Frouf, we haven't heard from you since Monday. Is everything ok?

Sandra, OMG!!!! Congratulations on your spectacular loss! You are just doing amazing! Something sure clicked with you. I'm ready to get serious.....as soon as the holidays are over. I've got about 3-4 meals for the holidays that I'm going to let myself have what I want. Primarily it's Christmas Eve, Day, and the day after. Then it's hard Core baby.

I'm with you Vickie - December 26th is 100% core. I'm really trying to be good in the meantime, but I have a family party this weekend, a few drop overs next week and then Christmas. My plan is to be core when I'm not having fun

Congrats Sandra on your loss! Way to go!
Congrats to Angela for going back to meetings the week before Christmas!

I'm proud of you both.

Well, here is my saga... As you may know nightly I walk my dog once Sarah is in her PJs. I extended my walk recently by about a 1/2 miles. I love walking at night, especially when its cold. (OK, I'm a feak!). Well, last night I stepped off the road and turned my foot. My ankle was fine so I continued. Later than night my foot started to hurt so I iced it then went to bed. I woke up around 2 to go the bathroom and I could not put any weight on my foot. Ended up keeping ice on it the rest of the night. This morning at 7:30 I was at the emergency room. I have a hair line fracture on the bone at the bottom of my foot.

So, now I have the wonderful support boot and a pair of crutches. The nurse was going to give me a cane and I said -- NOOOOO. The good news is that within a couple of days I should be able to walk on it. But I have 30 people coming over on Sunday. DH doesn't know it yet but he is cleaning and going shopping with me tomorrow.

UGH...... Hope everyone else is having a better day then me.

paula i hope you feel better. youre not alone im sick as a dog and tryin to knock it out bf next weekend!

Paula and Andrea.....NO sickness or injuries right before the holidays!

Paula, it's taken my ankle almost 4 months to heal and it's still not perfect. I hope you mend more quickly than I do.

Andrea, some wicked virus has been going around. First Rhonda and now you. I hope you two aren't spreading your germs here!

I'm off to the couch! See you in the am.

thanks, girls. this is a very very hard time of year for losing, isn't it? i have a doctor's appointment around january 5 so he can see how i'm doing. i think i'm his "project." i am grateful for that, though. he's helping me get healthier and healthier.

we have a party the 22nd then christmas day with family. i bought me a new christmas outfit to wear to the party and i'll wear tight jeans christmas day. what i'm going to work on most is not overindulging for days and days afterwards. that's where i used to get into trouble.

paula, ouch!! i'm glad you'll be off those crutches soon. what a time to be hurt!

andrea, i hope you're feeling better, too.

we're leaving in a few minutes to go shoot in league. i baked 2 batches of christmas cookies to take the guys. well, i should say "guys and gal." i think there's another woman shooting now. yay!!!!! it will be good to have another woman in the group.

Geezalou! Paula, if you want some ankle sympathy, I'm your gal. I hope you heal quickly -- I'm right at nine months post-surgery and still not back to normal. Do exactly what they tell you to, no matter how good you feel ... don't be a hero.

I assembled all of the cookbooks tonight and will be taking them for binding tomorrow. Now we're about to go for dinner, which is going to be Mongolian Grill. I can always be good there since I make my own ... shrimp, onions, mushrooms, pineapple, bell pepper, cabbage, and a little bit of olive oil. All they add during the cooking process is water. I forego the rice and soup, drink water ... so all is good.

I'll be back in a little while!

Hi All:

I had a lovely visit with my friend. We've known each other for about 22 years. We just drank tea and talked. Women friends are so fantastic.

I actually managed a light meal with her and so far, so good. I hope that tomorrow I'll be back on track.

Congratulations Sandra...great job. And, Angela it sounds like you've got lots of new motivation and support so good for you. We'll be interested to hear how you're doing.

Rhonda

I found out today that Shaun won't be home for Christmas. When he got to San Diego last night, and then got to explore the liberty options this morning, he found out they had it divided into two groups. He opted to let the others who had wives and children go in the first group, and he took the second. He'll be home from Dec. 28th thru Jan. 6th. It's better than nothing. He has turned out to be quite a surprise.

Here I am - trying desperately to catch up!

Kathy - you busy bee - I am exhausted just reading your posts - but it sounds like you are on schedule so far? How sweet of Shaun to let the family guys go first - good for him! I'm sure he'll be glad to come home for a visit.

Paula - you poor darling - what a freaky thing to happen! I hope your foot heals quickly and that dh is as helpful as can be!

Andrea - take care of yourself - hope you can get rid of whatever is ailing you!

Sandra - wow - super great weight loss - esp at this time of the year! Good for you!

Angela - congrats on rejoining - the best decision I'm sure - you are very wise to ensure the lbs don't creep up on you too much! Let us know how you like the cookbook!

Rhonda - I am glad you are feeling a bit better! Are you also getting unseasonably warm weather - it's like 10 celsius here (50 F) and all the snow is gone and I can see the grass on my front yard - very weird for December!

Vickie - how are your holiday plans coming along? Have you accomplished all your wrapping, cooking etc?

I have been crazy busy at work as people expect me to turn around contracts on a dime - unfortunately I have been able to do this - so now they expect it all the time! My new 'staff member' is still learning the ropes so while I am trying to show her how's it done - I still have to do a lot of it myself given the tight deadlines.

I have decided to take the days off between xmas/new year's which means I'm off as of next friday - from the 23rd all the way to January 2nd! YIPPEE. I have lots of leave left - even w/my upcoming cruise so why be stingy? (besides I get another 25 days come April!)

Made final payment for my cruise today but still trying to arrange airfares and need to get my new passport as this one expires before I go! Got a call from my friend Ray in Vegas wishing me a happy hanukah (today is the first night) and coordinating plans for the cruise - he is hoping to book shortly and we shall have a blast together!

Speaking of hanukah - I cannot find my MENORAH!!! Can you believe this? This is supremely weird? I have a pantry in the basement and every year I wrap up the menorah, leftover candles, dreidels, chanuka decorations and put it on the upper shelf. Send kids down to find it and not there??? I can't imagine where it is??? Luckily I had just bought a teeny tiny brass menorah for my 8 yr old (uses birthday candles) so we were able to use that tonight. Okay so now I have an excuse to go buy a new menorah tomorow? I'm sure the other one will turn up eventually.

We also have a chanukah party to go to tomorrow night - pot luck no less - with yummy FRIED potato pancakes and other goodies - I might eat before I go so I don't go crazy - I am bringing a salad (probably greek).

Hope everyone is prepared and not stressing out too much over the upcoming celebrations! I can't believe how time is flying!

Frouf

Good Morning Chicks! I didn't have enough sleep....only 6 hours. The pup woke us up crying. Sigh.....so here I am. The good news is that I have time to catch up with all of you.

Frouf, I was relieved to hear from you. I'm glad that it's just that you been ridiculously busy and that nothing really seriously wrong was happening. You and Kathy live lives that would make me drop in my tracks. Actually, I did it once too but no more. Happy Chanukah! I can't believe that your Menorah has disappeared. I hope you find it soon. I'm guessing there would be some sentimental attachment to the old one? I would have one.

Sandra, it sounds like we all have the same plan for the holidays and I think it's a great one. Eat Core/healthy at as many meals as we can, indulge at a few and get right back on program at the very next meal. I, too, had a problem with getting back on program after over-indulging. Jim says it's a slippery slope. It doesn't seem like a hard time of year for losing. You're making it look easy! I, on the other hand, have been making it look hard all year long! I hope you had a great time at league last night. How did you shoot?

Kathy, your dinner sounds outstanding. I guess I should give up the starch, too, once in a while. Yep, that Shaun sounds like he is turning out to be the Man his Mama raised him to be! You must be so proud of him. It will be a great Christmas for you all.

Rhonda, you sound peaceful. That's a great thing at this time of year. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit with your girlfriend. I'm missing mine a lot.

I tried to get an update on Cindy yesterday but I couldn't reach anyone. I called the hospital and talked to her on the answering machine. She'll hear my message one day. I also called and left her husband a message in the afternoon but he didn't call me back. That makes me very nervous in my stomach.

I have the 14th birday party today for my oldest great Niece. Her actual birthday is on December 24th but she always has her party early. Her Aunt and I went in on an IPOD shuffle for her. At Thanksgiving that's all she talked about was wanting an IPOD. She should be happy. Her Mom is making ww rotini pasta salad that is all Core. We've been making it with FF Miracle Whip for years. I'm bringing a can of Bumble Bee gold tuna packed in water and 2 hard boiled eggs to eat with the pasta salad. I can eat tuna straight out of the can with nothing on it. So, I'll have a great Core meal instead of italian beef and fried chicken. This goes in the category of things I don't want to slurge on!

I'll be straightening up the house this morning and getting ready for the party. I hope you all have a great Core day. I'll be back much later this evening or in the morning.

Hi All:

Compared to you folks I have got the simplest life going!

DH is in Texas at his son's graduation. The dogs and are doing as next to nothing as possible.

Sorry that Andrea and Paula are sick and injured. My "stuff" is just about all gone. Six days of it has been more than enough.

I am going to go see my former in-laws for a few hours and I'm baking cookies for them. If I feel well enough to bake I must be cured!

I put up a few decorations last night. Frouf, I'm glad you had a back up Menorah. I've got two myself and I'm not even really Jewish! (multi-faith family; my late husband was Jewish; and so were my late Sister and her husband) I'll never pass up a reason to celebrate a miracle!

Take care all,
Rhonda

hi there. we've been out and about most of the day. i just came home starved for some of that coconut dream pie. i had been guessing pts for it--3 one time--5 the other. i finally got everything out and figured it. it's 4 pts per slice. that's not bad. the pie tastes very rich. i love it. i bought some more dream whip at the store. i'm making some kind of "dream" pies for christmas. that way we'll have some low pt desserts. i think i'm taking one to the party this fri night. it's a potluck.

frouf, it's good to see you, girl. i'm glad you had a menorah to use last night. i imagine little ds was popping buttons and getting to save the day. i'm getting ready to live a cruise through you again. i'm glad we get to take them as often as we do.

kathy, i'm impressed with shaun. he's really really doing well. what a man!

rhonda, i didn't know doyle was back in texas. ya'll are keeping the airlines afloat, aren't you? that's the way curtis and i were when we were dating. we built up enough frequent flyer miles that we got to fly to hawaii free. sounds like you had fun with your gf. and you're baking for your ex-inlaws. i am impressed. what are you baking? i'm getting into the baking mode now, too.

vickie, you did get here early, girl. curtis and i got the "little" tree up and shining today. well, we got it up yesterday and got the extension cord plugged in today. we're moving slowly but we're getting into the spirit of things. i'll prob start wrapping tomorrow after we get tv cable re-installed. we just changed providers and are in the in-between stage with antennae only. (i have been renting dvd's.)

i hear the buzzer sounding on the dryer. catch you later.!

Hi All:

Yes, we are definitely keeping the airlines out of bankruptcy this year!

I made ginger snaps and oatmeal/pecan/cranberry cookies for my ex-in laws. I've mentioned them before: they are a dear couple, in their 80's, she has Alzheimer's and he cares for her. It's getting so difficult and I like to pamper them a bit. She was a fantastic cook and baker so I take them treats. I'm planning a plum pudding for their Christmas. I'm late doing it but they will appreciate it anyway. I'll take them date, and lemon squares also.

I better try making one of those dream pies. I'll check the recipe section.

DH returns at 1AM and I've got a little housecleaning to do! I'll try to have it as clean as I would like to have when I return from a trip....now, just whom am I kidding here...I don't two days to clean! OK, I'll wash the dishes at least.

Vickie, maybe Cindy "heard" your message anyway. You never know how communications happen and there's lots more going on than we know. I know that this is such a hard time for you and those who love her. I do hope for her recovery.

Kathy, you must be very proud of Shaun. What a loving, mature and giving decision he made to let the others go home for Christmas.

It's very mild here in Toronto and I've got to go out with the dogs now.

Here's a Menorah for you Frouf


Take care,
Rhonda

Hi everyone! Just checking in to say hi. We had our party last night and the parents over tonight for dinner. Both were a lot of fun and now my house is clean!!

Kathy, yes I know who you are talking about. What a coincidence. I guess he was from here?
Is the Mongolian Grill you go to called BD's or something like that? They just built one here and we haven't gone yet.

Vickie, thanks for asking about my class. It is over but I still have a paper to do (I have to interview a child and write it up). I hope that you get more sleep tonight!

Sandra, you go girl!! You continue to inspire me.

You too Angela. Reading your post definitely motivated me.

I'm planning on focusing on exercise mainly through the holidays and then jump back on the core bandwagon ASAP.

I'm gonna go spend some quality couch time with DH and enjoy our pretty clean, holiday living room!