Weight loss

Hi all! I hope everyone is well. I am new to the group and I have
some questions. If anyone can answer them I would be very happy.
First of all my mom and my aunt both had the gastric bypass surgery
about 15 years ago. They are both considering having a revision with
the rny. My aunt is worried because she is anemic. Does anyone know
if she is a candidate or does she need to do anything specail because
of that fact? Also, I want to have the surgery but I am a bog ol'
chicken. Did anyone have to have Blood gases done in the preop
testing? or after? Can anyone tell me about the preop testing what to
expect? Thanks everyone I really apprecaite any help you can give me.
Dyanna

Hi,
Sorry I haven't written in a while or been to a meeting..I have still been a bit rough...meaning the nauseas and the depression...I have lost 100 lbs and feel like a new woman...Love to all of you.
Shelby

Ladies and Gents!
What A Class! My Kick Boxing Class tonight kiked my
butt... but 30 min of dilerium and 45 min after class I
feel like a Hundred Bucks!!!! hmmm... i hear ebay
calling... Ok.. so here's my question. When you do a work
out, what is the recommended procedure for food/drink
intake before and after the work out? Should I be
concerned that I don't take in as much energy during the
day as most of the people i'm with in a class? Should I be
eating a little more b4/after an intense exercise as I
would normally? Should i be concerned that i'm 4 lbs
lighter than when i started out today? I guess that's why
i'm asking about food intake... any suggestions?
thanks,
siotha

I was looking through the picts on the website. and the ones added
Nov. 1 with the poster boy gary, and i assume wife? You guys look
FABULOUS!!!!!!!
Siotha

Robin,
I know your surgery isnt until Thursday but just wanted you to know that I was thinking of you.. I'll be so jealous of you for about a month ... Mine is Dec. 11th.... But you can go first and tell about all the pain and stuff... :) Good luck!!!
Love Ya Kristy

Hi Gurl! In an effort to better keep up with our precious people's WLS

For all you pre-ops that have yet to experience the joys of bowel
prep the day before surgery, I want to share a few tips I
incorporated this morning that really seemed to help with this joyous
experience . . .
I took my little bottle of phosphorus soda and put it in the freezer
for about 30-40 minutes to get it really good and cold. I then got
one of those little 8-ounce Coca-Cola cans (the ones that look like
midget cans) and put it in the freezer, too - for the same amount of
time. I then grabbed my little 2.5 ounce paper medicine cup that the
nutritionist gave me at my required Pre-Op Nutrition Class a month or
so ago and placed it on the counter, along with a tablespoon
measuring spoon. Once the phosphorus soda and coke were very, very
cold, and it was time to begin according to the clock on the wall, I
measured out one tablespoon of the p-soda, poured it into the 2.5
ounce medicine paper cup and popped the top on my midget coke can.
Putting the filled medicine paper cup in my left hand (I'm a rightie)
and my thoroughly chilled coke on my right hand, I said a quick
prayer and very quickly downed the p-soda, and as soon as I swallowed
(actually as I was in the process of swallowing) I had the can of
coke to my lips and immediately took a huge gulp. I only had to
repeat this process twice more and now I'm done until this
afternoon . . . It really, really, really made the difference - let
me tell you!!!
So if you want to, print this little tip out and hold on to it if you
decide to put it into practice as you begin your bowel prep
festivities. I'm sure tons of other people may have better advice but
this worked so well for me that I wanted to share - especially since
I was dreading it so much!!!
Good luck from the world of colon blow,
Steph +++

Hi Robin, I just wanted to tell you that I personally miss all your
posts and when I see your name on one I always read so closely
because you have a way of answering questions so well and
completely! I know you are super busy, but please keep us posted on
YOU here too, ok? Oh...and what about some new pics maybe??
Love,
Connie
RNY Dr. Miles, MCE
05/22/02
-90 lbs.

The skinny on Roker's weight loss: Gastric bypass
As any NBC Today viewer knows, weatherman Al Roker has lost a lot of weight.How he did it is an open secret around NBC, but Roker has refused to discuss the gastric bypass operation March 15 that allowed him to shed nearly 100 pounds.Now, he's ready."In this country, if you have an alcohol problem or a drug problem, you can get treatment," says Roker, 48. "If you have a weight problem, it's lack of willpower: 'Just push away from the table, tubby, and you'd lose that weight.' But you can stop drinking, you can stop sticking a needle in your arm. You cannot not eat." [INLINE]
Owning up to the operation, in which the stomach is reduced from the size of a football to an egg, "is embarrassing â the ultimate admission of failure. You don't want to talk." Which is why Roker told colleagues that he'd had his gall bladder removed: He was terrified that the bypass operation might not work and he'd gain the weight back, just as he did after every diet. "Scarsdale, Atkins, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, you name it, I've done it."Even when those diets caused him to drop a lot of pounds â say 50 â "when you weigh 320, that still puts you at 270." With every failure, he'd gain back the weight and "an extra 5 or 10 pounds, just for fun."Early this year, Roker says, he went into a funk. His dad had died a few months earlier. His wife, ABC 20/20 correspondent Deborah Roberts, was pregnant with their second child, and Roker couldn't give his daughter, Leila, piggyback rides because the knee he'd had replaced earlier was beginning to hurt again. "I felt horrible.
I didn't look good. I didn't feel good."So he began to research the operation on the Internet and ultimately told Deborah, who had been after him to lose weight, that he had scheduled surgery. "She said, 'Are you doing this because of me?' I said, "No, I'm doing this because of me.' "The laparoscopic operation at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York involved a small incision in his belly. He was back home after a weekend and at work a week later. (He had the operation filmed, and the Nov. 12 edition of DatelineNBC is devoted to his procedure.)Roker predicts the operation will become much more common as America's obesity problems grow. But he stresses that no one should consider it unless he needs to lose a minimum of 100 pounds. Otherwise, Roker recommends dieting. He says there have been no downsides. He still enjoys his favorite foods â barbecue, for instance â but in much-reduced portions, because his stomach quickly tells him when he's full. "I have a much better relationship
with food. I'm not sneaking. I'm eating out in the open. I enjoy my meals."Roberts, who has reported on Carnie Wilson's gastric bypass, says she worried that Roker was really doing it for her and that if he was disappointed with the results, "he might blame me." But she has been "magnificently, pleasantly surprised. He's discovering a part of himself that hasn't been around for years."Roker can now buy new clothes off the rack. He recently got something for himself â not just his kids â at the Gap. His jacket size has dropped from a 54 to a 46, and his waist has dropped from 54 to a 40. Roker and Today anchor Matt Lauer â they did a Sigfried and Roy dress-up Halloween routine last week on Todayâ now go clothes shopping together. "I say, 'Do these make me look fat? How does my butt look?' " And Roker says he might go shopping for swimsuits with Lauer this spring: "He wants me in a thong."Roker now weighs 221 pounds â a 99-pound loss. "I'm 1 pound shy of 100. It's driving me
nuts." He hopes to get below 200. "I don't think I'll ever be 175. As my mother says, I am 'big-boned.' "E-mail pjohnson@...
How the operation works [INLINE] [INLINE]
By Bob Davis, USA TODAYSurgeons divide the stomach into two compartments, each closed by a row of staples. Food is rerouted so that it bypasses the lower compartment and the duodenum (the roughly 9-inch length of small intestine below the stomach that helps break down food). What's left: an egg-size stomach attached directly to the small intestine. The procedure limits how much food a person can eat at one sitting. It also lets the body expel most food before it is fully digested. Possible risks: anemia, infection, pain and diarrhea from undigested food.Research shows that patients who have the surgery typically lose and keep off 60% of their excess weight five years later.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/columnist/mediamix/2002-11-03-media-mix_x.htm

Hi everyone just wanted to say hello to all the new comers on here
i've noticed quite a few new people. This is a great support group
for people who don't have alot of support for WLS. I know my dear
sweet husband is the only one who supports me having this done. This
group is like an old friend u can go to that understands your needs
and feelings. I've found so many new friends from this site. I plan
on attending (Good Lord Willing) the next SAt. meeting so that I can
finally meet some of the great folks I've talked with in this group.
Pop Tart, Tim Suggs, Grandma Peg and so many others I look so forward
to seeing.
It has truely been a rough weekend for me I was admitted into the ICU
here I'm SEVERLY allergic to any fish products or seafood even being
around it sends me into a life or death allergic reaction so this
weekend I was exposed to some tuna and was pretty bad and in the
hospital for 2 days. The doctor on call (whom wasn't my PCP) gave me
the same spill most dr. give about lossing weight like I haven't
tried boy don't that make u just want to smack them and say like I
haven't tried a dozen times. I really need your prayers now see were
loosing our home and it seems like one thing after another like a big
snowball keeps getting bigger and bigger. WHen i lost my job and
found out I can't work anylonger due to my disability well going from
2 income household to 1 has truely taken its toll on us so now along
with all my health realated problems i have this HUGE guilt because
of all our problems financially is because I can't work anymore. I've
finally decided to seek some therpy for my depression and all and I'm
hoping this will also help with my self esteem. I have alot of things
realted to my health that I'm hoping WLS can help with cronic pain
shortnees of breath, fibromalgia, diabetes, blood pressure going up
and so on and so on.. sorry to rambel just on a mood to write down I
guess. Thanks again for being here to listen. God Bless You All!
Jennifer

Melly
I don't know if I can be of any help since I don't know your exact situation but, I can tell you my experience. Before WLS I had extremely heavy periods that were irregular without birth control pills, but they were not very painful. Now after surgery and loosing little over 100 pounds they are of an average flow but are a lot more painful. I get the worse back ache now when I never did that before. Go see the ob/gyn she can probably prescribe you some type of muscle relaxer to help you through them. Good Luck
Love,
Robin Connell
Wanna See My Scar?

A woo-woo! Does Jerm know you follow hunks into hot steamy places? I
won't tell him as long as you don't tell Joy I'm riding around in the
woods with PINKY!
Message: 11
Date: Sun, 03 Nov 2002 17:43:41 -0500
From: " siotha goza" <siotha@...
Subject: Re: KikBoxing
to turn on 9th south. i found it by following the hulking
cute guys going in.. if i remember you turn @ 9th st, and

Hi all! I've been out of touch lately due to working out of town,
etc.
I just have to tell you all about this encouraging incident I had! I
am scheduled for surgery New Year's Eve which seems like FOREVER.
Robyn, a girl I work with had WLS with Dr. Clements in Sept 2001.
She was my size (lets just say "reubenesque" or "voluptuous" to
protect the innocent). She has lost over 100 lbs and I ran into her
at Belks yesterday.
She was dancing all around that cash register screaming "YES YES
YES!" (Kinda like those Herbal Essence shampoo commercials)
I said "Robyn, what's up?" She pulled out a pair of the ugliest
dadgum pair of pants I've ever seen and said, "Look what I am
buying!"
I hemmed and I hawed and finally said "Well it looks like nice
sturdy fabric" (Like I said they were U-G-L-Y!)
She screamed "They are a size EIGHT!"
At that point, I had to agree, they were the prettiest, nicest pair
of pants I'd ever seen!
Hugs to all!
Nancy (aka dumbunnie)

Your most welcome GP. I post the updates for all of us that can't make
it out to the hospitals to see our folks. I try not to visit on the
first day after surgery, no one likes to have visitors while they are
hurting or in la-la land, so I try to swing by on the second day.
There's a world of difference between "day 1" and "day 2" in the way
most people feel after WLS and they are usually in much better mood for
visitor. I really try not to be the "funny guy" while I'm visiting WLS
patients, but it's just my natural disposition. I am reminded to cool
it when I make them laugh, and then cry because it hurts to laugh.
I also try not to post anything that is invasive or "private", or
something that I think the "family" might prefer to post themselves.
Tim.
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 13:31:06 EST
From: peghrd@...
Subject: Re: Mille - Joe - Pop Tart updates...
Thanks, Tim, for the updates on Joe, Millie, and Pop-Tart. You are a
busy
bee these
days, and I appreciate your telling us about the family's news. Love,
GP

And I meant every word too! Now don't you go getting me in trouble with
Ronnie asking him why he doesn't drool over you like I do. I don't need
anyone looking to thump my melon, especially a crew of big hairy
construction workers. Another hug will more than suffice as payment in
full.
Tim.
Message: 8
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 15:10:18 EST
From: riverqueen77@...
Subject: Re: TIM HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU FOR THAT?----POP TART
DEAR TIM--I CANT REMEMBER ANYONE EVER HAVING GIVEN ME SUCH WONDERFUL
COMPLIMENTS BEFORE. I MEAN THAT!! I SAT HERE AND READ YOUR POST AND
WHEN I
READ ABOUT MYSELF I STARTED BLUSHING....EYE CANDY---I REALLY LIKED THAT
ONE!!
IM GOING TO ASK RONNY WHY HE HAS NEVER REFERRED TO ME AS EYE
CANDY--BECAUSE
TIM DOES! LOL
SO HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU FOR THOSE BEAUTIFUL COMPLIMENTS. WOULD YOU
SETTLE
FOR ANOTHER BIG HUG? I LOVE TO GIVE OUT HUGS...........
HUGS & LOTS OF LOVE---POP TART
OPEN RNY MAY 20TH. 2002
MCE--DR. MILES

Hi PINKY! Glad you took me up on my offer to join our group here. It
won't take you long to realize just how special we truly are. Watch out
for that Wes guy I was telling you about, I hear he pinches. Now as far
as my offer for a ride in "Monty" the Montero, maybe I shouldn't have
been so forward, I hope it didn't give you the wrong impression of me.
I am a happily married man and it probably would anger my wife if it got
back to her that I was riding around in the woods with you. The request
for the cell phone and tow rope was sincere however as I usually find
myself in unusual and embarrassing situations from time to time.
Glad your here, and I hope your friend is feeling better, tell him Joy,
"Ketchup" and I, all say hi!
Tim.
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 02 Nov 2002 18:11:08 -0000
From: "pinky_g_orilla" <Pinky_G_Orilla@...
Subject: New "pink" Member
Hello All,
I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. My name is Pinky Orilla
and I live in the Metro-Birmingham area. I met a friendly chap by the
name of Tim Suggs and his wonderful wife Joy in the gift shop at MCE.
They told me about this group and also how supportive and special all of
you are. I have a close friend that had wls in Sept. and I am very
supportive of that decision. I have since met several of you and have
enjoyed our coverstions. I look forward to talking with more of you and
maybe Tim will allow me to share some of "MY HUMOR" with you also. I
hope you all have a great week-end. Tim has invited me to go off-roading
in "Monty". He also said for me to bring my cell phone and a tow-rope
(wonder what that means?)
Your New Pal,
Pinky G. Orilla

I got a late start this morning due to a power outage courtesy of a
blown transformer, so I passed on breakfast at MCE and opted for lunch
instead. I actually had my head out of it's normal parking place (my
butt) and had the forethought to check with the lady at the info desk
before I went to the 6th floor. Joe must have been feeling pretty good
after I left him Saturday because he has flown the coop. So, I think
that did it for "our" people for the week. I still wish I knew who the
other two WLS patients were. I really need to do better at putting the

Guys pardon me, this question is for the women folk.
Hey all...
I was wondering if you could tell me if WLS can effect your
periods...now all my life they told me that my irregular periods were
due to so much weight I was carrying...I have lost half of
the weight so far I wanted to lose...92 lbs and the period, this week
is BAD...it hasnt gotten any better...I am going to schedule a gyn
visit hopefully for next week, but I really wanted to be OFF
this...but I dont remember a time when I actually wasn't on a
period...*sighs*...today...all I want is the plumbing removed...thats
how bad it hurts...
Melly

Hi Lynda and Rickie! I really enjoyed talking to y'all at the Fall
Fling! And I'm sure you told me before, but I didn't realize that y'all
lived in the wilds of Blount County. I think we need to buy up a couple
hundred acres and start us a WLS Commune up that way. Might work?
Tim.
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 21:02:31 -0800 (PST)
From: Lynda Davis <lyandr48@...
Subject: Re: SIOTHA
Hi Siotha---Where in Hayden are you moving? We live off 31 Hwy just
North of Top Hat Bar-B-Q. Our mail comes Hayden, the phone is a
Hanceville exchange(Cullman) but we are in an area called Bangor (Blount
Cty). Confusing huh!!!! Give us a call if we can do anything for you.
Lynda and Rickie Davis Sr.

Well, it's more a phone problem than a computer problem, but the
sympathy is still appreciated. I was looking at printers today at
Office Depot, but was just window shopping so I don't remember any of
the prices or specs. I am really in the market for a new scanner and am
looking for something to scan photo's from magazines,etc. so it would
have to be a flatbed. I was really looking for a multi-machine with
laser printer/scanner/fax/am/fm/cdplayer and microwave but I didn't see
any. I'm going back out Sunday, you want me to scope out the printers
for you? If so, just tell me what your wanting it to do and I'll try to
find an appropriate printer.
Tim.
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 16:25:20 EST
From: peghrd@...
Subject: Re: Re: TIM--I NEED YOU!!!! POP TART---HOW IS CH...
Hey, Tim. My sympathy to you for you compooter problems.(That is the
name I
give
my pc when it is not working right!) I am blue because of my lack of a
printer. So,
we weep! My son grew up on those toys you mention. We still have a
bunch of
them out in the garage in Huntsville. Love to you, Angel Joy and
Caitlin.
Ain't it
grand to have Pop Tart back on line!? Granmaw Peg

I had to take Friday off from my self appointed role of WLS Ambassador
and Visitor of 6th floor to spend the day with Joy. We were down Wes's
way about 6:30am and could hear him snoring as I drove by his house
twice. It was way too early to pester you bud, plus I figured you still
had your Spiderman jammies on and wouldn't come to the door anyway. We
topped off the evening at the Alys Stephens Center and watched Matt in
his first play for UAB, "She stoops to Conquer". It was a blast.
Let me show you what happens if I miss a day going to MCE to check on
our folks...
Saturday: 6:am, I have to take Cait up to the school early for her trip
to Tuscaloosa for Trumbauer (Theater) competition which allows Joy and I
to get a jump on the morning. I drop Joy off @ UAB so she can do her
nursiepoo thang, and then head out I-59 and hit the cruise control and
WLS Autopilot. I get there and it's still kinda early, like 7:30 or so,
but I can smell the cheese grits already, so I know it's going to be a
good morning. As I'm standing waiting for the elevator, I look over my
shoulder towards the front doors and the sun is doing a really good job
of blinding me, but I recognize Connie's hair as she's walking towards
me. We ride up and have breakfast together. She tell's me they got Joe
back in a room last night. Wait a minute, he was in a room when I left
him Thursday, so I asked her where he'd been. She said he had been in
SICU and they had had some problems with his blood pressure, but he was
back to normal and was back in room 650. 650? That was Millie's room
when I last saw her Thursday, so I assumed it safe to guess she had
flown the coop and was back home.
So just missing a day got me behind the times with Joe going to SICU and
Millie going home. I told Joe that I would be up there every day until
he went home so I didn't "loose" him again. Matter of fact, I'm fixing
to hop in the shower and head up there for a romantic interlude with
some cheese grits right now!
Did anyone figure out who else was up there?
Oh, and BTW, Caitlin got home last night and reported that Shades Valley
Theatre had once again kicked butt and took names, winning the Trumbauer
competition and they are now headed to the State level.
Tim.

Aside from what little training I've had in the military/police, I
have never trained as a "civilian", BUT, Both of our Boy's are Black
Belts in TaeKwonDo and I can assure you it is not only a great
workout, it's also a very valuable "life skill" to learn. There's
something about knowing your defensive skills are superior to most,
that gives you an edge in many of the situations that we face everday
as we go through our "Life 101" class. And that goes for male and
female alike. If there is one thing I regret that I didn't do for
our kids, it's not hving Caitlin got through the same TaeKwonDo
training that the boys did. But, it's never too late to learn, so I
may just get her involved before long. It was one of the greatest
gifts we ever gave Wes and Matt and the training and discipline they
learned is still with them today at 22 and 18.
Now if you can get Jeremy to go too, it would be something that you
could do together which is often difficult for couples to find. And
you can learn to kick his butt too. It makes getting the ole hubby
to take out the trash a lot easier if he knows you can take him 2
outa three.
Tim.

Hello Everyone,
I'm new to the group. I will be having my surgery
with Dr.Miles on November 26,2002. I'm very EXCITED!!!!!!!!.
Please pray for me. My name is Denise Williams. My aol e-mail is
RWDW@... if you would like to e-mail me there. God Bless you all.

Hello All,
I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. My name is Pinky Orilla and I
live in the Metro-Birmingham area. I met a friendly chap by the name of Tim
Suggs and his wonderful wife Joy in the gift shop at MCE. They told me about
this group and also how supportive and special all of you are. I have a close
friend that had wls in Sept. and I am very supportive of that decision. I have
since met several of you and have enjoyed our coverstions. I look forward to
talking with more of you and maybe Tim will allow me to share some of "MY HUMOR"
with you also. I hope you all have a great week-end. Tim has invited me to go
off-roading in "Monty". He also said for me to bring my cell phone and a
tow-rope (wonder what that means?)
Your New Pal,
Pinky G. Orilla

Man, this has been a week and a half! Let me stick to the stuff that's
pertinent to the group for now. I went to MCE to check on Jumping Joe
Glen and Millie Wednesday. We ate with Connie and Joe after last
Monday's meeting that was being referred to as Joe's "Last Supper" and
he was telling us that it was his and Connie's wedding anniversary the
same day as "Bowel Prep" day. Talk about an endearing anniversary
gift... "Hey Honey, come see what I made for your anniversary gift".
What a guy! I got there in time for lunch and had gotten my food and
had sat down to start stuffing food in my face and I just as I get a
pineapple chicken breast crammed into my mouth, I hear "Hey Tim". As I
look up with piece of pineapple flopping around in my face blocking my
vision, I looked through the hole in the pineapple and I see Connie
waving at me from across the ocean of tables. I wave back and notice
she's sitting there with another lady, not a redhead, but definitely a
"looker" nonetheless. I wave back and decide to stay put since I can
often be mistaken for a Asplunde wood chipper whilst eating, so it's
definitely not a social event.
I finish up the meal at hand and head for the tray park stopping off
Connie's table. It's about 12:30 and I figure that Connie had just come
down from the surgery waiting room and they probably had Joe in the
recovery room. I plopped my butt down in a chair and asked Connie if
things went ok with Joe. She tell's me she doesn't know, they hadn't
taken him to surgery yet. It seems he was #3 on the WLS list for the
day so was having to wait in line like a 767 on a taxiway. I told her I
was going to check on Mille while I was there and see how she was
doing. She had crossed over to the other side on Tuesday. I looked at
the other lady that was sitting with Connie and smiled and said "Hi"
being polite since I didn't know her and then went back to talking to
Connie. It took about a minute for that feeling of "I think I know this
Lady" to pop into my head, so I look at her again, still nothing except
that vague feeling of dejavous, but she's defiantly eye candy. She has
that look of a classic movie star, the look of class. There's something
about her eyes that reminds me of someone I know. I cut my eyes at her
again for another peek. She asks me how Joy is doing? And I think to
myself, "Well, she knows me and Joy". All of a sudden it hit's me
between the eyes like a brick... POP TART!!! All I can say is "Well
kiss my grits Avis Marie" and I hop up and throw my arms around her.
She looked like a million dollars! I didn't get to see her the last
time she was up at MCE with her last hernia repair but rather spent the
morning with her husband Ronnie. So I hadn't actually seen her since
Joy and I saw and met her for the first time when she had her WLS. Man,
she gives a new meaning to the term "post-op". We need to make her the
WLS poster child. She said she was feeling good and was getting back to
normal. I so enjoyed seeing her!
About that time I see another hand waving at me from across the room.
It was another friend of mine that works there as an OR Nurse that I
hadn't seen for several months so I excused myself to go put my tray up
and stopped off at his table and caught up on things. I made my way
back to Connie and Avis's table and resumed talking to them. A couple
of young lady's came out of the elevator and was making a bee line to
our table. I was soon introduced to one of Joe's daughters and her
friend. I had thought I would test the waters and leave my cigarettes
in the car for my trip to the 6th floor. Wrong move, it wasn't long
between the eating and all the talking I had been doing before I was
having a smoke craving so I followed the girls out for a cigarette. I
got to meet Joe's other daughter and Connie's daughter too when I came
back by the surgery waiting room on the way to see Millie.
I headed up to see Mille after the smoke cloud cleared. She is/was in
room 650 and was sitting in the chair when I walked in the room. Her
Mom and a friend were there with her. I spoke to her and she instantly
recognized me by my voice. If you don't know Millie, she's blind, and a
hoot and a half and a super sweet person. I got to know her Mother a
little and they told me that she had been doing pretty good. Her only complaint
was that she was thirsty and they wouldn't let her drink yet. She was
otherwise in great spirits and seemed to be doing fine. Her Mom said
she had been up and walking several times the day of her surgery. She
was having a little problem with nausea and I suggested to her Mom to
ask if they could change out the morphine for something else and maybe
that would help with the nausea. I asked Millie if she could read
Braille and she said she could, so I asked her if there was any place in
town where I could buy her a book in Braille for her to read while she
was there. She told me that a typical paperback book in Braille would
be like 10 volumes. "See Dick and Jane" Volumes 1-10 didn't even sound
like something I wanted to try. She then told me that she enjoyed the
"books on tape" much more than Braille, so if any of you have a
collection of books on tape that you have already read (heard?) think of
Millie if you get ready to pass them on.
I headed back up to MCE again today (Thursday) to check in with our new
losers. Joe was about 24 hrs post op and was still enjoying the effects
of the drugs when I got there and he snoozed in and out while Connie and
I talked some more. It is always so sweet to walk into one of "our"
rooms and see the spouse standing watch over their loved one and that's
exactly where Connie was, right by Joe's side. I talked to Joe a couple
of times and ever got a grin out of him while I was discussing a problem
a friend had been having with a crack problem (inside joke) so I think
Friday will be a much better day for Joe as the fog begins to lift.
Joe's in 656 by the way if you want to go and see his and Connie's smiling
faces.
I moved on down the hall to check in on Mille. She was doing much much
better, and they were able to get the pain meds changed and away went
the nausea. She was doing so much better that she was just a jabbering
on the phone with friends so I didn't stay long and left her in her
Mom's loving care. I'll probably head back up there in the morning and
try to sneak in a breakfast. Those cheese grits have been calling my
name lately...
If you don't know, they won't tell you at the nurses desk who is there
on the 6th floor for WLS. So if you don't know who's there before you
hit the 6th floor, you're just spinning your wheels. I know there were
two other people that had WLS the same day as Joe, but I don't have a
clue who it is. Do any of you know?
Tim.
The WLS Reporter

I can't tell u how much this group has helped me. I feel so much
better about myself. I've always been so shy and this group has made
me feel like family. It means so much to me I'm disabled so I'm home
allday by myself and my dog. THis group has been like a lifeline for
me. I still haven't gotten a date yet was told by ins. lady at dr.'s
office there not scheduling anymore till after the first of the year.
AND I WANT TO SAY A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO TIM YOUR WORDS OF
SUPPORT AND ENCOURGMENT HAS MEANT SO MUCH TO ME AND HAS GIVEN ME THE
COURAGE TO FIND A THERPIST TO TALK WITH. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS
FOR THAT.
Jenn

HI WES & RONA---MY DEAR FRIEND HAS DECIDED THAT WLS SURGERY IS JUST
THE TOOL SHE NEEDS AFTER BATTLING HER WEIGHT FOR MANY MANY YEARS.
I PROMISED HER I WOULD GO WITH HER TO THE NEXT SEMINAR AS SOON AS I
FOUND OUT WHEN IT WAS...SO IF YOU WOULD LET ME KNOW, I CAN CALL AHEAD
AND GET HER SIGNED UP TO ATTEND.
I HAVE ALREADY LOOKED UP HER INSURANCE IN OBESITYHELP.COM AND IT
SEEMS THAT RARELY HAS ANYONE EVER HAD A PROBLEM BEING APPROVED, SO I
FEEL THAT THE WHOLE PROCESS IS GOING TO BE SMOOTHE SAILING FOR HER.
THANK FOR YOUR HELP--HUGS & LOVE,
AVIS ( POPTART )

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! I am so glad I
found this group. I have been impressed with the sweet people that I
have met and all the encouragement. What a wonderful place on the web.
Have a great Day!
Dyanna

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO EVERYBODY!!!
LOVE KRISTY

Warm Milk
The wise old Mother Superior from county Tipperary was
dying. The nuns gathered around her bed trying to make
her comfortable. They gave her some warm milk to drink,
but she refused it.
Then one nun took the glass back to the kitchen.
Remembering a bottle of Irish whiskey received as a
gift the previous Christmas, she opened and poured a
generous amount into the warm milk.
Back at Mother Superior's bed, she held the glass to
her lips. Mother drank a little, then a little more.
Before they knew it, she had drunk the whole glass
down to the last drop.
Mother," the nuns asked with earnest, "please give us
some wisdom before you die."
She slowly raised her head up and with a pious look on her
face whispered,
"Don't sell that cow."

Hi all,
We talked to Connie earlier and she said the doctor told her that all
went well with Joe's surgery and he was going to a regular room soon.
He was able to have his surgery lap.
Hope all is well with you guys.
Take care.
Wes and Lisa

Whoever came up with this one must have had some divine guidance, I was
impressed!

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o "thank" is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad,
but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest
distance between a problem
and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one
who
kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you
forever, Amen.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to remind everyone that Joe is at MCE
right now in the process of having his WLS surgery.
Please remember him in your prayers. I hope and pray that Dr. Miles
is able to do the LAP procedure with no problems. That would sure
make it easier for Joe to recuperate.
I will be leaving home soon to go see Connie at the hospital and to
check on Joe. Then I have an afternoon appt. for follow up with Dr.
Miles myself. Seeing me every week since my last surgery he must be
about to get tired of seeing this face every Wed. ---Ha Ha Ha
Have a wonderful day everyone. Oh Yes!! When is the next Seminar
scheduled. I have a dear friend who has finally decided WLS is the
tool she needs. Good Luck to everyone in the process of waiting for
approval's from your insurance companies.
Hugs & Much Love---Pop Tart ( Avis )

I didn't forget Steve either Kristy, I just forgot to mention him.
THANKS Steve, you and Mary do so much for us all! And if you need some
more of my PINK Mary Kay burn ointment just let me know.
Tim.
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 23:41:21 EDT
From: KevinBrks@...
Subject: Picnic!!!!
I didnt forget Steven Phillips who helped with the grill too!!! You did
a
good job too, hope that burn heals soon!....

We missed all of you that couldn't make it! I even missed Wes, and he
was there!
Tim.
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 11:49:14 -0500
From: <debpie@...
Subject: Re: Picnic!!!!
Kristy,
I wish I could have been there. I had planned on coming, but my
daughter had a 102 fever.

You were sorely missed GP! You should have called one of us and we
would have been glad to give you a ride. It just wasn't the same
without ya!
Tim.
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 19:02:00 EST
From: peghrd@...
Subject: Re: Where do you start...
Tim, I laughed and loved your story all about the fall fling. I cried a
little, too. My
husband was supposed to come down to B'ham and bring me, butt he didn't
show
up. Forgot, I guess. You ever hear the phrase, "what you DO speaks so
loudly
that I can't hear a word you SAY."'Nuff said.

HI DEAR FRIEND--I NEED FOR YOU TO PUT ME BACK ON THE CHAN GRAM LIST
UNDER THIS NEW NIC OF MINE. GOODNESS ME I HOPE AND PRAY THAT THIS
NEW COMPUTER CONTINUES TO FUNCTION AS WELL AS IT IS. MY SON SURELY
HOPES SO. HE WAS KIDDING ME TONIGHT AND SENT ME A NEWSPAPER WEBPAGE
THAT SAID:
SON KILL'S SELF AFTER GIVING MOTHER A COMPUTER FOR CHRISTMAS
IF THAT IS ANY INDICATION OF HOW MUCH TROUBLE I HAVE BEEN TO MY
COMPUTER TECHNICIAN SON. LOL
I PRAY CHAN IS DOING MUCH BETTER. I WAS SO SURPRISED TO BE TAKING A
WALK DOWN THE HALL AT DEAR OLD MCE AND LOOKING IN A ROOM AND SEEING
CHAN LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED. BEING THE GREAT PERSON HE IS HE JUST
SMILED AND TOLD ME HE WAS JUST HAVING A LITTLE TROUBLE WITH BLOOD
CLOTS IN HIS LEGS. BOY IS HE A REAL TROOPER!! I ADMIRE HIM SO MUCH
FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE JUST TO GET TO THIS POINT. HE HAS ALREADY
ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH ON HIS OWN EVEN BEFORE WLS SURGERY.
SO CHAN-MAN IF YOU ARE READING THIS--KNOW THAT YOUR FRIEND AVIS MARIE
DAVIS HAS YOU IN HER HEART AND IN HER PRAYERS AND PLEASE TELL THAT
LOVELY WIFE OF YOUR'S I SEND MY BEST TO HER AS WELL. GOD BLESS YOU
CHAN THAT YOU MAY RECOVER QUICKLY AND WITH ALL THE BEST OF HEALTH YOU
DESERVE ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND MORE.
LOVE & HUGS------POP TART

And just who do you think taught that nurse everything she knows? Not
me, probably her mamma and daddy though <grin
getting to make the Flang, I was looking forward to cutting up with
ya.! I would love to come see your daughter in all of her plays, keep
us posted on upcoming shows.
Tim.
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 14:09:48 -0000
From: "Nancy" <dumbunnie@...
Subject: Re: Steph - Go ahead, Freak Out!
I agree...that was great advice Tim! And it is exactly what the
nurse at Dr. Clements office told me! (She had the surgery too and
looks SOOOOO beautiful, healthy and thin!)
Darryl that is terrific weight loss, congrats!!!!!
Everyone have fun at the picnic, I sure wish I could be there! I'm
stuck working this weekend and then supporting my daughter this
evening as she is the assistant to the Director of Walker Community
Theater's Steel Magnolias production! Anyone is the Walker County
area...the play is only $5 and will also be showing at 2 PM on
Sunday 10/27 at Rowland Auditorium at Bevill State in Jasper! It is
a really FUNNY play with a talented cast!
I've read all the posts lately, just haven't had time to respond!
I've got to get back to work! HAVE FUN AT THE PICNIC EVERYONE!
HUGS, NANCY, aka DUMBUNNIE

Thanks Brenda! I meant every word of it too. You know, not being a
"WLS" person, I have to look at the issues that our group faces from the
sidelines, and no, I'll never pretend to know what it's like to be a
person of size, but the one thing that I have noticed is that for most,
"our" problems stem from the same sources. And I'm not trying to give
Dr. Sparks a run for her money either by playing psychologist, she's the
trained professional and a darn good one too. But I do qualify as
human, and as a human I do recognize fear. Fear... four little letters
that can reach inside and grab you by the guts and mess up your life
until you realize that it is you, and only you, that has the ability to
reach inside and squish the life out of the parasitic little tick!
There's no secret sword of bravery needed, just reason and common
sense. Most of us are afraid of "What happens IF...", and it's human
nature and media programming that makes us look for the bad "if's"
instead of the good "if's". Most of us think "What IF he/she thinks I'm
a joke" instead of "What IF he/she sees that I have the sexiest smile
he/she has ever seen", right? Of course we do, I do it too. But I
believe that everybody has value, no matter their size, their looks,
their color, their IQ, etc. And when I do run into the few people that
are not simply overwhelmed with and enthralled by my unique and
endearing personality (darn, I forgot the "sexy" part again), then I
figure it's their loss. And I do not/will not surround myself with
negative people whose only purpose in life is to make themselves look
better by cutting down the people around them. Life is way to short to
put up with crap like that, but it's up to you to make the call to
"cull" people like that out of your life.
Taking the shrink hat off now and getting back to "Life 101"!
Tim.
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 13:30:09 -0000
From: "Brenda" <bpochran@...
Subject: Re: Steph - Go ahead, Freak Out!
Tim, That is a great response. Keep it on file for people in the
future and send it to them the month before surgery. It is really
something to read.

That was sweet Siotha, thank you! I ain't too bad with my hands
either! Now dancing, that's another story altogether. I write like I
talk, you either get it, or you don't. And I never have professed to be
an English Major, but something I do that a lot of people don't, is
that I try to punctuate, you know those little dots and wiggles I throw
in there every now and then. I like to throw in humor too just as I do
when I talk. I wish there was something better than smiley's to express
a wink or a devilish grin, they just don't do a lot for me. Unless it's
a smiley from a redhead, then I bow unto them as they are indeed my
superior (And no WES, I'm not talking about my posterior, that's a short
subject).
Tim.
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 26 Oct 2002 09:49:30 -0400
From: " siotha goza" <siotha@...
Subject: Re: Steph - Go ahead, Freak Out!
Tim. Has anyone told you you have an excellent way with
words?
siotha

Kim,
Happy Birthday!!!!
I hope you got lots of goodies!!!!!!!!! Sorry I couldnt come last night... I ws just as mad about not being able to as you were... :) Wanted to but things dont always go my way!! At least we got to see each other Saturday!!!!
Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!!
Love ya, Kristy

Hi my dear friend. I have not for the life of me been able to
remember when Joe's surgery was scheduled for? Has he already gone
to the other side? You have been on my mind so much. I know that
you are looking and feeling so wonderful once again, keep up all the
good work. You had to work hard to get there yourself!!!!
Hugs & Love----Pop Tart

I FORGOT-----IM SO SORRY I WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND OUR PICNIC. I WAS SO
DISSAPPOINTED BUT I WAS HAVING SOME BLEEDING FROM MY OPEN WOUND AND
KNEW BEING UP TOO MUCH WOULD NOT BE WISE.
BY THE WAY TIM!!!!!! WHERE'S MY HOTDOG??????
HA HA HA
LOVE & HUGS------AVIS

Hi everyone! I just joined the group. I wanted to say that I have
been researching this surgery for a while now. I have been to the
seminar at MCE. I was very impressed with it. I think the before and
after pictures are great . I am scared to death though. I wanna have
the surgery. I need to have the surgery. How does everyone get over
the OMG feeling of it? I am 29 married and have 2 beautiful children.
I want to have a better life with them. Can anyone give me any advice?
Thanks!

My dear friends it has been so long since I have spoken with all of
you. I pray this finds all of you well and doing wonderfully on all
our journey's to our healthier and happier lives!
I believe Rona has told all of you where I have been. It has been a
rough road to walk but I am nearing the end of the rough spots now.
Thank's to the wonderful surgical skill's of Dr. Miles, I am now back
on the road to recovery.
After my initial WLS surgery on May 20th. I developed 3 hernia's,
one was a MONSTER as Dr. Miles so eloquently put it, LOL. All I knew
was I could not eat or drink anything. I was so weak and so tired so
I heeded his advice ( If it doesnt feel right, Dont wait come in
ASAP) Well that was surgery #2. I was having more problems about 2
weeks after surgery. I still could not eat. Had no desire to eat
either! I was in constant pain but was just letting the day's go by
feeling that it would just get better.
Once again, I called the office and went back in to see my beloved
Dr. Miles. Thank God I did, I unknowingly had an abcess in my
abdomen. I cried like a baby as Rona and all the office staff saw
and heard. I had no desire at all to be operated on for a 3rd.
time. BUT there was no swaying Dr. Miles. Within 2 hours I was once
again in the O.R. I still have an open wound that has to be cleaned
and packed twice a day but I have not felt this good in months.
Let me tell all of you, especially any newbie's out here who are
considering WLS Surgery. "It is still the greatest tool to help
fight OBESITY in the modern world!" I tell everyone who ask's me how
I have lost so much weight my story. I will never tire of telling it.
Since my surgery May 20th. 2002--I have gone from a size 24 pants to
a 16. I no longer require a size 3XL or 4XL blouse. I buy a size
Large straight off the rack! My goodness what a joy that is to me.
I would do it again and I pray all of you never have to go through
that much but if you do remember there is a Glorious Light at the End
of That Long Tunnel we are running through...
Connie-Wes-Joy-Tim-Rona-Chan-Granmaw Peg--EVERYONE---I love you all
and have missed you terribly. Gosh it feels GREAT to be back with
all my wonderful WLS Family.
Love & Many Hugs-----POP TART

Hi!!!
To everybody that couldn't make it to the picnic it was so much fun!!!!!! I really enjoyed it!!! Wes, Lisa. You 2 are such sweet people and I feel like Im so lucky to have you 2 as friends!!! You 2 worked so hard on this picnic and did and excellent job!!! Tim I didnt forget you .... You also did a great job!!!!! ( as always) Thanks to Rona Wade and and who all helped to make it a fun day!!!!! Oh we cant forget Bob ( Lisa's Dad that grilled his heart out and Lisa's sweet mom!!!!!!!!!)) Tony did a good job griiling too!!! I was so Proud to see how much weight CHAN has lost!!!! Im so proud of you Chan!!!!! He has lost so much in his face and shoulder area!!! Congrats to you Chan and keep up the good work!!!!! You looked great!!! Everyone that came got to meet Barkley Wes Lisa's baby and Megan and Jordan Barkley's mom and dad too.. We also got to see Rona Wade's babies and Brandon and Amy too.. Good job Amy on the burp !!!! Chan also brought his lil doggie too.... Kim and
Jourdan were there and that Jourdan is a sweet girl!!! Kim's B-day is Monday so happy early B-day Kim!! If I forgot anybody please forgive me .. But I had a blast and so did Kevin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We've just got to work on him for him to be of of us now!!!! WEIGHT LOSS PATIENTS!!!! Love , Kristy I didnt forget Steven Phillips who helped with the grill too!!! You did a good job too, hope that burn heals soon!....

When you've had one of the best days of your life, where do you start
when you want to tell people about it? Let's start the night before...
Joy got home Friday night around 7pm, and she just pulled in the
driveway and honked for me. Off we went to do the final shopping for
the Fall Fling the next morning. We stopped here, and there, and over
there and even back to here a few times too. Slowly, and one by one we
were able to mark off all of the items on my shopping list of
"necessities" for the fling. We grabbed dinner for the home folks
(they're no longer "the kids") at one of the many drive thru's that
await to delight your taste buds and take your money, with the customary
rudeness that we all know and love. We made it back to the house about
10:30pm and woofed down some food and went about the "repacking" of the
fling goodies. After a couple of "discussions" between Joy and I about
how many vehicles we were taking, we decided to take two vehicles
because the "stuff" and we wouldn't fit in one vehicle! We called it
quits around 1am and set the alarms for 6am the next morning.
6:00am: I hate alarm clocks! They have to be the rudest way to be
awakened. We have two alarm clocks, Joy's is the nicer of the two
alarms. Her's starts out soft, and slowly escalates to air raid siren
level so at least you have a chance to bang the snooze button before it
bursts your eardrums. Mine however, is just a simple wailer, at the
designated time of your choosing, it just lets out a wail like a steam
whistle that will ruin the best of dreams and make you head for the
bathroom PDQ! Since we had decided to take two vehicles, I was going to
take The Mighty Mighty GeoVan and Joy was going to drive "Monty". I
headed for the back deck to retrieve my Charbroil grill that I had
planned to use to provide oral ecstasy for the "flingers". I had
cleaned
all the internals Friday and installed a new tank of propane and a
oversized drip catcher can so we could cook until the cows came home if
we so desired. When I opened the back door, Dumbdog was standing there
wagging his dumbtail. I wondered who had let him out on the deck and
had forgotten to let him back in (usually a good thing). As I looked
down at him, I notice that his chin whiskers seemed a little unusual,
sort of like he had been to the barber and they had used the mustache
wax on him and I thought to myself "How cute, I may actually like you
yet". Then I saw my drip can, all chewed into a solid wad of twisted
metal and I knew where he had obtained the mustache wax. OK, no
problem, a mess, but nothing me and a pressure washer couldn't solve,
and besides, it was my old can anyway. Then I tripped on the other
twisted and mangled wad of metal that had been my "new" drip can. I
quickly looked at my trusty and faithful Charbroil grill to confirm what
I suspected. Yep, no drip can, HEY, wait a minute... where's my
knobs, and my BBQ "tools", and the hose from the tank to the grill??? 1
Dumbdog + 1 unattended grill with fresh mustache wax = 0 usable grills
and a Dumbdog with some really cool looking facial hair. I hear the
klaxon horns go off in my head as I consider doing a "Toby Keith" on
Dumbdog and putting a boot in his butt because it's the American way!
No, relax, I am neither a dawg beater, nor wife popper, nor stomper of
children, but I thought about it real hard. Push the clutch in and
shift into plan "B".
I'm supposed to be loading my grill, but no, I am now loading Joy's
grill, the "Grill-To-Go" that we got for our romantic get away to
Tannehill last February. It's only been used once so it should be just
fine, I just won't be able to create the oral fantasies that I had
envisioned. I check it over to make sure that all the parts are still
packed away inside and then load it into the van. Then I load our
chairs, then I grab the coolers that my neighbor returned the day
before. He's only had them since his sister-in-law's baby party last
March. I pick up the first cooler and feel something slosh around
inside, uh-oh, then I notice the odor. I pop the lid and discover a
brand new ecosystem that man has yet to explore. It's all green and
purple
and brown on the inside with all kinds of weird little things moving
around in the sea of green slime in the bottom - YUCK! I check the
other coolers and sure enough, just a continuation of the same emerging
new ecosystem. I can't believe he returned them and never washed them
out or
anything. He even left food in them, well... I think it used to be a
food, now it's being used as a eColi Condo. Scratch 4 coolers, at least
I can't blame this one on Dumbdog. I think Wes, Tony and Wade are
bringing coolers, so we should still be ok.
I crank The Mighty Mighty GeoVan and then I think maybe I need to check
"Monty" to make sure all is well there and it hasn't been overtaken by a
freak attack of ants going after the food goodies we are bringing or
something along those lines since Joy is leaving about an hour after I
am. I check the oil, the tires, the lights and
stuff to make sure it's ready for the trip to the "flang". The Mighty
Mighty GeoVan is packed, warmed up and I'm backing down the driveway
when suddenly, I, and the van, are engulfed in a smoke ball that would
make anyone that saw it instantly dial 911, luckily I was the only one
that saw it. I pull back into the garage and hop out only to see oil
dripping from the engine all over my garage floor. The smoke was so
thick in the garage I had to crank my leaf blower to evacuate it so I
could see and breath. I had somehow managed to blow out a rubber plug
on one of my valve covers and the whole time the van was running while I
was checking "Monty", it was pumping oil out of the engine and was
pooling on the engine.
When I backed down the driveway, the pool decided to take a hike and it
used the hot exhaust pipe as it's escape route. Must have been over a
quart of oil than ran down my hot exhaust pipe making a smoke cloud that
a smoke jumper would have loved. I find and replace the rubber plug,
refill the oil, cross my fingers and head for the "flang".
I know I have to stop for 10 bags of ice, and I am probably going to be
late (as usual) so I step my speed up a little as I zoom down I-20 to
compensate. The fog got a lot thicker as I headed east and because I
couldn't safely see ahead of me, I had to drop my speed down to 60 and
below a few times. I knew I was going to be late, and I had the signs
that Siotha had created for us (THANKS!!!) that I needed to put out as I
made my way to the park, I just hoped Wes wasn't sitting there with 50
pounds of chicken waiting on me and the ice, if so, Barkly and Family
would be eating good today! I decided to head on to the park to deliver
the ice and then come right back and staple the signs to the power poles
later. I hop off at the Eden exit and pull into the first store only to
discover their ice is inside, so I go to the next place so I can just
pull up by the ice machine and throw `em in and boogie on to the flang.
It's a little after 8am when I whip into the entrance of the park as 10
bags of ice slide around in the van. No one at the main gate... I head
on to to what I thought was our pavilion and had my hands on the
windshield wiper knob in case Wes started throwing tomatoes at me for
being late with the ice. I drove right by our pavilion because I was
looking for one with cars parked all around it. Second time around I
pull in and sure enough, it's ours, and it's got Wes's name on a
"Reserved" sign hanging from the front. Where is everybody?
So I sit and wait... When I heard the ice melt start dripping on the
ground, I knew it was time to unload whether anyone was there or not.
One of the maintenance
people pulled up and starts to clean the place for us, did a good job
too. I was a bit concerned when I got there at first because the trash
cans were full and several had been tumbled over and the bees were all
over them, but he cleaned all of that up and took care of the bees too.
It wasn't too long before the first batch of people arrived and then
Wade and Roner showed up and started to unload. After we got the
Ronermobile emptied, Wade and I headed out to put the signs up so
everyone else could find the place too. The signs that Siotha so
graciously created for us were perfect, and were the corrugated plastic
type so I was going to use my staple gun to just shoot them to wooden
stakes that Wes was bringing. Wait a minute... Wes isn't here yet.
OK, Wade and I will just shoot them onto the power poles. Good idea if
there had actually been a wooden power pole everywhere we needed a sign.
Most of what was available were metal poles, I had nothing that was
compatible with tying a sign onto a metal pole. I finally sacrificed my
earphone wire and was able to hang two with what used to be an earphone
for my scanners. As we pulled up to the spot by the Video store, I
noticed a lot of ant beds all around us, so I told Wade to watch out for
them. We lucked into some old twine that was still on that pole and we
set out to cut it free so we could use it on other signs. About that
time I hear Wade say "CRAP"! I looked down at where he had been
standing only to see a rather large ant bed with a single footprint
right smack dab in the middle of it. I then look over to Wade and
notice that his right leg is black with ants up to about his knee as he
starts doing the Mexican Swat Dance as he tries to knock them all off
his leg. And I think he got them all off without a single bite too! I
told him "Now you really got them mad and they'll be looking for us". I
should have heeded my own advice a little better because they were on me
too in just a few minutes as we fooled around trying to liberate the
left over twine, no bite's, no pain, at least for us. On to the next
sign...
After we got back to the pavilion, several more people had arrived
including my Wife and daughter who had driven by Wade and I as we were
out "signing" US 231. Now this is starting to take shape. Wes and Lisa
and
the aminal known as Barkly pull up, and man, they look tired. Wes later
tells me that he and Lisa were up to 2am the night before the flang
cooking, packing and what not, and they had gotten up about 6am but had
to make a few stops on the way in. With only 4 hours of sleep I'd look
tired too. Wait a minute, I only got 5 hours of sleep myself, I guess
it was just my natural rugged good looks that kept me daisy fresh. We
pretty much got everything unpacked and set up, more people still coming
in. Rona and Wade had brought a furry marshmallow and a fruit bat as
their aminal family. Well ok, it was actually two dogs, but in my mind,
a dog should weigh more than a pound to qualify for the title of dog.
They were both cute as they could be, and spent a lot of the day curled
up in a laundry basket, content as they could be. Bark Bark and his Mom
and Dad kept eyeing the little dogs like they were hairy chew toys, but
all of the four legged guests behaved quite well I thought. And
speaking of four legger's, Guess who else showed up while I wasn't
looking, that's right, ChanMan had flown the coop and he, Felicia and
their 4 legger that can best be described as a long haired hotdog had
arrived too. He looked fine and was just as feisty as ever.
I caught a whiff of a grill warming up and I knew it was time to light
the fires and kick the tires, so I ambled off to my grilling station.
Wes already had his grill assembled and set up and starting to smoke
too. Lisa's Mom and Dad, Cindy and Bob, had arrived and was helping out
with the set up. Wes had precooked the 50 pounds of chicken we got in
his oven at home the night before so we wouldn't have to worry about
spoilage and we cooked the hamburgers from frozen patties, again to make
sure that everything was plenty safe to eat. He had marinated the
chicken before cooking and man oh man was it delicious. Three different
types of chicken to choose from, a BBQ, what tasted to me like Italian
Salad dressing, and another that was similar but had chopped green
peppers in it. All three would make your mouth water they were so
good. The burgers were great too with about half being cooked on Wes's
grill with real flame and smoke and the other half being cooked on the
Grill-to-Go which is more like an indoor grill on your stovetop. Great
for eggs and pancakes and such but it did a pretty good job on the
burgers too. We had some skinless beef hotdogs too that were just as
delicious as the hamburgers and chicken.
Bob and Wes swapped out cooking chores on Wes's grill and Tony and I
cooked right beside them on the Grill-to-Go. We kept calling Wes and
Bob the Burger King Flame Broiled grill and Tony and I was the Micky D's
side of the house with out flat grill. All of the food I ate was
fantastic no matter which grill it came off of. Bob and Wes kept
throwing these 4 foot high flames to the heavens and we cooked so much
meat on the Grill-to-Go that it even caught on fire! The burgers
weren't very greasy/fatty and we only had maybe a cup of grease after
cooking what seemed to be an endless number of them on the Grill-to-Go.
All of the chicken was cooked on the Grill-to-Go, all FIFTY POUNDS and
still only about a cup of grease. We had chicken salad (which I didn't
get any of because I was too stuffed already), potato salad, refried
beans and cheese, potato chips (31 flavors!), popcorn, cakes, cookies,
any kind of drink you could ever want. I intended to go back for plate
number 2 to get the stuff I didn't have room for on plate number 1 but
that never happened because I was a stuffed and happy little piggy. And
the deserts were absolutely scrumptious! THANKS to all that brought
the deserts!
I got to meet so many of you for the first time and it just thrilled me
to no end. Some of you I hadn't seen in a long time and my oh my has
WLS made a change. Peggins, if it hadn't been for your walking stick
and Raine's beautiful red hair, I would have never recognized ya!
Absolutely gorgeous!! Both of you!!! And thanks for the Mary Kay cream,
we used it a lot during the cooking show for the burns. And hey, we
only dropped 3 burgers, and a piece or two of chicken. The Dogs loved
us after that. Now I'm not going to give y'all a blow by blow account
of how everyone looked, just trust me when I say we got a bunch in this
group now that might want to consider entering a few more beauty
contests. We tossed the doggy Frisbee a while, heaved the horse shoes a
little, the kids made trips back and forth to the elaborate Kiddy Land
playground that was next to our pavilion all day long, some brought
their bikes and rode around, and we even took turns walking the dogs
too. We had the Auburn game on loud and clear on my big yeller DeWalt
radio and man did they kick LSU's batookie. WAR EAGLE! We had fog in
the morning and a little drizzle later in the afternoon, but other than
that, the weather was pretty great. We even had an actual mini-meeting
after we all had eaten, and Wes was snapping away with the digital
camera while I tried my best to capture the moment on video. And we
even got to witness a little domestic violence and the subsequent
arrest. NO, it was NOT one of "us's" or anyone with our group. About
the only thing we didn't do was to hold hands and sing.
We called it quits just before 6pm, so that was a good 10 hours that we
were having a ball and loving what life had to offer, together! After
we were all packed and about ready to pull out, I still had to remove
all of the signs so I scooted on out to pull staples. It had rained
about the last hour we were all there, so I was concerned about getting
The Mighty Mighty GeoVan stuck in some of the places Wade and I had
previously parked to install the signs. Luckily I had no problems and
have no tall tales to tell about that experience. I made it home just
in time for the kickoff of the Alabama-Tennesee game and I'm glad I
didn't miss a second of that one. The front page of the Sunday paper
had a title that read "ROCKY STOPPED" (instead of Rocky Top) and boy did
we squeeze that orange. 34-17 I think was the final score. I'll be
rich tomorrow when I collect on all of those suckers that put their
money on TN! I hadn't seen a beating like that since that squirrel ran
up my shorts at Tannehill last year. It was truly a wonderful end to a
fantastic day!
I want to thank each and every one of you that made the drive to Pell
City for the First Annual F.A.C.E.S. of WLS Fall Fling. And I want to
thank all of you that worked so hard to help put it together for all of
US. You know who you are, so pat yourselves on the back! And a special
thanks from me to Lisa and Wes "Catfish" Robbins for all you did. It
wouldn't have happened without you. The time, money and smiles you
pumped into our outing is immeasurable and appreciated more than you'll
ever know. I would like to think that if not for our Fall Fling, that
some of you would have stayed in the house for yet another weekend. I
hope this brought as much light and love into your hearts as your
presence there did for me!
Tim.
PS: I met someone new at the fling... Let's just call her "Barbie". A
smile that would melt your heart and a figure like a stick, well, come
to think about it, it WAS a stick! She followed me home too, so maybe I
can introduce all of you to her at the next meeting. I hope Joy will
understand!

It was nice seeing everyone at the picnic. Tim was nice enough to
point everyone out for me and Wes was a super nice guy and gave me
his chair to sit in while I was eating.Such a gentlemen! Nice to see
you again Siotha and I was hoping to finally meet Granmaw Peg but I
didn't see her there. Everyone I talked to was really nice and I look
foward to getting to know you all better, Hugs to all , Renee

Hello everyone, I hope all is well. I had my 3 month check up with
Dr. Miles yesterday and it went very well. I have lost a total of 90
lbs. in 3 months and a lot of inches. Old pants size 64 - New pants
size 54, Old shirt size 4X/5X - New shirt size 2X.
TOTAL PRAISE, HONOR AND THANKS BE TO MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
I HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMPLICATIONS.
I can truly say the LORD has brought me out.
Darryl

If your reading this, then you better get your butt in gear and head
towards Pell City cause we're up here already with the grills a smoking
and Wes has already got a minnow swimming in the toilet! So just look
for the smoke plume and follow the signs starting at the Eden/Pell City
exit and you should be able to make it to a once in a life time event.
See you SOON!
Tim.

Yes, we knew about the picture, thank you for letting us know about it
though. It was a nice picture of him wasn't it? He gets his good looks
from his Dad, his humor from his Dad, his neon red hair from his Mom.
He has a lead in "She stoops to Conquer" which is rare for a freshman.
But then he is "rare" himself.
Tim.
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 10:25:47 -0500
From: "Thomason, Christine D" <cdthomas@...
Subject: RE: Directions to the Fall Fling...
hey tim,
just wanted to let you know there is a nice pic of matt and a couple of
the
other cast members along with a nice write-up about the play in this
week's
UAB Reporter, one of our campus newspapers. if he doesn't already know
about
it, i thought i'd let you know. if you need me to save some copies for
you,
just let me know. have a great day!
chris thomason
377/269/175?
may 29th-open rny
dr. gleysteen-uab

That's grate news about Joe, but he didn't talk the doc into postponing
it so he could attend the Fall Fling did he? We're all glad you and he
both will be there.
90 POUNDS!!! Does Joe make you wear a nametag now? I had to run up to
the Board of Education this morning to drop off Joy's Palm Pilot that
she forgot and ran into a friend (yes, a womin) that works there. Since
Joy's meeting had already started, and I had on my typical attire
(shorts and a T-shirt), I asked our friend if could take it in to Joy.
She went in but didn't see her and came back out. I knew I had the
right meeting room because I saw other people there that I recognized,
so I asked our friend to look again, same thing, no Joy. Then I heard
Joy start speaking and I knew she was in there, so once again I sent our
friend back in to find Joy. She finally had to ask for Joy by name
because she didn't recognize the "new" Joy by looks anymore.
And as far as what to bring to the fling... redheads make me smile.
Tim.
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 13:51:17 -0000
From: "Connie Bright Glenn" <conniehunny@...
Subject: Paying at the door
Just wanted to let you guys know that Lynn Saunders will probably be
attending and paying at the door, as will Kathy (hmmm...last name
escapes me at the moment - but a nice pre-op lady who just got
insurance approval). I think there will only be 4 total between
those two families. I am responding for them since I don't believe
that either of them are a member of this group - YET.
Joe and I are really looking forward to the picnic. AND by the
way, if I haven't updated the group........Joe's surgery has been re-
scheduled for the 30th...NOT today. He's pretty anxious, and
nervous for sure! I can't wait for him to be post op!
I saw Dr. Miles on Tuesday for my 3 month post op visit, although I
am really 5 months post op from my FIRST surgery, it was 3 months
since the 2nd one! I have lost 90 pounds! I am a happy girl about
that, but my hair is coming out by the handfuls. I guess I'd better
get busy with the protein, huh?
Lisa....Rona...anyone.....any suggestions for what I should bring on
Saturday? I really hope I don't end up bringing what everyone else
is bringing...like 10 potato salads and nothing else! LOL
Love to all,
Connie

And I'm serious, go ahead, FREAKOUT! Get it out of your system, vent,
rant, rave, cry, shake, moan and boogie woogie until your drawers drop.
Then it's out, it's over. It won't go away however, until you wake up
after surgery and realize that your on the other side, WITH ALL OF US!
To be concerned and scared is exactly what you should be feeling right
now, but think of the next 12 months, that's the light at the end of the
tunnel. Pound after pound flying out the window, being able to move, to
open your wings and fly like a butterfly fresh out of the cocoon. To be
able to catch your family and loved ones looking at you and smiling
because they are so proud of you. Being able to play with your kids,
pets, husband, etc. And of course... Waiting for me to whistle at you
as you walk by. In all reality, the odds of you getting hurt in a
traffic accident on the way to the hospital are greater than you having
problems with WLS.
Tim.
Message: 6
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 17:14:28 -0000
From: "stmhazel" <stmhazel@...
Subject: Surgery Two Weeks From Today - I'm Mildly Freaking Out . . .
Help!!
Okay, I'm officially at my two weeks and counting point to my surgery
date. I'm trying to get over a mild case of the flu (figures . . . )
which, of course, made me extremely anxious about getting over it in
time for surgery. This thought process then led to going to
www.obesity.com to read of my doctor's prior patients and getting a
percentage of those who had complications and analyzing the degree of
complications each of them experienced. Now, I do realize that every
single patient didn't post on that website and I'm posting here today
to hopefully find some balance and comfort in the days leading up to
the big event. I know I am certainly not the first person to begin
fixating on every single thing that could go wrong, becoming paranoid
about things that are probably very unlikely, etc. and with this in
mind would really appreciate getting some feedback!! I'm planning on
coming to the support group meeting this coming Monday night. My
hubby will be coming with me as well.
Lots of silliness and worrisome thoughts are rambling through my
brain this week . . . guess I just needed to vent.
Thanks,
Steph +++

Gotta watch those kids, they'll wet a floor anywhere....
Tim.
The school bell rang just as Little Johnny started eating a Popsicle,
and since he didn't want to waste it, he stuck it in his pants pocket.
In the classroom the teacher asked Vicky what they called people who
lived at the North Pole.
She said, "Eskimos."
Then teacher asked Teresa what they called people who live in Mexico.
She said, "Mexicans."
The teacher asked Little Johnny what they called people who live in
Europe, and Little Johnny replied, "I don't know."
Then super-smart Mary behind Little Johnny yelled out, "European."
Little Johnny's face turned read and he screamed, "I AM NOT!
My Popsicle is melting!"

Mickie my sweets! I apologize for not keeping up with the Chan-o-Gram's
like I should be. You have no idea how depressing a 56k modem can be
once you've gotten use to 550k speeds. I talked to Wes today and he
said he had talked to Chan this morning and he was ready to go home.
But, not yet. I so hope he can come to the fling Saturday. I am going
to try to swing by there tomorrow and check in with his to see if the
warden will give him a weekend pass for the fling, I'll post the update
as soon as I can. See you SATURDAY for the FALL FLING!
Tim.
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 2002 21:03:24 -0000
From: "Mickie " <mickie5535@...
Subject: Any new recipes & ANY BODY HEAR FROM CHAN MAN
Hi all, Has anyone checked on the Chan Man in the last couple of
days??
I am looking for some good recipes guys. Any ideas.....??????? I have
a Great Surgar Free Strawberry Pie one if anyone wants it. Can't tell
the difference.
Mickie
286/230

Janet, I have found the answer for the low numbers of email! It's
because my DSL line is out of commission and I'm not here to keep the
pot stirred, flirt with the ladies, give Wes, Tony and ChanMan a hard
time, ruffle Roner's feathers, laugh at MaryAnn's jokes, keep Granmaw
Peg in line, crank up Peggins, and try to tempt Laura 39 that the South
is where it's at, remind Robin to smile, !
See how slow things can be without an agitator to keep things a churnin'
and a yearning'. Whether you love me or hate me, you gotta miss me!
Tim.
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 07:54:56 EDT
From: jsims956@...
Subject: (no subject)
I have not got much email from faces of wls since Monday has anyone else
had
that problem or is there not that much to send lately?

I am one week and one day postop and doing great. My incision is
healing nicely and soreness is getting a little better each day.
Hope you are all doing great.
I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers - and yes, Granmaw Peg,
I did see a few feathers lying around!!! Actually - there were a
lot of feathers!
I have been enjoying my time off this week sitting on my back porch,
bundled up, enjoying nature and drinking a little coffee! The
simple things in life are the best!
Anyway, thanks again for your prayers and thoughts. Take care.
Brenda A

Hi Connie, Siotha, Terry and All,
Thanks for the offers extended to Millie for a ride, please e-mail Rona at
facesofwls@... for Millie's address and number so you guys can work all that
out.
Connie thanks for the info on the other folks coming to the Fall Fling.
In response to you questions... Siotha you asked about a schedule, the plan is
to start Eating around noon'ish or so and eat all day as hunger arrives and the
meeting part is going to be after the first round of food at least so all who
can't come early will be able to participate. Also we'll have food all day so
come anytime, we have plenty!
Connie on the what to bring question... There will be Hamburgers,
Hotdogs, Grilled Chicken, potato salad, baked beans, pintos and
cheese, mashed potatoes, condiments and drinks provided. For the side
dish / dessert anything else is fine. Desserts don't all have to be
WLS friendly there will be many pre-ops and non WLS pt's there also.
We will also have a large cake. Cut in samll Pcs. of course!
Anything from a dessert to a cheese ball is fine and all in between.
For the most part the main meal is more than covered so desserts
(Stressed spelled backwards) should work well.
Keep in mind cooler space is limited (very limited) so if you are
bringing something you need to keep cold you might want to bring an
ice chest.
See you all Saturday, rain or Shine... It's covered!
Wes and Lisa

Okay, I'm officially at my two weeks and counting point to my surgery
date. I'm trying to get over a mild case of the flu (figures . . . )
which, of course, made me extremely anxious about getting over it in
time for surgery. This thought process then led to going to
www.obesity.com to read of my doctor's prior patients and getting a
percentage of those who had complications and analyzing the degree of
complications each of them experienced. Now, I do realize that every
single patient didn't post on that website and I'm posting here today
to hopefully find some balance and comfort in the days leading up to
the big event. I know I am certainly not the first person to begin
fixating on every single thing that could go wrong, becoming paranoid
about things that are probably very unlikely, etc. and with this in
mind would really appreciate getting some feedback!! I'm planning on
coming to the support group meeting this coming Monday night. My
hubby will be coming with me as well.
Lots of silliness and worrisome thoughts are rambling through my
brain this week . . . guess I just needed to vent.
Thanks,
Steph +++

i have not got much email fromfaces of wls since Monday has anyone els had that probe or is there not that much to sind lately

Just wanted to let you guys know that Lynn Saunders will probably be
attending and paying at the door, as will Kathy (hmmm...last name
escapes me at the moment - but a nice pre-op lady who just got
insurance approval). I think there will only be 4 total between
those two families. I am responding for them since I don't believe
that either of them are a member of this group - YET.
Joe and I are really looking forward to the picnic. AND by the
way, if I haven't updated the group........Joe's surgery has been re-
scheduled for the 30th...NOT today. He's pretty anxious, and
nervous for sure! I can't wait for him to be post op!
I saw Dr. Miles on Tuesday for my 3 month post op visit, although I
am really 5 months post op from my FIRST surgery, it was 3 months
since the 2nd one! I have lost 90 pounds! I am a happy girl about
that, but my hair is coming out by the handfuls. I guess I'd better
get busy with the protein, huh?
Lisa....Rona...anyone.....any suggestions for what I should bring on
Saturday? I really hope I don't end up bringing what everyone else
is bringing...like 10 potato salads and nothing else! LOL
Love to all,
Connie

I know Mother Nature seems to work that way, but I'm no where near ready
to be Grandpaw Tim. I've been bugging Joy for us to have one more for
the last 10 years but she said absolutly no, so maybe Grandpawdom may be
just what I need.
Tim.
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 22 Oct 2002 15:37:05 EDT
From: peghrd@...
Subject: Re: Monday night HUMOR INJECTOR... Mom's Brownies
Thanks, Tim, for the laugh. Anyone who has raised childred can relate!
Love
ya,
Granmaw Peg
PS: In about a year I bet I'll be able to call you two Granmaw
Angel-Joy,
and Granpaw Tim!!

Hi all Rona asked us to forward this for her as her home computer is
D.O.A. and is being fixed right after the Fall Fling! Wes -n- Lisa
==================================================================
Hi All,
I hope everyone is looking forward to a fun day on Saturday for the
picnic. Looks like it will be a little chilly and a little cloudy
but still comfortable for the most part. I can't wait! Wade has a
wonderful new job at Medical Center East. He's working as an
assistant for Dr. John Jebeles who is an ENT. It's a totally new
field for Wade and he's loving every minute of it!!! One of the best
things is that he's only working on Monday through Friday now and NO
NIGHTS!! So, he'll be able to participate in all the support group
activities again. I don't know who's more excited - Wade or me.
Anyway, I need a GIANT size favor this Saturday. Our sweet friend
Millie Slaughter needs a ride to the picnic. She lives on Southside
and I think I can take her home but I'm having some difficulties
arranging to take her to the picnic because we're going to be running
around taking care of things the morning of the picnic. Those of you
who know Millie know that she is blind. She's a real sweetie and is
having her surgery NEXT WEEK.
If someone can pick Millie up I'd really appreciate it!! If you can
will you please post it to the e-group so I can get with you to make
arrangements?
Thanks a bunch!
Love,
Rona
Your Bari-Godmother

Hi all, Has anyone checked on the Chan Man in the last couple of
days??
I am looking for some good recipes guys. Any ideas.....??????? I have
a Great Surgar Free Strawberry Pie one if anyone wants it. Can't tell
the difference.
Mickie
286/230

Hey all...
Just another update on me...To date I have lost 92 lbs since June 6th
and a WHOLE lotta inches...only 93 to go now!!!
HUGS
Melissa

Just like Mom used to make...
Tim.
MOM'S BROWNIES
Remove teddy bear from oven and preheat oven to 375.
Melt 1 cup margarine in saucepan.
Remove teddy bear from oven and tell Jr. "no, no."
Add margarine to 2 cups sugar.
Take shortening can away from Jr. and clean cupboards. Measure 1/3
cup cocoa. Take shortening can away from Jr. again and bathe cat.
Apply antiseptic and bandages to scratches sustained while removing
shortening from cat's tail.
Assemble 4 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla, and 1-1/2 cups sifted flour.
Take smoldering teddy bear from oven and open all doors and windows
for ventilation.
Take telephone away from Billy and assure party on the line the call
was a mistake. Call operator and attempt to have direct dialed call
removed from bill.
Measure 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup nuts and beat all ingredients well.
Let cat out of refrigerator.
Pour mixture into well-greased 9x13-inch pan.
Bake 25 minutes.
Rescue cat and take razor away from Billy. Explain to kids that you
have no idea if shaved cats will sunburn. Throw cat outside while
there's still time and he's still able to run away.
FROSTING
Mix the following in saucepan:
1 cup sugar
1 oz unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup margarine
Take the darn teddy bear out of the @#$% broiler and throw it away --
far away.
Answer the door and meekly explain to nice policeman that you didn't
know Jr. had slipped out of the house and was heading for the
street. Put Jr. in playpen.
Add 1/3 cup milk, dash of salt, and boil, stirring constantly for 2
minutes.
Answer door and apologize to neighbor for Billy having stuck a
garden hose in man's front door mail slot. Promise to pay for ruined
carpet.
Tie Billy to clothesline.
Remove burned brownies from oven.

The following FacesofWLS poll is now closed. Here are the
final results:
POLL QUESTION: WLS and Public Assistance: I am trying
to obtain baseline info on the
percentages of WLS people that
receive(ed) any type of public
assistance. This poll is totally
anonymous, and it would really help with
my research in an effort to help WLS people.
CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Do you now receive any type of "public assistance" (welfare, food stamps,
etc.)?, 0 votes, 0.00%
- Have you ever received "public assitance" as a result of being obese?, 2
votes, 11.11%
- I have never received "public assistance" as a result of being obese., 16
votes, 88.89%
For more information about this group, please visit

Thanks Kristy! I had to switch my delivery of the group's messages to
digest form so I could get them all on my laptop.
8:51am SNIPER UPDATE... They have arrested a man in a phone booth in
Richmond,Virginia (no leaves) connected with a white van with a roof
rack..
Back to our regularly scheduled email...
I really enjoy working on vehicles, unless they're mine, or I'm broke
down and having to lay in an ant bed to make repairs. In addition to my
other limitless skills and good looks (what a ham), I am actually a
factory certified Ford, Lincoln Mercury, Nissan, Honda and Subaru Master
Mechanic and put food in my mouth in my teens and early 20's turning a
wrench for a living. I was also a licensed Nascar mechanic when I was
16. So I have the skills, and the tools, just lost the patience many
years ago to work on my own stuff.
I think the daughter in law will work out ok. They've been together for
about a year now, so I think they have already worked out what
differences they had. I will say that on his wedding day, I passed
along some valuable "Father to Son" honeymoon advice, I told him to
memorize the following phrase that has got me through 22 years of
marriage and repeat it anytime his wife speaks to him. That wondrous
all purpose phrase is "Yes Dear, you're right, I'm sorry". Been working
for 22 years and counting!
More sniper news... My oldest said that he knew exactly what the sniper
was doing, he said he was just exacting revenge on the idiot drivers
that would cut him off in his daily drive and after someone ticked him
off, he would just follow them until they went in a store, restaurant,
etc. and find himself a good vantage point, and when they came out,
BLAM! Seems possible to me.
Tim.
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2002 23:18:37 EDT
From: KevinBrks@...
Subject: Re: I'm still ALIVE II....
Tim,
Congrats to you on the new daughter in law!!!!!
Sounds like you had a blast working onthe 4X4's!!!!!
Cant wait for the picnic!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Kristy

We would like to remind you of this upcoming event.
Support Group Meeting
Date: Monday, October 28, 2002
Time: 6:00PM CST (GMT-06:00)
This is the regular weeknight meeting at MCE. Doors open at
5:30, meeting starts at 6pm.

I just clean `em and pass `em...
Tim.

Three couples went to see a minister to find out how to become members
of his church. The first couple was retired, the second couple was middle-aged,
and the third couple had just gotten married. The minister said that they
would have to go without sex for two weeks and then come back and tell him
how it went.

Two weeks went by, and the couples returned to the minister. The retired
couple said it was no problem at all. The middle-aged couple said it was
tough for the first week, but after that, it was no problem.
The newlyweds said it was fine until the wife dropped the can of paint.
"Can of PAINT!" exclaimed the minister.
"Yeah," said the newlywed man. "She dropped the can and when she bent
over to pick it up, lust took over and ... The minister abruptly stuck out his hand so
the man would say no more, and told them that he was sorry,
but they weren't welcome in the church.

"Oh, that's okay," said the man. "We're not welcome in Home Depot anymore either."

Remember, I don't write `em, I just clen them up for you guys!
Tim.
This is serious business.
Police warn all male clubbers, party-goers,
and unsuspecting pub regulars to be alert and stay
cautious when offered a drink from any woman.
A new dating drug is out on the market, called "beer," is
used by females to target unsuspecting men. The drug
is generally found in liquid form, and is now
available almost anywhere.
"Beer" is used by female predators at parties
and bars to persuade their male victims to go home
and have a good time with them.
Typically, a woman needs only to persuade a guy to
consume a few units of "beer" and then simply ask him
home a for no-strings-attached good time. Men are rendered
helpless against this approach. After several "beers"
all reason is abandoned and men will often do things that they normally
would not do.
After drinking "beer," men often awaken with only
hazy memories of exactly what happened to them the
night before, often with just a vague feeling that
something bad occurred.
At other times these unfortunate men are swindled
out of their life's savings in a familiar scam known
as "a relationship." Apparently men are much more
susceptible to this scam after "beer" is administered
and a good time is offered by the predatory female.
Please! Forward this warning to every male you know.
However, if you fall victim to this insidious "beer"
and the predatory women administering it, there are
male support groups with venues in every town where
you can discuss the details of your shocking
encounter in an open and frank manner with similarly
affected, like-minded guys.
For the support group nearest you, just look up
"Golf Courses" in the yellow pages.

A female friend of mine sent this to me, I supose I should be flattered
to be thought of as a male that can handle this.
Tim.
1. The nice men are ugly.
2. The handsome men are not nice.
3. The handsome and nice men are gay.
4. The handsome, nice and heterosexual men are married.
5. The men who are not so handsome, but are nice men, have no money.
6. The men who are not so handsome, but are nice men with money think
we are only after their money.
7. The handsome men without money are after our money.
8. The handsome men, who are not so nice and somewhat heterosexual,
don't think we are beautiful enough.
9. The men who think we are beautiful, that are heterosexual,somewhat
nice and have money, are cowards.
10.The men who are somewhat handsome, somewhat nice and have some money
and thank God are heterosexual, are shy and NEVER MAKE THE FIRST
MOVE!!!!
11.The men who never make the first move, automatically lose interest
in us when we take the initiative.
NOW.....WHO UNDERSTANDS MEN?
Men are like a fine wine. They all start out like grapes, and it's
our job to stomp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature
into
something you'd like to have dinner with.
SEND THIS TO SMART WOMEN WHO NEED A LAUGH AND
TO THE GUYS YOU THINK CAN HANDLE IT!

Ladies & Gents. The fo