Ashburn......

Christina let me apologize for not saying alot to you @ the dinner but I was not sure who you were now I know, lol duh and I was the same w/ Cindy  boy dont I feel dumb. I should have put the outfits together w/ the name but it hadnt hit me I was tired Im so sorry. I hope we get another chance to meet up.

OMGoodness don't worry about it another second! I felt the same way with lots of people there....hard to put names and faces together sometime, especially when we all change so fast!  Good to meet you in person though...we'll have to connect again soon.

Dianna, Thank you for being so flattering. Hearing myself being called an "inspiration" is perhaps the most scary thing ever to me. Like I was telling a coworker this morning... if you start at 300, and I start at 400, and the next guy starts at 500, it does not matter who gets to goal first, or who loses the most weight, as long as we all hit that goal, that's what matters. The conference did however serve to put things into perspective for me. I always worry about not losing enough, eating too much CRAP (which I DO, for all of those who consider me an "inspiration" ), not exercising enough, etc, and realizing that I lost that much weight, and that it really is an accomplishment. I'm forever beating myself up that I still have these 10... 15... 20 whatever pounds to go. It can be very easy to forget where you've come from, and the people at this weekend's conference reminded me of that. I am so proud of you yourself. You have had your good moments, and your not so good moments, and even though you knew that you might have to face a dark memory or two (which thankfully only happened one time, and was not even that bad), you walked in there with your head held high, and proceeded to have a good time, at least so far as I could tell. I look forward to spending more time with you now that we are reconciling a bit, and I sure wish you would lean on me when you need help. I'm pretty strong sometimes.  I'm sorry about the Cookie Dad... I keep trying to remember him -- was that the man that would sometimes show up to the Girl Scout meetings? It's hard to imagine a person so involved in their child's life doing something so selfish and without regard to his children. As a person with that sort of past myself, I can tell you firsthand that even during your darkest hour, there's always SOMETHING you can do to make things just bearable enough to go on. You never know what might happen in the future... any attempt I ever made usually centered around my weight... and had I been successful, I would never have known the life I lead today. Then I hear things like this, and I'm extra saddened, because I KNOW how bleak life can be sometimes, and I also know that it is not going to be that way always. WLS taught me that. Anyhow, it was fun meeting everyone... and seeing people I hadn't seen since I was newly postop.... I just recently got more involved in this forum than I have been in months or a year, and I totally plan on coming back more and offering whatever advice I can, and taking some from you all too. (I'd list you all by name, but this has been going on long enough, and I *AM* supposed to be working, haha) Look forward to the next one! When should I start planning the next dinner?

Hey girl! It was great seeing you and am GLAD you're doing well. It was a tremendous sight seeing everyone and seeing Julie up there was really WOW! i really have missed you but we cannot continue to let time and space be between our convos and get togethers. I know that we're a great distance apart but worth the drives for sure. I am glad to help and honestly you are not the only one who was facing some depression type issues. In fact, I'm not sure I've bounced off them yet but in time as I always find a way to be "ok." Know that you are loved and thought of frequently and I'm here. My thoughts & prayers are with ya'll for the man who took his life. I've dealt with that in the past and there are more questions than answers. Lord be with his family and friends. Hugs....................

Dianna first of all prayers for the family and for you so your heart will not be so heavy........ it is a sad story and I am so sorry everyone onvolved have to feel the pain ........ hope someday they can understand why he did it and not feel so bad about not seeing the signs etc.... Secondly it was so good to see you on Saturday and you have to stay way more conected! And thank you also for the very kind comments -  I really appreciate your support!   It was fun and I enjoyed getting out there and making connections!  Julie truly is amazing and such an inspiration to tohers  - I am glad she got the chance to stand up and let people see the awesome job she has done! But I still think she looks like she will be carded everytime she goes into somewhere that sells alcohol lol!! She looks so young! Take care of yourself! Jackie

I'm so glad to have met you! I dropped my cell phone into my glass of iced tea the other day  and am trying to dry it out. Well, I got it sort of working and the first thing that came up was your voice mail and text about getting to the restaurant on Saturday night!! It gave me a good chuckle. Don't be a stranger here... we want to get to know you all over again!