WHATS HAPPENING WEDNESDAY

Hump day already wow!!! Does it seem like the weeks are just flying to everyone else or is it just me because I'm older??? Lol Well at least my real age is not what my Physical age is. It says im only 55 wow that is 11 years less than I am. Joes says he is 67 isn't that awful . Especially since he is a lot younger than I am. I told him I married him so he could take care of me when I got old and he laughed and said I do the taking care of him now so don't know when that would ever happen , that he would have to take care of me. I hope it keeps going down the more weight I lose lol Maybe I will be down there to where I feel mentally soon. Now I need to get a face lift and will look like I did at that age. I got a box of Carnations in the mail yesterday from Brecks one carnation collection, 18 plants. Of pink, red, red&white, yellow, whit and salmon color I have just the place to plant them . I have a huge big area already of pink ones. They are really pretty when they are in bloom and don't require a lot of care. If you want something that gives you lots of color and not much care and will multiply rapidly then carnations are a good deal. LOL Plant lesson for today Oh and the cold freezing weather didn't affect them in the least. And they come back every year bigger and better than the year before. To keep them blooming all summer you have to keep cutting off the spent blooms. I will be glad when it gets thru with this month so I can get all of my plants in the ground. I will not plant my annuals till May , never have. Too dangerous. Well Sugar will be on her way to St. Louis today sometime to be ready for her cat scan on Thursday morning. Hopefully they will find NO Pockets of Infection and can remove the drain. She has about had it of not going anywhere and feeling so badly. It has been over a month since she has had surgery. Please remember her when you pray. Also remember our Julia I hope she is feeling better and they have gotten the blood clot dissolved and on her way to feeling better. Tammy: You are doing so good on your diet. Keep up the good work, wont be long till you are down to where you need to be for surgery. How do you make SF/FF Yogurt pies. I would really like the recipe It sounds really good. No I haven't heard anything from any of those people you mentioned Some people once they have surgery never come back on the board. That is just how it is. Don't know why because I remember I needed all the support I could get after surgery. Rachael: Now why not have Melissa put one of those pictures of you on as your avatar? I don't know what I expected you to look like but you don't look like it. I think I had you as a glamour girl lol. Hope you are feeling better today. Janet: Yeah that cabin fever can really get to little boys . I really don't think I lost anything at all. I really believe it will come back . I watered everything yesterday and they started perking back up right away. The small trees will just start putting on new leaves soon. Yes I talk to my Mom all the time about my flowers while I'm working . I know she would love it. . Just know that your grandmother would be so proud of you now. Maybe in 3 years your daughter will realize that she and her boyfriend aren't compatible. We can only hope and pray anyway. A lot can happen in Three years. Just don't put her on the defensive about him. That will make her dig her heels in more lol Well don't know if there is a secret about marrying a younger man or not .lol I had had such a horrible life before I met Joe that I was looking for fun , we lived together for 2 ½ years before we got married and I wasn't in any big hurry then. He was the one that wanted to get married and I was scared. He was too good to be true for me to really believe that he would stay that way. I told him finally I would marry him but the first time he changed I would divorce his butt faster than he could say Jack Roberston. Lol well we have been together 22 years and married 19 of those will be 20 this December and he has yet to raise even his voice at me. I am treated like his Princess and I wouldn't trade him for the world . After I got fat he still never acted like it bothered him in the least. Still treated me the same day after day. I don't doubt his devotion and love at all. Debbie M: sorry you feel so bad. Hope you are doing better today, the antibiotics should be helping by now. Just hang in there by the time the sprouts are big enough to plant you will be feeling better. How is the weight loss going? Vesta: Glad you didn't lose anything . The things that come back all the time will probably be ok. At least I am praying that they will be. Good luck on the lab work, I hope yours is as good as mine was. My doctor said I had blood work of a young girl lol Melissa. ::::WWWWOOOOOWWWWW way to go girl on the weight now. Keep it up girl and by the time you have your tummy tuck you will be way under 200. wouldn't that be something? Hope you are feeling some better with the meds that the doctor gave you. Take care of yourself we want to see everyone to feeling better soon. Seems like everyone is sick here lately or hurting or something. Will keep you and Terry in our prayers. I hope they can tell you more about your Fil when you take him back to the doctor. Doesn't sound like the antidepressants are helping any do they? Oh wow Melissa I love your Coffee thing that is wonderful. Do you mind if I copy that and send it to a couple of people and keep it for myself too. Thank you very much. Everyone be sure and read it , has lots of deep meaning. Betty: Yes that is quite a piece isn't it? How are you doing? Are your arms feeling ok now? Sherr: Oh my goodness girl. I cant imagine anyone going thru that much stuff in one week. Hang in there baby girl it has to get better, Don't think it could get worse well I guess it could but lets not go there. I will pray for you and will put you on the prayer chain post ok? We will all agree to hold you up before Christ till he changes things for you. I hope you are feeling better by now. I hope you get someone to do your roof right and make them pay for all of that stuff they ruined in your workshop . They should have insurance to cover anything like that. Sorry that things are so bad for you lately but the sun will start shinning soon , or lets hope so. Love you . Hang on. Bel: So glad you feel better honey. The fears are normal and yet you do need to get past them somehow. As fear will and can cause you to do things that you don't want to do or say or act upon. When you have peace of mind about the surgery it just seems to all go better for you. Roses , none that I know of should ever be cut down during the summer time. No matter how bushy. The ones that have only one or two stems may be tea roses and no matter what you do with them they will never be bushy. Roses grow very well here in Missouri or at least for me they do. They require sun, air circulation, water, at least an inch a week and fertilization about every month or 6 weeks during the growing season. I wish I could see them and maybe I could tell you more about them. Yes the roses and other things you get from Michigan Bulb are tiny little roses that take about 3 to 5 years to start being pretty. Just keep fertilizing and watering them and if they start to get black spot or mildew , treat accordingly. I am glad that you have joined us on here and I love it when so many are on here like todays posts. If I can be of any help to you just ask. ATTTENTION: for everyone that loves Lilacs but hate that they only bloom for a couple of weeks. Found one that will bloom all summer up until fall. It is listed with Park seed company and is called Lilac Josee.cost 9.95 comes to you in a four inch pot. So it is little but you could grow it in a big pot for the first couple of years to get it established. I am ordering me one and also they have a hardy Gardenia .that I am ordering. It is 14.95 each. Love something new and different don't you? LOVE AND JOY AND PEACE ABOUNDS. JAN

Good morning Missouri.... I am putting a quick post up because I will be away from the computer most of today because I have to go work at another site to give the smallpox vaccine to soldiers that are getting ready to go to Iraq.... Jan C., I am definitely not a glamour girl...just a good old fashioned homegrown Missouri girl...now I am not saying that I can't dress up nice when I got a place to be....lol Hope everyone has a blessed day.... God bless Rachael PS....I have lost another pound, now I am only three pounds from my pre-baby weight....

Good Moring Guys and Gals....... Hope everyone is doing well this morning......I'm looking forward to it being a better day for me than yesterday....Had to be out and about all day yesterday and I am soooo pooped lol lol ....... We had a bit of a scare with my youngest step-daughter yesterday....I took her to the doctor with a low grade fever, nausea & stomach pain....I thought it was probably a virus...but when we finally got to see the doctor and she showed her exactly where the pain was and all ....she decided we better rule out a appendicitus (i know my spelling crappy lol).....Thank God it was not that....but she thinks it is probably something female.....So today I will be calling to see if I can her in with our ob-gyn....Hopefully it is nothing serious..... Jan...It seems every day you are talking about some new flower you are getting or planting lol lol....Next summer when I am all skinny and can get out and enjoy my yard and flowers again I might be yelling your way for some starts......I'm not a cheapscape I don't mind buying flowers and stuff for the yard but I enjoy getting starts from other people so when I am out in the yard looking at all the pretty flowers I enjoy remembering people I got them from....... Mel....Girl how you doing? Are you feeling any better? I hope Terry is doing better on the new pain meds....How is your FIL? Janet.....Sis I can't believe it is so hard for us to even get in a phone call lol lol....I wanted to call you yesterday but was so dang noisy at the peditricians office with all the kids running around and then it was raining outside so I couldn't go set out there and call....and then I was running back and forths here and there till I was wore out...I was to tired to even post last night or do much of anything....All I could do is think about peace and quiet lol lol.......You are deffintley in my prayers and my thoughts......I hope so much things start looking up for you and your family really soon...... Toni....Congrats on the surgery date!!!!!!!!! Carissa B....Are you getting anxious yet????? It's not long now....Yipppppeeeeee!!!!!! We will be praying for ya girl!!!!! Mary P.....How's things going for you ??? Been thinking about you and I sure hope things start looking up for you really soon and you get back into things with your surgery!!!!!! Sherr......Girl seems like when it rains it pours!!!!!! I sure hope things start looking better for you really soon....... Shawn S......How's step 2 going????? It's getting close to starting step 3 soon isn't it? I hope all is going well for you..... I don't know if I have missed some posts some where or not but if anyone knows how .....Sherry R, KZ, Richelle K, Christy M or Melissa L is doing...PLEASE let us know. I wish I could mention everyone lol lol lol....but it's really hard with all the people we have on the board lately.....So glad to see the newbies that's been dropping in on us.......WELCOME GUYS....KEEP DROPPING IN AND POSTING!!!!!...... God Bless you all.....Hugs...Tammy H.

Good Morning Everyone: Finally a full night of sleep!!! I went to bed at 2:30 this morning (after eating a sandwich 1st thing that has stayed down since Sunday) woke back up at 4am when the alarm went off. To put in my eye drops then went back to sleep until 7:45 this morning. Got up this morning tummy felt a little queasy took my meds so they should be kicking in pretty soon. Actually got in 35oz yesterday of fluids also. WOWWERS!!!! Yes, I know I should of been taken in more fluid then that. BUT when everything that hit my lips came back up. Nothing sounded good not even drink wise. So praise GOD today will be better!!!! I am going to try and have some soup broth today. Dad is still asleep along with Terry. So I am just puttering about the house. Thought I would get on here and post then get ready to jump in the shower in a bit. Jan: Sweetie your more then welcome to copy and paste anything I put on here. That what I do it for so everyone here can enjoy it and pass it along if they like. Thanks for the website I am going to check them out. Lilac's are one of my favorite bushes. How is Sugar doing?? Janet: I tried calling you last night figured you was asleep. I will try and call you this morning. Tammy~ammy: I am so proud of the weight that you have lost. Keep up the great work gurl. I know how hard it is but keep your eyes on the prize (a surgery date) Your in my thoughts and prayers Rachael: It was so good to finally SEE & MEET you!!!!! I hope you dont mind that I sent Janet & Jan a copy of the 2 pic Terry took. I think your just a beatiful inside as you are outside!!! Dont let them work you to hard today!!! Thanks for the jokes I gotta figure a way to put them on the computer so I can email them out. Toni: Congrats on your surgery date!!!! Shawn: How is Julia doing?? Sorry I have been out of the loop for awhile. I read that she had a blood clot??? Elizabeth: No by all mean you need to brag on yourself every now and then. Congrats on the wow moment!!!! Lynette: Welcome to the board!!! Grab a chair and stay awhile. If you have any question the is also someone here on the board that is either going thro it or has been thro it. So please post as often as you like!!! Vesta: How have you been doing??? Lana: Where are you beatiful??? I havent seen you in awhile!! Well I am going to sign off. Hello to all the Newbies sorry I wasnt here to greet you too. But hopefully you will stay around long enough for everyone to get to know each other better. Have a blessed day!!! God Bless Mel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hands! A basketball in my hands is worth about $19. A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million. It depends whose hands it's in. A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. A baseball in Roger Clemens' hands is worth $4.75 million. It depends on whose hands it's in. A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions. It depends whose hands it's in. A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog. A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea. It depends whose hands it's in. A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy. A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon. It depends whose hands it's in. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands. It depends whose hands it's in. Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world. It depends whose hands it's in. As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because... It depends whose hands it's in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello Missouri, Yesterday was so rainy but I really didn't mind. As long as I'm cozy in my office I don't care what's going on outside. I had my 3 month follow-up with Dr. Edwards yesterday. I love that man!!! I have lost 44 pounds since surgery 12/16/06 and 70 pounds since last summer when I started this journey. My labs are all good, no problems except some constipation which I can control with medication. I still have to take quite a few things for Rheumatoid Arthritis but it is under control right now so, Praise be to God!!! Dr. Edwards said he would like me to wait 18 months from surgery to have plastics. That is going to be hard for me if I get to goal before that. He also said his office is trying to work out a package with St. John's and the Plastic Surgeons for post-bariatric nips and tucks since most of us end up private pay. They would give us a break. I told him I'd wait to see how that comes out. Worst case I will have Medicare two years from this August and I could wait until then to do the tummy tuck. No one will pay for the arms, I'm sure. Clothes continue to be a problem for me. I love clothes and want to buy things that fit now and then a few weeks later they get baggy. Shouldn't complain, but I want to!!!!!! Shoes, at least, are still fitting OK. Maybe a little bit looser but not enought to cause me to have to get rid of any yet. My peonies look fine but the little lilac bush's leaves look withered. The hostas will be fine I think, they were covered and seemed frozen but look pretty good now. It's supposed to be 33 tonight but I am not covering anything again. I think they'll make it because it is so humid and the hostas are right next to the foundation of the house. It's the peonies I'm worried about but DH put everything I used to cover them away and I just don't have the heart to dig it all out after I get home from work tonight. We'll just all pray things don't freeze, OK? I had a good visit with Dr. Edwards about different procedures. He says right now he's doing about 10 bands to every RNY. He says the band is getting such good publicity right now that it is what most people are requesting. He also said for young women who might later become pregnant he recommends the band because it can be loosened and re-tightened. He says bands are somewhat less risky because there is no re-routing of the intestine but it does take longer for the weight to come off. If a person has dangerous co-morbidities, like hypertension, diabetes, etc, then RNY will get the weight off more quickly and the morbidities lessened faster. Also, if a person is impatient, like me, and wants fast results the RNY does get the pounds off faster. He said if a person comes to him with a definite knowledge of what procedure they want done and if they understand the procedure completely, he has no problem doing either surgery. I went to the St. John's support group to hear Alan Hartman speak Monday after work. He did a great job and even though he's had a couple of re-hospitalizations, not totally related to the surgery, he'd have it again every month if that's what it took. He's lost 120+ pounds and is looking great. Had on jeans!!! He's going to be working for Obesity Help soon. I'm so happy for him and his wife too. I met a really nice woman and her husband from Mountain Home that night. She is trying to decide which surgery to have. She has found our site so hope she'll get on here and talk to us. Hugs and love to all of you, I'm praying for you. Lana

Mel..Loved your post!!!!! That is absolutely right!!!!!! Sometimes we get blinded by the troubles we are facing but if we could all learn to just put it in the Good Lords hands we would find our troubles aren't near a hard to face....Sometimes he even sees fit to remove the troubles and we don't have to face them at all!!!! God is definitly GOOD!!!!!!! Love ya all...Tammy H.

Dear Jan and OH Family~ Looks like another dreary day here in Diamond!! I want SUN...SUN...SUN...I even took my sunglasses with me to Food 4 Less yesterday evening, hoping to see some....What a disappointment. People are so gloomy and cranky when the weather stays like this for any amount of time. Jon and I made a bunch of protein balls yesterday. I totally ran out of vanilla-and I had been using 1/2 c vanilla and 1/2 c of choc-but I really like them with the chocolate as well-so anyone who was wondering, kinda gives it that peanut butter cup flare!! What a mess we made-but had fun, so thats all that counts-and his dont look like balls, they look like blobs, but when I went to eat one last night, it made me smile~~ **Jan-before I forget, would you email me the place to get that lilac bush that blooms like that? I know you gave the seed place and all-but could you email me the website and exactly what to look for so I will order the right thing? Then I will order it when I get my check next month. I will start with one-and let my son do all the watering etc (LOL) so it has a chance of staying alive. He planted some sunflowers from the seeds, my pot = nothing. His pot-they are like 6 inches tall already and waiting to be repotted as they are busting out of his planter~~ Gee whiz...The 4 yr old kicks my butt with plants AND flowers. Thanks for the info too-Lilacs are my FAV!! I love carnations too-so because of your tip-I think we will pick some of those up...we can usually get them on sale pretty cheap here-and put a bunch out around the perimeter of the pool where they will bloom and look pretty all summer. Jan-you do NOT need a face lift-you are very beautiful and I am not just saying that-I know you prob dont believe me-but I thought you still had teens at home AND didnt even think you were a grandma, much less a great grandma-I think how one feels mentally DOES reflect in their outside appearance~~ I know, I too feel MUCH younger since my surgery and the weight loss-except for the stinkin back pain-I feel younger than I have in 15 years~! Isnt that something? We have something else in common too. My first marriage was really abusive, my childhood was FULL of different abuses and I was afraid of men and didnt like most...WHen I met Mike-I too, didnt think someone could be that good to me-like it was a dream and wouldnt last. I told him the same thing-and to this day-he has NEVER said an unkind word to me-or called me a name to demean me. I gained sooo much weight during our marriage and he never once said a word-he always treated me well-and that always bothered me that I got so big and he loved me the same-crazy huh? Now-I am smaller than I was when he met me-and he really likes the changes in me-because I can do a lot of things I always wanted to do with him and never had the energy (get your mind out of the gutter!! MEL) I always say that he was truly my gift from God for being a good person and having such a ****ty life until he came into it!! Thank you, God. Ok-I hadnt lost anything in over 2 weeks-plus got my visit from Aunt Flo a week early and even gained 3# back...so yesterday my scale finally started moving-I was back to 125# lost and today I lost another #-so its moving again. I called the NUT at MO Bariatrics yesterday because I am losing my hair in ALARMING amounts. I am not talking 2 or 3 strands a day-I am talking that I lose enough to cover a chiwawa (spelling is wrong, I know) every single time I brush my hair or run my hands through it. She said to get in more protein and that some patients have tried some different vitamins-so I am going to get them and thats why I made more protein balls-I have always loved my hair and when I was so huge...it was the ONLY thing I really liked about myself-I really dont want to lose it all..but IF I do-I will deal with it. Mike and I figured I have lost roughly 1/2 of my hair now-it was pretty thick-so I am still covered, but.....its scaring me. I loved Gods coffee-I am going to ask her to email that to me so I can print it and put it on my wall. Love it!! Man-I cant believe what Sherr has been going through-Girl, I wish I lived closer-I would be over helping you in a heartbeat!! I am so sorry you are having these issues-and I wish that contractor was reliable-and I hope you do make that jerk pay for EVERYTHING you have lost AND all the damage he has already caused you!! You dont need that headache-dont let him jerk you around and IF you need a REAL B*tch to back you up, call me and I will come out!! I will be keeping you in prayer!! I am praying for Deb, Sugar, Julia, Mel and Terry too-man, when it rains, it pours, huh? So many of our loved ones on here need prayer-I know with all of us prayer warriors, everything and everyone will get better in no time. I cant wait to hear all the praise reports in a couple of days! Bel-I hope you are feeling more peaceful now. I know that it can be scary for your loved ones to understand WHY we want the surgery and the fact that they love us just the way we are-doesnt help them understand-but, just like my hubby-it wont take long before your hubby starts seeing how much better YOU feel, your attitude will change-and life will be so much sweeter and better!! Maybe he can get on here to the board for spouses or family? He can voice his concerns and then others can share their stories- I would even volunteer my hubby to talk to yours about it, if you want. Hang in there and let us know how your PCP letter looks this time! Tammy-I was a good girl and I didnt leave my phone ANYWHERE but right by my side all day.....then it died about 8 pm last night and I was calling it trying to find it (I had dropped steph at work and went to Food 4 Less and when I went to call hubby back after I left the store-it was dead) anyway-it was in the car-but after it was on the charger, I didnt see any missed calls-so I just wanted you to know I DID carry it with me during the day-LOL...Love ya-we WILL hook up soon.... Susan-honey-whats going on that you have been in bed? If you dont want to post it, email me and let me know whats going on-I am worried about you. Look for something in your mail in the next couple of days-and keep your chin up!! Im sending hugs your way. Love ya. Mel-I am so happy for you!! I am also happy that you love me so much that I get your cool clothes you are too skinny for!!! YEAH...so glad you have good taste-LOL....I hope your feeling better soon-and you know I am praying for that, cause GEEZ-we havent had MUCH time since the move-have we? Well, I have more to say-but I am sure my post is making somes eyes pop out! I am going to do my shake and get in my vitamins and then do a couple of things before my appt today. Please keep me in your prayers. I am pretty scared about it-and I guess its because of the unknown....my hubby said it wouldnt be worse than those syn visk shots I used to get - Mine were the once a month for 3 months ones-but when he would drain the knee and then give me the shot-WOWZA....I think I would have rather given birth without pain management-LOL...so, I am praying its not so bad and that I DO get some relief. I appreciate any prayers you can squueze out my way. Love and prayers to all my brothers and sisters on here that need it-I do think about you daily and love each of you. Take care and tt you later. Love, Janet

Working on the Roses. They make me smile. I love it even when I get one blossom. Today is my 45 Birthday. My paperwork is in the mail. Best present I could give myself. I look forward to reading every post every day, I love to hear about everyones progress. Life is a journey, Bel

Bel, Happy Birthday to you!!! This is an exciting, scary time for you. We are all praying for your speedy approval and then a surgery date!!! WOO HOO!!! By your next birthday may you be lighter and healthier!!! Cheers. Lana

Bel, Happy Birthday, Heres hoping it is a wonderful day full of promise and love. JaN