Hi everyone, I spent the day shopping with DH yesterday for a new car. I'm gonna end up trading my Expedition. I love the roominess of it, but hate buying the gas for it. I'm not sure what I'll get, I really like the look, feel and drive of the Chevy Malibu. I test drove a real pretty Mustang, but they were offering me Way too little on my trade-in . I haven't driven a regular car in about 10 yrs. Every time I end up buying a big gas-guzzling SUV or a double cab truck. Now that DH is working away from home every other week, I want somthing cheap that me and the girls can get around in. (Plus since the girls are both 15 and will learn to drive soon, I don't want them trying to drive my big vehicle cause it's so hard to see out of) (and easy to back into stuff, I know this first hand, LOL). Anyways, the Malibu gets 34 mpg on highway and I'm gonna test drive other cars that are fuel efficient before I decide. (I am getting 13 mpg in the Expedition).

My oldest SD is bringing the grandsons back to me today. She had the opportunity to keep them til Monday, but refused saying "I can't keep them longer cause I have a Dr. appt". It really ticked me and her dad off. When is she gonna learn that Life happens even with kids and most parents don't send their kids somewhere else just cause they have an appt. or need to grocery shop or anything else. I guess I just don't understand this type of mentality. I raised my kids alone for yrs. and took them everywhere I went except to work. After all, she hadn't seen them in 3 weeks, most mom's would have wanted to have them an extra day. To me, she just doesn't have that "mother's instinct". (On Friday she left all 3 kids with me so she could go shopping at Sam's Club). We haven't had the custody hearing yet and I pray that they leave me out of it. Sorry for my rant.

Yesterday was our 10th Anniversary. We went out to lunch. We didn't buy each other gifts since we're planning on buying a new car sometime this next week.

My eating hasn't been completely on track this weekend. I'm back on track today.

Hey! I drove an 98 Olds Cutlass for almost 10 years - same body style as the Chevy Malibu - I loved it!! Very good driving car, comfy, I drove it until it just needed too many repairs (but it took 10 years!). I recently bought a used 06 Volkswagon Jetta - I love it too! Good luck with finding the right car!

Lily-I know what you mean about big vehicles. I drive a 15 passenger van. I shudder to think about 15yo dd driving it. Not that she wants to drive something soooo uncool. My heart also breaks for your dgrandsons. I'm impressed by your restraint. I'd probably want to rant at oldest sd.
My eating has been on track, despite going to a fiesta last night. I played cards and that kept me from overeating.

Glory, the Jetta is next on our list of cars to test drive. I also tried a Chevy Cobalt LS, it was small and sporty and rode very well plus has a good record. But, with it, I'm afraid it would be hard fitting my grandson's car seats in. I think maybe a medium sized car with good gas mileage will work best.

Lisa, OMG, a 15 passenger van, now that is big, but with your family I can see how it would work. Lol, at the "uncool" comment . My DD calls my Expediton a "soccer mom" car. LOL.

I just came in from watering my garden. It is so hot and humid here. I did pick a bunch of green beans, cucumbers, okra and cherry tomatoes. So, it's definitely salad, fresh veggies and grilled meat tonite. (Much healthier than the mexican casserole I made last night).

Lisa, about SD, I've ranted so many times that I've given up. She just sucks.

Good morning maintainers,

My sunday 8 mile jog turned into a 4 mile run 2 mile stroll. It is just so hot!

Happy aniversary Lily. Me and DH had our 10th this year too. We had our first date in a REALLY long time. We never go out anymore. I think its been something like 5 years. Ahh small children.

Lydia, so glad to share the inspiration. A very dear friend shared that quote with me years ago and when I was reading all the posts it just popped into my head. I found the quote online my googling "nelson mandela" "who are you". The internet is so amazing for things like this.

I had a great store experience yesterday. Tried on a size 8 and 10 and both fit so comfortably. Had to fight to keep myself from buying them just cause they fit. I did that with 2 pairs of jeans a few weeks ago and now they are really too big. I think sizes have changed. I rememeber being about this big and being a solid size 12. Vanity sizing works though. I see that small number and when it fits I think. I must buy. I am working on it.

Hope everyone is having a happy weekend.

I ended up playing three 10 minute games. We won the "B" division! That's me in the pink hat!

Hi maintainers,

SusanB - You look sooo cute!! And you look like you are having a really good time!

Lily - OMG! 13mpg ?????? I cannot even imagine driving a vehicle like that. We pay 1.50 euro per quart here, so that would be like 8 $ per gallon. I drive a 6 yr old mazda, and I looked really hard at the fuel efficiency, because the stuff id sooo expensive. My mazda does 1 l per 11.5 km, so that would be about 31 mpg. Congratulations on the anniversary, and I think that the step- grandsons can be glad to have a gran to fall back on.

I fell off the wagon in the holidays, with predictabel consequences for my mental stability. I got really upset with the adolescent behaviour of DS and his friend. We were camping in germany and we had a lot of rain, which did not help. I did not do any excercise at all, and I gained 4 pounds.

I am getting myself back on track now, sticking to my 5 - 6 meals per day rule, AND I exercised. I really must learn NOT to give anything else priority over that, because it helps very much with the mental issues. Today I pat myself on the back because i did a 20 min run outside (with DD accompaniing me on her bike) and followed with a 20 min yoga session. i feel a lot better now and I am shocked, as usual, by how quicly I get out of shape if i do not excercise.

Have a great day all,
Rabbit