Dearest Diane, We have all missed and hoped you were OK. I welcome you back and hope everybody will put in their input to how we missed you. ((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))))) to you and your wonderful and thoughtful work to those who needed you. You are a superb person and very unselfish for stopping your life with your family and helping others. God Bless you and the will watch over you girl Lorraine

I didn't make any resolutions I hate disspointing myself! But I think this will be a great year (keeping my fingers crossed anyways) I am having my last bit of plastics Jan26th.....the issues I had before with my TT have been fixed, and I am feeling a little better about that. I am back to college (feel weird about that......But I am gonna stick with it) I just hope to make this a great year......I surpassed my surgeons goal some 20lbs ago....but never made it to my personal goal weight....if I make it there I will be thrilled.....but I am going to QUIT being upset/depressed about what I haven't done.....and be proud and accepting of what I HAVE done! Best of luck with your resolutions....I hoep this year is great for all of us Take Care Jesi

Diane, How are you doing? I have missed you so much. Most of us here are at some time asking about you. You are a true I am glad you are safe and sound. Lets start with your Angel Wisdom again Ok? When I put up my Christmas Angels this year, I thought of you. Lorraine Hugs to an (((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))

So sorry to keep everyone in suspense.... As some of you may know I went to LA. to help with the Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina survivors. I was deployed for a total of 8 days at the begining of Sept. I have to say it was the most spiritual experience I have ever had. I worked in Baton Rouge at the Southern University "mini dome" arena, where over 500 survivors were housed. I did not venture out into the most affected areas, but the devastation was everywhere. I heard the most uplifting, and at the same time tragic stories. I met the most wonderful people, most were full of hope for a better future. I watched as families re-united, new life was born, and sadly one death. I met a couple from Baton Rouge on the plane over, they invited me to have dinner with them to show their appreciation for what I was doing...complete strangers. They were wonderful people and their southern cooking (creole) was to die for. I knew nothing about southern culture when I got to LA. and left feeling like I've lived there my entire life. I wish California had that ole' "southern hospitality." It was hard for me to keep up with eating properly while there. I had a few low blood sugar crashes and ended up a few times in the nurses unit getting treated. It was very hard for me to take care of myself when so many others needed basic everyday things that we all take for granted. I stayed in a shelter, exactly the same as the survivors, I slept on a cot and ate mostly high carb snack foods. My day started at 6am and ended at 8:30 pm. I was exhausted most of the time but the rush of a new day kept me going. Coming home was another story, the Red Cross warned about the high possibility of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to the devastating events you would here and see while deployed. Much like combat when your taken out of your element and thrust into an unknown highly charged enviroment your mind and body go into complete survival mode. I had no family I could call ,my phone never worked the whole time I was there, I relied solely on the support of complete strangers, which was fine. Thank God there were so many great people I now call my friends. But not realizing it while going through such an event and being constantly on and charged took alot outta me. I had a few nightmares about hurrricanes, even though i was not in the actual hurricane, just hearing the stories over and over and seeing how this devastating event changed so many lives, it affected me. When I came home it took a little while to re-adjust. I had actually felt bad for leaving LA. when so much more work needed to be done, so many more people needed me. That is still hard for me. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The low-blood sugar crashes, the slight P.T.S.D., the high-carb snacks as meals....I would do it all again. Why? because it is God's work and those are God's children. And...at the end of everyday I felt proud to be a part of making someones life better. I quit my job at the end of Nov., I still work-out, am still going to school, and still have a mound of issues with my blood sugar..... any advise would be great. My husband and son's are (for the most part) doing good. My current weight is 180 lbs. Hugs to all~ Hope y'all had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all the best New Year!! Diane

Hi there Sunny! Good Question. I am having so much trouble with my knees. My Ortho Dr seems to think I need total knee replacement. I think Nursing has killed my knees including the weight also. 1) I promise to stop snacking. I have put on a few pounds,which my Dr says is fine. I watched Al Roker the other day who has gained alot since his WLS, and I vow not to let that happen. 2) I promise to drink more water. 3) I promise to get on my bike and ride more. 4) I promise to try to look ahead and not focus so much on the terrible times I am having with my daughter. I need to let go and let her come my way. Have a great day Lorraine