It wasn't too, too bad though. I got in and got out as quickly as possible.

Audri, what in the world is kettle corn? Pop corn, maybe.

MailWhale, how did your ornaments turn out?

Itsworthit, wish I was there to sample all those goodies you are making. I love sweets. They are my arch enemy and they always win the battle!

Kettlekorn is a popcorn that is slightly sweet slightly salty. A lighter tasting version of carmel corn kinda. They sell it outside at the farmer markets. But I like the home microwave versions better. Someday try it. Act popcorn brand has one and so does another name brand. No, I take that back, don't try it, you may get addicted too.

My {.} is way heavy today. I do not want to go to work. I would rather go crawl back into bed and go to sleep. I think I will go get some Midol before work. But today is the last day of my fall contract. 6 hours till winter break!!!! Then I make a shopping list for my baking. I want to make buckeyes and zuc bread and pumpkin loaf and peanut brittle.

Griffin was bit by our bassett hound yesterday. 60+ stitches in the face. No she never bit before. No more dogs here. I can't do it. The bassett was impounded last night, NV law for 10 days. The swelling is so bad this morning. It will scar. A plastic surgeon fixed him at UMC. He got to ride in an ambulance from one hospital to another. It happened at 1ish and we got home at 9. Long sad day. We will see at 1 year and again in 4 years if plastic surgury is needed. My beautiful baby. Can you say a prayer for him for quick healing?? audri

What an awful thing to happen, Audri. I will say a prayer for Griffin and you. How old is he? I hope it heals quickly. Take care of yourself and your son.

Thanks Sandy, Grif is 14 months old.

Audri, how are you and Griffin doing today? I'm sure it is harder on you then it is on him. Will keep you in my prayers.

I'm keeping busy trying to finish everything up, hopefully I'm done in time for Christmas. I've been busy with my Dad, have to go over and put drops in his eye a few times a day. Took him to the eye doctor this morning and the eye that had the cataract now has 20/20 vision, so he is doing really good.

Hope everyone isn't stressing out over the holidays. I made cookies last weekend, big mistake. I think I'll have to make more this weekend lol. They really are good. I'm not eating all of them, hubby & daughter are helping.

Oh Audri! I am so, so, sorry! Good Grief, 60 stitches, I can't imagine. Oh Griffin! Heal quickly! My prayers are with you both!

My ornaments turned out okay...we used really little cookie cutters...I think they would be more impressive if they were bigger. They smell like cinnamon if you are close, but don't fill the room they way the applesauce kind do....maybe those would be better....

I think I am putting off healthy behavior until Jan 2 I can just tell that is my frame of mind for now.... darn!

Hello from CO.. Audri, I'm so sorry to hear about Gif! That happened to a neice of mine when she was about that age and she's a beautiful young woman today, without having to undergo plastic surgery. Her scaring is barely noticeable- you'd never notice if you weren't looking for it. It's amazing how children heal... I'll pray that Gif will heal quickly -with little scaring. How's he (and you) doing today?

Sandy, I'm so glad to hear that your Dad's eye surgery had such good results... that's wonderful news. Any snow up your way, yet??

Sorry I'm so long in touching base again.. I'd lost my connection here and hadn't been notified of any msg's of late, so got to wondering why. Had to re-log in again <one of those DUH moments>.. will talk with you all soon. Have a good Friday.. and weekend, everyone!

PS Thank you, Karefree!!!

I am so freaking overwhelmed this week. Tonight I make the turkey and the fixings. We are opening gifts after dinner. I do not want to hear about them any more from my children. Everyone needs a distraction.
Tomorrow is my nephews first b-day party. (actually it is the 24th)
Sun early is a surprise baby shower for my sis in law. Gotta go, she threw my first shower. That night my sisters and their children and husbands are coming over for finger foods and gifts.
Monday night is at Chris's parents for chicken soup and dumplings and presents.
Xmas morn after the stockings, is my moms and after that is Terry's mom's.
I WANT THIS OVER WITH!!!!

Grif fell on his tummy yesterday right before the docs. Blood, pus, water everywhere. So very gross, like a big pimple. But doc assured me no damage done and it needed to drain. He is a big more hyper, but he doesn't sleep that well. I did go to sleep at 9 only to wake up at 1 to hear all about Chris's night at work. The Marines came in to KB's and bought over 40,000$ of barbies, wrestling figures, finger boards/bikes and various games. They gave them a 8 thousand dollar discount. Chris wants to go in work tonight to restock. But tonight is YULE. But he and I aren't exchanging gifts so I suppose a couple hours won't kill me after the excitement. If he doesn't go in today, it will be tomorrow...

How is my diet. Bah Humbug. I skipped on getting a dessert tonight for our big dinner. Nothing looked good. So, forget it. I am drinking lots of gatorade. I am craving it. Well, after I survive this week, I will get back on track.

Happy Holidays everyone!!!! aud

Audri, I think you need to take a deep breath and relax for a few minutes. I hope you and Grif start sleeping better, you are still in my prayers.

Itsworthit, how do you like CO? We don't have any snow here yet but I think it might have snowed a little in NH. I haven't been there in a few weeks, hopefully we will be able to spend New Years Eve there. Not sure what the plans are yet.

Mailwhale, I'm with you, not gonna start with the healthy lifestyle again till after the holidays.

Karefree, how is everything going?

I have all my shopping and wrapping done. Have to clean house this weekend and make more cookies lol.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Audri, I am so sorry about Griffin. I am praying that he will heal quickly and with as little scarring as possible. I was bitten by a dog at a quite young age (on the nose actually) . I am sure it was more traumatic for my mother than it was for me so I am adding a prayer for you also. Grif will be alright, I am sure.

Things here have been hectic. Old Navy is having some FABULOUS sales. Got lots of good buys there for Jesse. Hope they are the right size. He is SOOOOO particular.

Itsworthit, you are welcome. Hope you are enjoying the family time.

Sandy, I had to laugh at your cookie statement. I am not going to start until the company is on the way. Jesse eats the cookies BEFORE they cool! LOL!

MailWhale, your cookie ornaments sound adorable. Makew me wish I had made some. Well, maybe next year!

Wouldn't it be nice if when we finished doing laundry we WERE finished. Ahhhhh...to never have dirty clothes.

Happy Holidays,

Karen

Hello friends... we have a couple of inches of snow on the ground, but bright blue skies, so it probably won't last long. Sandy, I'm enjoying CO Springs... it's a very bustling little community.. went with my son to Garden of the God's <just on the outskirts of town now!> a couple of days ago... those beautiful rock formations always awe me!

Speaking of cookies... my daughter wants to try out her new cookie press today.. plus last night we went thru a bunch of cookie and dessert recipes - picked out some awfully yummy sounding ones, so this morning we're heading out for ingredients and soon the house will be smelling very holiday-ish! Karefree, had to laugh at your comment about Jesse eating them before they cool... that's our dilemma here, too! That... or just the raw dough disappearing! Oh well... that's tradition around our house.

And speaking of COOKIES... has anyone heard from CookieM???? I miss her... if anyone has her email address, could you PM it to me? She was part of KareFree's and my 'Chub Club' group and it's sad to have lost connections with her. <If you check in here, CM.. know we're thinking of you! We'd love to hear from you.. you're not forgotten!!>

Wishing you all HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Family isn't coming to our house until next Saturday so Christmas will be just me and Paul and Jesse. I have the pre-cooked 10 pound turkey and dressing and cranberry sauce (Wal-Mart) in the freezer. I'll take it out this evening to thaw in the frig. A Sara Lee cheesecake is in there also. I am making some of those EASY no bake cookies and a few side dishes. Green been casserole, crescent rolls , glazed carrots and that is it! I am taking it easy this year.

Audri, bless your heart, you need a vacation. Maybe alfter the holidays you and Chris can get away for a night and just relax? I am thinking about the baby. Hope he is feeling better.

CookieMommster, I second Itsworthits sentiments! Miss you and if you drop by here to visit please post. And Itsworthit, will your actually have a white Christmas? Thanks for the card and the enclosure. It was very sweet. I know this must be a difficult time. I am so glad for you that you have such a sweet family to be with now. I am sure it helps to have those sweet baby arms around your neck.

Sandy and MailWhale, sending you both Seasons Greetings and hope you and your families are having a white Christmas. It is just now getting cold here and I envy ya'll a little. It is raining now and would see so much more fitting it it was big fluffy flakes floating down than this dreary old rain!

Karen

Half way done with the holiday gatherings! Only 3 left and I can relax! I am actually looking forward to restarting my diet next week. I know I could start now. What fun would that be? I have cookies snail mail address and if I look hard enogh I may have her email address. I know it isn't in my outlook address book cause my system crashed a few months back. I will get back on line later on and pm you both. ~hope everything is happy for everyone. Griffins face isn't gross anymore. Friends and family still fight to hold back tears. But I am hoping we won't need more surgury in a few years. I am hoping the baby skin will work miricles! Love ya all! Happy Holidays! audri

I'm so glad that Griffins face is looking better, I hope he doesn't need any surgery.

Just stopped in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Enjoy the holiday.

I think I read someplace that the food you eat on Christmas doesn't have any calories, did anyone else read that?