Horribly cold out there tonight, too - just looked at the weather channel, and it's 4 degrees out there. Don't suppose that sounds too bad to you, Rosey, but I've gotta tell you, it's WAY colder than I'd care to have it. 
Tea, I am so horrified for your poor friend. And the rest of the family...the child's mother. Unfortunately, when I worked as a social worker, which I did for seven years right from college, these things weren't so terribly uncommon. I can't fathom the kind of mentality one must have to do such a thing. It surely seems that they must be insane. How could a sane person DO such a thing? Your poor, poor friend. The baby, of course, is safe now, and that is surely a blessing.

Mary, your trip sounds so lovely. I'm looking forward to doing some traveling with dh once I am well and truly retired.
Sounds like a magnificent supper, Lynn...I'm sure it was enjoyed by all!
Bobbi, I've been counting calories. Most of the time. Sometimes, I just haven't felt like it, and I'm sure that on those days, I went way over. I don't think it's about plateauing, I think it's just eating more than I should too often. Ah, well. Feb. 1st will be here soon, and I can start fresh.

Nancy, what particular sausage seasoning are you talking about? I'm sure I'd like to use it, if you can point me in the right direction. As for now, I season mine depending on what I'm using it for - for a Mexican dish, I use chili powder or just use packaged taco or chili seasoning when I'm browning the meat. For meatloaf, I use cumin, salt, pepper, garlic, and a good couple of squirts of ketchup. I haven't used any kind of red meat for a long time. I think I reached my saturation point when I spent nearly 10 years on the Atkins plan - stayed nice and slim, too, but all that meat gets to you after a while. I can't stomach it now. Congrats on the two pounds, girl....you're doing great!
Well, Karen31 and Lyn, if you two are getting those kind of results from exercise, it would seem that I'd better get motivated and be doing some. (Ack).

Gayle, they ARE paying you for those things you're making for the hospital, right?
Karen3 - NOW!!!! I need it NOW! Please get that bundle of sunshine in the mail immediately! I'm close to frozen solid!
My gosh, Bunti, that's pretty amazing...the difficulty in getting supplies in and yourselves out, I mean. I had no idea that those conditions still existed anywhere in the civilized world. It certainly is astonishing. Interesting, too.
Freda, hope all's well with you and the family. I'm thinking maybe you're working this weekend?
Well, enough from me for now. I think I'll find myself something to watch on TV for an hour or so, and then get myself off to bed.

Z



I get so excited when I see the pounds disappear! Of course, I think I have figured out that it is going to take some work to get it accomplished. 
