Here you go, my Sweet Violets! Another new home for our daily musings....

"Thus nature has no love for solitude, and always leans, as it were, on some support; and the sweetest support is found in the most intimate friendship."

- Cicero

Oh dear, Janie -- longer than you?! I guess double it, then wrap it, then criss-cross it!! You'll be warm, that's for sure!!

Am enjoying a WONDERFUL evening w/my mom this evening... we're sitting here @ the kitchen table just relaxing, drinking some wine, she's knitting, I'm surfing some knitting sites for her, and we're just talking & talking... it's rare that we have unlimited, free time together, without somewhere to go or something to do or a whole family event... and she's been here 2 whole days! w/ 2 to go! I feel so lucky! She's my bestest Christmas gift!

Sweet dreams!!

Good evening, Violets..

Christmas 2009 is just about over and it's been a very good one for us. We have so much to be thankful for, good health, family, friends and of course our bands. Though today you'd never know I had one. It was a total pig out day today. Tomorrow is a new day and another chance to get back on track. I'm going to hit the exercise hard this week and see if I can melt off a few pounds before the cruise. We leave Jan. 7 and won't be back here until the 17th. We'll be in LA for a couple of days before the cruise and I will be stalking movie stars. My luck, the only one I'll see is Lindsay Lohan.

Off to read some Kindle on the PC.. sleep well everyone! See ya tomorrow.

I love it, it is long, but it is good to wrap up with!!!!!

Judy,

How long are you in LA for??? I am only 2 hours away...would LOVE to see you. I am working that week, but if you can get out here...let me know! OMG...just got REALLY excited thinking about you coming here. Could this really work?? woohoo...now I won't be able to sleep tonight!

I just started a new book, Middlesex. It is really good so far, and made Oprah's booklist. My step mom read it and thought I'd like it. I am using the text talk feature. It is mechanical, but the book is kinda not my genre...not enough dialogue, but listening to it and reading it at the same time is great!

Good morning!

Up early to prep the big bird for Christmas, part 2, today!

You are so right, Judy, we as well have so much to be thankful for... and I am!

A Judy/Bobster/Pam/Susanne meet in Cali -- alert the media! I hope you gals can make that happen!!

Judy, you return the 17th, we leave the 16th!

Last night on tv I heard that yesterday was the day of giving... & today is the day of "giving back" (returning)! lol! We won't be braving that madness today... besides the fact that 15 folks are coming, I like to give the shops a chance to re-stock a bit before heading out w/our gift cards, etc. The kids & I have a January tradition that one morning we take our cards & go to Borders & just hang out, looking at books, drinking java, making our selections in a lovely, unhurried way... I love doing that and it really fills my heart w/joy that they love doing it too...

Ok... off to make a peanut butter/fudge pie!

Everyone enjoy your days!

Good morning, Violets...

I didn't get up until 9 this morning. And NOTHING to do today!!! No gifts to return, no gift cards to redeem, no meetings, no rehearsals.. what the heck am I going to do today?????

PamELA... we arrive at LAX at 12:50 Friday and will be there until the ship leaves on Sunday. We are staying at the Westin Lakeshore hotel. We are traveling with two other people so I'd have to check with them about how we could get together. Would LOVE to meet on Saturday somehow. I know that they want to do several tours that day. I plan on stalking celebrities. I didn't realize you were that close!!! WOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!

Michelle... I'll make sure Mexico is ready for you. How on earth could it survive two Violets?? Where in Mexico are you going?

Beautiful day here today.. no rain, no snow and sun is shining. It's a good day!!

Off to check Facebook. Have a great day everyone. Today I am focusing on not eating junk. We'll see how THAT goes!!

Morning Girls~

Judy we've got celebrities here! Perhaps your friends want to come out here on Sat. We can go to Bing Crosby's resturaunt, see Bob Hope's house...we could even do a celebrity tour. I know Lindsey Lohan won't be here...but it would be FANTASTIC to have lunch w/ you!!! I can't wait to meet the Bobster...and for you to meet Susanne. Then when we meet in Texas we will all be old friends.

Well we had a wonderful Christmas! So great w/ fun, food, relaxing and Klausy. He is the best present I got!!! Been working on his training outside, then him coming in and "watching tv". He is beyond sweet...and doesn't miss the kittys at all!

Went to the gym again this am...and exceeded my personal best! I LOVE that. Just went farther in the same 30 min. My skin looks great, I am sleeping like a rock...and I feel ready. Now, I came home and dipped cookies into my coffee...but once the cookies are gone, I'll be back in the game. Out of the last 10 days, I've worked out 8!!! Pretty impressed w/ myself...and need to keep it up. I was up at 5:30 this morning heading to the gym!!! Well, we snuggled in the flannel sheets for about 20 min...then I went!!

Today MIL is leaving, Sus has an appointment but we will go to Billy Reeds for lunch before MIL leaves! Then home to CHILLAX...then my bff from college comes tomorrow afternoon for a couple days of margies and massages!

Have a wonderful day everyone! xooxoxox

Good afternoon, Violets..

PamELa.. we meet with our cruising buddies Jan. 3 for dinner and finalizing cruise details. I will check with them about driving to meet you. I can't guarantee, but I'll sure try to push it. Bob said he would love to meet you too also, it's just a matter of seeing what the other two people are comfortable with.

The Bobster and I took our oldest son and his girlfriend out to lunch. Al is our 43 year old adopted special needs son. It's always an adventure when we get together. He doesn't have much to say and it's like pulling teeth to get a conversation going. But we do the best we can.

Now we are off to see It's Complicated. Can't wait!!!

Hope everyone is having a good day. Anybody hit any good sales??

Good morning, Violets..

We're up early today so that the Bobster and I can go to the little church he pastored for 4 years after he retired from Alpena. It's 40 minutes away and he is preaching there today. They are also dedicating the tree they planted in his honor. So kewl. Next Sunday we go to his new church and will start all over again!

I won't be back to the Alpena church and the choir for a month. wooo hoooo! When I get back, I'm hoping for a whole new attitude and a new beginning for the church.

It's really dark out right now, chilly at 27 degrees, but no rain or snow.

Off to get dressed and have some breakfast before we head out.

Everyone have a great day!!

Good Morning Girls~

Judy that is cool about the church and the tree. Take pictures of the tree!

My bff from college is coming today for a few days! Really looking forward to it!

I am reading a great book, Middlesex. Not saying I suggest it, but I am really enjoying the story. It is NOT my usual genre, but I am using the text-talk feature and have enjoyed listening it it!

Sus is at the gym and I took the day off. aaaahhhhhh!

Have a great day!

Good morning!! Forgot to post yesterday!!

Really did nothing yesterday. Piddled and puttered. No shopping.

It is snowing this morning? Did they say snow at some point? I don't think so.......

We are going to see "White Christmas" today, Lorna Luft is in it. It got great reviews.

That is such an honor for Bob!!!!! How far is Atlanta?

Pamela, I wish I had your resolve!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle, yesterday when I was sitting on the couch watching tv I wrapped up in a blanket then grabbed your/my scarf and wrapped up!!!

I hope Haydee is having a great time in Mexico, does anyone know how far into Mexico she goes?

Laura, the pics on facebook of Carson are soooo cute!!!!!!

Okay question for facebook users. Do you go to all your friends facebook page to see what they are up to and comment? I saw the one on Terry about 3 out of 5 violets a couple days late. So say if I want to see Kats I have to go to her page? Doesn't that take a long time going to peoples pages?

Jane,

I think people mainly read the threads. Click on HOME once you sign in. I read the thread scrolling down from there. That way I can read everyone's post. Also, on the bottom right hand corner, you will see a red box of all your "notifications". You can click on that and see Pamela commented on your post. Or you can read each persons posts, but yes that takes some time. I just read the thread from the home page, read my notifications, and sometimes (rarely) read my profile. Ususally, the notifications tell me if someone posted on my page.

Was that clear as mud??? Maybe Laura can 'splain better.

Good afternoon, Violets..

We are back from services. They were all so delighted to see Bob. He hasn't been back there in a year. It's protocol for the former pastor to stay away for a year to allow the new pastor to get integrated into the church. They were really happy to see me too. The lady who got me started on the lapband journey was there and OMG.. she has lost 120#!!! Another lady that had it done recently has lost 50#. I felt like I had not completed the journey, which I haven't. And I got some new resolve after seeing those two. The tree they got for Bob is a Red Maple and it's 7 feet tall right now, but it looks like a Charlie Brown tree. Nothing but branches. I didn't take any pictures cause nothing would have shown up. He and I got lots of hugs and kisses today so we're good for a while.

I had a sausage and egg burrito from Mickey D's for breakfast and 2/3 cup tuna salad for lunch. We are going to Applebee's for supper and will split an entree. We have a free one coming. I threw out all the cookies that were left (not many, but enough) and the Stollen. My New Year's Resolution will start today so I can get a jump on it. This is going to the the year I make it to goal. Swear to God!!!!!

p.s. Jane.. the church is 40 miles away. Bob's new church will be 36 miles away.

Hello there, girlies!

Yesterday's family dinner went well... I was a bit nervous about the 25 lb turkey... that it'd be dry by the time it got done... but it was spectacular! Yay! Everyone had a good time, lots of laughs and fun. Somehow I managed to drink 2 BOTTLES of wine -- me, who almost never touches the stuff! I was feeling *no* pain and evidently kept laughing for no apparent reason... it's better to be a happy drunk than a cranky one! I kept saying it was the release after the 8 weeks leading up to pulling off yet another "perfect" Christmas for my family. I felt fine this a.m., tho... got up @ 6:30am & have been lounging around since.

My niece stayed here for a couple days... she's 7 months older than dd... they're a pair, allright. Her name is Abbi, and when they were little, we'd combine their names to call them: Clabbi! It saved time! We're going to the barn later... maybe that new Chipmunk movie tomorrow. Or rather... they'll see that & I'll pop into Up in the Air... sneaky of me! :smile:

Hope everyone is well... Judy, I'm joining you TOMORROW -- no more sugar or junk, and will begin a regular exercise routine. Hallelujah, new year's is here!!

Merry Belated Christmas!! My computer was at Best Buy getting fixed and logging on with my BlackBerry takes FOREVER!!

I flew to Indianapolis and stayed Wednesday night with my parents, Thursday we drove to South Bend to visit my brother, SIL and 3 nieces. Mom, Dad and I stayed at a local hotel and went back to my brother's Christmas Day. I flew home to Charlotte that night and was supposed to work at 2 am. Was running a 101' fever so I called in sick. Feeling better today......more resting on tap.

Not much else going on here. Enjoy your holiday time off!!