$how me the money........

Do you hear the CA-SHINGing bells of Christmas?



Yes, money makes the world go around. Even when it comes to weight loss. Have you heard....you'll lose more weight faster if you're offered money as an incentive?(click there to read more!) My Lapanded friends and I could have saved them the trouble of doing that study! We could have easily proved that point very quickly. We were always looking for motivation and inspiration and will power. Money would have worked just fine. It doesn't take a team of academics and researchers to figure out that if you offer people money as an incentive, they will be more productive. It's the American way for heaven's sake!!! But, here's the glitch....will these people keep the weight off? I guess as long as they are being paid. Or, perhaps as long as they are being paid more. They will need a raise. Motivation does have it's limits and sometimes those limits are a dollar sign....

On Good Morning America this week, they did a promo that they would be talking about Oprah's weight loss battles. Unfortunately, I had to leave for work before the segment aired. But, it occurred to me--why doesn't Oprah just get a Lapband? I mean, I'm pretty sure this would solve her problems. And, let's face it--she probably would not have to jump through half the hoops the rest of us Lapbanders had to jump through. After all, she is Oprah. So, I wonder. Why hasn't she even considered any type of weight loss surgery? Is there something wrong with losing weight that way? I mean, as far as I am concerned, Oprah is a perfect candidate for it. Hey...if she did get a Lapband...I'll bet it would end up on her "Favorite Things" list next year. I think she should do it. And, I think I'm just the girl to help her along...
So, here's what I would say...
Honestly, Op, I feel your pain. I don't have your money or your celebrity status. But, I know what you are going through. And, I really feel for you, girl. Having to lose and gain your weight in front of the whole world! That can't be fun. I mean, I only had to do it in front of 100 or so folks....one of them being my father...oh geez! That was painful enough. You definitely have it much worse! Listen, if you're embarrassed that you would be taking the easy way out--let me assure you honey--you would not! And, hey...if you decide to get this Lapband....no one would even have to know. We could keep it between you and me. I got your back, girl. We chronic dieters gotta stick together. But, if for some reason you're not totally okay with doing the Lapband, I'm cool with that. Maybe you'd consider money as a motivation? I hear that works....


Money might make Oprah's world go around but a Lapband would rock it.
It did mine.




So...what was my Kindess Taste Test yesterday?
I dropped off a stash of Christmas decorations that I was not using at a stranger's home. They are strangers because I actually do not know this family. However, a friend of mine told me about their plight when she realized they lived very close to my house. Ever since I heard their story, I would say a little prayer for them when I drove by their home. Then, the other day I noticed the little boy sitting on the steps looking very forlorn watching the neighbors across the street putting up their Christmas lights. Each day afterwards, I looked to see if there were decorations at his own home. But, there wasn't. Of course--I have no idea if the boy was looking the way he did because of the Christmas decorations or not. And, although I'm pretty sure they do celebrate Christmas, I have no idea if they would even want to decorate their home considering their situation. But I wanted them to have the choice. Plus, I had this entire melodramatic made-for-TV movie about their life conjured up in my head. As far as I was concerned, this little boy wanted his house decorated and they had no decorations. And, let's face it--I'm all about bling-bling. Honestly---I have more than my share of it! And, as much as I hate to admit it, the sight of an unadorned home at Christmas feels sad to me. So, when I thought about what act of kindness I could do, I just knew in my heart that I wanted to do this. So, I put together a little note, pulled together the decorations, tied it up with ribbons and secretly placed it on their porch late last night. As I slipped away in the darkness, I found myself holding back tears. Silly me.....I can get so emotional about a wreath with a big red bow, a few strands of working lights, some greenery and a wooden gingerbread man....