Hey Sloan! Happy vacation! I'd love your marshmallow recipe. One of my Nieces is a marshmallow addict.

I'm nearly done wrapping and tagging. Tomorrow I'll apply bows and pack u everything that goes out of the house and put the rest under the tree. Jim and I spoil each other every year with multiple presents and we fill each other's stockings. Back to wrapping! I'm watching Frosty while I wrap.

I'm here!!

Rhonda, it seems like time has flown for you. Seems like just the other day you were talking about retiring by 2010. Now it's here. I think you've done well with your eating considering all the emotions that have to be going on right now. Just remember to get back op as soon as you can. Don't be on a 2 year long "eating like on vacation" that we've done.

Sloan, my eating today was bad, too. I just dusted and am going "clean" tomorrow. We use an air purifier by our bed, too. We even have a portable one we take to hotels.

The man who beat me Wednesday night was so cute. He'd run over to see what I shot several times. I had beaten him a few weeks ago, but he "whipped up on me" this time. It wasn't even close. I'm all right about it.

Vickie, it could be PMS, but I'm guessing it also could be holiday s. I know that's what I have right now. I think you're doing great. 45 lbs! That's fantastic!

Maryann, I don't think you're negative at all. You're being extremely positive. That's interesting about the quarter.

Sloan, sounds like you're being very smart with the way you're letting dd get comfortable being back.

Vickie, if you go to this site: http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot....ow-recipe.html , you will find the recipe I used along with picture directions. They were surprisingly easy to make. I hope you will try them!

Rhonda, I'm so glad you are home! I know having you there is a great Christmas present for Doyle.

Sandra, you know what I always say: Tomorrow is another day!

Nighty night, chicks!

Hi Ladies

Just canceled my appointment with the hairdressers,don't feel like going today,and with this snowy weather my hair do will just fizzle out and thinking of all the money it will caused me I could put the money to better use.

The snow is suppose to start some time around 4 PM and into tomorrow morning, with a prediction of 4-8 inches which is better than the one the predicted before. So Now its a change of outer clothing,was going to wear my leather coat[Christmas Mass] now my winter Parker & snow boots are in order. Don't know How I will carry all,now that the extras are in play.Had 2 pcs of luggage one in the belly of the bus the other a carry on.Oh well.I will figure it out.

SLOANE-Hopefully the roads will be cleared off on Monday Morning when my bus pulls into the depot at 6:30 AM. I'll let you know, if my DD will let me use the computer. The quarter thing was amazing to me when I first saw it on the carpet.It wants to make you think,my sister gave me a book about miracles or coincidences and so many stories in that book makes you wonder.

VICKIE=Your better than me with decorating your gifts I just wrap them and put tags on,as my gifts for my family are in my suit case and the bows would be crushed.

SANDRA=Thanks for your conference in me.Trying to keep a positive attitude now that Leo is gone,but now & than a negative one pops up.


HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR,IF I DON'T GET BACK TO YOUR TODAY

Rhonda, I'm glad you arrived safe and sound. Now hop into the pre-Christmas whirlwind. I'll talkto you later.

Sloan, I'm going to peek at that recipe, too. Thanks for posting the url.

Vickie, Curtis and I don't exchange gifts. Sounds like you and Jim have a lot of Christmas spirit.

Mornin' chicks, we woke up to a dusting of snow here in Middle Tennessee. Nothing else exciting going on here. I still have not bought one single gift or stocking stuffer. I guess I'll get to it on Monday.

Vickie, how is the snow in Chicago? I hope you are staying warm!!

Rhonda, I'm glad you are finally home!

Sandra, Vance and I seldom exchange gifts. We usually spend our money on the kids and other folks.

Hope you all have a Super Sunday!!

Good Morning Chicks! Not too much snow here, maybe 2 inches. It is very cold her though. So sorry about the east coast. I hope Mary Ann is doing ok.

Congratulations, Rhonda on being in Texas and retired. Monday morning is when it will really hit you. Jim and I did a lot of "if I was working I'd be (fill in the blank with some hard task) right now" for the first year.

Sloan, thanks for the link to the recipe. I may give them a try and give them out for after Christmas winter blues gifts just to perk up my Niece or Sister. I'm glad you didn't get too much snow.

Sandra, how fun for you to have Rhonda so close now.

Jim and I are like kids with Christmas. He didn't used to enjoy it when I met him but I have always been a BIG fan of Christmas. So...he got into it. It's kind of contagious. We talked about cutting back next year since there is no cost of living increase for us and our LTC, health and life insurance premiums are all going up drastically. I'm sure we'll still do stockings and one or two presents. Right now we lots of packages for each other. They aren't all expensive but fun. That's what you can do when you have no children. We are spoiled rotten!

I have to go weigh in at JC this morning since I can't go tomorrow. My cleaning lady is coming tomorrow morning instead of my regular day which would have been Christmas Eve. We have a few other things to do on Monday and then we'll just relax until Christmas Eve when everything starts to happen again. I can't make my macaroni and cheese and cream cheese jello mold until Christmas Eve or they won't be fresh for the day after Christmas party. But we're supposed to be tired at this time of year, right? I'm just thankful that I'm not doing all this and working too.

Talk to you all later!

Hi Ladies

We got 14" so far and the snow is still coming down until late[4PM] this afternoon.
We have a radio station that has a set up for Emergency broadcast[Live coverage of Storm 2009] tells us all the up dates on the snow.Up until the Patriots game this afternoon.

I decided to change my day of traveling until Tues. I called my DD & DS and they agree it would be a better day to travel than tomorrow.When I called the taxi company they told me that was a wise choice.

Had trouble getting out of the front door and was frightened as the drafts were to high leaning against the door. Than with a strong push I was able to inch my way outdoors,where I shoveled a path going down to my car.Later on I going out again and heat the car and get the ice & snow off once the snow stops.We are lucky to have power,but just in case if goes out the people on the radio suggest to put the heat up and get the fireplaces going so when the power goes out your home is still warm of a couple of hours.

RHONDA-Glad you arrived safely to your new home. Have a great Christmas Holiday.

VICKIE-That's a great idea that your and Jim exchange presents Leo & I did also, not like you do but we always had one gift for each under the tree.I'm doing fine,we have electric so that makes me happy.Have to go out once the snow stops,and clean off the car.

SLOAN-We we only had a dusting,instead of the 14+Have to postpone my trip until Tues.

Going to see if I can find a good movie on TV to watch this snowy day.

We have company coming this afternoon. We're going to fling some arrows and eat some goodies. I have pts saved--just hope they are enough. Tonight is "Survivor" finalee. Life is good.

Maryann, I'm glad you're leaving Tuesday. Hopefully, roads will be safer then. Be careful, my friend.

Vickie, I love reading about you and Jim. Ya'll are full of spirit. I love it!

Sloan, is Sloan your first name? I have been wondering. Weren't ya'll giving "Disney World" this Christmas or am I thinking of someone else?

Rhonda, I guess you're busy decorating and shopping. Vickie's right. Retirement will "hit you" but it may not hit till after the holidays when you'd normally be going back for the next term. Well, you know that. You will miss the staff and students but probably won't miss the hurdles involved. Just keep on enjoying yourself. And do some of those "What if's" Vickie was talking telling you. You'll like that. I know I did.

I stayed the same. I've been drinking cranberry juice all week. I'm sure you can guess why! And, I only exercised twice. So....I'll take it as we head into an eating three days starting Thursday. I'll try to exercise self-control and walk on the treadmill. I'm committed to walking on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Hope that's good enough.

What are you all up to tonight?

Hey chicks, we're having diet coke sloppy joes for dinner with baked potatoes. DD has actually been trying core for the last couple days, and so far, she likes it. It will be nice to have someone doing core with me.

Sandra, my first name is Sloan. I am named after my maternal grandmother. Her last name was Sloan. I have only met two other Sloans in my life. It is a very unusual name, but I like it. Yes, we are going to Disney for Christmas. We will leave on Christmas day and return on New Year's Eve. You would think we are all little kids 'cause we are so excited!


Vickie, I'm glad your snow is not too bad. My aunt and uncle are in Maryland and have 20 inches!

Maryann, I'm glad you are waiting until Tuesday. It does sound like the safe thing to do.

Rhonda, are you getting unpacked? I'll bet it's already like Christmas at your house. New beginnings are fun, but can also be stressful. Just relax and don't try to do too much.

I'm chillin' on the couch with DD and watching movies. It is a very quiet evening here, and that's how I like it!

Have a good evening chicks!

I have been enjoying having both my boys home this week.
My college son had a mountain biking accident Friday, and a lady from the
nature park called me to say they had found him knocked out.
We were in the ER 8 hours checking for internal/back/head injuries,
but just had bad bruising and a concussion. he seems to be doing fine now.
He was wearing good protective gear so that probably helped a lot.
He is my "extreme" everything, but I have learned to quit worrying.

Hubby is having a lot of back and knee problems and we don't think he will be able to go back to work. He may be headed for knee /back surgeries. I am going to work PT in the spring and full time next fall.

One huge help will be if we can sell our house this spring and downsize.
It is too big and was a fixer upper that turned into a money pit.
We are hopeful that we can recoup some of the money we have poured into it when we sell.

I am going to start walking in the morning. I hope by saying it I will do it...
My plan is to do it first thing before the day gets busy..
Everyone feel free to ask if I stuck to this (it will help motivate me)

I enjoy reading everyones post, sorry I don't post more often.
Sloan.I love your name. I always wished I had a unique name.
When I was in grade school there were usually 3-4 Nancy's in my
class LOL.

Maryann, be careful and have fun!!!

Vickie, I love Christmas too, but hubby has not caught the spirit yet,
bahumbug.

Sloan, I love your name. (I think it sounds very sexy.) I'd be excited, too, if I were going to Disney World. You're all going to have a blast.

Vickie, staying the same is a good thing, especially this time of year. I'm proud of you. We had company this evening and had sort of a "Survivor" party. I stayed op and am proud of myself. Curtis and I wrote directive affirmations that, hopefully, will help keep us focused. Time will tell.

Nancy, I will be asking about your walking--and you ask me about my . It sounds like a lot of injury-related stress going on at your home. I hope everything works out well for all of you. You're smart to downsize.