Hello Family!! Well we've done it! It's almost 2006 and we've been thru good and bad times. But we've been together and it's been so much easier not being alone on our journey. I remember being so scared on my way to the hospital. And all that blended food!!! I got so many of my clothes at thrift shops, vowing I wouldn't spend lots on clothes till I had lost 100 pounds. At one time I had bags of clothes to take to the Goodwill box!! And our hair!! I actually bought a wig!! I looked like a dork!! Little by little I wore longer and longer pants to cover up the hanging skin on my legs. No one except Jim ever sees me undressed.... It is not a pleasent sight!!! I think it's been the most fun I've ever had in my life!! I love my new body and my new energy!! And my attitude is so different! I don't look down when I talk to people. AND my legs don't rub together! So many things..... all of you know ...... Thank's for being there..... Judy

Believe it or not Mary still had a daughter living who is around 65 years old and had a grand daughter and great grand daughter. The activities coordinator is going to find the best picture of Mary and have one made for each of the Aids that work there as I asked her this morning if she had any nice pictures of Mary that I might be able to get copied. What a thoughtful Activities coordinator we have My plan was to get a picture of Mary and I when she turned 103 on January 4th. I told her keep hanging in there Mary until that 103 birthday and she always told me. I only live one day at a time. In all honesty it was best she went as she was starting to feel pain on her side (heart side) and it was her heart giving out. Donna

Loni, Congratulations on your weight loss and your plastic surgery. You'll have to post some pictures of your new tummy so we can all be jealous of how good you look. Melissa

Happy Anniversary Kelly. Congrats on your great success. Glad to hear that all your complications have passed and you are on the path to a long and happy lifestyle. Cheers !!! Happy New Year too !!! Karen G

You're looking good. I also had my surgery by Dr Nye and saw him this past week. My anniversary date was the 23rd and I have lost just at 110 pounds with another 50 to go. Like you, I'm nervous about not reaching my goal before the 18 month "losing" period is up. I've been at the same weight for about a month. Dr Nye says not to worry the weight will come off. The last time I was at a plateau, I went back to the basics.. lots of water.. protein drinks and exercise religiously. Guess that might work again. Let's try. We've come too far to stop trying. I'm so thankful for the surgery.. it has given me hope in so many ways. If it takes a little more hard work to reach goal. I'm game. C'mon girl, we can do it. R.