Hi Everyone,

I have been gone for a while. Last Tuesday morning, I found out that my father in law died. I flew to FL with my kids and my hubby. I arranged the funeral, service and also the "at sea" ashes distribution. My father in law was cremated and this was his wish. I also organized a service at the ELks llodge in St. Augustine FL. I packed up my mother in law last Saturday. My husband flew home with the kids and I stayed and finished packing. My mother in law did not want to throw anything out and it took me two days to pack up a one bedroom apartment. We donated the furniture to charity.

I drove the two of us back in her minivan with all her worldly belongings. It was a 12oo mile drive and it took me three days to complete it.

As you know I quit smoking in preparation for my upcoming plastic surgery in June. Surprisingly enough, I have remained cigarette free since May 4th, even though I was sure a few times from the stress that I would start again.

I did gain 6 pounds from eating buffets and restaurant food for the last two weeks. I am sure some of my intense hunger is because I have quit smoking and some of it is because I am taking Welbutrin to help me to quit and a lot of it is stress eating. I have since gotten myself back on track and hope to be back where I was before I left.

My mother in law is staying with us until Tuesday next week. We found her a great place in a retirement community that she really likes. She is not accustomed to cooking since she was previously living in an independent living community that provided 3 meals a day in the dining area. Naturally, she expects me to cook meals and she refuses to drive even though she has a car and drivers license. I do understand that she is going through a tough time. She was married for 46 years and this cant be easy for her. She keeps making me feel guilty though. She threatens to jump off a pier, she slaps herself when she makes a mistake or talks too much and constantly tells me how guilty she feels that she is a burden to us. The truth is she is a burden, but I understand that this is temporary. She can be quite demanding and the demands start at 7:00 am until 9:00 pm in the evening. She wont even get herself a cup of coffee or attempt to do anything for herself. I did her laundry yesterday, made all her meals, cleaned up after her , bought her new furniture and household goods, took her to a dozen different retirement communities and wheeled her around in a wheelchair even though she has never needed assistance in her life to walk.

Anyway, I am ranting here. I am glad to be back. I am also waiting for my insurance appeal for the medial thighplasty to come through. I called my insurance company and legally they only have five more days to give me answer in regards to the external appeal that I asked for with a board certified plastic surgeon. So although I am definitely having plastic surgery, I dont know whether it will be only the stomach, or the stomach and the boobs, or all three at one time. I am really frustrated.

Babs in TX

Babs, so sorry for your family's loss.

Compression garments from head to toe? You're gonna roast. Now, for real, how many will you have to wear? When I had my surgery which included a tummy tuck (not for weight loss) I was in one from high waist to knees. Good thing you don't have to take them off & on to go to the ladies' room!

Hi Babs,

Hope things smooth out soon. The Cancun trips sounds exactly like what you need after all of this. Best wishes, Teresa

Babs, I'm glad you can see the end in sight for your MIL's visit. Sounds as if she can't focus on anyone except herself right now -- understandable, I guess, after such a loss. I hope your husband is coping well. She might have lost a husband, but her son lost someone he's known his entire life. Good luck next week.

Sorry for the loss of your Father-in-law. It was great of you to take such good care of your Mother-in-law. I know it has been extremely stressful for you, but it is only for a short time. Hang in there!

Hi Yall,

I am back again. I am really tired. I have been helping my MIL all day with her new apartment. I cant see straight.

Thanks for all the support. I will be gone for 9 days starting on Thursday this weeek. I will talk to you guys when I return!!!!

Babs in TX

Have a wonderful time! Cancun is where the love of my life proposed to me, so I have VERY fond memories of it. If you can, take the day trip to Xcaret. It's amazing!

Hasta la vista, Babsy!!

Have a great vacation!

I'm so sorry for what you have been going throuhg. Sorry about your FIL, and I'm sorry that you have had it so rough, with your MIL. It is understanding that your MIL is having a hard time right now, but you are being a very good daughter to her indeed. NO GOOD DEED GOES UNREWARDED. Have fun in Cancun and enjoy your vacation. I'm so excited about you getting your tt, I too am scheduled for one this summer and can't wait to have my bulges gone. I'm a bit scared, but mostly just very excited. And I'm sure not looking forward to wearing those tight girdle pants ( I had lipo on my outer thighs two years ago) and those pants are the hardest thing about the whole recovery thing. I hate to wear tight stuff, yuck!!!