We're in a deep freeze, and it's not even winter yet! Yesterday we started out at 6* and today it's 12* with another storm due in this evening. I hope this isn't an indication of what our winter is going to be like!

I'm all decked out in my finest, as we're going to little Audrey's Christmas play and party at her school this morning. Her parents and grandparents will be attending, too, and we're all going out to lunch afterwards. Her Christmas vacation starts tomorrow, so I'm thinking up activities we can do next week. Maggie's nursery school will still be open, so at least I'll only have Audrey in the mornings.

I made the Taco Bake on Wednesday, and instead of using the refried beans, which we don't care for, I used seasoned black beans and kidney beans, and mashed them in the bottom of the baking pan. We liked it a lot better, but it made so much! I've been eating the leftovers for lunch and supper, and there's still some left. I'll remember to halve the recipe next time.

I've got to run and put the finishing touches on my hair. Have a wonderful day!

Hola Chicas!

This is a daycare day, so I'll be busy most of the day (the laundry waiting for folding is threatening to take over the bedroom) and don't know if I'll get much time for posting. If I do get a few minutes to sit down, I should knit anyway - I have the yarn to knit DS a nice little sweater, and it would be great to finish it before he hits his teens!

cottage - have a nice time at the school do! Boy, it's cold there - it rarely falls below the low 20's F here (and that feels plenty cold to me!). On the other hand, I bet you have more white Christmasses than we do!

Morning, H-ko! Speaking of yarn, I have to get something nice for my SIL, and since she's an avid knitter, I thought maybe something along those lines. Does anyone have any ideas? I don't really know what she already has as far as supplies go. Is there a special yarn or something that she might like? Mamacita, I need help!

I can beat you on the temps, Cottage! It's -6ºF right now - I still do Fahrenheit! The Girls were out for potty and back in really fast this morning. The stove didn't last the night in the back room and I can't restart it until I remove some ashes. However, I have a credit on my electricity bill so just may put on the electric heater for a bit of a break. I refuse to haul ashes out to the barn when it's still dark.

H-ko, enjoy your "free" day. By the way, you are NOT entitled to do a weather whine while we Easterners shiver and shake. Of course we have a white Christmas! Why elese would enyone live in this God forsaken part of the continent.

Cottage, aren't children's Christmas concerts delightful? I have one to go to next Tuesday and am really looking forward to it. Kids have that magic look in their eyes these days - it's wonderful! I do the same thing with that Taco Bake - my own beans. I think I may make it for my Christmas Eve bash and serve it with corn chips for those who can indulge, veggie pieces for me!

Today is a stay at home day finally! Going to town takes such a big swipe out of my time! I can't get an appointment for my new glasses until next Wednesday afternoon so will be driving and reading with my dark ones until then. That means absolutely no night driving which is a bonus.

If the darn tree is delivered today, I'll assemble it. I will do some cook and freeze stuff for my party and also need to make a batch of dog food. I hope I don't get them mixed up! JUST KIDDING!

My gums are pretty sore this morning from the flap surgery so it will be another soft food day. It's a challenge to do that on SBD. I am craving things like bread and gravy but will settle for broccoli soup. Getting the veggies in is the hardest. Shall I make a Spinach Shake?

IIIITTTssss the Most Won-Derful Time of the year!!!!! Good morning my leetle Elfs!!!
Ruth: enjoy yer cozy home...I hope that tree gets there today... fill yer home with loverly pine smell!!!

Cottage: enjoy the party and time with yer Dear little ones!

HKO: Git out them needles girl! Put on some Xmas music and knit one Perl one!!!
I'm back from the gym... Anna put me through the ringer this morn! Lots of Ab and calf work and those dreadful lunges... but I was a trooper!! I will be crippled tomorrow no doubt! It's raining and icy all over... Accidents alllll over spin outs ...I just hope all those folks are okay! Soooo today another crafting day... That bloody needlepoint is taking fer ever!!! But it is coming out so loverly..I love the textured look that french knots gives a piece. So On go the Christmas lights... on goes the Cawfee pot... Out with my crossword puzzle and then on to the crafts!!!! Next week will be cleaning and baking!!!!!!!!!!Tonight center cut pork chops, unsweetened applesauce and some veggie..

Good morning ladies!

DH got the yuckies from me and is at home sleeping. Perfect sleeping weather. It's raining. DS's daycare called yesterday and said that DS had a 102* fever. I notice no difference in him at home, but b/c they took his temp I can't take him to school today. (You can't take them if they have had a fever in the past 24 hours.) He does have a bit of a runny nose, but nothing else. Another coworker called in with the stomach thing too. So, I brought DS to work with me while DH sleeps some. DS has been playing in the floor with his Thomas trains.

As for me, I feel very tired and beat down. Tuesday's class nearly did me in. I took last night off and worked on some things for our Christmas party. Tonight, I believe that I will go to step class. But, all I feel like doing is vegging in front of the TV. I am hoping this little slump in motivation has to do with the looming TOM. I know the only thing to do is get back up on the horse. I NEED the exercise to counteract with my upcoming planned cheats. (i.e. my birthday dinner, Christmas party and Christmas dinners).

Gotta go, my attention is divided.

Good morning!

I hope all of you are staying warm as much as you can!

Just a quick post for me today because I have to get going as soon as I finish eating my breakfast. I'm off to school to struggle with a project that's been haunting me for 2 weeks now. I'm officially "stuck" so I have to go ask my boss for help. Hate it when that happens. This evening, husband and I are helping friends move. That's good because we get a great workout and get to be of service to our friends, but bad because they're orderning for dinner. is my absolute all time favorite pre-diet food!!!

Have a grrrrrrrrreat winter day everyone!

cottage That Christmas play sounds so sweet! Enjoy! I look forward to having little ones one day (maybe soon...)

Heather Enjoy your knitting! I love to knit but haven't had much time lately!

Ruth I hope you have a speedy recovery from the gum surgery.

Schatzi Good job getting through the workout! Have a relaxing morning!

djett Glad your DS is starting to feel better already.

Morning everyone!!
We are getting 1/2 inch of snow wvery hour...oh goody! Maybe it will keep the crazies out of the store later today when I go to work. What am I saying.....only the crazies drive in this stuff!
Last night I caved & ate a frozen dinner....dbf & I went into my work & wrapped all the presents for our adopted family & we didn't get done until 10!
Well I'm off to shovel the steps & dig my car out!
Stay warm & OP everyone!

Morning chicks!

I had a little breakdown last night and ate a piece of pizza. I waited too long to eat and didn't have any snacks packed so I was starved! Hopefully I didn't do too much damage.

Another busy day today! I'm getting microderm abrasion done today, I won a free certificate so I'm pretty jazzed about it.

Have an OP day!

I HATE SNOW & COLD!!! I really should move to Hawaii.....How is everyone else doing today? My work Christmas party is tonight!!! I am sure we will pig out..so will be very strict the next few days!! Dana- I need to get on the same routine as you...I really ned to start working out again!! You are a great motivation!! Well, all have a great day & stay warm!!

Anchor, we posted at the same time.....Please let me know how the microderm goes...I have wanted to have one of those done!!!

last night worked out perfectly. I had dinner with my Wood Badge patrol and we gave an embroidered afghan to our senior member. He was so touched. It was great to see everyone again. I didn't do too badly on the eating either. I had the sweet potato with nothing on it and a big salad to go with my steak.

Brian got his Nintendo DS at the pack meeting and he's been playing with his Nintendog. It's like an early Christmas present. Today is his last day of school before the holidays and they say we might get some snow tomorrow.

cottage - if it were me, I'd love some nice alpaca or something like that - or maybe some nice homespun artsy wool yarn - enough to do something with. I don't know what your SIL like to knit and what with, though.

Ruth - it wasn't a weather whine, it was "looking on the bright side" of your cold weather! I love snow. Enjoy your stay-home day! How's Lucy today?

Schatzi - what are you needlepointing?

djett - sorry your guys are sick!

Christina - sounds like a busy day!

soon & anchor - howdy-doodly-doo!

kyemom - have fun!

Barb - that's sweet!

Almost time to wake DS and feed & dress him - he woke up at 5:30 again, but passed out around 6. I figured a brief addendum to his sleep wouldn't keep him from napping this afternoon, so I let him sleep.

Good morning ladies!!!
I would like to anounce I pulled off a B on the exam and I am relieved. My stomach was in knots all day yesterday...literally it was not a good situation. I have conquered another round of pilates and boy oh boy can I feel it bu the AWESOME thing is my pants fit again

I am jealous of everyones christmas cheer, I don't even have a tree or one christmas decoration up in my home tha is really sad. I don't have time and my house is ripped up remember..no carpet. But the decorations here sure do brighten my day.
I think I need to try this taco bake after the holidays everyone seems to enjoy it!
Ruth I hope your gums feel better, doesn't sound like much fun..maybe you could eat those peanut butter cup concotions, i haven't tried them myself but they sound good.
Cottage enjoy your christmas party, I can't believe they have school with all of that snow!
Djett- take your vitamins and vitamin c and drink lots of water today sounds like the bug is all over your house, working out will help it stay away!
CHRISTINA AND ANCHOR STAY AWAY FROM THAT BAD BAD PIZZA MAN!
RUNNING OUT OF TIME LADIES BUT HELLO TO THE REST OF YOU. WISH ME LUCK WORKING IN THE CRAZY MALL TODAY!

Hildy - you're not alone - we haven't done our decorating, either. I don't usually get the tree and decorate until a week or so before Christmas - I guess it's my little rebellion against Christmas catalogs in June and that sort of thing! We put stuff up about a week or so before and take it down a week or so after - so all told we're decorated for Christmas for about 2-3 weeks.