Good day everyone! I second Sandra on the water, Kathy. Chug chug! I bet it's just a blip.

So I wondered if middle dd (4 years old) might have a UTI..the last few days I've been wondering. This morning she got up with a fever of over 102. I took her to the doctor, and she does indeed have a UTI, and strep throat! Poor little girl, she's SO draggy. Dr prescribed penicillin for both things. She threw up in the car on the way home so I had to clean that up and take care of her... yada yada yada. Thankfully dh comes home for lunch so I could go out by myself to fill the prescription. I hate winter! I'm wondering how long it'll take the other girls to come down with strep. Sigh.

It is bitterly cold here today - in the negative degrees.

The party went well last night. I think I looked good, and I got some compliments, so all was good.

Time to feed the kids,
Angela

angela, i hope the dd's don't all get strep. i'm tired of this cold, too. our back door is frozen shut. so is the kitchen window. hot tubbing is history. i got cold going to the mailbox. maybe i'll learn to stop wearing shorts/tshirts around the house. it's 8* right now.

did you take any photos?

Hey all! I'm finally here. The training was okay today. We actually got done early, which I was glad. I didn't go to work though. I just really didn't want to come home, change, then go to work for like an hour and a half. I might make it up later this week.
Eating has been okay today since I was stuck in that training. However DH went to visit his parents today and brought home candy and cookies that MIL made. There's not much though, I threatened her not to send too much or I would throw it away. So I think I'll nibble on that tonight and be done with it.
We are having a Christmas party for our clients tomorrow and boss decided we should order fried chicken. So I'm thinking that I will not be tempted by that. So I plan on just eating my meal bar and whatnot and ignoring the party food as much as possible. That makes me feel better about tomorrow. Thursday we have our staff party so I will not be able to avoid the food, but I am making a veggie tray so at least there will be that. I'm also going to look for a core appetizer/finger food so that I can have something else. A co-worker said she is making low-fat spinach dip, although I don't know how low-fat it can go, and how low fat the dippers will be!
Boy am I ever writing a book!

Vickie, Yeah!! That is such a great loss. I know you hate how you got it, but at least it is some good news in the midst of your troubles. I'm so sorry that you are down. It's so very understandable though. I think anyone in your situation would be depressed. I'm still praying that someone will be able to REALLY help you.

Kathy, I'm so sorry that you aren't feeling well. And I'm sure the scale jump was just water retention. We ate a lot of soy sauce tonight so I'm afriad that I'll be even more bloated than usual tomorrow.

Angela, I'm so sorry to hear that DD is sick! You just can't keep your clan healthy can you. Glad to hear that you had fun last night and felt good about how you looked. That makes a big difference.

Sandra, Thanks for the explanation. I think those movie rental places exist around here but aren't popular. Maybe there isn't one here. I get confused about all of the places I've lived. And your chickie's going, going, gone!

Frouf, DH is just being a big baby. I'm sorry that you have to deal with that. It's one thing to go after your dreams, but you can chase dreams while working too. Most people do. Not to mention that he's had a year to do some work on that. I'm sorry. But way to go with staying on plan!

Hey, guys!

I'm home and trying not to nibble too much, but it's kinda hard! LOL! I'm making dinner, of course (fish and veggies in foil packets -- a SF recipe), and then some sausage and egg to put in tortillas, and also some shortbread cookies to take to work tomorrow. Judd is at the gym and will be home soon. All kids are still at work so it's quiet here.

I'll be back tomorrow morning. Tonight I'm going to sit and sit and sit, and then sit some more. Hopefully I can finish up with the baking and cooking and cleaning, get some laundry done, and get in bed before midnight. I have to work another long day tomorrow but after Wednesday, I'll be off until Jan. 3.

Have a good evening, everybody!

melissa, sounds like you are armed with a plan for the upcoming festivities. i wish you the best of success. i love hollywood and the mvp. sure is good to just go in and get the dvds and not pay.

kathy, don't work too hard. how are you going to sit and sit and sit with all that baking, cleaning, etc...? i am soooo glad you're off after wednesday. you've earned it.

Seriously Kathy, it doesn't sound like you're resting to me! Go to bed!

Sandra, what are you up to?

LOL! I can rest between batches! Dinner is done, and sausage stuff is done, and cookies are in the oven. Laundry is either washing or drying and I'll only have two loads to fold tonight, so that's a light thing. I can fold during the 10:30 Raymond. Yes, I'm lame! I work my schedule around TV sometimes.

Judd didn't do his part of the Christmas cards, so I'm also doing them in between shows. I'll clean up the kitchen during commercials between the news and Raymond.

And that's it for me!

Gosh Kathy, I would call that one productive evening!

These are the best and easiest cookies!!!

1-1/2 cups of flour
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
2 sticks of butter

Mix it all up. Recipe says to put 1/2 cherry (the candied cherries like you use in fruitcake) on top of each, but I'm using a mini Hershey's kiss.

Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or so. Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. I smooshed the Hershey's kiss on top after they came out of the oven.

They were so easy that I've decided this is what I'll make for the neighbors instead of the usual dipped spoons. LOL -- it's like each of us has a "specialty" that we come to expect each year. Won't they be surprised that they get no dipped spoons!! I can make them Thursday to give out, now I just have to go find plates instead of mugs. Hmmm..

I also have a note on my list to make them for the vet's office and the corner bar where Judd goes. I used to work there so we know everybody.

..and of course some more plates of cookies for all your chickie friends?

Congrats on getting so much done Kathy - wow - I am impressed.

Melissa - glad you had a "short" day - and good luck w/the eating plan during the parties!

I am STARVING by the way - which is probably a good thing - given the fact that I am back on track and not stuffing myself at every opportunity. I am proud to report that the truffles at work are all gone - and not one passed my lips!

Went to the mall after I dropped dd off at dancing - a very busy place. Seems a new Soupman place opened up (you know - based on Seinfeld's soupd ****) and was giving away free soup - sounded like a good "dinner" to me. Alas when I got there the place was closed with a sold out sign on the door - I don't think so! I was so hungry!

Bought a few things (the skirt dd wanted on sale at American Eagle - now hidden away and I know she is wondering whether I got it or not and some packs of gloves for the gift bags we do at work for the homeless people), then headed home to EAT! (got a coffee on the way home).

Grilled the steak (cut into 3 small pieces for me dh and ds), made veggies - ate it, had some pineapple and now I am SO HUNGRY - so just had a bowl of oatmeal and some raspberry tea - didn't quite do the trick - but I am hoping for a loss tomorrow I hope!

No leftovers alas - so got some frozen soup out of the freezer for lunch tomorrow.

Got anothe present at work from our manager - we all got either a wine glass or a beer glass - with one of those charms at the bottom - wrapped in cellophane w/ribbons and a small box of chocolates attached - so cute. This is for our monthly wine and cheese parties - we now have our own glasses, personalized with the charms - mine is pink of course!

I am still pondering what I shall do - usually get Starbucks gift certificates for all - and will get something a bit more substantial for boss and my employee!

I am also now "waitlisted" for a balcony cabin on my cruise - so still time to make plans if required.

Only remaining challenge is lunch out on Wednesday - russian restaurant. I did manage to get a copy of the menu - not too many "core"things - I am leaning toward the cabbage rolls - which seems better than the pastry wrapped things or the pierogies w/potatoes, cheese etc...

I know I should get to bed now right?

Frouf

melissa, i'm just chillin. our back door is frozen shut so there's no hot tubbin for awhile. a gf came over for a few minutes. not much else going on tonight. we'll go train again in the am. we haven't been to the archery shop since league fri night. i'm in withdrawal.

kathy, we watch a lot of raymond, too. we saw 2 episodes today. that's typical for us. i work hard at not being like marie. love the cookie recipe. thanks. what's a dipped spoon?

frouf, i am so proud of you. you are a frouf on a mission. the cabbage rolls sound almost core, don't they?

guess i'll call it a day. i definitely need my beauty rest. ya'll have a good evening. i'll be back tomorrow.

Good Morning Chicks! I'll be cleaning a bit this morning until it's time to get ready to go to meet my favorite Sister and BIL for lunch. I'm very far behind but decided to go anyway. I really want the comfort food at a great restaurant in my old neighborhood where I grew up and I want to be with my Sister. I'll just have to try to catch up when I get home. Didn't do much yesterday because I felt so crummy.

Talk to you all later. Hope you have a wonderful day.

Hey you guys! LOL! You're too funnnnny!

I do more than that in the evenings, just don't list it. It was a relatively easy evening and I was in bed by 11:00 but got back up at 12:00 when Shaun got home. He evidently had a good day, and they gave him a company van to drive so at least he has a way to get to and from work. It's a nice looking van.

I have a dr. appointment this afternoon because (1) it feels like I have an icepick sticking in one ear, and (2) I found a knot on my leg right above my knee. Maybe I was just jealous of Judd's lipoma and wanted one of my own, but whatever it is, it's not supposed to be there!

I look very glamourous today and Frouf would be jealous. A few years ago, my boss gave me a tiara (plastic silver with plastic aqua jewels) and matching earrings. I keep the tiara on top of my computer. Today he gave me an aqua feather boa and so I'm wearing the whole ensemble now. I am QUITE fetching.

Time to do some work. BBL!

Good morning all! Dd is doing a little better I think. No fever this morning, and although she threw up around 5:30, she's eating well now. Weird.

Anyway, I bet you are beautiful Kathy. My girls would think so anyway.

I'm hanging in there...just wanted to check in.

Angela

Angela - sorry to hear about the illness at your place - hope dd is on the mend tho! Good luck! So do your dd's believe in Santa Claus and are they getting super excited?

Kathy - ya ya ya - go and gloat -see if we care Ms. Superwoman!

As for the tiara and boa - yes I am semi-jealous of your most glamorous accessories - now you understand if the tiara jewels and boa were pink - well that would be a different story!

Vickie - hope you have a great visit w/your sister and get the comfort food you need to feel better! Sorry you are still under the weather!

Sandra - sorry you are "locked out" of the hot tub - just get nekkid and run around from the front door! ha ha ha

I am happy to report that my scale has been very cooperative these past few days as I continue my "cruise countdown regime". I am certainly watching what I eat, but there is room for improvment for water drinking. I managed to do my floor exercise this morning as well, and hope to get on the treadmill sometime this evening.

On sat am my scale registered at a scary 212.2 and this morning it is down to 208! How amazing is that? Staying away from all the goodies certainly helped, and of course came in this morning to find yet another gift - a beatiful golden bag of Lindor assorted chocolates - with a tag that said from Santa on it - no one really knows who distributed these (everyone on the team seems to have one). Funny thing is everything thinks it's me!...as this is a typical frouf thing to do.

I always leave a little something and write from Santa - I really don't want anyone to feel obligated to get me something in return - so now everyone keeps insisting it's me that left the goodies - when it's not - so funny as I am adamant about it - and they are all laughing at me - even when I say I got a bag too - they think I'm just being extra clever and sneaky to avoid suspicion.

Which reminds me I should go get my Starbucks gift certificates and start "dropping" them off - that should really confuse everyone!

Lunchtime!

Frouf