It was definitely a food-filled weekend. Sushi with a friend on Friday, the county fair on Saturday and a birthday party on Sunday. Thank goodness today we didn't have any social engagements, so I was able to keep my calories in track. My exercise, not so much. My legs are still pretty sore from eight hours at the fair. My pedometer flaked out or I would know how many steps. Back to Curves tomorrow.

I just finished preparing some of the last of the green beans from my mother-in-law's garden. They have just been growing and growing all summer and they are deeeelicious! So, I steamed them and added just a little real butter and some salt. They're perfect. Here's where I need an ice cube tray . . . I took those lovely beans and pureed them into a mush with my imersion blender. It seemed really wrong. But, for at least four weeks after surgery I will only be able to eat liquids and then pureed foods. And I bet you didn't know it, but an ice cube is just about the size of a serving of food for me after surgery. I know! Crazy, isn't it? The plan is to get some foods pureed and in the freezer now so I won't have to mess with them when I get home from the hospital. Now what my husband will be eating? That's a different story.

I have been very blessed . . . nearly everyone I have talked to about this surgery has been supportive. You do get the goofball every so often that says something like I'm "taking the easy way out." Easy? Seriously? Seriously? The first thing the surgeon tells you in your introductory seminar is that this surgery isn't a magic bullet. It's a tool. If I use the tool properly then it will help me. If not, then it's not so useful.

We all know someone who has been unsuccessful with this surgery, or rather has been successful, only to have life get in the way and they slip back - Carnie Wilson comes to mind. I feel so sorry for those folks now because I know what they went through and are going through. Changing your lifestyle isn't easy. I think everyone here on CK knows that. We've all lost the same 10, 20, 100 pounds more than once. And if you are a bariatric surgery patient you've been through even more . . . physical evaluations - every test known to man, I think. I've never had so much blood drawn in my life! The list of labels for the tubes that printed out was at least six feet, and I'm not exaggerating. There's psychological evaluations, nutritional consults and sleep studies. Classes to learn how to eat for the rest of your life.

I'm just grateful to all of you CKers for making me welcome despite the fact that I am having this surgery and it's a slightly different path than most of you are taking on your journey. The CK journey is so important to my final destination. I have to be able to eat for energy and move it for the rest of my life. Even after the surgery and (hopefully) subsequent weight loss I don't think I will want to leave this support network.

Anyway . . . still on my journey . . . thirty-four pounds down . . . lots more where that came from.

Namaste

18 lbs/42 days progress: -6.2 . . . 23 days to go.