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Weight Loss Update!!

Today is my 12th day after surgery and I have lost 24.1 lbs. I'm slowly adding new foods to my diet. I'm enjoying the fact that Food does not rule my life now. I now eat to live and not live to eat!!

New Fall Shows

WOW!! There are some really good shows on this fall. These are my favorites so far: MEDIUM, LOST, INVASION, SURVIVOR, ER, GHOST WHISPERER, INCONCEIVABLE, APPRENTICE AND THE MARTHA STEWART APPRENTICE. Are there any that you have found that I didn't list?

Auzzie Boy!!

I guess you all know by reading Crystal's blog that I have a house guest. He is so entertaining. He talks and talks and talks. I have heard him say a few more things over here that Crystal hasn't heard. Some of them are: "That's Bad!" & "Pretty-Pretty Boy!" He also clears his throat just like Crystal and he sounds just like her. He is too cute!!
Vickie

IT'S BEEN ONE WEEK TODAY!!!

One week and I've lost 19 lbs. I am so pumped. I'm not losing too fast considering what I've had done and the amount I need to lose. Right on target.

I go to the Doctor (surgeon) on Monday for my post-op and hopefully to be released to drive and to start using my stationary bike and Crossbow (same as Bowflex).

I take my vitamins (chewable Flintstones Plus / YUMMY!!) and my chewable Caltrate twice a day. I've bought some high protein drinks that were recommended to me and they taste pretty good. They aren't cheap, but I'm not eating alot anymore so that will cut down on our grocery bill.

Protein, vitamins and water are the three most important things for people who have had this surgery. Protein is very important so your hair doesn't fall out.

Well, I'll let you know more later.

PS. Remember a friend of who is going to have her gastric by-pass in the morning. She is being cut open to where mine was laproscopic. Please pray for her. Her name is Pam and her surgery time is at 11:00 am, Friday, Sept. 23rd.

UPDATE!!

Today is my 4th day after surgery and I weighed this morning and I have lost 14.5 lbs. Someday I will even tell you all my beginning weight. Maybe we'll even have a contest to see who can guess it. So don't be posting any comments with your guesses right now PLEASE!!

I've told everyone that after I lost my weight that I was getting me a thong. Well, I didn't have to wait till then. Crystal bought me these and brought them to the hospital. They may fit one leg right now. I tried to get Daniel model them for me so I could get an idea how cute they are gonna look but he wouldn't do it. Come on D!!!! I bet you could probably have told by the color of these who bought them, huh!! Thanks Crystal.
Vickie

Staci sent me this for my Birthday. I collect mice and pretty much all my Christmas decorations are mice. This is to hold a candle and will look great with my other little mice. Thanks Staci!!
Vickie

These beautiful pink roses are from my sweet husband. He presented them to me as soon as I got into the car at the hospital. They were for my 'New Beginning'! Thanks Danny!
Vickie

Here's Crystal and Bonnie, my future nurse. She is going to be an awesome nurse. Bonnie is very compassionate and caring. I think Crystal would make a good nurse as well. This was took at the hospital the evening of my surgery. Love you Be-Bo!!
Vickie

Thanks!!!

I just want to thank everyone who prayed for me and who took time out to come visit me in the hospital.
A very special thanks goes out to my daughter, Crystal who came up and spent my first night with me in the hospital. I couldn't have done it without her. Love ya Crystal.
I want to thank Mrs. Gentry for coming and bringing me some flowers, my sisters Diane, Renee and Jimbo (Renee's husband), my niece Bonnie (my favorite nurse to be), my great friend Deb Acton, my sweet, funny, handsome son-in-law Daniel, Eddie Bozeman.
My biggest thanks goes out to my amazing husband, Danny, who has been very patient with me and supportive thru this time. He did better this time in the hospital. He actually had water in the cup that he had to wet my little sponge with for me to keep my lips and mouth wet since I couldn't have any water or ice for 24 hours.
If I've missed anyone, I'm sorry.

This is one of my most favorite people, Eddie Bozeman. He is an awesome man of God. Eddie came to see me after surgery. He prayed for me and when Eddie prays he will bring you to tears. This is on Thursday, Sept. 15th around 7:00pm.
Vickie

Before Surgery Picture

This was took at 5am Thursday morning before Danny and I left for the hospital. We had to be there at 5:30am.
Vickie

Surgery!!!

It is now 4:35am and I am all ready to go to the hospital. We will be leaving here in about 45 minutes. I need to be there at 5:30am and I am first in line for surgery. They say I should be in surgery by 7:00 and it is suppose to be a 3 hour surgery. It is being done at Shelby and I am suppose to stay two nights. I should come home on Saturday if everything follows according to plan. I've surrendered it ALL to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is only He is in complete and total control. AMEN. HALLELUJAH!! PRAISE YOU JESUS!!!

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the Courage to change the one I can, and the Wisdom to know it's -- me.

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha
worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small< BR>Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...AND
Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's me.
3. Growing old is inevitable, growing UP is optional.
4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.
6. Do the math, count your blessings.
7. Faith is the ability to not panic.
8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
9. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.
10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.
11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.
12. The
most important things in your house are the people.
13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still.
God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

Share this with a friend or two. In the Circle of God's love, God's
waiting to use your full potential.

Another 'Fat Kat' on the way!!

Yep!! That's right! Leigh-Leigh (Amber) went today and they tell her she is having another girl. I think we were all thinking that this one was going to be a boy for sure. "CONGRATULATIONS"!!

Hey 'Fat Kats', we're gonna have to get us a big ole' buggy-van for our 'Fat Kat' outtings.
Vickie

Vance Family Vacation 1971

Renee, Daddy, Diane and Me!!
Vickie

This was on the same trip. We stopped at this restaurant that looked like Noah's ark. Not sure what state it was in. Me, Diane, Momma, and Renee.
Vickie

Renee and I are wrapped in the blankets. We are two Indian Princess'! See, I even have pig-tails.
Vickie

This was probably my most favorite family vacation that we took when I was a kid. Well, I was a teenager. This was at Medicine Bow Mountain, Wyoming. When the sun came out from under the clouds, you could be outside without a jacket, and when the cloud covered the sun, the temp dropped immediately and you needed something else on. It was so beautiful. The water was so clear you could see the rainbow trout swimming in the lake. Mama has her sleeves pushed up and daddy is in his t-shirt.
Vickie

Pre-op

Today or actually yesterday (Friday) I went to pre-op. I had all my paper work, bloodwork and ekg all done. I have to do a clear liquid diet all day Wednesday and drink some of that yummy stuff (yulk) that cleans you out and then Thursday morning I have to be at the hospital at 5:30am and I am first on the surgery list. They say I will be in surgery about 3 hours and probably stay in the hospital 2 or 3 nights. I pray that God will have total and complete control of all of the doctors and nurses that will be assisting in my surgery. I am going to go thru this with no complications or side effects, in the Name of Jesus!!!

SURGERY DATE!!!!

YIPEE!!!! YAHOO!!!! HOO-RAY!!!! HALLELUJAH!!!! I got my surgery date. It will be next Thursday, Sept. 15th, two days before my 54th birthday. AWESOME!!! So excited. I will be at Shelby. Will know more tomorrow after I go for pre-op.

I am so humbled!!

Since this devastating catastrophe in the Gulf we have been glued to the TV. Danny and I have said since the beginning we wish we could help somebody. I told him that we have a spare bedroom with a full bath that someone could stay in. That I would love to be able to take care of an elderly couple. This morning I woke up, 1 1/2 after hours I went to sleep, out of a sound sleep with my heart racing, nauseous, tingling sensations thru my body, down my arms and heaviness in my chest. I thought I was having a heart attack. I woke Danny up and we go to the ER at Shelby. After I get there they start evaluating me, EKG, blood work, chest x-ray, etc......... and everything was perfect. I had been having a major panic attack. I have just gone thru sleep apnea clinic and so I know that I do stop breathing while I'm asleep. I think that must have been what happened to me this morning and so I went into a panic, which has the same symptoms as a heart attack. While there I heard that they had some victims (refugees) from New Orleans hospitals that had been transfered to Shelby. I start asking questions and found out that there was a elderly couple there that he was being admitted at that very moment and his wife was with him. IS THAT GOD OR WHAT!!!!! I tell the nurses and doctor there that I want to open my home up to this couple and to please pass this information on. They were very glad to do so and very excited that someone was offering. They told me that they were a very sweet couple and that he had been in the hospital in New Orleans and they were flown in with 6 more families that were at Shelby also with one person from each family being admitted into Shelby. All of these people have nothing. They have lost everything. This breaks my heart. I came home and by 3:00pm I had not heard anything yet, so I call back to Shelby and ask to speak to the case worker. They took my information and right then went to this couples room to tell them that someone was offering them some assistance and they get to crying and then the case worker also gets to crying. The case worker calls me back and tells me all that happened and that they were happy to know this and she gave me their names and room number. I immediately call the room and talk to Bessie. She is 71 and her husbands name is James. I had already asked the case worker if they needed clothes and to take showers and she said that Bessie had a shower and was walking around with a hospital gown on. When I called Bessie she said that all they had was what they had on. She told me what size clothes she wore and everything and I told her that I would see her before visiting hours were over. I call my amazing friend, Betty Morrison and then in turn she calls Faith Lacey. This little lady is getting the Royal treatment. Faith fills up this huge suitcase and tote bag full of new clothes, shoes, toiletries, iron and I don't know what else. I go to her house and pick that up and then I met Betty at Wal-Mart and we proceed to get robe, gown, pajamas, socks, shoes, slippers, purse, panties, wallet, comb, mirror, duffle bag, more toiletries that we didn't already have, snacks, journal and pens. It feels so good to be used by God. We also put some cash in her new purse. Betty had her grandbabies, so Crystal and I get to the hospital about 8:15pm and we were loaded down. I felt like Santa Claus. I love to give. I had rather be on my end of this deal than this little couples end, anyday. We walked in and introduced ourselves. She was so sweet and so humbled and I and Crystal are humbled as well. I had a huge lump in my throat and I could see tears in Crystal's eyes. Praise you, Jesus!!! She was so thankful. We told her that what she couldn't use to give to the nurses and let them pass it onto the other people that were brought in. Her little husband was out of it. He didn't even know we were there. These people have been drug from pillar to post. As soon as James is up and moving we will make sure he has the things he needs to get started as well. He came in a hospital gown, so therefore he has no clothes at all. We are just going to take this one day at a time. That is all God expects us to do. They may stay with me some and they may not. My home is open for them. They do have family that was sent to Houston and she has a sister in South Carolina that she has been in contact with. They are some of the more fortunate of these people. I am in tears as I write this. We are so blessed, people. We have nothing to complain about. THANK YOU, JESUS!! Just to let everybody know, there are more people being brought into Shelby Medical Center, Sunday morning. These people need are help. Pass the word. Open your hearts and pocket-books.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP............

Kingwood Assembly of God has a trailer at the church and they are taking donations of water, diapers, baby formula, peanut butter, crackers, canned meat, canned fruit and vegetables. Anything you can thank of that people need on a daily basis. Feminine products, etc. They will be taking it down the first of next week. If you haven't found another way to help and you feel the need to help, here is your way. The supplies will be going to Gulf Port, Mississippi.