Me too, SUSAN, WHERE ARE YOU!! Mmmmm, I am having trouble with a few keys on my keyboard All the keys down the right side of the keyboard are not working! So no fullsto*s, no semi-colons, and no letter * (which is above the semi-colon) - ho*e that makes sense 
Well, I finally bought myself a dumbell 
Yes, A dumbell Its a 5kg, and I can only afford one at a time! But Ive started working out with it Ive been a bit slacker with my walks lately My SIL hasnt been well and hasnt been coming with me, so some days I dont go, and when I do its usually shorter than usual
Anyway, Ive taken on half a days work a week, every Friday morning, at my childrens school They have asked me to run the music *rogramme for the high school and get a choir and instrumental grou* going, so now Im keen to get a few *ounds off to fit into some of my smarter looking clothes again I start on Friday, so Im a bit excited
I miss Susan, too. I sure hope she is ok. Last I heard she was having some problems with her new job.
Glad that everyone is doing alright, though. Good to hear that you are going to be working on Friday mornings, Sonia. Hope it is something you enjoy doing. It should give you some new motivation and give you a change.
I miss Susan too. I have sent a message through spark mail as well with no response.
Sonia that is nice you will be working on Friday's. You may find that it will help with the weight loss. You will be moving around in class, will have to get your lessons together during the week, so less time to nibble.
Merissa, you are doing awesome on your running!! Keep it up.
Karen You are better than I would be about not having my stuff, that would drive me nuts!!! Here's hoping you get your things soon.
Sorry I have been in and out so much, work has been busy. I am still working out two times a day most days....I am still at 197, so for more than a month I have been on a plateau and not too happy about it!!! I think I have hit that time where I start to get lax on what I am doing and not watching my portions or measuring anything. This is where I fall flat on my face. I need to get things back in control and fast before I gain the 19 pounds that I have lost.
Michelle, it is good to hear from you again. Be happy that your work has been busy. One small step is all it will take to get you back onto the right path.
I had my official weigh in this morning and was at 141 pounds. down from 146.6 last week. Seems like quite a large loss for one week, but I weighed twice to make sure. I also bought a size 6 in panths today. I'll see how far I can take this. It is going in the right direction anyway.
Have a good day, all!
Karen
Michelle, it must be discouraging to be on the same weight for all that time, when youre working out so much Maybe changing your diet *atterns a little may hel*!
Karen, thats a huge loss, congrats!!
Well I had my first day of work today It went well, but its going to be a huge amount of work, Im running choirs, duets, trios, quartets, and I have to write 2, 3 or 4 *arts for each one and train them all individually Anyway, will see how it goes!!
Hi Friends!
I'm so sorry I've been gone, I have no good reason except to say that it's been much more stressful to adjust to the move and a new job than I anticipated. Michelle sent me a Sparkpeople email a few weeks ago and nudged me to return and I'm so glad she did, thank you Michelle.
Moving back was a great decision. I've just been surprised at how much I had to adapt to American ways again...I guess strong habits and ways of living are developed over 6 years. But it's going well, just a bit more challening than I thought.
My job...sigh. My job is so much more overwhelming than I dreamed it would be. I've been made Director of Foster Care and I don't know what I don't know and that's what scares me. I have to constantly be on top of state regulations and be prepared for surprise inspections from the state and that just about makes me cry. Additionally, I supervise the caseworkers, most of whom are not professional social workers so their philosophies tend to be different and not always consistent with social work values. To say nothing that having been given this position has not endeared me to the person who had it before but was doing it without the education required. Sometimes I'm not so popular and it's hard. Anyway...
I do have some news on the weight loss front. I was beginning to gain from my loss of 38 pounds last year and being that I still had many more pounds to go, that was not good. I was feeling discouraged and overwhelmed. So I took a dramatic step...on May 22 I had lapband surgery. I just felt it would give me one more tool to be successful and help me lose the 60+ pounds I still have to go. It was an outpatient surgery and went well except that I'd never had general anesthesia before and that was the hardest part. It took me about 6 days before I felt awake again. I don't get my first "fill" til Tuesday next week so it's really not at the working stage yet but I've lost 15 pounds just because of the week of sleeping! At this point I'm eating as much of whatever I want, but I hope that changes on Tuesday. I don't want to bore anyone about the procedure but if anybody has questions, I'll explain what I'm talking about.
Good to be back...
WELCOME BACK SUSAN!!!! We have missed you.
I have heard good things about that surgery, I'm sure you will do well. You already know that you have the self control so that wont be a problem for you!!! Sorry your job is so stressful, that does not make things easy. The last we heard from you, you were still waiting for your things to arrive, I assume they have and you are at least settled in your home.
Karen great job on the loss, it is quite a bit for one week, but dont worry too much about that. Keep doing what you are doing.
Sonia, it sounds like you have your hands full at work. As long as you love your job it will be fine.
OK I gotta run and take a shower, I just worked out and did the dishes in hot water so I am quite sweaty!!!!
Everyone have a great weekend, I wont be able to check in again until Monday, when we leave here today we wont be back until tomorrow night.
GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN, SUSAN!
Hope everything turns out well for you. Just hang in there and I am sure that it will. Please keep us updated, we have been worried about you.
Karen
Yay!! Welcome back Susan! Sorry to hear things have been difficult. My sister is a foster carer. She has had 2 little brothers in her care for over 3 years and I hear a lot of what goes on behind the scenes. It would be a very difficult job!
And congrats on the surgery! A friend of mine had it done last year. She had lost about 22 kg in around 4 months when I saw her last.
Well, DH pulled my keyboard apart and fiddled with the connections and has got all my keys working again. I'm very grateful for a "handy hubby".
I have not been so good with my diet this week. I have not weighed myself yet.
Thank you for the welcome back everyone. Michelle, in answer to your question about being settled in, that's been part of my stress. My things arrived and I completely unpacked, but because the apartment the agency gave me was fairly small, not everything fit...like my couch had to be stored at a different place because it would not fit up the stairs! A couple of weeks after everything was unpacked, one of the directors came over to visit and the next day he offered me the opportunity to move into an empty 3 bedroom house around the corner that the agency owns. I declined because the thought of moving again was totally overwhelming and I just felt I couldn't do it. They eventually talked me into it and honestly I'm very glad I moved AGAIN because this house is plenty big enough for 1 person (1500 square feet) and quite charming at 71 years old.
I'm so glad to be back and hope to catch up with everyone!
Hi everybody. Sorry I havn't been on in a while, I have been lurking here and there to try to keep up. Glad to here all the great losses.
SUSAN, glad to see your back. I know a stressful job is such a challange. Moving twice, but seems you've got a great handle on it all.
I'm not doing so good with the eating. Gained 3 lbs. since the new job started. When I get bored, I grap a cookie, not good. But I am surrounded by these amazing sweets, uggggh! The good news is they are moving me up to a decorator position from a clerk. Now hopefully, since I will be in the back of the shop decorating and busy, I won't be looking at these treats all day and can gain some willpower. We opened our pool yesterday and you know what that means, the dreaded swimsuit!
Congrats on the promotion, Alaina! How exciting for you!!
Susan, sorry you had to move again, but it's great that you have somewhere more comfortable now.
Susan so glad you made the move again. You would have been unsettled in the amaller apt if you were there for a long time.
Alaina, congrats on getting to decorate!! Thats great news.
Nothing too new for me here. I am working out and staying away from the scale, I am mad at it right now. For 2 months I have not budged from 197. Mind you I am still happy to be under 200, but still 2 FULL MONTHS working out like a dog, watching my intake and nothing!!! So I decided I will just stage a personal stand off from the scale for a bit. I will weigh in next week.
I go to Laughlin on Friday for the weekend for a girls weekend, should be fun.
Ok gotta run and get some work done!!!
Michelle, I feel your pain...I went through a couple of months last year when the scale didn't budge, it's so discouraging! I usually tried to pick up something equal to the amount of weight I'd lost so that I'd be encouraged to keep at it. But I know it's hard. I envy you for being under 200 though, that's GREAT!!
Alaina, how's the new job? That's so great for you, many congratulations! I can't wait to see what you're decorating there. Do you get to use any new tools?
I hope everyone's doing well. It's SO hot here...98 degrees, almost 100% humidity and no chance of rain or end in sight. It's miserable. The only positive thing I can say is that I have air conditioning here, and didn't in Italy.
What's everyone up to? I'm having a busy weekend; last night I had an overnight child guest and we went to dinner, then to see the movie Up, which was quite cute. We went out to breakfast this morning, then I took her home. Went shopping at Pier 1 and bought a nightstand for my bed, so I'm getting ready to do a little bedroom furniture rearranging. I'm meeting a friend and her adult daughter for dinner tonight but before then I want to clean my house. Tomorrow afternoon I have a ticket to see the ballet Swan Lake. I'm very excited about that, I've always wanted to see it, I love the ballet. I think it'll be over by 5PM, then I have to run home because my sister and her 4 (yikes!) children are arriving from San Antonio to stay for 2 nights. Then...my Dad comes on Tuesday, will spend one night with me, go to a meeting on Wednesday, then return to San Antonio on Wednesday. Busy few days ahead...How is everyone?
Wow, you sound very busy Susan!
My eldest son, Kyran, turned 10 today! Wow, I'm starting to feel old. So today I've been finishing off his cake and throwing a birthday party. I spent Thursday preparing for my day of work with high school kids, Friday at the school, Friday night & Saturday morning making two cakes (got 4 hours' sleep), then I delivered them, pulled into the supermarket car park to get some supplies for Kyran's cake, and fell asleep in my car!!!
Anyway, the exciting news is that Kyran did his first cake decorating. He's the one who takes after me the most, and has often talked about cake decorating. He modelled a Bugs Bunny to sit in front of his cake. His nickname is Bugs Bunny, because he has his adult front teeth, but the ones on each side have been missing for nearly a year. He also eats carrots at school instead of fruit (just like his mum ) so his school friends gave him that name. I'll try and attach a pic:
Goodness gracious! I missed soooo much!
Welcome back Susan! wow so much news! Congrats on your surgery, I can't wait to hear updates on your progress. I thought your job was an unpaid position? No? Seems like an awful amount of work and responsibility for something unpaid. Maybe I am mistaken!
Congrats on the weight losses and promotions etc etc! Sounds like everyone is doing well.
I have been a little stressed this week. Couple of cake orders and with the kids home for summer, baseball games, t ball games, swimming lessons etc. I am worrying about getting stuff done. Plus I have an old friend coming this weekend. We used to be best friends for 20 years but had a falling out because she got into drugs. We have not seen eachother in 5 years and have only had a little communication over email during that time. AHHH! She is coming out with her sister to get a cake. I havent spoken to her yet, but i have her phone number. I think I should call her before she comes, but I am afraid.
Hi all, sorry for being missing. I got sick on my trip to Laughlin and have been battling an aweful chest cold since. I even stayed home yesterday. I have not worked out in almost a week, I dont even think I could, I would just start coughing and spit up a lung!!!
Great job on the cake Sonia, you both did a good job.
Karen you will be exhausted by the time everyone leaves, but how great to see everyone!!!
Merissa that would be a bit worrisome, not sure how I would feel. Keep a possitive outlook, perhaps things have changed for her.
Well I pulled on my big girl panties and I called her 
! I am glad I got it out of the way before she came out here. It was a little awkward and we didnt discuss anything "heavy" I didn't want to ask too many questions, I just thought I would let her lead the way. I am not sure just how interested she is in having me as a close friend though. I think her life revolves around "keeping clean" and her new support group friends. Of course that is wonderful! It's weird though.
Good for you Merissa! You never know what may be in the future for your friendship. It may have run its course, and then again, when she gets stronger and more stable, she may need/want that friendship back. Like you said let her lead the way. If you feel the friendship is worth it, then be there when she comes back.
Sonia ~ Your little guy did a GREAT job on his cake! That's impressive, he definitely takes after you! Congratuations on having such a positive impact on your child.
Michelle ~ Do you feel better? I hope so.
Merissa ~ Good job with your friend. That must've been a challenge. In answer to your question, my job is a volunteer, but it's still a job. It's a full time professional position without pay but I have to look at it as a regular job. I'm the director of a department so it's important I do things correctly.
I get my 2nd fill tomorrow in my band, should be interesting to see if it's works, I hope so because so far, it's not.
OMG, it's so hot and miserable here, I can't stand it. It was 105 today with terrible humidity. Again...why am I here? No pay and awful weather?? What was I thinking?!
Hi guys, just checking in. Don't have much to say tonight, and I'm supposed to be off making more cakes.
I posted this thread yesterday. If any of you have advice, I need some more suggestions, because what I was going to do with the jellyfish hasn't worked out. Thanks!!
http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopicp-6446579-.html#6446579
Wow, Susan! I certainly understand your need to handle your job in a way that is consistent with your training and values...paid or unpaid! I am just really impressed with your willingness to to take on such a position without even getting paid. You are a better person than me! Best of luck with the challenges you face!
So what happens exactly with the "fill" in your band? I don't get how it works I guess!
Sorry so short, got to head to swimming lessons...I'll check back later!
I am interested to know as well Susan. I always thought they just made the stomach smaller and off you went.
Sorry the weather is so bad. We had a really nice start to our summer, we are not just getting into the 100's but we have no humidity, so much easier to take. When we have monsoons and our humidity is up, boy I can hardly breath it is so heavy.
That is an amazing cake Sonia, good luck and I cant wait to see your finished product. Wish I had some ideas for you. The only thing I thought of was gelatin, but never worked with it before so had no idea as to where to start. By the way what is the gigantic snake?????
Good afternoon all!
Just checking in. Sure seems that everyone is really busy and has a lot going on.
Susan, hang in there. What is your doctor saying about your progress? Keep us posted, please.
I got a rescue dog two weeks ago tomorrow. She is eight months old. She's a papillion (I've been wanting to get a papillion for three years now). Her potty training is going well as she almost never makes a mess in the house. She has peed a couple times, but I blame myself because I didn't take her out when she asked to go. Training is going well, also. She sits just about every time she is asked and is learning "stay" and "down."
My weight is up by 1.6 pounds this week, but I did eat before weighing in, so I am not so sure about the correctness of the weight. My new goal is under 140 lbs. Just a few pounds to go.
Well, talk to you all later! Have a great day!
Karen
Good morning everyone!
Karen how nice getting a dog. I wish we could get one, but we are never home. The poor dog would be alone most of the time.
I feel so much better, and slept all night without coughing, so I will try working out tomorrow morning.
Have a great day everyone!!! TGIF
Hello! Glad your are feeling better!
Well my friends sister called last night and they arent coming sunday. I had already started the cake for her...oh well. Part of me is happy to now have the day off saturday from decorating and it sure does take down my stress level. But on the other hand I have been doing some thinking and I am really realizing that it doesn't seem like my "friend" is all that anxious to form a relationship with me. I guess that is okay. Gotta go...customer here!
Hi EVeryone ~
I've tried to get on a few times this week unsuccessfully, it just wouldn't load.
Karen, congrats on your new puppy! She sounds adorable and they're usually such good company.
For those of you asking about the lapband procedure...the "lap" part is because the procedure is done by laprascope, so there are only 4-5 small incisions and it's a day surgery procedure. What they actually insert is called a gastric band. The band fits about 1/4 of the way down from the top of your stomach, forming a small upper stomach. Think of an uneven hourglass; the skinny part in the middle is where the band fits. The band is like an inner tube; and can be inflated to make it tighter around your stomach. Connected to the band is a thin tube that runs down your abdomen to about your belly button, just to the side of your belly button. This is internal, not external, so you don't see or feel it. At the end of the tube, also internal, is a small round piece called a port. In order to inflate the band, the doctor inserts a small needle into the port and injects saline fluid into it; the fluid runs up the tube into the band, inflating it and making it tighter. Just like an inner tube, over time the band deflates and the fluid leaks out. So if you start gaining weight, or stop losing, you go back for a "fill", the fill being the saline. I've been for 2 fills and my band still isn't tight enough; I can tell this because I can still eat quite a bit without feeling full and you're not supposed to be able to do that, thus the weight loss. It's apparently totally different for everyone...some people only need a fill a few times a year, some need one every 6 weeks or so. My surgeon said that after about 3 years, most people don't ever need another one. There are some hard parts: you're not supposed to drink anything during a meal because liquid pushes the food through the band and you won't feel as full and eat more. Things like bread, pasta, and rice that are sticky or doughy, are hard to get through the band and most people avoid them. I'm glad I did it, I just need to get to my "sweet spot" with enough fill. The surgery was pretty uneventful and many people have it on a Friday and return to work Monday. For me, the anesthesia was the hardest part, I felt tired for about a week. Hope that answers questions...
wow, that was interesting and informative! So the food still does go past the band then? What happens if you eat something like the breads etc. ? Does it make you feel poorly afterward? Just curious! I hope you get to the right spot soon and start seeing some action!
Thanks for the congrats, everyone. She is a sweet puppy and at about 10 pounds will not get any bigger. Hubby spends most of the day with her while I work. She is doing very well with her potty training and also with other training. We have just started, though.
Susan, I sure hope you get to the correct spot with your fill. Keep us informed.
Karen
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