Apples2

OOPs on the cake taking longer, Arlene. Did you use the 8x8 or thge 9x13 pan? That would make a diff. My pumkin layer in the 9x13 is not real thick and bakes in the 30 min. I am sure you did great. Yep, Janet. Sounds like you have the food covered. Hope you have a great day. I am looking forward to tomorrow and being with my "fake" family. We just have such a good time cuz we honestly enjoy each others company. Everyone is gonna miss mom but there will be lots of stories and laughs...she was quite the character. Got my goodies driven to town. There's sixteen apts. and had four different treats made for them. Some never get out for TG and it just breaks my heart. I am going to go do the crosswords which did not get done last night and make popcorn. A bag for me, DH and one for the dog. Later.:thumbup:

Yeah, Diva, kind of feel like I cheated but I'll take that extra point anyway.:thumbup:

Mike Tyson?

Mahamed Ali

Rita Mereno? My fav when she guested on Sesame Street and one hot Maria in West Side Story. Ohhhhhh I envy her for being able to even stand beside James Dean!

Thanks for the update on Laura, Janet. You have a great time with your kids and have a Happy Thanksgiving. I'm like you...need a list or CRS. And, often drive the 15 miles to town and forgot list. Heck, I've driven the 15 miles to town JUST to make a deposit at the bank and forgot to bring the deposit with me. That is truly CRS! Linda...congrats on the continued weightloss. You are so close to your goal. Remember, that last weight can come off pretty slow so be very patient. It's easy to get frustrated but just focus on the final result. Now, surgery is not necessarily exciting but I am really excited for you that you are getting that hip taken care of. Just as I am for Lori to get that other knee replaced. Just to have it all behind you and to be able to move without pain again. You are going to notice such a difference. Cheri...ditto what LauraK. said. It takes a special person to work with kids at risk. There are many factors that contribute to kids that get "lost". Just nice that they trust you and actually come to you for help (even after the school day is over). You must have the knack. I can tell by your posts that you are very passionate about what you do. I do not respons to each post every day but I do read and want you to know I "listen" to what you are writing even though I don't always respond. We need teachers like you that do not let these kids fall through the cracks. Laura... I miss you and your posts. Always love hearing about Nels. Take care and post when you can. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with your family. I am sad to hear that your mother is taking all of this so hard. She might surprise you and get to that point where she accepts and starts the fight. Up early...have 10lbs of potatoes peeled, mashed and mixed with LF sour cream and LF cream cheese. Made a LF/SF fresh chopped peach and yogurt salad, tomato/basil/onion/cuke salad with LF dressing. Will make my pies, yams and bread in the morning since we are eating late. Have 12 loaves of pumpkin bread fresh out of the oven. I found the cutest little loaf ceramic holiday pans. I am making them for the little ladies that shared apt. building with "mom". Also making them little trays of white chocolate and milk chocolate peanut butter cups. They are all missing her so much. They played cards EVERY Tues afternoon and Thurs night and also Bingo on Friday nights. When I said goodbye to them the other day when I locked up, they were telling me that they are going to quit all their games because it would not be the same without "mom". It was always so nice because they would take turns hosting. Always trying to out-do each other with the spread of food they put out. Well, I want to put a little bug in their ear when I deliver their goodies today. I want to see if I can urge them to continue their fun little get togethers. Makes me sad to think they would just stop. Just want to catch some of you and say Happy Thanksgiving b/4 you get too busy. Have the best ever. Hope you are surrounded by friends and family and enjoy your day. I am thankful for each and every one of you.

Happy Birthday, Phyll. You are a wonderful asset to this board and have done an amazing job on your LB journey. Pretty nice to have a "resident nurse" on our thread. Have the best day ever and a very Happy Thanksgiving. Pot luck at the RV park? Sending loves and hugs. Hope they out to CA from MN b/4 the day ends.

Phil Hartman?

Thanks for the bday wishes. We farm in MN. The farm runs us ragged about nine months out of the year but we are very fortunate to have a few months to regroup in the winter. No livestock...just corn and soybeans.

Oh Janet...never even caught anything by what you said. I just felt that all by myself I did a little too much complaining in my post last night. No problem!:ohmy:

Eva...sounds like you are super busy with your job. At least you don't have to sit idle during the winter like around here after it freezes. Most of the ppl that have jobs like yours are laid off for six months out of the year. As far as DH getting in last night and what you suggested should happen...well, by the time I got the mud scraped off him and the grain dust blown off, the ole CPAP machine was on and he was snoring. We have a long winter coming....we'll see what we can do!

Mornin' All! Just want to thank you ALL for all the bday greetings. It really was a nice day and did NOT have a pout on about being alone. I am so used to going with the flow around here when it comes to farming. Once this corn is harvested and the stocks are chopped, DH will be around more. I'm not one to be clingy and will be pushing him back out the door to his shop a few days after he has completed harvest. Even though DH is a true workaholic he has taken 30 yrs to have breakfast and coffee with me for 1 1/2 hours almost every day of the week. Even if we need to get up a couple of hours early, we have always taken that time together. He has never forgotten a bday or an anniversary...he even remembered my LB bandiversary all on his own. He's one to be hit and miss with gifts (which I don't mind cuz just him remembering and making a card for each event makes it sooooooo special). When he does get me a gift, it's a big one. I don't have a spare finger due to the jewelry he as gotten me. He always says diamonds are a "good investment". I read that as he is "investing" in me! Anyway, I've never had to ask for a thing....it's usually in the toe of a Christmas stocking. If I come off as complaining about this life, I'm sorry and don't mean to come off that way. I DO appreciate my life. It's just that the plate is a little full sometimes. To make all this work, I sold my business and have been working from home for 9 yrs. It's much appreciated by DH and DS but some days I go mad not having anyone to talk to except the dog. Besides the farm, we have a full time ag tiling business and we also are 1/2 owners in a business where they sell an implement designed and made by DH and his partner. They sell in the US and Canada. During the winter DS and DH also design and build different types of implements to fit certain farmers needs and sell them. So, as you all can see, the plates are full and sometimes it builds to the point where it's too much for me and I'd like to just get a "simple" job in town. Now that I've written a book........ Meredith..happy to know you are going to try Phyll's and my recipes. I just freeze the leftovers in portion size cups and it is even better when reheated. Just take your time eating. Watch for signs after this fill. Once you irritate, you need to be careful and eat liquids or very soft foods. My doc had us on full solids after fills but I did not trust and did liquids for at least 24 hours. Thanks for the bday greetings. Julie...enjoy Mimi today. Hope your pain subsides and you can enjoy Thanksgiving. Don't overdo with that shoulder. On the road today. Couple of hour dirve to pick up farm parts and will fit in a Walmart and Target trip in there also. I love driving. Crank up the radio or CD and sing. Cheri...enjoy your trip and have fun with sis's family. Sounds like you need a break. DD will do fine with the turkey. You know you are an adult when you are allowed to make the first TG turkey! I must have been an adult at 10 cuz, if I remember right, that was my first all on my own. I needed help getting out of the oven. You all have a great day.

Janet...good to hear your scales are "unstuck". That's the thing I admire about you. You have a range where you are comfortable and will not allow yourself to go over your limitations on the scale. I think what made most of us fat to begin with was seeing that we were going up in weight, feeling defeated, and then giving up. You rock! I also have that same respect for slow losers. The ones that are so patient even though it takes them twice as long to lose.

BTW...not bragging about what I can eat..just sharing and still amazed by the amount of calories it takes.

Allie...great results. Your breasts look very nice and cannot believe how your incision looks so healed already.

Thanks, Arlene. I just caught up with Janet. On a normal day I am diligent in getting the right combination of protein, etc., etc. etc. Today I decided that since it was my bday, I would eat whatever I wanted and not count fiber or anything. Are you guys ready for this??? Breakfast: 1 cup steel cut oats with raisins, dates and brown sugar. An hour later...20oz of white chocolate capacino. An hour later...a Snicker Marathon bar...an hour later...boiled egg, ham and turkey...an hour later...Atkins choc/PB protein bar....hour later...another 20 oz capacino...an hour later..6 oz black berries....an hour later...20 oz hot chocolate...an hour later...1.5 cups Kashi crunch cereal...an hour later....6 oz black berries...an hour later 1.5 cups Kashi crunch cereal...now I am sipping on another capacino. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!!!! There will come a day when all of this catches up with me and I will need to put the brakes on. Doc's nurse gave the OK that stomach is empty and hour after a meal so I do eat every hour on the hour. It's actually work getting in what I need each day to maintain. :thumbup:

Janet...not so bad being alone tonight. I have had many delightful bday parties. Like I said, farming has to get done. We are sooooooooo late this year and have to get work done when it is possible. My 50th party was just awesome. Over 250 ppl there. DS (who was stationed in Iraq at the time) and DS who was going to school in FL planned it all from afar. It was a surprise party and youngest DS showed up which was a further surprise. After that party and how special it was, I need not further parties. DS planned karoke for the party (yep, momma loves to sing) and got on the mike at the end of the night and hollared "Party at our house". Well, party finally over at 5am. Wall to wall ppl in showed up at our house.

Thanks Melissa...not much can be done except to replace the damaged bin. We have good ins coverage and life goes on. Could have been much worse. Thanks for the bday and annv greetings. Anniversary (30th) was on the 10th.

Janet...hope that pickles moves soon. I snack on sweet pickles all the time. Bread and butter and the little tiny sweets are my favorite. Also love the sweet baby cocktail onions.

Janet...got done with apt about 4pm and locked it up for the last time. Moved out the last of it when son from Wyoming came today with his trailer. Filled nail holes and did a good vacuum job. All the rest of the cleaning we did yesterday. Yes, sad to lock it up but OK with it as it was a 3 week job or more and ready to come home to catch up here. Have fun playing Bingo with your young chicks. I also have friends of all ages. I often said my "mom" was the youngest friend I had at 89 yrs old. She was up for anything at anytime. Ummmmmm...as far as the bday dinner...what bday dinner? Sitting here alone. Guys are all out in the field. Will see them about 10pm and will feed them their dinner then. They all had lunches packed to get them through the day. Have had MANY bdays and anniversarys by myself. Farming has and always will come first. Our livelyhood. I've got the devil sitting on my right shoulder tonight telling me just to go to bed with my book and let them fend for themselves. But, there's two beef roasts (4lbs each) in the oven, potatoes made, veggies ready to steam, beer bread fresh out of the oven and pumpkin custard for dessert. I could put a pout on but there's no one around to see so just would be a waste of time. Will sit down with the LA and NY Times crosswords and turn on the Antiques Road Show. Meeting a couple of friends tomorrow late afternoon. Having drinks....I'll be the DD. I never mind doing that. Going to pick them up and drop them off and let them enjoy their beers. They both live on farms and have about 20 miles to drive home and want them delivered safe and sound. We will have a good visit and bitch about our farm husbands and make our worlds right again!

You got me stumped....are there like at least 3' between those eyes???????????

And Lori...see you Saturday! Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the bday wishes everyone! I love my LB friends. Lori...sounds good with the knew. A little better every time. You have a great trip (and a safe one). Don't worry about stopping so often. Your friends will understand and isn't 1.5 hours the normal time for a pee stop anyway??????????

Thanks, Phyll....wish there was time to party today. Will tomorrow night with friends. Today will be crazy. Close your eyes....picture a chicken, head cut off, running....that's my day!

Mornin' Julie...no let down...I should be OK with locking the doors. The place is so clean and that would make her happy. It's been all ripped to sh_t for three weeks with us working in there and that would have driven her crazy. She would love to see it all spit shined again. I will be fine. I do my weeping in the morning, take it all out on DH during breakfast and then I do pretty good. LOL. He's so good to me. I just sit and vent and he sits with his eyebrows up wondering when the hell I will be "normal" again. She's gone, I accept that...no regrets...never left her without hugs and "I love yous'. Life is good!