Hi Y'all (I wish Debkay was still around, she'd appreciate the y'all!),

I have all kinds of various and sundry thoughts rambling around in my lil' old noggin.

First off, it's true that you really do lose shoes sizes as you lose weight. I'd always thought that was just a myth, but I had to buy new workout shoes the other day, and lo and behold, they are a half size smaller. Who knew?

Unrelated thought #2 - If I owned a gym, I'd install trick mirrors. Remember the ones at amusement parks that make you look taller or really goofy? I'd invent a mirror that makes people look slim and muscular. I'd also install scales that weigh people at least ten pounds lighter than other scales. Talk about positive reinforcement for going to the gym!

Ramble #3 - I think someone should start a campaign to convince the powers-that-be in the fashion world that saggy and baggy is the look of the decade. Not just anyone can achieve the look you know! America's next top model would be someone who has boobs that reach all the way down to her knees. Her arm flaps would wave proudly with every passing breeze. The jiggly skin on her belly would be bared proudly for all the world to admire. Good idea, yes?

If you're still reading, here's #4 - Recently I took a hike. The hike was supposed to be a leisurely 1-2 mile stroll through the mountains, around a pretty reservoir (according to husband-man anyway). Turns out, it was about seven miles, way harder than I initially thought, with a lot of it involving hiking down steep, rough terrain. I ended up hiking all alone through mountain lion country at dusk. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Anyway, three hours and one very worried husband later, I emerged from the trail to a road that also had to be hiked down and came up with this thought: how's come in all my many, many hours at the gym, I have never trained for going downhill. Uphill's fine, level's great, but downhill - damn I was sore! Is there a treadmill or machine of some sort that gets you in shape for hiking downhill?

#5 - (you've read this far? I think you may need a life!) I hope all you folks who are about to have surgery, or just starting out on the whole process love your new life as much as I'm loving mine. I'm only halfway to goal and feel like a whole new person. I can't even imagine how I'll feel once I'm all the way to goal. Oh yeah, more to ponder!

Chickadee, the rambling fool

You are hilarious! And hey, just cuz i dont have a life right now and read that whole darn post, doesnt mean i wont soon have one (and still be reading your long darn posts!) Hey, one chatter box to another, youll atleast always have someone like me around to keep you on your toes about writing complex, not so complex, boring, not so boring, and seemlessly neverending posts!

I totally forgot now what you wrote, and lost my train of thought, so ill be right back.....lol

OH YEAH, shoe sizes. your right, the first time i gained my weight my shoe size increased by an entire sz and width, the doctor says the added weight bares down onto your feet and can make them spread. Now i cant wait to get back into some 9's!!! Ms. bigfoot that i am , i hate saying im in a 10 W.

Trick mirrors, yeah those would even be beneficial in my home, especially when i first wake up in the morning, weight or no weight!! Heehee

And the whole hiking things, YOU GO GIRL....hey you never quit, and that is impressive, i can honestly say i look forward to the day i can even walk around my block!

And i dont know if its just me, but for every pound i have gained, i have lost a brain cell....what about you guys!!!

i read the whole thing, too chickadeedeedear.. how could i miss a single word of yours????

congratulations!!! you were SHOCKED that you could do it, weren't you??? but that mountain lion thing... ummmm a little too iffy, ya know [but then again, i've hiked around bears so who am i to talk?????]

when the world wakes up to that batwing beaty, you and i will be FAMOUS!!!! can't wait!!!

and the downhill thing - walk backwards on the treadmill. honest!!!

Silly Chickee, Of course I read the whole thing. You mean spending all night in front of the computer is not having a life? I'm going to see my friend Pam next week, I think she's lost about 60 pounds.

Hi Again Goils,

MysTek - cool, I've found a babbling soul mate! You just keep on posting Brook (you know, as in babbling!) And, all this time I thought it was my advancing age that was making me lose brain cells. So, if I follow your theory, with every pound I lose, I may just get smarter? Watch out world!

Jiffypoo - I have been pondering the whole walking backward on the treadmill thing for a coupla hours now. Not only are you a fair and fabulous moderator, you are also pretty darn smart. I'm going to try it today. If I break both legs, I'll let you know. Trust me, I'm not as coordinated as I used to be. Yesterday I was walking into the gym and tripped on the step out front - splat, facedown. Both of my poor knees are scraped and swollen. I look kinda like a 5 year old. On the batwing thing - I say we form a singing group and incorporate swinging batwings into our act. I've always thought I'd make a great Supreme. You can be Diana, okay?

Barb my Sweets - I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you officially have no life! Give Pam a high five for me and tell her I said "Bless Your Little Pea-Pickin' Heart"!

Chicka-doofy-dee

Yep, I look just like a dancing banana in the gym. Only there are lots of brown bits and soft spots and sometimes I smell overripe!

Pookarella, how's about you hop a plane and come have lunch with me today? I'll buy! We could have a good old time and dish about Jif and everything. Whaddya say, huh?

Chick Pea the dancing banana

That's the cutest long, rambling, dumb post I've read in a long time. I must not have much of a life, because I read the whole thing, LOL. You crack me up.

WTG, with the long hike. I wanna be you when I grow up!

*Raising hand* Me too! I read the whole thing too!

Chickadee, my favorite ex-chocolatier, you are, as usual, in rare entertaining form! I am so proud of all your hard work - you are doing GRAND, my dear, just GRAND!

Love ya too,

Kel