A Night of Striptease!!

I thought the title might get your attention . last night our support group had a potluck and the Annual Thinner and Thankful Fashion Show. Basically, anyone who has had the surgery wears their old, huge clothes over their new clothes, then stripes off their old clothes to show the new them! (and that's why I call it the Striptease Show!) Then each person shared their stories and boy, did the tears flow. I didn't cry but came close when i began to talk about dad. There were so many amazing stories and changed lives - it was inspirational to hear them all. Here are some pictures of me "taking it all of." Plus, some other pics a friend took of me for my new endeavor - online dating. I actually signed up for eharmony this week - I figured it was time to put myself out there! http://www.flickr.com/photos/27844910@N00/?saved=1

Oh my goodness, you're svelte.  I have GOT to start hiking!  You look fantastic, and I really like you in the glasses in the football game picture.  And oh yeah, we should be back in town the 27th-29th so can definitely meet up while you are here.  Yay! 

Dunny, not only is PJ quite petite, but her red hair is very pretty, too.  She is so small boned I can't imagine her being SMO at one time!  Me, however, inherited the hearty build of all those darn Scandinavians in the family gene pool, so my bones alone probably weigh 140.    We do have redheads in our family, but I'm glad I didn't inherit it, it's the carrot top red hair and not the pretty red hair like PJ has. If hiking results in legs that look like hers, I need to take up the sport.  I'm just not sure how well I'd do hiking when I have knees that don't bend!  However, paraplegics hike here, so I guess I can't use wonky knees as an excuse. Kix

Girl, you are going to give me a big head. thanks for the sweet remarks, but it's funny because I still don't think of myself as small boned - I still feel big boned. Funny how our heads still think in terms of "big."

Yeah! I'm looking forward to meeting you then! Now, I just need to get you here so we can hike together and get those legs in shape . Mine really aren't in good shape, I just wear tight clothes so all the skin won't show! I like the football pic too - it was a fun night!

What a great way to celebrate!!! Sounds like a hoot!  I'm hoping as I get closer to surgery I too find a great support group that I can go through my process with.... and celebrate the ups and downs... And PJ -- good for you for putting yourself out there. I met my husband online 7 years ago, by accident, in a Grateful Dead chat room on Yahoo... WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?? I tell you though, I KNOW that he was meant to be in my life... so, it really wasn't an accident....the more and more I think about it... I know that God approves of the good ol; Grateful Dead :) or he wouldn't have brought us together!!!  Good Luck!!!!! Valerie

Hi Valerie, it's nice to meet you! I think support groups are essential and mine is unbelievable. We actually have a guy who drives 60 miles one way to attend, he is that dedicated. It really does help. You meeting your husband online gives me hope! Here's to another good match

I would work for free for eight years to have legs that look like yours!  I'm impressed that your weight came off so evenly! I would have liked to hear everyone's stories.   My niece met her now-husband on match.com.  Of course, we don't like him, we think she could have done better, but then, he doesn't like us, either.  He thinks we are weird.  She loves him, though, so we grit our teeth.  Good luck with the online dating, I'm not brave enough to try it yet.  If I had hot legs like yours, I'd consider it!  Kix

Your title definitely got my attention!  It sounds like a fabulous evening, PJ - very affirming and supportive.  Plus, when else in life are you going to feel comfortable stripping in front of room full of people???   Good luck with the online dating thing - I have to say that I'm happy not to be part of the dating scene, but I give you kudos for putting yourself out there.  I look forward to hearing about your dating adventures!   Kellie

I can't believe I actually gave in and signed up -I vowed I would never do that again. But I figure I'm up for a new challenge, so here it goes! So far I've had good response - now to the hard part of the actual date!