ambercat9
1/31/05 I am going to the Duke WLS seminar on this Friday. My fiance is going with me. Also attending my first TABS meeting tomorrow night. I am still considering at this point. Have read a lot, studied a lot of info on various websites. Ready to take the next step(possibly) and put that info to use. My current weight is approximately 255. Looking forward to meeting the staff at Duke.
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2/8/05 I went to the meeting and seminar last week. Have just about made up my mind to do this. Have started trying low carb/low sugar things and trying to think more about what I put in my mouth. Want to turn in the application on my birthday 3/9...(for good luck)
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2/17/05 Drinking only calorie free flavored water now instead of soda. Also drinking Atkins or Slimfast locarb shake for breakfast. No chocolate only hard candy. Small changes, but apparently has had some effect because my weight was 247.5lbs this am. Still thinking about the surgery.
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3/3/05 I sent the application in today. Now I have to wait for the surgeon to contact me for my first consult. Here we go!!
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3/17/05 Duke's website now shows my status as "application ok 1st aptmt letter sent" so I am waiting for the mail to come and tell me what date my appointment will be. I have been told patience is a virtue, so I guess I will try to be patient.
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3/24/05 Got my paperwork back on the 22nd and my 1st aptmt at Duke is Tue Mar 29. Today I go for my EKG and some bloodwork. Monday am I go for a barium swallow.
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3/28/05 Barium swallow is done. Piece of cake! Tomorrow is my 1st DUKE aptmt.
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4/25/05 Had my initial consult which went well. The ABG draw was painful and had to be done twice. I am APPROVED!!! My date is scheduled for May 24 with Dr Grant at Duke.
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4/28/05 I gave up caffeine 3 days ago. Yesterday and the day before I was really tired. Took short naps both days. Today I am not so bad (yet). Am drinking only water and slimfast now. Trying to do better about not eating fried foods.
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5/2/05 Well I went to a surgery support meeting on Fri nite and found out my date isn't my REAL date. It's just the one the insurance company gives you. Duke has to actually schedule the surgery. Also I faxed the letter of approval on Friday, but DUKE says they don't have it yet and I will need to refax it.UGGGGHHGHHGH....
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5/27/05 My surgery is next Tuesday May 31 in the am. I am soooooo ready to go do this thing. I am still sticking to water, no soda for a month now. I have been exercising the last week hoping to improve my circulation. Will post again after surgery.
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5/31/05 current weight 236.5 (SURGERY DATE!!!)
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6/4/05 Well here I am 4 days postop and cant necc say lovin it, but I do feel better than yesterday. I had some complications including kidney failure and high blood loss. My kidneys restarted on their own and my pulse improved after the blood transfusion. Thank God No Blood Clots!!! Will post more later. Online looking for powder based calcium citrate product.
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6/13/05 I am feeling almost normal 2 weeks out. I have my first postop visit today. I am down approximately 8 pounds since surgery(236.5/228). Still on liquids only for another week. Doing good with my walking, not so good with my protein shakes. My fiance told me today my face is slimming down (woohoo!). Also I put on a shirt that was tight last time I wore it, but wasnt today. Life is good. :)
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8/8/05 Current weight: 204.
Went back to work 2 weeks ago. So much has happened since last post. Approximately 3 weeks out from surgery (6/17/05) I woke up not feeling well. My pulse was up to 110 and I had a fever of 100.8. I waited most of the day and when I called Dr Pryor she said to come in to the hospital for tests. Turns out I had a urinary tract infection AND a leak. Yup. What are the odds? So they kept me of course. They told me I could have nothing at all by mouth and the next day I got a drain tube. 3 days later I got a feeding tube as well. I stayed in the hospital a week. Then the really fun stuff started. I got to come home and sleep sitting up for the next month and a half because it hurt to sit up on my own. I also got to feed myself through a tube every 3 hours. It took an average of 20-30 minutes for the whole procedure. I would usually sleep between feedings. Then on July 3 the unthinkable happened. My feeding tube clogged. Dr Grant decided to leave it alone since I was already on clear liquids again by that time. The bad news was I had to leave it in until August 5, which meant going back to work with it still in place. The drain tube was removed July 11. I made them give me pain meds before doing it. I got my feeing tube removed 3 days ago and now FINALLY I feel like a normal human being again. My weight has been stalled for a month and I know its cause I didnt feel like exercising, but I am good to go now. I can sleep on my side and walk quickly. I even rode my bike yesterday. Will post again when there is something significant to say.
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8/25/05 current weight 195
Have been trying to exercise 4-5 days a week for at least 20-30 minutes. Have had a cold the past week, which has hampered my appetite and exercise. Went to a support meeting at DUKE this week. Gotta stay connected and motivated. Cheated and had a sip of diet coke last nite. Havent had sodas now since Apr 26(4 mos!!!) School started today and its my daughter's 1st day of 4th grade. She is growing up so fast. Everyone is telling me I look great and that I have lost a lot of weight, but I know I'm still fat and I still have a long way to go. I had to retire my favorite pair of black jeans today(size 24). They were just too big. I already donated my other 24's to Goodwill. I am wearing 20's now.
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9/8/05 current weight 190
I have my 3 mo follow up scheduled with DUKE today. I think the only food restriction now is no soft bread. I really haven't had any trouble tolerating anything except the ham biscuit from Bojangles. I only ate 1/2 the bread and ate double meat. It made me feel really bad. I have not thrown up to date though and that's good.
I am able to eat any kind of fruit and meat. I feel lucky that I dont seem to have any food intolerances except not sure about regular milk so I drink Lactaid. Still exercising regularly.
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9/26/05 current weight 183
All my 3 mo bloodwork was good. Continue to exercise 3-5 times per week. Life is good.
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10/11/05 current weight 179.50
I exercised 5x a wk the last mo and I am proud of that. I have not always made the best food choices(had a burger and 1/2 order of fries for dinner last nt). I just have to remember that is the type of food that made me obese to begin with and let it be the exception and not the rule. Am trying to make sure I drink enough water. Not sure I always do. Still dont take all the calcium I am supposed to. Usually take 300mg once a day. Should be taking 1000-1200mg. I guess everyone has a weakness somewhere. I have not been to a support meeting in a while. One group I was going to fell apart and the other ended up meeting further away than I want to drive. I will try to still go to at least 1 meeting a month if I can. Currently wearing size 18-20 still. I cant wait to fit into "regular" size clothes.
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10/21/05 weight 177
Fit comfortably into a size 16 outfit today that I haven't worn in several years. The weight loss has slowed a little, but I'm determined. Still working at getting all the calcium I should have and making the right food choices. I try to keep healthy snacks and water on hand at all times.
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10/28/05 weight 175.5
It feels so good to no longer be obese and people tell me all the time how good I look. More importantly I feel better about myself and am healthier. My yearly physical is coming up in December and I am excited about seeing Dr Musselman and showing him my progress. Lately my appetite has been waning and my energy seems a little low. Just a phase I guess. It is so hard to believe that just 7 months ago I was carrying around an extra 80 pounds!!! What an incredible achievement. I am so proud of myself for making that choice and sacrificing my love of food for love of life instead.
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11/16/05 weight 170.0
Hit a new low today. I have lost 85 pounds since my highest weight. I have finally bought some new tops as the old ones were just swallowing me. I am wearing a size 16 jeans. I am drinking protein shakes again. Found a Met-Rx one(Metamyosin) that has 38 grams of protein. I have my 6 month postop visit coming up Nov 30. Can't wait to share the good news!
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11/28/05 weight 168.0
Well I finally know what dumping is firsthand!!! Had hoped I never would. Last night I decided to have a wine cooler and some sweet-tarts at the same time. About 15 minutes later I was in the most excruciating pain. I had terrible stomach cramps and loose bowels and I was all sweaty. Bad idea. Guess I pushed the sugar envelope over the edge. I had tried both before w.no bad side effects, but together the 2 did me in. After about 45 minutes I was ok. Still drinking a protein shake daily. Still struggling w/calcium. Still exercising 4-5 times a week. My 6 mo postop visit is in 2 days. I can't believe it has been that long. I am very pleased with my progress so far. 130 here I come!!!
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12/17/05 weight 163.5
I can finally fit in my size 14 pants again. Yippee!!!! I am so excited. It has been a long road back from size 24. I have only 8 pounds left to join the century club. I know it will be soon. I have cut back on my walking to 3 times a week, because my feet were hurting all the time and last time I went for a massage I was told my right shin was swollen. I have added weight training 1 day a week to replace it. Am working out with my fiance on my upper body only. My upper arms are still very flabby and I'm afraid they always will be due to the excess skin. But that's ok with me. I feel great and have not been sick at all since surgery(not even a cold). Going for my yearly physical on Dec 27. Can't wait to see what my cholesterol will be. I have a feeling it will be much better. Any my pulse has drastically changed. All my life my pulse was in the 90's and currently my resting pulse is in my 60's. This is a testament to all the hard work I have been doing to get back in shape.
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1/17/06 weight 159.00
My cholesterol was much lower! In fact it dropped a whopping 30 points to 170. I was very pleased about that. My exercise has suffered in the last month, due to the fact that my 4 year old started having seizures the week before Christmas and has been in the hospital twice since then. At one point he was having 30+ seizures a day. He was diagnosed with epilepsy and is currently on 3 medications 3x daily. It has been very stressful on the entire family. Also my right heel continues to hurt. I stretch every time prior to walking, but sometimes it doesn't help. It particularly hurts when I first get up in the am or when I have been sitting a while. I guess it is the plantar fascitis(sic). Recently I have been going once a month to get hot stone massages as a treat. I have an appointment this afternoon and can't wait! I even bought gift certificates for the whole family for Christmas. My eating is ok, though I have started drinking(diet) sodas again. Should have left them alone as its a hard habit to break. Still drinking a protein shake for breakfast every day and not drinking enough water. All my blood levels were great for my physical.
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2/1/06 weight 155.5
I am 1/2 pound away from being 100 pounds down!!! I am so excited I want to shout from the rooftops. Will keep you posted. Back in the swing of exercise again. Robert has been seizure free for 3 weeks now on his current meds. :)
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2/8/06 weight 155
Today is my proudest day yet. This morning I weighed 155, my official entry into the CENTURY CLUB!!! Yes I have lost 100 pounds and it feels great!
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2/26/06 weight 151.5
Still continue to lose approximately 5 pounds a month. I bought some size 14 jeans last week. A couple are tight, but soon I know they will fit well. I continue to clean out my closet and get rid of "big" stuff I won't need anymore(its a long slow process). I have about 20 pounds to goal. Some folks think I have lost enough weight already. Still walking 30mins a day/3x a week. Still drinking a protein shake every day. Need to drink more water and YES believe it or not...eat more. I can go long periods of time without eating or being hungry, but should continue the habit of eating every 3 hrs or so.
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3/23/05 weight 148.5
Weight loss has been slow to nonexistant this month. Am preparing for the 5k MS Walk on Apr 1. Trying to do better with water. Have scheduled colonoscopy and mammagram appointments. Doing the right thing.
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3/31/06 weight 147.5
Ok, so I only lost 3.5 pounds this month. That's ok. I am w/in 17.5 pounds of my goal and I feel great! The MS Walk is tomorrow. I have been checking out walking/running websites recently to try and schedule more 5k events. My short term goal is to jog a 5k w/out walking any. I can do abt 1/2 that now. Doing better w/water. I sometimes make poor snack choices(chips), but try not to overdo it.
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4/30/06 weight 142.5
Weight loss continues. I continue to exercise and push myself. I can now fit in size 11/12 dresses. Bought some beautiful dresses at Goodwill recently. I like shopping again. I am working on besting my mile time. My current best is 13mins 15secs. It looks slow on paper, but its a lot better than when I first started timing how long it took me to do a mile. When I first started my time was like 20 mins. Have added Glucosamine/Chondroitin to my daily supplements for joint health. Also now taking calcium citrate in a capsule, because its easier to swallow. New pics coming soon.
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5/8/06 weight 143
I reached a new milestone on Saturday. I have a short term goal of wanting to do a 5k and jog the whole thing (3.1 miles). Saturday I jogged 2.3 miles for 32 mins without walking at all. Boy was I proud!!! I will be at 3.1 before I know it. My yr post-op visit is tomorrow. Can't wait to take the "AFTER" pic!!!
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5/20/06 weight 140
I am feeling really good about myself. I am happy with how I look and 10 pounds from my goal weight. Went to a Cary WLS meeting yesterday. I try to go to a support meeting about once every 2 mos.
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5/28/06 weight 139
9 pounds fm goal. Trying to up my exercise to 4x a week. For my 1+ yr postop goals I need to drink more water and add strength training and complete a 5k(jogging only no walking).
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6/6/06 weight 139
Well I finally did it! I ran 5k(in the neighborhood) without walking. Did 3.1 miles in 39 minutes. I was so proud. Prior to that the furthest I had jogged without walking was 2.3 miles. Today I am prepping for a colonoscopy tomorrow. Its no fun. Lots of bathroom runs. No exercise for a week afterwards. Bummer man. I kinda like this exercise thing now.
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6/13/06 weight 133.5
Took a week off from exercise. 1st the colonoscopy prep and then I got a bad cold. Back in the swing now though. I am so close to goal!!!
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6/30/06 weight 134
13 mos post-op and 4 pounds to goal. Wow!!! Have upped my exercise commitment from 3x/wk 30mins each time to 4x/wk 30 mins each time. Need to post new pics. Last Saturday I took my 10 year old daughter jogging with me(the 3 mile route). Boy was she tired. Boy was I proud of her and myself.
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7/19/06 weight 130.5
I am 1/2 pound away from my goal weight. I feel great!!! People are now picking on me about being so small. It's really weird, but also comical. Who would have thought anyone would ever call me small again. I continue to get the majority of my exercise on my lunch hour. It is the easiest time of day for me to meet my commitment and not effect anything else I have planned. Need to post some recent pics and some before/after pics. I DID IT!!!!
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7/24/06 weight 130
Yesterday I reached my goal. I can't tell you how happy and proud I am. Called several people who have supported me and told them. Now my job is to maintain and perhaps do some strength training in addition to cardio. Also I need to begin to more seriously prepare for my first competitive 5k. I would like to do one in September.
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8/12/06 weight 129
I have found a 5k I want to register for on Sep 30. It's the Women's Distance 5k. I haven't registered yet but plan to do so in the next couple of days. I am psyched, but scared. I want to jog the whole thing without walking any. We'll see.
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8/17/06 weight 128
One of the things I am most proud of is that my resting heart rate has gone from around 100 beats/minute down to like 65 beats/minute. This means I am really in shape. Woohoo!
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10/11/06 weight 128
I completed the 5k(running only/no walking)and my time was 32:52. Wow!!! I was surprised at how good I did. I am maintaining my weight and exercise regimen. I am very happy with life right now. I would do it all again in a second. Yes the pain and the complications and the risk of death. I would do it all again if I knew it would get me to where I am today. :)
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11/16/06 weight 125.5
This Monday I finished a 12 week Anger Management Group series. This was a life changing experience and is yet another step towards a healthier me. I am so proud of all I have been able to accomplish. Also I have taken under my wing a "newbie" who is pursuing surgery. It feels good to give back and come full circle from being the one who needs advice to being the one giving it. I may try and do a 5k in early December. I have enlisted the help of a wonderful lady I met(Alisa Wright-Colopy) to work on my running technique and overall fitness level. We will start probably around the beginning of the year.
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11/26/06 weight 126.5
I bought some size 8 jeans at Goodwill yesterday and they FIT!!! I can't believe it. I haven't been a size 8 since junior high school. I have been kind of a lazy slob this week. I think the turkey got me..lol. I did walk twice this week and also lifted weights yesterday with my fiance(ouch!). I'm sore today. Looking forward to the new year and ramping up my exercise program.
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12/11/06 weight 125
Ran my 2nd 5k yesterday. It was the "Over the River & Through the Woods" trail race and my time was a bit slower(35:50), but it was very cold(in the 30's) and my first off-road race. I wasn't really prepared, but still proud of my time. Have been working out with weights the last month and enjoying that. I plan on doing the Cary Road Race in April.
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12/20/06 weight 124
Registered for the Cary Road Race yesterday. It's not til April so I have plenty of time to prepare. I hope to complete it in under 30 minutes. I am going to be a guest speaker at the Cary Fitness Consortium meeting in January. I get to tell my story to a bunch of people. Last night I was able to hold my chin-up for 30 seconds!!! Wow. I am getting stronger. Also doing situps and continuing with the weights and jogging/walking. Life is good. Thanks be to God. Amen.
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3/4/07 weight 125.5
Started working with a personal trainer the last week in January. She has shown me so many exercises I can do at home to help with my running. The Cary Road Race is just over a month away. I wonder how I will do? I am not really happy with my eating at this time. I seem to be eating more junk. But like everyone I have good and bad days. Some days I snack healthy and some days I don't. I'm hoping to go to a support meeting at Duke later this month. It would be good to see the familiar faces.
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5/9/07 weight 123
Well let's see. I did the road race. I finished the 5k(3.1 miles) in 30 minutes and 53 seconds. Not bad for someone who weighed 255 pounds just over 2 years ago! The work with the trainer really paid off. We did mainly core body strength and balance type exercises with boxing thrown in for fun. I learned so much. Our last session is next Monday. I will miss seeing her every week. I am gettin married August 25! It is so exciting to plan my own wedding and do something I have never really done-fuss over myself and feel special. I had my 2 year postop visit at Duke WLS yesterday with Hillary and it went fine. I am not going to run any more competitive races until after the wedding and I finish my CCNA class Aug 13. Then I have to take the CCNA (and hopefully pass) before the end of the year. This year has brought many new and exciting changes for me. I am really loving life!
6/2/08 weight 131.5
I am married now. I no longer run regularly, because my left ankle and right knee sometimes bother me and because I lost interest. My passion now is YOGA! I started about 3-4 months ago. I try to go twice a week. I occasionally take the kids swimming or for a long walk. I still eat reasonably and try to make my snacks healthy choices. My 3 year postop anniversary was 2 days ago: May 31. I am proud to report that 3 years postop I am maintaining at just around my goal weight of 130! I do not regret this decision for a moment. I openly share information about my surgery experience with others when asked. You would be surprised who and how many people inquire about the surgery. I have a "traveling library" of books on WLS that I pass from person to person. I have not had these books in my possession for about 2 years. I see this as success, since I am helping others to get information and decide for themselves if this is the right decision for themselves. I am careful to tell each person that only THEY can make this decision and commit to a lifetime of change and only they can be responsible for the change, if they decide to do it. I also tell them that the experience of gastric bypass surgery can range from flawless to death and everywhere in between. I like sharing and helping others. If you are reading this and have any questions feel free to email me at [email protected] or look me up on myspace under "charla cagle". Thanks!!
Note: I just wanted to add that one of the things that kept me the most motivated when I was considering surgery and was unsure if it was the right decision or not was the before/after pics on this website. I couldn't help but say "WOW!" every time I viewed them. The visual results of this RNY surgery are truly amazing!!!
11/11/08 weight 125.5
I am doing ok. Lately I have been through some emotional tough times that have taken a toll on my health. Of course the first thing to go was the regular exercise. I did nothing for about 2 months, but I am starting to slowly get back to exercise. I guess it's good I am still maintaining at under goal weight. I try to snack healthy. I am thinking of reconnecting with my old WLS buddies for the support or either Duke, where I had my surgery 3.5 years ago. My body still feels great for the most part and I am not having any long term negative side effects from surgery, except I did develop reactive hypoglycemia this summer, which may or may not be related as a long term side effect.
6/1/09 weight 133.5
Yesterday was my 4 year surgery anniversary. Although what I do for exercise has changed, the one thing that has stayed with me is the need to exercise. I joined the gym at work in early January and I do a mix of freeweights, machines(elypitical,treadmill,stairs) and ab and spin classses. I think the key, in addition to just "doing it", is to find a variety of exercises. I keep my shoes at work under my desk and always pack my gym clothes if I'm going to work out at lunch. I know the lunch workout is shorter, but there are no excuses to not going. I am still happy with my life and still would do it all again to achieve the lasting results I have accomplished. I have also helped to educate others along the way. I have never hidden the fact that I had surgery. I am proud of making that leap and being a successful post-op. I am expecting my second biological child at the end of December, at age 43. I am extremely excited about this and plan to continue to eat healthy and exercise.
Photos
 255 Before surgery |
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 130 1 year postop w/mom and my kids(woohoo!!!) |
Member Interests:
- Books & Literature - I have always loved to read. Prefer fiction mainly detective type stuff.
- Crafts - Have recently gotten into making melt and pour soap.
- Movies - Enjoy going to the movies and renting movies. Mainly action/horror.
