Great Night!

I want to thank everyone who attended the Hamden meeting and came out for dinner at TGIFs. I had a great time. Its wonderful how well I have come to know you from these boards. You all feel like family. I met Cheryl K.--and we walked the track for about a mile..and then Tara joined us for another half mile. Then we headed to the meeting. It was good to see Debby Marcus again...(hang in there PAL) and meet Julie (you look terrific) and her brother, as well as Peter (thanks for keeping us laughing) and Melissa. I fianlly got to meet Tara after all these months...she looks wonderful! Can't wait to see Tara's pictures from dinner! Peter--kept us all pretty entertained...I told him he looks taller than in his picture.. The meeting was ok...lots of lap banders..but worth going to again. The meetings are the first and third Mondays of the month. Oh..just in case the gang was wondering..I found my kids! My 11yr old was at a sleepover and the 16 yr old was home watching TV. Thanks again! Hugs Joanie

I had a blast! It was so great to meet you all in person. You are right though, it's like family here, you learn some pretty intimate details about others through this message board. Wonderful to put a face with the text and personality! Peter is hilarious. When we were going around the room, he stood up and said "My name is Peter and I've been sober for 4 days". The entire room was cracking up!! Peter's daughter is wonderful as well! Julie's picture does her NO justice! Julie's brother, Mike, is extremely nice and seemed to get some good information from the meeting. Cheryl is NOT as shy as she claims to be! Debby is awesome and I can't wait to see everyone again on the 20th. Thank you Joanie and Debby for getting all of us together. I will get the pictures up during the day, so keep checking this thread - I will post them here. Tara

Here are the pictures: http://del-pro.com/~smooo/album/oh/index.htm

It was a good meeting. I do have to say that it is a very different format than what we have at Middlesex Hospital, but the food afterwards sure was good! Other than the cafateria, there is NOTHING right around the hospital. That's why we go to Cromwell. Tara, you are taller than your picture too!!! And yes.... definitly a fox Julie, glad you are on the mend from last weeks problems. You look like you are doing great. Joanie, thanks for getting us together. I had fun. Hey... wait a minute! I always have fun BTW, you don't look taller than your picture I'm still trying to figure out where I know Cheryl from. Even Melissa says she looks familar, So two of us could be wrong, but the odds are against it. Deb, your laughter is wonderful. I hope your eval goes well today. Maybe you should NOT use my name with Dr. Kim. She might think you ARE crazy after all Melissa, you...... Oh. I can just tell you since you were home last night. We'll have to try this again next month. In the meantime, there is the meeting at On the Border on the 20th. Since no one sat on my lap last night, I'll just have to wait until then Peter

Peter, Peter, Peter...Cromwell??? There are tons of places to go after a meeting in Middletown...and I'd join you at any of them! Any time you wan to do a similar thing in Middletown, I'm there man. In the immediate hospital area there are 3 coffeehouses, 1 Thai Restaurant, at least 4 Italian restaurants, 1 Asian fusion restaraunt, 2 Mexican restaurants...and a few others that I am sure I'm forgetting. All of this just two blocks up the road on Main street in Middletown. P.S. What are those girls thinking...NO ONE sat on your lap? Sheesh- those girls don't know a good opportunity when it hits them on the head! Don't worry- Deb M and I will be competing for lap space on the 20th! Hugs, Lisa

First of all, isn't anything that is referred to in the measurement of "tons" and WLS patients a conflict of terms????? Well, pick a place and we'll live with it for next Monday. The reason for Ruby Tuesday's or 99 Rest. is that they provide lots of parking, usually handle moderate groups without a panic, have a variety of foods to suit anyone taste, and don't try to cram us in a booth for 4 people My personal preference is Mexican, but I eat anywhere and anything. First and Last has had lousy parking in the past. Are they any better?? Tuscant Grill I have heard of, but never ate there. Joanne did pre-op and was not overly impressed. But, I will go anywhere. Lead... I will follow BTW, you don't have to compete. There is more than enough room for you and Deb on the 20th. Peter

Hey There.. I had a wonderful time too.. walking with joanie and tara was great. we got to know each other a little better. then at the meeting i met debby marcus and i really hope things work out for her and health net it can be so stressful, she is a great lady with a laugh that is contagious. OK so i have to admit peter you and melissa DO look familiar to me too but i just cant figure out how considering we live so far apart. i will have to think somemore. julie you looked fantastic and good luck with your new job. oh yeah tell your brother good luck with his lasik surgery. And then Tara, she is as funny and outgoing in person as she is online. and yes i am shy until i get to know you.. and i guess i was comfortable because besides the fact i never "met" any of you i felt like i knew you already from the board. i cant wait now for the 20th to see everyone again. tara- the pictures came out great... Cheryl K

Hi all! I'm envious. It sounds like you all had a great time. I look forward to meeting alot of you on the 20th. My hubby is coming too. Carolyn

I showed Joanne your picture also, and even she said you look familar! Now, definitly, you are the stuff dreams are made out of, but I would seriously doubt that it would bew the same in Joanne's and Melissa's dreams too So, somewhere, somehow, but this darn CRS!!!!!!! Peter ps. CRS= Can't Remember S*** (or stuff for the pg rated crowd)

Joanie -- Sounds like a great time was had by all! I'm jealous!!! By the way, I looked at the pictures & have to say you look downright petite!!! Things are definitely going your way. Congrats!! Have a lovely day! Kathy F.