hi!
 

E.Z.- Hey! I'll have to take you up on that, stopping by for dinner, they always sound so yummy. Prayers daughter gets picked for the PHD program and that all goes well. I'll see our girl this afternoon!
Pennymac- Pumpkin pie sounds yummy! Bappy Belated birthday to hubby.
Mom to 5 - Wow! way to go! down 2.4 pounds you are SHRINking. cool $25.oo vouchers are neat there is an incentive.Cute puppies.
Poomom- Yeah! Its fun working with the youth group we have a great bunch of kids 18 teens currently. I do the costumes and props for their programs, because I have no music ability. I can't read, play or sing anything, so another lady takes care of that part with them. Pretty dog, good pic! Pray your in your church soon and that goes well how exciting a new building!
Wilma- Burgers on the grill- sounds like summer I don't want winter so send all that snow to Lori. You have done awesome Size 10! Glad all went well @ church, we should never be afraid to share Christ.
M-kay- I just made some bracelets beaded ones with Junior church kids it was fun, hope all goes well with your craft show in Dec. I remember the piece you made for Mitchy it was beautiful,
I am off to mom and dads to take my mom away from mom up to see my niece. She hasn't got a chance to meet her since she has been in the states, then plan to go out for chinese food, should be fun off today. Hi to everyone else, gotta run, see ya later.

Hello everyone,
We don't turn on our porch light, so no one came by. We had harvest party for kids and teens and young and young at heart aduts last saturday at church and this sat, for any one else, a hay ride and chil.
Sounds like fun, and it's not supposed to be real cold. The leaves are starting to turn and it is so pretty. The weather is turning colder and it's time to start baking again. The pumpkin pie was great. and so are the muffins i made last night.

Gary, our daughter will graduate from Lourdes college this May, 15 years after highschool, and is looking for a grad school. Either Notre Dame or Wright State in Dayton. Her degrees are Business management and marketing and she wants to get her masters in Marketing. She will be looking for a job for a year or two so she can pay down her school debt.

Poomom, that is some picture, how many goods did they get? and do you get to eat it?

Wilma, congradulations on doing a good job. now that you can do, you will be asked to do.

Maryk, Thanks for the info.

Penny Mac

Tuesday
 

HI GALS :wave:

Well, we only had about 40 trick or treaters....I live on a corner, most of the homes to one side are retired folks and they don't had out candy...the kids know this so they don't usually bother to cross the street to come to my house. We buy for 100, we get usually 10-20, sometimes 0...Angie and I sit out in the front of the garage with the mutts, playing music and visiting...hollering at the kids to come over! Amanda had a :stress: stressfull day, and sat on the freeway for 2 hours, so when she got home at 7 she had to unwind...by doing jump rope in the driveway for our entertainment...and the neighbors! She said it was to work off the 3 bowls of chili she had at the cook-off at work.
Ron overslept! and didn't feel well...hummm...don't suppose toooo much candy do ya? ;) :nono: ;)

POOMOM~ Love the picture, Angie sent me a Halloween card with the shot last year..soo cute!

PENNY MAC~ Great work by your daughter. My kiddo is banking all her money this year towards grad school too. If she stays with the company she is with they will help out with grad school $$$...she just isn't sure she wants to stay with them at the present. She likes the job...working with and testing Navy SEALS and fighter pilots, among other things...but she really wants to work with kids.

AUNT SUE~ Put me down for 3 ingredient taste (chicken, beef,shrimp) egg rolls, and egg fried rice....my kids and Angie will have chicken low mein ;) Say hello to the kiddo for me ;) How are our travel plans shaping up for the next cruise? Angie and I will be in Las Vegas next week-end...maybe I can win enough $$$$ to go! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH...like EYE ;) would EVER :nono: win.

WILMA~ Thanks for the prayers. Maybe your weight is about as good as it will get...don't get too bummed out...just keep doing what you know is right! How are the new jobs working out for the kids?

LORI~ Angie and Amanda DID love MAMA MIA! Did your kiddos feel better "nursing" on all that candy :lol:

MICHELE~ Did you spend $670 at Costco yesterday like I did? I had so much stuff on my orange cart that stuff was falling out all over the place...I didn't work so I decided to shop! We haven't been in quite awhile and were sooo do with what we get there. I bet I bought over $100 of meat alone. Freezer and fridge are stuffed...heck, I had to throw some good stuff out just so I could fit my beer in :lol: :lol:

MKAY~ Glad to see you back and hubby and you doing OK! Prayers. Bring NIKKI over to play!

Well off to the showers.............

P.S. My daughter's boyfriend's dad Dennis has taken a turn for the worse with his stroke, and cancer...he had to have a brain biopsy yesterday...please continue your prayers for him.

Good Morning!
 

It poured rain here all night. I was so thankful it wasn't snow. Areas to the north of us got snow. At least I don't have to get out my shovel yet.

Gary: I know I'm getting to the point where weight loss will slow down. I just want to get rid of it all. I still can't believe I've come this far!

Prayers for Dennis. This is so hard to have to go through. Only God can give the strength.

My kids are doing okay on the job front. The married ones are both working but wish they had other jobs. I told them to think about the pay cheques. Youngest DS is still struggling with health issues but works when he can. If the respiratory specialist tells him that he doesn't have asthma his doc is going to send him to an allergist. It's so frustrating to see him so sore all the time. He is going to look for another job that doesn't require so much talking. It's too bad because he really likes the job he's in now.

Penny: Our leaves have turned and are all off the trees already. But, we have had a gorgeous fall. That hayride sounds like fun!

Michele: Your dinner sounded wonderful. I'll have to look for that salad at costco next time I go. Are you settling in? Any luck on the job front?

Sunny and Sami: I know you're out there! You are both in my prayers. Please post!

Have a great day!

Asking For Prayers
 

HI LADIES :wave:

Just taking a few minutes to ask for your continued prayers for my daughter's boyfriend~ZAC's dad, Dennis. He has taken a major turn for the worse, it seems that it is one of two things~ one, being his body is attacking his brain, the other, well, I don't really remember, but it's not good. Both are irreverseable. A couple of days ago he had just come back from his fishing trip with his buddies and son, was at work~~~although a little confused and suffering the effects of the stroke with speech and movement...now, his speech has stopped, all movement of his arms, etc. He is on depressants...like I said, I really don't quite understand the medical problems...some of it is the cancer though, and the other they won't know until results from tests. Anyway, a hard thing for a 24 year old to watch his dad die like this. I remember my dad dying at age 54 with cancer, 17 years ago, but I was 34....a little older than Zac.

Have to go comfort my kiddo...

Hi Gary, continued prayers for Dennis. That is tough.

I need to ask for continued prayers for Denise as well. They went to do surgery tuesday and she is full of cancer. Prognosis does not look well. She has many family issues on top of this, it's very sad. I've started knitting a prayer shawl for her. It's helping me to deal with it maybe and i hope to give it to her and i hope she'll find some comfort in it. While I knit it i think and pray for her. I have some prayers written down that i pray for her too.

Have had a lot going on lately. I made pork with green chili tonight. I'm enjoying cooking for the family.

No job yet...

Hi!
 

E.Z. - Prayers for Dennis it is tough watching someone slowly, painfully fade away, prayers for Zac to, tough situation.
Good luck in vegas that sounds like fun, I just put my 1st deposit down so not a problem. Love chinese food and the they make the best General Tsaos chicken. Our girls are doing great kaylee is starting to walk short distances between people so she'll be running soon. Gee how Sad I just heard on the news two Southern California girls are missing they went to ride horses and haven't been seen, prayers for their safety as well. This is an awfull world we live in.
Mitchy- prayers for Denise- that is nice a prayer shawl what a thoughtful gift.
I am doing well I got to work today, then fri/Sat days then home for a couple days always fun to go home and see everyone. Weather has been in the 60's during the day, wow unusually warm. Well off to bowling hope I do well . Hi to everyone else, and all MIAS catch ya later.

Good Afternoon My Friends...

It's 3:50 p.m. and I don't want to think at work anymore.

I will be praying for everyone. Remember...we grow strong due to the tougher times.

Michele...You can cook for me babes!

EZ...Nikki's on her way. Sunny CA sounds nice to me.

Jewelry making tonight from 6 - 10 p.m. My sister gets married (2nd) this Sunday at her house. We were not invited to the house but to a nice dinner following.

It's unseasonably warm today. Lord, please let this warm weather go through March. :lol:

Well...just dropped in to ck up on what's happenin.

Hi Everyone! :wave:

It's a good thing I've still got plenty of weight on me or maybe I'd blow away today! It's SO WINDY here! Wind gusts over 30 MPH - Did any of you see Al Roker reporting from FL during Wilma? He did a nosedive into the concrete - wasn't hurt, but one of the photographers asked him if he wished he still had the weight! :o NO WAY he said.

Was down another pound today for a grand total of 20.6!!! :carrot: Check my ticker! :dance: AND (drum roll please) I'm UNDER 300 now!!! :cp:

MKAY: What kind of jewelry do you make? My mom and I got into making costume jewelry wayyyyyyyyyyy back in the late 60's - early 70's - I had forgotten all about it until I read your post - it was quite fun actually.

SUE: How did the bowling go? I'm going to do that one of these days as the knee keeps improving.

MICHELE: I'll continue to pray for Denise. What is a prayer shawl? I've been thinking about taking up knitting or crocheting - which is easier? What would be good for a beginner like me?

GARY: I'll be praying for Dennis also - only our Lord can comfort the ill and the loved ones - so sorry you lost your dad so young - that is one thing I never take for granted is my mom and dad being here in their 80's - I am so blessed by that. My uncle died at age 52 and he and my aunt had 10 kids. That was the saddest thing seeing all that heartbreak. We just don't know God's reasons.

HI to everyone else and have a wonderful evening!

:carrot: :strong: :cp: :dance: :flow2: :cheer:

Hi Lori,
A prayer shawl is a shawl that is made for someone and whoever makes it usually prays and/or thinks of that person while knitting or crocheting. There are ministry's of people making shawls for new mom's, people healing from disease or illness, for our troops, for anyone. This one i am praying for her while i knit and i'm going to include a prayer for comfort. My hope is that it will comfort her. As far as what is easier? Hard to say? I do both, knitters would say knitting, crocheter's crocheting. But it isn't difficult. I'd suggest going to a local yarn store and talking to someone about it, see what you like best, i like the look of knit best, and then ask if they'll show you. Some places will help you learn as you go or suggest a beginning class.

I went to a textile show today at an art library and it was so cool. Our friend Barbara, it's her daughter's mom in law who's in the group and she had 2 purses that were voted best in show last year and showcased this year in the exhibit. Then there were other art forms, all hand dyed, sewed, quilted, beaded, knit...it was so cool. Sorry, off topic but my creative juices are flowing now.

I've had a headache all day, almost a migraine. It's time for Aunt Flo so i'm sure it's that.

Have to go lay down a bit. Prayers for all!

Thursday Night
 

HI LADIES :wave:

Angie is off to a play,( her daughter is working behind the scenes), at my step-d's high school, my brother and sister in law went with her. Have a few minutes before Survivor and CSI.

Amanda told me tonight that Zac e-mailed her at work~ Dennis still cannot speak very well and cries everytime someone calls to see how he is doing (he has a lot of church and work friends calling) because he can't speak to them so they understand~~ this gets Zac's mom crying and causes mucho stress on Zac to watch....all understandable. Which upsets my kiddo, again understandable. Thank God that everyone involved is saved through CHRIST!! Most importantly at this time ~ Dennis! Please continue your prayers for the Markham family.

I am taking most of the day off tomorrow to take Amanda back up to USC, the professor wants to meet with her about the PHD~Doctorate program~ I am not sure it is for her...so much stress!!!!!! But praying some guidence will come from it for her.

MICHELE~ Continued prayers for Denise, she will surely love the shawl this winter. Praying your headache goes away when Aunt Flo decides to visit another friend ;)

LORI~ Great job on the weight loss!!!!!! :carrot: Must be from chasing those knuckleheads around ;)

AUNT SUE~ I heard a news flash that the 2 girls were found, however there were no details, not sure yet what happened to them. So the little one can walk already! Wow! and she has only been in America a couple of months ;) ;) ~~~SHE is soooooooooooooooo Gifted!! But of course you and I already KNEW that! :yes: :yes: :yes: Hope you shot 3~ 200 games!

MKAY~ California IS nice...why do you think we keep coming back!! Even with all the traffic!!! Although each day it is less pleasurable!

Well off to the showers!!!!!!!!!!!! Then the recliner and CBS!

Prayers for all of you!

G'Mornin!
 

It's windy today here too. I LOVE the wind. Although my sister in FL didn't like it last week when Wilma went through her town (Stuart, East Coast). She tucked herself and her pups in the bathroom and stuck it out. She has damage but it could have been worse.

EZ...I'm sure this will be the last weekend for the nicer weather. MI usually is cold and dreary about right now but the Lord is good...it's not too bad. I haven't read all the posts and don't know about the Dennis story. Obviously, it does not sound real upbeat. I'm sorry for that and the chain reaction from people close is something. I will pray for them and mentally put one of those prayer shawls over them as well.

Michele...What a neat thing...the prayer shawl. Gosh, I hope the headache goes away. Yeah, EZ wishing Aunt Flo on another friend...probably me. :lol:

Mom of five...I've been making beaded necklaces, bracelets, and crystal mother's bracelets, etc., for almost 5 years now. I'd like to expand my horizons and go into another direction but with jewelry. Any ideas?

Last night, my friend Sharon, who I taught to make jewelry along with Judy, another friend, packed up and brought her "stuff" home to play jewelry. I feel like I birthed 2 churches or something. I remember the first time she came to have me teach her, she came with a tiny tin box with a few beads and findings. NOW...when she left last night, she had to borrow a huge duffle bag on wheels and I also gave her a huge bag with more stuff in it. :lol: I created a monster.

Hey, gotta go, someone at work needs me.

Hi Gang. . .
 

Well, it's Friday, not a real busy week but still glad to see the work-week come to an end. Looking forward to a 'quiet' weekend, or as quiet at they get. DD has ballet, preparing for 'The Nutcracker' for 6 hours tomorrow and then I'm playing piano at the historical museum Sunday, (Christmas music, can you believe that!), anyway for about two hours during their open house. I guess still quieter than last weekend, the normal Nutcracker practice last Saturday for DD and then last Sunday we cooked a turkey and served all day 11a to about 5p the school's annual turkey dinner, about 1200 dinners served + carry-out. It's a lot of work but so much fun and so absolutely exhausted when it's all over!

mkay - sounds like you had a fun evening last night - it's so good to get together with friends.

Where's SUNNYD???? :shrug:

PooMom - I know what you mean about the pups being overindulged, ours thinks she has to 'go' everytime we leave the house, otherwise she does pretty good. I did look for the pumpkin spice coffeemate at Kroger last night, didn't find it but did see a commercial where they also have egg nog, :coffee2: now that sounds good to me! I loved your puppy pics, especially the Trick or Treaters!!! Cute!

Mom2Five - CONGRATULATIONS. :dancer: I can't believe you've lost all that weight and all those inches!!! :carrot: I too believe you are just going to disappear! You are doing a wonderful job. I also saw Al get blown away on the Today Show, - funny but glad no one was hurt. I also loved your puppy pics. Keep up the great work and I hope you NEVER see 300 again!!!

Sue - The play sounds really interesting, kind of a different perspective which may stir some interest rather than the 'usual' Christmas story (not that it's not great enough just by itself!) but you know what I mean, may attract some newcomers. I can't believe Kaylee is walking already - how was the visit? Bet your parents enjoyed it too!

Michele - continued many, many prayers for Denise, so sad. Enjoyed hearing about your prayer shawl, never heard of such before, I'm sure it will give both of you much comfort. The textile show sounded real interesting, we don't have anything like that around here. Hope you're feeling better real soon!

Where's JONATHAN??? EZ did you scare him off?? :nono: :nono: Play nice boys. . . ;)

Angie - Thanks for the posole recipe, do you usually serve that alone or with something, a sandwich, salad, piece of chicken? I see it has chicken in it, just wondering if it was 'filling' enough. How was the play? What play did the kids do? Hey, just 2 weeks now until Potter!! :wizard:

EZ - DD has a tennis game on Monday then just one more this season. We have practice Saturday, really need it, most of the kids haven't been showing up for practice, and then a final practice/party next Saturday (perhaps the pizza :jeno: will get them there??) Continued prayers also for Dennis and family, such a difficult time. We'll keep Amanda in our prayers also as she goes through this process with schooling/working/decisions plus issues with Dennis also on her mind.

Wilma - Congrats to you also dear, a size 10!!!! :dance: WOW!!!! I'm gonna get there, just gonna take a little time but I'm back to walking on the treadmill :tread: and I 'make' myself walk AT LEAST one mile every night whether I feel like it or not, just keep on movin'. . . I can't believe you have snow already. We used to get snow during football season, of course (high school) football season was a little later than they play now and I remember in the marching band, doing the half-time show in the snow, really fun but really cold! We've had 70's yesterday, today and tomorrow and then I think it drops a little into the 60's, about normal for this time of year. Continued prayers for your son too and the allergy/respiratory issues.

I enjoy reading everyone's posts and think of you guys often, usually when I'm exercising and hoping you're doing the same!!! Have a great weekend and see ya'all back here next week! Hugs & prayers - Margie

November walked = 3 miles
Total walked since 4.4.5 = 269.57

Hi Everyone! :wave:

Well, summer is peeking it's head out here in southwestern Illinois. Reached nearly 80 degrees yesterday and today. We are moving the boys back upstairs and I had to take all my clothes out of the room they are going to use. What a job! The kids were off school and Abbi was my runner. I sorted piles for church charity, ebay and my closet. Now we have to get extra furniture out of there and try to sell it. The boys were upstairs when they first got here, but the first week they were here they had all the wallpaper torn off their wall, all their toys thrown out the 2nd floor window and nearly jumped out themselves! :bomb: :devil: We promptly moved them on the first floor - this way if they jumped out the window it wasn't very far to jump! :lol: We think they have calmed down a little bit in the five years they've been here - we shall see! :yes: :devil:

The room they are in on the first floor has library doors that open on the living room area. So it will be really nice to have that space for living again - the room upstairs is so much bigger and nicer for them - hopefully they'll be able to handle it!

We won't be able to move all the furniture and stuff until Thanksgiving weekend, but I just want to get as much as I can done before Bob and Mike do the heavy work.

MARGIE: Thanks for the kind words! The turkey dinner sounds great! I love this time of year when everyone is doing all sorts of stuff for others - it's really cool, isn't it?

MKAY: The jewelry sounds nice - when we made it years ago, we made a lot of rings. They were pretty popular then, but I don't think the big, gaudy rings are very popular now.

GARY: Yep, chasing these knuckleheads around sure can wear one out! They are 7, 8, 9 and 9 and man do they have energy! Not to mention the oldest wanting this, that and the other thing all the time too! I'll keep Amanda in prayer about the school thing - regular college stressed me out enough - I can't imagine!

MICHELE: The prayer shawl sounds really nice and what an awesome idea! I need to go to a craft store and figure out which I would like to do as far as knitting or crocheting or whatever. Hope your headache is better. I swear by a hot wash cloth!

HI to everyone else! Have a GREAT Weekend!

:carrot: :strong: :jig: :cp: :dance: :hat: :ebike: :woo:

Good Morning!
 

It's Saturday!! :carrot: :carrot: Not too much on the agenda except some cooking. I may get going on the quilt too. We've been invited out for dinner on sunday so not much preparation for me to do. Sure feels nice for a change.

Today's paper had a headline: "Mexican Vacation with Wilma a nightmare" I'll try not to take it personally. :lol: :lol: It's been wierd having a hurricane with my name. I almost seem to be blamed for it happening. It's not a fun thing to have named after you. What's even worse is that DS's friend's name is Katrina so we've both been getting razzed about the trouble we've been causing.

Lori: SOund like you've been really busy. You'll love that extra living space. When DS got married and moved out we finally got our basement back. Now we have space down there.

I wish summer was still peeking out here. The snow we got in October is gone and it's been raining a lot. Soon it will be snow though. The temp. keeps hovering around that freezing point!

Way to go on making that weight loss milestone. :cb: :cp:

Margie: YOu're doing really well with the walking. I know I need to do that more. I find it so hard to make time when I work full time. It's a good thing that I'm moving around most of the day at work. I'm actually physically tired when I get home.

mkay: Isn't fun to have a hobby and make money at it too? It's neat that you shared it with a friend. I find my quilting so relaxing that I miss it when I don't have something to work on.

Gary: Dennis and his family are in my prayers. May God give them the comfort and hope they need at this time. Also, still praying for Amanda. What a wonderful opportunity for her.

Michele: I sure hope your headache is gone. I get those during that wonderful time of the month too and I know mine can last for 3 days. Take care of yourself. I like the idea of the prayer shawl. It'll remind me that I need pray for people as I work on my quilt.

DH is finally ready to go grocery shopping so I'll sign off for now. Have a wonderful weekend.

Happy Saturday! :carrot: I'm so glad it's finally here! This has been a long week of work and meetings, classes and rehearsals. Whew... I'm tired. I'm sitting here with my second cuppa and contemplating my house in disarray and overflowing laundry basket. :dizzy: I finally bought a new digital camera and it was delivered yesterday, so this weekend I'll also be reading the manual and experimenting.

All this talk about jewelry making is getting me itchin' to create. I have several beading magazines, and a http://www.firemountaingems.com/ catalog. Has anyone ever purchased beads from them? I bought 14K findings from them years ago and was very happy with the product and prices, so I assume their beads and supplies will be nice.

Wilma, don't take the hurricane thing personally. :lol: I figure there will never be a Hurricane Jill... it just doesn't have the right ring to it.

Lori, when you're all organized you want to come and help me? I have closets to go through, and one entire bay of my garage is stacked with boxes. I moved alot of stuff home when my Mom passed 3 years ago, and just haven't been able to go through it yet.

Margie, the pumpkin spice creamer wasn't as wonderful as I thought it would be. I had to use too much of it to really get a pumpkin flavor.

MKay, glad your Sis is ok after the hurricane.

Gary, how did the meeting at USC go? Continued prayers for Dennis.

Sometime during this post I sat on the sofa with the puppy and watched 2 cooking shows, so now I really do need to get my day started! Gosh, I didn't realize how many days since I've posted... too much to catch up on. Know that you are all being prayed for. :)

Sunday Morning
 

HI GALS :wave:

Angie and I just got home from the street fair in the town next to us, I think I have mentioned it before, they have it twice a year, May and November. They always draw right at 100,000 people! We get there an hour before they start selling and have breakfast at Hennessey's Tavern then "run" through it...when you go as often as us you know pretty much what is there. W usually get out after a couple of hours right before the huge wave of people come. All we bought was some tea for Angie and treats for the mutts, however, Angie fell in love with a framed photograph of an archway, in Mexico I think, that will go really well on our entryway wall~~We may be going back to pick it up this afternoon, she is still thinking :chin: about it.

Last night Angie and I went to the Norweigan club with my ex wife and her boyfriend, my brother and his wife, for the Viking Feast...always fun and entertaining. My son and his buddies usually go but last night they had their own fish feast and brew for about 10 guys and gals. They didn't want to miss the USC game~~~which was over in the first few minutes of the game! :) :carrot: USC WINS!! :carrot: I guess they did a great job of cooking their shrimp, cod, orange roughy, veggies, potatoes and bread because there were no leftovers for me to snack on :lol: The girls that were here were quite impressed with their cooking~~~ which means my son had NOTHING to do with it :rofl: :no: :rofl: His idea of cooking is driving to the nearest :burger: hamburger/taco place OR a Lean Cuisine or rice bowl in the microwave. I think Angie chased them all out around 3am :lol: My step-d got home from Homecoming dance at 1am and said the boys had just gone for tacos and burgers for a midnight snack :mcd:

There cleaned up a little, but there were still quite a few beer bottles and stuff around when Angie and I left at 6:30...was expecting a mess when we got back~~but the kids that were left here got it all cleaned up before they left this morning.

Thanks for the continued prayers for Dennis, he seems to be doing the same. amanda said a friend of his brought him an apple fritter the other day, he had never had one before, now that is all he wants to eat ;)

I took Amanda up to USC on friday for the meeting with the professor, it went well, she got a lot of information to help her with her decision. We shall see what happens as she continues to seek and search. It would be really tough, maybe IMPOSSIBLE for her to get into his PHD program this coming year, he can only accept 1 student this time, many apply. I am not so sure that this is the program for her~~So much work!! She is a very hard worker, but this program would require much lab work~~ she is a PEOPLE person, she needs to be helping people face to face not in a lab.

POOMOM~ Ever been to the Carlsbad street fair? I see your saturday went like mine usually do if I am not working~~ only it's football games not cooking shows :lol:

WILMA~ Isn't that strange? about the association with the name and hurricane for you. I know that with Katrina, everytime I heard the word I would think of my best friends daughter! Hope you had fun shopping!

LORI~ OH MY GOODNESS LORI~ You have the :devil: :devil: THE ROTTEN~EST BOYS! :devil: :devil: I am sending my nephew over to your house to live :lol: That way all the rotten~est kids are in the same place :lol: My knucklehead nephew was up cleaning his room when I got back from the street fair~~ I asked "WHY?"~~ he said Uncle Gary it was BAD! I told him I knew because I looked in on it yesterday~~He said it got way worse after I went to bed (I let him stay up with my son's friends as long as he behaved)~~then Angie tells me he was outside with the older boys~23 to 26~ while they smoked cigars~~ now keep in mind NONE of them smoke...just a cigar about 1 time a year at a party. Not so sure I am setting a good example :nono: :shrug: :nono: for the boy by allowing him to "hang out" with the older kids (at my house of course)...but then it is so hard to tell him to go to his room and be the only one not having fun.

MARGIE~ Wow! that's a lot of turkey! :chicken: (Yes, I know that's a chicken ;) )I know from dealing with kids that pizza parties always bring the kids in~~ just so hard to swing those raquets with a full belly! I really don't like it when kids don't make practice (w/o a good excuse of course)...unless it's optional you should always be there or forget joining. I know my daughter would have never played college tennis if she skipped practice! When she was young, she was never forced to play, always her choice...however, my kids were allowed to join anything they wanted, I would pay $$$ and get them there, but they could not quit or skip practice. I am pretty sure that they are where they are today because they see the results of hard work and dedication to their sport or job. Have fun :drill: :coach: :drill:

MKAY~ Enjoy your windy weather :dizzy: You could sell tons of jewlery at the street fair we were at today! come out in May for the next one ;) Nikki, Reba and Rylee can hang out at dog park while you sell!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Angie and I have "OFFICALLY" closed escrow on our house in Washington and our time share here! Bittersweet on the house....but :dance: :dancer: :dance: on the timeshare, we just don't need it with the kids grown up...received a nice check for that yesterday (although overall it was a loss in $$$) but it was paid off. It cost us a few $$$ on the transaction of the house with taxes since we only owned it for a few months...but now that debt is lifted! Now maybe Angie will buy me that HARLEY :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Have a great rest of the week-end everyone! Gary

Hi Everyone! :wave:

GARY: You better believe it my boys are rotten! You would think I'd weigh 100 pounds just keeping up with them~ :lol: Send the newphew over! What he doesn't learn from your son's friends he can learn from my son and HIS friends! They are 19, 20 and 21! :lol: I'd much rather them here than anywhere else also!

POOMOM: Worked a lot on Friday and everything sort of fizzled the rest of the weekend - sigh - but at least we did get a lot accomplished on Friday! I'm just attacking the house like I do the weight - baby steps - if I look at the whole picture, it's way too overwhelming!

WILMA: That newspaper headline would give you pause! I don't recall there ever being a Hurricane Lori, but my family wouldn't be a bit surprised! :o I AM looking forward to the extra living space! We had our basement finished around 10 years ago and it was so nice for awhile - now it's just a space for extra "stuff" - sigh - one day we'll get this house in order - my DH is a packrat though and you can't truly clean up without "pitching stuff" you know?

HI TO EVERYONE ELSE!! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

:carrot: :strong: :jig: :dance: :ebike:

Not too much is happening around here. I got through Monday. It's always the busiest day of the week with the exception of Friday. This coming weekend is a long weekend for us. (Remembrance Day) so Thursday will be a busy day for us. Oh well, the day goes quickly then.

I'm getting things done on my quilt. I have the top all pieced together and the pattern that I'll be quilting is on now too. Tonight, (hopefully) I'll get the backing put on and then I get to the fun part for me-the stitching. See how exciting my life is? :lol:

Poomom: I would love a digital camera. I think that might be one of my christmas wishes!

Gary: Still praying for Dennis. And for Amanda. You men! As soon as there's extra money lying around you think of Harleys. DH would be the same. That's why I keep him broke! :lol: :lol:

Lori: I agree with you about keeping the kids close to home. I never minded if the boys had their friends over. I could keep an eye on what they were into then.


Have a great day!

Hi All! :wave:

I've had a migraine off and on for about 5 days which is so unusual for me. But i feel better today. I had a horrible day yesterday. I'm not a huge crier, but i had some things happen and i just cried a lot yesterday. Had to do with a phone call in the a.m. and my girl friend getting mad at me and hanging up on me... And i was shocked she was upset. Long story but i'm just not feeling well. Today's a new day, right? I'm going to try and be on program today. Maybe that'll make me feel better.

Hugs And Prayers For You Michele!

Hey Everybody! :wave:

I have a request! Abbi is in 4th grade and in geography they are wanting postcards from all over the United States and the world. If any of you would be willing to send a postcard to Abbi in care of her teacher, please PM me - THANKS!!

MICHELE: I hope you are doing okay - I'll be praying for you.

WILMA: At least you are quilting! that's exciting to me! :lol:

I to everyone else and please PM me if you want Abbi's school address!

THANKS!!

Tuesday
 

HI GALS :wave:

Just finished dinner, Angie made teriyaki :chicken: chicken, oven garlic roasted veggies and brown rice, way different than my enchilada casserole last night :yes:

Had to go see my dentist today for a couple of small fillings, this morning I was at a rental he owns painting ceilings...I worked 6 hours and didn't make near the $$$$ he did for a half hour...STAY IN SCHOOL KIDS!! :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: At least he is my friend!

LORI~ The exchange of the e-mails has taken place between us, so we shall go from there, Angie is up for it...although she said Abbi probably doesn't need 60 post cards from Oceanside, she might just have a few of her students get one out...how hard can it be right? I'll get the cards and stamps, and the kids get X-tra credit. WIN/WIN! Plus I steal Abbi's heart if I pull it off ;)

WILMA~ Thanks for the prayers for Dennis! They are working (like we christians ever doubted :nono: :shrug: :no: :yes: :nono: :shrug: :no: )
Amanda said he is getting around alot better, doctors have told him he needs to think about re-doing things in the house so he can get around better~~shower, stairs, etc~~ I don't think they would tell him this if they didn't think he would be around for at least a little while~~ don't know for sure of course. Thanks again!

MICHELE~ What the heck girl? You're back in Cali~~ how bad can it be? Prayers for a better day tomorrow!!

Well, off to take care of some "BILLS"! OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

have been lurking thought I should post
 

It has been some time since I have posted - far to many things happening in our life so have not been around much. But I have looked over all the post since way back and notice a lot of new people -

Wondering: What is happening with Sunny - I have looked through all the posts and have not seen any from her in 'ages' - and she is usually the one to start up a new link - anyone heard from her.

Weight wise: Not so good. Have not gained but have not lost either - and with all the health issues due to this excess amount of weight I need to get on track.

Came across a good articles re Walking of the Halloween Candy - so here it is:

Walking Off the Halloween Candy
How far must you go to walk it off? Here's some facts about what's in your Halloween candy bowl and approximately how far a 160 pound person would need to walk to walk it off:
20 pieces of candy corn = 1 mile = 2200 steps.
2 caramels = 3/4 mile = 1700 steps.
2 Hershey's kisses = 1/2 mile = 1100 steps.
Small Tootsie Roll = 1/4 mile = 550 steps.
Miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cup = 1/3 mile = 750 steps.
Bite-size chocolate candy (Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Butterfingers, etc.) = 1/2 mile = 1100 steps.
Fun size chocolate candy (Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Butterfingers, 1 regular peanut butter cup, etc.) = 1 mile = 2200 steps.
Full size chocolate candy bars (Snickers, 2 cup package of Reese's Peanut Butter cup, etc.) = 2.75 miles = 5800 steps.
King size chocolate candy bars (Snickers, etc.) = 5 miles = 11,000 steps.

Hi Margie-
This is Angie here. I was reading thru the posts and saw your questions, so I thought I would answer.

-The posole is pretty filling itself. I sometimes make quesadillas to go with.

-The play at my daughter's hi-school was impressive. She was the house manager (with a bad case of laryngitis).
The students performed "The Triangle Factory Fire Project". It is based on a true story about a clothing factory - The Triangle Factory - in New York city that had a fire in 1911. Approx. 146 people died in a matter of 30 minutes. It was definitely a "drama", :stress: but these hi-school kids did a FANTASTIC job. :bravo: Their drama teacher is awesome and all the productions I have seen have been high quality.

-Can't wait for Harry. :flow1: I just bought The Prisoner of Azkaban on DVD!!

Hi!
 

I just typed a long post and lost it all, I so hate when that happens, here goes again!
Mom To 5- Congrats on loosing another lb, way to go under 300. I like bowling even though I am not real great, it is fun.
E.z.- Prayers for Dennis, Zac, Amanda and the Markham family continue so gald that the girls were found, not usually the case. I love apple fritters haven't had one in long time, also cider donuts this time of year, making myself hungry gotta stop.I would settle for one 200 game, never happen, gotta bowl today, my highest is only 189 long ways to go. Glad neohew is doing better, with your love and support, and mentoring, he can't fail.
Mitchy- prayers for Denise, hope your soon feeling much better, sometimes a good cry helps.
Margie my visit with mom/dad/ and niece was really nice, I got to see her Physical therapist work with her, she has qualified for PT and speech therapy because she is delayed some, but she is gaining ground quickly.
Sprout- prayers things are soon going well, so nice to see you back, don't be a stranger.
Hi to all others I missed and Mia's I am doing fine off to bowling, then sewing outfits for play, off today and tom. and work overtime tom night 12m-7:30a $ for vacation. gott arun, have a good one.

Gary, I’ve never been to the Carlsbad Street Fair... sounds like so much fun! I’ll try to get down there next time. Of course, that would be trouble for me because then I’d end up at The Forum. :smug:

Michelle, I’ve been praying for you. I used to have migraines and took injectable Imitrex, which was such a blessing. Anyway, I hope you’re feeling 100% by now!

My puppy Razzle and I graduated from beginning obedience class last night... now it’s on to beginner II (boy, do we ever need it!).

I’m off work today, and until Monday. Yippee! :carrot: 4 days off! I have a TON of things to do; lots of running around, paperwork, laundry, and a very messy house. Gee, that doesn’t sound like much fun, does it? Oh well, it’s better than going to work. :dizzy:

Hope you’re all having a great day! :wave:

Just wanted to introduce myself
 

Hello everyone I have never done this before but, felt like I needed someone to talk to. I am 270 pounds at 5'5. My Goal is to get down to 175 so you see I have a long way to go. It has not been easy because I don't really have alot of time. With my 5 kids, 1 adopted, 1 by other woman my husband, and I keep my grandfather in the day who is sick. There is not alot of me time. I exercise in the mornings when I can and I try to eat right but, I just can't seem to stay focused. I quit and give up because it seems so impossible. Please pray for me I need the strength to continue! I am not happy with the way I look. I have not looked in a mirror in 3 years!

Good Thursday afternoon everyone! :wave:

Had weigh in today and was UP a half of a pound! :mad: :( On Tuesday's weigh in I stayed the same - what's happening??? My counselor at LAWL said that it's too early for a plateau so she switched some of my starches - with my knee on the mend I haven't been exercising but I'm going to start walking - I have to have a faster pace than this!! :D Call me impatient I suppose!

MOTHER OF 5: :welcome3: I'm 5'6" and started out at 316 so we have that plus the 5 kids in common. I have 26 more pounds to get to where you are! There IS hope! I'm at a stand still right now which has me upset, but I will NEVER give up on this quest - this is my LAST time to lose this weight and I WILL keep it off!

THANKS to all of you who are helping Abbi out with the postcards! She is so excited and can't wait to start receiving them!

Prayers for all of you and please pray this weight starts coming off me again!

Have a GREAT LONG weekend!

QUESTION FOR LOW CARBERS:

For all of you who are low-carbing -

What are the carbs you allow yourself to have and what carbs do you think are the ultimate weight loss ammo? Since I do LAWL, they call them starches and they said the lite bread, Wasa crackers, Melba toast, etc. were better than peas and corn and potatoes - it seems it would be just the opposite! I mean unprocessed is usually better, isn't it? I always figured if God made it, it was better than what us mere humans made!

I'm confused!!

Thanks for any help!

Leaving For Las Vegas
 

BYE GALS :wave:

Bye gals~ Angie and I are leaving in an hour, to take Amanda to Las Vegas for that sports medicine conference, one of the colonels where she works is going too, plus the professor she met with last week at USC is the speaker~~ she will be GAINING knowledge while Angie and I are LOSING $$$ :lol: Amanda's boyfriend, Zac is flying out on friday night and will drive back with us on Sunday morning.

PRAYERS for all of you!!!!! GARY

Motherof5, :wel3fc: I'm new here also. I'm thankful that we have friends to take this weight loss journey with. We can all pray for and encourage one another. :)

Edit to say...

Gary & Angie, travel mercies... have a great time in Vegas! :)

Stop!!!
 

Hi I am new.
I am a Christian and really need support. I have already gone from 200 lbs to 175. I am from Kansas and cold here. Brrrrrrr!!!! In the 20's but was -1. Warming up a little.
Hugs to all,
Shirl