HI AGAIN GALS~

RYAN AND NICOLE CAME BY FOR A VISIT YESTERDAY SO I HAD TO QUIT POSTING. THEY HEADED OUT TODAY FOR A CRUISE DOWN INTO MEXICO FOR PART OF THEIR HONEYMOON.

ANGIE AND I WENT AND DID A LITTLE MORE SHOPPING YESTERDAY THEN HAD MEXICAN FOOD. WATCHED MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET LAST NIGHT.

WENT TO CHURCH THIS MORNING THEN ANGIE AND I DID JUST A LITTLE MORE SHOPPING THEN GROCERY SHOPPING. SHE WORKED ON SOME PHOTO PROJECTS SHE IS DOING OF RYAN'S WEDDING FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR FAMILY. I LOADED UP MY TRUCK FOR NEXT WEEK.

AMANDA AND ZAC ARE HERE RIGHT NOW WATCHING THE CHARGER GAME ( RAIDER FANS USUALLY DON'T ALLOW CHARGER GAMES ON THEIR TV'S BUT SINCE HE WILL BE MY SIL SOON, I WILL ALLOW IT...JUST THIS ONCE!! )

WE ARE HAVING LARA'S 19TH BIRTHDAY DINNER TONIGHT...SHE ISN'T HERE, STARTED WORKING AT VICTORIA'S SECRET FOR CHRISTMAS WHILE SHE IS HERE ON BREAK FROM NEW YORK.

WELL, DINNER IS READY...I WILL POST AGAIN THIS COMING WEEK-END.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE ~~ I MISS YOU AND HAVE READ YOUR POSTS!



OUR HOUSE:

How are you all doing today? It's a frosty morning here and I don't want to go outside. But, I do have to go to work soon. I am enjoying my hot cup of coffee and the toast is toasting as we speak.

We are almost ready for Christmas here. I just have a couple more things to prepare and then get groceries for our family Christmas dinner. Because my mom does the turkey I"m going to do a stuffed pork tenderloin this year. I found a recipe that has a fruit stuffing and it sounds really good.

Other than preparing for the season not too much is happening around here. I did get the quilt finished a few weeks ago and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Hopefully Nicole will like it too.

Gary: Good to hear from you again. I love hearing about your family. I sometimes think it bores people to hear about mine but I definitely love hearing what goes on in other's lives.

Glad you got your truck back good as new. You're right us women have a lot of stamina when it comes to shopping. I'm glad to hear you're not one of the men I would see in the mall sitting on the bench having a nap. LOL

Rachel: I sure hope your days are going better than the one you described. I know that some days I feel like I shouldn't touch anything. It'll either break, or hurt someone, etc. But you're right God does know what's best. Have a great day!!

Margie: How was New York? I've never been there but would love to. Please post even when you think you have nothing to say. We need to be here in order to support each other.

Well, gotta go have my toast and get out in that cold air. Have a wonderful day!

Hi everyone. Nice to hear from you again Gary. My fingers are better if that is what you are referring to, Wilma. They are healing nicely. My Lord's Table mentor, Bonnie, says the Lord breaks hearts not fingers.

Sunday night was our Sunday School Christmas program. It went rather well. I didn't see most of it because I was helping behind the scenes with the angels. One of my students said, "Look, we're in heaven. We are angels playing foosball." There is a foosball table in the room we were changing in. I should say they.

My son had a temper tantrum last night. Yes, he is 15. He trashed the house and bent our mailbox. He was made about a Christmas issue. The issue was with him and no one else. I am sitting here overwhelmed and broken hearted. The Lord's Table bible study today was about focusing on Jesus so that is what I am doing. I have been doing that for about an hour and I am feeling better already. This isn't about feeling good. It is about doing the right thing and going to the Source with our troubles and trials. Anyway, he is grounded until I don't think he needs to be grounded anymore.

Hope this finds you well.

Rachel

I saw your new thread, and thought yes, it is time for a new start. In fact I'm just starting all around. I know that the Lord wants my body to be a temple in all ways, and I confess that I have failed in keeping it healthy a lot of times. I look forward to support and prayer. Because I suffer from an illness, it is a struggle to be healthy but all the more reason to be! Merry Christmas to all and rejoice at the birth of Christ!

Hi Encouragers,

It all worked out with my son. We had a meeting last night about what happened. We reconciled and cleared the air.

In other news, I weighed my self today and it is the same as last week. My first plateau. At least I didn't gain.

Have a good day,
Rachel

Sorry it has been a while, been really busy at work, ect. I am off tom. and finishing up my Christmas shopping ect. Then Christmas caroling tom. night. Then work sat. then home to church Christmas Eve, having candle light service that night. I am off for the week between Christmas and New year's and will spend it with family taking niece to a movie The Nativity and relaxing or trying too! I put in for a new position at work and am still waiting to hear from that, it would be a really nice promotion so pray that comes through, and I leave for the carribean ona cruise on Jan. 6th spending 1st night in Fort Lauderdale then on the ship on 1/7-1/13 so will be away for a while. I am suppose to have a cardiac consult on 1/24 I think that will go fine, then will probably start optifast soon after. Prayers for all, enjoy a wonderful christmas and of course remember Jesus is the reason for the season. God Bless! try to post again soon!

MERRY CHRISTMAS GALS

I have today off since we worked four 10 days this week. Spent most of it going through "stuff" my son put in the give away pile before he moved out. That is how I up-date my wardrobe, going through his hand me downs! Just wish I could wear his size 13 shoes!!

Our back yard is being torn up tomorrow, a small tractor will be taking out the planter boxes I built about 10 years ago, and on tuesday a lot of concrete will be poured, hopefully I will have a shuffleboard in the backyard by spring

I am tired of winter already, after just 1 day.... rained here for 10 minutes this morning...down to 60 outside...brrrr....

Amanda had the day off and has been here all day, putting a scarpbook together of her and her mom's trip to Germany this past summer. It is a Christmas gift for her mom.

Ryan and Nicole are still cruising on the ship in Mexico waters

Ron went to his mom's for a couple of days and Lara is working her shift at Victoria's Secret

Angie is in the gym doing

I am in charge of giving REBA and RYLEE their while I post

AUNT SUE~I hope you have a great Christmas with your family. Enjoy your cruise....HEY! wasn't I supposed to go on this one? I hope the job request works out for you as you want it. As always prayers for the up-coming event and your health. to our neice and to you!

WILMA~ Your family stories always interest us. Us "longtimers" feel like family anyway right? I bet the quilt is beautiful and Nicole loves it. your pork tenderloin sounds delish! Have a great Christmas with your family! Oh, by the way...how is that challenge working out for you guys?

RACHEL~Glad to hear things worked out with your son and his Great job on the Christmas program. I miss those now that my kids are grown. Angie will be playing in the bell choir for bot services on Christmas Eve. Great job on the NO GAIN!

CHRONICALLYFATIGUED

MARGIE Good to hear from you. Sounds like some progress in the tennis dept. Did you make it on the Morning Show? I'll bet you had tons of fun with the girls. Going to try and see Marshall this week-end if we get time with all that is going on, I can still remember what a tradgedy that was then. Saw Matthew on Monday Night Football talking about it. Merry Christmas to you and yours!



We are having our "tradition" of Mexican food for Christmas that the kids request...I am making cheese enciladas and Angie is making enchiladas, and of course we will have rice and beans, chips and guacamole. For Christmas Eve we will have over 20 folks here and we are having baked potatoes with all the fixins. Angie will put them in the oven before we head to 6 o'clock service and they should be ready to go when we get home to celebrate Jesus Birthday with our family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE

Now off to watch It's a Wonderful Life.................

We are having freezing rain so too icy to travel home to go Christmas caroling- so got all of my wrapping done and did some laundry now pretty much ready for when I take off on Christmas eve am for church to go to my parents for a few days- always fun spending time with family. Got a couple pics of the baby. One with her sister- who goes to Cedarville, and one with her dad my BIL dancing up a storm.

She is getting so big and she is so excited about Christmas!!!
Thanks E.Z.- I think you were suppose to go, I'm sure you could squeeze in my bag- as long as you don't mind being examined by homeland security...
I should hear about the job next week. Instead of managing 1 house (currently I do ) I would manage 4 community residences. It would mean a decent jump in pay and more responsibility, but I would work days instead of evenings and have every holiday and weekends off- I had to take a competitive test I scored 95 so that alone would grant me the interview. If it is the Lord's will it will happen and if not I just have to accept that is not were I am wanted. But we will see- I pray you have a good Christmas I didn't get card out at least not many I am so bad this year- no time but know that your all wished a very Merry Christmas and a most blessed New Year. Well the day is gone and it is time for bed, so maybe I can post tom. if not have an awsome Christmas and God bless you all!

AUNT SUE

OUR NEICE IS JUST TOOOOOO CUTE

THE JOB SOUNDS PERFECT! PRAYING THAT HIS WILL IS DONE! STAY SAFE IN THE ICY STUFF!

We had our family Christmas day yesterday. It was a really nice day. We went to church in the morning, then came to our place for dinner. (The fruit stuffed pork tenderloin was amazing!!) We played games, went to visit an old aunt in the nursing home and ate some more!!

Today, we are heading out to spend Christmas day with my mother and family and then tonight we head out even further to spend boxing day with an aunt we're quite close to.

Busy, busy but fun!!

Sue: I'll definitely be praying for your job situation. It sounds like you have a really good chance of getting it! That little niece of yours is adorable. I really miss having little ones around at Christmas. There used to be at least one each year. Now they're growing up and having little ones of their own.

Gary: I know that comment about your cold weather was just for me, wasn't it? We are again having an above temperature winter here. At least we have a white Christmas but the weather has been gorgeous. We went for a nice walk in our neighbourhood last night to check out the Christmas lights. Very nice!

It sounds like you are having a great Christmas too! Your family has grown in the past year and keeps getting busier.

The challenge got put on hold for a while because we were both fighting head colds. Now, after Christmas we're going to have to get back at it again.

Rachel: With the way you've been losing weight lately your body was due for a plateau. Keep up the great work! Have a lovely Christmas!

I just want to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the blessings God can give you in 2007.

MERRY CHRISTMAS LADIES

JUST A QUICK NOTE AS I SIT HERE IN THE KITCHEN VISITING WITH ANGIE. SHE IS MAKING HER CHICKEN ENCHILADAS ~ I FINISHED MAKING MY CHEESE ENCHILADAS A FEW MINUTES AGO. WE HAVE PLENTY OF SALAD AND DESERT LEFT OVER FROM LAST NIGHT, SO ALL WE HAVE LEFT TO DO IS FOR ANGIE TO MAKE THE MEXICAN RICE AND GUACAMOLE AND FOR ME TO RUN THE PINTO BEANS THROUGH THE BLENDER! EASY DAY, DINNER WON'T BE FOR ANOTHER 6 HOURS OR SO.

WE HAD 17 OVER LAST NIGHT AFTER OUR FIRST CHURCH SERVICE. THE CROWD WAS LOW FOR US THIS YEAR. RYAN AND NICOLE STILL ON THEIR CRUISE (THEY SHOULD BE GETTING OFF THE BOAT IN SAN DIEGO AS WE CHAT ~ MY EX IS PICKING THEM UP). MOST OF RYAN'S FRIENDS THAT WOULD STOP BY ARE IN OTHER STATES AT THE MOMENT OR WITH THEIR FAMILIES, ONE BUDDY STOPPED BY TO GIVE ME A PLATTER, AND ANOTHER IS EXPECTED TO COME BY TODAY. WITH MY SIS AND MOM AND ONE NEICE IN ILLINOIS IT SEEMED QUIET FOR US.

ANGIE, AMANDA, RON AND I WENT TO CHURCH ALONG WTH MY EX WIFE, HER SISTER AND FOLKS AND MY BROTHER AND HIS DAUGHTER AND MY OTHER NEICE, RON'S SISTER. ANGIE AND MY SISTER IN LAW PLAYED THEIR BELLS IN THE CHOIR ~ GREAT MUSIC LAST NIGHT.

GOTTA JAM....BROTHER HERE TO HELP ME WITH A PROJECT.......

Christmas was great, but then it always is!!!! I so enjoy spending time with family!!! Christmas eve was a nice dinner at home with Mom and Dad then relaxing and enjoying the eve. Christmas day was haveing breakfast- our traditional baked eggs- put can milk in a greased muffin tin and crack an egg in it put it in oven at 350 degrees until poached they are custard like poached eggs so yummy - only at Christmas then we opened presents at my parents then off to my sisters were most of the family convertged to open up more presents and enjoy a full turkey dinner. The baby was great she took several minutes to open each present as she had to pick up each individual piece of paper after she ripped it before she could go on... Great day had by all...
Wilma- thanks! your dinner sounds awesome, so nice that you got to visit your aunt I am sure that made her day... E.Z. Thanks! sounds like you still had a full house- Projects on Christmas- my whole day was R & R hope you got it done whatever it was. Tell angie we all said Merry Christmas even if it is a bit late.. Got any guacamole, and chips left- sounds yummy and different- we usually have a traditional dinner turkey or ham or both depends how many people are coming.
Gotta run- can't believe Christmas is over, now tom. I have a project putting Christmas stuff away the wrapping paper, bags bows boxes, gifts the I recieved ect. cleaning the house it is definitely needed. no news on job yet- hope to be called for interview tom. catch ya later- blessings!

Well, we are back from Canada. We had a great time. Grandma is a bit more clear headed than we thought she might be. Osteoporosis is the big problem. She has fractures in her back due to oseoporosis and it hurts like crazy. They had her on morphine but then she didn't know anyone and was agitated so they took her off that. She had a good birthday with our family.

We came back on Christmas Eve. We had ham and venison for Christmas dinner. It was just eight of us. My aunt and uncle went to my cousin's. We weren't invited. Oh well.

With all the eating and the parties, I have managed to maintain. Still sitting on that plataeu.

Nothing else to report. Have a happy new year.

Rachel

HAPPY NEW YEAR GALS!

Sorry to leave my last post so quickly. Angie and I had the concrete poured this week in the back yard for our future shuffleboard, there was some electrical work that my brother and I had to do before the pour. He came over Christmas morning because as extended family our Christmas together was the night before, each of our own personal family dinner, etc. were later in the day.

I worked out of town all week again, but this time I was able to spend the evenings with Angie. I was working ten miles from my MIL and SIL homes, Angie always comes up the day after Christmas for "their" family get together. She was going to head up with me the morning after Christmas at 3am, but with the concrete pour that day she wasn't able to (someone needed to watch REBA and RYLEE ...they don't do well with wet concrete ) so she took the train up and we came back together last night. She was able to spend time with her family, I would go over after work, have dinner, visit, kiss Angie good-bye, then head back to my hotel.

Our tradition of Mexican food for Christmas dinner was great as always. Although I will say Angie's enchiladas were better than my enchiladas this time but not by much We all had a great time after, playing LOADED QUESTIONS with me, Angie, Ryan and Nicole, Amanda and Zac, Lara and Ron.

Projects for this week-end include taking out a few walls and a door, I put in 11 years ago, in the family room to make it Ryan's bedroom after Angie and I got married. Now that he is out, we are making it a game room. We actually received a really nice game table and chair set from my SIL this week that she didn't have room for. Now keep in mind that my house is a little over 1,800 sq. ft. and her house is over 3,000 sq. ft.! Go figure

We also need to get the back yard back together after all the work this past week on it. The mutts think they have a new playground now with all the patio furniture scattered around for tractor and concrete work! Plus all the new holes they can dig in

Angie and I are going to try and get Christmas stuff packed up on Sunday after church

I MIGHT watch a few football games on NEW YEARS DAY For sure the ROSEBOWL with USC!


RACHEL~Glad to hear your Canada trip was pretty good. I haven't had venison for over 40 years, my uncle used to hunt a lot back then, so when we visited him in Arizona, dinner was the "catch of the day"! Enjoy the (no day care kids at the house) week-end with your family.

AUNT SUE~ As usual your Christmas with family was awesome! Angie does make KILLER guac! It is a good thing we always have avocados here in southern California. She is planning on making a turkey for New Years...that could change though. We started the Mexican food tradition here years ago, Angie would like to change it from time to time, but the kids say so being Christmas she sticks to our family tradition. This usually only costs me about $5 bucks a kid, to put their foot down on changing tradition . I just Mexican food! Frankly, over the years, as friends and family have moved away, when asked what they miss most about California they say MEXICAN FOOD ~ seems no other state (that they go to anyway) makes it like we do here. YUMMMMMMY!! Prayers for the "job"!

Well ladies, I'll check in again this week-end. Have a great time with your families!!