Good morning everyone! It is very cold here again this morning though no moisture until tomorrow. We scheduled the deck clean up for tomorrow but Jack is going to reschedule as it is supposed to start raining tonight and continue until around noon. Wet leaves are hard to clean up and I don't want the man on a two story ladder cleaning my eaves either.

We went to WM and got the few things we needed and came back home and put stuff away. I was all in by the time we were home.

I weighed myself this morning and am down a few lbs. I am not sure how many because with the surgery I hadn't weighed myself. I know I've lost about 10 lbs since my surgery two weeks ago. I am back to feeling like eating regularly so we shall see what happens.

Jean: We had a nice lunch with Jay and Kelly. Thomas was with his dad. They were telling us some hilarious stories about the boys at Thanksgiving. We only visited for about an hour but it was nice. We're going to Indiana in June for several days. I guess we should start the next thread at one again. I just happen to think about it being a new year.

Everyone have a good Tuesday.

Good morning, ladies! A nippy 15 degrees right now and not warming up much today. Normal low for this day is 32 degrees. I am not going out today. The cold air is very hard on my breathing.

I'm supposed to have quilting bee tonight and tomorrow as well but if it doesn't warm up, I'm staying in. By this time last year I'd had bronchitis twice and I sure don't want that again.

Today is going to be fun (at least for a fabricholic). I'm going to pull fabric for a new applique block and a whole new king-size quilt from my stash. Such fun!

I bought an Instant Pot yesterday. It is electric and has 6 functions: browning/sauting, rice cooker, slow cooker (with 3 temperatures), pressure cooker, steamer and warmer. I've looked at them for several months and decided to get one since I got a $400 gift card from Verizon. I've had stovetop pressure cookers before and loved them.

Faye, I was really sad to hear Alan Rickman died. He wasn't all that old, either. He played his part so well. Can you believe its been 20 years since HP started! I have all the movies as well as the books. I'm sure it was great to see your son. I haven't gained back but 7 pounds of the weight I lost with my surgery. The doc would like to see me with 3-5 more but it's stable now with the way I eat and I'm not going to eat junk just to gain more. Heaven only knows if I opened that door again I might never be able to get it closed and end up the fat lady in the circus. We haven't started over with 1 on the thread each year for about 3 years.

Jean, thanks for starting the new thread. I love soup all year but especially when its cold out. We might be getting more snow on Sunday.

Maggie, I do take my blood pressure at home and keep a record for the doc. When I go to see him, I take my monitor and check it with his reading. It's been spot on. I have an Omni BP meter. My BP is low normally, around 100-105/59-65, but sometimes it gets even lower and I get dizzy. It seems to be a bit higher when I don't exercise. Susan the Dishwasher is lazy at this house so we have a machine to do the job. They also use less water and we sometimes have water restriction in the summer. I've never liked washing dishes. I used to cry while I was doing it when I was a kid.

Have a wonderful day!

Good Afternoon! It is seriously snowing and has been since mid morning. It's 10 degrees out but feels much colder with the wind. I'd love to see the sun but guess it's not to be today. I stopped by the library to drop off three books, two of which just couldn't keep my interest. Picked up an old Nora Roberts paperback that I haven't read so will give that a try. Decided to get a perm since my hair has gone so limp because of the dry weather. I debated all last week and called yesterday thinking I might not be able to get in before we leave. Since my hair is so short I was hoping it wouldn't take long, but three hours later I am home again. Have laundry going and need to do something else constructive. Also need to visit the dreadmill.

"Gma," a summer (nice weather) trip to Indiana will be fun to look forward to. Any weight loss is good but your recent loss is not a fun way to do it. Sorry, but guess I didn't realize we started with a #1 thread in the new year. I don't know how to change it now.

Susan, you are really having some winter temps! You are wise to stay inside where it's warm! Is your new pot just called an Instant Pot? A $400 gift card would be so fun! Sounds interesting. I have never used a pressure cooker, I guess mainly because my mom didn't have one. Bob's mom did however, and she gave one to me and also to a sister-in-law who had never used one. Neither of us knew how to use it so never did. You must have a lot of fabric on hand to make a kind sized quilt. Have fun!

Hope you all are having a more fun day than I! Keep warm and enjoy!

Good Evening! We made a quick trip to Sioux Falls today. It was a cloudy hazy drive and windy. Temperatures hovered around 20. Snow had melted along the shoulder, from deicer salt, on the interstate and covered part of the right lane. We saw several cars in the median and ditch, the drivers evidently didn't realize it was frozen ice and lost control. The main reason for the trip was so Bob could check out a plow and get some new undies at Penneys. Jason was in a meeting and Amanda out of town working, so didn't see them. Most everything at Penneys was on sale and Bob found two golf shirts, a pair of shorts, two plain t-shirts, a belt, plus his undies. While we were having lunch I happened to look at the receipt and noticed we were charged $20 each for the t-shirts which had a sale sign for $7.99. So back we go to Penneys! We had a different clerk from the first time and she gave us an additional 30% off from an online coupon which I didn't have. She included the shorts and belt which weren't on sale, just for the inconvenience of our coming back. I usually save the receipt to check against the credit card statement but for once I was on the ball! My coffee date for tomorrow got canceled due to sciatic nerve issues and physical therapy for my friend. She can stand or lay down but not sit for very long. I have plenty to do around here!

Maggie, I am ready for some "nice" weather! Sunshine would be most welcome! I have been known to leave a pan in the sink overnight but will wash it first thing the next morning. I really like to leave the kitchen picked up and put away after supper. I hate the hungry days! I have a bad habit of going from one cupboard to the next hoping to find something to chew. What night do you go to WW? Good luck!

I need dream up something for supper. We ate a late lunch at Applebee's so not really hungry yet. Their prices have really gone up, like $3.50 more for the salad I usually order. Hope you all enjoy a nice evening!

Good morning ladies! 25 degrees heading for low 30s. We had a dusting of snow during the night but expect a mixture of rain and snow starting tomorrow and going on through the weekend with cold.

My Instant Pot arrived yesterday and I made beef stew for dinner - 20 minutes and it was perfect and very flavorful. I think I'm going to love it.

Faye, I can always tell what our weather will be by what's happening for you because we get it a day or two later. I'm so sorry about your brother. He sounds like someone who should be on disability.

Jean, I love my Kindle and smart phone since I download books from the library any time of the day or night and I can just hit delete if I don't like it.
Macy's is closing here and everything is 40% off the lowest ticked price so I really need to get there. I hope it warms up next week so I can get out again.
It takes about 28 yards of fabric for a king-size quilt, front and back. I probably have more like 500 yards on my shelves. My stash is small compared to some of my friends. When you are an avid quilter, the fabric piles up.

Maggie, I take my king-size quilts and clankets to the laundromat up the street and let the lady there fuss with them. It's a lot easies. I don't use my Fitbit anymore. It isn't waterproof. I use my VivoFit and love it. I seldom take it off. I got it specifically because I could wear it in the pool.

Have a wonderful day.

Good Morning! Another cloudy cold, 18 degree day in my neighborhood. I made a WM run this morning and didn't even make it home before I realized I had forgotten a couple things. I forgot to even write them on my list so that is that. I'm working on my packing list this afternoon. I hate to pack any clothes yet because they will be so wrinkled and I hate wrinkles. We have a meeting at church tonight so that may be as exciting as my day gets.

"Gma," I hope you will have your new dishwasher asap. It will be interesting to find out the details on your brother's job. I don't think anyone's job is very secure these days, especially if the company wants you gone. We walked through Sears yesterday because Bob wanted a certain tool that he has only seen in their tool catalog. That store was pretty sad, not much inventory compared to Penneys. Penneys just finished a huge remodeling and it has a beautiful new look. Bob thought Sears was in trouble when they combined with K-Mart.

Susan, I hope your weather warms up so you can go out and about. Have fun with your new pot and quilt project!

I need to get something going for lunch. Hope the sun is now shining on all of you! Enjoy your day!

Good morning, ladies. 29 degrees and waiting for the storm to start. VA has been put under a state of emergency for not only will we have rain and snow but also flooding. They closed the schools around here in case they can't get the kids safely home.

Today will be clean out the fridge day. Not a job I like, but it has to be done. Then it will be to do the floors downstairs. After that, it might be a good book kind of afternoon.

Faye, people around here can't even drive in rain let alone snow. I hope Jack is safe in his travels today. Congratulations on going down 2 sizes.

Jean, half the time I'm standing in the checkout line and remember something I forgot to put on the list. Then I debate what to do. Usually I opt to put it on the new list as soon as I get home.

Maggie, your shed sounds nice. I wondered how you were going to store all your appliances. My FitBit is old - a Flex. In between that and the VivoFit I had a BodyMedia which I really liked but you have to pay for their website and it also wasn't waterproof.

Have a wonderful day.

Good Morning! I've been for a pedicure, picked up a prescription, and made a quick stop at the grocery store. I'm starting on my "to do before we leave" list. The Sioux City newspaper installed one of those automated menu robots and I HATE those! I punch all kinds of buttons then get transferred to a real person.

Maggie, you can keep the rain! I hope it doesn't freeze and turn to snow for you. I like spiral bound books too. I have several cookbooks that are three ring/hard cover and they will lay flat. For someone who doesn't like to cook I have a lot of cookbooks.

"Gma," I hope Jack made it to work, and home again safely. On going down in sizes! We don't shop at Sears often but as you said, all of our parents were Sears customers. Guess we are kind of loyal since Bob worked for them for five years.

Susan, driving on "wet" can be just as dangerous as the ice and snow when one isn't used to it. I usually find something in the fridge that should have crawled out on its own. I splurged and bought a mystery paperback to take on the plane. I'm having a hard time waiting to start reading it.

I need to fold some laundry and scoop potty boxes. Hope you all enjoy a fantastic Friday!