HI LADIES ~ we had another cloudy overcast day but it didn't rain, so we were lucky there; actually, it is clearing up out there right now and I can see the moon up there (about 2/3 full), although it is a bit misty yet. Maybe we'll get some sun for the next couple of days -- would be nice if the weather was decent for the kids on Halloween for a change (meaning ~ no rain) ...

We had a very busy day -- worked on those decos on the front porch all day and did get them all done, and they do look pretty nice with the lights in there too. Just came back from a short walk up and down to see how they look at night and to turn the lights out for the night. Will leave them on longer tomorrow night and on Hallowed Eve as well. I got so much walking in today that there's no need for anymore really.

HEY PURPLE ~ yes, do take it easy whilst your DH is away tomorrow; can always come in here or do some chatting to friends on your PC while he is away too. When I overdo it, I start losing my balance and falling all over the place too, but I don't have MS: my body just gets way too tired -- that's all! All this fresh fall air is making DH tired too; he tried to watch a movie tonight and kept falling asleep. Actually, this cool air is kinda good for you in some ways; it's good for your lungs; it burns extra calories; and it helps you sleep much better too!

I hope your DH's IBS gets better soon; since I have changed my eating patterns, mine has gotten so much better that it goes the other way now. Like you, I am eating "natural" whole foods and grains (whole grain breads, brown rice mix, whole grain pasta, beans, etc); more raw fruits and veggies (lots of salads and finger veggies); eating my veggies and fruits with their skins on as much as possible; plus have added more fiber and water daily; make sure to eat lean protein of some kind with each meal and/or snack; and have added in some vital nutrients to help with my deficiences (ie flax meal, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A, Whey Protein Powder, fish oil, a good Multi-Vitamin, and so on).

I have also cut down sugary and refined foods drastically. Besides all that and prayer, my IBS has all but gone away. I only have a few episodes here and there. I do have some treats now and then, but I am choosey what they are and carefully watch HOW MUCH I have at one time (ie 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt ice cream -- but only occasionally), measuring quite meticulously. I think it has all helped a lot ...

I suppose your health officials want you to defrost your chicken(s) before cooking to make sure that they cook all the way to the center??? Am I guessing about that correctly? I know there are issues around salmonella; and that could be their concern. If I cook frozen or semi-frozen meat of any kind, I make sure to add extra time ie for a whole chicken, I would add another whole hour of cooking time. So if I expected it to cook in 2 hours, I would leave it in at least 2.75 to 3 hours instead; and that's for a small to medium-sized chicken. I also put the temperature up a bit higher, say another 25-50 degrees, depending on what I am roasting and how long I have.

I do try to defrost them first but that does take up to a day in the fridge; or in your sink (covered); or in a cold oven in a covered pan (the metal acts like a fridge and keeps the meat cold for a longer time). Ideally, experts do recommend that you thaw meat in the fridge from the day before, but you have to make room for it. This is sometimes hard for large turkeys, so I always remind my friends and family about the sink or oven methods for safety reasons ...

We will likely do a tiny bit of shopping tomorrow; we don't have much to get -- just the basics like eggs, cheese, bread, etc. So another busy day for us tomorrow too; but I don't mind that so much really. Hope you all have a FANTABULOUS FRIDAY tomorrow! Take good care of yourselves ... ROSEBUD

Hi, Ladies! I'm so sorry, but it seems that busy-ness has gotten hold of me and I haven't had much time to be here lately! I miss you all DH's mom had a knee replacement Tuesday and may be getting out of the hospital today or tomorrow, so DH may be gone to help her out a day or two. My dad's radiation is going well now. He's found that if he drinks a malt (like a milkshake) after his treatment, he's able to eat the rest of the day. He lost 20 pounds right away when he couldn't even eat soup, but the malt's seem to help somehow (thanking God for that!).

Purple-Happybelated Birthday!!! Sounds like you had a nice day! Sorry your DH isn't feeling well. My DH and his family suffer from IBS also, so we know how it can affect everything you try to do. Hoping he's well quickly and you can go for your meal and enjoy the weekend.

Rosebud-sounds like you're doing well with walking, even in the foul weather! I've been being lazy and not getting out to walk and I can tell, as the weight's just not moving lately. Also, similar to what Val mentioned, my SAD is coming on full steam this fall with the weather here so gloomy and miserable and I just don't feel like doing anything except eat and hibernate. Trying not to do the eating out of control part, though. I have learned that that won't help in the long run, as I just feel worse for being fat.

Val-hope your SAD gets controlled and you can feel more normal. Do your MS symptoms get worse from the SAD or so you think the SAD comes from the MS symptoms? I hadn't had an SAD episode for a couple years now, but this year, my MS got worse with some new symptoms and now the SAD is back (of course, this has been the worst year emotionally and the worst autumn weather-wise I can ever remember for us).

Spicy-ditto what I said to Val in hoping you are feeling better. I'd love to be down in your area for a longer autumn. Seems that we have just gone from summer to winter here temperature-wise. New Orleans would definitely be something nice to look forward to!

for all! No football tonight as it's playoff time, so next game's on Monday night. Getting ready for the kids' party at church Saturday evening (we do this instead of traditional Halloween activities). Lots of games, free food and candy for all, and prizes. It's always a great time! Have a great day and weekend, everyone!!

PURPLE ~ here's some pictures of our Halloween Decos; they are pretty tame and that's the way we like it. Some people put out more goulish looking things, but we like the simple, fun stuff from the past ...

We also have a lighted pumpkin in the center window; but we have to keep it indoors as it wasn't made for outdoors. Boy, the wind is howling out there; sure hope our decos don't get ruined. Note: I decided to bring the bonhomme inside for the night and I tied the other ones up to the deck so they'll be safe for the night too.

The first pic is the front view; then our pumpkin man, our lady scarecrow, our friendly bonhomme, and some of our mini-pumpkin bumpkins; we have yellow lights mingled in there too and it really brightens things up ...

HW Decos 4w.JPGPumpkin Man 2w.JPGscarecrow 2w.JPGBonhomme 2w.JPGPumpkin Bumpkins 2w.JPG

Hello, Chickies-

Sorry I've been AWOL lately. Time has just gotten away! I'm a baseball fan, so first were the playoffs in both divisions, and now the World Series has staerted. I don't know who I'm pulling for as both of my favorite teams are in the WS!! So whoever wins, I'll be happy.

Happy belated birthday, Purple! My friend Bessie had her birthday today and I baked her a cake. She was surprised and I think pleased. I didn't really have money for a gift, but I had the ingredients for a chocolate cake. It was difficult to bake it and then give it away!!! I wanted a big slice of it, but I didn't. LOL I couldn't give her a cake with a slice missing!!

I have been doing okay with my food, although some days I sneak in a piece of bread. I stay in the overall calorie count for the day, but my weakness is bread...

We usually have many kids trick or treating here. I put together 50 little treat bags with candy I don't like! that way if it isn't all given away, well, I won't be tempted to eat it up. Tomorrow is the big night. I love seeing all the kids dressed in their costumes.

I will try not to stay away so long next time, Ladies. Thanks for being here for me.
spicy

HI LADIES ~ we didn't get any sunshine today; woke up to rain & drizzle so we decided to wait awhile before going out to do some shopping. Ended up having lunch then went; and we were blessed as the rain stopped just as we left and didn't start again until after we got home (thank you GOD) ...

Got some really great deals today; even picked up a nice roast for Christmas as the grocer had center rib pork roasts on for $1.00 a lb -- yes, that's not a typo; haven't seen those prices since I was young I think. So, we decided that's what we are having this year; each year we change what we have at Christmas to vary it instead of turkey all the time. Also, one of our friends has an allergy to turkey so we try to find alternates and then we have a turkey at either New Years, Easter, or Thanksgiving instead.

Got lots of walking in today, but munched a bit too much on some cashews; the rest of my day was so on plan, so hopefully things will be OK over the week. Gee, I can count walnuts or almonds, but now I know that cashews are a problem for me, so I just won't have them here from now on -- I am learning which foods cause a problem for me. Once I make my mind up, I won't miss them after awhile.

PURPLE ~ yes, lots of people have IBS and I also think that milk products and stress contributed to mine too; I have cut back on how much dairy I consume at a time and am trying to destress my life as much as possible -- have to work on that all the time, becuz new and unexpected stressors can come up on us all the time.

We ordered a special wall heater for our bathroom as we have a central furnace here and that room needed something to take the edge off in the winter when we have our bath/showers. It looks great and we can mount it on the wall too.

Hope you all have a great weekend; and take good care of yourselves ... ROSEBUD

HI RONNIE ~ lots of churches are now having alternative parties now; I think that's great and I think it's nice that some of the grownups go too. We have never seen DH's church have anything like this, but I wouldn't be surprised if they do in the future as it seems to becoming very popular. Our community has more than one party for the kids too with games and prizes and such too. DH and I don't have children so we stay home and give out to those who still roam the neigbourhood like we did when we were kids ...

We have been having overcast weather too; everyone is finding these days of cloudy skies quite gloomy. I bet I could count on my hand the number of sunny days we've had this fall; way too few. Gee, I sure hope that changes very soon! I'm trying to walk as much as I can each day; I feel much better when I do, but I am happy even if I only go for 10-15 minutes as with all the other walking and stuff I do each day, that can add up over the week. Every bit helps, I think!

HI SPICY ~ we posted at the same time earlier; I think a lot of people have been busy lately, esp with so much sports going on right now. Boy, you were brave making a chocolate cake to give away and not eat any ... wow! I like bread too, but have switched to WW whole grain which is only 100 calories for 2 slices.

We have a big rain storm that just rolled in; that is why there were such high winds -- it is absolutely pouring out there. I am gonna have to shut'er down for the night very soon; I thought that I saw the lights dim a bit a few minutes ago, and I was right ...

We will likely only get about 25 kids tomorrow; our neighbour told us that is usually how many we get in this area now. I remember at one time getting almost 75-100 but that was over 20 years ago; with all the parties out there now, the numbers are smaller now. We are handing out small bags of chips this year; it's easy and if there are any left, DH gets to have them.

Hope you have a great time tomorrow; and enjoy the games ...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!


Well, we did manage to get 26 kiddies tonight even though we live on the far end of the street; and two more just came now. However, we did see about another dozen that missed us -- as they turned around and went back in the other direction.

Then some of the teens explained to us that it appeared very dark down this way, and that many kids would likely be too tired to come all the way out to this end of the town. I think we mostly got those that already lived in this area, or that had relatives that lived over here, or the ones the parents are driving around (as most were this year); but still, we were very happy to get as many as we did really.

We decided to give out a chocolate bar and chips as the chips were very small; DH opened one and felt that wasn't enuff, so he went and picked some Snickers Bars today which the kids really seemed to like, so we know what to get them next year for sure.

At the end of the evening, we decided to give all our leftover chocolate bars (plus some chippies) to a neighbour down the street who's kids were so sick they couldn't go out trick or treating; actually the whole family is sick with even mom in bed. The Dad said he really appreciated the bag of goodies. I did splurge and had one treat, and DH gets to keep any chippies that are left over by end of the night ...

Well, I had prayed that GOD would stall that rain and wind just for tonight; and sure enuff, it stopped just in time for the kiddies to come out. We had 5 kids show up before 5 o'clock even, but that used to happen a lot out in the country too as some parents bring the young ones out early. So, it turned out to be a productive night and it was fun seeing the kids and their costumes and to talk to them too. It 's almost 9:30 pm here now, so I imagine we won't have any more kids at this time of night.

PURPLE ~ a bonhomme is just a French name for any kind of friendly mascot; often they look like giant snowmen with a face similar to ours. I also think he looks a lot like a sweet character that was popular in kids movies years ago called 'CASPER -- the friendly ghost' although here, they call them bonhommes. They are very popular in Quebec and you see them in their Carnivals a lot.

Those cones you showed us look very similar to ones you can get here from a franchise called 'DAIRY QUEEN' which became popular in the 50's or 60's. We don't have them up here but they were popular down south -- my favorite version was like yours, only dipped in melted chocolate that would harden from the cold of the ice cream.

We are supposed to put our clocks back tomorrow night; we used to do that on the last Sunday of October but Canada changed that to the first Sunday of November now. We were so used to changing before that twice now DH put the clocks back and I had to tell him not yet, not until Sunday night!

Hope you all had a good day today; do take good care and, we hope that you all have a superbly serene and restful Sunday tomorrow ... ROSEBUD

CLOSED!!!


HI LADIES ~ I have started the new NOVEMBER thread ... so you can post in there now! I have also sent a request to RUTH to red sticky it at the top of the page for us; and I'm sure she'll do that as soon as she comes by ... see you over there!