Feeling lonesome and nobody's here tonight! Where are y'all and what have y'all been up to? I've been hanging around the house today working on the room that is to become my art studio / writer's office in a couple of weeks. I'm finding I'm getting too old to do the things I used to do. Lordy! If I only had a fairy godmother who would hire someone to come in and remodel my house for me. Ah!!! What a dream. Where are my friends from trading spaces? I'm 48 years old and suddenly find it necessary to get this house in order. I want to be able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labor when I get to the golden years when I can't remodel anymore. I want to write and paint on canvas not strip floors and paint walls!!! Alas, homes are a never ending remodeling project I'm afraid. I'm always changing the colors of my walls! Peggy B.

mmmmm.....pizza! My favorite...and something that my pouch tolerates well. (thank God.) Lately, I have been hooked on making pizzas out of english muffins. I buy the whole grain (7 grain or something) english muffins. I take half of one and toast it. Then I literally smu**** flat with the palm of my hand. I use store bought sauce and top it with a layer of pepperoni, a layer of mozz cheese, and then another layer of pepperoni. Into the toaster oven for about 5-8 minutes on 350 and, a sprinkle of parm cheese on top and VIOLA'! A yummy, gastric bypass surgery sized pizza for one! Lizzie

Shelly, I feel the same way as you. Some people think surgery is the easy way out, it's not. It's the only thing that would and could help some of us. I always thought that way, that I could lose weight by diet and exercise alone. I realized I couldn't and that surgery would help me because I would be healthier, happier. Some people I know accept it and others say I took the easy way out. I may have but I'm healthier and happier for having it done. It is a constant struggle to make sure we try to get in all our protein or liquids, remember to take vitamins, calcium, etc... It is for me as alot of times I forget. I go to Curves and we get measured monthly and I am the biggest loser at the club and I have a GOLD STAR with my name on it. Some of the members say I don't deserve it because I cheated by having gastric bypass surgery. I tell them I didn't cheat. I told them that me having the surgery was the only way I was going to get to live a normal life, get my health back and do things I couldn't be able to before. I may have been able to diet and exercise but it may have taken me years and I would have developed some of the health problems that can be associated with obesity. Heck, I was borderline diabetic before surgery. I also told the women at Curves, that all the health problems I had, have now gone away because I had the surgery. They still don't like the idea, but I said to them don't give a flying F_ _ _ K, what you think. I did what I thought was best for me and I'd do it again if I had to. Some people are so unsensitive when it comes to saying things about it. I try to ignore it as best as I can, and I take from who it came from. It's not worth it to me anymore to hear what someone says about surgery. They tend to think they are know-it-alls. Sorry this is so long, I could go on forever. I love to write and try to give feedback as best as I can, although I ramble and sometimes don't make sense, but I wouldn't be me if I didn't put in my 2 cents. Love ya Lisa J. in Mass

I hear ya Violet. It is hard work afterwards, and I too have to work for it, the honeymoon is over...LOL!! Thanks!

My Doc gives me Glycolax powder that you just put in water,coffee or tea. And it keep me regular,plus milk of mag before bed always works......and its hard for natural remedy,but the glycolax is no a laxative it adds water to your stool and keeps you norm, so thats what i have been using.............you look great by the way!!!!! vickie r.