What's new ? TGIF

talk away!

thank goodness for short weeks-i'm ready for a weeknd...nothing special planned at this moment--what about you? we had a wonderful evening meeting some new folks- one of our parrots, Doc, will be moving to Lima, Ohio at the end of the summer. they want him now but are travelling in july and he would have to stay with friends of theirs so we will keep him here til they return-less stressful on the bird! he loved the attention he rec'd last nite- he was center stage-only to be upsatged at every move by miss roxie!  don't really know much else-nothing exciting ... hugs and prayers

Hi Margo, Annette and all my friends: Oh, it's so nice to have a computer at home! This is so much faster than my old Windows ME! I can really tell the difference. Before, the OFF board came up soooo slowly. Now, it comes up in no time flat. I love it. It's like having a new computer. I think I can keep this going for a couple more years. Got up early today to take my car in for an oil change. I had a couple of freebies because of a muffler my auto shop put in that fell off and I had to get replaced by another shop (my shop was closed on that weekend). It was a lifetime guaranteed muffler. So, to compensate, they gave me four free oil changes. I needed one and didn't have the money. I still have to get something done to my battery ... corroded something or other and I can't remember it right now. They cleaned it and I have to have it replaced. But it was $30 and I didn't have it. I'll get it done soon though. Maybe after working triple time pay on the Fourth of July.  Annette, you can't help someone who won't help themselves. I know I complain about my woeful finances and go spend more money on stuff I don't need, and I know that's stupid too. That's just as bad as the person who has weight loss surgery and then doesn't follow the plan to lose weight. But it's an addiction, both ways. I work hard at both addictions ... the WLS is a tool to lose weight, and I have to follow the plan for success now to keep it off, and the Chap. 13 bankruptcy is a tool to get financially stable, and I have to follow that plan to get back on my feet. But sometimes it's hard when our emotions get out of whack and we want to do things that we know will hurt us, either eating or overspending or drinking or smoking or whatever. I struggle with these demons constantly. That's why I'm back in therapy. I think the woman you were working with probably has some issues and needs to get some counseling too, but she won't admit it. It's hard to do that. That's the first step.  Not much else going on here. I'm going to apply for a part-time job at a floral call center; I actually worked at a hotel reservation center in college, so it's something I know how to do, and as a reporter, I'm pretty good at taking down names and numbers and directions. I don't have a specific resume for this, but I hope I can put down the things they want. I don't know the hours they're looking for, but I know they are seeking weekend workers, which I could do. Plus, it's sitting down, which I could do. I don't want to work a second job, but I think I have to for a while to get back on my feet financially.  Well, have a good day. It's dreary and rainy here, no surprise to me and my achy body. Candy, have a good time in Detroit. Too bad it's such a long drive from Motown to the west side of the state or I would come and meet you, but with gas at $4.14 now (I filled up at $4.09), I think i'll stay on my side of Michigan. Have a good time, though. 

 Thanks Eileen. Too bad they can't figure out how to remove our demons during WLS!!  I hope the part-time job works out for you. It will give you some extra $$ and fill your weekends doing something to help the situation. Gas prices are bad here too. My job involves travel each day and my car is not good on gas. I traded in my tiny car because my big butt didn't fit the seats any more. Too late now, I'm NOT spending money on a new car for a while.  Feel better Annette

Mornin' Margo and OFF family Several months ago I met a woman who had surgery in another city but was provided with few eating instructions. I took the time, several times in fact, to copy my own eating guide, sit with her to review supplements, labs, the whole works. We ran into each other and she was shocked to see that I had lost more weight. (It has been quite a while since we saw each other.) She has gained 15 pounds. She asked about my food intake, which I had told her several times in the past. Her eating habits are not good at all. She won't drink water, eats few proteins, forgets supplements, loads up on PB & J sandwiches, and feels terrible. Well DUH !! I don't mind helping others but I made all sorts of excuses NOT to have another meeting with her. After 17 months of trying to help, she still seems to think I have a magic solution other than strict monitoring and hard work.  I am feeling guilty for refusing to take time to help her.  I'm not sure what my point is about this. Just sharing my frustration I guess. We can share ideas with others, tell them how we have traveled through WLS Land, but in the end, each person has to be responsible and honest with themselves. Banging my head against a wall here. It's Friday All is good

Good morning Margo, Annette and all my OFF friends, Anette, some people just won't take responsibility for their own actions.  This lady has gone so far as to have someone do surgery on her to make her lose weight, thinking that he/she would solve all her problems by doing so.  Now she wans you to take over where the surgeon left off.  It must have been very difficult for you to back off, but there's only so much we can do.  The girls I work with have the typical hairdresser's diet.  They eat something sweet with their morning coffee, never take time to eat lunch and graze on cheese crackers or PB and crackers all day. Then, they go home and eat until it's time for bed.  Every one of them asks me for diet tips, recipes, etc, but none of them want to implement the simplest of solutions......just EAT.  They're all so afraid of gaining weight if they eat three squares a day. No convincing them otherwise.  Oh well, like the saying goes; you can lead a horse to water........ Not too much to report on this end.  Just working and paying the bills.  My life isn't much different than everyone else's. Hugs and smoochies to all.  Have a great day!

Thanks Susan and Kathi. I will take people under my wing but sometimes they need to get pushed out of the nest and fly on their own. I knew my OFF Sisters would understand.

Annette, Darlin, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him fish. You can give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day but you can teach him to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime.

The woman will use the excuse that WLS does NOT work, and unfortunately many people may believe her and thus not seek the help that's there.

Now go take some Tylenol for that headache you're getting for banging your head against the wall!!

YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MORE THAN ONE!

Thanks Connie. So sad but true.

Annette, I am so sorry that you have found someone who just doesn't want what you have. This way she can continue to whine and cry and say "Poor me" and get other peoples pity. That is so sad and unfortunate for you and her. You have bent over backwards to try to help her and if she isn't willing to help herself there is nothing you can do. I guess the best thing you can do for her is to avoid her. Let her either sink or swim so to speak~and from the sounds of she is going to sink! She has to learn to stand on her own two feet and walk. I think you are doing the right thing for both of you. Love and hugs and don't bang your head against the wall anymore dear sister since you have went beyond the call of duty. It is obvious to all of us that she wanted the "quick fix" and not the tool that wls is. Let's all thank God that WE know the difference and continue to know it.