Hi all!

Sunny~sorry about the pic being so huge, i know how to resize at home, but need to learn how to do that at work.

Mkay~that is the view from my back door. I live on a farm. The old building is the old grainery, it's kind of historical. The man who lived here, i am told, had his wedding dance in that grainery. I've never been inside, kind of creepy to me. The snow is pretty sometimes though.

Mitchy- Wow...how cool. I'll bet it's lovely and peaceful. Room for more?

Someday, I will take some time out on a Saturday and figure out the bucket picture thing too. I still want to take that train to Chicago sometime.

Sunny- I'm jealous of you and Joe. What fun as a couple you have. Yes, I've been taking in Survivor with one or more of the residents at Shepherds when I play bingo on Thurs. I'm glad she's off too and I also like Chris. He's bombarbed with women. Too funny.

Weekend: Saturday is the family Christmas get together and that evening is a dinner event at church. Sunday is church and then back to work on Monday.

Well, I have a customer.

Later all...

Survivor??? I think they will vote Scout off...wouldn't you? OR Twilla....hmmmm...Twilla...that's who I'd vote off.

December 3


1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.


Sammy was tired of making excuses. He was tired of being dishonest with himself and his friends. He needed to lose weight, and he needed plenty of help to do it. He was considered a strong member of his church, but he didn't even have enough faith or conviction to take off a few pounds. He felt like a hypocrite. Surely, the God who had given him so much strength in other areas of his life could help him lose weight. Christ had conquered so very much. Sammy felt he ought to be able to conquer so very little. Prayer-fully, he began a journey toward fitness, assured of the victory through his faith in Christ.
Today's thought: A heart full of Christ is more important than a plate full of food!

Holiday Tips



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The holidays are in full swing, which means lots of family, fun…and FOOD! But it doesn’t have to mean extra pounds. Even holiday treats can fit into a healthy eating plan. The key is balance and moderation.

To avoid holiday weight gain, balance the calories you consume with the calories you burn. Physical activity and moderate food choices will help. The tips below are gifts you can give yourself and your family to maintain a healthy lifestyle.



Let the holiday spirit move you!
If you make your family time active, you will become healthier and have fun doing so. Be adventurous and try something new, but also choose something you enjoy.

Stick to your regular exercise routine as much as possible. Especially during the holidays, plan your physical activity routine in advance (don’t leave it up to chance). Mark it on the calendar and consider it as important as any other appointment. Get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity daily, and more if possible.
Cut back on your family’s television viewing time. Limit the number of hours your children spend playing video games. Instead make a new holiday tradition. Take a brisk walk (or wheel) around the neighborhood to see the holiday decorations or grab your bike, walking shoes or snow shoes and head out to the nearest trails or national park.
Play some backyard football or Frisbee with children and adults before the big holiday dinner or during football half-time.
Dance or exercise to your favorite holiday music.
Make a New Year's resolution with friends to start a daily walking group.
Be physically active to avoid or relieve the holiday stress.
Overcome the urge to overeat!

Standing by the buffet table is temptation to overeat. Remember holiday parties are a time to celebrate with family and friends, not just food.
It's easy to overindulge during the holidays. Make sure to watch portion sizes and select one or two of your favorites from the host of tempting foods.
Leave those extra calories behind—take the butter and sugar off the table.
If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
5 A Day the Festive Way
The holidays are a great time to enjoy your five or more servings of fruits and vegetable a day!

Bowls of fresh fruit are a festive and sweet substitute for candy or chocolates
Remember calories add up! This is especially true during the holidays when we snack more. For a healthy snack, choose a piece of fresh fruit for your 5 A Day!
You’ve tried the leftover turkey sandwich; now try the leftover turkey salad! Add a few pieces of turkey to a generous portion of mixed greens, cucumbers, mushrooms, peppers, or any other vegetables you like. Sprinkle with dried cranberries for that authentic holiday taste.
Check out http://www.cdc.gov/5aday for great ideas to serve your guests 5 A Day!
A Present Packed with 5 A Day

For a great 5 A Day holiday gift, try going to your farmer's market or grocery store and selecting fresh fruits and vegetables. Place all your tasty treats in a basket, and you have a present packed the 5 A Day way.

Christians and Encouragers!!! Yes, Lord I must be at the right place. I was over joyed to see the heading on this thread. I am a Christian and new to 3fatchicks. I look forward to getting to know many who post here. As I embark upon this weight loss journey I solicit the prayers of the saints. I am going through perimenopause need to lose over 100 pounds! Thank you in advance for your prayers and may God continue to bless everyone here.

As you can see by the time I posted that I can't sleep. It's been an exciting weekend here. I have no kitchen but the installer will be here tomorrow to begin phase I. I am really looking forward to having counter tops again. He's going to get the working kitchen completed(without some doors) and then do the desk, china cupboard, doors etc. after Christmas. I sure don't mind that. We have a lot of painting to do and also flooring to install.

My inlaws are here and are going to be painting while I'm at work. How perfect is that!! This also means meals when I get home. Life is good.

Second exciting thing to happen. My oldest DS got engaged today. They plan to marry in August. So, I'll probably be busy for the next while. We really like the girl he's marrying and I personally will be happy for the female support increasing in my home.

Everyone here sounds like they're doing well and I wish I could spend time addressing each one of you but I'm getting sleepy. Maybe during the Christmas season I'll have some time.

Take care. Talk again soon!

Healthy~Welcome! I hope you come back soon and join us and tell us more about yourself.

Sunny!~yes, i knit scarves! I'm an avid knitter. I taught myself years ago and it's really therapeutic for me. I feel good when i have my hands busy and i'm able to create something. That's how i found the bug for spinning and making yarn. It's a lot of fun to take fiber and make something beautiful out of it and then you can turn around and knit something pretty and useful out of it. I'll take some pics of the scarves i've done. I did 3 this weekend! And i hear that Doug's daughter would like one, so I may have to make 2 more for his girls.

The reception for Dawson McCallister was really nice, they had a banquet room and a table of nice hors d'oeuvres, they had some nice speakers and then a video and then Dawson spoke. We had a chance to meet him afterward and he was very personable, acted like he knew everyone. It's a great show for our youth, he's actually saving lives. The new project is to bring his program to secular radio, so please pray about it. It's very exciting!

After that my cousin and I went to have a drink and chips and salsa at Chili's and it was nice, we had a chance to sit and talk and laugh with eachother. We haven't had a chance to do that in a long time.

Yesterday I saw John and took Simba over to see how she did with his horses and inside his house, she was fine (of course!) I'm not worried about leaving her there now, i know she'll be taken care of. John knows about Doug and seems very supportive.

More later, maybe at lunch.

HI GALS

Sorry I haven't been around much...busy~busy! I have a pot of chili warming up on the stove now that I made yesterday for tonight's dinner...it was raining here all day Sunday so chili sounded good. I had a chuck roast, onions, carrots and potatoes in the crock-pot all day yesterday too...with rosemary, red wine vinegar, ketchup, salt and worcestershire sauce on it...pretty good! My son has class tonight so he threw a bowl of chili in the microwave...he says it's as good as always...aaaah . Dropped the nephew off at tennis and Angie is at yoga...the puppies are sleeping at my feet right now. They must have had a long day..in the MUD!! from the rain

Angie and I are proceeding on the new home...although we still can back out without losing any money for a little while longer...we may still go ahead with the plans and back out (chicken) out later...we will lose some down payment then but if we decide not to go through with it we won't care. Just a scary thing...home here is HOME...not sure if we will like another place even if money wise it is a good move....confusion~~ my middle name!!

I can't post to everyone much but..

SUNNY Glad you are home safe and sound..posting up a storm!! Sounds like you and Joe had a great week-end. SURVIVOR!!! SOOOOO glad to see Ami goooone!!

MICHELE Glad to see all is well with Doug and you...you still confuse me but that is not hard to do Love the snow pictures (glad I am not living there!!) As you know when it gets in the 50's here...WE FREEZE!!!

WILMA Great news on the new addition..MA!!! the more women in the family the better!! for you with all those guys.

SAMI~SHERRY Come home!...and bring SUE!

BUNNA Pretty sure we are gonna be closer in 6 months or so...looking hard at Kennewick...honestly can't tell you why...ain't much to look at

MKAY DH and you doing well? Nikki liking the colder weather..Ha.

TEEL Hope you are feeling well.

MARILYN Keep up the walks.

HEALTHY...a big WELCOME TO YOU!!!

FOR ALL THE OTHERS THAT COME AND GO ....COME ON BACK!

Well the chili is ready....

USC ROCKS!!!!....however my Raiders are still stinkin' up the place...

In Christ, Gary

We have a fresh thick blanket of snow on the ground. It's really very lovely even though the traffic was moving really slowly yesterday.

We have begun cabinet installation. He has the lower bases in without drawers, doors and shelves. He hopes to have everything workable by the end of the week. It's going to be lovely. I'm really pleased with the countertop. sometimes it's hard to judge with such a small swatch but this really looks nice. It's a granite look in black, copper and taupe. It'll go well with our honey oak cabinets.

Our kids are still in a euphoric state about their engagement. Lots of congratulations going around. Sunny, you asked why they picked August. It's because they want to work all summer and get married just before the new school year. He's going for his education degree and she's going to work to support them. Then when he has his degree she plans on getting her accounting. BTW, we've been to August weddings the past 3 years. It's almost become an annual event in our family!!

Well, gotta get to work. Have a great day!

Hello!

Healthy- Hi and welcome!!! I "believe" I am going through that same crap myself. This month has been **** oh earth for me mentally and physically.
Do stick around we like the company.

Mitchy- I'm excited about your visit from Doug. I hope all the pretty snow (even tho I don't want any) is still in MN because that scenery is lovely and romantic. My mom is a knitter and crochet person as well. I have a wonderful "eye-lash" scarf from her and I love it. It's not only pretty it's super warm as well.

Wilma Wilma Wilma...I can't begin to tell you that I know what you are going through with the kitchen thing. When we gutted our and DH and a buddy did all the work...it took months. You absoutely must be bursting at the seams with excitment to have all new stuff! I hope you will post pics.
And the engagement...WOW! I am glad you are happy with the gal. My girls both have wonderful men in their lives and that is such a comfort to me. Jenny, my oldest is starting to look at rings with her boyfriend but have not set a date yet. I do know that her lease on her apt is up October 1, 2005.

Sunny- I usually don't post on weekends either...actually just recently I haven't. I still don't have an exciting life either.

I have found that this month, my back (lower especially) is sore sore sore. When sitting, I feel it moreso. Not being on any antidepressant is taking its toll these days. Not so much today, but last week and the week before...yikes. I told DH that I didn't want to pull the sheet over myself anymore and I want to feel what I feel.

Later all...