Chicago. I love you and goodnight! oh and a little bandit prize

I am so overwhelmed by this weekend it is insane! And yes I was the crier of the group. I keep saying it but honestly I am not a crier in real life! But Daah-ammn did I tear up a lot.

I need to preface this by saying that I am sicker now that I am home (might even have pneumonia), I am very sad because my cat died while I was away, and I am just having a hard time putting into words exactly what I want to post!

I love that I can read these blogs, see faces that I have known for a year now and I can actually hear your voices in what you type.  Little manner-isms that you post regularly are very audible now. It is such a good thing and it makes me very happy.

I feel very strongly about making a connection with a bandster in real life. Meeting Lynda before my trip to Chicago was such a good thing for me. Not only do I love her. Like really love her...but it was the first time in a year I haven't felt weird about eating around people. Even my husband. Don't get me wrong I am supported left and right by my friends and family but to get up from a meal...or just to have that look that says "which direction is the restroom?!?" To honestly talk one on one about our issues means more to me then I thought it would. SO thanks for the Lynda! I really recommend branching out to someone near by.

I got to meet Catherine55. For a lot of us she was the #1 bandster that either got us into blogging or banding. If she wasn't then you have someone very similar to her that "helped" you in the beginning. I read her blog from beginning to end  last Sept. (I think). She was the reason I as banded. Reading her blog made me see that I too could be successful. I could still have a life and that I wouldn't be the person for the rest of my life that had gastric surgery. That I could be me again. I cried when I met her. I wanted to say so much and yet I just couldn't convey what I wanted to. But having met her and can honestly say that she is such a nice person and makes everyone she is speaking to feel comfortable instantly. I guess I have a little bit of celebrity shock before I met her. But just being able to say thank you face to face was more thrilling to me then meeting any famous person.

And yes I am crying again.

There are very few people what I can say I did not like right away. I mean how can you not like people that instantly will link arms with you and walk down the street! We all know such intimate details about eachother but yet we've never met face to face and it was like we had known eachother for ever. I can not describe that feeling. It just is amazing. The beauty and the personalities of the weekend blow me away.

Don't get me wrong there were lots and lots of laughs. But I had to step back a lot and just take in the grandness of it all. We are a huge group..not just the Chicago ladies..but all of us bloggers. We don't take aim over religion, race, politics etc. We just support. You may not follow someone for a reason but we don't purposely fight. I realize we are a weight loss group but our real lives come into play in posts everyday and I hardly see hatred. Lynda and I talked about this loads on the flight in. So I must say thank you to all of you for that! Amazing group of ladies.

My band behaved the whole time. I got to eat most things I wanted. As soon as I got home I was stuck on string cheese! Who the hell knows how this band works!?! I crossed my legs on the plane. Lynda has proof. A-freaking-mazing.

My roomates were dolls. They delt with me being the sicky. We drank a few cocktails together..shared toothpaste and tried on clothes. Ronnie and Liz were just fabulous. So thank you.

I seriously could start going through the list and telling you something about every single person. But it would take forever. But just know..and you know who you are...I really really am glad we met. I am glad to text you and banter back and forth. Perhaps plan a camping trip or just gossip a little. Plan a trip to Las Vegas or stage an event to show off a hot dress. Perhaps share some recipes or get some style advice. I am just plain glad to have you women in my life.
So thank you.

~

As soon as I arrived home there was a little prize from my secret bandit. How cool was that! Here is a picture of me this morning wearing my cool new Nike shirt! Thank you Bandit. I love it and I can't wait to work out in it! I am also wearing some jeans that Lynda gave me! Cute huh! My poor eyes are puffy and swollen. Sick and dead cat sadness are not a good look for me and I would guess not anyone! However I would never have worn such a fitted shirt in my past life!

 So I will post a picture montage when I can go through and decide the best ones. Honestly all the pictures of me that I like best are on other blogs and on facebook! But I've got fab pictures of others. I just need to sort. Tomorrow will be a better day. Until then my little flower bouquets,

  

Much love!