Hey, today is the 1st!! ~Mandy

Hi everyone!

Hi jetti (Jessica) - glad you popped in! Tell us about yourself...most of us don't even live in NJ...we just like the view!

I was doing "school work" today, all day...met with the upper school leaders and did some bulletin board stuff...met with some people, etc. I did schedule some spa time later in Sept., so that will be a welcome day!

Darcy!!!!! Glad you were able to get a signal, even though it was for a short time...keep us posted!

Mandy, take it easy. You are a go-getter, and I know it's hard for you. It does take time, though...I was off work 6 entire weeks.

Eileen, that new position at work does keep you busy, but I haven't heard you moaning about your boss-guy lately...is it a new guy, or have you finally trained him?? We're gonna make it under 200 one of these days, girl!

Kat, what a wonderful trip the two of you had! And a big winner, too! Glad you were getting some rest time, too!

Betty, how is the heat for you? I know you prefer the heat over cold, but I'm ready for some real fall weather (even though I know we won't get any of that very soon!)

My Dh has some kind of brochial infection and the dr told him to stay home a couple of days, so he's thrilled. Of course, I doubt he'll actually rest, because that is just too hard for him. LOL!

Hugs to all,

Cindy

I am 29 single - no kids no husband - and live in north jersey about 15 minutes from NYC. I work 2 jobs to pay the bills and keep myself busy but clearly not busy enough to not eat I love to read, hang out with friends, watch girlie movies, listen to music, dance and travel. I am not banded...YET. I am working my way there going to all the different doctors appointments and all of the FUN stuff. It's a lot but I know in the end it will all be worth it!!! I don't plan on telling everyone about the band. So far just my mom and my best friend know I am doing all of the testing. Unfortunately my friend and my main support recently moved to Spain so I don't have her here for all the analyzing that I tend to do about everything in life and my mom is the smallest person I know so she supports my decision but I don't think she can ever really understand what it is all about. I know I can find support on this board along with answers to every question and for that I am very thankful.

well that's me in a nutshell and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Hi Jetti! :welcome: It seems just like yesterday that I was where you are now. It goes by quickly for sure! Good luck with everything!

Good Morning Y'all!

Just a quick one to let y'all know I am still alive and kicking.

Kat - You always get to take the neatest trips, they sound wonderful! Glad you had a really good time.

Cindy - I do like the warmer weather, but not the 100's, that's too hot. I love the 75-85 though, I like working in the yard and swimming. I hate the cold weather that you have to wear a coat and turn on the heat!

Jetti - Welcome to our world! We have quite a group here and we have a good time with each other. We are also very supportive to each other. You'll like it here!

Mandy - How are you doing now? When is your trip?

Sherry and Chrispy - I forgot when you are leaving too? Is it soon? Sherry is that tatoo healed up for a picture yet?

Hello Darcy! Hope you have a great day!

Patty - How's the week of fun going?

Beanie - How's the new job, have you got them trained the way you want them yet?

Well, if I missed ya I didn't mean to and I'll catch you next time around.

Have a great one!

Dear Betty,

My week of fun, wasn't so fun yesterday. The boys & I went to Mothers Beach yesterday and after what just seemed like minutes, they wanted to go home . Garrett is on the wronge dose of medicine and felt all weird, Taylor is supposed to wear earplugs didn't and got water in that affected ear -- instant pain, and Channing was freezing cold (very skinny/no body fat). The Momma was blissful for the breeze and discontent with the whining. Lewis was fishman and paddling happily when at the 2 hour mark we packed it all up . I'm really glad we live just 10min down the road and we can do this on another day when the grumpys don't happen. I can tell that summer fun is over and they need to head back to school.

Tonight we are supposed to go to Disneyland to see the Fantasmic show one last time. The kids are currently still sleeping and plans could change at a moments notice.... we'll keep ya posted.

I went to my lapband support meeting -- didn't win a free fill, but brought home some free clothes from a clothing exchange! So I picked thru the bag and found some 1x and xl stuff to fit into when I get there. Still can't imagine getting that small.... oh well. 3 more days until the twins start school..... and I have to use an alarm to get up(ugh).

Kat: Anyone who has lost 100# is the Goddess of lapband.... I humbly bow. What do you eat in a typical day?? :hungry:

Jessica: Welcome to the coolest place on earth!

Hugs,

Thanks for all the welcome notes everyone!!!

Hi all---I have Kinsey for the weekend---so will be hit or miss with me & my computer. Will get in when I can.

Welcome Jessica!!!

Kat

Just stopping in to say hello! I just got back from the doctor and I want to get out of these clothes!

Patty - So sorry you has such a rough day, hopefull the rest of the week will be better.

Hi back at you Kat!

Later!

Hi all. I have family in from out of town, so I will be MIA all day tomorrow. ~Mandy

Welcome Jessica! We've all been through the dr visits and the analyzing, so ask any questions you have on your mind, and you'll get more than one take on whatever you want to ask!

Patty, you just wait! You'll be in those XL clothes one day, and it'll be great! Sometimes when I hang up clothes out of the dryer, I am STILL amazed that that is MY blouse or MY jeans...and I wear an XL or an 18...so it's not exactly petite or anything. It's just after wearing 2X, and then 3X for so long...that size just seems small. You'll see. You'll be there.

Tomorrow we have a baby shower to get to, so will be gone most of the day...will check in tomorrow night...

Happy weekend to all! Hugs,

Cindy

Well we had a good evening, Kinsey finally went down. Papa had her pretty wound up...rough housing and ice cream---he takes his Grandpa-ing very seriously!!! She is a character--I am enjoying her so much, this is one of my very favorite ages for kids. She is learning so much so fast, and is so willing to share it. No embarassment at singing for a stranger, or dancing herself silly while we all clap! Her new word she has heard, and does not understand in the least is "bored". She hears Lindzie say she is bored, so she tries to use the word, but has no clue how--cracks me up! She didn't want more chicken because it was bored.

I'll tell you what, it is so much easier to bathe her and shampoo her hair, than it was before losing weight! My older granddaughter (I miss her sooooo much) Allyson, it was a struggle for me to get up and down to help her in the tub. Now I have no problem!!

We have a church picnic tomorrow, so will be in and out. Originally it was supposed to begin at 4, we were going to have the bbq/potluck, and have an evening service in the park, done by the youth group. But I got a flyer in the mail yesterday and it is now begining at 11 and ending at 4. I hate the change, it is right in the hottest part of the day. So since I have Kinsey, we may go for a little bit, take our dishes, and leave early. She flushes so easy, she is such a blondie! Been hum- hawing about what to take, no salads with mayo---nothing like that in the heat of the day. We have so many fresh tomatoes, I think I will do a tomato, cucmber, & onion salad thing that Rick likes, and then make some kind of cake or I have a reallllly good cookie bar made with a cake mix...it would hol dup well in the heat. PLUS---then I get to eat a piece, and not have the whole thing here tempting me!!

Well it is so quiet here---I think I too will head to bed. Y'all take care, will check in with you tomorrow!

Kat

Hey All,

Welcome Jessica!

Missing being able to post but boy howdy are we working our bunzzzzz off! We do finally have the big house listed but all of the tasks are far from being finished. My Mom is here from Wyoming so I plan on stopping at my sisters house this AM for a short visit and then to the house for some more deep cleaning as they can officially show it now. I have a bunch of bins awaiting UNpacking here at the cabin but we need to figure our more storage option before I can even start that task!

My Ex is making all of this especially difficult. I imagine I will be getting a notice for mediation in the mail any day. On the bright side... Em is really excited about starting school and all at her new school have been so friendly and helpful...even the kids! We had a great time school shopping even though the plastic is stretched to the max! SHerry... I'm with you... glad my daughter doesn't feel the need to have the 80 dollar jeans... but it still adds up at 24-30 bucks a pair. Two pairs of glasses and three pairs of shoes AND her first make-up kit... whew... somebody show me the money!

Anyhoo... guess I had better jump in the shower so that I can give my Mom a clean hug and then head over to sweat my arse off!

Hugs to all...

Darcy

I can't believe I am going to do this but here goes.....I went bathing suit shopping and need some opinions. I am still a bit swollen around my belly but it's getting back to normal.

Good Afternoon,

Jessica Welcome !!! I think I'm the only one from NJ on this thread LOL. Sounds like your near Paramus. I'm near Ramsey. Good to have you here.

Mandy the suits look great, keep them all.

I am off and running, we are having a birthday party for my DD today and people are coming around 4 pm. Still lots to do and so little time.

Work is okay, sosdd.... Cindy, my boss has been to busy to say stupid chit to me lately but he is still there LOL. I'm still overwhelmed with work and I'm still doing 80% of my old job as well *FAINT*. But things are okay.

Aunt Flo finally visited me last night...its not a normal visit, spotty but shoot...after 2 months of not getting it wth.

Okay kids, its so good to see you all but I gotta run....I'll be back tomorrow morning.

:huggie:

Wow Mandy---they all look great!!!!! I like the last one, in the way that it looks younger---more fun than serious. But heck the other 2 are VERY flattering as well. So I based my vote on your young age, and hip attitude, and went for the least conservative!!!

Happy Birthday Eileenies DD!!! Hope y'all have a great party!

We are hanging out, at home, Kinsey is napping right now. Rick worked late, so we did not get to take her for her Pot Stickers she requested for dinner (so much for 2 year olds wanting McDonalds!!), so will try to get there today. We took her to our friends ice cream shop last night, and I had one of those moments we all look forward to!!!

We were standing listening to Kinsey rattle on with Pam, the owner, and this couple walked up. The gal and I used to be very good friends, until she decided to sleep with my boyfriend of the time. She is now married to another friends former (her being the cause) fiance. When we were friends, I was very thin, but through the years she has seen me many times, and always has a smirk---and tries to act like we are still best buds. So last night they walked up, right past us, never aknowledging us at all. I let them order, then I said "Hi Debbie, how's it goin'?" She turned with this questioning look, then her jaw literally dropped--you could see the shock! She semi recovered and spoke, and the attention was turned to Kinsey--she never said a word about my weight, but with her reaction, no words were necessary! I LOVED it! We both are about equal in our "overweight" now!!! And I have 7 inches on her in height, so I can carry my extra 20-25 much easier! That is tacky---but she deserves it!!! She worked as a receptionist where we had gone for years to have our taxes done. I cringed when I saw her there, but figured oh well. She called me over and told me with as much money as Rick makes, we are withholding way too much, then she wanted to know how many hours he had to work to make that much money. Girls I lied! He works a wierd schedule, where he has over 40 one week, and under the next. I just told her 40 a week....she was just wondering, her DH was thinking of a change!!! She was thinking $$$$!!

I took our dishes out to the park, for the church picnic, but by the time I got there Kinsey was asleep in her car seat. It is already over 90----so I dropped the food, and come home, carried her in, and she has yet to wake up. We might go out for a few minutes when she wakes up. I was not willing to face the heat, with a 2 year old grumpy from an interupted nap!!! Call me chicken!!!

So Darcy---what's crawled up the ex's hiney? Is the cabin too far for him to see Emily as often? Is she bothered by that?

Cindy---you going to be volunteering all year at school again? Did they ever decide for sure one way or another on the paid position you hoped for? Sorry if you already answered that---this last year has been so crazy---I forget everything!

Betty---looks like we will be planning to go down the first week or so in November. Rick has quite a bit of time off coming---so we have to work out the exact days. I am excited to go, I miss the place, plus going makes life feel normal again.

Sherry, Chris, Beannie, miss you girls!

Jessica, this group, is especially wonderful for support. I also recommend you look up and find a thread, for the month you are banded--you know--say an October group, if you end up banded in October. Not that all of us would not do our best to help and remember how we did for you (like we try for Patty), but it is so nice to have others going through similar things at the time! My DH has finally quit looking at me strangely when I speak of my friends here at LBT. I cannot say that he "gets it", but he accepts it! Men have different friendships anyway, and for me to feel this close to women I have never met, confuses him I suppose!!! You will find wonderful support here! We are glad you joined us!

Patty---I don't have a strict diet plan---I eat whatever--I just eat less of it, and eat what we have in different ways. Yesterday as an example. For breakfast, I had a scrambled egg with cheese and green chile. I ate most of it....if I slow down towards the end, and it gets cold, it is unappealling, so I don't eat it, cold eggs, yuck!

I had 5 Bugle snack things with Kinsey later, I know it was 5 because she put them on the tips of all of my fingers! For lunch I ate some chicken salad, on Town House crackers....probably 1/2 cup salad, and 5-6 crackers. I ate a nectarine, and some almonds yesterday afternoon. The nectarine was iffy, it sat high in my belly for awhile, when I finally began drinking lots, it passed on through. For supper, we had grilled chicken, macaroni and cheese, and fried zucchini, and fresh tomatoes. Normally I would have eaten my fill of the mac & cheese, and the fried squash, and settled with a standard serving of chicken. Now I make the chicken the biggest part of my meal. I have learned I need to have teeny tiny bites, and not being a real picky person, if I load my fork with a combo, it is much easier for me to chew, and I haven't had nearly the problems with things sticking. We had the shells and cheese last night, and I would take like a small bite of chicken, and a single shell, and not have any problem, if I try to eat a full bite of just pasta, it is too hard to chew thoroughly. All total I ate less than 1/4 cup of pasta, had mostly chicken, and a spear of squash. I was full! When they had ice cream last night, I was still too full to entertain the idea of dessert! I feel like I probably ate too much chicken, I would have been better off weight wise, to cut down the amount, but...it kept me good and full for a long time.

This morning we had cereal for breakfast, and had a banana for snack. We were going to eat at the picnic, and instead she is sleeping---so I have not eaten lunch, I may skip it, since we are doing Chinese tonight!!!

I could probably get the rest of the weight off if I would diet seriously, or consider another fill. But I am doing so well health wise, no PB problems, or anything, and the weight is slowly dropping still. I have decided to just let it be. With my luck I would get over full, and begin a chain of problems due to my own impatience!!!

Well I am off to pick up a little, my MIL just called, and my FIL is coming over for a hair cut, so best check and clean up.

Talk to y'all later!!!

Kat