Come join us. We are bandsters without a local support group, and we're going to meet, say hi, and chat about possibly starting our own group.

We are meeting this Wednesday December 13 at 6:30 PM at Humble City Cafe near the SE corner of the intersection of 1960 and 59, on Main Street.

Let me know if you're coming and I'll make a reservation in the name of Bandsters.

Thanks. Just needed a bit of reassurance, Lana. Yeah, that's true. My cough and sneeze do happen way north of where a PB starts!

Had to cancel a long weekend to Las Vegas, though. Bah humbug. Hubby couldn't go...so I do get to stay home with him!

I keep thinking about that jazzercise.... What do you wear, and do they take total klutzes?

BetsyJane I think you are OK. Normal colds and coughs should be OK. Those type of pills I take whole because you can't crush them. I figured being that sick the risk was low. If your cough gets really bad and you start to really have racking, heaving, coughs, you then might need to call the doctor. In some cases they unfill so not to put undo pressure on the stomach.

I would stick with soft foods until that part is over. Sorry you missed your trip to Vegas.

Hey Betsyjane, Bummer about Los Vegas. The scoop on Jazzercise is that the leader on MWF @ 9:40 am is older than me! She only does what they call "Lite" Class for people just starting up or pregnant:) or old or whatever. I wear old old crummy stretch pants and a T shirt. No body dresses in tights anymore--except the leader sometimes, but not fancy. There are about 8-12 women depending on the day. I'd love to have you in our class:) I know you won't feel like it till you get over your cold, but keep thinking about it. It is so much fun and they don't make you feel like a klutz--we are all in it together. You can go to Jazzercise.com and put in your zip and get a list of all the class times and locations. Hope you decide to join me and by the way I am a total klutz who loves to dance:)

Ok. Cold is gone and so is some of the restriction. Bah! I'm doing fine, but it was easier knowing I couldn't get much down and living on more protein shakes! These thorny decisions about real food are soooo tedious, dahlings. I've had days of no weight loss, readjusting my food intake to accommodate a slightly looser bands....

But....a milestone for me. No more diabetic meds! I was on just one pill and it was mild, but I don't need it anymore. Blood sugar is stable at a good rate. Yeah! One less stoopid pill to crush and make a grinchy face it. I'm going to keep monitoring, but so far so good.

So here's the news from dog camp. A woman (truly an inside the looper) from Rice U was bringing her dog up to camp this morning and didn't show up.... she called later to ask if she was close yet since she was seeing signs for KATY! when I apologized and said I much not have told her 59 NORTH, she said "No. It's my fault. You said north but I just didn't think there was anything north except the airport." Oy. So 2 hours later, she arrived in a gorgeous brand new Jag convertible and knee high stilletto boots that were $700 on sale, I'm sure. Her dog ran to the lake, jumped in, ran back to her and jumped on her, soaking wet. dogs are the great equalizers. Her response was to stop and play with her dog. So I like them both. We enjoy them little things out here in BFE.

Cute story. I can just see her with that dog now. Glad she didn't get upset. She must really love her dog and realize clothese are just clothes!

I've been thinking that we might want to meet every 2 weeks instead of once a month. It sure seems like a long time between getting some support. We might get the same crowd or a different mix since I know people have obligations on certain Mondays.

We also could meet at 6:30 that first monday, but 5:00 or 5:30 the next. Just trying to mix it up a little, yet keep set times.

Anyway, just a thought.

Well Everyone I called the insurance company and they told me that I was approved. I am waiting on my letter and then I will be scheduled to have my surgery. I can't wait. Have you guys started Mall Walking? Hope to be meeting with you guys soon.

Atta Bikergirl! And I see you've already named your band. I want to do that......

Thanks Betsyjane. I checked the mail before coming to work and nothing - I plan on calling the insurance company on Monday. I wonder if they can fax it to me. I'm so ready to be banded. I've gained 2 more pounds.

Atta Bikergirl! And I see you've already named your band. I want to do that......

I know the feeling. By the time I got banded, I knew I had lost the battle and couldn't do it without the band. It's a funny journey though. I've lost some of the restriction I had weeks ago, and I plateaued and had to readjust my food...but nowI have, and I'm losing again. It's amazing to actually have some control over choices...to be able to make a decision about food and stick with it (mostly).

I think I like the idea of more support meetings. Does anybody have the experience of having a fill, then losing 4 or 5 lbs. and then staying the same weight for the rest of the month? That's what's happening to me. Then I have another fill. Do you think I should wait it out another month or have another fill? I'm eating quite a bit less, exercising, but stop losing after the initial loss after a fill? Please let me know your experience. Thanks

If you still have restriction then don't get a fill. Losing comes and goes. Wait that part out. If you start eating more, don't feel restriction, and are not losing then get a fill. Sometimes you will go along and then all of sudden drop a few lbs. Also if you are exercising you could be building muscle.

Thanks Barbara--good advise--I just wish I was better at waiting it out.

Hey Betsyjane! I have to know what is dog camp??? And glad to hear your cold is gone. Also wondered if you thought anymore about Jazzercise??? Lanajane

Dog Camp: www.GoldenRetrieverCamp.com

Er, yep. I've THOUGHT about jazzercise... Here's my excuse. The cold is gone but I still have a bit of a leftover cough. I start coughing after about 10 minutes on the treadmill, so I think I'll wait. I am interested, though. It does sound like alot of fun. Maybe I'll even get coordinated! Are you still going and still enjoying it?

Oh my. Yall are really special people to love animals sooooo much. Now I wish my dogs were a large breed. I hate taking them for a kennel stay. It's so different from what they know and how they are babied at home. What a wonderful idea.

About Jazz, still going 5 days a week and still loving it. Hoping you'll join me sometime. I get way in the back if possible, but nobody is paying attention, because they are all trying to follow the leader. Do you know if the every other Monday meeting is going to take off??? and when will we start?? Thanks, Lj

I'm all for meeting more. Let's discuss at our dinner on March 12th. We can decide as a group how we want to do it. I'm needing lots of support these days.