yes, it's 5:18 in the morning... but there's mocha java and half and half...and you can get into Macy's at 7 I hear!

I am up way tooo early, but thought I'd take advantage of my insomnia to get a head start on the day. I needed to check in here first, of course!

Left some shopping for today, so I will get out to the stores first thing, then do the wrapping, cleaning, etc later this afternoon. A nap might be in order as well!

Yes Jiff, exercise is ****. I am doing it also. Why, why, why can't I just lay on the couch and think lovely thoughts? Lift weights? Well, go ahead if you must, just don't hurt yourself, sweetie.

Debkay, I wanted Helen to win also. But I was really impressed with her comment to Brian that she wouldn't let her personal problems with him color her decision- saying that Brian worked harder overall, and won all those challenges. It was satisfying to see him called a trashy car salesman though!

And many prayers for your friend...life is just very, very hard sometimes...I am amazed at how strong people are in the face of what seems to be TOO much.

So, off to defrost a pork roast, and get dressed and out the door! I'll check back later, as I have a lot to add to the Christmas whine thread!

love you all, dottie

ps. SIL is doing better. You guys are responsible, I know it!

Good Early Morning Dottie! Glad to hear that SIL is doing better! Good too that you have been exercising so that you can hit those Macy doors in Fine shape!!!! GO GET 'EM!!!

Frying the sausage and cookie baking today and I am hoping to get the outside lights up today. Dh and the big kid will be working a wrestling tourney today, BUT they have done it for as long as I remember and this year I got smart and got the tree cut down and up before today. Did some decorating and may do more BUT I the worst of the prep is over and I will spend the next couple of days enjoying until THOSE relatives come at which time I will quarentine my house with some communicable disease.

smallpox comes to mind.

Which reminds me. Remember when my SIL refused to make my big kid biscuits? Pillsbury makes the BEST bescuits. They are new, in the frozen food section and come in buttermilk or flaky. They come in a bag and are little frozen disks...think flying saucers. So, throw away your white lily flower and watch those fingers, Debkay.

not on a low carbers list, but if you are having guests they are handy...you could always throw them.

I like creative entertaining.

hope you continue to feel better Ruth!

....and Scooby...when are THEY leaving?

off to find Jiff's kitchen aid mixer which is stored in the dark corner of the basement.

I hate dark corners of the basement.
But I REALLY like that kitchen aid!

really done!

hohoho

peach

Laughing too much this morning!!! well off to get ready for work!!! i am poping in.

and yes mew i remember you where have you been?

Good Morning everyone!! I just rolled my hiney out of bed, have my cup of coffee, plans for the day spread out in front of me, okay they really are not on paper just in the very confused brain.

Ruth hope you are better today!!

dottie, it's past 7, you should be at Macy's by now. Happy hunting

Miss peach, do be careful if you climb on a ladder!! Yes, my family knows the Pillsbury biscuits. They are very good, but not on a low-carb diet. Remember sausage gravy.........just add a Pillsbury biscuit, a few fried 'taters and you have a true Southern breakfast. Janice, Jennifer and the other "southern ladies" of course know all about this meal.

Rachel did you do the Santa thing yesterday?

Pooky I bet your still sleeping, or are you even home yet?

More baking today.......only a little, I'm almost finished. The burned thumb has a beautiful blister, which was a real pain all day yesterday. I carried around a baggie of ice to keep if from smarting.

I'm having a guest for dinner tonight. Older son has a "new" girlfriend and wants to introduce her to us. I liked the "old" girlfriend, but this Mom will keep an open mind.

I know how powerful the prayer force is on this board and I would like to request a few please. Most of the old timers remember my friend with breast cancer. She found the cancer over two years ago.........it was already in stage 3. It is in her liver and bones now. She is in the hospital right now, has been since Sunday. They hope to release her today. We don't know what the new year holds for her, she is a fighter and will not give up. Please add her and her family to your prayer list........we need a miracle. I'll keep you updated on her. Thanks Lots!!!

Off to get the day going, but I'll be back.

Debbie

Hi Ladies

Its been a busy week around here, and today we put the tree up. But not until later tonight.....its still at the store.

Managed to stay op all week except for one day....and recovery time was good!! lol

Taking all the grandkids and my own 6 yr old to mcdonalds tonight, hubby wants me to get my head examined lol. 2 Grandkids age 5 ...1 grandbaby age 3 and my daughter. Whole lota screamin at the play center. It should be alot of fun!!

Have a good day ladies
Robin

Just remembered I'm supposed to be at the Church "supervising" the decorating! Aaaaarrrrgggggghhhh! I forgot it was Saturday.

The poopsies seem to have disappeared. I think resting yesterday drove them away. Aside from the tree decorating, I make a quick trip to the booze store for a couple of small gifts and also picked up a FedEx parcel that was delivered to the only other Ruth in Delta who also happens to live on William Street. I also found out that the reason we ran out of oil this fall was because our June delivery went to her! The guys just don't check street numbers, I guess.

This afternoon I will go to my sister's farm to meet Georgia, Joan's new Grand Baby, who unfortunately is a fusser. She is not gaining weight and Linda my neice is having problems with breast feeding. I can hear my Mother saying"Just give her a bottle!. Linda has a "lactation consultant" who would have great arguements with Mum, I'm sure.

Tonight is Christmas Carolling throught the Village - NOT a money making venture but a thanks to the village for donations to the Food Bank and Country Christmas. It looks like it will be a warmish night (above freezing) which will make it comfy but a few snowflakes would be more in the Spirit.

Really can't chat any longer - will be back later.

I may ask everyone to report on their 15 minutes of ME time today so be ready!

Debkay - Yes, I remember your friend and I will add her to my prayers. I, too, have a friend that is in end stage breast cancer and has been hanging on by shear will power for quite some time. She has two sons, 10 & 15. Her husband left when she was 1st diagnosed and has been trouble ever since. I beleive she is hanging on until her sons are older and in better place to be able to deal with life.

Sending healing/comforting vibes to your friend and her family and friends.

Kel

Kel, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. How horrible that her husband left her at a time like this.

My friend has two children also. Her oldest is 19 now and her daughter is 15. She has a very supportive and wonderful husband, but she is the glue that holds that group together, she is the stonger parent.

Prayers for your friend also.

Speaking of the devil, my friends son just called, looking for my son. He just left the hospital, they are going to let her go home today.

Debbie

HO HO HO!!!

First chance to get in here today!! Deb - prayers for your friend, it could be any one of us - very scary!!!

DH is deep frying a turkey - be afraid, very afraid....he took both kids to see Santa Clause 2 this afternoon so I could wrap, it is done, my Mom helped and it is done!!! THe dreaded job, my least favorite part of Christmas is done...I am rambling.

Well off to finsih mashing potatoes etc...I think I will have a glass of wine or 7....to quote a friend!!!

Having a lazy day today so put me down for several HOURS of ME time, Ruth. The NY Times Crossword puzzle is calling my name.
I have bread rising and it's time to put it in the oven so be right back.
A couple of loads of laundry to do but that's no big deal. I don't know why everyone has such a problem with laundry. I do a couple of loads every few days and it stays under control...more or less. Of course there's just the two of us and no kidlets which I know makes a HUGE difference. When my girls were teens and I never knew what was clean and what was dirty (because it was all on their bedroom floors) and I was a working Mom, most of Saturday was spent doing laundry and most of Sunday ironing. I was so grateful when polyester came along. Of course, now they all want natural fibers so it's back to ironing for many Moms.
We're enjoying a gorgeous sunny day here on the (usually) Wet Coast. A bit nippy out there though. I see the frost is still on the neighbour's roof.
I've GOT to start staying out of the Xmas baking. This can't be doing my diet OR my blood glucose levels any good. Why did I bake anyhow? Tradition? Death wish? WHY??

Been MIA again, but I've been reading, just not writing. Shopping is done, most of it wrapped. Got a new outdoor decoration a lighted wooden candy cane, and blew out two fuses in the extensions card until I figured out what was going on, so I had to put it on a seperate outlet!

Went to a christmas party at one of my aunts today. Had a good time. Way too much food, DS bout some cup cakes with the cutest decorations on them. They were plastic light bulbs in different colors.

Alvin has lost a total of 192 pounds. he is really enjoying the personal trainer.Could it be because she is about 20 years and has long blond hair?

All your friends with breast cancer are in my prayers. Being a BCsurvivor, makes me especially sensitive to the need of others facing the problem.

WOW barb... alvin is REALLY my idol... and you're doing great as well..

so sorry about the BC patients.. it's a tragic illness, and especially sad to see it in such young women... many prayers from me as well.

am dreading next week on many levels. and the stress is getting to my tiny tummy... very iffy about keeping food down the past couple of days. but one way or another we'll get through this. i'm just so grateful for my noisy, opinionated, busy, sisters. well, most of the time, that is. when ONE of them gets these bizarre ideas about tampon angels, i'm not so sure..

Good Sunday Morning!!

WOW Barb!! Give ole Alvin a hug from me........192 pounds. I know he feels like a new man. Out of the three wls patients, I'm the slacker of the group I'm just kidding......I'm very happy with where I am.

So Rachel, how long did hubby stand in line to see Santa? How did you talk him into doing that? Good Job Rachel!!!

Ruth I'm glad you were feeling better yesterday. Did the church decorating get taken care of?

Robin did you survive McD's with all the little one's?

Last night was our neighborhood luminaries. We have lived here for 10 years and this is the 11th year the neighborhood has done the luminaries. It is really very beautiful. Every street is lined with luminaries from the entrance to the back.

Met the new girlfriend last night, she seems very nice. She is about as big around as my thumb, tiny little thing.

Not much on the chopping block for today. Baking is done. Only two presents left to wrap. Food for Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner is mostly purchased. I still have a few cards to mail, of course they will never get there by Christmas.......I'll just have to say don't look at them as being late, they are early for next year.

Off for more coffee
Debbie

Good SUnday morning - Quick check in!! Deb not only did he stand in line 45 minutes to see Santa but he then took them to the movies to see the Sabta Claus movie..he is my here I had 4 hours of total peace...except my parents were here!!!

He deep fried a turkey last night it was spectacular!!!!!!!

Well of to shower gotta teach SUnday school this morning,