Kathleen, It must be hard for you to lose all that weight and not have your main support person with you. Any change is stressful and it sounds like your husband is really missing you too. I guess from that far away it's easy to feel a little jealous. Do you have to wait until next year to see him? Just think how much you will be able to enjoy his retirement now...You've opened up a whole new world for the two of you. Hang in there. Fran

WAYYYYY TOOO GOOOOO, CHRISTI!! You're awesome! Doesn't it feel great to be able to do the things we so dreaded or couldn't do before? I know how wonderful it feels to me just to be able to tie my shoes without turning purple, but it's AMAZING to be able to out-walk my husband and sons! Congratulations on your victory!! You're an amazing woman! Keep up the GREAT work! Have a nice Memorial Day, eveyone and may God bless our servicemen/women for helping to protect our freedoms and improve the freedoms of others! Brenda

My husband is ex-Army and we did the separation tours too. I understand completely how you feel about only wanting the attention from your husband. I've even told my husband the same thing. I've told him that I like it when any body - man or woman - tells me I look nice but I LOVE it when it comes from him. Hang in there. Like Brenda said - you are both heroes. You know it takes a lot of courage and faith - both for the one leaving and the one left behind. I sincerely hope that all goes well and that the time goes by fast until he can be home with you again. I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

Ohhhhhhhh myyyyyyy!! Let me say first, you're within the normal range for emotions over the attention from men, that's for sure. I know it's flattering to see a man's head turn after all the years of putting up with under-their-breath nasty remarks from lots of people. I also know there are women out there who DO go looking (married or not) for the attention from men that they have never had (or haven't had for many years) and for them, that's ok (at least the single ones LOL)...as for me??.....I don't want anyone's attention but my husband's. He's been my support for 14+ years in ALL areas of life, not just with my weight issues. I love him more than life and would die for him in less than a heartbeat. Kathleen, I can NOT imagine being separated from my better half for a year at a time! I commend you for your strength and endurance through it all! YOU ARE AN AMAZING WOMAN---WAAAAAAY BEYOND THE WEIGHT LOSS! I will pray for you and your family that your husband comes home sooner than expected, ready to take his amazingly beautiful wife on countless dates! I pray also that he doesn't let his insecurities get the better of him. Please tell him this for me.... "Mr. Kathleen--your wife is AMAZING and she loves YOU..and now she loves herself more too! Please be gentle with yourself and with her--this is new to both of you, but it doesn't have to be a stressor. She didn't have the surgery to become a sexy diva who wants anyone else. SHE WANTS YOU....home...safe, sound and secure. Bring yourself home to her as soon as humanly possible, and things will be ok. And one more thing, Mr. Kathleen---THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY...YOU'RE A HERO!!" As for the situation with your daughter and grandbaby....I know much of what you're going through emotionally with that. I'm suffering through similar stuff with our oldest son (age 17--18 on June 15th). I've decided to turn him over to God and just pray through it. My grandbaby, however....when he/she arrives....I'M SPOILING THAT CHILD WITH ALL THE LOVE I'VE GOT IN ME! LOL Gee, do I sound like a grandma? You're in my prayers ALWAYS. I love you and your beautiful spirit! Brenda

Ok. Here is my gripe session ladies. Sorry...gotta get it off my chest. Just quit reading if you do not like it lol. My hubby is gone for one year (active Duty Army Korea for the third damn time). Last time I saw him was in February. I am 4 lbs. from MY personal goal weight now, 6 lbs. under my Dr. goal weight. I am starting to get some attention from men, which is totally weird, and I know u all know what I mean. Brenda, you had mentioned something about getting looks and stuff too. BUT the only man I want attention from I cannot get and it is frustrating lol! I sent him pictures and now he is talking about how good I look and how I will get a new man and ughhhhhhh... I do not want to do that. Been married 21 years for goodness sake! I just want my husband here. I know he cannot be, and I need to just get over it and move on. I just wish he could be here to see me healthy, and strong, you know? I know I am a total selfish b@@$%! Next year he is retiring so I can do this. I actually have a friend who told me I should go out and have fun and explore, can u believe that? NOT. This whole situation is just really weird, and one thing I never expected from this surgery. Anyone else go through this? I mean, my hubby is really insecure and it bothers me. Just because you get thinner does not mean u become some hoochie mama right? Thanks for listening to this wacked out old broad my friends. Have a wonderful day, and thanks for letting me vent. I cannot eat out my frustrations anymore (well I can but I dump lol), so I guess u get to hear it here. LOVE TO ALL, and I appreciate you!