Wausau event

Greetings to all the new people I met on Saturday. I pulled in my driveway just before midnight Saturday, spent all day Sunday in Milwaukee at a "celebration of life" get-together and visiting with friends. Another late night. After a full day of work, last night was a trip to Neenah for support group. Tonight...I've declared a night of REST...and time to catch up on e-mail. I wish everyone could've joined us at the Obesity Help conference in Wausau. It was worthwhile and a lot of fun. All together there were between 45-50 present. Bo McCoy (yes, he is a descendent of the "real" MCoy's) was the facilitator. If you ever have a chance to meet him, take advantage. He has quite a story to tell (he's lost 342#'s) and is very entertaining. It's obvious that he's passionate about wanting to help obese people. In fact, he's moved literally across the country to take a position with Obesity Help. Dr. Johnson (a local surgeon in Wausau) showed an excellent video of a laproscopic bypass (the bloody parts were edited out) and answered questions. The nurse in me was fascintated by that! Actually, it just made me want to scrub and and see one up close and personal. Cindy Smith, the dietician for the Marshfield Clinic program in Wausau gave an excellent talk as well as music that went along with what she was speaking on. I especially like "Waiting for my Happiness" by Jana Stanfield. There were drawings for prizes, vendors that gave away samples of vitamins, protien bars, protien drinks, etc. Your loss (not attending) was our gain. More freebies to go around! Marshfield Clinic also sponsored the event. It was great to meet with Sandy and Pat from their program. Just networking with others who've had the surgery was wonderful. We had a lunch and later a cold buffet and dancing with music by a DJ. Kricket, (the photo manager on OH) lives in the twin cities and drove over to join us capturing the event...and most of us on film...or should I say digital. They are planning to hold it again next year. The tentative date is September 24th so mark your calanders! Lori Ann Green Bay

Lori Ann, You sure summed up the days events well. And you are right, those who missed it was our good luck for the extra goodies! It was great to meet you, I love your before and after photos, may I ask are you a scrap booker??? Can't wait till we can get together next year! Dawn Milwaukee, WI

Hi Dawn, I'm looking foward to next year as well! I'm planning to stay over and make a weekend of it. Unfortunately, I had a memorial service to attend in Milwaukee on Sunday for a dear friend and couldn't miss it. Glad you liked my card. Since I had surgery on July 3rd and spent the holiday weekend in the hospital, the themes of independance, freedom and celebration seemed appropriate. Kind of summed up how I felt about this past year. I was at my surgeon's office yesterday going on a walk-through of the clinics and hospital, making suggestions for areas they could improve to become more "fat-friendly" and how to work with people of size. The surgeon that assisted in my surgery and the office staff both commented on how much they liked my card. Then, when we toured the surgical floor, the program director pointed out that a copy was posted on the "before and after" bulletin board. She said everyone has been checking it out. I just started scrapbooking. I did one for my parent's 50th in June. I love it...but just don't have the time. I love to take pictures so it would be a natural fit. For the past 1.5-2 years I've been a member of pccrafters.com and have been making my own cards using their graphics. Again, so much more I could do with it if I had a better print program and printer itself. Having to self-pay for surgery has put a definite cramp in my style of living...but at least I'm now living! Maybe this winter I'll get chance to scrap a bit more. Are you a scrapper? I'm not creative in thinking up the ideas...but if I see it...can do it. I'm a jack of all trades, master of none! I'm tempted to join you sometime at that Chicken restaurant. I make it to Milwaukee off and on. I went to Nurses Training there and have lots of friends down there. Tosa's my old stompin grounds but as a student with no car that was from out of town, I learned my way around the town on the bus system. Every Saturday, how far could I go with one bus pass? There are few parts of the city and burbs I haven't explored! Lori Ann Green Bay, WI

It was my pleasure to be join you all. I look forward to seeing you all again in the future. --Bo