I've been meaning to check in for such a long time, but decided today to sit down and say hello.  After reading about Donna, I realized I need to keep in touch with friends while I can.   I've been gone for so long that I don't know who will remember me and who won't.  Being more mobile, I haven't been stuck at home on the computer so I'm so behind with my emails!  I've been thinking about you all even if I haven't been here.   I had my WLS on August 25th, 2005.  I lost half my weight and stopped.  My doctor had said if I lost half the weight, he would consider it a success.  When I stopped losing, I felt like a failure and then I gained some and now I'm trying to lose the weight I gained.  Weight problems are always going to be an issue, but I was able to leave the walking cane off and no longer have to use a wheelchair at Wal-Mart so I feel VERY successful!  I am still in pain 24/7 from the fibromyalgia and arthritis, but it is manageable.  Every single pound left with a struggle...it was never easy, even at first.  I had to starve myself even to lose slowly, but I was ABLE to lose, which I had not been able to do before WLS.    I am keeping busy, selling jewelry at home shows (like Tupperware parties, but more fun since it's jewelry and everyone loves jewelry and Christmastime is coming up!)  I have always loved jewelry and anything sparkly and I love making new friends, giving away free jewelry and having fun!    Those *****member me remember how I used to brag on my nephew.  Well, he blessed me with a great niece last year and I am so much in love with this little baby!  She looks so much like her mommy and daddy and is so precious!   Since losing weight, I have been able to work in my yard some and am planting shrubbery, etc. and plan on having a huge garden next year, with every kind of hot peppers imagineable so I can make and sell hot pepper sauce.   I went to my 30 year high school reunion last month.  Even though I was still about 100 lbs. heavier than high school, I felt more confident and it was wonderful!  I had a blast and people were talking about not wanting to wait another 10 years to have a reunion and I opened my big mouth and said, "Why don't we have an annual picnic at my house?!"  Oh my.  I may have bitten off more than I can chew on that one!  However, I'm sure some of my classmates will help and it will be fun!  Hopefully it won't rain that day!  LOL  I have my family reunion here every year so I'm sure one more party won't be too much.    I am having a Christmas jewelry party here in December (anyone wanna come?) so looks like my house is becoming party central!  Woohoo!  I love having parties.  Don't like cleaning up beforehand, but it's all worth it once guests arrive!    I am still love, love, loving my house and am trying to decorate it up the way I want.  I will see something on HGTV and then will start decoupaging walls, putting down tiles and then will stop and do something else, never finishing what I've started.  Luckily, it's not a rental house or I would get in trouble with the landlord!  I have walls partially painted, floors partially finished, etc., etc., etc., but I'm having fun.  I still don't have any extended energy so I can do just enough to get me in trouble!   I just did something major!  I got 19" cut off my hair!  I got a 17" ponytail cut off and then another couple of inches off to shape it up so now I've got a totally different look.  Since I'm selling jewelry, I needed something more professional looking.  I was walking around looking like a middle-aged treehugger (which is basically what I am,) but really needed to look more polished.     It has finally cooled off a wee bit and we are heading into my favorite season...autumn!     I am really doing well for the most part, still have a lot of issues with food, relationships, etc., but I'm dealing with it all for the most part.  Still have good days and bad days, but my worst day now is better than my best day before WLS.   I love you all! Joni   

Oh Joni...It is so GREAT to hear from you.  Let me tell you something you sweet lady...there are NO failures here and you are definitely a success.  We ALL are!!!!  I sure have missed you so.  Please please please stay here and let us hear from you.  I love me some jewelry.  Where will your party be?  Maybe I could get that way if nothing gets in the way.  AGain, it is so great to hear from you.  Please do not be a stranger.  I love you, Joni!!!

Thanks Carmen!  I was hoping people would remember me and post! 

My party will be here in Sheffield...2309 E. 14th Ave., December 7th. at 2pm.

Everyone is invited!

It would be so great to see people!

Love,
Joni

Joni,

It is so good to see you posting. I have missed hearing about your hobbies & all of the interesting things you used to share with us on here. More times than not, you had me laughing & looking foward to your next post.

Keep posting!

Lisa!  So good to see you here!  I do have me some hobbies!  Jill of all trades, master of none!  I am trying to narrow them down and be passionate about just one.  But there is so much in life to be interested in!

I am truly going to try to keep posting. 

Love,
Joni

Hello Joni!

I am sooooo glad to see you here!  It was so good to "talk" with you the other day!  You know every time I see a police officer a smile comes on my face and I immediately think of YOU!  I look forward to hearing from you more often!  Maybe I can hook up with Carmen and we can come to one of your shows!

Love ya!

Hi Becky!  I LOVE this place!  I had forgotten that I could post a letter and would get replies almost immediately from all over the place!  Treasured friends! 

I would love for you and Carmen and EVERYONE to come to one of my shows!  I'm hoping to sell enough jewelry so I can buy a dependable car and then I can take the show on the road and get around more.  In the meantime, my car is getting around in this area although I am just waiting on it to strand me on the highway.  

You're so funny!  I waved at a policeman the other day and thought that you and Sarah would roll your eyes if you saw me!  LOL  I've sworn off romance, but I still like to look!  (I saw my Antonio on TV the other day, by the way.)

Love,
Joni Banderas 

Joni..
Good to see you. I miss you around here!!

Hi Renee!  I miss you too!  I may see you at the Renaissance Faire here in October though, huh?

Love,
Joni

Yep, I will be there!!