Bon Voyage !! Sharing Great News on My Way Out

Let me say that this has been one of the hardest years for me .  I have looked back and seen so many dark clouds , but things are a changing .  Yesterday , I was asked to sit on the panel at the OH convention . I was asked to tell my weightloss story and my plastics story . Well , once this was over I was approached by Merle Goldberg . She lead the Emotional Eating Seminar . She said to me that my story really moved her . We chatted , I of course invited her to our conference in January . She has agreed to come if I can fit her in . But the best  news is , she offered me a job . She wants me to work with helping to promote her book, her guest appearances and her upcoming TV appearance on the CBS morning show . I have agreed to meet with her to talk over the possiblities for us . She wants me to be able to share my story and to get it out in the public more that WLS is not bad as people tend to make it . Address some of the stigma that comes with it . Share the ups and downs .. This to me is an offer I cannot refuse . She is world known for her books here is her bio : 

Merle Cantor Goldberg, LCSW, received a diplomate in clinical social work from the University of Maryland, and has specialized in treating eating disorders for over thirty-five years. Over this period, she has served as a training leader for the International Association of Eating Disorders. Currently the Executive Director of Associates in Psychotherapy, she has appeared on many radio and television shows and is a highly sought-after lecturer. Ms. Goldberg's articles have been published in numerous newspapers and magazines, and she is the co-author of Weight Loss Surgery, My Thin Excuse, and The Human Circle. So today I feel honored that she would seek me out to assist her . This would complete my dream of sharing my story , my love for telling the truth about the surgery . And showing the world that there is hope with WLS .  Ok .. now on to more great news . I will be out of here starting tommorow . I leave for Boca Raton for 4 days, then on to Miami to board the Triumph of the Seas ... visiting Half Moon Cay , Puerto Rico . St. Thomas and Grand Turks and Cacoas . I will be returning from there ont he 20th, where we make our way back . Stopping at Cape Canaveral to watch the shuttle launch on the 23rd .. and arriving home on the 24th . I truly need this folks .. I move straight from the cruise to JoAnns wedding .. then November 2nd my plastic surgery .. so I am busy yet enjoying life .  You all take good care of yourselves . Always remember that you are a winner .. and that each day is your day .. take control of all that surrounds you and make it yours .. I promise that believing in your dreams .. and reaching for them .. they can come true ..  Much love and respect ,  Natalie

Natalie, I am so glad your dreams are coming true. You are everything Merle Goldberg said you are. It was so nice to talk to youat JoeBear's. I have to tell you, you reallygive me hope. It has been a tough year for me too and after talking to and meeting you in person I feel like dreams do cometrue. You are amazing and yes ! God is working thru you !!! You deserve the best and nothing isout of your reach. I look forward to talking to you again soon. Hopefully I will see you in January. Take care, enjoy your cruise and on with the rest ofyour journey. See you lighter. Joanne

JoAnne ! You are to kind . You are on the right track .. Merle is awesome and she has such great points for us . I too struggle with the ole food demons .. Gosh we talked about so many of them . My weakness is Oreos .. But  I am finding that talking it through .. walking or talking to a buddy .. is what I need . So count me in if you need that buddy to lean on .  Thanks again for the kind words .  Many hugs,  Natalie

Natalie, Don't be surprised if you here from me. See you lighter. Joanne

Congrats on the job offer Nat and have an AWESOME trip and wedding and plastic surgery...whew...you are busy! Love ya! Christine

Hey Sweetie!  Love the new pic! Jill

My Sweet "daughter",  I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.  I know that you Mom in heaven is looking down and grinning from ear to ear at her "little bitty thing" and is as proud as a pea****  Loving you as I do.  You have a wonderful trip and make many memories and when you come back you can share them with us.  Hopefully, I will see you at the wedding but it depends on alot of things here.  Surgery is on Wednesday and I am not looking forward to that at all.  I love you muchly Ms. Nat.  Come home safe and relaxed knowing that I will be thinking of you and loving ya... Hugs, Your Earth Momma Bets

Hi, Natalie - I decided to take a break and see what was going on here...you are such an awesome friend and sister...I am so blessed that God put you into my life two years ago!  You derserve so much!

Many hugs!  Have fun - see you (and your tanned self!) at JoAnn's wedding!

Hugs! Jill

Nat Merle was great and to me....the best speaker at the OH event! Congrats and you will be a great public speaker for WLS....always have been Tanya

Good luck Nat, Congrats and enjoy yourself. I hope that you can help break the stereotype that the world has put on WLS so more people will make the decision to let wls surgery change their lives for the better before it;s too late. Brandi~