Cross-post, long...sorry

Being a drizzly Sunday morning with the house all cozy and peaceful and the family sleeping snugly in their beds, I feel very blessed and grateful. My protein shake is by my side and in the oven is a nice breakky for the family when they wake. It has been a very busy week and I haven't had the energy to check in here with my OH pals as often as I'd like, I miss you! Hope you are all having a good weekend too in whatever you are doing. I am nearing completion of our pantry addition to the kitchen and feel so happy and proud that my husband and I accomplished this. It is a huge gift of love from him since he hates anything carpentry and he made it just for me. If the paint dries on time it should be completely done this evening. And a nice side benefit...it gives me a 4 foot upper cabinet free to devote to my own weight loss products and tools. How pampered am I? LOL So...this past Thursday was my six-month post-op appointment which I was rather concerned about after reading about anemia symptoms here on the mb. However, in addition to being very pleased with the doctor's scale (it read 150 which made it exactly an 80# loss since surgery!!!) ALL my labs came back either good or excellent. Dr. Rawlins wasn't rushed during the appointment either and took a lot of time asking and answering questions. I wish that all of you could have such wonderful experiences with your surgeon and his support team, it makes such a difference. So now after a weekend of hard work I am down to 148 and am 3# away from goal. It is rather mind-boggling for me since I never put any kind of time expectation on my weight loss. I never really even considered weight loss to be truthful...I was really and truly focusing on getting my health back and just let myself know that the weight loss would be a nice side benny. See how nutty I am about not jinxing myself after the vbg failure? That's not to say that I'm not paying attention to the numbers on the scale now... I've shifted my personal goal to 140 so that I'll have a 5# slide-factor. My daughter is visiting this weekend so maybe she will take some new pictures of me. I knew that it was time to get a new avatar (even though that is still the woman I see in the mirror) when a new friend from the WA board didn't recognize me in Dr. Rawlin's office. Thank you for all the months and months of loving support you have all provided and I hope to be able to give back to you the way you have so generously given to me. Molly

How fantastic you're doing, Molly! Isn't is great to go to the doctor's office and get good news! I'm about to hit my PA with a bomb on Friday when I go in. I want to know what we need to start doing NOW, to prepare for trying to get pregnant in 6-10 months. I know that folic acid needs to be upped, and I'm sure she'll have some other recommendations. It's great that your pantry is almost done. It's so good to have a space that is all yours, and you can put your things in, and not have to worry about someone coming along and snagging something that looks good to them. I have a designated shelf in the frige, a space in the freezer, and two different cupboard shelves. If anyone wants anything they see in those areas, they have to come ask. I'm willing to share my Crystal Lights, my fruit, and a few other things. Then there are some things that are just a tad too pricey to feed to hubby and brother. The best gift I've gotten since surgery was the George Foreman Generation X grill with the changeable plates. I use that thing for EVERYTHING! So happy to hear that you're doing well. The avatar will change and probably be like when I changed mine the first time, and no one knew it was me. LOL I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for it!

Wow, the George Foreman grill WAS a nice gift! Like you there are certain things that i readily share with the family. We are all healthier eating lower-calorie selections and that is worth the money but then there are those things that they wouldn't appreciate like us anyway and like you said, too pricey to feed everybody. The little amounts we eat make it a lot more affordable, too. In the fridge I have a little plastic crate with my pre-measured babyfood jars and some of my low-fat cheeses. The family has been so wonderful not eating it. It isn't so horrible going to the doctor now, is it? I got a huge kick out of him telling me I need to eat more. ME??? LOL!!! Molly

Molly: Congratulations! 3# is a great # to work toward.... Megan

ALMOST TO GOAL!!! wooo hoo for you. That is great Molly, so very proud of you. I am still putttering along but I will get there. Congrats on that huge milestone!!! Erin