Hello ladies. Hope everyone is well. I just exercised for 20 minutes and feel just great. I don't have a scale so I have not had a chance to weigh myself yet. I guess that is probably a good thing. I'll go over to my Moms tomorrow or the next day and face the music. Hopefully I will see some good results although I know it may be too soon.

Allison-Did DD pass the test??

Angie-Good for you on the workout. I do think it's a good thing that you don't have a scale.

I hope everyone is doing great! Sorry I have been MIA, way too many things going on right now! I THINK I am finished Christmas shopping other then picking up another thing or two for both the moms. How is everyone else doing preparing for the holidays?
Shelley, did you get all your shopping done online? I prefer to online shop other then I use my credit card. I will have good intentions to directly pay it off, but it seems like I will let it go and add it to the balance. Local shopping I stay with the "cash & carry method" LOL!

Shelley, no DD didn't pass. And of course she blames me. Everyone told me about the "trap" and I attempted to tell DD, but when I mentioned it, she got defensive and said she'd be fine. I hesitated yesterday to tell her again, but instead simple reiterated for the umpteenth time to "read the signs." Well, she got caught in the "trap." There is a street with a blind corner at the intersection, so there is a sign that reads "No turn on Red." She didn't read it and turned right at the red light. She has to wait 2 weeks before she can test again, so no exercise this week for me. I only have to drive her to school for the rest of the week, though--then the kids are out for winter break. I plan on starting to exercise on Monday now.......I gotta get back on track. My weight is not budging.

Gayle, I think we're all really too busy this time of year. I know I am!!!! I spent over 3 hours driving around town yesterday so DD could take her driver's test (she lost her permit, so we needed a replacement. They didn't tell me she had to do a new application which requires the signatures of BOTH parents!). Then after getting the permit, we had to go back to her driving school to get the instructor to sign off that she had completed the course. I drove over 100 miles! Aargh. And then for her to fail the test. We were not happy campers yesterday.

Tonight after work, I hope to finish my birthday shopping. Christmas is mostly done (we don't give a lot of gifts--only to children of friends and my nieces). I have more birthdays in November, December and January than at any other time of year. I think I need one present and 11 birthday cards!

Allison I am sorry to hear that DD didn't pass her test. Kids always need someone to blame for their mistakes. It looks like you took the brunt of it.

Gayle I am pretty busy over hear too. I still have a few gifts left to buy. Do you know where Sherry is living now? Could you email me or message me her address?

Shelley when is your celebrations start? I am sure that you will be happy to have everyone back at home for the holidays.

Suzy how are you doing? Is this the first Christmas with out Travis? I can't remember what happenned yesterday never mind last year.

Cheryl are things finally settling down for you? It will be nice to take a break for the holidays.

Sorry that I can't post to everyone, I have some christmas cards that I am going to drop off by foot.

Have a Merry Day.

Dee, I know Sherry was getting ready to move again so I don't have her new address. Sad to say, but I think she is finished with us here on the board. I miss her friendship and I wish her well.

Allison, hugs to daughter! I remember all too well flunking my first driving test! It was a trap too....I was a nervous wreck, I had just put the vehicle in reverse to back out of a space in the parking lot to begin testing...without thinking, as I stopped to put it into gear, as it was still rolling, I removed my hand from the steering wheel. The tester said "You failed!" and I pulled directly back into the spot again and felt like a total idiot. Now looking back at it, the tester was not fair and was just looking for anything to fail me. She flunked me on the theory if it is a "moving vehicle" both hands need to be on the wheel. Good thing I don't need to test now...I have all kinds of bad habits! LOL!

Hope this finds everyone well. I just got in 30 minutes of exercise. I am so surprized at myself. Being able to actually comit to this. And actually carry it out. I know it is still early in the game but this is the best I have felt in years. Thanks to everyones good wishes and Way to Go's
You are all sweethearts.

angie

Great Going Angie!

Allison, hope your daughter is feeling better now that she has had a few days to deal with the driving test. I know around here, most kids don't pass on the first or even second try. From what I understand they are trying to show the kids driving is a responsibility. I don't know if they really do that or not.

I am thrilled to announce, the construction is done and all that is left is clean up! What a long messy year this has been! Unfortunately, won't be able to enjoy the place for a few more days. Rob (DH) has been diagnosed with diabetes so have a million dr. appointments to go to. I am going with him, to the nutritionist and a few other appointments to learn more. So things continue to be nuts here!

Well time to get ready for work. This week is last week of classes, next week finals! My final is Monday so I will spend the rest of the week correcting and then I am DONE!! I really can't wait for this semester to be over. Spring semester doesn't start till Jan. 22 so a very long break! I can't wait!!

Debbi--that's happy and sad news. Hope DH is going to be able to control his diabetes with diet (my FIL does quite well doing this). My sister was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes 43 years ago, so I've been hyper aware of the disease all my life. But I am glad that all the construction is done!

DD has gotten over her flunking the test. She was in a really good mood this morning on the way to school (usually we don't talk much). Tonight we're volunteering at her school band's Christmas tree lot. I've brought extra clothes and a blanket. It will be quite cold.

Everyone have a wonderful day!

Finished with finals. Just waiting for grades to be posted now. The torture...

Went to Branson over the week-end with Mom. Went to two shows (Legends and Manheim Steamroller's Christmas show) and through the trail of lights. Bought lots of clothes.

House is being "fixed." New tile being layed down and taking WAY too long, IMO. Stewart is mad at me. I mean MAD.

Wish I could move out.

Cheryl, so sorry to hear Stewart is mad (again). What's up?

Cheryl big hugs to you. I hope that you two can work it out soon. I am glad that you had a nice time in Branson, I guess it was all the clothes shopping that got to Steward.

Debbi ohh to be dust free, won't that be sweet but I bet not as sweet as that bubble bath.
Was Rob have symptoms or how did the doctors figure out what was going on?

Allison have fun with DD at the tree lot. I could send you some of my winter wear.....long johns,....lol

Gayle thanks for getting back to me. Sherry emailed me yesterday. She is back in KY. We need to persuade Sherry to come back......what kind of trap might work, do you think a chocolate one will?

Shelley where did you go? You haven't posted for a few days?

Angie way to go, you are doing great.

Where is our new proud Aunty? How is the little one doing?

I am going back to help the elfs wrap presents.

I got in my 30 minutes of exercise on my eliptical machine tonight. I am starting earlier since I haven't gotten to bed before 1 am in a while. After exercising I have to shower, see whats up at 3FC and finally read at least a few pages before going to bed.

Gayle, nice meeting you. You'll probably be hearing a lot from me. I love to talk.

Debbi, nice meeting you, too. I hope all goes well with the Diabetes appointments. My DH and I are preDiabetic. One of the big reasons I am here at 3FC.

Allison, I wish they would have been harder on my kids when they got their licenses. They passed first time--and they made mistakes. They think its their right to drive--not a privelidge. It is pretty easy to get a drivers license in Michigan it seems.

Cheryl, when you say you went to Branson, do you mean as in Branson, MO?
We are going there on Easter break. Any suggestions for what not to miss when we are there? We are taking our 12 year old daughter.

Dee, thank you for your encouraging words. They mean the world to me. That is what is keeping me going on this diet/exercise thing I am doing.

Thank you all for the hugs. I think I really need to get my Lexapro adjusted to a higher dosage, because a lot of it really is ME. (Growwwwlllllll)

Angie--yup, the one and only Branson, MO!! We go there 2-3 times/year. What kinds of things are you interested in? Do you like shows? If so, there are a ton to choose from. A 12-year-old girl......Hmmmm......If she's "into" boys, I recommend the Haygoods. Try to get a seat close to the front. How many days will you be there? We usually stay 2-3 days each trip, then on the way home talk about all the things we wanted to do but didn't have time for