Apples2

Good Morning All... Melissa...it's not easy to get the mind set to start the 5 Day and to get through that first day. But, REALLY REALLY try to get through the first day because that will give you confidence and you will be so proud of yourself and that will lead to being proud of yourself to do Day 2, Day 3, etc. DON'T allow the devil on you shoulder to talk you into making excuses. Like Janet says sometimes....pull your boot straps up and just do it. Don't continue the pattern of feeling like a failure cuz you cannot get through that one day. I could tell such a difference in you in the last couple of weeks. Please, if you cannot do it for you, listen to us and let us guide you along. Those pats on the back at the end of a good day can make a person feel so good. We all fail at times but you gotta make the good days out-number the bad ones. Hugs......now, get back on that train and hang on tight. In the midst of getting my house back in order from yesterday. I just piled the dishes in the sink and left everything and went to bed after the kids left last night. Not something I like to do cuz I don't like getting up to dirty dishes and pans. Just about done with it all and planning on another little Christmas celebration with friends tomorrow night. They are our neighbors but more like family. "Mom's" son and wife. We have spent Christmas Eve with them every year for about 15 years now and will do so again this year. Tomorrow night will just be a little way to treat them for once and have some adult time and time to talk. TX...thinking of you and your family today. Laura....thinking of you also as you prepare to have your family at your home. I know you will make it very special. I bet Nelson is giving you some ideas as to how to make it special also. Janet....I love the Lala. And since it means love, an appropriate name for you. Another winter storm warning for today and tomorrow. We already have blowing and drifting snow. Just hoping I can make a couple of appts. I have set up for tomorrow. 10 am doc and 1:30 dental. Dental is just a check to see how things are going after the final work. It's going great but had to cancel last week because of a storm. Want to just do this final one and be done walking in the door except for my 6 months cleanings....have had enough dental appts. Just heard on the local radio station that schools are now closing (again). These poor kids are not going to get much of their Christmas vacation with the days they have to make up. Please say an extra one for DH when you lay your head on the pillow. His #'s had doubled (prostate and CRS so don't remember what the test is called) and they were a bit high to begin with. He sees a specialist on Wed. His dad has had prostate cancer for a number of years and did the chemo and just cannot bear the thought of things not being good for him. Of course, with not being as strong as I usually am right now, this has thrown me for a loop. I know it is most likely unfounded worrying but that's just me right now.

Chris..said an extra prayer for Poppy. Just keep in mind...ppl on dialysis are inconvenienced but can live a very (somewhat) normal life. They just have to shift a few things. DH's mother lived that life for quite a few years...many more than we ever could have wished for. Hang in there. So happy you posted today to remind us of what you are going through and the worries you have about your father. Please keep us informed as to how his surgery went and how you are doing. Lots of stress as you go through this. Just know we are here for you. Hugs

What a great afternoon and evening. The only thing that could have made it better would have been if youngest DS could have been here. Was not possible for him to make it, missed him but made a point of making it what it should be for DS, GF, the children and DH and I. I can't even explain how much fun it was. OK...I was born to be a fake grandma. First, we opened gifts, checked what Santa left in the stockings. Sent Santa a letter last week to let him know the kids would be here today. He showed up, which was great. Today was a ray of sunshine that was much needed in a rather sh_tty last couple of weeks. The kids and I did the cooking....I didn't give a crap about liquid eggs on the back of the stove or spilled maple syrup on the floor. Little 5 yr old came to me with a piece of paper and said "How do you spell Employees Only". Made a sign and he hung it on the french door between the livingroom and kitchen. He insisted that dinner was "Off" if anyone walked through those doors. The kids fried chicken (supervised), made pancakes, fried eggs and bacon and served everyone on a tray. I had lots of Christmas cookies, etc. but let the kids choose what dessert would be. Hmmmm....5 yr old decided that it would be a squirt of canned whipped cream in everyone's mouth. That was the meal. We watched Toy Story 1 and 2, played games and put puzzles together, got all the photo albums out and just had the best day. All I can say is......we should all remember the "reason for the season" #1....plain and simple. #2....during your upcoming Christmas celebrations...just sit and watch the simple joy the children get out of just being in the moment. We get so caught up in how things should be. Next year let's all order a pizza and let everyone bring the rest of the meal. Let's not worry if our basement bathroom is not quite working. Get out the Connect Four, Mad Gab, Pictionary and Catch Phrase. (Cheri's idea of keeping things simple so we can enjoy the moment). It's about taking that one day out of year and making the ones we love look forward to the same thing next year.

Mornin' Cheri. Singing today? Wish I could hear one of your concerts....maybe some day. Sending love, Karen

Good Sunday morning to all.... Phyll....safe travels. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Hope you are feeling better today. Great story about Zoey and her barking. It amazes us sometimes what they can learn. My big baby is such a protector. I was having a bad day on Thursday and sat down to have a good cry. Was not even minutes and Tanker was sitting by me with his head in my lap. (He only comes up to the living area of the house if invited...his bed is by the door). I Moved from my desk chair to the bedroom to do some things and he followed me there and laid crossways in the door. Until I quit crying, he was just panting and nervous and kept rubbing up against my legs like a cat. Just him being nervous made me take care of him and I forgot my troubles. Dogs, well any pets, you just love them so much. You and DH have become great animal parents. I just know how you are feeling when you talk about Zoey. We have to be careful sometimes about the way we talk about Tanker. Ppl already think we're nuts....don't want to add more to it. Great.....when Janet posted "WE KNEW IT", it woke me up. So happy your party went well. And, now that you enjoyed and it went well, do it again every once in awhile. Also plan ahead to when your DH will be gone and invite some of your female friends over....even if it's just for appetizers. It's good to have ppl in your home. We have not done a lot of entertaining the last 6-9 months...used to do more. Since getting our lake place, most of our entertaining is done there. I do want to start entertaining a little more at home though. Sandi....what a "Happy Post". You have soooooooooooooo much at your fingertips. We wish for things like that to do but NOTHING offered out in our rural area without driving a couple of hours. Happy you had a good day and that you could just relax while your sis took care of your father. I hope you can find some help to take the pressure off of you. Cheri...glad you had fun also and that your sons were available to help you out with your basement water problems. Hopefully it is fixed for once and for all. LauraK...Go get 'em, Tiger! (Or should I say Cougar (wink)). Laura....hope your rash is better. I know you are probably beside yourself with excitement about your family coming for Christmas. Can I live through you this next week? OK...time to hit the shower. Heading to church this morning. Love church at Christmas time. Sorry I did not address each of you. And you know what???? Let's just forgive each other ahead of time. Let's each take a vow right now. We don't HAVE TO worry about the fact we might leave someone out of our posts. Where this is coming from is; I am such a scatter brain lately and I know I leave ppl out or forget what they say. I feel bad enough already without adding that to the mess and I don't want others to feel the same. So let's start a new rule...no apologizing or feeling bad for not mentioning someone in a daily post. Whew....I feel better already. DH is still snuggled in under the blankies. I have been up for a couple of hours sitting in the dark in front of the lit Christmas tree. I will have to remember to share some photos of our day later. Have a nice Sunday.

I'll say it for you, Cheri...DAMN! You were so happy to be almost done. I hope it did not ruin the drywall. Have fun at your party. You deserve some fun and relaxation after the last couple of months you have had. Hugs

You should be able to do it now and leave it on the stove top until ready to put in the oven. Some of the spears will look a little shriveled but that is the way it is supposed to turn out. Just make sure they are evenly spread out in the pan and no worries.

Sounds like you have a handle on everything. As far as the centerpiece goes....not necessary unless YOU want one. What I do is take one of my serving bowls and put Christmas ornaments in it and get a couple of sprigs off the evergreen tree and I'm good to go.

Good Morning Janet...you are ray of sunshine today. I was going to post something on the Brownsugar comment also but I just chalked it up to pre-entertaining jitters. I was also going to say that when I met Lori for the first time what I walked away with that she is beautiful, and oh so gracious. The time we spent together during our first meeting was so much fun and filled with conversation. (Yep, Lori, we are talking about you behind your back...but....we won't stab it ever). Thought the same of her in Vegas and also in all of her posts. All her guests need is to see her beautiful smile and they will feel comfortable.

Linda...don't mind you being nosy and asking what is on the menu. The kids chose: little 5yr old guy wants me to make BIG pancakes with fried eggs for eyes, bacon for mouth and to rip a piece of bacon lengthwise for eyebrows and to make some hard boiled eggs so that we can cut in strips for eyelashes. This kid has been thinking! He also wants scrambled eggs on the side with ketchup on the top. NOT ON THE SIDE. (I screwed up once and put it on the side). 8 yr old girl wants my homemade breaded chicken strips with bread sticks and some other kind of baked bread (I am making asiago cheese bread loaf), plus she loves my homemade BBQ meatballs. Little guy informed us that we HAVE to eat everything that is on the kids menu but I am going to sneak in some other things also. Other things I am making is terryacki (sp?) grilled shrimp (can't believe I found some nice ones here), meat and cheese tray, veggie tray with some nice dips, homemade mini chimichangas, and sesame chicken (cut in chuncks), and, as I mentioned in other posts, a garage full of sweet treats. Just texted kid's mom and made one statement..."Let the spoiling begin!". You are so lucky, Linda, to have Alyah with you. Especially during the times when you probably want to wring the necks of your DSS and DSD. I am sure she brings you more joy than you could have imagined.

Melissa..what is the intensity of your pain? Is it just an irritating feeling or is it stabbing pain? If you have had pancreatitis in the past and it feels similar, don't let it go without seeing a doctor. If not, give it a few days and then see your doc if it does not subside. Good luck with your 5-day. Really want to see that post on day 5 on how you feel. (Like Linda's post of feeling so great because of having done it). Also, doing the test will not make you want to undo the good you have done over the holidays. I am like Cheri in that when those holidays roll around, don't deprive ourselves. But, on the same hand don't get totally out of control with treats, mashed tators, gravy, etc. Tastes of your favorite things (a few tsps.) can be a wonderful things. Anything out of control can start a cycle within us where we beat ourselves up and feel defeated. House is clean, gifts are all under the tree, I have a garage full of Cookies, fudge and baked goods (I'm handing them out left and right to anyone that shows up and DH is out right now delivering to friends and neighbors), and we are ready for our family Christmas tomorrow afternoon. For the rest of the day just planning on doing some things to keep my mind occupied and breathing deep and force feeding. We have a nice menu planned for tomorrow. Had the little ones fill out a menu as to what they want fake grandma to make and it's quite the mish-mash of goodies. Not the typical Christmas meal but will be tasty. Just so nice to have children in the house again. I get choked up just feeling so fortunate for the wonderful GF that DS has and the children she shares with us. What's even better is that we can see how much they love each other and how they treat the children. She is a wonderful mother and DS slipped right into the role of being at ease having the children around. He loves kids and is not afraid to get down on the floor and play with them for hours, run around the house shooting nerf missiles or holding them on his lap. We'll get some joy out of this Christmas and our other celebration next week with our adopted family. (1/2 dozen kids to spoil in that family). You all have a great day. TX?????????

Crap...forgot to say "hi" to Eva. Hi, Eva! Such a busy girl. Retired? Sounds like you are busier now. Have fun decorating the tree!

I'm like Eva...read the last few post but CRS. Linda...yep, got my cookies all decorated. I think I have made 10 different kinds of cookies. The cutout ones three times. I have a garage full of cookies. Like having a walk in freezer. Sorry the kids are being crappy. One thing DH and I have noticed with the next generation (teens-late 20's) is that an awful lot of the ones we are exposed to feel entitled and be a bit disrespectful. Not right and not kind. Congrats on the pouch test. If I remember right, Phyll does it once in awhile. Right, Phyll???? Melissa...you sound sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much more positive the last couple of weeks. I hope and pray that this change in your life and your menu put you to where you want to be. It makes me so happy to see you happier. Also, I hope you continue to post like you have been. Don't disappear on us. We want to help. Kelly...Woohoo....you are on a roll with the weight loss and getting those walks in. I heard you guys are getting rains and storms. Poor Sophie's belly. Arlene....I though Linda was going to give your little hands a cyber-slap for eating that chex mix. I agree with her....taste...not a cup. Good to hear it was just a tast.

Arlene...I was talking about wrapping what my DS got Tanker. It's a tennis ball slingshot type thing. We have worn out so many of them and good exercise. We shoot the balls out into our pond. He loves to swim. DH and I got him a new fancy collar and leash. Gotta have a new one for our trip.

What's that saying? Can't remember word for word but it is something like: Don't worry about what ppl think. They are too busy worrying about what YOU think of them.

You SHOULD feed proud of yourself for walking by those Fritos, Great. I know what a trigger food they are for you. OK....I think some of us or all of us feel somewhat on display in our own homes. There are so many levels that we think ppl are judging us on. Is it clean enough? Do they think I decorate like crap? Does my meal measure up? Will I have enough to say to keep the conversation going? etc, etc, etc. You gotta let that go and be in a different frame of mind. From here until Sunday start a POSITIVE conversation with yourself when you start to doubt or feel anxious about having these ppl over. My house is clean enough and I am proud of it. I LOVE the way I decorate my home. My meal is going to be wonderful and I am looking forward to serving it. I WILL be prepared for conversation. (Ask them questions about family, kids, jobs, interests, etc.).

Great....please don't sweat the dinner. The trick to a good dinner party is to prep everything possible hours (or days) b/4. If it helps take the pressure off, set your table early in the day, have your prime rib in the roaster and ready to pop in the oven....make yourself a check off list and put a time to do the task and just start checking them off. Delegate certain things for your DH to do. You will do fine. And, if you are stressed already about it, get in the vehicle and go pick up your wine, buy and extra one for yourself, find the cork screw and pour a few glasses for yourself and sit in front of the fire and ponder why you get so stressed about dinner parties at your home. Wish I could just drive over and do it for you. Example.....I used to work at a couple of banks and was the education coordinator for quite a few employees, board members and community board members that would attend our meetings. I remember sharing with our bank President that I felt so much pressure b/4 getting up to speak every Tuesday morning. He gave me the best advice. He stated that if you FEEL prepared then everything falls into place. And if things don't go just as you planned, by FEELING prepared, it will get you through the little things that might not go just as planned. And then he added: Imagine them all sitting out in front of you wearing only their underwear. It worked for me. Make your list, dig inside for that confidence and relax. Don't feel intimidated by anyone or try to guess how they would do it at their homes or that they are any better than you at entertaining. Heck, maybe they have it catered and don't disclose that bit of info?

Good Morning... Joyce...sorry the water aerobics have been tough on the knee. Just move....that's always been my motto. Maybe mix it up with different things so there is no repetitive movement for your knee. We are all so different. You don't cook, have no desire to cook and I find it to be my passion. Both cooking and baking. You get by and find joy in going out to eat. A lot of my friends cannot cook and get no enjoyment from it. Just the way we are. You guys and talking about your lawns/grass. What grass? There's not a blade to be seen around here. Pure white and inches deep. But, I am sure snow removal is not in your vocabulary. Being afraid to walk across a parking lot to avoid a slip and fall and brain damage. Looking forward to our little family Christmas gathering on Sunday. Just finished DS's wrapping for him. He went shopping last night and did so good. He panics when it comes to buying gifts but he worked it out and found very appropriate gifts for his GF, her children and his dad. Also, our dog is going to be sooooooooooo excited when he opens his gift from him. Have a nice menu planned for Sunday, board games dug out and ready to play with the family, etc. Will be a little bit of peace with determination to have nothing infiltrate that time together. Just wish youngest DS could make it but not possible for him to do it this year. Love him to bits and will miss him. Have been waiting for the roads to clear so I can go to town and run errands. The sun is shining so I figure a couple hours and I won't have to worry about my drive. My car handles so much better on these roads in the winter than my big truck. Go figure. OK...a little scatter brained today but wanted to check in and say hi. Hope all of you that are having family Christmas get-togethers this weekend have a wonderful time. Just enjoy the family and have fun. Sending the love

Goodnight All...sending the love and thanks

All is fine. It was kids going home from school riding their snowmobiles and got stuck and were on their way b/4 I even got the 1/4 mile to help. Jessica...congrats on the test results. We all need to have a C once in awhile. Otherwise, we wouldn't seem normal. Way to go! Now, take some time for yourself during your down time.

Good Afternoon.... Cheri....what a good idea to invite your friends to ride your train. Cute. Really, really a good way to get others interested and to "jump on board" (pun intended). Congrats to all that jumped on and keep listening to your "conductor". Your ticket to ride is your willingness to stay on task. I don't even dare share the amount of carbs that are in my diet at this point but during my weight loss phase learned what it took to keep the scale moving. And, that included watching the carbs and getting the protein to fuel the body. Not bragging but I am fueled by so many carbs on a daily basis, that I could be your engine and pull that train. Making Christmas cut-out cookies today. My third go-round at it. Baking and cooking are my stress reliever and every neighbor, friend, pastor, congregation member and everyone driving by is going to have to take some off my hands. I take literally 10 minutes to decorate each cookie and they are so cute. We had a storm start up yesterday and it just calmed down now. Not a really bad storm but roads were crap and visibility was not the best. Not sure how many inches we got but judging by when my guys were doing snow removal, I would say we got about 7-8 inches. Hmmmm. just looked down the road and see that a snowmobile is either stuck or flipped over. Better get in my truck and go check. Too cold to let them sit and DH and DS are not here. Later.

Amber...just give your TT doc's office a call and ask them the question. I'll bet they say that it does not make a difference but I would check with them. Wishing you the best with your surgery and recovery.

Congrats on another lb lost, Kelly. Isn't it fun? And, that walking is working for you. "They" say (never have figured out who "they" are) that you just need to get off the butt and MOVE. I had my routine of running our three sets of stairs, walking the treadmill when weather didn't allow, or walking outdoors with my dog. I always feel better when I have been active. So cute about Sophie's wet belly. I imagine all of us getting together some day, bringing our pets and clucking about how smart they are. Dreaming, I know, but most of us are such pet lovers. Our kids....part of the family. Eva...have fun with your cousin. Miss your posts the last few days but life just gets in the way sometimes. I ended up going nowhere today. Too cold and windy and other things "popped up" here. I have a doc appt tomorrow and can just make it all in one trip. Maybe this afternoon is a good time to sit and do my cards? Shouldn't put it off any longer. BTW...Arlene....got your card today. Pretty lady/handsome husband card. Nice photo of you guys. Thank you. Just junking up the thread in green ink. Feels good.

Congrats on another lb lost, Kelly. Isn't it fun? And, that walking is working for you. "They" say (never have figured out who "they" are) that you just need to get off the butt and MOVE. I had my routine of running out three sets of stairs, walking the treadmill when weather didn't allow, or walking outdoors with my dog. I always feel better when I have been active. So cute about Sophie's wet belly. I imagine all of us getting together some day, bringing our pets and clucking about how smart they are. Dreaming, I know, but most of us are such pet lovers. Our kids....part of the family. Eva...have fun with your cousin. Miss your posts the last few days but life just gets in the way sometimes. I ended up going nowhere today. Too cold and windy and other things "popped up" here. I have a doc appt tomorrow and can just make it all in one trip. Maybe this afternoon is a good time to sit and do my cards? Shouldn't put it off any longer. BTW...Arlene....got your card today. Pretty lady/handsome husband card. Nice photo of you guys. Thank you. Just junking up the thread in green ink. Feels good.

Really not sure about the route. I imagine through SD, Neb and down. I am NOT a car rider. Have only been on one other long car trip and that was last year driving to FL. We have always flown. I do 90% of the driving and let DH sleep and gawk. Safer that way. He tends to want to nap while driving. Ummmmmmmmm....confession....last year I way over packed. Going to try to go free and easy this year. Limit it to 20 pr of shoes and 20 outfits. LOL