Having an okay day here. It is cold and rainy. Ugh.. I also went to buy groceries and I think everyone in town was there. It took me forever. Like Cristina, I am going to have to go pick up a few things at another store. They just had a couple things I wanted at a way better price, so I will pop in for those things. I think I am pretty much set for now until we go West, grocerywise. Might need milk and eggs one more time.
DH got a small heater installed in out garage today to keep the pipes from freezing over the winter. It isn't a problem when you are home and using them, but when you go away they freeze easily. Anyway, he has one less thing to worry about now.
I am trying to decide what to get the grands that live here for Christmas. I need to shop and get things wrapped before we leave. Then DD will pick them up when she puts her tree up....
Well...off to fix dinner. Hi to all!

Hi ladies,

Just a drive-by post. I'm so tired! Seems like all I do is run, run, run. I got the groceries in for T'giving dinner today - boy was Walmart busy! I thought I'd get a jump on everyone else - HA! Fat chance! At least they still had the ingredients I needed.

I need to clean this weekend - I'm way behind on that. But I may just kick back with a book, and a fire in the fireplace.

Whatever you do this weekend, I hope you enjoy yourself.

Looks like that was 3 of us shopping for turkey day fixin's. Store was busy here too. It is about 7 minutes from my house and I can usually shop in less than an hour. Today took over 2 hours. Yikes!
Tomorrow will be another day for errands, banking, etc. I hope to go to the library, t has been forever since I went.
I trust everyone is looking forward to the week-end. I hope you all have a great one. We are going to my sil's Sat. for a visit. Then Sun. might be a nice lazy day.

Best to you all.....

Good mornin' ladies...

*whew* lots of posts to catch up on this morning

Sue, from all the stories I'm reading on here, I'm kind of wondering if doctors treat GB problems like they do heart problems -- if men come in with a GB complaint, it gets taken seriously right away, but if women do, they are quick to dismiss it or think it must be something else. Glad you are starting to feel better, though. When do you leave for Vegas?

Maria, I agree with Marti, we all feel out of control from time to time with our eating -- I feel that way a lot! One of my biggest problems is that I love to cook, and love cooking for family and friends. So, I just look for WW friendly recipes, or work on revamping old favorites. Speaking of which...if anyone has any good Thanksgiving recipe makeovers, maybe a better, healthier way of making an old favorite, please post it in the recipe thread.

Sassy, yay for all the overtime pay! But don't wear yourself out. Last year I finally decided to make it easy on myself and send gift cards to my mom, Tim's mom, and my sister and her family, rather than trying to send packages. You never know if something will fit, or if they have one already, and they might have trouble exchanging it, etc. My sister was particularly thrilled because she got to take advantage of the after Christmas sales. She's like me...the girl loves a bargain.

Cristi, how did you like the meeting with the Blue Star Mother's group? If Vince is deep frying a turkey, I've heard the most important thing is to make sure it's not up close to the house, and that there is a LOT of clearance around the pot. I've never had deep fried turkey, and have heard they are good, but I think I'd have a back-up ham, too!

Melody, way to go on the loss! WW is definitely the best plan I've found, and there is even a little wiggle room for a little piece of birthday cake, if you really want it, and count the points

Tiffany, glad your surgery went well. I'm sorry to hear your DH will be away for the holidays -- I know you and the kids will miss him a lot. What is Christmas like in Germany?

Jane, I can't believe it but I have most of my Christmas shopping done! I have a couple of things to order online for Tim, and gift cards for our moms and my sister's family and Erik, and that's about it. Wow. I've never got it done this early. Kind of in shock.

OK, I can't type anymore right now, so hi to Norma, Marti, Michelle, Jules, and everyone else!

Hugs,
Mary Kate

hey all, just checking in while I'm at my parents. Puter at home is officially kaput new one will be gotten some time after the holidays, pray for my sanity between now and then...

I joined the physical therapy center's gym. I can't remember half the exercised the personal trainer taught me, so as soon as AF is over I'm booking 3 private sessions with the trainer and hopefully that will help me lock them into my brain. I may also see about videotaping them so I can replay them at home and work on them a bit more that way.

As I "said" above, AF is here finally, full force. Yeck. I'm glad she's back but geeze, did she have to make up for the whole 4.5 months she was gone in the first three hours? I better get some weight loss out of this, that's all I'm saying. I hate iron pills and this stuff has got me taking them by the gross.

Hi ladies!

I went to It Figures and got in a work out. For some reaosn I woke up at 6:30 and couldn't go back to sleep. I knew in my mind I had to get up earlier to go exercise because she is only open from 9:30-10:30 so maybe that was it. Didn't have to get up that early though and I didn't, lol. I was just dozing off when the alarm went off, bummer. Anywho...I do like getting up early sometimes. I get more things done. Came home and cleaned house and did a load of laundry so I did get something done.

MARTI...hope you enjoy your weekend with Jhanai!

JANE...hope you get to have a relaxing weekend. I can't wait for it to get cold enough for a fire, need to have our fireplace checked though. When we leave the pilot light on all the time I am always smelling gas, Vince doesn't but I do and I am a little leery with leaving it on constantly. We have a gas one that really is just for ambiance but it does put out some heat. Found that out that year when out heater/furnace went out last year on a cold winter night.

SUE...oh my goodness...2 hours for grocery shopping?! I always try to go early even though it doesn't always happen. I am about 5 mintues from Wal-Mart and I too usually get there and back within a hour. Unless of course I go to Michael's, lol. Glad there are no other stores I like in that shopping center. What kind of heater did hubby get? Do you guys have someone check on your house from time to time when you are gone? Of course I never thought about the pipes possibly freezing up while you guys were gone.

SASSY...woohoo to 3 hours of shopping! We made a run to SAMS last night for a pumkin cheesecake and a...hmmm, can't remember what it is called. It's one of those lemony cheesecakes that Olive Garden has but they don't call it the same thing. Glad this is only for Thanksgiving! Anyway, it wasn't too bad. They actually had enough cashiers this time so the lines weren't long. Last time we were there the lines were long and they had three cahsiers...on a Friday. Anyway, have fun shopping. and you are welcome for the card and poem!

MARY KATE...good to see you checking in. We miss you when you don't. But I know it is difficult to type for you. The blue star mothers was okay. They only get together once a month. Yeah, we are going to fry the turkey in the back yard on the patio...not close to the house. When we went to SAMS last night, waiting to get on the street across the way there was a guy BBQ'ing...I swear it looked like the fire was inches away from his back porch. I couldn't believe what we were seeing! The flames were high and we watched him go inside and leave those flames like that right next to the fence and door...makes you wonder what people are thinking. Too, we see so many people BBQ on their deck close to the house or under the hangover...seen too many newscast where they were reporting fires because of that but people still do it. Anyway, it will be well attended and away from the house, deck, fence and pergola! Geez, lady, I've still not started Christmas shopping!

MMKAT...sorry about your 'puter and that TOM is a killer this month.

Hi to everyone else!

Nothing much going on. Still trying to get my Christmas cards done. This is the most I have ever done I think. I've got about 50 for my military mom friends, then I've got MACS children, you ladies of course and then family, ugh! My hand is going to fall off I swear. I've not even started a letter yet. I plan on finishing up today though...gotta address about 20 more and stuff pictures in them. I'll worry about the letter in a week or so, there's still time. I just like getting it done early and getting it out of the way. Also have to clean Josh's room and get ready for his coming home. Can't remember if I mentioned but his room turned into a warehouse for care packages. His bed is covered, I've got magazines in his chair, a big bag of bubble wrap and boxes in the floor and I started a big box of Christmas stuff for his Unit. Going to finish packing that box and get their stockings stuffed and packed and tape up some boxes to clear his bed. After Christmas is over I am going to do themed care packages rather than try and send a little bit of everything over. Oh, a woman at Vince's work said her granddaughter is a teacher and wanted her class to make some Christmas cards for the troops, he brought those home yesterday. OMG, they are too cute. I want to hide most of this stuff from Josh so it will be a nice surprise when he goes back. I think I am going to be more emotional when he leaves this time. Anyway, I've turned into chatty Kathy...anyone remember those dolls?

Take care ladies and I will chat with ya later. Have a GREAT weekend!

Hello ladies,


Sue - like you, I spent aeons in the store! This was LAST Thursday, and I couldn't believe how crowded it was already. I have to go back for a few things, and I'm dreading it. Hope you had a good visit with you sil this weekend.

MaryKate - ah, I too think gift cards are wonderful. Did you notice that Walmart has them for restaurants now? Wonder how much of a cut they get? After a fast start, I'm actually behind in my Christmas shopping now. Katie and Clint don't know what they want, lol, and I'm threatening to buy whatever I think they'd like. They want to go to WDW next year, and may want Disney Dollars, but the nearest Disney store is in Indy.

Sassy - that's a cool car! I meant to tell you that before. I wish I had a Costco around here. I read in Consumer Report magazine that the knock-off Tide they sell is just as good as the real thing. Tide is the only detergent I'll use, and it's kind of expensive. Although I do buy it only on sale, and usually have 4 or 5 extra ones. Yes, we women do have a sense of when someone is swooping on our man. My Neal is a thoughtful sweetie, and there's a gal at our church who would like to have my guy. She's divorced and shows a little too much interest in him. But why would he go out for hamburger when he has steak at home, lol. Ticks me off, though! Hey, I want snow!! Send some my way.

Cristi - at 6:30 the coffee is ready at my house. If I'm not up yet and I get a whiff of it, I just have to get up and get a cup. I plan to send a lot less Christmas cards this year. Although now that I have gone on the Walk to Emmaus, I have an even longer list, lol. Yes, I remember the Chatty Cathy dolls. They were all the rage! Well, it will be fun to clean Josh's room, since you know he'll soon be there. Good luck with weigh in today.

Maria - I hope you get to replace your computer soon after the holidays. We were without ours for a few days earlier this year, and I sure didn't like having to go to the library to use theirs. But I was glad they had them. When I joined the Y, there was nobody available to show me how the machines work, and I think I would've benefited so much more had I talked with a trainer. Good for you, for doing that.

Hello to Julie, Marti, and anyone else reading this.

Today is the Thanksgiving Feast at the preschool where the twins go, and Neal and I are invited for that. The kids are very excited about it, lol. I just can't believe Thanksgiving is basically here! The older you get, the faster time goes. I'm lucky that Mary and Katie are so good about helping me with the dinner.

I have lost 4 1/2 pounds now, following the Oz diet. It should be more, but I'll take it. Starting Dec. 1st, while I intend to keep his guidelines in mind, I'm going back to counting calories.

Have a good day,

Hello ladies...

SASSY...it's okay to go on about...I know I get in chatty moods and just talk, er type away. But, yeah...I know exactly how you feel and what you mean. What's sad is when your own family does it! When I first met V he was clueless but I always felt his SIL was after him. He didn't see it that way but if I told you half of what she did...ugh! Funny thing, her and his (V's) brother divorced a few years ago. I don't know why some women do stuff like that and can't take a nice gesture for what it is. And hey, isn't revenge sweet?! I think you got the best revenge on the two guys, lol! That's what they get for being dummies. Did you say snow?! I am not ready for that stuff. I am actually missing the cold but at the same time enjoying this warm, gorgeous fall weather. Doesn't actually feel like fall though.

JANE...hope you and Neal have a nice time at the GD's Thanksgiving feast. I too dread grocery shopping this week. I have everything for Thanksgiving but have to do my normal shopping. I am going to have to force myself to get up early and go about 7 a.m. if not earlier. Starting on Josh's room tomorrow, well, did a little today. I am just packing the stuff on his bed into boxes ready to be shipped to make it easier, and labeling them. I didn't realize there was so much stuff. V is having his t.v. turned back on. Not sure why he turned it off, the directv...it's only $5 a month so I think we'll just keep it on this time. Doesn't matter if he is home or not. The times I've been in his room I wished the directv was turned on to watch tv while I pack, etc. Seems to make the time go by faster. EDITED: Forgot to say WTG on the four pounds!

HI to everyone else

I feel like sometimes throwing the scales out the window! But I don't for fear of gaining too much. I would just like to see the thing go down. I am the same this week, well, actually last week was 198.8 and this week is 198.2 so...but I get so frustrated about WI, ugh! Didn't want to go work out but I did. I told myself I would do just 20 mns, but did go ahead and do 30. I always feel better for doing it but again, just get frustrated sometimes. Oh well, that's life...mine anyway. Anyway, wanted to check in and say HI and wish you ladies a happy holiday. I am going to be busy the rest of the week and won't be back to 3fc until maybe Saturday, not really sure. So...

A very HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all!

Hi Cristina, Thanks. I edited it and took out a lot of it, I figured it was a lot of info. lollllll.

But yeah I felt great that day I ran into those two guys for sure! Aw yes Sweet Revenge, tastes good sometimes. lol. And FAT FREE! lollllllll.

UGH a women in your own family? That is low. All of my family does adore my husband, but in a family way. I think sometimes women get overwhelmed with attention, even if its all innocent and the guy is only being polite. I think some women need more attention than others do. But it doesn't make it feel any better, I know.

Then again I also feel that I have quite a "catch" and I'm very very lucky as other women want him and can't have him. lol. Its like being al little kid again, "Lookie what I've got, you can't have it!"

WTG on doing your workout! I need someone to come on over and give me a swift kick! But then again I can say I've been working mass over time, not that is an excuse, but its true! lol.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!