hi everyone! In response to Tim

Hi Everyone here we go... Surgery date- 6/9/05 down 55 lbs Favorite hobby- spending time with family and friends- now more active- I actually went on a PaddleBoat this weekend- Married for 6 years- 1 son- Ben- he is 3 This surgery has given me my life- I enjoy life now- when before I only went through the motions- I am so excited to see what happens after the next 50 Deidre

Hi Deirdre! Good deal. 55 pounds already? Thats SUPER !! Good Job.. good job : ) Kudos to you, sounds like life is good, eh? Wanna know what is sad? I have been in New Jersey for 3 months and NOT BEEN TO THE BEACH ! I think that is scandalous... but I hope to get to the beach yet this season hehehehe. Thanks for sharing about your son and being a married folk like me. Now if we can just get other people to post too then things will be even better : ) This board will be active yet... I believe hehehe. Have a super day.. talk to you soon Godspeed Timmy Ray

Hi all NJers, I'm Betsy. Surgery on June 28,2005. After 7 weeks I have lost 36 pounds. I feel good except for my VERY BAD arthritic knee. I have 2 daughters and 6 delicious grandchildren. I am a Hebrew School teacher. I love plants and have about 50. I collect owls, mortars and pestles, and anything connected to Noah's Ark. HOW ABOUT YOU??????????? Betsy

Betsy !! Greetings and welcome to the board ! My name is Timmy Ray S... I grew up in Oregon. I am 41, and lived in Iowa for 6 years. I was 650 pounds for almost 10 years, I had bariatric surgery on 12/22/04.. just before Christmas, and I have lost about 160 pounds. I used to hang on the singles board here on OH , and met my wife Sandi. She is amazing, a person of jewish descent, and I am learning a great deal of the richness and culture of the Jewish people. Alas.. I am a gentile, of baptist persuasion, but it is very awesome for me.. I am learning a lot. I got to wear a yamika, (mispelled?) out of respect at a traditional Jewish Wedding up on Staten Island for a family friend that I met through Sandi, and our wedding reception was in Edison, with food provided by Harolds NY deli out of the Edison area. At the funeral and reception... I had a chance to sample a lot of jewish cuisine and foods that I had never experienced with my **oregon redneck** country upbringing. As my lovely wife would say...Oy VEH ! Hebrew teacher? How cool is THAT? I wish I knew of classes to learn Hebrew... is it a difficult language? A lot of my interest in Jewish culture comes from being a history buff.. and of the oppression and disaspora.. and creation of the homeland in 1948-49 *gee I hope I have that date right : /... and other studies of history. Welcome to the board... you sound like your WLS surgery is going well. Be ENCOURAGED Betsy.. and I hope things continue to go well : ) Let us know if you have any questions or need anything.. will you? Hang in there.. godspeed.. hugs to you and your grandkids : ) Timmy Ray

Betsy !!! Sorry.. HOUSE PLANT hijack !!! It just occurred to me.... as a lover of plants... do you have any houseplant starts that I could purchase for you? I am looking for green, leafy hearty houseplants... philodendren (mispelled Im sure) .. mother in laws tongue (Hey Im male I dont know plant names) maybe .. other kinds? When I was a community college student in 2001.. I was a lonely bachelor and I had houseplants for over 2 years successfully.... gave them a steady diet of soft rock, miracle grow, water and love.. Then I left and got delayed for 2 months in the summer of 2003... returned to a bunch of dead plants : ( Oh well. I would gladly pay you for any plant starts you might have? Let me know? We only live about 15-20 miles apart (I think.. Im new to New Jersey ...oy ! Maps on Yahoo says your just east of Freehold somewhere... Im learning Im learning : ) I am in jackson, not too far from the Stop and Shop on County Line Road. Let me know if you have any plant starts? Thank you... and again welcome to the board Shalom Timmy Ray

I have lots of plants that I would be willing to share with you. I couldn't take money for them,just as long as I know they'll be going to a good home where they'll be loved and taken care of. Let me know when you'd like to come here to get them. Just bring potting soil and a couple of flower pots. Do you know of a support group that meets at Centrastate Hospital in Freehold? Do you mean the Stop and Shop on route 9 near Boston Market? I live in Manalapan in Covered Bridge, an adult community, that is right off 9. Betsy

Hi Betsy Betsy !! I know the Stop and Shop you mean on Route 9.. I go by there a lot : ) The one I meant is over a bit.. on County Line Road.. but I know the one you mean. Well.. I accept your kind Offer Betsy. Would saturday afternoon work for you to pick som plants up? I would bring some empty pots and potting soil.. is that right? If not Saturday then Sunday or Monday would work out for me too. Just let me know. My apologies for the delay... see my other post about posting withdrawal.. I kept making the same mistake over and over again... couldnt sign on : ( For a computer geek that builds and repairs his own computers.. sometimes I am SUCH a ... a.. MALE. Sheesh godspeed : ) Timmy Ray

Hi Betsy : ) Did you hear yet about the Live chat this weekend? Saturday @8pm. Here on just off the New Jersey board? Live chat Saturday evening @ 8pm. I hope you can attend.. let me know if you have difficulty accessing the chat room? It should be a fun time for all.. hope you can come : ) Timmy Ray

Hey Deidre.. how are you today? Hey can you come to the live chat this weekend? Live chat Saturday evening @ 8pm. I hope you can attend.. let me know if you have difficulty accessing the chat room? It should be a fun time for all.. hope you can come : ) Timmy Ray

Hi Deidre Hello hello : ) Can you come to the live chat tonight? At 8pm tonight, Saturday August 27 on the chat just off of the NJ board? Everyone is welcome... its a live chat. I hope you can come.. have a super evening Timmy Ray