Well, we got the first one out of the way and it was great. Though we we hoping for a half dozen people going into it we got 17!!!

So Lu (more so than I) and I were a bit anxious about hosting this for a larger group but it went perfectly.

We had it here at my home and had to use the garage for the number of people. We had coffee, water, cheese and fruit for refreshments. We got an easel with the big paper for writing things on, pens and clipboards for the attendees to use for worksheets. Asked everyone to arrive a half hour early and most did. We did go with a topic from the OH leader handouts, Hunger vs. Satiety, and had a worksheet everyone paired up on before the meeting to fill out and discuss. That was a good ice breaker!! I brought he meeting to order, did an intro to what the group is and housekeeping issues. We put out a donation jar and told everyone it is totally a no charge group but any help to assist us with expenses would be very much appreciated and got 50 bucks, which will offset some of the $$$ we laid out for supplies and refreshments. Then I asked everyone to intro themselves and tell us their WL situation. Some had mentioned being shy and anxious about coming but all were open and verbal at this point so I was relieved at that. Lu then went on to OH events and then opened up discussion iwth WOW moments and Challanges. Fair response on this... needed to prompt quite a bit for participation here. Following that she started the presentation on the topic and good back and forth with the group and both of us here. This went good. Excellent information from the agenda/handout and the group too. After that I asked for questions and comments then wrapped it up. We pointed out the samples we had and gave out the handout, a definition Lu found on the words hunger and satiety along with a story we found, Running with Scissors and other Italian Proverbs, so we made sure everyone had something in hand when they went home.
WHEW!!!!

Lu and I worked well together, I thought at least, playing off each other and using the other to move things along with a question or request for the others personal experience on a subject which kept the momentum going at times when it was needed (which really wasn't that often thankfully.... this group was ready and willing to chime in). Since we know each others stories so well that did make it easier at certain points.
After the meeting EVERYONE stuck around and chatted with each other and us so we know they felt safe and comfortable, a particular blessing since there were four total newbies, three of them pre-ops! The meeting ended at 11:30 sharp but the last folks didn't leave until after 12:30.

We didn't make any real effort to chase them out as there was no time constraint and we thrilled that the meeting gererated so much enthusiastic discussion afterward.

EVERYONE said they will be back and thanked us profusely for doing this. So that was a relief and very gratiifying for us. But, you know, the best thing is what WE got back in terms of the focus on our own need for support and community.
And a BIG thanks to Cathy and all the leaders here at OH for your support and guidance. We couldn't have done this without you all.
A special thanks to Darlene for the samples you sent.... they were a big success!

So there you have it guys. All in all a good start to the Inland Empire Loser's support meetings!

It is wAcKy WeIgH iN wEdNeSdAy and I am down 5 more pounds this week..... and drumroll please...... I'm in the two hundreds for the first time since God knows when!
20 years or so anyway, maybe more.


Last time I lost any significant amount of weight was in 1998/99 and I got to 317 before gaining it all back. 

I feel, um, stunned when I think about it.


WOW moment for me for sure! 
All I keep thinking is what a blessing this surgery has been for me and I am looking forward to my healthier future, something I haven't felt in years!

It's back to the grind for me today but that's OK.
Had a great, long weekend with many awesome memories.....
My birthday isn’t until the 25th but the celebration started early on last Friday:
• Smooth drive out Friday morning
• a $1600 jackpot on the third try at video keno game within the first few minutes of gambling on Friday
• seeing SPAMALOT Friday evening
• wonderful dinner at ISLA MEXICAN KITCHEN & TEQUILA BAR at TI Saturday evening
• breakfast and visit with a couple of friends Sunday morning
• Seeing the ANSEL ADAMS exhibit at Bellagio Sunday afternoon (thought of you a lot seeing these inspiring works Janine)
• seeing LOVE at the Mirage on Sunday evening
• smooth drive home yesterday with gorgeous desert vistas... big beautiful clouds creating light and shadows on the landscape
It was a great four days!


Then there were those WOW moments too....
• getting out of the car at TI Friday and not being stiff as a board
• plopping my A$$ into the seat at the SPAMALOT theater and fitting just fine, and not getting bruised thighs from the arms
• suddenly realizing people weren’t staring at me with distain on their faces
• people being able to pass me in narrow aisles in the casinos and me not feeling embarrassed trying to make room for them to do so
• pretty people, perfect strangers, making conversation with me with a smile on their faces
• walking the strip from TI to Bellagio and back Sunday with only slight shin splint discomfort to show for it, no throbbing hip, painful knees, aching feet or screaming back pain!!!
• feeling like running around and not having to find a place to sit every 5 or 10 minutes

Losing this weight has been the biggest blessing and this weekend.... Just WOW.... what a difference since my pre-op trip to Vegas last September.