Hi girls!

Life's been going on around here.

I'm sure it's been going on where you are too. I just seem to be so overwhelmed.
The Baby called yesterday morning because he wanted to borrow the van to move his twin bed from upstairs to his house. He was expecting his Fraternity roommate in from Buffalo, NY last night and he needed some place for him to crash. Honey and I decided to make the most of his visit and lined up a bunch of his stuff so he had to make a trip with all of that before we let him take the bed.

NOT what he was expecting!!!!!
Honey has been off work since Thursday on vacation. Thursday I booked a quick job and a lunch for us so we took off for the mall. Yesterday we stayed in bed for a bit in the morning

and then I went shopping in the afternoon. I had bought a bunch of towels from Kohls last July when they were really cheap. I bought all white ones at the time because neither of the boys actually had their houses yet so I took them back to exchange them for other colors. #1 Son also needed a mattress pad so I went in the afternoon because they had a huge 50% off sale. Got the pad for 50% off, then had a 15% off coupon AND a $10 coupon so the pad cost me $9.00 in the end for a queen size. I thought that was pretty good.
We got up this morning and went to breakfast with friends. When we got hom #1 Son was ready to go with Honey to his house and do some of the things that needed two people to accomplish.
Honey's old boss, who has moved on as Plant Manager at another building, emailed Honey and invited us to THEIR Christmas party for tonight. It sounds like fun. Dinner, dancing, music and games. We haven't see the old boss since he moved to the other plant and I haven't seen his wife since the last function, probably a year and a half ago. They're very nice people. Pete always looked after Honey, and the boys for that matter, as they go waaaay back. Pete recruited Honey to work for him at their LAST company and then begged him to come work for him when the other company went out of business and Pete moved here. The boys also worked there some years ago, the Baby as a co-op in the Engineering Department and #1 Son in the IT Department.
Well, I'm sure that's all information you really didn't care about!
Anyway, the point was, that I need to get my hair fixed, do my nails and in general get ready in another couple of hours. Oh, that reminds me, I should probably go up and take my knee pills so I can actually dance a dance with Honey tonight.
The scale has been pretty kind to me this week. I'm not posting a loss until Monday as that's my "official" day. But it's nice to know that it's moving.....DOWN!!!!
2cute: Your rendition of the granddaughters doing the tree is so cute. I bet they're just thrilled that you let them have a whole tree to themselves. Hope you've recouperated. Good job not letting your DH off the hook when he offered to help. I love it when we surprise the heck out of them and react completely different than they expect.
Terri: I know you're gone, but I hope you have a safe trip with the horse. I take it there's room at your stable for one more.

I hope it's nothing serious with your mom. I know I see my mom slowing down finally. She was 84 this past July. Winter is hard on her. She gets so warm wearing a heavy sweatshirt and big coat and when she's shopping or church or whatever, she doesn't shrug off the coat. So by the time she gets outdoors again she been sweating because she's so warm and then gets chilled when she goes out in the cold. I've tried to convince her to layer and shed that stuff while she's inside but she just doesn't get it. * Sounds like your newly acquired family can be a little challenge. I'm glad that your DH has been able to reconnect with them all. Life is too short. How is his brother doing, BTW?
Elaine: I'm thinking the next time you check in here you will be at home. Hope you had a safe trip. Do you travel often, or is this just those once a year type things? Honey hates to travel for work. This has been the year with the most travel for him ever.
Ruth: Unfortunately, grabbing the Baby by the ear would only make him dig his heels in further.

He is just like his momma, unfortunately, which means stubborn!!!!! Hope all is well at your end.
BarbG: I'm glad you're going to be able to get back into a routine. I sure can sympathize/empathize with a lack of one. I keep saying that once I KNOW what's going on around here from night to night, I'll start cooking. We'll see.
Lilion:
FOUR (4) POUNDS!!!! How great is that!!! WooHoo for you!!!! When I'm paying attention, I can be very good eating out. The important part of that statement is "when I'm paying attention".

I have found a wonderful salad at our favorite little neighborhood brew pub as well as a really nice salad offering at Ruby Tuesday's (avoid the salad bar and all of its trappings) as well as TGI Fridays. Don Pablos has Momma's Skinny Enchiladas that aren't bad. Anyway, I've pretty much figured out what I can have, where and it works when I work it.
Valerie: I think you're still on the road. I'm trying to remember when you said you'll be back. Anyway, hope you're safe.
Leeanne: I'm sooooo glad to see you back. I'm glad the card reached you at a time you really needed it.

It sounds like you're really busy with the girls and end of the year formals. The Baby is off tonight to the Fraternity Christmas party. Took his suit with him last night. My only sadness is that I don't get to see him all dressed up this year. He does clean up good, if I don't say so myself!!!!
Michelle: I'm glad you got all your Summer stuff put away. I feel like I've been doing laundry for days. I told Honey the part I will like best about the boys moving out is the extra closet space.

I love the candid pictures of the kids. One year I took the Baby to see Santa and he just wouldn't look at the camera to save his soul. The picture they snapped caught him looking up into Santa's eyes with his little hand on the big guy's beard. The girl apologized and said she would keep trying. I told her, "no way. That is the most precious picture. I want that one." You just don't get THOSE pictures every day.
Well girls, I think I'm caught up. I will talk to you later and let you know how the party went. Love

ya bunches.