Hi...will be back later with longer post but just had to remind Carol Sue that the choices carrots and beets are also used to dye fabrics and they will shock the living sh*t out her when she peeks! sorry but had a cousin who when Atkins diet first started thought that pumpkin was a freebie. he ate so much that the doctor looked at him and thought his liver had failed! Eye balls, skin, lips were all yellow. k3

Misti, my DD loves rain. I hate clouds and rain. But I do like your avatar. It’s upbeat.

Donna, Kai thanks SamCat for his worries about her big sis. Blizzie is doing great. We did a shortened hike of just over a mile. She had a blast. Now she’s lounging on the recliner.

Gayle, I hope your weekend off is great. I bet your Maddie loves you can repair Zebra! And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Chickadee, I hope Pella stays with you for years to come. It’s horrible thinking they might have to leave. How awesome your dr. cheered your weight loss on. That’s it so rewarding, isn’t it?

Welcome aboard, Trish! Great name and you found a great group of women here.

Rie, I hope your knee is feeling better today and that you had a weekend break from the stress at work. Especially making goodies with your mom. Out of curiosity, does it bother you that your cousin wants you to research the most decadent chocolate dessert and crème brulee when you’ve pretty much eliminated that stuff from your life? I think I’d be mad. OK, I know I would be.

And eeks, Rie, watching the Packers today. What a horrible game. I think the Pack stayed in Wisconsin. Sounds like your Cowboys did well. I’m staying home for the holidays (DD and DGS will be here) and I have next week off. YAY!

Donna, how was your holiday party? What did you bake?

Carol Sue, welcome home. I’m so glad you’re out of the hospital. I’d believe the online reports as well. I’m not a big fan of doctors and what they know. Use your 30% coupon online and Kohl has free shipping today.

Rosey, enjoy the gorking after playing cookie santa.

Lynn, have a safe and happy trip!

Not much happening here. Blizzie is recovering and that makes me happy. DH and I bundled up and went on a tandem bike ride yesterday. 16 miles later, I was tired. Perhaps I shouldn’t have ellipticalled in the morning… Live and learn. But it was great and worth wearing gloves and a headband and warm wind suit. We wrapped all our presents and made Houska (Czeck holiday bread) yesterday. Busy but not stressful stuff. Have a great day everyone. I’m reluctantly listening to my Packers not give their game much effort. Oh well. Maybe they’ll pull it out.
Marie

We bought our car last night...finally decided on the 2012 VW Jetta in white gold...it's not really white though...more like silver with a touch of gold or I call it blonde in some light. Been busy car shopping last few days and yesterday my back starting spasming on me. It does that now and then. Even when it's not actively in spasms it feels very tired and has a nagging ache. I've done all my shopping but do still need to wrap one gift, clean house and plan holiday meals. Hope my back is better soon so I'll feel more up to it. Can't' sit here long so will keep this short, you all have a great evening and Christmas week!

Good evening GG's,

Almost time to head to bed. Days off over I have a 5 day stretch this time. Schedule is different because of Christmas.

I got most of the stuff I had hoped to get done, done. Sara and Maddie were here a while today. Got Zebra's tail reattached. Maddie said it looked funny. (The tail had gotten chewed by one of their dogs, so it wasn't as long as it used to be. I did the best I could with what I had to work with.) It sticks out at a funny angle now instead of hanging straight down. Maddie loves him anyway.

We went to the Waterway last evening ~ they had Christmas carolers and Christmas music playing and it was all decorated up with twinkle lights ~ really pretty and enjoyable.

Today was DH and I 35th wedding anniversary. I felt bad ~ he tried to surprise me and take us out for a breakfast buffet at Sweet Tomatoes. He is kind of a goof ball sometimes though. I get up earlier than he does and take my medicines and am ready for breakfast and so I had already eaten. He doesn't get up for probably 2-3 hours after me. And then he piddles around and if he eats ok, if he doesn't ok ~ when ever. So, he comes to me and said ~ are you ready to leave right now? I had no idea what he meant. I wasn't dressed to go out in public or have my hair fixed or anything. It always kind of stuns me how he asks me sometimes if I am ready to go ~ my hair will be wet and not dried or curled ~ like ~ can't he tell the difference looking at me rather I look ready to go out in public or not. Do I always look so bad even when I am fixed up that he can't tell the difference. Maybe he is just clueless. Anyway, I wasn't ready to go. Asked him where was I supposed to be ready to go to and he told me to breakfast. I had already eaten ~ wasn't hungry, wasn't ready, so we didn't end up going. Wish he could have done things a little differently ~ I felt bad because he was trying to do something nice.

Ok, guess I'd better head off to bed. Hope you all rest well.

Take care

Pictures are of Zebra after the tail surgery , and the waterway

Good Morning.

Gayle, I was wondering who Zebra was, for a minute thought you were a vet! Good job on his tail. And sorry that men can be so unable to think at times. but remember it is the thought that counts. I know my DH does the same thing, well almost, are your ready, no, just go as you are you look fine. And I am like no I don't look fine. I think they all went to the same school and learned how to be that way. Hope you guys enjoyed your day, after 35 yrs it must be nice to know each other so well, and know he means well.

Mary, your car sound nice, I have seen that model, sharp. Hope your back get better, rest it. Mine can take 5 days to calm down. Take it easy.

Back to work today, new week always an adventure.

Good morning, everyone. We're off on another week!

Rie, I smiled at your rain description. Oh I too so love to go out and stand in the cool, refreshing rain and turn my face up and let if invigorate me.

Marie, you are living in a rainy place for someone who does not like it. Actually I moved to Fort Lauderdale and absolutely could not stand all that heat and sun, so moved back, ha.

Greetings to all. No time for more; off to work.

Good Afternoon GG! 8 lbs of hospital weight are gone! 2 more to go, then I start on pre-hospital lbs. I know I shouldn't be worried about my weight right now, but there has to be something good about all this.

Karen3 - I will be careful with the carrots and beets. LOL Or at least I won't be surprised when I start to turn orange!

Maryea - Nice new car! I think I've seen that color and it's beautiful.

Rie - I'm glad to hear that Dad is doing well and following doctor's orders with the oxygen. Hope he continues to improve day by day.

Zoe - I would be one to share the inheritance with my siblings no matter how it was stated in the will. I would take into consideration that the person who was named in the will would be the one who has to pay the inheritance tax, so I would share on an after-tax basis. When my step-daughter's mother-in-law passed away she left her inheritance in a 3-way split, her daugher, her son and my step-daughter. Although I thought it was nice that she thought enough of my step-daughter to include her, I didn't think it was fair to her daughter, who was still single at the time. My DH has an aunt who left her inheritance to her grandchildren, which left out her one daughter who had no children. Being single, she had been her mother's main care-giver. There are a lot of things that should be taken into consideration in these matters.

Jess1 - I liked your pun....systems are definately "go" and improving daily!

For years, I have had the tradition of baking my cookies throughout December and putting them in the freezer. No snacking til Christmas! Recently, my step children told me they used to sneak into the freezer and take some out, and they said "Dad did it too!" Well, I had news for them...I did it too! LOL But if I hadn't had the rule, they would have taken so many there wouldn't have been any left for Christmas. Since they were sneaking, no one took so many that I would notice. My daughter-in-law recently heard the story, and when they came over to see me yesterday she asked where the cookies were. I said "In the freezer." She said "Upstairs or downstairs" I said "Downstairs", and let it go at that. Never thought to offer any. It isn't Christmas yet!!! LOL Finally she asked if she could have some cookies, so I took her down with a little container and doled some out to her. They are going to her parents house for Christmas and there definately won't be cookies there! She probably thought she would miss out. But I'm having them all over on the 28th for DH birthday, so I will make sure there is a tray to put out that day.

Hello Gals. I've crashed and burned. Last week was one busy week for me. The church program went well (aside from the 3 wild children who wandered and talked throughout the program, grrrrr). Everyone sang well and most people stayed for refreshments afterwards. We also had our church Christmas dinner this weekend and I would say my jaws got a great work-out.

My tree is finally up and decorated although my living room looks like a disaster area. I'm hoping to get all the mess cleaned up by tonight.

I have one more secret charity thing to do. It's just about a family I know. Will fill you in later. Can't say much on a public forum.

I just thought I'd check in for a few minutes. I'm not doing so well with eating and exercise has flown out the window. I should get back to the exercise soon though as things will be slowing down but as for the eating I'm out of control. I can't bring any type of chip or cheese sticks in the house...sigh...I even accidentally opened up a bag of potato chips I had for my MIL's stocking. I ate the whole large bag and that was no accident. I'm just craving salty, crunchy junk. I have a frig full of apples and oranges and other assorted fruit; loads of vegetables and even celery to crunch down on but all I want is junk. Anyhow, talking about it sort of helps.

Take care all. I'll try and get back tomorrow.

That was beautiful Donna ~ thank you ~ Merry Christmas to you too.

Merry Christmas to all of you

Love the card Donna! Merry Christmas to everyone!!