Good Morning, BAF!!! (Kinda long)

Hey sis, 

All I can say is let the church say Amen.  Now time for the benediction and announcements.

But not before you pray and pay some tithes, Sistah Inspire!!!

Bwahahahahaaaaa!!!

I really thank God that you posted this. I had been reading post and watching this site for some time before I jumped in. I must admit........I'm a newbie but I never jumped in because I honestly thought this site was GHETTO and very carnal. I was thinking.................man these folks are ruthless reading some of the beefs. It was really hard because on the MI board i don't really have anyone that can relate to "my" issues but I hesitated for a long time just because of the tone on this board.

My thoughts are............the tone of the board can change if more positive folks step up. Let's just let our lights so shine that men may be able to see.....................

Why GHETTO? ~not beefing, just think people don't know what GHETTO means~

I mean, why not Hillbillish or redneckish? 

You know I've lurked quite abit on this board for the last few months, but this week, I must say things are truly going awry.  

I read Inspire's post last night and I wanted to respond but I didn't.  I also read the follow-up posts by Miss 203 and the other posts.  Now, I'm 3+yrs out and will be celebrating 4 years this August, Lord willing.   And, yes - I'm not on the board nearly the time I used to be.  This is for many reasons, of which I could care less if you approve or disapprove, because at the end of the day, this is the internet and in truth, it isn't that darn serious.  

I have a full time job that I rarely leave on time, a full time family, and outside interests that keep me going.  Does that excuse me not being on the board? *****ally cares!  When I'm on the board, I tend to respond to posts that are:

1. Originated by people I know and have a rapport with;
2. Need encouragement or support; or
3. A newbie introducing themselves to the family.  

I don't lurk everyday or every other day for that matter, so my responses are often sporadic.  Do I post every now and then?  Do I post accomplishments?  YES I DO!  Why, you may ask? Because my profile is on lockdown (my choice, and it ain't changing so don't ask) and I get emails on the B/L about my status.  I was a HEAVYWEIGHT (405+ lbs) so some people tend to identify with my struggle more than others.  I post accomplishments as they come, for those that can benefit.  When I do post things of that nature on the board, I unlock my profile for a day or two so that people not familiar with my journey can see what I've been through.  

That is my contribution and I'm okay with that.  When I joined this board everyone wanted Cookie or Dedee to be their angels, but guess what - I wasn't that blessed.  Did I complain or cry about it  Nope, I kept it moving, because I (as most of you should) have/had a support system at home and with my surgeon's office, so I was in good hands.  

After my surgery, people asked me to be their angel and I did for a couple of people and kept it moving.  Now I said all of that to say this:  Everything, be it good or bad that I got for BAF on the front end has been paid back and then some.  So do I owe anything to anyone?  No, not in my eyes.  Do I care if everyone will agree with me?  No, not really.  

I have made lifelong friendships and sisterhoods on this site and those are relationships I'll cherish forever, but that is not something I feel needs to be broadcasted and revisited on a daily basis to fill some darn BAF quota.  This board is nothing like it was when I joined over 3 years ago and that has a lot to do with more and more vets lurking.  All of this ignorant cyber beefing and unnecessary MESS is not worth it.  I read some of the posts last night and for one wls patient to crack a fat joke on another wls patient is beyond belief.  How in the world do you go at another person that you shared the same struggle with not that long ago?  That's a little over the line.  

I may have beefs with people in life, but one thing I will never do is call another person in this struggle a weight related slur - that is just wrong.  I'm not calling anyone out or singling anyone out, but I've seen that happen more than I care to count on this forum.  We all say we are adults, yet most times we act like little children (some children may be offended by that comparison, but hey it is what it is).  

People come on here for support and we half give it, but let someone post something about sex or their lovelife and we respond like Oprah's in town.  What is that about?

If you feel the need to post then post; if you feel the need to respond then that is your God-given right, but don't knock others that don't feel that obligation.  I and many other vets have paid our dues several times over and earned our stripes and I'll speak for them - We have RETIRED!  It's now time for the new young/oldheads to pick up the pace and lead the new cycle of newbies/rookies.  If you want to have the Club 203 back then dayum it, email Miss 203 and ask her if you can take the lead on that.  If you want the daily prayers back, then darn it post a daily prayer; it's not like only one person on here has a direct line to God for all of BAF...people please!

Please grow up, or this board will continue to fade off into the abyss!

Mrs. Tennessee Cutie

*Keep the hate mail as I'm not entertaining any stupidity in 09*

I hear you, ma...received and noted.  Thank you. 

I luvs u too

CHA CHA ~smooches~

Your were BLESSED not to have me as an angel ROFLMAO

WHEW ~ask my angelettes~ I am such a bad angel

I miss you!

You are still a sweetheart I see.  I miss you too girlie.  Those were the days though, we used to have a blast on here.  DeDee bad angel....nawwwwwwwww say it ain't so!

Chay you are beautiful on the inside and the outside. I am so thankful that Donna agreed to be my angel. I wouldn't have met the fabulous women that are her friends.