coffee is on! I'll even make a pot of decaf and how about some water for tea?

Did anyone see the beautiful full moon this early morning? Reminded me of....ok, I won't do it But, I am mighty tempted.

Weigh in day for me today...not quite sure of how the end result will come out but I have been op so I am not getting too squirrley about it.

Last day of school for the boys today. The big kid will be off all of next week for Spring Break while the little guy won't have break until sometime in April. I do enjoy just having one of them home at a time.

Who is cooking Easter Dinner? I asked dh if he would like me to cook a big family dinner or would he prefer that I go out with Jiff and Mom...he opted for shipping us all out...I think that is swell!

Have a great day chickies!
peach

Morning Peachy, And all to come,
Boy are you up early! Thanks for the coffee, I still have to get older boy up for school but I think a sip or 2 would be great. I love each kid alone too peach. And I know they do too.
Last night was fun, the Seder went very well, but I think the kitchen has some cleaning up left to be done. The dishes are washed and need to be put away.
DH will stay home with little sick man. I have not had a childless day since March 3rd and i REALLY need it.
So up-and- at-em you sleepy heads. I am looking forward to a beautiful spring day.
-L

Morning Peachie and L144S and the sleepyheads to come. (I should not say that because most of them are working out at the gym, I suppose.)

Took it VERY easy yesterday - read two books and didn't lift a finger. I could get used to this - NOT! The arm feels better this morning so we are going to drive to town (1/2 hour) for a small Easter shop. I am even allowing DH to drive my car as long as he obeys the speed limit. The man is a speed freak!

The moon was absolutely gorgeous last night and will be fully full tonight. You really could read by it - but too darn cold out there to try. Today looks like another gorgeous sunny day. The temps go just a wee bit above freezing but the snow is going to go SOON! Then we will have muddy paw season #3 for this year!

We will be having a quiet Easter Weekend. There is a Maundy Thursday "seder" supper tonight which I will skip, community service tomorrow, Easter vigil on Saturday and sunrise service on Sunday! I should be churched out if I take them all in. Easter Day, the family will show for brunch and DH and I will do a romantic rack of lamb dinner that evening. Have not told the kids about my arm (they fuss) so we may go out for brunch which will make things simple.

Now ....would someone please buy me an Easter Bunny? I made DH promise he'd not buy me candy - and the idiot believed me!

Have a good Thursday

Don,
Seder is the dinner we celebrate the fleeing of the Jews from Egypt and slavery. It is an 8 day observance. The Seder meal is all based on tings like bitter herbs, to remind us of the bitter times, salt water to remind us of the tears shead for the first born son being slane, and herosett, wich is an apple and walnut compote cooked in wine to reming us of the morter used to build the pyramids. We have the roasted egg to represent the birth and fragelness of life. It really is a wonderful service and to boot we get to drink lots of wine to represent the blood shed.
Durring passover we eat only unleven bread, Motzos, to represent the fact that the Jews did not have time to wait for the bread to rise as they fled Egypt. A very symbolic service.

Hope this helps because it is very involved. If you ever get the chance to attend a Seder, try.
-L

Good Morning Everyone---Can you believe it--two posts in one week--I am hoping to make it even more. I know I have been MIA too much lately. Today is my first day of spring break--my DS has had off since last Friday--of course he has still had track practice and play practice--that is the High School version of "vacation". I have much planned for the next few days--all fun stuff--cleaning my carpets, cleaning out the fridge and just cleaning in general. Doesn't that sound like fun. I did the 2 mile "Walk Away the Pounds" yesterday and it felt good--going to do it again today and see if I can't get myself into the habit. Still working on the eating thing, but baby steps I guess. Being away from the stress at school will hopefully help.

L -- That Sedar dinner sounds absolutely beautiful--what a special tradition to have.

Dondar -- Glad that Don is feeling better and got to be a part of the "pajama party". Did you say it was school wide or just his class? What grade is he in? I would welcome him (and you) with open arms into my 3rd grade class. How nice of you to make treats for your teachers on conference day. Believe me we appreciate those things beyond measure! Our school has had a lot of sickness too, on Monday I had 7 kids gone, so that put me down to only 24--almost a normal sized class. Have fun at your mom's for Easter.

Ruth -- glad you are taking it easy today, we want that arm of yours to heal quickly. My husband lived in Chicago for several years and he still drives like that now--makes me a nervous wreck when he is behind the wheel Your romantic dinner with DH sounds wonderful.

Peach -- good luck with your weigh in --help me get on that OP wagon will you???? I liked your journaling idea. Dinner out sounds perfect! Any news on Debkay?

Well, I have procrastinate long enough, my exercise tape and carpet cleaner are staring at me--gotta go!! Take care.

I can not believe I didn't check in yesterday. I feel horrible! But, you chicks all sound great! I always feel so lost when I don't stop by and say hi!

With dh gone, getting back in the routine of single mom is a tough one. Let me tell you: I applaud every parent out there who does this alone. It is not easy.

I've been op - more or less. I did eat some trail mix that had m & m's .... tom is here, so I am at the mercy of any and ALL chocolate!

Yesterday weather was phenomenal -- sunny, cool, spingy. Today we have rain, rain, rain. At least it's staying daylight until past 6 pm!

Have a great day chicks!

Hi all!

A quick check in. (as usual I get on the computer and dh shows back up in the office! )

Ruth-so glad that your arm is getting a bit better.

L144S-The Seder sounds wonderful. As much as I love all my big babies I enjoy some time for me, too. Enjoy!

Annie-Always so good to see you. And busy as ever I see!

Jenny-Now why am I not surprised you received great reports on your little ones? Great reports from great kids with a great mom! How in the world do you find time to do all this baking?

Peach-Thought of you this morning sitting at the kitchen table doing paperwork. I had some show on TV - Decorating Sense or something similar and it was craft time! It was pretty neat and I found myself wondering if you've tried THAT craft yet! I vote for going out to Easter dinner!

jenniW-hope you're feeling better. Single parent. Definately a tough job! <hugs>

Life is as crazy as usual around here. Melissa and I are trying to establish some form of routine as my errands and car pooling has doubled since her wreck. Paperwork early morning, off to the gym for workout and aerobics, back for showers and afternoon of office work until school lets out. Poor dh loves the fact that I'm going to the gym but meekly asked me last night if I could find time to do some white clothes today as he's out of undies! Hey, that could be a good thing..... So, today will just be a short walk, paperwork, phone calls and Mt. Laundry.

It's official that I've found all the weight I had lost. Mel and I weighed ourselves at the gym and we have the same amount to lose. (Poor child, she has her moms German build (shoulders and boobs) and her dads height (she's right at 5' ) Being around his Gammy and having his little play day at the gym seems to be having a positive affect on my precious Gabriel (turned 2 last week). We peeked into the day care facility yesterday and he was actually sitting with some of the other children (for the first time) and when he woke from his nap (at my house) instead of screaming for mommy from the bedroom he calmly strolled thru the den until he spotted me in the kitchen and walked over with a grin and arms extended. Thanks to God for answering prayers. He's behind developmentally and is actually and finally starting to put some words together. The three other children seem to be doing a bit better too. Can you believe that the @$$ responsible for all this actually had the nerve to show up UNANNOUNCED at her house last week????? He was informed quickly that I was on my way down there! He was also informed by ME that he took away their innocence and I'll be damned if he would take away their feeling of safety now! The kids were thrilled that I banished him. (of course they're not aware of all the "Gammy words" as they call them that were also said!) Maybe it's a mental thing as they've gone willingly to school this week!

Goodness, didn't mean to write a novel here. (Can you tell DH) has left the office? hehehe

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Janice

Hi Everyone,

Well its almost the end of the day (3:00 pm) ahhhh !
Can't wait to go home and put on my jamies and just relax. Tomorrow I have off so I will probably just be cleaning and cooking and playing with the bambino.

Have a great night !!!!!!

Love, Leens

Hooray!! I am off tomorrow, although I'm still getting up early and shipping dd off to the babysitter's. They both think I have to work!! I have to go do Easter Bunny running around so dd will have to be safely kept from the stores. It's nice to have some time alone, anyway!

Everyone is so busy! I have commitments to 37 different places on Sunday, wonder who will be left out?? Sunrise service at 7 at work, church with dd's great-grandmother, dinner at dd's grandma's, dinner at dd's Aunt, dinner at my sister's, and I was going to cook, but FORGET THAT!! Looks like we'll eat well at all those other places.

I wish I could post to you individually, but I plain forget what was said. Ruth, I will buy you a chocolate bunny, but I lost your address so send it to me and it'll be on its merry way Everyone else, I honestly did read your posts!! And all you lurkers, don't make me tell Ruthie on you!! Have a wonderful evening!!

Good evening!

Well, it's back to the beginning for me. DH is finally back to work (although at a much lower salary than before). I'm working part-time as a substitute teacher (nice job -- lousy pay). The warmer weather is here so there's no more excuses for not getting back OP.

I'll weigh myself tomorrow (first time in about 3 months) to see my starting point this time. Hopefully it won't trigger a stroke!

I've missed all of you. See lots of newbies, too. John doesn't know how I went without my daily (and sometimes hourly) logging in to chat with "the ladies". It was just too embarassing to admit that I was off program. Depression can do that to you. The only way out of the depression (short of medication) is to take control. So here I am -- back on-line and looking for support and hoping to offer some to others.

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Joanne. I live in New Hampshire. I'm 38, mother of 3, grandmother of 5, and way about twice what I should. This is my 28th?? attempt to lose weight. Let's see how well I do this time. If I can at least get below 200, I would be supremely happy! I haven't seen figures that low in about 12 years!

Gotta go. DH is bringing my stepson home for the weekend today (no school tomorrow due to Good Friday). I still have to pull together a late dinner. Probably going to serve them grilled cheese & soup and a salad with tuna for me.

Hope you all did as well as you wanted today!

I'm glad you came back to chat with us! I know the struggle you are referring to. 28 times?? One thing you can say, you NEVER give up!!! Good for you! Post often, ok?

Jo!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't really stick around much for now....just wanted to let you know how very glad I am to see you again!

I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN SOON....RIGHT?

Janice