2/26/11 The 300

I want to thank all of you who are following...my groupies...my friends. I appreciate it more than you know. It's amazing to me that you've stuck with me and continued to join in, even when I'm not able to spend as much time putting together entertaining blogs, or even any kind of daily blogs anymore. I want you to know that I do my best to follow and keep up with you (send me a note if I'm not following), and I read a lot, even when I'm not always commenting. You so often inspire a thought for me to write about...it's great to hear other perspectives...our journeys are each so unique. Without fail, even when I haven't said so here, it's at the times I start to question myself that I'll always get such wonderful comments or emails from one of you to keep me going. You can only hope that some small part of what you share has helped someone else and it means so much to actually hear that, so thank you.

We are an army in our war against obesity. The information we share with each other makes us each wiser and better able to wage our individual battles. The support we give each other forms an impenetrable line that works to hold each of us up at the times we are faltering. Together we are so much stronger than we are alone.
So hold tight and sharpen those blades; keep asking...keep telling...keep learning...keep teaching...keep open...keep supporting...keep aware.

The battle is never over...but it does get easier with each success...and remember...you're never alone.

Love to all!

7/30/10 Need More Followers? Me Too- Drivel Scribbles; I need Tech help (Facebook, Blogger, Counters, Twitter, OH MY!)!

FOLLOWERS:
If you need some support and new followers, please add a link to your blog in 'comments' below.

I'll apologize for the fact that I haven't kept up very well with my new followers the past few months (I'm so sorry and I'll try to find you). If I'm not following you yet, please hit me over the head and tell me here!

*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

7/17/10 A Lesson From a Teacher

Do you have people who know you and support you completely? Besides your spouse/significant other (and no, your parents don't count either)? We all need at least one someone like that in our life. My siblings are that for me...if I said 'I need you.' any of them would come.

I received a little gift I want to share with you as there are lessons here for us all...and they came from a Teacher...let me tell you about my middle sister. She's one of the best people I know. Seriously. She's one of those people who has touched so many people's lives (she's an elementary teacher), I know sometimes she hears that from them, but I wish she could hear all the good that she's done for each person. She's one of those people that gives selflessly. My Mom is another one of the best people I know...remember we dubbed her Saint *Name*...and this she is like her in all the best parts, which is a high compliment indeed.

Having 4 siblings growing up in a kind of crazy environment and her being three years younger, we didn't get that close until we were grown. Usually she's so busy with her four boys and work that we don't get a lot of time to talk during the school year. We spend more time together during the summers and I miss doing vacations together as our kids have gotten older and busier.

She had a tough period this year, not with teaching or her current job, but with some office politics/people that were incompetent, that effected some new things she wanted to get involved in that everyone thought she greatly deserved (that were also selfless), but didn't happen for her...yet (you know it's coming Sis). I can tell you out of her trials and tribulations, once again, she has effected others in a great way...she's effected changed in her organization that is already helping others and will continue to grow (and most that are helped will never know that she made that change that helped them, but now we all know!).

I tried to be there for her as a sounding board through all the ups and downs (they put her through the wringer for a long time) as she couldn't do this with her co-workers/friends much. I'm so proud of her as there were so many times that she had the opportunity to give up, or just decide not continue to the next step, and she never did that.

Here's my sister in a nutshell. She slips a present in my luggage when I came back home after my last visit a few weeks ago. My DH noticed it and told me on the way home, but I didn't get a chance to sit down and read it until about a week ago. I'm sure she's wondering why I haven't mentioned it yet or thanked her, but I wanted to really take the time to think and thank her properly...it was one of those rare gifts that blew me away. Seriously. My DH knows me very well and if he had picked this item up even he would have never thought that it would mean so much to me. I want to share with you what it was because there are lessons in this for all of us...I know it's a long post, but hang in there and you'll learn some things...hopefully some that will apply to your Band journey.

...it was...

...a little tiny book...

...Rules of the Red Rubber Ball

The book has a wrap around the cover that reads "An adults version of Dr. Seuss's Oh, The Places You'll Go! - a pocket-size guide to finding your way in life" -Newsweek

OK, right there I started to freak out. I'm sure I never told my sister that one of the gifts that I gave a few people in my life in the work world that I really admired (usually when they got a promotion) was that very Dr. Suess book...I'm crazy that way (take any life situation and I can find you a line from a Dr. Suess book that applies to it...I swear it's true). In fact, I had planned and was looking forward to when the her work stuff worked out in her favor to sending her a bouquet and that favorite Dr. Suess book, and get this...

I. Already. Bought. It!

How much of a coincidence is that?! D*mn, yes now I realize, a good sis would have sent it anyway...my thought was that it might rub salt in the wound since it didn't happen for her (yet, Sis), but I now realize the time you need to get inspiration from your cheerleaders most is when it's not happening for you, that's why she's the good one...she realized that...yes I'll do it...NOW.

I started to read the little book...Sis added a note thanking me, and telling me she saw this book and thought of me and congratulated me on the WL. The book is set up very creatively like a children's book (even fold out pages, etc.)...OK, creative is my thing...I read on. The author discusses his love of sports as his passion and how it has led to different jobs along the way that he's loved and how work has always felt more like 'play' (yes, he played soccer for awhile, but then the jobs were as an athletic trainer, then he worked for Nike, and now is a corporate consultant and speaker). OK, we've all heard that we should follow our 'passion', right? Not always as easy as it sounds; if you're interested in figuring out yours, read on, or you can skip to the 'Band/your journey' part below.

Then he asks you to figure out what your passion is...hmm...this was easy for me because I'd already done the work long ago to figure it out. For most people it's not as easy as 'sports'...I'd suggest you trace back through your jobs and think about them hard...even in a job you hated, was there a eensy bitty piece of it that you enjoyed? How about in a job you loved, what specifically did you love doing? Could you state it in just a few words? DH and I have had this discussion over the years and I think I've shared before that his is 'Finding Things'...he's great at it and he loves it...it's been a thread through many of his jobs and in his current one he's the one that pulled together several elements and businesses across the world to help form their current business in the company...it wouldn't have happened without him (and don't get me started on the collections in our house he's 'found'...even with some of my collections, he's the one that does most of the 'finding').

It's funny to me now to tell you that I've shared this in detail near the beginning of the book...My passion is 'Creative Change'...tracing back through my jobs and volunteer work, this is the piece I love...even in jobs that didn't require this I was always a 'change agent'...I just can't help it...I see things differently than others and it drives me nuts until I 'fix things' for the better, whether that be; people that need to be moved in more appropriate jobs (underutilized or in the wrong job), better utilization of tools, or changing how we do things. In my last job figuring out my passion, and having others around me start to see me as a 'Change Agent' led to some wonderful things for me...little things like I was allowed to attend a small group in the company (all about creativity) which brought in guest speakers now and then to talk about creativity and I brought pieces to share back to my group. Later, I was selected, after a long process of applications and interviews along with one other person to lead a team of people to set up a few days for everyone in our department (thousands of people in a Fortune 500) where the focus was 'change' and how we can improve processes and interactions in processes. Then I finally got my 'dream job'...the company started and hand picked an elite group of 100 people across all departments to set out to effect change in business processes, both internally and with customers who wanted our help. My job was all about my passion; 'Creative Change'.

Then the author started to make me think as he talked about not losing sight of your 'red rubber ball' and that you need 'courage, strength, and imagination' to follow your passion...hmm...this got me thinking about where I am with the book...am I'm trying to effect 'Creative Change'? Did I see a need in a process that needs to change? Well, yeah...I'm trying to do the book because our Doc's don't give us all the information because they're not banded...I'm trying to do it to help people along in their journey with information that would have/did-from others, help me. So back to those three words 'courage, strength, and imagination'. That's just what I need right now; 'courage, strength, and imagination'.

*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

Now please thank my Middle Sis (not me) for the lesson (someday she may see this...I love you Sis)!

6/30/10 Enquiring Minds Want To Know

*Post Deleted For Lap Band Book

4/27/10 Happy Birthday!

Borrowing Mom's Laptop for a second....We've been working furiously (cleaning out the garage that was stuffed, marking stuff for the garage sale, and clearing the excess stuff out of the garage). Glad I came. Oh, and rain predicted on Saturday...no worries, the charity truck will come on Monday.

Out to dinner for my Birthday tonight (thanks for all the birthday notes)...so we'll get a much needed (for all) break tonight!

Hope you're all having a great week! -BG

4/22/10 HEY WORLD!

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

4/22/10 Happy Bandiversary!

Let's get this party started!

My very first vlog....your gift for my Bandiversary Party! I wanted to reflect on the year. Sorry about the lighting...and OMG remind me not to sit between two windows again...my hair looks white and the downward light makes me look like I'm 100...I need a serious BDD intervention!

Hope this works!
*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

4/19/10 Book; Why you chose LB?

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

4/10/10 Feel the LB Love!

Wow, what can I say, but thank you all so much for your wonderful words of support and encouragement! I've been tearing up every time I come back to read them. I'm going to print them all out and tack them up where I can see them every time this new journey gets frustrating.

I'm so happy you can also see the need for this and I can only hope that I can represent all our LB journeys well. I'll certainly be asking for your help as I go along and you're all welcome to come pick up your book at the end (published or not...I do have a printer LOL). Sorry I live in Pittsburgh and not somewhere more tropical with a beach for you to visit!

Please, please, please, leave me comments or drop me an email whenever you need some support, help, want to chat, or just want to make sure I read something (I'll try to keep reading as much as I can).

I'm off tomorrow to Ohio to work at the parent's home again so I'll probably be off the grid all week. I'm laying flooring in three rooms, and buffing up all their old hardwood floors so wish me luck LOL! As emotionally hard as this is, the home no longer looks like my childhood home, so I'm looking forward to this process being over and having them settled in their beautiful new retirement place.

Talk to you when I'm back. ((hugs)) All! Love, BG

4/9/10 **PLEASE READ**

I'll apologize now for the book length of this post. I'm sure I could have broken this down into about five posts, but I thought it was best to say everything together...It's the hardest post I've written yet. I'll thank you in advance for reading it…thank you.

I seriously didn't even know what a blog was until I stumbled upon a section of them on LBT as I was beginning my LB research. I think blogging is kind of like our LB journeys...we all have to figure out what we need and what works best for us and do it. I started my blog the same way I started my LB journey...I had to learn to put me at the top of the list for once. I selfishly (allowed myself to take the time) started a 'journal' (blog) for me where I could document my journey and research things I was interested in along the way. Journaling is something I've tried to do at several other points in my life (yeah, my whole family had gratitude journals one year), it always ended as fast as it started, but it intrigued me. I looked at the blogs on LBT and it seemed like a 'safe' and tiny place where only a few people even commented on blogs, so I really expected to just be writing for me. I can't tell you how surprised I was when people started to comment and how much I appreciated all the things I learned from other LBers helping me. It soon became such a wonderful and unexpected support system for me and when I got Banded, I tried hard to pay-it-forward and be there for others. There are a group of us that are/were long-term bloggers there, but mainly there are/were lots of soon-to-be or newly banded bloggers needing help and support. The comment I loved to get was that 'whenever I need help, I know I can count on you to answer'. I was so thrilled by my LB results even at that point and all the support that I'd gotten...I felt like I had been saved and helped in so many ways that would impact my life forever.

I've tried to be honest about my happy, but not so perfect life and my not so perfect LB journey. I write whatever I'm feeling that day and I try to write with the same voice I'd be speaking to myself with (yes, some days I talk like a crazy person, and I have lots of days where I just want to laugh, but that's me too). I think the biggest compliment people can pay me in my blogging is for them to say that I've said something they've been feeling, they've learned something that will help them, and that they feel like they know me...because you know what? They do.

As I came to my Blogiversary last Fall I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I wanted to continue paying it forward, but several other Blogger's on LBT had been encouraging me for awhile to move to Blogger (and so did others on other WL sites I visit now and then) and they told me that I'd be able to reach more people looking into the LB (Kathi was my main Blogger promoter, thanks GF). I was a little nervous about it as I knew that others were following me on LBT (even though there weren't 'followers' I could see by page hits that I had over 70,000 page hits in a year). Let me stop and say here, that I'm just stating facts…anything that might sound like a 'brag' is SO not me (most know that I'm a super humble person), but you never know how things come across when you write. Anyway, as the Holiday's drew near I looked into it more and decided that it was a good idea and I'd move the blog after the New Year.

I made another big decision with my blog move. I decided I'd move my blog without any of the funny pics I loved to use that made me laugh. I decided I'd focus more on my LB journey and less on my day to day life and the silliness that is me (no, not taking that completely out, but there was a point to all this seriousness I'm getting to, so hang with me here).

I know this is the scariest blog I've ever written (oooo spooky). I'm not a woman who generally gets scared about what I do (OK, you know I am scared of the dark still, but I have no control over the Boogie Man...yet). I've given presentations in front of hundreds of people and never batted an eyelash. I think I've shared that in the past, I've sometimes had trouble pushing the 'publish' button when I've gotten a little deep here, but I've learned over time to trust that the people who love me may not always have the same viewpoint, but they'll respect my honesty and that I've shared mine...and more times than not, more people than I'd ever imagine feel the same way and were grateful that someone articulated it. Let me say that again...I've learned to trust my readers...that's important...I don't feel scared anymore publishing any post...except now I'm nervous again...just a little.

I'm wondering if those that have been following me for a long time have seen at least a little change in me since my move over to 'Blogger'. Maybe it's just me, you know how we tend to magnify things when we know we're hiding something (yes, I have been). You see I know that there has been a change, because I know there's been one.

You see, I decided with the move that either my blog would peter out or I'd be trying to do something more to pay-it-forward. Let me go back and tell you that from the very first weeks of my blog I had people sending me private messages telling me how much they enjoyed it, or felt the same way and soon I was getting lots of messages telling me that I needed to write a book (again, I'm just stating the facts). I was flattered, but laughed it off saying I'm no writer, but thanks for the support. Here's the thing, even a year later I was regularly getting Private Messages, emails or Comments with people telling me they'd read my whole blog start to finish and that I needed to write a book (many during their recovery and let me just say...reading my year of blogs is a big feat...I'm sure it's longer than any book...you know I can't describe unpacking the gauze in my belly button without five paragraphs LOL...it totally amazed me how many people did this).

I started to think that maybe there was a need for more information out there from a Bander's perspective. I've looked at the LB books and all of them are written by Drs.; there's one that's written by a LBer and her Drs. but a lot of it is also from a medical perspective. I think you'd all agree with me that this LB journey has been so much huger than any of us originally thought it would be...I've gotten so much more from others going through their journeys than any LB Dr. will ever know (unless they have one). I think there's so much more that can be shared that would help newbies just starting out than what our Docs tell us. The fact that I had so many people reading my whole blog tells me that there's a need for this information out there.

When I moved the blog the end of January I made a deal with myself...I'd get rid of my funny pics (I thought that was the only reason people followed me) and if people were still interested and if I was still getting comments and emails about writing a book, then I'd try it...yes, you heard that right. To make sure I didn't chicken-out, the week I moved the blog, I told my DH what I was planning...he was very surprised, but he'd support anything I do. More shocking to me than rapidly reaching those 100 first followers (and the horror of the before pics) was that the very first week on Blogger I got comments again about writing the book...the very same day I got an email from one of my LBT friends, Diane about writing a book...it was like I was getting signs...I told her the above and that I was going to try it...something about saying it committed me to the process. I told a few other friends who had contacted me (one was Lena, my LBT supporter and a published author, thanks GF) who supported the book idea as well. I spent my extra time January researching book writing, and making several outlines and then writing a few portions.

Here's the thing...by February I had so many Followers that I was finding it impossible to read/comment on others blogs and write the book. I decided that I was new to Blogger and that I needed to show the same support to others that I'd done on LBT so people could get to know me and so that I could give the support that was the reason I moved here. By March I could hardly keep up with all the blogs (on LBT there a lots of bloggers, but most of them are more like 'posts', short questions), here there are so many wonderful articulate bloggers and I wanted to read and support them all.

I've gotten three months into this blog move and now I've want to keep the promise that I made. I hope by now that you know me and that you know I don't want to stop supporting you, but I need to devote more time to this. I hope you won't desert me if I can't be giving you the support you need all the time. I'm not going to disappear, and I plan to keep blogging…I'm hoping to ask for your help with portions of the book (like TOM and post-band TOM changes…hysterectomy here). I want your opinions because I so value them. I don't want to represent just my opinions, but all the ways that others approach their band journey as well...as you know there are lots of choices we have to make along the way and no one way is the right way...just knowing all the choices would have helped me a lot.

So here's where I am now...I hope that I still have your support and for those of you that don't know me well yet, I hope you'll believe me when I tell you what my friend Diane told me last night when I was freaking out over what my new Blogger friends might think...that I'm doing this for all the right reasons. I really feel so blessed to have my LB and especially to have all the support and knowledge I've gained along the way. I really want to try and pay-it-forward to as many LBers as I can and that's the reason I'm trying this. After a little research I can tell you it's going to be a very long process (maybe a year), that 99% of book ideas submitted never get published (but I'll give it my best shot), if you want to make money being an author is not the way to do it. You know it would be a very limited audience of we LBers, and again, I'd just be thrilled to ever get this published.

I'll need your help and support more than ever along this new path I'm taking. I know by the time this is finished most of you will be at maintenance and won't need this information, but I hope you feel like I do that this LB journey has been such a learning experience that for the newbies just starting a book that they'll be able to relate and turn to might just make their journey a little easier. Thanks as always for listening. Here goes that 'publish' button...

4/4/10 In My Easter Bonnet...

Put on your Easter bonnet, fancy dress, stiletto's, and gloves, because it's time for another award dinner...

The Rules for this award:

1. When you have received this award you must thank the person that awarded you the award in a new post.

Thank you Ms. Drazil at http://justmedrazil.blogspot.com/ you always make my day brighter and I'm so glad we found each other at the beginning of our 'Blogger' endeavors. I love that we are a lot alike (she's a perfectionist organizer that color codes like I do...I'd call her a little bit OCD like I am, but I've already called the girl and 'all around whore' and she's also sensitive) and that you're brave enough to show your whole self and get deep at times even though we're both all kinds of crazy most of the time. Your the best example of what I've learned from my skinny GF's (yes you are skinny sweetie), it doesn't matter how much you want to lose or how you're doing it, it's the same tough battle. Love you!

Thank you Ms. Sally at http://myspats.blogspot.com/ (I'm hoping this is the right award Sally, so sorry Blogger ate your blog...hate it when that happens!). She always has some positive support to give with a smile and she's a great mum and I love that she's following her passion in a new career! We both love crafty stuff and I love that she and I have the same weakness for wine and chocolate (no, neither one of us over-indulge you lushes!)...not just ANY chocolate, OH NO, good chocolate...it's like a fine wine...we have discriminating taste...and wine and chocolate when mixed together... well, we're doomed...good luck on Easter Sally...we'll need it! Love you!

2. Name 10 things that make you happy.

1. My DH who is right now vacuuming my kitchen floor, even though I've been a grump all week. He loves me despite myself and he still makes me laugh.
2. My 3 kids who will always be my babies. I still check in on them sleeping when they're here...they're my angels and I'm so proud of each of them.
3. My scale...most days.
4. My renewed health and being able to move more easily.
5. Food...I love it more than ever and I've gotten snobbier about wanting really good food. Chocolate, raspberries, wine.
6. Gardening; it's my meditation
7. Dancing like the world is watching.
8. Doing anything creative...it feeds my soul.
9. Traveling to new places, meeting new people, and learning new things.
10.My friends; my girlfriends including all of you...Who would know I would find so many strong, smart, and wonderful women (and men) who enriched my life every day on what I thought was the scary internet LOL.

3. Pass this award on to 10 bloggers & inform them.

I'll remind you that the thing I love most about these awards is finding out about new bloggers to follow; so I'll nominate those I haven't yet, so you can check them out!

1. Lori at http://ldswims-journeytoembrace.blogspot.com/
My heart is always with the newbies starting out as I remember the fear and frustrations and that's how I met Lori. Everyone send her some good 'approval vibes' as she's done everything asked of her, and more for over 6 months now, and she now sits waiting for that elusive stamp of approval...get yee over there and give some LB love!

2. Amanda at http://amandakiska.blogspot.com/
I always love to see what Amanda has to say. She's always learning something new and her love for her family comes across in every blog. I have mucho empathy for anyone who's going through bandster hell...first fill...a whole bagel sandwich...nuff said...she's going to do great.

3. Athena at http://athenasmelting.blogspot.com/
I'm glad she's back from her vaca and I hope this award takes her mind off the weigh in on Monday...duh, duh, duhhhhh...hey a little gain on a vaca is part of life and this new lifestyle we're all leading...don't sweat it girl!

4. Manda at http://candylandtobandland.blogspot.com/
Her little girls are beautiful and she's one of those mom's who doesn't just watch the easter egg Rice Krispy treat commercials...she lives it...and eats it...just a few...now that's a lifestyle! I admire anyone who can cook with style.

5. Vanessa at http://dinnerland.blogspot.com/
Vanessa was one of my first supporters on Blogger and I always love reading her blog. Her food philosophy is a lot like mine and I really enjoy watching her figure it all out and share it with us. She's a great mom and I love that she takes the fam to Dunkin Donuts every weekend and understands the importance of family rituals...I grew up going to Krispy Kreme every Sunday morning after mass and we have 'pancake day' at our house now on Sundays. You're making memories girl.

6. Lena at http://fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com/
Lena is a low carb bander and has many great recipes on her site...her soup recipes saved me just post-op. She was one of my first commenter's/followers (actually leader would be a bettter word) on LBT and is always a great supporter.

7. Carmen at http://mywittyblogtitle.blogspot.com/
I love that she's as curious about everything as I am ('can I feel the fill going to my band', etc.). She's smart and will never be invited to my house for Trivial Pursuit...one know-it-all is quite enough for me to deal with.

8. Jen http://andjustwhowereyouexpecting.blogspot.com/
She's running...in public...nuff said. Oh, and hold onto your seats...she'll be at ONEDERLAND any day now!! We're cheering you on Jen!

9. Jen http://www.jenisgonnaloseit.com/
We've both got three kids about the same ages. She's been going through some painful varicose vein surgery and is about to get the second leg done...my Mom and one sis suffer the pain with the same so I feel for her. Rest up Jen and feel better soon!

10. Dee http://kajungumbo.blogspot.com/
She's been through some tough times with losing a home to Katrina and trying to rebuild and yet she's positive and finds time for others. She's going on a well deserved vacation to Hawaii soon and already met her WL goal for that. Besides, we're the same age!

Happy Easter All!

4/1/10 Stiletto Award

I'm pumped up on some good drugs now, and I'm trying to catch up. I've received an award and need to pass on the love (To heck with the award, I just want those shoes! Ehemm...sorry, it's the drugs).

You Have Received The Stiletto Award!!

What is a Stiletto Award???
There are thousands of blogs, and there are hundreds of awards. The Stiletto Award is a little different than most!
First, to understand, let us understand the Stiletto… some words that describe it…
Classy – Strong -Exotic – Demure – Extreme – Ultra – Sexy - Bold – Funky


“Walking in extremely high heels is not something that the average woman (or man) will need to do in their everyday life. However, there are times when this skill may be required.”

AND… what is a “blogger”? According to Dictionary.com the official definition is:
Blogger: One who writes entries in, adds material to, or maintains a weblog

However, I think there is a LOT more to it than that. My definition of a blogger…
Blogger: A strong, confident woman who has a full life. Because of the nature of her existence, she seeks connection and companionship with others who understand and wish to support her. She gains strength and courage from the experiences of these woman and shares her story in return. Through the “blog world” she develops relationships with women she would otherwise never meet and builds a community of cherished friends with whom she shares her life, experiences, challenges, failures, triumphs, goals, family and so much more! She IS Classy, Strong, Exotic, Demure, Extreme, Ultra, Sexy, Bold and Funky!

“To walk gracefully in high heels, take short steps, as opposed to long strides, and come down in a heel-toe, heel-toe motion.”

Hence, the Stiletto Award…For Excellence in Blogging!
I want to salute the women who balance life, family & relationships with style & class! Those women who share their experiences with us…who encourage us, inspire us, teach us, make us laugh and basically keep us going! You know who they are! While you read this blog, your family is looking at you wondering what the heck you are laughing about so hard…or why the tissue is necessary for internet browsing. It’s the one that the kids are excited about cuz a new post means a new craft project or family outing. The one that inspires you to be a better mom, friend, person in general. The one that reminds you that we are all “in this life together” and you’re not the only one going through the hard stuff. The one that you secretly wish your blog was like…

“It is good to get into the habit of doing the warm-up and cool-down exercises every time you wear them.”

If you’ve received this award, someone out there thinks you deserve it! Be proud! Display the badge with honor! You earned it…after all it means that you brought something special to at least one other person, and really, isn’t that what life’s all about????

“Under no circumstances drive a car with your heels on. Not only do you have less control over the car, but it will damage your shoes – and they aren’t cheap at this height. Keep spare shoes in the car for driving, or have someone drive you.”

THE RULES!
This blog is meant to be shared, to be given out, to be bestowed upon any and ALL women who exemplify what the stiletto represents. If you’ve received this award, here’s what you do:

1. Display your Stiletto Badge of Honor on your sidebar! Wear it with pride… (grab the badge here)

“Heels this high are not meant for clubbing or walking long distances in. They are mainly used for getting from the living room to the bedroom, from the car to the restaurant, or for a short stroll along the catwalk.”

2. BRAG ABOUT IT! -write a post about your award. Include the link to this page so everyone will understand what it’s all about! http://bit.ly/thestilettoaward

3. SAY THANKS! - include a link to the friend who nominated you for the award.
These two ladies always make my day brighter; if you're not following them, you need to:
Thank you Lori at http://ldswims-journeytoembrace.blogspot.com/
Thank you Drazil at http://justmedrazil.blogspot.com/

4. SHARE THE LOVE! -nominate 5-10 blogs that you feel deserve the award. Include links to them in your post -and- leave them a comment to let them know they are nominated.
The best part about these awards is finding new bloggers from others to follow/read. 'My rules' are to list different people for each award so that everyone gets some exposure and new followers (and yes, you know I'm anal enough to keep track LOL). So go check these ladies out, they're great women!:

Kristen: http://catchytitlehere-elise.blogspot.com/
Bonnie: http://wishingandhopingandprayingforaband.blogspot.com/
Jenny: http://www.embracinganewpath.blogspot.com/
Bandita Seniorita: http://mybandita.blogspot.com/
Kristen: http://redmokr.blogspot.com/
Kinzie: http://kinziesday.blogspot.com/
Roo: http://abrandnewroo.blogspot.com/
Jennifer: http://lifeasiknowitsc.blogspot.com/
Chele: http://bandedmommy.blogspot.com/
Nicole: http://betterbanded.blogspot.com/

5. DO WHAT YOU DO! -keep at it. Keep inspiring and encouraging and sharing your life! We love it and we thank you!!!

3/30/10 A Bouncing Baby GB

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

3/24/10 Tell All

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

3/17/10 Sugar Doll Award

First, HAPPY ST. PADDY'S DAY!!! *Pinch* to all of you not in green (or still in your jammies...I'm guessing they're not green).



This is THE FABULOUS SUGAR DOLL AWARD. This award is to be given to 5 bloggers who make your life sweeter! Here are the rules for this Blog Award.

1. Thank the Person who gave you this award.
Thank you LD at A Journey To Embrace She was one of the gals in the moving truck this Jan. who moved her blog here from LBT to Blogger (so happy you did). She's currently had her paperwork submitted and is WAITING for approval (most of us remember those anxious days...tick, tick, tick). Go give her some support, or tell her a story to help pass her waiting time!

2. Give to 5 bloggers and write why they have made your life a lil sweeter.
In LD's honor, I'm giving this to the five of our 'soon to be' or new banders (I know I missed a few of you, sorry). They need our support the most!

Ashley at A Band New Life She's one week post op, Bandster Hell has arrived and she's HUNGRY (what's that? LOL)!

Tessierose at Band me Baby! She's getting banded in 8 days...go give her some love and advice!

Joey at Volume Control She's about three weeks post-op now and is doing well (back to work).

Jess at Big Girl in a Big World She's three weeks post-op now too and is fighting the carb monster!

Jacquie at Can't wait to lose it with the Band! She's getting banded on 3/24 in Mexico. Give her some support, or teach her some Spanish (I wonder how you say 'Thank you Mexico for my band.'?)!

3. Write why you where given this award. Lori said "I can't not bring up BG! She is the reason I got into blogging and she is the most amazing teacher! She has quite a way with words and she will put it all out there to try and help others. Her comments always make my day!" She's too sweet!

4. Tell the other bloggers u gave them this award.
*I'm having some computer problems (My screens keep freezing and I have to restart, grrr) and DH isn't back until Friday night to fix it, so I'll do my best to inform you!

**Please forgive me for not leaving very many comments lately, I hope it's fixed soon!

3/9/10 Telling

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

2/22/10 Scale Whores Anonymous-1st Anniversary Meeting!!!

AGENDA
- Call to Order:
o 'TAP, TAP, TAP...Is this mike on?'

- Creed: Yes, you must recite it with me...this serious business...whose snickering back there? Right foot on your scale...

o I am a Scale Whore. I wear this title with pride. Keeping track of my weight and use of a scale is an important tool in my journey toward or at a healthy weight. I am only one of many others like me and together we are a group. Although our journeys and choices may be different, we are bonded together by the common strategy of keeping a careful eye on our weight. I will share freely and will educate others on my strategies so that others may learn from my experiences. I will accept, respect and support my fellow Scale Whores regardless of their choices and alternate strategies without passing judgment, regardless of my personal views. I will unite with this group to defend against the prejudices and intolerance of others in order to preserve the support and accepting atmosphere of this group. I am here to teach and to learn, to find support and give it, so that I can more successfully reach or maintain a healthy weight.

Thank you all for keeping it together.

-Review of Qualifications for Joining SWA:
o Join Us!!! What?!! You don’t know if you qualify as a Scale Whore (or 'Gigolo'...the 'G' is silent in our title, but we all know it's there...like a deadly fart...not that you're like a fart men...but don't guys like farts...I'll just stop now and say you're in)? Well, here are the qualifications for becoming a member. You only need to say ‘Yes’ to last one* and ‘Yes’ to any one other item listed below, and you’re in:

o Do you enjoy getting on your scale often (OK, maybe ‘enjoy’ isn’t the right word when getting on a scale)? This can be anywhere between at the Doctors to every hour. More often than that and you just need help and you’re too afflicted even for us (getting on and off 3 times in a row to average doesn’t count as too much, as any Scale Whore can tell you, this counts as one).

o Do you find yourself trying to wear (or naked) basically the same thing every time you weigh yourself (let's not even get started on bathroom habits)?

o Do you weigh yourself, or your clothing/shoes before you go to the doctor so you can figure your exact weight and if your scale matches your doctors (and then almost pee yourself holding it until you get home and on the scale)?

o Do you somehow chart or spreadsheet your weight (or track it on your bathroom mirror)?

o Do you try to somehow predict what your weight will be in the future? Those with magic crystal balls need not apply (that’s cheating and considered an unfair advantage…the rest of us are at the mercy of the Weight Loss Gods who take great pleasure in messing with our predictions daily).

o *Do you NOT want help for any of the above? Meaning you’re secretly OK with the fact that you’re a Scale Whore (so pretty much anyone who doesn’t want help or doesn’t think this is an affliction)? I'm going to say this one more time...We're not here to help you stop weighing...We're all about weighing yourself MORE, not less, so please join another group if you think weighing is a problem...move along (and you must be missing the WL gene).

Then come out of the closet (or bathroom) and sign up to join us!

- Role Call and Reading of Minutes of Last Meeting:
o Last meeting was our semi-annual meeting in August. I've got to say, you're all looking great...just look how much less our group weighs since six months ago!!! Some of you are only half a member now! I can hardly believe it's been a whole year since the group's formation!

- Swearing in and Initiation of new members:
o Scales and Measuring tapes will be involved…don’t worry, it’s all done in a pitch black room and we’ve all survived…so far. Initiates...you may put on your blindfolds NOW. Shh...stop that giggling and someone get the lights!

- Announcements, Reports, Business, Program, Open Sharing:
o SWA WL awards will now be awarded (Can you tell it's the year of the Olympics?!). Since this is a new program I've added to our meetings I would like you all to take a moment to pull out your WL spreadsheets (or mirrors) and do some calculating. Our last meeting was 6 months ago, so please calculate how much you've lost in the last 6 months (yes, even you new Initiates). OK, times up! This isn't high math...I weighed 195 August 22nd -minus- 161 today (stupid Goal Limbo) = 34 pounds...I'm sorry, I'm much too blonde to convert this to metric (and I was around when the US schools were going to convert to the metric system...well THAT was a wasted year of math...just about the time I caught on they decided to bag it...we HAD to be different!), but we're in luck, all our overseas members are smart...even the blonde ones. Now please step up to the scale and weigh-in to receive your award (I hung mine on my Bulletin Board...ooooo shiny!).



---Bronze to members having lost 0-39 pounds/6 mo.; congrats, you've lost weight (because no one goes home empty handed) and those losing more than 26 pounds have lost more than the 1 pound minimum per week the docs promise!

---Silver to members having lost at least 40 pounds/6 mo.; that's more than 1.5 pounds/week...way to go!

---Gold to members having lost at least 50 pounds/6 mo.; that's about 2 pounds/week...awesome...we all bow down before you (just hum your national anthem as you collect your gold medal please). Anyone, Anyone? OK, bust out the karaoke machine and then she'll come forward!

---A special award, the SWA Goal Trophy, will now be given to anyone at their goal who has maintained their goal weight for the past 6 months (d*mn, stupid Goal Limbo, it's now going to take me a year to get that trophy for my shelf!).

o The floor is now open for sharing of WL tracking and methods. Share how you use a scale and/or track your weight (random thoughts also always welcome).

- Entertainment, Social Activities, Just for Fun:
o Arts and Crafts, games, teambuilding, etc. Share yours here and the group will participate (I'll get the ice...d*mn glue guns!)! I see you all brought your scales as instructed...I'd like to end this part of our meeting with 'Musical Scales' (my fav).

- New Business, Suggestions:
o For Our Next Meeting (or suggestions for anything else...how do you like our new venue here...like the wallpaper?).

- Closing Ceremony:
o The parade of countries, Dominoes Formation "Fall" with our Scales (symbolic of our weight falling down), and fireworks to rival the Olympic Ceremonies!!!

o Until Next Time…

2/19/10 Low Carb Banders

One of our Bandster bloggers, Lena from 'Fat Frog Diary' needs some help. She/her surgeon follows a low carb diet and has been asked by her surgeon to come at speak at the support group to other Banders who have 'fallen into negativity, especially concerning the low carb diet'. She wants some feedback from any of you regarding a low carb diet, questions you have, what about low carb you have the most difficulty with, etc. (my only low carb experience was with Atkins). Her blog is here:
http://fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-doc-has-spiffy-new-office.html

Lena was one of my first supporters on LBT when I knew nothing (still don't) and has a great blog with wonderful recipes, so while you're there check it out. Her broth and soup recipes drove me into the kitchen to ACTUALLY COOK them just pre-op...yes, unbelievable I cooked (three kinds) and even I didn't flub them...ask DH...I caught him happily lapping up one of my coveted and carefully portioned frozen soup packets about week 3 of my 6 week post-op diet from Hell and I about took his head off...he wanted more...not happening dude!

Best wishes Lena, you'll do great inspiring those Banders!

2/10/10 Shout out to New (and Old) Bloggers

I noticed today that several of my followers have less than 10 followers of their own. Now we all know we're writing primarily to unload, whine, and b*tch...Oh, that's just me get support in this journey. 10 followers is NOT support people (we all know it takes at LEAST 20 of us to lift one of us obese gals on our shoulders)!!! So get on over there and check these gals out and start the lifting!

Jenny- Just starting the journey: http://embracinganewpath.blogspot.com/
Sandy- http://2010snewlife4me.blogspot.com/
Rebekah-: http://theloosingbattle.blogspot.com/
Lena- Bander with a primarily LB recipe site: http://fatfrogdiary.blogspot.com/
Karen- http://gloryrn.blogspot.com/
Drazil- http://justmedrazil.blogspot.com/

Oh, and SOMEHOW as I went through the blogs tonight I found I wasn't actually following two people that I thought I was (see that anal list came in handy...yes you doubters!). If you see I'm not following you yet, it's only because I'm obviously TI (tech impaired). Please hit me over the head here and let me know.

Stay tuned...tomorrow's blog involves lots of booze and bubbles (party at my blog)!

P.S. I just need to say, DS2 has been off school all week and tomorrow already...I shoveled snow 3x today lifting to piles over my shoulders...it's no longer pretty b*tch over.

2/1/10 Finding Common Ground

*Portion of Post Deleted for Lap Band Book




Me on our way out (wearing one of the two fitted tops I mentioned buying at Kohl's...see, it's NOT Black and even better...it's a print!). Oh, and I'm not sure if they were just trying to give me a compliment or not, but the GF's kept telling me that these size 14 jeans (the new ones) were too big.