Thanks for the warm welcome.
'm glad to be here. I have been cleaning house to get ready for a party tonight that my teenage daughter is having. I'll know where she is and that this house will be well supervised. They can have fun, but I'll be keeping a watchful eye.
There is a ton of soda and junk food here for the kids, but I am going to do my best to keep away from it all.
We have one of those honey baked ham stores near us and I wonder if you can consider that kind of ham "core" as it says "honey baked" right on it? I've stretched the rules on meats a bit from time to time if I added a BBQ sauce or something like that.
I'm looking forward to starting the new year off with a "clean kitchen", let all those teens who are coming here tonight eat all the leftover "bad" foods and then I'm back to being "good" again!
Linda

Hey Chicks! I'll come and catch up as soon as I can but it might not be until later tonight. I haven't even had lunch yet and I'm starving. It's 2:00 here and I'm making some Core egg salad. I'm trying to stay Core and use up all the leftover baking stuff.

I'm working on family business and arrangements for my Uncle. Jim and I have decided not to go to the services but I just now learned what they are. There will be donations to the Kearny Little League in lieu of flowers. We have always been a HUGE baseball family. My Uncle Bob was very involved in the Little League in his town and evidently made his wishes known. I'm struggling a bit because I want to send flowers. Sigh. I guess this applies to us as well?

Hi:

I'm not at all sure about "honey baked" and Core, but my HONEY wants that kind of ham badly and I'm not making two!

Vickie: maybe you could go buy some flowers for yourself or a special plant that you could plant in the Spring in your backyard to his memory??

Rhonda

DANG -- Don't know what I just hit but I deleted what I had written! Ugh.

OK, what did I write --

First off HAPPY NEW YEAR to all my chickie friends. Hope everyone has safe plans for tonight. We don't do much - just a quiet dinner here. I did buy chocolate martini mix - that will be my new year splurge. I'll make that right after Sarah goes to bed.

I survived Friday at work - the crisis of the day was what to do on Tuesday. We work NYSE business days - with Tuesday being the National Day of Mourning and the markets closed we spent most of the day trying to figure out how to staff. Being the first day of the year its one of the most busy times for us. The parent company is closed, so those who have to come in will get a comp day later in the year. Not that it affects me since my day off is Tuedays. Oh well. Next week is going to be so crazy busy.

I've already tried a new recipe and am stocking my lunches. I made the Italian Turkey and Spagetti Squash pie that I found on Barbos. Its very tasty. I'll post the recipe on Wednesday when I'm in the office - its on that pc. I'm cooking a new crockpot beef now - it smells wonderful. It may be dinner tonight. Then since we are going to get the rain tomorrow, I'll be making a new barley dish and balsamic chicken.

Linda, welcome. Did you post a couple times a few months back? Being from south of Boston, I recognize the Linda from NH!

Frouf, congrats on the loss. When is your next cruise? I hope in the winter.

Kathy, hope your feeling better today. Take care of your heart and ankle - follow up with those doctors. We all need to take good care of our selves. My sister was just recently diagnosed with cardiac spasms - its a precurser to a condition our mom has. Just one more thing to watch out for as I get older...

Melissa, congrats on getting the paper done. What are you studying? I give you a lot of credit for working and going to school. I can't imagine trying to do that now -- I'm so glad I got my degree right after high school. I do wish I got my masters soon after that. No chance of doing that now -- I'm just not that motivated to go back to school. Well, maybe to do some cooking classes.

Well, Sarah is starting to wake up. I'll check in tomorrow. Have a safe New Year all!

Vickie - so sorry for your loss. The donation in his memory sounds wonderful. HUGS to you.

OK, starting the new year HONESTLY -- I've updated my tracker to my weight from this morning. Its not the direction I want to go in but at least now I'll be able to post small changes down.

Happy New Year chickies!

Welcome Linda - I also have a teenage daughter and was 'dreading' what her plans might be for this evening (which is why we chose not to really go out on our own) - turns out she is simply asking a gf over for a sleepover - that I can handle! I assume they will be up late (aren't they always) and may join us in a champagne toast? (assuming us old folks are up - ha ha ha).

Vickie - good luck w/all the arrangements - hope the little league appreciates your uncle's thoughtfulness!

Paula - you are a core cooking maniac - good for you - I bet your kitchen smells divine!

Rhonda - well I had to catch up with you so I did eventually got on the treadmill today - 30 minutes - yippee!

slept til around 10 am (yes I stayed up super late)....had breakfast, got into my 'treadmill clothes' - and waited for Prince Charming to wake up from his beauty sleep - was able to treadmill FINALLY around 1 pm - I then had lunch cuz I was starving and still have to jump in the shower.

As my gf is NOT coming over for dinner we may venture out to the family new year's eve party down the road (w/fireworks at 10 pm!)....otherwise a movie maybe? I guess we shall have the steaks I got for dinner w/sides and I shall have to control my portions.

I am a bit perturbed about tomorrow - going to friend's New year's day open house - I am known to ALWAYS bring a baked goodie and it is expected - but I am super fearful of baking anything as it will end up in my mouth (froufs have a great love of cookie dough stuff). I have these chocolate drop cookies I make which are fantastic - but I will need to put duct tape on my mouth? What should I do? The only thing I can think of is to give dd the recipe and get her to make it? (under my supervision?) maybe that will work.

Then there is the event itself - there will be veggies and dip, peanuts, pistachios, olives, cheeses, and this great boneless chicken marinated and cooked then stuffed into mini pita breads - now while none of that sounds too horrible - it's the nibbling of it that can be a problem. I sometimes find I am eating even tho I am not hungry just because everyone else is. I know there will be diet coke around so I shall try and fill up on that!

....and I too am dreading going back to work on Tuesday! UGH!

Frouf

hi there, chickies. curtis and i are home from gc. it was my idea to go there for lunch. why do i do that? almost all of missoula was there as well. i'll have to post the over on "plans" in a few minutes. now i need to exercise but i'm wanting to scrapbook. i'm over a year behind. i have to be in the mood before i can do it. guess i'm in the mood now so i'd best get busy.

linda, i recognize you, too. i know i was seeing you over on the ww general board. were you here earlier, too?

vickie, rhonda has a good idea. i have plants to remember my grandmothers and my mother. whenever i look at the blossoms, i think of them. i think it was very generous of him to want donations to the little league. he's going to help a lot of children. he has to have been a good person. (i knew that anyway because he's kind to you.)

kathy, you're doing great op. i am very impressed. i need to get my incentive back.

rhonda, i need to go walk, too. if i get tired of bending over the photos, i might get on the treadmill. did you see the weather report for colorado/kansas? whew!

paula, your dishes sound good. are you posting the recipes? (hint hint)

frouf, i wouldn't be comfortable in the same room. surely you can find some good rates.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHICKIES!!!

Paula, I probably did post here before a few times. I might not have stayed with you guys at that time, as I stopped using the CORE plan and went back to Flex. I'm going to really try to stay on CORE, but re-starting after tomorrow.
I have 7 teenagers here tonight, boys and girls. The girls are staying overnight and the boys have to be on the road by 1:00, my rules. I don't want to deal with both genders here overnight.
I really need to go to my WW meeting on Tuesday and restart myself on CORE... I keep saying that I am back on track and then I blow it. Getting back into the usual routines of my household, Tuesday, will truly help me.
I have no excuses after that.
Paula, I grew up south of Boston and have since moved around a few times. I live in NH now and love it. One thing my husband and I agree on is that even if we ever win the lottery and have more money than we could ever dream of, our choice would still be to live here. However, I would own one of those awesome motor homes and travel during the coldest months, I think.
Well, the teenagers will arrive here in about a half hour - wish me luck!
Linda

Hey Chicks! I have my dinner cooking so I thought I'd stop in and see if I could catch up. I think I'm pretty far behind.

Melissa, how can we possibly forget about you when we are still busy missing you?! Any chance you'll have more time to fool around with us now that your paper is done? I could use some of your enthusiasm.

Rhonda, you are one impressive Chick! I need to spend some time with you. I'm doing ok but it is so HARD. All I want to do is medicate myself with food....but....I've promised myself to stop doing that. Not easy but you make it look so! I love the idea of planting something to remind me of him. Thank you for that. My Sister and I are going to send a "thinking of you" bouquet to our Aunt some time next week after everything is all over. That should satisfy my urge to send flowers. Did you get your walk today? I love your description of the grocery store. We are getting something here soon called Fresh Market. It sounds like a gourmet meat market, deli and produce store. I'm really looking forward to it.

Kathy, please take care of your health! Really, it's all we have. I know your family would NOT want to think about life without you. I hope you get some good suggestions and help from the Doctor. How's your throat? Mine is hanging in there. Knock on wood! Sorry to hear that your Alberstson's in closing. I'd be in BIG trouble if that happend here.

Sandra, you'll get back on program. I know you will. You know how it feels to gain back pounds and have to lose them all over again. The trick is nipping the bud faster than the time before!

Frouf, as we understand it my Uncle never knew what happened. He would have wanted it that way. He and my Aunt were out antique shopping and he went to the restroom. When he didn't come out, my Aunt sent someone in to check on him but he was already gone. He just turned 85 on December 1st and enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with his family. I guess you can't ask for more than that. I hope things work out for you in Tampa. Could he get two rooms or a two bedroom suite? That sounds like a lot of money for a hotel. My best advice for the party is to eat before you go and keep a diet coke in your hand at all times. Or...make a rule that you have to drink an 8 oz glass of water after each non-Core item. That should keep you busy refilling your glass and going to the bathroom! As for the cookies, can you make something you don't like?

Linda, I am SO delighted that you came here! I need the support of another 50ish perimenopausal emotionally eating woman. Maybe we can figure out how to help each other! I also was not good over Christmas but have been back on the wagon for about 3 days now. It was wickedly hard. We can do it. Somehow it helps to know that others are fighting the same battles. Strictly speaking, I wouldn't call the Honey Baked Ham Core. However, you could cut off the "basted edge" and you'd probably be ok. If I was being strict with myself, I might charge myself a point and eat it anyway. Good luck with the party. What a great Mom you are to let it happen and to make sure there are great treats to boot!

Paula, I'm staying tuned for the balsamic chicken and barley. I'm sure I'm going to like that one. It's exciting for me when you all are cooking and sharing recipes. I need to cook and have variety to stay on program.

Alrighty then chickies! My dinner is nearly done. I'll eat and shower and settle in with Honey Lamb to ring in the New Year. I'll be back in the morning. In the meantime......

My dinner was a great success. Jim is watching the Bear/Packer game and I'm not in the mood. I'm heading up for a great bubble bath and to read a romance novel. Jim and I will join up again after the Bear game.

Whatchu all doin?

i'm just here for a minute. i'm taking a break from scrapbooking. well, i'm actually taking a break from categorizing photos so i can scrapbook. i didn't realize i was so far behind. would you believe 03? i didn't realize i'd been procrastinating that long. :duh:

this should keep me out of excess food for awhile. not only am i busy, but i'm also looking at some "awful" photos of myself.

Thanks for the welcome, Vickie!
You know, when my time comes, I'd rather it be like your uncle passed on. Kind of sounds like the way my mom went, she was about to sit down and have lunch with friends and she touched her forehead and said "oh" and fell to the floor, that was IT, no pain, no suffering and I don't think she was even aware of what had happened to her. We were all shocked, and so very sad, but I'm still glad that her passing was simple and painless. Be glad that was the way he went. My dad passed 9/15/05 (four months before mom) and he had cancer and let me tell you that was not the way to go, it was awful for him and for us. So, be at peace that your uncle went that way and even if you miss him, it's still a blessing.
Now, here I sit on New Year's Eve... my daughter and her teenage friends are in the living room and I am in the office on the computer. My husband (the chicken, leaving me to chaperone) went to bed. I'm really uncomfortable sitting here, as I can kind of hear a bit of what is going on (pretty innocent) but I don't want to go to bed and be an absentee parent. I feel responsible for not only my kid, but the other kids as well.
So, I'm glad to have this forum and will probably spend a good deal of time reading through lots of the topics and maybe even studying some of the other weight loss areas so I can compare.
By the way, I've tried several other programs and WW is for me, I like the meetings and they way they run things.
Well, take care. Oh yes, donations in lieu of flowers are always what is "recommended" if you are not comfortable, do what your heart tells you to do.
Linda

I have been cleaning, sorting, and throwing out anything that doesn't move! Thank goodness that Judd is settled in front of the TV out in the family room or he'd be in big trouble...

It's actually looking pretty good in here. Shaun went out with friends but before he did, he went thru his old clothes and brought down two loads to go to the mission tomorrow. I'm washing them now and will fold and box them up when they're done. I hope that during the next few days we can get rid of most of his "civilian" things and call someone to come and clean out our storage unit. I'm paying $75 a month to store his old furniture which he'll never use again, so someone else might as well benefit from it. Plus, if I can save that $75, I'll just put it towards one of his bills.

While cleaning off the bookshelf, I found a bag that I didn't know was there, and when I looked inside I found a stash of baby boy clothes and a baby picture frame. The clothes are 0-3 months, which will be perfect for my brother's little Baby Eli. He's four months old now, but is not quite 11 pounds. Since he was 10 weeks early, he's a bit behind. Fortunately, all of the cocaine is out of his system and he's such a cute baby. I'm hoping that they will be able to adopt him. Mom, if they ever found her, would be in so much trouble for abandoning him, having crack in her system AND giving a false name at the hospital. Dad signed away his parental rights at the hospital but after the termination papers were filed, one of his family members contacted the courts saying they wanted the baby. Too bad, so sad. They now have to stand in line like everyone else, but since Kevin already has Baby Eli as a foster baby, he and Vanessa are first in line. I hope it works out for them all. They are the perfect parents and are so loving toward him. It breaks my heart to think "what if?"

Tomorrow is a great day -- a new start to a new year and we all get a "do over"!! It's like a clean slate!!