StephC

hi girlfriends - todays my bandversary! Wow one year ago I was laying there waiting for my turn and then I felt like I was hit by a truck. I'm so happy I've lost these 60 lbs!!! Its just unbelievable to me that I actually lost weight and have kept it off. A year ago my plan was to be at 150 today but I'm still happy with what I've done. Today my high scale read 171 - which is exactly 60 lbs and my sweetheart scale was 167. I also make little goals for myself and I noticed in my planner I had my goal to be 165 for tomorrow - so thats not too far off. My next goal is 160 by Jan. 28. Thats when I go see a different plastic surgeon. I'll be within 10 lbs of my highest goal and 20 lbs of my wannabe skinny goal. And also my mom and sister will be coming in Feb. to visit so I want to lose another 10 lbs before they get here. I've lost about 20 since I saw them last summer so another 10 would really make a difference. Whats up with everyone? Is everyone busy with the holiday season and not posting? Sweet - how's the splints? At least you can still ride the bike. I have GOT to get my butt moving if I want to hit my goals. Boo - hon are things going any better for you? So sorry about the car troubles - I know how bad that sucks! Happy belated birthday - how about miss hot mama getting hit on? Hmmm? sounds like you had fun and a well deserved break from reality for an evening. Everyone else I miss ya - please post and keep us updated. I didnt' go to work yesterday - I normally go in on Mondays - but we bought our tree on Sat. and dh didnt' get it up until Sunday and it was all smushed up so I had to let it drop and I even had to pull the branches down, it had just been cut and bundled when we got it so it didnt' have a chance to fall open. Anyway I took my time and decorated it yesterday, between decorating the tree and moving furniture (which means cleaning) I worked for 4 hours. But my house looks beautiful. Really does put you in the mood when everything looks so good. And to top it off this is the very first time I've ever just taken my time with the tree, no one else was home and I could be creative. My little great neice was over last night and she's not quite 3 - she was just in awe over everything. I told my neice its so nice to see her joy in the decorations bc everyone else sees them every year and with her it was all new and exciting. I string garland and lights across my fireplace mantel, around the door frames, ontop the cupboards, so the whole place was lit up. I'm gonna watch her and her brother tonight while the parents shop. Ok - better get off here, I'm at work hehe what a laugh. Anyway I have to run to the bank so I'll read ya all later!

BK! SWEETHEART - omgoodness! So happy for you!!! Thats wonderful news, probably the best thing thats happened to any of us!!! I'm just so happy for you, enjoy your little bundle of joy, what a wonderful Christmas present! And what a nice compliment - you are a medium sized lady - nice! I hope you post some pics on Yahoo. Transformer - yukky work on the weekend! I thought I had that darn printer figured out, changed the ink and everything and now the stupid thing won't print copies in black, only color. Yet when I do the test print, like print something from the computer it works. And I can't get the scanner to work. I finally gave up and hooked my old scanner up. Oh well the photo downloader works great. If you need little laugh go to http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1224151215 I have to say you may not find it as funny as I did since its my family, but we have been having a blast making these. Now you all can go elf yourself too. Have a great relaxing Sunday my girlfriends. Love ya!

Bman - I agree, he's really cute! I like him. And I can tell you do too. Take that guard down just a little bit and let him in.

opps sorry I was so long winded.

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Claudia - its one year for you today! Happy Bandversary! Anyone else? It'll be a year for me next week - I had hoped to be at 150 by then but I'm ok with this slow losing thing.

Where are my steadies? Too darn busy with the holiday shopping? I'm bored. Well one productive thing I've done today is finally got my darn fax/copier/printer/scanner/photo center piece of crap to work. Sweet old hubster bought me this thing 2 years ago for Christmas along with my digital camera which I adore. For 2 years I've been using it for my camera and thats it. Today I set the darn thing up. Ok truth be known - I set it up 2 years ago, got frustrated and brought the old lexmark printer back down and hooked it up - I even went so far as to hook the old scanner up when I scanned that last fat pic of me. Yeah yeah I know that was probably more work then setting this new (probably out dated by now) machine up. I just did some test prints and the Lexmark did a better job - much better when I printed a colored photo. Thats the extent of my day - well no I guess I did go outside today. The house I take care of (filthy rich people pay me to pick up the mail when they are out of town - which is most of the time) the snow plow driver (who happens to be dh's cousin) called this morning and said the light was out that they leave on upstairs. Now I was just there yesterday but just to be on the safe side I drove over and changed the bulb. Yep that was my busy day. Guess I'll go read my book. I'm reading "I've heard that song before" by Mary Higgens Clark - same old whodunnit but it passes the time. I need some interesting reads - Bman tell me about the farmer. love ya babe.

I never got the callous - I wore the elastic waist. It kept me in a size 16 pants long after I should've been into a 20. It was my own way of denying how fat I really was.

I must add that no one really notices the first 30 or 40 lbs, it took a good 60 for people to really see it.

MOTHER IN LAWS aka MONSTER IN LAWS This past summer when mil came in for a visit I had lost 40 lbs, the whole winter when she'd call she'd ask how much I lost and blah blah blah, so she comes in and never mentioned my weight or loss, period. I was hurt and mad. I guess dh musta said something bc when she was here in the fall I'd lost another 20 lbs and she awed over me. Yeah right. Other people who don't know I'm banded have been very genteel, I get the "you look so good, I love your hair that way" Which is a huge joke amongst my dd's and niece bc they say I've been wearing my hair the same FOREVER - then I get the others who know I've had surgery and they gush over me. I eat it up. I also try to encourage those who are thinking about it to have it done. I love my band new me.

Va - I didnt' Christmas shop, picked one thing up for my 3x nephew - who by the way is trying to get the ok for lapband, he said his dr put him on something that is supose to shrink your stomach. Anyone heard of that? But anyway I got my grocery shopping done. ugh - the worst chore. Holy cow Bman! 8 lbs is doable! You go girl and I know you are on the losing side again. I was down a pound today - but I'm still hovering around 168-169, I know what my problem is, I'm not tracking - at all - and I haven't even walked in about a month! The walking track still isnt' open and I haven't gotten motivated enough to pull out the skis or get on the dreadmill. The weird thing is the little tracking I do in my mind, I'm at less then 1000/day so you'd think I'd still be losing. Claud - sweetie we love you too - so glad to hear good things. And we'll be praying for that Chicago job too. I ordered these penguins Penguin Gifts - Penguin Lawn Ornaments in 6 Penguins Species: Adelie, Chinstrap, Emperor, Gentoo, Rockhopper in Nov. The paypal payment went thro but I haven't gotten them or even a confirmation yet - so all my emails have been returned, the phone number is busy no matter what time I call. So finally I emailed the place that designed the webpage - what the heck I'm desperate - she gave me his other website. Its a rowbike - looks totally cool, but its $775. Anyway I'm getting peed off about my penguins. I wanted them for the holidays - dang it!

Claud - hon sorry to hear about your dad, definitly in our prayers - and for you too. Boo - I guess we all think life will be easier if we lose the weight but its still the same old life. I want you to remember that what ever it is that you are going through it will pass. I've said it a hundred times - the bad will get better and the happy will get bad - its just the way life is. We can't be on top of the mountain all the time. Like with VA, look at what she's gone through with the job situation, but it is finally passing. Just keep that pretty little chin up and be positive that its going to get better. And get help finding your way - theres nothing wrong with asking for help. Bman - girl you need a head adjustment too - girl you are worth all the attention you are getting. That jerk of a husband did you a favor, now you are looking more deeply at all these new men in your life and you are being pickier which is a good thing. But you really are going to have to take a chance on love again, when you are ready. I think the farmer is the one I'd give a chance too. Why not go for coffee with him? You went with the handsome stranger, why not with someone you might really find love with? HMMMMMMMMMMM? Va when to you get your fill? Has it been a while since you've seen your sister? Way to go on the smaller sizes! I can tell you are feeling better, your posts sound happier. We got snow here too. Its a beautiful steady snow right now, I love it, I just wish it wasn't so darn cold! My lazy arse is off today - guess I'll brave the elements and go shopping.

One of the things I always look at when I read these rants are the ages of those posting. 20 years old is a very typical debating age. As much as they want to feel like they know all and their beliefs are the bottom line often life changes a person. Life lessons come from living, it is much harder for me to respect a reply from Rob then L8bloomr or Wasa only bc they have lived and learned. So rarely will I join in on these rants and raves, it just seems pointless and fruitless. Like I said before I doubt that I'm going to change anyones mind on this subject, but I do think that as person lives they will evolve and what Rob feels so strongly about today may well be the opposite of how he feels 25 years from now. Once again the point was turned on Christians and how we try to push our beliefs on others. If you read my orgional post I did not say anything about God said not to have an abortion. I spoke about the love I would feel for the child and the gift of life that we have been given, I didn't say I'm against abortion bc I'm a Christian and its wrong. It just amazes me how a subject as abortion can change into how many Christians are getting divorced? Give me a break, are you for real? How many prisoners are Christian, how many pick their nose? Good grief. How many people call themself Christian and aren't even followers of Christ? And for all of your information, I'm half Jewish - I have one brother who is a messianic rabbi and another who is a pastor. I come from a family who has had religious debates for decades. This isn't an issue of pushing my religious beliefs on you. This is an issue of the gift of life and who are we to decide we can 'choose' to end it? If you don't want to get pregnant do something to prevent it. Don't twist my words and say if we prevent it its the same as ending it - no - until conception its not a life. As to choosing the life of the child over the mother, someone get some stats and tell me just how many abortion clinics are there for the "medical" aspect, or how many rape/incest abortions are performed. Again - get real! Those abortions are miniscule compared to the "birth control" abortions. Ok - thats it, I've stayed in the rants and raves a heck of a lot longer then I ever intended.

Thanks L8bloomr - truth is I don't do the rants and raves bc its usually a useless battle. Everyone has their own opinion and I doubt what I have to say will change anyone elses. But abortion is something I feel strongly about. I also feel very strongly about Jesus, being a Christian is so misunderstood. I get so tired of everyone who has strong moral values as being thrown into the radiacal right wing group. Jesus wasn't like that at all. He was friend to sinners - and yes I'm a Christian but I'm a sinner too. Only by Gods grace am I forgiven. If we each look deep into our souls and find out what kind of forgiveness we are capable of - can you forgive the rapist? Can you forgive the molester (I've been there), can you forgive the husband or boyfriend who cheated on you? (been there) How about the drunk driver who killed your best friend or brother? How about that officer gossiper who told everyone you had lapband surgery? Petty when we think of it, but it hurt just the same. If we can forgive any of these people who have hurt us - just think how much more God can forgive us. Can we love the homosexual? I should hope so since most of us have them in our family! What is sin? Did God send down a list of things we can't do because its SIN? No, God sent down a list of things that will bring pain and destruction to our lives. When God says don't commit adultry is it bc he doesn't want us to have a 'good time' , no, its bc he knows it will bring pain, hurt, confussion, destruction to the relationship. When God says don't kill we interpret it however it suits us. Someone says we are hyprocrites bc we still kill animals to eat - well thats their interpretation and aparently haven't read any of the other scriptures that tell us to eat the meat. I dont' have a problem is a vegetarian, good for them, but I like meat (Lord knows I like all food or I wouldn't be on LBT) - do I have a problem with gluttony? you bet I do - yep I'm a sinner but I'm also a Christian who has accepted Jesus Christ as her savior (savior means He alone can save me from hell by forgiving me of my sins). Thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Goodnight and farewell.

BTW - the prisons are full of Christians? Of course they are, they've hit rock bottom and have no where to turn but up. Do you think I'm being sarcastic? My dear brother fell into a pit of drugs - after 20 years of marriage his wife left - he lost his job, family and life - he ended up so addicted that he knew a treatment center wouldn't work - he ended up in prison. Gave his life to God, got his life back. He's a year out, clean and has his entire family back -even the ex-wife (thats another story) - Without God - Jesus - in his life he would be right back out on the streets again. Yeah, I believe the prison is full of Christians. BUT wait - didn't I read that Muslims were the fastest growing religion in America? Hmmm? CNN - Fast-growing Islam winning converts in Western world - Apr. 14, 1997 The second-largest religion in the world after Christianity, Islam is also the fastest-growing religion. In the United States, for example, nearly 80 percent of the more than 1,200 mosques have been built in the past 12 years. I wonder if Muslims believe in abortion?

I am pro life. I have thought very deeply on the whole rape issue. I can tell you that I personally could put it behind me and love the child - even if that child was the image of the rapist. I've carried 3 children in my womb and I fell in love with each one of them even before I knew for a fact that conception had taken place. I know several women (with whom I'm very close with, sil's, bf's) who have had abortions and still mourn over the lost child. I also know a woman who had an affair, got pg with her 5th child (dh had a vasc. after #4) call her stupid if you like but she was in a situation where abortion would have been the easiest way out. She chose to have the child, her dh has accepted the child as his own - tell me how difficult that would be? The baby of the family is now in 1st grade and looks like her daddy. I'm sure dh sees the other man in that child - I believe we as humans are given a gift in bearing life. I personally would never abort a child, and if there is no other answer for that raped/incested woman I would say there are way too many loving people out there who would adopt that child then to see it aborted. Will she be traumatized? Yes but she will be whether she conceived or not - if she gives a child up will it come back to haunt her? No more then the child she aborts - Oh, btw... I spanked my children too.

oh! update on Ms Lazy Ass Today I watched Driving Miss Daisy - classic - followed by Walk the Line - love Joaquin! Then another Reese film - can't think of the name, she is in a coma and comes to the guy who rents her apt... cute movie, followed by an intense youtube search of Johnny and June, then topped off by making chocolate fudge. Throw in a couple loads of laundry and scrubbing the bathtub and Miss Lazy Ass is ready to plop her arse on the couch and call it a night. What happened to wrapping presents? Oh well, tomorrow is another lazyass day. Its going to be a long winter!

Fill me in bc I have no idea what the law of consecration is. When I lived in Fla (circa 1979-83) I worked on a farm - a carrot farm - ok so I didnt' really work in the fields, I was the secretary - it was a BIG farm. We would sell the cull (unusable) carrots to local farmers for their cattle, etc. Well there was a "cult" type guy that would come and get carrots - they were vegans, they were different, very hippie-ish. He was always very friendly with me (if you know what I mean) and dang he scared the crap outa me. Only bc he was very nice, good looking and personable, the Ted Bundy type, or David Koresh maybe. LOL Thats my story. BooBaby - sweetie have you gone to counciling? Make the call, talk to someone. Bman - you are just one hot mama aren't you!? You got men left and right - girlfriend you better be enjoying it bc before you know it you're gonna wake up and you'll be 45 and cooking that fat old marine supper. LOL Just kidding sweetie - though believe me life flies by and before you know it these carefree days of youth will be gone.

I wish I could chug water! This last fill won't let me and its SO frustrating! I agree with Marimaru - follow your doc's instructions. I know mine gave me those same guidelines but when I told them I was able to drink a whole glass he said it was supose to be helping to develope good habits for later when the band was tighter - hence the spot I'm in now. I wouldn't worry much about it, but it doesn't hurt to follow your dr's orders.

Va - A wine rack sounds nice. You sound so much like me with the running - haha - I can't even get my butt on the dreadmill to walk! We finally have a little snow but I'm not feeling the ski bug yet. L -A - Z - Y !!!! Sweet - you go girlfriend! You have to be losing some serious lbs with all that exercise! Bman - have you heard from the heart throb? How did he respond to your email? Boo - whats up sugar? I got up yesterday and had this feeling like I should be going into work. But I thought nah, I only have one guy on payroll and I did that, its not like the mail can't wait, the bills were all paid. So I laid around the house and about 11 I started doing Christmas cards and thought 'oh dang I need to buy more stamps' then it hit me. It was the first of the month! I had to send out the statements. Our members pay dues all year - monthly - so I ended up going into work after all. LOL how stupid am I? But the good news is... thats done until next month! I love being laid off! I ended up coming home and getting all my cards done and in the mail! This is a record for me, I'm the one who sends cards out the day after Christmas. I think today I may just wrap some presents - there are bags piled in my room. Needless to say things have changed since the kids are grown. I used to have to really get creative in my hiding places and/or wrap immediately. I remember hiding them out in the camper - I thought I was so smart - now my kids tell me they watched me one year from the upstairs window - and they were in there as soon as I wasn't looking. Christmas parties - this year is so much better then last! The first half of the month I was on the pre-op diet and then it was liquids and then mushies! I went to 2 parties with Soup. I'm so glad I'm not there again! Does anyone have any ideas what I can take to our support groups party? It should be low-cal, I'm not taking Jello this year! Last year that was all I could eat! And there were about 5 different people who brought jello! I'm open for ideas. Have a good day girls!

I also have 2 scales - one digital and the other is a good needle read type. My old trusty is 4 lbs less then the digital but the digital is right on with the dr's scale. When I mentioned it to the PA she told me to go by my own scale. I like the digital bc it gives the tenths of the pound but still I go by old faithful.

I was 44 when I was banded - just 2 months before my 45th birthday. I also didn't need it when I was in my 20's but the 30's were hell - I yoyo'd through them and the first part of my 40's I gained another 50 lbs. I remember trying so hard to lose weight for my sons wedding and I ended up being at my fattest. BUT I'll be thin for my dd's weddings.

I am so glad I found this thread! My husband wants me to go to the doctor and find out why I'm cold all the time. He said "Hon, its just not normal for you to be cold all the time" I said yeah but I do get an occasional hot flash too! LOL But I'm the same as all of you, I wear slipper boots (thick soles) all the time and always have a sweater or hoodie on. I also have a space heater at work under my desk. Does it get better? I'm about 20 lbs to goal and I don't think so.

Funny! And whats even funnier is that they mention the peanut butter - we've been doing that for years, twist off the top and add a bit of peanut butter - Good grief I just realized its been over a year since I've eaten an oreo!!! Yea me!!!!

good morning ladies! VA - yipee for the job!!! I'm so happy for you, best of luck and when do you start? Sweet - way to go with the nsvs! I've noticed simular things too. I totally love crossing my legs and sit with them crossed all the time. More then anything I feel like I'm normal now -size wise - we all know I'll never really be normal - hehe - before I felt sloppy and that no matter what I did I looked sloppy - now I can be sloppy - sweats and a tshirt - and feel like I look ok. I'm still holding steady at 168-169 but my clothes are feeling looser on me. My pants I wore yesterday had been feeling alittle snug in the butt and yesterday they were nice and comfy. I can't seem to find my notebook that has all my measurements in it - hmmmm. Bk - good to hear from you girlfriend! How's the new house? I hope you pop in more now. Nikki - sorry to hear of the busted computor! The same thing happened to my dd - she didn't remember doing anything to break it and it ended up costing hundreds to get it fixed. I'd just get a new one - thankgoodness for Santa Claus! Whats everyone wanting for Christmas this year? I have told everyone - mainly dh - that I want gift cards for clothes. But I'd also like a stained glass window. I saw one at an older ladies house and she had it hung in front of another window - do you know what I mean? Anyway it was so pretty. But clothes are good!