Thanks, Sandra! I love how the emoticons are all moving in unison!!!!

They're moving for you, Sloan. Enjoy your holidays knowing, "You done good."

Congratulations, Sloan. I tried to add some emoticons but Sandra used them all :lol: Passing statistics is quite an achievement--be proud!

I saw two of my great nieces today and I asked them if they wanted any particular food tomorrow. They said anything as long as it is pie. The older one asked for pumpkin pie, and it is in the oven right now. The younger one said "cheesecake." I told her that was not a pie but that I'd get some, and I did. I have made a cheesecake before and it cost more to make it than to buy it! We are going to have 3 pies, 2 cakes, ice cream, and cookies :lol:

Rhonda, thanks! Can I come over? Sounds like dessert heaven!!

Rhonda, sorry about that. I tend to over indulge in lots of things including food and emoticons. Sloan's right. it sounds like dessert heaven at your place.your Have some cheesecake for me. I've already had pumpkin pie.

I guess everyone's having a fun Saturday. The last couple days felt like Sundays to me, so I don't know what today is. :lol:

Good job Sloan !!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving !!!

I spent 2 days in SC with one part of the family, Now I am home with
the boys, grandson & daughter from Ca...Enjoying family !!

Thanks, Nancy! Sounds like you are in your "happy place" :cloud9:

I survived. We were missing 2 adults and 1 child, but we had plenty of people and LOTS of food. I'll take the left-over desserts to church coffee hour tomorrow.

It was a fine time. But, you know, I'm missing the kind of Thanksgiving I used to have when I went home to Mama and stayed for days and cooked with her. No one is cooking with me. People bring food and it's great, but something is missing. I told my niece that next year she had to come and spend the night at my house and get up early with me and start cooking. It's lonely getting ready for the party alone. DH will do his tasks on his list, but it's just not the same. I hope I don't sound whiney; I don't mean to be, and I do appreciate what I have. I guess it's just a tribute to my Mama--it's not the same without her. :cry:

Missing your Mama is not the same as whiney! Holidays are very emotional times. I think it's a great new tradition for you and your niece to cook together!!

:hug: Sloan

Holidays are emotional times, aren't they? i tend to just forge ahead, get the job done, then wonder what hit me :lol:

Rhonda, :hug: You're not whiney at all. I know I always am saying how lucky your niece is to have you. Well, you're lucky to have her, too.

Rhonda..I know what you mean about missing the cooking with your mom..
I mostly talked & she cooked but with both parents gone, its never the same.
I keep trying to recreate the floorplan I had growing up, because I felt so safe & loved there.. I just associate a kitchen with a bar & stools as a happy thing..

Enjoyed my kids again today..We plan to fix a breakfast of sausage & gravy over biscuits in the morning..Usually its the day after Thanksgiving that we do that..

After everyone goes home I am going to try 5 mini meals a day.
This is what I am going to try with variations..
8am-protein shake
11 am - salad with protein
2pm- healthy soup
5 pm- healthy recipe
8pm- yogurt & berries & nuts

I think a routine of packing a soup & salad everyday when I start work will help me and if I eat out I can still get soup & salad and save one for later in the day. Evenings should be easier with lots of options. My daughter said she takes a big salad to work and it lasts 3 days in the frig just fine. She dishes out a bowl & dresses it before eating it.

Also plan to get started with my exercise...

I need to set a start date, My daughter will be here til Wed.. I will try to do
the best I can until then..She can go to the gym with me and help me get started there..She always inspires me ..Today she ran 8 miles and came back and did a yoga & pilates routine..

8 miles! Wow! Nancy, have you seen the jar salads that folks are posting about? Check out this article. There are more, but this will get you started. http://www.thedailymuse.com/health/t...ng-your-lunch/

You Chickies are so sweet :grouphug:

Today is our 6th wedding anniversary and we're going to a local inn for lunch. It's a beautiful spot, about a 3-minute drive from our house. Take a look:

http://www.denton-wildwoodinn.com/

I hope none of us were involved in that melee called "Black Friday". To me, that gross consumerism says more about our society than anything related to social and fiscal policies.

Nancy, my home has a great floor plan for entertaining, and a bar with stools :lol: I was a bit worried yesterday with 9 kids underfoot, but they were so good and there wasn't too much running through the kitchen---I was only worried about their safety but all was fine.

I hope you all have a great day today.

Nancy--maybe your daughter could be our group trainer?