Hi there. Just wanted to see if I could build a new home with some new (and hopefully old) friends. I do not wanna be 'homeless' anymore so here I am! This is gonna be a place for friends to meet (hopefully) and talk about anything & everything.

My name is Tracy and I live in Deer Park, Texas. I have been married for 6 years. I was banded in April '07. Got 4 pounds away from goal, quit smoking and gained 46-50 pounds back so I am on my journey again. This time as a non-smoker :w00t:

This is a life change and with it comes lifelong friends...wanna come along for the ride? :blushing:

Kat, it's so good to have you back. It sounds like you had a wonderful except for the two scary incidents. That is weird about Bob Dylan, wonder if it is true that he wasn't even there. Just glad you guys are home safe. Any problems with the house or the people that were doing crazy things before you left?

Yesterday I went to see my Band Doc. I didn't even get to see him. Never did find out why but they rescheduled me for the 29th of Sept. I told them several times that I needed to speak to him about the Hiatal hernia. Well, I did get to see his assistant. She is actually the one that took the 4cc's out of my band 2 months ago. So the first thing they do is put you on the scale. I managed to gain 11 pounds. I was upset about it but not beating myself up. How can you lay in bed for weeks and not snack while watching TV. She told me that typically they see a 40 pound gain in people that went thru what I did. She said I did really good and that it won't take long for me to take that 11 off. She did say that I had been overfilled and she will not allow that to happen again. I did tell her that I felt so much better since the unfill. She gave me a little fill, not sure how much I didn't ask. But I could tell because I wasn't able to eat like crazy since then. She went over the guidelines again and showed me a new thing they have. It's a plate that's smaller than a regular dinner plate. It has these really pretty swirls on it but it also shows your portions. How much protein, veggies and fruit you should be eating at each meal. We actually talked for about 15 minutes. She really knocked me over the head without beating me up. I love it and am going to use what she talked to me about.

We left there and went to Chili's to meet up with my friend. We sat there for about an hour and a half chatting and had a really good time.

Hubby and I are going to go to the drive-in movies tonight. We are going to go see, yes a hubby movie. The Expandables. That will keep him happy for awhile.

Went Bra hunting this morning. I wish that was so much easier to do. Nothing, so tomorrow I will be back at it again.

Tomorrow is Abagail's first day at "K". So I am going over there to see her off on her very first Bus ride. She was so excited the other day telling me about going to school.

Hope you all have a great day.

Happy 50th to you, Kat!!! It sounds like you had a good time on your trip.

Suzie, Chilis with friends-I agree, always a good time:thumbup:; Bra-shopping, never good for me:crying:. Good luck hunting tomorrow. Oh, and a drive-in? We don't have any around here. The last one I know of my dh and I went two when we were dating over 20 years ago. Have fun! I think that movie, with all of the action stars in it, will either kick major butt or be a terrible fail. Let me know how you like it.

Suzie, everyone I have heard that has seen that movie, has said it is much less a macho movie than they thought, that at heart it is about defending what you care about---so hope you BOTH like it!

I was hoping with the limited eating options while gone, I would lose some weight---come home weighing exactly what I did when I left.....grrrrrrrrr.

Will post some pics on FB---maybe here as well, I need to download my cameras first.

Will get envelopes to mail shirts in tomorrow. Tracy, yours is not what I thought it was...I thought it was undefined swirls....and they are more defined than I thought. Note to self, shop BEFORE drinking!!! But I like it anyway---hope you do. The cell service was crappy....so I took a chance!

Kinsey loved her first day of school, but come home with a fever of 102!!! She dropped it FAST with ibuprofin and ice water---now to see if it comes back. Wouldn't you know it??!!

Suzie, I wish I had a band Dr. close to encourage. Mine is kinda snobby, and 6 hours away as well----I mean I KNOW what to do and not to do----but I still have this 30-ish pounds hanging around.........

We are going to dinner tonight, either Olive Garden or Outback, whichever looks less crowded. I love either one!!! My DD and Kinsey brought me roses---sweet things did not make them black!!

Will check in tomorrow!

Yay, Kat is home!!!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Had Bunco tonight, won 25 bucks!! I had the most Buncos!

Have a great night!

Hey all

Back Yesterday from my Trip with George, I am kinda sad because I think I know that was it - but we had such a great weekend and ZacBrown was amazing, get up and dance concert, great music and sounded amazing.

Kat - still so jealous, some of my guys from work went and boy did I get some stories, but I so want to go next year

Hey all, i'm late for work so I'll check in tonight, or this afternoon since i'm going in before most normal people are out of bed

Morning Girls. I went to bed at 12:30 and got up at 6am. I'll get my butt moving here soon, have to go catch the School Bus......

Today is Abby's first day in "K". So I'm gonna go pick my nephew up and go over to the Ex's to see Abby off to school. I'll be taking my camera so I will post later.

Hubby and I had a great time last night. One of the reasons we went was becasue the temperature has really dropped here alot. We sat with the windows partially opened and it got a little cool. The movie was ok. Lots of explosions and guns going off. No twists or plots, just go in and kill as many as you can and get out alive. But it was just us being together all by ourselves that meant the most.

There are actually 2 drive-in movies here. The one we went to has four screens and the other has 2 screens. Not sure how much longer they will be around. 3D is taking over and not sure you get as good of effects from drive-in.

Kat, hope Kinsey is feeling better. So you're 50 now. Welcome to my world.

Michelle, congrats on the big win. We play that a couple of times a year at church. I really wish I could find a group and play it more often.

Tracy, I know you're still waiting for the phone to ring and I hope that it rings soon for you. Hang in there. Your time will come. You still getting in the pool?

Terrie. Looks like we will be coming thru there right around the 14th. When we leave my brother's I will give Kat a call and then she can call you. We will be spending the night, so that will give us time to visit.

OK, Off to go dry my hair and get ready for the Cheese Wagon, LOL.

Have a great day.

Good Morning!

Of all days my DD's boss chose yesterday to change their schedule. His wife is a teacher, so he adjusted all their schedules to more closely match hers. Now he wants them to work 7-3. Which for him is easy, his wife gets the kids ready, and takes them when she goes to work, AND he lives 3 miles from work. For Manda that means leaving home at 6 AM. So, she plans to discuss it with him today whether it works or not.....in the meantime, she brought Kinsey here to catch her bus, which she did without issue. She had to cross the street to get on, and she listened very closely and followed the drivers instructions to a T! Hoping she makes the day, I kind of expect to get a call, she did not have fever this morning, but complained of a headache. We decided it would be better to try, not develop the stay home for any reason thing early!!!

She is just going to catch the bus here after school as well. If Manda's hours stay changed, it will only be for an hour or so, because she gets out at 2:30....they staggered the start schedule for this year, and Kinsey catches the bus for Kindergarten at 7:05 AM!!! The high school kids don't start til 9!!! Crazy....I went to get dressed this morning, and she went back to sleep. Manda put her to bed at 8:30. Looks like it will have to be moved up. She also went to sleep yesterday during quiet time.....this kiddo likes to sleep!!! LOL

Laundry is going....boy we had a ton of it! I have bags to unpack and camping totes to organize and put away....and like Kinsey, all I want to do is go back to sleep!!!

We went to Outback for dinner last night. My brother showed up as we were about to leave, and by the time we got to Olive Garden there was a wait, and I wanted to eat before it got late....if I don't....I reflux. We always order a blooming onion, I know they are horrible for you, but we love them!!! And then we share a meal.....Neither one of us was able to finish our part of our dinner.... plus there was half an onion left, half the bread.....how did we used to BOTH eat that much food????? I saw a picture of Rick at his sisters on the way home, taken several years ago, and could not believe it was him!! He was so heavy! I honestly do not ever remember "seeing" him that heavy! I know it was in comparison to me...I mean even at that weight, he seemed smaller because I was so much bigger....but OMG I do not remember that! It felt like an out of body experience!!! I see it now, I did not then!!! He has lost 30 pounds since I have been banded.....I see the difference clearly in the picture. Now you would think it would spur me on to lose them myself to see the difference. I ate a cookie for breakfast......I am ashamed of myself!!!

Time to change loads of laundry.....see y'all later!!!

Ok, She's officially a Big Girl now. Good thing- there were no tears. But I wonder how much sugar she had eaten, she was all hyped up. Too excited. It was funny.

Jen, glad you had such a wonderful weekend, whether it's the "end" or not, I am glad you enjoyed your time. I think George has been good for you. And maybe the "Plan" was for him to just be passing thru at this time. He's what you needed right now to help heal you and get you on your feet emotionally. Cherish the memories and take the lessons learned. Hugs, my friend!

Kat, bummer about Manda's schedule! Yuck! Sorry Kinsey might be coming down with something. Hopefully it's just passing thru and she's alright. My DD is going to have a shocker next year when she's gotta be at the bus at 7whatever! Actually, mama is too! :smile2: We are not morning people!!!!

Suz, love the pics of Abby's first day!!! She is adorable!! Glad you got to be involved in that!

Tracy, fingers crossed!

Fence guys are back. Stringing fence. It's so close! If they aren't done today, then they will be tomorrow. They've got some sloping to contend with. They spent all day on the front part, yesterday alone! That part includes a gate and a short run UP a hill. Glad they were fooling with it and not me!

DH went in to work this AM for overtime. His engine is gone to Nevada so he's covering the back-up engine. There is a fire 2 counties south of us that they are worried about. Seems with this hot spurt of weather, things are starting to burn. It's been a VERY quiet season so far but things might start hoppin' now as it stays hot and gets dryer. We had such a wet winter.

Hope y'all have a wonderful day!

Hey Tracy PM me your new address again, I have your Sturgis shirt ready to go, but am concerned I don't have the right address......

Heya Plain---I see you! Hope all is improving in your world!!

Hiya Kat!! Sounds like you had a great time!! As for my life.....well.....I'm hanging in there.

Hey Tracy PM me your new address again, I have your Sturgis shirt ready to go, but am concerned I don't have the right address......

Heya Plain---I see you! Hope all is improving in your world!!

HAHA...and I did not even see this. Great minds think alike!

Hi everyone! Still have not heard anything but I started applying at lots of other places. Lit a fire in me to try to get out of the house. I know it will help me mentally AND physically.

I read everything that you all said BUT, I am under the influence right now (painkillers) and I can not remember what everyone said! Sad, huh? Well, this did not help...we went to the grocery store and i was listening to macy with my head turned and I rammed my knee into a trailer hitch on a truck. Needless to say...it hurt like the dickens....

Have a great night everyone! :smile2:

Jen-thinking of you sista!

Tracy, when it rains it pours??????? Poor knee, hope it gets to feeling better fast. And don't stress about the job, it will come when you are really ready for it.

I got called into work for the morning. I have to get up at 5:30 to go in and work a 2 hour shift. Oh well, at least I will have the rest of the day off.

Hi everyone.

Good evening

Kat, you are so right about the depression and to tell you all the truth I really bring all of this crap on myself. I know that I am a fat girl but then who brings the dang twinkies into the house.......me!

I have a question for you very intelligent ladies. I had a fill under fluoro 2 weeks ago by a new provider as their fills with the fluoro is only $40 more than the blind fills I was getting from a doctor. The fluoro did show that I had great restriction and I had to beg to get the .2cc fill. I have a total of 1cc in a 4cc band. Had I not seen this for myself I would have thought these ladies were crazy. Now my problem is I feel I have nothing in my band, I can eat anything including bread without so much as a pause. I really feel I need more restriction even though according to the fluoro I don't. I would really like to know what you all would do in this case.....would you go to the doctor and ask for more fill (blind) or plead with the fluoro ladies to provide more fill. I feel that I have had this band long enough to know what my restriction level is and if I stay where I am at, I feel that I am not using this tool as it was intended.

Again, I am sorry to come in here with all the doom and gloom. I really appreciate all your thoughts; it truly helps to know that I am not fighting this never ending battle alone.

Kat-Your vacation sounds fun. We watch the show on the Discovery Channel (?) about the Buffalo Chip..I think that's the name. I also work with a lady who has a Harley that decided to one year trailer down to Sturgis alone......those were interesting stories.

Suzie-Your niece is adorable. I remember my son's first day of school. I just can't believe the time that has gone by. She is a very lucky little girl to have a great auntie to share her memories with.

Tracy-I swear we must be kindred spirits. You running into the hitch sounds like something I would do. This morning, I dropped my cell phone 3 times on the pavement just trying to get to work. Just keep the positive thinking going for your job endeavors.....something will work out. What is the status on the bypass?

Michelle-Do you have regular contact with hubby when he is out on a fire? We have also had some big fires this season in WA. We actually had 3 state patrol personnel die in a house fire Sunday. The wife was able to make a 911 call but they think then instead of getting out of the house the husband and wife went to the basement (3 story house) to make sure that the 3rd officer (just graduated from the academy) who was temporarily staying with them got out. None of them made it. It is just sickening.

Angela-You really need to post some pictures of your weekend home. It sounds wonderful. Have you had any recent encounters with your neighbor?

Cindy-Do you teach Special Ed? I can't remember. My husband and I always say that the Special Ed teachers are the most down to earth, patient, caring people and truly are a breed of their own. Last school year, my son was a TA for his football coach who is the Special Ed instructor and he absolutely loved the experience. He even volunteered for the Special Olympics committee. He had a great time and really learned alot about himself during this experience.

Okay, it's dinner time, I will be back later.