[gma22]

Well, I am starting on Dr Phil's program this morning. These first 2 weeks are going to be tough but I know I can do it. I have to totally erase Friday though, I have a date with a cute little redhead at Chucky Cheese on Friday at lunch and with his parents for Jack and I's bd Friday evening so I decided to just chuck that day and add one at the end of the 14 start plan. I know it is not the best solution, but it is better than screwing myself all up again. I bought whole grain bread, which I am not found of only because I can't ever seem to find where it isn't awfully stale tasting and dry. I know it will never be really soft like white and that is ok, but all I seem to be able to find is the sandpaper variety. I also bought brown rice, which I have never cooked with.

Jean: We are again going to Vegas for 2 weeks this time. We spent several hours yesterday working on it, ie, what shows we want to go see and prices and times, etc, what restaurants we want to visit, places we didn't see when we went for the wedding. We really only got 2 good sightseeing days in because then the family descended and we had to spend time with them so we want to go back and do a thorough job this time. We are going to see the tournament of kings at Excalibur which is like a dinner theater, Lord of the Dance, and Penn and Teller magicians. I also want to go to one concert if there is anyone there I want to see when we are there.

Everyone have a fabo day. I am out to walk then have to come back and get the downstairs cleaned and run errands. I have read all my books again and need refills!

Faye

[Maggie]

GOOD MORNING MAGNOLIAS

It actually feels like fall here now. Nice cool evenings and not to hot in the day. I sure wish we could get some rain though. Haven't had any since April 17th. I have been sticking closer to my progam so should show another loss this coming Thursday.

FAYE let us know how you do on the Dr. Phil program. Around here the whole grain bread is dry also. When we were in the southern part of the state there was a brand of bread that was not all dried out. The pieces were large enough to use one slice for a sandwich. I quit making bread in my machine because we ate too much of the good hot out of the pan fresh smelling and good tasting ~ yum. I love bread! I think I will make a loaf today and make myself keep my FOCUS. I know Cowboy would love that! I have not been in Chuckie Cheeses in YEARS. Ever since my friend and I got 86-ed out of one. She had arrived before I did and had gotten her salad, I ordered and as I was waiting she handed me a mushroom. The minute I popped it into my mouth another waiter came over yelling and pointing his finger in my face and demanded we leave because they had a rule that you couldn't eat off anothers plate. He would not accept any reason ~ that I had indeed paid for a meal and had already ordered it and Karen didn't like mushrooms and had just handed me ONE. He kept yelling and pointing so we told him to back off or we would have his JOB. Needless to say the manager was not happy with this unpleasant display of rudeness from his employee and ended up giving us our money back and said he would fire the waiter. He also offered us some free passes for meals wich we refused because we didn't plan on eating there again. We later found out he hadn't fired the obnoxious waiter after all so we told all our co-workers and they told their friends and the whole area threw a nice boycot on the place. They almost went under because folks took their kids there and had parties etc. The waiter ~ who happened to be the managers son ~ ended up being fired. All over one little slice of mushroom. Tisk Tisk My goodness, that was years and years ago ~ way back when. We liked those salads and personal sized little pizzas.

Have a great day folks.

[Jean]

Good Afternoon, Flowers!
Marvelous Monday is almost over and done with. Today was a chilly but sunny day in my corner of the world -- NO WIND for a change.

It was an uneventful day at school other than the beginning of Homecoming Week. Today was PJ Day so everyone was supposed to dress in their pjs. Some of the senior boys are doing their own thing and today wore dresses, nylons, jewelry, makeup, and some even managed to wear heels. There were a couple who made pretty good looking "ladies"! Some of the faculty will dress accordingly and some do not. I forgot what today was supposed to be so did not.

DH is out farming so I am home alone. I stopped after school to visit a retired teacher who has moved to MN and is back for a visit. We keep in touch by email and she comes to town quite often for special events at her church, weddings, etc. She is younger looking than I am!

"Gma" -- I buy Wonder Whole Wheat bread and it stays pretty fresh. One slice is 1 WW point so I can have 2 slices for a sandwich if I want. I guess I've never looked for whole grain bread, but check labels to make sure it doesn't say enriched on it. I will be curious to hear how you like Dr. Phil's program. Does it cut out all of the 'white' stuff like the South Beach diet does? Someday I will make it to Vegas . . . some day!

Maggie -- It definitely feels like fall in the mornings. It got down into the mid 30s last night and was pretty nippy when I left for school this morning. I see where Chucky Cheese has come to Sioux City; so far neither Ian nor Maddy have asked to go there!

I'm going to go fix something for supper. I hope you all have had a good day! Enjoy your evening and have a terrific Tuesday!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

Morning ladies!

Maggie: I have never heard such a thing about Chucky Cheese. I get my grandson tomatoes and stuff all the time. They have a crummy salad bar that you pay a bazillion dollars for and who wants the noise of a bunch of kids when you eat right? Good for you! I think it is important to stand up and complain and keep complaining. For example, my sister's anniversary was Aug 4 and I had ordered her a tower of gifts from Popcorn Factory, which is owned by 1-800flowers. They called several days AFTER it should have been shipped to say there was a delay. It was already late and I couldn't cancel because they had already taken the money out of my bank before they even shipped it! It took THREE weeks before they got it and I was furious. The people on the phone were rude and so I wrote a letter to the CEO (you know the bald guy with the goatee that does the commercials) and made it plain I would not only boycott, but that I would pass it to everyone I knew not to use either Popcorn Factory or 1-800flowers and that their stated policy was complete satistfaction and I was anyting but satisfied. I didn't hear anything except one day I had a credit from them for the tower on my bank statement and last week they called to say they were sending them another tower in the next $$ level because they wanted my business back. BUTTTTTT here is the clincher, "But madam, there is a delay in shipping..." I laughed at her right on the phone and hung up!

Jean: I make dinner rolls with my bread machine and then freeze them and we take them out 2 at a time and defrost and warm them in the microwave. Like you, we eat the whole loaf at one sitting with gobs of butter so we are better off not having homemade. As for his program, yes, he wants you to not eat sugar, white flour etc anymore (this comes from his WIFE I am sure as she is anti white anything and has repeatedly said so) Personally, it is one of the things that irks me about him is it is not the DR PHIL and HIS WIFE SHOW and she seems to be getting into more and more of it. I survived the first day though boy was it tough. It is only about 1100 calories a day and only one carb. I am determined to stick this out though as I do so much better with structure. That is why WW is not for me. I am better with set menus etc.

Better go. Jack will be up in a few and T is coming and spending the day with me so I need to get everything out of the way before 10 am.

Faye

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers!
My day started early with a 7:30 meeting where we basically were accused of not forcing these kids to do their assignments and that's why the deficiency list is so long. Needless to say the teachers took instant offense with the principal saying he doesn't pay us to make excuses! Afterwards one of the teachers said she had never seen his signature on her check! So, they agreed that none of them are going to do anything differently because there are only so many hours in a day and so much time to devote to nagging unmotivated students when others want our help.

After school I went to give blood for the second time, then went to vote on keeping the local 1 cent sales tax for another 10 years, and then went to WW and showed a loss of .6#. There's nothing like taking it sllooowwww! We had bell choir practice tonight instead of tomorrow night so now it will seem like Thursday tomorrow.

"Gma" -- It was Maggie making bread, not me! However, I could definitely sit and eat fresh bread and butter any time and that's why I don't make it. I was going to send some Christmas gifts from the Popcorn Factory but after your story I'm having second thoughts about it. I've been sending cheese boxes from Hickory Farms. Everyone seems to enjoy them and have never said anything about them being late.

Not much else is newsy from my corner of the world. Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

Morning girls!

Jean: ooopps, sorry. Guess with Maggie only being able to get in here from time to time, I have only one person on my mind! I wouldn't suggest the Popcorn Factory if you want the darn things to get there on time. I personally didn't like their attitude and the fact I couldn't get anyone to talk to me about my order. I e-mailed them THREE times and never got one response from them until I sent a letter to that CEO.

I had T yesterday and boy can he poop you out and he is past the having to chase him stage. We played video games and he beat my behind in soccer and every other game I played with him. He was so hilarious, he would get so excited every time he would make a goal and say something like, "Guess you're not very good at this game either, Nonny!" The game has a half time where these little cheerleaders come out and bounce around and he would start jumping around going, "Go Thomas, Beat Nonny, Go Thomas, Beat Nonny!" then giggle to high heavens. (He beat his granddad pretty bad too!) We played dominoes, which he is pretty good at though he wanted to play what he called a cheater's game so we did that one time. We did playdough and put his train together and played with it. BUT, it was all on the floor and killed my bad knee so I am gimping around this morning.

The City does something cool one a year for the employees. We have an amusement park here called Libertyland. It is where we have our fair every year. The city pays for employees and family for the whole day. They close the park and it is just the employees and family. They give us 5 tickets per employee and we can use them or give them away. They also give us food coupons. Jack never wanted to go, but we are taking T, dd, and sil this year and going. I am looking forward to it. It is the day before Halloween. T has already told us he would tell us which are the best rides and what is the best food! (he was at the fair just last week and got to ride his first adult ride this year)

Everyone have a great day. I am going grocery shopping at the commissary this morning, oh joy!

Faye

[Maggie]

GOOD MORNING MAGNOLIAS

YIPEKIO I got in. I am home alone. Cowboy went to a luncheon meeting where a doctor is talking on the "young mind." I opted out because I am running a bit of a migraine I woke up with. I can read his notes that he will take. Since he used to be a Child Behavior Specialist here in this state this information will be of great importance to him in his volunteer work here in this little burg. The swamp cooler is emitting a whisteling sound ~ maybe the pads need changing but that can be done in the Spring. It will get covered in the not too far future. I am getting excited that January 2005 is getting closer. That is when we can call for reservations for Christmas 2005 at the Yellowstone Inn. Not before. Our anniversary is the 24th and we want to celebrate it there along with Christmas. We want to go there and have snow cat rides out in the open and watch the wild animals under the full moon. There is so much snow at that time of year they have the roads into the park closed to regular traffic. They come to the entrance and pick you up in a snow cat and deliver you to the inn. It is so neat.

JEAN sounds like your school is going to be in bigger trouble because of the lack of cooperation from the teachers. Sometimes an educatior has to go the extra mile for the children. You seem to be doing that and I commend you for it. It scares me to think that those students will be in congress when I am old. I never did think that teachers were paid enough. When I started out thinking of a career for after High School I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I belonged to Future Teachers of America ~ In fact that was how I got my scholarship to college. But then I got my eyes open and decided that I would be better off working with criminals that didn't make it through the regular school system. (I was much better paid then the teachers in the classrooms. ) But it isn't all about money is it? However, it is the money that buys the stuff we want to fill up storage places and be forgotten for long periods of time. Hang in there you will see some things "happening" in that school yet. The gov-ment is watching you. How strong is your union?

FAYE that is just too funny about Dr. Phil's wife. Of course she has to put in her two cents and get some of the attention. No sugar eh? I wouldn't have a problem with that (if it is home made) ~ I use Splenda. But it is the eating out where we don't exactly know..... I wish you great success on this program. You lose chuncks instead of ounces like Jean and I do. YOU GO GIRL! The loaf of bread I made was a success. I made it in the evening and then didn't even cut it when it came out! (Which was a first ~ used to be half the loaf was devoured between Cowboy and I) I let it cool and sliced some off for breakfast the next morning. It had basil and thyme and sunflower seeds in it and it is so good. 3 POINTS for a huge slice. Made low fat cheese sandwiches grilled on my non stick little griddle sprayed with olive oil. Yummy with a cup of soup. The bread was half white flour and half whole wheat. Absolutely a do again. I too like making rolls and freezing them like you do. Life is good. I have yet to understand why companies can't get the clue that it is "us" the consumer that pays their way. Without us they wouldn't have a pay check. Why can't they be a little nicer? I love how boycot's do work. The people speak!

Have a wonderful afternoon Magnolias.

[Jean]

Good Afternoon!
I'm waiting for DH to get home so we can make a 'flying' in and out visit to a funeral home in Sioux City. A cousin, by marriage, of MIL's died and the funeral is tomorrow. I hate to miss another day without a sub and DH has a meeting that he should attend so he can get credit hours to renew his license, so we decided to skip the funeral and do the prayer service tonight. MIL's sister died in Oregon and that funeral is on Saturday. If it were summertime, we might consider going but will be there in thought.

It's clouding over and looks like it might rain. We have 3 days down and 2 left to go for Homecoming to be history. Is that an attitude or what?

"Gma" -- It sounds like you and T had a good day yesterday! I can almost smell that fresh bread way out here!

Maggie -- It's good to see you got in again! It's not the teachers that aren't cooperating, it's a principal who thinks that this large deficiency list is a reflection on him! He doesn't take into consideration that most of the students on it are 9th graders coming up from the funsy middle school and it takes 9 weeks to get them into the high school routine. Some of them never do make it. It's the way he approaches the person/subject that really goes against the grain. He needs to retire or take some PR classes somewhere.

DH should be home soon so I need to brush my teeth and be ready to go!

Hope you all have a nice evening and a terrific Thursday tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[Maggie]

GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

JEAN OK so you think it is the Principals fault but it it is the teachers that will get the blame for a schools failure. That is why I asked if you have a strong union. The more the public hears about teachers the more they don't respect them and that is a sad state of affairs. It, of course, goes up to the top but it rarely gets taken care of that way. The administrators aren't the ones that get the blame for the poor performance of the students. After all they say ~ who is in the classroom with the students but the teachers. The teachers are the ones that need to protect themselves.

[gma22]

Morning ladies!

Maggie: Though I grew up a snow bunny, I really dislike it now. I am sure you are looking forward to your trip very much. Your bread sounded yummy. I really like the flavored breads, but I just eat and eat and right now I am limited for the 2 weeks to one slice of bread or some other carb a day. It sure provides strength of character everyday when I can face being really hungry in the evening and not eat. I am on my 4th day and it is tough but it does build you up to learn to ignore what I call head hungry.

Jean: How is the bell choir coming along this year? You know, seems like the older you get the more funerals you go to. We go from being young and always going to some wedding or another to going to someone's funeral. Makes me feel old!

I went commissary shopping yesterday and then had to finish at other stores. My legs and knees and feet were killing me by yesterday afternoon but we have food in the house again. I discovered I don't like brussel spouts without cheese sauce very much. They tend to be strong tasting and I couldn't even put any butter on them and only certain spices that had no sodium not like a Mrs Dash or anything so I had to choke them down with my steak (that was the sum total of dinner )

Have a great day gals. My poochy has a vet appt and I gave him a bath last night so now he looks like a little gray sheep!

Faye

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers!
It is pouring rain in my corner of the world tonight. I just finished my algebra homework (pat myself on the back!) and I'm seriously thinking of heading for bed early. Tomorrow will be a zoo at school as we only have 20 minute classes and dismiss at 1:30 for the Homecoming parade. It is supposed to be nice weather so I hope the weatherman cooperates.

Maggie -- No, I don't think it is the principal's fault. It is his way of handling any problem at school that rubs the teachers the wrong way. He is a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality type and you just never know how he is going to react to whatever is going on at the moment. He has ripped into students and teachers alike in front of other students and teachers. . . very unprofessional. The teachers don't have a union as such unless it would be necessary to hire a lawyer in the case of a parent or student filing a complaint. We are to the point that we are teaching for the standardized tests so that the scores will be better. Of course, that doesn't take into account the student who just fills in the dots and makes designs doing so.

"Gma" -- The bell choir is going ok. We play this Sunday for the first time. Speaking of funerals, my dad's funeral was two years ago today. In some ways it seems like yesterday.

Guess I will catch the news and head for bed. Have a great day tomorrow!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[Jean]

Good Evening, Flowers!
Even though it is a bit late, I wanted to stop in and say "hello." Today was full of surprises at school! I got pulled from my regular job to sub for a teacher who was sick. I suppose the principal figured with 20 minute classes, he wouldn't bother with a "real" sub. I've subbed for her before so it was no big deal except that I didn't get some of my own work done. It will be there on Monday! We got out early for the Homecoming parade and I went to WM instead.

Beth called this evening to see if we would keep Maddy while they did some painting and hauling stuff to the dump tomorrow. I really hated to but decided to pass up the "opportunity." I have to be at church by 7:30 Sunday morning and DH wasn't too excited about being in charge for the morning.

I have got to do some more sorting and pitching in the spare bedrooms tomorrow. That project went by the wayside when school started in August and I've been ignoring it ever since. I was looking for a particular shirt and have a feeling it is buried in there "somewhere!"

I hope you enjoy the weekend and do something nice for yourself!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[gma22]

Morning Girls:

Boy, Chucky Cheese was a nightmare. Don't kids go to school anymore? I can believe I am an old codger, cause that noise drove me batty in short order! I played video games with T because I promised but thank goodness we only stayed about 2 hours or so. I had promised him if he was a very good boy at the dentist I would buy him a new video game and he was an angel so had to live up to my bargain. We went to Target and he, his mom and I were trying on these goofy Halloween headbands ( like witch hats, bunny ears, even a frankenstein one) and they had a scarecrow. Thomas piped up and said, "Nonny, try on this one, it is a haunted farmer!" Later on in the day he put his arms around my neck and hugged me and said, "You are my only Nonny." Now that you can't trade for anything!

I had to go to Rack Room today and get new New Balance. Went out and walked and came home with soaked feet (it is raining here today) but not because of the rain as much as the fact I had holes in both toes on the undersides and didn't even know it. I found a really nice pair for $50 and for New Balance, that is great!

Well, I was out all day yesterday and last night with the kids for our birthdays and took T to see Shark Tale yesterday afternoon so I am pooped today and really need to buck up and get some housework done so I had better go.

Faye

[Jean]

Happy Saturday, Flowers!
It's a beautiful fall day in my corner of the world. The sun is shining and not a cloud in sight. My geraniums all have buds on them so I'm hoping for a few more 'warm' days before they freeze.

I'm doing laundry, have written some long overdue notes to relatives, picked up a couple piles (I'd like to find that "pile it" gremlin!), and plan to go through some catalogs before the weekend is over. I want to get my Christmas shopping done early this year because I always seem to be running behind by the middle of December when the crunch is on. I'm thinking "wagons" for Ian and Maddy but am wondering if that is more of a spring/summer item.

"Gma" -- We had "costume day" at school on Thursday. Several of the students went to WM and bought nylon costumes that inflate somehow. The best one was a Sumo wrestler and the first time I saw him it was the behind view and he looked like he had on thong underwear! From the front, it didn't look much better. Another one was a farmer, another was the Pillsbury doughboy, and another was a cow. Some of the kids came up with really clever costumes -- I have no imagination whatsoever when it comes to creating. I can imagine how tired you are after spending the time with T! I don't have to do anything except watch Ian, and I'm tired!

I need to keep moving and get something done before DH gets back from the farm. I hope the rest of you are having a nice day and enjoy your weekend!

Jean -- from Iowa!

[Maggie]

GOOD AFTERNOON MAGNOLIAS

After we finish our coffee we are going out for a nice drive. I have come to a realization that the "flex" program isn't for me. I can't handle it. I am going back to my program of an average of 25 points a day like I did before and stick to what allotment of points I have each day. Today is a 19 point day and I have it all planned out. I now have 8 points left for dinner. It took me long enough to come to this DUH and why O why did I ever leave it. I know better than try to fix something which isn't broken. But, alas I had to try eating more points and having some extra ones to play with and I went out of control with it. I need to be locked down to a certain number of points in order to lose consistently. Anyway my doctor had approved this for me way back and so I will give it a go again and try my best to keep my FOCUS.

JEAN I love looking through catalogues. When I get a new one I mark the pages where there is something I think I can't live without and put it in a stack. When I get a new one like it I look at those marked pages and if I still want it I find it in the new catalogue and mark it. That way I don't have to go page by page through the old catalogues. Just toss them monthly. Works for me. Those costumes sound like a hoot. Each year the industry comes up with new stuff don't they.

FAYE yep it was time for you to get some new sneakers! The holes tell me you have done a few miles in them. You go girl! I am going to start your glass projects this coming week ... will get them to you before Thanksgiving for sure.

BTW ~ I am number 14 posting here so the next person gets to start a new thread.

Have a lovely weekend my cyber friends.