I'll show you mine if you show me yours...

It was great reading about each of you. I am glad to know you girls a little bit better. Well, here's my story--rather long but hopefully not too boring. *Who am I? I am 29 years old. I have been married to my sweetie for 5 years. I love being married. My husband is a great guy. We also met online through the Yahoo! Personals. It's funny because most of my family (dad included) don't know how I really met him. My mom does and she just told everyone I met him at school . Honestly, finding "the ONE" took me 23 years. I never went out when I was younger (meaning in my teens). I was always home (I lived out in "the country" in a little ranch- I've always lived in Southern California). I think I must of been about 22 when I started going on dates (and I only went on a couple). I am naturally shy. I am reserved and sometimes private. I don't share much about my feelings or problems with my friends because most of the time I am being silly with them or just talking about stuff. I like to listen to my friends problems and give them advice if I have any. I am a hardworking, intelligent, caring and a kind person. I can be little self-centered at times. I do think of ME first a lot. I'm not sure why I do that? Some have said I can be a bit bossy--I guess once you get to know me well these unfavorable traits come out in me. Overall I try to be good and I have always felt like a "goody two-shoes". Never been in a fight with anyone, just arguments oh well except with my siblings which I have 3 of-that was fun. I have never been mean to anyone purposely, and I have never done illegal drugs of any kind. I did drink too much at one time usually on weekends and made an ass of myself several times...I hated that. Glad I don't or can't drink much now. But I do or would enjoy the occasional buzz. *What do I do? I am a substitute teacher. I have been for the last 5 years. Except ever since I began my journey for wls, which started in August of last year, I have not worked consistently. I worked only for a few months of last year and then sorta dwindled down to not working at all. Remember how I was dreading going back to work? Well I never went back. I said "screw it!" I hate substituting--it isn't as rewarding as I thought it was at the beginning. I went to San Diego State University (local campus) for 3 years to get my bachelors and 3 more for my teaching credential. I have a teaching credential but I am not highly qualified. Which explains why for the 3rd year of applying for a full time teaching position I have not been hired. Even though I say I hate teaching now--I'm still going to work on being "highly qualified". I don't want to give up being so close. So anyway, I stay home now. I have applied for several jobs outside of teaching. Social Service Aide, Social Worker I, Eligibility Technician all county jobs but I have only been tested and been interviewed for two BUT no job still. My hubby has a pretty good job. He has been so supportive and understanding of me--thats why I love that man! He hasn't told me a thing since I have stayed home. I sometimes feel bad that he works & works and I do nothing and spend his hard earned money. I'm not even a good cook. He is a custody officer for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. That's where they keep the illegals--its like a mini prison. Next semester he is getting his BA in Criminal Justice--I'm so proud of him! Gee, I could go on and but I better stop now . My hopes and dreams? I just want to have a good paying career one day and together with my hubby buy a brand new custom-made home. Oh and you know what? I'd like to have my home decorated by Candice Olson--from HGTV--she's good! I want to live comfortably without worrying about how I am going to pay the bills or if I have enough money. I want to be able to travel some more--I have been to Dublin & Dingle Pennisula in Ireland, Paris-France, London-Manchester-Liverpool, England in 2000. I want to have children some day--maybe two--but at the same time a part of me (the selfish part) likes being married without kids. I'd like to win the lotto or hit it big at the casino. I want to be thinner and feel good and maybe be a little more outgoing. And that's about it...for now. Until I think of something else... Sorry it's so long...gee I didn't even think I'd write this much. Look at me! Not bad for being the private type...LOL Elisa

BTW...to be a "highly qualified" teacher I must take a 3 part exam (CSET is what it's called) that encompasses all the subjects. So, who cares if I went to college for years...it all comes down to this test. That exam is a toughie...but I ain't giving up! Elisa

" I am naturally shy. I am reserved and sometimes private. " That kinda cracked me up Elisa, cause you certainly don't come off that way here! I'm envious of all the traveling you've already done! TFS! xosm

I knew you weren't going to believe me after writing all that. The traveling thing was years ago. I went with the University I attended. It was a 3 week summer course in British (?) Literature but it sure didn't seem that way-it was way funner and "class" assignments were to visit certain places while visiting each city. Elisa

SO apperently SOME PEOPLE heheehe thought i was old lol and GG 30's are not old your not old. I am 34 and single and where most if you are married believe me life after WLS is so differant for me being single. I am a realtor and a single mom. My son is 11 and awesome. I am gogin through so much that i am sure none of you are going through. DATEING! its weird i have the mind of a fat girl and the body of a not fat girl lol i am currently (there is no real word for what i am doing with this boy so we will say SAILING) lol anyway im "sailing" with this 25 year old (GO ME) and he is a teacher and HOT did i mention HOT and i really like him and very attracted to him did i say he was hot???? lol but he got out of a relationship and i have been single for a while and hey i have baggage and yadda yadda yadda.....anyway long story short dating sux lol i wi**** was easy you are all lucky your married. im going through so many feelings. I cant eat when i am sad any more so i work out lol and shop lol. Some times i wish i had someone who uderstood what it is i am going through i do feel so alone sometimes liek i am 15 and just learning about boys. its differant when your not the fat girl any more. i dont know who i am or who i want to be its kinda scary. I usually am so confidant and even though i am in many ways i just dont knwo what to do when it comes to men. anyway as you can see i am in a mess in my head and learnign who i am. Wish me luck! J

Change your avatar Julie for goodness sakes!!!! LOLOLOL From the reading I've done on OH there are lots of other women and men who've gone thru this process unattached ... try checking out the sex before and after board or maybe there is a meeting people board? Not that you necessarily want to meet a WLSer but it'll be good support to find a buddy to talk out your emerging butterfly feelings with. Good luck! TFS! xosm

Well thank you all for sharing. I am the mother of two, boy 18 and a girl 17. My children are exactly 10 months apart and yes you can do that. I was 24 when I had my boy and 25 when I had my girl. I am now 42 yrs old. I have 7 brothers and 1 sister. I worked as a Certified Nurses Assistant for years. And my last job was in a factory. It shut down so I went back to school and received my Associate in Science and arts. Jack of all Trades degree is what I call it. Master of none. I have know for about 10 years that someday I would have to have back surgery. It was broke as a small child and never healed right, but me and the doc put it off for as long as I could. I had it repaired last year. And they then decided I needed to get the weight off of it also, so WLS was done in Feb. So I have drqwed disability for about two years now. I hope to be able to return to work soon. I just got engaged today to a man I lived with for five years!! WOW!! I am a little excited about that. My dream right now is to get myself in shape so that I can return to work somewhere. I still havent decided what I want to be when I grow up. lol. I have enjoyed these last few years just staying home and taking care of the house and kids, and grandchildren and Bob. Bob is a great man I would not have been able to stay home and take care of myself to have done this surgery and my back surgery without his help. But he does enjoy me making his mmeals and doing the Womenly chores. And you know before I always worked and took care of the kids house and everything myself. I lived alone for 10 years. So it has been an experience for me to learn to rely on a man. love marie

Marie, TFS! Congratulations on your engagement! How exciting! xosm

I'm gonna play in a few days, so keep the post open for me. Been working 12 hour shifts. My tounge is stuck to the roof of my mouth and I'm trying to pry it off with a protein drink *sigh* Thought for the day... Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup. Gosh

.... still waiting on ya! xosm