Great2BThin

Goodness you gals are busy this afternoon! I've just been vegging, am going to watch Christmas Vacation here shortly, I DVR'd it the other night. I'm home alone, with my pjs on, fire going and it's only 515pm. LOL Julie, are you sure you should quit the anit depressents already? maybe they are what's helping you feel so good lately? Just concerns me when folks stop medications on their own. If the doc told you then never mind me. Apples, I can understand the not wanting to share the recipes. I don't have many that anyone ever asks for but I have a few. I am honored you share with us. I'm not creative enough to come up with my own. And, even when following another recipe am never brave enough to try variations. I follow a recipe to the T. LOL Think I will wait on that dress. Laura, I remember my kids going through spurts where they just weren't hungry. Of course, being the overweight mom I was, I just never could understand that, but didn't force them to eat because I did get that I didn't want them to grow up with my unhealthy relationship with food. Janet, whatcha watching tonight?

Good afternoon! It's a balmy 50 degrees here today so for those east still in the below zero temps that we had last week, change is coming your way hopefully! So much snow is melting. My Christmas party last night was ho hum. I really don't know many people I work with as I leave at 830 in the morning and many of them work afternoons and evenings and are young kids. Just the gal I work with and I are shall I say 'more mature'. We sat with them. We had a white elephant type gift exchange was supposed to bring a $5 gift. I got $5 and DH got a Coldstone gift card. Eva, no I didn't get my mother of the bride dress yet. I was going to go get it on Sat. but I decided to wait til after Christmas, I had to pay $1000 down on the wedding yesterday and found out today we owe $260 more on our Isreal trip that I thought was paid in full, not to mention Christmas so hopefully the dress is still there in Jan. It's at Davids bridal and sortta one of their standard ones that they usually have there a lot. I did see the same dress at Dillards for more money, maybe after the holidays it will be on clearance. I hope I don't regret waiting, guess there's always Visa and I may change my mind yet. Meredith, have fun in NYC I love it this time of year. Apples, my Wisconsin/Minnesota roots must still be there, we usually have the mini smokies in BBQ sauce and meatballs as appetizers too. LOL Femme, sounds like some neat gifts you are making. I've seen some jars with similar things in them and they look so crafty and thoughtful.

Move over Janet and Arlene, I want on that doorstep too! Janet I made an appetizer for a get together on Wed night and it was a major hit and gone quickly. It was fairly simple. Take whole water chestnuts, wrapped them in 1/2 slice of bacon which has been cooked til almost crisp. Secure with Toothpick, place in a 13 X 9 pan. Pour sauce over made from 1/2 c brown sugar, 1/4 chili sauce, 1/2 c mayo. Bake 20 min at 350. Apple I am going to a party tonight too, can't decide between a sparkly sweater or a Christmas sweater, not much opportunity to wear either one, and I just have one party to go to this year. Guess I have Christmas eve and Day I can wear them too. I got a Chrsitmas t shirt at Target too that I couldn't resist, it ahd the Charlie brown tree on it. Well went to the place we are having DD's wedding at today and met with the florist and photographer. DD is an event planner and has done many weddings. The photographer normally charges $3000, we are getting her for $300!!! oh yea!! And the florist is doing to at cost and any of the urns, vases, etc. that he owns we get to use for free. He had some wonderful ideas. I think once Christmas comes and goes her wedding is going to come so fast and I have a trip to Isreal and knee recovery in there too. Okay, I gotta stop shopping, until recently I have never even liked shopping and I keep getting coupons and deals in the mail that I can't resist. LOL

Linda, that's great that you are doing so well. I too waited too long to get my band and also waited too long to get my worst knee done. It's part of the reason I am doing this knee sooner. The pain isn't as severe as the first one was but it is quickly getting there. Why wait? Between Phyl & mine new knees, your new hip, we are going to be a group of bionic women.

Good evening, for some reason I am just so tired tonight plan on going to bed early. Janet, according to my kids I was the only person to have a no phone calls after 9pm rule, they thought I was so mean. Glad your knee hasn't shown anything too serious, hope the MRI is good. But something has got to be causing the pain. Linda, glad you are doing so well. It's amazing isn't it after the replacement surgery. Knee surgery is a tougher recovery, but right away I could tell the old pain was gone, I had pain from surgery but knew that would gradually go away. I had a good anesthesiologist too, I am hoping I get the same one. They said my surgeon usually always uses the same one. I woke up feeling fine too, I had general anesthesia. I think because it went so well and feels pretty good now it helped me make the decision to get the other knee done so soon, no sense living with the pain if I don't have to. Apples, I gotta lose a couple pounds by summer and capri season. The Danskin ones fit, I can get them on and button them but they are a tad snug. My dang fat calves and legs. GRRR if I got a thigh lift and could get lipo out of my calves I'd probably be a size 6. LOL The other 6's you put in there are small, the Calvin Kliens almost fit, so I have incentive. I know part of my fat leg issue is still swelling in my knees. I love the capris though and thank you for them. I will be wearing them this spring. tonight DH & I went to Olive Garden for his birthday. Not much there is band friendly. I just got a bowl of pasta e fagoli soup and I PB'd on one of those tiny pasta noodles, at least I think that's what did it. I don't do pasta well and thought these were so small. Then I had a coupon for NY & Co so had to check it out. What a deal they had. If I spent $75 I got $25 off, but then everything was buy one get one 75% off. Seems like the stores are really having some good deals before Christmas this year. They were actually getting in spring stuff I couldn't believe it, they used to at least wait til after the Christmas clearance sales after Christmas.

Got my work schedule all figured out. The other gal I open with doesn't want to wait til 8am to go in next week either as she is used to getting home at 2pm (she's full time) and home when her kids get home, so the 2 of us are going in at 530am and cleaning during our normal work hours. I just go Mon & Tues and then am off for surgery. I hate the cleaning part but will be fun with her, we are good friends and work well together. Today we did the aerobics room, mirrors, mats, windows, floors, etc. I had lunch with a friend I've reconnected with from Utah that has also moved to CO and now DH came home early and we are going out to dinner for his bday. I am sure he will pick Olive Garden or something similar. he loves Italian food and I hate it so he always picks it for his bday. His bday is on Tues. but he will be out of town, actually coming home that day but will be too rushed to go out to dinner that evening plus not sure what time I can't eat past in prep for surgery the next morning. Apples, when I got home I had a box on my doorstep. Thanks so much I haven't opened it yet, will try them all on tonight. Janet, how was the ortho appt????

Good morning, the dreaded phone call came at 945 last night, I am going in at 8 to clean but only am going to stay til 1030 or so. I had plans at 1130 and they are about 45 min away. They can't expect at that type of notice for me to be able to change everything. It also puts me in a quandry for next week. I was planning on working Monday & Tues before my surgery on Wed. however my normal hours are 5am to 830am. I have an appt with my Grandma on Monday at 9 and a hair appt on Tues. at 9. So I am thinking of talking to him today and making today my last day before surgery, unless I can go in at 5am and do my portion of cleaning on my normal hours. They are shutting down all next week for our annual cleaning, it was supposed to be the week between Christmas and NY's. If it's a big deal, I'll just quit. I guess that's the nice thing about this little job of mine. It's something for me to do to get out, make a little extra money, but I don't have to have it, so I have that freedom if things get hard or I no longer like it, I can quit instead of feeling stuck in a job I don't like. I think he'll work with me though, no one else wants my early hours and I'm very dependable to be there and open every morning. I used to get my nails done every other week with acrylics for years until a few years ago. One of my moves I couldn't find a decent nail place so took them all off. Then my own nails underneath were so thin and damaged that once they grew out I never went back to getting them. I thought of just getting a manicure but never have. But love my pedicures. Janet, I have OPI Dear Santa Red on and it's very Christmasy if you need a good color. Janet, good luck at the ortho doc, hope it's nothing serious with your knee. Julie, I hate coffee too. It's so messy and stinky. DH nor I drink it so it makes for peace in the house. LOL BUt every WEd. when I have this group from church that meets at my house, I have to make it and I just hate hauling out the coffeemaker for that and worse cleaning it after. When my folks come to visit that dang thing is out on the counter and on all day long.

Vent away Apples. Will it be over soon now that the harvest is about done? BTW, I think you are a girly girl you get eyelash extensions. I never used to get pedicures. DD convinced me to go once, I thought they were too frivilous, but then I got hooked. I especially like the massage part. I am sitting here waiting for the dang phone to ring to know if I have to go in to work. Thing is it is after 9, if I have to get up at 4 I want to be in bed now. There is talk that we will not open and will close down for a week for our annual cleaning as long as we can't allow anyone into the weight room right now anyway, the usual annual shut down for cleaning is the week between Christmas and New Years. If that's the case I have to go in and clean at 8am for the length of the shift I was supposed to work. But it takes a board to make that decision and they are meeting tonight and then the gal I open with and I are suposed to get a phone call. Can't anyone just make a decision, why must it be a committee? I am pretty sure I don't have to be there at 5 and that it's mostly a choice between not going in or going in at 8 to clean. I was so hoping to get out of that cleaning this year since it would fall during my time off for my knee surgery. It's not fun.

They let me have 'toes' last time for surgery and even had polish for my banding and gall bladder last year so don't think it's an issue. Just no jewelry, make up, or lotions. Arlene, recipe sounds good, except for the rice part for me too, doesn't do well with me neither does pasta. Maybe a side of veggies for me. Julie, good for you for booking the flight, you are going to feel so strong and accomplished once you do this by yourself. A real confidence booster and to have all these gals waiting at the other end of that flight will make it all the more special. Janet, nose ring or jewel? :eek: Cheri, bummer on not getting to go to FL. I know you were looking forward to it. Okay these Champion pants everyone is talking about...there's several 'fits' which one do you all like?

WEll if Grandma is the example then yes. LOL Though she's always had a sweet tooth. There was always dessert at Grandma's house. But sweets isn't what gets me in trouble, I can take or leave them. For me it's the salty, crunchy stuff like chips and popcorn. Just got home from getting a winter pedicure. I thought I needed cute toes in the hospital (I usually only get them in sandal weather months). I know have 'Dear Santa' red toes with a Christmas tree painted on my big toes. Maybe the surgeons will get a kick out of them in the OR sticking out, except I think my surgeon is Jewish. LOL Maybe I should've gotten menorrahs. LOL

Okay, that makes total sense for the accountabilty of the weigh ins. I did continue to go to WW after my surgery for about 4 to 6 mos just to weigh even though I wasn't following their points. It did get to the point though that I was getting lots of odd comments about my success. Most WW people aren't real band friendly or accepting and if you choose to keep it quiet they want to know what you are doing to be so successful and ask lots of questions. It just got akward for me and I stopped going. But I did like the accountability. At the time if I had followed the points which are based on your current weight, I was to get over 30 points a day and there's no way I'd have lost like I did if I ate that many points. I concur! rub it in. LOL Actually I don't mind snow or winter, it's when it gets that much below zero that I start whining! LOL When I lived in Vegas and Calif and to a certain extent Delaware I missed 4 seasons. Have a foo-foo drink with an umbrella for me while you are there. Thanks Apples for the comment about being a good granddaughter. I try and do my best by her. I told her I'd come by on Monday and get her stocked up on things before my surgery as I won't be by then probably til after Christmas. We went to Golden Corral buffet for lunch. I hardly get my money's worth there nor does she, but she eats like a bird and the whole family is worried about her eating. She watches every penny and even if I buy lunch she will get the cheapest thing on the menu whether she likes it or not. I have found if I go to a buffet and it's one price, she will eat more 'to get her money's worth'. My son went with us today and got a kick out of how she ate. She says she never has an appetite and just eats because she knows she has to. Other than cookies and desserts, she has an appetite for those. I read that as you age you lose your taste sensation, the last sensation you lose is your taste for sweets. I believe it after watching her eat.

Good morning. We are supposed to warm up to the 20's today and get above freezing tomorrow! WooHoo! Arlene, just how cold is cold in Houston? I bet I'd think it was warm right now. Speaking of the cold, with the extreme cold yesterday it caused a sprinkler pipe to burst at the rec center I work at and it is closed today, meaning I got an unexpected day off and got to sleep in. No 4am alarm for me today! WOOHOO!! Also no pay today not so WooHoo! DH got home late last night from Las Vegas seems all the flights were messed up with all the bad weather over the country. He has to go out of town again on Mon/Tues next week, my surgery is Wed. so makes me a little nervous that he gets home on time. Also I won't have him around to keep me from thinking too much about it the day before, gotta keep myself busy that day. Meredith, good luck on that physics! And have a great trip to NY are you going to NYC? I love it there this time of year. Arlene, are you sure you really want to do something like WW? I believe in their balanced way of eating but not so much in their counting of points etc. and for me to eat the points they say I should eat now would be very difficult unless I ate a lot of sliders etc. and that's what I want to avoid. Why are you eating so many sliders? Are you too tight? are the adhesions causing you problems? I hope you get it all figured out. If I did WW, I would try and follow their 'core' plan vs counting points. Okay, I realize you didn't ask for my opinion, disregard if you want. Well gotta go dry my hair and get ready am going to try and take Grandma to Walmart today. DS is meeting us there to help us so I can drop her off at the door and not mess with the parking lot and possible ice and then there's this cold.

Phyl, I know what you are saying about wanting the other knee over with. This knee I am having done next week doesn't bother me like the first one did but it bothers me more than it used to. My doc says it is 75% of where the other one was. And now after surgery and how much better the other one is feeling, I don't ever want this one to get that bad. And if I have to have it done, I'd rather sooner than later, plus the added bonus of 100% insurance coverage made the decision all the easier.

-16 this morning when I went to work with a -32 windchill. BRRRRRR!!! I still haven't warmed up, though it's a balmy 20 out now. We get to freezing by Sat. and 40's on the weekend. It will feel almost tropical. LOL It snowed for 2 days but real fine stuff, about as much as Apples photos. One week from today is my knee surgery. I think I am ready. I've gotten all my Christmasy stuff done, I just have stuff like laundry, change the linens etc. to do this weekend. I volunteered at the hospital today and in the office I work in they pulled up the schedule and I am at 930 am. And she put a call in to get me a suite if one happens to be available. That was so nice last time. And the best part, I may get a paid position there after my recovery. It's still a tenative thing but they asked if I'd be interested. Now if only we knew what was going to happen with DH's job. Arlene, glad you enjoyed Hawaii, I love going there, haven't been in several years, since I lived in California actually. 10,000 feet is high, that is about the elevation we camp at in the summers, but I start out at 5280 (mile high city ya know) so maybe it doesn't seem as high to me. I do notice when camping at that elevation I get tight in my band, but it doesn't bother me just flying. Laura, I must've missed a post some place, is your dad going to a new dr in Houston? Janet, churchie people??? I am a church goer but would never judge someone for 'happy pills', but I do get what you are saying, I got some reactions to my lap band surgery. But now another guy in my church got one and another gal is considering it so maybe I paved the way. Interestingly, the only negative reactions I got to banding is from over weight people and not thin people. Well think I will try and take a nap, maybe my bed under the down comforter will warm me up if nothing else. Too bad DH is in Las Vegas, though on his way home today.

Thanks apples. Nope no plans to bare my ankles this week anyway. I am sooooo cold. I am wondering if my fingers got frost bite when I shovelled today. I had gloves on but they hurt so bad and now are numbish and that was this morning. went to the movie with my kids tonight saw Old Dogs, cute and funny movie. Sorry no time for personals to everyone tonight. Tomorrow is volunteering so may not be back on til Thurs.

Just braved the frigid temps to put my Christmas cards in the mail. thanks Janet for compiling the addresses of those interested. Wish I was with hubby in Vegas tonight at least it's warmer there!

I'm so freakin' cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's 5 degrees out but windchill about 15 below. I just shovelled and my fingers are so numb and achy. Sure we get cold in Denver but never does it last for a few days. My work is so cold, we have these huge vaulted ceilings and I think all the heat goes up plus every time someone comes in the door it lets in lots more cold air. No plans much for the day, other than start my cards. I can't find my Christmas card address book so guess the only folks to get cards this year (besides you guys) will be ones that send me and I will send them out as I get them by the return addresses. Can't imagine where it would be and why I was such a bad record keeper of addresses. Linda, you are probably in your surgery right now. Am thinking of you and hoping all goes well. Julie, glad you sortta got answers but wish you got more complete ones. At least the pain is better for now. Another tip on airfares. Many of those websites like Expedia, yahoo, priceline etc. have good airfares but before committing, go to the specific airlines website first and see what it comes up there. Almost always if your trip is all one airline the specific airline will be a tad cheaper. I use yahoo to search options then go to the airline and book it. This didn't work for my daughters honeymoon however because they are flying to FL on one airline and returning on another.

Congrats on the anniversary. Isn't that a neat feeling at the dr office? I volunteer for the bariatric department at my hospital and I visit band and bypass patients in the hospital, help set up pre op classes and answer questions as they come in and help with seminars occassionally. It's such a great feeling. And it also keeps me focused too. Checked out your new p hotos, looking awesome! I am still bothered by my calves and legs would love to do something with them but my knee replacements are taking first priority.

Whew what a busy day. I left the house at 5am for work this morning and at 330 this afternoon am just getting home. I went from work to Grandma's, helped her wrap presents, then I went to the mall on a impromptu moment. I wanted to get there this week so off I went. I looked at dressy dresses at Dillards for my mother of the bride dress. Didn't see one I liked so decided I will go back to David's Bridal and get the one I found there, will do that this weekend. But since I just so happened to be at the mall and there just so happened to be an Ann Taylor Loft store there, I just so happened to wander in. Did I ever hit a major mark down sale. She said they just marked stuff down today. For $100 I got a pair of jeans (size 12 darn it!), cardigan sweater, a blazer/jacket (dressy), black blouse, 3/4 sleeve t shirt, 2 short sleeve tshirts (they all have some flower or embellisments on them), pretty good huh?? Then I got some gadgets at the Container store and some pages for my planner at Frankin Covey. From there I went to the grocery store and got most of my Christmas groceries. There's a few things I will have to send DD or DH to the store after my surgery for. I was so busy I totally forgot to eat lunch. Never do I forget to eat. All I had today was 1/2 banana for breakfast. But I am feeling so relieved. I was in a major panic mode of all I wanted to get done this week before I am laid up from surgery next week. This helped immensely. Still got stuff on my to do list but this took a major chunk out of it. DH goes to Las Vegas tomorrow for 2 days so I will get lots done with him gone too. Femme, About the only time I get myself in trouble with my band these days is in social settings. I have determined it's because I am not paying close enough attention to my bite size and chewing while I am busy talking etc. But I am a firm believer in wanting to keep my restriction and fills in these situations as it's those same situations preband that I mindlessly ate and ate and ate and before you know it ate enough for 2 meals. I like how my band reminds me, that's enough. Jewel, You will decide what is best to do as far as telling folks about your surgery. Pre surgery all that knew were my hubby and kids. I was freaked about telling my folks and in laws. I ended up telling my in laws shortly after (they live close) as they noticed me losing weight. They surprised me and were pretty supportive. My folks I didn't tell until I saw them 4 mos later (they live in FL) and was 75 lbs down. Mom was the one I was most concerned about telling. If you looked up the word negative in the dictionary you should find my mom's picture there. But with 75 lbs down she couldnt' be too negative. She is now telling me how sickly I look, how old my face looks now, etc. Just remember this is your journey and your body and health and you need to do what is best for you. Julie, hwo did the visit at the pain doc go? Linda, surgery on for tomorrow??? Will be thinking of you. Wish it was mine, I got one more week to go. Sorry about the step son situation. My DS is an overnight manager at a Super Walmart. Laura, you look beautiful with the make up on! Cute photos. Your Dad has a great attitude. Eva & Janet, did you find good airfares? apples, you've done such a good job putting this all together. Keep in mind there's lots of tolls around the Orlando airport.

Phyl, when I used to work for the airlines (about 4 yrs ago) you could recredit your award miles to your account for a svc fee of about $100, or change the ticket to another destination same fee I think. Just in case you were interested. I'd probably be wanting to see those grandkiddos too. Apples, DH's uncle was telling DH that he was going to still be able to sell his corn w/o drying it at a certain % of moisture but he'd be docked some in what he was paid for it or something. He's struggling to get it all in too. It's so cold and snowy here today. I hope the roads are clear tomorrow as I told Grandma I'd be buy and help her wrap presents and now she wants me to take her to Walmart but i told her that depended on the roads and walks. If it's icy, I'm not taking her out, not taking chances of a tumble. I want to get a pedicure too but my toes will freeze in this. I need pretty toes for the hospital you know! LOL Had a wonderful dinner with our friends tonight. WE could sit there and talk forever. I have to be very careful in that setting as I get to talking and then am not mindful of my bites and chewing, but I did good so maybe I am getting used to being a bandster. Social settings were always my downfall.

Think I will type in Christmasy red til Christmas. :thumbup: Busy busy day. Both kids met us for breakfast this morning before church, then we were invited to some friends house after for lunch and to see their Isreal pictures since they just got home and we go in Feb. Then hurry home so DH can still work on that deer meat from S Dakota, they got it all made into sausage and are now 'curing it'. Tonight we are meeting some high school friends. All 4 of us graduated together and DH and the wife of the other couple have the same bdays. I am so jealous of all the FL talk. I am going to be looking for updates and photos while you are there so I can pretend I am there. Linda, I am so glad your leg is better and that it is sounding positve for your hip surgery. 10 days from today will be my other knee surgery. Not looking like it's going to get moved sooner. BUMMER! Janet, sounds like a fun time at your party, glad you didn't let your friend flaking ruin it for you. Meredith, what kind of wreath are you making? Looking forward to the pic. Apples, you must be getting a workout going up and down those bin stairs. I hope you get all your corn in. I know DH's uncle is working on his too.

Deb, I used the 'my daily plate' website in the beginning too. I didn't weigh and measure my food too much. I got this little bowl at Target that someone suggested when I was starting out that held only 4 oz. So when I used that I knew I was getting my 1/2 cup portion and 2 would be a cup. On daily plate I used it as a guideline to see where my calories were and to make sure I was getting my protein grams in. I didn't stick to a certain number of calories a day but did notice I stayed between 700 and 900 and usually had a high day once or twice a week at about 1100. I didn't follow what the daily plate website said I needed in calories or anything but just used it to keep a record of what I was doing. then when I was struggling I could always go back to a time I did well and see what I was doing too.

Hi Deb, Welcome!! This is my favorite place to come on LBT. Most of us just found it like you did. Janet started this thread around the time I was a fairly new bandster and I think I am one of the longest posters on her thread that still posts, she has helped me immensely. Apples & I were banded very close together and 'met' on the June '08 thread (our banding month), Phyl & Janet were banded close together and I believe met on the July '07 thread. I was banded 6/5/08 and have lost 126 lbs and reached my goal weight a year later. I've maintained ever since. However, it's only recently that I have accepted and become happy with the weight I am at. I didn't reach the 'normal' BMI weight for my height but pretty close to it so in my mind I was still overweight since that is what the chart said. My surgeon says however I am at a perfect weight for my height and build and that chart is just a guideline. When I got banded I never imagined getting below 200 so I am happy and it's been easy to maintain. I've gone from some size 26's to some size 8's now. As for advice starting out, don't be afraid to ask questions, journal your food and concentrate on eating hard protein first. I was a very strict rule follower, I was self pay for my surgery and I didn't want anything to mess me up. Getting my band is the best thing I have ever done for myself. Well just over a week after Thanksgiving and I am cooking a turkey today. I had bought an extra one when they were so cheap before Thanksgiving and now thanks to all of DH's deer meat and pheasants we have no room in the freezer. Oh well, I didn't eat much turkey in SD, first off it wasn't very good and it was dry and I got stuck and PB'd on it. DH's aunt cooked the turkey a week before Thanksgiving and then took it off the bone and froze it. She then reheated it in a roaster oven all day Thanksgiving, think it got too dry and she didn't add back in any of the juices. So I am looking forward to my turkey!! No stuffing though. House is looking pretty good all decorated. I'll have to take a pic of my tree and post it when I get it all done. Last year we made all these ornaments from pheasant feathers and it looks pretty good if I do say so myself. I got so much I want to get done this week before I have knee surgery the next week. The countdown is on.

Thanks Phyl. I would be able to travel back to visit easy so that would be a bonus. I don't want to go into any detail of what the possible relocation is etc. in case someone I know finds me here but we have discussed it pros and cons and are sortta leaving it up to God at this point. I know my kids will be fine w/o me here and I will survive as well. There are no grandkids yet, though I want them bad. And even if we did stay here, there's no guarantee they wouldn't move either. I am used to moving and have always thrived where planted. I do have that adventurous side as well, Apples. We have moved many times in order I have lived in: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah, Georgia (sortta), Utah, Las Vegas, Utah, N. California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Colorado, the longest I have lived in a home is about 5 yrs, shortest 10 mos. I have always bloomed where planted and made it home. I really have no roots anywhere. Colorado seems most like home as this is where DH & I met and grew up since junior high. Only my daughter was born here though (we are all born in different states). If I lived anywhere else, I would be welcoming the move. If I did leave here, my sisters would still be here to take care of Grandma though they'd have to step it up from what they do now. We need more specifics of the possiblities and have talked about it. We have always figured we'd move around until retirement. Apples, I hope you get to do some travelling once in awhile to quench that wandering spirit. Heck, I'd always meet you some place! Well we got our tree up, I got presents wrapped, but still got a lot of other decorations to place and a mess to clean up. But it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here!

Lucy, congrats on the masters! Allie, how special of your friends to plan that party. I think it calls for a slinky black or red dress. Very form fitting of course. Your photos look great! Not much new here, I went back to work on Tues. after my knee surgery but only have 2 weeks and I'll be off again for the other knee. I am anxious to have it done but not to go through the recovery period again!