NJ September 2008 Chat

[signgirl 0]

Hi gals. I know I've been MIA for a while now. I've missed a lot! I've been most concerned for you, Betty. Hope you're ok....I think of you often. I miss you guys, I've been lethargic lately...very lazy! But I still had to go to work! LOL! Eileen the pups are sooooooo cute! thanks for sharing. Hope all you folks are well! Pat, Sherry, Donna, Kat, Trish....oh yeah, and all the new folks too!!!! :lovechoc: Stay well everybody!

[HarleyNana 10]

Howdy gals!

Well, Hanna is about here, power is out, but not a problem here..:lovechoc:. I knew that big investment of a home generator would pay off again. Isabell we used it for 3.5 weeks. We live down a private lane, so we're always the last to get power. Just waiting for the neighbor to want to bring his drop cord over and hook up. It's really cool at night, because all up and down the creek everything is so dark, but we've got our house lit up like Christmas.

High tide will be in a about an hour, it's already up to the pier.

Anyhooo, just a little update.

Take care all.

[NJChick 3]

Hey Girls

Pat and everyone in Hanna's path... stay safe. It should hit us by tonight. DH is packing up his shop/work in a rental truck incase we flood. Can't trust the weather reports ya know.

I'm being lazzzzy today. Gonna take a nap in a few minutes and i can't wait LOL. Later we'll scrap book :shades_smile:

Have a safe weekend !!!!!

[NJSoldierwife 0]

Hi everyone!

Well Hanna is here and is not too bad, just heavy rains and some wind. So I think it is less than expected. Whew!

So, 3 days until surgery! I am getting a little bit more nervous. More for being knocked out and stuff.

Hubby is offically in theatre. He left yesterday. Hopefully I will hear from him soon.

Hope all is well with you! Stay safe with Ike and Hanna!

[HarleyNana 10]

Hanna blew through, but we've had higher winds and much higher tides during full moons and Nor'easters. I'm sure my sons think we did an overkill in preperation, but better safe than sorry. Well at least we're a jump ahead in getting the pool deck and patios winterized. All I need to do now is call my pool guy and tell him to put the cover on.

NJSW, you'll be fine. Are you on liquids yet? I had to do liquids the day before, I sure do regret I didn't eat a great big juicy cheeseburger with all the fixings.

I'll check back later gals.

[NJSoldierwife 0]

HarleyNana,

Yeah Hanna was totally bigger bark than bite. But you know what, if we didnt warn and make it big and it was, people would be in trouble. So I dont mind all the warnings!

No, I don't have to do any pre-diets before. Should I?

[Trishadish 0]

Hi gals. I know I've been MIA for a while now. I've missed a lot! I've been most concerned for you, Betty. Hope you're ok....I think of you often. I miss you guys, I've been lethargic lately...very lazy! But I still had to go to work! LOL! Eileen the pups are sooooooo cute! thanks for sharing. Hope all you folks are well! Pat, Sherry, Donna, Kat, Trish....oh yeah, and all the new folks too!!!! Stay well everybody!

Hi Diane! Glad to see your post. I've been sort of MIA lately too. Just burning the candle at both ends with not much time to post.

Glad to hear that Hannah was more of a dud for everyone. Thank goodness! Actually, it was great to be housebound yesterday afternoon and get caught up on projects.

I'm in need of a fill...weight loss has stopped, but, to be fair, exercise has fallen victim to my busy schedule and I haven't fit it in. So, tomorrow is another day and hopefully I'll get back on track.

Take care everyone.

[Iluvharleys 15]

Hello Y'all!

It's good to see more of you posting. I miss ya when you are gone!

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, you are all very special to me.

I am doing good at least that is what they say. I am still very swollen up, and I have tons and tons of stitches. I will be glad when the stitches are gone and I am healed up. It is taking longer because of the double surgery. I would have been much better if they hadn't had to go back in again. I am released to go back to work tomorrow, but I bet I will be hurting when the day is over. Even when I do anything, I hurt but like I said it does get better each day. I can't take anymore time off work, they really needed me to be there last week and I just couldn't do it. I am starting a new position as soon as I get back and will have to do a lot of learning/training again and they are already behind because of the extra week I HAD to take. I probably need to get back anyway hurt or not as I am getting broader and broader here sitting on my arse. The doc is only letting me go back to work as it is a secretarial job and I won't have to do much fiscal work. I am still not allowed to do any real work at home, although I do a little but know when and when not to. When you have company, it's hard not to. I think I am really liking the smaller boobs though. I won't know what to do if I can go without a bra at times. lol Hech I was wearing a 36c in third grade, and they just got bigger and bigger each year. I have already bought me some new bra's that are pretty, but trying to hold off as he said once the swelling goes away (6 weeks) I would change a little more. So, trying to hold off till then for the pretty ones.

Michaele - I didn't have to do any diet before either and it was nice. Good luck and I'll keep you in my prayers. Keep busy till then, and it's only normal for you to go through all kinds of emotions before hand.

I'm glad to hear you all made it through the storms I was a little worried about my girls when I heard it was headed that way.

Well, time to move a little bit so take care, stay safe and keep posting!

[SherryW 4]

Hello everyone How the heck are ya'll hee hee

Today is a beautiful day in New England. Can't believe how nice it is out there considering the rain and winds we had yesterday and then they said it would stay here until 2pm. Ummm it wasn't here when I woke up this morning at 5am. Yippee!

Yesterday was break out the crock-pot day for me. Made some taco Soup. Yummmm lots of Protein in that and it's really hearty. Fills ya up for sure. Today was "the last supper" so to speak haha. DH and I have decided to get back to dieting starting Monday. (It's always Mondays huh?) Soooo I've been craving Emeril Lagases' Mac 'n cheese so I made it today. Had some for lunch and now the craving is gone. My BFF's DH asked her to make him some mac 'n cheese a few weeks ago so I called her today and she said she still hasn't made it. Sooo out of my house and into hers :w00t: Lucky her and lucky me I can get it out of here so I won't be tempted to eat anymore. There is no "diet" ingredients in comfort food that's for sure! She's on her way to pick it up as I type haha. Later on after the football game, DH and I will go for our last ice cream splurge for this week anyway haha. I just love the Almond Joy ice cream from a little place about 15 miles from here. It's worth the trip and the ride is really beautiful along the lakes and tree covered roads. Great motorcycle ride but, not sure we'll take the bikes today. We'll see :tt2: I've already boiled up 14 eggs, bought lots of lettuce, turkey, diet wheat bread and skim milk. I have sugar free fudgsicles, pudding and Jello if I get that sweet tooth bug. Going later to stock up on some boneless chicken breast, turkey bacon and other Protein stuff too. Now...if I can get the exercise bug into my brain I'll do ok haha. This slight unfill is unfortunately allowing me to eat more than I should and because I can......grrrrr I do....grrrr so I've bought some 1 cup size covered bowls to put my food in. When it's full no more food for that sitting per the doc. I also bought some more measuring cups and broke out the food scale. Need to do something man....the scale is not going in the right direction right now and it's depressing...so so depressing :scared2: and ITS ALL MY FAULT! :biggrin: It's the hand to mouth disease and this band did not cure it. It slowed it down a bit, but the only cure is going to be total will power. AT 44 I'm just so successful at that (said with lots of sarcasim) So I need to prepare myself, Psych myself up so to speak! That and pray alot! To think on New Years I was 199 and now I'm back to 216-218 depending on the freaking day. WTF do I do to myself? oops she's here brb.

[SherryW 4]

Back...I know I know you missed me. heh heh a girl can dream right :scared2:

So my nutritionist wants me to speak at the next WLS reunion at the hospital. Ummmm ya sure on that? Miss....crying in your office because I feel like a failure speak to other WLS patients and potential patients? Zoiks! She said I'm not a failure, this is a long journey and she's right of course. She was working with me on a "positives list" and I had sent it to her thats when she asked me to speak. People need to know it is a struggle sometimes but, if you keep trudging along....stay positive then it happens slowly but surely. I'm still thinking about it. Maybe I'll bounce it off you folks first before I say something out there lol.

Pat - Sounds like you really did have to batten down the hatches and I too would of done that work as well. Especially if you've gone through it before. It is pretty scarey. I'm glad you didn't get hit hard and like you said...you now have a head start on winterization I haven't closed my pool yet. I still have to buy a new cover for it but, DH seems to not be in a hurry to do that work. I've hinted a few times that we need to do this but, no go. Maybe when it freezes over for the first time? heh heh

Betty - I hope you're feeling better. Are the drains still in? Are you getting used to the amount of weight that was taken off with the surgery. Must really make a difference. That's another reason for me to get moving with losing more weight. I have a nice apron going on and still have more to loose. I really wanna get this thing taken care of before next summer if possible. I hate having to buy bigger jeans because I have to tuck it in EWWWW just a lovely thought huh? hahaha. Anyway...I'm glad you were able to get it done and I'm hoping you're feeling lots better :biggrin:

Diane, NJsoldierswife, Trish - I think it's natural to go AWOL for a bit from time to time here. I do it often then post like crazy hogging up a page sometimes I do read the thread every time a post comes along but, I can't always post something. Most of the time I'm too fried after working on a computer all day....since it's at work I can't really reply to the posts at that time either. I'm glad you're all doing well and glad you were able to post :w00t: Hope you're all doing well. NJ....you're surgery is here and I wish you the best with it and a speedy recovery. Keep us posted!

Eileen - Lazy Saturday for you aye? Can't blame ya. I like it when I can do that although...for me it's relaxing to cook a bunch of stuff I love to bake too but, I have to stay away from that right now so it's not in the house with the start of this dieting. I hear ya on the fill thing. Just had a slight unfill and man oh man Eileen....I can really eat. Good news is no reflux at night but, this hunger in between is tough. :tt2:

I'm missing some of you but I have to get going. DH says lets ride haha. I wish you all the best for a successful week and I'll catch up with ya soon!

Hugs to you all!

[Iluvharleys 15]

Sherry - Good Luck, you have the right attitude.

Will you post your taco Soup recipe? I lost mine.

Yes, I got the drains out last Tuesday, thank goodness. Now I am shooting for the stitches to come out.

[SherryW 4]

Here you go Betty

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

1 Packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

1 Packet Taco Seasoning Mix (I use the reduced sodium one)

1 Medium Onion, Chopped

1 Pound Ground Beef (or Turkey)

1 Can Corn

1 Can Black Beans

1 Can Pinto Beans

1 Can Italian Stewed Tomatoes

1 Can Rotel Tomatoes (stewed tomatoes with chilies)

1 Can Beef broth (I use the low sodium/low fat one)

Brown together the ground beef and chopped onion. Drain and add to slow cooker. Add Rotel and Italian tomatoes. (You can crush these with your hand to make the bits smaller if you're family doesn't like big chunks.) Add the Ranch Dressing Mix and Taco Mix and stir well. Drain the liquid from the Corn, Black and Pinto Beans and rinse with cold Water. (This helps reduce the sodium.) Add the can of beef broth and stir well. Cook in the slow cooker for 8-9 hours on low or 5 hours on high.

You can serve this with a scoop of sour cream and shredded jack cheese and crumble nachos on top.

Note: You can also cook on stove top for about an hour or so, but the flavor really tastes better in a slow cooker.

[NJSoldierwife 0]

Good morning ladies!

So less than 24 hours to go! Ugh, I am getting nervous now. It was so funny, last night I think I called everyone I knew "just to chat". And since my husband is deployed, I had to make a "in case of emergency, call here" sheet for my Mom to get in touch with him. And I than supplied some people to call after to let them Know I am ok.

And I keep pacing my house, and as if I was pregnant, I am in that nesting feeling. I am having my house cleaned, I cleaned out the refrigerator, I am doing my laundry.

Did anyone else do this?

Oh boy, see I am rambling!! Should I take a Xanax? But what if by taking the Xanax it will counter act with the anesthesia and I die? You know how you here of the people dying, like Heath ledger, he took too much of a mixture and died.

But I am not on anything else, I won't even take an advil, so my body is free and clear of all synthetics.

ha, still rambling, ok, i am going for now.

[SherryW 4]

Michaele, I don't think you're rambling you're just naturally nervous. Heck...I wrote letters to my husband, son and mother JUST IN CASE :thumbup: So you're not the only one that gets nervous. Heck there'd be something wrong if you didn't!

Hugs girl......pretty soon you'll be on the banded side :cry_smile:

[HarleyNana 10]

Michaele, I love the way you're "nesting" by having your house cleaned, that's my kind of cleaning :redface:.

As for pre-op diet, I was on liquids the day before, no special diet prior to that.

Hugs girlie, I wish you well.

On another note, NJ gals, anyone close to Atlantic City? Hubby and I are thinking about going this weekend. Any suggestions on where to stay? Thinking of Harrahs at the Marina, what/where ever that is, LOL. Would love suggestions.

Hugs and stop pacing Michaele, you'll be fine!