Teachlady

Back from some last minute shopping for the Bobster. Now I'm officially DONE!! I got my SS gift first, I believe, but I'm not going to open mine til Christmas morning. And that's a major accomplishment for me! If I can hold off on opening presents, surely I can hold off on eating cookies and fudge, right? RIGHT?? Ethan is here and he's coloring right now. I'm going to wrap the last gifts for Bob and then color with Ethan. It's getting really nasty out right now. I hate to think what it's going to be like on Christmas eve with 12 inches of new snow and freezing rain. YIKES!!!

Good morning again, Violets. Just finished my hospital shift. Not much to do so I just got folders ready for next week. I texted Jane this morning and got one back saying she's doing better, but they still don't know what the problem is. Sure hope she is home for Christmas. I took fudge into the office today so that is a big batch out of sight, out of mind!! Just have the batches for the paper carriers and my hairdresser and former nail tech. Then the fudge will be OUT of the house!! However, I got the urge to make some hard candy.. cinnamon and cotton candy flavor, soooooo that's on my agenda today. I can always pawn that off on the kids after I have a bite or two or three. Suzie.. I'm already 16 days into the journal you gave me. It really is easy to do.. you just have to get in the habit of writing first thing in the morning and then leaving space for what you eat during the day. It's amazing how you think you don't eat much until you start to write it all down. It was an eye opener for me, for sure! Off to clean up the kitchen a bit and get the last gift of Bob's wrapped. BBL......

Good morning, Violets.. On my way to the hospital for my shift. Then being lazy for most of the day. Ethan comes at 3. We are going to have some pretty nasty weather today and tomorrow. 3-6 inches of snow expected today and the same tomorrow, but with some freezing rain and the snow tomorrow will be the heavy, wet stuff. I don't know what will happen on Christmas Eve. I usually go to Bob's church which is 40 miles away. Kris and Nathan were going to drive me there this year as Bob goes in way early. But if the weather is as they say, I don't think we'll be traveling anywhere. We'll just have to wait and see. Everyone have a good day. I'll check in after my shift.

185 Days till the Violet Reunion Bandiversary Bash and 1st ever Violet Baby Shower! :smile:

Good evening, Violets.. Just back from caroling and having hot chocolate and a sugar cookie or two afterwards. I am now officially done with all the musical things I needed to do for Christmas. From here on in, I can relax and enjoy looking forward to Christmas Eve and Christmas day. I'm really tired after not sleeping well last night and being in the fresh air tonight. Off to bed. Everyone have a good night. Sleep well. Especially Jane...

Good evening, Violets.. Off to carol this evening. My LAST musical gig for the Christmas season!! Storm watch for tomorrow and Wednesday. Oh joy. We got a card in the mail today unsigned with $40 inside to give to DS Joe because he hasn't been working steady. Now that is what Christmas is all about. Have a good evening. Will check in after the caroling.

Good morning, Violets.. 5 degrees here and the snowplow just went through and made a hill of snow at the end of the driveway. Oh well, gives the Bobster something to do! Ethan is here so I'll be entertaining him today. We are expecting another winter storm to come through here tomorrow and Wednesday. I cannot believe all the snow we have received so far. It's certainly not a typical December!! The new storm is supposed to dump 8-10 inches of heavy, wet snow....the stuff that clogs up snowblowers. Oh joy. I sure hope Jane gets some answers today and gets back home. And the text about her insurance is just ridiculous!!! I can't imagine having to pay that much per month for that. I am blessed with my insurance and just wish something could be done soon to balance everything out. Ethan is calling for Mommom, so I better see what he wants. Everyone have a great day!!

Good evening, Violets.. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it's 12 degrees out there, but the wind chill is -3! My flute gig is done at the senior citizen's home. Now the only thing left is caroling tomorrow evening at 6. If everyone can get out, that is. We're supposed to have 10" of new snow by the time this storm is over. Can't believe we have this much snow and cold weather this early in December. This is usually January or February weather. I'm going to go get an extra sweatshirt on and go watch some tv and relax for a bit. Got to deliver fudge tomorrow morning and get the presents all wrapped. Then figure out if we have forgotten anyone!! Everyone sleep well. Stay warm and get healthy!!!

186 Days till the Violet Reunion Bandiversary Bash and 1st ever Violet Baby Shower! :tounge_smile:

Boy, you got that right, Jack!! I looked in the accessories section and no mention of a snow plow. Perhaps a snorkle so I can go right through the drifts??

Ooops.. forgot. Suzie.. the pics are great. Abby is just precious!! Rule 1: Eat only when you are hungry, and no more than three small meals a day. Your new small stomach pouch can hold only about one-fourth of a cup of food. If you try to eat more than this at one time, you may become nauseated or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small stomach pouch may stretch. Frequent vomiting will cancel the effect of the operation and can also cause certain complications, such as stomach slippage. To avoid this, you need to learn to listen to your body and stick to your plan. Rule 2: Eat slowly and chew thoroughly. Food can pass through your new stomach only if it's been chewed into very small pieces. Always remember to take more time for your meals and chew your food very well. Rule 3: Stop eating as soon as you feel full. Once your stomach is full, your body receives a signal that you have eaten enough. It takes time, though, for you to become aware of this signal. If you rush through your meal, you may eat more than you need. This can lead to nausea and vomiting. Take time to enjoy every bite of your meal. Try to recognize the feeling of fullness-then stop eating at once. Rule 4: Do not drink while you are eating. The LAP-BAND® can work only if you eat solid food during your three meals. You should not drink anything for one to two hours after a meal. This allows you to keep the feeling of fullness as long as possible. Rule 5: Do not eat between meals. After a meal, do not eat anything else until the next meal. Eating snacks between meals is one of the major reasons for weight-loss failure. It is very important to break this habit. If you have proper "fill" levels (you eat the right foods, slowly) you will not feel hungry in between meals. If you are still feeling hungry, this may be a sign that your LAP-BAND® System is too loose and you should tell your clinician. Click here for more information on information on adjustments and "The Green Zone", which ensures that you will stay satisfied and full! Rule 6: Eat only good quality, nutritious food. With the LAP-BAND® System in place, you should be able to eat only a small amount so the food you eat should be as nutritious as possible. Follow the nutrition guidelines in the previous section and specific instructions from your surgeon and/or dietitian. Also, ask your doctor or dietitian before you take any vitamin supplements. Click here for more information on nutrition and what you should be eating. Rule 7: Avoid fibrous food. Food that contains many fibers, such as asparagus, can block the stoma. That's because you can't chew this food well enough to break it up into small pieces and your saliva can't break it down. Fibrous food should be avoided. If you would like to eat asparagus or other fibrous foods once in a while, then be sure to cook them well, cut them into very small pieces first, and then chew thoroughly. Rule 8: Drink enough fluids during the day. Drinking enough fluids is essential for staying hydrated and for flushing waste products out of your body. Individual needs will vary, but you should drink at least six to eight glasses of liquid a day. Remember: Drink only non-carbonated/zero calorie liquids such as water, tea, or coffee (without milk, cream, or sugar). Also, keep your food and drinks completely separate during the day. Rule 9: Drink only low-calorie liquids. Drinks, including those containing calories (milkshakes, sodas), simply run through the narrow outlet created by theLAP-BAND® System. If you drink liquids high in calories, you will lose little weight, even if you follow all of the other dietary guidelines. Rule 10: Exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Since physical exercise consumes energy and burns calories, it is a very important part of any successful weight-loss program. Obviously, exercise can also help improve your general health. In addition to adopting a routine exercise program, you can increase your activity level in your everyday life. For example, stand rather than sit, walk rather than stand, be outside rather than inside, walk rather than drive, climb the stairs rather than use the elevator. If it's too hot outside to walk, go to the mall. It's as easy as finding a parking space away from the entrance to the mall and using the stairs, not the escalator! If you don't have time before or after work, take ten minutes out of your lunch break and walk then. Remember that you should always check with your doctor about the amount and type of exercise that is best for you.

Good afternoon, Violets.. I am on such a high, I'm soooooo enjoying it!! And it's not drug induced. The choir did such a fantastic job today with their singing. We had 8 pieces to sing and they were fabulous. I was so proud. And my song was the best I've ever sung it ( don't mean to sound boastful ) and I figured out why. Usually there is time between the end of the pageant and the time I need to sing and I fret about starting on the right pitch and being able to hit the high part in the middle. Well, this time, it was end the pageant, sing the song... just like that. I just let 'er rip and it felt so comfortable and I really enjoyed singing it even after all these years of performing it. It was just a beautiful service and I'm still smiling!! TracyinKS.. LOVE the new avatar and the coat. It looks soooooo cute on you!! Terry... beautiful china. We have some Christmas china, but it's from Walmart and cost about $10, but it really is pretty. Not as elegant as yours, though. PamELa... hope you're feeling better soon. We had a new mother board put in our house when we had the hot tub put in. Big bucks, but at least we don't trip the breakers much anymore. Michelle.. what the heck are you putting PB's in the oven for?? Yer gonna COOK them?? Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Oh, you mean pumpkin bread. Nevermind. We had a potluck after the pageant. I put a couple of meatballs, some jello, a slice of ham, and a couple spoonfuls of casseroles on my plate. My friend Kathy who was banded in October loaded up her plate. I just rolled my eyes (not so she could see) and knew what was going to happen. Sure enough she excused herself and when she came back said... "well, THAT was interesting!!". She'd had her first PB. I was feeling the same way and made it to the bathroom and got rid of my meat balls and jello. That was it for me. Now I'm home and will have some yogurt, take a nap and get ready for the flute playing tonight. We have TONS of snow. At least a foot on the ground. The new snowblower got fixed yesterday, thank goodnes.. Some defect from the factory that they were able to fix. Now it has to go back because the cord is frayed from trying to start it so many times on Friday. Everyone have a great afternoon. Stay warm, stay healthy and make wise choices!!

Thanks and congrats on your awesome weight loss!!! Here's the link to the bike I'm looking at. I can't wait!! TerraTrike - The World's Most Comfortable Recumbent Trike

Good morning, Violets.. Up early for church and the Christmas pageant. We got some snow last night, but no wind yet. We're still under a storm warning till 5:a.m. tomorrow. We'll see what the day brings. I have a slight sore throat this morning. Going to do my Zicam and fix some hot chocolate and see if that helps before choir. I'm singing "Mary, Did You Know" today as a solo. It's kind of a tradition that I sing that each Christmas. Everyone have a great day. Make wise choices and stay healthy!! Any word from Jane yet?????

187 Days till the Violet Reunion Bandiversary Bash and 1st ever Violet Baby Shower! :tongue_smilie:

Good evening, Violets.. Well, another day done, another program finished. Amahl had it's last performance today. It went very well. I'll post pics as soon as I get them from the photographer. She was going to make us CD's but didn't make it back before we all left for home. The pageant rehearsal went well this morning. Now I just have my fingers crossed that we don't get hit too bad with the storm tonight and tomorrow morning so Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, angels and Kings can get to the performance on time!! Don't know about playing flutes tomorrow night. It all depends on if we can all get there. I got my presents wrapped for my church family and will deliver them tomorrow. Monday I will finish wrapping all the presents for everyone here. We got the best present in the mail today. It's a book that is a computerized photo album. It has pics of Grandma and Grandpa and the the whole family. It's just the most precious gift ever. I'm going to go get my nammies on and relax for a bit before heading to bed and worrying about the program tomorrow! Everyone sleep well. PamELa.. hope you're feeling better. I started feeling a cold coming on and took my Zicam nasal swabs and feel so much better. Jane..((hugs)) to you.

Yikes!! We are at -12 degrees. 2-3 inches of snow expected tonight and 3-5 inches tomorrow. Fun, fun, fun!!!

Good morning, Violets.. It's 9 BELOW zero out right now and I'm up to get ready for the church pageant rehearsal from 9-11 and then run to the theatre for an 11:30 call for our matinee. Then we have to strike the set and put all the costumes away. arghhhhhhhh WARNING*** TracyK.. do not read the next paragraph!!!! Here's the fudge recipe... but you can only make it to give away.. not to eat yourself!!!! 2 cups sugar 1 stick butter 1 5 oz. can evaporated milk 1 7 oz. jar marshmallow fluff 1/4 tsp. salt Cook in a saucepan til it boils, then continue cooking for 5 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add: 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 cup milk chocolate chips 1 tsp. vanilla Stir til the chips melt. Pour into a buttered 9X9 pan. Put in fridge for 2 hours. It's very creamy, yummy fudge. I made this recipe, a batch of peanut butter, one of just milk chocolate and one of mint. I use the Ghiradelli chocolate. TracyK.. and all of us battling with the band. We need to get back to exercising. I really think that it crucial to our success. I have one more day of Christmas things to do and then I will buckle down and get serious about this again. TracyK.. you've kept 42# off and that's a major accomplishment!! Be proud and start again, knowing you did it once and can do it again, just like all of us. There's always a new resolve at New Years. But we're the lucky ones that have a tool to help us with that resolve. Let's use it... not abuse it!!!! You are not in this alone and you are not the only one struggling!!!!!! We ALL are!!!! Right Violets?????? I'm off to get dressed so I can head to rehearsal and then to the play. Everyone have a great day. Make wise choices. Report in and let's keep each other motivated and positive!! WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!

Nobody owns one??? Ya mean I'm gonna be the first???? wooo hooooo!!

Hmmm, guess that leaves me out.. :laugh:

188 Days till the Violet Reunion Bandiversary Bash and 1st ever Violet Baby Shower! :laugh:

Have you checked your pulse?????

Good evening, Violets.. Well, I hate to add to your carbs, but you ladies are on a ROLL tonight!! Just got back from Amahl. Not a sell out crowd by any means, but a decent one and it was a better performance than last night. Tomorrow afternoon is the final performance and hopefully it will be the best ever. Well, the winter storm watch is cancelled for this evening, even though it is still snowing humungous flakes out there. BUT.. we are under a winter storm warning for tomorrow and Sunday. 8-10 more inches. And guess whose BRAND NEW snowblower isn't working????????????? It's going into the shop tomorrow and it better be fixed tomorrow!! The Bobster is NOT a happy camper. I finished up the day with a Lean Cuisine dinner and will have a glass of chocolate milk before heading to bed. I got 3 batches of fudge made and managed to only lick the spoon on two of them. Everyone have a good evening. Hope Jane is doing ok. Nighters....

Good afternoon, Violets.. Ethan has arrived and he's playing at my music keyboard right now. It's still snowing hard here, but the wind has died down some. We went to Walmart to get a couple of things and the roads are pretty bad. I'm guessing we'll have the play tonight as there is no time to make up the date, but I'm also guessing there won't be many that can make it out. I'm only a mile or two away so it's no problem for me to get there. I've been bidding on ebay all morning trying to get a Wii console for DS Joe. He wants to get that for the family for Christmas. I finally, FINALLY won one, but had to chip in some of my own money as his top price was about $70 short. Now I just hope he pays me back before quarterly taxes are due the 15th of Jan. Bob and I are going to make some MORE fudge this afternoon. We forgot a couple of names and I want to make some for the hospital nursing administration where I volunteer. And also some for snacks after caroling on Monday. So, off to get that done. Hope we hear something positive from Jane soon. Piehole report for the day. B= 1 slice cheese L= cheesy chicken and rice which I Pb'd... all of it! couple mandarin orange segments... pb'd too. So I guess I'm done with lunch!! Will have some chocolate milk in an hour and then get to work on my water. Yikes.. the wind has picked up again and it's still snowing. This is gonna be fun tonight!

Good morning, Violets.. Well, we're in the middle of a blizzard here. It's a whiteout and we're supposed to get 6-12 inches of snow by tonight. Sooooooooo glad we have the new snowblower!! Ethan comes at 1:30. The schools are all closing by 10 a.m. I don't have anything on my agenda except the play tonight and I don't know if that will happen with all the snow. They have a sell out crowd for tonight too.. yikes!! It went well last night. Much easier than I thought and I wasn't nervous to be on stage, which is surprising for me. If anyone hears from Jane please make sure to let us know. Gosh the wind is really blowing out there!! It's 22 degrees with a wind chill of 5 and my weather bug has been chirping all morning! I'm going to go get some breakfast and get dressed to do nothing today! Everyone have a good one... Oh.. CJBanks has 50% off of everything today only online. I'm headed there too!