I am working on a holiday project for Marine Recruits who are sick or injured and having to spend time in Medical Rehab Platoon. Many of the recruits don't know if they will get sent home or they will get to see their dream come true. Below is a letter if you can read it and help out that would be great. Thanks, Jenn I am with a group call Marine Moms Online (MMO). We are an Internet support group for thousands of families of the Marine Corps. Each holiday season we turn our attention to sick and injured recruits at the Training Depots in both San Diego and Parris Island. These young men and women, approx 750, have been removed from regular training and will be in the Special Training Company (STC) over the holiday season. On Christmas morning MMO delivers a patriotic holiday stocking to each of these recruits. The stockings are filled with items that have been donated from various sources. In the stockings the recruits receive phone cards, envelopes, stamps, note pads and pens. But the key "gift" in this stocking is a bundle of letters that we collect from children all over the country. Last year each recruit had 12 letters in their stocking. That is over 8000 letters! Our goal is to bring cheer to these special recruits on Christmas Day and to show them how much we support them and stand behind their determination to become a United States Marine. And you can be part of that impact - in a very simple way! Would you please help by collecting letters and/or drawings from children of all ages? The subject can be patriotic, holiday wishes, or even a simple thank you for serving our county. It can be from schools, Sunday schools, clubs, and just your own kids. The end result is letters. However you decide is the best way for your class or school to participate is greatly appreciated. Following are simple guidelines for the letters. - Notes, letter, pictures and cards accepted. - Salutation should be "Dear Recruit" - Envelope for each letter/drawing is not necessary - send it all in one package to the address below. - NO personal return addresses. - Mark the back of each note with a classroom sticker or stamp with the school address, if they desire possible responses from recruits. Please mail your letters to arrive by November 20, 2006 to this addresses: MMO Holiday Project c/o The Avery's 2403 West Sunnyside Ave Visalia CA 93277 Thanks in advance for your support of our project. We can make the Christmas season just a little better for these recruits who SO desire to serve our country. Sincerely, Jennifer Avery P.S. You can view photos from past visits at this website: http://marinemomvisits.com

Okay, today I received my annual enrollment packet from Micron and am insane with freaking anger that the Micron team members who live in Minnesota are having weight loss surgery added to their policies!!! Why don't they do that here? Can I go to the company with this and will it do me any good? I am so disappointed I can hardly stand it. Thanks, Kelli

Hi Michelle, I realize that your post was made some time ago, but I just saw it while searching for something else online so I thought I'd see if I could still be of any help. There are a few support groups in and around Boise, as well as a terrific message board for banster support which has an ever-increasing group of folks from the Boise area. We keep each other informed of local bandster activities as well as meet and support other bansters from around the world. Check it out at: band2gether.net (you will need to respond to the activation email in order to post on the boards, let me know if you have any questions about how to post there) Here's the information on the local support groups: St. Alphonsus Lap-Band Support Group 2nd Tuesday of every month 7:00-8:30 p.m. New Centennial Structure located north of Liberty Medical Building on Hartman Street (white tent in parking lot behind St. Al's) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Living With the Band Support Group October 19th, Thursday, 7-8:30 pm St. Al's (same white tent building that the seminars and other support groups are in) Facilitators: Debra Shell, RN (Dr. Cahn's nurse) and Richard Froshiesar Guest speaker: John Creech, Certified Personal Trainer from Idaho Athletic Club, will be sharing about the importance of excercise during weight loss and giving tips for proper workout plans and goals, as well as coupons for free physical evaluations by John at Idaho Athletic Club. Activities: Clothing swap -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Idaho Bandsters Monthly Dinner October 26th, Thursday, 6pm Goodwood BBQ by Edwards Theater on Overland Rd/Interstate Goodwood has a nice selection of bandster friendly foods, so bring your tiny appetites and your spouses or significant others and join us for a relaxed evening of friendship and bandster support! Note: The Idaho Bandsters have a Yahoo group where a lot of this information is sent out via email. It never hurts to broaden the scope of support, so check it out at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/IdahoBandsters/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Angie my name is Julie and I live in Idaho Falls. I had surgury on Feb 6th 2006. I have done very well since surgury. I am down 125 lbs. It has started to really slow down so I am looking to up my excersize regimin to get it jump started again.. Have you had surgury?????

Jeff - You have done fantastic and look awesome! Keep up the good work... Isn't Dr. Oakley wonderful?! Michelle