Good morning. Loved the ear piercing stories! I'll add my own My mom took me when I was 4 to Cape May to visit her friend from HS. I think I cried, but I don't really remember or did I scream? Either way I way better when I had my second holes done in 8th grade. My mom refused to let me get a second hole unless I got a B or better in History. (I had Ms Koski who scared the day lights out of me and was a complete mess in her class) Well I busted my bottom in that class and proudly earned a B+. My mom held up her end of the bargain and she decided to get her second holes too. It really meant a lot to me.

Ruth snow is coming our way tomorrow night and we may actuallynhaveva white Christmas. I hope it isn't too bad as I am working the overnight shift and shoveling is not on my list of things to do when I get home from work. Joe has his kids until 2:30. We are going to have our own little Christmas together at my house afterwards. He may need to bring Duke as it is way to cold for him to be in the outdoor kennel overnight. My two will love that! Actually Mick could care less if another doggie is here. Coconut on the other hand is 14 pounds of pure Alpha dog. To keep the peace, Duke will have to be crated if it gets out of control. Otherwise they can have a puppy party!

Be careful if you venture into a grocery store today. Crazy busy at 7:15 am. Insanely busy, but I had no choice. Joey may not go to his work Christmas party tonight (which is fine by me). He feels funny because he is the youngest one. The "guys" will be having a few, which he said would make it awkward for him. He knows not to get in a car with anyone drinking. I won't let him take my car until I get new tires (oh they are barely tires). So if he goes I will pick him up when the festivities end...or better yet we can stay in and spend time together

Debbie what is a chokecherry? Never heard of it.

Now to enjoy my coffee! Have a great day and safe travels

Yahoo! This is terrible but my DIL just called, told me she was really worried about me driving in the cruddy weather and we have postponed our visit until Boxing Day! Jim has to work but we will have a family lunch at his restaurant instead.

Suddenly I have a bonus day! Sure hope I can find something to fill the time.

Just made Ruth's cranberry crack. Must now get it out of the house ASAP. That stuff is lethal!

How is your day?!

Ruth, I H-O-P-E you find something to do today. lol

Jennifer, chokecherries are small sour "cherries" that seriously make you choke if you eat them raw....the NAmerican Indians used them quite often. Wine is popular with them but whatever you need "sugar". We enjoy picking them...it's quite a social thing and my mom loves the jam...reminds us all of her mother.

Love the ear piercing stories! I'll share later....jelly done...off to the store.

Just realized I have time and the ingredients for Cranberry Crack. Hmmm - just may make another batch. I think I will be able to fill the time today.

Debbie, I love chokecherry jam and have also made wine from the little gems of sourness. They are well named.

Good afternoon.

I've had gnocchi at restaurants and loved it. And I also refused to have my second ear pierced, at age 10, until my mom forced me. She STILL tells that story!

I started returning gifts today. The mall was open at 8 and I never got there as fast as at that hour on the highway on a Sunday morning. I also went to Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond and was home by 9:30. Woo hoo! Picked up a new jigsaw puzzle for myself. I'll start that today.

Just a fly-by, as I'm at Church. See you Monday

Cranberry crack...you are reminding me I was thinking I'd make Kirk some homemade granola....it may be on my list later on

My mom absolutely would not let me get my ears pierced. Back in the day when there were two small Dr. offices in town where the wives were the nurses...I saved my money and headed over one day after school...I must have been 12. The Dr's wife asked me, "now this is ok with your parents, right?" Oh, yes, I said. Boy was my mom mad but I was delighted. I carried my little earring stash with me to wear when she wasn't around.

Ok, relaxation sounds good!

These piercing stories crack me up!!!

I must figure out what cranberry crack is, though...

good evening,

sorry I was MIA - I found out Thursday that I have no job to come back to in the New Year and I spent the weekend sleeping and eating really, really badly.

But I plan to wake up in the morning and get on Ph 2 day for Xmas eve and Xmas and get to the gym, then to the store for some good foods. 2 days of eating horribly and my body reacting horribly is enough. Enough wallowing!

So lots of gym, Ph 1 and job searching over the next few weeks. I will be here more often, in time for all the newbies and to help answer questions

Jenne, I'm sorry to hear that you are going to have to start job hunting. Glad, though, that you're bouncing right back up and planning to take care of yourself during the process. It will be nice to see you around here more often. Take care.