VSG Maintenance Group
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Yay!
5' 4" tall, HW: 242, SW:215.4 Weight Loss - pre-op: - 26.6, M1: -15.4, M2: -16, M3: -11.4, M4: -11.2, M5: -12.2, M6: -7.4, M7: -7.8, M8: -2.0 Goal of 130 lbs. reached at 8 months, 2 days post-op!
I too have to chime in about how much I love our family here. I cherish the support and kindness, and the comfort of being with people who understand your struggles. I welcome the breadth of knowledge and experience everyone brings from their own lives that helps me gain clarity. I so appreciate how everyone to a person can tell you a truth you might need to hear, but offers it in the most caring and unjudgemental way.
I was caught by surprise how much work it still was when the final hosting push came. I had shopped meticulously, pulled out pans and baking dishes and sorted ingredients into them a few days ahead. For example in the pan I was using to make the stuffing, I put the stuffing mix, the carton of vegetable broth, an onion, an apple, two ribs of celery so all I had to do was grab the pan and the perishable ingredients from the fridge and get to work. It was still overwhelming. In reflection, a lot of women my age are being hosted by their children. I'm still making Christmas happen at our house and transporting the food and goodies to make Christmas happen at my parents. I might need to cut back on one in the future.
Other people did lots of work too. My brother cleared out all the junk from my parents dining room. He brought all the boxes that were in the corners, on chairs, under the table upstairs to my parents vacant master bedroom, and lined them up in a row. Maybe they will get sorted through some day by my parents, or maybe they will sit there until the day my brother and I have to clean out the house. At least the downstairs where they live now is more useable. It actually felt more like a normal Christmas than in many years, because we ate in the dining room and opened presents in the living room. My Mom crossed the house in a wheelchair, and actually transferred to sit in one of the livingroom chairs. I can't remember the last time I saw my Mom sitting in any setting besides her recliner in the family room. It may be her last Christmas, so I've thanked my brother a number of times for making it more normal. And it was nice that DS's girlfriend saw at least the shadows of what the house and my parents once were, and not the full on dysfunction sometimes on display.
Today I will try to put the house back in order. Tonight we are going to a show called Luminesence at the Basilica in Minneapolis. It's a light show projected in the sanctuary along with a live orchestra. Seemed like a unique performance experience we all could enjoy.
Despite lots of treats, my weight is pretty much unchanged. A Christmas miracle.
Greetings all
Phew, another Christmas survived. Actually ours was probably the least stressful possible. It was not raining when we went to our friends at 2, one guest was super duper on all the chores and prep, everyone brought a dish and our dinner was wonderful. We had a gift exchange that was fun but odd since there was confusion about whether the gifts were to be gag gifts. Our host is the man whose wife died three days before Christmas last year. He hosted anyway because it was all prepared and did it again this year to honor her tradition. We are grateful to have this group of friends which is getting smaller each year. The only stresses is that it was raining when we left and access to the homes not easy - stairs outside. But we lived. I offered all the apple sauce to our host and he kept it. Yay.
So the rain continues today which means a day at home. Football all day long.
Sounds like everyone had a good holiday. CC I bet the roast was good in spite of the drama. Pox on that cookbook. But I bet the roast makes good sandwiches. And your dad will want football. Glad you were able to check in for your flight.
I hear you on the dry air Liz. Ditto. DH swears by saline nasal spray. And the book sounds good. A good book club choice.
Not much else. I had a craving for a good grilled cheese sandwich so I got the stuff to make them. That will be tonight. We normally do not keep bread around so it must be a planned purchase.
So my facebook has pretty much stopped sending me ads for bras for old lady saggy boobs but now is loading me with ads for barefoot shoes. Anybody try those? I may get some since shoes are so problematic for me. My ancient rebocks are falling apart and I have glued them together several times. The new pillows are good but I should have ordered new cases. More shopping.
Diane S
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So glad one worry is off your plate. I hate uncertainty about plans too.
on 12/26/25 7:24 am
Freezing rain today. I hope it's gone before my travel day tomorrow! I attempted to take the trash out, but it's an ice rink out there, so I left the bag in the planter. I tried to check in online and it won't let me for some reason. I called the little charter airline company and she said I should just check in at the airport tomorrow. So that's added stress!
The meal was okay. My folks said, "it's fine." High praise for a prime rib roast. The house still smells like burnt stuff. We did realize there must be something wrong with the smoke alarm though, because we've had it go off in way less smoke.
I wish I was home! Wrong shoes (should have brought the boots but when I left this wasn't in the cards!), travel weather anxiety, what if I can't get home to Kirby in time given the amount of food I left him, dinner disappointment, etc. blah.
I need to snap out of my funk!
Not sure what we're doing today. Nothing that involves leaving the house at least.
Hope you all have a good day!
As Paula and Diane expressed yesterday you truly are my family. I think the first time I logged into OH was before my VSG, then I found this group when I reached goal in Fall of 2016. So almost 10 years of friendship and support. We do bare it all and being able to do that with others who completely understand is invaluable.
It sounded like everyone was having a good Christmas yesterday (I am sure CC salvaged her meal somehow - at least it will be something to laugh about in the future: Remember the time we almost burnt the house down?). My DD did a wonderful job hosting Christmas. My DS cooked the meal which was phenomenal and everyone got along fantastically, including DS who can be *****ly at times especially with oldest DSD.
Today we meet the "kids" for brunch before driving back to Cape Cod this afternoon. Hopefully the sinus infection which appeared yesterday as I feared it would will be in low mode by then. It is the dry heated air which causes me to get these things. Eldest DD is staying on Cape Cod tonight and tomorrow either at SILs home or with us, so we will be getting together with them at some point over the weekend. Busy times until we leave on Monday.
I just finished the book Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb. Very well written and thought provoking so I may use it for my book club in February (though I want to also read one more book suggested by DD before I decide). Anyway, while reading it I reflected on my own experience in therapy which lasted for about a year, a couple of years after my eldest daughter died. And I related to several of her patient's stories. Well worth reading.
No long Justice walk today, though DH already took him out. He was really good with everyone yesterday and slept fairly well at the hotel.
Have a Father Time Friday (moving onto New Years words LOL)!
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
It's a lot to be the host! I am glad I don't have to do it anymore.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
OMG! I hope you were able to salvage your meal and the rest of the day! Not what you bargained for.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
Thank goodness for longer days coming! I hope you had a great day with your friends and that your pate, etc made it without getting soaked.
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
