Happy, your user name jumped out at me this morning. Happy2bme...this is the way we should all be!!

I don't know why I never noticed this thread before. Just lost in my own little world. You ladies have been posting here for a LONG TIME!! Such a nice group.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Hi Carol,

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, our group has been around for a very long time - the earliest of us met in 2002 and we have been friends ever since even though states, large bodies of water and continents separate us at times.

Merry Christmas to you also!

Christmas greetings to all. Hope you all had a really good Christmas day and it was worth all the hassle we go to to get things done on time. Can't stop as I have no idea what is happening today and guess I need to be ready for all eventualities in this fairly disorganised house.

Little miss was overwhelmed with all her presents yesterday. She crept into my room about 6.30 and said "Grandma, Father Christmas has been and he has left lots of presents!" So we got up to have a look. Then we waited for Daddy and Mummy to get up. Mummy had been up till late so she curled up on the couch as was fast asleep again in no time. Missed some interesting observations and statements from her daughter - which she was very grieved about and went off about not waking her up. As if we could. Tried, didn't work so gave up.

Anyway, the rest of the day was spent trying to sort out all the dolls (apparently the LOL Surprise dolls are all the rage here - young girl next door was in raptures as well) Anyway, we got that done and went for a walk. By that time and after a long discussion with the neighbours and visitors little miss was worn out. She got fairly bad with behaviour as they do and eventually got put to bed. Didn't wake until 730 this morning so she was completely done although she denies it.

So anyway, better go get some breakfast. If you don't help yourself round here, you don't get to eat and I am hungry. Have a great day/ night and enjoy the Christmas break. Especially Happy who gets a week off. Oh and yes, I escaped yesterdays heat in Queensland - got to 42C and storms - that's about 110F or so.

Good morning!
We had a wonderful Christmas. We have two gifts to exchange and will most likely do that sometime tomorrow.

Today is Christmas with my brother and his family. We are going tp Winterfest later tonight with them. It is going to be very cold in Ohio the rest of the week so we will be bundled up tonight.

I am on the exercise bike right now and posting from my phone so if there are typos that is my excuse. Lol

Ceejay, I know it is hard to cook for 2 and not have mega leftovers, so I imagine cooking for 1 is very difficult.

Shad: it sounds like a lovely time with your granddaughter.

What is this about getting the dolls sorted ? Did she get a lot of them or something?

Happy: I didnt get any cards out eithier. I think next year, I will do them the week of Thanksgiving so I can mail them the 1st week of December.

Thanks for the Hello Fresh coupon. We are going to sign up and see how it goes.

Hi to Laura and Anne!

Morning all. Happy Tuesday, or Boxing Day if you’re celebrating that.

Let’s see, where did I leave off? Last Thursday our department went out to lunch. I had a blackened shrimp wrap. It was alright, a bit too much dressing on it made it messy. And then our boss’s boss hosted a holiday party for his departments, which includes us. It was at a bar a couple blocks from the office and it was nice. Good food. I could tell that the #2 person in our group had quite a bit to drink. When I was saying my goodbyes, she went on an on in a funny way that’s not like her, sort of Valley Girl mixed in with some sistah head movements (and she’s not African American, lol). The content of what she was saying was dramatic and impassioned about some new responsibilities I’ll be taking on with her, and she also lost all sense of personal space. Too funny. I wish the admin was here to gossip with, lol. I think she also got to experience it too…

On Friday, I did some grocery shopping and finished decorating the tree and some other spots in the house. And I repotted my plants – everything from that one arrangement is planted separately now. I hope they do okay.

On Saturday morning I had another hair appointment that snuck up on me. After that I hit the bakery to order a dessert that my mother likes. Back at home, I did some cleaning up in preparation for our Christmas Eve dinner. Saturday evening I tried to make some chocolate dipped pretzels and they came out okay, nothing special. I’d bought some strawberries on sale and dipped a half dozen of them as well for another little gift for bf, who likes them a lot. Bf got the star for the tree sorted out - he likes the one that lights up, but he had to fix one of the wires.

On Sunday morning, I picked up the desserts at the bakery. It was snowing, and we got enough for a nice white Christmas. Back at home, I gave the cranberry upside down cake recipe another try (it was a fail when I tried the recipe two years ago). This time I used fresh cranberries, as I thought using thawed from frozen the last time. Once again the cake batter in the center did not bake. I put it back in the oven for another 45 minutes total (so it was double the recipe’s baking time) and it finally baked enough, but by then the outside was way overbaked. I officially give up on that recipe!! Good thing we had the bakery desserts too. I prepped for the other dishes we were making – au gratin potatoes and roasted green beans.

Bf picked up the ham from the restaurant, and then picked up his mom. When he went to pick up my mom, he didn’t get an answer. He knocked some more and waited some more and she finally answered the door in her pajamas, looking like she’s just gotten out of bed. She said her stomach had been bothering her the night before and she also said she forgot the day. I have to say that I was rather disappointed in her because we talked about the dinner on three different occasions. If she wasn’t sure, she could phone us. But I think she thought it was Christmas Day and not Christmas Eve. So no call, nothing. What I don’t like is that she didn’t seem all that sorry, and bf reported that she made a comment akin to, "at least I have the excuse because I’m old."

So it was just bf and his mom and me for dinner. It was nice. I was disappointed because we couldn’t do the luminaria. Bf had thrown out the old plastic milk containers we’ve used the past couple years and had forgotten he did that, so we didn’t have any new containers saved up to use. Dinner ran a bit late as usual, but no big deal.

We took bf’s mom home around 7-ish. From there, we went on to a friend’s house and had a nice time playing games and hanging out. One of the games was the plastic wrap ball game with little gifts rolled in the plastic. That was a new one for me. Everyone stands around the table. One player unwraps the ball to get at the prizes until the next player rolls the dice continually until he gets a double. At that point, the one player stops unwrapping and passes the ball to the next player. And so on, around the table until all the gifts are unwrapped. Fun. I did pretty well. I got some candy treats, a nose flute (lol), and a little gadget that makes different sport-themed sounds). Bf also won some treats and a pair of nerdy glasses (to add to his collection). We also did karaoke Christmas music. And there were a couple other games I didn’t play. It was a nice time.

Yesterday was a lazy day until late afternoon other than phoning my sister and my SIL (no answers, had to leave messages). At that point, bf and I went to my mom’s to bring her the dessert she likes (Napoleon pastries), some ham, and her gifts. She was feeling much better. We talked a bit, and then bf and I left to go to dinner. We went to a steakhouse we’d been wanting to try for a while and had a nice dinner.

On the way home my sister returned my call. She sounded a bit out of sorts at first, like she resented having to return my call (I don’t think I'd even asked her to, I was just wishing her a merry Christmas), but we chatted for a bit and I just chalked it up to her dealing with the recovery of her new knee. Bf and I also had a stupid tiff on the way home. Bleh. I did give him his chocolate dipped strawberries and he liked those, so all is well.

So my holiday was sort of a mixed bag of fun and disappointments. I’m glad it’s over.

I’m back at the office today and, as expected, it’s very quiet. I’m the lone person here from my department until Thursday.

That’s about it for me. On to personals.

Happy – So you ended up changing the date of your appointment for your foot? I hope you don’t have to wait too long for it. == Sheesh, I’d be awfully cautious if I were going to venture out on a frozen lake… == I hope you succeed in taking back your time in 2018 and do more of what you enjoy. Isn’t that what we hope for in retirement?? I certainly hope you kick that off by thoroughly enjoying your entire week of nothing to do!! == Sounds like the Hello Fresh meals are working out and you’re not going to the grocery store as often and are therefore spending less. == Re the panettone – we shop at a Italian grocery and they always have all kinds of that out at the holidays, but I have yet to buy one! How is it? Does it have fruit in it?? == Ugh, I hate messes in the oven. Our au gratin potatoes bubbled over and made a mess. I stuck some foil under them, but it’s still unpleasant when the boiled over sauce starts to burn and smokes up the kitchen! That’s one of the times when I’m glad for the fact that we can close the doors to the kitchen - it contains cooking smells!

Shad – I hope you had smooth travels to Adelaide and are having a nice visit with your son and his family. How is little Miss S. doing? Not quite as little now, I’m sure!! Nice that she still has that excitement about Christmas. == Enjoy Melbourne with your friend!! == Oh, please send some of that heat over our way – it’s 3 degrees F. as I type this!!

Susie – Sounds like you had a lovely holiday doing all sorts of holiday things. I like the idea of holiday baking (cookies), but the reality doesn’t always live up to the idea. Next year I think I’ll make batches of dough in advance and freeze it, and then I can do the shaping and baking separately. == Enjoy Winterfest tonight! Stay warm!!

Ceejay – Yes, I got the pj’s cut out. Just have the sewing to do. I’m not as skilled with sewing as I’d like, so I don’t undertake much in the way of clothing. In the past I was overly critical of the clothes I sewed, so I really don’t sew anything that I would wear out in public. I’d like to change that - start to make some simple things to get my confidence back up.

Hi Annie!! Hope you had a lovely Christmas. I bet it's fun with the boys around.

Was just about to post and someone came by and we were chatting about our move and what our new office space will look like. But now I’m getting this posted! Have a good day everyone!

Good morning ladies,

Another Christmas down the chutes. Next year I hope to be different. I told DH that next year we are doing the full sized Christmas tree AND PRESENTS. I don't think he's bought me a real present in almost 20 years. "I don't know what to get you and you don't like anything I do think of... ". He likes presents too so we agreed as the year progresses if we see things we'd like to make a list.

Oh BTW when we were at dinner last Friday he casually said "If Shad is coming to visit, perhaps you should have your friends come up and stay at the 'commune' " I said "it's funny you should say just that because they were talking about that VERY SAME THING". He said you should come next September when he goes to Colorado for his photography jaunt. I said no way who is going to get the pontoon in the water and lead the pack driving the ATVs and drive all the way to Minneapolis to meet someone's plane????? We NEED our UBER driver and man slave. As if he didn't know better... So at least he's primed for it.

Christmas was nice - quiet and cold. I made the beef roast which even with the inserted thermometer cooked to 145 degrees exactly, it still came out a bit more on the well than rare side. I made a crust of compound flavored butter and topped that with kosher salt - good seasoned crust. DH enjoyed that. I sadly thought I had horseradish sauce but did not - my favorite part of roast beef is horseradish sauce so I was sad. I also made roasted red potatoes with parsley, a touch of dill, salt, pepper, butter and parmesan cheese. For me (my most anticipated part of dinner) was roasted brussel sprouts with dried cranberries, pistachio nuts and a balsamic drizzle. Sweet corn for DH who let me have all the brussel sprouts to myself. I never did get around to making dessert - I had to use the self clean on the bottom oven to get the last of the residue off and that took 3 hours even on the minimal setting so that didn't leave oven space for more than dinner itself.

Was going to make pina coladas with the bottle of coconut rum I had but didn't check to see for sure if I had pineapple juice (it was hiding next door at my neighbors no doubt with the jar of horseradish creme). I put a bottle of rum, a bottle of amaretto and a bottle of wine in the 3 season room to chill. When I came back to it in the evening the wine was frozen in the bottle (thank goodness it didn't break) and the liquor was very well chilled. DH didn't want anything so I made a small rum and Coke and sipped it while I watched a couple of Christmas movies I had recorded earlier. The one drink did help me fall asleep quickly (I've been having trouble sleeping again) and I slept through the night. We have brilliant sunshine this morning and temps at minus 9 degrees (F) - I'm not sure what is worse - my frosty place or happy sweaty Christmas at Shad's Several deer came out looking for food yesterday while DH was having a nap so I piled on the clothes and went out to feed them. They brought more friends and when DH got up and went out there were at the most 18 deer he counted and at least 32 turkeys. We have 4 generations now who know where the "feed store" is located. Being so bitterly cold and everything piled with snow, even I didn't mind feeding them. I put some extra seed in the trays for the birds too that I'm sure appreciated it. I love the chickadees and the red cardinal against the white snow. But boy oh boy it was cold out there! Hurried back into the house and said a prayer of thanks for a safe, warm house to live in.

Shad - glad Christmas went well for you. Am I remembering correctly that you used to do a Christmas brunch for the family? Are you having a quieter celebration this year? Glad little miss liked her presents - how old is she now 6? She is a very pretty little girl. It's funny to hear that you got her dolls. I was listening to carols and Christmas songs yesterday and one of the real oldies struck me - talked about getting a Dolly for Christmas and I thought to myself in this digital age - do kids actually want and get things like red wagons and dolls and train sets any more? I have not bought a child's gift in the longest time - my nephew is 24 and he's the youngest so I would not have a clue as to appropriate gifts. I'm sure the children have no problem letting you know. Enjoy the warmth for me although I will take a pass on the humidity and mossies thank you kindly! Merry Christmas to you also.

Susie - glad you had a good Christmas. You new ring is very beautiful. And the picture of you and DH by the Christmas tree at church is a lovely one. I wish I had more pictures of DH and I through the years. Good for you for getting back on the exercise bike. I hope you like the Hello Fresh and that it will be a convenience that works out for your busy schedule.

Hello to the rest of the chicks - hope you enjoyed your holiday and time off if that is the case.

Ah Laura,

There she is typing over my head again. I hear you on the Christmas hits and misses. I'd like Christmas to be more of a holiday feel but thinking back, I'm not sure Christmas was ever that great other than when I was a little kid. My grandma lived in a upstairs apartment at my Mom's house (they co-owned the home) so for the holidays every one always crammed into my Mom's little cheesebox 4 room house. DH always hated it - said he felt like an outsider although I thought people made him welcome enough. He would make excuses right after dinner that he was sick or not feeling good and we'd have to leave early which was really a source of irritation to me. One year we went to Rhode Island and attended his aunt's get together that he always raved about. Well I felt like the odd one out there as small town people often don't have much to talk about other than the things that go on in their small town. Did I say I was sick and wanted to leave early? but I sure thought about it. And then after we moved from Chicago we came back up for Christmas at my insistence - but this time spent it at my sister's with just the immediate family. And then we caught an ice storm or two and that was the end of travelling to Chicago for the holidays. And that's also when holidays stopped feeling like holidays and more just another day on the calendar. I think that has a lot to do with why I just am not feeling Christmassy any more. This year I actually tried to avoid it as much as possible.

Anyway - I am sorry to hear about your Mom forgetting about coming to dinner. She sounds like she is getting to the place my Mom inhabits now. Part old age forgetful, and part childish stubbornness. I don't really understand it but nothing more you can do but grin and deal with it as best you can. And prepare yourself because it's going to get worse. I really do think that part of the medications they take have an effect on their personalities. My Mom today is a very different person than she was many years ago.

I agree with you giving up on the cranberry cake no matter how tasty it sounded. I have had issues like that also - not baked enough in the middle - overbaked on the ends. They say that cooking is a little 'o this, a little o' that leaving room for experimentation but that baking is an exact science and I have to agree. If your leveners are on the older side (baking soda and powder), the color of your pans (light or dark), the way you pack the flour, using the right measuring cups for wet or dry ingredients - everything makes a subtle difference. So I don't bake much any more. We used to joke about how we'd make the chocolate chip cookie recipe on the back of the Toll House chocolate morsels package and it would always turn out different. Now I guess it's because of all those subtle variations. Better to have a good bakery in town Avoid the mess and the hassle.

As for you sister - probably need to cut her some slack. How is she doing with the knee recovery? I can tell you that I was miserable before the staples got removed and the extra bloating from the surgery, the complete lack of an appetite for months, the recovery and the horribly interupted sleep patterns as well as the drug interactions - takes it's toll on you. That's why I am not rushing to get the other leg done. I know some people say their breeze through the surgery and recovery - I think they are lying. It's also personally frustrating to be gimpy at times like this when you need to be up on your feet and getting things done. The one thing that frustrates me most is the impairment on my mobility over the past 2 years. I know it also bugs my Mom alot and between her shoulder and her knees - she's really in a bad way.

Anyway ... enjoy the week at work when it's quiet. I used to hate having to go back to work the day after Christmas but at least the streets will be clearer, the trains will have more seats and there won't be too many people in the office to pester you with requests. Get organized for the new year and make plans...

I guess I will too. Have a good day.

Afternoon all. Keeping busy here. There’s always something to be done.

Happy – Wish lists are a good idea. My side of the family did the secret Santa thing using an online app for a couple years and each person could post a wish list, with links/photos. We didn’t do it last year or this year, but I still had items on my wish list and bf used that to buy me a gift last year. Not this year though…and I'll likely return that gift. == When you cooked your roast, did you take it out of the oven before it reached the desired temperature? I’ve heard that the meat continues cooking for a while even after it’s removed from the heat, while it’s resting. The crust sounds tasty!! == Thank goodness the wine bottle didn’t break. That would be a mess to clean up! == I get what you say about not having that feeling of Christmas anymore. My favorite memories are of going to my grandmother’s house on my mom’s side. After that ended, it wasn’t ever the same. It doesn't help that bf and I both have some dysfunction in each of our families…who doesn’t? == As for my mom forgetting the day…coincidentally one of the gifts we gave here is a calendar, LOL. It’s the one the lab rescue organization sells to raise funds. Unfortunately, I have a feeling she’ll only use it to look at all the great photos of the labbies. Not sure if her behavior is related to aging or her meds, but I do agree that while it's not exactly stubbornness, but more of a “don’t give a darn” attitude. Yes, there’s been a change of personality as the years have gone by and losses have probably caused some of it – I know both of your mom and mine have experienced the deaths of children and I’m sure that plays a part. == Re baking – I like to think I’m very precise about everything, and generally do a decent job, so that twice failed recipe just bugs me. Out it goes!!

As for my sister's knee replacement - she mentioned a very tough PT session recently that was very discouraging, but I think the plan has been discussed and tweaked and she will go on. She mentioned an acquaintance of hers that went to the basic PT, but skipped the strengthening piece and had issues. My sister is definitely not going to do that. I hope she gets through it without too much trouble. I think it’s a good sign that she’s using the stairs so she can sleep in her regular bed on the 2nd floor of the house and not the one they set up on the first floor.
~~~~
Hellos to the rest of you!! I hope you’re keeping warm, and Shad I hope you’re keeping cool! It’s a very cold day here for the 2nd day in a row. Only single digits. I’m bundled up. My newer down coat has a slimmer cut that my older one and between my weight gain - I’m up 8 pounds from this time last year - and wearing a bulky sweater underneath the coat, I feel like the little brother in the movie “A Christmas Story”, LOL.

I drove the car to the train station yesterday with no issues, but today the windshield was iced up and it wouldn’t clear inside or out. So maddening. I couldn't drive it that way and I finally gave up and walked to the train. Fingers bf is around to pick me up after work.

I’m going to be dead tired later on today because I woke up around 4 am this morning and didn’t get back to sleep. The numbing of my shoulders/arms/hands/fingers while I sleep is getting worse. I wake up during the night and have to get the circulation going to get rid of the tingling & numbness.

I don’t know what to make of it. I’ve tried different pillows and different firmness levels on the sleep number bed, but nothing’s changed. The right side is worse. That’s the side I carry my purse on (shoulder bag). And of course I carry too much crap around in it. So today I emptied out my current purse and put some of the stuff in a very small purse and put that bag and the other stuff from my purse directly into my backpack. I’ll have to think about how I can downsize what I carry around to further lighten my load.

Other than that, I definitely think exercise will help. Working out and building muscle has to help with circulation. Just having more muscle to support your body has to be a good thing, right? So I’ve decided to register for the mat Pilates class (same one I had to drop out of in January because of my stress fracture). I also might buy a group fitness class pass and take a circuit class once a week. I think I’ll be able to do both of those classes while working around my foot issue. The park district catalog shows that the passes are now good for 6 months from the date of purchase, so they aren’t limited to each seasonal sessions (e.g., winter, spring, etc.). I like that.

Okay, enough rambling! Off to post.

HI Ladies

Still not back to work, Working fom home. Sick as a dog. Upper respitory infection, sinus infection and bronchitis. I have been reading and keeiping up with everyone. I will post when I get back to feeling half alive.

Other than being sick the entire Christmas weekend it was a wonderful weekend.

Hope to get back soon and post more. No hugs today, you might catch this crud.

Morning all.

Annie - You poor thing. I hope you feel better soon! Good thing about virtual hugs, no danger of catching the crud.

Hellos to the rest of you!!

==

The very cold weather has caused problems with my asthma the past couple days. I started using my rescue inhaler in addition to my maintenance one yesterday. I just happen to have my semi-annual allergist appointment tomorrow morning, so we'll see what the doc says about avoiding the symptoms - coughing and wheezing. I suppose I may end up wearing a face mask outdoors. I'm glad for the weekend coming so I can stay indoors and avoid breathing in the cold air.

I walked home from the train last night and walked to the train today. Except for breathing in cold air, the cold hasn't bugged me otherwise because the wind hasn't been bad.

However --I didn't layer up under my jeans today and I'm sitting here in the office freezing. After I get this posted, I'll put my boots back on, double up on the cardigan, and drape my coat over my lap.

I'm leaving work about 45 min. early today because I'm meeting some friends at a comedy club for a 7:30 show. Should be fun, and it's not too far from home.

I've taken tomorrow as a vacation day and have no other plans except my doctor's appointment. On Saturday I'm meeting a former co-worker for breakfast. Otherwise I'm going to finish watching Fargo season 3, since the dvd's are due back to the library on Saturday.

That's the end of my plans for the weekend and I'm glad to have another 4-day weekend. I have to check and see if mom needs anything. I highly doubt she'll want to go out in the cold, so maybe I'll be able to just pick up what she needs and drop it off by her.

Okay, that's it for me. Toodles.

Hello
We had our Christmas dinner on Christmas eve which was nice and afterwards had a secret Santa exchange which was fun. Sis fixed a prime rib roast which was excellent I had a doctor's appointment yesterday which was good. It was a follow up for my stomach which is doing a lot better. No more heavy doses of Aleve for me. Also mention that I've had a sore mouth, which turns out to be viral. He checked my B12 thinking that could be why, and then he sent me for an x-ray of my shoulder which has been giving me some problems. but all things are good. I came back to Branson yesterday to do my Uber driving and it will be a lot better this week. She's working in Branson. Today she's working from 11-4 then from 6 to 10. I'll go back and get her at 4. It's really been cold with a couple of mornings down to 9 degree's. Cold weather makes me stress.
Sis and her hubby will be going to Dallas tomorrow to have Christmas with his daughter and family.

Annie
So sorry that you are sick. Feel better soon.

Happy
Is it still snowing there? If I don't have to be out in it I'm good with the snow. The little bit we had is good enough for me. How is you knee and foot doing?

Laura
I went to Walmart after I took my niece to work and walked 41 minutes in there. I meant to bring my Leslie Sansone DVD walk away the pounds but I forgot it. May can find it on YouTube. I've been doing those the last couple of days when it was so cold I didn't want to go to the gym. They are suppose to be a one mile segment for 15 minutes but I only get 1/2 mile according to my Fitbit.

Susie
Loved the picture of your new ring.

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Guess the animals are taking a nap. the kitten is curled up by me in a chair and the dog is on the couch.

Good frosty morning from the deep freeze,

We went out last night - air temp was 20 degrees below zero. Brrrr. But we were dressed warmly and ran in and out of the car. Had a nice evening out. I am enjoying being home and being a slug sometimes and getting stuff done at other times. My foot feels better - of course, I am going to the doctor in 10 days so why wouldn't it? BUT it just feels slightly better - if I stand on it too much the pain comes back so this is not something that will go away on it's own I am convinced.

The last 2 days I feel as if the sniffles are coming on - I am trying hard to avoid coming down with anything substantial - always seems to hit this time of year.

Annie - sorry to hear that you got hit bad with the winter yucks. Glad you had a good Christmas though. Drink tea, eat soup and feel better quickly! (hugs with a face mask and hospital gown )

Laura - I tried suggesting things for gift exchanges and could not get the family to cooperate so I was the bad one who announced one year that I was dropping it altogether and within 2 years my sister was able to weasel out of it too. Nice that you gave you Mom a nice calendar - mine does the same - expects my sister to be her appointment reminder and she just looks at the nice pictures on the calendar! Yes it's good that your sister keeps moving. My PT decided that since I had a bike and the NuStep at home that I didn't need therapy PROVIDED I did it on my own. Which I really didn't. I don't go upstairs much in the loft area but did make note that I should routinely go up and down the stairs - that is good strengthening practice even though I am 14 months post op. Need to keep up with moving, stretching and strengthening. Are you enjoying the quiet at work? Got any plans for NYE? Your BF seems to have alot of friends, I would imagine someone is planning on getting together. DH was having alot of issues like you with his arm - numb and tingling. He is going to PT now and exercises are helping - he also has issues with his neck. He has been sleeping alot on his back instead of his side which he had to adjust to but says it makes him feel better. Just a thought. Or maybe a massage to work the kinks out? Thanks for reminding me I have a week over due library book to return. I hope you enjoy the comedy show tonight. I heard that cotton is the worst ever insulator - jeans do nothing for keeping one warm in the winter I have found.

We are taking out my former partner at the Thrift Store on New Year's Eve. She is 82 and alone - her son came up for Christmas though. We are going to an early dinner and then will drop her off and have coffee and a light dessert at her home. She is excited about it and so are we.

Ceejay you sound like a Christmas card with the cat and dog snuggled by you sleeping. We are getting light snow today. With this cold weather what we have will be around for a good, long while. Glad you enjoyed your Christmas dinner. Also nice to hear that your tummy has calmed down. Have you cut back on the soda - is that helping too?

I have gone back and forth away from the computer so should post this. I have just enough time to do a few things before I get ready for bingo. It's really cold but the pot is hot - around $900 so I imagine we will have a good crowd tonight. I wish I had time for a short nap but not going to happen.

Talk to you tomorrow. Hellos to the chicks.

Homeward bound this afternoon. Had a great break but looking forward to getting home. Talk to you all tomorrow
Last day of 2018

Not sure if it is the computer or this sight but I keep losing my post just before I hit reply. May take it to the geek squad tomorrow.

Ceejay: Your post did show up but if you keep having issues it might be good to take it to Geek Squad .

I love to do the Leslie Sansone Walk Away the pounds DVD’s. The workout goes really fast and before I know it, I have complete the workout and feel great. I haven’t done one in a while. I need to get my DVD’s out and use them to give myself a variety of workouts

Annie: Sorry to hear you are dealing with not feeling well. I have dealt with that many times over the years during the Christmas holiday’s. Hopefully you are feeling better by now. It’s nice you could work from home when you weren’t feeling well.

Happy: Thank you for the coupon code for the Hello Fresh meals. We will get our first batch this week, on Jan 3 due to the holiday. I am looking forward to them.

We are having some very cold weather in Ohio but it hasn’t gone below zero so you still win the prize on that! How was the turnout for bingo?

It is very nice of you to take your former partner at the Thrift Store on New Year’s Eve. I’m sure she will enjoy it and you and DH will too.

Of course your foot is feeling better---that is the way things go when we have a upcoming doctor appointment but you are smart to go ahead and get it looked at.

Shad: I hope you had a nice trip away and a easy trip back home. What are you doing to New Year’s Eve?

Laura: I had to laugh when I read about the company Christmas party where the one gal had a little to much to drink. I have seen that time and time again and that is why when I go out with co-workers, I won’t have anything to drink unless it is a water or a Sprite.

I am a very friendly person without alcohol and with it, I can be overly friendly and I don’t want to be the one that everyone talks about.

When I used to take clients out at a company I worked at before P&G; I always went to the same bar and the bartenders knew to make me a fake vodka martini, that way those clients thought I was drinking with them and I stayed appropriate.

How was the comedy club? I haven’t been to one in years and a friend that I used to work with and I were just talking about getting together to do that and brining our husbands too. I think we will get to it in January or Feb.

DH and I had a full day today; we went out to breakfast, we returned two gifts and got replacements, took the car to get an oil change, DH had a scratch on his eyeglass lenses----we purchased the protection plan so it only cost us $25 to replace the lens. Then we headed home.

It was starting to snow and wanted to get back to Wilmington (we went to Cincinnati) and be in for the evening while it was beginning to snow.

Tomorrow I don’t plan to go out of the house. I want to get the tree put away & I need to bake a cake for DH for his birthday, which is on Sunday, and I need to wrap his gifts.

I also have some house cleaning to to and a couple loads of laundry. I also want to get my workout in. DH said he would go to the grocery and I also plan to send with him a few boxes and bags for Goodwill.

Sunday, we will go to church and that evening celebrate DH’s b-day with 12 friends at The Chop House. Most will come back to our house, eat birthday cake and ring in the new year and then I’m usually in bed by 1 a.m.