It's a blustery day! Blowing snow but not too cold. It's supposed to get really cold for the weekend. Grin and bear it is all we can do.

Inside it's nice and warm. It looks so nice in here with all the Christmas decorations and the tree. Last night I worked on my quilt for a few minutes - nice and cozy!!

Gary: I behaved! I baked chocolate chip cookies last nigh and I didn't eat a single cookie. I didnt want to get crumbs on my quilt. they sure looked good and DS has no problem downing half a dozen in one sitting.

Fitchick: Don't knock yourself down because of blowing it. Try to last longer each day and soon it'll be the whole day and then the week. I'm praying for strength for you!

Beth: Hope the doc finds out what is wrong. What incentive to lose weight!! I started because of health issues and they have gone away too. It's amazing what damage this extra baggage we carry around can do to us.
Praying for you too!

crk: I hope you go to the party and have a good time. Those friends will be sensitive to your feelings. It will be hard for you but remember God is there with you. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Margie: What wonderful news about your nephew. Will he make it home for Christmas?

Blondie: Happy birthday!! Did you get your little red truck back? I know what you mean about getting up instead of in. I have a van and love the height of it too.

Lynn: Glad to see you back! It sounds like you and yours are doing great! Post when you can.

Michele: How did the interview go? What kind of job is it?

Lori: Let us know how your test results came out.

Sunny: Wherever you are, you are in our prayers. We miss you!

Hello to everyone else!

Have a wonderful day!

Hi everyone, just a drive-by posting today because I've got a lot going on!

I was stuck on a project at school yesterday but I finally got my boss's help and can move forward. As quickly as possible! I can't believe that in just a few short months I'll be finishing up my thesis. Scary!

Thanks to everyone who offered words of encouragement on the Christmas party. I definitely want to go and be there for my friend (the one that's having the baby) and meet up with some people I haven't seen in a while! I'm hoping to have a really good time while I'm there. Today I have to go shopping because they're having a white elephant gift exchange!

Have a great day everyone and STAY WARM!

I would love to join this Group, oh and how do you do that with your names and the pictures?? Its so cute

Wilma, the interview is today, i'll let you know how it goes. I've had this horrible cold, was in my jammies all day yesterday. Pray my nose doesn't start running during my interview....

spldwfe~ and of course you can join us! The name graphics are mostly created by our dear SunnyD or Donna. Tell us more about you...

spldwfe - As Michele said, SunnyD makes them. I haven't gotten one yet either, just a 3fatchicks ticker and a few smilies! Anyway, it's very nice to have you here. This is a wonderful, supportive group of people. Keep on posting and tell us a bit more about yourself!

Michele - I'm keeping you in my prayers as you go on the interview!

Hiya gang!!
I've had blessing upon blessing and this is only Thursday!! The biggest one of the week was getting in here and finding a new "home".......with a great group!.. and it started with Dee over there, looking for a buddy!

Thanks SO much for the Birthday wishes! WOW! Ya'll made me feel plumb special!! I had a wonderful day..made my baklava per request....got it delivered and devoured shortly after. I shared my batch with my co-worker, who's DH said "This should be against the law"! Took the rest to my Mom's where I LEFT it! Their enjoyment made my day..makes my heart smile as well as my face..and that's how I "spent" my birthday..making baklava and hanging with Jesus!

Yesterday...whoo-hoo..I did get my truck back, Wilma!...then spent 3 hours trying to get the Ford place to sign off on the insurance check so I could turn it over to the Repair shop..the lady at the P&B shop office at the Ford place had a jelly fish in her pants.....was very "mean" to me..boohoo.....wouldn't inspect my truck, said "I should have an estimate from my Insurance Co., and she wouldn't inspect it without it, AND the repair shop shouldn't have done ANY work without one"....jeeze.... (never got one tho I asked for it) they just sent the check, minus my deductible..... I went to my agent, who called and told on her, which didn't win me a friend or influence any people, BUT...by golly, she inspected it when I went back and I was able to get the check signed and turned over.
Ever notice how quickly the enemy drops a bucket of crabs in our sand box when we are playing quite well and getting along with ourselves and others?

Then I made a run back to Mom's......spent the night, came home this morning, ran myself ragged, stopped when I ran down, to take a nap....woke up with a nasty sore throat..oh poo...Michele...I joined you it seems. BUT...I made a lovely cuppa peppermint tea, then one of ginger...listened to 2 CD's of Joyce Meyer on "Beside the Still Waters"....where I NEEDED to be...and I am feeling better already. I am now having a cup of amaretto tea with honey..oh yum!
I'll make some chicken soup tomorrow and be gentle with myself. I have really enjoyed my vacation days and other than my melt-down at Mom's Monday night...which even THAT,..God used for good...I have been truly "on top"....it's been awhile since I was at the top of the Mountain and the view is fabulous!

I'll be back later.....I need to get my long winded self to the kitchen and restore order before bed....night night all...
May God bless, heal, restore and renew....may He bring to you what you need at this moment.......
Bren..... now....Where's the timer?

HI GALS

OK~OK...I'll start...where is everybody you all must be out Christmas ....WELL EXCUSE ME!...Holiday shopping

What are you all doing for Holiday Eve? What about Holiday Day? Are you going to church Holiday day or eve?...hummm...doesn't work for me either!!

Angie and I are just hanging out drinking for me tea for her. Both of us have had colds...and the son and nephew...all week but getting better.

Going to try and make a Christmas pasta this week-end...off of Rachael Ray's show...if it is good we will use it Christmas Eve....Christmas Day is ALWAYS Mexican food....my favorite!


BREN~Boy what troubles with the truck...hope it is all figured out now. Angie just loves amaretto...my daughter made amaretto cheesecake for Thanksgiving....so good.

MICHELE~Thanks for spreading your cold down this way I hope your interview went well...what jammies did you wear to it?

CHRISTINA~ Good work on your project. Have a great time at the party!! Prayers for you as you and your husband move through this.

WILMA~Sorry if the sun I am sending isn't reaching you...must have something to do with crossing the border I try a different route next time. If you have cookies left send them our way....whaddaya mean the boys ate 'em all

SPLDWFE Fill us in.

Well I am caught up on the posts...too easy gals!

HELLOS AND PRAYERS TO ALL MY FRIENDS THAT ARE MISSING OR BUSY

Well I have to get out of my "jammies"....Angie won't let me watch football unless I am dressed!

Hi Everyone!

It's 40 degrees here in sunny southwestern Illinois so GARY, the sun reached us! THANK-YOU! They are predicting snow for tonight though, so we shall see.

Got all my ebay packages mailed, all my CHRISTMAS cards (not holiday) mailed, got packages to friends mailed and so I suppose I'm getting there! Most of the shopping is done with the exception of mom and dad and Bob's dad - at 86, 88, and 88 years old, it's a dilemma. Dad loves Red Lobster, so there's always a gift certificate. Mom doesn't ever care if she eats at all! So you see, I AM adopted!

Speaking of eating, the diet went to heck with my hospital stay last weekend - I've not done desserts or anything like that, but I think I've been craving comfort food like mashed potatoes, roasts and things like that. Just babying myself - sigh - put LAWL on hold a couple of weeks until they figure out what the potassium deal is - going to the MD on Monday, so will know more then. They will also have my result from the carotid ultrasound.

MICHELE: NEver did get the cheescake! Where is it?? Keep us posted on the interview!

GARY: None of that political correct CR__ HERE!!! It's CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS! Now is that SO HARD to say???? I just love Rachel Ray don't you? I even watch all the repeats - makes Bob nuts, but oh well - it beats regular programming for the most part! I like the fake tree just fine too! Six years and still going strong for yours! THat's great! Mike is still smoke-free! Praise God! \0/

BREN: Glad you had a great birthday! Thanks for the info on Meniere's - after my appt. on Monday, she will probably refer me to an ENT person - we'll know more after that I suppose.

WILMA: My hero! How can you bake cookies and not eat just one? I told the kids that when they are off over Christmas vacation we will bake. My favorite is the toll house with the butterscotch chips - they are so good - maybe I'll just skip making those this year!

BETH: I'm a dog fanatic - have 3 of the fur babies myself - I cry every time I see a dead dog on the side of the road - it's so upsetting - did you get the nerve testing done? Keep us posted -

It's getting quiet around here - wondering if the boys have the girls tied up or something?? I better go -

Have a GREAT day everyone!!

Angie and I went shopping at the produce market today.....when we got home I discovered that someone had stolen BABY JESUS out of our outdoor nativity....

I was going to put a big sign out that said: To the !#$@@!+-* that stole my baby Jesus have a *%%#@&^(!! Christmas!.....but Angie said it wasn't the christian thing to do.....

I'm still ....and

There could be a lesson in that too, Gary. Maybe they needed baby Jesus more than you... or if they don't know it, someday they will.

Hey Gary,

You won't believe this but in the St. Louis area several years ago a Baby Jesus was stolen from a nativity set outdoors. The whole next year the people were getting photos of their Baby Jesus at different locations throughout the country. Baby Jesus was at the beach, up a mountain, on a boat, etc. The Baby Jesus was returned the following Christmas. They never did find out who did it. Maybe your Baby Jesus will travel???

Hello crew!!!
Michele...you should feel better very soon...as I'm sure I have your cold now. If we all shared..we'd all have just a teensy one, right? I woke up last night with a hard, croupy cough...couldn't find the ONE sample dose of Nyquil gel-caps I have somewhere...so made a run to Wally World. FIRST....I prayed! I am a big baby and I need to be able to answer the phone at work, should it ring. I pray it doesn't but some weekends I am required to actually "work". I am SO glad today is my half-day, as I have several hours for some recovery.
I pray that Job is YOURS! And you got thru it well, and got dressed for it too!
Oh I'd be in jammies all day today if it weren't for work!

Gary.....oh yum! Angie's Amaretto cheesecake sounds so good! I'd bought one many moons ago at Sam's, when I lived in Dallas......it's my favorite! I've made home-made maybe twice. Lucious. I don't have quite the crowd to share with that I used to, so my baking days are few and far between. Doing the baklava for my co-worker and a cake for Christmas will be the extent of it.
YES!! Woohoo! I did get all the financial mess taken care of and that lady at Arrow Ford needs to be on my prayer list.
OH NO! Someone stealing baby Jesus. There is so much of that type meaness going on. Here, they ...the mysterious THEY....pop the blow-ups so there are corpses of Santa, Snowman and so forth, littering yards.....and yep, THEY steal Baby Jesus around here too. I pray the conviction of the Holy Spirit upon them all!

Lori.....we have a lot of the 40's temps...but the wind cuts it down and makes for a not so fun day. Hey, if you're craving taters.....it could be your body wanting the "potassium"? Sure it is! I pray you get some answers very soon and relief for the symptoms. Be good to you today, whatever that entails.

Have a wonderful day everyone! I'll be back...Bren

I have blown it so much lately!! I get all motivated, then a short while later, I'm stuffing myself - sugar, sugar, sugar! How to get motivation that lasts??? Please help!