Good morning I am once again trying Debbie's managed insomnia. It actually works really well with DW's med schedule. She takes meds at 4 so her symptoms are well controlled by 5. It's a good time for her to eat. I suggested that this morning since she was up. I'm sure she will be back to sleep in a couple of hours. I'm going to try a nap this afternoon and get to the grocery store when it opens. Apparently we have an ice storm heading our way. that added to the holiday weekend will make it crazy but I haven't done much grocery shopping in weeks.

Right now I'm in need of more coffee. How is your day shaping up?

ETA - just realized people not on facebook may not know Julie came home yesterday They always surprise us at the hospital.

Good morning, Cyndi, and I'm happy that Julie is back home. I hope the new year brings a fresh start for you both, and that this is the end of hospital stays for a long time! Make sure you get everything you need while you're out and get home in plenty of time before the ice storm hits!

I'm sitting here coughing away and my eyes are watering, but my head seems to be much better. Richard sent me home as soon as he saw me yesterday, and I called Melinda to cancel my hair appointment, but she said she had a bad cold, too, and had an opening right then, so I went up and finally got my hair done. Thank goodness! It was snowing pretty hard on my drive home, but the roads were fine.
I'm keeping Amber and Tyler for a few hours this morning while my DIL goes for job interview , and I think Monica and Carley are coming out later and spending the night. I've warned everyone that I have a cold, but that doesn't seem to bother them.

Good morning Cottage! Make sure you are taking care of yourself with all your visitors. I'm a big fan of tea made with fresh ginger slices and fresh lemon juice. It's great for coughing and chest congestion.

Happy Friday! No work today!

Cyndi, If they say the words 'ice storm' around here, we all flood the grocery stores like idiots. Sometimes I think our weathermen are in cahoots with the bread men.

Cottage, So sorry you have a cold! I woke up with a sore throat this morning. Hopefully, I just snored all night.

Jeff and Auston had an adventure yesterday. They went fishing and somehow, Jeff managed to fall off the boat in 16 feet of water -- 45 degree water. When he surfaced, he said that Auston was screaming bloody murder. Jeff managed to get back in the boat and get the boat back to the dock to load it on the truck. He found a jacket in the back, so he rode home in the jacket and wet underwear. It was funny when he was telling it. I realize it could have been a truly awful situation. *shivers*

My MIL had her second round of chemo yesterday. Her white count went from 400 to 4000. It's still well below normal (9000), but it must have been good enough. Hopefully, she'll stay out of the hospital this time.

I have another 4-day weekend. Yay! Jeff, Auston and I are going on a little road trip this morning. Priority: The tree has to come down!

Chelby, OMG. That is terrifying! My tree came down the day after Christmas. Not even soon enough for me.

I'm getting ready to refocus on January 2, and part of that means making a shopping list for food that will be on plan. Something I've GOT to do today. Other than that my son and I are just doing errands and then we'll go to see the Muppet Movie this afternoon. Hope everyone has a great day - Cyndi, hope all is well with DW. You've certainly been through the ringer!

Late check-in from me since I slept until nearly eight!

Great news that Julie is home, Cyndi. I always feel that people heal better at home than in the frassing hospital. I hope today's shopping foray goes well.

Linda! You need to look after you fro a while! Come here and let em baby-sit you through the cold. I sure hope DIL gets a job soon. Tell Carley and Monica to look after YOU!

Chelby, that is just terrifying! It could have been a very serious situation. I am dying to ask how a grown man can fall out of a boat. I hope there are no repercussions and that Auston recovers fast from his fright.

Mathilda, you do sound glad to get Christmas packed away and are focused on the New Year. My Christmas is still hanging around but I like it.

Very cold out there this morning - the dogs went out and back fast with poor Jazz whimpering to get in. I keep telling him he's Russian and that Russia is cold but he just mutters "Nyet" and heads for his dish in case he's getting caviar for breakfast. Tomorrow and Sunday we may get some of Cyndi's cruddy weather but at least it'll be above freezing.

Going down to the Diner for coffee shortly and then need to drop off mail and some other things around the Village. I did some "regifting" and need to do the delivery now. I feel a tad guilty but am really wondering why people give hot chocolate (Starbucks) and chocolates (Godiva) to a diabetic!

It's the Sixth Day of Christmas and the geese should show up soon to lay eggs. Maybe omelet for lunch?

Good Friday Morning,

So happy to hear Julie is back at home, Cyndi!! There's nothing like sleeping in your own bed and being in familiar surroundings to speed the healing process. Wonderful news!!

Sorry to hear you're still coughing a lot, Cottage. Those coughs can be very persistent. My DD had one for over 3 weeks after a bad cold. I know it's hard for you to stay still for too long, but try to take it easy.

Four day weekend for Chelby!! Isn't it nice to know that you don't have to rush like a crazy person to get all caught up on the weekends? I'm relieved to hear that your MIL had a successful round of Chemo. I hope she gets to 9000 soon. I really can't imagine how stressful this period of time must be for your whole family. You're all in my prayers. Enjoy your trip today with Jeff and Auston.

Melinda, I'm so laid back that my tree is lucky to be down by the middle of January. We got it fairly late this year too, so I will be looking at those twinkling lights for weeks to come.

I have been on nursing duty since Wednesday morning. My younger DD had all 4 wisdom teeth removed and I have literally been applying ice on and off every 20 minutes for 2 days now. It's amazing how slowly 20 minutes goes by at work and how quickly that buzzer goes off when on nursing duty. On the plus side, I have a two-story house with at least 16 stairs, so I should get in some good leg work!! She did very well, with minimal pain and thanks to the ice packs, minimal swelling. She only had 5 pain killers total and can use Ibuprofen now. My older DD said she was keeping her wisdom teeth no matter what the dentist says. I can't blame her.

I have been doing very well in the eating department. The stress of the holidays and keeping busy as a homemaker and nurse has managed to take some weight off of me. I am going to move my ticker down to 168 today. I don't know how long it will stay there with New Year's approaching , but I'll enjoy it for the moment.

Have a wonderful day friends!

I just read my post and realized I had a senior moment. Mathilda, I am so sorry I wrote Melinda. I was singing a Go-Go Girls song in my head this morning. I think the earworm had something to do with it!!

Ruth, you are a great writer! I get such a chuckle reading your posts. You have a whole other career ahead of you, if you ever retire from volunteering. I agree, Starbucks cocoa and chocolate is not the most well thought out gift for a diabetic. Don't worry about the re-gifting, those will be well received!!

Good Morning

MIA yesterday. The group planned a ski/pool day and despite my desire to stay home we packed up and were on the road before 6. It worked out great because the weather was much better on the Western Slope.

Cyndi, YAY! for Julie making back home. I hope that all remains quiet on the home front and that you can both get some needed rest.

Linda, I hope you are feeling better soon!

Chelby, scary day for your boys! I'm glad for a happy ending. Have fun on your road trip.

Matilda, have fun at the movies!

Ruth, yippee for sleeping in AND regifting of sugar laden presents.

Chris, nice job moving your ticker down this time of year! I hope your DD is feeling better soon. I love the stairs in our house for spontaneous exercise.

Jenn, I'm glad the meds seem to be helping. I hope this is the beginning of the end for the crud you've been dealing with!

I'm not waiting another day to refocus. My first task is to clean out the fridge. I hate waste but there is no reason to keep/freeze food that isn't OP. DH has already agreed to participate in an exercise session so I'll hop on the recumbent bike. My ticker is up, but not by much, and I'm at a lower weight than last December so I'm going to run with that success and keep going.

Have a great day everyone!

Morning all,
Good to hear all the good news about people not freezing to death and people coming home from the hospital!

As for me, I am shaping up to go shopping - I am excited but also nervous. I'd love to fit into an 18 with a little room to groove. But am so worried I won't like the sizes I am and it will deter me...My ideal size is a 12/14 so if I am an 18 now, that's just halfway there, right? I started out at a 22 so we'll see!

Talk to you all later.

Hi, Chicks! Haven't been online much lately so need to catch up. Worked out with my mom today, still modifying for my calf strain and no cardio yet. Ran an errand that had to be done before the end of the year. My husband is the procrastinator - not me! Started a new book today. Not much else to share. Eating has been on track, finally... woo hoo for that.

Ruth, There are several cup holders built into the floor of the boat. Jeff said that he had put a pair of fishing pliers in the cup holder. He thinks he tripped over the pliers.

Chris, If I had my wisdom teeth removal to do over again, I would keep them! I think the doctor put me to sleep, laid me on the floor, then kicked me till they fell out. It was an awful recovery! I'm glad your daughter is having controllable pain. She's fortunate to have her mom taking care of her.

Ruth, I'm with Jazz! I'd need a peepee pad.

Chris, do not worry about it! I am constantly called something other than my own name. What is ironic is that many people I meet tell me I look like Belinda Carlisle so Melinda isn't far off from that especially since you were thinking of the GoGos.