Leaving TMB

I had not thought about that, but as usual, you are right (Mike must get frustrated with you being right so often).  Seeing the face in the avatar made it so much easier at my first Rise and Shine even, not to mention RYD Conference and of course, Charlene's dinners.

Kat I'm going to respond to your post because I feel maybe you misunderstood my complaint about the negativity.  I DO read the train everyday and there are 3-4 people that EVERY SINGLE DAY write nothing but "poor pitiful me" posts.  Trust me, I too feel that people should be able to come here and post about the bad ci****tances in their lives but some only do it for attention.  I live with pain on a daily basis due to degenerative hip disease and walk with a limp a lot of the time but I don't whine about it everyday.  It's my lot in life so I just deal with it.  I was merely pointing out what numerous other people have told me as for the reason they have backed away from this board.  The beauty of the "train" is that we can discuss our lives and get support for what's going on.  I just feel very sad for those that NEVER have any good things in their lives to talk about.

As far as not meeting you at functions, I have to agree that a picture makes all the difference in the world.  For example, I never knew who Paige was (cuz her avatar was a camera****il she changed it to her picture right before the RYD conference.  I walked up to her during a break and introduced myself and was so glad that I could speak to her.  That would not of happened if she didn't have an actual picture. 

 

Kat,

I'm sorry that you've felt rejected at the previous events you've attended. I don't understand how you could feel that way, but I have not walked in your shoes. I do know that I personally have come up and talked to you many times at breakfasts. I made a beeline for you and your DH the first time I saw you at R&S. I was wearing my running gear from having just put in 5-7 miles out at the trails. I was a little self-conscious to be introducing myself to you for the very first time wearing spandex running clothes and smelling like a jock. But I put myself out there, self conscious or not.

I guess my point is the same as the others: you have to put out there what you expect to get in return. I tend to flit around and talk to everyone. I have a few very close friends that I am honored to spend time with. I don't wait for others to come to me, I go to them. The friendships that I have were started that way- by putting myself out there. Not everybody on this board or at social events are my friends. Some folks are even mean. Just having WLS does not make us all best buddies, it just provides a common thread to start a conversation. The continuation of such a conversation has to be based on mutual interests.  Not everyone has mutual interests. 

I hope that you get the support that you need. I'm not offended by your post, I just don't understand I guess. 

Tracey

 

Kat, I am 2 days late and a dollar short (as always) - but I would like to apoligize (?spell) for not making you feel more comfortable at the conference - Having my husband there and being kinda self absorbed, I should not have made you feel that way -

When I first got started, I knew noone, anything, and felt so lonely ,afraid and basiclly depressed,but, I kept trying, and putting myself out there until I finially got people to notice me and my personallity. I am not a shy person, but when I am with strangers, I withdraw, I guess that has something to due with the obesity. 

Putting my best foot forward, over and over and over - has made my some of the best friends in the whole world.

I will never regret one time of feeling left out, alone and sad. It made me stronger and as I became stronger, I found the real me hiding inside.

My apoligizes and love    Gaye

GAYE-you didn't do anything wrong...and if YOU did...then I did TOO...didn't KAT sit with us at the conference, or am I confusing my peeps? My daddy always said I was like a St Bernard puppy, jumping on people's laps and slobbering in their faces, whether they asked for it or not, so I find myself BACKING OFF new people sometimes, till I know what they want...sometimes we just can't win, ya know? Hey--I MISS YOU!!

Kat, I'm so sorry you didn't feel welcomed, I really do not believe it was intentional.  I'll share something here that allot of people don't know, except Liz and Loralea.

When I went to Steph's BBQ last year I was nervous to meet people there.  It was an emotional morning for me to step outside of my comfort zone (yes I cried) and meet new people. It's odd because I had met some of them before, many just a few months before at the Louisiana Invasion.  BUT, there were going to be others there I had never met, and I was afraid they wouldn't "like" me.  It was strange because I am an outgoing person really however I think because I wasn't on "my ground" I had to step out of the box.  Once I was there, it got better but I never felt secure around everyone.  It was through nothing anyone did to me it was just my insecurities that day.

Each of us have gone through a time where we weren't comfortable, it can be unsettling.  I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone at the next function and introduce yourself to two or three people.....from there I PROMISE you the friendships and support you want and need will be there.

I hope to meet you soon, I bought my ticket for the Dallas OH convention and bearing any emergencies I'll be there.

Hugs,

Yay! I can totally relate to not feeling smiley, but when I saw your picture, I remembered seeing your posts before. I'm glad you put your photo back up.

Jeri,

I know I give you advice and at times ,tell you things you don't want to hear. I just get frustrated that you have this big beautiful world in front of you and you seem to not to be able to go out and embrace it. My brother had this surgery so he would live longer and he loved life! And he did not get the chance that you have. My mother would give anything to get out of that stinkin bed she is in, but she can't.And you seem to spend a lot of time in bed. So I say all that to say this. You have this wonderful opportunity of life in front of you and you can do one of two things. You can isolate yourself and blame the world or OH on your unhappiness or you can go out and meet people and get involved in your church or other things and thank God your alive and well each and every day. I do wish you well and it will be your choice how you choose to live your life. My prayer is that you will embrace it and find your passion.

Your loved!

Lynnette

LYNNETTE--get out of MY head!!