Tuesday Roll Call

 Good Morning Everyone,
First I want to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving. Well Wednesday is the day I travel
to see my family for Thanksgiving. I get there before my Mom & Dad and my youngest brother and his kids arrive. they are on the same flight from N.Y. I will have fun and see if any body reconize
me at the airport or just walk past me.

Take Care, 
Steven

Hello everyone

I am wide awake today...I know I will be off for 5 days!!!! Woohoo!!! 

Today after work I have some items to return.  Then I will go see Twilight again!!!  Then pick up some groceries. 

Tomorrow Amanda and I are going to the co-op for their Thanksgiving food.  We aren't sure what they'll have there.  The funny thing is I was planning on surprising her because I found out they are selling pumpkin pie by the slice.  So I thought I would get that and something else for her and take it to work for her to eat.  So I asked her what her hours were and she asked if I could come pick her up and take her to the co-op....hahahah....do I not know he or what!!!

Steven-  Have fun with your family!!!  Make sure you treat yourself a little. 

Well I better go finish getting ready or work.  Have a great day.  Bye

Hi All!
Thought I'd check in (finally) post-surgery Today is my 2 week anniversary, and I feel like I'm doing pretty well. At this point (I can't believe I'm saying this), I'm looking forward to getting back to work on Monday. Tomorrow is my 2 week appointment with the doctor and his crew - and am anticipating him putting me on mushies at that point. We'll see how that goes - at least I'll have a few days to try things prior to going back to work.

My main priority this week is getting in lots of walking, trying to build stamina back up. Yesterday, I took a walk around the park near my house - went about a mile and a half, so feel like I'm getting there.

Have a great holiday week, everyone!

Congrats... I just also had my surgery on the 14th. I am new to this like you. I hope I sound just like you in 2wks.  what have to been eating all liqiuids. have u tried smuchie foods at all? Im still blooded are u?  and how much weight have to you lost if you dont mind me asking?   

Good afternoon Steven and the rest of Illinois!

Sorry I missed you all yesterday, I popped in, but got busy and could not post.

I have a GREAT weekend!  David took me to my favorite sushi place for lunch and the family took me to a great Chinese place for dinner on my birthday.  Saturday, Amber, Riley and I went to Madison to the Holiday ART Show, Trader Joe's and Flat Top.  When we got home, we went over to the neighbor's and SURPRISE!!!!!!!  about 50 friends and family were there to celebrate my birthday.  One of my good friends from Chicago was there and another friend that I have not seen since my 40th birthday!  The second one works very close to me and we are planning lunch dates to get re-aquainted.  THEN!!!!!  Todd got me a KINDLE for my birthday!  this is a big deal because he is a very "practical" guy and would not usually go for something like that.  I DID take it back to get one step up so that it will have Audiobok capability.  The new one will be here next week.  I've waited this long, another week won't hurt.

Steven----have a great time over the Holiday with your family.

I am having LOTs of people over Thursday and I have to work every day BUT Thursday.  I even have to clean the theater tomorrow night, so I am going to start putting things together tonight.

Olivia's school's football team made it to the State Championships and since she is a cheerleader, they are leaving at 10:30 Thursday morning for the Friday morning game.  It is VERY exciting.  David went down when he was a Freshman.  They leave the day before and eat at Home Town Buffet for Thanksgiving, then stay in a hotel.  I have to work Friday, but Todd might go down.  It is in Champaign.

Gotta get back to work!

Have a wonderful day!

Dawn...I love, love, love my Kindle.  I now have about 73 books downloaded on mine.  There are so mnay that are free or $1,2,3...The Kindle is the best invention ever!!!

Good Evening Everyone!

One more day and then I have a day off!    I thought we had Friday off but we don't.    Corporate is closed, the sales reps are off, there are no deliveries and most of our customers are off.  I will spend the day bored to tears.  Why they have the contract side open I will never know.  I understand the need for retail but contract ??????   Nedless to say I will be lucky to have one call every half hour or so.  But if they want to pay me to sit and read a book ,,,,, well, I will.  

Steven, I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family.  I wish I could be a little mouse and watch their reaction when they finally see you and know it is you!  

Crystal,  have fun with Amanda tomorrow.  Just what does a vegan eat at Thanksgiving?  

Karen, welcome to the losers bench!  Glad you are dooing so well.  Dont be in too much of a hurry to introduce full foods.  I was on full liquids for almost 6 months.  It seemed like forever, but I have a cast iron pouch.  Nothing bothers it!  I have never thrown up or dumped.  

Dawn, it sounds like you had a fantastic birthday!  How sweet of Todd to plan a surprise party!  Also you will love your Kindle. 

Everyone have a great Wednesday!  

Nancy- Luckily Amanda's family is Puerto Rican so there's rice and beans (Amanda's favorite) and this other Puerto Rican food they make pastallios....they are really yummy.  They make some for Amanda without meat.  And of course the usuall veggies. 

Hello everyone, Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!!  Ive been lurking around reading alot about the surgery. Found out the Surgeon has all my testing info and they are forwarding it to insurance and once they get it back I should get a call for my surgery date. All kinda bitter sweet, as much as im looking forward to the surgery im starting to get very afraid of the 'what if's".  This is also a hard time of year.. my mom passed away April 16th, 2011 and this is our 1st holiday without her and it is taking its toll on us 7 kids. Part of the reason im pusing the surgery for this year is, I know she wanted me to have it, that she believed in me to become healthy again.  I have so much pressure on me with this and feel like im raising my anxity for no reason.

Sorry for the mumbling, im sure you all understand.  Once again, I hope everyone has a great Holiday and safe in your travels!! 

~Jill

 Jill

Hugs.    I have lost both my parents so I know how hard those  "firsts" can be.  The anticipation is actually worse than the actual day.  Of course you are sad and you miss them dearly.  My dad has been gone 25 years and I still miss him every day.  The holidays are not the same without him but in a way he is always there.  Mom is the same way.  She has been gone 4 years.  

Pre surgery jitters are VERY normal.  You will find yourself questioning your decision many times but I would do it again in a heartbeat.  It took me 5 years to get my head around surgery.  I just kept reminding myself WHY I wanted to have a new life.  

I also understand your sadness about your mom not being alive to see you after your weight loss.  My mom died in October and I had my surgery the following April.  She knew that I was planning it but never got to see the "new" me.  She too was very supportive of me losing weight.  I am just sorry she did not live to see it happen.  Do it in her memory.  

Take time to be with your family during the holidays.  It is important to be with your siblings if possible.  That really helps.  

I will keep you in my prayers.  

Nancy