking her to a thousand auditions to get "one yes" Id rather shlep the foster dog around all day! My brother had a baby boy sunday!! This sunday is the Bris. Monday my friends mother passed away so went to the funeral and tonight went to pay a shiva call...I also needed to take my dog to the vet. Didnt arrive home till 9. Tommorow will not prove to be any less busy.... hence....it will be just as stressful. I have a Pulminary doctor apt at 8 and then work afterwhich taking the dog to the city and then I have a meeting at Dassis school to discuss the next years bat mitzvah girls program. Dassi has Karate at 7. The meeting is at 7:45. So.....how the heck??? Its a wonder how I ever have time to work in between the rest of my life. Calgon take me away! SO, Im a little peeved that I do not have enough time to get the gym each day. If I didnt have the two set times per week with the trainer...I know I would never ever get to that gym. Unfortunately the 8 sessions are over and now need to make a decission about continuing. I know I must have this...for at least 6 months. so what to do?? I could think of the old fashioned way to make the money for this...$2,500. but, unless I loose another 40 llbs overnight and regress in age 20 yrs.....I dont think thats an option. (besides it isnt something that I can do) so ill have to think of how to do this! I must. So I will somehow! I have nothing left to sell am behind on basicallly everything....so ill have to think real hard!! I hate that...as it always included crunching numbers over and over! so, its been a busy day, week and it isnt stopping....perhaps this is a good thing, not concentrating on food all day. Speaking of food....Ive been keeping up with the 900 cal a day...this seems to be okay..for now. Im not hungry for more at the moment. Been keeping up with 40 gr, pt. a day. Lost another 3 llbs since last week. Liqiud is my problem. I cannot get enough water....I fill several bottles of water..but each time I take a sip...I put it down and then I move and I its gone.... Ive lost so many water bottles throughout the day that I cant keep up with loosing all these bottles and the loss of the water that im not drinking. well...im dizzy just writing about my week...so im sure everyone else is as well!! SO will stop now. Have a great night all. Jodi

hello again! Thought I had more time to post before....so here is my continuation! Lord its been a hell of a last two weeks. Why??? simply because im a sucker. Yes....thats it really. It all started on Thursday when I was asked to foster a dog..who btw will be featured as pet of the week on the "Today Show" on Thursday. Since we moved to the five towns area a year and half ago we gave up fostering dogs, from the ASPCA. Kill shelter in NYC. We fostered about 8 dogs so far...but after moving to an apt....it just wasnt condusive...however.... heres the sucker part.....this dog who happens to have been a stray and found is such a mush and a very polite guest!! As a matter of fact hes the perfect pet. NO, NO, NO, cannot will not keep him! I want to but cant. Why??? My life is so up in the air...each day is well a suprise even for me...there is nothing consistant about me or my life! How can I adopt another dog?? In an apt??? no backyard?? He is a gorgeous black lab. Well behaved and great nature..sweet, calm and did I say perfect?? He has attached himself to my daughter and wherest she goes that dog goes with. Hes 2 yrs old. The question is what possessed me to say yes to fostering un the first place. This weekend was so busy....We were out all day Sunday so needed a dog walker and the dog was okay....but I worried about him...yesturday I needed to drive him to the city for a groom so that he can be all cleaned up for the shoot. SO, I drove him before work then picked him up after work....Then had to run to the gym for a traning, didnt get home till 9. So had to pay the babysitter an extra two hours. Tomorrow....I have to come home from Bklyn to come home and pick dog up and bring him to city by 8 at night..so he can be ready to go on set Thursday early..and then pick him up again on Thursday. Why oh Why did I volenteer....I dont have the time for this! Its hard enough to find time during the day for everything as is. Okay...well he is the sweetest and would hate to think if him staying at that shelter for a week or so until adoption....and with the kill shelter...they get 3 days...if not adopted they are euthenized. No dog should have that happen...but couldnt it have been another foster parent?? well....enough venting about the dog, Whos name is Boomer. So.....Dassi had an audition with a director Sunday and got an honorable mention however did not get a contract. Owell.....have another one next one and then another two to go...perhaps one of these big ones will like her enough for even a little role. As I cannot deal with taking her to a thousand auditions to get "one yes" Id rather shlep the foster dog around all day! My brother had a baby boy sunday!! This sunday is the Bris. Monday my friends mother passed away so went to the funeral and tonight went to pay a shiva call...I also needed to take my dog to the vet. Didnt arrive home till 9. Tommorow will not prove to be any less busy.... hence....it will be just as stressful. I have a Pulminary doctor apt at 8 and then work afterwhich taking the dog to the city and then I have a meeting at Dassis school to discuss the next years bat mitzvah girls program. Dassi has Karate at 7. The meeting is at 7:45. So.....how the heck??? Its a wonder how I ever have time to work in between the rest of my life. Calgon take me away! SO, Im a little peeved that I do not have enough time to get the gym each day. If I didnt have the two set times per week with the trainer...I know I would never ever get to that gym. Unfortunately the 8 sessions are over and now need to make a decission about continuing. I know I must have this...for at least 6 months. so what to do?? I could think of the old fashioned way to make the money for this...$2,500. but, unless I loose another 40 llbs overnight and regress in age 20 yrs.....I dont think thats an option. (besides it isnt something that I can do) so ill have to think of how to do this! I must. So I will somehow! I have nothing left to sell am behind on basicallly everything....so ill have to think real hard!! I hate that...as it always included crunching numbers over and over! so, its been a busy day, week and it isnt stopping....perhaps this is a good thing, not concentrating on food all day. Speaking of food....Ive been keeping up with the 900 cal a day...this seems to be okay..for now. Im not hungry for more at the moment. Been keeping up with 40 gr, pt. a day. Lost another 3 llbs since last week. Liqiud is my problem. I cannot get enough water....I fill several bottles of water..but each time I take a sip...I put it down and then I move and I its gone.... Ive lost so many water bottles throughout the day that I cant keep up with loosing all these bottles and the loss of the water that im not drinking. well...im dizzy just writing about my week...so im sure everyone else is as well!! SO will stop now. Have a great night all. Jodi

Hi all. Well its been an extremely busy week!!! Firstly I would like say I hope that Arlene your mom feels better.... Julie Im glad to hear that you will see that Neuro surgeon on Friday... Eva your purse party sounded like a great success, Jessica...wow you were beutiful before however now...you are absolutely gorgeous!! Apples..glad you enjoyed the weekend and saw friends from the summer. Cant wait to get to FI in the middle of May to start our summer share and see our summer friends. Janet, come to think of it....I did the hand sun tanning...when I was thin!! lol That was 8 yrs ago! lol Since then....I wouldnt have dared!! BTW...thanks for that post that you posted regarding after surgery eating and drinking and definitions...I have to tell you this has been like my bible. I printed it and take it with folded every where I go. When I look at it I send you a little thanks each time...it is extremely helpful to me and I refer to it often. Thank you thank you. Cherri, I see your passion regarding the special needs population and your knowledge regarding cultural diversity in the Public School and Areas. As far as assessment go and cultural sensitivity...unfortunately you are right. If you didnt work in an inner city school you cant possibly understand. Perhaps we should e-mail and discuss these concerns and topics and leave...this thread for general topics that arent so personal to teaching and assessment that we can discuss for ever and ever...and would love that...if we can. Joeducare@aol.com. Would welcome your expertise actually!! Great, I understand your concern regarding cultural senstivities. Im glad Cherri explained but I think she was just proving the point which is true..that there are these differences regarding culture and assessing children using materials that they are unfamiliar with. Im sorry that her response came of so harsh however....it is unfortunately like this..Cherri has been working in the system for a long time and teachers have this language of their own....so she or I have offended you in any way....my oppologies. We really should be having private conversations about topics that are controversial.....this is a big one. Must go for now ....Ill post more tonight! BB woke from nap!! Have a great day all Jodi

Hi all. Hope everyone is feeling good!!! Had my first fill Wednesday and none to soon. I was starving all day before that for about a week but couldnt eat alot at a time....so ate small little Snacks all day! The fill didnt hurt at all..I was so worried! Felt like a little prick and that was it. Turns out there was still some air in there even after taking some out after surgery. She put in a full fill and I drank a glass of Water after and I was fine. so....im good. Went to nurtrtionist last night and figure up till now I was eating about 700-900 cal at most. Now I will start to eat 900-1000 if that much but thats the plan. Hope it stays..easy. it is now...but afraid ill be eating more and more....but for now its okay! Going to gym for private training and have been going twice weekly however.,,,ive only gotten there when not with him to do cardio machines once. Not good..but cant seem to get a routine going..to tired in AM and PM I plan but always something comes up. Not sure how to remedy except keep trying to go. Hi...yes, I also felt as if I had no band the last few weeks until yesturday. Now eating less again and not hungry. I know what you feel like...I also said...hmm I dont feel like I have a band at all...except I wasnt eating anything near what I ate before surgery...this is how im told you should know. When I went to the surgeon on Wednesday he said..when you begin to feel like this and eating more and have little restriction thats when you know its time for an adjustment. Makes sense I guess. I am just nurvous that Im going to stretch the pouch, not sure how that is done...I just figure its a 4oz pouch so anything less then 4oz at a time is okay. Im not eating anything more then 2 or 3 is okay. Findingyou...glad to see you!! I WOW!! 30 llbs,,thats great!!! Glad to hear your doing well. sounds like your eating great as well....try a Protein Bar as a shake or eat smaller but more often meals. im so sorry you had this experience. I hope you are feeling better now....yes liquids for a day or two...until you feel better even for a week sometimes is needed I hear. Take it slow dont rush....its not a race...just feel good. If you dont within a week...you might want to call surgeon just to check. Im sure all will be fine. Stevie....glad things are going well...and you are feeling good......with fills. Have a great day all.....and an enjoyable weekend! Jodi