haha I thought you meant that the machine was only 10 inces to get thru too..haha. I thought what the heck?? aww after getting home doing the last minute things downtown, I found my girls sweeping and dusting and Dh started doing laundry...ahhhh and I will not re-do it..it looks fine the way it is! (thats what I keep telling myself anyways...haha)

Well, I've finished the jello mold, the eclair cake, and the lemon squares. I cut up the fudge and the scottish shortbread and put them in containers. I am currently baking the first batch of chocolate chip and I was feeling pretty proud of myself until I talked to my Niece. During our conversation I realized that I had forgotten that she had asked me to make Core pasta salad for Christmas Eve! Sheesh. Jim is at the store now buying the red pepper, onion, and celery. I've boiled the noodles and they are cooling in the refrigerator. I cannot believe I forgot. I'm not usually like that. What a guy! He's also picking up dinner. I cannot belive that I'm not very hungry. Actually, I'm so tired. I just want to be done. Just one more batch of cookies with nuts after this and then cut up the veggies for the pasta salad. Tomorrow I'll need to clean until it's time to go to the Niece's at 6 pm. Jim and I split a square of fudge and shortbread. I'm sure we'll also split a chocolate chip cookie. I need to see if I have the timing down!

Melissa, your schedule sounds like mine. I'm guessing I won't be around here much after tomorrow afternoon until Monday afternoon. I'll try to pop in when I can. I do feel a bit better emotionally today but mostly I'm just trying to put on a good front. You know, if you pretend to feel good sometimes you do! I can't believe you are going shopping. No way would I go near a store today.

Patti, how NICE of your DD's! I wouldn't redo it either. Enjoy!

Sandra, your schedule sounds so relaxing. Good luck tonight!

Angela, we have the 3 days also! I know it's alot to wrap when you are Santa! I bet your girls are going out of their minds with excitement. I love whatching the greats open their presents.

Frouf, I had to laugh at you! I bet you can remember a day when the equivalent of 2 cookies worth of cookie dough and too much rotisserie chicken would have been an appetizer! I sure can remember those days. And, you avoided the big muffin! Woo Hoo! You should be proud of yourself for having control. Your snack sounded great. I need to get back to my fruit and veggies. I love white chocolate and dark chocolate. No milk chocolate for this girl. Have fun tomorrow night.

Well, back to the cookies. I am SERIOUSLY running out of steam.

Hey girlies! I'm home from my afternoon of doing stuff. I got things at the grocery store for dinner tonight, snacks tomorrow, breakfast for Christmas morning, and replenished Judd's SF shake stock.

I also went to McDonald's, 7-11, and Sonic for gift cards for the kids and Devan (Kate's bf). Tonight I'm making cookies in the cookie press but I needed batteries, so Erin has gone shopping and will pick some up for me. It's very quiet right now but I'm not complaining. Judd has already left for DT Dallas with his friends, Shaun and Kate are at work, and Erin is shopping. Animals are asleep, well, at least the four inside ones are. I'm not sure what's going on outside with the 3 big labs. Having 7 animals sure puts a kink in my feeding and pottying schedule.

BBL, folks. I'm starting to get excited about Christmas, even though I'm not getting anything except from MIL/FIL. Guess that's not what it's about, but still it's nice to get new stuff! I peeked and it looks like I'm getting a new bundt pan [yay!!!] and a Calphalon griddle. At least those are the things in gift bags that I can see without actually unwrapping/rewrapping things.

Oh and it's 70 degrees. Merry Sweating Christmas.

vickie, have you heard the saying, "fake it till you make it"? sounds like that's what you're doing. what control you and jim have!!! awesome!!!

kathy, curtis and i don't exchange gifts either. we just get what we want whenever we want it if possible.

we are staying home tonight. the traffic between here and the archery shop is horrific. something just kept telling me to stay home. gotta listen to women's intuition when it's yelling at you.

We don't exchange but the MIL/FIL go way overboard. We each usually have 12-14 gifts and they aren't small things, either. It makes me VERY uncomfortable, but this year we'll be opening their gifts by ourselves and not in front of them. That might make it a little better.

I'd be staying home tonight too, Sandra. There's no need to put yourselves at risk.

Jim and I spoil each other rotten at Christmas since it's my favorite season. We don't buy for each other at Birthday and Anniversary times though. I'm on the last batch of chocolate chip. I still have to cut the veggies for the pasta salad and then I'm done for the night. Good thing cuz I'm exhausted!

I hear you on the spoiled rotten thing, Vickie! If I didn't have kids, we'd do the same ... since I spend around $500 on each x 3 kids -- what I wouldn't give to have an extra $1500 at Christmas to spend on each other! Of course, I know I shouldn't say that because the kids are more important than having money for myself.

(Well, sometimes.)

Kathy - shame on you for peeking! (okay i would have done the same! ) Sounds like the inlaws do spoil you rotten - must be fun no?

Vickie - wow - what a whirlwind of activity you are! I can't even imagine doing all that baking and just having a nibble - good for you! Have fun at your celebrations...you too melissa!

Patti - how nice to have the "cleaners" in to help out! Our place is a mess today as dd has 2 friends over and little ds came back from the sitters loaded down w/candy and gifts - the family room looks like a tornado landed!

...and yes we actually hit some stores today - did you know today is the busiest shopping day of the year?

Dh and I went to the Quebec side to spend my $50 liquor store gift certificate - which was pretty easy - 4 bottles of wine and an extra $8 to boot - but got 3 people off the list!

Then some more video rental gift certificates and a new clock radio for big ds.

Eating wise not that good today - dh and I ended up going to this little french pizza bistro for lunch. He had a thin crust escargot pizza - I had a glass of white wine and the smoked trout salad - dressing on the side - very yummy but came w/two long white breadsticks which I devoured.

Then off to the mall near home - got some groceries - including a fresh turkey which I have already roasted and put away. And some stuff from the dollar store too.

Got home at 4:30 and put the turkey in - was hungry around 5:30 and ate FOUR SLICES OF FRESH BREAD - w/various toppings - piggie Froufie. Also had a couple of pieces of white chocolate candy cane bark - handed out by co-worker today for everyone as a gift! So that was dinner??

Started to feel guilty of course. Dh and I then wrapped some presents and I went upstairs to watch tv in peace as our family had been taken over. So here I am watching tv in our bedroom - sitting right next to the treadmill - thinking 'gee frouf you can just as easily watch while you walk no?'...yes the guilt finally got to me and I figured even some walking was better than none!

So I changed and did a 35 min walk at 3.2mph and 1% incline...then I even did my floor exercises (which I missed this morning due to sleeping in late!).

I am now downing a 750 ml bottle of lime flavored perrier which is really filling me up - hope the salt doesn't cause too much water retention as I hope to weigh myself tomorrow morning - 1 week of my pre-travel program completed!

Will have to be extra vigilant and careful tomorrow to stay on track. We are going to sil's after dinner for present opening - but I know there will be snacky stuff and we are bringing this HUMONGOUS fabulous chocolate cake from the Cake lady store near our home!

For those that won't be around in the next couple of days I am sending you special holiday wishes for a very happy christmas!

Frouf

Hey chickies...just checking in for the evening! I will probably be back in the morning really quickly and then disappear on you for a few days!
DH and I opened our gifts to each other tonight. We put spending limits on ourselves since we don't have a lot to spare right now. A lady in our church does handmade jewelry, and Aaron bought a necklace for me from her. It is called lemon citrine, and it is really beautiful. I've already requested the matching earrings for Valentine's Day. I'll try to post a pic.
I have to tell you all I made some cupcakey type things for our office party. They aren't core but according to the recipe I have they are only 1 pt a piece. You just mix angel food cake mix with a 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple (along with the juice) and bake in muffin tins, 350* for 20 minutes (although it definitely did not take that long for mine). They are pretty darn good for 1 pt. I just had one!
Well I need to get a few more things done and head to bed. Night all!

Melissa, that is VERY pretty! I know you must be so excited about it -- especially since it's made by someone you know! I love that sort of thing.

I just heard about a miracle breakthrough diet on the news. It's called the Cheater's Diet. Of course, I had to rush right to Amazon and buy a copy of the book for my collection. We'll see what all it says in a few days (or whenever I actually get the book!)

I'm trying to figure out how to handle an upcoming challenge. Erin, middle DD, will be going to grad school in the fall of 2006. She's applying now. There are only three pharmacy schools in Texas -- U of T in Austin (where she'll probably go), Texas Tech who has their pharmacy school in Amarillo, and Univ. of Houston. Tuition/books will be taken care of with student loans, but we have to figure out living expenses. Most likely she'll be in an apartment and will still work at Walgreens, but that'll only pay her car payment, insurance, gas, etc. I guess I'm going to have to go back to two jobs. Ordinarily I would jump on the waitress job at Nuthouse, where I used to work, but they're thinking about moving because a big bank just built right in front of them and now they're hidden. They're thinking that business is going to slack off ... and the place they want to move to is miles away. Ugh. The only other places I could work PT would be the vet (but only weekend kennel work and I doubt it would pay what I need) or a grocery store. If I work in a grocery store, it'll have to be overnight and that wouldn't work out well with a regular FT job. Sigh ... guess that's what I'm going to be figuring out in the next few months.

And now, I'm going to bed. I think I'll have a big day tomorrow with finishing up my shopping and I'm not sure Judd will be able to help any, depending on how much "fun" he has tonight.

Melissa, the necklace is spectacular! I wish I could see it closer. I love citrine and I'm sure it will be beautiful with your coloring. Aaron has good taste (but we already knew that!) and did a great job picking out a very romantic and beautiful present.

Kathy, how exciting for Erin but difficult for you. I hope you find something easily. How will we ever live without you on here since certainly you won't have as much free time. How selfish of me to think of myself.

Frouf, your food sounds amazing! You're doing well so just keep plugging. I am very, very proud of you for getting on the treadmill and an incline to boot! I was on my feet from about 7:00 this morning until about 8:00 tonight. That'll have to do.

Niece called at 9:30 and cancelled the party at her house for Christmas Eve. She and DD were both sick but she thought they were on the mend. DD had a relapse tonight and was sick to her stomach. So....Jim and I have no plans for tomorrow besides cleaning and opening our presents to each other. We're scrambling for some ideas for food for us tomorrow night. Not sure yet what we'll do. The HUGE bowl of pasta salad was for tomorrow night and their LO's are what we use for our day after Christmas celebration. Not sure what is happening now. Poor things. They sure can't help that they are sick.

It's 11:00 and I've had a long day. I've showered and I think it's time to hit the hay.

Love and light to you all.

Thanks Vickie and Kathy for the compliments. You're so sweet. Kathy, can I post a link to her website or is that a no no?

Kathy, I'm sorry that you are faced with that kind of job decision. You are a great mom. We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that you won't need to take that extra job.

Vickie, I'm sorry that your plans got cancelled. I hope that you and Jim have a wonderful, romantic Christmas Eve!

Frouf, I'm so impressed with your exercise and dedication. These vacation plans have really motivated you and I'm just positive that it will pay off big time.

Sandra, I hope that you are Curtis are snuggled safe and warm inside! Have a great day tomorrow! You can come to my house if you want.

Night all!!

Merry Christmas; Happy Hannukah, ladies!

We are in Cape Canaveral and will be boarding our cruise ship soon. I fell about 4 lbs short of my goal prior to the cruise, but I feel great about what I've lost. I hope to come back home about the same or, at worst, a pound or two heavier.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday! I'll be back on Jan.3 (spending a couple days at DIsney World after the crusie). Be well!

Danny, have fun! That sounds like a great way to spend Christmas!

I have stayed up all night waiting, and waiting, and waiting for Shaun to come home. I wonder what part of "don't use the company van for personal use" is difficult for him to understand? He left yesterday morning at 8:00 and I haven't seen him since. I have called his cell phone about 15 times. Erin sat with me until around 4:00 because she can tell I'm about to lose my mind over all this crap with him. I swear, I don't know what to do.

Judd didn't come home either but that's not exactly a surprise. I expect he and his friend stayed in Dallas.

Kate brought home the CUTEST little guinea pigs! I nearly freaked when I walked in and she had this big cage because I could just picture Judd freaking when HE found out! Turns out okay though, because they're a Christmas gift for her boyfriend's little brother and his parents wanted her to keep them until Christmas. I guess that does mean they're going to be doing something for the younger ones for Christmas, which is quite a relief.

I'm going to bed at 7:00 but will be back on in a little while.

Oh and Melissa, before I forget, it's okay to link to the jewelry maker's website.

Good Morning All! Merry Almost Christmas!

Kathy, I hope Shaun is ok. Ohhhhh, I dont' know how you Mothers do it. I don't understand why you all don't have ulcers. It's now 7:00 and I hope you are in bed, resting peacefully, knowing that Shaun is well.

Danny, enjoy your cruise. I'm sure there will be plenty of Core and core-like meals for you to enjoy. What a great time to be in Disney!

Melissa, get that website up girl!

Jim is on the way to the grocery store as we "speak" to buy us a chicken to cook in our rotisserie. I'll make Core mashed potatoes and we'll have corn with it. I didn't want to cook in here because I wanted to be done cleaning today but I'll try to cook neatly. I think we'll open presents after dinner clean up. It'll be fun to open them when we aren't dead tired. I'm still not sure the Niece and her family will be Christmas day at my Sister's house. It won't be the same without them but I'd sure understand.