heres a real quick hi. hope to be able to catch up soon

Hello Ladies,

Been a busy weekend. Spent Saturday with my brother and his family. Yesterday went to see DH's daughter. Im off for 2 days vaca, today and Tuesday, to spend more time with my brother. Cruddy that I still had to get up at the crack of dawn to get the boys ready for school! Never never get to sleep in lol.

I am so glad to hear your ears are doing much better Renee! Thats great! Knock on wood, I havent had any real probs with my ears in years. Since I stopped having strep throat so much. Shhh, or Ill jinx myself

Sandy it is great having you come by when you can. Renee and I are eagerly awaiting for you to be able to spend LOTS more time with us again. Miss ya lots! Im still thinking about you

The weekend was ok for me food wise. My mom cooked so awesome squash and butterbeans on Saturday. Gosh I miss living at home lol. She cooks all those wonderful fresh veggies everyday! For dinner and supper. And its just her and my dad at home now. But he still requires 3 meals daily. Large meals at that! I think she still buys groceries like when my brother and I were at home. My dad is old fashioned in that. Guess they think someone will stop by and want to eat with them.

Ohh I got me a new slow cooker yesterday at Walmart. It actually has a knob for me to turn on and off now LOL. The other was given to me and had no knob . I had to turn it on and off with the pliers LMAO! I promptly come home and put 2 small pork loin roasts I had in it and they are smelling wonderful right now!

I guess I better get scootin. Ill check back in in a bit. Everyone have a great day. Talk to you later.

Good Monday morning!

Sandy, so glad you dropped in. Hoping to hear more soon!

OOOHH a new toy for the kitchen! Kevin, you so deserve to have a crock pot WITH a knob! My next dream toy for the kitchen is a grill pan--a nice heavy expensive one! The chefs are always using one on the cooking shows and I love grilled things--but it is really not practical in the winter to grill outside. I'll need to save my money though, cause the nice heavy ones cost about $70!! Oh well, a girl can dream!

Pork Loin sounds yummy! I have been buying the hormel flavored ones and grilling them up--they are good--but nothing beats a slow cooked one with gravy and saurkraut. My mom always cooks alot too--same reason--she always thinks that if someone stops in, she should have enough to offer dinner to everyone. Isn't it nice to sit down to a healthy homecooked meal that you didn't have to prepare and clean up after?? Dh will never understand that pleasure. My food was not that great this weekend. I had some highs and some lows. Hopefully it will all even itself out. But I really must get more focused. Story of my life!

Glad to hear you are going to get to spend some time with your brother and his family! I can't believe your boys have started school already!! My kids start on the 25th--and I am dreading every moment. We went jean shopping and shoe shopping and backpack shopping already. Need to get the boys hair cut next week and DD has a hair appt on Friday. DD is anxiously awaiting her schedule and hoping she and her friend will get the same classes. And...soccer season starts today! Yipee! The grind has begun. Don't you feel like that sometimes? Like your whole day belongs to someone else besides you. I know it's even worse when you work! Oh well, there is always retirement to look forward to, huh?

Are you still getting alot of rain?? We managed to squeak in two nice days. Have a great day and enjoy that baby! Renee

Ohhhhhh I love kitchen toys lol. I have too many as it is. But one more never hurts! It came with a small crock pot for sauces and dips. I like freebies too lol. We love to grill as well. However, down here in the South, the winters are not as harsh as yours. So we grill away straight thru the winter. I may have a jacket on, but we still do it. Tastes so much better grilled!

The pork loins I got were the Hormel seasoned ones as well. I just wanted to use my slow cooker lol. I had plans to grill them, but this pot called me more, heehe. Just gotta think of something good to go with them. Ideas?

Yea, my boys have been back in school since July 28th. They are loving it. Matter of fact, my oldest tries out for the football team today after school. He is so excited about it. Im not, but mommies dont count in the decision making lol. His dad said yes and overruled me. Gotta let em grow up Kevin.

Well, im getting ready to head out to my Moms. Everyone have a wonderful day.

Oh and about the rain. Nope Renee, it hasnt let up. Still going strong here everyday around 3 pm. It usually moves out by 7 though. Dont know how much longer it will go. The farmers will be ready to start picking peanuts in about 3 weeks, and the rain wont do them a bit of good then.

Be back later all!!!!!!!

Well poo........this day has been a bust. Dont you always hate it when you have a vaca day and it RAINS all dang day???? Didnt make it to my Moms house, because of the storms. So I stayed home and, eeek, cleaned the house. This place should be at its all time best. Ive scrubbed and wiped everything. But........the kids will be home shortly. It will all revert back at that time.

How is everyone doing? Hope the weather is lots better for all of you. The best thing about the rain all day, has been the nice wonderful cool breeze that has been blowing. I have all the doors and windows up. Its very nice. Hope it lets up for me to walk, and then play some badmitton with the boys. We have played every afternoon since we got it. They love it!

I hear the stove calling me again. Gotta check the supper. Ill be back later on. Take care all.

Good Morning!

Kevin, I hope blue skies will be in your future soon! Seems like they are forcasting a few days in a row of warm and sunny weather here--so I hope you are caught up in that high pressure system too!! Yes, rain is geting a little old. But, better rain then snow! I am not looking forward to this winter.

My pool is green! Just like that. I guess that means a trip to the pool place to get a remedy. I think it is all the rain. Oh well...

Soccer season started yesterday. I didn't plan too well and dinner came at 8pm--and we were all starved. So it was fast food. I ordered a salad. But then needed milk (we were completely out) and saw some fresh double chocolate chip cookies so got those. Before I knew it, I had scarfed down three!!!!! Plus had the rest of the veggie patch pizza in the fridge and Ds frosty! I was feeling so bloated and bad! Soccer practice is again tonight--I hope to do better. I must do better.

Thanks for the encouraging comments in my journal. This has really been an emotional struggle for me. Thing is--I really don't want to go out and work. I want to feel good about staying at home and taking care of business here--guilt free. I am not sure if the feelings of guilt are coming from society or from my self--but I am sure when mom's make the decision to go back to work--they have to work through the same feelings. One thing I have learned is that it is just not easy being a mom!!!! But I know, in time, I will find the right solution. I don't think initially I will be bored at home--there is so much to do here. So, time will tell. I guess what I really wanted is permission to stay home and continue to do what I am doing. I wondered if stay at home mom's had this same struggle. Well, then there is the issue of the education I am not using right now. Although I have no desire to use it--I feel bad that I am not. Oh well...

Better get scooting. Alot to do today! Take care... REnee

Afternoon!

Renee, I understand what you are saying. It is perfectly normal for you to want to continue staying at home and taking care of your home. I think its great that you feel the need and want to continue caring for your home. Do not feel guilty for that. Alot of it is social. I think your letting the social aspect of it, cloud your feelings. Dont let it. Follow your heart. There is no harder profession, than being a mom and keeping a house together. It takes alot to completely and fully do a great job. Im a mom first, and I never let my work, take me away from my children. I have a wonderful boss who always says Family is first, and allows me all the time I need. Being a Mom is 24/7, no vacation, and sometimes no one notices all that you do, but at the same time, the rewards are far more gratifying than those of being an employee at a job. I commend you. Do whats best for you, and your family. Dont do what you think OTHERS feel you should do. This is your happiness. It will all come together for you.

ok everyone here i am. Finally back to 176. Time to go for the gold. I am suppose to be getting a puter soon, that is if I wasn't lied to. Time will tell. Ladies I thought about the next reward and decided the jeans but I have change it. I am going to go to the local day spa when I hit 160. So I am going to have to really good to hit my goal. Time to be the little train that could. There is so much going on but I am not gong to get into that until I am certain that I have a puter at home so that I will have the time to get involved in it, Heres to a good day

sandy

Good Morning!

Sandy, that is great that you are 176!!! You go girl! The day spa sounds wonderful--although that is something I have never endulged in myself. My mom keeps trying to get me to get a pedicure--and I resist. . I don't know why. Maybe I will make the 180 mark a goal for the pedicure. Anyway--I hear the day spas can make you feel like a million bucks! (maybe that is why they are so pricey! Ha! ha!) Glad to see you haven't forgotten us and keep dropping in--I hope the computer deal works out for you.

Kevin, thank you so much for the wonderful support. It means so much to me and I think I am feeling better about the whole thing. Your words of encouragement have helped so much. School here starts next Monday--so I am just going to approach this with a positive attitude and say to myself "I deserve this time!!"

Yesterday's eating went much better--although while at the store I spotted a Maries Callenders frozen cherry pie with a crunch topping.(ok--now don't tell me you don't like pies either! ) I picked it up and baked it for dh--as a surprise. Usually I do pies from scratch--but this was just an improptu treat. I was good--and only had a small piece. It was yummy. We had quick turkey sandwiches before soccer for dinner--so that was better than the night before.

The pool is NOT green anymore! Yeah! And today is hot with lots of humidity!! 90 degrees with 85% humidity. Perfect pool day. No rain. Hope the chlorine levels are safe enough to swim this afternoon. Well, not much planned for today--thank goodness. Just catching up on laundry. I hope you are finally getting some good weather to enjoy the rest of your vacation. Take care! Renee

Heyyyyyy

LOL, well hate to ruin it for ya Renee, lol, but yes, I do not like pies. I do like this one where you use cool whip and cream cheese and some sugar, mix it up and place it in a graham cracker crust pie shell and refrigerate. As far as FRUIT pies though, no, I do not like fruit cooked. I like raw crunchy fruit LOL. I know I know, Im too danged picky!

It is preparing to storm yet once again here. Gosh this is beginning to get annoying. At least it has been waiting to storm until 9 pm lately. It started earlier and I logged in, only to have to shut down real quick. If I let this puter get struck, Ill have to pack and move to Mexico. Hubby would pass out.

Sandy...........Woooooohooooooooo......and Congrats on the 176!!!! I know you must be feeling awesome right now! You are doing soooooo well. Me on the other hand, I have managed to pick up 3 lbs. Goodness knows where, but its been hanging on since the weekend. Cant shake it no matter what I do!

Renee, Im glad you are feeling better about your dilemma. You do deserve it, so go for it! Have a wonderful time with YOU!

Well, I better get moving. Thundering yet again. Grrrrr. Ill talk to you all again tomorrow! Take care and have a wonderful night!

good Morning!

Sorry I have been aol a bit--just been busy I guess... The kids are all ready for school which will begin next Monday. DD got her schedule and she is on the team she wanted to be. Her gym teacher is the ex Cleveland Browns punter--Brian Wagner--cool huh? We shopped for most of her supplies. Now, I just have to label everything and organize all the kids stuff. And crazy me, I signed DD up for dance lessons on Monday nights starting in Sept. She wanted to do it badly and well, I guess I caved. She has to keep her grades up and not neglect her chores in order to keep on going all year--so maybe it will be a good thing.

I got some cleaning done around here--even manged to clean out the freezer (long over do) Found a banana bread I had made a couple of months ago and defrosted it. Bad mistake. (ok--I am guessing you don't like banana bread--Kevin--LOL) After I had a piece and discovered that the taste was not spoiled at all--I quickly cut it in half and shared it with my neighbors. I have been wanting to bake too. That's not good. I found a recipe for some chocolate bars and some cheesecake bars that look fabulous and am dying to try them. Maybe I will make them and then distribute them throughout the neighborhood! I have been known to do this! One of my ultimate dreams is to open a real bakery--one where the things are made from scratch in the back. Maybe someday...

Well, eating has not been good. Chocolate has been my demon. Exercise has been nill. The scale is going in the wrong direction--but I am not sure if it's water gain or not. I have been feeling so "bloated" lately, TOM is due next week and my boobs hurt like no tomorrow! Anyway...keep on keeping on right? I think that you are right Kevin--my bad eating lately has something to do with all the emotional turmoil I seem to be putting myself through. I think once school starts--things will improve. We stayed home yesterday--and the kids were driving dh crazy with the constant bickering and the in and out of the house! All I said is "well, welcome to my world--you know--they are kids and need constant reminders."

Well, have a good one! Talk with you soon! Renee

Hey Everyone,

I cant write much, got alot of packing to do. I leave in the morning for a work seminar in Macon Georgia. Ill be gone 2 days. Ohhh the next best thing to a vacation lol. No cooking, no washing, no sharing the remote, no NOTHING. Sit in my hotel room and surf the channels I WANT to watch !!!! LOL. Ill miss my guys, but ohhhh what a relief for a few days.

Well, Renee, guess what??????? I LOVE banana nut bread!!!!!!!! Simply divine! I havent had any in sooooooo long. Hubby wont eat it. The last time I cooked muffins made from bananas, he ate like, ohhhh, all 12 of them. And was sick for a couple days. So now he wont eat them. Served him right.

Wow, sounds like the kids have a fun packed year ahead of them Renee. Dance classes and soccer! Your gonna be one busy Mom! My son decided football wasnt his sport, so he isnt going to play. Whewwwww. Im relieved. I was really worried. Overprotective Mom. I know I know. They cant be little ones all their life.

Well, i better get moving. Just finished playing badmitton and walking. My oldest son and I have become badmitton addicts, lol. It is soooooo fun! Everyone have a great night and Tuesday. Ill be home sometime Wed. night. Ill try and check in to see how everyone is doing. See you then!!!!!!!!

Good Morning!

I wanted to stop in real quick and check in. Im getting ready to head out. Hope everyone has a great day and take care. Renee, I hope for you a stress free day and above all, enjoy yourself and have fun!

See you gals on Wed night. If not, Ill check in on Thursday!

Take care.

Good morning everyone! Guess what? Finally got a puter at home. The bad thing is that it needs some work. So I am hopeful that it will be up and running by the weekend.

Kevin hope that you have a good trip.

Renee, I have to agree about the pies, but only the cherry one. Hate cherry anything. Love bananna bread.

There are so many things going on right now and to be honest things are looking up. I will go into more detail when I have more time on this thing.

Have a great day.

sandy

MISS EVERYONE BUNCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!